The Baby Blog

We are Back!

The Laxa Family o' Fun has returned from the much anticipated, couldn't have happened any sooner, Family Vacation. Well, to back track a little... our dance troup was re-invited to perform in the Philippines this summer. After Brahma Bull had already taken the two weeks off from work, we came to the realization that we didn't have the funds to send us both to the homeland! Luckily, because the day after the group bought their tickets.... the show was postponed, and eventually our participation was cancelled!

So with two weeks already given at work, we decided to take the family on a little vacation! With good timing with my two younger brothers and mom visiting from the Philippines for their summer vacation, we planned to drive to LA to visit my sister, her husband, and son (who is 1 year older than Git in Mah Belly!) Then it was off on a friends fly free vacation for me and brahma to LAS VEGAS, BABY!!!

Okay, so the Vegas trip was more of our little anniversary present to us. We left GIMB with my mom at my sisters for almost 3 days! Yes, I was the one who was calling almost twice a day! I couldn't help it... the night before we had planned to leave the bay area, GIMB came down with a fever that peaked at 101.4 degrees. So that meant a long night for me and still needing to pack my stuff and the baby's! Remind me next time I take the baby on a vacation, to call ahead and find out the local weather! I ended up packing the baby's closet! Count 'em.... 4 bags that included his bottles, Similac, baby food, and clothes. My sister even told me not to bring a lot of stuff cuz she most likely had it already. Well, she did have the diapers... can you believe my now 7 month old son fit the same sized diapers as his cousin who is 1 year and 2 months older!!!
Pretty scary!! Now , I am starting to worry!

BABY Development Update

Well, he has now experienced his first real vacation! The weekend we left for our Vaca. we spent one night in a Residents' Inn Suite with Brahma's cousin.... (Long story...save that for another blog!) So, he also spent his first night in a hotel room! In our visit to Disneyland, he really enjoyed the dancing and music during the parade and the animals along the jungle cruise. He has his first Disney hat with his name stitched on the brim!!!

He is starting to reach for things...which can get kinda scary if you are not holding his back! There have already been a couple of times where he practically fell backwards reaching for something... Come to think of it.. he was reaching for the pictures and magnets on the fridge door! He really enjoys other kids. His attention tends to go to other children who are around him. He especially likes his older cousin in LA. Unfortunately, most other kids are a bit shy, and here comes this little boy waving his hands like he is hitting you! But with the girls... like Brahma's 2 year old neice, he tries to grab them and kiss/slobber all over them!

He has come up with a new sound...unfortunately it's kinda hard to describe in words...but it almost sounds like the laugh the nerds have in Revenge of the Nerds movies. He really enjoys the sound of a bouncing ball...actually finds it quite amusing! GIMB has also come to recognize mommy and daddy, and actually will cry for them when he is sleepy! Last but not least... He loves to watch the "Wiggles"! He is hooked!

Happy Mother's Day to ME!

Sunday marked my first official mother's day! I woke up to the gurgling cry of my little one, and two beautiful cards given to me by my hubby and son! Unfortunately, it was also time for us to get ready for practice! For those of you who know me, you have heard this already. Of all the weeks for me to have practice for more than just 1 dance in our "big reunion show", this was the week! So, there was no way out of this one. I'm already low in the casted section, so I could not risk being cut out of any!

So we drop little GIMB off at Brahma's parents, and off we go... with much complaint and hesitation! Brahma just wanted to go to Guitar Center to complete his DJ equipment! When we showed up to practice, only half the people that were supposed to be there were there! All I have to say is this: If we had to sacrifice our mother's day to substituting for the absent asses, I might as well be casted in the damn dance...even if it is Spanish, and I can't dance the dances for crap!

Thank goodness we ended early... We got to kill time at Guitar Center, and then head on over to Westlake, not the shopping center, except we go to get my Latte'. But the Westlake park, where I got to cheer for my husband's softball team... Actually it was more like rag on their butts! Well, they won...except they should have won by a lot more!!!

Since that game ended a little earlier also, we headed back to V-town and got ready for our mother's day dinner/BBQ. my in-laws BBQ'd steaks and chicken laid out with salad, bread, garlic mashed potatoes, and mushrooms! Of course the food was great, but the evening was topped off with laughter coming from my little GIMB! He was laughing so hard watching the "tissue wrapper decor" hanging from the parole! I think all that laughing finally tired him out cuz after awhile he was knocked out....just like his mommy!

Okay...side note! this is the third time i am trying to post this darn blog!

May 8th: Celebrated one year of marriage bliss. Well, more like a roller coaster ride! Just kidding. So many things have happened in the past year. Lost my job/collected unemployment. Got another job part-time/Constantly broke! Brahma loses job/gets hired somewhere else. Move out of in-laws/Move into our own apt. Travelled to PI, performed at 5 months pregnant/ hated it cuz all i wanted to do was sit in front of the AC. 2 days of contractions & a split open belly...but out comes the most beautiful baby boy!

It has been a year of changes and adjustments. Some easier to deal than others, but we always manage to get through.

Haven't looked back since! I enjoy watching him play, smile, and laugh. He makes more gurgling sounds and seems to have conversation with you. He does that "stick out the tongue and spit" thing a lot! He is also more aware when you are leaving him in the room. Hasn't quite gotten to the "sleep through the nite" thing yet, but hopefully soon. Doesn't really matter because between him and daddy in the bed, i get stuck just sleeping on the couch! He has mastered the wide open mouth smile, with hints of spit down his chin. At that point the fatigue just goes away!

My life is filled with love from my son and husband! What more can a girl ask for. Do I miss being single... sometimes when I want to be friends. But overall, I enjoy the role of momma-hood, and raising my son and husband! I officially hang up my crown and pass the throne to the Weekender, the new "man-stealer!" To Voodoo...ha ha ha you are the new "Wheezer"!

So to Brahma Bull... I love you! Happy Anniversary!

20 pounds!

That is how much we have been carrying around. Our little, and not so light, 6 month old son is now 20 pounds and 2 3/4oz, 27 inches long! You would think I would have muscles in my arms by now... but no... they are just flapping around! This post-pregnancy weight is very hard to lose... how do women stay so slim. Maybe I should lay off the Whopper Jr. I feel like a fat heffer every week at dance practice. Especially next to all the slim, I have tons of time on my hands to workout and do sit-ups all day,skinny girls. Okay, I know... I could easily make it out to the gym, which I am paying monthly membership fees for. But I just have a million and one excuses as to why I don't go!

Back to my son... at his healthy baby check-up he was also given another round of immunization shots. 2 in the left leg, and 2 in the right leg. It's still hard for me to watch him cry after getting poked 4 times in one sitting. But after a little whimpering and a small stroll through the Kaiser halls, he was fine... In fact he was knocked out long enough for me to get coffee and a danish for breakfast. I think I will try and schedule all my doctor appointments around 9am because after that, the parking lot is a total madhouse!

I have to go soon for my eyes, I think they have gotten worse!

Anyways, I am now working somewhat full-time (at least til June 8th), then I really need to look for a new, or second job. You know it's tough when I have been so used to unemployment and waking up at 10 am every morning.

That darn book was right.

When I was pregnant I was given the "Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy" by my girlfriends, of course! When I read the postpartum stuff (when I was 9months pregnant) it gave advice to the husbands/new fathers:
Do not forget that your wife who has carried and given birth to your child, is still a woman.
The fact that my body parts now have new meaning ---> breasts are now a food source, and the "you know" is now a birth canal (that everyone and their mother was poking through and checking every hour!) It's very hard to feel like a woman....especially after gaining 30 + pounds and up a couple of pant sizes!

So, remember: mothers are still women, and the more you lose sight of that, the unhappier she will be, despite the fact that she is proud as hell to have given birth to a perfect baby, and is provided for by her husband. Treat her with a little attention, like you used to when you were in your "honeymoon" stages of dating. You don't even have to spend money !! You'll be surprised how a little romance can uplift any woman (mother or not!)