Hubby and I try not to buy Little One too many toys.  Quite frankly, she's got enough.  Oh, okay.  The truth is that I am tired of finding toys everywhere and want to keep them contained!

I did splurge the other month and found this amazing bath toy for her.  Why? Well, I felt badly that she was playing with empty containers in the tub.  Sure, she could care less. She thought they were fun. 

I wanted to get her something that would stimulate imaginative play and help her with hand-eye coordination/development of motor skills.  I found this:

It's the Rub a Dub Whale of a Time bath toy made by ALEX.
You simply suction cup the whale to your bath wall and your child can stack up all the whale's friends.  All together, the set includes five pieces. Each cup has a different function (spray, twirl, spin). 

Little One LOVES her Rub a Dub Whale of a Time toy!  All the parts move and spin when water is filtered through.  Little One really enjoys pouring water from one cup into another. It's amazing how a toy like this can teach young children about problem solving skills.  Little One has learned that if she doesn't scoop water into the cups, there will be no spraying, twirling, or spinning. She learned very quickly how to make each piece operate.

Another thing I love about this toy is that you can stack the pieces and let them drip dry!  


You can find this product and other toys by ALEX on the company's website.  I purchased Little One's Rub a Dub Whale of a Time bath toy  at Chapters Indigo.  Chapters Indigo carries a wide range of Alex products as well.

Trying new food is always exciting for me. I LOVE being adventurous and sampling food from other countries.  I've eaten octopus in Japan, and spicy noodles in Singapore. I've had Brazilian feijoada and Mexican chocolate sauce with chicken (mole).  I've even had spaghetti with squid (the noodles were black from the squid ink)!

Having tried many exotic dishes, I enjoy being open-minded when it comes to culinary techniques. I draw the line at certain foods though. I've often wondered why some people are fascinated by food that is so bad for them? I recently heard people talking about the artery clogging, heart attack inducing menu item at KFC, and then came across this article yesterday.

Why do people want to tempt fate like that? The mere thought of all that grease, sodium, and the high caloric intake for that one sandwich just makes my chest hurt! Just reading the description of the sandwich makes me feel really, really ill.
 
Excerpt from the msn.com article: "the Double Down - two pieces of seasoned fried chicken, two pieces of bacon and processed Pepper Jack cheese all topped off with the Colonel's savoury, secret sauce - is the most successful menu item in KFC Canada history. Canadians ate more than one million Double Downs in just the four-week period they were available across the country, according to a press release."

I know! I know! Lady, you'll eat octopus, but you won't eat two pieces of fried chicken with bacon, and processed cheese all sandwiched together?  I'm just crazy like that. Seriously. I feel my arteries harden as I look at that photo above!

A friend of mine tried it. He said it was "awesome"!  He's a food rebel and will try anything unhealthy just for the sake of saying he tried it.  It's almost as if there's something thrilling in trying the most unhealthy item on a menu.  He's traveled far and wide to sample the greasiest of foods. The greasier the better.

I won't lie.  I like the odd onion ring or spring roll.  I'm not completely adverse to the odd "bad for you" kind of food. I'm just curious as to why the fascination with such unwholesome kinds of foods...especially when there are so many delicious, healthy alternatives out there.

I can tell you now that I will never try the KFC concoction mentioned in the article I am referring to. To be honest, I am far too aware of the effects of colossal colon clogging foods. I'd like to stay healthy for my daughter for as long as I can. Thank you very much. But, by all means...if you want to try it, please let me know what you think!

Penny for your thoughts?

I have a question for all you parents out there.  How many of you take baths with your toddlers?  Do you sometimes just stick your toddler in the shower with your spouse/partner/significant other?

 I don't take baths with Little One very often.  I probably stick her in the bath with me once a week or so.  It's not that I mind or anything.  I think it's a perfectly natural thing to do.  She's only two years old.  I do enjoy hanging out with her, but bath time takes soooo much longer when I'm in there with her. She just wants to play...and play...and play.  She would stay in the bath ALL night if I let her.

Little One and I were splish-splashing in the bath and singing Broadway show tunes.  All of a sudden, her eyes widened and her mouth was gaping open.  "Oh, dear. Here we go. She's going to ask what my hoo-ha and boobies are."

Instead, she reached over to my shoulder and touched my tattoo (which I completely forgot about!) and said, "Oh! Oh! Mommy!"  She tried to rub it off, but realized it wasn't going to come off.  She then leaned over and kissed my tattoo and said, "All done!"

A little more "swimming" around the tub and eight show tunes later, Little One was in top form.  She was giggling and babbling away.  Then, the  unmentionable happened.  Ha! Of course I'm going to mention it, and pray she doesn't decide to disown me when she's older!  Little One stopped what she was doing and made this really strange face.  All of a sudden, I saw two logs floating in the tub!

I jumped out of the tub, soaking wet, and screamed!

"Honey! HONEY!!!!!! Come in the bathroom! Quick! QUICK!!!!!"

Hubby came running in with a puzzled look on his face.  I pointed at our toddler, sitting quietly in the tub at the opposite end of those two little floating logs.

"Yes?"

"Ummmm...Your daughter pooped in the tub!"

"Yes?"

"Well? Can you please do something about it?"

Hubby disposed of the two little floating logs, washed the toddler off, and took her to her room to change her into her pyjamas...while I sat on the toilet seat and contemplated what just happened.

I honestly do not know why I reacted that way.  I mean, it's just poop!  Man, I've got a weak stomach when it comes to things like this though.  Poop and vomit.  Ack!  I've gotta toughen up.  I sense many years of poop and vomit ahead of me.  Gross.

When I first moved to "the Island" six ago, I didn't realize how big a difference country life would be from city life. I was at a tea and bazaar when a lovely lady in her mid-80s started talking to me about her life. She told me that she was a hooker for over 60 years and that she started "hooking" when she was a young girl! She talked about how sad it is that not many girls are "hookers" anymore and that "hooking" is a dying art. I just about fell out of my chair and almost choked on my tea and sandwich! Nearly killed me! 

I learned that day that "hookers" here weren't the same kind of hookers I thought they were.

I went to my first Zumba class last night and had so much fun! The workout was exhilarating and the other girls who were taking the class were a hoot!  Incidentally, I've lost 5.5 lbs in the past two weeks. Nothing major, but it's only been two weeks.

I have to admit that on my way there, I felt this terrible knot in my stomach. It is the feeling I get when something really bothers me.  I felt awful about leaving Little One at my parents' house ALL DAY. They watched her when I was teaching and then again when I went to Zumba.

I know moms need time for themselves. I don't know why I can't get over the feeling that I'm a neglectful mom if I don't have my daughter with me. To be honest, I really envy this one friend I have. She's got two little ones and every weekend, the kids stay at either her parents' or her in-laws'.  I can't stand being away from Little One for too long. I don't know why. She's had one overnight at my parents' and she survived. Apparently, she and my parents had a blast.  I was the one who was all stressed out and couldn't sleep!

After last night and that fabulous workout, I came home and didn't feel so guilty.  Little One was happy to see me,. I got lots of hugs. I took her home and got her ready for bed.  I got even more hugs.

I think we're going to be okay.

I'm doing something for me tonight.  My friend called me and asked me to sign up for Zumba lessons with her.  I've heard of Zumba before, but did not know that classes were offered on "the Island". I jumped at the opportunity, because it sounds like so much fun! I get to have a good workout, hang out with my friend, and have some me time for once.

I  have to say that I am feeling a little bit guilty though. This means that Little One will have very little time with me on Thursdays. She gets babysat all day while I teach from 9AM to 3:30PM and then right after supper I have to leave her again. Zumba starts at 7PM. Hubby has fire practice at the fire hall on Thursday too. My poor baby. I feel like we're neglecting her.

I really need to get over this "Mommy guilt". *sigh*

It seems fitting that November is Preemie Awareness Month, since our little preemie was born in November.

I  have to admit that prior to giving birth to Little One, I never so much as gave any thought to premature births or the causes of prematurity.  No one I knew had a preemie before.  After all, getting pregnant was supposed to be a piece of cake, right?  You meet someone, you fall in love, you buy a house, you buy a dog, you buy stuff for your house (like that five piece bedroom set  you have always dreamed about!), you have sex, you get pregnant, and nine months later you pop out a baby, right?

Wrong.

Things don't always happen the way one thinks they are going to happen. In fact, nothing turned out the way my husband and I thought things would. We never even considered the fact that I may have a high risk pregnancy.  We could not foresee me being put on strict bed rest for the last five weeks of my pregnancy.  We did not even think that my cervix would be almost completely effaced at less than 24 weeks.


Luckily for us, everything was okay.  Well, despite a few rocky moments and a lumbar puncture. I honestly thought Spinal Tap was just a band. I never thought my less than 3 lb baby would have to go through the pain of having one! Fortunately for her, there were no blood transfusions and she had no major complications.

For the thousands of other preemies out there, blood transfusions are not uncommon. It's surreal to think about one's new sense of reality and what is "normal" when you have a preemie.  People don't really know what you're going through if they haven't had to experience it themselves.

 I never imagined having to learn about CPAPs, NG tubes, Bradycardia, Tachypnea, lumbar punctures, or any other scary sounding terms! What is even scarier is that these soon become "normal" words to parents with a baby in the NICU.
No matter how many times I've had to tell Little One's story or speak about premature births, I always get choked up.  She was only inside me for a little more than half of the time she was supposed to be in there.  She was only 2 lbs, 3 oz at birth.  It is amazing how resilient and strong a tiny, fragile-looking baby can be.  Her will to live was so strong and she continues to be a head-strong, spirited little girl. She's a survivor and she demonstrates this to us every single day.

I remember the day of her birth so clearly. It is almost as if it happened just yesterday.  I was wheeled into the observation room after complaining of stomach pains (which happened to be contractions!).  After the doctors looked at me, they went on their lunch break because I "had an hour or so" to go.  I had the urge to push, despite the nurse's pleading. She did not want the baby born with no doctors in the room. Three pushes, and Little One cannon-balled her way into the world. She landed on the hospital bed and I stopped her with my foot! Of course, she was tethered by her umbilical chord, so she wasn't going to go far anyway.

The whole thing was like a whirlwind to me.  The nurse called a Code Pink, wrapped Little One (Junior at the time, since we thought we were having a boy) up in a special blanket to keep her warm, and within minutes, a medical team of doctors, nurses, and RTs came rushing in.  The baby was intubated for the first 24 hours of her life. Her Apgar scores were surprisingly good for a baby born so early. They were 6 and 9.

There was no doctor in the room to deliver Little One, so it was funny that they had to ask Hubby for the time of birth.  Hubby never got to cut the umbilical chord because the doctors needed to work quickly. After they worked on her, they wheeled her away.  I would not get to hold my newborn baby for almost two weeks.  Hubby got to follow the medical team and watch as they cleaned Little One  up and put her in her own isolette.  He got to hold her hand through the portals/windows of her isolette.  The doctors worked on me with the afterbirth and I didn't get to see my baby until nearly four or five hours later.

It was sheer agony to not be able to hold my newborn baby.  Most moms get to feel their baby's warmth when the doctors place him or her on their mom's chest. Most moms get to nurse their baby right away.  I had to wait a few weeks until Little One got stronger and bigger.  Most moms get to take their baby home with them a few days after giving birth.  I had to commute to and from the hospital every day for Little One's first 70 days of life in the NICU.

It is my hope that by spreading awareness of premature births, we can save more babies. How? By supporting NICUs everywhere. By raising funds for projects, research, testing, and even just services to help parents of preemies cope while their infants are in the NICU. That is my hope. It's probably a lofty dream, but I hope one day that the rate of premature babies won't be as high as it is now.

I never dreamed that I'd have a preemie, but I think this experience has made me appreciate motherhood so much more.  Never take your children for granted (even when you've got a screaming toddler who is driving you nuts because she wants to wear Argyle tights and nothing else).  They truly are little miracles.

November 17th is the day dedicated to raising awareness of premature births.  Join the collective effort in raising awareness of premature births by checking out Bloggers Unite - Fight for Preemies and The March of Dimes - Prematurity. 

 Little One turned TWO on Remembrance Day.  We had her birthday party on the weekend and included a few of  her gal pals.  Last year, we had a huge party for her and to be honest, this year I am just too busy overwhelmed with everything else exhausted to have another big party.  Instead, we had a Princess-Fairy-Ballerina party with 10 of her closest friends and 3 baby sisters! Too cute!
 I have to say that I LOVE throwing parties and entertaining.  It's so much fun!  I even wrote an article on the BornFreeMom site about toddler birthday parties.  For Little One's 2nd birthday, the decor was Tinkerbell inspired. Hello, A Buck or Two! They've got great decorations for all themes! Is it sad that I love that store?
 All the little princess-fairy-ballerinas were ADORABLE in their tutus!
 The food was deeeeeeeeeeelish!  My Mom wanted to make some traditional Filipino food for Little One's birthday.  She said that all birthdays need to have pancit (a Filipino noodle dish).  Noodles are symbolic of long life.  The lumpia (spring rolls) did not even last five minutes on the dining table!  My Mom even doubled the recipe and we still ran out!
 I made a veggie tray, fruit tray, edible fruit arrangements, sandwich rolls (roasted red pepper and garlic and herbs), and what I jokingly call "funeral sandwiches". You know, the egg salad sandwiches, salmon sandwiches, ham sandwiches, etc.
 Some of the little princesses getting their tiaras on.  So adorable! I can't get over the cuteness!

The Pièce de résistance was definitely the CAKE!!! 


The loot bags were Tinkerbell inspired as well.  Bubbles, Tinkerbell crayons, and other goodies were given to each guest.  The most exciting parting gift was by far the BornFree Twist 'n Pop Straw Cups.  Each little girl got to take home a straw cup.  They were a real hit!  Moms and tots LOVED them!  I cannot begin to tell you how excited everyone was about the cups.
You all know how much I love BornFree products, so I was really happy to be able to spread the BornFree luuuuuuuv at Little One's birthday party.  I honestly and firmly believe that every kid needs a BornFree straw cup!  

When I started writing blog posts for the BornFreeMom site, I was fortunate to receive a Twist 'n Pop cup for Little One. She used the training cups and the drinking cups, but the first time I heard about the straw cup was from the BornFree site.  Little One LOVES the straw cup.  I love how easy it is to clean.  I love that it's BPA-free.  I love that it's got a hygienic feature -- the twist straw mechanism that keeps the straw clean and reduces spills.  It really, really grosses me out when straws are exposed or when kids touch each other's straws.  I do realize that kids will be kids, but seriously...Way to spread the germs!!!

Pretty soon after Little One got her straw cup, ALL the kids wanted one!  Mommies at play groups would tell me that they had to go out and get "little Johnny" or "little Susie" a BornFree straw cup because they were obsessed with Little One's.


One of the moms at Little One's party told me that her 3 month old will not use any product other than BornFree products.  Her 3 month old will only use BornFree nipples when bottle-feeding! Isn't that interesting? 

I would like to thank BornFree for being part of Little One's special day. Thank you so much!

Me:  Honey, let's put on your plain tights.
Little One: This! This! THIS!!!! (grabbing at the Argyle tights)
Me: (Insert Little One's real name here), these match your outfit better.
Little One: No! No! No! THISSSSSSS! (screaming her head off)
Me: I don't know why I'm trying to reason with a toddler. I'm just going to put THESE ones on you!!!
Little One: (in tears, throwing herself onto her bed, and burying her face in her hands) Thissssssssssss!
Me: Oh, fine! Argyle and hearts it is then.
*sigh* Oh, the drama! She's only TWO and she already wants to dress herself! Guess what? She wouldn't take those Argyle tights off.  She's wearing them today too.
Scene: The morning after Little One's birthday party. Little One and I were in the bathroom.  She was just finishing her bath and I started to put her bath toys away.

Little One: No! Mine! Mine! Mine! MINEEEEEE!!!!
Me: What? Where did you learn that word?! We never taught you that word!
Little One: Mine! Mine! Mine!

The night before, one of Little One's friends was trying to take home Little One's birthday present. She kept saying "Mine!". I believe this is where Little One learned that word, as we never taught it to her before.

Scene: Niece 1, Niece 2, and their friend were over for the day. Little One wanted to watch her "Once Upon A Potty" DVD.

Me: Brace yourselves, girls! This video is a bit graphic! (teasing the three teenagers)
Niece 1: Ewwwwww! (at the part of the DVD where the body parts and their functions are described)
Niece 2: Why do they call it that?!
Me: Well, what do you think they should say? Vagina and penis? I'm contemplating teaching her to say the real words for the body parts and not wee wee and poo poo. I think we're going to teach her to say penis.
Little One: PENIS!!!

The teenagers break into roaring laughter.

Niece 2 and friend were playing on the couch with Little One. Little One was jumping up and down while watching her new movie, "Up". Little One accidentally dropped something on the floor.

Little One: Oh, $h!t.

For the record, I am very careful about what I say. She learned this word from her Lola! LOL!

...on a weekend getaway with Grandma (Lola) and Mommy!

A few weekends ago, Little One and I went on a mini "trip" with my Mom. We spent the night at a hotel in the "closest big city" to us. We did our Christmas shopping, ate at some really great restaurants, and had some good Toddler-Grandma-Mommy bonding time.

This was Little One's first time sleeping in a hotel!
 Little One was watching Lola brush her teeth and all of a sudden, put the ice bucket on her head like a hat. I don't know what possessed her, but she entertained herself for a long time.


 Supper at Red Lobster's...only because I was craving Red Lobster's!

 The  hotel offered a continental breakfast. We could have eaten in the hotel restaurant or ordered room service, but we opted for the continental breakfast. I was expecting the usual stale muffins and watered down juice. To my surprise, the hotel had a really cool waffle maker, eggs, muffins, several types of cereal, bagels, a juice bar, etc.

We ended up going to Umai Sushi for lunch after our shopping spree. The one thing I miss now that I've been  living on the Island is having access to many different kinds of restaurants and having "ethnic cuisine". I miss Japanese food, so Mom and I decided we'd go for Japanese at lunch.
 Everything was DELICIOUS. Mom (Lola) really wanted tempura.

 Little One ate some food from my bento, but she also had this soup all to herself!
 She also had some of my miso soup. Mmmmm! We LOVE miso soup!

It was a lot of fun. It was a nice, refreshing weekend away. We had lots of fun with Lola!