The Baby Blog

All in one day, my baby turned one and was baptized! It was a joy to be the only baby baptized! The day before (our original date) had almost 15 or so babies in one ceremony! Anyways, we got to get him naked (yes the whole right side of the church saw his baby buto and I dipped in the fountain as the priest said, "GIMB2 I now baptize you, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" as he poured the holy water over his head.

Then as we walked to the front, drying his face, Daddy took him and held him up "lion king" style.!!! Everyone applauded... and mommy almost cried. But we had to get back to business... dressed him in his baptismal outfit (barong from PI and matching shorts) to complete the rites of baptism.

Afterwards we treated all who attended to lunch at The Front Room at the Wharf. If you have never had a Front Room pizza, you are missing out on some good stuff. So we had good food, close friends, and all around fun celebration.

In good ole Filipino tradition, we also cut GIMB2's hair! If you would have seen him, you may have seen him with his hair up in ponytail. And because he looks so cute (in a mommy's point of view) many strangers and relative often say how "pretty" he is! So, daddy was quite excited when this weekend approached allowing us to cut the hair.

So we invited my aunt and cousins and had us some chinese food... then came the moment.. .my baby turned into a man..... okay it is a bit of an exaggeration, but that is truly what it felt like. It's sort of like taking away the one thing you were known for. And as I held him, I remembered the birthing experience, the joy of watching him grow, the excitement of seeing him take his steps and become more of his own person... all in that one snip, I began to cry. This was the being of him growing up.

GIMB2 is now walking. He has figured that "big boys" like kuya walk... and the only he will keep up is to walk... SO, he is walking, or should I say... wobbling and stumbling but after 8 steps now. Sometimes he does catch himself and just stands still to regain his balance before he starts again. The hard part of this stage is keeping him from bumping his head. Not only when he walking, but when he still a little unstable. He actually has a big bump on the side of his head from hitting the corner of the coffee table!! Oh I hope it goes away before his birthday/baptism on Sunday!!

I told Brahma that we have to take Before and After pictures when we finally cut his hair! I have a feeling I am going to cry!

As for CUD he is jamming to his Outkast and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and some other hip hop song I don't know... singing and dancing ... bopping his head, swaying his arms... he is so much like his daddy!! Pretty scary. Daddy made a special hip hop/rock CD for them! Oh but don't worry, they still get awe struck when they see/hear the Wiggles...

We are going to see the Wiggles!!
Yippee... and Brahma already told work that he is not working during that concert, but will be sitting with us!!! WOOOO HOOOO!!

and now... in April we are looking forward to our mini vacation to Disneys California Adventure... and stay at the Disneyland Hotel!!! My first time ever!!! Have you stayed there? Any recommendations for sites or things to do, please share

CUD is now 2 years and 5 months = Terrible Twos! And why do they call "terrible" when you should look at every child as a blessing, an angel? I'll tell you why!!!

1. They can talk now... which means talking back. Or better yet, he tries to tell on me for getting mad!

2. They copy... Did you ever play the "echo" game to annoy your brother/sister or parents. Well that's what he does. When I try to tell him to "stop" or not touch something... he repeats the same words to me. He'll even point a finger or add a spanking on the hand!! Lil smarty!!

3. Does time-out really work? Sometimes, cuz when he gets time-out he knows that the punishment is for real... I give him 3 warnings, and after that... it's the corner of the couch.

4. When all else fails... cry.... A LOT!!! And make your body stiff or heavy so no one can carry you. When it comes time to take a bath or wash up, and he doesn't want to... you'll see me literally dragging him, cuz he knows!

5. In the end... go to daddy! Sometimes it works, but I even trained daddy to instill a little more discipline.

But at night when they are asleep, all I want to do is watch them sleep peacefully, and snuggle close to them like my very own teddy bear. !!! Then it's the next morning and we start all over again!

Just last week I was home sick with the flu, then I got hit again starting Sunday! During practice my nose started running and by the time I got home, the body ache, the fatigue and sore throat kicked in. Had to call in sick at work for 2 more days! I actually came back on Wednesday with not much success... I was so stuffed up that I couldn't talk and breathe at the same time. So, I had to avoid the phone and personal contact as much as possible.

With fear of getting my fellow office mates sick I went home after half a day! Took some cough medicine, started the humifidier and went to sleep....at least until Brahma came back with the kids so he can meet with the "tax guy". good news, we should receive money back this year. Apparently having kids is a pretty good write-off!!

I am back to work, but still feeling kind of weak and light headed (I try not to make sudden movements of the head!) I have my fruits and juice at hand, with my coffee (just to keep me awake!) But Brahma has been really good at keeping the kids out of the house so I can actually get some rest. Thank you, babe!!

The kiddies
CUD is starting to talk back...copying everything I say, even when it is meant to discipline him. He even points the finger and spanks my hand! I am not quite sure how to "undo" that damage. Hopefully he will grow out of it as soon as he is out of the terrible twos and threes!!

His favorite game is having GIMB2 run after him or the ball. His new amusement has been Lion King 1 1/2. During the scene with the Meer Cats digging holes, he just continuously cracks up... it's hilarious watching him!!

GIMB2 is just growing up. He is becoming more and more confident in standing up and walking. He can talk at least 3 to 4 steps before falling down. He has the tendancy to just lunge at you when he thinks he is close enough, so he doesn't get very far. But he is playing little brother very well. Whereever CUD is, or whatever CUD eats/drinks... GIMB2 is there at his heels trying to copy or take whatever is in his hands!!!

I never grew up with siblings so not quite sure how this dynamic works, but it is really cool watching it in our sons!!

My mom and brothers are arriving from PI in two weeks... I am really excited!!