The arrival of a new baby can bring many changes to a family. Parents spend a lot of energy on preparations, and after the baby arrives, much of the family’s attention involves caring for the newborn.
So, it was for the Onwudinjo’s recently, when Marian Onwudinjo had her second child. The baby came seven years after her first shot at motherhood. Ama, her first child has waited anxiously for the arrival of her younger one. For a long time, she has arranged some of the clothes she has outgrown, she has neatly kept away some of her toys and even shoes. These are all she wishes to bequeath to her younger sibling.
Her mom had told me how much she likes to take care of babies, especially, new born baby. She tends to them and cares for their needs, whenever they visit family friends or go to the church.
Mariam’s delivery was a huge surprise to me. We were together at a friend’s marriage anniversary the night before her delivery. We all had fun. The celebrant teased her because of her big tummy. She was quite active all through. She was delivered of a set of twin boys by 5.45 am the following day.
I visited them at their Okota residence when they returned from the hospital. Ama was literally over the moon. She desired to carry the babies at once. After the usual pleasantries, she told me of the progress in her music lesson. Ama is a such a talented girl. When her father noticed it, he started encouraging her. She plays the violin. In fact, in the church, she is a sight to behold among her peers.
“Aunty Editor, (that’s what her mother calls me.) Have you seen my babies? Do you know their name?
Yes, they are cute. I love them.” I responded. “Aaaah, so, you have given them names already?
Yes, naa, she cleverly shot back. Their names are Tom and Jerry. I love them so much. I will carry them to the church. I will take them to my school. I will give them my bicycle to ride
But they can’t ride the bicycle now? They are still too small.
“Ok naa, so, I will carry them by myself?”
She ran off and emerged minutes later with her small box of clothes and toys. She struggled to bring them but her determination to show off her new siblings’ inheritance was evident.
“See my spider man wrist watch, see my teddy bear, see my Cinderella bag, see my Dora the great doll and see my Barbie”. In sheer excitement, Ama had scattered the entire thing all over the room. She moved on to the clothes. As she made to turn them out, her mother who had watched from afar jolted her with this question.” But they boys now and they can’t wear your dress because you are a girl? I have told you that boys don’t wear girl’s dresses” came her mother’s final remarks
Her face changed. Her mother and I knew that this route we were towing was going to spoil Ama’s mood. And she said “But they are my babies naa and I want to give them my clothes”
Of course, nobody says they are not your babies. Not to worry, we shall go for with you for you to shop for them” I could see a hearty smile playing around her lips.
She turned to me to register her little grievances since the children came back. When she drew closer to me, I knew that she needed my attention. I was all ears. And she began, Aunty Editor, do you know that mummy does not allow me to carry her babies?”
“Aaaah, they have suddenly become your mother’s babies but you told me a while ago that they are your babies and showed us all that you have kept for them?
“Ehhn naaa but she doesn’t allow me to carry them naa?” This complaint was registered in a soft childish tone
“Why now? Why does she not allow you? Does she not know that you are a big girl?”
Ama baby, Amaco, the girl, I managed to soothe her nerves with her pet names first. She immediately came back to cheerful self again but not completely to satisfied
She then ran into the room where her brothers and mother were sleeping. In excitement, she shook the babies’ crib as well as her mother.
Poor Marian, before I could stop her, she had woken up. Marian hadn’t slept well since her discharge from the hospital. Taking care of new born babies is difficult but it is more stressful with twins. sHer mom had arrived early for the Omugwo. They were expecting her mother in law in a few days. “These kids are a handful at night but Ama is something else” Marian had told me. the situation was understandable. Ama wanted to be with the new kids but her mum, knowing her very well had been fencing her off, politely and diplomatically.
The new mother reluctantly stood up and ready to listen to Ama. Oh, Ama baby, I wish you would just allow me some sleep?” She pleaded
“But mummy, you have been sleeping naa? I want to go with you for shopping for my babies. Aunty Editor promised that we will go shopping for them. Hope you will take me?” While all the questions came at once, Marian simply nodded
“And but mummy, you said that they are boys and cannot wear my clothes, when are you going to bring me my baby girl sister?” we laughed till we almost chocked. The poor girl didn’t understand why we were laughing. For her, it was only logical that if you said there were boys and couldn’t wear her dresses, she needed a little baby girl sister whom she would bequeath her small belongings to.
And of course, her mother promised to get her a little baby girl sister.
“Why my daddy comes back from work, I will tell him that I want my baby girl sister tomorrow”
