Blogging...

Been busy minding other stuff till blogging about "my life journey" and managing photos of "my life journey" seemed so tough, that is... in finding the time to do it. Wished i could be as efficient as BB Daniel... on the spot blogging! Or at least post photos and write a short description of them... hmmm... but i'm still so "Santa Barbara" as some of my "old" school CF buddies called me.... 'cuz i used to yack yack yack about this & that so much so that I cant summarize my "stories"... that's how i ended up being a "Santa-Barbarian" (Ooops... not a "barbarian" barbarian ok?! ;o))

Anyways... here's me... making some noise.... just to get my blog alive!

Blogspot! Facebook! Here i come..... will make more noise as soon as i finish this post....

Cat bite updates... scars... :(

There's nothing much that i can do except to accept "them" as part of me. The bite... i mean bites left my poor leg some scars... sob! sob! sob!

Read the "Cat bite stories" in my previous posts here & here.

[+Video] Sarah's latest development (at Month 4+)

I think she's gonna be a great swimmer one day! Hahaha... She's been developing her leg muscles! So much so... she's been practising her "reverse stroke" everyday for the past one week! heh heh...

I find her very entertaining! Well... at least to me. Hahahaha.... It brings me such joy to see her growing little by little from a little baby to a not-so-little baby! :)

Here's a short clip of her doing her "reverse stroke"...

[Knowledge: Baby] ECB11: BATHING AND HYGIENE – Washing a BOY

Never pull your baby boy’s foreskin back for cleaning; it’s quite tight and could get stuck. Wash the whole of the nappy area and dry carefully, particularly the skin creases. By the time your baby is 3 or 4 years of age, the foreskin will be loose and can retract without force.

[Knowledge: Baby] ECB10: BATHING AND HYGIENE – Washing a GIRL

There is no need to open the lips of your baby girl’s vulva to clean inside, and you should never try to do so. Just wash the skin of the nappy area and dry it carefully.

When you are washing your baby girl, take care to wipe from front to back – that is, towards the anus – when you clean the nappy area. This will avoid soiling the vulva, and minimize the risk of spreading bacteria from the bowels to the bladder or vagina which could cause infection.

[Living Truth] Wet Pants

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....

There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet.

He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it..

When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.
The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out.

All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. "You've done enough, you klutz! "

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good.

Each and everyone one of us are going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can.

************************************************************************************

Keep the faith.

"When God Answers your Prayer He is increasing your Faith,

When He delays, He is increasing your Patience,

When He Don't Give U Anything, He has Something BETTER"

Satay supper before bowling...

Because we had to "kill time" before going back to the bowling venue to "claim our lanes", we went out for satay supper at Restaurant Malaysia...

Bowling with Cell-mates....

No.... not (prison) cell mates. It's my (church) cell mates. hehehe... Went for bowling last Friday.... It was supposed to be at 8.30pm, but the place was packed with people and no lanes were available for us until probably 11pm (That's what we were told) Yes, we were there for one purpose, that is to BOWL, and so.... we made sure that we wont go back "empty-handed". It was a "crazy" group.... with children and all... but yes, we stayed on until past midnight! Went for supper to "kill" time.... At about 10.30, we decided to check if there were lanes available. Praise God, there were! So, let the pictures tell the story....

Ampang Superbowl... in Kajang Metropoint.
Looks like the guys & a lady had a good start! :)

Eww... smelly shoes...
Kids having fun....
"uncles" discussing strategies! :p

None other than.... BB Daniel! :D

That's Mark... nearly got a strike for this one! Or did he?
Well done, bro! :)

Baby Sarah sleeping soundly... in the midst of noise!
But awoken after a good 20 minutes sleep.

Aunt Seah & Marilyn... 2 lovely ladies...
Uncle Philip showing the "V" sign...
Gwamma Stephanie "kacau" Sarah ever since she woke up! hehe...
Babies will be babies... :)

Baby Sarah & all her bb-sitters that night! Hahaha! :D

Juan scored many "strikes" that night! Way to go, JuanB!
Daniel... walking the penguin walk? kekeke...
Uncle David... so cool ar? Stretching after bowling...

Towards the end.... crowds were cheering....
fingers pain-pain....
.
.
.
.
and BB Daniel was still blogging....

And so we didn't go back empty-handed. We had fun... and some had sore fingers after that night! Hehehe...

A Literacy Workshop for Parents

Last Thursday, had ladies' day out with Marilyn & Paulla... err... well, actually it's ladies' day in (haha!) - in Segi College, that is. :)

It was quite a last minute invitation but it was hard to resist when seemed to me, this workshop would be really something that I, as a new parent, would need to know. Hubby on the other hand need to go back earlier to take care of Sarah, so he couldnt attend even though he wanted to.

I got permission from CEO to leave office earlier that day. Thank you, Elijah. :)

Many of those who attended were either parents or early-childhood educators - Paulla's one of them! I learn a lot through the teachings as well as through the sharing and questions from the attendees.

The workshop presenter, Carolyn Choo, has been actively involved in education for more than 20 years, sharing her passion for literacy and literature with preschoolers, college students, undergraduates and adult learners.... like me! Hehehe...

Well.... what do i learn from the workshop? I'd say.... It was good! It was worth going! Let me share with you as much as I possibly can remember... :p

How can we encourage our children to enjoy the printed words?

For a start.... do you know that books have sound and smell, which little children can hear and sense the smell? Interesting right? There are some things that even we adults have no idea of. Children, on the other hand, are very creative – young as they are, and their imagination will grow deeper and wider as we adults help them to understand the links between sounds and shapes of the alphabets, that make the words, that make the sentences.

How to make book experiences enjoyable for both child and parent?
Here are some guidelines :-

• choose the right book (to connect with the children, we need to choose books that is suitable to the child’s development)

• use expression as you read

• point to pictures and label

• have the child respond (ask questions to encourage the child to think. Link the story to the child)

• have the child predict and link the book to life

• have child supply sound effects while you read (interaction makes it MORE interesting!!!)

• ask what sounds and smells might be in the story (ask the child what they can see, taste and smell… you cant get this on TV! Books stimulates the mind)

• review and retell

• a celebration of reading and of books but not a comprehension drill

In this workshop, we also went through the basic of the phonics tools, ie the "Letter-sound relationship". It was interesting. It brought me back to the days when i watched Sesame Street when i was a kid!

"c" - "a" - "t"...... "c" - "aaaat"...... "c" - "aat"........ "CAT"! Muaahahahhahaa! :D

Yep! That's how we should teach our child to read and not just memorizing letters or words. By this, even though the process might be slow, it will strengthen the foundation of literacy, and when they grow older, having this foundation will enable them to recognize all words.

So... firstly, train the child to hear the differences of SOUND - get to know the basic sounds of English (phonics). You can play games like "I spy with my eyes...", "Rhyme games" and "Songs & music & movement". If you have problems with phonics, do visit here
Remember this: Worksheets & workbooks are not for younger children. They need to move and use their senses!

Secondly, train the child to see the differences of SHAPE - use everyday items (in the house) to bring shape awareness to the child. You can do pairing activities like putting labels on household products. Introduce alphabet shapes.

Finally, match the letters and sounds. Once they are familiar with the matching of letters and sounds, they can match almost any words with its pronunciation. Start with three letter words, and when the child's ready, you may introduce more word patterns.

So parents, it's time to enjoy literacy with your child! :)

Baby Sarah's Weight & Height - Month 4

Month 4 (15 July)
Weight=7.38kg (+0.7kg)
Height=63cm (+2cm)
Head circumference=40cm (+1.2cm)

Sarah turned 4 months old yesterday! A chubby kid is she. Many uncles & aunties (including daddy & mummy) loves to "cubit" (pinch) her cheeks! hehehe... Dr Khoo also said "Iyoh..." while holding her michelinny arms. What a funny sight! :D

I personally don't think that she was over-eating. Dr says she's not overweight as both her weight and height are growing according to the chart, except that her head circumference was 25% less than it should be (following the size of her body that is), but it's a small matter.

Baby Sarah, happy 4 mth old! Love you so so so muchie! From, Daddy & Mummy

Read previous post on baby Sarah's weight & height measurement (Month 3).
Read previous post on baby Sarah's weight & height measurement (Month 0 - 2).

Baby Sarah's Weight & Height - Month 3

Month 3 (17 June)
Weight=6.68kg (+0.85kg)
Height=61cm (+2.5cm)
Head circumference=38.8cm (+1.8cm)

That was a month ago's measurement. Later tonight, we'll be bringing her to see her doctor again for another measurement and jab.... 2 jabs this round. Praying that she'll be strong!

Read previous post on baby Sarah's weight & height measurement (Month 0 - 2).

[Living Truth] Finding Treasures in Trials

Taken from "It Takes Two to Tango" by Gary and Norma Smalley

Life's game plan includes some changes you can anticipate and plan on. But it will also be filled with sneaky speed bumps, strange detours, frustrating dead ends, sudden lane changes, and unscheduled exits. If you anticipate both the major "expected" changes as well as probable unexpected changes, you'll stand a better chance of reaching your destination...together.

[Knowledge: Baby] ECB9: BABY MASSAGE – Giving a Massage

Head
Start off by lightly massaging the crown of your baby’s head using a circular motion, then stroke down the sides of his face. Gently massage his forehead, working from the center and moving over the eyebrows and cheeks to finish around his ears.

Arms
Stroke down his arms to his fingertips. Using fingers and thumb, gently squeeze all along his arm, starting at the top.

Chest and Abdomen
Gently stroke down your baby’s chest, following the delicate curves of his ribs. Rub his abdomen in a circular motion, working outwards from the navel.

Feet and Toes
Rub your baby’s ankles and feet stroking from heel to toe, and then concentrate on each toe individually. End your massage with some long, light strokes running the whole length of the front of your baby’s body.

Leg
Now you can massage your baby’s legs, working from his thighs down to his knees. Stroke down the shins, and move around to his calves and ankles. Gently squeeze all the way down.

Back
Once you have massaged your baby on the front, turn him over and work on his back.

[Knowledge: Baby] TV and Baby

Is It Okay To Let My Baby Watch TV?

By Madeleine Fitzpatrick

Babies and Television: Frequently Asked Questions

There are two schools of thought on this. One says that babies under two years of age should not be allowed to watch any TV; the other says that limited amounts of high-quality educational TV accompanied by adult interaction are fine - and may even be beneficial. When DVDs are used correctly, the repetition and familiarity they provide can actually aid learning.

However, no TV at all is better than unsupervised watching. No TV at all is also better than any watching of entertainment-based programs - and that includes shows such as cartoons, which may be designed for kids, but are really not suitable for babies.

What can happen to babies who watch the wrong sort of TV, or watch TV unsupervised?

Child experts in the US have noted a correlation between high TV exposure in babies and toddlers, and the incidence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It's possible that watching TV's rapidly shifting images could have a negative impact on brain development in the very young (high-quality educational programs should not have rapidly shifting images though).

Parents should note that even DVDs marketed as educational may be harmful to babies; if they are watched without supervision, that harm is multiplied. In August 2007 Dr Dimitri Christakis and Frederick Zimmerman of the University of Washington published a report on the effects of popular programs such as Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby. They found that for every hour per day spent watching the DVDs, babies learnt six to eight fewer new vocabulary words than babies who had never watched TV. Many of the programs were devoid of language content. But even when it came to shows designed to enhance language acquisition, Christakis says, "Videos of native speakers of languages fail to teach children as well as live speakers do." That's why it's important for an adult to speak or sing along to the DVD being shown.

In October 2007 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - which advises that the under-two's not be allowed to watch any TV - published a report on the effects of TV exposure in early childhood. Consistent exposure to two or more hours of TV per day, the academy found, was correlated with a greater incidence of sleep and behavioral problems, as well as less developed social skills. Notes the AAP, "Under age two, talking, singing, reading, listening to music or playing are far more important to a child's development than any TV show."

Shouldn't I follow the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics to the letter?

Yes - if that's the decision you're most comfortable with. It's worth noting, though, that the type of exposure the academy looked at in its study was unsupervised exposure to entertainment-based programs. We, like the academy, would advise you to spare your baby this sort of TV exposure for at least the first two years.

Many parents and teachers find, however, that high-quality educational TV programs complement interactions with their babies and facilitate learning. Robert Titzer's Your Baby Can Read! and Rachel de Azevedo Coleman's Baby Signing Time! are good examples. The Titzer DVDs show parents the best way to read, repeat and talk about words; parents can also read along with the narrator and talk to their baby about the pictures onscreen. For parents teaching sign language to their baby, Coleman clearly demonstrates how to model signs - a big help and confidence boost to parents learning sign language along with their baby. The songs that accompany the lessons are fun and catchy, with babies' enjoyment of the DVDs increasing as they get to know the music.

How can I be sure I'm getting the balance right?

Interacting with your baby while watching is key. Besides that, you should ensure your baby watches no more than one hour of TV per day. To start off with, you might like to keep it to 15 minutes at a time - your baby will probably find it hard to pay attention for any longer. You can increase the duration later, when your baby starts to recognize and understand the program - and especially, when interactions become a two-way affair.

[Knowledge: Baby] How to Calm Your Crying Baby

I've read many articles on this same subject... Why? Well... obviously hubby and I have been going through moments of stress when we just at times couldnt calm our little girl Sarah when she cries. This is another article which i came across and found it very helpful.

You can also read my previous post on this same subject (from Baby Centre website) here.

How to Calm Your Crying Baby
By Elizabeth Pantley - author of Gentle Baby Care

When we’re pregnant or awaiting adoption, we dream about our baby-to-be, we always envision those beautiful Hallmark card scenes: charming baby smiling up at peaceful mother’s face. We read books in advance of the big day about how care for a newborn how to bathe, feed and dress her and then we feel somewhat prepared. However, a crying baby was never part of that idyllic vision, so this takes us by surprise. But the fact is, all babies cry at one time or another. Some babies cry more than others, but they all do cry. Understanding why babies cry can help you get through this phase and respond effectively to your crying baby so can the list of ideas that follows.


Why does my baby cry?

Simply put, babies cry because they cannot talk. Babies are human beings, and they have needs and desires, just as we do, but they can’t express them. Even if they could talk, very often they wouldn’t understand why they feel the way they do, they wouldn’t understand themselves well enough to articulate their needs, so babies need someone to help them figure it all out. Their cries are the only way they can say, “Help me! Something isn’t right here!”


Different kinds of cries

As you get to know your baby, you’ll become the expert in understanding his cries in a way that no one else can. In their research, child development professionals have determined that certain types of cries mean certain things. In other words, babies don’t cry the same exact way every time . (Other child development experts, also known as mothers, have known that for millennia.)
Over time, you’ll recognize particular cries as if they were spoken words. In addition to these cry signals, you often can determine why your baby is crying by the situation surrounding the cry. Following are common reasons for Baby’s cry, and the clues that may tell you what’s up:

Hunger: If three or four hours have passed since his last feeding, if he has just woken up, or if he has just had a very full diaper and he begins to cry, he’s probably hungry. A feeding will most likely stop the crying.

Tiredness: Look for these signs: decreased activity, losing interest in people and toys, rubbing eyes, looking glazed, and the most obvious, yawning If you notice any of these in your crying baby, she may just need to sleep. Time for bed!

Discomfort: If a baby is uncomfortable, too wet, hot, cold, squished he’ll typically squirm or arch his back when he cries, as if trying to get away from the source of his discomfort. Try to figure out the source of his distress and solve his problem.

Pain: A cry of pain is sudden and shrill, just like when an adult or older child cries out when they get hurt. It may include long cries followed by a pause during which your baby appears to stop breathing. He then catches his breath and lets out another long cry.Time to check your baby’s temperature and undress him for a full-body examination.

Overstimulation: If the room is noisy, people are trying to get your baby’s attention, rattles are rattling, music boxes are playing, and your baby suddenly closes her eyes and cries (or turns her head away), she may be trying to shut out all that’s going on around her and find some peace. It’s time for a quiet, dark room and some peaceful cuddles.

Illness: When your baby is sick, he may cry in a weak, moaning way. This is his way of saying, “I feel awful.” If your baby seems ill, look for any signs of sickness, take her temperature and call your healthcare provider.

Frustration: Your baby is just learning how to control her hands, arms, and feet. She may be trying to get her fingers into her mouth or to reach a particularly interesting toy, but her body isn’t cooperating. She cries out of frustration, because she can’t accomplish what she wants to do. All she needs is a little help.

Loneliness: If your baby falls asleep feeding and you place her in her crib, but she wakes soon afterward with a cry, she may be saying that she misses the warmth of your embrace and doesn’t like to be alone. A simple situation to resolve…

Worry or fear: Your baby suddenly finds himself in the arms of Great Aunt Matilda and can’t see you; his previously happy gurgles turn suddenly to crying. He’s trying to tell you that he’s scared: He doesn’t know this new person, and he wants Mommy or Daddy. Explain to Auntie that he needs a little time to warm up to someone new, and try letting the two of them get to know each other while Baby stays in your arms.

Boredom: Your baby has been sitting in his infant seat for 20 minutes while you talk and eat lunch with a friend. He’s not tired, hungry or uncomfortable, but he starts a whiny, fussy cry. He may be saying that he’s bored and needs something new to look at or touch. A new position for his seat or a toy to hold may help.

Colic: If your baby cries inconsolably for long periods every day, particularly at the same time each day, he may have colic. R esearchers are still unsure of colic’s exact cause. Some experts believe that colic is related to the immaturity of a baby’s digestive system. Whatever the cause, and it may be a combination of all the theories; colic is among the most exasperating conditions that parents of new babies face. Colic occurs only to newborn babies, up to about four to five months of age. Look for patterns to your baby’s crying; these can provide clues as to which suggestions are most likely to help. Then experiment with some of the ideas in this list and in the rest of this article.

• If breastfeeding, feed on demand (cue feeding), for nutrition as well as comfort, as often as your baby needs a calming influence.


• If breastfeeding, try avoiding foods that may cause gas in your baby, such as dairy products, caffeine, cabbage, broccoli and other gassy vegetables.


• If bottlefeeding, offer more frequent but smaller meals; experiment with different formulas with your doctor or health care provider’s approval.


• If bottlefeeding, try different types of bottles and nipples that prevent air from entering your baby as he drinks, such as those with curved bottles or collapsible liners.


• Hold your baby in a more upright position for feeding and directly afterwards.


• Experiment with how often and when you burp your baby.


• Offer meals in a quiet setting.


• If baby likes a pacifier, offer him one.


• Invest in a baby sling or carrier and use it during colicky periods.


• If the weather’s too unpleasant for an outside stroll, bring your stroller in the house and walk your baby around.


• Give your baby a warm bath.


• Hold your baby with her legs curled up toward her belly.


• Massage your baby’s tummy, or give him a full massage.


• Swaddle your baby in a warm blanket.


• Lay your baby tummy down across your lap and massage or pat her back.


• Hold your baby in a rocking chair, or put him in a swing.


• Walk with Baby in a quiet, dark room while you hum or sing.


• Try keeping your baby away from highly stimulating situations during the day when possible to prevent sensory overload.


• Lie on your back and lay your baby on top of your tummy down while massaging his back. (Transfer your baby to his bed if he falls asleep.)


• Take Baby for a ride in the car.


• Play soothing music or turn on white noise such as a vacuum cleaner or running water.


• As a last resort, ask your doctor or health care provider about medications available for colic and gas.

What about fussy crying?

There are plenty of times when you can’t tell if your baby’s crying is directly related to a fixable situation: hunger, a soiled diaper, or a longing to be held. That’s when parents get frustrated and nervous. That’s when you should take a deep breath and try some of the following cry-stoppers:

Hold your baby. No matter the reason for your baby’s cry, being held by a warm and comforting person offers a feeling of security and may calm his crying. Babies love to be held in arms, slings, front-pack carriers, and (when they get a little older) backpacks; physical contact is what they seek and what usually soothes them best.

Breastfeed your baby. Nursing your baby is as much for comfort as food. All four of my babies calmed easily when brought to the breast so much so that my husband has always called it “The Secret Weapon.” And my babies are very typical. Breastfeeding is an important and powerful tool for baby soothing.

Provide motion. Babies enjoy repetitive, rhythmic motion such as rocking, swinging, swaying, jiggling, dancing or a drive in the car. Many parents instinctually begin to sway with a fussy baby, and for a good reason: It works.

Turn on some white noise. The womb was a very noisy place. Remember the sounds you heard on the Doppler stethoscope? Not so long ago, your baby heard those 24 hours a day. Therefore, your baby sometimes can be calmed by “white noise” that is, noise that is continuous and uniform, such as that of a heartbeat, the rain, static between radio stations, and your vacuum cleaner. Some alarm clocks even have a white noise function.

Let music soothe your baby. Soft, peaceful music is a wonderful baby calmer. That’s why lullabies have been passed down through the ages. You don’t have to be a professional singer to provide your baby with a song; your baby loves to hear your voice. In addition to your own songs, babies usually love to hear any kind of music. Experiment with different types of tunes, since babies have their own favorites that can range from jazz to country to classical, and even rock and rap.

Swaddle your baby. During the first three or four months of life, many babies feel comforted if you can re-create the tightly contained sensation they enjoyed in the womb..

Massage your baby. Babies love to be touched and stroked, so a massage is a wonderful way to calm a fussy baby. A variation of massage is the baby pat; many babies love a gentle, rhythmic pat on their backs or bottoms.

Let your baby have something to suck on. The most natural pacifier is mother’s breast, but when that isn’t an option, a bottle, pacifier, Baby’s own fingers, a teething toy, or Daddy’s pinkie can work wonders as a means of comfort.

Distract your baby. Sometimes a new activity or change of scenery, maybe a walk outside, or a dance with a song, or a splashy bath can be very helpful in turning a fussy baby into a happy one.


Reading your baby’s body language

Many times, you can avoid the crying altogether by responding right away to your baby’s earliest signals of need, such as fussing, stiffening her body, or rooting for the breast. As you get to know your baby and learn her signals, determining what she needs will become easier for you even before she cries.

This article is a copyrighted excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley . (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

An afternoon in GT...

It was close to 3pm (yesterday afternoon) when AndrewC asked if i was available to visit GT (Glad Tidings) to have a look at their system, since he was planning to go there to setup the room EQ for them. At first i told him that i wasnt available - that i had work to do. But work never ends anyway... and this opportunity doesnt just come. And i recalled what Silas told me earlier in the week to seize any opportunity given - be exposed & be smart! (Yeah... in case some of u dont already know, i'm like "katak di bawah tempurung" - the "katak" is me and the "tempurung" is the 4 corners of my workstation. *shy*) With this reminder, i immediately told Andrew that i could make it. It'll only be about an hour or so anyway... :)

And so... i was there with Andrew and I was then introduced to Danny who is a fulltime in GT doing sound. They did the sound check, etc, and there i was taking pictures here and there and "trying" to learn whatever i can... actually am just observing, but one thing's for sure... i love to see how neat the hall is - both behind the sound booth and on the stage. I was looking around... and telling myself... we need to get our butt working and tidy up the church and some other systems!

Well... we did some things together in the worship team... and that was a start! Thanks AndrewC for your time and efforts. Things are slowly coming together - in placed and more systematic. You can read and view some pictures here & here & here. Thanks DanLion for keeping us up-to-date in your blog. :)

Below are the pictures of GT - may it be a motivation to us as church and as crew (Yes! LRM crew - i know u guys are reading this. hehe...)

Can you see how neat their cables were labeled? That was AndrewC's pro-team's work. That's what i call quality & professionalism!
Also... no cables lying on the floor... no cables tangled here n there...
Thanks AndrewC for inviting me over... :)

Bedtime routine

Article taken from thestar-online

By WONG LI ZA

A regular routine helps children to settle down for the night.

IF you are a parent with young children but physically resemble a character from Night of the Living Dead, read on. Parents tend to be more concerned about their child’s nutrition and learning abilities rather than sleep.

A recent international study involving 30,000 children aged zero to three has shown that many parents feel their children do not sleep well, especially Asian children.

Completed last year, the International Sleep Study on Infants and Toddlers was conducted in 17 countries. It involved 12 Asian countries (over 20,000 children) and five Western countries consisting of the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. In Malaysia, 997 parents and caregivers responded to the survey, which was conducted online.

The survey, jointly conducted by Johnson & Johnson and the Asia Pacific Paediatric Sleep Alliance (APPSA), is believed to be the largest of its kind.

“Sleep may seem like a natural process but many mothers neglect the importance of good sleep in their children,” said Joyce Lee, Johnson & Johnson Malaysia’s managing director.

Led by prominent US-based paediatrician Dr Jodi Mindell, the study showed that 26% of parents in Caucasian countries believe their child has a sleep problem compared to 54% in Asian countries. (Overall, results in Malaysia and the other Asian countries were very similar.)

Among the questions in the survey was whether parents practised a consistent bedtime routine with their kids.

“Only 53% of Malaysians practise the same bedtime routine with their child compared to 71% of Caucasians,” said How Ti Hwei, director of professional marketing with Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific.

“In addition, 84% of Malaysian children sleep in the same room as their parents compared to only 35% of Caucasians,” said How, who was involved in the survey.

However, consultant paediatrician and paediatric pulmonologist at Hospital Serdang, Dr Norrashidah Abdul Wahab, advocates co-sleeping, but in different beds.

“The main reason for sleeping in different beds is safety. I also find that mothers do not really want to be separated from their young child.

“It is also easier to breastfeed a child who is in the same room and mothers can also tend to the needs of the child immediately,” she said.

The sleep survey also found that the average time children go to bed in Asia is 9.30pm but in Caucasian countries, it is 8.30pm.

“Caucasians have a specific, earlier bedtime for their children. On the other hand, most Malaysians are not aware of the importance of good (sleep) habits,” said Dr Norrashidah, who is a member of APPSA.

Dr Norrashidah believes that the time children go to bed is important.

“Malaysian children tend to sleep later and wake up late, at nine or 10am. They should sleep by eight or 9pm for the proper cycles of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep to take place,” she explained.

REM sleep is important for brain development while during non-REM sleep, physical growth takes place.

She said that non-REM sleep occurs from 8pm onwards; towards the early morning, more REM sleep occurs.

“The age between zero and three is a crucial period for growth, which happens during sleep,” she said.

To get children to sleep earlier, their afternoon naps should only be about one to two hours, she added.

Proven routine

Prior to the International Sleep Study, Dr Mindell carried out a clinical sleep study in the United States involving 58 mothers and their babies aged seven to 18 months over three weeks.

The study, conducted in 2005, involved practising a three-step routine before bedtime, which comprised a bath, massage and quiet activities like story time.

Results showed that babies slept faster and woke up in the middle of the night less. The longest sleep period in the night also increased by 23% and mothers reported that they were less tired.

“This study shows that a simple three-step routine can help both children and mothers sleep better,” he said, adding that the routine should not take more than 30 minutes.

Added Lee, “Many mothers know intuitively that a routine works. Now, we are sharing with them a practical and proven routine to follow.”

Asian parents who might not be open to bathing their children at night have an alternative – wiping them down with warm water.

“The warmness calms and relaxes the child,” said Lee.

Dr Norrashidah said a regular bedtime routine is important to teach the baby to unwind and go to sleep to maximise the restorative benefits of sleep to aid the baby’s cognitive, social and physical development.

“The lack of a bedtime routine and healthy sleep in the long term can affect a baby’s memory, learning ability and even well-being,” said Dr Norrashidah.

She stressed that the key points are to put a baby to bed early from the start and to continue practising a routine.

“Bathe or wipe them down, change them into their pyjamas, dim the lights, and spend time with them. Read them a book or sing a song. It’s also good to massage them because it is relaxing.

“A routine should continue until the child is about five years old,” she said.

She added that many Malaysian parents do not practise a set routine with their children due to their busy lifestyle.

“Understandably, most mothers work these days and come back late but they still want to spend time and play with their children at night,” she said.

Dr Norrashidah added that although a bigger study is needed, the clinical sleep study shows that a routine is effective in helping children sleep better.

the Giraffe story....

Once upon a time.... in a far-away land.... there lived a papa Giraffe & a mama Giraffe.... err... err... errr....
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neh.... i'm not telling u guys a bedtime story.... am not into that at the moment, well... not yet! kekeke....

The Giraffe story started way back in the year 2000 (i think). At that time, i was still studying and Silas just started his job not too long before that. I was staying in Setapak & he was staying with his family in Kajang. On weekends, we would stay in PJ & sometimes in Subang with our dear brother "Doctor" Elvin, aka Elvino (i used to call him that! hehehe...), his family & his then-gf Danielle. We're very close buddies. We yum-cha a lot together - for dinner or supper or hi-tea buffet on Sunday afternoons after church service with Uncle Frankie & family.

We were also very close to Uncle Frankie's wife's sister - aunty Lai Wah, who is a very incredible baby-sitter. Danielle rented a room then from aunty Lai Wah, and so sometimes, we bunked in with her there on weekends too. The Giraffe story started when some kids that aunty Lai Wah took care (her nieces & nephews) called Silas - "uncle Giraffe". They said he has got a long neck, and thus the name "Uncle Giraffe" stuck with him till now... and then... i became "Aunty Giraffe" automatically... (what to do... we're in partnership until "death do us part" :p)

Elvin's sis, Krystyann, called us Giraffes like nobody's business, and gave us giraffe toys as Christmas gift every year! Brenda, who is our "kai-mui" & also Krys' best buddy got "poisoned" into calling us giraffes too! :p Silas wanted to "pay back"... so he called them "tortoise"... hmm... i cant recall how that happened though... hehehe... and so, that's the end of our Giraffe story... Part 1! :)

Part 2.... baby Giraffe was born! LOL! A baby gift set was given to us (for our newborn) from our buddies, Kee Lin & Lauren... guess what?! It's a Giraffe baby set! Hahaha! They didnt know anything about this Giraffe story... and yet what a coincident! It was so funny that when we saw that gift, we relate to them the story and told them how "prophetic" they were! :D

Here are some photos of Sarah girl, wearing her giraffe pants and posing with 2 giraffe toys....

Read previous post on baby Giraffe

smile..... :)

A smile is a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement....
A smile is a happy face expression using mouth, but without producing voice...

It takes 37 muscles to frown and 22 muscles to smile. So smile.... it conserves energy.

ORIGIN: Some sayings have been with us so long that their origins are now wholly forgotten. This popular aphorism about a greater number of facial muscles being needed to produce a frown than are required to generate a smile is one such snippet of homespun wisdom; it has been a part of our cultural landscape for so long that no one now knows where it began.

One deep-fried-Zen adage advises: "It takes 13 muscles to smile and 33 to frown. Why overwork?" (The Washington Post, 5 December 1982)

"You know the old adage that it only takes 10 muscles to smile but it takes 100 to frown," she said. (The New York Times, 19 April 1987)

According to doctors we use only four muscles to smile, but when we frown we use 64 muscles - 16 times more. (The Hindu, 11 March 2000)

It takes four muscles to smile, 20 to frown and roughly 317 to appear amused when a Celine Dion imitator, who happens to be a man, sings a song about, er, flatulence.
(The Denver Post, 29 September 1998)

It's easier to smile than to frown. A smile uses 17 muscles, a frown, 43.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 24 February 1997)

Right there, you commit to selling to all employees - at cost, not a nickel of markup - company T-shirts that say, "It only takes one muscle to smile and 37 muscles to frown."
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 24 April 1995)

Don't they know it is said you use 35 muscles to frown and four to smile? Why tire yourself? ([Queensland] Sunday Mail, 18 August 1991)

Sonny Smith, Auburn's basketball coach, on his dour counterpart at the University of Alabama: ''It takes 15 muscles to smile and 65 muscles to frown. This leads me to believe Wimp Sanderson is suffering from muscle fatigue.'' (The New York Times, 16 December 1986)

It takes 72 muscles to frown - only 14 to smile!" (Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, 1979)

[T.G.I.F] A Faithful Woman

Taken from Crosswalk: Today God Is First

Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

She was the Vice President of Household Affairs for her entire adult life. She had a husband, four daughters, and one son whom she managed. Her calling was not to the marketplace; it was to the home. It was a calling that she fulfilled well. She often went beyond her job description to fulfill menial tasks like sewing clothes for her twin girls, playing dolls, and even playing catch with the only boy in the clan.

Things were going along well until midway in life a telephone call came that changed everything. The caller informed her that the love of her life had been killed in an airplane crash. She was in her early 40's, still beautiful, with five kids to raise on her own in spite of the fact that she hadn't worked in the business place for nearly 20 years. The death of her husband removed their steady upper middle-class income, and she was now faced with the greatest test of her life. At her lowest moment, wondering how she was going to make it, she cried out to God. God answered, "Trust Me, Lillian." Those audible words became the strength that she needed to care for her family for the next 40 years. >From that moment on, she came to know her Savior personally and shared Him with her family. Her children came to know Him as well. Grandchildren became the recipient of her prayers, and they came to know Him too. She was building an inheritance in Heaven, one prayer at a time, one soul at a time. She never remarried; Christ became her Husband.

Whatever wisdom and encouragement has come to you through these devotionals, it is only as a result of one who answered the call to the greatest and most important workplace there is: the home. You can thank my mom, Lillian Hillman, for whatever grace you have gained from these messages throughout the year because she remained faithful to the call to invest in those she was called to love and serve. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."

Bubbles!

Baby Sarah's favourite activity: playing with bubbles!... which ends up having her salivating all over! What makes it worst, she puts her thumb... and sometimes her whole hand in her mouth - creating more saliva! She's also learning to put things in her mouth already! *iyoh*

Can you see her drooling in this picture?! Well... that's just a little... wait till u see her in real life! :o

...and yet another tiring week...

Today's Thursday.... time really flies, eh?!.... Work is never ending and i'm so lacking of sleep too! Oh boy... how will i survive this day... sob! sob!

I wonder how's hubby doing... he took the night shift last night (well... this morning actually). So, he slept at 2am... i slept at 1.20am. Alarm didnt ring this morning so we woke up at 6.30 instead of 5.30... Rushed out and i reached office at 8am - still early but cant have breakfast together.

As usual, on a sleepy & tired morning, i will have my nap in the car, while hubby drives... so he lacks more sleep than i do.

Lord, I pray that baby Sarah will learn to sleep earlier, ie before 12mn EVERYDAY so that both daddy and mummy (and not forgetting yeh-yeh and nai-nai) can get good sleep too before the start of a new day EVERYDAY. Thank You Lord for giving us good rest and good day at home and at work EVERYDAY. Amen!!!

Project Gotong-Royong in Subang Jaya

It was just last Saturday that my church was involved with a Gotong-Royong in Subang Jaya SS13, partnering with Y.B. Hannah Yeoh, a committed christian in government & MPSJ to address the concerns of those in that area.
Many of my church members were there including hubby, BB Daniel, BB CK & BB Joshua! You can read more about the event in their blogs! BB Daniel blogs from his handphone and i get live coverage of the event while at home then! i only receive copyright from CK for the photos posted here. hehehe... i wasnt there cuz i was taking care of baby Sarah at home.


p/s - BB = Brother Blogger! :D

Gwamma Stephanie... :)

Grandma aka Gwamma Stephanie (Yep.... a very "young" grandma! kekeke...) loves baby Sarah a lot. Every Sunday without fail, or Fridays when she's around for cell, she will carry baby Sarah, talk to her, play with her, etc, etc... and baby Sarah enjoys every minute of being "pampered".
They communicate with each other not just in "life" but in cyberspace as well... hehehe...


Taken from a message from Gwamma Stephanie to baby Sarah in Facebook: "halo baby Sarah..... are you coming to church tmr....... last week you go ponteng ke Melaka eh.....aiyoh baby why you kicit kicit sudah kuat jalan..... tmr you wear what colour ha.......blue ah? aiyoh you quickily grow fast fast la"

hehehe... that's my Aunty Stephanie & baby's Gwamma Stephanie! :)

[Knowledge: Baby] ECB8: BABY MASSAGE – Benefits for Baby

Your baby can only gain from the pleasures and sensations of a loving massage.

1. Your baby loves being with you and the intimate contact of massage enhances this. He will recognize it as a clear sign of your love

2. If he is unsettled, your baby will be calmed by the soothing strokes of your hands, which will make him feel secure and relieve anxiety

3. Massage can often ease minor digestive upsets, such as wind, which may well be making your baby fretful

4. Babies need touch. Research has shown that they would rather be stroked than fed… That’s interesting!

[Knowledge: Baby] ECB7: BABY MASSAGE – Benefits for Parents

Massage is a delightful and valuable activity that has advantages for you and your partner as well as your baby.

1. Massaging your newborn helps to enhance the bonding process between you and your child

2. If you are anxious or have had little experience with children, massage allows you to get used to handling your new baby

3. Massage is an ideal way to soothe an unsettled baby and can also help to calm your nerves with its relaxing effects

4. You will find that massaging your baby’s soft, smooth skin is a sensual experience for both of you