35 month update

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My little island girl

Barely a month away from Ayanna’s birthday and she’s already telling everyone she’s three.

She’s eager to try out new things, loves to chat and most times, is being a typical toddler – playful. Because of her expanding curiosity and eagerness to engage in physical play, we enrolled her in a gymnastic fun class. She seems to be having fun rolling about, somersaulting and climbing.

Her social skills are maturing – as she finds it easier making friends, she’s listening more and interacting, and sharing. Though she needs to be reminded to interject her ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ from time to time.

We’re excited to discover what the coming year will have in store for us.

Fetal Flutter...

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It’s earlier than I had anticipated. With the second baby, I’ve begun to feel the baby kick, nudge and flutter within at 17 weeks – much earlier than I had with Ayanna, our first. We witnessed the baby’s acrobatics earlier on but feeling it firsthand remains a rather surreal, special experience. Moms tend to typically feel these subtle kicks or quickening between 16 to 22 weeks.

It typically occurs late at night when I’ve got my feet up and enjoying the quiet. The baby’s kicks are only going to get stronger and stronger as the pregnancy progresses. I’m excited about when Ayanna will be able to feel these movements too.

It's a phase

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Like mentioned before, Ayanna’s been wanting only me, some days completely rejecting Daddy. We’ve noticed this increasingly taking place after we informed Ayanna about the impending birth of her little sibling.

 

So when I came across an article highlighting this very issue, I was rather relieved to discover that it’s all a phase (though Daddy doesn’t seem to be convinced).

 

So these days we’re not taking it too personally when Ayanna prefers one parent over another. Habit is probably the reason in this case as Daddy travels a lot for work. It’s a toddler’s way of saying – I really missed you and didn’t like it and am afraid you’ll do it again. If you’re the one on the outs, the article does reiterate that the one thing a toddler really wants, (even when she’s acting like she doesn’t), is you.

 

It’s good to know these whims are temporary (esp. when Mummy will be needing all the help I can get when baby no 2 comes along). So we try to schedule certain activities with Daddy (which gives me an occasional break J). Things are bound to fall back to normal.

 

Have you/ Are you encountering something similar with your toddler? How do you handle a similar situation?

 

 

 

 

 

Quick update 2

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We're home and back into our regular routine. Ayanna's back at school, happy to meet her friends and teachers after a 10-day absence.

We’re all more relaxed and rejuvenated after our beach break. As Ayanna inches closer to her 3^rd birthday, I’m in my 17^th week, well into my fourth month. As the belly begins to protrude, we are eager to make a possible list of names. The sex of the baby has not been ascertained at this stage.

 

Quick update

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

We’re currently by the beach, enjoying the sun, sea and sand in Phuket, Thailand.

Ayanna’s lovin it as always. Ayanna’s had a pretty busy week with her sports at school so it’s a well deserved break for her J. (Pictures to follow)

See you all when we get back

Cutting through…

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Ayanna’s been refusing to eat lately which has left me feeling quite frustrated, unsure as to what’s the matter. This has been going on for about a week or so.

Finally, we’ve discovered the reason behind her refusal to eat. Ayanna informed us that her gums were achy and after inspection we’ve discovered that her molar is cutting through on her upper jaw.

The last teeth to appear (the second molars found in the very back of the mouth on the top and bottom) is what’s revealing itself now. Soon, Ayanna should have a full set of 20 baby teeth, which won’t fall out until her permanent teeth are ready to start coming in around age 6.

Molars are bigger and more blunt that the middle teeth, so the eruption may cause more pain.

Ayanna, Mummy & Baby

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Ever since we revealed to Ayanna that she’s about to be a big sister, she’s been more attached to me. She’s refused to have anyone else help her with anything except Mummy. I’m certain it’s news that any toddler will find difficult to grasp and comprehend. After all Ayanna has been the focus of our attentions for the past three years.

 

I don’t think Ayanna is able to make sense of what ‘happy chaos’ awaits us all come December and how it will change the routine Ayanna and I’ve built.

 

Though we talk about the baby everyday and read books about the impending birth of a sibling and focus on Ayanna’s role as big sister, it makes me nervous thinking about how Ayanna will react.

 

How did you prepare your toddler to happily welcome a sibling?

 

Mummy and baby no 2

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We’re in our 16^th week now. Our baby is the size of an avocado, steadily growing along. Rapid growth is expected soon... in the next weeks.

I’m feeling better with nausea mostly absent.

I look forward to feeling the baby move….

 

Thirty-fourth month update

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It’s just two months before Ayanna celebrates her third birthday. She’s constantly reminding us what a big girl she is. She’s saying and doing funnier things – making funny faces is one of her favourite things to do. We use humour now to diffuse certain situations when we see a power struggle arising.

 

As her language skills improve, we’re constantly reminding her of her niceties – i.e. please and thank you, etc. Sometimes Ayanna tends to forget them, getting impatient and showing off her temperament.

 

She loves listening to stories, playing pretend, loves to sing and dance.

Happy Father’s Day

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Daddy and Ayanna

Here’s wishing all the daddies around the globe a Happy Father’ Day!

Fathers today are far more involved in parenting than ever before. And that is a good thing! So keep up the great work guys!