DIY Newborn Photo Shoot

Dear Angela Clare,

You were born in the time of the Covid-19 Pandemic and Community Quarantine. As a result, there have been some things that you missed out on your first month that your siblings were able to experience early on, like going to Church (although we have attended Mass several times at Lolo Max & Lola Azon's house), joining the Feast, not yet meeting your close relatives and cousins, visiting your pediatrician for your scheduled immunization, going to the mall with Mommy to buy baby stuff, among other things. But don't worry, there will be plenty of time later on to do all of those, including and most importantly, receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. 

The one thing that we couldn't postpone though was your newborn shoot. Your siblings (except for Ate Reese and Kuya Francis) had professional photo shoots as early as one week old, and their newborn photos look amazing with all the cute props and set-up. You'll see them framed in the the Kid's Room. 

Of course, Mommy was not about to let your newborn stage pass without having a photo shoot of your own. I wanted to avoid the likely possibility of having to explain why your other siblings had them and you didn't. (For Reese and Francis, it's simply because newborn photography wasn't popular back then.)

So we did it yesterday, on April 13, 2020. Your Ate Sera suggested that we use the fruit basket from our kitchen as a small bed. We used my favorite beige scarves and some plastic flowers as props. I was about to make paper flowers for your hair, but good thing your sisters found the flower headband that I kept for your christening. 

We had the pictorial in Mommy and Daddy's bedroom, right beside the windows to get natural light. You peed on me twice, and I had to breastfeed you often to calm you down. You didn't sleep at all during the shoot as I had hoped. You cried every time I put you on the basket, but the white noise playing from Spotify somehow helped soothe you.

I used Daddy's cellphone to take your pictures. There were about 50 raw shots in all, but only five good ones. It took us almost an hour to finish, and I think you got really tired after. (You and me both!) 

It is NOT EASY being the stylist, photographer and mother at a baby's pictorial. But it was all worth it! You did well, Baby Ela. Look at how gorgeous you are:

I can't wait to put up these pictures on the wall next to your siblings. 

Happy one month, Angela Clare! Every milestone of yours is Mommy and Daddy's celebration too.

Xoxo, 

Mommy

P. S. I will make a separate post about your birth. 

Kuya Francis

Dear Francis,

You are 7 years & 11 months old as I write this. Your birthday on May 2 is coming soon, but it looks like we'll be spending it in quarantine (due to Covid-19 pandemic; you'll definitely remember this time in our lives so no need for me to explain further).

I still can't grasp the fact that my kids are growing up too fast.

When Mommy and Daddy found out that Baby No. 4 (Felicity) was going to be a girl, we were quite worried thinking that you'll be the only boy among your siblings. But then God answered our prayers right away and you are now Kuya of the Boys Team. (GOD IS GOOD!)

Seeing you play with Ted and Sean is one of my favorite moments at home (up until the point when somebody starts crying). You always try your very best to be patient with the little kids, no matter how intentionally annoying Ted may be. Even when he starts to play rough or engages you in a "wrestling match", you still try to appease him without being too rough. 

When either Ted or Sean ends up hurting you, you don't fight back. You can be very forgiving when the small boys do not follow the simple rules of Zingo. Seeing you behave in a mature way with your younger brothers makes Mommy very proud of you.

Thank you for being a good Kuya, Francis. I pray that you will always have a kind heart. 

All my love, 

Mommy

Felicity Jr.

Dear Felicity,

When we brought Baby Ela home from the hospital, one of the first things that I remember you telling me about her was this:

"Mommy, I'm so happy because Baby Ela and I are the same. We have brown skin."

A few times before, you would say that Reese and Sera have "apricot skin" (Apricot from the Crayola label), and I think to a certain degree you wanted to have fair skin like them. Mommy and Daddy knew you somehow felt different, so we made sure to often tell you that you're beautiful, especially since you liked dressing up and putting on Mommy's tinted lip gloss (Human Nature, Flame Tree).

Now, Daddy keeps saying that you and Ela are twins, and this always makes you smile. I hope having a sister that does not have "apricot skin" makes you feel more comfortable with your own complexion. But more than that, I pray that you will come to know and believe with all your heart that God makes everyone beautiful, regardless of skin color or any other physical attributes.

Lastly, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL because you look like Mommy. 😉

I love you, Piling!

Xoxo, 

Mommy

Early risers

Dear Ted and Sean,

Good morning!

As always, the two of you are the first to wake up among your siblings. Today, in particular, Ted woke up first. Then he got bored playing by himself, so he woke up Sean.

The next twenty minutes while Mommy was pumping milk, I was just watching you two have fun with each other. You were jumping on the bed while Ted was singing "The A says Aah!", talking in your own language that only you understand, playing in the baby's crib (and making a mess of it), and kissing your baby sister every now and then. 

Toothbrush seems to be a favorite toy these days. Aside from brushing teeth, you also used it to play sword fight. (They will need to go to the UV sterilizer after.) 

We also saw a rainbow outside! Ted was the first one to see it, and he eagerly told me all the colors of the rainbow, including indigo. 

Now that Sean is no longer a baby, Mommy is always happy to see the two of you playing together. I savor these moments when you genuinely enjoy each other's company because I know that soon enough, you will find something to fight about (which you did, because of the toy blocks).

You are lucky to grow up with your best friend(s). 

I love you Ted and Seany Boy! Now, STOP FIGHTING. 

Xoxo, 

Mommy

Sera the babysitter

Dear Sera,

Thank you for being Mommy's most reliable babysitter. 

Now that your sister, Baby Ela, is here, Mommy needs all the help that she can get. Among all your siblings, you're the one that I most depend on - from throwing the dirty diapers, getting clean baby clothes and blankets from the cabinet, fetching water for Mommy who's always thirsty from breastfeeding, to holding the baby to make her stop crying while Mommy finishes eating.

Remember this night? This was on April 2, 2020, the deadline of your Grade One take-home school activities. We stayed up late to finish everything, and while Mommy emailed your answer sheets to your teachers, you carried Baby Ela, fed her milk and cuddled her in my place.

You once told me that when you grow up, you want to have 25 babies! I believe you got this idea from watching the animated movie "Sing", where Rosita the pig has 25 little piglets that she takes care of at home. I recently asked you if you still wanted 25 kids when you grow up, and your answer was "No" , then "Yes" , then "I don't know" . 

(P.S. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE 25 BABIES IN THE FUTURE. MOMMY STRONGLY OPPOSES!!!)

You have always been our sweetest little girl, and I am sure that you will become a great and loving Mommy (like me) someday because you've had lots of practice in taking care of your younger siblings.

I love you, Marian Serafina! You are definitely heaven-sent.

Xoxo, 

Mommy

TED

Dear Ted,

Today you are three years and five months old. Of all our kids, you have been the most difficult to deal with, especially between two and three years of age. You go into "tantrum mode" when you can't get what you want (most of time, it's watching Paw Patrol on the TV or phone). You cry every time we scold you for hitting your siblings or not sharing your toys. My Mommy powers of hugging and consoling do not work on you. "What Ted wants, Ted gets!"

And yet, we easily put up with you because of your charm! Haha. 

This past year though, since you've gone to prenursery, you have been more cooperative. When I scold you for being so ki-at, you would just say "Okay, okay!" with matching smize. (Do you know what a smize is? It's when you smile not just with your mouth, but with your eyes too.)

And thank God for school, because now you love the alphabet and numbers, probably more than you do Chase and the rest of the Paw Patrol pups.

Here's a picture of you coloring the letters I made when you asked me  "Mommy, I want letters. Please Mommy, please." Of course, Mommy couldn't resist that charm. 

I love you, handsome boy!

Xoxo, 

Mommy