Nine months on July 10, 2009

Dear Raeann,

How I love the breath of this month!

Brief interludes of rain amidst the mild sunshine, long conversations in bed, milestones piling up like toy bricks in a bucket. No wonder they say babies grow the fastest. Are you nine months already, my dear?

Nine months ago, the days and nights blurred into loud cries and soft yawns, with Mommy reduced to a translucent slob, drained of colour. But more often than not, confetti moments filled up our days. I remember looking down at your small face, and getting amused by the fine, downy hairs on your forehead (a hairy Auyong, just like Daddy and Mommy!). Over the months, you guzzled down whatever you can suckle, and showed off your double chin in its chubby glory. We used to also laugh at how you cry – more of little girly whines, really.

Nine months on, you have spatters of stains on your rompers, smattering of babbles echoing through the homeland. You go ‘meh meh meh meh meh‘ when you see food. You like to let go of all support and stand on your own, only to fall thud on your bum seconds later. You grab your sippy cup and drink like there’s no tomorrow, with streams of water wetting your cute romper. You sleep faithfully in your crib from 8pm to 7 am, and wake up singing ‘meh meh meh‘. You like to remove your socks, pull them taut, give a pout, then smile.

I laugh so hard, but at the same time, the ache in my heart spread. A big part of me wants you to be a baby always. My baby.

With the nasty H1N1 virus making its way fast and furious on our little island, we’ve been keeping you indoors quite a bit. But you still got to swim, take a stroll in the park (ok, it was for our family photoshoot with Uncle Gideon), enjoy a night’s stay at the Changi Village Hotel for our wedding anniversary. As long as you’ve food and Daddy and Mommy, you’re one happy camper. We so love that about you.

And the way you dawdle without a care in the world. The way you stick your finger out to touch Buddy in the brib. The way you hit your palms on the dining table and go ‘thud thud thud’ when you’re hungry. The way you break into the most cheeky of smiles when you see Gor Gor Latte in the mornings. The way you grab tags on clothes and keep yourself entertained. The way you curl your little fingers round mine when you breastfeed.

You’re my Walt Disney love. A little being woven into my heart. I’m besotted, smitten, head over heels in love with you. Just because.

Happy nine, Raeann. I’m just so blessed you’re mine.

Love,

Your teary-eyed Mommy

*All photos by Gideon Koh*