MATTHEW LOOKS SPORTY AT 7TH MONTH

Sitting down without being held by someone is the visible physical developmental milestone of Matthew.   Prior to this, he can sit without being supported but in just a snap of second, his body will fall to the front, because he cannot hold his weight.

All these pictures were taken on September 2, 2020 which marked his 7th month.  He was with me and his father.

 

FIRST TIME TO SIT DOWN WHILE BATHING

Dated August 29, 2020, this is the first time that Matthew had a bath where he was relaxed while seated at the basin.   This time, he wanted to explore the basin and he enjoyed tapping the water.  He did not like anymore to lie down at his support platform.

7TH VACCINATION

Due to his heavy weight, his father is the one who always accompany Matthew for the vaccination.  This time it is his seventh vaccination dated August 5, 2020 which is the third dosage of Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV).

I have been looking at him when the vaccine injection was administered and he did not have reaction at first.  He was just looking around.

However, he cried when he was put in a weighing scale.  Just wondering that the last time he was weighed, that was July 29, 2020, he was at 8.2 kilos.  This time, he only weighed 7.5 kilos.  His next vaccination will be on September 9, 2020 which will be for Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

After his vaccination, we strolled in front of our building to get some fresh air.  Well, obviously, he enjoyed the short walk, rather ride because he was on a stroller.

 

FIRST SOLID INTAKE

Though, he has been taking other liquid forms like Milo and juice which started when he was 5 1/2 months, this time is his first time to take a soup with Malunggay and porridge.

He may not eat heavily but whenever the spoon is taken away, he would cry.  Obviously, he likes more.  When the soup bowl is put down, he would cry looking at where the bowl has been put.

MORE CHARMING AT 6 MONTHS

Matthew was on his 6th month on August 2, 2020.  He is becoming playful and charming.  He knows how to keep one's attention already.

How can one resist from this very cute face.  He makes faces.  Without being asked, he makes a gesture of "beautiful eyes" blinking continuously his eyes showing how happy he is.

Look, how playful he is.  He likes it very much when he is being watched by us rolling on the soft mat.   He is just so adorable.

And here he is!  Still with high spirits playing with us.  Every minute looking at him is like a show and we can't help but pick him up and cuddle.

The picture above was taken during our afternoon nap.  While I already feel sleepy, Matthew is still on high spirits.  So, his father has to take care of him while I am already sleeping.

Very tired after the sunset viewing at our building's rooftop.  He likes it there because, it is windy and he likes to watch the kids playing and calling his name.

FATHER AND SON BONDING DESPITE MATTHEW'S LIGHT FEVER

The other day, July 29, 2020, Matthew had three vaccinations and in the evening he had experienced light fever.  He kept on crying and barely gave us, too, a sleep.

Today, however, July 30, 2020, his temperature dropped to almost normal level.  Thus, he became playful to his father.   They definitely had a quality time playing together.

At around 3:00 P.M. today, his fever subsided and he was back to normal again.  Thus, he can afford to giggle and play again with me and his father.

6TH VACCINATION AND BEYOND

Administering the third dose for OPV

            His 6th vaccination dated July 29, 2020 was composed of another three vaccines.  The first as shown in the picture above is the third dose of OPV or Oral Polio Vaccine.

Getting ready for the first vaccine injection

             The second vaccine was in a form of injection.  This is the third dose of Pentavalent - Hib vaccine.  Actually, Matthew did not cry when he received the first injection vaccine.

Just finished the first injection vaccine which is the Pentavalent - Hib

                The nurse who administered the injection vaccine knew how to do her job.  She was actually playing first with Matthew and he was responding with a giggle and smile.

Getting ready for the second injection vaccine

                It was flattering that the staff of the barangay health center where the vaccination was administered were so fond of Matthew.  Why not, they were so entertained when he giggles and laughs aloud.  They were so amazed how cute he is.

The nurse playing first with Matthew before she finally gave the injection

              We just wondered why Matthew did not cry on the first administration of the injection vaccine of Pentavalent - Hib and hoped that he would not cry for the second vaccine injection.

No immediate reaction on the second vaccine injection

               We thought that he will not cry as a reaction to the second vaccine injection but he did though it was a delayed reaction.  He did it just shortly.  The third vaccine was the IPV, where it stands for Inactivated Polio Vaccine.

Being weighed at 9.2 kilos

             IPV is the only dosage given after 14 weeks together with OPV 3.  Yes, they were both administered this time.  This vaccine was not actually administered after 14 weeks after birth but rather on the 25th week.  The reason for this was that, vaccination from the barangay health center was suspended for the last half of March until the third week of May due to the ECQ and GCQ.

As a substitute for Kool Fever

             IPV is given by shot in the leg or arm, depending on the patient's age.  CDC recommends that children get four doses for OPV but Matthew is received three OPV doses and the IPV is the fourth dose of polio vaccine.  You see, polio vaccines are vaccines used to prevent poliomyelitis.  There are two types used: an inactivated poliovirus given by injection and a weakened poliovirus given by mouth.  The World Health Organization recommends all children be fully vaccinated against polio.

Having light fever early in the evening

             The fever-prone post vaccination effect kept on improving.  The first time he received a vaccine injection, his fever was too high at 39%, but this time, it was only a light fever.  He is actually given for free Paracetamol and we were advised to give it to him right after the vaccination which was administered at 9:20 A.M.

Nexcare cooling fever patch is a big help

              He got only light fever at around 4:00 P.M. But prior to that he was playing and giggling.  He kept on laughing when his mother gestures to whisper a sound from his ears.

MATTHEW AT 5 MONTHS AND 23 DAYS

The photo above along with the photos below were taken on July 25, 2020 on Matthew's 5 months and 23 days.  I can a see a lot of development on him.

First thing that I noticed was, he can already sit with a support from his back.  Earlier than this, he cannot sit with his back.  He usually drops his body to the front.  

Secondly, he knows already to please and entertain the people around him.  He easily gives a smile with a loud giggle.  

Thirdly, he grabs fast the things with easy reach from him.  Likewise, he has such strong legs that kicks  near with him and even with objects.

Fourthly, he becomes more playful than demands to be cuddled.  He cries less and prefers to be occupied with gripping or grabbing things and other manipulative objects near him.

But one thing I have noticed, he does not want to step his legs as a sign that he is starting to walk.  He legs show a strong anchor when standing but he does not want to move it forward or backward.

Another thing I noticed was, when he is close to his father, he tends to grab the latter's short pants where he used it even make himself closer to him.  And then, he embraces his father's legs.

While he keeps his body rolling most of the time or flips his body oftentimes, he does not know how to carry his body to crawl forward.

Indeed, Matthew is an everyday treat to us in the house.  He is the joy of everybody.  It is worth to take care of him every minute.  His angelic smile is more than enough to compensate my sacrifices as a mother.

ENJOYING GIVING A BATH TO MATTHEW

Being a mother, I just love to give bath to Matthew everyday. Today, July 19, 2020, I documented my routine of giving bath to him. He seemed to enjoy it. And he is just smiling as a pour him water on his body.



Unlike before, he does not like to scrubbed nor to be poured water on his head. As time goes by, he willingly submits himself in taking a refreshing bath everyday.



Another thing that I noticed, he used to show his tongue out. According to the mothers or elders, it is an indication that his teeth is almost coming out or is starting to grow. This might be surely another milestone in his babyhood. I just feel so excited about it.

HE CAN SIT WITH MINIMAL ASSISTANCE

Sitting alone is another milestone of Matthew.  I am sure, he already has strong bones to resist the force of gravity.   At this point, he still needs assistance to keep him seated.  My darling baby, you continue to give us joy just by merely looking at your face and body.

SOMETIMES AT SWEETNESS OVERLOAD

There are times that even if he is inside the crib, he tends to be sweet, no crying just plying by himself.  I like he does this, where he can flexibly touch his feet and start playing.

Look at how he entertains us reaching and holding his legs by his bare hands.  What a joy seeing him like that.  I am excited to continuously share my observations  of him.

PLAYING AND SEEKING ATTENTION INSIDE HIS CRIB

It consoles me to watch that my son can play alone inside his crib without crying.  His crib is an improvised play pen for his satisfaction.

There are instances that he does not like to be left alone at the crib.  Maybe, it depends on his mood.  However, I observed that when he sees no one in sight, he tends to play alone without crying.  But when he hears voices nearby, that is the time he would crying.

At his age, he flip his body and return to his original position.  This is the most visible physical development I can observe.

This is what he looks like when after flipping, he will return to his original position without asking for assistance to do it.  Before when he flips, he would cry because, he can not go back to his original position by himself.

Sometimes if I am busy in the kitchen, my husband would will take charge of Matthew.  However, when he does this, he would work closely with the crib.  Remember, that my husband is on a work from home mode. But Matthew is naughty, he would kick the laptop.

CONFIDENTLY STRONG AT 5 MONTHS

He has manifested few physical development at his age of five months on July 2, 2020.  It is obvious in the picture above.  He is sporting a confident smile.  I can't wait to see him grow.  Day by day, he is becoming an adorable baby.  I love you, Matthew.  You are my life and you made more meaning of my life when you came into my life.

The father and son on Matthew's 5th month.  He is gaining more weight.  It is a proof that we are being taken cared well by the father of the family.