3 Surprises for the Week

This article is about my second son, Davies, who, for some reason, gave a few surprises for the benefit of the family this week.

Davies usually was colicky, if that word still applied to a five-year old, during the night, meaning that I would have to make a remedy to make both he and his sister hush. For some reason, Denisse, my daughter and the youngest, would cry as well whenever Davies cried. As my husband, according to me, shouldn’t be bothered at all during sleeping times because he would just be too tired for the laborious work he does each day. But then whenever this scenario surface, he was the most bothered. We’d fight on how we approach the situation and I would always remind him to never shout at the kids because that seemed to be the reason for their refusal to be held by him. The kids only want their mama and the daddy has no role unless he became kind enough to be gentle with them. True enough when he maintains his gentle side of character, the kids would stick and play with him.

This week, we were surprised to find that Davies didn’t cry much during the night. Ever since he came into this world, our nights were never the same again. At least when he was just my baby, I focus only on him. But when Denisse was born, I had to care for two babies during the night. It was even unfair for Denisse during her first year of life because I would prioritize attending to Davies. It was because Denisse was too baby to care. But when she started claiming her rightful place to be the baby of the family, I had to divide myself literally for the two babies. To cut the story short, this week, Davies didn’t cry much and would allow mama to care more for Denisse when she cried.

To my surprise, Davies ran some errands. Yesterday, I sent him to buy me medicine for my flu-like symptoms. He went immediately and came back proud presenting me what he bought. In the afternoon around 3 pm, he said he wanted to eat some eggs. I was asking his older brother to go and buy eggs since we’re out of stock but then he said he will be the one to go. Even if it was raining he still went saying he will use an umbrella. He came back triumphantly despite the rain that went on to rage like it was angry at something.

And this morning, Davies volunteered to fetch water. Our drinking water comes from a well few meters away from home. Without hesitation he lifted the containers then said to his playmate that they will go and fetch water because he noticed that the containers were empty. We suggested that his playmate will just get their own so it will be fair. After some time they returned and my boy wondrously put down the thing he fetched. Well? I’m not dreaming.

It was always our nightmare when Davies cried uncontrollably during the night. It was like he was having toothache. It made me think that because I tried having toothache once and I say it was unbearable. Child birth was better than toothache. In my experience only. I do not know with the others. Happens I was one of those lucky women, who gave birth without complication. I thank God for that. Toothache was worse than labor. When laboring before the arrival of a baby, we have the timings and all. After a spasm of pain, you would be able to breath. Then again until finally you give birth to a child. But you have rest periods in between spasms of pain. Well, I was only comparing the labor part of childbirth and toothache. Toothache, I didn’t know before, would make someone’s face and jaw and head throb with pain.

I asked Davies one time if he was having a toothache and he said that yes, he was. Then why didn’t you tell me, I probed him. He wouldn’t give me an answer. Then on again on the next nights he cried. Which made me doubt if toothache was the constant reason. Husband said it was just he was a cry baby and nothing more. I just sigh and shrug my shoulders. I resigned to accepting that it is the way things are with the boy. But then I would feel happy whenever he didn’t cry during the night. And more sleep we had during this week except for me of course when I comply with requirements. But I wouldn’t be complacent not until Davies shows us more improvement over the weeks to come. Hoping for a more matured boy.