It's All about Near

They say having kids are life-changing, all your priorities will change, all your routines will also be altered. Everything in my life I could say has changed and it is better than the life I used to live before.

I guess, most of you know that I am a mom of two lovely boys. And having them makes me proud and determined in everything that I do, they are my inspiration. Of course, every parents’ inspirations are their kids and family.

My life changed when I gave a life that came out of me. A little boy that became our greatest blessing, yet together with that was the struggle of being a ‘first-time’ parent.

Those late-night nights of sleep, tiring day nursing a little boy without someone’s guidance made me wiser and a tough woman too. And despite the hardships, seeing your little one grow slowly into a fine individual is satisfying and worthwhile.

In this article, I would like to share with you his milestones as he was growing into a little man.

Near is the name we gave to this handsome little angel God has given us.

He is the very first grandchild in the family, making him the most loved baby in our clan upon his arrival.

His First crawl and Walk

It was one of the most unforgettable moments being a mother. His firsts always made me teary whenever I remember them.

His first crawl made me clap out of joy, seeing your tiny little one do this achievement on his own.

Look how happy he was, he was smiling when I took a photo of him, maybe he knew his mom was fond of taking pictures, haha. 🤣

His first steps made felt I won in a lottery before. November 2, I wouldn’t forget that date, just a few weeks before his birthday he finally learned to balance his body, and finally, he walked faster without tripping.

Finally, I could rest my body from carrying him for how many months. 🤣

We aren’t rich in terms of money but Near is blessed with love. And as the first ‘apo’ (grandchild), he was spoiled by his grandparents but spoiled with love too.

His First Birthday

His first birthday was not grand, it was simple. Because we strived financially before, his godparent who’s my cousin and his grandparents (2 of my aunts) pledged to sponsor some food just for his birthday to be celebrated.

His first Beach experience

This moment I couldn’t forget was the time we went to the beach on Villa Francisca Banate, Iloilo. This was his first and last as of the moment, beach experience. I still remember how excited he was when he saw the wide sea. He was also consciously walking in the sand barefooted. That moment was so unforgettable; I wonder If his young memory could still recall it. ☺

His first Swing

We traveled to another town just to let him play on a children’s playground before, this playground is located on Janiuay plaza. My cousin was studying there and she suggested I bring Near there because we don’t have a children’s playground in our hometown.

He was so serious in this shot, he was busy glaring at people passing by.

Even he became one year old, we never cut his hair. We let his hair grow longer since he has thin hair. Every person who met Near with his long hair before mistaken him as a baby girl even he was wearing Spiderman shorts and shoes.

Here’s one of his photos with his long hair.

His first Hair cut

He was a two-year-old when we decided to cut his hair, he also agreed with us so we won’t tie his hair because it keeps covering his face.

And this was his first look after his haircut. We almost couldn’t have recognized our baby, his facial features changed as his hair was cut short. He’s indeed not ‘little’ anymore.

Near and his Ice creams

Being the only nephew and grandchild in the family he was spoiled in anything he wants before, and even I don’t want to spoil him because I know ‘too much is not good, yet his auntie/uncles and grandparents do the spoiling.

And his favorite food is ice cream.

So every time we went out to hang out on the plaza, he always requested ice cream.

He and ‘Jabee’

Jabee or Jollibee, since we are living far from the city, we couldn’t bring him to Jollibee, a well-known fast-food chain in the Philippines loved by many kids and kids in the heart. But we decided, to bring him to Jollibee to let him experience the joy of being there too.

And of course, he shouldn’t have missed the chance to take a photo with Jollibee.

Time passes by so quickly and as he turned 3 years old he was showing his potential talent. We enrolled him in school at the age of 3 and 11 months, since he is turning four years old, he was ready for schooling.

Since the pandemic happened two years ago, his schooling was affected. He undergoes the ‘New Normal’ of classes which is the modular lessons. We were given printed modules and we, the parents were obliged to assist and teach our children, so it means we stand as their teacher at home.

This was his first-ever module, he excitingly colored the printed materials as instructed.

Ever since he was little, I mean, younger as two years old, he already showed interests in Arts or drawing. And until today, he enhanced his skills on it.

This was his doodle art of numbers; we were so amazed to see him draw these numbers on our ‘DIY’ blackboard at home. He is so interested in coloring may it be colored chalks, oil pastels, watercolors, or anything he could use for drawing.

He also showed interest in the solar system, could memorize and draw them, and knows each planet's main distinctive descriptions.

This year he will graduate from the Daycare and will be a Kinder pupil at the next opening of classes. And I am just proud that he never gave me hardships in lecturing him aside from some common tantrums of a kid of his age.

I know we still have to walk along a path in life, but I will never get tired of reminiscing the best chapters of him being my son.

Hope you enjoyed this little and quick gallery tour featuring my eldest son, Near. Since photo albums are kinda forgotten, thanks to the new technology, we could save the precious photos we want to keep. Yet don’t forget to back them up, safe and secured.

Have a nice day! Thanks for your time reading.

Written by: @eommaZel ✍🏻🥀