On Strength and Scars

So Kelly had a minor accident the night of Mitor's birthday, which is the reason why this post was late. Long story short, she bumped her head on the bathroom tiles, had a deep cut above her left eyebrow, which had me and Mitor running around the house like a headless chicken.

Kabbie: Oh f*ck we need to stop the bleeding! We need to cover it up now! 

Mitor: No, we need to clean it first!

Kabbie: Wait I don't think we have Betadine!

Mitor: Okay I'll run now to Mercury!

Kabbie: No, no I think we need to go to the ER. Call Dra. Tiongson!

Mitor: Okay will start the car!

Kabbie: Teka nakahubad pa yung bata!

Kelly: Waaaah, waaaaah, MOMMY!!!

So we ended up covering her wound with a cotton pad secured by a strip of washi tape, and off we went to the ER. Way to go, girl scout me. #slowclap

Good thing Mitor's cousins were at home right when the accident happened to keep us from going crazy. It's weird how panic can really shut off your brain cells. At that time, the only thing that was going through my head was a prayer: "Please Lord, no stitches, no brain damage. Please, please, please."

Thank heavens my prayers were answered! We went home after an hour, no need for X-rays or CitiScan since Kelly did not show any sign of head trauma. All they did was clean the wound and cover it up. I think more than anything, I was the traumatized one.

Right outside Cardinal Santos Medical Center

Tuloy ang ligaya!

The Tita Squad

Now that the would has completely healed, I can't help but stare at her scar every night; wondering, wishing, if it will ever fade away. Surprisingly, I sometimes ask myself if I really want it to vanish. Because to me, scars are solid reminders of strength, of faith, of love.

I have several battle scars of my own and looking at them empowers me. It's ironic how scars can be so ugly yet it reminds you of beautiful moments. My C-section scar brings me back to January 15 2015, the day when I gave birth to Kelly. Everything was so chill, the doctors were singing along with Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack and she came out right when O-O-H Child by the Five Stairsteps was playing.

Our first family photo

The four tiny stitches around my stomach reminds me of my lap chole surgery on April 20 2015. My procedure took 3 hours to finish (a regular gall bladder removal is only 20 minutes) because my doctor is a rock star and he did every thing he could so he wouldn't need to resort to open surgery. Yes, my gall bladder was that bad. It also brings me back to that crucial moment when I was in so much pain that I had to Uber myself to the ER on a rush hour Monday. There I was, crying in pain and the driver had his game face on and got me to the ER in 20 minutes. I have yet to thank him for being my hero.

Morning view on the day of my surgery

Laughter is the best medicine

Dr. Dino Vargas, aka the best surgeon in the world

Well, who knows? Kelly's just a year old anyway and maybe her scar will fade. But if it doesn't, that's fine too, because it will always be a beautiful reminder of God's saving grace and the power of prayer.

Lest we forget, she and Harry Potter now have something in common. Let the magic begin!

Bedtime Saga

Dear Kelly,

One day, you will value sleep more than anything in the world. 

For now, I'm giving you a hall pass. 

Sweet dreams, my little goofy cupcake.

Love always, 

Mommy

Hey, You.

I was supposed to write something special on your birthday, because I got hopeless looking for a gift for you while we were at the mall--you doing your usual phone calls, and me, well, roaming around waiting for you to finish. After walking from end to end and finding nothing, I decided to just drag you to Barcino, so that we can take a break and do a little celebrating.

So off we went to dinner on the eve of your birthday, me wanting to order my favorite bottle of wine to go with the delectable chorizo and callos, but you weren't really up for it, because well, you still had loads of work to do, and getting buzzed won't make it any easier.

"Thank you for putting up with me. I know I'm not an easy husband work-wise," you often say.

And I just smiled, because, while that statement is true, I still find it a blessing.

And so today, a week after your birthday, I am reliving my dead blog and dedicating my first post of 2016 to you, the love of my life.

Dearest Mitor,

Marrying you was the easiest decision I've ever made, and every single day I am grateful for having a husband who knows what he wants in life and never backs down from a fight, with such a positive energy topped with a smile so radiant that I can't resist even when I'm pissed.

I often wonder how our life would be like five, ten years from now, and all I see underneath all the fancy wants and needs is this: you and me, still holding hands, living, loving, and learning.

Parenthood was something that turned our world into a crazy adventure, what with hospital emergencies (which I'm hoping will be the last) to yaya problems and renovation nightmares that brought adulting to a whole new level. After all the sh*t we went through, we just proved to ourselves that we can conquer anything, as long as we're together.

Seeing how you are with our daughter fills my heart with joy, and I know that she will grow up to be a fine woman with a beautiful heart, just like her Daddy.

Know that I appreciate all the hard work you've been doing since day one, and I hope and pray that soon enough, we can slow down and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Until that day comes, I shall continue to support you and make you feel loved every minute, every day. I may still complain, but you know, that's just me being me. Har.

So cheers to you, my darling. Thank you for being you. I am here to hold your hand and hug you tight as we go through life together. Nothing worth having comes easy, and I'm sure as hell that with all your efforts, our dreams will soon be a reality.

Happy birthday!

Love always always,

Kabbie