Marko wishing happy holidays

My cousin Marko wishing everyone happy holidays, with the Happy Holiday Recipes :)))

Tips & Tricks from Electrolux: Enjoy new life

Most young parents see the world from an entirely new perspective when a baby is born. Day-to-day schedules become more complex and the need for support in the household increases drastically. Fortunately appliances are designed to increase both baby's and her parents' comfort. However, learning how to take full advantage of the multiple benefits of household appliances is often overlooked in the rush.

Electrolux, the world's leader in home appliances, has put together a brochure, especially to help improve parents' knowledge of appliances so that you can do even more to provide for your child's well being.

It is designed to help young parents, grandparents and potentially babysitters. It provides lots of nice tips and tricks, on milk and moving to solids, on preparing home cooked meals, using cookers, dishwashers, washing and drying machines, vacuum cleaners, and all the other home appliances. It also includes some very useful tips on things you always wanted to asked about, bu you haven't had any idea who to turn to for help. Such was (for me) the list of standard symbols of fabric care you see on clothes and textiles:

You can download the whole brochure here, or visit Electrolux Baby Care website for more info.

The 2009 single

If I was asked to make a 2009 top list, this would definitely be my no. 1 song from VH1.

The point of no return

No return now. I can walk.



and fall...

First day in kindergarten

Today was my first day in kindergarten.





There I met my new teachers Lile, Biljana and Ljupka, and my new mates.





So mom, dad, grandmas... don't you worry, I'll be just fine :)

Back on the track

So many milestones and so many new things happened meanwhile, and I haven't let my mom and dad take a breath and drop a line on the blog...



But I am back on the track now! I hope... :)

Samba, samba, samba...

A postcard from Brazil, from Andy and Elina.


Thanks guys! Luv ya!

Ivo's first day at school

September 1st is the most exciting day for many kids. Especially 6 year-olds. Like my cousin Ivo.

It is because September 1st is the day when the summer is over, but more importantly - it is the first day of school.

Traditionally, the first-graders' moms make the most delicious cakes on this date. That is why we, the other kids, are very exited to go there and celebrate the first day of school as well.



Moreover, yesterday was even more important day and my couisin Ivo was even bigger star: he and his classmates were on all the main news, together with the Minister of Education and the Mayor of Aerodrom! They were focused on the new books and (hopefully) on the Minister speech, that no one understood.

Good morning!

Yeeeey! I can sit unsupported now!

No need of pillows around me anymore! ;)



Good morning, mom and dad :)

Kindergarten

My parents took me to the kindergarten for the first time. As it seems I will go in kindergarten starting from this December, but we had to apply now if we wanted to save a place in the groups...

So we went there to submit the application form and to meet the kindergarten nursery maids. And I must say that I liked pretty much what I saw there. I saw children playing in the yard, I heard lots of laughter of happy kids... and I am becoming more and more exciting about going to kindergarten!

And for the parents who are also thinking of sending their kids to kindergarten, here is a small brochure, encouraging and providing tips on how to prepare the kid for kindergarten.

I have a 'стрина'!

Hey guys, do you know what else is new?

I (will) have a new aunt! Actually, it is called 'стрина' in Macedonian!

Her name is Suze, and she is my uncle Tosho's fiance (since last week). I haven't met her yet, but everyone says she is really nice :)

Well, ladies and gentlemen, here she is, стрина Сузе (the pretty blond girl on the right):

On the photo (from L to R): uncle Tosho, aunt Hristina and aunt-to-be Suze.
The engagement ring is in the middle :)

Introducing Foods Calendar

My mom has prepared a pretty handy calendar of introducing solid foods, based on things she has read and experiences other moms have shared with her. You can download the calendar by clicking here.

Also, if you really, really want to catch moments of baby's first foods, my one-and-only excel-mom has also prepared another calendar in which you can enter every food the baby has tasted, together with notes such as: date when first tried, form in which it was taken, and even how it was accepted (5 stars rating, where 1 is dislike; 3 - like; 5 - baby's favorite). Download from here.

My first solid foods

My first solid foods: carrot, paprika, plumb, grape, milk pap...

August 17: My first carrot juice. I loved it from the start!

August 21: My mom put a piece of paprika in my hand. I did what I usually do - I put in my mouth. And it was kinda nice. After that, my mom started to make me a paprika juice, which I also like a lot.

August 23: That afternoon I was enjoying the late summer sun in Volkovo when a piece of plumb somehow ended up in my mouth...

August 24: My very first milk pap and my very first solid food! I liked it so much that I could eat the plate itself!

August 25: My dad feeding me with Hip's milk pap. Soooooo tasty! Yammiiii!!!

But I still hate that apple juice...

August 11: WTF?!?!

My first milk pap

Yesterday my mom gave me some milk pap, a small amount, just enough to taste it. It was the first time I’ve tried some real (solid) food, other than her breast-milk and juices she usually gives me these days…

And for the whole time, I was holding the spoon on my own, very very tight:





I really loved my first milk pap! I loved it sooo much, that I almost ate the whole plate! And I mean literally: at the end mom and grandma Ata had to hide the plate away from me, because I could probably eat the plate itself too.

My newborn friends

Yesterday I got two new friends: Tara and Joana. They are both daughters of my parents' colleagues at work: Tara is daughter of Dzambo, my mom's colleague, and Joana is daughter of Dance, dad'd colleague.

Tara and Joana were born in the same day, but in different hospitals in Skopje. I can hardly wait to meet them and show them the world!

Vroooooomm!!!

Me, "driving" Milica's cabriolet :)

Introducing juices and solids

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 4-6 months, when it is the best time to introduce baby's first new tastes.

Usually apple juice is recommended to begin with, first as a 1:10 solution, and slowly introducing the juice only, in a baby bottle, up to 50-100 ml a day.

The menu is best to be extended once or twice a week, but not more often than that, because the baby needs some time to get use to and accept the new taste.

Here is a great baby cook-book (in Croatian) that you can use up to preschool age, with lots of advises and more than 100 recipes of baby food.

A good source of advises and recipes can also be found at Baby Centre web site. Annabel Karmel also offers lots of recipes and guides for babies and children on her web site.

An afternoon with Nikola

Yesterday I have spent a nice afternoon with my friend (and cousin) Nikola in Ramstore Mall. He was sending me kisses and smiles all day long.

I tried to send kisses back to him, but nobody thought me how to kiss yet...

Save the dolphins

Hope you understood what I've just said...

Before you start packing…

Summer holiday time. The dilemma where to spend holidays is probably not as hard as the question what should I take for the baby… Where to start?

You should have enough clean and comfortable baby clothes, a hat, diapers, bottles and pacifiers… lots of toys, a plastic pool… But before you even start packing these things, you’ll have to drop by in the closes pharmacy and get several things. Here’s the list:

1. Nifuroxazide. Nifuroxazide (INN) is an oral nitrofuran antibiotic used to treat colitis and diarrhea. It is sold under the brand names Ambatrol, Antinal, Bacifurane, Nifrozid, Ercefuryl, Endiex (CZ, SK, PL), Pérabacticel (FR) and Septidiaryl. It is sold in capsule form and also as a suspension.

2. Avil. AVIL Tablets, Retard and Syrup contain pheniramine maleate, a medicine used to treat allergic conditions such as hayfever, runny nose, itching skin and skin rashes. It is also used in the prevention and treatment of inner ear disorders (eg. Meniere's disease) and travel sickness. AVIL Decongestant also contains pheniramine maleate, ammonium chloride and menthol. It is used to treat chesty coughs, or chest or nasal congestion due to an infection or allergy.

3. Phenergan. Phenergan is used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, hives, and itchy skin rashes. Phenergan is an antihistamine that relieves nasal stuffiness and inflammation and red, inflamed eyes caused by hay fever and other allergies. It is also used to treat itching, swelling, and redness from hives and other rashes; allergic reactions to blood transfusions; and, with other medications, anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction).

4. Daleron (paracetamol) syrup/oral suspension. It has a fast effect, and beside reducing temperature it also eases the pain, and even anxiety.

5. High sun protection baby body milk, SPF 30+. Be sure you take baby sun milk, because it has to be hypoallergenic, free of perfume, alcohol and chemical filters. It is also good to be a waterproof if you plan to put your baby in the water. The baby sun milk protects baby skin from sunburn and irritation caused by light in a reliable and especially skin-friendly way.

6. Insect Repellent (exp: Autan). Protects against mosquito bites. But the most often question is what repellents are safe for babies and toddlers? One of the most effective ways to protect against mosquito bites is by using insect repellent with DEET. However, these products should be used with caution.

In 2001 the Environmental Protection Agency made the following recommendations regarding the safe use of insect repellent with DEET for children:

• Do not apply to infants under two months of age. (Skin permeability becomes similar to adult by the second month of life.)
• Read and follow all directions and precautions on the product label.
• Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to young children's hands or near eyes or mouth.
• Do not allow young children to apply products themselves.
• Use just enough to cover the exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Do not use under clothing.
• Avoid over-application.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
• Wash treated clothing before wearing again.
• Do not use spray solutions in enclosed areas or near food.
• For use on face, apply to adult hands and then rub on face. Do not spray face. Avoid areas around eyes and mouth.

Experts agree that insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective. Years of DEET use have resulted in relatively few reports of adverse reactions. Most reported incidents have not been serious.

Oh… and here is another tip: Before you even settle in the new hotel or apartment, find a pediatrician and write down his/her telephone number! Anything can happen and you might need a doctor in the middle of the night, when there is no one on the streets to ask for the closest pediatrician, doctor or ambulance.

So that’s about it…. Have a great holiday!

An improved 'good morning'

A short update on the previous post on my good-morning-surprises that I make for my mom and dad after I wake up...

This time I managed to turn around, crawl to the other end of the bed, throw out everything on my way (pillows, blanket...) and hide under the swaddling-pad, like in a cave.

I think I just discovered my new 'secret place'...

My first new taste

Yesterday I turned 5… months!

It was a big day for me, not only because of my mini-birthday, but also because I have tried for the first time in my life another taste other than my mom’s milk!

It was an apple juice. And I must admit I didn’t like it much. I was first eager to try it, but now that I did – I must admit it is far from what I expected. I am always so curious when I see mom or dad drinking something from their cups and glasses, and I guess they recognized that I am ready to try something new…



However, tomorrow is a new day, and I will prove them that I like new tastes, I just need some more time to get use to them :)

Welcoming my newborn friends

This week two new friends of mine were born: Angela Kazandziska on 1.08 and Luka Paunovski on 4.08.

Welcome, guys! I am looking forward to meeting you in person and to play with you! As a 'џомба', I will teach you how to roll, pinch, cry and laugh... how to eat your toys and toes... how to make your parents smile... I will teach you all kind of things, I promise!

Welcome!

Angela, Day 1

Luka, 3 weeks

The most effective lullaby

Update on the previous post on lullabies and nursery songs:

Болен ми лежи Миле Поп Јорданов. A Macedonian folk song, hymn of Veles.

The most effective lullaby, ever! All credits go to my dad!



Thanks, dad! :)

All my “good mornings”

I love mornings! I love when the sun comes out! I love when I see my mom and dad above my bed, kissing me and wishing me good morning!

But what I love most about mornings is their faces when they first see me: they are amazed -- and sometimes even shocked -- by my new posture every morning in my bed, and they wonder how in the world I’ve managed to get there!?!?!

I never cry to call them when I am awake, I usually just patiently wait for them to remember to check on me! And then they come to wish me good morning. Can you imagine their reaction when they see me smiling at them in an impossible posture?

After some time, when they’ve calmed down from the first shock, they started to record these postures of mine, so here are some of them. Note the posture on the first photos – that is the night posture, the sleeping posture. Now, watch the postures in the morning. Amazing, isn’t it?

These are simply all the different ways I wish them a good morning, too.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

I like when my mom or dad sing to me. Especially before they put me to bed. It makes me feel safe, and loved... But I also like to listen to music during the day, when I am awake.



My parents often wander what songs are best for me, or what music I like most. A recent survey, conducted in Great Britain, revealed that today’s parents are more likely to sing pop songs to their children, in hopes of calming them, than classic lullabies.

My mom, for instance, usually sings the following songs to me: “Twinkle, twinkle…”, “I love you, you love me…”, “The wheels on the bus”, “Елко, елко”, “Авионче бело крило”, “Како ли јас да пораснам”, and the funniest song “Pempico, Pempico kad cemo u Mexico….”! She claims that she couldn’t remember any other nursery rhymes. But she also likes to play me some music from her laptop, especially some classical pieces (Debussy is my favorite so far). My dad, on the other hand, prefers hmmmmhmmhm-ing rather than singing a particular song.



Here is my advice to parents (mine and other babies): let us listen to whatever we show you that we like! Try out our favorites, or classical music (the old standby), or spice things up with Brazilian or African tunes! Anything with a good melody will do, although slow songs may work best for bedtime and fast ones for play. In the morning, play classical music (choose something pleasant and happy, such as a tinkly piano concerto from Chopin or Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons") so we’ll wake up in a light and upbeat mood.

Music helps you bond with your child, too. When it comes to playing tunes for your kids, think cheerful and simple and stay away from head-banging rock, grunge music, or rap.

If you have trouble to remember some lullabies, you may want to check Babycentre or Parenting at iVillage for lullaby lyrics. A good basis of lullabies (with music) may be found on KIDiddles and on 1stNurseryRhymes.com.

For nursery rhymes in Macedonian, the best sources are Super Production YouTube channel (around 300 songs from Супер Ѕвезда Festival of children songs) or Златно Славејче playlist.

Good luck!

My dad...

My dad really has a style!

In the bookstore

What can I say, I like to read! ;)

Support my blog!

Dear friends,

If you like my blog, please do not hesitate to show your support!

You can do it simply by clicking the Google Ads in the sidebar! Not only will you help me continue writing and posting on regular basis, but you may find some solutions there as well, for you or for your baby!

Thank you in advance!

Mogly

My dad and I

My dad took me for a walk yesterday. After a while, somehow we found ourselves in Bravo Cafe, for a beer. Exhausting walk, I must say...

The big moment

Today I met my aunt Hristina, for the first time! It was a moment to remember...

Steeling my toys....

My dad loves to steel my toys and play with them. Sometimes he gives my toys a band new function! It's his rich imagination though...

Funny uncle Nesho

A big day

Today is a big day for me: I am finally going to meet my aunt Hristina! She is coming today in Skopje from Graz, Austria, where she studies music.

I am very excited!

Left-leg phenomenon

I want to be in a good shape for the summer. That is why I exercise hard these days. But with my left leg only. My dad joins me in this left-leg-only exercising phenomenon.

At work

This is me, blogging and Facebooking:

What is my eyes color?

Well, my eyes color is changing from day to day. I was born with blue eyes, and since then they look different every day... sometimes they are dark blue, sometimes brown, sometimes they look greenish...


Today they were brown, and two days ago they looked pretty green... Who knows how they'll turn out at the end :)

Pregnancy tip: When the time comes

My mom continues with her top tips for other moms (and dads) to be. Today on the Manu – when THE time comes: getting ready, heading to the hospital, what to take for the hospital, etc.

1. Have your documents ready in your purse: health insurance card, blood type card, and history of pregnancy documents (optional): pregnancy card, microbiology tests, laboratory results, ultrasound, etc. (this is especially important if you deliver at doctor other than your health-care provider that knows your pregnancy).

2. The midwife on your Lamaze classes in the State Hospital (Државна болница) probably told you that you have at least 2-3 hours from your first pain to the time when you should head to hospital. Wrong! When the pains and contractions start - go! Don’t wait, just go!

3. No need to rush to have the bag ready months before the full term! Yes, it is good to have everything ready before the baby comes, but don’t panic if it isn’t – while you are in a hospital, daddy take care of it!

4. If you want your bag ready anyway – this is the list of things you would need. Remember, you will need these things only if you plan to deliver in one of the state hospitals. If you go to a private one, the only thing you’ll need is: toothpaste, cell telephone, and a positive thought. These are some other lists I found on the net (1, 2), and this is my list (3), all of them in Macedonian.

5. At the end, as John Zakour says in his “Man’s Guide to Pregnancy”: No use writing much about the trip to the hospital, because you won’t even remember it anyway.

Baby Einstein does wonders!

Few weeks ago I have discovered television. I am still fascinated by the moving pictures and the talking (and singing) heads that come out from that strange box: once my eye reach it, I can’t help myself – I simply must turn my head towards it, whenever my in someone’s arms…

It didn’t took me long to build an attitude for certain TV programs. Beside my favorite sports TV shows (‘The strongest man’ on EuroSport channel, and sometimes a good football game), my definitely No. 1 is Baby Einstein DVDs! My favorite video stories are Baby Mozart, Baby Galileo, Baby’s First Moves and Baby Monet.

Baby Einstein is a line of multimedia products (and toys) that specializes in interactive activities for children aged 3 months to 3 years old. Subjects such as classical music, art, and poetry are prominently explored. These products are currently made by a division of the Walt Disney Company, marketed under the slogan, "Where Discovery Begins". Baby Einstein DVDs are very popular with many parents who desire to provide an early boost to their children's cognitive development.

Although my mom and dad don’t allow me to watch it very often, cause they believe that too much TV is not too healthy, when I am cranky or simply not in the mood the only thing that helps (after my parents have tried everything else) is watching Baby Einstein DVDs! I sometimes am able to watch it for more than one hour, have a 30 minutes nap, wake up and that continue to watch it again for another hour!

That is why my parents admit that Baby Einstein really does wonders!

Am I the cutest or what?

Photos taken before we headed to Ivo's birthday party.


Am I the cutest or what?!?! :)

Yummy!

After days and days of practicing, I finally managed to put my toe in my mouth! Soooooooo tasty! Yummy!!!

The historic moment captured!

In other words...

What I am really trying to say is...

My language

... and this is how I actually talk to adults! :)

My new happy sounds

These are my new 'happy' sounds. This is when I am happy and excited.

Drooling at Nikola

Drooling at Nikola :) Прва лига! :))

The world around me…

I am starting to draw some conclusions about the world around me. It is strange how small things can fascinate me…

I am looking at everything with curiosity, even my own reflection in the mirror. I observe carefully the objects around me; I take time to observe them before I grab them! I am mastering my grabbing skills and anything within my reach is fair game now.

When we are with friends, I try to hear the richness of human interaction. I enjoy watching the antics of other babies, toddlers, and pets, as well as of adults.

I sometimes stop sucking my thumb or my paci just to listen to certain voices and sounds. I especially enjoy when someone coos or makes noises at me, and I try to sing along. That is how I express my excitement! I gurgle, smile, I ooh and coo. And the fun has really begun as I am starting to laugh loud.

My friend Gerard…

My friend Gerard, my favorite giraffe.



Mind not my dad at the end of the clip. He just came from work and had another bizarre day in Tetovo.

Hands in, drool out

I first discovered my hands a couple of weeks back, and now I am downright fascinated with them!

I spend lots of time watching and examining them, putting them in my mouth, and trying to suck on them. I sometimes even spit out my favorite pacifier, just to make space in my mouth for my hands!

It may seem that I am becoming a bit obsessed with my newly discovered digits, but this form of self-comfort is sometimes very soothing for me. Which, on the other hand, gives my parents a little break, too.

My salivary glands have been working since I was still in utero, but now you may notice that I have also started to drool. That is why I am producing more saliva than I can swallow and I am putting everything in my mouth, beside my hands. This doesn't mean that I am teething just yet, although I may sprout my first tooth in the incoming weeks. Most babies do that between 4 and 7 months of age.

Love whispers

My friend Davor, and me. In a baby romance. Love whispering.

‘Примерок’ is a very funny word

Research shows that babies whose parents speak to them extensively have significantly higher IQs and bigger vocabularies when they get older than other children, so interaction is especially important right now.

Maybe this is why my mom and dad talk to me all the time as to an adult! However, I must say they very often use very strange and funny words. Such as fish, sample, and so on.

One of the funniest words I’ve heard them say is the word “примерок”, which actually means “a copy”. I just couldn’t stop laughing when I first heard this word!

Reading time

The most exciting part of my day is when mom or dad read to me.

I like board books that have large, bright and colorful pictures, from which my parents read or just narrate. I already have a list of my favorite books: Snow White and the seven dwarfs, The wolf and the seven goats … And no, I don’t have anything against other numbers beside 7!

Ironically enough, I somehow cannot get used yet to the story of Mogly and the Jungle book, though my mom and dad really believed that this would be the right story for me! But I will give a second chance to the story. Maybe the book is just not colorful enough for my age.

I sometimes also hear them reading to me some strange things I don’t understand. It must be something which is written for adult ears and not for babies my age. I remember my mom reading me loud some strange things about yields, stocks, values and annuities while she was studying for her final exams, and my dad reading to my mom some illiterate and bizarre stories written by his students, on which they both laughed very loud!

At the end, reading to me, even at this young age, will pay off. Hearing my parents read helps me develop an ear for the cadence of language. And varying the pitch of their voices, using accents, and singing makes the connection between us much more interesting.

My 15th week: Rock and roll and growing strong

I am almost 15 weeks now and I weigh 6.8 kilos! I still have a small constipation problems (for a month already), but I think it is slowly going away.

I can now lift my head and hold it up for several moments and longer, while lying on her back, or on my tummy. When sitting with support, I am able to hold my head steady and erect. I already even manage to sit up with minimum support. When I am on my stomach, I lift my head and chest to about 45 degrees as if I am doing mini-pushups.

I need enough space to stretch and move my arms and legs. I simply enjoy moving as I please at the moment. These movements can help me strengthen and tone my developing muscles. On my tummy, I am starting to push off with my legs — the first step in getting on the move.

I am now learning how to rock and roll — well, maybe just roll. At this age, I am starting to move from my side to my back and my back to my side. The complete roll over will probably come for a month or so, though, because I need stronger neck and arm muscles for that maneuver. For that purpose, I exercise every day, with help of mom and dad, but I also watch my favorite sports TV show – ‘The strongest man’ on EuroSport channel.

My movements are also getting more and more coordinated. The jerky arm and leg movements of my newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when I am watching mom, dad, other people, my toy-friends or while watching TV.

My increasing mobility makes my diaper changes very difficult. My parents can no longer leave me unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface now that she can move around. And I will make even more and more difficult for my mom and dad in the next months! So they better be prepared!