Mateo has been on and off antibiotics lately, first because of amebiasis, and now because of tonsillitis. It seems that his immune system has been significantly compromised. This is why andrea and i are now figuring a way to pinpoint where the problem started and how to solve it.

So far the only thing we’ve figured out was that whatever compromised mateo’s immune system must have been airborne. We didn’t show any symptoms of whatever he’s having so that means he must have caught it somewhere else… most probably school. That’s also why we thought about 2 ways of addressing the problem: (1) keeping him at home or (2) if he stays there, then making sure he has a safe place there.

In the first option, we can’t help but hesitate because of various reasons I’ve mentioned in my last post. In the second option, however, we’re limited in methods of virusproofing a place in school. I mean there are not many Santa Fe dehumidifiers around to filter out allergens and viruses so this is quite a difficult option too.

The only things we have now are options, worries, and a sick mateo.

Recently, Mateo has been coming with us to work and spending an average of 7 hours in school, sometimes even longer especially during occasions when andrea and i need to attend meetings. It’s no wonder that he’s already contacted a cold. I mean with all the interactions he’s getting with so many students (both sick and healthy), I guess he’s bound to encounter at least 1 with a virus that he can’t fight against yet.

It’s really very frustrating. Andrea and i are torn between letting him stay at home or allowing him to continue accompanying us to work. You see, both have very real and significant consequences.

On one side, he’s already entering the age of wild curiosity. He’s always testing everything, tasting anything he could get his hands on, seeing how far he could throw objects, and running all over the place. He likes exploring the school grounds so much that I fear we’d need a GPS just to make sure he doesn’t get lost. It is because of this that I want to let him spend his time in school where there’s so much he can learn and experience.

On the other hand, if he does spend a lot of time in school, it would mean exposing him to more threats such as viruses, accidents, and even some not-so-nice habits - all of which he could get from other kids. The more I think about it, the more I realize that school isn’t really a place for babies. But then again, mateo’s not such a baby anymore.

Before Mateo was even conceived, andrea and I already planned of having a baby early. The main reason is, she’s been diagnosed to have a polycystic ovary. You see, according to her gynecologist, the possibility that she’d conceive a baby would drastically decrease as she ages, so she’s encouraged to have one as soon as possible. (This is aside from the fact that pregnancy reduces or slows down cyst development.)

It’s not that it would be impossible for her to conceive if she waits a few more years. The doctor was just afraid that it might reach the point when she’d have to undergo hormonal therapy if we wait too long. That means months or probably even a year or more of regulated progesterone intake. She’s worried about the possible side effects! (Not to mention the cost!)

So in order to avoid all that, we decided to go ahead, get married and leave everything to God. We said, if He wills that we should have a baby already, then He would also provide us with the means to support the baby. So after a year of getting married, out came Mateo. Haha!

In the end, we might not be the wealthiest family in Antipolo, but we managed to make ends meet. Our family is complete, my wife is healthy, and we’re happy! That’s all that matters really!

It’s month-end and just like any other month-end ever since Mateo came to our lives, we’re almost out of cash again. I know it’s been more than a year and we still haven’t adjusted our budget adequately to fit our baby’s fast-growing needs. Huhu!

Sometimes I can’t help but think about a time before Mateo when andrea and I would still have an account to check in the bank. Yes, it was a checking account, but it was an account nonetheless. Unlike now, we don’t even have any to inspect no matter how much we want to. That’s why I can’t blame Andrea whenever she worries about the fact that we don’t have any stash left for emergencies. The only answer I would often give her is a pat on the back.

The only funny thing about these times when Andrea and I would be pushed to thinking about whether we made the right decision in having Mateo this early or not is that he seems to figure us out right away. You see, during these times, Mateo just simply looks at us and shows us the most beautiful smile that seems to say everything would be fine.

Being a dad has its down sides.  There’s the sudden lack of time for so many recreational activities such as sports and malling. There’s also the additional burden of providing for more than just yourself and your wife. And of course, there’s the stereotypical daddy tummy!

You see, before andrea and I got pregnant with mateo, we were absolutely certain that we wouldn’t fall into the same trap that has befallen most couples - the trap of an almost sedentary and yet busy parents’ lifestyle. We vowed to have the same things we had when we were still dating - the sports, the malling, the relaxed atmosphere, the fit bodies. (We were both physically active before!)

Now I understand, like so many couples before us, we were wrong. And the sadder part is no matter how much we try to get back the life we had before mateo, we realize that it would never be the same again, at least not while mateo is still with us. We are bound to miss out on so many movies, so many malling opportunities, and so many other fun activities. I’m even already starting to grow the familiar daddy tummy! No amount of diet pills and wishful thinking could change that!

But being a dad is not without its perks. For one, getting home and being greeted by an overly-excited baby is just simply overwhelming. Also, andrea misses me more now (why? go ask mateo hehehe!). And being hugged by both your wife and your son from all directions while sleeping beats everything!

So until mateo decides to leave us and walk his own path, I guess I’ll just have to continue enjoying the ups and downs of being a dad!

Even before taking up Biology in college, I already knew that babies undergo a growth spurt or a period of rapid development. But I was still surprised at how rapid rapid was. You see, every time I look at Mateo, I couldn’t help but be amazed that he was just half his present size just 15 months ago.

His now tight baby clothes are solid testaments to that. His shirts and shorts that once were too large for him are now tightly stretched against his body. In fact, most of his clothes seem to be shrinking in relation to his fast-developing limbs and torso.

And actually, if baby clothes didn’t cost us money, I’d be completely amazed and perfectly content just watching our little baby grow out of his clothes. Haha!

Last Saturday, I witnessed the graduation of my first ever advisory class. It was a bit sad because up until that day, I never fully realized that I was going to lose them. You see, it was just then that the reality of the whole event hit me straight in the face.

I guess it’s because I take the kids for granted. Every time I see them in school, I couldn’t help but look at them as if they were still the same kids that I once handled, the same rowdy but sweet bunch of innocent students, the same rambunctious and yet inquisitive group of teenagers, the very first class of kids I considered as my own sons and daughters (virtually the same except for the fact that they’re a bit taller, huskier, more exquisitely handsome and beautiful now). I never realized that in the last three years that they were not under me, they were steadily maturing, growing more independent, and slowly but surely becoming adults, and also, to my selfish side’s dismay, establishing stronger bonds with other teachers.

You see, when I saw them, for the last time, go up the stage one by one to receive their diplomas, that’s when the reality started sinking in. I wanted to cry. The only thing running through my mind at that time was that I will not be able to see these kids anymore after the ceremony, at least not everyday like it used to be for the last four years. That’s when my tears welled up. However, it was not until when they paraded off, then hugged and bid goodbye to their present teachers that the tears dangerously came close to falling.

This, I guess that was the final blow that truly symbolized how much they’ve grown. Because as much as I wish that it was me that they were saying goodbye to, I know that that was how it was supposed to end. My children have indeed grown and learned to form bonds with other people. I just have to accept it. Perhaps, four years ago it would have gone the way I wanted it to but the sad truth is, they’re not just mine anymore.

There was nothing I could do except to recall pictures of them from way back when they were still under me - their funny antics, our many serious conversations about being mature, the punishments I gave them for not putting their chairs back in order, the leche flan frenzy, the hilarious slips that gave birth to the tradition of the word of the day. Everything! We would never have those again. Heck, we won’t even see each other anymore. And as much as I would like to stop them from leaving, I have to let them go.

I felt like I wanted to say so much to them but I don’t really know how to start. I’m sure they’ve heard everything I could possibly say from their other teachers so what’s the point?

I guess it’s a good thing our paths never crossed again after the march. I don’t think I would’ve been able to say goodbye to them without letting tears drop from my eyes and I don’t want that to happen. I mean, it’s enough that I have memories of them that I will share and cherish. There’s no need to share tears as well. After all, they’ll always be the first class I ever loved and first love never dies.

Finally, after a very long time, I can go back to posting. The rush of the school year finale is over and I’m expecting that it’s gonna be smooth sailing from now until the start of summer classes. At least that’s what I’m hoping for.

Anyway, since we’re basically free, andrea and i have decided to re-arrange a few things in the house. We want to pack away a few items here and there to make mateo’s roaming area a little wider. I started by storing a few articles inside those plastic easy-to-store-away-boxes. Andrea, however, suggested we keep mateo’s Emily crib away since he’s old enough to stay on the sofa bed. We’re still looking for more furnitures to get rid off so that the house will be more to mateo’s liking. Since we can’t do anything to expand the structure, we might as well adjust what’s inside. Haha!

Traveling can be very boring especially if the scenery rarely changes. But I guess this is not the case when you’re traveling with a baby. In fact, even the shortest ride can become an adventure with a little toddler. That’s what mateo taught us.You see, mateo presented us various sorts of challenges for the journey to Boracay. First, because he doesn’t have a lot of patience when it comes down to staying in one place, a 40-minute plane ride, followed by an hour and a half-long land travel became daunting tasks. Second, because it was going to be his first boat ride, we’re not sure how he’d handle the rocking of the boat and the splashing of the waves. And lastly, because he’s not capable of holding back against nature’s calls, we have no control whatsoever as to where and when he’s going to answer them (especially pooping).

Fortunately for us though, mateo cooperated for most of the travel. In fact, he was sound asleep before the plane took off and woke up only after we’ve landed (so he was out during the whole plane ride). Also amazingly, after the plane ride, he allowed himself to be rocked to sleep again but this time by the van’s movement. Afterwards, he pooped but only after the van made it to the ferry terminal and not during the hour-long land travel. He was really an angel. Continue reading »

Before mateo was born, I promised andrea I would do the cleaning whenever the baby poops. And I did exactly that. In fact, my first encounter with mateo’s behind was explicitly described by my wife in her previous post. But because I had to go back to work and also because she decided on staying home to take care of mateo, andrea got the lion’s share of the cleaning eventually. I only help out occasionally when mateo’s in a grouchy mood.

But a few days ago, unfortunately, I started cleaning his bottoms again. Why? Because when we inspected his butt, we saw that it was already red with scrapes, perhaps from all those times when cat or andrea would wipe off the poop with tissue. We decided to forget the wiping for now and stick to good old hand-washing in order to clean him without irritating his butt.

But andrea, of course was adamant that I should do the deed. I, on the other hand, didn’t want to provoke a fight so I decided not to argue anymore. Anyway, I promised her I would be the one to clean mateo’s butt in the first place, so I did. Now, I’m proudly reclaiming the role of mateo’s poop cleaner. Huhu!