Milestone: Crawling

Did I say that this is an exciting month for her?

Another milestone? She started “proper” crawling yesterday. For a week, she has been scooting around on her bottom, which doesn’t get her very far and by the time she’s halfway to her desired destination, she’s either too tired or too frustrated to continue. Yesterday, she saw something that she really really wanted, daddy’s watch. That was enough motivation to get her going. She went on all fours (hands and knees) and she crawled! Just 4 steps before she slumped on the floor and landed on her belly. Then she sat up, looked for the prized-goal and tried again. But for the next 15 minutes, we kept enticing her with all kinds of goodies and was not able to get her to crawl like she did, she just kept scooting around on her bottom and getting frustrated that she was not getting anywhere. Oh well, at least it was a start and bet she’ll be really good at it soon. Time to child-proof the house.  

Milestone: Teething

For months Netanya has been gnawing on stuff. Anything that she can get her hands on, she’ll put them in her mouth and start coating them with layers and layers of drool. In the past, I think she just chew stuff out of habbit. Recently, her desire to chew got more intense and that I guess is because she is teething. I have been cleaning her gum everyday during bath time and I could see her little teeth still hidden right beneath a thin layer of skin. Anyday now, her teeth will emerge from her gum. Yesterday, I noticed that her center lower gum looked very red and sore; and last night I had to give her some Tylenol to ease her discomfort and helped her fall asleep.

This morning I rubbed her gum with my finger and it felt sharp. Aha! Today is THE day. Netanya’s first pair of teeth has finally sprouted. This is an exciting month, watching her reached one milestone after another.

Soon she’ll be ready to chow down BBQ ribs, chicken wings and steak! 

Milestone: Sitting up by herself

About 2 weeks ago Netanya started to rock back and forth on all fours. It was quite comical to watch her doing that and especially so when her brother mimicked her. 3 days ago, she was rocking, rocking and then she paused and inched her hands towards her legs. Watching her made me nervous, she was trying hard to keep her balance and I was so tempted to give her a hand. But I know I need to give her the chance to learn, so I just sat on my hands and cheered her on. After what seems like a long time, she finally landed on her bump. YEAH! We were jumping for joy for her first successful attempt to sit up by herself. She had no idea why mommy and 哥哥 made such a commotion, but she was beaming with smiles because we were clapping for her. Over the next few days, she quickly perfected her new-found skill. She even sat up in her crib, curious to find out what were hidden from her sight behind the crib bumper all this while. So we have to lower her mattress today, in case she surprises us by pulling herself up one of these days. Better to be save than sorry. She’s so curious and growing so fast, who knows what she’ll be up to next.

A very special moment

As we were driving to daddy’s office, it was pouring. Then the rain started to get lighter and the sun came out. As we go round the bend, Russell shouted, “Mama, I see a rainbow!”  I turned toward the direction he was pointing and sure enough there was a beautiful multi-colored arch in the sky. I was so thrilled to see a rainbow, and even more so because this is the first real rainbow that Russell has ever seen in his life. This is such a special event.

The story of rainbow (taken from Genesis 9):

After the flood has receeded, Noah received a promise from God that He will never again destroy the earth and its living creatures with the water of a flood. God put a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant and the promise of His grace.

That is why I am always thrilled and thankful to spot a rainbow. And today I get to share this with my dearest son.

Russell is 3 years old!

 Seems like yesterday that we just brought him home from the hospital. The tiny slightly over 5 lbs baby is now a 3 year-old big boy. When he was little, I couldn’t wait for him to quickly grow up, start eating solid, start sleeping through the night and be more independent. But once he crossed 2, time just seems to fly by. In the blink of an eye, he’s 3 and soon he’ll be 4, 5 …oh no and soon a teenager!

I love the way he is now, happy, care-free, chatty, always singing on top of his voice, funny, independent yet still wants to be hugged and kissed by us, you know, a typical 3 year old. I enjoy the way he is now, makes me want to stop the clock and lock this moment. But that’s not possible, all I can do is to enjoy each day and store up precious memories.

To Russell:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Russell! Daddy and mommy always count it a great blessing that God sent you to us.

Russell decorated his own birthday cake. His favorite cheesecake which he helped me make the day before.

We celebrated his birthday with his Chinese playgroup friends at the Jumping Party.

Back at Auntie Tian’s place, we have the cake-cutting ceremony and enjoyed a simple lunch together.