Letter No. 12 - Window

Dear Lance,

The leaves.. The birds.. The sun.. The rain..

5 Months

The buildings.. The workers.. The lifts.. The crane..

6 Months

Light up your eyes with so much wonder..

You squeal with delight.. A yellow hat.. It's "Bob the builder"..

7 Months

No TV for you.. No gadgets, too.. Not yet..

My baby.. The window shows, for now.. You get..

9 Months

You lick the glass.. Sometimes, I let it pass..

You stare.. I sing.. You grin, my darling..

10 Months

"Wind wind.. Blow blow blow.. Little Lance.. Wants a show.."

"Dance dance.. Green leaves dance.. Dance for happy little Lance.."

11 Months

A prayer I say.. Each time I gaze..

At you, my blessing.. In my embrace..

I love you so much.

Love,
Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 11 - Books

Letter No. 13 - Pineapples and a Baby

Letter No. 11 - Books

Dear Lance,

My fish with the deep sea smile.. 

My very busy spider.. 

My handsome boy of mine..

Do you know that mommy and daddy started reading to you..

When you were around 2 months old?

Mommy always reads to you when daddy is not around..

And daddy always reads to you even when he is exhausted from work..

Because we love watching you enjoy it!

Do you know that you laughed your first laugh while reading the book..

Monkey See Monkey Zoo?

It started when mommy yawned like the Hippopotamus..  

And continued at you leaping like a Tiger :)

Do you know that whenever mommy and daddy call you, and you wouldn't come to us because you are busy playing with things you are not supposed to play with..

All we have to do is to open a book and start reading? 

Yes.. that is how we make you come crawling back to us! :)

And also how we make you open your mouth during feeding time, stay still during diaper change, and do things you don't like..

That is why we have books all over the house!

I love you so much my little bookworm!

I hope you will never lose your love for reading as you grow up :)

Snuggles,

Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 10 - Grandma
Letter No. 12 - Window

Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil

Sometimes..

Even if there's a will.. 

There is no way! ;)

Lencois Maranheses in Brazil..

Was my wish fulfilled..

Just.. almost.. completely.

You see..

It wasn't easy to get to and through..

These beautiful white sand dunes that looked like a desert.

(But not a desert.. because it rains)

The ride was really bumpy..

The climbs were steep and hard..

It was very hot.. there was no shade at all..

And I was carrying my baby with me..

In my tummy! :)

So when my husband and friends were going down to the pools for a swim..

Pregnant me could only watch them from above because I would not be able to climb back up! :)

And when they were going up that very, very steep slope..

To see the grandeur of the Lencois Maranhenses at sunset..

I could only stay and rest in the hotel!

"Hun, what were you thinking while watching the sunset?"

"Nothing, I was just posing for the camera."

"You were not thinking of me?"

"Oh ya, of course, you, too!"

"Yeah right!"  :))

But I really wanted to see the white sand dunes and water pools from above too..

So we took a flight instead..

So that I could also see the spectacle of..

And experience the Lencois Maranhenses..

At least almost.. completely :)

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References:

Getting there - Fly to Sao Luis - Land transfer to Barreirinhas
Accommodation - Pousada Paraiso dos Lencois

Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A Week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Letter No. 10 - Grandma

Dear Lance,

Here is another one of the many people who love you so much..

Your Daddy's Mommy.. Your A-ma :)

You love her a lot, too!

She is beautiful. 

Some people say that you look like her.

Do you think you look like her?

Kisses,

Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 9 - Get Well Soon

Letter No. 11 - Books

Photograph - Fidel Barro of Reel One Digital Concept

Letter No. 9 - Get Well Soon

Dear Lance,

Daddy and Mommy were so excited to celebrate our first new year with you.. seeing lights at the malls.. meeting cousins for dinner.. watching fireworks at midnight..

But sadly, none of these happened :(

We wish we could write a better story about your first new year.. but the truth is..
We spent the new year's eve at the emergency room.. and another day at the doctor's clinic..
You fell ill with fever, sore throat, cough and cold the moment we arrived in Manila.. and it has been breaking our hearts to see you try to smile but cry in pain everyday..

Sweetheart, there are a lot of things and places we want you to see.. and friends we want you to meet this weekend..

We miss our super active baby.. We miss our slightly chubby baby.. We miss our very happy baby so much..

Please get well soon our love..

Hugs,

Daddy and Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 8 - First Words
Letter No. 10 - Grandma
Photographs - Jessie Villegas of Capturing Smiles Photography

Letter No. 8 - First Words

Dearest Lance,

On Mommy's birthday, you said your first real word.

You said Mama.

You say Mama every time you want Mommy.

1.. 2 days after, on Christmas Eve, you said your second word.

You said Papa.

You say Papa every time.. all the time.

You are the sweetest, baby.. Your gifts to us are perfect! 

Thank you :)

Loving you so much,

Mama and Papa

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References:

Letter No. 7 - Loved Ones x 2
Letter No. 9 - Get Well Soon

Photographs - Jessie Villegas of Capturing Smiles Photography

4 Years

Dear Sherick,

I am writing this while I have a few minutes to spare..

Pregnant in Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil

Our life used to be so easy..

Our adventures used to consist of climbing mountains and crossing sand dunes.

What happened to us?

Pregnant in Machu Picchu, Peru

Our life is not so easy anymore..

Our adventures now consist of dancing and singing during sleeping time and doing circus acts and comedy shows during feeding time.

Our life has become.. simpler yet more challenging.

Here we are.. Home on a Sunday afternoon..

Taking turns in taking care of the gift we have given to each other.

Seeing you being a wonderful daddy has made me fall in love with you even more.

Our life has become more beautiful..

Happy anniversary my love! :)

Love,

Mimi

Letter No. 7 - Loved Ones x 2

Dear Lance,

I want you to know..

1.. 2..

..Of the many people who love you so much..

Your godmothers.. Ninang Sarah and Ninang Bea..

Who often come to our house to play with you..

Read books and sing songs to you..

Watch you eat and bathe.. And whatever you do!

You always make them so happy.. 

And I know you love them too! :)

Love,

Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 6 - Cheese and Yogurt
Letter No. 8 - First Words

Letter No. 6 - Cheese and Yogurt

Dear Lance,

Sweetheart..

I just want you to know that at 9.5 months old..

(Aside from mommy's milk)

Only Cottage Cheese and Greek Yogurt would make you willingly open your mouth :o

Baby.. I hope you will grow to love food soon :)

Love,

Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 5 - Peek-A-Boo

Letter No. 7 - Loved Ones x 2

Letter No. 5 - Peek-A-Boo

Hi Lance,

You have learned how to hide on your own when playing Peek-A-Boo..

You are 9 months old now.. And forever jolly..

Here, baby.. Enjoy watching yourself! :)

Love,
Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 4 - Kisses

Letter No. 6 - Cheese and Yogurt

Letter No. 4 - Kisses

Dear Lance,

Your sloppy kisses are my favourite right now..

And they are the reason why mommy has been sleeping a lot..

(Pretending to be.. Because randomly closing my eyes doesn't work)

Because when you see me sleeping..

You would always try to wake me up..

You'd make a sound.. Grab my face.. And smother me with your sloppy kisses..

Like you're telling me..

"Mommy, wake up.. I lovalovalove you.."

Good Night Kisses are Sloppy, too :)

And you would not stop until I drown in your drool and open my eyes!

I just want to squeeze you, baby! :)

Love you so much,

Mommy

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References:

Letter No. 3 - Night Time Snuggles

Letter No. 5 - Peek-A-Boo