Because Pregnancy can be that bad . . .

Click here to find out why.

I have to admit I took that link from a post over here.

Meltdowns and more

Micro is two. And the "terrible two's" are, well, pretty terrible. Apart from having to adjust to sharing mommy's and daddy's attention with his new baby sister (which he has for the most part, taken to well), his major meltdowns have become incessant.

Everyday I find myself reprimanding him and dealing with his frustration issues. I know this is all part of parenting a stage Micro has to grow out of. But it's very difficult to deal with. I'm not alone in this, this much I know. Last Monday, while at Home Depot, as I was talking to one of the workers, Micro would continue to interrupt me asking for a "cookie." When I continued to reply, "I will talk to you after I talk to her," he had had enough and threw his biggest tantrum to date. After speaking with the Home Depot worker, I addressed him calmly at first and said, "I have no cookie. When we get home you can have one. But you have to wait." This went on for 10 more minutes as he continued to throw his tantrum right there in the middle of the various nails aisle. I was mortified and really close to losing it with him. Not only was he completely misbehaving, but he had in the process of his tumultuous screams, woken up Micron from her much needed nap. Now the two of them were doing "crying duets." It was one of those moments you wish you could escape from. I ran to the car with both kids, strapped them in the carseats and headed home. Trying to tune them out and relax myself with deep breaths as I drove in madness and frustration. The crying ensued for another half hour. No matter what I did (and I'm sure I did some pouting and yelling of my own-which didn't help), Micro couldn't calm down and Micron was feeding off all the bad energy. After some much needed space and time outs, it came to an end. 

But the end result, left me wanting to cry it out myself. It's these crazy moments that make me think twice about motherhood, but know this is the deal I signed up for.

So how do you other mamas handle meltdowns?

In other news, there's a lot of holiday madness going on in my family. Of the good kind. I'll share that with you another time. But I thought I'd share with you some great posts from other mamas in the blogosphere. Since having had Micron, and with the holidays in full swing, I've been following these moms and their advice on how to dress your best, post-partum. Trouble having your toddler eat some greens that make your pee stink. Well, dress them up in a new way--check here. Traveling is especially a pain this time of year, so perhaps you should check this mom's travel tips to help you out.

Christmas Eve is only 10 DAYS AWAY!! As Christmas quickly approaches, apart from surviving the hoards of traffic in malls, waiting in long lines at your post office, remember that all this is a celebration of family. And for us Catholics, the birth of our Savior, for which all this would not exist, if not for his grace. So enjoy the holidays and take time to reflect on more important matters.

Sweetest of smiles

You know that feeling you get when you're eating your favorite comfort food after a hard day of work, or found a $5, $10, (or if you're really lucky) or $20 bill in your pocket that you never knew you had. Well, when Micron smiles at me, it's a hundred bizillions times that feeling. She makes me feel like I've won the lottery a million times over. Her smile reminds me that no matter how tough some moments with two young children can be, it's all worth it to receive a precious grin.

How do kids do that? They make you crazy with frustration and anger one minute, to having that warm feeling all over. Well, at least my kids make me feel like that.

So here's a toast to "smiles."

Festive eating and Gratitude

Micro (23 mos) and Micron (1.5 mos) 

 

For Thanksgiving, a holiday not celebrated in the Philippines, my family usually prepares a Filipino feast, lightly sprinkled with very few "traditional Thanksgiving food." However, in the past few years, my younger sister has insisted and encouraged our family to prepare a more traditional feast. Yet no matter how much she tries, it's impossible not to include some filipino comfort food during the holidays. I see her point in wanting to celebrate the way others do, but there's something also to be said for creating traditional festive food of our culture--besides, we're thankful for that too.

And since my children are biracial, I want them to celebrate that. What better way than to do it with food. So this year, we will be having turkey (Deep-fried thank you. You know us Filipino's love it that way), pumpkin and pecan pie, garlic mashed potatoes, spicy cranberry sauce, along with, kalderetta, a pancit of some sort, and perhaps a few other filipino dishes. I'll tell you this much, I'm grateful that we're blessed to have this abundance of food during difficult times.

And being a mother has made me appreciate the holiday season in a way I haven't in a long time; seeing it through a child's eye. Things that had lost its' meaning or 'luster', like Christmas pageants, the wonder of Christmas trees, even "holiday shopping," is now more fun and meaningful. There's no lying to myself when it comes to the stress of the holiday season. I dread mall shopping (especially pushing a double stroller around), but having a peppermint mocha or salted hot chocolate never hurts. I don't enjoy the long lines, but appreciate the deep discounts.

I will remind myself the true meaning of the holiday season is to celebrate one another, the love shared among friends and family, and thanking God for being born into this world and all that he's blessed us with.

After all, we should be giving thanks to God and those we love everyday anyway, we don't need a holiday to commemorate it really. So put some attitude into that gratitude.

Golden Birthday!

Two years ago, a gift from God was bestowed upon my husband and I. Since then, life has never been the same. However, life is much more rich and fulfilling.

Happy 2nd Birthday Micro. You are mommy and daddy's pride and joy, pain and happiness. More importantly, you made us parents.

We love you SOOOOO VERY MUCH!!

My how you've grown! Here's to a lifetime of love!

My, how things change

Micron 5 weeks

Micron is now 6.5 weeks old. Micro will almost be 2. And me? I am exhausted. But the exhaustion is also accompanied by moments of joy and revelation. I look at my two babies and at times, I'm overcome with such love and fascination.

In fact, watching Micro be so loving towards Micron grips my heartstrings so. Just the simple act of Micro going over (w/o prompting from me) to get Micron's chupon (pacifier) and put it in her mouth so she'll stop crying can make my day. These are the moments of parenthood that I cherish.

Perhaps, it is easier the second time around. It has a little bit to do with more confidence as a parent, the temperament of your second child is easier to manage (well, at least in my case it is), and you accept that you don't have eight arms to juggle the chaos of motherhood. That sucks!

This past weekend, we dropped Micro off at his Lola's to spend the night, while Mr. Fliz and I, along with Micron, have some time to ourselves. Or having one kid is easier than two. Better yet, having a baby is easier than a toddler. Yup I said it! On the way home after dropping Micro off, we opted to stop by Nordstrom Rack at 8:30 p.m. and do some shopping. We would never have done this with Micro at 6 weeks. Breastfeeding in public, finding a place to change a baby when the bathrooms are not equipped with a changing table, figuring out how to fold/unfold a stroller, and to top it all off, lack of sleep. All those things were stressful for us as new parents.

Now, having only Micron, our newborn, with us, it felt like we could go and do anything--despite the fatigue we have. Micron just sleeps, poops, and eats at this stage. We don't have to worry about her running around clothes racks or down aisles while we're out. We don't have to figure out what to feed her. We don't have to give her a bath and read her a story, or two, or three, or more! In fact, it gets harder as children get older. But as every parent figures out after awhile, every stage has its ups and downs.

As Mr. Fliz pointed out to me, "Funny how our perspective changes."

Yes, it is funny.

He was right!

Micron sleeping soundly

Well, Micro is a Mad Genius. When we kept asking Micro when the baby was coming, he was very adamant about the number '7'. If you read my previous post, we thought he meant Micron would come on the 7th of September. She didn't. But Micro did guess right in some small way. I gave birth to Micron in Room #7 in the hospital. As I had walked around the maternity floor of the hospital in the wee hours of that Friday morning, hoping to speed my labor, Mr. Fliz and I passed by room #7 and he remarked, "What if we give birth there, and that's what (Micro) meant?" Lo and behold, Micro was right.

Funny, how life works out. Kids are amazing. Micron is now 12 days old and already she has begun to change. She is a sound sleeper and sleeps hard during the day. Her Kuya (older brother, aka, Micro) is fascinated by her. Micro is able to answer what his sister's name is, loves to kiss her, and laughs when she can't control her head. I'm looking forward to them growing closer as years wear on. One can hope right?

How is life with two kids under two? Give me a few more months to answer that. For now, we're still adjusting and trying to get into a rhythm.

About Time!! Hi "Micron!"

I knew it from the beginning and even before.

I don't know what it is, perhaps it's a mother's instincts, but I knew the baby inside was a "she" all along. Thank you God for another precious blessing. 

Micron was welcomed into this world on September 3, 2010 at 10:32 a.m., weighing in a "whopping" 6 lbs. 7 oz., and 19.29 inches long. Welcome my baby girl!! 

Micro kissing his baby sister Micron

Predictions

Whew! We made it into September successfully. No baby Micron yet. Though I've had quite a bit of preterm labor in the past few weeks, it seems Micron is holding out for a September birthday. I won't lie, I'm now ready to meet my baby and rid of the humongous belly. I've got only two more weeks (or less) til Micron debuts. Boy or girl? How many pounds and ounces? How long? Ahh, the endless questions of childbirth and everyone is putting their two cents in. Including Micro.

Two days ago, I asked Micro, "When do you think the baby will come? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5," and before I could say "6," he says, "7!" And he said it with such gusto, you'd think the kid was Nostradamus. So, only time will tell if my little fortune-teller or psychic is right. I don't want to be a cliche and actually give birth on Labor Day (this year it falls on my goddaughter's birthday). But who knows. Lola would prefer I give birth during the weekend (so it works better with her work schedule). Mr. Fliz would like Micron to arrive anytime between Monday thru Friday, and during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so we can publicly donate the baby's cord blood to the hospital. Yeah people, because I am a SuperWoman and can control all the elements of childbirth. Dream on. 

My best girlfriend's hubby predicted a 8/30 due date, Mr. Fliz thought 8/31, and my girlfriend, she opted for 9/1. Hmm, that's today. Well Micron, you just let me know when you're ready. I may not be, but that doesn't matter, because no matter what happens, you and I are in for a joy ride. I can't wait to meet you and shower you with hugs and kisses.

No paci = Wah-Do!

As I've written before, it continues to amaze me how quickly Micro's vocabulary is developing. It's increased three-fold since we've quit the "chupon" (aka 'the pacifier') cold turkey about a month ago. 

It wasn't that we deliberately decided on a date to take away his most sacred possession. Micro just grew too attached to it and would just put the chupon in his mouth when he had no reason other than it provided some form of reassurance. We decided to see if he could make it through one night without it. Of course, we picked a night when our little one was too tired to notice that we skipped reading him a book before bed. Micro just craved the comfort of his bed and was asleep before we even laid him down. Since then, I've only offered the chupon once. It was when poor Micro slipped, fell, and cut his lip pretty bad. He didn't stop crying for 20 minutes from the pain and I caved in at one moment, reached for the chupon and offered it to him. And you know what he did? He turned it down and was just content having us holding him tight. It was a shock and awe moment.

Which leads me to believe is the result of the increase of his vocabulary. I think removing the chupon has made Micro more talkative and engaging with us. He was always a little "chatty," but nothing like he is now. He's begun putting small phrases together such as, "He's crying. Choo choo train gone. Daddy at work." Micro is constantly observing the world around him and giving his two cents on everything. We're all thoroughly enjoying this phase, and I can tell that Micro is pretty proud of himself on being able to communicate, and us understanding. 

Micro's latest is saying his version of "I love you," as "Wah-do!" He has a difficult time pronouncing the letter "l," and I probably say it so quickly that my "you" sounds like "do."  Hence, "Wah-do." When your child reaches an age when he or she can respond to your saying, "I love you," that moment is priceless. It completely melts me and I can't think of hearing anything sweeter.

Suffice to say, Micro is still a Mad Genius in my eyes.

Give me my adobo or nilaga!

Micro loves his rice. And, why not? He is half Filipino. He's not a big fan of sandwiches, with the exception of pb&j's. He does enjoy eating mac n cheese. And yup, he's gone down the fast food route and discovered french fries (though not much of a fan of chicken nuggets). Yet, nothing compares to eating a bowl of rice. Lucky for Mr. Fliz and I, since birth, Micro has always had a healthy appetite. He ate anything we gave him. When we started adult solid foods, he ate everything from hummus to nilaga. 

Now that he's a toddler, his palette is developing and getting more picky. Something I'm not to happy about, but realize it's a stage he's going through too. I didn't quite develop a palette for various flavors till I was in my 20's, so I guess I shouldn't judge. Micro however, really likes everything his Lola makes for him. Since I don't have the special skills to make various filipino dishes, I can rely on my family to pick up the slack. He loves a bowl of rice with sabaw, be it sinigang, adobo, kare kare, or sopas, etc. So when we're eating other types of food, it makes it easy to order some dish that has some broth or sauce and we just pour it over rice, couscous, or pasta to satisfy Micro.

Sometimes my family is surprised with how much filipino food he enjoys eating. I know people unfamiliar with filipino dishes may be turned off by the list of ingredients or the look of a dish. But, like a book, don't judge it by its cover. Our dishes are exceptionally tasty and flavorful if prepared well. Ask Mr. Fliz. You'd be surprised how some of our dishes may remind you of similar ones from Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, or Indonesian.

But if your toddler is picky and you want to make kid-friendly food while exposing them to various flavors, this website has great recipes that are simple, fast, and tasty that cater to your toddler: www.weelicious.com

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Gorgeous view Golden Gate Bridge from their parking 

Since it's finally starting to feel like summer around the Bay Area, this past weekend, we hung out outdoors with Ms. Lolli and crew. Ms. Lolli has been quite the jetsetter this summer, so Micro and her haven't had much time to hang out, which is unfortunate. Somehow, we had to make sure we got some quality time in with her and family, especially since both our families are expecting our second babies--all within a week of each other. Exciting isn't it? We keep talking about how the next time we'll see each other, we'll be a party of eight. Eight!! OMG!!

Micro and I have been wanting to visit the Bay Area Discovery Museum over in beautiful Sausalito. However, the thought of having to cross two bridges and survive city traffic always put me off. So this past weekend was a great opportunity to do it with family friends. I can certainly say that Micro and Ms. Lolli had a superb time enjoying all the various activities. 

Look at all the fish Ms. Lolli is hoarding. Kudos for sharing!

What a gorgeous day to be outdoors and spending time with good friends we haven't seen in awhile. The museum offers children different themed rooms and outdoor activities to stimulate motor skills and imagination. Very similar to the Children's Discovery Museum (but this is completely indoors) in San Jose. If you're ever in the San Francisco Bay Area and have time to check this place out, it's wonderful place to take young kids, especially if the weather is agreeable. 

 

Time's a tickin'

I'm trying my very best to enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy (who knows, this may be the last time I'll be creating another human being and an organ). But I just can't seem to. Though this pregnancy has been much easier than Micro's, I believe I'm just one of those women who don't enjoy being pregnant. Now, it took me awhile to admit that and forgive myself for not feeling the opposite. I'm sure I'm not alone.

As any mother knows, the last trimester is the most difficult. By now, picking up anything off the floor is a workout, sleep used to be a gift, and looking in the mirror is just madness. On top of all that, I'm having to find ways to keep Micro entertained and happy without having to take him to the playground or do too much physical activity. However, on some days, I just fail to keep his energy level at bay and I deal with it best I can. Thankfully, my family has been very supportive and when they can, come over to watch Micro, while Mr. Fliz and I attend to prepping for Micron, or just enjoying some alone time.

Don't get me wrong, I am blessed to be able to bring a baby into this world and enjoy feeling the all the tiny (or in my case, LARGE) kicks, nudges, and loop de loops, Micron is doing inside me. Last Sunday night, I had some preterm labor. I hadn't even reached 36 weeks yet and I began to worry. Though I'm sure there are hundreds of babies born successfully even more premature than that, I just wasn't ready for Micron to enter the world. Thankfully, Micron listened to Mommy's pleas and decided he or she, wasn't ready either. "Don't hold your breath just yet, Mommy," I can hear Micron say. The past week has been dotted with lots of strong Braxton Hicks contractions that are close together, that there have been plenty of false alarms. 

Mr. Fliz and I have been hard at work trying to make room in our tiny abode to fit in the newest member of our family. It's been fun revisiting all the newborn clothing and accessories. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that we'll have two kids under two. The thought is daunting, and yet, Mr. Fliz and I can't wait to meet our new baby. We'll see how much longer Micron can last inside the comfort of my womb. . . sorry to break it to ya kid, but the outside world is a much scarier place. 

However, I've been looking back at all of Micro's baby pictures and I'm just excited to know that no matter what happens, God will be looking out for us, and we'll hopefully be celebrating a healthy birth and another one of these. . .

Mark your calendars...let's EAT REAL

It's that time of year again...well, it's only the second time the Eat Real Festival is happening. Please check out last year's review of the inaugural festival which I volunteered at for two days. This year it will take place on the last weekend of August and with the growing popularity of food trucks in the Bay Area, this festival is sure to continue to grow (especially after last year's success). 

But with Micron on the way, I'm hoping to make it at the very least to "ice cream" night. There's plenty of things for families to enjoy during this festival. You can sample an abundance of different foods, desserts, music, beer, local arts & crafts, and food demonstrations (kids can learn to cook too!). It's a great way to spend a day--just eating! Why wouldn't you want to spend the end of summer feeling like a glutton? I mean check out the list of vendors that will be participating.

Hope to see you out there :)

Guess Who?

Recognize this famous tank engine?

He's the most famous steam train on the Island of Sodor

and Micro's favorite

It's Thomas the Tank Engine! 

Two weekends ago, we spent a Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine. Joined by good friends and their kids, we enjoyed a 25 minute ride with a train outfitted to look like Thomas the Tank Engine. Micro has been a fan of this "roaring" personality since he was 17 months old and loves to watch his "Choo choo" first thing in the morning (courtesy of our DVR and Sprout TV). The outdoor event was held at Roaring Camp Railroads near Santa Cruz. The beautiful redwood trees provided a scenic background to the train ride.

You can take a short train ride to the event from the parking lot (or hoof the 3/4 mile walk on dirt road). If you can, opt for the train ride so your kids can get the most out of the train experience. Micro loved every minute of being on the train and his grin only grew wider as the day wore on. There are outdoor Thomas the Tank Engine activities such as, train sets to view and play with, a blown-up Percy to pose pictures with, a photo op with Sir Topham Hat, food and shopping to enjoy. 

If you have little ones that are fans, make sure to check it out while it's still here.

"Give me the green light. Give me just one night. I'm ready to go right now."

You got it Mr. Legend! John Legend, that is. This past weekend Mr. Fliz and I managed to spend some quality time together. Just me, him, and JL. 

The lyrics referenced above has taken on new meaning for us. It's this JL song that we heard and saw on tv when Mr. Fliz and I first checked-in to the hospital, indicating that Micro was on his way. Appropriate don't you think? But I had been a fan of Mr. Legend's for quite some time and had mentioned more than once to my hubby that I'd love to see him perform live. And Mr. Fliz came through, surprising me with this late birthday gift.

We attended JL's concert at the beautiful Mountain Winery in Saratoga. The winery, perfectly situated overlooking the picturesque South Bay, is a great concert venue. It was quite a steep and windy drive up the side of the mountain before we found the parking lot. The parking attendant even gave us $5 off the parking fee because we were more than a party of two (Hey, you rock Mister! Thanks for noticing my bulging belly!). Pregnancy perk #1.

Then as we pulled into the lot, we asked another parking attendant which lane we should go into, and he too, noticed that I was preggers and told us it was ok to park in VIP. Yeah baby! It was the closest parking to the venue where a small shuttle took us directly to the grounds, and bypassing lines. Pregnancy perks #2 and #3. Thank you belly :)

Mountain Winery, once owned by Paul Masson, was known to throw lavish parties, ceased making wine back in 1952 and became a concert venue. In the past few years, they have resurrected wine-making at the winery. Living in California, with Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara Valleys producing such amazing wines, seeing a winery residing in the mountaintops was a special treat. Great views, great wine, plus great music, makes for an exceptional evening. The outdoor amphitheater is conducive in making musicians and the audience feel more intimate. You can opt to have dinner at the winery beforehand or use the picnic tables near the parking lot for alfresco dining. We didn't have dinner, but they did have small carts dishing out food, wine, beer, and some spirits.

The opening act, hailing from Barbados, was Hal Linton. Playing his acoustic guitar, his voice and musical style are reminiscent of Maxwell--a perfect pre-show act for Mr. Legend. Look out for this up and coming star. 

Mr. Fliz and I really enjoyed our time together. We both agreed that we should try and do this more often and get more creative with our date nights. It was a great evening and Micron was certainly enjoying JL's music in the womb. I guess now Mr. Legend is somewhat loosely associated with my pregnancies...wonder if I'll hear his music accidentally when Micron is ready to be born? Stay tuned.

What's a mom to do?

A few weekends ago, Mr. Fliz and Micro went to visit family in the East Coast, while I spent four nights all to myself. The first in forever, and the longest time my family and I have ever been apart. It was also Mr. Fliz's first time traveling alone with our toddler. 

I'm glad to report that both the outgoing and return flights went exceedingly well for Mr. Fliz. Lucky him. Of course, I had been a little anxious about them leaving me. Separation anxiety can be hard. I also had to remind myself that I needed to treasure this time to myself before Micron's arrival and that being a great mommy means spending some quality "me" time. 

So what's a mom to do? I didn't plan anything too crazy. I had entertained the idea of checking into a hotel for a night away to feel like I was on a mini-vacation (but decided that I should save some $), or do a spa outing (but forgot that I had a pre-natal massage lined up to use when they get back--but, hey, there can never be too many pampering treatments for a mom, right?), or go buck-wild and splurge on a nice pair of shoes or a purse (a, "Hey, I deserve to reward myself mom moment"). Well, I settled on not committing to anything and just letting the days dictate themselves.

I dropped my boys off at the airport quickly. As Mr. Fliz said, "like pulling off the bandaid." I didn't want to get too emotional and knew that looking at Micro's face as we waved good-bye, would hurt me more than him. Unfortunately, about the time they left I managed to catch a summer cold that had me needing to catch up on rest the first two nights they were away. I managed to go shopping one afternoon(yay, I actually used a PURSE!) without any interruption of someone needing to get their diaper changed, waddle after someone taking off, or worry about some grubby little hands touching everything in the store. It was peaceful and relaxing. Saturday, my best friend and I took a day to ourselves (yup, she left her kids with her hubby at home for the day) and drove to Sausalito for a delicious late lunch. As we ate outdoors on a beautiful sunny day, overlooking the marina, and soaking up some rays, I didn't even think about Micro or Mr. Fliz. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it just meant that I was finally relaxing. That night, I didn't get home till 11p.m.--which I can't remember when the last time I did that for myself was sans a kid. Sunday, Lola came over to help me unpack those pesky space bags that held all of Micro's old clothes and baby stuff. I had to make room to put out clothes for Micron's arrival. It was fun to re-visit all the newborn clothing that I hadn't seen in almost two years. It got me anticipating baby's arrival even more...or rather, the reality began to slowly sink in that there will be a new member to our family. Our unit of 4 (including our dog, Mo), would now grow by two feet.

When I saw Mr. Fliz and Micro at the airport, I was overjoyed. Micro yelled, "hi Mommy" with a huge grin and ran over to give me a hug. It was the best ending to a long weekend.

Prepping for the newest member

 Upon having Micro, and expecting Micron in a few more months weeks, Mr. Fliz and I can reassuringly say, we're somewhat experienced in infant care. Finding out we were pregnant with Micro was first and foremost, a blessing. Then the reality of it hit us, "Omg, we're having a baby." So began the endless work of preparing for our baby.

I read this piece by Kimberly Palmer for U.S News & World Report online a few months back. It has very good suggestions for parents to trim their budgets when it comes to preparing for a baby. It's a quick read and I have a few more things to suggest on the subject. Yes, I'm trying to be a conscientious consumer and trying my best to be a "green" mama (within my means, but hey, I'm trying). I'm just trying to save us all some sanity and money, ok.

Each parent(s) is(are) different in how they conduct and manage their lifestyle. Adding a child to the mix, complicates things and can be difficult. When you first find out you'll be having a baby, for some, having a beautiful nursery laden with all the coolest and most modern gadgets is a romanticized notion. The reality is, many of us can't afford those luxuries and we we'd rather have less clutter to deal with. Before hitting the registry and going 'scan happy', consult with friends that know you well that have kids already and are familiar with your lifestyle. They'll be best to talk to about what gadgets worked for them, and what they think you may or may not need. Like the piece above said, most parents end up registering for useless items (yup, we got a wipe warmer, waste of space) and end up with a bunch of non-essentials. The best advice my best friend gave us was wait til the baby came to see what else we'd need--just get the basics.

I know, I know---how many late night trips does one need to make to the grocery store or Babies R Us. But really, your baby may not like those NUK pacis, or like the nipple that came with that Dr. Brown's baby bottle. Save yourself the misery, and commiserate with other new parents at Babies R Us as you schlep some gifts to be exchanged or returned, and getting what you really need. Lucky for us, we didn't have to do this (we didn't find out the sex of Micro so most of the gifts we got were all pretty useful and needed). Though we did find ourselves at Babies R Us in the middle of the night trying to figure out what else we needed. 

There's nothing wrong with hand-me-downs. Unless you're super rich, using second-hand items for your new baby isn't the worst thing in the world. Be wary of borrowing or purchasing used car seats, cribs, high chairs, mattresses, etc...that may wear and tear faster. Baby clothes--is a perfect example. If Micron turns out to be a "little princess," well then, my best friend has me covered there. With two girls under her belt, she's passing on some of their clothes so that I won't have to go out and spend too much money buying clothes for Micron, for where there is already no space in my apartment to park it.

Utilize your online resources to find discounts or free stuff. Craigslist or Freecycle are great ways to search for baby items you don't want to splurge on.

You may receive a ton of gifts and gear when you're having your first baby. Fortunately for us, we had four baby showers and everyone was very generous... to the point our tiny two bedroom started to feel like a walk-in closet (that still is the case today). Baby items take up A LOT of space. Our second bedroom became a guest bedroom/baby room/office all-in-one.

A little planning and some resourceful thinking, you are on your way to one of life's greatest gifts--your new baby. So enjoy what's left of this thing called "sleep," privacy, and a night alone. Heck, taking a shower is a luxury. Before you know it, that stork will drop your baby on your footstep faster than you think. Besides, the only thing a child needs in this world is LOVE.

My walk down the aisle

This year, while the rest of America may have been grilling and chilling on July 4, and enjoying some fireworks, Micro was busy making his debut down the aisle. Micro made his first wedding appearance. He was the ring bearer at his aunt's wedding. 

Of course I'm a proud mama. His first walk down an aisle. You ask, "Did he?" You betcha! 

Friday night rehearsal didn't go too well as he was tired and having too much fun running around the grass with his cousins. The wedding ceremony was held outdoors (a perfect distraction for any kid--when you have beautiful green grass and flowers everywhere, it's an invitation to par-TAY!). Micro was to walk down the aisle holding hands with his beautiful cousin Miss J, one of the flower girls. Everything went fine until they saw the crowd below staring at them and Miss J got the nerves. So I ended up walking down with her, while Micro took off and actually walked down the aisle holding the ring pillow and successfully gave it to the Best Man. Mr. Fliz and I were all smiles. Fireworks were set off in our hearts as we saw our young toddler partake in this event.

The best part of it too was Micro's outfit--a barong tagalog. How adorable! He looked like a little gentlemen. Ahh, how time flies and Micro is growing too fast.

Mexico--here we come!

We just came back from a family vacation (truth be told, we were traveling for two weeks). Five nights in Cancun, Mexico. And yeah, the previous post, alludes to the fact that I did travel with Micro while 6.5 months pregnant. Am I crazy? Probably and yet, I'm happy that I did it. 

Unfortunately, during our return trip, we were greeted by some unexpected family news which had us changing our plans and flying back to the East Coast within a few days of our arrival from Mexico. So in two weeks, we had taken a total of EIGHT flights! This made for some of the most uncomfortable traveling I've ever endured in my life. 

I developed tailbone discomfort from all the cramped spaces and was always thankful when I wasn't inside an airplane. Thankfully, Micro managed to be fairly well-behaved for most of the flights. However, it was still tough for Micro. He had been surviving on several catnaps since our time in Mexico and it was continuing with the unexpected travel to and from the East coast. But he's our little traveler and has valued the open space of several airports. 

 
For more complete coverage of our trip, click here to begin. I've posted a review on TripAdvisor of our hotel as well. 

And then upon our return from the East coast, my husband and I escaped for a weekend to ourselves in Carmel, Ca. Suffice to say, my traveling days are done...FOR NOW. Wait til next year when I have Micro and Micron to lug around.

Traveling with toddler and pregnant...oh no! Make it hassle-free

I've posted before about traveling with an infant (at least my own experience, that is). This summer we're off yet to another adventure, south of the border, another beach destination. It's no secret to many of our friends and family that my dream job is to write about food & travel. Throw a toddler in the mix, a very pregnant mommy, and international travel, may sound like a recipe for disaster (or adventure! c'mon where's your adventurous spirit?). It doesn't have to be.

My best friend who now has two little girls and has only traveled to the Philippines once with her family (and at the time, had only one little one) is going overseas to Hong Kong for a trip in the next few months, and said she'd be hitting me up for suggestions about traveling with kids. Now, there's a tremendous amount of information and resources out there from experienced families and mommies whose entire blogs are all about family travel--go check them out yourself (I list some on my blogroll to the right). What can I offer that they may not have covered? Hmm, good question? Let's see, I think I have a few.

While many mommy bloggers post about great destinations for families, what type of gear to bring, and the best toys to occupy your kids while on the plane, I'm going to offer tips on packing light and right. Preparation is key. If you're anything like me, I'm a HUGE procrastinator when it comes to packing. I hate to pack, but love to travel. I've yet to reconcile the two. Many parents will overpack. Having traveled quite a bit, my best advice is to minimize non-essentials (so that leaves more room for souvenirs and no paying for that extra bag).

Research your destination. Where you will be vacationing is just as important as what you'll be packing. Knowing as much as you can about where you're headed to, aids in how much you'll need to pack. If traveling outside the U.S., check car seat restrictions (or lack thereof) and laws. Do you need to bring a car seat if renting a car (or will the rental car agency offer to rent you one)? Is it easier to use public transportation (such as trains or metros and put your baby in a sling or bjorn) where lugging a stroller might even be harder? Travelers forums are great resources to post questions and look up answers.

What supplies for babies or toddlers can I purchase at the destination without having to pack it and use up luggage space? If you're traveling internationally, it can be hard to gage whether a nearby convenience store or pharmacy will carry the diapers you prefer or the right formula your baby likes. If possible contact the concierge or someone at the front desk of your hotel or check traveler forums for possible stores where you can purchase baby items. They have a good lay of the land and can offer useful advice. Last year, we traveled to the Caribbean with Micro, and packed enough diapers and baby food jars to last us the first 3 days. During the middle of our vacation, we made a stop by a grocery store to purchase additional diapers and baby food. Through some research and smart planning, I knew that stores in St. Maarten/St. Martin carried U.S. brands of baby essentials (you'd be surprised how some places are stacked full of baby/toddler items).

If you're staying over a friend's or family member's place that don't have kids or kids the same age, think about renting baby gear and a bucket of age-appropriate toys on the cheap. No need to purchase expensive travel beds (let alone lugging them around the airport--isn't a stroller and car seat, plus your own luggage, enough to make you NOT want to travel with kids) for babies and packing all 10 of babies' favorite toys (of course, don't neglect to bring your child's favorite 'lovy" though). You can rent that stuff and have it delivered and picked up (ah, hassle free!) to/from your destination. Besides, if you're traveling to a family-friendly place, let your baby and toddler explore their new surroundings. Children are fascinated enough by sights and sounds rather than that large musical toy.

When traveling with kids still in diapers, try to set aside the changing pad, diapers/wipes, and change of clothes in a smaller bag (if possible) or use diapees. Make sure it's accessible in your carry-on and you won't have to lug the entire carry-on bag to the bathroom while handling your child.

Pregnant and traveling? Always check with your doctor to see if you're ok to travel. That includes asking about any necessary shots, foods/activities to avoid, and have your doctor provide a copy of your medical record that has information about your blood type, any pregnancy-related issues, and what not, in the event you need medical attention abroad. I would not recommend traveling (unless for emergency's sake) in your 8th month and beyond. By then, putting on a pair of shoes is hard enough. If you're comfortable traveling during pregnancy, make sure you stay plenty hydrated (don't be ashamed to ask for TWO water bottles from the flight attendant whenever they hand them out). Bring along healthy snacks and make sure to eat small meals throughout the day. Pack your prenatal vitamins, relax,  and enjoy!

Hmm, that seems like I've covered a good amount of things to think about and provided some, relatively helpful advice (hopefully, if not, let me know in the comments below). Traveling is hard enough when we do it without kids. It's important to keep in perspective that it won't be pretty at times and that hiccups are bound to happen--anticipating that, will make you more sane during those trying moments. If things go haywire, it'll be a family story you can always share and remember together. Learn to laugh about it later on. (Maybe I should share with you guys my own misadventures while traveling--and that's pre-Micro. Imagine what it's like now?) Best of all, traveling is important, not just for you, but for kids as well. There's a whole world out there to learn about. Make travel a part of your child's learning experience.

How sweet it is to be loved by you

yeah, so what?

Oh yeah man, life is sweet! Though Micro has never turned down cake, we do limit his intake of the luxuries of life. However, Lola doesn't seem to abide by that rule and takes every opportunity to indulge him. Don't worry, I've "scolded" her on her actions-- and not that Micro is in danger of childhood obesity (my son is not even in the 10th percentile in weight, people)--but because starting him this early on sweets is no good for anyone--especially for Mommy and Daddy--who really pay the price for the sugar "crash." 

Why is it that filipinos always want to 'stuff" their kids and grandkids. It's as if they never hear the words, "No, thank you. I'm full." If you've ever gone into a filipino household, you know what I mean. We bombard you with kindness and force you to eat whatever we have on hand to eat--and you can't say "no." Ever. 

Anyhoo, Micro seems to enjoy indulging in a cake that Lola got him for Easter this past year and I couldn't help but smile when I see these pictures. Because I know just how good a delicious, sweet treat really is. Besides, in life, one must afford themselves an indulgence every now and then. Because, you deserve it.


Happy Friday everybody! If you're near a Krispy Kreme today, stop by and grab your free doughnut to celebrate National Doughnut Day (only in America, right?). 

this must be what heaven tastes like

Oh Lolo! (with a head sigh)

Yesterday, I had my routine doctor's appointment to ensure Micron's heartbeat is doing well and to make sure the pregnancy is thus far, healthy. All good. I left Micro with his Lolo for a few hours while I went out to dinner with a girlfriend for a much needed girl's night out (hey, we're both moms and so much for our night out, we were both home by 8:30 p.m. (just when it was starting to get dark...Lol!!--oh how times have changed!) So Mr. Fliz came home after work to relieve Lolo from his duties. As it so happens, they chatted and my Dad made a remark about Micro and me--something along the lines of, "They seem to 'fight' a lot." Upon hearing that, I chuckled and told Mr. Fliz, "Shows how much child-rearing my dad did as my sister and I grew up."

It set off a button. Micro and I don't fight. As with any stay-at-home mom, you have your moments with your kids, which can easily be mistaken that we're arguing. In my case,it's being 6 months pregnant and trying to keep a toddler from destroying all the furniture in the apartment while trying to teach him how to behave properly. Good luck, right? How do you argue with an 18 month old anyway? See, Lolo has never had to stay home ALL DAY watching my sister and I for days at a time. Because if he did that, people would accuse my dad of 'fighting' a lot with his kids too. My mom stayed home when my sister was born and we had already moved to the U.S. I know it wasn't easy to raise two girls in a foreign country where we didn't have the support of family or good friends nearby.

In fact, upon Micro's birth, it was even more obvious that my dad didn't do a lot of the child-rearing or domestic duties. When he would come over to watch Miles, the messes they both made, were still there for me to clean up. A stark difference if my mom was watching. She would take the time to help clean up our place in addition to watching Miles--which helped me out in the long run--especially when you're a first-time mom. Don't get me wrong, my Dad is super helpful in watching Miles and spending time with him. He plays with him and entertains him perfectly. But Miles is different when it comes to Lola, and that may be because she has all the experience in knowing how to differentiate the cry of a diaper change, being hungry, tired, or just needing to. And mom was helping me clean the kitchen, fold laundry, or whatever housework I had neglected those first few months. Women are naturally nurturing (for the most part, not all, but most) and babies and toddlers are drawn to that. 

I'll let that comment yesterday from Lolo pass. I know during my parent's time and especially in the Philippines, roles of men and women were clearly defined. The man works, while the woman is left to household duties and child-rearing. I'm lucky that times have changed, as it's important for Mr. Fliz to play an active role as "Dad." He is extremely helpful and has always been since Micro came out of the womb. He shares in household duties and even attempts to cook dinner once in a while (might I add, successfully at times too). So next time I hear Lolo make some lame remark, I'll try not to let it get to me--because he has no idea what he's talking about.

Where in the world are you?

this photo can be found at JeffChristiansens photostream

It's been three exhaustive days. Mr. Fliz and I have been in dire search of the elusive Mater. We've combed the dusty corners of our small apartment, groveled on our stomachs as we make our way through our living room, all the while keeping our eyes open to see if he escaped into the dark, musty underbelly of our sofa, arm chair, or TV stand. It's like he disappeared into thin air. Is he inside our diaper champ? Had he befallen some freak accident?

Micro is currently obsessed with the movie Cars, and is always asking for his toy "Maynar." He was last seen in Micro's hands. And that unfortunately, can be deadly. Micro has yet to remember where he puts his toys--sometimes he'll remember, oftentimes, not. Daddy gave the toy as a surprise gift last week when Micro had come down with a 102 degree fever. When Daddy came home, he surprised Micro with the toy Mater and his eyes sparkled. 

Thankfully, Uncle Arnold was kind enough to surprise Micro with Lightning McQueen and Sally--which took his mind off "Maynar" for a bit. A big hug to Uncle Arnold for the gifts. I have a sneaking suspicion that Mater is hiding right under our noses, and we're just having a hard time sniffing him out. Mo, where is he?

Perhaps he's rendezvousing with other "lost toys" somewhere. Hopefully that's the case, so that he's not all alone. Tomorrow, I'm hoping St. Anthony will hear me and help me find our Mater.

 Micro wearing his Cars pj top while playing with his new toys

and his Cars sippy cup

World Cup--here I come!

Watch out Ronaldinho, Beckham, Henry, and Ronaldo--Micro is being groomed to compete with the best. That is, the best in the 18-24 month old "Lil Kickers" league. We enrolled Micro in this "beginner" soccer program three weeks ago, and so far, he's enjoying his time. Let me say, the first class was melt-down city and by this past weekend, he is happy as a camper with s'mores. 

The kids in his age group are all adorable and just fun to watch how little they understand "following directions from Coach," and instead, move to the beat of their own drums. What can you expect at this age? I just love seeing Micro in his uniform and hope he'll continue to do this--so long as he's enjoying it. 

With the World Cup this summer, I'm looking forward to watching it and introducing Micro to the world of soccer. The last time the World Cup was going on, Mr. Fliz and I were fortunate enough to be on our honeymoon in Italy--and they won quite a few games--they won the World Cup that year. Boy, was it fun to be in the midst of the excitement--and let me tell you, Italians take their soccer very seriously--everything shuts down (including taxis) if Italy is about to play--we learned that as we desperately pleaded with a taxi driver to take us from a bus stop to our destination, Praiano (a small town right outside Positano along the Amalfi Coast). 

Let's see who will be competing this year in South Africa for the coveted FIFA cup. I know Micro will be cheering.

"Bubby" Watch 2010

Forget mid-term elections, there's something more interesting going on, and it's called, Bubby Watch 2010. What is Bubby Watch 2010?

According to Micro, it's buses, trucks, mac trucks, and bubbles. In his loosely defined world of words, Micro has a hard time pronouncing certain words (which is to be expected, given his age). Wherever he may be, whether he's in the car, walking around our neighborhood, or he's sitting in his high chair looking out the window to the streets below, Micro's got one thing on his mind, finding the elusive "Bubby." He can barely contain his excitement when he sees one approaching (and may I add, the kid's got great eyesight, he can spot those suckers from a mile away--sometimes just the tail end of it, amid other oversized vehicles). It's become a game while we're driving in the car. How many buses or trucks can we see? 

Mr. Fliz and I are torn whether to keep letting him call those vehicles "bubbies," or correct him. We settled on, agreeing with him when he sees a "bubby," and saying the appropriate name of the vehicle as we nod our head in agreement. Therefore, acknowledging and yet correcting at the same time. I call that, smart parenting ;)

Unfortunately, Micro also calls blowing bubbles, "bubbies." How to rectify that, well, I'm working on it. For now, I just enjoy hearing him expand his vocabulary and I'll always remind Micro when he's older about Bubby Watch 2010. 

Where's your sweet tooth Mommy?

If you live in the SF Bay Area and don't know what to do to celebrate Mother's Day? Well, why not check out the Sweet Shoppe Festival in Jack London Square. After all, isn't time Mommy got her sweet tooth going again? I'm not talking about eating leftover Cheerios or animal crackers from your child's snack container. I'm talking about something a bit more indulgent than that. 

Velvety smooth frosting on cupcakes, fleur de sel caramels, and buttery pound cakes, are just a few things that come to mind. Go on and buy those tickets for your wife, partner, grandma, or whomever.