You're 30 months old now. That was quick. Your tantrums are winding down, too. Which gives me the theory that you have a 6-month cycle in your life - 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, etc - whereby you go through emotional, mental and physical changes.
 |
| Sorry, Mama, I'm just not in the mood |
Mr. Major Grumps turned up for the last time when we took you to the zoo again. Yup, the zoo seems to bring out the antsy and hairy side of you. Looking back, maybe you were generally nervous about the large animals even though you were genuinely interested in checking them out. I don't think you - like Mama - dig monkeys at all. You were pretty whiny and disagreeable when we went through the entire section. I wonder why though. After all, Papa's a bit of a big old gorilla.
 |
| Be careful, Papa, the elephant's going to eat your hand |
This time round, we skipped the rhinos and flamingoes. We went back to the White Tigers and spent more time with the elephants, seeing as we missed them altogether at the last outing. We watched the Elephants at Work & Play Show and even fed them after it. We walked to the Phillip the Seal show and had a splashing good time. We then took a zoo tram and managed to visit the deer family, the giraffes, zebras and hippos without walking.
 |
| Phillip the Seal splashes the kids |
 |
| Oh no, Papa, he's looking at us! |
All in all, your favourite part of the visit was probably the ice-cream stop. How do we know that? You didn't say a word as you carefully and steadily polished off the half scoop Mama gave you.
 |
| Mmm...hmmm? Hmm-mmmm...hmm! |
 |
| I need to patent this design, Mama |
This month, you're beginning to display another level of independence and creativity. Your Plan Toys train tracks, for instance, look different every time you're done assembling them because you like to create your own version.
 |
| Aidan: Another round of lion king musical video, ok? Papa: Zzzz... |
 |
| I'm the target market, so I know what I'm doing, Papa |
You're also proving to be Papa's and Mama's handy little helper. There's always some volunteering when Mama or Kakak is mopping or vacuuming. And on weekends, there's always a monopoly by you of the coffee and tea making facilities. When Papa started toddler-proofing the condo unit (with all that dashing about you do now) with some rubber buffers for the sharp corners, you decided to participate. No wait, you practically took over operations.
There are days when you get up to mischief and test Mama a few ways: (1) delay tactics during bedtime ("Mama, I need to say Goodnight to Papa one more time" or "One more story, just one more!") (2) chucking your soft toys onto the floor (3) running your colour pencils off the paper and onto the floor. Then there are days when you're quiet and deeply involved in the activity you're doing. And Mama gets the most unexpected answers from you when I try to spark off a conversation.
In terms of books, Mama decided to return to Popular Bookstore in Heartland Mall since you liked the last book I got. This time, I bought Sunny Farm as features animals and a simple story about teamwork. That's not all, though. Papa has also gotten into the habit of buying you lovely books with amazing illustrations like The Whale and the Snail.
 |
| What are Llamas, Mama? Are they like horses? |
 |
| I want to be a snail, Mama |
There has been devastating news this month. It involves Mama's daddy, i.e your Kung-Kung. Remember how he and Poh-Poh visited us in Singapore just a few weeks back? Anyway, he complained of indigestion when they returned to KL and owed it to the yummy foods they'd been indulging in during the holiday.
He soon went to see Dr. Thong, our family doctor since 1980, to check it out. He was given some prescriptions for gas as the doctor found lots of it in Kung-Kung's tummy. When the discomfort didn't go away after a week, he was urged to get a scan at gastroenterologist's clinic. It turns out that Kung-Kung has pancreatic cancer. And it's already Stage 4, the worst stage to be in.
Mama and Uncle Khin had to fly back to KL to take Kung-Kung to the oncologist to hear the official news. The day we went to see the gastroenterologist was very difficult. The fact that Kung-Kung's such a timid, quiet and nice person didn't help. He took the sledgehammer the way he would for any news: steadily, matter-of-factly, calmly. Poh-Poh on the other hand, zoned out completely, as if it was the only way she could cope with terrible news. When we were about to leave the room, Dr. Tan basically asked Uncle Khin and Mama to stay back; he then told us frankly that Kung-Kung's case would be quite straightforward. The pain would intensify quickly. And there wouldn't be much time for him to live. He advised us to start thinking about hospice care.
Deep inside, I was quite angry that the doctor was so clipped about the whole affair. Sure, pancreatic cancer is usually quite hopeless if categorised as Stage 4 as surgery is out of the question. But I felt he could at least suggest more alternatives. I suppose I should be grateful that he at least (1) pointed us to a surgeon next door to learn about conditions where it'd be possible for Kung-Kung to have surgery (2) gave us the contact for a really good oncologist at Sunway Medical Centre.
I don't know how to take all this, honey. Usually, people panic, cry and get really scared because such news normally means death. I've not had the time nor stillness to fully absorb the news. But as I write this, I can already feel a sense of loss even as a sense of hope in God surfaces. It's a very strange feeling. Maybe it's a form of denial but I can't be sure. What I'm certainly grappling with is that my daddy - a fit, health-orientated man who has not smoked or drunk a day in his life - has just been doomed to a very dangerous illness.
Most of all, though I like to be positive, the thought of you not having Kung-Kung to play and hang out with for long depresses me. For now, however, all we can do is listen out for more details, give Kung-Kung the support he needs, and lift him up to the Lord.
