Baby Gage's Lola

Lola’s blogs are her open love letters to her first grandson, Baby Gage, born on August 17, 2010. She is enthusiastic to share her experiences with Baby Gage now while memories are still vivid on her mind. Stories are the building blocks of knowledge and the foundation of memory and learning; it connect us with our humaneness and link past, present, and future by sharing all of the possible consequences of our behavior and actions. Baby Gage is a rebirth of new hope, dreams, and aspirations.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

The Day Before …

“We were on Home Road and Sawmill Parkway, the red light had just turned green when suddenly right in front of our very eyes, pow, two vehicles collided! Oh, my God, it could have been you, your mom, and me in that car wreck…”

It was a warm and beautiful Monday, August 16, 2010, the day before you were born your mother had a doctor's appointment at 2:00 pm. We got ready and left the house early as your mom likes to be prompt. And you should know that she gets upset when we're late. Anyway, I looked forward to accompanying her to the doctors office which was her 37th week of pregnancy check-up. I was curious to hear what the doctor would say about your mother's current condition.

Your mom drove because she gets nervous when I'm behind the wheels. Quite frankly, it was just fine with me because I don't like to drive. In San Francisco, when I'm not taking public transportation, I have people drive me around. So I guess I lack practice.

We were on Home Road and Sawmill Parkway, the red light had just turned green when suddenly right in front of our very eyes, pow, two vehicles collided!

The delivery van to our left collided with the mini-van to our right across the road who failed to stop at the red light. The delivery van to our left was north bound on Home Road in the same direction as we, but at full speed because the light had already turned green by the time he got to the intersection. The mini-van who hit him was east bound on Sawmill Parkway but ran the red light.

Your mother immediately pulled over and we both got out of the car (with my camera in tow) to check on the status of the drivers and passengers. Thank God no one was hurt, at least that was apparent to us; we didn’t see blood, but the victims were definitely shaken and shocked!

The African American man driving the delivery van was near tears and the woman driver of the mini-van who could have been Latin American clearly was scared out of her wits! We felt sorry for all of them. We saw a man with his cell phone calling the police. We stayed on the scene until the sheriff arrived. Meanwhile, while we were waiting, I took some pictures of the accident.

After the sheriff arrived, we told him that we witnessed the incident and offered to give our contact information, but he declined. We were not sure why; perhaps there’s a “No Fault” law in Ohio!

We got back on the car to proceed to the doctor’s appointment in which we are now going to be late for. On the drive we just realized that it could have happened to us! We could have been in that car accident! We were only a car behind the delivery van. It happened so fast! If we were not at a stop light waiting for the green light, it would have been you, your mother, and I colliding with the mini-van from across the road! The gods and the angels must have been watching and definitely protected us.

We arrived at the Women’s Care Center in Columbus on Cherry Way Drive for your mother’s appointment with Dr. Nicole Zochowski. Your mother introduced me to the doctor, the nurse, and office assistant. I went in the examination room with her. The nurse weighed your mother and took her blood pressure and recorded it on her chart. For the second week in a row your mother lost weight as well as her blood pressure was high again.

Finally Dr. Zochowski entered the room; she took her blood pressure again only to confirm that it was still high. Dr. Zochowski also noted (again) that your mother’s feet and legs were swollen; she said that she would probably induce your mother “tomorrow” … that would be Tuesday, August 17th.

Doctor measured size of your mommy's tummy

She instructed your mother to lie down so she could continue her examination.

Doctor listened to your heart beat.

After the examination, Dr. Zochowski said that she will send your mother to St. Anne’s tomorrow, August 17th for inducement. Your mother shared with her doctor that I, (Lola) know about numerology and favors the number 19 better than 16! Dr. Zochowski smiled. I took the opportunity to summarize to Dr. Zochowski in a concerned tone your mother’s condition based from the six days of observation; that your mother was very, very uncomfortable, she was going through some emotional challenges, unable to sleep and rest, and quite frankly, miserable and unhappy!

After a brief pause, Dr. Zochowski said, “Okay, why wait until tomorrow? Given the facts that your blood pressure is still high, you lost weight again, and you’re still swollen; why wait? I’ll go ahead and send you to St. Anne’s Hospital tonight to have you and the baby monitored.”

Before and After

Pregnancy

Suddenly, we were quiet, the three of us; as if the judge had just handed the verdict … We’re going to the hospital today, NOW! We could have the baby anytime in the next 24 hours or sooner!

We got on the car, headed back home to pick-up our bags. Your mom seemed distracted on the drive back to the house. I’m sure so many things were going through her mind. She was scared, nervous, and confused --- the moment she has been waiting for has come, the baby is coming any time soon and she feels ‘alone’! I let her be; she needed her space; she needed to think.

Auntie Angela was excited to meet you!

After we arrived home, your mom called your father to share the news. She told him that we're going to the hospital to start induce the labor. Your mom was in no mood for further discussion, so I took the phone away from her and I said to your father calmly that we're enroute to the hospital now and your mom will be induced tonight. As the father of the baby, we wanted to give him the courtesy and options to participate in the birth of his son; but it was solely his choice.

I was having my own host of emotions, too. First and foremost, I was happy because I would finally meet my grandson, Baby Gage and hold you in my arms yet I was scared for your mom, but I couldn't tell her that because I was supposed to be her source of strength. I should not cry, at least not that she should see. I was ambivalent about how I would fare in the delivery room watching my daughter give birth to my frst grandchild. But she will be so "relieved once the baby is born," I told myself. There were so many emotions from the unknown, oh, how I wished your g’papa was with us to witness this beautiful miracle … the birth of our first grandchild, Baby Gage; a symbol of hope, dreams, and aspirations!

♥♥♥

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Columbus, Ohio …

I took the red-eye flight out of San Francisco to Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, August 10^th and arrived in Columbus on the morning of Wednesday, August 11th, six (6) days before you were born because g’papa and I were concerned over your mother’s condition. Her doctor had put her on bed rest on her 37^th week of pregnancy because she was having health problems.

Her blood pressure was high and she was losing weight, while her thighs, legs, and feet were swollen. The doctor mentioned the possibility of a c-section because it appeared that the baby, you Baby Gage was already too big for her.

Your g’papa immediately changed my flight to leave as soon as possible to take care of your mom because she had no one there to help her especially given her current health challenges. There was no question that I have to be there as soon as possible. She was my first born and I love her very much. I could not believe that she's now going to have a baby ... that she's going to be a mother, too!

The anticipation of seeing my first grandchild born was absolutely amazing. The opportunity to take care of my daughter and grandchild was truly an emotional and rewarding experience! And the time I spent with your mom was very special which I will always remember. I am a very lucky woman ...

I flew on Frontier Airlnes; the seat was so uncomfortable with minimal leg

space even for people with short legs like me! However, for $20, you could purchase additional 5 inches of leg space! Isn't that ridiculous? The bad economy has really affected every sector of the business industry, but that’s another discussion which I will talk to you about later on a separate conversation.

I could never fall asleep on the plane no matter how hard I try. I was not a happy camper on the flight from San Francisco to Milwaukee. We arrived in Milwaukee about 6:00 am with a transfer flight to Columbus at 7:30 am but it was delayed another hour; I skipped breakfast because there was no time to eat and after waiting over an hour they announced that the plane will be late! Making sure I ate and on time was your g’papa’s strict “order” to me. I already didn’t listen! And he's always right! Darn! I miss your g’papa. This was my first long distance flight in a long time and without him!

Finally the plane showed-up and we boarded on a small plane to Columbus. I liked the small plane because we have more space per passenger and there was no more than 24 passengers on the plane. It reminded me of the private planes I traveled on for business. We arrived in Columbus nearly 10:00 am and I could not help but feel the humidity. The weather forecast was thunderstorm with heat index of 100-104 degree from noon to 8:00 pm tonight! I've never been to Ohio before. Welcome to the Mid-West!

I called your mother to let her know that my plane arrived. She was already outside waiting for me. I was delighted to see her; she looked very pretty. But she looked much bigger than the last time I saw her in San Francisco for her Baby Shower in June. We drove straight home to Powell, about 40 minutes from the airport. Not much later after we got home, it rained.

Staying idle is never my strong suit. I like to keep busy. I don’t enjoy sitting down doing nothing. I like to work on something and see tangible results. I loathe laziness and lazy people! Make a note of that, Baby Gage. So while we were waiting for you to decide when to come out of your mommy’s tummy, I spent the six days keeping myself busy starting from your mother’s house!

Due to your mom’s condition, it was difficult for her to clean the house. Although she hired cleaning people, they just don’t clean as well as I do! Besides, my assessment is that the furnishings needed to be re-arranged anyway. And that warranted a thorough general cleaning first. So I cleaned ... and re-arranged her house!

Your poor mother was too weak to argue with me so she just trusted me! But it was all good. Your mother liked the way I re-arranged her house! As a matter of fact, it was so clean and everything was organized except your mom claimed that ... now she could not find her things!

I got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed your mother's bathroom floor clean! I cleaned it so well that she could deliver you right on the bathroom floor! By the way, I don't even clean my own houses the way I cleaned your mom's house. We hire people to clean our two homes.

In my enthusiasm to clean, I accidentally broke her big glass soap container which cut my hand! It cut through the Playtex glove and my hand bled profusely. When your mother saw it, she checked the cut, wrapped my hand with a white towel and immediately drove me to the “Urgent Care Clinic” as I will need stitches! On the drive, I asked your mother not to go on labor while she was driving me to the doctors! When we arrived at Urgent Care Clinic, the ladies at the front desk was confused as to who the patient was. They looked at your mother and said, “I hope you’re not on labor because if you are, you’re in the wrong clinic!” We laughed! The doctor gave me three stitches and I have a slight scar to show you someday.

One thing about your mom is that she must have “Over Compulsive Disorder” – (“OCD”) because just about everything in her house is arranged in some sort of order, like the Library of US Congress! Her DVD’s are in alphabetical order according to category. The gadgets in her garage are in boxes arranged by type or use with the boxes clearly labeled, all stacked in one corner. The dishes on her table are according to the seasons.

Your clothes are all organized and grouped by age and/or sizes folded in clear bags. The clothes that are in hangers are also separated and identified by age or sizes. The hangers are all the same brand and same color; hangers are hanged the same direction and so with the clothes; from short sleeves to long sleeves, to color, etc. Your shoes are held together by pairs with a vinyl string and velcro. Organizaton is the common theme throughout her house; everythng is organized!

Let’s see how you’ll fare in your mom’s organized home! I’m sure that she will train you early so you would be organized, too just like your mom and that's GOOD!

While we waited for you to come out, your mom showed me around town. She took me to a Japanese restaurant called “Tokyo Sushi” because I was craving for some “sashimi,” that’s raw fish.

Top on my list of favorites are Hamachi (yellow tail), red, white, and blue tuna. Yum, thinking of them makes my mouth water! But unfortunately, not only that the choices were limited but the food was not as delicious.

We are so spoiled living in San Francisco where you can eat the best authentic ethnic food anywhere in the world!

Powell, Ohio just does not compare!

We also went to “TGI Friday’s,” a restaurant chain where we met her girlfriend, Ashley. Ashley was also pregnant, expecting a baby girl in two weeks after your due date. Both pregnant ladies had desserts while I had a glass of God awful red wine! On the other hand, the two pregnant ladies voraciously devoured their calorie-rich sugar loaded desserts!

Your mother took me to Liberty Park for the annual picnic of the Philippine American Society of Central Ohio (PASCO) where we ate some pretty good Filipino food and met some pretty nice Filipinos! We asked them to help us find a Filipina babysitter for you!

Your mother wanted her nails to look good when she goes to the hospital, so we went to get manicure and pedicure at the Vietnamese nail salon where she goes. I was surprised that men worked at the nail salon; I guess I just never had a guy work on my nails and toenails before! But I could not believe how expensive it was for a mani & pedi -- $100? I can get one for $20 in the Marina and $30 downtown and they do a great job! Your mom said its about "supply and demand."

But one thing I could say that was very good and San Francisco quality was the massage we got at “Massage Envy” or “ME” appropriately named! It's your mom's massage parlor. The place was clean, modern, and the total ambiance was very relaxing and spa like; the ladies at the front desk were nice, friendly, and knowledgeable; the supplies they use are natural herbs and aroma therapy; and the massage therapists are certified and well trained! They were so good that we all had several massages. Body massage is very important because we live in a fast-paced society and it’s very rare we have a moment to focus on our own bodies. That’s one of the healing benefits of massage; it’s a meditative time to focus inward and relax. I had the massage therapist worked on my head, neck, hands, arms, back, legs, and feet. I was in heaven!

On August 14^th, three days before you were born, I drove to the hospital for a dry run with your mother. That way if your mother goes into labor in the middle of the night, I would know how to get her to the hospital! But the dry run turned into wet run with rain and thunderstorm! All right, it was sort of romantic but nerve-racking. First you hear the thunder, then it got windy, then a bunch of small golden leaves accompanied the wind as it glided on our windshield, then the rain poured! I must admit that the golden leaves blowing with the wind was beautiful, I don’t think I‘ve ever seen that before. But driving in the rain and thunderstorm was a bit too intimidating!

And all I could think of was, “Your mother best not go into labor in the middle of the night during the rain and thunderstorm because she might just have you on the bathroom floor! …”

♥♥♥

Saturday, October 2, 2010

My Brown Eyed Girl ...

Your mother lived nearly four years in Noosa Heads, Australia; a calm, affluent, low profile resort. She had some great fun there. Lola and your Auntie Angela have some great memories shared with your mom. Here are some of the highlights of Lola's fun times in Australia.

Noosa is like Carmel in Monterey, California. Her home was big and beautiful. Here are a few pictures of it.

She also traveled back and forth to Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. She watched cultural shows in Sydney and ate at wonderful restaurants in Melbourne. She loved to shop in Brisbane and visited the horse race track there. She's in some ways like your great-grandmother, Adele. She, too loved betting on horse races back home in the Philippines! She said that she used to dream of "numbers" and when she's awakened in the morning, she would remember the numbers and place her bet on the horses with the corresponding number ... and she won a few times!


Sydney Harbour Bridge beyond, public saltwater pool bottom


Sydney City I saw the most beautiful full moon in Sydney when we went skinny-dippin'! The reflection of the moon light onto the water was simply spectacular; particularly when I fanned my hand into the water creating some sort of ripple lines, oh, how the water glistened under the full moon ... utter magnificence!

Losing at the races at Eagle Farm Race Course, Brisbane

She ate like one of the boys but hardly gained any weight!

Toni and Lola attended the Melbourne Cup in 1995 held every year in November where the whole town shuts down for two weeks. We had Members' Reserve tickets and celebrated the event the way the Aussies did ... drinking Dom Perignon champagne in the back seat with our chauffeur behind the wheels. Sweet!

Toni with her race horse, Apres Ski


Toni and Lola with the horse trainer, Rodney Strong at a Cafe.

Toni learned to surf in Tea Tree where they have the best waves and biggest crowds!

A typical day: clad in bikini, hat, sunnies, cup of coffee, head out to the beach!

Fun times in Australia!

92 degree heat in December, Noosa Main Beach

One of my happiest and memorable moments with your mother in Australia was when we went to Rainbow Beach; a 12 kilometer beach with exceptional sand dunes, rain forests on sand, pristine blue water and white sandy beach for miles away. It was one of the few beaches where they allow 4WDriving which Toni happens to drive, a Toyota RAV 4! With our back pack and camcorder in tow, we got on the road! We had to embark on the barge to get to the island. Along the way, we saw dolphins playing. It was a beautiful day!

We got off the barge and followed the road in the rain forests until we got to the coastline. We immediately rolled-up our windows and headed toward the water ... As soon as we got to the beach, I couldn't have orchestrated it any better, one of my favorite songs, Van Morrison, "Brown Eyed Girl" came on the radio. We were happily and loudly singing along the radio while big gushes of water were hitting our windshield and windows. I tried to record the experience but it was hard to stay still as I kept slippin' and sliden' off my seat! Your mother was driving in a zigzag manner, obviously having way too much fun! I dropped my camcorder several times on the floor (we didn't break it!) but we had a blast!

After the beach, we headed for the sand dunes! Four-wheelin’ here we come! We were having so much fun drivin' and turnin' on the sand dunes until we got stuck in one of those exceptional sand dunes! We couldn’t get out of the sand! But we kept trying until ... we broke the drive shaft! I remember deliberately thinking not to take any pictures of the RAV4 stuck on sand or on the tow truck because our amusement quickly ended!

We called a tow truck to rescue us. Mind you that the tow truck that showed up was a HUGE flat bed! The sight of the Toyota RAV 4 on top of the flat bed and the flat bed tow truck on the barge still remains vivid on my mind and it makes me chuckle today - With you, my brown eyed girl …