growing and changing

Tomorrow Kye Yue turns 4 months old. How time flies indeed.

We have been back in PP for 7 weeks already. From the first week we got back when I was struggling with looking after her till today when I still sometimes struggle, but I definitely feel more settled.

Every evening after a quick dinner, I carry her to take a half hour stroll in the street outside. During the evenings, the street bustles with people and activity. I have met many neighbors – many also carry their young ones in their arms, kids who can walk and run will be playing; the teenage boys play-fighting each other or chit chatting; a couple playing badminton. It is interesting to talk with other women in the neighborhood– some thing I had never done before these walks as we are always tired after coming home from a day’s work in the office.

About 3 weeks back, Kye Yue started to have stranger anxiety – she would cry when a new person came up to her to say hello or make faces at her. Every one except Elijah and I would evoke a cry from her. It was ok for her to look at people and her favorite all-time activity has been to be on the street and watch motocycles, bicycles, tuk-tuks and people go by. But it wasn’t ok when people looked at her or interacted with her.

Actually the same situation would be less of a problem if we were in Singapore – how often do strangers come and interact with a baby or offer to carry the baby and even kiss the baby?

Here in Cambodia, it happens all the time – other adults, and even children will offer to carry her. And it will be so unfriendly (of me!) to say No to them. Neighborhood kids will come up and touch her face, pinch her cheek or kiss her. In restaurants, the lady-staff will offer to carry her and then kiss her.

We prayed for her and asked friends to pray. We read up about stranger anxiety and what to do to help.

These couple of days it has become better – when some familiar people come and interact with her, she is even able to smile at them. Today at the Indian restaurant, the owner managed to carry her for a minute or so, even with her face against his stubby beard!

Thank God for the change!

thinking about it - KY is not the only one growing and changing, in many ways I too am growing and changing.

Grace