Morgan Week 9

What has been fascinating this week is Morgan’s apparent communicative responses. It has been clear in recent weeks that he is no longer attempting to communicate by crying only. When talking with him he looks closely at the mouth and face and is ready to smile broadly much sooner on first greeting – less time seems to be taken to establish that he knows who is speaking to him. Physically he shows more variety in the way he uses his tongue, mouth and lower face when being talked to. A wider range of sounds is emerging – coos, sighs, little yelps and longer, deeper pitched, light moans and more recently, shouts, instead of the usual cries for food. He seems to be anxious to relay something to you. He smiles easily, often in response to smiles and cajoling sympathetic sounds and also to questions. It is obvious that when speaking to him a range of expressions, comments and questions should be used.
Joining the library has brought benefits. He seems to listen to stories and is interested in the brighter and more obvious illustrations. Alliteration, rhyme and odd sounds all bring a response and he was attracted to the Little Honey Bunny book and the little honeys song. Some way needs to be found of arranging reading so that he can look at pictures as the story is being told. As it is, when he is lying in his cot his attention has to be drawn to the pictures after the page or story has been read. Synchronising the reading with seeing the pictures would be beneficial. The more complex mobiles and wall pictures devised by Joelle increasingly hold his attention, and he can be left to look at these for quite long spells. Margaret’s three dimensional mobiles are also particularly successful but, so far, she has not got him to differentiate between a pyramid and a cylinder – but give him time! (J: According to the book by Doman, one should flash objects and cards quickly as babies take less time to process information than adults. We tend to think that they may need to stare at something for a while before information is assimilated. Apparently, babies are far smarter than we think!) Getting the mobiles to move also extends his concentration. He could start distinguishing his cot ‘mates’ if they are introduced regularly each morning (Madam Hippo, Teddy Brown, Pooh, Jumbo et al). The flash cards with words also attract his attention. (J: Hopefully, Morgan will be able to read his own little story books by the age of 2!). Variety and consistent presentation seem to be important at this stage.
Physically Morgan seems a strong and wiry little boy. His grip continues to strengthen and he grasped the handling pieces well when he was introduced to them. He seems readier to hold onto things and clasp them to him. He is not yet taking the initiative, such as grasping or deliberately knocking down his cot mates. He kicks well and responds to pressure by vigorously pushing away a hand placed against his foot or feet. He still seems full of pent-up energy, at times going like a perpetual motion machine as his feet pedal, arms pump and wave, and passing through the gamut of his expressions and sounds. It gives joie de vivre a new dimension! Music seems to make little impact as yet but he seems to like Margaret’s singing and sing-a-long tunes. Also, we started playing salsa and jazz at his bath time, and he seems to be dancing to the beat. We took him ‘round the block’ in his push-chair for the first time and this seemed to have achieved what he wanted – much needed sleep. A major current drawback is that he is not getting his full three and a half hours sleep each day. He seems to have catnaps and a daily sleeping pattern has not yet been successfully established. However, and this is possibly more important, he sleeps very well at night. This possibly accounts for his bounce and chirpiness at first light in the morning. Perhaps he is going to be a ‘morning person’!

Morgan Week 8

Morgan was taken to church on Sunday and this was followed by a visit to the Library. This involved enrolling Morgan as a member of the Library. He received several joining gifts - a range of books on parenting and some nice story books. In addition he took out the eight books he was allowed. Huw suggested that in future I used Morgan’s card for my books. We could explain that the four ‘adult’ texts were for reading aloud to Morgan – he could read the children’s texts himself! The books were most attractive and included one story by Beatrice Potter and a range of others. A particularly interesting book was about introducing a rabbit and other animals – Look, Peter Rabbit. The last page is a mirror so that Morgan sees himself. The inevitable Jemima P. was selected and a rather nice one with a song about the little honeys. One that he liked was the pictures in the Peter Rabbit book. It shows the great advantage of having a good library available – such a contrast to Thailand!
The morning dialogue continues to be a very enjoyable feature of the day. Margaret uses this time to show him the various stimulation material prepared, and his attention spans get a little longer. Morgan showed great pleasure this morning (Monday) when Margaret whistled to him. He seemed to really enjoy the sound and laughed and smiled as she whistled her ‘tune’ to his face. Exposing Morgan to a range of sounds is important but he showed a little concern about my grunting at one stage! Reading and soothing words got him off to sleep, but only temporarily. Once he was feeling hungry the bellowing started and his yelling made sure that Auntie rushed to get his food. He really does display a roaring disposition when he wants his food! What emerged more clearly towards the end of the week was an apparent wish to communicate with the person speaking to him. The range of sounds has increased and he shapes his mouth into an O and bubbles a little. What is noticeable is that a series of sounds may lead then to crying. Can the sounds be a preliminary to the crying or is the crying the result of not being able to communicate? Kelvin remarked on this aspect of his development and was impressed at the way he was attempting to make sounds. This is all evidence of a much greater awareness of Morgan to people and his surroundings.
Morgan’s perceptions seem to be extending. Rapt attention is being paid to mobiles and three different sets are being used; Joelle is very adept at designing and producing them. As Margaret circles 4 of them above the cot he follows them around. He switches from one after a few seconds and then does the same with the next. He smiled and gurgled when looking at them at first and they seem a very good stimulant. Similarly, he is paying more sustained attention to the animals in his cot when they are introduced to him. When lying in the morning he is alert and seems to be paying more attention to figures in the murals along his cot. Playing records does not stimulate but it is good for his sense of rhythm. It will be interesting to see when he takes note of a particular sound or tune. His grip and kicking are strong and Morgan is developing into a very wiry child.
Towards the end of the week he was staying awake too much in the day. He was good with the mobiles when in his push chair/pram and showed great response. On Saturday there was an expedition to United Square which featured a huge range of shops and services for children. The learning services were notably diverse and the crowds in attendance were quite overwhelming. It is clear from such a Mall that people in Singapore are very achievement orientated.
Auntie left on the Friday the day Huw finished his work with the firm. A new maid is expected in just over a week and we hope she is up to Auntie’s standard. Auntie’s Chinese cooking was very nice indeed and she proved a good minder of mother and baby.

Morgan Week 7

On Sunday Morgan went with Huw, Joelle & Margaret to church. He was his usual well-behaved self. Joelle, Auntie and Margaret took Morgan to see a paediatrician. He did not do a Grandpa when he had his injection - it was administered without fuss or problems. The paediatrician was very pleased with his progress and commented on his strength and alertness. At six weeks old he is able to lie on his stomach and raise his head quite high. His body strength was particularly noticeable.
Morgan has confirmed this by the way he behaves in his cot. He pushes very well with his feet against a hand - a sort of knees-bend and straighten exercise. He does this in a more coordinated way now and seems to be exercising with you. He continues to flail his legs when moving on his own but there is much less wind-milling of the arms and shaking of the legs than there used to be. This may be because he now responds to hand holding and moves his arms in unison. What is quite striking is that his grip with both hands is getting progressively stronger. He holds on to a finger or a thumb very well now, and appears to enjoy doing so. He seems almost ready to hold on and lift himself up. When he is lying on his stomach on the play mat he lifts his head quite easily for a short time. While doing he looked around for the source of a noise.
Morgan continues to show great alertness. He seems capable of sustaining attention for longer periods, not just momentarily. This is obvious when he seems to be following a story and his smiles now appear to be far more reactive; he almost laughs and gurgles in the right places! This is most noticeable in the early morning when he seems very willing to engage in communication. He listened to the start of the Bear Scout story book but took little notice of the pictures. Different noises attract his attention and he responds to them increasingly well. For example, he is fascinated by Margaret’s distinctive (peculiar!) whistle. He sustains and shows interest in the increasingly diverse and striking murals that Joelle has made and can be seen gazing at them when alone. Morgan takes a little more interest in the seven cot companions – Pooh Bear, Brown Bear, Betty the Cow, Pilly the Caterpillar, Jumbo the Elephant and Madam Hippo – who are paraded regularly. In addition, he is being subjected to assorted music; there is no evidence as yet as to whether The Magic Flute is a favourite or not.
Saturday there was an expedition to the Ford Factory Museum. Morgan was a bit upset in the car going and was determined to make his demand for food clear, and also when we had lunch in a food court. Joelle retired to the car to satisfy Morgan’s hunger! Earlier Sumei and Joanna called round, and were impressed with the way he was responding to Grandpa’s nonsensical monologue. Overall Morgan is fast becoming an individual. It is too early to see whether he has likes or dislikes or what he really wants – unless it is food or a clean napkin! He seems to enjoy being stimulated both physically and mentally so engaging him in a range of activities is a priority at this stage.

Morgan Week 6

On Sunday Morgan went with Huw, Joelle & Margaret to Church for the first time where he was greatly admired. Later in the afternoon we all went to Johanna and Siva’s apartment block for Morgan’s one-month celebration. I feared that Joelle’s car would be too small for Huw, Joelle, Margaret, myself, Auntie and Morgan! There was no problem – Huw had bought a new Audi about which they had kept quiet! Approximately one hundred attended, including many children and Morgan’s cousin Keeran, and all enjoyed the poolside barbecue/buffet put on by caterers, and the culinary treats prepared by Auntie. There were many presents for Morgan who behaved very well, and did his little act on a few occasions. It was a very successful and happy occasion.
Morgan is always at his liveliest in the morning. Joelle has done an excellent mural with assorted shapes and pictures, and has placed it on the wall above his cot. Morgan seems to be looking at it when he is on his own sometimes. As a result of the party he now has more company in the cot – Pooh Bear, Brown Teddy, Betty the Cow have all joined Jumbo and Madam Hippo. He seems to look at them more, and also still responds well to the mobile of plates and the various black and red shapes. Dangled above him he seems to follow them quite intently. He continues to kick vigorously and juggles the ball about between his feet when it is placed there. In addition, his grip in both hands seems to be getting a little firmer but he does not yet hold things. Huw still holds him somewhat awkwardly at the neck, but always ensures that the back of Morgan’s head is firmly supported.
He is certainly developing a good pair of bellows and his crying is determined and lusty. This is certainly so when he wants to be fed. He has started to make different noises. For example, a distinct gurgle can be heard sometimes when he is happily involved in looking at and apparently playing with someone. His smiles are more frequent, and on occasions in the morning he responds to long spells of talking with delightful and distinctive smiles. He seems to be responding to chatter and happy talk. On one occasion when being held by myself – rather tentatively, I am afraid – he made three quite loud and sustained contributions to Singapore’s carbon footprint. Huw noticed it and, on inspection, the outcome of the emission was there for all to see – and smell! He still finds relief from wind by back rubbing. I also find that he sometimes falls asleep after a session of my nonsense and other songs. It seems that sleeping is the preferred alternative to my singing. Joelle clearly thinks that avoiding pomposity is desirable when talking to Morgan! Margaret continues to serenade him with Welsh airs and lullabies. Overall he is responding more to stimulation.On Saturday we all went out for breakfast to Vivo City at a toast specialist stall in the big and popular food court there. It is an impressive complex, not least because of the cluster of shops and services for young babies and children. Mothercare has a good range of swimming wear such as trunks and even goggles! The very modern pushchairs ranged from about S$600 to S$1800. In a place next door classes were offered and being conducted on holding and physically stimulating young babies and toddlers. About ten children and their parents were being processed. At a place nearby, swimming equipment and lessons were available for young babies and children. We wondered at the range of facilities now being offered to new parents and their ready-to-be-stimulated offspring. Morgan slept while we marvelled.

Morgan Week 5

It has been ordained that this must be a weekly diary as a daily one is getting rather repetitive. The principal events of the week and Morgan’s development shall be recorded. This is sensible but one must remember that the effort must be made. Time goes by too fast, the moment must be caught, much is ephemeral:

The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon
Turns Ashes--or it prospers; and anon,
Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face,
Lighting a little hour or two--is gone.

It must be recorded now or never!

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.

Sunday was family day and the two newest additions to the clan were paraded. Morgan was nearly a month old and was at his liveliest. Neither partook of the pleasant vegetarian take away lunch from downstairs chosen by Sumei, and Huw, and nor did Siva who was motor-biking in Malaysia.

Morgan is increasingly responsive to the stimulators that Margaret and Joelle have devised. The four-plate mobile that Margaret made certainly holds his attention and he seems to look at each shape in sequence. The Mama and Papa faces drawn by Joelle also catch his eyes as does the lollipop one. Joelle has designed an attractive mural made up of different shapes and pictures in black and red to put up on the wall next to his cot. He has been seen to lie there looking at these and this reinforces that he is taking more visual notice of his surroundings. The puppet hippo and the small elephant rattle seem to attract his attention more. In short, he is becoming increasingly aware of his environment.

His motor development continues apace. He is wiry, sturdy, and vigorously active. He spends much time ‘bowling’ over-arm alternately with both arms, kicking in sequence and screwing up his face into all sort of expressions. It almost seems a form of frustration, because it is not always followed by crying. It just seems an explosion of energy. He is now beginning, and for the first time, to actually grasp a finger and does so with both his left and right hands. He continues to push against weight placed against his foot and does this a number of times when stimulated to do so. His demands for food still consist of spirited and loud bawling; he continues to let you know that he wants to be picked up! Sometimes it is hard to resist responding to his demands! His range of expressions is notably increasing. He is most lively in the morning and I found that he seemed to respond to my smiling with a big smile one morning. Talking and singing certainly has a pacifying effect, and he appears to enjoy both, and even tickling but there is no direct response to a tickle as yet. An odd gurgle has been detected, sounding like a strangled word! In short, he has established himself as the household character.