Mix&Match

Gabbie @ One and Half (re-post)

2012-01-30T20:59:00.000+08:00

I just had to post this here. This was originally posted in my FB account, months before I revived this blog.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=115086034816

Dowa. that's what she calls Dora, her favorite cartoon that she never misses to watch every single day.
she's behaved when she watches Dora. I can cook, bathe, clean the house and even do facebook.
at 18 months, Gabbie knows more than 20 words- dog, cat, bird, mommy, daddy, kucko, ninang, lolo, among others.

She can say her name when you ask her what her name is, she says NO when she doesnt want something, she nods when she wants it.

Nobody taught her to sing and dance, but she does it a lot, especially the dance. her favorite dance music are the 3-in-1 plus one (ice cream), all the single ladies, low, and some Wowowee music. She screams at game shows, she laughs and even cries when people in the show are crying.

She recognizes babies, cats, dogs, airplanes and birds on tv. she dances We Did It dance with Dora, she screams Map! when Dora asks "who do we ask for help, blah blah, blah.." and says Backpack when Dora says so.

She knows the names of her toys b heart- Fridolin, Elmo, Jollibee, Frida, the Cars, Picachu, the Dog, etc. But of all, she always embraces Elmo and brings it anywhere with her as if its her bestfriend. She watches Sesame Street on tv every afternoon.

She no longer sits on her high chair during meal times. Instead, she gets her own (low) chair, she sits, rather stand- beside me or her daddy and she eats her food by herself. She likes soups, just like her daddy. She eats a lot when we have sinigang, nilaga, sopas, noodles- anything with sabaw. she also like sayote. she eats sayote like french fries. she also likes fish. she's not much into pork and beef. she sometimes likes chicken.

After eating and her hands are dirty, she shows us her hands and asks us to clean it. when you tell her to wipe her hands and mouth using her lampin, she will get her lampin (she knows where to get it). if you tell her you need wipes to clean her hands, she will get the wipes. she also knows where to find it.

She gets her board books when i tell her to read them. and she gets her toys when i tell her to just sit in a corner and play. she writes on a makeshift study table too. and lies down when you tell her to, especially when its dede time already.

When she poops, she will touch her tummy and say poopoo. when you tell her to go to the cr to wash pipi, she will go before you do. she can also remove her pants and panty, and can put on and remove her shoes.

All our cabinets have locks already, including the ref. she can already open it and choose the food she wants to eat. she knows what she wants. she doesnt like egg nog. when you open the food cabinet and tell her to get what she wants, she will get the fruit jelly.

She does whatever she sees us doing. she massages my leg and head when i tell her to. she combs my hair and wipes my sweat too.

She gets palo sometimes, pag sobrang kulit na. but when she sees that mommy is mad already, she talks to me and she kisses me. and when i ask her if she loves mommy, whatever she's into, she says yes by nodding.

In the morning before daddy leaves for work, she will ride the car and they will drive around the village first. and when daddy comes home in the evening, she opens the door for him.

Everytime she sees that im not wearing my slippers inside the house, she will bring my slippers to me and will not stop until i put it on. she does the same to daddy. isnt that sweet?

She can turn on and off an electric fan without getting hurt. she can talk to daddy over the phone. she recognizes daddy, mommy. lolo and lola on photos.

I can say over a hundred more things about Gabbie at 18 months. But those are the ones that are most remarkable. I learn something about her everyday. One time she was speaking with daddy on the phone. I was talking to her at the same time. She looked at me and put her forefinger on her lips as if to say 'mommy quiet'. that was one cute moment for me. i loved her for that.

Star Pupil Award 3rd Quarter

2012-01-27T17:07:00.000+08:00

Ate Gabbie did it again! Thank you Jesus :)

Abby's 4th Birthday and Rafa's Baptism

2012-01-25T20:11:00.000+08:00

Ate Gabbie requested for a swimming party. Rafa came just a few weeks before her ate's birthday. So we decided to just hold the birthday and baptism in one day.

Rafa's baptism was attended by her Ninangs and Ninongs. Mike's family and mine were also there to witness her baptism. Other guests just went straight to the lunch reception that immediately followed.

Our event suppliers are as follows:

Photographer: Kathy of K Snaps

Cost: P4,000 for 4hours- labor and 20pcs print outs

Food: Delica Catering

Cost: P300 per head

Venue: Villa Infant Jesus (Vista Valley, Marikina City)

Cost: P15,000 for 5-hour use- pool area and a portion of the pavilion

Photobooth: Cheezu

Cost: P3,250 thru Cashcashpinoy- 3-hour unlimited shots

Food carts (mixed balls and nachos) & Pinata: Yanple Party Shop

Cost: check their website http://www.facebook.com/YanPle.Party.Shop for list and prices of party supplies

Pabitin: DIY

Invites: QPS

Cost: P18.00 each

Cake and Cupcakes: Timmys Oven

Cost: P3,000 for 2-layered cake and 30pcs themed cupcakes

Everyone enjoyed the party, including of course Ate Gabbie, who couldn't even eat lunch and pose to the camera properly because she was so excited to swim already.

The party was attended by close friends and our immediate families only. The weather that day was nice- it was not very hot and although it rained a little, it didn't stop the guests from enjoying the food and the kids (and even adults!) from enjoying the pool.

Rafa was sleeping half the time. The photographers were quick to take close shots of her during the time that she was awake.

Daddy and mommy are looking forward to seeing our dear friends again on Rafa's first birthday in November.

***

Birthday Celebration in School

2012-01-19T21:47:00.000+08:00

Gabbie celebrated her 4th birthday in school last Monday. Kinda late already because they had quarterly exams on the exact date of her birthday. We just had a simple cake from Red Ribbon, some giveaway items that I got from Marikina tiangge and for the food, the kids from both sections had brownies, chicken lollipops, chicken nuggets, fresh apple and juice. We also shared some pizza with the other parents and teachers.

Birthday by the Pool :)

2012-01-17T12:14:00.000+08:00

Precious Moment

2012-01-17T12:09:00.000+08:00

Cutie Ate Gabbie

2012-01-17T12:07:00.000+08:00

Pretty Little Rafa

2012-01-17T11:44:00.000+08:00

Happy Christening Rafa :)

2012-01-10T15:05:00.000+08:00

Our little girl Ayisha Rafaelle was baptized last January 7, 2012 at the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Marikina City. Her ninangs include Jenny Torres-Juan and Kathie Malabanan who were also Ate Gabbie's ninangs. Other ninangs are Christine Estabillo, Christie Mendoza, Ate Myles, Sharon Fabelico and Ate Aya. Her ninongs are Roni Cueto, Nax Nacua, RJ Marasigan and the youngest of all, Gullian Sabiniano. Gullian is our 9-yr old neighbor who volunteered himself to be Rafa's ninong.

The baptismal rites started at 11am and ended around 11:45. Reception at the Villa Infant Jesus followed where Ate Gabbie celebrated also her 4th birthday.

Welcome to the Christian community Rafa! May you be blessed with good health and a bright future.

Rafa's Playtime

2012-01-05T22:16:00.001+08:00

Rafa plays with the toy gym that Ninang Kathie gave Gabbie on her baptism four years ago.

Nice hand-me-down di ba? :)

Babywearing :)

2012-01-05T13:13:00.000+08:00

I'm so glad to have discovered this thing called babywearing. I can go malling, shopping and even eating with my both hands while carrying Rafa soundly sleeping inside my wrap.

When she's awake, I just fold the flap that covers her head back so she can see outside. I just support her head with my left arm. My right arm is still free to hold Gabbie.

Hello 2012 :)

2012-01-01T01:21:00.000+08:00

May our homes be blessed abundantly today and all year through. Happy New Year to all! ♥

~ Mike, Ivy, Gabbie & Rafa

Wish come true :)

2011-12-29T15:06:00.000+08:00

Several months ago, Gabbie made lambing to me and she said she wanted to have a toy Dora Megabloks. I asked her where she saw it or where she got the idea that there's Dora Megabloks, she said from the TV. Come December, I checked in Toy Kingdom this Dora Megabloks toy and I found one, but it costs way above what I expected (over the budget, in other words). I waited for their toy sale but the Megabloks brand was not included.

I asked Gabbie to include it in her prayers. Then one day, her Ninang Kathie asked what she wanted for Christmas. I told her she'd been wishing for a Dora Megabloks but I didn't have the time yet to search for it in the malls because I had just given birth to Rafa. She said she'd be the one to get it for Gabbie.

Then a day before Christmas, Gabbie's wish came true. Her Ninang Kathie personally delivered her wish to our house.

She'd been playing with her Dora Megabloks everyday since then.

Celebrations :)

2011-12-29T14:27:00.000+08:00

We're starting the year off with a double celebration of Rafa's baptism and Gabbie's 4th birthday.

Looking forward to a happy, healthy and blessed 2012.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-28T11:57:00.001+08:00

Christmas Dance Number

2011-12-20T16:21:00.000+08:00

During our neighborhood Christmas party, Gabbie had a special dance number to the tune of All I Want For Christmas Is You. She learned the steps from their school presentation. She always dance at home and we even bought a CD so she can practice anytime anywhere.

She just woke up from late afternoon nap (we came from another party earlier) and when we got to the party venue, we were told that she will already do the opening number. While waiting for the music, she was joined by Ate Veron who wanted to dance with her. I told her to just follow Gabbie's simple steps.

Christmas Presentation and Party

2011-12-16T18:08:00.000+08:00

Innkeeper Gabbie

2011-12-16T18:01:00.000+08:00

Gabbie played the innkeeper who let Mary and Joseph stay in the stable in their Christmas presentation.

Her line goes "Yes, you can stay in the stable. Come, I will take you there."

Dancing Rafa

2011-12-16T17:57:00.000+08:00

At two weeks.

Happy First Month Rafa :)

2011-12-07T09:37:00.000+08:00

Lahat ng stress dahil sa pagod, puyat, kakulitan ni ate at kung ano ano pa ay nawawala pag nag-smile ka na. Happy first month Rafa! Mommy, Daddy and Ate Gabbie love you so much!

Happy Baby

2011-12-02T15:51:00.000+08:00

Two-week old Rafa.

Separation Anxiety

2011-11-23T23:18:00.000+08:00

I've got so many things to blog about, Rafa's first photos included. But this one, this heartbreaking one, I want to share lang. Quickie post.

I thought we have prepared her enough for the coming of our new baby. But it seems that Ate Gabbie had to let everything sink in first and see and experience in actual how it is to have a new baby in the house, where she used to be the only one.

Last Monday, she cried when she was going to school with her lola. She wanted mommy to be the one to bring her to school and despite my explanations that I still had 'sugat' in my tummy, and Rafa is still too small to be left by mommy at home, she still wouldn't stop crying. She cried until they were already in school, she didn't even entered the classroom. Her lola called me and I told her to just bring her home if she wouldn't stop. After 20 minutes or so, they were back home.

I talked to her heart to heart and explained again. She was hesitant but I was able to convince her a little.

The next day she requested that mommy bring her down and then to lolo's jeep (their service vehicle). When they were about to leave, she cried again "mommy! mommy!"

I could hear her screaming even they were already at the gate of the village. My heart was breaking. I was crying too when I called her daddy to check on her. I felt a little relieved when he told me that she was no longer crying and she already joined their class. I cried a little more (couldn't help it), thinking of reasons why all of a sudden her mood changed. It has been a month already since her lola started to send her to school so we thought everything was OK already. They even went to the school field trip to Enchanted Kingdom together.

I guess she (or we?) are still having some sort of separation anxiety. And a month of preparation is not enough compared to the three years and nine months that we were together everyday wherever we go.

Today I'm glad that she didn't cry anymore. But I know that this is a process and I pray that she'll get used to the new setup/environment soon.

Little Rafa is here!

2011-11-14T16:47:00.001+08:00

Our new bundle of joy, Ayisha Rafaelle, came out on November 7, 2011 at 11:58 AM via CS delivery. She weighed 7 lbs and measured 53 cm. My waterbag broke around 7AM. I felt a flow of liquid while standing up and when I was in the toilet I saw the "bloody show" then I called Mike and told him "I think it's time." So we dressed up and he rushed me to Capitol Med where I was brought directly to the labor room. After a series of tests, IE's, interviews, blood extractions and monitoring and a very comforting phone call from my husband, I was sent to the delivery (OR) room then few minutes after, I heard a baby cry and then they showed her to me, they took pictures of us and I felt the warmth of my baby's skin for the first time. I was so happy and despite the numbness, difficulty in breathing and dizziness I heard myself say "Hello Rafa, don't cry, Mommy's here."

Rafa looks like Ate Gabbie when she was born. They have the same features. Everytime I look at Rafa, I feel like I'm time travelling to almost four years ago.

That's Gabbie when she was born (left) and Rafa (right). They look like twins born four years apart. :)

Star Pupil Award 2nd Quarter

2011-11-04T22:13:00.002+08:00

Today we got the report card of Gabbie for the second quarter of the school year and inserted in the envelope is this:

With Gabbie's very good grades is another Star Pupil Award given to students whose grades in academic and non-academic are exemplary.

Upon seeing her grades and certificate, I kissed her and I said "Very good! You're the best, Anak!"

To which she replied "No Mommy, you're the best!"

Isn't it the sweetest thing to hear on earth?

Thank you Jesus for Gabbie's very good grades. We promise, with Your help, to maintain them or even improve more in the next half of the school year (and until she's in college already).

Recent conversations with Gabbie

2011-11-04T10:08:00.003+08:00

While watching the gymnastic dance moves of Loverkada Kids during the PGT Finals:

Gabbie: Daddy, that's dangerous.
Daddy: Yes, dangerous.
Gabbie: When I grow big I can do that too.
Daddy: No.
Gabbie: Mommy! Si daddy o, he doesn't want me to grow big.
Me: No, daddy said he doesn't want you to do that because it's dangerous.
Gabbie: When I'm big nga. But daddy doesn't want me to grow big eh.

*Daddy meant he doesn't want her to do that even if she's big already because it's dangerous, not that he doesn't want her to grow so that she won't think of doing it.

*****************************

After school while in the tricycle going home:

Gabbie: Mommy may I play in the playpark?
Me: No more na play, Anak.
Gabbie: Di ba they made the playpark for the kids, so that kids will be happy?

*What else is there to say? Hehe, she has a point.

*****************************

Gabbie: Mommy, I have my boyfriend.
Me: What? Don't say that, I don't like.
Gabbie: I have my boyfriend!
Me: Who?
Gabbie: Daddy is my boyfriend. Boy. Friend.

*Ok, pero I admit, nakaka-stress..

*****************************
We started the routine where Lola is the one to bring Gabbie to school, to prepare for the coming of our new baby, Rafa.

Me: Let's go up na Gabbie, so you can take a bath.
Gabbie: So we can go to school?
Me: Lola will go with you ha.
Gabbie: Why Lola again? Why are you tired again Mommy? What's wrong?
Me: Nothing, Anak. Mommy is just tired and sleepy but Mommy will bring you to school on Friday for your halloween parade.
Gabbie: Ok.

*I read somewhere that to avoid sibling jealousy or insecurity, as much as possible try not to make the new baby as an excuse for suddenly not giving your full attention to the big sister or brother the way you used to do. So instead of saying "because it's not good for Baby Rafa when mommy gets tired every day going to and from your school", I just told her "because mommy's tummy is so big it makes her tired when we go out". I'm lucky and thankful that I have a daughter who is understanding and very caring.