Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to Johnnnn,

Happy birthday to you!

12 Feb also my best friend's daughter's birthday! We got to know about it few months ago. Happy birthday Trinity!

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It was like yesterday I was rushed to the hospital at 4am. Still remember the cold and shivering after caesarian section, resulted from the epidural anesthesia. I was wrapped with blanket, something like foil plus a heater at the side, but was still shivering and grinding my teeth! During the operation, I worried what if the anesthesia failed? Silly me...?

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John's birthday, following Chinese calender, was on 6th Jan. We had an early celebration during Chinese New Year. Did it traditional way. Mom prepared sticky rice with dried oyster and peanuts, lily flower-chicken soup and red hard-boiled eggs. Simple one, but a good reminder and introduction of custom and tradition especially for my nieces and nephews. In their mindset, birthday is always associated with cake and balloons not sticky rice and red eggs.

Well, what can my little boy do now?

Language

• He always say something... and papa asked "what is he saying?"
• He is responding to his name very well. I used his name in songs sometimes, he paused for seconds once he heard his name.
• He understands quite a lot of key words now and able to respond to appropriately. Example: Mama eat or mama mum mum (pointing to my mouth and mouth open), he will put food in my mouth.
• He likes to imitate papa. Example: When papa yawn with loud noise, he will also make noises or screaming.

Fine Motor

• He started to use pincer grasp, thumb and pointed finger, but the motion is not smooth yet. Sometimes he would just grasp with palm.

Gross Motor

• Able to pull self up and walk along with furniture slowly.
• Bi-lateral coordination is developing - climbing up and down beds freely.
• Arms and wrists are able to move smoothly.

Cognitive

• Problem solving and memory skills continue developing, lots of events observed. Example: He wanted to take a mint's container, but it was under a bottle of mineral water. He tried to grab the container once with his right-hand but couldn't get it. He then used his left-hand to take away the bottle, and grabbed the container with right-hand.
• He can remember songs, such as Mr Frog, 3 Speckle Frogs, Are You Sleeping, and many more.
• Able to understand languages and follow simple instruction.

Emotional

• He smiled when he saw others smiling.
• He started to use his screaming power to get what he wants, or to express his anger when he could not get something.
• He throws things when he doesn't like it!!

Social

• He likes to look at other kids playing.
• He is able to feed self with fingers, and to drink with a straw.
• He is attached to mama more now, but was ok with aunties and nieces when mama was not around.