Thank you cards

My son was born a month ago and I had my shower party few weeks before that. Yet, I am not finished sending thank you cards to those who gave me gifts. Well, better late than never. The thing is, I'm not used to sending thank you cards. When I grew up, I learned to say thank you by phone or in person whenever I receivedsomething. I probably sent a couple of thank you cards for gifts I have received from someone whom I couldn't reach by phone for one reason or another but that's it.

Why am I sending these cards when I have already thanked them all personally? It's the fault of those lifestyle shows. For me, if a person has already thanked me in person, that's enough. But no, that's not enough, according to etiquette pundits. A thank you card should be sent for every gift received, every guest who have graced your party and also for people's hospitality.

Lullabies

There are three songs that I sing to my baby as lullabies: Somewhere over the rainbow, Edelweiss and Mahal Kita sang by MAricris Garcia.

I loved Coney Talbot's version of Over the rainbow (the wonder kid from British Got Talent). I've been singing it to Francis since he was born. I only started singing Edelweiss when I saw the film Sound of Music again this Lenten Season. Everytime I sing Edelweiss, Francis will almost instantly quiet down.

I loved the song Mahal Kita the moment I heard it used as a musical score in the telenovela Marimar which I used to watch when I was pregnant (naglihi yata ako kay Yan at Dong). I used to sing the song to Francis even when he was still inside me.

Any of these songs help to calm him down whenever he's upset and any of them help him to go to sleep. I had to learn the lyrics of those songs by searching them in the internet. I am putting them here for my easy reference.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

***

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

****

KUNG NASAAN KA
SANA AY NAROON AKO
ANG MAHALIN KA,
YUN ANG LIGAYA KO
DITO SA AKING PUSO
MAY MUNTING PARAISO
NAGHAHARI PAGMAMAHAL
AT ANG PAG-IBIG MO

CHORUS:

MAHAL KITA, WALANG HANGGAN
IIBIGIN KA, IKAW LAMANG
ITATANGI KO MAGPAKAILANMAN
HINDING-HINDI KA IIWAN
MAHAL KITA ASAHAN MO
ANG PUSO KO’Y TANGING SA’YO
SA AKING PANGAKO
SANA’Y UMASA KA
MAHAL KITA, MAHAL KITA
WALA NANG IBA

KUNG NASAAN KA,
NAROON DIN ANG LANGIT KO
LAHAT NG ARAW,
NAGDIRIWANG AKO
DITO SA AKING PUSO
ANG ATING PARAISO
ANG TAHANAN NG PAG-IBIG
NA DI MAGBABAGO

It's my birthday today but I almost forgot had it not for a friend who had asked me what I plan to do for the big day. Well, my life revolves around my son now so it is not a surprise that I would even forget my own birthday. All FTM (first-time moms) can probably relate to me on that respect.

My husband and I went to a party today (a children's party where there were more adults than children). Since the beginning of the year until I gave birth, I have missed all the parties so it is nice to catch up with the gang. Soon, my son will be joining my friends' children and will be as boisterous as they are. But as of now, I hope he'll not grow up soon as I really enjoy his 'babyhood.'

Francis just turned 6 weeks yesterday. He is smacking his lips now to indicate he's ready to feed and I have to put away his 0-3 mos. layettes as he has outgrown them. He now needs the 3-6 mos. clothes for him to be comfortable.

He farts like an adult and this concerns me. I have never seen a baby pass out gas that much and that often (mental note to check with the pediatrician about this). I talked to my friend, Beth, about this whose child, Enci, is already four and asked her if she had the same concern when Enci was a baby. She told me that I should be thankful that my baby lets air out as Enci was constipated as a baby. I don't know, I still think Francis is too gassy for me.

I can't believe it! My son is already 5 weeks old. Time flies. He has grown. And I worry a lot. Motherhood becomes me.