ORDINARY DAYS

It's a national holiday today, so even though it's a Monday, I got one extra day with my parents at home - yey! We mostly lounged around and played in Papu and Mamu's big bed. We saw some videos, and headed out once to buy videos and go to the supermarket. I enjoy the sights and sounds when we go out, but I do so enjoy quiet days at home with my parents too. I wish we had more days like this! (Even though we forgot to bring the camera when we went to the grocery! Hihi!).

September 21, 2009

My Uncle Amiel and my Aunt Mary got me that onesie, my Opa and Oma got me those shoes, and my Ninang ("godmother") Bles Cuaycong got me those socks from Baby Gap!

Onesie - OshKosh B'Gosh; Shoes - Florsheim Kids

BAR OPERATIONS ENERGIZER

What a busy busy day I had! First, my parents and I left bright and early to go to the PAL (that's the Philippine Airlines for you!) ticketing office over at this mall called Ali Mall - first thing in the morning, I might add! My parents are flying to Naga in October - without me. Boo! We had lunch at Hap Chan there. I looooved the Yang Chow fried rice - more than the congee. I've been finding plain old congee, well, plain. Give me some flavor, people!!! After lunch we rushed off to the Manila Polo Club to play squash again with my Ninong ("godfather") Monzit and Tita Karla. Then we all took a nap at home before we rushed off once again - to Malate this time. It's Bar month - September! All the law students are taking the national Bar Examinations this September - every Sunday of September. So we went that night to visit my Mamu's sorority sisters - the examinees are called "barristers" and they were all billetted at Pearl Garden, this hotel in Adriatico Street in Malate. Sororities, fraternities, and law schools all have bar operations to help their barristers. I helped too! Even though I fell asleep while we were there, I did manage to visit all the barristers!

September 19, 2009

Here I am at the PAL ticketing office, waiting for our number to be called!

My Oma and Opa got me that tee, and my Ninang ("godmother") Anna Devanadera got me those shorts!

My new favorite game this month - dipping!!!

Tee - Moose Kids from SM; Shorts - Calvin Klein; Sandals - Florsheim Kids


We picked up my Tita Kar on our way to squash.

Here I am with my Ninong Monzit, getting acquianted with Chowking, Tita Kar's Chow Chow!

Trying to grab Tita Karla's squash racket!

My Mamu's sorority sis, Tita Monica Villanueva, got me that tee!

Tee - Gingersnaps

I was asleep when we got to the hotel for Regina Iustitiae's BarOps!

Here I am surrounded by my Mamu's sorority sisters!

My other Ninang Pam Buen-Merencilla got me that adorable onesie!

(It's got a picture of a "legal pad" in front, in honor of the occasion! Teehee!)

My Opa and Oma got me those nifty blue and white shoes!

I had to change outfits several times today because I got so sweaty running around! (Or at least trying to!).

I'm being carried by one of the barristers, my Tita Ria Alazas, here!

Onesie - Pipsqueaks by David and Goliath; Shoes - Florsheim Kids

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

YELLOW

My Oma came back from Australia yesterday. She was gone for almost a month! I know she missed me terribly! So today, we headed out for a day of eating and shopping at Power Plant, a mall in Rockwell, Makati. I went with my Papu, Mamu, Oma, Opa, and Auntie Amanda. My yaya ("nanny") Nida took the weekend off - her first since she started taking care of me last June! We ate at Myron's - the big folks had steaks, while Mamu fed me baby food from a little jar. I had vegetable turkey - so I didn't miss out much, I think! We wandered around the mall and went shopping - my Oma got me a new tee from Zara Kids. I got to practice my walking - my grandparents are very patient about "wandering" around with me. I also noticed there were lots of yellow ribbons displayed in the mall - at the stores, restaurants, outside the mall, even the streets outside. That's because Cory Aquino died yesterday. I've never met her, but my folks keep telling me great things about her! I send her hugs and kisses, and hope she is finally resting, wherever she is!

August 2, 2009

My Lolo ("grandfather") Ferdie, Lola ("grandmother") Irene, Ate ("big sister") Bianca, and Kuya ("big brother") Rapha Insigne got me that bib!

My Lola Ging and Lola Jojo Deles got me that burp cloth.

It's part of a livelihood project by a group of marginalized folks - they make pretty little hand-embroidered burp cloths, bibs, and towels.

(Only I can't remember the group which made it! We lost the little card the cloths came with!!!)

Translated in English, this means I am "good-looking!!!"

In Myron's - done eating!

I practice walking around Power Plant now.

(Being helped along by my Papu here).

Yellow!

Onesie - In The Crib; Sandals - Florsheim Kids; Bib - Kladd by Ikea; Burp cloth - oh no, we lost the little card it came with!

TRIAL RUN

I had my first trial run at a Gymboree near our house today (in a place called Eastwood Mall)! On a Sunday morning to boot - school on a Sunday! Groan! My parents signed me up at a Play & Learn class. I attended with five other babies - we were all between 7-8.5 months old. I think I was the second oldest kid in that class - I was definitely the tallest and the biggest. I noticed I also had the most hair AND teeth too. (Really, what DO they feed me?). My Mamu went through the activities with me while my Papu took pictures. We sang A LOT of songs and went through a lot of action words. We danced and bounced and reached and crawled and pushed and clapped and kicked. (Well, I couldn't exactly clap and didn't really get into the whole pushing bit. Must practice that at home!). We played with balls, bubbles, a parachute, inflated tubes, and, of course, Gymbo the clown. It was fun - but it made me miss my morning nap! I was exhausted! I fell right asleep in the car on our way to my Opa's ("grandfather's") house, and slept right through lunch!

July 26, 2009

My Lolo Ferdie, Lola Irene, Ate ("big sister") Bianca, and Kuya ("big brother") Rapha Insigne got me that bib!

Here I am warming up before class!

We each got a name tag.

(Back view of my onesie - isn't it neat? Although my Mamu learned it was best to dress me in a pair of shorts and a tee for Gymboree - that silly romper kept snapping off! I was half-naked at the end of my class! Grrrr!)

"Hi there, fellow students! Arrrr!!!"

Here I am, sitting in "class" with one of my "classmates" Jaryl.

My Mamu says he's adorable because he looks like the baby penguin in Happy Feet.

Hmpf. My Uncle Jino says I look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. HARRRUMPHHH.

Onesie - Googoo and Gaga; Sandals - Florsheim Kids; Bib - Kladd by Ikea

BABY STEPS

I've been really into practicing walking recently! More than crawling, even! I just don't have the patience to move around on all fours. But you prop me up on my legs and I'm screeching with glee. I can't wait to start walking! My Papu, Mamu, and yaya ("nanny") Nida and I were at the Power Plant Mall today, and I was practicing walking over at Stoked (a surfing store), at Press (a restaurant), in Fully Booked (a bookstore) - everywhere! In all the stores and open spaces where my parents stopped to check out something. Ha! Pretty soon I'll have everyone running around after me! Just you guys wait!

July 18, 2009

For once, everything I'm wearing, my parents bought me. No gifts! Teehee!

"If you can read this you're close enough to change my diaper!"

Oooh, this sexy lady feels all cold!!!

I'm walking I'm walking! (Almost almost!)

TEEHEEHEE! For some strange reason, practicing walking makes me all giggly!

Onesie - Pipsqueaks by David and Goliath; Leg warmers - Baby Legs; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

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

SPORTY

I went malling with my parents today! We headed over to Greenbelt and had lunch at Bubba Gump. My parents fed me solids for the first time! I had plain old mashed potatoes. I didn't like it very much - I ended up throwing up all over my onesie - and my Mamu's leg, I might add! Teehee. I am wearing socks which look like sneakers and a onesie with baseball prints all over it from my Ninong ("godfather") Zito's mommy, my Lola ("grandmother") Vicki Purugganan (one of my New York-based groupies, hihihi). I was going for sporty that day! Both my onesie and socks are still slightly soiled in that picture - can you tell??!!

May 23, 2009

Onesie - Gerber; Almost shoes - Joe Boxer

MIMOSA Part II

Boy, I had fun today! My family and I spent most of the day out and about in Clark, and around Angeles City in Pampanga. We went to a quilting place and I got myself a little medical kit! Then we went to a mall - SM Clark (really, don't these people EVER get tired of SM?!) - where I, for the first time in my life, went on rides!!! Well, sort of. I sat propped up on those mechanical rides but my parents refused to drop coins in to make them go - they were worried I'd fall off! (Also, it was all they could do to stop me licking the steering wheel! So my Mamu was watching me like a hawk!). We had lunch out, and in the afternoon, the whole family went to an ice cream parlor. I had to change outfits again that day even though it wasn't as hot as usual. Hey, if you "ride" around as much as I do, you're bound to get a teensy bit sweaty! P.S. Thank you to my Tita Trina Gar and Tito Jang Moreno for my blue tee, Lolo Roland and Mitch Lorilla for my shorts, my other grandmother Luli for my almost shoes, and to my Ninong ("godfather") Zito and Tita Karla for my onesie, which I've worn before!

May 2, 2009

At lunch in C' Italian Dining.

I am so waiting for the day I can finally eat PIZZZAAAAAA.

(But right now I really feel like eating my feet again!)

Check out one of my "almost shoes" again - this time in navy blue.

I rode this...

... and this...

... and this! Wheeeee!!!

And here I am, later during the day, not quite ready to walk.

Walking schmalking! I want wheels!

Blue tee - Mothercare; Shorts - Gingersnaps; Almost shoes - Funky Feet; Bib - Landmark

Onesie - Ratzo