My boys as the title says. So happy to have them both in my life. It felt so different seeing those faces and smiles early in the morning. They make my day already. Even before I married Ryan, I already know that he is good with kids. I have a 2 year old niece before when Dad and him visited me in the Philippines and he was so playful with her. He used to tease her and then I know that he is going to be a good father and he is indeed.

Every morning as a routine, I wake up early so that I can prepare Ryan's lunches and snacks while he takes a shower. After getting ready he always (never miss) go check on Francis and sits on his bed for a minute or two. Just staring at him. If I get lucky , he won't be carrying him to the kitchen. I don't know, maybe he can't resist and he wakes him up. Sometimes Francis would be in his arms. Then Ryan's excuse is, "because his eyes were open when I went check on him so I had to pick him up"... yeah right.

In the afternoon when Ryan get's home from work, after he kisses me "hello", he then find's Francis if I am not carrying him. He usually greets him with a big hello, a kiss and a tickle either on his neck or stomach. Francis is so ticklish that you will hear a giggle. Francis reacts with excitement upon seeing his Papa.

Ryan just got home yesterday and we were in the kitchen cooking.

In the evening, another routine is, when Ryan changes him on his pajama/sleep wear getting ready for  bed. He never miss it. He has been doing this since Francis was only a week old from the hospital. After Ryan takes off his day clothes, change his diaper, he then tickles him again with the diaper only on. They play and goof around for another minute or two. Then he put his sleeper on. A little after, I give Francis his milk and he is then ready to go to bed.

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I finally unfolded the high chair and took it to the kitchen. I really don't like letting him lay down in this playard so I got the highchair. He was still too small for the high chair as he was sliding down but it will do. (the flash always give him that big eyes)

I was already complaining how I just put him there and he is already contemplating how to escape. Notice the other leg ready to go.

Pictoryal muna in the kitchen. I had to turn off the flash that is why it is a little dark.

That's all folks. Hope you will have a wonderful weekend. Ours will be spent cleaning and shopping. I freaked out yesterday when I realized that the baptism is this coming Sunday already. I better start moving .

May this entry be a warning to those who wanted to work abroad without learning more on the agency and the company that they are going to work for. My sister fell for this and may this be a lesson to everybody.

She graduated college last year with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering. Of course being the Ate and Kuya who have sent her to school, we were so proud of her and was sadden that we could not make it to her graduation. June of last year, she was supposed to review for the board exam but she decided instead to go work in Taiwan. I was shocked but I don't want to stop her from doing what she wanted. I didn't agree with it. As my papa said, "manang, let her make her own mistake". I back-off but the question is where is she going to get the P85,000 bond money. I made it clear that we could not help her with the much. I didn't know then that the P85,000 was only one entry. They opted borrowing money from the bank. I was so recentlful, imagine the interest plus the payment every month that is P10,000. Sorry but I really had a bad feeling about this. Luckily, our Uncle Don (from Australia) offered to help her with no strings attached. He told her that as long as she sends our youngest sister to school he's fine. Pay him when she is able in the future he said. Before they left the Philippines, they were made to sign a contract that has P26,000 a month salary. My sister was so excited because she's not only will be able to send our youngest sister to school, she will be able to pay Uncle Don back and fix up the house.

She left the Philippines about almost a year now. When they got there, they were made to sign another contract and was given  two options. Either to sign and get what is in it or go home. After owing so much who would want to go home? The new contract stated that they will be earning P9,000 a month. My sister did not tell mama. My jaw dropped when I heard about this. Who is at fault? Is it the company? or maybe the agency. I tried to call her as much as possible and she does the same. I am worried about her and when finally mama and papa knew about it after I spill the beans they all got worried. I don't want them to expect that she is making much when she is actually not. I asked her what happened to her co-workers that needed to send money to pay for their loan? she said, "they have to clean rooms and bathrooms in our dorm to make ends meet and I decided to go with them to earn extra". My heart sunk and could not help telling her about what I feel. I was so careful though not to blame her. She already have so much going on and our support is all she can get. It wasn't as  bad after few months. She has adjusted to the weather, the sleeping partern (all Filipinos worked overnight) and her homesickness. Work was not as bad either because she was working more overtime.

Chinese New Year (this year) they did not work for a week and since then the production has really been low. They get lucky if they can work 2 days in a week. Sometimes they don't even have to go because their supervisor will just call them if there is work. The bad went really worst to the extent that what she made is only enough to pay for her board and lodging. She tried working extra as a packed lunch lady (mananakos ba) to earn extra money. I don't know what to feel anymore. I just am so crushed knowing her situation. As she always tell me, "manang I promise ging-ging to send her to school". Whenever my brother and I call her, she always tell us that she is ok. Her zits has gotten better and her allergies. She still has another year to go and hopefully next year, we will see her in Cebu. We don't want her to extend anymore. Just recently, she shared to me how the Filipinas that she is working with are fighting. Naa na daw territory. She doesn't want to get involved pero it has gotten worst. The sad thing is mga Filipina man unta mag-unay unay man hinoon. Now the question is who is to blame? Only God knows.

Early this year she told me how homesick she is and seeing the pictures that I sent her makes her more homesick. I told her that if it is making you homesick then take them off. She said, "it is the only way that I can feel you guys here with me. I still cry every time I go to bed. All i think are the wonderful memories that we have together and that kept me going.

To my sister Resty, Happy Birthday Mams, stay strong and always remember that this too shall pass. We love you.

Analiza and I had been planning to go on a picnic even before I gave birth. We were both so excited for spring and summer. Our lakwatsa was put on hold with the birth of Francis. With the C-Section and recovery and all it kept me from travelling. Everytime we talked she always ask me if Francis is ready to travel until recently. I am so excited for this mini get-away. We have been to places but to me this is different. I always love the company of Analiza's family. They are very nice and warm. Her husband Tom is very funny. I also love her parents. I treat nanay and tatay like my own.

Last weekend we finally decided to do it. We arrived around the same time Analiza and her family arrived. They were all from Chicago while we were from Park Forest. We are just close to the IL-IN border. We went to Washington Beach/Park just across the lighthouse outlet mall in Michigan City, IN. The place was packed. A lot of beach goers and people who are just relaxing under the shade. It was hot last weekend. The temperature was 93 to be exact but it did not stop us from having fun. Ryan said he has never been there. I find it weird since his mom's side (his grandpa and aunts) live there about 2-3 miles away. What can I say? The Filipino food were so yummy. After eating we went for a walk. I wanted to take Francis with us even if Tom told me that he can watch him. I just don't want to hassle him I thought. As we were talking, the sun was just too much for him that he can't barely open his eyes. So we head back and agreed to leave Francis with his nice Tito Tom. We walked by the lake and took pictures here and there but decided to head back because the heat was just too much. We didn't even walk towards the lighthouse. Francis was a good boy the entire time.We just left him laying down under the tree. He was so facinated with all the green leaves. He didn't even cry while his papa and mama were talking non-stop. A little later, we had to leave early because we have prior engagements.

It was wonderful to have spend time with you guys. The food was great. Sauulitin !!!