My 13th Month Old Zeke

August marked the beginning of my little boy's toddler years. According to Baby Center, caring for a toddler is one of the greatest parenting challenges of all --- one minute they're willfully assertive, the next clingy and whining. It takes patience and perseverance to help our little ones make the transition from a dependent baby to an independent child.

At this time, my Zeke has reached quite a few milestones. He can now stand alone and walk a few steps, favors solid food over his milk but still loves my breastmilk, and shows different emotions like anger, fear, love and care.

My Zeke is a like a tornado! He thinks it's fun to push, throw and knock everything down. I know he's not being deliberately destructive and just views the world as one big science experiment but it can really be exhausting! But eventually, when he calms down and wants to sleep, he'll let me cuddle and kiss him goodnight.

Zeke loves to play with his toys but recently, we've found out that he loves to play chase, hide-and-seek, and copy cat time. I am especially careful with the things I say as he can mimic them (not too audible) like how I say "There" and "Daddy". He knows where things are hidden and of course, knows who to call when it's playtime (that's Dad) and when it's feeding time (that's Dede ---yep, he's not into Mama yet).
Here's a list of games I've read from the Baby Center:

• Hide-and-seek: Chasing you and hiding from you may be some of your 13-month-old's favorite activities. Hiding behind a chair, a book or even a tea towel, giggling as you pretend you can't find him, could be the best game on earth. Or you might be the one who hides.


• Fetch: Throwing stuff out of his crib or highchair and watching you retrieve and return it is great fun for a 13-month-old – if you agree to join in. He may also enjoy handing you toys, books and other objects, expecting you to hand them back. This kind of give, take and give again is actually a social game, a way of interacting with you and learning how to interact with others.


• "Watch me, Mom": Your child may love an audience and repeat any "performance" that elicits a positive response, especially applause. Take care to reinforce behaviors you want to encourage, not negative ones like throwing food.


• Mirror me: Get your toddler to sit across from you. (This is a great game for the highchair.) Do something simple but eye-catching, like waving, clapping your hands, reaching up high, flapping your arms or covering your face. Applaud and cheer if he does the same thing, but don't worry if he just laughs.

I've also realized that Zeke doesn't like it when we leave him for too long. Maybe it's a full blown separation anxiety or simply a cry for attention, I'm not so sure but as I am a working mom, it's a bit difficult dealing with this issue. My heart breaks whenever we have to leave him with my mother-in-law to go to work; it's a good thing he gets easily distracted by Playhouse Disney and toys or I wouldn't know how to leave. Gradually, he still would break into a big smile whenever I come home from work. :)

HAPPY 13TH MONTH, ZEKE!

On Teething and Walking (Pt. 2)

Somehow, I still can't believe that my son is already running (yes, running at the age of a year and almost two months). Although he has been walking (with assistance from me or from our furniture) before his first birthday, it still felt surreal to actually see him walk on his own, let alone, running around the house like a kid on hyper-fuel.

At the same time, his two (lower) front teeth have finally emerged and although these are still tiny and cutesy, man, these teeth can leave bite marks everywhere! And guess what's the most painful part... I'm still breastfeeding (cue "OUCH"). Nonetheless, it's all part of being a mom.

Sheesh, look at me, typing and shedding a few tears on the way. I am officially a mother of a one-year old boy toddler. Amazing. And now, a bigger challenge awaits.

I heard toddlers are tricky --- they've grown enough to have their own ideas and wants (oh boy, Zeke sure knows how to tell us what HE wants and how to get it), but their bodies and emotions haven't kept pace, although I'm pretty sure Zeke has already developed a part of his emotional intelligence.

Have I told you he's already capable of getting down from our bed? And oh, he knows a lot of things now, from mimicking animal sounds, opening and closing doors, and yes, he knows the difference between plain water and fruit juice. He definitely knows what he likes from what he doesn't like. I wasn't surprised to learn from his last pedia visit that he's now 11kgs (yes, nearing the overweight mark). But I'm not worried because he can easily burn the calories as he's very energetic and loves to play all day!

Okay, now that I've updated my blog about Zeke, I think it's about time I make another post regarding the latest development(s) of Alec Ezekiel. I'll keep you posted, dear readers! For now, enjoy the long weekend!

Emergency Kits and What-Nots

The bagsik of Habagat last Tuesday was evident all-throughout the news. Frankly, to think that what had made the country paralyzed for two days is not a typhoon, it still makes me cringe and literally sends shivers down my spine.

Manila was in constant flooding and disastrous events after Ondoy and although heavy rains cannot be prevented, I have come up with an "Emergency Plan" for my family. The constant fear of what has happened before became my ally in creating this kit (seriously, I was on constant monitor of the little creek near our residence and whenever I see how high the water is getting, the only comforting thought I have is this kit)
and I would to share it to you, fellow Filipino:

1. Clean, drinking water. Make sure to allot a gallon for each of your family member as you wouldn't know how long the flood or how long you'll coop in your house.

2. Food --- preferably instant or ready-to eat. Make sure you pack can-openers and scissors as well, in case of a black out.

3. Pack your important documents and also, a few clothes for changing. It is advisable to pack them in a clear, plastic bag to assure it could float and wouldn't be wet.

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 4. First aid kit ---- alcohol, cotton, Betadine, b a couple of band-aids, sterilized gauze and a few medications (for fever, diarrhea, headache and pain). Don't forget to pack your own medications, if any. We don't want any added emergency in situations like this.

5. Flashlight and extra batteries.

6. A whistle to signal for help.

7. Battery-operated radio to keep up with the news.

8. Keep your mobile phones fully charged as it could be your last means of survival.
9. Blankets and sleeping bags, in case you need to transfer locations.
10. Most importantly, your baby's own survival bag. Make sure you let your kids wear something warm and can be easily seen in the dark, like neon colors.

Keep a clear head and don't panic at all cost. Everything will be alright as long as you keep your calm and you have your kit with you.

I do hope the heavy rains will stop soon. Keep safe everyone.

Cooking 101: Beef with Mushroon in Oyster Sauce

Ingredients:
1/2k beef sirloin, steak cut
1 can whole mushroon, sliced
3T oyster sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 onion, chopped
5pcs garlic, crushed
1tsp cornstarch dissolved in water

Procedure:
1. Saute garlic and onion in 1T canola oil.
2. Stir in the beef for 5 minutes in high heat, until it turns semi-brown. Add the mushroom.
3. Add in the oyster sauce. As the beef has not been marinated previously, make sure you coat each beef steak with the oyster sauce as this is the only seasoning.
4. Add in the sugar the season with pepper. Add a cup or two of water. Let it simmer.
5. Once the beef is tender, add the dissolved cornstarch to thicken the sauce. If the sauce is a bit bland, add in a few more teaspoon of oyster sauce.

Serve hot with a bowl of rice. Enjoy!