Happy birthday!!!

My darling Claire,

You came by surprise to us. The moment we could finally see you, I though I lost you. I got knocked down after the operation and the last thing I heard was a faint cry. When I woke up, I wanted to see you badly. It has been an agonizing two days before I finally held you with my arms. I fell in love with you, and you have sucked my soul deep down.

You are a good baby. You didn't give me a hard time on your first three months. You sleep all through the night. Thank you. Seeing you so tiny and fragile, I decided to breastfeed you so long I can. I mustered all my strengths and sacrificed each single time to express my precious milk just for you. It came a surprise I lasted 8 months.

You are a sweet child. You loved to be cuddled and always wanted to be played with most especially with your Kuya and Dad. I thought you were prim and proper but you were getting louder and louder every single day.

You are an independent child. You are now showing independence. You rarely like to be held and carried. Instead, you want to explore on your own. You didn't mind all the bumps you get.

And as you turn one, I would like to say sorry. Sorry for we weren't able to give you a party you deserve. You'd know the reasons in time. I wish you wouldn't see us less of a parent someday.

Happy birthday my little darling. We will forever love you.

Claire’s (I mean my) wishlist

I’m already counting the days as in less than a month, my youngest is turning one. No party as it was my and hubby’s mutual decision not to throw one for her. Instead, we plan (still a plan though) to just go somewhere outside of the city and just chill. In our finances are overflowing, I would have loved to buy toys for her.

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn: Learning Puppy

Product Features:

* Baby can learn A-B-Cs, 1-2-3's and parts of the body, plus sing along to ten favorite songs and games
* Dog bone collar lights up to the music
* Helps baby learn about parts of the body
* Introduces baby to the alphabet, colors and counting
* Helps baby understand connections between words and images

 

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table

Product Features:

* Learn & Groove with 15 activities and over 40 songs and melodies!
* Activities provide opportunities for baby to explore with a roll, tap, slide or spin.
* Includes a variety of music styles for baby to enjoy.
* Comes with either blue or green legs to attach to table as baby grows.
* Introduces shapes, numbers and counting 1-10 in English and Spanish.

LeapFrog Spin & Sing Alphabet Zoo

Product Features:

* Discover the alphabet from Alligator to Zebra!
* Features three ways to play: Letter, Animal and Music learning modes.
* Explore learning with each spin of the wheel.
* Playful musical responses reward each touch.
* Introduces letters A-Z and animal names and sounds.

Sadly though, this is a far cry from reality. Well, I just wish her Ninongs and Ninangs would stumble upon this post and remember her on her birthday. Who knows, one of the toys I’ve been dreaming for her would be granted. It ain’t so bad to dream, right?

On Claire’s First Birthday

In less than a two months now, my little girl will be turning one. By this time, I should have been like the other mommies who are in full blast preparing for their kid's first birthday party. However, the husband and I agreed to shy away from the buzz of big parties and what not's. We wanted to keep the day simple and yet memorable for our small family.

We are now weighing options on how to celebrate it. Throwing even a simple party is not on our list. Even the most common Jollibee party is not also an option. Most probably, we will just go somewhere outside the skirts of the metro (it'll be rainy season on August) and spend the day there. What's important is for us to thank God for keeping my daughter safe for the first year of her life.

Should I feel guilty of not giving her a party?