The littlest turned ONE

The littlest in our family turned ONE!

A look back on blog, I know there is barely any chronicle on Juboy. Not that he is portioned less love, or that his milestones are insignificant, just that, my hands are full!

Milestones are memorable and worth celebrating over, but after having three, it becomes a swift growing phase. We stop chasing milestones, because we know they will eventually come to past. A healthy and happy little one is all we ask for.

Juboy is slightly underweight, I stopped breastfeeding when his weight was stagnant between his 6th and 7th month. I felt like I was dying of guilt when advised to switch to formula to up his calories intake. Though drinking and eating well, he didn't seem to get any much chubby since. I self comforted that it's probably Daddy's genes he took after.

This boy is the most fortunate of three. I took him, and is still taking him into the hands of my full time care. While I was out working before older Js turned one. So yes, there is a vast difference in terms of sanity. When you are out of home working, you get that break and breather from home and kids, but a stay home Mum is stuck to her job duties regardless.

Being a full time Mum to a baby is a whole load of chaos physically and mentally, and in my role, with greater time and tasks distribution among the three.

I've to say it has been a tough year juggling three. I had the baby almost everywhere I went with older Js, but I'm glad it did not deter us from venturing places.

New Mothers need more of that love and encouragement. We get the harshest treatment of incessant crying, most disgusted poop, worst regurgitation and endless mind games to a bub who can barely sign or verbalize. Some days, it takes a toil on us. 

We cry with the baby too.

We cook on some days with a leech to our legs or arms, but still, we need to cook. There are older kids to feed. 
The dinner schedule is often delayed.

We try to catch up on our meals, but largely depends on the baby's schedule. Most times, we skip or if not, eat with a baby in our arms.
Meal time gets quicker.

We slot in time for catch up with friends who do not birth around the same time as us, we ended up running in and out the restaurant with an impatient baby. Gracious friends we need!
We can't do quality catch up. 

We upkeep the house in midst of a sticky baby, and some days we just can't get any chores done. 
The house is in a mess. 

We plan our toilet visits, or if not, we bring a little companion along. There's no hideout even if it means toilet break.  
We have a constant toilet companion.

You can tell, there's no time for hobbies. Only time we have is when the baby is sleeping, with hopefully an easy and sound bedtime.  
We sacrifice a big part on time and sleep.

We are often in the mad rush of packing and bringing everyone out to be on time for appointments.
We battle with punctuality. 

We don't know if the guilt is skewed towards the older kids or the youngest baby, but they have all given up certain needs and wants during varying situations. 
We struggle in the game of guilt.

We forgot or rather, we can't find time to care for ourselves. It's all about baby first, then Mama 
We struggle to love ourselves.  
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The list goes on without an end. If you know of a new Mum, send her some love!!! It's not easy tying through the crying days of a baby. Though I felt I could cope better after gloriously raising 2 independent ones, I won't lie that there are bleak days for me. 

The good news, seasoned Mothers will say is, it will all be over in a flash! A year flew over this quick for me. There's so much of a mixed feeling within. A part of me feeling emotional that I have not savour enough of that babyhood and adorable moments, and a part of me is looking forward to witness him acquire independence. 

Raising a baby is interestingly contradicting. 

Hang in there, Mummies of new babies! Growing takes time and time seems like the only recovery for us. The long, tired and hectic days will be over, the crying will get lesser, feeding time gets stretched, the baby bag gets lighter and the routine gets better. It will all be over before we welcome a new set of change. For the better.

There's always light at the end of a tunnel.

To my third born who is ONE, "Happy Birthday! Thank you for completing the family and sprinkling our lives with more laughter! We love you and may you continue to grow in good health and wisdom!" 

Letter to our littlest

Juboy,

You turned 100 days old last week. Like any women whose time seemed to have accelerated after having kids, I questioned, "where did time go?" Watching you grow is a bitter sweet affair. It's wonderful watching how you've progressed with each milestone, but knowing you are likely our last baby, we dearly miss every yesterday as each new day unfolds. We treasure the precious baby moments with you.

It's true that in a party of 3 siblings, we have divided attention. It's tough to find an equal standing and sometimes the sacrifice may not be equal too. But love is not divided, instead it is multiplied. Every one of you get your unique moments, and you know how special you get that 1-1 time with me in the morning. 

I'm thankful that you've been really accommodating most days when I had to leave you to tarry longer in your cries, because I was occupied with chores or with your siblings. But everyone knows, baby has got the priority. So yes, your cries did send me on scrambling feet and your older siblings gave me up to you instantly. We know baby is king.

Many have said it gets more flexible and lenient when it comes to the subsequent children. There is some element of truth, and we do get less paranoid over the things that would have freaked us out when baby caring for big sister. Parenting got wiser and we fell back on the most basic in many circumstances. Be assured, you are always in safe and loving hands. 

Know what, as much as we are enjoying babyhood, we are also highly anticipating your growth, how soon are you gonna start crawling, walking, talking and the many milestones ahead. We are so curious about your development, your personality and whose looks are you gradually taking more of. There's an inner part of us that we can't wait to see you grow.

You arrived and striped your big brother's title of the only son. But I assure you, he's more than happy to have another playmate and sibling for life! You are wonderfully blessed with a big brother who's always jovial and light-hearted, a big sister who's wise and kind-hearted. They adore you tremendously!

Whatever the journey ahead, stay healthy and grow steadily! Thank you for completing us and we love you! 

ps: your frequent fart is killing me softly everyday. But I will be strong!

Love,
Mum