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

To my extraordinary girl, Julia!

I can’t imagine you are 7 months old already.

By now, people will start to stare and ask how old you are. I straightaway tell them you are 7 months old and some would bashfully say, “She’s cute” as if indirectly saying you are small. Some would gossip into each other’s ear, and for some maternal instinct, I know they are just prying and just want to find out what and why.

Dearest Julia,

Let me begin by saying that God has made each of us special. Special in the sense that each one of us is different from others, no two people will ever be the alike. You are extraordinary. Daddy and Mama were chosen to be your parents and for that we are deeply blessed.  We are grateful to God for giving you to us. You are our angel. You mean the world to us. You are our little girl. Always and forever.

Please don’t mind people who will stare or ask. They are just curious. They just want to find out how special you are.

Once and for all, I shall tell them about you…

You are the most beautiful thing that came out to life on the 8^th of December.

You are indeed small. But I don’t see anything wrong with that.

Doctors told Mama and Daddy that you will be the cutest little bundle of joy.

When Mama was 7 months pregnant, Daddy and Mama knew already about you. We were praying fervently to God and to Mama Mary for a miracle and that is for you to grow while in Mama’s womb. You see Julia; the doctors found out that there was a delay in the growth of your long bones – your arms and legs for that matter. But don’t you worry Julia. That’s just all.

Everyday, Mama and Daddy would pray and would hear mass, offering to God for a miracle to happen.

During Mama’s 40^th week, still, the delay could be vividly seen on the scans, there was no miracle, no change at all but then there was you, moving around – I can tell you were possibly shy at that time as you would continuously shield your face with your tiny hands. Some were sad to be honest. Others felt sorry. But I am not. Why should I be? Some would say that everything would be okay - And they were spot-on right!

But little did I know that God has another plan, another purpose for you. I never thought that all of this would come to happen. God has a reason for making you the way you are and for that I won’t dare to ask nor complain.

Today, I have realized that all along as we were praying for a miracle to happen, it already did and we just missed it coming, it somehow didn’t cross my mind…

Today, I realized that YOU were that MIRACLE we were praying for. You arms and legs may not have grown but that really doesn’t matter to us. You can still make use of them. You can still write and paint. You can still do tap dancing or swimming. You can still reach for that star. You can still walk that long and winding road. It doesn’t make you a less of a person just because you are small. It doesn’t make you a less of a person just because you wont grow as tall as Daddy and Mama. You are wonderful already as of now. The miracle was YOU and how extraordinary you are!

Julia, time will come that your playmates would grow so tall and you on the other hand will remain small. Please don’t feel bad. Always remember that you are special and you are created that way. You are our angel.

Others may call you names and some might even hurt your feelings as they do stare, and again – I remind you darling, just let them be. Just smile. The world will not crumble just because you failed to grow as tall as them.

The world is a beautiful place and I want you to explore it as you grow up. Daddy and Mama will be with you all the way. We will guide you and support you. We will take your hand and lead you where you want to be, Julia.

At 7 months, you are undoubtedly small but you are a giant in your own little way.

You eat like a big girl already with the likes of squash, carrots, potato, sweet potato, zucchini, monggo bean, rice, banana and avocado among others.

You got your ears pierced recently making you a girly girl. You are so pretty with your stud and even though you became so angry at the doctor’s clinic, you are still lovely in every way.

You have teeth! - Two on the lower side. How amazing is that? I still am in awe every time you flash that sweetest smile of yours and then your teeth glows.

You have the loudest squeal! When you so scream, you don’t stop.

How everyone loves you! You are the star, as Lola Rita would say as you constantly come in with a huge flower on your head. You are fashionable in every way and Mama will make sure that you will always look pretty.

That’s all for now love.

I love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Mama

On your 6th month.

Dearest Lovely Girl,

As you turn 6 months old let me tell you how awesome you are…

You are eating three times a day little girl. Though at times, it’s a challenge making you end your meal but nevertheless you certainly not fail. You hold your spoon like you are a big girl already. You drink your water bottle and your milk by yourself without any help. I am so proud of you, Julia!

You had your first banana and first avocado. I can tell that you love to eat. And that’s important my love for you to grow. This month, we will start eating solids and I pray to God and to Mama Mary that you will relish it as much as I am sure will enjoy concocting it for you dear Julia.

Mama stopped baking for you my dear. It’s all because you seem to not like it when I am not around. So now, Mama has been allowing you to watch me do everything. From swimming, exercising, mani and pedicure, eating and even when plucking my eyebrows - and how you stare at me joyfully. It is better this way; you see what I am doing, so you will understand that I am just here. Tomorrow, Mama plans to bake again – you will be my only spectator. And when you are big – you will be my helper.

You can now reach for objects or absolutely anything before you, holding them close, groping it and then shifting it to the other hand, you seem like a master in your own sport my dear. Mama is amazed by your energy. It is truly uplifting.

You love talking and singing. You scream and babble like an old lady already. Hahaha! At times, I find myself laughing at your performance.

You know how to put up a dramatic act when needed. Surely gets me going nuts! But that laugh of yours would easily make my heart melt like no other. Oh Julia, you have the sweetest smile there is!

We once went to a coffee shop (Just you, Mama and Daddy), oh how you crack me up! You carefully scrutinize everyone passing by. As we had our own drinks, you also had your milk, which you happily consumed. We will go back to that place one of these days.

We also went to Lolo Melchor and Lola Rita’s Ranch one time and you enjoyed the cool mountain breeze. You adored looking at the sheep and the trees. We can’t wait to take you to farther places once you are big.

One time, you got sick. I was so worried because you got it from me. We had cough. But because you are strong and mighty, you take your medicine like ice cream, licking the medicine dropper as if it was a treat. I hope you will be like that all the time.

Each and everyday, you remind me of your Daddy. Your looks (101%) and every gesture you make. But there are also times that you remind me of Tita Ina most especially when you frown. Hahaha! Oh Julia, you are so beautiful. Mama enjoys watching at your photograph all night long as you sleep by my bedside. I giggle by myself at the sight of your rib-tickling act.

Oh how you love mornings! You wake up at 5 am and then we directly go out for your morning stroll. At around 6 am you fall back into sleep. As you do so, you look so peaceful and sweet. You are my happy pill.

Just recently, you put up a very loud laugh. It was the most pleasant thing to hear. You bring happiness to people around you and I know in time you will double and triple it all the more.

That’ll be all for now my darling.

Just remember, you are beautiful just the way you are.

I love you, Julia!

Daddy's girl.

One Sunday at a coffee shop.

That laugh and smile.

Sleeping during her afternoon stroll.

4 generations of love (My Lola Rita, My Mama, my daughter Julia and I).