We've been trying to get Naina to smile and laugh when we take a photo or film her. The reason, she has the most adorable toothless smile out-there. Perhaps all babies do. I know Jinu seems to have a great toothless smile as well.
However, Naina being the thinker she is, she only looks quizzical when we stuff a camera or DVR in her face. Will need to distract her whilst we film her somehow.
30 July 2008
26 July 2008
Type away, baby
So, Naina's been watching me type. A lot, or maybe just a little. Tonight we rang my grandmother to talk and then Deepti Naina and I sat around in the "den" to quote Mike Brady and were talking. Naina on my knee.
She decided she also wanted to type. As long as the keyboard was close enough, we got some inspired stuff. It did kind of spook me out. A horror movie, where the 3 month old baby, unable to talk, communicate clearly, types out the name of the man who committed a murder which she was a witness to in her last life.... ahhhhhh!!!!
Okay, so in our little horror movie (Naina is the name of a horror movie, woman gets corneal transplant and can see who murdered the previous owner of the corneas), the name of the dastardly murderer was....
k y m..it h g yb v j 0 tjm i jmhbfvnujh7y n b o9 ,j edgar allan poe
Alright, I added the Edgar Allan Poe bit, but if you know any guys or girls called Kym, tell them we're on to them and once we work out the code, they're nicked.
She decided she also wanted to type. As long as the keyboard was close enough, we got some inspired stuff. It did kind of spook me out. A horror movie, where the 3 month old baby, unable to talk, communicate clearly, types out the name of the man who committed a murder which she was a witness to in her last life.... ahhhhhh!!!!
Okay, so in our little horror movie (Naina is the name of a horror movie, woman gets corneal transplant and can see who murdered the previous owner of the corneas), the name of the dastardly murderer was....
k y m..it h g yb v j 0 tjm i jmhbfvnujh7y n b o9 ,j edgar allan poe
Alright, I added the Edgar Allan Poe bit, but if you know any guys or girls called Kym, tell them we're on to them and once we work out the code, they're nicked.
Naina on the case
Chief, I think she's on to something
23 July 2008
Unusual sleeping style
So Naina's a heavy sleeper, when we can get her to sleep. She also has some unusual, err, styles for sleeping.
I'd have thought the both arms by the sides method works for most babies. Or across the chest. We encountered a baby at the hospital that liked to sleep on his chest, with his arms tucked into brace himself. Truly unusual to look at, especially when the baby was in a humidifier as well.
Here she demonstrates the normal sleep posture:
That was when she was a week old.
A few days later she demonstrated the developing unusual posture:
Note one hand up out of wrap and already rejecting dummy. Actually her rejecting the dummy is good, but sometimes I wish she'd take it just to help her soothe herself to sleep at night. Damn smart neonate.
Next the posture is 75% there:
I've posted this before, but note the one arm up / one arm down posture. She would actually do the whole I'm a little teapot thing while she slept, one arm by her side and the other pointing, John Travolta style above her head.
Haven't grabbed a photo yet, but she's now found a way of falling asleep with her hand on her face. One off, yeah coincidence. It is most nights now. Apart from the laughing in her sleep (still freaky) this is a little Naina'ism we're all getting used to.
She also knows how to display her displeasure. Too many photos I think.
I'd have thought the both arms by the sides method works for most babies. Or across the chest. We encountered a baby at the hospital that liked to sleep on his chest, with his arms tucked into brace himself. Truly unusual to look at, especially when the baby was in a humidifier as well.
Here she demonstrates the normal sleep posture:
That was when she was a week old.A few days later she demonstrated the developing unusual posture:
Note one hand up out of wrap and already rejecting dummy. Actually her rejecting the dummy is good, but sometimes I wish she'd take it just to help her soothe herself to sleep at night. Damn smart neonate.Next the posture is 75% there:
I've posted this before, but note the one arm up / one arm down posture. She would actually do the whole I'm a little teapot thing while she slept, one arm by her side and the other pointing, John Travolta style above her head.Haven't grabbed a photo yet, but she's now found a way of falling asleep with her hand on her face. One off, yeah coincidence. It is most nights now. Apart from the laughing in her sleep (still freaky) this is a little Naina'ism we're all getting used to.
She also knows how to display her displeasure. Too many photos I think.
20 July 2008
Shocking day
Naina had a shocker today, probably her worst on record. This on her three month birthday when I spent the best part of half an hour singing happy birthday to her.
First it was screaming when she woke up in her cot. She'd fallen asleep during her feed in the morning after her birth and then woke up in her cot and screamed her little lungs out. Solved by picking her up, but it meant she was tired through the day.
Then it was gas and colic pain. Apparently there is no scientific definition for colic pain, except, ouch. So screaming whenever she was lying down, even during a feed. Solved by checking hungry, dirty, cold and finally colicky. God bless Infacol.
Coming back from a day out, it was colicky pain again. Cripes, lucky we took the Infacol with us.
Then, Naina went ballistic during Dr Who. She actually started throwing a new born temper tantrum. This freaked us both out. The sight of her writhing and shouting (not screaming) was scary. Turns out she was sweaty and hungry and thirsty because of who knows what. Food water and hugs were in order.
Finally, we had pooey. This one, thank goodness, we know how to solve very quickly. We know the audio cues and the facial cues. Never thought a baby could have a sheepish look on her face, but Naina does.
What a day. We're both wrecked.
First it was screaming when she woke up in her cot. She'd fallen asleep during her feed in the morning after her birth and then woke up in her cot and screamed her little lungs out. Solved by picking her up, but it meant she was tired through the day.
Then it was gas and colic pain. Apparently there is no scientific definition for colic pain, except, ouch. So screaming whenever she was lying down, even during a feed. Solved by checking hungry, dirty, cold and finally colicky. God bless Infacol.
Coming back from a day out, it was colicky pain again. Cripes, lucky we took the Infacol with us.
Then, Naina went ballistic during Dr Who. She actually started throwing a new born temper tantrum. This freaked us both out. The sight of her writhing and shouting (not screaming) was scary. Turns out she was sweaty and hungry and thirsty because of who knows what. Food water and hugs were in order.
Finally, we had pooey. This one, thank goodness, we know how to solve very quickly. We know the audio cues and the facial cues. Never thought a baby could have a sheepish look on her face, but Naina does.
What a day. We're both wrecked.
18 July 2008
Baby video
Have been meaning to pop this up for a while. A bit grainy and scratchy, but you can see the first month of Naina's life in the vid...
Babies make the world go round
It has been a rough time at work for me this week and for a while. Certainly I haven't been happy and it doesn't seem to be getting much better. Frankly, really unhappy at work.
But coming home to Naina and Deepti just take that edge off a bad day, week, fortnight or month.
Not sure what I'd do without both of them.
But coming home to Naina and Deepti just take that edge off a bad day, week, fortnight or month.
Not sure what I'd do without both of them.
15 July 2008
Random cute photos (2)
Mum and bub, spot the similarity (the name Naina says it all I think)
Extreme closeup, beautiful girl
New headgear
A surprised photo - Naina still does it so well
Visitors! Celia Yuncken
Celia dropped by to say hello on Wednesday last week. As always, a welcomed guest.
Celia is Bob Yuncken's father's sister and has been great in helping Deepti settle in to Australia.
She's got the quintessential Melbourne accent, it's great. And her son's getting married soon.
Celia is Bob Yuncken's father's sister and has been great in helping Deepti settle in to Australia.
She's got the quintessential Melbourne accent, it's great. And her son's getting married soon.
Visitors! Green and Catherine
So Green and Catherine were in town and stayed near by. This was their first trip to Melbourne in a while and spent a bit of time with us on Friday evening and then all day Saturday and Sunday. It was great to see them.
Naina was very excited around Green and Catherine, putting her best smiles on show for our guests. As always, what a pleaser. She's so good at putting her best foot forward already, leaving the cranky baby act for when there's only Deepti or me around. I'm starting to get suspicious...
Saturday we went to the city by train, which prompted Naina to sleep. She got a bit raucous at CHocolate Buddha and distinctly unhappy in the cold on Bourke Street Mall and then in David Jones as well. She settled thereafter in QV (out of the cold) and was an angel for the rest of the afternoon. Perhaps it was the aroma of slowly mixing chocolate at Max Brenner. For anyone coming to Melbourne, this place is the best on a cold morning.
Sunday was strange, Naina started screaming whenever Deepti lay her flat (e.g., in bed, or in the car capsule). As a result, Naina was dosed with her first bit of simethicone to help relieve any pain. I find it surreal when Naina is screaming as she has always been and is even now, a fairly relaxed and calm child, even if Deepti and I are making too much noise or not in the room with her.
This meant that Green and Catherine and I went to Chapel St alone. It was a fairly truncated day. We struggle to get out of the house before 11am, with massage bath and then Deepti and I getting ready. So we only reached Chapel St around 12 and did breakfast, Virgin Megastore and Borders. We then picked up Deepti and Naina, who by now was much calmer and happier and went off to sleep in the pram on our walk to Nando's.
Naina was very excited around Green and Catherine, putting her best smiles on show for our guests. As always, what a pleaser. She's so good at putting her best foot forward already, leaving the cranky baby act for when there's only Deepti or me around. I'm starting to get suspicious...
Saturday we went to the city by train, which prompted Naina to sleep. She got a bit raucous at CHocolate Buddha and distinctly unhappy in the cold on Bourke Street Mall and then in David Jones as well. She settled thereafter in QV (out of the cold) and was an angel for the rest of the afternoon. Perhaps it was the aroma of slowly mixing chocolate at Max Brenner. For anyone coming to Melbourne, this place is the best on a cold morning.
Sunday was strange, Naina started screaming whenever Deepti lay her flat (e.g., in bed, or in the car capsule). As a result, Naina was dosed with her first bit of simethicone to help relieve any pain. I find it surreal when Naina is screaming as she has always been and is even now, a fairly relaxed and calm child, even if Deepti and I are making too much noise or not in the room with her.
This meant that Green and Catherine and I went to Chapel St alone. It was a fairly truncated day. We struggle to get out of the house before 11am, with massage bath and then Deepti and I getting ready. So we only reached Chapel St around 12 and did breakfast, Virgin Megastore and Borders. We then picked up Deepti and Naina, who by now was much calmer and happier and went off to sleep in the pram on our walk to Nando's.
Fires of Pompeii, Naina's views
Naina didn't enjoy the start of Dr Who this week, am afraid. A fair bit of scaredness.
I think the Naina review was a fairly snoozy episode without the usual laughter or crying associated with previous episodes. This part of the blog may not work if she doesn't increase her emotional lability during the episodes.
I think the Naina review was a fairly snoozy episode without the usual laughter or crying associated with previous episodes. This part of the blog may not work if she doesn't increase her emotional lability during the episodes.
11 July 2008
Green and Catherine
Tomorrow will be fun, Naina, Deepti and I will spend most of the day roaming Melbourne. Green and Catherine are here from Perth and we're looking forward to eating out and seeing the city... fingers cross, Naina's up for it as well...
Baby massage
I think it is pretty widely accepted nowadays in western culture (judging by the hospital books) that babies get massaged. Indian culture, babies always have and as far as I know, always will get a massage, twice a day if they are lucky.
Traditionally, mustard oil is used in India. It is a thicker oil than olive oil and apparently makes the skin darker. Deepti was told off by a MCH Nurse that she shouldn't use mustard oil, because that was only for poor people in countries like India. Amazing how cultural biases come out pretty quick when a baby is on the scene.
Naina at first was no fan of Deepti and my massage technique. She would regularly scream and cry her way through her massage, partly because of our cold hands, and probably because we weren't doing it right.
My mum then appeared, having done baby massage or witnessed baby massage for her own kids and her family. Let the expert enter the room! Naina very quickly learnt that she was in the hands of a skilled professional, not rank amateurs.
Mum would get very excited by Naina's squeals and grunts of delight as she was massaged in certain areas. The legs were a favourite. Indian mum's and grandmum's are very concerned with how quickly the baby stretches their legs straight. When her legs were rubbed with oil in a downward manner, she'd straighten her legs out pretty much from week 3. This met with grandmotherly and great-grandmotherly approval. Naina also became ticklish (or seemingly, wriggly) when she was massaged under arms near her armpits.
The routine now is that in the morning, once Naina's had her feed, Deepti sits in front of the heater, on the ground and stretches her legs out straight. She then covers her legs and places a small towel as a head support for Naina. Then Naina lies between the groove of Deepti's legs and gets a good old massage. Starting with her front side, arms, legs, chest, a little bit on the face, scalp, then over on to her stomach lying across Deepti's legs (grunting away and passing gas) to have a thorough massage of the back. I'm always amazed how contented Naina is whilst this is happening. The massage takes about 20 to 30 minutes and it does a wonderful thing for Naina. She sleeps contentedly for an hour or so after the massage. And with Naina that's a good thing!
Naina about 8 days old getting one of her first massages
Traditionally, mustard oil is used in India. It is a thicker oil than olive oil and apparently makes the skin darker. Deepti was told off by a MCH Nurse that she shouldn't use mustard oil, because that was only for poor people in countries like India. Amazing how cultural biases come out pretty quick when a baby is on the scene.
Naina at first was no fan of Deepti and my massage technique. She would regularly scream and cry her way through her massage, partly because of our cold hands, and probably because we weren't doing it right.
My mum then appeared, having done baby massage or witnessed baby massage for her own kids and her family. Let the expert enter the room! Naina very quickly learnt that she was in the hands of a skilled professional, not rank amateurs.
Mum would get very excited by Naina's squeals and grunts of delight as she was massaged in certain areas. The legs were a favourite. Indian mum's and grandmum's are very concerned with how quickly the baby stretches their legs straight. When her legs were rubbed with oil in a downward manner, she'd straighten her legs out pretty much from week 3. This met with grandmotherly and great-grandmotherly approval. Naina also became ticklish (or seemingly, wriggly) when she was massaged under arms near her armpits.
The routine now is that in the morning, once Naina's had her feed, Deepti sits in front of the heater, on the ground and stretches her legs out straight. She then covers her legs and places a small towel as a head support for Naina. Then Naina lies between the groove of Deepti's legs and gets a good old massage. Starting with her front side, arms, legs, chest, a little bit on the face, scalp, then over on to her stomach lying across Deepti's legs (grunting away and passing gas) to have a thorough massage of the back. I'm always amazed how contented Naina is whilst this is happening. The massage takes about 20 to 30 minutes and it does a wonderful thing for Naina. She sleeps contentedly for an hour or so after the massage. And with Naina that's a good thing!
09 July 2008
No sleep
Naina is definitely not a stock standard good sleeper.
She tends to sleep okay during the day, but only up to 45 minutes. Remarkably, the best sleep is after the bath and feed in the morning, where she's even ready to sleep in the cot for nearly an hour.
But after that, we have our struggles. She falls asleep regularly during the day, probably cycling through 6 or 7 times. She wakes, feeds, plays and then falls asleep in her rocker. And then wakes again in 15 to 30 minutes and the cycle repeats. Tonight was a struggle as well, nearly an hour of pacifying in bed, then putting her in the BabyBjorn finally overcame her resistance.
Sometimes it scares me, but I'm usually pacified by Deepti and the fact that Naina is generally a happy baby. It scares me because I'm afraid she's going to become excessively tired and run down.
I've read dozens of articles on sleep, but really the only one that seemed to work for me was this one:
http://moxie.blogs.com/askmoxie/2006/01/qa_11weekold_an.html
No expert, but at least it reassured me that we're not alone.
She tends to sleep okay during the day, but only up to 45 minutes. Remarkably, the best sleep is after the bath and feed in the morning, where she's even ready to sleep in the cot for nearly an hour.
But after that, we have our struggles. She falls asleep regularly during the day, probably cycling through 6 or 7 times. She wakes, feeds, plays and then falls asleep in her rocker. And then wakes again in 15 to 30 minutes and the cycle repeats. Tonight was a struggle as well, nearly an hour of pacifying in bed, then putting her in the BabyBjorn finally overcame her resistance.
Sometimes it scares me, but I'm usually pacified by Deepti and the fact that Naina is generally a happy baby. It scares me because I'm afraid she's going to become excessively tired and run down.
I've read dozens of articles on sleep, but really the only one that seemed to work for me was this one:
http://moxie.blogs.com/askmoxie/2006/01/qa_11weekold_an.html
No expert, but at least it reassured me that we're not alone.
06 July 2008
Naina's view on tonight's episode of Dr Who
Naina is a late sleeper, she usually drifts off after 8, 830 pm. Tonight she watched Dr Who with Deepti and myself. Actually, only me as Deepti doesn't particularly enjoy the Who genre.
Anyway, in terms of laughter, Naina produced very little watching tonight's episode, but generally remained watching the screen closely for the last 10 to 15 minutes. This compares with last week's Titanic episode where she laughed maniacally through parts of the episode.
Anyway, in terms of laughter, Naina produced very little watching tonight's episode, but generally remained watching the screen closely for the last 10 to 15 minutes. This compares with last week's Titanic episode where she laughed maniacally through parts of the episode.
Weekend at Naina's part trois
We also had time to get Naina to practice lifting her head. I swear I saw her roll on to her side tonight.
We managed to buy her a plastic ball to play with as well. The results were mixed.
Spot the resemblance (or is this a mug shot?)
We managed to buy her a plastic ball to play with as well. The results were mixed.
Spot the resemblance (or is this a mug shot?)
Weekend at Naina's part deux
We also managed a trip out to Croydon to Aunty Ragini's house and Mt Dandenong.
On top of Mt Dandenong, it was suitably freezing even at 4pm. The cafe owner asked us if we would like to eat outside.
On top of Mt Dandenong, it was suitably freezing even at 4pm. The cafe owner asked us if we would like to eat outside.
Weekend at Naina's
Should be a movie title.
Naina came to my office on Friday. Some happy snaps (and a not so happy snap).
Babies are always a hit in an office environment.
This photo fell off the blog for some reason.
Naina came to my office on Friday. Some happy snaps (and a not so happy snap).
Babies are always a hit in an office environment.This photo fell off the blog for some reason.
03 July 2008
Naina and poo and gas
I wish I meant Winnie the Pooh.
Naina was being fed and did a poo. Deepti called me from the computer room and asked me to do the ceremonial duties. Unfortunately, Naina had a few too many big meals today and halfway through the changeover we got more and more and more poo. I'll never look at mustard sauce the same again.
But seriously, I think just about every new parent agonises over poo, especially in those first few months. Is it often enough, is it too often, is it the right colour, why is it that texture etc etc.
My sister told me she never wanted me to become a poo parent, one that discusses baby poos in public, but here I am!
Naina's not what one would term regular. More like semi-irregular with the odd extra kick, like tonight. She's managed to do poos during her feed, our dinner, whilst we were away at the doctor's and whilst we were in bed and the noise was the most telling signal. She also gets very hungry afterwards.
In terms of gas, we've been blessed with a little girl who can get the gas out with a minute or two of going upright. No writhing in pain, no screaming etc. Like most asian cultures, there's a Indian recipe at hand that was suggested by my mum - a teaspoon of saunf (fennel seeds) and a teaspoon of ajwain (carom seeds) and boiled up, cooled and diluted with water, then drunk at room temperature. It worked for us!
She's a gassy girl that's for sure, all sorts of noises. After a bottle feed, we have to get her sitting up to get the belch. She's up with the best belchers of all time. The passing wind is a little more indiscreet and comes during guests visits generally (Green, Catherine, you have been warned) and at polite dinners where Deepti and I are reminiscing of a simpler time.
(insert audio clip of two people discussing a new Melbourne restaurant, silence, then a gassy whoopy cushion noise from under the table, then silence again, then a baby giggling to herself).
Naina was being fed and did a poo. Deepti called me from the computer room and asked me to do the ceremonial duties. Unfortunately, Naina had a few too many big meals today and halfway through the changeover we got more and more and more poo. I'll never look at mustard sauce the same again.
But seriously, I think just about every new parent agonises over poo, especially in those first few months. Is it often enough, is it too often, is it the right colour, why is it that texture etc etc.
My sister told me she never wanted me to become a poo parent, one that discusses baby poos in public, but here I am!
Naina's not what one would term regular. More like semi-irregular with the odd extra kick, like tonight. She's managed to do poos during her feed, our dinner, whilst we were away at the doctor's and whilst we were in bed and the noise was the most telling signal. She also gets very hungry afterwards.
In terms of gas, we've been blessed with a little girl who can get the gas out with a minute or two of going upright. No writhing in pain, no screaming etc. Like most asian cultures, there's a Indian recipe at hand that was suggested by my mum - a teaspoon of saunf (fennel seeds) and a teaspoon of ajwain (carom seeds) and boiled up, cooled and diluted with water, then drunk at room temperature. It worked for us!
She's a gassy girl that's for sure, all sorts of noises. After a bottle feed, we have to get her sitting up to get the belch. She's up with the best belchers of all time. The passing wind is a little more indiscreet and comes during guests visits generally (Green, Catherine, you have been warned) and at polite dinners where Deepti and I are reminiscing of a simpler time.
(insert audio clip of two people discussing a new Melbourne restaurant, silence, then a gassy whoopy cushion noise from under the table, then silence again, then a baby giggling to herself).
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