Month 12

Dear Lia,

Happy birthday! You turned 1 year old four days ago
and yet we still seem to be celebrating it. We're still eating your
cake, and still opening gifts. What a fun thing to turn one.



And
since everyone was excited at your first birthday, we could not let it
go by without a party. I've been preparing for it practically as soon
as Christmas was over, did all the decorations, loot bags, games and
prizes myself (with help from people who love you) and it turned out to
be such a blast. We held you birthday party at Philippine Columbian
Association on February 18 and invited all of Mommy's and Daddy's
relatives and friends. You know, I was only expecting about 70 people
to come, but you had almost a hundred guests, about thirty of them were
kids. God really answered Mommy's prayer that lots of kids come to your
party. They did and played games and had lots of fun. And the reason
why they all came was because you were born a year ago and that is a
reason to celebrate.



Since
last month, when you dropped that little bombshell of a milestone
called walking, we've been entertained everyday by all the new words
you've learned. Both by signing, and by actual speaking. When we say,
"What's your name?" You can say "Liiiiyah!" And then we ask you "How
old are you?" You hold up one index finger to say one. You say "Mama!"
when you want me, and "Nyumyum" when you want to eat. You sign "More"
when you want some more food. You can say "Boo" for book, "Boh" for
ball, and "Behw" for teddy bear. And you say "Beyyyyybeee" when you see
pictures or figures or real live babies. It's also what you call your
little doll which used to be pink but is now grey from all your
dragging it around and stuffing the pompom at the end of its hat in
your mouth all the time. We used to wash it every day, but the instant
it returns to you, it's in your mouth and gray again. So what's the
point in washing it?



You
do the sign for "Ligo" when we remove all your clothes and get you
ready for your bath. And once you're in the bathtub and we say,
"Where's your pusod?" You look down and stick a finger in your belly
button. When something falls down, you sign "Wala na" and when we say
"No", you wag your finger at us as if to say, "Lagot..." You can also
say "Yaya!" in a very loud voice. When you do, your yaya says, "Bakit
po?" And you say it again, "Yaya!" And she will say, "Ano yun, Lia?"
And you repeat again, "Yaya!" As if you just want to make sure she's
there and that she keeps talking to you. Either that or you've
inherited Daddy's sense of humor. Oh no, you're going to be even more
makulit.



As
you're absorbing everything around you like a sponge, one thing that
has a lot of influence on you is the TV. Yes, the very thing I swore I
wouldn't let you watch until you turned two has become a constant
source of entertainment for you. It used to be that you were just
mesmerized by diaper and hair commercials. But now you actually like
certain shows. You like The Backyardigans and dance to Hi Five. But
recently, we learned what your favorite shows really are. When we say,
"Kapamilya, game ka na ba?" You would raise your fists in the air as if
to say, "Game na!" And when we say, "Deal? Or no deal!" You would raise
your two thumbs and then shake your hands from side to side. It is the
most adorable thing in the world! Now our only concern is that you
don't grow up to be just like Kris Aquino.



Of
all the things you learned this past month, my favorite has to be, even
if it makes your Daddy nervous, is that you taught yourself to tumble.
You would put your head down on the bed, raise your butt in the air,
and then sort of kick so that you flip over to one side. It is so fun
and funny, and best of all, it proves you have Lapid genes in you! He
said, no way the Juan children entertained themselves by flipping
around on a bed. Oh but the Lapid children had raised bed acrobatics to
an art form. I am so proud of you! And so glad none of our beds have
springs in them. Not so fun for jumping. And jumping on the bed is a
no-no. Just ask Tito Carlo.



Oh
Lia. One year. On the day of your birthday, your Daddy and I woke up
and watched you sleeping, remembering the day you were born. The trip
to the hospital, the pain, the asking for a magazine, and your eventual
miraculous birth through my drug-induced haze. When you woke you looked
about ready to cry, but Daddy and I sang Happy Birthday to you and you
looked at us and smiled. It's your birthday! You are one. It's been the
most fantastic year of my life (and yours, of course), but this is only
the beginning. I'm looking forward to many many more birthdays to come.

Love you forever,
Mommy