Several months ago, Gabbie made lambing to me and she said she wanted to have a toy Dora Megabloks. I asked her where she saw it or where she got the idea that there's Dora Megabloks, she said from the TV. Come December, I checked in Toy Kingdom this Dora Megabloks toy and I found one, but it costs way above what I expected (over the budget, in other words). I waited for their toy sale but the Megabloks brand was not included.
I asked Gabbie to include it in her prayers. Then one day, her Ninang Kathie asked what she wanted for Christmas. I told her she'd been wishing for a Dora Megabloks but I didn't have the time yet to search for it in the malls because I had just given birth to Rafa. She said she'd be the one to get it for Gabbie.
Then a day before Christmas, Gabbie's wish came true. Her Ninang Kathie personally delivered her wish to our house.
She'd been playing with her Dora Megabloks everyday since then.
During our neighborhood Christmas party, Gabbie had a special dance number to the tune of All I Want For Christmas Is You. She learned the steps from their school presentation. She always dance at home and we even bought a CD so she can practice anytime anywhere.
She just woke up from late afternoon nap (we came from another party earlier) and when we got to the party venue, we were told that she will already do the opening number. While waiting for the music, she was joined by Ate Veron who wanted to dance with her. I told her to just follow Gabbie's simple steps.
Lahat ng stress dahil sa pagod, puyat, kakulitan ni ate at kung ano ano pa ay nawawala pag nag-smile ka na. Happy first month Rafa! Mommy, Daddy and Ate Gabbie love you so much!
I've got so many things to blog about, Rafa's first photos included. But this one, this heartbreaking one, I want to share lang. Quickie post.
I thought we have prepared her enough for the coming of our new baby. But it seems that Ate Gabbie had to let everything sink in first and see and experience in actual how it is to have a new baby in the house, where she used to be the only one.
Last Monday, she cried when she was going to school with her lola. She wanted mommy to be the one to bring her to school and despite my explanations that I still had 'sugat' in my tummy, and Rafa is still too small to be left by mommy at home, she still wouldn't stop crying. She cried until they were already in school, she didn't even entered the classroom. Her lola called me and I told her to just bring her home if she wouldn't stop. After 20 minutes or so, they were back home.
I talked to her heart to heart and explained again. She was hesitant but I was able to convince her a little.
The next day she requested that mommy bring her down and then to lolo's jeep (their service vehicle). When they were about to leave, she cried again "mommy! mommy!"
I could hear her screaming even they were already at the gate of the village. My heart was breaking. I was crying too when I called her daddy to check on her. I felt a little relieved when he told me that she was no longer crying and she already joined their class. I cried a little more (couldn't help it), thinking of reasons why all of a sudden her mood changed. It has been a month already since her lola started to send her to school so we thought everything was OK already. They even went to the school field trip to Enchanted Kingdom together.
I guess she (or we?) are still having some sort of separation anxiety. And a month of preparation is not enough compared to the three years and nine months that we were together everyday wherever we go.
Today I'm glad that she didn't cry anymore. But I know that this is a process and I pray that she'll get used to the new setup/environment soon.
Our new bundle of joy, Ayisha Rafaelle, came out on November 7, 2011 at 11:58 AM via CS delivery. She weighed 7 lbs and measured 53 cm. My waterbag broke around 7AM. I felt a flow of liquid while standing up and when I was in the toilet I saw the "bloody show" then I called Mike and told him "I think it's time." So we dressed up and he rushed me to Capitol Med where I was brought directly to the labor room. After a series of tests, IE's, interviews, blood extractions and monitoring and a very comforting phone call from my husband, I was sent to the delivery (OR) room then few minutes after, I heard a baby cry and then they showed her to me, they took pictures of us and I felt the warmth of my baby's skin for the first time. I was so happy and despite the numbness, difficulty in breathing and dizziness I heard myself say "Hello Rafa, don't cry, Mommy's here."
Rafa looks like Ate Gabbie when she was born. They have the same features. Everytime I look at Rafa, I feel like I'm time travelling to almost four years ago.
That's Gabbie when she was born (left) and Rafa (right). They look like twins born four years apart. :)
Today we got the report card of Gabbie for the second quarter of the school year and inserted in the envelope is this:
With Gabbie's very good grades is another Star Pupil Award given to students whose grades in academic and non-academic are exemplary.
Upon seeing her grades and certificate, I kissed her and I said "Very good! You're the best, Anak!"
To which she replied "No Mommy, you're the best!"
Isn't it the sweetest thing to hear on earth?
Thank you Jesus for Gabbie's very good grades. We promise, with Your help, to maintain them or even improve more in the next half of the school year (and until she's in college already).
While watching the gymnastic dance moves of Loverkada Kids during the PGT Finals:
Gabbie: Daddy, that's dangerous. Daddy: Yes, dangerous. Gabbie: When I grow big I can do that too. Daddy: No. Gabbie: Mommy! Si daddy o, he doesn't want me to grow big. Me: No, daddy said he doesn't want you to do that because it's dangerous. Gabbie: When I'm big nga. But daddy doesn't want me to grow big eh.
*Daddy meant he doesn't want her to do that even if she's big already because it's dangerous, not that he doesn't want her to grow so that she won't think of doing it.
*****************************
After school while in the tricycle going home:
Gabbie: Mommy may I play in the playpark? Me: No more na play, Anak. Gabbie: Di ba they made the playpark for the kids, so that kids will be happy?
*What else is there to say? Hehe, she has a point.
*****************************
Gabbie: Mommy, I have my boyfriend. Me: What? Don't say that, I don't like. Gabbie: I have my boyfriend! Me: Who? Gabbie: Daddy is my boyfriend. Boy. Friend.
*Ok, pero I admit, nakaka-stress..
***************************** We started the routine where Lola is the one to bring Gabbie to school, to prepare for the coming of our new baby, Rafa.
Me: Let's go up na Gabbie, so you can take a bath. Gabbie: So we can go to school? Me: Lola will go with you ha. Gabbie: Why Lola again? Why are you tired again Mommy? What's wrong? Me: Nothing, Anak. Mommy is just tired and sleepy but Mommy will bring you to school on Friday for your halloween parade. Gabbie: Ok.
*I read somewhere that to avoid sibling jealousy or insecurity, as much as possible try not to make the new baby as an excuse for suddenly not giving your full attention to the big sister or brother the way you used to do. So instead of saying "because it's not good for Baby Rafa when mommy gets tired every day going to and from your school", I just told her "because mommy's tummy is so big it makes her tired when we go out". I'm lucky and thankful that I have a daughter who is understanding and very caring.
Because she loves Mickey, Ariel and some characters from Toy Story, Gabbie watched Disney Musical in Araneta Coliseum last October 9. Citibank offered 20% discount on tickets bought within August so mommy didn't waste time and got 2 Upperbox A tickets for her and daddy. I was lucky to get seats that are in the center so they were able to watch with a perfect view.
The smile on our big sister's face made it all the more "sulit". She's even asking daddy to watch Mickey Mouse show again. Coincidentally, I saw an ad in a magazine that there will be Disney on Ice in Manila again on Dec 25 to Jan 3. It would be a perfect gift for her on her 4th birthday, di ba daddy?
For a P300 purchase of any Nickelodeon item in Robinsons Department Store, we were able to get a pass for Nickelodeon's Meet and Greet Dora, Diego and Boots in Robinsons Metro East last October 15, 2011.
Gabbie was, as usual, excited to see three of her favorite cartoon characters up close. While waiting for Diego, Dora and Boots to appear, there were some questions for the kids and they get prizes for answering the questions right. Gabbie was able to answer one; she got a fan and stickers as her prize:
And when Dora and Boots were already dancing on stage, she couldn't help... she danced along even if she was the only one doing it.
After some more games, kids went up the stage to get photographed with Dora and Boots. Other kids were with their mommies and daddies but Gabbie did not bother going up alone.
Guyana flag was the one assigned for Gabbie during their school's UN Celebration. Good thing they did not require the students to wear the national costume of whatever country was assigned to them. Yesterday, the kids paraded in pairs around the school in their uniform (though there were two kids who came in Korean and Egyptian costumes) each proudly holding and waving his own flag.
Date: October 1, 2011
Venue: Maxs Tiendesitas
Cake: Red Ribbon (personally chosen by Ate Gabbie)
Game prizes: chocolates
Souvenirs: mini feeding bottles filled with candy chocolates
Balloons by Ninang Jenny
We were in the venue at around 2PM to do some preparations. It was raining since mid-morning although there was no typhoon signal in Metro Manila anymore. Gabbie and I prayed for a nice weather and I guess that was the best that mother nature could give us. :)
The party started with daddy Mike's intro and welcome remarks.
Then followed with Gabbie's opening prayer.
We had games prepared for the party. Gabbie was the one who called out for the participants. The first game was called "Fill The Diaper Bag". Ninong Mark and Tito JP were called to join. They had to fill a bag with pictures of baby stuff that can be found inside a diaper bag. One who got the most number of pictures win. The pictures were placed under the chairs and they had to select only the things that can be put inside a diaper bag. If they put a baby stuff that is not supposed to be in a diaper bag (e.g. car seat), 1 point will be deducted to the total points.
Tito JP won this game, but one point was taken off the total because he mistakenly put a picture of an electric bottle sterilizer inside the bag.
The next game was called "Draw A Baby Face". Gabbie called Lolo Reymar and Lola Belen to join the game. They were blindfolded and were given pens and paper plates where they will draw a face of a baby then paste a pacifier in the baby's mouth to complete the image.
Ate Gabbie announced the winner and it was her Lola Belen.
And then we showed our guests a video that I prepared showing Gabbie's growing up pictures. When I was doing the video I was really crying. Fortunately when it was being shown, I was able to control my emotions. Hehe.
And then we showed them Rafa's 3D ultrasound photos in a video that I also made.
While waiting for the food to be served, we presented Ate Gabbie our Big Sister surprise- an organ that she had been wishing for. She loves playing music (kung ano anong music lang) and dancing and singing along with it. She said she will sing songs for Rafa when she comes out.
Daddy read our message for Gabbie written in a card:
Dear Gabbie,
We thank God for a wonderful blessing called YOU. We thank you for always giving us joy. You taught us many things about loving and enjoying parenthood. We pray to God to give us good health and long life to watch and help you grow and to spend many many more precious moments with you. We love you anak, our baby girl Gabbie princess.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Gabbie said "Thank you mommy and daddy." And then she led the prayer before meals.
A BIG thanks to our friends and relatives who celebrated with us despite the not-so-good weather.
Another game that we had was called "Dress up the baby" where two mommies (Tita Sharon and Tita Ariannce) were asked to undress and dress a baby (dolls). The dolls were wearing booties, mittens, diapers, onesies and caps initially. Both mommies finished at the same time so they were both winners.
The last game that we had was for the kids, but they were also allowed to ask help from their mommies. They were asked to write the baby names of the adult animals we have listed. The clues were jumbled letters of the answers. It was fun and educational. Kuya Maron got 9 correct answers out of 10.
It was really fun and Gabbie hosted the party all throughout. Indeed a big sister already!
At home she was excited to open the gifts, although most of them are for Rafa.
We are ready to welcome you Baby Rafa! Ate Gabbie, mommy and daddy are excited to see you already :)
