Year 1 Week 30: 19-months old

Yet another month has passed quickly, and Antonio is now 19 months old.

What does this mean for mommy and daddy? Tantrums, loads of them, and mainly thrown for testing the limits that we have already set for him.

Each tantrum is easy to spot. It begins with a general protest of complaining, followed by wailing that increases in volume as it gets longer. Tears may roll in the first minute, and then when the waterworks are over, all that you hear is the "desperate" wailing of a child who is intent on getting his point heard and across.

Here are is a picture of the little tyke in mid-protest, because I did not allow him to bring his toy car out of the room.


Here is another one of him pouting.


Did anyone say "Theatre actor ala Hugo Weaving?"

Year 1 Week 30: New haircut

It is time for another haircut, and while Antonio was sleeping last night, daddy did the deed! This is the result of the snip.

(Photo taken with my iPhone)

We think he looks more cheeky and grown up now. What do you think?

Year 1 Week 29: Summary

Antonio finds daddy's wool cap and tries it on for size. (Taken on Nov 9)


Play "Spot the Baby" - where is Antonio? (Taken Nov 11)


Here he is, laying right outside the toilet door! (Taken Nov 11)

Belly Watch Week 20 Day 1: First movements

You know how mothers with more than one child tell you that the signs and symptoms for the second pregnancy are always more obvious?

Well, in the past two to three weeks, I have been feeling movements in my belly and I always thought it was baby moving. "Hey, I know this feeling! I've had it before!"

Roberto was not convinced: "It could just be some rumbles from your stomach and you want it to be the baby moving."

However, there is no denying that at 7.10am (GMT+8) today, what I felt were baby movements and not some belly rumbles.

They were distinct kicks or hits on the lower left side of the belly. I have been awaiting the return of these movements, as I felt that they were one of the best things about being pregnant.

I placed my hands on my belly and fell asleep as baby continued to move...

Year 1 Week 28: Summary

Right brain development? Left brain development? Why the emphasis on brain development? Just let the child play!

People we know who have a child around the age of 15 months to 24 months are telling us how their boy or girl can already count from one to 10, or can recite the alphabet. Many parenting websites based in Singapore are also carrying banner advertisements for nursery or play schools that concentrate on developing the right brain (numbers).

Frankly, it is quite a scary phenomena for hubby and I, to concentrate on developing only one side of the brain to the detriment of the other.

Since the last update on Antonio's growth, the little one has surprised me by counting with his fingers.

This means that when someone says: "One, two, three", he automatically counts with his fingers of his left hand. When he hears "one", he bunches his left hand in to a fist and points his index finger.

At "two", the middle finger joins the fun. Then at "three", the ring finger makes it a crowd.

It happens when he is watching Dora the Explorer and she starts counting "one, two, three". It happens when we count the number of steps as he walks up or down the staircase. It just happens each time he hears "one, two, three" and has his left hand free to count with his fingers.

The past week was also quite trying for me as Antonio wanted "mommi!" mommi!" all the time, to pick him up and hug or carry him or to just be in the same room as him while he played.

The only way to end his "desperate" pleas was to give him 15 minutes of undivided attention, and he would be happy. We are hoping this is another growing up phase that we have to endure.

Photographs will appear soon.