Different Faces

And the countdown begins, 54 days to go before my first birthday and here's a sample layout of my photos. Dad is still working on it and is still ten pages short before the photo book is finished (dad's note: I am still learning to use Photoshop and it's going to be tough since I have zero knowledge about the software).

Dad captured my portrait in different expressions and the above collage are some of it. There are lots of photos to choose from the thousand or so pictures and I'll be sharing it with you in a couple of months.

Both my parents are preparing for my 1st birthday and they're having a hard time looking for a venue preferably located in Ortigas. They've found one but they only allow in-house catering. Anyway, they hope to find a suitable venue within the week or early next week so that they could move forward.

In other matters, I already got my passport (yippee!!) last Friday in time for our November Hongkong Trip. We all hope by that time the anger of the Chinese communities because of the hostage crisis here in Manila will dissipate so that we could enjoy our vacation even more.

Have a nice day everyone,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

I am now Ten Months Old

It's been a while since my last blog post. Anyway this will break my almost three weeks of silence.

At this point I am just beginning to understand many simple words and phrases, so it's more important than ever to keep talking to me. Give your chatterbox a head start on good speech patterns by repeating my words back to me using adult language. Try to avoid the tendency to use baby talk — it's fun, but hearing the right words is better for my development.

Though it may sometimes feel silly, having conversations with me baby is a great way to encourage my language skills. When I rattles off a sentence of gibberish, respond with "Oh, really? How interesting." I'll probably smile and keep chattering away.

I start to make the connections. I clap my hands together, specially when we are going to the park or to a mall or just outside our gate (daddy's note: she can now imitate what we are doing like clapping of hands, high five, raise of hands in the air, different sounds among others, I am more than amazed). Teeth are coming too, as of today two are partially visible and the other two are also ready to come out.

By the way, last Friday, dad and I went to Marikina River Park for a 5 km jog (See photos below and above).

Have a nice day to all,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

A Little Chat with Dad

Yesterday, I had a little chat with my dad while he was eating his breakfast and it goes something like this:


Dad: Hi Gabby, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Me: NR (No Reaction)
Dad: Gabby?!, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Me: Hmmm. (high pitch, like Ina Magenta of Okay Ka Fairy Ko)
Dad: (amazed and resigned) Gabby, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Me: Hrrrrr (in low voice like Gollum of the Lord of the Rings)

End of Discussion.

Dad's Note:

I wonder if she really understood what I was saying. To validate it, I asked her again last night (with her mom as witness):

Me: Gabby, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Gabby: Hrrrrr (in low voice, again like Gollum of the Lord of the Rings)
Mommy: Ha, ha, ha!

Honestly?, I don't have any plans of working abroad though it sometimes made me thought about it. I can't imagine myself leaving the two important person in my life just to work abroad. In this time of crisis I just hold on to God and hope that He will provide for our needs. Four months had past and our company is slowly recovering causes by the recession (I too, am slowly recovering from financial setbacks).

My wife said, "di ka makakatagal mag trabaho abroad" (you wont last working abroad). I believed her, just imagining it made me cry. These too special people in my life keeps me going, keeps me on dreaming and working hard. Maybe if my family is with me, I will reconsider working abroad.

I knew that dad was only joking when he asked me this question.

P.S: I am now a member of the "Facebook" community, thanks to my dad for creating my account

P.S. 2: Baby Zia, see you soon!

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Family Day @ Fun Ranch

Last Thursday (July 29, 2010) was my Dad's 35th Birthday. We went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Parañaque (along Macapagal Avenue) to apply for my passport as a preparation to our Hongkong trip this coming November 2010.

There is a courtesy lanes for infants (less than one year old) so we finished the whole process in less than 2 hours (dad's note: Though still far from their 30-minute per transaction target, I may say that it is still fast compare with the old system, not to mention the new facilities we enjoyed). Anyway, after DFA we went straight to Tiendesitas in Ortigas for our lunch and afterwhich we went to the "Fun Ranch" to enjoy some rides there (yippee!).

I rode an electronic pony to my delight, all you have to do is insert a 10-peso coin (dad's note: though I did not insert a coin, my Gabby enjoyed it even better) . I even shout "ya! ya!" as I moved my hands and feet as if I was riding a real pony. Though I bumped my lips on the pony's head a couple of times, it did not bothered me that much (dad's note: we thought that Gabby's lips was badly hurt but nothing was serious, whew!)

We also rode the train and enjoyed it for a couple of minutes then we crossed a hanging bridge, dad was carefully crossing the bridge when mom intentionally shook it to scare my dad (dad's note: she was successful, she knew that I'm too scared crossing a hanging bridge)

It was an enjoyable day for us (dad's note: and most of all for me)

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

A Beauty Queen and/or A Model?

Another weekend with full of surprises and fun, This time an unplanned pictorial which made my parents and relatives smile with glee. Two of the many poses I've done in front of my dad's Cameron (that's what dad called his Canon Camera) is the topic of my blog post today.

The above photo was choreographed by my dad, he let me stand on a chair while I was holding on the handle and dad told me that at the count of three to turn my head in front of the camera, it was not an easy pose though.

The 2nd photo was a bit free flowing, dad just let me play and shoot several shots and this was the result . I was wearing a crown on my head and waved my hands as if I won in a beauty contest.

Dad love these photos and she thank me for being cooperative (whew!). Am I going to be a Beauty Queen or a Print Model?. But I am afraid non of the above, dad told me that I should not consider it as a profession and I should only do it during my free time (dad's note: I prefer you should be a print model and I am your photographer, LOL. Honestly?, I am praying that you choose a profession/career wisely, I'll be there to guide you every step of the way though I have my own biases).

That's how we play, we've learned from each other even if I am just 9 months old.

Have a nice day everyone,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

I've Learned to Stand and Sit

I am getting closer and closer to full-fledged walking. I can crawl and cruise, moving around upright while holding onto furniture. I also learn how to bend my knees and how to sit after lifting my tummy and stretched my knees. It's harder to master than you might think! (dad's note: Gabby is just too excited with the things she learned. Most often than not, she just moved around as if she is a grown up kid and our heart sometimes pumps nervously.)

It's time for dad to move down my crib's mattress (I might try climbing soon) (dad's note: already did it this morning).

Yesterday I had some minor head bumps because of this new routine, it's part of growing up I guess (dad's note: be careful Gabby) and tear off a small portion of our linoleum (dad's note: oops!!)

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Emir: The First Movie I Watched on the Big Screen

Mom and dad love to watch movies. They watch all but one genre (horror movies). This is one of the many thing they want to do together and when they watch "Emir", they tag me along.

It's a nice movie because I love music very much and it's very entertaining though I only watched the first 30 minutes of the movie (I slept until the movie was finished). I'll let dad write his review.

Thank God, almost all of the rashes on my body was gone. I've got this so called "tigdas hangin" (dad said it's air measles, ha! ha! ha!) and I don't have a cough anymore, yipeee!!!

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

While My Baby Sleeps (My Daddy's Tale)

Let me share with you a short tale from my dad.

My baby had a cough for more than two weeks now and it was a little uncomfortable (or traumatic I guess) for her to take her medicine. She automatically closes (or bite) her lips whenever she saw the medicine dropper. We don't have a choice but to force her to open her mouth (have you imagine 8 month old baby struggling not to drink her medicine?) she cries eventually.

After giving her the antibiotic for her cough, I carried her (though my lower back really hurts) and explained to her why she needs to take her medicine. I talked to her as if she was an adult kid, showing her the dates and frequency of taking her medicine. I told her that in three days she will stopped taking her medicine. I thought she understood it well, she stopped crying and leaned her head on my shoulder.

I hummed to let her sleep, a few times she will lift her head and stared at me as if she was saying "daddy, promise 3 days to go?", I kissed and embraced her. We go to bed and I sung her songs to help her sleep, after a few more minutes she was sleeping soundly as if nothing happened.

I had teary eyes while watching her fall asleep and I was just too proud that I did help her sleep again (it's difficult for me to do it most of the time). Looking at her innocent face made me wonder. How could a small baby like her made her parents so proud and at the same time make us happy and blessed even if she is just sleeping? I guess, that's the blessing of being a parent. A child takes away all her parents' problems, anxieties, sadness, name any negative emotions and these will fade away just by seeing your child get excited to hug and kiss you as you arrived from work.

While my baby sleeps, I watched her serene and worry-free face. After all the crying, she knew that everything will be okay because we say so, that the difficulty of drinking her medicine is just temporary and necessary. She just trust what I had said, because I am her father. I wonder when will I become like her, like a child, trusting our Almighty Father no matter how difficult life is. Though I've heard it many times, I learned the lesson from a child, to trust God even more because He said it. With this, I embraced my child and I fall asleep.

"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."- Matthew 18:2-4

Have a nice day to all,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Twelve Reasons Why Babies Cry

Here are the twelve (12) most common reasons why babies cry.

Hunger - this is probably the first thing parents think when babies cry. Better learn and recognize the signs of hunger. In my case I have feeding time. Now that I eat solid foods, i am eating with them during lunch and dinner to establish eating habits. So far it works.

A dirty diaper - some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others can tolerate a dirty diaper for quite a while. In my case I tolerate it most of the time.

Needs sleep - babies need a lot of sleep for sure and we often cry when we are overly tired. I usually don't have a problem sleeping at night because I know my cue (when dad prepare our bed).

Wants to be held - babies need a lot of cuddling. We like to see our parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell. Crying can be our way of asking to be held close.

Tummy troubles (gas, colic, and more) - tummy troubles associated with gas or colic can lead to lots of crying. I have my own experience of tummy trouble. Believe me, it's a very uncomfortable feeling.

Needs to burp - this is one of the solution to tummy troubles because we swallow air when being fed. if the air isn't released it may cause some discomfort.

Too cold or too hot - most of the time I cried when it's too hot.

Something small - Babies can be troubled by something as hard to spot as a hair wrapped tightly around a tiny toe or finger, cutting off circulation. (Doctors call this painful situation a "hair tourniquet," and it's one of the first things they look for if a baby seems to be crying for no reason.) And some babies are extra sensitive to things like scratchy clothing tags or fabric.

Teething - teething can be painful as each new tooth pushes through tender young gums. Some babies suffer more than others, but all are likely to be fussy and tearful at some point along the way.

Wants less stimulation - babies learn from the stimulation of the world around them, but sometimes we have a hard time processing it all — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to hand. Crying can be our way of saying, "I've had enough."

Wants more stimulation - a "demanding" baby may be outgoing and eager to see the world. And often the only way to stop the crying and fussing is to stay active. This can be exhausting but luckily my parents often bring me as often as they can. My parents doesn't want me confined just in the four corners of our house 24/7. (dad's note: it helps stimulate our baby's senses, we go to the park or mall most of the time and the opportunity to learn is very big)

Not feeling well - check her temperature to rule out a fever and be alert for other signs of illness. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from one caused by hunger or frustration.

Source: Baby Center

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Bonding with My Dad on the Day of P-Noy's Inauguration

Right after President Noynoy's (P-Noy)Inauguration, dad and I went to Marikina River Park for a short bonding while my Tita lola was disinfecting our house.

I always enjoy siting (or riding) on my stroller because I am more free to look at my surroundings and love it at the same time. Of course, I love spending my time with my mom and dad. We sing, we dance, we play peek-a-boo, we go to mall and park and most of the time we tickle each other.

After a few minutes of staying under the Marikina bridge while watching some people catching fish, we went to Marikina Sports Park and enjoy the fountain. We wanted to stay a little longer but it was about to rain so we run back home (the rain poured about an hour after we arrived home).

We stayed outside our gate waiting for the disinfectant's smell to subside. We played once more, laughing and laughing until we got tired. That was how we spent our weekend most of the time.

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

2nd Shot of Flu Vaccine

I was again given a flu vaccine, it was the 2nd and the last flu vaccine administered to me. The next flu vaccine will be a year thereafter. As usual, I don't even cry and just looked at my pediatrician.

I weigh 7.40 kilos ( 16.28 lbs.), I lose some weight since last month, I don't know if it because I was sick a week ago and now I have cough (again). The doctor just advised mom to continue giving me salbutamol, she doesn't heard on her stethoscope any indication that I have phlegm. I am still being observed if the couch and phlegm was due to allergic reaction. The funny thing was, I am not coughing whenever I am seeing a doctor and the moment I step out of the clinic I start to cough again (dad's note: are you preventing it, Gabby?).

After my check-up, we went to a supermarket to buy a few stuff needed like laundry soap, bath soap, biscuits among others. I was enjoying riding in the grocery cart, whoosh!!!. Dad did not realized that the cart actually has a seater for babies to ride in the cart comfortably.

But dad wondered, if it is safe for babies, to ride in the grocery cart, specially with bacterias. The cart is exposed to such because many are using it and the chance of spreading germs is high. An independent body tested the cart by swabbing some of the area usually touched by shoppers. The swab was sent to a lab and was tested positive with bacteria and fungus that can cause disease.

The solution: shopping cart cover. (dad's note: it's a little bit expensive but it will protect our baby from germs because chances are without this kind of protection, they might get sick. Babies often put their hands in their mouth and There would come a time that we can't prevent our baby to ride in the shopping cart).

I hope I'll be okay soon. I am missing some gatherings because of the cough.

P.S.: I was able to sit on my own last night, I wonder if I could repeat it again the soonest time without any effort. Anyway I am still practicing more to make it perfect.

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

I'm Eight Months Old

I turned eight months old last Wednesday and we simply celebrated it with some pizzas. Let me share with you on how far have I accomplished for the past four months.

I am now creeping (pushing myself around on my belly), and sometimes practicing lifting my belly, as if I am doing push-ups. I was able to figure out how to move forward and backward by pushing off with my knees. I usually do the"combat crawl", a variation in which one leg is the pusher and the opposite arm the lead puller.

All of these variations on crawling strengthen the muscles that will soon enable me to walk. It's fascinating to see how I solves the problem of getting around (dad's note: she made us all smile in awe, she has so much courage to try new things).

I am able to pull myself up to a standing position while holding on to furniture or on my crib's railing. I also let mom and dad watch my tricks which made their heart jump. I could sit without any support but I am still practicing to sit on my own from lying position.

At this stage some parents put their children in baby walkers, but that's not a good idea. Walkers are unsafe: they discourage floor play, which helps her learn to walk by giving her opportunities to crawl, pull up, and cruise while holding on to furniture — all activities that lead to walking. (dad's note: we've learned this in a seminar, pacifier is another item which is not in our list to buy).

That's all for now.

P.S.: In less that 3 months I'll be having a new playmate. See you soon baby Zia (soon to be child of Ninong Joel and Ninang Agirl).

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.