Little A Tong was in a very moody mood that morning.
He had been sitting on a safe, supervised surface while Mommy worked nearby. At first, A Tong seemed perfectly content. He looked around curiously, moved his tiny hands, and watched everything Mommy was doing.
But after a while, his expression changed.
He wanted Mommy’s attention.
A Tong looked directly at her.
“Eee…”
Mommy glanced over. “What’s wrong, little A Tong?”
A Tong stretched both arms toward her.
“Eeeee! Eeeee!”
His tiny voice became louder.
Mommy smiled. “You want Mommy to pick you up?”
A Tong immediately cried again, as if saying, Yes! Right now!
He sat there looking extremely unhappy, waving his little hands toward Mommy. His face was full of emotion, and he seemed determined to make sure she understood exactly what he wanted.
Mommy came closer but kept him safely away from the edge of the table.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Don’t move too close to the edge.”
A Tong continued crying.
“Eeee! Eeee!”
He reached toward her again.
Mommy gently reassured him. “I hear you. You want a cuddle.”
A Tong looked at her with watery eyes.
Then he made another sharp little cry.
Mommy carefully picked him up and moved him to a secure, comfortable place beside her.
The moment he was close to Mommy, his entire mood began to change.
His crying became softer.
“Eee…”
Mommy gently stroked his back.
“Oh, my moody little boy. You really didn’t want to sit there by yourself, did you?”
A Tong pressed closer.
His tiny hands held onto Mommy as though he had been waiting for that moment all morning.
Mommy smiled and stayed close.
“You can tell Mommy when you need comfort. But you have to stay somewhere safe.”
A Tong made a quiet sound.
He seemed much happier now.
Mommy knew that young babies often communicate through crying, reaching, and changes in behavior. When A Tong couldn’t explain what he wanted, his loud cries were his way of asking for attention and reassurance.
After several minutes, A Tong lifted his head.
He looked around the room.
Then he looked back at Mommy.
She was still there.
His worried expression disappeared completely.
Mommy gently touched his little hand.
“See? Mommy isn’t going anywhere.”
A Tong gave a tiny happy sound.
The dramatic crying session was over.
The little monkey who had looked so miserable only moments earlier was now calm and comfortable beside Mommy.
Mommy laughed softly.
“You certainly know how to call Mommy when you want to be picked up!”
A Tong rested his head against her.
His eyes slowly became sleepy.
Mommy gently whispered, “Rest now, little A Tong. Next time, you don’t have to cry quite so loudly.”
A Tong closed his eyes.
Then, just before falling asleep, he gave one tiny squeak.
Mommy smiled.
She knew exactly what it meant.
“Mommy, stay with me.”
And she did.
