Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Dear Brie,

Oh my. You are ONE year old today!

Which means, exactly a year ago I was at the hospital waiting, texting, waiting, facebook-ing, receiving lots of well-wishes and prayers, induced, waiting, in pain, on gas, in more pain, and finally was greeted by you, our baby no. 3 in our little family.

I remember how you’re the tiniest out of all three (at 3.2kg), and how I often felt you’re so fragile and small in my hands.

I remember how you’re all yellowish due to a rather high level of jaundice and how after daily sunbathing, waking you up for breastfeeding every 2 hours (you were very sleepy and refused to feed!) and constant prayers, you’re all clear within a month.

(Btw, the hospital staff was ‘very surprised’ when we decided to bring you back home instead of leaving you at the hospital for phototherapy. We felt it was the right thing to do at the time and we were right)

Months passed by and I remember how you smiled for the first time, how you giggled and laughed out loud when you’re 3.5 months old! We had it on video too that night, and my, it was such a treasured moment! Your sis and bro giggled so happily next to you whenever they heard you laughed =)

Yes, you are indeed blessed with a sister and a brother who both adore and love you very much.

There were times when you’re unwell too. You were feverish, coughed and because you had trouble breathing well (read: wheezing), we had you nebulised, which we found is the best way to tackle your breathlessness so far.

And within a month after you arrived here in Jakarta, you had fever, diarrhea and vomited too, which lasted for a good one week. You lost some weight, but hey, you’re well again, and I’m sure you’re stronger too after such an episode.

Yes, you are really blessed with friends and families who cared and prayed for your health too.

And look at you now!

Eight teeth altogether, standing up all on your own, cruising, giggling, and loving your playtime with your brother and sister (and, errr … you now know very well how to spew your food and drinks all over the place too, which really is not fun, especially for me)

Happy 1st birthday, our dearest Brie.

You will not remember how things were like in your first year, which exactly is why I dedicate this blog post especially for you.

Because, I wish for you to read this one day and see how we love you very much, and how God watches and cares for you every single day.

God loves you a lot and we feel very blessed to have been entrusted with a little baby Brie in our family.

May you grow up knowing, trusting and loving your Creator, and be a blessing to many.

…

PS: You received LOTS of birthday wishes, especially on my Facebook, and I’ve thanked them, on your behalf =)