legallymama

Going Bananas!

2012-02-24T22:57:00.001-08:00

It's Zohan's second week on solid foods, and as promised, I shall try to document the foods that we introduce to him for the first month in order to help other clueless mothers out there with what to give their babies.

I was actually thinking of potatoes for his vegetable requirement this second week. It's a good thing that I came across momtastic's wholesome babyfood site. I tell you, it's like a bottomless pit of information about everything you need to know about solid food for babies. It's got a chart of the proper foods for the different ages of babies, amazing recipes so that your babies won't get bored with their daily food, proper storage and handling of prepared foods, and a whole lot more. Here, I share with you the solid food chart for babies aged six to eight months.


Photo source

I searched for the nutritional contents of potatoes on the site, and I learned that, "[d]ue to their lower level of important nutrients and a high amount of starchy carbohydrates, it would best to keep white potatoes out of baby's diet until between 8-10 months of age." It pays to read up, right?

Another information that I learned from the site is that instead of waiting for an entire week before introducing another food, you can follow the "four-day-wait" rule instead. In fact, most pediatricians now suggest that instead of waiting for four days, "..babies may be introduced to a variety of foods, all at once, even during the first days of introducing solid foods. The thought is that offering a wider variety of tastes and textures, early and often, will get baby’s tastebuds excited and 'trained' to enjoy flavors of all types. Offering a larger variety sooner, such as serving 4 new foods during a 2 or 4 day span, rather than later may just give baby the willingness and curiosity to try anything and everything put in front of him." I think I am more inclined to the idea of wider variety of tastes and textures, since Tatay and I do not have a history of allergies anyway.

After ditching the potatoes idea, I voted on the squash for the vegetable requirement and bananas for the fruit requirement. I would have wanted avocado which is the recommended first food for babies, but since it's out of season, I think banana would be fine.

"Bananas are an excellent source of nutrition and as such, are another perfect fruit to be one of baby's first foods. Bananas are often called one of nature's perfect foods because they are said to contain many of the nutrients that a person needs to survive. One of the most important nutritional components of Bananas is that they contain potassium and fiber. Bananas are also high in Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Vitamin B2."

For lunch, I mashed a banana and added a few drops of breastmilk:

Look at how eager he is to munch on those smashed bananas.

And as he gets closer to that first taste...

Awwww... wawa :( Apparently, he is not a big banana fan!

We didn't insist the banana to him for fear that he might be stressed out and associate eating to a harrowing experience. I had to switch back to his Earth's Best brown rice cereal for his lunch. Tomorrow, we shall try squash, and hopefully, I could share with you much happier photos!

References:

Those enclosed in quotation marks are not my words. They were taken from this site.

Second Take on Solid Food

2012-02-21T06:39:00.001-08:00

I've said way too many times that Zohan has started on solids. It was probably because I spoke too much and too soon- the little boy had been on cerelac hiatus for a month because of allergies!

Soon after he started eating cerelac, he developed white mucus around the insides of his cheeks. Thinking it was just cerelac that wasn't washed away by water, I just used an index finger toothbrush to remove it. But as days went by, the white mucus increased and appeared to be more than just left-over solid foods. They looked like allergies to my untrained eyes, and the google-default mother that I was, I turned to the internet for confirmation. I didn't bother to see the doctor because you know, I really had misgivings in introducing solids to him prior to his 6th month, so I made my own prognosis and diagnosis (whatever that means!) - which was a little complicated and difficult to explain here because it was the product of my prolonged medical study. Suffice it to state, he was put on a cerelac hiatus by his all-knowing mother until the rashes were gone. True enough, (and this encouraged my newfound medical career), the white mucus were gone after we stopped giving him cerelac.

My conclusion - either we started too soon or we gave him the wrong food. His pediatrician said that any plain cerelac would do. So we trooped to SM and bought the wheat and milk flavor. But after the allergy breakout, I decided to catch up on my reading of What To Expect The First Year, and learned that the first food should be rice or oat. I thought wheat was fine but apparently, it wasn't. How dumb was I. (Now I know that despite the fact that they all came from the carbohydrates family, so to speak, wheat is not made of the same stuff that makes up rice and oat!) It was likewise possible that his system was not yet ready to accept solid food. His antibodies and allergy-fighting chorva might not be that developed as yet.

Hence, I had decided to wait it out until the 6th month before I re-introduce solids to Zohan.

And since Zohan apparently was not on friendly terms with Cerelac, I had decided to try this fancy, whimsical, P300-thereabout cereal from Earth's Best.

After a week though, I shall switch to an all-natural purees like potatoes and squash and that jazz. (I've read that it is best to wait for one week before introducing a new food to the baby. The reason being that, should the baby develops allergies, it would be easier to point out the culprit.) So, after a week of fancy eating, we would be back to regular programming.

It has been three days since we started with Earth's Best's brown rice, and so far, no allergies whatsoever intervened. Zohan appeared to be excited at the sight of his new food every time I bring out his plate and spoon. He also finishes his food every single time. In the next days until his first month, I will try to chronicle the foods that we give him. Let the same be my humble attempt to spare other clueless mothers like me from self-medicating and from typing - like I did - weird search parameters on google.

The first time we celebrated Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Photo source

We are a couple who are not big on celebrations. In fact, we've been together for six years, and it was only last night that we did something out of the mundane, boring daily life that pass us by, in our attempt to give deference to St. Valentine. My husband is not a romantic person but I am good at compromises, so that would explain the lack of grandiose dinners and flamboyant gifts and flashy valentine's surprises. What made last night different from the five other valentine's day we have had was something that puzzles me this day. I am guessing, as first time parents saddled with sudden responsibility apart from our happy-go-lucky selves, we could really use a dinner out and well, a sappy movie.

So the night before valentine's day, the husband picked me up from work and drove amidst heavy downpour and horrendous traffic. We took advantage of those valentine's promo dinners with set menu and two free movie tickets in tow. Before the food arrived, we silly couple computed if we're getting our money's worth. After looking for the individual prices of the food in the menu set, adding it up with the price of the movie tickets, and realizing that we saved more than 500 pesos by getting the promo, the food suddenly looked so much more delicious when it arrived. Finally, we dined with appetizer and main course, and drinks and dessert! And I was a happy wife. That's a very welcome change from our usual no-need-to-whet-appetite, alin-ba-ang-good-for-two-main-course, tap-water-na-lang, mahal-mag-dessert type of dinners!

Finally, we had time for ourselves for silly and serious talks. And I realized that I missed these types of conversations:

Anent improving my blog:

W: Ano ba difference ng simile sa metaphor?

H: Pag simile gamit ka ng like, or similar to, para magcompare.

W: Katulad ng "like a sweet nectar to a bee"? Yung ginamit ko sa last article ko?

H: Oo.

W: Eh pano pag metaphor?

H: Walang like or similar to, pero nila-liken mo pa rin.

W: Huh? Example!

H: Her lips are the gates to Elysium.

W: Whoa! Lalim naman!

(Sorry, I was busy flirting in high school when these things were taught!)

Anent my joy of receiving a Tommy Hilfiger shoes:

W: Mahal ang bait ng secretary ko, binigyan nya ko kanina Tommy na shoes. Pasalubong ng sister nya from abroad, di naman daw nya ginagamit.

The husand, wide eyed and obviously very happy for me, blurted out..

H: Wow! Tommy Burch!

(I couldn't stop laughing! I should really stop messing my husband's head with all these brands.)

After dinner, we were arguing whether to use the movie tickets then or some other time. I was a bit worried that Zohan might be edgy and fussy having no breastfeeding to lull him to sleep. But the husband said, if we were to be out that night, we might as well do everything we could instead of being out again another time and going through the worries twice. Ain't he a sage?

So off we went to watch, guess what, "The Vow". Yeah yeah. It did look like that we're celebrating valentine's. And thanks to Channing Tatum and his masculine jaw, my mind was taken off from mothering, wife-ing and lawyering even just for two hours. At the end, the movie made me come to this realization - we are a doomed couple! Because if one of us ever get caught in a mishap and loose our memory, we could not prove to the other that we were really married. We had no video of our wedding day to begin with. The closest thing to a record of our vows were the photo captions I did on facebook. Our vows were such a joke compared to those lines they had that were too beautiful to be forgotten. And one of our wedding rings went missing (thanks to the husband) so showing just one ring would be self-serving. (I should make sure our seatbelts are both fastened from now on.)

So, how did our first valentine's day celebration fare? It's a good excuse to be a little lavish for a dinner. It's a good excuse for us to be out even for a while. But still, never a good excuse for flowers and chocolates and all that crap. Romantic people are definitely going to eat me alive!

Happy valentine's day you all! :) I hope you had fun celebrating it your way, your style. :)

Take it from the non-expert!

2012-02-12T00:59:00.000-08:00

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (February). For this month, we focus on back to basics. Participants will share advices - either the best breastfeeding advice they received OR/AND the best breastfeeding advice they can give to new moms. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries."

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I'm pretty sure you have heard, and probably agree, that unsolicited pieces of advice are easy to give, but dreadful to take. Interestingly enough, giving birth and motherhood in our society attract as much unsolicited advise as a sweet nectar to a bee. Being a first-time mother - with looks of cluelessness silently screaming through my face almost all the time - I sure did take the part of an easy prey. Had the advice been helpful? Well, a few helped, but most of the time, some things were better heard in one ear and then swiftly slipped out the other the reason being that, motherhood is a wonderful world of individuality. Whatever works for you may not work for the others. And rather than insisting that other mothers out there take after what worked for me, let me share with you instead my experiences in breastfeeding- the challenges that I have met, how I successfully surmounted some of them, and how the rest has remained victorious over me. At the end, please be the judge. You see, I am not an expert. Far from it. I am just as helpless as most of you are. So you can either take it from me - a non-expert, or just let my blabber swiftly slip out. After all, some advice should be taken with a grain of salt, if not all.

1. When my milk supply was insufficient...

Like most first time breastfeeding mothers, I struggled with milk supply at the beginning. I was advised by the doctors from the hospital where I gave birth to supplement with formula milk until my breastmilk supply stabilized. Since I was so keen on breastfeeding, I tried to offer my breast to Zohan as often as I could. And I overdosed myself (and the whole household) with malunggay. Malunggay in the morning. Malunggay in the afternoon. Malunggay in the evening. Malunggay even in my dreams. There came a point that I could puke just at the sight of it, while the husband developed mammary glands complete with lactation with the overdose of malunggay. In less than a week, my breastmilk supply increased. Tremendously at that, I could feed an entire barangay.

The non-expert says... Malunggay overkill really works!

2. When my milk supply was too much...

We should really be careful with what we wish for. I hoped for a steady supply of breastmilk which was granted to the point of explosion. When Zohan was asleep, or did not want to nurse and I was lactating, I had to take in the pain of engorgement, and the shame of looking like two plates were plastered right in front of my shirt. Something had to be done. So I asked the husband to look for a trusty breastpump to alleviate the pain of engorgement and also, to prepare for my going back to work. The problem of choosing the best pump was so humongous for a post-partum depressed mother, it deserved a post of its own, which you can read here. But it all ended well. So when there's too much milk, go find a breast pump that you can call "the one".

The non-expert says...Go find a good pump, express milk, and store for future use.

3. When I went back to a demanding work...

After the maternity leave ended and I went back to work, my head spinned like crazy. Suddenly, I was at a loss at how I can cope with the new changes in my schedule. Busy as it was, I had to squeeze in pumping time, which was a good 15-30 minutes per session for five times a day! My solution was to become anti-social. After arriving at the office, pump time. Then work. By this time, my friends would be at the coffee room for breakfast, calling me to join them. But I had to decline because I had to finish as much pleading-drafting as I could. After they're done, it was time to pump again. Work. Then lunch with friends. After lunch, I couldn't stay for coffee or dessert or chika, because again, I had to pump. Merienda time was spent in my room, and you guessed it right, by pumping milk. Before dinner and before going home, another pumping session. It was a sacrifice, indeed. For a while, I missed out on important stories from my friends. A lot of times, I felt so isolated and grown up. I also had to work overtime just so I could finish all my work and beat my deadline. And anti-social also meant no more time for social networks. *wink*

The non-expert says...Prioritize. Be anti-social, if necessary, and until you have adjusted to your new schedule.

4. When I am out of the office or on the road...

My schedule on item (3) above were the easy days. During days where I had a scheduled hearing or legwork, I had to carefully study and plan ahead. I had to make sure I pumped before leaving the house and I must be at the office after three hours, in time for the next pumping session. With heavy traffic and clogged court dockets and late judges, a three-hour travel time was impossible. What worked for me? I would normally excuse myself from the court staff, use their room and pump in a corner with just a nursing cover! If that was not possible, I had to take the pain and tenderness of my breasts filled with milk until I arrive at the office. There I would pump with a sigh of sooooo much relief!

Whenever we go home to the province and we were stuck in traffic at the time of my pumping session, I pump inside the car just armed with a nursing cover. For this reason, I also had my Farlin manual breast pump ready, and my clothes should always be pumping-friendly.

I had a friend who pumped in the comfort room of malls, just to empty her breast and keep the milk-production system going. She would discard the collected milk after, for hygienic reasons obviously. This was also a sound advice, which I did not do though. For my mall days, I just had to cut the trips short and make sure to go home in time for my pumping schedule. Otherwise, I would have to bear with engorgement and tenderness until we arrived home.

The non-expert says...Pumaraan, so that you can pump whenever, wherever!

5. When I couldn't go home to deliver collected milk as scheduled...

If you had been reading my blog, you would know that I left Zohan in the province with my in-laws for almost three months before we finally brought him to Manila. During those days, the husband and I would go home to him on Wednesdays and Fridays, and we would bring the milk which I collected while I was away from him. There were instances however, that the milk supply which I left would be consumed long before we arrived with the new supply. While waiting, he would supplement with formula, at least for a few feedings. Looking back, I know I could have done something about it, like go home thrice a week if necessary, just so he would not be fed with formula milk. I was a new mother adjusting with heavy workload and crazy schedule, and the husband was adjusting with the long drive home and getting up earlier than usual for work the next day. We did what we can do. At any rate, those backlash were only few in the story of my breastfeeding life. And since he arrived in Manila, I vowed to make sure he would be exclusively breastfed.

The non-expert says...Sometimes, James Ingram is right. I did my best, but I guess my best wasn't good enough.

By far, these are the most difficult struggles that I had to face to continue breastfeeding my first born. At almost six months, I am still breastfeeding and feeling very happy and comfortable about it. There are challenges for sure. But nothing is impossible for an indefatigable advocate. I can only share with you my experiences in the hope that you may be inspired to breastfeed in the future, or that you may progressively advance if you have already commenced with the daunting task.

You can take it from me. Or not.

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Please do check out the other carnival entries!

The Articulate Pen's Breastfeeding needs Patience

Diapers and Stethoscope's Back to Basic

My Mommyology's What I've Learned About Breastfeeding
Ms. Masungit's From One Mom To Another

The Odyssey of Dinna's Breastfeeding Words of Wisdom

Mrs. Bry126's We're All in this Together
I Am Clarice's Paying it Forward
My Mommy Kwentos' Sharing My Favorite Breastfeeding Advice
Planet Marsy's Better Than None
Mommy {T} Coach's Saved by the Nursing Mommas
Mama Drama's Patience and Breast-friends
Adventures on Planet Mom's Stubborn Me! Sure Glad I didn't give up
Nanaystrip's Eat Malunggay, Say "I Have Milk" and Love your Baby

Starting at Twenty-Five's My Husband's Best Breastfeeding Advice

Nanay *Loves* Purple's Why Attend Breastfeeding Class/Seminars

Truly Rich Mom's My Top 5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

Legally Mama's Take it from the non-expert!
Mommy Mama Rat's My Breastfeeding Mantra
Mr. Jacob's Mom's Breastfeeding Tips from a Non-Breastfed Mommy
Hybrid Rasta Mama's Breastfeeding Lists, Advice, Links and More

Apples and Dumplings' One Word of Breastfeeding Advice

Touring Kitty's Just Do It
EthanMama's Only the Best for My Baby
the canDIshhh tales' My Breastfeeding Advice
Mec as Mom's Enough is Enough
Chronicles of a Nursing Mom's On Breastfeeding Number Two - Redux

Spanking New Stroller from the SM Grand Baby Fair!

2012-02-07T21:49:00.000-08:00

I had been reading a lot about the Annual SM Grand Baby Fair from the mommy blogs I had been following (themisischronicles, manilamommy, mommytopaz, daintymom at marami pang iba!). I learned this was just the second year of the fair from last year's successful launch, and with a single receipt purchase worth P2,000 one could get a SWAGBAG filled with freebies.

So last Friday, 27 January 2012, first of the three-day sale, the husband and I trooped to SM Megamall MegaTrade Hall 1 and 2, braved the heavy Friday traffic, and attended my very first SM Grand Baby Fair. Oh di ba, ganap na ganap ang pagka mudax, kung maka baby fair!

It was actually my first time to attend a fair at the MegaTrade Hall and I was so ecstatic just setting my foot at the venue. I was literally giddy seeing all those booths which I had only previously seen through the blogs I read. Imagine how my eyes popped out seeing the booths and stuffs in person. I noticed a familiar face from one of the booths but I could not associate the name with the face, then I realized it was Jen of the famous Next9 babyslings and other baby products. I was too shy to approach her and ask for a photo op.

Anyway, I told you about my high chair dilemma here and the story how I've decided that instead of buying a high chair, I would buy a stroller instead. That way, it would be less expensive. And a stroller could also function as a high chair anyway. I would just need patience and bibs in feeding. So at the fair, we brought this Graco stroller for about P5,000 (originally at about P6,500.) Since it's worth more than P2,000, we automatically got a Swagbag, filled with all those swags!

Tadahhh..

Of course, there were items that could be of no use to us considering that the bag was not specially catered for us. But since they were free, who was I to complain? Besides, there were items that we could really use. Take for instance that Philip Avent's VIA Breast Milk Storage. Nanay already bought me a set, but we could use an additional cup for storage of his solid food. We could also use the St. Patrick's bib, the Ai-non mini towel, the LooneyTunes index finger toothbrush, Lactacyd rubber ducky, and that hanger over there! Anyway, after going through my loot bag, the husband assembled the stroller.

See how the little boy looked like.

Observant

Enjoying!

Not anymore!

It was a wise buy, I think. Next year, I'm definitely joining again the SM Baby Fair. Who knows, baka for the second baby na. Choz!

High chair dilemma

2012-02-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

Now that Zohan has started on solids, the next thing that we need is a high chair. We actually got a list of purchases for Zohan which has been earmarked in the meantime in the hope of price mark-downs. Aside from the high chair, we also haven't gotten him a stroller. And a car seat. (Okay, crucify me. We travel with him without a car seat!)

I mentioned here that he received monetary gifts during several occasions. And while I would not want him to be exposed to expensive unnecessary stuffs, I felt like I had no right to be spendthrift when it came to those monetary gifts. When it's our money we're spending, I had to be practical. But if it's a monetary gift, I believed the giver/s would want to give him the best gift, only that they were quite hesitant to pick for me, or they just did not have the time to shop. So I'm doing justice to their thoughtfulness by buying him the best items without looking at the price tags. Well, sometimes.

I'd been ogling on this high chair displayed at Muji and Me in Trinoma. It's a Silver Cross Doodle High chair, which can be used as a high chair for feeding the baby, and with just one click, it transforms into a table and low chair. Look!

Photo source

Fine and dandy! But it's almost 10,000 peyses! That's why I needed to sleep on it before buying it. And sleep on it some more. And more.

I've also seen in the internet this wonderful chair that literally grows with your kid. It's one of the wooden collections from Stokke. And when it's Stokke, you know it's expensive. (Like, P15,000 expensive!) I really did not consider buying it because who would want to spend that much on a chair? Kabuhayan showcase na 'yan! I'm sure the gift-givers would agree with me on this. But for your viewing pleasure, here it is.

The chair that grows with you! Photo source here.

I have also kept on looking at Graco high chairs every time I'd pass by the mall and thought it would be the more practical option. We got Zohan a Graco Pack'n'Play crib - bought through his monetary gifts - and thought it would be nice if he would have the same brand for a high chair. This Graco contemporary high chair looks nice, no?

Photo source here.

Anyway, after much thought and deliberation with myself, I have realized that I have been caught up with all these baby-related purchases. Analyze these: when a baby is born, a snuggly is required to keep the little kid warm and safe; when the baby has grown a little older but not yet ready to sit on his own, a bouncer becomes handy; when the baby has learned to stand up, a crib is needed to serve as his daytime bed and his playpen as well; when the baby joins a travel, a car seat provides the necessary safety precautions; when the baby stops in a travel, a stroller is required to roam him around; and when the baby starts on solid foods, a high chair and/or a booster seat should come into play.

Really, the manufacturers never stop inventing all these stuffs because they know that parents could hardly say no when it comes to the baby. And the bad thing about the internet, and blog reading is that I get exposed to all these wonderful things a mother would want to give his child! Somebody cut out internet connection, pleeeeeease!

I have to disentangle myself from all these frenzy I am currently enmeshed in because come to think of it, I have been born and raised (uma-Adelle!) without all these things and I'd like to believe that I've grown up to be a fine individual despite such lack. Well at least as far as the husband and I are concerned. I realized I needed to be more practical and rational. I need to get a grip because I was becoming a lunatic mother jumping high and low with all these exquisite things. And I am not that person. The husband is also a very practical person, but you know, he's always on the side that would make me happy. So unconsciously, I know I am also slowly turning him into this extravagant and recklessly wasteful person. I also do not want Zohan to be like that. And since I'm now boring you with too much realization for just a high chair, I would snap back to reality.

I have decided that....

We could also feed him while he's on our lap (that's sweeter!) or we could have him sit down on his stroller as we feed him (then we could get a stroller that would function as a stroller and a feeding chair! Talk about hitting two birds with one stone!) Dibah??

So here came the SM Annual Grand Baby Fair, which put to a halt all my over-analysis with just a purchase of a stroller. After computing the money that we had at hand and making sure we still had enough left for gas to get us home, we finally picked up a Graco stoller of the same color palette as his crib. The stroller was originally priced at about P6,500. And since it's marked down, we paid only about P5,000. Half the price, or even one third of the price of those nicey nice high chairs. But it's more valuable for us because it's dual purpose. Yey!

I believed a first-time mother goes through all these crazies, no? Piece of advise: always sleep on it before purchasing! And always join the SM Baby Fair! Haha! It worked for me. I hope it'd work for you, too!

Busy Baby

2012-02-05T03:14:00.000-08:00

If I thought I was a very busy person, juggling motherhood and lawyering at the same time, then I was utterly mistaken. My hearings, seminars, client meetings, pleadings and written memos to client paled beside the equally, if not busier, schedule of Zohan.

Ever since he arrived in the city last Saturday (29 January 2012), he had been receiving visitors left and right. It must have been hard to smile and chuckle and remain active for everyone who tried their might to stimulate him. What's worse than that was to keep giggly when it was already way past his bedtime. Anyway, it only showed how excited and extremely happy our friends were now that we were finally together.

SUNDAY

Our first visitor was Ninang Dutch and her sister Tet and mother Tita Gagay. Ninang Dutch went home from Dubai for a quick vacation. She and Tet and Tita were so crazy over Zohan- about how incredibly soft he was! They kept on passing him on and I was a proud momma because he was eagerly entertaining them with smiles and giggles. Not a single crying bout! By the way, thank you Tita and Ninang for the uber preppy Zara shoes! (I forgot to take photos of their visit, will wait for Dutch to upload the pictures from her camera then I'll upload it here.)

THAT look.. (Taken during that day. Will post more pics soon!)

MONDAY AFTERNOON

My officemates and Zohan's ninangs Joyce and KQ decided to have lunch out at our place to visit Zohan. It was quick but legendary! I thought that day was Zohan's happiest day of the week. Just look at the photos which his Ninang KQ put together in a collage.

He kept on giggling and giggling with Ninang Joyce's antics, which I know for sure would make her Ninang look forward to having a kid of her own sooner than later. Haha!

Ninang KQ and Ninang Joyce

MONDAY NIGHT

Of course, her titos and titas would definitely miss the little boy because we would not be going home to their province as often as we used to. And true enough, first working day of the week after we left, here's Tita Irish and Tita Imee making a visit! He was still active and happy like he had an enormous reserve of energy inside his tiny body!


Tita Imee and Tita Irish

TUESDAY

It's time for Nanay's close friends to come over! Here came Ninang Jona, Ninong Butch, their son Caleb, and Tita Masha!

Ninang Jona, Tita Masha, Caleb and Ninong Butch

Jona and I had been planning of having a playdate for our sons, who were only four months apart. But the trouble was, Caleb was so active and strong and kulit and Zohan was also a handful, so we had to have our hands ready to separate them in case it turned to be a hurting match! But they looked cute together!

Thank you Marasigan Family for the bath towel and the dining set for Zohan, and Tita Masha for the shopping money!

THURSDAY

It's Vakler night!

Tita Boinks, Ninang Joyce and Ninang Fila

My beki friends came over for dinner. I just had to warn our companion in the house that they should prepare their ears for extremely loud beki conversations and laughters lest they had the shock of their lives! Haha. The little boy still smiled and giggled from Ninang Joyce's antics, but not as much as he did the other day. I realized I should give him some slack because he had received torture after torture to laugh and giggle the entire week. And perhaps, he was probably still adjusting to his new environment as well. I thought he would retire to bed early, but long after our visitors had left, he was still fussy and awake. He slept around 11pm and woke up at 7am the next day.

FRIDAY

I need more practice in taking pictures, no?

Mama and Papa would be going to Iloilo on Saturday and they decided to spent the night here to see Zohan whom they sorely missed. Papa sang to him his own version of Nescafe's Good Morning sa Inyo, which Zohan used to hear from him every single day, from sunrise to sunset. Mama was her usual - motherly caring and missing Zohan so dearly. I didn't carry the boy the entire night and allowed her lola to cuddle him to her heart's content. Tita Imee and Tita Irish also came to play with the boy for a while.

SATURDAY

With Ninang Janice and Ninong Onel

And I thought it was only until Friday that we would have visitors. But at the last minute, Tatay had a drinking session with Zohan's Ninong Onel and Ninang Janice. The little boy didn't play as much because they arrived a little late, almost Zohan's bedtime. Well, actually it's my preferred bedtime, because you know, he had an erratic sleeping time that ranged from 9:00 PM to as late as midnight. That night, he slept a little past 9:00PM, and I was a happy mother! (Thank you Ninang and Ninong for another dining set for Zohan.)

It had been a busy busy week! But I hope he had adjusted well, because for parents who were frequented by friends a lot, this week was just the tip of the iceberg!

The cool bath tub

2012-01-29T05:54:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be cool if baby bath tub didn't take up a ridiculous amount of space when not in use? This question triggered the awesome inventors of FlexiBath to come up with this really amazing bath tub, which now rests in our tiny laundry area.

I first heard about the FlexiBath over there at MommyTopaz's blog. I agreed with her and thought it was really cool and clever, but it was a little pricey for a bath tub. It sold for P2,495 at Mothercare.

From the time Zohan was born, he was bathed just above the countertop while he laid down on a reversible blue and pink rubber mat (Mommies, you know what I'm talking about). However, Zohan had grown bigger, and our countertop smaller (brought about by our moving in), it definitely was the right time to be a little profligate and head on over to Mothercare.

At Mothercare, Greenbelt 5

The husband preferred the blue FlexiBath. I would have wanted the translucent one with blue on the corners because I think it's more gender-neutral. But the husband said little girls (our future little girls) wouldn't complain if they're being bathed on a blue tub. Being the submissive wife that I was - at certain times- I acceded to buying the blue FlexiBath.

We waited for Zohan to arrive at our place before we used it, so I was really excited this morning to try it.

Here it is, ready for Zohan

After lavishing the baby with oil (by the way, can anyone tell me if this is okay? I just get used to doing it before bath time because that's what the old folks at home advised me), it was time for some splash...

Notice the inquisitive eyes

I had mentioned before that Zohan could not yet sit without support. At first, he was okay just resting his arms on both sides of the tub. But as we went along, he got tired and slid off. So we weren't able to bathed him sitting down.

Nanay trying to support him so he could remain seated

There were no photos of the real action because what happened next was a lot of splashing from Zohan and wet clothes and stressed looks from me. It was a little difficult to bathed him this way so somebody had to stand him up while I did the bathing for him. Maybe when he's older and able to sit without support, it would be a more enjoyable experience for both of us.

Be that as it may, I was just happy with his exquisite bath tub. I had vowed not to introduce him to expensive unnecessary things, and this bath tub was exactly that. But he was given money as gifts for several occasions like when he was born/baptized/first Christmas, so I felt I had no right to be spendthrift with those monetary gifts.

So, this is where your gifts go, people. Thank you very much!

Finalmente!

2012-01-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

After contending with delayed turn-over, nanny who backed out, space fuming with paint, raising money for the necessary appliances, finally...

Guess who just arrived!

Nanay, where the hell am I?

You're finally home sweetheart. And Nanay and Tatay are just over the moon!

What? This is the third time you've said I am home.

Yes baby, this is your home, too. And your Nanay and Tatay's homes in the provinces are also your home. But here, we will try as much as possible to be a happy family. Nanay and Tatay are both afraid, but hopeful that we can pull it off.

Afraid? How can you raise me if you're afraid??

That's alright, sweety. Everybody's always afraid of something. When you grow up, you will have your own demons and your own fears, too. But you have to remember that we will always be by your side. We will not be the perfect parents, but we will always try to give our best.

Look me in the eye and tell me we're going to be fine.

We are going to be fine. There will be tough times ahead, sure. But pinky promise, we are always in this together..

Okay, that sounds fair to me. I can rest now. Please don't forget to turn off the lights.

Welcome home Zohan!

Exhibit "A"

2012-01-24T08:18:00.000-08:00

I told you, husband. He is MY son!

Time for solids, beybeh!

2012-01-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Yes! This is another milestone and I'm glad to share it with you. Actually, I was a bit hesitant at first to introduce solids to Zohan who just turned five months old. I happened to stumble upon babycenter's guide to the introduction of solid, and it had somehow appeased and convinced me that it was indeed time for solids, baby!

1. Time is right: Babies are usually ready to try solid food between 4 and 6 months, but check with your baby's doctor beforehand.

According to babycenter.com, solids can be introduced any time between 4 and 6 months if the baby is ready. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the calories and nourishment the baby needs and can handle. His digestive system simply isn't ready for solids until he nears his half-birthday.

While this is the general statement found mostly on articles discussing introduction of solid food, American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfeed exclusively for at least six months. This is also what health experts and breastfeeding experts had to say, according to kellymom. She further discussed that even the World Health Organization and many other health organization recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. Solid readiness depends on both the maturity of baby's digestive tract and the baby's developmental readiness for solids. Most babies are developmentally ready for solid somewhere between 6 and 8 months. This is where kellymom differed from the position of babycenter, which discussed that solids can be introduced any time between 4 and 6 months.

I was prepared to wait another month, even though I had been prepping up his bibs and plates and spoon and everything else for the big solid day. So last Saturday, when we went to see his pedia for the monthly vaccination and routine check up, I was shocked (and a little bothered, I must admit) when she told us he was ready for solid food. Fears notwithstanding, what I really wanted was just to get home, put him down and run to the nearest grocery store to buy Cerelac and start feeding him. So that's exactly what we did!

Analyzing it now, I was a little afraid that it might had been too soon. It might be just another case of my chronic impatience. But then again, it's his pedia who gave us the green light. And she knew better than me; while I may fancy myself reading all these geeky articles, she might have had other considerations in mind, like patient history and all that doctor stuff I didn't know anything about. And besides, babycenter said it's anytime between 4 and 6 months. And, What To Expect The First Year discussed the introduction of solid on the 5^th month. Mama said the husband was introduced to solids way earlier than his 5^th month. I guess these should be enough to assuage me that it was going to be alright, and that the timing was just right.

2. Watch for signs: Good head control, a growing appetite, and interest in what you're eating are all indications that your baby is ready to try solids.

As early as three months, Zohan already learned how to roll over and since then, he had developed good head control.

Now at his fifth month, he can sit up pretty steady, albeit still with support. He has also become increasingly hungry every time. On weekends when we're together, I feel like all I ever did was to whip out my boobey for constant breastfeeding action! If you offer him what you're eating, he would look very eager to taste the food. In fact, his titos and titas always tease him by pretending to give him food, but he just couldn't take it just yet. Well, not anymore!

3. Get the gear: A soft-tipped spoon, a bib, a nonbreakable dish, and a highchair are all helpful.

All geared up! I had been waiting for so long for this day to arrive (I couldn't imagine first day of school or first stage performance. Ack. Budding stage mudra) and I had everything ready, except for the high chair (which will be the subject of another post soon, because mommies, I need help in deciding!) His spoon and dish were gifts from my friends from the office, while his PreNatal bib was a gift from Nanay.

Thank you Ninang KQ, Tita Kat and Tito Teoff for Zohan's Avent spoon and dish

4. Start simple: Try baby cereal mixed with formula or breast milk. Or begin with purees like pear, sweet potato, or peas.

Zohan's pedia prescribed only plain Cerelac twice a day, in moderate amounts. I asked if I could make mashed potatoes with breastmilk, but I was advised against it as his stomach might not be ready yet for complex concoctions. (But isn't Cerelac a little complicated, and unnatural, too?) Well.. She didn't study medicine and passed the boards for nothing, so I'm leaving it up to her. So, Cerelac it is.

5. Expect a mess: Babies aren't known for their table manners, so be prepared for food to land on the floor, highchair, your baby, and you.

Zohan did make a mess of his face. And the bad thing was, his skin turned red from below his nose down to his chin. I tested if the facial wipes was the culprit, but they appeared just the same during his second meal minus the wipes. So it must be the Cerelac. Anyway, the rashes rapidly disappeared after a few minutes, so no worries. I guess his skin would get used to it as we go along.

6. Keep on trying: Don't be surprised if your baby doesn't seem crazy about solids right away. Keep offering them and your baby will catch on.

Not applicable. At. All. Zohan eagerly devoured that tiny slimy half-spoonful of solid food as if he had been doing it for quite some time. And he finished everything up! It definitely looked like Zohan would be a big eater.

7. Take pictures! You'll want photos to show off your baby's first foray into eating real food.

Of course I wouldn't want to miss this milestone, so I asked the husband to take photos while I offered the spoon to the little boy. And I said “Take good pictures.”

Be the judge!!!

Do they look good to you?

Mothers often get too tired because they want to do everything by themselves. Had I known this would be Zohan's photo of his first solid intake, I would have turned myself to Zuperwoman to feed him and photograph him all at the same time. But Zohan fared well on his first solid experience. And it's all good. All good. So, never mind the photos. :)

References:
The checklist and the corresponding photos were taken from babycenter. Information on when to start solids were taken from kellymom and babycenter.com. Avent photo was grabbed from cubbees.com, while cerelac photo was grabbed from google images.

Moving in..

2012-01-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

The past few days had all been about cleaning, unpacking, and planning what to do next. It had been two weeks since we moved in but it was only yesterday that I had finally seen a semblance of home to an otherwise bare dance studio. There were still empty spaces here and there, patienly waiting for the coming of a furniture that would certainly arrive but indefinite as to when. But I had come to terms with the stress of moving in to a new place. In fact, I had seen a better version of myself with this whole moving-in thing; never had i known that my chronic impatience could still be manageable.

Definitely, moving in to a new space could excite and trigger the interior designer deeply burrowed in the core of one's disorganized self. Yeah, that enkindled part of me sure got me going. I'd been through a stage of mindlessly purchasing anything home-related. And at last, I wouldn't have to ditch my purchases should they turn out to be unfit in the next dorm/apartment I would move in to - which was practically what I had been doing for the past 12 years of my life.

Before moving in, I gathered all the home magazines, searched the web for design sites, contacted carpenters and contractors, heck even visited Bangkal (which we now know to be a useless advice)! My trips to the malls had not been about Zara or Mango anymore. Ace, Handyman and SM homeworld had suddenly become what glitz and glamour was all about. But the excitement rapidly waned down with the realization that all nice things came with a nice price. This contractor was charging me for P250,000 for a kitchen cabinet, a two-tile countertop, closet and bedframe. Are you kidding me? And I learned from my mall-hopping that a mattress must be bought separately from the bedframe and at almost the same price. Again, are you kidding me? An electric cooking range could cost that much? And that's still without the exhaust hood! You must be ~~fucking~~ kidding me!

Just imagine how much cuss words the husband and I had *unintentionally* uttered as we repeatedly used our calculators.

So now, my mall trips had recently been about Zara and Mango again, because they didn't break my heart as much as that comfortable couch that I could only just glance from afar. I ditched my Ikea magazine (thank you Joyce, by the way!) because I could not pattern my living room to any design neatly printed on it, probably not in the next 3 years or so. And I stopped howling over daphne osena's blog for her latest UrbanZone features because it choked me up each time.

The husband and I had decided, over 3-in-1 coffee of course, that we should take it one bonus at a time. Looking at it from a practical view, I honestly believed we had all the things we need and some of the many things we want. And I could live with that.

I probably don't need an L-shaped countertop because I would only be serving hotdogs and eggs most of the time anyways, and they don't go well with expensive-looking countertops. We probably don't need a home theater system because we only need each other (and Zohan) to be entertained. We could spend an entire night just talking nonsense at the balcony, and we have plastic monoblocs there now, that should be fine. And the comfort room need not be divided with glass because we would like to see each other in flesh when the husband is on his throne and I'm taking the shower. As for the correll plates and high-thread-count linens and color coordinated curtains and carpets, I probably wouldn't die if I don't have them. Get sick, maybe. But not die, so that could wait as well.

Our humble nest is already so many leap better than where we were both raised. A few furnitures and accessories missing shouldn't keep me blinded to recognize what a blessing this really is. I realized that I should not look for the things that I do not have, so that I would not miss the bliss of experiencing those that I have. So I thank my Universe for conspiring all together just so we can have a cozy sleep in this california queen bed. A loving husband and a wonderful kid is all I need to accessorize our home. The rest of the non-essentials can wait.

Well, except that I can hear the corner table and lamp screaming of extreme urgency. And I might just give in any moment now.

*Photo Credits to google images (streetseed.com)

Why 2011 was my year (and what I look forward to 2012)

2012-01-03T00:12:00.000-08:00

I was itching to write about this post ever since I started blogging because this was supposed to sum up the ~~shit~~ things that I’d been through in 2011 and the happiness and blessings that came out of it. As 2011 drew to a close, I had qualms writing about it lest the article might sound too personal: this was supposed to be a motherhood – not a personal-- blog. But then again, I had my personal editor to tweak the details should I go overboard in sharing. And besides, my 2011 mostly revolved around my motherhood, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to write this post. Who’s the judge anyway?

2011 was the year of extremes. It was the worst, but ironically, the best year of my life. It was the worst because all the real-life challenges one could think of came to me in one fell swoop this year. The details are gory, I tell you. And I know you have enough drama of your own to be interested in mine, so to spare whoever will take the time to read this from puking, allow me to just dwell on the good.

Early 2011, I got married to one of the most wonderful persons around. Truth be told, it was rushed and unplanned. With barely two months to prepare, I was calling suppliers left and right inside the courtroom while waiting for the judge to arrive. After hearings, I would schedule food tasting at lunchtime so I could still rush to work right after. Looking at it now, I find it amusing that I was able to juggle everything without taking a leave from work.

On 7 March 2011, there were no fireworks, no heavily-beaded gowns and expensive headdresses for the entourage, no sparkling diamond ring or sit-down dinners to boast of. It turned out to be a simple, heartfelt civil wedding, with just families and closest friends around. Instead of a quartet, I opted for Parokya ni Edgar’s Tedd Hanah¸ which was kind of our song. Of course, it wasn’t live. Instead of a long walk on a red carpet, I came out from a mossy stairs that bespoke of a thousand years of existence. Instead of the Rajo-Laurel sort, my dress was a beautiful gift from my Nanay which she got from Rome. Instead of expensive cathedrals that will make you wait for years for a date that is not even significant to the bride and groom, we were wed in a garden sometime before sunset. And instead of the formal stay-put-in-your-seat wedding, our wedding was filled with hilarious laughters and games and so much "bekiness" one could take in a day. But I was a happy bride. So maybe it wasn’t the grandness that made up a happy wedding. After all, when all the dust settled, the "wedding day" would not matter as much as the "married days". As for me, I was glad I became even happier as the days went by.

We were able to finally purchase a car (albeit preloved) after months of dreaming and planning and failing and dreaming again. But I would never abandon riding the MRT/LRT/buses entirely. In one of my conversations with the husband, I remarked that riding the trains and buses kept me grounded. Of course, one must struggle for life to be better, but one should never forget the roots of her core. I didn't know about other people, but when I rode public utility vehicles, I would habitually observe other passengers and wonder what’s on their mind or the struggles they had been going through (Am I weird?) This weird habit of mine, I would like to think, sort of reminded me that even if I rose by a little notch in the social strata, that didn't make me any better than my co-passengers.

photo credits to flickr.com

We are now proud owners of this key! This key has consumed most of our energy (and money) in 2011. Of all our struggles this year as husband and wife, this would undeniably rate Number 1.

photo credits to the developer

Looking back, last year had indeed been a good one.

Last year, I witnessed the kindness of mankind. To you, who said she’s always reading my blog entries, thank you for you and your husband’s kindness. To my Nanay, god you're the best! We offer to all of you our first good night’s sleep in our condo as a token for your generosity and your willingness to walk the extra mile for us when all hell was breaking lose.

Last year, I gave up teaching BUT I stayed on in one company for more than seven frigging months, almost two years to be exact.

That's me in black and white print dress. (With some of my officemates during our Firm's anniversary lunch out)

Finally, I learned that there could never be a perfect workplace. One must take the good with the bad, and then, compromise. No retreat, no surrender! This year, I hope I can go back to teaching aspiring lawyers. This time, without taking a cab! Hooray!

Last year, the husband and I’s first venture had not been as lucrative as expected. Several months ago, while the rest of our contemporaries were busy deciding on their handsome purchases, we were tightening our belts to save up for a capital of a small business. So it came with a heartache that our first food cart’s sales went down to the extent that we had to have it closed temporarily. We also lost a very trustworthy staff because we couldn’t keep her anymore at our expense. BUT at least we tried! This year, I hope we can have the stall transferred somewhere else and regain our beloved and trusted employee. Or better yet, I hope we can start another small business to augment our income.

And lastly, late last year, I was given the greatest gift (No Joyce, not the gift of life and Human Nature’s Only the Good!).. TADAH!

To my cute little darling bundle of joy, you saved me from my selfish self. You have taught me patience and compassion and unconditional love. These words may seem too heavy, but in almost five months of us being together- you have changed me for the better. Thank you my sweet little angel.

That’s my 2011 for you folks.

So, what do I look forward to this 2012?

Well, a lot! But topping the charts is finally being able to go home to a place we can call our own, and have our son waiting for us! Just a few more cleaning and furnishing, and our condo is now baby-ready! But the bigger question is, Am I ready? You see, during Zohan’s first two months I was at home with him, relishing my maternity leave. I had the help of Nanay, who went home for a quick vacation in time for my giving birth. His third and fourth (and looks like his fifth) month was spent with Mama (my mother-in-law) taking care of him in their house while the husband and I were here in Makati for our jobs. So it seems like I haven’t been really tending to his needs on my own. And I am so excited (and a little overwhelmed and intimidated) by the huge responsibility on my shoulders. I’d like to believe I am not really a panicky type of mother. So I hope I can get through with it. And with a very hands-on husband around, I think we’ll do just fine.

I said “a lot” earlier, but the rest of my expectations and plans for 2012 pale in comparison to the thought of snuggling in our bed with Zohan and his Tatay. So let me just share with you our family (meaning the husband and I)’s resolution for 2012, which we shared with each other while having breakfast of siomai, chicken and coffee at Ministop, no less.

Khaye’s Goal

As a wife is to be less emotional. (This is still under discussion because my being emotional is brought about by an insensitive husband)

As a mother is to be more patient with Zohan when he wakes up in the middle of the night and I have just fallen asleep.

As a person is to look and feel more fabulous this 2012 (which I keep on repeating to the husband- because the reality is, looking more fabulous necessitates spending, admit it or not ladies. And spending means less money for the family coffers. So I am laying down the basis.) And, as the movie goes (Our Idiot Brother), to look semi-fuckable every once in a while. ;)

Kristan’s Goal

As a husband is to be more sensitive. (This is still under negotiation because he thinks he is not really sensitive, I am just too emotional.)

As a father is not to wake up Zohan when we get home and the poor baby is asleep. (Please, for Pete’s sake, follow this! Do you know how hard it is to put a baby to bed??)

As a person is to lose weight. (We hope to eat healthy this year, and go back to exercising because we are at our most disgusting, heaviest and flabbiest state! Ugh.)

photo credits to dans.photo

My friend Joyce once said that your worst year is the year before you reach the age that are multiples of seven. When you reach 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and so forth, your cycle has come to a full turn and you are in for the best days of your life. I was aged 27 in 2011, and arguably, it was the worst year of my life. Last December 22, a few days before the end of 2011, I turned 28. And I believed Saturn has returned to me, because great things happened since. And they never stop, as of this writing. Great things await my 2012 because I have completed my Saturn cycle. The party hats are ready, let’s get it on!

*For more blog lovin' this 2012, you can follow me on twitter here, like the blog's page on Facebook here, or we can update you of new blogposts through your email here! :)

Have you seen my puppy?

2011-12-15T01:08:00.000-08:00

One fine day, my Nanay brought home this thing vibrant with all the colors from ROY-G-BIV and handed it to me while I was chillaxin' in my crib.

I figured, What a waste of money! They could have just gotten me some new clothes, since I was having a hard time breathing on those onesies that I had outgrown. But to give respect to my Nanay, I looked at it just the same.

It turned out to be a cloth-book (or at least that's what I call it). It's about the story of a boy asking help to find his puppy. Of all the topics they could have asked to me to read, they chose to bore me about a lost puppy. I would have enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo more, but well, let's see how this goes..

I started reading it.. and got so hooked 'coz the little boy kept on looking for his puppy at all the wrong places!

The plot thickened! Every time the boy asked if that was his puppy, the clothbook would ask me to do something, like lift the cover and see if the puppy was behind the refrigerator, or remove the cover from the bushes. And there would always be something for my developing senses, like a rough cloth for me to touch, or a button that would emit sounds, or a page that sounded like crumpled plastic when touched.

Without me knowing, I was hooked! You see how I burried my face? I would leave no stones unturned until I find the poor boy's puppy.

I even brought it in my bed to read before bedtime.

But my Nanay and Tatay and the rest of the Cristobal Pamileh were so chaotic in cheering for me, I lost my concentration.

These people! After they drove me nuts to lay my hand on the book, now that it got me going, they made all the loud noises and laughter that got me distracted. So hard to deal with old folks.

And guess what they did next? They took the clothbook away from me and said it's time to hit the sack. Seriously?! But i haven't found the puppy yet!!

And besides, do I look like a sleepy boy to you??

Just like your Tatay

2011-12-13T01:44:00.000-08:00

Just like your Tatay, I hope you turn out to be good in Math so you can ace your entrance exams and get admitted in good schools. Unlike your tatay, I totally sucked in numbers, - that's why I took up Law. I took the UPCAT and I tried solving those math problems, but the results of my computation were not included in any of the choices. It's either I got it wrong- or their questions were too much to handle for my arithmophobic brain. But your Tatay, he used to compete in math quiz bees when he was in high school. Your Tatay loves numbers, emulate him as much as you can.

Just like your Tatay, I hope you become a voracious reader. I am not gaga over books -I think your Nonna (my Nanay) has read more books than I have. But your Tatay- he breathes reading. I am a living witness to your tatay's excitement everytime he sees a bookstore and his persistence to find ebooks on the web to hoard on his kindle. In fact, his heart sank when his books, especially the hard-to-find sort, were destroyed by typhoon Ondoy. And being a bookworm that he is, his vocabulary is a bottomless pit. I do not even trust him when he answers "I don't know" when I ask the meaning or synonym of a certain word - I suspect that he's just trying to be humble. Your tatay has gotten so much from reading, emulate him as much as you can.

Just like your Tatay, I hope you fascinate yourself with literature and poetry. He would recite to me Edgar Allan Poe's Anabelle Lee as he drives on our way home. I don't get the kilig factor because he invariably does that just to annoy me. But then, who can recite poems like that these days? His first gift to me was a poem printed on a fancy blue paper and placed on a frame. He said it was the only thing he could afford at that time, but secretly, I know he did it on purpose because he knows I will be blown away. He is definitely not a romantic person (He is definitely not a romantic person, Emphasis Supplied). But he has a gift that you could put to a good use to swoon ladies, emulate him as much as you can.

Just like your Tatay, I hope you become a dedicated family man. Before we came to his life, he already was the "mama's-favorite" material. He never answered back to your grandparents save those times when he was pushed to study harder because his teachers thought that he could achieve more if only he was diligent. He sent your aunt to school even when his fledgling law career can only provide him a paltry sum enough for his rent and daily subsistence; he is now doing this for your uncle. Also, he still punches your grandpa and your uncles for fun and he berates your aunts for wearing those trendy micro-minis. And every time he holds you and play with you like a doting father, I can see your grandparents beaming with pride in one corner. But please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you should be biased against clothes that are too little and make-ups that are too much. He tends to overdo that one, so try to deviate a little :p Other than that, his love for family is unfathomable, emulate him as much as you can. (And make your momma proud, too).

Just like your Tatay, please strive for brain excellence without being smart alec. Your Tatay has a bouquet of laurel on his forehead. I, on the other hand, can only show you laurels on my adobo. (Waley?) I would love to go up on the stage on your graduation day and pin your Magna Cum Laude medal, just like how your lola did. I am even thinking of giving you a thousand tongue-lashings "ala-lola" if ever you become a lackadaisical highschool student like your tatay in the hope that you'll bring out your true potential and turn out to be an ace college student just like him. Your tatay was a genius, I was just a diligent student, so to spare yourself the effort, emulate him as much as you can.

Just like your Tatay, be resilient. I have had my share of troubles, and he has faced his own storms, too. But between the two of us, he is the "cooler" one. I tend to overanalyze every situation, worry too much about it, and then bask in the gloomy atmosphere of depression I myself created. Your Tatay knows how to laugh about it, no matter how tough the situation seems to be. I hope you don't turn out to be sickly, though. Because he can't stand illness and hospitals. I grew up bringing myself to the ERs and operating rooms by myself and coming out of it smiling, so I guess that's when I take charge. Your Tatay and I have gone through the days of half-order of munggo and one rice to make do with what we had. I was sad and depressed, he was content and cheerful, emulate him as much as you can.

Just like your Tatay, please be a philosopher. Well, you may opt to become either a doctor, a lawyer, an artist, an architect, an engineer, or a stand-up comedian- choose whatever suits you! But be a thinking person. He will probably importune you with the idea of living your life consciously and in accordance with your life's "guideposts". And I will gladly relinquish the rein in his favor on those "life matters" because he knows better. Remember, our conversation ala Before Sunrise, Before Sunset has gotten me, totally. He can be very intimidating to talk to, but sometimes, he is just the right dose of medicine one needs to be enlightened, emulate him as much as you can.

Just like your Tatay, please, for your own sake, be a funny man! I mean, your Tatay is a really funny guy. As in the makes-you-wanna-pee-in-your-pants funny. And I'd like to think I'm a funny person as well. So it would be so sad on your part to be left out on our "laughing trips". Oh, and we've gotten you a bunch of funny ninongs and ninangs, and your titas and titos are all kalog and makulit, so really, you'll be all alone on the other side of the fence if you don't turn out to be funny. So please emulate him as much as you can.

All my wishes may be too much to ask from you, but you must not lose heart. You have his genes to begin with, so these things may not be that hard for you. Your Tatay is one of the most wonderful persons I have ever met in my life-- and I am saying this not as a wife, but someone who has come to know him before ~~I have fallen in love with him.~~ he cajoled me into falling in love with him. It would be grand if you take after him.

After all, they say you already look like me, and I think I could live with that. :)

The day Zohan rolled over

2011-12-02T03:04:00.001-08:00

I wasn't there when it happened. No glimpse, no proud-momma-moment, no leap for joy. None whatsoever. But that's okay. I mean, that's just rolling over. There would still be a series of first - first solid food, first walk, first day of school, recitals, graduation - a whole lot more meaningful than a baby rolling over to be on his chest. So, no big deal. Besides, it would not be the last time he's going to do that. There'll be plenty of it, and with more precision! So I figured I'll just wait for the weekend to come home and cheer him up as he impresses me with his roll-over moves.

I wish I can honestly tell you that's the way I handled it. But no.

It was November 18, 2011, Zohan's third month. It also happened to be our lawfirm's 6oth founding anniversary and the entire office was set for a big lunch over at Peking Garden. So everybody in the office was looking their best and mighty excited for this no-work-let's-just-party-til-we-drop day! I arrived early in the office to have breakfast before heading on to Greenbelt for the office-sponsored mass. While having breakfast, I texted my mother-in-law,

"Ma, happy birthday kay Zohan. I-kiss and hug mo na lang ako sa kanya."

And she texted me back,

"Oo nga 'nak. Ang regalo nya sa atin eh dumapa na sya ngayon lang."

Right then and there, I could feel my eyes swelling up, ready to part with that little tear I was trying so hard to control. The non-legal staff were there and I would not want to create a scene over my son's first roll over. But, as fate would have it, I cried. My secretary was asking me what happened, and I just said,

"Dumapa na daw 'yung anak ko, hindi ko man lang nakita.. :(

Naku, tama na nga 'yan. Ang mascara, ang mascaraaaaah!"

But deep inside, I was wallowing in guilt and sadness. That day came and went. I celebrated with the rest of the staff, but every so often, I imagined my son trying to get his cute little butt to turn and lay flat on his chest. I imagined my mother-in-law beaming with happiness. And I wasn't there to share her joy.

That weekend, I was very excited to go home. I wanted to see it for myself. And yes, he could really roll-over now!

Look, I can do this now!

Tatay, where you looking at?

Oh, there's the camera. I should face here!

..and then smile just a bit to keep my mystery :)

That night, and the nights thereafter, he just kept rolling over like he's in a frenzy! All I needed was to lay him down and he would automatically roll over. And he would do that even at night when his hunger interrupted his sleep. So I would always have to get up and pick him up and lay him on his back again so he could go back to sleep. And if you leave him alone in his sleep, he'd roll over, eyes-shut and all. So cute!

I'd like to think it's his way of telling his Nanay that it's okay if I missed one of his milestones. There would still be a lot to look forward to. But babies could not be as thoughtful at that age. It's just feed-play-sleep for them, so, that's just my imagination. =) I just keep on reminding myself that motherhood is such a beautiful thing to ruin with all my drama. So keep on smiling. And hugging and kissing this little baby boy.

'Til the next milestone!

What Games to Play (Baby Shower Post, Part 2)

2011-12-02T02:23:00.000-08:00

This is long overdue. But before we finally bid 2011 goodbye, which is the year when this Baby Shower was had, let me continue with my blabber in the hope that you can get ideas if you are, by any chance, hosting a baby shower for your friends.

GAMES

Measure Your Waist

I call this game "Measure your waist", for obvious reasons! You will need a ribbon, band, or anything that can be used to measure your waist. The goal is to approximate the waistline of the pregnant momma, baby bump and all! I forgot who won this game, and I forgot what my waistline was. This was almost a month before I give birth and I haven't even been injected with anesthesia!

ME at 8 months!

Here are the photos of the girls, measuring away!

I think it was Hannah who won this contest, judging by the way this photo was taken!

She looks like she's receiving a price here

List it Down!

The participants will be grouped and given a pen and paper. The host will announce the categories and the participants are supposed to write down all the items they could think of belonging to that category. For instance, BABY BATH TIME! We've got items like baby bath soap, baby oil, water, basin, etc. You know how it goes! Then the future mommy is supposed to check the items listed by the group and sum it up. The group that comes up with the most items wins. By that time, I have already stuffed my brain with all those information so I didn't have a hard time checking. Yeah, by that time, I already know what animal is a Desitin!

Fierce competition we got here!

And last, and the most fun of them all..

Eat the Poop-Ice-Cream
The person with the strongest gut wins.
Enjoy the rest of the photos!

What's in a name?

2011-12-01T21:17:00.001-08:00

We named our first-born Zahir Mohandas. It's quite a handful, right? Everytime I was asked what's my baby's name, I always had to repeat it for them. Always. And it would entail a long explanation why he was named such. So the next time I was asked, I just answered "Zohan". And then they would ask, as in Zohan the movie? And I'd say yes, and they would usually laugh. So, end of conversation. Short-cut, wasn't it?

We named him Zahir Mohandas for our own selfish reasons. Selfish because we are delighted by the name, while the poor boy will have to bear with writing his kilometric name in Kindergarten. And in the first grade, he might need to explain to his teacher and his classmates the story behind his name. And when he gets older and it's time to hit the chikas - I hope in God's name the girls are unaware of that movie by Adam Sandler -they might think he's one grossly funny guy who makes the perfect perm! But, if they dig funny guys, then maybe that's a plus. So, yeah, his name is our own selfish concoction.

Zahir was taken from The Zahir, a book by one of my favorite authors Paulo Coelho. (He's everybody's favorite now, do you notice?). It is a story of pilgrimage of love and obsession, a husband looking for a wife who decided to disappear, and in the process, was able to find himself. It is not even my favorite Coelho novel, but then, who would want to name his son Veronika, or Miss Prym, or Valkyries, or Witch of Portobello? (On second thought, Alchemist sounds cool.)

Grabbed from google images

Mohandas was a loving tribute of his Tatay to Mohandas Ghandi. I cannot talk enough of his Tatay's fascination to Ghandi. Like Ghandi, he is a lawyer who struggles to shed the dermis of worldliness and reveal the "atman" in him.

This used to be his Facebook Profile picture, but now, it has been
replaced by our version of Mohandas

Offhandedly, just by the sound of his name, our first-born seems like a kick-ass philosophy-driven bookworm who doesn't know how to have fun.

But, of course, we do not want him to turn out that way. We want him to embrace the beauty of life. Personally, I would want him to be just like his Tatay - an incredible permutation of comic and depth who has the uncanny ability to make you pee in your pants with his humor and antics and - just by pressing a switch- to baffle you with his unorthodox but inspiring views about life and its purpose.

To make way for the comic part, we gave Zohan as his nickname. I hate to be anti-climactic, but yes, Zohan as in the hilarious Adam Sandler in You Don't Mess with the Zohan.

Our friends find our choice of nickname as silly, but in a cute way. Sometimes, I wonder if it was a mistake giving him that nickname. This happens mostly when I recall the scenes from the movie and I imagine him doing the same. But when you googled Zohan, after being directed to numerous links to the movie and Sandler's crazy photos, you'll learn that it is actually a Slavic name for a gift from God. Akalain mo 'yun?

But seriously, he is really one of God's most precious gifts to us. We did not wish for him, but he was given to us. Zohan came at a point that we least expected, but to God, he came right on time. And we couldn't be happier. :)

For the love of coffee

2011-11-22T23:37:00.001-08:00

It's that time of the year again when everybody's going gaga over a red-velvet cup and a gazillion calories in exchange for a planner that usually ends up being used only at the beginning of the year.

Photo grabbed from google images

I am not really a sticker collector. But a coffee-lover is an understatement. Don't we just love coffee? Whether the signature-fattening type, or the sachets of 3-now up to 7-in 1, or even just the ones we make at home (Ikaw, anong timpla mo?), it's always a delight to have coffee!

Cappuccino at Classic Confections in Greenbelt 5

So imagine how horrible it must have been for a pregnant-me to stay away from coffee and the endless chika with girlfriends that usually go with it. In fact, of the many things that I needed to get off my system during pregnancy, it was coffee that gave me the hardest time. I quit smoking and drinking right on the very day those ominous two lines appeared. . (Yes, I was such a wild child back in the days!) In fact, I don't think I ever really let coffee out of my routine. My pregnancy just took out some pleasure from the coffee-drinking experience and replaced it with guilt. I settled for decaf and stick (or at least try to stick) to at least one cup a day. But on heavy days in the office, coffee had been my ultimate stress-buster and I consumed more than what I should really have. Also, when it's coffeedate with the girls and I was craving for a drink with no decaf version, I indulge in my guilty pleasure. And, when I was reaaaaally sleepy, the Nescafe 3-in-1 always did the trick.

So when I finally gave birth, one of the things I really looked forward to doing was drinking coffee (without the guilt feeling and the "in moderation" note to self). But my bubbles burst when my excitement was overheard by my officemate, who remarked that if I ever thought of breastfeeding, I should steer clear from coffee because it's bad for the baby. Of course, being the sore loser that I was, I scoured over my reliable materials and read up on caffeine and its effect on breast milk. I wouldn't give up just like that!

Most materials would say that it's okay to drink coffee in moderation since very little caffeine pass on to your milk. I also read from the internet that it could decrease your milk production if too much caffeine goes into your system. But kellymom had all the information that you might need regarding coffee-drinking while breastfeeding.

"Most breastfeeding mothers can drink caffeine in moderation. Some babies, particularly those under 6 months, may be more sensitive to mom's caffeine intake. Babies whose mothers avoided caffeine completely during pregnancy seem to react more to caffeine in mom's diet. Even if baby is sensitive to the caffeine now, he may not be when he's a little older -- so if you do have to stop or limit your caffeine intake, you can try again when baby is older."

Apparently, if the baby is particularly wakeful and fussy, chances are the caffeine content of the coffee did its part. Such baby can be categorized as “caffeine-stimulated-baby”, who is described as "a wide-eyed, active, alert baby who doesn't sleep for long." I had been observing my little boy and there were really nights that he kept on giggling and trying his new-found trick of rolling-over until almost midnight! Yes, 12 midnight! I thought, what an active super boy I have! But when I came across this article at kellymom, I realized, with a sigh of guilt, ohh must be the coffee!

So, how much caffeine is too much? "The amount of caffeine that might affect baby will vary depending upon the specific baby and the baby's age and health. The estimate we often hear is "less than five-oz cups of coffee or 500mg/day. Various sources suggest an upper limit for caffeine ranging from 300-750 mg/day."

Okay, I know that's too scholarly and we want spoonfeeding as much as possible, don't we? So here, I present to you a table of my supposed caffeine intake based on the 500mg/day limit set above:

Equivalent caffeinated products for various daily caffeine intakes
Food	Caffeine Content	150 mg	300 mg	500 mg
Starbucks Coffee	250 mg/8 oz (short) 375 mg/12 oz (tall) 500 mg/16 oz (grande)	1/2 cup (short)	1 cup (short)	2 cups (short) 1.5 cups (tall) 1 cup (grande)
Coffee, brewed (non-gourmet)	100 mg/5 oz 160 mg/8 oz	1.5 cups (5-oz) 1 cup (8-oz)	3 cups (5-oz) 2 cups (8-oz)	5 cups (5-oz) 3 cups (8-oz)
Starbucks Frappuccino	98 mg/9.5 oz bottle	1.5 bottles	3 bottles	5 bottles
Diet Coke	46 mg/12 oz can 77 mg/20 oz bottle	3 cans (12-oz) 2 bottles (20-oz)	6.5 cans (12-oz) 4 bottles (20-oz)	11 cans (12-oz) 6.5 bottles (20-oz)
Pepsi-Cola	40 mg/12 oz can 67 mg/20 oz bottle	3.5 cans (12-oz) 2 bottles (20-oz)	7.5 cans (12-oz) 4.5 bottles (20-oz)	12.5 cans (12-oz) 7.5 bottles (20-oz)
Tea, leaf or bag	48 mg/8 oz	3 cups (8-oz)	6 cups (8-oz)	10 cups (8-oz)
Häagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream	24 mg/4 oz serving	6 servings (4-oz)	12.5 servings (4-oz)	20 servings (4-oz)
Dannon Coffee Yogurt	36 mg/6 oz serving	4 servings (6-oz)	8 servings (6-oz)	13 servings (6-oz)

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/caffeine.html

Coffee is what I look forward to in the morning. It keeps me awake and working in front of a computer at noon. And it caps off a gastronomical night with friends. But, at the expense of a fussy little boy? :(

So next time I hit the hot water station in the office, I better think of this table and my wide-eyed alert angel. Meanwhile, I leave you with this frappe the husband dropped off at my office one evening I was pulling an all-niter. Ain't he a sweetheart?

Within my daily limit!

Have a great coffee day, you all!

Baby Shower and Beyond

2011-11-20T22:54:00.001-08:00

I love baby showers. It's not that I've been to too many to love them. Quite the contrary, I've only attended the shower thrown by my friends for my baby. (I should have just said I loved my baby shower, but as the husband always says, I'm verbose like that! haha!)

During baby showers, one can get quite a lot of cute gifts for the little one. And the concomitant games can be very amusing (games for bridal showers can be fun, but that's a totally different genre). For a group of friends who are not yet parents, you will be surprised about how the games can turn in to. The cluelessness can lead to hilarious answers. And the soon-to-be mommy becomes the repository of all those "mom-information".

And that's exactly what happened when my friends from lawschool and from the office threw a ~~surprise~~ baby shower for me! Imagine a bunch of single ladies (and a few guys) who absolutely doesn't know a thing about babies throwing a baby shower party! (*Ano ba yung Desitin? Wala namang ganun, nag iimbento sila ng sagot!)


See there? I'm beaming with happiness for the baby shower thrown by my friends

It was thoughtfully organized by one of Zohan's ninang, Mareng Joyce.

Mareng Joyce with her bongga pose

She searched for a good caterer, and found CCME Homemade Food Stuff (www.homemadefoodstuff.com). We had Fiesta Espesyal, which was a delight of 6 courses, good for 20 pax, for only P3,175. There's chicken relleno, beef caldereta, embotido grande, baked macaroni, and chopped chicken in green peas and quail eggs. For dessert, we had their to-die-for fruit salad. We took home the left-over fruit salad, it's sinfully good!

Of course, Mareng Joyce had the help of the gerls!

Mareng KQ and Kat, my friends from the office.

My friends from lawschool: Jenny, Fila, Masha, Ting and Boinks
( Some are not in the photo because they arrived late!)

My bestfriend Jona was kind enough to offer her condo unit as venue. (which is now for sale, by the way. For interested buyers, you can leave me a message here.) She recently gave birth, and she had to leave early coz the little boy is running out of expressed milk! -- (also a breastfeeding junkie)

With Bruchie Jona

And, what's a party without the cake?! Thanks to Masha, who was the night's scene-stealer for having found this cake, much to everyone's consternation. With my disgusting appetite at that time, I was so eager to devour on that yummeh-looking cake. But guess what, it's a diaper-cake! It's made of real diapers, which eventually landed to Zohan's cute little butt! Coolness! (You can visit their Facebook Page at The Diaper Bakeshop)

We had fun games, which I can't wait to share with you! And of course, the gifts. The giiiiiffffts! They were all awesome! And I can't wait to share it with you also. But since I've got work to do and I know you can wait, that will have to be on my to-do list.

For now, let me thank my wonderful friends for this baby shower. Ahh! The blessing of being a couple in the same group of friends and winning the race to parenthood! That night before we retired to bed, I couldn't resist opening all the gifts and taking a photo of them.

Thank you!!!

I tweeted, "Thank you Lord for the gift of wonderful friends. We are so overwhelmed."

Because really, it's not just the gifts, or the games, or the foods. It goes way beyond that. It's knowing that a lot of people are happy for you as you bring someone wonderful into this world. So Lord, thank you.

Working Mom Guilt (Episode 1)

2011-11-18T03:36:00.000-08:00

It's Monday, 14 November 2011. 7am.

The husband dropped me off at McDonald's two hours before my supposed hearing at a court in Quezon City, so I had time to have breakfast. But instead of me enjoying my happy food...

I'm sulking in one corner, looking like I'd gambled and lost at a casino, all weary and sad because all I could think of was this cutiepatootie I left at home..

Who wouldn't, right?

They call it working-mom-guilt. And this is just one of the many episodes. For me, it is even more difficult because aside from maintaining a day job, I couldn't even hug and kiss this cute little boy at night =( I have to leave him with my in-laws in Bulacan coz we are still preparing his humble home in Manila. So I get to be with him only four nights in a week.

Aneeeewaaay, I have been reading a lot of momblogs lately in the hope of assuaging myself that really, I am a good mother even if I arrive home with the baby asleep and leave home with him still in deep slumber. But there are days, like today, when depression gets the best of you, and all you can think of is just to leave the corporate world and cuddle with your little one.

Times are difficult but who am I to complain?

1. I have been blessed with a good job. I imagine other mothers who couldn't even give their kids a decent milk or diaper for lack of financial resources.

2. Besides, I get to practice what I love doing (lying for a living haha!).

3. I can prepare better for my son's future (this is so cliche it's giving me the cringe writing it, but really, I need to concoct all possible reasons why I am a good mother, so forgive me.)

4. Most mothers are now working, so if it's of any consolation, I'm not in here alone.

5. I stopped at number five, because I couldn't think of any.

So, of the thousand reasons why a mother should be there beside his child at every milestone, doing what she should really be doing in the first place, I am here in a fast food early in the morning, browsing up my case files and preparing to argue for a frivolous motion. And I can only come up with five measly reasons why I'm here instead of home.

Going back, it's a little past eight when I gathered my case files. I had to head to the court lest I be cited for contempt.

Walk. Cab. Walk. Check the court calendar.

Where was my case title? Apparently, somebody's not doing her homework. My case was scheduled for hearing at 1:30PM, not 8:00 AM. Well, hello Monday. I should have just stayed at home a little longer. :(

How do you manage your working-mom-guilt? I'd be delighted to know, so I wouldn't stop at number five =) Drop me a line. I'd be glad to hear from you.

Advertise with Mama

2011-11-15T17:45:00.001-08:00

HELLO THERE!

For sponsored posts, press releases, advertisements, promos, paid links, contest give-aways, product reviews, and all that hullaballoo, you can contact Legally Mama at:

khayebrotonel@yahoo.com

Contests, Promos and Reviews

2011-11-15T17:43:00.001-08:00

HELLO THERE!

For sponsored posts, press releases, advertisements, promos, paid links, contest give-aways, product reviews, and all that hullaballoo, you can contact Legally Mama at:

khayebrotonel@yahoo.com

A Dose of Family Law

2011-11-15T17:26:00.001-08:00

Hi there! This is a mock post I'm doing for the dry-run of my new web design. But I promise to write family-related laws and issues soon!

My Dream Basketball Team

2011-11-09T23:08:00.000-08:00

I imagined them rowdy and funny, starting the days with mirthful bashings and taunts and ending the nights with eruptions of boisterous laughter. I imagined them using each other's stuffs, sometimes with permission, oftentimes with none. I imagined us walking along mall corridors with a day's worth of energized conversations. And at meal times, oh! I imagined them surreptitiously sneaking their hands into each other's plates when they have apparently devoured their share of the loot in the hope of saving for the last bite that tiny morsel of meat secretly burrowed deep in their mountains of rice.

I imagined them to be around six, or seven – but not to go fewer than five. And that’s supposed to be non-negotiable.

proofsatanexists.blogspot.com

(I want to be able to put a sticker like this in our carumba!)

I didn’t know what it was with large families that fascinated me. Perhaps, I just loved the fun riot and all the banters that usually characterized a large family. Or to sound a bit melodramatic, such fascination may have been brought about by the sadness I felt growing up as an only child having nobody to share my toys with (not that I grew up with too many), to tell teenage stories and adventures to, to provide me with the comfort of knowing that no matter how bumpy the road was someone would stick it out with me.

And so, I was constantly enamored by the thought of having a big family. I met a few friends with big families, and I never get tired of hearing their sibling-stories.

THE Rivera Siblings: Chaps, Nina, Anais, Chanel, Paco, Ate Fidji and Chloe
(Photo Credits to Chanel Rivera's Facebook Page)

The RIVERA Family - photo taken during my friend Nina's wedding
(I realized the earlier photo didn't do justice to Chanel, but it captured them best, giddy and all that! So here's a formal version)

Some of my pamangkins from my uncle who had nine (Yes NINE!) children

I also met the husband, who came from a big family as well.

The husband's siblings: Imee, Ersa, Erwin, Irish and Panje
(Photo taken during our wedding)

The husband's Family during a vacation in Baguio (with Tita Emmie in the middle)

I was hoping that he’d pass on the torch to our household.

On the 18^th of August 2011, I was blessed to have started with what I thought would be a frequent delivery. Our precious little angel was born via C-section and my dream of having a big family petered out.

And so now I ask, is there a limit to having deliveries via C-section? I was told that it should be around three to four, with at least two years interval. In that case, I’d still be popping babies in my late thirties, which would also be risky. So, I just don't know.... Perhaps, I need to find a miraculous OB-Gynecologist, or I have to be healthy or physically fit, or whatever, to have at least four to five kids.

Until now, I am saddened by the thought of not having an entire basketball team.

However, every time I feel sad thinking about how things panned out, I go back to that moment when the husband was driving me to the hospital after we were told by my OB that I should be opened up via CS: he held my hand and told me that fate has meticulously and carefully weaved such situation for us and we should gladly embrace it. Likewise, I joke myself that with the increasing prices of diapers and wet wipes (and soon, tuition fees and allowance) having few kids may prove to be a blessing. And more importantly, I know God has better plans than my plans. Perhaps, He thinks that we don’t have the genes to produce tall kids anyway, so maybe, a basketball team isn’t really a good idea. J