There are two categories of baby-hood that we have in our home. On one hand, we have the baby baby, referring to Wade, whose hair is still sparse, whose canines are yet conspicuously absent, and who still wears nappies. On the other hand, we have the babytte baby, which we use to describe Chelsea, since she claims that she is “big” as opposed to “little” Wade albeit they have the same shoe size. Therefore, in Chelsea’s opinion, she is entitled to certain liberties that come with being grown-up that Wade isn’t. The distinction has also been convenient for me during those times when Chelsea would ask “Bakit si Wade pwede mag-cry?” or “Bakit si Wade nag-potty sa nappy?” and all other “Bakit si Wade…” questions. Well, Chelsea can be relentless with her interrogation.
Of course, I never took Chelsea’s self-description seriously. I endeavoured to treat my two kids as babies with equal rights. Whatever the babytte would get, so would the baby, albeit in a different color or cartoon character. If i took only one child somewhere at one time, the other child would get his turn during the next. During birthdays, both kids would get gifts in a bid to quell sibling rivalry.
Today, however, the delineation between baby and babytte became clearer to me. Today, Chelsea went to her school for the very first time.
She readily allowed her dad and I to leave her with a teacher in another room, while we were briefed about the school. I had to answer a loooooooooooooong questionnaire about personal stuff, which was quite difficult since i was forced to do a little impromptu soul-searching while i was at it.
In the other room, amidst kids of her age, Chelsea was gently prodded to answer the evaluating teacher’s questions. (Her dad kept on peeking! Me, I was too nervous that she might be too shy or stubborn and not respond to the teacher at all. Plus, I didn’t want to be labelled a stage mom! Yikes!) At first, my daughter was too preoccupied with the toys scattered all around that she refused to mind the teacher. After about 15 minutes, the teacher’s magic must have seeped through her, for this time, she gamely answered them.
The teacher’s verdict: Chelsea cannot write her name yet (she scribbles only some of the “stick” letters), but she’s responsive enough and knows the basics, i.e., 1-20 (actually, she already counts from 1-50, hehehe ok, so stage mom nga…), A to Z, colors and shapes, etc., that she is recommended for Junior level. I asked the teacher whether Chelsea wouldn’t be more comfortable in the Nursery level, as she just turned 3 and had not gone through Toddler school, but she reassured me that Chelsea would probably be more stimulated in Junior level.
After answering more questionnaires about permissible snacks, allergies, etc. and getting the list of things to buy, we treated our soon-to-be Junior level student to the five-star restaurant of her choice–McDonald’s. Apparently, we were not the only parents who had the idea. A certain Justin, who had just come from being evaluated at the same preschool, happened to recognize Chelsea from the play area. Soon, he was cozying up to my daughter and they were comparing cellphones and shoes!
After lunch, i was too excited to work that i towed Chelsea and my parents to the mall to buy school stuff. 
I’ll have to work double-time tomorrow to beat those deadlines. 
To the question “Which of your child’s traits are you most proud of?”, I had answered “inquisitiveness, independence and good reasoning skills”. I now realize that these traits are grown-up traits that my daughter is starting to manifest. While I am inordinately pleased that Chelsea is now blossoming into her individual personality, a small part of me cannot help but feel wistful at how she is growing up too fast.
Come June, the teacher will probably rival me in my daughter’s affections and adulation. Whereas for three years, my daughter has taken my teachings and admonitions as gospel truth, she will now have her teacher and her classmates countercheck me. Sigh. Like I said, too darn fast for me to catch up.
She’s really a babytte now. A baby no more.
