Bi-Lingual Kid

My wife and I wants to train Caitlin to be proficient in English, Bicol and in Filipino. Tonight, while we are playing with Caitlin, she responds correctly if we ask her to show her feet/tiil, eyes/mata, head/ulo, tummy/tiyan, teeth/ngipun.

I feel that she's more proficient in comprehending Bicol than Filipino since we speak the former at home and would speak in English from time to time. The funny thing is that Caitlin would pronounce English words with a strong accent learned from her nanny (who is also a Bicolano herself).

I can't blame her, it's the nanny who spends most of the time reading books with her. That can change since my wife just ended her residency.

One Saturday - A Family Day

Several days ago, our maid left us (several days back, our daughter's nanny also left). I had to call my sister to man the house and accompany my daughter while my wife and myself are in the office; luckily, my mom was scheduled to visit us last Thursday.

It's difficult not have a maid in the house, worse if you have a kid and no nanny to take care of. But for us, it gave us a chance in the family to be together, doing households. Our daughter woke up during the weekends, and my sister was already downstairs making our breakfast.

I didn't have a chance to have breakfast during the weekend, instead I did the laundry (I am the only one who could operate the washing machine). After the first batch, I realized that our former maid transferred the drying area; there are now designated drying area with your unit no. on it. And I also found out that we didn't have enough hangers. When going back to the unit, I decided to ask my dad (who arrived while I was doing the fist batch of clothes) to bring the rest to my grandma's house. We are going there tomorrow anyway to celebrate my mom's birthday.

While doing the second batch of clothes, I decided to cook our brunch - fried rice with eggs (next time, I will get fried garlic in the supermarket to make garlic fried rice); while my sister helped me prepared the ingredients.

Right after doing the laundry, Tin and I decided to make Ampalaya (bitter melon) con Carne. It was already past 12pm when we finished hanging up our clothes to dry. Tin did most of the chores; but the major thing I did was to add chopped hot chili to the Amapalaya. Tin did all the cooking; I was the one who added the seasoning and ensure it just tasted right (well, Tin decided what is "right"). While she was cooking, I was washing the dishes (that we used in the morning).

Nanay liked the Ampalaya con Carne, but she almost choked when she had the first bite - it was very hot! I chopped 3 hot chili on sliced 3-pc Ampalaya.

We finished lunch around 2pm. After an hour, my mom asked me to prepare the snacks (which I promised her since tomorrow is her birthday) because my father wanted to leave before 5pm. Kristine's idea of snack is a honey-coated Saba, rolled in corn starch. I just followed her instruction (she fell asleep while texting). I didn't slice the bananas into thinner pieces, but Tin woke up on time to remind me. Since the bananas were ripe already, it was difficult for me to slice them vertically. I just improvised, as long as I sliced it into smaller pieces.

Then I bought ice cream (Mango with Cashew nuts) that would go with the honey-coated banana. To make the story short, they liked it. It was an improvised banana ala mode (but I need to remember to do it on a non-stick pan next time). By the time Tin was half-way with her snacks, Tatay and Nanay were done and asked me what he will bring back to Sun Valley. My parents left shortly for Sun Valley.

It was a long day for everyone, but it was all worth it. I realized that due to the convenience of life, sometimes I would tend to forget that household chores bring a family together.

Guilt Feeling

Last Sunday, I brought Caitlin to UP as originally planned this morning.

Before that, I went to the office with my wife (who took a cab to UDMC) and I worked on some stuff that I needed this week. I wanted to stay until the evening, but I felt guilty to do away with the original plan. But it took me 30min or so to finalize my decision.

I am just relieved that I did what I originally planned. Caitlin and I played football until it rained. I also carried her on my shoulders, which I normally do (I prefer this than carrying her on my arm).

Running up and down the mound near the College of Music, kicking the ball as she shouted with glee, easily worn her out. I was also got tired easily, shooting pictures of her. Then we walked to the football ground, she stayed with her nanny's arms; sometimes I would take her on my shoulders.

After seeing a group of soccer players, she was looking for her soccer ball. She started playing on the field, but every time a ball would get near us from a female soccer team (who was waiting for their turn to play on the field), she wanted to play with the bigger ball.

Finally, we went to church to attend mass.

This is one of those priceless moments. Regardless of the stress in the office, this one surely overcomes it.

Fixing a cabinet

The kitchen cabinet wouldn't close completely. I figured that it might be the hinges; besides, the hinges are becoming rusty (it supposed to be stainless, but then again, I took the cheapest). So it lasted barely a year.

I decided to buy replacement hinges from DIY near the office; originally, I just wanted to have a workaround and buy some sort of a male/female lock (I saw such type on our cabinets in our house back in the province). I was excited to fix the cabinet. It was really urgent because roaches could get in through the gaps.

Right after arriving from the office, I just checked my daughter; play with her a couple of minutes and started checking the cabinet.

To make the story short, these hinges require adjusting to ensure that the cabinet door would fit into the frame (almost) perfectly. It took me 2 hours to fix it - in the end, it was only a bit better than before. My legs were stiff; my pants were soak wet by my sweat - and it didn't even come closer to my expectations.

The good thing I was able to compare these hinges with the ones I am used to - butterfly hinges. I figured out how to adjust it after screwing in/off the hinges from its positions several times. I also realized how much I care about the cabinet (when I was a bachelor, you need to offer a lit candle for me if you see me fixing things in the house) and the house. I was also very proud showing it to my daughter, whom I want to share this trait when she grows up.

Kaizen - next time, I will check the internet for more info before taking out parts of the house. Ironically, I would strongly pushed the employees under me to read the manual of our products.

Luckily, it was only a cabinet door. Otherwise, I would still be stuck tonight.

Rare Moments

One of those rare pictures that my wife and I are together. This was taken last December during Mommy's birthday celebration.

Play House Anyone?

Yesterday, we celebrated Lola's 97th birthday. While everyone was preparing for the big day, Manay Cuttie showed me her kids play house.

If I got the measurement right, the area is almost the same as our living room and kitchen combined! I told Kristine that Caitlin should have this in her itinerary when visiting Sorsogon.

When Manay Cuttie showed it to me, I thought it was a full blown house. This one seems bigger than a GK-built houses. The place is full of toys for the kids. According to her, kids love it; but it's difficult for parents to ask their kids to go home.

The picture on the left is the bedroom, but it also serves like an attic. I think 5 kids (not older than 10 yo) could fit in there. You can see some stuff toys on the bed corner. While taking this picture, I realized that I am quite heavy and the 2nd floor might collapes (my pamangkin, Jarra, and 2 of her friends may not be heavier than 40lbs each). Surprisingly, the flooring never made a sound screaming for me to get out of the place.

Oh, and it has its own AC unit!

And here's the kitchen and the living room of the house. I didn't check the plastic box on the corner, but I assume it's one of those portable cooking stoves that you can buy in the hardware store in Manila. I didn't test the faucet, but knowing my cousins, I am sure it's working. This is really something for the kids to enjoy.

It might sound weird, but you can use this to train your kids on the house chores without breaking those expensive plates and glasses.

Well, what are you waiting for! Come and visit the Cubias Family's Play House! Located in Macabog, Sorsogon.

Hey Manay Cuttie and Manoy Joey, it's a heck of a play house!

Playing with Water - Learning not to drink pool water

Last December, while waiting for the rain to stop Caitlin was having her rare tantrum. So I took her outside the house and let her play with the water flowing on the busted roof gutter (there are several plastic containers spread around the garage as a water catch).

I remember the water was quite cold and it was also windy. Kristine was trying to stop me from taking our kid out because she might catch colds (or her colds might get worse, I can't remember). But Kristine normally wants our daughter to stay inside if it's raining or chilly outside.

I let Caitlin dipped her feet on the water in the container; sometimes I would let her legs catch the water from the gutter. She loved it. The reason for doing this is because I also grew up loving the rain (back in college, I was still playing with my cousins outside the house when it was raining hard) and I want her to experience growing up with nature.

And 2 weeks ago, I brought Caitlin in the pool side. There is an area for kids and I had Caitlin played there (attended, of course). I tried not to force her to go to the deeper area. Instead, I let her get a feel of the water. Then, after 2 minutes or so, I would bring her deeper. The deepest is (Caitlin's) chest-deep. After 10 minutes of letting get the hang of the pool, I just saw her trying to drink the pool water (imagine a Pelican swooping with its bill down ready to catch a fish in the water) - she did this twice, and twice I caught her before she could actually drink the pool water. I guess she mistaken it as a big drinking pool.

Once she was comfy in the pool, I would drag her around with her whole body floating. She just loved it! Sadly, I didn't have the camera with me.

I don't know if kids who show love o f the water means they will also like to learn how to swim when they grow up. But I am excited to bring Caitlin to the Guinlajon area to swim on the river and visit the falls with me and Kristine.

KT's First Meal on her Hi-Chair

Kristine and I bought a hi-chair for Caitlin. Lately she could walk and the nanny had to hold her during the fomer's meals. Here are some recent pictures taken during lunch time. This is the first time she used the hi-chair and she didn't complain.

The hi-chair has a restraint, but is not convenient for Caitlin after having tried it. Besides, she simpy fits on the chair that she won't be able to get out; except topple down the chair itself.

She seems to be enjoying her lunch on the chair. She didn't complain, luckily. I really thought that she would give the nanny a hard time trying it out. But she didn't. Mana talaga sa itay.

Vocalization

In the last 2 weeks, Caitlin loves to exhibit her loud voice to whoever is around. Here's a footage:



Just imagine you are on her side when she does it. On the otherhand, I see a potential of a singer.

Tree Climbing Experience

Caitlin found a way to practice tree climbing skills, via my legs. Here's the footage.

Learning Session with Tita-Lola Norms

Last weekend, I brought the family to Sun Valley to visit Lola and the gang. We stayed there overnight.

One of the highlights is when Tita Norms taught Caitlin how to make sounds using her her hand. Here are a couple of videos taken.



This is the first time I saw Caitlin being taught. She picks up easily (Tito Pits arrived on the same day, he taught Caitling the Paquiao moves but I wasn't able to catch in the video).

KT's First Birthday Party - 09202008

Last September 8, we celebrated Caitlin's first birthday at home. We couldn't celebrate it with our extended family since Kristine was catching up with her in-service exam and I was also preparing for my boss's arrival the week after Caitlin's actual birthday party. This is aside from the fact that we couldn't make up our minds where to hold the birthday party. (I cancelled our reservation on the pool side in our place in the last minute, even without any alternative place in mind).

The first place that we checked was Bagoong Club, just around the corner of T. Morato branch of Starbucks. I liked the place since it reminded me of the houses in Sorsogon when I was still a kid. I would say the house was constructed around the 60s to early 70s, at least, the design was reflective of such period. It was homey as well. But after checking it, the place was a bit pricey for what we wanted (we planned for afternoon snacks, not dinner), worse, it wouldn't open earlier than 6pm. After the Bagoong Club, we still looked around and found Gerry's near the ABS-CBN area; the price and place are okay, but we still wanted to look for alternative place in Greenhills. We put Gerry's as the last alternative if we really can't find one.

Kristine wanted us to check Cravings; but got lost, instead, she saw Bellisimo (just around the corner, near RCBC branch). She immediately remembered a news article about the place and realized it's owned by Cesar Montano. Personally, I had no interest of having the place for a KT's birthday party. But I was hungry and decided maybe it's a good place to have afternoon snacks.

To make the story short, we liked Cesar's place due to the interior (reminds me of the restos I visited in Europe) and the food specifically. (I am writing another article for the review of the resto).

The birthday party was composed of family members, I obliged Tin to invite her friends from UDMC since 90% of the guests are related to me. Tin's family showed up through her sister in-law who came with her mom; Tin's niece was also with us. I invited Bing and Lalaw on the last minute since I thought Lea invited them. Sadly, Manay Titin and family couldn't join since Kuya Ariel was held up on a lunch meeting with his boss.

The Sun Valley group came in around 1.30pm, while we came in around 3pm. Guests started pouring in around 4pm. But the main event started around 3.45pm. There was no kiddie party, instead it was just a family gathering with few of Kristine's friends.

The place that we rented was enough for the number guests we were expecting. And enough space for some to go around and chat from one table to another.

Additional pictures can be seen here.

3 Generations of Laurio Girls

Taken during Nanay's visit last May '08.

Taken Nanay's visit on Sep '08.

Family Picture

Visit to Bulacan Novitiate

My uncle-priest started reporting in their Novitiate in Bulacan. One time, I decided to bring KT with me in attending a morning mass on the said place.

We arrived late and my uncle was the officiating priest. I let the nanny find her own seat since the chapel was already full; I found one available chair beside an African novice. I never thought that KT might be afraid of the novice because of his skin color, let alone the fact that KT rarely gets to see other people than the close members of the family (we only brought her once to SM Megamall to buy something, otherwise, she stays at home). When she saw the African (later turned to be from Uganda), she stared at him probably trying to figure out why he has a different color than us. The African noticed her and extended his hand; KT withdrew and looked the other way. To make this section short, before the mass ended KT was already trying to get hold of the cross pendant of the African novice.

During the communion, she was really happy to see people walking around. She was waving her hands and tried clapping; she wasn't satisfied and started to shout (luckily the priest didn't hear her) and calling the other people's attention. That's the time I decided to let her stay outside the chapel. I would say that was a considerable improvement - twice that I had to bring her out of the church every time the choir sang and she would 'sang' with them.

While waiting for my uncle, I sat on the bench nearby several elders. One elder noticed her and played hide-seek with KT. The kid was smiling ear to ear! I know when she really likes to play because she would shout and show all her teeth to everyone! And this is one of those situations. They played for 10 minutes and another elder would say, "bibo 'tong batang 'to".

The place has a large area to play with. I saw the lawn and brought KT to try it out (it was wet) - the mud was all over her feet. But she didn't complain and wanted to stay in the lawn longer.

When the time came to meet my uncle, we were brought inside the dining room. There we met the African and another Thai novice. She still didn't want to be with the African novice but I gave her anyway. She neither cried nor complain - she just went along. I had to get padi's laptop from the car so I decided to leave her with the novices. By the time I went back, she was being taken around the kitchen and being introduced to the members of the religious group. I had to leave them though because I had to fix my uncle's internet connection.

After a couple of hours when I got back, she was with her nanny looking around the area. She was calm and the nanny told me that she behaved all the time and the novices liked her - she smiles a lot.

We left afterwards. But I promised to her to bring her back again and maybe let her play with the kids who live nearby.

How I wish my wife was there to see her kid being liked easily by strangers.

Playing with Balloons

I took Caitlin to Robertson's to buy some supplies. She immediately saw these balloons on the pictures. I took 2 for her. When we got home, she was very excited and wouldn't let go of the balloons. In the afternoon, she went out with her nanny and played with Bolt. For no apparent reason, the balloons were left on top of the coffee table and Bolt took it. It didn't last a minute and the balloons were gone.

When I went out to check (she was yelling, "boot, bakukung, boot, bakukung"), she was complaining to me that the dog took her balloons. She actually did well on explaining the situation to me via hand signs than through her verbal skills. I am also learning to understand her vocabularies.

Make way for the Princess

Walking with Mom and Tita Lea

My wife has very few pictures with our kid or with me (althrough out relationship before getting married, we didn't have a picture together).

Lately, I decided to take some and upload it in our family blog. Here's a couple of my favorites - KT walking with her Mom and Tita Lea.

KT's Way of Eating Orea

Our little princess likes to eat almost anything. She loves crackers; one time while in UP campus, I decided to let her try Oreo cookies. From there on, I would buy her Oreo cookies.

The nanny doesn't like her eating Oreo because it messes up her clothes and the crumbs are all over the place. Mahirap nga naman ang maglaba at mag-punas ng sahig. I still let KT have Oreo cookies once in a while.

Here's her way of having an Oreo cookie. Not a good one, but a good start. When she starts taking Nido (which I grew up with) or any adult milk, I would teach her how to eat Oreo the proper way.

My Mom and Me