My Wonderful Gregory..

Let me introduce you my eldest son. His name is Gregory. Born on 02 Feb 2005, hence he's two this year. He has been pretty fast in most of his developmental milestones especially his speech. Greg has started talking in sentences when he turned 13 months. I could still remember him busy coo-ing away when he was barely a month old, and my confinement lady commented that I am going to have a very talkative child. True enough, he talks a lot. He's either sick or asleep if his voice is not heard. However, I wouldn't label him as talkative because I guess it's part of growing up and he's just being inquisitive. Personally I have enjoyed many verbal exchanges with him.. some of which have really amused me. Below were some conversations he had with people around him:

Hubby was quite frustrated one day when Greg kept talking nonstop.
Hubby: Gregory, why you talk so much?
Greg (without hesitation): Because daddy and mummy also talk a lot!
Hubby: ???

I brought Greg home from childcare and we were waiting for a cab at the cabstand. There was a middle-aged man standing behind us who was in clutches and his right leg was in a big cast. Greg kept staring at him for a moment. Surprisingly, he talked to this man and luckily, the man didn't find him rude and kept him entertained.

Greg: Uncle, why (is) your leg so big and you never wear shoes?

Man: Uncle fell down. My right leg was injured so I have to bandage it and my shoes can't fit.

Greg: Is it painful?

Man: Yes. Uncle played badminton and fell.

Greg: Uncle, I also play badminton you know but I never fall down. You must be careful.

Not only me, but I guess the man must have also felt embarrassed. Aiyoo... Greg really acted as if he knows a lot about safety issues...

We ran into a blind man (sitting in a wheelchair) in the lift when we were on our way home from childcare. I had a shock when Greg asked, "Mummy, why is that uncle sleeping?"

Me: Uncle is not sleeping. Greggie, don't talk so much. Eat your fruit.

I explained to Greg that the man is blind etc when we stepped out of the lift. Unfortunately, we met the same blind man in the lift on another day. Greg kept staring at the man.

Greg: Uncle, are you sleeping?

The uncle kept quiet and was looking down. I was indeed very surprised when I heard Greg questioning the man. I got out of the lift quickly, pulling Greg along...

Greg (persistently): Mummy, is the man blind?? He's not sleeping?? Or is he?

*I nearly fainted*.. had to explain to him all about it again.. *headache headache* sometimes I realized that it's often too late for me to stop him from asking people embarrassing questions..

Greg always has this belief that if he eats vegetables, he will be stronger and taller. So everytime, when he could open a heavy door or accomplish a difficult task that requires physical strength, he would say, "Mummy, I ate vegetables today you know". Well, Greg's toilet-trained during the day. Usually, he doesn't wear his diaper at home. One evening, he went to the playground with hubby. Greg's so engrossed in his play that he refused to tell KengYong that he wanted to pass motion because that would mean that he has to terminate his play at the playground and make his way home. Anyway, he played till he couldn't tolerate and he simply passed motion into his brief. KengYong had to hurriedly bring him home because Greg soiled not only his pants, but also his legs and shoes!! What a mess! Of course I was mad.

Me (angrily): Greggie, you are such a big boy already. Why do you still pass motion into your brief and you never tell daddy? See... what a mess you have created!

Greg (as I was washing and changing him): Mummy... I am a small boy today you know. I didn't eat vegetables today..

Me: ???

Waaah.. I really didn't know to laugh or to scold him further...sigh sigh sigh..

Yesterday, Greg kept asking for extra servings of vegetables during dinner time.

Me: It's good that you take vegetables. Why do you decide to eat more vegetables today?

Greg: Because I think I am not tall enough you know. I need to eat more vegetables to grow well. I want to be stronger and taller..

Frankly speaking, I am quite amazed by the way he does his reasoning..

Again yesterday, Greg was in the carseat behind while I drove him home from childcare.

Greg: Mummy, why (is) that old lady carry(ing) umbrella? It's not raining..

Me: Weather is hot. The "ah ma" carries the umbrella so that she doesn't feel so hot. People carry umbrella when it's raining or when the weather is very hot.

Greg: But mummy, it's not very hot now what..

Me: We are in the car with aircon Greggie, so we don't feel hot. The "ah ma" is walking on the road with the sun shining on her. She may feel hot so she uses her umbrella.

Greg: oohhh... *paused* Mummy, where's mama (grandma)?

Me: ...

Me: Mama and Gonggong love you a lot.

Greg: I don't know. So long never see Mama and Gonggong already.

Me: *quite sad*

I guess he still couldn't understand the concept of death yet. His questions sometimes do evoke some emotions in me.. find it quite difficult to explain further when I have not gotten over the grieving part myself.

Greg loves babies a lot. Whenever we attend "manyue" celebrations, he would gently caress the babies' hands. When the babies cry, he would softly pat them on their chest. I could sense that he genuinely likes babies but I am not sure how he would react when his little brother is out. So far he seems quite caring. For instance, there was once he laid on the sofa with his head on my lap and pressing against my lower abdomen. His little brother kicked him on the head. I could feel it and so did Greg. Greg just touched his forehead and laughed it off, "Didi kicked my head! So funny!". Last night, I was sitting with him, watching Hi5 VCDs. Suddenly, he stretched out his arm, and pat gently on my tummy. He said "I sayang Didi. I love Didi." So sweet of Greg hor? I just thought he's a very lovable boy. He does melt my heart because whatever he expresses, I believe he means it. Hope his love for his little brother maintains.. *keeping my fingers crossed*

Below is one of the pictures of Greg which I like very much. It's taken when he was about 1.5 years old when we were at the zoo, one of his favourite haunts. I feel indeed very blessed to have him. He's simply wonderful!