Less than 40 days until my husband and I become parents of two. And Aria becomes our firstborn and Ate (eldest female sibling) of the family.
The idea was farfetched, until the middle of last year. While I was doing caregiver duties for my mom, and preparing for perimenopause, God granted us another child at the most unexpected timing. And here we are, barely a month from now I shall be giving birth, 15 years after our firstborn.
Who gets to be a new mom at 27 then again at almost 42?
A lot have asked, was this planned? Why did it take so long? Honestly, I cannot answer that. Who can, anyway? All I know was I was listing this as a prayer item during our family’s annual planning at the beginning of each year. I might have not listed this in 2024 though, cos I was preparing for perimenopause and focusing on the start of mom’s chemotherapy. As Scripture says, the Lord know what’s best for us, and that He will not give anything that we cannot handle. I better keep on clinging to that verse.
I had a lot of doubts, fears, and anxieties the moment I found out I was pregnant. Of course, I am in my 40s already, and hearing stories of other moms bearing children at this age, I knew we were at risk, both baby and I. This was the reason why I was mum about being a mom during the first trimester. I only told a few people, and I was so hesitant to talk about the pregnancy, because of all the monitoring, check ups, and medicines I had to take. I prayed, did my part to take care of my food intake and overall health, before I felt it was ready to tell the world about this miracle. It took me five months before I got to announce.
But this baby is so much loved and taken care of, and I really feel it cos she made me a stronger mother. This one, even in utero, is teaching us three important things:
1. To mind our food intake. Not only me, but my husband and daughter joined in this change. We shifted to whole foods, lessened intake, eradicated everything artificial in our pantry, stopped drinking store bought drinks, no junk and fast foods. It did us wonders–weight loss, better looking skin and less to no acne, more energy throughout the day.
2. To declutter. We have decluttered boxes and boxes of clothes, garbage, and excess stuff. A lot has been donated to two institutions whom we think can benefit from these items better. Still a lot of cleaning up to do, and it’s only a month to go so we have to move it, move it!
3. To not waste time. My husband realised that time is too precious, especially for him raising another child in his age. It’s as if this is our firstborn again, and I agree very much. So much that I was able to convince him to attend a class for newborn parents for us to get refreshed on taking care a newborn.
So here we are, counting the days til I give birth yet again. But still have loads of work to finish at home, for church, and teaching duties. Sadly, for the first time, I will be missing Holy Week at church, cos this week is my due date. I know I’d miss the outside world again when I give birth, so I am trying to see as much shows and concerts, meet as much friends and family, and finish as much work I could.
I can’t wait to be a mom of two. Lifting up our two children to the care of the Lord, Señor Sto. Niño, St. Raymond Nonato, and Our Lady of La Leche.
St. Ariadne of Phrygia and St. Marcella of Rome, pray for us! Pray for our beautiful treasures, our children.
