I usually get home when Jeanne and Gretchen are out playing. So when I enter the gate, I always purposely slow down and look around for them. This afteroon, sure enough I saw them on the rear view mirror. They have seen the car and Jeanne was excitedly pulling Gretchen towards the car. The sight of her doing that always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. I stopped and waited for them for the next part of the routine: Jeanne gets on the car rides up the parking building with me while Gretchen packs up the stroller or bike and goes home. After parking, Jeanne and I then strolled hand-in-hand home from the parking building. Happiness.
Baby’s Afternoon Out
Yesterday, Michelle went to Divisoria with Yvette and my mom-in-law. So I was left with Jeanne after breakfast. We played with her Duplos and watched YouTube videos on the iPad. I also told her we’re going to Gymboree in the afternoon.
After lunch, I gave Jeanne and bath, dressed her up, and then took a shower myself. We were sitting on the sofa watching TV while waiting for Gretchen, when Jeanne suddenly went over to me, asked me to carry her, and then in minutes was asleep. She slept for over an hour while I continued watching TV. When she woke up, the first thing she said is “I want to go to Gymboree.”
So off we finally went. Since this was her third or fourth visit, I decided to go ahead and get a membership. They offered me the annual membership which costs P1800 and comes with 5 GymPlay coupons (GymPlay normally cost P350). They were already done with the paperwork when I noticed a “lifetime” membership in their literature. I inquired about it and it costs P3600, comes with 10 play coupons, and it’s good for until the child reaches 5 years old (I guess “lifetime” sounds more enticing marketing-wise). I went for that instead.
After Gymboree, we went to get groceries, another activity Jeanne enjoys. We didn’t have to buy too much stuff so we were done pretty quickly. Just as well since I needed to join a family meeting.
We got to the meeting just in time. While it was going on, Jeanne played, drew, and occasionally would ask for my attention. After the meeting, we headed home and to mommy.
Jeanne Is Weaned!
Breast milk is best for babies up to 2 years old goes the compulsory reminder on baby formula packaging. We agree with it, especially Jeanne, so she was on breast milk from birth. Later, this was supplemented with baby formula. But as soon as she turned two, we began the process to move her on to baby formula. We started by offering her milk in a cup, which she had always declined preferring mommy or the bottle. But lately, she’s been drinking solely from the cup. Of course, three nights without mommy and Gretchen’s constant coaxing helped. And today, I officially declare that Jeanne is now weaned!
I Love Daddy
When I got home from work today, Jeanne hugged me and declared “I love daddy.” Things like this makes going home early and spending time with Jeanne an absolute joy. She probably will forget (I don’t remember much of when I was 1 to 3 years old), but they mean a lot to me and I will remember and cherish them.
Bonding x3
I survived! Michelle went off to climb Pulag with her officemates so I was left with Jeanne for the past weekend. Of course, it helped that Gretchen was also around.
Friday
It actually started Friday afternoon. I arrived early as I normally do (I usually leave home while she’s asleep and then come back early, sometimes just in time for her afternoon playground time). This time, she and Gretchen were already out playing. I had with me some banana-cues for snacks and I put them in the oven to reheat. I was done just when they came back and we had snacks. Jeanne said she likes it but just nibbled here and there. I ended up eating the remainder.
After dinner Michelle arrived to bring back the car. We then drove back out to her office to drop her off. At first, I didn’t want to bring Jeanne because I was afraid she might throw a tantrum once Michelle gets down. I eventually relented and surprisingly, she was cool about it.
Once we got home, we went through her bedtime routine: drank vitamins, brushed teeth, wiped down, changed nappy, and prepared for bed. I promised to read her a story and I read her some story about a dog’s antics. And then it was sleepy time. She tossed and turned for a while and asked for water but she generally wasn’t very fussy. Pretty quickly, she quieted down and was soon asleep.
Saturday
I woke up before Jeanne and quickly ran out to the car wash for a full wash (engine, under, body). When I returned home, we quickly prepared for lunch with Val and Rose at Saint’s Alp in Katipunan (slow service!). I was able to find the place pretty quickly. By and by Val came along and we ate. Jeanne was up to her antics and didn’t eat much. She behaved a bit when Rose arrived but went back soon after.
After lunch, we dropped by the Podium. I tried changing her nappy but for some reason she had developed a fear of the diaper-changing station. I tried putting her on it and she screamed and thrashed about so much that I got scared she might fall. So I let up, but we weren’t able to go around anymore. I was however able to quickly grab a copy of Batman: Arkham City from DataBlitz.
We then went home and changed nappy. Jeanne then played with Gretchen while I played some Batman then napped till just before dinner. I took over Jeanne while Gretchen prepared dinner.
After dinner we sat on the sofa and watched The Double. As usual, she wasn’t interested and was drawing most of the time. After the movie, we went through her bedtime routine. I promised to let her watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. And then it was sleepy time. Just like the previous night, she tossed and turned for a while and asked for water but she generally wasn’t very fussy.
Sometime in the night she woke up. I keep asking her what she wanted and finally she said “Nothing.” then slept again. Later she woke up again. Again, I asked her what she wanted. She said “Don’t. Talk. Dad.” then slept again. I guess she didn’t want to be disturbed :P
Sunday
I woke up with the intent of quickly running to the car wash (for the other car) and getting back in time for Jeanne waking up. Fat chance. She was apparently already awake. When she saw me putting on my pants, she quickly got up and said “Want to go with daddy!” What choice do I have? So off we went to the car wash and she had fun watching the crew wash, shampoo, rinse, and dry the car.
We then went home and had lunch. Jeanne then played with Gretchen while I played some Batman then napped till just before dinner. I baked some ham in the oven then took over Jeanne while Gretchen cooked rice.
The ham turned out to be good! Definitely much better than fried. Even Jeanne agreed as she ate the ham including her favorite fatty-fatty bits. As usual, I was done eating first. As I checked something on the phone, I noticed Jeanne smiling and I realized she wanted a picture. So I obliged and snapped a quick pic. She immediately said “Want to see!” and I showed it to her.
After dinner we sat on the sofa and watched In Time. Again, she wasn’t interested and was drawing most of the time. After the movie, we went through her bedtime routine. I promised to let her watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, later Barney, and even later told her my majorly revised and truncated version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. And then finally it was sleepy time. Again, she tossed and turned for a while and asked for water but she generally wasn’t very fussy.