Zuper's imperative

It was 7 pm. Time for the boys to sleep. Zuper and Zky are lying on the bed, a bottle of milk in each hand. Lactose, as you know, is an incentive for sleeping. Anyway, as is customary, I always go out of the room whenever the boys are readying to bed. My wife said my presence is like testosterone. I can’t help it. I spend most of the day at work and the only time I have left to play with the boys are at night, but not that night, they better be in bed as the nannies reported that the boys refused to take their nap.

Without anything to do, of course, I lighted up a Marlboro at the garage. Each puff is a convenient transport of nicotine to my brain. My brain reads this chemical dose as heavenly. I am feeling light, happy. Wow, what a stick of cigarette can do a tired plebeian.

After a few moments, I went back to the boy’s room to check on them. Lo and behold, Zuper was still awake. And he has this to say: “Daddy stop smoking!”

His mom must have whispered this nonsense into him. But is it?

Happy Birthday Zky

Happy Birthday Zky, my little boy. I thank God for having a wonderful boy like you. You give your mommy and I so much joy. What could a parent ask more? You are healthy, wise, pretty, loving, malambing.

My prayer for you is that may God bless you with strong faith, love, courage, wisdom, purity and sense of service to mankind. May you grow happy, eager to work hard and faith that can move mountains.

Let me just tell you this early that the world is such a wonderful place to make a mark but it could also be exacting, tedious, uncaring, hard place. Nobody will tell you that your life ahead will be golden-paved roads and rosy lawns. Though I wont discourage you from making it for others to walk by.

You are now two years old, still too young to understand the mysteries of the world, of living, but not too early to tell you that when everything gets tough, or when life seems impossible or hopeless, you have parents who have walked there ahead of you, who have experienced the same hardships and triumphs, who will gladly guide you, walk by you and rejoice in your victories as well as share in your hardships.

But if you will love God above all else and seek him always, you will do us the honor of not having to share your passion, as God will be first to carry you, yes, when the going gets really tough. For now, enjoy your toddler years. You are two. But the love and joy you us give are infinite.

Zky Dominic, 2, wonderful wonder kid. We love you.

Zky has no limits

Zky Dominic.

That 8.5 lbs infant will be 2 years in August 1st. Now, this boy is really a dynamo loaded with self-charging battery. He never tires in play nor in his favorite past time -- which is to pest his brother. He's he's such a source of constant joy for both me and Wendy, but Zuper's nightmare and anti-thesis.

Recently, I was able to crack his mumbles, but only after months of rigorous baby-talk decoding. So between us there are no secrets.

And he tells me: He's also a ranger!

Zuper at 3

How long has it been? Almost two years since I made the last entry. So here's Zuper now at 3 years and 2 months.

How I wish I could freeze time. This is a wonderful age to play with a child. I would say Zuper is normal in about everything except for three things: a rather large vocabulary for his age (he calls himself ranger and his dad selfish, ouch!); his first appeal is to reason when making a point: "see its still day, no sleep for boy (he calls himself boy); if reason fails him to convince us that its time for sleep, he reverts to whinning; and he talks to himself!

That last one is scary stuff.

Thoughts: Zuper Savio

My cousin who was staying with my family as he waits for the result of the BAR examinations he took six months earlier got the terrible news.

He didn't made it.

Even as he was putting on a brave face, knowing him to be a tough nut to crack, sadness was visible in his visage.

It was on this occasion - while having a somber talk in the living room trying to encourage and console him - that a rather remarkable thing happened.

He was sitting on the couch across me, almost motionless and visibly down, when my son, Zuper who was maybe a year or a year and a month old, who was also already walking on his own, was mumbling some words to get our attention.

Zuper, at that age, was very clingy. Seeing that we just came home, naturally he would run towards me to be cuddled and lifted. Which he did, after which he tried to show me new tricks like mumbling a few syllables that he learned during the day.

Noticing that we were not making any remarks, he stood up and looked at both my cousin and I while we sat almost despondently on the couch. Then my son, studying our faces, went to my cousin, which he hasn’t done yet in the months that he was with us, approached him, laid his head on his lap, embraced his legs and looked straight into his eyes as though trying to reassure him that everything is going to be fine.

It was remarkable because Zuper stayed with him for a couple of minutes, not moving an inch or making noises, just resting his head on his lap and then after a while placidly sat beside him. My cousins’ face lit up and remarked that Zuper was trying to console him. I let my son on his lap until finally both are having a good time. Both their faces now seemed more peaceful rather than dreary.

It amazes me still even today remembering such a sight with Zuper at a tender age, barely able to speak, who only three months earlier made his first unaided step could have such insight on men.

Zuper has a tender soul and I am glad he is with us.

Such a boy!

Uvegotitright!

What'a'boy!

Zky in pensive mood

My little Zky has grown much during the last 2 months.

More pics to follow.

NO LONGER TIGASIN

When a pic speaks, many listen

How far would you go to cut on your expenses?

I just traded my electric iron for the cumbersome "DE ULING" but I am not complaining.

It would have been a lot easier to go by modern means but honestly, it entails a lot of money, which I severely lack.

So to make things a lot easier and take away the strains associated with over expense, I have boldly declared war on MERALCO by using the ever reliable DE ULING plantsa.

And the result?

From a monthly P6,200 elec. bill it's now down to P2,600. Whew! Now, I won't be surprised if the LOPESES hire a thug to get my head. Of course, I cut on my aircon consumption too. The lesson really is conserving more energy means less profit to big, tax-sheltered business and more cash to our family.

Now I am no longer TIGASIN; but I became a lot tougher, and wiser!!!

Wonderful Wonderland with Zky

As promised, I am posting Zky's photo for the world to see. Well, basically I am posting this for
friends and relatives who have yet to see our chubby little angel.

I wonder what is going on inside the brain of Zky in this photo, but we sure hope he's having a good dream. The best thing about Zky is that he's totally very distinct from Zuper. And a lot of friends are actually telling us that he's gwapo and manly! Wow!

But honestly, we just pray that he will grow up strong and healthy who would honor and love GOD above all things -- the same prayer we have for Zuper.

It wouldn't hurt if he'll grow to become a celebrated surgeon too, or the next POPE?

Now, that would really be something, don't you all think?