To Jumperoo Or Not To Jumperoo?

I have heard many friends (who became mothers before me) and also expert physical therapists say over and over again that jumperoos (similarly, walkers and other baby items), are unsafe and not good for babies development. They apparently place too much weight on babies legs, the crotch-support seats isn't good for the hips... blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...  there's always some reason why something is not good, isn't there? Still, the fact remains that such items are still legally sold and there are parents who swear by them.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and Kevin and I are not one to be swayed by other people's opinions. We never have, and we never will. We listen to what people have to say and their opinions, then do our research and form our own opinions and decide wisely on what is or is not good for our child. What anyone else thinks about our decision is utterly irrelevant.

On that note - Keira got a new toy (thanks to the aunties and uncles at Khazhanah who contributed money to buy the specific Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo we had our eye on but could not find in Penang, among other gifts), and she ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT! 

We love it too because it clearly makes her very, very happy. Doesn't she look happy in her first ever jumperoo experience? Jump, Keira, jump! A happy baby makes for happy parents! :)

We are not irresponsible parents - we do not use such toys as opportunities to leave our baby on the all day long, and neither do we start her on it too early on it (best to start babies on it when they are is more stable - we started Keira on it at 6 months old) or leave her on it for too long. 

Either Kevin, my mom or myself will keep a watchful eye every second she is on it and keep her company while she plays and enjoys her jumperoo time (usually not longer than 20 mins per playtime). 

 

We never leave her alone on it, cos we don't see it as a product of convenience. It's a purchase of fun and excitement for our baby to enjoy and we want her know that we also want to be involved in the process as we clap, cheer and sing along to her jumps and laughter.

In case you too decide that you want to purchase a jumperoo for your little one (and you should consider it!), here are some tips to ensure you maximize your baby's safety while using it:

• Place it on a flat leveled surface; do not place it near staircases, pools or other hazardous areas.
• Keep the floor clear of share or pointy objects that your baby can jump on.
• Do not attach additional toys with strings to the product as they are possible strangulation hazard.
• Take note of the weights and height limit of the product and make sure to stop using the product once your baby reaches/exceeds the weight and height limit.
• Do not leave your baby with the product unsupervised.
• Stop using the jumperoo once baby starts learns to stand and walk.

Yes, the tips and safety concerns listed above do come down to plain common sense, but sometimes people need to be reminded of them... don't you agree?

Presenting... Keira, The Graduate!

One of Kevin's colleague was in the United States recently and bought Keira a cute little pink Harvard University onesie.

To complete the "graduate" outfit, I went hunting for a mini mortarboard all over town - from toy stores to all sorts of places. I finally found one at the flower shop!!!

TA-DA! Meet our 7 month old Harvard graduate! :)

Keira and Bella's Express Playdate

Yu Li and I have been talking about setting up playdates for months since we had our little girls. We both live on the same island, but why is it so hard to fix a day/time for it?

Finally, last week, we decided we really need to make it happen! 

Kevin and I were already headed out to Ferringhi area this weekend anyways with Keira, so earlier today, on the way to Ferringhi, we made a pit stop at Yu Li's home so that our little girls can have a quick first playdate.

Keira is just 6 months old, and Bella (Yu Li's little girl) is slightly a little older than her. Hence, there's not much moving around expected of the two since both are still learning to sit properly and walk, and Keira has not really mastered sitting up on her own yet. 

So, into the playpen you both go as the mommies catch up and watch the two babies form a connection.

Bella took the lead as they played "doctor and patient", so it seemed :) Keira was contented to just lie there on the pillow as a patient and have her pulse, ears and other body parts examined by the doc.

When Grand Uncle Loo and Grand Auntie Anne Came To Visit

Over the past weekend, my paternal relatives from Hong Kong, Uncle Loo and Auntie Anne, came to visit our newborn in Penang. They arrived in town on November 30, 2013 and spent two days with us.

Of all our Hong Kong relatives, I'm probably the closest to both Uncle Loo and Auntie Anne. Since I was young, we had always been staying at their home when we go balik kampung to Hong Kong on a yearly basis.

Keira just turned 6 months old and is in the phase of giving big smiles to just about anyone, wanting to be held by anyone, loves posing for photos and allowing mommy to dress her up in girly outfits. So, this was definitely a good time for them to come over, and the photos that came out from the visit definitely proved it!

First impressions count! Keira welcomes her grand uncle and aunt in style at the Penang International Airport...

A quick check-in at the hotel after picking them up at the hotel...

Isn't this like the perfect family photo of the three of them?

Even Kevin and I don't have a family picture as perfect as this taken with Keira.

Of course, a yummilicious home cooked meal by my mom is a must! (Also the reason why my mom was not at the airport to pick them up with us. She was busy in the kitchen preparing our scrumptious dinner.) To our family house we go...

A quick tour around Penang and local cuisines are also a must!...

And we also managed to make a quick stop at see our "weekend" condo too...

First Time Swimming!

We took the little munchkin swimming for the first time this weekend!!! 

Our condo has a pool that I've been wanting to try her out in, but coincidentally, we had a family weekend get-away at Bayview Beach Resort, Penang... So, we decided to make it happen here, today :)

Lttle Keira loves bath time, so we had a good feeling she would feel right at home in a pool. And she did!!!

We dressed her in the sexy, yellow 'Snow White' swimsuit (which daddy bought from the U.S. during a recent work trip), put some head gear and lots and lots of baby sunscreen... and voila, she was ready to hit the baby pool.

She kicked and spun like a pro in her baby float as soon as she was in the water. At 5 months+, she shows no fear... A natural in the water! I guess she takes after mommy in that area. Daddy does not know how to swim. *snap*

We even took a video as 'memorabilia' of her first swim experience... Watch this unedited version (also uploaded on YouTube here):

Oh yes, she had two swim sessions today, one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. After all, she has two baby floats which mommy and Grandma (my MIL) bought separately. We needed to test and see which works better. The orange one, which mommy bought from Ogival, seems to be a much more secure first baby float as it was more stable and supportive. Then again, the decision could just be due to my own bias *wink* :)

Whatever the case, innocent little Keira does not care much tor the 'safety aspect' of it. She's just happy to be in the water so that she is free to roam about on her own two feet, regardless of the color of the float.