Many were stunned to find out that we brought Theo to the US without the help of a nanny (yaya).
Ang lakas daw ng loob namin to travel that far without a yaya.
Ever since Theo was born, ako na duty sa kanya day and night and Edmund, too. To ease the burden from my daughter especially that Theo was her first baby and born through caesarian section.
In the past three years, Edmund and I enjoyed taking care of him and we didn’t feel it was a chore.
It was a complete joy although physically at our age, we get tired easily. Pero isang yakap lang ni Theo, taggal na ang pagod ni Wowo and Wowa.
Our 27 days in California was easy. Theo was easy to take care of. Basta we made sure he was always busog with milk, snacks, pasta, bread, gummy bears, chips, and lots of blueberries and watermelon.
People were curious how we managed during the flights to San Francisco and back.
I must admit that I was feeling exhausted when the plane took off from Manila. But that was not because of Theo. Basta talaga naman nakaka pagod mag byahe.
Coming back from San Francisco, he was very behave and the boy was already used to plane rides to some degree. His first ride and long haul at tha, was Manila-San Francisco-Manila in December 2022 – January 2023. Followed by Tokyo with his parents in January 2024, Boracay in May, and this long haul again to San Francisco. He already knows the drill. And we walked him through the schedule.
Take a bath, drink your milk, sleep, then we will ride the car, go to the airport, ride the plane, then ride the car to Wowa’s other house where mommy, daddy, Hugo, Stella……. are waiting. This advance information helped his young mind process the activities going on. It gives him clarity and less anxiety.
When we were at the waiting lounge, I told him we’re waiting for the lady who will accompany us to the plane. Then we will fly to Wowa’s house. He knew.
He knew he had to wear seatbelt. He knew I had to change his diaper. He knew he had to drink milk. He knew he had to sleep. He knew it would be a long journey. He knew we were traveling far. Nakakatuwa sya, parang matanda na ang isip.
When the plane was ready to take off, we held hands. His left with Wowo, while his right held my hands tight. He said “plane is very fast”. Nakikiramdam. Somehow he knew bumibwelo ang plane and then we were airborne. We held his hands to make him feel everything will be alright. Para yung takot nya mawala.
Theo listened as the flight captain made the announcements, and to welcome passengers.
Theo enjoying a big banana while watching Disney cartoons.
PAL added halo-halo and mais con hielo in their food repertoire.
And look at the flight attendant’s smile. It was oozing with warmth and hospitality. PAL is unbeatable in this field.
I was the only one eating while others were sleeping.
It was a blessing traveling with him and spending almost a month together.
