A&a's first family vaca!!!

Around this time last year, I took a 3-week respite from work to go to Guanajuato, Mexico, where E (Ananta's dad) is from. Days before leaving I was positively positive about being a mom, I hadnt even told my mom about the pregnancy yet! This year, vaca is only good for 9 days and my baby is a day shy of her 6th moon. Damn. Time flies!

Guanajuato 2009, about 10 weeks preggy

Im glad we came! Checking the temperature days before the trip I considered postponing to after Holy Week because it was just too damn cold (3C anyone???)! Thank Heavens (literally) it was only a cold front that made the temperature drop, and now that we're here its not even as cold as I thought it would be (I remember last year to be colder). Ananta is still disguised as an eskimo though. ;)

Guanajuato 2010, waiting for Abuelo at Leon's bus depot

Im even happier that li'l A is bonding with her tias, abuelo y abuela and especially her little cousins! I thought she would be more reserved since shes not really used to so many people around her, but she has been such a smiley and happy baby with everyone, and E has a big family!

In Vallarta, there arent many of us, its just my Mom, my brother Jo and my sister Angela and her family (thats 17-year old Carlo Barlo, my nephew, Alex, my cuñado aka bro-in-law, and Ani the hotdog dog). Of course we spend fun times in PV too! On Vaca Day 1 we slept over at mom's to watch the Pacman kick Margarito's ass, the enth Mexican hes beat. She didnt make it to actually watch the fight though, but we had a chill out start to what is now a chilly vacation. =)



Pacquiao vs Margarito

grocery trip with Abue & U. Jo the day after the fight

Being here is heartwarming though, because I grew up with my cousins and I have very fond memories of my childhood having such a big and loving family. I know she wont remember this trip, but the few pictures I've taken are already priceless treasures for me, and hopefully later for her as well. <3
We're already on Day 6 of this mini-vaca, the third of a 4-day visit, and I really wish we could stay a bit longer! But alas, work beckons, and more importantly Ming (my roomie) is leaving soon, so we absolutely have to be back in time for her going-away dinner (eggplant polenta, here I come!). Extended family is important too, you know! =)

So many things have happened in this past year..its amazing how personal stories unfold! I just feel so blessed to have a warm, fuzzy feeling inside knowing that whatever happens, (biological, extended, legal or not), your family will always love you no matter what.

happy 5th moon!

Today Ananta turns 5 moons old! (as opposed to 5 months old)

 

Let me explain..

1 moon = 4 weeks

1 week = 7 days

Therefore, 5 moons = 20 weeks.

Forgive me..but I don't follow the Gregorian calendar. I mean, I use it because..well, I kind of have to..everyone else functions in it; but I don't live it. If I did, my baby's 5th month would be on November 3rd, as she was born on June 3rd. But I don't follow the Gregorian calendar.

When I didn't know any better, I was just like every one else..I followed what is a mechanistic and seemingly sensible measurement of time. But since I am not one to blindly believe what I am told just because they told me so, I learned there are alternative calendar systems that exist (as they have been around for several hundred years before Christianity was ever thought into existence). There is just no big-shot "pope" to back the alternative up, no mass of blind followers to make it a strong enough opposition to the status quo.

I'm sorry..but the vanity of Julius and Augustus is so blatant during the months of July and August, that it throws off October (a month whose prefix Octo, refers to the number 8), the tenth month in a Gregorian year.

The Gregorian Calendar, along with all other calendars the Romans decreed into existence, was created for taxation purposes. It was adopted to make sure that Easter would fall under a certain date. Bla Bla Bla. The point is it just doesn't work for me anymore, and what does..I came across here - www.lawoftime.org

The literature is quite a bit of a read, not everyone will have the patience or interest to read it. But not everyone has a mind open enough to decide for itself.

" who owns your time owns your mind. change your time and you change your mind. change your mind and you change your world "

Enter the Nanny

These past 7 days, for the first time in 4 and a half moons (I will explain using moons vs months in another post), I had Juana, Ananta's nanny, come all week. All week means everyday except my day-off (Fridays), and Sunday, when I take li'l A to the office with me (Welcome to Mexico FUN!). I felt a hodge-podge of emotions.

Guilt. Relief. Worry. Excitement. Anxiety. Happiness. The list goes on.

Previously, it was Ananta's dad who was watching her when I had to return to the office full time. Prior to that, I was working from home; and before I had to work again it was just the baby & I, with a little bit of Papi's help..no yaya to save the day.

These days Ernesto (from here on in shall be referred to as E) is out of town for work, and although my boss has no issues with me bringing the baby to the office, I would rather only do so when its super duper slow..mothering and office-work only seem to mesh on Sundays. =)

**update: Juana has now been replaced by her sister, Maria..who has a 3-moon old boy, Alexander.

Mainly I was feeling bad about spending a lot less time with my baby, and not being there for the many firsts she will be achieving in the next couple of months. But I am happy to report that I was there when she rolled over all by herself for the first time...I even have photos to mark the momentous occasion. =)

after rolling over by herself for the first time!

Despite the halo-halo special of sentiments, I am, in the end, at peace with our set-up. I get to give my 100% to work during the week, li'l A & I spend quality time with each other before and after my 11-7 shift, and Maria, who is a mom herself who knows what its like to be separated from her child, cares for mine during the day on my behalf. E gladly does it when he is around of course, but from now until late November, Maria shall be the one to provide the loving touch and comforting gaze I, given other circumstances, would give Ananta 24/7.

mic test

Arriving here just a bit more than 5 years ago, I said I would write a blog. It was to be a travel blog, or a blog describing the differences between here (Mexico in general) and home (Philippines), or something of the sort.
I did blog a while..they were tripped out musings mostly, nothing like what I said it would be. Then I disappeared in the act.

Now I am back in the game..with old stories to tell and new experiences to share. I guess you can say all this quiet time was about gathering writing material. ;)

I'm a mom now. <3

My daughter's name is Ananta Malaya..and these..these are the Adventures of A&a.

Smile! =)