11 months old

Vien is 11 months old! He is getting closer to his first year. Amazing 11 months it has been! By the time I knew it, he would be going to a school and be the goofy little grader I imagine him to be, or the little rascal who likes to boss around as how his father describes him. But that’s a few more years from now. Back to the 11 months hehe

My little boy has learned the art of wiggling and squirming and pushing himself to get down and crawl on the floor and be the ever unstoppable baby that he has become. But come to think of it, this is the stage where A. and I have been hoping to come. When he was still a newborn blob, we wanted to play with him and wished that he would sit by himself and keep on smilimg, or walk and play hide and seek with us. Now we’re wishing that he stays put and just be the cuddly blob he used to be. Haha.

At the moment, Vien has a total of 8 teeth! My goodness! My friend’s one-year-old baby boy has only 6 teeth. Not that I am comparing, but 8 teeth at 11 months? That’s a lot of fussy and waking hourss, drooling, and kneading on his comfort lampin. I sure like him with lesser teeth though. The last one erupted at the bottom, right side, a couple of weeks ago. Though he is a bit fussier lately, I’m glad that his sweet smile has some symmetry this time. I am particularly not happy with the wide gap between his two front teeth (top); nevertheless, he still looks adorable when he smiles.

Vien is a busy walker and crawler these days. He takes several steps and then gets very excited before he would toddle over to whoever is in charge of looking after him. He likes to walk and touch everything we pass by. With a little wiggling of legs, he can now walk alone and likes to go out of the house, and if we do not heed to his wants, magta-tantrums na! Hay… But it is so much fun to watch him discover the new things that his body is able to do, and so much scary to know that he is now bump-prone hehe. He has had a few episodes already. But good thing only small red patches appeared and then its gone after a few hours. No swelling yet, thank God! (knock on woods)

Ah, I love this 11 month stage. My sweet baby boy steals my heart with every look and smile. So far, so sweet. One more month and his on to his very first birthday

PS: I’m thinking of weaning him from breastfeeding after his birthday. Wish me luck!

Reminding Me Till Now

Growing up, I had many wonderful afternoons where I was sitting side by side with my father while looking at the people passing by our very busy street. It was my pleasure to see life through a father’s view, but more importantly, through a well-experienced, well-travelled man’s eyes. It was something I wouldn’t exchange for anything. I was enlightened in many ways.

“Do you know how much that man earns in a day?” This was his question after we bought 5-peso onions packed in a small plastic bag from a man who had been carrying a sack full of onions for God knows how long. ”How much?” I asked with disinterest. “Probably 100-200 pesos.” I did not believe him at first for I thought that amount was not worth earning to compernsate the long walking with a heavy sack on your back, under the scorching heat of the sun. If I were him, I would find another job or use a bike or a karitela! But perhaps he had nothing but his two rugged feet and a brave heart. I was somehow able to get the message later in life.

I had heard statements like “There are many people who would want to be in your place” or something like “Do you know that there are people dying right now because of hunger?” Back then, I would just roll my eyes and ignore my father’s “corny” persuasions so I would start eating the food on the table or not ask him of an allowance increase. For me, it was another tactical maneuvering of my very bright father and I would never fall on that trap! But I realized as an adult, it wasn’t. It’s, in fact, a fact of life. That there are indeed people who died and are dying because of hunger. That there are many people who would love to have what I have. That there are those people who have worse than I do. That the man with a sack of onion was a real person, with a real family; he was willing to endure anything for his family.

Just this morning, I was thinking about many things that have happened in my life. Most of what I was able to remember were anything but positive thoughts - regrets, failures, wrong decisions, worries etc. Then I came across this on the net: “You have so much to be thankful for and you really need to learn to be happy and content with your life, instead of always looking for more.”

Mommy Moments #4: That’s My Dad!

This week’s Mommy Moments theme is all about our dads. I dedicate this entry to the two most influential men in my life.

To the father of my baby boy. To the man who has decided to stay with me after I have unleashed my monstrous side (which by the way still appears when sleep- and food-deprived :p). To this guy who has the habit of cooking the best foods I’ve ever tasted (naks!). To this big boy who has helped me see things with a brighter color. To this man who introduced me to the world of sports, ie, tennis and badmiton. To the one man I love just because I want to (hehe) and just because he’s truly lovable (despite everyone else’s disagreement hehe). Thank you. Thank you for everything.

And to my own father, the very first man on earth I ever loved, adored, and revered. The man who taught me how to be strong and fight back when necessary. The only man who threw me to the bed when I was not eating the food in our table. The one man who played the roles of a father and a mother so I wouldn’t feel incomplete as a person. The man who would wake up early, bathe me, put my uniform on me, comb my hair, put me on his bike and pedal our way to school. The one man who labored hard so he could send me to college. To this man whom I miss so much. My Papa. I love you.

To these two wonderful men, I am so proud to be a part of your life. Happy Father’s Day! 

And Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, papas, itays, and tatays out there. You rock!

Back in the Game

Pre-baby, I regularly played badminton with my friends at Club Flick. I looked forward to gearing up myself for fun games every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. From the day I found out I was pregnant up to the time when my baby was I think 7 months, my badminton activity stopped. For so long, I wished I could play again and feel that good energy, was disappointed at several events I had to miss because my body was yet to be ready with rigorous activity such as badminton, and resentful at having pregnancy bulges but couldn’t do anything about them yet. I’ve been missing my badminton buddies; it was really fun being with them from playing and having dinner after the game.

But like all stories go, “this too shall pass.” Between doing my role as a mother to Vien and the one that earned me a paycheck, I was able to find time to play badminton again. It started early this year. I am back with my friends whom I missed for so long. Not that I don’t see them at all, because some of them are my officemates as well, but what really makes me happy is the friendship that is made inside the badminton court. So every Saturday night, after a long week of working and caring for my little guy, I take a time-out, do what I used to love that is badminton, and just have fun with my friends. It’s sooo good to be back in the game!

having fun during in-between sets

Silence Makes Me Oh So Happy

I am quite hesitant to admit that since Vien has been born, A. and I have had no romantic dates whatsoever. We haven’t gone out on a proper date, complete with date attire and date budget (we try not to splurge too much on ourselves so we can save money for vaccines etc). Weekend gateaways are also not part of our monthly iteneraries, although there were few instances that we were able to go to some other parts of the Philippines other than Paranaque, like that one in San Pablo, Laguna, Enchanted Kingdom (I consider it an out-of-town trip already hehe), courtesy of A’s older brother. We also enjoyed a couple of family gatherings, especially the one held in a private pool somewhere in Farview (err Fairview) QC. Other than that, we just stay home. This is  now my life, so typical.

Don’t get me wrong. I do love to go out with A. and just have a romantic dinner for two after watching a good movie like we used to do. I have been missing quite a few dates with some good old friends. I miss going to the beach, travel far, and feel the county-ish air off my face. I love to do again what I used to love doing. But as long as Vien isn’t ready to poop on a toilet bowl, eat the serve-yourself way, and drink milk on a cup, A. and I are enjoying the following home-based activities (while our little guy is snoozing):

(a) watching movies on dvds (even those that are not yet shown here, pinapatos na din namin :p)

(b) having tv series marathon: 24, heroes, prison break (right now, we’re running out of series to watch; any suggestions?)

(c) walking Vien around the neighborhood (and making friends with co-parents)

(d) going to the grocery stores

(e) arguing, laughing, pillow fighting, and then silence (you know what I mean, right? :p)

So far, our routines are making us both quite happy. I make milk (still breastfeeding), he makes our food. I bathe Vien, he prepares his bed. At beditme, I rock Vien till he goes to sleep, he watches us until he falls asleep (or vice versa). And then the silence. ZZZZZZ. (The only time the house is noise-free is when all of us are sleeping. That’s what I meant with “silence” :p)