The Kalinga ni Nanay founder and now mom of two left behind the glitz and glamour of showbiz to devote her time to being a full-time mom. Like most of us, Jennica Uytingco wanted the best for her children, and felt it was essential for her family to live and love a simple, happy life.
Yesterday, July 17, Jennica and her husband Alwyn Uytingco's first daughter, Athena Mori, celebrated her third birthday. It's the first time she's celebrating it as an "ate," after Jennica gave birth to Alexis Severina, or Alessi, in late June. To mark the special occasion, the mom of two wrote an open letter to her firstborn, which she shared on Instagram.
In Jennica's letter, she alluded to feeling a kind of guilt many moms who have more than one child like her often feel, often worrying that her firstborn might feel neglected while she focuses on the new baby.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWJennica, however, is determined to be the best mom for her two daughters, and she believes that the first step is to continually make Mori feel loved and secure, while helping her adjust to the new baby in the family.
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The natural parenting advocate revealed in her letter to Mori that she and Alwyn wanted to have five kids. However, Jennica admitted she was taken aback by the amount of work being a mom to two kids entail, and even disclosed that there are some nights when she couldn't help but cry.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch now"May mga gabi na pag wala ang Tatay Alwyn nasa trabaho naiiyak ako," Jennica said. "Nag-gabi na, nakatulog ka na pero hindi na natin nagagawa ang mga nagagawa natin noon," she added and went on to list the activities she and Mori used to do together every day.
Since she gave up showbiz to be a full-time mom, Jennica had a lot of time for playing, exploring, learning, and teaching Mori about life. "Maraming kantahan, walang sawang luto lutuan. Ikaw ang may-ari ng karenderia at cook habang ako loyal customer mo. Guguhit tayo gamit ang mga pangkulay mo tapos magkwekwento ko gamit ang mga laruan mong gawa sa kahoy," she wrote.
Jennica realizes now that she's content with having just two kids instead of five, so she can give Baby Alessi the same care and attention she gave Mori when she was still an only child. "Kasi anak iniwan ni Nanay ang lahat ng meron siya noon para masigurado ko na buong-buo ko maibibigay ang sarili ko sayo," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWShe also assured Mori that they would get back to their fun activities soon, promising that it would be more fun this time with her baby sister.
"Konting adjustment lang. Ate Mori, kasi kailangan din ako ni Baby Alessi," Jennica assured Mori. "Dadating yung araw na maibabalik na natin yung mga dati nating ginagawa at magiging mas masaya tayo kasi nadagdagan tayo ng kalaro at makakasama sa buhay," she added.
While she manages a business that manufactures homemade dolls, and is also busy speaking at parenting seminars, Jennica is first and foremost a mom. "Mahal na mahal ko kayo ni Alessi, Ate Mori, at pangako ko sa iyo na sisikapin kong maging the best na Nanay para sa [inyo]," she wrote.
"Maligayang kaarawan Ate Mori! Mahal na mahal ka namin. Hinding hindi ko kayo ipagpapalit ni Baby Alessi at Tatay Alwyn. I love you!" Jennica wrote. She promised to write her letter on paper so Mori can read it when she's older.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWJennica had opened up previously that her life as a mom isn't always perfect, especially now that she has a newborn baby and a toddler to care for. However, she assured her fellow moms that it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them, and to sometimes prioritize care for oneself.
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