 | ||||
| No more binky! |
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
No More Binky!
At 21 months Maddy has finally been weened off the pacifier, AKA binky.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Family Reunion
As you all probably know, Maddy and I are huge fans of Rachel Coleman of Baby Signing Time. As far as mentor, Rachel Coleman is a wonderful mentor to mothers like me after learning what she is going through as a mother.
Anyway, I was nearly in tears when I read her blog tonight about her family reunion. Tears of joy. I hope you'll spend time reading her blog entry "Laura's Story" because it touches upon family adoption and her experience of having a family reunion.
Anyway, I was nearly in tears when I read her blog tonight about her family reunion. Tears of joy. I hope you'll spend time reading her blog entry "Laura's Story" because it touches upon family adoption and her experience of having a family reunion.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Two Kids, We CAN Do this!
Milestones. I gotta celebrate the little milestones that my kids are accomplishing. I'm so thankful that they're both healthy and happy kids.
Wonderful. I feel wonderful knowing that Nick has finally gotten adjusted to living outside of my womb. He's such a good baby. He went from keeping us up all night with his crying to peacefully sleeping through the night. I only get up to feed him at 3am and 5am. Once he's fed, he goes back down without any fuss. Thank you so much, Nick! I love chatting with him after he is fed. At 3 months, Nick is such a chatterbox, just like his Ate Maddy. Best thing about him is his smile--those dimples have me swooning!
Our little toddler has way too much energy. Maddy has such a fascination for climbing and standing on chairs to reach for things placed high up on shelves. There are plenty of times when she almost causes me to have a heart attack, the way she takes risks. I have to keep an eye on her, but not be too much of a helicopter mom. It's really hard to let go of some control.
One cool thing I see her do is matching, stacking and arranging. She also loves to arrange water bottles in a single file line. Maybe she'll end up working for Trader Joe's grocery store? She also loves to put shoes on our feet. Funny thing about Maddy is that she knows who's pair belongs to who--Lolo's shoes, Mommy's, Daddy's, Baby Nick's. Pretty observant little girl!
Erwil and I are getting much better at getting the kids out the door. We use to take 3 hours to get ready. Now it's just under 2.5 hours. If Nick doesn't poop or throw up all over his clothes right before we pull out of the driveway, or if Maddy decides to let us buckle her down in the carseat, we can probably make it out of the house in 2 hours. Getting these kids ready to go anywhere has been a challenge, but we try to do our best to get them out of the house to explore--our latest excursion being the California Science Center.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Facebook Friends Book List
I made a post on Facebook, taking suggestions for books to read. Here's what my Facebook friends came up with:
- Sarah's Key
- The Secret Life of Bees
- The Art of Racing in the Rain
- The Glass Castle
- The Hunger Games (series)
- Unbroken
- Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight
- The Color of Water
- The Year of Magical Thinking
- A Room of One's Own
- Child Thief
- The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Club
- anything David Sedaris
- anything Sophie Kinsella
- anything Jane Green
- My Sister's Keeper
- The Help
- Redeeming Love
- Leota's Garden
- Choosing to SEE
- Castaway
- Hole in the Gospel
- anything Harlen Coben
- Seal Team Six
- The Execution of Mary Surratt
Mommy Daughter Date
Maddy and I had another Mommy-Daughter Date Night. I kept it simple since she's only 19 months old. We had an early dinner at Panda Express, where she had her favorite mushroom chicken and chow mein entree. Then we headed over to Barnes and Noble's Children's section where she was most intrigued by the books on clearance. Could it be because those were the books at her eye level?
Maddy had so much fun at the bookstore. I had so much fun watching her pull books off the shelves to show me a thing or two about reading books. Of course she mostly babbled, but she squealed in excitement in between the turn of the page to see the next picture. She enjoyed the books that had all sorts of textures to feel--soft, furry, rough, bumpy. She also loved the books that played songs at a touch of a button.
I hope Maddy and Nick will continue to enjoy books as they grow older. The joy of reading is a gift I can give to my kids over and over again.
Maddy had so much fun at the bookstore. I had so much fun watching her pull books off the shelves to show me a thing or two about reading books. Of course she mostly babbled, but she squealed in excitement in between the turn of the page to see the next picture. She enjoyed the books that had all sorts of textures to feel--soft, furry, rough, bumpy. She also loved the books that played songs at a touch of a button.
I hope Maddy and Nick will continue to enjoy books as they grow older. The joy of reading is a gift I can give to my kids over and over again.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Balance, Balance, Balance
Work-Life Balance. It has only been the 3rd week of school. I'm so happy to say that I love my new work schedule. Working 3 hours a day is just enough time to get my head gears running in the classroom without burning out to the point of frustration. I have enough energy to play with my kids and have a meaningful time with my husband when I get home. It's enough time to run errands, cook a meal, go workout, read books and nurture my spirit.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Math Intervention Calling
There's been a highly specialized new twist in my calling--Math Intervention Teacher. The STAR test results are out and I have been working on analyzing test data for the past 2 weeks to prepare for a real challenge. This year I will be working with kids who are having severe problems in math in grades 3 to 5. Severe, as in failing and two or more grade levels behind the rest of his/her peers. There are millions of reasons why kids fall behind in school. My 10 plus years of teaching experience, I would say that 85% of it is a lack of consistent support for the student.
Judging from this new calling, the Lord really put into my heart that I'm most definitely not doing this for the money. It is so much work for one single person to complete, for only half the paycheck. (It is definitely the reason why I have been thanking the Good Lord when I get my paycheck directly deposited into my Chase checking account.) The Lord pressed into my heart that this job was carved out for me because I love working with kids in a classroom setting, and I have a real knack for working out the math kinks that kids get stuck on. The Lord keeps reminding me that this is an act of loving service. This the Lord calling me out to "Love your neighbor as yourself." It is indeed a high calling, and a hard one! Nobody else would take this job except me.
With all that said, I have been asking the Lord for wisdom in making multiple hard decisions. The reality is that I can't work with every single child. You bet I would, if I could! I must turn away some, given the limited time and resources. It makes me really sad to be recommended by others to transform my classroom into something like a triage medical center. I can only help those that can be helped, and leave the hopeless ones to be stranded. As a Christian teacher, does this even sound right? I just pray that God will make what looks impossible to my administrators and teacher colleagues, only possible by Him.
Here's the ultimate challenge: In each grade level alone, I have identified at least 35 who need special intervention. I can only pull out 4-6 kids from their classroom at a time, because these are the kids who really need small group time with a teacher. I don't have a teacher's assistant due to budget cuts. I only have a 3 hour work schedule. How do I provide a needed service for all those kids in 3 hours? Why don't you do the math? This is why I mean it looks impossible. I trust the Lord for a plan and I know that He'll make a way for me to make it meaningful time of learning for each child.
Looking back, I was never quite the math genius, but that's what made me an even better math student. It was the struggle that I experienced that helped me to better explain any math misconceptions or careless errors that a kid might form in his head. If I ever achieved an "A" in math, it was made from pure sweat, blood and tears. My dad was my best math tutor. He was so hard core about filling in gaps of learning before they get too wide. I was really blessed to have him guide my learning at home, even though we would fight about homework at the dinner table. Of all the subjects, I really love teaching math and it really concerns me when a child is not getting it. It's painful to watch and imagine a child grow up math illiterate. Of course, the majority of these kids are also the ones who lack parental support at home, or have parents who are math illiterate themselves. The vast majority of these kids fall in both categories. It breaks my heart.
I was thinking about posting up a "Volunteers Needed" sign at the Teacher Education department at Cal State Long Beach and CSU Dominguez Hills. Those are the two closest universities to my school. I am willing to mentor any aspiring teacher in exchange for volunteering some help in my classroom. Actually, the volunteers don't need to be an education major necessarily, just someone who loves math, loves struggling kids and love taking on opportunities for a challenges.
I also wonder if there are any of my brothers and sisters in Christ would be interested and willing to sacrifice a couple hours to provide a very important service in the classroom? I just don't have any money to offer in exchange. Again, it would purely be an act of loving service. Who in their right Christ-like mind would do such a deed?
Many people out there fundraise money to support education. We're in a recession and that's what trendy public schools do nowadays--ask for money and material donations. That's a novel idea, but I don't want to touch any money going toward the classroom. That isn't what these particular kids need right now. I'm asking the Lord to look for volunteers to give kids all the positive attention they need so that they can really make their education worthwhile. They need that real hands-on learning and real support, not money thrown at them left and right. My hope and prayer is that someone out there will be brave and compassionate enough to fill this need.
Lord, will You bless these kids with faithful classroom helpers? Please send someone soon.
Judging from this new calling, the Lord really put into my heart that I'm most definitely not doing this for the money. It is so much work for one single person to complete, for only half the paycheck. (It is definitely the reason why I have been thanking the Good Lord when I get my paycheck directly deposited into my Chase checking account.) The Lord pressed into my heart that this job was carved out for me because I love working with kids in a classroom setting, and I have a real knack for working out the math kinks that kids get stuck on. The Lord keeps reminding me that this is an act of loving service. This the Lord calling me out to "Love your neighbor as yourself." It is indeed a high calling, and a hard one! Nobody else would take this job except me.
With all that said, I have been asking the Lord for wisdom in making multiple hard decisions. The reality is that I can't work with every single child. You bet I would, if I could! I must turn away some, given the limited time and resources. It makes me really sad to be recommended by others to transform my classroom into something like a triage medical center. I can only help those that can be helped, and leave the hopeless ones to be stranded. As a Christian teacher, does this even sound right? I just pray that God will make what looks impossible to my administrators and teacher colleagues, only possible by Him.
Here's the ultimate challenge: In each grade level alone, I have identified at least 35 who need special intervention. I can only pull out 4-6 kids from their classroom at a time, because these are the kids who really need small group time with a teacher. I don't have a teacher's assistant due to budget cuts. I only have a 3 hour work schedule. How do I provide a needed service for all those kids in 3 hours? Why don't you do the math? This is why I mean it looks impossible. I trust the Lord for a plan and I know that He'll make a way for me to make it meaningful time of learning for each child.
Looking back, I was never quite the math genius, but that's what made me an even better math student. It was the struggle that I experienced that helped me to better explain any math misconceptions or careless errors that a kid might form in his head. If I ever achieved an "A" in math, it was made from pure sweat, blood and tears. My dad was my best math tutor. He was so hard core about filling in gaps of learning before they get too wide. I was really blessed to have him guide my learning at home, even though we would fight about homework at the dinner table. Of all the subjects, I really love teaching math and it really concerns me when a child is not getting it. It's painful to watch and imagine a child grow up math illiterate. Of course, the majority of these kids are also the ones who lack parental support at home, or have parents who are math illiterate themselves. The vast majority of these kids fall in both categories. It breaks my heart.
I was thinking about posting up a "Volunteers Needed" sign at the Teacher Education department at Cal State Long Beach and CSU Dominguez Hills. Those are the two closest universities to my school. I am willing to mentor any aspiring teacher in exchange for volunteering some help in my classroom. Actually, the volunteers don't need to be an education major necessarily, just someone who loves math, loves struggling kids and love taking on opportunities for a challenges.
I also wonder if there are any of my brothers and sisters in Christ would be interested and willing to sacrifice a couple hours to provide a very important service in the classroom? I just don't have any money to offer in exchange. Again, it would purely be an act of loving service. Who in their right Christ-like mind would do such a deed?
Many people out there fundraise money to support education. We're in a recession and that's what trendy public schools do nowadays--ask for money and material donations. That's a novel idea, but I don't want to touch any money going toward the classroom. That isn't what these particular kids need right now. I'm asking the Lord to look for volunteers to give kids all the positive attention they need so that they can really make their education worthwhile. They need that real hands-on learning and real support, not money thrown at them left and right. My hope and prayer is that someone out there will be brave and compassionate enough to fill this need.
Lord, will You bless these kids with faithful classroom helpers? Please send someone soon.
Friday, September 2, 2011
The Dream House
I'm very thankful and blessed to live in our tiny little home. Our place is small, but it brings out the brightest feelings. Erwil put in days upon days of handiwork creating the look and feel of our home--the wood floor, warm red and cool gray painted walls, and many other little customized things to suit our family's home living. There are loving reasons why we are brought together in this home.
I'm happy to play with Maddy by scattering all of her treasured toys and board books on the living room's soft play mat. I laugh at how Erwil coaches and yells at his Dallas Cowboys team during playoff season from his navy blue leather recliner...while giving Nick his bottle of milk. I relax beside the large living room window to read my books, browse through magazines and search weekly store ads while I sip hot earl gray tea with milk cream and honey.
I enjoy having to a walk-in my closet to try on different clothing until I settle on the outfit that I'll be seen by my students and parents on the first day of school. I gain the confidence of a celebrity moviestar just by curling my hair and blending my makeup in front of the bathroom mirror before I go out to a fancy dinner with my husband. I'm amused to see Maddy putting on my leather shoes and smelling like my favorite light, flowery perfume lotion called Amazing Grace.
I learn nurturing when I see the orchids branches blooming delicate flowers by the dozens on the kitchen windowsill while I wash the dishes and pans after every family meal. I anticipated Maddy's happy first birthday when I can smell the pink sweetness of the strawberry cake batter rising from the oven. I see my family celebrate Knott's Berry Farm's Fourth of July firework show from our back patio every summer.
I'm relieved when it's finally Friday afternoon and I turn off my car's engine after a hectic 30-mile round trip commute, and get to finally unbuckle my squirmy kids from their car seats. I don't feel overwhelmed cleaning and organizing our home because there's not much of a space anyway to make a terrible disaster.
I soothe Baby Nick in my arms while we both enjoy the shade from the trees and sunlight from our fronth porch. I realize how well-protected we are from the chilly rainstorm and howling wind outside our windows when I watch my babies sleep soundly in their cribs at night, while my husband is tucked in our warm down feather blanket .
I realize that even though I love our little home and all the daily living rituals we've done within these walls, eventually we need a place that's roomier for our two kids. Someday we have to sell our little dream house because our family is growing and the kids will be needing a little bit more room. Who knows? It may be two or three years from now, or it may be sooner. We're just hoping and praying that someone will want to love our little home the way we love it now.
I'm happy to play with Maddy by scattering all of her treasured toys and board books on the living room's soft play mat. I laugh at how Erwil coaches and yells at his Dallas Cowboys team during playoff season from his navy blue leather recliner...while giving Nick his bottle of milk. I relax beside the large living room window to read my books, browse through magazines and search weekly store ads while I sip hot earl gray tea with milk cream and honey.
I enjoy having to a walk-in my closet to try on different clothing until I settle on the outfit that I'll be seen by my students and parents on the first day of school. I gain the confidence of a celebrity moviestar just by curling my hair and blending my makeup in front of the bathroom mirror before I go out to a fancy dinner with my husband. I'm amused to see Maddy putting on my leather shoes and smelling like my favorite light, flowery perfume lotion called Amazing Grace.
I learn nurturing when I see the orchids branches blooming delicate flowers by the dozens on the kitchen windowsill while I wash the dishes and pans after every family meal. I anticipated Maddy's happy first birthday when I can smell the pink sweetness of the strawberry cake batter rising from the oven. I see my family celebrate Knott's Berry Farm's Fourth of July firework show from our back patio every summer.
I'm relieved when it's finally Friday afternoon and I turn off my car's engine after a hectic 30-mile round trip commute, and get to finally unbuckle my squirmy kids from their car seats. I don't feel overwhelmed cleaning and organizing our home because there's not much of a space anyway to make a terrible disaster.
I soothe Baby Nick in my arms while we both enjoy the shade from the trees and sunlight from our fronth porch. I realize how well-protected we are from the chilly rainstorm and howling wind outside our windows when I watch my babies sleep soundly in their cribs at night, while my husband is tucked in our warm down feather blanket .
I realize that even though I love our little home and all the daily living rituals we've done within these walls, eventually we need a place that's roomier for our two kids. Someday we have to sell our little dream house because our family is growing and the kids will be needing a little bit more room. Who knows? It may be two or three years from now, or it may be sooner. We're just hoping and praying that someone will want to love our little home the way we love it now.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Six Twenty Three
What makes Six Twenty Three memorable? Is it the six championship rings for #23? (I'm making a sports reference here, for those of you who love NBA trivia...)
No. No. No.
It was the day our second born, our son, Joseph Nicholas was born. Exactly 40 weeks ripe and ready, he came out of the womb a whoppin' 7 lbs 15 oz, but I like to round up to 8 lbs and 20 inches long! He was born at around 12 something pm. (Hey, it's been months since I blogged, so I am not focusing on the nitty gritty minutia that bore 10 of you MacrossKitty followers anyway.)
What's the reasoning behind naming him "Joseph Nicholas"? The whole naming thing was more complicated than I thought it would be. We didn't have this much trouble naming our daughter because there are so many pretty names to pick from. I'm biased. With boys, you really have to figure out a solid name that he will live up to. For the longest time, Erwil and I couldn't find a name that we both could agree on. Oh boy, it's a long story, but here's how it went down...
Do you have the time to read?
One rule. I had to respect Erwil's wishes. Ever since Erwil and I were seriously dating and talking about having kids, he's always wanted to name his firstborn son named after his favorite maternal grandfather Nicodemus. Erwil has nothing but good things to say about his Papang (grandpa). He has good, strong character traits as Erwil puts it. Many good memories comes to mind about his Papang.
Nicodemus? Sure, you can get away with all sorts of names in the Philippines. It's a population full of absurd names to begin with, just trust me on this one. But naming our son Nicodemus spells trouble here in America. Nothing out there flows with "Nicodemus" as a middle name. No middle name will compliment it either. I Google searched for boys names that might possibly work with it, but even Google couldn't help me. Nicodemus is one of those names that can only stand alone, by itself. It's the loner-name type of a name.
Also, I know that Nicodemus is a Pharisee who was interested in Jesus on the low key. How many mean kids at the playground know Bible trivia facts? I can already foresee our son will get his butt kicked by the preschoolers on the yard. He will be teased by all the cool kids, and not be able to find a date to his high school prom with that name. In life may encounter being teased and persecuted for all sorts of reasons, but as his mother, I want to spare the child at least one.
Why not make Nicodemus more hip sounding? Why not look for a name that resembles its derivative? How about Nicholas? I still stubbornly resisted Nicholas for two out of the three trimesters that I was pregnant. You can't blame me. All I could think of were the boys I encountered who were named Nicholas.
Nicholases are just the so-so kids. He is the one who hopelessly never memorizes his basic multiplication facts by the 5th grade, and pisses everyone off in his team whenever the kids play Math Challenge games for Laffy Taffy candy prizes. He always accidentally forgets his chicken nugget stained homework in his grandma's truck that was towed to the repair shop yesterday. He is the one who wet his pants while sitting at his desk and the teacher didn't know about it, until you happened to be the one to step in his secret pool of piss. He is the hyper-active one who picks his salty, garden slug variety of green boogers and makes a multi-layered mosaic of hardened boogers inside his pencil box.
Nicholases are "just eeewww" and do not exactly fall on the brightest section of the bell-shaped curve. He is that high schooler who sits beside you Algebra class flipping through adult magazines inside his three ring binder, drawing nothing but unabridged versions of female anatomy on his wide ruled notebook paper. He is the guy with big hairy ears who suffered from cystic acne, halitosis and obviously Bart Simpson behind his back for his major overbite. He is the one who's nacho cheese smelly gym socks are stashed in his backpack. He is the scrawny little gang banger who was caught with a gun at school and wound up in juvenile hall for being dumb enough to use it.
This is how I envision boys who are named Nicholas. Of course, let's not get carried away. This can't be true of every boy named Nicholas, but there are plenty enough living examples to traumatize me.
Eventually, the name Nicholas grew on me, the way I slowly began a liking to that medicinal aftertaste of diet soda. Erwil did some kind of psychology 101 mind trick on me. It was a brilliant scheme! He made me hear the name Nicholas or Nick enough times. Then he attached an object that draws emotion, like an ultrasound picture of a black and whitish shaped lima bean. Erwil referred to the baby's bedroom, the toys, all the baby's belongings to the unborn Nick. Eventually, I too, began calling the baby's belongings as Nick's room, Nick's clothes, Nick's baby clothes! My mind was slowly tweaked to liking "Nicholas" after being made endeared to it by my husband. So that's how our little boy ended up with Nicholas. For short, we call him Nick.
Our son's first name "Joseph" was the winner for a couple reasons. It's sentimental. Our son is named after my dad's youngest brother, Jose Pito, who tragically died in his 20's. Even though he was set to immigrate to America, he was the only Genuino sibling who never made it to New York City to live with the rest of the family. He died before I was even born. Every now and then my father and those who knew him spoke about how he looked like a Filipino moviestar, famous in the 70's. (No, they weren't talking about Joseph Estrada, who was an action moviestar turned corrupt criminal Philippine President.) Instead of being a forgotten name, it meant a lot to my dad to hear my late uncle being memorialized. Ok, enough with the weepy stuff...
I also really liked the name Joseph because in the Bible's Old Testament, Joseph (son of Jacob) was a man of integrity. You can't go wrong naming your son after someone of godly character despite living a hard life. (You'd have to read the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis before you agree with me.) Life is really difficult when you're trying to be someone different and good, but God will see you through in all circumstances. I love the life that Joseph lived--sold into slavery then rose to become the Egyptian Pharaoh's powerful right hand man. He did what's right in God's eyes, even if it was contrary to common belief. Will my son live up to his name? This will be revealed as he grows up to manhood.
For any parent, I bet it took quite some time to decide on a name most fitting for their son to live by. And, it's not the sound of the name that makes people drawn to loving or disliking our son. It's really the character that attaches to that name that will either build or break our son's reputation. What will our son be like? We're still in the process of figuring out who the little guy is and what he's going to do with his life. All things considered, I'm so blessed to have this little precious boy in my life.
Here's a photo of Nick only 2 days old. Look at the pair of dimples on his cheeks! You don't need me to go on Maury Povich's talk show to prove by DNA results that Erwil is the father.
Lastly, care to be inspired by writing a blog or two? I have some take-away questions for you readers...
No. No. No.
It was the day our second born, our son, Joseph Nicholas was born. Exactly 40 weeks ripe and ready, he came out of the womb a whoppin' 7 lbs 15 oz, but I like to round up to 8 lbs and 20 inches long! He was born at around 12 something pm. (Hey, it's been months since I blogged, so I am not focusing on the nitty gritty minutia that bore 10 of you MacrossKitty followers anyway.)
What's the reasoning behind naming him "Joseph Nicholas"? The whole naming thing was more complicated than I thought it would be. We didn't have this much trouble naming our daughter because there are so many pretty names to pick from. I'm biased. With boys, you really have to figure out a solid name that he will live up to. For the longest time, Erwil and I couldn't find a name that we both could agree on. Oh boy, it's a long story, but here's how it went down...
Do you have the time to read?
One rule. I had to respect Erwil's wishes. Ever since Erwil and I were seriously dating and talking about having kids, he's always wanted to name his firstborn son named after his favorite maternal grandfather Nicodemus. Erwil has nothing but good things to say about his Papang (grandpa). He has good, strong character traits as Erwil puts it. Many good memories comes to mind about his Papang.
Nicodemus? Sure, you can get away with all sorts of names in the Philippines. It's a population full of absurd names to begin with, just trust me on this one. But naming our son Nicodemus spells trouble here in America. Nothing out there flows with "Nicodemus" as a middle name. No middle name will compliment it either. I Google searched for boys names that might possibly work with it, but even Google couldn't help me. Nicodemus is one of those names that can only stand alone, by itself. It's the loner-name type of a name.
Also, I know that Nicodemus is a Pharisee who was interested in Jesus on the low key. How many mean kids at the playground know Bible trivia facts? I can already foresee our son will get his butt kicked by the preschoolers on the yard. He will be teased by all the cool kids, and not be able to find a date to his high school prom with that name. In life may encounter being teased and persecuted for all sorts of reasons, but as his mother, I want to spare the child at least one.
Why not make Nicodemus more hip sounding? Why not look for a name that resembles its derivative? How about Nicholas? I still stubbornly resisted Nicholas for two out of the three trimesters that I was pregnant. You can't blame me. All I could think of were the boys I encountered who were named Nicholas.
Nicholases are just the so-so kids. He is the one who hopelessly never memorizes his basic multiplication facts by the 5th grade, and pisses everyone off in his team whenever the kids play Math Challenge games for Laffy Taffy candy prizes. He always accidentally forgets his chicken nugget stained homework in his grandma's truck that was towed to the repair shop yesterday. He is the one who wet his pants while sitting at his desk and the teacher didn't know about it, until you happened to be the one to step in his secret pool of piss. He is the hyper-active one who picks his salty, garden slug variety of green boogers and makes a multi-layered mosaic of hardened boogers inside his pencil box.
Nicholases are "just eeewww" and do not exactly fall on the brightest section of the bell-shaped curve. He is that high schooler who sits beside you Algebra class flipping through adult magazines inside his three ring binder, drawing nothing but unabridged versions of female anatomy on his wide ruled notebook paper. He is the guy with big hairy ears who suffered from cystic acne, halitosis and obviously Bart Simpson behind his back for his major overbite. He is the one who's nacho cheese smelly gym socks are stashed in his backpack. He is the scrawny little gang banger who was caught with a gun at school and wound up in juvenile hall for being dumb enough to use it.
This is how I envision boys who are named Nicholas. Of course, let's not get carried away. This can't be true of every boy named Nicholas, but there are plenty enough living examples to traumatize me.
Eventually, the name Nicholas grew on me, the way I slowly began a liking to that medicinal aftertaste of diet soda. Erwil did some kind of psychology 101 mind trick on me. It was a brilliant scheme! He made me hear the name Nicholas or Nick enough times. Then he attached an object that draws emotion, like an ultrasound picture of a black and whitish shaped lima bean. Erwil referred to the baby's bedroom, the toys, all the baby's belongings to the unborn Nick. Eventually, I too, began calling the baby's belongings as Nick's room, Nick's clothes, Nick's baby clothes! My mind was slowly tweaked to liking "Nicholas" after being made endeared to it by my husband. So that's how our little boy ended up with Nicholas. For short, we call him Nick.
Our son's first name "Joseph" was the winner for a couple reasons. It's sentimental. Our son is named after my dad's youngest brother, Jose Pito, who tragically died in his 20's. Even though he was set to immigrate to America, he was the only Genuino sibling who never made it to New York City to live with the rest of the family. He died before I was even born. Every now and then my father and those who knew him spoke about how he looked like a Filipino moviestar, famous in the 70's. (No, they weren't talking about Joseph Estrada, who was an action moviestar turned corrupt criminal Philippine President.) Instead of being a forgotten name, it meant a lot to my dad to hear my late uncle being memorialized. Ok, enough with the weepy stuff...
I also really liked the name Joseph because in the Bible's Old Testament, Joseph (son of Jacob) was a man of integrity. You can't go wrong naming your son after someone of godly character despite living a hard life. (You'd have to read the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis before you agree with me.) Life is really difficult when you're trying to be someone different and good, but God will see you through in all circumstances. I love the life that Joseph lived--sold into slavery then rose to become the Egyptian Pharaoh's powerful right hand man. He did what's right in God's eyes, even if it was contrary to common belief. Will my son live up to his name? This will be revealed as he grows up to manhood.
For any parent, I bet it took quite some time to decide on a name most fitting for their son to live by. And, it's not the sound of the name that makes people drawn to loving or disliking our son. It's really the character that attaches to that name that will either build or break our son's reputation. What will our son be like? We're still in the process of figuring out who the little guy is and what he's going to do with his life. All things considered, I'm so blessed to have this little precious boy in my life.
Here's a photo of Nick only 2 days old. Look at the pair of dimples on his cheeks! You don't need me to go on Maury Povich's talk show to prove by DNA results that Erwil is the father.
Lastly, care to be inspired by writing a blog or two? I have some take-away questions for you readers...
- How did you decide what name to give your son/daughter?
- Have you thought of names to give your future kids?
- How did your parents come up with your name?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Second Time Around
What was it like to have a child the second time around? Well for starters, it was an easy-breezy labor and delivery, thanks to the invention of the epidural and my body taking the pitocin drip very well. He was out after only 30 minutes of active labor. I gave 5 solid pushes. That was the easy part. The hard part comes immediately after.
(Warning: This memoir is not for the fainthearted. Don't say I didn't warn you.)
Really...I wasn't kidding around when I told people that he was going to have a scheduled induction if he wasn't ready to come out on his due date. The second time around, I learned that I don't have to listen to and follow everyone's advice if I don't want to. This time I preferred to listen to my own motherly instincts to care for my baby.
For some folks, a scheduled induction ignites concern, "Why don't you let the baby just come out when he wants to come out?" My response, "Heck nah! He's getting evicted." I had my health reasons for going the induction route rather than be smacked down with more complications--emergency C-section, mecronium ingestion, risky delivering larger baby vaginally and dislocating his shoulder, gestational diabetes. No. Thank. You.
Some folks even tried to encourage me to go "au naturel" since I've never had that experience with the firstborn. They gave me books and shared their heartwarming testimonies. Please spare me from organic propaganda. I've been practicing how to deal with labor contractions since age 11 with my terrible monthly menstrual cramps. Why would I ever want that pain to escalate into the likeness of another Fukushima Daiichi meltdown?
And since I'm on the topic of drugs, I asked the nurse during the first evening after I delivered Baby Nick if I could have a dose of Percocet. It just to take the edge off the pain "down in the area of womanhood". (Sidenote: By the 8th month of pregnancy that womanly area looks and feels swollen, but your husband and OB/Gyn are too afraid tell you that. The rules of female modesty instantly changes when everyone in the hospital must see and probe you down there.) After childbirth that entire area seems like it has taken on a world class beating from Manny Pacquiao. No smart person will dare tell me how awful and disgusting it really is down there because I might just start a massacre after all that I've been through.
You know what's ironic? Marketers make these femine pad commercials so sexy, so discreet and incredibly comfortable sounding. Immediately after birth, I had no choice but to wear hospital grade "feminine napkins". It really should be renamed "feminine matress pads" because they are enormous. I've forgotten what it was like to wear hospital grade Kotex. I had a tiny laceration somewhere in my uterus because of the speedy delivery, that caused me to bleed slightly more. Nurse Carmen came in and pushed on my abdomen as if she was kneading Cinnabon dough to check on the bleeding and blood clots. I feel nearly humiliated when she had to come every hour or so to change the pads for me, because my legs still felt like spaghetti noodles from the epidural. The only thing that spared me from total humiliation is the fact that all the nurses in that hospital floor are female, including the janitor! Nurse Carmen was so sweet. She was happy to help me out.
I just wanted Percocet so I can get some sleep and forget the humiliation, the pain, and that annoying matress pad wedged in between my legs. Taking one was good enough to help me feel rested. Ahhh...but that feeling wore off the next day.
Mistakenly, I asked a different nurse (who just happened to be a 50-plus-aged Filipina, who openly told me that she never married and never had any children of her own) if I can have Percocet. She gave me a long lecture in her broken, thick Pinoy accented English that basically concluded with, "We Filipinas don't use those addicting narcotics." Whatever Manang Nurse Lady! Well I am American-born-and-raised I gave just gave birth to my baby on United States soil less than 24 hours ago! Do I not have rights to ask for a narcotic? I'm a responsible user! You think I'd tell her off just like that, but I didn't. I kept being polite to her, even though I simmered in a stew of annoyance.
The nurse talked me out of Percocet. I got 600mg of Ibuprofen instead. Eh, I wasn't thrilled. I was irked not only by being denied Percocet, but her constant barging through the room loudly without knocking to check the baby and my vitals. The only reason why I warmed up to her at the very end was because she did the Filipino thing by hooking up my hospital goody bag with extra cartons of baby formula, diapers, gauze and a handful of vaseline before her shift ended. She was the Filipina Robin Hood to me after she brought in a storage room of hospital supplies.
As for breastfeeding the baby, I knew exactly what to bring to prepare myself for the job. I came prepared with a nursing cover and My Breast Friend nursing pillow. I experienced the trouble of having a baby suffer through jaundice, so my goal was to nurse this second baby aggressively. I was nursing him every chance I saw him root for nipple. And when he wasn't satisfied with my three day supply of colostrum, I broke the rule and gave him a little 2 ounce nursette of formula in between. I thought giving the baby formula was awesome because he slept much longer, hence giving me a break. Miraculously, I was able to eat a meal, take a shower, go to the rest room to empty my bladder, or doze off in a nap. Was I worried about nipple confusion? Far from it!
This time also, I broke another rule. I allowed the nurse to give him a pacifier. It wasn't the end of the world for me or the baby. It wasn't like what they scare you into thinking in those breastfeeding books. Why was I made to feel paranoid? There was no need. He was a happy guy after learning what's for suckling and what's for sucking.
It's unbelievable to me that some dads totally play the useless male sperm donor role. They leave it all up to the mom to do it all, while in recovery. My husband is not one of them. He took the baby for a burping after I nursed. He changed every diaper, and didn't shy away from the poopy ones. He swaddled, rocked and had sweet fatherly conversations with the baby. He made sure I drank enough fluids. He made sure that I always got enough rest, while sacrificing his own rest. He's totally hands on. What more can I say?
I survived another round of labor and delivery, thanks to faithful prayers of my family and well-wishes of friends. I am amazed at the nursing staff, especially the cheerful labor and delivery nurse named Carmen who took such good care of me.
So to capsulate the moment, here I am resting during our Golden Hour, cuddling another answered prayer. It's a photo of me in all my sweat and cruddiness. That's exactly how all mommies look like after giving birth. I post it unapologetically, knowing that I conquered the labor and delivery ward. The most rewarding part was being able to meet my new son, Joseph Nicholas.
(Warning: This memoir is not for the fainthearted. Don't say I didn't warn you.)
Really...I wasn't kidding around when I told people that he was going to have a scheduled induction if he wasn't ready to come out on his due date. The second time around, I learned that I don't have to listen to and follow everyone's advice if I don't want to. This time I preferred to listen to my own motherly instincts to care for my baby.
For some folks, a scheduled induction ignites concern, "Why don't you let the baby just come out when he wants to come out?" My response, "Heck nah! He's getting evicted." I had my health reasons for going the induction route rather than be smacked down with more complications--emergency C-section, mecronium ingestion, risky delivering larger baby vaginally and dislocating his shoulder, gestational diabetes. No. Thank. You.
Some folks even tried to encourage me to go "au naturel" since I've never had that experience with the firstborn. They gave me books and shared their heartwarming testimonies. Please spare me from organic propaganda. I've been practicing how to deal with labor contractions since age 11 with my terrible monthly menstrual cramps. Why would I ever want that pain to escalate into the likeness of another Fukushima Daiichi meltdown?
And since I'm on the topic of drugs, I asked the nurse during the first evening after I delivered Baby Nick if I could have a dose of Percocet. It just to take the edge off the pain "down in the area of womanhood". (Sidenote: By the 8th month of pregnancy that womanly area looks and feels swollen, but your husband and OB/Gyn are too afraid tell you that. The rules of female modesty instantly changes when everyone in the hospital must see and probe you down there.) After childbirth that entire area seems like it has taken on a world class beating from Manny Pacquiao. No smart person will dare tell me how awful and disgusting it really is down there because I might just start a massacre after all that I've been through.
You know what's ironic? Marketers make these femine pad commercials so sexy, so discreet and incredibly comfortable sounding. Immediately after birth, I had no choice but to wear hospital grade "feminine napkins". It really should be renamed "feminine matress pads" because they are enormous. I've forgotten what it was like to wear hospital grade Kotex. I had a tiny laceration somewhere in my uterus because of the speedy delivery, that caused me to bleed slightly more. Nurse Carmen came in and pushed on my abdomen as if she was kneading Cinnabon dough to check on the bleeding and blood clots. I feel nearly humiliated when she had to come every hour or so to change the pads for me, because my legs still felt like spaghetti noodles from the epidural. The only thing that spared me from total humiliation is the fact that all the nurses in that hospital floor are female, including the janitor! Nurse Carmen was so sweet. She was happy to help me out.
I just wanted Percocet so I can get some sleep and forget the humiliation, the pain, and that annoying matress pad wedged in between my legs. Taking one was good enough to help me feel rested. Ahhh...but that feeling wore off the next day.
Mistakenly, I asked a different nurse (who just happened to be a 50-plus-aged Filipina, who openly told me that she never married and never had any children of her own) if I can have Percocet. She gave me a long lecture in her broken, thick Pinoy accented English that basically concluded with, "We Filipinas don't use those addicting narcotics." Whatever Manang Nurse Lady! Well I am American-born-and-raised I gave just gave birth to my baby on United States soil less than 24 hours ago! Do I not have rights to ask for a narcotic? I'm a responsible user! You think I'd tell her off just like that, but I didn't. I kept being polite to her, even though I simmered in a stew of annoyance.
The nurse talked me out of Percocet. I got 600mg of Ibuprofen instead. Eh, I wasn't thrilled. I was irked not only by being denied Percocet, but her constant barging through the room loudly without knocking to check the baby and my vitals. The only reason why I warmed up to her at the very end was because she did the Filipino thing by hooking up my hospital goody bag with extra cartons of baby formula, diapers, gauze and a handful of vaseline before her shift ended. She was the Filipina Robin Hood to me after she brought in a storage room of hospital supplies.
As for breastfeeding the baby, I knew exactly what to bring to prepare myself for the job. I came prepared with a nursing cover and My Breast Friend nursing pillow. I experienced the trouble of having a baby suffer through jaundice, so my goal was to nurse this second baby aggressively. I was nursing him every chance I saw him root for nipple. And when he wasn't satisfied with my three day supply of colostrum, I broke the rule and gave him a little 2 ounce nursette of formula in between. I thought giving the baby formula was awesome because he slept much longer, hence giving me a break. Miraculously, I was able to eat a meal, take a shower, go to the rest room to empty my bladder, or doze off in a nap. Was I worried about nipple confusion? Far from it!
This time also, I broke another rule. I allowed the nurse to give him a pacifier. It wasn't the end of the world for me or the baby. It wasn't like what they scare you into thinking in those breastfeeding books. Why was I made to feel paranoid? There was no need. He was a happy guy after learning what's for suckling and what's for sucking.
It's unbelievable to me that some dads totally play the useless male sperm donor role. They leave it all up to the mom to do it all, while in recovery. My husband is not one of them. He took the baby for a burping after I nursed. He changed every diaper, and didn't shy away from the poopy ones. He swaddled, rocked and had sweet fatherly conversations with the baby. He made sure I drank enough fluids. He made sure that I always got enough rest, while sacrificing his own rest. He's totally hands on. What more can I say?
I survived another round of labor and delivery, thanks to faithful prayers of my family and well-wishes of friends. I am amazed at the nursing staff, especially the cheerful labor and delivery nurse named Carmen who took such good care of me.
So to capsulate the moment, here I am resting during our Golden Hour, cuddling another answered prayer. It's a photo of me in all my sweat and cruddiness. That's exactly how all mommies look like after giving birth. I post it unapologetically, knowing that I conquered the labor and delivery ward. The most rewarding part was being able to meet my new son, Joseph Nicholas.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Writing in Between the Bedlam
I should've written an update earlier if it wasn't for this crazy last trimester of pregnancy.
1. Our family and friends were very generous to give us a baby shower for our baby boy. We are spending our time preparing for the new baby and trying to get as much rest and family time (just the three of us) in before we become a family of 4!
2. Don't let these innocent eyes fool you! Maddy is playful and imitating everything we do. She has no clue that she'll be an "Ate" (older sister).
3. My calendar is full of doctor visits and I have missed a lot of work for these health reasons. These are not complaints. I'm in very good hands, thank goodness. Everyone from my husband, my family, my co-workers, OB, endocrinologist and dietician have done their part in being helpful and supportive.
4. I'm just so thankful that I finally am on maternity leave. No more asking my room partner Ms. Gatz to watch my students to watch over my students while I make frequent trips to the restroom. Sure, I had so much paperwork to wrap up before I left, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed about how I was going to get it all finished in time. I admit that I do miss my students and co-workers, and believe it or not...my daily routine. I chose Abigail Vivo to be my substitute teacher for the remainder of the year, and she rocks! I have nothing but the best compliments to say about her working with my students and her ability to start where I left off.
5. Back in February a team of 4 teachers, including myself, and our principal helped to write a grant for the Riordan Foundation to receive SMARTBoards. After the writing, interviewing and school visitation process, the Riordan Foundation gave us a generous grant. Four brand-spankin' new SMARTBoards have been delivered to our school and we will all have to take part in training on how to use it, develop lessons and how to help lead other teachers to use this technology as well. I'm really excited about having it to use in my classroom.
6. Our family just threw a babyshower for my younger brother, Elmer and his wife Karen. They're expecting a baby boy in August. He will be the first Genuino grandson, and the first Tang grandson. I'm betting the grandparents on all sides of their family are excited! It's really fun to talk to my sister in law and compare notes about our pregnancies. Our boys will only be 2 months apart in age. Pretty sure it will be interesting to watch the two boys growing up.
1. Our family and friends were very generous to give us a baby shower for our baby boy. We are spending our time preparing for the new baby and trying to get as much rest and family time (just the three of us) in before we become a family of 4!
2. Don't let these innocent eyes fool you! Maddy is playful and imitating everything we do. She has no clue that she'll be an "Ate" (older sister).
3. My calendar is full of doctor visits and I have missed a lot of work for these health reasons. These are not complaints. I'm in very good hands, thank goodness. Everyone from my husband, my family, my co-workers, OB, endocrinologist and dietician have done their part in being helpful and supportive.
4. I'm just so thankful that I finally am on maternity leave. No more asking my room partner Ms. Gatz to watch my students to watch over my students while I make frequent trips to the restroom. Sure, I had so much paperwork to wrap up before I left, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed about how I was going to get it all finished in time. I admit that I do miss my students and co-workers, and believe it or not...my daily routine. I chose Abigail Vivo to be my substitute teacher for the remainder of the year, and she rocks! I have nothing but the best compliments to say about her working with my students and her ability to start where I left off.
5. Back in February a team of 4 teachers, including myself, and our principal helped to write a grant for the Riordan Foundation to receive SMARTBoards. After the writing, interviewing and school visitation process, the Riordan Foundation gave us a generous grant. Four brand-spankin' new SMARTBoards have been delivered to our school and we will all have to take part in training on how to use it, develop lessons and how to help lead other teachers to use this technology as well. I'm really excited about having it to use in my classroom.
6. Our family just threw a babyshower for my younger brother, Elmer and his wife Karen. They're expecting a baby boy in August. He will be the first Genuino grandson, and the first Tang grandson. I'm betting the grandparents on all sides of their family are excited! It's really fun to talk to my sister in law and compare notes about our pregnancies. Our boys will only be 2 months apart in age. Pretty sure it will be interesting to watch the two boys growing up.
Friday, April 8, 2011
We're A Family Again
It started off as a fun 3 day weekend. Cesar Chavez day off from work and brunch with Amy Grace. A date with Erwil to Boudin's for clam chowder lunch and an afternoon musical. He watched Wicked for the 1st time, 3rd time for me (if you don't count the bootleg video from years back). Enjoyed it! We finally made it to church BEFORE the praise and worship band opened for worship. Yeah, it was a great 3 day weekend.
Then...
Maddy got sick Sunday night. The illness snuck up on us all. She was still her happy self, but she broke down with a really low grade fever. Took care of it with a little dose of acetaminophen. Erwil and I both went to work the following morning. Fever cleared up by our usual 5am wake up call. We thought we were in the clear. Didn't worry about it too much afterward.
And then...
Maddy got really sick while she was at my parents house that Monday. She wasn't eating. She wasn't drinking. She had a really bad case of the runs. Worst diarrhea I've ever seen come from a toddler. Soupy. My mom was changing her diaper, soiled clothes, and crib sheets constantly. The washer and dryer didn't take a break from washing and drying. I prayed as I called the pediatrician and hit up the internet searching for healing advice. For the most part, we were adviced by the doctor about B.R.A.T. foods since she had no fever or vomiting.
The symptoms persisted and Maddy wasn't taking in any food nor liquids. The sight of food and drinks made her cry and unhappily squeal. She was shoving away everything away that we offered. For Maddy's sake, it was best that I stay at my mom's house so that we can nurse her 24 hours, while Erwil shuttled back and forth between our house and mom's. Erwil and I decided it was best to split up our duties. He had to go to work and be the man of the house. I had to look after Maddy, while still teach a classroom full of kids. I could only take one illness day from work, so I had to figure out how to use that day off wisely--just in case Maddy needed more medical intervention--taking her to Urgent Care. Thank God for grandparents who can watch over Maddy while Erwil and I temporarily leave Maddy's side to go to work. They did their part, played their first base and shortstop position well.
7 watery diapers and 2 packs of Kirkland baby wipes later, and still no fever and vomiting? This case doesn't call for serious medical intervention. This is one of those parenting storms you weather out for 48, 96 hours, as long as it takes until the last symptom has finally run its course. But I tell you, it's difficult when your child young child can't communicate what she's really feeling. All you can do is give her lots of hugs and kisses. Even those loving gestures, still wasn't enough.
Does this call for a fight or flight moment? Well, there are times you might start to feel like a teary-eyed, useless mom sitting on the couch cuddling an irritable, crying child. (C'mon moms out there, am I the only one who feels that she isn't a Super Mom? I hate Super Moms who think they know it all, superior to you and lord over their wise health tips. I hate the Super Wife too, during these times. Don't even get me started on that!) For the most part, the Normal Mom in me knows that it's most likely not the right time to cry, and never the right time to give up on your child. You'll attempt to do whatever it takes to keep her from being a failure to thrive. You just don't want failure.
Finally...
10pm on Wednesday night, Maddy and I sat in my mom's living room watching her favorite Baby Signing Time DVD. Maddy appeared to be interested in eating again as I sat next to her. It may not be a huge deal for you to see a child nibble the corner of a dry piece of toast, but I took it as a good sign. Then she finished a whole cup of applesauce. There were bread crumbs and splats all over my mom's couch. Who cares about the icky mess? This was a very good sign. Afterwards, she washed it down with a cold bottle of Kirkland water although it dribbled down her throat and pajama collar. Maddy sipped about a fourth of my water bottle from the spout because after living through this experience, she probably thinks she's no longer a little toddler anymore. For those little lips to drink that much cold water? Her little 20 lb body must've been so parched.
Maddy's temperament returned back to happy, like a car transmission going from 2nd gear to 5th. She was her smiling, lovable, babbling self. I put her to bed and she slept so well. My parents were relieved of their nursing duties. The washer and dryer took a break too. I'm sure Mom and Dad's water bill will be a bit higher this month.
I called my lonely, house-sitting husband to tell him the great breaking news, 11pm. Maddy and I are going home to be reunited with Erwil the following day.
And now...
We're back in our tiny house living as a family again. Everything is back to normal.
Then...
Maddy got sick Sunday night. The illness snuck up on us all. She was still her happy self, but she broke down with a really low grade fever. Took care of it with a little dose of acetaminophen. Erwil and I both went to work the following morning. Fever cleared up by our usual 5am wake up call. We thought we were in the clear. Didn't worry about it too much afterward.
And then...
Maddy got really sick while she was at my parents house that Monday. She wasn't eating. She wasn't drinking. She had a really bad case of the runs. Worst diarrhea I've ever seen come from a toddler. Soupy. My mom was changing her diaper, soiled clothes, and crib sheets constantly. The washer and dryer didn't take a break from washing and drying. I prayed as I called the pediatrician and hit up the internet searching for healing advice. For the most part, we were adviced by the doctor about B.R.A.T. foods since she had no fever or vomiting.
- B is for banana
- R is for rice
- A is for applesauce
- T is for toast
The symptoms persisted and Maddy wasn't taking in any food nor liquids. The sight of food and drinks made her cry and unhappily squeal. She was shoving away everything away that we offered. For Maddy's sake, it was best that I stay at my mom's house so that we can nurse her 24 hours, while Erwil shuttled back and forth between our house and mom's. Erwil and I decided it was best to split up our duties. He had to go to work and be the man of the house. I had to look after Maddy, while still teach a classroom full of kids. I could only take one illness day from work, so I had to figure out how to use that day off wisely--just in case Maddy needed more medical intervention--taking her to Urgent Care. Thank God for grandparents who can watch over Maddy while Erwil and I temporarily leave Maddy's side to go to work. They did their part, played their first base and shortstop position well.
7 watery diapers and 2 packs of Kirkland baby wipes later, and still no fever and vomiting? This case doesn't call for serious medical intervention. This is one of those parenting storms you weather out for 48, 96 hours, as long as it takes until the last symptom has finally run its course. But I tell you, it's difficult when your child young child can't communicate what she's really feeling. All you can do is give her lots of hugs and kisses. Even those loving gestures, still wasn't enough.
Does this call for a fight or flight moment? Well, there are times you might start to feel like a teary-eyed, useless mom sitting on the couch cuddling an irritable, crying child. (C'mon moms out there, am I the only one who feels that she isn't a Super Mom? I hate Super Moms who think they know it all, superior to you and lord over their wise health tips. I hate the Super Wife too, during these times. Don't even get me started on that!) For the most part, the Normal Mom in me knows that it's most likely not the right time to cry, and never the right time to give up on your child. You'll attempt to do whatever it takes to keep her from being a failure to thrive. You just don't want failure.
Finally...
10pm on Wednesday night, Maddy and I sat in my mom's living room watching her favorite Baby Signing Time DVD. Maddy appeared to be interested in eating again as I sat next to her. It may not be a huge deal for you to see a child nibble the corner of a dry piece of toast, but I took it as a good sign. Then she finished a whole cup of applesauce. There were bread crumbs and splats all over my mom's couch. Who cares about the icky mess? This was a very good sign. Afterwards, she washed it down with a cold bottle of Kirkland water although it dribbled down her throat and pajama collar. Maddy sipped about a fourth of my water bottle from the spout because after living through this experience, she probably thinks she's no longer a little toddler anymore. For those little lips to drink that much cold water? Her little 20 lb body must've been so parched.
Maddy's temperament returned back to happy, like a car transmission going from 2nd gear to 5th. She was her smiling, lovable, babbling self. I put her to bed and she slept so well. My parents were relieved of their nursing duties. The washer and dryer took a break too. I'm sure Mom and Dad's water bill will be a bit higher this month.
I called my lonely, house-sitting husband to tell him the great breaking news, 11pm. Maddy and I are going home to be reunited with Erwil the following day.
And now...
We're back in our tiny house living as a family again. Everything is back to normal.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Oh, POOP!
I don't know about you mommies, but my daughter is a pooping factory. She has the normal, twice-a-day, healthy poop. What's healthy normal poop, and what's not? Here's a link if you want to see a visual guide and decode the different types of baby poop.
The problem always seems to be that she is starting to blow out of her diaper again. My sister-in-law of 4 boys advised move up a diaper size as soon as she starts to have blowouts. Great advice! It works!
Everytime Maddy blows out, I can expect a messy poop stain on her onesies and pants. My mom also recommended to handwash first with Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo on tougher poopy stains and throw it in the laundry with the rest of the normal load.
I have to announce that the petite little Maddy is now a size 4 in diapers!
The problem always seems to be that she is starting to blow out of her diaper again. My sister-in-law of 4 boys advised move up a diaper size as soon as she starts to have blowouts. Great advice! It works!
Everytime Maddy blows out, I can expect a messy poop stain on her onesies and pants. My mom also recommended to handwash first with Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo on tougher poopy stains and throw it in the laundry with the rest of the normal load.
I have to announce that the petite little Maddy is now a size 4 in diapers!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Dealing With My New Diet
I'm now 6 months preggers and the baby is getting heavier and bigger. My co-worker Yung notice how much my belly "popped out" overnight as opposed to just having a wide rib cage. I notice it too whenever I turn to the side and see myself in the mirror.
I've been doing really for myself as far as keeping my breakfast, lunch and dinner glucose levels at a healthy range. This mostly has to do with me just standing around and walking at work. This also has to do with chasing around a little toddler and my conscious effort to walk at least 25 minutes on the treadmill or do window shopping after dinner. The key is keeping my body from sitting down idle. It's so amazing what 25 minutes of walking can do to drop that glucose level down!
The problem area is when I go to bed at night. My glucose level is 95, but when I wake up in the morning the levels spike up to 100-105. Yikes! No good! As my endocrinologist explained, this is due to the baby getting active and also my body falling into starvation mode. The liver kicks in while I'm asleep to produce a lot of sugar to "protect" the baby. The baby's hormones and placenta are intolerant to my insulin as he gets bigger. Let's just face it...this baby is a big boy. He'll be bigger than Maddy.
You know what's awesome? The endocrinologist advised me to eat a small cup of ice cream at night before I go to bed. Yipee! I stocked Trader Joe's Pomegranate Sherbert in my freezer. I took the doctor's advice and it did work, but still inconsistent. Note the word SMALL. I have 1 more week to turn it around, otherwise the doctor will order insulin injections at bedtime. I've beein trying so hard to avoid those insulin injections from happening. I've been meeting with the dietician every other week to come up with a better solution. However, if I had to choose between insulin injections for the next 14 weeks or having a C-section delivery...I'd rather shoot myself up with insulin.
For all the younger ladies reading my blog, I hope that you're not abusing your body the way I did when I was in my teens and twenties.
I've learned for myself that I have areas of weaknesses and times when I'm really good. I enjoy the whole process of "being a new Liz" every day.
You can still be a rock star without even living like one.
I've been doing really for myself as far as keeping my breakfast, lunch and dinner glucose levels at a healthy range. This mostly has to do with me just standing around and walking at work. This also has to do with chasing around a little toddler and my conscious effort to walk at least 25 minutes on the treadmill or do window shopping after dinner. The key is keeping my body from sitting down idle. It's so amazing what 25 minutes of walking can do to drop that glucose level down!
The problem area is when I go to bed at night. My glucose level is 95, but when I wake up in the morning the levels spike up to 100-105. Yikes! No good! As my endocrinologist explained, this is due to the baby getting active and also my body falling into starvation mode. The liver kicks in while I'm asleep to produce a lot of sugar to "protect" the baby. The baby's hormones and placenta are intolerant to my insulin as he gets bigger. Let's just face it...this baby is a big boy. He'll be bigger than Maddy.
You know what's awesome? The endocrinologist advised me to eat a small cup of ice cream at night before I go to bed. Yipee! I stocked Trader Joe's Pomegranate Sherbert in my freezer. I took the doctor's advice and it did work, but still inconsistent. Note the word SMALL. I have 1 more week to turn it around, otherwise the doctor will order insulin injections at bedtime. I've beein trying so hard to avoid those insulin injections from happening. I've been meeting with the dietician every other week to come up with a better solution. However, if I had to choose between insulin injections for the next 14 weeks or having a C-section delivery...I'd rather shoot myself up with insulin.
For all the younger ladies reading my blog, I hope that you're not abusing your body the way I did when I was in my teens and twenties.
- It REALLY does make a difference when you eat a properly balanced meal with lots of veggies and fruits.
- Eat the leaner meats.
- Learn to read the nutrition labels and get yourself educated on what's healthy and what's not.
- Do more grocery shopping.
- LEARN HOW TO COOK HEALTHY. (My husband is happy whenever I show him this act of love.)
- Keep the ingredients simple.
- Only put quality stuff into your body.
- Sleep well.
- Don't stress out.
- Stay hydrated with the natural stuff.
- Don't smoke and drink.
- Get some fresh air. California has the loveliest weather in the nation!
- Move your body to make your heart pump and keep your muscles strong.
- Love your body.
I've learned for myself that I have areas of weaknesses and times when I'm really good. I enjoy the whole process of "being a new Liz" every day.
You can still be a rock star without even living like one.
Thirty One Gifts
One new endeavor that I added on to my "personal growth" is joining Thirty One Gifts to be a sales consultant. I was introduced to it by my old high school friend and wonderful mom of two, Bhea (who moved to Atlanta after our Class of 1995 graduation). I loved all the pretty, cute bags and home organization stuff. You know me...I love cutesy girly-girl things. Eventually, that got me selling these wonderful gifts.
If you're into cute stuff, you should check out my sales page: Liz's Thirty One Gifts. Every month there's some kind of deal going on. Oh yeah, I do come over to host Open House for girlfriends.
If you're into cute stuff, you should check out my sales page: Liz's Thirty One Gifts. Every month there's some kind of deal going on. Oh yeah, I do come over to host Open House for girlfriends.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Career Mom? SAHM?
The school year is dwindling down faster for me, because I'll be taking my maternity leave immediately after the CST testing ends.
Looking back this past year, I went back into the classroom after staying home with Maddy for 8 months. Here I go again, wondering if I'm going to have a teaching job lined up for me next year. My school district is RIF'ing teachers who have as much as 10 years worth of teaching experience. I fall in that category! I should be finding out once I get a notice of displacement or a pink slip by the end of the month.
I do have to consider that in just 3 months, we'll have a baby boy. Going from 1 child to 2 children will be a hard transition, especially because they'll only be about 16 months apart in age. Yikes! Maybe it is time for me to reconsider how to care for 2 small children, while keeping up with my career (or not?)? Who knows what's next?
Looking back this past year, I went back into the classroom after staying home with Maddy for 8 months. Here I go again, wondering if I'm going to have a teaching job lined up for me next year. My school district is RIF'ing teachers who have as much as 10 years worth of teaching experience. I fall in that category! I should be finding out once I get a notice of displacement or a pink slip by the end of the month.
I do have to consider that in just 3 months, we'll have a baby boy. Going from 1 child to 2 children will be a hard transition, especially because they'll only be about 16 months apart in age. Yikes! Maybe it is time for me to reconsider how to care for 2 small children, while keeping up with my career (or not?)? Who knows what's next?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Riordan Foundation
In January, I worked with a very small team of teachers and our principal to apply for a generous SmartBoard grant given by The Riordan Foundation. Considering how many hundreds of schools apply each year in Southern Calilfornia, we didn't know our chances of becoming the top finalists.
Well, I just want to say how happy and excited we all are that our grant application was accepted. The Riordan Foundation has donated funding for brand new SmartBoards to Catskill Ave. Elementary! Now, I just have to sign up for training so that I can use it to enhance my teaching methods and hopefully this will really help engage my students in the classroom.
Well, I just want to say how happy and excited we all are that our grant application was accepted. The Riordan Foundation has donated funding for brand new SmartBoards to Catskill Ave. Elementary! Now, I just have to sign up for training so that I can use it to enhance my teaching methods and hopefully this will really help engage my students in the classroom.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
In Denial...
I called in for a sub to take over my class today while I handled some important business. The first thing on my agenda was to meet my endocrinologist, then head over to Starbucks to meet with my MetLife financial planner, followed by shopping for February birthdays.
I met my endocrinologist for the very first time. After sitting in the examination room looking at all the different gages of insulin syringes, I had to ask my doctor a burning question, "Do I have gestational diabetes?" The answer she gave was "Yes, but I'm not going to prescribe insulin for you. I'm going to monitor your eating habits and encourage you to exercise for 30 minutes after every meal." Then she ordered 2 viles of blood to be drawn from my arm again.
How did I get gestational diabetes? For one thing, it runs in both sides of my family. The other thing is that the baby is producing hormones that counter the insulin that my pancreas is producing. Without the baby, my insulin production would be just the right amount to break up the glucose in my system. However, with the baby and as the baby continues to grow larger, the hormones will continue to also grow in larger amounts and overwhelm the ability of insulin to break up the glucose. All that leftover glucose will be ingested by the baby and the baby will grow very large, lethargic and a failure to thrive. Have you ever heard of that 19 pound baby born to an Indonesian woman? We're trying to avoid that from happening!
I looked at the prescribed diet plan and menu that I have to follow for the next 20 weeks. I'm going to do all I can to avoid becoming an insulin shooter. That is all I have in my head--what not to eat and how much of a smaller portion I have to eat. This lifestyle change is done all in the name of love. At least if my son ever acts out and shows me any unappreciation in the future years to come, I can always tell him that I pricked my fingers 5 or more times a day just so that he can thrive in my womb.
Just to let you know that when I was pregnant with Maddy, my glucose tolerance levels were within the normal limits...and I ate WORSE with her! I drank the Pepsi, had all sorts of frozen yogurt cravings, and there was no limits to eating fruits, pasta and pizza. I was very happy with eating to my delight. Maddy was born a very healthy 7 lbs and 9 oz by natural birth (...well, with the relief of the epidural).
This is a really tall demand, at least for the exercise after every meal. The meeting was really pleasant, but I can tell that she will not let me slide on my diet and nutrition. I had to be issued a high-tech OneTouch glucometer and I was told that I have to prick my fingers FIVE TIMES a day. Goodness!!! I really hate needles.
I have 2 appointments again next week. My endocrinologist recommended me to see a dietician at Torrance Memorial and then another 1 week follow-up appointment to see how well I've maintained my pregnancy dieting regimen. We'll just have to wait and see how well this goes.
I'm just sad that I'll have to freeze all the boxes of Girl Scout Cookies that I bought from my niece until after the baby is born. Adios, chocolate thin mints for now!
I met my endocrinologist for the very first time. After sitting in the examination room looking at all the different gages of insulin syringes, I had to ask my doctor a burning question, "Do I have gestational diabetes?" The answer she gave was "Yes, but I'm not going to prescribe insulin for you. I'm going to monitor your eating habits and encourage you to exercise for 30 minutes after every meal." Then she ordered 2 viles of blood to be drawn from my arm again.
How did I get gestational diabetes? For one thing, it runs in both sides of my family. The other thing is that the baby is producing hormones that counter the insulin that my pancreas is producing. Without the baby, my insulin production would be just the right amount to break up the glucose in my system. However, with the baby and as the baby continues to grow larger, the hormones will continue to also grow in larger amounts and overwhelm the ability of insulin to break up the glucose. All that leftover glucose will be ingested by the baby and the baby will grow very large, lethargic and a failure to thrive. Have you ever heard of that 19 pound baby born to an Indonesian woman? We're trying to avoid that from happening!
I looked at the prescribed diet plan and menu that I have to follow for the next 20 weeks. I'm going to do all I can to avoid becoming an insulin shooter. That is all I have in my head--what not to eat and how much of a smaller portion I have to eat. This lifestyle change is done all in the name of love. At least if my son ever acts out and shows me any unappreciation in the future years to come, I can always tell him that I pricked my fingers 5 or more times a day just so that he can thrive in my womb.
Just to let you know that when I was pregnant with Maddy, my glucose tolerance levels were within the normal limits...and I ate WORSE with her! I drank the Pepsi, had all sorts of frozen yogurt cravings, and there was no limits to eating fruits, pasta and pizza. I was very happy with eating to my delight. Maddy was born a very healthy 7 lbs and 9 oz by natural birth (...well, with the relief of the epidural).
This is a really tall demand, at least for the exercise after every meal. The meeting was really pleasant, but I can tell that she will not let me slide on my diet and nutrition. I had to be issued a high-tech OneTouch glucometer and I was told that I have to prick my fingers FIVE TIMES a day. Goodness!!! I really hate needles.
I have 2 appointments again next week. My endocrinologist recommended me to see a dietician at Torrance Memorial and then another 1 week follow-up appointment to see how well I've maintained my pregnancy dieting regimen. We'll just have to wait and see how well this goes.
I'm just sad that I'll have to freeze all the boxes of Girl Scout Cookies that I bought from my niece until after the baby is born. Adios, chocolate thin mints for now!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Halfway There!
It's Superbowl Sunday, and my husband who is a football loving guy is not interested in either teams who are playing. That makes more room for family time later on today!
I'm halfway there with my pregnancy, 20 weeks to be exact. I can feel the baby boy kicking so much more now. It's so true that you do gain your energy back after the 1st trimester is over. I feel more energetic, but my body crashes around 8-9pm. It's probably because Maddy and I get ready for the workday at 5am. This is making it harder for me to drive around anywhere. I feel sleepy while I'm on the road. Fortunately, Erwil can always be my designated driver.
My body feels so achy and sore, especially "down there". I get to wake up every morning feeling like I did a 200 mile bike marathon. The pregnancy hormones are just doing the job of softened up my ligaments and joints. It's a normal pregnancy occurence!
The great news is that I don't have placenta previa, the way I had it while carrying Maddy.
I will miss 2 more days of work due to doctor's appointments. I'll be in the Torrance area. On Monday, I have my monthly checkup with my obstetrician Dr. Rosenberg. It's also the day when I take Maddy back to her pediatrician to read her TB skin test. Maddy had her 1 year appointment last Thursday. Everything looks good. I looked at her arm and there's nothing there! My daughter isn't exposed to TB. Then on Tuesday, I will visit the endocrinologist, Dr. Diane Chun to see what's going on with my blood levels after finding 2 abnormalities from the blood testing done 2 weeks prior.
Great! I bet they will send me to collect more viles of blood. I've never had this much blood taken from me during my pregnancy with Maddy. I was smooth-sailing with her. With this 2nd pregnancy, I've gone to so many appointments and had to call a substitute teacher in to fill my class because I've had to make not only time for appointments but all the lab work time afterwards. Each time I go, I already assume that I will have blood drawn from my left arm because that's where I have the "Good Vein". I know not to wear a long sleeve shirt on those days.
I'm halfway there with my pregnancy, 20 weeks to be exact. I can feel the baby boy kicking so much more now. It's so true that you do gain your energy back after the 1st trimester is over. I feel more energetic, but my body crashes around 8-9pm. It's probably because Maddy and I get ready for the workday at 5am. This is making it harder for me to drive around anywhere. I feel sleepy while I'm on the road. Fortunately, Erwil can always be my designated driver.
My body feels so achy and sore, especially "down there". I get to wake up every morning feeling like I did a 200 mile bike marathon. The pregnancy hormones are just doing the job of softened up my ligaments and joints. It's a normal pregnancy occurence!
The great news is that I don't have placenta previa, the way I had it while carrying Maddy.
I will miss 2 more days of work due to doctor's appointments. I'll be in the Torrance area. On Monday, I have my monthly checkup with my obstetrician Dr. Rosenberg. It's also the day when I take Maddy back to her pediatrician to read her TB skin test. Maddy had her 1 year appointment last Thursday. Everything looks good. I looked at her arm and there's nothing there! My daughter isn't exposed to TB. Then on Tuesday, I will visit the endocrinologist, Dr. Diane Chun to see what's going on with my blood levels after finding 2 abnormalities from the blood testing done 2 weeks prior.
Great! I bet they will send me to collect more viles of blood. I've never had this much blood taken from me during my pregnancy with Maddy. I was smooth-sailing with her. With this 2nd pregnancy, I've gone to so many appointments and had to call a substitute teacher in to fill my class because I've had to make not only time for appointments but all the lab work time afterwards. Each time I go, I already assume that I will have blood drawn from my left arm because that's where I have the "Good Vein". I know not to wear a long sleeve shirt on those days.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Best Things About Having a 1 Year Old
Maddy just turned 1 on January 18th! We held a party for her and lucked out on how warm the weather was for January...80 degree weather, while the rest of the nation suffered through snowstorms. I'm so behind in posting up pictures. You'll just have to see what I uploaded on Facebook.
I just had to write a list of what I love about my 1 year old.
10. Packing a lighter, smaller diaper bag. When you have a newborn, you carry EVERYTHING! When you've been a parent for 12 months, you can fit everything in your back pockets.
9. Stops and poses for the camera. SMILE! She isn't camera shy at all.
8. Clap hands and dances to express excitement. Giggles a lot!
7. Shares my meals, and shares it with the family dog too.
6. Expert in finding the smallest, obscure items on the floor.
5. Shoe shopping for Robeez.
4. Curious about simple things: grass, trash cans, empty water bottles, lint, cardboard boxes.
3. You tell her "no" or "stop" and she doesn't know what it means.
2. She has a short term memory. If you makes a mistake, no worries. She won't remember it and hold a grudge against you.
1. Drinking regular milk. It's cheaper than Enfamil Formula! Now we can use that money to buy season passes to Knott's Berry Farm.
I just had to write a list of what I love about my 1 year old.
10. Packing a lighter, smaller diaper bag. When you have a newborn, you carry EVERYTHING! When you've been a parent for 12 months, you can fit everything in your back pockets.
9. Stops and poses for the camera. SMILE! She isn't camera shy at all.
8. Clap hands and dances to express excitement. Giggles a lot!
7. Shares my meals, and shares it with the family dog too.
6. Expert in finding the smallest, obscure items on the floor.
5. Shoe shopping for Robeez.
4. Curious about simple things: grass, trash cans, empty water bottles, lint, cardboard boxes.
3. You tell her "no" or "stop" and she doesn't know what it means.
2. She has a short term memory. If you makes a mistake, no worries. She won't remember it and hold a grudge against you.
1. Drinking regular milk. It's cheaper than Enfamil Formula! Now we can use that money to buy season passes to Knott's Berry Farm.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Ruling Out
Gahhhh!
I flunked my 1 hour glucose test so the Dr. sent me to the lab to take the 3 hour glucose test.
I flunked that one too!
My "slightly" elevated blood sugar level had the Dr. immediately calling me at work. He said there's no need for me to take insulin because it's not severe. However, he DID refer me to see the endocrinologist just to do further testing make sure that gestational diabetes and other metabolism issues are ruled out of the health risk for me and the baby. I haven't made the appointment yet, but I will next week.
I really hope that it's NOT gestational diabetes or anything to do with my thyroids. Since then, I've been really careful about my eating habits. This has never been an issue when I was pregnant with Maddy and I was even less careful with my diet.
I flunked my 1 hour glucose test so the Dr. sent me to the lab to take the 3 hour glucose test.
I flunked that one too!
My "slightly" elevated blood sugar level had the Dr. immediately calling me at work. He said there's no need for me to take insulin because it's not severe. However, he DID refer me to see the endocrinologist just to do further testing make sure that gestational diabetes and other metabolism issues are ruled out of the health risk for me and the baby. I haven't made the appointment yet, but I will next week.
I really hope that it's NOT gestational diabetes or anything to do with my thyroids. Since then, I've been really careful about my eating habits. This has never been an issue when I was pregnant with Maddy and I was even less careful with my diet.
Name for the Golden Child
Our baby boy will be the 12th grandchild for my MIL and FIL. Sure they have grandsons, but they all come from both of Erwil's 2 older sisters. Erwil's older brother had 3 girls, which his wife proclaimed that they're "done with having more babies." Awww!
My MIL and FIL have been wanting to have a grandson carry the "Untalan" name. So this child that I'm carrying is like their "Golden Child". Before the BIG full anatomy ultrasound, I sort of had an inkling that the baby was a boy because Erwil and I were always brainstorming names for boys, not girls. Erwil and I still cannot agree on a decent name for the kid.
By the way, now that I'm in my 19th week...I feel him kicking me a lot!
My MIL and FIL have been wanting to have a grandson carry the "Untalan" name. So this child that I'm carrying is like their "Golden Child". Before the BIG full anatomy ultrasound, I sort of had an inkling that the baby was a boy because Erwil and I were always brainstorming names for boys, not girls. Erwil and I still cannot agree on a decent name for the kid.
By the way, now that I'm in my 19th week...I feel him kicking me a lot!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Ultrasound Appointment
Erwil, Maddy and I went to my ultrasound appointment this morning. The baby is a BOY! I'll post the ultrasound picture later. It's really hard to figure out what you're supposed to look at, but I guess a trained eye knows what it is.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Maddy's Eating Habits
Maddy has come a long way when it comes to eating.
Filipino foods: My mom's Salmon sinigang (salmon in sour tamarind broth) with spinach and also roasted eggplant torta (omelette)
American food: Macaroni & cheddar cheese with steamed broccoli on the side
Japanese food: BBQ chicken terriyaki, with steamed rice, carrots and broccoli. Miso soup with rice & soft tofu.
Vietnamese food: Pho with rice noodles
Italian food: Beef lasagna with extra tomato sauce
Mexican food: Haven't tried it yet
Junk food: Trader Joe's White Cheddar corn puffs, Top Ramen noodles, cake
Fruit: All. Hates peaches tho!
Veggies: All of them, even daikon turnips (labanos) and red beets
Drink: Milk and occasional water. She doesn't like fruit juice.
Snacks: Gerber cereal puffs and Cheerios
It's really fun for me to ask moms what their own little toddlers love and hate to eat. It gives me more ideas on how I can help Maddy eat healthy and avoid her becoming so finicky at the table.
I also took the time to read Ellyn Satter's books Child of Mine: Feeding With Love and Good Sense and How to Get Your Kid to Eat: But Not Too Much. Our pediatrician recommended Child of Mine and I liked it so much, I also ordered the second one from Amazon.com.
- As a newborn, I breastfed every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Those feedings would last an hour long, 45 minutes if she was being efficient. I didn't have any other purpose in life than to be housed in her nursery as personal milk wagon.
- At 3 months old, she finally learned to self-soothe and was sleep through the night in her own crib. I made sure she was nursed as much as possible during the day so that she would sleep well. She ate as much as she wanted for as long as she wanted. I had no clue how much she suckled in ounces, but I was able to pump about 6-7 ounces in a sitting. So I imagine she was getting about that much in every feeding.
- I had to wean Maddy from breastfeeding when she was only 5 months because I had to report back to work. My original goal was to breastfeed her for a year. That just didn't happen. You don't know how disappointed I was for not reaching my goal. She didn't compromise with taking a bottle, so Erwil and I had to bottle train her for a full month and just to get her babysitter ready. Good thing we had a frozen supply on reserve!
- She started eating pureed baby food at 6 months. I waited until 6 because I wanted to make sure her immune system would be able to handle it and to avoid food alergies and eczema outbreaks. I wasn't the diligent, wholistic mom who made home made organic baby food. I was the mom who would empty the whole shelf if I saw that Gerber baby foods were on sale. Please don't judge me or stone me to death for taking short-cuts. Maddy still turned out healthy and happy and it was convenient for her babysitters to feed her this way.
- Her two bottom teeth didn't break through her gums until she was 11 months old, so we stuck with mincing almost all the table food for her. My baby is still at the stage where she loves eating all sorts of food--chicken, salmon, rice, pasta, veggies and fruits. She eats everything she sees us eat, plus all of the baby food sitting in our cabinet that I bought on sale.
- Now that she's almost a year old, we will start weening her off of Enfamil formula and try to introduce her to organic whole milk. That will save us so much money! We don't want her to get used to eating the processed foods like fried Spam, corned beef and hot dogs, even though it's the staple meal at every Filipino house.
Filipino foods: My mom's Salmon sinigang (salmon in sour tamarind broth) with spinach and also roasted eggplant torta (omelette)
American food: Macaroni & cheddar cheese with steamed broccoli on the side
Japanese food: BBQ chicken terriyaki, with steamed rice, carrots and broccoli. Miso soup with rice & soft tofu.
Vietnamese food: Pho with rice noodles
Italian food: Beef lasagna with extra tomato sauce
Mexican food: Haven't tried it yet
Junk food: Trader Joe's White Cheddar corn puffs, Top Ramen noodles, cake
Fruit: All. Hates peaches tho!
Veggies: All of them, even daikon turnips (labanos) and red beets
Drink: Milk and occasional water. She doesn't like fruit juice.
Snacks: Gerber cereal puffs and Cheerios
It's really fun for me to ask moms what their own little toddlers love and hate to eat. It gives me more ideas on how I can help Maddy eat healthy and avoid her becoming so finicky at the table.
I also took the time to read Ellyn Satter's books Child of Mine: Feeding With Love and Good Sense and How to Get Your Kid to Eat: But Not Too Much. Our pediatrician recommended Child of Mine and I liked it so much, I also ordered the second one from Amazon.com.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Our Best & Worst List of 2010
Best of 2010
Maddy
Worst of 2010
Maddy
Biggest News of 2010
Maddy
2nd Biggest News of 2010
What? I'm pregnant AGAIN?
Newest Phrase of 2010
Explosive Poop
#1 Reason for Insomnia
Maddy
#1 Fatigue Inducer
Maddy
Biggest Reason to Laugh
Maddy
Biggest Reason to Cry
Maddy
Reason Why the UPS Guy Knows Our Address
Maddy
Reason Why Chinese Food Delivery Guy Rings Our Doorbell
Maddy
Reason Why Redbox Sales Have Gone Up, While Movie Ticket Sales Have Gone Down
Maddy
Best Excuse of 2010
Maddy
Reason Why Our Lives Will Never Be the Same
Maddy
Maddy
Worst of 2010
Maddy
Biggest News of 2010
Maddy
2nd Biggest News of 2010
What? I'm pregnant AGAIN?
Newest Phrase of 2010
Explosive Poop
#1 Reason for Insomnia
Maddy
#1 Fatigue Inducer
Maddy
Biggest Reason to Laugh
Maddy
Biggest Reason to Cry
Maddy
Reason Why the UPS Guy Knows Our Address
Maddy
Reason Why Chinese Food Delivery Guy Rings Our Doorbell
Maddy
Reason Why Redbox Sales Have Gone Up, While Movie Ticket Sales Have Gone Down
Maddy
Best Excuse of 2010
Maddy
Reason Why Our Lives Will Never Be the Same
Maddy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
