It's more fun when papa is around :)

Ben loves spending time with Bry.  There are Saturdays when we'd go to the office just so the boys can spend more time together.  Whether it's a busy or a laid back day, it is always better when papa is here.  Bry doesn't just play with Ben but would help out with Ben's bath and his naps.  Plus, it's always better to have a tag team partner when you have an active and inquisitive little boy.  Last week, we were lucky that Bry got to swim with Ben and also took him to school for his trick or treat..  We (Ben and I) now have the Monday blues but will surely look forward to spending time with Bry during the holidays by the end of this week.  We don't have anything special planned, just some good old quality time together.

How about you guys? Any plans for the long weekend?

Goodbye Little Gym?

This semester is Ben's last one as a Little Gym superbeast, and after thinking about it, Bry and I are leaning towards not enrolling Ben for the next term.  The main reason being the schedule.  The classes for Ben's age next year are in conflict with our family lunches and his nap time.  I feel sad because I know he enjoys it there, and it will finally be a student-teacher class instead of a parent-child one, but I guess it would be good for us for get some rest during the weekends.

We've been happy with Little Gym and will surely miss it once we move on.  I love seeing Ben do his forward roll and hang on the bars swinging all by himself.  We still have until December (yehey)  if we will push through with our plan.

I wonder what will be our next adventure... :)  Any suggestions? :)

On Sensory Integration: Raising focused kids

About two weeks ago, Bry and I were fortunate enough to attend another parenting seminar by Ben's school. The topic was about Sensory Integration particularly for young children. Our speaker was Lady Suarez, an occupational therapist who tackled how children have different ways in processing sensory stimuli. The goal is for the child to be able to identify which ones are relevant and react accordingly.

Without getting too serious about it, the main point of the talk was to be conscious of the kind of sensory stimulation that you expose your child to and be aware of his / her tolerance level. It is best that children do not become overstimulated so that they can focus on a specific experience. For example, it's hard to read a book while the television is on, etc. Also, the speaker stressed the importance of outdoor play and movement. Most children can actually sit still if you just let them move around and attend to their need for exercise first. Another thing that was discussed was giving children opportunities to practice their imagination and problem solving skills. It is beneficial for them to have activities that challenge them and as much as we can, we should let them figure things out by themselves.

In line with the topic, Bry and I decided to wean Ben from the television while eating. This was hard for us and yaya but we're giving it a shot. We also try not to help him right away when he's frustrated about something. We hope this little steps will help him become more conscious and sensitive of this surroundings and be attentive when given a task.

Any thoughts on how to help your child stay focused? Do share ... :)

Ben's Favorite Ipad Apps

Ben loves the Ipad, yes I know we shouldn't let him play with it all the time.  We try to limit his Ipad time but as long as he's using it, might as well make it the experience both fun and educational.  Presenting our favorite Ipad applications:

Alphabet Tracing By Oncilla Technologies Inc - as suggested by our good friend, doc and preschool teacher Miel, we tried to look for an app that would help Ben practice tracing letters and numbers.  It's not the same as good old fashioned pen and paper but use a stylus with it and you get the next best thing :)

Dr. Seuss Apps by Oceanhouse Media- Dr. Seuss books are fun to read and having online versions of them are the coolest.  I like how the app displays and voices out the names of the objects as you point towards them.

Duck Duck Moose Apps - Duck Duck Moose offer several interactive appications for toddlers that uses familiar children's songs.  Brn's favorite is the Itsy Bitsy Spider :) You can even record your own voice singing the songs for a more personalized touch.  Among other choices are Wheel's on the Bus , Old MacDonald and Ba Ba Black Sheep.  They also have a Fish School math app that makes counting fun.

Sandra Boynton Books By Loud Crow Interactive Inc. - Ben loves Sandra Boynton Books.  They're cute and very easy to read.  We have a collection of her small board books here at home so when Bry discovered that some of them have interactive versions, he couldn't resist downloading them.  Going to Bed book was the first one, Ben's favorite page is the one with the animals in the bath tub.  The other books (Blue Hat, Green Hat   , Moo Baa La la la, and Barnyard Dance_ are just as adorable.

Monster at the end of this Book by Sesame Street - It took us a while to purchase this app because as much as we are Sesame Street fans, it's  little expensive.  However, I now understand why this has high ratings.  The plot and interactivity is simple enough for Ben's age yet at the same time, I can imagine him still enjoying it even after a few years.  It's quite a "long book" so it can keep your little one busy for a while.  Check out the sequel "Another Monster at the end of this Book" where Elmo joins the fun.

Alien Buddies –

By Artgig Studio - I honestly think this app helped Ben become familiar
with colors and shapes.  It has a lot of activities in it like  connecting the dots, puzzles, plotting stickers and matching.  The matching activity seems simple but you can really learn a lot if you consistently play with it.                                       

Toca Boca Games - Ben loves playing pretend so this series of apps is definitely  in our list.   His favorites are Toca Doctor, Toca Robot  and Toca House.  There are games like the Toca Store and Tea Party that are fun to play with a friend.  You obviously can't compare it to the real thing but it can keep you and your little one occupied while waiting for your turn at the pediatrician's clinic.

Toddler-Proofing our Home

Ever since Ben started being mobile, we've been trying to set-up our home, most especially our room, to be safe for him.  Here are the (not so) latest additions :)  Apologies for the blurry photos :)

RUBBER MATS IN THE BATHROOM - With Ben running around all the time, they serve as extra protection  especially  when I have to give him a bath all by myself.  We bought these at Ace Hardware. They can be hard to maintain, though, especially in the shower area.  Make sure they are cleaned regularly.

LIFT AND LOCK SWING GATE BY THE STAIRS - Ben knows how to go up and down the stars by himself and this helps us with making sure he waits for an adult.  Find one that's sturdy and easy to install.  Having a design that goes well with the rest of the house is  plus, too.  Actually, I got this idea from my mom who told that when I was a little girl, I fell from the stairs once while chasing an ice cream cart, ooops!

BED RAIL - Actually, we usually sleep with Ben at a mattress by the floor during nighttime.  The bed we have doesn't seem to be big enough for the three of us to sleep through the night anymore.  But this bed rail is helping for us during nap time and at nights when he wants to sleep at the big bed.

Hope these ideas help :) :) :)

My PTC (Parent Teacher Conference) Adventures

I grew up fearful of parent-teacher conferences. When I was still studying, if your parents are called for PTC, it usually means the teachers have concerns on your behavior or grades. So my mindset was no-PTC = good and kept a low profile. I guess this is why I get nervous whenever it is time to have one at Ben's school. We have 3 PTCs over the course of the school year, one is for goal setting, one in the mid-year, and another by the end of the school year that lets us evaluate if he is ready to move up to the next level.

Anyway, I just had my first PTC for this school year. As usual, I was both anxious and curious about how Ben is doing inside the classroom and I am glad (and relieved, haha!) that the teachers are quite happy with him. His teachers said that having Ben is like having an extra adult in the classroom because he knows the routine and encourages the rest of his classmates to participate as well. He's now more open to cooperative play and is quite independent in doing his tasks. He is also the class entertainer. He enjoys singing and dancing in front of the mirror and his classmates. He even has a classmate that enjoys watching him so much that he would look for Ben whenever he's late so much so that the teachers are saying that the class doesn't really start until he arrives because he's the life the party. A performer like his papa? :)

He's also very open to the new materials the teachers would bring in front of him and to my surprise has a GOOD attention span. Wait, are we still talking about the same boy here? I couldn't even get him to sit still to finish a glass of milk at home!

There's room for improvement, of course. We still have to encourage him when it comes to arts and writing, and as much as he likes playing with others he still needs to be reminded to share once in a while. The good thing about PTCs on this level is that the parents and teachers can make sure they are on the same page when it comes to disciplining the kids and share tips on how to deal with their personaliies. Like with Ben, I found out that he likes it when his artworks are posted on the wall so I'm going to try to do it at home. Whew, so far we're doing ok, now only if I can get him out of the "bang-bang" (play gun) phase before the rest of his classmates catch on, hehe =)

Ben at Explorations (year 2), What's new?

It has been a month since Ben started his second year at Explorations and I am happy to say that his transition was a smooth one. This is not a surprise since Ben was enrolled in the summer program. I was a bit concerned about how he will adjust to his new teachers and yaya but was pleasantly surprised that within a few days, he already knew their names. I even heard him calling them in his sleep, probably dreaming of what he did at class.

He's more social now but favors a classmate who has been with him since last year. He still took his time warming up to his new classmates and has to be reminded to use his gentle hands and gentle voice most especially since he's one of the oldest boys in class. I think we are making progress since their teachers shared with me that Ben comforted one of his classmates when he saw her crying.

The good news is he's very comfortable with the class routine. I find joy in listening to him sing songs he learned at class. He'd also tell me about what he did inside the classroom and who helped him with his tasks. I am also glad that the teachers are being firm with him to slowly prepare him for a more structured schedule and eventually big school.

Bry and I look forward to observing his progress as we go through the rest of the school year.  Thanks, teacher Karen for these lovely photos of our little master at work.

Potty training Ben Ben

As requested by some mommy friends, I'm writing an entry about potty training our little Master. At 2.5 years Ben is about 50% (?) potty trained. We let him wear diapers only outdoors and during bedtime/nap time. It's not much, but progress nonetheless.

It helped that we try to establish a consistent potty routine for him in the morning before bath time. We've been trying this for some time now but only got a real system going during summer break from school.  I bought him several pairs of cheap briefs and shorts so we won't stress about having to catch up on laundry.  I think he actually prefers not wearing any diapers since it's more comfy.  He would now tell us if he wants to poo or pee, tell us if he's finished, and flush afterwards.  We're still in the stage when we have to act really fast once he says he needs to go to the bathroom in order to prevent accidents.  And true to his nature of being pilyo and maharot, he finds a way to make potty time interesting, like telling us to close our eyes until he's done and playing with the bidet hose. It's still a lot of work but we've come a long way since trying to chase him around to change his dirty nappy.

I'm grateful of the progress we have made so far.  I still don't know when we'll be able to go without diapers during naps and bedtime, I've read that it's best to watch out for signs and not to rush into it.  I try to get him to pee almost every hour whenever he's awake so I'm not sure how to go about lasting the whole night.  I'd love to hear the potty training stories of other parents and learn from them.

Sharing Ben's first and only potty pic for way back when he was less than a year old.  I don't have any new photos since he now becoming a little self conscious during potty time, hmm... kids grow up so fast, huh? :)

Have a happy and safe weekend everyone!

on Extended Breastfeeding and Attachment Parenting, as inspired by the controversial Time Mag cover

taken from  minnpost.com website

A lot has been said about the controversial Time Magazine cover featuring a toddler standing on a stool being breastfed by his mom, with a caption saying "Are you mom enough?" talking about Attachment Parenting. I've been reading a lot of comments and blog entries about it. Here are my thoughts.

Being a mom is hard work, and I think all moms are "mom enough" regardless of their parenting style. Also, if you read about Attachment Parenting, it's not just about Breastfeeding, Babywearing and Co-Sleeping. For me, it is a parenting philosophy of being responsive to your child's needs so you establish a stable connection with him/her. In turn, the child becomes self-aware and sensitive to other people's needs as well.  Actually, I think most parents are doing it somehow,  It's just that the word "attachment" can sometimes been perceived negatively by someone who doesn't know what it really is.  If you don't know what attachment parenting is, you'll have the misconception that the parenting style mind end up making the child too attached to the parents.

Anyway, the photo in the magazine cover is itself subject of debate. Some of the comments I've read in the original article about it goes something like "if a child is old enough to ask to be nursed, then it's time to stop" or "the child will be traumatized being photographed breastfeeding at such an age". Whether or not someone approves of the style the photo was taken depends on one's personal taste, but I do hope that more people will be ok with a mom breastfeeding her toddler. Breastfeeding beyond a year has it's benefits and a mom's decision how she feeds her child deserves to be respected. After all, if there are 3-4 year olds who still drink milk from a bottle, why can't there be children of the same age who are breastfeeding? Besides, breastfeeding toddlers has been something mothers have been doing for generations.

For moms who are breastfeeding their toddlers, kudos to you. Be proud and talk openly about it! As more people realize that Breastfeeding is a natural thing, more new moms would be inspired to do it, and we will be making a the world a better place one baby at a time.

Feeding Ben - What I've learned about toddler nutrition

Ben just came from his monthly check-up the other day and we are happy to report that his doctor is satisfied with his weight and height.  This is a victory for me, Bry and Yaya.  Ever since I had Ben, my target is that he becomes heavier and grows taller each month.  Thankfully, with hard work and prayers, we're usually successful.  Most friends and family members are quite amazed with Ben's appetite whenever we eat with them.  He eats a lot, has just the right built, and more importantly not sickly.

I had a lot of help in getting Ben to be fed right, and I still have a lot to learn.  I try to research, learn from experiences of other moms as well as consult with pediatricians to confirm if my instincts are correct.  Here are some of the things I've learned that might be helpful in feeding a toddler:

(1) Target your toddler to get most of his nutrition on solid foods.
This is a tough one since your child is used to a liquid diet as a baby.  However, part of being a healthy is being able to get your nutrition from a well balanced diet.  Let your toddler get the majority of his daily calories from fish, meat, vegetables, fruits and wheat.  It will teach him to be adventurous as well as identify which type of foods are healthy for him

(2) Consume milk wisely
Milk can be a good thing, but as a child grows older its role in a child's nutrition shifts.  From being the sole source of food, milk should eventually become a complimentary part of a child's diet.  It is recommended that your child consumes only 2-3 glasses of milk as he becomes a toddler.  This is because if your child gets most of his calories from milk, either of the two things will happen (1) the excess calories may lead him to become overweight or (2) he'd become so full with milk that he won't have an appetite for solids anymore.  This is especially the case with formula milk that's sweeter and more filling.

(3) Get other non-dairy source of DHA and calcium
We hear a lot about the importance of DHA/RHA for brain development.  This is true, especially for infants, and the best source of this at the start of a child's life is breastmilk.  Same goes for calcium.  Now, what happens when you eventually wean your child?   If you stop breastfeeding during a stage that your child is eating well, he can get DHA by eating fish 2-3 times a week.  Also, do you know that vegetables can be a source of calcium as well? These solid foods have nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body compared to the synthetic ones in formula milk.

(4) Snacks are important
If you can't get your toddler to sit down for a long time in the dining table, why not offer snacks in between meals so he gets to eat more.  Sliced fruits are a popular choice.

(5) Relax, Be Patient and Have Fun!
Easy to say, hard to do.  It really is a challenge when to be firm and when to let go when it comes to feeding your child.  I usually want Ben to finish everything that's in his plate and would use all types of distractions to get him to it.  But when it's the weekend, we're pressed for time and I know he has eaten a lot, I TRY (hehe) not to sweat it.  Eating is suppose to be fun and not a chore, and it's important that a child has a positive attitude towards it.

Ben having Magnum Ice Cream for dessert after he finishes his meal

Ben's first year at school: A Review

Dated  March 15 (but posted later to accommodate photos)

Today was Ben's last day for the school year.  I remember his child observation day like it was yesterday.  I was so nervous for him, like he was going to an entrance exam or something.  I was also quite concerned if we made the right choice sending him to school at such a young age.  Now, after a year at Explorations, I can say that I have no regrets enrolling him there.  I have seen the progress he has made over the past year and I know that going to school has a lot to do with it.

It's not the big milestones but rather the little things that make me  appreciate how much Ben has learned at school.  My favorites are the following:

* learning to say "no" and "stop" when he doesn't want something or someone to come near him ( as oppose to hitting)

* how he's motivated to pack away when he hears the "clean-up" song, which we also sing at home to get him to put away his toys.

* he sings nursery rhymes out of the blue

* knows how to do praying hands

* knows that he has to wash hands before and after meals (and wipe with a towel, too)

* can carry a conversation, answers when asked what he did at school today and who he played with.  He now knows a lot of words and likes to identify shapes and colors.

These little "big boy" moments and many others make me grateful that I have entrusted Ben to such caring, patient and very capable group of women at school.  Thanks Teachers Giselle and Jinky, and Yaya Mel!

Mommy and Ben loves Crayola Washable Kids' Paint

Just a short post to share that Ben and I enjoyed painting with Crayola's washable kids' paint last weekend. I bought this a few months ago.  The first time he tried it, he only painted a few strokes and was more interested in other toys.  He recently saw the paint set again and I was glad that he was the one who said he wanted to use them.  I think the art activities at school really helped Ben become more interested in painting.  It lets him learn colors, too :)

What I love about this type of paint is that it's easily washable.  We were so messy but it didn't take much effort to clean up.  I washed his clothes myself and was quite happy that I wasn't so stressed about taking out the stains.  (sorry, no before and after photos of the clothes.  I was busy making sure he didn't use up all the paint, hehe)

Anyway, so if you're looking for an idea what to do with your little one at home, why not try out painting?  You can even get an easel or a sketch book.  Have fun!

Mommy Review: Ace Water Spa Pasig

Two weeks ago,  Ben and I were invited to Coach Angelo Lozada's Baby and Me demo class at Ace Water Spa in Pasig.  I was quite excited since I've always been curious about the place.  Allow me to share with you our experience.

Pros
There was ample parking and the guard was quite polite and accomodating.  The pool area is quite big.  There's a big lap pool and several small pools.   The small heated pools even have fountains and windmills. Cute, enticing, but do take note that they only allow kids in the small pool with the slide (which Ben liked a lot!).  The  lifeguard on duty is quite alert and friendly, especially to the kids. Oh, and they require everyone to wear  the swimming caps they lend you (for sanitary purposes, I suppose) so take note of that in case you want to bring your own.

Cons
It's a long walk towards the locker room and even a longer walk from the locker room to the pool area.  It shouldn't be a big deal but the attendants make you shower before leaving the locker room.  They probably mean well, but the long walk towards the pool can be quite chilly if you have already showered.  Also, if you are attending a child's swimming class, Coach Angelo recommends that you wait for the actual class to start before going down the pool so the kids don't use up their energy right away.  This is another reason why it may not be wise to let the kids shower before leaving the locker room.  If they're a little early for their class, they'll just end up feeling cold staying by the poolside.  Then there's this rule about not being allowed to wear a towel while sitting by the pool.  During our time there, I was so concerned about Ben feeling cold while we wait for our turn to swim that I wanted to wrap him with a towel but rules are you have to leave them by the rack.  I wonder what's behind that rule.

Okay, so back to the locker room, there was ample space, a dryer and a some toiletrees.  No complaints about that.  But I do wish that their dressing and shower rooms have actual doors than curtains.  Yes, they do the trick most of the time, but still, actual doors could give the users more privacy.

Now, on a final note, what I really hope that the place improves on is consistency with their rules. For example, the attendants of the locker room say they don't allow board shorts on the pool but there were some who got away with wearing them.  Maybe they should rethink that rule.  I mean, how about men who don't what to wear swimming trunks or spandex shorts to the pool?  Also, the attendants said they don't allow yayas beyond the locker room, but there were a couple that were able to go close to the pool area.  What's up with that?

My verdict is that the place can improve on making itself child and mommy friendly.  And honestly, I was glad we were able to try out the place for free because to spend around P500 per person to swim, I expected more :)

Ben's first stint as a ring/coin bearer :)

It was a big day for Ben last Saturday :) He was the ring and coin bearer for a very good friend of mine, Steph.  Steph is one of my very best girl friends back when I was still doing SAP work.  She's was there for me when I was "finding myself" during my Accenture days (enough said, haha!)  I'm quite glad and honored that it was on her wedding than Ben made his debut.

Bry, Yaya and I were quite nervous for him.  Days before the big day, we were already thinking of scenarios like what if he suddenly starts throwing the pillow around or sings the ABC (or worse!).  When we arrived at the church, he'd only hold the pillow for a few seconds then drop in on the floor.  We already decided that Bry will walk with Ben.  When the moment arrived, this is what happened

No fuss, no crying, no shouting.  Just straightforward walking! When I asked Bry what he told Ben, he said he just told Ben to go and give the pillow to Carlo (the groom) who was waiting in front of the altar.  My hands were shaking the whole time because I actually couldn't believe it.  Not only that, he was quite behaved the whole time.  He posed for the cameras then ate properly and danced during the reception.

Whenever Bry and I feel  overwhelmed with Ben's kakulitan, we will always look back on this day with fondness and pride :) Thanks Carlo and Steph! (playmate for Ben soon, okay? Wink!)

Winner of Ben's Birthday 2012 Giveaway!!!

 

 Here we go, mommy and daddy friends!!!! It's time to pick the winner for Ben's birthday giveaway.  It was just a simple raffle of our little master.  As you can see, he tried to follow my instructions but manged to be pilyo as ever!

Congratulations, Katherine Dalope !!! I'll send you an email as to how you can claim your prize.  Thanks to everyone for joining and supporting our "munting" blog :)  Enjoy!!!

Ben's favorite TV shows

Now that Ben is two, He is "officially" allowed to watch television.  I admit we are guilty of letting him watch even before his second birthday.  ( We really tried, but failed :P )  For mommies and daddies who are looking for suggestions what to let their toddler watch, here are some of Ben's favorites :)

Hi5
Ben loves this show because of the catchy songs and he likes watching the kids dancing to them.  I was a bit skeptic when I first watched an episode but both Bry and I ended up having L-S-S!

Barney
I admit, It took me a while to give in and let Ben become a fan of this purple dino.  Pros: Barney teaches viewers good manners like sharing and packing away.  I wished there were more current episodes though.  The ones we have are with Selena Gomez as little girl!

Sesame Street
My personal favorite for Ben.  I was a Sesame Street girl so I'm quite glad that Ben likes the show as well.  I love how the show tries to stay current and involves popular personalities.  Ben also enjoys watching The Best of Elmo and Bert & Ernie adventures.  We downloaded some video clips from youtube to keep Ben occupied when we're on along a trip.

Brainy Baby
This is the first type of show Ben watched.  The intentions are good but it lacks something to keep the viewers engaged for a long time.  Basically it introduces colors, shapes and numbers using real life objects. But there's no main character to interact with.  Ben was interested for a while but eventually got bored.  It has some nice ideas as to how to teach your child everyday concepts though.

Disney Junior Shows - We actually switched our cable tv's plan so we can have this channel.  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Jake & the Neverland Pirates are Ben's favorites.  What's good about these shows are each episode is short which keeps the kids entertained but not long enough to be on "autopilot" mode.

Watching TV is nothing compared to playing outdoors or reading a book with your little one.  Still, it's good to know there are some quality shows out there.  It's also helpful to explain to the kids what they're watching so they learn more.

Hitting the two year mark

And now, Ben's two! Who would have thought that I would be nursing a two year old? Thank you  Lord for this amazing journey :)

We all hear that "Breastfeeding is best for babies up to two years AND beyond" but the infomation on why extended breastfeeding is beneficial still needs to be spread.  Recently, I was able to take part of a breastfeeding seminar for medical students.  There were questions like, isn't breastmilk not valuable anymore when a baby turns into a toddler? Good thing that we were able to enumerate some of the many advantages of extended nursing like lowering the risks of breast/ovarian cancer and diabetes.  It's also good to know that the composition of breastmilk changes to meet the needs of your child.  Your child may (and should) get nutrition from other sources but there is immunity from sicknesses that only breast-milk can provide.

I'm sharing this to motivate moms out there who are wondering if there are really advantages to breastfeeding after 6 months.  I'm hoping to give moms who choose to breastfeed even after a year some ammunition when they are asked why they're not yet weaning their child.

Hitting the two year mark isn't easy but it can be done and the return on the time and effort a mom has invested in breastfeeding her child will last a lifetime.

So my dear mommy friends, breastfeed for as long as you can AND want :) information and support is the key.  Be knowledgeable.  Surround yourself with supportive family and friends.  Your healthy  nursling will be forever grateful :)

why I adore our two year old Ben

1. can say please and thank you

2. counts 1-10 when he's on a good mood (skips 6 sometimes, though, hehe)

3. wipes his shoes on the floor mat before entering the house ( which I sometimes forget to do myself )

4. makes sure I get a kiss from Bry before he leaves for work every morning

5. calls older kids ahia and achi (big brother and big sister in chinese)

6. helps yaya pack-away his bath stuff

7. calls me from the intercom to come down for dinner

8. knows the difference between an ipad, ipod touch and an iphone

9. sings and dances with feelings, like no one is watching and eyes closed

10. says uh-oh when I lecture him (hope he gets the message, too)

happy birthday, darling! may God bless you more and more each day!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Presenting Ben's Birthday Giveaway!

January is our little master's birthday month and we're celebrating it with another blog giveaway!!!




Rules are simple, just leave a comment " happy birthday, Ben! " with your FULL NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS under this blog entry or facebook link. Deadline is on January 31 2012




The prize? A FISHER PRICE Brilliant Basics™ Walker-to-Wagon™!!! Perfect for little ones who are starting to learn how to walk . This is one of Ben's favorites. It has a shape sorter and can be used to help your child learn how to push and pull. Quite durable, too! Ben would sometimes bring his outdoors for his morning walks.







You don't need to be a mommy or daddy to join. It's a nice gift for a niece, nephew, godchild or even for a baby shower :) Feel free to spread the word, who knows, we might add an extra prize.







Good Luck!!

How the Tans survived the Holidays

Happy New Year, everyone!

It's been a busy, tiring but fun couple of weeks because of the holidays.  I thought with Ben taking a break from his classes that our schedule won't be that hectic but I was mistaken, hehe! With all the family gatherings, days off by the helpers and general cleaning of the house, I'm glad that we're now back to our regular routine.  Here are some things I've learned during the holidays.

1. Have realitistic expectations
It's the holidays, everyone seems in the mood to meet up but with a toddler and the heavy traffic, you have to ask yourself if you can really accommodate everyone.  Both the Velasco and Tan side have Christmas gatherings on the 24th.  For the past two years, we attempted to party-hop but no success.  The lesson to be learned here is to accept that you can just can't jump from one venue to another anymore.  Sometimes, you really have to choose.  How about alternating parties like going to one side this year and to the other one next year?  It's better to stay long at a gathering to have quality time with the people in it anyway.

2. Ask help when needed
Over the Christmas break, I had to (1) go Christmas gift and grocery shopping with Ben in tow and (2) spend almost 3 days with limited assistance from yaya or Bry because of the general cleaning.  What kept me sane was charming kind-hearted people for help.  My angels were the supermarket baggers who helped me with the groceries and my mom's helpers who help fed and played with Ben.  I get so excited whenever I get to spend quality time with Ben but thankful  that I had back-up

3. Take small frequent meals
I always bring some snacks for Ben whenever we leave the house. (He shares them with me, too!)  That way we're not cranky even if the dinners end up late.  To be honest, I have to patience to feed Ben on an empty stomach so I have eat, too! Ben and I love bananas.  It has been my comfort food and it seems my little master can't say no to it as well

4. Naps, Naps, Naps
Sometimes, all it takes is 30 minutes of shut-eye to make mommy and baby happy.  If the schedule is hectic, I try to at least get Ben to nap at the car on the way to out destination.  More often than not, he seems to be in a better mood when he wakes up.

5. Bring extra clothes
I admit, I am a messy feeder.  Which is why I always try to remind myself to pack along some extra clothes along with Ben's.  You'll never know when you need to go straight from on place to another without having the time to go home and change.

6. Remember the Reason for the Season
Despite the hectic schedule, the highlight of my Christmas is completing the Simbang Gabi  and going through Fr. Johnny Go's online recollection .  It's a way of looking back and thanking the Lord for all the wonderful blessings.

Wishing you all a blessed (and fun-filled) 2012!