And so on 04 September 2005 we did met her and brought her home. Her name is Ness, about 5?3?. She?s only 15 but she doesn?t look her age. She?s matured-looking but innocent (how do I explain these opposites?), very mysterious, very demure with such a sad face. Even Ness is already with us, I requested my in-laws to background check on our new nanny. We learned that she was the bread winner in the family, supporting her two younger sisters who stays with their Lola. Her parents separated two years ago, with their respective families now. She began working at age 11 and took care of a baby girl from birth to three years. She was forced to give up her job as her amos can no longer afford to pay her, the father of the baby girl lost his job. What?s amazing was she stayed with the family still for almost a year, even without getting payed as she was much attached to her alaga. So in a nutshell, she is that.
We asked my sis-in-law to stay with us for week so that she can train the new nanny of Nico?s daily routines, his bisyos and things we do for him. Ness? training/orientation though came in at a bad timing. Nico was very sick then when Ness came to us. We had to rush Nico to Medical City as we are afraid he might be dehydrated due to continuous vomiting, high fever, rashes, and an irritated throat due to his lingering cough and cold. Thank God that after about five hours of stay in the ER, doctors rejected to confine Nico and advised us to take care of him just at home. That week, yes, our new nanny had her training, not just the daily routines of care for Nico, but the more for the caring a sick baby.
Ness? formal and regular (I said formal, take note!) caring of Nico came the week after that sickness and really, that, I think, was the most paranoia-ic day of my life. As Jun and I left the house and go to work (it was a Monday, a day full of meetings!) I prayed hard and asked the Lord to keep my son safe from harm while he is at the care of her new nanny. It is my belief that that first day required a great deal of adjustment for me, Nico and Ness and that no matter hard I try to help make the transition smoother, it would still be difficult for all.
But I was wrong, my pessimisms, my fears, my doubts?they were all very wrong.
Days, weeks, and a month had passed and Ness was still with us?miraculously, she survived me and I survived her, heww! Honestly, when Ness took over taking care of Nico, this was the only time that our Baby learned independence feeding himself. The simple thing of holding a bottle of milk, Nico can?t do, during my Mom and my sister-in-law?s care. And I noticed too that Nico was getting heavier and taller as Ness? reports to me at the end of the day that her alaga asks for an average of 8 milk bottles. I also observed that Nico?s appetite for food increased as he was demanding for more than enough food in his plate during one weekend that I had quality time with my son. Ness reports that Nico is demanding for more than a bowl of lugaw or champorado or soaps in the morning and a half a cup of rice with a sumptuous viand (Nico?s fav are sinigang na baboy, nilagang baka, and tinolang manok) at lunchtime. Come October, during one of Nico?s well-baby check-ups, I was surprised to know that he did increased an overwhelming four kilos (from 10 kilos to 14 kilos) since his last visit to the pedia. What a leap! And these improvements were obviously noticed too by people who see Nico around, our neighbors, my officemates, and even my Mom, and my in-laws.
Combined with Nico?s physical developments, Jun and I also notice the special bond that our baby was having with her Ate Ness (that?s how he calls her). Nico became more playful having his Ate Ness around to play hide and seek with him and stroll around the neighborhood and play with other kids after his long-afternoon nap. Our Little Baby who was very discrete in uttering words before, started to be talkative with his Ate Ness backing him up.
As of this writing, Nico is further growing, 105 CMS, 19.7 kilos, at 95th percentile of his age. Intellectually, Nico loves reciting numbers, the alphabet, and grouping colors and shapes. Of course, that?s with the aid of her nanny! It?s a good thing also that Nico have been patiently potty-trained by her nanny. We save a lot spending for daytime diapers.
These good things never stopped there though. Her involvement in the house evolved from being a caregiver to Nico, then to being an efficient helper in the house, doing household chores, helping me cook, and running for errands. She also serves as our monitor and alarm, reminding us the due date for paying the utility bills, what needs to be bought in the grocery at weekends, and other sorts of stuff that we sometimes forget to pay attention.
At times Jun and I have disagreements, she was a confidant, a friend to air my sentiments. How could I asked for more?
I realized what a blessing Ness was to us. Yes, she may not be perfect, sure she too has many pitfalls. We had our share of disagreements, tampuhans, samaan ng loob, but one thing remains. She remains faithfully concerned and always where-after the well being of her alaga, my son Nico and I gratefully thank the Lord for that.
NOW, it?s been one year that she?s with us, and she?s 16 (2 years to go then we can get her insured with SSS, be a Pag-Ibig member, and get her a healthcard!). And hopefully, she would still be with us as we three now treat her as already a part of our family. I call her Nico?s Big Sister (because in God?s perfect time we would still want a Little Sister for Nico) and Our Soul mate Nanny, if there is such a word or term. Jun and I agreed that if our finances can manage it, and if circumstances permits it, we plan to put Ness back to school (our prospect is the government high school just a stone?s throw away to our house, probably get the night schedule) so that she can finish her high school, then hopefully get a college degree.
Ness, being our caregiver for Nico isn't? enough as a mother?s care and wont replace me in my Little Angel?s Life?I am and will always be his Mom. But Ness, to me, is another loving presence in my Baby?s life and I am sure Nico has enough love for her as much as she has full of love for him.
