A Girl’s Notebook :)

My new shift gives me time to spend quality time with my daughter. I love this shift! My shift starts at 5AM and ends at 2PM. I usually arrive at home by 2:45PM. If Nonet is not sleeping yet, we eat snacks together and will take a nap. Late in the afternoon, after doing her assignments, I let her play on the computer. Sometimes, we let her play outside or watch over our kittens.

In the evening after we finish eating dinner, we go to shower together. After putting on our sleep clothes, we will settle on bed and I will read to her. I love to read. I love books! I have bought her number of books as well. She loves to looking at pictures and asking what is it about. Her latest craze is about astronomy. My sister Patty introduced her the moon, the planets and even Laika, the first living thing in space. She even told me about the black hole and supernova. Sometimes she forget about it though but when she is reminded, she remembers.

She also loves the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. She always asked my mother or me to tell her that story. She never gets tired of hearing it.

We also sing and dance together. I hope I’ll remain in this shift. I really love it.

Ciao!

I am working on my blog this early this morning when my daughter greeted me a, good morning! She is used to getting up early because her class is at 10Am and she loves watching Sponge Bob Square Pants and Dora the Explorer on channel 2. Since she woke up early than Dora and Sponge’s time slot, she asked me to carry her first and sang for her.

My computer is playing, “You are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder. As I sang the song to her, she fell asleep again.

Having a baby really turned my world around. My daughter has been my inspiration and strength. She has always been the sunshine during the low moments of life.

I thank the Lord for the wonderful gift He gave me.

Ciao!

We always hear that being a mother is one of the most fulfilling profession one can ever had. It a tough one though but we always wanted our children to be proud of us. I must admit that I am very lucky to have a mother like my mom. I have witnessed all her hard work and sacrifices for us. I remember when my father lingered somewhere someplace, :P, it is my mother who have been a provider for us. Oh we really had a hard time then. Thanks to God for the dear angels He sent to help us. God bless them.

When I learned that I was pregnant, I couldn’t tell my mother about it. I know she’ll be very upset. Not because I haven’t finish school yet but the complexity of ney’s and I relationship. In fact, I am the bread winner of the family when I got pregnant. It was so hard keeping my pregnancy from her. I knew that my mother knows her daughter very well. She noticed that I was not wearing any tight jeans anymore and that I often wear slacks or low-waist pants. She also found the garlic garland I hanged on my window. Hahaha!!! Oh yeah, I was very scared of aswang then.

We didn’t speak to each other for a week after I told her about my pregnancy. She even commented before that she will never take care of my baby.

Everything changed when I showed her my first ultrasound. Since then, she was the one who accompanied me in my check ups especially when ney is not around. When I gave birth, I cried when I saw her. She told me not to cry anymore and that I did a good job.

To be honest, she was the one and she is the one who continually raise my daughter. She even told us that she loved Antoinette more than us, her own daughters. Hahaha! My sisters love my baby so much as well. I am lucky because, I have her to look after my daughter while I am working. I know that my baby is in good hands. She never gets tired of my daughter. She’s very patient in teaching her lessons while I am very fond of buying Antoinette books.

Even if she’s in her late 50’s already, she still do the laundry for us and cook for us. My mother is a best cook. Well, you can tell by our sizes! Hehehe!

I know that I can never be like her. I am not sure if I can. My daughter is very lucky to have her as her granny. She practically takes good care of us. I am very grateful to God for giving her to us as our mother. It is really amazing how she manage raising not 3 but 4 daughters!

I just wanted to share you how blessed I am to have her. I always pray to God to bless her with good health and longer life. I just don’t know how we will be without her. Even if I have I am a mother now, I still depend on her. And I love her so much.

I know that sometimes, we often take our mothers for granted. But, let us remember that we can have many children, we can have many lovers, but we can only have one mother. And as early as now, let them feel how much you love them and be mindful of saying, “Thanks for everything Mom! I love you.” That would definitely makes her happy.

Ciao!

My daughter is suffering from asthma. She actually has bronchial and skin asthma. She was diagnosed to have one when she was only about 6 months old. It was the first time that she was confined at the hospital because she was fed with peanuts. We didn’t know then that she has asthma. Her pediatrician told us that the triggers for bronchial and skin asthma are the same. It is expected that when she suffers bronchial asthma she will be suffering from skin asthma as well. She’ll turn 5 years old this October and I am praying that she’ll get over asthma before turning seven years old.

She has medication to skin asthma. Believe me the medications are expensive. The price of her prescribed lotion are thrice as much as what I am using. She often has difficulty in sleeping because she always feels itchy. Sometimes, I really lose my patience when I scratch her back her arms her head her legs. Last night, when I put her to bed, I told her that instead of rubbing her back (like she always asks as to do), I told her that I will just massage her. I applied lotion on her back and I massage her as gently and relaxing as I can. Then her chest, her feet and her hands. She fell asleep very soundly. We didn’t have a fight because I easily gets irritated when I scratch her back and head.

I know already that my daughter loves being massage. I know also that a massage especially a mother’s touch can heal not only physical pain but also emotional pain. Mom’s touch brings comfort and security.

Happy massaging fellow mothers!

Ciao!

My dear friend Pinky gave birth to a healthy baby boy last January 20 of this year. Her 3 beautiful friends (Me, Daisy and Ime) decided to visit her and the new baby last Saturday. The three of us came from a night shift work and we were all sleepy. We met at Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas and then we went to ES Transport in Cubao. We took the bus bound to Cabanatuan which will pass by Plaridel, Bulacan; our destination. It took us about an hour and a half before reaching Pinky’s house.

Baby Johan was fast asleep when we arrived. Oh he is a very handsome baby! I am so glad that he got most of his features and his skin tone from her mother Pinky. The naughty mother showed us her little one’s priceless possession! Well, this baby will not need any testosterone booster when he grows up!

Pinky’s mom cooked a bountiful lunch for us. My hunger has been satiate! The four of us talked about a lot of things. Daisy and I shared our own experiences with Pinky when we gave birth. These three are not only my friends but my sisters, too. How I miss them.

Before going home, Pinky’s father got us Indian mangoes from their trees. I’ve got a lot! It was heavy though, but I love to eat mangoes as well as my family. We’ll go back there on baby Johan’s baptism. I hope and pray that God will bless him with good health and good luck.

Ciao!

I, Daisy and Ime were very happy when we learned that our dear friend Pinky is going to have a baby! It is true what they say about babies being the bundle of joy to every family. We haven’t seen Pinky for a long time and she said that she is due on the 3rd week of January.  Well, it would be very soon!!! We are planning to visit her one of this days and I bet that Pinky got already some modern furniture for her baby.

I remember when I learned that I was carrying a baby. It was mixed emotions, then! I was happy and excited to have a baby, but scared that I may not be able to be a good mother. Well, my mother played a big role to what I become. I may say that so far, I have been a good mother to my little girl.

We are still yet to set a date as to when we will pay her a visit. I am really excited to see her. She said that she really gained weight.

I just hope and pray that Pinky would have a safe delivery and that she would deliver a healthy baby. God bless them! We’ll see her soon.

Ciao!

The way of man is forward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. (Proverbs 21:8)

Lord, I want to have pure thought and a pure heart. Only with You is this possible. On my own I’m full of wickedness. This is not what I want my children to see; I want them to see a mother who has a heart and mind like Jesus.

Some days, when I feel like I’m experiencing a spiritual high, it’s easy to think pure and upright thoughts and to walk in Your ways. On days when I’m having spiritual struggles, my thoughts become full of discouragement and frustration, and that invades my actions and attitudes.

I don’t like to be so controlled by emotions, Father. Please give me the strength to be pure in every situation.

(From: Prayers and Promises for Mothers)

Ciao!

My mother celebrated her 56th birthday last October 6. As a birthday present, she asked for a pair of sandals. I told her to prepare herself and we’ll go to the mall. Well, this happened about 2 Saturdays ago. Since it was my off from work, I decided to take her to the mall. It was the right timing, too because, I just received then my salary.

She was able to pick a nice pair of sandals. I also bought my daughter and my youngest sister a pair of slippers. After paying to the cashier, my mother told me if we could go to home center of the mall. We went to the lower ground of the mall, and she looked at different Christmas decors available already. She loves the color green very much and she admired one of the white Christmas trees on display with green accents and decors.

She picked two sets of Christmas lights and headed to the counter. Then, we continue strolling around the mall and I bought some thread for my cross-stitch projects and of course, new books.

We ate at Aunt Anne Pretzels, for a change. On our way home my mother told me that in spite of many hardships in life and in spite of  being very hardheaded at times, she said that I am still blessed and more fortunate than many people are. I know where my mother comment is going. Recently, I learned that my father’s sister used my money to pay for her niece debt. She told me that my cousin would be in big trouble if she would not help her. I was really mad because I am earning it for my daughter’s schooling. It made me more upset that after my aunt paid my cousin’s loan, my cousin would not do anything to pay that money back. I was forced to text them and really made them feel that I am angry. Then my aunt told me that they have no means to pay my money back, besides, I will still be able to earn it back. Oh, I really felt bad about it.

Then my mother told me to just forget about it. It was just money. It may cost a lot but there are a lot of money out there. Besides, I am truly blessed and all I need to do is to count my blessings to make me feel better.

She’s right. In spite of all my shortcomings and sins, God continues to bless me and my family. Well, my date with my mother was very enjoyable and meaningful. My mother is really one of a kind, she’s one of the best mothers in the world.

Ciao!

Today, a very special person in my life is celebrating her birthday. Happy birthday Mama. My mother is a very kind, patient, understanding, forgiving and dear mother to us. She is not a college diploma holder, but she holds the highest profession in the land…being a mother.

She has been there through all my joys and pains. I know she was hurt when I was hurt. If only she could take the pain away from my heart then she would. She is our strength through all life’s challenges. Even if I am a mother now, she continue to be loving mother not only to me but to my baby as well.

Mama and Antoinette

Well, as I work on my blog, I know that she is preparing our food for lunch. My sister bought her a cake. Hmmm, I don’t have a special gift for her because I always give her presents even if it’s not her birthday. Well, she asked me to replace our water faucet with something like Kohler faucet. I told her that when we build our own house then probably we can have one of those branded faucets. She said that it will be much enjoyable to work on the sink with those kinds of brands. Hehehe!!!

Anyway, as she celerates her birthday today, I pray to God that she will be blessed with good health and long life. That God would always keep her from harm. Because, we really cannot afford to lose her.

We love you very much, Ma!

Ciao!

Yesterday I went to Roinsons Galleria to deposit my payment through BDO. Since, I am there already, I cant help myself from going to one Bestsellers which is located on the 4th floor of the mall. It is where I bought most of my books. As I checked on those which are on sale, I found a very interesting book. It is aout prayers and promises for mothers by Rachel Quillin and Nancy J. Farrier. I scan through its pages and I fell inlove with it. It has Bible passages and prayers specifically written for mothers who are struggling through different difficulties.

Well, as a mother I have many things to surrender to God. Being a mother is the most priceless profession ever. You need to be many persons rolled into one.

I’d like to share one of the passages in there about children. I am very grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful daughter. I know that all the mothers out there, would share the same feeling as I do.

CHERISHING CHILDREN

“We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7

As I sit here watching my little ones quietly and happily playing with their toys, my heart sings with the love I have for them. I want to pick them up and draw them close. When they’re tearing through the house at breakneck speed, I still love them, but catching them for a hug would be difficult. Being gentle when they break something in their haste is also easier said than done.

Father, You have me my children to cherish, and that includes being gentle with them. I do treasure them, Lord, so help me to impart Your gentleness to them. Help me draw them close when that’s needed and to become involved in their play when that would be better. Mold me into the mother they need.

***

Ciao!

Well, she’s my bestfriend’s youngest child. She was born through C-section last July 1, 2009. I just can’t help posting her picture with her kuya David because I am really happy to see her. Imagine, she’s 7.9 punds! I told her mother Daisy that she looks more than a month old already, yet she’s only 1 week old today!

Tita Anette (and hopefully with ate Antoinette and Tito Tata) will visit you and mommy soon. So, hope to see you then. Be a good girl to mommy and daddy. Kuya David, be a loving and caring kuya, okay.

Rhaine Danielle and Ron David

Daisy, her mother, is not only my bestfriend but a dear sister, too. Hope to see you soon.

Ciao!

I received a text message yesterday from my best friend Daisy and she told me that she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl through C-Section. She is really a bouncing baby girl for she weighs 7.9 pounds!

Well, congratulation bes and I will visit you soon with your relyenong bangus!!!

Ciao!