Rocco & I at our favorite hangout

After hearing the morning mass, Sieg attended the opening program of their inter-company basketball league so we lounged at CBTL while waiting for him to finish up.

It was just Rocco and Mommy together. We brought the girls along but they strolled around the mall because it was their first time to be there.

 I love the Baby Couture bag! So stylish and chic, yet packs up all the baby essentials. 

 Two grannies also spent their afternoon at the coffee shop. So touching to witness an old couple still doing the dating stuff. They were with a yaya.

 Everywhere we go with Rocco, we must have the native fan. Rocco is so sweaty like his dad, and sometimes, the aircon cannot keep him comfortable and dry.

We coined the nickname "Rocco Popo" because the baby seems to poop on every new place we go to.  I thought this time he wouldn't poop because before we left the house, he was already done. But no!!! He just had to baptize the place. Here he is after being freshened up :)

'Twas such lovely Sunday, a great way to the start the week!

xoxo, Dianey

From Tummy to Tushy

Last night, Rocco wanted some tummy time so we played a while before having our nightly sponge bath. The little boy only had eyes for his Giraffe friend named Jenny. To encourage him to practice his motor skills, we placed the Giraffe a few inches away from him so he can try to reach for her. Rocco tried so hard to lift his tushy, and extend his arms, so that he could hold his toy. That's what you call motivation!

In the process, he drooled :) Well, that's because babies have not mastered yet the skill of "paglunok." Our bed smells like baby saliva. Such a heavenly smell. LOL

Rocco usually wakes up early at around 5:00AM, and he doesn't sleep until after bath time. To maximize our energy, hubby and I take turns waking up early to play with the little boy. This morning, it was Sieg's turn. He usually plays with Rocco in bed or in the sofa, and when the sun is up, takes the baby out for a stroll. Well, this morning, I was in for a surprise. When I woke up, this is what I saw!

Rocco was sitting down on his tushy, WITHOUT SUPPORT!!! (OK, the pillow is still a support, but still! And by the way, tushy is baby lingo for bum or butt) I was so happy and excited, I just grabbed the camera and took photos of him. Nawala ang antok ko :)

How much more if he learns to crawl, then walk, I would surely jump up and down in happiness :)

A Salute!

Motherhood brought out the sentimental and emotional side of me. I easily swoon over cute kids, laugh at silly jokes, and cry over dramatic parenting videos.

Well, this one did it, though I think both parents should be given equal appreciation in raising Olympian-like kids! (But it's almost Mother's Day, so it's OK, highlight on the Mom please :P )

I remember my two elder sisters had ballet classes during their summers, and my kuya joined a Milo basketball tournament several times. Well for me, my best recollection was attending a summer class for Microsoft Office 101. When I was a kid, I never got into serious sports. I don't even remember joining recitals, joining tournaments, or competing in Intramurals or Sportsfest. I don't blame my parents for it. We are four kids, and maybe they just got too tired when it was my turn (I am the youngest).

Looking back, I wish I got into sports. It would have helped me become more active in exercise, and actually have the discipline to sustain it. I envy those whose hobbies include playing volleyball, badminton, run marathons, while I enjoying eating, watching movies, or sleeping. Haha! Talk about a sedentary lifestyle.

Well I am a mom now. I won't promise to make Rocco an Olympian, but I hope Sieg and I can expose him to the world of sports. I'm sure we will, especially because Sieg is such a sports buff. I imagine them playing basketball, swimming, or running marathons together. I know it takes great commitment and sacrifice bringing my son to practice, attending to his extra-curricular activities, and so on, but I'm sure it can be done.

I want him to experience things that I didn't experience for myself. That is a promise.

Baby Colds 101

I never thought there would be too much science behind a simple cold (sipon) until my Rocco had one. Poor little Rocco suddenly experienced runny nose last week. I was too agitated because I didn't know what to do! Babies cannot expel the mucus clogging their nose. They do not even know how to breathe properly through their mouth. I remember my Ate Dynah said that when Zac, my nephew, had a cold when he was still a baby, his Daddy sucked all the mucus from Zac's nose by using his own mouth because nothing else worked. I was prepared to do that, if all else failed.

But Rocco stayed true to his "cool baby" vibe. Grabe!! Despite his runny nose and watery eyes, he was still laughing and perky. If it were other babies, they would surely have a bitchy baby fist and cry and be cranky all day. But Rocco still slept and fed well. He got cranky a bit while trying to sleep because of his nose, but still, he didn't want to be carried too much.

Of course, I didn't rely on his cool baby vibe. I researched and asked experts on how to handle baby colds. Mind you, I've learned a lot:
1. Babies are usually not given meds if it's just a simple cold. This is to help their immune system build antibodies to fight off the virus. Of course, do this with extreme caution. If you feel that your baby is exhibiting signs which maybe more than a simple cold, do not hesitate to call your pedia and ask for intervention.
2. As long as there is no fever, the baby is OK. So it's a must to monitor temp regularly. I did this hourly.
3. If the baby keeps on tugging his ear, it could be a sign of an ear infection. Thank God Rocco did not have this.
4. I thought a cold can also be air-borne, but I was told it's only passed through hand contact. I'm not sure how true this is.
5. Babies do not know how to expel the mucus clogging their nose. The best that they can do is sneeze.

To bring some relief to our babies who are down with colds, the following are a must:

1. Aspirator. We got ours from Rocco's hospital kit when he was still a newborn. The aspirator vacuums out the liquified mucus to help give the baby more breathing room. I was too scared to try this on Rocco because he kept resisting, so hubby did the aspiration. We had a few misses before we were able to suck out the mucus. But mommies and daddies out there, be careful when using this. Never poke too far on the nostril. Someone must hold the baby when being aspirated because a wiggly baby could bring more danger to the nose than the much needed relief. Also, aspirators must be used with caution because there are studies which suggest that frequent aspiration may lead to underdeveloped sense of smell.


2. Thermometer. This gadget is a must for mommies. A baby's temperature is an important indicator of his well-being. Any sign of fever must be reported to your doctor. I highly recommend a digital ear thermometer because it yields a more accurate result. We use Braun.


3. Vaporizer/Steamer. I remember when we were young and nursing a cold, Mama would let us face a "takore" with the long nose, then inhale the steam coming from the boiling water. Now, there's this thing called vaporizer, and it makes life easier. Ate Dynah recommended Vicks, but told me to use the Rhea inhalant to mix in the water, because it produces a minty vapor smell, which is more appealing to babies. This one is hard to find in pharmacies, and is usually sold online.


4. Nasal drops for babies. I recommend Salinase or Nasoclear. There is the spray version, but I'm not sure if this is good for infants because the impact of the spray might be too strong for their fragile noses. Nasal drops or sprays help liquify mucus that has thickened up in the nostrils, making it hard for babies to breathe.

Rocco turns 5months!

Rocco turned 5months last Sunday, and it's been the most fulfilling 5 months of our lives! This pogi little boy is a constant source of our happiness, really takes all the stress from this chaotic world, and never fails to put a smile on my normally grumpy face :)

Last Sunday, we took time off from hearing mass with Rocco because he was still nursing a cold. We just stayed home, slept, played with him, and had our celebratory blowing of his monthsary cake :) Unlike the previous months where he had little reaction at all to the candles or the cake, this time, he couldn't stop staring at the cake (as if he wanted to eat) and I even freaked out a bit because he kept on reaching for the lighted candles!

Rocco is progressing very well. He's now 70cm long, and 7.9kg heavy. He's not a fat baby, more of lean, which makes me happy because looks like he did not inherit my fat genes :P I'm so happy because Rocco is such an easy baby. My parents wouldn't even believe that he sleeps so easily, until my mama visited and witnessed firsthand how Rocco behaves. He's not a crybaby at all. He doesn't even cry when he's hungry, he will just suck on his thumb and that would be our queue. He would only cry if he's left alone in the crib and cannot see a face talking to him (even if you'e nearby), and when Mommy's voice is loud. Hubby said I found my perfect match, so it's time to tone down the voice :) He also laughs a lot, as in A LOT! Just seeing his Daddy's face, and he would totally squeal in delight. Haaaay, kakatuwa talaga!

His other milestones which I'm happy to note are:
- During tummy time, he can already lift his chest by extending his arms.
- He can roll over and then back with ease.
- He can sit for longer periods with support.
- He loves it when he bounces, so we play horsey horsey a lot.
- He puts anything he can get hold of in his mouth. But this time, his grip and grasp are more firm.
- He reaches out for things already. He loves to reach out for "Jenny the Giraffe".
- He grabs his toes and tries to raise them so it would reach his mouth.
- He thumbsucks A LOT! I'm still thinking of a way to correct this. I don't want to use a pacifier.
- He knows when it's vitamin time. He opens his mouth on queue!
- He babbles and talks a lot.
- He already knows who Mommy and Daddy are.
- He knows his name, and responds when being called. But I think he likes it better when we call him "Pogi" because his smile is unmistakeable.
- He loves to grab my hair, poke on my face, or just touch my hands.
- He smiles at himself when facing the mirror. He finds himself so cute!
- He knows how to resist when he doesn't want or like something.

Happy 5th Rocco!!! 

Mommy and Daddy loves you to the moon and back!