10.17.2013

Amazing Baby Development

*I would update this post every time I would see something new, which I tend to forget. I would also look into my journal entries to write here skills which she had learned when she was younger.

Four days from now my daughter will be turning 11 months old. And I couldn't believe the developments which occurred these past days while my husband is away. (Tomorrow he's finally coming home since Sunday afternoon.)

Each child develops at her own pace. I don't intend to compare one child to another. I see that some children walk early, like I did at 8 months old, but that doesn't mean those who do it late will become a weakling years after.

Let me share with you my daughter's milestones:

10.16.2014 *almost 11 months old
She now knows how to hug me, her desperate gesture when I come near her crib and she wants me to take her out.

10.16.2014 *almost 11 months old
Baby takes off pajamas pants
After done talking with my husband via Skype, I saw her pajamas on the other side of the crib! She was able to remove them. Now I understand how important diaper covers are.


10.17.2013 *almost 11 months old

She and I were listening to Katherine Jenkins's concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, while writing some article assignments. I realized she was standing on her own for about 5 seconds. She looked like she didn't realize that she was already doing it without support, as she busied herself scratching the laptop cover.


8.26.2014 *1 year and 9 months old

toddler sleeping on her own

Finally, she now learned how to sleep on her own. For months, I've been worried about her sleeping routine. In a few months' time, she would have to sleep on her own for 3 days since I would have another C-section for our second child.

My milk has been putting her to sleep ever since she was born. Being away from her (she's not allowed to stay in the hospital) makes me worry a lot. Now I'm relieved.

It was just part of her pretend plays, closing her eyes as if asleep, and getting up each time. But eventually she succeeded. I left her alone in the room for about 10  minutes, and when I came back she was sleeping deeply. Wheew.

10.16.2013

Chain reaction

It was in September when Mr. Lucas started getting site visit assignments which required him to be away from home for several days. His first destination was Dumaguete City in Negros Island. You might have heard of it because of Silliman University, or because it is where you take ferryboats to go to Mindanao (through Dipolog City), well at least in my case.

Mr. Lucas brought home sweet and delicious Silvanas and Brazo de Mercedes from the famous cake and pastry house Sans Rival. I couldn't eat all of the Brazo de Mercedes or else I would get diabetes (psychological diabetes). He brought me a large box of  brazos.

He came up with the idea to give some to our neighbors. That was a great opportunity since we didn't know them that much. At first I was hesitant because I was shy. I was afraid they would think I was just pretending to be nice. But I told myself that it was a leap of faith. I knew it was the right thing to do and my pride to be misjudged shouldn't get in the way.

Exchanges of hi's and hello's aren't enough if you want to make real friendships.

It was Sunday morning and we were in a hurry so we wouldn't get late for church service. I came knocking on their doors with some slices of Brazo de Mercedes.

They were very surprised to receive something from me, especially because they don't see us that much; only when buying groceries or going to church. I survived that morning. I felt good; certain that they didn't see the gesture as pretending.

After two to three weeks, one of them gave me pieces of dried fish and guava from Banate, Iloilo. It was a delight! I knew those dried fish were clean, since they were from the province, near fishing areas. That was also the time I learned that the family came from Iloilo. The bond was established since I also lived in Iloilo for a few years.
Banate Iloilo Uga Tuyo Bulad Dried Fish

And this afternoon, another surprise knocked on my door. The other neighbour gave me a plate of spaghetti and a slice of sandwich; from her sister's birthday. It was really delicious, topped with some dried pepper leaves. And of course, I knew the offer was sincere.


I couldn't believe such act suggested by my husband would have a chain effect among us. If I turned back and became a coward, I wouldn't have enjoyed good morning talks with them. The ice was broken and we have to keep each other warm.

10.15.2013

Influence

My daughter woke up early today (before 8am) so we strolled a bit. I met my neighbor who is 8 months old pregnant with twin boys. When the three of us got back near our apartments, I saw some scribbling on their wall. It said "E-5 Ybanez" and some caricature under.

The scribbles were still visible even after being painted white to erase them. My neighbor said it was done by her eldest child who is 12. My heart was pricked.

(I posted our house number with surname under it near our door last week. It was made of some old fabric and magazine cutouts. I had to do it because mails and billing statements don't get straight to us. PLDT's courier claimed that our house couldn't be located easily. This alibi resulted to a disconnection notice of our phone and internet.)

That boy wanted to have the same thing on their house so he scribbled, hoping that it would look great. I bet those young hands need more experience, yet the desire is there so he still did it. I  wonder how much scolding he got before finally erasing the scribbles.

I realized that every little thing that you do can influence someone in any way. It was just my luck to learn such powerful lesson from him, and that the example I made wasn't bad.

I have to be careful with my choices and actions because little ones are watching. They may not be family but each example that they see from you would have some effect. It has to be good always.

10.08.2013

Online alarm clock


So this is what happens when you lost your phone.

We don't have an alarm clock at home, just a basic one so now I had to rely on the PC to make sure I could wake up early tomorrow. Gotta do a lot of chores since we're having visitors. Thanks to KUKU KLOK.

It claims that it can still work even when the internet is down as long as you have already set the time.
Just don't forget to change the settings of your computer when it comes to sleeping and hibernation. You surely don't want to get up late.

Good night! 

10.05.2013

Taho in the morning

This month, I and Mr. Lucas are going to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. Looking back, we were really different individuals to who we are right now.

We always like to tease each other before he leaves our home for work. Whenever our daughter is awake, she would look puzzled at how we say goodbye. We laugh a lot... I would pinch his nose.

This morning a taho vendor passed by and I asked Mr. Lucas to buy me a serving. It wasn't because I was hungry, just that I wanted him to get something for me.

Taho is made of silken tofu, sago pearls, and melted brown sugar. It sells for 5 to 15 pesos depending on the serving size. 

It felt like we were on a date :-) We go on a date about 2 or 3 times a month, usually when we have some shopping to do (groceries, supplies, etc.).

I feel happy because we are still able to do these things considering our 10-month-old baby. I hope we would still able to even when another little one adds up.

That taho was "um-mee" and was even more special because I knew he was in a hurry (he would still travel for about 2 hours),  but he didn't hesitate. He was cheerful.