3 pieces of ponkan

I was almost in panic yesterday night when out of the blue, I check my son’s school bag. You see, it was my mom who checks his bag right after school. I saw two letters. One is a reminder about our financial obligation to the school (aka: tuition fee dues) and other one is a note.

July 27, 2010

 

Good day!

 

We will be having our kitchen activity on Friday, July 30, 2010. Please bring the following:

 

3 pcs. of ponkan

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 plastic cup

 

Thank you!

For Pete’s sake! The letter was dated 27th of July. The letter was sitting all along in his bag. I forced the husband to go to the wet market or straight to the nearby grocery store to buy ponkans.

Lesson Learned: Always check your son’s bag.

A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents

I thought of sharing a forwarded mail to me.

1. My hands are small. Please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short. Please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

 

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have. Please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.

 

3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for such a short time.Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

 

4. My feelings are tender. Please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.

 

5. I am a special gift from God. Please treasure me, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.

 

6. I need your encouragement and your praise to grow. Please go easy on the criticism. Remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

 

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday, I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

 

8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or my sister.

 

9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

 

10. Please take me to worship regularly, setting a good example for me to follow.

I am guilty on some of those. I promised myself to be a better parent to my kids compared to how I am as a parent now.

Claire’s ATE

Claire has started to mumble a lot of stuff but I don’t get to count how many words she can say, unfortunately. She can say PAPA, MAMA, DEDE, LO (hello) and a lot of words. Sure thing you’d think I was the one she was referring to as MAMA – not! She calls me ATE. (a-te) She calls her stuff toy ATE.

ate: n.from chinese: ate. first born daughter. Nowadays in Tagalog it usually refers to an elder sister but is also used as a form to show familiar respect to someone no too much older than the speaker.

I came clear to me when we were on the bed and she was playing beside her dad. She crawled on my side, raise my shirt and says “ATE DEDE.” Hubby laughed when he heard it. Joshua even commented, “No, she is not ATE, she is our MOM.”

Project Photobook

I have only tried Artscow services once we I made a photo book which we gave as a gift to hubby's cousin's firstborn last December. The book didn't arrive in time though and only arrived here mid-January. When my husband saw it, he told me to make one for our kids. I'm trying my best and squeeze all my creative juices to make my firs born's book eye candy.

Here are a few pages of it. I'll be sharing only the cover and the back page as I know I'm not creative in any way or the other.

2006-2007 book2008 book2009 bookTry Artscow as they are giving away tons of freebies such as free photobook, free shipping or free prints.

Crocs

Amidst a few negative write-ups and feedbacks about Crocs, I’d still love to have my kids a pair each. It’s soft, comfortable and lightweight.

Crocs, Inc. is a designer, manufacturer and retailer of footwear for men, women and children under the Crocs™ brand. All Crocs™ brand shoes feature Crocs’ proprietary closed-cell resin, Croslite™, which represents a substantial innovation in footwear. The Croslite™ material enables Crocs to produce soft, comfortable, lightweight, superior-gripping, non-marking and odor-resistant shoes. These unique elements make Crocs™ footwear ideal for casual wear, as well as for professional and recreational uses such as boating, hiking, hospitality and gardening. The versatile use of the material has enabled Crocs to successfully market its products to a broad range of consumers. Crocs™ shoes are sold in more than 125 countries and come in a wide array of colors and styles. From Crocs Company

For Claire: Crocs Keeley (Bubblegum/Fuchsia) Girls, girls, girls.. The Crocs Keeley is a fun and new model of our Girls’ Mary Jane model. With multiple jibbitz holes this shoe can be accessorized with multiple charms for a shoe that is all her own.

The Keeley slip-on features:

• Hole-y upper provides breath ability and Jibbitz shoe charm accessibility.
• Fully-molded croslite material construction for maximum lightweight cushioning and a croslite™ material strap across forefoot for precise fit and function.
• Packaged with rhinestone flower jibbitz™ shoe charms.
• Whole sizing for the perfect fit.
• Jibbitz™ shoe charms included in size 8 and above only.

For Joshua: Crocs Electro (Red/Navy)Bringing twice the fun to playtime, the two-piece Crocs™ Electro clog allows for two-tone colors and all kinds of Jibbitz™ shoe charms. Each colorful combination provides the Electro shoes with an amazingly different Crocs™ experience for your little one.

• Two-piece croslite™ material molding allows for twice the fun.
• Dual-colored with iconic holes and Crocs™ logo.
• Croslite™ material back-strap for active kids everywhere.
• Advanced toe-box ventilation system
• Slip-resistant and non-marking soles.
• Ventilation holes accommodate Jibbitz™ brand charms.

Item description found here.

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Claire’s (I mean my) wishlist

I’m already counting the days as in less than a month, my youngest is turning one. No party as it was my and hubby’s mutual decision not to throw one for her. Instead, we plan (still a plan though) to just go somewhere outside of the city and just chill. In our finances are overflowing, I would have loved to buy toys for her.

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn: Learning Puppy

Product Features:

* Baby can learn A-B-Cs, 1-2-3's and parts of the body, plus sing along to ten favorite songs and games
* Dog bone collar lights up to the music
* Helps baby learn about parts of the body
* Introduces baby to the alphabet, colors and counting
* Helps baby understand connections between words and images

 

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table

Product Features:

* Learn & Groove with 15 activities and over 40 songs and melodies!
* Activities provide opportunities for baby to explore with a roll, tap, slide or spin.
* Includes a variety of music styles for baby to enjoy.
* Comes with either blue or green legs to attach to table as baby grows.
* Introduces shapes, numbers and counting 1-10 in English and Spanish.

LeapFrog Spin & Sing Alphabet Zoo

Product Features:

* Discover the alphabet from Alligator to Zebra!
* Features three ways to play: Letter, Animal and Music learning modes.
* Explore learning with each spin of the wheel.
* Playful musical responses reward each touch.
* Introduces letters A-Z and animal names and sounds.

Sadly though, this is a far cry from reality. Well, I just wish her Ninongs and Ninangs would stumble upon this post and remember her on her birthday. Who knows, one of the toys I’ve been dreaming for her would be granted. It ain’t so bad to dream, right?

Claire @ 11 months

Whoa! In less than a month, my youngest, my princess, my doll, is turning one. Cliche as it may sound, but where did all the days and the months go?  She can now walk a few steps without any support, save on the times when she walks in a hurry. She crawls fast and stands up without support too. She loved to eat table food as well. She now speaks a few words - “dada,” “mama,” “ate” to name a few. She loves to clap her hands, kiss you, lie on your tummy. She has 4 teeth now and thankfully still doesn’t bite mommy during nursing time.

From WhatToExpect

If there's trouble to be found, chances are your little one is on the hunt! Chances are your baby has developed an uncanny knack to get ahold of things he shouldn't have and get into places he shouldn't go. If he hasn't already done so, be prepared (with video camera on perpetual standby) for those first few steps as your child makes both physical and verbal strides this month. He loves games — especially those that involve pointing — and his interest in books will grow exponentially as he begins to comprehend more and recognize familiar pictures. A few things not to be concerned about: bowed legs (almost always normal and temporary); parental nudity (he doesn't care if you're naked as a jaybird as long as you're there!); and hitting milestones later than his peers. Remember, every baby is different and they master different skills — like standing and walking — at different ages. Children learn best and build confidence when you let them learn at their own pace, but if you're truly concerned, check with your pediatrician. More things to ask the doc: dietary questions, such as restricting fat and cholesterol in your baby's diet, and the best ways to ensure he gets the nutrients he needs. As for you, Mom, take a hint from your baby and get a move on, whether you're struggling with post pregnancy weight or not. Regular exercise will not only help you shed pounds, it'll boost your mood and help you sleep better at night. Now who wouldn't want that?

Weaning from a bottle

When is the right time to wean your kid from a bottle? As you can see my oldest who is 4 years and 4 months, already a toddler, is still drinking his milk from the bottle. We have tried to introduce him to a cup, even buying a cute glass so to say, but it only lasted a month. When his sister arrived, he insisted to drink milk in his bottle.

As I don’t want to get stressed during that time, I agreed to what he wants. Now, we’re having difficulty to let him drink milk on a cup. We are noticing an increase in his milk intake. He is now drinking milk four times a day.

Here are some strategies I need to employ to completely wean him from his bottle:

1. Offering milk in a cup before every bottle feeding.
2. Weaning gradually.
3. Leaving the morning bottle for last.
4. Cuddle and explain.

You can read the whole article here. You may also want to read this article.

Sibling rivalry in bloom?

I never thought at this early age my two kids would fight. I’m not sure if it’s a sibling rivalry in bloom as I always make sure to explain to Joshua why I need to prioritize Claire’s needs over him. However, lately, I always see him getting the toys his sister plays with.

Just yesterday, the husband advised me to talk to him for what he did to his sister. It happened he was playing with a plastic box and his sister crawled to him to get it. He gets mad and forced the box inside his sister’s mouth. The little girl’s lips turned to bloody red because of it.

We talked about it. I explained to him that his little sister still doesn’t know what she is doing, what she wants. Also, she is looking up to him as her Kuya so he better treat his sister well. I even explained to him that if he continues to hurt his sister, I’ll give away his sister to my mom.

Is this the start of something bigger in the future? Help! I don’t know what to do.

Surreal

And so I thought this blog doesn’t have readers or visitors, but look what I saw down the last part of the page. Can’t believe it, really! Thanks to those who silently visit me here once in a while .

No class today

This is what we saw in AAM’s main gate when we bring Joshua to school today. Crap! We were so in a rush just to make it on time only to find out that there is no class today. I need no explanation as the area where the school is still doesn’t have electricity. Hello Meralco?! I’d have to advise Teacher Angel to text us if this happens the next time. It has been announced on TV that class’s resume today but the school didn’t inform us. Argh!

Hello BabyHaler

Long time no see, right? I have to rummage the back of Joshua’s closet just to find you, didn’t you know? I have forgotten you already. But it seemed you’ll be part of our every day life again for the next month.

The husband and I noticed our first born coughs every morning. It started last, last week so we immediately consult his pedia. Since the cough is only during the mornings, he was given Allerkid and Ventar. But after a week, his cough didn’t get well. Worst thing is, we hear him wheezing. So off we go to his pedia again for a follow-up consultation. The idea that is toying in my mind was confirmed by pedia. Indeed, his asthma come back. He was given an antiobiotic, Klaz, that he needs to take for the next seven days aside from the Seretide maintenance for one whole month.

He was absent for the first time in school yesterday as I wanted him to just rest. I let him watch movies in bed to avoid playing rough with my cousin. I was so strict with what he eats and forced him not to move at all. Haha! I prefer him that way just to avoid having asthma attack.

Breastfeeding struggle

Now that Claire's two upper incisors has erupted, breastfeeding her has always been a struggle for me. It isn't her first teeth though but it wasn't as painful as it is right now. Her upper teeth has started scraping my boobies that I usually dread the time to feed her. Most often than not, while I cling in pain, I gave her formula.

I really wanted to give up but having her nurse on me for the next two months would mean I was able to breastfeed her on her first year including the first eight months she was exclusively breastfeed.

I stumbled upon this article that offers tips for a mother who has the same situation as mine.

 

Breastfeeding a teething baby is possibly one of the greatest worries for breastfeeding mothers. Perhaps surprisingly, many mums feel pressurised by other people to stop breastfeeding as soon as the first tooth begins to break through.

 

People will express dismay, disgust and sheer incredulity if they think a mum will continue to breastfeed a baby with teeth.

 

Considering many babies get their first tooth somewhere between four and six months the choice to continue breastfeeding should not really be such a big deal.

 

Of course mums worry that their baby may bite but they can give quite a nip even before teeth appear. You can soon teach your baby to refrain from biting by simply placing a clean finger between the baby's gums and your nipple and saying "No" in a firm voice. The action will break the suction while the firm voice reinforces your message! You can also stop breastfeeding the baby momentarily and if you do this each time he bites he will soon realise that it is not such a good idea!

 

Sometimes the bite can take you by surprise and can be uncomfortable but in these instances you may find that you instinctively pull away and baby will learn the same lesson - if he bites he loses his lovely drink!

 

People may tell you horror stories about breastfeeding babies biting so hard that they drew blood. This is very rare.

 

Please remember that your baby is not consciously hurting you. Biting helps relieve the pressure on his teething gums and eases the pain a little. Babies will bite and chew at anything they can put to their mouths.Try giving your baby a teething toy or a teething ring which has been stored in the fridge - the cold will help numb the pain. Sometimes a teething gel such as Bonjela or Dentinox can help or you can try herbal remedies. Ask advice from your healthcare provider before giving any medications.

 

Sometimes breastfeeding babies bite when they are just playing - in the same way that a bottle-fed baby chews and pulls on the teat of the bottle.Your breastfed baby is simply experimenting and learning. He will very soon realise the rule of cause and effect and he will tire of it before too long!

Carl in the eyes of Teacher Angel

I was at AAM’s Parent Orientation earlier today. The program includes introduction of teachers and teacher aides as well as an introduction of what Montessori learning is all about. What I like most about the program is how they presented a glimpse of what’s happening in school, how they teach the kids. They point out that the Montessori way of learning is not to control the student to learn but instead control the environment where the student learns.

After the program, I was able to ask Teacher Angel how Joshua (or Carl for them) behaves in school. Here are her observations:

• He has good grip of the pencil and the colors. (thanks to his one year in a Day Care Center)
• He is independent. He doesn’t need assistance during break time; however he plays with his food first before eating it.
• He is talkative, he speaks loud. Also, he always talk to his seatmate (who happens to be a girl) even if his mouth is full.
• He understands English even if he isn’t an English speaker. They were using simple English to teach that’s why. Teacher Angel advised me to speak to him in English even at home so as to practice him.
• He listens but seldom repeats what he is doing if the teacher’s attention is not on him anymore.

One thing that really makes me blurt into laughter is him calling the teacher aide in a loud voice “Leah! Leah! Leah!” No miss, simply the name. He latter called the teacher aide Ms. Leah when he was told to call her that way. LOL!

That’s how he has been assessed by his teacher for the four weeks he has been attending school.