Gimme Gimme....Gimme more....

Alai Rayyan first meal

I have been contemplating with the idea of starting solid with Alai Rayyan as he has given me some signs that he is ready. After googling and surfing through several websites, here's my finding:

How will I know when my baby's ready? Your baby will give you clear signs when he's ready to move beyond liquid-only nourishment. Cues to look for include:

• Head control. Your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position. Tick
• Losing the "extrusion reflex." To keep solid food in his mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his tongue to push food out of his mouth. Tick
• Sitting well when supported. Even if he's not quite ready for a highchair, your baby needs to be able to sit upright to swallow well. Tick
• Chewing motions. Your baby's mouth and tongue develop in sync with his digestive system. To start solids, he should be able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow. As he learns to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling. Tick
• Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old. Tick
• Growing appetite. He seems hungry — even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day. Tick
• Curiosity about what you're eating. Your baby may begin eyeing your bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from your plate to your mouth. Tick

Although Alai Rayyan has given all of the cues above, I was still unsure whether I should start solid or not as he is only 4.5 months old but after consulting with hubby and my mum I decided to give it a try. So here's how it went:

The Cereal

Mhmm..is that for me?

Yeay!! I'm gonna eat just like mummy.

My first bite

So this is how cereal taste like...

Yummy!!!

So yeah, Alai Rayyan did not reject the cereal at all! Infact he cried after the first teaspoon of cereal demanding for more. I guess he really is ready after all! Wow...my baby has reached one of the major milestones in his life and I am glad I was around to experience it with him.

Down Under

Hi you guys..I know my post is long overdue but been really busy settling myself down here in Brisbane. First thing first, I want to thanks to all of you guys for sending me off during my departure. It really meant a lot to me and I didnt expect there's gonna be so many of you. I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions - mostly it was feeling of sadness and fear, sad to leave all of my beloved one behind and fear of the unknown journey ahead of me. But whatever it is I am really thankful that I have all of you to support me from behind and catch me if I fall...Love you all very much!

During Departure

My six hours flight to Brisbane was unexpectedly easy. Alai Rayyan did not fuss at all! It was drink, sleep and play for him. As you all know, Alai Rayyan was very good at throwing tantrums but upon stepping up the plane it was like he's a completely different baby and Alhamdulillah, that last untill now.

My first week in Brisbane was quite a challenge. I had to look for a house but before I could do that I had to find someone to live with as renting a house on my own would be very costly. It was very hard for me to search for a housemate, all the Bruneians that I know were unavailable. There was one point where I had to move to 4 different places - 4 nights in a row! I was amazed by how understanding Alai Rayyan was during those times, everytime we had to move he would sat quietly in his stroller and fall asleep on his own. The fourth house belongs to two Bruneians Postgrad - Husma and Lina. They were actually looking for a housemate before they settled for their two bedroom house, it was unfortunate that we did not get to meet each other until it was too late. They however offered me to bunk in their living room as long as I want - that was really nice and thoughtful of them. I was about to give up and live with them when miracle happened...We were just going out to the city to buy some groceries and household stuffs when one of my Bruneian friend - Farah bumped into this Malaysian Lady - Widya who turns out to be my housemate today! Farah was just sitting around waiting for us when she said hello to Widya. And being a bubbly person she is, Widya told Farah that she had a place but she does not have a housemate...so the rest is history...Oh and Kin, Widya reminds me so much of you! Makes me miss you even more!

Widya - my wonderful housemate

Since then, Hubby has returned to Bruneiland, Bibi and Razi is now here to help me take care of Alai Rayyan. I am now on my one week easter break and I will be having mid-sem exams for all of my 4 courses following this week. So guys, wish me luck!