A Letter to Arabella

Dear Abie,

Its been a while since I wrote you a letter my love, and you know the reason --- we are just too busy these past few months.

I know winter has not been kind to us --- we all got sick. Its harder on you because you still don't know how to blow your nose. I hope the humidifier at night somehow ease the congestion a little bit.

Everyday we watch you in awe at how fast you've grown --- you walk and talk like there's no tomorrow, you sing and shout like we cannot hear you. You are a really spirited girl, our Abie.

My prayer is that you will grow to be a respectful and kind lady. I know, the tantrums and the hard headedness that is manifesting now is just a phase --- it's difficult when you cannot voice out what you want so you cry and shout.

The allergy scare we had last week, I hope it was not because of nuts. And I am really hoping that your exczema will go away soon. I cannot bear to see you scratching yourself and hurting yourself in the process.

Remember, Daddy and Mommy loves you so much. You are our world.

Tight hug and a million kisses,

Mum and Dad

Arabella, you are One today!

Dear Abie,

We still can't believe that you turned one today. It feels like it was only yesterday when we heard your first cry, held you in our arms, bathe you our fragile little one. It's amazing how Dad and I (with the help of your Titos and Titas) were able to survive our first year unscathed! We love every minute of every day spent with you Anak. You are OUR world now.

So how did your day went?
Well, you woke up earlier than usual (well, you rolled over to your crib, and when you realized you are not in our bed, you cried), a bit grumpy in the car, but didn't cry when Dad dropped you off at school.
Then in the afternoon, Dad and I went to visit you to join in your afternoon tea with your classmates. You had your birthday cake (baked inside the school), ate a lot of icing but only had a sip of water.
We then went home early and Dad cooked pansit and you had a taste --- it's for long life Anak.
And then, because we're home early, playtime is longer and we didn't have to rush everything.
By 8:30 you are in bed already.

On Saturday, we will have a big party for you baby, hopefully the weather will be better than the forecast (no rain please...).

We love you Arabella... To the moon and back!


Hugs and millions of kisses,
Mum and Dad

11 months

You're a big girl now our dear Arabella.

In a month's time you'll be a year old! Everyday, Dad and I are still amazed with your antics, your cheekiness, your free spirited shrieks and your bawling cries, your blabbering and your mimicking. Everything you do and all of you, we are in awe.

We love you Anak, happy 11 months!

Nine Months

To our dear Arabella,

Happy 9th month sweet little girl. Thank you for continuing to be our inspiration. Thank you for your little squeals of laughter, thank you for your wet kisses, and thank you for your beautiful smile.

Today marks another milestone in your young life. At 9 months, you've travelled by land, air and sea. And you have been a very good travel buddy, thank you Anak.

I know that your Dad missed you so much, I hope that the nightly FaceTime sessions we had have eased the loneliness just a little bit. But I am glad that you get to spend quality time with your Lolos and Lolas, your cousins and aunts and uncles. Seeing your face lit up everytime they play with you made our travel so much more worth it.

Our little one, we pray that you continue to blossom, to be healthy and to be wise. Remember, we love to the moon and back!

Hugs and kisses all over,
Mum and Dad

8 months

Dear Abie,

Eight months. Where did time go?

You are getting bigger and bigger each day. Your laughter brings tears to our eyes; you're a character you little one.

'Dad, da, da, da, dy, Dad Dy'.
High pitched laughter.
Baby Einstein Baby Newton's 'Shapes' song and you singing along with it.
Sing-along with Dad at night time.
Size 1 clothes.
Passport photo. Lots if it.
Discovering your shadows.
Playing on your own for 30 mins in the morning before waking up Mum or Dad.

These are just some of your milestones Anak. You are one smart baby, and I'm pretty sure you'll grow to be a smart lady.

Your tight hugs are so precious, your cute little smiles heartwarming. You know how to do 'beautiful eyes' and your 'kisses' are the sweetest. Anything you do we are in awe, for you are our world.

Soon, you'll start crawling,walking and running. Then you'll want your own space. One day, we know that would come (as much as we dread it). But for now, we'll cherish the moments you're in our arms.

Let's continue to create wonderful memories our Arabella, and do remember, we love you to the moon and back.

Tight hug and a thousand kisses,
Mum and Dad

Seven months

27/9/2012

Our Dear Arabella,

Seven months ago, you came to this world. And since then, you've turned our world upside down, and we mean this in a good way.

Today, you went with Mom for an office visit. You were your bubbly, sociable self once again. Even if you didn't have your morning nap, you never got cranky. You really are a people pleaser and you love to be the centre of attention. How we love that trait of yours Anak.

You finally cut your second tooth, you are starting to back crawl, you stand (assisted) for a few seconds and you just babble to your hearts content!

We think you are starting to develop separation anxiety specially when you're alone with Mom. You just want to be held, otherwise you'll cry. As long as you can see your Mommy, you are calm but once she's out of your sight you start to scream bloody murder! We know this is part of your mental development so we are not too fussed about this.

You are eating solids now and your favorite food is sweet potato;
You don't like prune juice but you get constipated so you have to drink it;
You still love your playtime with Daddy and you really look forward to it;
You finally do the 'milk sign' but only when you are already drinking milk! Hehe

We still can't get enough of you little one, we love to give you cuddles, we love to smell you (and your stinky feet!), and we love everything about you.

Thanks for being a good girl Arabella. You make your Mommy and Daddy so proud.

Love you to the moon and back.

Lots of hugs and a million kisses,
Mommy and Daddy

Six months on...

Dear Abie,

Today, you turned six months old. Mommy and Daddy are still amazed by how fast you've grown.


You're one spirited little girl. We love how you laugh, giggle, shriek and shout. You're one observant little girl. You stare at things as if trying to take everything in. You are very receptive, you always have been, even when you're still in Mom's tummy.

You love your Mom but your Dad lights up your world. What a playful little girl you've become. And your favorite playmate is your Dada. Yes, you're starting to talk --- Dada, baba, papa, mama --- in that order. You say Papa when you want to be played with, but cries Mama when you wanted to be held.

3 months      6 months

When Dad and I are talking, you also talk and join the conversation. It may sound gibberish to us but I know it meant something to you.

Your first tooth came out, the lower front tooth, and the second one is coming out. You may not be rolling yet but you sure wants to stand on your own two feet. You sit on your own for five seconds at the most but its only because you're interested more in playing than sitting. But I know you are capable of doing that so I am not stressed.


Although I am with you every hour of every day, I still miss you. You're growing so fast my love. But if I miss you, your Dad misses you more. And I know you miss him too. Your time together in the morning and evening is very precious to him (and to me). He can bring out the best laughter in you at the littlest effort. You respond well to him, you really do.

3 months        6 months

You like your TV (just like Mommy) but you love nature more. You get easily bored inside the house but once we are at the backyard, you can't get enough of what you're seeing.


Our lives have changed since having you. Our schedule revolves around you, you and you. Dinner with friends were replaced with weekend lunch, movie nights with tv/ laptop viewings. But we are not complaining and we don't want anything better.




Bitter sweet. That sums up what we felt as of the moment. We are sad that you're no longer the tiny baby we once held and rocked but at the same time happy that you are getting stronger and healthier and meeting all your milestones on time.

Happy 1/2 birthday Anak! You complete us. Life is more meaningful with you around. Always remember, we love you to the moon and back.

3 months        6 months