Recount before its too late...

Thought i better recount what we have been up to...before i forget...
Church Camp...
It was a lot better than i expected...in terms of how Zachary adjusted to his new surrounding and sleeping in a strange place. Although i was spiritually refreshed and challenged...i still felt physically tired...eventhough we were on holiday, still had to get up at 6.30 to feed him! And after lugging everything there we had to lug everything back too! The logistics of it all...
But Zach got more than his fair share of kisses and hugs from the aunties in church, he was pretty good with being passed around, until one night he decided that he needed more masculine attention...he cried and cried till he was safely back in his daddy's arms!
Christmas...
First Christmas for Zach...he was fascinated by the presents he got...not so much what was inside but more of the wrappings, ribbons and tags that came with it. Should have just gotten him a whole roll of ribbons to play with! When i look at him and reminise of my pregnant state...my heart fills with much joy and peace...i can only imagine how heart wrenching God must have felt when He had to give Jesus up to die on the cross for us. As a parent i am quite sure that i would never even consider that option!
The year that is leaving us...2007
So MUCH has happened to the Ho family this year...the move back...welcoming Zachary...settling down in Singapore...being a mother and coping with that...buying a flat. I feel exhausted just thinking of it...but i feel great thankfulness for the many times He stayed close to me when i was feeling alone, overwhelmed or underwhelmed. Thank You Lord...
I must say that i look towards 2008 with much excitement...
Updates on Zachary...
Realise that he will be turning 8 months in about a weeks time....
- He is starting to move his legs when in the crawling position...but he still finds it more efficient to use his head-crawl movement to get to places.
- He can sit up unassisted for long periods of time now.
- He is able to recognise and "ask" for daddy and mummy now. He recognises familiar faces and is increasingly weary of strangers.
- We still struggle with solids at times...lunch times are the worst!! Breakfast and dinner are fine...will labour on!!
- Responds with singular sounds when talked to.
- Can get out of his rocker!! Not impressed...he actually fell out of his rocker! So now we are getting a play pen for times when i have to leave him alone.
- Sits up in his car seat...wanting to look outside...so i think will have to use the other bigger car seat soon...

Got it!

After queueing at the Singapore Immigration building for the third time...we finally collected Zachary's passport. Cutting it close as we will be crossing the borders this Sunday!! Zachary was not too impressed...as he was woken up from his morning slumber...the officers have to see his face to verify that he is the one in the passport picture!

7 months

Sometimes i feel like i move 1 step forward....and the next moment i seem to be sliding 2 steps back...
However, i do thank God for bringing Zachary and us a whole month forward! Indeed it is reassuring to know that His grace is new every morning...i definitely need it every morning!
New tricks he has acquired...some i am pleased with...some i rather he not know!
- Blowing raspberries ever so often...i am not too impressed with that skill during meal times! It seems like the more i tell him off...the harder he blows...sigh
- Able to get on all fours...can move backwards but can't move forwards, just rocks his body back and forth...as if dying to get somewhere but something is holding him back. I have demonstrated the crawling action....still in working progress.
- Meal times...able to eat a greater variety of foods...but can be very trying to feed him when he is not in the mood to cooperate! Went to weigh him today...didn't put on much weight, although the doc did say that there is nothing to worry as he seems to be healthy and alert. Need to bfeed him more often though. Why Zachary can't you learn from your daddy...more food is good!
- Responds candidly when we talk to him....deliberately...and not randomly nor does he babble anymore.
- Reaches for things out of his reach.
- Grabs everything in sight...not impressed with this skill when i'm holding him and eating at the same time.
- Loves banging on the piano.
- Able to bear his own weight when held upright...although he rather jump than stand still.

Another month has past....and i'm still learning to be a MOTHER....it is a road frequently travelled by many women out there...but not often noticed or encouraged. I salute all mothers...especially new mothers who plough on each day!!

How he has grown

Was looking through all the photos we have taken of Zachary...and it amazes me to realise how much he has grown...

From this (@1 month)

To this (@ 6 months)

Just the 2 of us

Eugene has been away for reservist (for those who don't know what that means...army refresher training that the Singapore government issues for those below 40 years), he will be away the whole of this week. So Zach and i have moved back to my mum's place to ease the load of not having Eugene around to help out. My dad is also away on a business trip this week...so it was all in good timing...as we could accompany my mum too. That leaves Zach to be the man of the house!
So far so good...he has been a very patient and understanding boy, sleeping well at night (always cross my fingers when i proclaim that...hoping not to jinx it by saying it!)...and generally being very understanding. But we definitely miss the 3rd member of our little family...its like having one arm less. However i did have a moment of "feeling totally incompetent" yesterday...when Zach refused to take his afternoon nap...leaving me feeling totally frustrated with him and myself.
I just realised that Zach will be turning 7 months next week...another month has passed us by...will blog more about that later...