Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Confessions of a paranoid mother

EJ has just started to eat his first solid meal -- a bowl of brown rice diluted in fruit juice or milk. This wonder boy never fails to explore anything possible that his little hands can grab. He is at a stage where curiosity overpowers and everything goes to the mouth. And this is where my paranoia starts...

First, my concern on "germs". His hands are touching every single object that comes his way and unfortunately with no warning, it also goes to his mouth. Clean-freak as I was and still am, I am greatly concerned that he may just pick up all the "seen and unseen" germ colony in the house. This anxiety causes extra hours of cleaning,washing, dusting, and baby-proofing just to make sure that he will not catch any uncalled for disease. Even seeing ants cause me to panic these days..

Second, he never stops wanting for more, do i give in or is this his first lesson of control? EJ seems to have found a new awareness of himself. Basically, he gets what he wants, and i'm half-guilty of being easily manipulated by his cute pleadings. We started him with a teaspoon or two of solid food but now he's wanting the whole bowl to himself ! True enough, the story never ends without any repercussion. He just had a bad constipation (as in,really bad). He did not pass motion for the past 6 days and i am so worried that I have to bring him to the doctor. The doctor gave him a suppository and whah! after 6 hours, the whole 6 days of waste just came out in one poop, it was so bad...it smells like rotten meat :-(. There's a lot of "I should have done this", and "I should have done that" debating in my mind. Bottomline, I should have done a better job controlling him of what he wants because after all, it should be the adult who knows better,right?

Third, my mind is so excited to see him grow up. I am already one book ahead in planning his clothes,his meals,his first birthday and etc. Every night I sleep with a picture in my mind, wanting to provide him only the happiest memories, the best education, the safest environment, the most nutritious and delicious food i can think of (which is partly why i have another blog,My Kitchen). I am far too ahead in planning his future, I might be loosing ground of the present. But, i just can't help it, nothing like this happened to me before and there is an involuntary inertia coming out of me to just provide for him whatever is best.

Haay...everything now revolves around EJ. I wonder what he must be thinking about his Mommy. Am I doing a good job? Does he love me as much as I love him? I may not hear the answer too soon, but, it is enough consolation for me to see him smile each time I come home. I am beginning to like my new role as a mother and hopefully, being one is what I will be good at.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Christmas spirit in Singapore?

Christmas is only a few days away and I can't help but think about coming back home in the Philippines. No matter how financially-challenged, every Filipino home during this time of the year seems to be very alive and festive. Christmas lights decorate the streets, christmas carols are heard everywhere - from jeepneys to malls, to children singging carols. In everything, people seem to transform into some goodness e.g. gift-giving,visiting friends & relatives,cooking & sharing meals in the neighborhood. This is usually the time when enemies become friends, the one time event of the year where I find there's abundance of love and joy.

We strolled around Orchard road and it displays beautiful decors, bright lights, big Christmas trees, and etc.. The scene is feast to your eyes but it seems to lack the "Christmas spirit". Christmas in Singapore is so much more a merchandising event and I think people flock to shopping districts like Orchard road to avail of the Christmas sale or find good end-year bargain. When we go back to our apartment, the neighborhood is still that same old quiet environment, not even a christmas carol or a christmas lantern to greet you by.

Unfortunately, we will not be home for Christmas this year. For the record, this will be my first Christmas also away from home. The only difference, this time, i have a newfound family to begin celebrating Christmas every year. If you think of it, Christmas is really a celebration of having family -- Jesus being born into this world in the welcoming arms of Mary & Joseph. I'm glad that despite being away from home, I now have a new Home I can call my own. What matters most is not where you are at this time of the year, but how you spend time to make Christmas meaningful. For me, Christmas is a time for family and family is where we are in Singapore.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Emilio Joaquin

This is a cute photo of my little one, Emilio Joaquin.
We call him "EJ" for short. He's 5 months old now
and growing up very fast.

Boxing anyone?

First day

November 25,2005, today is my first day as a "blogger".

I've never really understood what "blogging" meant until I came across this food blog site,pinoycook.net. I thought, i can also do the same - express my thoughts and perhaps put anything to it e.g. photos, recipes i came across or experimented in our kitchen or perhaps, anything under the sun. I'm trying to recover what I once had as a talent, writing. Wish me good luck if that will re-surface or will remain to be hidden :-).