Note To Mina

It's been a while baby girl, since I've posted here about you. You're everywhere though so don't worry. You're in Mommy's Flickr account, you're also in my other blog. So don't worry, we're immortalizing memories everywhere!

So what's going on with you? As usual, you are getting heavier. Taller too. You're appetite is voracious, and anybody feeding you better have a quick hand as you complain very loudly whenever you're not fed fast enough. You're quickly losing interest in baby food as you notice more and more that the rest of the household does not eat what you eat. Ours look tastier does it? I've server you rice with munggo, which you seem to love, but honestly you like rice in general. You've eaten avocadoes, bananas, all sorts of crackers and bread, shredded chicken, even a bit of chicken corn soup. So far, no tummy troubles.

You're having some teething issues though, and had a fever last weekend I think because of it. Poor baby, we're trying to keep you as comfortable as possible. One night, I nursed you three times! Whew, that was a trying one for all of us, as you're still in the same bedroom as Mommy and Daddy. You like your crib though, you just stand and look over the railing at us when you've had enough of it and you're not afraid to voice your displeasure.

The best thing about you is that you are so funny with all the funny noises you have discovered you can make, and all the dance moves in your repertoire. You love music, you love to dance, and it's such a joy to watch you. Sometimes you'll make your own music when there is none so you can start dancing.

Keep it up, keep growing, keep learning. We'll never stop although you may hear us say "No" at times, its because we're trying to keep you from hurting yourself!

Here are some words you can say. I think I can officially announce that your first word is Mommy! Well, Mama but you know what I mean.

Mina's Gotten Clingy

I'm sure it's just par for the course of being a SAHM. She's extremely attached to me, and to being held in general. I try to put her down as much as possible but i have a sneaking feeling that when I leave her with her Lola Mama, my mom, about a couple of hours every few days, she's not put down at all. Heheh...I do remind everyone that she needs exercise, but I guess she's just so darn adorable they can't!

On the developmental front, I am not sure if this is normal but Mina's been scooting for the longest time now. When I noticed her crawl for real Apr. 28, I was finally halleluia! she's crawling now. Well a halleluia and a yikes...but most times she still insists on dropping on her belly and scooting. She kinda shakes her head while crawling and decides that no, she'd rather scoot. But then it hurts her a bit, because it's a wooden floor and her skin scrapes against the wood. I just don't get it.

Another development I'm thrilled about is her amazing love of music. I first noticed it months back when she'd be quiet and calm when I sing, or play Colby Caillat's Bubbly. And she'd get all excited when we'd play music in the house or dance around.

Now, she will go completely still if my brother Jedd, Mom, or Dad play guitar. She'll stare and stare and then start shaking her head. At Home Depot a few days ago, I was holding her, and when I'd start singing she would start dancing in my arms just absentmindedly. Gah! So cute! Kakagigil!

Here's a bit of what she does:

Tagged Reply: Now and Then

I was tagged by Christine so so long ago, about posting a picture of my baby. I'm supposed to post a Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and then a Now picture of my dearest baby Mina. So I guess I better hop to it. Sorry it took me so long Christine. I enjoyed seeing pics of Amelie, and hope you enjoy comparing Mina!

Day 1. She was adamant in staying inside me, and after about 20 hours of labor, we had to do a c-section. She was not happy coming out.


Day 2. Here she is looking a bit more peaceful. She doesn't look Filipino at all does she?


Day3. She is in her going home outfit here. Lovely girl. We were very excited to bring her home.


And now. She is a carbon copy of her dad, but she's showing off her Asian side by wearing this Chinese outfit. She continues to bring nothing by sunshine into our lives.


Look at her Daddy's adoring look:


And here's the two of us...is there a hint of me in her?

How to Handle Unwanted Advice

I need advice:

“Don’t feed her solids yet, she’s too young!”

“She should have shoes on when she goes out.”

“Stop touching her cheeks and she’ll stop drooling.”

“You should supplement with formula, it doesn’t look like you have enough milk.”

Some of this advice comes from well-meaning friends. Some of them come from meddling relatives. What do all these phrases have in common? They are unsolicited, and often unwanted advice. I am now living with my mom, and believe me, there’s a never-ending list of mother’s knows best advice streaming from her. The thing is, she may be my mother, but she is not my baby’s mother. It’s a little hard for her to make that distinction :). When our family lived on our own, advice from anyone was like water off a duck’s back. We went home and did exactly what we wanted with regards to raising our daughter. Now, it’s a slightly different story, and I find myself having to inhale and exhale a few times to keep my calm daily.

Please read more at Babies Online Blog.

Mina Likes Bread!

She's a foodie in the making. Well, she had no chance having us for her parents. :)