Mommy Cara Says...

First Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:59:00 +0000

So, I am again a Stay-Home Mom. With all the drama with who's gonna take care of Mikel, I might as well be the one to take care of him, again, just like old times.. It's been like 2 weeks already that I resigned from my teaching job.

Anyway, the reason why I blogged is cause Mikel had his first haircut yesterday! As in the very very first!
Mama Cay was the one who did it. Well I did the cutting first, and realized that I don't know what I am doing Haha! So Mama Cay finished what I started. Kept the first lock of hair I cut :)
The haircut needs fixing a little bit thou cause Mikel was so likot (he wanted to get the scissors). We might try again when he's in a good mood during breakfast.

Close to 1yr and 8 months

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:42:00 +0000

So Mikel it's about to turn 1 yr 8 months already.
How time flies!

He looks like a big boy already but still doesn't talk. There were some words that he would say but then forget about them after a week more or less. But I can hear his effort naman cause he keeps on talking "alien" language or as Lola likes to call it "Nagsasalita ng Hapon".

He laughs a lot though (well, with Me, Manny and Mamu) cause I guess Mikel is suplado with others. But once he warms up with you, be sure to get ready to see him smile or laugh :)

He still likes Mickey Mouse and Spaghetti. And now he likes French Fries a lot! He started to eat chocolate too. I tried to give him na before but he didn't like it at all. but suddenly he wanted na now. But we rarely give him sweets though.

His fave toy is his toy car which Mamu bought for him a few days ago (it's a yellow and red car matchbox type car but a little bigger lang). He "drives" it around everywhere!

His fave book is still "I Love You Forever". There was a time when he make me read that to him everynight and over and over. If I try to read another book, he'll close the book and cry. Now he's ok with a different book everynight na.

Everytime he eats. he likes it when we say "Stronger, bigger and lots of Muscles." <--with actions pa.

He loves the song "Slippery Fish, Oh no..." and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Twinkle Twinkle".

He got tired of "Mr. Sun" na ata.

He still runs around. but he plays with his toys more now. Before kasi he just holds one toy and then run around with it. He likes the hammer and ball toy that we gave him for Christmas. He would really smash with all his might! Haha!

He knows how to make drama na. He would make himself cry and then check slowly if you're looking at him! It's so funny!

That's it for now. I have to make Mikel get ready for bed already :)

Post-breakdown

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:33:00 +0000

My boss finally asked me to decide (long story), so I asked my mom straight out. She said she'll take care of Mikel again if I pomise to help out at home more and not go out and let her take care of Mikel. I have to be bahay-work-bahay, and get home the quickest that I can. So yeah, I'm even worse than Cinderella haha, but it's all for Mikel anyway. :) Besides I can always let Manny take care of Mikel if I really needed to go somewhere. Plus I get to spend more time with my cute kulit baby boy whose not much of a baby these days.

Anyway, Mikel has been so hyper lately. You can never catch him walking (always running). Well, excpet that one time when Ninong Luigi let Mikel wear rain boots! (just a little bit bigger than his size) But then once he practiced and figured the boots out, he ran...again.

His Tantrums worsen. He would just scream and then wiggle himself out of your hands and then lie on the floor, wriggling, if he doesn't get what he wants or if he gets frustrated with what he is doing (and i tell you, he gets frustrated sooo fast, and so often) ex. When he's playing with the stackables and couldn't put one on top of the other. Or if he couldn't sleep. or the string that he's holding (which he thinks is a string from a balloon maybe) isn't flying/standing up (whatever you call it), oh and there's so much more incidents just like those!

I'm thinking maybe his TV watching could be a factor so I now cut his TV viewing time. He used to just open TV by himself and watch whenever he wants. But now we have this Sing/Dance moment. LOL! I'd dock my iPod on my speakers and play Mikel's playlist and Jump/Clap and Shake our sillies out! Haha! He specially loved the song Boom Boom ain't it great to be Crazy! and would smile everytime he'd hear it.

Mama Cay thinks Mikel should be checked up by a Dev Ped. She thinks he has something. Like ADHD or something like that. Well, I don't think so, I think he's just a hyper-active boy just like his Daddy was when he was a kid. Plus he's a Gemini, and gemini's are extra hyper than others. I sure hope I am right and not Mama Cay...

BTW, he still haven't said Mommy yet (or any other word for that matter). Oh I think he tried to say Mommy a few times or maybe I just thought. I wonder when he'll be able to talk. His 1 yr old cousin even know more words than him! I don't want to be a Mommy who pressures her son, or someone who compares but it's just that My mom thinks he has something that needs to be checked and then the fact that he's still not talking yet, so that makes me think. Oh well...

The Breakdown

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:26:00 +0000

it's been a really long time since my last update. So much has been happening lately that even if my computer is busted and I'm using my Ninang's itouch, I just had to blog. So excuse the lack of style and pictures, might edit this na lang when I get the chance. So anyway, my mom had a breakdown lastweek and she said she won't take care of Mikel anymore. I spent days thinking about who will take care of Mikel while I'm at work. Last Friday I even took Mikel with me to work and he got to play with my 3 yr old students. Well, anyway, I asked Manny to take care of Mikel after work cause he goes out at around 7am. I also asked my boss if I could work halfday for the month of December. Thing is, after December, I still don't have any idea on how it'll work. Mom specifically said no yaya cause our previous maid was the one who made her breakdown, well Mikel also cause he was really cranky that time too. I'll let you guys know when I've decided already. Tip next update

1st time in the Hospital :(

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:37:00 +0000

So a lot has happened already since my last post...

1st, no more maid/yaya. She said that the real Mommy of her adopted child (back in Mindanao) is trying to get her baby back from her. oh the drama (which I doubt is even real btw)! Anyway, whatever, we're better off without her anyway.

Thing is after she left, Mikel started vomiting. We had him checked with the doctor (a different one since we panicked that night cause Mikel refused to eat or drink too). The doctor said it was Dyspepsia. The next day, Mikel started pooping too! It was watery, yellowish and smelled fishy! So we rushed him to his Pedia at once. She suspected it might be from the water we used to bathe him. She said he might have drank some. And he got confined on that day right after the check up (Oct 25). It was the first time he got confined in the hospital. aww :(

We have Healthcard (Intellicare) for Mikel so money was not a worry (Thank God). But there wasn't any room available so we had to stay in the ward for a couple of days. It was hard sharing a room with 4 other families. Babies were crying (although Mikel cried the loudest and the most number of times too! [hehe our room mates didn't get enough sleep cause of us]), Nurses and Doctors were coming in and out of the room almost every 5 mins and there wasn't any TV to entertain Mikel so he won't be kulit to want to go down the bed (well, we brought portable DVD, which eventually broke after a few days).

I just had to get the TV and ref inside a private room for us, so I made sure they prioritazed us (cause there was a list of all the people who wants to be tranferred to a private room if there was a vacancy, and on that list we were number 16! Haha!). From a Number 16 on the 1st day, we were still at number 12 on the 2nd day! So I insisted our doctor to move us up! and I hung out at the admitting desk so they'll really be pressured to find a room for us. Mama Cay went to the rooms and made the nurses work faster so that we can finally move! And we did, on the 2nd day! Finally! :)

And I thought I would get enough rest when we moved to a private room! I was wrong, nurses still kept coming in most of the time, but yeah, this was better than when we were in the ward. :)

Oh I forgot to tell you that the nurses were having a hard time putting the IV. They said they couldn't find a vein, Oh no! But they did eventually on his right hand, but then later on the vein collapse and Mikel's hand got swollen. They had to try again on his right foot! So Mikel had his IV on his foot that's why we had a hard time cause the wires kept on twisting around his body cause he was so gulo especially when he was sleeping. He would toss and turn looking for a comfy position to sleep.

When the results came, he turned out to have e.coli bacteria in his tummy. Maybe cause of the water nga. I really don't know, so now we have to boil the water he's gona bathe in just to be sure. Plus we have to be extra careful when handling him, so alcohol always after changing nappies. And we sterilized all his things already.

We just got home awhile ago (Oct 31). Spent my whole Sembreak vacation in the hospital! But it's ok, at least I got to spend it with Mikel ;) but I'm glad to be back home!

Some pictures:

MORE PICTURES HERE

On a lighter note:

Have I told everyone that Mikel sings "Baby Beluga"?
He says.. "Duda, duda, duda"

Also we have this book and Count from Sesame Street is in it. It says "One blue burst, Two red ripples, Three purple pinwheels, etc" And we read it to him imitating Count's voice with an "Ah, ah, ah" after every sentence.
He now also says "Two :gibberish: Ah, ah,ah.."
so cute!

Burp Excuse me! Mikel Updates.

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:06:00 +0000

I couldn't find time to update my blog anymore. It's either I'm too busy or I'm too sleepy.

Mikel is so hyper! All he wants to do is run run run and play play and then play some more, then maybe read books a little. He;s so tiring! And to top it off he doesn't want to sleep! He kept on sleeping at around 3am for a couple of days now. He slept at 10pm tonight. Mommy's hoping he won't wake up in a couple of hours to play til 3am! (That's what he did last night).

Anyway, Mikel can't say Mommy yet. but he can say "Excuse me" after he burps. :)
He still can't talk really, all he does is mumble and talk "alien talk" all day. I'm hoping he'll talk soon. Well, at least say Mommy already! :)

He's also beginning to take interest in other children.

See this picture:

That was taken a few days ago. The other child in the picture is My co-Teacher's daughter Maya. Mikel kept on following her! They're so cute! :)

Til next update! (:

Oh, BTW, we have a maid na. Not a Yaya. But a maid (Alma) :) Mama Cay will still be the one taking care of Mikel while I'm at work, while Alma will cook and clean :) and maybe if she stays with us for a long time, she might be upgraded to Mikel's yaya when we move out :)

Then... and... Now.

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:32:00 +0000

Me and my brother.

Me and my Cousin Denise.

Well, my pics in the "Now" part aren't really recent. cause I have short hair now. But I made/posted these pics around 1-2 years ago HERE. and since PMC had the same topic, I used it again.

Benefactors:
Momma Wannabe
The Pinay Blogger
Jadeliscious

Mommy Cara in WorkingMom Mag

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:28:00 +0000

Remember my post HERE?

Well...
Finally! It's out! :)
..it's actually for PMC :)

Mommy Ruby asked me if it's ok that I be interviewed about PMC for a certain mag. I didn't say yes at first cause I was busy with work and Mikel, but I eventually changed my mind thinking that this might really be a good experience and a few hours of my time isn't so hard to give :)

After having a conference with the other Mommies who will be with me in the interview/shoot (Mommy Aerin and Mommy Charm), I got really excited. I suddenly can't wait for the shoot!

So Shoot day came (September 9, 2008). Shoot was in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Bonifacio High Street. So right after work (1pm) I went home, ate lunch, had a quick shower then left na for the fort. I took a shuttle to Ayala in Mcdo Sucat then met with Manny in Shell (the one in Makati na dun sa daan papuntang Fort, I'm clueless with names of places, sorry. haha)
Basta arrived na in CBTL around 4:20pm ata when meeting time was 4pm. Haha!

It was cool when we got there. There were cool lights and there was a makeup artist pa! feeling artista ang dating! Hahaha!

Ms. Rowanda Lei was really friendly and very warm to talk to, so there wasn't any problem with the interview part. The Photographer was also cool. He would also laugh at our jokes and make some jokes himself too, that made us very comfortable working with him.

After the Interview/Shoot, we just couldn't wait to see the result! :)

Some behind the scene pics:

More info and pics HERE

'FunRanch'ing on a Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:19:00 +0000

While Mama Cay and Lolo Bob were at South SuperMarket, Mikel and I went to Fun Ranch cause lately Mikel insists on going out. He would get his shoes and tug on the stroller. So wawa naman, bored at home.

I let him play there for an hour. Then we ate meryenda. :)
He had a free balloon pa! The first one he got was a blue sword but it popped (wawa, he cried). Then I got him a baloon again (yellow sword this time).

He loved the Big Keyboard this time (before was the pool of balls). He just couldn't stop walking over the keys.

We also went to the 2nd level this time. Mommy got a bit scared of heights haha! That's why we didn't stay long there.

Maybe next time we'll try to go on the third level. :scared:

Mikel really enjoyed it there! He didn't even want to leave yet but we had to cause our 1 hour was up.

More Pics HERE

Little Tikes Coupe for only 250php!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:48:00 +0000

Would you believe I bought this for only 250 pesos?!
Of course 2nd hand. But hey, it still a steal for 250 pesos!

Table Manners for Mikel

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:48:00 +0000

I need to teach Mikel some Table Manners. Tsk.
I dunno where he got that.
He was crying cause he couldn't get his feet up. haay.
Actually, that started way back when he was a baby, like 5 months or maybe earlier, can't really remember when exactly. But I know, it was with his stroller. When we stroll him around the house or outside, he would ALWAYS put his feet up.
Now, my dilemma.. If I put his feet down, he won't eat. he would only eat when his feet are up the table. should I teach him table manners already at his age?

Relax-relax lang

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:48:00 +0000

pa-higa higa. pa-text-text. pa relax-relax.

Lucky Me! Wacky Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:10:00 +0000

I dunno if this was before or after drinking, probably after. Haha!

Benefactors:
Beauty of Life
Money Maker
Creations

He knows Mr. Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:30:00 +0000

I'm so proud of Mikel! This morning I sang him "Mr. Sun" and immediately he went and got his Sun toy! :) He actually did it a few days ago but I thought it was just a coincidence. But this time I'm sure it's not. :)
I used to use the sun toy before when I sing Mr. Sun and Mikel is imitating me.

Spa for Mommies

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:29:00 +0000

Having Spa Treatments: Wheng Yen Shimumsy Eds Mitch Hailey KCee Wena Aeirin Cara add your blog where you posted this.

Eyebrow Threading and Microdermabrasion

Aromatherapy and Body Wrap

Blowout

All my Mommy friends , avail of the Spa Treatments listed above by joining this tag...Enjoy and have fun.

Teaser Pics...

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:29:00 +0000

..Can't say yet what happened today. Will make you kwento in a month or two. That long pa? well, I guess you all have to wait :)

For selected few.. You can view all pictures HERE

Rapa's 4th @ FunRanch

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:19:00 +0000

We went to Rapa's Birthday Party in Funranch today!
Mikel loved the balls! He enjoyed but got cranky later on cause he was sleepy but couldn't sleep cause of all the noise (i think).
Hope we could go back to FunRanch again. Mikel should be well rested next time.

More Pics HERE

Rock Baby Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:05:00 +0000

Meet my Rockstar Baby Mikel! ;)

Bright Rays

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:34:00 +0000

It was so hot today! Look at the pic I took of the sunset. That was at 6pm today.. and still the rays of the sun are so bright.

I enrolled in SlimmersWorld for 6months! Was supposed to have my Medical Orientation today but the doctor didn't show, so tomorrow na lang. I even made ate Nana to babysit Mikel for awhile today just to go to the Medical orientation. but nyek sayang lang, wala. I just ran around Festi today always rushing to go somewhere. hot day and busy day, two things you don't want to go together. hehe.

When we were...

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:42:00 +0000

...Rico Yan and Angelica Panganiban! lol! kidding. :P

This was our first ever picture of each other :)
Taken in HSBC's core training room.. Back when we were dating :)
We were our Batch/Tranche's sweethearts/lovebirds/whatever you want to call it. Haha!
The Seminarian and the Fresh Grad. Hahahahaha!

Benefactors:
Pinaymama's Diary
A Mother's Journal
Simple Life, Simply Me
Pinay in States

New Haircut!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:57:00 +0000

Short Hair na ko. Panget na yung aftershot kasi hinangin na ng tryk! Hahaha! Oh well, sana maganda yung cut. ayaw ni sweetie ko sa pic na yan, but when he saw me personal nice naman daw,,, ewan ko lang kung he was making me feel better lang.

Peek-a-Boo with Ico!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Mikel had fun with his cousin Ico! They were playing Peek-a-Boo! Mikel would laugh and be all kilig when Ico would surprise him from under the couch!

It was Lola meng's Birthday. We went to Festival after lunch. Lola Meng and Mama Cay played BINGO. Mikel and I hung out in Robinsons :) Then we all went back to Lola meng's house to eat dinner and be with the whole Ballesca Family. Well, not everyone was there.

Here are a couple of pics from Robinsons:

Blowing his food

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:01:00 +0000

Mikel blew his food (fish and rice) before eating it (with his hands).. He was immitating Mama Cay. It was soo funny! With sound effects pa -"Whhh.."
And he kept on doing it because Mama Cay and I were laughing so hard, Mikel also laughed with us!

Wish I had a video to show you all. It was just so hilarious!

Mikel's first day of School!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:48:00 +0000

Toddlers Unlimited , Alabang (Festival Mall)
Purple Room, Saturday Class.

He loved it!

During freeplay, he just kept on walking and walking and taking out toys in its basket. And he's holding pa a banana or a knife!!! He loves the knife! He was holding it almost the whole freetime. (uh-oh Mikel, Mommy's scared hehe).

He didn't want to do art (it was painting using that rolling thing). He just wanted to hold the toy camera the whole art time.

He loved the romp! He was playing with the windows of the little tikes house. (playing peek-a-boo with it). After romp he cried casue I had to take the purple hoop from him (casue bawal ilabas).

Then came snack time, naku... he grabbed his classmate's graham crackers and yakult! Haha! He just ate and ate this Fita and drank his juice. Everyone was done eating na, he was still eating. I had to eat the remaining two fita biscuits so that he'll stop eating na! (cause no more time eh).

At storytime he was listening at first, and all his classmates weren't. (I know he loves storytelling, he loves it here at home when I read him a story eh). But during the end part of the story he wanted to play na rin like his classmates.

It was fun! Sana pwede ba ulit next week. Hehe! The deal was kasi pag meron pang slots eh pwede pa si mikel for free, but pag kulang na slots then di na.

I got to bring home Mikel's art pala. Which wasn't really his work kasi he didn't want to even try. Parang there were blots of paint lang cause he was crying and wanted to get out of there kaya nalagyan ng paint yung paper haha! I'll try to take a pic of it later :)

Ready for School!

On the way to school!

Holding the knife I told you about

During snack time

More pics HERE

Wacky pic with baby and sweetie

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Cara) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:03:00 +0000

First, I would like to say that lately I don't have any other wacky pics of me with either sweetie or Mikel. I dunno, before I used to take loads of wacky pics of myself. Now, not anymore. I may be conscious of the way I look now (in pictures) cause.. well, I got heavier.. and nababa self esteem ko . nyek

well, anyway, here's what I dug up...

Mikel was crying cause well I forgot haha. but this was the pic after the crying. wawa Mikel. but we both look so kulit.

This was in HSBC during training (where we met). This wasn't supposed to be a wacky shot. I dunno what happened. Haha!

Benefactors:
Aeirin's Collection
Design By Pieces
Biz N Honey

Mommy Cara Says...

First Haircut

Close to 1yr and 8 months

Post-breakdown

The Breakdown

1st time in the Hospital :(

*Burp* Excuse me! Mikel Updates.

Then... and... Now.

Mommy Cara in WorkingMom Mag

'FunRanch'ing on a Holiday

Little Tikes Coupe for only 250php!

Table Manners for Mikel

Relax-relax lang

Lucky Me! Wacky Me!

He knows Mr. Sun

Spa for Mommies

Teaser Pics...

Rapa's 4th @ FunRanch

Rock Baby Rock

Bright Rays

When we were...

New Haircut!

Peek-a-Boo with Ico!

Blowing his food

Mikel's first day of School!

Wacky pic with baby and sweetie

Burp Excuse me! Mikel Updates.