Happy birthday my little man! You, Azu, have turned two years old today, and we are celebrating how far you’ve come. While the first year has been about watching you grow out of your onesies and learning to walk, this second year has been all about negotiating your outfit of the day with you and chasing you around the house. 😉

This year you have learnt to speak your first set of words

You learnt to say ‘papa’ and ‘didi’ before learning to say ‘mummy’. Hearing you say ‘didiiiiiiiii’ to get your big sister’s attention is the cutest thing. Other words you have learnt are ‘car’, ‘bike’, ‘bus’, ‘Dudu’ for milk, ‘kau-kau’ for finished and a few more. It’s surprising to hear you converse using English words, like ‘please, move, more, open-close, up-down’, specially as we’ve not actively taught you to speak in English but it is something you’ve picked up hearing your sister speak.

You love playing with cars from the huge collection of car toys you have. However, you are even more fond of your train set. You call out ‘too-too’ whenever you spot the Dubai Metro from our house windows or while on the road. You also have a train set with a battery operated train, and absolutely enjoy seeing your train go around the track by itself. There is a train TV series called ‘Titti Po’ on Netflix you absolutely love. Another show you love watching  is ‘Twirly Woos’ in the morning while big sis is at school and mummy is busy in the kitchen. 

The bond you and your sister share is so special

You are completely fond of her. You look forward to seeing her when she returns back from school, you enjoy bubble bath time with her, you want to copy everything she does, even watch the shows on iPad and read books with her together.  Ofcourse, this doesn’t mean you two haven’t had your differences. Your unwillingness to share has resulted in a few frowns from your sister, and me having to be a referee , but in the end you two are quick to patch up.

This year, you have dropped your sister to school for her FS2 classes every morning and also made it a point to attend each and every online class with her. At least for the first few minutes when wishing good morning, and whenever a musical video is played during lesson. Your attendance has meant that even her teacher has become accustomed to having you. At times you have wanted to ‘write’ (i.e. scribble) on your own piece of paper, make your own crafts like big sister, which you’ve then gone on to proudly present to your sister’s teacher.

The pandemic has been an adjustment though

The ongoing pandemic has once again meant minimum contact between other people, so hardly any parties and gatherings. You have become accustomed to using a sanitzer and yourself ask to wear a mask every time we leave home. Although, you only wear it until you reach the car and then the mask is off. In the car, you ask papa to put on some music and love dancing to it. Specially, Dua Lipas ‘Levitating’, and ‘Vacation’ by Dirty Heads.

Unfortunately, you haven’t sat on a plane yet. Very unlike you sister who flew on a plane a few times by the time she turned two. The pandemic has been difficult, as you know from what I have written about it, but we’ve done everything with the safety of you and your sister in mind. It hasn’t been all disheartening though, because adjusting to the new normal has meant, you’ve had the opportunity to bond with your dad and sister so much more. Working and studying from home for them has meant they have had the opportunity to watch you grow and get up to all kinds of mischief.

You are growing up to be a delight

I can already see glimmers of your personality, shaping you to be the person you will become. I can see your friendliness from the way you wave your hands at our apartment security and other friendly strangers. Your desire to be independent is noted, from the way you want to drink in your cup by yourself, walk down the stairs on your own and more. I am sure you will grow up continuing to be  strong -willed and decisive too, as you are now with the way you only want your sister to put on your shoes instead of me, or wanting to craft exactly as your sister is. You might even be a foodie, seeing how much you enjoy munching on all kinds of food, from dragon fruit to chips and popadoms. 

You are a gift to us

Watching you wake up with the sunniest smile, fills my heart with so much love. I can’t believe how lucky I am, and we all are, to have you part of our lives. Watching the little person you have become has been lovely. So has watching you play and explore. There’s so much to admire about you even as you lay asleep in my arms. From the curl of your eye-lashes, the little fingers and toes, and the smell of your skin. I wish there was a way to slow down this time right now, to be more present, not miss these precious moments I share with you and remember them forever. 

You are my sweet, silly boy, and I will always love you. Watching you grow has been such a joy, and pray for you to be blessed with a happy, healthy and prosperous future. And as much as I want it all to slow down, I can’t wait to see what your future holds. 

Happy Birthday Azu.

Love Mummy and Papa

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If you have enjoyed reading this letter, you may also enjoy reading the letter I wrote last year to my son on his first birthday , or even the letter I wrote to my daughter when she turned two years old.

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Disclaimer: All views, opinions and photographs are of my own. They are for personal use only.