just imagining the not-so-distant future

I’m now back from the hospital, after giving birth to our second child, a baby boy. Looking around the house to re-orient myself, I tried to imagine how it will be with two little souls to care for. Would it be more topsy-turvy this time with the additional little boy? Oh, it seems this would be too far ahead. The baby will still take time to grow up and really make a difference. For now, he would just sleep, feed himself with my milk, cry or smile. It will still take a long time before he can make a mess on the floor tiles or the walls. Everything will be fine, I assure myself. I will surely have angels to help me—my Mam, my Dad of this far-away place and of course my ever-supportive loving hubby. Yeah, everything will be all right with God’s help.

technology and kids

It’s amazing how the little ones easily discover things around them especially when it comes to techie stuff. Yup, they can easily learn how to turn on the PC or move the mouse confidently. I bet pretty soon kids would want more aside from watching their favorite TV shows, they might even insist on a Slingbox so they can watch Barney or Dora on a laptop or mobile phone while out of the house. I remember little C setting the alarm of my sister’s watch. We really don’t know how she did it but my sis noticed that the daily alarm started sounding off after little C played with her watch. My sis had to read the manual to get directions on how to turn off the alarm.

healthy food for the kids

Does your kid have that preference for candies and desserts? Do they whine over some lollipop, pastry or chocolate bar? Just like some grownups craving for Swisher Sweets, most kids have the penchant for fancy, attractive and sweet treats.

But you can help your kids curb their cravings by doing some sort of “censorship”, i.e. don’t expose them to unhealthy food. Here are few of my personal tips, you can add some of your own:

1. Choose the foods you buy, be mindful about your kids’ meals and snacks when stacking up your grocery items. The kids won’t be asking for some unhealthy food if they don’t see them on the refrigerator, on a jar or the grocery bag.

2. If you want to eat food you don’t want for them, e.g. softdrinks or ice cream, you can pour them while they’re not looking and use a ceramic mug so they won’t see what you’re drinking. It’s best not to let them see instead of telling them “no” as some kids tend to whine more if refused, and most of them don’t understand why.

3. While out in the malls, avoid passing by candy stores and if necessary, don’t bring them with you while doing your grocery.

4. Put some fruits and healthy snacks on the table or on attractive containers where they can be easily accessed by your kids.

As for little C, I’m glad she loves fruits and veggies. And while she loves sweets, ice cream and other desserts, I have no problem feeding her with healthy food as she is not choosy when it comes to eating.

supermom?

I can be super busy at home, doing some work in my computer while taking care of little C. I do get tired sometimes and look forward to my afternoon resting time as well. I’m definitely not Doctor Octopus with his many hand clamps (remember Spiderman 1?) who can reach out for this and that object simultaneously. My two human hands do get full of work sometimes, with little C on one hand and the other typing on the keyboard. That’s because I’m used to multitasking, so I guess that’s what makes me a supermom.

on monitoring your kid’s computer use

While the Internet is a good source of learning for your kids, it’s an investment on your time to also have a system of monitoring and controlling on what websites they’re usually connecting to. Well, my little C may still be too young to do some surfing but she is quiet smart when it comes to computer use and easily learns how to operate techie stuff like opening a CD drive, turning the power switch on, or clicking the mouse.

For kids more than 7 years old, they already know how to play online games so parents should closely observe them. Who knows what scandalous or malware-infested sites they might come across? I’m glad Microsoft’s newly-released Windows 7 operating system has parental controls for children. Aside from monitoring the websites their kids usually visit, the Windows 7 parental control features can also be enabled to put time limit on computer use.

Yup, it’s best to guide and educate our kids about Internet use. They won’t be browsing about relationship advices, shopping deals or joint pain relief for now and their interests are worlds apart from us, but it also pays to know and appreciate the things they want to browse online, be it playing with a virtual bear or having fun with dress up games. 

skin care for kids

As a mom, I’m a bit choosy about skin care for my little C, e.g. her bath soap, baby cologne or baby powder. Of course I don’t want her skin to get irritated or damaged by cosmetics which are not intended for children. I know she’s still too young to think about facial creams, acne skin products and other women’s cosmetics. I hope she won’t have problems with her face when she becomes a teenager though. For now, I’m just keeping my beauty creams and cosmetics away from her as I caught her one time smearing her face with my moisturizer. Uh-oh! 

little C’s new mom

My big sis and her hubby and kids spent their Christmas vacation here and after they left, our home is back to being the usual quiet place again, except for little C’s baby talk and playing in the background. Little C cried when they left as she treated big sis as her new mom, “sticking like glue” to her and kept calling her Mama. Lol. You can just imagine C following big sis anywhere she went.

The day of their departure, little C glued herself to my sis… I guess the little girl sensed that they would be leaving that day. Big thanks to big sis for the help in taking care of my little C while they were here.

goals, goals, goals

I’ve recently read an article about asking yourself good and stimulating questions to put your life on the right track. No, they’re not specific questions such as “What’s my dream destination this year?” or getting health information such as “Does nutrisystem work for my diet goals?” The questions suggested on the article are more focused on habits, relationships, character, and life issues. The more important things in life depend on how we react to situations and circumstances, and having a positive attitude to go with. 

parents, would you let your little girls wear high heels?

Celebrity kid Suri Cruise’s photos showing her wearing girlie heels was recently seen over magazines and the Internet. For some parents, high heels are just too much for the three and a half year old daughter of Hollywood couple Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. Others thought it’s alright for little girls to wear heels as long as the occasion is appropriate. I think some parents are afraid those high heels would cause some problems in the future (perhaps they fear their kids might undergo arthritis treatment when they get older)… as these heels are uncomfortable and affects the foot’s natural form. What do you think parents?

proud mom

My little C has grown up fast and it makes me smile just looking at her baby pics. How time flies! I have yet to update her pic in the sidebar of this blog as she looks so much different now at two years old.

It’s funny how I have collected a LOT of photos and videos chronicling her progress, from the time she learned to crawl, walk, talk and say “Mama”. Yes, I’m really a proud Mom to little C. I even have a refrigerator magnet with her pic on it. Hmmm… maybe I’ll have those custom mouse pads with her photo on it as well.

parenting styles

How do you cope with a crying baby or a whining toddler? Parents have different ways of treating their children and usually their methods are derived from how they were also brought up at home.

Gina Ford, in her book Contented Little Baby series which sold over two million copies in England alone, advocates controlled crying and being strict with feeding and other daily activities for the baby. This parenting style could have worked for some hardworking moms (slaving day and night for gold coins, LOL) based on Ford’s book sales. But some parents think Ford’s ideas are too strict.

Parenting is really a tough job. Each child is unique and his/her needs are different from other kids. Some parenting advice might work for a certain situation, some might not. At the end of the day, it’s the parents who know their children most and know what’s best for them.

stylish home ideas

A designer friend is busy handling two interior design projects these days and she’s busy looking for stylish decors and accessories to spice up the units. With the rapid advancement of technology in this age of computers, so many unique and creatively designed building materials can be found in the market nowadays.

For instance, there are beautiful mosaic tiles which you can form into a curve or any shape it’s attached to. For the kitchen, designers can also utilize those stylish stainless steel backsplash using specialty metal mosaic tiles which comes in different finishes and colors. For the windows, there are rollup blinds and shades that come in a wide variety of designs and textures, an elegant alternative compared to the traditional curtains. 

increase - new year’s trend? :)

Usually at the start of the year, prices of services and goods also increase.  For one, this year in CZ, the VAT has already rose from 19% to 20% for  services and goods.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the life insurance rates of insurance companies have also increased. Probably the only thing that hasn’t increased for the majority is the salary (hubby included).  

Even so, the new year should bring hope for a better life and better opportunities.  That’s what I am praying for.  With a new addition to the family coming very soon, I sometimes get nervous thinking how it would affect our lives. I know it won’t be easy but I also know that if hubby and I will stick together and help one another, we can overcome all the challenges that we’ll meet along the way.  

So yeah, we’re siding with the trend of each new year… increasing our tribe!  

unforgettable christmas morning bathroom incident

Whenever I hear the sound coming from our washing machine drain, I feel paranoid that the incident on Christmas morning is happening all over again.  

Recalling that unfateful morning, I had a major surprise then when I was about to enter the bathroom to shower and found that the floor was flooded. Oh my!  I was wondering where the water came from; definitely not from the Delta faucets!  I immediately called hubby and he was sane enough to find the source - the hose from the washing machine was on the floor!   It’s supposed to be on the tub, but apparently somebody placed the hose down or it might probably have jump dow from too much pressure.  We don’t know which is which.  We didn’t ask the kids or each other who could be responsible.

To make the long story short, even if hubby was quick to mop up the water and dry the floor, the damage has been done.  The neighbor downstairs went up to us and complained that his walls were already wet.  Bad building design!  The bathroom floor isn’t water proofed!   Fortunately, the insurance company took care of the damage.  But still, whenever I hear the sound of the washing machine draining off the water, I still rush to the bathroom and check if its draining out properly. Sheeshhh!

a parent’s concern

One concern of being a mom is to choose safety products for my child.  There are many stories of health hazards or accidents of kids from using certain toys and other children’s stuff.  The last one I heard was of a crib brand which was recalled coz several accidents have already happened to small children.  Since I am expecting another child soon, I should be aware of what products to use that are safe especially that infants are more fragile than toddlers.  So far I don’t need to buy toys for my future child yet as he can use the old ones his sister have.  What I am preparing lately are his clothes which mostly I got from friends and family on my baby shower and Christmas.

a letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

If you ever get this letter, I hope that you will grant my wish.  I don’t really ask for something grand, just a little rest and a week of pampering will do (hint: massage everyday!).   If you can get me a superb accommodation in one of the hotels in myrtle beach, then it would be appreciated greatly.  And please, I want my wish granted before I give birth, coz from then on, my life will be more busy and loaded. 

Thank you so much!!!

From a preggy mom in Prague :)

update - first week of December

Thank God, hubby is already well.  Now that my partner is up and about, he can help me with the household chores and take care of Caity too.

This weekend we bought a Christmas and plan to set it up soon.  I just hope our little girl wouldn’t find it her subject of scrutiny.  Once it’s up, we have to keep an eye on her, that she doesn’t do something (destructive) to it.  

In less than 3 weeks, my sister and her family from Finland will arrive here.  That’s why we already need to start with our Christmas preparations and gift shopping. Aside from touring Czech Republic, they also plan to visit the other neighboring European cities such as Berlin and Vienna.  US is too far, so definitely there will be no need for Outer Banks rentals for them.

Got a lot of things to do!!! I hope we’ll be able to squeeze in everything before the holiday comes.

this is it! :(

I’m feeling so stressed out lately.  There are so many things to do at home, and the fact that hubby is unable to help me makes it even more difficult.  I am just so tired, running around; doing this, doing that…  Caity sometimes doesn’t make it easier for me.  And being on my last trimester of pregnancy makes me easily tired.  HELP!!!!  All these activities work as effective fat burners I guess.  I wish a fairy would come over, tell me to just sit and relax while she does everything for me. I just have to command her what to do, without lifting a finger.  But I guess it won’t happen. waaaaaaaaaaaaaa It’s very frustrating!!! 

bloating…

Hola!  I just finished eating a big slice of chocolate cake which I shared with Caity and hubby. Whew!  My stomach feels even tighter after finishing it off coz they didn’t want it anymore.  I feel like I gained 10 kilos now! But of course, taking the best diet supplements isn’t the answer to my situation.  In case you don’t know, I am pregnant that’s why my stomach feels more bloated when I eat.  Patience, a little more patience.  I’ve got 2 more months to go till the baby pops out and then I’ll have my light figure again, hopefully that is!    

Okies, gotta do some walking inside the house to shake off that food I ate.  It’s soon time for bed and I don’t want to sleep with a full stomach. Ciao for now!

peso-dollar rate, nov. 17, 2009

Since I last posted the dollar exchange rate, it’s one dollar down this time.   It’s awfully bad coz I wasn’t able to transfer my money last time.  So now,  I am holding on to it and expecting that the dollar exchange rate will go higher in the coming weeks. 

Here is the Peso-Dollar Rate as of November 17, 2009.

I may not have a big savings in my account (not even enough to buy pond pumps) but I am hoping that by next year, I will have enough to pay for my planned trip to the Philippines.  Little by little I can do it and with the constant flow of assignments I am getting, who know I will even have extra for other things.