In Memoriam

This was Auntie or Lola Caridad in 2004 Birthday celebration of Keiichi. She can still walk at that time but with a cane. Two month ago, she was diagnosed with cancer but due to old age, they did not pursue her operation. She passed away on July 31 at the age of 93.

She is Daddy's grand aunt. Tatay Rogelio's father, Lolo Justiniano was her brother.

Lolo Isyo or Lolo Simplicio is my father's father. Our last meeting was on June 5, the day before he was brought home from Region 1 Medical Hospital in San Fernando, La Union. He suffered from heat stroke and was under coma for a few weeks. He was still able to recover but succumbed to death on August 6. He will be laid to rest on August 18.

I spent my summers in Sudipen when I was still in elementary. I maybe talkative, hyperactive and sometimes pasaway but I don't remember being spanked by Lolo. That is what I am proud of and that is what I am keeping in mind as a proof that I am much better than my other cousins and that my mom and my grandparents brought me up nicer than what other people claim. (Pasensiya na, pero that's the truth and Lolo recognized that because he had seen the good things in my mom and her parents that her other children tried to ignore.) Every afternoon, Lolo would go to Coop store to fetch Lola Amparo or Lola Sayong. That's how sweet they are...I know that because Lolo would always ask me to accompany him when I was there.

The Countdown Begins!!!

Sorry for those who are waiting for the updates...we've been very busy these past weeks. Keiichi had her first monthly test on 3rd week of July followed by her Nutrition Month parade the next week and then, I had my first exam in my Nursing Aide class on August 1. So far, Keiichi passed most of her exam except Science but at least hindi zero hehehe!

I got 5 mistakes in Nursing Skills and only in my anatomy exam and I am really frustrated but then, brown out kasi the night before the test hehe (Kanya-kanyang palusot lang po yan!)

Mariel can now sit down and crawl forward. She loves books . She can stand up - aided, of course... She's turning one in a few days now and we haven't plan for her party yet for some reasons...

Truth is, we are mourning for the loss for our grandparents, daddy's Auntie Caridad and my Lolo Simplicio, Papa's dad. Lolo Isyo's interment will be on August 18 in Sudipen, La Union.

Got a class to catch, I'll try to update later :-)

Laughing Mariel

Playing with Daddy...
It's now 12 midnight but she is still awake and very playful. She would pretend to be crying but the moment you approach or touch her, she would giggle.
More pics are in my flickr.

Treasures

Our precious angels in their own treasures - the big teddy from Mama Carol (sent 3 or 4 years ago), Elmo dolls for Keiichi, laughing Big Bird for Mariel (from Ate Jade's own collection hehe) and the Squeaky Butterfly bought especially for Mariel by Mama Lita (which brought me to tears when Nanay Lydia handed it to me because I feel pity for my child because I am wondering how she will be able to appreciate it if she is deaf. Ate Keiichi showed me how. She held the butterly and made the wings flap and moved it near her sister which made Mariel giggle. We are glad we have a puppeteer in the family. )

This crib was Keiichi's so it is now 5 years old too. The red Dora blanket is Jade's but as usual, Keiichi said "akin na lang!" so Jeddai gladly packed it and sent it to her.

Food Crisis?!?

It is actually a delicacy from Gumaca, Quezon. It's like dilis but it more tasty. But it is really tuyo not dilis...

This is nilupak na saging na saba, not cassava or rice. This is my first time to eat this. It's like nilubi or boiled then mashed or pounded while they mix sugar and made into suman or wrapped with banana leaves. Mahal na kasi bigas!

I miss Quezon's tikoy, pinagong and espasol! I also miss Nanay's bilo-bilo/tambong-tambong since that's what she always cook when there's an occasion in Pangasinan. Daddy misses sumang malagkit or steamed glutinous rice in coconut milk, wrapped in coconut leaves then dipped in sugar, coco jam or eaten with ripe mango.

Iel's First Month with the Hearing Aid

We went to Vision and Hearing International in Highway 54 (infront of SM Megamall) for Mariel's check up. This is another branch/affiliate of Ear Diagnostics Clinic and since the audiologist is there, we went there instead of going to EDI-Taft. It is more accessible to us since it takes 2-rides for us to get to Taft while to get to Highway 54 (EDSA), Mandaluyong, it takes only one bus ride.

So far, Mariel's development is improving. The main goal of having the hearing aid for the first month is sound awareness only but for Mariel, she is not only aware of the sound but she seeks for the sound producer and sometimes imitates the pitch and tone of the sound. According to the audiologist, it was really an advantage that we diagnosed her handicap early and were able to make necessary interventions/corrections because in some cases, children who were diagnosed late were not able to develop verbal speech and some social behaviors. Her being weary and crying more often only shows that Mariel is now realizing that if she cries, we will attend to her at once. It was like being a new born again in terms of social behavior, hearing and speaking and we are happy with what she is showing. Sometimes, we get irritated because we would rush to her because she is crying but the very moment she sees you, she would giggle or smile wryly.

She is outgrowing her earmolds so we don't have a choice but to go back to EDI Taft after seeing n ENT for her ear cleaning but since we don't have a regular ENT yet, I will have to look for a more affordable doctor near our place. It's really hard budgeting when you don't have enough funds! Hope you could recommend a good one that doesn't charge much :-) I am willing to go to as far as UP PGH. The ENTs here (in and near San Pedro, Laguna Area) charges patients P500 for consultation and another fee for other services.

For Jade...

I know you won't be able to read this yet but I hope, you'll soon learn how to. Just wanna thank you for being mama's pillar of strength when everyone is physically absent. You gave a new meaning in her life that we have not been able to share - giving her the chance to raise her own child. You are most blessed among us three, not that we are not since we cannot compare Nanay and Tatay's love for me and Ranny but you were the one who was really showered by Mama's presence, love and care.

Mama is quite worried that Canada might affect your mentally and attitude but I said, the way she is bringing you up and the way Mama is looking after Nanay will be kept in your mind forever - that is, good deeds beget good deeds. You may argue at times, shout at each other, annoy her by kissing her so often, telling her "I love you, I can't help but love you Mama!" - but these are juthe spices of life that you are giving her.

I know you love Mama so much the way we all do. Continue shedding light in our lives as we all love you, for always.

- Ate Belle

P.S.
I know you would want your pics seen online, so here's your latest pics in your Small Wonders Discovery Center tour. You haven't introduced your two escorts yet. Extend my gratitude to Tita Elena.