Tweet

d5ab1ac38cedd7f23d06a209cbd14c52

When I was pregnant with Dindin, I would often listen to classical music, particularly those of Bach, Beethoven, and Vivaldi, but I noticed that she kinda of responded nicely to Vivaldi. She would often get roused there are crescendos in Beethoven’s symphony.

When she was born, we continued to play the classical music as well as acoustic lullabies when she slept. We also exposed her to songs of blessing and worship.

When she reached about 7 months old, we started exposing her to children’s videos like Hi-5 and then eventually, Signing Time.

So at a very young age, Dindin was exposed to music. She can sing with the right tones and seems to exhibit an interest in playing musical instruments. We sure hope that we can afford to send her to a good music teacher so that she can learn to play the instrument of her choice.

When she was around a year old, she was interested in the drums. Eventually, it was the keyboard, and now the guitars. We would not be surprised if she will want to take guitar lessons and eventually handle any of those taylor electric guitars.

For now, we just expose her to different things so that she will have choices later on regarding where her preferences like. She also likes to pretend playing music and singing whenever she can.

Tweet

68b06ca05ff0b8e0403b72b4fcf204c3

There are things that a nanny or a babysitter should not do to a child in public. Sometimes the nanny does not know so it is best to give them a briefing before they start work. Or just refresh them, in case they go overboard in their care giving. Sometimes, nannies can get too involved with the child that they forget their place.

These are some of the things that a babysitter should not do in public. I am also thinking of hiring a sitter for Dindin so this is also good for me.

1. Change Diapers – While it may seem that children are unaware of what is being done to them, I think it affects them when we undress them in public, especially if you put them on a table in a mall and just change their nappies right there and there with their private parts all displayed. The nanny should bring the baby to the family restroom and change nappies there.

2. Berate Kids – Berating or belittling kids has never been appropriate, both for parents and nannies. This is both in public and private situations because hurtful words have a certain negative effects on the child that could not be quantified.

3. Physical Punishment – While hurtful words are not good, spanking, hitting, or slapping a child are not appropriate for nannies to do. And the thing is, if she does it in public, then she could do worse things in private.

4. Ignore Rules Set by Parents – Each household follows a certain set of rules and babysitters should abide by it. For example, parents have set the foods that their children should or should not eat. Nannies should not ignore that because sometimes it is for health reasons.

5. Claim the Kids as Her Own – I have watched a Filipino movie where the babysitter got so attached to the child that girl already calls the nanny as “Nanay” or “Mother”. But in a public setting, the nanny should never claim that it is her child when asked by others.

6. Complain About Her Employers – There is already enough confusion about the roles of parents and babysitters, especially in homes where the parents are mostly away. Talking against their bosses to other people in front of the children will contribute to that already complicated situation. Sometimes, the kids are torn about their loyalty.

7. Take on Parental Roles When Parents are Present – The nanny should never show people that they are being obeyed by the kids more than the parents when they are seen in public together. Sometimes, babysitters have a tendency to “upstage” the parents.

8. Leave Kids Unattended – Nannies should always remember that the kids are their foremost responsibility. I have seen “yayas” who talk on their mobile phones or talk incessantly while the child is playing. Anything can happen for one minute that the child is unattended. And they should never leave kids in public places to go to the bathroom or to buy something. That is a no-no. The child could wander off, or worse, kidnapped.

9. Leave Kids with Strangers – In the same way, nannies should never leave the kids in their care to strangers like in the park or in school. Who knows what kinds of people these are.

10. Expose Children to Situations Not Suitable for Kids – The nanny should never bring a child to a place where their alcohol, drugs, s3x, violence, foul language, and scary pictures. This includes movie theaters.

Tweet

aecd869385fe94513688e58f504c0f91

While Papa was filling up the car at the gas station, Mama and Dindin had a little photo shoot. We were both wearing sunglasses at that time so it was a nice photo opp. Look at her nails!

There were really difficult moments last year between Dindin and me. I adjusted to my work at home schedule yet in the end, I felt so stressed and harassed that all my frustrations are usually poured out on Dindin. Every little mistake gets reprimanded rather severely. I was always in a bad mood.

While I resigned after four months, the moodiness continued as I kinda struggled to recoup the income lost because of quitting my part-time job.

Thankfully, God has rehabilitated my work at home stint while at the same time giving me more opportunities to spend quality time with Dindin.

Almost immediately that I changed my attitude and the way I handled Dindin, she also seemed to change overnight. She responded well to positive stimuli more than anger or punishment. Well, of course, there are lapses, but we generally have more peaceful and happier days together.

And a lot of times, she would just look at me with eyes full of love and say, “I love you, Mama.” And I would answer back, “Awww…I love you, too, Baby.”

What I learned? There are just some things you cannot get by force but rather by gentle persuasion. At least, I am successful most of the time.

*******************

Speaking of success, you might be interested in buying cheap morgan dollars for investment. It is a great way to pay off debts or to save up for the future.

I will have to look at more investment opportunities if our finances will allow it.

Tweet

f196e2db048e67ceb18c4538bbb0bf5c

An Elmo birthday party with all the mascots of Jollibee!

We attended a birthday party last week with the Elmo theme. It was held in a rented venue but little did we know that they invited guest entertainers. And these were the entire cast of Jollitown! Yep! Jollibee and his friends Popo, Yum, Hetty, and Twirlie were present.

The kids, especially Dindin, were very happy. She danced with them and posed with the kids to have their picture taken. In the photo above, can you spot Dindin? Wow it would really be nice to have all the mascots in one birthday party because Dindin loves them.

Anyway, if you hold a party at Jollibee, you are allowed one character appearance. For additional characters, that would be P1000 per character. During Dindin’s 2nd birthday, we were allowed to have Twirlie as per our request, and it was given to us for free because of the amount that we paid. Sometimes, all it takes is some negotiation.

The party above, however, was one of a kind and we were just happy to be a part of it. We missed the characters during their Chinese New Year stint but here, they came to us! LOL

Tweet

2b2ddd57928118851cfd74424276b60c

Dindin's tutudress outfit for her birthday.

Special thanks to Mommy Rubz of Pinay Mommy Online, Dindin has a nice new outfit for her third birthday. We got this from the mail this week. She ordered it from Charlotte Victoria and it just looks wonderful!

And of course, Dindin absolutely loved it! Thankfully, she understood that we only had to fit the dress but she had to take it off so that it will still look good on her actual birthday.

We are going to have a simple party at my parents’ house. We will be celebrating with other couples from our cell group who also have kids as well as our families. What I would like to give Dindin is a thematic birthday party, even if it is just a small one. So I am so happy that it will be fulfilled. She is going to have a Tinkerbell party! Next week, I will be meeting Honey Grace of Honey Cakes for Dindin’s birthday cake. It was an exchange deal that we had before and thank God we could still use it. I am just soooo excited.

And I think my parents are more excited than me because they had done so many changes in their house. They only thing that they did not get is a barrel bolt. But the garden looks so much different as well as the outside of the fence. Right now, I am not even what color is our roof! LOL

Oh well, tomorrow, I will start preparing the games and favors. Yippee!!!

Tweet

e621c8a93c6e654f9994c40ef4185cb9

Building a city with Dindin.

One of our favorite activities at home is building. We have a collection of many puzzle shapes that we make into things. We like building cities complete with hospital, church, city hall, plaza, factory, restaurant, and school.

Then Dindin and I would take out her little dolls and accessories and little cars and pretend living in the city. Sometimes we make a castle and pretend that we have prince and princesses going around, doing their royal duties.

It is fun doing this and it is also like my therapy to build things. I cannot be idle so even when I am resting, I need to do something. LOL This is part of our playtime fun.

Tweet

e13dc19d5a0637d04644e783f96f65b3

Dindin relaxes on a pink Disney Princess folding chair. Look at the pink nail polish on her toes!

Right now, I would really appreciate some time to rest and relax in the woods. Why there? That is because in the woods, there is no air pollution, minimal noise pollution as well as little light pollution. That way, I can breathe in fresh air, avoid loud noises of city life, and appreciate the multitude of stars in the night sky.

Then when I will retire for the night, it would be great to lie down on one of those nice log beds with comfortable cushions for that rustic feel. The next day, it will be so cold when you wake up that it would be nice to make a hot cup of cocoa or coffee.

Ahhh…that would be heavenly. Well, if only I can rest and relax like my little darling above. She is just so comfy in her nice chair. And she poses here like she has no problems at all (not that she has LOL).

Well, that is the life of a young child. We parents work so that we can also give the childhood that our children deserve. Not one that is filled with days of work even at a young age.

But I still wish for that R and R some time soon.

Tweet

1ff4aaef02230bc2f388d589a70ff387

A photo of Blue Ivy Carter, daughter of Jay-Z and Beyonce

Music giants Beyonce and Jay-z have released a photo of their daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, for everyone to see through their family blog. No, they did not sell the photos to magazines for mega million bucks, unlike other celebrities.

I am not sure if this move is to quiet down rumors about Beyonce’s pregnancy and the intrigues during her childbirth, but well, let us enjoy the photo of the one-month-old baby. And wait, who do you think the baby looks like? teehee

I just want to say–I love the thick hair!

Tweet

5797d360226df17847dd6def6a7698c3

Sending your child to a CT daycare center is a good option especially if you work and you have no one to look after your child. If you are located in Connecticut then you can choose from several Appletree daycare centers. These Connecticut day care centers provide child care services that are home-inspired so that your child feels secure and comfortable.

Hence, there is no reason for you not to have an area in your house that provides the same comfortable, safe, and secure learning environment. Below are some things that you can find in a daycare center which you can easily put in your own home.

• Books. It is always good to surround your child with age-appropriate books and make sure to read one to your child every day. This will help your child develop a love for reading and will also make it more fun for him or her to learn how to read.
• Puzzles. Do not underestimate the abilities of your child when it comes to puzzle solving. The more a child is exposed to such activities, the better he can develop his puzzle solving skills. Just make sure that the puzzles are appropriate for his age also.
• Arts and Craft. This is one thing that many kids do not get to do at home because of the mess that it usually entails. However, it will be good for a child to have ready access to a small arts and crafts area where mess will not be a problem. Arts and crafts activities will help develop your child’s fine motor skills.

Tweet

49154720c0494f137e07a8de48ea35ac

At the Circle Inn changing room after a morning of swimming, taken yesterday, February 4.

My Dearest Dindin,

It has been quite some time since I have written a letter to you. So many things have happened in you and to you. You have grown and matured a lot. In fact, you will be three years old already in about a month. And Mama has already started preparing for your third birthday party with a Tinkerbell party theme.

In the past several months, we have a fought a lot. It was a battle of wits and wills always. Your Papa and I are always stressed and in the end, you will go to your Papa for comfort. But lately, I thank the Lord because it seems that He has changed something in me that Mama has become more patient towards you. And the result, you have also become more obedient to Mama.

Strange as it may seem but the fact is, you wanted gentle coaxing and loving care–not stern punishment in order to wield obedience from you. It was Mama’s mistake, Din.

But all those times that we fought and Mama shouted at you or hurt you unnecessarily, Mama has asked for forgiveness from God and from you. And every time, you would look up to see with your innocent eyes and say gently, “Okay. Don’t do it again.” My heart is crushed. But thank you, because you have such a forgiving heart. You have been like that since you were little.

I continue to thank God for you and ask Him to remind me that you are a symbol of His grace to us. After all, your name, Shawna, means “The Lord is Gracious.”

This year, Mama is thinking of giving you a lot of opportunities to make summer memories. You are already older and can remember a lot of things already. So this is going to be one fun and long summer for our family.

I love you so much, Dindin. Papa and Mama both do.

God bless you!

Lovingly,
Mama

Tweet

51b1cbb6ada53d3de40b5f53e790d951

I am a stay at home mom with a more than full-time career. I have a a two-year-old without a baby sitter.

And as such, I barely have time for myself, let alone time to do the housework. Well, I do them, but not routinely, only when it is badly needed.

The things that I am required to do would be to clean the toilet and bathroom, mop the floor, clean the surfaces, and wash pretty much everything here and there. And well, I do not do the laundry and ironing–all I need to do is to put the clothes inside our cabinet, but I could not even do it!

Darn, I sometimes thing that I would rather be doing them. However, I have to prioritize. I need to work and earn a living so that’s why I don’t mind it when things seem topsy turvy. However, there will really be a point in time that I could not take it anymore and so I will get up and do them. Then I would feel better again–at least for a few days.

It can get pretty dusty here in the room that the best thing to do is to wipe surfaces at least every other day. Oh well…I try…

Tweet

e75b5ff5d05627b52bfc38042605fa90

Every thing is a learning opportunity for Dindin. Last time, we were malling at SM and we passed by the bridge way where there was a Casio shop selling keyboards.

There was a unit there with keys that light up. It was actually for beginners so that you can just follow the light and learn to play a song. Dindin could barely reach up the keyboard but she tried and looked like a pro player of a casio keyboard! Too bad the place was small so I did not have space to maneuver and take a nice photo of her.

Dindin is really quite musical. She seems to like percussion instruments. But lately, she developed a liking for the guitar and keyboard. We will never really know unless we send her to get some training. We will see.