I’m so proud to announce the birth of my 2nd nephew. 

Thursday, my sister and kuyasam called in the morning asking me if I wanted to come over.  Now being that the drive is over 2 hours, I was hesitant.  But when they informed me that my sister’s water broke, I quickly arranged the trip and prepared Emma for the weekend.  With Perze having work the next day, it was just Em and I on the road.  That night, after having visited them at the hospital, I took care of Em and her cousin Samsam alone, waiting for the awaited phonecall. 

He arrived 2 weeks early on a snowy day in NY.  It was a normal delivery, praise God.  My sister had no complications, and he came out healthy and extremely handsome, with many similar features as his older brother- Samsam [butt chin and butt tongue].  So presenting:

Sephin Chi Hang Ng
5 lbs. 13 oz. | 18.5 inches
February 21, 2008

They named him after my sister Stephanie, since his older brother was named after my brother-in-law, Sam.  So Sam and Seph w/ their parents Sam and Steph. .  So far he’s such a well behaved baby, sleeping and eating well.  And so far, Kuya Samsam has been very caring, calling him ‘Baby’. 

Thank you God for being w/ my sister during the pregnancy and labor…and for being with baby Sephin…and for keeping kuya sam sane to help support my sister.  Praise God for his beautiful creation.

please send them an encouraging note here: www.samuanie.com

sunday morning, as Perze was leading Praise and Worship, we received a call from the Philippines informing us that Lola Mildred (the mother of Perze’s dad- Perlen Ababa) passed away that morning.  She was very much loved by her family. 

Condolences to the whole Ababa family.  Please remember them in your prayers, for comfort and peace, and also for the preparations regarding the funeral and burial.

But we rejoice that she’s now in a better place probably singing and dancing, sharing in God’s glory w/ loved ones.

i don’t know if perze’s gonna blog about this, but yesterday we met at the station so we can go out to dinner.  at the restaurant, he sat me down and said he had some news.  with such suppressed emotions, he explained that he got his review from NYTimes with the GREAT news that he got promoted to a senior position!!!  I was so proud of him.  Along with this position is a generous raise which is really timely, considering we’ve been praying for some financial change.  I understand how difficult it is to bring in the sole income for the family.  We’ve been really blessed knowing that God has given Perze a great job to provide for Em and I as I stay home to take care of her.  I’m really fortunate to spend these first years focusing on our daughter…and it’s something I know I’m gonna continue to thank Perze for as we get older and as Emma gets older.

we’ve been praying for Perze’s promotion, but the blessings have exceeded our expectations…

so we really continue to testify about God’s goodness to our family. I have to admit that we’re not always in a state of confidence about the outcomes in life, but we’re always taken care of and always reminded that our best interests are looked after.

so we were able to treat ourselves last night.  Congrats Tatay! We love you. Thank you for sacrificing so much for your family.

Praise God, Em’s ok. 

This morning, after having a cold for 2 days, em woke up looking lethargic, breathing irregularly, as if her stomach was pumping up and down quickly and shortly.  she looked like she was out of breath, esp. when she spoke, like a person with asthma. we admitted her to the emergency room, where a doctor diagnosed her, saying that her symptoms looked like a respiratory viral infection, which is common in children at this time of year, esp. to kids who also have mild eczema.  they took x-rays, gave her something to expand the passageways in her lungs to admit more airflow, AND administered a nebulizer.  after following the protocol, (and motrin), she felt much better and breathed better, not perfectly but more normal.  we’ll be following up w/ her pediatrician this week just to see how she’s doing.  we also got homework: to use the take home nebulizer and some medicine to open up airflow.

the doctor also mentioned that this could be emma’s first asthmatic episode- MAYBE…since perze’s family has a history of asthma…but it’s not the final diagnosis, just a probability that we can conclude once she’s had numerous similar episodes.

but we’re just very relieved that it wasn’t too serious, and the staff who handled us and emma was really friendly and informative.  we were all also surprised that she was so sociable w/ everyone, despite her condition.  also, my parents came to make her smile during a very tough time.  the good news is that on her medical report, it says that she "may return to school in 1-2 days."

we just want to thank everyone who prayed for her- our families, our friends, the choir, and the church family.  we are really appreciative for your care. 

for other parents, some information:
her symptoms: muscle aches (tummy), fever, common cold, sore throat, cough, poor appetite, watery eyes, wheezing, irregular breathing.

for more info, one of my close friends (em’s ninang) gave me info regarding her condition, since she works in the infants hosp. wing (thanks chelle!!):

•  http://www.rsvinfo.com/

• https://www.synagis.com/rsv-protection.aspx

this past weekend, we traveled to ny to visit the ng’s, as part of our celebration weekend for samsam’s 2nd birthday.  minus my little sister, kristie, we all drove up and spent the long weekend, mainly talking, eating, watching tv, and resting, and of course- being entertained by two two year olds who love playing with each other. 

jan.17, my only nephew, ‘the Hongers’, turned the terrible two (which is really such a misnomer), because anyone who has a two year old can really outweigh the advantages and recognize how more sweet they get when they get older.  plus they communicate more…nevertheless, cake aside, balloons asides, candles, food, and fun…he has a whole new year brimming w/ new challenges and adventures, and we always pray for him- that he continues to be such a loving and happy little man. 

btw: congrats to my sister steph and kuya sam for raising such a well behaved, loving, techy, handsam toddler!  for the full album click below:

 2008 Samsam’s 2nd Bday Wknd
We went to NY to celebrate Hong’s 2nd bday. Bought balloons, cake, and ate lots of food the whole weekend.
99 files, last one added on Jan 21, 2008

recently, i’ve been asked to be a bridesmaid for my friend Sarena. perze was also requested to be an usher at the wedding, and emma- a flower girl (her 2nd request to be in a wedding party).

so far, that’s four weddings we’re attending next year. i’ll be in the wedding party for two of those weddings. we also recently attended their engagement party last weekend, the start of many wedding preparation get-togethers.

their wedding website: www.julythird.com

also, this week, i was asked to be a co-MC’s for a debut party for one of our YB’s who is turning 18- Aia.  I’ve known her since she was a baby, so i was very very honored to have been asked.

 
from our family to yours
merry   c h r i s t m a s