It's in the Genes?

Liam had their mother's day program this morning. Last night up until this morning he kept on singing Advanced Australia Fair -- the national anthem of Australia. He told me they will be singing it this morning.

Now when it was time for them to sing (programs here are VERY simple as compared to Manila. They don't even have a stage, props, etc)...parents are just standing up, while the kids sat on their corner, Liam did not sing! I was recording it because I wanted to show his singing to his Papa when he gets home from work. But no! After three or was it four songs, he didn't join them. He was just sitting there observing. Hands in his pockets. He's telling me something, I thought he was telling me: "I'm tired." When he looks at me I try to give him encouranging glances to sing, but no effect. Well, let's just say the last straw was when they had the last song and this time it was an action song, everyone stood up, except for him!

When the class finished with their songs, I went to him (to tell him as well that I and his sister would have to go and leave him now because we still had to go to Sam's swimming lessons) and asked him what was wrong. His reply was: "I told you Mama, I was thirsty." Head bowing down. I whispered I'm sorry and told him it was alright and I bid goodbye. He was ok after that. When his teacher called his name for the class roll, he now responded.

Two things: First, was it my fault he did not perform well? I remember him acting like this way during their Christmas concert at Yogies last December. The thing was after we gave him water and food during the break, he was already performing well and happily! So should I have given him water this morning so I could have seen what I wanted to see?

Second: Is it in the genes? I will not be surprised if he suddenly becomes shy and tongue tied and quiet when there are a lot of people he is not familiar with. Why? Alvin is like that (though he has improvd already LOL). And Liam's grandparents, uncles and aunts. All in the Balintec family are like that. Now, how can I beat that? Sometimes, it's ok with me when Alvin acts up like that, but at other times (and more) I am wishing he and they weren't. Their silence/quietness is just too much. Sometimes I feel they need to step up and go out of their shells already!

So now, I am praying Liam will outgrow his shyness, if ever it is case number 2. But I am praying, that it's just case number 1. Really, I'd rather take the blame than him to be growing up being extremely quiet, all because it is in his genes!

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.