My Kryptonite

The concept of maternal superpowers has always been an interesting conversation piece for me.  I believe that mothers have the ability to fly the heights as high as Superman, run as fast as Flash can, be as strong as The Hulk... you get the idea.  But like any superheroes, you'd come across that version of a Kryptonite - that one thing that makes your super human abilities weak.

Mine, for example, is being around dermatologists.

My Love Affair

Yes, I have a love affair.  One that shattered me to pieces when it ended and has since been giving me heartaches whenever I think about it.

Love comes in different forms.  Mine was just... magical.  Like I just NEED to have it when I first saw it.  IT.WAS.LOVE!

More than two years ago, as my husband and I were scouting for a new house in the village, we found somebody who recommended a place just two blocks away from where our permanent address was.  It was not widely advertised because the owners wanted referrals instead of walk-ins.  They needed to find somebody who can brand the house as a home.

And... that is what we did.  We took the next possible chance to transfer. It was ours - our humble abode; with the garage where the kids can run around while the car isn't park.  The kitchen where we will have our countless of dinners together and the bedroom where all the resting and memories were built.

Two years later, we were tearfully loading all the furniture and appliances in a big mover's truck.  We were off to leave our dear home.

It was heartbreaking to leave behind all kinds of memories that were made in that house. It was what formed me to be what I am now, which I would say is the same for the rest of the family. 

It is just not practical to be renting you when we have a family house that only has two people there.  There is also that need to have someone who can look after the kids' welfare while we're earning.

But still... I still wake up in the middle of the night and wonder where I am at.  My 3-year old daughter still cries and asks us where her home is.  My husband who still has his quiet moments - I am sure he also thinks about home.

It's on repeat in my dreams.  How I had that last day of moving all the things to the new house.  Looking around on that last round, seeing nothing more than the memories of how the living room looks while the kids were playing their video games and making a hell of a mess.

I miss you.

I miss home.

One of these days, I am going to buy you and we will meet again.

When You Think Everything Will Be Boring (Part 2)

I just realized life got in the way and I left you hanging with my story about Nemo's antics.  This is part 2 of my blog about our scary experience last Christmas.  It is easier to recount now because I see Nemo being herself all the time - no more worries about the after-procedure side effects.

So Nemo needed to have an endoscopy to take the coin out.  It was scary how it was explained, even scarier that we had to check the instrument out.  A decision had to be made soon.  We were told that if we wait, it might even be more dangerous; that it can poison the rest of Nemo's system.

It is also worth noting that the medical insurance (health card, we have two for the girls), did not cover the procedure.  We had to pay for this.

On the helluva morning (after tossing and turning on that not-so-comfy hospital chair), we were wheeled in to the X-ray room to check if there was a chance that the coin has gone down the natural way.  This is where I first met my pedia gastro doctor.  She discussed with me what she needed to do.  It was quite graphic that the whole time, I was probably holding my breath with a big lump on my throat.  It won't be a surprise if my face was turning blue.

More hooplas and discussions and we were wheeled in to the prep room.  This is where the doctor popped the question - "Misis, are you okay?"  For the love of heaven and earth, please do not ask any parent in a similar scenario that question!  Of course I was not okay!  That was my final straw - I cried a river and had hurricane-sounding sobs in front of the doctor. I was scared, what were you thinking?

The anesthesiologist gave Nemo some meds to make her sleep after which I was showed my way out of the operating room.  After 15 minutes, I was called by the EENT doctor to show me what toy they took out from her ear.  It was the gastro doctor's time to shine.

It was probably the longest 3 hours of my life.  It felt like my eyebags extended to my chin.  My husband was waiting with me then.  

Because of exhaustion, I crashed and fell asleep while waiting for the doctor.  I woke up to see a small plastic container with a stained coin.  It turned black!  The doctor informed us that it was saving grace that we decided to go through the procedure.  The coin was embedded on Nemo's stomach walls.  It was difficult to get it out.

Two more hours in the recovery room and we were assisted back to our room.  We were given some good news.  We can celebrate Christmas at home after all.  We can go home the next day.

I have so much to be thankful of despite my life's biggest scare.  I am thankful for wonderful extended families who have assisted us in so many ways.  I am thankful for a competent medical team in Asian Hospital.  

I would not wish for this to happen to anyone.  It was horrible and I can only shiver whenever I think about it.

When You Think Everything Will Be Boring...

Just when I thought my holiday break was going to be uneventful, my three-year old Nemo decided to spice it all up with an adventure.

Three days before Christmas, while watching the Muppets for the nth time, she decided to put a small toy in her right ear - pushed it a bit further inside before announcing it to her father who was watching the movie with her.

"Daddy, my ear!"

Those three words were enough to make my husband panic.  He saw her holding a small ball from her big sister's art set.  A few seconds before he can take it from her, she decided to keep it somewhere safe. 

Checking her ear, he saw something blue and foreign - like the presence of the Smurfs in NYC.

Our Weekend Getaway

Last Saturday, we were at the Alabang Town Center to spend time with the family.  Our two girls were on their usual giddy self - as soon as they found out that we were going out, they took out their favorite dresses and did most of the preparation.

Parking was very bad as expected.  We have a secret spot that we go to that seldom gets crowded mainly because you need a long walk to get to the entrance of the mall.  That day, our secret was found out.  It was filled except for one small parking area that our little car can squeeze in.

So we had lunch, walked around and looked at toys at Rustan's Alabang.  Did I tell you they have one of the best Christmas nooks in the country?

The day in ATC will not be complete without playing near the water fountains.

We had to get new clothes for them because they were soaking wet.  My little girl decided it was about time to get rid of her favorite Crocs.  

Early evening, Lea Salonga, the Kindred Voices with Gerard Salonga and the Philharmonic Orchestra had a free concert at the atrium.  It was too bad I didn't hear about it because I could get reserve seats courtesy of the Ayala A Card.

I caught the first song before my little ball of fire decided to run to the nearest Time Zone.  I went after her, panicking because I couldn't find her anywhere.  I found her battling Lea Salonga's vocal prowess - Nemo was crying her lungs out while she stands right next to her Dad.  

I missed my chance of watching Lea Salonga's concert again in the process.  My husband and I went home with sore legs (from all the running after the kids) and headaches that lasted all night long.  The kids?  They were awake until the wee hours of the morning.

Picture Perfect: Pic-A-Boo!

Back when I was very excited about the concept of parenting (insert laughter here), my mind always wandered to the thoughts and plans of how I can document my daughters' growth.  My inexperience proved that it can get pricey but fun!  It felt like lighting up fireworks just when everyone's about to fall asleep. 

My family was a frequent visitor of Pic-A-Boo, an upcoming children's photo studio circa 2007.  They have tempting deals that parents cannot say no to.  The first time I went to their branch at SM The Block, I was mesmerized by how they made everything look good - even the costumes that my baby girl back then did not really like.  I ended up spending about Php 6,000, got a  free membership card, some free 8R prints and a CD of all the pictures they took in low resolution.  The photographers KNOW their thing.  The only thing the babies needed to do was to smile and have fun!

So I ended up going back over and over again - the yearning being close to an addiction.  I just have to get more!!

Richwell Sale 2012: The Alphaland Experience

This year's Richwell Warehouse Sale just got better!

If you have been to the previous year's sale, you know by heart the tips I have mentioned in my previous post.  You are prepared for:

• Horrendous traffic around the area
• Nightmare parking 
• Dust and sweat
• Cash purchase
• Excuse me, pardon me, oh so sorry, hey can I get in there please?

Now matter how scary that list sounds, you have braved through this yearly because of the good deals.

This year at Alphaland Mall, Richwell has improved things a great deal.