Grateful that after only four months of wedded bliss with DH, we got pregnant, had a healthy pregnancy and was soon rewarded with our beautiful baby boy. Jacob is 7 months old today. He is a happy,healthy, rambunctious baby who seems to inherit his father's sweat glands, and we were hoping his steady,even temperament as well, but seems to take after my impatient, yet happy disposition. Seven months without any illness, or troubles; seven months of me saying, " I can't believe how much happiness this baby brings."
We are grateful that once again,we could celebrate as a complete family when my sister and her family, plus our other brother who is also based in the Middle East came home last April. We were so thrilled we had the moment captured via a family picture taken by our dear cousin Rory.
Our lives are touched by people who make an impression in our lives. We remember Maryliza's goodness to our brother Josfer when he was down and out. Almost everyone gave up on him, except mother of course, and Maryliza. But he drove her away, and for her sake we pleaded for her to let go, to be healed. It was 2006 when they parted, she went far,far away, where she continued to have dreams at night , bad dreams ending in shortness of breath until eventually she'd cry herself to sleep. Time indeed, heals all wounds. He searched for her, but she did not want to be found. In God's time they did, and reunited in June 2011. We are indeed grateful for Maryliza, who is a blessing and an inspiration not just for our brother, but for our family as well.
We prayed for a yaya who will help rear our baby boy, and God heeded the prayers of our mothers. We have the best yaya in the world. We knew she loved our boy when on the fifth month's visit to the pediatrician, she held the doctor's hand from the oral injection she was about to administer, thinking it was going to be a syringe injected in the mouth. For Christmas, she gave our little one a pair of Adidas-Disney sneakers, knowing fully well that we continue to browse at the shoe shop, looking forward to the day our boy could fit into one. It cost her half a month's pay. We berated her for it, saying it was not practical, and only acquiesced when she said it was supposed to be for her god-child, bought in May,for her friend's son who she did not see since she did not attend the baptism in the province. We are trying to teach her, at 29, to save up, to think of herself, to think of her future. In 2011, we helped her get her SSS and her Philhealth contributions.
We are grateful for our tiny home, that earlier in the year was renovated in order to prepare for the coming of our baby. A cleaner, more organized, more spacious room to help us bring a child into this world, and raise him to be a happy baby was our dream, and it starts with a happy mum. It cost us a small fortune, and would it be ungrateful Lord, to ask for a better space, for one that shows your light?
We were showered with many gifts for the coming of our baby, from toddler toys and a baggage-ful of clothes from DH's sister from the US, from Qatar, visit from friends from Singapore, Bangkok, from elementary classmates to best friends. Baby and I felt extremely grateful for those who visited us in the hospital and at home when we were on maternity leave; those were difficult and lonely times. A visit to the still-aching mom with enlarged tummy, engorged breasts, and baby blues is well appreciated. Dismiss her woes, some words of encouragement, and keep her company, even if only for a little while- she will not forget this act of kindness. And so we are grateful of the many acts of friendship we received from June til August.
Blessed are we for the health and well-being of our parents, who have helped us as first-time parents. Seeing their smiles as they hold our baby is enough reward for the pains of childbirth, and for carrying the extra weight for all 9 months. Seven months and counting, and they have a reason to smile, and we have a reason to visit them all. In December we met baby's cousin from London, and visited DH's hometown in Estancia, Iloilo where we visited Jacob's ailing lola, got to see her give a big hug to her youngest son. It was very touching to see the uncles, and the grandmothers in the province. What a great time to be a family. 2011, thank you for making this a year for reuniting our families.
We are looking forward to 2012 for more celebrations- three weddings, more family time, Jacob's first year, and who knows what the Lord has in store for us. From the bottom of my heart, we utter these words,"Thank You, thank You, thank You, Lord!!"
