Haircut

First haircut was 13m, Benja was quietly observing the hairdresser and only started crying at the last stage when his hair needed trimming by the electric trimmer.

Second was at 17m before Chinese new year. He started crying as soon as the inexperienced hairdresser switched on the trimmer right at the beginning of the session.

This time, Benja refuse to even sit on the barber's chair. Both barber and mummy awkwardly apologised to each other and we left.

So Daddy asked 姑丈 if we could borrow his electric trimmers. He said yes. We went over and Daddy started shaving the back of Benja's head. 姑姑 held Benja's body still while mummy and the cousins watched on helplessly as Benja cried throughout the session. Even after he's done, Daddy would re-examine the hair and say some parts require more trimming. The process starts again.

Poor Benja, he cried so much that mucous dripped into his lips. Benja tasted his own mucous for the first time!

It took a long 10 minutes for the sobbing to die off.

Back home, Mummy stealthily trimmed and neaten the fringe and borders with scissors. Benja walked all around the house doing his own business. He took the cut quite well. Phew!

Bra

Bra bra!

Mummy opened the umbrella to show Benja how it works. Benja got really interested and learnt the word "bra (umbrella)" immediately.

When Benja is interested in something, he would want to explore it on his own. He touched the spokes, swinged the umbrella about, and... hit it on the ground.

"Snap!" goes the umbrella. Oops one of the spokes broke.

Hee... what a price to pay for teaching Benja one new word...

Grandma's place

Kembangan Ma Ma is going on a long vacation. Kind Tampines Ah Ma will be 'hosting' Benja for the next two weeks.

Benja looks totally comfortable sitting on the sofa and listening to Ah Ma's teachings.

Have fun bonding with Ah Ma and Ah Kong!

Benja can

Benja seemed different after the fever. Different in a good way.

Physically, Benja can climb up onto the dining table from the bench. He wanted to get some food on the dining table, it was not out of mischief. Benja can dance in a stationary position by bending his knees and clapping his hands when Barney or the kids are dancing. Benja can pick up small red beans with the pincer grip and transfer them from one container to another at Grandma's house. Benja also finds it fun to 'pour' his Nano cars back and forth from the stacking cups.

Interllectually, Benja can 'talk' about things out of sight. He recalls, "Cock. Scared." after returning from Sentosa. When he wants Daddy or Mummy to take him out, he would bring their shoes to them and get them to wear.

Language wise, Benja says "mine!" for things that he doesn't want to let go of. He must have learnt this from his older cousins who argue over toys all the time. *rolls eyes*

Emotionally, Benja is well-attached to Mummy. He expresses small displeasures by booing (mummy doesn't know where he learns it from!). He expresses anger by smacking the 'assaulter', screaming or sweeping Daddy's glasses on the floor. When unsure or nervous, he would cling on to Mummy or even rub his fingers against one another.

Socially, Benja is much friendlier and a sweeter talker than Mummy. He smiles readily at strangers, says goodbye out of his own initiative and takes a keen interest in people, especially children.

Mummy is proud that you are developing so well, Benja! ^^

Side track: For the past month, Benja would refuse to go to sleep during bedtime. He bangs on the bedroom door for us to let him out. Then he would patrol the house and only return to the bedroom when he is satisfied.