Obsessed

Dear Sabrina Banana,

Last night, I read a story for you before your bedtime. You didn't really need me to read for you but I love reading with you. Because we get to talk about the stories (last night we discussed what prophets were...and generals) and be silly and have fun.

After our reading activity, you crawled to bed and then you asked me if it's okay if you brought your bible to bed. I said that would be okay. So you spent the rest of the night quietly reading your bible

Then, you quietly crawled into your blankets, and slept...while hugging your bible. Daddy and I were gushing all night. We can be silly like that.

Love ya,

Momma

Empathy

Dear Sabrina Banana,

Can I tell you a secret? When you were younger I was sure you had asperger's. This is a condition which makes you unable to feel empathy for others. It's having , shall we say, shallow emotions. You see, you were very cognitive. You were very concerned with patters, and you get obsessed with order, etc. I went as far as having you tested and everything came out normal. I guess there's nothing wrong with you...there must be something wrong with me then =)

This afternoon, as I was giving you a bath, you proved me wrong once again. You were trying to balance on one foot and I told you the story of how my Nani fell while trying to balance on one foot and how she has a wound because she fell in the bathroom. You were so concerned and you kept asking me "Is she okay? Are you sure she's okay?"

You then insisted that we go to Nani's place to give her your plaster strips. I told you that she already has a band-aid and you said your favorite Phineas and Ferb Band-aid is best because the drawing will make her feel better. You love these bandages and I know you would rather have all of them for yourself but you didn't even hesitate to offer them to Nani. I hugged you because I was so happy.

I don't know exactly how one can teach empathy...but I'm glad I don't have to find out as you already have it.

Love ya,

Momma

Sick Baby

Dear Sabrina Banana,

You have been sick these past couple of days and you have no idea how hard it is for both Daddy and me to see you as uncomfortable as you are now. We don't know why you got sick, it could have been from the play place we visited over the weekend. Our whole household is affected because we don't know how to deal with you being this sick because you very rarely get sick. The worst that has happened to you is that you had fever for 24 hours...now you've been sick for 4 days!

Thank goodness you are such a great sport. You take your medicine like a champ...no complaints at all. Sometimes, I'd wake you up in the middle of the night to give you medicine and you had no problem with that as well.

You know what? One of the most challenging things I've experienced is hearing you cough like crazy in the middle of the night, then look at me with tears in your eyes and say "Mom it hurts, it really hurts". There was that pleading look, as if saying "Mom, you are always able to fix things. Why aren't you fixing this? Why aren't you making this pain go away?". It broke my heart in ways you will not understand until you yourself have your own child.

Yesterday, I told you we were going to the doctor. You were not happy with that. You said you don't want the injection and by your own words "The doctor makes me nervous". I told you that I am sure the doctor will not give you shots today and that you have to trust me. Our conversation went like this:

Liv: Do you think I always tell you the truth?
Andrea: Yes
Liv: Do you think I lie to you?
Andrea: No
Liv: Do you believe I am going to tell you the truth now?
Andrea: Yes
Liv: The doctor will only use three things, thermometer, stethoscope and a flashlight. That's it. No injection. I promise. Do you believe me?
Andrea: Yes

When we reached the doctor's office you went from nervous to alert and friendly. You said hi to the doctor, embraced the doctor and gave a detailed account of your illness and your medicines. I was laughing because I'm not used to you being that sociable. The doctor was so impressed, and truth be told, so was I.

I told you after that I felt proud of you. I felt proud because you obeyed, and because you were able to "force" yourself to do something you don't want to do.

You're feeling a little bit better now so the challenge for all of us at home is having to remind you to take it easy and take it slow. Every time Daddy and I would call home to ask how you're doing you would have 10 complaints about the things your nanny won't let you do. We have to gently remind you that your body is still trying to get better and yes, your nanny is right...this is not the time to fly a kite. =)


Love ya,

Momma

Bookmark

Dear Sabrina Banana,

You had to make a bookmark in school. When you went home, you wanted to know what a bookmark was. I got confused for a while. What do you mean, what a bookmark is? Then it dawned on me. You honestly had no idea what it's for.

You see, sometimes, I forget that you haven't been around this world that long and that you cannot imagine what a bookmark is for. I explained it to you and your eyes lit up. I can see that you realized that "wow" a bookmark is a great invention.

You hurriedly got a book and you went through a soliloquy of sorts:

Andrea: Hmmm, I think I will read a book. Look I'm reading a book. Oh, now I'm feeling sleepy. Let me get my bookmark and put it here. (closed your eyes for a few minutes and  then) Oh, I want to read again, where's my bookmark?

What a spectacle just for one, small, homemade bookmark! It's quite funny.

Love ya,

Momma

Bad Mood

Dear Sabrina Banana,

Mommy's in a bad mood today. So sorry for being short-tempered and irritable =(. You have nothing to do with why I feel bad but I feel like you're taking the brunt of it.

Love you,

Momma

Handling Disappointments

Dear Sabrina Banana,

My heart bled when I had to tell you that you will not be joining your friends on your second field trip. Your entire class is supposed to go to Tagaytay but I couldn't go with you. Daddy was supposed to go but something came up at work which made it impossible for him to take you.

You have been to the zoo in Tagaytay so I know you won't be missing out on the learning, you will however be missing out on the fun. That's what I'm most sad about. I know you would have loved to play with your friends but unfortunately we really couldn't find a way to take you to your trip.

I felt so proud of the way you handled the news. You said you felt sad, you asked me why you couldn't go and I explained it to you. That's it! No rants, no whining, no tantrums. I heard you tell your dolls that they couldn't go somewhere because their mommy needs to do something. That tells me that you have understood what I was explaining to you.

I wish you know that when we have to say no to you, we feel worse than you do. Trust me! All we parents, want to do is to make our child's life as easy and as fun as possible. That's not what we should be doing though, we should be teaching you how to deal with the things that life will throw at you. The disappointments, the frustrations, the anger, the sadness.  I should not be shielding you, I should be guiding you as you deal with the negative emotions life throws at you.

I pray that I am able to do this.

Love ya,

Momma

Quality Time

Dear Sabrina Banana, 

Daddy's work takes him away from us several days a week. It breaks his heart you know? Having to be so far away from us and knowing that we miss him just as much as he misses us. Which is why he takes the time to take you out on dates on certain occassions. Like this movie date!

Daddy can't spend as much time with you as I can but there's no denying that he loves you sooooo much. The important thing is not how much time he spends with you but the quality of  your time together.  

I once said that the best thing I've ever done as a mother is to make sure that you have a dad as awesome as your dad. 

Love, 

Momma