Saturday, January 24, 2009

yet another funny experience

As I posted before, giving birth in the Philippines was a shockingly easy and a good experience. I had many reservations about it but in the end it was on par, if not better, than having a baby in the States. Although we did have one of those unbelievable things happen as well.

Let me set the scene for you!

After I was transferred from recovery upstairs to our room which was actually a very big room with a bedroom section and a living section we noticed that the aircon was only working in the living part. As Nate was messing with the controls, one of the very helpful nurses said she would call engineering to come and turn it on for us. In the meantime, Nate headed down to the hospital lobby to meet his mom and Holden coming to see Finnley for the first time.


As I am laying there snuggling our precious new bundle in comes a fellow from the engineering department with a ladder. He proceeds to set it up right next to my bed. I am groggy and pretty drugged up still but I know something strange is going on. "What are you doing?" I asked him, "why is this ladder in here?" We were certainly lost in translation and he just said, "aircon." He then proceeded to climb the ladder, remove the ceiling tile an fiddle around while I lay there covering my baby, hoping he doesn't fall onto us and having vision of asbestos and other lovely thoughts.

Not two seconds later, in walks Nate with his mom and Holden in tow wondering what is going on, I just say "aircon." He grabs the camera and the moment of hilarity is captured for the generations. Of course, the air conditioning was either on or off. There was no temperature gauge so when it got to cold, engineering headed back up with their ladder and when it got too hot and stuffy, up they came again!


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Out littlest cupid

Holden's Valentine's cupid ad for a Philippine department store came out today. The agency sent over a disk with the photos. He's yummy.













Monday, January 19, 2009

Finn and his grin

A few more holdenisms

"Mom, I am going to ask Santa for Dad to break up with you for Christmas."
"Why would you ask for that Holden?"
"So I can marry you silly!"

At school they are discussing differences in cultures, people, etc and how they are the same and how they are different. Brought this mom to tears when I heard what Holden said when asked what it is that makes him special. His answer: "I think it would be how much I love my baby brother."

While getting ready for school this morning I had the news on which was of course all about the inauguration. "Hey, Barack Obama, that's OUR President mom!"

"I am going to keep modeling, so I have lots of money when I grow up, then I will hire someone to wipe my bum for me!"

And the sign of a true budding entrepreneur. The other day while out after brunch he took my camera to take some photos of the water features, ducks, etc. Apparently he had started charging people 1 peso each to take their photo. He came back with P21, so I guess he is well on his way!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Department store catalogue

A city of 10 million and our little boy all around the city in various ads. Here is the front of a local department store catalogue and one of the inside pages. He thinks he's a movie star, watch out world!




Thursday, January 15, 2009

With a straight face

When asked: "Holden, what part of no don't you understand?"

Holden responded with a complete deadpan manner: "The N part."

I couldn't keep my face straight at that one.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Any time a conversation starts like this, you know you're in for trouble


"Mom, can you ask Dad to put a nail in my bedroom wall so I can hang my slingshot just like dennis the menace?"


Holden asked Nate to make him a slingshot last week. He drew a picture of it at school and lucky for us our driver, Ed, is pretty darn crafty and offered not only advice on what tree to use but showed up Sunday with a branch cut down to size and sanded along with all the rubber bands and leather parts needed to make it all come together. Holden has been shooting "cokalite" cans down with wet paper balls for the past two days.


Shhh, we haven't told him that rocks and marbles can be used too. I don't think we're ready for that.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

HA!

They are laughable. Family photos are rarely enjoyable for anyone. Especially family photos of a photographer's family! But...we did them anyway!

Was there stress? Yes. Were there threats? Yes. Were there blinking eyes, fake smiles and sad faces? Yes, yes and yes. Were there tears? No. Did we triumph? Yes. Will you ever see them? Of course, if you send me your address so I can mail you a card!

Finnley (the perfect baby, who never cries) SCREAMED and would not let the pacifier out of his mouth. What was going on with him today I will never know. Holden (the model, who makes a "living" doing this thing) was full of fake smiles and many "I need to take a break" excuses. Nate did his part well. I laughed so I wouldn't cry. Great day all around!

A moment captured where you can't see the Finnley's favorite friend (the pacifier)



And here is the usual look for our little sprite: don't mess with the paci.


The boys. 5 years old and 5 weeks old. My how time flies.


I adore Holden's imagination at this age. He is full of expressions and stories and dreams. Legos and tinker toys have provided him with endless possibilities to his imagination. He makes himself battle ships and jet packs out of them. He builds forts and flies through space. He draws pictures and makes up songs for Finn. He got his very own brush in his stocking from Santa and is so very serious when he combs his hair just right, ever strand in place. He questions EVERYTHING to the point where we are exhausted and really quite speechless in our answers because really, who knows what happens when black goes into a black hole?
When Finnley is upset he pats his head, sings twinkle twinkle little star and says "It's ok Finn, I'm here, your brother is right here."


Finnley is changing literally before our eyes. He is so much more aware every day. He is focusing on faces and voices now and we have started to see real smiles the past couple of days. He coos and chats up a little squak every once in a while. He is very expressive in the faces he makes and we are able to tell very quickly from whichever little groan, grunt or cry that comes out exactly what he wants: to be fed, to be changed, to be held or just a little singing and attention. It makes life pretty easy around these parts!