Fourth

Gideon. The 4th arrow in my quiver, so to speak. He's currently coming to 21 months old, and is at the stage where he's becoming aware of his surroundings and environment, and learning to interact meaningfully with the people around him more and more. That's the super fun stage, where, for the first time, you speak an instruction, and he actually understands it and carries it out. It's the transition between an uncomprehending baby and a young child whom you can engage in actual conversation.

Unfortunately, it's also the time where he's realising he can demand his way, and he actually has free will and can do pretty much what his little heart wishes. So he starts shouting and screaming his way to getting what he wants. And sometimes, just to recover some measure of peace, we take the easy way out and give in to him. As you would imagine, that just encourages him further, cos now he knows Daddy and Mummy's weakness.

Still, it never get old watching my kids grow up. With Gideon, it's the fourth time, but it still just amazes me how he picks up everything like a sponge, and starts doing and saying stuff by learning them himself. I can't wait for him to grow up and start speaking sentences. Wait, I take that back. I want to slowly savour every moment for as long as I can, because once he's past this stage, he's not coming back to it anymore. The natural babyish cuteness is inevitably going to go, and I just can't get enough of it as it is. I want more of this:

So parents, especially fathers, who may tend to leave the taking care of kids to the mothers, don't miss out on this golden period. Seize every moment that you can, spend as much time with your kids as you can. The memories are just so precious, and such a time passes all too quickly. Your kids are also going to appreciate you being there for them and with them. This is the time your kids look up to you as their heroes, and you have the best opportunity to teach and guide them in the way they should go. There's not going to be a second chance.

Gideon, my beautiful boy, may God bless you mightily with joy and happiness everyday as you grow up, and may every day be an exciting adventure to learn and play, in the environment of love your mother and I try to give you.