Sweetie Pie

This is my oldest daughter, Nadine. I've always thought that she is amazing. The moment she was born and placed on my chest, I burst into tears overwhelmed with the miracle that lived inside me for 9 months. She was a beautiful baby all wide eyed and observant from the start. And she continues to grow beautifully each day.

Since she is the first of the four girls, I suppose she was a victim of trial and error parenting. Haha! But she wasn't hard to parent. We had that instant bond that developed over the weeks and months and eventually years. She was easy to talk to even as a baby. I remember one time when she wasn't a year old yet and I was talking sternly to her. I told her to look at me and listen to what I had to say. She faced me and seemed to understand right away what I said and what I wanted to happen. I knew she was smart from the start. I knew we had that attachment, that bond with each other.

Newborn Nadine at the hospital

She talked early and would express herself very well with words and actions. She was easy to teach and would sign please and thank you at a very early age. She also had a wonderful sense of humor. One time, when she was about a year and a half, we were listening to the music of winnie-the-pooh and she started singing, "Winnie the Pig! Winnie the Pig!" then she'd look at me at the corner of her eye and then start laughing. She was so adorable!

And she was articulate at such a young age. A few months after Raya was born, she told me matter-of-factly that she "didn't like Raya." It broke my heart to hear her say it but I was also proud that she was able to verbalize it. She was only 2 years old but she was able to tell me how she felt. I knew she was going through the adjustment stage and didn't really take it personally. It eventually passed and she and Raya have grown closer over the years.

She was always gentle with the baby, fulfilling her role as "Ate" even at such an early age. She was my helper then as she assisted me in giving Raya a bath or changing diapers or distracting her.

When she turned 3 years old, we had a small party for her in her school. But before going to school, we gave her our gift, a baby doll wrapped up in the gift wrapper. She didn't know what was inside but I knew she was curious. What surprised me was that she didn't open the gift right away and waited til after her school! I was actually shocked that she had good EQ at such a young age!

Over the years, she hasn't changed much. She is still smart and witty and beautiful inside and out. About two or three years ago, during a parent-teacher chat in school, Raya's teacher had nothing but praises for Nadine and shared with me how Nadine would watch out and visit Raya in her classroom, check that her things and lunchbox are in order, that she has eaten her lunch. The teacher's comments made me smile. Nadine has always made me proud!

Lately she has again been my ever reliable helper at home. Especially when our yaya is gone for her classes, Nadine willingly helps me around the house and assists me in taking care of her sisters. She would put water in the containers of Raya and Alyssa before we leave the house. She would help carry the bags and help entertain Cerise when outside the house. She is such a gem! A diamond in my life!

This week, she has demonstrated once again how disciplined she is. She has been taking extra math classes to help enhance her math skills. The program, ENOPI, encourages the student to do drills everyday. She goes to the center twice a week and on days that she doesn't go, she is tasked to finish work at home. But of course there are days, especially on weekends when we are out and she is not able to do her work. She has imposed a self-rule that she will not use the computer on days that she is not able to do her math. And she really does it! 

Nadine is such a remarkable person! She is 10 years old now turning 11 this year but she has shown maturity way beyond her years. As she enters the pre-teen years, I can sense some angst sometimes or curiousness and observations, typical of a young adult. I pray and wish that she would always feel that closeness with me and that she will know that she can approach me anytime should she have questions that need to be answered. I have told her this already but I hope it sinks in her head.

Nadine with their pet chichuahua, Inky

I have loved her from the moment she was conceived and my heart continues to burst for my love for her. She is and will always be my Sweetie Pie!