On your 9th month...

Dearest Julia,

Time flies. Fast.

I cannot believe that you are 9 months old already. Everything feels dreamlike now. One day, you were in my tummy, the next you were in my arms and now you’re even biting me already. Oh Julia! You are getting prettier each day and not just that, you are even getting naughty too! I wonder were you got the latter from.

So, it begins. You fake cry out loud when you don’t get what you want. I know where you got that. And I’m crossing my fingers many many times for it not to happen. Hahaha! (Loud laugh) You know how to get your way going. So easy for you huh? You are such a charmer and that’s all you do. You’ve been so cheerful too; I know that you are full of all the positive energy in the world. Keep it that way my dear.

A few days from now, we are going to visit your Doctor again in Cebu and hopefully when all goes well, God willingly, your cast will be removed soon. I cannot wait to see your right leg again; to carry you with your legs dangling like there’s no end to it.

A few days from now, you will be wearing what it seems to be like a harness or a brace for your hip. Please be patient, Julia. We have to do this so to protect your hip from dislocating again. Please be kind to it as well. There will be a delay to your walking because of this. And I know deep inside of me that you want to walk so bad already but just be patient darling. Just be.

Always remember that good things happen to those who wait and that patience is a virtue. When all ends well, everything will be smooth. You can walk proud and tall in no time.

Mama has been so busy lately planning for your 1^st birthday. I simply cannot contain my excitement little one. I am planning to have a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party for you since you love the show so much it makes you dance. I cannot wait for your big party in 2 months.

Mama made an invite for you. I hope in time, you will learn to appreciate the little things. 

Part 2 (After our trip to Cebu)

As you turn 9 months old, your cast has been removed. Oh what joy it was for me to see your legs once again!

The whole procedure was a little bit hard on us both but because we are both strong we managed it easily huh? You were irritable the time we left the operating room up until the day after. I understand that the harness that you have to wear is somehow adding much discomfort to you.

I am so proud of you, Julia! You have been my strongest little link. Because you are mighty, I am mighty too. You are the reason why Mama is becoming stronger.

Do not worry my love, in 2 months, God willingly, the doctor will see more improvement from your surgery and will hopefully order for it to be removed again. For now, you can only dangle your legs upon bathing and that’s like a couple of minutes only.

There will be brighter days, Julia!

It will come. And it will be beautiful just like you.

As you turn 9 months old, you have started weaning on feeding from Mama. I am not sure if I will become happy about it but a part of me does because you have mastered the art of biting vigorously and it hurts so much it made me cry once. I know you didn’t mean to hurt Mama but I simply cannot tolerate the pain it does. I am proud of you for taking the bottle. I am proud of you because you do not complain at all. You are a dream to behold, just because you are you…

I love you so much, Julia!

Love,

Mama

On your 8th month and more...

Dearest Julia,

This month has been nothing but great! I do not know where to begin and I do not know how to end it with… But Mama will try my very best to tell you all that has come to happen as you turn 8 months old.

We travelled to Cebu to visit a geneticist for your sake. We want to be not just good parents but the best parents there is for you my dearest. So, we journeyed all together as you had your very first out of town trip. We took the fast craft to Cebu and I can tell you were pretty much thrilled because you never took a nap before heading to the pier. You were all smiles as you scrutinized everyone. I honestly do not know where you got that. I say the trip was happy.

We took a series of tests and examinations for your bones. My darling, you were always in tears as they expected you thoroughly. But like I always tell you my love, this is all for your sake, for your own good later. But even in that deepest and tiring mood you have you still manage to smile at us. You make it seem easy for everyone, Julia, especially me, your Mama.

As we approached your 8^th month, you grew 4 teeth on the upper side and you were a little fidgety for a day but it all disappeared right away. You are one mighty baby!

Weeks have passed as we desperately waited for your results. I prayed to God and Mama Mary for everything to be okay.

It was a Monday, when Mama got the email from your doctor about your skeletal survey. Trying to be scientific and all, I knew there was something wrong with one of the slides. Your doctor said to see an Orthopedic Pediatrician, as she was concerned primarily about your pelvis. Deep breathe. Oh dear.

I googled and tried to find the nearest doctor there is for us to visit again. God must have seen my worried face that He sent us an angel, and there I found the one that would check on you next…

We met up with that very doctor on a Monday. He told Daddy and Mama that you needed surgery. Deep breathe again… We decided to have it done right away so as not to waste any time. Julia, always remember that time like life is gold and uncertain.

Your surgery lasted for a good 3 hours. You were at the recovery room for another good 3 hours. I sat along with the doctors there as I carried you and your heavy cast in my arms. There were all these lifelines on you and I remained composed for you. I had to be so you’ll be strong and calm as well. I cradled you and sang Hail Mary as you slept peacefully. Oh my love, my heart was like crying out. If only I could take all the pain you were going through. I wouldn’t want you to feel anything uncertain or I don’t want to cause distress on you. But as your doctor said, this is all for you. If we don’t do this, then you cannot walk properly and time will come that your hip will hurt so much in your later life and there is nothing we can do about it already. There will be better and brighter days, Julia. And you shall walk tall as you journey the beautiful days of your life.

We all are in awe of your mighty being. The day after your surgery, you smiled, laughed and even entertained every visitor that came towards you. The only thing that bothered you was the oxygen tube on your cute nose and everyone that came in with white clothes.

Fast forward to now as I write this…

It’s been 2 weeks after your surgery and I still find it unbelievable that you seem not bothered by your cast. I call your cast my ‘frenemy’. But because of your high spirits and kind heart, its not that hard after all. You are one strong little girl, Julia. Mama is just so proud of you! You are the bravest baby I have ever seen. I wonder where you got that from my dear?

You slept peacefully on the morning of your surgery.

Just before surgery.

With Daddy and Mama before wheeling you out the room on to the OR.

At the recovery room with your Anesthesiologist. 

At the recovery room.

Julia's hip spica application.

A day after surgery and you are all smiles.

I love you!

With your awesome doctor - Dr. Leo Jiao III.

Just about to check out at the hospital. Look at you. Need I say more?

You are asleep now as Mama writes this and I couldn’t help but notice that even in your deepest sleep you still amaze me. Your beauty radiates like the sun and your smile is intoxicating. You smile even in your sleep. I know that God’s army of angels is surrounding you with joy and laughter as you sleep. You are simply adorable my baby love. I know some day, you will read everything that I have prepared for you, you will understand why and you’ll probably want to know more, someday, you will find all of these stories and laugh on it and perhaps even hate me for doing so but I know this is the only way so that someday, I know that you will remember me.

I love you, Julia!

Love,

Mama