Rainy Days are Here Again

I love rain! I love how it waters the plants; I love how it provides cool breeze. I love watching every rain fall from the sky. As weird as I may sound, I also love watching the rain march together to the drainage. Raindrops bring music to my ears. I promised myself I’ll create a rain-watching spot in my future home. Rain makes me sentimentally-at-peace. I love to dance and wade in the rain as a kid. I hate flood though, I do not like soaking my feet on it, and worst that it can take away lives. But that doesn’t make me love rain less; flood is not the fault of the rain, not even by typhoons or storms. It’s the end result of people’s neglect to the environment. But that’s another story. 

Ironically, Uno was my opposite. She fears the rain. She cries every time she hears the rain drops. She hides under the cover or embrace us so tight. I know there is something wrong. It’s anxiety, anew. My only relief was that at least it’s not a phobia. I can say because we could still pacify her, she responds to our soothing well and pretty fast. I just need to find out how we could help her pass this stage fast. 

After few weeks of trial and error (it took a little longer because the rain schedule conflicts with my presence, it usually rains when I’m in the office). We succeeded in helping her passed by this anxiety stage. Here’s what we did:

1) Reject the fear. We told her to sing "Rain, Rain Go Away" every time it rains. It will keep her busy and positive at the same time.

2) Accept the occurrence. We constantly convinced her that rain is our friend. And told her how rain made the plants and frogs happy. That she can still be happy and do something even though it’s raining. Our theme song at this stage was “I’m Singing in the Rain”.hehe We also gave her umbrella and told her how it can protect her against the rain. We go out of the house just to prove that.

3) Destruct her attention. We set the TV volume higher, we let her play her tablet, we put earphone on her ears, we read her favorite storybooks especially when the rain comes with thunder. 

4) Assure her safety. We call her every time were told that it’s raining in our place. When were together, we stay with her until she’s pacified. We keep on telling her that it’s going to be fine and we’re here for her.

5) Use her language. Use words which she can relate with. Like, “Baby, the thunder you hear is just dinosaurs in heaven gargling, and when they spit the water it becomes the rain, just like you when you brush your teeth”. 

She’s a rain anxious graduate now. I am looking forward to the time where we could dance in the rain together. 

Excuses, Excuses!

Mi bebe Dos is 6 months old today. He’s doing fine and growing at his own pace. He incessantly awe and amuse us all the time. My only worry is that my self-made-6-month-post-cesarean-rule also ended today. Meaning, starting this day I can no longer use my surgery as an excuse for being portly. I should oblige myself to help my body go back to its pre-pregnancy physique. During the past 6 months, I didn’t follow strict diet, I didn’t exercise and I didn’t even monitor my weight. But still (modesty aside), I often receive the “parang hindi ka nanganak” complement from colleagues. I don’t know if that’s a complement, do I still have the tummy of a 9-month pregnant woman? Ah, maybe they meant, “parang hindi ka nagbuntis”. Haha #FilipinoUseOfTerminologies 

Honestly, I also made an effort be slim again, in my own lazy way, though. If you’re curious, let me share my lazy ways to staying slim: 

1) Eat breakfast within 1 hour from waking. I just read it somewhere and tried to apply it daily and I think it worked. I do not feel the urge of eating in-between snacks. At times that I do, drinking water does the trick. 

2) Commute (as in public transportation) to office at least 3x a week. Take a jeep, a bus or in my case the LRT, it makes me sweat as much as morning joggers do. It also helps us save a lot in our fuel consumption.
3) Wear heeled shoes. It helps me walk with grace and poise which makes me look slimmer. 

4) Combine tip #’s 2 and 3. This is especially good if I’m running late for work. 

5) Stomach in, consciously, as much as possible. It will definitely help you tone your tummy. 

6) Eat what you want. Don’t deprive yourself from eating the food you want but remember do it in moderation. I still buy big packs of chips, but I now share it with the esposo. So sweet of me. Lol 

That’s basically my lazy routine. If I'll have the luck of industriousness, I might start to work out in the gym. Or, I can always make-up another excuse.J  

Potty Training: Success!

At long last, Uno had finally decided to give the potty a try. When she turned 2, about 5 months ago, we decided to introduce her to a potty trainer, we saw the signs and we thought she was ready. At 1st, she enjoyed the idea of pulling her pants off and sitting on the trainer, but never actually peed on it. She pees whenever, wherever. That might have made her realized that it’s weird to have water running in her legs. She cried every time she pees which came to the point that she controls the urge and would not want to pee anymore. We feared she might acquire an infection so we put her diaper back. She was not yet ready.

From that time up to just recently, I prepared her for her potty. Some of the things I did were: 

· I allowed her to watch me inside the bathroom. I assured her that it okay to use the toilet and bathroom is the proper venue for pees. 

· We bought her own trainer which she personally chose. We initially wanted to buy her the trainer which makes sound but she chose the other type (which cost lesser. #Pabor) 

· I continuously encourage her to use her “toilet”. I let her seat and play with it to familiarize her, even if she has diaper on. 

I was so happy to finally see an actual pee in it last weekend. From then, I made it a point to make her feel proud of herself by: 

her old trainer

 · Praising her deed. Giving her a high five and showing off to other members of the family her achievement (pee on the potty), which made her feel good. 

· I constantly remind her to use the potty. I immediately remove her diaper when she wakes up and tell her every so often to use her toilet. 

I am open that accidents like pees wherever are still unavoidable, but its part of her learning process. At least I have scratched 1 item from my bucket list for Uno. My next goal is to nighttime potty train her and makes her poop in the potty… 

                   her new trainer

And a whole lot more. hehe

Update: As of press time, mi esposo called to inform me that Uno poop on the trainer! 

Back to PC Games

I’m revisiting this old time PC game. We all went crazy over PC games before the game apps for Facebook took the gaming scene, didn’t we? There’s Tumblebugs and Feeding Frenzy, newer games like Plants VS Zombies and Angry Birds. But I am particularly reunited with Dinner Dash 2. Remember how Flo returns from Nirvana to help 4 fellow restaurant owners defeat the greedy tycoon, Mr. Big? That is my game. I remember before I used to finish all 5 levels in 1 seating and take note, all (as in all the stages of each level) with expert scores, that’s how good I am. *wink*

For those of you, who are not as “good” as me in playing Dinner Dash 2, let me give you these tips (these may also be applicable in any other dash and time management games). The 1st rule is not to PANIC. So what if the queue is long, so what if their satisfaction rate is diminishing, as long as the customers do not leave, you’ll survive. But you’ll only survive with the expert rank if you do the following: (1) seat customers according to their color. You’ll receive extra point (x2, x3, x4 of the score actually) if they are seated on the right color, plus their satisfaction rating will also increase by half heart. (2) repeated action also earns extra points, so to take orders, deliver food, and collect tips in a row. But remember it is important to keep your customer satisfaction level high. If the customer is in line, talk to them using the podium or use the waiting chair, once they’re already in their seats, offer them a drink or snack or entertain them with music. Be mindful of the upgrades, it is very helpful.

But those tips are only deemed useful for the story mode, the endless shift is a different story. I tried it just now and its giving me palpitation. I’m calling an ambulance to stand-by. Lol

Club Balai Isabel Escapade

Mi familia is lucky to be invited for a V-trip to Club Balai Isabel by HBB Flo and her sweetheart Pete and we were luckier our accommodation was courtesy of the couple. The resort is located in a hidden paradise of Talisay, Batangas - right on the shore of world-famous Taal Lake where you can see across the smallest active volcano. With its facilities and amenities it is perfect for destination weddings and corporate events. As a couple with baby on board, we can vouch for its baby friendly environment. It has swimming pool and playground for kids, and offers other activities for adults such as kayaking, sailing and various outdoor and indoor sports. There is also fish spa and butterfly garden. Food in their Terraza Café is delightful and affordable. Not to mention, courteous and attentive staffs. All-in-all, I highly recommend this resort for a family get-away.

Tips for a baby-friendly vacation:

1. Make sure to cover every necessity. Toiletries, cloth, food, milk, toys and first aid kit. You wouldn't want to be caught off guard once the need arise.

2. If you plan to dip your baby on the pool be sure they have a floater and you are always on the lookout, it’s your baby never trust anyone with their life. Make sure to put on bathrobe as soon as they rise from the pool to avoid chilling, hoody robe is recommended.  

3. If its a long drive, be ready for things that will entertain your baby like toys and books. Make sure that food and milk are within reach. Though not strictly implemented in the Philippines, it is always better to put baby on a car seat.

4. Don't forget to bring sun protection like sunblock and wide hats for day and jackets for night strolling.

This is not a travel blog, so allow these photos to speak on my behalf.



Pig Out at Nuvali

Last weekend, we went to Batangas for a Pre-Valentine's Get-away. The truth is, we were merely accompany to sweethearts Flo and vacationist Pete, it’s his V-treat to his girlfriend. On the way to Batangas, we decided to stop-over at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for a satisfying lunch and among the many restaurants in the place, we choose to dine at Pig Out “Your Family Grilled House”. This restaurant is a country style family grill and is the newest concept of the Bistro Group of Restaurants (the same company that brought us Italianni’s, TGI Fridays, Fish & Co., Flapjacks and Billyrock).

Pig Out's Ambiance: All tables are in long bench-type design without back rest. Perfect for a family picnic vibe. The tables are also spacious enough to accommodate their big plates and serving plates. Such type is also hassle free when it comes to food sharing. There are also widescreen TVs to entertain diners alongside with a stereo music (confusing right). High praises to the dinnerware. The air-conditioning, although not that cool (as evident by the presence of an electric fan) is forgivable. The only problem for me is where to put the baby chair. Using the word "family" in a tagline entails big responsibility, I think the owners should take this into consideration. I tried to bring it up to the manager and she explained that their tables are designed as picnic tables (as if not obvious) and suggested to put the high chair at the center. No, I won’t take that risk. That area is the only access space, it is where everyone pass especially the waiters with food tray, accident happens when you least expect right?

I decided to place it adjacent to me. Although she literally seats at my back, I rather let mi bebe's highchair rest there. It's inconvenient for me but safer for her.

If I were to suggest, I will recommend that instead of 1 long bench, why not divide it into 3 perhaps. Given situations like this, they can just take out one part and insert the baby chair, clever isn't it? And 1 more thing, please don't wait for guests to ask for a highchair, it would be a plus if your staffs are courteous enough to at least offer a seat for babies. Excuse my rants, this is a mom blog expect reviews like that. ;-)

Pig Out's Food: I believe their food is worth raving about. Don't worry health buffs, its not all about pig or pork for that matter, they actually serve a wide array of menu. We had solo order each of grilled tuna belly, peri peri chicken, fried calamari, pork sinigang in 3 kinds (although not sure if its the trade name, it was our favorite), garlic rice and chicharon fried rice. Again, this is not a food blog, I do not have the talent to give detailed description of each food. All I can say is, it's all yummy, satisfying, delicious and great. Try it if your in the area. Price wise, they offer fairly expensive array, specially for their "solo" orders. If you dine, try to consider their "to share" orders and maybe you can get more value for your money. A little spoiler, the chilled orange juice which mi esposo  ordered was actually Minute Maid Pulpy Orange with ice, I saw the bartender pours it straight from the bottle and sells it for P75, incidentally I bought 1 liter for our trip for only P22. I'm not complaining and I do not take it against the resto, I know how the marketing works. Only if I may suggest again, please be a little discreet, some customers may not be as accepting as I am. *wink*

Me MomMa tips: When dinning out with your baby, it is always better to bring their own spoon and fork, in that way you are assured that what their using is clean, sanitized and did not pass from one hand to another and not expose on the table for a long period. And don't forget other essentials like their water and bib and hand sanitizer for you.    

And since we're at Nuvali, we took the time for some photo-ops. I must commend Nuvali for putting up valentine's corner. They were also giving away 1 (uber) long stemmed red rose to couples who availed their boat ride.

      

Overcoming Stranger Anxiety

mi bebe at 8 months

Caught on cam! Mi bebe refuses her very own grandmommy (yes, my MIL). This is a clear manifestation of stranger anxiety. Stranger anxiety is a condition wherein young children is distressed with the presence of unfamiliar people. These unfamiliar people may simply mean people living outside the premise of their own home, irregardless if they are a family member or a close family friend. Babies tend to be more selective about who to hold them, play with them or even touch them. Babies can begin to develop this as early as 6 months and may last up to toodlerhood. At this time, babies are beginning to gain knowledge that all people are not the same. Again, this is another good sign of mental development, only if taken positively. Mi bebe started to acquire this at around 8 months and I'm glad to report that she is starting to overcome this situation. I am thankful that relatives like her grandmommy supports and understands her.

How to help babies overcome stranger anxiety: 

• Don't pressure your baby (and don't feel pressured as well). Allow your baby to be familiar  with new faces and situation in their own pace, don't push them to be sociable all at once. Forcing them will make them feel more uncomfortable and would increase their anxiety.
• Don't ignore baby's distress. What their feeling during these situations are real. Parents should address the upset immediately but without making too big a deal out of it. Parents should provide reassurance by giving lots of affection either by hugging and/or kissing. They should also make it a point to be available when babies are faced with new people.
• Warn your relatives and friends of the situation. These people are most often than not most excited to be with your baby and might feel bad and take it personally if the baby refused to be with them. They must be told to give time and space for your baby to warm-up. Also, teach them techniques on how to approach your baby. They can offer favorite or familiar toys (and wait for the baby to accept it).
• Start introducing or exposing your baby at an early age. Try to make your baby accustomed to meeting new people. Showing pictures of long-distanced relatives is also a good way to familiarize your baby.

Cutting Baby Nails

By practice, I only cut mi bebe's nail when she's asleep because I think it is the most convenient time for both of us. I will not be anxious of hurting her and she will not be upset with the refrained hand movements. I cut her nails on a weekly basis, when she was younger, I cut her nails twice per week, baby’s nail tends to grow faster and become a natural sharp weapon that can scratch not only them but you as well. For me, it is best to cut nails after day bath because 1) nails are still soft and 2) there is ample light.

But last weekend, I tried cutting her nails, while she's awake. I did this because I think it’s about time to make her aware of good grooming and personal hygiene. Besides, she can already comprehend I can already tell her my purpose and ask her to be still. I'd like to share some pointers here, with your indulgence your honors. lol 

1) You may hold the baby on your lap to get a good position or put her hand on your lap (as shown below). Make sure to have a good nail clippers. For mi bebe, I did not bother buy baby clippers, just the regular one with good grip and small cutting edge. It is specifically for her use alone, as should be (for sanitary purpose). But I still make it a point to wipe it with alcohol before and after every use.     

2)  After cutting the first nail above, she became impatient and less interested with what I’m doing. I must admit I was slow, I’m just being careful. So, I moved to her toe nails instead.     



3) I let her play with her toys to keep her mind away from the cutting. And I also entertained her by singing her favorite song. It worked! I was able to finished 10 toe nails. 

what's up with that expression bebe? lol

4) So I tried my luck on the finger nails again, but at this point she's already too sleepy. I was only able to cut one nail again, then I put her to sleep.

 5) I was able to finish the remaining finger nails the usual way - while she's sleeping.

I made sure, I took the thumb first

 6) Nice try! Let's do this again next week.

 

Additional tip: Don't cut nails by bitting it off. Stupid right? Just stressing it out, in case it crossed your mind. lol 

Save on Electric Consumption

I was assigned to summarize/comment on the submitted report of this agency regarding the savings generated in view of the implementation of the Administrative Order (AO) No. 103, s. 2004. AO No. 103 is a directive to all NGAs, SUCs, GOCCs, GFIs and OGCEs to adopt austerity measures in the government. The document on my hand specifically reports their accomplishment base on "Section 1: (b) reduction of atleast 10% in the cost xxx - (2) consumption of fuel, water, office supplies, electricity and other utilities xxx" (read the whole content of the said AO here).

In times like this, where price shoots-up uncontrollably, we really need to come-up with ways and means to lessen utility expenses. If this agency can do, the more we must in our households (no AOs needed), especially it’s our hard earned money whose going to pay for it. On that note, I’ve listed few tips to save-up electric consumption, these are all do-able and effective base on my experience.

1) Choose lesser evil (or which appliance is more important at a given time). If you have to turn-on the A/C during your kid's (humid) afternoon nap, then turn-off the fridge (2-3 hours will not harm food stored in the fridge especially if nobody opens its door). Also, set the A/C’s timer at night. (Again, 2-3 hours is enough to cool you down, your electric fan can do the rest). Try sleep pooling (sleeping together in one room will prevent you to turn-on A/Cs in individual rooms).

2) Schedule ironing and laundries (again, apply tip #1 here). In our family of 3, we iron our clothes bi-monthly and laundry’s weekly. Preferably, do these in the morning while you can still use the natural light and most importantly no inviting shows available on the tube (no interesting show means no peaking on the TV while doing your chore).

3) Before you sleep or goes out of the house, remember to unplug all unused appliances and double check if the lights are off (self-explanatory here). It’s also safer that way.

4) During over-humid days, you can always refer to your favorite mall. You can surely save-up on your electric consumption (just be ready with additional shopping expense.lol)