I'm a full-time mummy

Have you ever wondered how much nutrients is your toddler getting in his daily food intake?

Well, wonder no more!

Go and try out the "Tot It Up" tool to get a general overview of your child's diet and analysis of the balance of foods needed.

Based on Ben's meals today, I keyed in the portions and below is the analysis report:

Looks like everything is fine and dandy except I need to increase the intake under "Milk, cheese & yogurt", "Fruits & Vege" and possibly look into the water intake for Ben. My boy guzzles water like nobody's business! But then he's always running around and up to something and active all the time, so I guess it justifies the amount of water he had daily.

As for physical activity, there's not much choice given in the list, though I'd love to add in reading, drawing, playing at balcony, listening and dancing along to music to the activities.

Go and try out the tool now!

And let me know the results you got!

According to this article I read, the natural age of weaning is to be between two-and-a-half and seven years.

Yeap! You read that right!

Between two-and-a-half and seven years!

My record as of today, is 17 months and 3 weeks+.

Read the excerpts below which I took from the same article:

Anthropologists estimate the natural age of weaning to be between two-and-a-half and seven years, based on developmental factors and with comparisons with other mammals. According to the World Health Organisation, the worldwide average for weaning is four-and-a-half years.

Many mums are told their milk doesn't have any goodness once their baby is older. In reality, it's not possible for the nutrients in breastmilk to "switch off" once infants reach a certain age.

Breastfeeding a toddler can provide 31% of his daily energy needs, 38% of protein, 45% of vitamin A and 95% of vitamin C. Breastmilk is packed with unique antibodies for immune system development and there are many studies showing toddlers who are breastfed get sick far less often.

Many people feel that breastfeeding past a certain age will make kids overly dependent or clingy, but research has shown the opposite to be true. Children who form a secure attachment with their mother become more independent and can more easily form attachments with others.

Breastfeeding a toddler can make it easier for mums too. With a quick feed you can soothe a sore knee or a tantrum, or get a child off to sleep! Plus you'll reduce your risk of anaemia, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancers.

It can sometimes be hard to imagine how you can breastfeed away from home with a toddler. But in reality it can be easier than feeding a small baby. Toddlers can go a lot longer between feeds. Even if you are out for a few hours you may not need to feed and, if you do, it can be very quick.

I just love the part "Breastfeeding a toddler can provide 31% of his daily energy needs, 38% of protein, 45% of vitamin A and 95% of vitamin C." That just makes me feel awfully good! Of course, I don't have a clue how much percentage is the nutrients in my breastmilk before I came across this article but it feels good knowing I'm still giving Ben all these wonderful and awesome goodies through my breastmilk!

And I definitely agree with "Breastmilk is packed with unique antibodies for immune system development and there are many studies showing toddlers who are breastfed get sick far less often." cos I can see how rare Ben gets sick (touch wood!) and even when he did fall sick, he recovers so quickly and there are times we didn't even notice what's wrong until he's almost on the way to recover fully.... this is generally because he is active all the time and doesn't show much signs of being sick at all.

I thank God for the ability to still produce breastmilk for Ben and that we are all healthy and happy!

Ben, mummy promise you,

I will breastfeed as long as you still wants it!

Oh, btw if you are free (if not, please spare a couple of minutes),

do read up on this really truly inspiring article on the power of breastmilk!

Happy weekend to all of you!

Dearest Mummy & Daddy,

Thank you for taking care of me.

I know I am very mischievous and hyper curious with everything.

Sometimes I see new things, I want to go explore it.

I want to touch it,

I want to throw it (to see whether it makes funny sounds so I can practise my "Uh-ohhhh" sounds),

I want to step on it, I want to shake it.

I know I am growing up real fast.

With each day I am growing bigger and wiser.

I know I have to learn to make my own decisions when I grow up.

* Pictures of Ben crawling in the tunnel at our favorite playground during our recent family outing.

Life is like a big tunnel, huh?

I was initially worried and skeptical with the tunnel.

I mean, what's waiting on the other side?

Why do I have to go in alone?

What if there are frightening things inside the tunnel?

After a few coaxing and comforting words from mummy and daddy, I took the first step and crawled in.

And let me tell you, once you stepped crawled inside, you have to keep going and not regret the decision.

One must look forward to what's waiting on the other side!

Yes, we can paused and take a breather for a while to enjoy the journey in the tunnel of life,

but we have to keep going and not be complacent with what we have. Read: Ecclesiastes 10:18 (NIV)

We have to keep learning and go on with life.

We have to make use of what God gives to us.

Mummy said "God gives us the ability and capability to do things, make sure you do it and use it".

Don't waste God's work and efforts on us.

Mummy's daddy once told her that "once you start on doing something, make sure it's completed".

Don't ever leave something unfinished! Read: James 1:4 (NIV)

Everytime mummy prays to God, she prays that:

I grow up to be a God-fearing and God-loving child.

One who lives life according to His will.

One that does things that is pleasing to Him.

One that brings joy to the lives of all people who sees him.

One that shows the example of Christian living.

One that will honor and respect and takes care of his parents when he grows up.

I hope I can be that when I grow up.

And by the way, you know what I see at the end of the tunnel?

THIS...

Clear blue sky with vast opportunities in front of me.

And with mummy and daddy by my side watching over me,

feeling so proud I've crawled through the tunnel ALL BY MYSELF!

And God watching over all of us, smiling down at my little feat!

Read: Exodus 9:16 (NIV), Romans 8:28 (NIV), Romans 12:2 (NIV)

This post is written as part of this week's Writer's Workshop.