Maria Jacinta Therese

On XX XXXXX 2018, Pia gave birth to Maria Jacinta Therese.

She weighed 7.4 pounds and measured 49 centimeters.

It was the first ceasarian delivery for Pia. Nevertheless, Mike was allowed inside the operating room before Sinta was delivered via cesarian section.

Mike and Pia were happy to find out that letting the baby latch on to the mother is now required in hospitals.

Jose's Birthday Bike

On the morning of Jose's third birthday, Mike and Pia surprised Jose with a bike. 

They then took the children for a morning bike ride.

Jose enjoys the speed.

Ready Steady Go

Mike and Pia learned about Ready Steady Go even before the Australian sports program for children came to the Philippines.

They knew this was something Jose would love to do, so when the program was finally offered at home, they enrolled Jose.

Four Plus One

From the paternal side, Tala and Jose gained another cousin this year.

Welcome Gabe!

Two Plus Two

From the paternal side, Tala and Jose have two cousins. Their ages are close to each other so they play easily together.

Mike and Pia would try their best to capture images of the four during play together. 

But its not easy. 

A lot of fun moments just happen too quickly. And besides, seeing those moments through pictures or screens is not the same as seeing them as they happen. 

Still, while the four don't see each other often, when they do...

Ninongs and Ninangs

Even before Tala and Jose were born, Mike and Pia already had a plan on how to choose the godparents of their children.

1.  First, Mike and Pia would choose all their siblings as the godparents for their first born.  They made no assumption that they would have more than one child, even though they hoped for more than one. 

2.  If or when they are blessed with another child, they would choose the wives or husbands of all their siblings as godparents for their second child.

3.  If a sibling (godparent to their first born) is unmarried, they would choose their sibling's fiancee or girlfriend/boyfriend as a godparent.  In the absence of a significant other, Mike and Pia would choose from their close family friends.

4.  The subsequent child or children of Mike and Pia may have more ninongs and ninangs (but never less) than their older child or children.

Thus for Tala, her godparents are five:

1. Mike's younger brother and sister

2. Pia's older sister and younger brother and sister.

For Jose, his godparents are eight:

1. Husband and wife of Mike's younger sister and brother, respectively.

2. Fiancee (now wife) of Pia's younger brother.

3. Three of Mike oldest school friends and two of Pia's co-shepherds.

UPDATE (2015):

Tala asked why Jose had more Ninongs.

Depending on their ages, we will have to explain to Tala and Jose both the Catholic rules on godparents and the cultural peculiarities of certain Filipino communities.

First, how many? Catholic canon says "One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex."

Second, why so many? Tatay says "It's a matter of culture and security. We intend that there will always be someone to fulfil the duties of godparents to our children, regardless of future eventualities."

Third, why more? Tatay says "We're waiting for your ninangs to get married."

Inflatable Pool Fun

A big enough space in an enclosed compound has its advantages. One of which is enough space and privacy for some instant water fun on a hot day.

The kids couldn't wait.

Tala, Julian and Jose playing in Ninong Vin's inflatable pool.

Birth Day Songs

On the day Tala Marie Isabel was born, while Mike and Pia were on the way to the hospital, the music playing on the car radio was Lisa Stansfield's "This is the Real Thing".

It was the one song that played completely from start to finish during their hurried trip to the hospital.  When it came to the chorus, Pia couldn't help but giggle. On hindsight, Mike felt it appropriate.  The song fits Tala's personality.

Then came the day Jose Andres Miguel was born. Mike and Pia were again on the same route going to the hospital. This time one song again played completely from start to finish.  It was "Lupang Hinirang", the Philippines' national anthem.

Mike couldn't help but laugh a little.  If Tala is the family's star, Jose will probably be its hero.

Jose Andres Miguel

On XX XXXXX 2012, Pia gave birth to Jose Andres Miguel.

He weighed 6 pounds and measured 58.8 centimeters.

Mike was again right beside Pia in the delivery room.  Mike took the video this time because there was no one available to take the video.

After the preliminaries, the doctors attempted to have the little baby boy latch unto Pia.

Three Names Again

When Pia and Mike found out they were having a baby boy, they knew it would be a challenge in giving him a name.

Choosing their daughter's name had set up naming precedents they wanted to follow. Just like their daughter's name, Mike and Pia wanted their baby boy's name to be composed of three names.

The first name they agreed upon was "Jose", a variant for "Joseph". They wanted to name their son after St. Joseph, just as their daughter was named after St. Mary.  (Tala's second name is "Marie", a variant of "Mary".)

The first name was an easy choice but the next two names weren't.  In fact, Mike and Pia were stuck for several months.

Christening of Tala

Sometime in November 2010, Mike and Pia had their daughter baptized at their Parish.

It was a simple, quiet and intimate ceremony attended by the parents and siblings of Mike and Pia.  

Tala Marie Isabel

On XX XXXXX 2010, Pia gave birth to Tala Marie Isabel.  

She weighed 6.7 pounds and measured 58.8 centimeters.

Mike was right beside Pia in the delivery room.  He was there to receive the baby from their obstetrician as the anesthesiologist took the video.

Personal Journal Entries:
There She Was
The First Minute of Tala Marie Isabel's Life (Video)

Baby Tea Party

Tala's aunts, Gem and Ina, hosted a "tea party" baby shower for Pia and Tala last 26 September 2010.

Instead of the usual activities for baby showers, Ina thought of something different for Tala and her guests.

Choosing Three Names

Mike and Pia began the search for their baby girl's name last July 2010.  They first short-listed it down to two names:

"Anna Elizabeth"

"Maria Isabelle"

However, Mike knew by experience that having a common name can be more inconvenient than having a long name.  So they decided that they needed one more name to complete their daughter's name. That name, Mike and Pia felt, needed to be Filipino in origin.

Attending Childbirth Class

Feeling the need to learn as much as they can about the coming birth of their baby, Mike and Pia started to attend weekly Childbirth Classes beginning 14 August 2010.

Since they were praying for a natural delivery, it seemed like the next logical step in their preparations.

Boy or Girl

On 29 July 2010, Mike and Pia went to their doctor's clinic for Pia's checkup.  This particular visit to the clinic will be special.  After months of waiting, Mike and Pia will finally get to know more about their little one.

They will soon find out if their baby will be a boy or a girl.