Rock On!

Mama started playing the guitar again and played me the song she wrote when I was a 7 month fetus. She croaked. Perhaps, she was a bit jittery about the fact that I was the most important audience when playing that song. Well, I've got favorite tunes already but it's the first time that I shook my moptop, wiggled my bum and tried singing along! Mama took a big gulp of air in an attempt to stifle the tears and to restrain herself from giving in to fit of hysterical laughter at the same time. She was sooo happy! She finally found the Sheryl Crow to her Stevie Nicks. We're gonna jam soon!!

Lucky 7

Hello! My name is Astrud Magdalena and I just turned 7 months today. I am the master of my own world. I've conquered the place and have memorized it like the back of my hand. (Ma, what's a hand?) The land I speak of is the playpen. I've licked every part of it, scratched every nook and crevice, rolled on every bit of space on the mattress, kneeled at every corner like how Pacquiao conquers his ring, tried standing up on my own but that one's still a no go. Though I can assure you that with these sturdy (but sometimes wobbly) knees, I can do it! Go 7 months!

Beauty

We are daughters of the moon

and sisters of the sun.

We bloom in summertime

and shed during spring.

We are one with mother earth.

We are one.

Unspoiled

Uncorrupted

Untamed

Uninhibited

In other words, virginal...

The return to innocence

Morning Fix

I've got the pineapple 'do! And who else has it?? Daoming Si!!! We've got the meteor garden fever but our copy isn't complete. We need our Daoming Si fix for the day and only Tita Krissy Kaye Cruz can remedy that. Calling Tita kaye! Tita Kaye to the rescue!

HoliDaze

i am sensing something new these days. For one, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is swirling in a delicious blend with the Christmas breeze and it is HYPNOTIC! Excitement is welling up in me and it is weaving in a choreographed motion in the web of sweet scents that have been dancing endlessly in this atmosphere. Keep on tickling my fancy, Mr. Claus! For the ecstasy of peeking in my christmas stocking is bursting! Can't wait for my first yuletide! Jolly be good!

Sitting Pretty

Yesterday was another breakthrough! I had my first sit-down-on-my-own experience! Boredom will all the more slip away as I can now rest my bum flatly on the surface and I'll just let my eyes and hands do the wandering. Play time will definitely be more interesting in this angle. (Unfortunately, there weren't any snaps of me sitting pretty. Like a butterfly, I, too, am impossible to capture doing my bit.)

Punky Brewster

I grand plied my way to my Lolo's party the other night in tutu swirls and pink chucks. It was a hit! I punk rocked the city with my punk rock outfit. Nevermind that my natural born mohawk subsided, I still got the punk rock attitude and I just keep on keepin' on.

CHOMPion

2 new things happened this week.

First, I've already started munching on some wheat! I've begun eating! I chomp and chomp and chomp using my toothless gums and having the time of my life.

Second, I learned how to say no by shaking my head. My papa was trying to get me to chew on another bite and I shook my head in a passionate NO! I heard me folks laughed in excitement. They tried shoving the food to my face one more time to see if I can do my bit and again, I turned my head from left to right signalling to them that I am done. It was as easy as that. Shake your head and they dig it. Was that a natural thing? Or did I pick that up from someone else? But it doesn't matter, I'm growing and I'm learning! Cheers to growing up! Woohoo!

6 Me Up!

I'm a 6 month struggling crawler, ocho ocho dancer, chatter box and most especially a baby bursting with so much beauty!!! So now I say, hello 6 months! Can't wait to learn more tricks! Cheers!

Spit Season

Hello, everyone! I would like to welcome you all to this lil party I organized called the Spit Fest. It's a simple get together. You can visit me then I will drool all over you. It will be swell. Don't worry. I don't spit out of spite. I drool coz I think you're cool. Spit on you soon!

Date Night

Methinks my folks are on a date for they just popped open a bottle of red while munching on blue cheese and swaying to old school music. Yeah, music is a major aphrodisiac since I was told that there are mermaids who sing to lure men into their own clutches only to be doomed as the mermaid's slave forever. Sure, wine's a viagra in a fancy bottle because they say gods and goddesses gulp in wine and nibble on grapes when performing in the art called orgy. It helps them release the trapped heat in their bodies as well as their inhibitions. But molded cheese? I'm not so sure about that. But if that's how grown ups operate to get it on, then I'm-a have to pass on being an adult! This just makes me want to stay a kid forever since locking yourselves in this kind of dance sure is a lot of hardwork! Besides, i love being the baby. I am me folks perpetual baby.

My Lil Critter

My inner snail is now surfacing. With my strong arms and elbows, I drag my body across the bed with, of course, a push from my sturdy knees. Despite the snail pace of my getting-there crawling, my Mama and Papa are enveloped with the sheer elixir of life just seeing me drag my way from point A to point B. I get a kick from all their praising. So, here I am being the best snail I can be.

Oh Happy Day

Oh happy day! Everybody's alive and kicking! You see, what happened was this, Mama and Papa were enjoying their quiet evening last night with Jackie Chan at the old bar turned den. Meanwhile, I was blissfully unaware of my surroundings as I was tucked cozily in bed. But despite my deep slumber, they have to check on me every now and then hoping they wouldn't catch me belting out a solo to the tune of Crying by Aerosmith. So it was Mama's turn to check on me. Papa paused Jackie, Mama got up and next thing Papa heard was a loud crash coming from behind him. And there it was, an imprint of Mama's face splat against the sliding door. An addition to the dozens of face marks left on that evil of a door. But this time was different. It wasn't just her oily face outlining the glass that was there, blood was dripping everywhere! Wide eyed, speechless and terrified, Mama turned to Papa as Papa calmly got up, grabbed her by the shoulders, guided her to the bathroom, let the water in the sink running for her to wash the blood out til it ran dry then left her. Only to return shirtless, shirt in his hand with a clump of ice in it to be put on the damaged spot. Dabbing the ice on to the bridge of her nose, she told Papa she wanted to lie down. So she laid down beside me and I felt her kissing and hugging me like there was no tomorrow. There she was, face throbbing, heart palpitating and mind racing all because she was dreading to fall asleep. For the nightmare of not waking up the following day tormented her. Trying so hard to fight sleep, the next thing she saw was Papa locked in his own dreamland beside us. She frantically woke him up and asked if she dozed off. Papa said yes, and another series of hugs and kisses from my Mama was received by lil ol' me. She was peed-on-her-pants (metaphorically speaking) thrilled to be alive. She was only trapped in a paranoia bubble that she created. So, not minding her Gerard Depardeaux nose in the making she is now bouncing in her own love bubble with me. Oh happy day!

Floodiversary

I was a couple of months swimmer wading inside Mama's womb this exact date of 2009. Meanwhile, there they were wading in the flood caused by the terrible Ondoy. But we all survived the pandemonium stirred by the storm. Little did Mama know, there was another storm brewing in her gut - me and my acrobatic feats. But I was the good news amidst the Ondoy blues. I was the silver lining after losing most of their stuff from the flood turned into a wild rapid shooting downhill. But like I said, we all survived. Cheers to the survivors!

Amen

My mama's guiding me to do the sign of the cross but I can only perfect the amen sign. So, since my hands are already praying, I would like to thank you Lord for another day. Amen.

Blab

It's amazing how I can easily copy Mama's mouth when pursed together to sound off the letter M. M and B are my favorite letter sounds now. But I toss in N, L and P in the mix. And as I was busily experimenting with my lips and tongue, I accidentally said, "I blab Mama.", that she got soooo excited she immediately gave me some good hugging.

Almond Sparkle

Seeing the world through my Quitoriano eyes makes everything seem more exciting. Knowing that from my Abuela down to my cousins have all the same peepers. The eye shape that looks small but speaks more than I can utter. I can't wait to meet everyone and witness how our windows to our soul smile when we're together.

thoughts...

What am I thinking? That you have to voice out your darkest fears so it will no longer have power over you. And I do just that. I don't just voice out my darkest fears, I yelp, I wail, I cry in every little annoyance or irritation I feel. Nothing will conquer me. Except for the love being given to me by my folks. I feed on their love.

Spawn

I am a mirror.
My papa looks at me and he sees himself.
My mama looks at me and I reflect her image.
I am a chameleon.
I adapt to the interests of me folks.
My papa plays games on his laptop. I watch along.
My mama rocks out to great music. I sing along.
I am a salamander.
I take in their vibe.
My papa laughs, I am happy.
My mama soothes me, I feel lucky.
But most importantly, I am loved.

Me Folks

"My mother was of the sky. My father was of the earth. And I am of the universe and you know what it's worth". - John Lennon

My take on this is that my Ma and Pop are 2 huge beings that play a very important role in my life. But no matter how big they are for me, for them I am larger than life. How lucky am I to have these two? I say, extremely!

Daughters of the Sun and Moon

My mama says that we are daughters of the sun and moon. Which is why she calls me Ankhesenamun. My nickname - Anak. Plus, she wants me to call her Cleomudra. Her nickname, Mudra. Never mind that these queens were concubines of the greats, the fact that they were able to seduce them into their charms made these women greater than them. Power to seduction - the strongest weapon a woman can arm herself with. Power to women!

She's My Cherry Pie - Warrant

I'm feeling giddy today. Notice the toothless grin? I'm that stoked. I feel like I'm on the toppermost of the poppermost. And what could be at the toppermost of the poppermost? A cherry on the cherry on your coke. Which explains my cherry outfit. I'm a cherrypie. I'm me folks cherie. I'm feeling cheery. All because I turned 4 months today. Cheers!

Swoop

I'm practicing my swooping skills on Mama's nose. She's got a bat in the cave. Hahaha!

Summer Child

This hat is vogue. It doesn't matter if it's raining outside. I am a summer child. I'll be your summer throughout the rainy season. Whenever you need warmth and laughter, you come to me. I'll be your source of perpetual sunshine.

Just Keep Stirring

Got meself a new toy/teether. Nope, not teething yet. I use this to practice my grips and enhance my hand-eye coordination. Mama lets me practice with this bad boy several times a day everyday. Much like browning a garlic. There should be constant stirring til golden to perfection. My skill's not golden yet but I'm getting there. In the meantime, I'll just keep stirring.

Whiz Kid

Hello, everyone! I'm your safari quest tour guide! Over to your right is the lion's den. Lions are extremely territorial and no matter what their size is, they still couldn't shake their sexy feline swagger. They are the kings of the jungle. They laze away all day and hang around with the laughing dogs, the hyenas - also known as the stoners of the jungle. The lions are an unassailable pack. They are the natives of their own tribe. A proud bunch that won't mingle with anybody and pick you as their prey instead. So once they've got their eyes set on you, you better get crackin' and start running for your life. I'm part lion. A proud being that won't blend in. Plus, I'm very territorial. My territory? The bed. It reeks with Astrud piss. So good luck to anybody wanting to come near it. Gotta run, have the urge to pee again. Unless you wanna get wet then I don't mind marking my territory on you. So, whatchutink? Shall I whiz away?

Purring is Love

I purr like a kitten when my Mama plays with me and she gets such a delight just hearing me do that. So I don't wanna stop and she doesn't wanna stop either. We're a couple of cats just playing and loafing. That's my newest bit if you ask me what the lead is on the baby tricks biz. But even if it sounds like a cross between a coquettish kitten and Chewbacca speak, I don't mind. If my Mama loves it, then I will speak Chewbacca 'til I learn actual people speak. Ngaaarrrrrr...

Power Balance

I'm not really a big fan of this bracelet. I'm sure Papa will master the art of balance even without it since I've entered his life already. He will, without a doubt, achieve higher balance because he is currently in his Astrud state of mind.

Planet of Love

I surrender but I never lose. I don't go astray but I get seduced. I'm in love and me folks are enchanted by me too. Afterall, I am their first born and we are locked inside this ecstasy balloon. Together, we soar high towards the red planet. Nope, I'm not talking about Mars. We're headed to the Planet of Love.

Little Red Rocking Astrud

My! What big ears you have!

Astrud: All the better to listen to music, my dear.

My! What weird hair you have!

Astrud: All the better to rock out with, my dear.

And nope! I ain't the big bad wolf. I'm just the Little Red Rocking Astrud.

Peacemonger

So here's Papa showing me the ropes on how you play Galaga. But I don't think I want to play anything that has something to do with guns. Besides, didn't John Lennon once say 'War is over if you want it'? Well, I want it. Don't you?

Love Love Love

I'm sending out my love to everyone. Our nation needs it.

Shitty Situation

I want the 'ebs attack' feeling. I want to have that everyday. Me folks get that when they're fueled with massive amounts of brandy. So, shall we switch to that? Nah, this will pass. The ebs attack feel will come. I have an immature digestive system but I'm mature way beyond my age. I'm sticking with milk.

Huggable Me

I'm practicing the art of clinging. I climb my 'rents like a monkey on a tree whenever they carry me. And when I encircle my arms around them, I notice that they hold me tightly as well. I like that. I think it's called hugging. So, who needs a hug? I'm in a hugging spree and my cute lil bod is available for some action. What say you?

Bring It!

Is that all you got, colic? I say, BRING IT ON! Nah, just kiddin'. Please stop bugging me. In other words, sod off, mate!

Guardian Angel

I have an invisible friend - an angel that keeps on hovering above me, plays with me and guards me thru painful tummy times. Aside from the comfort I get from me folks, I look at my angel for strength and I just can't stop staring.

Earth Angel

My royal cuteness help the earth bloom. What an achievement!

Suffer

Tummy ache's a real drag. It robs me off my sleep and my bowel movement's out of whack! I can only bite my lip in frustration but I'm secretly cursing colic to damnation!

Happy Feet

My feet are in need of some good lovin'. Good thing me mama and papa are here to keep them cozy and warm. So these are a pair of happy feet!

Turn Turn Turn

My Dado says that tumble turns or rolling over would normally be done when you're in your fourth month already. But I did mine a few days before I turned 3 months. And been loving it ever since. How amazing is that? I'd say, very very very!

Discovering the Sense of Touch

So there I was, feeling her up.

Like some pig of a popo frisking some dope fiend.

Only to find that she was loaded with all kinds of materials.

From satin, to felt, to corduroy, to plastic. I was hooked.

But the most amazing, touching part in discovering the sense of touch was the kiss from me folks. Now that was a different high. I can kiss them all day, everyday.

1,2 Punch

Already said hello to my third month in a girly attitude. It's time to check that attitude at the door and throw punches in the air. Hi-yaaahhhh!!!

Birthday

I think my head is getting bigger. My brain keeps sponging in stuff about the world. It now contains 3 months worth of information. Yes, I'm 3 months today. A month older and a whole lot wiser. Thanks to my teachers, Mama and Papa, they've done a super fine job in raising me. Cheers!

Cannibalism

From the books that Mama read to me, animals are our friends. But you're telling me that I'll be gorging on Miss Piggy when I grow up? From sinigang to adobo to chicharon? Yikes! Poor tasty hog.

Mastering the Art of Tumble Turn

There I was, wiggling from side to side like a boat uneasy on turbulent waters. Trying to flip on to my tummy, only to tumble back flat onto my back again.

But with one huge grunt, I manage to topple back on my tummy and this time, was very steady! Woohoo!

Miss Piggy sleeps with one eye open. Wanting to witness all the progress I've been making. This is my favorite hobby now. Wheeee!