No Longer A Girl, Not Yet A Lady

It has been a while since my last blog entry here. You must have all been wondering what I have been up to these days. Well, I am doing fine. I have grown tall in the last couple of years and have lots on my sleeve.

I moved to a new school, so it meant new school environment, new classmates and teachers. I was lucky enough that I have classmates who were from my old school, so I actually did not feel lonely on the first day of school, which by the way started in September last year. Wow, it felt like it was such a long time ago! 

It is more challenging now that I have moved to a secondary school because there are more subjects taught but I still get to do some curricular activities at school in the afternoons. I stopped doing ballet though, but for that, I have tennis and self-defense instead. I enjoy it a lot despite the muscle cramps since I love sports. But I do miss dancing... maybe I will look for a dancing school if my schedule permits it.

My Mom and I still do some crafts every now and then, but she mostly lets me do the crafting myself.  I miss doing it with her though but this tradition we shall keep.  I can still remember when we did the DIY baptism favors for her godson or those soft felt owls we made together with my friend when she came over. I am into origami lately or anything that has to do with paper. In fact, I made a photo frame from waste cardboard material as a gift to my twin friends.

So much has changed in the last couple of years but I am still that little girl who loves to read, enjoys being with family and friends, and is always thankful for everything that I have right now. Oh, and did I mention that I got a dog for my 10th birthday? There really is so much catching up to do, I know. I shall tell you all about my dog and so much more in my upcoming posts so please stay tuned!

Thank you for dropping by. Till then!

Tweet

Top Tips to Help Your Little Ones Have a Great Night Sleep

All parents will have had first-hand experience of a tired child, as my Mommy does with me. With grumpiness ruling, your child can be a handful, as they struggle to deal with the day’s events while running on empty. It is therefore imperative that you ensure they get the best night’s sleep possible. Here’s how you do it…

Ensure their safety

Making the transition from cot to bed can be a troublesome process. Used to the security of a cot, it is not unusual for parents to hear bumps in the night, as their child falls out of bed. This can cause injury so it is necessary to take precautions to prevent this. A bed rail will stop your child from rolling off the end of the bed, without taking away the maturity of a proper bed. There is a great selection available at Safetots, with wooden, mesh and tube designs. 

Remember to take precautions when designing the layout of your little one’s room. Radiators can get piping hot, especially in winter months, so avoid pushing your child’s bed up against it, as your child could accidently burn themselves during the night. 

Relax and unwind

Sending your toddler to bed after an exhilarating game of football is hardly going to encourage their sleep. They’ll have bags of energy and want to keep playing, so adopt a calming bedtime routine that will give your child their much needed rest. 

Start off your bedtime routine with a bubble bath followed by wrapping them up in some cosy pyjamas. Tuck your child up in bed and spend some quality time with them by reading them a story. Use a soft, quiet reading voice as this is more likely to soothe your child off to sleep. As for me, a bedtime story and a good night prayer always works.

Relieve nervousness

Irrational fears are common with children, especially when it comes to sleeping. Whether it’s a fear of the dark, a dislike of being alone or the prospect of a monster under the bed, your child can do everything to avoid the nightmare of going to bed. 

If your child is afraid of the dark, you can invest in a nightlight that will provide a dim light that will help relieve their nervousness and gently ease them off to sleep. Gradually, your child will learn that the dark is not frightening and they will be able to sleep without the nightlight. My Mommy always has a bedside lamp that she leaves on until I doze off to Lalaland.

Children are easily influenced, drinking in everything that is said to them. If siblings or friends try to scare your child with ghostly tales and spooky stories, make sure your child knows that they aren’t real and are only a joke. Such clarification will nip this fear in the bud, preventing it from becoming more serious and affecting their ability to sleep at night. 

You can find more information about helping your child sleep, here.

How about you Mommy? How do you help your little one get a good night's sleep?

Tweet

This Little Girl Is Back!

Hello everyone! I can't believe it has been a while since I updated this blog. I am sorry for the very long absence. You must all be getting bored after finding that the entries are all the same for almost a month now. I really thank you all for your visits, albeit quick and short ones.

So what's new with me? I am still the bubbly old me, magnified a 100 times. Hihi! I have been very busy at the Kindergarten, playing with my friends, singing songs, doing crafts that I almost forgot that I have a blog to update every once in a while. I do have a valid reason for not updating for quite some time: we moved houses and we don't have any internet connection at home so that I am unable to update you guys. But I am here now and I am happy to be blabbing things here.

Mommy says that I am now very talkative and know now how to whine in public so that I can get what I want. I know this is not a good thing and my Mommy and Daddy are working together so that I don't end up being a spoiled brat. My parents also know that I am a good girl and I guess they must also know that I miss them a lot because whenever they are around, I won't leave their side.

That's what I've been to these days. I will post shortly my adventure with my Mommy's classmates during our visit to the Märchengarten in Schloss Ludwigsburg. Thanks for dropping by!

Tweet

The Little Koreana

Hello everyone! It has been a while since I updated my blog and my apologies if I haven't blogged much lately. There is just so much to do for this two and a half year old little girl this summer: traveling & sightseeing, playing, dancing and singing, visiting friends, and preparing to go to school that at the end of the day, I am already too exhausted.

In the mood for photo shoots with my Mommy.

I have gathered so many photos and videos lately that I have been wanting to share. Promise to post them in my future posts but for now, let me share with you some of my girly shots.

Waiting for the elevator doors to open.

It was a fine Sunday and so Mommy had me wear this Barbie dress. It's a very comfy dress and had an open back so that it felt cool when worn. Mommy also had me wear a pony tail, but instead of tying it at the center, she tied it on the left side. I think it's the trend these days because I have seen other teenagers wear their hair like this one. To complete my girl look, I brought with me my pink Disney Princess purse and wore my pink arm band.

All in a day's work. Me, opening the garage door back in our apartment.

Tweet

Ehana's Need for Eyeglasses

This is Ehana and she is my friend from Japan. She is a very pretty girl, with a happy heart just like me. But she has a problem with her eyes. Can you see what it is? Yes, she is a little cross-eyed and since she is still very young, her pediatrician said that this can still be corrected with eyeglasses. I am sure these kids glasses with plastic frames will be perfect for her. I should tell Tita Luisa about it.

Ehana has a very playful nature. She runs around a lot and has tons of energy to jump, bump, skip and hop. It is amazing really, I couldn't keep up with her. Of course, I was still too small then and could not walk yet. I just crawl after her. So maybe she could also use a pair of impact-resistant children glasses so that Tita Luisa won't have to buy her a pair often each time her eyeglasses break. Or Tita Luisa can also choose kids glasses with resin and PC lenses. They come in funky colors too. Just perfect for kids.

I think Ehana is three years old now and she must already be going to Kindergarten. I hope I can see her again, prettier than ever before because her vision has already been corrected. I wonder if she has already started her treatment and is now wearing eyeglasses... Hmmm... I should ask Tita Luisa to send me a photo of Ehana wearing her eyeglasses, then.

Tweet

Christmas and Me

December is fast approaching and one can feel the cool breeze of the winter air slowly making its way. And with December comes the Christmas season, that special time of the year when everything is cheery, merry and bright. In my part of the world, it is also going to be a white Christmas, with the snow and all. And so it is time again to save up as early as now so that it will be a happy holiday.

It is still October and yet our heating system is already working, that's how cold it is here. And it is going to be another additional expense. That's why we see to it that we use it only when we can't bear the cold anymore. We would wear our jackets inside the house to save on heating costs. We know this isn't the COLD that people are talking about. Brrrr.... will we be able to endure the winter season? I hope so.

My mom is already making up her shopping list and trying to budget everything so that we will have a happy Christmas. She worries that we won't have enough money for Christmas and so she is being frugal about a lot of things lately and is also considering getting a payday loan should we go over budget.

I always hear her saying how important it is that we have available funds during the winter holidays so that we will enjoy it. I think she meant about the shopping and the Christmas and New Year's feast that is a Filipino tradition. It would be no fun to go to the Christmas market and just look, right? And Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve would not be complete without a banquet. Also, we are planning to spend it at my Dad's brother in London and that would mean we also need to save for our travel expenses. She says I have to be a good girl too so that Santa Claus will give me presents this year. But I am a good girl. I wish this year will be as happy as last year. It need not be a grand celebration though. Being with my family and spending the holidays with them is more than enough.

Tweet

A Day At My Pedia

This was taken at the waiting room of my Pedia's clinic. Mommy and Daddy brought me in for my immunization. I was playing while we were waiting for my Daddy. My ever forgetful Mommy forgot to bring with us my blue book, which records all my immunizations and medical check-ups.

I had two shots that day. One for Hepatitis and the other for Polio. The next one will be on September 15th. It was pretty quick and I was surprised that I only cried after all the shots were given. And I cried only for a while. I can easily be consoled with words, unlike some children who take some time before they calm down. I didn't get any rashes nor had any fever too! I guess my parents are lucky because of that. Hehe!

Tweet

All Is Well!

I am back! Thank you to everyone who wished me well! I am so glad and touched by your prayers and well wishes. So what have I been up to lately?

Aside from playing and messing up our entire house, I have been busy with my reading. New books have arrived! Wheee!! That means, I have more books to tear apart. Hihihi!

And I can now drink through a straw. At first, Mommy and Daddy were so happy. It is another milestone for me. But then I discovered something more fun... I discovered that I can sip and then spit what I just sipped, making my clothes wet with water. And because it is hot, the water helps me to cool down. Now THAT is fun! But Mommy isn't smiling... Sorry Mum!

Tweet

Left Behind

What would you do if your train bound for the airport has already left and it was the last train for the day? Well, I would just chill it out, hang out at the train station and hope that someone will take me there. Hihihi! Well, I wouldn't have to worry about that because I'm still a baby. Let mommy and daddy do the worrying! Hehehe!

Eating my cheese sticks while waiting for Daddy to call...

It was March 31st and we were scheduled to fly for Germany the next day. We were bound for Narita that day to spend the evening at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel so that we will be very near the airport. But we were left behind by the train station for a number of reasons:

First. Mommy left my baby stroller at home. Daddy thought that she loaded it at the back of the car while he was locking the house. Oh NO!

Second. Daddy had to see the car-person where he will leave Lucy for good. He left us at the station while he turned over our car. He still had to go all the way back home to get my stroller and it was a good distance from the station.

Third. We didn't buy any tickets previously, which was a good thing, otherwise we would have spent twice for our transportation.

So what did I do with all that? I was just sitting it out and having a blast watching all those people passing by.

Sitting it out at the train station.
I am Sam... the happy little baby on the road.

Tweet

A Surprise Visit

It was an early Wednesday morning in our house in Yokohama when the doorbell rang. Mommy wondered who could it be. She wasn't expecting anyone that early. And to me and my Mommy's surprise, it was Tita Kikit, a very good friend from Gifu. Daddy was expecting her though, since they talked on the phone the night before. Hehe!

An early morning shot with my family and Tita Kikit.
Daddy is all dressed up for work too!

Tita Kikit: Sam, nanindog pa gud imo buhok!
Me: [blushing! hihihi!]

We played together while Mommy was preparing breakfast. We played inai-inai-ba, the Japanese version of peek-a-boo! It was fun. She also sang me some songs and played with my favorite polar bear, Phoebe, then, when I got tired, I went back to sleep.

Dozing off in Lalaland.
Photo Credits: Kikit Avenue


Exhausted and too sleepy to notice this shot.

Who is Tita Kikit by the way? She is my parents' friend from college who is now living in Japan and works as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher). She teaches English in Elementary and Junior High School. She also works part-time in a Ramen Restaurant in Gifu Prefecture. Tita Kikit also writes wonderfully. You can visit her blog at Kikit Avenue to read about her adventures and mis-adventures.

Tweet

In Our New Home Sweet Home

This is just a quick post. I would like to let everyone know that we are already here in our new home sweet home. Lots of things have happened and I will tell them all once Mommy gives me the laptop. She is too busy arranging our stuff so that she has no time to sit down with me and help me write my post. I will be posting some photos soon too so please watch out for the that.

By the way, my Mommy's blog Just About Anything is currently unavailable. She doesn't know
yet why so while it's offline, she might write here from time to time as my guest writer.

Hope everyone has a happy weekend and I miss you all!

Tweet

Jetlagged and Sick

Yes, I am still sick until today. Mommy is getting worried since it's already Friday. We went to the emergency clinic last night and saw the doctor. They said my condition is getting better and that it would be okay to travel as long as I don't get tired and stressed out. So here I am, sleeping... but my sleep isn't very peaceful because I would just suddenly cry and wake Mommy up. I am so not feeling very well and I have lost a lot of weight. I wish to be well soon so that I won't cry the entire flight to the Philippines.

The happy little baby... deep in slumber.

Tweet

Meet My Twin!

I was browsing through my photos and saw a baby boy that looks just like me. Could it be my twin brother? It would have been very nice because then, I would have somebody to play with! Sigh! Wishful thinking!

Seriously watching my seat... I might fall off the sofa.

Trying to hide that adorable little baby girl smile. Will I pass for a boy?

If it were true, that would really make my mommy very happy. She really wants to have twins, you know. Now, if only these snapshots will convince her I do have a twin brother... Hehe! Will I pass for a boy?

Tweet

The Baby and The Pacifier

These were my pacifier days... I was three months old then when I learned to like this thing called pacifier. But I guess it wasn't really my thing because I outgrew using it quite quickly. I stopped using this when I turned 6 months...

Hmmm... look at me! So serious sucking on my pacifier,
as if my life depended on it. Hihi!


Trying to fight off sleep here... and curious with this thing on my mouth.
It's even upside down when I shoved it back into my mouth. ;D

My mommy was busy ironing Dad's shirts and my clothes
and I fell asleep while watching her do so.

I remember that today's already Friday. How time flies... I wonder what Dad and I will do tomorrow. I will miss my Mommy because she has work but will also have bonding time with Daddy.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Tweet

Decisions...

Each time Mommy buys me some clothes, she would show it to me first and ask me if I like it. She would know if I like something because I would kick and clap my feet in glee and give her my toothy grin. If I don't like it, I would just shake my head. And she would repeat "No, No?". And if I shake my head again in answer, then it's definitely a "No".

I'm happy that Mommy allows me to decide for small things in my life like choosing what to wear. It means that she trusts me to make small choices for myself. One day, I took the liberty of choosing my bib, just because... I took my bib drawer out and checked each one by one, thinking and choosing until I finally settled for my favorite: the baby pink bib given by my Mommytita.

Eenie, minnie, miny, mo! Which bib should I wear?

There, that settles it! I've decided to wear my favorite bib!

Tweet

A Few Hair Then and A Few Hair Now

Here are a few of photos when I was still kalbo (not much hair or hairless). You can really see the transformation from when I was still very small until today. I still don't have that mane of hair but I am improving... Hehe! :D

L: My first photo on my bornday! February 28th.
I do have some hair here, don't I?

R: My passport photo... taken when I was a few weeks old.

L: Don't cha wish your girlfriend was NOT like me? Hehe!
One month old me in my model pose!
R: So sleepy at 2 months. I used to have a hammock then...

L: Minnie Mouse me at 3 months. We just got home from Disneyland here.
R: Oblivious to the crowd and still a baby... Disney Castle awaits!
Must have my photo taken first!

L: A smile after receiving God's blessings on my 4th month here on earth.
R: My first summer donning my yukata at 5 months old.
It was really hot last August!

I've got some hair already here. Very fine strands just like my Dad when he was a kid.

L: Learning to drive F1 at 6 months. Dad is teaching me how!
R: With my Daddy in Zoorasia! I just saw the penguins
that's why I looked so happy here.

And my hair is now visible!

L: Hooded and happy at 7 months still.
R: Just recovered from my colds at 7 months.

And the rest is history... Don't you think that I have got more hair now? ;D

Tweet