Rewind - Part II

On a lighter note, Obiwan turned 1 year old last December 5. I have a 1 year old boy. We celebrated his birthday last December 6, 2009 at Jay-J's Inasal in Metrowalk, Pasig City. It's far from a normal 1 year old birthday but I didn't want to have a children's party for Obiwan. For one thing, I didn't have the budget for it. Children's parties are unbelievable expensive. And the guest turn out would be like that of his baptism, it's not worth it. And my closest friends do not have children of their own or at least not that many that would constitute a children's party. And because Obiwan won't be able to join any of the games anyway.

So, I decided to have a lunch with family and the closest friends instead. Basically, it's my immediate family, my aunt from Bulacan, Obiwan's godparents, friends from high school who I'm still in touch with and their plus ones. Less than 20 people were there. But it's great. I seldom get to have everyone close to me in one place. These are the people I know will be part of Obiwan's life in the future.

Obiwan had a great time. He was happy with all the attention he got. He was his day and everyone made sure he knew it. He hasn't quite mastered opening gifts on his own but he's getting there. People sang to him and he had a cake. All in all, it was a very enjoyable time for everyone.

Pictures to follow...

Rewind - Part I

I owe this blog an update. A lot has happened at work and I've been preoccupied with the changes that although I haven't forgotten about Obiwan, blogging time hasn't been that much. It just so happened that I woke early today and I have some time. It was either blog or do laundry.

Around mid November Obiwan's mother asked to visit him. I haven't talked about Obiwan's mother in this blog on purpose. Frankly because I didn't know what to say. But this time I guess there's no getting around it. For the purpose of this blog and since I can't keep referring to her as Obiwan's mother, we'll call her J.

Now, J asked to visit Obiwan. This scared me. Before Obiwan was born, everyone who knew I was going to get custody was asking me if J was sure because she might change her mind when she saw him. It was like everyone was watching the same soap opera when the heroine would be separated from her child and would go through great lengths of getting back the child. I didn't want to give in to that thought but it really is a scary thought.

But I didn't want to be a jerk and if she wanted to see him, maybe nothing bad would come of it. So I said yes. If I'm not mistaken, it was a Monday when we decided that I was going to bring J to visit Obiwan. Both my parents were home and there was a little bit of tension and awkwardness in the whole house. It was the first time for J and my dad to meet. He was out of the country when we picked Obiwan up from the hospital. My dad can be a little intimidating when meeting him for the first time. He really wanted to give a good impression to J. My mom was also a little on edge. And I saw that J felt a little out of place being in someone else's house.

Basically it was hours of small talk and half-meant laughter and awkward smiling. They were strangers to each other but the situation called for people to be closer than they were comfortable with. And I was in the middle of it. But the day soon ended with Obiwan still in his playpen at home. And everyone breathed a sigh of relief that their worst fears were just figments of their imagination. But then everyone would realize that it was just 1 day and everything would relive itself the next time J visited.

This has been too long already. Part II next time.

Happy 1st Birthday Obiwan

Obiwan is 1 year old! How time flies.

Obiwan's Birthday Wishlist

Obiwan told me what he wanted for his birthday. So if anyone plans on giving him a gift, there are a few options available.

Nintendo Wii

Macbook

2-BR Condominium Unit

McDonald's Franchise

and

World Peace

1st Birthday Prep

Obiwan's birthday is near. It's less than a month away. I'm not planning on a big celebration. Just family, godparents and very close friends. But even with a relatively small group, scheduling is a pain. I have to look for a schedule when everyone is free. I don't even know when I'll be available.

What's new...

The past few weeks have been tiring. Between work and Obiwan, I barely have time for anything else. I have a few pictures on my phone but my laptop is slow as hell and I can't upload them. Even the internet at home is unpredictable and I can't even post as much as I did.

But let's talk about Obiwan...

• Obiwan is grown up. He's a very big 11 month old.
• He has 6 teeth. But I don't have pictures of his teeth. It's very hard to catch him with his mouth open. He smiles a lot but when you have a camera in front of him, curiosity takes over and he puts on a very serious look.
  
• He looks when you call his name. He answers to Ben (or Bin because his nanny pronounces it that way).
• He knows the members of the family. When you ask him where Daddy is, he looks at me; when asked where Mommy is, he looks at his grandmother; Lolo, he looks at his grandfather; Tita Sasha, he looks at my older sister, Tito Adrian, he looks at my younger brother; Tita Maggie, he looks at my sister's picture on the wall (even when my sister is actually right there in the room).
• He doesn't know how to say anything. He makes sounds but not words. Not yet.
• He likes a little TV. He likes Yo Gabba Gabba and Dora in Nickelodeon Jr. He also likes the Palmolive Shampoo commercial with Dennis and Marjorie Padilla's daughter.
• His favorite toy is Doggy. A stuffed dalmation given to him by his Ate Chris. Doggy is biting a stuffed bone which Obiwan also likes to bite. Obiwan eventually won and took Doggy's bone with him.
• He has an affinity to keys. I can't understand it. Maybe it's the way they shine or the way they jingle. But show him a set of keys and he'll stop whatever he's doing.
• He went to Trinoma once. But I'd rather have him walk first before we make a habit of going to malls.

Back to work...

My week-long "vacation" is finished. I spent a whole week with Obiwan, taking care of him. He grows up so fast. When I started my week, he only had 2 teeth. He had 4 before I went home. I've got bite marks to prove it.

I don't have any pictures though. My hands are full. And my triceps are killing me with all the carrying I did.

QT

Obiwan's Yaya (Nanny) went on vacation and is out for a whole week. I went on leave from work to take over.

I'm on my 3rd day and it's a struggle. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's a great opportunity to be able to spend quality time with my son. I'm just saying that it's taxing. I thought I was going to have time to take pictures or blog about it every few hours. I thought wrong. I just found time now because he's asleep and his grandfather is here.

Actually, I might as well take this time to take a nap.

Obiwan's Hair

It's hard to actually describe Obiwan's hair, or the lack of it. Until I chanced upon The Incredibles on TV. I saw Jack jack and it's exactly how Obiwan's hair looks like. Not as pointy but it's isolated in that area. His hair can't easily be seen on the pictures because it's so fine.

Mr. Baldy

I'm a little concerned about Obiwan's hair. It grew a little bit but only at the top. He's the baldest baby I know. The hair in front of his head (right where his forehead ends) has never grown since he was born.

I see some babies born around the same time have really think hair. Obiwan doesn't have that. Good thing he's a boy though. Still, I wish his hair would grow before his first birthday.

Feet!

I just came from visiting Obiwan at my parents' house. He has mastered sitting up. He can go from lying down to sitting in no time at all. And he no longer falls. He did however learn something new. He has discovered that he can put his foot in his mouth. It's surprising that he can do that with his thighs as big as they are. But he looks to be enjoying himself. He probably got tired of putting his hands in his mouth and he wanted something different.

Pictures (At Last)

These have been on my laptop for a while now. I just haven't had the time to upload them until now...

Teaser

I know. I haven't been updating much lately. Not that I've lost interest in keeping the blog updated. It's just that I've been busy with work. It's pretty hard to juggle everything.

I have some pictures I haven't posted yet and I think there's one or two videos in my phone that haven't been uploaded. I'll be posting them soon. For now, I'll just upload Obiwan's recent pic showing his thunder thighs.

Same ol', same old...

I just realized that my last update was a month ago.

The reason is, nothing different happens. He's still trying to sit. He still fails once in a while. He tries to pull himself to stand then he falls. His hair grew a little. Aside from that, he just yells his heart out.

Pics from Fathers Day 2009

Obiwan is starting to hold his own bottle. He needs a bit more practice but he's getting there.

Obiwan can also sit. He's a little wobbly and he falls down a lot. Look at how happy he looks.

My First Fathers' Day

I just spent my first Fathers' Day as a father.

I came home around 230am and my mom was up. She told me that Obiwan sat up by himself for the first time. It didn't last more than a few seconds. Not enough time to get a camera. But it made everyone's day. I spent the whole day playing with him and trying to make him sit up. I didn't see him sit up by himself but I try to sit him up just to take a picture of him.

Fathers' Day was great. Now there are 2 fathers at home so there was more food. We ate the whole day. Maybe next year, we'll go out.

My Little Reader

Obiwan is getting a head start for school.

Pedia Wanted

Obiwan is in search of a new pedia. Nothing against his previous pedia; it's just more for convenience sake. We would want a pedia in the Ortigas Center or North Edsa location. Hopefully we can find a competent one soon.

Obiwan is Back Home

Obiwan came back in Novaliches, Q.C. from his vacation in Baliwag, Bulacan.

We've been taking his pictures using my sister's camera and I haven't transferred them to my laptop. Once I do, I'll be uploading A LOT of pictures.

Mid-year Update

In a few days, Obiwan will be half a year old!

• His hair hasn't grown much yet. It's still around 2cm long.
• He doesn't have any teeth yet.
• He hasn't crawled yet (because he's fat).
• He rolls over a lot. That's how he compensates for not being able to crawl.
• He can reach his feet when he's lying on his back.
• He can't sit on his own yet.
• He's still fat. He just looks like he's not fat because he's getting longer everyday.
• He has baby man-boobs.
• He hasn't spoken (but he baby talks a lot).
• He goes through diapers like it were paper.
• He likes his Cerelac.
• He hasn't been out in public since his Baptism.
• He has to be carried with 2 hands because he's heavy and because he moves a lot (which is why I can't hold a camera while I'm carrying him).

...and that's about it.

Family Dinner

I just came from a family dinner. I can't wait until family dinners mean table for 6 plus 1 baby.

The Parable of the Unfortunate Hunter

The village near the edge of the forest had a routine. The hunter would hunt a deer and bring it home. A few days after, when the deer had been consumed, he would hunt again. One day, he thought he would go to the forest and hunt a lot of deer so everyone would have enough to eat and he can stay home longer.

So he went to the forest to hunt. Each time he'd kill a deer, he would go to the village and leave it for the villagers. Every now and then, the villagers would see him but he'll only stay for a short time.

After 3 months of hunting, he went back to the village thinking that they would have enough meat to last them a few more weeks. He found that there weren't any meat stored. The villagers saw him and said, "Why don't you go out and hunt for us?" He replied, "I've been out for 3 months hunting and I just got back." The villagers shot back, "We don't have any food to eat, you don't have a choice."

The hunter, picked up his tools and went to the forest to hunt.

I dreampt of Obiwan

A few days ago I dreampt of Obiwan. I think it's my first dream about him. Maybe it's the first that I remember.

Obiwan was about 4 years old in my dream. I was out eating with my friends and Obiwan was playing by himself around the restaurant where I was. Obiwan ran to me and asked if I can buy him some twin-popsies. And then all my eating friends disappeared and Obiwan disappeared. I made my way out of the establishment and a '35 Cabriolet pulled up. Out came around 15 people dressed in 30's fashion carrying tommy guns. They lined up on the street, 5 people wide and 3 people deep, and opened fire on me. I danced like a rag doll while bullets riddled my body. When they stopped, I was still alive. I got my tommy gun out and fired upon my attackers in a sweeping motion. Their frontline fell. I ran another wave of bullets and their second row fell. And then I woke up...

Happy Baby

Here are some of Obiwan's pics I haven't posted yet.

Birthmark

Every so often it becomes noticeable. I think Obiwan has a birthmark. It's above his right eye almost near where his hairline should be. Of course his hairline is also not noticeable. It's a spot that's a little darker or redder than his complexion.

I'm sure most if not all people have a birthmark of some sort. But in his case, it's little bit more familiar. He may just grow up to be a head of a country.

Fun Facts

Obiwan and I were both born in Makati Medical Center. And I just found out that we were both born on a Friday. 

:D

Cho Nam

A memory I have when I was less than 10 years old was when my father would bring me to Quiapo. I don't remember why we were there but we would always have lunch at Cho Nam Panciteria. What I remember most about it was its facade. There wasn't anything extraordinary about how it looked but compared to Baliwag, Bulacan or Novaliches, Quezon City where we lived, Quiapo was very different. It was full of people and the streets were full of action.

Today, I found myself passing by Quiapo. It was time for lunch and I simply had to go to Cho Nam. It hasn't changed. But I realized that there wasn't anything special about the place after all. The food was plain. The people were indifferent. And the place was old. When I was a child, it was a special place. Maybe because it's the place where my father and I shared. He didn't bring anyone else in the family there. Or at least not that I'm aware of.

This is what I want to share with Obiwan. I want to show him places that would broaden his mind and add to his experiences. He has me as a guide to show him everything I can before he starts exploring on his own.

Good plan.

Cerelac Gold

The doctor instructed us to introduce Cerelac Gold to Obiwan. At the time I thought it was a very fancy name. But after scouring different grocery stores and coming out empty handed, now I think it was named that way because it's as rare as gold. There are a few more stores to try. After that, I may just need to start digging and mining for it.

Word from Doc

We went to Obiwan's pedia the other day for his vaccine. Doc said Obiwan is healthy but he's not obese. The thought did cross my mind a couple of times but the doctor assured me that he isn't obese until he looks like Bibendum.

Doc also said that we can start introducing solid foods. Not as a substitute to milk but just to get him acquainted. He grows up so fast. At this rate, he'll get married before I do.

Cover Baby

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

Bye Obiwan

Obiwan will be spending the summer at his greatgrandmother's house in Baliwag, Bulacan. He'll get to see where I grew up. I hope I can drop by every so often.

Obiwan eating Crispy Pata

I've uploaded several videos in my YouTube channel. Here's one of my favorites. Obiwan is really enjoying snacking on his arm.

How do they do it?

I just don't get it. There are families with more children and less income and they get by. I feel like I'm stretching my salary as thin as I could and I still have to ask for financial help from my parents.

:þ

Sleepy Sleeperson IV

You'd think Obiwan was exhausted from our trip to the doctor for his vaccine but these pictures were taken before we left the house. This baby is sleeping like, ummm..., a baby.

Meet Bluey

Bluey is a stuffed dog handed down from each baby in our house to the next. I think it started with my younger sister, Maggie. Then Bluey was handed down to my cousin, Kay. Then to my youngest brother, Adrian. Details are little sketchy and I don't really know if this is correct. My point is that Bluey is several years old and he's still alive. Babies must really love Bluey. He made Obiwan sleep in less than a minute.

Roll-over

It looks awkward but Obiwan is trying to roll over on his back. It's a little difficult because he's so fat. I saw him succeed a few times but there are times when he gets stuck. This is all the exercise this fat boy gets.

Finger Food?

Obiwan loves to snack on his hands. We try to give him a pacifier but he takes it out and replaces it with his hands. And now his hands smell of baby saliva.

Birthday Suit

It's getting harder to give Obiwan a bath. First, he's getting too big. His feet goes past the counter we bath him in. And he has almost outgrown the baby bath tub we use. On top of that, he cries a lot when bathing. You'd think he'd feel refreshed taking a bath when he's all sticky from the summer heat, but he squirms and wriggles and cries from start to finish. 

The only time he stops is after the bath. This is the only time I get to take pictures of his baby fat.

Just a Thought

I was wondering. If I made shirts that say "I heart Obiwan", would anyone buy it? I'm just interested to know if Obiwan has the potential to have a cult following. Hehe.

This baby ate Obiwan

He's like a totally different kid; a poster boy for milk.

Baby in Red

Here are some pictures taken early Feb. We're about to go to Dr. Nuguid for his vaccine.

What Happened to Mr. Chicken Legs?

Then...
Now...