Happy Nine Months

I didn't realize he's 9 months already. What else can I say? He kept us busy and it's been a joy to see his milestones every single day. It surprises me and J on what he's going to do or say next. As a hands-on mom, I try to work as quickly as I can and be as efficient as I can so I could spend time with him. But it also amuses me that he enjoys playing by himself at his play pen while he listens to the music from Baby Einstein. Sooner or later, he would get used to being inside the play pen and would want to explore his outer surroundings. It only means that I need to keep my eyes on him all the time.

I stopped doing purees for him. I still have some in the freezer but mostly cauliflower, some roasted pureed apples and bananas. He graduated from purely pureed foods about a month ago and is willing to chew on something. Sometimes I was hoping that there's more backup food for him but there's not much space in the freezer. I wonder if I spoiled his taste buds also. It seems that Nate wants to eat new food every meal. But I'm glad he still eats his cereals every breakfast. Sometimes I don't have time to prepare new food for him so he gets to eat the same food for lunch and dinner. Once in a while, when I have time, I let him eat with his fingers so would be more involve with his meal time. There were also days that he doesn't like his food even when the food is delicious. But I don't force him to finish it. I may not be able to breastfeed Nate but one thing I can do for me him now is to expose him to different kinds of food as much as possible. There was a day that I didn't have time to cook so I took some of the curried pumpkin for lunch delivery, added a bit of rice and coconut milk while carefully removing the whole cumin, fennel and mustard seeds. I'm glad that he ate it even when there's spices on it.

I know he likes clear soups such as beef and chicken. He also likes Greek yogurt with bananas, mangoes or avocado or even sweet potato. Later I realized that I can grate pears and apples through the microplane instead of blending it. I think he likes anything with tomato. A bit sour but yes, he likes it while he's still getting used to eating anything green. He doesn't like porridge-like rice but he likes it just soft. And of course, can't forget the egg yolks and bone marrow. Just like most babies, he likes anything cold and sweet.

Nate is making different sounds lately. Sometimes I wonder if he is more communicative than J and I. I only speak when I have something important to say. But it's good that he babbles even if they are meaningless talk at the moment. I'm certain he's trying to pronounce a word that he has heard before while I read to him. When I was around 10 years old, my brother called me "smiling face" because I smile for no reason at all and yet it irritates him. Now, Nate smiles at almost everyone he doesn't even know. If the person is still there, he looks back and would smile again and again. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. At least he smiles all the time even at home.

When I look back on this 9 month journey, I'm actually glad that I didn't hire a yaya. It was actually on my list to take care of my own baby even before I got married. Of course, I get tired and need help when we go out and that's the time that help comes. Everyone wants to carry him and feed him. I didn't mind at all even when his dessert is given in between his meal. But at home, he gets his sweets at the end of the meal or he doesn't get it at ll. I have my own reasons for not having a yaya and I appreciate the respect for my decision. Although there are still people who would ask where is the yaya, I would say he doesn't have one. It has been the norm in the Philippines to have one. And I agree that it does really help to make our lives easier. But then, there are those who chose not to have one and I am one of them. And if even John and I would need help, we'll get someone who can help us with the household chores instead.

Being a mother and homemaker is not a job, just like I mentioned before. I realized that doing all of these things for my family is actually a privilege and a blessing from God.

We continually ask Him for his protection and grace that Nate will always be protected from ailments and sicknesses, from pains and accidents and even from negative people. And when we look at him, John and I are still in awe. It was surreal and we still asked ourselves, is he really our son? Truly, God's creative workmanship is so evident, we just need to open our eyes and our hearts.

Happy Nine Months Nate.