Kate's Dedication

My mother took care of Kate the moment she came out of my womb. She helped me during those difficult nights when the baby is incessantly crying in the wee hours of the morning and I didn't know how to comfort her. She'd wake up and take charge. 

We knew that she wouldn't be Kate's primary caregiver for a long time. So, when she had to go home soon sometime in August, we organized Kate's dedication so she can be part of and witness it. 

On August 9, we invited our close friends who would be Kate's Godparents to Greenhills Christian Fellowship for the very short and intimate ceremony. 

She was too excited hours before the ceremony that she promptly slept on the ceremony itself.

Ninong ko si Max. For lack of imagination, we chose Max's Restaurant as our venue for the reception. It rained so hard we feared no one will show up. Yet, friends upon friends arrived bearing gifts and sunny smiles despite the gloomy weather. 

We thank God for the blessing of excellent health, generous friends and for God's faithfulness in our lives. 

Thank you to all of our family and friends who gave wonderful gifts -- of your time, of your resources. Even those who weren't able to make it, sent their love through gifts. We appreciate the thoughtful toys, clothes and cash gifts. The money you gave will go to her college fund! <3 <3 <3

In a sea of gifts. She didn't know where to begin.

Our little rascal, Sofia Katherine would like to express her gratefulness, for your love, gifts and prayers. 

See you all on her first birthday. 

Xx

Sheng

Virtual wet kisses from Sofia Katherine

It's been exactly fourteen working days that I've been at work since I gave birth. But this afternoon, I realized with a jolt that 14 days is not too long yet it felt like I've been back for a long time already. I am on a catch up mode for 1Q deliverables. 

The days are long. And my nights are shorter. Because of this adorable not-so-tiny baby girl, Sofia Katherine. Everyone calls her Kate. To me, she is Bébé. 

Kate, 2 weeks old

Born November 23, 2014 at 12:46am. 

weight: 7 lbs and 9 oz; height: 17 inches 

When I saw my baby for the first time, it seemed like a floodgate has opened up and my heart just swelled with love. And everyday since then, I fall in love with her day by day. I can look at her for long periods without getting bored. Every tiny movement, quirks and manners get magnified. And that precious, precious smile just wipes away the fatigue from accumulated sleepless nights. 

that one-eyed peek

that smile...

Day 1 at home. Her onesie is so much longer and bigger. 

The first few weeks were a flurry of activities and constant worrying. I worry that she's not sleeping enough. I worry that she sleeps too much. I wake up in the middle of the night when she's not moving to listen for heart beat. 

I get frustrated when she's fussy and I ran out of ideas to make her less stimulated. When the crying fits were at its peak, I entertained thoughts of wailing with her. Then, I'd laugh at the absurdity of my thoughts. 

When you hug her and she sort of embraces you back, the world is right again. 

Happy one month, Baby Kate!

Kate's first Christmas in her Santa dress.

Before we get any decent shot of her, we go through several frames of like these.

Time flies so fast. 

Happy two months, Bébé!

Late night photo shoot. Just because she refuses to sleep. So, daddy whips his camera out.

Every day, we bond during her bath time. To me, bath time is a treasure trove of discoveries of new things she can do such as flutter her lids, show her mischievous grin and that fierce look she gives when she's annoyed. 

Like a boss.

In the blink of an eye (seemingly), my baby has grown so big I sometimes wonder how I missed it. She's no longer the tiny baby girl that fits snugly in my chest and can be held in one hand. She's now 6 kilos and 27 inches long. Sigh. 

Happy third month, Kate! (Read: She now knows that food isn't just what she has in her feeding bottle.)

I'm a girl interrupted. Every night, Kate wakes up and wants to play. She coos. And cries when no one gives her attention. So, I take it as an opportunity to tell her stories and ask her questions. And it never fails to crack me up when her 'responses' are apt to my inquiry. 

Am torn between wanting to see her grow and wishing she stays to be an adorable little girl who generously gives me wet kisses all the time. And whose eyes light up when she sees her mama. 

Oh, the joys of motherhood.

Xx

Sheng