Just testing some great apps! Lol! (while Paula practices reading by karaoke-singing on YouTube at this godly hour!)
Archive for April, 2012
Looking good in low definition/resolution images…
Nobody wants any of these two get upset.
With my cousin…
I bet most people never cared about sleeping positions until they become parents. That — based on my experience.
Neither Gabby nor Paula as a baby made “free fall” a habit — a sleeping position where a person lays on his/her front, the front facing the bed. But I would normally do that: laying my baby tummy-down on my tummy, when she’s not comfortable.
Like today, I haven’t slept at all and it’s already 4 am. Gabby’s been waking up every 10-30 minutes or so, always almost crying before I held her up.
I think that position helps because my heat would relieve whatever cold my baby is feeling and the pressure on her tummy helps suppress any pain. I’m so sleepy and I have to go to Makati from Laguna a few hours from now. Unfortunately, I have to keep awake to ensure that Gabby gets a good night sleep. Normal mommy duties, just like any night.
So just sharing how it looks like!
Forgive me for that stressful look.
Since Paula learned how to read, she’s been bugging me with a lot of things… And one most recently was to join an event for kids this Easter Sunday, after reading an ad from a local mall.
Who’s not to say “yes” to a rare request? Besides, she’s been very shy especially during her first year in school. And you won’t believe that for a big girl like her, she was an easy target of bullying.
Allow me to explain a bit… Because she was too young and then and I wasn’t so sure that she’s ready for school, I decided to send her to day care for her first year. It’s like a trial period. And because I was out to work and I have school, I wasn’t able to look after her — sending her to class and fetching her were a yaya’s task. And I was blessed to have a good yaya then… One whom she really considered an “Ate”. I wanted her to socialize, meet kids of her age and have fun. But it wasn’t what I expected. It was great, she has truly learned in the end… But it was a hostile environment for one who’s got a yaya. Parents are usually allowed to stay by the window, coaching their kids as they undertake their daily activities. And I’ve learned that kids with their parents are always more confident and thus, bullier — because they’ve got a mommy or a daddy, and sometimes even both, as private armies. In other words, kids with their parents around are literally SMARTER.
One of her classmates remarked, “Wala ka namang Mommy eh.” That I was teary eyed hearing that awful story from her. And when school was finally over, I managed to accompany her to class on days when no subject was scheduled for finals. And one day I was even there waiting outside, she turned to me:
Paula (teary eyed): Mommy, inaaway na naman ako classmate ko.
Me (trying not to lose my cool): Sabihin mo nandito Mommy mo.
Paula walked away and returned after a few seconds…
Paula: Eh sabi niya andito din Mommy niya.
Me: (silent… controlling my temper… The guts of that kid!)
Despite the bullying, she survived her first year. And just this year, I sent her to a private school where parents are only allowed to send their kids at the gates. So, that gave her better chances at improving her self-confidence. True enough, she became more confident, independent, and a whole lot smarter. Her teachers are even recommending her for Grade 1, instead of taking the next level which is Prep.
So having that sort of background, I am in no position to refuse an offer from her to join not just any activity, but a competition… An Easter Bunny Carnival Costume Contest (dunno if I got that right, doesn’t sound good to me).
I promised her we were going. Without any preparation, except from some googling for costume idea, I texted my brother’s girlfriend to seek help. So that makes us four already — me, Paula, my bro’s gf, and my bro (because I brought his gf in). Incidentally, my mother just got back from Cebu where she attended the funeral of my Uncle (eternal rest grant unto him…). She brought with her some summer dresses that my Auntie is making in Toledo for export in the U.S. That was Saturday. I mentioned to Kae, my bro’s gf, that I saw some pics of an Easter parade in NYC where people wear big hats with gardens on them. And she suggested we make a head dress. Come Easter Sunday, my other brother decided to come with us because I was bringing Gabrielle with us. That makes six of us.
We got to the mall at 1pm, without anything but the dress and the hat that Kae brought. The parade was scheduled for 2pm, so we really had to hurry. My bro and his gf took care of the registration, 5 minutes before start, while I raced with time making the head dress.
PREPPING UP! Before this, she only had red lipstick and some blush on. Because I heard the other mommy panicking over her daughter's make up, I had to panic too! Twas time for some dark brown eyeshadow.
;
THE RAMP. Paula gracing the stage with her summer dress and our 15-minute head dress. Yes, it had big yellow bunny ears and eggs on the nest. She had brown booty sandals to match her big peasant hat (which did so accidentally). See her bunny pose in the middle!
There was some magic show while the judges deliberate and finalize their decision. It was a long wait, especially for a 5-year old like Paula. Some judges pointing at her, asking for her number, was a good sign.
THE CONTESTANTS. These kids were vying for the title "Wackiest", "Most Colorful", and the "Cutest" Bunny Carnival Costume.
THE SHOW. Perhaps Paula would make a good actress (as opposed to her mommy)... Despite her repulsion to having to wear the heavy head dress again, she managed some great smiles. They'd given away bunny head bands eventually, which gave her some good excuse to remove the burden.
Paula gaining some weight after her big loss is becoming more apparent. She was too skinny until school finally ended.
THE VICTOR. Yay! She won her category -- CUTEST Bunny Carnival Costume!
Oh yeah we brought home some gift certificates and were guilty of shopping right after. It was fun and rewarding despite the lack of preparation. But the exposure and experience that Paula had was priceless, not to mention the confidence boost that no amount of money can ever buy.
BUNNY PHONE. My phone should have joined, too! Niclaus (my phone's name) looks good with its purple costume (although it looks blue here because of the poor lighting).
Btw, thanks to Kae for also being our camera person! Great pics you got there!
Being a second-time mom doesn’t make it less exciting. You get to be as proud for every milestone… And I guess that goes for every mother for each of her child. Having previous experience doesn’t make one an expert — only makes you stronger and more confident.
Making the most of the summer vacation, we take her out as often as we can. It's funny how she tries so hard not to sleep -- she loves the change of scenery.
When you become a parent, you become more vulnerable.
You fear not only for yourself — but more for your child. And that leaves you always anxious and worried, especially when you’re away from your child. But as time goes by, you become stronger… trusting that Someone out there will take care of everything.
Being a parent does not only mean challenges. As a parent, you will get to experience the best of emotions — love, joy, and happiness. You get to find sense in every little thing there is and feel very proud of small changes.
Gabby began to speak her first word when she was three months old — making her best efforts to make a sound that doesn’t make sense even to herself. Three months after that, I think she’s starting to say something that makes sense to her.
She’s probably been saying it for a long time but not too clearly… And that I just started to notice
just recently. Yes, she knows now how to say Mama, Mammy, and Mimi — in random order. When she’s not too hurt and is probably just calling my attention, she blurts out Mammy and Mama. And when she’s a bit alarmed or hurt (like her sleep disturbed), she wails “Mimi”. Oh yeah when she’s totally angry she calls out “Wah” like Sen. Miriam — although not in a similar manner.
So that makes me a very proud mother. She calls my name, looking at me, with her hands almost like reaching. And the joy is too overwhelming it almost breaks my heart.
"Taking pics of me again?" Gabby at 6 months!
SWEET TOOTH. Chocolates and mallows are sweet -- and so is Gabby.
Most people observe how observant she is — staring at things like she understands them. She watches the impeachment trial too and perhaps she can’t wait for Congress’ session to resume. And whenever she sees good food, she tries to express her excitement by making that “aye” look and doing some kicking motions.
I know, I know! Sweets like these are not good for the baby. But we only allow her to taste and not feed.
VOILA! Here's how she looks after a short bout with the chocolate and sugar-coated mallows!
You know that look? That’s DISAPPOINTMENT. “Please give me more…”
The kids and I had great fun today…
Yes, that’s a girl who looks just like a good looking boy! We call her Gabby, though my mom fondly calls her Chun Chin!
And because her ate refused to fix our bed, she ended up being in the clothes bin! She looked wonderful, didn’t she? And one more…
Being a good girl that she is, she didn’t put up a fight with me for putting her into such “compromising” position. Lol.
Paula had great fun too! But no photo ops as of today. She’s kinda allergic to shower so she’s better off cam.
Til next time!
There is no definition of love, except for the description provided in the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
But songs and experience tell us there are different ways of loving a person, and they can be classified into three:
1. It means holding on. It’s obvious, especially if the other person feels the same way. But holding on when you’re unsure about his/her feelings means martyrdom.
2. It means letting go. And you have no choice if he/she doesn’t want you anymore. Forcing yourself would only hurt you more. So better let go and claim you’ve given up on him/her before he/she gave up on you.
3. Let it be. In gay lingo, it means kebs. If he/she loves you, then good for you. If he/she doesn’t, then good for you, too. You’d better not waste your time with the wrong person. And thank him/her you can finally move on to a better someone.
I do like Adele’s Someone Like You. But I don’t agree in finding someone like that person. Don’t you think you need someone better?
I know, this sounds bitter all together. But maybe, taking all these three ways within the context of love in the Bible means something really good. Holding on means forgiveness, that you’d still be a good Samaritan despite what the other person did. Letting go means patience, believing that someone you deserve will come — that “someone” may mean a better “you” or a better “one” for you. And letting it be means acceptance… And faith that Someone much greater than we are is in charge.
Or maybe all these is wrong analysis. Remember, that bible verse concluded that “Love never fails.”
So if it fails, it’s not love?
I don’t know but it does make sense. Why allow yourself to be so hurt about love when there’s no love to speak of? You were hurt for something else not love. And it does happen. We get hurt because we stumble, we get knocked off, we fail. We get hurt for so many possible reasons… For investing time and ambitions to the wrong person. But rejoice! Love will come your way. And perhaps, then, you can call it “first love”.
Moves Like Juggler 