Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 05: March 25, 2012

Dear Jam, 


I hibernated today. I think Ducky and I are just exhausted from yesterday. It usually is like that with her in me. After a day's tasking job, I end up extra tired the following day and all I do is sleep my ass the whole day. I think I could say as much as skipping a day being your mother and just being a total bum. 


I couldn't even remember what happened - I just know that I woke up once in a while calling Ate Jajai or Ate Josel to massage my back. I just have these terrible bouts of back pains, which I just hope aren't early contractions. See, AJ (Ducky to you) and I agreed that she will not be out until the 6th of April. That's Daddy's birthday of course and I just want it to be extra special. So I have to "bear" all her weight no matter what - I just want to cross March and deliver her on Daddy's birthday. That's going to be a Holy day too, mind you. I just wish the Dr. Salta, my new OB wouldn't be on vacation by that time. You know how many times I changed doctors this time? Thrice. One, which I cannot remember, two is Dr. Macias-Go who delivered you and here is Dr. Salta of Mary's Child whom I heard to be especially good at genital stitching. 


Stitching. Whew! I am talking about things about to come in a couple of days. But here I am discussing with your Tito Ryan about what's going to happen on our trip to Manolo Fortich. Can you imagine? I am expecting in a couple of days and I am going to travel on the 30th to host a beauty pageant with Tito Ryan as I did last year for the Miss Manolo Fortich. However, I am thankful that we will be taking his car on the trip - as soon as it is fixed ;) and Ate Jajai will be joining me as a Private Nurse. She admits to be scared for me more than I am scared for myself. I don't know why I am so complacent - I think it hasn't hit me yet. I am just glad that Tito Ryan broached on the idea of volunteering to drive all the way to Manolo - he and Tito Art are excited to become Ducky's Ninongs. Well, here's crossing my fingers that a labor won't happen in that sleek Chevy. Hehe


When I woke up in the evening, your Ate Jajai was boasting about your pictorials with her. Seeing as I wasn't productive for today's entry as I shoud have one photo for the day at least  - I am grateful for her proxy. You are so cute with these photos. There's one where you wore nothing but your underwear and a grocery receipt tied with a ribbon. It is a haute statement I have to admit. Then there's this set with you in a skirt of mine which Ate Jajai turned into her dress and turned into your gown. Oh Lor! I just hope you could be just as cooperative this coming shoot on "Mythical Creatures".


Love,
Mommy


*Photos courtesy of Angelica Marie Baqui

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 04: March 24, 2012

Dear Jam,

I had this weird dream transition early in the morning. At 3AM, I woke up from a bad dream where I was crying as I watched your Daddy wash the plates in the sink. I knew something was wrong with us and although it wasn't spoken, I knew the issue was about me and Daddy breaking up. I feel like I just stepped into the dream knowing what was going on without it happening in the duration of dreaming. I lay awake for a couple of minutes in a tear-less crying and after deciding no, Daddy and I won't break up, I went back to sleep.

Later, I found myself in an airport. I was standing in front of Daddy who was hauling traveling bags from a conveyor to another. I looked around and saw your Papalo who said I should go and look for Mamala. Your Daddy looked happier than he did from the last dream and it sure lifted some weight off my dreaming shoulders. He said, adding to Papalo that there is no turning back where this travel will take us so I should go and tell his mom that. Where will it take us exactly? I cannot be specific but I saw ski gears and we were all wearing snow coats and boots. I can only bet we were going international. I went with the instructions to find Mamala and there she was in a conveyor belt lined - no, packed with standing and filled wine goblets. What was even weird, as it is with dreams, she was lying down on these glasses like she didn't weigh at all. The dream faded out as soon as I called "Ma." I don't know what could have gone on from there. 


So even as that dream had a happy note, it ended waking me up too. I guess I was already up and working before 6AM and sensitive as you are, you realized I wasn't in bed with you. Before 7AM you were alive and kicking yourself. I was just a little worried with these unscheduled waking hours because you get cranky later on. Especially today since we had visitors over for the Gypsy Openshoot project with HollywoodFX and Capturing Smiles, Tita Jessica's company. 

So yeah, we had a LOT of people around. And you know how you are when there are a LOT of people around - especially adults. You tend to go haywire and act like a little adult yourself. Aside from Tita Jessica and Tito Ben, we were joined by Tita Jessica's brother Edward, who will soon be joining HollywoodFX. Also, Tita Danielle who brought her little sister Danica, your instant playmate and Tito Daniel - both of whom are not only Tita Jessica's classmates in Nursing but Ninong Wally's as well. Later on Ate Criss, who was joining the shoot as a photography intern and model had the experience of her life as she practice-shot you. She had such fun! According to her blog A Life Full of Adventure, she says you are her very first model. Aww and you are so cute. I borrowed one of my favorite images from her takes. For her part, I love the sepia tone and for your part - I LOVE THE TOE PEAK! That foot is a sure bet for a future ballerina! 


Aside from being the model, entertainer - who wouldn't stop at begging everyone for more soda, you were also my Assistant Makeup Artist. I am so happy that Tita Jessica covered the lot of your attempts on Ate Josel. I borrowed a photo from her Behind-the-Scenes with you on a shimmer and brush to Ate Josel's face. 


They hung out for awhile sharing experiences - and with me and Tita Jessica discussing about your "Mythical Creatures" photoshoot. I have to admit that I am nervous about it. You have the tendency to be around the place when you are on full character. I mean yeah, it's okay for you to pose with household clothes but when you are in costume - man! We have to chase you around to nail a shot. I am crossing my fingers for this Wednesday's session with another HollywoodFX Baby Model - Zacky. 


We got a message from Daddy as soon as we settled back in after visitors left. He said that they just arrived at Denmark. There wasn't much from there, they must be busy docking in so I guess it won't be until a day or two that we get to hear from him. 


To end the day, we thank Mamilou for a wonderful first-time experience with Magnum. Review? It's honestly too rich. I love the fact that it's Belgian chocolate and how you love the fact that the ice cream inside easily melts into your mouth - but then it's easily gone. And it's too expensive to be gone so quickly. But then, we still have to be thankful to have tasted it while others could not. 




Love, 
Mommy


*Photos courtesy of Criss Cagampang and Jessie Villegas.
Check out A Life Full of Adventures by Criss Cagampang & 
Sea of Dreams by Jessie Villegas

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 03: March 23, 2012

Dear Jam,

I have to admit that compared to being pregnant with you, having Ducky is a little more difficult. I haven't had as much pains with you than I am having now with your little sister. All these contributing factors like her weight and my degree of scoliosis getting worse add up to what wakes me early and in the middle of the night. Sometimes, they even keep me up and prevent me from doing things kike I could do them when I had you. All the three OB-Gynes I have been to say that Ducky's weight is normal for her gestational age. That means her age in my tummy - but then they all wonder how I look like I am carrying twins or as if I am about to give birth. The visit to the endocrinologist this Tuesday should put a stopper to the issue. I hope.

I changed my routine since last week by the way. I wanted to spend as much time with you so I made sure we shared bedtime. We would do some fun stuff before turning over early in so that gives me an opportunity to wake early up to do work. You know this. Every time I sit in front of the laptop, you always associate it with work and you always beg me with "Mommy, please no work" and it's really cute, I can't ignore it. So today, I did just that. I have this blog to attend to and a couple of notifications in Facebook. After that, I caught a few clips of my favorite stand up comic Russell Peters - when you caught me giggling at him. You were smiling beautifully beckoning me to bed. Having enough time online, I hopped back to bed and joined you to watch your favorite AJ Jenkins video from Youtube. I wouldn't highly recommend it to parents for learning, especially since I saw the fault on how the narrator mispronounced Zebra to "zeh-bruh" instead of "zee-bruh" but it has a nice, calming effect to it. Anyway, parents could see for themselves and find out how it would fare with their children. You enjoy their alphabet songs, colors, rainbow and shape songs.

As usual, lunchtime is our signal to get up and going. We kinda got the summer

feel to it even if we aren't in school and we seem to enjoy the idea of waking up late. So it isn't until lunchtime that we get a little more active. With you it's playtime with Ate Jocel - today, it was with the assortment of toys that you have taken a liking to these couple of days. You have a lot of toys but you lined up the ones you fancy for the moment. There are three of your favorite stuffed cats, Jasmine the little Rottweiler, Daddy's Stella Artois mini rugby ball, among others. When you got tired of it, you played "Making the Music Video" with Ate Jajai who played Katy Perry's E.T. and Lady Gaga's Bad Romance and Poker Face in Youtube.

Speaking of work, I had to do something out of the house. You ignored me for awhile until you saw that I was getting my bag ready and dressed. You said "Mommy please no lataw" - it was sweeter and heartbreaking but I had to get out. Your Tita Jessica and I had to cover your Tita Ana's Fashion Show at Dynasty Court. I was going to assist with makeup and wardrobe and Tita Jessica would be on her camera. During the break your Tita Jess and I had fun discussing about random stuff eventually falling in place to talk about how you and Benjam have a lot in common. Well, one this is really alike and that is how much you love an egg-a-day. I shared Doctor Guangco's thought about it and Tita Jessica just knew what good the egg was doing to Benjam. I wonder what good it will do on you when the day comes? Hehe.

Your Tita Ana was stunning! It felt like an extension to her character in Camiguin.

Even better in fact. She was the only one to come out with wings in the closing salvo and she looked like a Victoria's Secret Angel between CDO's MaleTop Model PJ and Barangay Gwapo Charles Bulawan. After the show, the three of us had ice cream and a take home for the kiddies, courtesy of Tita Ana. She bought you a Strawberries and Cream lollipop. I had a quick detour to Jollibee to buy, as promised, a large fries and a fresh apple from night cafe. All of these you relished altogether in your mouth. You popped a

fry in, bit on an apple and suckled on the lollipop. Haha! You are so cute! It's also good news that you ate the lot because

the household reports you wouldn't have dinner.

Before I go on and close this, I want to share one disturbing image we saw just at the corner of the street. Your Tita Jessica directed my attention to a woman extending an arm with an empty plastic cup for alms while her two children - one about your age and the other about Zacky's - just beside her in the sidewalk. In a rainy day. In the middle of night cafe. The mood just went off as we proceeded. Tita Jess and Tita Ana admitted to disliking what we all saw. Like me, these kind of images don't only move people like us - it annoys us. To think the mother was healthy enough to work. If she didn't have anywhere to put her kids while she was out there, why risk even exposing her kids to all the pollution and dangers? I just don't like it. The picture just wanted me to rush home to you. Which I was glad to be, you were so cute when you greeted me and even happier when you saw the treats. You joined me in bed the soonest I settled, we watched Pooh's Heffalump Movie and went to sleep.

Love,

Mommy

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 02: March 22, 2012

Dear Jam,

It has been a lazy day for me - and for you if you should know.

I woke up a little too early for my liking. I was hungry, or else your Ducky was hungry and couldn't wait to eat breakfast what with longganisa for break-y. After I had my fill, I went back to bed only to realize how difficult it is to catch on with sleep. I think somewhere in my attempts

to reach slumberland, I managed to wake you up. It was your chick-yellow stuffed cat Momo that actually stirred you because you woke up realizing it wasn't anywhere near. But it really broke my heart to see you cry with that heart-renting tears of yours, which I think you weren't faking. You had your hand over your chest as you repetitively sobbed "Momo. Want please Momo" and rejected my attempts of offering the stuffed cat Bucky. With the remaining strength in my back to carry you and your sister in my belly, I took you to where your Ate Jocel was doing the laundry. There, you saw Momo swimming in a tub of wet clothes. There wasn't anything we can do about Momo for the moment but to walk away from the door. Daddy's collectible motorbike seemed to put you at ease and eventually to a continued sleep.

Although the summer heat was beating at us, we slept on until lunch. I

proceeded to the afternoon but with bouts of waking while I waited for your Tita Ana, one of HFX's top GLAMazons and Tita Maybz, a GLAMazon Plus to both drop by for their own reasons. But they didn't get to visit. My body continued to lull me to sleep until the afternoon when Ate Jajai arrived with the Snowed Wintermelon tea from Nai Cha. Then I went back to sleep with you by 4PM.

Before dosing off, you were spanked tho. It's the same issue we have been going through really. An issue that starts with the question "What's wrong with Mommy?" You were begging your Ate Jocel to sleep in the bed even with me beside you and despite my mellow tones and sweet touches, you would shrug me off. It really ticked me. You saw reason when you saw my face - you knew I meant business. I don't have to explain it here but it seems that you like your Ate Jocel better because you associate her to play and associate me to all things necessary and restricted. But that really hurts me because I know I've been up to me neck giving you everything just so I wouldn't be the monster mom. Oh well, I sometimes don't know what to do anymore. I just know that you understand me whenever I talk it over with you.

We woke up to the sound of heavy rain around 7PM. Heavy is an understatement because when I got up, adrenaline rush drove me to do as everyone else was doing. Everything that would go wet in water had to be picked up and stowed higher, a flood precaution. So there, the rain wasn't merely heavy - it was scary. But of course, it ended just when the water was about to get in the living room. Now fully awake, you played around with a damaged watch and Daddy's football decor. You remind me of Daddy with it both - how your wrist looks like his with a black watch around it and the Stella Artois beer he is so proud to have tasted elsewhere. They have moved from Netherlands to their next port. I think that was yesterday - where they are going next, we will find out soon.

Before settling to sleep, Ate Jajai joined us in bed to show off her tab. This is what I have been meaning to tell you - that tab. We will buy that tab, I promise you! For your Youtube bedtime ritual and for my e-books to lull me to sleep. Besides, it doesn't cost that much. I am sure Daddy will twitch if he finds out how much we get to buy it for.

So as a big girl and in a couple of days, a big sister, you have been more accommodating to AJ. You giggled before prayer as you said "Ducky! Ducky!" and pointed to my tummy, hugging it and finally giving it a big smack before you proceeded to your pillow and yes, the all fresh and clean Momo. *sigh* You are so cute and precious Kitten, I love you very much - please remember that.

Love,

Mommy

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 01: March 21, 2012

Dear Jam,

You have been acting but nothing like what you already are - a total spoiled brat. I have to admit, it's partially my fault, showering you with all the attention and the stuff we can give. But all that is about to change since I am only a couple of days from delivering your Baby Sister AJ (Ducky to you). The temper tantrums you have been throwing has gotten a lot worse. I have a feeling that you know AJ is up and coming thus the heightened pro activity.

I busied my day today. I wanted to make the best of this week and next week before I go boom! So we went on a photoshoot with one of Cagayan de Oro's brilliant (albeit unconventional) photographers Fadi Ismail. It's been a long pending project for

the HollywoodFX that I have been putting off. It wasn't this week that the epiphany hit me that the "Mother Earth" concept I have won't be the same if I won't pose pregnant. See, I had to paint the AJ Bump as a globe. It turned out fine with the poster paint. Thanks to the Villegas couple whom I had to wake up to deliver it, your Tita Jessie is nothing short of excited.

You had to wake up early because I need to get you and Ate Jocel out of the house and in Mamala and Papalo's care in Lapasan. Your Ate Jocel reported that an outlet went haywire early yesterday morning and hadn't she gotten up in time, the house would have gone down to ashes. So I have perfectly good reason to be cautious about where to place you. I didn't want to have a nagging feeling at the back of my mind while w

e had the shoot.

I was joined by your Atee Jajai (from Nahnang, to Atjajai), Tita Vani who is now back and active in the group and Tita Dianne (Maybelle Corbz) a new femme model to HFX but

a veteran in the fashion industry nonetheless. They posed in a garbage bag couture I styled for them to impress the feel of contrast against my colors and styling. I have to admit, I like my styling (self-love lol), I might want to design a whole line of Garbage Couture. So anyway, I was Mother Earth and they posed as Pollutions. They looked haute and hot, I have to say. I cannot wait to see more of what we did. Especially the one with your Ate Jajai posing on top of a stack of three tires and "bam!" nailed a fierce look.

Check out the photo by Fadi Ismail here - "The Rape of Mother Earth." Copyright XFM Photography.

We finished early. It was a quick shoot although in the process, we learned a lot of tips from Sir Fadi. He is not the type to dilly dally, it simply took him around one to two shots per peg and he was good with it. After a quick cool treat at Bo's Coffee Club in Limke

tkai, your Atee Jajai and I went e-shopping for a gadget. I won't tell you the details of what she bought but I am most definitely buying one for you and me to match our bedtime ritual. For now, I can only afford a box of large fries from Jollibee as pasalubong to greet you with when we came to fetch you from Lapasan. After talking about my Pregnancy-induced-Diabetes with Mamala, we headed off home, all sleepy and anxious to climb back to slumberland.

It's not confirmed by an Endocrinologist yet but my Random Blood Sugar is well past borderline and it might not be good for AJ - seeing as it may have contributed to AJ's added weight. People are just nonstop about the issue that I am carrying twins. Hello! They should check out Jessica Simpson, former-singer-turned-fashion-mogul. I am not alone, considering she has a month to go and she looks like she is about to pop anytime with me. Really, I am just hoping that your Ducky will be fine. You have taken a liking to call her Ducky, saying goodnight to her after prayer. Although knowing what might be

come of you both as you have two hair whorl and AJ has a single nuchal chord around her neck, is the least of my problems. Popular folk belief say that a child with two hair whorls or more is trouble and a child with nuchal chord around the neck is even more trouble. That besides the point, every time my lower body goes edematose, I start to get a little worried. To get my mind off that today, I bought AJ a pair of cute sandals at Php50 only. Getting home, I found that Mamilou bought you and your Ducky matching Disney meal plates. I figured, to reduce any future disputes about stuff, we have to buy one of each stuff for the both of you. Like so, the 2 piece swimwear I bought for each of you. I can't wait to see you both in it!

Here now, after an expected hiatus, we return to our blog. This time, it will be for you and AJ. I did a couple of changes to the design and I hope this one gets as much attention as the old one did.

Love,

Mommy

Milestone Memoir 2009

December 12, 2009

Dear Baby Kitten,

I was on my way to bed, in fact, I've lain beside you and Ninang when suddenly, I remembered that not only do I need to "lose some weight" but also needed to write you to avoid unnecessary backlogs and hiatus. Although I'm more compelled to write since last night (or more like really early in the morning) I reviewed my old journal, which I called THE EXILE JOURNALS; one which I wrote when I was still in Manila...exiled. I realized that it helps if I wrote down my memories because it's both entertaining and useful if I ever needed to remind myself about my feelings. I was amused when I read it, simply because I sounded different.

Just like that woman who sang with Ninong Poloy in the video - the old me. The Queen_B and it's funny how I sound (and sound when I write it) so differently from now. Transition! :D

Today, I went out to pay my dues in AVON and at the same time, picked some gift items for everyone. Then I went to scavenge busy Taiwanese shops to scout for probable giveaways for your first birthday. I ended up buying because they came cheap; some Hellow Kitty buttons, which will be worn by the guests upon entrance to the party and PENFUMES (perfumed pens), which they could take home with them.

Love, Mamimeow

Strawberry-No-Jam 017

December 12, 2010
Ebanit & Ramos Residence
Villanueva, Misamis Oriental

Dear Jam,

So after I dropped you off at Carmen, I proceeded to join Mamilou and Nahnang in SM to watch the latest installment of THE CHRONICLES of NARNIA in 3D. So nowadays we have the clear glasses in the stead of the blue-and-red classic 3D glasses. I didn't feel the effect immediately as I wore it against my graded lenses. The first film preview that came on was that of the Filipino made animation. I have nothing against it or our industry but perhaps in that department, we need a little more improvement. It wasn't until the preview for YOGI BEAR 3D with slugs and water thrown up the screen like they were falling right on our faces did I feel the excitement. The movie didn't disappoint. In fact, I was more disappointed that it had gotten better since its first two prequels as Harry Potter's first part of the last movie failed to fill in what anticipation I had for it.
The movie is beautiful and so are the characters. Thankfully, it was a little closer to capture the idea of C.S. Lewis, an admired and beloved author. I have a complete volume of the Chronicles, I'd love for you to read them when you grow up.

When I got out of the theater, I got a message from your Tito Dixie, his stringent searching. He was asking me where I was and whether I was to honor our agreement of gracing their house for the feast or not. And though his place was far, which I initially thought was just around the city, I braved to go on a long distance ride alone.

On my way to the Villanueva terminal, a family of three; a mother with two boys about your age, stepped into the jeep a little later after me. See, they weren't rich, they weren't even as fortunate as we are though we have seemingly eternal daily struggles. They collectively looked like they came up from bedding the streets and look as if they could hardly afford a bath. But what made me really appreciate their bunch albeit the boys were causing a ruckus with their sibling rivalry, is the realization that patience favored no status. Their mother, in the middle of her sons' racket, in the middle of critical eyes looking at them pointedly, only smilingly told off her children. She didn't want to bow down to other people's meddling just to compromise her sons' time together. She even turned to everyone with an apologetic smile and when she turned to me, I didn't hesitate to return it. It was a beautiful scene to look at, to capture in video. Until here came two Koreans, I bet boyfriend and girlfriend who totally changed the whole mood.

I felt like in my whole trip to Villanueva, I was sitting at the edge of my seat, constantly craning my neck to check if I was going to get lost. I've been to Villanueva before but I had taken the easy ride at the back of the Ramos' family van. They, other than your Tito Dixie, gave me more reasons to pay Villanueva a visit.

I had a great time. They were constantly teasing me about my life in the business before but for the most part, I think what I really enjoyed was their company.Tito Dixie's family is rather colorful and loud, it reminded me of the good old days with our own family where we had the gatherings, there was singing, talking and a smorgasbord of fun. So yes, I enjoyed being with Tito Dixie and his family. While I was a little bit more sane as well as sober, I gave the Ramoses a surprise visit. They barely even recognized me with my eye glasses on, I don't know if I should take that as a compliment. Haha! Anyway. So where I once came from a banquet, to a banquet I was again invited. I had dinner and exchanged a lot of thoughts with the trio of old acquaintance. I missed the folks, your Tita Jorren, who I have forgiven now for mistaking be to be whoever else she had thought me to be other than myself, Tita Joan, and Mommy. But I missed your Tito Jovan most of all; my director, mentor and even more than that, my friend. He was a little preoccupied with the angst-ridden atmosphere of a show he was directing. We never got to talk even as I left.

Oh well, that was, in a nutshell, some adventure. I got home around 9PM and that's to see your diaper eagerly jump off before you could do so to greet me.

Love,
Mommy