Name Game

Since my son does not go to school yet and hardly goes out to play, we (his Mom and Dad) are his only playmates. We are assigned specific characters from various movies, TV shows, or videos that he loves to watch. I go by these names:

1. Mary Jane (from Spiderman)

2. Izzy (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates)

3. Iron Man

4. Pink Ranger/Mia 

5. Sam (from Cloudy)

6. Leonardo (TMNT)

7. Jessie (Toy Story)

My husband goes by these characters:

1. Batman

2. Black Ranger/Antonio

3. Peter Pan

4. Donatello (TMNT)

While he likes to be called these names:

1. Spiderman

2. Peter Parker

3. Jake

4. Red Ranger

5. Captain America

6. Green Lantern

7. Raphael (TMNT)

8. Woody (Toy Story)

My husband and I agree, this age  (3-4) is the most fun so far. 

On Using the Potty

We are officially diaper-free! At three years and two months. Yes, a bit late but nevertheless, we are not buying any disposable diapers anymore. And I'm now guilt-free of the tons of garbage we produce from these non biodegradable inventions of our generation. Thank goodness! I'm so relieved because I've been trying to potty train him since he was 20 months old but I never succeeded until last week.  I know I should've listened to my instincts sooner. Here are my tips which are purely based from our experience.

1. Trust your instincts! 

2. Remember that potty training is a combination of instincts and timing. It also helps that you are an expert when it comes to your child's natural schedule and mannerisms. 

3. Common sense is also helpful! When you are with your child 24/7 you tend to sync your schedule with him/her, in my experience, the times when I need to pee myself are also the times that my child needs to go to the potty.

4. Act and lessen the talkies. I noticed that the more times I remind my child to go to the potty, the lesser he is interested to actually go. I have learned that when I feel its time for him to go, I just make him sit and that's when he pees/poops.

5. Accept that there will be accidents and as much as possible, don't reprimand your child when it happens.

6. Always empty your potty as soon as it's full. It's less messy, I tell yeah.

So congratulations to Mommy and Daddy is in order. Cheers!  And of course, this is primarily the little man's accomplishment. Well done. 

iPad Mini: The Pros and Cons

A year ago, I was against the use of any hi-tech handheld devices by my toddler. We bought and were gifted several educational toys from Leap Frog and Vtech that we were quite happy about. That was until I owned an iPhone and started working from home. I remember purchasing an iPhone 4S days after I learned that I would be working from home. I calculated the savings from not having to spend on taxi fares and unplanned lunch-outs. I also thought that working from home will be quite boring (I was so wrong about this) and I needed something to occupy myself with especially while I breastfeed. Well, the iPhone turned out to be very useful and entertaining not just to me but to the whole family as well. My husband and I were so happy with this purchase that after several months of weighing the pros and cons, we got an iPad mini as well (and my husband got an iPhone 5).

The day that changed our lives forever. :)

Why iPad mini? For first time owners of a tablet, the size of the mini was not too overwhelming. We do not have any issues whatsoever of where to keep it as it fits perfectly well in our black leather bag that we bring whenever we go out. The price of the mini was also quite reasonable at Php 15,999. As a matter of fact, with all the awesome apps you can get for free (or purchase as low as .99 $ /less than 50 pesos), I think its a bit underpriced (I hope Apple doesn't raise the price, though). Most of all, it has all the features of the new iPad (as of February 2013). We love the iPad mini and the only cons I could think of would be the same as the disadvantages of owning any tablet device, I guess.

When we only had the back cover and
didn't have a proper case yet,
we used a cloth book cover to wrap
 the iPad inside our bag.

As parents, we are worried that prolonged usage of the device (iPad mini or not) is very bad for his eyesight. We adjust the settings to the dimmest lighting as we have noticed that the brightest setting hurt even our own eyes. I also read somewhere that usage of electronic devices before bedtime results to disrupted sleeping so we make sure that Inigo is not on the iPad two hours before bedtime. They also say its bad for the kids' imagination. I feel really guilty about this bit that's why I make sure we have art activities, outdoor time, and do some cooking and baking from time to time.

The immersion of the iPad mini with his playthings.

It also turns out that having an iPad is beneficial to us since we don't have househelp and yaya. I am grateful actually that we are able to afford an iPad and purchase some educational apps that keep him busy for half an hour or so and that I can prepare breakfast and cook lunch without having to rely on my husband to look after our son while I'm in the kitchen. On occasions that the little one gets really drawn on new apps, I am able to finish my work and even have some time to blog (like right now). Maybe next time, I'll wite about some really cool apps that even my husband and I enjoy!

How to Have a Great Summer Vacation with your Toddler

1. Take the time off work (ask your husband to do the same) and schedule your vacation when you don't have a yaya or when she's taking her vacation to her own province in tralala. You'll never ever going to feel you need one and you get the privacy you have waited for so long. Be ready to do your own cleaning up and cooking though.

2. Book your flight tickets ahead and make use of those mileage! For accommodations, the deal sites not only offer discounts but also make it easier to look for quality resorts.

3. Choose a location where the beach is near and accessible (approximately 10 to 15 mins from the airport). That way, you save a lot of travel time and literally be in the beach as soon as your plane lands.

4. Don't hesitate spending a little on newly-opened resorts (ideally, two to three years of operation). This way you get the best facilities and service! We stayed at Crimson Resort and Spa. The entire place was vast, rooms were spacious, very nice ambiance and accommodating staff who spoke like they can qualify to be in the call center industry.

5. Pack just right. You have every excuse to pack a little more since you have a toddler (think floaters, beach toys, and other paraphernalia) but please be considerate of your husband too, who will be carrying your luggage.

6. Breastfeed. Although its not the first time our baby took a plane ride, I was more cautious and worried that he'll get fussy with all the wait in the airport, not to mention the noise in the plane and all that. When my son was about to get upset, he'll just turn to me and ask for "dedey". You avoid getting stared at in the plane with a noisy child because yours will be sleeping peacefully the entire flight.

7. Bring hotdogs*, bread, and an apple for lunch. Our flight was at 12:45 pm and we arrived at the airport two hours early to check-in our baggage. We would have been so hungry and cranky if we didn't eat at the airport despite having a full breakfast at home. Good thing, I was still able to pack us some lunch which we ate during the two hours of wait after check-in. A can of soda at the airport costs 50 pesos. We didn't bother checking how much the other food there costs.

8. Have your iphone or any android gadget ready to take pictures and upload to instagram right away. You'll never know when that Kodak moment may come and when you get started with the pic collage app and start making digital scrapbook real time. It's also always nice to have your family and close friends know where you are at the moment and how much you're having fun.

9. Call your mom. No matter how far you are or how much fun you are having, you never stop needing your mom. I told my Mom how his apo's favorite word at the moment is "sim" for "swim" and how much he giggled when he first heard the crashing of the waves.

10. Relax and seize the moment. It was the best vacation with my family so far. Stress-fee, absolutely relaxing, very nice place and food. We couldn't ask for more. Oh, wait, could we ask for this vacation not to end?

Here are some pictures of our trip. Captions by my husband (based on our favorite, Dr. Seuss)

*havent had hotdogs in a loong, loong time. Oh, and our pact to "no canned goods" has just been broken this week (separate story to follow). 

Here's to our last infant-without-seat booking.

"It's opener there in the wide open air."

He found the sound of waves crashing terrifically funny.

I tried, but I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Don't worry, I can't swim too.

We belong to the kiddie pool.

Remember this when you grow up a little and go crazy over those gaming consoles.

Beach breastfeeding

A nice view, a lounge chair and a box of Champion raisins.

Obligatory jump shot. This is why I am not a photographer, mum.

"You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights."

"Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left."

What are you up to now, Daddy?

Post-foot spa glow

The Working Mom

I was raised by a stay-at-home Mom but I had so much memories of my Dad being at home a lot as well during my childhood. Although I vividly recall being home with my Mom a lot more than my Dad. Maybe these memories were before I even started school, I am not so sure, because I remember being fed caldereta from the nearby carenderia for lunch, our afternoon meriendas of hopia and royal tru-orange, and the smell of adobong liver cooking for dinner. On weekend mornings, I would volunteer to buy pan de sal and liver spread from the nearby bakery! But maybe this was when I was seven or eight already.

Anyway, now that I am a mom myself, a part of me wishes I could be a stay-at-home mom like my own mother. When I gave birth to my son, we asked the hospital to room him in with us right away as this helped us a lot in teaching him how to latch properly and eventually succeed in our wish to breastfeed him exclusively. Since then, Mom and son were inseparable. I remember how I used to sneak in a bath during his naps when he was still very young and rushing back to him before he wakes up. During the first few months, I was attached to him and he was attached to me like a velcro. That's why back then, I couldn't imagine ever going back to work.

My son at two months

But I managed. We managed. Armed with my supportive husband, not to mention my ever-reliable mom and mother-in-law, I jumped back into my normal routine at work. Looking back now, I am truly happy I did. I know this is what God wants our life to be. But mornings will always be ours, My Son. I would just stare at you and let you sleep some more, never mind if it's too late and I'll be caught in traffic. When you wake up with a leaking nappy, I take it off and let you roam around in the room with your cute little butt exposed. We play and sing a little. We eat cereals and drink milk. And that's when I tell you, "Mom is going to the office today". You hug me tight, slowly placing your head on my shoulder. I hug you back. We take a bath (yes, together because that saves us time) and get dressed. Ate Christine comes in the room with your breakfast (yogurt, banana, bread and cheese) and I get ready for my exit. You used to cry when I leave, but your independence is slowly showing. You let me kiss your forehead but you never turn your head. You know that I'll be back and Daddy will be with you soon.

Alphabet Dad

May I tell you how awesome my husband (a.k.a. Alphabet Dad) is?

He is the amalgamation of all the father figures I have come to know. In some ways, he's like my own father, other times, he reminds me of my brothers-in-law. He's firm yet sweet, serious yet has a good sense of humor, and most of all, he's a great husband and father to our son. You see, I'm never the organized homemaker type. My closet is always a mess. My mail inbox is full of unread mails and I hardly use subfolders for my data library. Imagine so much PNG, Word, Excel, and Acrobat files in one huge folder, waiting to be sorted, classified, and kept in their specific folders. I have collected the planners they give away at coffeeshops on Christmas for the past several years, only to browse over blank pages of daily schedules after each year. I only decided to stop probably after five planners, so yeah, I thought it was a great waste of stickers and money on the coffee I never really liked anyway. I'm digressing. My husband's closet is pristine. He keeps his underwear and socks in separate boxes. He has a space for each of his clothing item. He cleans his shoes every week. I'm envious of his closet that I always ask him to help me organize mine too. He's never helped me in that aspect though. But I'm glad that he's owned the task of keeping all important documents in the family, receipts of our appliances for the warranty, our son's birth and baptismal certificates, passports, check books, passbooks, even our monthly bill statements are clipped together. We're always on time with our monthly utility dues, all thanks to him! I really, really love him for being the organized and responsible husband and father that he is. I know it's a trait that I want him to pass on to our son someday.

I remember when we were just dating, he would pay for all our dates (he does this even now, most of the time, and you're right, we still date). He even paid for my Boracay trip on my 25th birthday. It was just the beginning of years of happy birthdays for me. He's known to be tightfisted with money, but when it comes to me and the things I really like doing, he's quite extravagant, if you know what I mean. Once he was laid off from work. We went on a vacation to Singapore and Malaysia using the lump sum separation pay that was given him. As long as it's for travel to somewhere we both like, he's always game. Anyway, as the head of the family, I can attest that he's a very good provider. He was laid off once but after that episode, the grass became so much greener for his career. I mean, we don't have much but we manage to have a comfortable life, and that's what's important.

As parents, we are still both learning. Our son adores him as much as we adore our son. They'd spend the day reading, playing, talking, and doing lots of learning together while I'm at work. He's the hands-on Dad if you want to call him that. He respects my decisions and supports me in the things that matter to me. Yesterday, we were at the canned goods aisle of the grocery and I told him we need to stop buying and eating processed foods and strive to be healthier. He agreed and this week, our cupboard is canned goods-free (well, except for the canned squid that's to be our yaya's emergency food). Yay! As I've been doing the past weeks, I would prepare healthy lunch for my son and husband before leaving for work and cook healthy dinner again when I get back. This week though, I would also prepare my husband's baon. Well, there's the ever reliable google for recipes on which snack to prepare.



It's tough being a newbie parent. I'm just super lucky and grateful that I have the greatest partner in the whole world.