HAPPY BIRTHDAY THEO!

December 26, 2005 / Monday

ONE YEAR AGO (taken when he was just 2 hrs old and fresh from the oven)...


TODAY...


Today, we celebrate our little angel's 1st birthday.





A birthday card from Theo's Grandaunt Nalik:




A gift from Anton, Theo's godfather:



If you've been following this blog, we hope that you've enjoyed this journey with us this past year, as we have enjoyed documenting week after week Theo's remarkable growth and development.

Join us as we enter Theo's second year. I assure you, there will be much more surprises!

Once again, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE THEO! Mommy D and I are sure you'll have much, much more to come. The world is yours for the taking!

Christmas Day! - Week 52

December 25, 2005 / Sunday / 12:45 p.m.

Japan is not a Christian country and the people's concept of Christmas here is plain and simple shopping and eating the veritable Christmas cake, whose value hits rock-bottom the day after Christmas. I can probably safely say that more than half of the population here has no idea about Jesus Christ and why he came into this world as the Son of God.

One time, I read about a Japanese actress who commented on national TV on why Christians here, including Japanese Christians, read about and worship Christ when "he's already dead." Pathetic!

Thus, being away from the Philippines and not in the company of fellow believers, Mommy D, Theo and I are content at staying at home, watching TV or surfing the Net. Yesterday, however, was different because we went to a Christmas party to a friend's place. This friend is not only Catholic but a Filipina as well who is married to a Japanese. There were two other Filipinas there among the mostly Japanese guests with their kids in tow. Mommy D cooked and brought some very sumptuous chicken adobo, valenciana and macaroni salad.

Theo definitely enjoyed his time there simply because there were so many toys and other children around, including Yuka (second photo above) who is the daughter of a Filipina married to a Japanese. Yuka and Theo quickly bonded with each other, what with the same Filipino blood running in their veins.

Tomorrow is Theo's birthday! But because most of our friends are back home in the Philippines, we won't be having any grand celebration apart from us having dinner outside maybe. Tomorrow, Theo is also scheduled to receive his immunization shots; we have to complete them before we return home to the Philippines for a short vacation next month. And the No.1 bummer is that tomorrow is a working day in Japan, so that means I still have to go to the lab.

As I post this, Mommy D and Theo are fast asleep. Ain't that perfect on a Christmas Day?

The Charmer - Week 51

December 17, 2005 / Saturday / 7:00 p.m.

Now at 51 weeks old, Theo has certainly gone a long way from this (taken when he was only 3 weeks old):



to this:



Now, he has become a real charmer, easily capturing your heart with that casanova smile. Mommy D and I are certain that he'll become not only cute but handsome as he grows older. And very soon, on December 26, he will become a year old.

Recently, he has become much more attached to his primary caregiver (Mommy D), preferring to be in her arms rather than in mine when he's in a foul mood. (This is expected at his age.) But when he's had enough sleep and food and is on play mode, we'd spend hours in his playpen tinkering with his toys.

Theo has also appeared to understand the meaning of "no" and restrains himself when either me or Mommy D tells him so whenever he tries to reach for electric plugs and outlets. He has also started to appreciate approval by following whatever we ask him to do, such as clap his hands or make a cute face.

In terms of motor skills, Theo can certainly stand alone and make a few steps with minimal support, as shown in the photo above. He can also open doors and hinges and turn pages of cardboard picture books. Overall, he's meeting his developmental tasks quite well except for being able to walk alone and without support.

That is something that we'll be watching out in the days and weeks to come.

Theo Live in Tokyo! - Week 50

December 11, 2005 / Sunday / 12:10 p.m.

Yesterday was Theo's first, but definitely not the last, trip to Tokyo!

Theo, Mommy D, Tippi, Ian and I met yesterday at Akihabara and then we proceeded to Tokyo Dome (near Suidobashi Station) to have a sumptous lunch at Maharaja, one of the best Indian restaurants in Japan. The first photo above was taken within the vicinity of Tokyo Dome where there are also rides, musical attractions, and restaurants.

Theo enjoyed the sights and sounds so much, especially the colorful lightings that filled the area when it turned dusk (2nd photo above). Although he was having a tantrum on the way to Tokyo inside the Tsukuba Express, he was very much in the mood and was enjoying his time so much when we already reached Tokyo Dome. Tippi and Ian also enjoyed his cute antics, esp. the way he used his arm to make funny sounds with his mouth.

The third photo above was taken just this morning. It's just a close-up view of our little angel and his eight sharp teeth.

Theo's really growing fast, and healthily at that. We are savoring each moment of it.

The Angel - Week 49

December 4, 2005 / Sunday / 2:18 p.m.

This week, I missed Theo again! From Tuesday to Friday, I was at Nasu (Tochigi Prefecture) to attend and make an oral presentatio at the 8th International Conference on Desert Technology (DT8). The conference was largely successful and the participants went home feeling that they had a meaningful time in Japan, esp. the foreign guests.

Last night, the Association of Filipino Scholars in Tsukuba also had their annual election and early Christmas cum Costume Party, and our little Theo came as an angel, as you can see in the photo above. He looks bored however because there weren't too many children and toys around.

Once again, this week continues to be filled with surprises, with Theo now becoming more vocal than ever. When you talk to him, he would also respond, albeit with sounds whose meanings are only known to him. Nonetheless, it is still a pleasure listening and talking to him.

One reason why I don't want to go on out-of-town trips -- as much as possible -- is because, on the baby's first year, miracles happen everyday. If you're not there when the firsts happen, there are no longer any second takes.

The second photo above was taken last Sunday when Mommy D, Theo and I went out on a leisurely stroll from our home to Tsukuba Center. Along the way, we passed by the university oval where there was an ongoing Tsukuba Marathon, then to Matsumi Park to feed the colorful kois, and then to the Central Park where there was an ongoing flea market (we arrived late, however). Theo enjoys these long walks, but almost half of the time, he would be asleep on his stroller. The stroller's soft movements are probably similar to what he had felt when he was still in Mommy D's womb.

And that was just less than a year ago!