When I grow up...

Little girls would often talk about their dream of becoming a princess, which more often than not would only be realized during the celebration of their 18th Birthday or their wedding day. I never dreamed of these things. As a matter of fact, my 18th birthday was organized by my mother and my cousin. Me, I just arrived the night before the celebration. I don't even want to attend weddings - nagugutom kasi ako sa haba ng program during the reception. But I love the wedding ceremonies. From the moment the groom enters the church up to the part where the officiating priest would say "you may kiss the bride" I love every minute of it. For me, that is not just the union of two souls but of three individuals – the man, the woman, and God – that is being witnessed by the people closest to the couple. After each wedding, I would often wonder what the couple would look like after say... 5 years or 10 years or even 50 years when all the romance is gone.

Early last year, while Jopet was reading his new comics and I was playing Bejeweled in my mobile phone, he said “Pag tanda natin, siguro ganito pa rin tayo, no?” I replied “Yeah, most likely.” A few weeks later, he sent me the Married Life drawing. Once in a while we would talk about our life in the future. Without being cynical, we are open to the fact that as couples grow older romance fades away. Oh, we are not yet married but we know that when that time comes, (hopefully) we will stay and keep our promises to each other that is to have and to hold.

Anyways, in relation to my opening paragraph, what I wanted when I grow up is not to become a princess nor to be a fairy. I want so much to become a mother. I want to have children of my own. When we attended our pre-CANA seminar at the Center for Family Ministries-Ateneo de Manila University (CEFAM-ADMU), our counselor assessed that I am a parent-child. I was not shocked when she told me that I just didn't know that there is a term for it pala. I blame Inay, Taluts, and Mama for it. Nah, in truth, I could never blame them, because in terms of taking care of their kids, these three are the best-est. That’s it, these are my dreams: to be the best mother to my children, the most caring and loving wife to my husband, and an obedient daughter to my God. And everything else will follow.

Miguel at 6 months

Presenting, my family's HAPPY THOUGHT... Miguel. :)

Miguel playing with Papa

Miguel with his new toy from Carlo and Taluts

Miguel with Ate Ninang

Miguel sleeping on top of Papa's desk

Miguel with Daddy Gian on Christmas day

Miguel with Mommy Elena on Christmas day

Miguel with Papa watching the cars and trucks outside

Miguel playing with his new toy before going to the doctor

For Christmas...

I want these:

Book: Surgeons Do Not Cry



"The stories of an institution like the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) are timeless. But as it is often said, nothing ever happened unless it is written down. There are so many stories to tell of the agonies and triumphs of both doctors and patients, who have peopled this venerable institution through the ages. I wrote the stories because I firmly believe that healing is a mutual process; that the healer is very often himself healed as he goes about caring for the ailing person. So the stories bite both ways." Thus is the blurb for this bestselling volume, a collection of stories from Ting Tiongco who spent ten memorable years of his career as a doctor and surgeon at the UP-PGH.

Machine: Espresso Machine

Family: For this little angel to be well...

Miguel at 5 months =)

Missing Miguel

I miss my baby love, Miguel. :(

Di bale, I will just visit Jena, Jeric, Lolo Ciano, Lola Baning, and Lolo Lope on October 31. I will volunteer to take care of him on October 30 and November 1.

So short a time with my baby love.

My mother is a bit worried that at his age, he still does not know how to do things that full term babies naturally do. She is actually considering availing the early retirement offer from her employer to take care of our little baby.

Hays.

Sana anak ko na lang siya no? :(

I just miss him so much. And I am not even his mommy. Tsk.

Special weekend

I was given a special weekend...

I went home last Friday with my Mama and Papa. For two consecutive Fridays, they waited for me so that we could go home together. For some reason, I know they like it this way – me going home every weekend instead of every other weekend. These days, going home has been everybody's priority because of Miguel. By the way, I had a meeting at Los Baños last Wednesday and immediately after the meeting I went home to Alaminos to see our little angel. I was so sad last Tuesday when i heard the news that his doctor found a lump on his lung (not sure whether it is on the left or on the right).

Anyways, I was able to spend time with him and his parents, with Inay and Carlo, with my Mama and Papa, and with Jopet last weekend.

... with Miguel

Miguel and his new socks/shoes. He is getting taller and taller every time I see him. His dietician said that he gained .3 kilo since the last time she saw him. But he still needs 1.3 kilos in order to meet the standard weight for his age, which is 5 kilos. Nevertheless, we are very happy for the improvement. I was quite amazed at how much milk he consumes every day. Five (5) days lang sa kanya yung milk niya na 500g samantalang dati 2 weeks yun. =) So yes, I am certain that he will be ok now. In his own way, he is assuring us that the battle he is fighting is something that he will win in the end. =)





... with Inay and Carlo

The age difference between these two persons and the chemistry they create never cease to amaze me. =) Papa asked me to go to SM to have his cell phones fixed. So i asked Inay, who is currently staying with us in Alaminos, to accompany me. When we’re about to leave Taluts called to inform us that Tito Mike will bring Carlo with him to our place. When Inay heard this, I though I saw sparks in her eyes. Kapag si Carlo kasi ang pupunta ng SM isinasama lagi niya si Inay. This time, its Inay’s turn to bring Carlo to SM. It was an adventure for me, because we were not with Mama or with Taluts or with Papa. I was the one in charge of the two lovely persons. =) Here are their pictures together. I found it so beautiful that the 70 years age difference is almost negligible because of how much they love each other. Inay assisted Carlo while he played at WOF. On the other hand, it was Carlo who assisted Inay while she shopped for a faucet replacement and some toiletries.





... with Jopet

Two weeks ago, Jopet promised to do something for me but at the last minute, he told me that he was not sure if he wanted to do it! I was furious, kung hindi ba naman talaga siyang naghanap ng away ng ganun. Kung magkalapit lang kami, I could have punched him. But like all our misunderstandings in the past, this one did not last longer than a day. I do not know how he does that but he has his way of making me smile. Marunong maglambing!

We usually meet in Bicutan. But last Sunday he insisted on meeting me in Alabang. Travelling all the way from Fairview to Alabang just to meet me was actually enough, but wait! While having our lunch, he asked me to close my eyes because he’s going to give me something. After much hesitation, I just covered my face and looked the other way. Then he showed me this..

He said, “Nagustuhan mo no? Kasi may lalagyan?!” Sabay smile. Then he showed me the handle of the container. Panalo! :) He stayed until yesterday so that we could have lunch together. :)

~~~

Last Sunday, while looking at the picture of Mark Bautista, he commented that it was edited in Photoshop because of the lighting. I asked why the artist/photographer had to do that, he told me that it was for Mark Bautista to look like he is “wired”. After explaining what being “wired” means, I asked, “eh ikaw, wired ka din?” Sabi niya... “No. I’m plump.” Haha! Tawa talaga ako. I thought he would insist that he is “wired” din. Buti na lang hindi kung hindi lagot siya samin ni Arlene. =D

Seriously, I super like it that he is a bit on the plump side. :)

~~~

Jopet and I are like afternoon and night, dawn and mid morning. Not opposite but not really alike. I would like to think that we just complement each other. And we exert effort to work on our differences.

He is adjusting on..

1. Walking. Growing up in LB, I am very fond of walking. He hates it. We almost always fight every time I ask him to walk even short distances. But lately I observe that he is exerting effort in spending time walking with me to different places - kahit pa malayo-layo ng konti. =)
2. Messy room/house. I hate it every time he does not put something back to its original place. As in hate! Last weekend I saw that he arranged the seat cover and the slippers and the papers on the table after using them. =) He even washed “some” of the dishes that Arlene used. =)

On the other hand, I am learning how to..

1. Use electric fan.
2. Lessen my kasungitan every time may nagugulo siya sa gamit ko.

There are still a lot to learn but we are taking one happy step at a time towards achieving them.

~~~

My Super Crush

Before: Mark Nelson
Now: Dereck Ramsey

=)

Miguel is going home today =)

Miguel is going home today. He was confined at the Mary Mediatrix Hospital in Lipa, Batangas for 9 days. He was initially diagnosed with bronco-pneumonia; however along the way the doctors discovered that his lungs are uneven in size and his heart has a hole in it - all because he was born a month earlier than his term. The doctors assured us that with proper care and medicine, he will be well. But then again, the little boy was a fighter kaya we know that he will be well. It is as if he is aware of the people who love him and who prayed and begged the Lord to make him well.

Thank you to those who prayed for him. God bless you all.

~~~

I volunteered to take care of Miguel last weekend, as in from Saturday to Sunday. I figured this would give my brother and his wife a chance to rest and regain their strength. Jopet and I stayed to take care of the baby. I never thought we could pull it through, but we did.

The next morning, I found him staring at Miguel. It was such a wonderful sight. :)

Miguel, the boy who lived

Last Sunday, Miguel and his parents went to the pediatric ophthalmologist to have his eyes checked. You see, his pediatrician was concerned that since he was born premature and had been subjected to high level of supplemental oxygen, he will have a condition called Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). According to the Internet Low Vision Society:

Retinopathy of prematurity, originally called retrolental fibroplasia, was the leading cause of blindness in children in the 1940s and 1950s. It was first described in the medical literature in 1942 by Terry. In 1952, Campbell theorized that the condition was caused by the use of oxygen therapy to treat the immature lungs in premature infants. Today, we realize that oxygen is not the only factor in developing ROP. High levels of oxygen have been associated with ROP, but lower levels of oxygen may lead to more respiratory complications and death in premature infants. Better oxygen level monitoring has led to better control of the oxygen given to premature infants. Today, however, there is an increase in ROP due to the fact that neonatal care advances mean more low weight premature infants are surviving.

Having survived for almost 3 months already, my mama, papa, and I believed that he would be ok. And true enough! As soon as they arrived form the hospital, his parents announced that Miguel was cleared and that he will be able to see normally. :) We were so amazed and thankful!

Another kwento about our little angel.. he loves being cuddled to sleep (his father's fault) and being hugged. The thing is, we cannot refused him his whims. We assumed that since he was separated from us for almost two months, ngayon lang siya bumabawi ng lambing. And we would gladly give it to him. :)

Our God has been very good to this little angel. I just hope and pray that he grows up health and so much in love with his Creator.

Miguel at day 2

Miguel at day 8

Miguel at day 20

Miguel at 2 months and 1 day with Papa and Mama

Miguel during his Christening on August 7

Beloved Juan Miguel

From the moment they announced that you were coming, I was one of those who were so excited to see you. I considered your arrival as one of the most wonderful things on earth – a gift from heaven for both your father and mine. I was so excited. I even told your parents that they could occupy the other room in my apartment as soon as you come out.

And then you came. And you made all of us cry. And then you made all of us smile and laugh. And then you made us cry again. You are a fighter from the very beginning – a feisty fighter at that. I prayed so hard for you to live. We prayed so hard. We even asked people to pray for your fast recovery. I even asked the hospital admission staff to pray for you. I asked almost all the people I met this afternoon to pray for you. I hope you live. I really really hope you live.

For the very short time that I have known you, I know that you are a brave young heart. And that you are a brave young soul ready to fight for life.

We wanted to stay with you at the nursery ward but they would not let us. They just allowed me to take pictures of you. When I arrived here in Bicutan, I bought a Chocolait. I drank it for you, for all the milk that you were supposed to drink since yesterday. I had a simple toast in my head, I think I said, “Cheers to Life!”

I will be your super cheerleader aunt. I will be here for you. I will be your most loving Tita Ninang because I will really volunteer to be your godmother, I don’t care if they don’t want me to be your ninang because I will just volunteer or I will just designate myself as one. Basta, I will be here for you. Just please live. I love you so much already. I will be waiting for you to get out of the hospital healthy and so much in love with God. I will wait for you to play with Carlo and with our other cousins. Just please live. I love you so much Miggy. Please don't ever let go.

Love,

Tita Ninang