On the Move in Month #16

Dear Aidan,

Hop on, Mama!

I think I'm losing weight. I think it's because you're such an active little bunny. Now that you're walking so comfortably, you're attempting to run. If not to try and catch a whizzing motorbike, then to try on a neighbour's tricycle in the car-park. You have no concept of size yet, of course, so even an adult's bicycle is fair game for your sudden interest in and obsession with modes of transportation.

Don't these things move?

At the shopping centre, trolley rides have become a must. You've also tested a stationary animatronic ride for seat comfort. And you've just about busted Mama's kneecaps traipsing up and down staircases.

I like this car a lot

But you're also beginning to say 'Papa' and 'Mama' apart from a whole bunch of other words. And you've learnt how to kiss us. Joy, joy, joy.

And I knight thee, Papa!

Mama's been encouraging you to drink more water but the force of the camel in you is strong. Luckily, you're getting thirstier by the day with the kind of decathlon you're busying us all with. Food-wise, you're hitting a growth spurt and demolishing tomato-based pastas, pumpkin and pea soups with cheese sandwiches, soupy noodles and steamed white rice with braised chicken bits on top of the fish and chicken porridge you already eat. On the other hand, your dislike for mashed, mushy stuff is growing exponentially. So it's no thank you when it comes to mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and blended peas. Figures, as you now prefer your apples and pears fresh too, not steamed soft.

I gotta finish ALL of it? 

To be frank, we're not sure where all the food goes because you're still lean as a lamp stand. The only bit chubby about you are your cheeks. So if you're wondering why Papa and Mama sometimes calls you Mr. Cheeks, wonder no more.

Buds, buds, come to Aidan, buds...

They like to hide from me...

The spade's just another fancy name for giant spoon, right?

I need sand right now. Where's the beach?

Playtime is a lot more fun now that you are enjoying the outdoors even more. In our little yard, you like watering the plants, picking up fallen pussy willow buds and pebbles and putting them into plastic containers, and fiddling with the sandcastle bucket of tools we just got you.

Ok, so you found me. I'm still not bathing!

Forcing me to bathe is counter to
my basic right to stay smelly!

Bath time, however, is becoming a bit of a challenge, I must say. These days, the word sends you running off to hide somewhere you think I can't find you. But Mama knows your favourite corner. It's the same spot in your bedroom where you like to cry when you're unhappy. Aw, honey, nobody likes to be clean at your age. But think of how you'll smell when you want to pick up the ladies if you choose to boycott showers until you're 18? Not a great mental picture, right?

Welcome back, Melrose and Croc!

Bedtime is no excuse for you to sleep. No, no, no. Bedtime is more playtime! That must explain why you're jumping on beds and laughing like a hyena once we slip you into your pyjamas. And why we need longer, more engaging stories now to help wind you down before you settle into bed. In fact, Mama has started singing more lullabies after lights out to ensure Mr. Adrenaline stays down.

Shall we dance on the ceilings?

The Flying Paw Dominates Month 15

Dear Aidan,

So you don't like something. Or I'm carrying you to the wrong place. Or I'm giving you the wrong book. Must you defy the natural law of Sweet Babies Under 2 by hitting Mama? Where did you even learn this trick since Mama has never laid a hand on you?

Please take me out of Broccoli land!

Now, I'm pretty sure you'll try the "No" word on me soon. After all, you've been hearing quite a bit of it from me since you've been in an Indiana Jones mode lately. Maybe you'll chant it when I serve you broccoli for dinner this evening. Or maybe you'll just stick to what you do best these days - offer the stuff you don't like to eat to me with a cheeky old grin. Classy move, honey, but Mama is adamant to make sure you eat the right stuff. Thankfully, you're able to sit in your high-chair for 20-30 minutes these days. That is, before trying to dive off to go for 'walkies'. This means Mama has just about enough time to coax a few more spoonfuls of goodies into that little cave of yours.

Mmm...crunch, crunch...mmm...

Bread, milk and a bit of sausages...lovely

Of course, it must be said that Mama breaks no sweat when it comes to bread or cornflakes. Yes, the White-Food-Only POlicy is still holding strong. I suppose I must be grateful that you're fulfilling yuor carb requirements.

Meanwhile, Mama has bought the 5th sippy cup or equivalent. Last I checked you're not a camel so I'm befuddled by your ability to survive with just a cup of water a day. Maybe the milk you're drinking is supplying enough liquids to your body. Maybe you ARE a camel in a baby's body.

Ah nothing like a good Sunday romp on the bed

Welcome to my harem...

This little piggy went to market...

You're also beginning to love animals. In fact, you can now remember the names of about 7-8 stuffed toy animals, the ones that sleep in your room: Coochy the Caterpillar, Donald Duck, Ngappy the Duck, Dusty the Dog, Marge the Tortoise, Leo the Lion, Dog-Dog the, err, Dog and Mr. Giraffe.  Must say, though, nothing gives you comfort like a good old chomp of reliable Chew-Chew, your lovey. Thank God Mama has tons of them as back-up.

Watch me build a big old condominium

You're learning to play more sophisticatedly now; you're starting to meddle around with blocks and there are even times when you'd hide your ball behind your back and laugh as if you're the only one who knows where it is. The truth is, son, we can see it. All the time. We play along because we just get a kick out of watching you chuckle even as you're getting conned.

Nope, not this one...

This one's boring, I gotta dress funkier

I'll hum while I think about my choice of attire

In terms of practical skills, you're showing streaks of independence. There will be days when you'd go to your mustard yellow cupboard, pick a shirt (read: make a mess) and try to change into something (read: pull down your pants halfway). Most times, though, you end up calling for help. I know you are because I'd then catch you wandering about, naked and clueless.

Well, one day I will be able to read this, right Mama?

By the way, Mama bought you a book a week ago. It has short little stories inside and they're all about animals on a farm and a bear family. I'll start selecting the shortest ones next month to see if you like them.

Meanwhile, I think I'll also start introducing the Time Out Corner. I don't like the idea at all, honey. But if Mama's right about your strong will, it may help the both of us manage our respective expectations and teach you some boundaries, too. So yes, it is out of love that I'm doing this, even though it may seem as ironic as a bowl of spinach.

14 Months of Eskimo Boy Escapades

Dear Aidan,

We've decided that you're obsessed with Gravity. We say this even as you drop your yoghurt spoon onto the floor. Your old baby rattle. The remote control. Even Mama's handphone.

I'm gonna get us all a pizza, guys

We've also decided that you could end up in the Advanced Class in terms of The Time Out Corner. Sure, I've not heard many cases where 14-month-olds get this treatment. Or any, even. But you could be the first. Those feisty, physical little protests when you don't get your way? Time-Out Corner material, honey. In any case, Mama's has decided to help you sign 'yes' (nod) and 'no' (shake from side-side) apart from the 'please' you've already mastered. Hopefully it'll help since you're still light on vocabulary.

They should be arranged according to some colour code

Meanwhile, with the confidence you're gaining from walking, you're starting to get real busy in many ways. There's that interest in household items and generally, anything new. Bean bags, shoes, cushions, pots, coin dishes, etc.

Trolleys are one. Animatronic rides are another. Actually, just being let out of the home on our grocery runs seems to be the best thing since bananas to you. Mama is always in some hyper-real alert mode whenever we take you out. Those tiny but tricky paws of yours are quite nimble and quick.

Grapes are high in anti-oxidants, you know the stuff that puts hair on your chest!

Hi friends!

Can I take him home? Can I?

You're also getting close to Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh who now come every Tuesday at lunchtime for a few hours. It's nice to go on evening walks with them and then come home to a nice dinner whipped up by Poh-Poh, whom you should know, is an amazing cook.

Mama recently invested in a simple puzzle for you. I just thought I'd expose you to them so you can work on your fine motor skills and figure out what goes where. Right now, you're just fiddling with them and that's fine. Bedtime stories now usually come from your favourite Baby Bible, Mel & Croc and Mother Goose's Favourite Nursery Rhymes.

I'm sufficiently distracted in my journey to Meaning because of this contraption

You like it when Mama 'sings' out the rhymes with made-up melodies on the spot. Maybe it's because I sound silly. You're a little impatient with the long stories like Mel & Croc but that's to be expected. Usually, Mama summarises each page depending on your interest level in the picture. You like looking for tiny little Croc and Melrose the dog in a busy scene. You also like walking away suddenly to push the stool in your bedroom about. I guess spontaneity is the spice of life.

This is where Mama sings and changes the tune every time

I don't like being swalloed by the whale

I'm bushed. I wonder why?

13 Months & You're Turning On the Sass?

Dear Aidan,

You're barely a puppy in this world. But you sure have a temper. The good old banshee shriek has transmogrified into (1) A sharp, short shriek of disapproval when something you shouldn't be touching is taken away from you, and; (2) A throw-back-head-and-cry stunt when you need to be bodily removed from a potentially dangerous situation.

Could I be naughty with a face like this?

I've heard of the Terrible 2's, mind you, because Mama does read a few self-help books when it comes to raising kids. But the Wild 1's? One part of me says your personality and independence are emerging. I get independence but personality? This got Mama asking Poh-Poh what I was like growing up and as unbelievable as it was, even to me, she said I was the sweetest and most cooperative child. At least until puberty. But still! I can only deduce that your quick fiery temper comes from Papa. At least his side of the tree, ha ha.

That hand looks thieving; better eat fast!

You're still asserting your right to refuse foods that do not agree with your taste-buds. Which is to say that Mama's porridge is still not good enough for you.

You're also very much a fruitarian with a white-foods-only policy. Which is to say that fruits and bread/rice/plain pasta/rice are great but fish, chicken, beef, pork and anything remotely green are no-no's.

Oh dear, no more raisins

Mama has resorted to sneaking all these no-no's into your favourite foods. And Mama has not stopped thanking God for the wonders of blenders since. Meanwhile, raisins, cheese and yoghurt are currently scoring points for you and I'm sure not complaining.

A new thing you've learnt is gestures. One is throwing your hands up, palms upwards, to signify that something (usually raisins) is finished. Another is placing your hands on the side of your head to say 'please'.

The word 'there' is picking up momentum. It seems that's all I hear from you. I don't mind being your ride, honey, but there are some places you can't go for reasons you won't understand till you're 21. And chucking a fit isn't going to make me change my mind.

Smells like plastic, looks like plastic, but is it?

Playtime now involves exploring disposable plastic bowls, pouring and picking up plastic fruits, steering yourself on the ride-on buggy, meddling with the toy telephone and musical drum machine as well as messing around with balls and colouring pencils.

Mama still takes you for hourly strolls after breakfast and after your second nap at 5.30 pm. These seem to be your favourite times of the day.

Ok, tell me, which way to the playground?

A new preoccupation, though, is taking your soiled diaper and throwing it into the bin. But then, you seem to get a kick out of throwing stuff. And that goes for your chew toys, stuffed toys, breakfast and Mama's breakables. Thankfully, Mama's reflexes are still good. Especially for the breakables.

One little development that has surprised me is your sudden empathy for the soft toys Mama has surrounded you with since you were just a few months old. Leo the Lion and Coochy the caterpillar are your favourite friends at the moment and do get a good old squeeze from you quite frequently.

March is also the month of birthdays: Papa's, Aunty Swee-Lin's and Grandma's. For Grandma's, we organised dinner at a Nyonya restaurant in P.J and treated her to a feast. There, you gobbled up some steamed white rice with diced vegetables and steamed fish. And then helped Grandma blow the candles to her cake. Mostly you busied yourself (and Mama) walking in and out of the restaurant, saying random hellos to random restaurant patrons along the way. You were especially interested in the swinging doors. Not so in sitting with the family and getting in on the scintillating conversations at the table.

I think I ate too much white rice. Need to let out a button!

Papa is aghast that I ate anything at all

We also manage to have dinner with our neighbours from the condo unit above ours: Uncle Fairuz, Aunty Mee Wah and their kids, Omar, Lisa and Anita.

If you don't know already, they are always watching out for us in the nicest of ways. Sometimes we forget to switch off the garden lights and a text message would come from Aunty Mee Wah.



Many times, we'd bump into them on your strolls with Mama. And stop by to chat while Aunty Mee Wah or Uncle Fairuz and the kids would try to pinch your cheeks or carry you, much to your distress. There have been a few lovely occasions where Omar or little Anita would pop up at our doorway with curry puffs, lasagna, brownies or mini pizzas, too. Neighbours are cool, Aidan. I guess that's why God says we should love them.

(L-R) Anita, Aunty Mee Wah, Omar, Lisa, Uncle Fairuz, Mama and the star of the night!

Now that your ability to focus and comprehension are slightly better, Mama's using the Thomas the Tank Engine book quite a bit during Storybook hour. Just for variety, Mama sometimes switches to the First Pictures book Godma and Godpa got for your birthday. You seem to like the pictures of orange juice, cornflakes and ball quite a bit,  and would say 'juice', 'cornfakes' and 'ball' after me. Meanwhile, your paws are quite eager to turn the pages. I'm sure there are a few storybooks waiting to be torn by you.

You're One, Aidan

Dear Aidan,

The Lord has been kind. Just 4 days before your birthday, your hives disappeared. I believe He heard our prayers. I'm glad I believe, really.

February has been a busy months so far, I'll say.

First, we celebrated your big day. A few of Papa's and Mama's close friends came to help make it special. Grandma and Grandpa ordered an old-fashioned 'number 1' butter cake and special tau foo far for the occasion. We also had some lovely Indian food catered. You were a little bewildered by the crowd of people. Your eyes were perpetually wide-open, as was your little jaw. But you were most chuffed when everybody sang the birthday song and clapped for you. Mama then gave you your first taste of butter cream and cake and you gave us all a big old smile in return.

So, these are the 4 iron ladies in my life

Aunty E.E was there, too. In fact, she was there way before the guests arrived. She came to watch me feed you the porridge I'd made for your lunch. The story is, she started you on porridge a few weeks ago on the days you're there at her home. She cooks it with lots of vegetables and minced chicken or cod fish and adds the tiniest dollop of Bovril into it. But when I make the same for you, it's 5-6 bites before that little paw shoots out and pushes my hand away. As Aunty E.E will testify (after much taste-testing), Mama's tastes similar to hers! Maybe the mystery ingredient is that Mama's an easier pushover. 

Aunty Murni, Uncle Amir and Lucas were here!

Aunty Ida bullies the kids

Cake is kewl!

This tastes so much better than stinky old porridge

Aunty Jynet and Aunty Li-Lin

Uncle Brian, Kung-Kung and Aunty Angeline

Since your birthday fell during Chinese New Year, we also celebrated the eve with a Reunion dinner at a traditional Chinese restaurant downtown. It was just among the immediate family. So there was Kung-Kung, Poh-Poh, Uncle Khin, Aunty Swee-Lin and of course, Cousin Dillon. You had your first taste of steamed white rice on this night. You had quite a few spoonfuls, in fact. I think we've got a winner here.

On the night of the third day, we went out to Hoo Yee in Taman Segar for a big lunar new year dinner with Mama's extended family. Hoo Yee is a bit of an institution with our family. It's a little corner Chinese tai-chow restaurant that consistently serves up the tastiest home-cooking style dishes. It's sort of Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh's favourite weekend dinner venue but Uncle Khin and Mama have come to love it, too.

Let me work out how this fountain operates

Pray tell me why I'm in this motion killer?

There's this big red present I'm eyeing here...

A week later, your Godpa and Godma came to visit with little Davina, who by the way is Mama's and Papa's goddaughter. To entertain them, you displayed your amazing devotion to raisins by polishing off an entire mini box in 2 minutes. Other than that, you spent the entire time eyeing the present they got for your birthday. You could win a Stare Competition with that level of concentration.

I think I'll go stay with Godpa and Godma

One Saturday, Aunty Sharon De Silva also dropped by for a visit. It was nice that you took to her easily. Must be her bear hugs, goofy grins and killer tickles. Just so you remember who she is, she's the nice aunty who got you Hola the orange Hippo who now sleeps by your side at night.

Mama, Aunty Sharon's eating my finger

In the vocabulary department, you've mastered the word "there". It's a smart choice, really. And quite telling of what's top on your agenda these days, especially since Mama is still your favourite mode of transport until you learn to walk on your own. I just hope that you won't start calling me 'Taxi'. Well, I'm not teaching you that word just yet.