On Postpartum Skin Woes.

It's been almost a year since I gave birth and yet it seems that I have to deal with postpartum skin woes for forever. Giving birth is definitely a rewarding and such a triumphant feat but most of post pregnancy effects can be very upsetting too.

Right now, I can't stand to see myself for a long time in the mirror because of a pimple outbreak on my face. There are zits almost everywhere and it's not such a happy sight. The late night sleeps could have also aggravated it and I'm unhappier because I can't even conceal them with makeup. I miss that glow I used to have during my mom-to-be-stage skin when the estrogen-fueled blood flows to skin. I better heed what they always say about skin care: eat a diet that contains lots of fruits and vegetables, vitamin B2, and plenty of water. In addition, I've read that benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid products can be used by nursing mothers in treating blemishes. Using an oil-free (non-pore-clogging) cosmetics can also be beneficial. If you have a chloasma which is also a postpartum skin woe, staying out of the sun, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 15 SPF everyday and shifting to progestin-only "mini pill" or a progesterone injection if you're back on the pill which are estrogen free are the ways how to overcome it.

Stretch marks. Yeah I got them too. I'm one of those 90% of women who got them and now I'm faced with a dilemma how to make them fade fast before our Boracay getaway on December. Strutting in a two-piece bikini with a striped belly isn't a favorable sight, is it? According to whattoexpect.com: Exercise and eat right to help your skin regain its tone, and moisturize regularly (it won't zap your stretch marks but it'll keep itchies to a minimum as your tummy gets back in shape). Yeah right I just hope I find time and the drive to exercise.

Despite these skin woes, I'm not that really disturbed by them. I know my son still finds me beautiful no matter what because after all, I'm his Mom and I'm his milking cow.

Just a Quick Post.

Hello everyone..I'm still blogging from Frisco on a weekday. We're all still tired from the field trip at Avilon Zoo and Noah's Park yesterday but we need some more energy for this noon's Trick or Treat at hubby's workplace.

We're supposed to be back at Makati home last night or early this morning but Asher, yaya and I were left because we will see again the pedia at 3 pm. Asher's cough recurred so with the onset of a holiday and for a thorough checking, we'll be at the clinic again just to be on the safe side. Hubby needs to be in the office this lunch time so he went to Makati ahead. Hope, nothing's serious though with the little one's cough.

Again, online time is limited for the day and in the next of couple of days so please bear with me if I can't bloghop for now. I'll just pay my insurance premium online then I'm off to prepare for this noon's activities. Speaking of insurance, this billing is my 6th year anniversary premium notice and dividends were accumulated once again. Yahoo! I think there are some more benefits stipulated in the contract and in the term life insurance quote given to me before.

Anyway, I'll gonna leave you for the mean time with this photo taken yesterday at the Avilon Zoo. This is Trixie..the friendly and fashionable monkey (look at the crocs she's wearing!)

My Letter To Baby Magazine.

Yay! Baby Magazine (Marathon Publishing Co - Philippines) featured the letter I sent them a couple of months back in their October issue. I've been an avid reader of local parenting magazines since I gave birth and this magazine is one of those that I anticipate most on the first week of the month hoping and wishing that some day, Asher will be featured in the Baby Gallery section. Apart from it, I really find these magazines helpful with all the parenting informative topics and resources they provide. And me, having an immense belief in breastfeeding, I love their articles that support this advocacy especially their July issue where they featured the topic: "How Breastfeeding Prevents Picky Eating Later On". Thank you Baby Magazine for featuring my letter.

If I've known, I should have also attached Asher's picture. But okay na rin, at least, his name is also there. :)

October Weekend Recap: Week 4.

Saturday:
We were out the whole noon of Saturday. After lunch, we headed to SM North to pay bills and treat the little one for a little toy shopping spree before his scheduled 8th month wellness checkup. His Daddy promised him that a few days ago. Toy Kingdom was the ultimate destination for the day and a few minutes of shopping later, we went out of the store with 2 big shopping bags. Inside were a bag full of toy balls (100 pcs), 2 swimming floaters that he can hopefully use on Wednesday for the 9 Waves swimming, a Stack of Rings Toy and a Halloween Pumpkin Loot Container for his Trick Or Treat at his Daddy's office on Thursday.

We went to his Pedia's Clinic afterwards for his 8th month wellness checkup. We always set Asher's checkup by near closing hours of the clinic so there will be no queues and that we'll no longer wait. It's quite surprising to see the volume of baby and kid patients flocking that day. According to the pedia, they've been very busy since in the morning because of storming patients all sick babies and kids complaining of colds, cough and fever. It really must be the changing weather that's making everybody (not only babies) sick. And so we waited for a while before Asher was seen by his doctor.

Me and Asher while waiting for our turn in the Clinic

I can't believe Asher is turning 8 months this weekend. As of today, he now weighs 8.4 kilos, quite relieving this time since that's a gain of almost a kilo in just one month from 7.5 last month. Both of his vitamins (Ceelin and Nutrilin) shall now be administered at 1 ml of each a day. He was given an anti-measles vaccine and we were told that he might (but I do hope he won't) be feverish after a week. We were also instructed to give him Salinase Drops because of mild colds that he contracted earlier that same day. I say mild because it only appears (flows down) when he sneezes or occasionally in a day but also disappears moments later. And so with that, I doubt if I can let him have a swim on the Wednesday outing. We're also told to prepare for the next month's vaccine as he'll be given the IPD (anti-pneumonia). We're shocked to know of its price (Php 6500/shot and will be given total of 3 shots every two months)..what? that's a total of Php 19500 (almost USD 400)! But nevertheless, we appreciate the early advise so we can prepare for that. By all means, we won't let him miss these shots since it'll be for his own good.

Sunday: We missed the morning Sunday mass since Daddy together with Ninong Kevin and Lolo went to Himlayan in the morning to do some grave cleaning in time of the All Souls' Day. We'll be visiting hubby's maternal grandparents this coming weekend. Asher and Mommy just chilled and slept the whole noon at home while Daddy and Ninong Kevin went to Greenhills. As always, we drove back home to Makati in the evening.

Slithering Asher.

At 7 months (week 4), being mobile through slithering is Asher's latest milestone. In a few days or so, it won't be surprising to see him crawling all over the place. Whew! My baby's growing up so fast. Can somebody stop the time please?

This is also the reason why I can't concentrate much on my online work whenever he's with me in my so-called little home office in our bedroom. I need to set my unmoving eyes on him or else, he could already be somewhere doing some mysteries on his own.

Asher's Gifts.

Apart from the exchange gifts of the Mommies in the Twitter EB Party, the kiddies also had their own gift giving activity. Here's what Asher received from the party:

a V-Tech Learn and See Key Educational Toy from Tita Aggie's Kuya Mato


a Brainy Baby Book - Alphabets from Tita Joy's ate Sandy


Building Blocks as giveaway in the party
Well, the little one enjoyed all the gifts he received so much...he loves putting them in his mouth and gnaws them. Yummy ba, Asher?

Thank you Kuya Mato, Ate Sandy and to all Twitter Titas. :)

Coupon and Freebie Freak

Ems' post over here reminded me of a US-based aunt who also loves collecting coupons. Other than taking care of her grand kids, coupon hunting in groceries and shops makes her busy. Then these coupons are the ones she uses when she shops for goodies that would be sent to us, her nieces and nephews in the Philippines. We're always delighted whenever she sends boxes and boxes of shampoos, lotions, bath gels, towels, canned goods, kitchen supplies and apparels. Aside from coupons, she says, some of these goodies are freebies she got online. I think she knows of a site that features various freebies from food samplers to computer accessories to baby products to beauty products to magazine subscriptions and even bodybuilding supplements. How I wish there will also be a Pinoy site such as this. I'll also be a coupon and freebie freak like my aunt, I bet.

My Baby Model.

Here's one of Alpha's fantastic shots of my son during the Twitter EB Party we had last week. It's a shame that I haven't finished drafting my story for that but I promise I'll really do it soon. Anyway, Alpha took shots of him while we waited for the others' arrival. I just so love how she was able to capture pics of him and got him look at the camera like the one above. Even though the hotel room didn't have that nice lighting for a photo shoot (but their maxim lighting looks elegant in fairness), she still managed to come up with such lovely shots. Asher's adorable and makes a good baby model, right?

Thanks, Alpha!

When SAHM-one Speaks Question 10.24

Were you taught and trained to do the household chores at a very young age? If yes, would you implement the same to your children?

Yes, despite having helpers at home, my stepmom taught us to do household chores on weekends when there's no school. She says, it's better if we are disciplined at such a very young age so that when we're already grown ups and have a family of our own, adjusting won't be a tough task. Added to that, my siblings and I are all girls so it's just appropriate that we were taught how to wash the dishes, dust and clean the house, wash the clothes and iron them. Ironing is the chore I hated the most. Even when we were on vacation in the province, our Lola would train us like cooking and even gardening. It's a good thing that they have pantry moth traps since I wouldn't be able to stand the itchiness insects bring since my skin tends to become sensitive when exposed to such irritants.

Some Facts About Me Tag.

1. Are you a photo addict?
Not really. I prefer or should I say I'm addicted with taking photos of my son though.

2. What were you doing this morning at 8 am?
Checking e-mails.

3. Do you care for your Friendster?
hmm, not so much. But I do update once in a while. If I have the time and in the mood, it's where I check out how's a particular friend doing.

4. How many different beverages have you drank since yesterday?
2. Water and coke.

5. What are two things you hate?
traffic jams and inconsiderate people.

6. What do you wish for?
A new laptop, cellphone and DSLR.

7. When was the last time you got really hurt?
a long time ago.

8. What did you do last night?
Twittering while doing some online works.

9. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Cookies and Cream. I can finish a gallon in just one sitting. Just joking. I wonder how fat I could become if that happens. Perhaps, I'd be needing weight loss pills for that.

10. Fave color?
yellow and blue.

11. Have you ever gotten naked at a party?!
No and never will I.

12. Name someone you miss.
My Dad.

Thanks Chikai!

All About Milia.

When Asher was born, I noticed that he has 3 white spots on the left side of his face. It did look like tiny pimples - two just beneath his left eye and the other on his cheek. Later, I learned from the pediatrician that it's called Milia, also known as milk spots or oil seeds that disappear in a few weeks. They are commonly associated with newborn babies but can appear also on people of all ages. They are unrelated to baby acne or also known as acne neonatorum which has recently been described to be caused by a certain type of yeast causing a primary skin infection. They also clear up in a few weeks time but sometimes, it could linger for months.

Back to milia, you may ask, what can I do to help clear them up? The answer..nothing. You don't need to do anything at all because the bumps will go away on their own in a few weeks without treatment. If I recall right, Asher's milia disappeared in three weeks after birth.

Do I Miss...

It's been four months since I resigned from work and confined myself at home to become a full time Mom. When my boss and I discussed my resignation over a meeting, I told him that I never saw this coming myself until the later part of my Maternity Leave when I find it hard to leave my son at home. And frankly speaking, it didn't take much of my thoughts to go with this decision. Of course I thought about the financial side, but the yearning to be with my son 24 hours a day stood still that I gave up my career...at least, temporarily. Temporary because after a year or so, I said, I'd still return to the corporate world. Before I know it, that "one year" lead time will be under my nose soon so I think I have to start questioning myself. Do I already miss the 8 hour office works? the multitude of emails crowding my inbox? financial documents such as purchase orders, cash advance vouchers, and bid sheets? Do I miss the stress and pressure? In short, do I miss working in an office setup? Am I ready to leave Asher behind?

My answer is..no.

I don't miss it yet. I love being with my Asher 24/7 and so perhaps, it'll take quite a long while before I get back to being a corporate slave. I'm earning online anyway so I'll stay put as it is.

Mommy Pages Maclaren Promo.

Pinay Mommies out there, you might want to score a Maclaren Techno Classic Stroller for your baby. Check out the promo being held at MommyPages.com.ph. Read the mechanics here.



Promo ends at 11:59pm of October 31, 2008 so hurry!

Photo Overload.

..our external hard disk, that is.

Asher's just almost 8 months old and yet our hard disk is seemingly complaining with all the pictures that it holds. Mostly, of course, are Asher pictures taken since March up to the present. I think I have to tell hubby that we need to buy another external hard disk just in case our existing one runs out of memory. Speaking of pictures and of the husband, he informed me the other night he's inclined to buy a new camera. Our Powershot cam (Canon S3IS) is still working fine but it's just a semi-SLR camera and he'd like to try a Nikon DSLR this time for better, clearer and pro shots. I think he's just waiting for the payday this month-end but if ever, payday loans are also one of his options. I'm so excited on this new gadget. For sure, we'll be swamped more with Asher pictures then.

"Where, Asher?"

I can't believe that Asher already passed the infancy stage when he does nothing but sleep, feed, poo and pee. Now, nearing the 8th month mark, he has achieved several milestones - not just the expected development over months in a baby but mentally, he's forming and thriving very well.

Mention the word "Mommy"..he'd search the whole room and stare at me when he sees me.

Mention the word "Daddy"..he'd look at his Dad. He may even repeat the word when you emphasize it over and over.

When we're in our living room, ask him where his red balloon is, he'll turn his head and lands his eyes on the now deflating red balloon that was given to him by a neighbor who just had a birthday party.

And if you ask, where are the butterflies, he'd gamely look up and fix his eyes to the ornamental dangling butterflies we have in the living room. These are the same butterflies that became his "first comfort toy" and made him occupied when he was just about a few months old. This time he can already associate the word "butterflies" with them.


Probably if we're to buy him rc helicopters and toys that remotely fly or dangle up in the air, although he won't still be able to control, I'm sure he'd still find it amusing.

These are just a few tricks that he has learned onset his 8th month. I wonder what's his next amusing trick will be.

Asher's First Word: "Ad-di"

That's how Asher calls his Dad and that is also his first ever clear word. And of course, much to the delight of his doting Daddy. He may have called me "Mim-mi" when he was just 4 months old but I know that his real first ever word will not come out until this stage. According to what I've read, if a baby can repeat what you say and say the same word regularly then that counts as his first word.

It was last October 12 when he started mumbling "ad-di" and "ssss" over and over while we were driving for home from Yakee's party. Then when I told him.."Asher, call Daaaddddyyy" (with an emphasis on "Daddy"), he'd answer back "ad-di". Up to now, as long as he's in the mood, he'd repeatedly say it when we ask him to. I think he's also learning to associate the word "ad-di" to his Daddy because when we ask, "where's Daddy?"..he'd look on his Daddy's way. In a month or two, I know I'll hear the word "Mim-mi" again...can't wait!

7 Months.

In two weeks, Asher will be 8 months already. And yet, I haven't journalled (moreso, digiscrapped) his 7 month milestone markers. Haha, what else is new? I wonder when can I ever update on time? Probably when there are no more "white fishes" in the sea (haha! I so like this term...if you are blog earners like me, you know what I mean) but that would also mean no shopping money for Black Friday Sales on November and no savings for the little one's party.

Anyway, here are his milestones on his 7th month:

1. Weighs 7.7 Kilos as of his monthly wellness checkup: According to the Ideal Baby Weight Calculator, 7 month babies should weigh 8 Kilos on the average. He's 0.3 kilos shy of the average but the Pedia says it's not something to be worried about. Babies develop and grow at their own pace. Most often, their activeness at this stage slows down their weight gain. He gained about 0.3 from last checkup by the way. In addition, breastfed babies are on the leaner side compared to formula fed ones who tend to become heavier and sometimes, overweight.

2. Turns over with ease and rolls over to move around.
3. Started to eat stage 2 of solid foods. He loves the pureed squash I prepare for his lunch. Others he tasted so far are: sayote, carrots and potatoes.
4. Loudly squeals and grunts.
5. Razzes upon the first few spoons of what he's eating.
6. Still loves putting into his mouth all things he gets hold of - books, toys, etc.
7. Can pass object from one hand to the other.
8. Can already stand with support and can even step foot forward when guided.
9. Expert with the "worm" move.

"No Opps Mommy"

"No available opps, Mommy!"
Just one of his "kulit" and "likot" moments while Mommy is taking a break from online works.

Updates Soon.

It's been a while since I last shared about recent Asher updates but I'm so caught up with lots of online commitments and real life happenings these days. I'm also helping out a friend score for cheap Las Vegas Show Tickets online as they'll going be to Nevada soon.

I'll find time today to squeeze in a few all-about-Asher posts here. I really have to do it before they'll just be buried deep in my memory. And just so I won't forget, I have to make an outline so I'll be guided and won't miss any of his notable progress these days.

1. Blog about Asher's 7th month milestones - this should have been posted on the week he turned 7 months.
2. His first words
3. His latest tricks about being able to locate his red balloon & butterflies when asked.
4. His bye-bye wave
5. His smooching tricks
6. His voracious appetite and his favorite solid foods so far
7. Last weekend's recap (including the Twitter EB)
8. His loots from the said EB
9. His being "a daddy's boy" when the husband arrives from work
10. His "worm" move and being mobile

So there...I think there's even more but I'll just blog about them as I recall. And yes, he has lots of pics worth putting into digiscrap layouts but :sigh: how I wish I'd really have an extra time for that soon.

Asher's Weekend Recap.

Asher had a bit tiring yet an enjoyable weekend. He woke up a lot better last Friday. He was still coughing but that was the last I heard for that day. His pedia told us that if his cough would still persist by Saturday, we need to come back that day for another check up perhaps a test of some sort will be done further or a medication change. And so with the improvement, we just postponed the clinic visit until today (monday) as instructed by the Pedia.

Saturday: The weather was fair but it was so hot at Frisco. Having two electric fans directed at him while he slept didn't help thus, his naps were just short and weren't satisfying. It's a good thing that we have a scheduled "shopping" at Trinoma in the afternoon so there we chilled. Clad by his dad in the carrier, as always, he charmed the salesladies whenever they coo over him. He would always flash his sweetest smile to the delight of the ladies. He was behaved the whole time we strolled and shopped. He just got cranky when his hunger pangs struck while we were having our snacks at KFC so our nursing cover was once again used. After a tiring trip to Landmark, Healthy Options and Toyrus and KFC merienda, we finally drove home. Here are the loots I shopped for the little boy: diapers, Lullaby and Barney CDs, a fleece blanket, a green Elmo cap and Earth's Best organic baby foods (Bananas, Carrots, and Potatoes & Spinach).

 

Sunday: We attended Yakee's 1st birthday party in Las Pinas.  We kinda got lost finding the party venue so we arrived late.  The guests were already eating by the time we arrived.  The little one didn't sleep on the way there.  We didn't bring his yaya along so hubby and I took turns on devouring the delicious feast.  After a few snapshots taken with the other CWL babies who all came in dashing Halloween costumes, the little Tigger baby was yawning and easily fell asleep.  He woke up several minutes later after he's been recharged a bit.  He didn't get cranky the whole time as he enjoyed seeing the balloons that adorned the venue.  Of course, my CWL sister Jacque of Party Boosters did it. He also delightedly watched the other CWL babies in costume: Mec's Yakee, the celebrant, as Harry Potter, Jacque's Simone as Minnie Mouse, Tin's Andy as a baby witch, Con's Joaquin as a cute little cow (or a calf).  Of course, we all enjoyed Yakee's Harry Potter-themed birthday party.

 

Asher's The Picture Company Pictorial.

Asher had his first ever studio pictorial at The Picture Company (TPC) in Powerplant Mall last October 1. We initially planned to have it at Pic-A-Boo in The Block the other week but unfortunately, the queue was too long that day since it was a weekend and we knew that Asher wouldn't be able to stand the 3-hour waiting time before our turn. We initially preferred Pic-A-Boo since 1) it's nearer to my in-laws' place where we stay during the weekends and 2) there's no membership fee for the pictorials so practically, all you have to pay for are the prints you're going to get. And so anyway, since TPC is just 10 minutes away from our Makati home where we stay during the weekdays, we went there last October 1 (holiday). I knew hubby cringed a bit upon seeing the pictorial rates but since his son loves the camera, he gave in. He said that it's Asher's 7th month birthday the next day anyway so that's his gift for his mini-me. I'm not going to bore you anymore with my yakety-yaks so here goes the pictures....








By the way, I edited most of the pictures since my scanner is doped. I haven't figured it out how to scan and yield hi-res results.

Feeback on TPC: The rates are kinda steep, but it's all worth it. Asher definitely had a blast on the shoot..why not, he was given lots of stuffs (props) to gnaw on. Lol. The photographer handled him very well. The moment we stepped inside, she was able to make Asher smile and giggle. That's how bubbly she is. She's a baby whisperer actually. There were several shots taken (unlimited) that gave us a hard time selecting which to print. We'll definitely come back and fully maximize the Php 2500 membership fee we paid.

My Lil Sickie Boy.

Daddy, Asher and I barely slept last night. In fact, last night was worse than the other night. He was coughing so bad that he would cry in the middle of his sleep. He had a hard time finding the position he'd be most comfortable at. I lost count how many times we're awakened by his coughing/crying fits. And with us, not feeling so well also (hubby still has cough while I just got colds, too), we couldn't do anything but rub his chest and back and cuddle and comfort him. My heart's so heavy seeing him so uncomfortable. If only there's a way to just take away and transfer his discomforts to me, I would have long do that.

Appetite wise, he's still as voracious as he is. He's drinking his milk well and he consumed the pureed squash and sayote I cooked for him. He's also as happy, active and mobile as his normal self. So it's just that bad cough while he sleeps that's giving him a tough time. I really hope and pray he gets well soon.

Iyah's Paypal Birthday Contest.

A dear online friend, Jacq, is sponsoring another blog contest at her Diva Moms Radio blog this time. This contest is in celebration of the 2nd birthday of her dear daughter cutie pie Iyah.

What’s up for grabs?
Well, there will be two lucky people who will win $15 Paypal money each. Further, two creative well-wishers of her daughter will also be awarded $5 paypal money each.

How to earn entries:
1. Subsribe to her feed via Feedburner - 1 entry
2. Add her blog to your Technorati Favorites - 1 entry
3. Post your birthday wish/greeting to the little girl in this blog post and she will choose the best two to receive the $5 paypal money.

The contest will run from October 9 through October 16, 2008 and she’ll use a randomizer to pick the winner after the little girl’s party.

So there, hope you’ll join the contest.

To Iyah, here's Asher's birthday greetings for you. Hope you like it.

Sickie Asher.

My lil Asher is nursing a bad cough. :(

He might have probably got the bug from his Daddy or Tito Kevin or Tito Rely. A lot has been getting sick these days perhaps due to the erratic weather. He kept on tossing and turning in bed last night and his coughing episodes prompted us to have a quick Pedia visit this morning. The husband took the morning off from work so we can bring Asher to Capitol. His doctor says his throat is swollen and badly irritated but thankfully, he ruled out any lung complications as his breathing sounds clear.

Right now, he's given Cefaclor antibiotic and Ambroxol meds for his cough; and a Paracetamol on stand by just in case he gets feverish.

On a lighter note, he's his old active self naman...still so malikot.

Hope he gets well soon. I just couldn't bear seeing him coughing so hard and feeling unwell.

All About Asher's Bedtime Habits.

Generally, I didn't have much problem with Asher's sleeping habits ever since..well, aside of course when he was just a few weeks old. I don't think there are newborn babies who can sleep through the night immediately. I also had my own dose of post partum zombie nights when Asher would wake up every couple of hours or so, crying endlessly while the sleep-deprived newbie mom in me would be panicking and totally clueless what could pacify him. Luckily, I graduated from this night routine before he turned one month and I was one satisfied Mom gradually getting accustomed to his just once or twice waking up and feeding sessions in the middle of the night.

For seven months now, I could say that we have established a bit well his sleeping habits. His before bedtime routine, which they say dictates how well will his sleep be, is as follows:

7:30 pm - We give him a sponge bath. During hotter nights (summer), we bathe him completely so he'd feel fresh and more relaxing.
7:45 pm - I nurse him for his last full feeding of the day.
8:00 pm - We lie down and cuddle on bed, sometimes read books or his Daddy would engage with him some winding down activity (conversing or cuddling) then the last cue, praying while he nurses again on me.
8:15 pm - He's already drifting off to dreamland.


We've been co-sleeping ever since and this has worked well on us. He would wake up once or twice in the middle of the night but would also sleep back on his own. If he couldn't then I'd just readily nurse him. Then rise and shine time for him is usually 6:00 am. But I recently found out through the customized sleep profile I obtained from Johnson's bedtime.com.ph, that children who sleep in their parents' bed are more likely to wake during the night and have sleep issues. Now that's something new for us worth pondering on. But I don't think I am ready to let him sleep in his crib yet.

Here are some other representations of Asher's sleep patterns as yielded by the Johnson's Bedtime questionnaire:

Total Nighttime Sleep: Asher typically sleeps 10 hours at night which is between the 75th - 90th percentile for children his age.

Total Daytime Sleep: Asher typically naps 5 hours during the day which is between the 75th - 90th percentile for children his age.

Longest Stretch Asleep at night: His longest continuous sleep period during the night is typically 7 hours which is between the 50th - 75th percentile for children his age.

Should you want to check you baby's sleep pattern, too, please visit Johnson's Baby Nursery and answer their questionnaire. By the way, the first 1,000 Moms to register will get a gift pack from them.

Snapshots on the Road.

Sharing some of our weekend pictures taken last week. This was taken last Sunday on our way to SM for Asher's supposedly first studio pictorial at Pic-A-Boo. It didn't push through though because the waiting queue was kinda long and we needed to wait for 3 hours before Asher's turn. We decided that we'll just return some other day.


My apologies for the delayed uploading..it's not that I'm slacking but my week has been pretty busy with other online works. Anyway back to the pictures, we usually borrow my in laws' SUV whenever we go out on weekends. Well, it's new and big as oppose to our small Nissan Sentra car which we fondly call Green Machine. The husband loves driving the van as well because it's automatic and easy to maneuver. My in laws bought it a few months back at a fairly inexpensive price since it's second-owned. But what I'm not sure of is if it came with a Cheap Car Insurance. Getting an insurance can protect your car from any inconvenience should a likely vehicle accident occurs. But getting a car insurance may be a daunting task especially if you lack the expertise in checking which is the best (in terms of coverage) but fairly priced. Sites such as onlineautoinsurance.com are helpful to those who'd like to compare auto insurance quotes online prior availing. Through these, finding a low cost auto insurance would no longer be a daunting task.

Baby Magazine 12th Anniversary Issue.

Eeekkk..it's finally out! I can't wait to get hold of this issue. The topic's very apt and timely since I'm starting to prepare for the little one's first birthday party on March. Countdown ticker says 149 days to go. It might be too early...call me excited..but uhm, I really am excited haha! Well, actually, it's never too early to start canvassing and researching for party ideas. This gives us a picture of how much should we save for the little one's first ever birthday bash.

Motherhood Quotations - Part II

Some more heart-warming motherhood quotations. If in case you're into scrapbooking, digital or paper, the following quotes would be of great help to spice up your layouts.

"I suffer from M.A.D.D. - Mommy Attention Deficit Disorder." ~Raenita

"The phrase " working mother " is redundant." ~Jane Sellman

"Cleaning up with children around is like shoveling during a blizzard" ~ Author Unknown

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back." ~William D. Tammelus

"Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life."
~ Author Unknown

"Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease."
~ Lisa Alther

"A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after. "
~Peter De Vries

"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?"
~Milton Berle

"I know how to do anything - I'm a Mom." ~Roseanne Barr

"It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it."
~The Golden Girls

"The hand that rocks the cradle usually is attached to someone who isn't getting enough sleep."
~ John Fiebig

"I'd like to be the ideal mother, but I'm too busy raising my kids."
~Unknown

"Raising a kid is part joy and part guerilla warfare."
~Ed Asner

"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class."
~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Resource: More mom quotes at Nannydeprived.com.

National Phone Book.

For a busy full time mom and wife, one of the things that is so annoying to disrupt your tight household schedule, not to mention, stress and wrinkles causing is being pranked on phone. Do you know that there's a way for you to find out who just phoned and pulled a trick on you by just typing the number on the web? Yes, National Phone Book can be your savior. This online phone book directory has the technology to find the owner of any phone number and all other directory information you need- from any state or area code.

Happy 7th Month Birthday Asher!

To the apple of my eye and to the most adorable son in the world..

Happy 7th Month Birthday, my little Asher!

I can't believe that it's been seven months since you first let me experience the joys of Motherhood. It seems it's was just like yesterday when I first touched, kissed, cuddled, nursed you. And look at you now..look how you've grown and developed so fast in that short span of seven months. Day by day, you never cease to amaze me of your antics and charm. And I'm just glad that I'm able to witness it everyday, as we're together 24/7. Our monthly family income may have been diminished immensely when I quit work, but no amount of money can equate the bliss you're letting me experience right now. I do hope and pray that I may continue to raise you in the best way I know and I can...that you thrive well with the love and care that we - Dadddy, Mommy and everyone, shower on you. That may you continue to bind Mommy and Daddy and be our ultimate source of happiness. You mean the world to us. Daddy and I love you to bits.

Your first birthday's just five months away. Mommy's so excited to start preparing for your first ever party. Let's pray that Daddy would be able to bring home more bonuses; that Mommy would get to have more online rackets and that your virtual piggybank in the right sidebar gets filled with coins so we can have one big splendid party satiated with balloons, food, goodies, etc.

And oh, please remind Mommy to digiscrap your sixth and seventh month milestone markers, okay?

WW: Bookworm (?)

My son is a bookworm..or should I say a book gnawer. We bought him this book just last weekend and look how he fondly plays "and tastes" it.