Kulitan Moment with Maia

I took this video just tonight. We were trying to put her to sleep but she's still so lively that Tibs decided to just put her down and let her burn all that excess energy.

Eventually naman, natulog na din sya on her own like she always does (and most probably sa sobrang pagod na din from playing almost the entire afternoon).

Watch out for that split second pa-cute moment at around a minute and 10 seconds into the entire video. Sobrang funny niya, di ko napigilan na sarili kong tumawa. Haha. Nasira tuloy video sa ingay ng tawa ko. Hope you enjoy this video as much as we did! :)

Rainy days on summer

It’s been raining like crazy for almost two weeks now. When I woke up this morning, I almost forgot that it’s still summer. Maia was a little cold and had stuffy nose I starting blaming the rain. But then it occurred to me that this is still better than the humid summer air that we had a few weeks back.

When I was still in school, the onset of rain makes me feel poignant. I’d stare gloomily at my bedroom window and watch raindrops splash feeling devoid at the same time. Summer was something I used to look forward back then because it gives me an excuse to rest my mind and stay on idle mode for weeks. Rain ruins all that and I guess its reality sinking in - that vacation is over and that school season would be back very soon.

Now that I’m older though, rain invokes a totally different emotion. It is something that I and my husband now welcome. Apart from the bed weather feel (::wink::), it gives us an excuse to stay indoors and enjoy day-long DVD marathons of missed movies or episodes of our favorite TV shows. Or sometimes we would squeeze in a game or two our favorite board game. And if I am in the mood to cook, that day would define our idea of the ultimate bonding experience already.

The only thing that keeps me from completely enjoying the arrival of rain on Mid-summer is the issue of weather pattern change. The whole concept scares me. I’m afraid to find out if there’s indeed a deeper reason behind the relentless rains we've been experiencing lately. I hope this is just something temporary. I would like to still share many summers and rainy seasons with Maia...at the same month of the year that I used to experience them when I was still young.

ME time turned Maia time and some Reftlections after

Today I finally got to go out for my well-deserved ME time. I and a college friend, Manet, went to get ourselves pampered. I had a foot paraffin and massage done. It felt really great. I also intended to do some personal shopping but I guess my mother’s instinct got the best of me. While I was waiting for Manet, I took the extra time I had to check out new stuff at the infant section of one of my favorite department stores. I went home with these baby stuffs for Maia. I could say that I am happier now seeing my purchases. I can’t say I’d be any happier had I bought stuff for myself instead. 

After our much needed pampering, my friend and I heard mass at the greenbelt chapel. The homily was one of the most memorable homily I have ever heard. Why, you might ask? Well because after today, I vowed to stop questioning God’s intervention (or the lack of it) in my life.

Today, God gave me the answers that I need to keep my faith going.   So much has been happening with me (and my family) this past three months that I started questioning God’s motives in sending us all these challenges. I keep telling myself to accept them because God has his own reasons why he wants us to go through all of these challenges. In the back of my mind though, I keep asking…why would God make me go through pain again and again? Doesn't he get tired of hearing my prayers time and again? Isn't he supposed to be a Good and Compassionate God?  

But it turns out; God was not the source of all these sufferings. It was the DEVIL himself. And I guess he wanted me so bad he’s doing everything to get my attention. He was almost lucky. But I am glad I went to hear mass today. God helped me find the right path.

Now I am all better.

Struggling for Balance

For working mothers like me, everyday is always a constant struggle for balance.

We want to achieve balance between our career and personal life. We want to remain excellent at our jobs and at the same time to be excellent in living our lives outside of work.

We strive for balance between our jobs as employees and as mothers. We want to gain respect from our colleagues by being diligent at what we do but we also want to remain visible at our homes by being available each time our kids call to us for help.

We also want to attain balance between our role as mothers and as wives. We would always strive to be sensitive to the needs of both our husbands and our kids. To the best of our ability, we would hope to be there each and every time they reach to us for help.

 

Photos and Memories

I love looking at pictures. Especially at pictures of things long passed. They always bring a wide grin to my face.   I love looking at pictures of past travels. It makes me realize how lucky I’ve been to have had the chance to see and meet peoples of different cultures. It reminds me to be grateful for the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of life’s diversity first hand.   I also love looking at pictures of me and my family. It immediately establishes lost connections and bonds gone loose.  It makes me pick up that phone and send a message or two to my parents and siblings. It reminds me to drop a call to an aunt or uncle. It makes me feel at home again regardless of the location where I’m at.   I also love looking at pictures of me and my friends. It brings me back to good, good times with people that I’ve been most vulnerable with. It brings me that sense of belongingness especially on days when I feel so alone. It gives me comfort knowing that there are people who learned to accept me despite my shortcomings.   I most especially love to look at pictures of my very OWN family. It makes me call on to God and send praises to Him for making me whole. It motivates me to keep on striving to be excellent in what I do. It reminds me that I am and will always be LOVED.

Building Trust and Understanding Life's Challenges

My heart felt like it's being crumpled to pieces.

Today we proved that my dad is a pathological liar and that sometimes 'change' is a word that is not familiar to everyone.

Sometimes, I question why God keeps sending trials to our family. Sometimes, they never stop coming I wonder when will we ever get to rest. It gets

Travelling again

But only for a short distance this time.

Tomorrow we're leaving for Angeles. But it's still a first for Maia. For to go home to Daddy's place. We're also meeting Reese for the first time! Yeeeeey. Parang mas excited pa si Mommy kesa ke Maia eh ano?

Exhausted ME talkin'

I wish I can go on a vacation NOW.

A vacation for ME and ME alone.

Our trip to Antique turned out to be the most tiring vacation I ever took. But I was glad Maia was able to meet and spend time with my Lola. On moments like this, when my body aches all over and my eyes are wanting to shutdown involuntarily, I just play back my lola's words to Maia -- "I love you Maia (repeated countless times)"...and I can't help but smile from ear to ear. My lola's turning a century old next year. And she wished she would get to meet Maia before she joins her creator. I am happy I was able to grant her wish.

Hay. I still long for that ME vacation though.

One of these days, Faye. You will find the time. 

For now, keep thinking of Lola and Maia. You will be fine...

.

 

 

Maia's first trip to Antique

Maia's First Vacation

Maia's going on her first plane trip today. We're visiting my parents in Antique and stopping over in Iloilo and Guimaras for some summer fun before finally relaxing at home with my parents.

I started packing for Maia last week. This list help me a lot since it's difficult to travel with so many luggage and an infant in tow. Now I think we just packed right.


Here's a helpful article by  to help us Mommies pack up for our babies:
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Travelling With Your Baby

It may take a little extra planning and organisation, but travelling with a baby does not have to be the nightmare some parents imagine!

The Items You'll Need When Travelling With Baby

• Baby first aid kit
• Enough food and milk for your trip (always bring more than you think you'll need!)
• Water and juice(if appropriate)
• Diapers/nappies and wipes
• Scented diaper bags
• Disposable bibs or a wipe clean bib
• Feeding bowl and utensils
• Food warming equipment
• Sun protection
• Your baby's blanket - its familiar scent will be reassuring
• Spare clothes for baby AND you
• Spare pacifiers/dummies (if needed)
• Breast pump (if needed)
• Nightlight (great for night feeds in hotel rooms, which can be very dark
• Baby sling or carrier
• Sterilising equipment

Useful but optional extras include a portable high chair and a travel crib/cot, which allow a great deal of freedom when travelling.

Feeding

• If possible, breastfeed your baby - by far the easiest option when travelling! If you need to express, you can safely keep breastmilk in a cooler with ice for up to 24 hours.
  
  
• If baby is formula fed, you can pre-make the feeds and keep them cool, or use "ready to drink" cartons of formula. Alternatively, measure baby's formula into bottles, then mix with boiled water as required.
  
  
• If you ask for bottles to be warmed for you, always check the temperature of the milk VERY carefully before giving it to your baby.
  
  
• Pack portions of solid foods into a cooler, with ice. Alternatively, bring foods that can be easily mashed "en route" and served at room temperature - avocado or banana, for example.
  
  
• If your baby is old enough, bring plenty of finger foods - they will help keep him occupied during the journey!
  
  
• If you need to sterilise feeding equipment, consider bringing a microwave steriliser bag, disposable sterilising bags or pre-sterilised bottle liners.

Top Travel tips

If you're travelling by road ...

• Think about driving at night, or coincide part of the journey with baby's daytime nap.
  
  
• Always place your baby's car seat in the rear of the car and make sure you operate the doors' child safety locking system.
  
  
• Infants require a rear-facing car seat, not a forward-facing car seat like their older siblings use
  
  
  
• Many parents prefer buying an "infant travel system." When you use an infant travel system, the baby's car seat unlatches from a base which stays attatched to the back seat of your car...and then it pops into a stroller mounting when you reach your destination. Baby stays napping, without having to be lifted out of a car seat and re-strapped into a stroller. (see photos to right)
  
  
• Use removeable window shades to shield your baby from the sun.
  
  
• If driving during the day, stop every 2-3 hours - the break is good for your baby AND for you!

If you plan to fly with your baby ...

• If you can afford it, consider buying an extra seat - infants under 2 fly free, but are expected to sit on your lap throughout the flight. Alternatively, call the airline in advance and request an infant sky cot/bassinet
  
  
• Bring a stroller or car seat carrier to use at the airport - you can usually keep it with you until you reach the departure gate.
  
  
• Ask if there are any empty seats on your flight when you check in. If so, ask if you can be seated next to one - you'll be glad of the extra room!
  
  
• Breast or bottle feed your baby on take-off and landing, to avoid ear pain.
  
  
• Offer your baby plenty of drinks throughout the flight - flying can be very dehydrating.
  
  
• Always ask for baby food/milk to be warmed BEFORE your baby is screaming with hunger - there is no microwave in the aeroplane galley, so warming the food may take some time.

Frustrated Incorporated

Hello Maia

It's 730pm and Mommy is still at work. It was supposed to be good day for us. After all, we're leaving for vacation tomorrow and there's a BIG reason for us to get excited because this is going to be another FIRST for you. First trip out of Luzon, First time to board an airplane, First time to visit Antique, First time to go to the beach....Mommy could go on.

But then Daddy had to ruin it.  Again. :( Sometimes, Mommy wonders why it always ends up like this. It's becoming a very frustrating attempt for her all time. She gets tired thinking of it.

It's a good thing baby...that at the end of ALL this, she has YOU to look forward to.

She called home awhile ago. You are already asleep. She felt guilty. But then she has to make choices sometimes. And compromises are always what's sitting next to the BEST. We have to make do with that for now. I love you baby. Always bear in mind that all this is for YOU.

Frustrated Incorporated

Hello Maia

It's 730pm and Mommy is still at work. It was supposed to be good day for us. After all, we're leaving for vacation tomorrow and there's a BIG reason for us to get excited because this is going to be another FIRST for you. First trip out of Luzon, First time to board an airplane, First time to visit Antique, First time to go to the beach....Mommy could go on.

But then Daddy had to ruin it. Again. :( Sometimes, Mommy wonders why it always ends up like this. It's becoming a very frustrating attempt for her all time. She gets tired thinking of it.

It's a good thing baby...that at the end of ALL this, she has YOU to look forward to.

She called home awhile ago. You are already asleep. She felt guilty. But then she has to make choices sometimes. And compromises are always what's sitting next to the BEST. We have to make do with that for now. I love you baby. Always bear in mind that all this is for YOU.