Lolo and Euen

Since I gave birth, almost every weekend, we get to see Papa.  And almost every weekend, he will just look at Euen and talk to her. His famous line for Euen is, "ATATAWA."  Then instantly, Euen will look at his lolo and give him a smile.  And this never fails!  

But never did he asked to carry Euen in his arms.  During the first few months, I just thought maybe he's just scared because the baby's still fragile.  After a few months, the most the he has touched her grandaughter is letting Euen play with his finger. 

Until last weekend when we were all in the dining table, together packing snacks for my sister's work. The baby cried from her crib, wanting to join us.  So, lolo asked to put the baby on the dining table and he held Euen while we continued packing.  Though he didn't really carry the baby in his arms, I was happy to see Papa hugging Euen.  

I was never Papa's favorite and I couldn't remember when was the last time I gave him a hug or kiss.  But I am happy that he has Euen now, to hug and kiss.  And this, I will teach Euen until she grows old. 

Paalam Nanay Norma

May kasabihan, "Ang isang ina, isusubo na lang, ibibigay pa sa kanyang anak." At ito ay nakita ko kay Nanay Norma, kung gaano nya kamahal ang kanyang mga anak, hanggang saming mga apo nya. Sa 82 years ng buhay ni Nanay, halos 60 years nito, sya ay ina. Ako, five months pa lang akong ina sa aking anak kung kaya't hindi ko maimagine kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal, pag-aaruga at pagsasakripisyo ang ibinigay nya sa kanyang mga anak.

Labingisang taon nang wala ang mommy ko, kaya tuwing ako'y nangungulila, ididial ko lang ang numerong ito: 9038125, at maririnig ko na ang mataas at matinis na "Hello?", ang boses ni nanay. Magkakamustahan at magkwekwentuhan na kami at bago ibaba ang telepono, hahalik muna sya ng madami at sasabihing mahal nya ako. Napakaraming naming mga kwento at fond memories with nanay, bawat apo ay may isang di malilimutang alaala kasama si nanay, simula nung bata pa kami hanggang sa huli.  Ako, si Nanay ang naghatid sa akin sa altar noong araw ng kasal ko. Palagi kong sinasabing pagdasal nyang magkababy na kami, kasi sabi ko, alam kong malakas sya kay God. At noong buntis ako, alam kong nag-alala sya para sakin at sa baby ko. Kung kaya't masayang masaya kami na nakita at nahawakan nya ang kanyang great grandchild.

Ngayon, tapos na ang paghihirap ni Nanay, masaya na sya kasama si Tatay, at si mommy. Sana sa pagkawala ni Nanay, manahin natin mula sa kanya kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal nya sa kanyang mga anak, kung gaano kahalaga sa kanya ang pamilya.

We love you Nanay Norma. We'll miss you.

Chinese New Year 2012

A few months back, one of the soon-to-be-grandpa's told us that his first granddaghter will be born on the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Papa Rene said this is a very good and lucky animal sign.

Last Monday, January 24, 2012, was the Chinese New Year . (And for the first time, this day was declared a holiday.)

I know it was too early but I hoped that the Chinese New Year will pass and Euen will still be inside my tummy. Now, she will be officially born in the year of the Water Dragon.

And you know who is else born in the year of the Dragon, Water Dragon to be exact? This only happens every sixty years. And who's turning sixty this year? The other soon-to-be-grandpa, Papa Chime.

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè Everyone!

Photo credit here.

Visiting Nanay Norma

Once a month, at least one of us, me or any of my sisters, get to visit mommy's mommy, Nanay Norma. There are times that she's sad because of her worries but there are times that she'll welcome you with a smile and you know that she's happy.

I try to keep her on the loop with what's going on with my life even through just phone conversations. When I told her the news of my pregnancy, she's one of those who prayed and who's still and always praying for baby's health and safety.

We visited her over the weekend thus the picture of her sitting on her Pello, our gift to her last Christmas, holding my tummy. She too, can't wait to meet her great grandaughter. Nanay is happy that day, and we're happy and she's happy.

Happy Lolo's

It was grandparent's day last weekend. No, we didn't greet the soon-to-be-lolo's yet, I will let baby do the honors next year. But we got to spend time with our two dad's over the weekend.

First was the dinner with the Felipe-Ong family. Papa Renren was anxious and couldn't help but ask if we knew baby's gender already, I told him, we'll know next month. I ask if he had a preference. A traditional Chinese answer would be a boy, so that was what I expected to hear from him. Surprisingly he said he hopes for a girl. I asked why, "Syempre, kasi dalawang lalaki ang anak ko." I told him perhaps my dad would want a boy because he had three daughters. Either way, one of them will be happier. We had a good laugh.

On yesterday's dinner with Papogs, I shared the story with him. Then I asked him what's his wish. He just said, "Kahit ano." He told us that when mommy was pregnant with my second sister, he wished for a boy. And he did the same for my youngest sister, but it wasn't granted. So this time, he'll just say, Kahit ano. We laughed all together because we were almost sure that he's still wishing for a boy.

My heart and my growing tummy is filled with happiness as we feel the excitement of the people around us. As for me, it doesn't matter if baby's a boy or a girl. My only wish is that he/she is safe and healthy.