Relief Goods

The third batch of reading materials from a good friend since my hibernation/exile last March. These, plus the Internet, has kept me in touch with the outside world. Otherwise, it's just me and Max. Thank you Esteban.  

All about Andrei

As I write this, Andrei and my brother are on their way to Oman to join his mom who has been working there for almost two years. My brother was lucky to find a job at the same school where my sister-in-law works. At last my father doesn't have to worry that Andrei might grow up with one parent abroad like most of the OFW families here.

I'm starting to miss him. Being the first apo of the family on both sides, he grew up with lots of affection and love especially from his grandparents. The little boy is quite malambing and sweet himself. My most treasured memory of him was the night before I gave birth to Max. My brother was in Cebu at the time so he asked his Dada Lo if he can sleep over at our house. (My dad and mom are Papa Lo and Mama Lan. My sis-in-law's parents are Dada Lo and Mama La.) For three whole hours we watched The Simpsons. He loves Bart Simpson. When he watches cartoons, it is often interactive. He copies what he sees on the screen. He shouts. He jumps. He wanted to wrestle but restrained himself because "your tummy is very big". For a fleeting moment, I felt like I became a kid again. In my head, it was me and my brother creating the usual ruckus before bedtime. He looks so much like my brother. Finally, just before midnight, he said his prayers and we went to sleep. Perhaps Max wanted to play with his Kuya Andrei because I started having contractions at two in the morning.

Aside from re-writing the song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, there are a lot of other antics that never fail to make me laugh when I remember them. It's true that we learn a lot from just watching little kids. Here are a few of the family's Andrei stories:

On getting what you want. Nicely.

During his Mama La's Family Day at work, Andrei sees a girl eating Nova.

Andrei: Hi. Are we friends?

Girl: Yes.

Andrei (points to Nova, smiles): Share with your friends?

On getting straight to the point.

Papa Lo: Why are you not eating your vegetables?

Andrei: (with conviction) Because vegetables are not good for me.

On why you should be careful in what you tell kids.

When he was younger and stumbles when he runs the usual exchange will be

Andrei: *cries*

My brother: Don't cry.

Andrei: Why?

My brother: Because it will make you gay.

Fast forward to around a few months ago, I forgot where this happened but something made him want to cry. He held back the tears successfully for a few minutes. However, one tear fell down. He sniffed a bit. Then gave in and cried so hard saying, "Waaaahhh!!! I'm gay!".

He didn't cry because of whatever made him teary eyed in the first place. He cried because he thought he turned gay.

On why it is sometimes okay to stretch the truth a bit.

Me: Andrei, we only have five pesos so just choose the smaller chips or get some candies.

Andrei: I want bubble gum! Give me five bubble gum!

Me to tindero: How much ang bubble gum?

Tindero: Three for two pesos.

Me: Give us four pesos worth

Andre (who thinks that all candies cost one peso each): *counts* One, two, three, four, five, six... Why is this six? I said five!

Me (tinamad mag-explain ng concept ng three for two pesos): He's giving you one extra because you're a good boy.

Andre (to tindero): *super big smile* Thank you.

On how to let your imagination run wild. Pang-FAMAS ito.

Andrei: Why is Dada Lo sleeping? It's not yet evening.

Mama La: He has a headache. He's sick.

Andrei: He's sick?!?! He's dying??? DADA LO DON'T DIE!!!

On asking questions only a kid can get away with.

Andrei (to carpenter): Hello, what's your name?

Carpenter: *doesn't answer*

Andrei: Why are you not talking? You don't have a tongue?

Carpenter: *tells Dada Lo that he can't speak English*

Andrei: Why can't you speak English? You did not go to school? You do not know how to read?

Hmmm I wonder when will Max start to ask those questions and embarrass the grown ups. Being with inquisitive kids really tests your patience and imagination. Embarassing questions aside, I hope Andrei will still be as sweet and malambing when he comes back in a few years' time.

Little Boy Ties

Lately, I've been having bittersweet feelings as I realize that Max is nearing his 5th month. He's not technically a newborn anymore. That sweet newborn smell is almost gone, replaced by that scent babies get when they perspire. In Bisaya, baho aslum. Since he just started eating solids (boiled ground rice), he still has that sweet milky baby's breath. One of my guilty pleasures have been to just lie down beside him when he's sleeping, my nose near his mouth, and just breathe in. While surfing Etsy, I came upon this site. Now, I can't wait for Max to grow up so I can dress him up like this :)

My Parents' 32nd Wedding Anniversary Photos

The best shot:

A sample of the rest of the photos:

What was I thinking, expecting a decent photo when the majority of the participants are two infants, a toddler who just woke up, and a precocious pre-schooler? Seriously.

My mother is funny. Sort of.

So, for the nth time, someone asked me if Max's father is Amerikano. This has been happening whenever we're out. Whether we're in the pedia's clinic, at church, riding public transpo, or just walking around, someone will approach and say "Ang cute ng baby!" (Rica smile) immediately followed by "Kano ang tatay no?" (Smile naging hilaw).

Fine. I know I am a bit, uhm okay, a lot of shades darker than Max.Pero naman. Sigh.

Anyway, I told my mom about this. The woman, who has been on my case for 48 years about me being more serious about my appearance (combing my hair more than once a day, wearing make up, etc), just said "Na, manudlay lagi ka. Basin kaingon na sila yaya ka sa imong anak".

Sa Alcoholics Sari Sari Store...

Ate, pabili ng sapatos na can opener.

Mga Gawain ni Max Habang Dumedede

At any given feeding session, the little boy does at least three of these:

1. Scratch his head.

2. Scratch my boob. I think he does this to remind me to trim his fingernails.

3. Kick my belly. Not really kick, more like slow cycling motions with his legs. I like it, parang minamasahe tummy ko.

4. Mumble. In Bisaya, bagutbot. He does this when he's cranky/sleepy. It's like he's mad at something and he has a lot to say about it. It's so funny watching him feed and pause for a while to say something, then later on, mumble and feed at the same time. It's like listening to an angry little man's monologue.

5. Stare at me, then smile. My favorite.

6. Stare at me, then frown. This is when I engage him in a staring contest. I always lose. It's so disconcerting to really look at the unblinking stare of a child. So I cheat by tickling him so he laughs hehe.

7. Play with my shirt. If he likes the cloth, he won't let go. He'll play with it until he falls asleep.

8. Play with my fingers. This is a recent activity. Right after he latches on, he looks for my hand then starts to hold and play with my fingers. Then, he grips my thumb and raises my hand as far as he can then puts it down. And then he repeats this for around twenty times.

9. Burps. Either he stops feeding, removes his mouth, then burps, or he just burps in between sucking. Suck, burp, continue sucking. I noticed this when he was around a month old. The first time he did it, I couldn't help but laugh. He's such a boy. Hahaha. It's the exact equivalent of eating then just burping in between chewing your food. I better teach my son some manners when he's older haha. On the other hand, he's one efficient little guy. As early as his second month, I didn't have to burp him anymore hehe.

10. Suck his thumb or a finger. Yes, habang dumedede. Recently, Max discovered the infant joys of sucking his fingers. I keep on removing his hands from his mouth and wiping away all the laway. I'm fighting a losing battle I swear. Sometimes I just give up. A few hours later, amoy panis na laway na mga kamay nya. Ewww. I don't know what entered his mind to make him think that he can do that and breastfeed at the same time. The little sucker does it sneakily pa. He does it when I breastfeed him lying down on my side. I usually drift off to sleep when we feed this way. Next thing I know, I'm awakened by sucking sounds and when I look at him, his mouth is open as wide as possible as he's crammmed up to four fingers while not letting go of the nipple. I know he can't understand me yet but I always give him a little sermon along the lines of, "Max, you can't suck your fingers and feed at the same time." The little boy just smiles so how can I stay mad at him?

Finally, this one I definitely like the least

11. Look around. While still sucking. I swear, my nipples have stretched to previously unimaginable lengths! And this is while he still doesn't have teeth. Lately, I've noticed some white bumps on his lower gums. His teeth may come out next month or on his sixth month. I so dread the day when that happens. When I told my Mom about this, she said I used to bite her when she talks to someone while I'm feeding. Gaaaah! Karma!

Sa Two-in-One Sari Sari Store...

Ate, pabili ng bra/gas mask.

Sa Pang-asar Sari Sari Store...

Ate, pabili ng alarm clock na tumatakbo.

Sa Politically Incorrect Sari Sari Store...

Ate, pabili ng pampabakla.