Sofia officially turned 12 and as her mom, I have lots of emotions. She is my first baby, I was the obsessive mom that read 7 books about sleep training in the first month, I religiously recorded feeding, pooping, and sleeping schedule, I wrote about her growth since she was in my belly, week by week, and month by month when she was born. She is so special to me and I never knew I’d love to be someone’s mom. She changed a lot over the 12 years in some ways, but has not in others. She made me grow as a person, as a mom, as a fellow mom to others. It was a fun experience going through the photos. Memory from each photo is as vivid as it was yesterday.
Few days after birth, 2012. We spent a lot of time in that room as Chinese tradition is that woman stay in bed, minimal activity, for the first month to aid healing.
Sofia’s first birthday celebration as daycare, 2013. She just joined the daycare and was adapting well.
Birthday party at home with my colleague friends and her daycare friends. Gosh, I used to throw big parties, can’t imagine that anymore.
2014: party for her 2nd birthday. She was still shy and didn’t like to be on the spot light.
2015: shine girl who already felt comfortable playing with her friends, but still close to mama.
2016: birthday party with face painting, what a fun activity for 4 years olds.
that year, Lizzy joined us. Sofia was super caring and protective of Lizzy.
2017: we just moved to Manila so no birthday party but I took her for manicure as treat.
2018: birthday party at school.
2019: another party as school, Lizzy joined again.
and a party at home with her school friends, it was a wild party
and very girly as they got mani/pedi
2020: first pandemic birthday.
Sofia ran 8km on her birthday
2021: another pandemic party at home
It was difficult time for everyone, I tried to make it special as much as we could
2022: post-pandemic, pre-departure from Manila birthday. We have moved out from our house and packed up our things. It was a simple and sweet party that involved mani/pedi, pizza, and cake
Cookie joined us
2023: she settled at the new school and found new friends she feel comfortable to hang out. we had the same party as this year, water park, home, cake.
cat mom always đ
2024: Sofia opening gifts from the family. She had no clue what I got her and absolutely loved it. I got her a professional nail sets with the lamp and all.
and the smaller package with hair extension and a paper. She was reading it and didn’t get it until I told her
Dua Lipa concert ticket. She was surprised and so happy.
Sofia continues to be the caring, kind, curious, adventurous, and brave kid, since the beginning. She is still on the shy side with strangers and doesn’t feel comfortable with public speaking. But she is very comfortable with her close friends. She loves hanging out with her friends, soon more than with her family, and I love that version of her, independent, responsible, care free. Yet, she’s responsible, diligent with her work. While she fights with Lizzy all the time, she finds Lizzy fun to play with sometimes too, and definitely still caring and protective of her little sister.
I truly enjoy seeing her grow and develop. I am learning from her more and more. I am not sure I want to be her friend, probably more like a comfy blanket she wants to come to when things get hard. đ
Our New Journey 
That baby picture is too adorable! And I see so much of her facial characteristics as a tween in her baby face.
Loved this recap. Isn’t it amazing how quickly they grow. The days can be long but the years are short (in retrospect). Happy Birthday Sofia!
LikeLike
I love how excited Lizzy is in the background in the photo where she’s finding out about the concert tickets! So fun! How fun to look back through photos from birth to age 12! She seems very mature for her age. Her and Lizzy seem to have very different personalities. That’s how my boys are, too. Taco is louder and more boisterous in general. Paul is very social but has more focus for school, reading, etc.
LikeLike
OMG I HAD THE SAME EXACT BREASTFEEDING PILLOW!!!! (color, cover, everything). Core memory triggered đ
LikeLike
it must be the era of breastfeeding pillow. not sure people still use it.
LikeLike
Awww, so sweet to see all the pictures throughout the years. Must have been little bit of an emotional journey down memory lane đ You can be so proud of the little lady she’s becoming!
LikeLike