PMM (Proud Mommy Moments), and not so too

I’d just like to say that Mia already knows the difference between ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ and can confidently identify which objects are without prompting! She can also identify lots of things, living or non-living, point them out, and say their names.

It’s times like these that I feel that all my hardships during her first few months are very much compensated for. On the other hand, just recently Mia has been very clingy. Especially after our hospital ordeal. So I decided to look up something to help me understand her behavior over at WhatToExpect.com, and here’s what I got. Super sakto because Mia is turning 2 next month!

Your 23-Month-Old Child: “Don’t Leave Me!”

Does your child dissolve in tears or cling like a wet noodle when you try to leave her side? Separation anxiety is a tough (but typical) toddler phase.

Separation anxiety can start in babyhood and wax and wane throughout the toddler years — often peaking as your child approaches her second birthday.

Sometimes separation anxiety is triggered by a stressful change in your toddler’s life (such as a new sibling, home, or child-care arrangement).

These are just snippets of the article and you can continue reading it here. I can’t help but feel the article was actually written for me. More than that, it reassures me that Mia’s growth development is quite on track, if not a little advanced. This is something I am very thankful to God for, considering that she’s a preemie.

When you’re leaving her at child care (or at home with a sitter), help her get busy with an activity she enjoys. Then make your departure short and sweet: A hug and a kiss, a few reassuring words, and a cheerful wave.

Anyway, just off the top of my head, I noticed that some mommies tend to do just the opposite of short and sweet. They even savor the moments that when they try to get up and leave, they make sure the toddler notices so that he/she will call out,”Mommy!” and then cry all over again. It’s like they can’t get enough of their child’s attachment. Well, there’s nothing wrong with wanting that. It’s just that sometimes it’s not cute anymore.

Parang yung mommy na kunyari when there’s another baby around, she’ll carry it and then tell her own toddler, “Look o, Mommy has a new baby!” Hmm. Sometimes reveling in the fact that your baby gets jealous of another kid isn’t such a nice thing to do sometimes.

Oh well, just my thoughts.

Sa sakayan ng jeep [lp]

… madilim. Ito ang istorya niyan. Sana’y magustuhan niyo.

Finally home

I’ve been barfed on three times, peed on twice, I’ve changed diapers a hundred times, been called “mommy” by Mia a thousand times while crying, kicked off the hospital bed, and had cramped muscles for carrying a 27-lbs crying toddler.

The pains of being a single parent. I’m thankful my family especially my mom were there to help out, but nothing beats really when there’s someone else to lean on in times like these. And in times like these, I’d have to be honest, I begin to hate that one person even more.

Anyway, back to our hospital ordeal. I had to rush Mia to the hospital last Friday night because of really bad asthma-like symptoms. She couldn’t breathe properly, was having a hard time doing it, and was throwing up already. We were home alone (with my brother), so I called my parents to ask them to come home and help me bring Mia to the hospital. It never occurred to me I had an emergency on hand.

When my mom came home and saw Mia’s breathing, (yeah it was that bad) she panicked. She was so panicky that I had to tell her to get out of the car in the middle of the street and let me drive instead. And being the raging driver that I am, I defied all laws of traffic just to get Mia to the ER at St. Luke’s.

The nurses and the doctors at the ER were very helpful in not just making sure Mia was ok, but in assuring me that things were going to be alright. I was very thankful I brought her there instead of the hospital nearer my house where I used to bring Mia all the time. World Citi Medical Center had pretty bad customer service if I may say so. At St. Luke’s I was treated like a very important person and was always attended to. The medical staff was very nice too.

Just a slight problem though. Because St. Luke’s is a very popular hospital and known for its quality and professional service, the place was always ‘fully booked’. It took us hours before we could get a room which wasn’t even in the pedia wing and was a bit more expensive than expected. I had no choice though; it was 2 a.m. and I was very tired, and Mia wasn’t getting any sleep.

But all is well now, and we’re back in the comfort of our own home. The doctor’s diagnosis was acute bronchiolitis with pneumonia, but nothing a few meds and rest can’t cure. Mia is still verrry clingy, just ask some friends who came to visit, and still ‘ngongo’. At least now she can breathe easy and she can play around without worrying about back flow (blood flowing back through her IV insertion). We just need to maintain 7 days’ worth of antibiotics and nebulizing, which she is very cooperative to do.

So being a single parent has its downsides. But what kind of parenting doesn’t, right? I really should be thankful that I got through this instead of recalling how difficult it was to go through the sleepless nights at the hospital. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish he was there to help out. But the important thing is it’s over. What I got instead is a lesson on how to be a tough parent. And that relying on unexpected help isn’t so bad at all. There’s Someone who’ll always be there no matter what and I’m really thankful He never left.

Hospital bill: P46,240. Amount I paid for: P42. God is really good.

Mia’s Medicines: P953. An aunt’s goodwill: P1,000. He is really, really good. May sukli pa.

—

(Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes!)

I made history!

It was 1:00 am and I’ve had no rest, standing up and walking around, carrying a sobbing and uncomfortable Mia. Sometimes I got to put her down on a bed by the hallway, which meant every 10 minutes Mia would stir awake because of the noises around the ER. It was horrible but we managed until we finally got a bed in a quiet corner. So, to kill boredom I decided to check my email (thank goodness for free wifi!).

From: Make History Staff – Asia Pacific
To: iris14
Date: 12:25 am
Subj: Your work “Street Pulse”

Congratulations Iris!
Your work “Street Pulse” has been selected for publication on makehistory-ap.com and is now online.
From now on there is a chance that your work can be selected for publishing in printed magazines. Therefore we kindly ask you to provide us a high-res file.

I had to smile despite my aching joints, my groggy self, and the inconvenience of it all. I raved about this a few days ago, and guess what, I did make history. Yey!

A different side of Light [lp]

Light can mean to be a lot of things. A symbol of hope, of learning, of realizations.

But it can also be taken differently, like in the photo. It can be used to make the subject more foreboding, threatening, scarier. And ironically, darker.

It’s the other side of Light that is underrated.

—

BKK. Canon EOS 400D. See the other interpretations of Light.

Photobug bit me

Oh ok, so you’ve had enough of me yakking on about these photo contests on Plurk. That doesn’t mean I won’t blog about it too.

There’s Lee’s Make History contest, the Digital Photography School’s Portraiture contest, and there’s the Delegation of the European Commission and Philippine Center for Journalism‘s Climate Change photography contest.

I happen to be so bibo that I wanted to join all of them. Or maybe I just realized it’s about time I pursued this photography thing a little more seriously than just snapping here and there with no particular purpose in mind. Besides, my dad tells me I got his talent, and what parent would not tell his kid that?

So anyway, if you’re not planning to join at all, do include me in your prayers. If you are, may the best photographer win.

Hehe. Kidding.

But seriously boto ka naman.

Show me you love me!vote

Mia’s Floating Friend

This isn’t an early Halloween entry, don’t worry. And besides, I’m not about to spook myself and involve Mia.

I found that the floating pet balloons (the shiny doggy) that once used to sell about P500 apiece at Hobbes and Landes in Bonifacio High Street is now selling at only P150 at Toy Kingdom! When I chanced on this last weekend at a 3-day sale in Megamall, I immediately made up my mind to buy it. (Forgive the bad photo, she just wouldn’t stop moving!)

It’s an adorable toy that floats just enough above the ground and has wobbly plastic accordions for legs so when you pull on it, it actually walks! It was so nice that when they sold it initially at Hobbes and all the (rich) little kids were toting at least one, I wanted Mia to be part of the “in crowd” of toddlers.

Now I’m actually thankful I resisted that urge.

Are you a murderer?

Well at least according to the recent definition of staunch “Pro-Life” supporters. If it means you are in favor of sex education where it matters, and that you think birth control methods should be used in order to avoid unplanned pregnancies (and not just because of premarital sex) but also to avoid ballooning family membership of a class D family, then yes you are a murderer.

I’m going out so much as to exaggerate these things, but like Doc Claire, I hate that religion, or rather The Institution of religion (which is yes, the Catholic Church) should make a big deal out of this. I admit I haven’t followed the issue to the detail, but I’ve heard enough to really disappoint me.

Quoting Rep. Edcel Lagman,

“The bill is not anti-life. It is pro-quality life.”

How the hell can the Church find something wrong about this? It baffles me.

“How is teaching the largely ignorant populace about responsible parenthood and providing them with means to practice it an affront to the dignity of life? How does seeing the logic behind a smaller family size and wanting to prevent unplanned pregnancies make those of us who are for this bill akin to murderers?” (Read more)

Doc Claire said it for me. And even more, Rep. Lagman said,

“It will ensure that children will be blessings for their parents since their births are planned and wanted. It will empower couples with the information and opportunity to plan and space their children. This will not only strengthen the family as a unit but also optimize care for children who will have more opportunities to be educated, healthy and productive.”

Again, what on earth is the Church complaining about? The bill wasn’t written so it can eventually pave the way to legalize abortion.

“The bill will not promote contraceptive mentality. The bill does not prohibit pregnancy. Critics are mistaken in claiming that because contraceptives would be readily available, people would prefer to have no children at all. Couples will not stop wanting children simply because contraceptives are available. Contraceptives are used to prevent unwanted pregnancies but not to stop pregnancies altogether.” (-Rep. Lagman)

What the heck diba? Are there actually people who are so narrow minded as to believe otherwise?

I’ll leave the legalities and technicalities of the law to those who can recite it. For me, this is a classic Spanish influence manifesting itself and baring its fangs. Remember how we were told in school of the evils of the Spaniard occupation, that religion was used by the priests to suppress the revolution?

I don’t want to go out of my way to bash a centuries old phenomenon. But now it’s gone too far. If you read what these people say against the Reproductive Health Bill, it will tell you how limited and manipulating thinking can get. It saddens me how some people just cannot grasp the entire picture of things. Just an example:

“By that token, the zygote not yet in the mother’s womb is not protected. Pills and the IUD hinder implantation of the embryo in the uterus, thereby precipitating the embryo’s destruction. That is abortion” (read the rest here)

I hope educated members of the society can also get to vote and voice their opinions on these things like passing Bills. In that case, I’ll be Pro Quality Life all the way. To the government, pass the Bill already!

Sorry I’ll cut this short. I’d love to do some more bashing, but I feel like it’s pissing me off now.

—

Read about Rep. Edcel Lagman’s articles and replies:

Reproductive Health Bill: Facts, Fallacies

Church reply to RPH: Facts, Fallacies

Bago [lp]

Walang alinlangan kong sasabihing bagong ligo nga siya. Ano sa tingin mo? Pwedeng bagong ano.

—

Canon EOS 400D.

Happily never after

I don’t think I want this anymore
As she drops the ring to the floor
She says to herself: ‘You’ve left before’
This time you will stay gone, that’s for sure More »

A September 13th entry

I realize it’s been 4 days since I last blogged. So time to update the blog. Here you go.

When will anyone answer my offers for lunch? I’ve been asking friends to go out for lunch. Long-unseen friends. But they’re all indisposed one way or another.

Oh frustrations. When will I answer the phone and actually be happy doing it? When are you going to call? Why am I even asking?

Oh gaaaahd. “Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near?” Another time, Karen. I’m not in the mood. Hit the Next button.

Thank goodness for Caramel Machiatto and friendly Starbucks people.

Whaaat?? We’ve only just begun? Next!

Please let this day be over. Quick and painless.

The Flickr Mosaic tag

Been so inclined towards photoblogging lately. It seems to me, that a picture really do paint a thousand words and there’s no more need to say anything else. Thanks for the tag, Vannie! (And oh, that photo on the right is my Flickr name )

The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste the html into your blog or Flickr stream. Or use the Mosaic Maker at fd’s Flickr Toys.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?  Iris
2. What is your favorite food? pasta too like vannie
3. What high school did you go to? CAM
4. What is your favorite color? orange (or red or neon green)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? right now, Jo Jonas!
6. Favorite drink? strawberry milkshake from a diner near my office
7. Dream vacation? Italy, a European tour, or Hawaii
8. Favorite dessert? strawberry cheesecake from a quaint little resto in UP Diliman
9. What you want to be when you grow up? I am grown up! And i still don’t know.
10. What do you love most in life? my family too
11. One Word to describe you. Rocks!
12. Look up your flickr name and see what pops up: (see photo above)

1. Not available, 2. Not available, 3. Not available, 4. Not available, 5. Not available, 6. Strawberry Cheesecake & Ice Cream, 7. Ravello – Country – Italy, 8. Not available, 9. The Calvo Family – Holidays

–

PS. Ang gwapo ni Jo Jonas! hahaha!

Ye Olde Barke [lp]

“Years of experience show on my skin,” says the Tree.

“Lahat ng pinagdaanan ko, bakas sa aking balat,” ang sabi ng Puno.

—

Canon EOS 400D.

Street Pulse

SFX: Massive Attack – Teardrops.

Have you ever felt like your life sped by right in front of your eyes, but you seemed to be stuck in one place? Like you could have dipped your hand literally into the rushing current only to find that you couldn’t stop it? Do you know the feeling of frustration of having to find out that nothing you do will ever halt it? Then you just bravely take that step into the rushing traffic, and get lost in it yourself.

—

BKK. Canon EOS 400D.

—

So you’re sitting all alone
You’re fragile and you’re cold, but that’s alright
Life these days is getting rough
They’ve knocked you down and beat you up
But it’s just a rollercoaster anyway, yeah

It’s not right, not okay
To say the words that you say
Maybe we’re better off this way?
I’m not fine, I’m in pain
It’s harder everyday
Maybe we’re better off this way?

-Better That We Break, Maroon Five.

Not a Cheapskate

Sure I’m a bargain hunter, but my taste sure ain’t cheap. Especially when it comes to Mia’s clothes. So when shopping opportunities present themselves, I never fail to get a good find for my little fashionista.

Fab Find #1: A Mini Maxi Dress.

Pardon the irony, but yep, they do make maxi dresses for toddlers. Probably from excess cloth of women’s maxi dresses. Hehe. This one I got from the Jatujak Weekend Market in Bangkok (heaven I tell you, if not for the heat) for only 90 Baht. That’s about Php120.

Aside from looking nice on Mia, I like it because it fits snugly around her chest (most of her tube tops slip down because she’s sooo skinny), and the loose and light material lets her move freely. And did I mention Mia likes it so much when she’s complimented when she wears a dress? That’s the start of a kikay girl right there.

Fab Find #2: 5 for the Price of 1

Ok, that’s an exaggeration. But have you seen the price tags on designer babies’ apparel? Crazy. It makes me think sometimes if those are spun with gold. 2 shorts and 3 leggings all for Php645 on sale at Babyland at Robinsons Galleria. That’s about Php100+ apiece.

Pwede na, no?

Toys ‘R Us are also on sale at the ground floor of Robinsons Galleria fountain area. I didn’t get to join in the rummage fun, but I think discounts are uo to 70% off. And oh, the Bratz dolls are at 50% off.

Anyway, I’m going back there tomorrow so that’s it for now!