This morning was not as smooth as the past few days. Jerlene started crying when I said bye bye to her. She clung onto me so tight that I had to stay a bit longer. I tried to leave a few times but failed. In the end, I had no choice but left her there crying. I was very late when I reached office today.
Sigh.....it seemed that her separation anxiety had started. Not sure whether it will get worse next week. ...... We shall see.......
Growth Chart for My Little Ones
Saturday, February 28, 2009
19 Feb 2009 - 3rd Day in childcare
We reached the childcare around 8:45am today. The moment I stepped into the childcare, I quickly pass Jerlene on to the teacher. As she did not cry, I quickly left the place. I did not take leave today so my mom has helped to fetch her home at around 4pm. According to my mom, Jerlene seems ok today. Let's hope this can continue.... :-)
18 Feb 2009 - 2nd Day in Childcare
I need to go back to office this morning so I had to leave Jerlene in the childcare centre earlier. When we reached the centre, the children were all having breakfast. I brought Jerlene to the dining table and fed her with some oat. Tracy took over from me and I bidded farewell to Jerlene. As I saw Jerlene waved at me, I quickly left.
We took half day leave so that we can go fetch Jerlene around 3pm, after her afternoon nap. When we reached there, we decided to peep in from the windows to see what Jerlene was doing. We saw her sitting with other children playing with buidling blocks. She seems quite well adapted in the childcare. However, will have to monitor for a few more days or weeks because I have heard some kids started to "hate" school only after the 2nd week.
No matter how, it's a good start.
We took half day leave so that we can go fetch Jerlene around 3pm, after her afternoon nap. When we reached there, we decided to peep in from the windows to see what Jerlene was doing. We saw her sitting with other children playing with buidling blocks. She seems quite well adapted in the childcare. However, will have to monitor for a few more days or weeks because I have heard some kids started to "hate" school only after the 2nd week.
No matter how, it's a good start.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
17 Feb 2009 - West Coast Park
After we picked up Jerlene from the Childcare Centre, we went to service my car at Pandan. As the job will take about 3 hours, we decided to walk to the nearby West Coast Park. We had some snacks at the McDonalds and Jerlene appeared to be very happy.
We then walked out to the park and there are playgrounds for different age groups. Jerlene was quite excited and had lots of fun running around. However, it was a very hot day and I had to find shelters every now and then. Below are some pictures taken at the playground.
We then walked out to the park and there are playgrounds for different age groups. Jerlene was quite excited and had lots of fun running around. However, it was a very hot day and I had to find shelters every now and then. Below are some pictures taken at the playground.
17 Feb 2009 - First day in Childcare
Today is Jerlene's 1st day in a childcare centre. We took leave to accompany her there in the morning. When we reached the centre, the children were all gathered in the assembly area listening to the teacher, who was reading a huge story book. It was followed by some songs and dance before the various age group went to their own classes.
There were 4 toddlers (including Jerlene) in the playgroup. After the assembly, it was water drinking session. Every children will take out their water bottle and start drinking. Then the teacher setup an indoor playground for the toddlers. Jerlene initially sticked very close to me but after a while, she started moving around the room, though she will keep a constant lookout for me.
After staying there for more than an hour, we decided to try and leave Jerlene alone with the teachers and other kids. When we bidded her goodbye, her separation anxiety kicked in and started crying for us. The teacher quickly carried her and tried to distract her. We left when we saw that she had calmed down. We went for our breakfast and walked along to rows of shops before going back to see how Jerlene was doing. We took a peek through the windows and we saw Jerlene sitting with other kids in a round table playing with building blocks. She seems ok, at least she's not crying anymore.
Although we have signed up for full day childcare, we decided to fetch Jerlene after her lunch since this is her first day. We do not want to put too much stress on her from day 1. When we went back to pick her up at around 12:30pm, she was sitting on a chair waiting for us while it was napping time for the rest. The teacher said that Jerlene was considered quite good as she did not cry much on her first day, unlike most other kids.
Great work, Jerlene! :-)
There were 4 toddlers (including Jerlene) in the playgroup. After the assembly, it was water drinking session. Every children will take out their water bottle and start drinking. Then the teacher setup an indoor playground for the toddlers. Jerlene initially sticked very close to me but after a while, she started moving around the room, though she will keep a constant lookout for me.
After staying there for more than an hour, we decided to try and leave Jerlene alone with the teachers and other kids. When we bidded her goodbye, her separation anxiety kicked in and started crying for us. The teacher quickly carried her and tried to distract her. We left when we saw that she had calmed down. We went for our breakfast and walked along to rows of shops before going back to see how Jerlene was doing. We took a peek through the windows and we saw Jerlene sitting with other kids in a round table playing with building blocks. She seems ok, at least she's not crying anymore.
Although we have signed up for full day childcare, we decided to fetch Jerlene after her lunch since this is her first day. We do not want to put too much stress on her from day 1. When we went back to pick her up at around 12:30pm, she was sitting on a chair waiting for us while it was napping time for the rest. The teacher said that Jerlene was considered quite good as she did not cry much on her first day, unlike most other kids.
Great work, Jerlene! :-)
16 Feb 2009 - Jerlene's haircut and 1st glimpse of my Prince
We were on leave to take care of Jerlene today because my parents went to Genting for holiday. As Jerlene will start going to Childcare tomorrow, we decided to bring her for a haircut. As usual, we brought her to a salon near Junction 8. Before going to the salon, we walked around the mall and Jerlene again managed to track the mini ride. 
Below is her before and after look. She always look quite "toot" after a haircut.....haha.......
After Jerlene's haircut, we decided to go for our gynae appointment, which supposed to be 2 days later. As there weren't many people today, we did not wait for too long before it's our turn. As usual, our gynae did a scan on our baby and everything is fine. He tried to do a 3D scan but said that the position of the baby was not easy to have a good shot. Anyway, he still tried his best as there isn't much time left to take this 3D shot. It's already week 31 now.
The baby weighs about 1.69kg currently, which is normal. According to Tracy, he kicks a lot in the tummy recently.
Below is an extract taken from Baby Center website:
"This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (1.5kg) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy."
15 Feb 2009 - Seeing Jerlene happy is my greatest gift
I haven't been celebrating my birthday for many many years and this year.......it's no difference. Anyway, just as the title of this post says, having fun with Jerlene is my greatest gift.
This morning we went to the newly open "revamped" Sembawang Shopping Centre to look around. There is simply not enough parking lots in this mall. So for people who intend to drive there after 11am, be prepared to queue for a while even before you can enter the carpark.
Jerlene's eye is very sharp. No matter how I try to block her view from those mini rides, I had never done it succesfully. Once her eyes are locked onto those rides, it's very difficult to distract her with anything else. Fortunately, she will get bored with it after a while.
We had lots of fun in the pool again this afternoon. Jerlene enjoyed kicking water by the poolside. She also loves splashing water at me now! We can now play "water fight" in the pool.....hehe.....
Last week, Jerlene did not want to play with the elephant float but today, she spent most of the time pushing the elephant around.
We did not play the slides today because it under maintenance....... Another great pool session today!
This morning we went to the newly open "revamped" Sembawang Shopping Centre to look around. There is simply not enough parking lots in this mall. So for people who intend to drive there after 11am, be prepared to queue for a while even before you can enter the carpark.
Jerlene's eye is very sharp. No matter how I try to block her view from those mini rides, I had never done it succesfully. Once her eyes are locked onto those rides, it's very difficult to distract her with anything else. Fortunately, she will get bored with it after a while.
We had lots of fun in the pool again this afternoon. Jerlene enjoyed kicking water by the poolside. She also loves splashing water at me now! We can now play "water fight" in the pool.....hehe.....
Last week, Jerlene did not want to play with the elephant float but today, she spent most of the time pushing the elephant around.
We did not play the slides today because it under maintenance....... Another great pool session today!
Monday, February 16, 2009
14 Feb 2009 - Happy Valentine Day!
We did not have any special programme today except for a birthday party in the evening. My thought is, everyday can be Valentine Day as long as we enjoy one another's company.
Jerlene started picking up various skills and is slowly progressing on her speech. She can be quite "vain" nowadays. Everyday before going out, she will spend sometimes to choose which pair of shoes to wear for the day.
Jerlene and myself are always having fun going out.
The bonding between us is reinforcing day by day. Really cannot imagine a day without her.........
12 Feb 2009 - Separation Anxiety
Jerlene and myself have been suffering from separation anxiety every morning for the past 2 weeks. Although teary and tantrum-filled goodbyes are a common part of a child's earliest years, it can be unsettling. I really find it hard to leave Jerlene when I see her scream and cry for me. I understand that this is a stage where most parents have to go through and there is really nothing much I can do. No matter how pain my heart is, I had to force myself not to turn back after saying a firm goodbye........
Going through these few weeks are difficult. Next week when Jerlene goes to Childcare Centre, I foresee a more difficult time for both her and myself. I've read up a lot about separation anxiety and found an article which I like to share. It may be useful for people who are in the same situation as me. The full article is here. I've extracted a few useful paragraphs below:
"Between 8 months old 1 year old, kids grow into more independent toddlers, yet they are even more uncertain about being separated from a parent. This is when separation anxiety develops, and a child may become agitated and upset when parent tries to leave.
Separation anxiety is different from the normal feelings older kids have when they don't want a parent to leave. In those cases, the distress can usually be overcome if a child is distracted enough, and won't re-emerge until the parent returns and the child remembers that the parent left.
And kids do understand the effect this behavior has on parents. If you come running back into the room every time your child cries and then stay there longer or cancel your plans, your child will continue to use this tactic to avoid separation.
During this stage, you might experience different emotions. It can be gratifying to feel that your child is finally as attached to you as you are to him or her. But you're likely to feel guilty about taking time out for yourself, leaving your child with a caregiver, or going to work. And you may start to feel overwhelmed by the amount of attention your child seems to need from you.
Keep in mind that your little one's unwillingness to leave you is a good sign that healthy attachments have developed between the two of you. Eventually, your child will be able to remember that you always return after you leave, and that will be enough comfort while you're gone. This also gives kids a chance to develop coping skills and a little independence.
These strategies can help ease kids and parents through this difficult period:
1) Timing is everything. Try not to start day care or child care with an unfamiliar person when your little one is between the ages of 8 months and 1 year, when separation anxiety is first likely to appear. Also, try not to leave when your child is likely to be tired, hungry, or restless. If at all possible, schedule your departures for after naps and mealtimes.
2) Practice. Practice being apart from each other, and introduce new people and places gradually. If you're planning to leave your child with a relative or a new babysitter, then invite that person over in advance so they can spend time together while you're in the room. If your child is starting at a new day care center or preschool, make a few visits there together before a full-time schedule begins. Practice leaving your child with a caregiver for short periods of time so that he or she can get used to being away from you.
3) Be calm and consistent. Create a exit ritual during which you say a pleasant, loving, and firm goodbye. Stay calm and show confidence in your child. Reassure him or her that you'll be back — and explain how long it will be until you return using concepts kids will understand (such as after lunch) because your child can't yet understand time. Give him or her your full attention when you say goodbye, and when you say you're leaving, mean it; coming back will only make things worse.
4) Follow through on promises. It's important to make sure that you return when you have promised to. This is critical — this is how your child will develop the confidence that he or she can make it through the time apart."
Going through these few weeks are difficult. Next week when Jerlene goes to Childcare Centre, I foresee a more difficult time for both her and myself. I've read up a lot about separation anxiety and found an article which I like to share. It may be useful for people who are in the same situation as me. The full article is here. I've extracted a few useful paragraphs below:
"Between 8 months old 1 year old, kids grow into more independent toddlers, yet they are even more uncertain about being separated from a parent. This is when separation anxiety develops, and a child may become agitated and upset when parent tries to leave.
Separation anxiety is different from the normal feelings older kids have when they don't want a parent to leave. In those cases, the distress can usually be overcome if a child is distracted enough, and won't re-emerge until the parent returns and the child remembers that the parent left.
And kids do understand the effect this behavior has on parents. If you come running back into the room every time your child cries and then stay there longer or cancel your plans, your child will continue to use this tactic to avoid separation.
During this stage, you might experience different emotions. It can be gratifying to feel that your child is finally as attached to you as you are to him or her. But you're likely to feel guilty about taking time out for yourself, leaving your child with a caregiver, or going to work. And you may start to feel overwhelmed by the amount of attention your child seems to need from you.
Keep in mind that your little one's unwillingness to leave you is a good sign that healthy attachments have developed between the two of you. Eventually, your child will be able to remember that you always return after you leave, and that will be enough comfort while you're gone. This also gives kids a chance to develop coping skills and a little independence.
These strategies can help ease kids and parents through this difficult period:
1) Timing is everything. Try not to start day care or child care with an unfamiliar person when your little one is between the ages of 8 months and 1 year, when separation anxiety is first likely to appear. Also, try not to leave when your child is likely to be tired, hungry, or restless. If at all possible, schedule your departures for after naps and mealtimes.
2) Practice. Practice being apart from each other, and introduce new people and places gradually. If you're planning to leave your child with a relative or a new babysitter, then invite that person over in advance so they can spend time together while you're in the room. If your child is starting at a new day care center or preschool, make a few visits there together before a full-time schedule begins. Practice leaving your child with a caregiver for short periods of time so that he or she can get used to being away from you.
3) Be calm and consistent. Create a exit ritual during which you say a pleasant, loving, and firm goodbye. Stay calm and show confidence in your child. Reassure him or her that you'll be back — and explain how long it will be until you return using concepts kids will understand (such as after lunch) because your child can't yet understand time. Give him or her your full attention when you say goodbye, and when you say you're leaving, mean it; coming back will only make things worse.
4) Follow through on promises. It's important to make sure that you return when you have promised to. This is critical — this is how your child will develop the confidence that he or she can make it through the time apart."
9 Feb 2009 - Childcare Centre Enrolment
Today we have enrolled Jerlene to a Childcare Centre. We have done an evaluation for quite a number of childcare centres and finally, we have decided on the one nearest to my parent's place. Our main consideration is location and we wanted to have the flexibility of fetching Jerlene in the future as my parents can also help to pick her up if we cannot make it. The name of the childcare centre is INTELLECT CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE. Another reason is that the fee is much cheaper than the others that we have evaluated.
The first day of childcare will be 17 Feb 2009, which is next Tue. The centre will be closed next Mon for teacher training day. Wonder whether Jerlene will get used to the environment. I guess I will have to take leave in her first few days of "school".........
The first day of childcare will be 17 Feb 2009, which is next Tue. The centre will be closed next Mon for teacher training day. Wonder whether Jerlene will get used to the environment. I guess I will have to take leave in her first few days of "school".........
Sunday, February 8, 2009
8 Feb 2009 - Chinatown
This morning, Jerlene kept asking me to go play Wii. She can say the word Wii prefectly but not only that, now she knows how to say Wii Fit! She enjoyed watching me play Wii Fit. If I play other games, she will not be interested. While I was doing the dancing steps, Jerlene tried to imitate my steps behind me. I created a profile for her and she looks so cute when I hold on her waist while she does the hoola hoop........
This evening, we went to our grandme's place for another CNY gathering. However before that, we took a walk at Chinatown. We had some dessert at a shop and after that we took some pictures of the surrounding Chinese New Year decorations.
7 Feb 2009 - The bravest girl
While I was still sleeping early this morning, I vaguely heard a voice by my ear saying "Milk Milk". When I opened my eyes, I saw Jerlene smiling at me saying "milk milk". I quickly got up to hug her before going out of the room to prepare her milk. After she finished the entire bottle of milk (about 240ml), she asked for more. So I made another 60ml and she finished that as well. It's great to see her appetite comes back.
Jerlene has been coughing for the past few days. Fortunately, she seems ok today as she got an appointment to take her final round of vaccination. She need to take two vaccination today, one for MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), which was delayed because the PD wants to confirm that she was not the case of autism. Jerlene maintained very good eye contact with the PD today and seems very cheerful. This MMR jab will be the last of all the compulsory vaccination. I held her tightly and tried to distract her while the PD gave her the injection. Without knowing it, it was done and Jerlene did not even make a sound. What a brave girl but that's not the end.
We decided to let Jerlene take another vaccination for pneumococcal as she will be going to childcare very soon. According to the PD, this jab is the most painful of all the vaccination that Jerlene has taken so far. So before that, he kept reminding me and I held her very tightly. However, after the jab was quickly taken, there was again not a single sound from Jerlene. Even the PD was very surprised because this seems rare for kids at her age. Maybe Jerlene was too distracted by the sweets. Anyway, Jerlene, you are such a brave girl. Great work!
The PD warned that for the pneumococcal injection, there is a 5% chance that Jerlene will have fever in the next two days. As for the MMR jab, there is also a 5% chance that she will have fever in 5-7 days time. So we just have to monitor her more closely in the coming week.
After the vaccination, we went to Novena and United Square for a walk. Jerlene had some fun stepping on the projection of images on the floor.
There was a cute moment when the image suddenly changed to a pool of fishes, Jerlene was shocked and stunned on the spot. She did not dare to even move a step.But after some observation and analysis, she started enjoying stepping at those fishes........
Jerlene has been coughing for the past few days. Fortunately, she seems ok today as she got an appointment to take her final round of vaccination. She need to take two vaccination today, one for MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), which was delayed because the PD wants to confirm that she was not the case of autism. Jerlene maintained very good eye contact with the PD today and seems very cheerful. This MMR jab will be the last of all the compulsory vaccination. I held her tightly and tried to distract her while the PD gave her the injection. Without knowing it, it was done and Jerlene did not even make a sound. What a brave girl but that's not the end.
We decided to let Jerlene take another vaccination for pneumococcal as she will be going to childcare very soon. According to the PD, this jab is the most painful of all the vaccination that Jerlene has taken so far. So before that, he kept reminding me and I held her very tightly. However, after the jab was quickly taken, there was again not a single sound from Jerlene. Even the PD was very surprised because this seems rare for kids at her age. Maybe Jerlene was too distracted by the sweets. Anyway, Jerlene, you are such a brave girl. Great work!
The PD warned that for the pneumococcal injection, there is a 5% chance that Jerlene will have fever in the next two days. As for the MMR jab, there is also a 5% chance that she will have fever in 5-7 days time. So we just have to monitor her more closely in the coming week.
After the vaccination, we went to Novena and United Square for a walk. Jerlene had some fun stepping on the projection of images on the floor.
There was a cute moment when the image suddenly changed to a pool of fishes, Jerlene was shocked and stunned on the spot. She did not dare to even move a step.But after some observation and analysis, she started enjoying stepping at those fishes........
Friday, February 6, 2009
6 Feb 2009 - Appetite improving
After taking the Appeton Lysine syrup for the past few days, Jerlene's appetite seems to have improved a lot. Throughout the day, she has been asking for food, milk, apple, banana, bread, cakes etc etc........ She even finished a bowl of porridge, which she has been rejecting for the past few weeks. The effect of lysine is really amazing....... Hopefully her appetite will continue to be good. When I weigh her this morning, she seems to have gained back the weight that she had lost when she got diarrhea 2 weeks back.
3 Feb 2009 - Jerlene bit me
Same thing happened this morning when I reached my parent's place. She again refused to let me go and she actually bit my shoulder to show her displeasure. She bites so hard that my shoulder bleed and got blood stain on my shirt.
Jerlene, it's not that daddy dun want you. Daddy got to work so that you can have a good life. I will make up for you at night and during weekends, ok?
2 Feb 2009 - Jerlene made me late for work
My parents will be taking care of Jerlene this whole week. So before going to work, I will bring Jerlene to my parent's place. And when I said bye bye to Jerlene, she will scream, shout and cling onto me very very tightly. I had to spend a lot of time trying to coax her but the moment, I said bye bye, she will start crying again. My mom also tried to calm her down and this whole process took about half an hour before I can leave the place peacefully. And because of this, I was late for work.......
My mom is a bit stressed because Jerlene still keep rejecting food and milk. Throughout the day, she only wants to eat cakes and bread. But when I brought her home, she actually asked for milk. Btw, she started coughing and she seems to have lots of phlegm. So I gave her some medicine prescribed by PD previously for cough and cold.
My mom is a bit stressed because Jerlene still keep rejecting food and milk. Throughout the day, she only wants to eat cakes and bread. But when I brought her home, she actually asked for milk. Btw, she started coughing and she seems to have lots of phlegm. So I gave her some medicine prescribed by PD previously for cough and cold.
1 Feb 2009 - Last burst
In the past one to two months, Jerlene started to have the so called "last burst" before she go into sleep at night. What I mean by "last burst" is that she will cry, scream and do all sorts of naughty things. And suddenly in the next moment, she will fall asleep. Her "last burst" sometimes happens in the car on the way home and other times on our bed. No matter what, when that happens, we will expect her to fall asleep within the next 10mins. :-)
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