Mommy to the max

It's just Lois and me this week, alone by ourselves. Nanny Mhagie's missing in action. She requested to go home to Bulacan last Friday afternoon and promised to be back evening of June 3. She texted last Sunday to say she's having dysmenorrhea and wouldn't be back until Monday. Monday came and she requested again, through her younger sister for understanding and patience of her condition, to be back the following afternoon after she has consulted the doctor. It's now Friday. She could be so ill as not to be able to send a message as to when she plans to come back, or she could be abducted by criminals and denied access to cell phones that's why no messages at all. I choose to believe the saying 'kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan' that's why she's AWOL. It's quite intriguing to know the real reason once Inang finds out from her mom this weekend. I've informed our family in Bulacan about her mysterious absence just in case something could be terribly wrong. In the meantime, it's Lois and I - big time!

We were able to walk around the neighborhood together to buy fruits and cooked meals. "Lois we're going out to buy fruits outside." Baby excitedly gets up from bed and says, 'phuts'. I help her put her shoes and hats on and dab some baby powder to freshen her up. Out we go! 15 or more minutes after, were back home, having stopped at the laundry shop to stare at the smiling crew inside, observe the colorful posters and signs at the windows of the computer shop, maintain eye-to-eye contact with the customer eating at the carenderia and play with the hesitant kitten in the fruit shop. The 5-meter trip could be covered in two minutes tops, but there were so many wonderful things along the way we really had to stop so Lois could fully appreciate them. I simply ignore the curious look of bystanders observing us. They've lost the eye for beauty that's slowly opening up for Lois.

During mornings, we go up the laundry cages to get clean clothes. I've decided to take the elevator going up and down the next floor just to save some five minutes of walking time with Lois. Just imagine how a wonder each step on the stairs was like for a newbie walker like Lois!

It's amazing how Lois remembers which among those cages is ours. She would directly turn to the right to head for the last door with the red bicycle bike lock. I don't guide her, in fact I'm behind her, because I'm opening the other cage nearer to the entrance. She'd tinker with the chain until I open it. Once home, I fold the clothes while she's busy exploring her toys and books.

There would be times when Lois would insists on bringing a toy along when we go out. First time we bought fruits, she held Mirumo doll all the way. It's funny how she would balance each step while clasping the heavy doll before her. "Don't let Mirumo fall," I warn her. And my golly, she would rather tumble forward than let go of her doll. Could it be that she's learned to care and love tenderly at such early age?

Bath time improvements
Lois doesn't cry anymore when I give her a bath. She's learned to love the water. She even goes ahead to the CR when I tell her it's bath time.
Her bath time pals - duck quack & rattle toy - swim in the basin while I clean her up. She would hold them to the faucet as if giving them a bath too. Then she'd splash water or soak her feet up. She often slips when we're almost through so I would always alertly keep my hands near her, lest she falls.