Pinay Mom on Motherhood, Etc.

This week we received the first of a yearly ritual in school - Angel’s school picture.  All of $30, I now have 8 wallet sized photos, 2 5×7s and an 8×10 blow up of what is a most adorable shot.  I must say I am more than happy with how the photoshoot turned out even if I didn’t get any proofs or choices.  His picture turned out very well — better than I imagined it would be. I believe it captured the spirit and fire in his eyes. =)

One of the everyday wonders of watching Angelo grow is to see how he is now developing a mind of his own. Sometimes, I cannot help but stand in awe at the things that he blurts out. Even when he is with me as I go shopping, he’s learned to express his opinions about what he likes for me.

And today, for the first time, he refused a toy his Dad had bought for him as a “pasalubong” (gift from a trip), because he wanted something else.

The boy knows what he wants. And yet if he cannot have it, I have learned to be firm about saying no. (No, we’re not buying him that “alligator” shirt like his Dad’s. At $32 at the La Coste outlet, that’s just a little too rich for something he will.outgrow in less than a year— even if I buy a size bigger. I asked Grandma in Manila to check out the “tiangge” in Greenhills…). I had vowed early on to imbibe the proper values about material things to my son after I saw how the stepson did not have any. It’s easier said than done, and doing it means causing some heartache in the little boy, but I tell myself it helps him learn how to deal with disappointment.

I’m not claiming to be an expert in parenting. This, after all, is my first and only shot at it. It’s a difficult yet rewarding experience, and knowing I only have one chance to do it right, I’m trying very hard. But one thing I’ve learned is that it is very important to keep in mind that although he is not a baby anymore, neither is he a grown up.

It means having to explain to him that Daddy’s business trip is part of his job.

I watch him and listen to him and I know my baby is growing up. And in that bigger than normal head of his is a brain absorbing everything happening around him. I’m trying to teach him to respond to be in Tagalog now… Let’s start with “opo”.

After the ultra cold weekend, I sort of expected that I would have to bundle up this morning but it was surprisingly mild. Still cold, but not THAT cold. Angel was bundled up the usual way but I had put on his gloves for good measure, but I ended up taking them off him anyway.

I left the office earlier than normal today so I can go pick him up. He’s a little sad that his Dad wasn’t there when he woke up earlier. (Alan finally got on a plane but was twice delayed at his connection in Dallas. So while he left at the crack of dawn this morning, he is still on his way to his final destination.)

These walks to and from the house and daycare are really refreshing because we sing together, talk and just bond as mother and son as we walk hand in hand. I’m glad he’s enjoying himself immensely in preschool so I know that I won’t have difficulty getting him into school next fall (hopefully). Alan and I continue to be amazed at how his vocabulary has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few months. There’s a little guy emerging from that tiny human being who never stops to bring us joy and wonder.

He’s always doubly-excited when either Alan or I pick him. It’s such a treat because it’s usually Lola who gets him at the end of the day. But with the wet leaves strewn all over the sidewalk and some patches of ice, Alan and I agreed it wouldn’t be safe for Lola to walk in the darkness. Her depth perception is already impaired, and the leaves carpetting the sidewalk over isolated clumps of ice can camouflage some danger zones which might turn out to be hazardous to her and Angel.

I’ll be bundling the boy up and I think he’ll have to wear his gloves this time.