June 09, 2006 - Heavy!!!

We just weighed her (using the makeshift method of Rob checking his weight first then carrying Nicole)... she weighs roughly 8 pounds!!!  Damn, she's heavy, and gaining quickly!!!  Her voracious appetite must have something to do with it.  Her face is rounder, her body longer, and those cute lines that form on the arms and thighs are there.  She was so wrinkled when she was born, almost like a Sharpei.

That's all from here... just wanted to write about how she's growing.  Damn... magulang na talaga ako.

June 09, 2006 - The Incredible Exploding Baby

Oh man... I wasn't home tonight when this happened to Rob... I was at my sister-in-law's birthday party.  I had a feeling something... eentehresteeng... took place while I was out, thanks to Rob's last text message to me as I was heading home.

It was time for a diaper change, and just as he was fastening the diaper on Nicole, she pooped, messing up the rubber changing mat she was lying on.  So, patiently he started over, removing the mat and got started on cleaning her... and that's when she exploded.  Poop and pee everywhere... EVERYWHERE... on her changing area.  Our main helper came upstairs, responding to the crying I presume was ensuing.  She then saw the mess, and proceeded to clean things up.  Rob bathed Nicole, as she was steeped in her own waste, poor one... by the time I got home, he had things under control.  He had just fed her, and she was falling asleep on his shoulder.  Oh boy... I really felt sorry for him.  I then washed up and got changed quickly to take over so that he could take a shower and get some sleep.

Parenthood.  What a trip.

I'm only glad that he didn't lose his mind as all this was going on.  He is a man of much patience, so I'm sure he'll survive more nights like this when they happen.

When the shit hits the fan, there's only one thing to do: clean up the mess and go on.  Will your day to be a good one, and chances are it will be.  One can't let a little thing like "poop gone awry" ruin an otherwise beautiful life.

June 08, 2006 - Laugh, Clown, Laugh!

My little angel is now fast asleep, after numerous feedings and diaper changes.  Although sometimes the routine can be frustrating, at the end of it all I just have to laugh.  Find below a few of the things that make me go "hee hee" (sometimes preceded by an "argh").

1.  As I'm putting on a fresh diaper, she decides to pee or poop.  (Holy taba ng talangka!)

2.  Flatulence.  Man, this kid can fart.  Definitely her mother's daughter.

3.  Snoring.  Definitely her father's daughter.

4.  Her voracious appetite.  I seriously need another pair of boobs.

5.  Her "ooh" face.  Actually, ALL her faces.

6.  She sounds like a mogwai when she nurses.  Seriously.

7.  Her hair.  Flat in the front, spiky in the back.

On a day when I'm heavy with exasperation and sadness, I just have to take a look at her.  Every negative emotion goes away, and is immediately replaced by sunshine and rainbows.  It's amazing what taking a look at your child can do... its effect is nothing short of miraculous.

June 05, 2006 - Reality

The reality has sunk in.  My life has changed.

My life as I knew it to be no longer exists.  It has taken a 180 degree turn, and today, it got me into a funk.  I've realized that I can't just leave home at a moment's notice... I can't just leave without someone to watch the baby (we've decided to be 100% hands-on with Nicole until she's around 3 months old)... the spur-of-the-moment is a luxury I can't afford.

Don't get me wrong.  I don't resent my daughter and my new life at all.  It's just that the change wasn't a gradual one.  It was swift, sudden, quick.  There was no transition period, no easing into things.  I went from mallrat to houserat in no time flat.

It's something I'll have to get used to, I guess.  As my parent friends say, it gets easier.  I will find time for myself eventually, and I'll get my life back in spurts.  I guess these first few months are overwhelming and somewhat isolated... sa mga araw na ito, madali lang siguro akong mainis.

It will all get easier... it WILL get easier.  Parenthood is a journey that never ends.  I'll just have to be ready for it all.

June 04, 2006 - No Cabin Fever

Two nights ago, I allowed myself a rare night out from home and baby to spend with my friends.  It had been such a long while since I was out alone.  Thank goodness Rob said to make a night of it, and to not worry about him and Nicole while I was out.  I've seen his paternal skills, so I was very confident that nothing untoward would happen in my absence.  So out I went (facing monumental I-want-to-pull-my-hair-out traffic from Alabang to Makati).  And a wonderfully perfect night it was.

I went to see a play, DOUBT, written by John Patrick Shanley.  It was a play that I had seen in New York (with the incomparable Cherry Jones as Sister Aloysius), so with great anticipation I headed to RCBC.  I arrived, energized after a trip to dreamland, prepared to see the show (and cheer on Chari and her stellar cast led by the inimitable Cherie Gil).  I was not disappointed, and marvelled at how wonderful this group of actors was in taking on this material.  All I'll say is that you MUST go see it at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC.  Pay a visit to a wonderful restaurant on the 3rd floor called Piquant while you're at it.  Healthy food, great price.  The Indian Spiced Chicken and their Tandoori Chicken, as well as their Chili-Ancho Pasta are my favorites.  Oh who am I kidding... I love everything on the menu!

After hanging out with friends post-show (and grabbing a plate of pasta with pesto sauce), I headed to Pipeline Studios to watch The Dawn rehearse for a bit.  It was certainly a treat to sit in a little room a few feet away from goodest friend and lead vocalist Jett and cohorts Junboy, Buddy and Kiko, watching them all do what they do best.  It was also cool to engage in mommyhood conversation with Beth (Jett's better half), Gina (drummer Junboy's better half) and one of Beth's colleagues from Microsoft... conversation I was also having with Menchu after watching Doubt.  I never thought I'd actually find myself indulging in mommy talk.  I LOVE IT!!!

I headed home feeling refreshed and renewed after spending the night out with people special to me... it was fantastic to remind myself of how wonderful it is being in their light, and how I need to do that more often.  Once Nicole is less fragile, it'll be easier to have my "ME" time... time away that is necessary and warming.  Like a hot bowl of cream of mushroom soup.  Yum.

June 01, 2006 - Baby Blog

Went to the pediatrician's office today... she's gained nearly a pound in weight and 3/4 of a inch in length.  She got her BCG shot today (man, that little girl can scream bloody murder!!!), and is doing just fine.  The good doctor prescribed a cream for her acne, so hopefully that clears things up soon.  She also had a great bath, loving it when the warm water is splashed on her.  No crying, no complaints.  She just sits in the tub now, with this deadpan expression on her face, as if relaxing in a jacuzzi.  Rob couldn't help but laugh.  Gave him some energy after his very long and tiring day.

She had her passport pictures taken at the mall this afternoon... needless to say, she was fast asleep, which is a shame.  I love seeing her pretty eyes.  Anyway, the one thing that peeved me is the "subject must be wearing a shirt with a collar" rule.  EVEN FOR A NEWBORN???  Thank goodness the baby clothes stores were across from the photo place.  I bought her a little outfit with a collar just for this photo... put it over the clothes she was wearing, and we were all set.  The resulting pictures are hilarious... little Buddha baby, fast asleep.  My little mogwai, in dreamland.

I'm slowly getting the hang of things... there is certainly less of the frustration level that came with our first night at home.  But I'm sure that just as I think I'm getting better at something, another thing will totally take me by surprise.  Hey, that's the adventure we're on!  And so far, we are loving every minute of it.

It IS true... you don't know love until you have a child.  A love that is unconditional, selfless, patient, generous, and true.

June 01, 2006 - To keep or not to keep...

I am a pack rat.  It's amazing how much stuff I've accumulated over the course of my life: old cards and letters, books, clothing, tech gadgets (many of which no longer work), adapters and cables, manuals (of said products that no longer work), magazines, and other knick-knacks that are now collecting dust. 

It's not always easy to let go of things that have made their way into our homes, and into our hearts.  A lot of old greeting cards carry many memories of wonderful occasions past... many knick-knacks are souvenirs from vacations... dog-eared letters are reminders of loves lost and found (well, the ones I didn't burn on an angry late night anyway)...

So... how does one determine what is kept and what is thrown away?  Simple.  If you love it so much that you can't do without it, keep it.  Period.