It happens while...

Time sure flies.

Remembered that I was concerned that el ninja was not getting enough “tummy time” and was pushing his nana to put him on his belly at least 3 times a day. Remembered that I was worried that he still didn’t know how to roll over. Remembered that I was anxious about the fact that he was still all over the place when I propped him to sit on his forth month birthday.

Just this week, I realized that all the worries were really unnecessary. Out of blue, he rolled over (happily) on his own. And he enjoyed playing on his belly for at least half-an-hour (I couldn’t get him to do tummy time for more than 10 minutes without him crying). “Turtle” is actually his favorite position now. He likes it even in the bath tub. He enjoys sitting in the training seat as well, playing with his toys from the seat.

John Lennon was right, “life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plan.” While I was busy worrying about el ninja was not meeting the milestones, he was busy learning new tricks to surprise his silly mom.

S26, Isomil, Bremil AE, and back to S26

El ninja has gone through a lot of formulas. The first milk he ever tasted was Wyeth S26 Gold and I had been mixing breast milk and S26 ever since. Yet, when he was about a month a half, he went through five days without bowl movements. We were extremely worried, the pediatrician suggested to change to ISOMIL (soya based formula), still he went through another two days without anything. Then tio tati recommended Bremil AE (anti-constipation) Etapa 1, for some odd reason, it actually worked. HE POOPED. Hard to describe the joy it brought us. Since then, el ninja had been taking Bremil AE.

About 3 weeks ago, he started rejecting bottles, only wanted breasts. At first, we thought it was more “psychological”, as he’s now bigger and has learned how to “manipulate”. However, at the last check-up, he didn’t gain as much weight as he had in the previous check-ups - only 10% of the weight he normally gains in a month. We were worried, again. The pediatrician was not a big help so we consulted the pediatrician who delivered el ninja. He asked us to change the formula IMMEDIATELY. So back to S26. It’s been a week now – he seems to like S26 and has no problem with bowl movements. Let’s hope that his taste bud is not so fickle this time.

Faxing

My ninja is a big pooper, totally takes after his dad side of the family. Lately, he's been making this very entertaining overture :) Enjoy!

Unconditional

People always say that you don’t know what true love (unconditional love) is until you have kids. I thought about it a lot lately – who is the one that is being unconditional?

I am NOT ALWAYS happy when I see el ninja, I mean, I am happy to see him of course but my mood could be influenced by other incidents of my day – work, stress, lack of sleep, or simply feeling groggy. Or I get so jaded by taking care of him all day long and the only thought goes through my mind is when he calls on me is "what do you want now?". But, el ninja is ALWAYS happy to see me, always smiles at me and never frowns, no matter what mood I am in. He is my biggest fan.

So perhaps we shall rewrite the cliché?

(my "unconditional" fan)

Hipo

El ninja is big on hiccups, ever since he was in the uterus. I remembered having these steady and rhythmic beats from my belly when I was 7-8 months pregnant. At first I thought it was his heart beat but it could not be because it was not possible to feel the baby’s heart beat from outside. Then after consulting my “bible”, it was confirmed that these beats were my ninja having hiccups. How cute!

And he continued having hiccups after he was born. My mother in-law was especially concerned. Whenever he has hiccups, she goes away and brings back a piece of wet napkin and puts it on his forehead. Apparently, it is the “Venezuelan” technique on getting rid of hiccups. Interesting, no? Funny enough that it actually works at times.

(seems that el ninja is not too happy about the venezuelan technique, with his eyebrows knitted)

Drooling, dribbling, slobbering

The bibs are wet every 2 hours. Drooling, dribbling, slobbering, whatever you call it, he’s been doing it A LOT. Part of his teething in progress. I figure out the trick – alternating 2-3 bibs a day – changing one for another and drying the wet one to be used the next time instead of throwing it to the washing machine right away.

In search of breasts

El ninja is officially 4-month-old today. He has learned how to manipulate already.

Around a week or so ago, he started “rejecting” bottles. He starts the whining and crying when I put the bottle into his mouth. And he wouldn’t stop until the I surrendered and gave him the breasts. Yet, no one (the nana, my in-laws, or my papi) has had problem feeding el ninja with the bottle. ONLY me! And only when I am around. Why? Cuz the kid has grown up and known how to manipulate when mummy is around. He knows – he knows the smells, he knows that he can get breasts with mummy, he knows to behave when he is with others, he knows…

The funniest scene is when el ninja turns his head towards the chest of whoever is holding him and suckles towards the nipples while being held in the arms. Amazing, the power of basic instinct.