Torn on Halloween 2016.

Julia: Mama, Can I be Snow White and bring a red apple?

Mama: Darling, it wasn't Snow White who held the red apple. Unless, you want to become the witch for Halloween?

Julia: I want to be Snow White and bring a red apple, Mama. (Voice increasingly goes high)

Mama: You'll have to settle bringing a basket but without apples. 

She doesn't say anything and poses cheerfully giving me a comic relief of some sort.

Sweet Treats and Candies and Halloween Zumba Party 2016 at school.

11 Sweet Months.

To my second born and my little giant, now that you've turn 11 months old, I'd like to tell you a couple of things.

This month, you've become incredibly sick I had to take you to the hospital twice. My nerves got into me and my knees started to shake the moment you were having a fever that spiked up to 39 degrees. To top it all, big sister, Julia was sick too. 

You had teething pains as well and your fever came on and off giving me the scare of some sort. 

You've grown 2 front teeth this month that made you feel totally uneasy.

Mama became sick too and we all had to work hand in hand for Tita Ina's wedding. This month was just gonna go by fast, as slowly you approach to being a year old. 

Oh Sabel! Where did time go? I look at you and still am amazed how far you've grown and realize you've achieved so much in time. 

I with a deep breath, at times cannot contain my joy and fear of what lies ahead of us, of the days that are yet to come. I fear that I may not be able to give enough when the time comes that there will be three of you to look after. But my excitement gets the most of me thinking that my fear will just go by and away with the wind. 

Little darling, I love the sight of you and Julia cuddling each other to laughter. It warms my heart and how I find it funny that you cry whenever you hear her cry. 

How you cheerfully look for her presence and how she welcomes you with so much kisses and hugs melts my heart so much! I wonder how it will be when Clara comes out? Oh yes! Belly, we've decided to name your little sister Clara. Julia is fond of it as she recalls the name Clara from the movie The Nutcracker. Soon, you will enjoy watching movies with Julia and Clara when the time comes. 

As of now, please remain as my baby - Mama's sweet baby just for a short while. 

I love you, Belly!

Mama

10th month and a secret.

To my funny and gentle giant, now that you have turned 10 months old, let me tell you how you've brought happiness to Daddy, Julia and Mama. 

Let me begin by saying how I love mornings when you wake up and bury your face next to mine, flashing me the sweetest smile, a mother's console to a long night's weariness. And then you go ahead and leap forward and check on Julia which is situated on my other side and patiently you try to figure out if she's asleep or awake. When Julia is in her sleep, I always tell you not to bother her so she gets her dose of sleep. So instead, you crawl down and slowly let yourself go down to where Daddy sleeps. How delighted you are when Daddy affirms your presence! 

I am so proud to tell you that in 10 months, you've learned and love to walk on your own. You are such a strong baby and I know in time you'll be able to do more. The world is beautiful and you too will experience it soon. I pray that time will slow down a bit- for you to fully appreciate the way it goes.

Let me tell you a big secret now...

When you were just 7 months old, mama found out that you were going to be a big sister. I honestly feel at times that I am maybe a tad selfish being pregnant while you are still a baby. But because you've grown up to be quite a joyful surprise I know that everything's going to be okay. That you and Julia will understand in time and eventually help mama out with your little sister. Yes, Sabel, you are going to have a little sister soon. 

Please be good to Mama at all times and I pray for your understanding and patience now that I'm pregnant. It won't be easy but seeing you and Julia makes me a proud Mama knowing it's worth it all. 

I love you, Belly!

Mama 

Before your 9th month comes to an end...

When all of the universe seem to be in a deep sleep, I remain awake and always in awe as I watch you sleep in my arms. This time, you flash a smile that's shy and gentle and then comes another big one giving all you've got. I wonder what you must be dreaming or better yet what your angel has whispered into your ears at this very moment...

Oh sweet child of mine! As your 9th month comes to an end, I proudly say how beautiful you've become. You and your sister makes me so proud, makes me feel so wonderful about life and love. 

This month you've become so feisty that you would scream in a one big "ahhh..." once Julia grabs things from you, ultimately demanding for her to give it back which she submits seconds and at times minutes after. She tells me she's scared of you and how you stare at her. And how I giggle in her mischiefs! 

You've been cruising from short distances which makes me think that in no time you will be able to walk soon. How I love to see your strong and lean legs walk from end to end! You seem to be confident and proud of your own pace. 

I'm so happy when you seem to be wanting Daddy when you see him. When you let a soft cry once he doesn't mind you. When you clutch your legs into his knees so he moves not. Oh how sweet that is of you, Sabel!

And how reassuring and loving it is when you call me "mama" in the middle of the room making me so happy. When nanny comes and you desperately lock yourself into my arms makes me want to carry you all the more. 

Oh dear, Sabel this month has been filled with so much stumbles and boo boos as you've become the active baby that you are now. Sometimes I wonder if you are a baby boy trapped in a baby girl's body. Please be careful my love. Slow down if you need to. 

It won't be long anymore and you will be turning one. And how I feel emotional as time goes by so fast. 

Always be cheerful to everyone Sabel. May you continue to sparkle and bring joy to others especially to Julia. May you be each other's person as you grow up together. 

I love you to the moon and back!

Mama

On your 8th month...

Dearest Sabel,

Now that your 8 months old, I can definitely and proudly say how beautiful you've blossomed to be. 

You carry yourself with complete calmness that I for one am envious how a baby can do such thing. You respond to all qualms of the world with your biggest and sweetest smile thus melting the hearts of many especially mine. I really pray you will forever remain that way.

You smile to your sister's gentle voice and you always let out a loud chuckle when she cries, perhaps in your own little way that's how you comfort her.

You gave us quite the scare this month when you got sick for a span of two weeks. You have fever, cough and colds all together. Still, you were the calmest sick baby I've ever met. You were as patient as I needed you to be. Thank you, Sabel for showing me how to extend my patience in every little way you can.

Before the month ends, you've grown two bottom teeth. You look so cute when you flash your smile and your teeth comes to display. 

You've become the master crawler and I am always delighted with your skills and how adventurous you are. You never fear danger and I do hope you'll always be careful. When you stand and let go of both hands, my tummy gives me a funny scary feeling and yet you burst up in smiles and laughter shifting my mood yet again. 

Always be our sweet girl and please don't grow up so fast...

I love you always,

Mama

On your 7th month...

My dearest sweetie pie, 

Let me begin by saying how Mama loves unwrapping everything about you. From day to day, I feel like we've become best of friends already. Now, that you are seven months old, you've mastered the art of eating. Oh how I love to see you eat as your face lightens up when you're full and contented. 

They say, a baby changes his or her patterns and habits from time to time. But all in seven months you haven't changed your sleeping routine. You constantly wake up very early in the morning when the world is dark and still. Sometimes, I trick you to falling asleep again but you won't oblige as you want to be brought outside. 

As I write this, you're on my chest sleeping like an angel. Speaking of angels, I, without doubt think that your guardian angel must be full of humor and happiness, as you, even in your sleep would smile from ear to ear. Asleep or awake your smile melts my heart. Always.

You love to walk around your crib and even holding on to one hand style. You're such a strong baby and I am mighty proud of you. Your crawling skills are like those of commandos. 

I can't wait to know you more, to see you grow and to see you live life to its fullest just like your big sister Julia.

I love you, Sabel!

Love,

Mama

To the sweetest baby on your 6th month.

My dearest Sabel, as I scribble on this note, you are lying comfortably on my chest. And believe me, we can go as much time as you need to my little girl. With a loud burp that you just let out, I know a few minutes is on till I put you down beside me to sleep. But right now, let me hold you a little bit longer. Let me surrender to your sweet smell of a baby. Let me sink in to your breath that smells like milk. Let me surround you with my warmth as I embrace you closer. I know time will go by very fast and before long, you'll be so big, you might not want me holding you like this. 

All I need is this very moment to feel you. You are such a good baby Sabel. You've are the most patient human  I've ever met. I hope you will remain to have that virtue with you as you journey through life. You will need it always.

Sabel, Mama is so proud of you, as you turn 6 months old you've done so many wonderful things already. 

You are such a big eater and I giggle every time you crave for more. 

You've tried quite a handful of veggies and fruits already. Let me tell you what your happy tummy has been grinding this past few weeks; squash, carrots, potatoes, malunggay leaves, sayote, green peas, avocado, banana, Apple, pear, papaya, white rice, chicken liver and oatmeal. I know in time we can have more and I'm so happy you love what you eat. 

I simply cannot wait for you to walk and run so you can play in the garden with your sister. It would be nice to hold you and your sister hand in hand as we go for our daily paseo. The many places we can go and the many things we shall do together excites me so much. 

And as I end this note, I caught you smiling in your sleep, a lot of times successively. They say, when babies smile in their sleep it is because their angel is playing with them. Yet, you who's awake or asleep smile almost every second and that's the most wonderful thing about you. Maybe God has sent me one of His angels to remind me the goodness of this world. To inspire me to become a good mother and a better person.

Thank you Sabel for being the sweetest baby in the world! Your Daddy, Julia and I are so lucky to have you.