Motherhood taught me…

As Mother’s Day gets nearer, I can’t help but reflect on the things I learned since becoming a mother. Some of these things I learned from my mama many years ago but back then, I was too young to understand them. Some, I learned by experiencing it myself.

Motherhood, they say, is not easy. I agree. It takes a lot of patience, effort and creativity. But on the other hand, motherhood opened my eyes, mind and heart to so many wonderful realities in life which I didn’t see (or refused to see) as a single woman.

Below is a list of those things which I learned since Sonnet came into my life.

1. To sleep shallowly. Any moment your baby gets hungry or wants her nappy changed, you should be up and about right away.

2. To use cotton nappies and stainless clips. A baby’s skin is very sensitive so you have to alternate the use of disposable nappies and cotton otherwise your baby would be the breeding ground of rashes.

3. To feed my baby not according to the book but according to her demands. If the book says feed her every 4 hours but baby gets hungry every two hours, hell with the book!

4. That a baby is a good listener. You could talk all day to a baby and she’ll stare at you in awe. Adults like arguments and debates.

5. That a baby has a naturally sweet scent. Adults need to spray a bottle or can of perfume all over their bodies to achieve a pleasant odor.

6. That babies are sophisticated music lovers. They listen to Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Verdi, Schubert peacefully with their eyes closed. They don’t bang their heads like a crazy dog or go grinding their bodies like worms.

7. That a baby’s smile takes you instantly to heaven

8. That a baby cries even when she’s not hungry or wet. She just needs a warm hug and lots of kisses.

9. That babies understand the definition of “No” and “Yes” (even when they can’t talk straight yet).

10. That I can afford to come in late at work but I feel like a loser when I fail to catch my baby awake at night. That’s why I hurry home everyday. Nothing equates to the feeling I get from seeing and holding my baby.

Of nappy and raindrops

This morning, I woke up to a dark sky. I tried to assess the weather to see if it plans on staying this way for the rest of the day. I wouldn’t want to wear something for the cold weather only to find myself sweating in buckets when the angry rays of the sun start to appear during midday.

As I looked out the window, my daughter called me in her soft and low key voice. I propped her up on my knee and told her the sky is crying. She pretended to cry and let out an infectious laughter. I laughed, too, and held her closer.

Looking at the time, I figured the traffic would be very heavy since it’s a Monday. I wouldn’t want to come in late at work so I hurriedly put down my little Sonnet and told her I have to change her nappy and clothes. She refused with a sharp “Nah,” matched with a pout. I realized she was enjoying the moment and didn’t want me to break it just yet. I followed the direction of her eyes, and figured she was looking at the rain drops on the leaves of a tree which stood outside our window.

I told her softly that I’m going to let her drink from my glass if she lets me change her nappy but she whispered back, “Nah.” I told her I’ll let her eat from my spoon but she only remained quiet.

Finally, I told her to have a good look at the sky so my baby stared up. I explained to her that the sky is lonely that’s why it’s crying nonstop. When Sonnet’s curious eyes looked straight at me, I continued that the sky is lonely because she won’t change her diaper. And this could trigger skin irritation in her diaper area.

Of course, I knew this explanation won’t work. I just wanted to get her attention. You see, Sonnet likes it when I talk. So I told her in my casual tone that the sky has decided to cry all day, which means there’s no way she could swim in the inflatable swimming pool which her uncle brought home last weekend.

Sonnet swiftly got off the bed and… I’ve managed to arrive early at work;)