GETTING IN THE GROOVE

It's my 4th day as a full time mom and I'm starting to get in the groove. A big part of it is I found a darling cleaning lady who can come in 2x or 3x a week. Anton also started school already so his mood is so much better compared to the past weeks. And unlike before I don't have to stress myself thinking how I can take a leave from work just to drive Anton to his class or therapy sessions. Anton's schedule is quite full so me being his driver is a great idea.

Right now Anton is watching DVD as I type this. He still cannot stay more than 1 meter away from me cos he wants his dede even if he just had his snack. Oh well that's really how it is diba? I hope I can keep myself sane but so far so good. Definitely the best decision I made.

A DIVERSION

I have been such a mommy since Anton's yaya left. I did nothing but housework and babysit. I've also been going to work to make sure I finish my unfinished business, fix all the stuff in my desk and to compose my farewell emails to my contacts haha. But Neal gave me a diversion from all that. Just before Christmas he bought me a Twilight DVD. I haven't read the books but I wanted to watch the movie. Neal watched it first and he wondered what the fuss was all about. He said the story isn't nice and the girl in it wasn't even pretty. The first time I watched it was 4 days ago and I've already watched in thrice. The first time I wasn't even able to finish it cos Anton woke from his nap. The next time I watched it I made sure Anton is really fast sleep so that I can concentrate for a couple of hours. The story is really predictable and cheesy. Reminds me of Sweet Dreams books I used to read back in high school. But its such a guilty pleasure. The story is just fascinating and the actors really did a good job. And don't get me started on how hot Edward Cullen is. This actor will be the next sexiest guy I bet. Then I see his interviews on youtube with that messy hair. I had to do a double take to make sure it was the same guy. I may be the last one to watch this movie but I have also been bitten. Now all I have to do is watch this movie some more to get it out of my system.

LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES

I can't believe it was only Nov. 21 that I wrote my last post. It feels like a lifetime for me. Since then my yaya quit her job, I am now an all-around yaya, maid and milk supplier (for Anton only hehe) of my 2 boys, I opened an online store and I've resigned from my job of 5 years.

Things are just crazy but right now I'm thanking my yaya for giving me the chance to quit my job which I've been thinking of for some time, be more hands-on in raising Anton, make my family be closer to each other and give me a chance to do something else.

I've never been without a helper since Anton was born. But now I've decided to take care of my household myself. Neal wants me to get another helper though so that I can be more flexible. Maybe in the future. Right now I'm just enjoying my crazy busy life with my two boys. I never thought life can be so good.

PROUD

I usually borrow Neal's old corolla on Wednesdays when my car is coding. It's a M/T which should not be a problem but his corolla is really pawis steering and the pedals are so low and tigas that everytime I use his car namamatayan ako at least once.

The other Wed on my way home I went to McDo El Pueblo for a drive thru. When I was just about to exit El Pueblo this car in front on me stopped for a really long time and when it was time to drive again namatayan ako. I automatically turned off the a/c but silly me forgot to turn off the headlights. So when I tried it again the battery was dead. Thank God there were no cars behind me and I called Neal agad. A car suddenly appeared and I can see he was pissed. I stepped out of the car to find someone to push my car. Alam ko papagalitan ako ni Neal cos he said nasisira daw ang car nya sakin. That time he was in a good mood and he just asked if I knew how to jump-start. Mukhang mahina na daw ang battery ng car nya. Two men suddenly offered their help and pushed my car. I failed the first time but was a success on the second try.

Not bad eh? The guy behind me didn't even have to wait 3 mins :)

Guess what the hubby said when he got home - "I'm so proud". Aba, dapat lang no :) How many of my fellow mommies know how to jump-start a car?

THINKING TOO MUCH

There are so many things that's stressing me out the past 2 weeks.

1. Work - I don't even know how to begin this. Basta it's pretty serious that I'm thinking of a transfer, a new career or just be housewife for a while. Now when I think about me staying at home that will give me more stress. Haaay confusing I know!
2. Preschool Hunting - Neal has been bugging me for days. We should put Anton to school na. Naawa daw sya kapag walang kalaro ang anak nya. He follows the kids around in the playground. Uhaw sa playmates!
3. Household - We have been maid-less for a month now. We decided not to get another all-around help because they just give me and my yaya headaches. So now I help with the house chores, which puts my hubby further down my 'to-do' list. Pun not intended :)
4. Anton - His attention span did improve but tamad pa din magsalita. And he has new behaviors - covering his ears and hitting his head. After 2 months on the GFCF and organic diet he suddenly showed this kind of behavior. Even though his therapist said that these are all sensory-related naloloka ako!

I'll stop at #4. Baka lalo pa akong ma-stress. So that's why I'm not updating my blog. Now I have to pump my milk and get back to work. Happy weekend!

GARAGE SALE

I had my first ever garage sale last Sunday at the QC Circle and I think it went pretty well. I had a lot of baby stuff (Anton's old stuff) plus my sister's size 1-2 clothes and I was able to sell 90% of my stuff :) Not bad eh?

I also loved it when my buyers already put on Anton's old hats and shoes and then they show it to me. Truly one man's old stuff is another man's treasure.

After the sale my body ached all over. I haven't felt that tired in a long time and I'm thinking my age is showing. Was only able to treat myself to a massage last night since Anton was demanding when I went home so I just couldn't leave him.

Thanks to Ting for organizing this sale. I'll definitely join another one soon.
(Photo credit: Ting)

TAMAD ME

I haven't been updating my blog, answering tags and bloghopping for months already. Let's just say I'm in a very uninspired state. I am still a little stressed about Anton's development and although I know blogging will help me release some of it I am very tamad. I am also very busy with mom mom's multiple visa applications and my sister's wedding preparations. Panay excuse I know. Slowly but surely I'll be posting Anton's activities in his OT sessions. I want to go back to reading them in the future when Anton finally blooms.

MAD

Anton has a scheduled OT this morning at 9. Neal was supposed to drop by his office first, take care of a few things then bring Anton to the center. I told him he can drop off Anton and yaya already since he might be busy. But no, he said madali lang sya sa office. I received a call from the school at about 9:25 asking where Anton was. I hurriedly called Neal and of course nasa office pa sya. He said his staff did not arrive on time blah blah blah. So I told him that Teacher had a 3pm slot so Anton can attend that instead.

At 2pm I asked him if he can bring Anton and he assured me he can. Cos I was ready to take the afternoon off and drive Anton. I just called the house and my helper said that Neal picked up Anton and yaya at 3:30 pm! I called the school and I heard Anton crying. They just arrived daw and Teacher has another student at 4 pm! And Neal was like ayaw na pumunta ni Anton dito, pinapaiyak lang sya dito. Hmp. Kung hindi sya late he would have time to warm up. And my poor baby was dressed up and ready to go at 2pm. Baka nainip diba? Haay it took all my patience not to say anything that I might regret later. Pero kakainis talaga. Sya pa ang galit e sya nga ang late!

How come guys won't admit if they can't do something? Are they really born mayabang?

*******

UPDATE

Teacher accommodated Anton for a 5-6 pm session. I left the office early and made habol Anton's session. It's a good thing na din kasi kailangan pala ako ni Teacher. She was completing this questionnaire about sensory integration to check if Anton does have SID (sensory integration dysfunction) or SPD (sensory processing disorder) which is the new term they use.

I mentioned here before that Anton does not like it when we touch him when we're teaching him something. There are also times when he cries or gets mad when we sing to him the wrong song or when we stop singing a song. From what I've read so far these examples are signs of SPD. But Anton has many anti-SPD behavior as well. First, when Anton saw me arrive in class, he slobbered me with kisses (gusto na umuwi I'm sure). Anton also loves taking a bath, brushing his teeth and combing his hair. So sobra talagang nahihirapan si Teacher kay Anton hehe. She even extended our time to 6:30 pm kasi hindi daw sya makakatulog kung hindi nya na-complete ang SID questionnaire nya.

After the session Teacher still had no clear answers on her form. Almost lahat talaga contradicting. But she taught me how to massage Anton like touch therapy. It will help him daw be calmer. We should do it daw every 2 hours since the massage will 'wear off'. Gosh medyo mahirap ang every 2 hours. Twice a day pwede pa hehe. Teacher also suggested that I read a book called Sensational Kids. I started reading this yesterday and I can't wait to finish it. According to the book one in 20 children suffer from SPD. Children with SPD experience sensory information (touch, sight, smell, movement etc) differently from other children. Some examples include a boy burning his hand because he did not feel the light bulb was hot, a girl who cries everytime she hears a sad song in church and a girl who hates having her toenails cut.

Reading the book made me feel how complicated life is now. My mom was telling me how she didn't know a thing about parenting while she was raising us but we all turned out ok naman. My hubby naman tells me that Anton is just showing his personality and that we should be proud that at an early age Anton knows what he likes and doesn't like. Sometimes I do feel that I'm overreacting especially now that Anton's behavior has improved a lot. But still my mommy instinct tells me to go ahead with the OT. Wala naman mawawala diba? Better now than later.

That's it for now. Will do more updates when I get further in the book.

FOCUS

Most of my officemates are out for our summer outing. It's very peaceful now at the office. Time to do the things I have been putting off for months.

I have to do my performance appraisal.

I have to organize my files.

I also have time until tomorrow to have a haircut.

And make takas to go to Anton's OT tomorrow morning.

So I have to focus. No blogging until next week.

I hope.

NO DOCTORS PLEASE

I have to go to 2 doctors, my EENT and OB-Gyne, but I don't want to.

Why? Because they both want me to stop nursing my baby.

I have allergic rhinitis again. It's the season when the pollens bloom. I feel drowsy with this cold that refuses to come out. I can still handle it. I'm just rubbing Arctic Care on my chest, throat and feet. I just hope I don't get vertigo again. Or else I really have to go to her and get another lecture about taking care of myself more.

I also need to go to my OB-Gyne. I've been wanting to go to her for some time. But I cannot ignore it anymore. My son will turn 21 months next week and I'm still on Lactational Amenorrhea. According to Kellymom, LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method of birth control) refers to the natural postpartum infertility that occurs when a woman is not menstruating due to breastfeeding.

I mean it's great that I'm still on natural birth control but what worries me is how long I haven't had a period. The last time was September 2005, just before I got pregnant.

And I'm comparing myself with someone I know who was on LAM for 20 months. But she was a work-at-home mom, and her daughter was nursing directly from her all the time. So how come her period returned after 20 months while I, a working mom, away from my son for about 10 hours a day, 5 days a week is still on LAM?

Aside from feeling icky, I am blaming my bad temper, water retention and dry skin on LAM.

I'll visit my OB-Gyne soon, but if she gives me medication that is not safe for nursing moms, I won't take the meds, just like I didn't take my medication before for vertigo. I'm so stubborn no?

RAINS ON MY PARADE

There are 2.

One. My sister messaged me. She and her fiance talked about their wedding plans. They're not pursuing the Manila wedding. Sa Phoenix nalang daw. Magastos daw ang 2 weddings. So wala na akong wedding na ico-coordinate, di kami makakapunta sa wedding at di na magiging ring bearer si Anton.

Two. The memo from our HR is out. Only VPs can bring their family on our summer outing. I can push the issue with our HR but decided not to. Di ko sila feel.

Thank God its Friday.

HOPEFULLY BACK TO NORMAL

I've been so busy at work starting January 1 (Yes I was at work on a holiday!). The company I work for just acquired 20 new subsidiaries so you can just imagine the additional work load we have. Anyway, things are slowly going back to normal for me. I started my bloghopping again and I was able to chat with my sister this morning. She just got back from the US the other day and she and her boyfriend are officially engaged. She started asking me about wedding stuff at nabuhayan ako. I started to remember how an OC bride-to-be I was during my w@wie days hehe. So in between blogging and blog hopping, I'll definitely frequent wedding sites again. Now I think I'm getting more excited than the couple :)

FALSE ALARM

No, it's not what you think :D I thought I was going to be sick for the first time in about 5 years. I haven't been sick for so long that I forgot when the last time was. Anyways, yesterday I developed a sore throat and my eyes were mahapdi so I really thought for sure I'll get a fever or something. I was not feeling really well and I had to wake up pa several times last night to nurse Anton so I was not able to take a full rest. But now I'm feeling better, my sore throat is almost cured and all it needed was some Bactidol. Ang galing talaga ng powers ko :)

WRONG TIMING

I don't really make New Year's resolutions but I am decided to be Ms. Budget this year. The last big savings I had was back in 2006 and I have to be back on the game. And this season does not make it easy for me. I was at the Powerplant as usual last Sunday and there was a mall-wide sale. Aaaarghhhh!!! Buti nalang I had self-control and I only purchased a pair of flats from People are People, which by the way was not even on sale but was within the P1,000 budget. Then this lunch I went to Shang Mall to try to buy Victoria detergent for Anton's clothes (which was out of stock) and then I saw the blings again (read SALE signs). Toby's was on sale and I was tempted to go in because I needed new running shoes. Buti nalang I had the sense to realize that I'll just buy new shoes WHEN I decide to get back to running. So I didn't go in Toby's but I had to go in Zara and they are on their end of season sale. I went straight to the baby section and stuff there are still expensive. I saw some pants and shorts I wanted for Anton but was still way out of budget. The shorts were still over P500. Sayang love pa naman their stuff. Meron kayang overruns ng Zara dito? :)

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Before the week goes by without a single post from me, I wish everyone had a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to come. I'm sharing here our humble noche buena. Everything is bought from Petron Makati Avenue. We just bought Ineng's barbecue, Singkit and Lapid's Chicharon hehehe.

Since I'm not a fan of midnight snacks we ate before we heard the 8 pm mass at SSA. We left Anton at home with Yaya Jo. Our baby was sleeping already when we went home at 930 pm. I just finished wrapping some gifts then went to bed when it struck 12 midnight.

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

I've accepted that I'm stuck with the 20 lbs. preggy weight and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Being top heavy I couldn't fit in the XL sizes of Kamiseta and Bayo button down blouses even before I got pregnant so just imagine how depressed I was after delivery. I couldn't fit in anything. Thank God my sister was still here in the country at that time. We went to the places where she shops and I was able to survive. At first I was holding off shopping since I knew I will be losing the weight soon, but after 18 months it's time to look good at the shape I'm in. Here's a few shops that I frequent now. Let me know if you can recommend me some more.

1. Marks & Spencer - I bought my top for Anton's baptism here. This is also my first clothing purchase after delivery. At first I thought it was all pangmatanda but they have great tops pala sometimes.
2. Apple & Eve - They carry sizes up to XXL. I keep coming back to this store, before and after I got pregnant. Love their styles!
3. ABU - When I need a cheap T-shirt this is the place to be. They often have half-priced sales so I always watch out for it.
4. She - From the same owners of Plains and Prints, this is plus-size clothes with style.
5. Dorothy Perkins - This is the shop I'm loving now. Great quality at great prices. Just bought my skinny jeans here and it's a perfect fit.
6. Last but not least there's the trusty Tiangge :)

CAPITALS AND PUNCTUATIONS

From now on I will start my sentences with capital letters and use the proper punctuations. I realized that though all small letters may seem cute (for me at least), it may distract some of my readers. Naks feeling may readers. For lack of proper punctuations, I'm blaming my former British boss who was allergic to commas and apostrophes. According to him commas are out and old fashioned. I still want to do a lot with this site but don't have time for that yet. I better go back to my real work now, after a couple more posts :)

BUSY BEE

i haven't posted anything for almost a week. been so busy here at work, and hindi pa din tapos :( but i have some time to post this very nice family pic.

this was taken last sunday at the 2/f powerplant mall, the area where national bookstore is. panalo ang smile ni anton dito and here's my new look revealed hehe. if you have some free time this weekend drop by rockwell. there's a lot of nice spots for family pics. the polar bears here is just one of them. there's also a lot of christmas decors on the 1st floor. happy picture taking :)

OFFICE PARTY

its the time of the year when neal babysits anton while mommy parties. yup once a year lang ako mag-party since i became a mommy. we had our office christmas party last night and i had a blast. 3 years in a row we had the same venue, caterer and band but i had the best time this year. our new employees who were our performers for the night did a fastastic job. there were 4 dance numbers and i loved everything. even our expats did their share kakatuwa. the only down side is i didnt win anything. i wanted that P20k cash prize. well umasa pa ba ako e wala talaga akong swerte sa ganyan?

THE RULE OF 8

i've been tagged by toni.

THE RULES

* write 8 facts about yourself

* in the 8 facts, you share 8 things that your readers don't know about you. at the end, you tag as much other bloggers to keep the fun going. each blogger must post these rules first

* each blogger starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves

* at the end of the post, a blogger needs to choose as much people to get tagged and list their names.

* don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they're tagged and to read your blog

8 random facts about maybelle:

• i can easily gain/lose weight. if i have a big event coming up i can lose the extra weight in a month, and gain it back in half the time. more than ever i need to lose weight now but i have no time and energy for it anymore (must be the age hehe)
• i lost my appetite for horror flicks ever since i saw the ring. it still gives me the creeps.
• i love sad-sounding songs, so sad they can make you cry like old songs (david pomeranz), you make me feel brand new (stylistics). wala lang nagpapaka-senti.
• my first job was as a marketing assistant in a bank.
• i love to watch big boxing matches on tv.
• i rarely go for manicures (last time was my wedding day). i like to be in control of my own fingernails.
• i would rather do the laundry than clean the house (sweeping, dusting).
• ever since i gave birth i refuse to ride on dangerous rides like roller coasters.

now i'm tagging jacque and pat.