Zeke's First Christmas

We celebrated Christmas by enjoying a fabulous Christmas Eve dinner with my family and then, having a traditional Christmas lunch with my husband's family. We believe Christmastime is really about family and commemorating Jesus' birth. Of course, gift giving and sharing of one's blessing will never be out of the picture, not to mention my all-time favorite icon, Santa Claus.

Desiderio Family

Noche Buena: Grilled Lamb, Grilled Beef, Lasagna, French Baguette, Fruit Salad, Potato Salad, Fresh Garden Salad in Ranch and Caesar Dressing, Sans Rival and Brazo de Mercedes Cakes

Little Santa Zeke

Traditional "Pa-agaw ng Pera" at the Medrano's

Zeke with his Christmas presents

And, before the day ends, HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!

My little family

A Mother's Woe

It's the worst feeling in the world and I never want to wish the same thing to happen to anybody.

Last December 11, a few days after my hubby's birthday, our little Zeke got confined for the very first time due to infectious diarrhea. I don't know how he got it because a) he's too young to have amoeba at five months, b) he has complete rota vaccine, c) he's breastfed, d) whenever he drinks S26, we only use Wilkin's and e) everyone at home is very clean and sensitive that before holding Zeke, they need to either wash their hands or put on alcohol.

Anyway, I got panicky because he was having diarrhea (he had 6 poo change that day when he normally only does it once or twice), his poo color and smell are not good (slimy dark green with a tinge of blood and it smelled foul) and he was crying nonstop whenever it's time to change his nappies (I think he's already developed diaper rash FOR THE FIRST TIME!). So I called up our pediatrician, Dr. Alma Borja and described the current situation. Guess what, my mother instincts were right ---- something was definitely out of the ordinary.

To keep the story short, the pediatrician advised us to bring Zeke to emergency room and had him confined. I really appreciated Dr. Borja at this point because she made the reservation at Marikina Valley Medical Center for us (a big, private room), called up the ER and basically, everything was a cruise (except for the fact that I was worried sick about what's happening to my baby).

I hate it when they had to put the IV on him, I was the one who was crying

Good thing he wasn't as sickly (asymptomatic)

We stayed there for 8 days because he had several bacteria found in his stools (via a stool culture). My husband and I were off work for those eight days. Also, it was a good thing my son has HMO or else it would have been a less merry Christmas for our family. I am very thankful that Zeke was still energetic and happy throughout his stay in the hospital. And, it was also a good thing that the hospital has Disney Junior. Zeke loves to watch cartoons and listen to songs like Handy Manny, The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Pororo and Friends.

Timmy Time

Now, for all you mothers out there, I have a few tips on what to do when your child is having diarrhea. My biggest concern is dehydration that's why it's IMPORTANT to keep feeding the baby breastmilk or infant formula. Zeke was still feeding but not as much so I was worried he might not be getting enough water to replenish what he lose. Call your doctor if you notice blood in the stool, if it's emitting a foul odor, dark greenish and slimy in nature and your baby seems to be not feeding quite normally. Truth be told, your baby might have what my baby has ---- a stomach flu or worst.

What is stomach flu?

Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Despite the name, it's not caused by the influenza virus. The most common culprit is one of a number of other viruses, including rotavirus, adenovirus, calicivirus, and astrovirus.

But gastroenteritis can also be caused by a potentially more serious bacterial infection, such as Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, or E. coli. Still other cases are caused by parasites such as giardia.

If your baby has gastroenteritis, she may have diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and achiness. Her symptoms may be mild or severe, and they may last for just a few hours or for days, depending on the culprit.

How did my baby get stomach flu?

Viral gastroenteritis is very contagious. Your baby may have eaten something contaminated with the virus or shared a cup or utensils with someone who has the virus. (It's possible to have the virus without showing symptoms.)

If bacteria or a parasite is to blame, your child may have ingested contaminated food or drinking water.

Another way your baby may have picked up the illness is by coming in contact with infected fecal matter and then putting her hands in her mouth. This sounds gross, but it happens a lot, especially in daycare situations. Remember that germs are microscopic, so even when a child's hands don't look dirty, they may be covered with bacteria.

How common is stomach flu?

Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States after upper respiratory infections such as colds. Most babies will come down with the stomach flu at least twice a year, more often if they're in daycare. Kids often enjoy a boost in their immunity after they turn 3 years old and may not contract it as often.

When should I call my child's doctor?

Give the doctor a call as soon as you suspect that your baby has gastroenteritis. Also call if your baby has been vomiting for more than two days or has blood in her stool, or you think she's excessively fussy.

Use your doctor's guidelines for phoning in the event of a fever. (Common suggestions are fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit if your baby's less than 3 months old; a fever of 101 degrees F if she's between 3 and 6 months old; and a fever of 103 degrees F or higher if she's 6 months or older.)

Also call your doctor if your baby shows any of the classic signs of dehydration:

• decreased urination (more than six hours without a wet diaper)
• excessive sleepiness or fussiness
• a sunken soft spot
• wrinkled skin
• sunken eyes
• extreme thirst
• dry lips
• crying without tears
• cool, discolored hands and feet

If your baby appears dehydrated and no doctor is available, take her to the emergency room.

If your baby is in danger of dehydration, the doctor might recommend IV rehydration. He may want to admit her to the hospital or just keep her there for a few hours.

If a blood or stool test reveals that your child has a parasitic or bacterial infection, she may also be given a course of antibiotics. Don't be alarmed. Odds are, she'll be released and back to her healthy self within a few days.

Don't forget ---- call your doctor ASAP when you feel or see something not normal. Don't wait for tomorrow.

Cooking 101: Buttered Shrimp in Garlic and Chili

I know, I know. You guys are watching your calorie intake this holiday season but believe me, not only is this viand light and tasty, it's also NOT a huge calorie villain (as long as you use light butter).

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo shrimp (with head and tail intact, just remove the whiskers and make sure the shrimps are deveined)
1/2 cup butter
1 head garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, minced
1 siling labuyo, minced (optional)
3 tsp Canola oil (to make sure that the butter doesn't burn)
salt and pepper to taste

Marinade:
5 T brown sugar
5 T rock salt

Procedure:
1. Mix the marinade mixture together then add the shrimp, coating each piece liberally. Allow to marinate overnight.
2. Boil the marinade mixture with the shrimp in a pot for at least 10 minutes. Drain well.
3. In a pan or wok, heat butter in Canola oil until it melts. Add garlic, bell pepper and chili. Saute until garlic turns golden brown.
4. Add shrimp. Saute for about 5 minutes or as long as all the shrimps are covered with butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Voila! Your husband will surely love this dish. Enjoy it with steamed rice.

MOMMA MYMY’S BACK!

Finally, after two months of hiatus, I am back dear readers! Okay, so before I go yak about what my precious little (big) boy has done lately, let me apologize for the lack of updates. I have two reasons why I was unable to post anything on my blog from October to November.

First, our Digitel DSL went bust. I have never been a fan of their service but due to things beyond my control, it was our chosen Internet (landline too!) service provider. It died after the Pedring typhoon and never came back. Thankfully, our PLDT application got accepted and here I am, back in the game (and on a faster connection too!)

I wish I was on a beach during my hiatus but nah, I working and being a mommy/wife. :D

On a better note, my second reason is I got promoted! I am now an underwriter. Being an underwriter is like an investigator-slash-medical researcher- slash-copywriter-slash-accountant-slash-awholelotmore. Yep, it’s a bit complicated and I can’t even properly define it. Of course this meant I have to undergo training and do a lot of reading (especially anatomy and physiology and oh boy, diseases such as cancer, CAD and diabetes). With mommy-hood and doing household chores already taking up most of my time, it’s a miracle that I even have time to read and adjust to my new job. Whew, just telling you about it is already a mouthful!

But don’t get me wrong. I love what’s happening to me right now. It has always been my dream to become a mother and a wife and this new job is the cherry on top. Naturally, with things being so busy, I had to give up some of the things I love to do like shopping and blogging. But fear not, dear readers (if I still HAVE readers), I’m planning to make a comeback before the year ends and hopefully, you’ll still have time to read my (mis)adventures with Zeke.

Zeke at 5 months :D

PS. I Googled underwriting and here’s its definition: “Underwriting is a way of determining the insurability of a client by reviewing their medical and financial details using various risk classification models. This practice can be dated back to 1800 B.C, when undertaking risk, or underwriting risk, of ships with goods was done. From those days, underwriting has evolved greatly and is presently categorized into life and non-life underwriting, both including financial underwriting.” More or less, risk assessment based on both medical and financial history of the client. Honestly, as difficult as it sounds, it’s really fun and interesting especially when you find something that the client didn’t disclose. Like what my hubby once told me, “Mymy, you’re like an NCIS only not in the series but in real life!” That was one of the best compliments I’ve ever heard from him.

"I now baptize thee, Eekie..."

Just kidding. Before you throw a fit and ask me to have your name changed back to Alec Ezekiel, the priest thought your nickname was Eekie. Well, don't be confused. It's still Zeke, not unless you go by Alec now. - Mom

Finally, after months of planning and canvassing where to celebrate our little son’s christening, we have decided to do it in Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu (where we got married) then hold the reception at Max’s Restaurant.

Zeke before his "binyag"

10:30AM then lunch time for the reception

In my previous post, I have indicated the menu packages and we chose Menu 2:

Max's Fried Chicken

Oriental Beef with Mushroom

Sweet & Sour Fish Fillet

Pancit Canton

Plain Rice

Roasted Nuts

Buko Pandan

Pepsi Pitcher

Zeke’s christening has a Noah’s Ark theme with a color motif of yellow and blue. The cake has a baby on a cloud design, made especially for our little boy. Max’s Restaurant Ampid branch also offers souvenirs, invitations and a special gift for the celebrant thus we gave away a smoke glass souvenir with Zeke’s pictures and a framed portrait of our little boy's cutest pictures.


Free tarpaulin as well

Zeke's baby on a cloud cake (not too sweet and I love the sponge cake)

It really depends on you on how you want your child’s christening to take place. In our chosen church, they offer special dates (weekdays and Saturdays) which cost around Php 1000 to reserve the date and an additional Php 200 for every succeeding pair of godparents. If it’s on a Sunday, you’ll only pay Php 200 to reserve the date and Php 60 for every additional pair. We decided to do it on a Sunday so that everyone can come and also, due to the availability of the reception location. The entire ceremony only lasted an hour but due to the photo taking, it took two hours before we could leave the church!

Ninong Macky, Ninong Felix, Ninang Tracey, Ninang Emet, Ninang Ria and Ninong Erwin (not in the photo: Ninang Gemma and Ninong Neil)

Family picture!

It was a blessed but at the same time, tiring for us and our little boy. I guess that's the reason why he was sleeping most of the time. Luckily, Max's Restaurant also included a bassinet as part of their package. At least it was easier for Zeke to sleep in a bassinet instead of his usual car seat carrier (we didn't bring his stroller because it took a lot of space in the car when really, the space is needed for his gifts).

Check out the pictures! 



Funny priest, he called my son "Eekie" LOL

Solemn candle-lighting ceremony



Buffet-style

Zeke's Papito

Smoke glass souvenir with pictures of Zeke

Lola Dolly and Lolo Omie

Zeke's Mama

With Mama and Mamita

Zeke's Mamita

Zeke's gifts! Thank you!!!

Gift from Ninang Emet! Thank you for the Chicco High Chair!

Zeke: Grabe, I'm tired! Enough pictures please!

Zeke's Papa

Zeke with Mommy

Gift opening time! :)

Zeke's Daddy

Look at his bassinet! Chuckie!

Framed portrait :)

After the ceremony, the party and the gifts, we must never forget why it is important for our newborns to bebaptized especially for Roman Catholics. More than a sacrament, baptism means that God the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, give the Christian many very special gifts. To be baptized in the Catholic Church means more then being sprinkled with water on one's head and receiving a Christian name --- it's about being freed of original sin. It brings a person back to God, cleanse.

Welcome to the Christian World Zeke!

Going Back to Work After Childbirth

I'll be going back to work tomorrow. And like most working moms, I have several questions that bother me up to the point that it would make me feel guilty about leaving my son at home. It's not a nice feeling when you think about it but nowadays, it's only practical to have two working parents in a household in case something happens to one of them. It's a security that my husband and I can't afford to lose.

Honestly, when I was still single, my career has been my priority. I have always made myself be on my toes for a chance to climb the corporate ladder. Everything's going well for my career --- I'm an OIC being groomed to be the next leader. Then it happened; I got pregnant.

Pregnancy changed my views about my career. Once I heard my son's first cry, I knew that he'll be on top of my priorities and it will never be changed. At first I tried to convince my husband to let me stay at home. Instead of instantly agreeing, he gave me the pros and cons to make sure that I'm making the right decision. The cons of being a stay-at-home mom outweighed the pros. And besides, I'll be home before 4PM so I would still have time to play with Zeke and yes, breastfeed him. Also, my husband's mother will be the one to take care of my son so there's no need to worry about him being taken care of by a complete stranger (I heard the most horrible stories so at least less anxiety attacks for me).

So now I'm preparing myself to go back to work. It'll be different because I need to juggle my family and my career. I'll need to keep in mind that sacrifices have to be made. I'll be a super working mom.

Postpartum Mymy

Anyway, this blog post hopes to help young mothers (like me) out there who seem troubled in making the right decision. Before you decide on anything, consider the following factors:

Emotionally, how will you feel about being away from your baby? (You might not know until you do it and that's okay.) How comfortable are you with the idea of someone else caring for her? How important is it to keep your career on track? Can you live without the unique fulfillment that a career brings, or is it too important a part of who you are? How will you feel about missing any of the major milestones in your baby's life — first words, first steps?

Logistically, if you do choose to go back to work, will you put your little one in daycare or hire a nanny? Is there a relative who can tend her? Or is your partner willing (and able) to take over the reins? How many hours are you willing to work? Even if you're not headed back right away, it's a good idea to think now about what type of arrangement would work best for you. If you can't come up with a scenario that will allow you to comfortably leave the home, your choice might be not to.

Financially, staying at home (even part-time) isn't an option for many mothers; they simply must work. To find out if you can afford to quit or reduce your hours, make a budget. List how much you require for fixed expenses — mortgage or rent, insurance, loan payments, utilities, food, etc. — and how much you need for extras like dinners out. Now determine how much money you absolutely must have to be modestly comfortable (with a cushion for emergencies). Consider whether the money you'll make will offset the costs of earning it (gas, clothing, childcare, lunches — and time away from your baby). Are there options to cut your time away from home — like working part time, or full or part time from home, or job sharing?

Once you've decided, don't feel guilty about it because it will only cause anxiety and depression on your part. I know it's hard to leave your bundle of joy (trust me, that's what I am dealing with now). Just keep in mind why you're doing this.

I'm going back to work to give him a better future :)

Let me share this article that I got from the website of Mayo Clinic. I found this very helpful and I'll stick to it if possible:

Maternity leave: Tips for returning to work

Maternity leave passes quickly. Find out what you can do to ease your transition back to work — and how to stay connected to your baby.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Are you dreading the day your maternity leave ends? Don't despair. Working mothers face many challenges, but with careful planning you can make your transition back to work a smooth one.

Before you return to work

While you're still on maternity leave, set yourself up for a successful return to work:

• Let go of the guilt. Returning to work after maternity leave can pose emotional conflicts for new mothers. Working outside the home doesn't make you a bad mother — and it's OK to look forward to the challenges and interactions of your job. Remind yourself that you're doing what's best for you and your family.
• Find dependable child care. Consider local child care providers and facilities or make other arrangements for child care, perhaps before the baby is born. Look for a safe, stimulating environment and qualified caregivers. Ask your baby's doctor, friends, neighbors and co-workers for recommendations. Trust your instincts when interviewing potential caregivers. Also check caregivers' references.
• Talk to your employer. Clarify your job duties and schedule so you'll know what's expected of you after your maternity leave. You might ask about flexible hours, telecommuting or working part time.
• Prepare to continue breast-feeding. If you're breast-feeding and plan to continue doing so after returning to work, tell your employer that you'll need to take breaks throughout the day to pump. Ask about a clean, private room with an outlet for breast pumping. Consider buying or renting an electric pump that allows you to pump both breasts at once. About two weeks before returning to work, adjust your nursing schedule at home so you're pumping two or three times during the day and nursing before and after your upcoming work hours. Have someone else feed your baby a bottle of stored breast milk to help your baby adapt. If you happen to have on-site or nearby child care, consider the logistics of breast-feeding your baby during the workday.
• Set a return-to-work date. If you can, go back to work late in the week. That will make your first week back to work a short one.

  Once you're back at work

  When you go back to work, expect ups and downs as you become more adept at managing multiple demands. These tips can help:
• Get organized. Make a daily to-do list. You might divide the list into tasks for work and tasks for home, or tasks for you and tasks for your partner. Identify what you need to do, what can wait — and what you can skip entirely.
• Provide continuity of care. Develop a good relationship with your baby's caregiver. Spend time talking to him or her when you drop off or pick up your baby. Share family stresses — both good and bad — that might affect your baby. Before you take your baby home, ask about any important events that occurred in your absence, such as a change in bowel movements or eating patterns or a new way of playing. Take time to periodically discuss your baby's progress and any problems or concerns.
• Stay connected. Consider a daily phone call or text message to your baby's caregiver to find out how your baby's doing. Place a favorite photo of your baby on your desk or in your work area. Set aside time after work to reconnect with your baby.
• Make backup plans. Know what you'll do if your baby is sick or your baby's caregiver is unavailable on a workday — such as taking the day off yourself, asking your partner to take the day off, or calling a friend or loved one to care for your baby.
• Honor your commitment to breast-feeding. Bring your breast pump, containers for expressed milk, an insulated bag and ice packs to work. Keep a stash of breast pads and extra blouses handy, in case your breasts leak. If finding time to pump is a concern, consider alternatives — pumping during your breaks or working from home to make up for the lost hours, for example. If you can't express milk at work, breast-feed your baby or pump just before you go to work and as soon as you return home. You could also pump between feedings on your days off for extra breast milk to be used while you're working.
• Seek support. Don't try to do everything yourself. Accept help from your partner, loved ones, friends and co-workers. Speak up if you're feeling guilty, sad or overwhelmed. If you're having trouble pumping milk at work or nursing your baby at home, contact a lactation consultant from a local hospital or clinic.
• Nurture your own well-being. Relax in the tub after you put the baby to bed, or unwind with a favorite book or soft music. Cut down on unnecessary commitments. Pick a reasonable bedtime, and stick with it. On your days off, sleep when your baby sleeps.

Above all, maintain a positive attitude. Tell your baby how excited you are to see him or her at the end of the day. Your baby might not understand your words, but he or she will pick up on your emotions.

Let's cross our fingers, working mommies! We can do this!

Zeke's 2nd Month Development

On my last post, I provided a detailed week by week development chart for my Zeke. Now that Zeke's on his 11th week (can you believe it?), he's growing up too fast that even I can't believe that he's able to do this and that!

Most people who would see him often comment "Wow, are you sure your baby's only two months?". This kind of compliment would touch my heart and of course, can't help but make me proud of my little one. Actually, if you'll check his new photos, you might say he's no longer little.

2nd month, playing with his Lola (my mommy)

9th week, stroll around the subdivision on his Chicco stroller

10th week (look at him, he's so BIG)

can now use his bath support sitting down at 10 weeks old!

now wears sando and shorts at 10 weeks old!

Zeke at 11 weeks with Mommy and Daddy

As you can see, he looks (and feels) old for his age. I'm not sure how much he weighs now since his next pedia visit is scheduled on the 1st of October (which reminds me, he'll have his PCV vaccine, which costs around Php 5000).

Okay, time for his weekly development chart:

during his 2nd month:

• his sleeping pattern has been changing ---- he's sleeping for 6 hours at night and he's now starting to develop a sleeping habit
• he loves to "coo" and "gurgle" and would often talk to himself
• responds energetically by "cooing" to whoever is talking to him
• gets entertained by his toys

Mrs. Hippo and Mr. Lion

• looks intently at bright colored object ie his scrub buddies, the fluorescent lamps, and TV shows that shows bright colors and dancing or singing like the Mickey Mouse club

his bath time scrub buddies Mr. Tiger and Mr. Monkey

during his 9th week:

• he now recognizes my voice and would often smile whenever he hears me calling his name. He also knows the meaning of the word "ayan na (here it comes)" because whenever he hears it, he knows that his food is coming (my breasts, to be exact) and he would gradually lower down his screams and eventually stops crying
• he drools a lot --- loves to taste whatever comes in contact with his mouth
• sucks his fist, arm, thumb, and fingers
• starting to rock and roll — well, maybe just roll. At this age, he's able to move from his side to his back and his back to his side

during his 10th week:

• he could touch his toes and could almost bring his feet up to his mouth
• can sit on his bath support and doesn't cry during his baths anymore. He ABSOLUTELY loves warm baths!
• he could touch his winky during diaper changes (HAHA)
• tries to lift his head when he's lying down and when he's on his tummy, holds his head steadily
• wears sando and shorts because his 0-3 months clothes no longer fit!

new clothes for Zeke (3-6 months)

during his 11th week:

• he sleeps less during the morning and sleeps soundly at night. I believe he has now established a sleeping pattern. He knows that whenever I give him a warm sponge bath at night and a final diaper change, it's time for bed
• he wakes up at the same time my husband and I wake up
• his jerky arm and leg movements when he was just a newborn have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when he's watching people
• loves to coo, gurgle and play with his lips especially when he hears his name 

Oh, I can't wait for my baby to develop some more. Of course, I could help him by reading books to him. Since I'm going back to work on Monday, I could buy him books that have big and bold letters.

By the way, we have finalized his christening date. It'll be on October 23rd. I'll blog about it as soon as we're done with the reservation of the church and reception place. But, I'll let you take a peek on what he's wearing:

mini barong tagalog! :D