RainEbow Bright

My little girl has been developing and growing in leaps and bounds since I last blogged about her antics. She never fails to amaze us with the amount of new information she picks up. I don't really teach her in the traditional classroom way. She learned about the parts of the body while I dressed her up or changed her diaper. She was just a little over a year old when she had memorized the basic parts of the body, not from a book but through our daily dressing up routine. I always sang to her old nursery rhymes and songs I made up and she looked so cute as she would watch me as I sang to her. She got to know the sounds farm and jungle animals make mostly as I sang "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" to her. We bought the usual colorful books and posters of ABCs and 123s and were delighted whenever she asked for these books or pointed to a letter from one of her posters.

Now I'm very proud to say that she can sing the Alphabet Song and count up to 12 on her own. She can even read majority of the letters if you point them out to her on any written material. She just gets confused with the letter "I" which she mistakes for "L" sometimes. I helped her learn numbers by counting the steps to our old apartment in Marshall Islands as I helped her climb them. She recognizes most animals already, unlike when she was one and thought all four-legged creatures were dogs.

Last week she totally surprised us by singing a lullaby I made up with the correct words and in the correct tune! I made up this song when she was a baby and had stopped singing it about a year ago. But 2 weeks ago I sang it to her again and so we were taken aback when she suddenly sang it to me and hubby on her own. That was a definite moment.

We've been prepping her for the coming of the new baby. At first, she would refer to the baby as baby brother as directed by hubby because we're hoping baby number 2 is a boy but after a few days I said we should make it more generic just in case it's a girl. Now Raine calls the baby, "baby silbing". She is now Ate Raine and sometimes likes to be known as the big sister. I really hope she won't be jealous of the new baby come August.

I'm very conscious now of the remaining months Raine will be an only child and I make an effort to spend quality time with her. I know this will be a little scarce especially during the first weeks of the new baby's arrival when he or she will be at the most demanding stage. For now I'm relishing our bonding moments especially at night when she asks for song after song and story after story while she lies down beside me in wide-eyed wonder.

Back from hiatus

I’ve been on another very long blogging hiatus. I will finally admit it, I was pretty lazy during my first trimester. Even if I spent half of it on “bedrest” I still wasn’t able to do as much as I should have done. Sigh, blame it on hormones? Not that there wasn’t anything to write about. There were and have been tons of things going on in my little life I could blog about. I just didn’t feel like it.

First of all and most importantly, we finally, or should I say, hubby finally took the plunge and opened a business we can all our own. After turning down a very tempting offer from a company overseas he rolled up his sleeves and got to work setting up our very own construction consultancy company. It hasn’t been easy being the boss. Unlike a restaurant or a store, it’s like we are back to the daily 8 am to 5 pm grind. He goes to the office everyday and has two full-time engineers to manage. I on the other hand, being the boss of the boss (hehehe!) come to work after lunch. Anything that doesn’t have anything to do with being an engineer is my territory.
We’ve been busy registering the company with the different government agencies. The escapades alone, to BIR, SSS, etc. are another blog entry altogether. I aim to have everything in place sooner than soon. All this is new to me and I’m still learning the ropes. I was so used to being just a regular employee and left the HR and Admin work to those in the know. But now, that responsibility rests on my shoulders. Yikes! It doesn’t help that our government agencies are just soooo easy to deal with, if you know what I mean. Plus the fact that you have to file for you and your employees every friggin’ month. Double yikes! I’m sure I’ll get used to it in due time.

After I give birth come August I will most likely be working from home most especially during the infancy of Baby # 2. Soon the SAHM in me will be a WAHM! Whew! At least my blog title is still applicable.

Three Blessings on the Way

Come Christmas our family on both sides, mine and hubby's will have 2 more new members each! A couple of weeks ago my brother, just barely a month after his wedding late last year, broke the great news that he and his wife are expecting. A true-blue honeymoon baby! I had earlier announced that I was pregnant as well. We're all very excited for the addition of two new babies to the family and look forward to a very eventful Christmas.

It turns out the baby news does not stop there. My sister-in-law on my hubby's side is preggers too with baby number 2. The stork has been very busy indeed making his rounds between our families! Three times the blessing, three times the charm! The Year of the Ox is turning out more than okay in our book.

Baby Gear Galore

I'm now pregnant with our second child and I'm seriously contemplating on investing in sturdy, yet affordable baby gear. For my first baby, my sister generously showered me with her toddler's crib, stroller and car seat. Her little girl was only 1.5 years old when I gave birth so all her baby stuff were still in pretty good condition. I was thinking of just borrowing them all again but it's been nearly three years since that time and a lot of really cool innovations in baby gear have come about.

This is especially true for car seats. Although it's not a must to have children in car seats in the Philippines, a lot of well-meaning parents have realized the importance of this baby gear and have included it in their must-buy items.

I hope to find one that would grow with my second baby and of course fit in our car. My sister's old car seat was a bit bulky and took up a lot of space in the backseat. With the endless choices particularly online I just know I'll have a field day shopping for the perfect car seat for my baby.

My little Brad-fest

I was recently able to watch two of Brad Pitt's latest movies; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Burn After Reading. And I must say I enjoyed my little Brad-fest. He's been my absolute favorite Hollywood actor ever since I accidentally saw him on a re-run of the movie "A River Runs Through It". I didn't see the whole movie, just the scene where he is fly fishing. Needless to say, I was smitten. Then came "Legends of the Fall". And that was it.

Warning, this is not an in depth critique of either movies, mind you, just my general thoughts on both flicks. If you haven't watched either movie and plan to do so, you may not want to read on. Spoilers present. Haha!

Benjamin Button is about a man who is born in his 80s and ages backwards. It's a period movie and chronicles Benjamin's life from World War II to the 20th century as told through the eyes of his one true love portrayed by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett. I thought the movie was too long and dragging in some parts. Hubby even dozed off a few times. Shallow as it may seem, I couldn't wait for the part when Brad would look young again so I could see my favorite actor in all his handsome glory and this the movie didn't disappoint. We see Brad as he is now, then gradually getting younger as the movie progresses. I'm amazed how they were able to make Brad look like a young teenager again, on the skinny side, with lush blond hair but still absolutely fabulous.
Burn After Reading is a black comedy. I wasn't able to really sit down and watch the entire movie, thanks to my hyperactive little tyke but I enjoyed watching it. Brad was his usual handsome self. He played a simple, happy-go-lucky fitness instructor so of course he looked the part. No need for any special make-up here, if there was a fitness instructor who looked like him, I'd sign up for the gym in a heartbeat. I was pretty shocked when Brad's character dies suddenly halfway through the film though. But it was refreshing watching him play a moronic role for a change.

Have You Googled Yourself?

I was googling myself just a few minutes ago when lo and behold, what do I find but my first ever published article for an independent website. I got the "job" thru the website helium.com. It's a community for budding writers to share their knowledge on a range of diverse topics on anything under the sun. You can write on subjects of interest to you and if a publisher picks up your work you get paid for it.

The first article I ever wrote was really easy for me. It was about how to hire a professional make-up artist for your wedding. I must have done that piece in less than an hour, because it was something I enjoyed writing about. I knew my entry was chosen but had forgotten that it was to be published in another website, until I googled myself. Haha!

I beg your indulgence. Click on this link to view my article.

Cravings

I found out I was pregnant a couple of days before Christmas via a home pregnancy test. I hadn't gotten my period yet and I was feeling weird. Nausea at odd times of the day and preferring soups and salads to any other dish were another hint. I also suddenly craved for sinigang, anything with vinegar or with a sour taste. I now can't eat too much of anything or I'll feel sick to the stomach right after. Sometimes I think it would be better if I just actually threw up instead of constantly having a bad taste in my mouth. Ahhh, the "perks" of the first trimester. I wasn't this way with Raine 2 years ago, but I did crave for salads as well.

Hmmm, I think I'll have some green mango now.

Baby on the Way

It's finally confirmed! I'm indeed pregnant, 8 weeks and 3 days! We are hoping for a boy this time and as early as now, hubby is thinking of unique, sometimes funny boy names.

I went to the OB yesterday and got an ultrasound. Like in my first pregnancy, there's subchorionic hemorrhage so I have to be on bed rest for two weeks. Notice, my blog entries, one after the other? I do hope the hemorrhage will disappear soon like with Raine. It's very small actually, just 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.4 cms but we are still being cautious so it won't grow bigger.

Do include us in your prayers.

Three 's a Charm

On our third anniversary we were able to get away, just the two of us for the first time since we got married. We spent our first anniversary quietly at home because Raine was barely two months old at the time. For our second year, we were in Marshall Islands and had a simple dinner at a nearby hotel's restaurant, with little Raine in tow.

This year, my Dad conveniently took Raine to Fun Ranch for the day so the hubby and I were able to hie off to Tagaytay. We had lunch at the T House followed by a relaxing massage. We then went around scenic spots around the city to take pictures. Thanks to hubby's trusty tripod, we were able to take pictures of the two of us. It was very, very cold which put a little damper on the day but mainly because I didn't bring a jacket. But I had fun nonetheless. We capped the night at a smorgasbord buffet diner that served German, American, Italian, Chinese and Filipino food. Yummy!

Happy Anniversary B! I love you.

My Brother's Wedding

My brother Sonny got married 2 days after Christmas, it was the third wedding in the family; following my younger sister's in 2003 and mine in 2005. Sonny's wedding reminded me of my own since it was held around the same time, the holidays. It can be doubly chaotic having a wedding during the Christmas season, what with the flurry of activities going on, but for me it's the best time to hold such an important event. It adds just a little bit more romance and nostalgia to the big day. Relatives who wouldn't normally be able to come at other times of the year, make an extra effort to attend because they get to do more and see more with one trip.

It was a day of firsts for the family. My dad, who you'd think would be more relaxed by now after giving away two daughters, said it was definitely different since we were on the groom's side this time. I was the commentator for the holy mass. In the past I would only get to do readings or the responsorial psalm. As commentator I had to closely follow the priest through the missalette which proved to be a fete at certain portions of the mass because he changed some of the wordings so I got lost for a few seconds. Raine was flower girl too. We had practiced walking along the hall at home but come showtime, she got cold feet and only walked a little of the way. Dad had to come to her rescue and escorted her the rest of the way.

My dad's speech was well-applauded and got a some smiles and laughs from the guests. I helped him edit it and added a couple of things to spruce it up so I felt good about that too. Hehe! But for me the highlight of the wedding was Sonny and Anna's first dance as husband and wife. We really got the surprise of our lives. The newly weds didn't just do a simple waltz, they did a choreographed dance with turns and dips. My sister and I were laughing and clapping the whole time because we had never ever seen Sonny dance like that before. He looked a bit shy and it was clear that Anna was the one who was more confident but Sonny just trained his eyes on his bride the whole time as if getting inspiration from her. That was definitely a memorable moment.
Instead of the usual bouquet and garter toss, there were games for married couples and a Jeopardy-type game with tequila shots for the singles. The night ended with dancing and revelry as party hats and horns were passed around to ring in the new year.

The Whirlwind Holidays

The holidays are over. Bah-humbug! It's back to reality and back to the daily grind. We had a jampacked Christmas and New Year, I didn't even have time to sit down and write down any of it. I did finally get to update Raine's multiply site. Family and friends are welcome to check it out.

The festivities started pretty early for our family. There was the red-letter despedida de soltera for my sister-in-law where we all discovered Raine's dancing skills, my brother's last birthday as a single guy, my father-in-law's 60th bash in Negros, my own dad's 66th celebration, the arrival of our relatives from the U.S., my brother's wedding, our 3rd wedding anniversary, reunions left and right and of course New Year's Eve. Whew!

Now it's all over. The gowns and party clothes have been put away, the visiting relatives have left for their homes, we're on our last vestiges of leftover party food. I love the holidays and the anticipation of it all. I now see it through Raine's eyes and delight in the many gifts she received as if they were for me. She got to watch her first fireworks display at the Fort on New Year's Eve and she was in total awe of it all. I look back at the hundreds of pictures taken this past month and realize how time flies. In 2007, we were celebrating an ultra-quiet holiday season in Marshall Islands.

This 2008 was the total opposite. 2009 promises to hold more surprises for all of us. Stay tuned!

The Real Meaning of Christmas

The global economy seems to be plunging further down the drain and salvation doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight. One would think that the holiday season would somehow liven up the economy but no such thing seems to be happening. People just seem to be spending less and even cutting back on their Christmas list. Santa Claus will probably have lost a considerable amount of weight this year.

Remittances from OFWs which usually brighten up the season are also on the downturn. Workers are being sent home and retrenched and their dependent families are feeling the heat. Even the rollback in gas prices and public transportation, although always a welcome treat, are still not enough to lift up the economy's sagging spirits.

The average Juan just has to tighten his belt a little bit more. Fast cash payday loans are an attractive way to get a loan these days. However, such quick-fix schemes should be used for emergency purposes only since they usually have higher interest rates.

No matter how you spend the holidays, the important thing is you are able to be with the people you love. After all, the first Christmas was celebrated in a dingy little stable with just a Mom, a Dad and their little Baby Boy.

Tantrums Central

Last night Raine had a major tantrum attack that lasted for almost an hour. I hadn't realized that it was getting late and the little girl's eyes were still fixated on the TV. It was on Disney Channel and she was watching a rerun of one of her favorites, "Handy Manny". I told her that it was time for bed and I turned off the TV. She immediately went into hysterics and started crying. She asked for me to turn off the TV, wailing, "TV, Mandy!" (which is what she calls the lead character of the cartoon). Despite all her pleas, I turned a deaf ear. She lay down on the carpet and kicked her legs. When her Lolo came into the room she stood up and hid in a corner of the bed, still crying and asking for the TV to be turned on.

We tried everything. Offered her other toys to distract her, told her that the TV wasn't working by pretending to turn it on, suggested that she drink milk or have some of her favorite fruit; grapes. But she was insistent. She would get the remote control, give it to me and ask me to turn on the TV. Hubby relented after 20 minutes of Raine's wailing, we turned on the TV for a few seconds but I said this wasn't the way for her to learn discipline so we turned it off again. Sure enough, the cries started again. My mom said we shouldn't give in and just let her cry it out. She had earlier told us about a time that my brother used to cry and throw tantrums just like Raine when he didn't get his way and she just let him be. Now she says he's the calmest among us siblings. But Raine was at her element. I went to the kitchen to fill up her bottles and she wailed even more. She followed me and kept on her plea. Tears were rolling down her eyes and she looked really "kawawa". My dad even told her finally that she could watch TV in their room instead but nothing seemed to get through.

Finally, after almost an hour, her Dad got through to her. They played with a golf ball with shiny streamers attached to it and soon Raine was smiling again through her tear-streaked face. Whew! Our ears finally got to rest from her cries. We were all surprised by Raine's reaction, it was a first for all of us. I really hope it will be the last. Wishful thinking of a toddler's mommy? At least it happened at home and not in public where it would be harder to control the situation.

Kiddie Christmas vs. Grown-up Christmas

The holiday season has officially begun. As children we look forward to this time of year when we have Christmas vacations, parties aplenty and gifts from Ninongs and Ninangs, not to mention the most anticipated gift of all from Santa Claus. But as we grow older and take on more responsibilities, the season of cheer takes on a different meaning. Expenses, expenses and did I say, even more expenses?

As adults we are now the gift-givers, not just the gift-recipients. Our shopping list seems to grow ever longer. You don’t just give gifts to your immediate family but also to your close friends, your neighbors, your work mates, your boss, probably your clients, your nieces and nephews, the list goes on. All this, on top of your regular monthly bills, can really burn a hole in your wallet. If you’re not careful and plan your purchases and watch your spending habits during this time of year, you might end up in debt. That’s not exactly the best way to end the year.

Fortunately, there are a number of reputable web-based lending institutions that can provide cash loans in half the time it would take you to go to the bank. Just make sure you do your research and get referrals, because like in all things there are shady companies out there. When you are armed with the necessary info then you can be assured of worry-free financial assistance.

Christmas doesn't have to be expensive to be enjoyable. Remember the real reason we are celebrating this special time and have yourself a peaceful and stress-free yuletide.

A Full Day of Raine

Yesterday was a full day for our little family. First up was our regular visit to the dentist. I was anxious to get Raine to see the dentist because our initial try a few months ago was a disaster. She refused to open her mouth and the doctor only got a glimpse of her teeth for a few seconds as she was crying her eyes out. She is already two years old and has her complete set of teeth. She still drinks milk at night and I was concerned that she might develop cavities. I've heard of lots of toddlers who had rotten teeth at such an early age and had to undergo root canal and I didn't want Raine to go thru that. As usual, my little shadow didn't want me to leave her side. I had my check up first and while I got a professional teeth-cleaning, she stood beside the dentist's chair the whole time. I had closed my eyes but I could hear her tapping her hands on the chair, sometimes slapping her hand on it, hoping to get my attention probably. The dentist gave her a pack of mini-M n' Ms and that kept her busy as she tried to open it to no avail.

After I was done we asked her to sit with me on the chair and she quietly obliged. The friendly dentist showed her the little mirror she would use to look at her teeth and she willingly opened her mouth to let her examine them. I was so surprised! Raine and I have a daily "wrestling match" whenever I brush her teeth so this was a first for her to open her mouth to a stranger. The dentist said she had no cavities. Yipee for me! She then showed Raine the small electric toothbrush she wanted to use to clean her teeth. She tried it on her little fingers first so that Raine wouldn't be afraid of the whirling motion. Again, she opened her mouth and let the dentist brush her teeth! I was so proud of her I got a little teary-eyed.

Next, we visited the dermatologist for some minor skin problems. Raine enjoyed screaming at the top of her lungs as we waited for our turn. She was also at her best behavior at the derma's. She waved goodbye and kept greeting the other people waiting for their turn as we walked down the long corridor. She fell asleep as we ate our lunch in the mall. We were supposed to watch "Madagascar 2" as a prize for her good behavior but since she fell asleep, we watched "Twilight" instead. It's a good thing it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be because she woke up before the movie started and was a good girl throughout. Her power nap earlier must have fully charged her because later on as we browsed through the stores she kept running around and hiding from me. It was pretty tiring catching up to her while carrying my bag, her diaper bag and some shopping bags. The behaved little girl at the doctors' was now the energizer bunny gone wild. Whenever I would catch her and set her down on the floor she would run out again and hide behind the cashier's area, much to the amusement of the store's clerks.

My little girl's opposite behaviors fully manifested in just one day. Welcome to the world of the two-year old!

Spending time with my BFFs

Paris Hilton isn't the only one who loves to spend time with her BFF. I had a great time with two of my favorite BFFs yesterday. I got a new job as a freelance editor thanks to Tricia who told me about the opening. She was going to the office to process her maternity benefits documents and I was called in for contract signing. After all the forms and documents were filled up, we were famished and decided to grab a late lunch at the nearby SM mall. It was fun comparing notes on our little girls and life as stay-at-home and work-at-home mommies.

Tricia is my oldest friend, we've known each other since we were 8 years old! We were classmates in second grade and busmates all throughout grade school. Way before e-mail, we kept up a regular correspondence through the old fashioned way, snail mail when we transferred to different high schools. Every special occasion such as birthdays, Valentine's and Christmas, we would send each other cards and letters. This went on during college, until we both went to work and eventually got married. We were on each other's wedding entourages and she is one of my daughter's godmothers. With the advent of the mobile phone and the internet we are able to keep in touch more easily. She's now preggy with her second baby and counting the weeks to go.

After I dropped her off in her house I called up my other BFF, Hazel. I wanted to swing by ATC to go shopping for a cocktail dress and a gown my brother's upcoming wedding and thought it would be a good time to meet up. Luckily she was free and it turns out was also in need of a gown to wear to a friend's wedding. We had a blast trying on gowns and dresses. It felt like the quest for the holy grail. The dress would either be too tight or would realistically look better on a mannequin, read, someone with a model-thin figure. I ended up buying a fab black and red dress. Hazel was unsure about getting this sexy red piece because of the steep price so we looked at other shops but couldn't find any that measured up to the red number. We took so long that by the time we went back for the first gown she liked, the store was closed. Hazel said she would just go back for the dress another time and if it was still there then it was meant to be. I also tried on a light gray goddess style gown but was hesitant to get it because it showed off unflattering parts of my body, if you know what I mean.

We were tired after all the fittings and running around two different malls on our search for the perfect dress that we ended the day with a yummy pasta and salad dinner (ahem, gotta watch the figures!) Hazel is my BFF from high school and although we don't regularly keep in touch as much as Tricia and I, we always manage to pick up where we left off from our last conversation, no matter how many weeks or months ago that was.

It was fun hearing about my longtime friend, her love life and the corporate world for a change. We talked about our families and reminisced about the high school days.

I was out for a whole day and it was so nice to just relax and catch up on some girl talk and bond with some of my favorite people. I really cherish and relish moments like these especially now that I am married. Once you're married you sometimes tend to neglect your friends and get caught up with your new family and all the things that go with running a household, making a living and raising your kids. I look forward to my next date with my girl friends.

Obama-rama

I don’t like politics much, when I read the papers I usually turn to the Entertainment or Lifestyle Section first. I find politics, whether in the country or anywhere else, too depressing what with all the corruption and deviousness going around. But this year I’ve been somewhat following the U.S. Presidential campaigns. We were in Marshall Islands for most of this year and due to the lack of interesting TV programs, we often turned to CNN and Fox News which covered the Obama and McCain activities pretty extensively.

While I am not a fan of Obama and oppose his views on abortion and gay marriage, his win is a great turning point not only for African-Americans but for all non-whites living in the United States. It is indeed a triumph for a people who have suffered great oppression for hundreds of years in the land of the free and the brave. For the first time they truly have a voice in the highest office in the land, not to mention the most powerful nation in the world. One popular comedienne even said, “Now we have no excuse to slack off.” Obama’s election will be an inspiration to Africans, Asians and Latinos all trying to better their lives in the white man’s world.

There has been a lot of crazy talk about Obama lately. Could Obama be the one the great prophet Nostradamus was referring to in his prophecy centuries ago?

The American people will let the new President have his “honeymoon” period for sure. But after the euphoria has died down, all eyes will be on Mr. Barack Obama as he buckles down to the grueling work ahead.

Halloween Overload

This past week Raine went to not one but three Halloween trick or treat events. Growing up, I didn't get to experience this holiday. It was only something I saw on American TV. Although I do remember going to a Halloween costume party in high school. I dressed up as a punk fairy and even had a wand made. Haha! These past few years, most upper-middle class subdivisions have come up with their own Halloween activities for kids to enjoy, so now trick or treating has become an "in" thing. Raine's 3-year old cousin, a Halloween "veteran", had lots of costumes from her early trick or treating days so I didn't have to buy . For her first outing, Raine was a purple fairy. By the afternoon, she was getting all itchy so we switched to a penguin costume. The penguin look was a hit with the neighbors. Her chubby-ness complemented the costume. I decided to use this costume for her next two Halloween events.

Her second "T or T" was at my former office. It was different from going house to house in a village. This time we went from floor to floor, visiting the different departments which were decorated with themes ranging from "Blues Clues", to "Care Bears", to "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Nightmare Before Christmas". My officemates loved Raine's getup. They kept calling her "Happy Feet" after the penguin cartoon. I think this overwhelmed the tot a bit because it was difficult to coax a smile out of her when my friends took pictures of her. She only warmed up when we stopped by the training room and she got to play with other kids who had taken a break from all the Halloween madness.

For her third and last Halloween activity, we mostly watched the shows in the village clubhouse. Raine and cousin Annika happily sat on their little monoblock chairs while munching on popcorn and cotton candy as they watched animal and magic shows on the stage. After the programme, we had some time to do the traditional door-to-door visits. It was drizzling a little so we had a car with us to drive the kids around the neighborhood. Penguin Raine and Peacock Annika had a blast going from house to house asking for candy. Annika's costume was an eyecatcher and she even won as one of the top ten best costumes.

Next year I think I will buy Raine her own costume, something comfortable yet still adorable. As for me, I'll make sure I'll be wearing comfortable shoes and charge my video camera to capture all those cute little moments.

Terrible but Terrific Twos

My little one has been acting up a lot these past couple of months. She loves to say "no" and "stop it", even when she means "yes". It has become quite annoying, especially around strangers or even relatives she is shy towards. I feel an early preview of the so-called "terrible twos".

She is like two different personas in one little body. Most of the time she likes to assert her independence by trying to do things her own way. She likes to feed herself and when I get the spoon from her, she would hold it really tight and wrestle it away from me. She tries to put on her slippers by herself even though sometimes they're on the wrong feet. She puts on a pair of shorts or pants or a t-shirt through her legs. But she bawls out, "I can't, I can't!" when she realizes she's put both legs in just one hole of the shorts and is unable to get out by herself.

Raine seems to have a fascination with lotions, creams and other beauty products. She has now mastered how to open most bottles and jars, much to my dismay. She's very fast too. Before I know it, she has smeared lotion all over her legs and her cheeks. I once caught her putting baby oil on her thighs. Another time she opened her grandmother's lipstick and started poking it with her finger and then applying it to her chin. I spend half the time taking her to the bathroom to wash her face and wipe her legs, then clean up the mess she left behind. An aunt advised me to be "lovingly tough" during times when she is naughty or misbehaves.

The little girl is indeed a curious soul She likes to open cabinets and drawers, rummage through what's inside until she finds something that catches her fancy. I think for my next baby I'll baby-proof our home a whole lot more.

The other night she was just one big ball of energy. She didn't want to go to sleep despite my stern warnings. She just lay in bed babbling away. I was typing on my laptop with my back to her when I heard her reach for a toy on the headboard behind the bed. When she saw me look at her she immediately closed her eyes while still clutching the toy. I put the toy back in its place and went back to the computer. But then I heard her get up again and reach for her Dora doll. I looked at her and she promptly closed her eyes, still holding Dora on top of her tummy. I wanted to laugh because she looked so funny, pretending to be asleep despite her awkward position. I firmly told her it was time to go to sleep and pried Dora from her hands. All was quiet after that but after awhile I sneaked a peek and there she was again, now with a book in her hands. She shut her eyes once again as I whirled around to look at her. It was the last straw, I let out a laugh. Raine is turning into a little comedienne with her antics.

Raine will be two years old soon. How time flies by! She can get on my nerves more quickly these days but just as suddenly, she gives me an "awwww" moment to treasure. I've been coughing a lot lately and when she sees this she will rub her hand on my back as if to soothe me and say, "it's okay mom." She sounded so grown up then! A few days ago she woke up saying "I love you" to me, although it sounded more like, "I loveoo." It made me smile from ear-to-ear.

Terrible twos you say? Bring it on!

Babyface

The other day I went to the hospital for a checkup. I've had a really bad cough and colds for the past few weeks and despite the antibiotics, they haven't let up. My mom thought maybe I had asthma so she sent me to see a pulmonologist. I never thought so many people have asthma, I was already the 19th patient for the day (the doctor holds clinic only for 2 hours). The nurse commented that I shouldn't have brought my daughter to wait with me since there were a lot of sick people around. Good thing I brought along a nanny so I sent them up to my mom's office instead. I was asked to have a chest x-ray first so off I went again.

As I positioned myself for the x-ray, the technician casually asked how old I was. I told him my age and he couldn't believe it. He said he looked even older than me. To me, he seemed about 25-28 yrs old. I'm 34 now. I'm not sure if he was just teasing me or trying to start a conversation, but it definitely made my day. I just had a birthday a few days back, you see. Modesty aside, I've always looked younger than my actual age. As far back as I can remember people always get my age wrong by as much as 10 years at the most. Lately, I've been feeling a bit sluggish because of coughing spells and I've gained some unwanted weight although I guess I could still pass for 28. Haha! Thank goodness for good genes, huh! Both my parents are in their 60s but looking at them now, you wouldn't believe it either.

I hope my little girl will also inherit that "young-looking" gene. Back in college when I was often mistaken for a 14 year old, it wasn't any fun, especially when going out with friends at night. But now that I'm oldER, I'm relishing the babyface comments. I'll take them as long as they come. The big four-oh is not exactly something I look forward to.