Here is an update of Evan at 3 1/2 years old via my posts from Facebook. I actually like doing it this way since is detailed especially the talking part which are oftentimes unpredictable and funny.

Evan after his haircut. It was my first time giving him one without turning on the tv for him to watch. He fidgeted more but wasn't too bad. I actually like it better since he bends his head when I ask him too and not resist because he's looking at the tv screen.

Oct 19 Yesterday after church while I was driving Evan told me again, "you're a genius!". I asked, "how about daddy?" His answer? "Nah, me and daddy are boys." He has a point.

Tom suspects I am brainwashing his son.

Oct 21 I think I'll have to rescue my husband from my son. He's probably read half of the 192 page toddler Bible already, but Evan kept asking for the "last, last one!" That's the 5th "last, last one."

Tom is clearly a putty in Evan's hands.

Oct 26 Last night Evan to his daddy: "No TV today." Promptly takes the remote control and cuts short his dad's football game.

Guess who's the boss of us?

Oct 29 during last night's dinner Evan and I shared a pinakbet with fried fish given to us by a filipino friend's mom. It was so good that Evan fought over me for the last sitaw (string bean) lol. 

Yup, still loves his veggies. We can turn into vegetarian and Evan wouldn't miss anything. Can't say the same for the father.

Nov 3 Me: "what did they give you for snacks in school this morning?" Evan: "applesauce and spoon!"

Just when I started feeling sorry for my starving son he did later add they had crackers too.

   Nov. 6 While walking to the gym I saw something fell out from Evan's right pant leg... his Spiderman briefs.

A cousin asked if he was embarrassed. I told her far from it, Evan even helped me relate to story to the gym's babysitter staff. He did have another brief on.

Evan painting while wearing the Ironman mask I made him. I was excited about this small table (comes with 2 chairs) that I got from a second hand store for $20. I have been looking for one for a long time. I like it because it's just the right size and sturdy!

Nov. 9 I was running my hands on Evan's hair just checking his scalp curiously when my son protested, "mommeeeee, what are you doing? I'm a boy not a girl!" He then added on a lower tone, "it makes me nervous." 

He got that "makes me nervous" line from me, I say it to him when he is in a precarious position or too far in the sidewalk.  But his use in this context was hilarious.

Nov. 11 I picked Evan from school when we ran into his gym teacher at the parking lot. "Hi Mr. *Robert!" my son greeted him, "I had fun in your class this morning." The look on his teacher's face was priceless. We have a 3 year old politician in our hands.

We are still scratching our head where he got this extrovertness from since his father and I are both on the quiet side (although you won't guess that of me in this blog haha). We hope Evan will remain that way through his adulthood, it is an asset especially in whatever career he choses.

Nov. 14 was at Evan's school volunteering this morning. Met a volunteer-dad of mexican ethnicity who said he was going home early to watch Pacquiao fight. Funny how I am the filipino and I am not remotely interested in watching. I just don't like boxing (or most sports for that matter haha).

Okay, this is not exactly about Evan but it is an interesting bit on my life and the people I meet by being involved in my son's school activities.

Nov. 15 Evan was already asleep when we arrived last night. Right after waking up he didn't barge into our room for warm milk or a kiss like he usually does. He actually looked surprised to see me join him in the living room 45 minutes later. Clearly he assumed he was home alone this morning. I am amazed that didn't bother him. 

This was the morning after my date night with Tom.

Evan playing my favorite game. Pretend sleeping.

Nov. 15 Evan shines his mini flashlight down his daddy's throat. "No spiders, " he declared, satisfied.

Funny.

Nov. 19 baked a super yummy, HEALTHY blueberry muffin recipe for Evan's school snack today I found from a library book. So glad to find the recipe posted on their website. It's hard for me to appreciate store bought baked goods anymore.

According to Evan, his classmates loved the muffins. Evan actually ate 2 of these in one day, which is very unusual.

Nov. 20 at lunch yesterday. Evan and a classmate, who he calls his girl friend, made a move to kiss and hug each other while giggling. "No kissing," I ordered, "you two will get sick." (both were nursing colds). Apparently I was too late. "We kissed in the gym," my son informed me.

I don't mind the kissing, not just in the lips. Especially when they're sick! I bet it was Evan who made the first move since he loves to kiss me many times a day. "I want kiss and hug," he would oftentimes say in sometimes inconvenient situations, like in the middle of lunch and with food in his mouth.

Yesterday Evan read his first word last night. "Mmmmm...eeehhhh....nnnnn....MEN!" from a small box in the bathroom. I am so excited!

No thanks to the $30 kit that I bought. We haven't even gotten around to it yet. Also, upon closer look it won't be really helpful since it's about mastering the alphabet which is too basic for Evan. Wish I could return it but my son already wrinkled the box.

Yesterday overheard from the living room tonight. Tom: "God, I love popcorn!" Evan: "Where is God?" Tom (laughing): "God is everywhere." Evan: "He is in the refrigerator."

Maybe he knows something we don't.

There is this busy street between our house and downtown. During my early days here in the U.S. I have witnessed a couple of car accidents in its intersection. There is something about this street that makes people drive carelessly. In fact, I wasn't alone in my observation, within 2 years instead of "cross traffic does not stop" signs on the North-South streets it became a "Stop" on all 4 corners.

That was 4 years ago. I don't know what it is in this street that makes the West-East drivers still feel they have the right of way. Are most of them not from the area and just ticked off that having 2 successive traffic lights before and after this intersection makes them want to bear down on a crossing pedestrian or even another vehicle? I swear, just a nanosecond pause from me behind the wheel is already a long enough cue for the West-East drivers to cut me off.

Just this afternoon, I crossed southwards and was in the middle of the road when this SUV barrelled down past me. This twentysomething woman driver had her big sunglasses trained in front of her pretending to be unaware of this person in the middle of the street. I felt like slapping my hands on the door (yes, that was how close I was) and jolting her awake. HELLO!!! Driver's Ed, anyone?

Still, nothing is worse than trying to cross that street with your small child. One time, we were at the curb but had to pull back when, from my left peripheral vision, I saw a car trying to beat us to the crosswalk. I was so mad, I yelled out, "ASSHOLE!" to the passing car loud enough for my voice to bounce across building walls. I mean, seriously.

Don't underestimate moms with small kids. Moms will kill to protect their child. One time I swore I was going to make a big sign with the word "IDIOT!" emblazoned across it that I can take along and flash to offending drivers when Evan and I am at that road. After a few incidences with drivers on their celphones stopping just 2 feet from me when they should be at least 5 yards away, behind the line of another block has made me swear of looking into of what I can do as a citizen to make using celphone while driving illegal in my city.

And you know what, one day I just might do that. Thanks to Dempster Street.

One day last week we had a slight warm up and was sunny. There is something about sunny mornings that make me feel guilty about staying indoors. So after gym, I took Evan for a trainride and a picnic in the park.

I love being a room parent. It was fun watching Evan's antics in the classroom (like standing up during storytime, or raising his hand when a question is asked with no plans of answering it). Taken during Evan's class halloween party.

With the jogging stroller being bigger and more cumbersome, I thought it would be better to just leave it at home. But before finalizing my plans I had a talk with Evan, I told him about taking a trainride and picnic but I made him promise me that he was going to walk and not ask me to carry him. I know he can do it since we have been walking to school a couple of times already, also to the gym. For some reason he has showed preference to walking since we got the the jogging stroller. Which is good but can be a pain when he suddenly decides he's too tired (more like bored) to walk and the stroller is nowhere in hand.

So promised he did.

It turned out to be one of the loveliest mornings this year. Three is an age when he soaks everything you say like a sponge and IS interested in everything you show him - the viaducts, the train ticket machines, the pigeons etc. Three is an age when he can now wait patiently in line at a Dunkin Donuts while you get your picnic lunch of Egg McMuffins and bottled water. Three is an age when he understands that you will just share the bottle since buying another will cost more money. Three is an age when getting on the train seat he loudly observes, "that man's hair is black!" about the passenger in front of you both and you pretend not to be embarrassed by saying, "just like your hair" when your son's hair is partly brown. Three is an age when he thinks all of the children in the playground are his "friends" (and they love me, he says) and has no compunction in introducing himself, "my name is Evan" and asking them "can I play with you?" Three is an age where he runs off at a distance outside your comfort zone and you call out, "too far!" and he comes back. Three is an age where he suggests that the best place to eat the picnic lunch is inside the big toy train and he's right that you end up inside there for the most part since it shields you from the occasional chilly wind. Three is an age when you can play "what word begins with letter" game as you go home. Three is an age when he keeps his promise of walking all the way.

I just know that this will be one of the best times of my life. I am grateful to have had this.

You get a babysitter for a rare date night and your husband eagerly takes you to one of the happening places in Chicago. But all you can think about is how the crazy traffic, filled up parking spots and long lines were stressing you out. You tell your husband to get you out of there pronto, end up in one of your pre-Evan favorite date venue, much quieter, less happening and happily sip your margarita. Content.

Doesn't my mom look great? Another reason for me not to fear aging. My nephew Miguel looks so handsome (Tom says he could be an actor) and grown-up too. My youngest nephew Job, what can i say, he's the cutest ever!

A strange thing happen when you hit 39, your friends start to freak out about turning 40 next year. I don't really get what the fuss is all about. Turning 50? Hell yeah! 40? Nuh-uh. For me it's really just a number, a state of mind. I certainly don't feel a day older than 30. Physically I am at my healthiest, strongest even. I have biceps to prove it (power lifts with your child as weights for 3 1/2 years). I can now run 17 miles (27 kilometers) too. How many 18 year olds can say that? I believe I still look around 30. Just ask Tanya (that's why we are friends haha).

But nothing made me more aware with the passing of time than when I registered for Facebook. People I haven't seen for 15-20 plus years have aged. "She looks 50!" I'd silently exclaim only to realize after doing a bit of mental calculation that indeed she is around that number. It feels strange.

It is just not everyday people but in Hollywood too, the sexy, young actresses that you grew up with. I started noticing this after watching "Sex And The City" in the widescreen and got preoccupied by SJP's crow's feet. It got worse this year with Nicole Kidman's sagging neck (made more wrinkly in contrast with her tightly botoxed face) in "Australia". Or the obvious age gap between Sandra Bullock (make no mistake, she was HOT during Jay Leno's recent interview) and Ryan Reynolds. The only fortysomething actress who doesn't look like she aged at all is Jennifer Aniston. For now.

Let me make it clear I am NOT saying I look younger than these gorgeous women. It's just that the movie cameras magnify the slightest imperfections. Not even all the ethereal special effects lighting can make Diane Sawyer, 63 look less older when contrasted Rihanna's 21 year old, youthful face. Why even bother to go through that trouble? It just made it all the more weird.

You're getting old when you see non-celebrity people get interviewed (like in Oprah or TODAY or CNN) with their names and age are shown as captions and you do a double-take. "She's only 35? You mean she's 4 years younger than me? No way! You mean I should look older than her? But she looks old. Am I really that old?"

Yes, you are getting old when you have that inner dialogue going on more constantly these days.

You are getting old when you watch the "This Is It" Michael Jackson movie and realize that the icon that was part of your growing up years, whether you are a fan or not, is now dead so thereby a thing of the past. You are getting old when you actually feel nostalgic and sad at the thought.

You are getting old when you feel lethargic the whole day of Sunday because the night before you had a date with your husband and had two (yes only two) many margaritas. And for the whole of Sunday you feel (and possibly look) every second of your 39 years.

Does it scare me? Not as long as I keep a healthy lifestyle. Really. But ask me again when I turn 50.