Invasion of the Dinosaurs

Ever get the feeling that someone's watching you? My sister and I used to get that feeling when our bedroom was plastered floor to ceiling with Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran posters. So much so that we used to joke that maybe we shouldn't be getting dressed in the bedroom (as if!!). Fast forward to today -- I still feel like I'm being watched. And no, there are no posters of David Beckham and Hugh Jackman in our bedroom (I don't think my husband will approve). Instead, our bedroom is chockful of miniature dinosaurs. You name it, Joshua probably has it.

There are the little buggers. There's a whole range of them -- T-rexes of different sizes, an ultrasaurus (or a long neck to those who watch Land Before Time), stegosauruses, triceratops and even a large Godzilla thrown in.

Sometimes, when everyone's asleep and it's really dark (with a little thunder and lightning thrown in), I torture myself by thinking of really scary things. One of the scenarios is me and the kids surrounded by roaring miniature dinosaurs bent on revenge for all the times Joshua hurled them over the stairs or pretended to drown them in the bathtub. Yup, I've seen all those Chuckie movies -- and that's partly the reason why I think dolls are creepy.

Weird imaginations notwithstanding, I know we're stuck with the critters for the time being. Or until Joshua outgrows his fascination. In the meantime, I wonder where I can get a man-sized poster of David Beckham?? (Just kidding Jun!! You know you're the only one for me. He he)

T.G.I.F.

Ahhh...Friday. A day when all the pep talk and guilty thoughts about trying to be productive at work just fails miserably. It's times like these when my evil former carpoolmates and I would exchange bitchy nonsense over email and clog everybody's inbox.

We all hated it but those interminable car rides to and from Cavite that began at the crack of dawn were bearable only because of the company. The snarky comments about other people, the bitching about driving to Cavite, the Starbucks coffee stops and sweet corn merienda at Carmona and cheap shots directed at the SM and other Cavite malls are only some of the fond memories I have. And who can forget our two (was it only two?) attempts at playing badminton??!!

So I pestered Jong today to immediately send me the list of snarky things you'd love to say at work and other places (thanks Jong!!!! you've made my day!). You can imagine the field day we had the day I sent this. Whoever thought up these comments is a freaking genius or a totally evil person.

THINGS YOU'D LOVE TO SAY AT WORK AND OTHER PLACES

1. I can see your point but I still think you're full of shit.
2. I don't know what your problem is but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
3. How about never? Is never good for you?
4. I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
5. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.
6. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.
7. I'm out of my mind but feel free to leave a message.
8. I don't work here. I'm a consultant.
9. It sounds like English but I can't understand a word you're saying.
10. Ahhh, I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.
11. I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
12. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
13. I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't give a damn.
14. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
15. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
16. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
17. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.
18. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
19. What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?
20. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
21. And your crybaby whiny-ass opinion would be?
22. Do I look like a people person?
23. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.
24. I started out with nothing and still have most of it left.
25. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
26. If I throw a stick, will you leave?
27. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.
28. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.
29. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.
30. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.
31. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1?
32. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.
33. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?
34. Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is done.
35. How do I set a laser printer to stun?
36. I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted paychecks.

Have a good weekend people. Me, I'm going to find someone to be nasty to. Ciao!

Halloween twins

Joshua and Faith dressed in the same Halloween costume which I kept after my mom bought it for Joshua in 2002. They could be mistaken for twins!

See, this is what happens when I get access to our old picture files. I go crazy.

Juicy Baby

Saw these pictures recently among Jun's files on the computer and I couldn't get over them. These pictures made me miss having a baby in the house. (Uh-oh, treading on dangerous ground here!) Ha ha ha!! I think Jun suddenly had a big lump in his throat when he heard me say that.

That's four month old Faith in the pictures, in case you were wondering.

Not Again!

I mentioned in the previous post that Faith was sick. We initially thought it was a bacterial infection and was treating the fever with antibiotics. Little did I know it was the dreaded Kawasaki disease.

Faith's fever was going on the seventh day despite the antibiotics, her lips were severely chapped and her eyes were turning red. A call to her pediatrician alerted me to the possibility of kawasaki so I hit the internet and checked. Sure enough, she had the symptoms. A friend's son had gone through the same disease so I knew it was serious. We brought Faith to the hospital the next day and after taking a look at Faith, she was admitted for kawasaki.

It's a scary disease and not much is known about it except for the symptoms and how it is treated. Research on the web says that it is an illness that involves the skin, mouth and lymph nodes and typically affects children who are under the age of 5. The cause is unknown but if the symptoms are recognized early, the child can fully recover within a few days. Left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels which affects the coronary arteries) and other complications. For details about the illness, you may google it (kawasaki disease) or visit http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/kawasaki.html.

The only way to treat it is to administer a mega dose of gamma globulin (purified antibodies) which is run through an IV for at least 12 straight hours. I count myself very lucky that Faith did not have a very bad case. She had the fever, red eyes, cracked lips but that was pretty much it. I know that some children suffer rashes and severe muscle pain and skin peeling and I am very grateful that Faith was spared that. In fact, our hospital stay was very short (3 days). The symptoms disappeared as soon as the gamma globulin was administered. When they finished, Faith was running around the room with me frantically trying to follow her with the IV tubes and all. Check out these pictures we took of Faith clowning around in our hospital room Friday afternoon before we knew we were being discharged that night.

With her hand still wrapped in a diaper due to the heplock.

Playing cute with the camera

Unlike her kuya, this one really knows how to frown

Thought this was really cute

You see how much of a ham she is? You wouldn't think she was just barely recovering from a serious illness or that we spent the last three nights barely sleeping at night. As corny as this sounds, it makes me think of rainbows after a long spell of rain. (ooooh, that made me wince!)

All grown up

We celebrated Joshua's 4th birthday yesterday. It was a quiet one with just the family at home since Faith is also sick. But he was delighted nonetheless. So, on the occasion of Joshua's birthday, here are some Josh facts:

1. He is OBSESSED with dinosaurs. Our bedroom floor is littered with dinosaur figures of all shapes and sizes. It's amazing how Joshua remembers what each is called. Can you believe he can tell the difference between an iguanadon and an ultrasaurus and the difference between a triceratops and a chasmosaurus. The way he says velociraptor (ve-WO-ci-Wap-tor) always cracks me up.
Note: As a result, Faith can roar like a dinosaur just like her kuya. She does a mean T-rex, complete with foot stomp.

2. Josh is the sweetest little boy. He'll tell you he loves you for no special reason and when you least expect it (he'll just blurt it out from out of the blue). He's also very affectionate and doesn't mind being hugged and kissed.

3. Expect to have the funniest (and sometimes absurd) conversations when he's in the toilet doing the number 2. My dad finds it so entertaining that he doesn't mind keeping Joshua company while he's in the can. (See blog entry Conversations with Poop)

4. He's starting to ask a LOT of questions. See sample below:
- Who killed Jesus?
- Why is the moon bright?
- What do worms eat?
- What's inside a pencil/lamp/light bulb/bones/etc.,etc.,etc.. These questions can really stump me sometimes so I do the smart thing and pass the question to his dad. Hello??!! He's the Physics graduate, not me!

5. Faith brings out the Green Eyed Monster in him. Otherwise, he's such a good (if a bit hyper) little boy.

6. I swear Joshua doesn't know how to frown. Ask him to frown and you'll see a mix of a grin and a grimace. He can do a sad face, a happy face but cannot do a convincing angry face.

7. He's got stubby toes that for some weird reason, have always fascinated me since he was a baby. I loved kissing his toes when he was a baby (and until now). He also can't sleep without getting his feet rubbed (by me, of course -- no one else is as in love with his toes as I am).

8. Loves Jollibee chicken (what kid doesn't???) and instant noodles.

9. Has the tendency to be O.C.. For instance, he's liable to have a tantrum if my hand isn't "hot" -- he hates it when he holds my hand and it's cold, especially when he uses it to go to sleep. Unfortunately, Faith also got this habit. My kids never needed a pacifier -- they just use my hands. Which I warm by placing them under my armpits, ahahahahahahaha!!! Just kidding!

10. He's got a super imagination. Is famous in school for his stories about the dinosaur in his garden. You should hear us tell the story of his birth. The moment we get to the part where he's supposed to come out of my tummy he'll exclaim, "And then the T-rex appeared!"

11. I sometimes wonder if he's an adult trapped in a four year old's body. He's been known to tell you that he was "worried about you" or "take care of yourself" and "don't forget to put your seatbelt on!" Has no compunction about engaging any grown up for conversation (when he feels like it, of course).

12. He once told me that when he grows up, he's going to marry me! Is that sweet or what??!!!

13. Has a love-hate relationship with Faith.

14. Knows the words to the story "Goodnight Moon".

15. He's terrified of fastfood mascots.

P.S. The picture in this post was taken October last year. It's a candid shot of Joshua watching cartoons while we were getting ready to go to church. I just really love this photo of him.