Blooper on Day 2

tantan's original sched in uni is every wednesday, 1-5pm. when he went to his induction last week, he was told they changed the sched to 3-7pm. if you remember, tantan is just doing the part-time course so his classes are just once a week. but the rest of his class is doing full time so they are in school everyday.

last wednesday, technically his 2nd day in school, he went to his supposedly first class at 3pm. when he got to the classroom, he was surprised to find that there are mostly young girls (scantily dressed, as he excitedly informed me), which he havent seen before. he was sure he got the classroom right. he ignored that major fact and stayed until the prof talked to him (new face?). then he found out, he was in a FASHION class and nothing to do with his course (business IT, remember?). his sched was changed back again to the original one, 1-5, and he wasnt informed (the course director has his email and he knows tantan can only come to class once a week)!

he missed his first class but i dont think he minded. tsk tsk...

Sleeping On His Own

cayden has been sleeping on his own for a couple of months now. he used to sleep with tantan and i but since baby number 2 is on the way, we had to train him to sleep on his own bec baby#2 will be taking over his place =D

we said we'll train him once he's 1 yr old. but we waited till after a month later because when we came back here from our holiday in the phils, he went to nursery and we didnt want to add to the stress of being away from us gave him. my mom came end of june (cayden stopped going to nursery then) and soon after, we bought cayden his proper toddler bed (he didnt want to sleep in his old crib).

at first, we thought tantan and i would need to sleep with him in his room, take it one step at a time. but we were surprised that he slept without any hitch. he slept through till about 6am. we didnt get any sleep (mostly me) for the 1st week because any slight movement, i'd be up and in his room right away, which was really unnecessary. he would usually sleep through the night but wake up really early in the morning (around 5 or 6am). when he used to sleep with us, he'd sleep through till about 7 or 8am. no complaints there, anyhow. he's sleeping on his bed in his own room by himself.

but lately, he'd wake up in the middle of the night crying, asking for milk, and i guess, a cuddle. thing is, he would not stop until it's me who comes to him. my mom and tantan couldnt pacify him. i think he could sense that in the near future, there'll be competition for mommy's attention.

he sleeps at around 8:30pm. then would sleep through until around 3am.  i have to get up and give him some milk and a cuddle. then he'll go back to sleep but sometimes,  i'll ask tantan to just get cayden and bring him to our bed. bad practice, i know! to be honest, i miss him sleeping beside me. i miss smelling him when he's asleep. so i dont really mind him moving back to our bed. another reason is, im getting heavier and i dont feel much comfortable anymore. and lying down on his bed is not that comfortable (not that it's not soft or anything - it's just small for me =D). if tantan goes to cayden's room to attend to him, he'll just carry on crying until i come to the rescue.

i know we'll need to stop moving him back to our bed. but at the moment, it's convenient for me to just bring him there rather than get up twice to pacify him. i hope this is just a phase and once he sees there's no need to worry about mommy not having enough time for him when baby #2 comes, he'll feel more confident sleeping on his own again.

Counting Our Blessings

i know i whine a lot - i need more time... i want to travel some more... i want to buy these and that.. i feel tired.... i cant breathe.... but who doesnt? we are born whiners (or is it just me lol)! anyways, despite that, deep inside, im truly grateful at all the things god is blessing us with.

tantan is generally well, despite his diabetes. cayden is healthy and a happy toddler. another healthy baby on the way. my extended family, despite the distance, is still close, everyone healthy and safe. tantan and i have jobs and we can expect a regular monthly income. we dont have any debts, whatsoever (well, except for our mortgage =D) and we still can afford to finance a few small businesses in the philippines (2 taxis and probably another 1 on the pipeline - joint venture with a couple of tantan's brods. and a 2bed-condo unit in boni). cayden has 4 savings accounts (topped up monthly), which he will share with his brother when they're older. and despite our very tight budget, tantan and i can still afford to save a little on the side.

i know some people think we are well off but really, we just have enough for our everyday needs. we just know how to budget our money wisely (and tantan scrimps most of the time lol). yes, we can buy what we want (if we want to) but we try to ward off temptations (although sometimes i succumb to them!) because there are more important things to prioritise like our kids' future. we want them to have a good life and we want to set a good example - that spending their own hard-earned money is a lot more fulfilling than relying on other people's graces.

i just wish some people would stop thinking that we grow our own money on trees. not because we're overseas, we're floating in loads of cash. we have expenses too and it's really expensive to live here despite the salary being relatively high. we try to share whatever extras we have but really, our kids are our priorities now.

let's just all count our blessings and be happy and satisfied with what we have. afterall, we make our own fate. no one else to blame but ourselves. we make the decisions, we should live with the consequences.

Wrong Reaction

last night, tantan and cayden were playing upstairs. when they went back downstairs, tantan told us a funny story that cayden did while they were up. he said cayden found his insulin pen (dont worry, no needle!). he was amused and surprised when cayden lifted his shirt up and was trying to poke his tummy with the pen, just like what tantan does whenever he takes his shots.

so when we went up, i wanted to see for myself. i gave him the pen and again, he lifted his shirt up and poked his belly with it. me and my mom were so amused we just laughed at what he did. but he thought we were laughing at him and that what he did was wrong (well, he shouldnt be doing it really, but like i was saying before, kids learn very quickly). normally, we would clap our hands to reward whatever cute, amusing or good thing he did. but we just laughed. his face was like, did i do something wrong... he was close to tears and though we tried to clap when we realised this, it was too late. when we tried giving him the pen again, he just threw it away. tsk tsk... bad mommy and lola!

Back To Uni

tantan's going back to school. he'll be taking up masters in business information technology at southampton solent university. i dont have a clue to what it is but it's related to his current job (he's a web developer). he'll be doing it part time, with classes once a week, on a wednesday afternoon. it's because that's the only time his current employer will allow him away from work. he will also be shouldering all the expenses, the company will not be paying for any part of it. just as well, so he wont be tied to them with a contract whatsoever. classes start next wednesday. to make up for the time he'll be away, he will work an hour and a half extra on a tuesday afternoon and an hour on a wednesday morning. that means, he wont be able to come with me to my scan next week. boo!!! the company didnt give him permission (double boo!)!

anyways, last wednesday was his enrollment and induction day. at lunch time, i asked him how it's been going so far. he said it's hard. i asked why and this is his reply: it's hard to concentrate. daming babaeng halos wala ng saplot. hahaha, and i thought he's having difficulty with the curriculum!

Cayden @16 Months

so how's my toddler doing? he's super active! he's all over the place - climbing, running - very cheeky indeed! without my mom here, im sure i will have great difficulty coping - taking care of a super independent-wannabe toddler and being pregnant at the same time.

Weight
when we were in the phils, he was hospitalised. he lost a lot of weight. aside from that, he was forced-weaned from the breast because i had cracked nipples and it was very painful for me to breastfeed. for a time, he wasnt feeding properly. he didnt like the formula to start with but now, he can consume about 7oz of milk every 2 hours or so! he has gained weight despite not eating much solid food. he looks really "siksik" when he doesnt have his shirt on and we like pinching his chubby cheeks

Eating Habits
as i've said, he drinks a lot of milk and eat less solid food. my mom said, kids go through that phase (either they eat solid more than drink milk or drink more milk, eat less solids). we're not worried though bec he's still gaining weight and it's not like he's not eating at all - just not as much as i like him to. anyways, what i like with cayden, he eats his veggies. one time we were eating sinigang. he refused to eat the pork but very happily ate his spinach =D

im not like other moms who would restrict what their kids eat. some might frown but i give cayden chocolates, i let him drink hersheys chocolate drink, he has even eaten toffee popcorns! he's already tasted adult chocolate chip cookies, brownies, cakes with icing.... but i only give it in moderation. usually as a treat (or sometimes as a bribe!) =D. i want him to try everything while he still can. his dad has diabetes and my side of the family too so the chances of him having it is really great. i dont want him to be like his dad who would run up and down the hill several times just so he can taste a ferrero chocolate for the first time. i know you'll say chocolates/sweets will give him diabetes, again, i only give him one or two bits at a time. besides, he eats veggies remember?

Speech
he's a babbler. but he doesnt speak much comprehensible words yet. he can say a few words like:
- dede = milk
- daddy
- mama
- mamam = water
- chiz/jizz = cheese, juice, chocolate (dont ask me why!)
- td = tv
- tt = his birdie (no, we didnt teach him that!), tree (if he's pointing to one)

i try to teach him but he's got other plans! the thing with cayden, we noticed, if he wants to do something, he'll do it. if not, you cant force him to. he'll take his time.

Vocabulary/Cognitive Skills
though he doesnt speak properly yet, his vocab is really surprising. we can tell him things already and he will instantly understand. he can now follow orders, of course, if he's not busy watching the tv! you can tell him to....... and he'll obey (without you needing to point at it):
- close the door
- turn on/off the electric fan
- turn on/off the light/lamp
- turn on his baby monitor
- get his shoes (or just say we're going out but you need your shoes). if he cant find his shoes (bec they're all over the place), he'll hand you his slippers although he's not into slippers and will just take them off after a few minutes =D
- get the bottle cap (feeding bottle)
- get the remote
- where's the tree (he'll go to our garden door and point to our apple trees at the back)
- where's the grass
- get your book
- we watch extreme makeover home edition. there's a part there when the host say "bus driver, move that bus" to show the newly constructed house. whenever cayden hears "bus driver.." he would raise his right hand (what they do as they say the phrase) and babble as if saying the "move that bus" part.
- play "sawsaw suka", with only the pointer finger dipping into the palm. and if you dont chant, he'll do it in his own babbly way
- kiss kiss (he'll kiss you with mouth closed and will even make the "mah" sound. if you ask him, san pa, he'll kiss you on the cheeks, forehead, chin, etc
- hug (he'll hug you with his head resting on your shoulder or chest with his fingers tapping your back. so cute i tell you! sometimes, he'll even say "mmmmmm", like emphasising more his hug)

he can analyse things and make his own assumptions. he can relate cause and effect easily and when he doesnt get the result he wants, he'll do it another way. if there are road blocks, he'll find a way to get past them. say he wants to get the computer mouse you're using. he will make you get up and leave your station by doing something naughty on the other side of the room. once you get up, he'll quickly run to your station and get the mouse for him to play with.

and of course, he knows how to charm his way out of sticky situations. sometimes he'll pretend he's hurt and will ask you to kiss that part and then he'll say, "na na (la na)". or laugh/giggle with his hands over his mouth, making pa-cute if you get cross at him.

he also does pretend play already. he will use pillows, his trunki, etc. - put them around him and pretend he's doing something! or often times, he'll put his bag on his shoulder and then waves at us and kisses us goodbye. i think he learned that from us, whenever we bid him goodbye before going off to work.

Motor Skills
cayden only has to see something done once and he'll be able to imitate it right away (granted it's not overly complicated). we think he's got a very sharp memory. that's why we're always careful not to do or tinker with something in his presence otherwise he'll be attempting to do it next. his eyes are always roaming, observing, looking at things he can mess up with =D. just like his trunki (travel bag). at exactly 1yr old, cayden can open his trunki without much effort (those who has a trunki will know how difficult it is to open up esp for a child that age!)

he climbs everywhere. he uses his toys to get up to where he wants to go (pushes them near a table, cabinet, etc. - he gets on top of them). he can walk backwards. he can walk kneeling down. he can balance him self well (most of the time!). he loves running around. he'll let you chase him by picking up something you're using and when you catch up on him, he'll throw that something and run again. i call him my little tazmanian devil. he leaves a trail of destruction!

ok, i can go on and on and on about cayden. it's been a long time since i posted something about him. will save some for next time =D. it just amazes us no end at how fast he's learning and growing. in a few month's time, he'll be a big brother and will turn 2! we just hope we'll be able to still give him plenty of time and attention. afterall, it's just finding the right balance of things =D

3 + 1

as many of you already know, im pregnant with our baby #2.

EDD: 12 Feb 2011
Credits: Shabby Princess Gabby Badge Album

it's funny that just a few years ago, you would hear me say "im not gonna have any kids". and then when we had cayden (well, just after giving birth, ie birth pains!), i said one is enough. but after some thought, we decided to have another one. some asked, why so soon. well, for one, im in my 30's already. tantan and i want to enjoy our kids while we're still young. 2ndly, we still remember doing baby stuff so it's like a case of striking while the iron is still hot. anyways, when i give birth, cayden will be almost 2 (22 months to be exact) so it's still a fairly reasonable gap (we were originally aiming for a 3-yr gap).

i found out im pregnant on the 1st day i missed my period. even before i took the pregnancy test, i already knew - felt, more like it. but compared to my first one, this has been more difficult. to start with, i have been having cramps, which i didnt have with cayden (cayden was all smooth sailing!). and then on my 5th week, i spotted. i had to go to A&E (accidents and emergencies). the doctors there were really helpful - not! all they were saying was "if you're going to miscarry, you will miscarry... nothing can stop that". how encouraging d ba?! i was referred to the early pregnancy unit to have a scan - a week after. so imagine the anticipation and anxiety of waiting. fortunately, baby has strong heartbeat. but they also found out i have a subchorionic bleed, that caused the spotting. the doctor said there's nothing to worry about bec it will be absorbed (by the placenta?) eventually. good thing my bestfriend is a doctor and his wife is an OB/GYNE. i asked about it and she calmed my nerves. but it's something that should be monitored.

i have 2 scans after that (1 private scan at 8 weeks and the routine dating scan here at 12 weeks). both showed that i still have the bleed. at around 14weeks, i had another episode of spotting which lasted for 4 days. scary, huh? next week, i will have my anomaly scan so i will ask the sonographer to have a look at the bleed as well, if it's still there. hopefully, it's been absorbed or at least shrunk.

that aside, my pregnancy has been relatively easy compared to what most pregnant ladies experience. but compared with my first one, this is more difficult. for the whole 1st trim (12-14 weeks), i felt nauseous all the time. i was stuck in bed (if im not at work) for most part of it. no vomiting though, which im really thankful for. i just felt dizzy and tired all the time but i guess, my blood pressure has something to do with it. it's at an all time low - 84/54 and it doesnt go higher than that. i guess that's better than having high blood pressure. im really grateful that my mom's here to look after the little boy as i dont think i would have coped with being pregnant and being a mommy to a very active toddler.

anyways, i am on my 19th week already. i still feel dizzy at times and i still feel tired all the time (usually later in the day).  i am always out of breath. the bright side, i can feel the baby move and just like cayden before, baby #2 is very active! we dont know the gender yet but we'll definitely ask. im hoping it's a boy just because cayden still has lots of clothes and most of it are only worn a few times. then there's the hand-me-downs from my nephews, which were only worn a few times too. but, im wishing it's a girl so i can have my own baby doll =D. but whatever, as long as it's healthy it wont matter.

2 is MY limit. boy or girl, we're only having 2. never say never but really, 2 is plenty enough!

Accueil Temporaire

ok, i admit, im deranged! why am i blogging now, when we just suspended our official blog and website? i dont know! i just feel like blogging again and tinkering with the template =D

last week, tantan asked me if i will be blogging again. last post i made was in july (it's september now!) and in my blogging history, i havent gone this long without a post. our hosting is expiring and if i wont be that active, he suggested we cancel the hosting for now and when i get the groove back, to apply again. so i said, ok, cancel it for the meantime. i really feel lazy and couldnt be bothered with writing anymore. besides, i dont have much to share. i've been a lazy tart since i got pregnant again, so i dont really have anything interesting to post (and there's twitter and facebook, which im more active in).

a few days on, here i am, creating a free blog. pathetic! i still remember what little html i know so i tried very hard not to bother tantan. but i had to ask him (a super pathetic question) if i cant upload anymore pictures to our site (well, obviously! it has been cancelled, remember?). so he guessed that im trying to blog again. at first he kinda told me off for asking him to cancel the hosting when i would still be using it. i didnt bother him again. i sorted it out myself (it's my fault!) by opening a flickr account.

earlier today, he asked me if i want to apply for hosting again so i didnt have to do this. i said, i'll stick to this free one for now. im not sure if i can do this on a regular basis. and hosting is not that cheap, no! maybe it's the novelty of creating something from scratch that is kinda egging me to do this. honestly, i got tired of my old blog. i want to revamp it but i dont know what i want and where to start. anyways, i can easily import this when i have my official sites up and running again.

so there, this will be my accueil temporaire (temporary home) for now. if i can keep this up, who knows, i might have my official sites resurrected in no time! welcome and please be patient with my fickleness. afterall, it's not just the laziness keeping me from blogging. i have a young family to look after! =D