on the mend

You are back to your playful self

Thank God.

get well soon!

Stayed at home

Four days in a row

Consulted two doctors

Baby,  you worry us so

Anton Lee @1.10

Today, we taught you this conversation exchange -

Mommy and Daddy: How old are you?
Anton: Almost two!

Yes, belloching. Two months to go and you will be two years old!



Photos courtesy of the childcare


This month you have transitioned from the Baby’s Room to the Toddler’s Room at the childcare.  You had trepidations at the beginning, watching the new (bigger) kids. In a week’s time, however, you have settled beautifully. The carers at the childcare say that you observe the other kids and try to conform to the routine of your new environment. This is a good sign. One day we will read about Darwin’s Theory of Evolution which emphasizes the need to adapt. Mommy and Daddy are happy to see that you appear to be on the road to acquiring this important skill.





Photos courtesy of the childcare



You have also started to develop a strong sense of Self this month. When we read about Sophie packing her bag for school, you say “Anton!” (meaning you also pack your bag). When we read about Tuna the Star Cat and Orbit the Dog who take a bath, you say, “Anton!” (which means, that you also take a bath). So when we read a new book while waiting for the doctor last week, and there was a line which said, “Grandpa, you’re an idiot!”, Mommy quickly stopped reading and said that we have to move on to a different book.

Your vocabulary has considerably expanded. You can express yourself when the bath water is “hot” or “cold”; you know that Daddy is watching “soccer”; you know how to ask Zia to watch “Wiggles”; you can ask now Mommy to play “stack-up” or “Mr. Potato”. You can even remind Mommy to put on your “seatbelt” and tell Daddy to “stop!” when the traffic light turns “red”.

It has become so fun holding conversations with you. Mommy asks you, “What shall Daddy buy at the grocery?” You say “aaahhhh… milk! aaaahhhh…. Juice! aaahhhh… potato!.... ahhhh water….aaaaahh wheatbix!”. Curiously, it sounds like your own shopping list.

 

We mark this month as the time that you have spent an evening with Zia and your cousins without Mommy and Daddy (Mommy and Daddy went out for a friend’s birthday party). Zia said you ate, read, and played with her without much fuss.  When bedtime came, you even fell asleep without issue.

You love reading, belloching and this makes Mommy very happy. Daddy’s read-aloud skills have tremendously improved the past months as you want to be read to “again!” and “again!”. You want to read while eating, while in the car, and before going to bed. 

You are also starting to show that you are aware of your surroundings. When we are about to leave home, you make sure that  you put on your “jacket” and your “beanie”. When you wake up in the morning, it is Daddy who you ask for your “milk”. When Daddy is looking for his shoes, you pick out his shoes for him. Best of all, when Mommy comes out of the room after getting dressed, Mommy asks, “How do I look?” You answer, “Sexy!”

C is for Comfort food



Mommy has decided to take on the challenge of making dinner for five days.

Since it has been cold the past few weeks, Mommy  thought that it would be nice  to have some traditional Filipino comfort food. You seemed to like the arroz caldo the best of them all. You had three helpings!

The basic arroz caldo is fairly easy to do. The secret to making it nice and tasty is Patience - it requires constant attention and regular stirring (needless to say, this is not a dish wherein we can read  "The Story of Peppa Pig" while Mommy is cooking).







Left to right, clockwise: Nilagang baboy, chicken and pork adobo
in coconut milk, arroz caldo, picadillo, and chicken sotanghon soup

Ingredients:

Rice (1 cup)
Chicken (750 grams)
Ginger
Onions
Garlic
Cooking oil
Salt
Pepper
2 hard boiled eggs (slice into quarters)

Procedure:
1. Heat the oil in a deep pan.
2. When the oil is warm, brown the ginger, garlic, and the onions.
3. Add the chicken.
4. After about 15 minutes of cooking, add the rice.
5. Add 2 cups water, slowly stirring.
6. Add water as needed.
7. Continue adding water and stirring for about an hour.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9.  Serve the arroz caldo in a bowl, garnished with quartered hardboiled eggs.

Remarks:
There are those who put saffron in the rice and there are those who prefer to use patis (a Filipino fish sauce) as seasoning. There are those who prefer to use malagkit (glutinous rice) as an added ingredient. Still there are also those who garnish the arroz caldo with green onions and toasted garlic bits upon serving.

The above recipe however, is the one your lola makes at home in the Philippines and this is  how Mommy prefers it best prepared.

H is for Hanging out

Hanging out
At home

That's what we mostly do

And look forward to

These cold Friday winter nights
PS: You're getting better with the Selfie,  belloching!

A is for Advisory Board

Mommy has worked with all kinds of Boards - real estate, condominium corporations, service companies, retail, and even a central bank Monetary Board! So Mommy knows what good things a (good) Board can accomplish.

Thus, when Mommy was invited to join your child care's Advisory Board, Mommy accepted with alacrity ("Alacrity" means "with eagerness and enthusiasm". If Mommy asks for example, if you want to go to Zio and Zia's house, you say "yes" with alacrity).

Mommy believes this is a good opportunity for Mommy and Daddy to be more involved in your development and at the same time give back to the wonderful people in child care who are taking care of you.

PS: After the first meeting of the Advisory Board, Mommy checked on you to see what you were doing. You seemed to be enjoying yourself immensely!