Cutty

I must hear "Mama" about a hundred times a day.  Come to think of it, that is a conservative estimate.  I have four kids, so that would give them a daily average of 25 per day.  They could easily hit their daily quota in the morning.  But, kidding aside, sometimes, I forget how lucky I am to be called "Mama".  When all four kids want to tell you about their day, at the same time, I forget. When they all want a snack, at the same time, I forget. When I am busy doing something, trying to be invisible, I forget. When all four kids are sick, I forget. When I am busy trying to measure my baking ingredients, I forget. When I see a messy house, school supplies strewn all over the floor, unfinished meals and non-stop bickering, oh,  I REALLY forget. However, when I see an ungroomed child entering the classroom, I am grateful that I am capable of caring for my children. When I get my daily supply of hugs, I am grateful. When I hear an occasional "Thank ...

I was shopping for a birthday gift when I found this. I got a copy because I feel guilty whenever I let the TV babysit for me.  I am not really into arts and crafts and I am running out of ideas on how to spend quality time with my kids.  We usually spend time  reading books, playing before bedtime, cooking or baking together, going through old pictures.  It has nice ideas for special occasions, indoor and outdoor activities.  It has made doing experiments and learning math fun.  Most importantly, I am inclined to teach my kids street games I've played in the past.  Hello Piko, Patintero, Langit Lupa, Monkey Anabel.  I just might be able to tear them away from the TV.

 As the song goes, "All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go...."  Haha, I wish it were that easy.  (Yes, my bags are packed, with only a few more bilins and toiletries to squeeze into my maleta, I'm all set.) In 10 days, I am off to a trip with friends.  As a hands-on mother and wife, how do I endorse everything I do to the husband and to the help?  How do I begin listing down what I do on a daily basis?  Though the yayas work with a schedule, there are still some aspects of child-care that are missed. It was easier back then because I'd leave my kids with my parents and they'd take care of everything, from food, monitoring playtime and overseeing the nannies.  Now, the husband will reign over the household.  How do I make the transition easy for him, for my peace of mind? My husband is more capable in the office and has more patience with adults. I need to go through my daily routine in my head and list it down.  This entails a great d...

I am often bothered by pre-school children dressed like teenagers, sometimes posing as teenagers would.  Why do some moms allow that?  I suppose they find it cute.  I find it strange because some moms hold on to their daughters' childhood as long as they can, by dressing them appropriately and telling them to act their age. Hay, it's almost as bad as a 40y/o dressing like her daughters. What's your take on this?

We flew in the day Osama Bin Laden was killed.  It was, in fact, the news that welcomed us as we entered my cousin's house. That piece of news bothered me no less.  I was already fidgety because just a few days before that, Gaddafi's sons were killed.  I made a mental note to stay away from tourist spots. ------------------- Our flight in was quite pleasant except for PAL's "exceptional" customer service.  It wasn't bumpy at all so the kids were able to sleep during the flight. We got the preferred seats so Johann and Javi had space to move around when they were finally awake. There were a couple of  food accidents but WE managed WITHOUT the help of the cabin crew.  They always took a lot of time to get to us.  When they finally did, they spoke to us with THAT condescending tone.  I decided to let it go.  In cases like that, I always showed them saccharine politeness that bordered on sarcasm.  May araw din kayo. ---------------...

When Bettina underwent the Newborn Screening, we found out that she has this condition called G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency). At first, it was difficult to get used to that idea because none of my elder kids had this. I couldn't fathom the idea that we can not feed her peanuts, legumes, anything with soy, anything with menthol, et. al. She can't even inhale anything menthol. So, bye-bye Ben-gay and Vicks. Pano na siya mag-toothbrush? It was also difficult for me because I can't ingest any of those forbidden items since I was breast-feeding her. We stopped worrying for a while. Her diet was strictly milk then. Now that we have introduced solids to her diet, I am trying to know more about this condition called G6PD. I knew that it was a condition that could lead to Anemia. What I didn't know was that excess bilubirin (the yellowish pigment that causes jaundice) can cause mental retardation and even death. ----------------- Here are they symptoms...

The school year is about to end. For Johann, school will close this week. I can't believe that it has been a year already. Sabi nga ni Vic, parang ang bilis lang nun tuition na binayaran ko . Since, I don't want my kids watching TV all day, I am thinking of activities for them this summer. Here are some programs I am interested in. Check them out too. Paref Rosefield's Summer Programs. Johann's school offers 12 sessions of Creative Play for 2 to 3 year old kids. I just might enroll Javi in that one. Johann would be enrolled in the Reading program. Anyway, each course is 12 sessions (2.5 hours per session). Pwede na ba for 5000 per course? I have no idea if that's expensive or not for 30hours? I wanted to get them into more physical activities but my choices are quite inaccessible. Ballet Philippines. I found this at the backstage of Meralco Theater while we were on break. I was quite excited about the Toddler's Ballet class. Sayang...

Johann received a toddler bed for Christmas. Vic hasn't assembled it yet. We still have to get Johann a mattress for the bed. He is turning 4 this June and I am wondering if it is time to make him sleep in his own room. At present, all kids stay in the master bedroom. This way, we can spend time with the kids, without the yayas and we can save up on electricity because only 1 A/C will be running at night. We have an extra mattress on the floor, initially intended to break the fall of kids from the big bed. Javi and I sleep on the big bed. Vic and Johann use the extra mattress because the A/C cools that part of the room better than the big bed. Bettina sleeps in the crib but co-sleeps with me when she wakes up at night. Moving Johann to the other room means that Javi has to stay there, too. Otherwise, he won't budge. Since they're still not too comfortable with the new yayas, they still want to spend more time with us. They are extra clingy also. Hay, when should ...

Now that Tatlo is over, we're back to our boring lives once again. I am not complaining. After a weekend filled with activities, doing nothing and living our laid back lives are things we look forward to. I haven't gone back to the grind of being a full-time mom. Since I've been "absent" for a week, it's like were going back to step one. Putting the kids to bed, doing homework, implementing house rules and the like have taken a toll on my patience lately. It seems that everyone in this household is new to the stuff we used to call "routine." Since I have a few minutes to write about stuff, I will update you with what took place in this household during the holiday season. We had the usual Christmas breakfast at Circles and a year-end trip with the rest of the family, minus Bettina. Nope, no new bags for me even if there was temptation in every corner. EQ won. I am saving up for Paris. I'll get my reward there =P

If health is wealth then I am soooo not wealthy. Not that I am wealthy to begin with. My two boys are sick. Johann started coughing last week. By Sunday, fever came into the picture. Javi started coughing yesterday morning. In the afternoon, he already had a runny nose. Last night, he already had slight fever. Today, Bettina started coughing. Hay, I hope it doesn't progress into what her brothers have. Then, one yaya is also down with fever. Anubuh?!? I can only handle so many patients at a time.

Yesterday, I was telling Vic that I am thinking of starting on Bettina's 1st birthday preps. OA, I know. She is only three months old. I have already narrowed down the theme, a ballerina party. I'll dress her up in a tutu complete with ballet shoes and tights. Hehe. I am just at a loss how I'll involve the boys in our theme. Vic said, he'll wear tights too. ============ At three months, Bettina has begun cooing. She loves to give us that toothless smile whenever we call her "Pretty girl." Her neck has grown stronger and she more stable now. I am glad that she's been gaining weight. I was afraid of not feeding her enough, since I am breastfeeding her 80% of the time. She still hates Tummy time. She has begun feasting on her fists, ever since I removed her mittens. Kuya Johann talks to her all the time. He likes kissing her head and smoothing her troll-like hair. Kuya Javi already learned how to say her name. He is still a bit jelly but is lear...

This afternoon my son's teacher called to ask for my help. They are discussing the different parts of the house this week. She wants to know if I'd be willing to show the class how to set the table. Of course, I agreed. The task isn't difficult to do. Although I am pretty hands-on with my household, I can feel the pressure. I am no Bree Van de Kamp. I'd better plan what I'll say.

For parents who have children aged 7 and below, I highly recommend this course. We were invited to join by the Pasig Chapter at a highly opportune moment. Johann was just 3 months old then. It helped me go through the pains and joys of parenthood. It helped me understand and accept the emotional and psychological changes brought about by the new addition to the family. The course uses the case study method wherein all discussions would be based on a case/story. The big group would then be divided into smaller groups for circle time discussions. A case expert will wrap up the session with his/her expert advise. The stories deal with situations that are familiar to every Filipino family. Because of that, we, parents are predisposed to asses the case in an objective manner. If you are like me, who thinks "I need all the help I can get," you'll find EDUCHILD courses very informative. One thing I like about First Steps is that it has equipped me with skills and knowledge...

You heard the gist here . What happens next? I am actually undecided and uncertain. I consulted a dentist-friend due to the urgency of the situation. She advised giving paracetamol and antibiotics. She also doesn't recommend extracting the theeth. The following day, we went to a pedia-dentist. She recommended the same meds but she gave me two options. First is the cheaper solution: Extraction. Second: Root Canal and Crowning. The first option is the quickest way to relieve the pain. He will be given an oral sedative so the dentist can perform the extraction. He will only be groggy not totally asleep. The downside is he will be toothless till he turns 7. I hope it doesn't foster insecurity. Another downside is it seffect on the growth of the permanent teeth. The second option would entail several procedures. Though the procedures will attempt to save the teeth, it is obviously the more expensive option. Let's just say that I can already purchase an LV Damier...

The month is just half-way through and it has been quite eventful. There were just too many requirements to submit for Johann's school, for the DFA appointment and for the franchise application. We also attended our first orientation as parents of a preschooler on the first weekend. Today, we celebrated Johann's birthday. I didn't want to make a big deal out of this celebration since the big one is coming next week. I got lechon manok, liempo and a cheap-o cake (see image below) to share with the people here at home. I can tell that Johann liked blowing his candle. He's been trying to hide his smile. Naco-conscious na ang bata. I think I'll make it a point to have a cake and a candle-blowing ceremony every birthday to make the kids feel that we're still celebrating their big day. A few days before Johann's birthday was Johann's first day in preschool. He was well-behaved during the first hour, helping the teaching aide pack-away toys and books. ...

When we got out of the hospital, Bettina's pediatrician didn't recommend any milk formula like what she did with my two previous kids. I knew then that I'd be forced to purely breastfeed her. All along, I had my mind set on mix-feeding her. As most of us have heard, breastfeeding comes with a lot benefits for both baby and mom. But, seldom do we read about the inconveniences and pain that come with it. I didn't know that it was going to hurt every time. When the baby latches and sucks for the first time, there'll will always be pain. However, the pain will eventually go away. I am just not sure if it's because I've grown numb or if the pain is really gone. Secondly, I'd have to empty out the milk every two to three hours. Otherwise, my chest will grow heavy with milk. This means, I'd have to bring Bettina or my pump wherever I go. It also means that I'd have to limit my time away from home to three hours. Thirdly, I can not nurse every w...

... to the new addition to our family, Maria Bettina. She was born last Monday, April 26 at 2:50PM. On the three normal deliveries I've had, she's the one who gave me the least problems during labor and delivery. As some of you may know, I was at 1cm for over two weeks. Then, two days after my expected due delivery date, my water bag leaked. It was at 4:45am that I felt the uncontrollable liquid discharge. I wasn't feeling any contractions but it seemed that it was time. When I called my mother to check, she suggested that I should head to the hospital right away to beat the Monday morning rush. Apparently, I was leaking. It was frustrating because it's like peeing uncontrollably every time I'd experience contractions . When the ROD examined me, I was still at 1cm. They gave me meds to hasten the contractions and the dilation. In less than four hours, I was ready to deliver Bettina. I don't think she looks like me. At first glance, she looks like Johan...

It has been a week and 2 days since I first felt labor pains. I've been walking, doing mundane chores and baking just to wear myself out. Kulang pa din. I'm still at 1cm though the baby has engaged herself even lower into my crotch. Mag-mall na lang daw muna ako sabi ng doktor. At the rate I'm going, I'll end up going broke even before I give birth. ---------------------- Pagkapanganak ko, simple lang ang pangarap ko... makapag-tuck-in ulit ako. LOL! ---------------------- I can't wait for my O Magazine to start arriving. I've been waiting since January. After several correspondences with Hearst, I hope I'll receive the May issue. If not, I'll demand for a refund again. ---------------------- Johann's slot in the AM Junior Kinder class is now reserved. I am glad to know that we don't have to shell out additional anda for the bond. They took out the bond years ago. Yey! ---------------------- Every time I go shopping, I buy for each me...

When Javi's full-time nanny went back to her hometown for her son's graduation, Javi and I spent a lot of time together. It was during that week that I noticed some changes in him. He walks more confidently since Vic and I can't run after him all the time. We let him roam around our room. He got some bumps and bruises but they all healed eventually. He can call on almost everyone in our household. He can already call on Daddy and his Aya ( Kuya Johann, though we're not Chinese). I think this is because we let them play together as opposed to the yaya who just lets him play by himself. He can also name what he wants. He added a few more words to his vocabulary like water, truck, bus, jeep, bike, toy, book and others I can't remember. I also noticed that he likes repetitive words. I never realized that he acquired so much of the traits of the yaya and how much she has stunted his development. I am not sure if it is laziness and lack of imagination or ini...

I am on my 38 th week of carrying Baby Glur . As expected, I'm already having difficulty because of all the loose joints and heavy tummy load. We're hoping that she'll stick to the below-7-lbs category like her elder brothers. Yesterday, I was informed that Baby Glur isn't as big as my tummy makes it seem. Mother examined my tummy to make sure that the early stages of labor haven't started. I've been feeling contractions throughout the weekend though I have not moved as much. As useless, my hospital bag isn't ready yet. I will have it ready by the end of the day. Most of Baby Glur's items are washed already. I got a new bassinet for her so the wooden crib is kept for now. I'd just have to vacuum the new pillows and cushions, assemble the bassinet, prepare the feeding bottles and breast pump and find a place to dump Baby Glur's stuff. I think I can spend the remaining waiting time getting ready for her arrival. She is due to come out...