The little you.

I can't believe you're turning 1 year old next month! Just look at you, wearing that old shirt as you had it back when you were still 4mos old. You still don't want to eat full solid meals - I just can't make you because you were never glued to a movie and can care less if a spoon is coming in your mouth. Your brother was like that. And I thought it would be easier when I have you since you're my "second time". I should be able to master taking care of you, right?

By this time, I should realize no siblings are alike. You know what you want, you shout at us when we don't seem to get what you mean. You are aggressive in a cute way and you never want to wait. Even your big brother endures your little face pinchings and eye pokings. Because you are adorable and you are our littlest.

Yes I did fear of having a small child. I don't want somebody to be like me. But then again, I should know better. After all, you are my son. Asa pa man diay ka maliwat? Thank you for choosing me so you can be yourself...

The little you is my grandest story yet. I love you my Akiipotpot.

afternoon pool play

Learning how to swim with a teacher who doesn't know how to swim. Haha sounds scary? Not to worry, 'te Nana knows just how to handle the boys. I think we're keeping this afternoon habit.

"hi mama, love you!"

I was washing my boys' milk bottles when my 3yo pulled a chair beside me, came up to me and said...

"Hi mama, love you!"

I hugged him so tight that it tickled him. I said i love you's a hundred times so he'd know I love him more than he can imagine. He makes me feel I am the most important person in the world. He never miss a day to make me realize that I am doing more than ok with taking care of our little family. That it's ok to be tired sometimes. Or that it's ok to run out of patience sometimes. Becaue at the end of each day we're all happy to be with each other - whole and fulfilled.

first ZOO visit!

My 3yo loved his first experience at the zoo. Imagine seeing for the first time lions, giraffes, and bears in the flesh. They are on top of his favourite animals list. But the only animal he didn't want to come near is the gorilla so we had to skip Mr. big black monkey. Meanwhile, little brother is happier than ever - he is out of the house again.

All in all it was a fun, sweaty day for us. Although my sister and I can't help but feel pity for some of the animals. A lion kept walking forward and back, non-stop, as if he's going to lose his mind. Being locked in is not a totally bad thing because you feel safe and taken cared. We found the baby giraffe born last August 7, healthy and happy - a small sign that efforts of the zoo in providing a good habitat have been successful.

I did some research after the visit and found out that the zoo is expected to undergo relocation to Dubailand - which is still underconstruction - to give the animals a home that is designed to be similar to their natural habitat. Hopefully that will make everyone happier.

*some animals are being fanned to help them feel cooler. sigh.

coca-cola-loco

first dinosaur egg

Zaiid wanted to have a dinosaur egg just like Sid's from the movie Ice Age III. So we hard-boiled an egg and drew a face. He was so thrilled to have one of his own. He made it sit, lie down, or say some funny movie lines to it. But then he accidentally broke it. "Sorry, egg. It's ok... na...na..." He was so cute and he was so sincere that it broke my heart into bits. I remember how he loved my eggbelly and now he's actually loving a real egg. Sweet.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

You can just imagine how stunned we are at the very sight of the Dubai Aquarium, the biggest glass walkthrough tunnel aquarium in the world. We got up close with some of the most fascinating underwater animals on the planet including our favourite penguins and sharks!

We made two visits already. I don't think it's going to stop soon, it seems that my 3yo can't get enough of the place.