When Luke is not playing ...

He enjoys killing the time sitting anywhere around the house...





and on and in the car. ;)





At home in Laguna, Philippines
Sometime in July 2007

getting sick is terribly worrisome

Luke had his fair share of fever and flu and colds before, but getting sick for almost a week is something unusual and sressful.

It's his first to have fever of over 40, and I was almost in panic not knowing what to do but to call his pedia for advice (thanks for the celfone tech, and to his kind pedia who hasn't changed number since the last time we consulted with her some years ago). I tried to calm myself down as I give him sponge bath to lower his temp. When it lowered to 39 after 30 minutes, my panic level also lowered.

But it doesn't stop there. After a day of being cheerrful, he got feverish again, and a series of blood tests showed a lowering platelet count, a sign of dengue fever. To avert his condition before it gets really serious, he was admitted to the hospital for IV of ampicillin. Because of his hard and sticky cough that somehow contributes to his high fever, the doctor also suspected of acute bronchitis.

I'm telling you, staying at the hospital is totally uncomfortable and even risky (especially for a pregnant woman like me). Among other things, I feared that I'd get other diseases or illnesses from other in-patients. But what can I do? My son needs to stay there for proper medication and continued medical supervision.

It's his first to be hospitalized. And I'm afraid that he's getting traumatized with all these. Every time a nurse or a uniformed staff entered our room, he started crying for fear that they'll hurt him again with their needles. Even the simple act of getting his temp became a tedious and hard task.

Good thing we stayed in the hospital for only three nights. I think I'd go crazy longer than that. All of us got bored waiting for time to pass by, and Dadi got tired of doing errands amidst his busy class schedule.

Now, we're at home, and my son is busy sleeping (so I get to blog). Medications still continue until he gets completely recovered.

Get well soon, Luke! So we can play ... and write ... and watch Pooh! ;)


Laguna, Philippines
Bad days are over!

How's life in Pinas?

No nice and wide parks and playgrounds. No toys to freely play with inside the malls. No traces of fast-running trains. No yummy donuts.

But we have all day to stroll around wide but rough roads enjoying the afternoon wind. The sight of tall and dried grasses may not be as delightful as what we have seen in Japan, but this little boy is superbly happy with his simple life here. Well, isn't it obvious? ;)


At home in Laguna, Philippines
Sometime in April 2007

Yummy donuts

Back in Japan, we enjoy munching on fresh and sweet donuts that come in different flavors, appearance and shapes. Pair these with hot milk tea, and our tummies are beyond satisfaction.

Oh, how we miss these donuts! Anyone from Japan care to send us some over here? ;)



Mister Donuts
Kameari, Katsushika-ku, Japan
Sometime in March 2007

Ratsky and me

In this photo, Luke is telling everyone that he has found a new buddy. His name is Ratsky -- simply because he is a rat! ;)

Luke is somehow trying to scare you, probably saying proudly that you should be good to him, otherwise, his friend Ratsky will devour your stuff. ;)

PS: I would like to thank my good students for giving us Ratsky. ;)


At home in Kameari
March 31, 2007

On Dadi's grad day

So Dadi has finished his studies in Toudai. On his graduation day, get a glimpse of what Luke did the entire day.




The University of Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
March 22, 2007

Luke's 2nd b-day party

Luke turned 2 last February 26th. Unlike his first birthday, which was rather grand, his 2nd birthday went by with a simple home party graced by a few of our friends. The party was kinda unplanned and we only invited some of our friends two days before the party.

More than the party, we are very happy for our son on his 2nd year. He is growing so fast that sometimes I miss his "younger" days. It was only as if yesterday when I gave birth to him, now he's already running and learning to talk. And he knows how to say NO.

Now that we are going back home, many things will be new to him. New adjustments, new things. He'll have meltdowns for sure, because of all these, but I promise myself to be there by his side to guide him through.


At home in Kameari
Luke's 2nd b-day party
February 2007