Baby Pablo
My brother Takwe and his wife Cat had their ultrasound yesterday, and they found out that their baby is a boy! Hahaha! Of course my brother was happy as a clam, and thus, the baby’s fate to be named “Pablo” (for Pablo Neruda, my brother’s favorite writer), was sealed. When Mama received the text message from him, naiyak daw siya (“Iba kasi ang feeling!”). I think it was because the fact that she was going to have an apo was more real. Immediately, she suggested the name “Dante Lucius”. Choke! Choke! I nearly fell off my chair when I got her message saying that! Yuck! Though Takwe and Papa are named “Dante” (means “Judge”), “Lucius” sounds like an evil, scary name! I think she just wanted to insinuate her name (Lucy) again. Papa said it should be “Ambo” for his grandfather. I said I didn’t know that his Lolo was “Ambrosio”. He said no, his lolo’s name was “Pablo”, and “Ambo” is a nickname for Pablo (with absolute conviction). I gave up the argument after a few attempts.
Takwe and Cathy were so cute, they forgot to videotape the ultrasound, sa sobrang excitement at seeing their baby moving and turning. It’s really magical seeing the baby, and I can’t imagine the prenatal check-ups in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s when there were hardly any ultrasound machines.
As for me and Sam, our next ultrasound is in a few weeks, and we will also find out then if I’m carrying a boy or girl. Mama seems convinced it’s a girl, and already she’s coming up with names: Muel Grace or Muel Glaze. Eew, parang bulol o ngongo ang nag-pronounce! Yargh! Till then, we’re holding our breaths…. 
