Happy Mother's Day Mommy...We Love You...(FUNNY)

Watch as our two little girls, Cianna and Zoe, prepare to make a video greeting for Mommy for Mother's Day..Funny and yet a very endearing video with Cianna still with her chicken pox and Zoe just being Zoe trying their best to make Mommy feel special this day.

and yes, Mommy was very very happy with the girl's effort :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOMMIES OUT THERE!

Cianna and her Itchy Bitsy Polka Dot Skinny

Our daughter, Cianna, is down with chicken pox, my poor girl. Most probably she got it from school because right now,at least four of her classmates also got infected. Fortunately it was the last 2 weeks of school already and at least she was able to take all her Final Exams..I guess it's the season of the disease here in Kuwait..

Now we're worried about our other daughter, Zoe, she's been exposed already so no use to get her vaccinated...She will surely get it, we just have wait and see when...maybe sooner or later.

Day One with Chicken Pox

External References:

Chicken Pox- Pub Med Health
Chicken Pox- Wikipedia

Zoe steals Ate Cianna's show

Today, April 1, our family went to Cianna's school for their Annual Family Fun Day- a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family. The students from all levels were divided into four (4)color-coded teams as the Red Scorpions, Pink Panthers, Green Dragons and the Yellow Tigers, complete with their own gimmicks and team cheer. Activities include a cheering competition, a team dancing competition, best muse and escort and of course, parlor games for parents and children.

Cianna was assigned to the Pink Panthers team so she came to the school wearing a Pink shirt and White shorts. To avoid any jealousy on her little sister's part, Mommy and I decided to make Zoe wear the same colors too. And she really made herself involved with the her sister's team, as she sat and mingle with them all the time.

Cianna's class performed an intermission number but to our surprise and delight, our youngest, Zoe escaped from her Mommy's arms and decided to join her sister. She just ignored Mommy's call for her to come back to her seat as she stubbornly remained on the floor.

Here's the video of their number. Warning: the best part is towards the end...lol!



There she was causing a small distraction by trying to get hold of a girl's hoola-hoop, then making her own cute poses and dancing...completely out-staging and stealing the show from her sister and the whole class!

All in all, it was a fun day..my girls really enjoyed it..And so did I.

30. Buy a Wii..or PS3 with all accessories?..Which one is better I am still debating.

Last January, on my 39th birthday, I wrote a list of the 40 things I want to do or accomplish before I turn 40. This is number 30 from that list.

Well, the choice was obvious..I bought a Wii as a gift to my daughter Cianna on her 6th birthday..actually I already promised it to her long time before that if she do well in her class, she will get her birthday wish. And she actually did so I have to fulfill my end of the bargain.

I chose to buy the Wii even though the competition in the market  is becoming even tougher, what with the launching of PS Move for Playstation 3 and the Xbox's Kinect..I chose Wii because of its family entertainment value and for ease of use...it's primarily meant to be for my daughters' use anyway-- not for a graphics-hungry, hard core gamer like I wanted to be....LOL!

Happy 6th Valentine's Birthday, our Cianna

6 Valentines Day ago, my wife gave me the best gift a wife could ever give--she gave birth to our beloved daughter, Cianna..

Thank you Mommy for the gift of love and life...and now, as our little valentine turns another year older, I can't help but realize how fast time flies..she's growing up so fast and before we know it, she will already be celebrating her Valentine birthday with her own date! argh, it hurts to even think about it..

To Cianna, you being born on St. Valentine's Day is a constant reminder of your Mom's love..you are a source of pride and joy to us and your siblings..You know how much we love you..I thank God for  you and I pray that you continue to grow as a loving and sweet child and sister..May you also spread love to the people around  you..

Happy Valentine's Birthday our little princess Cianna....We love you this much..You will always be my little girl.

That's in your face, Daddy!

Shortly after our return from vacation last December, we spent the next 2 weeks helping Cianna catch up with her lessons, doing the assignments and seatworks she missed and at the same time reviewing her for the coming 2nd periodical exams.

And though we really did't expect too much from her this time,  I made a deal that if she performs well in her exams, she'll get the Wii she's always wanted as her birthday present this February.

Imagine my surprise (and smile) today, when I went to her school for the quarterly PTA meet.. Not only did she perform well in her exams, she even exceeded my expectations!. She is in a virtual tie for first place with a mere. 10 separating each of them from Rank 1 to 3..Now that's something to be proud of!

I am particularly proud of her Math results..I think we spent countless review sessions over sheets of papers and examples just so she can get the concepts..but in the end, it was well worth it..That's 60 over 60..woot!
( and I am not so ecstatic, huh?)

So I guess,  its my turn to keep my end of the deal huh?

Exchanged Gift

Yesterday, Dec. 17, me and my wife went out to buy a gift for Cianna's exchange gift, something suitable for either a boy or girl..We spent about two hours searching for the best gift until we decided on something we both liked - a Scrabble-inspired Math Board game..I actually liked it very much that I almost bought another one for Cianna herself..Good thing, my wife said no..

Mommy then prepared and wrapped it in a nice paper bag with the words " Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!From Cianna Mercado " written on it.

So our little girl went to the party this morning..After a few hours, she arrived home happy.....and still with the same gift in hand but now with the number 15 on it.

Naturally, Mommy was surprised and asked her why she still has the gift.  Did she take the same number of her own gift and not bother to inform her teacher about it?..She didn't get a clear answer from her so she asked me to call the teacher and ask about it.

We figured out, when the gift-giving was over, the children went on to play and have fun..When its time to go, the teacher told them to get their things and prepare to go home.. Cianna must have gathered her things ( like she always do)...AND INCLUDING HER GIFT!

So now, Cianna ended up with a very nice present--something we chose carefully, something her mommy and I both liked, something I like for her to have...

and some other child is looking for her gift at school :)

Vacation 2010: The Girls' Plane Ride

The girls are just excited to get inside that plane!
Kuwait International Airport, Oct. 28 10 AM

Zoe's still in a playful mood
Doha International Airport Oct. 28, 2010

Cianna also gets in the mood

Aren't we there yet, Dad?
onboard QR644 to Philippines Oct. 28,2010

Zoe won't stop exploring. It's her first flight after all!
onboard QR644 to Philippines Oct. 28, 2010

Do I have to finish all these?
(Return flight to Kuwait QR645 Dec. 03, 2010)

Whatever..someone's having fun with her in-flight entertainment huh?

This toy's mine!

I got my Spongebob too...Thanks Qatar Airways!

it's bath time!

Starting Early?

We were eating at Pizza Hut one night- Mommy, Me, Cianna and Zoe. After noticing two boys at the next table staring at her, Cianna asked:

" Mommy, do I still have lipstick?"

Mommy and I can only shake our heads and laugh.

Smart Girl

Cianna finished Second in her class this school year 2009-2010 and is now being accelerated to Advanced Casa for the new SY. I just feel so thankful for being blessed with these lovable and smart children. They are our endless source of pride and joy.

May God continue to bless them- my children. Amen.

Vote for the Future

Philippine National and Local Elections

Cianna's 5th (02-14-10)

February 14, 2010- Cianna's 5th, originally uploaded by cyrographics

Feb.14 was my daughter Cianna's 5th birthday. I went to her class and brought some cakes and doughnuts for her teachers and classmates.

The kids were so happy and excited, it was so hard to resist those cute and innocent smiles.

I decided to make a mosaic of those lovely pictures to sum 'em up. Enjoy!

This is how you do it :)

Si Cianna bilang ate..

Common belief na yung pag me bagong baby sa pamilya, magseselos yung sinundan nya..kasi di na sya bunso, di na sya solo sa atensyon..

Kaya inakala namin ganun mangyayari kay Cianna..

Pero kabaliktaran naman pala..

So far, napapabilib kami sa kanya kasi laging naka-dikit sa bagong kapatid, pinapanood pag natutulog, hinahaplos, kinakausap, niyayakap..pag umiiyak si Zoe, alerto sya..tanong agad bakit.....nakakatuwa lang talaga..

pero siempre, umaarte pa rin..pag humihingi ng dede si baby Zoe, hingi rin sya at gusto sabay sila dumede...

pero eto ang pinakamatindi....

sa crib nya trip matulog pag gabi...ha ha ha!

hinahayaan na lang namin..dun sya masaya e..

after all, she's being a good ate naman e..

Cianna writes her name

I am BAd father..I mean, really BAD!

Me sakit si Cianna for the past 2 days na..una sipon lang then naging ubo na nauwi sa lagnat pero nawawala din naman pag nag-take ng gamot..pero siempre just to be sure, nag decide kami pa -check up kahapon just in case kelangan ng antibiotic.

So maaga akong nag-out from work at sinundo ko yung mag-ina ko sa bahay..Pumunta kami sa hospital na pinagtatrabahuhan ng kumander ko.

Pagdating dun sa pediatric clinic, siempre dahil staff naman si misis kaya kakilala na ang mga doctors..in other words, makikisingit lang kami sa mga pasyente, di na kami magpa-file at magbabayad ng consultation etc hehehe..

so habang naghihintay kami matapos yung isang pasyente, naengganyo maglaro si Cianna sa play area next to the clinic..si misis naman nakikipag-tsika muna sa mga nakapuwesto sa nurse station..so ako ang nakatutok kay Cianna..

nung time na yun, me 2 batang tingin ko e magkapatid..Egyptian sila, 4 years old siguro yung panganay at mga 3 din siguro yung kapatid..pareho silang babae..sa play area, siempre may slide, rocking horsey-horsey, ball house..si Cianna siempre nakakita ng bata, tendency dun agad lumapit para maglaro sa slide..kaso ayaw sya pasakayin sa slide nung mas panganay na bata, tinutulak tulak, hinaharang...

First action ko, sinutsutan ko muna si Cianna, calling her attention para lumayo na lang..kaso siempre bata, nagpilit pa rin umakyat..ayun, bigla na lang syang sinundot sa pisngi nung isang bata..sundot na parang patulak sa pisngi..parang sampal na daliri ang ginamit..si misis ko nag react din agad kahit nasa me nurse station, sinita nya yung bata sa arabic...pero dedma..yung bata pa ang matapang sabay lapit sa nanay nya.

ako naman tumayo agad ako para kargahin si Cianna at ilayo..gusto kong sitahin yung batang babae pero ang kunsitidorang nanay nakatingin lang at hindi man lang natinag sa nakita...mahirap lang kasi sitahin, mapapaaway ka na nga..talo ka pa sa lakas ng boses at bunganga...ganyan ang mga lahing nila, walang katwiran.

maya-maya, bumalik sa paglalaro si Cianna...yung lokang bata gusto pa atangng balikan ang anak ko e sa me tapat ko dadaan..tiempo, nakita ko yung nanay nakatalikod ..HINARANG KO YUNG LEG KO sa dadaanan nung bata..sakto!!! NAPATID sya, daplag sa rubber mat...hindi nakaimik kahit nung tumayo, parang takot na nakatingin lang sa akin tapos bumalik na sa upuan nila...sinundan ko ng masamang tingin..si misis ko kita rin pala ginawa ko, nakangiti lang pero tinitignan din ng masama yung bata..ayun hindi naman na nagsumbong sa nanay nya..

Huh?!...akala nya papalagpasin ko ginawa nya ke Cianna ha...

Cianna's Little Mind

My little princess is now officially a preschooler..yes she is..

Today is her first day at a her nursery..Matagal na namin
actually plan na i-enrol sya sa isang preschool so she can socialize
with other kids her age and let her be prepared for next year when the
ACTUAL schooling starts.

Since yesterday when she learned that she will be attending her
first day today, makulit na excited..."cianna go school" daw..paulit
ulit..And so today, ginising ko sya ng bandang 7:30 am and told her its
time to go..excited naman na naligo, nagbihis and all..Then I took her
to the nursery just a few blocks
from ours..Siempre kelangan ko din munang mag-stay konti to help her
familiarize with the new faces..nung dumating kami meron lang siguro 4-5 kids..Indian..kahit yung nanny/teacher Indian din pero ok lang para ma-expose siya sa English
conversations..ramdam ko nahihiya/naiilang pa yung bata, usual first
day jitters...ayaw bumaba sa pagkakarga sa akin pero patingin tingin
naman sa paligid..


The place is Ok naman...its actually an apartment converted to a neighborhood day-care/babysitting/playschool..Its good enough for a small group of preschooler..

And
there she goes..Cianna is this little girl in front..nung makita nya
ang play area, kinalimutan na ang jitters nya at pati ako hehee...I
just kissed her and said Im going to the office..she replied OK sige
then goes back to play..

Pagdating ko sa office, I called her
nanny/teacher to check on her..I asked if Cianna cried when I
left...She said no she's still playing..

Ok, I think she will be fine....Bata nga naman.

Peace signs and other hand-gestures...

Peace signs, pacute, porma..iba-iba ang posing pag me piktyuran..wag mag deny, alam ko maraming guilty sa inyo..E bakit nga ba di maiwasan ang mag hand
gestures pag na-pose?...

di ko na kelangan lumayo para lang
makakita ng example..dahil game naman ako lagi kaya sige eto...some
of my recent family photos showing those classic hand poses or
whatever-you-call-it...

first, the ever-famous PEACE sign, pademure: ( as modeled by my eldest daughter)

now, mommy's Feeling Teen version:

siempre talking about fish, eto the swimming pEAce:

and:

meron din eating PEACE:

now, probably the second most popular hand-pose is the Mr. PoGi, TV IDol, Mr. Suave, Don Romantico pose..oo naaaaa, ako nga yan!!!!!

next is the Ok sa Olrayt pose:

nauuso rin, rock and roll o kaya I LOVE YOU sign:

siempre,
kung pa kyutan lang ang pagpapicture, walang tatalo sa mga bata ( as in
babies, toddler, preschoolers..hindi yung mga nagbabata-bataan lang ha)

and masasabi ko lang, kami ay GUILTY AS CHARGED, your honor.

yun lang po, bow!

Kids say the sweetest words

blog originally posted December 31,2007

My daughter Cianna is turning 3 on Valentine's Day...at her age now, she already knows her ABC's and the things associated with them, like A is for apple up to Z is for zebra..she also knows the numbers from 1 to 10 but still working to reach 13..she knows almost all the colors and can identify them even in varying shades...as for shapes, she's familiar with circle , squares and star... she can identify animals just by looking at pictures or drawings...she knows the name of her body parts or her personal things...she can also combine each of these...like "green circle" or " red socks", "pink hat", " orange dede" and so on..

Cianna is a very smart and sweet little girl..she can operate the TV and DVD player all by herself, she knows how to use the mouse and turn off my PC, she knows things around the house, what they are used for, or which one she can touch or not use..like the stove, the vaccum and etc...she associates things with who is using it usually..like the kitchen utensils are for "daddy" and the washing machine and make-up is "mommy"..hehehe...she knows what are Mom's things and what's mine...and she will get angry when she finds me using what is not mine...

But until now she still is not talking straight...she cannot form even a good, four-word sentence...she mumbles a lot that only me and her mom can understand the words coming from her mouth..

It was a cause of concern for me and my wife...especially when we compare her language skills to her sisters when they were at the same age...but our personal research...plus consultations with doctors, friends and my own experience with her brother just prove that not all kids are developing in the same pace... there may be delays here and there, but it is completely normal....

Aside from knowing familiar identification words like Daddy and Mommy..or Ate..and Tita....Cianna uses simple words, most of the time with hand or body gestures, to say what she wants, like:

dede= her milk bottle

go = if she wants something right away..like "daddy..dede..go.."

s'op, sa'li (sandali), wait = complete with hand stop signal, if she wants you to wait or to stop

come = to call your attention

no or 'yoko = obviously...when she dont feel like it

wash, di'ty = if she wants to go to the bathroom, or to wash hands when they get dirty, which is, always.

wash, ba-bu = if she has or wants to poo poo...

pah'persh = for her diapers

barney or tv = if she wants to watch....most of the time with the commanding GO...please see above..

and many more...

But even with her language delays, there is one incident that touched me the most and made me soooo proud of my little girl..

She got sick just a week before this Christmas..blame it on the weather...poor girl..

Anyway, one night when Mom's on duty and it was only me and her at home...she suddenly asked me to carry her and sat on my lap..I knew she must be feeling really bad..

so I told her " Come, lets get you your medicine"..

and she replied with her very weak voice..." Okay..Salamat"

Those were the sweetest words that almost melt my heart...

And as if those were not enough, the following night when Mom's at home already and we were about to sleep, Cianna threw up in bed...so me and my wife both got up and started cleaning the mess....

and Cianna, in between her sobbing and cries, kept saying...Sorry Daddy...Sorry Mommy...sorry...

THANK YOU and SORRY..aren't these just simple words that even adults have a hard time saying?

Things we can learn from a child..

Magical words that if all of us can practice saying everyday, the world might still be a better place to live in...

Think about it...

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...