Trick-or-Treat 2017 Loots

Wanna see the result of my son's hard work and perseverance?

Here's a closer view.

Haha, my bestfriend Raxie commented na she remembered TanTan's 3 candies last Halloween 2015. Ang laking improvement daw lol!

To be honest, hindi naman namin kinarir ang trick-or-treating because of the candies. I am diabetic (also my husband) and Nathan doesn't eat chocolates. At kung tutuusin ang dali-daling bumili ng sandamukal na candies sa Walmart at Costco noh. Pero it was super fun lang talaga, ewan ko ba. Saka nakita naming nag-enjoy ang mga bata, ayaw nga nilang tumigil eh.

After our pictorial, Nathan wasn't even tempted to taste the sweets in front of him. Itong Hotwheels lang talaga (na binigay ng isang grupo ng riders) ang trip niya.

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So what to do with all the candies and chocolates? We'll bring them to Pinas this January. For sure marami kaming taong mapapasaya hehe (particularly our employees and their kids). Dadagdagan ko na lang. =)

Trick-or-Treat 2017 (2) -- Murrayville, Langley

It was already dark when we reached Juris' place in Langley at around 6pm. Maaga na kasing dumilim. I called Juris and told her we were outside already. I asked Ford to go to Costco to buy some chicken wings for our dinner later. Nag-order na raw kasi si Juris ng pizza.

Princess Zoey was ready. It was her first time to trick-or-treat, she was sick daw last year eh.

Juris' husband was about to leave na. He's going back to the mining camp where he works (one week duty, one week off). So before he left, kami muna nina Juris an Zoey ang nag-ikot sa neighborhood.

The advantage of trick-or-treating on townhouses is that you can go to one house to another very quickly. Tabi-tabi lang eh. At first, Juris thought that only homes with pumpkin/Halloween decors are giving out treats (first time niya ring magtrick-or-treat). I told her na ang alam ko basta bukas ang porch light kahit walang decor. So ganun nga pala yun. First time ko rin magbahay-bahay eh lol.

I could feel the enthusiasm of homeowners whenever trick-or-treaters buzz their bell. Lahat sila very welcoming. Sabagay, kung hindi mo naman talaga feel, magsara ka na lang ng ilaw di ba?

Enjoy na enjoy sina Zoey and Nathan. Tuwang-tuwa sila pag nadadagdagan ang candies sa basket nila. We had to bring additional bags pa pala kasi hindi kasya sa baskets nila ang treats na nakukuha nila.

One thing we learned that night -- some people who won't be home during Halloween leave their treats in their door/porch pala. Nakakatuwa at nakaka-touch. 

At mas nakakatuwa ang mga trick-or-treaters kasi they are not abusive. Talagang paisa-isa lang ang kinukuha para meron pa yung iba. Honestly, kung sa Pinas yan, na-hoard na ng mga nauna. Baka pati lalagyan kinuha na.

It was dark and not so many kids were trick-or-treating but we felt safe. 

When Juris' husband finally left, ayan kasama na namin si Jack (who is 1-year-4-months old). The more, the merrier! If only Tess (our other friend) wasn't in Pinas that time, syempre kasama rin namin sila ni Baby Marco.

It's interesting to know na talagang kinakarir ng ibang tao ang Halloween decorations. If only I have a house, kakaririn ko rin (fan din ako ng Halloween eh). Sayang ang dami kong hindi nakuhanan ng pictures.

Nathan was so tireless that night! He walked and walked without complaining (kahit naka-stroller na si Zoey with Jack). He kept on shouting "Happy Halloween!" Haha! Hilly pa naman yung lugar, akyat-baba kami sa mga houses at sa kalsada.

It was getting colder as night went on so I asked him he wants to wear a jacket like Zoey. He answered: "No... Captain America!" Kaloka, feel na feel talaga ang outfit niya. I was really so worried kasi ang nipis lang nun pero mukhang di naman siya nilalamig. Galaw naman kasi ng galaw.

Hindi lang ang mga bata ang nag-enjoy, mas lalo na siguro kami ni Juris lol! Never namin na-experience ito before so we were like kids din haha.

By the way, Ford was in Costco the whole time. Itext ko na lang daw sya kapag matatapos na kami. Sayang, di niya nakita kung gaano kasigasig ang anak niyang mangalap ng candies!

When were done with the towhomes, nagawi na rin kami sa mga big single detached houses. Dahil ginto ang bahay dito sa Metro Vancouver, expected na na "mayayaman" ang mga nakatira doon (unless matagal na nilang nabili ang bahay). As expected most of them have bigger bars of chocolates.

We finished at around 8:30pm. Whew, 2 1/2 hours kaming nagbahay-bahay! My son never complained that he's tired, talagang game na game pa siya. Tumigil na lang kami kasi kami na lang yata ang nasa kalsada saka naubos na namin ang mga bahay.

Pero yun na, pabalik sa house nina Juris, nagpakarga na si Nathan! Shaiks, ang bigat pa naman ng bags of treats na dala ko. I called Ford and asked him to pick us up. Sinakay niya sina Nathan and Zoey tapos naglakad na lang kami ni Juris (with Jack na nasa stroller) pabalik sa house nina Juris.

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Naramdaman ko lang ang gutom at uhaw nung nasa place na kami nina Juris.

I just ate a slice of pizza though (carbs!)...

But lots of chicken wings. Haha, nanginginig na kasi ako sa gutom talaga.

The little boy was still full of energy. Buti na lang nakapag-power nap siya sa kotse on our way to Langley from Guildford Town Centre. He just asked for McDonald's french fries and orange juice before we went home.

I bought this Halloween board at Daiso for $2 pero di na gaanong namaximize.We were all tired na kasi to get nice shots. Ang gulo rin ni Nathan at ayaw magpapicture.

It was indeed an uber fun night! Juris and I vowed to start on an earlier time next year. Teka, saan na nga kaya kami nakatira noon? Baka sa Langley na rin?

But inasmuch as we want to receive, ok din ang feeling ng nagbibigay (I remember, my first experience of giving treats was in 2014).  If ever may new house na kami by next year, I'll make sure na mag-iiwan din ako ng candies sa labas (unless sa condo kami mapadpad syempre).

Trick-or-Treat 2017 (1) -- Guildford Town Centre

It's almost December and I am still not done with my Halloween posts. Haha... please bear with me, oki?

Juris (my new friend here in BC) and I have agreed to do trick-or-treating in their neighborhood in Langley. At dahil medyo malayo ang place nila (around 30-minutes car ride or at least 1-hour public commute), Nathan and I had to wait for Daddy Ford pa after office hours para may masakyan kami.

So para hindi naman masayang ang araw at outfit ng bagets, sabi ko sa Guildford Town Centre muna kami magtrick-or-treat. We live just across this mall kaya naglakad lang kami. I wanted to get there by 3pm sana kaso nawala ang Captain America shield ni Tantan. Kaloka, kung kelan kailangan saka hindi mahanap! Halos one hour ko yatang hinanap, tapos nasa ilalim ng dining chair lang pala.

Past 4pm na kami nakarating sa mall. Hindi ko pa binihisan ng costume si Nathan kasi baka mairita at ayawan agad. Pero pagpasok na pagpasok namin sa mall, sangkatutak na batanag naka-outfit ang bumungad samin kaya naatat kami pareho. Haha, dali-dali ko siyang binihisan sa may couch, hindi na kami nagpunta sa washroom. Feeling ko late na late na kami lol. Medyo naloka lang ako nang parang ang sikip ng damit ng maisuot na. Parang gusto kong maiyak at tumakbo sa Walmart para bumili ng bago. We fitted that costume two weeks prior to Halloween at ayos naman ah. O siya, wala ng magagawa. Hindi naman nagreklamo si Nathan at feel na feel pa nga.

It's good that Nathan saw agad a lot of other kids na nabibigyan ng candy. Ang bilis ko siyang nabigyan ng instruction na lumapit sa nagbibigay.

This was his very first gig. Medyo shy pa siya.

But later on, ayun super enjoy na sa panghihingi ng candies! Kapag may tinuro ako sa kanya na store na nagbibigay ng treats, tatakbo siya agad papunta haha.

Ito yung first trick-or-treat niya na may muwang na talaga siya. Buti rin nakapanood siya sa youtube so may idea na talaga siya how it's being done.

Guildford Town Centre is the second biggest mall here in BC yata kaya marami ring tao. Pero hindi naman advertised ang trick-or-treat nila. According to one Pinay mom na nakausap ko last year, nagstop na sila maghold ng formal trick-or-treat. Kaya nga hindi kami dito nagpunta last year. Siguro nakagawian na rin lang ng mga stores na mamigay ng treats kaya meron pa rin kahit papano.

It's safe to go trick-or-treating sa mall kaso konti ang treats syempre. Paisa-isa lang ang bigay at syempre hingi gaanong bongga ang candies. Hindi rin lahat ng stores nagbibigay.

Haha, panalo sa costume ang pamilyang nasa upper right! Kinarir talaga nila ang Halloween!

This for me was the highlight of that afternoon. Captain America meets Spiderman! Hahaha!

Nathan is actually very scared of mascots. Duwag talaga yan. Pero nanaig ang excitement over fear, ayan at nagpapicture rin kay Spiderman.

Daddy Ford arrived at around 5pm. Medyo maaga kasi galing siyang site. After changing Nathan's nappy, konting lakad pa at picture-taking syempre.

We didn't get that many treats (half lang ng Chase basket) but it was fun. Nathan had a great time seeing other kids in different costumes. And when I told him we'll go to Zoey's (Juris' daughter) house para magtrick-or-treat uli, ayon lalong na-excite. More candies daw.

"Thanksgiving" Dinner @ Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken (Guildford)

November 23, 2017 (Thursday). It was Thanksgiving Day in the US. Though hindi kami taga-doon, naki-thanksgiving na rin ako kasi talagang grateful ako that Nathan was already ok and back to his usual energetic and makulit self. Halos six days din kaming di napakali at nakatulog nang maayos dahil nga he got sick.

Nag-sink in na sa akin ang exhaustion that day so I asked Ford to bring me to Dollarama so I could "breathe" (aka shop) a little. Mababaw lang naman talaga ang kaligayahan ko dito, makatingin-tingin lang sa dollar store ay ok na.

When Ford suggested that we eat out na rin. Haha, alam ko namang gustung-gusto na niyang kumain sa Nando's kasi may coupon siyang nakuha from our mail box. Pero naisip ko, hay kain sa labas na naman! We've overspent na this month (because of our California trip) kaya ayaw ko na muna sanang gumastos ng gumastos. Kaso ako nga itong naunang mag-aya sa Dollarama, di ba? Haha, sige na nga. Thanksgiving na rin kasi nga feeling better na si Nathan.

There's a Nando's branch near our place, mga 3 minutes away lang siguro, pero first time naming pinasok yun. When we discovered kasi na there's a Nando's sa foodcourt sa Metrotown Mall, doon na lang kami kumakain. Aside from fast service, iwas-tip pa haha.

Ford loves Nando's. I introduced it to him in March 2016, when we were still living in Edmonton. Kabubukas lang ng first ever Nando's noon doon kaya na-excite ako (may 3 branches na yata sila ngayon). Una ko kasing natikman ang peri-peri chicken nila sa Malaysia at na-appreciate ko talaga. I am glad na nagustuhan din ni hubby. In fact, madalas siyang kumain sa foodcourt sa Metrotown nung nagbakasyon kami sa Pinas ni Nathan.

Bagong renovate ang Nando's Guildford na ito eh. It closed for a while (palagi kasi naming nadadaanan kaya alam ko) and I even thought na for good na. I am glad nirenovate lang nila talaga.

I instantly liked the restaurant's interior pagpasok namin. Maaliwalas. Hmm, parang hindi naman maaliwalas dati sa Edmonton ah (at saka sa Malaysia).

Hindi gaanong maraming tao because it was a Thursday. A server guided us to a table and gave us the menu.

More or less alam na naman namin ang oorderin namin haha. Dapat around $30 lang kasi ang coupon namin ay "less $10 for $30 bill."

We ordered the Classic Share Platter (whole chicken + 1 side and garlic bread) na ok na for two people. Pero dahil $28.95 lang siya, we added a small sized side (peri-peri vegetables) pa worth $3.75.

After looking at the menu, you need to go to the counter to order and pay. By the way, I paid $26.70, including the 12% tip.

Then you get your preferred sauces and dressing sa isang corner. Nandun na rin ang pop (soda) dispenser if you ordered some.

They first served the garlic bread. Hay, ang sarap! Di talaga namin na-resist. #cheatdayforthenthtime

It didn't take long for the chicken and the vegetables to arrive. Haha, nagkatinginan kami ni Ford nang makita ang gulay. He knows me too well, alam niyang hindi ko kakainin yun. Kahit siya hindi nya rin type yun (pero kinain niya pa rin kasi sayang). Buti na lang we didn't get the bigger size.

Medyo matagal bago dumating ang corn pero masarap sya ha. Four pieces yan eh, nakalimutan kong picturan bago kainin. Namiss ko talaga ang inihaw na mais. Talagang pikit-mata kong kinain kahit na ma-carbs. I liked it more than the chicken haha.

Nathan didn't eat. Panay pa-cute lang ang ginawa. Hay, ganun naman talaga siya, matumal kumain. He's three pero ayaw pa rin talagang kumain masyado. More on dede talaga.

Oh well, basta super happy ako that night because Nathan's good health has been restored. Ang gaan-gaan ng pakiramdam ko.

I have this feeling na madadalas na kami sa Nando's na ito. Kanina lang nagtatanong na si hubby kung may bagong coupon ba eh, haha!

PS. Katulad ng Max's, mas mura ang Nando's dito kesa sa Edmonton. Yung platter na inorder namin na $28.95, $30.45 sa Edmonton. 

High EQ

I would like my son to take after his father. Objectively, sa aming dalawa, he's the better person kasi. He's simple, generous, and kind. Maganda rin ang disposisyon niya sa buhay, walang angst. At ang taas ng EQ (emotional quotient) ha, which is my exact opposite.

I am glad that at a very early age, nakikitaan ko na rin si TanTan ng traits ng tatay niya. Parang mataas din ang EQ.

When we saw this newly-released Paw Patrol lookout toy last August, syempre gusto niya. Palagi ba naman niyang napapanood sa mga toy reviews sa Youtube eh. Since then, whenever we would go to Walmart, Toys R Us or Superstore, talagang pupuntahan niya yan.

Basta ang palagi naming sinasabi: "Sige, sa birthday mo, gift namin sa iyo iyan."

Surprisingly, never siya nag-insist na bilhin namin yun agad. He just kept on saying, "Sa birthday." We were really impressed kasi talagang he was very willing to wait. Kung ako yan, matagal na akong nagmaktol haha.

Maraming beses na nga kaming na-tempt na bilhin yan. Haha naaawa kasi kami kapag nakikita naming nilalaro niya yan sa store (kami pa yata ang low EQ lol). Pero sige pinangatawanan na namin na ibigay yan sa birthday niya. He was happy na naman just looking at the toy eh.

And good things come to those who wait! Here's our finale gift for the birthday boy!

Haha, imagine how excited he was when dad was assembling it! Nagtatatalon sa tuwa. Ford and I were so happy just seeing his reaction...

... never mind that we were asar-talo for the price that we paid for it. Waaah!

You see, the original price of this toy was $150 (plus 12% tax). After a few weeks, nakita namin na nag-sale ito sa Superstore ng $120 kaya binili na namin. So happy na kami. Kaso after a month, nag-sale din ito sa Walmart ng $90! Kainis talaga! Oh well, lesson learned. Kagaya nga ng nasabi ko on this post, we just need TO WAIT first before buying toys (or kahit ano) kasi tiyak magse-sale. Taasan ang EQ haha!

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For Christmas, ito namang Fisher Price na barnyard set "main" request niya. Haha, matagal na namin itong nabili and we couldn't wait to give it to him!

Hay, sana anak ma-maintain mo yang ganyang attitude. Sana high EQ palagi ha. =)

Christmas Fiesta Ham

November 14, 2017. Before going home to Vancouver (from our California trip), we stopped by at Seafood City in Tukwila, Washington to eat dinner at Jollibee and do a bit of grocery shopping. If you are curious, we flew in Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport because plane tickets are so much cheaper if you take a domestic flight. Relatively expensive ang Canadian flights as compared to American flights kaya malaki talaga ang natipid namin, considering na tatlo kaming nagbiyahe. The drawback though is that you need to drive 2 1/2 to 3 hours going there. Pero keri lang, parang from Bulacan to NAIA drive lang.

Anyway, mataas ang conversion ng Canadian to US dollars kaya mas ok magshopping ngayon sa Canada. Halos lahat naman ng tinda sa Seafood City ay mayroon sa Canada, except for San Miguel Beer (na binili rin ng asawa ko) at Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog (na made in USA).

After grabbing a few packs of hotdogs and longganisa, my eyes suddenly noticed a somewhat familiar logo in a somewhat familiar shape. Wow, Argentina Fiesta Ham?!?! Just like Purefoods, may Argentina licensed products din sa Seafood City. Nakabili na rin ako ng hotdogs nila noon at ok naman ang lasa.

Medyo nagpalpitate talaga ako. Biglang naisip ko na magiging masaya ang pasko ko lol.

When I was living in Pinas kasi, talagang hindi kumpleto ang pasko ko kapag walang Fiesta Ham. Hindi naman ako ganun kahilig talaga sa ham pero talagang every Christmas, dapat meron kami nun. I remember na sobrang lungkot ko nga noong December 2013 (unang Christmas ko dito sa Canada) kasi nga walang Pinoy ham.

I excitedly showed the ham to Ford, pero as usual no effect haha. Wala siyang kasenti-senti sa katawan talaga haha! Unlike me, Christmas = Fiesta Ham talaga.

There wasn't any price tag on the freezer so I wasn't sure how much was it. I got one and told myself, bahala na kung mahal. Lately kasi may nakikita akong mga Pinoy ham sa mga Asian supermarkets dito (at sa Edmonton) pero super mahal. Pero yun yata yung mga bone-in ham.

While paying, there was a confusion as to how much this Argentina ham really cost. Upon further verification, ayun 2 for $9.99 daw! Parang di ko pa nga na-gets nung una na dalawa for $9.99 eh. I had to rush to the frozen meat section to get another one. Ang mura lang pala kaloka.

Now I wonder, magkakaroon din kaya ng Purefoods Fiesta Ham sa Seafood City? Haha, asa pa.

O siya, basta happy na ako dito. May pang-noche buena na kami. Soup (o hotpot) at chocolate cake na lang ang kailangan. And since I got two hams, I might share the other one sa Christmas get-together namin nina Juris and Tess with our families.

Christmas Wish List (Exchange Gift with The Girls)

Since Nathan and I will be going home in the Philippines this January 8, I suggested to 'the girls' (my college barkada and my core group in Pinas) that we make a list of what we want to get for Christmas para may guide kami sa pagsha-shopping. Barkada tradition kasi namin talaga na mag-Christmas dinner then exchange gifts.

I know na tapos na ang pasko pagdating ko so sabi ko ihahabol ko na lang ang gifts ko. But they said aantayin na lang nila ako. Na-touch naman ako.

Usually pare-parehas ang binibigay namin to all the girls but I thought that it will be more practical if we give (and get) something that we want/need/like. They all agreed naman. Haha, partida nga pala sa akin yan kasi I have a lot of time to shop lol. Mageenjoy pa ako sa paghahanap!

By the way, we don't give expensive gifts to each other nga pala kapag Christmas. Though they are all earning well (ako lang ang jobless kaloka!), syempre may kanya-kanyang family responsibility na kami. Kaya usually "token" lang talaga ang inaabot namin. Cliche as it may sound, it's the thought naman talaga that matters di ba?

So you want to know what their requests are? Paper weight, blanket, USB, Johnson's Baby Lotion, ref magnet, clothes travel organizer, bath/hair towel, travel bag tag, Human Nature Night Cream / Sunflower Beauty Oil, lip balm, scotch tape dispenser, continuous ink refill for canon, pencil sharpener. Ang sisimple lang di ba?

Eto naman ang wish list ko:

• Rich People Problems book  -- meron nito dito pero mas mura sa Pinas haha!
• University of the Philippines (UP) mug -- medyo nahihilig ako sa coffee mugs ngayon kasi paminsan-minsan ay nagkakape nako
• Bento-making tools -- marami nito sa Pinas at usong-uso
• Cute post-its, note pads, stickers, washi tapes (planner paraphernalias) -- marami rin nito sa Pinas 
• Pastel Stabilo highlighters -- dream ko magkaroon nito, as usual wala dito at meron sa Pinas
• Universal USB socket -- gustong-gusto ko ring magkaroon nito kahit mukhang di ko naman magagamit dito sa Canada

I am so excited sa exchange gifts namin haha! It will be fun to know kung anu-ano ang mga nahanap namin for each other. Parang bata lang kami uli. I'll surely post later kung ano ang mga nabili ko. =)

Best Black Friday Deal

Nathan and I are going 'home' in the Philippines this January and I was searching for a perfect gift for my nephew who I haven't seen (except in FB and IG) in more than five years. He'll turn 7 na in April 2018. I know that he's into toy cars / trucks but I still asked his mom if there's any particular toy that he likes. Wala naman daw, basta any toy vehicle will make the little boy happy.

To be honest, mahirap hanapan ng gift ang batang yun because he seem to have everything na naman. Maraming nagi-spoil sa kanya. Kaya challenge talaga na makahanap ng something na mapapa-wow siya.

Anyway, we were at Walmart last Monday (November 20) and I saw this Mack's Mobile Tool Center toy. It's actually big and heavy pero kasya sa balikbayan box. Hmmm, pwede. Bagong labas lang ito kasi noon ko lang nakita. And believe me, kabisado ko lahat ng toys sa Walmart at Toys R Us kasi lagi kaming nandun.

The price was $79.97 (+ 9.59 tax = $89.57 / Php3,600.00 - final price) and it was ok. Mura pa rin kumpara sa mga toys sa Pinas.

We were at Walmart again yesterday and I showed it to Ford. He gave me the go signal to buy it. Sabi ko later na lang, tutal sa January pa naman kami uuwi. Saka baka may makita pa akong iba. Marami kasing new toy releases ngayon kasi nga magpapasko. Pero convinced na rin talaga ako na this is what I want to get for my nephew.

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But just tonight, we proceeded to Walmart again after a little black Friday shopping at Guildford Town Centre to buy a blanket for Nathan. Yeah, we are obviously Walmart people, we buy everything we need from Walmart lol.

As expected, the little boy geared us toward the toys section. Bumungad sa akin ito and I couldn't believe it at first. Kaloka, $39.97 na lang siya?!?! Bale $44.77 / Php1,800.00 with tax.

Grabe ang saya ko haha! Imagine saving 50% of what I already conditioned myself to shed off for the toy! Ok talaga dito pag nag-sale haha!

We instantly grabbed one and put it in our cart. Nagcontemplate pa nga ako kung bibilhan ko rin si Nathan, kasi nga sobrang mura na (it looks nicer and pricier in actual ha). But Nathan showed no interest on it eh. And when I told him that he will give it to Kuya Luc as a gift, he excitedly said yes. Walang inggit o question man lang kung bakit wala siya (he's a good boy and inasmuch as he loves receiving gifts, sanay din siyang magbigay kasi talagang tinuturan namin).

Ayan, problem solved na! I got what I wanted at a very reasonable price. Yung natipid ko, I might use na lang in buying other toys/clothes for Kuya Luc kasi nga ang dami-dami naming utang sa kanya. Or pwede kong ibigay ng cash kapag nagkita kami so he could buy what he wants pa.

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If there's one thing we learned about toy-buying here in Canada, it's TO WAIT. Tiyak kasi na magse-sale, lalo na yung mga mahal.

Nathan as Captain America (Halloween 2017)

I can't believe it's already November 23. One week to go na lang December na! Pasko na talaga!

But before November ends, let me post muna Nathan's outfit last Halloween. Isn't he the cutest little Captain America ever?!?! #biasedmomhere

But objectively, I think he really nailed this outfit (that I just bought at Walmart). Parang medyo maliit na nga pero keri lang. Yung next size kasi is way too big, pang 5 years and older na.

I was actually skeptic that he would wear this for even just an hour. Baka kako makatihan. He is also very picky rin sa clothes, gusto niya yung simple lang. Ni ayaw ngang magsuot ng jumper, ang gusto ay shirt at pants lang. Pero eto at feel na feel niya. He's worn it for at least five hours.

This is Captain America's fierce look daw haha. Sariling sikap yan, napulot sa youtube.

I am so happy! Sulit ang pinambili ko ng costume! I am so looking forward to next year. Si Chase of Paw Patrol naman daw ang isusuot niya. =)

Gloomy

Hello! Finally, I found some time to blog. Inaantay kong maluto ang fried chicken ko kaya eto, sulat sulat muna.

The past days have been so gloomy for us. It's raining all day ("raincouver," haler!) and it added up to the misery of having a sick child.

Nathan wasn't feeling well since Friday. His face was so flushed and I thought he had fever because he was so hot. After a few minutes, parang nawala naman ang init. Then he pooped and the stool was so watery. He has lost his appetite na rin, puro na lang dede.

I was so worried but he seemed to be ok after that. We played and he said he wanted McDonald's. When his dad arrived from work, dumirecho kami na kami sa McDonald's so he could eat. I didn't care if french fries are junk, I just wanted my son to have some solid food in his stomach.

Pero yun nga, isang subo pa lang ng fries, he threw up na. Buti nasalo namin agad kaya hindi kami nagkalat sa McDo.

Nathan was ok naman the following weekend. Wala naman siyang lagnat (although mainit talaga siya kapag nahawakan mo). Not as energetic as his usual self pero wala na ang stomach pain na kino-complain niya nung Friday. I really thought stomach flu o gastroenteritis ang sakit niya, just like last year when he was hospitalized in the Philippines. Nagpapanic na talaga ako, kasi baka madehydrate na naman. Buti na lang nagdedede pa rin.

Come Monday morning, mahina na talaga siya paggising pa lang. He was extra clingy to me, palaging nakayakap. Tapos iritable rin at tinotopak. He was coughing so hard, and crying kasi masakit daw. Ang sakit sa puso, kaya grabe ang stress ko. Ford was asking me kung uuwi na raw ba siya (from work). Sabi ko wag na. Pero grabe talaga ang tension ko kapag inaatake siya ng ubo at nagii-iyak.

Ford had to leave work early so we could bring Nathan to the clinic. The clinic is actually just a walking distance from our place but it was raining, mababasa kami kapag naglakad lang kami. It was also too cold, baka lalong magkasakit ang bata.

Upon checking on Nathan's throat, sa tingin daw ng doctor ay 75% throat infection (bacterial) o 25% viral. He prescribed antibiotics and instructed us to return if the little boy's condition didn't improve by Wednesday.

Nathan was still not feeling well yesterday (Tuesday). Sobrang hirap for me, wala akong support system (kapag nasa work ang asawa ko). My heart was breaking whenever I see my son crying. Ang hirap talaga kapag maliit na bata ang may sakit kasi hindi nila ma-explain ang nararamdaman nila. I was so decided to bring him back to the doctor the following day.

Thankfully, medyo maayos na siya paggising niya kaninang umaga. Hirap pa rin sa throat niya pero less discomfort na kasi parang hindi na siya gaanong nasusuka. Kumain na rin siya nang fried fish kahit konti. Medyo matagal-tagal na rin siyang nakakapaglaro, unlike yesterday na halos nakahiga lang sa kwarto. I really wish magtuloy-tuloy na.

Hay! Kung sa Pinas mahirap magkasakit kasi magastos, dito mahirap magkasakit kasi we have no one else to help us in case of medical emergencies. Kailangan mong maging strong talaga kasi no choice. For a person na laging naka-depende sa nanay (ako yun), malaking pagbabago talaga ito sa buhay ko. Parang gusto ko ng magbreakdown pero hindi pwede. I know "simpleng" sakit lang naman ang throat infection, but I am a worrier at kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa utak ko lalo na at mag-isa lang ako.

My son is only three years old. A long way to go bago namin siya mapalaki. I really need so much strength.