Now it can be told...

I feel like I've just won the top prizes in both the Survivor and the Fear Factor tonight!!!

Tonight, Yaya came back from her sick leave (yes, she has SL benefits!). She's been out since Wednesday night. And it was....

A Tiring Experience (honest ako, ito ang una kong nilagay kasi talagang pagod na pagod ako! Am just human to complain! ): Since we didn't expect Yaya to be on SL (sa office lang nangyayari ang "planned SL") we were not prepared.

Of all the days to happen, it just had to happend on a work day! So I had to file a VL last Thursday to take care of Gayle but still had to go to work for 3 hours for some important meetings.

Then last Friday, we really had to map out a really good schedule to make sure someone keeps an eye on her since we left her with our all-around who Mommy dutifully trained last Thursday (complete with a written instructions and a mobile phone)

BUT!!!! it was also....

A Fulfilling Experience: We bonded like anything!

We brought Gayle everywhere with us...

I have a dental appointment last Saturday set months ago and since yaya was still not in, we brought Gayle with us to Binondo!

She had her first taste of authentic Chinese food at Quicksnack....

Then, went for her "first visit" to the dentist....

and even joined us to the "car showroom".

Bonding di ba?!

But today, we didn't bring her out na because I was worried she might have colds!

What the experience had taught me?

Well, let me share them with you so that you can also survive like me (I hope it will not happen to you but it's still best to be prepared):

a. Only the paranoid survives. Always have a back-up:

Back-up plan...back-up yaya...back-up mobile phone...everything that you can back-up, i-back-up mo na....pati back-up car kasi coding kami nung Thursday!

Our all-around maid had been with us since Gayle was born.

Although Yaya has always been on duty and when she's on day-off, it's Garry and I who takes over, I still had her go through a medical examination. I am a firm believer of Intel's Andrew Grove "Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive" Kaya kahit na matagal na si Yaya sa amin, one can never be complacent.

So when the "emergency came this week", we were prepared with our back-up "yaya".

b. Always have written instructions: Although my all-around is intelligent enough to understand verbal instructions, it's still best to write the instructions in a piece of paper in a language that she can read and understand.

It's a new job for her and just like any rookie, things can be shaky on day 1.

c. Partnership: Garry and I both have busy work schedule but because we know we want to make this work, we decided that we will resolve this "little dilema" on our own.

Though we live in the same compound with my mom, she learned about Yaya only last night because I told her we will not be able to attend the wedding today.

No one will ever help you but yourself. Self-reliance is important.

d. Prioritize: It's very important for you to have a clear head and know what's important. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

My job is important.

But my family is even more important

e. Train your babies early on: My friend Aileen lent me the book "Babywise" and trust me...read it, understand it and live it.

In times like these, you'll need a very cooperative and very disciplined baby and Gayle turns out to be one.

We were able to leave the house on shift because we know her sleeping and feeding schedule.

f. Don't forget to reward yourself:

At work, you get bonuses.

At home, you must also get bonuses.

When yaya stepped into the house today, Garry and I went out to have dinner at Pepper Lunch ordering Steak and watched the movie, "Twilight" ( I love you Edward!).

The past 4 days had been one of the most fulfilling days (if not the most) of my life.

I have just proven to myself that I can do it.

During dinner earlier, I was telling Garry that after the 4-day "trial" period, we are now ready to fly abroad...just the three of us!!!! I better start planning this before Garry changes his mind!

Oh, one more thing...I am having an LSS (Last Song Syndrome): "Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes"...