Ten more days

Ten more days before I’ll go back.
Ten more days before I’ll get to hold Huzaifah again.

Huzaifah turned 3 months last Thursday. Hubby and Mak took him to see a doctor at Putrajaya Hospital Orthopedic department to take a closer look at his dual right thumb. They had been advised to see a specialist in PPUM for a more detailed inspection and consultation. Mak, knowing how much I want to listen to the doctor’s advice myself, has decided to let me take Huzaifah to consult the doctor during my coming short break. Whatever it is, Huzaifah is still too small to be operated on. If we decide to do anything about his dual thumb, it can only be done after he is a year old or more.

I remember my brother asking me when I would like to do something about Huzaifah’s dual thumb. I asked him, why should I? He felt that the dual thumb might subject Huzaifah to lots of unwanted teases and what nots. “Nanti orang cakap pelik.”

I spoke back in a quiet voice with a hint of irritation – that if there is no harm to it, I won’t get rid of the dual thumb. I assured my brother that I’ll train my son to stand up against those who tease him about his dual thumb. I’ll teach him to joke about it. I’ll teach him that it’s okay to be a unique person who can actually make 3-thumbs-up sign when others can’t. I want Huzaifah to be proud of who he is. I want him to be able to celebrate his uniqueness, not feeling like an outcast, regardless of his difference. And if his own uncle could not deal with his uniqueness – too bad then, although I would appreciate more support and understanding. My brother shrugged. But he never raised the subject again after that.

Nevertheless, I haven’t make up my mind entirely. Any final decision regarding Huzaifah’s dual thumb will be made after consultation with a specialist, insya Allah. But honestly, if there’s no harm to it, hubby and I have agreed to just let it be. We would never operate on it out of cosmetic reason.

As for now, since Mak and Ayah have already returned to Kampung Tunku and Mak hadn’t paid the Streamyx bill, I could no longer view my son through the webcam. I sometimes get to hear his gurgles of baby talk, though. He’s a lot bigger now, a lot more reactive to people’s cooing, a very happy baby who loves smiling, and looks like his dad more and more as he grows. He sleeps better at night too now, often about 4 hours at one stretch, no longer subjecting Mak and Ayah to fitful nights. Only that he needs to be put to sleep on one’s lap before he can sleep in his own cot.

I look forward to taking over all those motherly duties Mak is doing right now on my behalf when I go back.

Ten more days…
I can’t wait.