Technology Disadvantage

Many mothers are attracted by phones offering gps systems
Many teeners, without their permission or knowledge sometimes, are being caught on video or cam in compromising or embarassing situations. These then get sent out to the world wide web. Sometimes, it can just be a moment's source of shame, but for some, it's like a ghost from the past haunting them when they need it the least (like when they're applying for a college or job). Some teeners have also gotten to using the camera phone as a tool to exploit their fellow minors. In the U.S., it can land them in jail and may even earn them the title "sex offender".

Technology's advantage and disadvantage are the same: it makes things easy. So in the same breadth that it makes research easy, it also makes having your child corrupted or violtaed easy. So parents, watch out and take care. And make sure your child is aware.

Praying for Her

A baby girl was born with two heads and is currently being monitored.

I can only say that I feel for the family and that i've been saying a prayer for them ever since I heard this news. Heaven alone knows if this baby can be saved.

On Second Babies

A Plurk Mommy I know was lamenting the other day that her newborn has less pictures than her firstborn. Other moms who have second and third kids (or who were second and third kids) joined in and said their lot was the same. Understandably enough, this must be true because of two reasons:

1) Mommy has less time to take pictures because there is one or two other older children clamoring for time and attention (aside from more messes to clean up, of course);

2) Older child is in half of the pictures you take of the second (or subsequent) child

Anyway, I countered that though I had many, many pictures when I was a child, having pictures developed then was still very expensive. We only had a camera because my father was an OFW and could therefore afford one. And I really believed that our youngest had the most pics because not only was film and developing cheaper during her time (more colored too!), I was also old enough to be taking her pictures as well!

Anyway, as an eldest with a firstborn, I am very aware of the privileges that a firstborn enjoys. But my innate need to make things fair and balanced is also already adamant that my subsequent children will get to enjoy as much of Mommy as the eldest did. Of course, they will come into this world having to share me already. But still, I insist they will not be shortchanged, which is why I really want to have them all already before I turn 35.

Anyway, here's an amusing article on Precious Firstborns and Neglected Subsequent Children

How Babies Become Bilingual

Here's a great article on how babies become bilingual easily...

I taught my son sign language and we (his parents) talk to him in English while he learns Filipino hearing us speak among ourselves. And even before he was 18 months, his vocabulary was good, if not great. Sign language and two languages didn't hamper him at all in learning to communicate, and later on, learning to verbalize.

Detox Time

Spending five days in Boracay meant that we were generally eating out all the time. And though we tried to stick to healthier options (like always having sinigang broth for my son), it was still a cholesterol-laden feast that we had that taking phenocal may seem like a good idea. Especially if you consider topping seafood buffets with Starbucks frappes or Jonah's milkshakes.

We say we know better next time we go there. Hopefully, we will practice what we supposedly know so we wouldn't feel as bloated after a vacation. Now, it's really broths and fish and veggies here at home because we have to get all the ingested toxins out!

After a Vacation

My son was such a trooper the whole time we were in Boracay, eventhough he had to enjoy the beach together with some rain most of the time we were there. He was just as happy as a lark that I allowed myself to relax from all the usual motherly fears of him getting sick.

Then he started running a low-grade fever in Kalibo yesterday. It certainly made me think of all the things I did that was possibly wrong, whether we need to invest in Medicare supplement or not and should I bring him to the doctor already or not. I also wondered if he could have caught the Swine Flu virus from among the many tourists in Boracay or it's just the usual cold virus finally catching up on him.

So apart from dealing with laundry, an excitable baby who misses all the activity we had for days, I also have to attend to a sick baby. Story of probably 50% of moms after a vacation.

The More You Become a Mom

... the less you insist on the wifely things.

Like before, I was bent on a 10th wedding anniversary renewal ceremony, complete with wedding invitations, church ceremony, wedding gown and reception. But now, I am hoping we have all the kids we want already by then and we're pretty stable and that we could go to Rome instead. Or Greece. Or maybe that Harry Potter fantasyland they're building in Florida.

Because now, what's important is staying and bonding together as a family. I'm just really lucky to have a loving husband... who is now entertaining our son just so I can have my way with the internet.