Caroleen’s Treasures

As I promised you, I will write about our dear little princess’ life, her mischiefs and the things she did with pure innocence of a child that made us laugh, cry, worry and hope that she will not grow too fast. I want it to write about it now that I have still it in my memory. So when she is old, she have stories to tell  her grandchildren about how she was as a child.

We got the first scare from her when she was barely 3 days old. We rushed her to the pedia because she wouldn’t cry. The first time that we heard her cry was when she was born, after that we didn’t hear any from her. When we arrived to the clinic, I was asked what’s wrong with the baby and I complained about her do quite. That I think it is not normal for a baby. She let me lay Ella on the bed and checked Babinski reflex, everything  were okay. Then, she struck Ella’s sole with her fingers and that sent her wailing like hell! For that, we paid $15 for her to make Ella cry   At least we went home relieved of the thought that our child might be deaf/mute. The Pedia told me I am just so lucky that my baby isn’t a cry-baby.

After one day after that visit to the Pedia, I rushed to tell Donald that Ella has stopped breathing for a moment and that I noticed it a few times. We came rushing at the center for my midwife to check on her. This time, it is my ignorance That usually occur in babies and is perfectly alright. We went home smiling in relief and a bit embarrassed.

She grew to be a healthy baby, always smiling, she associates with people so well and rarely cries. But I have heard from mothers that babies who are well behaved will grow naughty,  stubborn or strong willed. Ella had the latter trait and she got it from me. Although she has that trait, she is sweet in most ways, thoughtful, smart and seem mature at her age. She just loves to E.A.T. all the time.

 It was almost 4 years ago, when she was a year and a half, my sisters and mother went to the mall with her. At the department store, they saw a mother with her baby on a stroller. The mother gave the baby french fries (which is Ella’s favorite food). She ran to the baby, held its hand and took a bite on the fries. The mother laughed at what she saw and gave Ella one. My mother apologized and they had a short conversation. Good that the mother was friendly. Then the mother put the fries on the side of the stroller and started pushing her way down the alley. But Ella hadn’t been contented for that one stick and so she came running to the baby again and this time grabbed the fries to where the mother has put it. They held Ella tight and bought her fries so she would not harass other people. I just don’t know how will I react if I was there….

When she was a year and 8 months old, we (Donald, Ella and I) went into a clinic at the mall for me to get checked. We are seated on the lounge with our eyes on tv. There were also two old ladies on my left waiting for the doctor. Suddenly, we heard them giggling. I just ignored them thinking that they might have some private conversation that causes them to giggle. I kept my eyes on the screen trying to ignore them. Then the giggles turned into laughter, this time I turned to their side and saw Ella her eyes innocently on the screen while her hand was on their popcorn. Oh, how I must have fainted!

Then again when she was three, we went to Jollibee (this time in the province, without Donald in the scene) as I have promised to Ella. I found a vacant table and get her settled in the chair. I have put the order at the counter, paid and went back to the table to wait. While waiting, a couple came in and got the table next to us. They had their baby with them (maybe a year and a half), put him on a high chair with a cookie and they both went to the counter. Ella, being so fond of babies, went near him saying “wow….ang cute cute mo naman…” (wow….you’re so cute…) and started playing with the baby. The baby seem to like her too. She was tickles the baby and he giggles. They were at that scene when I reached for cellphone to check for messages, it was just a few seconds, when I looked at them….Ella was taking good bite at the cookie that the baby was holding!!!! I called her attention and told her to stop it and reminded her that it isn’t good. Far from the table, the couple have seen all that has transpired…Ella and their baby playing and Ella getting a bite from the cookie. They smiled from the lane and when they came back, I apologized and almost faint (again). The father reached from the bag and gave Ella a pack of cookies that she graciously accepted with a shy thank you

The worst and most embarrassing thing she did was to gate crash during a birthday party. She was already four and we (Donald, Ella, my sisters and brother in law) were at SM having our bonding moment. When we felt we needed something to eat, we all agreed to go to McDonald’s. The place was packed with customers and there’s seem to be a party going on at the rear portion of the store. (They don’t have a separate party area). Upon hearing the voice on the microphone (which surely of the host) giving the mechanics of the game, I felt nervous. That confirmed my guess. I was thinking Ella might go in there and that was the mother’s instinct in me. She had her own birthday party at McDonald’s too. She surely enjoyed it and would want to experince another one. While we were just trying to find a seat, she ran to the party area just as I was about to brief her not to go there. I quickly followed here and tried to coax her to go back to our table. I explained that we didn’t know the people there, she didn’t knew who’s brthday it was and that she was not invited. I held her hand firm but the host told me to let her join the games. I didn’t know if she knew that Ella was not from the guest list after all.  So, I went back to our table feeling amused and embarrassed all the same. Donald and the rest didn’t know what to say. They feel the same as I did (we were all laughing in disbelief) and we almost can’t hold our head high. After we had consumed our orders, we heard the kids sang the birthday song and boy, Ella’s voice was on top of ‘em all. After some short talk; the party ended,  she went to our table and said “Mommy, kilala ko na ‘yong boy. Siya si Stephen…” (Mommy, I know the boy now. His name is Stephen…) Now she knew who’s birthday it was! She was happy to tell us she had a new found friend I can’t wait to tell her privately (so as not to embarrass her) that gate crashing is not a good way to make friends. Needless to say, she enjoyed the party and went home with a lootbag and  five balloons!!!! I ended up giving the boy a Puss in Boots mini storybook with a cd (which I am lucky to have in my bag) and apologized to the mother for the crime my daughter committed.  The mother consoled me and even praised Ella for making the party alive. She said it was good that she did gate crash since the kids there were just sitting and staring. If not for this little gate crasher, the party will be all too boring. She made the party alive

Inspite of her silliness, she is so much like an angel to us. I love her being so sweet, thoughtful, smart and mature at her age. At school, she was always the one who kept peace and order When someone cries, she will wrap the crying child with her arms. After comforting her, she will go to the one who made the kid cry and say in bossy manner ”Bakit mo siya pinaiyak? Alam mo bang hindi maganda ‘yon? Hindi ka ba tinuruan ng Mama mo?” (Why did you make her cry? Did you know that it isn’t good. Didn’t your mother tell you that?). She also makes sure she have more food everyday than she can consume. She have this ready so she can share with her classmates. You know those kids, they want what’s their classmates had for merienda. She was also very helpful. When she hears somebody complain of a missing pencil or an eraser, she will stand from her chair and will look for it. She will only go back to her work when all are settled. Her teacher calls her “Mother Hen” and she surely is.