Sunday, September 25, 2011

Letter to my child: Khayla (9 months)

Dear Khayla,

Last week you turned 9 months old. Happy 9 months, sweetheart! I can't believe that you have spent an equal time being outside and inside my womb. How time flies!

Bath time is play time with ducky-duck

If you could asked me a gift for being 9 months old, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a pair of walking feet and free access to the kitchen area. Feet you may have, but at this stage they still disappoint you. You can't use them to run after me or get to a toy faster than on your tummy. And your beloved walker is no longer your favourite transportation. Nuh-uh. They are only for babies. As far as you are concerned, you are very much a grown-up and can exercise every rights under the Malaysian Constitution.

So what you do right now is demand for a lift, either from Daddy or Mommy. We are now officially your legs to go around the house and inspect everything. In return, you flash us your loveliest smile that mostly works on us. Sigh.

Giving us that 1000-watt smile of yours

Because you couldn't walk yet, you are denied access to the kitchen. This frustrated you greatly because when Mom & Dad participated in this activity called cooking, we don't allow you to join in due to safety reason. You'd be on standby at the kitchen entrance in your walker, complaining loudly and sometimes throwing tantrums because you are not able to come into the kitchen.

To pacify you, we often gave you a spoon and a tin to drum on, which worked - for approximately 5 minutes and then you threw the spoon and then dropped the tin out of curiosity, and after that lost interest in them and back to badgering us to allow you into the kitchen.

My baby,

Earlier this month, you celebrated your first of the many more to come Hari Raya. I was more than excited about this. This is our chance to make money show you off to our relatives! Of course most of them had attended your aqiqah ceremony when you were a little baby but back then you were more interested in sleep than being an adorable little person. We were pretty sure that you would turn on your charming nature this time but then, enter separation anxiety at this age.

Only happy in Mommy's or Daddy's arms

Instead of being happy from having been passed from one hand to another, you screwed up your face and leaked fountains. Clearly this nasty separation anxiety would not leave you even during this festive season. Remember that one night when Mom & Dad left you in the loving care of your grandparents? Two hours later, we received several anxious calls from your Grandpa asking when do we plan to go back as you were throwing tantrums and crying till you vomited. Reason? You wanted us and we were missing.

That night, your aunt Udak Intan had to race us back to Grandpa's house coz you wouldn't stop crying for an hour. The moment you saw us arriving, you kicked your legs in relief and almost fell off from Daddy's brother's arms because you missed us THAT much.

Loving your play time

This month also, you delighted me tremendously coz you finally, FINALLY, can call me 'Mak'. You would babble and rant 'Bapak' at any time of the day even when you don't want Daddy, but when it's milk time you turned to me and called 'Mak'. It certainly made my day each time you correctly called me 'Mak'. Muah!

Growth-wise, everyone told me that you looked tall for your age. When it comes to height, you took after Daddy. People always thought you're one year old already. And the same people always get surprised when I said you are still exclusively breastfed. Eh, breastmilk also can give equal if not better nutrition than formula. So way to go, Khayla!

Playing swing like an older child

Last but not least, I'd like to thank you for being the best and sweetest baby in the world. You certainly showed maturity and understanding beyond your age especially when sometimes both Mommy & Daddy are not around because either one of us has to go to class now that our classes have resumed. One day when we graduate, we'll dedicate our success to you, my loveliest child.

Posing in your first baju kurung

Love,
Mommy