More than a month ago, I thought of a plan.

I just wanted a Fairytale (princess) Dora doll. I need a doll with the height same as Barbie’s, and at the same time, I wanted it to be easy-to-wash and kind of waterproof so …a plush is not an option.

But I couldn’t find a nice Fairytale Dora doll that’s within my budget.

When I saw this. It reminded me that she wants a mermaid costume for Trick or Treat (yes something for October and she’s been planning about it since January)

So there, Dora and mermaid in one. I know it’s a winner.
This one floats and swims.

I frantically asked my friends where and how to get Mermaid Dora in the fastest way possible. While I was browsing www.bestslimmingpills.org, multitasking, I found the doll on ebay. I have it shipped to an aunt in California, who has a friend who came to Manila few days before the school party.

Mermaid Dora, aside from being the birthday gift, has another role, which is why our daughter gets to meet her only during her school party.

So here she is, during the school party. Tada!

(Yes that’s a doll cake )

Our darling daughter turned four!

Last Sunday, while everyone else in the US were celebrating their Independence day, we were busy cooking in the kitchen. I kept “tasting” the food I ended up feeling full before the party started. Too bad I was supposed to be on a low-sugar diet, because the previous week I was trying to learn more about the connection between pimples at my age and sweets.

Relatives and some friends came to celebrate and the little girl was happy. She had no idea what/who was waiting for her the following day in her school party

It’s mothers’ day. We were on our way to my parents’ house but I kept thinking if my mom would be happy with our gifts for her.

But anyway, she looked happy to see her grand daughter again. Good thing my daughter was in a good mood today. In fact, she kept asking my brother if she could borrow the violin and play it. Wow, looks like my daughter has another inclination. Or, is it just my wishful thinking? Hehehe.

I love travelling with the husband and the daughter. Without these two teddy bears in tow, it felt like I left part of myself when I went on vacation with my mom and sister. I must admit though, that when travelling with others, I can bring anything that I want, like a tripod for example.

With my daughter, there’s always a need to bring her stroller especially to countries that entail long walks like what we did in Hong Kong. Although this baby jogger city mini is a big help because it’s lightweight yet sturdy.

If you ask me, a tripod is way lighter than a stroller. But I would rather have camera shake than be tired and stressed from carrying around a whiny toddler.

Today, I went to the office instead of working from home. I attended a parenting seminar that the company gave. Well, I am a member of the club who organized (but not one of those who helped haha) so I thought I should support by attending.

I learned some important things. One parent asked what the (behavioral and developmental specialist) doctor’s take on allowing the kids to play video games like the xbox 360.

The doctor shared that playing video games is very much like watching tv. It is ok if done in moderation. She advised the parents to encourage other activities that promote multiple attention, like playing in the field, or helping in the kitchen. She advised that parents allow their kids to play their favorite video games on Friday nights and Saturdays, leaving Sundays for family time.

It is also recommendable that the kid plays with a parent or a sibling. This could serve as bonding time, as well. Although, she said that it’s more ideal to play for less than 3 hours. This, only if the child has no behavioral or developmental concerns.

She strongly discourages it though if the child doesn’t talk much, or hardly interacts with other people.

Last December, I missed a period and had been worrying if I was pregnant. Why you might ask when I should be rejoicing. I had too much alcohol that month, that’s why. And for two months (yes, till early this month), instead of checking which is the best prenatal vitamins, I was pushing back the thought that I might be pregnant. Well, for one, I had no pregnancy symptoms whatsoever. And second, one home pregnancy test came negative. So that was comforting.

I had no alcohol intake since my recent period. So I guess, the only thing I’d be worrying next is the financials. Or should I?

The (MBAPs and Bebots) mommy bloggers met up again today at a place where we knew would be fun for our kids, Active Fun located at the 3rd level of SM Annex. We were invited to check out the place, and we are just so glad that they did!

You can view some photos of the kids at Joy’s blog.

While the mommies chatted (as always), the kids were having the time of their lives jumping up and down, running here and there, swimming in the pool of balls among others.

My daughter had fun in this trampoline with Sandy who I must say is a high jumper.

She also enjoyed the slide so much. Look at this shot with Margaux.

When I took a break from taking pictures, my daughter (according to the nanny) enjoyed this.

That was surpising, I actually thought she’d be afraid of the balls “showering all over” with a loud whizzing sound.

Visit the place now. Your kid/s will surely enjoy it! Here is the current pricelist:

Click on the thumbnail below to see a wide-angled view of the place.

More photos will be uploaded to my Facebook and Flickr soon. Stay tuned.

Last week, I planned on scrapping for 5 straight days. But since I’ve decided to enroll to a driving class, I was too tired to scrap. Then, BG got sick. Aside from her high temp, she was vomiting and had no appetite at all. I had to move my driving class to a later date and cancel my lunch/parlor date with Trinity. We had to rush to the ER. Hubby had to work inside our car in the hospital parking lot using his Globe visibility.

We were released later that night. BG’s temp had normalized while we were in the hospital. But still, it went up to 39.3 again that night. We were advised to just continue her meds and keep giving her sponge bath. She has gained back her appetite but she still vomited last night.

Anyway today, while she was sleeping, I thought I could do some scrapping. Geez, it’s been a long time!

Credits:
paper from pop goes the world by dani mogstad
photo stackers by misty cato
all other elements from Kit Fantastic by Cécile

Credits:
paper and elements from pop goes the world by dani mogstad
layered templates collection #29 by kay miller

The first few weeks after giving birth can be difficult, whether it’s a normal or caesarian delivery. I’m not sure about CS, but after a normal delivery, I don’t want to move around much. I remember having difficulty sitting because of the pain on the stitched area. Good thing we bought a donut pillow a month before.

There are other wedge pillows but this one has become my favorite. It reduced pressure on the area and minimized discomfort while sitting up to breastfeed our little one. I think every moms-to-be should buy one to lessen pain you’d feel after giving birth. And simply enjoy motherhood.

I don’t really like counting days. I’d want the days to pass by without me noticing. But heck, I’d want yaya to be back soon. So I can have my ME time again. (Note: ME = blogging, scrapping, surfing, rest) It’s only 8 days to go.

I honestly think BG has improved a lot now that yaya is away. She now sleeps with no one carrying/lullying her to sleep. (Yaya has a bad habit of carrying her till she sleeps. I warned her that BG is a big baby and she will have to continue doing that even if BG weighs more than her if she doesn’t discipline the little girl into sleeping on her own.) For the first few days, she cries incessantly wanting to be carried whenever she’s sleepy. But now she knows that her cries won’t do any help. Sorry, mommy is a disciplinarian. Hahaha.

I think it is me who benefits more from yaya’s absence. I have become a “mother” to BG again. Sure, I meet all her “needs” but now, we also share quiet moments together just singing to ourselves and laughing at ourselves.

Gee, got 8 days to enjoy more of this.