Sweet Miracles

My dear little boy,

Today Popo smsed me to tell me that you walked 5 steps at the playground today! I was amazed and exhilerated – but not that surprised. You have been on the verge of walking for about a week now. You were able to stand unsupported on your own, and many times you looked like you wanted to take a step but hesistated. Last Friday when we were at Sakae Sushi in celebration of Gong Gong’s birthday, you were walking around the whole restaurant with the help of the chairs, and you took your first mini-steps on  your own. I finally saw you make those couple of steps on your own (Papa told me he saw you doing that so many times at home and i was wondering how come i kept on missing those important steps though i was the one working part-time!).

On Sunday, when celebrating Yeye’s birthday at Merchant Court where the floor was carpetted which prob gave you a sense of safety, you dared to let go of Mummy’s hands and make about 3 steps on your own. At other times, I didn’t try to lead you by the hands but let you hold on to my finger instead, and you were walking so well that i was convinced that you cld have walked anyway even if you weren’t holding onto my finger. We went to take a walk at the nearby shopping centre afterwards and wow…it was the first time that we were letting you walk instead of carrying you in our arms! Not that it was less tiring for Papa and Mummy though… if anything, it was even more tiring having to stoop over and hold your hands, making sure you don’t trip and fall. But it was worth it, seeing this newfound skill of yours and the look of concentration and excitement on your face.

I have seen you master other skills like balancing on the armchair to fiddle with the stuff on the computer table, so i know that you keep on practising and practising, not faltering even when you lose balance and get into fixes, until you are super steady and Mummy knows she can leave you alone and not worry. That’s why i wasn’t that surprised when I saw Popo’s sms about you taking a track record of 5 steps today. Of cos, i was a little disappointed to have missed it, but then i needn’t have, cos of cos, you were going to repeat the feat later on the evening when we decided to take you downstairs after dinner.

As if you decided 5 steps was barely a real accomplishment that you cld feel satisfied with, you actually let go of Mummy’s hands and kept on walking on your own. Wow… you were walking! Not like a drunkard kinda way, but in a pretty decent way as if you have been walking for ages! And right after that, you decided to venture up the stairs on your own. That seriously astounded me! Popo gestured me to let you do your own thing, which is prob what i wld have done anyway, so i stayed close behind you and watched in amazement as you made your way up the stairs with the help of the railings, first with two hands, and then one. After that, you came down again, though that was a little more tricky and you were crossing your legs – but you did it by yourself eventually too.

I then walked you over to the 5th floor neighbours so that you could meet other kor kors and jie jies, and you were your usual sociable self, talking to them, poking them, shaking hands. Later the kor kor and jie jie staying on the same floor as us came home from school. It was your first time coming into contact with them without the gate between you guys and you gave the jie jie a big hug! You are such a warm and affectionate little one.. i foresee that you are going to make friends with all the kids staying in our block and in future, have no lack of friends to play with.

Since they were on their way home, we went the same way as them. I held your hand while the kor kor who is about 9 years old i think took your other hand as he held the hand of jie jie who is about 3 or 4, and together we walked back. When we reached the stairs, jie jie’s Mummy carried her and i think she was surprised that you were making your way up the stairs by yourself, with kor kor and Mummy holding your hands. The kor kor is very kind and patient as well, following your pace while you struggled your way up step by step… you were getting tired too! Finally we made it to 6th floor and bade farewell to them.

I thought it was time to go back, but you wanted more and started your way up the stairs to 7th floor – totally uncharted territory! Ok… i was so impressed by your new skills that i went along with you. You made your way towards the unit on the left, and you kept walking until you got to the gate. I was a bit cautious about disturbing our neighbour but then i saw the altar with many Buddha statues and the place felt friendly so i didn’t try too hard to make you leave. Anyway, a very kind-looking lady came to the gate, hearing our little scuffles outside, and she was delighted to see you even though i think she was doing chanting cos she was holding mala beads. You automatically waved hello to her which surprised me cos it usually takes you a while to do that to pple you first meet. Perhaps you sensed her energy of metta. Well i told her you walked here yourself… ok, Mummy was holding your hand but i let you lead the way so that was the truth. Thank gdness she seemed totally charmed by you and was dismayed she didn’t have sweets for you, which of cos was fine. Well i have a feeling that in future neighbourhood explorations, you are going to come and visit this old lady on a regular basis!

After that, you made your way back down to 6th level and i practically had to force you back in the house – you were so eager to do more exploration! But you were tired and it was nearing bedtime so this was one of the times where i didn’t let you have your way. Thank goodness you cheered up quickly afterwards and after Mummy’s and your bath, you came over, wanting to be carried and then you laid your head affectionately on Mummy’s lap. I’m glad that while you seem to be growing up so quickly with your newfound independence and with such an adventurous spirit and insatiable appetite for exploring the outside world, you still love to give Mummy hugs and pats… which Mummy loves!

I’m so happy that you are finally on your two feet and ready to venture into the world out there. Mummy can’t wait to take you on more outings where you can totally decide where you want to go… and Mummy wld be beside you to hold your hand when you want, and when you get so excited that you scramble forward without me, i’ll be just as happy to take photos of you from behind, and watch you with lotsa pleasure and love.

Enjoy your adventures my little one!

Lotsa love,

Mummy

PS: You woke up while i was in the middle of this letter and now you are standing behind me on the computer chair, giving me the sweetest hugs and the most vigorous “shoulder massages”… how i love these moments! Though it’s definitely time for you to go back to bed now!