Missing Them Already

Last year,my brother's family almost relocated to London for work reasons. Things didn't push thru because they were not able to agree on the package being offered to him. So,he politely said no.

Now, there is a new offer for his family to relocate. Since, it was one of the big bosses that already talked with him, it's like a 70-30 thing. 70% sure, that is. He is just waiting again for the final and details of the package the company is offering him. His stature will be like that of an Expat. The other night, we had a sort of get together at my sister's home and we were able to talk about the big move, if ever, it pushes thru. We were cracking jokes every now and then, but on our way home, reality hit me. And I was sad.

I am happy for my Kuya. After all, this is like a promotion for him, assigning him to a higher post than his present position. But I am sad, because I will miss them. I am sad for my children, who are very close with their cousins. I am pretty sure, they, especially Liam, will be missing his Kuya Lance and Ate Nik. Prior to them migrating here, I was able to personally take care of these two in Manila. Lance and Anika were my first babies. And when we got here, we stayed at their home for 9 months and now that we have a place of our own, they are here almost every day. They are very caring and voting Kuya and Ate to my kids. of course, they still have petty fights, but overall, they get along pretty well. So, the thought of them leaving and staying there for 3-4 years, is really sad. Of course, they will be visiting Sydney every year, but it's still different when they are just there. Just a five-minute drive from our place.

Lance and Anika are not so enthusiastic about it as well. Lance even asked his Papa if he can just stay with us here. Of course, that would be fine with me, but it is far fetched. Knowing my Kuya. I will not allow Liam or Sam as well to be left behind, if I was in their position. I know the kids are a bit apprehensive because it will be a whole new set of adjustments for them. And what about their friends? They will be leaving them, get and meet new friends, then leave the new set of friends again when they return here? That's hard. I know it will be hard and challenging as well for my sister in law.

Oh well, I know that it is for my Kuya and S-in-L to make the big decision. All I can do is to pray with them and hope that they will arrive at the best decision for their family.

But, just in case they push thru, I will miss them terribly. They haven't even left, but I am missing them already.

50-50

Liam, my little boy is fast growing up. Nowadays, when we tell him he's a good boy, he corrects us and tells us "No, I'm a big Kuya." Well, we're glad he's already aware that another one is on the way. I just hope that when Sam does come out already, he won't be having a hard time adjusting to the changes.

When couples start to have kids sometimes their kids are branded as either "Little Papa" or "Little Mama". For Liam's case, I really can't say he's a little Jeana nor is he a Little Alvin. He is a mixture of the two us, and I can say, the mixture of our best, not so good and funny traits at that!

For one, he is not entirely a carbon coby of his Papa or his Mama. Many think that I look like him, while others think, he looks like more his Papa. Personally, I think he got most of his facial features from his Papa, but the eyes are from me. Well, happy to have contributed something for him.

Next, on our traits. I already wrote about how I sometimes see myself in him, especially his tendency not to be settled until somethings are back in place. Like a door left open, a drawer of a cabinet left open. He'll really go out of his way to close it and fix it. Packing away as well is one trait he got from me. Thank goodness! Now, he also got his talkativeness from me and his being "masungit" at times, especially after waking up. You need to know the right way and the right time to start his day right. Liam also does not like eating "pangat" meaning "pangatlong ulit na" hehehe that is very me as well. He doesn't drink fresh milk too, which is very me.

Now, I think he got his intelligence from his Papa, which I admit, is something I have prayed for. Yes, I also did good on my studies, but I think it was more of the fact that I was a hardworking and diligent student than a naturally intelligent person, unlike Alvin. His love for music and the arts, he got from his Papa as well. His very good fine motor skills and not so good gross motor skills are courtesy of his Papa as well. His love for juices, chocolates and yogurts are Papa traits. He definitely has a sweet tooth!

Before we even got married, Alvin has always been the "taga-ubos" or "taga-simot" of the melted ice-cream or sundae we usually order for dessert. But one happy Sunday we were amazed and we just can't help smiling (or was it laughing?) when we saw LIam doing exactly that with his chocolate sundae from Hungry Jacks. Alvin was actually telling him to give the cup already so he can "simot" it but Liam didn't. He did it by himself. Ate all up to the very last drop. So, sorry Papa.

There are still a lot of Mama traits and Papa traits that we see in him every now and then. I can't write all of it but I'm happy to write some of it. Knowing that soon this will make me smile as I go down memory lane and reminisce how he was when he was a still a small boy.

As for our new baby, I will have to wait and see if like his Kuya Liam, she is a 50-50.