Social Animal

Men are social animals, and he starts becoming so around 8 months from birth. I should know, our dear Lois craves attention and company. She can't stand being alone, even for a brief second. It doesn't matter if it's me or her nanny Mhagie, but there has to be a pair of eyes watching over her, lest she will turn into a screaming banshee. Separation anxiety at it's finest?

Playmate addict
Lately, I've noticed Lois watching the TV, and her favorites turn out to be shows and ads with kids in them, particularly the Pampers Comfort Amoy baby ad. She cranes her neck towards the TV, claps her hands, babbles at them and jumps up and down whenever it is shown. And whenever we sing the tune to her - once she wakes up, while she's feeding or while she's busy investigating a toy - she almost always wiggle her tummy.

Even photos of babies earn quite a lot of attention from Lois. I think she considers the kids as playmates. Does this mean she'll make a good big sister?

One afternoon, while I was feeding Lois was in her walker, our neighbor's kids, Jack and Joy, aged 3 and 2 passed by our open door. They waved at Lois, obviously excited to greet her. Our Lois got excited too! From my corner of the house, she sped towards the door as if wanting to join them. When the kids had left, Lois was in a bad mood. She wanted to be with the kids.

But Lois's no. 1 playmate is her nanny. After her nap, Lois looks for her. She calls to her, "Uh! Uh!" When Mhagie does not greet her back, she covers the entire bed rolling to catch a glimpse of her friend. That's an answered prayer! Today, Lois even managed to say 'a-te'. It started with just 'ahs' and then we would reply back 'a-te'. She caught on and has called out ate three times. I wonder when she'll say 'momma'.

Walking in bed
One way Daddy Poh developed to practice Lois' walking skills was to hold her by the armpits and let her walk - around the bed. Covering all corners, they even have humps made up of pillows. "So she won't get bruises when she falls," he argues. I don't know if it's such a good practice, but Daddy and baby are having fun so might as well allow them, while I take some cherished time reading my mails.

Fewer sleeps, wider menu
Starting last week, Lois has changed her nap routine. She really is getting bigger! She has dropped her 5-6pm nap making her very sleepy. By 8pm, she's already in slumber land so Daddy doesn't get to play with her anymore after office.

I think I like this better because her morning, usually 9-10am, and afternoon, 1-3pm, naps are longer. I can cut her nails, clean her belly button and ears, even do the groceries, while she sleeps peacefully.

Her diet has changed as well. It has grown to now include rice and meat. So far, she loves chicken sopas and nilagang baboy, a great addition to her banana first love. She opens her mouth wide when we give her these. But her growing food repertoire has made passing stool difficult. Yesterday, she cried while pushing out those stool. They were no longer loose and watery like before. They were firm and formed.