Thank gosh for our own Noah sitter.

Having Kym over last week was a godsend. I have had some free time of my own to dilly dally around my neighborhood grocery shopping and doing other chores that are not so easy to do with Noah.

Even though I stay in the vicinity, I still find myself frantically calling her every 10 minutes for fear that Noah is crying. It is a relief that he seems to sleep during her visits though that will soon change I am sure. She will be giving him lessons about important African American people and historical events in no time!

This is a call for other folks who would like to take a go at looking after Noah.

Biological link

Being adopted, I often think about my relation to my family. I dealt with the uncomfortable stares knowing we look nothing alike, feeling scrutinized and . My frustration stemmed from the fact that people could not see us simply as a diverse family. It has taken me years to accept that we are a blended family.

My good friend asked how I felt being Noah's Mom who is, that I know my only biological link. I had a moment of relief thinking to myself, "I am no longer alone." I will always be curious what I looked like or what my temperament was as a baby although am comforted that I can pass on my legacy that I continue to build.

According to the Chinese zodiac Noah is the Year of the Dog. Some may be skeptical but I have a fascination for the fortune telling system. Either way it is entertaining to read and determine if there are any commonalities.

Check to see what sign you are based on the year you were born!

Are you Yin or Yang, what element are you, interested in the history of Chinese zodiac? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Zodiac

http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/zodiac.html

Year of the Dog

1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people¡¦s confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

In 2003 I went to the Philippines on an academic summer exchange program. 30 other Filipino Americans and a Mexican American took part in the 2 month language, culture and history program at the University of the Philippines - Dilman in Quezon City.

I desperately wanted to learn Filipino and also do some self exploration. Our daily schedule consisted of language class, workshops on culture and lectures on history, economy and other subjects of interest.

Another aspect of the exchange program was to complete a research paper and I chose to write about international adoption. This allowed be to do some soul searching about my own adoption and had the surprise of my life.

The Inter Country Adoption Board (ICAB) oversees all Filipino children placed with families internationally. After a couple meetings with the director and socialworkers they arranged to have me to visit the orphanage I lived in for the first 5 years before going to the US.

We met with the director who remembered me once I showed her my Philippines passport. I look back now and realize that I was not necessarily prepared to hear anything about my time at the orphanage. This explains why I allowed them to speak in Filipino. I did record the conversation but will have to find someone to translate it.

One of the questions I did ask was the origin of my name. I believed that my biological chose my name but it turned out that the former director, a missionary from Seattle, WA had a niece named Lorelei and wanted to name the next girl of the orhapange Lorial. I was a little disappointed but realized that some of my unknown past was a fabrication of my own thoughts.

Another question I asked was what they recall about my biological mother. This led into more details about my birth. She told me that I was born during a typhoon, which explains my fascination with thunderstorms - my mom can attest to this. She also said that because of the storm they had to wait three days before they could go outside and pick me up. The roads were not paved back then and my biological mother lived further out from the airforce base. Apparently my biological mother did visit a couple times but afterwards the orphanage never heard from her again.

When I tell people I am adopted one of the questions they ask is if I want to meet my biological mother. As far back as I can remember I have always replied no because of the language barrier but especially because she made her decision and I respect it.

I will always be curious about her and how much I may look like her. If I did meet her I would assure her that my life has been absolutely wonderful. She gave me life and also gave me a chance for a better life.

Below I am pointing out a picture of myself I found along the wall of the orphanage. It was taken the day I left for Manila in September of 1980. They have kept it up all these years, which was pretty amazing. I finally felt a connection to the orphanage and has been memorialized on the board.

Babywearing Bonanza
www.babywearingbonanza.com

I came across the Babywearing Bonanza while I was doing a search for events for new parents. It was also free!

We broke the cardinal rule of baby wearing and natural parenting by walking into the event with the Baby Bjorn. Minutes into our arrival and while I was registering a woman beside me asked what was wrong with the Bjorn. We knew we were in for an ear full.

We were informed very quickly that the Bjorn was probably the worst baby carrier for a couple reasons; it does not offer enough shoulder support for the person wearing it and as the baby grows it puts too much pressure on the spine that can later cause damage.

I tried on a baby sling, which was a 10 ft long cloth. I immediately was not to keen about its design particularly because I felt like I was gift wrapping myself in heavy cloth and I was thinking about what it would be like to wear this in the summer with a 20lb baby.

Moms and Dads were wearing many different types of slings, pouches, ring slings, structured carriers and mei tais. I did walk out with a mei tai, which is modeled after Chinese wraps.

For more information go to: www.simplyslings.com

Noah chatting with Papi.


A couple days ago he just started making cooing noises while John talked to him.

Besides the fact that it is just darn adorable we know it will be helpful once he actually starts forming his first words!

The Baby Mommas Club 2007 (M's babyshower - days away from having her baby boy!!)



Backtracking to August 2004 - Ugat Immersion Trip

To think that the three of us were in the Philippines the summer of 2004 on an Ugat (Roots) Immersion trip. During our month long visit we met with organizers from various sectors such as youth, women, peasant/migrant workers and OFW. We sat in on 'situationers' about the top issues of these sectors. The major highlight was spending time with peasant/farm workers of Moltalban Rizal just outside of Manila.

Our trek to the top of the mountain was a true test of what were going to face. Our modern teva sandels and hiking boots were no match with the barefooted guides. They scaled up with large containers of water on their backs while some of us struggled carrying our own belongings. It took the nine of us more than an hour to reach the top since it had rained days before and the mud was half the challenge.

With no running water or electricity we learned quickly to adapt. We woke up to roosters as the sun rose and lit kerosine soup cans as the sun set. We witnessed how they survive by growing cassava, and collecting sacks of coal. Sadly, it is a labor intensive job with little financial satisfaction. They have to carry the sacks down the steep mountain (usually taking 45-1hr) into town and are compensated an equivalent to $1 - if that. The money is then used to buy kerosene or other small needs.

Our meals consisted of maize that was boiled down or mashed with sugar accompanied by rice they harvested. Other nights it was soup or stew flavored by a chicken or other poulty they butchered from their farm. Everything was prepared on a fire stove and the aroma was unforgetable.


Migrante Office visit 

Don't be fooled by this picture. This was merely a 3 second long achievement of Noah showing his neck strength. We have been trying to encourage him to lift his head while he is on his stomach or resting on our chest. He is only 6 weeks and every once in a while he shows us his capabilities. It is quite a feat to watch him accomplish the smallest things.

<----- Noah's first train ride. Thank gosh it is becoming easier to go places with Noah. I am even using the Baby Bjorn for quick walks. Using a stroller is no easy thing in the city. We in a four story and it is not an easy task with a growing baby. He was 9lbs to begin with and puts on a pound every couple weeks. It is a good workout but tiring as well.

Baby Year!

Now that Noah is in our lives I no longer can have my crazy nights and weekends of debauchery but I don't think I will miss them. There was a time and place and now they are memories.

With the arrival of the New Year there will be many other moments with Noah that will be even more memorable.
Noah, me, Rudy (NYE)