I haven't been here for awhile.Nothing different is going on with me. It's just that by the time I get back from work, I'm not thinking of the computer or the internet. My priority then is Athena. Since I spend all day away from her, I like to use the evenings to catch up on anything I'd missed out. Sometimes, I wish some people would remember that instead of assuming I am always available to run around like I used to.

It doesn't help that I have a baby who doesn't seem to believe in first words. She's tumbling headlong into first sentences and phrases. Her current favourite is 'I go.' Can you tell she loves going out?

I was telling some of my colleagues about her a few days ago and I happened to mention that she already has 8 books. Some of those books are classic like Peter Pan, We're Going On A Bear Hunt and Where The Wild Things Are. One colleague actually took a critical tone with me saying, "She's only a baby!!"

My reply was simple. "If you don't get her to like reading at an early age, when are you expecting to start?"

I didn't even want to share with this colleague that I used to talk to Athena when she was in my womb. Due to that practice, Athena now sleeps at 9.30 p.m. and wakes up at 6.30 p.m. Exactly the times I taught her to do so while I was pregnant. And since the day she was born, Athena always seemed to understand everything we said to her. So if talking to her while I was pregnant with her is stupid, then guess whose baby appears more intelligent compared to others her age?

Gette calls her an over-achiever. Trust me, neither Shook nor I pushed Athena to be so. So far, she has a penchant for music and she always looks like she's trying to figure out how things work. If this turns her into a singing mechanical engineer, so be it. But she loves flying, so aeronautical engineer? Who knows? As far as I am concerned, she can be whatever she wants to be, wherever she wants to be. However, right now, people find it hard to believe she's talking, crawling at super speed, walking while aided and growing her sixth tooth all at the same time.

I am spending the weekend with her in KL this week. We're hoping to meet up with some of her aunts and uncles, if we can. But I'm going to watch Merchants of Bollywood as well as attend a function so I'm not sure how much time I have to spare to meet up or go shopping. In addition, my parents are flying off to Perth on Sunday because my grandmother just passed away in Perth. But I'll be back on Sunday evening.

Other than that, I'm looking forward to the weekend and taking Athena to a whole new environment. I'm not worried since she's a good traveller.

Comments (3)

On Friday, July 17, 2009 8:25:00 pm , Minah Melayu said...

i tend to sing to Lumpy when she's feeling restless... not that i can sing... but i don't really talk to her much. J does though... mostly he whispers to her so i can't hear what they are conspiring about! about 2 more months she'll be here! and i'm sure Athena will show her the ropes ;)

have fun in KL and i'm sorry to hear about your grandmother...

 
On Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:08:00 am , Balqiz said...

You're totally the new-age mom! And I totally agree with your concept! When you begin teaching your baby while it is still in the womb, it will form an important part of their learning and helps to provide many hints as to what the outside environment is like, in a way that sets a good foundation for their feeling of love and security. When (or IF EVER) I have children one day, I'm going to get you to teach me everything!

 
On Saturday, July 25, 2009 4:08:00 pm , Raven said...

Yati, talk to her. She'll find it easier to recognise your voice when she's born and she'll instinctively listen. Athena is already really talkative for a soon-to-be 10-month old.

Balqiz, everything I'm doing, I learnt from my mom. Anything else is trial and error right now. But I'll be more than happy to share with you :)