Baby Shower

This is my latest Facebook status:

"Just got home from my BABY SHOWER! Jai and I are so happy (and very very surprised!) Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible! Sorry po hindi ko kau maiisa-isa, ang dami! :)) Basta, kulang pa po ang sabihin kong MARAMING SALAMAT sa family ko & sa in-laws ko (who set this up!). I love you all! Our baby loves you too!!!"

Jai and I were quietly eating pizza at the dinner table while watching the news earlier this evening. I had no idea why there were so many containers of maja blanca on the table but I didn't bother to ask. My mom-in-law works for the local government so I thought she was involved in some kind of feeding program or there was some kind of potluck party she was going to attend.

Little did I know the hunch was almost accurate.

She was looking through a pile of hand towels not too far from where I was standing when she asked me to get her two bibs.

"Bib po?"

I turned to my husband.

"Parang wala ata tayong nabiling bib..."

My mom-in-law (or Mama as I like to call her) said, "Meron akong nilabhan."

My husband then asked, "San kukuha?" I knew he was as puzzled as I was.

Then I remembered one of our cabinet drawers full of hand-me-down baby clothes. "Dun po sa cabinet namin?"

Mama nodded.

I hurried upstairs to retrieve the bibs and handed them to mama. Then, back to pizza.

A few minutes later I decided to ask her what the bibs were for. I couldn't help it, I was too confused. She replied with a simple "May gagawin lang ako."

I had no idea why she needed those bibs. But then I thought maybe she was going to a feeding program, and she was gonna give away some hand-me-down stuff for the less unfortunate babies.

When my sis-in-law Yayie appeared I asked where they were going because she was dressed up. She replied, "Ewan ko sa Mama."

A few minutes later the househelp emerged from the kitchen with bowls and bowls of food. Jai even helped them load all of it into the car, but just like me he didn't bother to ask what all the food was for.

About after an hour I got a call from Mama. She told me Nonoy (bro-in-law) was going to pick us up. Uh ok. "San po pupunta?" She gave me an honest answer and said, "Dito sa mga inay," pertaining to Mendoza compound.

I don't know why but I had this weird feeling that she was smiling while she said that.

When Nonoy came to pick us up I asked him, "Anong meron?" He just said, "Ay awan!"

By this time, the question marks in my head were on top of each other.

As we parked in front of the Mendoza compound gate, I noticed someone in the car in front of us got out. A familiar face. Ninang Mayet! What was she doing here, I wondered, but again, I didn't ask. I stepped out of the vehicle and warmly greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. In the car was her family, and they got out too. Again, my head was spinning. Why on earth are they here in Batangas all the way from Paranaque at this hour??

As Jai and I entered the compound, I saw a lot of details all at once.

The whole Mendoza clan. Gang's all here.

Pabitin. Who's the party for?

Food. Is it someone's birthday?

Videoke machine. So it must be someone's birthday.

My cousins. Then my sisters. Then my MOM.

What are they doing here?!

At that point everybody applauded and yelled and whooed. That was when it hit me.

IT'S A SURPRISE BABY SHOWER!!!! FOR OUR BABYYYY!!!!

I was in shock. Speechless. I didn't know what to do or who to thank first. I snapped out of it and pulled myself together. I greeted my family, and then kissed my mom-in-law on the cheek at told her my heartfelt thanks. They were all asking me if I knew what was up, but the answer was always NO. Jai and I were so clueless!

Then, dinnertime. The games started right after. And before everyone went on his way home we took a few family pictures and then the party was over. My baby was showered with beautiful gifts by the end of the night. :)

This has been a very wonderful experience because it's the first time I've been given a surprise party. And what makes it extra special is that it's not only for me, but for my daughter as well. I didn't even think there would be a baby shower at all because I never had the chance to talk it over with Mama, and because the Batangas City fiesta and my little sister's singing recital will take place this coming weekend so I was certain that the timing was just screwed. Well apparently I was wrong all along. I am so touched that people actually made time and effort to make this baby shower possible, and no words can explain how grateful I am for this incredible gesture. Surely this is proof that my husband and I are loved and so is our baby Girl. She's a very lucky child to have so many people love her.

I wanna get this baby out NOW!!!! I've never been so excited in my life!!!!

January 12, 2010

*more photos in my Facebook account