2 thumbs & a dummy

Yay! Despite not being able to go the Pregnancy, Babies & Childrens Expo on Friday as planned, we managed to spend a considerable amount of time today instead. I think it was a day well spend not only for us as a family outing but also it was really a great place for parents.

They had lots of sample products which was one of the major reasons why I wanted to go there in the first place. I mean, whether it’s because I’m being a bit kiasu or not, I don’t really care or bother because heck, if you can free stuff for free – you don’t want meh? I did manage to get some samples of baby biscuits, shower batha and lotion which is great because not only do I save, at least now I know I have other options as well.

The other reason was to get more information on solids and feeding routines. At the moment, I am still breastfeeding Arianna and although I know that I will have to wean her sooner or later, I’m in this place where I don’t know what to do now. I know that bf can go up to 2 years of age but I personally think that is a little excessive plus I think by then #2 will already be around so perhaps that way, expressing like what Aida does for Avarayna would be the best thing but for now, it’s just booby juice for Arianna.

I have given her formula now and then, just to see her reaction to formula and *touch wood* she seems ok with it except that time when I gave her Snow brand formula milk in Kulim. She wasn’t too fond of it but at least I know that she is ok with it. A big part of me doesn’t want to stop feeding her because of the convenience factor that comes with bf. I mean, the joy of just being able to pop one out at anytime is simply awesome. No worries about boiling the bottles, making sure that the milk is at the correct temperature in case it scalds baby and the list goes on! Bf is just simply awesome and the other thing is the bonding factor. I love to watch Arianna feeding and then slowly drift off to lala-land. So cute and it’s personally satisfying to know that you have this ‘power’ and ability to bring this on.

So hence, my current ‘lost’ situation. I’m still on the look out for more baby food recipes. Arianna is now mainly eating moi [rice porridge] cooked with either carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and sometimes zuchini, and I add a piece of meat to it for the protein. I double cook it in this porcelain pot which my mum had when we were kids so it’s like a hand-me-down kind of thing and it’s great. Haven’t really tried anything else yet coz I think boiling the heck out of broccoli is yucky. Looks like I’ll be going the Asian way of feeding Arianna. Here everything is stewed and rice is as usual a small part of the meal but not for my baby. We are making it staple!

I know I really have to broaden her choices so that she don’t get fedup with what I’ve been giving her and no better time than starting now. I have to shamelessly admit that I haven’t give much fruits to Arianna. We’ve only tried pears and apples – both stewed and she doesn’t seem to like it much. I’ve also given her some diluted orange juice freshly squeezed and that brings on another screwed up face too. Guess it’s all a matter of getting used to. But surprisingly, she enjoys the bottled fruit gels that my MIL gets from the supermarket, go figure….

We went there thinking that we’d just look around but we ended up getting a few new toys for Arianna – they were cheap and cute. And also a travel cot which doubles up as a play pen. At least now I don’t have to worry and keep an eye on her when she is sitting up because she still tends to fall over and hit her head. So far, noting major and she hasn’t yet cried her lungs out instead she just looks stunned, like a deer in front of the headlights. Then again, I guess it’s must be because babies have a higher absorption ability around their head which makes impact less painful – other wise how else can you explain them not bawling their eyes out??

So, yes…now I can leave her to play safely in the pen and not worry about her knocking her head and all. I’m still waiting for her to sit up by herself. At the moment, she’s just a pro at turning and twisting. She can get on her belly but no way can she sit herself up. I hope to find her sitting up by herself one of these days.