My baby is now 3 months old!

Baby Minds: A Follow-up Post

My very first blog post was entitled Baby Minds, Mommy's Music and Dr. Seuss  and I wrote it back in June when I was 8 months pregnant with Renzo.  It's about enriching baby minds through music and books.  I have been reading to him "The Cat In The Hat" every day since.  We're still reading this book, as well as many others to him. 

 I've noticed that he always listens intently... And he's very much engaged with the pictures.  He would also coo and babble while being read to.  A sign of his excitement.  There are moments that it lulls him to sleep just like a lullaby.

   I realize that it is really important to talk to our babies, sing to them, read to them while they're still in the womb.  Judging from Renzo's responses, I know he's brain circuitry is working at full gear. 

Based on a study from the University of Nevada in Reno, having a library of just 25 propels a kid one year farther in high school or college - and a collection of 500 or more leads to an extra 3.2 years of education (Parents Magazine November 2010).  Therefore, bring on the books!  

I will definitely keep on reading to my little one to enrich his mind towards a great future.

Separation Anxiety

"Separation Anxiety is defined as a developmental stage during which the child experiences anxiety when separated from the primary caregiver (usually the mother)" - Google Health

"Babies can show signs of separation anxiety as early as 6 or 7 months, but the crisis age for most babies is between 12 to 18 months. Most commonly, separation anxiety strikes when you or your spouse leaves your child to go to work or run an errand. Babies can also experience separation anxiety at night, safely tucked in their cribs with Mom and Dad in the next room." - Baby Center

I know, I know, Renzo's a bit too young to have separation anxiety.  He's just turning 3-months next week.  But the thing is I'm not talking about my baby.  I'm talking about me.  I'll be returning to work in a couple of weeks and I'm feeling very anxious.  I have never been apart from my little boy for more than an hour or two.  It may just be a quick trip to the grocery on a week day or church on Sundays.  I usually leave him with a dependable cousin who stays with us or with his dad.  No matter how hard I try to convince myself that it will be alright, I couldn't help but think how will I go on a day at work without being with him?

Separation anxiety.  That's what I think this is.  And goodness, I know it's way too early since we're still together! I guess the best way to put it is I'm having anxiety about separation anxiety.  

I've been reading a lot on this and it always says that the first day back at work will be the most difficult.  Then it will be easier as you go on... I hope this holds true with myself.  However, I'm very much certain I'll be shedding more tears as time draws closer to my back-to-work day ("Sob").

Elimination Communication

I came across this concept through a fellow blogger.  She featured it a few months ago.  I was really excited when I read her piece about Elimination Communication and am very determined to learn about it, and apply it to my little one. The goal is to have him potty trained early and be accepted in preschool by 2 year of age. Read: Say goodbye to diapers!

Here's a link to her blog and the write-up.  http://thebabydiaries-cosmic.blogspot.com/2010/06/calling-all-moms-to-be-anyone-heard-of.html

Elimination Communication is a toilet training practice in which a caregiver uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address an infant's need to eliminate waste. I read this book by Laurie Boucke entitled "Infant Potty Basics: With or Without Diapers... the Natural Way before giving birth and have decided, after discussing it with the hubby, to try it with our little boy.  

When Renzo was about 2 weeks old, we started him with sound association with the elimination act.  We say "pee-pee" or "wee-wee"  when he urinates and "poo-poo" when he passes out stool. It was easy to know when he passes stool since he makes this grunting sound and his face contorts in this sort of funny way.  However, finding out when he pees is more difficult since he pees all the time!  As a new parent, I've been peed on and pooped on... And since Renzo pees almost all the time while we're changing him, we just signal to him the sound of "wee-wee" whenever he does the deed.

This is a long process and results are not expected over night.  I am going out this weekend to purchase a nice little potty chair for Renzo.

I'll keep you posted about our progress.  We'll continue doing this, in addition to bringing him to his potty chair every day. The main goal is to be potty trained by a year, at least! I know it's a long shot, but it has been done based on what I've read.  If it doesn't happen, no worries!  At least we have another mommy-baby bonding moment to share and this time, it's in the toilet we go!

Photo Credits: Google Photos