Separation Anxiety

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.

Little Rafa is here!

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. :)

Star Pupil Award 2nd Quarter

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).

Recent conversations with Gabbie

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.


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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.


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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..


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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.

Disney Musical Experience

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?