Nicquee's Nook – Page 366

2009 Hot Air Baloon Festival

It was a pretty busy weekend for Mon, Ayex and me but we surely had fun! We had loads of firsts too that we want to share with you.

February 14, 2009: It’s actually Valentine’s day but Mon and I didn’t plan a date just for the two of us. Instead, we planned an out of town with our tot and Ate Meriam! Ayex loves seeing airplanes and balloons so much. I on the other hand have never seen real hot air balloons before while Ate Meriam has not seen other places in this side of the Philippines since she got here October of 2007. And so Mon thought of bringing us to our first Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, Pampanga.

We left early in the morning, around 5am, so we can catch most of the flying activities. Good thing our ride was smooth and fast. We hit the heavy traffic inside the airbase, because cars started to park on the sides of the streets to take pictures. Luckily, we had some view inside the car.

Our view inside the car

Ayex delighted as she sees the big balloons flying above us while I had fun looking at the para gliders. Soon we found ourselves in the parking area. Too bad we forgot to bring Ayex’s stroller so I had to carry her. There was a long line to the ticket booth but I was able to get our tickets fast. Inside, there were a lot of booths: henna tattooing, souvenir shops, foods, clothes, etc. We found ourselves amusing at the different exhibits in the welcome area sponsored by the Air Force of the Philippines. There were picture area, gun area and plane area. I was amazed! Ayex, on the other hand took a while before she realized she was seeing real planes!

Mon’s pictures with the Ayex and the Army

Among all of us, Mon is probably the second happiest person in this trip as it’s his dream to be part of the military even before we got married. He took every chance he could have to pose for pictures! Hahaha! It was so hot as the event is on an open ground area but I still enjoyed. I had photo ops with Ayex as well on the planes.

Mommy and Ayex

The area is packed of families with their kiddos. We decided to have an early lunch first before going somewhere else as most of the flying activities are over by 10am. Note to self, next time we attend this festival, we’ll bring lots of food and water as the food inside is super expensive yet very ordinary. After the lunch, we went around Clark. By that time, Ayex is already sleeping. We went to several duty free shops where I got to jeans: Guess and Levi’s – both my first. After shopping, we went to the Dream Office where Mon worked for 5 years before. After the short visit, we went back to Manila. That was around 5pm.

Quitting – Phase I

I had a very very very bad day last Monday. I had trouble letting my milk down as I was so stressed. I was supposed to attend a meeting but due to circumstances, I told hubby to pick me up already as I wanted to go home. After a few minutes of trying, my milk still won’t come out. I finally gave up, mind already aching because of anger. I told myself I’ll just express milk when I get home. I produced barely an ounce of milk.

After eating dinner at that night, I told hubby to prepare my pump so I can make Aye’s milk for the net day. After a few seconds, I told him that I’ll probably rest already as I’m too tired. The next day, before I took a shower, I checked if hubby was able to put inside the fridge the little milk I made. I saw a bottle in the sink after looking inside the fridge. Then I found out that MIL threw the milk. I just dismissed it to cut the long story short and told them (MIL and Ate Meriam) to feed Ayex with Dutchmill and Chocolait. So that Tuesday, Ayex didn’t have breastmilk during daytime.

When we came home, I immediately asked Ate Meriam how was Ayex given that she didn’t have breastmilk after we left the house for work. She said she was just fine. She asked for water most of the time and would ask them to open the fridge so she can get “milk” by herself. I was relieved. I had the feeling that Ayex would be all thirsty for milk from time time we left her until we come back. So I asked Ate Meriam, “Sa tinging mo pwede na akong hindi mag express ng milk? (Do you think I can stop expressing milk already?” And she said yes.

So today, it is the second day that I come to work without my pink tweety lunch bag. I told hubby that I will stop expressing milk at work as it is also tiring for me but I also told him that I will still continue to breastfeed Ayex during nighttime and exclusively on weekends. I don’t think I’m already ready to quit breastfeeding Aye altogether, that’s why my title has “Phase I”. I’m still leaning towards child-lead weaning.

February Iteneraries

Hubby told me a month ago that he wanted to bring our little angel to the Clark for the 2009 Hot Air Balloon Festival. When he told me about it, I just said ok, I didn’t bother confirming when it would be.

Today, I saw a friend’s post in multiply about the same event. It said the date is February 12-15, 2009. That’s next week! We haven’t ironed out our plans but we definitely want to bring Ayex there. Why? Because she’s so in loved with airplanes and balloons. When she sees an airplane she would call out “daddy” and “mommy” or whoever she’s with and will point to the sky. She would gaze at the airplane until it is our of her sight. As for the balloons, she just loves them. We took a lot home from the Halloween Party our office held last year in Fun Ranch. These balloon were kept hanging from our ceiling for weeks until they were already too small.

We don’t know yet when in the four-day festival we’ll attend but I’m sure we will. I’m quite excited as I’ve never been there before. I searched the Internet for the event and found a comprehensive marketing write up, which also includes the schedule of event. The event would start at 5:30AM according to the schedule posted, which got me thinking, are we going to travel that early or should we just book a hotel overnight? Still to be planned with hubby.

Next week would probably be the one of the busiest weekends I’ll ever have if we go to the Hot Air Balloon Festival on a Saturday. The mommies in the forum that I joined recently were having their first eyeball! Of course I wanted to join them since it’s an opportunity for me to meet new people and learn the art of socializing again! At first I was worried at the schedule because they chose a Sunday, lunch time. Then I thought, I’ll just bring Mon and Ayex along then let them go around after the lunch. Another father and daughter moment for them while I find new friends!

I’m so excited! I hope that both events will be successful for all the attendees and organizers a like.