Hiawasee, Georgia

Back in Feb 08 we were in the Philippines, July we were in Galveston then October we are back in Georgia. Dylan's Mama Faye and Papa Jim had a cabin in Hiawasee. We like it over there, a quaint small town. Totally different from what you see here in Houston. The air is a lot cleaner. It is about 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive from Atlanta.

We went to see the Mountain fair, listen to some honky tonk music, eat southern food and just kick back and relax.

Happy Halloween

Eve of Halloween 2008 - this is Dylan's 3rd ! He was dress up as Captain hook minus the hook. As usual after dark, we dress him up and off we go to the other side of Houston downtown, the River Oaks area. We were over there last year too for trick or treating. The folks are nice, they personally handed out the candies and in all the houses we went to that night, Dylan gets compliments. From his hair, to his costume and most of all how "adorable" he is, well that's what they all say... But we've been to 2 houses where maids gave out the candies. What's up with that?? Once house , so huge a security guard was outside with a basket full of candies. But how ridiculous was that??? Well if those "rich" people can pay then why not?

His bag was so full of candy and Dylan complains that it was heavy but he would not mommy or daddy carry it. The little guy thinks we will eat his goodies.

Singing and Dancing

Here is Dylan singing and dancing at the same time. He was a little over a year old here. Pardon my singing because I know I do not have a lovely voice but isn't Dylan was just adorable???

Crystal Beach

It is not summer yet but the weather here in Houston is always around the 90's and very hot ! I Since it seldom happens that Mike and I are both off on weekends, we decided to go to Galveston and spend Memorial day holiday few days earlier. It is Wednesday and we are both off ! We went to crystal beach because the water is clearer and less crowded. To get there we need to take a ferry ride . The ferry ride took about 20 minutes which is not bad. It is middle of the week but there are already lots of people at Galveston. There was no wait time for us. On weekends wait time for ferry ride usually take about an hour. Ugghh I can't deal with that.

It is hot that day, but we got to cool half a tent that provides shades. There was no trees around. We had a good time. Dylan was kinda scared with the water at first but Mike slowly and slowly take him to the water until he gets use to the waves and actually ended up loving it.

We had a good time.

A day at the park

Here in Houston we have a lot smaller version of Central Park, the Discovery Green. The park is located downtown. Since we lived 2 miles away, we take Dylan there as much as we can. He loves it, we do too. It just opened last May. It is very humid, sticky and hot. The temp is over the 80's. Love loves the park and it is always impossible to take Dylan back home. When you ask him, let's go, he would say right away- "NO" !

Mother's day

This morning Dylan brought me a card and a single rose to bed. Friday afternoon, he brought me a card which he made with teachers help at the daycare. He can't quite say yet the "Mommy, happy mother's day " phrase but I am delighted to see him this morning when I woke up. The rose and a card comes with the sweetest kiss that boy can ever give me..

This is my 3rd year celebrating mama's day and each year gets sweeter and sweeter. The ist year was different because I haven't given birth to Dylan yet. I was six months pregnant but Mike did not forget to celebrate the day.

I always look forward to this day. I know I was born for a great purpose- To gave birth to Dylan. Having him just makes my life so meaningful, happy, tired, contented and proud. Although there are times that I get frustrated when he is acting like a terrible two's that he is right now but at the end of the day and when I put him to bed, there is nothing can top the greater joy of receiving a big kiss and a hug from Dylan.


I got 2 cards from Dylan and a flower, a card, a coach perfume and a dozen roses from Mike. LIfe is so much fun and rewarding and I can't ask for anything else anymore.



Growing up my mother and I have our own shares of ups and downs. My mother is tough, strict, protective but generally loving and caring. Since I am the "only" girl, no one can ever imagine how it was to grow up under her watchful eye? He always had my younger brother spy on me(that explains why as kids we fought so much). Back then I don't understand why she was so strict and she snoops on all my stuff, she even confronted a guy who wrote me a love letter and told the poor fellow to stop courting my daughter and here's your letter(tough!), As far as I remember she confronted all the guys that my brother told her who I am interested with. I am so embarass when she would just appear out of nowhere when I was just talking to a friend but an opposite sex. I don't know but it seems like my mother has a special radar or GPS to track me down everywhere I go. But gosh it was the 80' and 90's GPS weren't that popular then to my knowledge.... I hate it then but now that I am a mother and have matured a lot, I realize why.. It am so thankful now because she did a good of not letting me just ruin my life and ended up with some losers that I was in love with back then. It would be terrible for me to think now how my life would have ended if my mother did not guide me and watch me closely as I grow up. Thanks to her special GPS.. After all, when I graduated collage she let loose.. ha ha .

I may not be a perfect daughter but i know in my heart I am a good mom !

Terrible two's

I don't even know how to start writing this entry. Dylan is at the worst stage of "terrible two's ! He kicks, scream, hit, scream. patience tester, defiant and loves to throw things. It gets frustrated that he is very very defiant. I have read articles online that such behavior for his age is normal. But it bothers me. It frustrates me. It makes me mad. I really really hate when I have to spank him when he throws things at me. It makes me feel so aweful. it makes me feel so terrible. So the question is to spank or not. Should I raise my voice or not. What is it is he exhusted all the patience I've got???



He hates to be told "NO" . He hates to take a nap, he dont like it go to sleep.. I have read that it is because he has a separation anxiety of being away from us. But the thing is , he only gets violent with me. Dylan never dare to do throw things at MIke or even hit him back. What do I do wrong for him to be that way towards me when I try to discipline him or put him to bed or say NO to him?

Earlier he got mad because I was telling him to go to sleep. He wants to read all the books he has and gets upset when I turn the light off. He throw the book up in the air and it landed on my head. Ouch, it hurts. The book is hardbound. This is where I draw the line. I am his mother, it is frustrating that he does that.

The Big Boy Bed

It was Sunday night and as Mike was getting Dylan's new bunk bed ready - I felt sadness. I am teary eyed. ! Mike rolled outside the room the baby crib. It is happening, it is official . My golly I am not ready to just go yet. I am not prepared yet. Dylan is growing and getting older. He is sleeping in a big boy's bed.... I am sad that he is growing so fast. It seems like yesterday when we brought him home from the hospital. Now as I watch Mike busy with the bed and all, here I am worrying if he would sleep fine??? Would he like it??? Would he fall off the floor at night since he sleeps at the top??

Dylan absolutely love his new bed. It has stairs that he gets up and down so easily and no hassle for him. We changed his room decoration. This time his room has an aviation/airplane theme. He will have new bedding which we ordered online. Mike brought his airplane models which he has built back when he was a kid. He still keeps it down in Cochran. I hope that Dylan would have the same passion as his daddy when it comes to flying, aviation,space.. But whatever Dylan gets passionate about, we are always here for him. With regards to these airplanes- we'll see how long before this airplanes get destroyed by Dyl.

Today we got him some toys storage. We'll see how long if he keeps his toys there. But that is one thing about Dylan, at night before he goes to sleep, he cleans up. He picks up all his toys.

Back those days, as i recall growing up, my brothers and I don't even have our own room. We slept on a wood floor with mats. No new bed or theme bedding. I was telling MIke the other day, even my niece and nephew do not have their own rooms either. What a difference my life and Dylan's life now- What a lucky kid.

The thing is, i do not want Dylan to grow up just yet. I want him to be my baby for always. It is selfish... but that's just me !

Climb Down

It was 10 o'clock this morning, i heard the little monkey singing some familiar tune. Dylan is awake ! Waited for him to start screaming. it's all quiet in his room. I go in to check on him, oh well Lord Almighty Dylan climb off his crib again..... He's been doing this stunt for a few days now. Then this afternoon after his daily naps, we found him once again roaming around his room. gathering some toys to play with while he waits for anyone of us to let him out. Ok I told Mike how did Dylan do it? We asked Mr. D earlier how he do it? Well he obliged ! He showed up us and this is what he does... Is this about the time to get him a big boy bed?????

Manila- I miss Yah !

As the day gets closer I am getting excited. After 2 years and 2 months we are visiting my folks, my people. Our mini vacation of 2 weeks was not enough to just hang out and do what we want to do over there. Unfortunately Mike got sick so we are not able to go to Corrigidor as we plan. I can't count my several trips downstairs to use the lobby's phone, internet station, drugstore, market and grocery store. My legs and feet hurts. Thankfully my always abiding nephew Ej and little brother Marc always do whatever his sista wants... Even my mother has her own share of massaging my legs and feet. I almost forgot that we've been to the Mall of Asia several times too. Mike swore Makati last time, we go to Landmark almost everyday ! We stayed along the Roxas Blvd area this time so we have things to do and places to see.

When Mike feel better, he took the kids to the Manila Zoo. we met up with my friends, we went to get massage together, went to the market together, went to grocery together and eat at this awesome Japanese Restaurant together or course.. I wish we could have squeeze some R & R in Boracay Island but we dont have a lot of days to spare.

Also we got to see my Mama Tita which I haven't seen in like 10 years or so. She has changed. She lost weight. She's 82 years old now and can barely walk. I am so happy to see her again and I am sure she feels the same way. It brings back so many memories of my childhood . I grow up in that house, spend all my school vacation , saw her cook in that now seems to be a tiny kitchen to me. She always tag me along with her wherever she goes. The house in 1737 Luis Ma Guerrero S t Malate has so many history and memories that I often told Mike. I think that without my mother being offended, i got my love of shoes and clothes from her. Her good taste. I had my first experience of getting involve in the kitchen watching her cook and bake. And how can I forget that good ham and stuff chicken she makes on holidays. She asked Dylan to come closer and told him come here, you can be my grandson ! She told Mike I'm like her daugther which after all these years, it was the first time she utter those words. We talked and talked and when it was just the two of us in the room, she ask me " Are you happy" - I answered her with no hesitation. Yes , very much ! I sure pray and hope that God will give her more years to live so next time we visit, we can see her again.

At least we meet up with Anne(my good buddy) and Mon her husband. They brought along Bea, their adorable daugther at the Mall. Had yummy lunch at Gerry's grill and of to nowhere until we saw the bowling alley. yeah why not? We haven't bowl in years.. C'mon let's see if we has it. My first two shots are awesome. I only miss 1 pin, but when we change lanes.... The disaster happens. I am messning up the Coley's score. The Espiritu's are winning. I hate the left lanes.. It was a nice afternoon with our friends. Off to Baywatch tower condo where we are staying... Number one because I felt sick like I am getting a fever or an allergy and number 2 my feet hurts from my high heels. What the hell??? Why I am wearing a heels at the mall !!!!!

Well Dylan is at the condo, with my mom. We just love that there are lots of people there to watch Dylan for free. Eunice and Ej did not even wait a chance to eat the donuts we brought back from the mall.. Yum !
Did i even mention how cheap everything is over there. Food, taxi, massage etc etc. $1 = PHP 40.00. We felt like we don't have to worry about the price. We don't look at the prices for a change.

Also we took a day trip to go to my parents place. I haven't been there for over 5 years and it change a lot. I saw some familiar places and some faces that I don't know. It seems like that all houses are so close together now. Some of my cousins, aunt and neighbors cameby. Picture, picture and off we went to Tagaytay.. It's about a 30 minutes ride. My aunt's car which we borrowed was jampacked. Mike and I sat next to my father driving and God knows how many people was at the back..

We went to the People's Palace, formerly the Marcoses place for the Reagan's to stay at when they visit back in the 80's. It didn't happen. The place was not completely finish. The Marcos government was overthrown by the people power and the property was sequestered by PCGG(Philippine Commission on Good Government). The palace would have been gorgeous if it was finish and all. Sight seeing , picture taking again... Dylan got hungry and throwing some tantrums. I saw some vendors downstairs. Got him a juice, chips and cotton candy for all the kids. Oh boy they sure love it !

It was cold up there. I have to buy me something to wrap myself.. Then we went to get some lunch. My oldest brother Edgar suggested this place for lunch- Leslie's Restaurant. Basically you pay for the view too. We got there, they are so busy. at least the waiting time is only 20 minutes. Mike and I walked around. We found the perfect spot, took some pictures. The waiters said the table was reserved. told Mike to gave the lady at the front assining table some money. We try to bribe but it didn't work. She would not accept money.

Ok wait wait and wait. No one is taking our orders. I got up not once but twice until the manager came to our table.. Wheww finally someone will take our orders. The food is good. Not hardly any leftover. I didn't eat much. I am just contented looking at my folks enjoying the food. It will take them years again to get a treat like that ! At least I dont have to tip the singers walking from table to table, because by the time they finish the table next to us, we are all done. We all ate fast.


Then we headed back home. it's almost 6 pm . We had a quick stop to let out my other brother- lek, my older cousin Sally and say goodbye to my oldest brother and his new wife Juvy. On the car, we are teasing my nephew and niece that they need to go with their dad, my nephew is fixing to cry... He loves to stay with us in the condo.. Why??? He said, there's lots of food and air condition. And why would I not let them stay? Dylan plays with them to death !

On our way back to Manila, my dad still drives. My mom came, my little brother Marc and of course those 2 kids. It was a long day but we all have a good time. My mom, she said it's her first time in Tagaytay ! I am glad I gave her the opportunity.

And about Dylan in Philippines- this time my people enjoys him a bunch ! He shows them he can sommersault. And yeah, Mr Dyl has gotten a spoiled rotten too.....

To some it up, we ate so much over there. And how we miss the Chicken Longanisa in the morning. Walk too much, ride jeepneys , too many trips to Mall of Asia, the day at Manila Zoo, but the best part was, we get to spend special time with my family. I just love the feeling of making them feel comfortable, happy and well fed while we are over there.




America is where I lived now but Philippines is my hometown !