I’m Happy

Because Miguel is eating finally! I’m not sure if it is his new vitamins working or he really likes the taste of Earth’s Best botlled food, but whatever, what’s important is for two consecutive days already–that means six main meals–I’ve been able to feed him without struggle. I’m praying this will continue and he will get used to eating solids regularly.

I’ve been struggling with Miguel’s poor appetite since long ago and have done every possible trick I could think of to get him to eat. I even “dreamt” of feeding him only homemade foods at first but soon gave in and offered him commercial food when he wouldn’t have any of the food I lovingly prepared, and he even puked at the first taste of my mashed potato–is my cooking that bad?!

So for months now, I’ve been offering him taho, beef soup or fruits but none seemed to appeal to his picky tastebuds. After he got tired of Gerber Stage 1 I was only able to feed him cereals and table food occasionally, and every feeding time was a battle. I had been exasperated of this ordeal especially this last week when he wouldn’t eat even his cereals. Add to that the fact that he only consumes 16oz of formula at daytime and would breastfeed twice at night.

I was feeling too tired of our routine and the only thing that kept me was the prospect of another pedia visit last saturday. His doctor’s words of encouragement and reassurance always give me hope.

When I was done ranting about my frustrations, she recounted her bilins about vitamins, meds, and feeding. And she said I could try feeding him bottled baby foods again. Right, why have I forgotten about that!

So we went to the supermarket and I realized I stopped feeding him bottled baby foods because there’s only Gerber Chicken Dinner available and he can’t eat chicken! Sigh. Then I remembered there’s Healthy Options and they sell organic foods. To my great delight, Earth’s Best has a wide variety of baby food for lunch and dinner, so I bought about five types and so far Miguel enjoys eating them.

Let the Preps Begin

That’s right, I have about a month and two weeks before Miguel’s first birthday party and I haven’t done anything substantial so far. And Christmas is fast approaching which means these days are not very ideal to scour the streets of Divisoria for some shopping for prizes, stationeries and party favors. Great. At least I have reserved the venue. I’ve also contacted a prospective caterer though they haven’t confirmed if my requested menu could be served with the allocated budget.

I have confirmed booking this party planner to do the venue dress up and to provide the cake, sound system and host but then, I couldn’t find time to go to the bank to deposit the required downpayment.

But oh, there is one thing I was able to do pala–I was able to book a photographer! Yep, nauna pa ang photo coverage before anything else, hehe.

Anyway, I hope to be able to go to the mall “alone” this week so I can do some serious shopping. I really couldn’t get anything done when I bring Miguel with me.

The Mommy’s Still Homebound

After months of contemplation and yaya search, I remain uncertain on the issue of returning to work. This has been the question in my mind for months now, whether it is truly ever worth it to delegate the task of “caring for Miguel” to some stranger so I could work fulltime.

At one point in October, I had been ready (or so I thought), so I sent an application to Chevron. I was contacted the next day and was asked to report in November. Obviously I couldn’t. Well I didn’t know they would ask me to work that soon! I had no yaya and nanay was scheduled to spend a month-long stay in Singapore. I requested if I could start in December (while bugging friends and family to help me find a yaya, which I soon realized was no easy feat), though I know it was quite impossible as the post needs to be filled urgently. So I missed the opportunity. After a few moments of regret, I was back to present again–no yaya, no work, no worries.

Next week a prospective yaya is scheduled to arrive finally. So then I will have to confront the issue again. I have the entire 2008 ahead of me. Another year full of possibilities. I will have to decide soon.

Holiday Greetings

Ok, so this is the best I could do to add a holiday mood in my blog. I must admit if ever there is an award for a lousy blogger, I’d bag that one right away!

Anyway, Nico was asking me the other day if we’re going to send out greeting cards to friends and relatives abroad, so I realized it’s less than 3 weeks before Christmas and I haven’t yet done anything Christmassy. If we’re ever bothering ourselves with greeting cards, I might as well send out a family photo, but then the tree has just been up, and we haven’t got a chance to pose for a pic.

Just in case the card doesn’t make it on time, I’m greeting everyone here a Merry Christmas!

Tenth Month Milestones

The other night Nico was watching Discovery Channel while I was busy playing with Miguel, then I happened to glance at the screen and saw that they were featuring crabs–thousands of them. So I said “eeew, kadiri itsura”. Immediately Miguel looked at the screen and was hooked! My little boy now appreciates TV when I haven’t even started introducing tv time to him.

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He already knows how to assert himself, letting me know in his own little way what activities he prefers–usually, to go see Professor McGonagall, the stray cat that hunts food at our backyard!

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Just this morning he picked up my cellphone and placed it near his ear, and then smiled at me. He’s slowly learning to appreciate proper uses of things, although mouthing, banging and dropping are still a favorite.

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He understands me! He goes to pick up ’sharky’ from among the soft animal toys scattered in his playpen.

Fast facts:

He now has a total of six teeth–four central incisors (upper&lower) and two lateral incisors (upper).

He’s mastered pincer grasp. I would put pieces of biscuit in front of him and he would pick up.

He took his very first shaky step at around 9 months, and now is ever confident in walking unsupported in his playpen. I’m saving the bumps for later, so walking on the floor is yet to be tried.

He mumbles a few monosyllable words which could mean a thousand things! But one word I’m sure I understand is “ka” which means cat.

He points to objects, at least when he’s in the mood. He turns his body to the direction he wants to go.

I realized he’s growing really fast–in a couple of months he may no longer be the baby who seeks comfort in mommy’s hugs. Haaay…