only 59 days to go before Christmas

Gift giving has been a Christmas tradition for as long as I can remember.

Anyway, on choosing Christmas gifts for kids ^^< I find this article very informative.

discipline: how? for 0-2 y.o.

I got this from my now favorite website, kidshealth.org.

I also sent this to my husband's email with the note: 

Remember this when baby Joram gets his hands onto one or more of your toys ;)

Whatever the age of your child, it's important to be consistent when it comes to discipline. If parents don't stick to the rules and consequences they set up, their kids aren't likely to either.

Here are some ideas about how to vary your approach to discipline to best fit your family.

Ages 0 to 2

Babies and toddlers are naturally curious. So it's wise to eliminate temptations and no-nos — items such as TVs and video equipment, stereos, jewelry, and especially cleaning supplies and medications should be kept well out of reach.

When your crawling baby or roving toddler heads toward an unacceptable or dangerous play object, calmly say "No" and either remove your child from the area or distract him or her with an appropriate activity.

Timeouts can be effective discipline for toddlers. A child who has been hitting, biting, or throwing food, for example, should be told why the behavior is unacceptable and taken to a designated timeout area — a kitchen chair or bottom stair — for a minute or two to calm down (longer timeouts are not effective for toddlers).

It's important to not spank, hit, or slap a child of any age. Babies and toddlers are especially unlikely to be able to make any connection between their behavior and physical punishment. They will only feel the pain of the hit.

And don't forget that kids learn by watching adults, particularly their parents. Make sure your behavior is role-model material. You'll make a much stronger impression by putting your own belongings away rather than just issuing orders to your child to pick up toys while your stuff is left strewn around.

indeed!

This is a gentle reminder for me...

Your life: Accepting your post-baby body 

If ever there were a time in your life for realism, it's now. Remember that childbirth is a life- and body-changing experience. Your hips and waist may now be slightly wider and your belly may be softer. Give yourself at least the nine months it took to grow your baby to return to your pre-pregnancy shape. 

If you're breastfeeding, it's particularly important not to go on a highly restrictivediet. Instead of focusing on rapid weight loss through a diet or exercise program that may be impossible to live with the rest of your life, think more carefully about what you eat and how you eat. Here are some guidelines: 

• Eat smaller portions, and chew each bite more slowly. You'll find that you can feel satisfied with less. Stop before you feel filled up or bloated. 

• Drink water. Not only is it wise to stay hydrated if you're breastfeeding, downing liquids also fills your stomach and curbs hunger pangs. Herbal tea, decaffeinated coffee, flavored water or low-calorie fizzy drinks are also okay in moderation. 

• Eat more "good" calories and fewer "bad" ones. Don't abandon the emphasis on nutrition that you developed while you were pregnant. 

• Keep low-calorie snacks available, such as saltines, fruit and raw vegetables. 

• Start exercising again. Remember to start slowly and ease back into your pre-pregnancy workout routine. 

Colic: causes

It has been said indeed that breastfed babies get colic lesser than those of formula fed babies.

Upon reading the article on colic at kidshealth.org though, It seems that baby Joram did have his bouts with colic as well.

So What Causes Colic?

Doctors aren't sure what causes colic. Milk intolerance has been suggested as a possible culprit, but doctors now believe that this is rarely the case. Breastfed babies get colic too; in these cases, dietary changes by the mother may help the colic to subside. Some breastfeeding women find that getting rid of caffeine in their diet helps, while others see improvements when they eliminate dairy products.

Some colicky babies also have gas, but it's not clear if the gas causes colic or if the babies develop gas as a result of swallowing too much air while crying.

Some theories suggest that colic occurs when food moves too quickly through a baby's digestive system or is incompletely digested. Other theories are that colic is due to a baby's temperament, that some babies just take a little bit longer to get adjusted to the world, or that some have undiagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It's also been found that infants of mothers who smoke are more likely to have colic.

I did think of GERD too. I even kept my baby's regular spitting up or sometimes even forceful vomiting a secret to our pediatrician for fear that baby will have all of those expensive tests not to mention that it may be invasive too. 

Anyway, our baby has been feeding well and has a constant increase in this weight which had alleviate my worries and reasoned that the vomiting is either due to overfeeding (which I admit that we're guilty of at times) or to his own poking of his mouth (you know how babies tend to put their hands in their mouth).

I try to keep baby upright and not to overfeed to prevent this though.

Colic: treatment

I remember that the key word for this is PATIENCE!

It was during these baby crying times that I thank God for the 9 months of preparation... 

It was during one of these times that I realized that 9 months wasn't so long after all... and that indeed God knows best.

Treating Colic

No single treatment has proved to make colic go away. But there are ways to make life easier for both you and your colicky baby.

First, if your baby is not hungry, don't try to continue the feeding. Instead, try to console your little one — you won't be "spoiling" the baby with the attention. You can also:

• Walk with your baby or sit in a rocking chair, trying various positions.
• Try burping your baby more often during feedings.
• Place your baby across your lap on his or her belly and rub your baby's back.
• Put your baby in a swing or vibrating seat. The motion may have a soothing effect.
• Put your baby in an infant car seat in the back of the car and go for a ride. The vibration and movement of the car are often calming.
• Play music tapes — some babies respond to sound as well as movement.
• Place your baby in the same room as a running clothes dryer, white noise machine, or vacuum — some infants find the low constant noise soothing.
• Some babies need decreased stimulation and may do well swaddled, in a darkened room.

Caring for a colicky baby can be extremely frustrating, so be sure to take care of yourself, too. Don't blame yourself or your baby for the constant crying — colic is nobody's fault. Try to relax, and remember that your baby will eventually outgrow this phase.

In the meantime, if you need a break from your baby's crying, take one. Friends and relatives are often happy to watch your baby when you need some time to yourself. If no one is immediately available, it's OK to put the baby down in the crib and take a break before making another attempt at consolation. If at any time you feel like you might hurt yourself or the baby, put the baby down in the crib and call for help immediately.


I did that more than just a couple of times... put baby down for a minute or so on the bed/crib just to compose myself before another attempt at consoling our baby.
At that time, I really prayed more... since there was this kind of feeling of helplessness and maybe even desperation (not really ;).


And I remember that Dennies would ask me "Kaya pa?"
"Kakayanin", was my reply.

If the baby has a temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius) or more, is crying for more than 2 hours at a time, is inconsolable, isn't feeding well, has diarrhea or persistent vomiting, or is less awake or alert than usual, call your doctor right away. You should also call your doctor if you're unsure whether your baby's crying is colic or a symptom of another illness.

my baby still has to get his first rattle!

Believe it or not... our baby Joram still has to get his first rattle!

We had thought of foregoing any shopping for toys for our baby since gifts would be coming in as in his Christening last September and this December for his Dedication and of course... Christmas!

Joram had gotten a lot of gifts last month... toys and clothes. Surprisingly, none was the ever common rattle!

Yes, aybe they thought that we had already bought one or that somebody will probably give it. So, at the end of the day, there's none. :)

And yes, I think December is a lot of days away to wait for a rattle until then... we would be getting Joram one this weekend and that means today ;).

saline nose drops

My husband called in to ask what we did to relieve baby's stuffy nose when he got cough and colds. His co-worker had asked him.

Anyway, this is the email that I sent back to Joram's adorable daddy.

Sabihin na lang na SALINE NOSE DROPS for babies. (Since I couldn't read our pediatrician's handwriting on the brand name that she specified). 

Naiwan kamo ung prescription ng doc (mkkabili nmn nito khit walang prescription. (I know that this is lying but it is a non prescription drug after all. Pharmacists sometimes defer to give a non prescription drug when you don't seem to know what you're doing).

That would be used 2x a day, 1-2drops on each nostril. tapos isuction using the suction bulb for babies.

Or they could use VICKS vapor rub, yun yung ginamit natin. Just a very small (thin film) amount on the nostrils. yung halos wala lang.. kasi baka masyadong strong for baby kung msobra.

How do I clear baby's stuffy nose?

Q:How can I clear my 3-month-old's stuffy nose? Should I take her to the doctor if she's had a stuffy nose for more than a week?

— Submitted by Leanne in Farmington

Karen Sokal-Gutierrez, M.D., M.P.H.
Pediatrics

A:Leanne, it's very common for babies to have stuffy noses. Increased nasal mucus from a cold or allergies can make babies' breathing very noisy because they breathe through their noses rather than their mouths, their nostrils are very small, and they can't yet blow their noses to get the mucus out. In infants under 4 months of age, it's more common for a stuffy nose to interrupt feeding and sleeping.

There are a few things you can do to help relieve your baby's stuffy nose:

• Run a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer in your baby's room.The water vapor can help moisten and loosen your baby's nasal mucus. Keep the vaporizer near the crib to get the full effect from the water vapor. Be sure to empty, clean and dry out the vaporizer each day to prevent the growth of bacteria or mold. Don't use a hot water vaporizer because it can cause burns.
• If your baby's nasal secretions are still too thick, considering using "normal saline solution" (salt water) nose drops. These are available at the pharmacy without a prescription. Tilt your baby's head back gently and use a clean baby dropper to put a couple of drops of saline into each nostril to loosen the mucus. Don't use other medicated nose drops since these could be harmful for a baby.
• Use a soft rubber infant suction bulb to suck out her nasal mucus. Squeeze the bulb first, gently stick the rubber tip into one nostril, then release the bulb, sucking the mucus into the bulb. Squeeze out the bulb with the mucus into the sink, rinse out the bulb, then repeat for the other nostril. If your baby's nose is too congested to feed comfortably, you can use the saline nose drops and suction bulb before feedings. Since the suction bulb can irritate your baby's nose, try to limit how often you do this. In fact, you'll find that this technique works well for newborns and young infants, but not for older infants because they tend to fight the bulb.

Usually, babies recover from stuffy noses within a week or two without any problems. But be sure to call your doctor for any of the following signs of concern:

• Nasal mucus turns thick and green;
• Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, persistent cough, flaring nostrils and skin pulling in around her ribs when she breathes, or lips turning blue;
• Excessive fussiness, loss of appetite, or excessive sleeping;
• Fever over 101 degrees rectally.

i am not a fan of this particular play

But I have to prepare for this...

Sometime between 4-7 months, babies develop a sense of object permanence and begin to learn that things and people exist even when they're out of sight. This is when babies start playing the "dropsy" game — dropping things over the side of the high chair and expecting an adult to retrieve it (which, once retrieved, get dropped again!).

... which means that I'll have more exercise coming soon!

what to expect on Baby's check-up: 4 months

I am just reading on to know what to expect and have this list in mind on what to ask or say to Joram's doctor on his fourth month.

I know that he just turned 3 months but what can I say... I am excited!

Also, this includes some of the expected milestones of which I am excited about.

And Joram is already able to do all of those at this time! Thank you, Lord!

Anyway, I got these from kidshealth.org. You should visit their site!

more on what to expect on check-ups from the site mentioned.

KidsHealth> Parents> Doctors & Hospitals> Checkups> Your Child's Checkups

From your baby's long-awaited arrival until those first days of school, you'll be visiting the doctor regularly to make sure that your child is healthy and developing well. It can be tough to remember everything you want to discuss with the doctor and everything the doctor tells you.

These sheets give you a sense of what to expect at each visit and help you keep track of the guidance your doctor provides. Print them out and take them with you!

• Your Child's First Checkup: The Hospital
• Your Child's Checkup: 2 to 4 Weeks
• Your Child's Checkup: 2 Months
• Your Child's Checkup: 4 Months
• Your Child's Checkup: 6 Months
• Your Child's Checkup: 9 Months
• Your Child's Checkup: 12 Months (1 Year)
• Your Child's Checkup: 15 Months
• Your Child's Checkup: 18 Months (1½ Years)
• Your Child's Checkup: 2 Years
• Your Child's Checkup: 3 Years
• Your Child's Checkup: 4 Years
• Your Child's Checkup: 5 Years

Eight Lies Of A Mother

A very inspiring story... not mine ... unfortunately, i don't know who the author is. 

Eight Lies Of A Mother 

This story begins when I was a child: I was born poor.Often we hadn't enough to eat. Whenever we had some food, Mother often gave me her portion of rice. While she was transferring her rice into my bowl, she would say, "Eat this rice, son, I'm not hungry."

This was Mother's First Lie.

As I grew, Mother gave up her spare time to fish in a river near our house; she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could give me a little bit more nutritious food for my growth. Once she had caught just two fish, she would make fish soup. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat what was still left on the bone of the fish I had eaten; my heart was touched when I saw it. Once I gave the other fish to her on my chopstick but she immediately refused it and said, "Eat this fish son, I don't really like fish."

This was Mother's Second Lie.

Then, in order to fund my education, Mother went to a Match Factory to bring home some used matchboxes, which she filled with fresh matchsticks. This helped her get some money to cover our needs. One wintry night I awoke to find Mother filling the matchboxes by candlelight. So I said, "Mother, go to sleep; it's late: you can continue working tomorrow morning." Mother smiled and said, "Go to sleep son, I'm not tired."

This was Mother's Third Lie.

When I had to sit my Final Examination, Mother accompanied me. After dawn, Mother waited for me for hours in the heat of the sun. When the bell rang, I ran to meet her... Mother embraced me and poured me a glass of tea that she had prepared in a thermos. The tea was not as strong as my Mother's love. Seeing Mother covered with perspiration, I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said, "Drink son, I'm not thirsty!"

This was Mother's Fourth Lie.

After Father's death, Mother had to play the role of a single parent. She held on to her former job; she had to fund our needs alone. Our family's life was more complicated. We suffered from starvation. Seeing our family's condition worsening, my kind Uncle, who lived near my house, came to help us solve our problems big and small. Our other neighbors saw that we were poverty stricken so they often advised my mother to marry again. But Mother refused to remarry saying, "I don't need love."

This was Mother's Fifth Lie.

After I had finished my studies and got a job, it was time for my old Mother to retire but she carried on going to the market every morning just to sell a few vegetables. I kept sending her money but she was steadfast and even sent the money back to me. She said, "I have enough money."

That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

I continued my part-time studies for my Master's Degree. Funded by the American Corporation for which I worked, I succeeded in my studies. With a big jump in my salary, I decided to bring Mother to enjoy life in America but Mother didn't want to bother her son. She said to me, "I'm not used to high living."

That was Mother's Seventh Lie.

In her dotage, Mother was attacked by cancer and had to be hospitalized. Now living far across the ocean, I went home to visit Mother who was bedridden after an operation. Mother tried to smile but I was heartbroken because she was so thin and feeble but Mother said, "Don't cry son, I'm not in pain."

That was Mother's Eighth Lie.

Telling me this eighth lie, she died.