Sunday, February 25, 2007

Just a quick update:

I went into Manila recently and every time we had to turn the car off, the battery died. Turns out that in the Philippines, batteries are only good for max 1 year. They are about 1000 pesos, about $20. We ended up getting a top-of-the-line one with a 1-year warranty for about $30. The driver I hired for the day was shocked that I didn't know that I need to replace the battery every year. I had to tell him that in Canada, I had a car for four years and never once needed to get a new battery and it ran in -20 degree weather.

I have found out that we are only 1 season behind on Grey's Anatomy and a season or two of Desperate Housewives, CSI and House. There are reruns of the Bachelorette and American Idol, Project Runway, America's Next top Model and Survivor. I could probably make a mint betting on who will be the final Survivor. We do get South African survivor too - but the host isn't as good as Jeff Probst. We get up-to-date American Idol, Amazing Race and Rock Star (When it is on). Anyways, I am loving the reality tv shows and it makes me feel a little bit closer to Canada.

Andrew has figured out how to crawl. The only thing is now he won't sit still. Bedtime, diaper changes, clothing changes are very difficult as now not only is he a wiggle bum but he can also crawl away. He is a large 18.8 lbs and 26 inches. He has man boobs and pudgy arms and legs. Still doing open mouth kisses, blowing raspberries and is now working on talking. He started with this sound Dave thinks was like 'Daddy' and now this sound like 'Ah boo.' It could be him trying to say Andrew but that might be wishful thinking. He is also able to imitate you when you splash in the water, and clap your hands and say 'Yeah!.' As always, he is obsessed with Pheobe. He loves looking at her and has been dying to touch her. Well today, she let him. On two separate occasions, Phoebe let Andrew 'stroke' her head. It was more like a hard pat, but she didn't get mad. It surprises me how patient she is with him. Mind you, she must still think that he is her kitten. It is still better than what he does to his stuffies - especially the electronic puppy that Tracey got him and his Turtle from Terry and Laura. Those poor stuffies get mauled. He has some thing about the nose. The bunny bears are no longer his favourites. He just bites the ears, then whips them around by the ears.

Dave's parents were with us for three weeks and we did a trip to Bohol. The resort we stayed in was amazing - and the snorkeling was awesome. Dave's parents did a tour of the tarsiers and the chocolate hills. We also took a small 6 seater plane up to the Rice Terraces and flew over them and the 100 Island National Park and stopped at the Zambales coast for lunch then flew over Mt Pinatubo. The view was amazing but I got a little scared when we went over the volcano and it was a bit bumpy.

My parents will be here in March and will stay until just after Easter. Anyone else up to a visit to the Philippines??

Andrew went to his first birthday party - and the first one in the Philippines. Wow, they go all out!! For a little boy's 2nd birthday they had a catered affair complete with candy floss makers, a bouncy castle, clowns, music, etc. There were even party favours and presents for all the guests. It was for both the parents and the kids. I think there was about 100 people there. It did make Dave and I a little nervous about what we are going to do for Andrew's 1st. Do we do the whole big bash thing like it seems most do here, or do we go for something more low-key and more us. One funny thing was that there was the Jollibee Bee (think of Ronald McDonald) at the party and he did a dance to some song that was all about what you can do to a pussy - stick it don't lick it. And no, we are not talking about a cat. I couldn't believe those lyrics - and especially at a kid's party.

We went to Subic Bay this past weekend and it was nice. Not as nice as Bohol but it was nice to be at the beach. Andrew of course, loves the water. We also went to Ocean Adventures which is like a Sea World but with the tanks right in the China Sea.

There has been some sad news here though, one of Dave's staff members was killed by a drunk driver on her way in to work. It has hit Dave pretty hard - and even though I didn't know her, it was upsetting to me too. Who knows what the legal system will do to the driver - but I don't think it will be much - seeing as there was a case while I was in Canada about a jeepney driver who hit a passenger. then decided to back up and run over the person again since it is cheaper to pay for a funeral than a hospital bill. This is definitely a very sobering and saddening though and has made me be a very, very safe driver.

Hope all is well with you guys,
Love Deb, Dave and Andrew

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