Angel, my joy

‘Though my pregnancy was not planned, my daughter Angel Becky Makena has turned out to be an extraordinary child. She is the centre of my life and has injected meaning and a sense of responsibility to it.’ Sylvia Kilemi shares with Rebecca Njoki the joys of motherhood.

JAUNDICE ATTACK
My due date had passed by 11 days when I walked into hospital to be induced. Angel was born on the 25th of June last year, at 3a.m. The next day we went home only to return back a day later. I noticed Angel was pale while sponge bathing her. I knew she would have a fair complexion but she was almost yellow, and this frightened me. I rushed her to hospital. The nurses thought she had acute jaundice due to her skin complexion. They advised to source a suitable blood donor, calling for a blood transfusion. It was scary! But the doctor sought us out. The baby stayed under photo therapy and had slight blood transfusion when she was better, after two weeks. The time at the hospital was pure agony: I would breastfeed the baby after every two hours. I watched two children die during that period.

FIRST DAYS
A neighbour taught me how to wash my daughter and also how to change her clothes. I did not have plenty of time to be with her before going back to work. I was home with her for one month. I would express breast milk and leave it for the house-girl to feed her. After three months, my mother visited and asked me to introduce supplementary food to Angel since she was fussy during the day. I started sieving fruits for her and she calmed down.

ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE NOW THAT YOU ARE A MOTHER?
Every day with my little girl is a learning one. I have the responsibility to raise her
and so I monitor how I spend my time and money. I have had to transform from the girl who waits for weekends to party and go out. to someone who spends most of her free time indoors.

BEST MOMENTS AS A MOTHER?
There is a time I was extremely stressed at work. I thought of quitting. But just before I could. I thought of Angel. I love my life now because it revolves around her. People have learnt to respect me for managing to raise a kid without fail. My parents too. Angel loves breastfeeding, even now. I love the bond we have, enhanced by breastfeeding. I have to hide when she is having her meals because if she spots me. she will opt to breastfeed.

WHAT SCARES YOU MOST ABOUT HER?

Her reactions when she is angry. For instance, if she reaches out for something and you deny her, she will bang her head against the wall, bite herself and scratch her face. Because of this, her face is never free of scars.

WHAT IS THE MOST AMAZING THING ABOUT ANGEL?
She is beautiful and lively, and this draws attention to her where ever we go together. She loves playing around and has never been sick since the day she had jaundice. She is also firm and she started walking while she was ten months.
She first let out an audible laugh when she was a month old. That was strangely amazing. I know in the past, I have made odd decisions but the best decision I ever made was to raise her.

She always waits up for me when I get from work and meets me at the door. That brightens me even when I have been unusually stressed out.

Angel is a quick learner: she has started picking up words as we speak. What I like best about her first words is that she is calling me mum. She is also familiar with the people around her.

WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS FOR HER?
I want her to be a model. She is pretty and often takes cute poses when someone is taking her photographs. Then she can propel a course for the needy in society by her modeling career. I would also love her to star in swimming. Despite my plans for her. I will not impose them on her. I would want her to follow her path, ultimately.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ANGEL’S FEEDING HABITS?
She is an excellent feeder. She gave me an easy time while introducing her to supplementary food. I make porridge for her in the morning and ask my house help to feed her: I hide so that she can eat. I then prepare fresh orange juice and make arrangements for her lunch. I make sure she finishes her porridge before I leave for work.

PLANS TO GIVE HER A BROTHER OR SISTER SOON?
Not until I stabilize in my career completely. Meanwhile, I am comfortable with her calling me mum. I am proud of raising one child for now.

END: BL17/64