Feeding Time

 

Is everyone else's toddler as picky as mine?

 

At 17 months, Eidan just started eating "solids" better. He has had 4 teeth since 11 months old and is now just getting more, so maybe it's more comfortable for him to chew on stuff. I'm jumping up and down with happiness but it seems he only likes a few types of food -- and they're all carbs! Mac 'n Cheese, Spaghetti, French Fries, Pizza... these are his staples. Mealtimes are sometimes a struggle because I try to get him to eat other things, such as fruits and veggies, but he just flat out refuses. Right now, I've resorted to fruit and veggie smoothies so he is at least getting some healthy stuff in him, but every time I see a toddler eating their fruits and veggies, it gets me frustrated that mine isn't.

 

Sigh... but I do count my blessings, so I am happy he seems more comfy with table food now... and quite adept at eating with a fork! Check out his YouTube video.

 

As a mom, I know good nutrition is important, but this little man puts up quite a battle!



Mmm-mmm, spaghetti!

Finger lickin' good!

Afternoon at the Library and the Park

I am so happy that Eidan loves books like I do. I finally took him to the local library aand he had a blast at the kid's section. And of course, we had to stop by the library park, which is fast becoming our favorite activity to do on weekends!

It was his first time on the toddler swing, and at first he seemed scared until he finally got the hang of it. See video here .His favorite at the park, by far, is going up the stairs and down the slide. He has learned how to go up and down the stairs so well, holding tight to the railings and really concentrating on where he places his feet.

I enjoy our park dates because growing up, I loved spending time outdoors playing. I firmly believe that nothing beats good old sunshine, breathing in fresh air, and getting dirt and grass stains on your pants. Its all part of being a kid! 

First "official" haircut

While I was away for the weekend at a friends Bachelorette party, my husband decided it was time to cut my son's hair. Imagine my surprise when I got back!

Now, I felt sad I was not there to witness this rite of passage but in all reality, I had been snipping Eidan's hair here and there the past few months, hehe!

I miss his curly long hair, which was amazed me so much since both his Daddy and I have stick straight hair. Granted we have my dad, and the hubby's mom that both have curly hair, but still...

So, at 15 months, may I present little boy with curls no more :)

Before and After

On the way to school, ready to debut his new hair

Eidan's Baptism

In the Philippines, infants are usually baptized within the first few months of their lives, due to tradition, or the fact that it is a predominantly Catholic country.

 

Ever since Eidan was born, I've been asked by well meaning family members when I am getting him baptized. I am not a very religious person. I was baptized a Protestant, attended Catholic schools my entire life, and when I moved to San Antonio 9 years ago, I did not join a church.

 

So it was with great angst that I told my family that I wanted to wait to get Eidan baptized until he was a bit older. I wanted it done at the Church I actually grew up going to, in my hometown of Batangas City, Philippines.

 

So at 14 months, I asked my bealoved family and friends to join us in celebrating Eidan's initiation into the Christian world. And on January 27, 2013, Eidan was baptized at the United Church of Christ Batangas City.

 

My husband, who was unable to join us on this trip, witnessed the entire thing via Skype. I held up my baby boy in front of the church and all the witnesses and felt so much love as he was baptized. We were surrounded by people that I knew I could count on to be there for my son.

Eidan is wearing the traditional formal attire for men, the Barong Tagalog

 

With the family but we're missing Auntie Nikki

Eidan's Ninangs (Godmothers)

The Godparents (some were missing)

Lolo Henry and Eidan

Cousins and our babies!!

Poor little guy, all tired from the celebration

 

First Plane Ride

When my husband told me he had a business trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, I thought it was a good opportunity to tag along, get a few days off from work, and just enjoy visiting a new place. Plus, Eidan and I will be going on a long almost 24 hour plane ride to the Philippines this January, and I thought this trip could be our "trial run". I was quite anxious and read a lot of Mommy blogs and forums, as well as the TSA and FAA websites, for safety info, tips and tricks regarding travelling with a toddler. I packed almost everything I could think of for our 4 day stay in Santa Fe. So focused on Eidan's things, I completely forgot to pack my husband's belt which he needed for his business attire! Oops.

         ON the Plane, we requested Bulkhead seating and got it, yey!

Going through airport security was not as bad as i imagined it would be. I opted to carry Eidan in the Ergo carrier to leave my hands free and for him to feel more secure in such a strange and busy place. I put everything in ziplock bags and labeled it and had no problems with security. They let me carry him as I walked through the detector but they did swab my hands to check for explosive device residue.

At the gate, we requested bulkhead seating if it was available and we were lucky because it was granted! The bulkhead seats are definitely the way to go when travelling coach, especially with a toddler! The extra leg space gave him room to stand up and play around in until it was time for take off.

I've read some children are not bothered by the change in air pressure and do not get affected by the ear pressure. I am not sure if Eidan felt anything or not because he just cuddled up to me as we taxied down the runway, and as I softly hummed to him, he seemed to relax as the plane took off. There were times he lifted his head up, looked at me and his Dad and he seemed to feel different, but he just stayed calm and quiet. This was for all the flights we took to and from New Mexico (in fact, he had a fever on our flight back home, but he was still so well behaved and calm). I had a few people say they weren't even aware there was a baby right next to them! I was such a proud (and very much RELIEVED Mama).

 Our few days in Santa Fe was pleasant. Eidan and I spent most of the vacation by ourselves as the hubby was so busy with work. The inn we stayed at was so accommodating and homey, they even provided a stroller for me to use! So up and down the streets of downtown Santa Fe, Eidan and I went. It was so quaint, and simple and relaxed, it reminded me a lot of the city I grew up in the Philippines (Batangas City). Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and the shopping experience was great as well. Lots of handmade silver jewelry, which I love. My favorite part of walking downtown was hanging out at the Plaza. Eidan would run around, chasing the birds, babbling hi to people, and pretty much charming all the old ladies that were there for their daily walks.



It was around 50' when we were there. Then it snowed a few days after we left

Museum of Native American Arts, Santa Fe Plaza and St. Francis Church

Eidan wanted to jump into the pool of Holy Water!
It was a beautiful, historical church.

This little trip definitely eased my mind about travelling in January (sans hubby) with the kiddo! A few pictures to remember Eidan's 1st plane ride and visit to Santa Fe. It was so beautiful, I definitely hope  we will be able to visit again!

Old Santa Fe Inn where we stayed was a few blocks from downtown

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, EIDAN!

This time last year, I was already at the hospital in labor. I remember praying throughout the day, that my little one would be born safely and in great health. After hours of pushing, I was told I had to have an emergency c-section and at 4:02 pm, Eidan finally joined us, the love of our lives from the moment we found out I was pregnant. It's been a hell of a year, being a parent has changed me in so many ways I never imagined. I am so happy that my son's first year was filled with love and laughter, and I hope he continues to grow up knowing how much he is loved. Happy 1st birthday, son. Mommy loves you, always.

We opted for a small, simple 1st birthday, with family and close friends. Since you love the Mickey Mouse clubhouse, we made that our theme and you, my little peanut, had so much fun with your party guests and all the presents you got! Here's the video of us singing "Happy Birthday" to you!

Goodie bags for the kids

Eidan's 1st year hilights

 

Happy Birthday, my love

Your 1st year was filled with so many highlights, but I can tell your favorite is when you learned to walk at 11 months. You love that you can now follow me around the house, walk up to your toys, toddle over to the room to visit with Daddy while he is working... it is so cute watching you do all the little things you do, with such amazement and excitement in your eyes!

Learning to eat with your own spoon and drinking from a sippy cup

Curious George for your 1st Halloween!



"Vroom, vroom"

You have such a generous nature, my child, always ready with a smile, sharing your toys with your friends, very loving and affectionate. We love you so much and here's to the next year, and many, many, many more happy ones!

Letters to Eidan: First time at the Park!

My Dearest Eidan,

Last weekend, your Daddy invited us to go with him at the park. While he went off to go bike riding, you and I hung out at the kid's playground. Granted, everyone was much older than you, but you seemed to enjoy watching all the hustle and bustle. You giggled when you heard other kids screaming and crying, and you laughed when you saw a little girl squeal with happiness when she went down the slide. So, I took you to the smallest slide, and down we went! At first you seemed scared, but then you realized it was fun, and you started laughing so hard!

Ready to hit the playground!

It's almost 6 months now, and you are proving to be a very happy, curious baby, Eidan. You look around you with such wonder and joy, that even simple things like the wind in your face makes you smile and giggle. You really seemed to enjoy being outdoors this weekend, and I hope to have many, many more fun memories like this with you!

Here's "drooling at 'ya", Mom

Mommy Musings: Eidan's smile

I've been MIA for a bit due to a surgery I had a few weeks back, and I am still recovering from it. After the C-section, and then this, my body is having a hard time bouncing back. In effect, I feel very... lackluster lately.

This feeling has been nagging me for a while now. I feel so emotionally, physically, and even spiritually drained. Work has been more demanding, and of course, having an infant at home takes up a LOT of time and energy. Add housechores to the mix, and you have one tired person right here. Trying to wear all the hats I need to (mother, wife, friend, employee, maid?, etc...) and at times, I just want to hide in a dark corner and cry. I've always prided myself on being a strong and independent person, but now, more than ever, I need support. I feel a bit lost. And unappreciated in a lot of ways.

What really gets me through not so good days is my son. Now, when I am having a bad day, when I am so sore and tired from everything I do, I think about him. I think about his antics and gurgles. I focus on the fact that he is healthy and not wanting for anything. Most of all, I remind myself that while I feel I am falling short on all the other things in my life-- I am not failing at the most important job of all, and that is being a Mother. No matter how stressful a deadline is, or how much people or things annoy me sometimes, I think of his smile. And that makes me smile as well, and remember that I have been blessed with the greatest gift of all.



Eidan's smile makes everything better!



4th month Doctor's visit

Today was Eidan's 4th  month check up and immunization shots. I remember the first time we took him to the pediatrician. It was a few days after we came home from the hospital. We spent a sleepless night trying to calm a crying, hysterical baby. Eric and I did not know what to do, and truth be told, I think I spent half the night not knowing what was going on as I was still on pain meds.

We got to the doctor's office that day with panicked looks on our faces and a squirming baby. Finally, we were told that Eidan was hungry! My milk hadn't fully come in yet and so my poor little man was starving!

Fast forward to today, 4 months later. Eidan and I felt like pros at the doctor's office today. We got there early, played with a few of the kids in the waiting room, then got weighed, height charted, and then seen by the doc. Great news! He is doing so many advanced things such as rolling over well both ways, holding his head and legs up when on his tummy, standing up with minimal support, and sitting down (almost) by himself. And of course, he kept talking to the doctor and laughing at the instruments that were poking and prodding him. I felt like such a proud mama! He cried for about 5 seconds when the needle pricked his skin, and then he was back to smiling and cooing at me.

We love to read!
(sorry for the dark, blurry pic)

and he's out! zzzz.....

At home after his bath, Eidan got ready for bed and I read him a new book, Mommy Hugs by Karen Katz (bought from Amazon). He knocked out pretty quickly after that, and I think I just sat there for half an hour just enjoying holding him. How fast time flies.... I cannot believe he is now 4 months old!

Mommy Look of the Day - a bit of a mish mash
Fedora - Nordstrom
White top and black cardigan (old, Forever 21)
Jeans (Old Navy)
Bag (Rebecca Minkoff MAB Mini)
Shoes (Ann Marino booties, buy here)

I was lusting after a pair of suede Bottega Veneta booties similar to this but it was no longer available.
This was a great find, AND on sale at endless.com!

A Cold Weekend



Leather Jacket (old, Neiman Marcus)
Jeans (Old Navy)
Bag (Rebecca Minkoff MAB Mini)

IT was a blustery, wet, gloomy weekend. Eric (the hubby), Eidan, the 2 dogs, and I pretty much just stayed home and enjoyed being lazy. It was lots of play time, eating cold pizza, watching movies, and playing with the puppies. We had a lazy, relaxing time celebrating Eidan's 4th month.

The sun finally came out on Sunday, even if it was still a bit chilly (chilly here in TX is anything that drops below 70'). I bundled the little man up and off to Babies 'R Us we went since I promised him we would look at jumpers/activity centers.

Eidan likes the Fisher Price Luv u Zoo

We looked at a Baby Einstein, several different models of Fisher Price, and I let him "try" them out. Some other moms were looking at me funny. But hey, I don't want to buy something that my son will not be comfy in and not like!

I'm still on the fence about which one to get... any suggestions?

Mommy Look of the Day: 1 Look 2 Ways

I was organizing my closet this weekend, and came across an old leopard spot belt from way back when. It's funny how fashion cycles. I was telling one of my friends, it's hilarious sometimes when I see how "haute" some of the 80's fashion has become again. I'm an 80's child, and boy, if I kept half the stuff I had then, I wouldn't be spending money on it now.

Anyway, back to the belt. I decided to use it for 2 outfits which, in all honesty, are a bit redundant. One is a bit dressier, and the other is what I ended up wearing since it was just a day for running errands with Eidan.



The anchor of the look: Leopard Belt (similar here, or here)



Black Dress and Cardigan (Nordstroms)
Old Leopard Belt
Shoes - Minelli patent flats
Bag - Prada

Jeans - Old Navy skinnies

These flats are so comfy!

Hanging out in the backyard!