Two Months to Two

Yikes.

Our son is turning two in over two months' time. Already, hubby and I have been talking about how to celebrate it (given that it cannot be helped but be a double celebration). We've already agreed before that there won't be a party like last year. I'm inclined towards renting a hotspring resort in Los Baños where our families could stay overnight. We could just have friends come over to let their own kiddos have a dip, we could even tell them it's potluck (but knowing my in laws, for sure, they'd be bringing enough food to feed an army!). Yakee loves to swim so it's the most fitting way to celebrate and a hotspring seems to me to be the healthy, wise choice given that it'd be October and may already be generally cooler.

That, or the beach, of course.

Hubs, on the other hand, is suggesting we take my cousin and his Mom and go to Vigan on a roadtrip. Then we'd pass by the Hundred Islands on our way back to Manila. That's certainly an option too, but he's already sort of invited the rest of his family. And brother-in-law is suggesting we just rent a villa again at Fontana and that it would be cheaper.

I was telling hubs that at the rate we're daydreaming, we might be spending a lot in the end for a birthday celebration that's supposed to be low key. I even kidded that we might as well have a Jollibee party because we'd at least get gifts, hehe.

Howell... we have two months to decide. In the meantime, he used to be really small.



Now, he cannot be ignored anymore. Aside from being Hyper Boy, he's at that stage where he also knows how to make lambing. Plus, he now looks at the camera (finally!) and smiless too. Oh and we've been making praying before bedtime a habit. And he now really listens while I read stories from his books, as if he understands.

We're amazed at how well he handles his toy guitar. In the words of a proud Pappie, he has form. Maybe he will become a musician when he grows up.

*~*

On a happy, proud note... Pappie Jojo passed his Polycom certification. I can't really explain the significance of that but suffice it to say that in the I.T. world, he has just added an additional acronym to attach to his name. I am really proud of him because he studied (crammed) hard for this. I am also happy too because he's been ignoring us for several days/nights ever since we got back home from Boracay so he could concentrate on reviewing (cramming). At least, all the time away paid off.

Boracay Bonding

Hubs wasn't really that excited about going to Boracay because he's been there once (with me) and i've been there twice. But I argued that it's the perfect beach for Yakee to play in because the water doesn't really get that cold and the sand is very fine. Plus, we'd have the luxury of dining options.

And so we planned the trip...or rather, I did. Hubs was also not so0 sure about going in July but I said we'd save money over the off-peak rates.

Well, like what i've already said in my previous post, our trip turned out to be mostly rainy. But we still generally had fun. And the rain would usually let up enough to let us have fun at the beach.

We went on an island hopping tour last Friday but it was cut short because the rains wouldn't let up and everybody was soaking wet on the motor boat... and cold too, from all the wind and rain.

Now, a summary with pictures :)


the delayed flight to Kalibo gave Yakee a lot of
playing time at the airport playroom


the bus ride to Caticlan was uneventful


Yakee got to ride plane, bus and fastcraft all in one day


our room at White Beach de Boracay



Yakee enjoying the beach


my boys getting my frappe and brownie


happy Mommy din


milestone moment... Yakee's first cave (Cave 1 at Crystal Cove)


a very relaxed Pappie


lots of sweet bonding moments

Despite the hassle of being stranded in Kalibo... we were already talking of what things we'd do differently when we return to Boracay again someday... like bringing someone else along so Pappie and I can go on a date at night, and eating at D'Talipapa more (and not at the paluto ones), etc. Pappie and I were also talking about other places to see and half-planning where we'd go for my (and Yakee's) birthday celebration in October.

Pappie paid dearly for this vacation because he had to catch up with work and cram his certification review. But everything was worth the delight in our son's eyes. And six days of togetherness was just pure bliss, even in the midst of astorm at sea.

Opportunity for Gratitude

Actually, the word that comes to mind really is DISASTER!

The whole time we were in Boracay, I have been berating myself for having chosen these dates, for choosing to go to Boracay in July (knowing it's rainy season but wanting to save some money from all the off-peak rates and fees), for choosing to go from Wednesday to Sunday. Three out of the five days we were there, it was raining. Our garden-view room at White Beach de Boracay required stepping on gravel and sand sacks to get to because the area was flooded. And we had to cut short an island hopping tour because everyone on the boat was gnashing teeth from the cold of a constant downpour.

I blamed myself eventhough I couldn't have possibly known there'd be a typhoon. I knew it would be rainy but not stormy.

And all Caticlan flights being rerouted to Kalibo should have been omen enough. Twas a hassle because it took almost all day to travel to Boracay. And now this. Stranded in Kalibo because the airport was closed at 2 PM due to runway problems, and nobody had the foresight to inform us when we were still in Caticlan, where we could have been given an option to return to Boracay or not. Nobody is paying for our accommodations here in Kalibo and we opted to stay in a fan-room pension house that's close to the airport rather than go somewhere nicer but farther. We are told to wait for their call tomorrow. And the most tricycle drivers here say we can go to is Gaisano Mall... ahehe. We are miles away from any beach and certainly months away from the Ati-Atihan Festival.

But we had great fun in Boracay, eventhough twas raining most of the time. Yakee didn't get sick from all the rain and cold. I got all the seafood fix that I wanted and we got to shop for new shirts (Boracay shirts!). And though we were low on cash, all we needed was to withdraw from the ATM. And hubs is boss enough at work not to be worried about being fired, and I don't work. We didn't have connecting flights to catch.

So this is indeed an opportunity for gratitude. We're annoyed and tired and this is still such a hassle but it could have been worse, and it wasn't. The other stranded passengers were screaming upset because they'd be missing their flights back to their countries, and some were talking about just camping at the airport because they really don't have extra money for rooms anymore.

Right now, our son is dancing while eating fish spring rolls here at L@tte while I blog. Life is still good and indeed, more bonding time with my boys :)

They Need Two Parents

Children need two parents. One to hold them close, one to let them go. One to cuddle with gently, one to play with roughly. One to worry about catching colds, one to worry about missing fun. One to worry about the ocean waves, the other to dip said child in those same waves.

Spending a very rainy vacation here in Boracay made me realize again why I chose Pappie Jojo. It's not that we're different. But it's because we bring something different into the relationship. And our son is lucky to have two parents to balance things out for him. One to let him play to his heart's content in the rain, the other to make sure that having fun doesn't result in getting sick. So our son ends up happier... because he is kept healthy and gets to play again and again.

Pappie always says in jest that he is the fun parent, mainly because he is more willing to run after a playful, exploring Yakee. Plus, he can handle the rough play our son likes more than I can. I, however, know if Yakee's hungry, sleepy, has had enough excitement, and is scared. And though Pappie can reassure Yakee, I am still the main source of comfort for our son. Sometimes, these roles can get exhausting. Sometimes, we do feel a tinge of jealousy for the other (after all, i'd love to hear Yakee laugh as hard as he does with Pappie, and am sure Pappie would love it if just a hug from him can quiet Yakee down and stop the tears). But it is this duality enjoyed by our son that he anchors to... which makes him more confident and independent and self-reliant.

Growing Tall

These pics were taken last May and Yakee then was a centimeter or two away from being officially three feet tall. He's growing up way, way fast. Sometimes, hubs and I believe we're unable to keep up.

Terrible Two's

Baby Yakee, mommy and pappie are struggling with you these days … but always know, we love you, and always know that we’re working on being better parents to you.

Creatively Senti

Our son, like most toddlers, rendered his drum set broken and useless. We were left with the two main rings, one of which was already broken. I decided to follow Brainy Baby's advice of making our own tambourine (eventhough I know we actually have one somewhere... i've taken to keeping Yakee's toys when he refuses to pack them up so am not sure where's which). Now comes the senti part. The bells I used are the last bells from our wedding reception. They were our kissing bells.

I was literally beaming with pride and sentimentality after I finished making this. Unfortunately, my son prefers the rubber band around the ice cream container as makeshift percussion.


But at least, Mommy beamed :)

*~*

I am still a hopeless case when it comes to finding a bathing suit I like. Some look just okay (and I have three okay swimsuits already) so am really looking for a nice, cute or sexy one. Some of those I try don't have enough support for the boobies. And drat my son, he kept coming in and out and playing with the dressing room curtain when I was fitting suits earlier. Sigh.

*~*

Stressful weekend ahead... we're visting FIL in the hospital. Hope he gets well soon and the kids won't be very kulit when we're there.

The 33rd Pedia Talk Live

It was my first time to attend one and I coerced the hubby to attend it with me. I made him register, hehe.

The event was okay. But since we were there at 8:00 and the talks started at almost 10 AM, we were really disappointed. Not only could we have spent more time sleeping or eating breakfast, but we also need not have rushed away from our son (who we decided to leave behind so we could concentrate on the speakers).

The venue of course was impressive. It was Dusit Thani after all, we had flowing coffee and water, nice comfort rooms, well-ventilated and lit activity areas. But the exhibits by sponsors was not really that great. And to think we paid P100 each to enter. I mean, comparing it to Expo Mom, I got more loot and pointers there than here.

And there was a lot of disorganization giving away the Privilege Kit and loot bags. I am torn between blaming the organizers (for not anticipating and planning properly) and the attendees (we were all parents for heaven's sake, but 70% couldn't be bothered to line up for the goodies). I am not going to be a hypocrite and say that I don't like freebies, because I do, but I was surprised that those parents weren't behaving any better than say, less educated people (at least, where distribution of loot is concerned).

I did get a Parenting Bites DVD that tackled picky eating and homeschooling. In the process of buying one, I met someone from the Catholic Filipino Academy who sort of congratulated our decision for me to stay home and homeschool in future. She also reminded me that in terms of formal training, the homeschoolers battlecry is always BETTER LATER THAN SOONER. :)

Too Funny Not To Share

Hubby usually commutes on Thursdays because the car is coding and he doesn't want to bother with going to work super early or beating the time he's allowed on the road. Last night, he hitched with a colleague up to Baclaran and planned to commute from there.

Since it is Baclaran, the streets were crowded and the pace was slow for everybody walking. Hubby was also uber paranoid already that his bag might be cut up and something will be stolen so he also kept looking back, to make sure, which must slow him down some more.

And then he felt it, something poking, nudging his back. He turned to see an old woman who waspishly said aloud, "Bilisan mo naman, taeng-tae nako!" ("Hurry, I need to poop already!")

Exhausting Bonding, Celebrating Series

We started with an almost closing time trip to Rob last Friday, just to eat at DQ. While Yakee kept stumbling down and falling on his face on the floor (4 times) and hubs kept running after him and making sure he doesn't get picked up by someone (while also feeding him the straberry banana Blizzard), I sat watching my beloeveds and feeling every bit blessed.

Saturday though, I woke up with throbbing tonsils so we had to go to the ENT first before meeting up with the Plurk Moms at Shang. Yakee discovered a music store and spent the time oggling at drums and guitars. Then we discovered there was a Jollitown event. Again, twas Pappie who attended to him while I gabbed with the Plurk Moms about all the usual topics we discuss in Plurk.


Then we went home to properly send off my sister to the life waiting for her in Michigan.



Sunday, we attended hubs' colleague's daughter's Christening. John is Yakee's godfather and he also got hubs to be his Jaden's godfather.



After that, we went with my siblings to Star City for a last bonding thingie between us siblings. My sister and I tried to ride all the wilder rides and it was really great being silly like a kid again. Pappie and I went into the haunted house thingie and such things scare me (am not exactly afraid of ghosts but I hate getting surprised) so upon enetering, I already had my arms wrapped around my darling husband's solid body and kept my eyes shut. I just let him drag me around while he laughed. Then we agreed to tell my sister that it was super scary inside so she'd be more frightened. We had to take turns riding the carnival rides because of the babies.





*~*

Last night, we had an impromptu movie date to watch Transformers 2. It was laughable because I spent half the time asking hubby questions (because I never really saw the first movie and didn't follow the cartoon as a kid) while he also kept signing to me to watch the movie. But it was still super nice to be cuddling over popcorn.

Yup... we're all still in love!