Jeff ni mboys wangu sana

The boy is turning 7 years old this month,September.Watching him evolve into this whole person with a vibrant personality has been indeed a beautiful journey.At the risk of sounding cliche,I have still said it.


My elder brother became a dad last month.Him and his wife,my sister are new parents.There is an inexplicable joy that comes with your sibling getting children.I was the only one with a parent title among my siblings for the past 7 years.Enter this new person into the family, I cannot explain how exciting it really is.Plus my son had been in the limelight way too long.Tables needed to turn.
On day two of hospital visit after the bundle of love arrives,I carry along the 7 year old,despite warnings that only kids of age 10 years and above were allowed to come into maternity ward.He was excited to meet his sister,that's what he calls her.To me the age limit made no sense.It's not like he was going to watch a baby being pushed out of its mother,the baby is already here,it was delivered safely.We thank the Most High.

''Kenyans gave birth to a baby. IEBC's role is midwifery. The baby is alive and well. You are being asked to strangle the baby. Decline the invitation.''

The above line has nothing to do with the beginning or the end of this story.I just had to.PLO did it for me in that court room.

I was excited for him to meet her.We'd only showed him photos and videos so far.We arrived about an hour before visiting hours so we had time to sit around making noise in the car and eating masala chips.
Did you ever buy hot food and forgot you have a child with you and forgot that most children don't like pepper?Story of my life every darn time.Sometimes I even pepper the food when cooking.
We bought masala chips on the way to the hospital.The funny thing is I had the child holding my hand while I was making the order.Yet I went on to order-two masala chips to be precise.We have mothers who are special in this world by the way,I think I am of the special type.
We start eating and he throws the chips into his  mouth,unbeknownst to him,pepper filled chips.
''Muuuuuum zikona pilipili''
I need a meme at this point-badly.To show my facial expression and what I felt in my heart.It was a mix of worst mum in the world,how many times will you do this to your child Carolyne and worst worst worst mum in the world.
I turn to look at him in the back seat and smile sheepishly..
''Ahhh si pilipili mob baby.Kula tu.''
He is hesitant.
''I have a plan,'' he starts,raising one finger.Like a Velma aha moment on Scooby Doo. (Jinkies drops in my head when he raises his finger by the way).
''Ndio nisiskie pilipili nitameza tu bila kuchew.''
He only manages  about 5 pieces and gives up.He goes into the chicken.I let him have all the chicken.

Note 1 to self:Stop being special.
Note 2 to self:Be a better mother.

Back to the age limits and hospital entries.
''So Jeff,if the guard tells you, you are not allowed to enter,just stand tall and confidently ask "WHY?''
I wanted the guard to look into the innocent little eyes of the child and explain to him,like a child(literally)why he wasn't allowed in.I wanted to see his heartlessness at work.
So let's practice:
''Sorry young man,we can't allow you to ent..."
Jeff: "WHYYYY?"
He shouted loudly even before I could finish.I think the guard already heard him all the way from the parking lot.
And he kept asking
''WHY?WHY?WHY?''
Making all this funny faces,chanting, mixed with singing ,mostly shouting.You know how kids  can be.It got a bit raucous at some point.I had to make him stop.
''Mum unajua kitu ungefanya,ungebeba kaleso.''
''Kaleso ka nini?''I ask poker faced.
''Ndio unibebe kwa mgongo unifunike nikae kama mtoto.''
I usually laugh alot, and this one just took it home.
Anyway,at the end of the day,the whys were never asked.We were dismissed at the door.The guy didn't even speak while looking at him.Sneaky guard.I think he couldn't summon the courage to say no to the child.Son was teary eyed at the thought of not being allowed to see his sister.We had to take turns,Mr.Man and I,one of us going up to see the baby,and the other remaining with the 7 year old.
Next time nitabeba kaleso.


Couple nights back,it was bedtime.He hadn't dosed off on the couch yet as usual,meaning he wasn't at the peak of being done for the day.But he obliged.He was going to sleep on my bed that night.We tuck in,pray and we close our eyes-rather he closes his eyes.I, on the other hand,I'm looking through my phone;stalking slayers on Instragram, scrolling through Twitter madness.You have to stalk the world at night whenever you have the energy to do so.Sometimes you get into bed and start snoring even before you close your eyes.Exhaustion.You Tube pops a notification-new song alert.I jump in,it's Bruno Mars.I start playing it.Softly to me,but too loudly for some people as it would soon be revealed.
''Sasa mum unaniambia nikuje tulale alafu unaanza kucheza music hapa.Hiyo sasa ni nini?"
I keep quiet,like a church mouse.Rebuked.
''I want to start dreaming quickly na hiyo music inanisumbua''
Sorry You tube,Bruno Mars et al. The children have spoken.Tomorrow is another day.

Another morning,another chance to prepare for school.He walks into my room.I give him a one over with my eyes.
''Jeff haujavaa jacket ya shule.Unangoja?Firimbi?
''Apana.Naenda kuvaa.''
He starts walking away then pops back in through the door.

''Kwani ukona firimbi???''

Jeff ni boy wangu sana. Case closed.