Twice Over

I'm in my third trimester already, 60+ more days until the big day of delivering Baby 2 into this world. I'm like a messenger, a vessel, a tool that for nine months has been used in order to form a new being. It’s both simple and complicated. It's a role I've been honored to fill yet too tired and scared to play again. Two kids is just the right family for me. I'd like to move on with life and do other things while the kids are growing up - learn web designing, have our own business, get more involved in Church work. I pray these plans are what God has set up to happen in my life too. Just the same, as the author of life and conductor of my life's orchestra- God is in control.

Naming 2
In Lois' case, we were able to select a final name when she was eight months in uterus, close to ninth even. Her ultrasound finally confirmed her gender so we were able to narrow down our selection to Lois Maya. Lois came from the Bible, Timothy's grand mom exalted by apostle Paul for her faithfulness, while Maya used to be the Philippines' national bird common in any area of the country.

For Baby 2, his gender has been known as early as fifth month in uterus, yet we still haven't picked a particular name. The rules we've set in Lois' case, getting from the Bible and having a second name in Filipino, make it difficult to come up with a nice combination. So what I thought, since Baby 2 has been so known to Lois as '2' - just by touching Baby 2 in my tummy stops a possible temper tantrum - is to name him after his two grandfathers. Both have passed away, and I find it a fitting tribute to both our dads to use their names for Baby 2.

Carlos Alejandro. And we can retain the nick 2 because he really is 2! My sister in law likes it. Told Daddy Poh about it and he feels pushed to the wall. He said I'm not giving him many choices, but is slowly settling fine with the names.

Little echo
I drank in the sight of her calm face and focused intently on her whole cuddly body. My! Little mini-me Lois taking a nap is a sight to behold. Really, Paul and I have seen a bigger meaning to love, God's love, as we become parents as well.

And once Lois is awake, she's on a roll doing all her dances, running and jumping, playing by herself and mimicking words I say. It's funny how she's learning to pronounce her 'n's' now. They're so nasally cute! I'd sometimes ask her to repeat her new words to me for the sheer fun of hearing them.

Me: Banyo (CR. We've been toilet training her so the word is heard commonly nowadays.)
Lois: Baen-yo
Me: Kuya Moi Moi (her cousin)
Lois: Nyoy-nyoy
Me: Ano? (She just picked this up as I was talking to her nanny. Careful with the things you say, children are really listening!)
Lois: A-nnoe? (Copying the same tone I did)
Me: Baby Ren-ren (her nephew)
Lois: Wra-wra (she just rolls her tongue like that as if playing)
Me: Lola Inang (her granny, my side)
Lois: Naeng

She's a funny one, my girl.