Book Review: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

I have always been a fan of Sophie Kinsella, ever since I got my hands on her Confessions of a Shopaholic book. Now, I have her entire collection and I cannot wait for her newest novel after this.

I find chick-lit books to be funny, light, witty and very entertaining. I think this could be considered as one of my guilty pleasures, just like watching reality shows on the television.

Anyway, it has been quite awhile since I was able to read a non-baby related book so it was like a breath of fresh air when I saw this book in Powerbooks. With no second thoughts, I grabbed a copy and finished it in one seating. Yep, I finished reading it in Starbucks, while I was waiting for my husband to fetch me.

UK and US covers. I got the US version :)

Like any other Kinsella book, I've Got Your Number is a hilarious read, with tons of cheeky situations and grandiose lessons. The characters, especially that of Magnus, Poppy and Sam, could have existed in the real world. I mean, I could relate to Poppy's character of being "wanting to be always liked" that when it was first brought to attention, I literally cried.

If you're a young mom who wants to feel like a romantic heroine again, I recommend this book. Not only will you survive other round of diaper change but it will also remind you how fascinating it is to be dating again --- not that I am complaining about being married or anything. It's a refreshing story, one that you'll have a hard time forgetting, especially the comedic turn of events! Oh gosh, I do hope Sophie Kinsella writes a new book soon!

Zeke's First Dance and Other Developments

Zeke's cousin, Alenna Mae, celebrated her 18th birthday last Wednesday. I was the one who introduced her to the crowd and is also part of her 18 Treasures while my mag-ama were both included in her 18 Stars.

Zeke's outfit: Periwinkle polo, Guess shorts, Florsheim shoes

 At this rate, my son would be a very gala and sociable baby! I mean, for this month alone, we've gone to several parties --- wedding, debut and reunion! Good thing my little Zeke is already able to crawl, sit and stand, all before his 9th month. I'm surprised at how fast his motor, social and intellectual skills are developing. Even my sister-in-law (whose a registered midwife) says he's got strong bones and can be classified under the advanced development stage.

the first time he stood up on his own 3.29.12

he now loves to try eating solids, especially crackers and soups

sits up comfortably and crawls very fast

his first dance 3.28.12

Since he's now very active and really malikot, it's only wise to start investing on toys. Good thing his Graco crib is convertible into a play pen. So far, he loves his toy drum, noisy rattles, teether (I will have another post about this because this topic will take a whole lot of explaining, especially now that Zeke's in his teething phase), swing and anything else that he could bang ie remote control, mobile phones, etc. Most babies now explore objects by shaking them, banging them, dropping them and throwing them before falling back on the tried-and-true method of gumming them. The idea that you do something to an object is beginning to emerge, so an activity centre with lots of things your baby can bang, poke, twist, squeeze, shake, drop and open will fascinate him.

At this stage, babies like to see things fall down, get picked up (by you, of course) and then get thrown down again. Your baby isn't trying to goad you with this cycle; he just finds the spectacle interesting and naturally wants to see it again and again. Your baby now understands how objects relate to one another, too. As I've said, Zeke loves the remote control and whenever I hide it and he finds it, he'll look at me and laugh.

 

Zeke is also beginning to show signs of separation anxiety. This means your baby may start to be shy or anxious around strangers, especially when tired or irritable, and when you're out of sight and not with him, he'll become upset. Although it's hard to see your baby distressed, it's important to let him experience this. When you leave your baby and return, proving that you always come back, you're helping him develop trust and the ability to form attachments to other people. What I usually do, especially when he sees me leave the
house early in the morning, I kiss and hug him and tell him I won't be long. He might cry but at the end of the day, when he sees me in the afternoon, he's ready to show me that lovely smile of his.

He knows I will always be there and that I always come back

Zeke Turns 8 Months!

We went to Zeke's pedia yesterday for his measles vaccine and we learned that our little Potsy is now almost 10kg (22lbs!) and 74cm long, He's in the higher portion of the boys chart for both weight and height but thankfully, not over (because we all know that no matter how cute a baby is, if he's obese, he'll have complications growing up).

He's rapidly developing and believe it or not, he's now walking (assisted). I can't believe how fast time goes. Sooner or later, I'll have a binata *gasps*. Here a chronological timeline of Zeke's development:

02.14.12 - plays with his first drum, loves to bounce

02.15.12 - does acrobatics like tumbling and walks in his playpen while being supported

02.18.12 - can do his close-open antic on both hands, sucks thumbs and fingers to soothe himself
02.19.12 - first trip to McDonald's and first full haircut by mommy :D
02.23.12 - sat by himself :D, clasps his hands together
03.01.12 - recognizes his own name
03.03.12 - first out of town
03.04.12 - first mall and play date
03.05.12 - first complete crawl using his knees!
03.11.12 - first hotel overnight :D, leans head on my shoulder when sleepy, first swim
03.12.12 - first wedding anniversary, drops/picks up toys, mimics words and expressions, tries to stand up using playpen or people

He's a very mobile and curious baby now. Thank goodness Graco cribs can be converted to play pens. See, this is the reason why I recommend products like them.

tries to taste his way around new things LOL

Anyway, we celebrated Zeke's 8th month in my parents' place and guess what? We've discovered yesterday that he's now "nangingilala". This is a Pinoy term which means he favors the people whom he sees often over strangers.

loves pictures

has so many facial expressions

wow, 8 months and still counting :)

Since I now have a very mobile and very active little bugger, here is a list of a few tips on how to childproof your house, especially the area where your baby usually plays:

1. Scope out the territory

The most effective way to ensure your baby's safety is to take a baby's-eye view of your home. Get down on your hands and knees and see how things look from down there.

What's within reach? What looks tempting? Where would you go if you could crawl, toddle, or walk?

This will help you figure out which cupboards, drawers, and other spaces your child might get into. As he starts walking and climbing, you'll have to reevaluate again, looking higher each time.

Carefully lock up or stow away every potential poison or other hazard, including cleaning products, medicines, vitamins, and knives. Use gates to limit your child's access to areas of your home that might contain dangerous items.

Keep an eye out for tiny objects that your baby could choke on. Pick up any coins, marbles, beads, paper clips, and other small objects you find on low tables or the floor or in low drawers or cupboards.

Be watchful when you have visitors, too. No matter how carefully you've childproofed the house, Great-Aunt Jane probably hasn't applied your standards to her purse. Aspirin, lipstick, medications, and other items that people typically carry with them are dangerous to small children.

2. Protect outlets

It's a good idea to protect electrical outlets with outlet covers. Unfortunately, the removable little plug-in caps can easily end up in your baby's mouth. Instead, replace the outlet covers themselves – at least those that are accessible – with ones that include a sliding safety latch. If you're using extension cords in your home, cover any exposed outlets with electrical tape.

3. Use caution with furniture and fixtures

Large or heavy bookcases, dressers, and appliances are real hazards: Bolt whatever you can to the wall. Push items like televisions back from the edge of the furniture they're on or move them out of reach, and then secure them, too. Always put heavier items on bottom shelves and in bottom drawers to make furniture less top-heavy.

Babies start pulling up on furniture shortly after they start crawling. And when they learn how to climb, watch out! Some children scale counters, bookcases, and anything else they can grab on to. Place floor lamps behind other furniture so that their base is out of your child's reach.

Keep dresser drawers closed when you're not using them – they make perfect ladders. And be particularly careful to fully close file cabinet drawers, because pulling out one drawer could cause the cabinet to fall over.

Furniture corners are another common hazard, especially those found on coffee tables. Cover all sharp corners and hearth edges with bumpers to soften the impact if your child falls.

4. Check ties on blinds and curtains

Window blinds pose a particular hazard because a baby's neck could become trapped in the cords that raise the blinds or run through the slats. A child can become entangled in a looped window cord and strangle in a matter of minutes. Use cordless window coverings wherever possible, and avoid placing your baby's crib near a window.

If you have curtains with pull cords in your home,  either cut off the pull cords or use cord shorteners or wind-ups to keep them out of reach. You can also replace a cord loop with a safety tassel. Corded window coverings sold since November 2000 have attachments on the pull cords to prevent a loop from forming between the slats.

5. Secure your windows and doors

Always open double-hung windows from the top or fit them with locks to prevent small children from opening them.

Low windows shouldn't open more than 4 inches. Window stops are available that can prevent windows from opening more than this. Some newer windows come with window stops already installed.

Window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls. To make windows safe, install window stops or window guards, which screw into the side of a window frame, have bars no more than 4 inches apart, and can be adjusted to fit windows of many different sizes.

Keep furniture away from windows to prevent children from climbing up and reaching the windowsill. Tragically, thousands of children fall from windows every year.

Use doorstops or door holders on doors and door hinges to prevent injuries to hands. Children are prone to getting their small fingers and hands pinched or crushed in closing doors.

 

6. Prevent poisoning

 

Store poisonous products out of your child's reach. Put safety locks on all cabinets and drawers that hold bug sprays, cleaning products, medications, and other potential poisons. Even some houseplants can be harmful if ingested.

Dispose of old or outdated medications. Most medicines shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain, as they could contaminate the water supply. Check the label on the bottle: If it’s safe to flush leftover medicine, it will say so on the label.

Watch out for hidden poisons. Not all poisons are easy to spot. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas produced by malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, ovens, stoves, gas dryers, and emergency generators. Although you can't see it, smell it, or taste it, carbon monoxide gas can be deadly.

To protect your family, install a carbon monoxide detector in every sleeping area in your home, including the nursery. Check the batteries every spring and fall when you change your clocks. If the alarm goes off, leave your home immediately and call 911 or the local emergency number.

Look out for lead. If you live in a building constructed before 1978, it may contain lead paint. Lead paint is especially dangerous to your child if it's flaking or peeling. Lead can also be found in tap water from older pipes that are lined or soldered with lead. If your home was built before 1978, or if there's any other risk of lead exposure, talk to the doctor about getting your child’s blood tested for lead.

Breathing lead dust or fumes or swallowing anything with lead in it can give a child lead poisoning, Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, kidney disease, brain damage, delayed growth, and other problems.

 

Make sure you follow these tips and if you happen to have more, feel free to tell me so that I can update my list.

*UPDATED*

Zeke now knows how to wave goodbye (3/19/12)

Summer Debate: To Swim or Not to Swim?

I am a worry-wart and sometimes, my worrying leads to nowhere. I assume most young mothers are like me and I'd bet my Longchamp bag that most questions in their heads are as ridiculous as mine (no pun intended).

Due to my overactive imagination, I have Zeke's pedia on speed dial. And before our anniversary special, I was talking to Dra. Borja about the ultimate question this summer month: "When is it okay for my baby to swim in a public pool or in the sea?" Good thing we've become friends because I know for a fact that my question is a bit bonkers. I mean, we all know that babies are natural-born swimmers. They came from a place inside us where they're literally submerged in water.

According to Zeke's pedia, an infant can start swimming when he has all the necessary vaccines (check) and he's able to at least control his neck and head (check, check). So really, she said that Zeke can go swimming anytime. Which was a relief because really, I have already bought his first swim nappy from MotherCare.

Anyway, here is a list of a few things young mommies should know, in case they're planning to bring their little ones to the beach this summer, courtesy of Baby Center:

When can I start swimming with my baby?

You can start your baby getting used to the water early. Introduce him to water play in an inflatable pool with some bath toys at home. Parents are usually advised to wait until their baby is at least a year old before taking them to public pools. There are two reasons for this:

• Your baby won't be coordinated enough to learn to swim properly until he is two or three, but you can get him to feel confident and relaxed in the water and make swimming a fun way to exercise for both of you.


• The hygiene and quality of water in public swimming pools is not always up to the mark. Young babies with their vulnerable immune systems are prone to catching illnesses fast. After swimming, watch your child for signs of allergies or infections, such as rashes or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

On the other hand, if you are certain about the cleanliness of your pool, then there is no harm in letting your baby start swimming earlier.

What does my baby need to wear when he goes swimming?

Floating devices can give you peace of mind and help give your baby stability. Water wings or inflatable arm bands are suitable for babies older than one. Other swimming aids such as floatable rings can be used before then. It can be a good idea to purchase them to give you peace of mind. You may also want to check with the pool where you plan to take your baby; they may have some specific guidelines.

What do I need to bring when I take my baby swimming?

Before your first trip to the swimming pool, visit the pool to find out if they have facilities for babies, like a separate baby pool, stroller or pushchair access. This can also help you decide where you will feed and change your baby. Once you are happy with your choice and ready to start, you'll need to take:

• A change of clothes
• A towel, preferably one with a hood. Or take a toweling dressing gown
• A snack for older babies, swimming makes babies hungry. If your baby is on supplement feeds it's a good idea to also bring a bottle.
• Books or toys for older babies
• A few of your baby's bath toys to play with, if you're allowed personal toys in the pool.
• A nappy/diaper bag

How do I help my baby get used to the water?

Here are some ideas on how you can help your baby learn to enjoy splashing about in water:

• Begin by introducing water play to your baby at home. Make bath time fun. Gently splash water over his body and face and let him play around in the water.


• When you first start going to a public pool, make sure you go at a time when there are few people. A huge swimming pool with lots of people may overwhelm him. Ask a relative or friend to come with you. If you feel relaxed and confident, your baby will, too.


• Start in the baby pool first. Your baby will enjoy sitting or standing in the shallow water. This will give him more confidence in the water. He might refuse to let go of your hands for the first few sessions.


• Once he is comfortable in the baby pool, you may want to try the shallow end of a bigger pool. When you first get in the pool, make sure that your baby's face is close to yours and that you have eye contact. Hold him close to you. As you both relax and feel more confident you can extend your arms and swish your baby around.

How do I help my baby enjoy the water?

Here are some ways to help your baby enjoy the water and learn the basics of swimming:

• When he can sit up, usually at around six months, sit your baby on the side of the pool and sing Humpty Dumpty. When you get to the line "Humpty Dumpty had a great fall", lift him down into the water with a splash.


• Let your baby splash and play with the pool toys, a ball or a ring. Throw one a few feet across the pool and 'walk' him through the water to retrieve it.


• Put your mouth under water and show your baby how to blow bubbles. This is an important lesson for babies to learn. They can't inhale water if they are blowing. For older babies, blow a toy across the water and get him to blow it back, or at least mimic you blowing.


• Lay him on his back with his head resting on your shoulder. Encourage him to kick his legs.


• Swimming instructors say it's safe to dip your baby under the water for a second or two. Research suggests babies are born with a dive reflex. This stops them from inhaling when they are underwater. But, you may feel more confident doing this under the guidance of a trained baby swimming teacher.

What precautions do I need to take to keep my baby safe while swimming?

To keep your baby safe while swimming:

• Check that the temperature of the pool is about 32 degrees C if your baby is under six months. If he's older it should be between 29 degrees C and 30 degrees C.


• As soon as your baby starts to shiver or his fingers get too wrinkly, get him out of the pool and wrap him up.


• Start off slowly. Begin with short sessions of 10 minutes and build up to 20 minutes. If your baby is under one, it is best not to spend more than 30 minutes in the pool.


• If your baby has a cold, conjunctivitis or seems unwell, it is best to wait till he has recovered before swimming.


• If your baby has a skin complaint, check with your doctor to make sure that the chlorine won't irritate his skin.

Enjoy this summer, young mommies! Don't forget to seize the day! :)

Our First Wedding Anniversary: A Five-Star Experience

Last year has been epic. And, when March 12^th finally arrived this year, it felt surreal, not only because I still can’t believe that my husband and I have been married for a year (seriously, it has been a year?) but also because we celebrated it in the most luxurious hotel resort & spa in the metro --- the Edsa Shangri-LaResorts & Spa, courtesy of my husband's sister.

hotel lobby

We spent the night at one of the deluxe rooms in the garden wing area of the hotel. It had a great view of the pool area and has the biggest and softest king-size bed you can think of.

the door to luxurious living *wink*

inside our room

beautiful view of the pool

can't believe we're in the middle of Ortigas!

Each room is comprised of a receiving area with a sofa and a coffee table, a huge writing desk with all the drawers filled with all the tools you might need, a full-stocked mini bar, a quaint bath with tub, shower and in-room sound system, a Samsung LED TV (in case the great view becomes boring, I guess), a big wooden cabinet that has an attached ironing board, and a 24-hour phone-in help desk assistant who knows your name even before you pick-up the receiver (I swear, I love the sound of my name whenever she says it! Good morning Mrs. Medrano, what can I do for you today?)

hubby and Zeke playing around the receiving area

total big room

toiletries

robes, safe, a giant cabinet... what more can I ask for?

slippers

complementary daily water

super pricey, 5x the original price (no kidding!)

in case you want to throw a mini party inside the room

fully-stocked mini bar

Zeke loves the bed; he's onit most of the time *wink*

king-size bed, softest duvet

Samsung LED TV (of course, always on Disney Junior)

complementary fruits

bed side table :)

mahogany writing desk

dim lighting at night *sigh*

wide window

An overnight stay gives you access to all the hotel’s amenities including the pool, visiting areas and a buffet breakfast at their equally five-star restaurant HEAT (the acronym for “Healthy Eating, Amazing Taste”) which serves international cuisines in buffet-format all day. My husband and I were lucky to eat here for dinner on our first night (worth Php 3500 for two) then breakfast (inclusive of our stay) and lunch (worth Php 3400 for two) the next day. In other words, we never got hungry! The buffet for each time of the day was different and we get to choose from Japanese, Italian, Mediterranean, French, Chinese, even Indian!

cool placemat

from the hotel's point of view

But before I start making my mouth water again, let me begin my narrative from the very beginning. We checked in at the hotel (I sound so posh already, just referring to Shang as the hotel) at around 2PM (we were allowed to go in before two, I guess because it was our first time). The concierge was very accommodating (no “holier-than-thou” people here, contrary to what I hear) and the helps were very fast, always by your side enough to get you anything you need. I know this is part of their duties but hey, I’m easy to please.

Upon checking in, I made the usual inspection of the area and like what I’ve said in the first paragraph, everything was in luxurious taste. I guess it’s worth it; our stay cost Php 9200++ not including the buffet lunch and dinner. It was easy for us to settle in as the room has a very homey feeling. Zeke was even able to catch a few zzzs before we hit the pool.

zzzz

with my Zeke in his MotherCare swim nappy

on our way to the kiddie pool

March 11^th also marked a memorable event for my little boy --- his first time to swim. We thought it’ll be a walk in the park for us because Zeke loves to take a bath in his little tub at home. I even bought a swim nappy for him to make sure he’ll be safe and not get any germs while swimming in the pool. What came next was unexpected --- he cried! I guess he got anxious when we hit the showers. Poor boy! He didn’t want to let go of his daddy! So, we just strolled around, took some pictures with Mae’s Canon DSLR and went back to the room to freshen up before dinner.

mandatory self-shot *hubby*

Dydy (Lacoste), Mymy (Aldo), Byby (Stride Rite) LOL

mandatory self-shot *mymy*

ready?

During dinner, we felt like walking in a surreal universe where everything is so pretty… literally. The restaurant, at night, was extremely romantic, with lit candles on every table, dim lighting, and very subtle ambiance. Not too kid-friendly, I guess but the waiters were kind enough to offer a high chair for my little boy.

My hubby tried Indian (the lamb curry with pita was very yummy) and I went for the steak, which was medium rare and very delicious. I also tried the lamb chops and a plate of really tasty sushi and sashimi. Of course we had to try the lobster and oysters. I even dared to taste a raw brushetta, which was too powerful for my hubby. But the biggest star of the night was the Teppanyaki ice cream. OMG! It was like making a trip to heaven and settling on a nearby cloud --- yes, that good!

sushi and rolls and sashimi!!

pistachio and mango, yum yum!

good night!

refreshing

ahh, the tub :)

Zeke was tired and we were full so we bid adieu (for now) to HEAT and returned to our room. As soon as we got back, I dressed up Zeke for bed and went to hit the tub. Ahhh, the tub --- I don’t know how to describe it but I was in there for approximately two hours that my husband had to check on me to see if I zonked out. After getting ready for bed, Zeke fell asleep almost immediately. My husband and I decided to watch “Puss in Boots” before calling it a night. In the middle of the movie, someone knocked on our door and of course, we were NOT expecting anyone so we opened the door in total puzzlement. A waiter in white was standing outside, with a chocolate-covered, strawberry filled cake (as far as I can see). He said, “Happy anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Medrano. Please accept this cake as complements of the hotel. Enjoy the rest of your stay.” Now that’s what I call “extra service”.

the uber delish cake

my crazy family :)

As it turns out, my sister-in-law informed them that it was out wedding anniversary. Could the night turn anymore magical? My husband and I took a few forkfuls (because seriously, I can feel a food coma coming anytime from all the food I ate at the buffet) and decided that the cake was one of the best we’ve tasted (better believe it; my husband never liked cakes) so far.

Day Two, 12^th March 2012

my little surprise to Dydy :)

my mag-ama, still sleeping :)

good morning sunshine!

morning pool view :)

I woke up at around 6:45 in the morning, ready to do more exploring. But my hubby and little son have other plans--- sleep. Well, being the “light of the home”, I have a louder voice thus they had no choice but to follow my itinerary (haha). Buffet breakfast at the HEAT was the first order of the day. We asked for a table outside because the weather was really beautiful, not too cloudy nor not too sunny --- perfect for an outside lunch at the patio.

Zeke's breakfast after Mommy's milk :)

fresh fruits!

tasty muffin, croissant and doughnut!

Pinoy vs American :)

The menu changed and I went for the usual American breakfast with hot Pinoy coco while my hubby, being a huge rice eater, went for the Filipino breakfast. We had fresh fruits and delicious juices to go with our breakfast. Then we ate more bread such as doughnuts and croissant to add more calories to our already bugling tummy.

After breakfast, we explored the hotel and sadly, we only saw parts of it as most of the rooms were closed. There’s not much to see except lovely chandeliers, manicured lawns, extremely tall buildings and pretty flowers. 

We went back to our quarters to watch TV and to bathe Zeke (as he favors the hot tub more than the pool). By 11AM, we packed our stuff and checked out at around 12:30PM, no additional charge.

We ate our lunch buffet at HEAT and this time, the ambience was more family-feely and a bit rushed, maybe because the diners are now more of the business-y types. I tried their Mediterranean and Chinese while my husband feasts on Italian and Malay dishes. My husband took some pictures (he finally gave in after my egging) and to be honest, I will never forget this experience. Call me cheesy, call me sentimental but I felt like we were a member of the royal family from the great service we received from Edsa Shangri-La.

yummy pizza

spacious restaurant

teppanyaki ice cream section

Mediterranean section

pasta station during lunch time, egg station during breakfast

freshly carved meat *burp*

the sushi/sashimi/roll station

seafood island! :D

I guess the reason why I totally enjoyed this experience is because my family is complete. And even though it’s still hard to picture that someone like my husband was able to live with me (without complains, err, maybe a few) for a whole year.

counting the years with my little family :)