Anya: Month 7 --

Hello, daughter dear --

I don't think I'll ever be able to write your newsletter promptly --

You are now 7 months old and have been eating solids for a month now -- it was interesting watching you take your very first bite -- at first, you could not figure out how to chew but now you are doing it like a pro.

The thought that kept running through my head this month is that you are in such a hurry to grow up -- while other babies your age are content to being on all fours, you have figured out how pull yourself up to a standing position and are now learning how to ... climb.

Pillow barriers are called pillow barriers for a reason. You shouldn't be stepping on them, trying to get to wherever it is you wish to go.

You are the same with your food. You don't like the mush we feed you and enjoy the sensation of bread and unmashed bananas more. Your palate is very different from your brother's -- he loved Gerber Apples and Bananas while you like Squash and Sweet Potatoes more.

But what really makes you happy are bananas. I'd take your spoon and scrape a small bit from my banana and give it to you. The joy on your face as you try to chew on it is a sight to behold.

And your ire when we stop giving you bread is another sight to behold.

You have quite a temper and are very loud (and squeal-y) about it.

You've grown taller -- we've had to adjust your exersaucer up a notch.

However, a lot of your dresses are still a bit too big so you have to content yourself with another month (or two) of wearing shorts and onesies. (It's okay that people sometimes mistake you for a boy -- though, for the life of me, I don't know how they can. Your hair is always bedazzled with all these hairclips that your yaya delights in putting on your hair. You hate it, by the way. But you also hate that your hair falls over your eyes, so ...)

You have an amusing way of showing your happiness -- you pat your hand on my arm. (Your papa has taught you how to do a high 5, which delights your Gwa-kong.)

Tomorrow, you will take your first plane ride -- I'm a bit worried because you hate being cooped up in a car so I'm not so sure how you'll be on an airplane. Your papa is already thinking of which toys to bring so that you will be suitably entertained during our flight.

I'm slowly thinking about your baptism/birthday in March -- I have a few ideas but I want to make sure that everything is nice and perfect for you. Your Gwa-kong and Gwa-ma are planning to invite the whole of Iloilo (well, maybe a smaller fraction of it) and I'm worried about how you will take to all of it --

I guess you can just show them your big, toothy/gappy smile and dazzle them with it. (I am hoping you will have more teeth by then.)

Seth: Month 40 --

Happy 3 years and 4 months, little boy!

Yesterday, you turned the big 4-0 and it also happened to be your late Ang-kong's birthday.

When you were born, I had to reflect on how to tell you about your Ang-kong (your papa's Papa) who died about 6 years ago. I wanted to make sure that you have memories of him and to realize that he has shaped your life, albeit indirectly, through your Papa.

When we pray at night, we would say goodnight to your Gwa-kong and to your Ang-kong in heaven. I don't think you understand the concept of heaven at this age, but you are slowly understanding the concept that some things (and some people) die.

I've never met your Ang-kong but, from all the stories your Papa shares and from accounts of your Papa's friends, your Ang-kong was a very cool guy.

He was very attentive to your Papa and took him on many adventures when he was much younger. They loved to play a lot. (One of these days -- when you are much older, your Papa will share with you the story of a jeep, a cemetery and your Ang-kong. O_O)

I want you to have the same kind of childhood --

When you are older, I want you to remember the time when we ate at a restaurant and you spilled water on yourself (because we let you hold the bottle) and you had to spend the rest of your meal in diapers because we didn't bring an extra pair of shorts.

I want you to smile as you remember your visits to Salcedo Weekend Market and all the smells, sights and sounds.

I want to sit and laugh with you someday as we remember the many nights we would squeeze into my double-sized bed with Siobe sleeping beside us as we watch your nighttime show.

The memory thing isn't a one-way street -- you have given me so many wonderful memories that I know I will remember forever --

This month, my favorite memories are:
- You singing that Korean song that is constantly playing on the radio while shaking your hips. (I guess it's a good way for you to practice your pronouns. ~sigh~)

- You taking out your doctor's kit when you found out I wasn't feeling well and you earnestly tried to make me feel better by jabbing me twice with your injection.

- The "I Love You, Papa." and "I Love You, Mama." every night.

- How you mix (and mangle) your prepositions. "The lizard is over there behind inside."

- The quiet and lovely way you sang "Happy Birthday" to your Ang-kong yesterday while holding your papa's hand.

When you were born, people were asking me what I wished for for you -- many were expecting me to say "Smart and Successful" -- what I did say was "Happy and Loving" --

And I got my wish, little boy.

Thank you for being you (and for being so much more.)

Honey, I shrunk the kid! =( --

Yesterday, I brought Seth to his doctor for a check-up. He's had a cough for the past week now but it only occurred in the morning and in the evenings (= allergies) but his cough on Friday was different --

He started coughing at around 2 in the morning and didn't stop until about 3. Then, when he woke up, he was coughing the whole day.

We did the whole shebang -- cold water, ice cream, etc. -- but no improvement.

So we trotted off to his doctor's clinic at 2 in the afternoon.

When we got there, he was weighed by the secretary --

We were both very surprised to discover that Seth lost 3 kilos! <-- the point of this blog entry

At first, the secretary thought their scale was broken and weighed herself. Then we weighed Seth again.

Seth lost the 3 kilos in the span of 2 months.

When we got in to see the doctor, we talked more about the weight loss than the cough. (The cough was already a sore throat -- and his doctor prescribed meds for him and we changed his antihistamine because he was also showing signs of allergies.)

It's been challenging getting Seth to eat breakfast in the morning -- his class starts at 8am and he leaves for school at 730am. BUT, he usually wakes up at around 7 to 715am, which gives us only enough time to change his clothes and give him his milk. We usually get in about a bite or two of breakfast, but that's it.

So his doctor recommended that Seth take Pediasure in the morning.

It also made me reflect on our eating practice -- I am guilty of imposing "big people time" on Seth and his eating -- when he stops eating, I assume he's done. Then I read that, sometimes, kids stop eating to play and then go back to eating.

Last night, it took us about an hour to get him to finish his dinner. He sat at the table for about 3 bites and then ate the rest of his meal while watching his show, while playing with his new fire truck and while his yaya was reading to him.

This morning, breakfast for him started at around 7 and ended at around 815am -- but he cleaned up his plate -- and ate every bite.

These are moments of rude awakening for me -- it makes me realize that I get complacent in the care of my kids and that I need to rethink my own personal practices when it comes to their needs.

I feel guilty -- yes, but I also feel determined to improve things and, hopefully, at the end of the month, I'll have Seth gain back the lost kilos.

Anya: Month 6 --

My darling daughter,

Your newsletter is a day late -- so sorry! Your Ah-i was supposed to guest blog but things have been crazy in your part of town (Typhoon Ondoy).

I am an ocean, a country and a language away from you -- but I've been looking forward to your 6th monthsary for a long time. We're sorry we can't be there to cuddle and hug and kiss you on your special day.

We've been talking about you and your A-hia with your A-ku here in Tokyo. One thing we keep sharing is how independent you are --

There are times after you've woken up from your nap that you don't bother to announce (read: cry) that you are already awake. You quietly roll over and grab the nearest toy and entertain yourself.

You seem to have a good memory for where things are: you know that your cloth books are above your head, acting like a pseudo-barrier to prevent you from bonking your head against the headboard. You know that the TV remote (which you've been wanting to chew on) is near the foot of the bed.



What I love about you is how you show your excitement -- you have this quiet little laugh and a cute way of pumping your arms and legs. You do this every time we go out of our room (to sit by the window to watch the world go by or to go downstairs to buy taho for your Ahia).





Because of all the restrictions (swine flu, weather, your age, etc.), your outings have been very limited and, sometimes, when you see strange faces, you cry. Right now, we are working to help you get over your fear -- you now accompany your Ahia when he goes downstairs to play basketball or to ride the pedicab with Manong Ruel.

Earlier this month, we had to buy you clips for your hair because it's getting longer and falls on your face. Your yaya enjoys clipping/fussing with your hair -- and your Ahia's yaya has been buying you cute clips.



Your A-ku in Hawaii sent you a lovely infant starter set and this little frog was part of the gift. You instantly took a liking to it and it is now part of your collection of stuffed animals.









You are curious about everything around you -- and you want to touch (bang) on everything -- from the laptop, to your Papa's phone, to your Ahia's hair (is it revenge because he likes to touch your hair also?), etc.



We're about to start you on solid food, but I could sense that you had wanted to try this even before now -- you would always observe us when we were eating and when I would bring food over to you so you could smell it, your mouth would instantly open. (On one occasion, much to Seth's yaya's chagrin, you actually grabbed a spoonful of noodles and wouldn't let go. O_O)

I'm hoping you will be as open to eating mush baby food ...

It's lovely having you around, my little girl. I love playing peek-a-boo with you just so I could hear your laugh. I love seeing you look so harried when your papa involves you in his play with your Ahia (in my head, I wonder if you are protesting that you're a girl and you don't do wrestling). I love letting you experience new sensations (smell, touch, sight) because I can see you taking it all in --

I love how you bring life (and light. and joy. and happiness. and peace. and everything!) to my life.





I love you, little one!

Seth: Month 39 photos --

<-- Seth's Gwakong and Gwa-ma brought home a battery-powered toothbrush (Diego!) and it has improved his dental habits immensely!




<-- This has happened several times already -- Seth and his yaya are wearing matching outfits!


<-- The little boy built this nest and settled in the middle with his Papa's phone.


<-- Seth loves touching Anya's hair -- I guess it's because it's very different from everyone else's hair. (I don't blame him -- Anya's hair is very, very soft!)




<-- One night, the little boy asked me to make him a halo. He was so happy pretending to be a saint. It was so cute when the halo went askew on his head. >_<

Seth: Month 39 --

Happy 3 years and 3 months, Seth!

This month, we saw the emergence of Seth the social person. You ask to say hello to Gwakong and Gwa-ma's friends and to join them during prayers. You step into the room confidently and give everyone a friendly wave.

We received your report card with your quarterly report and your teacher wrote that you love to join in activities -- especially ones that involve singing and dancing. It was nice to see the list of things you were doing well and the list of things you were working at. ^_^

You love to sing-along to your Backyardigans VCD (the one that came free with your diapers) -- and say "Ahoy!" quite nicely. ^_^ (Now you are learning to say "Howdy!")

Before you were born, your papa decreed that we would be a Barney-free house. But, the impossible has happened -- we now have 4 Barney discs! You love to sing and dance along to kids on the show. ^_^ (Now your papa grudgingly agrees that Barney is "ok" --)

You are more confident about asking for things -- a few days ago, you developed a craving for Mango Chewies so we dropped by Mama's Kitchen on our way to fetch your papa. I asked you which one you wanted and you really pointed to the Mango Chewies. (It amazes me that you recognize it by its box. O_O)

The best part about this month is your growing list of clever one-liners -- and today, we added two more.

You were asked, "What would you do if you were hungry?" and you answered, "Eat jelly." --

I changed the question: "What would you do when you don't have money?" and, without hesitating, you answered, "Ask Gwakong."

Did I mention you were also exploring the joys of onomatopoeia? On our way to the port to claim a package, you were watching the waves -- you turned to me and said "Water goes *splash*" -- a few days later, your Ah-i caught a cold and was coughing. To which you said, "No Ah-i sick. No Ah-i *koff koff*" --

My little boy, you charm me immensely.

I love you!

There's pink and there's pink --

My parents brought home a set of 55 Crayola washable markers for Seth.

We were fixing it earlier today and I was fascinated with the colors and the names of the colors. ^_^


<-- Baby Bunny Pink!!!


<-- Rain Drop Blue!!!