Reunited with Tito Ninong Ryan

If there's one thing I feel bad for Nathan, it's the fact that he will grow up without a 'family' around. Kami lang kasing tatlo ng Daddy niya sa Canada eh. That is why I am happy whenever he gets reunited with the closest members of our family.

March 22, 2018 (Thursday). It was an unexpected meet-up actually. Ford's only brother, who is based in Qatar, came home here in Pinas to pay respects to his father-in-law who suddenly passed away. We, of course, went to the wake so TanTan was able to see his Tito Ninong Yanyan  after more than two years.

I was totally surprised because the little boy was instantly comfortable with his uncle. He's normally shy kasi to boys and it takes time before he adjusts to their presence. Pero sa Tito Ninong niya, sumunod agad siya nang kinandong siya. Walang resistance. It probably helped that I explained to him long before pa that Tito Ryan is Belle's dad (he knows his cousin Belle so well). Wala pa kasi siyang concept ng sibling kaya hindi niya ma-gets na kapatid ng daddy niya iyon.

It probably helped also that Tito Ryan resembles his dad! When I asked him kung kamukha ba ng daddy niya si Tito Ryan, yes daw.

The last time they saw each other was in February 2016, when Ryan and his family (plus Ford's parents and sister who are based in California) came over to our place in Edmonton for a 3-weeek vacation.

It was a short reunion that only lasted for two hours but I am glad that my boy now has a memory of Tito Ryan. One year old pa lang kasi nga siya noong huli silang magkita. Ngayon maaalala na niya at hindi makakalimutan (he never forgets, I am telling you). Sayang nga kasi once lang sila nagkita because Ryan had to go back to Qatar na after the funeral. Anyway, I am hoping na matuloy ang pinaplanong family reunion soon.

Minsan nga lang I wonder, ang saya siguro kung nandito lang kaming lahat sa Pinas. Ang dalas siguro naming magkita-kita and Nathan and his cousin Belle will constantly be surrounded by grandparents and uncles and aunts who love them. Nakakainggit din kasi kapag nakakakita ako sa Facebook ng malalaking families na palaging may outings o celebrations. How come may families na walang naga-abroad? Haha.

Cousins born two months apart

Fresh from the mail box!

We got two nice surprises from our mail box this week!

The first one is a package from Ford's cousin Marjorie who lives in California. She sent us a belated Merry Christmas card and a Ralph Lauren onesie for Nathan. Hurray!

I love receiving thoughtful gifts! Thank you so much, Marjo! Our little boy will be wearing your gift soon!

The other is a "no-occasion" card from my girl friend (barkada) Michelle. Haha, she wasn't able to send me the Christmas card that I "demanded" from her last September kaya alam ko pambawi ito! I am surprised though because it arrived fast. She only mailed it last January 26 (Philippine time). Well I guess post offices are not busy nowadays!

Thanks a lot, Mitch!

It's a happy week for our mail box! Sana may magpadala uli soon! Hahaha! =)

Three Blanco generations

This picture was taken the night before my in-laws went back to California (December 1, 2014).

Three Blanco men in one frame.

Nathan is the first ever Blanco boy in our immediate family and in the rest of the Blanco clan for his generation (his older second cousins bear different surnames). I hope he gets to meet the expectations of everyone - that he grows up to be responsible, gentle, and caring like his Daddy Ford and Lolo Jaime.

And oops, if I am to be asked, I want him to become an engineer too! =)

The parents-in-law are here!

When people learned that I am pregnant, most of them asked me: "Eh di pupunta ang nanay mo sa Canada kapag manganganak ka na?"

Sadly, my mother couldn't come for a variety of reasons:

• She is still very busy in the Philippines co-managing our family business. Our operations will be paralyzed without her. 
• She isn't exactly in a perfect state of health. At 68, she's diabetic and hypertensive. Mahirap na kasi baka dito pa siya abutan ng matinding sakit. 
• Edmonton is too far away from the Philippines. She couldn't possibly travel alone (as no one can accompany her).

I know that I need my mother the most during this time but I understand. Often, when we talk on Facetime or Magic Jack, she would tell me to just go home (in the Philippines). But we both know that I couldn't. Ford and I are just Canadian Permanent Residents and if I give birth in Pinas, we still need to sponsor the baby to be able to bring him back to Edmonton. That can take months or even a year. Also, we are talking about the child's future here. Citizenship is the keyword. 

Another thing, Canada has a very good health care system and giving birth here is "free" (well, not really free because we pay taxes). We don't have to worry about spending anything, especially if something not right happens to me or to the baby (wag naman po sana). 

I really miss my Mamoosh. She, of all people understands, what I am going through. She's the only person who can comfort me best, give the care I need. But what I can do, I "chose" to live far away from her.

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I am happy though that Ford's parents, who are American citizens and are based in California, volunteered to come over to help us in these challenging weeks of my pregnancy and upcoming childbirth. It's good that they are just a three-hour plane ride away and there's no need to apply for a Canadian tourist visa. They can come here anytime. They are also very excited cuddle a grandchild (they already have one -- Baby Ysabelle -- but they haven't personally seen her yet because she's in the Philippines) so I know that Baby Chicklet will be adored by them. 

I admit that I know nothing (as in absolutely nothing) in taking care of a child so it's comforting that Pod and I won't be "alone" during the first weeks of our son's life. 

Daddy and Mama arrived last Tuesday (October 21) and will be staying with us until Dec. 2. Of course they can still extend if we request them too.

October 22, 2014 - Lucky Supermarket

I am used to their presence actually. They already visited us last January-February (for three weeks, if I remember correctly) so I knew how they are at home. I feel more comfortable with them now. Sa una kasi siyempre nakakaaasiwa na makasama nang matagal sa isang bahay ang mga biyenan, especially since hindi naman ako domesticated na tao. I have so many flaws (haha) which I am afraid they'll find out. But Daddy and Mama are both nice and kind and non-judgmental. And they cook well, too! It's a breeze living with them.

I am so grateful because now I don't have to worry about our meals haha! They even do the dishes na rin kasi talagang masakit na ang tiyan ko palagi and I am afraid to move. Ang sarap. I can go into labor anytime now because I have companions na kahit nasa office si Ford.

Thank you Daddy and Mama for coming over to help us out. We can't thank you enough!

More greeting cards please!

I love receiving greeting cards -- even if they're not mine haha!

Ford's cousin Marjorie (from California sent) is so thoughtful. She never forgets her Manong Joel Ford's birthday. Ford used to live with them for a long time when he was still working in the US so they really are very close (though they haven't seen each other for almost six years now).

Thanks so much, Marjo! =)

I noticed that many people here in North America still send greeting cards. In this electronic age, I know that sending cards requires extra efforts and money so I really appreciate receiving them.

I hope many of my friends and relatives are like Marjorie. Pero wala yata haha! Now that we are living in isolation here in Deadmonton, it's nearly impossible for us to receive gifts (and I love receiving gifts!). Sana kahit cards na lang. There's really a joy in getting something from the mailbox eh.

Hello there, Baby Ysabelle!

We woke up this morning receiving a good news -- Baby Ysabelle has finally arrived!

Born on September 5, 2014 (Philippine time) / Picture taken from Sherwin Samaco's FB account

Ysabelle is Chicklet's only first cousin on his dad side. She came in a bit early at 35 weeks but we're glad that she's fine.

Welcome to the world and to the Blanco family, Baby Belle! We couldn't wait to see and hug you! =)

Congrats, Yan and She!

More clothes for Baby Chicklet!

I woke up last Sunday morning with a viber message from my sis-in-law Cecille (Ford's only sister who is based in California). She said she bought some clothes for Chicklet and Baby Y. Haha, I was surprised! We were chatting the night before and I was telling her how "kuripot" his brother is in buying clothes for the baby. You see, my Ilocano husband is really not into clothes. He would always kid me that just like him, a baby only need few clothes kaloka! Or better daw, balutin na lang ng tela! (He was just kidding, of course.)

And so Chicklet's Tita Ninang Cil Cil took pity on him and bought some clothes at Carters.

Thank you, Tita Ninang Cil Cil! You are so sweet!

Oops by the way, Baby Y is Chicklet's cousin. Ford's brother Ryan and his wife Sherrilyn are also pregnant -- they are five weeks ahead of us. It'll be an exciting year for the Blancos because we'll be welcoming the first two grandkids of the family by October and November. Luckily, girl and boy ang dalawang parating na bagets! :)

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NOTE: A few weeks ago, Cecille guessed that Ryan will have a girl and Ford a boy. And she was right!