the Cacing Diaries #2

day 3

We were able to check out of the hospital. I think that was fast for a C-section. Unfortunately, we still have no nanny nor was it possible for our respective mothers to stay with us to provide primary care. The decision was obvious. We hired a midwife to stay with us for the first 4 days. As this was made through the hospital, it was expensive – about P900 (or $22) for 12 hours in a day – but we wanted to learn the basics, the right way, and fast.

Exhilirating, enervating, frustrating. Sleepless nights were never this good. Either that or I already have selective amnesia to forget all the pains and remember all the gains.


day 4

Sunday. It was her first trip outside our home. Our midwife was hesitant. She subscribes to the old superstitious belief dictates that an innocent infant cannot leave the house unless baptized. We have to make the trip though as my we need to visit my mom. For the lunch date, we had her wear her pink Polo minidress, a gift from my sister in NY, and her cute pink headband. Cacing generally slept throughout the visit, oblivious! What can you expect from a four day old?!


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/50s, f/1.8, 50mm, ISO 100
A yawning Cacing gets dolled up for her first foray out of the house to visit my mother. Just 4 days old, she has the makings of a lady!


day 6

I had to attend a work-related conference. I cannot get out of it, after all I was the host and we had guests from all over the country and from Norway and the US too. I tried my best to keep my mind on the business at hand. The discussions actually became dreadfully toxic but nothing cures you fast than the sight of your beautiful child when you get home. That, and maybe the attendant feeding, cleaning up and lullaby-singing!


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/125s, f/1.8, 50mm, ISO 800
a sleeping Cacing. At home, she now occupies our big sofa which temporarily serves as her crib.

day 9

For the second time, we took Cacing out of the house. We had Friday afternoon appointments with my wife’s obstetritian and my daughter’s pediatrician. It seems like we were geared up for war. Our diaper bag was armed with everything we needed. And I had my wife and daughter stay in the backseat for safety reasons, leaving the front seat empty. I literally was a glorified driver.

Later on, back home, I decided to play with my sleeping daughter. Unaware, she became a hand model with her mom’s ring. I could slide two fingers through the ring easily. I promised myself that I will do better with my photographs Sunday.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/8s, f/5.6, 50mm, ISO 400, -1/3EV
Diamond is a girl’s best friend. That’s my wife’s ring which I daintily placed on Cacing’s fingers. It will be hers someday.

day 11

Sunday, the big photography day. After hearing mass, we settled Cacing on the sofa. It was lunchtime but my wife was tired so she took a nap, a rather long one. So I was left to attend to our daughter. Soon enough, my daughter got into playful mood overdrive – it must have been the sound and crowd at church which overstimulated her – and she was exuberant.

Before anything else, I would like to stress that playing with infants needs extra attention. Fabrics can easily smother or harm babies so in no time should your eyes be off your child when playing. Safety stays supreme. All the time, she was on her bed, awake. An eleven day old infant cannot in anyway fathom any instruction so I was swift, careful and most of all, gentle.

First, I brought out a sarong I got from Bali. Flaming red will look good on anyone. Cacing even obliged me with a wave!


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/100s, f/1.8, 50mm, ISO 800
Cacing loves batik!


Next in line was a flimsy diaphanous pink scarf. She had most fun with this one. The material was soft, light and to her liking. This picture says it all.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/30s, f/5.6, 50mm, ISO 800
Her favorite piece I think was the pink scarf. She has no problem emoting for the camera.


In a few minutes, it seemed her energy was spent. It was sleeping time. Quickly, I shifted to another red scarf and draped her softly just as her eyelids were about to drop close. I had trouble focusing but when your subject is as cute as Cacing – okay, so I really am biased – even a softly focused shot can be divine.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/25s, f/1.8, 50mm, ISO 100
Cacing, just when she was about to take her nap.


Sleep came fast and her stint as a model came to a halt. There is always another time. Say, this coming weekend perhaps?