For the longest time, we were on a quest to find Jamaine’s funny bone. We tried to tickle her several times before but she just wouldn’t budge.

But last night, we finally succeeded.

Kernan launched a massive tickle attack on Jamaine’s sides and tummy.

And so the gigglefest began.

The photos look blurred because everything was a stolen shot. I clicked away before she finally took notice of the camera phone.

Sometimes, some people would ask us if Jamaine ever cries. And when we think about it, she hardly does.

Kernan says, he is grateful Jamaine inherited my temper and not his.

But I think it’s more than genes that makes a happy baby. It’s more of the way we’ve been taking care of her since she was born.

Even when Jamaine was just a few days old, I would always talk to her and tell her “I love you!”

I watched her feeding time religiously and fed her the moment I sensed she was hungry.

I made sure that she never wakes up alone. Whether it’s me, her dad, or her yaya, there has got to be somebody there to greet her when she wakes up.

I also carried her often and stayed by her side almost all of the time.

Some warned me that I shouldn’t carry her a lot because she might become fussy and want to be carried around all day.

Some said I should wait for her to cry before I pick her up.

Of course, these were long-held beliefs that I took into consideration but I still followed my own instincts.

It just didn’t feel right for me to have to wait for her to cry before I pick her up. I figured that babies have other communication cues aside from crying and I just need to tune into them so I could respond to her needs immediately.

It may seem like I’m spoiling her.

But I think, this is the very reason she is not a crybaby.

I guess she feels assured that her needs are always met so she doesn’t need to cry out for them. She knows we’re always there for her so she feels secure and loved.

I know she’ll grow up to be one happy and sweet-tempered little girl.

3 Lessons from a 4 month old

1. FIND HAPPINESS IN THE SIMPLE THINGS. It takes so little to make babies happy. As long as their tummies are full, their bums are fresh and dry, their bodies are hugged, cuddled and kissed, they are happy and content. So try to find happiness in everyday things: the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the house you live in and most of all, the people who love you.
2. BE TRUE TO YOUR FEELINGS. When babies are happy, they laugh. When they’re sad, they cry. They don’t have mixed emotions or pretentions, just pure honest emotions. I find that this better than “pretending to be okay.” Because when you’re honest about what you feel and you face it head on, it’s easier to let them go.
3. LOVE FREELY.

Thank God it’s Friday!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tagged as: Baby, gratitude, Jamaine, life, love, Motherhood, Parenting