talk-about-babies [part 7]

Fidaa' is 6 months old now. I've given her solids - fruit purees and baby rice - at 5 months as she has been showing signs of needing more than just milk: she's still unhappy after a good milk feed, very interested in our eating activities - she might even try grabbing a spoon or biscuit from our hands - and she's doing this 'chewing' motion every now and then, and her dribbling/drooling has significantly reduced. She's able to sit on her own without support for a few seconds, or longer if she's not overly distracted with things around her now. Seems like she enjoys sitting a lot more than lying on her back so we usually help her sit propping her back with pillows and let her play with Handzalah's Fisher Price touchpad we bought a year ago. This educational toy is quite expensive but I think it's a good investment for a child. She loves to suck her thumb (or few fingers at times) and pulls other people's hair! :)

Fidaa' rolls from her back to get on her tummy and vice versa like a pro now and just like Handzalah, she moves faster backwards when she's on her tummy, mengesot sikit-sikit. She'll be all over the floor in a second. And when she's on her tummy nowadays, she'll hold her head up high and sometimes acting 'manja' putting her head down on the mat and making soft little sounds. Aha, she' also experimenting with various pitches and tones of her voice. Sometimes it's like she's screaming all the way down her throat, just for fun other than making bubbles out of her saliva. Sometimes it sounds as if she's singing along with Handzalah, whom of course loves music very very much!

You should see how both of them interact with each other. Handzalah usually joins Fidaa' on the bed or mat when she stares at him and they'll start "communicating". Handzalah will do the talking and Fidaa' will usually reply with all the "ooh-aahs" sounds. At times, Handzalah will pause to ask, "Ummi, adik cakap apa?" (Mummy, what is she saying?) and you thought he'd understand because Ummi doesn't ;). No such thing as babies understand babies ah? I'm always worried when Handzalah is jumping up and down near her sister and will ask him to stop and do it somewhere else, but Fidaa' will be overjoyed and laughing heartily to his brother's acts giving her Ummi's disapproval less reasoning. Handzalah is also OK when it comes to sharing his things; toys or even his favourite *apple with his little sister. It's a joy seeing them happy having each other's company, as if they're yet too young for rivalry but there are times when the big brother does things like sitting on her sister simply to play around or the other no-nos just to seek you attention, so beware!

Handzalah is now able to pronounce more and more words clearly though he still have troubles with the letter R and L and apple is still 'apen' to him :). He's uttering long sentences and telling stories of his own experience and has recently develop a new communicating habit: he asks and he answers on his own! He'll ask "Buat apa tu?" (What are you doing?) and automatically replies "Oooh, Ummi masak nasi" (Oooh, Ummi's cooking). And oh, the long OH is simply compulsory. The funniest thing about this cheeky litte hearthtrob is whenever he's interested in something we actually know he really likes and usually asks for, he won't just ask for it. He'll make an opening remark for his indirect request and it usually starts with Wow - "Wow! Kita nak makan aiskrim", "Wow PDA, Abi main PDA ke?" and aha he can now pronounce PDA as it is :). He also managed to pronounce computer properly and at last the word 'octopus' in it's proper form. He used to say 'ocpetis' and we're still not sure why.

He can take off his own clothing now but still struggling to put things on and he has just discovered that his diapers can get wet and he can now tell that it's happening. He loves brushing his teeth and will ask for his brush everytime he's in the toilet for a wash but still try to avoid having his hair washed or shampooed! NEWS: We've just cut his long, semi-curly wavy hair yesterday. We actually wanted to get it really short using 'the machine' but when he heard its sound he cried and screamed "Aku Maluuu!!!" (I'm ashamed) ... err, what was that for and what in the world was he ashamed of? Huhu ... he might have gotten the wrong expression ey? After a few minutes of consoling and 'jelly-bean-ing' (yeah, I know sweets-baits are a crime but that's the best we can afford then :D) he agreed to have his hair cut with a pair of scissors :). Any other tips friends?

* I'm not feeding her apples, not until it's pureed but I do let her have a taste of the fruit; just like soothing her gums with cool teething rings, you can alternatively use carrots or like me, an apple. Just be sure she won't get a bite and choke!


If you're new here you can read my previous entries on TAB here. Enjoy! :)