STRANDED!

It started out as a pretty normal day. I was out of the house with my Papu, Mamu and yaya ("nanny") Nida at 7:00 am on a Saturday. There was a slight drizzle but no dark clouds so we weren't really worried about the weather. We picked up my Ninong Zito, then my Tita Kar, and we all headed to the Manila Polo Club where my folks played squash as usual. Then BOOM! The rain fell! Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) unleashed 1-month's worth of rain in the Philippines - in just 6 hours! Oh boy. The flooding was horrible. We tried to stay in my Tita Kar's house but the water came streaming in. We had to evacuate. My Papu had to carry me because the water at that part of Forbes Park, the village where my Tita Kar lives, came to right below my Papu's waist. My parents and I stayed stranded in Market! Market!, this mall in The Fort, in Taguig City because the roads were jammed with both traffic and flood water! Mamu, Papu and yaya Nida had to buy new clothes and everything because they were soaking wet (I was the only one kept dry!). We couldn't go home because the village where we lived, and the highway leading to our village, was completely flooded and unpassable by cars. (My grandparents, Opa and Oma, had to evacuate!). It was really bad. We had to stay at my Lolo ("grandfather") Ferdie's condo-hotel over at Discovery for three days. We were only able to go home on Monday morning, when the water receded enough for us to head home. It was a bad bad bad experience - but at least we are all safe and sound! My country has been placed under a state of calamity. People say it's like Hurricane Katrina. This is the worst rainfall recorded in Philippine history, and in a lot of areas, the flood water was over six feet tall. A lot of people did not get as lucky as we did - our homes at least stayed intact and no one in my family died or got hurt. I am really praying for the rest my kababayans ("countrymen").

September 26, 2009

Here I am at the Polo Club, engrossed with my Papu's squash racket.

At this point, we were all still completely clueless about the horrible effects of Typhoon Ondoy.

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

My Opa and Oma got me those shorts. I didn't know at this point that I'd only be seeing them Monday!

(That's my yaya Nida holding me!)

My hair has grown soooo long this month.

They've taken to tying it back or, worse, even clipping it back! Grrrr!

Here I am in Discovery now, with my Lolo Ferdie, Lola Irene, Ate ("big sister") Bianca, and Kuya ("big brother") Rapha.

We couldn't go home to our own place (unless we swim back! Plus, there was no electricity there).

Here I am, getting all fussy, with my Mamu. I get cranky when I try to fight how sleepy I actually am!

I've changed for bed - my yaya gave me a shower.

We didn't have extra clothes when we left. I'm wearing shorts my Mamu got me from Market! Market! (We also loaded up on formula there and water for me, because we had no idea where we'll be stranded, or for how long).

My Kuya Rapha lent me his shirts all weekend!

They kept calling me Casper, because Kuya Rapha's tees were all too big for me! I looked like the friendly ghost.

I'm too little to be of much help but I send out a hug to all the Filipino flood victims out there!

OH SHOOT ME!

Oh my oh my. I have a L-O-T of pictures to share today because - I JUST CAME FROM MY FIRST EVER PHOTOSHOOT! Teehee! It's nothing major (not like I'll be starring in my own movie soon - or commercial - no worries, I will keep you all duly informed, should that happen, hehe), but I did get to go to an actual studio. It was all my Tita Karla's doing - she's studying to become a photographer and I am her favorite subject!!! Wheeeeee!!! The shoot was fun - there were big lights and huge cameras everywhere. I sat right in front of everyone, in front of this big white wall, while the camera man (Tito Nico) and my parents, my Ninong ("godfather") Zito, Tita Karla, and yaya ("nanny") Nida were all infront of me, cooing and calling out to me and basically trying to make me laugh and smile! They all looked completely ridiculous - which made me laugh tremendously, hahaha. They also shot a little four-month-old baby called Jaden. He blinked a lot when the cameras went off (I am an old pro at that, thank goodness). Jaden and I made our acquiantances - he's pretty big for a kid, and didn't do a whole lot except for smile nicely at everyone from his chair. I, on the other hand, was tearing away from one end of the studio to another. I canNOT imagine myself being that tiny - or being that quiet! TEEHEE!

September 13, 2009

My Ninang ("godmother") Bles Cuaycong got me that tee, while my Opa and Oma got me those denim shorts!

That's a dragonfly, my Mamu pointed out to reassure me, and NOT a butterfly.

We actually started our day visiting my cousins Bianca and Rapha Insigne over at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center in the city of Pasig.

My Papu, Mamu, Oma and Auntie Amanda joined my Lolo ("grandfather") Ferdie and Lola ("grandmother") Irene for a breakfast buffet. My Lolo Ferdie is my Oma's first cousin - they are extremely close, like brother and sister, so I get to see the Insignes a LOT!

Here I am strolling across the condotel (condominium hotel they explained to me!) lobby, supported by my Papu.

It was raining that day again, so I am wearing the windbreaker my Oma and Opa got me.

The bib I am wearing is a gift from my other grandmother, Luli.

My parents drove my Oma for a quick stop at Megamall, the huge shopping center two blocks from Discovery, so I stayed with the Insignes for a bit, with my yaya Nida.

Here I am having my own "breakfast buffet" on my cousin Ate ("big sister") Bianca's bed.

My Lolo Ferdie let me try his sunglasses and Lola Irene sent this picture via MMS to my parents while they were in Megamall.

Pretty bad-ass don't you think?

After visiting the Insignes, we went to the photo studio with my Ninong Zito and Tita Karla.

It's over at this road called Kamuning in Quezon City.

A big whig local photographer named Xander Angeles uses that studio, Tita Karla tells us. I have yet to meet him and let him take my picture, teehee!

Here I am sitting on my Ninong Zito's lap, waiting for my "shoot" to begin.

There sure is a lot of waiting around involved when you're a model!!!

We get started at last! I borrowed Jaden's toy for the first part of the shoot.

Silly parents (such newbies!!!) forgot to bring me a toy to keep me distracted while the photographer snapped away!

I smile for all am worth!!!

I got restless after about five minutes, so they let me take a break.

I trotted all around the studio!

When we resumed, I had an outfit change AND changed my hair style!

Ta-dah! How do like my mohawk??!!

(My Tita Karla used hair cream, hehe).

It was Jaden's turn after my shoot.

Then when Jaden took a break, I wandered over to get a good look at him.

He kept staring right back at me! Hihi!

We hung around a bit while Jaden had his shoot.

I practiced walking - sometimes I can walk while being supported with one hand instead of two!

My parents are going to get me those walking harnesses or "wings" to help me along.

I've been practicing walking around so much they worry I might tear a ligament or something from my shoulder, since I still need support!

My Papu snuck a quick shot of the photographer's laptop screen - with my pictures!

They'll send the prints to us soon, but here's a sneak preview for now!

Beige tee with dragonfly - Gingersnaps; Denim shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

Yellow windbreaker - Big & Small Company; Bib - from Landmark

Blue "Li'l Punk" romper - In The Crib

ROBOTS IN THE DESPEDIDA

Today was my Uncle Amiel's despedida ("farewell") party! Uncle Amiel is my Mamu's only brother. He's flying back to the U.S. where he's studying, so my Opa and Oma hosted a small despedida lunch at their house with her cousin Lolo Ferdie (my grand uncle!), Lola Irene, Aunt Bianca, and Uncle Rapha. I really like my Aunt Bianca - she wants to baby-sit me!!! My Uncle Amiel got a bit choked up, especially at the thought of leaving me behind, but hey, he and his girlfriend Mary might come visit next year - and I'm going to be ringbearer in their wedding the year after that! Hurrah!

July 11, 2009

My Papu picked out and bought that tee for me - all by himself!

(Mamu was pleased).

My Lolo Ferdie and Lola Irene got me that bib, while my Ninang ("godmother") Pam Buen brought me home that striped burp cloth on a trip to the States.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a robot before!!!

I got passed around like a hat again, from one relative to another!

See how thick my hair has grown! I even have a little cowlick, hehe.

Tee - Gingersnaps; Navy blue shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sandals - Florsheim Kids; Bib - Kladd by Ikea; Burp cloth - Carter's

GERBER

My pediatrician gave us the go signal to start me on solids when I turned 6 months old last May, but my parents didn't really start feeding me my solids until June. I've been sampling a lot of mashed veggies from Gerber's First Foods line - broccoli, squash, and carrots. Over at my Luli's, I've been trying arroz caldo, lugaw, and Cerelac. They've been keeping me away from fruits for now, so I don't develop a sweet tooth. My parents have taken to bringing a little bottle of Gerber when we go out to eat because I get so jealous when I see all the big people eating. We pack a little plastic spoon and a plastic bib all the time too - the set I'm using now are from my Opa and Oma! Here we are, having lunch for my daddy's birthday at a restaurant called Clawdaddy in Shangri-La Mall. I'm "feasting" along with the big folks too - here I am manfully chowing down on my mashed carrots! Hurrah!

June 7, 2009

That neat little plastic bib catches EVERYTHING.

Though I haven't been much into spitting - just drooling!

The bib comes with a little spoon and sippy cup too. Am all set for the big times, hehe.

That's my Aunt Mandi (she's also my godmother!), while we were patiently waiting for my Papu to do his birthday shopping, teehee.

My Ninang ("godmother") Dev got me the pique shirt. The colorful Disney sandals and shorts are gifts from my Oma and Opa!

Shirt - Calvin Klein; Denim shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sandals - Disney Babies from SM; Bib - Ikea

GRUMPY

I'm back!!! It was all my Mamu's fault! We've had a lot of out of town weekends in June, and a lot of rushing around - no time for outfit posts, she says. Phooeeeeey!!! Here I am with my parents at Sugarhouse, this little dessert place in Eastwood. It was the eve of my dad's birthday, so we headed out to have our own little celebration before eating out with the grannies tomorrow. But, it was my bedtime then, so I was really grumpy - and I'm not even normally fussy! I barely let the folks finish their cakes. Serves 'em right - silly parents, dragging me out of bed!

June 6, 2009

My Ninang ("godmother") Bles got me that long-sleeved onesie, and my Oma got me those shoes.

I. Want. To. Go. Home!!!!


Onesie - Baby Gap; Denim shorts - Baby Armstrong; Navy blue shoes - Greenhills

GRAFFITI ART

That's not a tee! That's my onesie! My Mamu took so long making me wear it, I completely grew out of it! Now they can't even snap it close anymore, so I have to wear it as a t-shirt. But, isn't it great? I like the messy scribbles - though I can barely say Mama or Dada myself, hahaha. I wore it for my doctors' appointments. That's doctorS with a S! I had to see my eye doctor and my regular doctor. All in one day! Ugh! At least I got to practice my balance with my Papu. We were out in the hallway in the hospital, waiting our turn, and I was trying NOT to fall over. I can stand pretty well on my own, I think - with a little support, of course! Tough going! My two top front teeth have also been sprouting out. This explains why I am making all those silly faces in my pictures below - I've been sucking on my front teeth. Hey, they take some getting used to. Now whoever said babies don't have issues??!!

May 30, 2009

My Oma got me those navy blue shorts!

Back view of my onesie. Isn't it neat?

Here I am waiting my turn at my doctor's - and sucking my top front tooth.

Still sucking, still standing, and still waiting!

Onesie - Googoo and Gaga; Shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sneakers - First Step

SUIT UP

I had to attend a testimonial dinner for my grandmother Oma with my parents. It was a big deal, that dinner - my Oma was the guest of honor - so my folks figured I better go properly attired. I suited up, teehee. My Auntie Mandi got me that tee (she got it when I was still in my Mamu's belly), and my Ninang ("godmother") Trina Ilarde got me that bib - a pair to the one I wore the other day. The dinner was a success. I mingled with everybody - in other words, I got carried and passed around from one professor/Jesuit/administrator to another. Really, you'd think I was the guest of honor, not my Oma. Teehee.

March 30, 2009

Suiting up, baby-style! Hehe.

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sneakers - First Step; Bib - Mothercare

DOCTOR DOCTOR

Wasn't really scheduled to go to my doctor today - but we found out my doctor was back from vacation so we hurried over to her clinic for my vaccine shot! I didn't have any clothes - good thing we came from my grandmother Luli's house, and she had just bought a new tank top for me (she got me those white leather hi-tops, too!). She got matching shorts, too, but less than an hour of wearing them, I got marks on my sides already - the new shorts were too tight. (Thank goodness we had an extra pair of shorts in my diaper bag - I would hate to face my pretty pretty doctor wearing just nappies!!!!!!) Shucks though, to think the shorts my Luli got me were brand new, too... Hey! I'm not overweight. Really. My doctor said so. She weighed and measured me and everything. She said I was just right. So maybe I just look overweight, teehee. My Ninong ("godfather") Zito says I'm "festively plump." There.

March 30, 2009

Hospital regular!

My Mamu really liked the baby shoes my Luli got me. So she bought me the exact same pair - now I have one pair for Luli's house, and one pair for our house.

I like the little etchings on the sneakers, too - especially of the little red bike!

"I'm not fat! I'm big-boned!"

Tank - Mother's care in Landmark; Shorts - Baby Armstrong; Shoes - Pitter Pat

NORTHERN INVASION

I set out on my first road trip up North on Valentine's Day. We drove down to Clark for the hot air balloon fiesta, and went to Subic as well - my first time to see the ocean! Though I did NOT go near the water - I haven't gotten my sea legs quite yet! (In fact, not much use of my legs, period. I still prefer to be carried, teehee - I can't even crawl yet! My Opa and I wandered down the beach together - we have a picture by the beach here). My Lola Lorna got me that sweater - she got me tons! Those denim shorts from my Oma - they look like pants, I know, but my Mamu insisted I wear them. I got my tee from my Tita Ina Alazas - the little animals glow in the dark, aren't they neat? My Tita Nicka Osaka, Tita Margie Pegels, Tita Tammy Aquino, Tita Ange Lim, Tita Ann Bautista and Tita Hazel Humagit - my Mamu's sorority sisters - chipped in to buy me a bunch of baby shoes. How do you like my sneakers - they match my Papu's!

February 14, 2009

Tee - Carter's; Hooded knit sweater - Marks & Spencer; Denim shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sneakers - Baby Company

Velcro straps for me and my Papu!