Not a doctor

This was what my 2-year old Little Missy said after our first consultation with her Development Pediatrician at the Asian Hospital. Let me give you a brief background.

Contrary to why most parents seek the expertise of a Dev't. Pedia, we weren't worried about her having ADHD, or ADD, or anything like that. We've just been told by a lot of people to have her assessed because she seemed advanced even before she turned 1. Even her regular pedia is amazed at her development although he didn't push for an assessment, until recently.

I am with my little girl 24/7 so maybe that's why I don't see her as other people do. I think all she does is pretty normal and regular because I do not compare other kids to her. I hated that when I was little so why do it to her and to other children who may be equally blessed with other talents.

Anyway, hubby and I are considering enrolling her in a school but didn't know which type of school. This was where it all started. Most people said she's too advanced for the regular nursery or even kinder level. If only she could write uniformly between blue-to-blue lines, she could even pass for the Preparatory level. Some people say to just enroll her in a toddler school rich in physical and social activities. Because sending her to the right school is a big issue for us, that's when we finally decided to consult with a Dev't. Pedia.

I told myself I'll take notes, record, and photograph what I can but it seems I forgot all those because the discussion started with a detailed background of myself and my hubby. We were asked about our own family backgrounds and characteristics of "noteable" family members. Then I was asked in detail about my journey to pregnancy, including my miscarriage, pre-pregnancy activities and medications if any, pre-natal activities and medications, and what medications and activities little Missy is engaged in now that she's 2 and 7 months old.

After taking all those down, she started to "play" with her. Honestly, I don't think I remember everything that she did to assess her but at the end it left my little girl a little tired. She started getting restless, but I don't blame her, they were at it for an hour and a half.

The doctor said that she had to go on and on because little Missy could still answer her questions so she had to prod until she could gauge the level. I think though that she also felt how restless the little girl was so she also decided to end it. She just advised us to come back in a couple of months for another assessment.

When we got the results, hubby and I were surprised at how she did. The doctor called her developmentally advanced. Her reading skills were at Grade 2 level, and this was her main strength together with her communication skills.

Now knowing this, she gave us her advice on how to cope with her, how I should be able to support her and what type of school she recommends. Actually, we're still waiting for an email from her for a list of schools fit for little Missy in our area.

For now, I'll do my best to support her interests, guide her strengths and develop ummm... everything else. I made a promise to myself that I'll let her keep her childhood. Even though she's accomplished a lot for her age, I will not, nor will I let anyone, dictate what she has to do. I will give her the childhood that she deserves regardless if it may seem that she's too mature for it. If she says it's too shallow for her, then we move a step further, but not until she herself is ready for it.

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One step at a time

These were pictures taken last weekend. I want to share one of my indescribable feelings as a Mommy. Somehow, seeing these pictures again made me realize that she has indeed grown up. She is getting to be independent and as a parent, I need to let her go her own way sometimes.

She wanted to catch bubbles with other kids


Slowly moving away from me


A quick look back to check if Mom is still there if she needs help


Then she moves on, on her own

I find it comforting yet heartbreaking. She is slowly learning the ropes of life, I know. But as a mother, it is hard to just let go.

What a better way to end the day though. At the end of the rainbow, I know something good will come out of all this. Looking forward to a long future with my not-so-little Missy. I just hope she takes it one step at a time.


Any similar experience you may want to share? Have a great weekend.


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I saw Mommy thanking Santa Claus Part 2

Look who handed us our prize! (What we won? Please read "I won!")

I do have pics of my own but I wanted to wait for Rustan's to publish the photos first, after all this made possible because of them (Rustan's Wishlist Contest). I'll just post my photos later on.

I thought it was a regular photo op. A representative handing us our prize, you know, the usual stuff. We were surprised when we said we had to go a certain "area". Seeing Santa there with all the Christmas decors certainly made us feel that this was truly a wonderful Christmas gift.

Even my little girl was surprised that Santa was handing her the gift, this early! I felt so content and happy when she wanted me to give her a little smack.





After a little convo with Santa, and him singing Frosty the Snowman with us, we finally had a real, formal photo taken.



This is truly a memorable experience for us. One day my little girl can really say that she saw Mommy thanking Santa Claus.

What's on your wishlist? Maybe it's one of the items on their wishlist and YOU can be the next winner!


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Rustan's Wishlist - I won!

I won! I really won!

There have been a lot of contests on Facebook that I've joined. In the (maybe) 80 that I joined, I won 4 of them. The first was for a gift certificate for a Spanish restaurant. The second was a beauty gift pack that I forgot to claim. The third was for my entry in the Anti-Dengue war (I love this mosquito repellant patch). This last one, I just got notice today. I won a Leapfrog - My Own Leaptop for my little girl from the Rustan's Wishlist Contest.

My entry

Thank you so much Rustan's. It's so hard to win contest on Facebook because most of them are based on the number of likes. I am so happy that your contest was based on the content of the entry and am doubly happy and honored that mine was chosen.

Congratulatory message from Rustan's

This is the perfect gift for my little Missy. Being a mom, I forget about myself and I will continue to do so. I always think of my little girl. She is MY life now.

This win, this accomplishment, although the gift itself is for her, I consider it my win. I won.

Thank you so much Rustan's. And thank you to my little girl for always inspiring me and making my life complete.


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Countdown to 2

In 3 days, at exactly 6:36pm, my little girl will be 2 years old.

I still remember years ago, when we had a hard time conceiving. We tried a lot of different things just to have a child, and when we gave up, God gave us His precious gift. This is when I really felt in my heart that he chose the right time.

The very first thing we decided to buy was her playard. Although I knew she would be a girl, I still wanted something neutral so we opted for something in denim and brown. I love it as soon as I saw it. Then the salesperson said they had a bassinet stroller of the same color, plus an attachment for a car seat. We thought about it for days but had it reserved. It broke our wallet but it was worth it. We used the detachable bassinet until she was comfortable lifting her head, the carseat doubled as her high chair and the stroller, we still use until now.

This was the most memorable "shopping spree" I had before having a baby. All I felt was contentment, excitement and anticipation. But months after she was born, the same stroller was used to wheel her into her Pediatrician's office. It was for her ear piercing.

A lot of people told me to not have her ears pierced, to just let her decide when she comes of age. Personally, I would have liked that. But as someone who had her ears pierced as a baby, I had second thoughts. I can't thank my parents enough for having my ears pierced when I was only months old. It probably really hurt, but I was too young to remember so I have never been traumatized by needles. This was what led me to decide to have her ears pierced at 5 months. She actually took it pretty well. She just cried when the doctor held her lobes but when he let go, she only cried for a couple of seconds.

Sadly, those earrings got lost when she was about 14 months old. We had to buy her another set but that didn't go too well. We thought she could handle the regular ones but the ends were too sharp and she kept scratching. To this day, she still wears those baby screw back earrings type. Come to think of it, I should buy her a new one... as a birthday gift.

But, she has more on her mind nowadays than earrings. She has been particularly fond of animals, especially monkeys. I guess it might be because of her Curious George books. She just loves him! It's actually why we've been buying her monkey baby clothes since before she turned 1. And, as a treat to her, we might take her to the zoo on Friday. We thought it's high time for her to see a real monkey. I really hope our trip to the zoo pushes through. If it does, I'll let you know what happens to her... and the monkeys.

Oh well... thanks so much for reading. Thanks for sharing with me my fondest memories of her "baby-hood". Once she turns 2, I'm pretty sure time will fly even faster... and yes, I know about the Terrible Two stage. I say, bring it on!

Any tips for me on how to handle a possible terrible two?

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Are you a Bedtime Believer?

I am a firm believer in Johnson's Baby products. My mom used the powder/lotion/wash/oil when we were kids and my sister (with 3 children) and I are doing the same to our children.

Do you know about their new line? I am a Bedtime Believer and if you are too, or know of what it's about, why don't you take this survey? Just click on the image ABOVE.

The first 100 respondents will get a token of appreciation just for answering. Tokens can be claimed starting the week of September 27. Valid in the Philippines.

What are you waiting for? Take the survey and receive a free gift... if you're one of first 100 :D

You can also post in the comments section below to let us know if we've reached 100. The link will automatically deactivate once the 100 quota has been reached.

Thanks and have a great (long) weekend!

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How did she know?

I opened a can of liver spread for my morning sandwich. I know it might seem weird for some people, especially for those from another country, but here, it's just a sandwich spread.

As I was feeding my little missy, she sees the bowl where the spread is and starts saying "Pâté". I was so shocked to hear her say that. I never taught her that. The only time I remember using that word was when I was pregnant with her and we ate in this fancy restaurant. Me and my hubby were with my mom, grandma and aunt and I remember them hating the stuff (duck liver).

So where'd she learn it from? Yes my little missy may be a bit advanced but I don't think it stems from things she heard in utero, right? I guess she must have seen and heard it from the TV or something.

Now I got to watch closely with her. If she can mimic and remember that, and that's not something that's shown everyday, what more about the things that are played over and over (and over). Don't take me wrong, I watch with her all the time. The only time I leave the room is when I need to make a personal break.

Studies did say that infants/toddlers absorb things like a sponge. I love the fact that she can read on her own now, and that she interacts with Team Umizumi or when Mickey asks a question. I don't mind that at all, but maybe there are some things I'm still not ready for like her ability to retain words and images in a short span of time.

I see I still have lots of stuff to read on. I never knew being a first time parent would require so much learning. I am loving all of it and I'm thankful that we now have the internet.

Thanks for reading. Happy Tuesday!

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I think She's a future chef

Ever since my niece brought her cooking toys here, my little missy can't stop asking for them. She uses her puzzle pieces as food and hand fans or boxes as pots and pans. Not to mention all our remote controls and pens as ladles, stirrers, etc. I think I just may have a future chef in my hands!

Yesterday I cooked some stir-fried vegetables. I carried her to the kitchen and told her to mix it. She did such a great job but I couldn't get a picture of her as I was carrying her in my arms! I have to get one of those stools for her so I can capture it next time.

Just my opinion, but I think the fact that she's been playing on a writing slate since she was young helped her motor skills. I thought at first she wouldn't be able to mix it because the steel wok turner was kind of heavy, but she did. She also mixed in a circular motion right away instead of just pushing the veggies around.

I guess this is one of the advantages of giving her learning toys since she was young. I really didn't think that it would manifest the result in cooking but I'm glad it did. Now I know that most of what she's doing at her age is probably because of what she had learned when she was still an infant. I often ask myself nowadays, "How is she able to do that?" Now I know.

I'm glad that even if we, her parents, weren't able to give her what most kids have (you know, those big colorful toys that has lots of sounds or move a lot, you get what I mean?), I think we made a good choice on what we DID give her. Even though she only had 1 or 2 toys that were out of our budget, I know now that it was all worth it.

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Baby Powder? Where are you?

My mom left her small 30g baby powder container at my house yesterday. She wanted little missy to play with it. I have a 500g baby powder (same brand) container they my little girl calls Mommy Powder, so by default, my mom's powder became Baby Powder.

When I was fixing the bed, I was absent-minded and put baby powder in my drawer. At first I thought my daughter was singing. She's in the stage now where she loves making up lyrics to her own songs. But as I listened closely, she was singing in a singsong voice, "Baby powder? Baby powder? Where are you?" (But she pronounced it as "Baby power, baby power, whe a you?")

I didn't directly look at her, I was observing and waiting what she would do next. She turned over all the pillows, looked under the comforter, scaled the side of the bed if it fell in between the bed and the wall, looked behind the headboard, but no baby power.

I slowly stood up and got baby powder and so that she wouldn't notice, I very gently put it near the edge of the bed, just a small area peeking out the edge of the comforter. After about 5 seconds, she squeals, "Baby power!! They you a!"

I couldn't help smiling. She's really grown up! I can't believe she'd do this already because she's just 1 year and 9 months! I didn't anticipate that it would be this early that she'd be able to make up her own songs, feed herself using her own utensils, and decide for herself (food, clothes, what to watch, etc). Wow! Time flew by me so fast!

To my little baby, please don't grow up right away. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to treasure every single second of your being a baby! But I'm so proud of you with everything that you are and everything that you do. I love you Baby :)

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Playing in the rain, finally.

My daughter and I just finished playing in the rain. After a long dry spell, we finally had rain. It poured though it didn't last for more than 10 minutes. I love rain, but apparently, my little one is scared of the sound it made as it hit our roof.

My mom wanted her to see the rain to conquer her fear so she took her to the door. Voila! She opened the door and wanted to step out! I immediately changed my clothes and removed her nappy then took her outside.

The drops were icy cold!! Each drop was huge and coming down real fast. At first she got scared of being wet but since she saw I was happy and smiling, I guess she tried to enjoy it too. My mom then took out her small umbrella to play with. Although she was already soaked, like a princess she still held the umbrella over her head.

Then after maybe 3 minutes, I saw her legs shaking. I quickly carried her so I'd transfer my body heat to her. I asked if she felt cold, "Yes" was her reply. I asked if she wanted to go in already, a vehement "No".

I saw puddles of water quickly forming in the street so I decided to open the gate. As we didn't have any garage doors nor any roofing in our carport, walking to the gate on washed cement carrying a 12kg toddler on your arm proved to be quite a feat. She was so happy seeing the water splash everywhere as tires sped through the puddles. She was also intrigued by other children playing in the rain.

After some time, I decided to take her in, against her will. It was a belief that getting soaked by rain in May can cure prickly heat. But ice cold rain?? I think a few minutes was enough for her. I'd rather have some prickly heat on her than have her have a cold because of it.

How I wish that when we do get our own house constructed, we'd have one of those fancy electric garage doors. Aside from keeping our vehicles (and some other things) safe and dry, it would be easier to just push a button, see the door go up and watch the raindrops from the garage.

Now off to check out some garage door prices! Have a great Friday everyone!

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First Splish-splashing Water Experience

I really, really love Sundays! As with any other Sunday, we spent it at my Lola's house with my nephew and nieces. It was my daughter's first time to "play" with water!!

I know we need water in our country right now, but rest assured, the grass/plants needed it so it wasn't a total waste of water.

She was having so much fun, she ended up getting wet all over! She had to take a quick bath right after. Seeing my little one having this so much fun just fills my heart with so much happiness. Hubby couldn't stop taking pictures. He must have had shot 300 frames (he was on continuous mode)!

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She's 18 months TODAY!!

Time flies so fast when you're having fun.

My little one will turn 18 months today, well at exactly 1836h. I can hardly believe she grew up so fast on me! I am so proud of my little princess. I "delivered" her into this world but she gave birth to me.

Happy 18th month birthday little miss prissy!! :D We love you so much!

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