Ants bite???

I dunno if any of you has ever experienced this...

My Benedict have red, swollen areas in his body, particularly in his arms, ear and forehead. It's so huge, I got scared and thought a cockroach must have bitten him. I dont think it's a mosquito bite coz it's different from before.

Given that my little boy is allergic (to so many things, including dust), I was so concerned bec. he might react to the insect bite. I am so worried that I had been keeping an eye over him. Hmmm, he seems normal though...except for the scratching part...he seems to be waking up a bit more than usual to scratch the itchy areas.

We are going to his pedia tom...for our peace of mind. I dont think it's mosquito...and we moved our mattresses and cheked on all the pillows and blankets to rule out the possibility that a cockroach may have done the biting. Marlon thinks the culprit may be a teeny-weeny ant... haaay, blame me for allowing the little boy to eat biscuits in bed.

We did find a tiny little ant when hubby inspected the area, but it was dead na. Hay, i just hope it's only ant bite lang. But as always, erring on the side of caution, we will be seeing his pedia in the morning.

I feel a it sad coz we had to start Benedict on Singulair again for the whole month of May. Last Sunday he started coughing (occassionally lang nuon). I think it might be due to over-exhaustion. He was with us malling and was left in a daycare with yaya for a while. It's really difficult to leave the kid with only the nanny, no matter how well-meaning and capable she may be. And just today, he had been sneezing and showing signs of having acquired the colds. I just hope he gets better in time for our trip to Cebu.

your Summer Play School experience

Hello there, my little munchkin! You are not alien to a play center...as we often bring you to Wonderland for a brief play time where you get to be with kids your age, while we (Daddy and I) get to do some chores like groceries or window shopping or in my case, my fave activity is book-hunting.

But since your Daddy and I saw a play group offering a summer class in Kidy Park (still within the SM Mall), we got interested. And upon learning that the morning class (10AM to 12NN schedule) has an age range of 1-2 y/o, we have gotten more and more interested. The whole package would have cost less for the entire summer class which would last til May 16, but since we will be going to Cebu and Bora early May for a vacation, we opted to have the per-session option na lang. And taking into consideration also the fact that you, my little boy might not like it there at all...

On our first day though, I got myself a very eager little "student" in you, my Benedict. You lugged around your baby cow backpack (a pasalubong from Nana from a Cebu trip not so long ago) and refused to part with it thus we had a difficult time fitting you both in your car seat

You enjoyed your first day in school, esp. since your cousin, Ate Chloe joined you too. Both of you had fun during the free play and even participated enthusiastically in the "activities" like coloring using crayons (which you, my little tyke are familiar na...and so is Ate Chloe) and singing nursery rhymes. You also enjoyed sharing a snack with your new friends.

Except for a rowdy 3 y/o, the rest of your small class of 5 kids are quite manageable. I feel for your teacher, Jo (who also happens to be a friend of mine...we are in the same BLD class way, way back), but she is a very capable and trained teacher. She also displayed utmost patience. But I am still undecided about the fact that the 3 y/o is quite a handful and is clearly lacking in some areas of discipline. He started acting up and knocked some of the tiny Monobloc chairs. I fear that he might hurt you, my little boy.

But all in all, it was a fairly nice experience for you, as well as for your cousin, Ate Chloe. She was more participative considering that she is older and the activities are more aptly suited for her age. Both you guys were happy and grinning from ear to ear when Teacher Jo stamped your hands with a heart at the end of the session bec. you both were cooperative and well-behaved. Congrats, guys!

Oh, you, my little munchkin quickly run to where I am and proudly showed Mommy your stamp as you were told your their teacher to show it to Mommy & Daddy...and you were quick to search my hand as well...hmmm, you must have thought that I went to school too...as I was there with you the whole time...hahaha

After class, you've had more free play downstairs...still within the area, and after a while we brought you over to Ketkai na promising you both more fun rides and to meet your Ate Chloe's parents there. We left after we have had a few picture taking sessions with your Teacher Jo.

On Wednesday, we attended another session again, not with your Ate Chloe na this time as their family went home to Pagadian na on Tuesday. Same as the first day, you still had free play, followed by "coloring" activities...they taught the color "violet" and "orange" and you, my Benedict quipped "puh-ple" when he was asked by Teacher Jo what's the color of Barney...haha...I had to explain to her that at home we call it purple instead of violet And again, you got two stars...on your hands.

After the class we brought you over to your pedia for our family's routine flu vaccine which would now include you, your Daddy, me and Yaya as well. I was a bit concerned as your temp. raised a bit, maybe bec. you had a runny nose na to begin with in the morning. Hmmm, but your pedia checked you man before giving the vaccine and she found you to be fit for such. I then remember that there were some kids who were sneezing in your play group a while ago, and we think the carpeted area is not also as clean as we thought 'em to be coz in the two times we have been there...oh men! our socks are oh so gross-looking! Maybe they have not vacuumed their carpeted areas as frequently. I had to check with your pedia on what to do and when I explained that you are now sneezing frequently, in addition to the clear, runny nose...she prescribed Virlix drops coz your allergic rhinitis might get worse. Thus the decision of not making you, our little boy go back to play school was made.

In as much as we loved exposing you to play groups and other kids your age, we don't also want to compromise your health. So we're back to Wonderland na lang for now. But we are looking forward to Gymboree in Cebu in a few weeks...Maybe you will have more fun there. And we are looking forward to spend more play times with your cousins, Achi Gianne and Siote Vince. And Ninang Che's daughter Samantha also. We look forward to more swimming activities as well...

Mommy's as excited, even more so that you, I guess Benedict. I hope you will enjoy our summer vacation this year. Love you so much, tiny tike!!!

your Ate Chloe's Visit (Day 2)

It's the first day of the Summer Play School at Kidy Park in SM. And we have invited your Ate Chloe to join us in attending a trial class there...at 9am, your Daddy Marlon fetched your Ate Chloe & her Yaya from their Kauswagan home, and we all headed to SM for your 10:00 AM-12:00 NN class.

We were the first ones to arrive! Wow, what a great start...and immediately, the two of you warmed up to the place...what with all the toys they have . You have tried out the slides, the see-saw...the ball pit...shooting hoops and running here & there, while waiting for the rest of your "classmates" and your activity for the day. According to your Teacher Jo (who happens to be a friend of mine too), you will have free play from 10:00-10:30AM, then at 10:30, that's when you will all go upstairs for your activities (which was learning the color "red" & "yellow" for that day), then snack break at 11:00AM followed by more activities (usually singing a song or nursery rhymes w/ the kids)...and it all ends at around 11:45AM. After which, you are still free to use the facilities and toys downstairs for more free play. Sounds good to me.

Both you and your Ate Chloe enjoyed your first "trial" day at school...since you have participated in the coloring activity...with you, my little one dipping your fingers on the food color mixture they have used to show you guys how a clear water turns colored when a few drops of liquid food color is added...oh! you guys were all thrilled to see it! Ah, kids.. you are all so innocent! I wish we grown-ups can be more like you . Then you had crayon activities...wherein you were given pages with drawings that can be colored w/ red and yellow, respectively...

You were then asked to go get your respective snacks and gather around the table for prayers. Teacher Jo patiently showed you all how to make the sign of the cross...and prayed the grace before meals. Afterwhich, you little fellas are happily munchin' on your "baon". Ate Chloe loved her Yakult & graham crackers, while you, my little Benedict wolfed down a jarful of Gerber in carrot variant. That's your lunch na, actually! After eating though, your Ate Chloe (assertive girl that she is) approached Teacher Jo and told her to pls. show her how to make the sign of the cross, which Teacher Jo happily obliged. Ate Chloe was polite enough to say thank you right after the teacher showed her how-to. She is such a darling little girl and so smart too... I hope you grow up to be as confident as she is...And she speaks in English (grammatically correct too, at least most of the time)!!! And to think she isn't even schooled yet. She learned it from her educational videos lang! So I guess, tv is not all-harmful after all... the two of you are living proof.

Now, after everyone has finished his/her snack and settled down, Teacher Jo started to sing "I'm a Little Teapot" to you. And most of you had gathered around her to listen, including you, my little munchkin and your Ate Chloe too. Teacher Jo is lucky, except for 1 super-duper hyper kid, the rest of her class is manageable. Most of you, little tykes are well-behaved. After a while, it's time for you to go na...so Teacher Jo again taught you guys your "good-bye" song.

And since both you & Ate Chloe participated in the activities, at the end of the session, you both got a heart shaped stamp on both hands. Hurray!!! All of you kiddos are ecstatic with the marks you got. And you, my little boy quickly went over to me to proudly show me his "heart" and to check mine...if I have it too...

You are still allowed to play some more downstairs but since it's lunch time na for Ate Chloe and your Ninong & Ninang are waiting for her na at Ketkai (they came from a doctor's clinic), we told you both that we are going for rides at Ketkai. So, before chow time, we have to fulfill that promise. And to World's of Fun arcade we all went, where you both had the time of your life trying out all the rides available there. And we happily let you be...after all, you are only kids once. And it's not everyday that you guys get to spend time together.

You especially loved the experience, my little boy. Your Ate Chloe influenced you to try a few new rides that you never dared try before. Perhaps being bold enough to follow your cousin's lead.. It's really good to have you, my little boy exposed to kids your age.

We then had lunch at Pancake House at about 1pm na, by then you have fallen asleep in your stroller as it is your naptime. And we all headed home then, agreeing to meet again later for swimming date at Apple Tree Resort.

Around 4pm twas pouring down but we still decided to indulge you kids and have a quick swim (and snack too)...but Ate Chloe is afraid of the pool though you enjoyed "swimming" with Mommy...you, my Benedict is a true-blue water baby! But when it started pouring really hard, we have to take both of you off the pool... and so we headed home and spend the rest of the day inside our room. By then, it's night time na.

Both of you, enjoyed the slides and sharing toys...I am amazed at how the two of you got along really fine. So much so, that the morning after...you, my little one quipped "A-chi...Tetet" perhaps looking for your Ate Chloe and confusing your Ninang Tetet's name for your cousin Chloe's...you, poor little boy!

It's really fun for us, adults, watching you & Ate Chloe enjoying yourseves, anak. We hope there will be a next time soon enough...We love having your Ate Chloe and her family over...and even your cousin Gwen too. If only we live nearby your cousins anak noh?

Don't worry, soon you will be spending time playing with your cousins in Cebu na sad. Mommy is excited for you to bond with Achi Gianne & Siote Vince...and also Ninang Che's daughter, Samanta. More fun times!!!

your Ate Chloe's visit

Hi there my little one! You've had a rare bonding time with your toddler cousin Ate Chloe and her family last week-end. They arrived on Saturday and we had dinner with them at Dynasty hotel. Instantly, you guys bonded (Chloe's 33 m/o while you, my Benedict are 19 m/o). Ayyy, you had fun chasing each other around sa Dynasty lobby pa lang. And watchin' the "sleeping fishes" as your Ate Chloe said of the goldfish and guppy swimming about the miniature indoor pond.

On Sunday, right after we attended the 10:30 AM mass at Ketkai, we met up with your Ninang Tetet, Ninong Mark & Ate Chloe again at SM for lunch and malling. While waiting for us, your Ate Chloe enjoyed riding the train and all the other rides at SM.

Right after a late lunch at KFC, we brought you guys over at Wonderland, where "Dora's bridge is.." according to dear Ate Chloe. You were there for about an hour before we had you join a storytelling session organized by the Jaycees that week-end. As it was conveniently just beside Toy Kingdom, we had you both try out the activity before shopping for toys. Ah! the pictures will show how the two of you enjoyed the book-reading session.

You got tired, my Benedict, of the hustle and bustle of activities that you immediately napped while in my baby pouch....and we, the adults are a bit kinda tired too with all the walking around, esp. since Ninang Tetet is pregnant also, that we opted to snack at Pizza Hut as it has a play house which we are sure your Ate Chloe can explore while you are snuggly napping in your Mac Quest pa. While you, my little one are still asleep, your Ate Chloe amused herself by checking out the pink playhouse and gamely posed for my camera... And after a full 2-hour nap, you, my tiny tike are up and about, ready for more fun activities, and so is your Ate Chloe... You have pretended that you own the playhouse (sosyal ha! Little Tikes pa) and that you have a pink car (the one we rent in the malls). Needless to say, Ate Chloe had a blast and so did you! But we, the adults are tired na...It's no joke running after 2 toddlers being let lose in a mall... We finally had to head home after a brief stop at the grocery as the following day is the first day of your play school...and both you as well as Ate Chloe are trying it out..

Love you, kiddos!

You get featured at Brussel Sprouts multiply site, my tiny tike ;-)

I was not able to check out my emails for the last few days, mostly due to our hectic schedule...relatives of your Daddy Marlon from Pagadian ( your Ninong Mark, Ninang Tetet and adorable Ate Chloe) visited CDO and we spent most of our time with them. And also bec. for some reason or another, my internet connection got so slow it's almost impossible to be able to connect. Such a waste of time!

But when an online buddy of mine, Charmaine texted me last night that they have blogged about you, my little one in their site, I have to call SmartBro hotline at the soonest possible time... I can't wait to view your feature on their blogsite, my little man. (as if twas not me who emailed & sent them the same pics...hahaha)

Just the same, every mom would be proud to see their little ones in a blog site, other than their own ...so don't worry a bit, Mommy's reaction is very much normal.

Here's the entire blog about you, my tiny tike, click here http://brusselsprouts.multiply.com/journal/item/86/LITTLE_CEO-IN-THE-MAKING_BENEDICT_ONG_IN_BRUSSEL_SPROUTS_SPIFFIES_TOO_HAHA

And we got free advertisement in Brussel Sprout's site too...we have to thank Mommy Rica & Charmaine! We will definitely be going back for more...hope they will have more items for toddler boys like you, my Benedict in their next stocks.

God bless!

First Attempt with Art

As I am a self-confessed artistically-challenged individual, I was having a hard time looking for ideas on how to start you, my little one with the arts & crafts.

Luckily, I found some very enthusiastic, not to mention gifted mommies (Tanya http://tanyakarina.multiply.com/ & Tintin http://christineeverth.multiply.com/) on the net. With their suggestions and ideas, I was able to innovate a bit. So here's your first attempt with the paintbrush.

You are actually just mixing colors...I got this idea from a Parenting magazine...they state it there to give you kids an empty white container (such as an ice cube holder) with clear water and watch you amuse yourselves with how the water will turn into a different shade when you would dip the paintbrush in.

How you, my Benedict enjoyed this particular activity! We were not actually able to do actual "painting" on paper as you were more amused with the dipping the paintbrush into the holder & watching it turn into diff. shades. We were only able to manage a few smears here & there... But I suppose it's already a good start?!

Incidentally, the idea was from one of your newest toy...the Little Leaps. It has the Creative Baby CD which featured colors & babies holding a paintbrush. And you, my tiny tike immediately took notice and told me,,,"My-my...pheynt, pheynt" Oh my! How my heart gave a leap...

But I was determined to try this one out, if only for your sake, my son..hehe. So the next malling trip was to pick up some art supplies at NBS and the stationery section of SM Dept. Unfortunately, there were so few choices available lang. I was specifically looking for the washable & non-toxic variants of paints, watercolors and crayons. But I was only able to buy the Crayola washable crayon for you. This has become my obsession lately, to look for such stuffs...coz the you, my little one started scribbling on your growth chart & some Mickey posters on our bedroom wall. Good thing, only a few streaks went to the wall itself. But I am not taking any chances. Repainting is not on our budget for the next 5 years or so...

A mommy pal http://christineeverth.multiply.com/ shared with me her recipe for a homemade paint, so we will definitely be trying that one out soon...

I loved our bonding activity of dipping the paintbrush into the watercolor palette and dipping it back into the clear water and watching it turn into a different shade each time. I so love watching the proud look in your face, my son. You seem to have taken pride in making the water turn into a shade of red, blue or green..tee, hee. I love you so, sweetheart!

You now know the Alphabet ^_^...hurray!!!

I remember posting before that I got pissed off 'coz a mom made a comment which to me came out as somewhat belittling your ability, my tiny munchkin as you are not yet familiar with the alphabet. And not even a bit inclined to learn it at that time. This was a few months ago. Honestly, I was so tempted to drill on you the letters of the alphabet then. Coz I really felt that I was not a competent mommy bec of a single, careless comment.

But your Daddy told me to just let it pass. And he validated that I am a good mom (best mom pa man gani, he said ^_^) and no amount of a stranger's comment can ever change that. But just the same, I still felt offended.

It took all of my willpower not to take out all the wall charts & stick it on every possible area in our bedroom. As I have them all these time. Your Ah Ko Dulce is very excited that she bought em all for you, his dear nephew long before you can hold your head up...hahaha.

Looking back, I may have over-reacted. But when I took that careless remark positively, things began to turn for the better. How I did this? Not me really. All I can ever take credit for is that I prayed...so hard...that I may not turn to be a pushy mom..that I may have the patience to see you through your milestones & wait for the time that YOU are ready & capable & not push you bec. everyone else is doing/achieving such milestones na. Hmmm, I simply rested in God's care trusting that He is all-knowing & that verything happens in His time.

How did we learn that you are now ready for the alphabet na? Here's the scenario...twas Good Friday, we have nowhere to go...and sooo hot & humid. We decided to visit your Ah Ko's place and so we hang out in their bedroom. As theirs is quite a small place, you, my tiny tike got restless & bored in no time. No amount of videos and singing can distract you. You took fancy on the markers in your Ko Tiu's computer table, so we took out a few pieces of bond paper and made you scribble. You were drawing circles "round and round" or so you say...twas more of a few streaks here & there in reality...hehe. Then your Ah Ko thought of drawing letter A telling you "Benedict, this is letter A" and you, my boy nodded and repeated Ah Ko's word "A..." We were actually surprised. That was the first time we ever realized that you have started to learn the alphabet na diay. Though the past few days you would nonchalantly quiz me on the the 3 letters (A, B & C) found on your (mine, handed down to you) wooden cabinet...I never really seriously taught you that. When you would point to letter A, I'd just tell you "That's letter A", and "this is letter B and C" when he would point to B & C, respectively...but then you would also promptly lose interest so I guess I've never really taken your query as a sign that you are now ready to learn your ABCs.

The most I did is to play Brainy Baby ABCs and 123s occassionally. But this is along with Dora, Barney & Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...plus some other videos like Jollibee & Bumblebee. It's more for variety rather than to make you learn the alphabet. Oh, you would sometimes mimic the sounds in the Leap Frog DVD that we have, I mostly credit this one for your learning fast the letters of the alphabet. Thanks to my Siobe (your Di Ei Grace) for sharing this with us.

Anyway, back to your Ah Ko & you, my son... we started writing B, D, E, F, M, O, P, Q, S, T (not necessarily in this order), and you got all these letters right no matter how we would jumble it up. We were impressed! I'd really risk the fact of being called a smug, but I am so mighty proud of you, my little tyke...And who would not be? You learned all these on your own! I was not wrong after all, you are smart, my Benedict... if I may say so ...hahaha, now I am definitely loving my own...

Over the past few weeks, you quickly learned the rest of the letters --> C is still "kha", but you can differentiate A from E, as well as M from N . And you have added the ff. letters to the rest that you have learned (H, I, L, R, U, X and Z).

To date, you only have to learn the letters V and W to complete your alphabet and you would still sometimes get confused with G and J. I'd say you are indeed a fast learner. You may be a late bloomer (though your Ah Ko would definitely argue saying that you are less than 2yo) but you would easily catch up, and when the interest hits you, you can learn it all overnight (such as the case of the animals chart)...uhm, not really on the alphabet though, but still, it had been less than a month since you started learning them.

Way to go Benedict!!! My-my is mighty proud of you...oh bdw, you now graduated to calling me "my-my" instead of mama...haay, I couldn't quite get you to say Mommy but you have no problem saying "daddy" all the time.

I'm not really complaining though, just amused! Love you, Son!