OUR JOY. OUR OWN. OUR KIDS.

Alee turned one year & 7 months last January 8… and with that came several milestones that both make us adore her even more and at times throw us out of our wits.

She now knows how to demonstrate what she wants. For instance, one night when I got home from the office, she was playing ball with Micah. When I entered the living room, she temporarily let go of her ball and ran to me. After I kissed her, she pulled me and let me stand about a meter from Micah, picked up her ball and threw it to me. She wanted the three of us to play ball. I was pretty amazed at what she did… and much more at the power she has over all of us. Even without saying a single comprehensible word, she can already order us around. If she wants to go out, she’d nod at you and wave for you to come over to her. Then, if you do so, she’d take your hand and lead you out the door. If she doesn’t get what she wants, she’d lie down on the floor and start a spell.

That was what happened this morning. At around 5AM earlier, she woke up with an irate mood. She wanted to go out of our room right away. But it was still too early and not to mention she woke me up just when I was dozing off to a deep slumber (I had to wake up at 2AM to see her Dad off for work at Davao City). In short, it was a bad time for her to throw a tantrum. I was definitely on a short string so when she started wailing and flailing both her arms and legs, I carried her out of the room and put her down firmly on the floor just outside of our door. She didn’t want to be put down so she lay down and continued her crying spell. I told myself I was going to be firm about the whole thing and let her cry. I left her sprawled on the floor and went back inside our bedroom. I heard her wailed “Mommy” several times and I realized I couldn’t take it. I hurried back to her; saw her standing, fat tears flowing down her cheeks. She continued crying out “Mommy” and it tore my heart. I knew I couldn’t stand another round of that pitiful cry so I carried her back to the room with me. She was still sobbing when I put her down on the bed. This time, she cried out “Papi”, as if trying to call out for help from her grandpa. Nanay came after a few minutes and took her out. It made her stop crying. As my sleep deprived brain dozed off , I heard Alee’s laughter echoed, but I was too sleepy to give what just happened a second thought.

Now, seven hours after, here I am writing this blog. Trying to figure out how to eradicate this unexplainable prick in my heart each time I remember Alee’s tear filled face looking up at me and calling out “Mommy” in between her sobs. I don’t know if what I did was right and if it had left a lasting impression in her young mind. Was I being a bad parent for doing that to her? I wish I know the answer right now.

May God give me (and Boboy,as well) the wisdom to know the right way to discipline her. And may He give us the courage to carry out just that. * sigh

So help us God. Boboy & Alee: In an " it's-a-cold-day-out-here" pose infront of the Trappestine Monastery Church in Polomolok after we heard mass on the morning of 01.23.2011.

MOMMY PIGLET!


Now Alee can sleep while baby piglet is taking a bath.


Thank you Ninang Sandy. Mwah!

Well, ever since I saw Florsheim USA Kids shoes at Robinsons Department Store, I couldn't get them off my shoe-poisoned mind..hahaha!

I've wished and dreamt about buying Alee a pair of those beautiful,sturdy and expensive shoes (for a baby).

Then last Sunday, I brought Alee (with nanay and kaye) to the mall to buy her a new pair of shoes (sunday shoes to be exact) because all her shoes were either too old, too small, or too rugged for church. AT the back of my mind, I was contemplating whether I should buy her a pair of those dream Florsheim footwear or just settle for the cheaper Chicco pair.

And then, when we get to the shoe department, Ashti KAye saw the shoes and said, she'd buy them for Alee... Wow! I couldn't believe my luck!

So here's what Ashti Kaye got for our precious little princess (and it's not yet even Christmas!).


A wish come true, indeed!
Thank you Ashti Kaye. Alee is soo blessed to have you. Mwah!

It had been such a helluva of both wonderful and anxiety-filled moments, since Alee came into our lives. When she was a newborn, we were really anxious about how small and fragile she was (being born at less than the normal size). Her Dad was always anxious about her eyes and the way she tilted her head. I was always anxious about her health.

When she was 6 months old, we were amused at the way she crawl. Her Dad said she crawls like a crab, with one leg hanging behind the other. At one, we were amazed at the way she imitates our actuations and how fast she learns what we teach her. Her tantrums can throw us out of our wits and her falls can reduce us to tears.

We are constantly looking forward to her development. Amazing how a 9.5-kilo-1-year-and-two-months little girl can change the way we live... much more, the way we are.

* Pulls herself up to a standing position
* Walks holding on to a furniture or her crib's railing
* Say "ami" (short for mommy) and "dada" (for daddy)but it's more of a sound than a name
* Plays peek-a-boo
* Has a special preference for Piglet (stuffed toy)
* Cries out if toy is taken away
* Takes steps with hands being held
* Has a mild case of stranger fear (not much.yet)
* Gets excited when she sees mommy or daddy
* Is curious with Kiba (our cat) and Noknok (the rooster) but shivers each time we attempt to get them near her (she's afraid to touch them)
* Likes to take a bath

GOD’S WHISPER (An Adaptation)

When you came, I heard God whisper,
“Take care of this little one.
She’s one of my special spirits
Accept her as your daughter.

She may need some extra attention
Some added patience and some time
But she’ll grow into a beautiful person
With your love, she’ll be just fine.

You’ll see that she will surprise you
She’ll amaze you with her soul
She’ll bring you joy and endless wonder
In her way, she’ll make you whole.

For every smile will be a miracle
Each new step, a victory
Her growth will be blessed and meaningful
Her life is a gift from Me.

This angel is your reminder
Of what is pure and what is true
It’s not what the world says that matters
What matters is all up to you.

You are the one who will teach her
That she is perfect in My eyes
With Me, she can move mountains
She can do anything, she need only try.

For this child has a magnificent spirit
She was meant to do wonderful things
Her life has a special mission
I will raise her on eagle’s wings

To soar high and live life fully
To sing and laugh and love
So you must raise her with warmth and tenderness,
With Me, you’ll have enough.

Now always remember this message,
Be brave and strong and true
Know that I am with you
Remember that I chose you.

I chose you for this mission.
This is your gift to Me.
Take care of her well and let her be loved,
For when you love her . . . you love Me.”