A few days ago, I was thinking about this letter to you, thinking that I wouldn't have much to update..but today, just a day before you turn 10 months old, I realise I have sooo much to document I don't know where to start.
I had forgotten what 9+ month old babies were like.. but having spent a bit more time with you these two days, I am being reminded of what a cute time this is.
For one, your cognitive development has accelerated so rapidly that we are able to communicate beyond 'mum-mums' now. You call me, yes me (and not my boobs, or milk) "Meh meh" or "Mah Meh". I figured this out because you were calling out to me to carry you the other day when I was leaving for work. I think I might have mentioned this already, but you seem to be ever more clingy and endearing each day. The minute I step home from work, you will whine and go 'meh meh meh' until i carry you. Any attempt by others to take you off my hands will be swatted away by you, and when i do eventually hand you over so i can go shower, i cringe at your wails of protest and slink away to have a rapid shower.
Oh. Speaking of which, I feel soooo guilty leaving you behind these days. You'd initially be so excited when you see me in non-home clothes, at the door.. you'd kick and laugh and think we are going out.. but when I say bye and slowly walk away, you'd fall silent and give me the most resigned / forlorn look which breaks my heart. Sigh. Sometimes you'd even cry, and I can't help but postpone the farewell by asking Ida to bring you downstairs so you can walk me a little to the bus-stop or carpark. =S Just last night, you got 'jealous' (?) every time I hugged or kissed your brother. You'd pause, blink, and then crawl rapidly over and paw me..instantly going back to whatever captured your attention once I stop hugging korkor. Hmm.
Erm, back to cognitive development. You have a greater understanding of words and requests..your waves of 'bye' have evolved from an initial 'Hitler salute' to a slight fanning left-right-left with your hand, to an indonesian traditional dancer move. It is now a proper wave and you often do that everytime I carry you, as if to signal to everyone, "I'm going out with my mama now!" I tried to teach you to blow a kiss, but your mouth opens to eat your fingers every time I bring your hand to your mouth. It's hilarious.
You call everybody else, or address every other thing as a rather rude 'WEH.' or 'EH.' This can mean anything from 'Hello, cat', 'Hello, brother', 'Pass that', to 'i'm here'. =7
I thought of teaching you more commands, so we played the game of "Give mama" today..I placed a toy in your hand, then asked you to "Give mama". The first time you did it, i exclaimed and clapped and you were so pleased, though you looked as if you weren't sure what you did to please mama so. We repeated it a few times, and you started dropping the item on the floor. I withheld praise in those instances, so you'd understand that "Give" doesnt simply mean "giving it up" but "placing in XX's hands". You are a pretty smart cookie cos you got it in one session. Earlier tonight, before sleeping, I only had to say "Give mama" and you immediately dropped the vicks you were mouthing, into my hand. *grin* It made me laugh to see you comply automatically, a little startled with your mouth still open. This is proving to be a very useful command for me.
You've shown a great interest in books..you would make a lunge every time a book is in sight and yowl if we take it away from you for fear that you'd tear it apart..
As for temperament, i'm quite relieved to find you rather even-tempered...although I'm beginning to see flashes of personality..you've started crying when you don't get your way, when we take things away from you so you stop mouthing them etc etc..i am not looking forward to the inevitable, when you and your brother clash over 'property'. oh well. You also make the cutest motions of waving your hands in front of your chest like a car wiper on turbo mode, when we offer you something you don't want (for eg., offering to carry you out of mama's arms, or feed you medicine.)
I love making you laugh.. you get so tickled when I make a mock-menacing approach and keep you in suspense as I pretend to eye your yummy hands and eventually 'chomp' down on them. You laugh in anticipation, when my fingers catch your feet and slowly make my way up your sides till I tickle you in the armpits..just today, you were in the playpen when i pressed my face against the netting and pretended to want to eat your chubby fingers up. We played hide and seek and you pulled yourself up to a stand, tiptoed with your eyes barely over the edge of the playpen and CHUCKLED as i shrunk in horror at being discovered by you. You were so amused when i sang 'Ol' McDonald' and hammed it up with exaggerated expressions while mooing or neighing. =7
In terms of physical development, you are a very good crawler now, who frequently pulls herself up to a stand. Only 8.6kg though..smaller than your brother was..but I suppose girls are usually smaller sized.
You've also improved your pincer grasp, and can pick up the Happy Baby melts i place on the high chair tray for you. :) You now have 4 teeth..2 lower teeth and 2 upper teeth, all in front. It makes you look even cuter when you smile, but that could just be the mum-in-me speaking.
You know, i was looking at some old baby pictures of myself the other day, and was startled to see how alike you are, at this stage. I always thought you looked more like your daddy, but there is an undeniable growing resemblance between you and me. God is so amazing..he manages to blend the features of two individuals within a single face, such that you look a little like your Daddy, and a little like me.
Sleep wise, it hasnt been the best month. You woke up soooo many times during the period when you were ill and your nose was stuffy, that I ended up very very grouchy from the lack of sleep. After offering myself as a pacifier, and then breaking the latch when you fell asleep for the nth time, I would ignore your cries and tell your Daddy "i've earned my 6am respite. Bring her out. I don't care." Sigh. I still can't bear to undertake sleep training though..so we are still at the stage where you continue your occupation of my bed. oh well..we'll see how things go. I got a heart attack a few times though, when I rushed in after hearing your cries for me (me having "me-time" out in the living room) and found you sitting at the edge of the bed, almost about to fall off. Sigh. I'm so grateful to your guardian angel for looking out for you.
I think i can go on talking about you forever, darling...we love you so much and will always treasure these early days with you.
Hugs, kisses and lots of love
Mama
That's so cool that you are writing a letter to your little Calista. I kept a journal to both of my kids for their first 2 years and it is so fun to look back on what was going on when they were that age.
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasant surprise to see that someone miles away in the States is reading this blog. :)
I was inspired to write letters to my babies after reading another mummy blog. It takes time and effort but it's really worth it years later when you read and remember :)