Angry Birds Weekend

While everyone is hooked on Angry Birds, Lance completely has no idea about them.

Coolness for him, so far, are Elmo and Barney. Thus, we went to meet these online game rock stars:

Angry Birds

It was actually Mareng Ephy's idea to meet at SM City Cebu mall yesterday. She was already there together with her four-year-old Kitoy when she texted me to come over with Lance for an Angry Bird event.

"It would be fun," she said.

When we got there, I was made to purchase an Angry Bird shirt so Lance can go inside their activity area where kids can have their arms, cheeks, and legs painted, take photos with the characters, and participate in the children's games.

Lance didn't do any of that. For a one-year-old, fun means running around and bumping other kids. He also bonded with his ninang after playing hard-to-get at first.

Cranky Lance

Angry Bird Wanna-Be?

I Love Ninang Ephy!

Angry Bird No More

Can I go there, Mommy?

Lance, you're supposed to pose with them not break them. :-D

The Chick Magnet

Lance in the middle of the Bring-Me Game.

Kuya Kitoy's Angry Bird Paint Tattoo!

Angry Birds would still be at SM until today. Catch them while you can. 

Happy Weekend! ;-)

Happy Thought:
Lance had another fun weekend.

Tsunami prank caused public scare in Cebu

When an earthquake with 6.9 magnitude hit Cebu around 11:49 a.m. today, I wasn't shaken. 

In fact, I managed to post "Earthquake!!!" in my Facebook and Twitter accounts while the rest of my colleagues are already under their tables.

The earthquake only rocked our building for less than a minute. Everyone was told to leave right after the floor stopped shaking. 

Upon reaching the safe ground, I immediately called my mom at home, where she and my one-year-old son were left alone. I wanted to check if she and Lance felt the earthquake, too. 

"O uy! (Oh yes!)" she confirmed, "Kusog kaayo ang uyog sa balay pero okay ra mi  (The earthquake shook the house hard but we're okay)." 

She added that Lance didn't even cry. To be honest, I was less worried knowing that my mom hurdled many earthquakes in her lifetime.The worst was in 1990 at 7.8 magnitude. For sure, she knows what to do.

Birthmas Wishlist

Lance was born five days before Christmas. Practically, this little fella is entitled to only one present that is good both for Christmas and his birthday. Hence, the Birthmas Wishlist.

Niza, my editor and kumare, has long requested me to post what she dubbed as Lance's registry. She said, it would make gift shopping easier for her and fellow godparents. Actually, we were afraid everyone will send pairs of socks as prompted by my Facebook wall post on Lance's new shoes. :D

The following are items in my Christmas shopping list for Lance. It would be really nice if you can cross one out for me. Ü

Clothes

Lance already outgrew almost all of his clothes. Actually, I really never bought much before thinking that he would only be staying at home anyway. Looking at his photos, however, I noticed that he has been wearing the same tee, given by one of his ninongs as Christening gift, every time we go out. The sleeveless pambahays, on the other hand, are already faded. So new clothes are very much welcome. He is size 1 if you're going to buy him some tees and Large for shorts and sandos.

Lance's New Shoes

Florsheim Shoes

A power outage on a hot mid-afternoon led me and my folks to the mall today. Our initial plan was to only stroll and have ice cream. As we did our strolling, we ended up buying this new pair of shoes for Lance.

It's his 4th pair of shoes. Too many for a little fellow who can barely walk.

Actually, I was really planning to buy him some new kickers for his upcoming birthday. His feet grow really fast, which explains the number of shoes. I was looking for comfort, style, and durability that's why I checked on Florsheim, which has a wide display of nice shoes for kids below 12 months.

The store was on sale. So what can a great mommy do? Ü

His Granny protested at first because it is still expensive despite the discount. She doesn't want me to spend so much. Good thing his Tito came to the rescue, backed me up on my choice, and donated some money so it won't appear I overspent. Wise yeah?

Anyway, we really should get a pair as we have been trying lots of shoes on Lance for over half an hour. :D

To Lance, please make these shoes last for a year. Mwah!

Happy Thought:
He's got Florsheim. Ü

Happy Even After

Eleven days before the last decade closed, I became a mom.

I gave birth to a 7.12  lbs healthy baby boy through a successful Cesarean operation. I named the cord-coiler Lance.

One-Hour-Old Lance

I shed a tear (yes, just a single drop) on his first sound behind surgical cover. It was meek but momentous. There were no stereotypical furious cries not even an "It's a boy!" announcement (maybe because I already knew, thanks to ultrasound) but there was the inexplicable "tear" of joy in the advent of motherhood .

For someone who first got terrified on the sight of a double-lined pee stick, such melodramatic scene was unexpected.

Two Days After
Lance was finally roomed-in with me.

When motherhood first smiled at me, I welcomed it with so much worry and disappointment. I practically panicked. I felt not ready. The only good thing I want to remember the day I peed on that test stick was  that I stood firm in keeping the baby.

My faith taught me that God has a great reason for everything and I am proud that this time I was able to do the right thing---trust in Him.

Indeed, when an angel is sent to earth, miracles happen.

Love and support incredibly rushed in from almost everyone and everywhere that, friends say, I turned out to be a blooming and happy big fat pregger.

Five Months Pregnant at MYOH 5
With CDN colleague and kumare Neris Gochoco.

You see, I had a runaway baby-daddy. I don't come from a rich family. Note that during my pregnancy I was only working as a freelance journalist, who has no regular income and savings.

Still, I was able to go to prenatal check-ups without a miss, take the required supplements and vitamins, eat and drink anything I want, and give birth to a healthy baby boy in one of the best private hospitals in Cebu. It's really costly if not expensive to be pregnant but God makes a way.

If ever one of the strangers, friends, colleagues, and family, who made my pregnancy a smooth journey, finds this blog, please know that I would be forever grateful to you. For you guys made me welcome each sunrise with so much excitement as my bulge grew bigger each day. I may not be able to return all your love and support but rest assured that you made papa God smile.

First Night at Home
Lance was home in time for his Tito Ilgie's birthday.

My love tank was full when Lance made his touchdown on earth that night. I'm already happy while carrying him inside my womb but finally hearing God's greatest gift in the flesh still triggered so much joy proving that dramatic post-natal "crying" scene on TV happens indeed.

With three teeth peeping as he grins, the wide-eyed little fellow continues to unleash his super powers by giving me strength, contentment, and so much happiness.

Indeed, God has a great reason for everything.

I am blogging again, this time to chronicle and share my journey into motherhood. I may not be lucky to have  a story starting with the perfect once-upon-a-time fairy tale but somehow I am blessed to be happy even after.

Happy Thought:
I am a mommy! Ü