In May of last year my Grandson Jayden arrived at our house on the mountain here in Bataan Philippines. We were all quite pleased with the new little dude, plus I’m thinking, it’s a good sized house how much room can the little guy take up? The answer to that I’ve found is; “All of it!”
It is all the accouterments that accompany babies that are what surprised me. Okay I am responsible for the first one, the car safety seat, and I demand that it be used anytime my little dude gets into the car, I might be stubborn on that subject but I don’t require a “Baby on Board” sticker on my rear window. I’ve seen too many times when it was posted and in fact no baby was in the car. Now that is just wrong.
One time Ymir Thea (our daughter) took the small guy out with her sister in their car. On Facebook I see a picture of our baby in the front seat on my daughter YoHanna May’s lap. I asked where the car seat was and was informed that Chris’s car didn’t have one. But you do, I pointed out and it pretty much fits all cars. When her eyes cast downward, and I knew; “Message received!”
From a male point of view, the first four months of the baby being here I played a very limited role in his life, I’m not involved in the care or feeding, or diaper duty (And I viewed that as a positive factor) but I was allowed to hold him on occasion and kiss his head every day.
During that time the accumulation of stuff begins. The crib that has every safety warning that OSHA and the Consumer Safety Board can think of attached to it but this is the Philippines and the Jay-Man has never slept in it. But it’s a great place to store other stuff.
Now he had hit the four month mark in his little life and I notice there is a little person blooming there. I’m allowed more time with him, and now he is ready to make the trip out of his protective cocoon and venture to my mother-in-laws house down the road. Remember the road system is now complete and a high-tech stroller is required for that journey, the stroller meets all the safety requirements of the crib, car seat and such. One can never have to many safety concerns when caring for a new baby. (Or if Lolo is buying the stuff)
Now that he is 9 months old.The next purchase, and the thing I like the most, is the baby walker, which I refer to as the “Scooter Pooper” For calling it a walker is a total misnomer as my little buddy has yet to walk using it, he moves at hyper-speed once he discovered he had mobility. He is mine now, we can play chase the Lolo, run over the Lolo’s toes, or the favorite one is crash into anything, and if you hit the Lolo there will be extra points.
The other thing that my daughter is not too happy about, is her son, wants to taste anything his Lolo eats. Jif Peanut butter is to him, a taste sensation, Oreo cookies are manna from heaven, and the list goes on. Oh I forgot Cheez Puffs little tiny yellow fingers and all.
I’ve been granted limited permission to have my new best buddy come on walks in the morning with Coco the Flying Labrador and myself, but I’m required to have adult supervision with me, in the form of my daughter or my wife.
So the bottom line is, my house has become a parking lot for baby stuff, our kitchen has been taken over as a baby supply storage area. But please don’t take my comments as a complaint, because I’m at the point now that without my “Little Dude” around, my life would tend to suck. My goal is to spoil him rotten and create a “Mini-Me” (But without the beer) I was wondering last year how I would adjust to a baby in the house, and now I know. I love it!
Kids are great…. then they grow into teenagers… 😛
Gary;
That is true, but remember he’s “Grandson” so I’ll let his Mom & Dad deal with the teenage years, I’ll be 78 (or not) by the time he gets there.
😛
Can definitely relate. I have my “pag-umangkun” or niece and I like to spoil her but not to the extent of making her a brat in the near future. It’s definitely nice to have a kid around the house. 🙂
Zion;
I agree about that brat part, I won’t put up with that either, being here every day is a far cry from 40 years ago when I had to go to sea for five to six months and missed so much of my kids growing up. I’m enjoying every minute being with the Little Dude and viewing something new every day. You are so right about the fun of them being around the house.
All of these safety warnings on just about everything these days. We grew up without all of these safety labels plastered all over on just about anything significant we buy today. Is it that when we were toddlers and very young people that things were built with better quality and longevity than similar products being marketed today ?
Are we living in a dumb-down world where common sense has faded to the background and people have become more careless than in the past ?
It is not that I have anything against safety or what seem to be an overabundance of safety labeling than we used to have, it is just something that I think about from time to time comparing today and how it was when most of us were when we were Jaydens age. What has changed ?
Good article Paul and it is good to read how you are looking after Jayden regarding safety. Here I believe the use of child seats in vehicles has become manditory for children under a certain age.
Bob;
A joke I read as a cure for stupidity states that we should remove the safety warning from everything and let natural selection run its course.
I really never needed a warning on a step ladder telling me to not stand on the tool tray, as you said common sense should tell you that.
How we survived through the 40’s, 50’s and the 60’s without getting killed is a testament to our upbringing, and nothing else.
Here in the Philippines Child Safety Seats are not required (How would they work on a Jeepney?) but to me just seem like a good idea. My daughter is used to the idea now, and thanked her stubborn old daddy.
Hi Paul,
Great, you have little angel in your family, its seems everything are fine with cute little
angel. Regards and always stay safe.
Anne;
I’ll introduce him to you the next time you guys are in town.
Paul,
It’s always nice to have little ones around the house. It keeps you feeling young and gives you plenty of extra excercise too lol. I know we always got the best quality baby items when my kids were babies. Safety was always the first concern. I think lawsuits is the biggest reason for so many safety warnings. Looking forward to meeting the little guy when we get there. Take care and stay safe.
PapaDuck
Exercise, he’ll he wears my butt out! His crib is the one with the mesh sides not the slats that they make here; I know those local made are death traps. I’ll have him trained to bring us a beer using his Scooter Pooper by the time you get here.
Paul,
I don’t have any kids, but my wife and I want some. I’ve always enjoyed spoiling my nieces. nephews, and god-children. I think the years spent as a child are extremely important, and you’d be surprised at what kids will remember from a young age. So, keep up your GREAT work at being his Grandpa!
Paul;
Kids are fun no matter what their relationship is to you. This is the first time in many a decade I’ve been around one 24/7 and find that I like it, which surprised the crap out of me. I must be mellowing as I age.
Scott;
My ego caused me to head your comment above with my own name vice yours. Really it was a Brain Fart caused by advancing age.
Hi Paul,
Its papaduck birthday….. i want to greet my honey ko HAPPY HAPPY 54TH BIRTHDAY March 1….. wish all the very best for him, paul you have little angel, i have big angel lol… Love you papaduck.
Anne;
If he was on Face Book they would have told me about that Brithday, But Happy Birthday to the Duck!
Paul,
Why do we even bother with the cribs and such. I come home now to a bed full of kids! the crib is used to block the one side to keep the youngest one in our bed. As for the stroller, I guess I bought a good one the very first time. It has been used to push, pull and drag three kids of my own (plus any family or neighbors kids) around so far. I do believe in a few months time I can retire it as the youngest will be 2 next month!
Steve;
The crib is great for storing supplies, toys and other stuff. What the baby is supposed to sleep there? The stroller is used daily but the little walker is his favorite as he can get around quickly and run me over. Retiring soon is a great thing, enjoy!
Paul, where you at in Bataan? I live in Balanga when I’m in the Philippines, but I’m thinking of moving to Orani. Maybe we can hangout sometime when I’m there for a visit?
Manuel;
I live outside of Dinalupihan (Roosevelt) just before the Zambales border. Very close to the “Big PO” Cold beer sounds good to me!