The 2 Month Old's Name Giving Party

To those who weren't there for Christian's epic stand-up comedy stint/speech, the reason why we had a name giving party (last Sunday, June 23) instead of a regular baptism is because we're giving the boy the opportunity to choose which religion he wishes to subscribe to when he's older (even if he might not choose one).

The boy has both Islam (from me) and Christianity (from... err... Christian) in his heritage, so it doesn't seem fair to "bless" the boy under either exclusively.

Sorry Mike, no Godchild por juu this time.

But we recognize that Baptisms are about communities coming together to welcome the neonate, so we had to think of another water-ritual for people to munch on, so Christian proposed a toast to the boy, where we all collectively said his name.

The quest for the ultimate stroller (Part 1)!!!

While the sling's been working swell, the swing bearer has not. The boy's gotten a taste for travel too. When we're in the room, he kicks to signal that he wants up and looks to the door. It's hard NOT to succumb to the boy's wishes when he does this to you:

Compelling, isn't it?

And because of the decision to stay yaya-less, we bring him wherever we go. Needless to say, it's time we started looking for a stroller.

To be honest, baby wearing is great. You can commute via jeepney easily when you're carrying a sling around rather than a baby PLUS a stroller.

But for those times when terrain is going to be mostly pavement, and you have to lug other baggage around, a stroller sounds wonderful.

And while it IS tempting to be cheap, this is The Stroller. This item will see about 2-3 years of abuse, and probably another 2 to 3 years after.

Not that we're planning a follow up soon.

*cough*

...so began our quest for The Stroller.

Considerations:

• Must be good for all sorts of terrain (specially since the road outside the house is under repairs, and since elections are over, Malaya might be walking before the project is done).
• Must fold easily.
• Must be lightweight enough to carry around during travel.
• Must be able to hold an infant from 3 months to 3 years old.
• Must look metal. \m/ (The daddy insists)

Pretty... impractical.

So online window shopping we went.

Hodor's Day

The boy said daddy this morning! Chris and I looked at each other when it happened. It was the strangest thing. (Although he probably was really just saying "dagee" which is a combination of the two syllables he enunciates the most when he complains about being flat on his back)

Had my father been alive today, le partner might not have been celebrating. Not that my daddy wouldn't have approved of you, it's just that your effect on my life significantly prevents me from fulfilling any marriage arrangements he might have made before I was born you aren't Indian.

Careful, the whites of your eyes are showing. (Warning: Rant)

With the toilet clogged up, our little family went to the nearby mall to take advantage of the comfort lounge. As I waited for the partner to do his thing, I found myself seated between a very pregnant lady and her partner. The following conversation occurred:

Pregnant lady: I like! Where'd you buy? That's "in" naman these days (referring to the ring sling)
Me: It's a gift from the states
Pregnant lady: Oh? How much?
Me: $$, but you can get ring slings from Rustan's
Pregnant lady: But you can make that man noh? Just buy fabric and rings?
Me: Yeah, you can probably get fabric better suited for tropical weather...
Pregnant lady: Yeah, look at him, he's so comfortable. Nakagawas lang iyang tiil, luoy kaayo. ("His feet are just dangling, how pitiful")
Me: He's too big to fit naman.
Pregnant lady: Let's get ring and fabric nalang na? (referring to her partner, then turns to me, who tried to sit down but couldn't because Laya started protesting) Mas sayon pa jud makabreastfeed noh? ("Easier for breastfeeding yes?")
Me: Oo, pero malingaw na gani siya sa sling, di na pabutang. ("Yeah, but once he starts liking the sling, he won't ever want to be put down")
Pregnant lady: Kay nakagawas man iyang tiil, mapilo man. Luoy kaayo. Nabaptize na na siya? ("Because you let his feet dangle like that, it's folded in. How pitiful. Is he baptized yet?")
Me: Dili...pa ("Not... yet")
Pregnant lady: Ha? Unya gilaag laag na ninyo? Asa man ang daddy? ("What? And you take him out like that? Where's the dad?")
Pregnant lady's hubby: (to wife) Ok ra na, uso naman na ron. ("It's okay, that's common these days")
Me: Naa diha sa sulod. ("He's inside")
Pregnant lady: Didto na na natawo or diri na? ("Did you have him there or here?")
Me: Uh, naghomebirth ko... ("I had a homebirth...")
Pregnant lady: Ha?! Wa ka nahadlok ug infection?! ("What?! Weren't you afraid of infection?!" turns to husband rolling eyes)

Home Sweet Home (Updates and a Feature!)

If I haven't posted anything, it's because things are kinda chaotic right now.

Before anything else though, Offbeat Families published Malaya's birth story the other day!

Overexcited Nanay shared the post, despite having been told off by her peers at the interlocal health zone, after people from our town assumed the waterbirth was a service the local hospital was giving now.

We're back home now. The paint fumes are gone, and the house isn't covered in cat dander anymore. The fire tree outside is in full bloom, with fallen flowers on our pathway like a red carpet for the boy.

Instead of tentacles, this is what Chris did to the vents for the AC: