Amber Vs. Daddy

In a game of Air Hockey.

 Look at these 2, they’re taking the game so seriously...

Focus... focus...

Then, victory!!!

Mocking Daddy in his defeat? :D

The Gift of Ordinary Weekends

Amber always looks forward to weekends with Daddy. And I’m starting to accept the fact that she really is her Daddy’s girl.

She enjoys being at Daddy’s side when he fixes the car, she’s interested in Daddy’s tools, she plays with Daddy's toy cars, she cheers Daddy when he plays his computer games,... among the list of the many things they do together. 

Recently, they learned that they shared another common interest – biking!

Well, if you don’t know it yet, I don’t know how to bike. And I guess, I will never learn how! Primarily because my balance sucks. Second, even though I came to realize that it was a bit far from the truth, there’s still this voice from my childhood that keeps telling me that I will never learn how to bike without suffering from bad falls and bruises and scratches. I can no longer remember who told me that but those words definitely stuck with me that I dared not ride and learn to bike. Grrr!

Good thing Amber is more adventurous than me in most aspects, biking included. I’m not sure though what happens if the time comes that she has to face a real bicycle and bid her toy bike goodbye. Until then, I’m glad that she and Daddy are having the best of time every weekend afternoons.

Colorful Bonding Moment

It’s Our Daddy’s Birthday!

The Hubby turned a year older yesterday. Yey!

‘SAM-SAM’ is Amber-speak for ‘HANDSOME’, which Amber insists Daddy is! I couldn’t agree more.

Happy birthday, Daddy! We love you so much... like, to the moon and back! :D

The Date Was October 18

I was looking at my desk calendar when I got in the office and felt that the date is somehow significant, I just couldn’t put an occasion to it.

Then it just came to me now that October 18 was the date the Hubby and I officially became together in 2003!

Antagal na pala naming nagbobolahan! Hahahaha!

So how did our love story begin?

Hubby was my classmate in some of my classes in College. Our batch was the first to have enjoyed the privilege of having a thesis partner. Dati kasi, it was an individual thing (yaiks, can’t imagine the pressure and stress of going thru that alone!).

After several days, I was prepared to do my thesis alone because I do not know much about my classmates then. Loner ang peg ko e. The classmates I am close to are in other classes, wala talaga akong ka-close sa class na yun.

Then this nice lady na ubod inglesera approached me and made small chats. Sadly, she already has a partner so ka-chika lang talaga ang habol nya sakin.

After a few weeks, she asked me if I still need a thesis partner because she knows someone who is looking. I was a working student so I’m certain that I cannot handle all the works alone. Therefore, I agreed. And she introduced me to this skinny, pale boy who I thought has just graduated from Highschool. Hahaha!

We spent sleepless nights researching, reviewing, playing computer games in every willing barkada’s house. We never thought of doing our thesis in either our houses because of the distance – I live in Muntinlupa, he in Caloocan. That seemed to be sooooo far that time!

But no, our love story didn’t start there.

We were able to defend our thesis, graduate and part ways.

After a year, we had to meet again because we needed to submit the final hardbound copy of our thesis before he can have his clearance and so that he can enroll in graduate school.

I almost didn’t recognize him.

He found a new favorite place in the gym. As in, the boy really transformed into manhood just after a year. He looked very matured and buffed. Well, not the maskulado type because I wouldn’t be interested at all! Hehe, choosy!

He started calling me regularly. Invited me out. Nung umpisa, kasama pa yung isa naming barkada. After a while, kami na lang. He would drive to far away Muntinlupa as often as he could. He rushed to my location when the car I’m using broke down, kahit pa galing sha sa kabilang dulo ng Metro Manila. He always made himself available for me. And the rest is history!

2003; 2004; 2005

It’s been 9 years since then. ^_^

Ang Pikon, Hindi Pogi!

Amber is so fond of looking at male Korean actor-singers. When she hears a particular music video that Mama is watching on YouTube, she’ll sprint to Mama’s side and just be mesmerized by the K-Pop singer.

She said pogi daw kasi. Toinks! Hey, what do you know of ‘pogi’?! You’re just 3 years old! That’s Daddy, echoing.

Me: Amber, eh si Daddy, pogi ba?

Amber: No!

Mama: Kasi, yung Korean sa video ang pogi para sa kanya.

Okay then, baguhin natin ang tanong.

Me: Amber, is Daddy handsome? (I was already nodding at her so that she would say yes)

Amber: Nooooooo.... (with matching iling!)

Hubby: Bakit pa ba kita binibilhan ng gatas, damit, diaper, toys, etc, etc...

Hahaha! May napikon!

Math-inik!

I was revisiting the cost of something I bought earlier...

Me: 4 times 16?

Hubby, who was driving then, swiftly gave me an answer.

Hubby: 46!!!

Me: Ano?! Mali kaya.

Hubby: Bakit, kelangan ba tama ang sagot? Ang importante, mabilis!

Tsk-tsk! 

Hubby's Road Rage Issues

Tell me where can I buy patience or maybe temper suppressants, if there are any?

I seriously need to get some for the Hubby. You see, he may be the coolest, nicest person you’d meet but when he’s driving, he’s totally a different person. Parang his alter-ego takes over him when he’s behind the wheel.

Nope! The Hubby is not driving a BMW X6... yet! ^_^
www.trucktrend.com

I’ll never get used to his road temper. Hay!

For someone who is driving more than half his life (he started driving even before he can legally get a license), he has never acquired the patience for nuisance motorists, which I may say are very much abundant in this country. He just lets them get the best of him.

Ilang beses na ba yan may binaba at nakaaway na driver or nanghabol at nangharang ng gumitgit sa kanya. Too dangerous right? What if he encounters some psycho drivers out there? Knock on wood.

Let me get that straight, he’s a super duper courteous driver but when he encounters pasaway na motorists, he becomes Incredible Hulk! 

Ayan! Parang ganyan!
www.screened.com

Mano bang palampasin na lang di ba? Kung ako yun, I’d just wish them safety for the kind of driver that they are pero si Hubby, he’ll make sure that the other driver would know what he did wrong. Aba, eh buti kung lahat ng driver eh marunong makinig.

Hay, dear Hubby’s guardian angels, please never leave him even for a minute especially when he’s driving. Please.

Hanging Out With The Band

Feeling ni Hubby, sha ang bagong vocalist ng Parokya ni Edgar since Chito M. isn’t around that time. Belong na belong! LOL! 

A Belated Happy Father’s Day Greeting

I admit to being lazy these past few days. And I’ve been reprimanding myself for that. Now I have to antedate my entries. Yeah, I know that it’s wrong. Forgive, forgive... ^_^

Nevertheless, no matter how late... Happy Father’s Day to all Daddies out there, especially to the father of my daughter, who I love so much!

Look at what Amber brought home from school...

It’s a card with a blue necktie pattern.
Ate Nora said that Amber cut and glued the necktie to the card

She scribbled yellow and blue crayons all around. 

 Teacher Abby guided her little hands in
writing the message inside. 

When we were inside the house, there was a loud little voice that said, “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY, DADDY!!!”.

So sweet. Teka, bakit nga ba kasi hindi school month ang Mother’s Day?!?! ;-/

First Name Basis

One day, I went inside the house looking for the Hubby.

I asked Mama, “Ma, nasan si Neil?”.

A second later, Amber went around the house, yelling, “NEIL!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!? NEEEEIL!!!!”.

When the Hubby walked in, Amber said, “Mommy, ayan na si Neil oh!!!”.

First name basis? Mashado silang close. Teehee!

Father’s Authority

Maybe children really know that fathers are really the authority in every home. I have to start getting used to that as well.

Yesterday, Amber climbed up the dining table. I asked her nicely to go down, she just ignored me. I begged her, she just smiled at me. I used my growling voice at her, she thought I was playing with her. But when Daddy, just one time, told her to go down, she immediately obliged.

There were several instances and it really puzzled me because the Hubby seldom gets mad at Amber. Between us, he is the kunsintidor-parent but when he speaks, Amber seems to always listen. Ako, wala lang. I just get a smile. L

I complained to the Hubby about this. Objectively, he said that it only shows that Amber is closer to me because he also notices that I am who she seeks for when she needs to be comforted.

Bigla ako nag-isip... nagmuni-muni...

Oo nga ano?!

When she heard thunder, even if she was beside Daddy, she hurried to me and sat on my lap.

When Daddy gets mad at her, she goes to me and tells me that Daddy is mad at her.

When she cries or is upset, I hear that she calls out for me even if everyone in the household is at her sight.

When she is sick, she only wants Mommy to hold and carry her.

Ay, bigla naman ako naluha. Hehe!

Indeed, each parent has their own roles in their children’s life.

Petty Conversations With The Hubby

On our way to work this morning, the Hubby and I talked about the petty crimes we have committed as a child and I can’t help not to laugh at what he shared...

“Kinukuhaan ko yung bibingka na tinda ni Lola noon. I would stoop as far as I could from outside the store tapos susungkitin ko yung bibingka sa lalagyan. Tapos kakainin ko sa harap ng tindahan, dun sa alam kong hindi nya ko nakikita... ang alam ko hindi naman ako nakikita ni Lola...”

“... Yun pala, nililista nya lahat ng nakukuha ko saka nya sinisingil kay Mama!”

Feeling nya pala sha si Palos. Major fail! Mas matinik si Lola! Hahahaha!

Hubby Is A Year Wiser!

It was the Hubby’s birthday last Saturday. Initially he wanted to have a not-so-long road trip up north. Then dine there, maybe discover and explore some new and nice places. I was prepared to browse the net for places to visit in Subic, Bulacan or Bataan area when Mama said we should watch the firework competition at MOA on Saturday!

Then we thought, why not? It’s nearer and at least we don’t have to rush out in coming up with an itinerary within 2 days! So the plan has been made. MOA it is! I jokingly told the Hubby that his birthday is so bongga at may pa-fireworks pa!

Kaso... no plan took place on his birthday. Sadly. Yan ang hirap sa plano ng plano eh! Hay! If I knew that Mama will back-out from MOA on that very same day because of the anticipated heavy traffic due to the EDSA People's Power celebration, I could have gone on with my search for some nice places to dine at not-so-far north. But it was already late to make new plans as we woke up late that day. 

Ayun, we ended up having a birthday lunch for the Hubby instead. We had lunch delivered from Savory, which I mega-failed to take photos of. Okay na rin except that I’m so nanghihinayang for the day. We could have celebrated it someplace else.

At least we had an afternoon activity, the 3 of us! Hubby volunteered to help his Aunt move in to their new house a few kilometres away. Amber and I rode with the Hubby as they move Tita’s appliances and things. But hey, our family made a good mover ha! Hehehe! ^_^

Bawi na lang kami next time, Daddy. Hope you had a great time on your birthday despite the cancellations. We’ll stick to our plans next time.

Happy birthday Daddy love! We love you! XOXO

More On Korean Invasion

Bwahahahaha!!!

I still can’t get over it. Mama and I laughed so hard we almost cried.

We both heard the Hubby humming the tune of a Korean drama theme song.

We stopped at what we were doing and looked at the Hubby. When he felt we were looking and realized why, he blushed and blamed Mama for playing the song over and over, nae-LSS na daw sha! Hahahaha! You should’ve seen his face.

Hubby kasi is the R&B, lounge music kind of person. He’s very particular with his song choices. Maarte yun with his music. I don't know how to explain it... basta hindi maka-masa ang taste nya.

Si Mama naiyak na talaga sa katatawa. Haaaay...

Ayan na! Our house is really being dominated by Korea! The last person I know who is very unlikely to be corrupted may have just joined the bandwagon! Hahahaha! Nuhn Jjang Ee Ya (amazing ;D)!  

One Size Smaller

The Hubby was sorting these shirts that our Ninong from the US brought for him. While he wears a long-sleeved shirt that is just 1 size bigger than him, Mama commented that it already fits him and he can actually use it. The Hubby particularly said that he should only wear the exact size to 1 size smaller than him, because bigger sizes, even only 1 size bigger will make him look lousy.

Hmmm, that sounded sooo familiar! Made me think where I heard of it before. Esep-esep...

Then it rang a bell...

Ryan Gosling said so in Crazy Stupid Love!

I thought he wasn’t paying attention?!?! I thought it bored him because it's a romantic film?!?! Di ba nga he asked me to buy him lots of foods to keep him awake during the movie?!?!

Ha-ha! This husband of mine talaga! Kunyari pang not interested! Wehehehe! I should have asked him to watch Breaking Dawn with me! Pfffttt... ;p 

Daddy’s Little Helper

Sigh! I still think about the Silver Cross Light Weight Stroller in black, gray and beige/white fabric that we saw in Landmark Trinoma. We could’ve bought it if not for the ekonomista in me. It won’t be swayed no matter how nice the stroller is! L

Eh kasi, oo nga, andun na ko that the Silver Cross stroller will be more convenient for us since it’s not bulky compared with Amber’s Graco stroller but the point is that she still has a stroller. And my frugal self is telling me that it’s not practical to buy another one... even if it’s lighter,... and smaller,... and nicer, ... and prettier... *sigh!*

So we decided to bring out the Graco stroller that we have already packed away. We thought it better to bring a stroller however bulky it is rather than break our backs from carrying Amber whenever she doesn’t feel like walking in the mall.

Daddy’s job in putting the covers of the stroller back couldn’t be a lot easier without a little help!

It was a good thing that we didn’t use it for quite some time. Amber seemed to miss it and wanted to sit on it the moment all the covers have been returned.

We just hope that we can use it more this time and that the little girl will not get tired of it easily to refuse on sitting on it like she did the last time. 

'I Loved Her First'

Growing up without a father around, I was never emotional about father-daughter relationships.

On my wedding reception, I didn’t give much thought on the father-daughter dance because there was just no one to dance with (well, there were a lot of wedding reception traditions naman talaga that we didn’t follow and do, so no big deal. ^_^). I never cared about songs that I came across with regarding fathers and daughters. Deadma lang.

But when I heard of this song this morning...

Can’t say that I’m affected in a way that I can relate (because I'm not a father? ^_^), but I find it so sweet as I thought of my Hubby and Amber. I feel that the song speaks so much of what my Hubby (or even me as a Mom or whoever who has a child) will feel when the time comes. I even picture them dancing while the song plays. I know it’s way too early to think about these things but blame it on the song! It made me envison of things that I know are still decades away.

Maybe it was also brought about by the conversation that the Hubby and I had last night. I asked him how he felt the first time he saw Amber at the hospital nursery. He said he has never been prouder. He can’t believe at first that she’s real... the Amber that we used to imagine of having whenever we see kids, was really there...

As the song goes...

From the first breath she breathed

When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep

Pero teka... di ba I loved her first first? ^_^ 

TGIF & A Weekend Bet

I am so looking forward to tomorrow!!! ^_^

The Hubby and I have this bet that whoever wakes up and gets out of bed first tomorrow (that’s Saturday) will be the one to give Amber a bath for 2 days!

He is really serious about this bet that he even cancelled his biking appointment. Haha! Desidido sha na magbabad sa kama maghapon!

Why we had to drag Amber in this bet? Kasi the Hubby has never bathed Amber nor cleaned her when she poops. Other than these, he can already manage but these 2 things he really really dreads doing.

Come to think of it, I should have been more brutal and change the bet into cleaning Amber when she poops, instead of giving her a bath which is relatively easier! Yeah, I think that would be a better idea... maybe I can still change the provision of the bet, I hope he agrees! *witchy laughter on the background*

What propped this bet? Eh kasi naman, every day we complain about lack of sleep. We usually sleep at 11PM. I wake up at 3:30AM to take a bath then I wake the Hubs up an hour after. Ganun kami araw-araw on weekdays!

So we decided to sleep as long as we’d like to every weekend but the Hubby always wakes up at 7, then he’d feel groggy afterwards and regrets not sleeping long enough. So ayun, nagpustahan na lang kami para hindi sha katihin na gumising ng maaga! Wish us luck but place your bets on me! I am so going to win this!!! Harharhar!

I wonder how it is like watching the 2 of them creating havoc in the bathroom... Oh well... ^_^

Hubby's Views About Life

Last night.

Hubby: Nasan na kaya yung book ko na Tuesdays with Morrie? Gusto ko basahin.

Me: Eh di ba nabasa mo na yun?

Hubby: Gusto ko ulitin kasi the story makes you appreciate life more... maiisip mo na life is like a peanut...

Pause...

When I couldn’t really connect it...

Me: Hah?

Hubby: ... it’s BRITTLE!

Pakainin ko kaya ng isang kilong peanut brittle to para saktan ng ipin?!?