Tag Archives: stories

baby diaries: Remember Me

Posted on by

Coco debuted in Japan almost six months late. But I’d say that for us, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

We watched it a week after we bought your first guitar; guitar which have been designed after Hector’s guitar in the movie. We watched it the day after we said our last goodbyes to Hiojiichan. And I could only guess that it was because of Hiojiichan that you cried during the touching scenes of the movie. At first you tried to resist; at one point I could see you frowning, fighting the tears. But eventually, you couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. And even as my own tears were streaming down my cheeks, you were using my sleeves to wipe your own tears. Very endearing. Of course I’m writing this down to remind us that Coco was the first ever movie that made you really cry like an adult would while watching the movie; and you’re just five (and half); while the movie itself has a deep meaning.

And oh yes, you led the first prayer to Hiojiichan this evening. It was your first time to hold the prayer booklet much less read it and chant but they allowed you to lead and you more than delivered; well, except for the times you laugh out loud whenever you read “Yui” (altogether different kanji and meaning from your name). Hiobaachan and your grandparents were all praises for you; impressed that you could lead the chant and properly read the text which even for adults is a bit difficult. Everyone is pretty sure that you made Hiojiichan very happy. Good job, my baby.

farewell, Hiojiichan

Posted on by

It was a short seven and half years compared to your 95; not enough to get to know each other deeply especially since we live in separate regions and we have the language barrier to be scaled. But it was more than enough time for me to grow very very fond of you.

In these two days, whenever we go over to you and look at your peaceful face, the words that comes foremost in my mind are “thank you”. Thank you. I am so glad I was able to express my heart to you and Hiobaachan last year; about how thankful I am to the both of you. But I wish, I could have said it in person, look at your round eyes that so reminds me of Atsushi. Nevertheless, there’s no sense now to regret. What I can do now is to live my life fully, as I know you have lived yours.

I will never forget. You will always be in our hearts. Thank you. Rest in peace, enjoy heaven; Hiojiichan.

It’s a small world after all

Posted on by

Tokyo Disneyland had so much attractions to offer; the Electrical Parade that was already magical over a decade ago got even more magical. But there was just something with the attraction “It’s a Small World After All” that makes me teary eyed with every ride. Heart bursting as we cruised and watched and listened to the happy song, as I saw my daughter looking up ecstatically at the dancing dolls, as I saw Hubs looking happily at our daughter, I remember a dream and yearning I had back then. Over a decade ago, I dreamt that the next time I’d cruise the man made river and see the dancing dolls with the different world costumes, it will be with my husband and children. Dreams come true. God is good.  

 

the nikujaga story

Posted on by

I was excited to cook nikujaga for our dinner last night. We have carrots to go with the meat and for green beans I can put in string beans (finally, there’s one available in our area!). We have merin as well and of course Japanese soy sauce, and there’s sesame oil for added taste.

When I served the dish, I announced “we have nikujaga for dinner!” with relish and pride because I thought the dish turned out really good. And Hubs replied with an excited “whoa”. Then prayer. Then we dug into our bowls. When even after Hubs already had mouthfuls, and he was spooning the dish with a thoughtful expression on his face, I got concerned that he didn’t like it. So I asked.

Then he said, “it’s good. But where is the jaga?”.

And so I learned jaga doesn’t mean “mix”. It’s short for jagaimo which means potatoes. @_@ Niku, I know is for meat.

One thing that made me happy though. Hubs said that finally, my cooking tasted Japanese and not Filipino. I’ve always been baffled before because even when I’ve used Japanese ingredients, it still tasted Filipino. So now, I think I finally learned the trade. ^_^

a messy bath

Posted on by

Ever since Yui turned 2 months, when she was already too heavy for me to singlehandedly hold her in her baby tub yet still too small for those bath chairs, we had her have a bath with her Dad. We have a system going. Daddy takes a shower, goes into the tub and holds Yui while Mommy soaps and rinses the baby. Because of the cold months, we dress Yui’s first layer in the bathroom before I whisk her off to the bedroom to continue dressing Yui up. We had this system going smoothly since then.

Now, one thing I’m really happy and proud of is that Yui poops almost like clockwork. And because I know the very day she will poop, I just watch out for her soon-to-poop facial expression. The moment I see it, I put her down, ease her out from her diaper, raise her legs and then she does her thing. Not messy at all. She sometimes even “sing” while she does her thing. The only time before that she had a messy episode was when we were about to go out to see her paediatrician. Suffice it to say we were late for that appointment.

Today was supposedly Yui’s poop day but we were out for most of the day so she didn’t have her moment. Bath time came and we were happily cooing to Yui about the day’s happenings.

And then she stretched her lips; that about-to-poop expression.

Our eyes got big as we thought of the possibility. And in that split second that we hesitated and was about to coax Yui to wait, she let out what she had been holding on for the whole day.

Hubs gave me Yui and got out the tub like he has been scalded. Problem was that we were in the midst of soaping Yui. Oh the chaos and panic that ensued thereafter. And the cleaning up that had to be done after. Thankfully Yui slept right after we dressed her up so we had the time to clean.

The excitement and cleaning after certainly made us very tired later on. But we also had a good laugh after everything got settled and got cleaned.

Life with a growing baby. It gets exciting by the day! 😀

Look alike

Posted on by

Hubs and I were admiring Yui as she was also beaming at us.
M: I love her lower lip.
A: I love her upper lip.
M: honto? But she got it from me. It’s similar to mine.
A: I know. I’ve known that the first time I saw her. That’s why I love it.

Happy. Thankful.