Sister Love

My first shot at being a Mama can be traced all the way back when my great-Aunt called one fateful night for a chance to live and work in the US.  I was in Cebu, Philippines then.  I held a corporate post at a multinational firm.  Happy and content, because finally I get to stay in my homeland for good, after over two years in Sharjah, UAE.

And so, there was the call.

February 2009 saw me rocking multiple layers of clothing, crazy thick coats, scarves, hats and gloves in leather or wool. And, err- boots. a BABY-SITTING job.

And not many years later, i have these two littles to tend to.  Well, Missy (not her real name) being not-really-little.  Hee.

Here, with a neighbor friend.

Need I say she absolutely adores baby boy to bits? 
 

  
Missy has been telling everyone at school she have a baby brother.  Like, really.

The First Big Swim

Memorial Day.

An awesome friend can tell you a whole lot about this holiday.  Go, check it out!

 

No work day holiday.  Hallelujah!  

Add to that, we had the most gorgeous weather in this side of the planet thus far. Another, hallelujah!

 

So we took the liberty to put on our water outfits, protective hats, gorgeous sunnies.  

And declared-- SUMMER!

Yes, it came early this year.  Us think.

Lovely sister-in-law's place is endowed with a 4ft-sized pool.  However, in reality it's still Spring.  Nobody, in their right  practical minds, would fill water on a 4ft-pool in the middle of Spring season.  So, off we went to a super store nearby to satisfy our appetite for a good swim.

Enter, hefty-sized baby family pool --

 

We later on realized it's almost like filling some serious amount of water on a real pool!  It took us forever to let it sit steady at the yard as you need to fill water all the way through the rim to achieve a sturdy structure.  Darn.

But, oh how it was all worth it.  We had great fun.  Good times!

Little Geb's FIRST big swim, in video --

Our kid came in prepared.  He braved the gushing of waters, kicking his teeny legs.  Splashing.

He's a natural.  We we're simply blown away.

Happy Pill

Let me start off by saying, WE ALL SWALLOWED A HAPPY PILL.

Geb's fairy-godmother Gracie sent this really cool seat on wheels as a present for the first birthday.  Baby boy's happiness is matchless.  We, too, can't get over the fun!

 

Reminds me of Thomas, his first-owned-ride.  Reminds me of that very moment he unexpectedly maneuver its steering wheel.  The proud Mama in me called out "nobody showed him how to do that! I swear".

Ahh. I just love watching those teeny hands  in action.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Absolutely loving the splatter and rhythm of falling rain today.  The way it trickles and taps the glass door, creating the most soothing sound ever.

 

Also loving baby boy's current fixation on hats.  Brian collects caps/hats for years.  I'm delighted to see little Brian loving it too.  He's a Junior after all.

And my ultimate love for many weeks now, shortly before little Geb turned one--   him, learning to call Brian "Tah-tah".  Tatay.  He particularly left out "y" there, but it's certainly good enough.  We're so proud of him!

How about "Nanay" pretty soon, baby love?

Forever 21

No, not the trendy clothing retailer.  

We celebrated, what seemed like sister's 21st.  Judging from how she managed to look and stay young over the years, I have to say the title of this blogpost is a perfect fit.

power siblings

Mr. and Mrs. Hill

The pizza bistro we dined in for lunch was a keeper.  The best part? The staff spared us a stress over this wiggly kid who'd do all within his power to getaway from his high-chair.  

  

Yes, a real pizza dough for him to sit still.  There were a lot of poking, kneading and flour-powdered-nose in between.  

That pizza place truly lived up to its name.

Happy, happy birthday to the absolute BEST Sister slash Auntie in the world! 

You are much loved.

***************

At Thirteen

Please don't laugh.  

He just had rice and left-over pinakbet for breakfast.

With emphasis on RICE. 

Because Filipinos can't seem to sit down in all three meals without rice.  All the freakin' time.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Or even for a SNACK!

Are you one of us?

Don't you ever tell me you never had RICE for a snack.

Like, EVER.

So, please don't laugh.

We still got leavings from the FIRST birthday party.

Like this BIG hangover, we wonder-- did he really just turned ONE? 

Aaack. We're so NOT over it!

Totally can't believe this little kid is O--N--E.

And oh, hold on~

Today is the 19th!

 Are we already on MONTH THIRTEEN??

 

The Weekend

At a birthday party today--

.. enjoying the company of friends, old and new.  Great food that reminds us of home.  Baby boy giggling and loving the snuggles of unfamiliar faces.  Strange, because he's been very clingy and anxious around new and even familiar people.  

Our Sunday, in photos.

Techie Baby

Here, enjoying every inch, every little thing this sweet pea brings.

Boy, he babbles non-stop! He's still into cars and trucks than balls.  Says peep-peep-peep when pushing and turning those wheels.  Amazes me.  Did he just made the sound Peep?

But dear me, I don't have a photo of him today; running those wheels around. Instead, I captured what turned out to be an object of merriment for Brian and Sister Fritzie--
 
 

 

In other news--

Is your little one obsessed with electronics?  Geb is. He's very much engrossed with cellphones.  He could browse Iphone seamlessly.  Dragging icons from corner to corner, up and down.  The videos?  He can actually figure out play, pause, forward buttons.  Even riffle through other files when what he sees bore him big time.  

 

 Adorable, I have to say.  But if this fascination projects phonebook deleted in the future, or cellphone ends up in the bath, I guess we have to dial back baby's obsession with technology.  What do you think?