Motherese: Month Twelve

Posted on 10.18.07 to Clare, Motherese, Parenting by Joan

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Motherese
Vol 1, Issue 12

Dearest Clare,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

And HAPPY LABOUR DAY TO ME!

One year ago, at this time, I was nursing a fever while waiting for you to make your foray into this world. Gosh, it seems like it wasn’t that long ago when you were plonked onto my chest with a giant frown on your face, complete with gooey gunk and all. Here’s the link to your birth story again, in case you needed a bit of reminding!

Clare, I can’t begin to tell you how much joy you’ve brought to me the past one year. Being with you every step of your growth has been a real treat. You’re a little girl now, no longer a little baby. You let us know when you want a slice of apple. You want to walk and clean the dogs. You know how to use a tissue to clean your mouth when you’re drinking your milk. You know how to handle our tech gadgets the right way: you’d put your left hand on the keyboard of my mac and right hand on my mouse; you’d hold the G7 like you’re going to snap our picture; you’d use your thumbs to hit the buttons on our phones, just like a true BlackBerryian.

You’re such a musically inclined baby. But your taste goes beyond the Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars variety. Your current favourite hits are ‘The Salmon Song’ by The Chemical Brothers, ‘Stronger’ by Kanye West and ‘If He Can’t Be’ by Frankie J. You’d bop up and down, clap your hands and, this is a recent development – you’d invent your own moves too! In fact, your eyes will twinkle with recognition when you hear the opening lines of ‘The Salmon Song’ and you would also break out into this lovely wide smile.

I must say, the dogs and you got along much better than we expected. We weren’t too sure whether Thunder would adjust well to having a baby in the house, since he’s such a nervous and possessive dog. But over the course of the year, we’ve seen how much he loves you and respects you. He’d be super worried when you’re distressed. And when you’re taking a nap in your playpen, he’d nap beside you on the floor. It warms us even more that you love them so much too. You tried carrying Dinky the other day; and you walked around Thunder in circles and was giggling the whole time.

You’re such a hardy girl. Exactly what I hoped you’d be. Hurting yourself, falling sick – all don’t matter much to you. You’d feel lousy but after wallowing in self-pity for five seconds, you’d be up on your feet exploring, playing and laughing. I hope that you’ll always possess this quality, that in future, if life deals you with a bad hand on the occasion, you’d know how to toss the cards back into the deck and move on with nary a scar.

You’re such an expressive girl. You’ll let us know when you’re happy, excited, playful, sad, sleepy, hungry, jealous, loving, angry, frustrated, serious, curious – all with your eyes. I’m so glad that we manage to capture most of them in pictures so that you’ll have loads of memories of your childhood.

I love being your mom. And I know you love me being your mom because you constantly show your love. You always come and give me kisses. You always hug me. And when you’re sleeping, you subconsciously touch me to make sure I’m right next to you.

It has been a FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL, and EXCITING twelve months, my darling daughter. Thanks for being such a great big part of my life. I am not sure what I would be like now if I didn’t have you.

I love you so, so, so very much. Always and forever.

Love,
Mommy

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