Her teachers made it. Nevertheless, it’s still heartwarming. Her mark is on it, after all.
Tugs at the heartstrings alright. Makes my eyes water thinking the owner of this little feet is my daughter. And the words, though very simple and written by the teachers, touched me deep.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY fellow moms!! π
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a translation on the note written
Mommy,
I love you.
Thank you.
Yui
Towels, gauzes, drawstring bags for Yui’s shoes and pajama set. And other stuff besides. I’ll be putting Yui’s name on these before handing it over to Yui’s nurse sensei.
It’s almost unbelievable that it’s actually already almost three decades when my own mother also put my name on my stuff for my first day in kindergarten. I remember being very proud seeing my name on my place mat and sleeping mat; could still remember the proud sense of ownership seeing my name on my stuff and that my classmates could see it too.
And now it’s my baby girl’s turn. She’s still very young though to feel the excitement for herself. But soon baby, you’ll get to understand and get excited too. For now, Mommy will try to document as much as she can.
A spring-y outfit for…
…Yui’s first hanami!
This variant blooms days earlier than the white variant so they’re in full bloom earlier this week whilst the white ones will be in full bloom this weekend or early next week.
With the Sakura frenzy, everything now is sakura-inspired. From food products to wines, to toiletries to home cleaning agents. And we try everything too, not only for the novelty of it but because it tastes good (food and wine). Our favourite so far is sakura yogurt.
And look there’s sakura udon too!
The taste? Very very slight sakura taste discerned only by an udon lover.
Japan Spring, you’re so lovely it’s such a waste to while the day inside the house!
Six months flew by so fast, anak. Seemed like it was only yesterday when I kissed your red lips for the first time in the operating room, right after the doctors took you out of Mommy’s tummy. Well, Mom would probably say that “seemed like only yesterday” a number of times from now.
But really, you grow so fast. Your Dad and I marvelled the week your hair finally grew back when the week before that you were still bald. You grow up so fast and of course your Mom and Dad are happy and relieved.
Today, we had your half birthday photoshoot. Dad and Mom are so proud and happy to see you laughing a lot with the photo shop crew. Just three months ago, it was to only me and your Dad that you laughed with. Your horizons are expanding.
And soon, it’ll expand even more. Soon, you’ll be going to daycare. Someone else other than Mom and Dad would be taking care of you. It gives my heart a twinge baby, a little sad even, knowing you’d probably establish a bond with your new caregiver, knowing she’ll witness some of your firsts. But your going to daycare is for your own good as well as for Mom’s own good.
You’ll get to learn early on about your Japanese heritage that has a culture so rich and varied which Mom wishes you will uphold and continue for your children and children’s children. If you would be with Mom at home, you would be missing a lot. That and more other reasons besides. Expand your horizons baby.
Mommy needs to take some time for herself too. And pursue her dreams while taking care of you and Daddy. So that Mom can be a better Mom. There’s this line in MomME Circle, a website celebrating purposeful moms, that sums up why Mom has to go back to work and what Mom yearns to teach you.
She works towards living a brilliant, thriving life because she wants to set a good example for her kids. She knows they are watching and this is what she wants them to learn: to believe in themselves, to know that dreams can come true, and to live purposeful, inspiring lives.
Your Dad is making a lot of effort as well, by the day, in becoming a better dad. Earlier at the Church, Dad, who was then carrying you was swaying and making some small dance steps so that you’d continue in your slumber. Yes there were lots of people around and behind him yet Dad didn’t mind them. This from your Dad who’s shy.
Mom and Dad are not perfect honey. Imperfect though we are, we love you so much and would do our best to give you everything that’s best for you.
Grow well Yui. And may you grow up with a kind heart and a confident spirit. That and many other well wishes besides.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Happy half Birthday!
Yui’s first (beautiful) Hina ningyo set, courtesy of her Obaachan! π
The Emperor and Empress and the Sannin Kanjo (three court ladies) up close.
With the celebrant! Happy first Hinamatsuri Yui! π Everyone is so beautifully round-faced. hehe!
I especially love the sakura designed black lacquer screen and box/stand of this Mataro collectible. .
Setting up was very interesting and enjoyable what with the little parts of the set. We also have to read a bit to know what goes where and to make sure we had the pieces positioned just where they should be (I was particularly proud that I positioned the cherry tree and mandarin orange tree at their right positions without reading first. Teehee). We had to wear gloves while setting it up to avoid leaving marks on the beautiful lacquer.
Much as I want to keep this beautiful Mataro collectible. on display for most of the year, we have to keep with the tradition and store it before March 4 ends. We of course want to wish Yui a family of her own in the far future hence we abide with tradition.
Thankfully, her Obaachan thoughtfully chose a set that comes with a box with which we can store the dolls after the festival and set it aside for next year.
It came with a brush set as well.
I bought these for storing the dolls as well.
Ja, time to store the dolls now!
My 71 year old sensei was quite surprised when we told her that in the Philippines, and the rest of the world for that matter, it is the men who make the effort on Valentine’s Day. Said she wants to experience that kind of Valentine’s. My sis in law was quite surprised too and asked if the reason for the reverse is religion – to which I said no. Because yes, in Japan, it’s the women who make the effort during V-day; thinking of creative ways to show their affection to the men of their lives. Chocolate displays on the malls are quite a treat to the eyes as well!
Hubs and I have been teasing each other on who will give to whom during vday this year and he told me teasingly that “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”. I actually planned to go out on Feb 14, to buy Hubs a gift plant (he has a green thumb) and chocolates just like the previous years. But Yui had colds for a couple of days (dear Ward office, please install humidifier and air purifier on the children’s/babies’ floor) and I myself had caught her colds today so no outing for us for the last couple of days. I had to say sorry to Hubs.
When he came home however, I was pleasantly surprised.
Since I have colds, he bought vitamin C as well.
A. Thank you for the love, the happiness and kindness. Love you.
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I was showing Moirraine the bouquet and was telling her that “this was given by Daddy”. At the mention of daddy, she turned her head and looked at her dad as if confirming. Could it be she already understands?