January 30, 2015 National Day of Mourning

I promised that this blog will be a venue for positive thoughts only, but I can't get over with the news of 40+ SAF members who died because of the "mis-encounter". My deepest symphathy and prayers to the family left behind by these brave heroes. My heart goes to the wives as well as their children thatwill not  be able to hug and kiss their fathers anymore. 

Papa was also a soldier, then he became an aide of a politician and now a full-time Lolo. I can imagine the fear that mama and inang experienced during those times he was sent to camps and battles. I can remember their usual story that goes like "nung pinapanganak na ng mama mo, nasa edsa (edsa revolution) ang papa mo, hindi ko malaman anu ipagdadasal ko". Amidst that, we are lucky that we are a complete family now. D and our future kids will be able to play with papa. 

I am writng this because I also feel the rage that netizens are expressing. I am out of town, so I just rely on the written news online, and reading the articles and scanning the pictures made me cry. And made  me ask if may pag-asa pa ba talaga ang Philippine government? And i get much more dissapointed upon learning that our president did not even attended the arrival of the fallen heroes, very depressing. 

My depression turned into much anger, upon hearing that they solicit donations for the families left behind by the fallen policemen.  Seriously? Our government spent millions to hide the street dwellers during Pope's visit, and now they can't spend for the familes of  men who died fighting for our country? Where do our taxes go? 

Now I can't explain what I feel. 

Let us just pray that justice will be given, and the issue will not be forgotten like the Maguindanao massacre and others. And much prayers to the families left behind. 

G,   

On Traveling and being Scared

Today marks my first travel (because of work) by plane for this year. This is not my first time, but this is the first time I felt so much scared riding an airplane. Like I wanna back-out, like I almost asked my superior to go instead and I almost prayed so hard na sana macancel and training.

Being a training offcer of my company took me to a lot of places in the Philippines, I enjoyed it and travelled to most cities I dreamt of week after week. But today is different, I am looking for the same excitement I usually feel every time I start packing my things, but its nowhere to be find. 

Yes, I arrived too early for my flight at the airport, but its because papa needs to drop me early to avoid traffic. But why am I so scared?

Is it because this is my first time to the place I am headed to? I should be more excited. 

Is it because the plane will be small? I think a bit. 

Is it because I will be doing two trainings simultaneously? Laziness. But I did three before. 

Okay, maybe its because I am now afraid of leaving D behind, afraid of the crashing airplanes, afraid of not be able to go back and hug R and D. I have my insurances placed, but hey I have so many plans and so young. OA I know, but is it bad to be scared? Doest it make me less of a person? Oh well someone tell me what I feel is normal. 

Afraid and scared

G, 

P.S. As of the posting time, I arrived safe and complete here in Naga. I typed the draft while waiting at the airport. I am here, it is a beautiful city and I can't wait to explore it. 

Learnings from our 6 years Journey

One of our pre-nup photo four years and 40 kilos ago. 

I had so much plan this weekend, but I ended up glued on our couch, watching TV, playing with D and texting/calling daddy R. This is our typical weekend when daddy R has work on a weekend. And we are like that for almost four years already. Tomorrow R and I will celebrate our 6th anniversary. Yes, I even computed ilang years na ba talaga kami? Haha we are like that, we don't usually celebrate our anniversaries and oftentimes we forgot about it. But that doesn't mean we love each other less, in fact for me thats true love. No rules, no boundaries, no limitations, no pretentions, just pure love. Naks sabi nga ni R "Mi, my love for you is priceless". 

We may look always a happy couple, we may show other people or on our social media accounts the happy and beautiful or little family is, but we also have a share of stormy seasons. Yes, I have the right to call our love "true love" because if its not, we will not have each other until now. And I know this will be forever.  

But having a relationship doesn't just exist because of true love, I believe that you have to work hard for it. And after 6 years of being a couple, I feel like we are stronger now than before. And happier of course. And I wanna share how we do it, what we decided and chooses to do for the love of each other. 

1. The Art of Compromising. When two people who came from different family and culture become together expect the worst. In the first months okay pa yan, honeymoon stage pa so both can give way. But after that, we start comparing our partners with our parents, ayan na! We or I learned it the hard way. But yes, compromising and meeting half-way is possible. Communication and honesty is the key. Be honest with your partner on what you both want, and accept the fact that hindi sa lahat ng oras gusto mo ang masusunod. Compromising is as easy as eating lunch sa gusto ng hubby mo, and mirienda naman sa gusto mo. And talk about the issue when both of you are calm. 

2. The Art of Communication. In our 6 years of togetherness, 4years is long-distance relationship. Although daddy R goes home every other weekend, LDr pa din yan! The thought of waking up not beside your loved one is sad and makes me feel alone at times,  But thank you to the unlimited plans, R made sure that we text, call and update each other on what we do everyday. It takes a lot of getting used to, pero masasanay ka din. We just make-up with the kwentuhan when he's here. 

3. The Art of Time Management. This one is the hardest. Being a working mom, with a toddler, and before breastfeeding and studying left no time for R. But good thing he understands,  but that doesn't mean he doesn't need me and I will stop making time for him. Ngarag diba? But whether we like it or not we have to alot time for our husbands. Remember that we used to revolve our world with them, kaya nga daw marami naghahanap ng iba. Even if we have D now, we make sure we sneak time for each other. 

4. The Art of Courting. This is more on R, he never stoped making me kilig in the 6 years we are together. And as Pope Francis said, never stop the illusion/love that you have when you are boyfriends/girlfriends. True naman, whenever R and I fight, I used to look at our pictures just to remember how happy we are. Then I fall in love to R again (yiheee!!). He never stopped calling me pretty, or never ceases to make me feel loved. 

5. The Art of Submission. Yes, as wives, we have to be. Its hard to live by it specially when you belong to type "A" personalities, but we have to trust and be with the decisions of our hubbies. Its a struggle for me, I know for some women as well, but we need to make sure that the man really manned the home. 

As we celebrate our 6th anniversary, note that this our original anniversary as bf/gf (we don't celebrate of wedding anniversary) I know that our journey will become more exciting and adventurous as he we learning from our mistakes and moving forward. Of course I look forward into growing old with R, but I am more excited in our journey into growing old. 

I hope you guys picked up something from us, you may want to add or share yours too. 

#iamsoblessed

G, 

D's Thomas the Train 3rd Birthday

Over the holidays, I didn't bothered so much on D 3rd birthday party preparations because I wanted a simple out of town celebration. Initial plan will be an out of town trip with side trip to a zoo or beach. But things changed when Jan 15-19 was declared a holiday because of Pope's visit. We got scared  of  traffics and other road closures so we just decided to have a small party with Inang in Pampanga.  

I want the party to be D's choice, I want to have everything he wants, unlike the previous parties that is usually our choice. And because he just discovered trains, thomas and chunggington, therefore train party it is. After consulting Mr. Google of course, I went on Thomas the Train party because he is the character that has more downloadable and printable party accessories.  

Of course, D's big day kick-off was singing of a birthday song and blowing of candles the time he opened his eyes. 

And what is the most appropriate gift for a thomas the train party? Thomas of course. 

Only the wrappers. Haha hindi ko na siya mahawakan after. I bought the Thomas speeding boost and Toby lightning vest at Toys R us. And have them wrapped na din. D's "Wows!" are music to our ears. He's so happy with his gifts, so even nabutas bulsa namin, happy na din. 

This is the table spread, excluding the spaghetti, bico, adobo and pancit we prepared for adults. 

Thank Mr. Google for the printables. I just printed these trains and the cake labels. 

I also made marshmallows dipped with dark chocolates and sprinkles, 

and lined the base with thomas printables. 

Also had cupcakes with printed DIY toppers. 

The cupcakes are a readymade ones from the grocery. #mamahacks

And the star of the table, graham balls. Even adults liked it. 

I also bought Chunggington party hats at Toys r Us. 

And some balloons from National Bookstore but didn't made it to the pictures haha.   

D happily blowing his cake from Red Ribbon. 

The birthday boy that didn't want to look at the picture. 

I also printed some food and table tags. But I forgot about them during the party.  

Post party syndrome. D asks for more party! haha

The rest of the day was spent playing, running and a lot of adult chitchats. This party was the simplest and so far the cheapest, but the happiest for D. Yes, a simple planning, researching and budgeting is all you need. 

G,  

D is 3!

My baby turned 3 last sunday! He just discovered building blocks and now making "castles". 

Yes, just like that! Sooner he'll no longer wanted to be hugged and kissed (aw!) so I wanna cherish his childhood more and more. I wanna make memories that we both can laugh and tell to his future family someday. Speaking of memories and notes, I wanna document how his toddlerhood has been. 

He's still the curious as ever. So eager to discover everything and sometimes trying to be independent even if he can't yet. 

- He likes getting his own water at the dispenser, and sometimes leaving it open. (Lagot!)

- Often scans the fridge to check on his favorite food and get it. 

- Chooses his own clothes (sometimes even on what I will wear)

- Pick what will be his ulam or mirienda

- Play the ipad alone (as in ayaw pahiram)

- Turn on the appliances (major heart attack for me!)

- Bathe on his own

- He decides on what mall we will go, as well where we will eat

He being a two year old really amazes us. Sometimes I was asked if he's really 2, (proud mama here)

- His memory is superb. As in he can remember even our clothes on the rack

- He can now completely express himself (and even reason our like an adult)

- He's learning english as his second language with complete sentences like; 

         a. I can see the carabao

         b. Look it mom, castle

         c. Its dark, I am scared

         d. This is mine, don't get it

         e. I am not hungry, I don't like that

         f. Borrow please??

- He memorizes their school prayer that goes "Thank you Lord Jesus for the food, bless it, to nourish my physical body, and understand my work, thank Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen"

- His favorite songs includes "One Thing", "All of me", "All about that bass" and "Lupang Hinirang" 

- He always ask how much are the food we eat, the toy we bought etc. I don't know why. 

Even he's growing so fast, he's still my baby. We enjoy more cuddles and hugs now than before. Daddy R and I often hear "I love you" and "I miss you" from him, and of course "thousands of kisses".

Dear D, 

Mommy loves you so much. The more you cry, the harder it is for me to leave you at home. And the more you laugh, the happiest mommy is. You are everything for us, and we thank God million times for blessing us with you. On the times that daddy R and I almost give-up, you are the bridges that reconnects us. Thank you for being so forgiving at times when mommy looses her patience. Mommy and Daddy will strive to be better parents to you and for our family. 

Love,

Mommy G,  

Separation Anxiety

This was taken this morning, 9th day of workday in 2015 and D's 9th day of crying drama every morning I leave for work. He's clinging into my uniform and asking me not to wear it and get my everyday clothes instead. Breaks my heart, I want to sit with him and hug him. I want to give in to his request of sleeping again and snuggle each other the whole day. But I need to go back to reality, to work, and to chase my dreams for myself and for our family. 

This is not the first time D behaves like this. He do this everytime I am at home or when we go to La Union or in Pampanga or in different environment. In three years I became his security blanket, Oh well actually nursing with me became his security blanket. 

But he's a pre-schooler now and we need to help him outgrow his separation anxiety. And I don't want him to be Mama's boy. Daddy R asked me what to do, and as usual I asked Mr. Google and my trusty baby concerns source website Baby Center. They have a list on what to do when separation anxiety strikes. We are still in the process of limiting crying dramas, we are on trial and error mode but we are getting there. So you might pick-up something from these tips that worked for us. 

1. Wave bye-bye when you leave. It is a must to us to kiss each other whenever we leave for work. But I usually forget to wave bye-bye or even look back to him. Its heartbreaking for me and sometimes I just tell myself, "I'm doing this for D, so I need to be strong". Yes, may gunun na drama araw-araw. So now I need to make sure I bid bye to D. 

"It's a simple tactic but one that many parents ignore. Instead, fearing the wrath of their toddler, they try to sneak out of the house while he's otherwise engaged. Big mistake. This approach may save you the pain of watching your child cry, but it can actually make his separation anxiety more severe. If your child thinks you might disappear at any given moment without notice, he's not going to let you out of his sight. This also goes for nighttime departures. Some parents try to avoid the whole ordeal by putting their child down for the night before the babysitter arrives. That's all well and good — if he doesn't wake up. But suppose he does. You don't want him surprised — and possibly terrified — to wake up and find you gone."

2. Help your child look ahead. Sometimes, no matter how hard we explain to our child that we need to leave for work so we can provide him with food etc... their young minds cannot comprehend yet, but never quit trying. As D grew up, he's getting accustomed with daddy D leaving for Baguio to work, and me at the office. But then there are times that he can't absorb so I usually result to "pasalubongs stories". It works for sometime, but it became magastos and made D wait for the present other than me. So talk directly and honestly to your child, they can understand. Just be patient. 

"Although your child's ability to communicate is still hindered by his limited vocabulary, he understands much more than he can say. So prepare him for your departure by talking about the event ahead of time. Make sure your child knows where you are going and when you'll be back. You may also want to give him details, such as who will be watching him and what sort of activities he can look forward to doing. To that end, it's also important to talk about your child's sitter with great enthusiasm. Your child looks to you for reassurance, and if you say things like "I think Bella is so much fun, don't you?" he'll be inclined to agree. To gauge how much of your conversation he's absorbing, follow up with simple questions like "Where are Mommy and Daddy going?" or "Who's going to watch Kenny while Mommy and Daddy go to dinner?"."

3. Look on the sunny side. I also suffer separation anxiety, the emotions of leaving a wailing and crying baby must be also radiating with D so he's so dramatic every time I leave. Telling D the activities that we will do when I got home sometimes works, but I should be careful, D always remembers. lol

"Separation anxiety isn't merely a toddler thing — you may not be thrilled by the prospect of leaving either. But if you let your apprehension show, your child's almost certain to pick up on it. Besides, a dramatic farewell will just validate your child's feelings of insecurity. So try to stay calm and positive — even if he's hysterical. Talk to him evenly and reassure him that you'll be back soon. To keep the situation light, try adopting a silly parting phrase such as "See you later, alligator" or your own made-up alternative. Getting your child in the habit of responding with "After a while, crocodile" will also help serve as a distraction."

4. Head out at the same time. This we do ever since, and I think pretty worked for us because D actually see us leaving, never hiding somewhere. What I learned as I remember from my childhood is to always tell the kids the truth. So if you are leaving, no matter how they cry, tell them anyway, they will eventually understand and cope with it. 

"Good-byes are always easier when it's your child who does the exiting. Instead of you leaving him behind, have the babysitter take him for a quick trip to the park or out for a stroll as you head out the door. Make sure your child understands that you're going out as well. Otherwise he'll be doubly upset when he returns to find the house empty."

There are lots of tips and advices that you can get from the internet, chat groups and from your friends but always remember that these tips are hits and miss, trial and error and depends on your family. 

Good luck to us. 

G, 

D is turning 3!

Yes! the chubby cheeked, kagigil and breastmilk monster baby is turning 3 years old in 4 days!

So I will do a little throwback, I found these mini videos from an old phone and I couldn't help but miss and reminisce how this little nugget came into our lives and brings so much joy in our household. 

Happiest birthday D!

I'm planning for a "Thomas the Train" party. This will be the simplest, so good luck to me. 

Our 2014 Yuletide Celebrations - Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club Christmas Village

Sunday morning last day of the holiday break,  our little family went-up again to Baguio City to do the rest of our itinerary. We left La Union after lunch to avoid heavy traffic and tourists again. lol

First stop is in Camp John Hay Technohub, where we did our Family Photo Shoot. While waiting for our turn, we ordered some cakes, lemonade and hot chocolates at the Vizco's Cafe. 

Someone loved the Red Velvet Cake. Yums. 

While the kiddo was busy eating, the parentals took selfie again. 

The entire photo session was blogged on a separate post. You may want to check it. It was so fun!

While waiting for the CD and printed copies for 30 minutes, we roamed around the area and someone enjoyed the space! 

D: Wag mo ako buhatin mommy! maglalakad ako! 

We run... and run... and run... 

We got tired, so we sat down and allowed D to run with the trees alone. 

And suddenly he stopped at a tree. We don't know if he's praying or imitating peeing. lol

After getting our pictures, we went to Baguio Country Club Christmas Village. Yes, sa bahay ni Olaf as D said. Because the the theme is Frozen. 

Entrance is P80 per adult, and children below 3yrs is free. 

D is not yet 3, until Jan18, so he's still free. Yay!

Good thing we decided to go there as early as 5pm and just wait for the lights to open by then. We got good pictures with natural lightning and also few people pa lang. 

Upon entering, D got super hyper and excited! as in he's screaming over Olaf! He's so happy!

D: Mommy picture mo kami ni Olaf! (As in andami niyang pictures!)

This windmill emits snow (bubbles)

Someone is not into looking at the camera when pictured. Ewan saan niya natutunan. 

The giant tree. 

D: "In Summmmeeerrrr!"

We waited for the lights in the benches, and eat Oden Soup. Yum!

And the snow! D couldn't contain his happiness with the snow! He's running everywhere! Happy!

With the Frozen Gang. See? he's not looking at the camera again. 

Happy!. . . 

That concludes our vacation/celebrations. We promised to make it better next year. We may be back with the usual programing this week, but the pictures and memories made me smile randomly. 

I love my life and my family. 

#iamsoblessed

G, 

Our 2014 Yuletide Celebrations - Baguio and La Union Stay

The next day, we prepared for our trip to Baguio, stay a couple of days and from there we will travel down to La Union to spend the New Year. 

After waiting for more than 8 hours, we boarded the Victory Bus and arrived at Baguio after 5 hours. Yes, I know! we didn't reserved early, so we braved the looonngggggessst line of chance passengers. We will never do it again! haha as in September pa lang magpapabook na ako this year!

The Christmas Tree at Victory Bus terminal. D asked me take his picture, ganda daw kasi. 

Brrrrr... Off we go to Session Road to take our breakfast and visit daddy R office. 

That weekend was the happiest and craziest in Baguio. With millions of tourist, heavy traffic and longs lines at restaurants we just decided to stay at daddy R's place. Hayaan na muna mga tourists. hehe

Thank goodness for Ipad Apps, coloring books and TV that entertained D the whole saturday. 

The next morning, we went to Wright Park to see the horse. D insisted on riding the like "Sophia" and "Chief Calie", but when he's about to climb the horse "Later" nalang daw. haha natakot bigla. 

So he just enjoyed strawberry taho (Actually everymorning!) while watching the horses. 

He also don't want to take pictures with the horse, so we posed with the dog instead. 

The next day, we travelled down to La Union.... 

And the father and son, spend quality time through playing Ps3. 

This is Cute. Upon seeing the star parol, someone prayed for a "toy" Again! haha

Also, New Year was spend with a Mass, eating, sleeping and bumming around. yes! we are a lazy family! haha We sleep those stress away form 2014, to get ready for 2015. 

The next day, we brought our water baby to the nearest resort. Since, we are the early birds and the staffs are still cleaning the pools, we roamed around and took pictures. 

D, explored the resort and enjoyed the Ship. D: "I am Captain Yoyon!" 

Played the ball inside the square daw. 

D: Daddy ikaw whale! ako shark! 

Jump. 

Ride daw sa shark. 

Olah! we are so happy to spend the morning there. Ayaw pa umuwi ni D. 

The rest of the vacation was spend in a lot of simple things that our busy lives do not permit us to do. Like sewing D's clothes, savoring an orange at the veranda, blogging (at last), jotting down my 2015 plans and a lot of contemplating. And I actually finished an e-book yay!

And while doing the things I mentioned above, the two monkeys are also busy pretend playing and playing. lol

I thank God for a colorful life. The best as I always imagined. 

Last day of the holiday break was spent again at Baguio (yes, we let the tourist go home muna!) and visited Camp John Hay and the Christmas Village. 

G,