Hi Lenora, you just turned 1 year old recently and I thought this was a big milestone worth penning a blog post on. As we already held a large-scale 100-day birthday party for you, we decided to keep this celebration smaller with just immediate family members invited. You also timed it to perfection by taking your first few independent steps on this big occasion. As cliched as it may sound, it felt like just yesterday when I first held you in my arms.
The past 1 year with you has been truly a breeze. Thank you for making parenting relatively easy thus far. It was a joy watching your personality develop over time.
In you, I met a really cheerful and sociable baby. You absolutely love interacting with other people, old and young alike. Whenever you are out and about, you will do your hardest to catch a stranger’s attention. Once you have succeeded, you will flash your megawatt smile and signature wave. It’s hilarious and you have no idea how many strangers’ days you have made better as a result.
That probably explains why you absolutely love public transport rides. That is the opportunity to meet so many strangers that you can interact with and charm.
The next thing I notice special about you is your ability to effortlessly communicate your needs and wants to us. This spans from pursing your lips to indicate that you are done with your meals, a slight tug at our clothes to indicate the direction that you want to head towards or a tightening of your grip to indicate that you are worried.
Furthermore, you are also an incredibly patient baby. I recall one episode whereby we were trying to find a nice picnic area in Botanic Garden Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage which amounted to an almost impossible task with the vast crowd gathered. You were just this incredibly patient champ waiting in your stroller without a fuss and all. This is despite the fact that it’s past your dinner and all the fatigue of travelling via public transport. That makes bringing you out so much easier and I am so thankful.
What amazes me is your incredibly strong immunity system. In the past year, we have only brought you to the doctor once and even that was done out of an abundance of caution. Maybe it has got to do with experience as we signed you up for flu shot earlier than your sister. Having said that, we were also very concerned when you had eczema after you started solids. It required mild steroid to bring it under control. Although that episode is now behind us, you probably need to consistently apply moisturizer to your skin to strength it.
You also tend to sweat a lot, to the extent that we have resorted to buying an 8-inch clip on stroller fan to keep you well ventilated. Fun fact- Mummy says your sweat smells like mine. Not sure if that is a good thing.
Let me tell you what are some of Papa’s favourite activities with you:
Going to the Playground
We view the playground as your “office” and it is mandatory that you get your dose of daily sunshine there provided that it is not raining. Of late, Daddy discovered the new and massive Whampoa Park playground which features all of your favourite equipment- see-saw, swing and slide. It tickles me no end that you start smiling almost immediately the moment you are seated on a see-saw because you know that you are going to be in for lots of fun.
Swimming
Having sent Olympia to Happy Fish for over 2 years, I try to do my best impersonation of a Happy Fish coach when swimming with you. All these efforts, possibly in vain eventually, are to help you gain water confidence. Whatever the outcome, I just appreciate the precious time that I have with you when I am truly focused and not distracted by any digital devices.
Going Out
Daddy loves to bring you out simply because you make it so easy for us. Here is a photo of you café-hopping with us.
Lenora, here’s wishing you a Happy 1st Birthday! The entire family is so blessed to have you as our family member.
This article is published on 2 June 2024.
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Congrats HLB and happy birthday, Lenora!