Simply Lambchops

Words by L that put a smile on my face

all about L Monday, May 02, 2011

Share |

Our dear friends were so nice to babysit Ch and L a couple of weeks ago as both ZY and I had to work on that particular Saturday. We offered to return the favour any time they want. So, last Saturday, we babysat T and J. A very nice experience I must say! My house was filled with noise and laughter, but it was really fun to see four children playing together so happily, age ranging from 2yo to 7yo!

First, T played Chinese Chess on my iPhone. He enthusiastically tried to explain how the computer's strategy was, and how he planned to counter-attack. The poor Godma did not really understand him, but tried my best to appear intelligent.

Next, the boys watched cartoons. That was how I got to know about Beyblade cartoon and toys. T and J shared their passion about this cartoon with me, though I knew nothing about it. Boys, you'll appreciate telling me about this VERY SOON... After that was Ben 10 cartoon. Something else that was so alien to me.

At that point, I really felt a generation gap between them and I. It made me feel like I'm some old dinosaur. But I enjoyed the conversations with them, as I learnt more about what they like, and what L might possibly like in the next few years.

We had a few rounds of soccer outside my flat just before lunch. From this game, it was clear who's more ambitious in winning, who's more shy and who's more "ga-rang".

We had home-made sushi for lunch! One of our family's favourite food. Even L and Ch love sushi. Ch's favourite is salmon sashimi, while L's is the ikura (salmon) roe. Kids wrapped their own sushi, but T's ended up as a 'popiah', and J's became sushi balls! I had a variety of sushi fillings such as the hot favourite tamago egg, ham, Japanese cucumber, carrot strips, Japanese pickles, cheese, pork floss, ikura roe, salmon sashimi and flying shrimp roe.

Samples of my self-rolled maki:

After lunch, all the kids played their own games. Like L and J rode on the twister car, T and Ch jumped on the trampoline, and J and Ch played some board games. I guess the favourite game they all played was the Nintendo DS Lite.

Looking forward to another babysitting session!

Share |

L-U-C-A-S, Lucas!

all about L Monday, August 02, 2010

Share |

Signing A-B-C time

all about L Friday, July 30, 2010

Share |

Minnie flower?

all about L Saturday, July 17, 2010

Share |

Funny things L said

all about L Friday, April 23, 2010

Share |

L at 18mths

all about L Sunday, March 14, 2010

(Drew this on L's face during my god-son, J's birthday celebration. He looked so comical that many of my friends took a photo of him too. But oops, he rubbed his face on the sofa, and stained it with the face paint. Sorry gan ma!)

Was reading my past blogs dated 2 years ago... how time flies. As I was reading, I realise that I did so much with Ch when she was between 1 to 2 yrs old! Probably because I was on no-pay leave for about 6 months. Being a SAHM really makes a lot of difference to a child's development and growth. Sigh, I seem to be doing much less for L now. He just turned 18 mo, but he has never attended any enrichment classes. He can't use the spoon to feed himself properly. He doesn't get to go to the zoo as often as Ch did. I didn't really do flashcards with him (only once, I think). I must use this one-week holiday to catch up on what he has missed.

His developmental milestones so far:

Taken from the health booklet:

Personal social:

1. Your child can indicate what he wants without crying or whining. He may do this by pointing, pulling and making speech-like sounds.

L does this very well. In fact, he either manipulates our hands, or tells us using simple words. Sometimes, he'll even point to the object and say "拿" (take).

2. When you are doing housework, the child copies what you are doing.

Haha, this one I've not seen before. Perhaps it's because I don't do any housework

. Hmm, time to take out Ch's cleaning toys for L to experiment

3. Your child can hold a regular cup himself and drink from it without spilling much. The cup should not have a spout.

L was able to do this since 11 mo. He can hold the cup really well, and finish the drink without much spillage. In fact, he bypassed the sippy cup and drinking from straw stages and went straight to the regular cup. He'll also hold the cup himself.

When he sees a cup of drink, he'll say 喝水!

Fine motor-adaptive:

4. Your child can pick up a small object like a raisin, using only the ends of his thumbs and index finger.

L uses the pincer grip with ease. He can easily pick up small specks of dirt on tables and floors.

5. Your child can make purposeful markings on the paper when you give him a pencil.

Recently, he's been writing the number '1' on doodleboards, paper etc. He'll also make his daddy write numbers and alphabets according to what he dictates. Oh ya, he started drawing simple faces today.

6. Your child can put 2 or more blocks one on top of the other, without the blocks falling. This applies to small blocks of about one inch square in size.

Tried this with him.. he can stack 4 blocks so far. Then he'll use his hand to topple the tower of blocks, and give me a cheeky laugh.

Language:

7. Your child uses the word "Papa" and "Mama" specifically.

L used to call me "mom" and ZY "dad", but now he calls me "mommy" and "daddy" for ZY.

8. Without coaching, pointing or helping, your child can point to at least 2 parts of his body such as nose, eyes, ears, hands, hair, legs and stomach, when asked.

Hmm, L can say & point to these parts of his body: hair, head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, chin, cheek, tummy, belly button, hands, fingers, legs, toes, buttocks, penis.

9. Your child can say at least three words other than Papa/Mama, which means the same things each time he uses them.

L speaks quite well, considering he's a boy. Oh yes, today, he surprised me by saying "enough" to indicate that he didn't want to stay in the bathtub anymore. He also said "dance" and started swaying his arms and body in an awkward and funny way that made all of us laugh so hard.

He can string 3 to 4 words into a sentence. Like "where (is) daddy?" and "where big ball?".

Gross motor:

10. Your child can stand alone, without having to hold on to something, for ten seconds or more.

He definitely does this with ease.

11. Your child can walk well with good balance, rarely falls and does not sway from side to side.

This too. He does have a very good sense of balance. Can dash around and almost nearly falls, but somehow will manage to balance himself and prevent a fall.

12. Your child can walk up several steps of the staircase by himself. He may use the wall or rail for support but not hold on to a person.

I caught him experimenting with the stairs, trying to walk up and down without any forms of support. And he actually did it without falling.

Share |

Based on the website http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-development-month-10to12.htm,

Most babies should be able to . . .

Say mama and dada to the right parents

Hmm.... L seems to be saying da da to ZY, and "mum mum" when he sees me. But I'm highly doubtful coz when he sees food, he says "mum mum" too!! He can say "jie jie" to Ch.. think he learnt to call Ch 1st, followed by my mil, then ZY, then me.
Wave goodbye

He learnt this action a few months ago, but he does it like the 招财猫!
Clap hands

He can also do this very well now, especially when he hears the word "clap"!
Understand the word no but doesn’t always obey it

So true.. sigh... whenever we say "NO" in a stern voice, he smiles at us! Like as if we're playing a game with him!! ARGH! Even when I smack his hand after saying "NO", he continues to repeat the same action... while smiling! He's so unlike Ch, coz Ch obeyed this command readily.
Stand alone momentarily

Yeah... this garang (means having a gung-ho character) boy is testing his ability. We caught him letting go of his support and he was able to stand for a few seconds before hitting the ground on his bums.
Play ball and patty cake

Not sure what patty cake is... but L can DEFINITELY play ball!! ZY is definitely very happy about this. In fact, "ball" was one of the first few words he spoke. Now, he can pick up a small ball, let it drop and bounce, pick it up again, and repeat the whole action. He can also throw a ball to someone facing him. He loves balls. I can actually concentrate on the half an hour to 45 mins sermon on Sundays by just giving him a ball. He'll just crawl round and round the room and play with the ball without disturbing me!

Some babies will probably be able to . . .

Say one word other than mama or dada

Hmm... does "Jie Jie" and "Ball" count here?
Drink from a cup independently

He rejects cups with a spout... only wants to drink directly from the cup. Just like an adult. He can gulp down about 80ml of water at one go. But of course, I have to hold the cup for him.
Indicate what he or she wants with gestures other than crying

Haha, yes indeed. He shakes his head when he doesn't want to do something. He also recently started to open and close his fist... I think he's saying "come here!". He tilts his body and stretches his hand towards the direction he wants to move to when carried.
Imitate others

Oh yes... this too!! When Ch opens her mouth and flaps her arms, he does the same too! Haha! And when we sing hymns during worship, he sings along too! Quite funny coz you'll suddenly hear a voice that's off-pitched among the harmonious chorus.
Put toys or object into a container

This is one of his favourite activity! He can sit alone for about 10min, just putting toys into a container and taking them out. Then he repeats the actions umpteen times. He has full concentration throughout the activity. So, now when I need someone to help keep small toys, I'll ask L. Haha!

Some babies could possibly be able to . . .

Stand alone well

He can't do this yet, but when we support him under his arms, he walks... VERY FAST!
Babble that sounds like her or she is talking a foreign language

Not sure about this though.
Say two or more words other than mama or dada

Hmm.. sounds like a repeat of the previous point?
Drink from a cup independently

See comments from above point.
Understand simple instructions

I must say that he understands when I ask him to give me something, or return something. Like yesterday night, he dropped all the things (like remote control, book) from the table on the floor. I told him "give mommy the book that you dropped on the floor". He looked at me, then at the floor, and slowly bent down to pick the book! I was so amazed! He also understands phrases like "sit down", "lie down", "give".
Walk well

Nope, he can't. I really can't imagine how life will be like when L starts walking! Coz as of now, he's everywhere! And he's just at the crawling stage!!! When he starts walking... I think the house will be in a total mess!