The Baby Blog

The funniest thing happened this morning.

For about a month now it's been getting more difficult for me to wake up on time. I personally believe that it's related to how dark it is at 5:30 am that makes me want to stay in bed longer. I sleep early or at least at the same time as usual. But now I find the "snooze" alarm going off for at least an hour before I actually get out of bed at between 5:50 an 6:00!

Well this morning when the first alarm went on, I heard a rumbling at the foot of the bed where the boys sleep. Then next thing I knew the radio was turned off, and a little more rumbling again at the foot of the bed. 7 minutes later when the alarm went on again the same thing happened. I was sleeping next to Damoomoo so I couldn't really see in the dark wh0 that was... then the third alarm went on.

I turned around and wiggled my way back to "my side" of the bed to find Mio turning pressing the snooze button and finally reaching out, calling to "mommy". I couldn't resist but pick him up and cuddle with him through almost 5 more snoozes!

I don't know if he doesn't like our talk radio in the morning or he is sick of me sleeping through my alarms, but that was the funniest wake up call I've ever had!

Yesterday we had a visit from our district's ergonomic consultant. I sit in a cubical in the center of President's Office (lots of interesting characters! but that's a different blog) Anyways, I already feel short against an already high desk apparently made for tall people. So, he recommended using the keyboard holder that pops out from underneath the desk and had me lower my chair, my arm rests, and take the computer monitor off the computer "thing" to make the monitor at eye level.

I feel short! but I can see the perpendicular lines helping hopefully it will help with the tendonitis and lower back pains. But he did say to make sure to take breaks from the work...hey, I can do that!!!

Okay so it's not exactly the quote but that's what we saw (and then some) during our visit to the San Francisco Zoo last Sunday. So, just to piggy back on Damomoo's update, we decided to take the kids to the Zoo as part of our Sunday trip to SF before the Likha Staff Meeting (sorry I was late!) It was a beautiful day in the city! (too bad daddy came home so late, we could have had some more time!) The zoo looks much nicer from what I remember when I was little.

I took as many pictures of the different animals that we saw, so I can attempt to put a scrapbook page or two or three together for AJ to share with his class...Fridays are sharing days. As much as AJ loves to watch Crocodile Hunter and other shows on Animal Planet, he got really scared of the small crocodile in the "Rain Forest" exhibit hall. He'll tell you that the crocodile is bad. The giraffes are good. The zoo had a lot of bears and we saw two lion/tiger dens...

Unfortunately 4pm rolled around and it was time to go...and I was still really late for the meeting. But it was nice to walk around with the boys, especially watching AJ and Mio walking hand in hand next to Daddy, and trying to see all the animals. The good part was that they were able to identify most of them. It's a great family excursion.

Since we were away from the house all weekend, I REALLY need to do laundry. I actually have to buy Andres socks! It's not so much that he's growing out of them (well it's that too) but it's more of missing the partner, missing period! So it's Target for me... see ya

As you already know, Mio is quite the risk-taker. Since he started crawling, he was the one with all the bumps on his head or leg, and it just got worse as he started to run. He has always been more curious george not afraid to wander off without Mommy or Daddy. He'll even stare at you while you run after him... which usually ends up with him running into something...

Well over the last two weeks, his curious george status has caused me some anxiety...

Tootles Baptism.
The reception was held at a Bar &Grill in the city across the street from Schroeders. To allow the kids some leg room Damoomoo watched them play around the sidewalk in front. He gave a little too much encouragement by letting them run back and forth from the sidewalk to the front...that Mio decides, let me run as far as I can to see if you can catch me...

Needless to say I literally bolted out of my chair and ran after him. If he had not stopped at the end of the sidewalk... he would have been in the middle of the street/alleyway! My heart just raced for a good 30 minutes...

Table meet head...
While we stayed at my Nanay's house over the weekend (without daddy) we had another "Mio incident". Since the boys began staying with my mom she was always concerned over the fact that Nanay has all glass tables in the house (and not a very large space).

Saturday night Mio got a the curious bug and steered away from playing w/ kuya and drew his attention to the hallway table and this porcelain figure. He couldn't reach it at first, so he tried to stretch, still not reaching it, he tried to climb the table! And as soon as I said, "No, Mio! Don't touch!!"... He fell over, with the table and everything on it right on top of him!

I screamed and ran to lift the load, but the glass was too heavy. My mom was there to pull him out from under the glass table top, and I lifted the table "legs" enough to pull his ankles out! He started to bleed from his mouth, which luckily was not as bad as the time he tipped over w/ the stool. He walked away with a bukol on head and scared little heart. (hopefully scared enough not to touch it again!)

That night, all we could think was how lucky he was that the glass didn't shatter, that the porcelain figure (with marble base) didn't break or even hit him during the fall! He was lucky. I truly feel that he has angels watching over him. It reminds me of that Robert Downey, Jr. movie where he has 4 or 5 guardian angels... I forgot the title.

Now, I can't help but be thankful for these little blessings!

Since Fridays are my teaching nite Andres and I went straight to Concord for the Coco kids' practice... before that, since we were early, I decided to stop off at the mall, pick up some Starbuck's (pumpkin spice latte') and we sat in the center area... Then as we walked to the bathroom upstairs AJ noticed the Discovery Channel store and showed me the toys he wants for birthday. By that time we were already late in picking up Pau from the Bart Station!

Since daddy has a softball tourney in San Jose at 8:30 on today, I recommended that he stay at his cousins' house in Sunnyvale. The trick was he also has a wedding to DJ later tonight in San Francisco... so, on Thursday he stayed up late downloading music for himself and Moe (who is DJ'ing another gig at Zebulon). Friday after work he went to pick up Mio and then home in the double V to download more music, pack his clothes, and all the equipment.

Since it's my neice's birthday party today, I decided to sleep at my nanay's house in Pleasant Hill, and daddy dropped Mio off on his way out to SJ (at around 11pm!) The boys are having so much fun playing with their uncles. If I have to attend a staff meeting tomorrow in SF, we'll probably stay in Pleasant Hill one more night to avoid the far drive. I did (finally) remember to bring my 3 pairs of pants I need my mom to hem... I haven't worn these pants for almost 8 months!!

I talked to daddy this morning to make sure he got to Sunnyvale okay, and just in time to say good morning, have good game, and (he said he'll call after his first game, but that didn't happen)... I guess he's having a lot fun... but that's good...gotta clean up a little accident (chips, not the potty-training kind) that Mio made!

I was at work and read this... My take is you adopted these 11 children that I am sure you had some idea of their background... why would you keep adopting if you know some of these children need more individual attention? And what is with the "cages" are you crazy... hmmm...maybe there really is something in the air/water in Ohio...

This story just makes you wonder what people think or are not thinking when they have children. Does this relate to beliefs of NOT having your children be given immunization shots? Or to refuse medical assistance when they are sick? I personally appreciate that our society has come a long way in terms of technology and medical breakthroughs. And I would personally give my children any chance I could to ensure their health and safety. Isn't that part of Parenting 101?!

If only birth control was covered by medical insurance like viagra, and we can teach safe sex in our schools openly and honestly. Maybe we need to make a handbook in parenting and make that mandatory during your 9month pregnancy... Who knows, I just feel for the children who are victims of bad parenting...

Am I this needy of something new or a real fan of my show? If you read the "*" the giveaway starts at noon, and the lines open at 6AM!!! I barely made the early wake-up for the "day after" sale at Thanksgiving.. but these are free... However, if I get a pair that's a size 10 or heals for days I am assed out cuz I cannot walk in heels if my life depended on it... or it would just collect dust in our garage.

But I thought it was really funny, the things they do to promote!

Today our lil man AJ started pre-school again for this year. With me returning to the Comets, I was able to get AJ back into school at a very good price. When I compare the prices of places like KinderCare and La Petite Academy this pre-school is a GREAT discount! We will spend a little over $500 per month, but can send him all day five days a week!! Can't beat that...but I guess the pay increase I get for coming back is pretty much paying for child care for the boys!

We all drove into Pinole this morning, and went our separate ways from UPSer's house. So, AJ and I got to school at a little before 8:00am. Unfortunately, since I was not able to complete the paperwork prior to today, I had to wait for the Director to arrive, which was 9:00am. So, we started to see all the kids arrive, and the more we saw pass by, the more anxious AJ became to start, too. When a teacher arrived to do work at the counter AJ didn't want to wait in the sitting area of the lobby.. he wanted to wait at the desk!

After talking to the Director, and a teacher/director of the Montessori program, I decided to enroll him in the Montessori program. I guess the best way to desribe it would be, traditional basics with more independent learning based on what the child's interests are. So he will still learn the ABC's and 123's but could decide to explore more when subjects interests him, like Dinosaurs or Art!!!

I am very excited for him. When I showed him what I packed for him for lunch he responded, "I love you, Mom." Oh that just melted my heart. My baby is growing up!

As far as my new position, I am still waiting for my email and stuff to get re-established, and answering all the questions of "What are you doing here? Weren't you in Sacramento? Didn't you like there?" Yes I did like it, but when it comes down to it, the CCC was my home! And it's always nice to be home, and it helps to get paid more! hehehehe

It's my last day and things are winding down from the "peak season". However, personally this weekend will only be starting.

Friday
After work I'm meeting my boyz at home. Gotta pack an overnite bag for later/tomorrow. We have to leave the house ASAP so that I can make it to Concord to work with the Likha Coco group. We will then make our way to Fremont for Mrs. Cruz birthday and to see all the Rondalla/Likha peeps. Thankfully, the Cruz's have opened their house for us to spend the night so we will not have to make a trip all the way back to the double V.

Saturday
We will leave from Fremont to go to SF for Tootles Baptism reception. My boys do not sit through ceremonies, so we'll just go for the "celebration". I think we might hang out in the Bay Area for another get together, but we still couldn't figure out exactly what that was?!

Sunday
We were invited to attend my co-worker's wedding. They are actually alread married, but have not completed all the "celebratory" traditions. They are a Muslim couple -- she's Malaysian/Vietnamese and he's Middle Eastern. She's barely 5 feet tall, and he's about 6' 5"!! I was hoping to see all the Muslim wedding traditions, but this will just be the reception part. Many of her family members have already told her/ criticized her for having it on 9/11. From our conversations, it seems like this reception is turning out to be more for her parents than it is for themselves... His family, who is from NY won't be able to attend because they have to care for his sick grandmother. She will be wearing about 4 or 5 different dresses throughout the evening. We have to be in Sacramento by 5pm. Hopefully traffic will be flowing the other way.

Monday
Will be my first day back at CCC... and AJ's first day in pre-school... He is really excited (although not enough to get him in bed early), that he asked if I wrote it down on the calendar that we posted on the refrigerator! I guess I should write it down, huh?!

Well back to work people... have a safe weekend and Happy Birthday Mrs. Cruz!

Okay, I may not spell it right but it still sucks! When I was pregnant with Mio I began to have sharp lower back pains that created my whole body to crumble when I put pressure on my left leg. When I went to the doctor she recommended that I buy this belt to help "carry" the baby so that my back wasn't feeling all the pressure. Helped a little but all I wanted was for someone to just give me a massage... but it was still not enough!!

So last night, (my guess is that I was standing the whole time we had guests, then just the everyday stuff put more pressure on my back), that I was having another episode. Sorry John for having to call you upstairs last night... I didn't know what else to do. After I was able to cook dinner (enough for 2 nights), my back started to have this "lightning" pain effect. It starts in the lower back, down my hip/butt area, then it makes it way down my leg!

And through all this I still have a "rugrat" story to include:
While I had John use is foot/weight to apply pressure on my back. Mio was kept saying, "Daddy, mommy hurting. Mommy okay?" Then he would rub my back, and laid his head next to mine.

A few minutes later when John went downstairs AJ came into the room. "Mommy, are you okay?" As I laid on the floor on my stomach I replied, "No, mommy is hurting right now. Can you stand my back?". He quickly fulfilled my request and said, "Mommy, next time if you need something just call Andres, okay! I'll help you, just call Andres"!! I was so touched... (earlier that evening while I was in the bathroom he told me to call him when I done!) After AJ finished, Mio took over, and he asked, "Mommy, okay?" and rubbed my head. We fell asleep together on the floor.

So now today, I can still feel the pain in my back and leg, and walking with sort of a limp... but since tomorrow is my last day here, I will enjoy the Krispy Kreme doughnuts my boss bought as my celebration present... Hey man we detoured to Sacramento and Union City just to buy these suckers!!! They're really good with my coffee, too!

Things have been pretty routine at work... processed my last full check run at Hornetville today... Now it's a matter of completing as many tasks as possible before I leave. My boss gave me my 3month (kinda late) / exit review. She gave me all high marks and told me that even our other co-workers in the financial aid office have enjoyed working with me. It is great to hear the good things you do at work! It reassured me that my hard work is appreciated, even when I feel like I'm just doing my job.

Your ex-
Over the holiday we saw Damoomoo's ex-girlfriend, Ms. Thailand. Well now I guess we should call her Mrs. Thailand being that she is married to one of his long time friends...*another story. From that time that damoomoo was seeing her she became close to the David's. So, whenever there's a party, I am sure we will see them too. Things of course have cooled off, she is now pregnant with her 2nd child, and John and I...are US. But sometimes I sit back and wonder if things are really okay, or are we just being "pleasant".

This Saturday we will be attending Tootles' Baptism. Now Tootles' poppa is a good friend of my ex from college. Since that break up I have only seen him at random places (like an ARMY ball that I got invited to as a blind date, and he was someone's guest!), and each time I was single. So, if he is there with his wife and son, this will be the first time I see him with my family by my side. Will it be weird?

Then I wonder, when my ex's or at least guys that I have dated in the past see me, knowing that I am married and have 2 kids, do they feel weird? hmmmm...

Yes it was a 3-day weekend, but it's just another day to keep yourself busy! Saturday morning, I was busy keeping watching for the mouse, which turned out to be 2 mice, then by the afternoon... was 3 mice!!! The cute part was watching the boys trying to find the mice. I guess because it is a new experience for them. Andres was the first to see it run... through his playroom. But all he did was yell out, "Mom, the mouse is here! In my playroom." I ran over just in time to see it run across the floor and underneath the couch. But there was Andres, glued to his TV/vide0 game! Mio on the otherhand was so scared that he didn't want to walk on the floor!!

Soon enough daddy came home with the snapping mouse traps. Since the sticky ones weren't working, I didn't care how we got the job done... except for those poisons... We used that in our house at Pittsburg once, and we couldn't figure out why our house smelled...it was dead mouse that my kuya found hidden behind furniture!! So ever since that day, I will NEVER encourage anyone to use those types of "traps".

Our Saturday also included my replacement performance! Carpooling with Jen1 and mom was great, since I got to save on gas, but since we expected traffic, we left a little before 7pm and got to the city by 7:30! So we hit up Starbucks at Serramonte to kill the time. The place was really nice, but since the dance floor was physically in separate room, it closed a lot of space for the performance, and the guest were pretty much "up close & personal". I wonder if they could tell how much I was shaking!!! It was fun... and yes, Mrs. Luzon I can't stay away, so we will make our return slowly but surely!

Sunday was the day we set for our families to come to the house. It was hectic as always, but fun to have our relatives come out and enjoy the food and the backyard! By the time it started to slow down, I invited my cousin Shelly to just sleep over. Her daughter Luisa is just a month older than AJ so it was great seeing them play throughout the night until about 1am!!

The holiday was slowly passing. We were invited for another gathering at the David's house. That was cool cuz it was just friends hanging out "watching the Giants beat the Dodgers!" and we walked the kids over for some time at their park! There was soooo much food. Now I think I should have take some home for baon today!