25 April 2012

It was another lovely day with Atilla. It was a unprepossessing start: 5.30am wake up (my fault) but he managed to settle himself back to sleep to 6.30, whereupon he engaged himself in pushing books into my hand. I slumbered as best I could until I could no longer fake unconsciousness. He was quite lovely and good natured about all this. He smiled and hugged me, and I read a book to him. We meandered downstairs, I faffed about making his breakfast. As it is a non-work day, I made an attempt to have breakfast with my son. (On work days, he has his breakfast while I prepare the take always for the family. I have breakfast in the car or at work.) Dad had breakfast with Atilla, which is very nice. After my breakfast, Atilla preoccupied himself with keeping me engaged with him. Dancing, carrying, spilling water or milk on the floor and mopping it with a cloth or towel. Eventually I was given time to take a shower. Feeling cleansed, I felt able to present myself outdoors and take Atilla along. So we did. The local playground was quite busy with kids and parents and babies. Atilla had fun taking charge of the expedition. Hand-in-hand, we walked the perimeter of the playground twice. The grounds has a wee bit of a boundary 'wall' of varying height depending where you stand. Atilla discovered the one area where he could step over the 'wall' and he was in! He watched the kids, he pointed out the babies, he signed at the birds, he climbed up the slide, he climbed the stairs to the slide, he slid down the slide, he signed "more", he played the piano keys, he enjoyed the swing, he signed "stop". He vocalised "babi" so we visited the closest baby. We went home, etc. Then in an effort to have him nap, we drove to another playground - this time in One Tree Hill. It was teeming. Atilla awoke from his nap (I had attempted to emulate him) and we set off on the mission: bubbles in One Tree Hill. Everybody had fun. Bubbles were generated in the gentle breeze, it floated far and high. Other children came to play, and other people smiled. Atilla enjoyed watching the play. I carried him at one point to catch some bubbles Dada made. We went to the playground proper, where I was forbidden to use the bubble wand. Atilla had fun taking charge. And now I want to sleep. Good night.

Bringing up Baby: Elimination Communication update

Atilla is over 14 months old. He is more charming than ever. Today was one of our best days - so far I have counted 3 Best Days.

He was in a great mood when he woke up in the morning, he ate well, he was very patient on our errands, he napped well-ish, he woke well, he played well, he poo-ed well, he ate well, he played well, he's sleeping well.

I promised an update on EC.

For a unbearably long time Atilla took to standing on the loo to poo or wee, and I found it quite stressful as the wee mite was crying so hard as he was poo-ing, not to mention the mess to clean up afterwards depending on the type of stool and the spray radius of the toilet.

Then he started daycare and it was one less stress for everybody.

Lately we are working well together. He makes a sudden fuss, he gets taken to the toilet, he is put on the toilet, he sits, he poos and poos and poos, he smiles and reaches out to be taken off the toilet, I wipe his butt butt, he is patient as I wipe, I put him down, he occupies himself, I clean up and flush the toilet. Then we go together to the next room to put on the new nappy.

Changing nappy is another process which will go no further here.

So on the whole, the training of parent and baby has been worthwhile time-wise and money-wise.

Bringing up baby: Drunken Master

The warmed beverage is enthusiastically guzzled. Milk is quaffed and splashed in a wide radius; impressive mess as it is a no-spill trainer cup. However child-proof items rarely survive the first encounter.

Guzzle guzzle. He barely comes up for air. When his thirst momentarily abates, he merrily waves his cup about, cheerily inviting the world to join in his happy hour.

He clambers to an uncertain upright position with his grip strongly on his cup. He wants to toddle to the other side of the room but he is off-balanced by his cup.

Bringing up baby: cushions and cuddlies

He enthusiastically throws down the stuffed soft toys perched on top the couch. His cheeky grin, his apple cheeks, the two lower teeth shining testament to his fun.

And when they are all down, why he picks it up off the floor and starts all over again.

His wee butt wriggling and shuffling to no avail as his short legs provide insufficient leverage to climb back on the sofa.

His bright brown eyes see a solution: he flings his arms round my neck, and clambers on my reclining body to reach the sofa seat.

Atilla has terrific problem-solving skills.

Bringing up baby: beach ii

Done. Went to beach - Mission Bay - with Atilla. He was nattily dressed in his UV-protected one-piece with a hat on. Slathered in sunscreen for protective measure. Staying mostly in shade under blooming pohutakawa trees for cooling value.

Picturesque Rangitoto looming in the close horizon, clear waves lapping the sandy beach, adventure playground in direct line of sight. He preferentially picked the fallen brown pohutakawa leaves under the park bench.

He was gently introduced to the waving waters of the Waitemata. His toes curled away.

We had lunch.

I attempted a more inviting approach. Nope.

We sat some more while he explored the park bench. I enjoyed the restful scenario. I wish I could do this more often.

We finished with a session on the funky swings.

Now, what other daydreams do I want to fulfil before my time is up?

Bringing up baby: toilet training

Ok let's work on 2 things:
* asking to wear underwear instead of diapers
* staying dry for at least two hours at a time during the day

This should hopefully be helpful at daycare next year.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/pottytraining/l/bl_potty_rdy.htm

Your child does show many of the signs of being ready to start potty training, but since he or she isn't yet 18 months old you may want to wait a little longer before thinking about starting to potty train your child.
Most experts recommend against early potty training before a toddler is 18 months old. If you really think your child is ready, be sure to talk to your Pediatrician before getting started.

You said that your child has the following signs of readiness to start potty training:

is in a stable and fairly predictable routine, and not experiencing a big change in his life or usual routine, like the arrival of a new baby, change in daycare, or family move
is having regular bowel movements at about the same time each day
is able to follow simple instructions
is generally cooperative and not in a very negative phase where he says 'no' to everything
is uncomfortable in dirty diapers
is able to sit down quitely for 4-5 minutes at a time
is telling you when he is about to urinate or have a bowel movement
is showing you, either with his facial expressions or his posture, that he is about to urinate or have a bowel movement
is able to walk to the bathroom
is happy to please his parents
is proud when he does something that pleases you
is trying to imitate what other children or family members are doing, especially using the potty

You said that your child has the following signs of not being ready to start potty training:

is not at least 18 months old
is not staying dry for at least two hours at a time during the day
is not staying dry after naps
is not able to say (or sign) simple one-word expressions, like 'poop' and 'potty'
is not asking to use the potty
is not able to help take off his diaper and undress himself
is not asking to wear underwear instead of diapers

28th November 2011: an afternoon at the zoo

Today was a successful outing at Auckland zoo.

Attila was an excellent little boy, excited about climbing onto picnic tables and reaching out to grab and explore leaves and all sorts of new experiences. In many ways he was a real little monkey using all his senses to discover his new environment.

We were lost several times despite the map. If only it had a route recommended for people with wheels.

Next time an outing will include the following paraphernalia: white cloths to reflect heat and absorb sweat on sunny days, sunscreen for sunny days, more snacks/food for everyone. As if a nappy bag were not enough weight and baggage.