We Are Family

This article from BabyCenter hit the nail in its head.

”

Again! Again!” The Teletubbies have this mantra for a reason: A hallmark of this age is repetition. Your little one may want to eat the same things again and again, wear the same clothes day after day, or do things in the exact same order. Remember that he’s trying to make sense of the world, and keeping certain things unvarying is his way of exercising a little control in all the hubbub of life. Rituals provide comfort.

That said, rigidity can get a little hard to live with. Indulge such behaviors when it’s really not a big deal. But if your preschooler’s demand is unreasonable or inappropriate (wanting to watch TV during dinner, ordering a guest to get out of “Daddy’s chair”), refuse calmly but firmly. You might trigger a tantrum, but ultimately you’re the boss.

Our little boy is exhibiting the same behavior for this past few months. Like last time when he saw our visitor wore my slippers, he demanded that I take it back. It was very embarrassing because he threw a tantrum when I told him that our visitor is just borrowing it and will return afterwards. I have to bring him upstairs to calm him down.

Then last night, I gave him his vitamins but he refused. He saw that it is different from what he is used too. Sana di na lang ako bumili ng ibang brand. He threw a fit and even puked when I forced it on his mouth. Ano kayang gagawin ko dun sa vitamins nya? I have to revert back to the old brand kasi yun lang ang i-te-take nya.

Haaaay kids!

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We were on one of these Los Angeles tours and I was with M0rn1ng and the little boy. We got these Knotts berry farm tickets and we decided to give it a try. We’ve heard that this is a place to have fun with your kids. The little boy loved rides so we thought that he will enjoy the place for sure. We first tried the Wheeler Dealer Bumped Cars. We had fun because the little boy has a knack for driving. M0rn1ng put him in his lap and the little boy managed the steering wheel. They had fun chasing and bumping me. We had three rounds as the little boy enjoyed himself tremendously.

After that we went to see Camp Snoopy. It is home to the beloved Peanuts gang. The 15 rides for small children are perfect for the little boy and he tried them all. It was getting a bit tiring so M0rn1ng and I sat down. We had a funny conversation and he said that he will get something to drink. So I waited for him.

When he came back, he asked me where our little boy is. I was so afraid because I couldn’t see him anywhere nearby. I began to panic and looked around all the while shouting our little boy’s name. I was near tears as I couldn’t find him anywhere.

Then, I heard Morn1ng’s loud laugh. I was so surprised to hear him laugh out loud. I asked him why. Then he told me that little boy is on my back. I was carrying him in a sling all along. How could I be so forgetful and absent minded? Anyway, I breathed a sigh of relief and had a good laugh afterwards.

M0rn1ng woke me up and I found out that it was all a dream. I remember that I’ve been looking at tours and travel pages from Trusted Tours & Attractions. I even signed up in their newsletter to have a chance to win a $150 Magellan’s Gift Certificate. I guess, I had too much and dreamt about it. Hahahaha!

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Yes you read it right. We are without a nanny for a month and a half now. And I say that life is better. We might do a lot of things around the house but we have eliminated our source of stress. Not to mention na nakakatipid pa kami.

So what’s our usual routine? My sister i cooks breakfast. She also cleans the house every other day. When I wake up, I usually blog, prepare little boy’s breakfast and feed him. Then I prepare to go to work. M0rn1ng washes the dishes and takes care of the little boy.

Our part time baby sitter arrives are 4pm and looks after B.boy. M0rn1ng then goes to supervise the food cart biz. My youngest sister n, cooks dinner. Then we just hire a laundry woman to wash the clothes weekly.

Things have changed for the better because our major headache is gone. Di na ako araw araw nagagalit at nahi-high blood. Grabe! We’ve tried teaching the last househelp/nanny for a year pero wala talaga shang improvement when it comes to work. Also, B.boy has gained a lot of weight because M0rn1ng and the babysitter feed him properly. Finally, we are at peace.

Ok, just want to update some of the household happenings here in my blog. Got to go and check some online auto insurance quotes for a friend.

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Mommy is now teaching the little boy how to write. I hope he’s not like me who is sooooo lazy to write. I remember before that my mom used to beat me so that she can force me to do my writing assignments.

I started teaching him to make circles and oblongs. Two nights ago, I have to guide his hand to draw it. Then I’ll ease up the control and see if he’s getting the hang of it. I know he did because even if I just pretend to hold his hand, he can still draw a circle. But whenever I ask him to do it on his own, he would cry and ask me to guide him.

So I was surprised when I saw him draw these curves by himself last night.

He looked up to me beaming with pride and said

B.Boy : Mommy Look!
Me: Very Good!
B.boy: First honor B.boy, mommy. Yehey!

Hahahaha! We’re so proud.

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One of things that I enjoyed doing when I was pregnant was buying things for our baby. I started out listing all the things that we needed. Then, we set up a budget and started to canvass, especially for those high-ticket items like cribs and breast pumps.

One of the considerations of buying baby cribs is its safety. Slats should be close together. The space around the mattress should not be large enough to allow an infant’s head to get caught. But since our home is limited in space, we considered buying a pack and play. Good thing that we did because we can bring it when we are out of town. But for some, they found it useful to buy a crib that is convertible to toddler bed. I would have considered that if we haven’t decided co-sleeping with B.boy.

For highchairs, safety is the main consideration as well. We decided to buy a booster seat because of mobility and capacity to save space. B.boy is still using it until now. It is fastened securely in our dining chair and it also has seat belt to make sure that he does not fall off.

We did not buy any travel cots because our son was co-sleeping with us ever since. For other items, I didn’t buy much especially those clothes as I know that he will easily outgrow them.

Oh how enjoyed going to the mall and looking at those baby stuff. It is indeed one of he best moments of my pregnancy.

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Spending time with our little boy at the end of the day takes away all my stress and tiredness of the day. I look so haggard in this picture but I had the time of my life goofing with B.boy.

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Thanks Aggie! This is the first time that I will be participating…

So our choice for this week is to just blog about our ultimate comfort foods - foods we crave for everytime we are blue, down and low. DO NOT give my the generic answer of chocolate and cakes and everything sweet because you will be stealing MY answer (hehehe), just be specific.

Here’s mine:

1. Ferrero Chocolates.
2. Brooklyn Pizza…i don’t know the exact name but it is something like 4 cheese???
3. My Mom and Mother in law’s Kare-Kare
4. Coke!!!!! (I want it iced cold…yung gumuguhit sa lalamunan)
5. Choco Hazelnut Brownie Ice Cream from Selecta.
6. Big Mac Meal with fries dipped in Mayo.

I think that’s it! I tell you a secret though. I’m not much of an eater when I get depressed or lonely. What I do is sleep…and sleep all the time is what I do. And oh! Blogging helps to relieve me of the blues. I jsut go ahead and write about all the stuff that I can think of even if they are as mundane as logo pens.

Join the fun here.

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We breathe a sigh of relief that we already sold the panwich stall when the fire engulfed Puregold Libertad last Thursday. The fire started at 3am but it was only contained at 7pm. The next day, the firewall collapsed and the fire eat up the nearby houses. My heart went out to those who lost their homes.

In the US, they have companies that offers fire restoration services. They offer clean up and repair of fire and smoke damage. These companies can be reached 24/7 so you can expect quick response in times of emergency.

I just wonder if we have similar companies here in the Philippines.

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A reliable house help is a working mom’s best ally. I know how hard it is to balance domestic duties and secular work. It seems like for working moms like me, it’s a 24 hour job. So if someone could give us a pair of hands, it is much appreciated.

However, finding a good one is hard. Either you get someone who is inexperienced and have a lot of headache or find an expert who will charge you a lot. In the US, finding a fulltime household help is almost next to impossible. Because this is the case, eliciting the help of maid service companies has been the common practice.

They can make your homes spanking clean. They will make sure that the bathrooms and kitchen are sparkling, beds made, furniture polished, and carpets are freshly vacuumed. And all these exceptional service can be availed at an exceptional rate.

Makes me want to hire one, one of these days.

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Thanks for this tag Yen. I was so behind so I just changed the title. hahahaha!

Players: buhaymisis | kathycot | whenmomspeaks | kathycotcooks | Quicker8 | Me and Mine | Creative in Me | For the LOVE of Food | Little Peanut | Pea in a Pod |  We are Family | Momma Stuff | your site here!

1. whats your latest addiction?
:: Looking at good investments, saving money for the rainy days, Crocs, Blogging.

2. What are you listening to?
:: the sound of silence.

3. How late did you stay up last night and why?
:: 11pm. I had to put the little boy to sleep first.

4. Who were you with last friday night?
:: With the the 2 boys of my life.

5. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now?
:: Of Course!!! I’m happily married for life.

6. When is the next time you’ll see your close friends?
:: On Thursday. We have a weekly meeting at our Kingdom Hall.

7. What were you doing this morning at 7am?
:: Blogging. Have to reach my quota before going to the office.

8. What radio station do you listen to the most?
:: I don’t listen to one.

9. What was the reason you last cried?
:: Overworked, underpaid, too much stress at work.

10. Have you ever talked to someone when they were high?
:: Nope, i don’t think so.

11. What’s the fifth text in your inbox say?
:: Get the latest golf bags today.

12.Where was the last coffee shop u go?
:: Starbucks at RCBC.

13.Whats ur outfit right now?
:: T-shirt and shorts.

16. What were you doing at 11pm last night?
:: Sleeping.

17. Who was the last person you talked to last night before bed?
:: The husband.

18. Will you be driving in a year?
:: I don’t think so.

19. Is there anything that you are craving right now?
:: Pizza!

20. When did your last hug take place?
:: Last night…

22. Have you ever started a sentence with “No offense, but…”?
:: Yup…when you have to state a fact but you know it might hurt somebody’s feelings.

23. Do you drink tea?
:: Yeah.

24.Have you ever been arrested?
:: Nope

25. Have you rode in someone else’s car today?
:: Nope.

26. Have you made a mistake this past week?
:: Of Course…we’re only human.

27. Who was the last person you texted?
:: Hubby. I told him that I’m on my way from work.

28. Are you happy with your life right now?
:: Yes.

29. In the past 72 hours have you been under the influence?
:: intoxicating Love. hehehehe.

30. What’s the connection between you and the last person you texted?
:: Husband.

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!!

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No one is allowed to be negative today!

What are your Happy Thoughts? No limits, no requirements, just tell me hap-ee thoughts today! (I need it!)
This is not a thankful post - I just need thoughts that make you happee!

Here’s mine:

The Spiritual Food we all had last week-end.  It gave me the strength I need to focus on the things that really matters.  Whatever life throws me, I’m in good hands.  I have to have faith in God that he will help me through adversity. 

The 4 days without work.  This is the much needed break that I need.

Little boy.  His kisses and hugs are the very things that keeps me going.  It is also the onlly thing that can take the tiredness of the day.

Loving hubby.  I don’t know what to do without him.

We were able to do much progress on our TIPID PLAN.  Our grocery expenses this week were down to 50%.  M0rn1ng and I are very proud!

Join the fun here. 

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I have just been invited by Mitch.

On July 5 Mitch asks “Right after your husband proposed, what was the first thing that came to your mind?”

I’m really corny but I started visualizing how our life together will be like.  How happy I would be waking up each day with him beside me….his face would be the last I see at night and the first when I wake up in the morning.  Ironic because this did not happen.  M0rn1ng was working in a graveyard shift back then so we don’t go to bed the same time.  He sleeps in the morning while I sleepp at night.

At first it really burst my bubble because I imagine our married life as moments of togetherness and doing most of the things together.  Reality bites, we did most of the things apart because of our working arrangement.  We have to adjust and after a year M0rn1ng left his job.  Though, he earns a lot less now, we have no complaints as we felt that we were more together.  We are a family and we started functioning as one. 

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Focus 90% of your time on solutions
and only 10% of your time on
problems

Gilbert K. Chsterton

In every problem there is a solution, i hope I don’t wallow into despair and think that there is no way out. There should be if I use my head and focus on the solution.

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