Playtime with Kuya Enzo and Kuya Raph-Raph

As I see our kids playing with their cousins Enzo (Yaying’s son) and Raphael (Kuya Pong’s son), I look back to those times when we often visit our cousins here in Taguig. When we’re still kids, we would play patintero, “syato”, tumbang preso, and other traditional games. Our Kuya Pong would also teach us some board games like chess, Monopoly, and the like.

They really enjoy having playmates. They are also fond of Antonio – their cousin in Crame. I just wish it’s easier to commute so the kids could visit their relatives in Crame every so often.

Nueve

This is quite sad for me because I was already here in China four days before Les and Lei's Ninth Month Birthday. I already miss our kids. I became even sadder when I  received these photos through email. I wish I was there to celebrate with them. :(

Sandwich and Hotdog Party

After enjoying the beautiful Boni High St. and Market! Market!, we went home to continue Les and Lei's Eighth Month Birthday. Our theme that month was "hotdog and sandwich party". We bought several kinds of hotdogs - the "kids can tell" hotdog, frankfurters, cheesedog, and cocktails. We also made "club house" sandwiches to complete the dinner / snack. Everyone was so happy with the little celebration especially the Wonder Twins themselves.

The Great Outdoors

On Paul and Xander's Eighth Month Birthday, Supernanay and I decided to take our kids outdoors to have some family time. First stop was at Boni(facio) High Street where we strolled around and took our pictures at the popular landmarks there. The Wonder Twins were at their best to pose in front of the camera.

After that, we went to Fully Booked where we bought the "Tractor" book published by Tiny Rockers. We want them to love books at an early age so that they will continue to enjoy reading as they grow.

We had our lunch at The Old Spaghetti House. While we were eating the heavenly pasta dishes, Les and Lei were also busy with their bottles of milk. After a while, Supernanay became busy because she had to change the our kids' poopie diapers.

Lastly, we went to Market! Market! to buy some stocks and things that we will use for our little "Hotdog and Sandwich Party" when we get back home. Our kids enjoyed riding in the grocery push carts.

Opening of Gifts

The pool party at Cuyab Resort was certainly a blast to end Les Paul and Lei Xander's baptism celebration. We came home past five in the afternoon. After some snacks, we started opening the gifts from the people who welcomed The Wonder Twins to the Christian World. 

A few days before Les and Lei's big day, we posted a wish list in their FB account and it is nice to know that most of them were granted! Thank you all!

Cuyab Resort

After the reception of Les Paul and Lei Xander's baptism, we continued the celebration at Cuyab Resort in Laguna. My father-in-law was the one who arranged the overnight swimming party. He told me that my vacation is only for a month so he wanted me to have the same experience that they had when they went to La Luz Beach Resort in Batangas while I was still in Saudi. With us were my in-laws, my family, and some of Supernanay's closest relatives in Taguig.

I was not able to come with them at once after the reception because I had to go to Cavite for my job orientation and contract signing for China. I arrived in Laguna around eleven in the evening so The Wonder Twins were already sleeping along with the others. Had a little chit-chat with Daddy, Mama, Papa, and Labs. I also stayed for a couple of drinks with my brother Jeff.

In the morning, we enjoyed the water and the sun. Paul and Xander are not afraid of swimming in the pool like the other kids there. I hope they don't grow up like their folks who do not know how to swim.

All of us had a great time! Truly a wonderful "pang-kodak" bonding moment.

Go, Tractor, Go!!!!

I secretly wish that our sons be in love with books to nourish their minds and to captivate their imagination. I always ask Jay, “What if Paul and Xander grew up like most of the kids today who prefer computers instead of reading books?”

In one of our bonding moments with the kids, we bought them a special book from Fully Booked. The book "Tractor" by Tiny Rockers is a picture book with things to touch and feel. This became their favorite even after I bought them a fabric book and a glitter book. I noticed that they got bored with their rattles and teethers. Even with their celphone toy. Now, Kuya’s favorite pastime is to explore his books while Xander, does not get tired of touching and feeling the contents of his dear Tractor. 

Baptism (Reception)

After the church ceremony, the reception followed at the Philippine Army Officers' Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio. The venue is also the same with the time when I and Supernanay got married except that Paul and Xander's were celebrated in one of the function halls which is only enough to accommodate our closest friends and relatives. It was like a mini-reunion with our pals, folks, and former officemates. Everyone was happy in welcoming The Wonder Twins to the Christian World. Oh, like at our wedding, DXC Catering was also there to serve those mouth-watering foods! 

Baptism (Church)

On December 8, 2008, St. Michael the Archangel Chapel became the venue one of our wedding. More than a year later, we came back to celebrate another important occasion in our lives as a family - Les Paul and Lei Xander's Christening. September 4, 2009, our closest friends and relatives attended the ceremony to witness our twins as they join the Christian world.

Say Cheese

I accidentally discovered that Paul and Xander have this liking with the flash coming from our digital camera. It happened while they were both crying. I took my cam to take their pictures and I was surprised to see them smiling after the flash came out (and they even posed for more). I am glad thay they are not like their nanay and tatay who are both camera-shy.

Kuya and Ading always make sure that they have a smile on their faces whenever they hear from me saying "1...2...3!!!".

Se7en

Two days after my arrival in the Philippines for my yearly vacation, we celebrated Paul and Xander's seventh month birthday. The small celebration was really fun because it is the first time I spent with them their "monthly special day". When I was still in Saudi, I only get to celebrate with them through the photos Supernanay sends me. But now, I am part of the "kodak moment".

Here Comes Tatay

 tatay with Kuya Paul

tatay with Ading Xander

Two months ago, August 17, 2010 to be exact, I had a taste of my yearly vacation. Waiting for it really seemed forever while I was working in Saudi. When Les Paul and Lei Xander were borne, I wanted to go home but I was tied in a work contract so I had to wait for more than six months to see, hug, and kiss them personally.

As the day of my arrival in Manila approaches, I began to experience an unexplainable excitement and felt a little worried on what our little angels' reactions be when they see me. Some of my colleagues who had the same situation as mine shared to me their funny yet sad stories of first encounters with their babies. I was afraid that my kids will not let me carry them and they will just burst into cries.

At last, the day that I have been waiting for finally came. There is no single word that I can use to describe the feeling that I felt when I saw my handsome sons. The feeling got even more stronger when I was already holding them. I almost lost control of the tears in my eyes.

There were instances that they were looking at me in astonishment. But  that only lasted for several minutes. After that, I became their tatay.

Sais

with yaya rezil, tito carlo, and cha-cha

Last July 19, I celebrated my 32nd birthday here in Saudi. It was also the sixth month birthday of The Wonder Twins. Seeing them grow fast and healthy is really one of the best birthday presents from God. I can't wait to see them this month!

Les Paul's Giggles

Les Paul with their Yaya Rezil

watch this video and I'm sure you'll laugh with our cute little angel

One of my guilty pleasures is browsing Youtube during my free time. Okay, there's really nothing wrong with it..... if you'll not waste more than an hour of your day! I often look for funny stuff that would make my life a little lighter - pranks, amazing pets, magic, and giggling babies! As the saying goes, "Laughter is the best medicine".

My beautiful sister-in-law Sarah uploaded a cute video on her FB wall. It features our son Les Paul giggling for almost two minutes! I don't know how she made him laugh like that but it sure made my day!  There's no need for me to browse YT for giggling babies 'cause I already found the best one!

Eating Cerelac

 

Les Paul

Lei Xander

The Wonder twins are already eating Cerelac and based on the celphone videos sent by Supernanay, the kids are really enjoying their solid food. Cerelac is also my favorite, I still eat it even in my old age. Can't wait to eat it together with our cute little angels!

The Fruits of Love: Dedicated to all the Children of OFWs

The Wonder Twins: Paul and Xander

If there’s one movie that I really love and hate at the same time, it would be “Anak” which showcased the talents of Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto. I saw this film several times with my mom when I was still single and we really can’t help our eyes from shedding tears. The last time I saw it was when I, my wife and our friends from the company where we previously worked went to Ilocos Sur to spend the Holy Week. “Anak” is every OFW’s nightmare turned into a powerful movie for everyone to see in the big screen. 

I am not an OFW child but I have lots of friends whose parents are working abroad. I must say that most of my pals really represent Claudine, the nasty bitch from hell sent by Satan to destroy every parent’s morale. Her role as the prodigal daughter is really powerful that it made me cuss her every time she does things that would break Ate Vi. I can’t understand why behind every overseas worker’s dream of having a better future, most of them end up losing their family.

I Know How to Hold My Bottle

Xander enjoying his bottle of milk

It's really nice to know that the Wonder Twins are developing so fast. They already know how to rollover and they are starting to crawl. Right now, they are learning how to hold their milk bottles!

A Trip to MOA

Last week, Les Pau and Lei Xander went to SM Mall of Asia together with my in-laws to have celebrate in advance the birthday of their Lolo Daddy. Supernanay told me that our cute little angels enjoyed the strolling so much that they don't even know where to focus their eyes on.

The best thing with this trip is when they went to the SM Department Store - the salesladies, according to my labs, kept on following them and  insisted that our wonder twins join the 2010 SM Star Baby Promo!

Proud nanay and tatay of two handsome boys. :)

Birthday Party, Here We Come

We were excited to come to our cousin Latisha's 1st birthday celebration. Good thing it's Tito Buboy's dayoff. He accompanied us to the venue together with Tita Sarah Ganda, Ate Rezil, and Nanay. Our Wowa joined us later at the party. Thank you, Tatay for saying yes when Nanay asked permission from you. Yipeeee!!!!

~ Paul and Xander