Rafa, the Lion and Separation Anxiety

Last Thursday I flew to Sabah for work and came back home on Sunday night. It was my first away from the family in a long time, in fact it was going to be Rafa’s first time being a part from me. I am telling you guys, it was hard! It was really hard!

On Friday night Rafa was not doing so bad. He drank from the bottle and went to bed early. Slept well at night and woke up once or twice for milk. The next day however, he started to get a temperature and loose stool. He hardly sleeps that night and spent most of the time bawling out loud, crying “Mamamamamamamamaaa!”

His temperature was 38.5 at that time but Azman only told me about it today for fear that the doctors in Sabah do not know how to make me sniff the scent of leather from a Chanel handbag to recover me from a heart attack.

He only drank about 2oz of milk at one time. He crawled, searching for me all over the house. Taking care of him, Azman didn’t sleep a wink that night. Even Miki woke up at 3am, disturbed by Rafa’s wailing and only fell back asleep at the crack of dawn.

The entire Saturday was another nightmare for my three boys. Rafa refused food and drank very little. He had mild diarrhoea, still feverish and totally miserable. He was missing me and it was breaking my heart into pieces. All I could do at the other side of the country could was nothing but pray that he gets better.

And Alhamdulillah he did. Almost immediately once I hold him at the airport. Isn’t it magical? Yes, Rafa… MUMMY LOVES YOU TO BITS TOO! I can’t promise about staying with you every night and day until you are older. I have a job and it requires me to travel sometimes. But the job is key for us to live comfortably so as much as I am guilty and feeling wretched about leaving you… I need the both of us to be strong, okay. Always remember that I love you more than life itself.

These pictures was taken a few weeks ago before Rafa was hit with the separation misery. Poor baby… He is playing with one of his favourite toys – the FISHER-PRICE PRESS & CRAWL LION. I got the toy for him when he was younger and still not a good crawler. I would like to share a little bit about this cute lion because I know there are a lot of “crazy” mom out there just like me…. Hahahaha!

When Rafa was more interested to grin and put on his cutest face so that we pick him up and get him places instead him moving his own butt and crawl; I WAS WORRIED! I mean, I was so scared if his physical development is slow or delayed. And I believe that it is noone’s role but the parents’ in nurturing their kids into their fullest potential. So I did all I can to encourage him to start crawling, including getting down on my four and crawl myself. (ok jangan bayangkan…not quite a pretty sight..LOL) That’s when I got him this cute Lion.

When Rafa pressed its butt I mean its back, the Lion will roll. And it rolls quite fast, sending Rafa into a fit of laughter. Rafa loved it so much, he actually tried crawling harder!! Yay!! Mission accomplished thanks to the Press and Crawl Lion! Our lil baby crawled full-fledged at 7 months.

When he is tired of chasing the Lion, Rafa stops and spins its mane or wheels.

The Lion also has a spinning mane, which I didn’t even know of until I saw Rafa sitting quietly one day and spinning the mane with his finger. I think this Lion although one of the simplest toy from Fisher-Price, actually has hidden attributes that can really get babies to exercise their motor skills. The price is only RM49.90 and available at major stores.My honest opinion, this toy although seems simple, but adorable and functions perfectly in encouraging babies to more and crawl.

Update:
Others Fisher Price product for you to read;
The Latest Model of Fisher Price Newborn to Toddler Portable Rocker with Rainforest Friends
Laugh & Learn Bathtime Bongo
Stride to Ride Lion by Fisher Price
Newborn to Toddler Rocker by Fisher-Price
Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat
Sing-A-Ma-Jigs by Fisher Price