Rolling Over

I was able to kick myself over, from my back to my tummy, when I was 3 months old. I eventually learned to flip over from my back to my tummy and vice versa.

At about 3 months, when placed on my stomach, I lift my head and shoulders high, using my arms for support. This mini-pushup helps me strengthen the muscles I use to roll over. It amazes me the first time I flips over. (While babies often flip from front to back first, doing it the other way is perfectly normal, too.)

At 4 months I was able to push up on my arms, and arch my back to lift my chest off the ground. I even rock on my stomach, kick my legs, and swim with my arms. All these exercises help me develop the muscles I need to roll over in both directions — I did it when I was 4 1/2 months. Rolling would be my primary mode of ground transportation for a while.

My developed leg, neck, back, and arm muscles will be same muscles to work as I learns to sit independently and crawl (most babies have mastered sitting up by 6 or 7 months; crawling comes a little later.)

As always, Dad will share this video in a few days.

Have a nice day,

P.S.

Congratulations!! to my two uncles, Tito Regie and Tito Renz, they graduated from elementary and highschool, respectively. Job well Done!, I'm sure momsie and popsie are proud of you.

Solid Food

You can introduce solids any time between 4 and 6 months if your baby is ready. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the calories and nourishment your baby needs and can handle. His digestive system simply isn't ready for solids until he nears his half-birthday.

How Mom and dad will know when I'm ready?

I will give them clear signs when I'm ready to move beyond liquid-only nourishment. Cues to look for include:

• Head control. I need to be able to keep my head in a steady, upright position. (check!)
• Losing the "extrusion reflex." To keep solid food in my mouth and then swallow it, I need to stop using my tongue to push food out of my mouth. (check!)
• Sitting well when supported. Even if I'm not quite ready for a highchair, I need to be able to sit upright to swallow well. (check!)
• Chewing motions. My mouth and tongue develop in sync with my digestive system. To start solids, I should be able to move food to the back of my mouth and swallow. As I learn to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling — though if I'm teething, you might still see a lot of drool. (check!)
• Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old. (check!)
• Growing appetite. I seems hungry — even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day. (check!)
• Curiosity about what they're eating. I may begin eyeing mom's bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from dad's plate to his mouth. (check!)

I am 5 months and 1 week old and it is still best to wait until I reaches 6 months before I could taste my first solid food. But since, I show all the indications above, I might have my first solid food in a couple of days (yipeee!).

Have a nice day,

P.S. My momsie (grandmother) just arrived this afternoon and I'll be sharing with you our first encounter

Socialization

Previously: Leaning to Grasp Objects

Even though crying is still my strongest form of communication, I am also developing my sense of humor during my fifth month (I am on my 4th month). I start to laugh at pleasant surprises such as my dad's face appearing from underneath a blanket or a toy popping out of a box, provided it isn't too loud or startling. I laughs, giggles, and smiles with funny faces and lots of general silliness.

I do enjoy hearing a variety of sounds and don't need special toys or instruments to provide them. By just simply clicking your tongue, whistle, or make animal noises — I will surely love it!

I delights at the sound of mom and dad's voices, the sight of their faces, and the touch of their hands. With their help, I will become familiar with others and begin to enjoy their company, too. This is the beginning of the development of my social skills.

I am becoming more open to new people at this age, greeting them with squeals of glee. Still, no one comes close to Mom and Dad. I will reserve my most enthusiastic reaction for them, a sure sign that we've bonded.

My favorite baby Activities:

I'm Gonna Get You!

Tummy Time

The Diva Within (an all time favorite)

Peek-a-boo

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Learning to Grasp Objects

Learning how to hold things enables me to play. Being able to grasp things is also my first step on the road to feeding himself, reading, writing, drawing, and self-care.

Give me a light rattle and see me delight in the sound it makes when I shakes it. An activity center or crib gym is a good choice for this stage, as I begins to explore the cause and effect of moving a lever and hearing a bell ring. Dad let me hold my feeding bottle and it was a success holding it on my own (see photo on the left).

For now, I won't be able to grab smaller objects, like peas, until I develops better finger dexterity.

For mom and Dad: It's a good idea to keep valuables out of my reach from now on. And make sure our home is now childproofed with respect to small objects that I could choke on.

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

One Weekend with My Mom and Dad

Last night mom cut my finger nails, it is a routine that I need to undergo for me to avoid getting hurt. I got a share of bruises because of my nails (mom and dad got their shares too). While mom was cutting my nails, dad take some photographs and did a short pictorial.

Its seems that I already knew if and when dad got hold of his camera and started to take photo. I am always ready to smile and pose for him. Dad told me to look at mom at the count of three (3) and the result is the photo on the left.

This morning, I woke up very early...

As my dad had promised, we went to River Park together with Nanay, Kuya Luigi and Tita Luz. It was a little late because dad woke up late (dad, you should wake up early next time). It was my first time going there and we strolled for an hour and took some photo. Kuya Luigi wanted to walk a little farther but it was getting late so we went home.

Hopefully , we could go at the park tomorrow, this time with my mom. See you later, got to sleep.

It feels good everytime I am with my mom and dad. I feel so secured. (Note: The photo found below was taken after my dad told me to wiggle at the count of three)



Have a nice weekend,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.