First haircut and party all day!

Yesterday was a very busy day for little Yow. It was his niece Juliana's Dedication Day, our cousins' 27th wedding anniversary celebration, plus we scheduled his first salon appointment to get his first ever hair cut! Check out his new look!

mohawk :p

The past weeks have seen the highest temperatures in the Metro ever, and our boy's been sweating like crazy. Having long hair myself, I can imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for Yohann to have such lush hair with the kind of weather we've been having. I grudgingly agreed with the hubby that it would be best to have his hair trimmed now more than ever.

So we decided to drop by at Cuts 4 Tots at Megamall before proceeding to Juliana's dedication at Dad's. Immediately after entering Cuts 4 Tots, Yohann got on the floor to play with the toys scattered at the waiting area. There were several kids already having their haircut, but most of them were maybe 3 years old and above. Only one boy cried, and I thought it was because he was already aware of scissors and was probably afraid of them. When Yohann's name was called, we immediately seated him on the barber's chair - a toy car. He liked it, and placed his hands on the steering wheel, mimicking the driving act. He was also looking at the tv screen in front of him and watching from time to time.

The kiddie hair stylist assigned to him finally came, and started working on his hair. First few minutes, the boy was still quietly watching and playing. Slowly he became aware that something was happening to his hair, he would reach up and touch his hair. When the time came for the razor to come near his head, he freaked out! Oh my goodness, he freaked out!

And so did Mommy, actually. He cried and cried, pulled away the hands holding his head, squirming his way to the floor. I held on to him, carried him and tried to pacify him while the hair stylist tried to quickly finish his cut. He was inconsolable. He was really freaking out, and I was getting worried that this whole thing was already too traumatic for my little boy. I was hugging him and whispering to him, trying to calm him down, while daddy tried to show him toys to play with but all to no avail. He was screaming, wanting everything to stop right then. Those were probably the longest - what, ten, thirty minutes? - of our life. When the haircut was finally finished, it still took us some time to get him dressed up, calmed down, and out of there. I already swore to myself that this won't happen again, that this wasn't such a good idea...I should have waited til Yohann was already familiar with scissors and razors, etc. Anyway, we finally got that haircut over and done with, thank God.

poor little boy, all cried up

at Juliana's Dedication

He was (understandably) in a bad mood after, and we still had Juliana's party to attend. Everybody was greeting him and noticing his new haircut, but he wasn't smiling at anybody. Good thing though, that he liked the food at Dad's merienda buffet, and there were kids to play with there. He got over his bad mood quickly and was running and playing around in no time. That's my boy! :)

partying at Centerstage

The little boy's day didn't end there yet. Come 7 pm, we were at Centerstage in Timog for multiple celebrations - a wedding anniversary, birthday, and send-off for our balikbayan cousins. With only two short naps to boost his energy, it was a wonder that Yohann and niece Juliana (who's only four months) stayed up and partied with the adults. We reached home at 1 am, exactly 12 hours after we left home for the day's events. Wow, Yohann's social life is surely taking off! :)

Little Bookworm

If there's one object I want Yohann to grow up loving more than anything, it's books. I want him to be a voracious, passionate, enthusiastic reader.

I can't remember how young I was when I was first exposed to books, but I know that during my grade school years I learned to love the World Book Encyclopedia and Dictionary, the Childcraft volumes, Nancy Drew and  the Hardy Boys. I even looked forward to new issues of Funny Comics, and read Marie Claire magazines that my sisters brought home. I simply loved to read, I still do. And I would be very happy if Yohann would love reading as much as I do.

his first books from Lola P

It was Lola Polly who first gave him books when he was only 3 months old. He was instantly attracted to their colorful pages. He loved looking at them, but that was it. I would read to him and he would listen quietly.

A few months later he developed a new enjoyment out of books and magazines - tearing the pages and crumpling them into a ball. Some of his books and lots of my magazines suffered from his new-found passion :p

It wasn't until he was about 9 months when he first learned to open a book and thumb through its pages. I was preparing his meal when I dumped a book on his table and was pleasantly surprised when I finished cooking without the little boy making a fuss and crying for me. He was busy looking at the drawings on this book:

his fave "The Cow That Went Oink"

That was his first favorite book, by the way, "The Cow That Went Oink." He loved looking at the pictures of cows and pigs. Later on I realized he began to recognize the stone cows in the park nearby because of this book.

Here's another picture of him intently "reading" a book. Look at the title, I guess he's realizing that mommy's having a hard time juggling him with her chores. Haha.

serious. shhhh, don't disturb.

So when Yohann's birthday came up, I tweeted that my wishlist for his presents included books, kiddie books! I just read a mommy blog that week and learned about the importance of exposing kids to books as early as possible. Imagine my joy when he got these:

"All mine, mommy? All mine?!"

See the smile on his face? Even Yohann loved his new books! We read them one at a time, with me bringing out the toddler-friendly books first before letting him have the others, which are more appropriate for when he's three or four. He has favorites already, and I bring them with us when we sleep-over at his Lola's house so I'll have something to give him when he's restless and longing for home. 

There are times during the day when the little boy is playing with his toys (read: flinging them away, bashing them against the wall or floor) and times when all would suddenly turn quiet and I would find him sitting in one corner, busy "reading." Those moments never fail to bring a smile to my face. 

reading his "Lulla-Bible"

I guess my wish for him to be a voracious reader is coming to pass little by little. I'll just have to surround him with more books (NTS: get him the Dr. Seuss books!) and diligently read to him everyday. Which reminds me, Lola has promised to give their Childcraft set to whoever would love to read them. I gotta get us a new bookshelf soon! :)

From baby to toddler

It's been a couple of weeks since the little boy turned a year old, and everyday I still marvel at how he's grown up. Some days I even catch myself staring at Yohann and wondering if he really is my baby boy, and if I really, truly am a mommy now. Lol! 

The last few months, he's been getting more and more independent by the day. He likes to hold his own spoon when he eats, drink from his glass on his own, and he's already learning to pull his legs and arms up when I'm changing him.

 He's playing by himself for longer periods of time, and sleeps peacefully even when I'm not beside him, except when he wakes up from a dream and cries for me. The irony of his growing independence is his increased separation anxiety. He's now more aware whenever I'm out of his security radius, and would shriek "Mama-mama-mama-mama-maaaaa!!!" until he sees me coming for him. Even bathroom appointments have become difficult.

 I can only successfully complete them if daddy is around and willing to distract him with antics, food, or PSP games. Movie dates with the hubby are almost impossible now. His favorite Lola, whom he used to spend hours and hours just cuddling with, can barely carry him for five minutes and he would cry already. I could barely finish cooking our meals without him crawling and clinging to my legs in no time.

I know this is just a stage. I can almost imagine him running out of our home and seeking his friends to play with soon. For the meantime, everything revolves around Mommy; soon, he'll be trying to discover the world on his own. Until then, my prayer for him is that he may increase in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and men. :) 

march 2012

Happy First Birthday, Little Boy!

Around this time exactly a year ago, I was in a hospital recovery room, in my mind I was kicking like a mad horse. I had just been informed that I would only get to be transferred to my room once the anesthesia had worn off, and that meant me being able to move my legs. I tried and tried to kick with them, but it was literally an exercise in futility. I couldn't move my limbs, hell, I couldn't even feel them! You see, I had just undergone a Caesarean operation and couldn't wait to see my little Yohann for the first time.

That was a year ago. Tonight at 9:16 pm I lit up a number 1 made of wax, stuck it on a leche flan, sang Yohann a happy birthday song, and made him blow the candle. The little boy is now a year old! Hurray!!!

As I watch him sleep beside me, I am once again filled with awe and love for this little dynamite. I think of how much he's taught me and how much I am still learning from him and because of him.

Dear little boy, you just don't know how much joy you've brought us...please don't grow up too fast, take your sweet time and just be our baby as long as you need to be. Daddy and Mommy love you soooooo much! Always be a blessing, and keep teaching us how to be good parents. God bless you as you grow up. and may you always, always remember that you are precious and you are loved.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I am your CALM FACE, you are my GIGGLE
I AM YOUR WAIT, you are my WIGGLE

I am your DINNER, you are my CHOCOLATE CAKE
I am your BEDTIME, you are my WIDE AWAKE

I am your LULLABYE, you are my PEEKABOO
I am your GOOD NIGHT KISS, you are my I LOVE YOU.

:)

Yohann - February 2012

Yohann turned 10 months on Feb. 3. He took his first few steps, said "Daddeh!", had his first tooth all in the same week of his birthday.

He can walk na, pero biglang tinamad sha and enjoys cruising more than crawling now. He knows how to use common objects and toys na, he can play by himself for long periods of time, pero he wants me within a 2 meter radius. Pag napansin niyang malayo ako, he would either scream for me or crawl to where I am and cry. Adik lang.

He's already tall and looks like a toddler na. Malapit nang mag-1 year old ang bebe, pero wala pa kaming plans for his birthday. Hehe. Lolo is coming home kasi, and whatever plans we have will revolve on Lolo's itinerary while here. It's his first time to meet Yohann (and me!) kaya we want to spend as much time as we can with him and Daddy's family.

Ladies and gentlemen...Yohann at 10 months! (haha, adik lang) :p

Ten!

In exactly 8 hours and 25 minutes, the little boy will be 10 months old! Wooh-hooh!!!

Mommy and Daddy love you, Yohann!

Whaddayaknow, he's turning 10 months with so much flair - he got his two front (lower) teeth coming out, already learned to walk his first few baby steps, and already blurted out his first official word - "Dad-deeh!!!"

He's got me all excited and worried at the same time. He's just growing up too fast. Before I know it, Yohann will be waving good-bye for his first day of school in no time. Nooooooooo!

Dear little boy, please, please, PLEASE don't grow up too fast.

Yohann - January 2012

Yohann is now 9 months old! Parang nagdalang-tao akong muli at nanganak na! Haha.

I'm kinda missing his baby fat arms and legs, mukang pahaba talaga sha at matangkad like his daddy. Malakas naman kumain ng solids, pero hindi tumataba. And since he's breastfeeding, I know hindi sha tataba nang matabang-mataba like formula-fed babies. Okay na lang din, pero kakamiss lang manggigil sa chubby baby eh. hehe.

He can now sit, stand, take some steps while holding on to furniture, at nag-a-attempt na ding bumitiw at lumakad without support.

Nakakatakot! Binata na ang baby boy namin, waaaaah! :p

Thank you, 2011!

I'm a week late with this post, but fellow mothers will understand why. Hehe. In case you don't, it's 'cause it's hard to type a decent post while a) running after a baby on board a walker b) feeding a demanding boy who kicks your arms if you're typing while feeding him c) cleaning up after a little boy who bowls over everything within a 5-meter radius d) and so on and so forth :p

Anyhow, let me try to make a short tribute to the year that was and all that it brought us, of course while the little tyke is napping away.

2011 was basically a quiet year for us. There was barely any lakwatsa, which was the trademark highlight of my year since I can remember, but you can't say it wasn't any fun.

The first quarter of the year was all about endings. I resigned from my job at Avon, saying goodbye to my co-workers and friends of almost two years. It also meant less get-togethers and dinner/coffee dates with my friends, most of whom are Makati-based. That was a sad time :( But I knew it was a decision I had to make in order to prepare for a new beginning. Good thing we had a quick out-of-town trip with friends in February, thanks to Terence, and the baby showers held at home. Those were fun times! :)

The second quarter of the year was the most awaited one! The little boy's arrival finally came in April 3. Yay! After a day's labor, Yohann was finally delivered via C-section. He is definitely the highlight of this quarter, of the year even :) He was the timeliest gift Mommy and Daddy ever received for our respective birthdays :)

The third quarter of the year was mostly about raising up Yohann, getting the hang of being a mum, and starting this blog. We also had some friends come over and visit us at home, which I really, really loved. It's been hard leaving home even for just a few hours, so having friends at home is always a welcome break. We also got to bring the little boy out of town to Bulacan, have his photo shoot session at The Picture Company and attended his first ever birthday party with adults :p

The last quarter of the year was the most eventful! October was Yohann's Dedication Day. It was a busy month! It was also when he first got sick, and gave me a taste of Motherhood 101. I firmly believe you don't fully become a mother until your child gets sick and you go through the sleepless nights-worried sick-praning moments that come with it. Thank God, it was only Roseola and nothing  that needed hospitalization. The rest of the quarter was mostly visits to family, the mall, the park, etc. November saw the arrival of another family member, baby Juliana, making Yohann an uncle at the age of 8 months, hehe.  December, we partied with friends and celebrated the holidays for the first time with the little boy. Christmas was a bit trying, what with me and Yohann catching the colds. He also got an upset stomach on Christmas eve from the soup he ate. New Year's eve he was feeling better, that was also when he tried standing up without any support for the first time.

All in all, 2011 was a year of learning - tons of lessons in patience; adjustments, experimenting, growth, friendship, family. It wasn't a bed of roses all throughout, but with God's grace we survived. We are hoping and praying that 2012 will be even more fruitful and meaningful, and we are looking forward to some surprises along the way. Again, by God's grace, we believe that the days ahead will be even better :)

Yohann's December pics

The little boy is 8 months old now! How time flies! :)

He's grown longer, his feet bigger, his arms and legs stronger. Kung makahataw kala mo mama, kung makatakbo (sa walker) kala mo hinahabol. Haha.

He eats a lot, and I mean a lot, hindi tumitigil hangga't hindi natatapos ang pagsubo sa kanya. He loves rice and soup. And ripe mangoes too. And yoghurt. And clementines (kiat-kiat :p).

I love waking up in the morning to see him staring at me, then making me sampal pag nakita niyang dumilat na ako. Haha. Sutil. But I go back to sleep and he just plays some hanggang makatulog na ulit.

He's already a handful at ilang beses ko na ring napapagalitan. Sorry ka, strict ang mother mo :D