Sean is turning 15 months old in 2 days' time.
Recently, I read on a mum's blog.
She wrote that she read somewhere, if by 14 months old, a baby has not learn to point to things and has little eye contact with people, then this could signal possible autism.
As a full-time mum to my son, the sole caregiver who is ultimately his the nuturer, naturally, I am rather worried about Sean's development.
Till now, he has yet to stand alone without support, let alone walk.
He doesn't hold his own bottle.
He has yet to call out Papa or Mama.
He doesn't feed himself.
His meals are still pureed as he gags if they're not.
He has only 8 teeth so far.
and
He doesn't point.
Many times, I look at Sean when he's asleep, and caress his head, telling him softly,
"My darling, you must grow up fine and well ok? Nothing bad must ever happen to you my boy. Mummy loves you very, very much...."
And then I would continue to look at him like that for a little while more before I proceed to do my own things.
As I'm typing this entry, I looked at Sean again, who's sleeping in his cot.
So what if he has yet to do all that above now?
He doesn't this, he doesn't that.
How about those that he does?
He does break into a huge smile and laughter whenever he sees me coming out of the toilet or back into the room when I was away for awhile.
He does recognise that his Daddy is home when he hears the keys rattling outside the door, then jumps up in joy when he sees his Daddy coming in, then proceeds to reach out for him, demanding a kiss.
He does bob to the rhythm of songs and music.
He sings along with me and does the actions I taught him for songs like Itsy-Bitsy-Spider, and more!
He sleeps through the night.
He knows when I'm bringing him out for a walk when he sees that I'm changed, and crawls towards me, arms outstretched, wanting me to carry him pronto.
He waves hello and goodbye.
He indicates to his head and mouth when we asked him where they are.
He taps his chest indicating himself when we asked him "Who is Sean?"
He's mastered the stacking rings and nestling cups game.
He stacks Lego cubes beautifully.
He hugs my hand to sleep.
HE HAS A HEALTHY AND ABLE BODY.
I know, as parents, we all worry for our kid at some, if not, all points of time. Whether he or she should be doing the things children of their age are doing. Whether they are thriving as they should, whether they are normal. These are the questions we will keep asking ourselves perhaps for as long as we live.
But I think, the most important thing we can do is to give them all the love and support you can afford, and the rest, is really up to themselves.
I shall not fret for I know Sean will let me know when he is ready to take on the "doesn'ts".
For now, let me just count my blessings, and enjoy and take pride in all his "does's".
"Don't worry for me Mum! I'm just taking my own sweet time!"
