Rayala Dialogues: Monique's May Madness

Here's to cap off the merry month of May --- my little crazy firework's take on childhood, profession and happiness.

~ ♔ ~

SO NEAR YET SO FAR

I was doing housework the entire day that I let LB do her thing. We just did the routine. It was too platonic I felt like I'm just her employee. So when I finished, I sat beside her while she was watching Mike the Knight on Disney Jr.

B: I miss you, 'nak. (showered her with lola kisses, yung may amoy factor)
LB: (eyes still glued on TV) Nyehhh.
B: Why?
LB: (looked at me with wondering eyes) I'm just here oh!

Hashtag senti.

Barbie in the Pink Shoes Exclusive Movie Screening

One of my favorite things about blogging is getting invited to various events that I personally would love to be a part of have I not become a blogger. 

My little ballerina and I, in matching clothes we got from Au Pair Addizione, marched to SM City North EDSA to attend the exclusive movie screening event of Barbie™ in the Pink Shoes. Sophia was already too amazed that we were wearing matchy-matchy that she felt so donya-ish she made that pose, haha. I let her with that stance since I made a mental note that it has to be HER day - yes, all about her. It's been such a long time since I dated her out. May 5, Sunday was the perfect day to just do that. Boy, was she googly eyes the whole time!

Rayala Dialogues: Little Bebengisms

I have collected some of my darling amiga's antics that she said the whole month of April. Some were funny, some were just plain aww-worthy. Enjoy!

~ ♔ ~ 

OPPOSITES

My husband Rhambo and I are exuberant conversationalists. So whenever there's something that really interests us, we tend to raise our voice a bit. Our unica hija, being not used to seeing her folks talk [personally], is always shocked when it happens. One day, we were making chismis. I totally forgot who or what the topic was, when ----

LB: Guys, stop. Stop fighting. You should be NICING.

Ah. Present tense po ng nice. 

Rayala Dialogues Special: My husband can sometimes be a jerk but he's a great father!

Well, we're still here at the camp and so far, nothing so spectacular happened yet; just a few extraordinary moments. The officer's been talking to his men like they're honeymooners. Well, he's doing his job. I love that he's so into it. Guess I'm lucky to have him, right? At least he's not a bum or something like that. Anywayyyy, he has already planned about our Hundred Islands trip. One of the staff has his family here, too, so we might invite them to come along with us. LB and the 6-year-old boy have begun to be playmates; this can be a great chance for the two to play more. I just hope that my girl's cough will soon be gone. I gave her her well-deserved massage while she was watching Little Pony vids on my phone before bedtime, plus some Vitamin C tomorrow; that might do it.

Speaking of my girl, she just gave me a dilem-mom I will never forget.

THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS. We bought her a swimming vest then I looked for my swimsuit. While I was scouring the skimpy bikinis and mustering enough courage to buy one, LB ran away and Rhambo couldn't find her. I threw the black maillot swimsuit I was eyeing and helped him look for our runaway princess. It was the most terrifying 5 minutes of my life (next is a flying cockroach). I was panicking, my heart was beating so fast and I feel cold. Most of what I thought of were bad things I've seen in news. Media, you are killing me. Thank Jesus my husband saw her at the counter! She was paying for the big shovel and rake she picked for her sand castle session she's planning to do at the beach --- only she got no money. Hahaha! It was the cutest sight ever but I was in no cooing state. I immediately carried her and gave her a hug. I wept. I almost died but the girl was not worried at all. The thoughts of going to the beach was all over her, her door was closed for any negativity. The innocence of a child is breath-taking but nerve-wracking. Btw, I didn't buy myself a swimsuit. The husband said something like "pambata ba yan?" I was totally discouraged. And to be honest, my body was not beach-ready so forget about it. Sigh. He's really, really something else of a lover, noh? But you know what? He's a great dad.

FATHERHOOD BECOMES HIM. We were on our way back to the camp when LB asked where we're headed. So when I told her "camp, baby", she gave us an unforgiving crazy wail, nonstop. Rhambo, who was suffering from a real bad toothache, turned to be the most handsome father ever. He asked her princess if she wanted to drive with him. Of course, my adventurous tyke didn't say a word. She just sat on her pop's lap and held the steering wheel like a pro. I'm sure she will never forget that, too, like I can never forget the moment I lost her for 5 hell minutes. Rhambo may not bathe or feed LB now like he used to, but he's doing special things our daughter will surely remember. I'm loving him more because of that. But what can you say about the next paragraph? ;)

MY INNER (AND OUTER) BEAUTY. I was watching Dove's experimental video last Tuesday when I thought of what Martine of Dainty Mom has posted months ago, something like "dressing up for your husband". It said something like showcasing the body parts that your husband likes most; that left us with this conversation:

Bebeng: Beb, anong favorite part mo sa body ko? (while flirting with him)
Rhambo: Eto.. (sabay hawak)
B: Bilbil?
R: Hindi, eto. (tinaas ng konti)
B: Ano ka, masahista?
R: Ano ba, katawan ba?
B: Ay ganun, inner beauty lang ba meron ako?!

We were on laugh trip for the next 10 minutes of our bickering/cajoling then he said "hindi ko nga gusto inner mo eh". I was super shocked. He said he was just trying to see what my reaction would be. Well, I was saying the whole time "a-hole ka talaga". And we just laughed again and again. Natural high, it is! 6 years of togetherness made me realize he likes my curves and behind. It's not as wholesome as eyes or shoulders, but at least there's something in my body that he likes. It's not just an inner beauty. Oh, I don't think I have that anyway, haha!

Les Multiples Visages de la Redevance

"The Many Faces of the Royalties"
Learning the French language is in my bucket list!

My Thoughts on Lent As a Parent

I am not a very religious person. I honestly do not go to church every Sunday. I am not proud of that, fyi. But believe it or not, I'm a very faithful woman. Yes, in all of its aspects; to God, most especially. 

I have a very, very personal relationship with Him. I can feel His presence every time I call unto Him, even if it's as simple as waiting for a cab during peak hours. All of a sudden, a nice and new cab will arrive after a silent prayer. How miraculous. My faith has been tested and shaken when I got pregnant with LB out of wedlock. It was not a smooth 9-month journey but during the 1st trimester, God made me realize how important prayers are. I almost lost my now snoring little lady on my 2nd month of pregnancy. She almost wanted to go home to Him. Feeling the excruciating pain all over my abdomen and back, I prayed unceasingly. I told and asked God to lend the baby to me. And true to His words, He lent me a ball of energy --- my wisdom, Sophia. 

I'll Be Blocking Cartoon Network Tonight

My little crazy preschooler's current favorite cartoon is Adventure Time. At first, I see nothing wrong with it. Its graphics were not for kids though but Sophia likes it and actually helps her with her own doodles. Today was a little different. I watched it with her intently. Yes, I do my best to be with her during all her cartoon times, so I could answer her questions in case she has. But usually, I do my domestic duties whilst she's glued on TV. (please don't judge!)

Source

So we're watching an episode where there was a destructive monster frog. It was already ridiculous for her age and gender. I mean, for me, monster visual stuff is more of a boy thing. Is that sexist? But yeah, I'm not making her stick to Barbie and everything pink-y all the time. I'm cool like that. Hell no was I tried to be cool when there was a scene of Finn having flashbacks with words in repetition. What words, you ask? 

SHY, FIRST BASE and MAKE-OUT.

Why in that series?! I was mortified.

I feel like a bad parent for putting malice in the situation. But you can't blame me. She's a four-year-old pretty girl! And I can't afford to be the one pushing her to worldly deeds. 

I am to study Sky Cable's Digibox manual. Let's block that channel tonight when she sleeps.

Share me your thoughts on this, please.

I'm My Papitoyni's Bebeng

Today marks my 20th year of being father-less. So if you still have a Daddy, Papa, Tatay, Itay, Amang, Pop or Pudrabelle --- make sure to tell him you love him before it's too late. 

This is the letter I wrote for Papa for Father's Day, two years ago --- 

Dear Papa, 

Sabi ng nag-iisa mong apo na babae sa Tatay niya "Happy Far'rs Day!" Ako po gusto ko lang magpasalamat. 

Salamat sa height, kahit pa'no hindi ako matatawag na petite; sa sense of humor na minsan nagagamit ko pag problemado at ayoko pa munang i-solve; sa 8 1/2 yrs mong pagiging cool sherpats sa'kin. Dahil sa'yo, nakilala ko ang Beatles at si Mel Gibson.  

Ang iyong pagkanta ng Maging Sino Ka Man sa stereo natin gamit ang Vicor Records mong cassette tape ay hindi ko makakalimutan, kasi sinasayaw mo pa ko nun. At nung pinakanta mo ko ng Kung Kailangan Mo Ako, sabi mo kaboses ko si Aiza Seguerra. Siguro, kung kasama ka pa namin, baka yang Sarah Geronimo na yan eh sumasali pa din sa mga contest.  

The Little Bugger: Where Little Divas Belong

Yo, all the mommas with little girls, put your hands up!

When I knew I was pregnant with LB, I actually felt since day 1 that it's going to be a girl. And it thrilled my inner senses that I would have like a real life-sized doll that I can prep up for any occasion. My guts didn't fail me. On my 5th month of infanticipation, an ultrasound confirmed my baby's gender. I started to hoard pretty things for her --- Hello Kitty, pink stuff and everything for my little diva. I never thought that my diva treatment to her will make her such though. Haha! Now, let us not be mistaken that I am totally raising a spoiled brat here. Say, diva in a 19th century definition but with a modern twist. Something like a princess of the new millennium. Alright?

Something like Shiela Baluyot aimed to have when she opened The Little Bugger.

Crybaby + Courage

I just had a terrible night (as of this writing, that night was like 5 hours earlier). 

But before the terrible night happened, LB and I went to SM Marikina to meet my  friend who came home from British Columbia for some vacay. C gave LB Hello Kitty plate, bowl, spoon & fork and a large Ziploc of assorted chocolates and candies. We had some pizza and pasta, and a lot of catching up. LB had pink macarons. My eyes welled with tears while sharing a heartbreak. She didn't give any advice or opinions, but she listened. And I super appreciate that. We parted ways as she still needs to go out with her family. LB and I looked for our blue shirts for their Family Day/Sports Fest in school this Friday. Then we bought food. Then we rolled home.

When I reached our gate, I didn't feel anything bad, except that it's too dark. When I opened the door, switched on the light, WALEY. No electricity! I panicked kasi may kuryente sa kapitbahay. I knocked (ng OA sa lakas) at the landlady's house and asked why. She said may gumawa daw sa post kasi nga it was fluctuating na for like 1 week already. At ako, nagalit. Kasi sabi ko ginawa na eh ba't wala pa ding kuryente. Baka daw sa fuse, sa circuit breaker. Eh leche, kung electrician ako, magtatanong ba ako? I know nothing about what they were saying. I know they were just concerned. But I f*ckin' need electricity for a light and a fan so we could peacefully sleep. Nagalit ako kasi natakot ako for me and LB; kami lang sa house eh. 

The Little Popstar as Madam Anna

Oh, pampa-good vibes. Lalo na sa mga nasa trabaho ngayon.

Remember 100 Days to Heaven? Here's LB, when she was around 2 1/2 years old, doing a Madam Anna Manalastas spiel. May bangs na bitin pa yan ha. Madam Anna was played by the very talented Xyriel Manabat. Do you see any resemblance? Pang-showbiz siya no? Haha! Pero dapat makatapos muna siya sa Ahrneyo (ADMU) ng magandang kurso; not something like Commerce and the like. Hihi. Or not even Communications, like Nanay. ;)

Subtitle: You're fired now, kuha mo?! 

Baka kasi ang dinig niyo "You're bayot now, mukha mo!" 'Pag nagdalaga na si LB, matutuwa kaya siya sa mga videos niya or mayayamot sa'kin kasi I posted it here? 

Rayala Dialogues: Paper Bus and My Secret Crush

Tulaley sa kawalan, mega boredom kami ng bagets when she asked me to make her a plane out of paper. Dami ko eh, mga rejected certificates when I was still a Sales Trainer ---

LB: Nanay, can you make a bus please?
B: Ay, I can't po.
LB: But why?
B: Because I don't know how (sumad-face pa talaga ako sa kanya para credible)
LB: Okay, boat na lang. Next time, bus ha.

Saan ba may Youtube tutorial ng bus paper-folding? #scratchingmyheadindisbelief

~ ♥ ~

While watching Ina Kapatid Anak in iWantv.com.ph last night ---

LB: Hey, that's Tatay!
B: Who? Where? (baliw lang, akala ko nasa show talaga)
LB: Ayan oh.. Nanay kasi. (points to Ariel Rivera!)
B: Haha! Really? That's Tatay?!
LB: Yes po, they have same eyes.

Hanep. Astig. Oh ayan na, sabi sa KrisTV kanina, healthy ang may secret crush, especially sa mga mommies. Siya na ang secret crush ko. Hahaha! :D

My Little Girl Loves Me

Today is a very typical day for me and LB. Monday. School day. Woke up, fix bed, breakfast, argue, clean up mess, argue, bathe, dress up, argue, school, finally some alone time for 2 1/2 hours, back to school for the student who wants to play for extra 30 minutes, argue, went home, late lunch,argue and goes on. BUT! We spent today with less arguments. Yes, like out of 10 usual arguments we have every.single.day, we only had three. Not bad, eh? Disclosure: I am to blame for the arguments half the time. I just don't let her win, that's why. And upon realization that she's indeed growing up fast, I changed gears into how I talk to her. Yup, there's still baby-talk. I can never do that when she turns 13 already. I still smell her kili-kili if I want to (or when she wants to!). However, there's this hint of adult-ish conversation happening around at home once she starts talking. Momma, she's definitely my daughter! OA sa daldal. :D

So earlier at school, I observed how attentive she was during story time; and cheerful the next when she saw me outside waiting for her. She even blurted out a very bonggang "I'm so proud of you, Nanay!" For whatever reason she said that, I'm super thankful she did. Ooh, I'm now teary-eyed. LB's not a baby anymore. But I feel just how much she needs my care and love. That every time she's about to go home, she's excited to see me! Kahit madalas kaming mag-away, she clings to me like a koala bear does to a Mongol pencil (Haha! so 90s).

Rayala Dialogues: Nanay, the Loshang & the Poop

LB, who will be turning 5 on September, is now awarded as THE MOST HONEST KID IN THE UNIVERSE. Sometimes, sa sobrang honest, nakakainis na. Eto, I showed her the photo of me and Lola L (my mom) in this post, at ganito ang naging usapan ---

LB: Who's that baby?
B: Me.
LB: Oh, it looks like me, Nanay.
B: Yes. You want to look like me when you grow up? (trying to convince her)
LB: No, I want to look like a princess. I don't want to wash clothes.

Boom! Loshang ang peg ko sa bagets 'pag humu-human laundromat ako. Kainis. :(

~ ♥ ~

LB pees and poops really well now, but still can't wash by herself, of course. So one day, she called me that she's done doing her business, and ---

B: Ooh, it's big and baho (in a tone not offending)
LB: No. Look Nanay, it's you and me.
B: Where? (cleaning her very cute behind and ayaw ko tignan yung tinuturo niya!)
LB: Look first, dali.
B: (tumingin naman) Hunny, it's baho. Ayaw ko na.
LB: Nanay! Beecohs, I love you. We're together in da ow-shan. Hugging, ever!

Anak naman. Sa lahat ng magiging tayo eh jebs mo pa? Ewwness lang.

February Fourteen

This is LB's first Valentine's Day that she is actually aware of it. The whole world is commercially and traditionally celebrating it, so there's no excuse for me to hide it from her. I made sure we'll be celebrating it. Kesa sagutin ang isang truck niyang WHYs. They made a card pa nga during her class eh, paglabas niya she handed it to me. So wala talagang kawala.

Back to Basics with Johnson's Baby

Alright, I know I have used different brands for LB's skin as mentioned here & here, but truly, I am a Johnson's Baby fan. Ever since. I'm sure there are a lot of moms who will disagree. Kesyo masyado daw matapang ang Johnson's products and if compared sa brands na gamit nila, eh hindi ito ganun ka-gentle. Oo naman, hindi naman ako makikipagtalo. But you know what, ang mahalia jackson ng ilan sa soshal brands eh. As in ilang bottles na ng Johnson's ang katumbas ng isang bote ng brand nila. Well, if I have the money and the means to buy those brands, why not noh. Kasi I tried na din naman once, and super nagustuhan ko. But whenever bet ko ng bumili at nai-prepare ko na ang budget for that, hala ka, biglang may darating na biglaang gastusin. Example, naubusan kami ng GAS! Eh jusme, they are of the same price na. So ayun, magreresort ako sa kung anong meron sa Mercury Drug or suking supermarket. And that is Johnson's nga. Our trusted brand with an affordable price.

Rayala Dialogues: The Answering Machine

LB and I were fighting.

                            B: Who's the Nanay here?
                            LB: You. (sobbing)
                            B: O, sino masusunod?
                            LB: Me. (still sobbing)

Anak ka ng Tatay mo. Mababaliw na ako sa'yo.

~ ♥ ~

Before bedtime, LB's still playing.

                             B: Come on 'nak, clean up na.

                             LB: Wait Nanay.

                             B: Haynako ang tagal ha (aburidong-aburido)

                             LB: Nanaaaaaay, bee peyshaunt. Rekeli said her mommy is peyshaunt.

So nanay na lang ng langgam ang ka-level ko?! Dutchmill lang ang may goodness. Tseh.

Outfit Extraordinaire, Not Expensive

If there's one more thing I'd like my little girl to know when she grows up (because I have tons to tell her, actually), that is, to be brand-unconscious when dressing up. I do not have anything against those who could spend a thousand bucks or more for a simple shirt; when in fact, you could buy one with the same quality at a more affordable price --- they could afford, they can't help it because they're rich. Well, if I have the means too, I'd love to see my very hyper preschooler donning her Gap leggings everyday at home so her legs are covered; that when she goes out, she can have Guess shorts for grocery-shopping. But mother, those leggings and shorts are enough for her month's food allowance. Gotta be wise. Or else, my husband's eyes would pop out from insanity.

Her outfit in the photo is special not because it's above her regular outfits for school, but because of how she got it. And doesn't she look so girly and pretty? ♥

Rayala Dialogues: Live!

Excuse me for the resolution of the video, I'm only using a 2-year-old Nokia C3 (in pink, yes!). I hope you had fun watching LB as much as I did. She's my Energizer bunny at day, but she lets her mouth do everything at night. Gotta love my little story teller. 

When Little Bebeng Met a Little Gentleman

I feel guilty for not going to church every Sunday. It is my obligation as a Christian parent to bring my child to Sunday School to learn about the Bible and Jesus. LB basically knows who Jesus is and what He can do for us as I have mentioned here. But I think it'll be more exciting if she'll meet Jonah, Samson, David, Peter, Paul, Mary and Martha --- characters and heroes a lot better than Woody, Merida and Puss. Anyway, we really wanted to let the sunshine touch our skin as we've been in house arrest and locked up in our own home after our umbrellas were stolen at the facade of the house (yes, we were scared!); so we went to Marikina Sports Complex (MSC). 

Aside from the really nice running track it has, MSC designated a small part of the place to be its playground for tots who can't jog and run continuously in an oval with their parents yet. That's where I brought LB. As we were walking towards the gate, I can feel her excitement and she even asked me "Nanay, are you happy?" So I said "YES!" with a grin. She replied, "oh, I can't wait!" She's becoming more kikay as days pass by. Too much Barbie, perhaps. About 5 meters from the playground, we've heard shrieks and giggles from the kids playing --- LB ran to its direction and just let happiness enveloped her childhood. Bliss.