Haggiyo

Bday Kuya!

2010-02-01T22:55:00.002+08:00

Here he is... 7 yrs and still getting extra heavy... our little big kuya Gio!...
This was taken during a small get together in his school...

My Little Big Boy!

2009-04-04T20:00:00.001+08:00

Trick or Treat!!!

2008-10-31T00:37:00.000+08:00

Best in English!

2008-10-25T22:19:00.004+08:00

After half a year in Prep1, Gio has managed to bag his first academic award... he was awarded "Best in English". This award would surely make most mothers proud and I am proud of his achievement. But, he really did not do much effort in his english, mainly because our primary language at home is english. nonetheless, Congrats Gio! I do hope you'll have another award next time... excel in something alien to you... like writing and reading!

Gios Kinder 1 Graduation Day!

2008-03-24T21:38:00.001+08:00

Its my graduation day today... just in time Daddy came home from Qatar! He arrived yesterday...

Heres our pictures... Daddy still has very long hair during my graduation ceremony... but he still looks cute like me!

Happy 5th Birthday Gio!!!

2008-01-28T22:52:00.001+08:00

Kiddie Carollers or Singing Mothers?

2007-12-16T22:49:00.000+08:00

The christmas season is at its bloom... now that it is barely eight days till Christmas...

It has been ages ago since I last joined in a carolling spree of my neighborhood... back then when I had the strength and the vocal practice (unbelievable but true, I used to be part of a church choir in Alabang!) necessary to make neighborhood singing pleasant to other peoples' ears. I know that now. Its sad to note that truly "life is a hard teacher, it gives the test first before the lessons!"

My advice to you guys? Carolling should not be done by anyone at a whim! It takes a little preparation and a lot of vocalization! I may sound negative... but hey, why you dont you try it? And then try to give me a feedback!

Ok enough of that.. lets get back to business... here they are... feast your eyes on these little kids... they had fun... I just wish the mothers could say the same!

An hour at Blooming Hill

2007-11-10T23:05:00.000+08:00

Blooming Hill is a little playpen located in Antipolo town proper... we often pass by it with thoughts of coming over once in a while... now, that thought has materialized...
Though the facilities and toys and kids stuffs are neat and fun... I still think its a little bit on the high price... well, you cant blame me! The exact opposite opinion would come from a mother who has only one kid... I have three!!!

Hello Gio!!!

2007-10-11T11:52:00.000+08:00

See how Gio loves his vegetables???

This picture was taken at a recent scool activity... Nutrition month.

School Bday Party

2007-10-05T23:37:00.000+08:00

This is the party that took place at Gio's school last week... Iyah had the best time... being included in his Kuyas school party...

There were two parties, the first party is just a few days after the other...the kids had a wonderful time...

First Day at School

2007-06-13T10:00:00.000+08:00

Gio had just started schooling this year... I know its a little late... but here are the pictures taken on Gio's first day going to school...

Birthday Baby!!!

2007-02-06T20:29:00.000+08:00

Gio celebrated his 4th birthday last 26 Jan 2007... we bought for him a Goldilocks cake (his most specific request...), spaghetti, hotdogs on stick and mango juice. He had so much fun not with his friends (for there was only four kids in his party) but mostly because of the Spiderman outfit we had rushed to buy for him that morning from Galleria. Iyah, of course cannot be set aside... even though it was'nt her special day... she also had a superhero outfit... Wonderwoman!

Happy 4th birthday Gio!!!

Late Halloween Party!

2006-12-05T18:40:00.000+08:00

Visit with the Ortho

2006-10-17T17:13:00.000+08:00

The previous week was such a tedious and physically draining one!

My son had an on and off affair with fever... with the occassional clicking sound in his left leg (around the pelvic area)... which, after seeing the pediatrician and the orthopedic, all his tests showed negative! It's not that I am sad that technically, as medical tests shows, theres nothing wrong with him, but what about the clicking sounds which continues to wake us up every few hours at night? His legs continues to make that sound and he cries some nights.

During our visit with the ortho, he found nothing wrong with his legs. He moved it around and pushed it against Gio. My child did not feel any pain... I really dont know whats wrong with him. The doctor asked us to have his stool tested... update you next time...

Dengue panic?

2006-10-03T17:45:00.000+08:00

There is a dengue outbreak in many parts of the country... the closest to us was in Morong. Naturally, I did all that I thought was necessary to ensure that my kids wont get the disease. They rarely go out. I asked their yaya to be extra careful... so, you cannot imagine my disappointment when Gio started having high fever! His fever would go through the rest of the night and would disappear in the mornings. That situation continued for three days. I was relieved of my worries when his doctor informed me that it was not a sign of dengue.

My fear came on the third night, when, at around 12:30am, he started crying and would not stop! In the midst of his cries, he said "Abiw", which was his term for pain. He moved around his bed... his left leg never resting in a single position for more than 5 seconds. We were really confused. He continues to say "abiw". Right then, my husband instructed me to place my hand over Gio's belly. Shortly after doing so, I felt something snap from the inside! His belly sounded off like someone has ticked it from the inside. I was really puzzled. It went on for almost 15 to 20 minutes. Gio continued to move around while holding on to his pillow. Then, just like magic, the ticking stopped and he went on to sleep!

We went to the doctor the next day... he was advised to have a pelvic x-ray. The doctor, while examining him couldn't believe he could be fractured or have dislocated bones. Gio was continuosly running around Medical City. He was not sick. His fever had died down like the previous nights. As expected, his x-rays showed no abnormalities.

Up until now, I wonder what has troubled him that night. This Saturday, we shall bring him back to the clinic to further inquire about his case. I hope to find some answer...

Gio's 1st Birthday!!! (Only 3 yrs late for posting!)

2006-09-21T15:54:00.000+08:00

Play area?

2006-09-21T10:25:00.000+08:00

My childhood is a lot different from my kids'. I grew up in Alabang (that was way back in the 1980's), and Alabang was a lot different back then. There were plenty of places to go, lots of areas to run around then. Not the busy highways and never fading lights of the malls and establishments now occupying the areas my sisters and I frequented as our playgrounds.

Looking at Gio in this picture, I can't help but smile at every persons ability to adapt to his environment. Our house is very small... typical of metropolitan houses for the lower middle income family group (I am very doubtful that we belong to that income bracket). There is little room for playing inside the house, so here he is, very much contented at his little space... tossing sands every now and then...

He will only have time to play in a big area once every year, when we have our christmas vacation at my in-laws home in Banaue, Ifugao. There, he could run around in and outside of the house! A once a year luxury we always look forward to...

Happy Birthday Jewel!!!

2006-09-01T16:56:00.000+08:00

I have no picture of the celebrant in my file... I hope I can post his picture in my next blog... Nonetheless... Happy Happy Birthday Kuya Jewel from cousins Iyah and Gio, Tita Dhang and Tito Philip!

My baby Gio

2006-09-01T10:15:00.000+08:00

No, this is not my Iyah... this is my Gio.
I just like to post it here... i think its cute that Gio, young as he is, is still clueless about his gender and what boys like him should and shouldn't be wearing. This used to be a tradition in our family. It started with my eldest nephew, Buboy. He was then 3yrs old when we decided to have a dress up. I just cant find his pictures now... I'll look it up and post it here again as soon as I find it.
For now, feast your eyes with my baby Gio! This is his first and last picture wearing a girl's dress. He refuses to wear them now... glad I took a picture!

Welcome back Nanay

2006-08-31T13:44:00.000+08:00

Nanay has finally arrived home again... after a little less than two weeks of being away from Iyah and Gio, Nanay is home again.

Gio welcomed her with "hello Nanay!" and proceeded to busy himself with the opening of her numerous plastic bags of things and stuff. Somehow, my eldest is hoping that nanay would bring him a little present... a Tomica taxi! But to his dismay, there were only bundles of juices in tetra packs and a bunch of cookies and cup cakes! Still, he continued to linger around nanay hoping to find a gift, his pasalubong.

Nanay was very tired. She had little or even no sleep at all in the last five to six days. We're very glad shes back... welcome back Nanay!

New Yaya

2006-08-16T15:42:00.000+08:00

After a long tedious seach for a yaya to my two little kids, the search is now over. My mother in law arrived last Monday, 14 July 2006 with a woman, a few inches shorter than me (imagine that? I'm only 4' 11") and a little younger, I presumed.

We have been scouting for a yaya for less than a year now... asking relatives and close friends... thankfully, she came when she is indeed most needed. My mother used to attend to my kids when we are at work but she is temporarily detained somewhere else at the moment, so it's really a blessing that the yaya (her name is Anita and she is 30 yrs.old) had finally arrived.

Now, I hope that she has more than enough patience for little kids who are forever running about! Nonetheless, I have to engage my nosy neighbors to act like little spies on my new yaya. I think that my mother will be detained in Bicol a lot longer than expected... I do hope she'll get back soon!

Happy 1st Birthday Thalna!

2006-08-10T17:33:00.000+08:00

This is the birthday girl during her last visit with us. She was barely 8months old then (I think???).
Our wish for the celebrant... good health... good life... a happy future!!!

Advance Happy Birthday Thalna!

2006-08-10T17:14:00.000+08:00

I wont be able to update my blog on the 13 August, this Sunday so I'm saying it now: "Happy 1st Birthday Thalna!"

She will be celebrating her 1st birthday this sunday... I heard there will be a Mc Donalds party in Baguio (though I have yet received any invitation from the Mommy!) which is kind of odd since it is barely three days till the big day! Nevertheless, birthday party or not... the 13th will surely be her birthday!

Happy Birthday from Gio, Iyah, Auntie Dhang & Uncle Philip!

Summer Heat?

2006-08-04T10:21:00.000+08:00

We recently spent a few days in Tarlac. Hot summer???These are Mariel, Marian and Iyah. Triplets? No... one and two from the left are twin siblings of Arlene and Carding Tolentino... the extra nude baby on the right is my little princess.

Its the pre "BER" season

2006-08-02T09:41:00.000+08:00

Its August! Can't you feel the Christmas breeze a nearin'?
Its the pre "BER" period... we have less than a month before we begin our journey towards Christmas and the New year again! I must be the first one to worry about it this early... but having a bucket full of nieces and nephews... no one can blame me!Last year, I started preparing gifts and giveaways for closed people early November.
I love christmas shopping... what I dont like is what it does to my wallet! Nonetheless, I will prepare for it as early as I could... I would spent for gifts as much as I can... and I will give to as many loved ones as possible!

Buying Piattos!

2006-07-31T09:34:00.000+08:00

Piattos is one of my many favorite TV companion.
Naturally, this is passed on to my kids who now has the ability to specifically ask for it during snacks and TV time.I was hospitalized recently and sadly, I failed to witness one of my sons' little achievement. He wanted some snacks and yelled out for Piattos.
Daddy has forgotten to replenish the snack stock so he pulled out some money from his pocket and instructed Gio to buy from the nearby store. He returned, a few minutes later with a small Piattos cheese on one hand and some change on the other!
Very good Gio!!!

I used to be a poet...

2006-07-22T10:02:00.000+08:00

I used to write poems...

"If this world would come to an end and we are miles apart...
the memories I'll be keeping are those closest to my heart."
"If there shall never be tomorrow and this is the last night...
then dusk will find me wishing your arms around me so tight."
"If there will never be a dawn and my eyes shall not see light...
then I shall bless the days of sunshine we spent out in the bright."
"If at the struck of midnight, this world will no longer be...
then in my heart there'll forever be a place for you and me."

I still make them... from time to time.This one I made for my husband before the start of the new millenium... all those craft about the end of the world! I regret the fact that I was terrified by the thought that there will never be 1 January 2000!Nonetheless, my husband loved the poem and I'm so glad I can still remember it.

The Bus has S--t?!

2006-07-21T14:53:00.000+08:00

Pardon me for not writting it in full... I intend to keep this blog "Kid friendly" as much as possible.

Last night, I took my usual routine home. I took the bus from POEA, jipney from Junction to Solid Cement and then the tricycle to our house. Nothing unusual...I rarely fall asleep when I travel. I keep myself busy looking around and over the bus window. I was glad though, that this bus has television and the 7:oo o'clock news was on. Although it was a T.V., I was only abled to listen since I could not see the monitor - the bus was on standing ovation - like always! One news did caught my attention. The anchor was quoting President George Bush as saying "sh_ _" in front of a "supposed to be" turned off microphone during the G8 Summit.

Who cares??? What if Mr. Bush says sh_ _ ? He's only human... I doubt if he'll ever be nominated (is that the right term?) a saint!I remember hearing from one of our class discussion during my high school days, " He who has not sinned, let him cast the first stone." I believe this can be re-phrased, "He who has not swear, let him cast the first stone."

Pardon me, I dont mean to be self righteous or anything. But sometimes, we put too much pressure on our leaders that we forget that they are only humans like us. We tend to criticize them so harshly that for one false move, we broadcast it around the world!My heart goes out to all our leaders... who, I believe, in their own little way is making our life a lot easier... a lot better.

Bursting My Bubble!

2006-07-19T13:46:00.000+08:00

I have dreamed of far away places and snow capped roof ever since I can remember. I have wished of travelling far when I was a lot younger... that was 10+ years ago!Now, I only dream of migrating because of the promise of a better future for my kids.

I know most of us parents, if not all, share the same dream.Life in our country is hard.(I really dont have to put these words into blog for people to understand and feel what I mean!) It is evident in our everyday lives. How much groceries (in terms of large grocery bags) can a person buy with PhP500.00? I went to buy groceries just yesterday... got a change of PhP 22.50 on one hand and my medium sized, half filled grocery bag on the other! It really is no big deal if money were easy to earn... but hard earned as it is, must it be spent so easily? Commuting to and from the office alone cost so much...So, I told myself... why not migrate? Everybody seems to be up to it!I had the idea... I put it into action. I researched here... there... almost everywhere!I searched the web and found lots of information... a whole lots of people, too! Here is where Filipinos are extremely good at... helping each other! I found a site which they put up mainly for hopeful migrants like me. A tonful of information flooded there... and in as short as two months... I was educated on the realities of migration processes and expenses.

Thats when my bubble bursts!Up to now, I'm still astounded. The huge amount of cash me and my husband had to put up in order to get there... a far away place... a snow capped roof.

Birthday Girl!

2006-07-13T12:43:00.000+08:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Iyah!!!

Our little princess is now two...

Last night we celebrated her birthday at home... a chocolate mousse petite, Aling Tina's Pancit palabok, Tang mango juice and two little candles!!!There were just a few of us at the party. Four wellwishers and the ever happy celebrant! She had a hard time blowing out her candles but with much help from her brother Gio, the flame gave in... although the cake seemed a lot more moist than when it was originally bought from Red Ribbon!

We gave her a 13" Beany Baby boy we bought from Toys R 'Us Galleria. We had no time to wrap it so I just placed it in a paperbag and Toys R Us only offers free gift wrapping services to customers having an OR of P300.00++. So, poor little beany baby has to travel home in a plastic bag. Nonetheless, Iyah loved Jojo! (An addition to our family of four!).

Welcome to my World!!!

2006-07-12T10:39:00.000+08:00

Haggiyo to my World!!!

Haggiyo is my firstborns' Ifugao name which means welcome! We gave him this name because he is indeed a welcome gift to us.He was born in Baguio on the 26th of January 2003. He came to us two weeks earlier than when we and my OB expected.

He is now three years old and called Gio, the name was shortened quite fashionably, dont you think?

Welcome!!!