Dear Caela

I came across this post about your second birthday, read it again and it dawned on me that I missed seeing you grow everyday the past 4 years. I only get to experience you few weeks in a year but in those fleeting times, know that you make Tata happy. 

I remember vividly the first time I came home after being away for almost five months. I intentionally did not announce my arrival to surprise everyone. Indeed, Papsy and Granny were caught off guard. I received very tight hugs. I knew you would not be home until the next day and I told them to keep it a secret that I had arrived. And so the next day came. You were a little groggy from the bus ride. I was hiding sitting on the couch waiting for you to step in and when you did I just looked at you, smiled, and said, "Surprise!" You gathered your thoughts for a second then jumped on me, hugged me tightly while you exclaimed, "Tata!" Oh, that was one of the best feelings in the world. Since then, I make my homecomings unannounced because it gives my heart a little tenderness. 

When you get a little older and bump into my blog, you will find things about you here and there. May you read these stories one day and know that you give this family more than joy. You make each day more special just by your little and sometimes silly ways. I am in awe of you, baby girl. And you promised that even when you get taller than me, you would still allow me to call you that. I called you Ching the last time I was home, short for tabachingching, because you were getting chubby but you insisted on baby girl still. 

Well then, enjoy your childhood, baby girl! We celebrated your 7th birthday this year and it was themed Belle of Beauty and the Beast. That was a fun party! You and your mom planned it very well. 

Your current favorite song is Never Enough and we watched The Greatest Showman together on my laptop. The first time, you fell asleep. The first poem you ever memorized is All Things Bright and Beautiful. You did that for school but I hope as you grow older, you will understand each word by heart. That is Tata's favorite poem. Your handwriting is beautiful. Your reading is excellent but you need to improve on numbers. Ha! But you are already very good at multiplication. 

May you grow up healthy, smart, and happy. 

Super tight hugs,

Tata

P.S. Here are a few photos of the younger you.

Your first time in Intramuros, Manila where you learned about Dr. Jose Rizal

At Tita Buday's place in Shell Residences, Pasay City while waiting for others

Before the Sea Lion Show in Manila Ocean Park. You named that toy Isabel after the sea lion performer.

Before going to kindergarten school.

This was the first time you wrote TATAA with an extra A. I was ecstatic! You just turned 3.

Flower girl for the nth time in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat. You love wearing lipstick and being made up.