The Best Is Yet To Come

Fidelity

2012-01-14T07:42:00.000+08:00

When I was having dinner with college friends, infidelity came up and I was surprised to know that both their husbands had flings. They jokingly blamed late hours at work (as their husbands worked as a nurse and a call center agent).

I felt so awkward because I KNEW hubs has been faithful ever since. But then, I also knew that I could never really know for sure. And I didn't want to say that my hubby was faithful only to be teased about how "all men fool around" or "I can't really tell for sure" especially since, as one friend out it, she had no inkling at all that something was amiss... till she found out. They were good, not really having more than their usual problems... and bam, she finds out about the single colleague hot for her man.

This takes me back to times I have said to hubby how I may never have any doubts about him because he IS always thoughtful, loving and giving.

I told hubby about the conversation and told him that I hope never to be wrong when I say that 'my husband is faithful'. He told me he's gone the unfaithful way already before, with past girlfriends, which should make a difference because he's not curious anymore. And he told me that he knows what he's going to lose and would rather not lose that (us).

Hubby is a faithful guy and I know I am lucky for having him choose me. I just hope we raise our sons like him in the end, and have equally-lucky daughters-in-law.

Hello 2012

2012-01-03T07:10:00.001+08:00

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make ...glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.

-Neil Gaiman, 2012

Pappie, let's make mistakes. Let's love more, do more, live more, learn more.

Let's stop acting like we're already in our 60s and worn out.

Grabbing Great Deals

2011-12-18T05:28:00.000+08:00

I've just read a friend's raves about having grabbed a groupon deal on Bellaroca, a trip which her family enjoyed very much. I really should grab sme such deals but I can't just yet, not until I learn how to manage our resources better.

A group of friends and I have also been discussing about ordering online and grabbing great deals from there (like from the recent Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales) and utilizing Alphacargo and Pobox. This way, you can take advantage of the best san francisco deals and New York steals and get those within a month at a shipping cost between $50-70. My Mom from Detroit ships stuff to us via Forex, which used to take a month but now takes 6 weeks due to inefficiency at our Customs. But still, that saves you a lot on shipping costs if you're fond of buying imported brands. You can also maybe work out some discounts if you buy from somewhere in bulk, and then sell those items here at published rates, and you'd still have earned!

Yey!

I just let another Barbara's buffet go though. At first, I was considering it for an anniversary dinner with hubby but since redemption is next year, and we have seminars and trips lined up, I decided to just wait for the next one.

But I might just grab a spa deal soon... and maybe try some of the steak dinners being offered on groupon sites. Might as well indulge in fine dining while going over our priority expense list for 2012.

Talk AIDS With Your Partner

2011-12-01T12:49:00.002+08:00

I've had this idea for a while now... but first thought to ask N@Wie friends at our ygroups instead of blogging about it. But since it's World AIDS Day, might as well blog about it for good... at our family blog.

Talk AIDS With Your partner. But please be open, gentle and non-judgmental about the things you do end up discussing. AIDS as a topic may be an intellectual discussion, or it could be a very personal one... as it may uncover past sexual histories that was glossed over during the courtship and wedding planning, or lead to discussions about sexual values you want to inculcate in your kids, or the possible scenario of having friends (and family) end up HIV positive.

If you're a woman, start the conversation with... "I've heard/read that some women, wives for that matter, are getting HIV from their husbands who are cheating (either with a fellow man or woman)." Talk about how scary that is, to trust a partner that may be experimenting at this stage of his life (with wife and kids to boot), why men wouldn't use protection with dalliances, how peace of mind should be an incentive for men to use condoms, etc.

Voice out your fears, double standards, even sterotypes and biases... let your spouse mirror yours or shoot it down... and let him reassure you.

If you've both had other sexual partners before, talk about the what could have beens... how either of you could have been infected without knowing and unknowingly brought HIV into the marriage. How would that make you feel? How do you think you'd have handled it? Would you have assumed the stricken party was unfaithful?

If you found out you were HIV positive, who would you tell first? Are you updated with the latest news about it... or do you still associate instant death with the virus? Do you still think only gay men can get it? Have you been sexually irresponsible, thinking you're immune?

And then... the even scarier part. With news of grade schoolers already in romantic, exclusive relationships... and some even starting sexual relations as early as 10 years old, how do you raise your child to be better than the 'norm'? How do you raise them empowered, informed and hopefully, self-preserving?

And, should a child end up becoming a person living with HIV, how do you think you'd feel? How do you think you can help?

The only good news about HIV is that breakthroughs in the medical field and awareness campaigns have allowed people living with HIV (PLHIV) to live longer, healthy lives... even go on to have careers, grow up (in case of babies/kids), maybe even find partners for life. But it is still a deadly disease that can make or break a man's spirit, or a family.

Talk to your partner about AIDS now. Maybe, in the off chance that HIV/AIDS comes too close to home, you'd both be better prepared for it.

*~*

Hubs and I have had this conversation more than once.

Happy Birthday, Darlings

2011-11-17T01:25:00.001+08:00

My only wish for you both is that you continue thriving in our family's love.

Field Trip at Malvarosa Orchid Farm /Paradise Farms

2011-10-29T01:47:00.000+08:00

Hubs simply couldn't be absent at his son's first field trip... and we decided to make it about Yakee and not bring Yamee along. In the end, we did miss Yamee but enjoyed not having to attend to him too. Plus, he was so stimulated the previous day that he kept us awake the whole night before the field trip... bringing him along for more stimulation was simply out of the question.

It rained a little before we got to the farm but the weather was nice and hot the entire day, allowing the kids to have a good run of the farm. Oh, they were sooo happy! There were some minor accidents (hammocks hitting kids, falling, etc) but all in all, it was one moment of cuteness and awe after another.

And since the kids pretty much kept to themselves, us parents managed to be laidback, relaxed, even romantic (a couple held hands at the swing!).

I did say relaxed, right?

prenup shoot, why not? haha... plus, Yakee refused to have a pic taken with us

the kids chasing us away from the area

super friends and the eldests in the group

feeding goats

flying kites

swinging from tires

going to the vegetable patch

we took the string beans the kids gathered home

picking radish

and patola

petting rabbits

fishing

carabao ride

crowded pool fun

feast!

One testament to how well-behaved Waldorf kids are is that there were no major fights among the kids, nothing that required any of us to step in ( I can actually just remember one of the twins trying to defend his twin from one of the other boys, and his sister stepping in to pacify him). And the discipline issues were more about being careful (with the swings/hammock) and settling down to eat. They took turns, helped each other, were gentle with each other. Some kids threw tantrums but were short-lived enough not to disrupt the relaxed, happy mood of the day.

What's more, the kids loved being together but there were no tantrums when everyone were saying goodbye. It just proves that they're secured enough to know there will be other days for playing.

And we only had to pay P320/adult and P200/child. So, we thought we should just have brought Yamee and Ate Gang along :D Food was great too...

Losing My Precious

2011-10-21T22:25:00.000+08:00

It feels a little ironic for me that just last night, I was sharing with my friends the story of how a married couple we admire do not own wedding rings to sort of reassure one in the group who also doesn't have any.

It also feels stupid to have only realized that I lost my rings along with my wallet late in the afternoon already, when I was moping about the baby bead bracelet that Yakee and Yamee used, which was also in the wallet/cosmetic bag.

Sigh.

I really appreciate Pappie for not making me feel worse (which, in a way, made me feel worse 'coz he was so nice, and I was so possibly careless).

I haven't been wearing my rings most of the time since I became a SAHM... less now that I have eczema on my hands. On a good month, i'd probably wear them once. But I like looking at them, forbid Yakee from playing with them, and always bring them with me in case I feel I should wear them. Now, I highly regret that decision. I highly regret this day. It's stupid and futile to keep thinking about what I could have done differentlybut this was really such a bad day in so many ways...

Sigh.

Hubs said he'd lose so much weight so his own ring will be too big for him and we could have it melted and made into two rings again :)

*~*

At the Power Plant Mall, when I first realized I didn't have my wallet with me, I apologized to Yakee for not having money to buy the agreed popsicle that we went there for. He was immediate in his response, "Mommy, it's ok, I have money..." and proceeded to get the 25 cents he found in the jeep that morning.

*~*

When I was crying by the dining table after realizing I lost my rings, Yakee asked me why I was sad then hugged me. Then he said, "It's ok Sarabi, it's ok."

Season for Shopping, but Not for Us

2011-10-17T11:13:00.000+08:00

Last weekend, traffic jams all over Manila were not the result of rain at all but of sales going on in all major malls, even schools, in the metropolis.

And believe me, people bought stuff in sackfuls. You'd even wonder where they are getting the money since we're all suppposedly bearing the crunch of inflated prices.

But I guess, it is the season for shopping. So, it is the season of sales. I am pretty sure that one can already Google bazaar schedules and come up with at least five happening at the same time every weekend. Parents are particularly awaiting the Richwell sale, the Lego sale and I am hoping to finally check out the St. James/Cuenca bazaar over in Alabang.

I know that there really isn't Thanksgiving here in the country but that will also not stop people from taking advantage of cyber monday deals and filling up their P.O. Box purchases with goodies. I'm even sure sites like Amazon, Target and Dealio would have extra people coming in just to process all incoming orders.

SM's Baby and Company is on sale all throughout October. Toys R' Us at Robinsons Galleria is also on sale the whole month while Tiendesitas outlet stores are on sale from October 14-22. I am guessing, no child of people we know will be empty-handed come Christmastime...

On the other hand, I am really not in the mood to shop because of that fact. People we know are generally blessed. What do you give to a child who generally gets what he wants, anyway? So, I am trying to work out something that will make Christmas more meaningful for our kids. And I doubt we'd be buying new toys for them since we're likely to get some as gifts, anyway.

My boys are part of those who are blessed witrh abundance... thank God. So, might as well teach them about giving and sharing instead.

Four Years Ago Today

2011-10-07T00:08:00.000+08:00

... I couldn't sleep, nor calm down... scared for the first ever surgery of my life... and wondering how life will turn out with you finally out. But I was excited too... because I'd finally meet you, see you, smell you, hold you.

Fast forward to tonight. I lost my temper after a serious (and series!) lack of cooperation on your part. I shouted and removed privileges and that upset you so much. You told me you didn't like me and do not want to sleep with us tonight... that you've decided you'll be sleeping with Ninang instead.

And I let you.

In my mind, you have every right to space away from me too. To not like me, nor want to see me. Plus, I couldn't very well use my authority on you after having denied priviliges already.

In the end, you did realize you wanted to sleep with us and told me sorry while crying.

Sigh.

We've gone through so many things with you, Yakee. We've loved you and failed you, uplifted you, and disappointed you. We've seen you grow, become... we may have held you back sometimes, but I like to think, all in all, we've let you grow. And my, how you've grown. You are no longer a baby, but really a little boy.

The things we wanted for you before remain generally the same: good health and happiness, a love for learning, a sense of wonder. We are still working on love for your brother... we know it's there but you seem to have taken after me, not really the nurturing sort.

We love you, Pappie and I do. And Yamee adores you. And it's really been our privilege to be the parents who raise you. Hopefully, you'd feel as blessed as we do that WE are your family.

What We Read to our Sons

2011-10-06T02:34:00.005+08:00

Sometimes... some site will release a LIST OF TOP CHILDREN'S BOOKS and I'd see parents (mostly Moms) reacting to the list with "Oh no, we only have 7 from the list... Shucks, we only have 20."

I get how such lists can be helpful, especially for prospective gift-givers or really clueless parents. But I'd rather a parent reads something first and gauges if the book will be something her child will like, or if it has actual content (not just pretty pictures).

I know, I am a little negative about such things. Or maybe defensive, because I really tend to buy the not-so-common books and also don't like super expensive ones (so yes, I am a Booksale loyalist). Recently, a list of 100 books came out and I realized I wouldn't buy a lot of those in the list because I don't have a girl. So, I told my friends, let's just all come up with our own list of books we recommend and why.

Before I get to that, allow me to share some of those that we do have, with some comments about them. I had intended to really take pictures of all the books but I lost steam. Plus, I couldn't find the others without unsettling dust and toys because our books are just everywhere!

These cost me P30 each and I usually get them at the Manila International Book Fair. It's an easy read if you want quick stories with values and since the characters are animals, they can be quite entertaining to a child.

How can you have a boy and not have books on trucks? These are a steal at P25 each, bought at Uniwide in Las Pinas.

Hug was bought in Booksale... and I got annoyed when I saw a smaller version because this one is super heavy. Board book kung board book :D The Snugliest Snuggle in the World book was a gift.

Are You My Mother? is usually in parents' reading list. Yakee likes this because of the crane :D SNORT!!!

I had thought, buying Goodnight Moon would inspire Yakee to start saying goodnight to little things before he sleeps... like I used to do when I was young. But no.

Eric Carle's art is brilliant. But I really don't like THE VERY HUNGRY CATTERPILLAR much and think his books are overpriced. Yakee prefers THE VERY BUSY SPIDER (which I got at Booksale for P60) and I encourage it because it tackles industry, diligence, purpose and rewards for hard labor/delaying gratification. Haha. I am such a parent! And yes, I so lack interest in art.

What is a house with kids without a Nursery Rhymes book? And at age 3, Yakee has memorized and can recite all the rhymes in that blue book just from hearing me read. I love it when he recites "Simple Simon" :) The blue and red books cost P125 each from National Bookstore... the 3 ones on the right cost P25 each from Booksale. From those, Yakee loves "Three Little Kittens," I think because the exacting Mommy Kitten is so ME :D

These are a set of 15 books by Anvil Publishing on the Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang series. I bought them because I wanted to raise Yakee knowing Filipino culture but I have to say I don't like most of them. Maybe it's too simplistic of me but I feel there are no lessons or point to some of the stories. They're just stories. The art is good to great, but I really only like three from this lot (the three on top: "Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin" [the first and only storybook I could 'tell' in complete sign language], "Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Mahal na Hari" and "Ang Prinsepeng Mahaba ang Ilong"... fortunately, they're ones Yakee liked too. I say LIKED because we go through phases with books... sometimes, I have to read the same book for only 2 nights in a row, sometimes, for a whole month. We are currently on an "Alamat ng Lamok" and "Ang Pitong Tanga" phase (I like that cleanliness is being emphasized in the Alamat ng Lamok book, but I always feel off when I have to read about the king slaying the giant's son).

Yakee knows the videos/movies by heart, it was only logical to reinforce with books. Plus, I am sure he could relate to George's curiosity. This photo is missing some three others on Curious George that we have. I have also resisted in buying the compilations because Yakee insists reading on a per book basis :D

These are some of the books with popular cartoon characters. Hubs questioned the Care Bears books but I was such a fan and the books are about caring and sharing so.... :) The Looney Tunes baby book on shapes, imagination and self-discovery cost P35 each. And Yakee loves it when I read books with Elmo in it because my voice impression is right on the money.

I couldn't locate the other dinosaur books, but trust me, we have more. And unfortunately for us (a little), Yakee has outgrown the picture books and insists on us reading TWO CHAPTERS at least in that dinosaur book at the top, right. He is past identifying and differentiating dinosaurs, he's now into what their day could be like, how they hunted, how they escaped predators. And he really always thanks me for buying me that book, haha.

I like these transparency series by Scholastic and Yakee, of course, loves the one on castles. This was what started him using the word 'game' for "hunted birds" and knowing what a keep (most protected part of the castle, usually the inner/biggest tower) is. How geeky, right? Love it!

Are you still with me? Haha. I am so bloody tired already from this blog post!

Okay, I am such a geek and we started going through this when he was two. I wanted an expanded vocabulary... and got it.

This was given by my Mom and Yakee is still trying to learn to follow the numbers and play the song right on the keys. It contains a lot of rhymes/songs he knows.

Love these books especially Louis Lion Sings Good Night, and I bought it for hubby to read because it's about a Dad hurrying home so he could prepare his cubs for bed. I read and sign Charlie Bird Counts to the Beat (it's more a counting book than a storybook) :)

Other boy books/reference books... The one on Knights and Castles is really a great resource because now, Yakee at least has heard of samurais, Knights Templar, Seljuk Turks, etc and knows the rudiments of jousting, has been introduced to feudalism (and war and slavery, eeepp!), etc. Hopefully, he'd ace World History at least, someday.

Sleeping Beauty? WTH, right? Haha. I actually bought this because I used to have the exact same book as a child and dreamed of having a wedding gown patterned from Beauty's gown here. Lolz. But Yakee wanted me to read it to him, so, why not? We have a board book about Ariel (mermaid) too.

And these are my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ONES...

We are not very religious though we've been more faithful about attending Church this year. But every child should learn about faith from their parents... and these kiddie Bibles help. Of course, Yakee's fave story is the one of David and Goliath.

This is a classic I had to have because I like the lesson the VELVETEEN RABBIT was taught... that toys (people) with sharp edges or are too fragile don't become real (loved).

The MAGIC SCHOOL BUS makes Science fun and already, Yakee has been introduced to so many scientific ideas through these storybooks. I like that he remembers anchovies are small fish that are eaten by tuna (big fish), that baking soda and vinegar produces chemical reactions akin to explosions, that bats hang upside down, that plants grow when watered and get sunlight, etc.

These books helped me prepare Yakee to becoming a big brother. He especially loved to realize that Yamee grew inside my tummy ("Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu" book by Adarna has this fetus chart/drawings). And when he's getting upset about all the liberties we're allowing Yamee, I read the "I'm a Big Brother" book by Joanna Cole to make him realize that being a big brother also means he can do things the baby still can't.

I was the one who first fell in love with Amelia Bedelia and bought the 3-in-1 Treasury... and weirdly enough, Yakee at 1 year old liked me reading it. He even has a video of pretending to read it, and then the book fell, and he was upset... and he wasn't even talking straight yet. It's really a series of books on figures of speech and homonyms and idiomatic expressions, definitely not for babies, but Yakee continues to love the books. I think I am missing 2 books in this picture.

I love OMF Lit's "Sandosenang Sapatos" and cried when I read the story from a parenting mag so I just had to buy a copy of the storybook. I even gave nieces and nephews a copy one Christmas. And "Joey and the Veggie Gang" was one of Yakee's favorites and a great reference point for when I have to reinforce vegetable eating and why junk food is only for some of the time. I am not really a fan yet of the Teo series, plus Grace Chong's and Dr. Luis Gatmaitan's storybooks tend to be really wordy (and technical) so they're really more for older kids. But I bought the "Half and Half" book because I wanted Yakee to learn to share. I bought the Gatmaitan storybooks because I wanted the lessons on brushing (Ay, May Bukbok ang Ngipin ni Ani), pet ownership (Waaah! Nakagat Ako ng Aso) and still having fun even while you're sick (Yakkk, Bulutong Tubig). I also like "Gaya's Gift" because it teaches a child to be himself.

And oh, everyone should hear my husband read BIG BROTHER (a book on having a special needs sibling)... he makes this great Kuya Tinuy voice that gives the story such life.

Of course, I have Adarna storybooks. I did not attend a storytelling seminar with them for nothing... Yakee's fave (gift by my friend Tere) is "Luis and the Enchanted Creatures" (not in this photo, couldn't locate it) and it's such a brilliant book on local enchanted creatures such as the tikbalang and aswang. I'm not sure if I like the jibe on a woman's temperament though... but it's refreshingly authentic and full of Pinoy flavor. I also like "Chenelyn, Chenelyn" because it advocates better treatment of nannies/helpers and not to rely on them so much. "Ang Lihim ni Lea" is a storybook on child abuse (of course, I had to buy it) and I do feel awkward reading it to Yakee (and I have, several times, I just say, "father was not treating the girl well" and leave it at that... hopefully, when my boys are old enough to understand, they'd also appreciate that children and women should be protected and respected). "Si Pagong at si Matsing" and "Ang Mayang Uhaw" are classics from my own childhood days which I wanted Yakee to grow knowing. He loves the bird book because I made crude puppets out of board paper for the birds, made them drink from a cup etc. It made the book real to him and appreciated that some work has to be done for a little bird to be able to drink. It also teaches basic Math (counting) and Science (volume). "Tiktaktok at Pikpakbum" is also another classic and reinforces brotherly love and healthy habits. "Ang Barumbadong Bus" was also one of Yakee's early faves and I reference to it when we're on the road and Pappie is driving carefully or if I feel Yakee is running too fast. "Tight Times" is highly-recommended for its lessons on making the most of and being grateful for what you have. I think every household should have a copy so that kids will appreciate the abundance they enjoy. Plus, the characters in this storybook are mice (my friend Tere pointed it out to me, that it's a play on the expression "mahirap pa sa daga")

"No Matter What" by Debi Gliori. I honestly prefer this find to Guess How Much I Love You (which is why I have never bought a copy, nor ever asked for one) and Love You Forever (which we have, couldn't locate it for a picture). Yakee also doesn't quite appreciate Love You Forever (we read it 3 times, max, and I had to insist on all those times) but could relate to Small in this book and I could relate to Large as she assures Small that "grumpy or not, she'd always love him NO MATTER WHAT." Parents would especially appreciate how their conversation ends, when Large (the mom) talks about love even when they're not together anymore. Bought at Booksale for P95.

In Grandma's Arms by Jayne Shelton. I have to admit to something: when I read this to Yakee, I say "In Mama's arms" instead. The book basically talks about how reading takes her places (thanks to Grandma/Mama) and I know, I am reinforcing reading as a bonding tool, as well as a liberating tool for the imagination. Got this at Booksale, I forgot how much but most probably around P70.

Given by my friend Tere again, Dogfish by Gillian Shields is such a nice book. Moms and kids alike can relate with the Mom in the book ("Well, if you can't have what you want, you could try to want what you have.") and will be encouraged to make faces (irritated look, sorrowful look, happy look). Love, love it!

Aaaannnd the cream of the crop for me. This was a gift by my friend and Yakee's Ninang. I HOPE YOU DANCE is a book that takes off from the song of the same title, written by the same lyricists (Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers). It is just really such a lovely book that reminds a child to be a child (and even adults to be child-like), to see the world with wonder, to rise above conflicts and just really enjoy life... with lines like:

"I hope whenever one door closes,
you and Trina follow your noses.
Never lose sight of what you're searching for.
Turn left, then right, then left once more
until you find another open door..."

We still have other books (Fairy Tales, Tales of Beedle the Bard, other character books from cartoons like Blues Clues or Sesame Street, alphabet and counting books, Joy Wilt Berry books, Christmas, Easter and Halloween books, etc) but I did say I lost steam right?

What is the point of this post aside from documenting just how we're running out of space in our home? A lot, I hope, but if they're lost on you, here they are:

1) Invest in books and read them to your child as often as you can. As much as you can, never turn them away when they ask to be read to. It helps develop their verbal/language skills and instill a love for reading/learning... plus, it is just a great bonding time. Plus, books are 'gifts' that you sort of enjoy again and again and again.

2) There is no need to buy expensive books, or even new ones. Save your money. Save the trees. And a truly good book will be loved, whether it was new or not.

3) Other people's or institution's lists are good but highly subjective, including this one. And sometimes, the books that end on those lists are not really worth the expense or there could be others of the same kind that are just as good (or better). Example? Karen Katz books.

4) Play to your child's interests and he will be excited to be read to, and later on, learn to read.

5) Reinforce your faith, discipline, beliefs, etc. through books. If you don't like a particular show, don't have books on that. (Which is why we don't have any Spongebob books, and why I also threw a copy of "Jack and the Beanstalk" away)

6) Start with books for their age to set them up for success (being able to 'get it') but feel free to also read other books they show interest in. What's wrong is for you to push encyclopedias on a child who still likes looking at pictures.

7) Talk about the book after reading it. Reference to it whenever you can. Make the books real to them so that the things in the books will also be more accessible ideas/relevant experiences to your child.

8) Suffer/Embrace the phases. I know it can get quite tiring to read the same story day in and out BUT that's really how they learn the book. A big library would be useless if your child didn't feel a connection with most of the books there. Plus, your child is making memories with you and of you per book aside from learning the book well.

9) Buy relevant books... and that means a lot of local ones. This is one way of instilling a love for our culture and nation.

10) Teach your child to respect and take care of books. A baby will try to rip pages, so yes, buy them board books. but also, be firm and consistent in putting books on timeout when they are not being carefully handled. Yakee learned very early that books are sacred, so I'm sure your child can too.

11) Have your own books that your children will see you reading. They have to see you engrossed in reading to reinforce the passon for it.

Happy reading everyone!!! And here's to raising voracious readers.

The Arevalos Survived Hong Kong - Day Three

2011-09-30T18:35:00.001+08:00

We originally intended the day to be a leisurely one. We still ended up going back to the hotel at almost 12 midnight. Plus, hubs and I also had a fight, in front of his mom and brother to boot, and all because we were lost in translation. It seemed the cab drivers were refusing to service us because the place I wanted to go to was very near, but we couldn't understand them and thought that they couldn't understand where we wanted to go. I got severely annoyed and decided to just not go to that place (Linea Negra, a shop for maternity and nursing clothes) because I wasn't in the mood anymore... and hubs wouldn't have it, and got upset about me giving up. Suffice it to say, we did make up...

Howell.

I have always dreamed of bringing Yakee to the Hong Kong Science Museum because I am such a geek. Unfortunately, I planned to go there when the museum was free for all, so the crowd was sort of a turn off.

Yakee did have a little fun but was missing his cousins (who went to Space Museum, thinking that was where we were supposed to meet).

I love how Yakee immediately 'finds' friends, even ones who don't speak the same language

he figured out that we should push all of the 'intestine' inside before pulling on it, to show to full effect how long our small intestines are (such a geek!)

hello, heads

at the House of Mirrors

We all went back to our hotel and then walked to the Star Ferry pier (looooong walk) to go the long way to Central :)

waiting for Bus 15C

best bus ride ever

Our Peak Tram experience was not so good. First, the lines were so long and it was so hot. We were positioned in front of the tram car,finally, but senior citizens started pushing, shoving and pulling (one of them even yanked on my niece's arm that got her crying, which got our big men shouting). It was really horrible and we were shaken up by the experience to really enjoy the ride.

At Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, we all had fun (though poor Iya was scared of the wax models).

what these girls are teaching my son... I swear! :D

hubs faced Yamee towards Hitler, we were going for a stare match thingie but Yamee started crying... guess he knew Hitler was super bad!

Yakee with Mozart

Yamee!!! tsk tsk tsk

Pappie!

big men in the clan, yes :)

with the Beatles!!!!

haha... closest thing we can get to music legends, as they're already dead

uhm... anak?

Yakee will pose well with other people, but not us

We took Bus 15 back to Central instead of going down the tram again. Yakee fell asleep in the dizzying ride so we decided to just go back to the hotel. Thanks to the Concierge, hubs was directed to Wah Kee Snacks and Summit Delicious Noodle House for this:

best meal ever!

The Arevalos Survived Hong Kong - Day One and Two

2011-09-11T01:57:00.003+08:00

By Arevalos, I mean my husband's previous family with their present ones.

I really didn't want a trip to Hong Kong just yet, because I feel my kids are still too small to pull their weight in terms of loads and I didn't want to worry about nap times, feeding times and changing times in a strange land. But since FIL was paying for us to go, it was kinda hard to resist the chance for all grandkids to 'go abroad' for the first time, at the same time.

I loved that we stayed at Hotel Benito because it was close to everything a family might want or have need of. The nearby cake shop was especially close to our hearts (via our stomachs) and the skewered meats and authentic Chinese noodles still make me drool (and it's been 2 weeks since we've been back).

But wait.... before we actually got there, hubs had to take Yakee to the ER. As in the night before we left! Yakee complained of an earache and he had a fever so we were worried about an ear infection. Plus, he was still coughing like crazy. It was a miracle none of the doctors who saw him (including his, I mean our, allergist) discouraged us from going on with the trip. We did make the sacrifice of lugging our heavy nebulizer with us, just so Yakee can nebulize the entire time we were there.

Day One was mostly spent crankily getting the feel of the new city, checking in, catching some sleep, finding our way around and just checking things out. We ate at Yoshinoya and Full Restaurant, discovered a delightful frozen yogurt, went to Toys R' Us at Harbour City Mall and grocery shopped there, and explored Granville area that night.

Yakee and Iya amusing themselves while waiting for Lianne at HKIA

the cousins already having a blast, on the way to our hotel

obviously, no sleep yet

pier view at the Harbour City mall

fan of Angry Birds, eh?

bigger fan!

kids at home in all those designer splendor at Harbour City Mall

looking for a dining place

enjoying Granville shopping

kids hamming it up at Bossini outlet store

Even Yamee was enjoying the yogurt

Hubs and I were a little depressed during this time. Aside from the lack of sleep, we were also tummy-crampy and had to buy the equivalent of Imodium at Watson's. We couldn't get excited over the food!

Day Two was Ocean Park day and it proved to be really exhausting. All the walking we did!

We all just had to remind ourselves that we're doing it for the kids. The adults did have some fun riding the Abyss and Flash rides.

on board Citybus 629

lovey dovey, yes!

throughout the Hong Kong trip, Yakee generally hated posing with us, and kept on joining Lianne in her family pics...

the family at Ocean Park

kids watching the 'show' on the ceiling of the Ocean Express

happy even if he was missing the seal/dolphin show

just like in breastfeeding, tummy to tummy!

we figured out a way for the boys to share the stroller

and the little one was just relaxed

later on, the SaYa was his safety belt

Yamee slept right through the heat while Kuya feasted on snow cones

at the sea lion area

MIL with her grandkids

happy at the fan around his neck

enjoying the cable car ride at night

we were so mean, we brought them to Whiskers Harbour just when we were about to leave

first ever slide? :)

We had dinner at Cafe de Coral this time... and the food was just so-so. I was extra bummed because I was so tired and they got my order wrong. I was looking forward to fish but got served some meat-sauced pork stuff.

But hey, check this out!

pic on the left taken in June 2004

And oh, what is it about my sons and poles?

Family Day of Contests That Weren't

2011-08-04T08:37:00.000+08:00

Last Saturday, July 30, was spent on contests that weren't, with the kids in tow.

First was me joining the Horcrux Hunt at Fully Booked at the Fort. Unfortunately, I didn't get to answer right in the Book Geek test (I was embarassing at the Horcrux Hunt... didn't have any idea what the code name of the host for Potterwatch was. Turned out I was just intimidated because I knew ONE codename and had I answered "River" for Lee Jordan, i'd have been right).

So, we just ate at Krispy Kreme (because Yakee was 'so hungry') after.

We then went to Power Plant Mall for a supposedly parent-child building contest. Unfortunately, no other team wanted to join. Most parents just let their child construct to humor them. That didn't stop darling hubby from attempting a pagoda, however, in that sea of kids. He got so intent with his handywork that he didn't notice that he must have been kneeling on a brick and his knee was already bleeding.

After our failed attempts at celebrity and grandeur (because it wasn't really for the kids), we carted our kiddos to Batangus.

We had to wait outside and let Yakee sleep some more

Yamee tried playing with the steering wheel while Pappie bought fried chicken for Kuya

our kids enjoying the fried chicken... we allowed Yamee to gnaw on a bone

and I guess you could say, Pappie and I enjoyed our dinner very much

It wasn't so tiring a day... and we all had fun and bonded. It's just really bittersweet to realize our boys are growing up so fast... and yet, we can't wait to be doing so many otehr things with them.

Thank God for the means to enjoy each other :)

Sons, Will You Talk to Us?

2011-07-16T18:51:00.000+08:00

Presently, I am already struggling getting our eldest to come to me first and ask whether he can touch something, play with something, go somewhere. I am guessing there's some lines we haven't really discussed so asking permission seems beyond him.

But... I like to think that he comes to us with his questions. I do shoot those down, sometimes, when he asks them in the middle of misbehaving or outright disobedience. Like during meal times or when playing with his brother. It is so very important that they ask us all the questions they come up with because I want them to learn the truth from us, not myths from friends. Even if truth hurts or it's horrible. I want them to learn it from us. I want them forewarned and forearmed.

But... there will come a time, I know, when they would rather go to their friends. Maybe even have long, drawn-out discussions and still come up with nothing over the simplest things, like styling one's hair, and really critical issues, like joining fraternities and how to sleep with a girl. It may be wishful thinking for me to hope that they will also get their father's take on such matters... or that I'd really be the cool mom that even their friends will go to, for a woman's perspective on things.

Given our relationship with them right now, and how we parent them, I really wonder: Sons, will you talk to us? Not just with the important stuff, but also the mundane ones? Because you see, if you cannot talk to us about the mundane and senseless, I doubt you'd come to us too when it really matters. And you matter, so everything about you, at whatever space and time, matters.

Well, maybe not everything. Hehe. Your Pappie, for one, isn't interested in the quality of your poop.

Breastfeeding Support Group

2011-07-13T17:51:00.000+08:00

Truth be told, it's a bigger hassle getting everyone out the door in time for my talk... and many times, I wished hubs would just simply agree to hold down the fort while I do my thing instead of all of them tagging along.

Still, I loved they were there and almost always, we usually survive such outings. Pappie wasn't too happy getting barfed at the week before, but we survived it. And Pappie was babywearing the whole time I was giving the talk... and I just know he's a little proud of himself for being this involved with the kids. Thank goodness our son didn't put up a fight when the garlic bread we promised him was claimed by another boy for himself. Hehe.

These boys are my breastfeeding support group. Yamee seems to be nursing more these days but he's also biting me a third of the time so I put him/my girls on timeout.

Yamee fell off the sofa bed and hit his forehead. Yakee missed school due to fever. Typical, typical day with the boys.

Yamee Turns Eight Months

2011-07-11T17:32:00.000+08:00

Eight months old today, the baby of the family is. And while he was cantankerous last night, his Kuya has been whiny and needy since yesterday. Of course, it didn't help that Yakee had a fever again (from playing where it's dusty and failing to nap).

But anyway, eight months and we're not sure we have really adjusted to life with two kids. But although I still remember vividly life without Yamee (with all of its fewer demands), I also can't imagine anymore not having him. I have even started uber-showering him with kisses because he may be our last baby.

And the last baby is not really a baby anymore, considering he's now starting fights over toys with his brother.

Life moving forward... and I don't think Pappie and I are sprinting along with it that well, haha.

Hoping We're Worthy

2011-07-04T00:03:00.000+08:00

Almost six years ago, we were spiffin' newlyweds. Last month, I was primary sponsor at a wedding where hubs should have been the Ninong because it was his colleague that got married, only they had enough male sponsors.

Truth be told, it did not occur to me to say "NO" to the couple. People said that it's a compliment to hubs and I as a couple, and I really hope it is. But are we worthy of this honor so soon in our married life?

Honestly, you see, we are still struggling as husband and wife. And heaven knows we are struggling and striving as parents to our sons. True, the fights from our first year of marriage don't happen anymore. Now, we can stew for a while then gently express frustration, annoyance, anger, disappointment, etc. of the other later.

Still, I really hope that others see a potential of a lasting marriage in us... a validation that we are indeed on the right track.

I wish for more patience and grace for us as parents... and more shared dreams for us as a couple. I know hubs can do with a more supportive and hopeful wife too... and I could do with a hubby with more energy (so I can have a day off without all of them!) and better health.

*~*

For what it's worth, Pappie got scared enough by that high BP incident at the ER so he's jogging again and controlling his food portions. Here's to a healthier Pappie who can run after his sons.

*~*

Pappie asked me if I really wanted a SaYa baby carrier and I told him that I do, ever since I saw one. He told me to go ahead and buy one... but that I should say goodbye to any hope of an oven purchase. Yes, I am on a cookie binge.

*~*

Our division of yucky labor... Pappie is in charge of barf. I am in charge of poop. This weekend.... it was Yakee who barfed all over him, and gave me grief about poop on the floor. But yes, we still love our firstborn.

Yamee, on the other hand, is really showing signs that he'll be talking first before he can walk.

Happy Pappie Day

2011-06-19T00:56:00.004+08:00

Thank you for making time for us.

Thank you for disciplining us.

Thank you for dreaming dreams and making plans for us.

Thank you for wanting to realize them for, and with, us.

Thank you for loving us, and living only to love us.

A Family in Crisis

2011-06-16T23:20:00.000+08:00

I've told some friends that we are currently a family in crisis... by crisis, I mean, a turning point. A chance of great possibilities. Of changes. Of transitions.

First, Yamee is eating and rolling now, more engaging, demanding, and much to my dismay, learning to exploit the fact that he's the youngest (through cute smiles or angry wailing).

Then there's the fact that Yakee is officially enrolled somewhere. Not only did the tuition really made us realize how poorly we've saved, but it also requires things from us (like me having to pump twice a day sometimes!).

Then, there's Pappie being in a rut at work and contemplating a change. However, great opportunities are harder to come by for people like him who's in the managerial level. And what comes knocking requires great consideration, responsibilities, risks.

And me... still unsure about whether I have healed for good or what.

Then... today happened.

Yamee pooped around 1 AM so I changed him. Yakee woke up and followed me downstairs to tell me he couldn't breathe through his very clogged nose. Upon closer inspection, I saw that his rashes have progressed into angry-looking hives and the left side of his face and lips have swollen. I woke up hubs to tell him that either he has to buy something Yakee can take or we go to the hospital already.

Ever erring on the side of caution, he resigned himself to a trip to the ER at that time of night. However, due to stress at work and lack of sleep, his blood pressure started fluctuating while we were in the ER. Pappie ended having to be monitored as well while I waited on Yakee.

Man, was I scared. Furious with hubs out of fear... because my former classmate just lost her own husband recently and I know that worse things have happened to really good people. But I remained calm and just turned cold on Yakee after my preschooler bit me, upset because I was not allowing him to leave his pedia cot to visit his father just yet.

Sigh.

We're a family in crisis. Right now, we're also trying to make sense of our limited resources, and I don't just mean money. But I thank God for these problems and would really, really appreciate Him throwing us more happy problems like this...

But oh... no subtractions please! I want to grow old with hubs and enjoy our grandkids with him. And I want to see our sons become the good men I know they are destined to be.

Matching Outfits for the Boys

2011-05-21T14:48:00.000+08:00

When I was pregnant and already knew we were having another boy, I was already scouting the net for funny baby onesies and matching sibling shirts. There's this line from In The Crib, I think, with a Philippine map and I wanted it in yellow and black for both boys. But they cost P400 each. And then there are these gorgeous tie-dyed creations from Googoogaga but they cost P850 each. It's not that we can't afford them but the boys will just really outgrow them fast so I can't really justify the cost, especially since they actually have so many clothes.

What I have been investing in lately are really nice polos for Yakee which I can see Yamee wearing someday. I have stopped giving some of Yakee's clothes away for Yamee too. And I make sure, sort of, that they have tops in matching colors at least. But oh, how I really wish my two boys and hubs can all be wearing the same top someday. I think it would be sooo cute!

I am also steering from shirts with characters from children's shows because the school Yakee goes to discourages us from letting our kids show up in one. Yakee has enough Buzz Lightyear outfits though, haha.

I really want matching shirts!!! Maybe for the boys' birthdays. Then again, I am limited by the colors of my breastfeeding tops, which are black, red and gray :D

Friendster Testimonials

2011-04-29T00:31:00.000+08:00

Because theysaid Friendster was closing :)

This was hubs' testimonial to me back in 2003:
If you can't get enough of people
saying she's sexy ... well shes DARN
sexy!!! This woman is one hell of a
dancer, would make your eyes and jaws
drop when she does her thing. But just
as appealing as her physical attributes
is her inner beauty. She has a
beautiful mind and a beautiful heart.
A loving person who knows how to speak
her mind. Compliments my chocolate
craving by loving White Chocolates as
much as I love dark. Someone whose
personality has been tatooed on my
mind, PERMANENTLY! Someone I miss and
love so much. Someone who I know is
happy with whichever endeavours she is
involving herself now a days. :) ...
Have I told you she's SEXY?

And this was mine to him:
◦He is one heck of a good friend... a
lot of people depend on him for sound
advice and comfort...

A very lovable person too... he can
easily win the hearts of children (and
can easily make babies fall asleep in
his arms)

A very loving person too... his
devotion to his family, especially his
lola and mother, isn't something one
sees a lot of from people nowadays...
he has strong family values...

Loves dark chocolate and can fall
asleep anywhere you put him... has
weird friends like Mark (is he here na
ba?)... a careful driver, an IT genius,
a lover of food... dreams of owning a
hi-end laptop (and PDA pa rin ba?)

he's sweet, very thoughtful...
patient... sensitive... considerate...
and funny... and i miss him... :)

i hope he's happy where he is... w/
whoever he's with... right now...
◦and did i say he's a sweet talker too?

My testi for hubs will read weird because we were sort of on a break for real the time I posted that. Four months later, we set the date for our wedding.

Life's like that :) Love is amazing like that :)

Canyon Cove Weekend with DDU

2011-04-08T15:53:00.001+08:00

After much exchange of e-mails and FB messages, we finally pushed through with this out-of-town thing which was hatched at the DDU Christmas Party.

Backtrack to the time we were already saying goodbye to each other at Carlo's Pizza, I teased them that before, they were content on seeing each other once a year. But then, they all got married and started having kids... so we started seeing more of each other on baptisms and birthdays. And the yearend/Christmas party. And the occasional despedida party.

But it's really great. I have adopted hubs' HS friends as my own, and it helps that us wives like each other too that we actually chat more now. Invites to events are sent to our accounts too. :)

So, anyway, we all met up at that major Shell stop of SCTEX and went to Nasugbu, Batangas via Tagaytay. We had lunch at Kainan sa Dalampasigan. I was worried, at first, that our Yakee was the only big boy but the girls didn't attempt to discriminate the entire weekend. So, he had super fun because he had playmates the entire time :)

debating on what to order

Yamee's almost 5 months here

Yakee refused to stop running around long enough for a supposedly great GINOO photo opportunity

happily dancing Yakee

We checked in at Canyon Cove at around 2 PM and mandated that all the kids take naps. Our Yakee couldn't from the excitement of it all so we decided to just let him have his way with the pool and the new place... and deal with tantrums later. Weirdly enough, he was pretty manageable the entire weekend. I guess fresh air really does him good.

inside our room

even Yamee was happy

we couldn't button this romper in his crotch area anymore, boo-hoo

before swimming in the cold pool, with the frigid wind blowing

the advantage of an infant... he can/will sleep anywhere, however which way

delighted w/ the waves

love this shot!

and this one

before going to Mang Inasal in the town proper for dinner

a test of patience, these beautiful kids

it's generally hubs and Pappie and, me and Yamee :) so he gets more pictures taken

productive brood, eh?

happy kids

oh gosh talaga, good luck to us for these batch of kiddos

a last attempt for a Milkaholic pic, since the boys are outgrowing their shirts

haha... we loved the Mang Inasal free soup so much, we ate there again for lunch the following day

We now have so many half-baked plans to go to sooooo many other places. Our kids are cementing an already 18-year long (at least) friendship. And we really look forward to our kiddos growing up together and being each other's best of friends too.

Good times!

Delayed Artscow Orders

2011-03-29T13:41:00.000+08:00

I had ordered photobooks from Artscow which I expected last January but never came. Great thing that Artscow decided to reprint the photobooks and send them to me again, at no extra cost, given that I suspect it's actually an issue with our own postal service (though I really don't understand what they hope to do with photobooks that are very personalized). I'm pretty sure it wasn't an issue with address signs since another one I ordered was actuallyd elivered to my doorstep. This reprint, I have to get from the post office.

Plus, it's not like the house address plaques in our neighborhood aren't visible enough for a mailman to miss our compound. Unlike other streets in Manila, our neighborhood actually has address plaques!

Sigh.

What should have been birthday gifts to our nieces are now graduation gifts. Maybe I should send the next I will be ordering straight to their addresses instead. Maybe the postal service is better in their areas.

HK Getaway is On

2011-03-24T01:47:00.000+08:00

I don't know if I will say it's fortunate or not that I found the Cebu Pacific offer yesterday for Hong Kong. Anyway, after much stops and restarts, I was able to book nine adults, three kids ages three to six and one infant on roundtrip tickets for Hong Kong in August.

Now, since we are committed to the non-refundable, non-transferable, non-rebookable tickets, we are doing everything we can to plan this family getaway through. It is in August so we have a lot of time to save for it and really plan our itineraries. I have even subscribed to groupon sites in Hong Kong just so we can maybe get a great meal for a really cheap price. If there's any savings.com coupon we can use for HK, I am hoping I can find it and use it. We, literally, have to gather our wits and go practical all the way.

We are in the process of finding budget accommodations. I am also consolidating tips on how to survive going to crowded places as a group, with an infant to boot. I have to know where or how I can change nappies and what things to bring. Yamee will also be eating by then already so that will be a challenge in itself. I am stressed already just thinking of all the carrying I have to do.

But... I know everything will be worth it for the delight in the children's eyes will be priceless. Just priceless.

Busy Summer Ahead

2011-03-09T14:34:00.001+08:00

We are starting summer with an overnight thing at Canyon Cove with hubby's friends. Then, it will be a series of classes for Yakee: swimming lessons from Bert Lozada Swim School (because we believe that knowing how to swim is empowering); play/life classes at St. Michael playhouse (parent-child program) and trial football classes with Futbol Fanatics.

At least Yakee wasn't doing anything the whole year so nobody can say he's overbooked.

Yamee will be busy too... busy growing teeth, learning to roll and sit up and eat. I... I will be busy mothering them and adjusting to the changes and their different needs. Pappie will be busy earning money as usual and supporting me as I lose my wits.

I have decided not to attend baking classes anymore. I don't want the hassle of having to pump more times everyday just so I can make sure Yamee won't go hungry. We have enough stressors on our plates right now.

My Mom's Possible Business Venture

2011-03-09T14:25:00.000+08:00

My mom currently works as a caregiver in a home care in Detroit. She has found business partners and they are now currently hoping to buy their own house so they can start their own home care business. I wouldn't be surprised if she asks me to get her uniforms for them so they would look more professional. Maybe, some of those scrub pants at least since they have to do a lot of squatting and kneeling as they take care of the elders in their care.

But I am worried. It's snowing so much in Detroit and who knows how much more terrible the winters there will get. Having your own house will mean maintenance and repair cost in the face of all that snow, as well as heating costs. And people there might leave for warmer states too. So, how can business be good for them if they will also have problem getting supplies and incurring expenses even before they earn?

I was encouraging my Mom to train as a nursing assistant (and wear nursing scrubs instead) but she says she could be assigned in places that are far-flung and will involve getting stuck in snow.

Sigh.

All this sacrifice to help my sister build a life for herself in the US.

I have no doubt my mom is a good caregiver but I also really wish I can be more supportive of her possible business venture. Then again, it is really very brave of her which makes me proud.

Date at Mini Malls

2011-02-24T18:16:00.000+08:00

Hubs took me on a date to mini malls last Feb. 18

First, he took me to the mall at Resorts World. It is a mini mall but we're really not going to shop anytime soon there because it's utterly high-end! Well, hubs did ask me to shop for underwear at La Senza but I begged him to just give me free rein at the launch of Eden Showroom, hehe.

He dined me at Red Crab :)

We bought Kopi Bun

Then we went to Piazza Mall at McKinley Hill to hopefully catch Kyla's free concert there... but we were late.

It was a very happy date...I especially loved just cuddling net to him while he's driving and looking out at the lights in the tall buildings we were passing.

And we capped the night with Starbucks, of course.

Thank you for the love, Pappie!!!

March is Tax Season

2011-02-19T01:04:00.000+08:00

March is tax season. Unless they changed it, the usual deadline for filing of income tax returns is March 15. I still remember because always, first week of March, our Human Resource Department back in PPA would be sending ITRs for us to go over and sign.

That's it, we just had to sign them. Hubby and I never filed together so he also only had to sign. Of course, he's had to file for tax exemption for two kids. Then again, it doesn't really help that much because his tax is still 35% (or probably greater by now).

Still, we both never had to fuss over our ITRs. I have a friend who's based in the States and she had to stop the paid blogging gigs because it would complicate the computation of their taxes. His husband said, it's always good to never call the attention of the IRS, even if everything's as it should be, and far greater to never have to need an irs extension because they missed, or messed, something.

And hiring an accountant to keep your finances in order could be expensive. Some, who don't have that much inheritance or businesses could probably use a tax softaware and be done in good time but others just really have to make do with one.

Ah well. Hubs and I don't have much money so I can still pretty much track all our assets. I just really hope taxes in the country can bring good things to those who are actually paying up... like good roads, great public schools and an excellent public health care.

Brotherly Love

2011-02-12T18:46:00.001+08:00

When I sometimes mock-scold Yamee for not nursing properly, Yakee intervenes with "Mommy, please care for Yamee." :)

And when Yakee dances in front of Yamee, Yamee smiles. He also tolerates all the crowding and cramping and squashing and pulling and poking and tugging.

Time Flies When You Have Two Sons

2011-02-11T00:31:00.000+08:00

Yamee is three months old today! And he's really not a newborn anymore, with his great head control and sturdy limbs. He's been fussy lately, always just sleeping, nursing and fussing when he's having a hard time doing both. He's very talkative. Just yesterday, he learned to make gurgling noises in his mouth... he must think it makes him cuter (it does!) and we'd pick him up faster.

He still sounds like a cat. Hehe.

He's also gotten used to being crowded and cramped by his Kuya, who loves him so much.

I am sooo planning his birthday party already!

Senti Over Yamee

2011-02-07T08:30:00.000+08:00

I find myself kissing Yamee a lot, looking at him filled with love that I silently wish he'd never grow up and remain my baby.

I told my hubby that I feel such love because Yamee may be our last, which means it'd be the last time I'd hold a baby of ours in my arms.

And it's not that I am loving Yakee less. For one thing, I used to hold him like that because he was the first child we had. And now, I hug him a lot because I know learning to be a Kuya is hard... and he's doing such an excellent job of it.

*~*

Meanwhile, God bless our family. Aside from the petty projects of a possible trip to HK with family and Yamee's 1st birthday... we have these dreams of a better (not just better-paying) job for hubs, our own home and where to send Yakee to (for interaction and social skills). May we find the way, the means and the gratitude for every step toward our dreams.

Milkaholics Anonymous

2011-01-16T02:25:00.000+08:00

Ain't we grand? Bought the shirts at the Global Pinoy Bazaar and intend to really maximize its use, especially since the onesie is only good for a few months.

I'm not sure though if I will give in to whimsy and buy Yamee a shirt, hehe.

This also motivates me more to really get studio shots taken!

Meanwhile, Pappie's leaving for Malaysia later and am sad... I know Yakee will be too. He hasn't left yet and already, I can't wait for him to come back.

Yamee's Baptism - Stories and Reviews

2011-01-14T18:32:00.001+08:00

Because my parents and hubs' sister were home from abroad during the Holidays, we decided to have Yamee baptized despite the fact that we're still reeling from all the adjustments to being parents of two kids.

Invitation: DIY by Me
... and only sent through e-mail and Facebook. I learned a lot from having so many invites printed before which we never got to distribute. Plus, nobody keeps invites anyway.

Ceremony: Malate Church
Malate Catholic Church
Our Lady of Remedies Parish
2000 MH del Pilar St. Malate, Manila
400-5876; 523-2593; 524-6866

Of course, it was a no-brainer that Yamee will be baptized in the same Church that Yakee was, which was also where Pappie was baptized. It's a good thing that they had a christening on December 26. We attended the seminar for parents in December 11 and I think I actually listened more to it that time.

As usual, I found the Church hot. The baptism was at 11:00 AM and we were there at 10:30 but we were 12th to arrive already (with Yakee, we were 2nd). But we got to hold onto the ceremony candle this time :)

Most of our godparents were late. Christmas hangover, hehe, which we understood full well. We just made use of the time to pose by the fount before the actual ceremony.

The priests at Malate Church, being Irish, were on time and the baptism was finished within 45 minutes or so. The officiating priest was also very kalog and even flicked Holy Water on my face from the fount.

Tarpaulin: Mitsubishi Photo Developing

At P375 for a 5 feet by 3 feet tarp, it's fuss-free to get from their developing center rather than go to Divisoria for the same prize.

Giveaways: Feeding Bottles with Chocolate Lover chocolates
Feeding bottles were bought from the Ylaya area in Divisoria. I wanted the plain ones only but there was none available. These ones were decorated with ribbons around it so it already cost P9 each (P10 in most stalls).

I intended to put imported candies or chocolates in it but my mom's balikbayan boxes were delayed so we bought chocolates instead at Chocolate Lover. We bought the flavored chocolates in cubes instead but could only put four of those in the bottles. So we also packaged the chocolate balls to give away.

I was not really happy with the giveaways but I had no energy to do more for it. I just printed a tag (Yamee's name meaning) to put in the bottles.

For the chocolates, buy from Chocolate Lover:
http://www.echocolatelover.com
Main: 45 P. Tuazon St. cor. C. Benitez St., Cubao, QC
Tel. No: (632) 411-7474; 724-5752
Branch: #2 Kitanlad St., Quezon Avenue
Tel No: (632) 732-8576

Reception: Aristocrat Restaurant

Having a reception at Aristocrat is kinda expensive (for us) especially since we just gave birth. But since we saved some on the delivery costs and I didn't have the energy anymore to scout for a possible venue, we already went ahead and booked Aristocrat. It was a squeeze though because December is such a busy month.

We could have lunched at Max's instead but you already sort of know what will be served to you at Max's eh, hehe. Both are walking distance from Malate Church.

We just got their cheapest packaged menu for 100 pax and we didn't get souvenirs, signature frame and invites from them anymore. That was about P2,500 we could have discounted from the total package price but we used it instead to order 10 Belissima and 10 Caramel mini cakes from their bakeshop. The cakes, we gave to the ninongs/ninangs of both of our kids that were present, the rest we gave to those who had us for godparents.

Aristocrat bakeshop cakes are super, super divine!

The cake that came with the package was mocha and it had some caramel crunch and buttercream inside. Unfortunately, there was no picture of the food, hehe, but suffice it to say that nobody who eats chicken do not adore Aristocrat's chicken barbecue.

Some annoyances with Aristocrat though... they told me that we only had two hours in the function room but the food was not yet ready to be served at 12. It was almost 1 PM before the food was served and we were provided with a microphone for prayers. Also, I gave them a list of things to do (like provide the mic, arrange the souvenirs, etc) but all they did was put up the tarp. Still, the waitstaff was very accommodating and courteous.

I don't think there was a table that finished all the food served, most really had to take their leftovers home. I guess that's one upside of throwing a party in December, your guests aren't that hungry anymore.

All in all, we loved having our reception there because we know everyone enjoyed the food. The Continental B hall can accommodate 100 pax but there's some air conditioning limitation at the back, I was told.

Photographer: Dennis Mendoza

One problem with having an event in December is that photographers are already booked or also on holiday. Dennis was a recommendation by a N@Wie friend because he usually covers Unilab events. At P4k, he was a photographer we could afford. Plus, again, I didn't have the energy to obsess over who we book. I did text and email a lot of photographers and I just said that whoever is free for our event and within our budget will be it. Dennis was it.

Dennis is such a good kid (haha, he's only in his 20s I think, and I guess am old na talaga since I think of him as a kid) and they were at the church early. We didn't have proper portraits of Yamee with his godparents but well, his godparents were mostly late, hehe.

I loved that they set up a soft of Photobooth with lights and umbrella. Had I known, I'd have created a backdrop for it since they just set things up with the crowd as backdrop. And that kind of backdrop is noisy. Still, our guests had something to do while waiting for the food to be served. And we ended up with great pictures of the people who took the time in their busy holidays to celebrate with us.

We got to pose per table too! :)

Dennis also brought his laptop and burned me two copies already of all the pics so I got the pictures immediately after the event. No more waiting time!

The only minus points for Dennis though is that he shot the pics at a setting of small/fine. I'm used to pictures in the highest resolution possible so that was a sort of bummer for me. But I still loved the pics and Dennis and his friend were very easy to work with. I would definitely recommend them to friends :)

After the lunch, my in-laws took an hour deciding on where we'd go after. We ended up at SMX Convention center, camped there for over an hour, attended Mass at the church nearby, camped at SMX again then went home to Las Pinas where my Yakee opened all the gifts waiting for him.

*~*

Story 1 - we decided i'd lead the prayer this time (because at Yakee's baptism, Pappie sorta invited our guests already to Yakee's birthday too, haha) and I wrote one up. I started crying though when I got to the part where I was asking God for continued healing for us (coz the following day was Pyro's 4th death anniversary). Hubs later on told me that they couldn't understand what I was saying since I was talking so fast, and our guests probably got confused why I was crying, hehe.

Story 2 - an old college friend wondered aloud to her hubby why we chose a blue-colored theme. She repeated it to me later because all the while, she thought my baby was a girl. There were actually a lot who thought Yamee was a girl, this despite having announced very early to everyone that we're expecting another boy. Hubs is now teasing me that once Yamee starts complaining that his name and nickname sounds like a girl's name, he'd say it's all my fault. I told hubs na lang I'd teach Yamee to retort, "Ay, you're not as well-read as my Mom?" :D *bad*

Non-Maximized Cable TV

2011-01-11T08:07:00.001+08:00

We have a scheme here in our compound wherein we only pay P125/month for our cable subscription, which we sort of share with our neighbors. The cable company wanted each door to pay full price for the suscription and none of us wanted to continue, having enjoyed a similar scheme before, so they allowed us the same scheme. Reception is still generally good and at least, the connection is legal. That's not to say it's maximized since we generally just watch TV in the afternoon, with our son watching cartoons most times and then us watching ABS-CBN telenovelas. There's just really no time to surf channels and enjoy all the free movies and documentaries!

Anyway, it's one of the perks that we might not enjoy anymore once we find a new home. Cable fees might be something we won't have funds for in the first years. I have even told hubby that we might just forego a cable connection in future, which I think he really wants to veto despite also not having any time at all to actually enjoy our cable connection. I guess he still really intends to someday own a plasma TV. Hehe.

Well, if ever we do get to a point where we could buy all our hearts' desires, we'd at least know that some television accessories you need, like cable for USB, can be easily had now. You can ever order online for HDMI cables (HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, which basically means boosting picture and sound quality) and enjoy brilliant digital sound while also being able to hook up your computers with your home entertainment system. Yep, it's something couch potatoes would absolutely be thrilled about.

In the meantime though, we'll just enjoy what we still have :)

Five Years

2010-12-28T23:59:00.011+08:00

December 27, hubs went with his siblings and mom to Divisoria. They stayed there till late to catch the night market. I had an inkling that he'd buy me flowers there but forgot all about it after what I felt was hubs' insensitive text message declaring my love for him. Naks. Hubs intended for me to get miffed because he was making an effort...

Unfortunately, our sons would spoil his surprise of flowers.

First, Yamee pooped and refused to settle down so I had to go downstairs and wash him. Pappie was asking me where I planned to wash our son when up comes Yakee telling me about his new Ben10 watch, slippers and that Pappie and Ninang have so many flowers for me in the bedroom, and that I should come see.

MIL could have died laughing and the expression on hubs' face was priceless. Pappie gently reminded Yakee that he also told him it was meant to be a surprise for me, hehe.

I was sorry the sons spoiled his surprise... and also not. I mean, it made the gift-giving more interesting.

it is kinda nice that my in-laws are becoming a part of the tradition of replicating my wedding bouquet for every anniversary; hubs bought red roses this time though because he wanted our kids symbolized as well... or so he said

and these are the ones making our love more interesting... Yakee, the knight in shining armor (or in this case, a blunt, make-believe sword) and Yamee, his loyal squire

Five years. It sometimes feels like it's been forever... sometimes, like it's only been yesterday.

Leo Buscaglia said, "the life and love we create is the life and love we live." I am so wise and lucky to have created such a life with such a love... :) Love you Pappie... the best is yet to come!

Not Playing Santa This Year

2010-12-23T18:47:00.000+08:00

We know that Christmas is about love and giving, not really gift-giving. But for two people who have traditionally showered nieces and nephews with gifts, this will really be an all-time low for us. I have decided that we're only giving gifts to godchildren 3 years old and below. Gifts can either be in cash or in kind.

So this morning, I bought our gifts already for the few kiddos falling within that category.

We keep telling ourselves that we're justified in our cost-cutting measures given that we spent so much on my delivery and are also spending for the christening. We tell ourselves that friends and family are sure to understand (well, maybe not some of the kids). But there is still that niggling guilt about not giving all of them any. But howell, we have to be practical and it's really not like we haven't been generous in the past.

A curious thing though, Yakee also doesn't have any wrapped gift to unwrap. We've decided on a Lego set but still haven't bought any. I also haven't bought any gift for my nephew Ice. What's stopping me from actually buying both of them gifts is the fact that my parents have just showered them with toys, clothes and books. To buy them more material things is just way too impractical at this point because, materially, they are so blessed already.

Hubs is bent on going to Divi tomorrow though, because he insists am not a cool gift-giver, given my tendency to buy books. Hehe.

Arevalos Weekend

2010-12-15T13:58:00.003+08:00

Last weekend was spent celebrating. First of all, Yamee turned one month. Then, hubs' sister who is now based in Dubai is back for a month. So, Pappie woke up early to go to Quiapo and buy some Excellente bacon and scrapped ham which we're sure his sister missed (plus, I have been craving their bacon).

We had to attend to a baptism seminar at Malate Church before we could go to Las Pinas though so celebrations started late. We just bought an Aristocrat cake and ordered pancit canton from Max's (thank God they accepted our order even if we just called so it was ready by the time we got to LP).

It was fun catching up and having loooong meals again just teasing each other and laughing at each other. The following day, we had Mass together and then went to Dampa Paranaque for a feast.

women who love Pappie, Yakee and Yamee the best

the monkey kids hamming it up for the cam

too much exposure for me, hehe, but this is such a happy shot

shots by Yakee

Can't wait for the Holidays which are sure to be as exhausting and as rewarding :)

Ashamed and Learning

2010-12-14T01:42:00.002+08:00

Yakee had a major meltdown last night.

And Pappie and I admittedly didn't handle him well.

I think it's a combination of his age, the holidays, the busy weekend we've had (all the excitement of being with his cousins) and exhaustion (he didn't have a proper nap and fell asleep in the car five minutes before we got home). And because we didn't handle it properly from the get go, it just escalated and escalated into a crying, kicking, screaming fit for our firstborn till 1 AM. He started around 12 midnight.

And because infants are generally empathetic, Yamee also refused to stop crying.

I also had a similar scenario with Yakee two nights before. He was upset with not being able to go with grandma that translated into all other forms of misbehavior and lack of cooperation. The dealbreaker for me was his GIGIL with Yamee on the head (which he didn't do out of anger, but was just the last straw in a series of rule breaking).

Oh, how my heart broke for being too angry... enough to push him away from Yamee and me (mainly because I felt protective of Yamee and didn't want to lose more control than I've already lost). And how our hearts broke to listen to his wailing despite our attempts to calm him down. Clearly, he was upset. More than that, he was hurt. And I can't determine how much of the hurt was our doing, and if we could ever undo it.

But I get where hubs and I were coming from. We were exhausted too. And we're officially lacking sleep for a month now. So we could be calm or not but weren't in the proper frame of mind to really understand what was up with our firstborn.

We're still learning... to find that balance, to walk this tightrope.

I just really hope to God that though there may be times when our kids will feel unloved by us, they also would nevere believe it.

For what it's worth, I really still appreciate that I'm going through these rough parenting times with hubs. We may have been failing but I know it's not for a lack of love, nor a lack of trying.

Father and Sons

2010-12-10T11:44:00.000+08:00

I have posted these in Facebook already but they deserve a proper entry.

Yakee was drinking my freshly pumped milk from the bottle; Yamee was begging to be held and Pappie was just happy with his two boys. And please note the matching shirts :) Yakee's was something I bought from my SIL and Yamee's onesie was something being sold at SM.

Yakee used to be as dark as Yamee so we're not worried about Yamee's coloring and are actually amazed at how well Yakee's looks have improved. Consider, too, that we just think they're the cutest infants ever. Haha.

at Ma Mon Luk. I had to crop it so that my cleavage won't take away from the cuteness of my sons. Plus, the cleavage was an unfortunate something considering the subject supposedly is "us with siopao."

same face contortion, different expressions. But Yamee is really the spitting image of his big bro.

Loving a child is rewarding in itself. Watching your kids grow loving each other, now, that is priceless. And truly an earlier heaven.

Yakee has really been ever so patient and loving with Yamee. And much too excited for Yamee's good.

And Yamee is such a noisy baby. He makes all these noises while sleeping and stretching that keeps me awake because I am always scared it will result in wailing and I didn't want Yakee awakened.

Oh, Yakee has been diagnosed with primary complex. Sadness. We're still seeking a second opinion but in my heart, I already know that we're facing six months of medication.

And it breaks my heart when Yakee is sad now that his Pappie's gone back to work. He just really enjoyed waking up knwong his father's downstairs.

Making Room

2010-12-10T02:35:00.002+08:00

Apart from giving away clothes, rationalizing our things (especially in the bedroom) and reorganizing, we had to throw away these two things too to make room for Yamee.

The first are boxes of all the gadgets we've had since we got married. It was slightly hard for hubs to let go of them because he loved each and every gadget. All the boxes reminded him of how far he'd come in terms of purchasing power. He also even tried countering me that people in Greenhills prefer secondhand gadgets to be sold to them with the original packaging so those boxes actually have worth.

I told him we needed the shelf where they're being showcased for the past 5 years.

The second are my son's toys, half of which are already broken. It was hard having to part with most of them because they were given by Pappie, my parents or my son's godparents/aunts/uncles. But my son just has way too many toys and more did come with the arrival of my parents. We wondered if we should separate the really broken ones from the usable-but-just-no-longer-wanted ones (which we could donate to Jollibee) but I thought that some poor child not in some institution will want something unbroken for a change.

Now, the clothes and things for my second son from my parents' balikbayan boxes need room. I wonder which of Pappie's and Yakee's clothes I should throw or give away next.

Of Nurses and Nursing Assistants

2010-12-08T03:15:00.002+08:00

One of the really humbling part of giving birth, and CS at that, is needing to be washed/cleaned down there. And much as hubs loved me, he wasn't keen on the prospect of having to assist me like that. Not yet, anyway.

So the nurses in their medical scrubs did it. Actually, I was confused because some nurses would refer me to assistants/aides who were also in nursing uniform scrubs but weren't really nurses. So, when I'd ask a nurse to call an aide and she offered to help me, I just got more confused.

But apart from realizing that I cannot really be a nurse and loving my sister for what she has probably done for others already, I sometimes really think of at least two nurses from Asian Hospital. I think I will forever equate kindness with their faces. They were so kind and patient and gentle. Both wore medical scrub despite one of them not being a nurse, but the service they rendered to me was the same. And really, I will forever be grateful and wish other new Moms would have the privilege of being cared for by them.

Yamee's Birthing Story

2010-11-21T16:24:00.000+08:00

After being conflicted about having a VBAC or not, we settled on a scheduled CS.

And then, our car broke down and we had to have some repairs done in the house. I also got bitten by the shopping bug and got bent on shopping for clothes and makeup. There went some of my delivery fund. And since I wanted to shop some more after the delivery, we opted to try the OB ward at Asian Hospital instead.

The only real hassle to us of staying there was that one of my neighbors' visitors kept lowering the A/C thermostat, even when she could very well hear an infant crying already in the room. But I have to be objective too, our bed gets cooler than theirs does, and most of the nurses kept my infant in mind so they were all increasing the temperature so my baby won't get cold.

Anyway, we got ourselves admitted last November 10. I was getting anxious on the way to the hospital since we had to drop Yakee first at my in-laws and we had to contend with zero visibility on the road due to heavy rains. I realy couldn't help feeling superstitious. Plus, I was also anxious about Yakee.

After being admitted, hubs left me for a while to resolvhe his issues with Globe while I blogged. The wifi at Asian (or in that room) was poor so I had to depend on our Sun Broadband. Then, hubs and I had a quiet dinner where we just talked and laughed and pretended it was a date. We then whiled the night away by catching up on NCIS episodes.

last time I was going to wear my Infinitude as a pregnant woman!

I had my last drink and food at 1 AM and we called it a night.

At 5 AM, we were awoken by nurses who were tasked to attach my IV drip. Unfortunately, they spilled a lot of my blood doing it so I couldn't sleep anymore. And the CS operation wasn't till 10 AM!

At quarter to 9 AM, people got me from the room to wheel me down to the Genesis area and prep me for the surgery. I was ready for them already, complete with Vitaglowed face and Estee Laudered lips.

the headline the day Yamee was born

I wasn't sedated anymore because I was insistent on ENP which proved very traumatic for me during the surgery. I heard every conversation, clink of the instruments, the nurses counting the instruments, my OB calling on the nurse for suction, etc. That was just so wrong!

And then Yamee either was still very high inside me or he moved during the surgery that they had to push him downwards towards the incision. Yikes.

But Pappie was there to kiss my forehead (and get traumatized along with me) and assure me that he's there so I need not worry, and then we heard the blessed cry of our second son.

Because it was a CS delivery, Yamee had to be put high on me already for the breast crawl. Unfortunately, he didn't get my memo and just slept and drooled on my breast. The nurses left him there for a while though, to give him time to latch, and let us get immediate and precious skin to skin contact. But still, he just slept. In fact, he wouldn't even really latch till 1 AM the following day, despite being roomed in already around 3 PM. And he wouldn't really breastfeed properly till 4 PM the following day.

I felt fine after the surgery and was even regalling my in laws already of tales in the OR. I did feel frustrated about Yamee not nursing, and not even seeming to need comforting. It was the next day, however, that I started feeling intense pain from gas which necessitated a longer fasting, more IV drips, and more IV pain relievers. We also had to ban visitors the next day because Pappie was suffering from migraine and wasn't in any state to also care for Yakee if he was brought there.

I did manage to stand up the second night (due to a desperate need to poop) and we were discharged the next day. We missed the discharge dinner that Asian Hospital is known for because everybody was expecting us to be discharged Sunday but I was desperate to be out of there. Plus, we had planned a birthday celebration on Sunday so I wanted us settled at my in laws already.

Our Yannis Mikah is the spitting image of our Rubeus Iakob so I just know he'd grow up as cute as his big brother. He also looks so much like Pappie. As of this writing, Yamee is thriving and Yakee is learning to cope while hubs and I are learning to parent two individuals.

Happy Birthday, Pappie

2010-11-17T07:19:00.003+08:00

Pappie just came in from jogging... soon, he'd be getting Yamee for his morning sun. He also just spent another uncomfy night in Yakee's bed to keep him company, as Yakee is down with coughs and colds and couldn't join us in the big bed.

My babies are so blessed indeed to have a father like him.

We love you Pappie... we're so sorry there's nothing we can really give you today as a sort of treat.

The Gift of the OB Ward

2010-11-15T16:34:00.002+08:00

I gave birth at the OB ward of Asian Hospital this time around. We had made reservations earlier for a slot in their ward since I had a scheduled CS anyway. Their OB ward only accommodates four patients and hubs and I agreed we'd go for it to save on funds.

After getting admitted though, hubs was sad and kept asking me if I was okay. He was feeling bad that we were there and felt it reflected poorly on his capacity to provide. I reminded him that I wanted to save some of our money for my own, so I can shop some more for things I want, and that I didn't feel shortchanged at all. Besides, the possibility of going over budget was really enough to scare me off the perks of having a private room.

Well, it turned out that other than having to play nice and considerate of our neighbors, staying at the ward wasn't a hassle at all, even with all the beds filled. Plus, it allowed us to put things in perspective.

I had a difficult and really painful second day and hubs had a migraine from being kept awake all night. We were out of sorts enough to literally ask his family not to visit anymore, and definitely not bring the kids there because we really couldn't cope with noisy kids and Yamee. November 12 was the only day in Yakee's life that he literally did not see a parent the whole day, and that hurt both Pappie and me. Pappie even told me we really needed to be discharged soon because he couldn't take having his family incomplete.

And I did say I was in so much pain right? Enough that I was crying half the time and thinking about how I just really couldn't go through another pregnancy and CS delivery again. I just can't.

But here's the gift of the OB ward: my neighbors had things worse, at least, from our point of view.

I might have been in pain but the CS delivery went well, Yamee was healthy and I was not really exhibiting complications. I just had gas I couldn't expel naturally which required two days of fasting and the help of a suppository to resolve. And yes, a second cut just hurt more. But that was all of it.

One of my neighbors isn't even pregnant but had an operation to remove cysts. She lost a lot of blood during the surgery and needed more transfusions and monitoring. Plus, since she was obstinate about taking her first round of antibiotics, she had to start again. And the hospital was already going after her to replace all the blood used on her and to find more donors for future transfusions.

The other neighbor had to be confined at the HRPU (I suspect) because it was only her husband who'd sleep in her cubicle (for lack of a better term) for the first 2 nights. Then, it seems she ended up giving birth prematurely and that their baby had to stay in the NICU, was anemic, will require antibiotics and monitoring, and that she will be discharged way before the baby will be.

The last neighbor was pregnant and was running a very high fever. And sometime during the early morning of my last day there, she seems to have been moved to another room (private one for isolation or HRPU for more close monitoring) but not discharged. Now, I can't imagine being that sick with a baby inside me... and she wasn't full term yet.

So, you see... the gift of the OB ward to us was that it gave us the opportunity, not just to save on expenses, but also to appreciate and be thankful for how truly blessed we are.

God's really been good to us... and we know we wouldn't always be as lucky or times won't always be this happy.

Yamee is Here

2010-11-13T23:34:00.002+08:00

I am having a difficult time recovering and it's really harder this time around emotionally because we had to leave Yakee behind so we can concentrate on Yamee. But Yamee is healthy, we are all healthy and safe together... that's all that counts.

Birthing story to follow.

An Open Letter to My Boys

2010-11-11T10:00:00.001+08:00

I have so much to say which all boils down to this: I LOVE YOU ALL.

Right now, I am struggling not to have morbid thoughts about the scheduled CS. I realize that I/wwe have been blessed really so far and that I need not be this scared... but I am scared. A part of me wonders about that possibility that is always there of never coming back from the operation.

I did say morbid right?

Yamee... I have not hold you yet in my arms but I have held you already in my heart for nine months, and even longer, if you consider the fact that we never intended for Kuya Yakee to be an only child. All I wish for is your health and safety. All I intend is to experience the breast crawl with you and to breastfeed you like I did Kuya Yakee. Someday, I hope you will appreciate that it's not just nourishment, what Mommy gives, when she breastfeeds. It is the purest gift of ME, baby, and my kids deserve nothing less.

Yakee... I am not sad because I feel any disloyalty to you or that I have shortchanged you, or abandoned you. I just feel sad because what we had was good, great even, and that it's coming to an end. Of course, adjustments aside, I have no doubt that what we will have will be even greater. For I know I loved you well, and I know you... and we really cannot be happier with our firstborn.

Pappie... I know you're stressed super, not just with all the changes but because you share the same morbid thoughts. Just always know I love you, and that I am so thankful for your love, not just for me but for our sons. The best is yet to come!

And, should fate have other plans that would take me away from you... I trust that you'll all love each other and live your lives the way you know will make me happy. And what would make me happy is that you all remain healthy and you all keep right. I am in each of you so none of you need look far or seek elsewhere for me.

Admission Day

2010-11-10T17:27:00.000+08:00

5:00 PM

Currently alone in my room in the OB ward of Asian Hospital. Hubs has gone to Filinvest Mall for a while to dispute charges by his cellphone provider. I have already filled up the Philhealth form and I really need to pee soon.
I was super stressed earlier.

I woke up cramping, having to wake up the hubby and son to get help with my right leg. Yakee mistakenly thought his father was hurting me and kept pleading him to stop. Talk about sweet. Then I felt the need to pee (story of a pregnant woman’s life) and got up, noticed the battery I was charging was fully charged already and unplugged it. Weirdly enough, some charge must have sparked the other plug and there was a popping sound and our lamp’s cable split off from the plug. Hubby was stressed and asked me to stop touching things. Hehe.

They then went to buy me breakfast meal from Jollibee while I ate champorado. Then we ate breakfast together then later on, we ate an early lunch. We did squeeze in some last minute packing as well and kept conditioning Yakee to being left with his grandma.

Heavy rains accompanied most of our trip to Las Pinas where we’re leaving Yakee and our darling son kept jumping in the backseat, much to my dismay. I was already feeling tired and superstitious so I got really cross that Yakee wouldn’t settle down. He did end up sleeping beside me five minutes before we got to his grandma’s house, which resulted in tantrums when we tried putting him back to sleep.

Then, it was a hard goodbye. I was so tired already and anxious about traffic, plus, I didn’t want to project my fears and anxieties onto my son so I was cool saying goodbye, but Pappie couldn’t let go. I guess, in a way, it was a blessing in disguise that Globe pissed him off so he forgot about leaving Yakee behind.

Admission at Asian was smooth, however, and here I am. Wifi signal sucks and I can’t figure out how to work our Sun wireless. SIL is still trying to guess Yamee’s real name... her guess of Yohan Miguel is a nice name though :)

My Found, Productive Love

2010-11-03T04:05:00.002+08:00

I have always said that I don't have any "one who got away." More like, "ones I gave up on" and "ones not meant to be." So, although I have had my share of broken hearts and anguished nights, I don't think I've lost any love.

And now, as I count the days to the birth of my second child with my husband... I cannot help but appreciate yet again how all the love I have in my life came because i found him, chose him, stayed with him and love him.

It's all him. It's all Pappie.

While watching our son play, hubs said something about how all the play he indulges in with Yakee is all first time for him too. He didn't really play much as a child, he loved tinkering with stuff and being quiet instead. So, he's really just learning to play now, to make-believe and play pretend, to wrestle and rough play, to be child-like and delighted and excited.

I wasn't surprised but I should have realized how it's a struggle for him too, doing all that, since he wasn't the typical boy while our son is one. And me, though I played a lot in my childhood, I was also still a girl who read more than she played.

But we've reinvented ourselves for our son.

And I am sure hubby will be doing more reinventing as he strives to be the father he wants to be, the father that he in a way already is: dedicated, involved, intentional.

And I... I sometimes find myself reeling in the fear and excitement this new child will bring, all the new hopes and challenges it will present. But all in all, I am overwhelmed of yet another opportunity to love.

All because I love Pappie. All because he loves me.

*~*

Dreamt that we attended a wedding and we were dancing and I was so caught up in the moment that I fell and Pappie caught my fall. Told him I always feel safe in his arms.

Mushy right?

And then the dream transitions and I find my bag with all my things gone, including my delivery money and atm/debit/credit cards as well as our discount card at Asian. And I start panicking and going into labor...

Hehe.

The Supportive Hubby and Son

2010-10-30T06:54:00.002+08:00

Mommy is bent on squeezing some social activities in her life before she is put on house arrest after Yamee is born. Hubby and son have been supportive, with hubby missing jogs and gimiks just to fetch Mommy from an event... and Yakee behaving well. A mom like me is just really so blessed :)

at a late dinner at 1521 with Laya's brood

Yakee with Oona, who looks more like his twin than a future gf, haha

An unfed Olly didn't appreciate Pappie's softness at first

But later on, she could have been Pappie's daughter/Yakee's sibling too

Awww... can't wait for pics of Yakee with Yamee

and this at a birthday party held in Shakey's

Pappie joining a parlor game

me with some of the N@Wie/Plurk Moms

us Moms could be related no? nyahaha

Later, we'd be heading to Lipa to visit some of my deceased loved ones then going back here to Las Pinas. The only thing left in my calendar is a reunion with Grade 5 classmates on November 6. I hope I make it.

Blessed with my Marriage

2010-10-25T12:26:00.002+08:00

Like what I said, I was stressed after the visit to the OB. I really thought we had enough buffer already in terms of cash and then suddenly, it seems we just have enough. It seems Asian has increased its rates this second half of the year.

So there I was, stressed and unable to sleep. When hubs woke up early to jog, we talked for a while. I was feeling stupid, you see, for insisting to still give birth in Asian for the breast crawl when it seems our pedia might not even be present at our son's birth. And I was feeling impractical too, since a scheduled CS in some cheaper hospital will allow us to have more disposable money (as I wanted to shop still!). I felt I was being a burden and unduly burdening myself. So, I was stressed.

Well, hormonal is really the word, I believe.

But hubs and I talked and we were calm and he allowed me to air my rants with no judgment. He also told me he wants to stick to the plan in a way that didn't get me defensive. And he reassured me we'd be financially okay, which I actually know to be the case (barring complications). And I was happy that hubs said it out loud, how we could talk about money without tears and shouting and drama.

I am really most blessed by the kind of marriage I have. Now, it's a lot easier to keep the faith that all will be good. And I can look forward to all my other social engagements again.

Saving the Date: 11-11-10

2010-10-23T19:07:00.002+08:00

We just got back from the OB Gyn and had an ultrasound performed to take a peek of how Yamee is doing inside. It turns out I am slightly polyhydramnios again and Yamee's slightly bigger than his supposed gestational age.

We've scheduled the CS for 11-11-10 at 10 AM at Asian Hospital. Hopefully, I really don't go into labor before that.

The countdown begins. I am suddenly stressed. Haha.

My Running Man

2010-10-18T18:00:00.002+08:00

Because he attended the blogger event with me, Pappie decided to join Bluewater Day Spa's Fun Run last October 17. I felt a little bad, loot bag-wise, for him and his colleague because they got a really nice loot of Kraft products plus free breakfast at their Kraft Fun Run but the BlueWater Day Spa's loot contained brochures mostly, discount coupons and a tetra pack of sweetened milk from Alaska. That was it. There was also no free breakfast or drinking water.

But yeah, yeah, they did get free singlets and towelettes. And they didn't have to pay for the registration since we blogged about it.

I am proud, however, that Pappie beat his first fun run's time by about 4 minutes. And for this particular run, he was 77th out of 659 runners in the 3KM race. Talk about progress! I am really so proud that all his efforts are paying off, and that he's doing this so he can keep up with his son.

I really hope he'd stay committed because I need him to also egg me to a more active lifestyle after giving birth. We have to be a fit and healthy family! And I don't mind his dreams of someday running with our kids and joining triathlons with them.

I really love how hubby is reinventing himself because of fatherhood. And there can really be no happier wife!

Moving Homes in the US

2010-10-18T16:36:00.002+08:00

Was chatting with my sister this morning. She's currently living on her own on a leased apartment with someone else, far away from my parents. Well, not that far really since they're all still in the same, or adjacent, counties in Detroit. Good thing she hasn't really amassed herself enough gear and equipment yet to require the likes of Billy's Tucson movers when they moved her there. My parents' car could still do the job conveniently as she mostly had clothes and stuffed toys and her laptop.

After living on her own, however, I am not sure. I mean, she has started investing on things like tables and cookware. She is bound to just purchase more and more furniture and appliance as need for those arise and as she starts really earning. So, after her stint in that apartment, she may want to join a savings club and wish there are movers in Detroit like those local Phoenix movers reputed to be really affordable and dependable. And I sure hope she's moving to Chicago next.

I have never been to the US but Michigan has always seemed like a dead sort of state to me, plus she's always said she loves the windy place that is Chicago. I also wouldn't mind if she lands herself a job over in DC since I'd love to see Washington when I do get a chance to visit her. So, yeah, I guess I must really insist she finds a husband who's based there and have her wedding there so we'd really have to fly there.

I'd even offer to help her pack her things for moving in with her future hubby.

Church Attendance Woes

2010-10-17T23:45:00.002+08:00

Hubs and I weren't really churchgoers as husband and wife. We just suddenly started being more religious about going to Mass on Sundays this year. And so far, so good.

Unfortunately, we're having a lot of Yakee problems. We really can't leave him behind on Sundays as there's nobody to leave him with. Plus, we of course want to raise him knowing how to behave in Church. Unfortunately, he seldom behaves. And sometimes, he's outright naughty. Or he actually throws tantrums.

No amount of preparing him via calm talks beforehand could make him listen when we remind him it's time for praying. Not even the incentive of fish balls or pancakes could get him to sit or stand still. And with other kids being let loose by their folks to play, our son gets drawn to creating more noise and becoming more hyper. More than once, i have had to really pinch him some just so he'd pause for a while.

One strategy I know is to bring him home even if we just got somewhere. But it's Mass. I really don't want to be attending it without hubs and vice versa, especially now that I'm pregnant.

Sigh. At least Yakee loves putting money in the collection basket, but it's really becoming more and more of a struggle as he gets older. And I fear, once Yamee comes along, he'd be more of a handful.

I just hope the few Sundays I won't be attending Church with them will teach him about behaving. I have already told hubs not to take him the next time if he fails to behave. Hubs is skeptical as he'd be leaving me with both kids, but I reasoned that Yakee likes going out and would feel deprived somehow, if only of his usual fare of fishballs and pancakes.

And yet our son knows how to pray and iterate what he's thankful for that day during his bedtime prayers. Hay!!!

Yakee's 3rd Birthday Celebration

2010-10-13T22:50:00.002+08:00

This is long overdue. Anyway, October 06 ended with both Pappie and I allergy-ridden so we weren't really in a party mood come October 07. But I had ordered food to feed my former colleagues with plus I needed to fill up a form to withdraw funds at our coop so I had to go to PPA with Yakee and my cousin, despite the rashes on my face and still slightly puffed eyes.

Yakee delighted over a gift of toy motorcycle. We had pancit, pichi-pichi and puto from Amber's while a friend bought ice cream

Pappie stayed home 'coz he wasn't feeling well, and I just bought a small choco cherry torte cake from Goldilocks for Yakee's candle-blowing thingie

Yakee with Ninang Gang, who watched him play with Barbie at SM Manila's Toy Kingdom while I shopped for new bras before we bought his cake.

Yakee, only too happy to blow out the candles (we reused the candles from my birthday cake, that's why they're pink, hehe).

Happier with a cherry!

Now, October 08 was when the biting incident happened. I lacked redirection skills and was short-tempered with my discipline when Yakee refused to listen so I started packing the chairs he was playing with. He got super upset and attacked me, and latched onto my stomach and bit hard... and refused to let go. I screamed and cried for hours after. I spanked him once but just put him on timeout then later locked myself in our bedroom. I was really very miserable about the bite.

Pappie went home bearing gifts though and asked if he could give them to Yakee. I said to go ahead since the biting was not related to his birthday anyway.

There were two gifts and we only let him open one and saved the other one for the weekend.

of course he was a happy boy with his fire truck!

The celebration with his cousins happened last Saturday, October 09. After much hemming and hawing, we agreed to just gather everyone at Manila Ocean Park and treat the kids to fishes.

Yakee with my brother's family

he and Lianne can really be siblings, no?

see, I'm all still puffy here, with cousin and MIL

with Ninang again

the goofy parents

such a crazy boy juxtaposed with beautiful Ninang Ira and cousin Iya

with Ice enjoying the sharks

yup, he kinda can't pose without that V sign near his eyes

told you!

poor Yakee was already dead tired for the sea lion show, but he still managed to clap and clap and shout 'Bravo' many times

Yakee slept all the way to Las Pinas where the Arevalo clan was spending the weekend so he was really refreshed while opening gifts. It was lovely to see hubs and his siblings competing to see which gift Yakee would love best. Pappie's other gift turned out to be a chef set (because when Yakee tries joining the girls when they're 'cooking,' Yakee is always shunned and told that he's a boy and can't play with them) which couldn't really compete with BIL's gift of toy truck, MIL's gift of model plane (and trucks) and the Toy Story set from Shell.

The next day was the final celebration. See, it's also BIL's 16th birthday so MIL ordered food from CCME and we had another candle-blowing thingie with a Toy Story cake.

So yeah, it was a really super exhausting week.

And Yakee's loot was pretty substantial... enough for me to worry about space again. Haha.

with the Toy Story stuff from Shell

a truck that can be manipulated to look different (plus, it didn't require batteries and can be thrown and not break

fire truck from Pappie

chef set from Pappie, apron and kitchen gloves from Ninang Ira

5 pyjama bottoms and 8 pyjama tops (Carter's) from Ninang Ira

But the most important thing of all was we knew he felt loved during this time and we really celebrate that he's a healthy, happy boy (allergic rhinitis notwithstanding).

Thank God... and thanks to everyone else who love our son for blessing him that way. It's been a greatly difficult and infinitely rewarding three years with Yakee.

Business and Investments

2010-10-13T11:12:00.003+08:00

Over the weekend, we heard BIL talking about the challenges they're dealing with in their canteen business. They were affected by the on-the-job training period and semester break of their usual patrons from the nearby college. And with all our cars breaking down at almost the same time, we really couldn't help but talk about business car insurance and local business insurance rates.

We tackled what business ideas are good, which products are sure to have a market and how to protect our assets and investments. The scramble business seems to be on of the more lucrative ones right now, since it's an old Filipino comfort food only found in the streets before. At least now, people feel safe about sampling it again because it's now sold in malls and they need not worry about contaminated water. So yes, the return on investments (ROI) for that particular business seems good, but we're not sure about its longevity.

Still, I think it's far easier to estabish businesses here than abroad, where you really have to secure so many permits and be cleared for so many things. Plus, it's easier to shut you down there, which is why a lot of people are probably Googling "About.com business insurance" to make sure their investments are protected.

What to Give for Christmas?

2010-10-11T10:00:00.002+08:00

It rained gifts for our darling son over the weekend, enough that I had to worry again about space in our home for all his new stuff.

And then I got to thinking how blessed we were to have so many people dote on him and I couldn't help but wonder what to give them for Christmas.

First in mind is custom tshirts for all the kids, or for everyone. I have already toyed with the idea of having the Arevalo insignia printed on shirts we could all wear, but as my sister-in-law is technically not an Arevalo anymore, that might not sit well with her hubby. Maybe we could also have statement shirts done instead, mostly about our hearty appetites. I have also wanted to give the girls in the family brag bangles but the supplier I know has stopped making them. I'd also love to give them all Infinitude tops but that would cost me at least P15,000.

I am pretty sure the men in the family would appreciate coupon codes for Dell for computer upgrades they desire but it's not something we can really afford after just spending for a delivery. Then again, maybe haven't checked the right websites.

Anyway, at least the hubby and I already know what we are getting for ourselves this Christmas: another affordable health insurance. He is actually scheduling an appointment for the medical check-up already, just so we can establish which insurance we can avail. Plus, he is trying to beat his brithday to avail of lower premiums. He said, at least this way, we are sure we're investing our money on something our family can really benefit from. Plus, the insurance, once we get it, can be used as collateral when we apply for a housing loan.

What about you, what do you intend to give loved ones this Christmas?

The Date That Ended on A Bad Note

2010-10-08T20:23:00.002+08:00

Hubs' company was invited to send a representative to Manila Hotel's 98th Anniversary celebration last October 06, 2010. Hubs asked if he could bring me so we could make a date of it, and Manila Hotel happily obliged us.

The cocktails were great even though it just really made me queasy seeing all those food. Hubs saw a HS batchmate and tried most of the canapes and we just talked and had a great fun. PNoy was there and hubs even kidded about approaching him to ask him if I could be allowed to sit with them, as they were the only ones seated. I believe I was the only preggy woman in attendance.

Now, juice doesn't sit well with me anymore but a waiter said they weren't serving water. And our fault, we didn't push the issue and I drank iced tea.

After the event, we hung out at Starbucks to finalize the celebration we're planning with our siblings for Yakee's birthday. I drank my usual cream chip drink but already started feeling nauseous. Hubs, on the other hand, started sneezing and sniffling like crazy.

The night ended with hubs requiring antihistamines and suffering from a bad case of allergic rhinitis. I ended up having to barf like crazy and freckly rashes on my face (which are still there up to now). Worse, I also lost the lens cap of our beloved DSLR.

I can't say I regret having gone on the date, because dressing up for hubby will never be a chore. But that night really ended so awfully, to think it was the eve of our son's birthday. Yakee ended up waking to sick parents the following day. Sigh.

But Pappie and I looked great, 'no?

Happy Birthday, Yakee

2010-10-07T04:37:00.000+08:00

Once, something only dreamt about
prayed for
longed for
an idea tossed around
Once, a hope
that kept us awake at nights
faith that we would be
blessed
to hold onto tight
and then a speck
in my womb
beating
growing
demanding
and then a babe
sweet-smelling and
helpless in our arms

Once, a seemingly blank slate
or an unread book
filled with promises
surprises
we watched you unfold
amazed
every day
over smiles
and chubby little hands
and always
that sense of wonder
in your eyes
as you explored
and learned
about us
about this world
you fit perfectly
in our laps

Once, a toddling
boy
with unsure steps
and clumsy hands
Once, a babbling bundle
of joy
we could only
understand
because you're ours
a constant source of
both
worry and delight
your legs got stronger
as your heart grew stout
and we
could barely keep up

Once, a cute baby
age one
and then a happy lark
of two
now, you're a little boy
with a personality
all your own
there are glimpses
of your father and me
in you
but the person you're
becoming
is all unique
and wonderful
and a little unknown
we cannot even carry
you for long
anymore
the bittersweet taste
of every step you take
away from us
is only tempered by
the quiet confidence
we see
in your eyes
that you are loved

Once, darling
you were just really ours
to keep and care for
and enjoy
but now the world
beckons that you
burst free, grow forth
reach out
from the ground
you were planted on
to realize
the masterpiece
that you truly are
so, outgrow your shirts
and shoes if you must
anyway
you'll always be the right size
for our hearts

Happy third birthday to our Yakee. We wish you health and happiness and always, a sense of purpose and wonder. We love you so much!

It Was My Birthday...

2010-10-05T13:26:00.001+08:00

... but he'll blow the candles on my cake 'coz he wants to, and I love him.

No Gifts for Yakee

2010-10-05T02:04:00.003+08:00

Pappie arrived home at past 11 PM laden with Starbucks frappes and Chowking food. As we were having our midnight snack, Yakee woke up and joined us.

Hubs and I started talking about what we'd really do for Yakee's birthday, given that we had to spend almost P10k to have the car repaired (thank God Maxime is running just fine again!). Hubs asked if we're buying him any particular gift and then we realized that we haven't been giving him any material gift at all, for his birthdays nor for Christmas. I am actually online now 'coz I wanted to verify and true enough, NADA!

Amazing! Surprising! And a little embarassing, especially since hubs pointed out that I get stuff like cake for my birthday or flowers for our anniversary. Heck, reading back, I also get cameras and books and a laptop. But Yakee not receiving gifts? Yakee not opening gifts?

Hubs asked the loaded question: Do I think we're depriving Yakee?

I honestly had to answer with a NO.

For his birthdays, Yakee always got a cake and a celebration. And I know I always buy him new clothes for his birthday and Christmas, not to mention all the shopping we do year-round. Plus, I always buy him books. And Pappie buys him toys sometimes, just because.

When we were thinking of what toy to get him for his birthday, we were at a loss. We had offered to buy him Toy Story toys already before and asked him to choose but he wasn't really interested. And our house is still teeming with toys, I am still intend on giving at least a third of them away just for breathing space. And realistically, it's not like he plays with all of them all the time, he really just favors some (like his toy trucks, cars, dinos and play dough) and is just as happy with chopsticks and boxes and soup ladles. So, unless he really asks for something (and blessed be, we can let him lose at Toys R' Us with him able to say goodbye to the toys after he's done checking them out), buying more toys just doesn't feel justified. Plus, it's not like he doesn't receive gifts from our family (my parents are coming home for Christmas and have already sent balikbayan boxes of goodies ahead of them, and my in-laws doet on him).

And there's the fact that we've always considered his interests in planning trips. We still intend to take him to the Nido Discovery Center, and we've already promised he and Pappie will watch a mascot show this December.

If he's deprived at all, I guess it would be of regular interaction with kids his age, something I can only really work on after giving birth.

Anyway, hubs promised to buy him anything he'd ask for when we're out... kaso all he asks for now is FISH. And considering what he does to the fish at MIL's... not gonna happen, son!

Thank You, Baby

2010-10-03T05:41:00.001+08:00

Thank you, Baby (Pappie)
for all the love
all the care
all the patience
and all the little adventures
and surprises
that make my life
more meaningful
Thank you for providing for us
with nary a complaint
for working hard
and striving to be healthy
and understanding that
I am a work in progress

Thank you, Baby (Yakee)
for all the sweetness
and the privilege of knowing you first
and knowing you best
for giving me second chances
as I struggle to be a Mom
your Mom
Thank you for letting me see
the world
through your eyes
and all the things I am learning
as I teach you
and insisting to hold hands
or hug me
despite our difficult days

Thank you, Baby (Yamee)
for all the sweet expectations
and giddy anticipation
for all the additional love
and challenges
and lessons
and adventures
you'd bring to this family
Thank you for thriving
for reassuring me of your presence
every day
and for the inevitability
of reinventing me yet again
as I adjust to being a Mom of two

It's Mommy's birthday. Thirty three years ago, God allowed me to be born in this world to love all of you, and to be loved by all of you in turn. And the best thing He could ever give me is to make me QUEEN of you boys (well, Mommy Princess to darling Yakee).

Blessing In Disguise: Our Car Broke Down

2010-10-02T15:59:00.002+08:00

If truth be told, it's a major, major, major hassle having your car break down when you have all these activities planned already. Not to mention expensive.

We don't know what really happened but it seems we have been getting watery gas from the Petron station where hubby fills up (courtesy of company account there). It's the most logical explanation to what happened to our car's engine since hubs has only recently been getting gas from that particular station and after comparing the contents of our gas tank with clean gas.

Now, the car's in the shop and the engine had to be taken apart for the first time and calibrated (sorry, I do not know the correct terms for this). So far, it has set us back P6k already.

Now, how is this a blessing in disguise?

Well, at least the car refused to start yesterday while hubs was still in the parking lot near our home. He didn't have to be towed from the road somewhere.

And I don't know about engine troubles but at least it just refused to start and hubby wasn't in a car accident because our car had problems.

We've been told that we're also lucky it didn't take longer for our car to manifest its troubles, oherwise we might have actually needed to replace the engine. All that from some water in the gas tank.

And though it has spoiled our weekend birthday plans, at least it happened now, after hubs has gotten his salary and we haven't spent it already celebrating. We may have to adjust our priorities but at least we don't (yet) have to be scrambling for cash. And at least it happened now, not when I'm going into labor already.

And when worse comes to worst, we still have the delivery money at our disposal, depending on what's really important. I mean, we could charge the hospital bill to our credit card if need be, or still make arrangements for a less expensive delivery.

The important thing is we're all safe and healthy, even with hubs and I stressed and a little depressed.

At least Yakee's more manageable lately, hehe. That's a great silver lining there. And Yamee is happily active so I know he's okay.

Two Tragedies and A Good Day

2010-09-26T23:59:00.001+08:00

Yakee has a habit of waking up at past 5 or 6 am nowadays and demanding kisses, hugs, meme and to sleep with us/me.

At 7 AM, Pappie woke up and we decided to go through with our planned jogging/morning sun trip. And we braved going to Quirino Grandstand despite still having weird feelings about the place. We even worried if it was the first monthsary of the hostage taking tragedy.

Fortunately, the place seems to have recovered. Families still abound when we got there. As it was already a little hot, Pappie decided to forego jogging and just play with Yakee. They ran all over the place chasing after a soccer ball and Yakee had so much fun! The heat got to him though.

We breakfasted at Jollibee in Kalaw and then went grocery shopping at Rob later. Then Pappie had to work and Yakee and I slep the afternoon away.

After a merienda of ice cream and crackers, we attended Mass and then ate the rest of the leftovers for dinner. We thanked God for the lack of rain all day, since today was Ondoy's anniversary.

We have yet to replace our linoleum though, but am glad there was no real trauma to be commemorated. Ondoy spared us and we weren't at Quirino that day of the hostage drama. We didn't really lose property nor loved ones over those two tragedies. And during the day, we were able to connect as a family and celebrate how the years seemed to have just flown and brought us to this point: where a happy-hyper son challenges us everyday while another one is on the way.

Thank you God for this wonderful, blessed day.

Blessings Only Come to Those Who Notice

2010-09-24T02:33:00.002+08:00

Two days ago, hubs finally found the time to go jogging in the morning again. Despite still being deprived from sleep, overall, he said he felt he needed to jog because it was what kept him going through the stressful days before when he'd be lucky to get three hours of sleep each day due to problems with installations at work.

So he went jogging at nearby Plaza Dilao. He said one good thing about the colder mornings is that there were less people sleeping on the cold sidewalks he passes on his way to the plaza. Still, he was appalled to see a mother sleeping with a 5-month old baby on the cold grass with nothing to really to keep the baby warm.

He told himself he'd jog first before approaching them and he planned to ask them to wait for him while he goes home to get whatever he can to give for the child's use, whether old or new. But before he was through, the woman has woken up, left her baby with another couple and then came back, leading a frail, old, blind man.

Part of a syndicate, for sure.

When hubs was telling me about this, he was really bothered and told me he really vows to work hard so we'd never come to that. Kind of overly-dramatic to think we have parents with homes where we can always squat for free, hehe. But in all honesty, I grew up thinking similarly. It took a great deal for MY own parents to put themselves through school and get good jobs and invest their money in properties. I grew up never having to worry about whether i'd eat or where we'd live next or if I can ever go to school... so I vowed I wouldn't make decisions that would land me in the slums. The fact that I am virtually unemployed is beside the point, as I did marry someone who is.

Then again, when you think about it, hard times can hit anyone at any time. With Ondoy's anniversary coming up, this couldn't be more true. So who's to really say how little or great the distance is between comfortable living and life in the streets?

*~*

Anyway, I told hubs that some people were asking for help also, victims of a fire in Navotas who were living at their relatives' here. I told him about having to give a small amount of money because I was too lazy then to think of what goods we can give away. Plus, I have just gone through our closets and already gave old stuff to be brought and given away in Bicol. Hubs reminded me we really shouldn't give money to people like that but yes, we should never turn them away. Now, I should remember to ask for such people to maybe come back after some time while I go through our stuff for things they may be able to use, and things I can part with. It's the decent thing to do.

*~*

Hubs said he realized he wants to help people like them... but that he also has conditions for helping. Like... it didn't occur to him to bring the mother and child along with him to our home, and true enough, when he realized they were part of a syndicate, he felt validated.

*~*

I've just packed the biggest of the infant clothes returned to me by my cousin-in-law and two onesies and three big cloth diapers. They were Yakee's old things that I decided were already too worn for Yamee's use (having been used by 3 babies already).

Then I also packed three hooded blankets/towels that my parents were given before that I kept. These are pink and purple, for girls, and I held onto them hoping my next baby would be a girl. Now, I guess, it was part of God's master plan that I should keep those but that I should also have another boy so I can give them away.

*~*

"Blessings Only Come to Those Who Notice," Jean Houston said. I say a prayer of thanks with Yakee every night, teaching him the value of prayer and awareness of his blessings throughout the day. It's really nice hearing him think back to things he ate and did during the day that he thanks Papa Jesus for. But I just realized that there's still room for improvement in me, in us, and we could do with bigger grateful hearts.

Our Bathing Cutie

2010-09-21T01:06:00.002+08:00

It didn't say if there was a cap to the number of pics you can include in your post for the Bathing Cutie Contest being held by Leirs and I thought, this would be a fun opportunity to recap how much Yakee loves bathing :)

And I will limit the pics to bathing pics and not include pool, lake and beach pics anymore.

Yakee at 3 months

Yakee at 5 months

at 9 months

at 11 months (loving it as he splashes himself)

Fast forward to over a year or so. Yakee loves toys with him in the tub (from his stacking cups and bowls to a rubber ducky to any dispenser and even a toy watering can) and lots of bubbles. Now, he helps filling the tub with water and tipping it over after he's finished.

taken last June, he posed like this for several
shots just for kicks

and on to his most recent pics

isn't he cute, or what?

yes, he wears shades there sometimes... he'd even wear a hat
if i'd let him

I have a shot of him with his butt out but
I may be the only one to find that cute, so here's him
with his tongue out instead

Happy Together

2010-09-15T03:32:00.002+08:00

Hubs and I lovingly left our son to the care of my in-laws last Saturday so he could accompany me to the LATCH breastfeeding seminar, where I was helping with the breakout groups, and we could attend the Parentin.tv talk in the afternoon.

I dressed up in my newly-acquired Eden maternity/nursing wear and looked fab accessorized and in heels. I was, however, traumatized when the LTO stopped us along EDSA even though we didn't commit any violations. Good thing though, hubs told them we're already late for a chekc-up and he pointed to my bump... and we were let go.

Hubs helped me at the breastfeeding seminar by reminding me of things I forget to point out. He could really very well handle breakout groups on his own, considering how supportive he's been with my breastfeeding advocacy (plus, he's been with me to seminars, even the Milk Code forum).

We had a not-so-nice lunch at that Cebu Lechon place near St. Luke's Global... and didn't really benefit much from the Parentin.tv talk. We were either bored or napping or griping about the hard-sell talks. I did salivate a little during the fashion show (so many fab maternity con nursing clothes, I swear!) but we just really made the most of the time together by talking and teasing each other.

It was a date after all.

I'm just glad that even after almost 5 years of marriage, and almost 2 kids, and the stresses and challenges in our lives, and all the other things that have changed... we still cannot bore each other. In fact, we can still entertain each other and talk for hours and find the funny in things.

And we are starting to look alike, I think. Haha. Yikes!

*~*

I did win a gift bag from Off Lotion... and I told hubs that ever since I married him, my luck has changed. I've never won anything from raffles before I married him. Now, at least, I get to enjoy consolation prizes.

The Family That Clays Together

2010-09-10T13:37:00.004+08:00

... has great fun together! :)

Of course, Yakee has a game all his own in his head. And he'd usually just ask me to make things for him.

it's easier for him to make Mr. Potato Head with the face parts on his own

or he'd ask me to make blank pies for him to put face parts in

i'm unimaginative, I need a play dough guide and molds to even come up with anything

unlike darling hubs, who's made rockets and dinos just by really molding the dough (this is a robot)

It's a great family bonding time for us when we do this :)

A Month from Now

2010-09-07T17:43:00.002+08:00

Exactly a month from now, Yakee will be three.

Of course, our journey to parenthood started way before we gave birth to him. But still, we'd have been officially parents for three years already next month. Three years.

We still struggle daily.

But there are rewards daily as well.

Yakee is a good combination of our looks, though now he looks more like I did when I was a kid (he looks more like his Pappie when his hair is longer so it frames his cheeks). But Yakee's lips are his Pappie's :)

Appetite-wise, he's also a mixture of both of us. He's not hard to feed but he's not stocky or round either (like his father was) nor is he as thin as I was.

His temperament is a mixture of our brothers' though... Pappie would always say that he's a lot like Rocky (BIL) who's always hyper and gigil. On the other hand, I think he took his hitting and kicking ways from my brother. The upside though is that his mischievousness and happy nature is also from our brothers. I just hope he also got their ability to make friends anywhere.

I think he got his love for books from me, because between me and Pappie, I was the one who 'read' a lot in childhood.

And it frustrates us to no end that he got my inability to listen to anything else when I'm watching something... a bane when he's watching TV and we're reminding him not to go near the TV, or calling him to eat or pick up his toys.

Pappie says he got the Arevalos' penchant for making songs up... he knows several nursery rhymes but actually prefers changing the lyrics (into words we seldom understand).

And he got my brother and father's love for water.

And am not clear where he got his love for music... but I think he got our rhythm, thank God.

I also do not know where he got his love for closed spaces... as I am claustrophobic.

Our boy is growing up a lot like us, and a lot different from us. He's his own person even this young. And it fills us with dread and excitement to know how his brother will turn out.

Anyway, three years. We have definitely changed as people because of Yakee. And for the most part, I believe, for the better too.

Precautions before Signing for Payday Loans

2010-09-06T01:26:00.000+08:00

It is generally agreed that payday loans are helpful to a person who finds himself in a financial crisis of one form or the other. If one’s salary delays and he has to immediately send children to school, pay rent or buy a car; these facilities become his immediate saviors. However, before signing up for this financial help there are certain precautions to bear in mind.

First of all, it is important to find out whether the organization is registered with Washington Department of Financial Institutions or not. If the dealers are not registered, it becomes difficult to handle customer complaint in case of over-billing or any other problem faced from the money lenders. It therefore, strongly advised to deal with only those organizations that are registered and have licenses.

Secondly, you should borrow what you can pay back. Sometimes too much financial stress makes the customer look at how much he is going to get and forget how much he earns. This financial short-sightedness has lead many into problems. The so called “immediate solution” ends up into a longer term problem when the customer fails to pay back what he borrowed. If this happens, the payday loans turn from being your friends to your enemies. Their main goal is to get back their money with profit and they will do so at whatever cost.

Additionally, never sign what you do not understand. In most cases, the papers are too many and the language too technical for the customer. The later just signs for the payday loans without proper reading to understand the fees and penalties involved. He comes back to complain after realizing that the deductions from his account are more than he expected, which may be too late. The customer should also take some time to research and use the organization with payday loans of lowest fees and minimum penalties.

Intentional Pappie

2010-09-02T13:39:00.002+08:00

Yakee is growing up truly physical. He dives on us, prefers running after a soccer ball (and has great foot-eye coordination compared to hand-eye), loves to dance and the outdoors and getting dirty and just moving.

A few months ago, Pappie realized he couldn't put exercising and losing weight off any longer. Not only was he overweight (which is unhealthy), he also couldn't keep up with Yakee. How were they to bond? How was he to provide the male role model if he couldn't join Yakee in the activities that interest him? Not only was he courting future problems that would impact the family (like diabetes or heaven forbid, heart attacks), he's also unable to take advantage of the opportunities in the here and now to spend time with his son.

So he started exercising. His progress is slow, but I have great faith that this time, it's also sure. Surer than his attempts almost 3 years ago. He's been jogging every other day, sometimes even in the rain. And we're glad to both notice that he has indeed more energy now for Yakee :)

And last Sunday, he ran his first marathon after probably 15 years (he was in track in high school) with Kraft's Family Fun Run event. He ran the 3K race with a colleague and they had so much fun.

I wanted to accompany him for support but didn't want to also worry him about whether I was ok or not. Needless to say, I am so proud of him... and happy for Yakee.

Of course, we still really can't keep up with Yakee... and two months from now, we'd have two boys already!

*~*

Despite the limited funds as we prepare for my delivery, I had to shop yesterday after dreaming that Yamee had nothing to wear after he was born. Haha.

Boyz II Men Date

2010-08-16T13:57:00.002+08:00

Hubs wanted to surprise me with a date but I figured out the surprise (as usual) when it fell on the same date as the Boyz II Men Love Tour which I told hubs about wanting to watch.

Needless to say, we had fun.

I've Plurked about it already, feeling all kinds of sentimental hearing all those mushy, sad love songs and realizing I am way past the drama of looking for my mate. Hubs teased it's kinda late to be only realizing it now, what with our 2nd baby on the way already. Hehe. I have always known it ever since I got married, but almost 5 years into the marriage, it's really so nice to see us growing together. It's nice to feel secure, not just about being loved, but also about having someone to love. It's nice to have stopped wandering, and to know you belong. It's nice that the guy in my heart is the man in my arms... :)

So yeah, mushy.

*~*

Hubs told me that his brother Rocky used to sing 'Mama' by the Boyz II Men to their Mom, and when I started crying over the song, he said he'd teach Yakee to sing it to me.

*~*

Women (and even men) approached the Boyz II Men when they sang "I'll Make Love to You" and were giving roses away. I asked hubs how it'd be if we were seated at the lower box too and I approached the stage for a rose. Without skipping a beat, he said, "Then they'll change their song to I MADE LOVE TO YOU"

*~*

Took this pic when we were eating after the concert at this Chinese place near Araneta Coliseum. Our rings haven't been brought to the cleaners for 5 years now, but it doesn't matter, the love they symbolize continues to bloom in their owner's hearts anyway.

I still love how solid our rings are, too!

*~*

We just bought Yakee binoculars for pasalubong.

Mommy's Loyalist

2010-08-15T21:29:00.002+08:00

Pappie and I were talking about something which led to a conversation about his ex, who was supposedly marrying his HS batchmate. I teased him about looking up the girl in FB and asked him her name, which he told me.

Yakee overheard and started asking, "What's that (girl's name)?"

I teased Pappie even more by telling Yakee that was a girl Pappie once loved. Pappie was quick to say that it was because he didn't know Mommy yet then.

Yakee settled the conversation by saying, "Eww, I don't like (girl's name). That girl is terrible."

*~*

I guess every Mom should have a little boy who'd see her as perfect.

*~*

I am having a really hormonal time of things... and Pappie, am sure, wants to bop me in the head sometimes. It also doesn't help that Yakee continues to test us in every possible way.

But there's love in our family... and we remain blessed.

On His Own

2010-08-12T07:28:00.003+08:00

We co-sleep.

But starting last night, I should say, we co-slept.

Yup, Yakee slept on his own bed alone for the first time last night. I had to lie down beside him till he fell asleep but he basically just slept through the night, only waking up a little at 5 AM and whimpered for Mommy. As I was awake too, I did lie down beside him again for a while. But that's it.

No fuss. No fanfare. No tears. No bribing necessary.

I'm not sure if it helped him see and play on the mattress before we actually set it up on the floor near our bed... or that he's just really ready for this... but it was a blessed night indeed.

Pappie was more sentimental than I was last night. I guess because I was more worried about Yakee acting up and how i'd pacify him about not being kicked out of our bed.

But the Mommy in me itched to be wrapping blankets around him all night, so I'd wake up at odd times too just to look at him.

He did get Pappie's hotdog pillow when he has a Buzz lightyear hotdog pillow. Maybe it's Pappie's scent in the pillow, I dunno. It's not like he asked for it much when he was still sleeping with us.

And I did give him the boomerang pillow because it was bought for breastfeeding him anyway... and its size should make him feel more secure.

I know there'd be nights he might act up. But we're blessed this was as smooth as his weaning. Potty training na lang talaga!!!

*~*

He did ask for a small light last night so we transferred the night light where it'd give him more light. And he was so happy jumping on his bed for a while, so delighted it's his bed, so delighted to have his own blankets and pillows.

*~*

It's the first night he slept without a parent beside him. Big boy na talaga!

The Pororo Song Courtesy of Hubs

2010-08-11T07:47:00.003+08:00

Our darling Yakee loves the Pororo jingle, which I couldn't quite understand. I tried looking for the lyrics so I can teach my son the proper words ('coz he goes, "ef ef see, ef ef see" at the third line).

Hubs transcribed the lyrics for me (I swear, if he can't find something on the net, it means, it really isn't there... that's his super power! And when it isn't there, he finds other ways).

Hey, It's Pororo

I love to play all day
Come join me all my friends
Always happy, as can be
Little Penguin, Pororo

Snow covered wonderland
Make way for Pororo
Always happy, as can be
Everyday a new adventure waits for me

Call for him my Little Penguin

Porong Porong Pororo
Porong Porong Pororo
Porong Porong Porong Porong
Porong Porong Po! Ro Ro!

I love to play all day
Come join me all my friends
Always happy, as can be
Porong, Porong, Porong, Porong, Pororo

*~*

Part of Yakee's bedtime routine now is for us to kiss Pappie together. And then I have to tickle, tickle Pappie by showering him with kisses on his neck/nape and Yakee would often say, "faster, Mommy, faster" :)

Then he has to tickle, tickle me and we have to tickle, tickle him.

Only Pappie isn't really happy with this because he is very ticklish :D

Current Concerns

2010-08-05T18:24:00.002+08:00

First and foremost, of course, there is my pregnancy and delivery. I am looking to attempt VBAC to save money and save myself from surgery but I am anxious over complications, the fear of labor, etc. It's just great that hubs really listens when I wonder out loud and that he's assured me he's fully supportive of what I, in the end, decide to do. I feel though that I might not forgive myself if I fail and we end up with complications and a higher hospital bill. Plus, I am scared of complications to my child the most... never mind me (although how i'd take care of two kids if I'm compromised beats me).

Then there is the christening thing, which has started to stress and excite me. Of course, a succesful VBAC would mean we could use the savings for the baptism already and not use Pappie's Christmas bonus. Having the christening with Yamee's birthday would be more practical but since we plan to go fly to Marinduque in the summer again, we also know we wouldn't be at ease with Yamee un-christened.

And there's the looking for the house thing. We still don't have the means (at least, for something we'd really like) but it's really time to do so. We're never going to be more or less ready.

There's also the homeschooling thing, which is basically Yakee's education. I don't plan to enrol him with any institution yet but I do plan to have him attend regular classes of some sort (preferably, musical, physical or artistic) for social interaction. That will still amount to expenses too.

But I can't really say that we have money problems... just that, things we like and plan require money. Things we like and plan, meaning, if we were ready to settle, then we need not worry so much.

But hey, you don't grow if you don't go for what you want and deserve. A lot in the future will require more sacrifice but they are sure to be worth our while, as well.

Lucky

2010-08-01T04:34:00.000+08:00

First of, it's official. We're expecting another boy! Yakee went with us when we had a congenital anomaly scan and he was cute enough to exclaim with delight over everything the doctor was saying and showing. I really couldn't appreciate ultrasound images much but hubs and the doc saw for sure that Yamee is a boy, hehe.

We are a little disappointed because we really would have preferred a girl because we really wanted both genders and aren't sure if we'd have a third child. But hubs has been delighted by the possibility of introducing "his boys" while I wasn't averse to really being the only woman in their lives so we're not needlessly sad about having another boy. Well, I think I will always feel a tinge of sadness that I can't buy pink, girly stuff... then again, I was also worried that having a girl would mean Yakee will be the only boy in hubs' side of the family and would be further discriminated against by his girl cousins. Hehe.

Anyway, God's plans are always better than our dreams. And Yamee's name (can you guess what?) is a boy's name actually (yes, it's been picked and decided upon even before he was conceived).

Now, I can finally shop for Yamee. I gave away a lot of Yakee's stuff, from onesies to blankets to shoes, but I did keep a few treasured pieces. I just have to conduct an inventory of what we'd need again because our home is definitely not infant-friendly anymore.

*~*

We very seldom buy Yakee toys. First, he already has so many. His aunts usually gift him with something too. I think the last 'toy' we bought for him were play dough activity sets. And well, those miniature dinosaurs that Pappie bought for him once. But really, we seldom buy him toys. We (I) buy books regularly for him instead. Plus, he seldom really plays with toys. He plays pretend, plays with people, or plays pretend with people... not toys.

Plus, he's still pretty imaginative enough to use straws as drum sticks and his drum as hat.

And really, he has many toys!

But this July saw Pappie and his Ninang buying him lots of miniature trucks. Tito Trek also assembled a bolted plane for him. And Pappie bought him this cool backhoe which you can assemble and disassemble using just this one tool. And then Pappie also bought him two sets of toy cars, one of trucks and the other of emergency cars. And I also bought him stacking cups that can also be formed into balls. Needless to say, our home got a little more cluttered.

here he is playing Woody, thus the cowboy hat, while holding his big backhoe's screws; posing with the emergency cars set which we gave as reward for peeing in the potty one time; and him playing w/ a catch-all in his tub (and yes, I still can't crop pics well)

Needless to say, he's been spoiled a little for the month of July.

*~*

Yakee was pretending he's Buzz Lightyear a lot. He'd even lie prone on the bed, prop a pillow on his back and tell me it's his wings. He'd always push some imaginary button on his chest to 'activate' his wings or press something on his arm to 'zap' me.

So hubs and I of course talked a lot about buying Toy Story toys for him. We agreed if the fascination continues, then he'd get them as birthday presents.

But you see, that's always the immediate reaction... that because a child was pretend-playing something, buy him that toy. And though I don't doubt my son will be delighted by new toys, I also really like that his imagination is active and he is entertaining himself.

But anyway, he's really so cute and adorable sometimes, hubs and I keep talking about BUYING.

And then came the day Yakee insisted I give him wings. And Pappie thought he'd make one for him till we can buy him something with wings. Then I told Pappie that making wings for our child would be more intentional parenting so he started getting cardboard scraps at work.

From around 7 AM to 11 AM (July 31), he was working on the wings. And tweeting these:

~ I manage mil. worth of projects @ work, but making buzz lightyear wings out of old boxes for my little boy is d best project ever!

~ I don't care if it looks cheap as long as it brings smiles to my little boy, this is priceless!

Well, Yakee WAS happy with the gift. It just doesn't show in the picture because we put everything on him after he's just woken up. He also needed to get used to the wings which turned out a little heavy but he went and played with his Ninang outside with these on.

I told hubs I was really touched with what he did... but kinda critiqued that he got a little carried away with FORM than FUNCTION as the wings kept bumping on things (Yakee had to get out the door sideways). I would have preferred something more like the one Andy made for himself in the movie. But I am optimistic that Yakee and his Pappie has a future in cosplay, hehe.

And the priceless thing really isn't that Yakee was happy, but that he has a father who would take the trouble to make things for him... that he has a father who is this involved in his happiness... that he has a father willing to see the world through his eyes.

Isn't our son lucky? :)

I just hope Yakee will take after his Pappie and be a good brother to Yamee...

*~*

I conditioned hubs that we'd be shopping and allowed Yakee to roam the toys section and have his fill. We were also open to Yakee insisting we buy him a Toy Story toy. But though he was awed with the talking toys and delighted in pressing their buttons, he kept moving on. He was actually more interested in toy trucks and cars and all those electronic thingies that had lights and made noises.

Hubs saw a tub of wooden blocks on sale and asked me if we'd finally buy one. We asked Yakee if he liked it and he said yes, but he also proceeded on just roaming around, trying different toys. So we made him choose instead between the blocks and this erasable writing tablet set and he chose the writing tablet. Then he whined for about 15 minutes after the purchase because he said he wanted the blocks. He only stopped when we finally let him play with the writing tablet at Holy Cow, where we had dinner.

It is good luck that we have some time yet before our son actually clamors for something material and definite. But I think we had ur hearts set so much on buying something Toy Story-ish so we settled on a pyjama set.

Exhausted from all the excitement

Oh... Pappie has also bought Yakee two Dakki Buzz Lightyear pillows already. So maybe that's why Yakee wasn't asking for more... he knows he's not going without.

Selfish Thoughts, Difficult Time

2010-07-11T03:51:00.002+08:00

FIL is back in the hospital and doctors have recommended he undergo a triple bypass operation. It's been set for this coming Monday already.

I am worried about FIL... of course I am hoping for a succesful operation and speedy recovery, but I am worried about not so good news, and what it would mean for hubs and his siblings.

But I am honestly more worried about Pappie, how he's coping with the stress. If he hasn't started cutting back on his food intake and exercising every other day, I would probably be more worried. It's just that he's overweight and has his father's genes (and his father has problems with his kidneys, heart, BP, blood sugar...) and had an uncle who died at age 35 or so.

I am worried.

And yes, I wonder if 10, 20 years down the line, he'd require the same surgery too.

Sigh.

It's not good for me to be worried. But I am.

I am also worried if I can provide all the suppport my husband and his family needs. But I submit to God's greater plan... He knows best and the best is still to come.

Meanwhile, prayers will really be appreciated.

DDU Reunion

2010-06-29T12:10:00.002+08:00

DDU is Dirty Dozen Unlimited, Pappie's high school barkada in La Salle Zobel. I have always been envious of this particular peer group of his. Technically, they have known each other for at least 18 years, longer than their wives have known them. They have drifted away a little when they went to college and pursued careers but have managed to stay in touch (they have their own yahoogroups). And as most still live in the South (and here in Manila), they made sure to invite each other at their weddings.

This was them in ours :)

Now, they are bonding more strongly as everybody's having kids and really settling down. And last weekend, one of their friends, one of the earliest to get married, is back from the US with his daughter. We all had a more intimate gathering at Adrian's last Friday night before attending the party Jeff threw for his daughter's birthday.

Cholo's lovely family

9 of them here (what an attendance!) with Ria standing proxy for Tristan

the boys foraging at the food cart

Mark's lovely family

Zeke and Maico looking like twins

add Lia and you can have triplets

the next generation DDU

riot na!

I really felt senti watching the boys hound the food cart. In a way, they're still boys. But Pappie's lost his bid for a quarter pounder because he was attending to Yakee; and Jun came sans partner, eating while carrying his daughter; and Ritchel had to support his daughter's competitive streak during the games. All around, our kids were running around and almost everyone was taking turns eating and carrying babies. Ja and I were comparing stories because our firstborns were born only a week apart.

It was all kinds of wonderful and I am really happy Pappie managed to keep this set of friends. His Dad had a similar barkada, two of them being our primary sponsors at our wedding.

I'd really love for our kids to grow up together, to be friends or feeling-cousins. It would make parenting so much easier for us all. And it would be rewarding to have someone to reminisce with when we're all old and gray...

Yes, I have adopted them as my own.

Pampanga Weekend

2010-06-25T17:40:00.000+08:00

I have uploaded our pics for several days now but keep forgetting to blog about it. It was a birthday celebration for Pappie's sister and brother (and his wife). My in-laws also timed the blessing of their newly-opened eatery with our trip there. And then of course, the kids just had to go swimming.

during the blessing of the place

had to pose with my niece for we showed up in
seemingly-coordinated outfits (I know, I look bloated)

birthday girl Ira, hubby Trek and darling Iya

is there a cuter poster girl?

Yakee wasn't cooperative with the family pic thing

birthday girl Abbie, birthday boy Rocky, their daughter Lianne
and the officiating priest

with SIL's family and my in laws

my boys dancing by the road side

the lunch after the blessing at SIL's home in Porac

per Pappie's instruction

fun starts immediately at Poracay Resort

while SIL and Lianne had fun, BIL found new clients

Iya's water tubes are really fun to use

BIL and Pappie looking like brothers

fun in the cold shower

It's always great to bond with my in laws and we're doing so again this weekend (sans BIL's family from Pampanga 'coz they really have to tend to their new business). Anyway, I am really proud of what they're trying to accomplish, thank their parents/relatives for their hospitality and hope that we'd all grow up close as we raise our kids.

Three Ways to Care for Bermuda Grass

2010-06-25T10:06:00.001+08:00

Bermuda grass gets its name because of its widespread growth in the islands of Bermuda. The grass is a perennial grass that originates from Africa, but you can find it scattered throughout the United States. Similar to centipede grass, Bermuda grass can resist droughts and requires very little maintenance to grow. It is common to find Bermuda grass in areas such as sports fields. It is also possible to find Bermuda grass growing in your front yard. If you have this type of grass, here are three tips on caring for and maintaining your lawn.

Lawn experts suggest you cut Bermuda grass on a weekly basis. This will help keep the grass healthy and is especially true in climates with longer growing seasons, such as climates that do not have a winter season. Professionals suggest you cut up to one-third of the length of grass blades during each mowing.

Bermuda grass can survive droughts, but it grows best when it has access to water. While the grass does not require huge amounts of water, providing a soaking of approximately one inch of water every four to five days is an ideal growing environment for Bermuda grass. The amount you need to water the grass may vary based on weather conditions. During rainy seasons, you can let Mother Nature take over. During dry periods, you will need to add additional water to promote growth. Try not to over water the grass, because too much water can cause fungi and mold to develop.

The best fertilizer for Bermuda grass is the grass clippings that occur when you mow. Instead of bagging and trashing them, leave the grass clippings on the lawn to help the Bermuda grass grow. Clippings also help to reduce the need for watering the grass and for adding artificial fertilizer.

Nothing Beats Pappie Love

2010-06-19T03:08:00.002+08:00

Mahal,

You are far from the perfect father. But you are one of the more involved ones I know, and for that I am thankful. This is one of the collages I made for Yakee's baby book and I hope you'd smile when you see just how far you've gone as a father, just how many things you've weathered, just how amazingly you've grown as a person. Thank you for not just being the provider of the family, thank you for actually being a father: a friend, playmate, disciplinarian, role model and mentor to our son.

I just know that Yamee will be just as privileged as Yakee had been. But the greatest privilege of all lies with me... for having that first row seat to the beautiful relationship, and influence, you are making in our children's lives.

I love you. We love you. Thank you for taking better care of the you we love.

Mommy, Yakee and Yamee

Mall Weekend

2010-06-15T02:00:00.003+08:00

Last Saturday, Pappie took us to Market, Market so that Yakee can enjoy the dinosaur plants there and the playground while he jogs. I was supposed to look for maternity clothes and baby stuff and shop to my heart's content.

I just basically snacked my way there and got tired from all the walking. But Yakee had great fun. We capped the bonding time with a short stop near Pappie's workplace where he parked the car and let Yakee ride on the broken (abandoned) backhoe and front loader there. Yakee was super thrilled just touching the levers and make-believing he is driving those trucks.

Suffice it to say, he was spoiled mightily that day.

*~*

Sunday, we rested and just attended Mass.

*~*

Monday, we went to SM Manila where Pappie bought new running shoes for himself. I also bought a new maternity top and pants, new panties, new swim shorts for Yakee and some art supplies for Yakee. We spent some P3k on the 'school supplies' because the original HP inks were expensive... but we really only spent some P600 at National Bookstore. Hubs and I couldn't help but look around at the last-minute shoppers thinking that someday, we'd also be buying basketful of school supplies. We do thank our lucky stars that we have some years more to save for those.

I bought a lot of pens and two coloring books for Yakee. I realized that he still needs work on his hand-to-eye coordination. Now, I am not worried and I understand that he is only 2.5 years old... but I also realize that I have really affected his progress in learning. Since I am feeling slightly better, I intend to make up for lost time (two months, at least).

Now, I am also not a fanatic Mom when it comes to my child's education. I am an "enjoy your child" advocate after all and still plan to homeschool... but I see that my son needs more activities to be preoccupied with... and I have yet to make our home a print-rich one.

Oh... Pappie bought Yakee his first official ball (meaning, it's not just a toy ball). It's a soccer ball... which Yakee plays with by dribbling and saying "shoot." Hehe. He kicks his toy baskteball around though. Hay.

*~*

Meanwhile, I am still working on my son's Baby Book pics.

Above Ground Pools Make Summer Fun

2010-06-15T01:52:00.000+08:00

If your family is looking for a way to cool off this summer, a pool might just be the perfect solution. Going to the local community pool is one option, but that can get expensive if you plan to go almost daily, and you have to deal with crowds. Another option is to get one of those blow-up pools, but for anyone over 3 feet tall, they are just too small. You could also install a pool in your backyard, but that can be expensive — not only for the installation but also for year-round maintenance.

If none of these options work for you, then an above ground pool might just be the perfect answer. Above ground pools have many advantages. There are so many styles and designs, you are sure to find one that fits you and your family. There are pools specifically designed for fitness and ones that are shallow for young children, as well as hot tubs and sauna baths. They come in many different dimensions making it possible to find one that will fit in your yard.

Above ground pools can be bought, shipped, and installed quickly. Where an in-ground pool might take all summer to build and install, an above ground pool can be used throughout the summer, so your family has a great and convenient place to cool off.

Above ground pools can be taken with you as well. Unlike in-ground pools that are a permanent fixture, you'll be able to take your pool with you if you end up moving, which is a great advantage. And because above ground pools are not a permanent fixture, you can get a different pool later on if your needs change. For example, if you get a shallow pool when your children are younger, you'll be able to get a deeper one as they grow.

My Dad As Gardener

2010-06-04T00:25:00.002+08:00

My Dad, after migrating to the US with my Mom, would often work as a gardener of sorts from spring to autumn. He told me he has a selection of mountfield mowers that he uses to trim yards and that these mountfield lawnmowers help a great deal in the work he does.

He'd also do some landscaping work, sometimes even having to haul big rocks and move around huge planters acoording to what his employers demand. It's hard and tough work, leaving him at the mercy of the sun and working from morning till night. He said the job pays well and there's a lot of people wanting to hire him and he'd often have to say NO to a lot of them because there was only so much work he can do. He's just glad that there are all those mountfield mowers and other equipment that lighten his load.

I've spoken to hubs about how it saddens me that my parents, at their age, are still breaking their backs to earn money when they have already all supported us through college. But life abroad is really hard and they're really bent on supporting my sister (till she becomes a full-pledged nurse) and hopefully sponsoring my brother and nephew when their petition gets approved. That's still a lot of time to be working.

It's also one of the reasons why hubs isn't so keen on migrating. He said he couldn't do manual labor, despite his heft, because he has a weak back. Of course we could apply for other jobs but it's still one thing we have to be able to embrace: the willingness to do manual labor to earn, if we're going to live abroad. After all, who knows how expensive things will get or how lucky we'd really be.

Anyway, my Dad is on a break from work and is in the country right now. I am just thankful that he's still really healthy and may he really have more years remaining to enjoy his grandkids.

My Hubby as Provider

2010-06-01T00:01:00.001+08:00

Sometimes I wonder if he feels resentful, and how often, to wake up five days each week and kiss me goodbye while I continue sleeping beside our son. And since lately, all I do is lie in bed with the aircon on, I wonder if he's thought it unfair that the burden of having to provide lay on his shoulders alone.

On top of having to work long hours in the office and into the wee hours of the morning at home, he'd also have to pitch in and help with our son, as well as bond with him. And again, all I do is lie in bed, growing an infant.

And it's not that being pregnant is easy. I sure wish we could save the money instead of pay for my medicines and hospital bills and electric expense. And I have seriously had to cut down on bonding time and teaching time with Yakee. I just don't have the energy and there's a lot of feelings of helplessness and sadness there. But what hubs is doing is also really hard.

He's only human. He's bound to wish he can still sleep some more on the days he'd have to go to work.

He's still a man. He's bound to never fully grasp how terrible it feels to have a body enslaved by hormones and fears.

Still, all I keep hearing from him is that he loves us and wants to provide for us. I have raged and cried and complained many times about being exhausted with the things I do... even with pregnancy for that matter... but hubs has never told me yet that he's too tired to provide for us already. He has embraced that role and allows me to be the kind of Mom I have always wanted to be.

And though we don't have much, we do have more than enough. And it may sound superficial but I am really thankful that he was able to provide us with that sense of security.

Happy Father's Day in advance darling hubby!

Evolution

2010-05-26T19:14:00.002+08:00

One of the conversations I had with my sister-in-law and mother-in-law while in Marinduque was about our involved husbands. See, SIL could call upon her hubby to assit their daughter while pooping and Pappie was the one cajoling Yakee to eat. MIL told us we were lucky because FIL wasn't like that at all. He played the provider role to the hilt but wasn't very nurturing.

MIL repeated it again another day and I told him that all her nurturing resulted in sons who were nurturing as well. See, my BIL and Pappie both couldn't be depended on over household chores but both are pretty involved with the rearing of their kids. Both BIL and Pappie play with their kids. BIL would even do assignments with his daughter. Pappie, no matter how tired he is or how much work left he has to do at home, will not deny Yakee when our son insists that he wants Pappie to read to him.

I think MIL was glad to realize that and she did acknowledge that maybe her kids did appreciate all her hands-on nurturing after all. Being a SAHM can sometimes really feel like a thankless job, and I think few parents ever realize how well and fully they influence their children.

Well, Momsy, you raised slobs for sons but they're still mighty fine husbands and fathers. And that's what counts. Plus, SIL did find herself an involved hubby as well.

Marinduque Trip 2010

2010-05-21T13:04:00.000+08:00

I really should blog about the horrible weeks before this trip first but I am not really in the mood to write. We almost didn't go on this trip because I was weak (mostly from the heat and nausea) and Yakee was sick. We did secure a go signal from a pedia first before we went and true enough, the fresh air did our son good. He was fever-free after two days there and we also had a hilot in to chase the illness further away. It helped that Yakee was such a trooper with all the medicines he had to take. He even bore the eye ointment well.

So here's our trip in pictures, with some notes...

Yakee wanted to ride a boat days before the trip
after being told that his cousin Iya is travelling
to Marinduque via boat. But he was still happy about
the plane ride.

His eyes are still puffed from the adenovirus that
the pedia suspected hit him. And because he's drugged
and we woke him up early, he fell asleep on his own
during the 30-minute plane ride. It was bittersweet
having our son take his own plane seat. Big boy na!

The sea breeze did me good... I was able to eat really well in Marinduque, at first scaring Pappie that I might just barf them all out. I didn't eat all the food shown here but suffice it to say, I enjoyed my first feast since March. I basically ate two breakfasts everyday, hehe.

big squid SIL had to fillet thinly for barbecuing

forgot to take a pic of the finished product. That one
squid was good for two barbecued meals!

kagang bought from the marketplace

a pot full of BIL's sukiyaki

part of my breakfast everyday, with sunny side up eggs

Pappie's fave breakfast

katang, crabs I feasted on

the balimbing only cost 50 cents, hehe

really delish fish fingers (the freshest dory ever)

the true reason they travelled 1.5 hours away to Poctoy
is to enjoy halo-halo by the beach

First thing Yakee did was play in the sand. We allowed him to go swimming that Friday afternoon but he got cold too soon and started shivering so we banned him from swimming for the next two days. He had to content himself with sand, chick and frogs and just roaming about the place but he was very cooperative about the no-swimming thing.

before he started shivering that first day

Iya and Yakee in the hammock with Angel

Yakee enjoying the worn hammock that Pappie replaced

Yakee with the hilot on our bed (we always 'camp'
in the living room to fully enjoy the sea breeze

last day there, first time Yakee asked for food. Good thing
MIL had cereals so Yakee was happy.

Yakee sleeping at the back of the car on their
way to Poctoy

ulikba kids enjoying Poctoy sand

back at the back of the car again

that's a frog in the plastic... it later hopped onto
Yakee but my son was never truly scared of such... to
him, they're playmates!

he insisted on diving and being under water

wearing a lifevest only made him
dive more

he loved blowing water out of these tubes

Yakee wasn't the only one that had fun though. I mostly just lounged in the hammock or laid in bed. I finished a Readers Digest and the novel, Lost World while there. We also watched a marathon of Ghost Hunters, NCIS and well, Yakee's vids. Pappie also caught up on much-needed sleep. SIL and BIL made a career out of cooking. Not in the pictures was the really delectable macaroni soup and the nilagang baka as well as the ice cream we enjoyed. It was a mix of local food and Manila fare in a beach setting, which made all of us eat more.

Pappie lounging at the new nipa shade MIL had built by the beach,
in case we wanted to hang out there at night and to
stow beach towels in

fishermen walking to and fro catching bangus fingerlings

see how rested I looked?

the kiddie tree house which Yakee loves in the mornings
for all the ants moving about. He'd tell them 'sorry' if he
accidentally brushes their line.

the newer house where MIL sleeps and Yakee
plays with the fish drum

the kids bored with the boat ride to Gaspar Island

the sand bar at Gaspar Island (we couldn't dock at the other side
'coz of the waves)

Momsy's FB shot, hehe

they look alike no? hehe

the trees that keep the place cool and private

SIL's family, belated happy birthday to BIL

feeding fish at Gaspar island

happy family

Momsy's happy kids and happier grandkids

Mt. Malindig (?) as background

kids living at Gaspar island, unafraid of the
crashing waves

Bellaroca at Elephant island

SIL's family has basically committed to making it a yearly thing, having BIL celebrate his birthday there. I have already asked Pappie if we could go ahead of him next year, though am not quite sure how i'd handle Yakee and a baby. But it's great looking forward to that already. I intend to book our flights by December this year to get great fare deals.

Our Laiya Trip

2010-04-27T10:22:00.002+08:00

It was one of those semi-impromptu beach trips we really didn't think through. We didn't book anything nor really researched anything. Plus, it came on the heels of just having found out we're pregnant.

Laiya resorts were all fully booked and Laiya waters were teeming with people. The water is still clean but it was far from pristine, what with fellow vacationers eating on the beach and throwing wrappers and litter just anywhere.

We settled on hooking up with one of those barkers along the road who took us to Barangay Hugom where we rented a room. The room was air-conditioned and clean enough but very spartan as well. It cost us P3,000 for overnight use. We also had to make do with the carinderias available nearby.

My mood then vaccilated between okay and not, so hubs really had to take care of both Yakee and me. I also mostly stayed in the room and tried to sleep. And it was the only trip we took that I didn't even take out Hedwig. Talk about very few pictures.

It also didn't help that the heat was so bad going there that even Yakee hurled. It was only supposed to be a day trip but I told hubs I couldn't take more of the road either.

But however stressful it ended (because Yakee and I also ended up with bad colds after), the important thing is Yakee had fun and we bonded as a family.

Hopefully we could have some more before Yamee comes out.

Dreaming of One Tagaytay Place

2010-04-20T05:16:00.002+08:00

One Tagaytay Place is holding a blog contest right now. Prices up for grabs are overnight stays in their beautiful hotel complete with pampering and dining, for either a romantic getaway or family affair.

Now, I'd sure love to win the second prize (family getaway). To the question "What do you think sets ONE TAGAYTAY apart from the rest of the hotels in Tagaytay in terms of bonding together with family or friends?" I would have to answer in this way:

We don't have funds for nice trips right now as I am pregnant with our second child. This means that we're saving up for my delivery and all the changes and challenges a new child will bring to our family. But I'd sure love one last getaway with the family, with my son (though he's only two) and cousin (who helps me take care of my son) tagging along with husband and I. Maybe we can even bargain to pay my son's way and have my mother-in-law come along to make the foursome. It will be our last hurrah before everything changes again. The ambience One Tagaytay Place offers is already reprieve enough from the summer heat and our everyday routine. Plus, the luxury of just lounging at their poolside and enjoying the view, while maybe watching our tot enjoy the infinity pool, is sure to be pure bliss. And because I love my husband, cousin and MIL so much, the treat of a massage with them is surely one of the best gifts ever! I am sure their spa won't disappoint and it could be our Mother's Day and advanced Father's Day treat as well.

Plus, Tagaytay is so accessible, it would be a dream to have a blessed getaway that's only two or so hours away!

Officially Expecting

2010-04-08T11:51:00.002+08:00

It's not like it's a secret anymore.

We found out last March 30 and hubs itched to Tweet about it even before we have confirmed with doctors.

Anyway, allow me to backtrack a little.

We never really 'planned' our family or 'spaced' our kids. I had a difficult pregnancy and felt that the older I get, the more difficult it may be for me. So there wasn't any contraception being used aside from Yakee sleeping between us.

Then it got to a point that I really, really want to get pregnant already and would get depressed every time a period comes even with a belief that breastfeeding was really working for us as a natural means of contraception.

I officially weaned last February 14 and told myself that i'd start getting antsy again if I don't get pregnant two months after weaning. I figured my body would need a month or so to adjust to the new state of things.

So when my period didn't come last March 14, I didn't care.

Even during the last week of March, when I have been feeling different things, I just chalked it up to PMS. But I decided on the home pregnancy test last March 30 because I wanted to be sure when I go to the doctor the following day.

Just a second or two after the urine droplets hit the stick, I saw the first line and KNEW there would be a second one. I started shaking, laughing, sobbing even while still seated on the throne.

I gave myself a minute to enjoy this secret knowledge before bursting out and crying in Pappie's arms while showing him the stick. He was super thrilled too. We couldn't believe it.

*~*

Unfortunately for us, I am more sensitive last week and Yakee must have felt the change because he started acting up. But we've managed to survive. We're still struggling with all the implications... not just the major expense for the delivery, but all the changes, all the additional responsibilities, the dynamics that will change, the excitement over the hope it could be a girl, the wondering how this one would look like and be like, the anxiety over how we can help Yakee accept Yamee with grace...

And then, both Yakee and I are now sick. It could have been worse and I am thankful that Yakee is still a hyper boy, that I have help, and that Pappie is rising up to the new challenges.

*~*

We are blessed and are thankful. A better BEST is yet to come for us indeed. And we really already love Yamee to pieces... perfect proof that love only multiplies, not divided.

The Tagaytay Road Trip

2010-04-05T16:26:00.002+08:00

Last March 27, Pappie came forth with an idea. To go grocery shopping at Robinson's... Tagaytay. I thought he was joking because hubs doesn't really like driving unless he has to. But we went anyway and found ourselves just in time to enjoy Residence Inn's Mini Zoo. We brought my cousin and nephew along with us and had a grand time.

I loved that there are still a lot of animals there. I have always known it as Halfway Drive and have gone there with family and friends before. But it must have been more than a decade since I was last there. It was where I held a tiger cub before.

We had the kids ride horses in the dark and were amazed they weren't scared. We then went to the bulaluhan for dinner and were just in time for grocery shopping at Robinson's Tagaytay.

It was colder outside in the Tagaytay night air than in the air-conditioned grocery.

The kids only fought 10% of the time, a major improvement as they're always at each other's throats when home. It was also great listening to say "Wow" and "Oooh" alternately at the animals. :)

And Pappie never once lost his cool despite the long drive. I loved him more for it.

A Decade of Love

2010-03-18T03:14:00.000+08:00

March 14 marked the tenth anniversary of my love affair with Pappie. We met online night of March 10, 2000, first met in person March 13 and agreed to go steady over the phone the following day. He had me at the word, "Baby" :D Three months after, I broke up with him and we were more off than on for the next three years or so.

Then I got lost for a while in Mt. Banahaw and realized that the saddest thing about possibly dying there was not having said goodbye to him properly. That's when I knew that he was the one. Hubs was surer that I was the one for him from day one. Maybe because am really charming as hell... hihihi.

Anyway, hubby told me he'd bring us on a date and wouldn't tell me where. He told Yakee though, who of course didn't remember. Whenever I asked Yakee where Pappie was taking me, he'd say "SLIDE."

But when Pappie told me to bring a sweater for Yakee in case it got cold... I knew. I just knew that we're finally going on that Manila Bay Cruise we've talked of trying years ago. Sure enough, we went on a Manila Bay Dining Cruise by Prestige Cruises Inc. What's greater is that, as it plied the Manila Bay waters, we got to enjoy the last Sunday of the fireworks competition at the Mall of Asia, without the smoke and crowd! Well, our ship went near enough for us to smell some of the smoke.

But wait... we attended Mass first at St. Pancratius Chapel, where we were wed.

And we wrongly went to Harbor Square, thinking that's where the ship was docked and had sandwiches at Pancake House first.

We got to the right dock just in time. It was behind Folk Arts Theater (Tanghalang Balagtas) just off the now-closed Jumbo Palace.

The caterer, as far as I know, was Barbara's. Great thing we ate sandwiches because the portions were really small and the food just okay. As we started going towards Mall of Asia, the sea breeze smelled sweeter (instead of rank) and it was hard holding onto Yakee who was intent on watching the waves.

During many interims, hubs and I exchanged loving glances and made jokes about who Yakee was. Hehe.

And I did say there were fireworks right?

I was really happy about hubby's surprise. Having guessed it just proved how in synch we really have become. But of course, the highlight of the night was just watching our son have a grand time. He loved the heart fireworks and the smiley fireworks and would say "BOOM" every time a new one erupts into the night sky.

Plus, he loved pretending to take videos of the musicians serenading us the whole time.

We ended our night with CSI watching :D

*~*

I still owe my darling hubs a proper gift... I did cook binagoongan the following day, and then made egg sandwich spread too.

*~*

Pappie... I love that there is much more about you I am getting to know. I love that I was able to keep you. I love the family we're building. And I love the love I see in your eyes everytime I look at you.

In short, I am mushy.

Happy Anniversary!

Disciplining Other Children

2010-03-12T03:23:00.001+08:00

First, there was a thread at Pex about disciplining other people's children.

Then, there was a similar topic in N@W.

So I figured i'd post lengthily about it here.

*~*

We discipline our son. And we're not biased when we say that overall, he's a good boy. We'd probably never say that he's mild-mannered. He's a typical boy: noisy, active, one who doesn't know his strength, one who thinks that rough play is most fun.

Right now, he refuses to share toys. He's only two, after all. But he's fairly okay with other kids, even a little shy and reserved in play areas in fastfood restos. But he is comfortable enough to bully his cousin who is younger than him by six months.

Does that make my son a bully? Of course not. He's only two years old! He's just smart enough to know that he's a mite stronger and stabler than his cousin. Plus, only his cousin threatens him somehow, maybe because he knows that the cousin is the baby when they're together in the same room. And like other kids, he must hate competition.

Our son is no angel but he is no devil either (he just looks like both, in different times). He's a good enough son. And he has much growing up to do.

*~*

We cannot be there to watch our son all the time. In fact, we shouldn't. And we cannot expect our son to play nice all the time. In fact, am sure, he wouldn't. He will test boundaries, limits, rules. And he will have bad days. He will have his own hurt feelings or threatened realities. So I really expect that he will behave badly many times, in many ways, whether we're there or not.

So much as I am royally annoyed by other kids, usually the bigger ones who are rough and rowdy, I invoke patience and understanding. After all, it will be my son in a few more years terrorizing younger kids, even if only for a while. So I choose to extend the courtesy of understanding other kids rather than calling them on their behavior, or going to their parents about it, hoping that other parents will do the same for my child.

How will they all learn, after all, to socialize? How will they learn of tolerance? Of natural, logical consequences? How will they learn to fend for themselves? How will they learn to fix conflicts on their own?

Hubs and I have agreed to only butt in when it's really critical to do so, and hopefully, not with an overreaction. In a previous post, I mentioned about just telling a bigger child CAREFUL PLEASE after he kicked Yakee down the slide. I saw what he did, and gauged that it was more a push using his feet than actual kicking, and knew that Yakee was not hurt.

Make no mistake, I was annoyed. But aside from disciplining a function and privilege of parents, I also knew that the boy only wanted Yakee to go down the slide already. He can't really foresee the horrors that we parents foresee, and for us to fully protect Yakee from such, he'd have to live in a vacuum where he couldn't be hurt.

*~*

I won't mind other parents directly telling Yakee not to push, or something isn't nice. But I certainly hope they say it nicely, not ranting and raving like a lunatic. And I certainly hope they won't hurt my child because that'd be WAR TO THE NTH LEVEL.

And I certainly won't mind if someone tells me that my son is actively pushing other kids. Of course, I wouldn't want him hurting someone seriously. But I hope parents don't also automatically assume that a child is not being taught right just from one instance of misbehaving. If a parent approaches me with judgment dripping from his demeanor, I will be put on the defensive.

I also hope parents won't expect me to correct my child to please them... in ways according to their standards. Because I will do so only in the way I see fit (and maybe according to my mood).

*~*

I remember, from a parenting seminar, that part of why parents get angry when their child misbehaves in public is that they feel their child is a reflection of them. THAT IS WRONG. A child misbehaves because of so many things, from wanting to get attention to being hungry/sleepy/tired. It's seldom about us. It's about them, how they're feeling, what they're thinking.

I will admit that I have snatched up my child and gotten really angry because I was ashamed of how he was behaving badly with his cousin. I have even spanked him once or twice. But I know letting my temper, and shame, get the better of me actually impedes my discipline. It takes humongous effort to snatch my child away now to put him in a timeout and talk to him about what's happening. I can't say yet if it's effective but both of us are a work-in-progress.

*~*

I have a cousin who had to grow up without his Mom, and who had to learn to be self-sufficient very early in life because his Dad was always working... and later on, he had to grow up apart from his parents who worked and lived abroad. He was a terrible child. He threw toys at us, wouldn't share, etc. He'd spit at us, punch us, throw terrible tantrums. And we were all at least 8 years older than him.

He grew up without parents. His caregivers basically just cooked food for him and laundered his clothes. And yet he grew up with such consideration of his parents' sacrifice. He's now a mild-mannered 23-year old. Girls would be lucky to find a man like him, faithful, gentle, caring, thoughtful.

If we, as parents, are encouraged to look at the bigger picture and not nitpick each and every one of our child's (mis)behavior... then why not that of another child's? One instance of misbehaving does not a criminal make. Plus, even quiet boys can grow up to be criminals. A lot can happen between their days in the play yard and 'the real world.' So why would we reinforce something we can easily disregard by commenting on it, and making a child feel bad?

*~*

I do not support bullying. But I think children have to learn to be able to put up with their share of pushing and shoving for them to be able to face up to real bullies. It's not just giving them a chance to defend themselves, it's also enabling them to discover their strengths. Some kids are good in ignoring, some in redirecting angst, some in humor. Plus, how will they learn not to do it if they don't know how it feels to be hurt, rejected or ostracized?

I also think children have to do their own share of pushing and shoving, for them to know about their boundaries, for them to learn that it may feel good, but won't always get them what they want.

*~*

Parenting is indeed so hard. There is that balance that has to be continuously walked... I just hope that other parents know that there can be no striking that balance if all they want is to keep their children safe. They have to also want their child to be self-sufficient as well.

Not Much of a Baby Anymore

2010-03-08T19:49:00.003+08:00

Our son is growing up so fast now... and we've officially entered the WHY phase. "Pappie, what you doing? Why?", "Mommy, where you going? Why?"

I am actually loving it (so far). It helps to be more in the moment with him and it provides more opportunities to tell the truth and educate.

Pappie is working hard again for Yakee's swimming lessons this April. And Pappie and I are planning our getaways. I really hope i'd see a beach soon. And that we'd get to start beachineering with another family soon.

Yakee... please have more 'good' days for Mommy and Pappie. Love you!

The Art of Letting Go

2010-03-01T01:49:00.004+08:00

I forced hubs to agree to super bonding time this weekend so Yakee, I think, got overstimulated with the attention.

One of the things we did was go to Baywalk-MOA. I have never been there and I was surprised that it is actually a nice place to hang out with friends and family. They allocated a large area for kids to play in, aside from the many other sites and restos.

Anyway, at the end of the boulevard, we found another slide set that isn't filled to overflowing with kids. By this time, Yakee was feeling more at home with the crowd so he started running up the steps and sliding down... again and again and again.

I realized I was being such a helicopter Mom because I kept saying "careful" to him everytime he goes up the stairs. He almost lost his balance several times. One time, I also told a boy a little older than him to be careful, after he kicked Yakee's back to send Yakee sliding down. Good thing hubs and I generally kept our cool. There were older boys going up the slides, jumping from it, sliding down in different ways, etc and I was really itching to chain them to a tree. But like what I told hubs, Yakee will be like that someday.

What else... oh, I kept reminding Yakee to wait his turn, and not to push (however lightly) kids in front of him.

Suffice it to say that it was a little traumatic for us, haha. But we know that we have to learn to let go and allow our son to make mistakes and learn the hard way. He has to learn to socialize on his own terms and we don't want to raise a sissy boy, definitely. But it's really hard not worrying he'll be hurt or bullied... or that he will not play nice.

Arrrgh. Parenthood!

Giving His Best Shot for Yuga

2010-02-22T11:58:00.003+08:00

Hubs and I attended the Last valentine nAPO Concert last February 13, 2010. It was a 5,000 strong showing of APO Hiking Society fans, both young and old.

Now, hubs really wants to win the MSI Wind U123H netbook up for grabs at YugaTech's Great Gadget Giveaway so he painstakingly made a sign for it.

this is four A4 size sticker photo paper on cardboard...
notice how he looked for Yuga's font and all pa?

we were seated 2nd row in front so he decided to
pose at that area so all the waiting fans can see
(the concert was delayed by an hour!)

proof of people to see the sign

it was a long wait so there were many
photo opportunities

even when it got dark, he had to pose with the sign

this was during the finale

Hubs was really shy but he wanted the netbook... and I am hoping we'd get it. After all, he sold his so he could buy me a proper laptop for my online earning gigs. Plus, he could easily have just had a banner printed but decided instead to make the sign himself.

One other thing, it's too bad I was not able to compose right but am sure other people with cameras got a better shot of hubby with the sign... and Jim Paredes, while the APO Hiking Society were singing Kabilugan ng Buwan :)

A Tale About Shoes and Growing Up

2010-02-22T02:36:00.001+08:00

De La Salle-Zobel was one of the more popular schools in the country for the rich, especially back in those days when there aren’t so many international schools in the country yet. So imagine how hard it must have been to be sent there for the privilege of quality education and the promise of great expectations in the future, but not privileged enough to live like your rich classmates do. They always had new toys, branded clothes, expensive watches and money to spare. They went abroad for the summer, they treat their peers to candy and they were all growing up to take over their parents’ business.

My husband’s father ran his own company. They lived in a big house, had a car, and never wanted for money to pay their bills. But his Dad never believed in spending more for something he can get for a lower price so his eldest never got to enjoy branded clothes and stuff. For the most part, Pappie was okay with this, even though he did not fully understand his father’s logic. Not yet, anyway.

Pappie was a teenager when Nike Air became vogue. Suddenly, all of his peers had a pair and peer pressure reared its ugly head. He started harassing his parents for one. Ultimately, his father gave in, on the condition that it will be bought on his terms. My father-in-law brought him to Cartimar instead of the mall and got him to choose from the ones being sold there, which were not really imitation pairs but pairs with factory defects just the same. It was a lot cheaper than those sold in malls but still more expensive than the average pair of rubber shoes. Pappie didn’t mind the compromise and for six months after that, he was a happy teener strutting around in his Nikes.

Then the air soles of his shoes were damaged and he couldn’t wear them anymore. For about three months after, he still held onto the pair, hoping he can salvage the shoes somehow and none too eager to prove his Dad right about how the purchase was a waste of money.

Fast forward to fifteen or so years after, both father and son are still haunted by this incident. Jojo’s dad still reminds him of this story when he confronts his father about lavishing on his sisters. Because well, his Dad is more generous with his daughters than with his sons.

But Jojo isn’t hurt by the double-standard or by the memory anymore. In fact, he even feels validated somehow for he has grown up. Now, he knows the amount of work that goes into having money. Now, he knows that though quality does come with some brand names, it still isn’t always the case. And now he knows to buy something because of quality, not because of brand and certainly not because his peers have one.

What’s more, now he can afford to buy all the shoes he wants. And when he does, he thinks back to that day he was scouring this big box of Nike Air shoes with defects to look for the one with the least noticeable one.

And even though he CAN afford to buy all the shoes he wants, he doesn’t. Right now, he has two black pairs and a brown one for work, a pair of rubber shoes and two pairs of sandals. And he doesn’t replace them till they’re really worn out.

Sometimes, I even have to remind my husband that he CAN or that he SHOULD buy himself a new pair already. He’s earned the privilege and it’s time to reap his rewards for being the man that he is now: a man our son can look up to and learn from.

Our Valentines

2010-02-15T15:47:00.001+08:00

Hubs promised our son painting time so I banished them outside last Saturday to be free in creating a mess.

*~*

Hubs and I attended the Last Valentine nAPO Nila concert of the APO Hiking Society. It was my first time to watch themmperform live although i've always loved their songs. I have even forgotten that one of their songs featured in our wedding. PANALANGIN was our entrance song at our reception and was also used for our wedding video. It was only when it was being sung that I got all kilig.

The concert was hubby's Valentine treat for me. He got us gold tickets. And I really enjoyed the date. Actually, I think I got more exhausted way before APO did... their concert was THAT sulit! Hubs and I were super hungry after the show (from all the laughing we did, I think) so we ate at Hap Chang before heading home to our beloved son.

*~*

Gave hubby a Hugo Energise perfume :)

*~*

A week ago, hubs brought me a new printer because our old one conked out and the cost of getting it repaired is just a little less than a brand new one. So with our new HP Deskjet F4480, I printed the following to give Yakee a tangible something for our countdown to official weaning.

I explained to Yakee that the numbers represent the number of days remaining that Mommy will still have milk for him. Then after all the days are through, he'd be like a dinosaur that would have to drink all his milk from a cup or glass. Every day, I will carry him and get him to pull down a number. It so happened that the first day of no milk from Mommy was yesterday, Valentines Day, so we bought him a cake to celebrate his dinosaurship :)

*~*

Our car, Maxime, had a stick shift that keeps sticking so hubs went out to have it fixed yesterday. Just before the mechanic was finished, a jeep sideswiped our car from trying to avoid a cyclist. Maxime lost part of the tire guard over at the driver's side.

Hubs decided to 'punish' the driver by reporting the incident. He feels bad about it because the man's license was confiscated but it was still the right thing to do. He knew the driver cannot pay for damages anyway.

Hubs later on got peeved that LTO was charging both victim and perpetrator P150 each for one photo of the damage. It really is just too much for a 5R print. The government should be ashamed!

*~*

Because we were out the night before, and Yakee was being weaned officially, he was throwing tantrums left and right yesterday. And we're really having trouble containing him during Mass. But all in all, we had a happy Valentines because we were all safe and healthy.

Lianne's Birthday Weekend

2010-02-11T13:31:00.003+08:00

This is around two weeks ago and I have got to document it already since we're celebrating another niece's birthday this coming weekend.

Lianne is Pappie's younger brother's daughter who turned five last January 28. Their school had this field trip, the last stop of which was Enchanted Kingdom. Their family has decided to tag along and celebrate her birthday there. Unfortunately, I think they arrived there around 3:00 PM with Lianne asleep so they went in around 4:00 PM. We got there at 5:00 PM, having gotten lost from our attempts to check out properties. And the place was packed that none of us really rode-all-we can.

birthday girl Lianne

monkey kids on the loose

me with in laws

a niece was scared of the fireworks

methinks Iya had too much cotton candy

at least you can rent a stroller there now

space shuttle was closed

pizza hut and chowking food after

chocolate cake the following day

play dolls after

Yakee using any long thing as an axe
to hack away at other stuff

this was how a grandma found Yakee, thought him cute,
asked him to 'bless' and gave him P3 after

We first met lianne when she just turned three. Time flies by so fast and she's more a big girl now than a toddler. Big for her age too. Yakee adores her because she likes his rough games and they both like running and climbing on things. But she loves girly stuff as well... which made the division of the paper dolls' things a challenge seeing as she and Iya both want PINK.