Monday, February 20, 2006

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.

Friday, February 17, 2006

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.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

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.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

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!

Sunday, February 05, 2006


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

No box in the world can hold Veronica!

You can see that Rani gets her good looks from Grandpa.


Staying warm with Granny and Grandpa




Veronica loves the blocks that Ninong Mike and Ninang Cassondra gave her.