Finding Something Good

I have been literally been staying on bed the past couple of days. "Inihiga ko talaga" because I have been barking like a mad dog  the past couple of days, coupled with blocked or sometimes runny nose, migraine and a few episodes of fever. Not happy, big time!

Well, I and the kids learned a good song from one of the cartoons we watched a month ago. The line goes "If something bad happens, turn it around, find something good!" That is what precisely what I am doing or what I have been doing to keep me sane.

What are the good that turned up after me getting sick?

I got to catch up on my reading.

I got to do a lot of play based learning I have been planning to do with Kuya Liam and Sam.

I got to have whole body massages from Papa A every night! It did help me get a good night's rest and sleep.

I got to see how my kids love me. Sam giving me a balloon before going to school and Kuya Liam writing a love letter for me.

I got to let go of my oc-ness some more, keeping my eyes closed with the mess at home and the chores at that. What do you know, hubby stepped up and took over! Kaya naman pala eh!

I got to pray and reflect more.

I got to realise a lot of things:

- I am thankful for my in laws. Ours is not a perfect and harmonious relationship everyday of our lives especially with the personality differences but I would like to give them credit because they have been a great help to us especially the past couple of days! I was telling my friend, I might be "dead" by now if  they were not around when I got sick. Not only when I got sick but during the time I started with my five week teaching block. Extra-- My MIL also knows there should only be one Queen in every home, so for that alone, I'm thankful. ;-)

-The gift of today. Yes, I am the type who loves to plan things ahead of time. But hey, I should slow down now and enjoy what the present has to present. The class I was handling taught me the real meaning of one day at a time. 

- I cannot go work full time again. With the pressure and stress that went with me taking over one class for five weeks was a big wake up call! Nope, in this kind of set-up, the many little things that needs to be done everyday, taking my time from my kids? No. I got to appreciate my being a casual more when I can easily turn down an offer over a more important family matter. I don't plan to miss out on special school events of my kids! Just let me get over with my accreditation and I'm all set to slow down. Three days a week is good for me. If there are teaching blocks, the longest I can take is two weeks. More than that? No.

 -Health is wealth. I think I need not expand on that.

Do you find yourself in a bad situation? Turn it around, find something good, you might be surprised of what you'll discover.

Tummy bug

For three days now, I and the kids have been victims of yet another episode of the tummy bug.

I feel so weak already. I'm having problems when I stand up, my heartbeat goes too fast. I feel like I'm going to faint anytime.

This time there were no vomiting episodes. Only lbm episodes. Although I got to lose two kg instantly in just two days, I think I already lost too much electrolytes that's why I feel so weak and sluggish.

Good thing this day I've seen some improvements on our condition. But my usual appetite is still not back hehe.

Even if I feel I'm in the road to recovery, I feel that my body had already taken its toll on me. I want to take a break from all my other duties. Cooking, cleaning, driving the kids to Gymbaroo and Soccajoeys. I just feel my body needs to recover. I need to recharge again to be back my usual self.

Actually told it to hubby and he's okay with it...I even turned down work because I'm still not fit.

Starting today until Friday, I'm calling in sickie.

If You Had The Choice

Death is not something we can escape from. One way or another, we will reach the end of the road. But as they say, God only knows when and how.

The husband of our wedding godmother is presently battling Stage 2 Colon Cancer. Of course, I was saddened with this news. When I think what the family, espcieally what our ninang has to go through, I find them lucky. Of course we are still praying for the complete healing of Tito Nick, but then again, if it goes the other way, I find it consoling that at least they had the chance to spend more time together --QUALITY time together. I know that things change especially when something drastic, like sickness, happens to our loved ones. There is a radical change that happens not only with the sick person, but the people around him as well. I believe that if it happens to me (knock on wood) I will make sure that I will make the most of the time left. Make sure that each day is special not only for me but for my loved ones. Wounds can be healed, love deepened, faith strengthened. I always pray that if ever God takes me, I would not want it abruptly -- sudden. I just can't imagine the grief and the pain of those whom I will be leaving behind. But, does that mean, I want to experience the physical suffering of people who are sick, if it means I can spend more time with my family, my kids? Maybe. I don't know.

"At least he didn't have a hard time", is what they usually say when someone passes so suddenly -- not wanting their loved one to experience the pain and all. But if you were the one to leave, what would you choose? All I know is that at this point in my life, I'd still prefer to experience the pain and spend more time with my loved ones than to leave them unprepared.

Investment for Health

"When young, you abuse your health to achieve wealth...later on, you spend all your wealth to regain your health"

Makes sense, right?

It was what my father-in-law told us during one of our chats at home.

And so, not being health buffs and the sporty type, Alvin and I decided to make some investments for our health. AFter all, health is wealth.

Not having any sport at the moment, we decided to buy these things, to allow us to still have some exercise at the comforts of our home and hopefully become healthier for our kids. Thankfully, these items were on sale :D



a stationary bike



a weighing scale with body analysis

My Toddler and His Diet

I have seen and heard how my former co-teachers in Ateneo raised their concerns regarding their young children not eating well, missing out on those much-needed nutrients. Who would think that in a few years' time I would also have concerns regarding my son's diet.

I find myself sometimes feeling guilty whenever my son takes in more formula than solid food. He is now 2 years and 3 months and old and I think by this time, the formula should only be supplemental. But there are days when he just prefers to drink milk and more milk than take in real food. I feel bad whenever he does and I feel helpless.

Right now, my husband and I are trying out different tactics on how we can encourage him to eat with us and eat nutritious food. There are days when he eats a lot, and we feel that we have been successful. But there are days when we feel that we're back to square one.

I don't know what to do. I don't even know if this is just a stage and is very much normal for kids his age. Well, if it is, I hope that he gets over this stage soon. Real soon.

I think the most that I can do now is to continue to provide him with delicious and nutritious food at home. We are not giving up yet. Just like his swimming lessons, I think it's too early to give up. I'll continue to ask for advice from friends and continue to research on how to solve this dilemma, permanently.

Brush, brush, brush

These are the first three words of a toothpaste commercial or the commercial jingle my son enjoyed watching and listening when we were still in Manila. At first, I thought that he was just amused with the rhythm and the rabbit that was dancing along with the kids. But it soon became a favorite. And when his baby teeth erupted one after the other, this song became more than just a song. We are not experiencing any difficulties brushing the teeth of my 18-month old son because of this song. We started brushing his teeth when all his (hmm, I'm going to be a little technical here) upper and lower central and lateral incisors erupted and also when he started eating solids. The first time we attempted brushing his teeth was a success! No tantrums, no crying on Liam's part. No headaches or tempers rising on our part. And it was all because of the song. Before we started brushing his teeth, we first sang the song. After hearing his favorite song, he obliged right away, with Mum brushing his teeth. And the rest as they say is history. Now, we're allowing him to hold his toothbrush and get to experience brushing his teeth all by himself. And until now, we are not encountering problems with this. I'm lucky my son loved the commercial. I will be forever thankful for the creators of that commercial. It surely made one of the toughest jobs of a first-time parent a lot easier!