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Reminders



These are just some reminders. This reminds me to do these things or be this way, or I remind you to make me do these things and be this way.

1. Go to church.
    You are probably going to be raised in a Catholic home. Your father and I are not the "going every Sunday" kinda Catholics (so we are bad Catholics by the church's standards). But it does bring me a sense of calmness when I go to mass and pray without distractions. It is good to develop a relationship with God and nourish the seed of hope that lives in every one of us. It is also good to have a healthy fear of going to hell, preventing me from making stupid mistakes, so I wish it does the same to you.

2. Try to relax, be more zen.
    I do worry too much; I stress about things I can change and things I can't. I do care too much and take things personally. So, my dear child, it is your job to tell me to chill and enjoy the moment. Hopefully, time will help me relax more, for my family's sake.

3. Enjoy your daughter's childhood
    This is a reminder mostly for me; sometimes, I get caught up and stress too much about things like money, or the future, buying a house, growing in my career. I need to remember that I wanted a child more than anything in the world (anything!) and that the first years are the most important. A child doesn't need things to be happy; a baby needs to be hugged and kissed constantly. Babies need parents who spend time with them, are willing to be silly, play with them, teach them to speak, walk, feel, and communicate with the world. A mom needs to be present in her child's life, see the growth, rediscover the world through her eyes, appreciate every single glance, every laugh, and every new adventure. That will bring me happiness. After all, when I look back and remember things about my childhood, it is never about the things; it was more about the bedtime stories my mom used to tell us, about my dad making the car "dance" in the street, about my mom singing every day with us, about eating together, sharing our accomplishments and our deepest thoughts and feeling safe.

4. Don't push too hard
    I do expect great things from you. I will always push for excellence and not settle for mediocrity. But I do wish to remind myself to let you be and make your own decisions and be happy with them. I will try to voice my opinion in a loving (non-judgemental) way so that you feel supported. 
 
5. Show the love
    During this brief path thru parenthood, I have found myself a little intolerant, especially regarding your welfare. I need to remind myself that people make mistakes (and by people, I mean husbands) and that we are a team and love each other. I need to make sure that you see that your daddy and your mommy love each other. We are a united front against sleepless nights, tantrums, and your future adolescent years (may God help me).





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