Three year old Sepanx

When I started this blog, Paige was just three months old, and now she is turning three. I was not able to really pay attention to this virtual motherhood world that I created mainly because I have to juggle a full time corporate career and being a mom.

I would have preferred to work from home.

Up to this day I still cry every morning that I have to leave my daughter while she is still sleeping or worst if I have to leave her awake and pleading for me to stay. Various "takas" and "takip" moves were already mastered by my mother and though I know that my little tot will be super safe under my mother's care, I would still bleed to death every time I leave her. That's why I have this rule that every non-working hours are family time. They are all for Paige and my hubby (if daddy is not busy).

One morning, I was about to maneuver a trusted escape move when Paige talked to me and said, "Mommy I am sorry please don't go." I couldn't leave her like that because it's as if she is telling me that she is sorry for everything that she has ever done wrong (if there is any) so I won't leave her. Needless to say, another absent was added from my list. :)

Working Mom's I salute all of you. I admire your courage and strength to bear the agonizing thought of leaving your children because you know that helping your husband is important too.

Make your home kid friendly!

How can you adapt your home for new additions?

Whether you are starting or growing your family, your home must adapt to new arrivals. Regardless of whether you live in a suburban house in Muntinlupa, a city condo Makati or Taguig, or a villa next to a beach, every home needs to make changes to become child-proof.

Global property portal Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph) asks the question, how can you make your home family-friendly?

Make Safety a Priority

While the interior design of your home is important, safety should be the focal point when preparing for a new arrival to your household. This includes installing childproof gates at the top and bottom of staircases, making sure that outside of the house is inaccessible to the child, and keeping anything out of reach that may be deemed dangerous.

Hide Switches

Today, it is possible to buy shockproof switches and sockets for all electrical outlets. Curious kids are often drawn to plugholes, so invest in advanced designs with automatic shutters, which make it impossible for your children to access the sockets.

Don’t Scrimp on Storage

Children tend to need a lot of things—from toys to clothes, strollers to cribs. Smart storage solutions will not only help make space for all of their essentials, but provide a difficult-to-reach area for those precious pieces of pottery. Make sure you have enough room, by installing additional shelves, baskets, and hangers, and making the most of underbed storage space.

Protect Your Walls

It is inevitable that walls will gather food stains and crayon marks over time. Get ahead of the game by introducing blackboard paint into your interior design plan. This way, drawings can be left on the walls, and you can even use the space to leave notes and lists.

Avoid Sharp Edges

If you have always dreamed of having a circular bed, now would be the time to make the investment. Sharp corners are common enemies for small children, who often bump their heads when exploring the house. If circular furniture is not your style, buy special edge protectors and corner guards to avoid incidents.

Consider Color

While white may once have been your color of choice, you cannot escape the fact that it is not practical for your family home. Preparing your home for a new addition often means moving away from more neutral shades. Darker-colored carpets will hide those muddy footprints as your children get older and more adventurous, while bolder colors are said to stimulate brain growth and development in newborns.

Upcycle

When your children are old enough, your favorite coffee table will be turned upside down and used as a boat, and the sofa will become a trampoline. To avoid the risk of ruining fancy furniture, modify old pieces that can handle the wear and tear.

Make the Most of Your Space

It is important to create individual spaces that your kids can call their own, including dens, arts and craft areas, and playrooms. Make sure you also have a place for the whole family to spend time together. Whether this is a bigger dining table, or a comfortable, relaxing space in your living room, as your family grows, your home space needs to adapt.

Go for Durable Materials

Young children running around mostly means that a lot of your precious home furnishings are in for disaster. Choosing durable materials will not only protect your home from your energetic tots but can also withstand the everyday wear-and-tear.

Be Artistic

Infuse art to your home designs by framing the colorful doodles of your little one. Apart from accenting your home with a very personal touch it will also save memories that will be nice to look back when your kids are older. You may also add inspirational family quotes on the wall. It will accessorize your home and also a subtle way to instill values to your child.

Paige's skin care

When Paige was 2 months our Ninong Doc gave her hypoallergenic baby earrings that looked very cute in her tiny ears.

Unfortunately, allergies started spreading in her body after a day of wearing the earrings. :( we immediately took her to the nearest hospital where we found out that she has atopic dermatitis. It is like skin asthma and part of the allergic march. I really hated myself because this condition is hereditary and she got this from me.:( (I have allergic rhinitis and sea food allergies.) 

Our pedia convinced me though that its alright and it is better to have it now because at 7 months onwards she will grow out of it. :)

I was really worried but our pedia was right. When Paige reached 7 months her skin is rosy white and very beautiful. :) To maintain this until now that she's 1 year old and 5 months I still use Physiogel AI Lotion on her skin. Thank you Physiogel for taking care of my baby. :)

Paige's skin regimen includes Oilatum - bath soap and Physiogel AI lotion to lock in the moisture for a healthier skin :)



Note: Until now I am still afraid to have her ears pierced again, according to the pedia 14k gold or white gold is the best for her sensitive skin. 

discipline (start 'em young)

Paige is 17 months old today :) at her young age she is already a handful. whew!
The family is so delighted with her and so is she to the world around her. Recently, she started throwing things,(cellphones, remote control) toys and milk bottles. She also hits us and screams when she's frustrated. Even our most dear Princess Paige can really bring out the worst in me and her dad haha!

This is not a problem though, most parents experience this stage of development in their young tots. After a lot of Paige experiments and reading from other blogs and parenting sites, I therefore conclude that, Patience pills and the following tips will help you surpass this fun but overly irritating stage.

Distract and redirect 

Calling her attention and direct it away from throwing or putting her fingers in the fan works wonders. But never forget to do it in a calm and soothing way. Shouting and abrupt taking of things will only trigger her frustration.

No is a no no

No and stop are very frustrating words for Paige, instead what I do is sing, dance and give other things to divert her attention.

Be generous in giving compliments

Every time Paige succeeds in following my instructions, we give her an array of compliments or approval. ""good girl," "very good," "I am proud of you" and "you are so beautiful" are some of the compliments that we shower her. This proves to be a motivation for she strives to get our applause too. As a bonus, Paige gives us her most endearing smile after this praises, the family is in cloud nine every time this happens.

Gentle discipline is the best

Never hit or act like you're going to hit your baby. Mostly, her actions are based on what she see in you so by doing this you are only showing them that hitting is right. In our household, what we do is accept the spank then tell her that hitting hurts. Teaching them to touch gently is a good idea too.


other good reads:

http://www.parenting.com/article/5-discipline-tricks-for-babies?page=0,0
http://hippiehousewife.blogspot.com/2011/01/gentle-discipline-for-babies.html
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/resolution-not-conflict/201110/discipline-babies-and-toddlers

baby photography

I love babies, but nothing prepared me to the indescribable feeling of having your own.

every little detail is as precious as the other, every little progress makes me want to swell with pride. I guess I am now a certified mother. :)

As a mother that is very in love with her daughter keeping photographs is my best way of collecting memories and I will only entrust this very important task to capable hands.

Judging from her online portfolio, I tapped Ms. Leny Cruzado to take Paige's baby creative shots and my decision to get her services proves to be right :)

Baby Paige did not smile a lot but still all shots were cute and very endearing :) here are some shots from that memorable pictorial :)

I will definitely recommend her to other mothers who would want to have creative baby shots :)

Thanks Leny :) 

Sad I didn't meet her when Paige was still 14 days old. Leny also specializes newborn photography.

More of her work on http://www.facebook.com/portraitsbylenycruzado :)

Mommy's Paige Intro

Hi fellow mommies :)

Since my little bundle of joy is now my favorite topic, I hope to exercise my writing skills through mommy trivias, helpful infos and experiences and share it to fellow mommies who seek answers via blogs
. My insights are yours and you're opinions will be very much appreciated. :)

I love my daughter Zyraine Paige, thus, Mommy's Paige :)

enjoy reading mommies!