Rani came out to welcome Papa home from a long day at the hospital. Of course, once the camera came out, Rani's priorities changed immediately.

Another Drinking Problem

Rani shows remorse after a exhibiting her "drinking problem" during a visit from Unca Hatch, Auntie Rissa, and cousin Jacko. Veronica found that babies and Dr Pepper don't go well together.

Rani-2D2...Kenny Baker Eat Yer Heart Out

Ninang Cassondra took Rani for a ride in the R2D2 toybox. Rani LOVED it!

Last weekend, Granny and Grandpa came up to visit Rani, and we all had a good time.

Rani listened attentively to Grandpa's stories, even breaking into applause on occasion.

They even had a face-making competiton. Grandpa's greater experience helped him overcome the novice, though she'll likely demand a rematch.

When Granpa had to give Rani her "goodbye neck sugar", she was sooooo sad to see him and Granny leave.

As part of our Spring cleaning, Rani helped us put away some of her older toys.

After returning home from the Philippines, we had a lot of laundry to do. Rani dug down to the bottom of the hamper to help us out.

Ice Cream.....Ummmmmmm

While we were visiting the Philippines, Rani tried her first ice cream.

The taste, temperature and texture did not please her, at least not initially.

But she did go back for more.

Happy Birthday!!!

Here are the pictures from Rani's birthday party, which was held at a Jollibee restaurant. A great time was had by all, as you will see, below.

While she fought getting into it, Rani really liked her pretty Chinese birthday dress. She wasn't too sure about the shoes, though.

Rani enjoyed Jollibee's performance, and she even tried to steal the buttons off his coat.

Ate Eia was scared of Jollibee, and, deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, she hid under the table.

Daddy and Kuya Matt hanging out at the party.

Tita Kaye has her breath taken away by Rani's birthday festivities.

From atop her throne, Veronica watches the games staged for her pleasure.

Rani enjoyed being the center of attention.

Happy Birthday! The characters on the cake are as popular in the Philppines as Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar, and Grimace are in the States.

Gwapo!

Kuya Matt, at Rani's party. He's ready for the hills of Tennessee with those overalls.

Nice Hat, Mama!

Hey Mama, love the hat!

Mykah and Che at Rani's Jollibee Birthday party.

Baby Rani with two of Mama's best friends, Neri (holding the birthday girl) and Aileen. Rani is looking forward to seeing Ninang Neri this Summer when she's doing her residency in NYC.

Dr Ninang Neri

Another of Rani with Ninang Neri.

Ate Mykah, aka "The Destructor"

Ate Eia loves Baby Rani.

Ate Eia standing guard over the playpen.

Mommy, Daddy, and Rani in the living room.

Mama, Tita Yeya holding Rani, Tita Kay, and Ate Eia in stripes, all excited to say "Tapus na" about the baptism.

Another picture of the Baptism. As you can see, the February weather is lovely.

Here's Veronica with her Tita Tin-Tin.

Rani Loves Jollibee

Rani Loves Jollibee

Veronica's "official" birthday party yesterday was a huge success. Veronica nearly gave herself neck strain trying to watch everything at once, and she especially had eyes for "Jollibee", the hosting restaurant's mascot. Ate Eia and Ate Mykah, her older cousins were afeared of the monstrous bewinged insect, but not the birthday girl. She did her best to pull the poor guy's head off, but settled for giving him a kiss when her efforts failed.

Future's So Bright...

Future's So Bright...
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

...that she's gotta wear shades. Rani was the life of the party, and she loved dancing with her Lolo (that's grandfather to you 'Canos). Lolo loaned Rani his shades so that she could hide from her fans.

A Cooler Do'

A Cooler Do'
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

Part of Veronica's strategy for coping with the tropical heat has been putting up her hair. With her hair up, she looks even more like her Mama.

Drivin' Is Easy

Drivin' Is Easy
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

Rani may be 15 years from her license, but she showed us that she has this driving thing down pat.

Rani In Holy Rapture

Rani In Holy Rapture
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

You can see that Rani is nearly overwhelmed just after her Baptism. The fact that she screamed every time she was touched with holy water has given us some cause for concern.

Not Amused

Not Amused
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

You can see that Veronica was not amused at having her pre-party hairdressing interrupted. Papa apologizes, most humbly.

Current Events

DSCN1979
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

Even though Veronica is on vacation, she continues to keep up with current events. Here you see her and Cuya Matt working their way through the Philippine Inquirer.

Rani and Ayeng

Rani and Ayeng
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

During our recent visit to The Enchanted Kingdom, Rani listens attentively as Tita Ayend gives her instructions regarding proper behavior for a young lady in an amusement park.

Something's Marbaho!

Something's Marbaho!
Originally uploaded by pclem70.

Rani is having a blast in the Philippines. Here, she shows off her "Popeye" face.

What A Day!

Today is a day that Ferlie and I will always remember.

Veronica is now REALLY talking! Prior to today, she would say "Dad-dah" and wave to me, say "Hi" when she saw someone new, and with some heavy duty prompting she might blurt out a "Mamama". That was about it.

This morning, as a bunch of assorted cousins were brawling about on the floor, Rani looked at me, held up her arms and said "Up Dad-dah". I was amazed. I picked her up, kissed her, and gave her a few quick bounces. I put her back down, called for witnesses, and she repeated her request/command/monologue. Now, she'll hardly stop with it.

A bit later, after she'd mastered the art of turning the lights off and on by wallswitch, she pointed at the fixture and clearly said "light". We forced her to repeat this for a few thousand cousins, aunts, and uncles before our pride was slaked.

To top it all off, Veronica chose today to be her first day to stand up without a handhold. She went from her back, to her butt, to her knees, and then just stood. She maintained her balance with a series of twists and two waving arms. For all of five seconds, my little girl stood tall.

It's still a few days to her first birthday, but my little girl's not a baby any more.

It meant so much to her Mama and I to have been with her for each of these moments.

What a day!

Would you take a bottle from this guy? Unca Rogers came up to visit, and we all had a good time.