Aisha's Stimulation Activities

Aisha's genuine moves in Taman Suropati

First of all, I would like to aplogize for series of blog posts about Aisha, in english, this past few days. I was learning how to write in english, since I will have an English test this early January 2014. The most idea that enable me to write faster at this moment would be Aisha, so here we go I talk about Aisha over and over again, hehee. But, since this is my blog, I can just write what I want right? Haha. Thanks to Blogspot !

So in this post, I would like to review about Aisha's stimulation activities that has significant impacts on her development up to this almost 20 months old. I would also write about the activity I plan to do with her for the weekends, based on small research (read: Google), I have done during my free time in the office.  (I will write about those topic differently in other post).

Having taking care my own daughter for almost two years, I started to believe that Stimulatin is VERY VERY important. If we assume that baby's development is a product, stimulations are the machines to gain a fabricated product we expected. How we stimulate our kids will decide how our baby tends to be. For example, I just realized last night that I have been stimulating Aisha more on verbal and speech, which finally lead her to have more speech developments and skills than those of any "exercising/moves" activity. To prove, as I wrote before in my previous post, Aisha could speak mama and papa (and she meant it) before the agre of 12 months, but only walked after 14 months. 

Okay this is a list of stimulations that has been received by Aisha and has a significant impact to her development. Thus, I consider to continue give this stimulation.

1. Books related stimulation

Aisha reads a small books on her own.

I have been excited in baby books when I started to get pregnant. Yes, it was me who are excited. I myself do not love books unconditionally. Well, I read a book quite alot too though, but I read it merely because I feel I have to: to finish my job and to increase my knowledge consciously. I think my "book relationship" is resulted of my education backgrounds which encourage me to read alot as a social science student, and I did alot. But I remember I havelimited access to book when I was a kid, especially those good books, due to my family financial condition. Thus, to thank God that I could buy good books for my daughter, I always excited whenever I see a goog books: full colour, simple but not merely page (usually come with sounds, furr, magnet, wipe page, etc), I bought the books and read them to Aisha. My husband usually gives me a comment, if not a complaint, on why I buy more books while Aisha already have many. Until he sees the result that Aisha loves those book and start to "read" at the age of  1,5 year. Well, Aisha could not read the words of course, but she could already understand the story I told her, she could pointed out most of every objects in the books, she could imitate most of words I read to her, and even she started to read on her own using her own words and imagination! Besides, Aisha already able to ask me to read her a book before she sleep, she said "butu..butu.." while pointing a book shelf above our bed. She has several favourite books and ask her dolls to read the books: "Gadah..bata..bata..butu.." while holding her elephant dolls in front of the book.

2. Outdoor Stimulations

Well, Aisha's outdoor stimulation was not on a daily basis since both of me and my husband work a full day on the weekdays, and we do not allow our baby sitter to go outside the house with Aisha frequently. But I try to make our weekend the best outdoor activities for her. I almost as excited as her when we have a morning walk in the neighborhood. At first I showed her about birds, cat, trees, leaves, rain, water, ponds, and fish to her. And now she is the one who told me those outdoor stuffs by pointing her finger and said the words: "itan mandi" (kan mandi), "ain" (air), "poyon" (pohon), "buyun" (burung), "kutin" (kucing). I also encourage her to relate the outdoor objects with songs and then sing together. We sing about Burung Kutilang, Burung Hantu, Pelangi, Naik Kereta, etc. Actually I have a wish to plan a weekend class for Aisha, thaught by me with specific target and indicator. But I never managed to do it intetionally. 

Aisha asked us to ride her a horse in ITB Campus in one sunday morning

Ragunan Cycling is one of our most routine outdoor activities

Watering is her favourite

Sunday morning walks in Car Free Day

3. Speech Stimulation

Both me and my husband are enjoy to speak (well, talkative you may say :p). Both of us can spend hours to just talk at home, although we already meet everyday, haha. And probably Aisha also inherit this behaviour. In her 20 months no, she almost never stop making a sound from her mouth: either speaking, singing, laughing and smiling, or crying! We stimulate her to speak conciously though. We talked to Aisha since the first day she was born. We asked her every question a baby should ask, like: "itu apa?", "Mau kemana?", "Yang mana?", "Kenapa?", "dari mana?" to stimulate her, and we succeed, she started to ask questions now: "Apa itu?/apa ini?" and "Mana?". We talk to her in our language (I never try to imitate her baby voice such as tutu for susu, butu for buku, etc). This helps Aisha learn the correct word faster. I remember that she learnt to say: Mimik for only 2 weeks. The first she said: "mam" for "mimik", then it improved into "mik", and she said correctly "mimik" after 2 weeks. Also, we tried to tell her every objects and activities she sees and does. At first she did not responded on what we said (for example we said "Aisha sedang makan nasi"), and then she  imitated our words, and now she is the one who explain to us what she does: "ayta mam nayi". I don't know with other babies, but I am sure that the ability of Aisha's speech in her 20 months old now is on the advanced development of her stage.

She said: "adek..mimik ya?" to a doll. Ah she is no longer a baby.

Aihsa shows us where is Simbah, and here she goes pointing while laughing.

4. Stimulation with Educative Toys
I guess most parents like to buy toys for their kids. I do too. But what makes me excited in buying new toys for her is that I believe those toys could build someting in Aisha's development. BUT, actually, the bad news is that, most of Aisha's toys is educative toys...and probably less fun than any challenging toys. I realized this when my husband reminded me that Aisha's toys are "serious" ones (wooden blocks, bricks, wire game, Do-re-mi musics, books, flash cards, sortings, etc). Well, I don't want to waste my money, right? haha. Luckily since last week Aisha started her daycare. And in the daycare there are aloooot of challenging toys that attract Aisha's attention. It was a surprised for me that she enjoyed alot the toys, and stimulate her to move, to walk, to climb, and probably boost her adrenalin (plosotan) as she plays them by her own. So I guess this combination has been perfect for her, Alhamdulillah.

A corner where we gather most of Aisha's toys

I counted she almost able to recognize more than 60 pictures from a card/books.

Toys in the daycare

Toys presentation :p

Okay this is for now. To sum up, stimulation is a need for every baby. As a parent, I feel that I have the utmost responsibility in giving her the stimulations she should receive. Moreover, I feel that Aisha is receiving new informations and knowledge from me faster and better. She always shows her happy faces when I teach her something. It is indeed true that a moslem proverb said: a mother is the biggest madrasah (school) for her kids. I pray to Allah that He will ease my way in educating Aisha in the most possible way I could, to increase my knowledge to be the best mother and school for Aisha's development.

I also thanks to God for entrusting Aisha in our care.

cheers...

Aisha's Development after the Daycare

My previous post mainly talked about The Daycare and how I feel about the daycare I have choosen. In this post, I would like to mainly review some of Aisha's development (or behaviour) after her several days spent in the daycare. This post is both for a note-taking for myself to know Aisha's progress after the daycare, and also to calm myself that Aisha is okay and will be okay to spend her time in the daycare (*harap maklum masih was-was juga). So here some points of Aisha's development and changes after we put her 5 days in the daycare:

1. Talk alot MORE

I know that Aisha has been a "chatty" baby. Her verbal development has always been faster than her other development. For example, she started to walk in her 14 months old, but she already called mama and papa (and she meant it) since her 9 months old. Before her first birthday, Aisha already mastered the concept of me by saying "Ayta". 

BUT, just right after she experienced daycare, she talk alot mooore and mooore. She always comments on everything she sees, such as: "Mama...tatii...ayta naik tatii" (Aisha naik taksi), or when she sees a train on the road: "tetaa...atiik..atiik..ayta naik tetaa". Those kind of things. If there is nothing attract her attentions, she sings!! And she already mastered several songs by herself, of course using her own words: Cicak di dinding, Naik kereta api, Matahari terbenam. And several songs with our helps: Balonku ada lima, Burung Kutilang, Bebek Bebekku, and many more.  Aisha also can say "Dah ampe.." (udah nyampai) when we stop our vehicle and arrived home. Also, she said: "Baju pate..pate.." (Pakai baju), or correcting us by saying "Butan...butan.." (bukan), such as when the clothes we wear or she wears is not as her expectation. 

2. Interested in other people

Well, I can say that before Aisha went to the daycare, I am the only one who she preffered. Seriously, even compared to her father. When we met new people, even our family, Aisha always want to be with me all the time. She doesn't want to be in touch with her grandmother, grandfather, uncle, auntie, although she already know them (she pointed out her grandmother when asked where is "mbah").  Annnd...just right after 3 days Aisha spent in daycare, her grandmother visited from Jogja, and for the first time in life: Aisha recognize her grandmother!!! She often pointed out "ini mbah..", and also "Ayo mbah..main..", or "Mbah..yayi yayi" (ngajak mbah nya lari-lari). She showed her toys to Mbah, her books, her dolls, as if Aisha was making a presentation. And for the jackpot: Aisha refused me to help her taking a bath, and said: "mbah..mbah..ayta mandi..." Aisha asked my mother! haha. It was a surprising experience for my mother. 

Also, Aisha started to greet her friends in our neighborhood when we meet them in morning walk. She said happily to one of 3 years old girl: "Ayta mam..ayta mam.." (Aisha makan) while pointing me feeding her. Also she cheered "Dadaah..dadaah..." when there is another little girl waving her goodbye.

3. More active

The first day Aisha cameback from the daycare, her legs are warm, shows that she is tired. It was not surprising me though: one hour I observed her in the daycare, she walk around every corner to play the toys, She played the swing for a while, and then walk again to play "Plosotan", and then walk agoin to play "Kuda-kudaan", and stop by playing dolls, and imitate what her friends play, and all and all. Maybe Aisha is still excited to see alot of her favourite toys in a large colourfull rooms. 

4. Imitating every new words "perfectly"

Before, Aisha was only imitating the end sound of the world. Such as, when we said "dingin", she only said "ngin..". But now, she imitates whatever we said to her. When I said in the daycare: "Aisha pulang ya...", and talked to her friends while waving goodbye, she directly followed me saying "Ayta puyaan..ayta puyaan..dada..". And she suddenly can answer my greeting "Assalamualaikum", and she answered: "Ayaa..yayam.." Actually we forget to teach her about this, only practising in front of her. But  in her daycare, of course she practices alot this greeting for opening the classes and closings.  And now, Aisha also started to imitate whatever we said, from "mama mau kerja" (and she will said "Ayta teda") up to "Aduh..aduh..aduh..".

5. Eat by herself ALOT

In the daycare, Aisha sit together in small chairs with her friends, eating 3 times a day and 2 times snacking. The teacher always reported that Aisha eat alot, especially in the morning and evening (in afternoon at 11.30am usually she eats a little as Aisha has been eating alot during breakfast at 7 am and followed by snacking at 10 am). Although Aisha has mastered eating by herself before (since she practised Baby Led Weaning since 6 months old), but I still surprised that she is able to eat alot on her own. And just after this 5 days in daycare, I feel that Aisha has gained more weight. Alhamdulillah.

6. More Laugh and Alive

I dont know how to describe this "Alive". But Aisha has been very enthusiastic after her experience in daycare. She sings with very wide smiles, and sometimes clapping hand (I never teach her clapping while singing), and after finish a song, she will clap the hands and cheers: "yeeeeee!".For sure this is what she experienced in school. Also, she laughed alot when I play her some funny faces or tickling. She sings whenever there is a chance (while playing dolls, while reading a book, or while we are on the way to go). I hope that this enthusiasim is a result of her happines in the daycare.

In sum, I am so happy to put Aisha in daycare. Whenever I come home from the office and pick her, I feel so happy as I feel I will meet Aisha with another new things. Daycare turns our to give her a new and exciting experiences for Aisha in every aspects: new toys, new songs, new games, new words, and new friends. I do hope and pray that this very good developments will always follow Aisha's time in daycare in the future. I do hope Aisha could stop crying when we leave her (she still did though). 

Most of all, I pray to Allah that He will guide and bless our little Aisha in every aspect of her life, anytime, anywhere. Amiin.

Aisha's First Days in Daycare (19 Months Old)

Bening Daycare

The Daycare

Due to one and the other things (bahasa Inggrisnya "karena satu dan yang lain hal" kayak begini bukan sih? hehe), we decided to no longer hire my baby Sitter for Aisha. I have to admit that I feel very sad since the baby sitter has helped us since Aisha was born, 1,5 years ago. Aisha loves her too. However, at this moment, I am not thinking to look for another nanny, I know that my perfection and high qualification for a nanny will make it next to impossible to find a new nanny in Jakarta in a short time. Therefore, I prefer to search for the a good daycare in my neighborhood than to try to find a replacement of our previous nanny. In short, after visiting 4 daycares around our house in Depok, and reviewing so many others through their websites, we finally decided to put Aisha in "Bening Daycare", located around 2 KM from our house, and on the way to the train station. There are several considerations on why finally we choose this daycare among some others:

• The toys are abundant! And most of them are Aisha's favourite which we do not have at home (since they are "big--and expensive-toys", only see them in Playgrounds --and Ace Hardware of course haha), such as: Ayunan,Plosotan, and 5 types of  colourful "kuda-kudaan", all from famous brand Little Tickes, etc. This toys are apart from any other toys such as dolls, puzzle, blocks, wire game, balls, etc. Also there are several small chairs and tables which always attract Aisha's attention; Aisha loves to say: "duduk..duduk..". Some other Daycares do not have the toys as this much, or they keep the toys only for a special sessions (not being exposed all the time), and Aisha already has most of the toys in other daycares at home.
• The location is just soooo perfect. It is close to our house, and we can drop Aisha before we go to train station for working. Even I picked Aisha by my own, using motorcycle (I put Aisha's in my "gendongan punggung"), as I only take a short rute and a quite one.
• The environment is homy where the main "caregiver" is the family in the house: Mother (the owner), Grandmother (Aisha called her "nenek", which is new for her since she always called grandmother with "mbah"). There are 2 additional teachers who come from 8am to teach a session, and continue to take care of the kids up to the evening. 
• The house is quite big, it is alot bigger than our house and all of the locations are functioned as playground. I like this environment as Aisha will always be in the playground most of the time, the place where all kids should be.
• The class session is just matched for me. It is only 1 to 2 hours in the morning from 8 am to 9.30 maximum. And the activities are vary from religious activities (hafalan doa dan surat, sholat), singings, skills (menempel, mewarnai), and sports (dancing, gyms, etc). The daycare mentioned about filed trip to zoo, seaworld and other outdoor places as well, but I guess occasionally.

Aisha's Favourite Toys in Daycare

However, apart from its best part, this daycare also lacks in several aspects, such as:

• Since this daycare is a "Home Daycare" the rules are not that strict. For example, when it is said the session will be started at 8 am, it can happen at 8.30 am (well but as babies, who cares right?). Also, for a sleep time, they are not really force the kids to sleep (like closing the door, not allowed to play during sleep time, etc). Well this is probably still okay though, since as babies, their world are only play and play as they wish. But Aisha ever experience 1 hour sleep only in daycare as she always want to go back to the playground during sleeptime. When Aisha is taken care by the baby sitter at home, she sleep for a minimum 2 ours in a daytime
• The ratio of kids and the caretaker in the daycare are sometimes to much. there are 10-14 kids maximum (depend on whether the kids come or not) with only 3-4 caretaker. Actually I do not really mind about this ratio since the kids is mostly at the age of 2,5 years (the oldest is 4 years: 2 kids). However, I hope that the daycare be "strict" in accepting of refusing kids because of quota.
• The place should have been more cleaner. I dont know, I have quite high standar for this cleanlines, especially in other's place (ya kalau rumah sendiri kotor2 mah gapapaa, hehehe).
• Oh ya, the enrollment fee is very expensive, most expensive of other daycares I visited in Depok. But the monthly fee is okay.

Aisha's Experience

The night before Aisha's first day in daycare, I cried alot. I really really cried in anxiety and despair : what would happen to Aisha tomorrow? what if she was not listened? How could aisha ask for food and drink? what if aisha want to be hugged? how the daycare will fulfil her needs? I talked to my husband how worry I am, how I feel sorry for what has happened, and why I can not just be with Aisha all the time? *ngelantur

However, my dear Aisha is a nice and clever one. I have been sounding to her that she will no longer with the babysitter the day after, and will go to school. Aisha responded happily, and she repeated after me "Aita toyah" (Aisha sekolah). She was very happy when we bring her on the way to train station. She usually cries when we leave her for office. She said : "Aita itut..tut.." (Aisha ikut). And she sang happily on the way to the daycare. In short,however,  she cried right after we give her to the caregiver in the daycare. I cried too. But we have to leave. She stopped crying after we leave.

The teacher reported that Aisha asked her friends to sing her "cicak di dinding song". Then Aisha danced while her friends was singing. However, when the song stopped, Aisha start to cry  hahaha. On the second day, Aisha's command to her friends was not only to sing. This time, she asked her friends to sit down on small chairs. Most of her friends are not responded, then Aisha cried. Her teacher reported me that Aisha already has a sense of leadership hahahaha. At first I was afraid that Aisha will feel intimidated among other new friends in daycare. But I am wrong: she is very confidence and even try to take a lead, haha. Ah you are sooo your father (and your mother too hehehe).

On a second day, Aisha has been famous for having "lagu kebangsaan Aisha": cicak di dinding, naik kereta api, dan burung hantu. She is very happy (claping and laughing) when her friends sing those songs. Finally the teacher starts the classes by singing those songs to cheer Aisha. On the way home, Aisha also sings by herself various songs, mostly those 3 songs (well of course in her own language, but very clear on the word "cicak cicak di dinding", and naik kereta api "tuut..tuuut..tuuut"). I can see cheerfullnes in Aisha's behaviour after finishing the daycare. Even on the second day, Aisha refused to go home, hahaha. I came to pick her when she played ayunan with Nenek. I observed for a minute from distance that Aisha sang together with Nenek who helped her play ayunan (mengayun). Aisha smiles alot. When I approached, she laughs. She pointed me her favourites toys: "itu tuda (kuda)", "ni yun-yun (ayunan)", "ni yotan (plosotan)" with smiles. And when I said let's go home, she firmly said: "emoooooh...". However, in her third day today, she still cried when I leave her in the daycare. 

Any other good things that the teacher reported is that: Aisha eats alot in the daycare! hahaha what a surprise! Well Aisha is not a difficult eater, but this past few days, she has been eating a little. But the teacher reported that Aisha eat by her own alot! using spoon!! She finished most of the eating sessions, and even once finish her friend's, haha. I did not really believe at first, but when I touch her belly: oh big!  Alhamdulillah. Probably because she eats together with several friends in a small table and chair. Or maybe her competition insting makes her feel should eat more than the others, haha.

I pray to God that this Bening Daycare is the best for Aisha in boosting her potentials: her new skills and learnings, her socialization skills, her inteligence, her bravery, and her health as well. I am so thankful on how God "forced" me to new plan, to go out of my comfort zone and put Aisha in the daycare.

The unfortune event of loosing Aisha's babysitter, which actually hit me alot, has turned into another happiness I have never imagined before. This is how Allah remind me to always put trust in Him. There is one verse 51 of At Taubah  which I always bear in mind: 

"Say...nothing can happen to me except what Allah has ordered for me. He is our Master. It is in Allah that the believer should put their TRUST."

Happy Faces!

Celoteh Aisha: 17 Months

Sudah sadar ketika dipanggil "Aishaa.."

Alhamdulillah, di usia aisha 17 bulan ini, sebentar lagi 1,5 tahun, hal yang paliiiiing terlihat dari perkembangannya adalah "speech development", kalau orang jawa bilangnya "ngoceh". Banyak kata-kata baru yang mulai bisa dia tirukan dengan jelas, seperti "bobok", "duduk", "mimik", "pipis", "ayok", "bis" dan yang paling lucu: "anduk".  Kata-kata itu di samping beberapa kata lain yang sudah dia bisa sebelumnya seperti: "enak","tedes (pedes)",  "jatuh", "aduh", "ndak ada", "gajah", dsb..., dan tentu saja "mama", "papa".  Oh ya, walaupun Aisha udah tinggal sejak bayi di Jakarta, tapi alhamdulillah dia masih "medhok" hahaha. Sukses deh saya sebagai orang tua! *malah bangga*. Perkembangan lain yang cukup signifikan dari speech development Aisha adalah di usia ini, Aisha sudah mulai bisa merangkai 2 kata! Kalau sebelumnya Aisha hanya bicara satu kata demi satu kata, sekarang Aisha mulai bisa mengatakan: "Papa bobok", "Mama ndak ada",  "Ayta mam", ya walaupun rangkaiannya masih sebatas Subjek+Predikat, belum masuk ke S+P+O+K, *lu kira guru bahasa! hehe

Celotehan Aisha seringkali lucu, tapi lebih sering tak terduga... berikut beberapa yang saya ingat... hehe.

1. Bernyanyi...
Suatu ketika Aisha bergumam sendiri seperti orang menyanyi karena nadanya naik turun, kata-katanya gak putus2, tapi sama sekali ga jelas artinya, misalnya: "magama..tataga.. bla..bla.. (makin ga jelas, tapi nada suara naik turun)", dan tiba tiba ditutup dengan "uhuuu...uhuuu....uhuuu..." (nada lagu burung hantu). Haha rupanya dia dari tadi maksudnya nyanyi "Matahari terbenam, hari mulai malam...dst" (burung hantu). Lagu burung hantu ini lumayan sering dinyanyikan akhir2 ini, lagu lainnya adalah "Balonku ada lima"  dan "cicak-cicak di dinding". Kita taunya Aisha lagi nyanyi adalah pas tiba-tiba di tengah2 bergumam, dia berkata "doorrr" untuk lagu balonku, atau "Hap!" untuk lagu cicak.

All by herself: Naik sofa!

2. "Papa (selalu) bobok"
"Bobok" adalah kata-kata terbaru yang bisa diucapkan Aisha dengan sempurna hingga 17 bulan ini. Alhasil, dia seneng banget "menggunakan" kata "bobok" ini. Sekarang kalau mengajak saya untuk tidur, dia tidak hanya menarik2 saya ke kamar tidur, tetapi sambil berkata "ayok...bobok..". Oh, how sweet. Lucunya, ketika dia bermain robot2an kucing yang bisa berjalan sendiri, tiba2 dia membalik kucingnya sehingga kaki kucingnya gerak2 sendiri di atas (jawa: cekakaran), sambil tertawa, Aisha berkata: "bobok..bobok..". Ternyata kucingnya "dipaksa" bobok haha. Seringkali, ketika kami tidur bersama (Saya, Aisha dan papanya), Aisha bangun lebih dulu dan mengajak saya bermain, dan meninggalkan papanya yang masih tertidur manis. Saat bermain itulah Aisha berkata: "Papa ndak ada...", dan saya jawab: "Iya, papa bobok". Sejak saat itu, tiap kali kami bermain dan papanya nggak ikutan, Aisha selalu bergumam sendiri "papa bobok..papa bobok..". Haha, seperti nemu momen yang pas untuk mengucap bobok!

Aisha and papa

3. Tawa terindah
Di usia 17 bulan ini lah, Aisha makin  terlihat menunggu-nunggu orang tuanya pulang dari kantor sore hari. Alhamdulillah beberapa bulan terakhir, load pekerjaan kantor tidak terlalu tinggi, sehingga saya bisa pulang teng jam 4 dari kantor. Hal ini menjadikan Aisha seperti punya memori tersendiri bahwa "jam segini mama papa ku sebentar lagi pulang". Dan benar saja, sekitar jam 5an, Aisha sudah berlari ke arah jendela depan ketika mendengar suara motor mendekati rumah. Biasanya dia sedang bermain di ruang tengah, dan berlari ke depan menuju jendela ketika mendengar suara motor mirip kami. Kata embaknya, biasanya motor kami datang setelah Aisha 1-2 kali "keliru" mengira kami sudah datang. Dan yang dia lakukan ketika kami datang: melihat ke jendela, menjerit "aaaaa..." sambil tertawa lebar, lalu membuka pintu, dan mulai ngoceh tidak putus-putus, nunjuk dinding, mainan, lemari, taman, semuanya..entah apa yang dia ceritakan :)). Tapi pernah suatu kali, saya terlambat pulang ke rumah, hingga pukul 7 malam. Waktu itu ndilalah pas papanya dinas ke luar kota.  Ketika saya pulang, Aisha sudah BERDIRI menunggu di jendela, melihat keluar dan langsung berteriak "Mamaaaaa..." dan menjerit tertawa sangat senang. Hingga saat ini, saya merasa itu adalah tawa aisha paling bahagia yang pernah kulihat.

Loves watering

4. Toilet Training: Failed!
Well, aku belum benar-benar mencoba memberi Toilet Training sih. Cuma kemarin Aisha sempat kucoba tidak pakai pampers selama satu jam lebih. Salah juga sih gak pakein pampers pas anaknya habis minum air putih segaban. Alhasil dalam sejam itu, Aisha udah pipis 5 kali. Hari itu juga Aisha kuajari mengucap "pipis". sukses, dia bisa menirukan sempurna, tapi tetap belum bisa bilang pipis tiap sebelum atau sesudah pipis, jadi harus saya cek sendiri celananya secara rutin. Ketika ketahuan celananya basah itulah, saya bertanya ke Aisha "Pipis ya? tadi pipisnya dimana?", dan Aisha dengan semangatnya mengacungkan tempat dimana dia tadi pipis, sambil berkata "niiih..niih". Itu kalau beruntung, karena beberapa kali Aisha mengacungkan ke arah celananya sendiri ketika kutanya tadi pipis dimana. *yaiyalah pipisnya di celanaaaaa, tapi dimanaaaa celananya tadi dipipisiiiin?? :)))

Taman Suropati

5. Aisha is me..
Mulai bulan ke 17 ini pula, Aisha seperti sudah mengenali dirinya sendiri *jieeeh. Memang bulan-bulan sebelumnya juga sudah mulai kenal, bahkan bisa menyebut namanya sendiri ketika ditanya, tapi bulan ke 17 ini merupakan "milestone". Dia sudah 100% benar ketika ditanya "Aisha mana?" ("niiih.." sambil nepuk2 dada), juga beberapa kali meneriakkan namanya sendiri "Aytaaa...aytaaa..." ketika kami tengah sibuk melakukan aktifitas sendiri. Entah apa maksudnya, tapi kami mengartikan sebagai: "count me in...ikutkan aisha dalam aktifitas kaliaan.." hehe. Trus kemarin Aisha kami belikan boneka gajah, karena nemu yang lembut, mirip, dan murah. Sesuai tebakan, Aisha seneng banget (langsung teriak "gajah!" dan dinaikin!!---pdhl gak besar). Dan beberapa saat setelah itu, kami bertanya: "Ini gajahnya siapa?", dengan cepat dia jawab: "Ayta...". Haha giliran begini aja cepet :)))

Aisha's territory

OK, sepertinya itu dulu. Saya baru menyadari bahwa memiliki anak itu lucu, literally: LUCU, karena bikin ketawa, atau at least senyum2 sendiri haha. Ketika di bawah satu tahun dulu kan ya "lucu" tapi dalam artian "menggemaskan", kayak boneka gitu, lembut, halus, dan empuk!:)). Nah usia belasan bulan ini mungkin usia puncak kelucuan itu. Kenapa saya berkata begitu? Karena kakak ipar saya, anaknya umur 2,5 tahun sempat berkata: "Wah dek, anakku udah besar, udah gak lucu lagi..aku punya anak lagi aja apa ya..." *gubrakkkk

*langsung sign out

Ragunan Zoo

Dokter Anak Paling Keren Sedunia

*OK, judulnya lebay hehe..

Alkisah Aisha minggu lalu sakit. Awalnya hanya batuk sesekali, kemudian disusul batuk pake muntah, bersamaan dengan keluarnya lendir batuk. Mungkin lendirnya bikin gatel jadi reflek untuk dikeluarin, alhasil muntah deh. Dan ini terjadi beberapa kali dalam sehari, sehingga nyaris semua makanan yang dimakan Aisha, keluar semua seharian itu. Aisha jadi langsung tambah kuruus. Hal ini membuat saya izin dari kantor selama 3 hari dari Rabu-Jumat. Alhamdulillah dibolehkan oleh (para) atasan, dan didoakan semoga lekas sembuh. Kalau difikir2, ini adalah pertama kalinya saya izin kantor karena anak sakit, setelah 1,5 tahun usia aisha. Alhamdulillah, Aisha sangat jarang sakit.

Sejak hari pertama sakit, suami saya sudah sangat khawatir.  Selama ini saya lebih "kalem" dalam hal menyikapi sakit anak, dan tidak pernah punya pikiran untuk segera berobat ke dokter. Di hari ke 2, suami saya mulai mengajukan opsi untuk ke dokter. Sebenarnya kami memiliki prinsip yang sama terkait "Rational Used of Medicine/RUM", cuma suami saya jauh lebih gampang khawatir dan nggak sabaran untuk buru2 minum obat asal bisa CEPAT sembuh. Maka, supaya keinginan suami saya untuk membawa Aisha ke dokter bisa "kusetujui", dia mencari-cari dokter yang terkenal dengan RUM nya. Selama ini di Depok kita belum pernah nemu dokter yang cocok dengan prinsip kami, sudah ganti dokter sekian kali untuk imunisasi, malah  semakin membuat kita "hopeless" untuk nemu yang cocok di Depok.

Akhirnya suami saya nemu juga dokter yang recomended di "Markas Sehat" di daerah Ragunan. Dari penjelasan suami, saya langsung yakin ini pasti recomended, apalagi jaraknya masih terjangkau juga dari rumah. Sebenarnya ada opsi lain yaitu di Kemang Medical Center, tapi  katanya untuk periksa ke sana perlu waktu booking seminggu sebelumnya... whaat??ampun deh, bisa2 udah sembuh anakku (lah ya bagus dong??hehe).

Singkat cerita, di hari ketiga Aisha sakit, sampai juga lah saya di Markas Sehat, dan dapat seorang dokter anak senior (50 tahunan lebih) namanya Dokter Wati. daaaaannn...pembicaraan/konsultasi saya dengan dokter itu membuatku jumpalitan gedubrakan, entah mau seneng atau sedih, yang jelas kaget bin terheran-heran.....

Pertama-tama, dokter menanyakan anaknya sakit apa? hari pertama muntah berapa kali? hari kedua berapa kali? hari ketiga (hari itu) berapa kali? BAB per hari selama sakit berapa kali? encer atau tidak? Saya jawab hari pertama muntah 5 kali tapi semua makanan keluar semua, hari kedua 4 kali mungkin (lupa), hari ketiga baru sekali dan makanan udah ga keluar, cuma lendir aja dikiit. BAB juga sekitar 3 kali sehari (biasnaya sehari sekali), bahkan di hari ke 3 belum BAB. Dan ternyata jawaban saya itu membuat saya "diceramahi" (baca: diomelin) habis-habisan:

Dokter: "Ah ibuuu...kalau cuma begini ngapain harus ke dokter?! Ibu baca-baca dong.. itu sakitnya sudah mau sembuh, dan masih wajar. Tuh anaknya aja masih bisa nangis kenceng" 

(saya melongo--ini dokter nggak butuh duit apa yak)
Dokter lagi: " Ibu harus banyak baca-baca, ikut milis sehat, buka web nya milis sehat, penyakit anak ibu ada semua di sana jadi ga perlu dibawa kesini yang seperti ini. Ibu-ibu jaman sekarang maunya cari dokter yang RUM, tapi dikit-dikit ke dokter, nggak mau belajar sendiri, nanti kalau dokternya korupsi gimana kayak ketua MK? kita juga manusia lo bu...."

Saya takjub dan mengingat-ingat semalem mimpi apa. Gak tau mau bilang apa, tapi saya sempatkan untuk tertawa nyengir, dan nyelertuk: "iya dok, habisnya saya khawatir soalnya semua makanan keluar semua, dan sekarang anaknya cuma mau makan dikit2...itu beratnya juga langsung turun dok..."

Sambil meriksa mata,  lubang telinga dan mulut aisha pake senter khusus, bu dokter menjawab:
"Ya wajar dong Bu, namanya anak sakit ga doyan makan, kalau ibu sakit aja juga ga mau makan kan?" 

Saya masih bersikukuh untuk bertanya mengapa berat badan anak saya kecil? apakah perlu suplemen makanan? apakah perlu tambahan zat besi karena katanya kekurangan zat besi bisa bikin kurus. dan ini berakhir dengan kuliah "sesi kedua" yang dijelaskan lagi bahwa anak kurus bisa beragam, dan ADB (Anemia Defisiensi Besi) itu hanya salah satunya, tapi untuk mengatakan itu harus via tes lab skrining zat besi... Jangan asal kasih tambahan multivitamin, daan lagi2 dibilang itu semua ada di milissehat itu.  Lalu Bu dokter menuliskan pesan di selembar kertas yang kemudian diberikan pada saya untuk dibawa pulang, bertuliskan:
1. Pasca infeksi virus GE (Gastro Enteritis)- Ringan
2. Lain kali jangan lupa minum oralit!
3. Ibu please join milis sehat@yahoogorups.com---belajar di www.milissehat.web.id
5. Skrining ADB

Dokter itu juga memberikan sebuah brosur tentang serangkaian "kuliah" yang diadakan komunitas sinergi dokter dan pasien di sini.

Di akhir sesi, dokter menanyakan tentang bagaimana imunisasi anak saya. Saya bilang terkahir imunisasi pas imunisasi campak, pernah terkena cacar air (jadi ga perlu imunisasi cacar), dan saya belum ambil MMR. saya masih bingung mau ambil MMR atau tidak karena katanya bukan imunisasi wajib, dan katanya ada efek samping terkait autis. Daaan lagi2, saya diceramahin untuk tidak membesarkan anak berdasar katanya2, suruh buka web milis sehat, ikut diskusi, ada semua ttg MMR. dan dijelaskan pula kalau MMR berbahaya, semua vaksin pasti sudah ditarik bu.

Hufffttt...............campur aduk perasaan saya saat itu, antara seneng banget ketemu dokter yang kucari selama ini, dan juga menyalahkan diri sendiri karena selama ini memang kurang mendedikasikan waktu untuk "belajar" tentang ini, juga menyalahkan suami karena membuatku diomelin dokter sendirian-----suami kerja, saya bolos. hahaaa.

Benar saja, saya tidak mendapat obat apapun untuk sakit anak saya (dan alhamdulillah di hari ketiga itu juga anak saya sembuh). Hanya diberikan rujukan ke lab untuk menjalani skrining ADB.

Dan sebelum pulang, saya dapat jackpotnya:

Dokter: "Ibu bekerja kan?"
Saya: "Iya dok..."
Dokter: "Dimana?"
Saya: "Bappenas dok"
Dokter: "Aduuuuhh Ibu...itu malah kerja di Bappenas kan harusnya terbuka untuk jadi pasien cerdas, baca-baca dan belajar buk!!"
(tertunduk malu)

PS: Sesampai di luar ruang praktik, saya baru sadar dan bertanya-tanya apakah dokter sebenarnya tau apa itu Bappenas. hahhahaha.

Aisha's Development: 15 Months

Aisha enjoys morning walks in our neighborhoods

I am writing this post merely for reminder and measure on how my baby's development this far. Oh well, actually I have an obsession to have development update EACH month, to take picture of my baby EACH day....but what can I say? I'm just too lazy, my brain forgets, my camera uncharged, and my excuse is the biggest of all hehehe. But above all, I still manage to regularly read  Babycenter on my baby's development since the site send me email once a week to review the baby's development in each week. This website helps me alot to understand my baby behaviour and what to expect from her. So, this is my review on Aisha's Development up to, and especially in, her 15 months age.

Speech Development
Aisha in her 15 months can be considered as "full human being". She start to fully "understand the world" since last month, in her 15 months, when we went home for Mudik, meeting our friends and family in Malang and Jogjakarta. She, who already mumbling since her 8 months, suddenly became TALKING deliberatly like: "apa tu?", "Kunces" (kucing), "Tedes" (pedes), "ya", "dak" (nggak), "gadah" (gajah),  "nda ada" (nggak ada), "aduh", "aammaan" (amiin), and "mbah".. this words are beside some basic words she already mastered before, like: mama, papa, mam..mam (nenen), apa, and dadah..

She insist to wear adult T-Shirt, gift to my husband from his friend

When she wears something (glasses, hat, headbands), she will be very happy when we show her that she is beautiful (bring her to the mirror, show her the photo result)

Understanding Commands
But most of all, the most amazing development in her 15-16 months old is her complete response for our order. We can ask her to take her own shoes from the "lemari sepatu"  simply by saying: "Aisha mau ikut mama? kalau ikut, ambil sepatu sendiri", and she cheerly come to the Lemari, open the Pintu lemari, and correctly chose her own shoes which located side by side to our shoes. Actually the first time this thing happened was heroic, I myself almost cry hehehe....Because at the first time I didn't expect she would understand or even do my order. So after that, my world is changing into beautiful world a mother could wish: I can ask her to close the door, ask her to take her own drinking bottle, ask  her to take a bath (then she will try to open her clother--never success), ask her to go to sleep (then she will be heading to our bedroom), ask her to deliver things to my husband (from important thing like a handphone, to silly thing like a pillow--just to test her, hehehe), and any other command which she will do them happily. I am now thinking what other new commands I can give her next time hahhaha.

"Nginjen..."

She doesn't want Papa leave...

Replicating Behaviour
This symptoms become very obvious in this 15 month as well. Aisha who previously only "watch" whatever we adults do, now starts to replicate this in her own way. She who usually doesn't like to wear hat or her jilab, suddenly wants to wear some Mukena/Rukuh when seeing me praying, and then she will do "sujud" when I do the same during Sholat. She also like to say "aduuuuh", after we coincidentally said that. Also she like to TAKE OVER whatever we do: gardening, opening refrigerator, sorting vegetables, reading newspaper, handling remote control, sitting in the couch,,all...

She ask to take over the watering from me

Do like a master...

And very happy!

Wants to join us in the dining table

Telling Informations
This is one of the most interesting part of her development this months. She likes to tell us informations, as if she is the only one who knows!! hahaha. So when we arrive at home from the office (usually at 5.30pm ), she starts to speak (or so) very fast, excited, while pointing whatever object she try to tell us. She sometimes point out the sky while saying "cepatamatupata,..."---we never understand, or points her toys and says the same: "cepatamatupata...tapata..."(and continue), and she is very happy when we respond her "story" with our excited face, as if we were understand haha. But if nothing feels intersted for her that day (maybe), Aisha will point out herself and say "mama...mama...tu papa..papa..", I dont know what she means but it seems that she try to tell us that she is mama, or she is papa, or she is "ayta..", sometimes she correctly said her name as "Ayta", but most of the time she also get confused whether her name "mama" or "papa".. haha baby!

Daily ritual: take whatever in my bag

One..two..three.. and she actions like this...

Praying with mama....

On Playing with Other Babies
Just as normal development stage, Aisha in this 15 months age just can not play WITH other babies, she can play TOGETHER with other babies, but in her each own way, and own toys. Actually she seems to be interested with other children, but she still shy in expressing herself infront of other baby/new people. Maybe this is because she kind of never meet people, as she always with the babysitter when me and my husband working. So what can we do as parents is just to bring him wherever we go to meet our friends during weekend, or push some interactions  with our guest at home. We believe that her courage will grow when she starts to attend playgroups, but we are thinking to send her for playgroup at least after her 2 years age. However, we are very happy that, although we never teach to do so, Aisha is able to share toys with other friends. This happens most of the time when we come to playground in a mall, or even with her toys at home when baby guest visiting. Also, since she stay at home all the time during the weekdays, she seems very enjoy when visiting somewhere during weekend. She will directly (walking by herself) explore the bookstores, the supermarket, zoo, lake and gardens near the house.

First time biking in two wheels bike, looks nervous (and sleepy??)

Enjoys playing with Nayla, our guest...

In Gramedia

Physical Development
Aisha starts to walk in her end of 14 months. And I think walking is the biggest milestone for baby: once she starts to walk, she starts to understand most of everything. I don't know whether there is correlations on this, but this happen to Aisha. In her 15 months today, Aisha has 6 teeth, realtively few comparing to other baby in her age. Also, her hairs are still few and not thick enough, but we have no worry for this as me and my husband happened to have little hairwhen we were baby. Aisha's weight is 10 kilograms, can not be considered fat at all, and even a little skinny. But we have no worries too since Aisha remains active and seems healthy. 

Todler..

Enjoys walking here and there in the store

Well I think that's all for now. And most importantly, in her 15 Months old up to now, Aisha still enjoys  breastmilk from her mother! What a compliment from myself, haha... 9 months to go for breastfeeding her, and I am not really looking forward to that. Breastfeeding is so precious moments.

To sum up, this quotes indeed reflect how do we feel:

indeed...

Eating while Traveling

Salah satu hal yang sangat "menguntungkan" dari metode BLW (Baby Led Weaning) yang sedikit sudah saya bahas di posting sebelumnya, adalah sangat praktis dan mudah untuk membawa anak makan bersama ketika kita jalan2 di luar. Yang perlu dilakukan hanyalah meminjam highchair dari restoran, memilih makanan sehat yang bs dimakan bayi (mengingat bayi tidak perlu puree, jd nyaris dia bs makan "apa aja"), dan voilaaa...bersiaplah untuk mendapati betapa pintarnya anak kita makan sendiri :D

Gambar di atas adalah ketika minggu lalu Aisha saya ajak menginap satu malam dalam acara kantor di sebuah hotel di Bogor. Dan yang kulakukan hanyalah mengambil buah2 dari meja buffee, dan membiarkannya sangat excited dengan sepiring penuh makanan di depannya!

Sudah beberapa kali Aisha saya ajak makan di luar, dan kebanyakan saya bawa bekal untuk Aisha dari rumah, terutama jika udah tau nanti makanan yang akan kami makan tidak sesuai untuknya. Beberapa makanan yang pernah saya bawa adalah kentang wortel kukus, brokoli kukus, buah naga, dan pisang. Makanan itu dipilih karena memiliki potensi berantakan yang paling kecil ( walaupun pisang kurang recomended karena nodanya bisa kemana-mana).

Ini ketika diajak jalan2 tanpa persiapan (karena mikirnya cuma sebentar n ga mampir makan, jd ga bawa apa2). Alhasil ketika makan di rumah makan yg spesialis pancake (opo to kok lali), aisha cuma ta kasih potongan2 buah segar dari Fruit Pancake yang kupesan..dan restonya ga menyediakan highchair. Alhasil beginilah adanya...

Kayaknya ini dulu deh *sambil lirik dokumen di samping meja kerja*,disambung lagi #BLW edisi yang lainnya, next episode sepertinya tentang bagaimana reaksi para kakek nenek (ortuku)  tentang cara Aisha makan, mengingat ortuku datang ke Jakarta minggu ini.   

Salam dadah!

Cara Aisha Makan

Aisha and her papaya (7 months)

 Setelah berjibaku dengan ASI eksklusif selama 6 bulan, anakku Aisha akhirnya memulai makan pertamanya sejak 1,5 bulan yang lalu. Rasanya lega campur bangga bisa memberikan ASI eksklusif kepada anak saya selama setengah tahun (dan akan berlanjut hingga umur 2 tahun), sebuah waktu yang tidak sebentar, khususnya bagi worling mom dengan intensitas keluar kota yang cukup tinggi.

Setelah diskusi dan mempelajari banyak metode ini dan itu, akhirnya kami (saya dan suami), memutuskan untuk mengajarkan makan Aisha dengan metode Baby-Led Weaning/BLW. Sebuah metode lama, tapi baru "tren" beberapa tahun terakhir ini, walaupun keputusan untuk ber-BLW ini tentu saja bukan karena mengikuti tren. Alasan utama kami adalah karena metode ini sangat masuk akal, dan menyenangkan! Menyenangkan bagi bayi, dan juga bagi kami yang "menontonnya".

BLW pada prinsipnya adalah mengajarkan bayi untuk makan sendiri, sejak pertama kali dia mulai dikenalkan pada makanan (usia 6 bulan). Jadi bayi didudukkan (biasanya umur 6 bulan blm bs duduk tegak sendiri, jd bayi ditopang/diganjel bantal di kursinya), dan dihadapkan pada makanan2 untuk bisa dia ambil SENDIRI. Makanan yang disajikan pun berupa makanan padat, bukan bubur, dan juga bukan puree (makanan yang diblender). Untuk memudahkan bayi menggenggam makanan, maka makanan tersebut dipotong-potong sebesar jari (finger foods). Jadi teorinya, bayi akan melihat melihat makanan di hadapannya, mengambilnya, memasukkan ke mulutnya, mengunyah, dan menelannya :) *lebih lengkap mengenai metode ini bisa meluncur ke http://www.babyledweaning-indonesia.com/

Apakah Bisa?
Pertanyaan ini juga selalu muncul di kepala kami ketika Aisha mendekati usia 6 bulan. Bahkan saya sengaja tidak memberitahu ortu dan mertua tentang metode ini, sebelum Aisha berhasil. Mengingat kami tinggal sendiri di Jakarta, hal ini memungkinkan untuk dilakukan, hehe. Pertama kali Aisha ber-BLW adalah makan mangga. Dengan ketakutan dan penuh harap, kami menyaksikan Aisha mengambil mangga pertamanya dan memasukkan ke mulut! Tak berapa lama, ada potongan mangga yang keluar, rupanya Aisha menggigit mangga terlalu besar. Di gigitan kedua, Aisha terlihat mulai mengunyah, dan menelannya dengan mata agak mendelik...orang bilang "keselek". Mas Anas sempet keder juga melihat Aisha kesulitan nelan seperti ini. Tapi ak yang udah kekeuh, meyakinkan kalau tidak apa-apa dan fase ini memang fase belajar yang harus dilalui. Dan benar saja, seperti yang dijelaskan pada teori BLW, setelah adegan keselek itu, Aisha mengulang lg gigit mangga dengan santainya, seolah olah tidak terjadi apa-apa.

Pertama kali makan (6 bulan)

Perlu waktu kira-kira 5-10 kali makan (3 harian) bagi Aisha untuk sepenuhnya bisa mengunyah tanpa kesedak sama sekali. Sampai akhirnya dia udah tau kalau makan itu ya dikunyah, baru ditelan. Dan alhamdulillah hinggga saat ini, Aisha udah makan sendiri dengan jumlah yang selalu meningkat dari minggu ke minggu. Kebayang dulu pas pertama kali makan, paling total yang masuk cuma satu-dua potong... Tapi sekarang udah banyak, bisa jadi hampir bersih piring Aisha, khususnya untuk makanan-makanan yang dia suka. Hingga saat ini (umur 7,5 bulan), makanan yang udah dimakan Aisha diantaranya mangga, pepaya, kentang kukus, brokoli kukus, kembang kol kukus melon, jeruk, zukini, pisang, apel, pir, lontong nasi, labu parang, wortel, buah naga, tahu kukus, paha ayam (rebus), ikan tuna, buncis, kacang panjang...dan lupa.

Kalau aku lihat polanya, Aisha paliiiing suka kalau makan makanan yang belum pernah dia makan. Jadi kadang aku berharap setiap hari ada penemuan makanan baru di dunia ini, hehe.

Aisha and tomatto

Kayaknya ini dulu deh sharingnya *sambil lihat jam dinding di kantor yang mendekati jam 5*. So far saya puas dengan metode ini,dan bangga melihat Aisha  TERNYATA bisa makan sendiri. Di masa yang akan datang, bayi BLW diharapkan jadi happy eater , terhindar dari gerakan tutup mulut, dan lebih tidak pilih2 dalam hal makanan. Jadi ketika besar nanti, bayi BLW akan mau makan apa aja, at least mau mencoba dulu (teorinya sih begitu, hehe).

Aisha and her favorite broccoli (6,5 months)

 Tulisan ini spesial untuk Novi, sebagai kado atas keberhasilannya mendapatkan beasiswa S3 ke Australia *pede amat sih gw ngasih kado beginian doang hahaha :))

Ujian ASIX

Aisha and her ASI bottle

Pemberian ASI exclusive (ASIX) selama 6 bulan memang sangat membutuhkan komitmen yang tinggi.

Baru separuh perjalanan, dalam usia Aisha yang belum juga genap 4 bulan, saya ditawari kesempatan yang sangat saya tunggu dan inginkan, tetapi harus meninggalkan bayi saya selama 2 minggu penuh, terpisah ribuan kilo daratan dan lautan.

Setelah lama berdiskusi dengan suami, dan lebih lama lagi berdiskusi dengan diri sendiri, akhirnya saya memutuskan untuk... melepaskan kesempatan itu.

Selain khawatir Aisha menjadi bingung puting (karena diberikan dot non-stop), juga  lebih khawatir ASI saya berhenti berporduksi/berkurang karena tidak pernah dilakukan pelekatan bayi.

Insya Allah....madhep marep mantep, saya akan memberikan ASI kepada bayi saya hingga dua tahun lamanya. Itu adalah HAK anak saya.

Tentang mimpi saya? biar kutitip pada Tuhan dan semoga Dia menggantinya dengan yang lebih baik.