2006 was a difficult year for us. It was the year that mama had laparoscopic surgery to remove a stone in her gallbladder, it was the year that my father was diagnosed with Leukemia and the subsequent chemotherapy and trips to the hospital, the year of the accident that involved my sisters,me and my children , and the year that i knew i have MVP,cousin via having tubercular meningitis. It is the first time since living in Iligan that we didn't celebrate the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel with an open house for all visitors. It is easy to remember the hardships of 2006 but even more important is that we were mindful of the blessings that came along with those hardships. The most shining of those wonderful events of 2006 is Abby...
It just seemed yesterday when abby could be laid on my lap in a perfect fit.
She was a colicky child, cries most of the night and wants to be held constantly. I suppose it is true that your child will reflect the state of your pregnancy. I remember, I was always crying during those times. Not cry as in shedding a few tears, but really gut wrenching sob, sleepless nights cry. I thank God, really for helping me out during such difficult times.
Friends and family would say that abby takes on after hubby in looks. I suppose, that is true. Looking at both my children, i can't see any features of mine that they got. Really, I also want them to inherit hubby's guts, drive, passion and self-confidence. Especially Abby. Sometimes, I feel that Abby is too soft, like me. While AJ has a certain softness, she knows how to hide it and appear unemotional. Abby, on the other hand, wears her heart on her sleeve. It is easy to get hurt that way. This is not to downplay my own abilities. I'm sure God has showered me(and continues to do so) with some which has helped me to be what I am today, and I suppose He will also give my children what is necessary.
Anyway, when abby smiles she's just like my personal ray of sunshine. With her trademark curly unkempt hair, big round eyes and impish smile, she is still a baby to me at 3. Don't you just love her?
I can still remember the time when I knew that I was pregnant with her. I had the most painful of stomach cramps in the middle of the day. I went to the only Ob-gyne available in Iligan because the rest of her colleague were attending the convention. That is how I met the good Dr. Haydee Cabildo. She is a Manileña who migrated to Iligan because of her husband who is an Iliganon. She was part of the medical team who helped birthed Ryan Christian, son of Gov. Vilma Santos and Neda Director Ralph Recto. I digress..
I had a normal pregnancy with her. I underwent the normal activities of a pregnant woman, exercise, vitamins and healthy diet. My water broke and I didn't feel any labor pains. It was only when I was induced by Dr. Haydee did i feel the pain. I was loud and noisy during labor. Looking back, all the things that I've read about first time pregnancy didn't really register. All i felt was the pain and how difficult it seemed to me to push my baby out. I'm ashamed to say that I even defecated(sanitized term he he) inside the delivery room in another round of pushing. Ha ha now the world knows! 
So now, I have been thinking of what to give her on her birthday. Just like any other child, she likes ice cream. 
She also like the playground at the SM Mall of Asia seaside. Her favorite acts are those of the Pantomime artists performing nightly at Aling Marshya's restaurant at San Miguel By the Bay, MOA.
