Hi! Please help our Baby Noah win the DwellStudio Dwellicious Baby Contest. All you need to do is “like” Quirks Marketing Philippines page here

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=312726&id=133762303319384#!/pages/Quirks-Marketing-Philippines/133762303319384

and then “LIKE” his photo. One “like” is one vote.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=312726&id=133762303319384&ref=album

Super thanks!

We’d appreciate it more if you spread the link and “like” love.

Daddy Josh and Mommy Reah

PS: “Like” the Quirks page first and then “like” his photo.

Say hello to Mr. Tumnus.

Welcome to my Narnia family! You will be loved! LOL!

After one canceled Apple order, five auctions, problematic Paypal payment, and two weeks of waiting, the iPad has arrived yesterday, May 24, 2010. The last time I was so excited for a gadget was two years ago when Prince Caspian, my iPhone, was delivered to me.

I named the Apple tablet Mr. Tumnus after the Chronicles of Narnia character. You see, all my Apple gadgets are named after the Narnians: my 5-year old iPod Mini as Polly, iPod Shuffle as Lucy, MacBook as Digory, iPhone as Prince Caspian, and now this, Mr. Tumnus.

If those weren’t enough, I named the WiFi network at my parents’ house as Narnia and at our house, Pevensie. I have yet to name something as Aslan. And that for me, will be the ultimate Apple gadget acquisition: an iMac. Good luck to me! (#asaohangad)

This is my husband’s Mother’s Day, birthday, one-year of mommyhood, and Christmas “gift” to me. BUT I paid for this one. I told him I didn’t need his money, all I wanted was his “permission”. So there.

First impressions:

• Ganda!
• Ay mabigat!
• Manipis!
• Ay…nasisilaw ako…
• It really is a giant iPod Touch.

A number of iPad reviews say that the Apple mobile device is not for everyone. I agree. Not because of the price because it depends on one’s use. Hardcore geeks and programmers won’t be able to work on the iPad. Bloggers will enjoy typing on the on-screen keyboard but will have a hard time with the photos. Those who just browse the Internet will find this very useful.

I haven’t played with the iPad much because it is always in the hands of my husband. First night, he slept late because he was downloading and playing the musical instrument apps.

Noah especially likes the Virtuoso Piano app. I gave the iPad to him while he was in his crib a while ago. He was happy to play with it but got bored after a while. I could only hear the music from the piano and was impressed by how he’s doing only to find that he’s not touching the keys.Why, he was already stepping on the iPad! Kalurkey! Haha!

I have yet to post these unboxing photos on our gadget website and write an official review. For now, I’ll let Josh and Noah (and my mommy too!) to enjoy Mr. Tumnus.

I can has an ipad!

Eeek! Not eco-friendly

Yun oh

I’m shaking….

Sleek!

My Dearest Noah,

I just finished putting you to sleep. I’ve been doing that for more than 30 minutes now because you wouldn’t. My guess is that you enjoy playing with your new toys. The ones you got on your dedication last Sunday. Your dad and I haven’t brought out everything because we have no more space in our tiny studio unit and we want you to enjoy each new toy. Don’t worry, next week, we’ll bring out a new one.

I can’t believe you’re six months now. Seems like only yesterday when we found out I was pregnant. I sometimes miss being pregnant but when I think about it, seeing, holding, and kissing you are way better than just carrying you inside my tummy.

You’re growing up too fast. Last week, you discovered how to stand on all fours. Daddy Josh and I were too ecstatic to see you try to get up on your hands and knees. You didn’t notice but a tear fell on my cheek. I said to myself that ‘my baby boy is growing up’—way too fast. I know most kids your age still can’t do what you can. Your grandparents believe you are way too advanced for your age. Your dad always says “you’re a genius” and I think you really are. And just like your Lolo Tem as your daddy would always say.

You’re also showing interest in music. It must have been the result of my playing classical music near my tummy when I was still pregnant. Or maybe, you are truly gifted. I remember the first time you made me cry. It wasn’t the first time I saw you (I was smiling ear to ear then) but rather the day we brought you home from the hospital. Your daddy played the guitar and his composition for you and you turned your head towards the direction of the music. I cried right then and there because you were already responding to music. I prayed for God that you will be talented like your dad and I think you will be.

You know that every time your dad strums his guitar, you’re quiet. You seem to be listening to the music. You seem drawn to the instrument. I even have a video of you reaching for the guitar strings while your daddy plays. When you were only four months old, you showed your talent in playing the piano. Well, more like in pressing the keys especially after you discovered that doing so produces sound. I wish you be like your dad when it comes to music or maybe even better. I promise that we’ll support you and help you reach your potential. We’ll buy you your own guitar. We’ll enroll you to music classes if you show interest. If we can’t afford it, you always have your daddy, Lola Emi, or Auntie Val to teach you how to play the guitar and the piano.

I have yet to see you’re interest in art but I hope that you get your Lolo Pete’s talent in drawing. He’s an architect. He builds houses and just like your Kuya Nav, I hope you will build things from scratch too. I can’t wait to buy you LEGO blocks for you to play with and lots of pencils, crayons, drawing and coloring books for you to be busy with. I hope you be like your Lola Vaisy who is very creative.

I wonder if you will be a good basketball player like your Uncle Enoch and Uncle Sam. I dream of you singing really well like your Auntie Renz. And I hope you will be a writer like me and your Auntie Dea. I have so many wishes and plans for you but I know God has already blessed you with talents. We just have to help you discover and develop them.

I bet you’ve noticed why we’re together everyday and mommy doesn’t leave home while your daddy does everyday. Your dad prefers that I stay home to take care of you. I like it that way too but there are times that I still feel guilty not being able to spend much time with you. You see, mommy works at home so I am always glued to the computer. You don’t know this but I sometimes stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish work. Glad your Lola Vaisy comes to our house everyday to look after you while I focus on work. I don’t know what I’d do without her. I know it’s already become a habit for you to wait for her after I’ve given you your bath and when you’re all clean and ready to play with her.

I’ve stopped giving you a bath on the tub. You’re too big and ‘malikot’ now to be given a bath lying down so I thought I’d bathe you in the bathroom. You enjoy the water now, anak. You now show excitement when we’re about to enter the bathroom and when you see the water on the pail. You’ve started to reach for the faucet and the shower already. And when I dip you into the tub, you laugh.

I can’t wait to give you your first meal. It’s your 6th month birthday today and that means you can now eat soft solid food. We’ll start with Cerelac first and then graduate to mashed veggies and fruits soon, okay? I know you will be a hearty eater as you seem to be enjoying your milk and your Marie biscuits a lot. That’s okay because that means you are very healthy and strong.

Hey baby, you’re brave too you know. You’ve had a few vaccination shots already but every time your pediatrician would give you one, you’d only cry for a few seconds and then you’re okay. I could still remember the first time on your first month: I was afraid for you but you only cried for a moment. I knew right then and there that you are one brave baby.

You are such a joy-giver. Everyday is a happy day with you around. You give joy to everyone especially your lolos and your lolas. Guests during your dedication party were too happy to see you. You’re always smiling, always laughing. Not that I’m complaining, but you are such a happy baby.

There are times when I’d miss you even if you were just on your crib and I’m working. It’s good to know that I can always look after you though. It’s a privilege to be witnessing your every milestone and I will forever cherish each of them.

I could go on and one and tell you about the great things we’ve experienced with you but this letter won’t be enough. I hope you get to read this when you already can and know that we love you very much. Your daddy Joshua and I thank the Lord for the wonderful gift: You. We’re not saying this because you’re ours but you are the cutest baby ever. We look forward to many days, many nights, weeks, months, years, and decades with you. Now that you’re six months old, we’re excited to teach you how to sit, walk, talk, sing, dance, and recognize colors, shapes, and more.

Noah, we love you. I love you. You are the best Mother’s Day gift ever. Last year was unofficial but this year, I am a certified Mommy. It is my prayer that you grow up to be God-fearing, obedient, smart, wise, and talented. Your namesake is a man of God and it is also our prayer that you become the person God wants you to be.

You are precious, Noah. You are loved. You are blessed. You will forever be my baby boy.

Love,
Mommy Reah

PS: For Mother’s Day, I will finally give you your first meal. Please promise you’ll behave and enjoy the food. I love you, Son.

I am on my rest break right now. Everyday or rather every night, I have this midnight break that I just sit, read, or take a power nap before I do more chores before I fully rest.

I am a work-at-home mom. By work I mean real work where I follow a schedule, report to a boss, do actual work, and get paid at the end of the month. I’ve been doing it for almost three years now and I am grateful for the setup. That I get to be with my son everyday to take good care of him, watch him grow, and witness his many milestones. My current work may not be as financially rewarding as my previous managerial and consultancy jobs but I am fine with it. I am blessed with a boss who understands my situation and encourages me to become a parent first before being his employee.

They say I’m so lucky with my current work and home setup. I agree. But you know, it’s not really a walk in the park. In fact, I find it more challenging than having to get up very early each morning to rush and commute, wait for the shift to end, and wait in traffic going home. A work-at-home mom actually does more than work. Why, there are chores that need to be done right away: the laundry, baby’s laundry, laundry-folding, cleaning the house, cleaning the front of the house, watering the garden, and cooking for myself. All these and more while taking care of the baby.

I am not complaining but I am always tired. If only my exhaustion could burn fats, I’m all good with it but that is not the case. Glad there are my parents who come in every afternoon to help look after my son while I work. Every work day I need a few hours to just focus on what I do and after those very important hours, they can go home and leave the baby to my care.

Weekends are most tiring. Saturdays, I usually go to church, run some errands, meet with family and friends, and have some me-time. Sundays, we get up early to go to church but still arrive just in time, Josh brings out Noah to leave him with whoever, I park the car, get my son, attend the service only to stay until the baby cries, chat with mommy friends at the toddlers’ room, have lunch at my in-laws, then go back to church for the youth ministry. After our fellowship, my husband picks me up so we could go on a date. Our dates now are limited to going to the grocery and we only get to do that for a little over an hour then back to my in-laws for dinner. I take a nap once more because I know I’d need the energy to do more stuff when I get home.

I am most tired during Sundays but it’s my favorite day of the week. Like right now, my head is resting on the divider while I blog. After this, I will take a long, warm shower. Hitting the sack is always better when you’re clean and fresh.

While I do all these things, my husband is either busy at work, rendering overtime, putting our baby to sleep, or is sleeping already. I don’t complain because he’s been such a good husband. He’s been providing for me and our son, buying me the fine things I want, and loving me that he deserves to have a good night rest every night. He does help around the house and he’s been a big help in taking good care of Noah especially when I have a lot of “real work” to do.

Being a wife and a mom is never an easy task. But hey, it is one of the most rewarding things in life. I can’t imagine myself getting an office job anymore because that would mean not being able to see my son grow with my own eyes. Josh prefers this too for two reasons: he wants his son to be taken care of by the mother and not by a yaya and he doesn’t want officemates courting his wife. LOL on the latter because I doubt guys would dig how I look now.

Seriously, I am happy with my life. I may be tired all the time (hungry too!) but it’s nothing compared to the joy our baby gives us. He really is a bundle of joy. I’ve only been a mom for three months and this is just touching the tip of the iceberg that is being a mom as one puts it. I also know that I need to be a better manager of the household, our finances, and our little family. Thank God I have a partner who loves me, a son who makes me fall in love each day, supportive boss, family, friends, and church, and blessed future to look forward to. I know that this life is worth living because I have an awesome God who reigns over my life.

Tired, yes. Happy and content, a big YES and AMEN!