A Christmas to Rememberrrr!!

                                   Friday evening an hour and a half after the first snow fell

Yowzaa! We are out in the East Coast spending our holiday season with Mr. Fliz's family and an unexpected visitor came to join us. We had a snow storm come in on Friday evening--just a day after we had arrived. It was the big news on Thursday night. At first they expected 6-10 inches of snow, then 10-15 inches (yikes!), and then it got up to two feet of snow expected to fall between Friday evening (the 18th) to Sunday morning. We got close to that--almost 20 inches!

It was Micro's first snowfall. To say the least, he was surprised and a bit intrigued. However, he was not a fan of the cold and snow. I'm sure this will take a bit getting used to. The snow was beautiful and memorable. We certainly enjoyed putting on our layers, snow boots, and thick jackets. Yes,we were unprepared for this snow and last minute tried to get him some proper attire, but most stores were cleaned out. Thankfully, his cousin let him borrow some of her snow gear. And yeah, so what of the pink boots-he looks good and matches :)

Mr. Fliz and I even managed to make it into D.C. during the storm (are we crazy?--you bet!) to do an overnight and enjoy an evening of "Chocolate Decadence" at the Ritz (for more info-click here) despite warnings of several road closures and metro stops (yes, we took the Metro and hoofed the rest of the short way).

Though temperatures were below freezing, that didn't stop us from getting outside and doing what we had to do for family Christmas parties and such. The snow will be sticking around for Christmas, where they expect a "wintery mix" to happen. Oh joy. Let's see what happens.





coming back from the Ritz with freshmade donuts to go

Sunday morning, a thick blanket of powder

Holiday Traditions

My favorite new show this season has been "Modern Family." It's a funny family sitcom that at the end of each episode (thus far) leaves you feeling good. That's been hard to find as of late. Last week's episode got me thinking about how fun it's been to create new family traditions and preserving old ones. Now that I have my own little family, I look forward to Micro growing older and appreciating these traditions. My husband feels the same way.

Creating lasting memories season after season is what it's all about. Though the holidays don't always leave everyone feeling warm inside, it's still a time to celebrate and look back on the past year. We have to be grateful for all the little blessings we have. So here's to creating many more family traditions with your loved ones...no matter how big, small, crazy, or boring.

16 more days left til Christmas

This week is proving to be a very cold Decemberrrrrrr! Parts of Northern California are in the twenties. What's going on? In fact, Walnut Creek and Coco County got a light dusting of snow on Monday. I'm jealous. But that's ok, because they're only 20 minutes away, so I can get that Tahoe-like feel too :)

So to keep things warm, I thought I'd share this recipe for Alfajores (the cookie is usually thinner--so you can roll your dough out a bit flatter if you like) from Chez Pim. If you haven't tried these cookies yet--omg--you are totally missing out. A bit messy to eat, as they crumble apart from your first bite, but it's oh so good! I'm too lazy to make them myself so I buy them fresh at local bakeries.

For gift ideas for your girlfriends, that don't include candles, lotions, or what rookie moms, Heather and Whitney, say are "clutter-free"gift ideas--could always use a little of these now and then. For the little ones that are artists-in-training, this from Cool Mom Picks is a cute little idea to bring their artistry to life.

Stay warm everybody and tis the season to be Merry!

Disney Magic

Ok, here it is! A helpful guide to exploring Disneyland with your little ones safely and soundly. I've published two articles to help those who are going to visit where Mickey and Minnie reside with their babies and toddlers for the first time. I've enlisted the help of very trustworthy and resourceful friends of mine who are avid Disneyland visitors. If you would like to share any additional tips or advice with regards to "surviving Disneyland", please leave comments below.

**Watch for Toy Story 3 to come out next year! The pictures are courtesy of Arnold Suliguin and Marvin Louie. Emily Suliguin with Sleeping Beauty and Noah Louie with Buzz Lightyear

I can't wait to go to "The Happiest Place on Earth" with Micro and watch him soak it all in. Just today we went to San Francisco Centre and Downtown SF for some Christmas shopping magic and stayed until it was dark for Micro to view the tree. He certainly enjoyed watching all the lights and seeing 'The Grinch' hangin' out in Union Square. I've been wanting to take him to see the tree at downtown since he was first born. Last year, we didn't stay too long because Micro was a "micron" at the time. He loved looking at all the lights and seeing him smile brought me lots of Christmas joy :)

Congrats Efren Penaflorida

Congratulations Efren Penaflorida! This is a follow-up post to a previous one.
I think you said it best, ". . . you are the change that you dream of, as I am the change that I dream, and collectively, we are the change that this world needs to be."

Be a hero to someone you know or don't know.

Yikes! Black Friday!

I came across some photos from SFGate.com about the shopping frenzies happening all-over the nation this Black Friday--it's enough to keep the sanest people at home. What's the deal? It's part thrill of lining up with hundreds of other people, scoring big ticket items at a deep discount, and for some, the true signal of the start of the Christmas season. I've never lined up for anything--ok, except to be a contestant for The Price Is Right (never got past the 3rd round) and get the iPhone 3GS when it launched--and that was due to my husband eager to get it and my cell phone at the time had been dead for over a week (not really smart when you're out and about with a baby--for emergency purposes of course). It was pretty exciting to be in line and share the enthusiasm or stupidity of doing it. I mean Old Navy opened its doors at 3 a.m.! Old Navy is such a bargain already, what more could you want to get your butt out of bed and stand in line beginning at 12 a.m.? All right, if I had multiple children to buy for, yeah it'd be a great deal. Times are tough these days, so scoring deals is a PLUS.

I remember last year Mr. Fliz thought seriously of getting up with our then NEWBORN to line up at Best Buy (he says, it's because the baby would be up anyway and it was during his shift--so why not?)--the reason--none. He just wanted to do it. Of course, I said no-leave the baby with me if you really need to fulfill this desire of hitting Best Buy as soon as their doors open to just "window shop." But he actually looks forward to lining up someday to get Micro the next "Tickle Me Elmo" or "Wii." In order to survive Black Friday or Christmas shopping in general--have plenty of snacks on hand (not just for the kids, but for yourself too), take frequent breaks if needed, and make a list--stick to your budgets as best you can (maybe pay in cash). 

If you have any crazy Black Friday stories, I'd love to hear them. Post it in the comments below. Happy Shopping All--and maybe, just maybe, you might see me out there helping the economy out today.

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/besighyawn/ / CC BY 2.0

Doesn't his face say it all?

Salamat!

Micro's first time on the Golden Gate Bridge

It's a been a year of "firsts" as my neighbor puts it--Micro's first trip to the zoo, attending a baseball and basketball game, and going down a slide. Mr. Fliz and I have much to be grateful for. We celebrated his first Easter, Pumpkin Patch outing, Flag Day, you name it--it was all his first. As Micro's 2nd Thanksgiving is approaching, I'm reminded of where I was a year ago--an overwhelmed, yet truly happy first-time mother. Micro was a little "milk monster" when he first arrived and I felt like a cow. Parenting took some getting used to. But I think Mr. Fliz and I handled it quite well considering the lack of sleep, energy, and appetite.

Now, no longer a rookie mother, I'm comforted in knowing that this holiday season I can appreciate it a bit more. Micro is growing up healthy (considering he's fighting his first true cold--actually we all are right now) and happy. I get more sleep these days and I'm getting a chance to write for the Oakland Examiner online. I'm sure life can be more difficult--given the current economic downturn.

I just want to thank all my friends and family who've supported me and my family through an amazing year. It's been rough here and there, but we really couldn't have managed without your unconditional love and endless support. You guys are a blessing. I've learned a lot from the "pro-moms and dads" out there. You guys are amazing parents and an inspiration to Mr. Fliz and I. To my girlfriends, who listened attentively when I felt like I was failing at motherhood, and "held my hand" during those trying times--Salamat! The pep talks and advice were comforting.

To God--geez what more can I say that you haven't heard me say in my prayers everyday? I value the relationship I have with you. Thanks for your grace.

I'm thankful for Mr. Fliz for putting up with my insanity, crazy outbursts, and who doesn't ridicule me for loving the "Twilight" saga, and appreciates the taste of a good brownie. More importantly, shares the same values as I do--like Dennis Quaid said in the movie, "In Good Company,". . . you just pick the right one to be in the fox hole with . . ." So I've chosen you, and boy am I glad :)

Last, and certainly not least, to Micro--words can't begin to express the love and joy you've brought your Daddy and I. This blog would not exist, if not for you. Thank you for making me a mommy.

Pinay Nanay and Micro at his first NBA game

Crafty Savviness

With Micro's first birthday party well behind us, I can look back on it and say, "ok, that was fun, but a lot of work." In true Filipino fashion, we celebrated with a big party and had lechon for our guests. My sister even managed to reuse her cupcake tower in a fun and pretty way without using any cupcakes.

In the weeks leading up to his birthday (which planning only commenced at the beginning of October-because I was too lazy to start any sooner-so you can throw a decent party in a month), I was working myself over about the little details and what I could do to not spend too much on favors and decorations. Not that a bunch of toddlers need a bunch of balloons, party hats, and such to have fun (give them some open space and a nearby playground and they're good to go), but I wanted to mark Micro's huge milestone in a fun and crafty way.

I'm by far the least craftiest of many of my girlfriends, but I can pull some surprises. Since Micro's birthday is close to Halloween, my husband and I didn't want to have a heavily-Halloween themed party. Invitations were done in blue and brown and peppered with Halloween accents. I made a birthday banner by using up old ribbon (boy, do I have a few!), cardstock, and printing 10 pictures of Micro. It was a more personal touch than buying the plastic-y kind at party stores (and it was fun to make and a great keepsake).

The favors my husband and I worked so tirelessly on, are what I'm proudest of the most. It was a collaborative effort.

I had saved A LOT of Micro's baby food jars and knew I wanted to do something creative with them at some point (yes, at 6 months of age, I had already begun thinking of ideas for his birthday) and didn't know what until it came time to plan Micro's grand affair. I originally intended to use the glass jars as favors and thought of making them into piggy banks, candles, or homemade preserves.  Then I'd label them like baby jars, but instead of nutritional info, it would be Micro's statistics (like his current weight, likes and dislikes, you get the picture). I discussed these ideas over a quick lunch with my bf, and she thought they were good, but too complicated and time consuming. She was clever enough to think of an Oprah episode where she saw some women make individual servings of hot chocolate as inexpensive, but creative Christmas gifts. So we talked and talked, and out came

With the idea born, I headed off to Michael's to see what I could do to make it look nice. So many ideas were swarming in my head, but I needed to make sure our execution would be easy and not too labor intensive. After two trips to Michael's, Micro's Hot Chocolate Mix turned out pretty good. I must say, Mr. Fliz and I did pretty good. I'm sure some of the favors had stickers coming off, but they were useful favors and eco-friendly--you could recycle the individual components.

It DOES take a village

*this is Micro watching me prep his bath, I just love the way he's looking at me

Yippee! Hooray! Micro turned 1! It was a momentous occasion. We had so much fun celebrating his birthday with family that had flown in from the East Coast and many loved family and friends too. Mr. Flizz and I can't thank each and every one of you enough for making his birthday a true celebration. We are very blessed!

Looking back on Micro's first year of life, it truly is unbelievable how much has happened. I hate to be so cliche, but it does take a village to raise a child. I could not have survived this past year without the endless love, support, and encouragement from my husband, parents, sister, in-laws, and good friends. Motherhood is so much more than being responsible for someone who is completely dependent on you. The unexpected joy it's brought me is unparalleled. There were definitely trying times (as I'm sure there will be for the rest of my life). But I've learned quite a few things, like putting on a diaper with one hand, that it's ok to make up my own lyrics when I've forgotten how a lullaby goes, that the advice of Dr. Karp goes a long way ("rise to his level"), sacrificing a shower means the rest of the world will have to suffer, I still detest poo, living in diapers is the easy life, crying can be a good thing, and that when it comes to Micro, there's nothing I wouldn't do to make his life better. His smile alone (even after 30 solid minutes of constant crying) is my reward at the end of a hard day.

Parenthood is HARD; it's hard on the marriage, it's hard emotionally and physically. Yet it's one of the best jobs there is. So I tip my hat to all the moms and dads before me, because even if you've only raised one "Micro", you've managed to survive the toughest job on earth.

Pumpkin! Sumkin! Diddly Dumkins!

It's not everyday that a kid gets to enjoy a trip to the pumpkin patch. Although Micro didn't have time to visit the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch that everyone has been raving about, I did manage to take him to Perry's Pumpkin Patch at Ardenwood Farm in Newark. It was fitting that Lolo accompany us as his birthday falls on Halloween. So this was a well spent afternoon. A great memory for Micro to share with his Lolo--his first trip to visit a field full of orange. He was more interested in all the kids running around, pushing wheelbarrows, and parents tugging wagons of pumpkins around. Micro enjoyed being in a wagon himself and Lolo threw in the small pumpkin for good measure.

The mother of all candy feasts is only a few days away, and we're busy preparing for Micro turning the BIG "1". When I think about it, this time last year, my husband and I (along with everyone else) didn't know what we were having--girl or boy? Where has the time gone? Happy Halloween all!!!

Filipino-American History Day

Photo courtesy of:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zt_kw/ / CC BY 2.0

Today at the Pleasanton Library, there will be a two-hour presentation about the contributions of Filipinos in America. What a great opportunity for everyone to learn about how Filipinos played a role in WWII and the Delano Grape Strike. Enjoy an afternoon educating yourself, and perhaps kids who are old enough to appreciate a little oral history, while refreshments are served. There is no entrance fee. For more information, click here. For more information on how Filipinos impacted our very own community here in the East Bay, check this book out. Images of America has a series of books about the roles Filipino-Americans have played in history.

Make Way! Coming Through!

photo courtesy of:http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoonie/ / CC BY 2.0                 

Word around the Flowers household this past week is that Micro is FINALLY sprouting his first tooth!

OMG! It's true. I can confirm that.

A week and a half ago, I told Mr. Fliz that I suspected seeing a faint white spot underneath his gum on the bottom half. I wanted Mr. Fliz to confirm it because I've been "crying wolf" about Micro teething since he was 4 months old. Unfortunately Mr. Fliz forgot, and was too heartbroken about the 'Skins losing (sorry to bring it up again honey). Last Friday, I saw the white spot had broken through the gum. Imagine my surprise when I stuck my finger in Micro's mouth and felt a sharp point. At last!

(begin humming) Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston's "When You Believe"

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who know what miracle
You can achieve

Ok, enough of my antics. I can't stand being that corny. Our little Micro is growing up and his 1st Birthday is almost here. I know for sure on that day, I will acquire at the very least, one photo of his gleaming pearly white tooth. Good job Micro! Now, let's work on getting the rest of them in so Mommy and Daddy don't have to suffer too long from your crankiness, snottiness, and incessant drooling. We love you Micro!

He's an Inspiration--SO VOTE!

Though I consider many of my friends everyday heroes in their own way, Efren Penaflorida, a 28-year old Filipino, a former corn vendor from the impoverished streets of the Philippines, is every bit the hero we all aspire to be. My girlfriend JD sent me this CNN article about Penaflorida and how he is in the running to be one of the 2009 CNN Heroes. His childhood story is that which is mirrored by many young children in the Philippines--destitute, uneducated, stealing from others, begging by the roadside--images that describe those kids living in shantytowns outside Manila and in most other provinces. Penaflorida fought his way out of that lifestyle and started the DTC, Dynamic Teen Company. 

I wanted to share his success story with all of you in the hopes that at the very least, you'll cast your vote for him as a CNN Hero. I also hope that you'll read more about his story and the company he started, and perhaps donate to his cause or forward it to your friends and family the world over. Sharing his story may inspire others to follow suit in their homeland or help Penaflorida out. I know his story has touched and inspired me. I will share his (along with many other everyday heroes I know of) story with Micro one day in the hopes that it will teach my son something about pain, suffering, determination, and success. A lesson we could all benefit from.

Where the Wild Things Are

Little Micro, like Max in the book, "Where the Wild Things Are," went on his own adventure. This past weekend, while many were busy watching the President's Cup or the Blue Angels fly overhead San Francisco, Micro and friends ("Ms. Lolli") went to check out the SF Zoo. Though he didn't don a wolf costume like Max, he was bundled up for a chilly start on a Saturday morning.

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! It was Micro's first trip to the zoo and he got a great opportunity to see the animals without having to fight his way to the front of the glass viewing cases. There were very few people. He and Ms. Lolli enjoyed a train ride too!

Though Micro isn't quite into other animals like he's into dogs, he still had a great time and has Ms. Lolli's family to thank for the outing. Mr. Fliz and I enjoyed looking at the animals and learning from what parts of the world they're from. Thank you to Ms. Lolli's parents for a great way to spend a Saturday. By the end of the zoo trip, Micro was itching to give Ms. Lolli a "goodbye hug," and ever the little lady, she politely declined.

Does it have to always be kid-friendly?

Before having Micro, most of my writing consisted of food and travel (this is still my passion). I consider 'food and travel' the perfect pairing. So when we had Micro, I feared that we would have to forsake eating out at good restaurants, at least ones that were not kid-friendly. Since we've had him, we have had to forgo the well-reviewed, eye-pleasing interior, with the out-of-this world desserts restaurants. Ok, not all of them, but most of them. Unless we leave Micro at home, that means those restaurants I long to eat at, will have to wait (and if we have lola or lolo babysitting, it's hard to narrow down which place to try). I don't like waiting that long. I don't want to be one of those parents that only brings their kids to "kid-friendly" places. I think we should redefine that term 'kid-friendly' anyway. I think as long as it's a loud place and has room to fit in a high chair (or a portable one), it qualifies. I want to expose Micro to a variety of foods and atmospheres. (Yes, I say this now when he can't speak or run around like a squealing piglet)


I'm not saying bring your child to a jazz-inspired restaurant with live music and 'fahncee' food (meaning, anything but baby food), like we did with Micro to Miss Pearl's Jam House. Big mistake, or was it? We may have used poor judgement at the time to bring a newborn on a Friday night to a restaurant where live music was blaring from the front doors and there were candle lit tables with couples all over the place. But we hadn't been out for over a month, and we longed to reconnect with the outside world. Though we made it through the dinner with some minor scrapes and bruises, it was a learning experience. (I'm sure we scared a few couples that night that would make them cringe at the thought of having a baby) An experience that taught us that we can't shy away from challenges just because you have a child. 

Of course, it's important to know when to call it quits at a restaurant when your child has a breakdown, and be courteous to others eating. As adults, we shouldn't feel like we are also relegated to just chain restaurants or those places that advertise, "kids eat free" (but hey, we're in a recession and nothing wrong with those places). It may be another matter if you happen to have an "angel of a child", who is well-behaved and listens to you. We don't. Instead, we brave it (at least a good 89.7% of the time) and go out to eat at places that are not so kid-friendly. (I think its best to do these outings during lunch--when it's not too busy and prices are more affordable) Sometimes we get "funny" looks from patrons and the host or hostess, but we put on our "yeah, so we got a baby" face and sit down for a decent meal. Besides, can restaurants afford to turn away customers these days? Any business is good business, right?

In doing this, Micro has opened his palette to a variety of foods. He loves eating salads with vinaigrette dressing, hummus, couscous, braised short ribs, and a host of other foods. I have not ordered anything from the kid's menu because, well, Micro still has no teeth, and he has no interest unless it comes from my plate or Daddy's. My point to this post is to encourage other parents to do the same (mainly, so me and Mr. Fliz don't look like idiotic parents). Go out to that nice, fancy, schmancy place and bring junior. Order from the adult's menu (of course be sensitive to allergies for your little ones) and enjoy. 

Calling all Chocoholics

I clearly remember the first time I fell for dark chocolate. It was in a small Monterey cheese shop about five years ago. A red-haired guy was breaking off a piece of 70% dark Scharffen Berger chocolate for me to sample after eating a piece of cheese. Chocolate after cheese? Seems an unlikely pairing. But I tell you, it was delicious. I don't remember what type of cheese I had, but it was certainly overshadowed by the bittersweet taste lingering in my mouth. Since then, I've fallen hard for dark chocolate.
This started me on a path to explore quality-tasting chocolates, artisanal chocolates to be specific. Long gone are the days when I used to remove the "Special Dark" from the Hershey's chocolate variety bags. Nowadays, I find any excuse to buy myself a good piece of Valrhona, Guittard, or Christopher Elbow chocolates. This past weekend, Mr. Fliz and I went on a free chocolate tour at Charles Chocolates. It's a great family activity, or do it with friends. They produce amazing confections and their dark chocolates are decadent. But truly my favorites were the Pate du Fruit and Fleur del Sel Caramels. Please check out my examiner article for more info.

**Also, just a reminder if any of you have information (especially from loved ones abroad) about where to send goods and money to victims of Ondoy, please let me know so I can post the information. I'm currently gathering more information on organizations and local "door to door" businesses that are offering to send balikbayan boxes of donations for free. Again, I'd like to reiterate that we send to local grass roots organizations that are trustworthy. We want to ensure that those who need it most, get it. My good friend from the Philippines just emailed me an update today and they are still in dire need of the following items: anti-fungal cream, blankets, underwear (for men, women, and children), non-perishable food (canned goods, granola/cereal bars, chips), clothes (gently-worn and in good condition is ok), medicines, and much more. I'll be writing an article for the Examiner on where to send these things, so it's important that you give me current, reliable, and accurate information.

A Hodge Podge Friday

October is here and that means only one thing. Holiday season is right around the corner and  because today is a beautiful Friday (this translates to, I'll be spending most of my day outside), I'm doing a "lazy post". 


I'll share with you a few cool things happening around the blogosphere, and the web for that matter. 


Over at Delicious Baby, there's a great post about Disney giving away 1 million passes to their parks next year. The catch? Volunteer with your family (kids must be at least 6 and up--if I understand her post right). Check it out.


For all my creative masterminds out there, if you haven't heard of Etsy.com, you have to check it out. It's a great place to sell and buy handmade items. I found this cute idea for a handmade holiday bib. If you are planning to sell any items on there, please let me know and I'll post your stuff on this blog too. If however, you've bought something there that's just too cool to keep to yourself, share with me too!


Here's an insane photo of a Virgin airplane flying right over the rooftops of some homes in London. 


How about making pad thai at home. Chez Pim provides a great recipe (and photos) for beginners. 


Feel free to visit my articles at the Oakland Examiner. I'll be posting soon about taking the Charles Chocolate Factory tour!


Yes, today's post is a mish-mash of all the things I love...food & travel. Those two things are never far from my mind, neither is Micro. 

Help out victims of Typhoon Ondoy

*these images are courtesy of IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) 


Known as "Typhoon Ondoy" in the Philippines, Typhoon Ketsana, the worst tropical storm in Philippine history, hit central and southern Luzon provinces this past Saturday. According to PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geological, and Astronomical Services Administration), 341.3 mm or roughly 13.4 inches of water, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. They estimate that 240 people have been killed. 

My cousin is an active member of the Babae Organization in San Francisco and is asking for donations. They've requested that you make donations to local grass roots organizations, like GABRIELA, so that the monies received will go directly to helping out the communities affected. 

I know economic times are tough, but there's no greater gift than helping out our fellow man. Please pass this information to your families, friends, and community. Thank you and please pray for those affected by this storm. 

On the road

Micro has been having fun spending time with his East Coast family. We are coming to the end of our trip. The weather has been beautiful and I got a chance to relax with Mr. Fliz sans the baby. I'll be back in the Bay Area soon and post some more. For now, we're just enjoying the last few hours with family before boarding a plane. Another trip down for Micro. He's quite the travel junkie.

Coming Soon--dunt, dunt, dunt--The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

No, no, no. That's not Harry Potter before his Hogwart's Days. That's my husband's little league pic back in the day. I mean waaaaaaayyy before Harry was conceived. I need to get in touch with J.K. Rowling, because he may very well have been the inspiration for young Harry. 


Check this out Harry Potter fans. That's right! Set to open during Spring of 2010. 

Breaking News! Breaking News!!

No, we didn't win the lotto. Our precious Micro took his first steps yesterday afternoon. It started off with a little show-stopper action for Mama, by standing up all by himself, and not clinging onto anything. How he did it, remains a mystery to me. I just looked up from my magazine and saw him standing nearby with a huge grin on his face. Jaws dropped, the magazine fell to the floor, and a piercing scream exited my mouth. That event to be followed up by his latest milestone of taking two steps towards Daddy. 

Micro: Hey, I can't just put the show on for Mommy. Daddy gets perks too.

Daddy was the lucky parent to witness firsthand, Micro's momentous undertaking. I ran in time to see him take another few steps. The rest of the evening was peppered with moments of him taking a few tiny steps here and there. It was exciting! We are so very proud of you Micro.

Volunteer with your kids

This Saturday is the 25th California Coastal Cleanup Day. This is a great opportunity to do with your friends and family. Here is the link for Alameda County for those interested in signing up. 

My husband and I volunteered back in July at the Alameda Food Bank handing out food to those who need it. It was a great time and we had fun meeting new people and helping others. We could have brought Micro with us, but fortunately got his Lolo (grandpa) to babysit a few hours. But the opportunity was there and it would have been nice for him. I'm sure it would've brought some smiles to the hundreds of people we gave food to that day. We plan on doing it once a month, but have yet to go back because our summer schedule got filled up quick. There are many volunteer opportunities around our area and in our neighborhoods. Just keep your eyes and ears open. 

VolunteerMatch is a great resource to begin with. At the Eat Real Festival a few weeks ago where I volunteered, there were women who were pregnant and one even had her baby in a Bjorn, helping out. So don't shy away from exposing your children to helping others out. It's a great learning opportunity and better yet, one where you meet new people. If there are any particular volunteer organizations you are part of, or feel strongly about, please leave a comment and I'll put those links up in a future blog post. 

Traditional Filipino Dances

Back in elementary and high school, my girlfriends and I performed traditional Filipino dances. We performed such common dances as tinikling and singkil (oh my gosh I remember the amount of eyeliner we had to wear for this dance, I couldn't stand it). We danced during our culture nights and at community sponsored events. It was a great opportunity to do something with friends and learn about the multi-cultural aspects of what it means to be Filipino. I was proud to don the traditional outfits, that were often handmade, and may have even saved some in the hopes that one day, my children will follow in my footsteps. I'm sure there were several of you that participated in your school's or community's events honoring Filipino heritage.  


I hope one day Micro will take it upon himself and partake (at the very least, once) in learning a traditional filipino dance. If you've participated, or your children have, please feel free to email me photos of them and I'll share it on the site. 

I found an ad in the East Bay Express for Children's Philippine Folk Dance taught by Jay Loyola for $150 a quarter. On selected Sundays (you'll have to call), from now until December 31, he'll be teaching kids to dance. The hours of practice are from 1-3 p.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. 510-637-0455

Flu season is approaching

This past weekend cast gray skies over Oakland and most of the Bay Area and we got some much needed rain. Check this cool photo out. 

I also fell under the cast of those gloomy skies and came down with a slight fever and cold. My first cold in a long time. Of course this was Micro's gift to me for the weekend. He had a fever last Thursday night and had been cranky for most of the days prior to it (perhaps he's finally teething--of course I've been saying this since he was 4 months old). Unfortunately, being a rookie mom, thought he was just being fussy and hadn't taken his temperature to see if it was out of the ordinary. He hadn't felt very hot and we were hoping that he wouldn't fall to any sickness in his first year. Lame thinking, I know. 

He had received his flu shot and is getting another one for the swine flu. According to my pediatrician, flu season in the East Coast has already begun. Best to get your kids and yourself vaccinated this season. I know there are some of you out there that don't feel it's necessary to get a vaccinated, but you don't want to pass something onto your kids, even if they did get a flu shot. I just say, "better safe than sorry". My friend last year failed to get a flu shot out of sheer laziness and ended up getting sick (and she was pregnant, which I was surprised that her doctor didn't tell her to get one). We all know it's never fun to feel crappy and take care of your kids.  


Remind them (and yourselves) to wash their hands often, cover their mouth when they cough, and eat healthy. 





 

It pays to be cute

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a short work week for most of you and I know you're looking forward to the weekend. The above picture has nothing to do with today's post, except that I like it. It's Micro and his cousin "Noe". Isn't she super duper cute? Wouldn't they make awesome movie stars? I think so. Wouldn't your cuties make awesome movie stars? Ok, ok, I'm not trying to be a stage mom or anything, but check out this link from an ad on my blog (does that I mean I just paid myself? I hope so). 

Imagine it, your wee ones, or those you know, could be in the next "Sex and the City" (hey, I'm a fan of the series) and get to keep their wardrobe. Better yet, if you know of any multiples, forward this post to their mom, and you may be looking at the next mega-millionaires (move over Ashley and Mary Kate).


I know there are some of you that had your precious one(s) try out for Baby Gap's model contest and I hope you haven't given up. Because I think they deserve to be models. Not to mention the really cool duds your kid would be sporting for free! I won't lie, I planned on enrolling Miles in a cute kid photo contest, and I really would have, except mommy-brain kicked in and I forgot to submit it. Shame on me, shame on me, that may have been my 'lotto' ticket.  

*Today is Patriot Day. Let's not forget to honor our fallen heroes and angels everywhere. God Bless!  

Bring baby to the movies

If I was allowed to bring Micro to watch "Twilight" (oh yeah, that's right, I'm a fan of the book series--please, please let "New Moon" be 30x better!) when it premiered last November, I would have. Yikes, bring a baby to the movies! Yes, it's possible! Select local theatres around the Bay Area sponsor such things. When Micro was three months old we had heard of Baby Brigade at our now-closed Parkway Theatre in Oakland. Every Monday night, the first two evening showings were reserved for parents and babies (under 1) to view current movies. It's a great and novel idea. If your baby cries, you won't be alone. You can also stroll them in the back to put them to sleep with others by your side and feed comfortably in the dark (so long as you're discreet if nursing).


Unfortunately, Micro, Mr. Fliz, and I, never managed to take advantage of that and hope to find other locations that offer something similar. And I did find some! Maybe I can take advantage of it while Micro's still eligible. I just don't know if I'll get a chance to watch the movie comfortably or if I'll be running around in the semi-dark trying to keep him out of corners he shouldn't be crawling to.

Below are links to theatres around the Bay that are outings for Parents and babies for when Netflix and Blockbuster just won't cut it:


http://www.hkinsf.com/4star/presidio.html

http://www.peerlessentertainment.com/VT%20Web%20Home.htm

http://www.cameracinemas.com/diaper.shtml

If you know of more places, please share with us mommies in the comments section. If anyone has gone to one of these, please let me know how it went and what you liked or didn't like. I'll make sure to create a post if and when I go to one.

Giving Back

You probably wouldn't equate the name Tim Tebow with Filipinos. And he's not one. But he was born there. In fact, if you're a football fan, especially, a college one, you'll know his name instantly. Apart from being the Florida Gator's winning quarterback, being the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, and many other outstanding accolades, he's a missionary. Not quite the picture of the jock quarterback is it?
Born on August 14, 1987 in the Philippines, he was a "miracle baby". His mother Pam, while working as a missionary with her husband in the Philippines, was struck by a life-threatening infection that put little Tim's life in danger, so much so, that doctors told her she should abort the fetus. But Pam, being of Christian faith, decided to carry the baby to term. And so she did, successfully. 

Years later, the young star has garnered world-wide acclaim, and not merely for his athletic talents, but for his family's missionary work in the Philippines. BTEA (Bob Tebow Evangelical Association), located on the island of Mindanao, started an orphanage, that now boasts home to 50 kids. To this day, he continues to make annual trips to the Philippines with his Dad to preach the word of God.


In light of the holiday season that is coming, this serves as a reminder of the good work that's being done for those less fortunate. And, try to include your kids as part of your good deeds towards others. You'll teach them about 'giving' and the rewards that come with it. It's never too early to start thinking of the blessings (be they tiny or large) that we are bestowed and to pass those on to others that need it more so. There's always a little more of ourselves we can give, a little more we can squeeze out of our pocket to give, and a lot more gratitude for what we do have.  

Cool places to bring your little crawler

Finding a place for my "expert crawler" to enjoy is hard to do. Being a stay-at-home Mom means finding activities that will allow my littlest dude to exert his energy, perfect his crawling techniques, captivate his imagination, and challenge him, all this in the hopes of making my life with him much easier and more enjoyable. He's now 10 months old and his crawling days are numbered. He is cruising all around our apartment, which can only entertain him so much. So, I've decided to find a few places that are nearby that are great places to bring pre-walkers to, without them having to be "run over" by walking toddlers. 

It's not easy to find such places. There are plenty of activities to preoccupy toddlers and bigger kids, but not much in the way for babies that are mobile, but not yet walking. Studio Grow in Berkeley is a great, clean, and upbeat environment for children from 0-6 years old to play in. There's a "crawl room", that is equipped with plush toys, vinyl-covered foam mats, books, a bucket for dirty toys, and a small sofa. The much larger-sized "run room" is for both active crawlers and bigger kids. It's full of vinyl-covered mats that create a play center, a pool of balls baby can play in, and much more. You can also bring in food to eat as long as it's eaten in the lunch area. Mommies looking to rest or nurse have a private room to do so. 

Sadiedey's Cafe in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland is a good place for baby and you to relax and enjoy. There is a tiny area for crawlers to explore and play, and allows Mommy or Daddy (or both) to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a cup of joe. It's a great location for Mother's groups and meetups. The only drawback is that they don't allow you to bring in your own baby food. If you do have a young one that is already on solids, you must purchase food for them from the cafe. Something I'm not too happy about, as some babies are picky (thankfully, not mine) and makes it harder and more expensive for parents to deal with.They do provide a private area to nurse if you want.


Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose is a great space that ignites wonderment, fosters creativity, and provides challenges to the minds of our young ones. It can be over-stimulating to tiny tots. We went here for the first time for my goddaughter's 3rd birthday to enjoy the Curios George Exhibit. It's a really small exhibit, but fun for its tiny fans (but where was George?). The museum was packed full of families. Though it's only two levels, there were plenty of interactive stations for young ones to enjoy. On the upper level, we found a crawl room for those under the age of 1 or unable to walk yet. It's cozy and Micro met some cute friends. He truly enjoyed the shallow stairs to crawl up and down on. We had to pull him out of there before closing time. They are good about making sure the space is strictly for pre-walkers and ask parents who allow their "walkers", to remove them, therefore creating a safe and comfortable space for babies. 

Micro enjoying time at CDM

Monday nights just got a little bit better

Calling all football-loving mommies! Football season is upon us, and last year I didn't partake in a fantasy football league, due to becoming a new mama. But this year, since I'm a "pro" at this whole mommy thing (LOL!), I was hoping my old coworker would be hosting one again. To my dismay, he was unable to secure enough players.

(this is my son as a newborn and his "Uncy J" got him that outfit--see they're a Redskin-loving family)

I got into fantasy football purely "by force". I've always enjoyed watching the game. Growing up during football season, my dad made sure we went to the earliest Mass on Sunday morning and that our weekly grocery trip was done in haste, to make sure we made it on time for when the 49er or Raider games were on. Even car trips became a haven for football. Tuned into the AM station, we'd all sit in the car listening to the play-by-plays. Sometimes it felt like football season lasted forever. I couldn't wait til my sister and I had control of the t.v. again. But football was meant to be a part of my life.

My husband is an AVID football fan (along with the rest of his family). He is a Redskins fan who truly bleeds burgundy and gold. He has been doing fantasy football for the past eight years. I'm talking serious fantasy football. Once a year, come mid-August, he and his bazillion college buddies go to a chosen location, usually within the U.S. (they did go to Montreal one year), and for a weekend, behave like frat boys and perform an actual football draft. Yeah, you heard me right. They do a "mock" draft of football players for their "fantasy football team". Shhh...they even hire draft girls to put the players that have been drafted on a draft board. Did I use the word 'draft' enough? The winner gets the cash, bragging rights, and the coveted, cheap-looking, engraved trophy. This is serious stuff ladies. Lots of planning goes into this yearly event. And the excitement on my husband's face is akin to a 12-year-old boy looking at a dirty mag for the first time. 

And once the season is over, there is a sadness that laments in our household, until those fantasy football magazines start popping up on newsstands, and the excitement builds. I'm talking strictly about Mr. Fliz. Anyway, when I first learned of these elaborate draft weekends, I couldn't help but laugh my a$$ off. I mean, they actually spend major mula and time on this. My husband creates excel spreadsheets. You heard me, spreadsheets. And he's not alone, that's the scary thing. Many men are afflicted with this. But I shouldn't be one to judge, because fast forward a few years later, and I'm hooked.


Mr. Fliz and I had just started dating (we met at work) and we got invited to join a fantasy football league by one of our coworkers. I had a vague understanding of it at the time. Of course, not wanting to be rude, I responded, "Sure. Maybe." What? Call me noncommittal. My coworker had set a date and time for the "draft". Well, one unfortunate (or was it) afternoon, after having spent a long day at work, I went to Mr. Fliz's pad (he was my boyfriend then). I was ravenous. As I patiently waited for him to change out of his work attire, he came out with his laptop in hand. "We don't have time to check email right now. I'm super hungry. Let's eat, " I said. He responded, "Aren't you doing the draft? You said you would. It's going to start in like five minutes."


I said, "I was just being polite. I'm not really joining the league." He refused to go and eat until I did the draft. Mr. Fliz, being so conniving, and knowing that food is my weakness, promised me he'd take me anywhere I wanted to eat so long as I took 10 minutes to do the draft. What can I say? I have my weaknesses. That year, I won. The rest is history. 

So began my love affair with fantasy football. I became addicted. It's also helped that I've won twice since my first time five years ago. During that time, I've learned a lot about football and the players. I even got into reading The Sports Guy, and am a huge fan of "Hard Knocks". Now, I'm not a die-hard fan and paint my face when I attend Raider games or know the stats of my favorite players (sorry Jerry). But I am happy to accommodate my husband's wishes of going to church on Saturday evenings (unless the Redskins are playing), and having Sundays (though it maybe a beautiful, warm day) spent indoors watching nothing but football all day. That's what the second tv is for; so I can remove myself from the constant bombardment of hearing, "five yard penalty, first down!" 


The other day, in an effort to cheer me up since I was having a rough morning with Micro, Mr. Fliz sent me this from SFGATE.com. I was cracking up reading it.

Are there other football-loving mamas out there? If so, let me know. If by next year there's still no league for me to join, I'm starting my own.