Singapore Zoo

It’s been our 3rd zoo for the past 4 months!

Here’s a few pictures just to share what we did at Singapore Zoo. 

It was really hot, so we only spend around 2 hours there. I’m just glad that even in a short period of time my Mom and Mavi bonded.

Here’s Mavi fascinated with the rabbits.

 

The giraffe looks so divine!

And here’s Mavi in awe of the largest alligator he has ever seen!

Whew what a day!! We didn’t bother seeing the lions and tigers even if it’s Mavi’s favorite animal since we’ve seen them a lot of times already (Belgrade and Subic). 

A Homecoming Part 1

Dearest Mavi,

Early this year, you and Mama went back to Philippines(homeland) to visit your grandparents and so spend quality time with family and relatives.  I just have to say that everyone there was anticipating that moment for you to come home so they could meet you and express their love for you.  Remember, Mama and Daddy are not the only ones who loves you dearly, there’s also you grandparents on you Dad’s side and grandparents on my side too! Plus... you aunts and uncles, and you dearest cousin Yanyan.

First stop, we went to Pampanga.  This is your Dad’s place, where he was born, was raised by your Lolo and Lola, had his primary school.  Your Dad and I used to go here twice or thrice a year when you weren’t born yet.  And the last time that you visited Pampanga was when you were 10 months old, right before we left for Belgrade.

You rocked their world Mavi.  Your grandparents and aunts were so happy that you were there! Their house became so noisy because everyday you sing songs to them, made them laugh, danced to them, make “kulit” with your Lolo.  Every afternoon, you would tell your Lolo that you would like to ride his “car”.  Riding Lolo’s car was one of your favorite past time while in Pampanga.  You always wanted to sit on the front-seat so you can see how your Lolo drives.

Everyday, your Lola Son would cook foods for you.  She would give you a bath at night before you go to bed.  Then your Auntie Joy would read you books... books that your Dad used to read when he was a little boy too.  You love all those books Mavi!  I even wanted to bring them here but it would be very very pricey to ship them all the way here.  So I just told your Lola to preserve those books well so you can read it everytime we go back in Pampanga.

Auntie Zen, Lei and Ivy, and your Tito Raul would play with you in the afternoon.  You love to play ball with Tito Raul, and you always kulit your Aunties of their iPod.

Too bad we only stayed there for 2 weeks.  It wasn’t enough since they really wanted to spend more time with you.  Plus, we still haven’t met some of your Dad’s relatives who also loves to see you.  But we still have to visit Bacolod, where another set of loved ones were waiting for you... to greet you.

So see Mavi?  There are so many people who loves you.  In case you feel so alone someday and feels that the world in upon your shoulder, always remember that you always have us on your side. Always sweetheart, always.

 

Love,

Mama

A Holiday in Switzerland! (Part Deux)

On our last day in Zurich, we simply walked around Glattfelden.  The place was just purely magic! I was so happy that we made this walk because it's one of those relaxing activity that hubby and I haven't done for quite some time.   And since Mavi was with us, it was also the best time to show him everything that there is to see in Zurich: the clear streams, the farm animals, the ducks floating and swimming around, the forest and wonderful green frozen fields.

A Holiday in Switzerland! (Part Wan)

Please be warned that this post is flooded with photos!

We got invited to celebrate Christmas in Zurich by my husband's relatives.  Oh we were so happy to be there, to be able to spend Noche Buena with Filipino family and friends! At least we didn't miss home that much!  The best part of it was that we went to Milan first, then drive around 5 to 6 hours going to Switzerland.  There were so many sights to see if even if the roads were covered with snow   Mavi was in his best behavior during our trip. 

Once we crossed the border from Italy, we stopped by on this gasoline station in Switzerland and didn't miss to take a picture with the snowy alps on the background.

15 Months Old Mavi in Milan

Last 2009 we were invited to celebrate Christmas in Zurich  by my husband's cousin Kuya Toto.  I was ecstatic to hear the news because aside from the the fact that Switzerland is a dream destination for me, we will also be spending the holidays with our Filipino family and friends!

But we didn't fly from Belgrade to Zurich.  We first meet up with Kuya Toto's older brother in Milan.  We've been to Italy before, but I still got so excited over Milan since it will be a new experience and adventure for us. And I was also looking forward to meet my husband's relatives in Milan.

Anyhoo, since this blog is all about my little baby boy, I just want to share some fanta-fabulous moments that we had with him during our holiday trip in Milan and Zurich, and on his first winter experience.

We went into the Zoo!

Finally! After a year and a half, my husband took us to the Belgrade Zoo!  I’ve been wanting to go there since last year, but husband doesn’t want to because he doesn’t like the smell of the zoo.  Good thing that my friend Phoebe told us that the zoo is on it’s worst and smell pretty bad only in summer.  So with that I finally get to convince my husband to take us to the zoo and besides, he sees that his son is so much into animals... so for sure Mavi will love there.

Before hitting the zoo, we had our lunch first at McDonalds that day.  God blessed us with a wonderful weather that day! The cold was manageable and it wasn’t raining.  Entrance fee is 340RSD (about 170PHP) per adult and Mavi is free.

The Belgrade Zoo is located at the Kalemegdan Park and it covers around 7 hectares. They have an official website, but there’s not much information here and it is written in Serbian. 

Note too that the last time I went into the zoo was back when I was 6 years old.  Here’s what we found in the zoo so far..

Meetkats were a favorite of Mavi.  He was fascinated with them because they interact with him hehe.  See how they all assembled in front of him when he started touching the glass wall.. maybe hoping for Mavi to feed them LOL.

The pony on the lower right was his favorite!!! He wanted to touch them but they were smelly. Then there were also some elephants and giraffe. He was so happy to see the elephant, even gesturing how the elephant would sway it’s trunk.   I just wonder why he didn’t appreciate the giraffe... maybe he was too tired already. Pero in fairness I like the giraffe. Para syang isang binibi na ballerina, walking with so much grace, carry nya ang mahaba nyang leeg.!

Then we went to look for the white “albino” lions.  It was soooo beautiful but their size was intimidating. Para syang fairy god-lion.  We stayed there for a little while, resting on one of the benches.

Further walk into the zoo led us to the kangaroo and camels.  Okay, so this is my first time to see a camel.  Minanol mode.

 

Then just beside it are the birds: parrots, owls and more.  Mavi was scared of the parrots because they were making loud noises and freaked out when one of the parrots made a loud screeeching sound. Kahit nga ako nagulat.

We saw lots of deers and llamas too.. and some animals with horns as well, though I’m not quite sure if they are still classified as deers/ram because I have never seem them before.   It is said that most of the animals at the Belgrade Zoo are locals... so I bet they can just be found on the mountains of  Eastern Europe and Balkans.

Oh and I was pretty excited to see the monkeys but they weren’t in their cages! So instead, we played around on this statue, which of course Mavi recognizes as “monkey” because he kept on shouting “monkey! monkey!”.  Pero nung nilapit ko na sya, natakot sa mukha ng monkey hehee.

Before heading out to the exit, we passed by on the pools were we saw the hippo, sea lions and swans.  Mavi loved the hippo so much! Everytime the hippo would open their huge mouth, he would laugh and kept on shouting “hippo!”.  Then he would even imitate how the hippos opened their mouth hehe.  A strategy I used whenever I feed him.

Oh it was such a great day for our little family to visit the zoo and see the joy of your little one wonder and be amazed on the things that he sees. How I wish we also have this back home, where a zoo is accessible for everyone and that the fee is affordable.  That is one thing I love about this place because there are a lot of things that you can outdoors... perfect to raise a family. 

If I become a billionaire, I would overhaul Bacolod and would put lots and lots of parks and playgrounds.  If only I can buy the climate.. I would change our climate too... but since I am not God, we just have to live with the hot hot temperature lol.

Autumn is Love.. Memories of 2009

Dearest Mavi,

You were just about 25 months when we experience our first autumn in Belgrade.  It was sooo beautiful! I was always itching to bring you out so you and I could enjoy the lovely trees and cold weather. 

I collected some photos here taken last year, when you were just very small and cutie... experiencing the autumn leaves for the first time. 

This photos was taken the first time we take you out on a cold weather.  We were very keen because your Dad and I were scared that you might catch a flu once exposed to extreme cold, but much to our surprise you enjoyed the weather and didn’t even get sick even during winter. You were so scared at first, see how you wanted to cry?  You were clinging to Mama but we kept on encouraging you to walk and enjoy.

 

Later on, you started to gain confidence and started to roam around on your own. While I was busy capturing every single step that you take, Daddy was right with you the whole time.  You were just starting to walk on your own here, and with pounds of clothing you find it difficult to balance yourself, thus you kept on falling from time to time.

This was taken 2009 of November at Terazije.  Winter was fast approaching and we have to savor the last days of autumn.  This is one of favorite spot in Belgrade because you can run around in this place chasing the pigeons which you are truly fascinated with.  Plus of course, McDonalds was just right around the corner where Daddy and I would have our hot coffee.  At this time, I was already starting my homeschooling sessions with you and I was teaching you all about the colorful leaves as well.  You definitely love every moment with us outdoors because you get to explore everything!! You were such a joyful learner and a happy happy little cutie.

And lastly, these pictures were taken at a park near the Parliament building of Belgrade.  We just attended mass here and decided to stop by at the park so you play once again.  It was getting so cold already that we didn’t stay that long.  But as always, you had a wonderful time here, enjoying the playground, riding the swing and picking up the leaves.

How I wish you could remember all of these Mavi and grow up with happy memories of our life here in Belgrade.  Every single moment we had with you was happiness. I just realize that someday, you will not remember these moments anymore so let me be your eyes and ears... I wanted to capture all of these and freeze the time for you. 

We love you dear baby, more that you’ll ever know.

 

Love,

Mama

Letter Craft: R is for Rainbow

From: No Time for Flashcards

I love how this activity goes.  Mavi loves to see me do all the cutting of colored strips of paper, and he can’t wait what we’re gonna do with it.

For this activity, we’re to make a RAINBOW using the letter R.

1.  Prepare materials needed.  I recommend that you plan ahead so you can properly document your materials.  I used the rainbow colors, scissor, a cardstock, glue and a red marker.

2.  Cut the rainbow colored papers into strips and write a huge letter R on the cardstock.

3.  While doing some chores, I keep my son glued on the coloring of the letter R.  As you noticed every crafts that we do involves drawing and writing.  So you are creating something and at the same time, your little gals and guys can practice their fine motor skills.

 

4.  When he told me “I’m done”, I made him apply glue on the letter R.  He’s not yet good in gluing because he is still figuring out how much force he has to make to squeeze the glue out of the tube.  So what I do is I would guide his hand when he squeezes the glue. Once we covered the letter with glue, I started putting 2-3 strips of colored paper. 

 

5.  Then I let him do the rest.  He kept on covering the letter with the strips, until it came to a point that he piled all the remaining strips on the letter.

6.  Once the glue dried up, I cut the letter R and showed it to him.  He shouted “RAINBOW!” when he saw what we did. 

    

Aaawww

Since Maverick turned 15 months, taking good care of him is a breeze. It's like having a 3 year old toddler in the house.

Because he can communicate very well, when he wants something, I can easily understand him now. Like, if wants to walk.. he'll say "shoes", if he wants to eat an apple, he'll say "poolpool". When we play, and if he likes the nursery songs that I've been playing on the background, he'll dance and sing with it.

Yeba! Ang saya di ba? Kaso... super nakakapagod, kasi sympre you also have to dance with him, sing with him. Eh ang energy ko limited, unlike sa kanya.. nakaka regenerate sya since he naps in the afternoon. Ako, I don't nap because I won't be able to sleep early sa gabi if I take a power nap during the day. Pero sabi nila, dapat may at least 15 minutes of "quiet time" ka. Either you meditate, sleep or pray. That I will do.. starting tomorrow. Pramis!

So back to Mavi. A change on his behavior that I have observed is that, these days.. he is super duper mega over sweet to me and to his Daddy! He kisses, hugs us all the time, play with us, laugh at us kahit walang nakakatawa, always nagpapacute by making funny faces. As in!

Here's the proof.

He would just lie there sa tabi ng Daddy nya. He misses his Dad during the day.

Waahhh, and this made my day. He kissed me sa park.

A Happy Birhtday to Maverick!

(Delayed post again.)

Last August 27, Thursday, our son Maverick turned 1.

We simply celebrated his birthday at home, with Pasta, Serbian Pizza (my favorite!), a Cake and French Fries hehehe, and who's there to eat all those preparations? Nobody else but Mommy and Daddy! It was a quiet birthday celebration, so non-traditional for somebody turning one year old. If we were back home in the Philippines, it would have been a grand celebration.. probably a party in Bacolod and another one in Pampanga hehehe. (Grandparents love grand birthday parties!)

Earlier that day, Mavi received gazillions of birthday wishes and prayers from the grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Mom and Dad's friends. To all who greeted, thank you for remembering, for your thoughtfulness, for your prayers and wishes. I know that you've been following my once (and defunc) pregnancy blog, so you've probably witness how Mavi has grown from that little cherub at the nursery window to this smart and cutie boy. May our dear Lord God bless you with abundance and good health.

Despite the absence of a birthday party (every Mom's greatest anticipation for their kiddos), we were happy to celebrate Mavi's birthday together and as a family, privately.

And what's a birthday without a cake right? The hubby bought the cake earlier (it was suppppperrrr delicious!!! but we put the half into the trash it expired already, walang mahilig sa sweets sa amin), and thank goodness we found a birthday candle! So here's a picture of Mavi blowing his first birthday candle ever. By the time he grows, he would probably ask us why he didn't have a party or why is it it's just the three of us hehehe.

Before we sang him a happy birthday song, the Dad and I silently offer a thanksgiving prayer for Mavi, prayed for our son's health and future, made him a wish and kiss and hug him.

But wait.. that's just the first part of the celebration... hehehe. My husband prepared something more for Mommy and Mavi :-) (Gift daw namin)

Can you guess what gift the Daddy is preparing for Mommy and Mavi?

I'm in love.. again!

After weeks of practice, my husband finally knows how to put our little boy to sleep. This is such a success. Our boy is too picky. You should have the proper hold, the right songs to sing and that gentle rock so he can sleep. Else, he'll just fuss and won't stop crying.

So now, ever day, he's the one putting Mavi to sleep while he allows me to rest from a day of baby sitting. I love it when he puts Mavi to sleep. I'm seeing him differently.. and it's like falling in love again.

Happy 10 Months

Cafe Forma

Last June 27, 2009, my little family celebrated the 10th monthly birthday of Maverick. This was a different celebration since we used to have his birthday with my parents at home in Bacolod, and there would be candles and a cake, pasta and chichiriya. This time, wala at kami lang tatlo. So the husband brought us to this nice little restaurant. Cafe Forma, a 15-min walk from our apartment. It wasn't hot that day, it's really nice to walk around the neighborhood.

View from our seat

I love the interiors inside the restaurant. There's this red wall that has picture frames on it that I so love! The interiors are mostly in red.. the bricks makes me feel like I'm in a cozy house in the middle of the woods. So nice to be here... feel na feel kung baga hehehe (walang sinabi ang Gourmand! harharhar)

Menu

When the waiter gave us the menu, lo and behold! I couldn't understand a single word hahaha. So I just asked the husband to order something for me.

Our foods

The food was also a surprise. I love it! Makes me wanna go back again, that would be next month maybe. Can't afford to eat here all the time hahaha. I don't usually like eating bread, pero kakaiba ang bread nila dito. Crispy outside and so soft naman sa loob. Ang sarap talaga kainin. The Beer.. well, di uso kasi softdrinks dito. They either have beer (most of the time) or wine. Sossy no? Pero mas masarap parin ang tubig! Tikim tikim lang. We're not here naman to eat and indulge ourselves sa lahat ng luxuries dito coz we're just poor. We're here to save! Harhar.. thus, occasional lang :-)

My boys

Anyway, here's happiness.. my boys of course. Haaay.

To my boy.. happy 10th months old. Many people loves you.. and your grandparents at home misses you the most. So be good ha. :-)

Hello, Honey!

Okay, so Mavi, Mama and I went to Manila again to meet my in-laws and at the same time, welcome the husband back in the Philippines. He's been planning to go home since December, but he thought that it would be too early to have a vacation since he's just new in the company.

So here comes June, the long awaited vacation.. and the "meet and greet" of his little boy.

Was I excited? Definitely! 16 months of physical separation, what would you expect? This is Maverick's 2nd time to go to Manila. And of course, chaperone parin si Mother.

Mama, Jeff, Mavi and Me

While waiting for the husband to arrive, we stopped by at MOA to meet my high school bestfriends Tina and Chai. The last time I saw them was also at MOA, 2008. I was 6months pregnant at that time, and was moving back to Bacolod. I miss my friends so much! So many things has happened since we parted. Tina now has 2 kids, both girls, and Chai, single again. And as for me, I now have Maverick.

Maverick's new ride

Everyone, please welcome Mavi's new ride, the Maclaren Triumph.

Since, my boy and I travel a lot, travelling with a bulky Graco stroller is such a pain. It's so huge and too heavy! Aside from that, it seems that Mavi doesn't like the Graco stroller. He complains most of the time when I put him on it.

So I was really happy that my little boy likes his new ride. Why? He falls asleep in it!

Had I known that he likes Maclaren better, I should have bought this one ealier instead of Graco. It's really a miss or hit when you have a baby, since they can't actually let you know if they like a certain thing unless you bought and try it.

But of course, we kept our Graco, for future use :-)



Husband (the benefactor) is very happy of his purchase. It's quite expensive for a stroller, but with Mavi behaving in it is just too good to be true for me. I don't have to carry him around the mall all the time, plus, he can sleep on it.

Other plus factors include:

• Removable washable seat
• Compact umbrella fold (easy on the airport)
  
• Water resistant hood
• High-performance aluminium frame
• Handy mesh shopping basket
• Carry strap or handle for easy portability
• 5 second one-hand fold
• Lockable, front swivel wheels

Browse their site for more designs!

Happy 7 Months!

We celebrated Maverick's 7month birthday last friday at Shakey's. Lolo, Lola and my brother's family was there to celebrate my Mavilicious birthday. Oh, did I mention that my little boy now got his 4 front teeth!! Yup, they emerged a few weeks ago, and I hope that his feeding will be back to normal. He doesn't drink milk that much, but boy oh boy, he has this huge appetite for solids.

Maverick at 7 months

Our little boy is not so little already. Maybe I should stop calling him "my little boy", he is such a big boy na! He's way too big for his age and he is getting so gwapito day by day. Sometimes I feel like I look like his Yaya. That's why I make sure na high maintenance ang beauty ko.

Yannah and Maverick

Take a look at them both, Maverick at 2 months. He looks like a smurf isn't he? I would often wonder how he would look like when he grows, when all the features matured. Thank goodness, my boy turns out to be as cute as his Mama and as handsome as his Papa, in short, Maverick is turning out to be a handsome young lad.

Maviboy in his tie

Maviboy enjoying his squash

Maviboy is a happy baby!

Take a look at him now, still with his Ate Yanna. Aren't they the cutest?? They always celebrate birthdays together.

With Ate Yannah again

The two kids will be the best of friends. Yanna loves Mavi so much. Every time she sees Mavi, she calls him by name and gives him a kiss and a hug. While Mavi is always perked by Yannah. Marinig nya lang bosses ng Ate Yan nya, kinikilig na sya at gusto nang makipaglaro. Dyahe lang when he is asleep and Yanna would call him, kasi gigising talaga sya.

We love the pool!

Here's a picture of Maverick and Yannah taking a bath outside the house. Haaay, buti pa sila, walang problema sa buhay. Ang sarap maging bata.

Happy happy birthday Mavi! Mama and Papa loves you to the 100th power.