We are supposed to go down to this aisle

Earlier today, we (me, hubby, and Abi) did our grocery shopping. I had the list with me while hubby's pushing the cart with Abi's help (how can he ever do that without a 3-year-old's help..lol). Like what we usually do, we start at the far right side of the store, which is the Fresh vegetable and fruits section, then the bread, canned goods, cereals, and then (before) the diaper aisle. I stopped in front of the diaper aisle and smiled. I told hubby, "It feels so weird not going down this aisle anymore..".

It's really weird coz I've been doing that for almost 3 years now and just recently, we don't do it no more coz our (soon-to-be) 3-year-old doesn't need them anymore. But I'm happy coz it only means one thing, he developed and stepped into another stage.

Next week, we'll gonna visit a Daycare center near us. We're planning to enroll Abi in preschool and start schooling on the 28th which would be my first day of full time job. I'm nervous and excited about it at the same time. I'm nervous coz I know it'll be a big adjustment for him and excited coz he's gonna explore and learn a lot of new things. I'm sure it'll be hard at first, probably for the first couple of days, but he's gonna have some fun. He enjoys interacting with other people but he's just not used to be with strangers alone and without me or his Daddy.

It's so nice seeing him developed and learned new things from day to day. And the nicest feeling of being a mother is to be able to provide our child the things that he needed and happiness out of non-material things.

What a relief!

I am one proud Mom to have a fully potty-trained 3-year-old. It was such a relief to have our kid potty for so many reasons and the most important one is you know that it's big step for their development. I was so glad that when I started potty training my son, he was more than ready and willing, so it wasn't that hard. Now, he goes to the bathroom, all by himself to do #1 and #2, without any help, except when he runs the water from faucet coz the faucet in his bathroom was clogged and so it's making weird sound when the water comes out from it. But we already have it replaced with Hansgrohe faucet, just earlier. Hopefully, he can do everything on his own now. Now, that's a relief! :-D

Gifts list

I think it's time for me to change the title of this blog now, or maybe not. This blog was named Starts at Two because I made this on the exact 2nd birthday of my son and I made this for him. But my son will be 3 a few days from now which means it'd this blog's 2nd anniversary. Wow, time really flew fast.

Anyway, I'm making a list of gifts that I want to give my son on his birthday. Last year, I gave him a piano and a laptop. I was just done looking online for some and I saw a lot of laptops now. Last year, there wasn't alot to choose from but he liked what I from him anyway.

My boy is growing so fast. He will be 3 soon but it seems that it has just been yesterday when he was still so delicate and small. The way he looked the first I saw him in the labor room while I was fighting my drowsiness from the anesthesia they injected me is still fresh on my mind.

Thinking of him growing makes me sad and happy at the same time coz I know that there are alot in the world for him to see and make him a better person but time will come that he will have a life without me in it. And what makes me sad. I know I shouldn't be thinking about it yet but I really can't help myself.

Pretty Moms

I always admire Moms, especially those who has a lot of kids, who despite of their busy lives and unpaid profession were still able to keep theirselves looking so pretty. That is because they know how to take care of themselves. And I wanna be that kind of Mom too.

I know I am a little vain, in come to taking care of my skin. Before, when I was younger, I just took my skin for granted, so I ended up with few scars on my legs. Now I am doing my best to take care of it. The scars on the legs can easily be covered with clothes though but not the ones on your face. Acne is our face's number enemy and I am doing good about not getting them on a regular basis. Good thing, it is so easy to find acne treatment. But for me, prevention is always better than cure. That applies to everything, including taking care of the skin.

If you are a Mom and likes to staying pretty, please share your secret. I'm sure all the other Moms who reads my blog would love to hear it from another Mom like you.

Working Mom

I have changed my status now. Instead of being a work-at-home Mom, I am now a working Mom. I finally got my employment authorization card [my Greencard as well] and got a job. My first day was a breakthrough for my 2-year-old coz it was the first that I was away from him and a different person taking care of him, my brother-in-law, Kevin. He got away from me couple of times but it was either, my husband, my parents-in-law, or my sister-in-law watch him. But never cried or whined for me while he was at Kevin's house. Of course, he had so much fun their too coz his cousins, Kevin's sons were there. In fact, each time I go to work, he would think that he's gonna be at Kevin's house.

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So after work, back to blogging again. Now that I am more exposed here, I guess I'll have more interesting things to share to you, so you better watch out! *wink*

SoOoOo Sweet!

I am so proud of my son! Not being bias here, but he is the sweetest kid I've ever known in my entire life. Though sometimes a nuisance but he is still adorable, really adorable that I can't help myself admire him so much. I can't believe having a perfect angel in my life. Of course, I always know that he is a sweet boy but something triggered me to post it in here.

I slept in the wrong side of the bed the other night and woke up yesterday morning in a different world. My husband said something that made me break down. So my son came running to me, saying, "What's wrong Mommy?". He was staring at me while my tears are falling and innocently said, "Are you crying Mommy?". I tried to hide my tears coz I never wanted him to see me weak but it's hard coz he was trying hard to look at my face while asking me if everything's okay. Though it was already obvious that I was crying, I still answered him, "No, nothing's wrong. Mommy's not crying.". Then he said, "Are you whining?". That made me chuckle coz I wasn't whining but I was sobbing.

Yesterday was my husband's off and he needs to get out to do something important. Usually I'd go with him but I told him that time that I'd rather stay. So he decided to take Abi with him. It was yesterday, when one of the few times that he got separated from me physically. Before he left me, my son went to me and ask me if I wanna go. When I said no, he was begging me to go with them but I already made up my mind to stay while I put myself back for that day. It was just really a one hell of a morning.

About couple of hours after they left, Andy, my husband called me coz somebody wanted to talk to me. It was Abi. Andy told me that he was asking where I am and said that he missed me. Abi didn't talk that much though. After being gone for almost 4 hours, they finally went home to pick me up coz we need to do our grocery shopping. They just waited for me at the car while I was getting ready. Then the first thing Abi said once he saw me was, "Did you miss US Mommy? Did you miss Daddy and Abi while we're going out? Because you're crying and whining". I said, "Yes, of course, I missed you both and I am not crying anymore". And that same question of his was asked to me about 20 times that day. He just wanted to make sure that I really did miss them.

That was yesterday. Now let me tell you what happened today, I mean tonight.

I like this show, "She's Got The Look", that is aired every Thursday, at 9:00PM. Yesterday, I missed the show coz we went swimming at night and I was confident that it will be replayed at 11:00PM just like last week. But when 11:00 came, no She's Got The Look. Of course, I was so disappointed. But thankfully, it had another replay earlier so I was glad I was able to watch it. But when I switch the channel from Noggin (my son's favorite channel) with my son's favorite "Jack's Big Music Show" show on, he got so upset. So I explained to him that I only have one show every week. I often watch TV. I only watch my favorite shows and that's it. He stopped crying and totally understand what I told him. Then after my show, I switched it back to his show, then he came to me with a worried look while saying, "I'm sorry Mommy". I asked, "What are you sorry for?". He said, "Your show". Then I said with a smile in my heart, "No, you don't need to be sorry coz you were so good for letting me watch my show". Then he smiled.

Awwww! My 2-year-old is acting older than 2 now. He is starting to show care, love, and sympathy for other people which is a very good thing. I can't wait to see him grow as a good person, like his Dad, but at the same time, I don't want him to grow yet, I wanted him to be always my baby coz I know that time will come, he wouldn't let me call him a baby anymore. Ugh! The painful thought of him leaving us and starting to stand on his own feet. I know, all I need to do is enjoy the moment while I can still take care of him and play with him and teach him the goodness of life while he grows. Oh! My son is the greatest blessing I ever had in my entire life.

Working at home Mom

When I first got here in the US, I wasn't allowed to work yet because of our immigration status. I was a K1 (non-immigrant) visa holder and needs to adjust status to get a greencard before I can get a job so I tried the work at home jobs. I tried doing some surveys, reading paid emails, paid blogging, etc. I'm not earning that much but at least I'm earning something which is better than nothing. Then all my earnings were just used for my personal needs.

I just got eligible to work in the US and currently looking for a job. For the mean time, I wanted to try another job at home. I'm thinking about the wholesale liquidators jobs where I can buy wholesale stuff and sell them individually online or offline. At www.liquidation.com, they sell a lot of stuff such as computer accessories, apparels, etc. that you can buy wholesale.

I know few people who is already that kind of business/job and they're successful. The good thing about it is you can just stay at home and earn big cash. It is very ideal for Moms like me cos we can be with our kid(s) while earning some money.

Excercise buddy

I know I have been talking alot about how desperate I am on losing weight and all. So finally now, I'm doing something about it. Of course, I started with my diet. I'm avoiding too much card such as white bread, rice, and the like. And also, I'm saying NO to soda all the time now which made me so proud of myself.

Another thing, I am starting to do some basic exercise at the house with my exercise buddy, my one and only son. We just started the exercise yesterday, trying to do it everyday. It's so funny to see my son's enthusiasm about it, though I know that what he thought about what I'm doing is just another way of playing. Of course, I just let him think that way so he'll have fun doing it and also get used to it cos exercise is really food for our body. Anyway, doing my exercise, I only do basics ones such as sit-ups, push-ups, squat, jog on place, etc. Then my son would try to imitate every single thing that I'm doing and need to tell him that he's doing really good about it, which he really is.

I just hope that my husband would realize that I needed treadmill though (hint, hint, hint :-D). Anyway, my birthday is coming and I'm starting to make a list of what I want, might as well put that on the list.

Hopefully, I would be able to do this as a habit now cos I need it really bad. And I'm pretty sure, with the help of son by reminding me and supporting me, I don't think it'd be impossible.

Game system upgrade

My son is starting to show interest in video games now. He always see his father playing games on his Playstattion 2 and Nintendo N64. My husband loves playing football, baseball, and Mario Cart with those game systems whenever he has time and my son is always his number 1 plan.

Our son is probably too young to be playing video games right now but I know time will come that he would be doing it. But as a Mom, I wanted him to do what makes him happy but with things like this, I'd have some limitations and I guess, we all Moms has and you all know what I'm talking about.

Anyhow, me and my husband were talking about getting some upgrades for our game systems. Ours are not that old yet but it will get old. So we're thinking of getting a Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii, that way we will have a wide selection of games. And I like the idea that it's easier to get PS3 and Wii accessories anywhere.

Well, I just wanna share my thought about this. Thanks for reading.

Mom on Diet

Now that I'm a Mom, the greatest personal problem that I faced is my physical appearance, specifically my weight. Before I became a Mom (before I got pregnant) I used to weigh just 97lbs., but I just lost it all and now I'm weighing 148lbs. I know it's not that much yet, for you, but for me it is. I am more confident having a slimmer body and for me, it is easier to get clothes when you are slimmer rather than being big. That's my opinion and concern, and I'm worried.

Anyway, I'm trying to lose some weight now by exercising, watching my diet, and considering on trying some diet pills. I can say that I'm really doing good with my diet now cos I don't have a stock of sodas in our house now unlike before that it is always in my grocery. Instead, I drink cranberry juice everyday. Before, we used to eat at an eat-all-you-can pizza place at least twice a week, but it's been a month now since we last went there. No burgers now too. Then for exercising, I started doing some walks around our neighborhood and little bit of workout around the house, at least once a day. But I'm planning to enroll myself in a gym soon and buy a kickboxing tapes so that I can workout more at home too. Lastly, for the diet pills, I haven't found anything that I'd like to try. Of course I wanna make sure that whatever I'll have works cos I don't wanna spend money for something crappy. But while searching, I stumbled upon a phenphedrine review. Phenphedrine is a diet pill that they say would target the brain by telling the brain that you are full and you needn't eat more, since the brain has the control of everything. The review sounds good, so I'm considering that diet pill now.

So you see based on what I ate before, it really figures why gained a lot of weight. But I'm trying to fight that now. I know that with perseverance and discipline, I'd be able to go through this.

Can't help him growing

Four months from now my son would be 3-years-old. He has learned a lot of new things that he just amazes me each time I realizes it.

It's been almost a year since we got here in the US and my son's learning to talk a lot now. It really surprises me how he'd learned his speech so fast in English cos I honestly hadn't taught him how to say this and that. He just learned by himself and I'm so proud of him.

I just can't help thinking about how I can't the time from moving so that I get to spend more time with while he is still a baby or a kid who needed me. The baby who is so eager to give the biggest hug and the sloppiest kiss I can ever have.

Couple of years from now, he'd be starting going to school, meet friends, and be around with a lot of different people which gives him wider opportunity to explore the world and learn more new things. The next I'll know would be worrying about where to put his soccer trophies, awards, medals, and everything I wanna show off as a proud parent.

I can't wait for him to grow but I don't want him to grow yet. Oh my son, I just love him so much, I don't think I can afford to face the fact that one day he'll be leaving us and stepping into a new world all by himself cos that's just the way it is.

Advance Mother's Day Surprise

Tomorrow would be the official Mother's Day but my boys made a breakfast in bed surprised for me yesterday. That was so sweet of them. Actually it was my husband's idea. He (my 2-year-old swore that he helped) made me a breakfast taco and had my son delivered it to me while I was still conked out on our bed, and greeted me "Happy Monter's Day Mommy!". Yup, he said "monster" instead of mother (maybe because I looked like a monster? haha) because he's a 2-year-old and just starting to talk a lot.

Anyway, my husband did it yesterday instead of this coming Sunday because he couldn't do it this Sunday cos he works late on later and won't be able to wake early enough to prepare breakfast for me. I don't think he planned it but I'm so glad touched that he did it, but I'd be more glad if he'd give me my wish to have some new area rugs (*wink).

I know I already said it, but Thank You!

What my career would be?

Just last March 24th, we submitted our application for the Adjustment of Status from a K1 (fiancee -- me) and K2 (child of fiancee -- my son, Abi) visa holders, together with Employment Authorization for me to be able to work before I receive my greencard, and Travel Documents for traveling outside the US prior to receiving the greencatd. Then, just yesterday, we finally received the Notice of Action (I-797C) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding the application, letting us know that they received the case and it would be processed. I got so excited! It may not be the most earthquaking news to hear but at least, we know that our application has been looked up and is moving onwards (hopefully until it is approved).

Now, while waiting for the application being done and the necessary stuff I need to have for me to be able to get a job here in the US, I am wondering what would be my first job here. Would it be something that I wanted and be my lifetime career, or something that I'll just get just for me to be able to get a job. I mean, for my first, I will never be picky. I guess I'll take whatever comes first cos I really wanted to get a job, for two main reasons: to start saving money for mine and my husband's lifelong dream and to be able to help my parents in the Philippines. We know that our life would be so much better if it's not just my husband earning alone. But I'd still always hope that I'd like my first job cos if I'd be given a choice, I wanted to have a job that I'm gonna job until my retirement cos transferring job from another is really hard and I don't want another big adjustments in life, I already had a lot.

Well, I graduated with an Education course, so I'm also thinking of getting Masters in Curriculum and Instruction or MS Instruction at ST. Xavier's online. It would help us to prepare for continued development as a master teacher by letting curricular issues and their impact on instructional practice. They have the most experienced and competent practitioners that will help you achieve your goal as a master teacher. And taking it online would be a very good choice most especially when you are a busy mom like me.

Sleep Tight, Mommy and Daddy

Being parents are not easy, whether it's your first time or the 20th(?) time, but it's still worth it. Every full day is all about learning, for me and my son, and it is really tiring, emotionally, mentally, and physically but it's not the kind of tiredness that you won't to give up but it's something that you still want to do again and again. And due to the activities we do everyday, we need to have a goodnight sleep so that we can face another tiresome day again. That's why I wanted to get the sleep number bed that would help me and my husband get a goodnight sleep.

I love being a parent to my son but I need to admit that most of the times, I can't help pulling my hair. It is a very big responsibility that won't give you any option. But if I'd be ask to do it, without a doubt, I'll do it in a heartbeat.

A Problem Or Not?

My husband is so tired of hearing me over and over again on how I mumble about my weight. But I can't help it. Everytime I look at the mirror and see my bulging tummy, I'd unconsciously say, "Oh..look at my tummy..I'm so FAT now..", and he'd say with a pissed off-voice, "You're not fat!!".

I started gaining weight after I gave birth to my son. When I was pregnant with him, I ate a lot, which is what I needed but I never gained weight that time. I have the bulging tummy but that is because I'm pregnant (duh!). Then after I gave birth, it seemed that everything I ate on my pregnancy took effect. Since then, I never lose any weight.

I know there are lots of weight loss pills available out there to solve my problem but my question is, would it be safe for me?

Simple things that makes him happy

It's so amazing how very simple things that make kids happy and all the while, you have been trying to do a lot of stuffs only to find out that just a moment spent with him is all he ever wanted, and I ever wanted as well.

My son is very jolly kid. He loves to laugh, do silly stuffs, make Mom and Dad happy, and does his best to be a good boy. We tried to give him everything he needed, material-wise, but that's not what he really wanted. All he wanted is attention and happiness shared with us.

I know that for sure cos I can see in his eyes the indescribable happiness he's feeling each time me, or his Dad, or both of us are playing with him or just do anything with him instead of just being alone with himself. But sad to say, there are times that he needed to be alone cos there are some things that we needed to do and he's not included. Each time that happens, I felt so bad, and so each time I get the chance to with him, I always make sure that it pays all the time that I can't.

So, if you have child like us, make sure that you spent a lot of time with them cos that's all they needed, a special TLC from us.

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Prevention is better than cure

Before, I never really cared for my health because I was so confident to know that I have a strong immune system. I know that for sure cos I don't get sick easily. In fact, I have only been admitted to the hospital once (knock on wood) and that is when I gave birth to my son. But it changed when I got my baby. I realized how important health is cos having a baby is as same as having a precious gem that you don't want anything bad happen to it. And then, the phrase "Prevention is better than cure" had became my motto in comes to health and I assume you know why.

Anyway, talking about health, have you heard about the serious cancer disease known as Mesothelioma? It is a disease caused my exposure to asbestos. As for now, there's no known cure for that said disease but anyone who has it could undergo certain treatment.

I know, I don't need to say it but always put in your mind that "Prevention is always better than cure" before it'd be too late.

The cutest thing I've ever seen

There is no other wonderful thing in my life than my son. He is everything I have, and always will, forever.

Just look at him. He looks like an angel. Actually, I consider him my angel cos he touched my life like no one else did. When he came into my life, everything's changed. My family and friends can testify to that. I don't know how and I don't know why, all I know is I'm a better person now. The same but better person than what I was before my son came into my world.

Bearing him was never easy. It wasn't the same as what other mothers had been. I though I would never survive it. But each time I feel him inside me, his movements and heartbeat, I know I need to move on and enjoy life as what it has always been. And I'm so thankful I wasn't naive at that point and though about him, have him inspire me until I was able to go through.

He brought me so much happiness in life. In fact, I also consider him as my lucky charm for when he came, lots of wonderful things happened in my life, of course, that includes him.

I can't be more thankful of my son. I am so blessed and much more than blessed when he came.

He's been sick

Abi has been sick for almost a week now. He has a cough that started last Sunday, then it went with sniffles and fever for couple of days. Now, he doesn't have fever and clogged nose anymore, but he still has cough and it seems to be very dry.

I really don't like seeing him being sick. I wish I'd be sick rather than him but he's such a fighter. He'd always been a fighter even he was still in my tummy. What's weird is that though he is so sick, he is as active as what he is when he's not which I am so glad about. But still, it's making me worried sick if he is not feeling well. The only thing that I can do is to always be there for him when he needed me.

Good body and skin for Moms

While doing my daily search for diet pills, I've stumbled on one review about Leptovox, a fat burner that contains the most powerful anti-oxidants and super foods which we all know is very good for our body and skin.

Anti-oxidants is most known for keeping our organ and body system away from common diseases and cancers, and now it is also known for giving healthy skin as one of it's side effects. Leptovox contains the most powerful anti-oxidants such as Idebenone, an antioxidant first marketed by the makers of Botox, Alpha Lipoic Acid, DMAE, Green Tea high in EGCGs, Acai, Cayenne Fruit Pepper, Garlic, Soybean Isoflavones, Barley, Wheat Grass, Lactobacillus Acidophillus, Alfalfa Sprout, Flax Seed and Buckwheat.

For me, a diet pill that doesn't just helps us having a sexy body but a healthy one as well is good enough for a Mom like me. Because I can be sexy for my hubby and I can also have the energy I needed to keep up with my active son.