Hop Hop Hop - Babies first words

Now this post is more for me than it is for you. I am going to jot down all of monkey's words to try remember them all. She is 16 months old today and this weekend she started making her bunnies and frogs jump and saying Hop Hop Hop. Too cute for words, excuse the pun.  

1st Baby		2nd Baby
1. "Hop Hop Hop"		1. Hello
2. "BOOM"		2. Boo (for Baloo - our dog)
3. "Du__" for duck		3. Dada
		4. Nononono (shaking head)
4. "inished" for finished		5. Der
5. "Der" for there		6. umum
6. "Taa"		7. Aayaa (for Ava)
7. "Hello"		8. Bir (birds)
8. "Baba"
9. "Dad"		9. Dad
10. "Mamma"/"Mum"
11. "Up"
12. "Down"
13. "No no no"
14. "I got it"
15. "Oh dear"
16. "Oh no"
17. "Birrd" / "Birdie"
18. "Bawoo" for Baloo (our dog)
19. "Star"
20. "How I wonner" (How I wonder)
21. "Juice"
22. "Wow"
23. "Hi Dada"
24. "Nomnomnom"
25. "More"
26. "Row row row"
27. "Ballooo" for balloon
28. "Ball"
29. "Yes sir"
30. "Boat"
31. "Heart"
32. "jump"
33. "Outside"
34. "Paint"
35. "Ou-pa"
36. "Pants"
16 Months - 17 Months
37. "Bunnee" (our other dog)
38. "Touch"
39. "Cat"
40. "Wait"
41. "Bunnee inside"
42. "Dad, where he?"
43. "Gone"
44. "Plane"
45. "Bum"
46. "Apple"
47. "Tickle" ("tick-tick" before)
48. "Pease" for 'please'
49. "Book"
50. "Oops"
51. "Ouma"
52. "One, two, weee"		"Pop"
53. "Nose"		"Down"
54. "Eye"
55. "Head"		"Up"
56. "Ten"
57. "Nine"		"Appe" for Apple
58. "Boots"
59. "Hat"		"I wuv woo"
60. "wim" (swim)		"Pease"
61. "wing" (swing)		"Mieu"
62. "Poo" (she says this for wee and poo)		"Moo"
63. "Potty"		"Ball"
64. "Moon"
65. "Bed" for "bread"		"Hat"
66. "Tea"
67. "Bye"		"Bed" for bread
68. "GeeGee" for great gran		"Outside"
69. "Ganny" (Granny)		"Gone"
70. "Bee" fro Granny Bee		"Gampa"
71. "Piglet"
18 Months		18 Months
72. "Bye Nuh"		"Mommy"
73. "eat"		"Daddy"
74. "Back"		"Ganny"
75. "Hair"		"Yewwow"
76. "Milk"		"Biscuit"
77. "Walk"		"Puzzle"
78. "Waaker" and then "Water"...		"Bum Bum" - for poo bum
79. "Ear"
80. "Red"
81. "Hug"
82. "petty" (pretty)
83. "Baloo No!"
84. "Naana" (banana)
85. "Bue" (blue)
86. "yewwow" (yellow)
87. "purple"
88. "pink"
89. "Kircle" (for circle)
90. "yogurt"
"91. pincess" (princess)
92. "Baaf" (bath)
93. "Where are you?"
94. "No ways!"
95. "HayHay car"
96. "HayHay Gone"
97. "Moon Gone"
98. "Love" --- THE BEST ONE YET
99. "shoool" (school)
100. "TV"
101. "Colour"
102. "Teef" (teeth)
103. "beach car"
104. "go home"
105. "Annie" (her bunny)
106. "like it"
107. "Grampa"
108. "Really?"
109. "What?"
110. "want it"
111. "Jan" (her teachers name)
112. "hmmm I know"

The Baking Soda Test and other DIY gender tests

1. Ever heard of the Baking Soda Test? Well me neither!

It's a gender test, also known as another old wives tale, but hey - seems fun, and I will be trying it tonight! A little DIY project and fun in one. Can see if it agrees with the Chinese calendar which says: 

The test itself is easy enough - you put a tablespoon or two of baking soda in a glass. Then add some of your urine to the baking soda. If the combination fizzes, like a soft drink that has been shaken up, then you are having a boy. On the other hand if there is no reaction at all from the baking soda and urine, you're having a girl.

. . .…And it fizzed about 1cm of foam, according to the rules of the Baking Soda Test – it must've been be a boy with MCP. *CP = ? Yet to try

Give it a try, and let us know. 

Here are some other home gender tests rooted in "Old wives' tales":

2. The Cabbage Test — Cut one red cabbage into chunks, boil for 10 minutes, then set aside. Head for the bathroom, and pee into a cup. In a separate cup, mix 1 part urine with 1 part cabbage water. If the water turns pink or red, this indicates boy. If the water is purple, it’s a girl.
* ? Yet to try

3. IntelliGender — This is an over-the-counter gender prediction test available at drugstores such as Dischem in South Africa. Again, you pee into a cup. IntelliGender claims 90% accuracy, and can be performed as early as 10 weeks, however I took this test, it said boy. The R450.00 that I spent made me wish I had flipped a coin, my first born was definitely not a boy!
* Wont try this one again

4. Chinese Gender Predictor Calendar — Consult the Chinese Gender Calendar / Calculator to see if you’re having a boy, or a girl. This one was accurate for me the first time around this time it too says boy. Will have to wait and see...
*MCP = boy?; CP = boy?


5. Hairline Gender Test — If this is your second child, check your son or daughters neck hairline. If the hairline comes to a point, the baby you are pregnant with will be the opposite gender. If the hairline goes straight across, it will be the same gender. I am yet to try this test.
*MCP = girl?; CP = ?

6. Even and Odd
Legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby's sex by looking at the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If both are even or odd, it's a girl. If one's even and one's odd, it's a boy.
*MCP = girl?; CP = boy?

7. Make Use of Your Wedding Ring
Pop off your wedding ring -- if you still can! -- and tie it to a string. Hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle, a little guy's in your future. If it goes back and forth, you've got a girl.
* ? Yet to try


*MCP = Missed Carriage Pregnancy
*CP = Current Pregnancy

Gender Predictors

Have you tried the gender predictor? It was right for my first child, so will it be right again - I wonder? A BOY!? Hmmm.... If it is accurate what scientific explanation is there for this? What are your thoughts? 

To try the Chinese Gender Predictor click here:
Chinese Gender Predictor

Yay for the BFP!

I always said I wanted to plan the next pregnancy, and I did. I got the BFP - for those non-planners it means BIG FAT POSITIVE! :)

OK, so now what? ... How will it be different the second time around?

So far, I'm only 5 weeks along and feeling fine. I'm dreading the nausea and hopefully I will be one of the lucky ones who does not experience it twice while the odds are not in my favour - I will be holding thumbs anyway.

Because it's so early and I'm so ecstatic that I'm expecting so soon after being diagnosed with PCOS, and I can't tell anyone yet - I've decided to share my thoughts on here instead heehee. In saying that, I'm not meant to be saying anything but I have mouthed off to at least 5 people already. I don't know how to keep this awesome secret!

I read now what a wise Chmcmaggie has to say "Why does everyone wait anyways!! I was so excited to be pregnant I told EVERYONE!! If something bad happens, god forbid, I want everyone to know what I'm going through so I could never keep something this great inside! It's amazing! " and she's 110% right, BUT I am still afraid of how work colleagues, more specifically bosses may react.

.... 
5 wk 5 days - and I've blabbed to two more people! I have no clue how I will wait another 3 weeks before everyone knows. 

Just to follow up, sadly this pregnancy ended in a MC at 9 1/2 weeks. :( 

Cows Milk or Growing Up Milk?

So we're at a crossroad where the streets are as busy as the toddlers at this age. Our little 'angel' is nearing her first birthday, and I'm not sure whether cows milk or the best stage 3 formula is best for her (breastfeeding became a redundant option the minute she sprouted teeth). If you are still breastfeeding then rather continue with this option as we know this is the best as it has all the nutrients and a higher fat content than full cream (whole) cows milk and because it's obviously species specific. 

My first realization is that milk has become more of a secondary nutrition source, so it really shouldn't be such a big deal, however, I am not one to just leave things to chance - I need to know I am doing the best that I can for my precious 'baby'.

While there are many people in parts of the world who do not drink milk and still get enough nutrients from other food sources, I choose to either introduce cows milk OR a third stage formula as the fat content in these are essential for proper brain development.
But which? Hmmm.... I know I need to be careful of added sucrose.

Toddlers require:
• Nearly three times as much energy from food compared to an adult
• More than four times the amount of iron and vitamin C
• Around three times the amount of calcium, zinc and vitamin A
• More fat than adults, particularly ‘good’ unsaturated fats
• Less salt in their food than adults

Formula 
Pros

• Convenient

Cons

• May contain sucrose
• Takes time to prepare
• "A 100g serving of plain mashed potato, costing a few cent, contains more protein, more energy, twice as much fibre, plenty of vitamins and minerals, and 20 times less fat than a serving of growing-up milk."
• Most are Vanilla flavoured and harder to wean them onto cows milk from there. 

Find the Best Formulas

Cows Milk
Pros

• Cheaper than Formula

Cons

• Cows milk has Bovine Growth Hormone in it. (Unless you buy organic pasteurized or the milk is labelled 'bGH' FREE') - read more about bGH  (also called 'bGH', 'rbGH', 'bST', or 'bST') further below:
• Cows milk has pesticides unless Organic 
• Cows milk has natural IGF-1 hormone 
• Ultra-pasteurized milk has a higher shelf life but the process also kills off the good bacteria
• Cows are milked about 300 days a year, for much of that time, the cows are pregnant. The later in pregnancy a cow is, the more hormones appear in her milk.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2012050/The-cocktail-20-chemicals-glass-milk.html

Shocked by all this research, I think I may just stock up on some coconut milk for myself too! 
I think the decision is ultimately up to you, either way go organic!


FYI







More about Bovine Growth Hormone:
"Cows that are given bGH injections are more prone to health problems like lameness, reproductive trouble, and udder infections. When these cows are treated for infections with large doses of antibiotics, some of those antibiotics are likely to show up in the milk, especially because it usually takes longer to treat cows receiving bGH. While antibiotic residues themselves might not be cause for alarm, they can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a serious, developing public health problem.Another concern is that injecting cows with bovine growth hormone may cause them to produce more of another hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Animal studies suggest that elevated levels of IGF-1 in the bloodstream could increase the risk for some cancers, particularly colon and breast cancers. Government researchers and bGH manufacturers say that the presence of a little extra IGF-1 in milk doesn't put people at any extra risk for developing this cancers because — just like bovine growth hormone — IGF-1 is broken down by the human digestive system and never makes it into the blood. But opponents say that other studies show that IGF-1 survives digestion and passes into the intestines."

Doing It Over

A few more interesting reads:http://www.pcosdiva.com/2011/07/ask-amy-what-is-the-best-milk-alternative/




References:
http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/28/how-to-find-the-safest-organic-infant-formula/

I learnt something new today - which I did not know for all these months - ALL THIS TIME i THOUGHT WE WERE DOING THE RIGHT THING BY USING A BABY CARRIER. We've been doing it WRONG! We've been carrying our (older) baby facing forward in a baby carrier. 

Here are 9 reasons not to carry your baby facing outwards:

Carrying your baby facing out…Recently Catherine Fowler of Australia made a comment that parents who face their babies out are “cruel and selfish“.  Actually for the record she said they were “inadvertently cruel”.  I am not here to judge you ladies and gentleman; a walk around the block with your baby in the forward facing position will probably not wreak havoc on your child’s development or health.  I don’t think any parent holding their little ones are cruel.  But when you start to weigh in on whether your baby should maybe change perspectives and face the world head on or not, here are some reasonsnot to let your baby face out, for your consideration- of course.

1.  Does not support your baby’s legs-

Your baby’s legs should be pulled up to at least hip level if not higher. This is possible only if the fabric in a baby carrier covers the whole back of the thigh, to the backside of the knee, or if the carrier has footstraps.  When your baby is facing forwards with legs unsupported, it isn’t that his legs are simply dangling,  his spine and hips are unsupported to and there is simply nowhere for baby to sit.

Check out this medical research by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute and the infant biomechanics in different types of baby carriers.  A baby carrier that supports the legs encourages proper hip development.  Front facing carriers do not support little hips.  Those babies already diagnosed with DDH should steer clear of front facing carriers.

2.  Makes it tough for the wearer to carry the baby-

It’s much harder to carry something that curves away from your body than something that embraces your body. The wearer has an awkward load and often ends up arching her back to compensate.  Babies bodies arenaturally adapted to being carried facing you.

3. Places your baby in an arched or hollow back position which places pressure on the spine-

Extending the back (like arching after waking from a nap), is not injurious or “bad” in and of itself.  The problem arises when you compress a “hollow back” under a load.  Placing an infant in a front facing carrier stretches the naturally convex rounded curve (see infant spinal development in upright transport paper) of his spine into a hollow back position.   With nothing to cling to, weak abdominal muscles, and retracted shoulders, the infant’s pelvis tilts backwards and is forced to not only carry weight of his own body but also to absorb the force of every step that the carrying individual takes- all on his little compromised spine.

3.  Places undue pressure on groin and may chaff the inner thighs of your baby-

Chaffing is no fun.  Being suspended by your baby’s most sensitive parts is not ideal, especially for little boys.

4. May overstimulate your baby-

Babies can face their parents and still experience the world around them and take it in at their own pace.  It is very easy for a small infant to become overwhelmed.

5.  Doesn’t support the head or the neck-

Positional asphyxia is possible when babies have no neck control and their chin falls toward their chests.  Little babies should never be placed in a position that can compromise their airways.  The US Consumer Products Safety Commission recently passed a law that the warning labels of forward facing carriers must state that babies should not face out until adequate head/neck control is achieved. The law does not extend to sleeping infants even though they don’t have control of their necks or heads while snoozing.

6.  Makes thermoregulation more difficult-

The flexed position a baby assumes on his mother’s chest is more efficient at conserving heat than chest exposed. Check out kangaroo care and thermoregulation benefits.  The baby also has more fat cells (insulation) on its back side than front.

7. Makes it harder to respond to baby’s cues-

With no eye contact it is harder to communicate with your baby, check their airways, see their spit up, see them rooting, practice EC, and know their needs.  There’s a neat study that shows that even front facing strollersinterfere with your ability to interact with and respond to your baby.

8.  Throws off the baby’s center of gravity-  Most often the wearer will intuitively stick out her pointer fingers for the baby to grab on to and stabilize himself or the wearer will try to support the baby’s legs by lifting them up in the front. With no seat and nothing to grab on to in front of him it is tough for baby not to arch his back under the weight of his own body.

9.  May not be so wonderful on your back either-

Carrying a load with an arched spine will give you an aching lower back.

Carrying your baby facing forward is not the best option.  It’s not “cruel”, but it’s not ideal either.  Embracing your baby, or having them embrace you (like when you’re backin’ the baby) is what your baby is adapted to do and quite naturally the way to go.

Planning the first birthday party

So I've dreamed about this first birthday party, and I must admit - it's more for me than for my little ducky. She will have fun no matter what, but I want her to see the photo's and know that I made it special. I suspect that the 2nd and 3rd birthday parties won't be as well planned,as they get busier and quicker... and so I plan to make sure there are lots of photos of this one. (Just FYI - By well planned, I don't mean expensive or too extravagant)

I've been looking at ideas of what to do with those 101 Baby food jars for her party, and so far these are my favourite:

Baby Schedule(s) that have worked for Us

T.E.N MONTHS

There are many many schedules that you could use as a guideline - this is just one that worked for *us.
On my LO's monthly anniversary I research (and play) and come up with an adjusted schedule. I do not like to change too much at once to ease her into the new schedule. This month I've changed the formula top-up with her lunchtime meal to water instead, as well as removed her 17h00 bottle by increasing her 15h00 bottle of formula. I have also added cream cheese crackers as a new menu option for Fridays. I have also changed her bedtime to 15 minutes later as this is a more realistic time for *us.

If you would like any more examples of schedules - do shout as I do have all of ours saved. 

10 Months
Time MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 6h30 180ml 180ml 180ml 180ml 180ml 7h00 Yogurt Fruit pieces Yogurt Fruit pieces Yogurt 7h30 Cat Nap 8h30 Nap Nap Clamber Club Nap Nap 10h00 Bottle (180ml) Bottle (180ml) Bottle (180ml) Bottle (180ml) Bottle (180ml)   Outdoor activity Outdoor activity Outdoor activity PlayDate Outdoor activity 12h15 Finger Food - Fruit & Water Finger Food - Vegetables & Meat & Water Finger Food - Fruit & Water Finger Food - Vegetables & Meat & Water Cream Cheese and Crackers & Water 12h30 Nap Nap Nap Nap Nap Music Time Music Time Music Time Music Time Music Time 3h00 Bottle (240ml) Bottle (240ml) Bottle (240ml) Bottle (240ml) Bottle (240ml) Storytime Storytime Storytime Storytime Storytime   CatNap CatNap CatNap CatNap CatNap 18h00 Vegetables & Chicken Rice and Veg & Chicken Pasta & Sauce with Cheddar Cheese Avocado OR Sweet Potato &Fruit Dessert Vegetables & Chicken 18h45 Bathtime Bathtime Bathtime Bathtime Bathtime 19h00 180ml & Bedtime Story 180ml & Bedtime Story 180ml & Bedtime Story 180ml & Bedtime Story 180ml & Bedtime Story 19h15 Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep Sleep

11  Months

Time	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
6h30	Rooibos Tea with one scoop formula	Rooibos Tea with one scoop formula	Rooibos Tea with one scoop formula	Rooibos Tea with one scoop formula	Rooibos Tea with one scoop formula
7h00	Yogurt & Banana	Fresh Fruit pieces	Yogurt & Apple pieces	Cereal incl. 1/2 tsp coconut oil	Pancakes & Banana/ Strawberries
8h00/8h30	Free Play	Free Play	Clamber Club		Free Play
9h15	Nap (MAX  2 hours)	Nap (MAX  2 hours)	Nap (MAX  2 hours)	Nap (MAX  2 hours)	Nap (MAX  2 hours)
10h00	Bottle (180ml)	Bottle (180ml)	Bottle (180ml)	Bottle (180ml)	Bottle (180ml)
	Outdoor activity	Outdoor activity	Outdoor activity	Outdoor activity	Outdoor activity
12h15	Finger Food - Fruit & Water	Finger Food - Veg & Meat & Water	Finger Food - Fruit & Water	Cooked Food & 1/2 a Yogurt	Cream Cheese and Crackers & Water
13h00	Nap (MAX 1 1/2 hours)	Nap (MAX 1 1/2 hours)	Nap (MAX 1 1/2 hours)	Nap (MAX 1 1/2 hours)	Nap (MAX 1 1/2 hours)
	Music Time	Music Time	Music Time	Music Time	Music Time
3h00	Bottle (240ml)	Bottle (240ml)	Bottle (240ml)	Bottle (240ml)	Bottle (240ml)
	Storytime	Storytime	Storytime	Storytime	Storytime
17h00	Water	Water	Water	Water	Water
18h00	Vegetables & Chicken	Rice and Veg & Chicken	Pasta & Sauce with Cheddar Cheese	Avocado OR Sweet Potato &Fruit Dessert	Vegetables & Chicken
18h45	Bathtime	Bathtime	Bathtime	Bathtime	Bathtime
19h00	180ml & Bedtime Story	180ml & Bedtime Story	180ml & Bedtime Story	180ml & Bedtime Story	180ml & Bedtime Story
19h15	Sleep	Sleep	Sleep	Sleep	Sleep