Mommy: "Daddy, I haven't writted my abstract for that conference yet..."
Daddy: "Mommy! Isn't that our ticket for Vegas?"
Mommy: "Daddy, are you still addicted to crap shoot?"
Back story: we went to Vegas in June the last two years. I was still pregnant with K two years ago and last year's trip K was four months old. I got free accomodation & plane ticket for me, we only need to get Hubbostrich plane ticket. You see how aspiring this conference is for Hubbostrich.
---
K's 1 year old birthday party has passed. The candle was still laid around the kitchen.
Daddy: "We should save this candle..."
Mommy: "Yeah, we could use it for his 10 th birthday..."
Daddy: "Or for Antonia...Mommy, are you slow?"
Back story: we want a second baby, preferable a girl, and then we can name her Antonia after my sister.
---
Mommy: "Daddy, we need your help again, K is stinky!"
Daddy: "Gosh, how many bombs are you gonna drop, Baby Boy?"
Mommy: "Eww...it's so stinky and sticky...Baby Boy, what did you eat?"
Daddy: "You have to give him a bath, Mommy, I don't want his wee-wee to get dirty...when is his regularly scheduled bath time?"
Mommy: "Regularly scheduled bath time? LOL. That's so funny...."
Back story: K regularly takes off when I'm changing his diaper. It's not so much of a problem when it's only pee diaper, but poo diaper? Oh..the horror.
---
Daddy: "Is this what he's wearing to school?"
Mommy: "Yeah, why?"
Daddy: "I could never tell when you dress him with real stuff or not, the gray and red don't match, it's like mommy was in a hurry.."
Mommy: "???"
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Party at Killian's
It is not my intention to mix alcohol and toddlers. Although, I've heard of the practice of watering down wines in some European countries, and that on some occasions, on some parts of the world, alcoholic beverages were potable while the water was not. Note on the word "heard". I haven't actually seen factual data or evidence of such practices.
With that disclaimer, I am sharing with you the following pictures. They were purely for documentation (and future bribe material of the subject). Again, no boddlers were harmed during the taking of the picture. Specifically, Boddler K didn't get any single drop of beer from those empty bottles. Although, we're joking, we need to find one of those plastic beer bottles as an incentive for him to drink his milk. He is such a weird kid. No single bottle, sippy cup, straw cup, even adult cup is good enough for him to drink his milk/water/juice out. So yeah, maybe plastic beer bottles will do. And, yes, children are impressionable. We, I mean, his dad, needs to be exemplary.
PS:
No, we didn't name him after the famous red beer.
With that disclaimer, I am sharing with you the following pictures. They were purely for documentation (and future bribe material of the subject). Again, no boddlers were harmed during the taking of the picture. Specifically, Boddler K didn't get any single drop of beer from those empty bottles. Although, we're joking, we need to find one of those plastic beer bottles as an incentive for him to drink his milk. He is such a weird kid. No single bottle, sippy cup, straw cup, even adult cup is good enough for him to drink his milk/water/juice out. So yeah, maybe plastic beer bottles will do. And, yes, children are impressionable. We, I mean, his dad, needs to be exemplary.
PS:
No, we didn't name him after the famous red beer.
Yeah!
I am guessing I am not the only one who hates to check on mail box. Everything is online nowadays, and oh, those junk mail, can we request a stop to that already? These days, the hatred is still there but there are a couple of things I was anxiously waiting to receive: my renewed driver's licence, some bill, and USCIS correspondence related to my Adjustment of Status application. After two weeks of not checking in, I gather myself to the box.
And....the so called green card is here via USPS! I am officially a permanent resident of the US of A! No more fear of deportation when my work permit expired or when company decides to tank me. No more!Baby Boddler K wouldn't need to worry about his mom got shipped out back to her native land.
What sweet is that what I have is not a conditional greencard. And since I am married to a US citizen, in three years I am eligible to be naturalized. Should I change citizienship then? I like the perks such as serving in jury duty (Law & Order naivette) and having a voice in the political arena (not). Well, who knows. We will think of it when the time comes.
Our timeline (here just imitating what people out in immigration forums posted, not that I am a member of any of those):
Thank God.
What's next? Changing my last name so we all have the same name? Nah, I like my name.
And....the so called green card is here via USPS! I am officially a permanent resident of the US of A! No more fear of deportation when my work permit expired or when company decides to tank me. No more!
What sweet is that what I have is not a conditional greencard. And since I am married to a US citizen, in three years I am eligible to be naturalized. Should I change citizienship then? I like the perks such as serving in jury duty (Law & Order naivette) and having a voice in the political arena (not). Well, who knows. We will think of it when the time comes.
Our timeline (here just imitating what people out in immigration forums posted, not that I am a member of any of those):
- November 8 - Filing form I-130 (Hubbostrich's Petition for Alien Relative) and I-485 (my Adjustment of Status) together by ourselves
- Mid November - Receipts for form I-485
- Late November - USCIS requests for more documents pertaining to my legal status as of
- December 10 - Biometrics appointment at supporting office
- January 31 - Interview at field office
- February 1 - Approval notice for I-130 and I-485, green card starting date all the way to 2023
- Early February - Actual card received thru USPS
Thank God.
What's next? Changing my last name so we all have the same name? Nah, I like my name.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Shorties
Electroshock Theraphy
Mommy: "Killian here just squished finger food if they are not the right consistency. 'Oh, it's banana, let me squish it instead of putting it in my mouth.' What can we do to fix this, Daddy? I'm afraid he's never going to move beyond puree..."
Daddy: "We can send him to electroshock therapy...it's probably not gonna fix it but we can try..."
Mommy: "???"
***
Engineer Mommy
Mommy: "OMG, Killian only has five diapers left..."
Daddy: "Mommy remembered to check for (car engine) oil status but forgot to get baby's diapers..."
Mommy: *face palm*
***
You Don't Know Where that Finger Has Been
Mommy: "Daddy, I'm going to bed with Baby Boy, could you get me some water with in this glass, and don't forget to wash your hands first..."
Daddy: *looks violently patronized* "No, I'm not going to wash my hands, I'm going to give you a surprise instead."
Mommy: "OK, you go lay down with Killian, I'm not outsourcing things important to me to people with questionable intentions. I saw you pick your nose a lot with that finger and you didn't wash it!"
Daddy: "No, I'm going to get you that water....with a surprise..."
Mommy: "Daddy!!!"
***
Russian Roulette
Mommy: "Daddy, what are you thinking about?"
Daddy: "Nothing.."
Mommy: "What, what?"
Daddy: "OK, it's about Russian Roulette. When I'm having a party I'm going to have a Russian Roulette explained to the nerds who are coming....You probably don't understand, you probably didn't even know what a revolver is."
Mommy: "What? I don't know what a revolver is. Such an insult. We watched that movie about Russian Roulette together. Anyway, with real guns? You are going to kill yourself?"
Daddy: "We're just gonna shoot it to the ground."
Mommy: "It still can richocet when it hits some stones on the ground..."
Daddy: "This is why guys don't say out loud what they are thinking all the time, cause you women just don't understand us."
***
Character Assasination
Mommy: "Daddy! You're supposed to interact with Killian instead of with your laptop! No wonder he's on ASQ3! We need remedial remediation. Pronto!"
Daddy: "Character assasination!"
Mommy: "Killian here just squished finger food if they are not the right consistency. 'Oh, it's banana, let me squish it instead of putting it in my mouth.' What can we do to fix this, Daddy? I'm afraid he's never going to move beyond puree..."
Daddy: "We can send him to electroshock therapy...it's probably not gonna fix it but we can try..."
Mommy: "???"
***
Engineer Mommy
Mommy: "OMG, Killian only has five diapers left..."
Daddy: "Mommy remembered to check for (car engine) oil status but forgot to get baby's diapers..."
Mommy: *face palm*
***
You Don't Know Where that Finger Has Been
Mommy: "Daddy, I'm going to bed with Baby Boy, could you get me some water with in this glass, and don't forget to wash your hands first..."
Daddy: *looks violently patronized* "No, I'm not going to wash my hands, I'm going to give you a surprise instead."
Mommy: "OK, you go lay down with Killian, I'm not outsourcing things important to me to people with questionable intentions. I saw you pick your nose a lot with that finger and you didn't wash it!"
Daddy: "No, I'm going to get you that water....with a surprise..."
Mommy: "Daddy!!!"
***
Russian Roulette
Mommy: "Daddy, what are you thinking about?"
Daddy: "Nothing.."
Mommy: "What, what?"
Daddy: "OK, it's about Russian Roulette. When I'm having a party I'm going to have a Russian Roulette explained to the nerds who are coming....You probably don't understand, you probably didn't even know what a revolver is."
Mommy: "What? I don't know what a revolver is. Such an insult. We watched that movie about Russian Roulette together. Anyway, with real guns? You are going to kill yourself?"
Daddy: "We're just gonna shoot it to the ground."
Mommy: "It still can richocet when it hits some stones on the ground..."
Daddy: "This is why guys don't say out loud what they are thinking all the time, cause you women just don't understand us."
***
Character Assasination
Mommy: "Daddy! You're supposed to interact with Killian instead of with your laptop! No wonder he's on ASQ3! We need remedial remediation. Pronto!"
Daddy: "Character assasination!"
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Birthday Morning
This morning, Boddler K woke up without a crying preamble. An improvement, Baby Big Boy? He immediately smiled as soon as he rose from his sleeping position to a sitting position.
"Good Morning, Baby Boy, and Happy Birthday!" I said. He smiled back at me. Like any overjoyed parent I took an Instagram picture of him and shared it with the world on FB. PS: his first three teeth are erupting. Two on the bottom, one up.
We then went to the kitchen where I prepared stuff and made tea for Hubbostrich and myself. I gave K a couple of graham crackers while he sat on his high chair. I sneaked him a serving of vitamin D with a spoon and gave him some orange juice from a mini Coke glass.
After, I dressed him up for school in a Batik shirt. This shirt was way to big for him back when his ompung boru, my mom, gave it to us this time last year. Today, I can barely button it down on him without causing him to suffocate. Baby Boddler K wears it unbuttoned with an undershirt.
While I got ready some more, I let K loose on the floor where he immediately reached for the book case and took book by book down. He then went to his school bag and took the blue food bag out. Pictorial evidence below. What a naughty 1 year old.
Finally, we had decent pictures of the Birthday Boy with Daddy Boy. Isn't Baby Boddler K the most handsome "Pak Lurah" ever?
Thursday, January 31, 2013
That Little Card that Could
Hubbostrich and I have been married for almost three years before we finally put our feet down to apply for an adjustment of status for a permanent residency for me. I have always been maintaining a student visa or a working visa thru my stays in the US of A. I am legal like that.
For this adjustment of status, the amount of paperwork needed was daring and mounting. But two Saturdays and a couple of melt downs later, we finally got them done and sent both applications and pertinent back up documents overnight to Main Office.
You get to tip your hats off to the government for our case. Original applications were sent out to State X, they then got assigned to State Y, before finally ended up at State Z, where we are. It's amazing things did not get lost in the mail. Also, by the end of the third month (which is today), we already got our interview done with the agent at our local field office. The interview was relaxed. We were both under oath. We showed requested documents, he marked stuff on the application form. Hubbostrich showed him a picture of Baby K. We talked about streets named after WW II heroes. It was just random.
At the end of the interview the Agent said "I intend to approve your application but I just need to perform one security check by the end of today. If everything cleared, you should receive your card in 30 days."
Agent couldn't confirm to the specific of this check but one resourceful individual could always Google, correct? My speculation that it should be this one. For all tend and purposes, one can only hope the result will be a "No Record". Vaya con dios.
Let's see where we are in the timeline when I finally get a card issued (or not). I am reaching a point of desperation like never before for a green card which, of course, will be a subject of another post.
For this adjustment of status, the amount of paperwork needed was daring and mounting. But two Saturdays and a couple of melt downs later, we finally got them done and sent both applications and pertinent back up documents overnight to Main Office.
You get to tip your hats off to the government for our case. Original applications were sent out to State X, they then got assigned to State Y, before finally ended up at State Z, where we are. It's amazing things did not get lost in the mail. Also, by the end of the third month (which is today), we already got our interview done with the agent at our local field office. The interview was relaxed. We were both under oath. We showed requested documents, he marked stuff on the application form. Hubbostrich showed him a picture of Baby K. We talked about streets named after WW II heroes. It was just random.
At the end of the interview the Agent said "I intend to approve your application but I just need to perform one security check by the end of today. If everything cleared, you should receive your card in 30 days."
Agent couldn't confirm to the specific of this check but one resourceful individual could always Google, correct? My speculation that it should be this one. For all tend and purposes, one can only hope the result will be a "No Record". Vaya con dios.
Let's see where we are in the timeline when I finally get a card issued (or not). I am reaching a point of desperation like never before for a green card which, of course, will be a subject of another post.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Hey Ho, Let's Go
Epilog:
Hey ho, let's go! The spider webs here are seemingly beyond cleaning. But one can always try.
Main entry:
What was that on the last post? The birth story? Time flies fast and what was a very hungry little baby is almost a year old boddler and his mom is planning a partee! So, even if you are not a caterpillar, you're still invited, if you can make it!
I am channeling my inner EO with this party. When was I had this much fun? Oh yeah, for the wedding in 2010. It is only about time. This past year has been full of ups and downs (sometimes, it feels there are more downs than the ups) and what's better to celebrate than a little colorful party in the eve of Lunar New Year. It is for the baby and for us, his parents.
Theme for party is based on K's natural predisposition to a certain giant board book:
Apparently, parents can go crazy throwing a party with this theme. Google it yourself but be careful. To this mommy, it is like opening a can of worms. I am excited. I am overwhelmed and have to revert to breathing techniques from time to time. I am not half as crazy.
Let's see how the actual b-day party unfolding.
Update:
Spread Sh*t of the preparation. Bonus item: Daddy's Superbow(e)l menu. Go 49-ers!
Hey ho, let's go! The spider webs here are seemingly beyond cleaning. But one can always try.
Main entry:
What was that on the last post? The birth story? Time flies fast and what was a very hungry little baby is almost a year old boddler and his mom is planning a partee! So, even if you are not a caterpillar, you're still invited, if you can make it!
Theme for party is based on K's natural predisposition to a certain giant board book:
Let's see how the actual b-day party unfolding.
Update:
Spread Sh*t of the preparation. Bonus item: Daddy's Superbow(e)l menu. Go 49-ers!
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Birth Story
Every mom has her own birth story. This is mine and mostly just an account for myself.
Baby K was due on Superbowl XLVI Sunday. We knew he won't be coming that day based on conception day calculation, but we couldn't help to try to bring him out closer to due date. A "shot" of prostaglandin that Saturday apparently works. LoL.
My hospital only performs pre-natal check ups every two weeks from 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. On the 38 weeks check up, I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. On 40 weeks check up, the Monday after his due date, I was 4 cm dilated and 90% effaced. What was alarming on that check up was my high blood pressure 150s/105s. I had normal blood pressure through out the course of my pregnancy. Urine dip showed no protein. The doctor made a decision to admit me to labor and delivery. At first, it was just a) to perform a Non Stress Test on the baby, b) to check if I am not further dilated, and c) to check my blood work. The situation changed fast and they decided to induce even before my blood work came back. It turned out I wasn't having pre-eclampsia but instead gestational hypertension.
I had a bloody show while I was waiting to be admitted to labor & delivery. They strapped me to IV and monitored my blood pressure and the baby's heart beat. Hubbostrich rushed back from work and grabbed my hospital bags at home. My brother came and accompany my mom. I requested to have a last meal anticipating a long labor. My brother & mom brought us Hawaiian barbeque. He also brought this lovely rose arrangement.
Finally at 8:30 PM that night, I was hooked to pitocin drip. It was a slow progress of dilation if any at all. It was working to my advantage because I had a chance to rest and move around (mostly to the bathroom to empty my bladder) with my IV and pitocin drip running on battery. My blood pressure in the mean time was back to normal.
On Tuesday at 5:00 AM, one of the attending doctors swipped my membrane. At 6:30 AM, I heard two internal pops and I felt my water break. I yelled at Hubbostrich to alarm the doctor about my progress. As soon as the water break, the pain escalated. I requested epidural right away, so much for natural, no pain medication labor. By this time, I was already at 7 cm. The annesthiologist came and did his procedure on me. I was pain free in less than 20 minutes.
At 10:30 AM, I was ready to push but I couldn't feel the pressure due to the high dose of epidural. They decided to tone down the epidural and wait another hour so that I can feel the contraction pressure not pain.
At 11:30 AM, the nurse asked me to push rythmically in a group of 3. I had confidence on her as she seemed to know what she was doing. I found that she is a proponent of natural birth and minimum medical intervention. I shared my fear about c-section and she assured me we are far from that.
Hubbostrich was in charge of pushing my other leg. At first, I had no idea how this pushing business works. They kept encouraging me that I did a good work. The nurse even offered a mirror to see my progress which I totally refused. They gave me a couple of minutes rest. After about 10 times pushing (the doctor took over to coach me on the last 3 of the pushing), at 12:44 PM, Baby K was born. All 9 lbs and 2 oz of him. He has a set of thick black hair and was the cutest thing ever. I felt a sharp burning sensation down there.
No one ever suspected that the baby was going to be that big. Here is me on 34 weeks and 38 weeks. Overall, I gain about 35 lbs, which in my opinion is a too much weight gain for my frame.
Baby K was immediately put on my breast for skin-to-skin contact. The doctors and nurse did a good job to follow my birth plan. We were waiting for the delivery of my placenta. The pitocin did its job again. However, I had quite a tear and was losing about 1 liter of blood. They stiched me up even considering blood transfusion. I, on the other hand, was feeling just fine.
The epidural slowly phased out and I started feeling some pain in my stomach. It feels like when you have an empty stomach because you are too hungry. But they couldn't give me food just yet just in case they need to do some more procedures. After 30 minutes all was cleared up and I was okayed on food. The pain however wasn't going away. Apparently, it was the side effect of one of the medications. The doctor gave some other medication for this stomach pain.
Within one hour, the baby and I were transferred to Mother & Baby room where we boarded for the next two days. I gained my healthy appetite soon. My mom stayed with us during the day and came home at night. She is an expert burper. Also nice to know that my colostrum production was fine.
Finally, the three of us were discharged on Thursday. Baby K was already circumsized and underwent a lot of required newborn tests by this time. Here's a shot of the happy family.
Baby K was due on Superbowl XLVI Sunday. We knew he won't be coming that day based on conception day calculation, but we couldn't help to try to bring him out closer to due date. A "shot" of prostaglandin that Saturday apparently works. LoL.
My hospital only performs pre-natal check ups every two weeks from 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. On the 38 weeks check up, I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. On 40 weeks check up, the Monday after his due date, I was 4 cm dilated and 90% effaced. What was alarming on that check up was my high blood pressure 150s/105s. I had normal blood pressure through out the course of my pregnancy. Urine dip showed no protein. The doctor made a decision to admit me to labor and delivery. At first, it was just a) to perform a Non Stress Test on the baby, b) to check if I am not further dilated, and c) to check my blood work. The situation changed fast and they decided to induce even before my blood work came back. It turned out I wasn't having pre-eclampsia but instead gestational hypertension.
I had a bloody show while I was waiting to be admitted to labor & delivery. They strapped me to IV and monitored my blood pressure and the baby's heart beat. Hubbostrich rushed back from work and grabbed my hospital bags at home. My brother came and accompany my mom. I requested to have a last meal anticipating a long labor. My brother & mom brought us Hawaiian barbeque. He also brought this lovely rose arrangement.
Finally at 8:30 PM that night, I was hooked to pitocin drip. It was a slow progress of dilation if any at all. It was working to my advantage because I had a chance to rest and move around (mostly to the bathroom to empty my bladder) with my IV and pitocin drip running on battery. My blood pressure in the mean time was back to normal.
On Tuesday at 5:00 AM, one of the attending doctors swipped my membrane. At 6:30 AM, I heard two internal pops and I felt my water break. I yelled at Hubbostrich to alarm the doctor about my progress. As soon as the water break, the pain escalated. I requested epidural right away, so much for natural, no pain medication labor. By this time, I was already at 7 cm. The annesthiologist came and did his procedure on me. I was pain free in less than 20 minutes.
At 10:30 AM, I was ready to push but I couldn't feel the pressure due to the high dose of epidural. They decided to tone down the epidural and wait another hour so that I can feel the contraction pressure not pain.
At 11:30 AM, the nurse asked me to push rythmically in a group of 3. I had confidence on her as she seemed to know what she was doing. I found that she is a proponent of natural birth and minimum medical intervention. I shared my fear about c-section and she assured me we are far from that.
Hubbostrich was in charge of pushing my other leg. At first, I had no idea how this pushing business works. They kept encouraging me that I did a good work. The nurse even offered a mirror to see my progress which I totally refused. They gave me a couple of minutes rest. After about 10 times pushing (the doctor took over to coach me on the last 3 of the pushing), at 12:44 PM, Baby K was born. All 9 lbs and 2 oz of him. He has a set of thick black hair and was the cutest thing ever. I felt a sharp burning sensation down there.
No one ever suspected that the baby was going to be that big. Here is me on 34 weeks and 38 weeks. Overall, I gain about 35 lbs, which in my opinion is a too much weight gain for my frame.
Baby K was immediately put on my breast for skin-to-skin contact. The doctors and nurse did a good job to follow my birth plan. We were waiting for the delivery of my placenta. The pitocin did its job again. However, I had quite a tear and was losing about 1 liter of blood. They stiched me up even considering blood transfusion. I, on the other hand, was feeling just fine.
The epidural slowly phased out and I started feeling some pain in my stomach. It feels like when you have an empty stomach because you are too hungry. But they couldn't give me food just yet just in case they need to do some more procedures. After 30 minutes all was cleared up and I was okayed on food. The pain however wasn't going away. Apparently, it was the side effect of one of the medications. The doctor gave some other medication for this stomach pain.
Within one hour, the baby and I were transferred to Mother & Baby room where we boarded for the next two days. I gained my healthy appetite soon. My mom stayed with us during the day and came home at night. She is an expert burper. Also nice to know that my colostrum production was fine.
Finally, the three of us were discharged on Thursday. Baby K was already circumsized and underwent a lot of required newborn tests by this time. Here's a shot of the happy family.
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