The Banana Monster - Week 22

This past weekend was just too hectic that I wasn't able to update the blog yesterday.

Saturday was spent preparing the balikbayan box that will be sent to the Philippines today. There was also a party of the Association of Filipino Scholars in Tsukuba from 6:30 p.m., which extended until 1 a.m.

Sunday, on the other hand, was spent at church, followed by an extended breakfast at Denny's with friends; in the afternoon, I had to prepare for my seminar presentation today. In between all these, I had to take care of little Theo if and when Mommy D had to do some household chores. Whew!

And speaking about Theo, our 22-week-old bundle of smiles and giggles has recently developed a liking for bananas. Mommy D would microwave the banana so that it becomes very soft, mash it in plain yogurt, and then feed it to our banana monster. Detailed instructions for this were obtained from the city hall baby care division or something which sounds like that (in Japanese).

In the photos above, our banana monster (or should I say, cute little monkey?) is seen in action, drooling and licking an unpeeled banana, which incidentally was imported from the Philippines.

Yum yum!

Theo's Aunt Tippi's Birthday - Week 21

It was a hectic yet fun weekend for Theo these past two days.

Since last night, my sister Tippi and her hubby Ian came over to stay overnight at our humble abode in Tsukuba to celebrate Tippi's (nth?!) birthday. (The FBI has considered Tippi's actual age as classified and on a need-to-know basis. Hehe...) The celebration started last night with some firecrackers(!),party hats, and candle blowing, followed by a sumptuous buffet lunch today at Okura Hotel, the trendiest hotel here in Tsukuba.

One of their sources of amusement is Theo's (recent) ability to maneuver himself into prone position, as you can see in the photo above. While this marks another milestone in Theo's development, Mommy D and I have become more aware of his increasing maneuverability and the possibility that he might fall off the bed or table if left unattended.

He has become really very active recently and his kicks have become much stronger. These are certainly the first few signs of Theo's growing independence, but since he's still unaware of the sometimes cruel and unforgiving environment, Mommy D and I have to be there to keep him safe and smiling as cutely as ever.

Seeing your baby grow and develop before your very eyes, esp. on his first year, is one experience we'll never trade for the world! It is a phase that happens only once and can only be relived in one's fond memories...or in this blog!

The Gulping Machine - Week 20

This week, Theo has started taking vegetable soup, one that is formulated specifically for babies 3 months old and above. And boy, does he enjoy it so much! He even licks hard on the teaspoon, hoping to suck in even the last remaining vegetable soup molecule he can get his tongue on.

It's so fun and amusing feeding him; he has really gone a long way from being the exclusive milk drinker that he once was to the omnivorous "gulping machine" that he'll become in the next couple of months. And as you can see from the photo above, Theo is indeed a picture-perfect symbol of one happy, healthy baby.

Although I help in once in a while, I give Mommy D 100% credit for Theo's hassle-free growth and development.

The Muscle Man - Week 19

Undoubtedly, Theo is developing astonishingly fast and is meeting, sometimes exceeding, his developmental tasks.

By this time, he is increasingly becoming more responsive to outside stimuli and his attention span can last for an hour or more. He can vocalize his moods and enjoyment and can laugh heartily during play. When we playfully and repeatedly run a soft cloth over this head, he can show anticipation and excitement. His spontaneous social smiles have also become much more frequent, to our friends' delight.

One difficulty we're facing however is that he's no longer content with lying down on his crib and playing with his mobile toys. His favorite position recently is sleeping on our shoulders. This can be a very relaxing experience for baby and parent, but over long periods, he becomes heavier and heavier, esp. when one is standing up. If we're lucky, we can put him down to sleep on his crib without awakening him; otherwise, he would squirm, wake up and let out a brief cry that promptly stops seconds after he's back on our shoulders; he then returns to sleep almost instantaneously.

Another amazing thing that we've found out recently is that his leg muscles have become much stronger. As long as we keep him from falling over, he can readily support himself considerably longer if held upright. We're predicting that he might be able to walk at 9 or 10 months of age. (I started walking when I was 9 months.)

Finally, as far as his favorite pastime, bathing, is concerned, he has taken to kicking and splashing in his small tub. Previously, bathing time was spent on the kitchen table; since this week, Mommy D and Theo have moved to the shower.

Time certainly flies, but since Theo will pass through this stage of rapid development only once, we are certainly savoring every moment of it.

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By the way, to Mommy C (my mom), Aunt Nalik, and Mommy D, HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY! Your children owe you their lives!

Theo's Lolo Dodoy - Week 18

April 28, 2005 (Thursday) - My sister (who lives in Tokyo) and I received very tragic news from home. Our beloved uncle, Benito Nemenzo, our mother's brother, whom we fondly call Dodoy, was hit by a speeding jeepney in front of his home, a tragic event that was witnessed by his very own wife and young son. The accident occurred at around 7:00 a.m.; by 5:30 p.m., our dear Dodoy joined his Creator due to massive brain hemorrhage.

I do not wish to describe in detail the events leading to his untimely death; I wish to remember him for the life that he had lived. Sadly, he leaves a wife and five young children; the youngest is in the photo above. Nicknamed Kikay, she is less than a year old when his father moved on. Although she will never know firsthand who her father was, stories someday from family and friends will confirm to her that her dear tatay was a very good man and a very good father. I have never heard of anyone who dislikes, more so, hates, Dodoy. The loss was a major tragedy for the clan, and we shall seek justice, lest Dodoy die in vain.

When I think of Dodoy, I can only remember happy thoughts and memories. Throughout our lifetimes, we had an altercation only once, and that was when I was a spoiled 8-year-old brat. I can't even remember the details; what's highly probable is that I most likely started the fracas. Dodoy was never a boastful, violent person. He was always soft-spoken and kind. He had a good heart, that's one thing I am 100% certain.

I remember him fondly for teaching me how to ride the bicycle when I was a very young kid. Despite the summer heat, he would hold the bicycle firmly when I was just starting out and he would hold it throughout the long stretch from our home to the end of the subdivision road, making sure that his naughty nephew doesn't hurt himself until he learns the ropes.

I remember him for his wisecracks and jokes and for his infectious laughter. Often, he would tell jokes with a poker face, surprising you in the end with a well-timed punch line. And when he laughs, he laughs with gusto, his eyes tightly shut in a fit of comic frenzy. Dodoy could have been an excellent standup comedian if he really wanted to.

I remember him for his passion for photography. He had a good creative eye, and he quickly learned the technical depths of photography when I gave him two Nikons and a couple of lenses. He would proudly sling his cameras around his neck, like well-deserved medals. I lost a would-be partner in this artistic field. We have truly lost a budding photographer/artist.

Most importantly, I remember him for his loving kindness toward his wife and children. He was a very good father and his children love him so much. He will always be remembered as a loving family man. All this love (not money, not wealth!), he brings with him to Heaven. It is extremely tragic that his children will be deprived of his overflowing, unconditional love and kindness. His shoulder will also not be there when they need one to cry on. But as his relatives, we will be there for his children, our cousins, whom we also love so much.

Dodoy, if you're reading this somewhere in an Internet cafe in Heaven, do remember that we love you and your family. We will seek justice for you and we will do what we can to ensure that your children obtain sufficient preparation for life. Although my son Theo hasn't met you and probably never will in this lifetime, you will always be "Lolo Dodoy" to him and I will recount to him someday how good and loving a person you are. I will tell him that you are a true epitome of the adage, "Only the good die young."

Our dear Dodoy, you now have wings, and we pray that you will protect us, your family and friends, including your grandnephew Theo. Since I will not be there on your funeral tomorrow, I will always remember you as the living, loving, laughing Dodoy. Forty-two years may seem very short, but it's not how long we have lived, it's how much we have loved.

Your wonderful journey with God has probably only just begun. Please wait for us in Heaven.