Kris Aquino Marriage is Over

Kris says she's given up on her marriage and is keeping mum about the details out of love for her son Baby James.

Well, it's sad when a marriage ends, and it's sadder when there are kids involved. I just hope that Baby James is the last child Kris will have. Chances are, he is, because she had such a high risk pregnancy. But you see, I know she'd fall in love again... the crass would even say, she'd continuously haunt men, looking for the father figure she never had. And though it will never say anything about how good or bad a mother she is, I just really don't like the idea of her having another child fathered by someone else... unless maybe that one really is for keeps.

And well, it's so hard to be married to Kris with her friends being as involved in her relationship as she is. Maybe she's destined to be as lone a wolf as brother Noynoy, who she of course upstaged (or tried to) with this weird non-confession. Yes, she could have just kept quiet and maybe made an announcement after their marriage has been annulled.

My SILs and I

Here is a pic of me with my SILs from last weekend.

I really never thought that i'd be close to hubs' sister, mainly because they weren't close as siblings. Hubs was also not really close with his younger brother, so it's also just really great that the woman BIL married is someone I now consider a friend too.

We are different kinds of moms. We're all sort of WAHMs: with Ira doing bazaars and selling clothes, Abbie working in the market and running their business, and me writing and blogging for extra moolah. We also parent differently. But we're all really close to our kids, all love them to bits. I guess that's our bond, the motherhod thing.

And I guess it helps that I know each one love each other's child like her own. We all just really dote on each other's kids.

I really thank God for such a friendship and look forward to raising kids with them and having family trips forever with them. If it takes a village to raise a child, I love that they're part of that village for mine.

No More Piggy Back Rides on Mommy

Yakee still loves piggy back rides. Sometimes, he's just a child riding piggy back, sometimes he's a cowboy with riding boots and spurs and maybe even whip. At least he acts like one.

Sometimes, I think he pretends he's a dinosaur attacking his prey.

Anyway, I never really liked giving piggy back rides especially since my son is a little rough. But I do love hearing him chortle and giggle and laugh. But now, I really can't give him any anymore... which is why I am thankful that my cousin is still amenable to subjecting herself to my son's abuse, err, I mean, rough play.

All little kids should have their fill of piggy back rides. It's one of those few times they'd feel they are on top of the world. And childhood is so fleeting, they won't have enough opportunities to feel that.

Sweet Mommy Moment

Yesterday, Yakee was playing with his Match a Color Learning Set while I was Facebooking. Then he told me, "Mommy here, flowers for you."

In his hand were two buttons with flower pictures. He looked for them among the many pictures in the set. Talk about being floored by emotion. It was just the sweetest thing so I peppered him with kisses.

I asked him if I can keep the flowers and he said no and instructed me to put them back in the box. I guess in his mind, he's already done his thoughtful thing for the day and it's play as usual.

The Child as Status Symbol

From the book, The Hurried Child

The Child as Status Symbol – For mothers who cleave to the housewife role, it is often tempting to invole the children – and their precocious academic accomplishments – as the justification for their not working. – and The Child as Therapist.

In a way, there is a sin of pride that I have been vigilant about NOT hurrying my child in terms of academic excellence. But yes, I do believe I am impatient sometimes that he learns how to manage his emotions, mind his manners, etc. But back to the pride thing. I have read about it, have not liked how I only felt important when I was academically achieving as a child, and really want my child to be a happy person who is resourceful, responsible and independent. So yeah, although I have dreams of having a genius, I also cringe at the idea because it might cost him his happiness.

So in a sense, I am congratulating myself for not being guilty so much of hurrying him.

But I do ask myself sometimes, as a reality check, if I have started using him as a status symbol... to justify my lack of other goals and dreams. But then I tell myself, I may have wanted to be a SAHM so I can breastfeed without the struggle of work, but the homeschooling dream only followed after the SAHM notion. It just felt right that I will use my being at home to a more productive end.

And I did start reinventing myself when Yakee was a toddler and not so needy anymore. I started writing for sites and magazines, and became active in different advocacies. They're still not careers like what other women have, but they are things I am passionate about, things I intend to pick up again when I can... again. Right now, I'm just needed more at home... and not really in a frame of mind doing anything else.

I am currently drafting my planned curriculum for Yakee. I don't plan to be rigid at it, I just want to be more consistent to reinforce what he already knows, and further the development of his other skills. And I want to focus on life skills and other necessary things (hand dexterity, hand-to-eye coordination, body coordination, grooming, hygiene and imagination) instead of academics.

But yes, signing is part of the curriculum :D

Magical Childhood

I recently discovered this Magical Childhood site which is an eye-opener and reality checker for me as parent. It has many helpful articles on disciplining children and reminds parents of what really is important.

For example, it matters more that a 4-year old knows he can depend on you more than his ABCs. It matters more that a child has imagination and faith in the world and a love for learning, than aceing school tests.

It reminds me all over again what kind of Mom I want to be.

Oh and the Crafts page are also a delight. I love the idea on story prompts with my child. I may just try it later tonight.

160 Lbs. Now

I may never use nuphedragen but I am a little concerned that I am 160 lbs. now. Still, I was already pushing 160 lbs. anyway when I got pregnant so the weight gain is actually healthy where pregnant women go, unfortunately, I just really started overweight.

I cringe though up to how much I'd gain for this pregnancy. I am only halfway through. And I am still mostly lying down and inactive.

How else can I burn calories when my movements and activities are limited? Hmmm. And I guess I really should stop eating rice for snacks, hehe. But I am also really sick of crackers already.

Meanwhile, I have to go now and get lunch.

Halfway There

I am officially four and a half months along now. We still don't know the gender of our baby and I am still a very temperamental, sensitive, finicky preggo.

I do hope though that the days ahead will find me able to consistently do the following:

1) Bond with Yakee as our time alone is really short now

2) Encourage independendence in him

3) Make more progress in his potty training

4) Get him used to sitting in the back seat

That last one is tricky. He was already quiet and ready to sleep at the back seat but he looked so lonesome to me so I nodded to him to come over. He was delighted and immediately just curled up beside me. For a while I even believed that having them there with Yamee in my arms will be doable in the near future... which would be wrong. First, both will continue growing bigger and I can't manage two of them, a hyper toddler and a crying babe.

For what it's worth though, I am really excited to meet Yamee and see what kind of character she will be.

Baby Gender Prediction Test Kit

I am so clueless and behind the times. I didn't know such a test already exists!!! But the Baby Gender Prediction Test Kit is uber expensive. I mean, for Filipinos, $35 dollars is already the cost of an ultrasound! And at least, with an ultrasound, you will know more than your baby's gender, you'd also see if everything is just fine and dandy in there.

But still, wouldn't it be great to someday have a urine test that not only tells you you're pregnant but also already tells you if it's a girl or boy? My gosh, all the months of shopping you can do since you need not wait to be at least five months along!

But I do hope to God such a test will not be used as some sex selection tool and propel couples to abort.

Hot, Hot, Hot Again

It's weird to be this hot again when it's been raining almost every afternoon already. I can just imagine the window blinds at my in laws would all be turned to keep out the awful heat of the sun's rays. And yet, it will still be steamy in the computer room and the living room.

Soon, I think those smart windows where the blinds are inside glass panels (to keep out the dust) and the glass actually deflect or absorb heat will become en vogue here in the country. The heat has just gotten so intolerable, it's criminal. Sigh. Plus, you do need at least faux wood blinds or curtains on windows to protect your furniture.

One thing going for this house we're living in is that there aren't many windows for the sun's rays to seep through so it's not as hot as the other house. But I am back to being my surly self again. Even my son has been acting real antsy and difficult lately and is only happy when in the tub. Good thing for him, he would be enjoying the waters of Fontana again tomorrow. I am hoping though I can take being outside so I can also just wallow in the pool and stay cool. Well, first I am hoping the long drive would be kind to me. Yamee, cooperate okay?

I was supposed to go to the mall and buy bread and have pictures printed but the commute to the mall absolutely dismays me already. I just can't bear this heat! And though the mall will be an air conditioned haven for me, it may take a while for me to actually feel good once I get there, and then there will be the trip back home. I could take a cab but they're not always dependable to be had, especially since it is Friday.

So yes, I am just rambling and rambling on about the heat. I really don't know how other pregnant women fare, especially those living in hotter places like Cavite and Antipolo. Always, I find myself fantasizing I am in a hut surrounded by bamboo trees, which are surrounded by other fruit bearing trees. That, or being in the Malagos area of Davao.

It's hot, hot, hot again!

Proud and Ashamed

I had a proud mommy moment yesterday, eventhough I wasn't really there. Nope, it's not some huge thing like a Mesothelioma treatment or cure for pollution. It's just that Yakee used the toilet bowl for real for the first time... for poop!

We have managed to get him to pee there succesfully lots of times, though never really on his own. But it was the first time he did say that he was going to poop. So what if some droppings found themselves on the CR floor, hehe.

Why wasn't I there? I was not feeling well again so I was lying down all day.

*~*

Which brings me to my shameful moment. I fell asleep easy enough last night and woke up before 3 AM and didn't get back to sleep again. Around 9 AM, I started feeling the stirrings of an allergic rhinitis and I was so dizzy, eventhough I was already lying down. So I asked my cousin to mind Yakee because I really needed to sleep.

I was woken up by Yakee just when I was about to fall asleep. He was excited over something he was watching. I sent him down again. And again, when I was about to fall asleep, I heard my cousin calling. I thought it was an important call so I dragged myself out of bed and went down, only to be told that they're looking for the Land Before Time video.

That was when I lost my cool. I started screaming, literally screaming. I started pulling plugs and to avoid grabbing my son for a spanking (or shouting abuse at my cousin), I went to the CR and screamed some more from there while also stomping my feet. I was just so irrationally mad that even I was scared of how mad I was.

Hormones.

I was never that mad when I was all exhausted with an infant Yakee before.

And I know that I have two kids now... but my unborn is just really using up all energy I have.

On a Digiscrapping Frenzy

Well, I am not really creating fantastic layouts exactly. I am more of making nice collages of Yakee's pictures so I can fill his Baby Book. I want that over and done with before I find out the gender of Yamee and concentrate on shopping for Yamee's things.

But making the pages does get me reminiscing and sighing lots of times. What a journey it has been. I have even forgotten about so many of those trying days. I have gotten so used to having a family of three that it was magical to remember when it was just a family of two, awaiting one.

Now, the journey is a different one as I make room in my heart, in my life, in my thoughts, in my dreams for another great love of my life.

I am not the same woman anymore... and yet I am. Weird.

Save Time and Money with Home Depot Coupon Codes

We've all been there before; you are getting ready to do something or go somewhere and you get an unpleasant surprise. Whether it is your sink clogging up or a fixture needing replacement, you have no choice but to postpone your immediate plans and head to a store to get a necessary part for something. It happens to all of us. Regardless of whether you rent or own, from large projects to smaller ones, buying hardware is as common these days as buying anything else.

One of the great blends between men and women when it comes to shopping for parts is the desire to save money. While many folks choose to get in and get out of a store so they can hurry home and fix the item, some folks prefer to take the time to shop around. Comparative shopping is a task of its own and no one could fault you for trying to save a buck. What about the time and costs in fuel? That could prove to be pricey and, in some sales shopping experiences, a total waste of time. Don't go all over town looking for a bargain on an item that isn't even there!

With Home Depot coupon codes, you can find the deal you want with the item that you need. The chances of finding exactly what you're looking for are very high when you consider the wide range of items carried throughout the stores. Don't hesitate to save money now with the shops online and variety of items located for you right here at your fingertips.

Shopping for household items and hardware for fixing up your home or humble abode is easier now. Therefore, that creaky door or squeaky cabinet can now be a thing of the past!

Get Your Above Ground Swimming Pool Today

The temperature keeps rising, and the kids are restless, now that school's out for the summer. With the economy pinching your budget, you don't have the cash to put in a cement pool. You want the exercise, the kids want to cool down, and your spouse wants to lounge on a floating raft. All you need now is an affordable, above ground swimming pool with a deck and accessories to get the party started.

You'll be in the swim soon enough with a pool that's sized just right for your space and family. You'll want a pool that is built to last for years to come with choices like aluminum, 100 percent resin or a steel resin hybrid. With such a wide variety of sizes and styles, you're sure to find the perfect choice for your dream pool. To really save, think about pool packages that include a 1.5 hp pump with a filtration system that will keep your pool crystal clear.

You'll find so many reasons to get an above ground swimming pool that chilly spring and fall days won't be a problem. With a solar pool cover, let the sun do all the work, then slide down into the warm water. An automatic pool warmer is always welcome when the sun doesn't peek out from behind the clouds. When winter arrives, just use the winter pool cover to protect your pool until it's time for another season of swimming.

Don't forget the pool toys and games that are sure to stir up some fun with your kids. Add a slide and watch those faces light up with glee as they plunge into the water. Put in a deck to sunbathe, or try floating toys for a game of basketball or volleyball. You'll never be caught in the heat again with an above ground pool to cool down the hottest days.

Pink or Blue

I wasn't as blooming as I was with my first pregnancy but it looks like pregnancy is really the only effective acne treatment for me.

Anyway, I was looking at baby stuff yesterday and was itching to start shopping but we still don't know whether we're having another boy or a girl. I, as well as my sister and sister-in-law have all dreamed that it's a boy. But there are some differences with this pregnancy and my first that could suggest a girl too... like the more fickle cravings. I also still have a butt!

My sister also wants to know asap so she could start shopping. That's one of the perks of having single siblings who can dote on your kids.

I have taken to referring to Yamee as a girl though. Hehe... sort of like invoking that possibility. But all I really hope and pray is that Yamee will be healthy. That's all I really wish for.

Mean Mom

Last week, as everybody was posing for a family picture, my nephew Ice decided he wanted to pose right in front of my son, his arch enemy. So my son started pushing him. I grabbed my son's hands to restrain him and kept on posing. I underestimated my son's creativity.

Caught on camera, my son pushing his cousin with his knee, then his feet, till Ice fell down.

Of course, I scolded Yakee. But I didn't scold him much because another cousin of his told him, "Ikaw ang bad bad mo. Lagi mo na lang inaaway si Ice." (You are so bad, you're always picking on Ice.)

Normally, I hated labels and would give my hubby dagger looks if he so much as used the word 'bad boy' while referring to our son. But I opted not to call my niece on it because I figured my son would benefit more knowing others disapprove of his behavior.

*~*

At the grocery, my son started licking the side of the counter. His Ninang asked him to stop, twice, but he kept on repeating it. She then asked me to stop you.

I asked Yakee to stop, but of course, he thought Mommy didn't mean it. So I carried him a little and put him down in front of me and told him to start licking from a certain point to a certain point if he really liked licking the counter so much. Then I gave him a light push to get him going.

Of course, that stopped the licking.

Not sure what the other Moms in line thought of us though... not that I care. I told hubs, at least Yakee cannot say I was not a fun Mom. Hehe.

Hubs said... "Yeah, you're just mean." :)

Would the same trick work on ciggies, alcohol and drugs though?

Trip to the Market, Market Playground

Since Pappie started running, he thought it would be fun to bring Yakee to the Market, Market playground thinking he'd have a grand time with the playground and get a kick from the dino plants there.

Well, Yakee did gush and squal over the dino plants. He also started stomping around like a dinosaur. But he preferred running up and down the slide's stairs and running after bubbles. Then he showed indications of wanting to ride the electronic cars there so I bought P100-worth of tickets for him (20 minutes).

First ten minutes, he was on a motorcycle, refusing to step on the pedal that makes it go and hold onto the handlebars. He just liked fussing with his helmet and basically depended on his Ninang to push and pull him around.

Next we got a car, since it was sturdier and we asked if it's possible for him to not have to step on any pedals. The guy put the car on auto mode but my son preferred on looking under the car or looking at the roving animal rides. He didn't pay attention to driving, didn't mind directions whatsoever. Sigh. So much for any dreams of atv racing then!

He was happier at the cars at Timezone afterwards. And the Hummer toy cars at the toy area of the department store.

And me? I was just eating the whole time!

More Convenient than Formula

Something I posted on Facebook had a N@W sister saying that "nobody ever stopped giving formula because giving the breast was easier."

To a certain extent, I guess there is some truth to that, especially maybe for working moms. And maybe it's only I who feel hassled having to sterilize bottles properly (for when I'd express milk) but I still can't imagine it being convenient to get up at night to make a bottle and then feed a baby with it. I also can't imagine just propping the milk on a pillow and letting the baby feed that way, especially an infant. I believed in burping. And exhausted as I was, I like holding my baby.

I mean, when else was I supposed to hold my baby?

And true, bottle feeding may mean more people can get to feed the baby. But breastfeeding moms who are working were able to express milk and let others feed their baby. And it's not like you'd have to do it forever for it to really be a chore... and with the right attitude, nursing need not even deprive you of a social life.

Oh and I soooo loved not having to carry feeding bottles and milk around, with our diaper bag already heavyy because of my DSLR.

So 'formula is more convenient than breastfeeding' is not a fact for all. It's very relative and greatly depends on what you consider as convenient for you.

Me... I have always valued peace of mind and the best nutrition possible more. And it's not me being self-righteous either. I just don't think I could ever be the mother I want to be if am also fretting if the milk I give to my infant is sterile and hiyang. I am way too paranoid and exacting to just settle in that regard.

What Makes a Mother

I thought of you and close my eyes and prayed to God today
I asked what makes a mother, and I know I heard Him say,
"a mother has a baby, this we know is true"
But God can you be a mother, when your baby's not with you?
"Yes, you can," He replied, with confidence in His voice,
"I give many women babies, when they leave is not their choice.
Some I send for a lifetime, and others for a day.
And some I send to feel your womb, but there's no need to stay"

I just don't understand this God, I want my baby here.
He took a breath and cleared His throat, and then I saw a tear.
"I wish I could show you, what your child is doing today.
If you could see your child smile, with other children and say...
"we go on earth to learn our lessons, of love and life and fear.
My mummy loved me so much, I got to come straight here
I feel so lucky to have a mum, who had so much love for me.
I learned my lessons very quickly, my mummy set me free.

I miss my mummy oh so much, but I visit her each day.
When she goes to sleep, on her pillows where I lay.
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek, and whisper in her ear.
"Mummy, don't be sad today, I'm your baby and I'm here"
So you see dear sweet one, your children are okay.

Your babies are here in My home, and this is where they will stay.
They'll wait for you with Me, until your lessons are through.
And on the day that you come home, they'll be at the gates for you.
So now you see what makes a mother, it's the feeling in your heart.
It's the love you had so much of, right from the very start.
Though some on earth may not realize, until their time is done.
Remember all the love you have, and know that you are a special mum.



This was shared in N@W today because someone lost her baby. She also asked those of us who are pregnant to celebrate all the pregnancy hormones and issues we have because it's a sure sign our baby was thriving inside. It was a reality check indeed... I hope God didn't think I wasn't grateful for Yamee.

More Bingeing

I am now wondering if I'd need a colon cleanse after this pregnancy. I am so hating the instant noodles at 1 AM already... not that I do that everyday but still, it sucks to be eating junk food.

I am also bingeing on Fita crackers and have just consumed a great amount of cake and ice cream. Hubs also bought me stuff like hash browns, instant sotanghon, malunggay instant noodles, even hotdogs and ham. Ewww.

Friends are quick to comfort me that one can't really fight pregnancy hormones and that most moms have had nasty cravings. Junk food cravings, fast food cravings, food they normally wouldn't eat. I just really hope that Yamee is a-okay inside and will be as healthy as Kuya Yakee.

Quick Dinner Recipes

I just realized that I need to start learning new quick dinner recipes again. First of all, there's this incessant way I'd get hungry late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. And then there is the fact that I will be the mother of two by the end of this year. It would be great if the second one will have as healthy an appetite as my firstborn, and would like the same things he likes, but what if Yamee doesn't?

Of course, I will always insist on healthy eating habits and healthy eating, despite my recent junk food binge. I do have the pregnancy to blame for that anyway. But few siblings like the same things, and I am all for individuality, so I would need to be able to basically service both kids of mine. I know I have at least a year and a half before my second-born is fully eating solids and table food but there is something else.

We certainly couldn't find our own place this year and leave the comforts of our current rent-free home because of the delivery expenses we are saving for. But we really hope to be gone by next year. That means we may not have enough to keep the services of my cousin, who cooks and cleans for us. A part of me rages against the drudgery of having to cook for my family but my husband will be working hard to provide for us, I really should not even dare complain. Plus, I'd still rather be a stay-at-home Mom, even if it would mean I'd be cooking in batches while raising two kids and maybe even homeschooling one already. I mean, I can't go back to work and leave them behind. I can't live without being there for them everyday, for most of the day. I just can't.

Right now, I still can't tolerate heat very much but I really plan on going back to cooking at least once a week. I have to learn how to be creative with ingredients and use the same basic ones while coming up with different dishes. Healthy dishes, if I may add.

Such a tall order!

Bingeing on Instant Noodles

I had to send my hubby out last night to buy instant noodles and egg for me as I was hungry and craving something hot. I really wish there's a 24-hour Chinese restaurant nearby because I'm craving seafood noodles and 8 treasure soup as well. I just seriously hope that I won't be needing any Phentermine 37.5 after this pregnancy.

I did weigh myself two nights ago and am still 155 pounds. That means my body is just basically rearranging itself and the weight is congregating on my tummy. I actually have the ghost of a collar bone again and my arms and thighs aren't as massive as before. But old stretch marks have started saying hello around my belly button. That's from not putting any cocoa butter and staying in an air conditioned place most of the day. My skin is basically all dried up.

Anyway, I really hate that I am eating unhealthy food these days. Hopefully, my taste buds will normalize already.

Celine Dion: Pregnant With Twins

I just found out that Celine Dion is pregnant with twins. They got pregnant via IVF, same with their firstborn, and this was supposedly their 6th try this time. I am really happy for her and her husband because they have always seemed so in love.

And I know they can very well afford the expensive treatments, since they have Kichler lighting in their mansions and everything else that's expensive to make them comfortable, but IVF never held guarantees, and I can just imagine how exhausting it was to always be poked and prodded, injected and tested. I had told hubby before that I couldn't go that extra mile other trying-to-conceive couples do so I really have so much respect for them for being brave.

Oh and yeah, I am a little envious of the twins. But seeing as mine isn't a smooth pregnancy at all, am good. Plus, it's not like we have their money.

Celine and I are due around the same time. Haha.

Down Time Again

Weirdly enough, ever since the rains started falling, I started not feeling good again. And I hate being touched and moved and moving. I just like to lie down and that's that.

I even hate reading to my son as that requires sitting up, enthusiasm and character voices. So yeah, this pregnancy is really costing my relationship with him. I just try to be pragmatic about the whole thing. I have invested two solid years on Yakee, years that no one can take away from us. So this small glitch in that investment shouldn't make me feel more guilty because it is not something I really can help. I mean, I don't feel up to anything and I don't have the energy for anything. I hate being such a damsel in distress but I'm really on down time right now. I can only do so much... and that's basically try not to barf.

I just hope all these hormones mean Yamee is healthier than Yakee!!!