Archives for December 2015

MOMI MUSINGS/ I, too, am truly rich and blessed. Thank you, Tina.

December 21, 2015 · Leave a Comment

This mother attended an advent recollection last Saturday. She yearns to be liberated from her guilt– not having enough patience to be the loving mother her boys deserve. Oftentimes, she lets stress eat her up, thus spoiling her relationship with her children. She thinks her boys follow her not out of respect and love but because of fear. And she does not like that. She needs to do some reflection. And very timely that Tina of Truly Rich and Blessed was then scheduled to conduct an advent recollection for moms at The Parenting Emporium.

She made confirmation only the night before the recollection. And on the day itself, she backed out because the rain kept on pouring. She had to commute with a four-month baby in tow.

The husband must have felt her sadness as she withdrew herself from them. A minute after, he knocked at the bedroom door and told his wife he will accompany her and the baby at the recollection venue.

The recollection lasted for about an hour. Though short, she was able to grasp the idea of “how to decorate her heart with joy and hope instead of negative comments and discouragement. That she could only fully appreciate her boys if she first makes a room in her heart for Jesus. That she has to thank Jesus for the gift of children because without them, her life will surely be empty.

The recollection ended with a prayer she now recites every morning and evening or anytime she feels the need to remind herself that she is a loving parent and not a critic to her boys.

adent copy

I thank you Lord for this experience. And I must say that like Tina, I am also truly rich and blessed.

MOMI TIPS/ 5 advantages of a play gym

December 14, 2015 · 19 Comments

Advantages of play gym

Our Yael loves to kick and straighten his legs when on his back. At this age, he could very well appreciate his play gym. It is always a joy to see him kick his new mat gym in order for it to light up and make sounds.

Just like any mom, I am guilty of overspending for my boys. We tend to hoard cute onesies and rompers which our babies could wear for only a few months. We have the tendency to overstuff our children with toys they would only play for a few months or weeks.

BABY DIARIES/ Baby rolls over & some facts on SIDS

December 10, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Our little munchkin can now roll onto his stomach and would end up sleeping on that position. And though rolling is an important milestone for him, it somehow scares me. This anxious mom would end up re-positioning her baby.

I have been reading a lot about child development and I remember encountering details regarding risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

SIDS is defined as the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant. (http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/sids.aspx). It occurs when the baby suddenly stops breathing because of the lower level of serotonin in his brain stem. Serotonin controls an infant’s breathing and heart rate during sleep. Incidents like getting tangled up in a blanket or sleeping onto his belly are contributing factors which make babies harder to wake up, thus suffer from SIDS.

To prevent SIDS, allow me to enumerate some tips I have compiled from many readings:

Co- sleeping. Though there are a number of support groups who are against sharing bed with babies, still I let my darling Yael sleep beside me. This way, I could breastfeed him easily whenever he demands for milk and check on him regularly.

No bolster pillows around. Keep soft or hard toys and even bolster pillows out of the bed as these may cover the nose and mouth and interfere with breathing. Typically, a baby at age 3-4 months begins to learn to grab anything they see and touch and these stuffed toys and pillows may cover his face and suffocate him.

Back position is safest. I always put our Yael to sleep on his back. Main reason: to help keep airways open.

No fancy clothes or beddings. Specially at night time, our baby only wears a simple pair of pajamas and his booties. Overdressing would only make him uncomfortable. Same goes with using too many pillows, comforters, and blankets. This mother always makes sure that the comforter is tightly tucked before putting the baby in bed.

Well-ventilated room. I have read that using an electric fan reduces the risk of SIDS. We use fan during our sleep. If the temperature is too unbearable, we opt to open the air conditioning unit.

No to smoking. Any poison that denies oxygen increases the risk of SIDS. Cigarette smoke is one of them. Smoking during pregnancy, smoking near an infant, and even smoky places should be avoided.

Breastfeed. Breastfeed. Research says that breastfeeding may lower the risk of SIDS, so when able, breastfeed.

Any parent is overjoyed seeing his baby develop over the months. And rolling over is one of these baby milestones. But we as parents should also be extra attentive of our babies activities as they may bring harm than more joy.

As always, enjoy your baby. Babies grow astonishingly fast! Seize the moment especially the newborn days; they will be gone before you know it.

*This is our Yael at 3 months old.

BABY DIARIES/ Something hand-me-down

December 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

This shirt is about thirteen years old already. Been worn by his three kuyas and is still in very good condition.

We have given or donated most of the three boys’ clothes and toys. After all, we do not have a baby who could use or play with them. Then our Yael comes.

Good thing this mother kept a few for sentimental reasons. And this shirt is one of those.

Sometimes, it pays good to be sentimental. How about you, mommy? Do you still keep something for years because of some sentimental ties? I would love to hear them, please.