– 9:18 pm
And so it begins, two months old, smiling and talking shit behind my back, plotting my downfall. I see how it is.
Category: Fourth Trimester
Dope encounter
– 1:31 pm
We had a blast talking to your uncle Jr in the US on Saturday. I haven’t seen him laughing this much in a long time. Given all he’s been through, it was a joy to see. The best part is, you didn’t even have to do much (and you didn’t). Just subtle little gestures got him bursting. We’re working on an in-person get-together.
Third time’s a charm
– 9:36 pm
You’re currently out cold in the Moses basket next to me. But earlier today, we took you to the health centre for your first-ever jabs which included vaccines against meningitis and the rotavirus. The latter is administered orally. I just looked it up and it sounds horrible. You’re going to poop some of it out and apparently, we can catch it through that if we’re not careful with your diapers. It may have just been your first taste of something sweet. So getting you to swallow was easy enough.
The other vaccines were a couple of injections, one on each thigh. Five minutes into the conversation with the nurse, I knew your mother wouldn’t be able to handle it. So she offered to hand you over and we swapped seats.
You cried a cry we haven’t heard before. Delayed. Loud. It’s like your face beat your vocal cords to it. The rest of your body wasn’t far behind in bronze place. Kudos to the nurse for serving the pain quick and fast, without pause. Bang bang! But despite that, you were ululating before she could get to the second thigh.
The scream is one I hope to never hear again. I couldn’t believe how sorry I felt for you. It was a blend of innocence and anguish, wondering why this was happening to you. I haven’t wanted to console you more. So I brought you even closer to my chest, doing everything I could.
Thankfully, and in typical Lian fashion, you’d stopped crying before we left the room, as if embarrassed and trying not to make a scene. It was way too adult-like. You wear your name really well son. You really are a warrior. I am very proud of you.
We’d also given you Calpol an hour prior. That was on Dr Maalouf‘s recommendation when we saw him on Monday. He once again pronounced you fit as a fiddle. I bought the Doublebase cream he suggested for your dry cheeks which already seems to be working wonders. We were using vaseline to this point.
Liza and I are expecting a reaction to the vaccines but so far, you seem yourself. The nurse said you’ll probably get a temperature and to give you Calpol between 4-6 hour intervals which we’ve been doing.
We’re curious to see how well you’ll sleep. And speaking of sleep, yesterday made it three nights in a row you slept right through. If you didn’t tonight, I would definitely wouldn’t hold it against you. Additionally, the other NCT babies are reporting a tough time with these meds – swollen thighs, disrupted sleep etc. So we’re ready, mentally. But fingers crossed, you come out of this without any of the above.
The aftermath
– 11:32 am
The jabs came and went as if nothing had happened. No side effects whatsoever. Nothing beyond the tears you left at the clinic. Lucky. It is possible this part of you, you get from me. The COVID vaccines floored your mother. I barely remember them. But who knows, who cares. You’re fine.
Since then, you’ve grown wiser and discovered your hands, swinging them as though in a concert. We also can’t keep you in a swaddle now. That’s how strong you are. I had to buy an upgrade this morning. We’ll see how that goes. Also, what are all these new sounds you’re making? You always seem so surprised when I make them right back at you. It’s hilarious. For both of us.
The tub we give you baths in is meant for babies up to one year. Yeah, that’s not happening. At eleven weeks, your legs are already touching the other end. Incredible how much you love baths though. We had to give you one last night after your trinity of explosions. I had to Dettol the entire bathroom. For the first time, you pissed on me while I was changing your nappy explosion, and gave back some of the milk we’d given you not long ago. This all happened almost simultaneously. I couldn’t help but laugh.
I’m off to the gym for a run. Your mother is taking you to see one of her friends. Enjoy.
Meeting the ol’man
– 12:09 pm
This happened on Monday, meeting your paternal grandfather for the first time (albeit virtually). He’s the one who named you Wanchambi. That’s Carl my younger brother, both of whom are in Cameroon currently. I don’t seem to have the cheeks you all share. In all, a beautiful event.
I wonder how much this interaction would cost to fructify without technology to support it. A lot.
Pah Dan, your grandfather, also sent me this great picture of him in our traditional outfit (and no it’s not worn every day, just for special occasions). It’s called the Toghu. We pronounce it /tor.gor/. You have every right to own one. And if you ever decide to wear it, do so with pride and dignity.
I also tried sleeping you in bean bags, twice now to great success.
PS – The swaddle we “upgraded” you to is a teeny bit too small at the shoulders so Liza is going to gift it away. Besides, it defeats its purpose by having way too much wiggle legroom. You’re like an armless karate kid in it, beating the shit out of the air for no reason. Cruel really.