Completely Potty Trained

As far as I know, I blogged about Jami being semi-potty trained last year. He's able to pee during the day and some nights where we don't use diaper at all. However, he still uses one whenever he poops and I had quite a hard time making him use the toilet back then. I accepted the fact that he might not be ready yet so I have to wait for the perfect timing.

Wait no more! I am glad to write about his new milestone!

He now knows how to use the comfort room. He can sleep at night without wearing one and won't pee on our bed. Just to make sure, I always ask him to clean himself up (brush his teeth, change his clothes, and pee) and remind him not to pee while sleeping. Although there were days that I would still make him wear a diaper especially if he feels tired with a whole day activity, or if he fell asleep without having to pee first. On some days, meron din syang presence of mind when he feels that he's peeing on his shorts, he will wake up and would ask me to accompany him sa restroom. During our most recent trip in Calaguas Island, I made him wear diapers while we're in the bus as it's a very long ride.

I am so impressed that he started using the comfort room for when he feels the need to poop. It started when he's having a tummy ache couple of weeks ago. Instead of making him wear a diaper, which if I may add, quite expensive tapos konti lang naman ang i-poop nya, I asked her to go to the bathroom and use the toilet bowl. He was resisting at first but since he really needs to get the poop out, he didn't get a choice. That's when he realized the use of the toilet bowl and how convenient it will be for him. You see, when he does number 2, he would hide himself in our bedroom or anywhere na walang tao. I am glad he found the comfort room the perfect place to use for his number 2 activities. Lol! =D

It was really timely since I am planning to make him start a summer school this month. I know it will be easier and economical for his teacher to help him use their toilet than make him wear diapers. Haha! =) There was a time when I came home and he told that he used the comfort room to poop. I talked to him about Mommy being happy with what he did. I was surprised to see him delighted knowing that his done a good job!

I can't wait to witness more milestones specially this coming months when he start going to school. I made an inquiry in a small school near our house for a start and I can't wait to tell you that new challenge too. =)

My selfie/video buddy. :D

Jami at 3 years old

As a tribute to my baby boy for his 3rd birthday, I will be writing things about him so when this memories passed, I could read them all again. At this time, I could say that Jami was a pro communication wise. He talks a lot and can communicate the things that he likes or not.

He was also very active and would climb chairs to get the stuff that catches his interest. Although I let him be, I always remind him that he might fall or slip while still monitoring him. Once I was still sleeping, he woke up ahead of me. I smelled the scent of a manzanilla, I thought Nanay used it. Yun pala, he placed 90% of it on his hand and spilled it on our bed sheet.

There was also a time when he again, woke up before Daryl and I, I woke up and saw him holding my eyebrow pencil na kabibili ko lang, the caps are taken off. I panicked kasi baka naputol na yung pencil and yes, true enough. He left me with just a tiny bit of it. Not to mention the lipstick he used to write on our bed cushion.

I couldn't forget the day when I was taking a bath and Nanay was busy helping me out with the packaging of my Yema cakes that's due to be delivered the same day, he was watching TV while playing with the eco bag that he got somewhere. The next thing I heard was a loud bump and cry from him na para bang sobrang sakit ng nangyari sa kanya. I finished off immediately and ran to him. Nanay was holding him already while he was crying. I asked what happened and we can only assume that he put the eco bag on his head while he was on top of our cleopatra chair. When he was trying to take them off, he fell from the cleopatra dahil wala na nga syang makita due to eco bag covering his eyes. It was a very loud bump for me but he didn't get boo boo except when I saw blood inside his mouth. I panicked as I was worried na baka naputol yung teeth or something like that. I was relived to see that he had a wound on the left side of his mouth. He might have bitten that part when he fell.

Jami says a lot of things that surprises us everyday. Sometimes, I feel guilty that I underestimate his capability to understand my explanation then will be surprised that he knew better. So as much as possible, when he asks questions which I might add, often, I am trying my best to answer. He usually asks "Mommy, anong gagawa ni (who/what)?" Mommy, bakit hindi aandar yung isang gulong (of an 18 wheeler truck)". Paulit- ulit yan until I give an answer. I remember my elder brother and sisters stories, I knew now where Jami get that trait from. hahah! I remember a recent conversation he had with Nanay while watching a telenovela.

(While the actress was wearing only two piece)

Jami: Ganyan si Mommy eh!
Nanay: Ah talaga? Oh tapos?
Jami: Tapos... tinanggal nya yung (cupped his own breast referring to bra)
Nanay: Oh pagkatapos?
Jami: Tapos.. Si daddy..
Nanay: (got curious sa kung anong ginawa ni Daddy) Oh! Anong ginawa ni Daddy?
Jami: Secret!

Then they both laughed. I and Daryl even laughed when Nanay told me that conversation. Ang akala tuloy ni Nanay, we were having loving loving in front of Jami. Sabi ko, we never did that in front of him! Maybe he sees me changing from work clothes to my sleep wear or whenever we bath together. Hahaha! I can't believe he said that. Ever since I realized he's being observant and vocal on whatever he sees, I make sure he's not around when I change my clothes. Baka maikwento pa ako nito sa kapitbahay eh! Lol =D

At 3 years old, I haven't trained Jami to go potty training. I was able to teach him to pee in our bathroom but the poo part is another story. I know I have to do something about it soon before he goes to school.

I was thinking of sending Jami to school next year. He's 3 now so just before he goes 4 years old in October next year, I want him to start going to Nursery by June. That's so he could go to Kinder before he turns 5 then 1st grade when he's 6 years old. I was sick worry about the proper age to start schooling when I realized that I was suppose to be a teacher if I got the chance to finish my college so I reached out to my colleagues to consult. I am 100% sure now that I'll enroll him to a Nursery school next year and hoping we'll get a good start. I know we do! Jami's very sociable and sweet. =)

His eating habit has changed. I know I posted here in the blog that I was struggling to make him eat table food. After some time, he's now making a progress and is very well eating. I just have to make a step forward by making sure that he eats snacks in the afternoon and have our lunch prepared before he gets hungry. Although he eats really slow, I am still happy with the progress that he's making and hopefully make him eat more in the coming days. The sad part is, I am still getting some side comments that Jami is slim. Yes he is. How could he not? His daddy was his same type., Ang lakas kumain but never naging mataba. I know both of them have the same body type so I kept on explaining to them that he can never be as chubby as I am when I was kid. Just as like an old saying "Don't judge the book by its cover", Jami was really heavy kapag binuhat. As in really heavy, plus he's not sickly. He doesn't get colds and cough easily or even fever. I think that the flu vaccine we took in the office was a really big help as it gave a boost to his immune system so we'll definitely get one again next year.

Jami was a very active baby. There were times pa yan when he doesn't want to listen with everything that I am telling him specially if he was doing something na hindi pwede. Naku! Grabe lang, but as much as possible I am trying to lessen the "No". There were times when he insists on helping me make the sauce for Yema cake, I would have to make him help me by pouring either batter or flour  in to my pan. That gives him a satisfaction of him helping me out although it makes my production to slow down since I have to monitor him. Anyway, I know it was a great experience for him so I always let him be. =)

I can keep on going on with Jami's little antics but I limited it to these. I know I'll have many of these in the coming days and I sure enjoy every minute of it. Although there were days when he's being very annoying, (lol) I know I won't miss it for the world. I am really hoping that the progress we are making will continue for the better and praying that God will lead us to the right way of bringing up Jami.. with lots of love from Mommy and Daddy!  

Tips On How to Stop your kids from Thumb-Sucking and Pacifier

When James was a month old, he's always been crying at night. I don't know why but he is. Maybe because of what they were referring as "colic"? I tried to offer his milk, he would decline and his crying goes on and on, non-stop! It was really frustrating. I can't do some me-time too like going to the restroom because he wants to be carried. There was this time pa that I overfed him kasi he was crying all the time, I thought he was hungry. Sumuka sya, siguro dahil sa puno na yung tyan nya ng milk! Bad mama. Hehe.

One time, we were in the grocery getting some supplies, I was surprised that there was a silicon pacifier on our basket. Nanay put one underneath of other stuffs so I won't see it. I was anti -pacifier kasi. I have been told that it can damage baby teeth daw and I don't want that to happen to James. Also, I don't want him to get used in pacifiers or thumb sucking because I know, it will be so hard to wean him from doing it. I don't want to go through the drama as this can be really a challenge for me as a mom.

When James was offered a pacifier, he behaved so much. He spends his time on his pacifier. This also became his sleeping companion until he reached 6 months old. Once his milk is finished, he would sleep only with his pacifier on. There was this time pa when he was 3months old, I think? We left his pacifier in Mcdonalds. I forgot that I put it on our table so that night, we bought several pacifiers available in Mercury Drug but James doesn't want any of them. What he wants was the silicon type which was way cheaper than that on Mercury Drugs if I may say. I had a hard time putting him to sleep because he missed his pacifier so much.

When he reached 6 months old, I was surprised that he no longer wants his pacifier. He can sleep without it and when he cries or wakes up in the middle of the night. I was so happy that I don't need to wean him as he did it himself. I don't know why but whenever I try to put his pacifier on, he seemed nauseous so I stopped and completely kept his pacifier away.

James at 3 months old

James at 4 months 

Now to support those Mommies who're undergoing the fight of weaning their kids from pacifier and thumb sucking. I have enumerated some tips that could help us lessen the battle.

1. The earlier, the better. - It will be better if we will start weaning the kids from using pacifier/thumb sucking as early as possible as this will be easier because most likely, they have a hard time communicating what would make them comfortable. It will take all your patience and energy in weaning these on a toddler than a baby. In my case, James only uses his pacifier on bedtime or if Nanay or I will have to do chores.

2. Tastes - I remembered my mom telling stories about how she weaned my sister in thumb sucking. She said she put a small ginger on my sister's thumb so when she thumb suck, it will give her the impression of it tasting bad and would eventually stop them.

3. Lose it. - Some parents would intentionally keep the pacifier away from their kids so that they would forget about it sooner or later.

4. Slowly but surely - this means taking the use of pacifier gradually. It would be the ideal time like bedtime. With that, it will lessen their needs of it and would eventually let it go.I think this is what happened to James.

5. Let them stop when they want - Some mommies out there doesn't see the use of pacifier or thumb sucking a big deal. Their motto was to keep it until they wanted to as they would stop when they feel like stopping. In my case, I didn't agree with this last one. Thank God! James stopped in an early age. =)

How about you Mommies? Any tips that are not included here? I'll be happy to edit and link it back to your blogs. =)

P.S articles are from babycenter.com

One Nostalgic Night

Last night, I came home from Sunshine Mall Plaza in FTI where Daryl’s working, I saw James already asleep. I always ask my Mom kung kakatulog lang ba nya. The reason is, kung kakatulog lang nya, for sure 3am to 5am na ang gising nyan para manghingi ng milk nya pero kapag mejo matagal na syang tulog, windang ako nun for sure kasi puyatan ito.

Like what happened last night nga, he slept daw kanina pa, so that means magigising sya ng madaling araw at mag iinarte at iiyak at dadapa at sisigaw ng sisigaw.

I slept na din after a while para di ako masyadong mapuyat.

And I was right! He woke up at around 12am to ask for his milk, I gave him one. We went back to sleep after. I noticed that he woke up again at around 2:53am to be exact, he was crying ng slight, hinayaan ko lang sya while making sita of ‘ssshh’ so for him to find out na may kasama sya.

After a while, naramdaman ko na lang na dumapa na ang lolo nyo. I am half awake naman to check on him, ewan ko ba. Siguro it was really like that when you become a mom na. During my happy-go-lucky days, I sleep all day everyday. Mantika nga daw ako matulog eh. But now, konting ingit ni bagets, automatic na ang eyes ko na dumidilat. Parang vampire lang pag nabuksan yung casket.

Hahahah. =)

While he was enjoying lying on his tummy, hinihimas himas ko yung likod nya. For so many times I thought he was asleep na pero bigla nyang ibabangon yung ulo niya. Until he got tired and cried, that means I have to get him na makahiga.

I gave him milk and saw him sleepy.

I became so dramatic afterwards. I missed being with him 24/7. The feeling of having him sleep on my arms. We often do it kasi when he was newborn. He seemed to sleep well kapag nakahiga sya sa arms ko until mangalay na lang ang kamay ko then I’ll put him on his pillow na.

He has grown na somehow and I don’t know what are his bisyo na nowadays. Although my mom tells me stories about how James’ everyday, I still want to see it myself. But how? I have to be working.

I wanted this. I wanted the feeling of providing him anything and everything that he needs. I don’t want anybody spending money on him, yung para bang binubuhay na sya ng ibang tao kasi I can and I will do it myself. I wanted James to know that I was the one who sacrificed a lot for him kasi I am his mom and it’s my responsibility. Aside from that, I am the type of person na ayokong ginagastusan ng ibang tao because I don’t want to hear any sumbat in the future.

Nagpapanting talaga ang tenga ko kapag ganun.

I want James to learn to be independent like how my mom taught me. I want him to provide well for his own family in the future kasi I know somehow, if he did the right thing when he’s grown up, that will reflect on me on how I taught him and molded him to become a person he has been. Alam kong malaki ang role ko as his mother and I want to feel every single bits of it.

I got so nostalgic talaga kaninang madaling araw.

I placed him on my arms and just hugged him. I felt him not feeling at ease, baka magising ko pa sya so I placed him back in his pillow to sleep.

Ganun talaga siguro if you became a mom, nagiging madrama no?!

Now I understand kung bakit ang drama ng nanay ko.

Hahahahah.

Dear James,

I was looking at you last night kahit Mama is so sleepy na. You looked so cute. I noticed mejo maliit na yung sando mong suot. I wonder why Nanay didn’t make you wear your new clothes. Hmmm.. I’ll tell her later. You woke up this morning really early. You were shouting again, as you always do every morning. I overheard Nanay saying “ano? Hindi ka na pinapansin ng mama mo?”. I woke up dahil dun. Pinilit kong gisingan ang puyat kong diwa. That wasn’t true James. Siguro Nanay just got used na whenever you wake up, I’ll go up regardless of how puyat I am just to attend to you and find out why you were shouting at 5am or 6am in the morning. I just got so tired nowadays, Jami. Maybe because I have been jogging and busy thinking about my figure. I have realized I shouldn’t. You will only  be at this stage once in your entire life so I should be there. I should watch you grow. I can’t be somewhere else but with you.

From now on, I will limit those days of not coming home late. I will try my best to be the one to tuck you to bed to sleep so we can sleep together. I’m sorry though that I can only spend my wholeday with you only on weekends but I love it though. I chose to get this job so that I can sleep with you at night and have our “us”time on weekends. I hope you will understand someday that I am working because of you and not because of anyone or anything else. I want you to have the best that I can provide.

I dreamt of you, I wanted you and now that you’re with me, I’ll try to be the best mother you can have.

I love you James.

Love,

Mama

A Long Story of a Weekend

Good Afternoon Guys!

My shift has changed again so my routine of jogging no longer applies. I go out of the office around 6pm which is super rush hour. It was okay naman sana, I can have my jogging session during rush hour so from the time I'll be going home, hindi na sobrang traffic. However, regardless of how poor it may sound, wala akong locker dito sa office to temporarily leave my things while I run. Poorita lang talaga ang pegaloo. Kaloka!

Anyway, going back to the Good Vibes, I had a very motherhood weekend again. I am not complaining kasi I can only spend my whole day and time with James only on weekends eh. This is my way of catching up on him while he grows every minute. 

Unlike before, Daryl gets to visit James every Saturday, now it has changed to every Sunday dahil sa 6 days work week niya. 

I started my weekend on Friday night after shift. I met up with Tita Frau, my eldest sister, at World Trade Center for the 'Heat Wave Bazaar'. I came late because of traffic along Gil Puyat Avenue. Ate has gone inside to check the booths. I forced Ate to pay for the entrance of P50 (which I always do).

Hahahaha. 

Grabe kasi yang mga bazaar na yan. Lagi na lang meron kapag petsa de peligro na ako. Yung tipong waley na akong anda. Nakakaloka. Si ate naman ang nagyaya eh so sya na rin ang magbayad. =)

We checked each booth while having tons of chikahan. Para kaming di nagkita ng 5 years sa dami ng pinag chichismisan namin. I didn't buy anything kasi nga alanganin na ang wallet ko. Hindi naman ako kayamanan para maka afford ng mga biglaang gastos. 

Oh! Before I forget, let me mention that I came across some article about Financial Freedom daw. I'll tell you about it soon, di ko pa tapos basahin eh.

I have noticed there was a program. There was Jonalyn Viray and Stephen Silva. Jonalyn sang her version of Empire State of Mind of Alicia Keys. 

I am too far from the stage tapos di naman katangkaran din si Jonalyn Viray so ayan ang resulta ng photos. Pero in all fairness, winner talaga ang boses nya. No question on that.
While checking her out, Ate found this booth where they sell detox juice. I think I got traumatized dun sa huli nyang binili that I mentioned here. So ayun, she bought one to try it out. I was kinda hesitant to drink it kasi nga feeling ko kasing lasa pa rin nung dati. Pero, since I got really conscious about my figure, nilakasan ko ang loob ko para tikman. Ayun, masarap naman pala kasi those juices that they sell were more of fruits than veggies. Bet ko yun ha?! Yung may Kiwi, I am not sure with other flavors though. The name of the booth was Sexy Detox I think? I can't find their facebook page eh.

Later on, off we went to Mall of Asia to check some stores we often visit. Ate didn't buy anything. Mejo kuripot kasi yun ng slight lang so then niyaya ko na lang sya to eat at Wendy's. Winner ang burger nila dun ano?! I ordered the Cheeseburger Combo nila. I removed the kamatis and onion eh but I tried eating the lettuce and it was ok naman pala. Hehe. A good start in liking veggies diba? I'm trying my best na kasi mga mare to make peace with gulay one step at a time.
Wish me luck. Hahah.

By the way, here's the photo I took after I had James took Calpol for his sinat. He looked grouchy talaga that day. He's not really feeling well siguro.

Please excuse the sipit in my hair. Wala akong mahanap na hair clip eh hehehe. 

Buti na lang okay na talaga ang baby ko. Thank God for making him healthy =)

Saturday morning, we woke up around 6am. James was making his usual morning inarte of crying. I don't know why he does that every morning. Yung mag iiyak - iyakan sya, that or hindi ko lang talaga ma figure out kung bakit sya naiyak. When you start talking to him while he's doing inarte naman, he usually stops then will show his good mood na. Pero how to do that ba? Pupungas - pungas ka pa, kelangan mo ng dumaldal agad para maging good mood ang bagets. Hayy #nanayproblems

What we did next was to bring him with me sa bilihan ng pandesal. I carried him for a slightly long walk. Kaloka! Sumakit agad ang likod ko. =(

While we were having our breakfast, we handed pandesal to James din. 

rawr!! I'll eat you all!!

He's sobrang nanggigil talaga on anything na nilalagay niya sa bibig nya. 

So adorable talaga! I am so happy to see him learn new things. Yun nga lang, everything that he touches, gusto nyang ilagay sa bibig nya, sipsipin, dilaan at ngatngatin. I was wondering if he'll soon have his baby tooth kasi everytime he catches my finger, he will put it in his mouth tapos I really can feel his gilagid on my fingers. What do you think Nanay's out there? He's turning 6 months na this coming week eh.

We had his usual morning nap after. We slept until around 11:30am. I was making faces while he was looking at me half awake. He was smiling at me. Priceless pala yung mga ganun ano? You can make someone smile for no reasons. I'm sure if he gets old, kahit anong smile ko waley na yan. 

Hahahaha. Dedma na yan panigurado. 

I bathed him afterwards then let him play a little. He was so cute. Kala mo macho eh, naka brief pa. Hehe. 

Most of his toys were hanged sa wall for him to see them habang gumagalaw dahil sa hangin ng fan. 

Later in the afternoon, We went to Sm Southmall with Tita Grace and Andy. I was drinking my all time -summer favorite Halo - halo krusher at KFC na uber sa sarap mga mare, try nyo! Every summer lang to available on all stores of KFC. Whenever I take a sip, walang humpay ang kampas ng kamay ni James so hindi ako makainom. He wants to drink it too. He opens his mouth din. Nakakaloka! Ang ambisyoso na agad ng anak ko. Gusto ng uminom ng Krusher! 

Instead, we offered him this:

See how gigil he was na isubo yung plastic ng brownies. I wanted to make him eat na talaga kaya lang ang mudrakel ko sabi on his 6th month na daw. Anyway, it will be next week na so kakain na sya. =) I'll surely document it. 

We walked around the mall and saw that Gingersnaps was on sale. I was hoping to buy one for James kasi most of their shirts were around P150-P200 na lang. Kaya lang, I noticed the other day na most of his cousin's Thirdy's clothes were handed over to him na. Most of them came from Gingersnaps din so I wasn't sure which one ang wala pa si James, I saw those same styles kasi nung nasa bahay. 

Thirdy was 3 years old now, going on 4 on August. He was petite lang talaga so di malayong magkasya kay James ang mga old clothes nya. 

I also saw that Simple Joys are on sale with this cutie bags. I remembered my dalaga days lang bigla. Hehe. =)

I wanted this polka bags oh! So teenager lang ang dating!

His eyes looked red on this photo but it doesn't. Baka sa lighting lang. =)
Here's James' ootd:

Top and Shorts gifted by Daryl

The next day, Daryl visited James and got us this. 

Sobrang init that day. James had a hard time getting his afternoon nap. He slept for only around 10 minutes, he woke up. He was so grouchy talaga. Sobrang init ng ulo nya. Nung mejo bumaba ang araw at around 5pm saka lang mejo nakatulog pero most likely around 1 hour lang. Pinunasan ko na sya then I always put powder sa leeg at dibdib nya para mejo ma preskuhan ng konti. Pero wala pa din eh. It's scorching hot talaga. We don't have aircon kasi sa house mejo poorita pa ako at ambisyon ko pa lang. Sooner I'll have that na =)

When  Daryl went home, we stayed at Tita Grace's bedroom with the aircon on na. I can see James had somehow felt presko. We watched the video/song of the app 'Dumb Ways to Die' on Tita Grace's tablet.
Look at James, He can somehow sit na on his own. Sooner or later, he can do it without guidance na.
He's really growing up. =(

Tutok na tutok sa tablet. =)

Please excuse the tummy! Sobrang laki! Hahahaha. That's why I really have to work out na diba?

After a while, mejo na bored na kasi mga 5 times na nagpe play ang video so he asked for milk.

Noticed the bolster? Bestfriend niya yan. He cuddles it everytime. =)
After a while, I didn't let him sleep pa muna. When Nanay came, that's when he fell asleep na talaga. I transferred him to our house afterwards. Antok na antok ang lolo nyo, di man lang nagising. =)

It was a long weekend diba? Grabe ang pananakit ng likod ko jan, I swear. I wanted it to be checked na talaga. Maybe next time.
How's your weekend naman mothers? Long weekend is coming. Ingat sa mga gagala. Kami Taong bahay muna.