Connie's Notebook

Making It Through The Day

Connie — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:41:24 +0000

My world has turned topsy-turvy. Since I gave birth to another child, things have been in disarray – literally and figuratively. I now have to go by two routines: that of my toddler and of my infant. On some days the household gets utterly crazy and I end up shedding tears out of frustration. And while I remain unable to reproduce myself or install Arms Extend-o, I try my best to juggle several things and multi-task to the best of my ability. At the end of the day (which is around 10pm, actually), I find myself staring out in space, totally exhausted. It’s when my brain becomes a grey matter that’s about 3 pounds worth of volatile compounds. Just a minute of downtime, please. I need to vaporize a few things at low temp.

[And the toys are still at the foot of the bed. The folded clothes have been gathering dust in the sofa, waiting to be shoved into the closet (which needs some reorganizing too). My hair is crying for a decent cut. My body is longing for a good bath. And so many whatevers that call for attention.]

Then I sleep. Wake up. Sleep. Wake up.

When I’m awake at night, I sometimes sit by my side of the bed and look at my husband and two lovely daughters all asleep. I think about spending Christmas with them, going places with them, walking on the beach with them. Somehow, despite the daily domestic grind, there’s the beauty of looking forward to great possibilities. Because you know you have a family to make memories with. And that’s all that matters. Really. Even if I’m yearning to flash a huge placard that says I’M TIIIRED! – I find myself happy with and grateful for all that I have.

When I wake up in the morning, I still say hello to the day and try to look for that silver lining. I list my to-do’s, plan the menu, check my email, worry about many different stuff. I know it’ll be another day of haggling with and disciplining my toddler, saying no to most things, blowing my top, and receiving a lot of unnecessary disturbances from neighborhood dogs, rude drivers and perambulating sellers/beggars/solicitors. I’ll have to bear with sore nipples and an aching wound yet again. When will all these end? I’m not even looking for an answer. It’s just how things are these days. You either cope or you mope.

For now, I have only one conscious priority: making it through the day.

Possibly Related Posts:

Avent Baby Bottles

Connie — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:10:50 +0000

We’ve made the big switch – from Pigeon Baby Bottles to Avent Baby Bottles. I would’ve chosen Pigeon again for my second baby, but since the Japanese brand hasn’t issued BPA-free bottles in the Philippines, I decided to go for Avent Baby Bottles.

What’s so nice about Avent Bottles?

Aside from being BPA-free, it’s easy to clean. I can’t tell yet if Stella likes the teat. It seems she’s having a hard time latching on it. She gets milk through direct breastfeeding most of the time. I wonder if that’s the reason why it takes a while for her to get used to the Avent teat. It could be just a case of nipple confusion.

So far, Mum and Dad are highly satisfied with Avent. We might get more bottles when Stella’s milk intake increases.

Possibly Related Posts:

Cracking My Knuckles

Connie — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:40:27 +0000

September marks a few important things for me as far as work is concerned:

(1) Deadlines are here again. But, so far, I have only two. I’m supposed to submit a children’s story by Friday, September 3 and a green living article by September 8. I purposely did not claim/pitch articles for August for obvious reasons. I hope to be able to claim more articles by next week. I miss my editors already! ;o)

(2) Back to newspaper editing. I have contacted one of my clients and asked if I’ll still be hired as an outsourced copy editor for this industry newspaper. I got a YES, so that means I’ll be copy-editing news and feature again by end of September. It’s been a regular gig since April, and I’m thankful that the client has been satisfied with my editing services. I skipped an issue (July-August) because I wasn’t sure how I’d deal with post-operative pain/discomfort.

(3) Doing micro tasks. I learned about “micro-tasking” a few weeks before my cesarean operation. At that time, I was already too lazy to write lengthy articles. I was often asleep, and I just couldn’t stay too long at the computer because of my heavy belly and persistent backache. But I wanted to be productive even if I was feeling like a beached whale. So I searched for some small gigs and found out about micro tasks. So far it’s earned me a few $. The tasks are simple and can be done in less than 5 minutes (depending on how adept you are at writing, reviewing, clicking on this-that, etc.).

So there. It’s time to crack those knuckles and flex the writing muscles again. I have to remind myself every now and then that a freelance writer is like a dentist. I have to keep this in mind all the time: “The more I drill, the more I bill.”

Possibly Related Posts:

LATCH Breastfeeding Workshop in September

Connie — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:53:14 +0000

L.A.T.C.H. is holding a breastfeeding workshop for pregnant moms and their partners. Do attend this one if you want your baby to achieve the perfect latch. Perfect latch means more milk for your little one.

WHAT: A workshop for pregnant moms and their partners
WHERE: 4th Floor Conference Room, The Medical City (Starbucks Side)
WHEN: 11th of September 2010
WHAT TIME: 8:30 am to 12 noon
Please bring a pillow and a doll.

For inquiries, please email info@theperfectlatch.com.
For registration for the event, please see note below.

PLEASE CALL TO REGISTER:

CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP
The Medical City
02-635 6789
Look for Gino Camacho or Kendi

Possibly Related Posts:

Celebrate Breastfeeding Month at SM Megamall

Connie — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:29:32 +0000

[via Nicquee's blog]

Unfortunately, I won’t have the time and the energy to attend this one. If you’re a breastfeeding mom or a pregnant mom planning to breastfeed, join this event! The afternoon session looks good.

Possibly Related Posts:

Meet Stella, Our Little Star

Connie — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:12:39 +0000

Stella turns a week old today. She’s doing great. She sleeps a lot and drinks plenty of milk. She cries only when she’s hungry or has poo/pee on her nappy. Number of colic incident, so far: 1

The mom is still recovering from this nice ghastly wound. She’ll post some stories when she’s regained her equilibrium. In the meantime, enjoy this picture taken at the operating room. The male nurse who held the digicam has a good eye for photography.

Possibly Related Posts:

Positive Visual: The Dream House

Connie — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:39:07 +0000

Late last year, my husband emailed a link to this article about positive visuals. It was a short but focused article on the good side of having a visual inspiration. The article suggested that you must have a photo of something that makes you happy or inspired, or of something that you want to have in the future. My husband has a picture of a BMW on his laptop. It took me a while to choose my own positive visual, not because I don’t know what I long for, but because I have so many design ideas in mind.

Just one thing for me: a house

It doesn’t have to be big. But I want it built on a nice neighborhood with lots of trees and birds and well-educated people. I’ve yet to finalize some Home Design Ideas, but I’m leaning towards Victorian design and architecture. Or something like the one in the picture. Quaint, isn’t it?

Possibly Related Posts:

Candice: 2 Summers Ago

Connie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:38:31 +0000

Time flies.

This picture was taken 2 summers ago in Tagaytay City. Candice was about 6 months old and still kalbo and bilog. It was my first time to be away since I got pregnant with her in January 2007. I was like a bird that’s flown out of a cage. I was so happy.

We were checked in at Days Hotel – Tagaytay for about 2 days. My husband and his colleagues gave a seminar to public school teachers. We were “part of the package” so we got hotel accommodations, too.

Can’t wait to go out of town once again. Yeah, getaway agad ang nasa isip. Haha. I’m already dreaming of another Tagaytay trip — maybe 3 months after I give birth to Baby 2.

Possibly Related Posts:

Pregnancy 2: Cutting Down On Sweets

Connie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 07:45:12 +0000

So, what news from the clinic? I tested negative for gestational diabetes. Yeah, whoopee. This means that I’ll be spared from the responsibility of injecting insulin to myself twice a day. HOWEVER, the fact remains – I have high sugar levels and I must watch my diet.

I need to cut down on sweets, carbs and other starchy foods. No more rice merienda for me. Huhuhu. Been craving a lot of rice dishes since my OGTT last Saturday. I was in agony seeing people devour their food while I swallowed my saliva and waited for the next blood extraction.

Oh, well. But I am thankful for getting that negative result. Now, let’s see how I’m gonna fare with this diet thing. Any suggestions/tips?

Possibly Related Posts:

Pregnancy 2: Getting Ready for the Big Day

Connie — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:40:24 +0000

OK, honestly, I haven’t packed the needed items for myself and the baby. I’ll be giving birth in less than 2 weeks and I’m still not ready with my things!!! Well, I have a checklist, but it appears that I’ve completed only about 60-70%. I should start stuffing everything in a huge traveling bag this week. I planned to do it yesterday, but I was so tired and had to sleep. I hope to be able to start the packing today.

Here’s my personal checklist:

Undies – Still need to buy 2 or 3 more panties
Night shirts – OK
Nursing wear – Still thinking if I should get ‘em. Last time I gave birth, I waited a week before milk came.
Maternity pads – Have yet to purchase
Going home outfit – OK
Towels – OK
Toiletries – OK
Slippers – OK
Money/ATM cards – OK
Water – Have yet to purchase
Cellphone – But of course!
OB-Gyne’s referral letter – OK
Marriage certificate – OK

Did I miss anything?

My baby’s checklist:

Tie-side shirts – Got plenty! Mama bought a pack in Divisoria
Diapers – Got plenty from the baby shower!
Receiving blankets – I bought 2 new receiving blankets during the weekend sale at SM Molino. I think I’ll be needing 2 more.
Towelettes – Got them last weekend too.
Mittens and Booties – Have yet to purchase

Possibly Related Posts: