Happy Birthday

Dear June,

I cannot believe that it's already been one year since we welcomed you to this world.

When you came out of me that day one year ago, you looked at me, and I was astonished—not only by how small you were, but also, how large your eyes were. You stared at me with those big, liquid eyes, as if to ask: who are you?

You were seven weeks old when you gave me that first smile, and nine weeks old when you first squealed with laughter. Do you know that every time you smile, or laugh, it makes me happy as well?

At 10 weeks, you were ready sleeping through the night. I was so worried about that—could not believe how you could go without anything to eat for six hours or more—but of course, you were just trying to let us sleep!

You were not even 3 months old when you doubled your birth weight. I was so proud of you, and I must admit, with myself too, for being able to nourish you.

You were not even 17 weeks old when I went back to work, and left you with the nanny. I had to wipe tears away from my eyes after I left you, but you were having a good time!

You rolled over at 4 months. That's when we realized we can no longer leave you on our bed alone.

You took your first plane ride—an overseas trip, to Turkey—when you were 19 weeks old. This was also around the time when we could no longer eat in restaurants while keeping you sleeping inside the sling.

At 23 weeks, you went swimming for the first time. I hope you enjoy the baby swimming sessions every week, as much as we do.

At six months and one day old, you had your first solid food—rice gruel. Since then, you have enjoyed a variety of foods, but rice remains your favourite.

You took your second plane ride—another international trip, this time to Sweden to see friends—when you were 7.5 months old.

Crawling was an east feat for you, at 8 months. Your pincer grasp also developed about the same time. You wanted to grab every little thing you found, even trying to pick out the wood grain on our hardwood floor!

You first teeth—two bottom teeth—came out when you were 8 months and 1 week old. I was afraid you were going to bite me when you nursed, but to this day—you now have four upper teeth coming out—you have not.

I was so nervous before the trip the two of us took together to the US, when you were a little over 8 months old, but you were such an angel both during the plane ride and in your first car ride! I was able to concentrate on my studies while you stayed in daycare. Thank you. Unfortunately, though, you did not like swimming in the ocean.

At 9 months, you pulled yourself up in the standing position. You are now able to do that without the help of anything to hold on to.

You made us so proud by being an angel (again!) during the 12-hour plane ride, to and from Japan, at 10 months old. We hope you enjoyed meeting your grandparents, uncle, aunts, and cousins. You also went on your first canoe ride in Japan; the trip over the water was so soothing for you, you fell asleep after half hour.

You were 11.5 months old when you put your head under water in the pool. How surprised you were!

I hope you are as proud as we are of all your achievements up till now.

The biggest achievement, though, is all the joy you have given us. Every day we spend with you is a blessing.

Happy birthday, June. We look forward to sharing your happiness for many more years to come.