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).

Julia's laugh.

Julia's first laugh with the cutest baby sound ever... 

Watch it here :)

Simply gorgeous.

My little girl dazzles in a pretty handmade dress by my Mama. She is a sight to behold. She gives us pure joy and genuine laughter. 

We love you, Julia! 

Random snippets at the farm.

The husband, the daughter and myself together with close friends and family went to a spontaneous farm visit in our Lolo's Ranch. We had lunch there and they brought some booze along too. It was a lovely day.

Stepping stones.

Pink wild roses.

Remnants of what used to be fields of Lerio flower. This is what's left. So sad but still pretty.

So in love with this tree. Standing tall and proud.

xoxo

A your Adorable!

Oh Julia! You are so adorable! 

Mama loves you to pieces...

My darling turns 5 months old.

Dearest Julia,

As you turn 5 months old today, let me share you some little thoughts of you...

You made Mama really really sad these past few days. Was there something I've done? Was there something I've tactlessly said? Is my milk supply not enough for you baby?

Oh Julia! Please don't feel bad when Mama is away for a few hours. Like I always tell you, Mama is in the kitchen - baking. You must know that the kitchen is Mama's happy place darling. And you must know too that you and Daddy are my ultimate happiness. So please don't feel bad anymore. You are always in my thoughts baby. You are even in my dreams. And someday, we will both dream together. Dreams do come true my love.

Mama has decided to lay low on baking because Mama doesn't want you to feel bad anymore. Someday, you will join me in the kitchen, and I know it will be wonderful and messy all at once! I can't wait for that day to come, Julia.

As you turn 5 months old, you have mastered the skill of making whatever acts. Say, throwing tantrums at Mama. Well not that heavy though, but you sure know how to tackle one. You scream your heart out in a loud cry and at times you get all giddy and ecstatic when greeted warmly. Oh how you generously enjoy splashing your saliva as you get all excited! Baby, you are now a big girl!

Mama is so proud of you because at this early you can now eat. You first had Chicken Soup Mamita prepared for you and the day after you had dry cereal. Everyday is changing as you have a love and hate relationship with feeding. But it's all okay, love. Still, I will always be proud of my precious one.

I find it so funny that everyday you are slowly mimicking your Daddy's features. You are after all his mini-me. Oh how you both look alike!

Julia, I love you to the moon and back. 

Cuddle time with Daddy.

Julia eats Chicken soup.

Julia eats dry cereal.