Dear Jaco,

You wore this to your first-ever Halloween party, told you it'll be better next time ;p

Again, Tatay and I were able to join you and we're grateful we did. To firsts!

Love,
Nanay

 

Dear Jaco,

You had your first Halloween party. The theme was cowboys: we (I) didn't want us to be just like everybody else right? so of course, you're Zorro!

Love, N

Dear Jaco,

You wore Filipino on your first UN Day. I remember planning for something Middle Eastern but well, this was the easiest to pull off. I think it turned out really well. (I promise, it's going to be more elaborate next time hehe).

Since I was working with my students, I'm glad Tatay was free to join you. There was a parade (see photo above), painting (photo below) and games. It was a fun day. I hope you had fun too. :)

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

This is Teacher Ness, your first teacher. We were co-workers obviously but above all I'm grateful to her because she taught you how to read your first blends :)

With all these social networking stuff, I hope you get to see each other in the future so you could thank her personally for that.

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

I started working at Gymboree and naturally, you started studying there. You were well-behaved and you particpated well in class, at least that's what your teacher said.

School is going to be around for a long time, honey. As your parents, we'll do our best to make it an enjoyable (or at least, tolerable haha) experience for you. I wish you'll learn to do your best too.


Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

We had a photoshoot at school today and you were unexpectedly wacky. :)

This is one of many times that I wish you won't grow up heehee.

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

We brought you to Tatay's jam with Kiao. Here you met Tito Zig (Tito Hig to you), the first drummer you had the pleasure of meeting. He let you in behind the kit too, which I'm sure was awesome.

Tatay and I really wanted (still do!) you to become a drummer. How fun would it be to jam together as a family?! I'm sure not very fun by your standards hahaha.

Anyway, like we say over and over, it doesn't matter what instrument you pick up or what sport or hobby you get into, as long as you work hard for it and make sure you always give your best.

Dear Jaco,

Of course you had a naked baby picture. With a guitar, no less! :))

Dear Jaco,

That is Tatay's piano. Soon you will get to play it by yourself. :)

Dear Jaco,

You had long hair every now and then. And every now and then, you let me tie it (after a gruelling argument that will result to threats or worse, bribes).

When you grow up, I wouldn't mind you growing it long again. As long as you know how to groom yourself! :))

Dear Jaco,

Oh how you loved the arcade! Although yes, you did love barney once in your life (I'm sorry!). Anyway, mall day is arcade day, and as much as I love strolling and window-shopping, I love how happy you are in the arcade more.

Dear Jaco,

These pictures were taken in a Christmas family get together at your great-grandmother's house (bless her soul). I remember it because everyone were amazed at how, at 3 years old, you can feed yourself already. I was very proud of you. Just like I am everyday.

Dear Jaco,

Have i told you before? You have the most expressive eyes I've ever seen. A lot of people have been telling me that too since I was a kid, I never understood what that meant. As a kid, I thought they were just commenting (or worse, teasing me) on how HUGE my eyes were. I'm sure you'll be getting the same comments growing up. When you do, remember that I said it too. If you don't believe them when they say your eyes are beautiful, at least believe your mother.

Your eyes are beautiful.

Dear Jaco,

You're special but like any other kid, your family made you do tricks (I'm so sorry for this! hahaha). Well, your first was what we called "pogi eyes". Basically, you just close your eyes intensely. It might be a little bit silly but for everyone in the household, it was our pride and joy. :)) Honestly, you had that household wrapped around your little finger.

Dear Jaco,

Oh videogames. I know (have dated) enough gamers to tell that the first time you saw a videogame on the arcade wasn't going to be the last. Well they're nice to look at but they absolutely take you too much of your time. Well well well, I still have a little less than a decade to do something about this :))

Dear Jaco,

Yes, you had curly, disheveled hair. I hope by the time you see this, you can already groom yourself. Or else, I will never forgive myself :))

Dear Jaco,

Once you started walking, we let you stroll outside the house in the afternoons. Every step you take actually scares me! But I had to let you do it, so you could practice walking and would soon do it really well on your own. I promise to remember this when you grow up, or you could remind me too, that for you to learn, I have to let you do some things on your own.

PS. Sometimes, please, just let me worry about you too. :p

Dear Jaco,

This was your first New Year's Eve celebration (well, first one that you were actually awake, as opposed to the technical first new year wherein you were what..20 days old?).

The three of us hung out by the window at Grandpa's computer room, watching fireworks. You were kinda scared, i'm sorry we had to put you through that. I absolutely love New Year's Eve--the food, the street party, the fireworks. Not to mention the feeling that, the next day, it feels like you can start your life all over again. I hope you'll like it too. Especially the feeling that, however you screwed up in the past, you can always pick up the pieces and start all over again. :)

Happy first birthday Jaco!

We had a very small celebration today and excited you...you kicked / stepped on your cake! Heehee! It was also your first time to open gifts by yourself (well, with Tatay as your gift-opening coach there). Look at you arm-flailing, excited, gift-opening baby you! :p

Well, birthdays are thanksgiving days but for me everyday is thanksgiving, especially when I am with you. Praise God for your good health and all the love that you bring to this family. Love you babe. :)

Dear Jaco,

You and Tatay are very goofy boys. You guys played a lot and it seems you sincerely enjoy each other's company. :) I hope you always do, coz you guys are really great together. :)

Love,
Nanay