I'm a full-time mummy

When Alyson was born, I was quite worried with Ben. During the first 2 weeks, he'll either find ways to hit her (not hard) or ignore her when we asked him to look at his baby sister. I know he doesn't like that our attention has shifted to his baby sister.

Frankly, I envy those parents who tells me how their children bonded nicely when the baby arrives and often wondered what else can we do to make him feel that he's still part of the family and we are not alienating him.

During his hostile phase, it was quite difficult and I cannot trust myself leaving Ben with his baby sister. I've seen him hitting her (again, not hard) when he thinks I'm not looking.I had to constantly watch over them, what more during the first few weeks post partum I was having tandem nursing aversion.

But now, almost 3 months down the road, I can see improvements already! Ben is showing signs of brotherly love towards his baby sister! Ben was no longer hitting Alyson from this month onwards but he will still not want to touch or look at her unless we asked him too, that also for just a few seconds.

The picture above was the first I managed to capture on the spot - secretly of course. Alyson was lying on the bed while I went to grab something from my desk leaving Ben waiting (he was having his breakfast that time) and I was as usual throwing a careful glance at them and I saw it.

Right in front of my eyes... Ben holding Alyson's hand and fiddling with her tiny fingers gently. Then he glanced towards the TV and watched his  Disney movie and didn't realise I was scrambling to take the pictures of them.

And then there was the time when we put Alyson on our bed for her tummy time and Ben went and lie down in front of her, just looking at her trying to move and stay up.

The picture below was taken just last week when Ben squeezed onto the chair I was sitting on while Alyson was lying on my legs as usual. Ben just casually took hold of her hands as I gazed on in total admiration.  

His brotherly love is growing!

Nevermind that it took Ben almost 3 months to slowly display his affection for his baby sister, I'm just so glad that it happened!

This book is totally gorgeous! I had earlier received the PDF copy of this book for my review but am not able to open it using the BlueFire software on my iPad, hence I tried requesting for the actual book from Free Spirit Publishing and I'm so happy they send the book to me! So here goes my review for the "I’m Like You, You’re Like Me" book:

Title: I’m Like You, You’re Like Me, A Book About Understanding and Appreciating Each Other
Author: Cindy Gainer and illustrated by Miki Sakamoto
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing (September 26, 2011)
ISBN-13/-10:  978-1575423838 / 1575423839
Paperback:  48 pages
Dimension: 11.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches

Description from the product page:
"“It’s fun to find ways I’m like you and you’re like me. It’s fun to find ways we’re different.”

In this colorful, inviting early childhood book, kids from preschool to lower elementary learn about diversity in terms they can understand: hair that’s straight or curly, families with many people or few, bodies that are big or small. With its wide-ranging examples and fun, highly detailed art, I’m Like You, You’re Like Me helps kids appreciate the ways they are alike and affirm their individual differences—all while building self-confidence. Lively new art breathes fresh life into this classic introduction to diversity and self-esteem for children. A two-page adult section in the back provides tips and activities for parents and caregivers to reinforce the themes and lessons of the book."

'Beautiful, cute and so fun!' is all I can think of as I flipped through this book! I was so anxious to look at each of the pages in the book as the pictures included in this book is just gorgeous and really really cute! 

This book teaches us to appreciate the uniqueness and similarity between us and other people and that we should respect each other.

I also love the top and bottom rows on each page which depicts different things such as toys, vehicles, things you need for baking, and so on. Those cute little objects itself can be used to teach my child as well!

You can get this book from Free Spirit Publishing website, Amazon and many more.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a copy of the book by Free Spirit Publishing in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

I came across the press release about this new app and decided to request for an opportunity to review it after checking out the app details from the website and iTunes store. I was happy to receive a very prompt reply from one of the co-founder of the company who generously sent me a promo code to redeem the app for review. Yeayyyyy!! Anyway, my review as below...

* Title: Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards
* Price: $2.99
* Category: Education
* Updated: Oct 31, 2011
* Version: 2.1
* Size: 101 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Pi'ikea St. LLC
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later

Description from the product page:

"Every letter is a unique, interactive toy! Play the xylophone on the 'X' card, make the 'D'inosaur roar, 'Z'ip the Zipper, etc! It is a hands-on, memorable learning experience for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers!

Features:
* Universal app for iPad/iPhone/iPod: You can use it at home or on the go! Buy it once, take it everywhere.
* Fun original artwork, animations, music, and sound effects engage and capture your child's curiosity
* Memorable and unique interactivity keep your child coming back for more
* Fun and upbeat Original Music -- keeps you dancing, not wincing (parent friendly!)
* Our very own Alphabet/ABC song included!
* Baby Mode option (Auto advances cards every 15 seconds)
* Phonic Sounds
* Upper and Lower-case letters "

Other information:

I always love trying out apps that teaches my children things. There are people who presume that iPad is a bad thing. I mean, if you know how to use it effectively and in moderation, it can be useful and educational! Of course, if you let your child play games on iPad with no educational benefits, then you won't reap the benefits of the apps and off your iPad.

Now as for this app, I absolutely love it! It teaches alphabets in a very very fun and creative way! I find myself gravitating towards the app every time Ben and I go for our iPad sessions.

What's good?

* It is engaging and interactive and I love that we can also touch the objects for each letters of the alphabets on the screen and there are animations appearing as well from each letters!

* I love the illustrations and the colors used are very attractive and enticing! (Ben and I actually fought over who can press the letters of the alphabets and see what animations came out)  

What's not so good?

* I would prefer if the animation does not start until the narrator pronounces the letter and the word for it. Currently, the moment you touch the screen, the animation will start immediately. Because of this, the narrator's voice gets drowned out and is not as effective.

* The animation is so engaging and addictive, how could my boy finished learning from A to Z? Check out the video below where he goes from letter F back to letter E...

You can purchase the "Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards " app from the iTunes App Store.

I am so excited to be able to hold this giveaway for my lucky blog followers and readers! SIX of you (yes, yes, SIX!!!) are going to win a copy of this awesome and fun app to play on your iPad or iPhone! You will absolutely love it! Now, let's read below for the giveaway terms and conditions OK?

* Eligibility: OPEN WORLDWIDE!

* Giveaway expires on 31st Dec 2011 (Malaysia time)

* You must fulfil the mandatory entry 1st (which is to provide your valid email address & answering the question), else you will be disqualified

* Winner will be randomly drawn using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

* Winner will receive their prize sent directly by your awesome mummy blogger here as I have the promo code ready to be redeemed.

To enter the giveaway, kindly click at the link shown below and the entry form will appear in a new window:

* INTERACTIVE ALPHABET GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM *

(Link has been disabled when entry closes at 12 midnight past 31st Dec 2011)

It'd be great if you could leave me a comment once you have submitted your entry so that I can check and ensure it's safely tracked into my database. So what are you waiting for?!! Hurry up! You have more than 1 month time from now to join in the fun and try your luck!

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code by the sponsor to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"