How to make baby laugh Part 1

Little Claire is a sweet happy little baby but it is not that really easy to make her laugh when she is younger than 6 months. However our Justin Papa always managed to make her tickle. When she is 7 months and now going to be 9 months old, I found it pretty easy to make her laugh too. Below are some examples:

1. Singing twinkle little stair with BIG movements. I even did a slight change to the lyrics on the song.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star (use fingers)
How I wonder what you are. (Use both hands to touch her cheeks)
Up above the world so high (stretch both my hands up)
Like a diamond in the sky (use fingers to shape a diamond)
Twinkle, twinkle, little star (same as above)
How I wonder what you are! (clap hands)

When the red bright sun is gone, (Use fingers to shape a circle and move it from up to down)
When he nothing shines upon, (shake head and hand)
Then (emphasis the "then" to get her attention)...Claire, you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. (Same as above)
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, (Same as above)
How I wonder what you are! (Clap hands)

2. Falling on the bed

She loves to be scared. Falling into the bed is one of her most fav ticklish moments.



3. Put on a funny face and sound
This is Justin Papa's weapon. Never fails. He is truly "drama mama".



I'm not bad too. See how I did it this week.



And there's more.. Please stay tuned for Part 2. :)

Cheers,

Deariebear Mommie

Claire Delivery on the 30th of Dec 2012

On 30th Dec 2012, 12am, I began to feel a short intervals of pain. Being a first time pregnant women, I really wonder is this real? or a BX? Though I had taken those pre-natal courses but I wasn't sure. Thus, I decided to wait and try to go to sleep. However, I COULDN'T.

Between 12a.m to 4a.m, I was feel really uncomfortable, wondering is it coming? I googled *Gosh, google became my support* and try to find out whether am i in it now? However, pain became pretty unbearable and I kicked my husband, who was sleeping on the bed below. "Cannot, cannot, think it might be real". Justin was in shock, maybe because I kicked him damn hard. Or perhaps, he was too sleepy to accept this sudden news.

We immediately changed our clothes and brought our maternity bag. Fortunately we prepared this bag last weekend. This came too suddenly and 2 weeks early. I actually followed most of the guide at Babycenter website. I even had a birth plan too :P

When I reached the hospital, I was 4cm dilated. I was immediately given the epidural, and the pain became slowly manageable, and was injected something to help to speed the process however, i heard this might make the baby become less active. Time to time, a nurse will come in and check and adjust the dosage.

Less than 4 hours, I was ready to push! In the begnining, I pushed and pushed but hubby said, "Hey, you are doing the wrong way!, Don't use your throat to push, use your diagram!". Cos I was making a lot of noise through my throat, thus I focused my strength on the wrong place. After his enlightenment, I did the right way, and at 9.19a.m, Baby Claire was born :)




We were so so happy and that mommie did well.

Actually, we were hoping that she will arrive in 2013, but i guess she must be anxious to get out especially her umbilical cord got wrapped around her neck. I'm so glad she made it.

Overall, it was a pretty smooth delivery. Bear Bear (that's my hubby) booked me a single-bed room so I can peacefully try breastfeeding. So sweet :)

Cheers,
Deariebear Mommie

I believe in play for my child.

I chanced upon this video about believing in Play, which is important for our child's development in their mental and physical well-being. This video is by KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. I wonder is there such organization in Singapore since our children are so super stressed up!

I remembered that when I was young, I had lots of freedom to play at the playground near my house, playing hide and seek with my friends and sprained my ankle twice. Playing under the rain with my brother, splashing through the water when we were on our swings. I still remember the taste and smell of the mud water. Eeee! Making sand dolphins. Sadly, I did not have the luxury of having barbie dolls or I don't even remember I had much toys during my age, but was given the freedom to play outside.

Looking back, I really treasured those childhood moments though I did not exactly have a happy family back then. Faced with uncertainties and fear, freedom to play gives me to confidence to explore the world, courage to face the world and its challenges.

Cheers,
Deariebear Mommie