Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXXIV

Caehl is fascinated with the collarbone. He always touches his Nanay Ev's and asks why she has it.

"Nanay Ev has problems," he told me one time. "She has a bone here," he said, pointing to the location.

He thought that when you get thin and your bones show, it means you have problems.

"Mommy, do you have problems like Nanay?" he asked, while trying to feel my collarbone.

"Ikaw, where's your bone?" I asked.

"Wala!" he quickly replied.

"Why?" I asked again.

"Kasi mataba," he said. Then we laughed.

(Yesterday though, he told me he has a collarbone after all. "Meron pala, Mommy," he said, taking my hand so I can feel it.) 

Walang magawa afternoon (Cae, Cito, and Caehl)

Pinagdiskitahan ang webcam

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXXIII

Caehl knows I only watch two channels - GMA-7 and QTV-11 (12 and 19 respectively in our cable TV). My bedroom TV in fact knows only one channel - 7 - which proves how loyal I am as a Kapuso.

If I want to watch other TV programs, I have to leave my bedroom and use the TV in the living room.

Just this morning, I was channel surfing.

When Caehl saw me checking out HBO, he said, "Mommy, that's Daddy's. 36 (Disney Channel) is Ate Cae's. You turn off the TV na lang, Mommy." 

UN Day at CKLC

Mr. Japan Caehl leads the Parade of Nations.
October 22, 2010, Concepcion Kids Learning Center

UN Day at Concepcion Kids Learning Center

Kinder-Love's La Cucaracha dance number.

"La Cucaracha" (Spanish: "The Cockroach") is a traditional Spanish folk corrido that became popular in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. It has additionally become a verse played on car horns (Wikipedia).

Caehl's partner is Denise.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXXII

One night, after watching Survivor Philippines, I was doing some last-minute errands in my room, Cae was in the library, and Caehl was playing with his building blocks in the living room.

Suddenly, he ran towards the hallway in front of our bedroom. He began to say, "St. Benedict, pray for us."

"Caehl!" I called out. "What happened, what are you doing?"

He repeated the prayer and said, "I'm praying. Because I'm scared."

I called Cae and told her, "She's praying to St. Benedict." Of course, we too got scared.

Later, in bed, I asked, "Why did you pray? Did you see something?"

He nodded.

"What did you see?"

He just closed his eyes hard and didn't reply.

"You don't want to talk about it?" I asked.

"No," he said.

I told his Nanay Ev about it last night and she said, Caehl sees something in the living room, near the toy shelves. There were times, according to her, when Caehl would ask her to get the toys because he's afraid. He would point to a certain corner. There are times though when he would try to be brave, get the toys himself, and say, "I'm wearing St. Benedict's medal, Nanay." 

Our Little Ninja - Caehl's UN Day celebration

October 22, 2010
Concepcion Kids Learning Center

"Ohayo gozaimasu. My name is Caehl Andre Euan A. Capiz from Kinder-Love. I represent JAPAN! Tokyo is the capital city. Thank you."

Caehl's partner is Denise.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXXI

Last night, just before dozing off, Caehl reminded me that we haven't prayed.

Ay oo nga pala, I said.

Caehl led the prayer. "God, please protect us from the storm. Please keep us safe. Please no more flood."

Afterwards, he asked, "Mommy, how many times do we pray?"

I said, "As many as you want."

"How many?" he asked again.

"Many many," I replied.

I think I was already half-asleep when I heard him repeating the prayer.

"God, please protect us from the storm. Please keep us safe. Please no more flood."

From http://www.fanpop.com/spots/childrens-world/forum/post/50744/title/blessed-children
Blessed are the children for their love is pure.
Blessed are the children for they are innocent.
Blessed are the children for they know not war.
Blessed are the children for they crave knowledge.
Blessed are the children for they seek our approval.
Blessed are the children for they are the twinkle in God's eye.

Caehl's 5th Birthday

with Ate Cae

October 13, 2010
snacks at school
dinner at home

Spaghetti and fried chicken cooked by Piya.
Cake from Tita.
Gifts from classmates and friends in school.
Love from everyone.

5 years ago...

Reposting an old blog as I recall the day I gave birth to Caehl 5 years ago...
***
Is it already a week ago?

Last Thursday, October 13, at 11:19am, CAEHL ANDRE EUAN completed my family and my life. Caehl is quite big at 7.7lbs (3.5kgs) and 52 cms. He arrived earlier than we expected (his due date is actually Oct. 23) but I knew it was different when I had a brown discharge evening of Oct. 12. The night before, I think I was already having early labor pains. I hardly slept that night, in fact. I was in a bad mood after receiving a call from a father of one of Cae's classmates who accused my daughter of writing on his uniform. I didn't know the full story so I wasn't able to defend Cae, and I felt bad about it. I just told the father that I would replace the polo with a new one - end of the story.

Anyway, when I saw the discharge, I already alerted Alex and my sister Pinky. I said it might be a false alarm but I'm on my toes just in case. I managed to survive another 4 hours of pain, I could have managed more but I suddenly thought, what if it's already time and Alex is already in the office? At half past 12mn, I told my husband the pain wouldn't stop anymore. He suggested going to the doctor to have myself checked and then we'll just go home if it's not yet time. Ok, I said. We went to the bank first to get money and off we went to the ER. I was only 1cm dilated but the ER doctor said I had to stay because my cervix was already thin. I thought I was dreaming, Alex was asking, "Mommy, di na ba false alarm? Di na tayo papauwiin?" I even walked my way to my room at the 2nd floor and to the delivery room, can you beat that?

At the labor room, the clock ticked away oh-so slowly . 2am, 3am, 4am...the pain was unbearable. 5am, 6am, 7am...two baby girls were delivered before Caehl. I could hear my OB-Gyne in the next room. I would doze off every now and then but would wake up each time the contractions came. I could still converse with the nurses, though. Then my OB said I was already 7-8 cms. I'll be sedated, she said, and she'll give something for the pain. But I don't think they ever did because the pain was everywhere. Two nurses were assisting my doctor and I could hardly understand what they're trying to tell me. They were all speaking at the same time and I didn't know whom to follow or to listen to. It was hard to push. When they said the baby was coming, all I could do was sob the pain away…All I wanted was to sleep, I didn’t even see Caehl coming out. I just…fell asleep!

And the rest, as they say, is still making history… 

Originally published in http://www.pamski71.bravejournal.com/entry/15105 

Amazing Brace

As expected, it wasn’t easy.

After we got her brace from the shop in QC, and after trying it on, Cae has been on and off crying (in fact, up to this very moment).

I could understand her, her Dad and I sympathize with her but what we want to tell her and let her feel was we’re doing everything we can for her dextroscoliosis. We don’t want it, either and we don’t want it to hinder her lifestyle. But what can we do? We don’t want her condition to worsen. Well, we could opt not to let her wear it, it’s simpler. It’s cheaper. But is it the right thing? Regrets are always at the end, they say, and as parents, we certainly don’t want to look back and tell ourselves we did nothing, and that we could have done something.

That night, Cae was crying her heart out. Her brother was so bothered he couldn’t sleep. “Ate’s crying.” He went out of the room and recited some nonsensical stuff (to entertain her sister, he said afterwards), that Alex told him, “Go to sleep, it’s already 11:30.”

I called up my folks the following day to ask for help. “Please talk to Cae if you had a chance. Please help us make her understand that we’re trying to help her, not hurt her."  I felt that if other people would encourage her, not just us, she just might listen. I also kept on texting my siblings, my friends, and my officemates. This is my only way to express my own pain. I couldn’t cry in front of her, even if sometimes I want to cry out loud. I want to show her that I'm strong and that with my support, she can be stronger.

The first time she wore it in school for the entire day, she was complaining of the pain under her arms. I kept on comforting her, and praying to our dear God to be with her. I was worried, scared. What if she couldn’t ride the jeepney? What if something happens to her during her LRT ride? I didn’t tell her I texted one of her friends to assist her if she needs it. “Paki-alalayan na lang si Cae,” I said to Shae who immediately replied that she would.

That week, Alex and I were proud of her. She seemed more determined than ever to go through it all. We had to change our routine to accommodate removing it before she takes a bath one hour before her actual wake-up time, and then putting it on before she goes to school. However, there were moments when her courage seems to waver. Like the time her Harry Potter bed sheet had a tear because of the screws in her brace. And yesterday, her shirt. She was once again swearing and complaining.

This morning, it took us a while to get her out of the bed. She’s due for a check-up. She didn’t want to get up. She was in a foul mood even up to the time we were waiting in the clinic. She and her dad were fighting, as Alex kept on reminding her to sit up straight. I told her, “Go ahead, let’s just waste our time and money trying to get you well. And here you are, you don’t want to listen to your dad.”

But God is good. Dr. Pineda told us he was happy with how her body was responding to the brace. Truly, there was a “correction” going on, and we should keep it up. It was the first time I saw him smile at us. He gave us encouragement and hope, and most importantly, he asked Cae’s cooperation, “Pagtiyagaan na natin ito ha? (Let's just be more patient about this, ok?)”

We went home in high spirits, well, at least that how I felt. There’s hope for her and for us. And if indeed we keep it up, we will win this battle.

God is amazing. Thank you for all the prayers. They are working for Cae. Please keep on praying for her.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXX

My son always says he sees other people (or things) in our house. Sometimes he would run to a corner and keep quiet, and when you ask him, he'd tell you he sees someone.

Once I asked him, "What do you see?"

A boy, he said.

I can't remember what Caehl said when I asked what the boy was doing. I think the latter was either singing or dancing. (Edited to add: whistling pala.)

In another occasion, he ran to me. "What? Do you someone?"

He pointed to the empty couch. "He's sleeping."

His Nanay Ev says the same thing. "May nakikita raw siya."

I don't know if it's true but I guess he's too young to lie. But then again, perhaps he's creative enough to think of or make up things like that. Either way, I always advise him to pray out loud if he gets scared.

When I gave my niece Meg a medal of St. Benedict to ward off evil spirits, I told Caehl that whenever he sees something, all he has to do is say, "St. Benedict, pray for us." Ok, he said.

Minutes later, just before he fell asleep, he said, "St. Benedict, pray for us."

Oh-oh.

My son's version of Insular Life Corporate Centre

Caehl's version of Panama Canal

Caehl is a fan of the Wonders of the World. He tries to capture each wonder through his building blocks.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXIX

Caehl actually didn’t want to go with us to the hospital (Medical Center Muntinlupa) for Ate Cae’s spinal x-ray yesterday. But somehow, I managed to persuade him to come along. When Alex was dropping us off at the lobby, he didn’t want to get off.

In the reception area, the technician was asking me questions, the little boy was replying, too, that the former said, “Mauubusan ako ng ingles sa iyo (I will run out of English because of you).”

While we were waiting for Ate Cae’s turn, a woman whose built is similar to my mom’s, entered the area.

“Mama?” Caehl asked us. “Like Mama?” he repeated.

He went near the woman and kept on looking at her. He touched her arm, and when she looked at us questioningly, I said, “Magble-bless po.”

She was surprised but at the same time, she gave her hand to Caehl. She said, “Ang bait naman.”

Before she went out, she told us, “Naku, ang bait siguro niyan. Bihira na ang batang nagble-bless ngayon.”

“Thank you po,“ I told her.

Ate Cae and I were the only ones allowed inside the x-ray room. When I heard Caehl crying, I went out. It turned out he wanted to come with us, so I just asked Alex to join Cae while I comforted the little boy.

The same woman told her companion (her daughter), “Yan yung sinasabi kong batang nag-bless sa akin kanina.”

They asked Caehl his name, age, school, teacher, and grade.

“Ang ganda ng katawan.”

“Ang galing, marunong ng English and Tagalog.”

They kept on praising him and talking about him as if we were not there.

The woman and I chatted for a while and I learned that we live in the same village. What a coincidence. When I told her my name (Acuña), she thought it was familiar. Then it was time for us to go.

It’s not the first time Caehl did that. Anywhere we go, even when he’s just strolling with his Nanay Ev or Ate Doobs in our village, he would take the hand of the elderly people whom we (or they) come across. And most of the time, they are delighted.

I hope he will keep this up.