My Little Toddler's New Play Area

As my little toddler grows fast and discovers her own body’s mobility, her activeness has become uncontrollable. She loves to run, climb and jump. Afraid that furniture might fall to her when she’s climbing it; I removed some of the furniture that is not fastened to the wall to prevent accidents. Childproofing is more important to me than the interior design of our home. So I rearranged her play area to a safer, more comfortable and more exciting look. I decided to put it in our master’s bedroom since she’s still sleeping with us and the other rooms have no air conditioner yet.

I placed the lightweight toys at her eye level. The hard ones were put on the lower portion to prevent her head from hard objects bump. I did not yet put her books in her play area, but I have a plan of putting the hard bound books at the lower portion also. Her other books which are easily torn will be kept inside a cabinet so she will ask for permission before getting them.

Although her play area is not that big, I felt a sense of fulfillment seeing my daughter happy with her new play area. I want to instill to her an orderly way of arranging her things. I support her for her love to her stuff toys knowing it will improve her emotional development. On the other hand, her books and other toys will develop her motor and mental skills.

This is my share to Mommy Moments

My Baby Got Amoebiasis

The month of December is the most stressful month for me for the year of 2011. Not because of the holiday season, but being the weakest month of my baby. After her emergency trip to the hospital on December 9 to 13, 2011 because of gastroenteritis, her tummy got ache again on the third week of December. She got amoebiasis. Her stool remained soft after she got well from gastroenteritis. I was alarmed when I noticed streak of blood in her watery stool with mucoidal texture. Aside from that she is crying because of abdominal pain. I remember what her pediatrician told me when she was struck with amoeba when she was only seven months; green watery stool is an indication of infection. I hurriedly take her stool for Fecalysis so that her pediatrician could have the report for her check-up.

Fecalysis report showed the following:

Color: Yellowish

Consistency: Mucoid

Red Blood Cells: 3-5/hpf

Pus Cells: 18-20/hpf

Ova/Parasites: Entamoeba histolyca cyst 0-1/hpf

How it was treated?

1.      Her pediatrician gave her home medication of 5 ml, three times a day Metronidazole (Flagyl) for ten days to treat her parasitic infection and 2.5 ml, twice a day Antibiotic (Cefixime ) for seven days to treat bacteria infection.

2.      Soft diet for two weeks, like mashed potato. Greasy foods and fruit juices that trigger diarrhea are not allowed. Sweet foods like candies, chocolates and sweet drinks are also not allowed since sugar if the food of Amoebas.

3.      We wash her butt with warm water before going to sleep to alleviate redness due to frequent bowel movement.

4.      We let her drink yogurt and Gatorade since she does not like Pedialyte.

5.      The squash seeds (buto ng kalabasa) are good for treating Amoebiasis according to elders.

Thankfully, she was better after two weeks of medication. We had a repeat Fecalysis and the amoeba and bacteria are no longer present in her stool. To prevent this kind of parasite, frequent hand washing is recommended. Avoid eating street foods and drinking juices sold in the street. We also washed our hands with soap and warm water after washing my baby to avoid contamination. Although there are remedies for some illnesses, it is better to prevent it before our children will suffer.

Wordless Wednesday: Love It!

What a sweet smile... I love you baby...

Just another Wordless Wednesday...

Wordless Wednesday: My Sweet Tot

Just another Wednesday Whites and Wordless Wednesday..

A Late Post About Christmas

I was not able to update my blog for the past few days because of many errands and unexpected events. I had noticed that December is a weak month for my baby. As I still remember it was also in the month of December when she was hospitalized in 2009. She was just 2 months at that time. Anyway, I just want to share how we spent our Christmas for 2011. 

my little brave girl, still smiling even with a dextrose!

beer session for the boys

another beer session , hihi

On the night before Christmas, we prepared a simple celebration for the Noche Buena. I was not able to take pictures that night because I forgot to charge the camera. On the Christmas day, as usual, we visited our parents in both sides. We intend to do this every year to instill in our daughter the value of respect and gratitude to our parents. We also want her to experience the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and show respect by blessing ( mano in Filipino). This Christmas has been another special memory to remember. I am so grateful that every year we spend Jesus Christ’s birthday together with my family.

my sweet tot opening her gifts

Christmas is an expensive holiday for adults. But that makes me happy. It is very fulfilling whenever I give something to people who are special to me. It is also very touching whenever they remember us every Christmas thru through the gifts they give us, whether big or small.

God bless our family always

my little princess, isn't she adorable?

The whole year of 2011 has been a good year for us. God has showered us blessings. Yes, we encountered trials such as the miscarriage and few moments of sickness. But these trials were so little compared to the blessings and opportunities that God has provided us. I am not only speaking of the material things but also the priceless gifts that we received from Him. I am thankful for another year, for it means I have another chance to become a mom to my little one and a wife to my husband. May God continually bless our family, and shower us with love, happiness, health and peaceful life.