Blog Revival

My bestfriend Marj has been bugging oops encouraging me to blog again and it is three in the morning and I couldn’t sleep so here goes....

It’s been a while and I think my last blog entry was when before we went back to the Philippines for Aqui’s first birthday. She is turning two in two months so that’s quite a while. I’ll skip the Philippine trip since that on its own is a whole blog.

What I want to talk about is the recent quakes, tsunamis and end of the world rumours going around and how it has affected us.

On the surface, it has no effect really. Life goes on. It has been doubly busy at work with project implementations and deadlines. But once in a while you get little reality checks on some things we take for granted. Last week, a colleague from Christchurch came and sat with me in preparation for the project delivery and she said how relieved she was to be able to take a shower as it was the first since the quake there. We had a nice lunch and she said it’s just what she needed. It made me realise how valuable the things that we just treat so lightly here and you only find out when it’s taken away from you. I know that. I mean I know the concept but when someone across the table tells you these, it becomes a different level.

Another reality check is when we had that 10 pm earthquake in Wellington. Aqui and I were in the living room and my first and only instinct was to grab her and hug her. My thoughts were if this was it, at least I still got to hug her. Only after the quake did I think that I should have ran for the survival kit or went under a table or something. I’m comforting myself thinking that if it had gone longer I would have done that. What struck me that time was at the end of the day, nothing else really matters. All our possessions, achievements and plans of greatness don’t matter. When it’s your time, it’s your time. Something like that final destination movie (Parts 1, 2 or 3), however hard u try to escape it, if it’s your time, it just is. So I guess what really matters is that moment when you’re in front of your Maker. When you’re asked, and I believe that we will all be asked this question, “What have you done for me lately?”.

So where was Ronnel when I was having all these dramatic reflections? Well during the Welly quake, he was sleeping. And the japan tsunami, he was playing Xbox. While I was preparing our survival kit, he was thinking of where to get Aqui a dora costume for the dora concert we’re attending in two weeks. His nonchalance annoyed me so I asked him if he wasn’t worried. And his response was, “Because I have faith.” I was Martha and he was Mary. Another great revelation for why we’re so good together.

Food Art and Stuff

On a lighter note, I’ve been practicing some food art to encourage Aqui to eat more. I really don’t have to because she eats like a horse, well like a pony, really. Anyway, I’ve done Elmo sushi and Dora onigiri. Last night, I made some fish and car shaped boiled eggs and Dora mashed potatoes with cone jellos on the side. Aqui zeroed in on the jello and just poked Dora around. She wanted a whole apple instead of the Hello Kitty and star shaped ones. So Ronnel ended up eating Aqui’s dinner. For breakfast, we had puppy/piggy fried rice with longganisa (pork/chicken sausage) and Mango salsa. Aqui opted for cornflakes. I take it that she thinks the food is too nice to look at to eat.

Better Late than never....

It's been a while, hasn't it? My bestfriend from the Philippines has kindly reminded me of my commitment (or lack thereof) to blog...

Anyway, thanks to Facebook, I've been updating friends and families of Aqui's progress through photo uploads and status updates. But it's just not the same, I suppose. Work has been a time-eater as well but Ronnel and I have developed clockwork rhythm of juggling work, sleep (what sleep?), Aqui-feed/sleep/play/study time and still be able to catch up with the latest adventures of Jack Bauer.

So what's this clockwork rhythm all about?
Simple really, we have learned to adapt to Aqui's schedule. When she wakes up, we are up too. While one of us takes a shower, the other eats breakfast and then switch places while Aqui plays on the background. We learned what makes Aqui tick and (I) have given up pushing Hello Kitty and just gave in to the powers of Elmo and Dora. Now, Ronnel and I can sing the Elmo song and sing with the Map in Dora the Explorer. We learned that standards are relative - that no matter how we train Aqui to sleep in her cot or eat in her chair, nothing beats seeing her squealing happily because we have given in to her whims. And it pays off, she's active, she's happy and now, she's even walking! In the end, we are less stressed, we sleep more and we laugh more.


Here's Aqui with her first baby steps:

A REAR Christmas

Back to Work
After seven months of full-on full-time Aqui-entertainment, I'm whisked back to the reality of work. I was a bit surprised to find myself enjoying work. I feel a bit guilty for enjoying my time at work but I just don't think I'm cut out for full time motherhood -- and I have the utmost respect and awe to those who are. I miss Aqui every minute I'm at work but as Ronnel said, we are more motivated to work now - more than ever- because everything we do from hereon is for Aqui. Work means so much more now than just personal fulfillment. Nevertheless, the first days were a challenge not only for me but for Aqui too. She hasn't adapted quite yet to the fact that I'm no longer available 24/7 especially now that she's in the more-than-clingy-than-clingwrap stage. But after a few weeks, she got better.

First REAR* Christmas
We've prepared as much as we can for Aqui's first Christmas. We've had our family Christmas cards made (for free from Vistaprint - haha, they should pay me for this), had our Christmas tree up early, bought most gifts online to avoid the shopping rush and exposed Aqui to the Christmas spirit early. I'm sure she would have no recollection of this when she grows up but I'd like to think she enjoyed her first Christmas. We spent it with friends who we consider our family here in NZ.
*REAR - Ronnel, Einge, Aqui Rodriguez







Christmas Wishes
I posted my gratitude to Ronnel in Facebook - for making all my Christmas wishes come true. Of course, the first one (and most important one) is to have a little family Christmas. For the past five Christmases, it was just me and Ronnel with friends but nothing beats family of course. This year, we can say we spent it with our little family. God has a lot to do with us having little Aqui but Ronnel contributed too! :-) Another Christmas wish was for us to have childcare sorted. The first one didn't really work because Aqui was (and still is!) an attention-hogger which didn't do much for our carer's wee one so we had to find another carer who could give Aqui her undivided attention. Fortunately, we found one quite fast. Aqui is thriving and enjoying her time there. Our new carer has a 3-year old daughter who's so cute and makes Aqui laugh all the time. And Ronnel was very patient driving around the area child-care hunting with me. Third wish was for a robovacuum. Yep, you read it right. A robot vacuum. Before you call me lazy, let me tell my Time Consumption Theory. When you lose time, you'll never get it back. So make the most of it and spend your time on things that are most important to you. So, rather than spend my time vacuuming and cleaning the house, I'd spend it with Aqui and Ronnel, playing or just enjoying being with each other. Hence, I asked for a robovac. I've left subtle hints such as leaving the browser open with the a robovac on the page and not-so-subtle ones like telling him straight to his face that I'd like a robovac for Christmas. Ronnel was not really convinced that it's something worth spending money on so I stopped bugging him. One day, he asked me if I really wanted it for Christmas and I said yes, and so, he got me one. He's still not convinced that it's doing its job but he hasn't complained much. He still teases me that it's not really cleaning our home - but the dirt it collects in its bin shows otherwise. Plus, it sterilizes our carpet so I'm more confident to have Aqui roll and roll along our carpet. I named it "Vacki" and it has given me time to consume on things I prioritize more. So, thanks, dear hubby!

Here's Aqui and Vacki co-existing... Vacki cleans up after Aqui leaving a mess...


A New Year for REAR
We're looking forward to the new year. There's so much that we've planned for Aqui. We are hoping to have Aqui's 1st birthday in the Philippines so that she can spend time with her grandparents, cousins and other relatives. We're saving up for this big trip -- it's our first since we've been to NZ - and hopefully, we'll get a good deal in the Travel Fair (whenever that is).

Oh and before I forget, here are the latest Aqui updates....
Aqui has started eating "real food". She's past the "mashed everything" stage and has started to develop a liking for bread, rice and pasta. Truly a carbo baby!



She has also started "creeping"... crawling is not too far away!


Aqui Noises. She's been experimenting with her voice lately. Her favorite syllables are mamamamama and dadadadada amidst raspberry-blowing. This is cute but not at four in the morning when you're still in the middle of a relaxing sleep.



Eczema and Allergy. Aqui is suffering from mild eczema and she gets red blotches especially when it's really hot and humid. She gets itchy and grumpy too. So we've got lots of creams to put on her every time. I think this is the curse for most Filipino babies in NZ (some Kiwi babies have this too) but our doctor told us that it's because our skin is used to tropical weather. It could be the pollen here too. I got eczema on my arms when I got to NZ. Before this, my arms were ok both in Malaysia and the Philippines. I think it's just because it's so non-polluted here - I'm probably used to having the polluted air block out the UV rays from the sun. Another concern is Aqui's allergy towards dairy. It's sad because NZ has the best dairy in the world. We also get mixed advice on this. Our doctor told us to expose Aqui to dairy little by little for her to build up her immunities - i.e. me eating lots of cheese and milk so Aqui can have dairy second-hand. But the Eczema nurse told us to stop eating dairy as this attacks her immune system. This is not the first time we get mixed "expert" advice. I guess our job as parents is really to filter and decide which way to go.

She's now seven months old and it seems like it was yesterday when she did nothing but sleep all the time! Now, she's just so active and wants to go everywhere. She gets frustrated when she can't reach her current favorite toy and we try not to help her so that she can develop on her own. Whenever her temper flares, Ronnel and I point to each other on where she got her short fuse.

Anyway, that's all I have for the Aqui update this December. I'm off to sleep now. Oh yeah, we're co-sleeping - Aqui takes half the space in our bed while Ronnel and I squeeze in the other half. We decided to co-sleep because it's more convenient this way. Aqui sleeps through the night better between us and dream-feeding is a breeze. Plus nothing beats waking up to the sight of a laughing Aqui on top of you.

Six Month Bonanza!

by Aquiwee

I celebrated my sixth month birthday with friends who are celebrating their birthdays on the same day! Bianca shares my birthday while Ryan turned 1 today! So it's extra special (more food! with my official birthday food - Spaghetti and Cake care of my Ninang Doyeth.. for orders: please contact me!)




Here I am with my 6-month pressy from Mommy and Daddy!


Allergy Panic
Mommy almost had a panic attack when I had an allergy attack weeks ago. She wanted to wean me on formula as she's preparing to go back to work but it looks like I'm allergic to it! We spent a couple of hours at the clinic while the doctors gave me meds and observed my progress. It's official, I'm allergic to cow's milk. Good thing I've started eating so don't fret, I'm still getting my daily dose of nutrition!
Here I am swollen (no, it's not just my chubby cheeks) from formula - waiting for the doctor's decision on when we can go home.

I'm 5 months old! Weee!

by Aquiwee

I'm nearing a milestone. 1 more month and I'm six months old! But before that, let me enjoy my 5 month old moment first. I celebrated my 5th month birthday with Mommy and Daddy. It's an intimate moment for our li'l family as our glass windows cried and fogged with the cold and rainy weather outside.



Look at my Hello Kitty Cake!

Starting Solids
Another milestone for me is I've started eating solids! Well, not that you can call pureed everything "solids". I love pears and pumpkins but absolutely hate carrots (like my daddy!). Mommy says my poo smells now (like my daddy too! haha)
Look at me eat!



And here's a video of me being fed by daddy!


Starting to Sing
I think I'm going to be a singer someday. I've started vocalizing early in the morning which drove my parents nuts. Here's a clip of me singing my fave song and some pics of me sleeping in my parents' bed.






Missing My Grannies...
I miss talking to my lolo and lola in the Philippines. They are incommunicado for a while now since the torrential downpour of rain and floods in the Philippines (especially where they live - San Mateo. My other Lolo is ok now as he's in Makati with my Uncle). Mommy and Daddy just talk to them over the phone but I bet they miss seeing me via the Webcam. :-(

PS Here's a video of me and a boy-friend discussing world peace...

Ronnel's First Fathers' Day

New Zealand may be first in celebrating in Christmas and New Year's but it's late in celebrating Fathers' Day. They've long celebrated Fathers' Day in June in the Philippines while we've just had it yesterday. But that's fine-- the most important thing is that we celebrate it. And since it's Ronnel's first ever fathers' day, of course it's a big deal for us. So here's how we made the day special...

Fathers Day Breakfast



And we got him a mug where Aqui's photos magically appear when hot drink is poured into it..



In the afternoon, we had a household prayer meeting to pray for our friends who are celebrating this day followed by the first barbeque of the year. (Still waiting for photos from Paz...)


Aqui Outings
Aqui has been busy these past few weeks. We've been to the doctors' several times that I have their number on speed dial. It is quite rattling for a first time mum like me so whenever I feel something isn't right, I call the nurse or doctor right away. Maybe on our second child, I wont be as panicky anymore... haha. Aqui's had an infection on her middle finger because of her frequent thumbsucking (why not the thumb?) and we were given anti biotics for that. After 3 days, she got better. Then she got eczema from the changing weather (it's Spring now). After that, she got an infection again, this time on her ring finger. Ayayayayay.... She's all better now. Hopefully, she won't have any other "condition" in the next few weeks (months or years even, but that's too much to ask) otherwise, the doctor will think I'm a stalker.. haha

Here she is with friends...


And in her new chair (I got this special chair for 3 months and up.. to help them sit up. She's enjoying it a lot (a lot means for 25 minutes max).



And she attended Keisha's 1st Birthday party.. will be posting pics of that when I get them from Arnel.. :-)

100% Recovery from First Fever. Weee!!!

by Aquiwee

I have recovered from my very first fever and I'm back to my usual up and bouncy self.
Here I am with my fascination with our heatpump and my mom's phone....