Imprinting

It happens each time with the birth of a new baby.

Although its only been 2 days since I last saw my beloved boys,  I am surprised, their faces has been transformed as if I haven't seen them for ages. Suddenly my 2 yo has turned into a fat giant overnight. Too heavy and too mighty for me to handle. Their eyes look so round and big. Their smiling faces, unfamiliar and yet so warm, I wondered to myself, "Have I seen that before?"

Whenever I look into the hospital mirror, I get a surprise, "Is that really me? When did my eyes turned into that shape?" And when I look at Tonton, whose face I have seen a million times in the past 20 years, I could even notice extra fats and the years of fatherhood on his face. His face has suddenly seemed so large in comparison.

Is this what newborn imprinting does on my mind? All I can see and recognise most clearly is this tiny face in front of me. So new, yet so familiar. Imprinted, permanently burnt into my brain. He is unique, and totally mine. My baby Ladder.