Too Much TV

Because I aqm still a pretty hormonal preggo, I sometimes have let the TV babysit for me. And I do feel guilty about that. It doesn't even matter whether my child is watching TV or staring at an lcd monitor, he still really shouldn't be watching so much videos.

My only consolation is that he's seldom sitting still while watching. He dances and runs around and still plays and jumps. When a cartoon jingle is on, he insists on pretending to play his guitar or drums along. He even insists that I dance. So at least, he isn't sedentary... and I guess, he's still a physical learner that way because he's memorized the actions (from yoga poses to kicks, to students raising hands) from commercials (when my cousin watches telenovelas) aside from learning to grasp connections from the cartoons (as evidenced by him answering correctly the exercises in his cousin's book).

But now that a certain project of mine is finished, I really vow to limit the TV time and institute more routines. It's imperative I do so that I can enjoy the remaining 3 months I have with him as the only child. And so it will help ease him into sleeping in his own bed and result in more potty progress.

Cross my fingers.

Event and Appeal for Breastfeeding Month

Eastwood City Mall, QTV and LATCH have all teamed up together to bring to the public frequenting Eastwood City Mall a breastfeeding station that is truly mommy and baby friendly. They are launching this on August 2, 2010 and a mommy market will be held for the whole week after, featuring family-friendly vendors. The highlight of the launch will be capped by talks and the launch of Eden Maternity Wear (by Bianca Elizalde) on August 8.

So I enjoin all who can drop by to check the breastfeeding station out and also patronize the vendors and attend all the other events (I believe Gymboree will also be there on the 8th).

But my real appeal is this:

August is Breastfeeding Month.

1) I enjoin all those who breastfed who blog or have social networking sites to post blogs, alerts, notes, etc about breastfeeding. Reminisce about the journey you had, talk about the struggles, the rewards, the funny incidents. Just talk about breastfeeding. You guys can also just post about this event or leave links to popular sites like KellyMom, La Leche League, Dr. Sears or local sites like L.A.T.C.H. Inc., Chronicles of a Nursing Mom, Mom Exchange and my posts on breastfeeding. There are also so many posts on breastfeeding at thepoc.net:
Expanded breastfeeding act signed into law
Breastfeeding is best for women
Breast milk saves lives

2) I enjoin those who believe in breastfeeding to do the same.

I am appealing this not just to celebrate breastfeeding and how much of a sacrifice it is. Hopefully, those who did not or could not breastfeed, or do not believe in breastfeeding will not get annoyed. I am not even doing this for the middle-class or rich ones who can afford formula and medical care. The middle-class (of which I believe I am part of) and the rich have so many options, so many choices, and how to nourish their child is their prerogative.

I am making this appeal for the 16,000 infant deaths because of wrongful formula feeding and diseases that breastfeeding could have prevented. They are mostly happening to the poor, I guess, and they need our help. The poor already have limited choices, so let's empower them about having this choice and control at least.

Maybe, the 16,000 deaths can start becoming 15,000 a year... as mass follows class, as class educates the mass on breastfeeding benefits. Then maybe it will be 14,000 a year...

It's a long way before that number of babies can be saved... let's do the small we can.

But just really think about it. One alert or post you make might intrigue a pregnant relative or friend, who may be from the middle-class, yes. And because she has options, she may even succeed in breastfeeding because she could have the proper support system and has the access to all the information. The more of us who breastfeed, the more of us who are likely to push for reforms in our companies. The more of us who are more likely to breastfeed in public. The more of us who are likely to seek breastfeeding-friendly doctors. Somewhere along the way, we are sure to influence at least one poor mom. Somewhere along the way, there will be a ripple effect that will benefit poor families. Somewhere along the way, a baby need not die from diarrhea.

Diarrhea. Yes, infants are dying for something as preventable and avoidable as diarrhea.

Understanding Broadband Deals

Choosing how you will access the Internet can be time consuming and frustrating. With so many options to choose from, it's easy to understand why so many consumers become confused or even intimidated when they start shopping for a broadband service provider with the best broadband deals. In the high-tech world of Internet service, a broadband primer can help you understand exactly what it is you are shopping for.

Speed and Bandwidth
You know you want a fast connection, but you don't feel comfortable with the high tech jargon that defines it. When talking about speed, you are talking about bandwidth. In the world of computers, bandwidth refers to the speed of information transfer in bits per second. Keep in mind though, that speed is affected by more than bandwidth. Electrical interference, a busy server, or even your own security program can slow up the best service.

Types of Connections
If you want your connection in a fixed location you will probably opt for cable or DSL service. Cable service usually comes in a bundle and can be very affordable. On the downside, as the number of people using the local cable service goes up, speed goes down. A digital subscriber line, or DSL, is a fast and affordable connection that uses a phone line for transmitting data. You may also hear about T-1 and T-3 service. These powerful selections are usually reserved for businesses.

For mobile access, wireless or satellite service is the best choice. Wireless services use radio frequencies to transmit data. Satellite service allows the user to connect to the Internet through a satellite orbiting the Earth. This type of access is the most expensive but of great worth to a worldwide traveler. You may hear about streaming and podcasting. Streaming refers to the ability to view movies and television shows through Internet feeds. Podcasting is the audio counterpart of streaming.

Ridiculous Parenting Products

A friend shared this link on ridiculous parenting products and I really can't help but laugh... and also feel there are lots more missing from this list. I know the inventors meant well, and were probably enthusiastic beyond measure when they thought these up, and one or two people must have actually enjoyed them. Still, they ARE ridiculous, especially if you consider the prices.

What can you add to the list? Can you think of anything else?

The Better Auto Insurance

Sometimes, we would immediately take advantage of the cheapest auto insurance offered us without reading the fine print. Bad habit that could result in greater losses later.

Always read the fine print. Read the inclusions and the coverage. Compare packages. Some other company may be asking for a slightly higher price but will actually give you more in terms of service. Do a background check on the kind of customer and support service they have. Do they guarantee issues to be resolved within a set number of days? Are the freebies really freebies and do you even need them?

The better auto insurance will offer you value for your money. And if you want valuable service and security, prepare to pay a little more than the cheapest you can find. It saves more money in the long run.

Belated Happy Birthday, Mom

My Mom had her birthday last week and I only got to greet her via text. We did not even get to chat via cam. I was so busy I didn't have the energy to send a card or send her flowers. Good thing my sister was there with my Dad and they celebrated at a restaurant.

I should have asked my sister to buy her flowers. Then again, she'd have better use for the flowers this week in showing sympathy to my paternal grandma who broke her thigh from a fall and required surgery.

Anyway, belated happy birthday Mom. I was just recently thinking that I learned a lot from you and your own mother. I jsut really wish you were as happy as I am in my marriage... maybe it would have made you happier moms as well.

Pregnancy Forum

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If you're looking for a message board that isn't as inundated yet by posts to make sure your particular complaints are addressed by the other members, then do register at the site. See you there!