Mischievous Month #19 for Eskimo Boy

Dear Aidan,

Shh...it's meant to be a surprise!

The boy factor is starting to show up this month. Rough has been the general theme for September and October. Doors are for slamming. Pages are for tearing. Remote controls are for dropping. Papa's back is for biting. And Mama is all for lecturing.

Look, I can do gentle...

You're beginning to enjoy your books more. (Beyond the sound of tearing pages, that is.) But Papa and Mama have had to teach you to be gentle. Fortunately for your books, you think the action for 'gentle' is rather funny and have begun to mimic us.

I love horsing around with Papa

Food-wise, Mama introduced two dishes to your meal menu this month: (1) Braised chicken in dark and light soya sauce, sesame seed oil and ginger and (2) Braised turnip with carrots in light soya sauce. These are two dishes you really love and you always eat quite a bit when they're served. You also seedless love red grapes and right now, Mama peels them for you.

Gotta defend myself against advancing monsters, Mama!

Now that you're more active and energetic (and blustery), nap-time is usually an interesting display of unusual sleeping positions. Not only do you look genuinely deep in sleep, you look like you're dreaming up a storm. Meanwhile, bath-time is not so much an activity that's a struggle to get you into but out off. Splashing about is fun, of course. But getting whole floors wet is even better.

I know Papa enjoys getting wet. See, he likes it.

September is the month for one of Mama's favourite festivals: the Mid-Autumn Festival! You can read about the history of the festival here. But when I was a little girl, Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh would take us to the sundry shops near their home a week before the festival and buy lanterns made from colourful glass paper. 

Kung-Kung, the guy who's always in charge of lighting up the lanterns and clearing them away later

These handcrafted lanterns came in different shapes -  usually animals (butterfly, fish, bird or rabbit) - or elements of nature (lotus flower). Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh would also buy packets and packets of candles for decorations. In the evening, Uncle Khin and I would light the lanterns with candles and meet with our neighbours' children to go on a impromptu lantern procession up and down our street. When we returned home, we'd light lots of candles and place them on the grille of our gate and fencing. Every home around us would do the same and look the same. After dinner, Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh would prepare some special Chinese Tea and mooncake for us to enjoy in our garden under the full moon.

As Mama and Uncle Khin grew older and went abroad to study, our Mid-Autumn Festival routine ceased. But as far as I can remember, I always looked forward to the occasion and wished we could preserve the tradition.

Butterfly...rabbit and fish. Where's the elephant, Mama?

This year, Kung-kung and Poh-Poh made it a point to come over to our home with candles and Japanese lanterns. Meanwhile, Mama and Papa managed to find some glass-paper lanterns at a shop near Grandpa and Grandma's home. So, we all celebrated the festival with you. I don't think you knew what was going on. But as you've always been interested in light, you were very curious about the lanterns that Kung-Kung lit and hung at the balcony. Papa came home earlier today too and managed to enjoy some Chinese tea, mooncake and a chat with Kung-kung before they left.

Maybe next year, you'll be old enough to appreciate the festival more. Unless of course, you decide to eat the lanterns instead.

A Quick Holiday & then it's Dusty All the Way

Dear Aidan,

15 Aug is the halfway mark to your second year on Planet Earth. To celebrate, we took you to a lovely, cosy and quiet resort up north of Phuket, called Sala. The staff were lovely. The rooms, spacious and nicely furnished. And the constant sea-breeze was so cool and welcoming.

If it's bread, we're all fine

The resort is tucked away from the main, dusty road, and hidden by greenery all round. The 2-story blocks in which the rooms are contained stand side-by-side tall, lush trees, the boughs from which hang rattan swings with cream cushions. which stretch from the dining area and bar out to the sea. There are lawns everywhere, too and a big one stretches out from the dining area and bar to the beach and sea beyond.

C'mon, Papa, horses actually move!

You had lots of fun playing with the fountains that are part of the swimming pool. And you certainly loved chomping on the variety of breadsticks in the bread baskets that came before every meal. During the evenings, we kicked a ball around the lawn, played on the beach, and went for walks around the vicinity.

Why does it keep running away from me?

Sadly, on the penultimate day of our trip, you accidentally stepped onto a fiery red ants' nest. You cried out in pain and Mama managed to brush them off your foot quickly. Lots of red spots popped up on your foot the next morning despite the balm we applied. But they didn't seem to bother you much. Sometimes I reckon you're pretty tough inside. I am reminded of this every time you trip, fall and scrape your knee or injure your lip while dashing about. This is because 80% of the time, you don't cry. For the rest of the 20%, I get tears for about 2 minutes and then it's all over.

Mama caught me; I was just about to escape into the trees

One thing we've noticed about you when you do fall, however, is that you get stroppy as a snake with a spear in its head. While you cry for Mama, you just don't want t be touched or hugged. Nope. Injury time to you is a time to vent, lash out and show the world that you're not happy that it's embarrassed you. This is something we have to work on, honey. While pride is normal, it's not good that it manifests itself into actions that hurt others. Everything we do has consequences. Pride usually leads to ugly consequences.

Dusty's my friend...and accomplice

Do I gotta pay toll?

As General Manager of the house, I demand
to know what's going on here

Back home, Dusty the dog has become your favourite companion for the month. Sometimes he's with you on the changing table. Sometimes, he's in your cot. Sometimes, too, he's with you at the dining table, supposedly encouraging you to finish your meals. But other times, he's just being dragged or driven around. I think your other friends are getting jealous.

Your vocabulary is growing exponentially. You know about 50-80 words now. And you're attempting short sentences now. I can just see my future now: You're 10, I'm 46. And you're giving me sass about being forced against your will to eat green things that make you gag and I'd better not cross the line or it'll be considered abuse.

Sigh.

Buses for Month #17

Dear Aidan,


I am happy to report that you've - perhaps, temporarily - stopped slapping Mama when you're unhappy or don't get your way. The Time-Out Corner seems to have worked. The first time Mama put you there, you cried and cried even as you tried to walk out. After carrying you bodily back there a few times, you got the idea and learnt to stay put.

They ain't easy

You may not believe this. But no mother wants to raise her voice or her hand at her child, or basically watch their child distressed. No parent usually does and Mama isn't special in this department either. But the image I always have when I consider being more friend than parent at this age is this: a loud, back-talking, irresponsible and selfish adult that cannot take criticism or orders in any form. This followed by the one where Mama denies vehemently in front of the police (who has caught you assaulting an old lady) that you're my son.

Don't want the Time-Out Corner.

Now, no way am I going to doom you to a life of lonely misery by playing Missus Nice Lady 24/7. Because that's going to happen if I decide to be nice all the time and keep using the "Oh you're still a baby, anyway." excuse. You're not going to have many or any friends. You're not going to be able to hold down a job anywhere. And you're not going enjoy the precious life you've been given. Instead, you'll probably screw it up some.

Basically, there are boundaries in life. So there are just some things you can't do even if it's fun. Like, well, slapping Mama!

Like my new trick? The well-timed smile?

Yes, this one's a keeper

This month, you're eating really nicely and Papa and Mama are enjoying watching you nick strands of our pastas and slurp some of our soups. There's this pumpkin and pea soup Mama makes at home which you gobble up every time, too. Fruit-wise, you're loving mango a lot but watermelons and papayas are still in the Icky Yucky files.






These days, on our walks, we're chasing McDonald's and Pizza Hut delivery boys around the condo compound, and staring at public buses that go on the 3-lane road behind the condo block. You're also very keen on getting us either scolded or caught for 'testing the seat comfort' of the parked motorbikes strewn around the underground car-park. Luckily the condo gardeners who own them know who you are (from all those walkabouts) and don't mind.

Get me away from that thing!

This the key that unlocks my freedom?

You're now singing the ABC song and counting from 1-20 during bath-time. Getting you into the bathtub isn't getting any easier though. Still, once you're in the water, you usually don't want to come out. Nowadays, what you want to get out of is the changing table and the safety strap! No chance of that, Mr. Wriggles!

Did I tell you that the other day, Mama caught you pretending to fly by 'flapping your arms'? I think it must have been after one of our walks when we talked about birds. You're also learning to smile on demand, i.e pose for the camera. And it's kind of a hilariously taut, put-on one at the moment. And we're not even sure this is going to last. But let us just say for the record, it's 9.5 on the Cheeky Scale.

There you go again, my rehearsed smile...

This month we celebrated Kakak's birthday. She's been with us for almost a year now but although she doesn't look after you, she does help Mama a lot with housework. For dinner, we took her to Bangkok Jam, a Thai restaurant in 1 Utama Shopping Complex. We also accompanied her to a watch shop where she bought a simple watch for her 17-year-old son back in Solo, Jakarta.

1...2...3...good night!

It's too verbose, Papa

Do you know Mama's favourite time of the day is bedtime? Not because you go to bed and Mama gets time to herself. No. Bedtime is usually when you're tender and calm. When we read a book together - you on Mama's lap -  cuddle up and kiss a lot. It's when Mama says a prayer for you, blesses you and switches off the light, then settles back to listen to your soft 'Goodnight Mama' before it slips into the gentle breathing of a baby sound asleep.

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?