My Valentine

Alice Riziki, featured in Issue 12 of Pregnant, had two miscarriages before she got baby Valentine Maranga. A year later, she shares her story with Rebecca Njoki.

I delivered Valentine on the 11th of February, nine days before my expected due date through normal delivery. The first few days were tough. I had a house girl who was not very helpful, so I had to do most of the chores by myself. Adding a little salt to the injury, I did not have milk for the first three days and the recommended formula milk was not available as the country was immersed in political violence then. To cut the long story short, it all got okay as soon as the situation went back to normal.

Best moments
I have really appreciated my little angel. She has made me proud and stress-free. After work, I go straight to the house to be with her. I no longer go for coffee with my friends because I need to spend every free moment I have with her. When I am sad or stressed I think of her and that beautiful smile she has; that is enough to cause a smile even if I am alone in the office.

Bathing my daughter was fun. This was one thing I was not scared of unlike many first-time mothers. I did it on my own.

Scary event
After her second immunization, Valentine did not sleep for two days! When changing her diaper on the third day, I noticed a swelling on the thigh she had been injected and blood was oozing. No sooner had I seen that than I ran to hospital, regardless of the gushing rain—oh motherhood! The uncalled for swelling was attended to, and I thankfully got my baby to sleep.

Her feeding habits
Valentine feeds excellently while I am away, but once I get in the house, feeding becomes rocket science. Her favourite is milk and sour porridge, which her grandmother makes.

Valentine has an admirable mature character of closing up her mouth while eating. I wonder where she learnt that.

Her ways
My girl is protective of what is hers, namely, her parents and her toys. She does not allow any strangers to touch her toys while she is around. She also goes near her father whenever she sees strangers trying to bond with him, and fusses when I carry another person’s child.

She is also quite particular about being with other people besides us, the parents and her grandparents.

Back to work…
After my four month’s leave, thanks to my understanding boss who gave me the last month, I rumbled back to work.

This time I had a very reliable and hardworking house help but I went home over lunch hours to check on Valentine the first week. It was not a strain since I work near home, though many times I found her asleep. So I thought spending the day at work was more practical.

More kids?
I will eventually adopt a baby boy. I feel I should bless a less fortunate soul as well.

Dreams for Valentine

I hope and pray that she will be hardworking. I want her to be responsible, God fearing and to be of strong Christian faith.

END: BL20/68