Almost a year old!!

When they say time flies, that's no lie! The last few months have been nothing but joy, smiles,  oodles of hugs and kisses and some pushing of the boundary too.
Our baby boy is turning one very soon and to see him get this far has been such an adventure with wanting to get the camera out for every new trick and celebrate every milestone.

Just watching him grow and get to the point where he actually wants to be Mr Independent is amusing but it's all happening too fast. Once those two little teeth popped out, and he mastered crawling and discovering how he can get around with supporting himself, there's no stopping him. Feeding him now becomes a task when he insists on holding the spoon or grasping his own food, even though sometimes it goes nowhere near his mouth, and instead I discover them on his feeding chair or on the floor....where has our little baby gone?
Infants at this age are so daring and if they are not appropriately supervised it is very easy for home accidents to occur. From pulling everything within their reach to swiping that hot tea cup in your hand and finding the littlest thing on the floor, baby proofing and common sense is imperative.

I recently purchased a pair of cute crocs with charms on it, making sure that I couldn't try to pull the charms out first. They look hip and ideal for the beach.
He was busy playing with the crocs only to later observe him successfully pull and tear one of the charms! This was quite scary, as to an infant unsupervised this could have been a choking hazard. I am in the process of highlighting this danger to the related store.

They absorb so much and just want to learn something new everyday from hearing everything that you do and watching your every move. Picture books are always a great source of learning with being able to associate pictures to what they have. Toys are not really interesting to them at this age, instead they want everything they see you work with, the remote control, mobile phone, powders and the best one is taking all the clothes out of the linen bag and trying to rearrange them over and over again!!

It's definitely been quite an interesting journey for us this past year with our little angel, and when he drops off to sleep at night, there is nothing that can compare to that sweet angelic little face as you wonder ...'how do you have so much of energy during the day?'
The joys of parenthood are most certainly enlightening in every way and everyday there is something new to learn ourselves.

Be patient kind and loving with a humble heart. After all, most children strive to emulate their parents.



For our darling angel Noah, as you turn ONE!

Travelling long haul with my 6 month old

Just taking your baby out of the house for the first time can be daunting and challenging enough. How much more to be said for the time you take your little one through security and passport control of an airport and on their first 14 hour flight and consequent 8 hour flight?
It was definitely quite nail biting as I prepared his meal bag and diaper bag, making sure I knew how many bags I was allowed according to baggage policy of that airline. Having one bag with all the compartments I needed made my life so easy. Every time I had to pass through security (at least 4 times) I had to hope and pray they would not be stopping my baby bag to search the formula or his flask full of water...and thankfully they did not!
Travelling with an infant brings a whole new meaning to travelling light for yourself. It's really all about your baby...gone are my days where I can travel with all my lock stock and barrel of things that I really could do without ( as I have realised), and now just making do with bare necessities of items for me!
A necessity for any mum that makes travelling much more convenient is a baby harness. I found that it made it less cumbersome with having my hands freed up, and also exciting for him looking out at others and to see where he is going, as well as making it easy going through security and boarding the plane. It's a definite must have.
We were very fortunate with our little one as he was so well behaved that you would not have known there was even a baby on board. He slept most of the flight,and even though a bassinet was provided, that he almost fit the length of, he much more preferred taking turns sleeping on my husband's and my chest. Nursing him on take off, descent and landing really helps with air pressure that babies would normally have discomfort with, and also takes their mind off the loud engine sounds.

You have to make sure that you have everything covered for those long hours or 14 hours would seem much longer... from extra baby wipes, diapers, spare clothes, burp cloths and their favourite distraction toy (sometimes their bib!!) to having enough formula, bottles, bowl and cereal. We certainly can say that our flight was comfortable barring the fact that I could not watch as many movies as I wanted:)

On board changing facility for babies was actually as comfortable as could be, and a fair amount of space provided especially when you have a wriggler at hand!:)

Thankfully most babies usually sleep at this age and travelling with them is not as cumbersome as I might have expected.
Well, at the end of the journey,there was nothing more comforting than seeing most of your family members waiting at the arrival lounge to welcome you, and the new family member.

The Greatest Love of all!

It can be said that well and truly the greatest love of all must be what a parent has for their child.
To be a new parent, aunt or uncle and experience an overwhelming sense of love and protection is beyond what words can describe.
When I look into my little angels' big eyes there is an immense feeling of delight that perpetuates my infinite love through my beaming smile, I catch my breath..... and my heart melts, and I feel like the most proud mother around...what an awesome feeling!
How a little life can bring such joy, happiness and love is indescribable, and at this point, as a parent you would cross any boundary and move mountains for your child....they can do no wrong!
Just to see your child return that smile, laugh and giggle, is such a precious and breathtaking moment that will always remain indelible.
It really is an incredible blessing in life, and after all this kind of love is just priceless!

As a mother this song, as old, timeless and popular it may be, brings new meaning now when I hear it...who could convey it better than the the classic late Houston!

For Noah... you make my everyday a special blessing xoxo

4 Months OH BABY!!

It's simply amazing how time flies. My little boy has just completed his four month mark and it's just incredible how much has happened in that time...from fragile little body to huggy cuddly baby. Watching the milestones as they happen are so awesome and such a proud moment for the parents especially when they reach them well before they should.

From all the unwarranted worrisome little frets of sensitive skin and thinning hair to staying up most nights...a lot of things definitely get better for new mums out there. It really is all about what works for you, and not necessarily what has worked for others you might have heard of. Having information on what to expect is always useful and very helpful indeed. Babies are so receptive to everything around them as young as they are...with colours, sounds and textures.
 Love, laughter, happiness and hugs are pretty much the most simple basic yet imperative needs that they can demand...not forgetting clean diapers...which comes so easily as a parent, and all it takes is just a gaze from their angelic little eyes that makes every sleepless night ever so worth it.

With every coo and babble and what sounds like some word, and excited little shrieks when they see themselves in the mirror, and their first roll, it makes any parent so proud and the camera comes out in time for any new skill that their little superstar has learnt or has experted.
Every day and moment is a learning one for both baby and parents, and just to know that your child is growing healthy and is a hearty happy baby is all that matters in the end.

As for making time for everything else....somehow or the other you eventually get around to it! Some days you feel like superwoman and other days...well.. you just don't go there ;)

For our angel, Noah xx