Halloween month!

It's that time of the month again! Aside from Christmas and birthdays, Lia loves this event, too: Halloween!

Last Saturday we went shopping for the kids' costumes. Luckily, I stumbled upon a Bumblebee and Company stall at the Powerplant Mall. I found what I was looking for! A li'l devil costume for Kaitlin, and a cute purple-and-orange witch costume for Lia.

I was happy with my purchase because: (1) they were on sale AND these were exactly the ones I had in mind, (2) the materials were not itchy/scratchy like those sold in Toy Kingdom (which I've already visited twice in hopes of seeing some new costumes or comfy ones, but haven't), and (3) I didn't exert much effort convincing Lia to wear the witch costume (she likes to be a fairy FOREVER).

It will be Kaitlin's first trick-or-treat. Hope she likes it! :)

Kaitlin's six months old tomorrow!

...and it will be my sixth month breastfeeding her. :)

I love babies' sixth month. It's a whole milestone! It means Kaitlin will start new food (yay, veggies). It means she will soon crawl (she's attempting now). It means she will have her teeth out any day now. It means she will pay more attention to us when we ask her to "close-open". It means she will bawl, not just sob. It means she will scream, not just whine. It means she will guffaw, not just laugh!

Harrassed- and Haggard-dot-com

I didn't imagine I could be this Mom who'd be screaming her lungs out over her kid's bad/naughty/disobedient deed. I've always imagined, since I was an innately patient person, that I'd discipline my kids with a "come-here-and-let's-talk-about-it" style.


That imagination quickly faded away. I was a scream-my-lungs-out type of Mom after all!


Lia's been testing my patience recently. She has just started school. Her yaya took a three-week leave. Kaitlin's at the stage where she gets our attention (even if it's not intentional) because she's just so cute.


I've been waking up at 5:30AM every day, just so I can eat, take my bath, do my thing before the kids wake up. Kaitlin wakes up and looks for me to feed. Lia wakes up and throws a tantrum, and wants Mommy to feed and bathe her and even take her to school.


I end up screaming. And late for work.


The other day was one of my stressful ones, I think. Lia had cough and cold. And whenever we paid attention to Kaitlin, she would exaggerate her coughing, and cry. And then, request for a "carry".


I ended up screaming. Again.


I took Lia to the pedia for her cough. When her pedia asked her how Kaitlin was, Ate's answer was: "Sigh. She always wants to be carried!" with a voice that was unmistakably jealous and complaining.


Lia is just so jealous of Kaitlin these days, I don't know how to handle it anymore. I never grew up with siblings, so I'm having a bit of a difficulty here. But bottom line is: Lia's behaving that way because of jealousy.


Neil and I are trying different strategies to make Lia feel that she's still loved even if Kaitlin's here. Right now, our strategy is: treat Lia with lambing, even if she throws a tantrum. Let's see if that works (we're hoping it will).


I need a massage.

Lia goes to school


Lia's going to preschool this June! I enrolled her in a school just within the village: Smart Reader Kids. The school has franchises worldwide (but I didn't know that yet when I started canvassing for schools).


I had three choices for Lia's school. I had several criteria. Lia's opinion counted, too, when I was choosing the school. I finally enrolled her in Smart Reader because I liked their program, the classrooms were nice (themed per subject), the teachers looked like they know what they're doing (I hope they're great teachers!), tuition included snacks and fees for Halloween, Christmas, and field trips, and of course, Lia liked it.


Lia's in Kinder 1. I wanted to put her in Kinder 2 (hahaha, because the tuition is cheaper for the higher level) but Lia can't read yet (just recognizes the words but can't really read).


I hope she likes school!!!

When Lia opens her mouth...

"Stop! In the name of love!"


"Actually..."


Mom: Lia, don't say "I don't like to talk to you" when you're tampo. What if you're in school already? You don't say that to your teacher!

Lia (thinking for just a moment): I know what I should say to my teacher.

Mom: What?

Lia: HALLER!!!!!

Mom: Lia, when you're with Lola at the mall, don't run around ha! She can't run after you, and she can't run fast.

Lia: Oh, but I can run fast!

Lia, warning her Lola not to eat chocolates: "You can't get away from me!"

Breastfeeding: a challenging feat!

I sent this email yesterday, to friends and family. Criticism from some people led me to compose the email, and let the whole world know about it!


Dear Friends and Family,


I am sending this email to ask for your support and understanding.


If you don't already know, I have been exclusively breastfeeding our newborn, Kaitlin Ava, since birth until now. She has been getting nothing but her mother's milk, from her Day 1. Kaitlin was roomed in with me when we were in the hospital. So, whenever she needed to feed, I offered her my breast. I was happy that I was getting an early start at breastfeeding, and giving Kaitlin its best benefits. I continued to breastfeed her when we got home from the hospital.


My baby started to "get hungry" every once in a while. Then it became more frequent, her feeding demands/intervals varying from 30 minutes to two hours. Then it all started: they said my milk wasn't enough that's why Kaitlin kept on feeding. "Supplement with formula!" they would say. I felt bad at first, questioning my "abilities" as a breastfeeding mom. But I kept on breastfeeding Kaitlin, and read more about breastfeeding. This is what I found out: a breastfed baby feeds more frequently because breast milk is so easy to digest. So that was it! Not only was Kaitlin benefiting from the breast milk; it was the reason for her frequent feedings. I did not "lack" milk after all! I also found out that my milk supply is dependent on the baby's demand for it. So if Kaitlin needs just 1 to 2 ounces per feeding, then my breast will give her that. Also, in one source that I've read, it says that "breast milk is a dynamic fluid that changes in composition throughout the day and throughout the course of lactation. It provides for the baby the specific nutrients that are needed at each age and in each situation". Now I'm assured that I'm giving Kaitlin the nutrition that she needs. Also, another way to determine that the baby is getting enough milk, is by the number of wet diapers per day. I'm thankful that we "waste" at least eight soiled diapers a day (and not think about the cost of diapers) because I'd know that Kaitlin is getting enough milk.


Of course, most of you probably know that breast milk protects babies from certain illnesses. It keeps babies immune to certain diseases, so they say. This is (still) true, and it's not just a myth or an old wife's tale! Breastfeeding:

• protects baby from gastrointestinal trouble, respiratory problems, and ear infections
  
• protect baby from developing allergies
  
• may boost the child's intelligence
  
• may protect against obesity later in life
  
• may protect baby from childhood leukemia
  
• may protect baby from developing type 1 diabetes
  
• may reduce my risk of breast and ovarian cancer and protect me against osteoporosis later in life
  

Pediatricians recommend that babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months, so that the baby gets all the disease-fighting substances from breast milk! Breastmilk is also cheaper than buying formula—and helps avoid medical bills later because it helps equip the baby to fight off disease and infection.


So you see, formula milk doesn't even come close to the benefits provided by breast milk.


I ask you, friends and family, to please support me through this. I am opting to exclusively breastfeed, and would appreciate not getting criticism for choosing to do so. Exclusive breastfeeding takes a lot of strength and determination, and the lack or absence of these make one less breastfeeding mom; and may make one less healthier kid.


I'm going back to work soon, and I'm planning to pump my milk at work. I've invested in a double electric pump, to help me produce and provide milk for Kaitlin even while I am away. This will be the time when I will especially need encouragement, because being at work means I'm in a more stressful environment. I fear of dwindling milk supply. I fear of being forced to buy formula milk to supplement. I fear of not giving Kaitlin the nutrition she needs! But most of all, I fear of losing strength and determination.


I hope all of you are with me on this. I hope you take this plea positively.


Thank you so much!

Kaitlin's first month


Kaitlin turned one month old last week! So far she’s been—feeding. Yes, forever feeding! I’m purely breastfeeding her (no formula milk!), and when she’s not at my breast, she’s gulping down the milk I pump—fast. Hence, whenever I need to go out, I’m always rushing, because Kaitlin always finishes the milk I pump even before I am scheduled to come home. I have yet to find a solution for this (hahaha, I guess more milk to pump should be it).


Ate Lia has been a good big sis to Kaitlin. She’s sweet, and always offers to take care of her li’l sis. Doesn’t mean she’s not jealous, though! She lashes on us—the adults. She’s been misbehaving since Kaitlin came home from the hospital. :( We are trying our best to discipline her but sometimes it’s just so hard! I finally spanked her—for the first time—a few weeks back. I cried because my heart melted when I saw her cry. :(


Sigh. Being a parent is really hard work!

Kaitlin's out!

Gave birth to Kaitlin Ava last February 22! She weighed 6.4 lbs. :)

Neil and I were up early last February 22, because we had to be at the hospital before 6AM. My OB-Gyne was a morning person; she wanted to do the surgery at 7AM! :) So I had to be in before then for the preps.

It was a different experience from that of Lia's childbirth. I walked into the delivery area and announced I was giving birth--a scheduled caesarian section. I handed in my typed Q&A for the nurse (hehehe, the OC person that I am), they told me to change into my hospital gown, did skin allergy tests on me and inserted my IV. While they were doing that, my doctor came in (that was still 6:30 in the morning--she really is a morning person!) and asked how I was.

I was then wheeled into the delivery room. The anesthesiologist (very pleasant) introduced himself, and informed me of the anesthesia he was going to give me. With my OB-Gyne's help (curling me up to the C position), he gave me a shot at my lower back. As they lay me down the table (which was really so narrow), I began to feel the numbness from waist down. Then my doc sliced my old wound (where Lia came out) as I waited.

I think I waited for only 10 mintues or so, before I heard Kaitlin's cry. She was a wailer! I watched as they checked her out and ID'd her. Then they brought her to my side. She was crying her lungs out but when I talked to her, she stopped! :)

They took Kaitlin to the nursery, while I chilled (because of the anesthesia). They then wheeled me to the recovery room, where I stayed for 12 hours (that was because there was no available room for me! Aarrrgh.).

When finally I was given a room, Kaitlin was brought to me. She roomed in with me the whole time we were in the hospital (whereas Lia stayed in the nursery). It was a different experience--as I had my hands full on her right away!

We left the hospital after 2.5 days. It was relatively quick, as CS recoveries usually take longer. I guess I also couldn't wait to get home and get comfy.

So...here's to another round of dirty diapers! :)

14 more days!

Kaitlin is almost ready to come out!

I'll be working only until next week. :) Lia's already excited having me stay home (but am not sure if she is excited about her baby sister; I can't tell yet if she's just saying so to please me or if it's real ;p). So far, I have completed the documents I'd need for the hospital (Philhealth forms, SSS benefit, even the Q&A for the nurse when I get to the delivery room ;p). I have also started packing things for me and the baby (but am sure there will be lots of packing and unpacking, deciding whether to bring a particular item or not--like I did with Lia =p).

Neil has also started rearranging our room. The bunk bed we had planned to buy for the girls earlier has been junked; we're buying mattresses instead. Although am still wary with the idea of the mattresses on the floor (dust bunnies!!!), Neil is bent on buying these instead of investing on a crib/playpen for Kaitlin.

So...next week, we'll be buying all the stuff we still need. I can't wait to go on leave from work! ;)

Kaitlin in 4D

She's really a girl! We had our 4D ultrasound last week. I brought Lia, my mom, and Neil with me. I was in the ultrasound room for about 1.5 hours. The ultrasound center, InMyWomb, had a viewing area--a large flat screen TV and a bench--for companions. First impression: baby Kaitlin looked like Lia! At least her chin and lips were like Lia's. We're just not sure about her nose; I thought she got her dad's (lucky her).

We're still not sure about the name Kaitlin, though. Although I like Kaitlin more than Keira, so we're most likely to use Kaitlin. I suggested a second name, Ava, which has the same meaning as Lia (bringer of good news). We're still thinking about it. Any suggestions? :)