Almost-14-Month-Old Mikhail

My last post was on Mikhail's 1st Birthday. It's been almost 2 months since then without any updates. It's not that I have nothing to update about. I have TONS of things to share!

Let me try to make a quick update on what you've missed in this past 2 months...

Mikhail has learnt to walk.

I know this is a major milestone, and I wish I could tell you the exact date and situation where he took his 1st step.
But I can't.
He had been 'infecting' (walking while hanging-on to furniture) for quite some time.
He then proceeded to walk a couple of steps on his own... usually from one parent to the other, or from the couch to the TV-stand.
Then he just took more independent steps... and more... and more... and TADAAH!
He's walking.
I do remember that a few days before he seemed completely comfident in walking those many steps on his own, he had a fever.
My grandmother said that this was common for babies... 'Demam nak jalan'.
Feeling unwell... but STILL attempting to walk.

He had his 1st haircut.

It was unplanned. His hair was growing out in unruly curls and they were getting into his eyes. My grandmother had given us a stern warning NOT to cut his hair because she adored the curls. None of us were willing to take the role as his hairdresser... But the hair was really bothering him and I felt that he should at least have a trimmed fringe.

It just so happened we were at my mom's house when the hairdresser was there to cut her hair. So we thought "Heck! This lady's a professional! We'll get HER to trim the fringe... (and none of us will bear the blame... heheheh)'

So I promptly sat Mikhail in my lap, the smock was pulled over him, I held his head tight (my ultimate fear was having him jump up and the scissors poke his eyes... SHUDDER!) and Doris (the hairdresser) expertly trimmed his fringe.
Mikhail sat there in my lap, his eyes following each snip and when it was over, he promptly slid down and continued his toddler-adventures.

"This strange woman cutting my hair...Mommy's tight grip on my head... All that's fine... But the PINK smock???"

Mikhail is really playful now.
It's really a blessing that he got SO MUCH toys as birthday presents (Thanks Everyone!)
He can play like a big boy, instead of having to be entertained by us all the time.
I can actually leave him with his toys and he'll occupy himself for a long time before he wanders out to look for company.
He kicks balls, push the buttons on his laptop, sway to the music from his portable piano, jabber to his teddy, try to insert blocks into the boxes etc.

"Lots and LOTS of toys for lil' ol' me..."

But when he feels like quiet time, he'll grab his favourite picture book and head straight to Mommy. Then he'll sit in my lap and we'll enjoy a nice time pointing at the pictures and making up stories (Mikhail does all the pointing).

Mikhail pointing. "I want to play with YOU!"

Mikhail had his 1st Hari Raya Aidiladha which we celebrated with Wan's family in Putrajaya.

Early in the morning, we all headed for the Putrajaya Mosque for the prayers. I stayed in the compound with Mikhail while Wan joined his family inside the mosque. There was a LOT of people in the congregation. And quite a few who were in the compound as well (women waiting for their spouses, mostly).

Mikhail had fun toddling around and grinning at all the ladies.
He kept coming back to me and giving me a perplexed look, going "Da da?".
"Daddy's in there, Mikhail. Daddy's praying."
He would stare at me for a second and then flash his grin and continue on his quest to mengorat every makcik in Putrajaya.
"Salam Aidiladha! .... Where's my Daddy?"

Mikhail knows how to bergaya.

Sometimes, after his bath, I would show him to different outfits and ask him to choose. More often than not, he would always point to the one that I was hoping he would choose! Heheheh... Sama taste la kita!
He has a penchant for collared t-shirts and shorts as opposed to the Mothercare onesies. He also has a pair of tan sandals that he adores, and wants to put that on, even though it clashes with the rest of the outfit.

Wan and I have made a pact to go out for a family dinner every Saturday.
Our first one was to Tony Roma's in Pavilion.
Wan and I shared lamb chops and steak while Mikhail had a portion of mashed potatoes all to himself.
He behaved handsomely and scribbled with his crayons (which they provided) while we chatted and ate.

I think it's good to bring him for restaurant dining once in a while...
We also take him out to barbecues, parties, kenduris etc and have done so ever since he was born (after the whole pantang period lah).
I'm hoping it exposes him to good social skills and he learns to behave. Alhamdulillah, it seems to have worked. A few weeks ago, my parents took him out for lunch at Tarbush and came back with glowing reports on their well-behaved cucu.
Am praying this behaviour lasts!

Ready to head for dinner! (Mikhail's black turtleneck was a gift from Auntie Tracey; and he chose to wear it for that dinner date :))

Mikhail experienced his first Christmas holidays.

The songs, the Christmas trees, the lights, the santas, the cookies...
He was enthralled by it all.
We took him to see the singing tree at Pavilion (yeah, again :) we like it there!).
Mikhail swayed to the songs and we all were very impressed with the tree.
Who would have thought that they could construct a lovely white tree with spiral platforms for the carollers to sing on. Lovely.

(Before anyone bazookas me with 'You are so murtad for celebrating Christmas', allow me clarify that we do NOT celebrate Christmas but like any NORMAL person in a multi-racial society, we enjoy the various holidays)

We also went to Cherating with my dad's family during Christmas. Lots of swimming, football, eating and sleeping went on there. It was lovely to hang-out with the family... Watching my husband play football with my cousins reminded me of my childhood days... Not that he was around then lah.
In the hotel lobby, there was a cute Christmas tree with a cute Santa next to it.
Mikhail was very much curious about it. He poked its eyes, pulled the beard and tried to snatch off the hat. I don't think the Santa was very amused. Hehehe!
"Look! I'm BIGGER than this fellow!"

Mikhail has discovered his mischievous side.

This LittleWan's curiousity is growing day by day.
He has discovered that certain keys opens the door and others start the car. So now, he will take those particular keys and poke it at the relevant places... And if he wants to go out, he'll grab both keys and head to the front door.

He has discovered how to work the door latch. One evening, I was taking a shower while Wan and Mikhail were watching TV. When I was done, I tried to open the door and it refused to budge!
I had to bang on it for Wan to come rescue me. And when the door was opened, I was greeted by an innocent little boy, staring up at me with a great big grin. He had quietly left his Daddy's side, went to the bathroom door and pushed the latch to lock his Mommy in!
Bahaya... bahaya...

Mikhail has also discovered his bossy side
He would shove a fresh diaper in my lap whenever he has pooped. It's his effective way of demanding to be changed.
And when he's hungry, he reaches for his bottle and whacks it to whomever he deigns shall be his official susu-maker for the day.
If he wants to play with his toy trumpet (he can't blow hard enough), he will grab it and shove the nozzle to my mouth (Mommy's the designated trumpet-blower, apparently).

We take him out a lot. On weekdays, mostly, when the malls are not too packed with people. That's when Mikhail can run free on the shiny floors while Mommy and/or Daddy trail behind him to catch him before he jumps into the fountains or tugs at the security guard's pants.

I LOVE that my son is showing his own independent character... though I do get wistful over that fact that my baby is growing up...
Mikhail's Faraway Look... Hoping Mommy doesn't notice he's got his hands in the water.

Yeah... Our Mikhail is no longer a baby... He has his own independent character.
I can't bundle him up in my arms and snuggle anymore cause he'll only tolerate that for about a minute before he wriggles around, trying to escape so he can go play.
He knows how to communicate his wants (via pointing or mini-words like 'mamamam' for food and 'car' for going out).
And he's hilarious! I don't even know how to describe the hilarity but just watching him toddling around, doing his thing, amuses us to no end.
He refuses baby food now, and only wants 'adult food' - especially anything WE eat. I can actually order a McDonald's Happy Meal and he'll finish off half the stuff in it.
He recognizes the camera and often stops to pose for a picture when he sees us aiming it at him.
Cheeky Little Dude

But the more he grows up, the more he knows how to show his love and affection.
He showers us with slobbery kisses... and gives us squeeze-tight hugs.
His sleeping routine now does not involve cradling or rocking, but cuddling and rolling. We'll roll around in bed and he'll insist that we smooch him (right between the eyes, on the bridge of his nose) while he drops off to sleep.
He's a loving little fellow.
And we love him to bits.

Mommy's Boy - I love you sooo much, Mikhail!