Blogging for Elijah and Sam

It seems that the only time I remember to blog is when I feel nostalgic. Despite repeated promises that I'll be blogging more often, I haven't gotten around to actually doing so. Tonight though, after seeing Sam's old pics, and how this rusty old blog has helped chronicle his life, I just had to post again. After all, I want to be able to look back 6 years from now and reminisce not just about Sam's journey, but Elijah's as well.

Here's a few pics to start me off...

Elijah's first day on earth. Feb 16, 2011.


Kuya Sam and Eli's first gimmick together. Pagpapa-araw sa Bago Bantay.


Three+ months and smiling really widely.


Four+ months. Standing really well and learning to take care of Kuya already.

That's it for now. Since may netbook na ko and internet sa bahay, I should be able to post more pics more often.

Samar Trip

My first business trip ever. Yay!

Alam ko mas mukhang bakasyon, but can I help it if the place was utterly beautiful?

Places/Things I saw/visited:

• San Juanico Bridge - So excited about this kasi since bata pa tinuturo na sa School.
• Limestone formations in Marabut - Sa tabi-tabi lang pero ang ganda!
  
• BFAR center in Samar - They culture abalone, king crabs, and lapu-lapu there.
• Surf Camp - The Aboitiz-owned resort was stunning.
• Endless beaches.
• McArthur landing site (ano ba tawag dito?)
• Imelda's house - We didn't stop by to visit though so glimpse lang nito.

Yummy stuff I ate:

• Kilawin na tanigue - Kakaiba kilawin dun may gata...yummm...
• Ormoc pineapples - Really small and didn't look good but they were really sweet and hindi makati sa dila.
• Moron - Hindi yung tao. Yung suman na may tsokolate ang kalahati.
• Sumang gabi - I don't know what it's called but it's the best suman ever. May nuts and butter and ewan ko pa.

Other things I enjoyed:

• The swimming dog
• The fisher folk - Grabe best best bunch of people to travel with. Mabilis mag work and all so friendly, genuine, hardworking and with a good life story to tell.
• Tuba - Sipped just a little. It was surprisingly good...sweet. Fresh from harvest kasi daw.
• Taking pictures - Nakaka-addik pala mag kuha ng pictures pag super ganda ng tanawin!
  

Manila Zoo

May 1 was family day for us. We went to Manila Zoo and had a really good time. We were surprised at all the improvements, especially since I haven't been there since I was in grade school. Manila Zoo needs even more improvements since the state of the elephant, monkeys, and some horses are abysmal but at least it is improving. There is hope yet. ^_^

I'm thinking we should go out on such family trips more often. Great for quality time. Great for Sam. Great for our local economy. ^_^

Arrival

Tiger

Llama and kittens. The funny cats were all over the place.

A happy Papa Mark and Sam.

Horseback riding. Php 60 only for one round. Sulit!

Inside the Kinder (petting) Zoo. Additional Php 40 entrance fee. Mas sulit!

The ugly ostrich. A chance for me to face my fears. It didn't work.

The other ostrich chased me! Buti di pinalabas ng cage yun!

Cute boa.

Aww.

Parrots. The ones out front pecked Sam's fingers. He loved it!

Time to go home.

More about Manila Zoo:
Address - Manila Zoo Compound M Adriatico St. Malate, Manila, Philippines
Hours - 8am to 5pm daily
Rates - Adults Php 40; Kids Php 20
Website: www.manilazoo.org (Their website looks a lot better than the actual zoo but am glad they have a good site)

iPhoto for Smoother Skin

Tweaking with my Friendster account tonight. After adding lots of friends (ewan lang kung kelan mag online mga tao to approve my invites!) I decided to upload some photos but got sidetracked. Am glad I did because I discovered the "retouch" feature in iPhoto. Got to love anything that would take away the blemishes with just one click. Stil have to find something that works that way in real life. In the meantime I'll content myself with smoother skin in photos I decide to print and upload. At least when my memories grow dim I'll look at my old photos and end up thinking I had smooth skin back in the good old days. Hehe. How's that for lying to oneself?

Spot the Difference
(wag pilosopo di kasali the fact na cropped yung image!)

Btw I know it's not an old concept but it is so much easier than having to learn Photoshop, which I never had the patience to really learn anyway. As for Picasa, my other photo viewer of choice (choice pala ng husband) I just use the "I'm feeling lucky" button everytime. Wala atang retouch dun?

Random Sam Pics

On his munster horse (used to help him practice
standing and stepping).

With baby Aoi (ah - wee). Sam get's mad whenever anyone
takes Aoi away. He adores babies. Gusto na ng kapatid! Hehe.

His favorite little game these days - peeking out of anything.
He does this with anything that has holes like his drum (below).

Playing with Sam while looking for a clothes cabinet
(we didn't end up getting this one).

On the way to SM. We make him sit on the "charity" seat
(toolbox in truth) but we do hold on to him.

Sam's Little Steps Towards Success

This makes it all worth it....

Look, I got new AFOs and orthopedic shoes!

I can stand!

...and do so with a huge smile on my face!!!

Tito Paul is funny...

...kaya sasabunutan ko sya.

At the end of the day what makes it worth it is not just Sam's ability to walk but his desire to walk and the smiles that comes with it. Now he loooves to stand when playing with us. Still not for long periods but long enough to tire US out. Oh, and he loves "singing" with me as well.

Pics with the Kids

As promised here are some pics of the kids . Not exactly at home in these pics but with my sister and Jerry at Eastwood.

Sam imagining the food he'll be seeing on the plate. Yum!

(L-R) Jerry, me, Sam (playing peek-a-boo behind the menu),
Gemmalyn, Silas, Gio

Resting a bit and having dessert before heading home.

Three stooges.

Silas, Gio, Sam and Nana