My sweet little Andoy

Before I leave the office everyday, I always make it a point to give little Andoy a kiss and a hug even on days when he sleeps late in the morning. And every night when I come home from the office, I also hug and kiss him and always ask how his day was.

I got home a bit late this evening because I had to finish some work in the office. Hubby and little Andoy were watching TV in our room when I arrived at around 8:30 pm. I immediately went upstairs, swung the door wide and said “Hello, my little boy! How are you?” He immediately stood up and gave me a kiss and a hug. Then to my surprise (and to my husband’s surprise, too), he said “Dad, kiss mommy!” pointing to me while jumping up and down and grinning from ear to ear. Isn’t he the sweetest? Dad didn’t just give me a peck but also gave me a hug. Little Andoy jumped in and we had one big group hug.

Looking back and looking forward

It's the third day of 2012 and this is my first blog post for this year!

I wasn't able to blog much last month because I was caught in the holiday rush. Plus, there was the 'no long weekend' Christmas weekend that made our Christmas celebrations "so bitin".

My little Andoy was down with fever and cough a few days before Christmas and since his fever was on and off for three days already, we had to bring him in the emergency room of a nearby hospital on Christmas day where his CBC and platelets were checked to make sure that there's no dengue fever part 2 for him. The doctor also advised for a lung x-ray because of his tight and chesty cough. Thank God that after spending Christmas for more than two hours in the emergency room, we were all set to go home. The doctor gave him a couple of home medications to take for several days. And so all of Andoy's "aguinaldo" for that day went straight to Mercury Drug hehe.

I had to go back to work the day after Christmas where I was swamped with so many e-mails. I spent 12 grueling hours of work in the office during that day. It made me wonder if our clients even celebrated Christmas at all! Why would they send tons of work-related e-mails on Christmas eve and Christmas day?

And just when I thought that I will be spending the last long weekend of 2011 sleeping late in the morning and bonding with my family, I caught the 'cough+cold+fever virus'! I spent most of the long weekend lying in bed and coughing my lungs out. Fortunately, I felt a little better a few hours before New Year that's why I was able to get out of the room to eat and celebrate with hubby, Andoy and the rest of my husband's family to welcome 2012. God is really good.

Looking back at all the blessings for the past years, I thank God for taking care of my family and loved ones and for providing us with all our needs. Every blessing, may it be big or small, is still a blessing. Thank you, Lord, for all that you have bestowed upon us.

Looking forward to more of life's simple pleasures in 2012!

Good vibes to everyone!

 

Source: http://www.free-wallpapers-free.com

Look who's busy

While most people are busy shopping for gifts during this time of the year, Andoy is busy with something else... busy with the iPad! Hubby and I couldn't get our hands on the iPad when Andoy is playing his games.

Helping mommy collect earnings from the stalls in Snoopy's Street Fair

I don't really mind not being able to use it when Andoy is around. Actually, I enjoy watching him tapping and sliding his fingers on the thing. It's as if he's an adult already. I even downloaded a lot of games for him. There are a lot of educational games on the App Store that can help develop his skills. I downloaded puzzle games, nursery rhymes, animal sounds, alphabet games, number games and the likes.

Hubby and I just have one tiny bit of a problem... and that's taking away the iPad from Andoy when it's time to go to sleep :)

I won! Finally!

Last November 11, 2011, I saw a Facebook contest post from Smart Parenting. I just have to send a Twitpic of one of my favorite articles in their website. Only the first 15 entries will win so I immediately upload a Twitpic. I think I was the third valid entry. Yay! I was so happy because I know I am a sure winner even without the confirmation e-mail yet in my inbox.

You see, I am one of those few people who never won in any raffle draw or contest. I don’t remember winning any contest or raffle that I joined (not even a cake raffle, hmpf!).

I have been working for almost 12 years of my life (eight years in my present company). And in the 12 Christmas parties that I attended, I always leave each party empty handed, sigh… The latest was just last December 8 during our company Christmas party. Oh well, I think it’s not yet my time to win. Who knows? Maybe I’ll win the grand prize next year. Still keeping my fingers crossed (even my toes!) J

Going back to my first ever winning moment, I asked my hubby to go with me earlier today to claim my prize in Mandaluyong since I have no work in the office. We usually do not have work the day after our Christmas party. Amidst the pouring rain and “usad pagong” traffic, I finally got my prize! Yipee!

I got a Smart Parenting book on raising a preschooler and their special issue of smart pregnancy. I can apply the tips on raising a preschooler in a few months time when Andoy starts schooling next year. The smart pregnancy magazine I can only read now and will apply the useful tips in a few years time J

My winnings

Reunited

After only seeing each other on Skype and Yahoo Messenger video calls for the past ten months, Andrei, my husband and I finally reunited. At exactly 11am last November 16, we're one big happy family again when we fetched my husband from NAIA terminal 1.

It was Andoy's first time to fetch his dad from the airport. He was squealing with delight when he saw his dad approaching us. He was screaming "Dad!" and was struggling away from my mom's arms to go to his dad while I record his reaction on video. The people in the waiting area laughed when they saw Andoy's reaction. That scene was exactly what I had in my mind for the past few weeks when the flight details were confirmed. It was indeed a happy day for our family.

 Running around while waiting for dad.

See the chipped vinyl tiles? Andoy said "Eeewww!" when he saw that, hahaha! I guess our airport really needs some improvements. Even kids criticize it :)

With Wowo, which is lolo in Andoy's dictionary, looking tired from chasing him.

 My two boys. Such a sweet scene :)

I am so grateful that we will be spending Christmas and New Year together as a family. We have to make the most of our time together because time flies so fast. We'll never know if in just a month or so, my husband will be leaving us again to board the ship.

Andrei turns three!

Yesterday, November 8, was Andoy's third birthday. We had a simple dinner celebration at my parents' house. I left the office shortly after lunch to help with the food preparation and to buy his cake. Before 6pm, Andrei and I went to the church to attend mass for thanksgiving.

Luckily, his dad will be arriving next week after a ten-month contract in the ship so Andrei will have a bigger post-birthday celebration on Saturday. I am also excited about his next party because I was planning to make it a Thomas the tank engine party. My boy loves Thomas. He also loves Lightning McQueen but he has been more inclined with Thomas lately.

From the look on his face, you can tell that he enjoyed his birthday celebration.

Happy birthday my little Andrei! Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

Andoy's halloween shirt

The first trick or treat activity that my little Andrei participated in was last year. I made him a ghost costume out of a white cloth. I do not want to buy him costumes being sold in the department stores yet because I'm not sure if he will wear it. Well, guess what? I made the right decision! He only wore his costume for approximately 30 minutes that we didn't had the chance to take a picture of him as he was crying and struggling to get out of his costume.

The 2011 trick or treat activity in our neighborhood was held last Sunday, October 30. A few weeks before, I was a bit worried that Andoy will not be able to attend because I know I still couldn't convince him to wear any costume. Then one day before the event, we went to Robinson's Metro East and I saw a lot of halloween-inspired shirts for kids! There are a lot of designs to choose from and they come in orange, black, gray and white colors.

I got him the gray shirt which says "Daddy's pumpkin" with an orange pumpkin below the caption.

I would have bought him the orange shirt which says "I love Mummy" with a drawing of a mummy but there are no more sizes available for Andoy. I sure am a biased mom! LOL

I didn't have any problem putting on this shirt on Andoy. Actually, he was even excited to wear the shirt because he thought we were going to the mall.

And here is a picture of Andrei, together with his cousins, who were all dressed up. And because he was scared of his own cousins with all their costumes and make up, he was reluctant to pose near them!