Sunbathing In Clark (2010 Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival)
Jeanne, Michelle, and I went to Clark for some sunbathing today. Okay, so we we’re not really there just for the sun. We went to the 2010 Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival. The balloons were scheduled to fly early so we left the house early since we wouldn’t want to miss the highlight of the show.
After two hours travel, got there just as the balloons were already taking off! The road was congested with cars heading to the show so we decided to hastily stop and park by a side service road. We watched and took pictures as the balloons flew up, farther and farther. We also soaked up the sun which was just coming up. Sunbathing in Clark!
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Languages
I was cradling Jeanne when my dad, who was visiting us, suddenly started talking to her in Tagalog. I struck me how alien it sounded. It’s not that I don’t use Tagalog, it’s just that it was all Tagalog. I guess it really sounded alien to me considering that my first language is a mix of Cebuano and English (ceblish?) and my second is a mix of Tagalog and English (taglish). English, my third language, is always there in the mix. Looking back, it must have been really confusing growing up with so many languages. You get spoken to in Cebuano, English, and later Tagalog. And all the while your reading materials are all in English. Luckily, I turned out reasonably well (or did I? :P) And here I am still aspiring to learn yet another language (French).
Early Morning Scare
Jeanne had been active the past few nights as newborns normally are but for the past two nights, I noticed what I thought was difficult in breathing. We decided, fretful parents that we are, to go to the hospital.
So off we went at 1AM in the morning to hospital. When we got there, we went to the emergency room where one of the nurses checked her vitals. All the readings were normal: 100% oxygen and good heart rate. She was also kicking vigorously, crying strongly, and feeding voraciously. The doctor on duty called Jeanne’s doctor and they both agreed there seems to be nothing wrong but that if we want, we can have Jeanne admitted for observation.
Michelle and I talked about it and eventually decided to just go home to a less stressful environment, observe Jeanne, and just come back at 11AM. In the event the breathing difficulty recurs, we planned to just rush off to the nearest hospital again.
Later in the morning, we went back to the hospital, saw Jeanne’s doctor, and after a lengthy examination, concluded the same as earlier, there seems to be nothing wrong. She assured as that newborns do sometimes breathe irregularly.
Whew!
Jeanne Is Home!
Our little angel is finally home! She was confined in the nursery for a few days initially for observation, but later for antibiotics treatment due to infection cause by meconium inhalation. We were told she’ll be discharged Tuesday but we were glad when her pediatrician told us that she can be discharged by Monday. And so this afternoon, after final check-ups, a lot of paperwork, and bills, we boarded the car for the long drive home.
I had bought an infant car seat in anticipation of this exact moment. We put her in it but she was there only a few minutes and then she started crying for food. We hadn’t prepared a milk bottle had no choice but to unstrap her and breastfeed her. Unfortunately, she takes a long time to nurse, usually a few hours, so we decided to continue on while she’s feeding.
Naturally, I was rather concerned during the whole drive. I have this tendency to be risk-averse and to go for safety equipment. Be it extra camping and diving gear, mask and padded vest for airsoft, seat belts for driving, infant car seats for babies., I usually have it. They’re all easily available but a lot of people don’t use them. The general mindset seems to be that they’re too much of a bother or not necessary. My opinion on this is that sure it’s not comfortable or may be a hassle, but definitely it’s more comfortable than even a minor injury. And it quickly becomes necessary when something untoward happens.
Fortunately, nothing did and after the slow trudge through traffic, we were finally home. Jeanne is finally home! Welcome home baby!