Saturday, April 23, 2005

The Tongue - Week 17

By this time, Theo has begun to seriously explore his world and his surroundings, and his adventures (or misadventures?) are never complete unless he uses the most sensitive part of his anatomy, one that provides instant feedback and results: his tongue.

In the photo below, Theo, now 17 weeks old and wearing his first jumper and cap, proudly displays his most important exploratory tool. At this age, he can already grasp objects, and if we're not looking, any object that he can hold on automatically undergoes tongue analysis and (salivary) scrutiny. Thus, we're really keeping an eagle eye on him, making sure that no small objects are within his reach.

In the second photo below, our little bundle of cuteness shows you why he can easily melt anybody's heart.



Sunday, April 17, 2005

The Stars - Week 16



Last night, Mommy D and I were browsing over Theo's photos since he was born 16 weeks ago and we can't help but be amazed at how rapidly and dramatically he has changed these past few months. (You may review the archives to see this for yourself.)

By this time, he can already proficiently support his head and back when he is placed in a sitting position. He can also deliberately reach out and manipulate the mobile toys dangling from his crib. He can also track voices and faces with his ears and eyes, respectively. He can also respond very excitedly to conversation by smiling, cooing and babbling intentionally. Sometimes he would make the same repetitive sounds as if trying to express a thought or emotion. In other words, in terms of social, mental, motor and language development, he is very much on the right path.

I think much of it has to do with the tremendous amount of time and attention that we spend on him. One of the books that I'm reading says why this is important:

"Perhaps the most striking finding is the extent to which developmental progress during the first six months appears to be influenced by maternal stimulation. The amount and quality of stimulation are highly related to I.Q. These data suggest that mothers who give much and intense stimulation and encouragement to practice developmental skills tend to be successful in producing infants who make rapid developmental progress. The appropriateness of the stimulation to the child's individual and developmental characteristics as well as gratification of his needs and mother's affectional exchange, also help mental development."

To that, we say "Amen." Indeed, the first years last forever!

(Now you know why we are avidly maintaining this blog.)

Sunday, April 10, 2005

First Sakura - Week 15



Today marks Theo's first Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Party together with the Association of Filipino Scholars in Tsukuba (FAST).

This afternoon near the Amakubo Pond of Tsukuba University, Mommy D, Theo and I joined other Tsukuba-based Filipino students and researchers in an afternoon of bingo, food and socials, which is a traditional year-opener of FAST. (Japan's fiscal year begins on April 1.) We also welcomed the new students who arrived on April 4 and renewed ties with those whom we hadn't met for some time.

All in all, it was a very successful activity, a bright foreboding of better things to come for the organization and its members under the new leadership.

In the photo above, Theo is seen with the very beautiful cherry blossoms and the Amakubo Pond in the background. Those who had met Theo today for the first time couldn't help but comment on how cute and handsome he is. Well, it really isn't surprising given how "cute" his father is.

(Ngek! Maybe you mean "acute"? hehe...)

Sunday, April 03, 2005

Funny Faces - Week 14

Mommy D had a lot of free time in her hands this week so she spent some of them snapping up Theo's funny faces using our trusty old digital camera. And as you can clearly see from the photos below, this little joker of ours can really look hilarious and adorable at the same time.

Hehe...Theo, I hope you'll forgive us when you're much older. You're really such a cute and lovable baby!



Saturday, April 02, 2005

Third Month Vital Statistics



Yesterday, April 1, Mommy D and Theo went to the Tsukuba University Hospital for Theo's 3rd month checkup. And as always, Theo aced his charts, as you can see from the graphs above. Some textbooks say that babies double their birth weight in six months, but in Theo's case, he has almost doubled it in three. The numbers indeed speak for themselves. I need not say more.