Scolding

Lucas now knows when he is being scolded. And he will do most babies do, cry.

Incident 1: He was grinding this teeth when I was feeding him one day. I told him a couple of times 'No'. Then my patience ran out when he happily grinding his teeth for a few good minutes. I raised my voice and said 'Stop grinding your teeth. You teeth will be gone before they are fully grown'. From my expression and tone, he probably sensed that it was not good and decided to cry. I had to pacify him by saying 'It is okay...Mommy loves you'. He then stopped crying.

Incident 2: Dominic was reading a book and Lucas swing his hand at the book and tore a bit of the book jacket. Dominic was shocked (it was a book borrowed from the library). Dominic raised his voice a bit and said 'Lucas, NO'. He looked at Dominic for a few seconds and decided to cry. Dominic was in shocked again and said asked me why was he crying so loud. I told him Lucas think he is being scolded. We had to pacify him again by saying 'Daddy is not scolding him. Book is meant for reading, not tearing'. We gave him the same book and told him to turn the pages gently. He was very careful with the book after the incident.

Incident 3: Lucas was eating my handphone. I was a bit frustrated after telling so many times not to put the handphone into his mouth. I might have raised my voice and said 'Lucas, don't put the phone in your mouth. It is not food'. Again he cried, and I have to pacify him.

He is beginning to understand face expression and tone of the voice.

Last weekend, we took him to an open air concert by California Philharmonic. We left the house at 5pm and only got home at 10.30pm. He was really well behaved and enjoyed himself. He did not cry at all, and managed to keep himself occupied throughout the whole concert. Bravo. Even Dominic's colleagues were surprised that he was so well behaved. We did have fun too. We brought a mat and food and had a little picnic during the concert. Living the California way.

Time to leave..soon

Time flies. We are leaving LA on 22 August. That is less than 1 month from today. Our headache is just getting started. We are listing to-dos such as cancelling magazine & newspaper subscription etc. I guess the biggest headache will be to pack all our belongings and bring them home. We came with 3 check-in baggage with total weight 70kgs (154 lbs). Our baggage allowance is max 5 pieces with total weight not exceeding 90 kgs (200 lbs). Now that we have accumulated more during the last two and a half month, the 20 kgs will be challenge. Hmm...I think worse come to worst, we will leave Lucas's things behind..the high chair and car seat, too-small clothes.

Lucas had his last music class yesterday. It was great avenue to meet people - babies and mommies. And now we even have playgroup weekly! Yesterday was also the first time Lucas crawled to other babies. I noticed that for the past weeks, he has always been clinging to me during the classes. Yesterday, he actually crawl nearer to other babies. I need to work on this more. He doesn't seem to like to interact with babies. He likes adults. Funny.

Today, for the first time, he actually place his beer bottles into the laundry basket. In a few weeks time, I shall be training him to tidy up all his toys. This is getting exciting. He is learning fast everyday.

Playground

We took Lucas to Lacy Park again today. He truly enjoyed it. He was at the kiddie swing, had his dinner at the park, and sat on the grass. Dominic was so afraid that Lucas does no want to walk on the grass. He was happy throughout the whole trip! We will do this more often. The sad thing is when we go back to KL, which park can we take him? Lake Garden?

He cried when Dominic leaves for work in the morning. He probably thought his father is going to the park without him. I have to tell him 'Daddy is going to office and Lucas stay at home'. Don't think this statement registered in his mind yet.

Growing Fast

Lucas is growing so fast and building his character steadily. He learns and understands a lot more these days...he should be.

- When I sing to him, he will look at the stereo cause I usually play the CD and sing along.

- He bounces himself when he likes the song. I presume he is dancing.

- He knows when to clap when the song 'If you are happy' is being played.

- He sings too, but nothing close to the original song. The sounds and tones are definitely different ...continuos...from his normal talking (babbling)

- He likes to interact with adults - stared at them and tried to talk by saying 'urhh'. He is not very interested in babies his age.

- He is my 'shadow'..follow my everywhere I go...kitchen, bathroom etc. He must be able to see me else he will go crawling looking for me. This may pose a problem when I go to work later.

- His favourite toy is empty beer bottles. He likes to hold them, hit them together to make noise and learning to roll the them. I am just wondering if I need to get him proper toys that help to develop his mind. The books preach human is the best toy. So, I am holding on buying proper toys until his concentration span is longer.

- He is learning new words and can associate much faster. I bought him Cheerios finger food on Monday. I have been saying 'Cheerios' each time I gave him some. The next day, when I said 'Cheerios' he knows exactly what am I talking about.

- He is beginning to understand what is 'no'. When he crawls to the fireplace, I will say 'no'. He will look at me and crawl nearer, then stop to look at me (to get my re-confirmation). I say 'no' again, and he crawls away from the fireplace.

- He is so active and hardly can lie down for long. Changing him usually requires 2 people. One to hold him and another to change him.

-He is quite a patient baby. When he crawls to a place and I stand in his way, he will crawl around me until he gets through. He has yet to throw any tantrum. His impatience is food. He used to cry when I am slow. Now, he understand 'wait' and give me a few minutes grace period before he screams.

- Putting him to sleep is easier now. I just lie on the bed with him and he will entertain himself until he falls asleep. Sometimes. he will climb to my chest and want to be rocked to sleep.

He is generally a happy baby. Smile quite easily (after the staring). Couldn't ask for more.

Eventful Week

Last week was really eventful. I had a university friend from Vancouver visiting for a few days. I left uni in 1993 and she stayed on to do her MBA. She came to Malaysia in 1996/97 and almost fainted due to the heat and has refused to come again! That was the last time we met. Last week she came to visit. It was really great catching up with her. We talked like we have not lost any time despite not seeing each other for 10 years. That was really good.

Lucas went for a playgroup today for the first time. It was at Lacy Park, a very nice park I did not know exist. The weather is just perfect too. The mothers from his music class-mates invited us. Lucas somehow interact more with other babies in outdoor activities. He at least tried to talk and play ball with other babies. I wonder if the idea of a playgroup in a public playground will work in M'sia. Hmm..maybe not. It might be too hot and mothers will be most likely stuck in the traffic at around 6pm or still working in the office. Logistics can be a problem too...Bangsar, PJ, Subang, Cheras - which playground to meet??!!

Lucas is 9 months old

Lucas is nine months old. He has been in this world as long as he has been in the womb. Actually, he has been out 3 weeks longer than he was in the womb. He was born on the 37th week. Some of his milestones and new experiences are:

- He can clap his hands. We have been teaching him for the past few weeks and are glad that he finally can do it. He is happy with his achievement too.

- He has two tooth. The funny thing is he has one on the lower gum and one on the upper gum! Most babies has a pair on either lower or upper gum. The upper teeth is quite big. Looks like he will get bugs bunny teeth.

- He likes to hear new noises such as moving squeaking door, and hitting 2 beer bottles together.

- He is talking a lot with different sounds. Too bad we do not understand him. He vaguely said mama, daddy, beer, map.

- He can associate with most of his daily routines and toys. Word such as 'nien nien' (milk), 'oi oi' (sleep), 'kai kai' (go out), 'mum mum' (eat), 'pom pom' (bath), diapers, lotion, beer, coca cola, water, hold your bottle, handkie, boat etc.

- He has a taste of beer and ice-cream. We are the bad parents.

- He has been to a full screen theater for 40 mins documentary and he was able to sit through the documentary. He moved a lot but at least did not make a fuss.

- He has a first proper hair cut in a hair salon. The first 2 -3 mins are fine, then he made a fuss. He doesn't like people to touch his head.

First Outing in US

Taking the opportunity of Independence Day holiday, we took a trip outside LA. I must said it was a very brave decision of us but we were glad we did it. We took Lucas on a 6 days trip outside LA by car. In KL, we hardly took him out. The thought of packing for him is not very encouraging. Lucas had a luggage and 2 boxes! Dominic and myself only had a luggage. Here, we desperately wanted to see something and had no choice but to take him along. How circumstances can change a decision so drastically!

Santa Barbara and Solvang

Our first stop was where else other than factory outlet again (it was on the way and we needed to stop to feed Lucas..excuses, excuses). We spent an hour there. Then we adjourned to Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is a hippy town with Spanish architecture and nice beaches. We stayed at Solvang, a Danish town. Yup..visiting 'Europe' right here in California. Lucas was quite excited and behaved himself.

San Simeon and Cambria

Next we went to Hearst Castle in San Simeon. The castle is like those castles in Europe but this is located in the middle of nowhere. We stayed at Cambria, a very relaxing town by the Pacific Ocean. We enjoyed Cambria very much. Don't mind going again. We also managed to eat delicious seafood dinner at reasonable price.

Hearst Castle is not baby friendly i.e. not stroller allowed. Dominic has to carry him on a back pack baby seat. It is like carrying a 10kg rice on his back and walked for an hour. The weather was hot too. The heat wave did not make it any easier.

Monterey

Next stop was Monterey, another town by the Pacific Ocean. The most scenic drive on the coastal highway is from Big Sur to Carmel. It is very scenic indeed. Highly recommended. The pictures taken was like postcard. Lucas was showing sign of tiredness. He has been sleeping less than 12 hours for the last 2 days.

San Francisco

When we hit our final destination San Francisco, we were all quite tired. After spending a few days in laid back towns, San Francisco seemed hectic. We tried to catch the fireworks as it was July 4th, but the crowd was just too much. The live band the the music in Hard Rock (we had dinner there) were deafening. Lucas cried and wanted to be carried all the time. He was very uncomfortable with the loud noise. We had to hurriedly eat our dinner and make our way back to the hotel.

The public transport sucks or rather too many visitors. The queue for the cable car, bus and train are impossible (we found this out after buying the day pass for US$11 each). We ended up walking most of the time and did not manage to cover many places.

Lucas had his first haircut in a salon in Chinatown.

The weather near the bay is very pleasant. But once we were an hour from the bay, the weather hit 105 Fahrenheit! It was no fun in such heat.

Come to think of it, we managed to d0 quite a but considering we had a 9 months old baby in tow.

We are of course glad to be home now. Time to have a break from a break..sounds familiar?