My Dear Sammie

My Dear Sammie,

As promised, I will be writing something to you as well. Sorry it took me a longer time to write to you as compared to your Kuya Liam. Not to worry, Mama is not playing favorites :)

By now, you already know that like your Kuya, you are an answered prayer. God giving us a daughter, like what we have prayed for was bonus! And we will be forever thankful for that.

You are now 16 months old and in those 16 months I have cherised every moment spent with you. And how your name has evolved! :)

I can say that you are lucky because you got Mama personally taking care of you during the first 14 months of your life :) No yayas :) Your Kuya was not as lucky, hehehe You are a living proof that I can do things, multi-task to the highest level, and I only have to will it :)Because of your birth, Mama's ka-praningan and fears as a first-time mum vanished into thin air! I'm a more confident mum now :)

I consider myself luckier because not all parents can see and witness their kids' milestones, like me. On your every "first" I was there to witness it. I was there to see you try and succeed.

At 16 months, you already have your own personality. You and your Kuya may have physical similarities, but your personalities are uniquely your own :) You know what you like and don't like. You don't have a hard time telling us your preference because as young as you are, you can already verbalize the things that you like (and don't like).

You like to sing, you like the Wiggles (like your Kuya Liam) and their songs, you are a silent observer but you learn that way. You started counting one to five at this age. You like Gymbaroo (especially the song "I Hear Thunder')and you have fallen in love with swimming :) You like to draw and read. You like to dance and is into music as well. You are starting with your toliet training, but it is still eratic :) On the times that you verbalized what you wanted, it was always a success :)

You already know a lot of words! :)You even make simple sentences now :) We think that you will be one chatterbox like your Kuya. You are one bubbly and smart girl. It seems though that you are tougher than your Kuya. I am not worried. I know in the future, that trait will benefit you more. You are one spunky girl! :) You have been attending childcare now for almost 3 months and by this time, you have adjusted well. No more tears :) You have your way of making lambing to your Papa, Mama and Kuya Liam and it is very effective!

Your favorite cousin is bebe! You like calling her name all the time! :)

You don't like frills and ribbons. Sorry if Mama still insists of putting something on your hair hehehe Hey, you are a girl, ok? :)

When Mama is down and a bit sad, all I have to do is remember the funny faces and the happy moments that you made and it helps lift Mama's spirits.

We often argue, especially if you insist on the things you like. But Mama has to be tough. I think this a sign of things to come. But remember that I have to be tough for you and your Kuya to learn. It's a crazy world out there!

I know in due time, you'll look up to me as your model. You'll probably get some of my traits and attitude. God help me! I hope I am worthy enough to be one. With all the flaws that I have! Ha! But more than that, I look forward to the time when you will be old enough and we can have our mother-daughter bonding :) AS it is, we already have two, your Gymbaroo and swimming classes, and sometimes shopping. But it's different when you are much older hehehe :)

I love you very much. I thank God that He has entrusted you to us. Papa and Mama will continue to work together so we can raise you up to be the person God wants you to be. I am not thinking anymore of what the future will bring, all I know now is I am thankful for having this opportunity to personally take care of you, raise you, teach you and guide you. It is hard and sometimes drives me crazy, but I know in the end, all will be worth it. I will not focus on the hardships (because it might drive me nuts), but focus on the beauty of having to take care of you. This is a rare opportunity and not everyone has it, so I'll make the most out of it.

You and your Kuya will forever be the source of our joy and our inspiration.

I love you very much!

Till my next letter!

Love,
Mama

Baby Sam

My best friend told me once that I should be extra careful of the things I tend to splurge on for Liam, because, if in the future I have another child, I should make it a point to also do the things I did for Liam. The reason? To avoid unnecessary comparisons and sibling rivalry. I kept that in mind. But needless to say, I still sometimes overspend for Liam, thinking that I will just have another child in the future and doing everything again would not be that difficult.

Well, fast forward, after 2 years and 7 months, Liam is about to become a Big Kuya to his baby sister, Andrea Samantha, or Sam for short. We are thrilled to know that we are having a baby girl in a matter of 3 months. We're praying that all will be well until we finally see her come November. As I prepare for her arrival, I try to recall everything, every little thing that I did with Liam. I decided that maybe when I put it in writing, it will be much easier to remember it when the time comes.

But first, I would like to thank Baby Sam for being a good baby. Though I had a terrible first trimester (just like with Liam then), the past 3 months have been a smooth ride. She hasn't given me any problems considering the physical load I have to do almost everyday. From the surprise party for her Papa up to now that I do my daily grind of house chores and extra errands/driving for family, she has always cooperated. FOr that I am very thankful for her. Though I know that in a matter of weeks, I should slow down already and physically prepare myself for her arrival.

Now back to the things I will have to do with her as well. The big projects include: having a baptismal party, having a grand 1st birthday party, coffee table book for her 1st birthday, having a simple 2nd birthday party, enrolling her to Gymbaroo, enrolling her to Kindermusik, and enrolling her to swimming lessons. Oh I almost forgot, breastfeeding her as well unti she turns 2! The photo sessions during the third month, 12 month, and 24th month. The monthly mini-birthday celebrations from the first month up to the 12th month. Maybe, just maybe, I will have to enroll her as well to dance lessons when she's a bit older, like our plan to enroll Liam on another sport (Tennis) as soon as he turns 3. Now for the smaller projects, we'll make it a yearly family bonding to watch a kid's concert (like Thomas the Train and Wiggles) and of course, splurging (a little, promise) on the clothes. I feel guilty (really? hehehe) everytime I see how much I have invested on Liam's branded clothes. Oh well, I'm having a girl this time so I'm pretty sure, I'd spend as well. Of course, spending on books and a little on toys as well will be part of the small projects.

We already did something for her recently, which we also did with LIam. That is to have a video of the ultrasounds that we had with the doctor. The only difference now is Sam's pictures are in 3D and her video is now on DVD while Liam's were on 2D scan only and was recorded on a VHS :) Can't blam that on us, blame it on technology hehe.

There you go, so far that is what I can all remember I'm pretty sure in the coming weeks I'll remember more. But for now, I'll just enjoy the days and the weeks that she is still inside me, sharing every emotion and everything that I experience. I love you Baby Sam and I can't wait to see you!