The Baby Blog

So in my other blog I mentioned that AJ is transitioning off the bottle.

I had him throw away all the bottles into a garbage bag which I stashed in the garage cabinets. He is now just drinking a bottle to go to bed at night if REALLY needed. During the day I give him milk in the cup... actually chocolate milk, and pretty much giving him everything and anything else he wants to eat!

So, far... I have the largest headache dealing with the crying bouts for a bottle. My favorite: "Mommy, I want my bottle... I don't want to drink milk in a cup!"
Mighty mom replies, " Anak, you have to, you are a big boy now!" AJ: Mommy, drinking in a cup is not an option... please!

How do you argue with that!!

As for Mio we are still trying to get him to talk.. he is starting to say, "mom" whenever he needs something, which is basically ALL THE TIME. Since I am home now he has gotten VERY attached to me. I cannot do anything without one or other is tugging at my pants or shirt!!!

I have learned that I cannot be a stay at home mom!!! Damoomoo has been working a lot, and the heavy rains, and illness has basically kept us at home.... and I am going crazy!!!
Someone please take me away! I would kill for a few hours to myself...please!

You would think I would be able to update since I am on vacation! Unfortunately it is actually harder to be at home! First, I have 2 little guys always wanting my attention and/or wanting to play with the keyboard. Secondly, I am weaning AJ off the bottle and he is having a lot of difficulty with this major transition. He is basically not taking naps unless he cries himself to sleep... and not just simple crying, but wailing "I want bottle".. On top of that Christmas Eve morning I took Mio to the doctor who diagnosed him with pneumonia (sp?)!! AGGGGHHH...

I had the worse 4 nights of my life leading up to Christmas morning! I basically slept with hourly interruptions from Mio having a such a miserable time, and finally sleeping in the recliner. Not the most comfortable position for me, and having it soooo cold lately, but it was the only way for Mio to breathe!

I did get to hang out with my friends from high school. That was fun!!! It nice to see how accomplished all my friends are... kinda makes me feel like such a loser though, but they have always been very inspirational for me. I had the most fun seeing Top Gun and baby Maverick for the first time! He is sooooo adorable!!!

On Christmas Eve I stayed up til 4 am wrapping presents and putting them in bags based on all our visits... Our day was like this:
1. Woke up late and lagged
2. Left for Monterey
3. Arrived and opened presents (eating at the same time): we opened presents from oldest to youngest; and had picked names for this family 3x.
4. Left after gift and went to Sunnyvale
5. Said hello and did our white elephant: I walked away with a office seat warmer/massager, and Damoomoo got the Fellowship of the Rings special edition... now this gives him reason to buy the other 2!
6. Said good-bye and headed to Pacifica
7. Passed out presents to whoever was left, and let the boys opened their presents.
Stayed til about 12:30 and finally headed home!

The Holiday was not over cuz the next day we went to Turlock!!! to celebrate my cousin's 18th birthday. Now if the preparation for the holiday was not enough, the actual driving was brutal, and finally in the winding down mode, I feel the exhaustion catching up to me... I am currently trying to fight off a sore throat, and suffering with the runny nose!

Some vacation this is turning out to be!

It's been so long now, but for those awaiting the highlights... everyone had tons of fun... singing to make the couple kiss to dancing the nite away...even my little man AJ! (thanks to Bring that Beat Back DJ...my Moomoo!)

Heavy Jumbo and Damoomoo were trying to remember the Saturday Nite Fever routine, and there was AJ trying to follow. He is his own man on the dance floor, cuz everytime I tried to dance with him.. he would point to the corner of the room, and say, "No, mommy, go over there!"

I spent most of my nite running after my baby Mio who is just all over the place! When he finally fell asleep, I was too tired! It was nice to see all my college friends again... and most importantly, for them to see my family! I just I had more time to sit with each of you and really catch up! One of these days I swear it will happen!

At midpoint, DJ Moomoo announced my birthday, and everyone left on the dance floor (mostly Voodoo students) sang happy birthday. I AM 31!!! For me it is such an anti-climatic year, until maybe 35 and 40! But it was great to celebrate my birthday with friends and my family

We finally made it back to the room at the end of the nite, and just crashed!!!

I finally survived my Statistics final.. how well I have not checked yet. I was more than stressed.. I was having anxiety attacks to the point of depression, which I think I am almost passed it.

Sunday, Damoomoo had to work at the Arena, so that left me at home, not feeling well and needing to study. It is not easy not having your own space. I tried staying in the living room, but the two rugrats found me, and they are just so needy, or at least need me to settle their fight over who gets the toy!

So Sunday, I told my hubby that I really need him to keep the kids Monday nite so I can study. My plan was to just go straight to the Cafe after work, and come home late. But he convinced me to go home and just eat, then go out. So I followed, but kept a close eye on clock... it took me 40 minutes to get home, cuz I even had to pick up AJ from daycare!

I immediately got home heated up my food and ate and fast as I could, but not without interruption from my lil ones! As I was finishing my meal, hubby gets phone calls from friends asking if he wants to watch Blade Trinity... if you read UPS driver blog, you will know that he went!!! Even after I had requested that he stay home to allow me to study!

His deal was: they'll watch in Pleasant Hill next to my Nanay's house, where we can take the kids, which also has a Borders and Cafe where I can study... So I got to open the books for half an hour before it was time to go. Because we were cutting it close I even had to drop the kids off, which is not drop and go. Then by the time I found parking, there was no more space at Borders... so all I had left to do was buy my double shot mocha and head back to Nanay's house..

Didn't get much done there, and by that time I was just PISSED. I couldn't concentrate anymore and just wanted to hit my husband! literally.

My final was the next day, and I was not in the mood for anyone or anything. I took off work, but made a breakfast appointment to meet my mentee, and have my holiday lunch with my Asian Invasion co-workers.

I finally had time to study. No more room in the Cafe, so for the first time in a long time... I went to the library.. I don't dow well in libraries. I found a little cubby desk which was not enough room to spread out all my notes and table sheets.

I spent the last hour making my 2 page of notes for the test, and reviewing my past chapter tests. I guess it really didn't help because I blanked out on the same question from my chapter test and lost 10 points there. Then I blanked out on stuff we just learned in the previous chapter! There goes 3 questions. When I met with my professor I admitted to him that I just wanted to make sure I passed. So to pass he told me I just needed a 50.. that shouldn't be too hard... I HOPE!

Keep your fingers crossed. After this class I do know that I will not start school until we are settled into our own place! And that in itself is it's own adventure!

Work was so busy. I now work in the Student Services Offices, which is responsible for on-line registration, so sure enough I got recruited to assist through the process. I have had to drop pretty much everything to help these poor students who have NO IDEA how to use the computer!

Maybe I am not in the Christmas spirit or anyting, but you have to know how to use the computer! If not other programs on our campus needs to walk students as a small group how to register! It is ridiculous how students get so needy...

The worse part... we will write on the board what your username is, and how easily people forget passwords they themselves created, or how they DO NOT understand a "combination of LETTERS AND NUMBERS". You will not believe how many students get their password declined because they used just one or the other...

And worse... people don't even try to work through it themselves! I have to tell them to scroll down the page for more options. They automatically raise their hands, and say "I need help"... Just try to help yourself for once please, or at least wait your turn!!! I hate when students think they are the only one in the room of 25 other students!

Well, thank you for allowing me to vent this out. I hope you understand why I have been away from my computer!

I am now on my 1 month unpaid vacation. Things to do:
Finish shopping for Christmas
Take the boys off the bottle
Prepare AJ for preschool, and Mio for the daycare (part-time)
Update my blog more often
Visit my brothers
Have playdates with other kiddies!

I'll soon get back to my recollection of the Mango Voodoo wedding once my vacation starts. I have to study for finals, and close up shop at work, which is why I'm not at my computer!!!

Note to self: Must describe AJ's dancing fever!!!

Okay, here's the breaking news:
AJ is going to start pre-school at my work in January... YIPPEEE! He's going to college! At least the campus! And the best part is I get to pay less than what I'm paying, and afford to take Mio to daycare part-time!!! YIPPEEEE

Let's celebrate!

The Big Day!!
Saturday we woke up at 6:30 (3 hours after we feel asleep) and headed up to the bridal suite for some morning grub. I think I was a little too anxious to actually eat!

By 8:00 the make-up guy arrived(who had an ass that the girls all wanted to pinch)!! MnM and I headed down to our room to start getting ready.

My morning was pretty mellow. Enjoyed my hot shower, and had some time to relax and organize my bag. By 9:30 Chachi arrived to do my hair and make-up. (I would post pictures, except I don't know how!!) She did a great job if I do say so myself... My goal was NOT to look like the only mommy in the bunch!

We met at the bridal suite and Voodoo looked absolutely radiant. Running a little late the bus was already waiting for us to take us to the Legion of Honor. Okay this was not your typical limo bus... this was a freakin charter bus you take to Reno!!

It was definitely way cool to see the whole bridal party and then some be able to travel together! When we arrived for pictures, the clouds started to roll around, and a huge tent was being put up in the middle of the courtyard!! boo hoo!

The photographer quickly improvised, but had us walking on wet grass!! It was pretty hard to keep a good smile when you are hella cold!! But I bet the pictures came out beautifully! It was so much fun because the bridal party is just crazy like that (especially the "horse balls" pictures)

We finally made our way to the church. With much time to touch relax, touch up on the make-up and wipe all the grass off our shoes! It especially gave me time to get AJ comfortable with everyone and the environment. It actually didn't take him long to cooperate and put his barong on, and hold his pillow.

Then the coordinator comes through the room... It's time. We all lined up and I had AJ by my side. I took one last glance at Voodoo single child and we all gave a thumbs up!!

The aisle at Saint Ignatius was long, and our groomsmen partners met us halfway. AJ walked all the way... even to the alter with me!!. Then everyone stood up and faced the main entryway. There she was with parents on either side. I felt tears forming as she came closer. Voodoo looked like a princess!

Mr. and Mrs. Mango!! Congratulations.

Pictures. I got some really good ones of AJ posing up a storm! He is truly a Likha ham! We have trained him well. We ARE beyond the "pretty eys"... we got real GQ poses!!! watch out world I am raising "moomoo" boys!

We hopped on the bus again to head to the hotel. AJ enjoyed the ride so much... Look a "a other bus" "Hi, Bus"!! Ohh mommy, look at that this so cool!. I really enjoyed my bus ride with my little man!

It's my lunch break and I must get some grub. I'll continue with the party post!!!

The weekend actually began on Thursday when we attended the rehearsal for the Mango Voodoo wedding. St. Ignatius Church is just simply amazing and beautiful!

At the very beginning of the rehearsal Damoomoo and I came to the conclusion that Mio will not be able to attend the ceremony because he's too disruptive!! Throughout the rehearsal, he ran up and down the aisle, through the pews, and along the side. Oh, and not just running quietly, but making a lot of noise... laughing to be exact. I guess it's the "you can't catch me" kinda laughter.

I also concluded that AJ was not going to walk down the aisle by himself.

We pretty much whizzed through the ceremony... however, sponsors still had the confused look on their faces during the real ceremony. That's what happens when you don't show up!!!

After the good food Voodoo hooked up for the dinner, we rushed to the mall to look for my undergarments. I actually walked away with nothing, except for the realization that my breasts have shrunk since having my second child. (Sorry guys but this blog is about the trials of raising children!)

When we got back home I began to pack the bags for my kids. Damoomoo agreed to take the kids with him to Ninong Fabs house while I stayed with the girls at the hotel Friday evening. So to make everything less confusing. I packed the clothes by each day, and even labelled it (Sunday, pack in bag. Sunday, wear) A bit much, maybe.. but this only happens on rare occasions.

We worked on Friday, not getting home until 5:30pm. I took my shower and finished packing for myself and the last minute stuff for the kids. I began to bring the bags down, and started to wash bottles. Then Damoomoo came and said: We're stuck!

My happy feeling soon faded. Apparently Mom and Dad wanted to look into buying the Acura MDX? or something like that and are considering a trade in with the van. We needed the van in order to bring all the DJ equipment for the reception!! My solution was to just take AJ with me in the Matrix and meet them at the hotel before the reception. So, I began to go through their bag and take out stuff for AJ and place them in his Buzz Lightyear suitcase.

Then as I zipped up the luggage, Damoomoo said: We can take the van now! Mom and Dad said they'll look into the trade in next week, and possibly won't need it when they go to Acura!!

At that point, I was just pissed and wanted to just leave!! Let me do what I need to get the hell out of there and on my way. We still needed to pick up the seating chart at my uncle's office, colortone in Berkeley.

We finally left V-town, and stopped off at El Farlito's in South City for some grub. We unloaded my stuff, check-in, and met up with the soon-to-be married couple and friends! Not realizing that they have not eaten yet either, I gladly shared my Carne Asada Supreme Nachos! When my boyz left, I joined the everyone at El Torrito down the street for my deep fried ice cream.

To end the already long day, we helped Voodoo prepare her stuff for the big day. But didn't end without a game of "Scene It". I suck at trivia games, but was able to answer the "Jerry McGuire" image question!!! yeah, that was my contribution for the evening.

We finally headed back to our rooms at 3am! And we had to be up at 6:30 for breakfast! oh goodness...

Last night I got my eyebrows waxed after work, and played sick for class, so I was able to join the family on trip to the mall. Our goal: buy a present for my father-in-law. (Happy Birthday dad!!)

We got to Hallmark first.. at least a card is always good.

Store#2: Old Navy. I exchanged a gift for bigger size which we decided to give to our kids instead. We lost Mom who wandered off to another store without telling us.

spent a good hour trying to look for her instead.

Store#3: Pretzel Time. Got a snackie for us and the kids

Store #4: Best Buy. Stood in line for hella long just to buy Spider Man 2. You should see Mio's impression of spider man... quite cute I must say.

Store #5: Macy's. Finally look for a present for Dad. Damoomoo was in charge. We bought him a Polo Shirt (pretty expensive for a collared shirt), but it's Dad. Oh, of course Damoomoo found something for himself cuz "he doesn't have a blue sweater jacket". So of course he got it. Since we were there, I decided to look for my Birthday present => Boots. As always, I couldn't find the ones that I like that aren't too high so I can easily function at work or running after my kids when I'm not dressed down. Functional!

While we finished we found Mom, and she took the kids on the Merry-go-Round. Andres said that he wants to ride the Elephant, then the Giraffe, then Elephant, then the Dolphin!! That's a lot of coins. Mio's favorite: the teacup.

Since we were pretty much done, we allowed them to stay out of their stroller. Mio really enjoyed that! He was running around waving his arms, looking like he never gets out. The funny thing about him is that he will run a few feet ahead. Look back at you (as if to be checking to see what you will do). Then laugh and run farther away. Then it becomes a chasing game!

Oh the simple pleasures. And it was time to go home to eat dinner and wrap our present before Lolo came home.