Crawling, Walker and Walking

It's been awhile, but there has been so much going on that am a bit behind on blogging :)  Recently I've started crawling so mommy finally got me a walker for me to practice my walking.


You might be thinking why mommy only got me a walker after I started walking right?  Well, that is because she learnt that it is very important that I learn to crawl first.  As when I learn crawling, it helps my brain learn to co-ordinate between the left and right sides of the brain.  As well as, know by reflex that if I fall forward, my hands will know to lighten the fall to prevent my face hitting the ground.  


So now, I'm officially mobile!! Watch out world here I come ^_^ Firstly conquering the jumping castle today, so much fun!!

The art of managing teething

Teething is always an exciting, painful and sleepless period of time.  The best way that my mommy has found to help me through this is by giving me a whole fruit to bite.  This helps relieve the pain and also stimulate my gums for other teeth about to come.  


Start with soft fruit, like pears.  They are very soft to bite, easy to digest and high in fiber.  You'll find that your little one will be sucking on the fruit just like I did.  This is better then giving juice.  All the nutrition of the fruit is actually in the fruit itself and not the juice.  The juice merely has natural sugars and are empty calories.  It is not a good idea to give juice while teething as it may decay the teeth even before they have fully emerged.  It is very important to those pearly whites in tip top shape as it is a crucial part when starting to talk.  


Once there are at least two teeth, apple can introduced.  Apples are a bit hard, hence the reason of only introducing it when there is teeth.  


Remember mommies, to stop pureeing the food too fine from now to encourage chewing ^_^ 


Mommy found that Vidol works wonders and plus it tastes good, like grapes.  It helped with the pain.

Thammi's (Grandma) new toppi for me (奶奶溫暖牌毛線帽襪)

A few days ago, mommy got a surprise DHL package from India.  When she opened it there was the set of hand knitted hat, socks and jersey from my Thammi whom I love so much.  It was the best things ever.  So I thought I needed to share this with everyone on how I look in it.  


In the picture with me is my lovely nanny, Memory.  She takes such good care of me when mommy is not around.

Chinese Dinner.....loving the tofu

Mommy finally made me Chinese...totally loved it, especially the tofu. Th e tofu was maps tofu less the heat and cauliflower with carrots served with rice and lentils. Hence there shall be three parts to the dinner. My mommy has finally figured out that my favorite foods are Indian, Chinese and African. I personally do not like western food such as pasta.

Rice

The rice is cooked with lentils so it gives extra protein and fiber.  This keeps me regular, very important in a baby's life.

Cauliflower and carrots

Very basic stir-fry with little bit of vinegar and sugar to taste.  No salt for the baby :)

Mapo Tofu

Ingredients

Tofu

Minced Chicken - marinate with little of soya sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil.

Chinese Mushroom

Garlic

NOTE:  Everything is diced.

First fry the garlic in little oil till aromatic.  Then add the mushroom and fry till aromatic.  Add the mince Chicken.  Add a bit vinegar, soya sauce and sugar to just taste.  Add the tofue and simmer till the tofu changes color then its done.

There is really no measurements in chinese cooking but your taste buds.  So taste as you cook, it's the best way to do it.

First Try at Indian...a bit hot, next time no more chilli

Today my mommy made her first chicken curry with dahl, it was tasty but a little too hot for me.  Although it was just one little chilli that you won't taste, for me, I taste it alright~ I've suggested my mommy to give you all the recipe with no chilli added...hahaha. Mommy has also started cooking for the whole family at once.  So the only difference is my portion gets taken out before she adds the salt.  The reason being that to give babies too much salt at an early age would be heavy on the kidneys.  In doing so she doesn't need to cook two different things everyday.  

Chicken and Dahl curry served with Roti (made with atta). I've cooked this in a pressure cooker.

Ingredients:

Chicken pieces (suggest not to use breast as they tend to get dry)

2 tomatoes

1 onion

1 teaspoon Garam Masala

2 teaspoon Garlic

2 tablespoon Ginger

1/2 cumin seeds

2 bay leaves

2 to 3 cups of hot water (roughly about 300ml)

3/4 cup red split lentils

First marinate the chicken with the following:

1/2 teaspoon tumeric

1/2 chilli powder (don't worry the little one won't taste this)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 lemon juice

Curry paste:

Blend the tomatoes, onion, garam masala, garlic and ginger into a fine paste in the blender.

Cooking (one pot cooking in a pressure cooker):

Put a small amount of oil to fry the cumin seeds and bay leaves till aromatic.  Once you get the aromatic smell, pour in the curry paste.  Simmer at a low heat.  Once thick put the chicken in and brown.  Then pour in the water and lentils to mix well.  Then put on the pressure cooker lid and let it whistle for 5 whistles.  Once you've heard the 5 whistles take it off the hot stove and set aside till all pressure is gone.  Then you are done.

Always quick and simple...hope you'll all love it :)

Routine, routine and more routine, remember it is also just a guide...

Many books and people say that routine is extremely important, which I absolutely agree.  As a baby, I would also like to know what will happen next.  This gives me comfort and security.  Since I don't have a long term memory as yet, repetition is good.

Before I was 3 months, my mom thought a routine may be a bit cruel to me.  Then it was hard on my parents having to share a night in 2 shifts.  Now, that is quite cruel on them, not being able to get a good nights sleep.  Most of all they did not even sleep in the same room for 3 months.  So when I turned 3 months, my mommy decided it's time that I have a routine.  I mean it's like she lets me "cry-it-out" when I'm hungry, it's just a simple set schedule which makes me follow.  Then she'll also monitor me to chop and change where necessary to adjust to my changes as I grow.  Mommies, this is very important!  Don't be stubborn about the fact that a bottle is not to be given even 1 minute before the scheduled time.


So below is the schedule that my mommy has set for me, and I'm quite happy with it.  Also remember with this schedule, when we cry you would know what is wrong and not having to guess.


06:30am - Wake
07:00am - Breakfast
09:30am - Morning Nap (bottle and sleep)
11:00am - Wake
12:00pm - Lunch
14:00pm - Bath
14:30pm - Afternoon Nap (bottle and sleep)
16:00pm - Wake and snack 
17:30pm - Supper
19:00pm - Night Long Sleep (bottle and sleep)


A word from my mommy :)
By having this routine for my little one has improved my life very much.  I'm no longer tired all the time and actually get sleep in the night.  The above outlined routine is merely a guideline, I chop and change from time to time as well depending on the day's plans.  What I find the best is that slowly my little one started to drop the night feeds by himself.  To this day, 3 days out of a week he would not wake for a bottle.  This is divine~

Fresh fruit jelly and yogurt

Kid's like me love jelly, but the box jellies aren't always healthy.  My mommy went the extra mile and made me jelly from fresh fruits.  This way it is healthy and sweet.  It got me coming back for more!

Come on mommies, take 30mins from your weekend to make this delicious healthy snack.  Instead of buying a packet of jelly, make your own with real fruit juice and fruit.  We will love you for it.  This particular one is made of blue berries.

NOTE:  You can get some extra fruits to place at the bottom of the jelly mold to enhance the texture and flavor.  Again, remember to make sure that the fresh fruit is soft and won't become a choking hazard.

Ingredients:

75g Fresh Blueberries

Quarter Lemon

2 tbsp Maple syrup (Remember kids under 12 months cannot have honey, so do not substitute with honey)

200ml cooled boiled water

Clear Gelatin (1 sheet)

Place 75g blueberries in a saucepan with the lemon juice and 200ml water.  Slowly bring to a simmer, then simmer for 5 minutes until the blueberries collapse.  Then taste the juice and add the maple syrup to your desired sweetness.  Strain through a fine sieve to remove all the seeds.

Put the gelatin into the hot blueberry juice.  Then place into molds and refrigerate for 4 hours.

It's that simple - ENJOY!

Baby Mediterranean Dinner

Couscous is such a wonderful textured food for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and kept asking for more.  The little individual couscous is soft, easy to swallow and digest.  Mommies with this you would not need to worry about choking.

It's also very quick and easy to prepare.  All you need to do if buy a packet of couscous from the shop, use boiling water to soak and cover for 10 mins then its done.  How fast and quick is that.  

So my Mommy made me some couscous with tomato and onion gravy.  Almost forgot there was spinach in the gravy, but since it was slowed cooked I didn't taste the yucky spinach at all.

This is what I look like afterwards.

To all mommies, couscous you follow the packet so I won't go into on how to make it.  Below is how my mommy made the gravy.

Gravy Ingredients;

Tomato

Onion

Spinach

Garlic

Tomato is blanched and diced.

Blanching (for the mommies who don't know what it is) - slit a cross on the bottom of the tomato.  Then pour boiling water over the tomato so it is covered for 2 mins.  Then drain the boiling water and put the tomato in cold water, where you'll see that the tomato skin will automatically be peeling off.

Onion is best to be grated as you won't have to spend too much time trying to cook it till it is very soft.

You can use a little bit of oil to fry the garlic till you can smell it.  Afterwards add the tomato and onion fry till soft.  Then add spinach and a bit of water, then slow cook on low heat.  Once the water has thickened, then it is done.

Aloe and Me

You might want to ask what Aloe has to do with me?  Very simply it has lots to do with keeping me comfortable.  Summers here in South Africa is very hot and dry, so aloe is the only that keeps me soft and smooth.  


Aloe is very beneficial product, mommy puts is on me when I have a rash of any sort.  Then it goes away ^_^  It's light and natural so there is no worries of any allergic reactions.  Mommy uses 99% pure aloe gel on me.


Definitely recommend it to every mommy for their little ones and themselves.

Gourmet french baby breakfast

This morning my mommy made me some really yummy breakfast.  It was french toast with mashed avocado and pear.

It's really simple to make and only took my mommy 10 minutes in the morning. The texture and taste combination will leave your little one asking for more.  I know I did! This is definitely something for all working mommies out there.  I'm going to share this with you...

Ingredients:

Pear

1/4 Avocado

1 Slice bread 

1 Egg

25ml Formula (for babies under 12 months)

Pear Puree:

Steam or bake the pear till cooked.  Then peal and fine grate. This can be done in bulk and put in the freezer in an ice tray.  

TIP: Do not microwave in the morning to defrost, the pear will loose it's sweetness.  Rather take it out the night before to put in the fridge to defrost.

Avocado Puree:

Merely use a fork to mash.  

TIP: You can use the rest of the avocado as play/practice food for the baby later in the day.  In doing so, the avocado does not go to waste by going dark.

French Toast:

Beat one egg with 25ml of formula.  Cut the crust of the bread off and dip the bread into the egg.  Make sure that the toast absorbs all the egg so that when fried it will be soft on the inside.  

Take a small frying will a little amount of oil (this is so that it won't stick) on a small flame and fry till golden.  Once done, cut into small cubes for easy eating.

TIP: There is no need to add any sugar or salt, as baby will be able to taste all the unique taste of the egg and bread.

Nutritional facts:

Pears

Pears provide ample Vitamin C, fiber and is cholesterol-free. Vitamin C will help to fight off those nasty colds and flus.  Also helps to build strong muscles, blood vessels, bones and teeth.  Most of all helps to keep the little one regular.

Avocado

The fast calories in avocado are of the heart-healthy variety (no cholesterol, monounsaturated fat), but they do increase your calorie count.  So not too much in a day.  Avocados contains Omega 3 fatty acids and are free of sodium.  This type of fat are good for a developing baby.

Happy Cooking Mommies :)

Things that is a necessity and what is not

Before my arrival my mom started planning on the things that I may need.  As with many new parents, they bought into all the nice marketing campaigns of telling you that YOU DO NEED THIS!  So I'm going to de-myth what I really need.  


My mom chose breastfeeding, so obviously a breast pump is necessary.  This is usually an investment piece as it comes at a price.  Then there is obviously a monitor, which is also an investment piece.  The good news is of these two items is that most Medical Aids in South Africa will either cover the entire amount or partial.  It is recommended to all parents-to-be to check with your medical aid NOW!  They don't advertise this, thinking that all parents would go and read their fine print.


The nursery, this is usually my parents choice as it really does not make any difference to me on what the room looks like.  I have to say this though, is that it is really not necessary to pay an arm and a leg for a designer bedroom.  I will DESTROY it anyways...hahaha~
There are some tips I can give you though;
1. Changing table is nice but I will outgrow it in 3 months, so best is to get one of those small sized playmats to be a changing area.  So as I get older, it will be my distraction for parents to have that few minutes to clean my little cute bum bum.
2. Medium - Large playmats are good pieces to have as they are also portal.  Good place to keep me busy.
3. High Chair - this item is usually not needed until I can sit unsupported.  My mom got me a really cool one from Stokke.  I will be able to use it from birth to adulthood - amazing.  


A word on bottles, my mom first got me Dr. Browns bottle.  Yes they advertise that it helps with colic reduction, but it is a nightmare to wash, maintain and expensive.  So my mom decided to change to Pigeon, best thing ever.  Didn't cost as much, easy to maintain and also reduced colic (unlike Dr. Browns, Pigeon does not have that vent thing that comes with every bottle).  By the way, you really don't need to spend SO MUCH on an electric sterilizer.  All you need is a microwave version and it works just as well.  Plus with a microwave version, when I start solids, it can fit all kinds of things rather then just bottles.


There is one essential thing that is needed which no one will tell you is ALOE GEL.  Best thing ever, as it cools me in summer of my summer rash and takes care of various insect bites.  It also keeps my skin soft and smooth, since it is pure aloe there is no danger of allergy issues.  


So think before you buy, does your little angel need this or is it for YOU?  Very important question, as you wouldn't like your house to become a creche one day with all those fancy toys and things that is not needed.


I've attached a list just to help you get started on what you need in the beginning.  I need to remind you that it is just a guideline, you might not need everything for your little angel.

FOR THE HOSPITAL
Hospital - Infantasia Starter Pack Includes
Description	Product Options
Starter Pack	1x 500g Bennetts Hyper Allergenic Aqueous Cream
	1x 50g J&J Baby Powder
	1x Box J&J Earbuds
	1x Packet of Cotton Wool Balls
	1x 200 ml Pigeon Shampoo
	1x Packet of 28 Pampers Newborn Nappies
	1x Packet of Pigeon Travel Wet Wipes
	1x 100ml Petroleum Jelly
	1x 150g  Bennetts Bum Cream
	1x Box of Disposable Breast Pads
	1x Pkt of 12 Carefix Maternity Pads
	1x Surgical Spirit
	1x Infantasia Bag
Hospital - Maternity Essentials
Carefix	Maternity Stretch Panties(After Birth) Size:
Carefix	Maternity Feeding Bra Size - Size: 38
Carefix	Maternity Pads
Serenity	Linen Savers - Each
Nuk	Silicone Dummies No1  (0-6 Months) 2per pack
Purelan	Purelan TM 100 7g Nipple Cream
Pigeon	Breast Pads 36's Premium
Carefix	Feeding Sleep Shirt Size: L
Pampers	Newborn 44's Disposable Nappies
Nappy Sacks	25's Travel Pack
Nappy Sacks	150's Travel Pack
Hospital - Toiletry Essentials
Pigeon
Pigeon	Wet Wipes 82's in Pack
Pigeon	Wet Wipes 82's in Pack with Hard Dispenser
Neomedic	Cotton Ball 1000gms
Bennetts
Bennetts	Baby Bum Cream  150g
Bennetts	Baby Aqueous Cream 550ml - Hypo Allergenic
Bennetts	Baby Water Resistance Sunblock
Mattresses, Cushions, Cot Bumpers & Linen
Matress	Compactum PVC Mattress - Made to size in White
Sleep EZ	Breathe EZ Health Tex Cot Mattress
Sleep EZ	Sleep EZ Curved Back & Side Wedge
Sleep EZ	Breathe EZ Cot Lift Wedge
Sleep EZ	Pram Lift Wedge for Crib
Sleep EZ	Pillow
Sleep EZ	Cot Bumper Inner
Sleep EZ	health Tex Cot Sheets
Percale	Cot Bumper Cotton Embroided - Not required if ordering linen set
Percale	Cotton -  embroidered or plain and piped
	Nappy Stacker - Embroided
	Muslin Squares - Pack of 3
	Receiveing Blankets - 100% Brushed Cotton
	Duvet Inner - Pure Wool
	Wrappers Cotton Stretch - 100% Interlock Cotton
	Cuddle Wrap Baby Sense Shaped Wrapper for Swaddling
	Cellular Blankets Plain - 100% Cotton
	Cellular Blankets Plain - 100% Cotton - Embroidered
	Double Mink Blanket
Useful Bedroom Essentials
	Afterbath Towelling Nappies Incl. Towelling Cover
	Afterbath Cover Laminated Towelling
	Towelling Nappies Plain White - Pack of 4
AngelCare	AngelCare 3 in 1 Monitor (confirm medical aid coverage)
Tiny Love	Cot Toy Mobile
Tiny Love	Cot Toy Double Sided Book
Around The House - Travelling
Leya	Campcot, Incl Mosquito Net, Bassinette, Nightlight, Music
	Snugli
Breathe EZ	Campcot Matress - Standard Size
Breathe EZ	Health Tex Sheet for Standard Size Campcot
	Cot Lift Wedge
Sun Visors	Pram Visor Protect a bub
	Vehicle Sox - Provide Make and model of Car
Graco	Ultima Travel System
Around The House - Feeding
Dr Browns	Feeding Bottles 120ml Wideneck
Avent	Single Pack 260ml
Avent	Twin Pack 260ml
Milk Storage System	Via Milk Storage Cups 180ml
Milk Storage System	Via Lids
Pigeon	Bottle & Teat Brush
Pigeon	Bottle Warmer
Snookums	6 Bottle Microwave Steriliser
	Sterilising Liquid
Pigeon	Formula Dispenser
Useful Bathroom Essentials - Bath
	Shaped Bath on a Stand
Born Fabulous Towel	Cuddledry
Petit Chic	Plain White Hooded Towel
Useful Bathroom Essentials - Nice To Have
Safety First	Bath Thermometer
Medicine Cabinet
	Magphos
	Saline Nose Drops
	Calpol
	Gripe Water
	Traumeel
Braun	Thermometer
	Mercury Thermometer
	Digital Safety 1st Thermometer
	Medicine Dropper
Pigeon	Nasal Aspirator
Useful
Carmen	Hot Air 4 Litre Humidifier (can use Aeromatherapy)
Carmen	Hot/Cold humidifier (can use Aeromatherapy oils)
Safety 1st	Deluxe Grooming Set - New
Clothing
Baby Gros	100% InterlockCotton Newborn Baby Gros -  Green
Baby Gros	100% Interlock Cotton 0-3 Months Baby Gros -  Pink
Body Vest	New Born Short Sleeve - White
Body Vest	0-3 Months Short Sleeve - White
Long Sleeve Vest	New Born Long Sleeve - White
Long Sleeve Vest	0-3 months Long Sleeve - White
Beanies	100% interlock cotton
Socks	Towelling
Jersey	Pure Wool Jersey
Petit Chic	Bibs (2's)

Where it all started

So I'm Jishnu Sinha nicknamed "NuNu", a true global baby with a mixture of Indian and Taiwanese.  My parents moved to South Africa back in 2006, actually my mother came here first and then my dad followed :)  The story goes like this.  Boy meets girls, goes for coffee and falls in love.  All this happened in India, and was later sealed in St. Andrews in Scotland.  How much more romantic can this get?  


Obviously I've just gave in very brief of the love story, which I'll give more details later.


Then 4 years down the line, I can into the picture.  This is little cute me.