Nolan Gets a Letter

December 02, 2022

Nolan Gets a Letter

This should have published 5 months ago, but life (kids) got in the way.

Reasons why this post was delayed

Dear Didi,

Time truly flies - it’s been over a year and papa and I have yet to write you a note - and you’re now a full fledged toddler! It’s not because we love you any less than your rascally siblings, but life often gets in the way when there are 3 kids under 3 years old. (Albeit 3 under 3 is a big upgrade from 3 under 2 - that’s truly a challenge of the highest order). Excuses aside, let’s move on to the note proper.

This baby made us realise the twins weren't really that cute after all

Only peaceful when asleep

We welcomed you into our lives in March 2021. I confess that the early months remain a blur. (3 under 2 is really not easy la). But I remember you were (and are) very adorable. You were born with huge eyes 👀 and a full head of hair. Looks wise, you looked quite like your elder brother in the early days. You are a big eater as well, guzzling good amounts of milk. This is reflected in your growth. For reasons that puzzle me and papa, you are somehow very tall, topping over 90th percentile in length. This is strange to us indeed, as anybody who knows us can attest that we are at best of average height, but somehow we have managed to engender a tall baby like you. Time will tell if your excellent height will persist (though I certainly hope that it will).

Rare times an interaction between the boys that didn't end in crying and screaming.

With two older siblings, you are firmly entrenched as the baby of the family. I have to admit that gorgor did not take much notice of you, often preferring to ignore you. Your jiejie however was taken by you (though of course prone to occasional fits of jealousy). She would want hold to the bottle while we were feeding you, or feed you solids when you were off age. She would also proudly proclaim - “I feed didi!”

You also had to learn how to stand your ground with your older siblings - and you are definitely up to the task. At your latest polyclinic appointment, you are only 8cm shorter than your brother (both of you were taking vaccination shots that day and hence had measurements done on the same day). You are really our little giant! In fact, the three of you look like triplets in group photos. You are full of mischief, sometimes grabbing your unsuspecting siblings’ toys (your brother really does not like that), sometimes grabbing their hair. We should really be firmer with you (your siblings had received quite a few stern talks by the time they reached your age), but I guess we are suckers for those big eyes and impish smile. Being the baby of the family probably helps too.

At some point Papa butchered your hair. At the Singapore Zoo.

Meanwhile, in another zoo

Right now, you love excavators - fighting with your brother over excavator toys (our “wawa” / 挖挖 boys). You get excited at excavators on the road and will point them out to us. You are learning so quickly and surprise us with all your new words (“woof woof”, “fish”, “mooooo”, “book”). You do have this rather bad habit of saying “book” and throwing the book at our feet. I must also mention your favourite word and person - “papa”. Papa is far and above your greatest love, it’s all sunshine and rainbows when you’re in papa’s arms. There is no “mama” in your vocabulary at present.

In the interval between writing and publishing this has changed significantly. You now request for mama over papa. Signifying your transition firmly into toddlerhood, as Papa becomes fiercer and mama becomes a safe refuge.

As the youngest unfortunately alot of things are going to be hand me downs. Those shoes look familiar

In a short span of nearly 18 months, you have grown from a newborn (albeit a good sized 3.9kg baby) into a toddler with all sorts of quirks and naughtiness. We love you so much, our little boy.

snot bubble

P.S.

Please sleep through the night soon. Papa and mama would love to have abit more sleep.

P.P.S.

Regular readers will remember he had milk allergies.

Vegan ice cream for the milk allergy baby. Kept away from milk for so long, turns out he doesn't even like regular ice cream, much less vegan ice cream.