Growing up Bilingual
On our first year as bf/gf, we saw an english-speaking kid at a mall. Unconsiously, hubz said he'll have an english-speaking kid one day.
Fast forward several years, we now have a baby, but instead of talking to him in english, our conversation is in Tagalog. In my mind, he might be an american by birth, but he is still filipino by blood. English is a language he'll learn when he goes to school while the only way he'll learn Tagalog is if I teach him. Hubz is a little worried that because I talk to him in Tagalog, he'll have trouble learning English.
I want my son to have the priviledge of growing up bilingual. My goal is to make him understand Tagalog even when he can't speak it. At least when I bring him home, our families won't have trouble speaking to him.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
My Love Affair with Cameras
What is it about cameras that makes me drool? It's the possibility of freezing time, of taking memories to last a lifetime, of reminding what we once were.
I cannot remember when my love affair with cameras started. All I know is that at 12 years old, my dad brought home an SLR which was off limits to us because it was very, very expensive. After a couple of rolls, I never saw it again. I later found out that it was sold to pay for our tuition fees. I wasn't even given the chance to hold it! I vowed then that I'll have my own SLR camera to play with.
Fast forward several years, my dad gave me my very first camera, and a Minolta manual SLR at that! My toy and I were able to take lots and lots of photos. I brought it to Las Vegas, Arizona (the Grand Canyon), Universal Studios in Disneyland, New York, Washington DC, Maryland. I had a ball! It taught me a lot about exposure and lighting (manual nga kasi eh).
After my Minolta SLR (I still have it though), I ventured into automatic/manual SLRs - Pentax (which I didn't like so I sold it), then my Nikon F80 (which I still have too).
What is it about cameras that makes me drool? It's the possibility of freezing time, of taking memories to last a lifetime, of reminding what we once were.
I cannot remember when my love affair with cameras started. All I know is that at 12 years old, my dad brought home an SLR which was off limits to us because it was very, very expensive. After a couple of rolls, I never saw it again. I later found out that it was sold to pay for our tuition fees. I wasn't even given the chance to hold it! I vowed then that I'll have my own SLR camera to play with.
Fast forward several years, my dad gave me my very first camera, and a Minolta manual SLR at that! My toy and I were able to take lots and lots of photos. I brought it to Las Vegas, Arizona (the Grand Canyon), Universal Studios in Disneyland, New York, Washington DC, Maryland. I had a ball! It taught me a lot about exposure and lighting (manual nga kasi eh).
After my Minolta SLR (I still have it though), I ventured into automatic/manual SLRs - Pentax (which I didn't like so I sold it), then my Nikon F80 (which I still have too).
Thursday, March 9, 2006
Mommy: Q & A
Sorry Day, for not responding on your tag right away.
How did you feel during those first few days after the birth?
==> I had a C-section so it was really hard for me to move around. But, I couldn't keep lying down because I had a baby to take care of. Also, I find myself crying for no apparent reason. Sometimes, when my baby cries, I am also in tears.
How were you emotionally?
==> Like I said, I just cry for no apparent reason. I am emotional whenever I see (on TV) children being abused - those scouring for food to eat in the garbage. Being a mom truly makes you susceptible to all the plights of children in the world!
Is there anything you wish people had told you about the postpartum period?
==> I wish they told me that there will be times when my patience will be tested, especially when the baby cries all night.
How long do you plan to breastfeed?
==> Up to 3 months, hopefully. He's mixed fed right now. I had to supplement with formula because my breastmilk isn't sufficient.
Do you have any advice for getting through those first weeks of breastfeeding?
==> I was fortunate because Kail latched on perfectly since Day 1. My only problem was my milk supply. I'd advise everyone to persevere and keep at it no matter how frustrating it can be. The rewards are enormous, and it's for the baby's welfare. Drink lots of fluids, especially water.
Was there any stress between you and your husband over the baby?
==> On times when I'm sleep deprived and cradling a crying baby in my arms, I really detest him not being here. There were also nights when I had to hang up on him due to frustration. I know it's not his fault but I just can't help it.
Let's talk about your body, Did things get totally rearranged?
==> Not really - I just have some more weight to lose.
Care to share how much you weighed before and how much now?
==> I was 96 lbs pre-pregnancy, 133 lbs on the day prior to giving birth, and 110 lbs now.
What advice-or comfort-can you offer other new moms about their weight ?
==> It took us 9 months to beef up so don't expect to lose all those weight overnight.
How important is it for you to have a work identity?
==> More than work identity, I need to keep my job so my baby and I would survive. I am the breadwinner (at least until my husband comes here) so I have no choice but to keep working. Much as I'd like to be a SAHM someday, I also want to work (even part time) to earn money. Aside from my son, my family in the Philippines (mom, brother, grandma) are also my dependents.
Was your baby a lot of fun right from the start?
==> Oh no - he cried a lot!
What's your baby like now?
==> He now smiles a lot, coos, and so much fun!
It would be nice to hear from other mom's too, so if your not busy with your little one, care to share - Jody, April, Litcoo, Alpha, Olive, Leirs, Meeya, Marie, Josephine.
Sorry Day, for not responding on your tag right away.
How did you feel during those first few days after the birth?
==> I had a C-section so it was really hard for me to move around. But, I couldn't keep lying down because I had a baby to take care of. Also, I find myself crying for no apparent reason. Sometimes, when my baby cries, I am also in tears.
How were you emotionally?
==> Like I said, I just cry for no apparent reason. I am emotional whenever I see (on TV) children being abused - those scouring for food to eat in the garbage. Being a mom truly makes you susceptible to all the plights of children in the world!
Is there anything you wish people had told you about the postpartum period?
==> I wish they told me that there will be times when my patience will be tested, especially when the baby cries all night.
How long do you plan to breastfeed?
==> Up to 3 months, hopefully. He's mixed fed right now. I had to supplement with formula because my breastmilk isn't sufficient.
Do you have any advice for getting through those first weeks of breastfeeding?
==> I was fortunate because Kail latched on perfectly since Day 1. My only problem was my milk supply. I'd advise everyone to persevere and keep at it no matter how frustrating it can be. The rewards are enormous, and it's for the baby's welfare. Drink lots of fluids, especially water.
Was there any stress between you and your husband over the baby?
==> On times when I'm sleep deprived and cradling a crying baby in my arms, I really detest him not being here. There were also nights when I had to hang up on him due to frustration. I know it's not his fault but I just can't help it.
Let's talk about your body, Did things get totally rearranged?
==> Not really - I just have some more weight to lose.
Care to share how much you weighed before and how much now?
==> I was 96 lbs pre-pregnancy, 133 lbs on the day prior to giving birth, and 110 lbs now.
What advice-or comfort-can you offer other new moms about their weight ?
==> It took us 9 months to beef up so don't expect to lose all those weight overnight.
How important is it for you to have a work identity?
==> More than work identity, I need to keep my job so my baby and I would survive. I am the breadwinner (at least until my husband comes here) so I have no choice but to keep working. Much as I'd like to be a SAHM someday, I also want to work (even part time) to earn money. Aside from my son, my family in the Philippines (mom, brother, grandma) are also my dependents.
Was your baby a lot of fun right from the start?
==> Oh no - he cried a lot!
What's your baby like now?
==> He now smiles a lot, coos, and so much fun!
It would be nice to hear from other mom's too, so if your not busy with your little one, care to share - Jody, April, Litcoo, Alpha, Olive, Leirs, Meeya, Marie, Josephine.
Things I learned from my son
I still couldn't believe this big boy (now 12.13 lbs at 2 months) came from me!!!! I carried him in my womb for 9 long months!
I still couldn't believe this big boy (now 12.13 lbs at 2 months) came from me!!!! I carried him in my womb for 9 long months!
In as much as babies learn from their parents, my son has taught me a lot of things as well.
1. He's the BOSS. He dictates when I can sleep, for how long, and when I need to wake up. He also dictates whether or not he will allow me to do my chores at home.
2. Babies are not CUTE all the time. When he starts crying, I want to take him back into my tummy!
3. SLEEP is a foreign word. He sleeps all the time, when I need to be awake, and stays awake when I need to sleep.
4. SLEEP like a baby meant waking up every 5 minutes. I couldn't believe how light my son sleeps. A little movement beside him (when we're co-sleeping) will immediately send his arms and legs flailing.
5. It's easier to take care of babies inside the tummy than out. Inside, I just worry when I don't feel him move. Outside, I worry when he can't keep still (especially if he cries all the time).
6. Babies CRY, EAT, SLEEP, POOP, PEE most of the time... and SMILE sometimes.
7. A SMILE would melt your heart away - even when you're sleep-deprived and over-fatigued. You'll even forget the night-long crying feat.
8. A BATH for me now meant 5 minutes in the shower - tops, and probably 2 minutes dressing up!
9. SHOPPING meant meandering in the baby section of the store - drooling over baby stuff to buy.
10. ME time is a thing of the past. It's all about HIM now.
No matter how hard it is taking care of this little creature, I wouldn't trade it in for anything in this world. I love being a mom. It truly is my most rewarding career ever.
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