Dear Sumayya,

Some parents raise their children with the intention that, when these children grow up they will provide for the parents, financially. It's true, believe me. Well I don't want anything in return from you Sumayya. Being parents is an unpaid lifelong job assigned by God. Seeing the child happy, healthy and grow up to be a wonderful person is the ultimate reward for parents. At least that's how I see it. Mama ikhlas besarkan Sumayya. Insyallah at my old age, I'll have my pension to support me, and your Daddy by my side to accompany me. And you, I want you to go out and experience life. I want you to be a wonderful friend, a superb loving mother, a loyal partner to your husband, and successful in whatever profession you choose to have. I want you to live life, travel the world, take photography, do bungee jumping, climb Kinabalu Mount or whatever, do charities and be kind to everyone. That's all I want.

I love you.

PS: We had a small accident yesterday, involving my car and a small lorry. You were fast asleep in your car seat next to me, I was driving. Careless me! I should've been more careful, especially when you are in there with me. You cried when I left you in the car to talk things over with the lorry driver. You were probably scared to be left alone in the car. You cried tears. It always break my heart whenever I see your tears. I'm sorry sweet baby. I promise I wont let it happen again. Daddy was sweet enough to rush to the scene from his office. He later bought you your first bowling set to console you, right before we go home :')

Dear Allah, thank you for Sumayya ;)

Alhamdulillah

Dear Sumayya,

These days you sleep in our bed, nestled comfortably between Mama and Daddy each night. I dont think you like your cot very much. And Mama doesn't mind at all, because I love snuggling you at night and smell your heavenly natural smell. But in a few years Sumayya, there will come a time when you are going to decide that it is totally uncool to still sleep with your parents. I don't know yet where or which room is going to be yours, but I'm already planning what its going to be like, and I will want your opinion before we actually work on it. I have a few ideas which I got from Google, and I want you to see them. These design may be obsolete in a few years I know, but just give me the pleasure to dream and fantasize, for now :)

Hot pink walls with black and white furniture

Nude-colour everything matched with a colourful carpet

Mama loves the stripey wall!

Mama even more love the polka dot feature wall!!!Can we just go for this one?

LOVE the bed, and the hanging lamps

So what do you think, Sumayya?

Dear Sumayya,

I'm sorry if I don't pick you up as often as you would like, its just that you grow up so fast and you're getting heavier and heavier each day. I try to make it up to you by singing to you during nursing time, I hope you like it even though I sing off pitch for most of the time. We bought you a walker and you seem to enjoy it, everyday you acquire new skill and you proudly show it off to us when we get back from work. You are simply the most adorable baby I know, and I'm not just saying this because you're my baby.I love you Sumayya.

You and Daddy. I'll ask Daddy to snap a picture of you in your new ride soon.

Dear Sumayya,

The big flood hit our hometown last weekend, and it almost reached our house. It was a close call, both main roads near the area were closed for a few days. Though our house was not affected, the water and electricity supply were cut out due to complications caused by the flood itself. My main and utmost concern was for you Sumayya. Luckily you managed to sleep through the first few hours sans electricity because your swing and fan are battery operated. Eventually Daddy decided to take us to Penang until after things get better.

You had a good time there in Penang Sumayya. I remember your expression when we entered our hotel room. You were looking at me as if to confirm where we were. At night we took you for a stroll at the famous night market (Daddy bought you a pink cheongsam and a bubble gun) and the next morning we brought you to the beach. It was your first time, and it turned out you were scared of the strong waves, so we left only after a few minutes there. Daddy managed to capture some beautiful shots of you though. And you had a very good time at both Gurney Plaza and Queensbay Mall. You simply love shopping mall don't you? When you get a little older maybe we can go back there again, rent a super nice hotel room with swimming pool, and spend time together with Daddy. I can't wait. I love you Sumayya.

Sumayya, ini muke orang ke muke pau?

Your first time at the beach

Now don't you look like doll?

Daddy's best snapshot so far ;)

Mama's personal fave picture

Uh oh. Someone left their doll on the high chair

PS: I had a rather 'different' childhood than most people did, and though I don't expect you to understand it, I want you to know that its important for me to make sure you have a happy childhood and grow up healthy. I will support you in whatever you do and I will love you unconditionally.When you become an adult I want you to be able to say "I got everything I wanted as a kid and I love my parents for that". I love you.