Spending time with Jonathan

TAMIL Nesan reported that a survey on Malaysian parents revealed that they spent an average of just eight minutes a day with their children. Family analyst Dr. D.S. Nadesan, who conducted the survey, warned that this trend would greatly affect the family organisation. He said fast lifestyles, the need to financially sustain the family and work problems were the reasons parents spent less time with their children. Wow, just eight minutes a day....I spend about an hour with Jon in the mornings before I go to work. That's feeding him, watching him play and crawl all over me and Simon. Before we go off to work. Then we come back from work, I will be with him from 4 plus till 7 plus. That includes, playing with him, feeding him his porridge, feeding him while we have dinner then bathing him and putting him to bed. So that adds to at least four hours a day.

Asking us to open the gate so he can climb the stairs

When I was in Singapore and just got married, I said when I have a baby, I hope I can be a full-time mom to my baby for at least his/her first six months. Coz I want to be with my baby, watch him or her grow and be close to me, rather than a caretaker. I knew it will be tough to depend on a single income, but I was prepared to make sacrifices (as in no handbags or unnecessary purchases). And then I prayed to God.

So I am very thankful that I get to spend time with Jonathan now. Jon's a joy to have, super active, giggles when you touch his shoulders, loves to be carried, loves to crawl at a super fast speed (often not looking up and almost crashing into walls, doors), loves his animal DVDs, and often looks at us longingly (especially when we have food).

Playing with Mr Horsie

He loves to open drawers and doors, and when he finds something, he will test it by putting it into his mouth. So we cleared all drawers of small objects.

Jonathan needs more attention from me coz he's still so young. Sometimes, I am tired, sometimes I wish he would be able to walk by himself so I don't have to carry him. Sometimes, wish I could nap but he wants to play. But you know, these moments I have with him will pass very quickly, and they will become memories. And humans are forgetful, yes? So I thank God for being able to spend time with Jon, and for scrapbooking to record all those precious memories, coz I will grow old...and I may forget.