25th Month.

Picture taken last Saturday on our way to SM Megamall

Dear Asher,

I'm doing my rundown of your 25th month milestones two days earlier because Mom will go internet fasting from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday. Again, going over my blog entry last month, I'm so elated to see you develop and mature immensely in such a short span of time.

You absolutely can understand every word we say now and albeit you can't find and pronounce the right words yet, you can somehow express your answers in some other way pretty well.

I'm so proud, anak, that you've learned to become respectful to the elders by answering "opo" on your own and without being prodded.

I can not just say no every time you have a request like watch your favorite Up movie because you charm me with your tiny and melodic "pleaasse".

When Mommy's mad, you definitely know how to calm and soothe my anger away. You immediately hug and smooch me on my cheeks so dearly.

I hope you're having a fun time as much as Mommy does when we do our "dugtungan" singing of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and 10 Little Indians. I like how you say "itar" for star, "ayr" for are, "ay" for high, "itay" for sky and "indan" for indians. Mommy will teach I'm A Little Teapot next.

I've also noticed that for the last couple of months, you never had little accidents anymore as you can now fully control your bladder. You can determine and say when you feel like peeing (or doing number 2) and you won't do your thing unless you're on the toilet bowl. Way to go, my little one! I think it's safe to say that you're 85% potty trained already and may even be diaper free in the evening very soon, who knows.

It's funny that you now own a blue winnie the pooh wallet and you treasure it (including the Php 20 bill and 2 Php 5 coins inside) so much. Before the mass, that's where you kept the bill that you dropped in the collection basket last Sunday during the offertory.

When an ice cream commercial was shown this morning on TV, you got excited and exclaimed "buy". Uh-oh, it seems we now have to brace ourselves for your "bilmoko" episodes in the mall.

You've become more demanding of me lately. You don't want anybody to bathe and feed you, to accompany you to the bathroom, to dress you up other than Mommy. Tomorrow, I'll try to count the times I'll hear you call "mommy, mommy"...but I bet, I'll lose count.

You can not say the words "i love you" completely and clearly yet but your "youuu" reply is enough. My heart melts every time I hear you say that.

Xoxo,
Mommy
03.30.10

High-Tech Families.

In today's modern world, it's no surprising to see how we've become deeply attached and so dependent on the internet and technology in general. From the likes of Lola Techie to our wee ones, we can say that everyone in the family seems so technologically connected nowadays:

1. Babies are more attracted to cellphones and make them their teethers.
2. A still developing fetus or yet to be born baby already has a Facebook account or a domain name.
3. Kids talk and chat with their parents via Facebook or instant messengers.
4. Insurance agents are just a thing in the past for the parents. Why bother meet with them if you can just request insurance quote online easily.
5. Moms vent to fellow mom friends on Twitter.
6. Moms put up a food blog and a parenting blog to chronicle their SAHM moments.
7. Students having kindles instead of library cards.
8. Kids ask wireless gifts from Santa.
9. Family reunions organized and planned through Facebook.

Best Cousins and Best "Enemies"

We feel like singing Alleluia and wanting to celebrate every time we see these two cousins at their sweetest. Well, most of the time, yes, they do get along well. And they easily and fondly miss and look for each other when they are apart. But you know how toddlers are and their aggressive personalities when provoked. They can be the sweetest playmates at one second but the worst enemies too at the next. Looking at the pictures above, you'll get a preview what the ending was through the succeeding pictures below:

The difference in their personalities often sparks a war. Kylie's the sweet and mushy one but her heavy hands and tight affection hurt and irk Asher easily resulting to a biting revenge of the latter. Whew! These are the moments when I'm glad that I didn't have twins or else, I might have gone crazy.

But of course, I'm positive that these two will grow to be the best cousins especially that they are of the same age (just 1 1/2 month apart). I'm sure that Asher will look at his cousin Kylie as his younger sister and she'll forever protect her as if his own sister. Then in the same way that Kylie will look up to him as an older brother, whom he can depend on for roadside assistance, a confidante when someone bullies her or if ever she'll need an escort on her prom.

Letter to Asher 03.20.10

To My Little One,

It's been a while since I last wrote a "letter" for you (in this blog). Mommy has been pretty busy with work lately and I'm sure you're very much aware of that.

I'm deeply sorry for the times that I let Yayie bathe you because Mommy has to start working early. For the instances that I cut short our playtimes. For the times I turn down your request to watch the movie Up or Babab or Barney or Animal Planet with you because I have a deadline to beat or just like the last time when I have to finish designing the wedding invitations of a friend. And for the times that I have to multitask when I breastfeed you.

Please do not think that I do not love you less when I do that. I know you still don't understand and you're confused. But Mommy has to help Daddy earn money so our Little Mansion dream will come true. Don't worry, my Cher-cher, all our sacrifices will bear fruit very very soon. Always remember that Daddy and Mommy love you very much and this is all for you.

Love,
Mommy

PS: Whenever you miss Mommy at any time of the day, feel free to just storm the room and hug and kiss me.

My Treatment For Depression.

Before Asher turned two, I already braced myself for a new world that's even more chaotic. I had a glimpse of how's a "Terrible Twos" world is like when he was a few months younger but I constantly feel perplexed and extremely challenged whenever my not-so-a-baby-anymore Asher asserts himself. He has grown to a more sensitive, more domineering and a whiner little tot. He easily gets upset and throws fit whenever he's refused to do a thing. He wails like a mad cow, he kicks hard like a baffled horse and slaps or hits hard like a fooled monkey when he goes berserk. He also has this feisty attitude and says "baw!" (for bad) with an angry face and ready-to-hit hand when he's being provoked. He really drives me (and his daddy) crazy that our patience meters would even go beyond the critical mark.

But...


..this little 2 year old man has also become the sweetest son. Our sole treatment for depression during our not-so-good days. He has this very effective charm that never cease to captivate even our most deranged selves. He now can say "ee-you" whenever we say "I love you". He also has the biggest and warmest hug that can pacify my angry top to say that he's sorry. His tiny voice and affectionate way of calling me "Mama" and his repetitive "Mommy...mommy...mommy" (yes, he can clearly enunciate it already) are just the sweetest music to my ears. He shows respect to us and to the elders around him by saying "po" and "opo". He's the best thing that ever happened to us and I can't thank him enough for coming to our lives. He completed me more...by making me his Mom.

Picture Books Summer 2010: A Summer Art Workshop For Kids

These are for Moms who are looking for worthwhile summer activities for their kids:

PICTURE Books! takes children on a unique visual arts adventure, by allowing them to create art works inspired by stories, fairytales and legends from around the world. New media and fun alternative techniques with paint and other materials will be explored to foster an atmosphere of both learning and creativity.

Visit this page for more details: http://www.powerbooks.com.ph/webinternal/promos_events.asp?v=7#air

Asher's Weaned...Not.

As you can see, I haven't taken down the breastfeeding ticker I've been sporting on my blog's side bar. It is because I'm still breastfeeding and judging Asher's attitude towards nursing now, weaning is still far from happening.

So how's breastfeeding been like for 2 years, 2 weeks and 2 days? Well, I've never felt accomplished (as a mom) and proud as now...aside from laboring for 19 hours and delivering him via NSD. I mean, for moms out there who breastfeed their kids, you know how challenging it is and how this spells a tremendous sacrifice in our daily living. But nature has it that as a Mom, I would gladly endure everything just to give what's best for my son. I gave up my career just to direct and exclusively breastfeed him on his first year. Nothing beats the peace of mind I have knowing that Asher's enjoying the advantages and the hollistic effect of my milk. Besides, I have learned to turned this sacrifice into a worthwhile experience. I can also testify that it's an effective quick weight loss remedy to remove all those pregnancy fats fast. The moment he latches on and he wraps his arms around me..the mother-son intimacy is nothing but pure bliss.

I feel sad for those Moms who haven't experienced this bliss enough. I feel sad that the breastfeeding advocacy in the country can hardly be felt still. And I feel sadder even more for those babies who are deprived of their mom's milk solely because of knowledge inadequacy about breastfeeding. Majority of moms would say that they do not produce enough milk post birthing. If it's a consolation to hear, do you know that during Asher's first 2 weeks, I was only able to pump just an ounce of milk? And even up to his 3rd month, I can only get about 4 up to 6 ounces the most. But I was not rattled at all and I did not give up. I was lucky that I was surrounded by breastfeeding advocate friends and I read a lot that's why I know that even with the small amount of breastmilk I had, I was not undernourishing my son because in the first place, he just has a small tummy the size of a marble then.

I'm not saying that it's wrong to formula feed babies. Yes, it's a matter of choice. But wouldn't you choose the best of all the best for your baby?

Current Weight.

I've haven't monitored Asher's weight for quite some time now. He's through with all of his pertinent immunizations since January so we haven't really seen his Pediatrician since then. We were told to be back after his 2nd birthday for his yearly flu shot. As it's been a while since he last tipped the weighing scale, I'm so excited how heavy he's weighing now. He still looks lanky but he definitely grew taller so I wonder how much kilos did he gain. His skinny looks wasn't brought about by natural fat burners or of some sort. He's always been skinny and add to that, he has so much been a bundle of energy and is breastfed. As studies show, breastfed babies are less plump than formula-fed ones.

Hopefully, we'll find out his current weight soon.

The Up Movie Mania.

My son isn't really into watching cartoons in movies or TV shows..not until his Daddy brought out the Up Movie DVD last week anticipating that he would love the balloons. So finally, his Barney DVD and the Animal Channel Planet can now take a rest for the mean time because of this new addition to the little ones' favorites.

Up is a comedy adventure movie about a 78-year-old balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream and promise to his deceased adventurer wife of finding the Lost Paradise somewhere in South Africa by tying thousands of balloons to his house. But he discovers all too late that an overly optimistic 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell has stowed away on the trip. And from there, the real adventure in the wilds began.

I was touched by the moral of the story that perseverance and the "never say die" thinking should always be the right attitude to any undertaking. The old man's loneliness when his wife passed away also gave me a tug at the heart. It's something that I hate to think about..but death's simply inevitable.

Now back to the little one's fascination of the movie. Here are some of his fave movie parts that he loves watching over and over. Often, he would imitate the words and faces of the characters and he even makes the accompanying sound effects.

1. Carl eating his breakfast alone. The little one would repeatedly say "eat, wowo". He calls Carl "Wowo" (Lolo / Grandfather) and sometimes "Jun" (his paternal grandpa).

2. Carl pointing the vacuum to the construction worker. Asher shrieks in delight and imitates the distorted face of the character.

3. Carl hitting the construction worker with his cane. Asher expresses sympathy by saying "wawa" (kawawa) meaning "poor fellow".

4. And of course this part. This is the part when the Shady Oaks Retirement Center personnel are to take him to their custody for proper nursing care, arthritis treatments and all that. This is his most favorite part as he shouts "Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Bu!" over and over with eyes open wide.

5. And also this part. He sits still and watch closely as he anticipates Russell's knocking on the door. In fact, whenever the little one wants to watch Up, he would say to me "knock-knock wowo" pertaining to this part.


6. And lastly, his third favorite part. It's very funny of the little one that he can exactly imitate Russell's face here. I'll try to take a picture of that.


So after the Barney and Animal Planet craze, it's the Up DVD's turn now to huff and puff. So good luck to us and hope it won't conk out on us soon.

New Vitamins For Me.

I'm due to see my OB-gyne next week. Not pregnant but I have to subject myself for the annual routine check up including my pap smear. I'm also gonna relay to the doctor the outcome of my TSH blood tests and thyroid ultrasound which ruled out the suspected hyperthyroidism in me. As it is, I'm also going to ask for new women's vitamins that are good for breastfeeding moms, preferably those that can help me gain extra weight. I'm so desperate to bring back my old pre-pregnancy weight of 105 pounds. While a lot envies my skinny body, it's no fun at all to strut wearing shirts and dresses as if you're a walking hanger.

The Entertainment and Celebrity Babies.

For the second time in a row, my little Asher's picture got included again in the SP Kiddie Greets section of Smart Parenting Magazine and Manila Bulletin's Moms and Kids Babies' Birthday Corner in their latest issues. I do not really intend or wish my son to enter the overwhelming, crazy entertainment and showbiz world. I just love joining such baby contests on print well primarily because of the pride and joy I feel whenever he gets chosen and two, I just love winning prizes. After all, joining is free and there's no purchase necessary. I don't even need to mail them (via airmail) since I just send the pictures through email. My efforts have paid off because just like last year on his first birthday, Asher also won the much coveted Php 500 Baby Company gift card again this year as he celebrated his second birthday. Ain't that sweet? Now we have a total of Php 1000 worth of Baby Company gift card to spend for diapers or toys. More than that, I have a celebrity baby to boot even for just a day as his picture is seen nationwide on one of the biggest daily news spread.

Speaking of celebrity babies, I feel sorry for kids like Suri, Violet and Shiloh who became an instant media scoop the moment they were born and have to struggle and deal with the day to day aggressiveness of the paparazzis. I can just imagine how hard it is to be an offspring of a celebrity. Not only that their identities will be forever entwined with their parents but they're missing a lot of their childhood. They can not freely go anywhere like strolling in the park, malling, or just walking around without having to deal with the invasive nature of the media. Being a celebrity baby may be fun in terms of riches and luxurious living their celebrity parents provide. But, if being robbed of privacy and childhood is the price they have to pay, I bet they would love to switch places with other average kids.

On Being Busy and Searching for School Leads

By the looks of my blog, you might have been aware that I'm so swamped with lots of my writing assignments that I hardly find time to blog in here lately. I have so much stories, happenings and pictures to share but sadly, my day hours are just enough to do so. I wasn't even able to do a birthday post yesterday. Hopefully, this week will be a little less busy so I can make some personal updates. I can likewise resume my search for an accredited cosmetology school within our area. It's premature to say but I'm so moved to learn about cosmetology particularly about makeups. I know I've just mentioned about being busy but the current demand for makeup artists in the wedding industry is so tempting to venture a business on. Thanks to www.beautyjobs.com, I'm given good cosmetology school leads within the area.

The Mr. Pogi Pose

Guess who has learned a new signature pose for the camera.

We only taught him this once but interestingly, he does this pose every time he sees his Daddy holding the camera and is aimed at him. It's just funny that when he had his passport picture taken in a studio, he did this even without us coaching him to do so. Kulit but cute, noh?

A Trust Fund and Gold Investment.

It really feels good whenever I get to transfer some of my hard earned salary to my son's trust fund. We didn't get him an educational plan for his schooling because we're just too hesitant especially that even those pre-need plan companies that we think are stable over the years are now shadowy, too. Some have shut down while some are on the brink of closing. So we agreed not to risk our money on that kind of investment but instead, maintain a trust fund savings account for the little one. As a supplement, we can perhaps try precious metal investment like buy gold coins as a start up. I heard from the news that gold is doing way better now. Analysts and expert traders foresee that gold will continue its high competitive value in the weeks and even months to come as the euro dollar entails favorable gain over the US dollar.

On Preschooling

It may be a little too early but I'm trying to familiarize myself already on how pre-schooling goes for the first time. Asher's 2 now and in a year or two, he may then be ready to start schooling. I'm not really into aggressive preschool hunt yet. But I have started researching on the web for pre-schools having close proximity to our soon-to-be Batasan home. Further, I'm more on reading about the different preschooling approaches and methods. Whew! Unlike searching for work philly jobs, I never imagined that finding the perfect preschool can be so challenging. So whether it be homeschooling, traditional, montessori or progressive method, I absolutely do not have idea yet which to go with. I'll do an intensive research first and from there, I'll decide.

Too Many..Too Little.

Too many celebrations and happenings..too many photos to share..but too little time to upload and organize them in my Flickr gallery. If not for my micro sd running out of space, I wouldn't be forced last night to transfer the photos that were taken 3 weeks ago.

Geez..I guess it's not only the "lack of time" that is to be blamed. Sheer laziness, too?

My Prayer as Asher Turns 2 Today..

Every mom in the world wish nothing but the best for their children.

Today, as my son turns 2, my prayer is exactly outlined in Rachel Aldous' song: A Mother's Prayer.

Happy 2nd Birthday Asher!

A Mother's Prayer (HANNAH'S SONG)

Verse:
My sweet baby on loan from above
no better treasure could I more love
I stand here beside your bed as I pray
I lay my hand on your head and I say:

Chorus:
May you grow up to serve Him
all of your days
May He lead you and guide you
in all of your ways
May His hand bless your future with
friendships that last
May you cherish your youth
and not grow up too fast

Verse:
I stare in wonder at your tiny frame
Just to think that God knows you by name
He knows every hair on your beautiful head
He knows all your thoughts before they are said

Chorus:
May you grow up to serve Him
all of your days
May He lead you and guide you
in all of your ways
May His hand bless your future with
friendships that last
May you cherish your youth
and not grow up too fast

Prayer:
May God grant you peace
in the midst of a storm
May God give you strength even
when youre forlorn
May you answer the door when
Jesus comes knocking
May wisdom guide you when
your mouth is talkin
May discretion protect you
and keep you pure
May you never stumble
or fall for a lure
May your heart remain humble
to the very end
May uprightness and truth
be what you defend
May the world not ensnare
or change who you are
May the light that's within you
shine like the stars
May angels surround you
body, spirit, mind
May favor and peace be yours to find
May rejection and pain
never reach you
May your spirit grow bold
for what youre called to

As you rest in Gods care I will rest too
Knowing that Jesus is watching over you
Amen

Hannah speaks: I love you, Mommy

Asher at 2 Years Old.

Someone's celebrating his birthday tomorrow. So before I go working and study about these term life insurance quotes that were forwarded to me and before we go out tonight for a special dinner with the family, let me share how the little tot has been in the last month.

1. His comprehension is incredible. He perfectly understands every word and instruction I say. Albeit he still has limited vocabulary, he can convey whether he agrees or not and can combine 2 to 3 words (and hand signals) to say what's on his mind.

2. Answers "Pow" (Paul) when asked of his Daddy's name; "Ninin" for his Mommy's name; "Jun" and "Affy" (Raffy) for his Lolos' names and "Ish" (Liz) for Lola's name.

3. Favorites are "Babab" (Spongebob), Barney and Animal Planet. He wouldn't want any other than his "Babab" and Barney evening shirts.

4. Separation anxiety is still as intense ever and wants nobody but Mommy for most of the time.

5. Doesn't display any readiness signs of weaning from breastfeeding still.

6. Knows the idea of sharing as he gives a portion of his food to his Lolo and Lola or to anyone around first before he eats.

7. Bit by bit learning how to answer by himself "opo" to the elders' questions.

8. Is more assertive and throw tantrums more frequently now.

9. Looks forward to attending the Sunday Mass so he can make "mano" to the priest after and drop money bills and coins into the collection basket during the Offertory.