On your 2nd birthday
Dear Jia,
Time really flies so fast. I cannot put into words the sense of wonder that I feel whenever I look at you. Every night, your Daddy and I look at you and we say, “Ang laki na ng anak natin.” Gone are the days when you were just sleeping all day. Now, you always insist to walk on your own, to explore the world on your own, to make your own footprints. I see the amazement in your eyes when you try to discover how a certain thing works and I thank God for giving me you, my precious daughter.
Forgive me, my baby. Forgive me for not being there enough for you and for neglecting you. In my goal to give you so much, I forgot that all you need is for me to be beside you — to guide you, to hold your hand, and to sing nursery rhymes. I know now that I was wrong. I am still afraid that I may not be able to be the mommy that you need but I promise to try to be the best mommy that I can be.
I see how much effort you put into learning. The other day you pointed to party hats and asked me what they were. When I replied, you repeated “party hats” to yourself a couple more times before turning the page. And I knew then that you will be okay. And I thanked the Lord because you are you.
A mere four months ago, you couldn’t even pronounce “Mommy” but now all your sentences seem to be punctuated with “Mommy!” I love it that you always call me. Oh yes, when I’m busy, I admit I don’t hear you sometimes. Sorry, baby. But please know that hearing you call me “Mommy” brings me so much happiness and a sense of awe that you know me and that you like me enough to share your life with me.
This year, we went to Disneyland. I was so proud of you. You were such a darling. Your dad and I were so grumpy but you — you were just wonderful. I cried when you saw Minnie Mouse. I was just so happy. I was never an emotional mother but seeing you see her was just too much. I know how much you adore Minnie and I could feel your amazement at seeing her up close and personal.
And that night in the hotel, when we were reading about Kitty Cat, that was the first time we came up with the actions for the story and you absolutely loved it. In my mind, I can still see the happiness in your Dad’s face when he was watching us — you — while reading and making the actions and sounds. And until now, when we read Kitty Cat, we do the actions and sounds together and we still enjoy it. I super enjoy it, baby.
That was the start of our story reading time together. I know you had so many books before but I was never home to actually read them to you. But since Kitty Cat, we discovered so much more books, with Love You Forever becoming our favorite, and with this becoming our favorite song:
I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always.
As long as I’m living,
My baby you’ll be.
Every time we would come to this part, you would insist to be carried and rocked back and forth, back and forth. And as sleepy as I would normally be, I would always carry you and rock you. While doing so, I would always think how much you have grown — you barely fit in my arms anymore — and how wonderful it is that you want to be carried and rocked and I would be reminded how much you need me to be there for you and how much I love you. Sometimes, you would kiss me in the middle of the song and I would be filled with happiness at having you in my arms.
Today, while having lunch, you spread out your arms and beckoned to me and to your Daddy to kiss you at the same time. After three kisses, you kissed your Daddy and then me and then your Daddy and then me again. And although I know that you’re too young to understand the meaning of love, I can feel your love for us. And I know that as much as you insist to be on your own, you will always come back to share with us the newest thing you’ve learned. I look forward to more of your explorations, baby. The whole world is there for you to learn and to explore. Spread your wings and I will always be behind you, ready to be dragged to wherever you want to go.
I love you, Jia. I love you so much, Anak. I promise you that this year, Mommy will be home to be with you and to sing more nursery rhymes.
Love you baby,
Mommy
It’s really a touching letter. I’m sure when Jia is older she will appreciate all the efforts you’ve done for her
awwww.. this is so heart-warming ms. clarice.. so sincere, so full of love.. i hope when it’s my turn to be a mommy, i can do something as wonderful as this..
god bless you more, and your hubby and your princess too.. 
Thanks, Maude!
Naku, I’m sure you’ll be a super mom!
Hope your feeling better now, with your sore eyes gone.
Awww..so heartwarming, Clarice. This letter is a beautiful expression of a mother’s love to her child. Nakaka-touch yung part when Jia wants to be carried and rocked and you realizing how much she has grown na di na sya kasya sa arms mo.
Motherhood is such an immense blessing that I often find myself dumbfounded as to how I can love someone as much as I love my baby. Sarap maging mom. Your letter gave me a sneak peak of many, many more precious moments bound to happen between me and my Jadi. Can’t wait!
Happy birthday, Jia! (grabe 2 yrs na sya, ang bilis!)
“Motherhood is such an immense blessing that I often find myself dumbfounded as to how I can love someone as much as I love my baby.”
So, so, so true! Grabe, Jecs, no? Tsaka you realize that other things are not as important pala as long as your family is okay.
Thanks, Jecs, for everything. Thank you for being super duper understanding of my situation during your preps.
Mwahugs!
Hi Clarice! Lovely letter! Made me so teary-eyed. Happy birthday Jia!
Hi Tricia! Thanks so much! Enjoyed reading PHX’s bday party ratings. Ang laki niya na siguro. Kelan kaya may playgroup uli?
waaahh Clarice!! nagsisimula pa lang ako magbasa naiiyak na ko! haha! mukha akong eng-eng dito sa office hehehe! yes, time flies…nung wedding namin buntis ka na pala nun di ba hindi mo pa alam..i’ve read your experience during the pregnancy which was totally difficult for you..and now you have a precious,smart,and beautiful (sige na nga,just like you..hehe napilitan kunwari?) 2-year old daughter. i can feel how much love you have for her, esp now that you’ve decided to sacrifice one of the things i know you love so much too (event planning) to be able to personally take care of Jia more than you did. i’m so happy for you
and congrats for raising Jia well despite being a super working mom (before). happy 2nd birthday again to Jia. *hugs & kisses* to you and your little one 
mwah!
*thanks for the idea nga pala…i’ll try to make a letter too for Jared on his birthday
Thanks so much for your note, Janine! Super ako na-touch! Sana I become a good mom no? Oh well, I’m sure lahat tayo yan ang gusto.
Yes do this for Jared, too!
awwww, i cant help but sniff a tear while reading this Clarice. Trully a very beautiful expression of your love for Jia. She is such a lucky baby to have you for a mom. Just as you are so lucky to be blessed with a wonderful daughter in Jia.
God bless you & your family and kisses to your little princess on her natal day!
Thanks, Bless! I’m luckier! LOL!
Hugs to Benedict and Angeli! 
Love, love this letter! Happy birthday to Jia! Ayan, na-pressure na ko sa para sa 2nd birthday ni Sam. I used to write him pa naman every month and stopped when he turned 1! Iyakan na naman to!
Thanks, Ly! Grabe, you did this every month? Galing! I’m sure Sam would super love your letters when he’s old enough to read and understand.
I can never finish the Love You Forever book without tears in my eyes.. so I can’t imagine how you are able to sing it to Jia tapos sakto pa yun rocking actions with the book ^_^
After one million readings, kahit na touched pa rin ako, hindi na ako naiiyak. Hahaha!