New found fun

He turned five months and getting heavier everyday lol. I realized i got a lot things to write about our little one but my memory and interest to put it into words here in my blog have been restricted lately. Perhaps my laziness creeping in.... hey that's one thing i could not deny coz most of the time i just want to sit my butt on the couch and play with my boy after 8hrs of work. So what's been happening in our household recently? Richard and I just excitingly watch our boy every moment as he explore so many different things that his body can do. We bought a jumper/entertainer when he was four months since his neck and back are strong enough already for standing. Now at 5mnths he can pretty much turn around, kick his legs, and grasp for hanging toys all over it. His hand/eye coordination is definitely improving quickly. He seem to love the hide and seek game and gets excited when i make silly noises like "eat bulaga". Sometimes skittish but at the end he responds with uproarious giggles.I've noticed that he gets frustrated when he can't put his mouth to each of the toys, i could tell we have a little impatient fella(in the making) added in our family tree lol. I've learned also that banging, shaking, mouthing are ways to experiment his own miniature world. What i'm amazed at his age is that he can pretty much amuse himself when were out. Very sociable and likes to watch everything around him instead of fuss. He can go for hours staring/smiling at the trees ,people and moving objects like cars without whining. To be outdoor is what gives this little boy lots of adrenaline lol. He loves to be in the car too with mikey and frankie keeping him company in the backseat(i've heard not a lot of babies likes to be confined in their car seats). Soon as the engine starts he'll snooze right away. Definitely an indoor baby no more.

Also, the endless babbles can be annoying at times that i end up babbling too. Seriously, he can go on and on for 20mins without interrruption. I thought he's just trying to relay a message to his toys/us or if not a sign for poop pushing time or he could be testing his vocal pipes. We've noticed Matthew is a lefty coz he tends to move/grab objects using his left hand all the time. Putting things on his right hand side doesn't work either coz a body turn(he's good at it now) to get to it is all he needs to maneuver his left arm back again. We'll see in a few months if i can make him switch. He start to bend his knees and lift his upper body for about 10 seconds now, a good sign that he might be crawling pretty soon. I don't know what he weighs recently, he was almost 17lbs then at 4mnths old, i bet his almost 20 lbs approaching 6mnths. I'm struggling to carry him in my arms for a long period, i't won't be long i will have to use stroller most of the time otherwise i will endure lots of shoulder/arm stress everyday. For my size he is just too ponderous lol. A master in seating and spinning but not quite in rolling, he can but laboriously or when his mad trying to reach onto something. I don't fret about it, i just let him explore and learn his way as time passes by. I know he'll get there..... Finally, i was able to meet for the second time since birth Melissa's(my coworker) baby Brianna, teasingly Matthew's supposed future girlfriend(wink).

In another matter, i will be swearing in 3days......my MIL will be coming over from Kuwait to witness the ceremony. I feel special and loved.

On a late note belated happy mother's day to all. To my mom, thank you for the life, sacrifice, patience in raising me, what i am today is all because of you.... all praises to you and papa... I hope i'll raise and mold your apo the way you guys did to us.......

Meanwhile, i'll leave you with a video of mattie eating lunch...

http://www.venetel.net/Matt_Eating_5Months.wmv

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Humana Jud

Immigration hurdle finally came to an end. No more paperworks, skyrocket fees and waiting time, "HUMANA JUD"(its over)is the thought that came to my mind as soon as i recieve the memo from INS in the mail about my citizenship oath taking ceremony schedule. It only took 3 months from my interview, and i still wonder why it took a little bit long? final background check perhaps? i even thought they reverse the decision. However, it is a big relief knowing that this is going to be my last immigration encounter at least for me. September 2006 is when i sent the application in the mail, initial response was 3 weeks later. I got interviewed February 2007, ceremony is next month(May). Total of almost 8months. It's about what i expected. So far, all of my immigration applications had been very smooth, no denials, returned paperwork, administrative review and other reasons for delays. Actually, i'm quite pleased with the whole experience.

Does any of the filipina ladies out there required to wear a dress at the oath taking? coz i am. It says on the memo that women should wear a dress, huh!. Well a trip to the mall is required then coz most of my dresses are for maternity if not summer beach dress. A good excuse to own one more since i really don't have alot in my closet lol. I have'nt really thought about the whole citizenship thing until i got the oath taking ceremony date, i felt somewhat sad and happy. Maybe it's the filipino pride kicking in. I'm glad there is such thing as dual citizenship otherwise i would have think twice to apply or procastinate some more. This is it "americanang hilaw na kuno ko".

I can "run away now" is what i said to tease richard. He just gave me a rolling eyeballs everytime i uttered the words lol. I'm still in amazement knowing that i will soon be a citizen of this country after 5years of living here. An opportunity given to few people, i'm sure grateful and wholeheartedly take pride and responsibility for the rights and previliges i have been given. Regardless, i'm still a proud Filipina....

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Almost There

goofing around with mommy and daddy before bath time. Everytime i leave his clothes on top of his head he smiles.

wearing his 6mnths suit.

As usual this entry is going to be mostly updates about our little one. For the last month i can pretty much say that things are getting better. I'm now adjusted to the morning shift at work, few bouts here and there with the alarm clock but surprisingly some mornings i just wake up ahead of time without the help of the annoying buzz, which is indicative of me heading to the right direction. Although i still like the rush and alarm free routine but with the baby, i prefer to work early and be home before sunset now and watch primetime shows on tv while doing chores. Yah right talking about unselfishness and priorities lol. Motherhood can definitely change a person tremendously, in a good way for sure.

At three and a half months(his four now) matthew have been sleeping like an angel, it would go from 4-5 nights stretch of bliss then a night that he would wake up just to eat or for instance when he had diarhhea madness he'll wake up because his soaking wet. Besides that, his sleeping like a champ while we're both loving the 6-8hrs straight of rest as well. His behaving pretty good that it scares me of the nights to come that he won't sleep and get cranky lol. But i'm ready, i just hope that it won't be long straight nights. He weighs 15.7 lbs and 25.6 inches tall. Above average for his age of four months is what his pediatrician told us. As what my co-filipina workers would say"american size jud na bata"(american size baby). He seem to enjoy his baby food. Daycare have been giving him different meal each day from pears, peas to squash. Other than the stinky poop his belly is not complaining at all. No known favorites still but i'm glad he blended easily with the new found taste. I'm quite amazed he doesn't spit out a lot of the food, actually he seems like his been eating for months already. I guess he just love food and doesn't want to waste it lol.

You see mom i can hold it now, watch me i coz i am going to fall soon.

He is starting to sit up now and was able to hold if for a good 20 seconds, i haven't seen him roll fully on his side yet(only halfway) but the caregiver at the daycare said that he rolled the other day while throwing his tantrums out coz no one was paying attention to him. Is that a trick to get him to roll?hmmm. I'm curious. He doesn't like tummy time by the way, when he is in a good mood 10-15mins is long enough, otherwise forget about it. Doctor's order I have to do it often coz if i don't he will have a flat head for the rest of his life and i get to blame for it hehe. Warm season is already here, can't wait to take him to the beach and have his first dip. Also more fun activities for us outdoors. His happy as he can be when his outside especially at the golf course with so much color and trees to stare at around, boy it won't be long he will be running around the course. I'm excited.

He loves to stare at the digital photo frame and very receptive to all his toys now, i don't have to worry about watching him coz entertaining himself is what he does whenever his not moody. Talking about tickles, Matthew is a very ticklish one, even wiping his milky neck would make him giggle and laughing so hard that he end up with hiccups, i am loving every minute of it though. Oh no not the hiccups.

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What's going on!

matthew and daddy checking out the sofa at RTG.

Recent pictures of Matthew at 3months.

Updates:

Wheeew, almost a month of dormancy lol. A few things that had happened lately in my household. Some good one's and some are not.

Citizenship

Finally applied last september and got a reply 3 weeks after. I was scheduled for fingerprinting on October. Then the most awaited interview was 2 weeks ago February 13th. I call it a chit chat actually lol. The officer that initiate the interview was indeed very lively i felt very comfortable the whole 30mins. Informal and none of the frightening raising eyebrows questions asked. Richard stayed outside, i don't know if in other states spouses were included in the interview process but on mine it was just me. Good thing he didn't asked a lot of civic questions from the new 200 booklet. I'm not even aware that there is a revised one for 2007. I studied the old version which was handed to me by the officer at the fingerprinting office. Heard about it in the news later but even on their website it's not release yet. Anyway, five easy questions was asked, luckily got it all answered. He then told me to write and read one sentence that says "congratulations you passed the citizenship interview", which covered the reading and writing test. That was it, everything that follows we're all fun chitchats lol. He talked about marriage frauds that are happening lately, mostly filipinos/asians involve(what a shame), hmm he praised vonage btw and her dear korean wife hehehe. Before i stepped out, i told him what my husband said to my baby Matthew before the interview date. He said, "daddy is a bachelor on valentine's day" with a confuse look on my face i asked him why". It's because mommy is now an american and she can divorce me anytime and leave us(with a smile on his face). Oh you think i will leave the baby with you? heck no was my rebuttal lol! Both of us burst out laughing. Officer was laughing too with his last words saying " of course you and him were joking right? I think he knows my intentions based solely on the way i presented myself from the very start. A very candid and confident me the entire time inside that room, thus, i assume creates no suspicion on his end. To sum it up, a very easy process of four months. So guys, don't worry about it, it's not as bad as you may think.I'm just waiting for the oath taking ceremony which will happen sometime in april or may. For the meantime no more immigration paperwork. The next hurdle will be petitioning my parents in the next year or so. A tourist visa will do actuallly, since they are not going to stay here for good.

Hearts Day

I got a new Palm Treo 680 from Richard a week early. He thought i need it coz my old treo is about to die anytime soon and flowers at work (he never fails with the flower thing lol). Pretty sleek eventhough i don't need that kind of a pricey phone again but can't complain it's a gift and the thought matters most. I got him a cup, cheap of me right lol. Oh well, he likes it better when he picks his gift anyway. No fancy dinner date, just quiet time at home with the baby. On Richards birthday last week we spent the weekend window shopping for a new leather sofa(post xmas gift for both of us). Kinda late but very worth it. Not too bad since there's only 5 places to check, we end up with rooms to go because they are the only one that has an express delivery lol, we want it fast since Richard is leaving out of country anytime soon(sad me), i don't want to take a day off from work at time of the delivery.

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Daycare Fun

getting ready to go to see his teachers, but mommy i'm still very sleepy.

this picture is hanged on his crib at the daycare

Don't i look sharp in my first pair of shoes? Mommy loves it when i smile.

Well, "it wasn't that bad" was my first week impression towards Matthew's caregivers. I felt guilty on the first day thinking that he may not be taken good care of a hundred percent the way i wanted to. My heart sink as he watched me walked away. He didn't cry but something about his stare tells me to come back. I couldn't help it and eventually broke in tears as soon as i get into the car. I thought i'm a toughie, never would i imagine it is going to be this hard, i didn't mind leaving him alone with daddy coz i know he will be safe but to a complete stranger is a different story, mother's prejudice to daycare is what it is. I know i'm not alone to this paranoia, but can you blame me? After a few days everything came easy and relaxed as i have developed trust and security that he is going to be fine added to that i managed to make friends with the caregivers, they seem to be nice and knows their job well. Now it's so much fun getting so excited picking him up at the place that i have to rush to clock out from work so i can see him, i know it sounds silly but i bet every first time mothers out there feels the same way.

His daddy drop him off early morning and most of the time it is me who picks him up straight from work in the afternoon (since i work first shift now). This week's weather has been wonderful which means a day for an outdoor ride for the kids at the daycare. Richard took a picture of him when he stopped by to check. Babies strap on their kiddie mini van and looking so happy while pushed by their teacher. Their eyes got wide and wandering looking around the bright sunny day is how Richard described it. I thought it's cute and fun activity. It definitely made my day recieving the picture through my phone at work.

Matthew turned two months last friday(feb.2) and also the day when he got his first sets of immunization. He cried a bit but instantly came back to his happy mood as soon as the lady finished. He gained another 3lbs and two and a half taller. Weighs 13lbs and 23 and a half in height total. I guess it's average since his pedia didn't really tell us anything significant about the gain except that he is a healthy lovely boy. His development seems pretty normal. He can easily follow objects from left to right and up and down very well. Very sensitive to sounds(light sleeper unless his exhausted) like me, very skittish to loud noise. He can now lift his head during tummy time and loves to kick and jump when he's on his feet. Nothing makes him happy hearing the swing lullaby music as he watch the switching colorful lights on it. It's like the best toy ever lol. I love it when he talks back to me with a smile, priceless moments indeed.

Check my photoalbum for more photos.

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Getting big

at five weeks

Matthew is now 7 weeks and indeed growing like a weed lol. Boy this baby can eat. His still mix with formula and breastmilk, although my milk can't keep up i intend to do it till his 3 month old. Or at least till winter season is over. Little breastmilk can't go wrong you know, besides we won't ran out of formula quickly as long as i breastfeed him mostly when i'm home it sure saves us some, not much, but still. At 3 weeks he already gained 2lbs i bet on his next appointment if not double at least more. My poor arms can definitely tell. Most of his immunization shots are due this time also, i don't know what to expect. Little heel stick didn't bother me before let's see how tough i am when it comes to multiple bigger needles poking my baby's body.

I'm back to work btw, i could say it's a bit hard adjusting. Reasons are, number one i switch to morning shift which is a big deal because i really don't like waking up early and rushing(i'm not a morning person). Certainly, not with a baby that i have to feed in the middle of the night compare to working evening i can be up all night and make up for it during the day without worrying about getting late. Secondly, my system is not yet trained to do chores altogether not at least on my first day at work. It would have been a slow transition but since my supervisor put me on schedule right away instead of March i have no choice. If i only knew, i could have change our mother baby routines two weeks before to get myself ready. I'm like a walking zombie on my first day back lol. I'm sure this week will be better. I know it's just a matter of my body getting used to it and hopefully will become a routine that i don't have to curse heheh. You see, these are the few things you gave up when you enter motherhood. It's not about YOU anymore. Good thing i'm prepared for it otherwise i'll end up with postpartum blues or whatever you want to call it. Don't get me wrong i still miss working evening(esp. my coworkers) and even less cheerful doing the day shift but i have to deal with it and move on. A big deal for me but the advantages are i can be with my baby and husband at dinnertime and tuck him to bed which i cannot do if i work evening. Multitasking is surely not easy, it's hardwork but very rewarding since I have fun taking good care of Matty and missing him a lot when i'm away.

We're looking for babysitter for weeks now that can watch him at home while hubby is out of country next week or so. It is the best option i believe but it's almost impossible to get one around my area. Checked on daycare next block from my work but didn't like the environment. Hubby commented that i'm just so anal about cleanliness. Hey, you don't want to leave your child to a place that your not comfortable with, right? not for a less than a month child. I made some phone calls yesterday to several daycare within five miles 70 percent of them takes infant, we'll tour the place today after work, looking forward to find a decent one this time.

Short videos taken by Matthew's daddy.

http://www.venetel.net/bath010307.wmv

http://www.venetel.net/Matthew_DaywithDaddy.wmv

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