First Time Coin Bearer

The moment Reyna, my college friend and Javi's Ninang, posted on FB that she has a boyfriend, I immediately messaged her to have Javi as bearer on her wedding LOL! Kumbaga sa wedding, shotgun wedding! Nyahahaha! But really, I was super happy for her (and also I want Javi to be a bearer hehehe).

Weeks before her wedding, Javi had anxiety in going to school so I had to delay telling him that he will be coin bearer in his Ninang's wedding. We really waited after his Moving Up Day to let him know because I don't want him to get stressed about two things at once. Javi is a worrier, and at times I can't predict his reaction to things even if we prepare him beforehand. The wedding was yesterday, and we were only able to practice his walking the Saturday before. We also told him we will give him a reward if he walks by himself (Paw Patrol toy, he requested). Yesterday, we arrived early at the reception so that we can practice walking at the actual aisle.

Before going down the car

Unfortunately, he didn't want to practice :( I tried to convince him, and gave him a Kinder egg to encourage  bribe him but he still wouldn't budge. BUT during the actual processional, when he held the pillow I was able to leave him in the entourage line. I kept on reminding him that he wouldn't get his toy if won't walk by himself. He was so overwhelmed with the experience, he started to cry. Watch the video.

Half-way through, when he stopped I held his hand and walked side-by-side with him until he reached the end of the aisle. Oh my boy!

During the wedding rites, I gave him his chocolate to make him feel better.

Happy na

We weren't prepped that he needed to go again in front to bring the coins. I thought all the while, the coordinator will be the one who will hand over the coins to the couple. I didn't force him anymore, I went with him as he gave the coins to the couple.

During the picture taking with the newly weds, he didn't want to go as well with the entire entourage. I brought him to the front but he didn't want to let go of my hand. He was about to cry coz I kept telling him he will not get his toy if he doesn't want to have his picture taken hehehe. Finally, when it was time for Mommy and Daddy to have photos with the newly weds, he happily went with us. So during the reception, he insisted to get his toy ahahaha! We gave him his toy and got his most wonderful and happy smile. Hay anak! Ahahaha!

Sabi ni Joma, dapat ata pinahabol namin yung toy sa kanya para maglakad sa aisle hehehe.

*********

Our dear Javi,

Sorry if yesterday was a stressful day for you. I know you really wanted to walk on your own and you tried. I know you were overwhelmed with what's happening that's why you cried. When we asked you why you cried, you said "Ayaw ko kasi mag-practice" hahaha! That was already game time, anak! But that's okay. I saw that you tried your very best and mustered enough courage to face all those strange people to walk on your own. We wished we have given you enough time to prepare for this. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you. We love you!

Love,
Mommy

Javi's First School and First Movie Experience

I mentioned in my last post that we'll be trying out a toddler program last Saturday and here I am to blog about what happened. We tried the Learning Lab program of Gymboree.  We arrived a few minutes early before the start of class so Javi was able to play at the play area.

He was so happy he thought he was there only to play.

And then the bell clanged to signal that we need to go inside the classroom. There were maybe 15 toddlers during the class so it was a bit too tight in the room. It took maybe a good 15 minutes just on the introductory part of the program where they get to say hi to each of the kids. After that, the teacher brought out some toys for them to play only for a few minutes. And when I say a few minutes, that's just 1-2 minutes and then they need to pack away agad agad.


Playing with the rattle

Then story telling time. The kids were given snacks which Javi consumed even before the teacher got to the 3rd page of the book hahahaha! Sayang wala akong photo but he basically shoved all the breadsticks inside his mouth and then said, "Mommy, water!" ahahaha! After that, there was a writing and painting activity.

Packing away the marker that he used

Painting waves

Javi didn't finish the entire class because after the painting activity, he wanted to get out of the room already. Ay sus! Hahaha! All in all, we decided not to enroll him there. One hour was too short for him to get at ease with all the activities plus there were too many kids during the class. I know we enrolled Miya to the same program when she was younger but this won't work with Javi. I don't know why he wasn't as receptive because at home he can sit longer compared to his Ate to concentrate on a specific task. It's easier for us to talk to him and give him instructions because he will listen as compared to Miya who will ask a million questions first before following. So it actually baffles me that he wasn't receptive to instructions when we tried it out last Saturday. I think he was interested in the activities, it's just that he didn't have enough time to warm up to his surroundings.

*****

Okay, after reading my post about Miya's experience to the class, I might rethink our decision in enrolling Javi. But one other thing is the teacher:student ratio in the class. I don't want to enroll him if there will be the same number of kids in each and every class =(

*****

After Gymboree, we went to watch Despicable Me 3. This is Javi's first time to watch a movie in the cinema. We were all excited for him. Miya was even telling him all the rules inside the movie house. He can watch a full movie at home - we've watched Cars 2 a million times (we don't have a copy of the first movie hahaha!) and he likes watching the movie shorts of the minions so we decided this can be his first movie experience in the cinema.  We don't have a decent photo of him outside the cinema because (a) he doesn't want his photo taken and (b) there were no more Minions standees/movie poster in the movie house  we went to.

He doesn't look happy because he doesn't want his photo taken. 

After the movie gusto na lumabas agad hahahaha!

He was able to sit through the entire movie although he kept on telling me to go outside. Di naman sya nag-insist ng todo-todo kaya we were able to finish the movie. Yey! He was also happy with the movie, panay ang palakpak pag lumalabas ang minions or banana as he calls them.


***********

My dear little boy,

Over the weekend you had two milestones, first you went to your first classroom experience and then you went to watch your first movie in the cinema. I know you'll enjoy school because you like learning new things. We just need to find you the perfect one for your personality. Don't worry, Mommy and Daddy will research more. We don't want to force you into something you don't like. We want you to enjoy going to school to play with your friends and teachers. As for the movie, we're happy that you were happy while watching. We can't help but smile every time you clap when you see a minion hehehe. Our next movie date will be the new Cars movie. We can't wait to see it with you.

Love you,
Mommy

Javi and School

I feel guilty that we haven't enrolled Javi in school yet. When Miya was at his age, she was already attending school in Rainbow Room. Hubby said it was too early for Javi to go to school plus sending kids to school can really put a dent in your budget so I agreed with him. But because Miya passed UPIS (niminal tuition), our finances suddenly will be able to handle sending two kids to school at this time. So that's when we only started looking for schools for Javi. But two of the schools I called said that he's too young for their nursery class. Of the other two schools that my hubby visited, one was scratched off the list immediately. My husband didn't like the school because of its location and security. While for the second one, there were no more slots for Javi. So I said, okay maybe we really need to postpone sending him to school. But my guilt is eating me alive so I had to research for other toddler programs where we can send him. Will try one on Saturday and see if he's ready. If yes, then he'll start a once a week toddler program. Yey! I just really want to take advantage of this time because he's at the stage where he's like a sponge and absorbs everything that he listens to or watches. Admittedly, we were not as proactive with his education as we were with Miya. With Miya we attended Kindermusik classes, Gymboree classes and other toddler programs even before she was one year old. So I'm feeling really guilty with my second born.

Here's Javi singing (12 May 2017)

My dearest boy,

Please forgive Mommy if we didn't give you all the other classes Ate Miya attended. Although I'm pretty sure you're happy staying at home to play with your toy cars and play with Ate and Nina. I'm not as diligent in tracking your milestones compared to your Ate, but that was because I wanted you to stay as a baby for as long as I can stretch it. I don't want to hurry that part. And I don't want to compare each and every milestone with your Ate because that wouldn't be fair. You are you and we love you for who you are.

I hope you enjoy your trial class on Saturday, and if you do, Daddy and Mommy will enroll you there. We love you, Javiboy!

Love,
Mommy

Miya's Graduation

21 March 2015

This was a bitter-sweet event for me. I was happy to see my daughter perform on stage but on the other hand it saddens me that this will be her last performance in this school. I was teary eyed the entire time.

Will write more about her pre-school on a separate blogpost

This year's graduation was held at the Bayanihan Center along Pioneer. It was a good venue as all the audience had a good view of the stage. Although of course it helped that we were seated near the stage hehe.

Javi waiting for Ate Miya

My inlaws came with us

The program started with the singing of the National Anthem and then with a prayer. I love the songs they use for the opening prayers. One of these songs is my favorite.

They started with Lupang Hinirang

Then with a prayer

Their level performed Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid.




After all levels have performed, it was time for the graduation rites. I noticed that Miya was doing that thing with her mouth. Joema observed that she was doing this because she gets nervous in front of a big crowd. Super proud of her for overcoming this nervousness and was able to perform with her classmates. I was in the verge of tears when Teacher Rom handed Miya's medals and certificate to us. Partly because I'm sad because this is goodbye and partly because I was super proud of Miya.

Next, all the kids sang 'Go the Distance' from the Disney movie Hercules. They turned off most of the lights on stage and had the kids some blinking lights so our video's lighting is poor and not to nice to post here hehe.

After the graduation, we went up to her teachers to say goodbye. They already knew that we'll be transferring schools. I mentioned it on several occasions. Plus, I shared with them that Miya passed school # 3. They were super proud of her. I'm really super grateful to Miya's first teachers in her first school. She knows so much now because of them. I've written them 'thank you' notes to go along with our farewell gifts.

With Teacher Ane, her teacher in Junior Kinder

Teacher Rom, the school's directress. She told Miya that she was a graduate of school 3. 

Teacher Jonah - Miya's teacher in Nursery and last year's summer class. 

Pinigilan ko lang umiyak while saying goodbye to the teachers because lalabas ang OA ko hahaha! Separation anxiety to the highest levels. Sabi nga ng friend ko #sepanx.

Family picture after graduation

We went to Megamall after the graduation to eat dinner. She told me, "Mommy, don't I get a surprise because it's my graduation?" Oo nga naman! Hahaha! So I told her we can go to the toy store before dinner and she can choose whatever she wants. Although, I suggested to her to get playdoh toy (I didn't want her to get another doll for herself because she doesn't take care of the dolls...hay naku!). Atleast with play doh she can be creative and at the same time improve her fine motor skills.

Outside the toy store, she was happy to see Cinderella

Happy with her graduation gift

The next day her Lolo Arthur and Lola Tess got her flowers and graduation gift as well. Mas bongga pa Lolo and Lola, may flowers hahaha!

Congratulations, Anak! We are so very proud of you! You've only done with two years in school but you've learned so many things already. I can't wait for you to achieve your dreams in the future. We are always here to support you. We love you! 

Javi at 6 Months

Javi turned 6 months old last March and he's turning 7 on Thursday. I can't believe he's now half a year old! I want to slow down time to savor his being a baby. It's as if I blinked because the past 6 months flew by.

I feel guilty as I think we didn't celebrate some of his firsts like how we did it with Miya. Like when he first rolled over or when he first laughed heartily (when I chanced upon this post I made). I noted in IG the first time he rolled over. The first time he laughed heartily, I'm not really sure when because he was laughing as early as 2 months I think. He's a very happy baby, very easy to take care of. I thank God He gave me an easy second baby as he balances the personality of his feisty Ate. I don't have a hard time making him fall asleep or nursing him. I love my darling little boy so much!

He can now reach his toes while lying down.

At first he can't put his feet inside his mouth. So he cheats and puts his thumb (from the hand holding his foot) inside his mouth. I haven't seen him do that while he's lying flat on his back. But his dad claims he can do it already. I see him doing it when his sitting down on his rocker or his carseat.

He is our little drool machine or sometimes our little taho maker (he easily spits up his milk sometimes milk that already looks like taho hence the name). His first tooth erupted first week of April.

Now, his second tooth has already erupted.

We've also started him on solids. To date, he's only tried eating lugaw. But tonight, I'll buy him bananas for tomorrow. Here are photos of his first solid and first taste of water!

He gobbled up the lugaw like it's no one's business. Ngumunguya pa akala mo naman may ipin hehehe. He's now eating around 4 spoonfuls of lugaw, twice a day (of course, he's given small bites).

Here are more updates in bullets:

1. I'm still breastfeeding him. And I'm happy to report that his milk consumption hasn't gone down even though we started him on solids. But let's wait and see for a couple more weeks because at the moment he's eating (solid food) 2 times a day only.
2. He's at the stage that he prefers to be carried standing up and doesn't want to be left lying down for long periods of time.
3. He's a loud baby, we think like his Ate. Because he can blabber on for minutes and sometimes at the point of screaming hehehe.
4. He likes to watch people singing. That's his thing with his Ate. Miya sings and then he listens.
5. He knows how to kiss us although open mouthed hahaha
6. He makes pa-cute. He crunches his nose and squints his eyes while smiling. Oh I love his beautiful smile. I haven't caught that pa-cute smile of his on camera yet. 

Cinderella

Yesterday, we brought Miya to the cinema to watch Cinderella. This was a milestone for her as it was her first time to watch a full length movie at the cinema. We're afraid to bring her to the cinema because she always has 1,001 questions while watching at home hehehe. But we promised her she could watch Cinderella the first time it's trailer was shown on Disney Channel so yesterday we trooped to Shangri-la Mall to watch the movie.

Add caption

We don't usually allow her to eat junk foods but since this was a special occasion we let her eat chips! 

The added bonus was the Frozen Fever short movie before the actual movie started. Miya was so happy! Although she still had a lot of questions. The first one incidentally tugged at my heart, "Ganon din ako paglaki ko mamamatay ka din?" when Cinderella's mom died. Ugh! I was teary eyed but at the same time I can't explain it to her while we were inside the cinema as other watchers might be disturbed. While on our way home, she asked me why Cinderella's mom died because she associated the parents dying as a consequence if the kid is bad. Truth is I couldn't answer her directly. She asked me again this morning about Cinderella's mom's death but I again I couldn't answer. I think I just have to have a one-on-one talk with her soon about this. Sorry to be so morbid but in the end, the movie was great! I loved it! Hubby loved it, too, because he commented "Buti na lang hindi nila iniba yung kwento" comparing it to Maleficent. I love how magical Cinderella's appearance at the castle was...from her first appearance up to her first dance with the Prince! The actress playing Cinderella - her beauty grows on you. When I see her on TV, I wasn't really a fan of her beauty. But after watching the movie, she was perfect as Cinderella! I didn't realize how cruel her life was with her stepmother and stepsisters and how kind she was with them. Oo nga naman kung ako yun iniwan ko na silang lahat. I hope I can also impart to my own daughter some wise words like her mother did - always have courage and be kind!

Miya's Makeover

18 May 2014

Remember this post? It all happened this one fine Sunday afternoon.

We went to Megamall to have Miya’s teeth fixed, have her first ever hair cut in a kiddie salon and have her ID photo taken for school. We went back to the pedia-dentist who put the sealant on her two right lower molars. 

While waiting for our turn at the dentist

This is so we could have her two left molars fixed and also put a filling on her two front teeth. Unfortunately, when we got there Miya didn't like to sit on her own on the dentist chair (unlike before). So she sat on my lap which was a bit difficult because I already had a baby bump then (19 weeks). The first plan was to put sealant only on the two right molars. But when it was done so quickly with Miya being so patient, I asked the dentist to proceed with her two front teeth as well (para isang puntahan na lang). We didn’t do the crown for the teeth anymore but instead go fillings (or pasta). Although, the dentist warned us that with this remedy, it’s more possible that the teeth will chip again if Miya bites on something hard. We were at the dentist chair for like one and half hours. At the last half hour, Miya was starting to get fussy. She was starting to wriggle on my lap and we had to tell her to stop moving. When the dentist was finally done, I heaved a big sigh of relief. Buti na lang natapos din!

And then afterwards, as if I’m really testing my 3-year old’s patience we went to the kiddie salon just in front of the dentist to get her haircut. 

This was at the kiddie salon. Miya showing her fixed two front teeth, no more bungi!

Ayun she didn’t want to sit on the “car” so I told her to sit again on my lap while Manong did her haircut. Before we went to the mall, I was already psyching her that she gets to sit on a car while her hair is being cut and then afterwards we can play again inside the playarea where there were lots of balls. But still she didn’t want to sit on the car when we got there even if I reminded her that she’ll get a reward and get to play. 

They let her watch Frozen while her hair was cut by Manong

Almost there

Ganda ng bob ni Manong. Parang gusto ko rin magpagupit sa kanya. 

After her haircut when we were walking away from the salon and down to the escalators, she saw the playarea and wanted to play! I told her she can’t because she didn’t do her part of the deal which was to sit on the car for her haircut. I told her she can get a toy instead as a reward for her patience during our dental visit. But first, we had to have her photo taken. Good thing she was more cooperative at the photo center. She sat on her own on the stool and got her photo take. Here's her ID photo again.

Miya's Potty Training Story

Just the other day I was thinking I haven't blogged about our potty training story. And now Frances of Topaz Mommy is asking for tips on how to toilet train her eldest. I hope this little blog helps her and other mommies out there.

As I've mentioned before, we introduced the potty to Miya by reading her a book about it.  But you can see that was a long time ago. It took us almost a year to completely train her. It was an on and off thing with her, this potty training. First she was taught to pee in the potty and then in the toilet. I also asked our yaya to not put any diaper on her when they're at home. So there are really times when she will pee (or poop) on the floor. I really have to thank my yaya before for tolerating this and for keeping up with our program. By September last year, we ran out of our Mamy Poko diaper*. My mother's boss had a contact with the supplier so we were able to buy in bulk price, much much cheaper than store bought diaper. Sinabay yung order namin sa order ng boss nya kaya nakamura kami! But when our stock ran out, we couldn't wait for the next bulk purchase of her boss. Cheapskate that I am I decided it's really time to really teach Miya to pee and poop in the toilet.  I asked our new yaya to do this. Make her pee and poop in the toilet when she's home. She only wore diaper when she goes to school, when she slept at night or when we go out. We did it bit by bit. After a few months, she only wore diapers when she slept at night or when we go out. Come January, we finally decided she shouldn't wear diapers at night. She was actually the one who initiated this in December last year, she didn't like wearing dipaers at night anymore. But I wanted to sleep through the night so I put it off and made her wear diapers. In January we finally did it. I've put her potty beside our bed. I'll help her pee before sleeping and tell her to wake me up during the night when she feels like peeing. In the first few weeks, there were some accidents when I would wake up and her side of the bed is all wet. I had to change her and put her back to sleep. There were nights when she would wake me up after doing the deed. And then there were nights when she would wake me up and I'll lead her to her potty and our bed will be dry all throughout the night. There were times when I find her stirring during the night, so I'll gently ask her if she wants to pee. Most of the time she will say yes and I will help her out of bed to pee. Until finally she learned to wake me up to make her pee. Now, she can last the whole night through without peeing. Hurrah!

When we went out-of-town for our birthday, my husband insisted that we let her wear diapers during the travel time. Turned out we didn't really have to because Miya would control her pee and then ask me to bring her to the toilet if she really has to go. If I tell her to just pee in her diapers, she will tell me she wants to do it in the toilet.

So I guess in the end potty training is a combination of the readiness of the kid (if she can already tell you she wants to pee or poo, that is, she knows the sensation she feels before doing the deed), the consistency of training her and practicing peeing and pooping in the toilet.

*Miya has really sensitive skin so this is really our diaper of choice. This is what really works for her. We also tried using Pampers when we ran out but in the end I just really didn't want to spend much on diaper anymore.

Family Day

6 October 2013

We had a very tiring weekend because we celebrated Family Day with Miya’s school. First of all, the family day did not happen in the school’s premises but in San Gregorio Farms in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

We invited both sets of grandparents to come with us but since it was a Sunday Joema’s father was not able to join us. The first notice we received from Miya’s teacher said that the activity will start at 8am so we thought we had to leave around 6am to get there on time. We knew how far Sta. Maria is from the city since Joema and his family used to live there. So instead of bringing in packed lunch, we decided to place our lunch order with the school. They ordered KFC meals for those who chose to do so. It was also a good thing that the school decided to start the event at a later time – 9:30.

So anyways on Sunday my parents came to our condo and by 8am we all trooped to Bulacan. We picked up my mother-in-law along the way. There were some rerouting in the area going to the farm because of some infrastructure rehabilitation so we got lost going to the venue hehe. But since we were early, we were one of the two families who were the early birds (for which we got a prize yay! Haha!). I think the program started a few minutes after 10am. We were teamed up with the other families in Miya’s level, we were the red team. The school gave out white shirts for all of us and gave us different colored bandannas to distinguish the different teams.

 

Our little red riding hood

The program started with the kids singing the National Anthem. I was surprised when Miya started singing on stage! Remember the last program we went to when she didn’t even want to stay infront? This time around she sang with all her classmates. I was so proud! Then they said a prayer and sang a few songs. Allow me to share the photos and videos here.

On stage right before the performance of the kids

Singing Lupang Hinirang

 

To be strong and to lean on...

It was really a proud moment for me and Joema and even the grandparents. I was beaming the whole time!

And then came the cheering competition. I didn’t want to participate at first but her teacher told me to join, so yes I eventually joined. We just recited a few lines of the cheer and then danced! Ahahaha! But since Miya wanted to be carried, I technically didn’t dance with the other Mommies but I was there with them swaying along. No, no videos of that! LOL!

 

With Mommy practicing our cheer

And then there were more games, which both Joema and I did not participate in. But on the last game they had an Amazing Race kind of game, Joema and I played with the team. As in career! We were always the first in the group to arrive in our stations hahaha! Well it was our way in helping our team. I was actually surprised that Joema agreed to join the Amazing Race and I didn’t have to make pilit for him to join. See, my husband is a shy guy but I guess he’s more dyahe not to participate at all because he’s seen most of the parents joining the games.

Can you spot Joema doing the zipline?

After the games we had lunch and had some free time before the awarding ceremonies.





With Lolo and Lola

In the end, our team was 4^th place overall but it didn’t matter because all the kids had prizes. Miya was so happy with all the things she got hehe.

Receiving our early bird award. Miya was so excited to get that tin can. But when she opened it, she said "Asan laman?" LOL Told her she can use it as her lunch box