Getting into the Swing of Being 9 Months

Hey, Good Morning World!

Hello Aidan. It's nice to watch you wake up from your nap with a smile these days. Ever since we moved out of your room, mornings have not been the same. We don't wake up to see you peering over the top of your crib at us, hoping that we're awake to come pick you up.

Fortunately, there's no missing out on your morning song. Remember, the one that goes like this:

"Good morning, Aidan, Good morning, Aidan, good morning to you...(ba da ba da ba da)
Good morning, Aidan, Good morning, Aidan, Good morning to you...
It is a brand new day, we're gonna play all the way,
It is a brand new day, we're gonna play, play, play (chi ka boom, chi ka boom)."

Ok, now that Mama is writing this down, I can see why you give us a blank stare whenever we sing this song. It's a bit naff, isn't it?

Ok, and I'm supposed to do what here?

Now that you're sligggggghtly older, we've decided to introduce you to our morning prayer at the altar. Oh, we know you have no patience for these things. What's going on anyway, right? Still, it's good to know what our routine's like. Nothing like a Hello Jesus in the morning to start the morning on a bright note.

Mama, when can I leave this unholy ditch erroneously called a playpen?

One day, you may forgive me for putting you in the playpen (read: prison). You have to understand that you're a fidgety, active baby and Mama needs to do stuff around the house without having to watch you set yourself on fire, pull the table lamp onto yourself or electrocute yourself with wires.

In the meantime, it's still Gnawing Paradise for you, thanks to the new teeth trying to catch some sunlight.

I'm just on auto here, Papa

Food-wise, Mama is introducing you to the wonderful superfood world of sweet potatoes, pumpkins and raisins. You like them steamed and mashed (the pumpkin and sweet taters, anyway) and you like them because they're sweet. This can only mean one thing: you're like Papa. Just don't develop diabetes at the age of 5, that's all I ask!

Yay, I get to do stupid things here!

You're also beginning to look forward to bath-time where it's more gnawing fun with your bath toys and splashing water with the palms of your hands. Mama always looks forward to the baby massage after the bath, where I rub your tummy with some anti-wind oil and massage your limbs with baby moisturiser. You don't always appreciate this exercise. I mean, why lie down still when one can be doing stuff, right?

Do you mind? I'm having a moment here

At this juncture, I'd like to tell you the story behind that piece of cloth in your mouth. Some babies use the pacifier, but for you, it's Chew-Chew. That's what we've started calling the cloth-nappy that used to be your pillow. One day, while trying to nap (which was a toughie for you for a while), you grabbed the edge of your 'pillow' and started chewing it. This helped you fall asleep in a jiffy. Since then, you've decided to make Chew-Chew your companion during bouts of moodiness and sleepiness. And Mama has bought an extra pack of cloth-nappies for when we have to wash your drool-drenched old ones.

Meanwhile, you're beginning to master sitting up although sometimes, a bit of back-support helps. You're also paying a little bit more attention when Mama reads your bedtime story. Less wandering around on all fours although you're more interested in flipping pages than looking at the pictures. I read somewhere that your mind's actually absorbing despite appearances to the contrary. So I guess I'll continue reading to myself and to the walls.

Mama sings this hilariously

The lyrics help tho...