Archive for the 'family' Category
A Letter to Noah
My Dearest Noah,
I just finished putting you to sleep. I’ve been doing that for more than 30 minutes now because you wouldn’t. My guess is that you enjoy playing with your new toys. The ones you got on your dedication last Sunday. Your dad and I haven’t brought out everything because we have no more space in our tiny studio unit and we want you to enjoy each new toy. Don’t worry, next week, we’ll bring out a new one.
I can’t believe you’re six months now. Seems like only yesterday when we found out I was pregnant. I sometimes miss being pregnant but when I think about it, seeing, holding, and kissing you are way better than just carrying you inside my tummy.
You’re growing up too fast. Last week, you discovered how to stand on all fours. Daddy Josh and I were too ecstatic to see you try to get up on your hands and knees. You didn’t notice but a tear fell on my cheek. I said to myself that ‘my baby boy is growing up’—way too fast. I know most kids your age still can’t do what you can. Your grandparents believe you are way too advanced for your age. Your dad always says “you’re a genius” and I think you really are. And just like your Lolo Tem as your daddy would always say.
You’re also showing interest in music. It must have been the result of my playing classical music near my tummy when I was still pregnant. Or maybe, you are truly gifted. I remember the first time you made me cry. It wasn’t the first time I saw you (I was smiling ear to ear then) but rather the day we brought you home from the hospital. Your daddy played the guitar and his composition for you and you turned your head towards the direction of the music. I cried right then and there because you were already responding to music. I prayed for God that you will be talented like your dad and I think you will be.
You know that every time your dad strums his guitar, you’re quiet. You seem to be listening to the music. You seem drawn to the instrument. I even have a video of you reaching for the guitar strings while your daddy plays. When you were only four months old, you showed your talent in playing the piano. Well, more like in pressing the keys especially after you discovered that doing so produces sound. I wish you be like your dad when it comes to music or maybe even better. I promise that we’ll support you and help you reach your potential. We’ll buy you your own guitar. We’ll enroll you to music classes if you show interest. If we can’t afford it, you always have your daddy, Lola Emi, or Auntie Val to teach you how to play the guitar and the piano.
I have yet to see you’re interest in art but I hope that you get your Lolo Pete’s talent in drawing. He’s an architect. He builds houses and just like your Kuya Nav, I hope you will build things from scratch too. I can’t wait to buy you LEGO blocks for you to play with and lots of pencils, crayons, drawing and coloring books for you to be busy with. I hope you be like your Lola Vaisy who is very creative.
I wonder if you will be a good basketball player like your Uncle Enoch and Uncle Sam. I dream of you singing really well like your Auntie Renz. And I hope you will be a writer like me and your Auntie Dea. I have so many wishes and plans for you but I know God has already blessed you with talents. We just have to help you discover and develop them.
I bet you’ve noticed why we’re together everyday and mommy doesn’t leave home while your daddy does everyday. Your dad prefers that I stay home to take care of you. I like it that way too but there are times that I still feel guilty not being able to spend much time with you. You see, mommy works at home so I am always glued to the computer. You don’t know this but I sometimes stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish work. Glad your Lola Vaisy comes to our house everyday to look after you while I focus on work. I don’t know what I’d do without her. I know it’s already become a habit for you to wait for her after I’ve given you your bath and when you’re all clean and ready to play with her.
I’ve stopped giving you a bath on the tub. You’re too big and ‘malikot’ now to be given a bath lying down so I thought I’d bathe you in the bathroom. You enjoy the water now, anak. You now show excitement when we’re about to enter the bathroom and when you see the water on the pail. You’ve started to reach for the faucet and the shower already. And when I dip you into the tub, you laugh.
I can’t wait to give you your first meal. It’s your 6th month birthday today and that means you can now eat soft solid food. We’ll start with Cerelac first and then graduate to mashed veggies and fruits soon, okay? I know you will be a hearty eater as you seem to be enjoying your milk and your Marie biscuits a lot. That’s okay because that means you are very healthy and strong.
Hey baby, you’re brave too you know. You’ve had a few vaccination shots already but every time your pediatrician would give you one, you’d only cry for a few seconds and then you’re okay. I could still remember the first time on your first month: I was afraid for you but you only cried for a moment. I knew right then and there that you are one brave baby.
You are such a joy-giver. Everyday is a happy day with you around. You give joy to everyone especially your lolos and your lolas. Guests during your dedication party were too happy to see you. You’re always smiling, always laughing. Not that I’m complaining, but you are such a happy baby.
There are times when I’d miss you even if you were just on your crib and I’m working. It’s good to know that I can always look after you though. It’s a privilege to be witnessing your every milestone and I will forever cherish each of them.
I could go on and one and tell you about the great things we’ve experienced with you but this letter won’t be enough. I hope you get to read this when you already can and know that we love you very much. Your daddy Joshua and I thank the Lord for the wonderful gift: You. We’re not saying this because you’re ours but you are the cutest baby ever. We look forward to many days, many nights, weeks, months, years, and decades with you. Now that you’re six months old, we’re excited to teach you how to sit, walk, talk, sing, dance, and recognize colors, shapes, and more.
Noah, we love you. I love you. You are the best Mother’s Day gift ever. Last year was unofficial but this year, I am a certified Mommy. It is my prayer that you grow up to be God-fearing, obedient, smart, wise, and talented. Your namesake is a man of God and it is also our prayer that you become the person God wants you to be.
You are precious, Noah. You are loved. You are blessed. You will forever be my baby boy.
Love,
Mommy Reah
PS: For Mother’s Day, I will finally give you your first meal. Please promise you’ll behave and enjoy the food. I love you, Son.
No commentsMerry Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone!
May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love.
♥♥♥ Josh, Reah, and Noah Padla
No commentsNoah’s Arrival
By Reah Padla
First-time mom Reah shares her thoughts on the joys and (labor) pains of bearing and birthing God’s precious gift of Life.
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“The Lord is to be praised!”
These are the words that I’ve been saying over and over again ever since I gave birth to our baby, Noah. God has been good to me, my husband Joshua, and our son even long before he was born.
I was blessed with an easy pregnancy, quick labor, and a safe delivery. Feeling queasy and heavy was normal, except for that light spotting way back in July. That incident scared me and my husband but we knew, even then, that everything would be alright and I just needed to rest.
Towards the end of my pregnancy, the waiting became longer. I was past my October 23 due date. Everyday I’d ask myself if today was “D-day.” We just couldn’t wait for our precious child to be born.
Everything seemed to have been prepared for Noah’s arrival. We had four baby showers and the gifts from our family and friends were more than enough. God had provided us with more than what we needed. We thank our families and the ever-ready ICS folks who showered us with their blessings and treated us like family. All we had to do was just wait for my water to break, endure labor, and go through the delivery.
A few weeks before the day, my tummy was feeling heavier and I could feel the baby settling down. Oh how I hoped for the pregnancy to be over and done with! I tried to forget the pain because I was just too excited to see the baby. I’d always say to myself that this would soon be over and our little one would be with us in a few days.
I prayed for a quick labor and delivery and, sure enough, God granted the desire of my heart. My water broke at exactly 3 am last November 9. By 8:19 am, our precious Noah was out!
The labor was really painful but, amazingly, I went through that stage in less than six hours. The nurses at the hospital said my labor was progressing really quickly. You can ask Josh how strong my grip on his hand was during contractions. I was praying all throughout, asking the Lord to help me. I knew He was with me because I had peace despite the pain.
I was brought to the delivery room by 7:40 am. Pushing was hard but after a few minutes, I had no idea what was going on. I guess it was the anesthesia kicking in. I had a glimpse of the baby as he came out… and then I fell asleep.
I survived! I felt God’s presence inside the delivery room. I got to experience the miracle of birth myself. And another reason to give thanks to the Lord was the fact that our baby wasn’t harmed even if his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice as he was coming out! Praise God for bringing the baby out without any complications.
The first time I held the baby, it was so surreal. I was smiling from ear to ear and didn’t want to let him go. After only a couple of days, we were out of the hospital. Thank God that I could already walk and do normal stuff as before, allowing me to take care of the baby all by myself.
As of this writing, Josh and I are on our second week of parenthood. Our lives have changed, what with all the late night feedings, added expenses, diaper changes, and more. But all of this is worth it because Noah truly is a most wonderful gift from God.
It is during these times that I get to appreciate and understand our parents more – the things they had to go through to raise me and Josh. And now, it is our turn. We can never thank them enough for their support especially these past few weeks that we are first time parents learning how to raise Noah the way they raised us.
This is just the beginning and I know that things will get more challenging, but we know that the Lord will be with us as we raise this precious gift. We already dedicated this baby to Lord even while he was inside my womb and we are confident that Noah will become a good and obedient boy just like his namesake, that great man of God in the Bible who built the ark.
To our family, friends, and the church, thank you once again for praying with us. Continue to pray as we raise Noah in the ways of the Lord. We’re parents now and we know that the challenges that lie ahead will be tremendous. But with His grace, we will become the parents God calls us to be.