Maya at nine

My darling baby girl is nine months old now. To think that nine months ago, and nine months before that, I was never happier to be peeing on a stick just to see again and again, those two beautiful lines.

I could never boast about my daughter enough and I think every parent is guilty of that. It’s only normal. And it’s good that you’re always going to be their cheerleader. There’s nothing more pleasant to a baby’s ears than words of encouragement and praises! (But I overdo it ALL THE TIME. ;p)

Anyway, here are some of the things that Maya has done recently:

- She can pull herself up in a standing position effortlessly and she will hold on to whatever there is to keep her from falling.

- At times, she would let go of her hands and stand for a glorious 3 seconds before she tumbles down. (In Mummy’s eyes, it deserves to be put in the ‘Genius’ World Book of Records)

- Understands simple instructions. If we spot her slowly putting something forbidden in her mouth we would say “Maya no no no”. She would stop, look at our faces and either babble something in protest or proceed with putting the thing in her mouth. In the latter case,I would like to believe that she understands the order but decides to defy it anyway.

- Recognizes her favourite people and things ie; Dora the Explorer, Minnie Mouse, pacifier, milky, Mummy, Daddy.

For example, if she’s busy playing with all her toys around her and I ask her “Maya where’s your paci? (re:pacifier) Take your paci” and she will stop whatever she’s doing and look around for her paci. (I will purposely put the paci out of her sight so that she needs to search for it). And when she has found her pacifier she will pick it up and put it in her mouth. Watching her twisting and turning the pacifier around just to find the teat before putting it in her mouth is the CUTEST THING EVER. Or when I ask her “Maya go and kiss Dora…where’s Dora? Kiss Dora” She will go find her Dora teddy and kiss it. Maya’s definition of kissing is putting Dora’s nose in her mouth and biting it. Same goes to her Minnie Mouse. As for Mummy and Daddy, she understands when we say “Go to Daddy/Mummy” or what I always love to say is “Pok Daddy” which means go and hit Daddy. She will oblige by patting her Daddy on his back.

- She can clap upon request or when she hears the “If you’re happy and you know it” song.

- She can wave goodbye upon request.

- Starting to be able to tease us with a round of peek-a-boo. She would stay hidden (where I can’t see her face) and then slowly peep by slanting her body to see me and when I notice her she’d laugh and repeat repeat repeat.

- She eats really well, Alhamdulilah. She may not be chubby but she gets all the food that she needs and still drinks her milk. Just recently, I’ve started giving her fish. But I’m going to introduce it on and off for the first couple of weeks. And then I’m going to try chicken.

- Still no teeth. All round gummy smile.

I must always bear in mind that babies develop and grow at their own paces. Although there are guidelines and the general development chart, but it is okay if your baby misses a point or two because one baby may be advanced in one area but slightly behind in other areas. Every baby will take his or her own sweet time to reach their milestones but eventually, they will achieve it. It’s just a matter of time. As long as the baby is healthy and happy, I think everything else will fall into place. I know, because I used to be concerned and anxious too, as to why Maya couldn’t sit. I kept asking people have your baby started sitting? When can she sit? Will she ever learn how to sit? Do I need to teach her how? How can I help her? And then one day out of the blue, Maya just sat on her own, unsupported. Just like that. It’s amazing how babies develop so from then on, I’ve learned to just let go and go with the flow. I wasn’t even thinking about when Maya will stand on her own two feet but she suddenly just did. So it was a nice surprise. :)

Talking about nice surprises, my husband surprised me a watch last night. I’ve been wanting a new watch for quite some time and I was of course, over the moon with the gift! Plus it was exactly the type of watch that I’ve been eyeing on. The design is something fun and something playful, because I already have a very serious older-woman watch.

That’s the watch I got last night.

We’re not the “shower each other with gifts” kind of couple and I’m not the kind of wife who expects to be showered with gifts, flowers and the likes of it but every once in a while, it is nice to get a little present. Especially unexpected ones. Totally sweet. I love the watch and I love YOU more (not because of the watch but I really just do. Really. I mean it. OK. The watch helped a bit but I do love you!) Thanks for everything.