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!