20 Amazing Months

Lucas is without a doubt one of the smallest 20-month old there is.  He is probably in the 5th percentile in terms of weight and around the 25th percentile in terms of height.  This worried me before and it still worries me now.  Not that I worry about his health, because he is healthy.  He is very active and is hardly ever sick.  I worry that he's small and that he might be bullied in school because of his size by those big, tall American boys.  Ok--maybe I'm over-imagining things, but it could happen!  It happened in my school.  The little ones were bullied by the big ones.  Luckily, I was one of the taller girls in class.  But still, I got bullied for being too skinny.

He may not have gained much in size in the last 20 months, but he certainly gained some wits.  He started speaking early. He loves books and flash cards and anything that has colors and pictures on it.  He is very analytical.  He observes what people do and learns what things are used for--like nailcutters are for clipping nails and that little thingy that we use to clean our ears--he puts it in his ear too.  We got rid of his bottle early because he wants to use the cup or the glass like we do.

When he learns something new he keeps repeating them, that's why he remembers easily.  He remembers people's names and recognizes them when he sees their photos. He is quick to follow actions, such as running like the Giants, walking like Papa, babbling like Cousin Nathan.  He started understanding things early and responded to 2-step commands.  Like we would ask him to "go pick that thing up and give it to Mama" and he would do it.  He is a quick learner.  We teach him one thing and he learns it right away--give it the same day for easy ones and maybe a couple to a few days for the hard ones.  He can now read almost all the letters in the alphabet, sometimes missing only 3 or 4 letters.

His progress in the last 20 months has been amazing.  I still wish he would eat more and drink more milk, but I can't complain about how he has developed.  He makes me very proud (guess I'm just stating the obvious) ;-)!

I hope he grows up a bright boy.  He might not get bullied afterall.  Because he may be the smallest in class, but if he is one of the smartest, then that might just be enough to make him bully-proof!

Mommy's Promise

Dearest Lucas,

I am so sorry, Anak, if I am always away.  It breaks my heart to see you wave goodbye and throw flying kisses at me every morning when I leave for work. It breaks my heart even more when I have to travel and leave you for days. I feel so much guilt and sadness because I never would have wanted to leave you.  But at this time, quitting my job and taking care of you myself does not seem to be a good choice either.

You see, my boy, God blessed mommy and daddy with careers--great careers that we are able to have roofs over our heads, food on the table, cars to help us get around, an opportunity to live in such a beautiful town, and most of all a means to get a wonderful Nana to help take care of you.  We should be grateful for all these, and most of all we should be grateful that we are all healthy and we are together.  There are a lot of families out there who do not see each other for months or even years.  I can't imagine how it must be.  I already struggle to be away from you for a couple of days.  I don't think I can handle us being apart.

But here's one thing I can promise you, my boy--nothing will ever be as important to mommy than you!  Wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, I will run to your side when you need me.  You may have to give me some time, but I will be there.  Your dad and I will take turns watching you, playing with you, teaching you lessons, reading to you, praying with you and putting you to bed.  We will have a balanced life and you will always have at least one of us on your side.  Please be patient with us, my boy and always be fond of us as we are so fond of you.

I promise to love you always, and I mean ALWAYS!  I'm sure your daddy loves you too--more than anything in his world, more than me.  Please remember that, my son.

Hugs and kisses,
Mama

19 Months

Dearest Lucas,

When you were 18 months old, you were already talking like kids who are over 2 years old.  I learned that because you talk better than those other kids in your swim class who are much, much older than you.  I couldn't believe it when I asked their moms at the changing room how old their kids were.  They were bigger--yes. But they could hardly express what they wanted.  You could.  And I couldn't help but be very proud.

Your pedia was amazed at how much you've learned at your tender age.  She was amazed that you can identify and say your body parts. She kept pointing to her ears because she loved how you pronounced "ears" as "errs".  You sound funny, but it doesn't matter how you sound because you're talking, and that's what matters to me.

Now, at 19 months, your progress has been so amazing--especially with your verbal communication.  You are talking more and more. And your words are clearer. We are very careful now about what we say because you catch everything and you remember them.  One time you were in the room with us while your dad was changing.  I was admiring your dad and I told him he's sexy not minding that you were there. Suddenly, you started saying "Sexy Papa!  Sexy Papa!"

You can now say all our names--Papa Charles, Mama Liza (although you say "Lisa"), Grandma Nena, Mamu Dydy (instead of Ludy), Papi Cardo, Tito Mane (instead of Mayel), Tita Lolot, Cousin Than.  You also call Jacob "Cob", his mom "Winnie", cousin Benjamin "Bean", and Tita Jopie "Pie".  You like imitating Cousin Nathan. You also imitate how your dad walks.  You love your toy car and you can identify all its parts!  You can now string three to four words and say them all straight.  One time I was on the phone with you and you said "Hello Mama! Naa na Papa!".  You told me your dad has arrived.  I, on the other line, couldn't help my tears as I was listening to you speak.

Lolong, in no time, I think you're going to start asking me hundreds of questions and I cannot wait for that.  Everyday, one of the things I look forward to is our lesson time. You are learning ABC fast. When you get things right, you clap your hands and when you make a mistake, you let out a silly laugh!  You are such a little wonder and you are making me and your dad so proud!  Keep growing little one and keep learning.  Someday, you will realize that every little thing you learn from your books and from us will be of great use to you and will make school such an exciting place for you.

I love you, little Lolong!  And oh, my favorite part of all--is when I tuck you in and you say "Nite, Mama! Lab Vu, Mama (Love You, Mama)!  This completes my day.

Love,
Mama