Tag: newborn

Introducing Hurricane Dora

On January 16, 2021

In 00 Newborn, Izzy's Stories, Under 1 Year Old

The parents had been acting suspiciously for the past two months. They got out my old toys from when I was a teeny tiny baby. I am two years old already. They should know I am too old for those, and I could hardly fit in the swing. Although I didn’t complain because they put another crib next to their bed, I miss sleeping in their room.

One night, two strangers appeared in our house.

Mommy introduced a tall lady with a mask as “Nanny”; she said Nanny would stay with us for a month to help cook and clean. Then Mommy pointed at a sleeping baby in her arms, saying, “this is Baby Sister Dora.” That’s a long name. I waited for Mommy to finish her sentence, to explain how long is the baby staying and what’s her purpose, like what she did for Nanny. So many questions!

I screamed and started crying, throwing a fit on the floor.

I was exhausted because it is past my bedtime, I may be slightly hungry, and did I mention there were two strangers in my home?!

After calming down for a few minutes, Mommy pointed at the two gift bags beside her, saying one is for me, and the other is from Baby Sister Dora. I reached my hands into one of the gift bags and pulled out my favorite chocolate, Ferrero Rocher. OOooo. Now you got my attention. I reached my hands into the bag again and found a grey stuffed puppy. Hmm.

I dropped the puppy on the floor and stared at my box of delicious gold pebbles. Mmmmm.

“Here, can you give this to the Baby Sister Dora?” Mommy interrupted as she handed me the other bag. Why don’t you give it to her? I have important matters at hand, literally. I reached into the bag and pulled out a painting I drew the other day. “Thank you for giving Baby Sister Dora your painting. The pink and purple swirls are so pretty,” said Mommy. I guess I can gift this as I handed the painting to the sleeping baby.

It was then that I got to look at her face to face for the first time. She seems… familiar. She looks… like me. Like, baby me.

Daddy whispered, “can you give the baby a kiss?” Sure, I love giving kisses as I landed a wet one on her forehead. She stirred a little bit. Then I turned my attention back to my chocolates. How many can I eat at once?

Fresh Milk Extraction

By Izzy Tornado

On December 5, 2020

In 03 Months Old, Izzy's Stories, Under 1 Year Old

There is something about warm fresh milk from the bosom that makes all the worries of a 3-month-old go away. Like, what am I supposed to do with all the colors when I was used to only seeing shades of black and white? Or the giant monster constantly circling above me called a “fan”? This is a scary world. Even when I screamed at the top of my lungs to put me back into the womb, no one listens. So my only relaxing mechanism is getting fed – every 2 hours. Shout out to “Breast is Best”.

Just the smell of my mother (or her breast milk) makes me drool – no wonder why they called it liquid gold.

But it is a lot of effort to extract my meal. Do you know how hard it is to learn to lick, latch, and suck a milk guzzler at just a few minutes old? I had to use my small little mouth to hang on to that stub.

Then extract milk midair in an awkward position for another 15-30 minutes.

Sometimes when I do latch properly, my little nostril will be clogged by the breast the size of my head. Luckily, a hand always magically appears to press against it so I can breathe easier. Finally, after a few weeks of struggling, I opted for the bottle. Mother expresses it, and the extra gets stored away to age like fine wine. Work smart, not hard – you know what I mean?

Of course, nothing is free in this world; we have an unspoken quid pro quo.

As long as Mother provides a warm meal, I will reward her with my most precious creation, usually once a day. She is always thrilled when I gift her a fresh nugget and kisses me after putting a checkmark on her list.

Is she counting how many nuggets I’m giving her to make sure it’s a fair exchange?

I never got a chance to ask as I get ready to clock out with my full belly. I curled my lips up in satisfaction, falling fast asleep to the thought of my next meal.

Attaining Nirvana in the Womb – Part II

By Izzy Tornado

On October 3, 2020

In 00 Newborn, Izzy's Stories, Under 1 Year Old

I can’t see, but there is no point anyway. It is pitch-black in here; my ears are my eyes in this world. It is usually pretty noisy with the stomach factory constantly pumping out gastric acid and the food particles flowing through multiple pathways. Don’t even get me started on the veins; they envelop this world like a rubber band ball.

I overheard that I will get “evicted” soon.

That’s probably another term for attaining nirvana, like what they promised two months ago. Finally, after 41 weeks, I will become a Buddha – I’ve been mentally writing a thesis of how my new life would be like. I would live in a world just as silky as this one, with a constant stream of water flowing around the body to keep me young forever. I don’t want just to survive, I want to live to my fullest potential, you know? Perhaps I’ll get to surface from my capsule and unhook from the life-system to socialize with the other Buddhists and have a fancy glass of premium grade amniotic fluid. Or I’ll have a bigger bouncy house with space to continue practicing my sissonne ballet jumps and double jabs. I looked around me.

Space is limited these days; my arms and legs were pressed so tightly against the inner walls that the only position I like is upside down.

Suddenly the jello sack started vibrating violently. With every passing minute, my ears pounded louder. My head is constantly pulled into gravity’s gaping mouth below. Even with my eyes closed, I can see the dim light piercing through my eyelids. Today I will meet my fate.

I will now let go of my worldly possessions.

Within a few seconds, white sheets surrounded me like a welcome mat. I let out a yelp of surprise as giant “beings” (buddhas?) hover over me. The light is so bright I kept my eyes shut. Ah! I’m levitating! So this is how it feels like to be enlightened!

But it went downhill from there.

As I drifted from point A to B to C in a white towel, I screamed in vain, getting dizzier by the second. “Good, she cried.” What is wrong with these beings? Survival in this world is about who can scream the loudest?

I realized I need to rewrite my thesis as this world is not as peaceful as I envisioned it; it is full of light, hunger, and dry, itchy blankets.

The saddest part is that now I have to share my world with all of these beings.

I kicked my arms and legs in frustration. Can I un-attain nirvana?

Attaining Nirvana in the Womb – Part I

By Izzy Tornado

On September 26, 2020

In 00 Newborn, Izzy's Stories, Under 1 Year Old

“Humm mm Humm.” Something is disturbing my peace; it is circling me as if looking for an entrance. There’s that sound again, near my legs this time. “Humm mm Humm.” Every few weeks, this sound tries to track me down, as if I’m in a snow globe, studying my every move.

I jumped forward and transitioned into a backflip.

It was much easier to maneuver in this jello sack seven months ago; now, I am continually fighting for space. Perhaps it is investigating whether I am worthy of attaining nirvana, testing my dedication as I am in the process of rebirth.

I can barely make out the words, “She’s moving a lot. I can’t find her heartbeat.” It wants my heartbeat.

I shall appease them else they will deny my entrance to enlightenment. I sat down and started meditating.

I listened to the waves in my surrounding with my eyes closed, the fluid gently vibrating as the humming slithers towards me. “Finally got her!… I think she’s sitting up because the heartbeat is above the belly button.” Yes – ma’am, I am trying to concentrate here.

After a minute, the humming stopped, “she’ll be ready in two months,” the words echoed through the chambers.

Yes! Finally! I will attain nirvana! In my euphoria, I kicked my arms and legs for an early celebration. I’m too thrilled to meditate right now; I’ll do it later.