Intan Payung Permata Hati

My baby N last night said a new word, "Nak Susu". I know that's nothing to shout about for a three year old. Others his age are probably capable of telling stories and speaking multi-languages by now. Not my baby (due to a development delay which I shall not elaborate on, as I have already) , but that's okay.


my baby N

When he said those two words, I felt like rushing off to do a sujud syukur. To thank the Almighty for this precious gift. Unfortunately, it's the time of the month and that wasn't possible, so I said a silent prayer, kissed my baby a million times and said "good job!" to him so many times, that in the end he looked puzzled!



when they were younger

Although Baby N's vocabulary is something like 15 words and the rest babbles and mystery sounds, he is an affectionate and expressive boy. Despite his shortcomings in speech, his brother, my N Junior seems to understand him well. Baby N only needs to squeak or babble some strange words to the brother and N Junior will come to me to say "Mama, adik wants some milk" or "Mama, adik says he wants to watch Barney", "Mama, adik says he wants a Game Boy and a Power Rangers VCD" (yeah right, nice try!) or whatever else. I used to think that N Junior was making things up and was using his brother as an excuse to getting things that he wanted. I used to tease N Junior and say "are you sure adik said ALL that??" and he'd innocently say "Yes, he told me just now!" . Funnily enough, Baby N seems to be happy with all the responses to his brother's requests to us. Could it be possible, that N Junior understands him?


N Junior as a baby

My eldest, N Junior is a very friendly child, very sociable and very much a "people" person. I sometimes wonder whether he is ever disappointed by the fact that his brother can't speak to him and have brotherly chats (on whatever children their age talk about!). I asked him once and my instincts were right. He is a bit disappointed but always, in the true manner of a big brother says "it's ok mama, nanti Dr C will teach adik" referring to Baby N's speech therapist.

I would consider getting pregnant and have another baby so that perhaps N Junior will have a sibling to talk to and so that perhaps, that will push Baby N to want to talk. You think that would work? Or would it work the other way around?

Wallahualam.

Despite all this, I am glad that N Junior is strong and very patient with his brother. I have such great support from my eldest. He is always so forgiving of his brother and is always there to teach and coach his sibling tirelessly. He even helps out with Baby Ns home therapy, that I now proudly call him my little co-therapist!

I have to say, that motherhood has got to be the most fulfilling thing that I have ever done and although my boys are far from perfect, I am a very proud mom. (I know..I know..which mother isn't proud of her children!) I am embracing everyday with hope (for Baby N) and end each day full of gratitude that God has given me my babies.

It's so much fun watching the boys grow, that I sometimes stop and wish they'd just stop growing for fear they will someday not want to be smothered with my kisses and someday stop wanting to hear the bedtime stories I have for them. I know now why people say they'd kill or die for their children because, I would.

In the car yesterday, N Junior said, "Mama, adik wants me to sing my song" (and that's ALL RISE by BLUE), so we turned on the CD and he went singing away. Baby N laughed all throughout the brother's rendition of the song. I wondered, "How does N Junior do it? Does he really understand his little brother?". I guess I have a lot to learn from my son. Perhaps God sent Baby N to us to show us how strong N Junior is, and in turn bring out the strengths in our own selves. He's so special. They both are.

These boys are my world.

And what a beautiful world it is.