First Wednesday of the Month in the 'Sco

In celebration of Miles' 8th month (not to mention--8 months of surviving through nursing him), we planned the afternoon to do one of SF's free things on the first Wednesday of September, check cashing at Cash n' Go. Sike!

After Miles and I went on a trip across the bay bridge to send off Aunty Rizalene back to NY, we headed back to meet up with Aunty Lea and Papa Jones. Miles was such a patient boy, riding solo in the backseat from Oakland airport back to Presidio--without crying! I was really surprised. I guess he is more of a big boy now! I guess that also means that we can drive to Vallejo--just the two of us--when his daddy has to work.

Anyways, back to our free thing on the first Wednesday...
Today, we visited the Steinhart Aquarium on Howard St. It was Miles' first time to see sealife upclose. He was amazed by the fishes' movements, trying to grab them as they passed by, learning that he could not do so because of the glass surface. How frustrating!

He enjoyed the crocodile turtles, jumping up and down in excitement. They looked like old statues, dinosaur-like and crusty.



Aunty Lea enjoyed the giant striped bass. Justin enjoyed the Electric Unagi--I mean, Eels. And I just wanted some patis and bagoong! It was a seafood lover's haven. When Aunty Lea kept pointing out the striped bass, I just kept thinking "Ayon na masarap!"

Anyways, I got to see a Humuhumnukunukuapuhua'a. I just love saying that. Here are a few shots of our day of FREE.99 fun:









A little after, Miles got to hang out with all the other babies in the play area. But ofcourse, he was the only brown kid in the corner. I still trip out, seeing him play with toys all by himself. His dexterity is improving and so are his locomotive skills. He has yet to crawl forward--but he can now crawl backward!



First Wednesdays in SF are fun for everyone. There was a good mix of people at the aquarium, including homeless folks, buddha monks, babies, teenagers, and us. I think Miles had a lot of stimulation for the day. We headed back to the presidio and relaxed awhile. Justin cooked us his fried chicken dinner. Uncle Ruben came home and was able to dine with us. And Miles got a treat, Yo Baby yogurt. Aunty Lea enjoyed feeding the monster!



Peace!

People-Baby

I've noticed that Miles is most happy when he is surrounded by people. He is a city boy, being use to the hustle & bustle of the streets. Besides, Jus and I, he loves interacting with just about anyone who stops to smile at him. After grandma Susan left back to Hawaii on Monday morning, we decided to visit the other set of grandparents in Vallejo--along with Deng-deng, Aunty Jen & Uncle Eric. It feels really good to be around family and being around mama Susan made us want to be around more fam. So, we decided to spend the night in Vallejo which is something we usually do not do.







Miles also got to spend time with his bro, Homielito. Homie loves the attention from him. He's such a good dog for babies and kids. Even Snupe tried to lay a kiss on Miles' fat cheek--and funny Miles turned his face forward and opened up his mouth wide!



Every time Miles and Darrien see each other, they are able to communicate with each other better. When Darrien was lying down and I was holding Miles just above Darrien's head so that he could peer down, both staring at each other--Miles would talk to Deng and Deng would laugh. Whenever Miles made any kind of noise, Deng would laugh, making Miles laugh! So they both kept doing this for a bit, making each other giggle. It was such a cute moment--I wish I had in on video! And that's just the beginning of their fun together as babies, at about 5 & 8 months.

Since grandma Susan was here, Miles starting balancing better (& longer) on his two feet feet. So Justin kept Miles exercising, and baby loved taking steps. I asked my mom how old I was when I started crawling and she said that I never crawled but walked at 10 months! If there is a correlation between mother & child--then maybe Miles will be walking sooner than we think. Don't get me wrong,--I'm in no rush for him to walk! Please Miles, take your time.



Tuesday, Miles & I spent the day with Aunty Rizalene. She's leaving soon for L.A. then back to NY! She had dinner with us at the pad and played with Miles before his bedtime. Aunty Riz claimed that "Miles is the type of baby that makes you want to have one." What a compliment! Miles was just putting on his charm all day long for his Aunty Riz. He even had a surprise for her in his diaper but she refused the gift! How rude! Miles hopes to see Aunty Riz before she leaves again. Maybe he can accompany her to lunchtime at Nation's.



Tomorrow is Miles' 8 month birthday! It's a celebration!

Mini-Vacation

I got to spend a lot of quality time with my older cousins Boo & Angel, Aunty Lauren, Aunty Lea, and ofcourse--Grandma Susan! Ate Angel set up a puppet show just for me and I loved it! She made me laugh so hard! She also fed me. I was waiting for Kuya Boo to open up the gift I had for him in my diaper.





Aunty Lauren came over and cooked a wonderful smelling, fried chicken dinner. I did not get to taste her yummy cooking but my mommy did.



Aunty Lea spent a whole day with me, mommy, and grandma, gallibanting up and down Union Square. She is one of my funny aunties. I think I resemble her in ways.





Renaissance Parc 55 has been our camping grounds since Friday. Mommy, daddy, and I have been spending the night in Grandma's lovely hotel room. We get a different view of San Francisco from this point, more sunshine & warm weather.



The hotel is purst class. Grandpa and grandma have been very generous! I'm telling you, I'm a very lucky apo!

Grandma got to get her last minute shopping fixes in before she leaves me once again--tomorrow. I've had so much fun spending time with her! I've learned how to dance since she's been here. All she has to do is sing her Katenkateng song. Aunty Lea even got to see me shake my booty yesterday.



I've been on my best behavior in the hotel. I even let my mommy & daddy enjoy later than usual dinners at cheesecake factory, kitaro, and also siam thai. This morning I got up to have brunch with mommy & grandma at Betty Boop's diner.



I can't believe she is going to leave me tomorrow! She sang me into my drowsy state, holding me in her arms. I know I will wake up tomorrow, expecting her to be there to start the day with me. I've gotten so use to having play time with her in the morning, followed by our short naps. I love making her laugh when I eat, yelling "Aah!" while squinting my eyes. But I know she will be here again soon enough--and hopefully Papa will be here with her! He hasn't seen me in action yet so I've got a lot in store for him when he visits. I know I'll have so much fun with him--da kine I have with Grandma! We even wrestle!





I'm so thankful that I get to spend time with my Pilipina HK Hawaiian Grandma. She is so funny and malambing--as well as being so hip--28 year old scholars try to holler at her! I am in love with my Grandma and I let her cradle me like a newborn, even though my limbs dangle over her arms. I don't even let my mommy and daddy do that too often.



I will miss hearing her say, "Wahna!" and "Ay-ya!" But overall, I will just miss her presence in general. I have the coolest grandparents with that je nai se quois (yes, I can speak some french). She has been my fashion stylist and coordinator during her visit.



I hope she wakes me up tomorrow before she leaves the hotel to say Good morning to me. I think I'm going to go through Grandma Susan withdrawal! Mommy & daddy beware!

My First Trip to the SF Zoo

On Tuesday, grandma, mommy, and daddy took me to the the San Francisco Zoo. It was my first time I got to see real animals that I usually stare at on the pages of my books.

The first animals I got to see were giraffes. I got to watch them during their feeding.



I was quite amazed by their color and size, so I decided to take a baby one with me.



My favorite animals were the prairie dogs and flamingos. The prarie dogs reminded me of Homie, watching them run made me laugh so hard! The flamingos made funny noises and they cracked me up also!



I made bears stir, smelling my suka. One even stood up, sniffing the air, looking straight at us! After seeing the grizzlies and polar bear, we saw birds of prey. The owls were amazing! I saw a mouse run across the yard and then the owl tried to fly after it, but couldn't catch it because he was chained. I felt so sad for the bird. He was bigger than I was.




Besides all the animals, I was content with all the trees and flowers in the landscape. I wanted to take a few with me.



I really enjoyed our day outdoors with all the animals. I think I am going again with my cousin Deng-deng. But for now, I will just play with Homie :)

Mass Picnic with bebes

We had an early start Sunday morning, trying to get to Stern Grove before spaces ran out. Although we did not arrive at 6am, we managed to get comfy behind a bunch of trees with the fam. We didn't get to see Crown City, being they were out of our view, but we did get to enjoy good food and family. Eric, Jen, Darrien, and Erica-ca came through to spend the beautiful Frisco summer day (foggy and grey) with us (Miles, grandma, daddy Jus, and me) for the free out door concert.







Aunty Erica-ca Luca (her new last name) is redeeming herself, making up the long lost time by spending some with the fam. She even agreed to babysitting on September 21st so that Jus & I could celebrate our 1 year of marriage, checkin out Miss Sharon Jones :)

Bantot (aka Milesy) and Dengdeng (aka Darrien) spent quality cousin time, fitted and ready to play...





and sleep...



...and poop--plus, pee pee time--you know, all the important things that they do very well.

Bantot got to enjoy good laughs with grandma and daddy.







After a long afternoon, we returned back home and the Bantot bandits played a little longer...



It's trippy just thinking about how we are "grown-ass" adults. We even have our own families now. But I still think of Eric as my baby brother. You know, just like that song by WAR..."Me & baby brotha....."

That's the theme music. It's dope because Miles & Darrien will get to grow up together and just be nitsy along the way. Basically, just buggin' out as his daddy would call it. Speaking of theme music--the song for Miles & I would have to be "My buddy! My buddy! Where ever I go--he goooooes!"

I love being a mother, building this new relationship--mama & son. Don't get me wrong--it has not been"puppies and ice cream" the whole time but hard work and patience. These past 7.5 months have been rough at times but at the end of the day, when we put Bantot to sleep, I am still thinking about all the funny things he did throughout the day. I can't get enough of the little stinker!

Saturday with my Grandma

I'm so happy my Grandma Susan is here! I love spending time with her--especially in the morning when she cargas me out of the room so that mommy & daddy can sleep in. I love when she feeds me because I am always hungry! I like to shut my eyes tight, open my mouth wide, yelling "aaaaah!"--until she puts a spoonful of cereal into my mouth. I also like playing with my toys-- with her assistance ofcourse! She sings me songs and makes me smile from ear to ear.

Today, we went on our shopping adventures. We went to grandma's favorite stores; the Crate & Barrel outlet, IKEA, and a new one for my supplies, Babies "R" Us. At IKEA, Grandma introduced me to bread. But the texture was funny on my palate.



Grandma was teasing me with her drink, letting me take a sip then taking the cup away. I was so mad, yelling for it! My daddy had to carga me so that I would be quiet but then I saw a few more people with those cups so I yelled even louder!

At Babies "R" Us, grandma (& grandpa in spirit!) bought me so many things. I'm such a lucky boy. We were shopping close to my bedtime. After being out for so long, I was hungry again so mommy had to feed me in the Mother's room. Too bad there are no other stores that have these private places for me & mommy. After so many hours of gallibanting, I was ready to go back to my hood.



It was a long day outside of the house but what a change from my average days inside the presidio apartment. I'm so proud of my dad, surviving a whole day of shopping with no complaints. I barely complained too. He played with me the whole time while mommy and grandma were on their missions.

Tomorrow is our adventures at Stern Grove. I'll be hanging out with my cousin, Darrien. I will tell you about it tomorrow!

Hooray!

This week, Justin and I finally had our Hawaiian fix, grubbin at L & L in Daly City. I swear, we've been craving it for weeks since we didn't get to go to the annual Aloha festival here in the Presidio. That weekend, we brought Miles to his first UZN (Universal Zulu Meeting), being the only baby Hiphoppa at People's park. His Ninong Paulskeee was there visiting so we met up with him and Aunty Deeandroid.

Anyways, back to the good grub--L&L, "deep fried goodness." Miles got to eat too--his peas we brought from home. I think that's the first time, Jus, Miles and I had a meal together--at a table! He sat alongside us on an L&L high-chair...It's amazing how much each development makes us feel as parents. I swear, I feel proud of him everytime I see him grow, learning something new. Sometimes, we can actually see him processing his thoughts, making his own baby decisions. Just seeing him sit in a high-chair makes us feel so happy. It's the little things that Miles does that makes us happy each day.



Last Friday, Miles got to celebrate with Isagani for his 2nd birthday! Talk about a fun Friday night for us parents! We enjoyed delicious Pilipino food; sisig, pancit, and lumpia. Miles enjoyed his apples & bananas, being fed my Gani! It was so cute watching Gani carefully hold a spoon towards Miles big ol' mouth. Although we had Miles up late, he surprisingly did not protest, enjoying all the people and the new enviornment. What a lucky boy, hangin out real late, socializing with all the big kids.



His weeks get better and better--especially this week. He is one fortunate mallard right now because...
...he gets extra love from Grandma!

Mama Susan is here visiting from Hawaii--and yes, Justin & I are also lucky because we can also get a break here and there. It's too bad she doesn't live here with Dad!! (Mom, if you're reading this--just imagine--all the Target and Ikea you can get. Not to mention--Crate & Barrel!) We are thankful to God that she at least gets to visit us often, spending much quality time with Mileskiii and also with us.

Today we started off her vacation here with...TARGET. Yes, you know--it's our favorite place on earth. Well--one of our favorite spots. We forgot Miles' stroller but it was all good cause we were at the place-to-be, Target. Mom purchased one of those juvenile $10 strollers. Keyword: Juvenile. Who cares what the Target worker said about Miles "being too small." He can hold himself up just right in that bargain-of a stroller! See, another proud moment! He was perfectly fine, swinging his legs, swing his legs. Sing it!



In just 2 months since Miles last seen Grandma, he has developed so much--physically & mentally. His motor skills are off the hook! He's trying to stand up, holding the rails of his crib, pushing his body up. He grabs everything and anything, lunging forward. He weighs a lot more and looks funny being cradled because his long body dangles outside the width of our arms.

It's so nice to see Grandma play with Miles, singing her "ka-tenk-ka-tenk" songs. The look on Justin's face is priceless, watching mom enjoy her grandson. It's a beautiful thang! Miles is our best creation in our life to date! Really...I'm sure our parents agree! Although he hasn't seen her in awhile, when he woke up this morning, as soon as he saw her he started smiling! He opened up his arms and whined, "uhhhhh!" That is his way of tellin ya to "Carga me!" That's right, I'm praising my son-- he is an intelligent little monster.

Who knows what this week and next has in-store for our adventures in Mileskiii-spree shopping, bargain & sale hunting, as well as yummy meals outside the house with Grandma & Miles?! Will Miles break out of his 8 0'clock bedtime? Will his first tooth poke through? Will Grandma lose it at IKEA? Will Justin lose his patience for our shopping? Stay tuned...

Happy 1st Birthday Lucia!

This past week (on the 3rd), Lucy turned 1 years old! She is no longer the baby I remember her as--in her halloween chicken suit. So much time has passed even though it doesn't feel like it. But seeing how much a baby can grow within a year's time frame is amazing--development, growth, character & all.

This one year mark also means that Tom & Teresa completed their first year of parenting! CONGRATULATIONS!! What a crazy but wonderful year, right?! I just realized that I started this blog around the time that Lucy was born, feeling so excited for T & T, wondering what life will be like for the 3 of them--I mean 5, including the puppies. And now, I have some kind of hunch, having to raise this little boy of mine, and through hearing all of T & T's Lucy stories.

Lucy has since birth been certain of what she needed, being very vocal and determined. In the times that I got to spend with her--I learned just how friendly, intelligent, and charming she is. But ofcourse--she's Teresa's daughter. I wish you more blessings, Lucy, T & Dimple T. I love you niece...show the world what time it is!



That's right Lucy! You can have your cake & eat it too! Don't let people tell you otherwise!

Busy boy weekend

Miles had a busy weekend of playing, praying (haha), and hangin out with his Uncle Bboys and Aunty Bgirls. But for the most part, he loves hangin out with his daddy. He goes to to me for comfort but goes to Justin when its time to play. In the morning, he wakes up and starts patting his dad's back, or nudging him with his foot, trying to get him up to start the day.





Playtime is a big deal for Miles nowadays. He must exhaust all his energies..it's his new mission. Luckily for him, his friend Diego loaned him an excersaucer. He loves bouncing in it, making so much noise. We can actually leave him in it for awhile to cook or work on music. It's grrrrreat for all of us!



On Sunday, we started the day early to attend mass at St. Monica's. We registered as parishoners so that Miles can be baptised there. Surprisingly, Miles was pretty quiet during mass, except for his occasional yells towards the priest, his own way of praising the Lord.



After mass, we spent the warm sunny day in Mosswood park in the biggity O. Miles' Uncle Arjuna held his monthly Bboy/Bgirl Sunday Cyphers/Brunch. Miles loves watching us spin. He lunges forward towards the spinning tables. Under the trees and outdoors with live music was so much stimulation for him--he did not want to take a nap. He actually stayed up 5 hours straight without napping! He usually can only go for 2-3 hours before he needs his nap. But with a live drummer from an Afro-funk band, he was mesmerized with all the bangin'!

Yesterday was his Ninong Ruben's 31st birthday. Miles got to spend some time with him and even got to help blow out his candles. Miles loves hearing his Uncle Ruben's silly noises--he just cracks up. If he's not quacking like a duck, Miles will whine until he does! What a demanding lil monster.



Today, Miles got to take a nice walk through teh Presidio with his homie, Diego. And when he got home, he took his nap to wake up to a purst class toy from his Aunty Cheryl. He is one lucky boy!