Christmas traditions

Last night I was thinking how much my Christmas tradition has changed since I had a family of my own. I was a little wistful. I did enjoy getting ready for Misa de Gallo then going home waiting for 12:00 to greet every one Merry Christmas and the opening of gifts begin.

The past Christmases, we had to have the Noche Buena and opening of gifts earlier in consideration of the sleeping time of the kids.

As I cleaned up the torn gift-wrappers, I was missing that old tradition. But then I flashed back a little and recalled Alon's excitement of opening every gift.

"Awwww! Nice. I like it." He hasn't really given it much look.

"Ay, so sweet!" to every time I tell him who gave the gift.

"Ako na mag-open. Kaya ko na kasi malaki na ako." This is when we offer help.

I realized, this is my tradition now... to enjoy the look of anticipation on the faces of my sons. While they are still young, I will have to relish that unconditional joy from just opening gifts, of seeing their pile grow. 

When we were settling for bed, I asked him if he was happy, He said he was. I gave him a little reminder that it was the birth of Christ and that people gave gifts to each other to show their love and to honor Jesus. He was scratching his eyes, nodding his head. I don't think he absorbed what I was trying to say. 

I doesn't matter though. There is always every day to remind him.

Merry Christmas folks! May we all rejoice in the joy of the season.

Not SW7 spoilers

I am fascinated by how noble the people on my FB feed have been with regard to Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

1) I have quite a few honest-to-goodness eager fans who watched during the first two days of showing.
2) They have shared their excitement but have kept mum on the movie itself. Which just validates their honest-to-goodness fan-ness because they know how awful it would have been to be deprived the experience of going through the SW journey again after more than 30 years. (Obviously, I'm counting from the original series and not the prequels. I'm still baffled by its existence.)

With that, I'd like to note down my thoughts on the movie. No spoilers.

1. "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." appears on the screen. I wanted to cheer and clap and wolf whistle (if I could) and whoop. But the theater crowd was the prim and proper sort so I had to content myself by squeezing Jan's biceps to express my giddiness instead.

2. "Episode VII" and the rest of the text scrolls up the screen. Goosebumps! A little bubble of childish joy was welling up in my chest. I'd have whooped and cheered but...

3. It's the sphero-droid!

4. Aha! Sense of humor in the lines. I'm going to like this.

5. BB8 is so cute! How can a series of beeps sound so adorable! He's the ball version of Wall-E!

6. Brienne of Tarth! Yeaaaaah.

7. OMG. International Humanitarian Law violations! But would it apply to another planet? Shall we call it Intergalactic Humanoid Law violations? Why so much violence in the galaxy? Oh wait. The movie's title is Star Wars. But even wars have limits, noh. Sigh.

8. This Storm Trooper angle is a welcome one.

9. The girl is cute and likeable. She's not so graceful which makes her more bad-ass! Bad-ass.

10. BB8!!! Does BB mean BingBong? Cuuuute! Like my son, I now want one.

11. Is that THE ship? It's the ship! Pew, pew, pew, pew!!!

12. Waaaaait! It's that guy from "About Time." Oh dear, I can't take him seriously anymore.

13. Ah. "The I'm bringing bad news to a Sith Lord, I will most likely die" face. Still there. Awesome.

14. Matt Parkman is in the movie!? Matt Parkman is in the movie?!

15. Did that just happen? Noooooooo!

16. Original cast appearing one by one. I want to whoop and cheer and clap but... Han, Chewy, Leia, etc. Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

17. I still can't get over Matt Parkman and the Gleeson guy. They're in effin' SW.

18. Andy Serkis is in the movie too! Whu-whut!

19. That thing that happened really happened, noh? Shite.

20. Jan's biceps must be really sore from all the pinching.

21. I need to remember to breathe. I held it too many times since we watched.

22. The Storm Troopers must have had a LOT of gun training. Their aim has improved. Dramatically.

22. Hmmmmm. More theories, which will remain theories until the next movie.

And a few more which can spoil it. So hah! What an exhilarating ride for those who loved the original series. I did not leave like I did during the prequels ("what the hell was that about?! why ruin it!). I left with theories and questions and anticipation.

You go, JJ Abrams!

Alon takes my photo!

Ta-daaaaa!

It's a fluke. The rest were blurs. :)

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Godzilla

Alon has developed quite a fascination with Godzilla.

These past few days, he has been requesting to watch Godzilla videos. His favorite is video of stills of Godzilla over the year. Another is just his various roars. (find his attention span fascinating when he is truly interested in a particular thing.)

When Alon was a year and half, his cousin Eo generously gave an old Godzilla toy he no longer played with. He has renewed fancy with the toy at three years and four months.

One day, I arrived home finding Godzilla with double-sided tape plastered over him. Apparently, he got hurt so Alon put band-aid on him.

The photo above also has a corresponding story, as told by Alon.

"Ito si Tatay Godzilla, Ito si Alab Godzilla. Si Alon Godzilla, nasa day care."

I asked him, "asan si Nanay Godzilla?"

"Nasa office."

It seems Nanaz Godzilla is a working mom like myself. :)

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First gift for 2015

I asked Jan for an iPad mini keyboard for Christmas. Somewhat inspired from having bought him a bluetooth headphones he wanted. I figured I might as well get a gadget for myself too. 

Today, we received the delivery from Lazada.com. (Wheeeee!)

Right now, I am trying it out.

I am kinda hoping this will allow me opportunity to write more. I do so miss writing. I haven't really given it much time and effort since motherhood and Facebook. Hehe! I find it tedious to boot up the laptop. I've had so many journals which lay forgotten once I get to the middle of the notebook. I have become one of the unfortunate ones who developed the preference for a keyboard rather than the pen. This is probably because my penmanship is awful. 

I'm liking this keypad thing. 
I'm still getting the hang of it. I do like the fact that I still feel like writing despite not having any particular thought. I'm just rambling on through the keyboard. Exactly what I was hoping for when I asked for this. I'm quite rusty so I need a whole lot of work. I sincerely think it will take while to get the groove back. Just writing is a start. 
So, wheee! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

First step

First independent step! Alab took one step forward, then another, then the third one was mostly gravity. And this was after he stood the longest unsupported. 

Next thing I know, I wouldn't know which way to run since I have to run after two wild horses. Haha!

A gift from dad

The gift tag would always say "Mommy and Daddy" but we all know who really thought about what gift to give. It was the same person who bought it and wrapped it. I think my dad found out about their present to me the same time I did.

One time, my dad brought home a rag doll with blue hair for me. I knew that it was him who chose it, it was him who bought it and that my mom had no hand in it whatsoever. And so I love that doll very much. It was special because I knew my dad took time for that gift. I really felt sad when I discovered that my mom donated it to charity without my knowledge. I would have wanted to keep it until it was hardly recognizable. However, to make myself better, I just imagined that doll making another child happy, and at least, I will always have the person who gave it to me.

In college, Daddy gave me a shirt which had an art contest winner for Coca-Cola Foundation. I loved that shirt as much as I loved that rag doll. Unlike that doll however, I still have that shirt with me. It's at least 17 years old already! That shirt was with me when I became a Jesuit Volunteer in Mindoro and Bukidnon, when I did field work for JVP and for Assisi, when I studied in Netherlands and whenever I travel for work. That shirt has been places. It was my way of having Dad around and reminding myself that he will always be there.

I probably would not be able to let go of that shirt. I'm a hoarder that way. I'd rather keep my old stuff and get rid of newer items which I have less emotional inclination for. That shirt, in particular, is too special. 

But even if I no longer have that shirt (I hope because one of the boys swiped it), Dad will always be there. A big part of me is from him. Things he taught me without knowing he has taught me. Like, even with the bad rep men have, good men are capable of loving a woman beyond what she expects, therefore there is no point to settle for less. He taught me dedication to duty. He has taught me love for family. He has taught me compassion for others. These were greater gifts none could take away but something I hope to pass on.

He was gone too soon. Physically. But his spirit has never left. I thank the Father for giving me my father.

Happy Dad's Day, Dad!

Monster Jam

Back in March, Metrodeal had a deal for Peppa Pig and Monster Jam. My instinct told me that Alon would enjoy Monster Jam more. He is obsessed with cars. The bigger the cars, the better he liked them, too. And boys will be boys, I guess. He took particular joy when the trucks would topple, burn or crash.

We didn't buy the tickets then because the event was still this June. We weren't sure with our schedule and we had to be extra watchful of our finances then.

Metrodeal relaunched the sale of the tickets at 50% off.

I asked Alon what he likes more, Peppa Pig or Monster Jam. He answered Monster Jam.

Yey! Because we already bought the tickets before I thought of asking him.

I think I'm more excited than he is! He doesn't know yet, of course. But I'm really, really, really excited. Tatay, Nanay and Ninong Roy with Alon. I'm a bit sad that Alab won't be able to go but it might be too noisy for his tender ears for now.

Alon's first live show will be bad ass! I saw on TV that his favorite monster truck, Zombie, will be coming too. He likes the wobbly hands whenever it flips.

Zombie. Photo taken from here.

I can't wait to see his excitement! :)

This is eat

The initial attempt to feed Alab did not succeed as I imagined it to be. Given that when he eat, he looks at us with much longing, I thought he would be giddy-happy that it was finally time to him to share in the family meal. Apparently not. He would push the spoon away or close his mouth as it approached or pushed his tongue out.

For more than a week, this was a case. I thought to give feeding him a rest since his main source of nutrition should still be milk anyway.

Since we do not have the time to really cook his food every time (it's such a small portion, at that), we freeze his food then just thaw it out when we are too feed him. One day, I thought of giving him a frozen potato slice to chew on. He enjoyed it! He ended up eating a couple of slices. I tried it with squash and sweet potato, he enjoyed them both. I also tried giving him a small slice of fresh banana (not frozen), he ended eating a lot.

My initial thought that baby-led weaning was not for us has been debunked.

Some things never change

One of the things my husband is known for is his ability to sleep anywhere, any time at any position.

His friends from way back know this. The friends we have know this, with documentation even. I have a lot of sleeping photos on file. With mouth open, head forward, head to the side, lying down, sitting down... 

Some things never change. Sometimes they just evolve.

 

This time, someone else is with him.

Cue that fuzzy warm feeling while snickering.

Kids say the darnedest things!

In the throes of a wild tantrum
Alon: Gusto ko ng cereals!
Nanay: Kuha kita ng bago?
Alon: Hindi, yung kinain mo!

* * * * *

Tatay: Greet mo si Nanay ng Happy Mother's Day tapos hug mo siya.
Alon: Mamaya na, kumakain pa ako.

* * * * *

Alon: Excuse me, Tatay, nanuod ako ng news. (watching Rated K and its feature on animals)

* * * * *

Nanay: Alon, gusto mo gupit ko?
Alon: Hindi. Pahabain mo.

* * * * *

Alon: Gusto ko ng long kasi hindi short.

* * * * *

Nanay: Alab, kakain ka na!
Alon: Hindi kasi maliit pa si Alab.

* * * * *

Dining out with small children

Eating out has taken a whole new dimension since we had kids.

The old criteria were:
1) Do we like the food?
2) Are we are willing to spend for that food that we like?

The criteria has changed drastically from the original.
1) Will the stroller fit? (if we brought it)
2) Do they have a high chair?
3) Do they serve soup or spaghetti?
4) Is there an off chance that they have a play area?
5) Will we not mind the cost of the food Alon will order but not eat?
6) Are there any hot surfaces we have to deal with? If yes, then we are not eating there. (Shabu-shabu, Slappy Cakes, sizzling/grill places have been eliminated from the race.)

Now I know why a lot of families end up in McDonald's or Jollibee!

Our little family, on the other hand, have developed some lovin' for Max's.

Kain na!

Last Saturday (9 May), Alab ate for the first time.

Contrary to my expectations of giggly joy of finally having food, he was crying and throwing a fit. My little Baymax did not enjoy his first time. :(

It might have been the attempt at baby-led weaning (BLW).  I gave him a sliver of squash which he eagerly put in his mouth (as he tends to do lately with anything he lays his hands on). He tastes it and gums it... and gags. He ends up crying.

I went back to old-school feeding of mashing the squash and adding some breastmilk to give him a more familiar taste. He reacted much better to it but ends up crying again. 

I ended up nursing him both for comfort and hunger. He fell asleep a few moments after.

When I fed him again on Sunday, I stuck to old-school mashed food. He was more receptive than the day before. Still not giggly joy but at least there was no more crying until after he finished what I prepared.

Maybe BLW is not for us, but we are definitely on our way to solid food. And stinky farts and poop. StinkIER farts and poop, I mean.

Lessons from my mother

From my mom, I learned...

Compassion. I remember those days in Pampanga when she would have us choose from our old clothes and toys to give away to the kids living in the squatters (political correctness was not a thing back then!) right beside our village. She'd have them come over our house and serve them warm porridge. Afterwards, she'd give them our old clothes.

Independence. She allowed us to roam around on our own as children. She, too, was a woman of her own. My dad only went home on weekends, so she did her own thing. Mom let my sister live in a dorm at 13 to study in Pisay. She and Dad let me dorm at 15 and live in another province after graduation to volunteer. She declared my bro financially independent when he turned 21. :P

Faith. She works hard, yes. But she also trusts God to do as He will.

Stubborn-ness. I think the sibs would agree that I got it from her. Definitely not from dad. And from her last visit, she was saying Alon got it from me. It's not necessarily a bad thing! This just means we know what we want and we know who we are. 

There is so much more she has taught me, of course. But these are the four things I easily think of when I think of my mom.

Well, there is her ka-kikayan and love for jewelry. But this is where we begin to differ.

To my dearest Mommy El, happy mother's day! I love you so much. 

Paddywhack

Singing "This Old Man" in a slower tempo helps put Alab to sleep. It's quite a convenient song rhyme to sing since it can get pretty long.

This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;

With a knick-knack paddywhack
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

You just repeat the verse while replacing the numbers and the last word of the next line with the corresponding rhyme.
Two - shoe
Three - tree
Four - door
Five - hive
Six - sticks
Seven - heaven
Eight - gate
Nine - line
Ten - all over again

Honestly, I have no idea what the song is supposed to mean. I don't even know what the numbers are counting. A quick wikipedia search did not really reveal much on the song. So I'm stumped to this day.

I did, however, research what a paddywhack is. Mainly due to Alon's insistent asking of what it means rather than my own curiosity. Apparently it's the nuchal ligament of a sheep or cattle. From wikipedia, "it is a strong elastic ligament in the midline of the neck of the sheep or cattle which relieves the animal of the weight of its head. It is pale yellow in color." Apparently, it's used as a dog treat.

It ain't pretty.

Image taken from reddit

Knowing the dark past of many nursery rhymes, this really makes me wonder the deeper meaning of the song. Anyone got ideas?

Milestones: Alab

It's almost a week that Alab can sit for longer periods of time without support.

Thought bubble 1: Yey! Development milestone on track. And look, he's so proud of himself. Nakakatuwa! Where's the camera?

Thought bubble 2: We really need to get rid of the bed frame soon and just have the mattress on the floor.

Thought bubble 3: Shucks. In just a few months, dalawa na ang hahabulin ko. *groan*

Thought bubble 4: I really should have a first aid kit ready asap. And stock up on soap. This house is going to smell like boys. Euw.

Thought bubble 5: Yey! I'm prouder of him as he is of himself. Where's the camera?

Sana di pa ako kunin ni Lord

Nuong 16 years old ako, naisip ko, pwede na siguro ako mamatay by 30.

Nang tumungtong ako ng 25... wala pa ako masyadong nagagawa sa buhay. Naisip ko, kapag 40 years old na ako, pwede na akong kunin ni Lord. May nagawa na siguro ako na makabuluhan by then.

Gumising ako ng isang araw, 30 na ako. May asawa. Sabi ko, kahit mga 50 years old siguro, okay na. Happy twenty years together na din yun. Mumultuhin ko na lang asawa ko kapag nag-asawa ng iba.

Almost 34 years old ako nang ako ay magluwal ng isang bata sa mundo. Hawak ng aking mga kamay. Halos di pa niya ako makita, pero alam ko na kilala niya ako. Alam ko na alam  niya kung ano ako sa buhay niya. Thirty-six ako nang magluwal ng isa pa.

Simula nuon, mataimtim na akong nagdadasal gabi-gabi na bigyan ako ni Lord ng mahabang buhay at malusog na pangangatawan. Naisip ko, sino ang mag-aalaga sa kanila kapag may nangyari sa amin?

Higit pa dun, gusto kong makita silang lumaki at danasin ang buhay. Gusto kong maloko sila sa mga crush nila (at asa pa akong magkwento pa sila ng lovelife nila kapag ginawa ko yun). Gusto kong magtampo na di na nila ako pinapansin dahil lagi na nilang kasama partner nila. Gusto kong malibre dahil nakuha nila ang kanilang first paycheck.

Gusto kong makita silang magtagumpay sa buhay. Gusto kong nanduon ako para umalalay when they fail. Gusto kong maging andun para sa kanila kapag kailangan nila ako. Gusto kong nariyan lang ako kahit iniisip nilang di nila ako kailangan.

Kaya note to self: bawas-bawasan ang pagkain ng taba ng baboy sa sinigang ng Rodic's pati adobo at humba ni Mama.

Magulang blues

Halos pitong taon na nung ikinasal ako. Bukod sa first time kong magkaroon ng bonggang-bonggang party, wala ako masyadong maramdamang naiba sa buhay ko. Siguro mas mabilis na maubos ang toothpaste ko. Tsaka may humihilik sa tabi ko at may nakikiagaw ng unan ko. Pero parang halos tulad pa din ng dati. Sabay na nga lang kami umuuwi pagkatapos ng date at hindi na ako kelangang ihatid (tipid na sa pamasahe si mister!).

Pag may asawa ka, kung gustuhin ay kaya pang maka-eyeball with friends. Ako, para may makasamang manuod ng Star Cinema romcoms na di kelangan ilibre kasama ko. Siya, para makapaglaro at makakwentuhan ng basketball na di lang nagkukunwaring enjoy sa usapan.

Matagal-tagal din bago ko na-internalize na misis na ako

Pero pag naging magulang ka... walang time para isipin kung na-internalize mo. Feel mo o hindi, sasabak ka agad sa giyera.

Date? Makakain lang kami sa tamang oras, win na yun!

Guilty pleasures? Mas madaling makaramdam ng guilt kesa pleasure.

Movies? Nung first time kong magtangkang manuod ng pelikula pagkatapos manganak, nakatulog ako. "The Hobbit" na yun, maingay ang surround-sound-dolby-digital-THX feature ng sinehan. Wa epek. Knockout pa din ako. Best sleep I had in six months. So sulit na rin ang binayad sa sine.

Television? Peppa Pig at Pocoyo at Sesame Street. Maximum one hour per day. Fine, two hours para may magawa akong ibang bagay (alagaan yung sa isa pang anak).

Music? Sawa na akong kumanta ng "Twinkle, twinkle" at "This Old Man" at sari-saring nursery rhymes araw-araw. Pero first time ko magkaroon ng fan. Pagkatapos ng isang awit, masasabihan ako ng "Nanay, again!"

Fashion? Kung ano mahablot sa closet, yun na. Keber kung bagay ang top sa bottom. Basta may top and bottom.

Friends? Ewan ko kung kilala pa nila ako. Isang himala pag nakasama ng gimik. Ihanda ang marching band pag sumagot ako sa invitation ng "see you."

Minsan, napapaisip ako... ano ba itong pinasukan ko? Wala na itong bawian. Pero kapag may isang bulinggit na yumakap sa iyo at nagtanong, "happy ka, Nanay?" Kapag tumingin ka sa mata niya at sumagot ng "oo," alam mong nagsasabi ka ng totoo.