My Mommy's Love Letters.

new addres

2008-03-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

we've moved here :)

Pre Rujim-Days

2007-12-11T20:45:00.001-08:00

2 months on the way

3 mos on the way

8 mos on the way

Pre Rujim-Days

2007-12-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

2007-12-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

Dearest Baby Kuya,
Im back! It's been so long since i wrote to you.. You see i am having your baby brother now :) he's 5 months in my womb. Aren't you excited? It has been a not-so-easy pregnancy. I felt awful the past 4 months. Now, I'm better, so I'm back to updating you.. and I'm planning to make a blog for your little brother too...

Well, to make up for the lost time im going to begin posting here your pictures since you were in my womb, up to today :) How wlong will it take me? God knows hehe I just hope to finish it before Baby Brother arrives .. I'll start now...

The world will see how adorable and cute you are in pictures!

Love,
Mommy

So long Mommyla... Welcome Molars!

2007-08-07T01:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

Mommyla went home already baby. she was with us here for like 2 weeks! that was her longest vacation here ever. Im sure you miss her dearly. and i so bet all your cute baby shoes she misses you like crazy... she told me that. So long Mommyla.. see you again next month?

Now, Im so happy that you are finally smiling and playing and eating normally again after almost two weeks of suffering due to teething. But today, thank God i have noticed it has finally made it through your gums. I guess it's your molar. Painful eh?

Haven't written for you last week. We've been busy with so many things. Tita Nini and Tito Undo's homecoming, Mommyla was here, we went to Bohol, blah blah blah! And now we are preparing for our trip to Bacolod! whew! Now tell me...who is the most 'laagan' baby in the whole wide world? Rujim Paul!

Spell Rujim Paul! R-U-J-I-M P-A-U-L! when i say this hi-pitched question, you would go the wall where i posted this:

and point to the letters of your name as if you already know how to spell! hehehe .. btw, look at those palm prints. the bigger one is mine and the smaller one is yours. i wished i did not use red hehe it looks horrific to me.. how about those scribbles? see that? that's yours too! i am so proud of your artworks that i post it so people who visit us will see them.. i bet you are going to be one good artist when you grow up. just like your Lolopapang, Nanay Dit2 and Tito Jong.

hey.. i got to park now. you seem to be catching my attention already. what's that very loud "PAA-PA-PAAAA-PAAA-PAAAAA" sound all about? =)

BIGLOVE,
Mommy.

2007-08-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

random images of july

2007-07-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Uji,

Got so many things on my to-do list today, but nevertheless, I can't miss my weekly post for you =) so I think this time, Im going to let these pictures tell you how your life has been lately...

Every Wednesday in My Playroom, I drop you (w tita Mae)
as I go about my business transactions and some me-time.

hmnnn. chikboy gyud =)

Bugoy bugoy.

Mom's having some arthritis attacks
and there's my Rujim to the rescue! ..
o daw ga reklamo haw? hehe

you first set of crayons.

trying to make friends @ playroom.

Dad's the culprit here.
And you seemed to like it so much
that you actually let me do it again the following day!

seldom shot. you just hate cameras :(

your early i23's .. caught you counting the clothepins

see video version HERE

i just love being your mom.

and im sure Dad never minds carrying you on his shoulders...
(@ Brownian Revival's concert. You were the youngest spectator i guess)

That's about it Baby. I have to make some scrapbooking materials now. Planning to hold a scrapbooking party here in our house anytime soon. Btw, thank you for being such a
very good boy last Saturday at Maanyag while Tito Jerry d' Barber was fixing your hair. You have to really look good coz Mommyla's coming over this weekend =) Im quite excited for you son.

Hey I got to go really.

Hugs Baby...
Mommy

super chikboy and his family

2007-07-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

My Super Chikboy,

Have I told you already? You're the only superhero with that name. Dad and I invented it for you. During cousin Ty's birthday while cousin Ty was Dash from the Incredibles...

Super Chikboy and Dash

w/ Perez Cuzinz:our family here in cebu =)

Super Chikboy

I wish for you to see your cousins often but since that is not possible as of the moment, I cropped some pictures and Tita Mae made it into a a poster with the faces of not only your cousins but also of the rest of our big family. I let you say hi to them every day so that you'll get familiar with their faces. In fact, we really talk to them. hahaha. You think we look funny? Talking to a poster? No we look cute. This idea was suggested by your Tita Anne because she wants you to be at home with her (&them) when we go to Bacolod. Hopefully next month for your cousin Abe's birthday. You should memorize all of their faces Anak cuz they all said cuz Abe can really tell who's He's superman you know!

This is our family son. I hope and pray that you grow up with love and respect for our family for they say: "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it." Our family loves us unconditionally, that's love next to what God can give. So remember, family first okey? =)

I love you,
Mommy

Tita Mae: housemate, tita, cook, and ---> photographer

2007-07-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Dearest Baby,

Yesterday, I went to the city to meet a client whose getting married and she wants me to host her wedding! We also talked about the possibility of her availing our chocolate fountain. But that's not the purpose of this letter =) See, Its been my habit to call home to check on you....

Tita Mae: (super excited) Hello nang! Nang! nang! gwapo2 bala lau Uji nang! as in! gin picturan ko sya Nang!
Mommy: Tuod?!! (mas excited)
Tita Mae: Huo nang daw, gin picturan ko sya (very proud) malagaw kami subong..suk2 ya iya snoopy shorts, white shirt, kag super chikboy cap! (almost shouting)
Mommy: sige sige tan awon ko karon iya picture....(sooo excited for the pix)

Upon arriving few hours later, the next thing I did after kissing and hugging you was to check on the pictures.

Toink! wala gid itsura puros gatalikod hahaha! But It's a nice try.

I have been wanting to tell you about our her.
Aside from Daddy, we have with us your Tita Mae. She's been with us since you were 4 months old. She loves you dearly and you do love her. In fact, your first clear word was "Tita". And I regret to admit, you said that even before you could say "Mommy". Oh well. Im not jealous. I know Im number one in your heart =)

Tita Mae is one of God's blessings to our family. She is my 3rd degree cousin who seems to be staying with us for as long as we need her. Let's just pray to God that she won't get married early. Haha. She's an excellent cook. As in namit. She does things around the house without being told. She makes sure that you are always smelling fresh, clean, and comfortable. You go out with her every single day @ 4:00 to play around the neighborhood. She buys you stuff from her own money. Like that cute hat. Remember? She reloads your timezone card. She buys you your favorite waffle. She is really your Tita. She may get monthly pay from us but she never becomes our househelp. She is your tita. I may get mad at her for her lapses, and sometimes its also because of my unreasonable mood swings, but I make it up to her. I buy her little nothings ..
I kiss her in the mass during peace-offering time. I just pray Tita Mae stays with us for good. Especially now that I suspect you're gonna be Kuya (!) I pray that God bless her more. That God heals her nanay, Tita Boday, and that her brothers will have stable careers. And yes, difficult it may seem, but I also pray that she has to have her own life with a good family. In God's Time.

I want you to respect, value, and love Tita Mae. Not only because she loves you and takes care of you, but also because that's what God wants okey?

Love,
Mom

P.S. we are in a magazine where Tita Anne2 works! hehe Wanna see it? click here

nike? or daddy?

2007-06-26T03:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Baby!

Nothing much to tell you today. We've been inseparable for more than two weeks already. I've been bringing you everywhere. And I love it!

Let me recall...

Two days ago... Dad arrived from Malaysia. He was there for four days to set up some lab. Im not so sure what that meant hehe. He arrived so excited to let you fit those cute nike sneakers he bought for you. I was green with envy. I wish I have a new pair for running too hehehe. But it's okey coz I also have my gold rubber sandals (the most comfortable pair ever!) and a 'paris hilton' shades (which reminds me of today's headline). Well, am I bragging? Maybe but I'd like to believe these are just material things. These things can't give us authentic happiness. What matters most is Dad arrived in one piece and we are in each others' arms again. I'd rather you have a 'spartan' sandals with your Dad. Than a thousand Nike without him...

I recall growing up with your Titas and Tito (my siblings) without much luxury in life. Deprived even. But Lolopapang and Lolamamang instilled to us that true essence of happiness don't always come from the expensive things. We grew up poor. But happy. Because our parents were always there beside us. I could go on till tomorrow telling stories about our humble but happy childhood. But that would be another blog. Maybe nex time =)

I told you I have nothing much to say hehe .. Im so hungry now. It's already 7:30 PM and I haven't had dinner yet coz i'm waiting for your Dad, while you watch Dora.

By the way I have noticed, your laugh has become a little louder already. Maybe you got Dad's signature, crispy laugh. Bwahahah =)

I love you,
Memi (you call me that lately)

fathers day

2007-06-16T09:26:00.001-07:00

Dearest Anak,

Today is FATHERS DAY. So I made this special collage of you and your Dad....

My one way of letting you know he loves you (and me) next to God (that's what he tells me all the time!) He is a very good provider for our family. He loves to go home early so he can be with you. He changes your diapers. He gives you a very nice and lingering bath every weekend. He sings for you till you sleep with his very own composition. I can tell he's willing to do more for the love of you.

I praise the Lord always for giving us you Dad.
And let us not forget, your Lolopapang, and Daddylo, too.
Most of all --- let's praise our ONE FATHER UP THERE who never leaves us one second :)

i love you and i love your dad very much!
...MOM :)

the dreadful basket

2007-06-15T03:39:00.001-07:00

Dear Son,

The basket you see here has caused me tears today.

I bought it one day while we were in the mall because you loved playing with it, putting stuff inside it, feeling responsible for carrying something like grown ups do in a supermarket.

And this basket became one of your favorite toys in the house. You just love putting things inside it, carrying it around, unloading it, and putting your tiny fingers in its little holes.
Until this morning. This morning i will never forget. Your tiny fingers weren't that tiny anymore -- they got STUCK!!! Your forefinger and thumb got stuck in it and we couldn't remove them that easy. What frightened me more and caused me to cry was your very-painful-and-really-hurt-very-very-loud cry! Your lips were already trembling and your face was red. Why not? Your fingers were already purple!!!! And it began to swell!! My Goodness!I was ready to call an ambulance. But I thought. Something must be done now! I couldn't wait for another minute listening to your painful cry...

I thank the Holy Spirit for guiding me not to panic. I remember shouting "Lord! buligi kami ay ano himuon namun!!! (Lord please help us. Tell us what to do!!!) I right away remembered: soap and water! I saw that being done by some people when they couldn't remove a ring from their finger. Thanks to the dishwashing liquid and the pail of water that's already full. Thanks too for Tita Mae who shouted and cried with me. As I submerged your fingers -- I mean the basket with your fingers -- in the pail, I told you: "Baby relax lang ha.. relax lang" then I began to massage your fingers calmly -- praying all at the same time. Before we knew it, your fingers were FREE!!!

"Thank You Lord!". That's all I could say. And we both cried. Till you were calm.

Now baby, Im ordering you-- don't you dare touch that basket again. Is that clear?

traumatized-by-the-basket,
...Mommy

on escalators and trash

2007-06-10T03:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Little Boy,

That's what you are now. No longer a baby but a small man! Im so proud seeing you step on and off the escalator with only your one hand holding on to me =) How fast you have grown Baby! ooops, I still love to call you 'baby'. And I guess that's forever.

Thank you baby for helping me pick up and put the pieces of trash in the plastic bag. I was so happy seeing you perform such responsible act even if I sure know you never understood what that meant. For you it was just play =) ... your 'proud' smile after I said 'very good' really made my day. I so wish I had a videocam with me when you did that earlier today. Never mind. It's forever recorded in my mind and heart.

Meanwhile, let's enjoy the moment that Lolo and Lola are here with us.
And let's count 60 more minutes before Dad arrives from China. We miss him so much, don't we?

a million hugs and kisses,
Mom

smile pa cute cute!

2007-06-03T01:32:00.000-07:00

Baby this is what we often do while dad's driving:
smile pa cute!!!

again!

isa pa!

last na lang!

super last na lang!

hihihi!

Letter from Tita Yang

2007-06-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Anak!

It's Saturday.. Dad was surprised to see you climb up your toy motor ( a gift from tita Mayoy) on your own haha. I missed telling him you've been doing it for quiet some time =)

Here's the email from Tita Yang:

My dearest Rujip,

I was very happy that you get to hang out with us in our crib:-) Tita Bing could tell ,you like me more than her hahahahaha. Because you liked it when i held you...You are a very good and smart little boy. Its okay that you ate my bananas.Its nice to share food with somebody, it would be very lonely to eat alone.

Your mother and your dada could have seen you after you puked because you looked like a drunkl lil boy. You were weak and you did not much have strenght to fight with tita bing coz you just too tired and slept. You actually held her hand.

Next to your dada, your the only boy who got in our room so consider yourself lucky hahahahahh. I never thought you love hip hop and RnB as well. You know how to groove those hips..

You ate my biscuits. hahahha cute....i took a pic of us when you were asleep. Bottom line, you made us happy. Way better than drinking at Paseo:-).

I loved it when you actually wanted to sit on my lap..............and eat the lakatan........atleast........ahm nag effort ka:-)

I love you Rujip.

We dropped you off to their boarding house when Dad and I went out date. Im sure you too had a great time with them =) would you like to go there often?

love,
Mommy

Mommy and Daddy's 4th Wedding Anniversary

2007-05-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

Fourth wedding anniversary namon ni Daddy mo today!!! Let's thank the Lord for His blessings and grace that Dad and I made it through this year... Life was not perfect. There were hard times. A lot of happy times. Constantly, God's with us. We give HIM the glory of our celebration today.

Here are some tidbits of what's happening today ...

Dad gave me a dozen red roses and a love letter!

I made a scrapbook for him -- a photo summary of our 4 years together...

He liked it!
You? you are (as always) sleeping!When we're supposed to go now! tan awa ga nganga ka pa ho ... HAHAHA!
Seriously Anak, you gave us so much JOY. You are one of God's anniversary gifts to us. You are the highlight of our years. We have counted four years... and we will count some more.. with you. Our lalabs baby.

Love,
Mommy

P.S.
Thank you for kissing me many times the other night when i pretended to be sleeping. Dad saw it. Sweet sweet Baby! i Love you. amwah!

bad mood :(

2007-05-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

Contrary to your super smile picture, Bad mood ta duha today. I woke up in the wrong side of the bed. Pano bi, wala ko katulog kaayo. You woke me up many times ... kay bad mood ka. It must be because of your 9th tooth that's coming out. Or it could be because of that irritated eyes due to baby powder... guessing game.. that's what we always do baby .. but don't worry. Mommy will try to be super patient with you ha. It's not everyday you are like that. Most of the days you are the most even-tempered baby. I just feel down that you aren't feeling good. Get well soon baby. I love you very much. Im sorry if I'm havin a bad mood too. Praying to God i'll be like you. Very buotan na baby na aslom laway hehe... mwah!!! smooch.. smooch!

love ta ka kaayo,
Mommy

P.S. Dad arrived last Friday from Thailand. He brought a Blue's Clues book for you. and a tiny mother's day gift for me (that i so love hehe) ... he didn't buy too many things there for he said, we should save for your future... see, you'll go to school in two years time... and the tuition fee ... OMG im talking too much na.. got to go na Baby. Will meet with some clients today... tc here in the house with Tita May. love you =)

Missing Dad

2007-05-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

You've been super grouchy these past two days. I know why. You must be missing Daddy. He's in Thailand for a meeting with his counterparts but he will be back right away. So no more bad moods, ok? Smile na na ang bebetoy =)

Meanwhile, let's just continue practicing your newest (favorite) skills ...

reading...

and writing!

Love you Baby. Got to stop right here. I will be preparing for a choco-fountain booking today. That's one of your mom's business ventures ... for your future hehe.

I love you,
Mom

flickr model

2007-05-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

Dearest Mr Rujim Paul Rulona,

Greetings!

I would like to request the honor of your CUTE FACE to grace of my FLICKR gallery. Your talent fee includes a gift certificate to a lifetime supply of hugs, kisses and love.

Forever your fan,
Mrs. Genevive Badilla - Rulona

P.S. I noticed, parehas ta gali apelyido? ehehe

ME and My PAKWAN!

2007-04-30T00:33:00.000-07:00

Rujim's Smile: Spot the Difference

2007-04-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

Dearest Baby,

Last Friday night, Dad introduced us to two of her dearest friends from high school, Tita Jimnee and Tita Badet. What made that bonding so special was your showing us you are already a gentleman! When I asked you to 'bless' and you politely complied (much to my surprise, for you did it the first time!) You would normally shy away from people you don't see very often. But it made me so happy to see how cooperative you were (well, there was a little bit of resistance) during the documentation time...

Uji w/ Tita Jimnee: see mommy? i'm smiling (napugos smile)

Uji w/ Tita Badet: i'm really smiling ... (pakunswelo smile)

Uji w/ Mom: haay, finish na picture taking (secured smile)

... thank you Baby for doing your best to overcome that shyness. And thanks to your new Titas (thanks Jimnee and Badet! see you tonight here at our house... more good times!) It's really a moment to cherish when we are with friends. I pray that you'll grow up knowing how to keep and treasure friends. And i hope you will consider me as one of your best friends too =)

mwah!
Mom

Friday, Saturday, Sunday!

2007-04-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

Dearest Langgitoytoytitotitoytoytoy,

I love calling you that when i feel so *umol-umol to you!

You're extra cute today. Moments ago, you kept on smiling (quietly) at me, with reasons i don't know. Feeling ko man super love mo ko to the max hehe. Such an act of yours gives me that much needed affirmation--- that i'm doing the right thing (thanks be to God Who guides me, and your Dad) ... Still a long way to go pa but at least, just for today, i know somehow, things with us are A-ok =)

Can't wait for tomorrow! It's the start of our looong weekend with Dad! Yipee!

Friday. Dad's got no work. It's a holiday. You and Dad will go with me as i run errands for my humble business(sssssss!). Then we will do our most favorite: groceries! it's so much fun to see you on the grocery cart Babytoytoy. You seem to be so happy that you do that "headbang" thing haha. Last on our IT is the dinner with Dad's highschool friends.

Saturday. It's a whole day picnic at our subd's clubhouse with Ninong Nikky and family, Ninong Odick and family. You will see Sofia, Kira, and Ate Mika again!

Sunday. Church in the morning, and in the afternoon, we will attend your Tito Hubert's house blessing. Maybe we will bring home-cooked brownies for them as a gift =)

Does it look like life's perfect? No Baby. There's no such thing. I was chatting with your Tita Anne, and i told her, we're missing a lot of time away from them. Our family. Lolo, Lola, your aunts and cousins. If only we can be with them everyday. But it's okey. We are here for each other. We can only pray that Cebu Pacific will keep their flights low so grannies can come over often =)

Got to go back to my scrapbooking duties ... while you sleep so soundly.

So much love.
Mommy =)

*"umol-umol" means "pungot" or "gigil" (forgot the English hihi)

guilty mama

2007-04-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Dearest Son,

It’s Sunday! Lazy day for the three of us … Dad and I are still thinking if we go swimming a while later or just continue to be lazy till this day ends :)

Daddy’s tinkering his gadgets. (He looks and moves just like you. It’s as if there’s a giant Uji in the room playing, like you do when you are awake) You are sleeping. I’m here beside you, obviously, blogging. And I’m guilty. To make up for that guilt, I spent a quiet time with you, took a picture of us embracing each other while I sang … “In the eyes of a child, there is joy, there is laughter …”

But I’m still guilty.

Coz I raised my voice on you (I guess for the first time) during lunch.
I gave you spaghetti --- you refused.
I gave you yummy pork --- you refused.
I gave you our leftover ampalaya (which I know you like a lot) --- you refused, and you shouted! And I almost shouted too! Maybe I did. I’m just in denial.

So I gave you kokocrunch.
And you ate quietly.
Then you dozed off to sleep --- (read: you SLEPT with kokocrunch in your hands.)

Poor little baby boy. Mommy forgot you missed your morning nap :(
Won’t happen again baby. I will do my very best.

Writing this letter somehow makes me feel better. I know in my heart, you have forgiven me.

Love,
Amama (that’s how you call me these days)

Holy Week with Grannies.. Milestones Galore

2007-04-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Son,
It's the best time to write to you now, while you're busy tending Noodles and Nee chee (the cute little chicks given to you by Tita Yang).. Noodles is kinda sick. Despite the vetracin we gave her :( let's just hope she'll recover, ok?

*click pictures for larger version

your Lolopapang, Lolamamang, and Mommyla came over last Holy Week . Your Tita Yang and Bing were here too.. They had so much fun bonding with you (and were challenged too since you were not that friendly to them hehe --- they understand) they were amazed to see you:

walk unsupported
walk, stop, and turn, and shout (in ayala)
carry some things (ur 2 favorite fish toys) in your hand while walking
climb safely on the stairs
drink from a cup
performs (jollibee dance,fly fly fly the butterfly,sampung palaka (cousin abe's talent hehe),head and shoulders kness and toes, clap, sign of the cross (its actually waving ur hand from left to right and clasp both hands for "AMEN").. ETC..
knows thingsby pointing to them if asked "where" (window, horse, daddy and mommy's frame, TUFF, flower, moon, WELCOME sign,lights,ceiling fan, bathroom, etc.
utter words: jollibee (edi edi edi) daddy (adedi), mommy (amama amama), milk (tititim), saka or climb (kaka), no (indi!)
read read read.
get angry (yeas, im glad to know you do get angry baby, it means you are normal. i love you)

Got to go now baby. some friends are coming over tonight.
Remember: you are loved.

MOM :)

2007-04-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

bookworm at 14 months

My Dearest Rujim Paul,
While i'm typing this, you are downstairs watching Baby Einstein with Tita Juris. I write a letter for you every week in your notebook. But since we just got internet at home (Thank You Lord!), i find pleasure in blogging my weekly letters to you (will just print and paste it in your notebook for safekeeping, and for you to see when you grow big enough to read all these).
This week you love to walk and run a lot! (of course to my horror.. and to your Dad's nightmare) Your past time is opening and closing our kitchen cabinets, your fulfillment is climbing up the stairs, lately, you like to play anything i place inside the TUFF box (it's the powerful laundry detergent i'm selling) :) your lolopapang saw you playing with it to his delight (he's my boss in this tuff stuff hehe) ...
Of all the things you showed this week, your love for READINg impressed me the most! Earlier this day, you cried when Tita Mae stopped reading Your Mickey Mouse book...You just love it when i and Daddy read to you...You also like to read alone ..you can sit alone reading for a while ... as if giving me time to check my friendster update hehe, which reminds me to go now, still have to add a friend eh :) i love you my son. See you downstairs.

love,
Mommy