23.10.14 marks one year misterdimples has been in our lives and also 365 days of parenting.

Cliche, but I think I speak for the hubbs when I say we never knew parenthood would bring us so much love and joy.

So this weekend saw the bubs trying to stand over and over again. he's gotten fairly good at it. on a good try, he can stand for about 5 seconds before landing on his butt. He's always super happy with himself when he manages to stand, clapping and grinning gleefully! 

This weekend, we also realised that he's now capable of playing peekaboo. By that I mean he is initiating the peekaboo game. He would pull up a for eg, a pillow and then swiftly bring it down to reveal himself to whomever who's a wiling playing party. 

And so, i abruptly ended last night's post cause the bubs was crying for milk. Yes, he still does wake up at about 12midnight and thereafter 1-2 times before 7.30am. I can count the number of times he has slept through the night since birth... with one hand. 

I was in two minds the past 6 weeks, deciding whether or not to bring the bubs along to California. The heart said YES YES YES, the mind said NO NO NO. I polled singles, parents, males, females all to seek some assurance, input, thoughts about the decision I was about to make. 75% said NO. The rest said yes (all women, except 1 male whom I think was just playing mind games with me). 

So, yes, if you read the last post, you would know that I have listened to my brain and the majority, and decided against bringing the bubs even though I will be missing him like CRAZY. 

One of the reasons we opted for a long distance trip was because the hubbs insisted we not waste our miles. It was totally logical at the time we made the decision and totally illogical when I started thinking seriously about whether or not to bring the bubs. 

I also had to contemplate 'weaning' at the back of my head. Going away for 16 days meant that I would likely have to wean the bubs off breastfeeding, likely for good. Already my supply isn't exactly that high, so I'm certain 16 days away from the bubs will either cut my supply totally, or bring it down to a trickle. I know some mothers have no issue pumping without latching but I'm not one of those. 

Honestly, I am quite reluctant to stop the breastfeeding relationship. Mothers who have successfully breastfed (latched and not just pumped) would know the bond is indescribable in words. What's more, I realised about a week ago that I can recognise the signs of when the bub wants to nurse. He would come towards me and get into position by putting his legs on one side of my thigh and lying down on the other. Then he would wave his arms or try and lift my top indicating that he would like to nurse. Just thinking about it makes my heart cringe with guilt.

Having said that, I have endured a very painful start and lasted almost a year fully breastfeeding the bubs, which is 100% more than the 6 mths recommended by the WHO. So I'm trying to convince myself that I've done my part as a mother. 'Trying' being the key word here. 

I really ought to be a bit more disciplined in updating these milestones. they're flying by like nobody's business. 

first and foremost, in 9 days, the little one turns 11 mths. both his bottom front teeth have emerged and grown taller. these past few days we've noticed he's also been drooling a lot more. could be that the top two front teeth are also making their way out. so far, the little one has made a few nips on my itty bitty bits while nursing. hurts but usually i just tell him no! today i raised my voice a little (hey it really hurt today), and he started wailing. 

another big milestone update - evan has learnt how to clap! the week before he was still figuring it out and then suddenly last week, he successfully clapped! that cheeky vocal one makes sure he raises his voice and says AHHHH while clapping each time. it tickles all of us to no end.  

today, my helped happily told me that evan can recognise the objects around him already. when we ask, where's the vegetable (poster), he would turn towards and glance/ point at it. Or, where's hickory dickory dock (again another poster), he would do the same! isn't it amazing? 

My darling fell off the bed for the first time today. It had to happen under my watch of course.

The Hubbs put him on the bed and went to make breakfast while I continued with my make up. It did hit me that he looked a little too close to the edge of the bed. Plus the two bolsters in front of him meant he cldnt caterpillar crawl his way forward. But I brushed it aside and continued with my make up.

Soon I heard a loud thud. Next thing evan was on the floor (belly on the floor), i screamed, ran towards him, flailing my eye liner onto the floor and picked him up. Honestly I’ve been trying to recall how I flung it out of my hands but I can’t rmb! Evan didnt shed a tear and in fact when the hubbs rushed in, he even gave a little grin.

time flies. so cliche but so true.

evan's turning 6 mths in a week and my, oh my, the little baby who was just 3.5kg at birth is now 9kg+. he's outgrown a number of outfits and we've upgraded to size L diapers! 

getting him to sleep is still a challenge and he still wakes up at least twice during the night. While I'm used to it, there are nights where the interruptions are crazy and I end up being a walking zombie at work.  

evan's also singing/shrieking alot more now. i've heard him just coo-ing for a good 3 minutes just before he wakes up in the morning too. it's too adorable.

we've also taken countless photos and videos of him. when we show him to them, he gets all smiley and excited.