My All

They are the battery that keeps me going.

They are the reason to keep my hopes high and keep my sanity intact.

With them I believe, with them I dream, with them I live...

Remember make believe in you

All the things I said I'd do

I wouldn't hurt you, like the world did me

Keep you safe, I'd keep you sweet

Everything that I went through,

I'm grateful you won't have to do

I know that you will have to fall

I can't hide you from it all....

.....RUN-Pink

Graduation Letter for my Son

Its been a while.... for now let me share to you this open letter to my first born who is about to achieve a new milestone on his early life.

Vividly I can still picture our first meeting, every pain and fear I had after 23 hours of induce labor had gone after seeing you. My crybaby, even from the start nobody can force you to do something out of your will.

Little by little you develop and discover things by yourself. Your face lights up in every successful bravery and little tears show with every failed attempt, if only I could take out the pain, but those aches and bruises will bring out a better person in you. Your personality and attitude starts to show and I am glad that you are an affectionate and loving child and I hope you retain it until you mature.

I pray that as you grew older you learn things more than I do, you achieve life as you aspire it to be. But for now I am very much please that you are a happy and active kid, ABC and 123 can still wait for your attention you are just starting enjoy what life has to offer. You will always be my pride, my joy and my little baby I named James Levi. 

Vaccine Schedule

Got a text message from my Mom few days ago and it shocks me, our pediatrician just reminded her that we are missing Levi's vaccine schedule for months now, oh forgetful me!  We are months delayed for his Hepa A and Flu vaccine.

So for other mom's out there who got babies and toddlers better print these schedule and post it in you walls

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 0 Through 6 Years

Thanks for our mindful Doktora, but for those who gone far out of remembering better head here at Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 4 Months Through 18 Years Who Start Late or Who Are More Than 1 Month Behind and here as well Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 Years

Living and Levitating

This is my official entry to Levy's Contest. 

What are the things/situations that would make you feel like levitating?

I am very "mababaw" with just a piece of flower will put me up to the cloud 9. With our present situation, one thing that will surely make me levitate is being with my one and only bubuy. He is my main source of happiness, with just a smile from him will eventually ease out every ache I have from a day of work.

Vividly I can still picture our first meeting, every pain and fear I had after 23 hours of induce labor had gone after seeing him and my first kiss on his cheek was the last thing in my  memory inside the operating room.

He is two and half year old right now with full of curiosity in his world and always armed with questions of what and why. I am looking forward to be with him by the end of the year, anticipating his hug and kiss is enough to put me up high levitating through the clouds of happiness. Hearing him utter "Mommy I love you" in person is heaven!

--- Sorry dear Levy I can't find any jump shot, hope this one will do :)

The Pains of Being a "away-from-home" Mommy

He is my son during our Skype video calls, he wants us to "karga" (Filipino term for carry a baby) him over our place. He was confused and got really angry after realizing that he can't actually be with us physically, my mom told us that he cried to sleep after it, same with me too, I sob to my comfort, releasing all the sadness and homesickness I had inside.

He is only two years and three months old and starting to wonder, asking a lot, comprehending on all things that's new to him. At his age, curiosity is all he got and I feel so helpless not to be there for him though I know my mom is there to stand-in for me, I still feel responsible on nourishing his mind and emotions. Wish I could be there for him.

Happy Halloween and Little Fears

Halloween is almost here, how cute are those kids in costumes and it will be fun to dress up my Levi with those vampire or monster costumes and I just remember Costume Party is out, Cosplay is in hee hee!

As a I mentioned I love to dress up my son with those little cute costumes, but the thing is, besides being expensive, he is quite frighten on a lot unfamiliar things to him right now. I had read somewhere that at age of 21st month children start to develop some frights on things and after a "root cause analysis" (yes that deep hmm..) I remember a few weeks ago when he screams out of nowhere because a spider drop and crawl on his arms maybe that is the incident that risen his fear on weird things around him. Another one is the cockroaches he stops, runaway or change direction unlike before he chases and tries to pick it up (its yucky!).

I am not sure if he is learning the right thing, but right now I am contented that is he not fond of those insects and a little worried that this may affect his playful nature.

And since he seems agitated on all costumes I tried on him we just settle on visiting some Halloween displays, maybe next year when is ready we will try on a spooky costumes, but for now only these...

Greenbelt 5 Dispays

He likes Pumpkins



He can fit inside that pumkin face.



Sweet Good Nights

Being a first time mom I always thought having a baby is no joke and I prove myself correct, even though I stock-up bags and bottles of clothing, alcohol, diapers, etectera etcetera still I missed to consider a lot and that includes sleepless nights.

As our oldies say it was normal for a baby to cry a lot at night and I doubt it, but then who I am to contradict them and so everynight MIL would wrap him up in full with cap and to top it all with bigkis (baby binder, use more like a belt and belly-button protection) plus "manzanilla' (oil-base chamomile) to prevent colic. From then up to 5 am he would give me this face.

But not until we meet our pedia who told us not wrap him too much since it was not that cold in Manila and that manzanilla maybe the cause of his discomfort. That afternoon we tried to do what the doctors advice, warm sponge bath, less clothing and no manzanilla and it works Yipeee! 

As months pass we discover more things to lessen his fussing and so first time moms try my lucky 8 tips for your angels heavenly night, solely based on my experience, it might work for you too.

1.Before it strikes 6 pm, give infant a warm sponge bath or a half warm bath for babies who starts to crawl and walk specially during summer.

2. If you live in a tropical country like ours specifically Manila area please don't wrap babies to much. They are cold if their hands, feet, nose, ears and tummy feels cold.

3. For colic lie them on your lap in his stomach and a little patting on the back to release the gas. For more calming effect have some oil base eucalyptus or manzanilla, but please dont apply directly on baby's skin it will irritate them more, just put a few drops on their cloths or something near to them where they can smell it. Its calming effect is on the aroma.

4. Do check their nappies, sometimes diaper rash or the diaper itself irritates them. Opt for lampin (cloth diaper) for few hours, dust some cornstarch powder on their back and diapers area for added comfort.

5. They love a lot of cuddling, touch and kisses, plus do mix some hush lullaby for angelic sleep.

6. TV and lights off please, specially for toddlers it will make them realize that dark = night = sleep time.

7. Train them to sleep on their own, from sleeping on your chest, to huddling on his father's armpit to just sleeping by himself and with Pekto (name of his stuffed toy). This will slowly give you back the late night news habit you had before hee hee!

8. Do say a goodnight prayer to Papa Jesus with them. This will serve as their first lesson for gratitude and as for you add this "So help me God, to put this child to sleep".

Have a good night sleep! Sweet Dreams!

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How Will I Be A Mindful Parent?

"The greatest gift to give your child is yourself." - Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Myla Kabat-Zinn


The above sentence cough my attention early last 7th of July 2009 while reading the Lifestyle Parenting section of a broadsheet, and since I really got no time to read that morning I just take note of the author and the article and take note to find it on the net for some reading later that day. It was Titled Are You A Mindful Parent? Roots and Wings by Cathy Babao-Guballa.

I am "bagito" (amateur) when it comes to parenting and I try to learn it day by day with the help of my son, and everyday seems to be an examination day specially now that he is in naughty stage aww! Armed with big scream and made-up cry which he mustered successfully in getting what he wants owh! He is really getting a bit bratty these days and fright strikes me that I may no longer cope with his continuous learning in Bachelor of Brattiness. I carefully choose the kind of discipline to impose, a scoop of diplomacy and a sprinkle of spanking, but sometimes a big serving of spanking is more likely served since my string is short that I tend to lose quickly on virtue of patience and who would not every time he throws his toys on our TV set or better yet to his playmates.

I sometimes think if how will I raise him, should I be strict since at this early he is showing signs of a future frequent trip in principal's office, or should I loosen up and have the tons of patience to instill in him right values and conducts. Right now it is my dilemma and reading Ms. Cathy's article I find the book "Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting" a must-read one which somehow can help me unravel the tricks and trade of parenting. Better head-off to the nearest bookstore this weekend, need to buy the book.

Let Your Little Heart Break A Little

Lyrics of That’s The Story of Love

You’ve got to give a little take a little
And let your poor heart break a little.
That’s the story of that’s the glory of love.
You’ve got to laugh a little cry a little
Until the clouds roll by a little
That’s the story of that’s the glory of love.


As long as there’s the two of us
We’ve got the world and all its charms.
And when the world is through with us


We’ve got each other’s arms.
You’ve got to win a little lose a little
Yes and alwayshave blues a little.
That’s the story of that’s the glory of love.
That’s the story of that’s the glory of love.

I love this song, you can hear me humming it sometimes specially when I’m in the fine mood, but not last night. I sung my levi to sleep with a heavy heart, he had experience his first heartache or I must say first deep disappointment.

Our Didi just left five days ago to find a greener pasture and at young age I know he was wondering why he hasn’t been showing up to play basketball or “taguan” (hide and seek) with him. He is always excited when hearing a motorcycle pass-by and head quick to the door, suppose to welcome his Didi and it will took him few seconds there to finally realize it was not him and resume playing, but last night was different.

We are about to sleep, him on the side and nibbling a milk bottle when my brother came to use the motorcycle, as the engine start he instantly stood up round-eyed and called “Di! Di! Di” and advance to the window to see if indeed it was him. His frustration came when his tito called him up to cheer him, but his mood shifted instead, he stayed on the position longer as if expecting my brother to transform as his Didi until I came and scoop him up. He stared at me as if asking, I told him Didi is far, but soon we will ride the airplane and be with him in Singapore for Christmas. I am not sure if he understands me, but maybe he felt an assurance from my voice that he just kissed me as he usually do and place his cheek on my shoulder.

He slept on my chest as usual, while I hum him... “You’ve got to give a little take a little, and let your poor heart break a little.... la la la...."

Memories of Pregnancy

Time really flies fast, would you imagine? I had been two years since I experience the fang of morning sickness and uncontrollable vomiting ughh! But then it all paid off having a baby is the most wondrous thing happen to me.
I also remember the fun of shopping, who would not love shopping? I used to go straight on infant section back then always trying to find a great find for my baby boy, from mittens to cribs and feeding bottles, I was always hunting for something cute and useful for my baby.
Parenting forums is also one of my addiction then, you will surely find a lot of useful information in from these forums like how to take care of your new baby, what baby furniture is necessary or even emotional guidance from other members who had experience what I am going through then.
It makes me smile remembering those times especially those moments where from nowhere you will find yourself craving for something really cold and sweet in the middle of the night. My husband thinks I am insane and just trying to give him a hard time then, but then how he would understand it all he can ever do is get-up and go to the nearest ice cream parlor.

Mango as teether

Just a little to share over the weekend...

My Levi loves to eat fruits and one of his fave is a ripe Indian Mango from my grandmother trees. And since he start teething late, around his eight month, mango serves as one of his teether.

Real Leaf Paparazzi

This is what happen when I my husband was home alone with our 1 year old boy

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Due to some uncontrollable situations our yaya didn’t make it to manila early and I can’t be absent for work my hubby have no choice but to babysit our levi for the whole day for the first time. Since he has no one to ask help he has do to all the rituals a baby requires that includes taking a bath, brushing the teeth and tongue, taking vitamins, change nappies, wash  poops, feeding and even the patience in putting levi to bed. The thought of him doing all of these makes me giggle a little. Imagining him all agitated, tired and sweaty and I expect a chaos and lot of mess in evening.

But to my surprise, I came home with less mess than I anticipate, with the two of peacefully watching TV and drinking, milk for my levi and REAL LEAF Green Tea apple flavor for Hubby.

Thank God I stock up bottles of REAL LEAF Green Tea it refresh my husband and gives him the energy to carry on the whole day with our tumbling son.

A mind you he even cooked our dinner that night, hotdog & egg with big bottle of REAL LEAF Green Tea to complete the day and prepare for a playful night.

*On the picture my son didn’t really drunk the tea we just let him lick the empty bottle.

My Sons Birthday Party.

Yesterday at 3 pm our James Levi just had his 1st Birthday. I am very Thankful for all who came to celebrate it with us.

To God, thank you for giving us a healthy and very cheerful baby.


For more picture you can view it here in my other blog James Levi's Street Birthday Bash

My Little Man is Turning 1

I am so excited this coming January 03, my little boy is having one of his major milestone in life... he is turning one.. Join me in celebrating this.