GSK’s Rotarix contains pig virus

This is so alarming. Claire had it twice. Gawd! Is this really for real?

FDA Says Stop Using GSK's Rotavirus Vaccine

Officials from the Food and Drug Administration are advising doctors to stop vaccinating with Rotarix, one of two vaccines available to protect kids against the diarrhea-causing rotavirus, HealthDay reports. Researchers found that Rotarix, which is made by GlaxoSmithKline, contained pig virus. But FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said that the virus is probably harmless and that the vaccine appears to be safe, according to HealthDay. The recommendation will stand until the agency discovers how porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1) got into the vaccine, which came on the market in 2008, and assesses its effects.

Read more here.

Joshua’s Recognition Day

Yesterday, March 18 was one of the lists of firsts for Joshua. It was his Recognition Day and Closing Party. The program should have started at 9am but one parent was too late and arrived an hour after.

We were first oriented with what to do tomorrow for their closing exercises. Afterwards, their teacher gave medals to all students for the exemplary behavior and academic excellence.

Joshua was given Most Industrious.

 

Afterwards, the teacher asked the kids to sing “I Can.” At this time, Joshua is throwing a fit already as he was already hungry. So while his classmates were gamely singing with actions, he was just sitting while pouting.

Afterwards, it’s finally eating time. Joshua was all excited and had eaten what I gave him. See, he is really hungry.

Afterwards, after helping the other parents to clean the place we saw him in the corner busy playing.

He isn’t a baby anymore. He knows how to entertain himself while we are busy with our own thing.

Congrats to you Kuya Joshua!

First boo-boo

Side kwento: My son, like other kids, are attracted to toys. We always have to veer away his attention whenever we saw a toy peddler when we goes home. One time though, the father has no choice but to let my son buy something. A cheapskate toy not only for himself but also for his sister (a pasalubong).

One night, while I was busy cleaning up the Kuya, the father was watching Claire play. Afterwards, the husband told me Claire's fingers were caught inside the rattle (the toy Joshua bought as pasalubong for her). The next day, I forgot to tell my mom not to let Claire play with the rattle anymore to prevent what happened the other night. Come night time, I saw her fingers and looked like this.

The culprit is this cheapskate rattle.

I know Joshua will be heartbroken when he sees the toy on our trash so it is temporary safe kept at the back of their closet.

Claire @ 7 months

From What to Expect

7-Month-Old Baby I like that song, mommy! Sing it again…and again…and again… Babies this age love predictability (it makes them feel powerful and secure), so be prepared to croon "Itsy Bitsy Spider" a couple thousand times over the next several weeks. Seven-month-olds also love to explore, so expect some serious efforts (or attempts at least) by your little one to get around independently. That means it's time for a thorough babyproofing if you haven't already, and time to stay extra-vigilant about what your mini octopus can get his tentacles on. By now, your baby might also be able to wave bye-bye, play patty-cake, or blow kisses. Along with new skills and burgeoning independence comes a whole new attitude: I want to be in charge of me! Don't be surprised if this shift results in some major meltdowns with Mommy (perhaps the first but certainly not the last!) especially during transition times, e.g., when you walk in the door from work. (Not to worry — there are several strategies to smooth your reentry.) Baby's appetite is on the uptick, so snacking now plays a supporting role to the three-meals-a-day plan. And while snacking in moderation is good, grazing (snacking all day with no real meals) is not suggested for a host of reasons, including the fact that grazing interferes with play, sociability, and proper nutrition. Finally, some moms may be wondering about weaning and that's fine. But if breastfeeding still works for you and your baby, keep it up!

Claire nowadays loves to babbles, babbles and babbles. She seldom giggles but screams in delight every now and then. She knows how to play peek-a-boo. She closes and opens her hand when you sing "close-open". She screams when she sees her brother coming. She screams when she hears us singing "London bridge". She loves to roll-over and occupies the whole bed. She sleeps tummy down. She can sit head unsupported.

I, on the other hand, plans to wean her. I'm giving myself another month before she goes formula 100%. Work is getting more hectic now as we gear towards 24/7 support - me not exempted from it. So, I have to follow the shifting schedule now.

This month, we finally changed her supplementary milk to Nan 2.

Look-a-likes

I was browsing through old pictures on my PC when I found an almost the same shot of Joshua and Claire.

Joshua was 10-month old here, while Claire was only 6-month. They almost look like each other. The only difference I see is Joshua's head is bigger and Claire's eyes are smaller.

Sleeping time

Before, Joshua would watch UP every single night as I shared here. Hooray! He finally graduated from that movie. His latest addiction is THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. Again, as his addiction, he has to watch it every single night, no matter how sleepy he is. That only means, he sleeps very, very late.

Sleeping very, very late would mean he’d wake up late too. We finally saw how we could still allow him to watch the movie but without sleeping late. We would eat early, 7pm that is. Afterwards, he’d be having his bath time then milk time then movie time. It has been working for a week now. Hope the routine continues until he gets tired of watching it and finds another addiction.

Claire’s 1st solid food

Claire had her first taste of solid food last 26th of February, a week after she turned 6th months. I intended to postpone it until her 8th month. I personally believe my milk is still the best for her. However, when her pedia gave us the go signal for solid feeding, can’t contain my excitement and when shopping for her gears and food.

I specifically bought Munchkin for her bowls and spoons for two reasons: they are BPA-free and colorful. Next stop is to look for ready-to-eat baby foods with no SOYA. She is like her kuya, a G6PD+ baby. Cerelac is out in the list. Good thing, I was able to find Earth’s Best. What’s good about it is it’s organic and soya-free.

I kinda hoarded when I went to Healthy Options. Bought their Rice Cereal, Oatmeal Cereal, 1st Apples, 1st Bananas, 1st Carrots and 1st Sweet Potatoes.

Her first feeding was given right after she woke-up from her morning nap. It’s rice cereal and my milk for her very first solid food.

Here in this side of the world, there are pamahiins that says a child must be fed by someone not pihikan on her first solid food. Who else would fit the description? ME!

Here she is after she gobbled up the food I prepared. Good job Claire!!!