L is now 18 months. In those months, she showed me a different level of happiness. A sense of contentment, a reason to be better and a greater purpose.
Live the moment. Most of us became too busy with a lot of things that we tend to forget how to enjoy the moment. We are masters of multi tasking, juggling a lot of things at one time. We are all after the end that we forgot how to enjoy the journey. (Below is my little girl having the time of her life swimming with me in a pool of balls)
Take a leap and follow your heart.
Life is too short to live in fear. It might get a little bumpy but still enjoy the ride.
(L and Me at the slide. Good thing the husband didn't took a video of this because I screamed all the way down. The kids stopped playing and stared at me.)
Never give up on something you believe in. You will make mistakes. There will be start and stops but there is joy in standing up for something you feel strongly about. (After spending time showing her how to play stacking and puzzle, she learned how to do it on her own. This is good in developing her eye and hand coordination. It is true that kids spend more time playing with wooden toys. For some reason, L plays her wooden toys longer and keeps her more interested.)
Be happy and count your blessings. There are a lot of reasons to be happy and thankful for. (The two loves of my life enjoying the pool. Indeed, I have a lot of reasons to be happy. I am blessed with a good husband and a healthy daughter who never fails to brighten my day)
It's been a long time since my last post! I'm now a happy and fulfilled -- breastfeeding, nappy changing, hands on (yes I have no yaya) and a busy full time working mommy of an almost 6 month old baby girl. I keep asking myself was it just 6-months? It felt longer than that.. and NO I am absolutely not complaining anything.
I JUST LOVE BEING A MOM!!!
I realized after giving birth that I will never be able to sleep throughout the night for a very very very long time (GULP!). I am not a morning person... No No No until I became a MOM. My daughter literally wakes me up using her big thighs and sometimes her small hands when one doesn't work she normally uses both. So at 6-7am everyday my little angel wakes Mummy up. And Mummy here will happily wake up. Mornings are precious commodities for working moms like me. It's our special time together before I go to work. We play, I feed her breakfast, let her drink vitamins and I give her a bath. Everything before the clock hits 9am as I need to quickly prepare for work.
I BREASTFEED TOO!!!
It can be done even if you are away for 8-10 hours a day. It's not easy. I know several people who have exclusively breastfed for more than 2 years and I absolutely salute them for it. It takes lots patience, dedication and commitment. I carry 1 big overnight like bag that carries my laptop, organizer, powercord, and a lock & lock container where I put sterilized stuffs for my breastpump, an electric dual breastpump, a cooler that has 2 gel packs and 4 5oz of breastmilk reusable containers, and my handbag. So I stay away from stilletos and heels. They are a thing of the past for me. I love my back better than I love shoes.
MOMMY AND THE SALT MINES
Each day that I was not there to take care of my little girl full time brings a certain kind of guilt I must say. Many working moms would wish they can be there 24/7 never missing a thing. But life is life and I have to work. I am lucky to have been employed to a company that supports working moms. We have flexible working hours, I can pump for atleast 2x a day and we have a designated area for it.
JOURNEY TO MOMMYHOOD
It's not an easy job, no vacations, no sick leaves, no overtime pay, no weekends, no holidays, no pay but the reward I get each time I look at my daughter brings a warm feeling in my heart. A sense of peace, serenity, boundless joy and love. A mother's love is such a powerful thing that makes an ordinary person do the impossible.
Since I was a small girl my favorite toy is a doll. His name is Mark Jefferson. I remember when Santa Claus gave him to me we even celebrated his baptism at home. My older sister served as his Godmother and Priest. My Mama attended his baptism and even bought cupcakes and Coke. I love kids… I simply adore them.
When I got married my greatest fear is not to have a child. I feel so blessed in my life that I thought maybe something I wanted so much will not be given. And so I prayed and prayed harder. My sister shared a link to me it was the testimonial of Julius Babao and his wife Kristine Bersola to Saint Padre Pio. I said to myself why not the church is just walking distance from our office.As soon as I entered the chapel, I smelled roses. I was very emotional throughout the mass, I was praying and tears were falling down my eyes and I don’t know why. I decided to continue the 9 days novena to Padre Pio. The following day I had spotting… I was heartbroken. I knew a period is coming but until the following day it did not push thru. I decided to consult my OB. I told myself maybe I need help to speed things up. And so that same day I went to my OB and she advised for me to take a pregnancy test and an ultrasound. I told her I’m not pregnant. She told me… we will see. And so I went for blood test and then ultrasound. The OB assisting at the ultrasound center ask me where is my husband, I told her I went alone. She said okay tonight you will have good news for your husband – Congratulations you need not try anymore… You are pregnant!!! I was happily shocked and can’t take my eyes off to the small screen showing the heartbeat of my baby. And so the journey to my greatest dream of being a mother started.
My pregnancy is not as difficult as I thought it will be. I had evening sickness but not as bad as what the other moms had to go thru. I enjoyed every minute of it maybe not all but most. The first butterfly-like movement of my baby, the moment we knew we are going to have baby girl, I specially like the nesting when everything is needed. I am just so happy that I’m pregnant that no difficulty that is part of pregnancy can stop me from being happy.
January 11, I was having some cramps and so I knew that my much awaited for baby is coming. We went to the hospital at 4:00pm but the doctors told me I’m just 2cm. I can still go home and just come back the following day. At 1:30 am, my husband rushed me to the hospital; I was having some serious pains. My contractions are just 5 minutes apart. At 3cm I was admitted to the hospital and so my 16 hour labor started. It was a difficult and painful one even with epidural. The pain got worst as I reach 7cm and at 9cm I was having fever. I knew something was wrong when residents and doctors started coming inside my labor room and just stare at the fetal monitor. They keep on whispering with each other. I was nervous. The baby’s heartbeat is slowing down due to stress and the fact that I am at 9cm for 3 hours already. The doctors said it’s too long. I was crying already from pain and fear for my baby. I kept on praying hard. I kept on repeating Padre Pio’s name over and over again. I told him I’ll be good just give me the baby. My OB said we have to do an emergency caesarian. At 4:08pm of January 12, I delivered a healthy baby girl, my fervent wish and my answered prayer. So keep on praying and keep on believing someone up there is listening to you.
I have two sisters, one 4 years older than me and the other thirteen years younger. I would say I have the best of both worlds. I got a chance to experience being a Siobe to my Achie and a Dichie to our Siobe.On my wedding day, it was only my older sister who made me cry. This is during the ceremonial toast. As to why, here it goes:
"Good Evening! For those of you who don’t know me, I am Jenny, the very proud sister of the glamorous Bride. I want to start by Congratulating the Bride and the Groom and thanking all of you for coming here today.
As I look at Al and Jack, I feel such a whirlwind of emotions. I know that Jack has found her true match and I know that theirs will be a marriage of long standing.
Jack, I first met you when I was only 4. I was so proud to have a sister. For many years we shared the same bedroom and the night will not pass till we tell each other what our day has been. One of those favorite topics we had aside from boys – is to talk about our dream weddings. I have fulfilled mine 3 years ago and I am sooooo happy that you have made yours today!
As children, Jack and I were pretty much inseparable and we always managed to keep each other laughing. When I think back on our adventures in childhood, I have nothing but fond memories. The fondest memories include the times we spent our Saturday afternoon buying 20 pesos worth of chips and candies and 500 ml bottle of Coke from Manang’s sari-sari store near our house at 3pm to get ready and watch our fave afternoon shows like TGIS and Shaider (Ang Tinaguriang Pulis Pangkalawakan).
To this day, Jack is the only person I know that can make me laugh so hard till it hurts. I have lot more funny and embarrassing stories about her, but because this is her special day, I will leave her alone now.
When I moved to Singapore 4 years ago, I passed my responsibility to look after our parents and youngest sister, Dennise to her. And I am truly proud and happy that she has done a great job even better than me.
Being away from home over the years and no matter how far apart we are from each other, I know she is only a chat-away and has always been there for me in times of need and somehow always knows exactly the right things to say.
So I hope I can now return the favor on her special day as Jack is one of the nicest , truest people I know which is why she is not only my sister by chance but my best friend by choice.
Thanks for putting up with my lectures. We’ve had happy times and sad ones.
We’ve shared our secrets and fears. Thank you for giving the true meaning to the word Sister and for sharing these last 27 years.
When I saw you walk up the aisle, leaning on Papa and Mama’s arms with your beaming smile, I can only feel how ecstatic you are today!
So Al, I just want you to know Make her this happy always & you will be forever my hero!
I never knew Al before they became friends in High School, so I can’t tell horrible stories about him but I can tell you that I think he is perfect for my sister. He’s easy going, responsible with a great sense of humor and most of all can deal with Jack’s morning wrath. We are very happy to welcome Al into our family!
Being married for 3 years now, Ricky and I thought about some words of advice that we’d like to give the newlyweds.
The two secrets of long lasting and happy marriage are a good sense of humor and a short memory!
Whenever you are wrong, admit it. Whenever you are right, be quiet! And, Al, always remember….A happy wife, makes a happy life!
Separately, you two are special, remarkable people, but together you are complete. As you sit side by side to this roller coaster of life, remember to scream from the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loops, and enjoy every twist and turn.
For the ride is much better when you share it together. Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is the progress. Working together is success.
Finally, I would like to request everyone to please raise your glasses while I toast for my sister and her husband:
Take each day and cherish your time together. Love one another and stand together. Put your love and your family first; your job and your hobbies second. May their loving friendship and partnership continue to blossom and that they are blessed with children So here's to love, laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!!!" - By Jennifer Lim-Baroña
I can't help but look back and remember those moments when we are much younger. Life was not easy but we are happy. It made as stronger as a family and as individuals.
To my Achie, I am where I am today because I have a sister like you. You taught me how to do a lot of the things that I know... from reading my first book, to writing my name, to typing my first document using a computer, you made my first email account when I was 14, you held me when I first got my heart broken, you picked my prom dress, you accompanied me to every college entrance exam I took, you clapped the loudest when I received my diploma, you guided me in my career decisions, the list will go on and on and on.
Thank you for the gift of sisterhood and friendship. Always remember I have your back as you have mine.
Do you know the sound of your home? By sound I mean, you know the familiar feeling of knowing what is happening inside your house even if you don't see anyone? Like for example, you know your mother is cleaning just by the sound of her footsteps, you know your sister is still sleeping even though you haven't checked on her, you know your dad is fixing something in the garage, you know when someone wakes up next room by just hearing a certain creak of the floor and so on and so forth. Familiar sounds which reminds you that you're home. This sense is often a product of knowing your home, of a sense of security one gets from being at home.
As I look up from my computer, I see different things, I hear different sounds. I can see the mountains from where I'm sitting, I can feel the evening breeze coming from the open sliding door of the living room, I hear cars passing by from the street below. New sounds, new sights, new smell, new rooms... yes it's a different house. Not the one I have lived in for most of my life. I'm not living with my parents anymore. This house will be my new home. I'm getting myself acquainted with the new sounds I'm hearing. I'm sure pretty soon I will know each sound this house produces. I am looking forward in making this house a home for us.
I miss the sounds of my old home but change is good.
Woke up on a clear Saturday morning with my favorite feeling of coziness which means the aircondition of the room is cold but I feel warm because of my blankets. The sun is up as I gazed across the floor to ceiling window in my room. I can hear the voices of my parents and sisters in the living room. I stayed on my bed, stretched some more and stood up. I went to the window and looked outside. I can see the busy streets of Shaw Blvd below. Cars are speeding up enjoying the still traffic-free streets while jeepneys and cabs are hurrying to earn more. To most people, the 2nd of January 2010, Saturday is a day to relax after the get togethers of New Year, it's an ordinary day to most but an extra ordinary day for me. Today, I am a bride. Today, I will become a wife.
I stepped away from the window and decided to face my excited family in the living room. As I open the door, they were all surprised that I woke up on my own. They said I was excited, I just smiled. It was 8:30 AM and my day has begun. I, together with my parents and Dennise (my sister) went down for breakfast. I ate a lot, thanks to the savory dishes prepared by the hotel. I was enjoying breakfast in between chatting with my family and exchanging text messages with my good friend, Marje. After breakfast, we went back to our room and I took a bath. After my bath, the suppliers started coming in. I fell in love with my dark red equadorian roses and my photographers love my red shoes. They (my suppliers) said it feels like time stopped during my wedding preparations. It seems like they have so much time to do everything they want. They said, maybe because I am so calm. To be honest, I just want to savor each moment and enjoy it. I was calm because whatever happens, I know I will love this wedding. At 3:15 PM, I am inside the wedding car, I hear the sirens of my security escort as we make way to the church. I have been at Nuestra Señora many times but it was like seeing it again the first time. I'm at awe on how the sunlight touches the elevated church and how rich the history is behind the walls. I can see my family, relatives and friends all dressed up for my big day. I smiled and said, thank God they are on time. My coordinator approached me and said "Is it okay if we start already? Everyone is here and we are ready to start." I asked "What time is it?" She said "3:45", I said "Okay". This is the first wedding I have ever attended to start 15 minutes prior to official call time. I am always late but not on my wedding day!
I heard a soft knock on my window and my coordinator, Amy said "It's Time". I opened the door and carefully stepped down the car. I looked up to the close door of Nuestra. The moment I have been waiting for is here -- my very own "door moment". I have never been this nervous... not since my thesis defense. I hear my wedding march starting inside and on cue (based on my specific instruction on which part of the song), the big doors of Nuestra slowly opened up. First thing I thought of was, I can only see the altar and Al... oopppss I cannot see anything. I can only see the altar and Al (panic mode). Amy shouted, "Jack, start walking and SMILE!". And so I did, I walked looking at the altar for reference of where I was going and to the beaming smile of my groom, AL. We did the usual Catholic wedding rites... it feels fast and we cannot believe that it's over when Msgr. Ruperto Santos declared that we are husband and wife. Al even asked me "So ganun na yun, kasal na tayo?" I replied with "I guess". And so we are finally married after 10 years of being together.
Moving on with our reception, first I messed up our first dance. We even hired a choreographer for it but I didn't anticipate the weight, length and sheer volume of my wedding gown. We chose "I love you Always and Forever by Donna Lewis, it's fast, it's fun and we love the lyrics. We danced a few steps and missed on most but who cares I had fun! Hehehe! I saw a blank table on our left, a table allocated for Al's relatives, her cousin, suffering from cancer, collapsed a few days before our wedding. Her sisters said they are not sure if they will be able attend but I kept their table hoping that by some miracle they will. Guess what, they did. On the afternoon of our wedding, Al's cousin woke up after being in coma for 4 days and so her other cousins followed and attended the reception. Miracles do happen! It was nice to see all my guests, truly I am happy to see all their faces on our special day.
The reception was quick, light and fun. Everyone enjoyed the photobooth. My sister who did the ceremonial toast did a very nice job of making me cry. I will expound more about it in my next post.
It took one and half years, some tears, a little stress and tons of sacrifices to plan and execute this day but one thing I know, I have no regrets. I know that when I am old, I will look back and see my younger (and hot self) looking at me across the pages of my wedding album (I sure hope they will last for 500 decades or more) and think fond memories of this day. It was everything I planned and so much MORE. They say be practical. I say DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME (not on your 10th, 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries). It will never be the same.
I've been a bad blogger... okay fine... call me names. I hate not being consistent in this blog thing but hey getting married and working does not actually leave you enough time to do anything else than eat and sleep. So here I am, still wide awake on an early Saturday morning typing my way to my next blog entry. Honestly, I'm writing because I'm having trouble sleeping on time again... I know I know... big eye bags are hard to hide in pictures given I have 2 weeks or so left to my wedding.
Anyway, read this survey in another blog and I thought of answering it to help pass time and drain my remaining energy.
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If you’re being extremely quiet what does it mean? Okay. This is hard as I am seldom quiet. Only 2 things make me quite -- 1. I am angry with the person in front of me 2. I need coffee (tip, I am not a morning person and I need at least a sip of coffee in the morning to make me feel like a human being capable of communication)
If someone hit you, what would you do? Depends on the size of the person. =)
Have you ever kissed someone and never saw them again? Yes. My Angkong/Grandfather, dad of my mom. Last I saw him was in NAIA, I was 3. He was going to China... he was never able to come home.
Last time you were confused? The other day. Long story to tell here maybe in another blog entry.
Rent a movie or go to movies? Either way.
What is wonderful? Making a difference in someone else's life.
What are you doing tonight? Watched Julie and Julia.
What did you do yesterday? Work then went home like a good girl that I am.
Ever kissed someone whose name starts with the letter M? Hmmm... NO.
Last person you told a secret to? Iyad.
Status of you and the person you last sent a text to you? We are engaged to be married. =)
Favorite song at the moment? Built to Last by Melee
Ever made someone cry? Yes, but not because of me (defensive).
Things you’re looking forward to in the next 2 weeks? Our wedding day and 10th Anniversary.
Who is your favorite band? Lifehouse.
Shared a bed with someone else? Uhm, yup... Mama, Achie, Den, Da, Haze, Iyad.
What's irritating you right now? My mosquito bite...argghhhh!!!
Do you enjoy tattoos? Nope.
Where was your default picture taken? Makati Shangri-la in one of my events.
Have you ever shaved in the kitchen sink? What the...
Do you like anyone as of now? I am a people person. Ofcourse!
When was the last time you cried? Ahmmm... yesterday while watching an episode of House... pathetic I know... I'm such a cry baby.
How many keys are on your key chain? Four What do you want to eat? Burrito
What are you going to do tomorrow? Buy remaining stuffs for the wedding.
