computer time

Since the little man will not leave my laptop computer alone, I decided to let him use it while I was cooking lunch today. I let him watch his favorite ABC song on Youtube and he was just tickled to sit in my computer chair without me telling him to get down. He even used the mouse which I unplugged because who knows what he will do with the computer with it plugged in. He had a good time saying the letters while trying to sing at the same time. He pretty much left the computer alone after that session. I might do this often just so he will not mess with my computer and let me use it without him pestering me. Well, I now know what to do. Hopefully he will not ask for more time next time. He did look like a big boy sitting in my computer chair while watching the video. My boy is growing up and before long he will be asking for his own computer.

screaming fits

The little man sometimes screams in the middle of his sleep when he skips his nap. I can always tell he will have screaming episodes a few hours after he goes to bed at night when he did not take his nap during the day. I wonder if he is dreaming or if he was just annoyed that he has to sleep when he could have spent the whole night playing. I don't have the answers so I am just guessing. I have to pacify him and make sure he knows I am just beside him until he settles down again. Last night he did just that while I was busy in the laundry room. He settled down quick though, went back to sleep again and did not wake up until past six this morning and only because it was so cold. The husband left the AC on last night and when we got up it was 64 degrees inside the house. Anyway, the little man is here playing with his trucks and waiting for Mama to finish what she is doing so they can snuggle in the couch. Which means I have to go now and spend some time with my little boy. I hope this screaming fits will go away because I don't like it even though it only happens from time to time.

moving out

In maybe a week, the husband's son will move to his own place. He has been scouting for places to live and it seems like he already found one. We hope he will get accepted without problems. The new place is a little farther from work but it is nearer the college he is attending which is more important. We were shown the brochure of the place and it was decent enough. Actually, I like it given the fact that the apartment complex has an exercise room complete with exercise equipment like treadmill and stationary bikes. My dream place! If only we found it before but it seems like the place is new. It would have been nice to workout for free instead of going to the gym and having to pay for membership and drive all the way just to get to it. I am starting to get jealous, lol. He will go this Thursday to talk to somebody who works in the apartment complex and to hopefully sign the lease. I hope he gets it. He really needs a space of his own and I know he wants it too. Thankfully he got a pretty decent refund for the taxes he paid.

when a boy skips his afternoon nap

This is what happens when a child refuses to take his nap, passed out in the middle of eating dinner. I was in the computer then while waiting for him to finish his dinner when I noticed it got so quite. When I looked he was sound asleep. He did not even stir when I cleaned his face which is one of the things he hates. I cleaned him up, change his diaper and clothes and did not hear any complaints. And the best thing, he did not wake up until seven the next morning. Yes, I had plenty of time for myself that night considering this happened at six in the evening. The husband said it felt weird to be so quiet. You see, when this little man is awake, he makes all kinds of sounds and let us know he is just somewhere in the house playing with his toys. He does this from time to time still. Other times he takes three to four hour naps and will not sleep until we are ready for bed which is about nine or ten at night. But when he does not take his nap he goes to bed early. I just let him do what he wants though. Whichever way is good for me now that I am used to his routine.

gaining weight

The little man has started gaining weight. He was at 25 lbs for a long time but just about two weeks ago he gained a few more pounds. I noticed it one day when I lifted him and he got so heavy it was hard to keep on holding him. Man, talk about heavy. In as much as I want to carry him when we are out doing errands so he will now slow us down, I can't anymore. I have to think of my back you know. I must be surprised at first when I learned of his weight gain but when I think about it, he might just be keeping up with me and his father. You see, the husband and I are gaining weight as well. We thought we were losing weight because of the change in diet but, lo and behold, we were even heavier than we were before. We want to go to the gym but he has to take care of a very important family matter right now so it is taking a back seat. Once this problem is solved then we might start looking for the perfect gym. Either that or use Ephedrasil hardcore so we will not eat too much. I think it is the eating too much that is the problem. We eat even if we are not hungry and worry about it afterward. Crazy couple huh? We hate being fat and we will do something to fix this problem. As for the little man, his weight is still within the normal range for his age so there is no need to worry yet. Besides he is only two years old, he needs a little fat here and there.

payback

We went to have my biometrics done today. The little man had to go with us because there was nobody to babysit him. We told him to be good and to keep quiet so as not to disturb the people around us. He did good but not after trying to shock the people present at the local USCIS where my biometrics was done. He let out a shout expecting a reply but when none came he kept quite while sitting on Dada's lap and waited for Mama to finish her business. Thankfully, we did not have to wait long. The fingerprinting and the picture taking was a breeze even if I had to pose twice to get a better picture. The officer was nice. He knew the picture will be in the card for the next ten years so he probably thought I should look good if not better if I have to carry the card every time I go out. We head straight home after the biometrics because the husband had to get to work. Hours later, the little man is making a mess in the kitchen, opened all the cabinet doors, stood on the oven door, carried pots and pans and his plastic spoons in the living room, and everything else in between. I think this is payback time for him being good earlier. I am annoyed at what he is doing but he refuses to listen to me when I tell him to stop. I am tempted to spank the living daylights out of him but I don't think it will serve my purpose so I did not. Yelling is not an option because the husband is opposed to it. So I have to tell him to stop wrecking havoc here and be a good boy in a low tone of voice. Does that work? Hell, no! But I will try and try until it gets through his head. Sometimes I really wish I am big so I can scare him with my size, lol. Motherhood! Now I know when Mamsy said I will get what I deserve when I have my own kids. That poor woman must have suffered a lot from me and my younger brother, lol.

problems with the little man

The little man is so full of energy. He climbs, he jumps, he runs into things including walls, and a lot of things besides. He has bruises mostly in his legs because he does not really care if he bumps himself as long as he is having a good time playing. He is rough. I hate to see the bruises and tried so hard to make him behave but can you really stop a little boy's intent? No, sir! Just last night he had an incident with an empty popcorn can which I do not know where he got from. The husband was angry for it happening right before our very eyes I thought he might be calling Seattle injury lawyer only we don't live in Seattle and the person involved was his son so it could have been somebody else he should call, right? I almost panicked only the husband was there so I stopped myself. Turned out, the little man was more shocked about what happened than anything else. He was just sleepy and might have dozed off. He was good again after a few minutes and did not go to bed until after an hour later. There was never even tears. That should teach me a lesson to make sure he is safe and to keep some things away from him which I deem not safe. Parenting 101 anyone?

late nap

The stepdaughter came in to drop her kids so I can babysit them while she signed papers to close on their new home. Imagine watching two rowdy toddlers and a six month old. After an hour I was ready to call for back up, lol. The little girl was so sweet and slept most of the time. The little man and his nephew were another story. They wanted to play with the same toy yet when one gave up the toy the other eventually gave it up as well. They ran around after each other and climbed up on the coffee table and I had to haul them off before either one fall. I almost had a headache especially when the little man started screaming because he was so sleepy. He was late for his two pm nap. It escalated when his nephew bit him twice. I was so mad at myself for not seeing it happen. I made sure they stayed away from each other after that. A few minutes after the kids were picked up, the little man passed out while sitting beside me in the couch. He is still asleep right now but I have to wake him up before seven so he won't be up all night.

an apple a day

Er, a few bites of apple a day? The little man, bless his little heart, just discovered the use of his front teeth. You know, the ones you use for biting? Well, he saw me eating an apple the other day and I offered to share it with him but he declined. He gave me his disgusted look and went far away from me just in case I make him eat. I do that sometimes, lol. He kept on going back to the kitchen for some reason though and when he thought I was not looking, got up on the dining chair and got him an apple. I told him if he wants to eat we have to wash it first so he handed me the apple reluctantly. He then mimicked what I did with the apple I offered him earlier that day. He tried so hard to get a big bite but he needs more practice. So everyday, since that day, I give him an apple to nibble on. See the picture? No, he does not want it to be cut. Nor should it be skinned. He is a big boy after all. This is an expensive practice to help him learn but for my boy, we will do whatever makes him happy.

so sleepy

I am so tired today. I feel sleepy. I can barely keep my eyes open while typing this entry. I don't know what is wrong with me. I did not even want to get up this morning. The thought of staying in bed all day is very appealing yet I can't do that with the little man up and alert so early today. If only there is somebody here to babysit my boy while Mama sleeps all day it would be nice. I wonder what is going on with me. I slept good last night so there shouldn't be any reason why I feel like this. Do you think I need another vacation? I sure think so. Wonder what the husband will say if I inquire for las vegas hotel reservations? He probably will be shocked especially if I tell him I am going alone and him and the little man can't go, lol. I need some time alone, I think. That is why I am looking forward to our vacation in Leyte. I already told him I want to stay longer in my parents' house so I can relax. I am sure they will be more than happy to watch for my son while I lounge away the remaining days of the vacation. As for Las Vegas, perhaps we can go some other time. I doubt the husband will let me go alone anyway. Besides I have not been to vegas so I don't even know what to do when I get there. There is no harm in dreaming, right?

king of defiance

That is the little man. He does not want to be told what to do. When I try to make him take naps, he will fight me even if he is so sleepy. He will do things to keep him up like watch tv or play with his toys. He takes his sweet time and when he is ready he does not go to his bed nor will he lay down beside me on our bed. He lays in the carpet and sleeps there that what I do is I wait until he is already out before I pick him up to put him to bed. Does it sound weird to you? Lol. It does to me too but I have stopped wondering why he is doing what he is doing. Perhaps he is just trying to make me understand that he has the right to be independent. Or like what the husband always says, his son is defiant. Just tonight I tucked him in twice but after a few minutes of tossing and turning in bed he got up and watched tv even if the news was on. I let him be because I wanted to save my energy. I figured when he is ready he will sleep anyway. Well, he got quiet and when I looked he was lying in the hallway sound asleep. I then scoped him up and tucked him to bed again. This time, I don't have to worry about him getting up again until tomorrow morning unless he sleep walk again like last night. Everyday is a learning process when this little man is concerned. I can never tell what he is going to do next which makes it more fun once I got over the getting annoyed part :)

spotless

I am not a neat freak but I like our place to be uncluttered and clean. Mess gives me headaches so I try to clean up as much as I can. Just the visible areas though, lol. I have to especially with a toddler in the house. I don't want him to get used to living like a pig when he grows up. Besides, I hate it when I smell something unpleasant may it be in the kitchen or in the bathroom. The bathroom, especially. I clean the floor and the tub every other day with Lysol and bleach. I always get down on my knees and make sure there are no grimes left which causes bad odor. Nobody wants to get inside a nasty bathroom right? I use a lot of disposable gloves in the process. The husband buys it for me because he knows I need it when cleaning. This is more sanitary for me, better than just washing hands which I still do but I feel better knowing I did not touch anything nasty while cleaning. I think the husband likes it since I have not heard him complain and I am telling you, he voices out his opinion if need be. And what's important is that I am happy with what I am doing :)

come!

I was checking my emails earlier when the little man out of nowhere grabbed my hand and said come. His voice was urgent so I asked him what was the matter while following him. Guess what I found out? He had his diapers out from the closet and he wanted me to help him count how many diapers he got out. Huh? All that fuss just to count diapers? Well, what can I do but obliged him. He was thrilled that he had that many out and he kept on recounting them. Or he wanted me to keep on recounting. As it is, mama only has short tolerance for counting unused diapers while sitting in the carpet. I left him alone and he seemed to be satisfied because he did not bother me for a while. Now we are playing what's that letter. He brings his alphabet blocks to me one by one and I ask him what letter it is and he says it and after I say very good he runs to get more blocks. He is having fun with the game because even after all the letters have been presented, he comes back even if he has to bring a letter he already brought to me twice :) I like to see him happy while learning at the same time.

if only...

The little man is still up. I can tell he is so sleepy but he refuses to take a nap so I gave up staying in our room and went back to the living room and let him watch cartoons. It is already late anyway so I hope he will not take a nap anymore, that way he will go to bed early like last night. I hate to argue with him because he whines and then screams like I am beating him, lol. So I let him be just to prevent argument. I can never win with this little fellow. If only he will listen to what I say and takes his naps like a good boy, I will be very happy. I probably will celebrate complete with the best wine of the month just to reward myself. But no, he does not listen to me. Or if he does, it is very seldom. I attribute it to the fact that he is only two years old and is very defiant like me. So I guess I only have myself to blame. I hope he will get better as he gets older. I don't want a submissive son but I want somebody who listens to us especially if what we want will be for his own benefit.

first taste

The husband gave his son his first ice pop the other day. Like everything new, it took him a while to warm up to the idea. I showed him how to do it which he did after some coaching. It was actually my first time to have ice pop too since I gave birth. See his facial expression? Priceless, isn't it? We had fun just looking at his reaction to the cold yet sweet pop. It hurt my teeth but then I think it was worth it. I even told the husband a hilarious story of my youth which involved ice pops and ice candies and he laughed at me for being silly. If you can just ignore the runny nose. He had cold at the time.

woke up late

The husband and the little man woke up early this morning. If you consider 7am to be early, that is. I was still in la la land when the husband turned the light on and woke me up calling me sleeping beauty. When I asked where the little man was he said he was in the living room watching tv. Huh, he did not even wake me up which he normally does. He opted to be with his father than snuggle me in bed. Bad kid, eh? I got up to fix the husband's breakfast and lunch. And after he left for work, I fixed something for the little man as well. When that was done I got online and have been here checking my mails and updating my blogs at the same time surfing the web for just about anything from books to term life insurance to online videos of my favorite television series. I am multi tasking again and I actually think it is beneficial. I get to do things at the same time which cuts back my online hours. Anyway, I have to go and do some chores and then spend some time with the little man. I have to cook rice too because this Filipina is starving. Ciao!

go team, go!

One of the little man's presents last Christmas is a basketball complete with a hoop and of course a ball. It is handy since we only have to prop it in the door knob and he can play in there for as long as he wants. He loves it! The good thing about the toy is that it has an accompanying cheer which the little man already memorized. He would make a shot and say, nice shot! and laugh afterwards. When I say nothing but net he gets excited and play some more. The only thing I don't like is he switches it to Spanish. I told him not to but he would not listen. I don't want him to end up more confused than he is right now. You see, I am teaching him the Filipino language and a dialect I grew up speaking. If you add English and Spanish in the mix I don't know how he will end up. I hope he will learn what he needs to learn and start talking to us in clear sentences. I will let him enjoy his game and maybe if I do it right, he will stop switching the game in Spanish. There is plenty of time for him to learn the language when he is a lot older.

hooked on reading

I ordered paperbacks online just a few minutes ago. This is the second time I did it and I feel a bit guilty for indulging my whims. You see, I love to read when my hands are not full. It helps to pass time especially when the little man is being a good boy. I have enjoyed reading ever since I was a kid. Books that were not suitable for my age, lol. I did not read anything other than romance, just to clear that up okay? I spent a lot of money for years now on renting and buying books (on store and online) that when I think about it, I probably should have used the money to buy a watch for my father since he lost his old watch. Luminox watches are on sale right now. But no, I had to spend it on books. And the husband supports me with this addiction no matter how expensive it could get. He said it is better than spending hours in front of the computer. Or shopping which could take hours walking and trying clothes on without buying anything. He thinks he is choosing the lesser evil :)

cough and cold

The little man has cough. He had colds too but thankfully it is not that bad anymore. The cough woke him up the other night and due to pain because of a severely dry and itchy throat, he screamed so loud. Even the husband got up to help me pacify the little man. We could not do anything else at the time but I thought about buying a humidifier the next day to help him breath easier. It, in fact, helped a lot. We had the humidifier on last night and he did not wake up nor did we hear him cough. I am glad it worked. I think he is feeling a lot better now than the last few days. He is back to his regular routine here and he has been yelling at me for neglecting him, lol. I am so glad he is feeling better. Hopefully the cough will go away soon because the husband and I planned on walking more and we can't do that if the little man has cough. Now I need to work on catching more sleep since I did not get much sleep for several nights in a row.

on climbing and making a mess

Nobody will beat the little man when it comes to climbing and making a mess. He is so full of energy and being coped up in the house most days, he thinks of things to do to pass time. He is pretty innovative too. I fear silence in this household because that means he is up to no good. I would rather hear him yelling and screaming at me than pure quite because who knows what will happen next. We were in our room reading a book earlier when he got out and got so quite. Well, his brother found him on his way up to the kitchen counter. Yes, he has been aiming for that particular spot for days now. In between the entertainment center, the dining table, and the counter, it is pretty much scary to even blink when he is awake.

He seems to like it when the living room is out of order. I mean, in chaos with toys and pots and pans all "arranged" side by side. It is a never ending task for me to try to put order in here but I am getting used to it. I just hope he will leave the computers and the microwave alone. He tore up the CD-ROM player on our old desktop even before it crashed. I guess I should say it was a good thing it crashed later on because the husband would have blamed it on me for not stopping his son. Another good thing is that although our monitor is not as slick as a Rackmount lcd it is pretty decent and hopefully will still work if we ever buy a new cpu. I used to think that when the little man gets more mobile I don't have to be keeping an eye on him all the time but I was wrong. If I used to be able to take a shower by putting him in the playpen before, it is impossible to do right now. He knows how to get out of it and I am afraid he will do something to hurt himself while I am in the bathroom. I have to wait for somebody to keep an eye on him or when he takes his nap which is sporadic at best. Well, I do have a bouncing baby boy and I love him to death so I will just have to deal with him, huh? I think I am getting good at it though there are times he still surprises me with new antics.

more pictures

These are only two of the pictures I took of the little man during our trip. He was amazed by the number of people that it took him a while to start to relax and play. When he did, he did not want to sit in the stroller again. He wanted to walk and look around him which was not really safe for him with all the people including kids milling around. Some were walking fast that I thought what was the use of going to theme parks if you are not going to relax and enjoy the view? But then maybe they had other plans or shows they wanted to catch. Although we did not get in any shows or posed with other mascots due to the long lines, we still enjoyed the time we spent inside Universal Studios. I like it better than the Island of Adventure which had too many people that it was impossible to walk without being separated from the husband who was pushing the little man's stroller at the time. We still had a good time though. And we made a promise that we will go back to Orlando when the little man is older so he will have fun like we did. Yes, the parents had more fun than the kid during the trip :)

out like a light

The little man is already asleep. Has been since five this evening when we were fixing food for dinner. We gave him his first ice pop and he licked it like a good boy. I had to show him how to do it though because he was clueless. Poor thing is not used to these kind of goodies. In fact, if not for the husband giving his son ice cream or ice pops or chocolate, the little man will not know what he is missing. I am not picky when it comes to what my son eats. I will be very happy if he eats anything at all. It is just that I don't want him to get used to eating too much sweets. We are still trying to introduce him to different tastes and texture of food and he is getting good, I think.

Anyway, I received an email from a friend earlier with pictures of her and our former classmate from college and their partners. They are looking good. I envy our friend because even if she gave birth the same month I did, she doesn't have any love handles at all. She is even slimmer now than before. How could that be? When here I am being stressed out with my weight gain? We really have come a long way. Used to, we worry about how to pass Thermodynamics and worry about material handling and polishing our feasibility study so it will be approved and we could graduate in time. Now we have different lives yet we never fail to communicate and make sure we know what the other is doing or planning to do. I hope we will get to see each other again when we visit the Philippines.