sage, rowan, hector and the bigger kids

In the last few days of last year, Alex and Kate treated us to a pictorial - for our kids (their son, Hector, and our daughters Sage and Rowan) of course; but we bigger kids naturally got into the act as well.



(Just kill the music; something in the way I uploaded must have gone haywire, sorry.)

daughters

There's an old cliche that goes something like "Nakakatanggal ng pagod kapag makita mo ang mga anak mo paguwi galing sa trabaho". And while not 100% true (I'm still tired and sometimes doze off - it seems love can be soporific), I'm always happy to see my girls (siyempre, pati ang asawa). When I get home from work, we all sprawl on the big bed (careful not to crush the infant) and marvel at Rowan's desire to stand, at her powerful kicks, at the way she gazes out at the world and every new thing.

Sage loves holding her baby sister (though I must confess extreme anxiety when I see her walking around the house with Rowan in her arms - natatakot ako na baka mahulog kasi), reading her books, and singing to her.

The impatient part of me wants Rowan to start talking, so we can have a conversation. But another part of me knows to value this time in my youngest daughter's life, when her mother and I have all the answers to her needs and inarticulate questions.

It always saddens me, thinking about the future, when my daughters are fully grown. It's a given that things will change, yes, but I hope that I'll be the type of father who remains relevant in their lives. I know it's too far, way off into multiple tomorrows, but, well...

rowan's baptism

Me, Nikki, Sage and little Rowan

rowan - short vid

Because the embed function of YouTube completly defies me, just head on over here.

From my sister, Jo (and Coldplay)!

rowan alfar

Rowan Alfar, the newest and tiniest Alfar, joined us this morning, July 23, 2008.

The bundle of nerves masquerading as myself was terrified of something going wrong with the procedure, but Nikki - morphined and all - glided through safely.

I thought that Lily was a lovely name for a child, but Rowan is better, stronger, more unique, and better matched with Sage.

Despite myself, I'm enjoying St. Luke's hospital with its free WiFi, courteous people and good private rooms. It's different from Cardinal Santos where we had Sage. Or maybe I'm just in feel-good mode - until I see the bill (ouch!).

Anyway, when I first held my new daughter right after she was born, she fit perfectly in the crook of my arm.

She's mine and I'm hers, in a way that is unique to us both.

Now all we want to do is go home...