An Answered Prayer?

Well, someone from the office must have read this OR maybe the angels must have answered back my office rants.

We're having a Christmas party cum exchange gifts today at lunchtime!

I hope we'll have a blast (not really).

P.S. Sorry guys and gals if I have not blogged regularly. It's just that I'm in a middle of a whirlwind right now. Just so much going on right now and I can't focus!

Anyways, Merry Christmas to you all in advance.

Don't read. Just toooooo cheeeessssy!

Can’t help smiling.

A mail just came into my office Inbox.

Hubby sent me a message, a sweet one in fact, saying (verbatim):

“Happy Monthsary bebs.mwah.iloveU”

Ehem! I am so touched. Pinch me please please! Haha!

Since we got married 32 months ago, we actually have stopped giving each other the “monthsary greetings” which is on the 15^th of the month. And now, all of a sudden, hubby has sent me this message of love. Just out of the blue. I didn’t even realize it was “our day”.

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Anyways, on a side note, we celebrated KA’s 11^th month last night over a takeaway Il Forno pizza and some Texas Fried chicken. He was happy indeed but lacks manners because he’s adamant in trying to grab my pizza! What a strong kid. He would wrestle his way to anything he wants. Love him though.

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P.S. Just so you want to know, I replied back to hubby with an “iloveyoutoo” note.

And so, Christmas is on its way!



[Source]


I can hear and see Christmas coming. At the office, each department has its own Christmas tree and decors. Most of them are having also the ever popular Christmas parties and gift-giving to secret Santas. I have volunteered myself to be a part of our media division’s party and gift-giving ceremonies because our own division is just so flaky icky dry when it comes to such events. I don’t blame them much. I do understand that due to religious affiliations, most of them do not celebrate the holiday season the way Christians do.

It’s just that, we are an advertising agency and we’re supposed to be an all-rounder when it comes to such festivities. Anyway, enough of the office rants.

For us Christians, it’s the most festive season of the year. The more I miss home because of this. I am a bit worried with my Mom (although she kept on reassuring me that she’ll be okay) since this is the first time that she’ll spend Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) to someone else’s home. My sisters have flown to US two days ago so it means my Mom is all alone. Although my younger brother is in the Philippines right now for his Christmas vacation, he’ll be spending most of his time with his wife’s family. Mom says that she’s planning to spend Christmas day with my brother’s in-laws. I hope she'll enjoy. I know that she misses us so much.

I’m just feeling sad that all of us in our family got separated at this family-oriented celebration. My Papa and two sisters are in the US, I am here in UAE, my brother and Mom in the Philippines.

I miss them so much.

I don’t want to be emotional and I’m still here in the office so I just can’t be seen crying here.

At home, it’s still very plain and gloomy. No Christmas decors or Christmas songs. We just moved in last Friday so it’s still a huge mess. Our shelving units and TV are not yet fixed. And we haven’t decided until now how to arrange the huge sofas (they took a lot of space in the living room). Another thing is we haven’t bought our dining table and chairs yet. And lastly and most importantly, our gas connection is not yet done, which means we can’t cook anything yet (except for the rice because we have a rice cooker anyway) and we just have to satisfy ourselves with oily icky take-aways for the next 5 or so days.

Give me another week or two. Or maybe just in time before Christmas, we’ll be able to finish everything.

Please wish me luck.

And for the rest of you, enjoy shopping for your gift list coz I don’t think I can do my own shopping anymore.

Remember me on your list okay? Haha!

Uber Xcited!




Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi

 

I am going to see Roger Federer!

Super duper excited for this event.

I bought tickets for the Day 2 and 3 games.

A New Year gift to myself and hubby.

Can't wait!!!!!

I Am Cramming!

[Source]

I wish I’m a wonder woman so I can carry heavy furniture and be able to move our things in just a snap.

I wish I am The Flash so I can move fast enough to multi-task and be finished in shifting before Friday (quite impossible!).

I wish I have Hermione Granger’s Time Turner so I can work full time at the office and be doing the arrangements and interiors of our new home at the same time.

Gaaaahhh!!!

I know I’m just cramming. I thought that last week’s four-day holiday will give us enough time to move to the new flat so we can sleep there on the 10^th (Friday) without too much fussing and cleaning about. Here is a time-line of my happenings since last week:

29 November (Monday): Sneaked out from our lunch time to go to Jebel Ali. Bought a second hand sofa for 600 Dirhams. Not bad for one 3-seater and one 2-seater beige sofa. The problem is that we bought it miles and miles away from Sharjah. And we have to arrange for the pick-up on Sunday from Green Community West.

30 November (Tuesday): Signing of the tenancy contract with our property agent, issuing postdated cheques (for the agency fees, SEWA deposit, municipality fees and rent)

02 December (Thursday): Scheduled to look out for furniture and stuffs but cancelled since Hubby is working even if it’s a holiday.

03 December (Friday): First thing in the morning, hubby and I went to our new flat to take measurements. Just so we would know the specifics of what to buy or not. By 11am, we’re on our way to Sahara Mall (still in Sharjah) to look at the sale offers in Home Centre. We saw a nice computer table there. At 2.30pm we took an Arabic lunch at the food court. We reached IKEA Dubai at 4pm. Saw this really nice red shelving unit and thought of buying it. We listed down the things we wanted to buy but ended up with buying only the shoe rack, some candles and some kitchen stuffs. We decided to just come back on another day for the shelving units because they won’t fit into the cab. At past 8 in the evening, we saw ourselves struggling with the baby and our shopping stuffs on our way to Karama where we will have to buy our bed. A done deal was made for a king-size bed and a mattress for 800 Dirhams. We went home tired and hungry!

04 December (Saturday): This day, we went to Sharaf DG to use my 100 Dirham voucher since it will expire on the 16^th of December. We managed to buy a rice cooker and a microwave plus a free 100 Dirham voucher (again!). We used both vouchers and from the total price of 340 Dirhams, we only cashed out 140 Dirhams. Sweet! After that, we ate our dinner and headed to Carrefour at Sharjah City Centre. We bought a TV with a free touch-screen cellphone, a gas cooker, a fridge and a washing machine. By the time we finish, it was almost 12 midnight! Another tiring day.

05 December (Sunday): It’s a no working holiday for me and a one-day leave for hubby. At early morning, Hubby left home at 8am to meet the pick-up driver at Satwa Dubai. They are going to pick up the sofa I bought at Jebel Ali. After that, they headed to IKEA to buy that shelving unit we’ve been eyeing since Friday. We’ve got the truck so why not maximize the use. We rented it for 300 Dirhams. Quite cheap already if you ask me, and that includes the labor too. They arrived at 11am in our new flat where I was waiting. We did the carpentry work for the shelving units and the center table and some cleaning until 5pm. And knowing how OC my hubby is, we only managed to finish cleaning the kitchen and the master bathroom. By this time, my back has gone missing with too much pain.

06 December (Monday): Deliveries of the appliances arrived! Since we’re back to work already, I have asked my babysitter to take the receipts to the security guard so he can receive the items. It’s a relief that the admin of the building were so nice when it comes to assisting their tenants.

07 December (Tuesday): After work, I went to an Etisalat branch in Sharjah City Centre to apply for an internet, landline and cable TV connection. At 10pm, our bed set was delivered and assembled at the new flat. It was huge!

08 December (Wednesday): I went to the new flat to wait for the internet guys. The appointment time is at 8pm and while waiting, I washed the new dinner wares, took out the microwave and rice cooker from their boxes, and inspect the appliances delivered. Etisalat came in our new flat at 9pm for the installation of the internet and landline. The cable TV connection will come in another appointment day. I came home at 9.30pm, almost the same time as hubby. After eating our dinner, we packed some of our clothes, shoes and other stuffs to prepare them for the big move!

09 December (Thursday): Oh! This is today right? We’re planning to move most of the small stuffs today. And that is if hubby comes home early from work. He usually comes late, like later than 9pm, so I’m not so sure if we can really do this tonight.

Sigh.

Big SIGH.

Tomorrow is the big day and there are STILL so much to do!

I’ll update you soon (with pictures) after we move in.

For now, wish us good luck.

Finally!

My eagerness has paid off.

We're moving to our new home on the 10th of December.

It is not that much but it's enough for our small family.

Hubby and I are sooooooooooo busy with work that looking for the right furniture and basic things drive us mad because we don't have enough time. Good thing that we are having a National holiday this week.

With a measly budget, it's really difficult to find the right bed or the right sofa. But we're hoping we could furnish our home with something relaxing, homey and happy!

I'll update you soon!

Bye for now!  =)

Wishful Thinking

I’m back at work.

Not much backlog though, which is good. I mean there were lots of things to be done right at my table but I’ve finished them up in no time. It’s not an easy job. Not a difficult one either. I think I have just become comfortable that things have become very “routine-like”.

Being an accountant, life is the same every month at the office. Same transactions, same amounts, same payments, same instructions, same reports. It’s boring not because I don’t have enough workload but because no matter how much or how many transactions I will have on my hands, it’s still the same job over and over. In short, it’s still BORING!

I miss the challenges of auditing. But I don’t think I can come back to it. For more than 2 years, I’m stuck with a boring job and I feel that I’ve been left behind with what’s new and latest in the auditing world. I am no expert in this field. Yet, I am so eager to learn and grow in it.

But maybe I am not so eager now because I have to turn my time into something ultra-productive: a 9-hour day job, a mom to KA, a Femme Candy entrepreneur, a wife and a cook.

I have friends who have started taking up the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) exam and they were doing great. They are single, they have money and they have TIME.

I dream to have another job that is more challenging but not too time-consuming as I need extra time to take care of our home and KA. But I do hope that it will be something not so-accounting but better pay. Haha!

That’s just me.

The 3D's

No. This is not about 3D as in three-dimensional thingies.

I have decided to write about my own 3 D's, which I am experiencing while on vacation.

Dilemma

I suppose, being a mom and a wife requires so much: time, energy, wits and luck (anything you can add?). Anyway, here are the things that keep on nagging me about my first D:

1. My cooking skills is being challenged. Staying at home also means being responsible for the meals of the day. I really don't care about my breakfast (which I usually skip) or lunch. I am not too picky when I'm at home because I am naturally-born lazzzzzzzzy (I just felt the need to emphasize it with too much Z's). I usually eat what was left behind from the other night or just pop out some instant noodles. So the thing is, dinner is always a dilemma to me. I know I can cook but I'm losing the creativity in cooking. What I mean is, I can't think of any fresh idea to cook for dinner. It's always giving me a headache. I have searched the internet and the more it gives me options that are not viable due to limited variety of veggies and meat available here. I'm not sure if this is just me, making this whole thing as a pain to my own neck.
2. Having a nanny is good even while I'm on vacation because it gives me time to be all by myself. Some times I do what a good mom does when she's at home: taking care of her child. But this makes me think that the nanny is paid on full salary while I AM DOING HER JOB.  So I give her the full task on her hands: changing nappies, feeding, sleeping, playing, bathing etc. I, on the other hand, have the time of my life watching Glee marathons and Survivor Philippines re-runs. And that makes me feel GUILTY. I know that the presence of the nanny is of no-excuse because being a mom needs no day-off. I just realized that I need some time-outs just to reflect, refresh and re-energize. And that's the time my nanny comes in to help me out with KA.
3. I am super glad that hubby got a job and right now, he's really busy with work, work, work. But so much things have changed since he got the job. He works in Dubai, which is the neighboring emirate of our residence, Sharjah. Ideally, going to the other emirates takes only 15-20 minutes of your time. But since traffic jams have become a normal day-to-day thing on weekdays, travel time is up to 45 minutes, at the least. And that's just in the morning. Come evening time, traffic is heavier even until 11pm. I myself travel for one hour and 15 minutes, at the least, during the evening when going home from work. And here's the dilemma, hubby stays at the office until 9pm and gets home by around 10pm or past that. For hubby, this means less time for me and KA. Plus, he takes home some work too! By the time we are down at 12, we even haven't talked that much about our plans of moving out in a new flat. And this takes me to my fourth dilemma.
4. We can't move out until January. I just knew it! I know that one of the reasons why this is not pushing through is because of the lack of planning and communication in our small family. I plan all the time. As in, with most of my spare time, I keep a file of our budgets, expenses and income. I am an accountant and I just can't help being one even in our domestic premises. Hubby is also an accountant but he's a guy and I do understand that he's not into this kind of things, budgeting and all those things. I have to admit it. I do get disappointed in him sometimes because of his lack of interest. Whenever I bring out the subject of moving out, he'll always tell me that we are not yet ready financially. When I give him the option that we can take a bank loan, he'll tell me that with the loan money, instead of getting our own place, why not use it to partially pay out our property (which was purchased through the financing of a bank back home in the Philippines). And now, he's telling me that if I am really keen in moving out to a new place, why not search a cheap one in Dubai, and that is just impossible. Did I say that a 1-bedroom flat in Dubai will cost us at least forty grand in one year? Fact: A one-bedroom flat here in Sharjah will only cost us around twenty-five grand.

Disaster

I hope that my litany doesn't turn you off in reading my blog. This is just my second D but I'll keep it short and simple. Haha.

1. In the duration of my vacation, there were already two instances where dinner was a big DISASTER. The first one, if I remember it right, was about something I cooked which was matabang (means bland). Hubby and I have different taste buds and it freaks me out sometimes because when I cook the meal of the day, it tastes so salty for me already. But when hubby comes to taste it, it's still bland. What to do? The second one was when I bought some frozen tilapia. I was so excited in preparing it grilled-stuffed-style. I have minced onions, bell peppers and tomatoes and mixed them all up with soy sauce, some oyster sauce, pepper and salt. I stuffed them laboriously inside the tilapia bellies and fried them. The smell was just really nice and I thought that dinner will be a perfect one. Dinner time came and hubby got the taste of my masterpiece. I just can't forget the fact that he just tasted it once or twice, then never again. Hubby's Reason: frozen tilapia doesn't taste as good as the fresh ones. I gave the rest of the disaster-pieces (there were 3 tilapias) to our flatmates. I did not eat one because it just hurt me big time. (By the way, while I'm writing this, hubby gets a glimpse of this and he's just laughing it out. It's okay. That was already behind us. Although now, I really get anxious with what I am cooking for the next dinner meals since that last event gave me a phobia in cooking. Thanks for losing my confidence.)

 Delight

Oh, how I long to be on this subject since my headstart gave me a flashback of the not-so-good things in my life. But this third D is just as simple and short because that's just how I relish the delight I have in them.

1. I did say that having a nanny while I am on vacation is a good thing. That delights me, a lot! Else, I won't be able to handle KA all on my own. Who will do the laundry, the dishes, the cooking? The nanny just takes care of KA and that's it. I'm afraid that if I ask her to do all the above, she'll ask for an increment. And I just can't.
2. Glee marathons. I just love Glee. I enjoy the singing and all the drama behind it. I'm a frustrated singer but I love music. I need Glee to update me with my interests in life which is music. Ever since I have come in this country, got a job, got pregnant and gave birth, I have had no extra time to update our songlist in our laptop. Did you know that I don't even have an MP3? I know that Glee may not update me with all the music trends going on around the globe but it's enough for me now.
3. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown. I'm rooting for Aubrey Miles because I think that she plays it well. When I can't watch the live telecast through this site or this site, I look for the uploaded ones and watch them on my time-outs with KA.
4. And lastly, but certainly not the least, what most delights me is spending time with KA. He has grown taller and heavier but I still carry him when I lull him to sleep. It's hardwork but I just take it as a regular exercise: dancing him in my arms till he falls asleep. It's bliss when I look on his face, innocently beautiful in his slumber.

Ooopppssss! It's past 1am already. I'm still wide awake. So is KA. Hubby is already sleepy and we still need to wake up early for KA's Friday morning walk in the park. Wish us goodluck there.

Happy weekend everyone!

The Good and The Bad

The Good: Officially, it's my first day of my 2-week vacation. Actually, it already started last Friday, which is the first day of the weekend.

The Bad: I did not have enough sleep, which is explained below. I forgot to wash my face this morning and apply that Rejuvinating Day Cream. Horrible, right? Another horrible thing is having more prominent dark circles around my eyes. I'm officially a zombie.

The Good: It's actually really really nice spending time with KA, even if he was a bit more cranky than usual, a bit more cry-baby than usual, a bit more clingy than usual. He's sick and he needs constant assurance that someone is always out there to comfort him, love him and give him kisses. If I am not on vacation, I am not so sure if I can take an absence of work. That would certainly break my heart. So this is a good thing. Am I being redundant? Haha.

The Bad: Our KA is not feeling well. He's having colds. For the duration of the night, KA and I were like zombies, we both feel very sleepy, and yet, we can't. I spent the night carrying him in my arms, lulling him to sleep, sitting him and myself in a lounge chair (to prevent me from knocking myself out while standing). So all is okay for the next five minutes when suddenly, KA would burst into tears plus some loud howling because he realizes that we are sitting and NOT standing. HE JUST KNOWS even without opening an eyelid. We ended up sleeping for just two hours, tops!

The Good: The babysitter arrived to help me out with KA. I decided that even if I am on my vacation, the babysitter stays regularly during the day. For one, KA has grown so much that my frail little body won't be able to sustain carrying his weight all the time or controlling him when I wash him when he's pooped. Well, a lot of mommies might frown upon this. You see, I've tried doing these things alone when hubby is at work on Saturdays (which is also the sitter's off). And if I remember it too well, it was a total chaos when KA pooped. I was wiping away the slimy smelly creamy thing on his behind and KA doesn't mind what I'm doing because even if I give him all his toys or anything that can entertain him, he would still turn on his side, right or left, then tries to crawl out away from me. Good thing that we do it on the floor, else, if he's on a changing table, he must have fell. Anyways, so he crawls away from me and there, the poop stains his shirt, the floor, the changing mat, his toys. And the worst thing has to come when we are on the tub to clean and wash because we ended up all wet. So really, the babysitter and I will be helping hand in hand in taking care of KA.

The Bad: Tonight might be a repeat of last night. Not having enough sleep and KA being cranky because his nose are clogged. Goodluck for tonight!

The Good: Of course, I'd like to end this with something that made me smile. Here's a picture of KA last Saturday when he woke up from his afternoon nap (just before the onset of his colds). He's just adorably cute.

The Halloween Party Pictures

Here's a glimpse of what happened at the office.

Lots of interesting costumes.

Thanks Florence for the pictures!

Oh no! All the pizzas gone?!

The Treats (at the reception area)

One of the witches

The Office?






Lots of people at the poolroom



Of course, I need someone to take a picture of me as souvenir.
Sorry for the hair. It's just baaaaddd!

 



What's Happening on the 31st of October?

It’s the last day of the month.

And unlike in the Philippines, this side of the world is more concerned with Halloween parties and Trick or Treats than on remembering our loved ones who had gone to heaven. Well, I’m not even sure if they’ve got cemeteries here coz if there are, I wouldn’t know where. Maybe out on the desert?

Here in the Middle East, I think that Halloween is really not a national or regional festivity not like in Europe or in the US. But since most of the population is of expatriates, through the years, some companies, families and communities have also started to partake on the celebration.

Last weekend, we went to Spinneys to buy some stuff. Even at supermarkets, the festivity is very obvious. On the veggie stands, you can see the different sizes of pumpkins and also different textures and shapes, made into Jack-o’-lantern. I even saw this odd-looking pumpkin with so many bumps and lumps on its skin. It’s already “kadiri” (yucky) just looking at it.

Anyway, here in the office, the media division of the company will have a “pizza lunch party” later in the afternoon PLUS a costume party. Of course, no one will dare to let themselves look stupid with scary Halloween costumes unless there’s a prize. A top management official is giving away cash prizes for those brave enough to shame themselves. Even I can’t wait to see them. A colleague sitting next to me is wearing an all-black ensemble. She showed us this morning her tall witchy-pointy hat which she’ll put on later. She told us she wants to look scary but “No”, we told her, “you look cute”.

Most of the accounts/finance people are not participating since this is a really busy month-end-closing-week. I haven’t seen the other guys and gals on the other side of the building (also part of the media division) but I hope there will be lots to see of them (costumes).

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In the Philippines, I remember visiting our departed loved ones on this day, as we try to avoid the crowd and the horrendous traffic on the day itself (November 1). Now this reminds me to light our candles tomorrow evening. Plus a little prayer for their souls.

How about you? How do you remember your departed loved ones?

Happy Halloween!



Jack-o'-lantern [Source]

Pick Your Price (Tag)

Most moms like me, who are busy with work, baby and household chores, often ignore tag prices when shopping for groceries. Especially if at the expense of comfort. Like preferring to shop at Spinneys which is just some thirty meters away compared to Carrefour which is a cab and a ten-dirham-drive away from our home.

For instance, I buy baby milk every one or two weeks. We usually go to Carrefour which has cheaper commodities but there are times when we forgot that our supply has gone and that Spinneys is the next best thing. I would say that a big difference is coming out when buying at Spinneys. Promil Gold is higher by 5 dirhams compared to Carrefour, which is quite a lot.

This morning I saw in the Xpress online news feature about a survey held on top supermarkets in the UAE.

Six supermarkets were compared: Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Geant, Hyperpanda, Spinneys and Choithrams. And in that order, the first one is of course the cheapest on most products of groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy, toiletries, cleaning agents and other common household items. [Source: Xpress Gulfnews]

What really surprised me is, I never thought that Choithrams will come out as the most expensive one, because we also do some of our shopping there. It’s a block farther than Spinneys in King Faisal Road. Hubby would sometimes prefer shopping at Choithrams since some grocery items are cheaper than in Spinneys. I like Spinneys better because of the ambiance and the fresh fruits and veggies and it’s nearer (blame it on the tired feet), although I do admit that the price tags are almost the priciest. But if you ask me and hubby for what we will vote for as the best, it would be Carrefour. There is a very wide variety including books, electronics, household equipments, clothes. It’s like a mini-mall inside the mall. And they always go on sale.

I haven’t gone to Lulu, Geant or Hyperpanda but I’ve heard mixed reviews from my friends and officemates.

And thanks to the survey. I should put it into good use so I can save more.

Weekend is just a few hours away on this side of the world.

Happy weekend!

Juana Change - RH Bill: WHICH SIDE ARE YOU?

PRAYER FOR FAMILY

Heavenly Father, most Gracious, and Loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly bless my family and me. I know that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in You. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in You is more powerful than anything. I thank You in advance for Your blessings.

Father God, deliver the person reading this right now from debt and debt's burdens. Release Your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey You and walk in Your Word and have the faith of a mustard seed that You will pour out blessings. I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come because I know You are not done with me yet.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Thanks to Leni for this wonderful prayer she sent me yesterday.

The Bed, The Playground and The Pillow

 The Bed and The Playground (errr, maybe The Playground only)



Warning: This is not a bed. This is a playground.



Here is KA ruling us out on our bed. He seems to enjoy it by himself. Before, we usually buy him a toy or two every weekend. We are not spoiling him but he just gets bored with his toys that are more than a week old.

Well, due to practical reasons, we stopped buying him new ones. So what we do, we keep some of his toys for two weeks so he will miss them. I'm not really sure if that works because he knows his toys and cushions by the smell (and taste?) of them.


The Pillow

See that green and grey square pillow? That's his favorite one. He can always take fancy on his new toys or new pillows but he will eventually ignore them and take delight with this green and grey "elephant" pillow. He won't be able to sleep unless he snuggles it or at least touches it.






Clockwise from top left: 1. KA sleeping 2. KA posing for the picture 3. That's me when I was 8 months pregger at Dubai Airport waiting for my flight 4. KA standing up (goes to his cream cabinet) with his pillow

 
This pillow was my constant companion when I was pregnant. I would bring it everywhere when I travel and I also put in on my belly when I sleep. It has given me comfort when my big bulging belly feels heavy on my side. Maybe that is the reason behind KA's fascination and connection to this pillow.

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Love you so much KA. You can pretty much make our whole room as your playground as long as you are happy. But please, stop putting to your mouth anything you grab. Even our floor gets sticky now with your drool.

LOL

I Wish It's November Already

Ahhhh…today will be a busy day.

Actually, the following days until the first week of next month, I will be faced with month-end requirements, reports, blah blah blah.

I’m already excited for my 2-week vacation next month.

Yay!

Will only be spending it locally because:

1.       Even if I still have my annual ticket, I have opted not to use it this year. Since it is transferrable, I could use it for my mom when she visits here on January (still tentative).

2.       I miss taking care of my KA. Although I have 2 days off every week, I just feel that it is not enough to take care of my little one. Even at work, I constantly think of him. He’s got a nanny, but that doesn’t mean I can trust her 120%. Yes, it should be 120%! I am not cruel. I just want the best for my baby.

3.       We’re on a tight budget. Hubby just started with work, after playing babysitter for 2 months to KA. And coming home to Philippines also means spending MORE money. PLUS: Monthly bills don’t take vacation when we are on vacation.

4.       I need a break. It has been a little bit more stressful these months. My workload increased (I am not complaining because it is better to be busy with work than just “trying to be busy with nothing”). It’s just that, added workload at the office doesn’t go nice with added responsibilities at home. Can I just complain about my lower back pain today? It really does hurt when I bend.

5.       And lastly, I would like to feel, even for only two weeks, how it is being a stay-at-home-mom. I’d love it if it’s for good. But no, not right now. Maybe when we got richer. We need at least 10 million pesos. Too much? LOL

My Weekly BabyCenter Mail

Today, I received this in my mailbox:

BabyCenter had been very useful to me even while I was pregnant. I receive weekly updates and tips from them not only for my baby but also for me as a mommy. They give you updates and guides on how your baby develops on a weekly basis: physically, emotionally and psychologically. Most of them makes me understand KA's current behavior and actions.


For example, last night when I came home, KA is playing in the next room with our flatmates. When he saw me, he immediately recognized me as his mommy and opened his arms towards me as if asking me to carry him. I can feel from the tightness of his grip that he had missed me so much so I cuddled him more and brought him to our room. I had to change my clothes for the homey ones so I laid him on the bed with his toys. But then I was surprised that he just ignored the colorful toy train, balls and blocks. Instead, he was trying to cling to me more. What a sweet baby, I told him. So I cuddled him more and showered him kisses this time, reassuring him that I'm not leaving him if he doesn't want me to.


So with my mail today from BabyCenter, it explains to me that KA begins to undergo a new phase in his development.


Separation Anxiety.


Sleeping at night is no longer a problem because he sleeps with us in our bed. KA used to go with anyone (even with complete strangers) who smiles at him. The past few days, it has become very obvious that even with the familiar ones (like those who live with us in the flat), KA gets very hesitant to come with them. He'll just look into you but then he won't come easily to you.


Has your baby experienced Separation Anxiety? How did you cope up?

What I'm Reading #1

Right now, it’s The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma.

I started two nights ago, trying to squeeze reading after KA sleeps and just before I doze off too. I am able to finish one and a half chapters in 15-30 minutes. Depending on how much time I feel awake and how many times I get interrupted by hubby.

I usually get engrossed by my reading, especially with the one I just finished last week: Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. This book won’t disappoint you, unless you’re not the type to read religion-related books. I am not that type too, but this book has something else. It’s not a self-help book regarding faith. It has life, it has reasons, it has values, it has everything else we try to ignore (at least, that’s how I interpret it to myself). There were moments of “Oh shoot! I’m like that!” or you thought of “I feel the same way” kind of things.

Oooppsss! Let’s stop there. I forgot all about The Monk already.

It’s pretty obvious that on the first three chapters, I already feel bored with it. Maybe because:

·         It’s not narrated on the first-person (I really love first-person narratives!)
·         The exciting parts are on the chapters after 3

·         I’m just tired from work that I can’t focus

·         It’s not an autobiography / memoir / chic lit / suspense / romance

·         It’s only a fable

·         I’m just plain bored with the book

·         I’m insensitive

Well I hope this impression will change tonight, when I read the next chapters after 3. Aha! I don’t want to lose hope. This book got so many good reviews that I want to give it a chance too.

Target date to finish The Monk: 24 October (2010, I guess?)

Baby Food: Broccoli and Banana Cheesy Shake

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a batchmate in Singapore. Just like me, she’s also a mom. I asked her if it’s difficult feeding her baby and if she can give me tips on what to give my KA. Something nutritious and healthy. She advised me to try porridge with chicken, pork or fish. But I’m a busy mom. I need something quick and easy.

I surfed the net for some useful easy-to-make or easy-to-cook meals for my baby. I wanted to incorporate dairy, veggies and meat on his meals and I was hoping I could come up with recipes that my babysitter can also prepare when I’m at work. I found so  many recipes which are just easy, so I compiled them all in just one file. I’m thinking of printing them out but it would be impossible to do it at the office without being caught. Maybe I’ll print one or two pages in a day. That would do for now.

Most of the recipes need pureeing.

I need a blender!

So last night, before going straight home, I dropped by Carrefour at City Center to find something cheap but with nice quality. I only have 110 UAE dirhams for cash as I don’t keep much in my wallet. I got a Kenwood Blender BL335 which costs 99 UAE dirhams, and it got a mill too. It’s already cheap compared to other brands that cost at least 140 UAE dirhams.

It’s already 8.00pm when I reached home. I’m already running late of preparing dinner for me and hubby, and also feeding KA. So here’s what I made for the baby:

Ingredients:

¼ kilo broccoli, boiled and cooked

2 bananas

Thin slices of cheese

2 scoops of KA’s formula milk

How To:

Just put everything in the blender and puree it to the consistency that your baby prefers. You can add water as you like.

I tasted it and it was yummy.

KA super liked it. I had made around 1 and half cups of it and he almost finished it. I got myself a small glass of the yummy shake as a left over.

Sorry for not having taken a picture of it as KA got very impatient whenever the spoon is not on his mouth. He had 4 servings of it!

How about you? What kind of meals do you prepare for babies under 12 months?

Being a Mom

It's the greatest thing ever.

It's something you can't complain of. You become the person you are not before. You tend to your little one like no other. With him, you've got more love, more patience, more smiles, more joy, more faith, more humor (even if I'm the most boring Mom ever!).

I have a lot of stories to tell. And this post can go on forever if you will let me.

Of course not. My baby/mommy tales will bore you if I narrate it all: long and boring. So here's one for a start.

Laughing Out Loud (LOL)

I have learned to do things I normally wouldn't, just to make him smile or just to hear him laugh. I tried to avoid being overly corny with my invented quirks or what I call "tactics", but for the sake of the baby, I tend to exaggerate everything: sounds, movements, facial expressions. I look funny, I know, but who cares. Well, hubby does laugh at me sometimes. I do laugh at hubby too because he does the same things. The difference is, he does it better. He's been with kids for most of his life as he had grown in a compound where all her brothers' and sisters' families live too. I would say, he's an expert in entertaining babies, and also taking care of them (diaper change, feeding, baby baths etc.).

There was a time when my baby was only 5 months old and I was carrying him, singing some lullabies and sweet nothings, when hubby entered the room calling out to me. Well enough, KA immediately became alert to hubby's voice, turning his head to where the male voice comes from. The moment KA saw his dad, he had smiled a big bunch. I was jealous! I wonder when will I have that kind of charisma my hubby has with the baby. KA is not like that to me. Maybe KA did for like very rare times. But with his dad, it is EVERY TIME. I know I shouldn't be jealous. Sorry but I just felt I'm being left out.

Anyway, that was 4 months behind me now. There are still a lot to learn in this journey me and hubby have as parents. Some are easy, some are difficult to deal with, and also some are in between. I realized that there are things that hubby can do, and I cannot. And other things that I CAN DO, but hubby cannot.

That will do for me now, as long as KA is happy.

I really hope he's happy.