Al Ain Babies

It is time to document a little about the little chaps in our life; the ones who seem so flexible and adaptable in comparison to us big people.  Well, let’s start with little Benjamin.  When he arrived at the airport clutching his dad for dear life he spared a moment for his mummy when he recognised me.  I got a lovely cuddle until the separation from dad became too much.  When I left NZ he was undoubtedly a ‘mummy’s boy’, but upon arriving in Abu Dhabi, having had 5 weeks of separation, well it had all changed definitely into daddy’s camp; and that is where he largely remains.

Benjamin has well and truly become a boy’s boy.  His vocabulary, which largely featured the word ‘digger’ back in NZ has now expanded to include such words as: crane, bulldozer, bobcat, truck, big truck, bus and concrete truck.  The word his Uncle Rob taught him before leaving NZ is also firmly entrenched; so when we drive past those golden arches here in Al Ain we hear the repetitive ‘McDonalds’ shouted from the back seat. Cheers Rob.

Ben has wowed all who witness his exploits with his natural co-ordination and physical ability.  We bought him a scooter for his birthday and he was simply born to ride it.  The neighbours are captivated by Ben’s ability to glide past them and to scoot along so fast down the Village roads as if he had been doing it for years.  For a two year old he has amazing balance.  When at the Rugby Club he has captured attention with his football prowess.  Ben cannot be found without his football. He kicks it with both feet and has control over it.  He can do this for hours on end.  He even ventures onto the touch rugby pitch while the big boys are playing and watches.  He wants to be a part of it already.

Since arriving, Ben’s language has developed considerably.  We’re now treated to two and three words joined together as he tries to communicate his needs.  He’s still prone to the odd screaming fit when he feels frustrated but generally he’s a more communicative boy.  We are surprised at times by what comes out of his mouth; when going around a roundabout recently he yelled ‘Lily’s roundabout!’ when he saw the aluminium lilies featured on it.  He loves reading and his favourite book at the moment is called “Doug the Dump Truck”.  Ben loves to repeat the words and wave ‘bye bye’ to Doug at the end of the book. 

The manly interest doesn’t end there.  We bought a few toys from a garage sale recently.  The people were heading back home and were selling toys cheaply.  We managed to pick up a toy drill for Ben for about 10AED (that’s about NZ$3).  He’s had no end of joy with it.  He walks around the house ‘fixing’ things, including his sister when he feels she requires it.  Much to her chagrin.  He got a digger and a remote car for his birthday and thoroughly enjoys crashing those into walls.

So yes, he’s a typical boy.

Did I just say that?

Apart from all that, Ben has begun to take note of other kids and playing alongside other children.  Here at our new home in the Village, we are surrounded by families with children.  Our kids now get to play with them every day.  Ben has even been known to get off his prized scooter and share it with one of his neighbourhood friends.  That lasts of course for a very brief time before he’s standing alongside them and saying ‘MINE’ in a very loud voice. 

Our little fella is something of a magnet in the UAE.  We can’t go anywhere without someone wanting to touch him, hi-5 him or have a photo taken with him.  There’s something about him that attracts people.  Even when he’s having a meltdown people just want to be with him (go figure).  At playgrounds the little girls line up to help Ben up and down stairs and down slides.  He's been dragged around a little in this way, but he just doesn't seem to mind.  He enjoys the attention that comes with being him.  His Kiwi friends Sasha and Brooke adore Ben - they love to play with him, look after him and be with him.  Poor little Sasha had had enough the other day, when squeezed between Ben and Lily in the back seat of the car, she exclaimed that it was all too much.  Ben had been repeating Brooke's name over and over and over again...

The only thing that continues to plague Ben is water.  He hates it.  In the bath he's fine as long as you don't tip the water over his head to wash his hair.  Our lovely friend Emma bought Ben some bath toys for his birthday, and they are going some way to helping him with this fear.  He doesn't generally want to go in the pools anymore, but hopefully this Christmas holiday we'll be able to coax him back in...as long as dad doesn't dunk him.  Mind you, when he's in the pool and with is hair all curly and wet, he seems to attract even more attention.

Maybe it is the hair, the big brown eyes or the cheeky look on his face.  Who knows?  But I have to admit that when we kiss him goodnight, cuddle him when he’s tired, see his smile when he’s happy and watch him glide off on his scooter like a big boy, we too are enamoured with our little chap.  He is a pretty special little one in our lives.