MIND BUBBLES

Okay, so the Wii that we have been waiting for more than half a year now, never came. I mean I don't want to put pressure on anyone here but if you promised, keep it and don't even pretend you were having problems sending them. Yadda yadda yadda! Kid me huh?! Now, I truly know you tsk tsk. Lest, promises made to a toddler is a crime for me. You are not his dad, you don't have one word. Now, my goal for my birthday (which is 2 months away from now, oh no!) is to give myself and my son a reward for all our waiting for that controversial Wii! haha! I am getting one in September and I have told Hubby many times. My son loves Nintendo Wii when we tried it during our vacation in California last year. Eversince, he was begging me to get him one. Instead, Hubby bought him an Xbox 360 which he bought from ShopWiki. We didn't like it or shall I say, 360 is way way too advance for my son and way way too difficult for me to comprehend.

As early as now I am shopping for Nintendo Wii at ShopWiki and checking out the best deals. I actually saw one seller with the cheapest price and guess what?! Shipping is free! I just hope that by September, the price is still the same. Until then, we will have to settle with what we have here, Xbox 360 that is!

We are still unsure if we are going to send our 3.2-yr old boy to big school this coming school year. I wanted to have more time with him because as I look for a fulltime job next year, I won't be there for him 24/7. I am thinking though of sending him to playgyms were I could also be with him while he attends classes. Although, he has been showing signs of school readiness as he gets tired easily with toys and spends so much time with books and writing and coloring books. He is running out of educational materials and I am on a hunt for some children's books at Amazon books as I always find cheap finds in that site. Hubby and I are hoping for some final school decision by end of this month, for now, I shall buy him plenty of books and a blackboard for me to use as his educational tools and prepare him for big school.

Yes I will...
I'm just so happy to be at 372-D!!!

Yes we have moved and have finished unpacking everything too.
I promise to be back with more updates here and also in my other personal blogs.

But for now, let me leave with something really scary which news I got from the maintenance supervisor. I was asking him when he visited our unit if there were other kids in the neighborhood same as my toddler, he said older but there is this one girl in the last unit that is the same age as my son but...

Yes there is a but, he warned me not to let my son play with her because the parents are always hitting booze!!!

Okay now, we'll stay away with her. Pity the little girl, though.

Oh you will not believe this. My friend who is always celebrating Halloween with a blast had her Halloween costumes orders disaster. They came in on December last year. You see, Halloween is a joyous occasion and wearing costumes during Halloween will lift anyone’s spirits that's why this friend of mine always sees to it she has fresher and unique halloween costumes not only for her but also for her guests. Oh yes, she is that excited about Halloween parties, that she would literally save up for funds she will use in ordering unique and sometimes sexy costumes. This is what happened with her orders. Her mom has a dress shop which can customize costumes as well but because so many friends have been raving about cauldron costumes, she decided to check it online and since she finds online shopping really convenient, she started by checking on what the site has to offer. She got too excited with what customecauldron.com offers that she ordered more than 10 costumes for her and her girlfriends. Unfortunately, I was out of the country already at that time that I was not able to attend the party. The costumes were a variety of choices from sexy to childlike and scary types. She sent out 10 friends with pegs or photos of the ordered costumes so they could choose already and know which sizes would fit 9 of her friends. Then everything else get settled, she pressed the purchased button and voila, she was anxiously waiting for them. She ordered 1st week of October. By end of October she was already panicking that the costumes won’t arrive on time for her Halloween party. And guess what, true enough November came and still the orders were not there. It all arrived in December but she was happy to see them and did not send them back for refund. You know what they wore on the party, improvised costumes made out of newspapers. Oh I wish I had photos, my friend is really creative when it comes to this type of parties.

When I have a daughter, I want her to be well-travelled and would be playing violin like this girl. What a lovely sight!

I am very lucky when it comes to having real good friends. Imagine them throwing birthday surprises for me since my 20th birthday, oh if I should recall my 25th birthday, it was really a blast. Then came, my bridal shower and baby shower. These were all surprises, I have no hint they were planning it all along. If you could just see how beautiful my baby shower was and by looking at those baby shower invitations, I'm pretty sure, my friends have spent so much time preparing for it. I wonder whose gonna have a baby in our group, so I could join them in planning for a baby shower.

I got too caught with school work that I forgot I am going to be a godmother to my friend's newest baby. I haven't even shopped for some baby gifts and the christening will be tomorrow! Can you imagine that? I know I'd find one quickly because I truly love shopping baby gifts over my own stuff. Or if I get really busy and no time to go out, I might just check out some stuff at polkadotpatch.com and have it shipped to my godson's home.

My mom is one of those people who are so afraid to make transactions on the internet. However, her cards were not saved from this because I have previously used her cards in purchasing some stuff over the internet, don't worry it is with her permission of course haha! But, she remains to be really wary about all this online transactions that she almost get me and herself lifelock promo code for her to be able to avail of a life lock protection. I am aware of all this identity theft protection and has been reading a lot of lifelock reviews by consumer who specifically availed of this type of online protection. However, I do not think I would need it now. For one thing, I now only use debit cards for shopping online. With the limited funds on it, I do not think any theft would be interested in my account. But, my mom would be needing it because as I have said, I previously used her cards and with her high maintaining balance, she ought to have some identity protection.

A friend who is currently pregnant has raved to me about her current purchase for her baby, a Mutsy Stroller. She said that this 4Rider “Next” Cargo stroller offers more extraordinary functionality than other popular brands of stroller. I remembered when Hubby and I were shopping for strollers for our baby 3 years ago, we were too meticulous on choosing it. Who wouldn't? Strollers are parents substitute. If you are not carrying your baby, you put them in the stroller or the bassinet attached to it. So every parent makes sure that the strollers their babies are riding on are secured and safe. Had we known about Mutsy Stroller, we could have gotten this. They have more cutting edge style of the 4Rider with the addition of a fashionable leather handle and the exclusive Cargo range of premium fabrics. The fabrics seem to be very easy to clean. The 4Rider Cargo series provide you with everything you need for each age level of your babies from infants to toddler days. Now, I understand why my friend kept raving about her baby's stroller, afterall 4Rider is worth every penny.

I got this from my e-group. It came right on time because we are moving to our own place really soon. Our little boy is having his own room and I want to decorate them with furnitures not only for aesthetic purpose but also for his effective usage and some learning. Here is a website which offers furnitures for kids that combine its usage with learning and fun. Has anyone of you tried this? They're really cutesy stuff, look at the photos I snagged from their site. Oohlalala indeed. I think 3 years old is really the appropriate age for a kid to have his own independence by having his own room. Check out more in this site: http://www.levelsofdiscovery.com/catalog.php3.

A friend was in shambles when she gave me a call yesterday. Too bad as she spent her Mother's day in the hospital. Her son was rushed in the emergency after several days of severe fever. So far, the son is in stable condition. However, my friend is more worried about the medical expenses incurred during their 3 days stay. She was devastated to find out that her husband was delinquent in paying their medical insurance thus as of yesterday, their son's medical insurance was declined by the hospital. It was really bad. She was asking me if I know of any insurance company that would somehow helped them by giving medical insurance while lowering their current rates. Good thing, I took note of the the online insurance company which I previously researched for my Aunt. I told her about advantagemedicalquotes.com which gave me an immediate quotations after I contacted an insurance agent online. So far, my Aunt like the offers they gave her and is thinking of availing their service. I really hope my friend does pay immediate attention to their medical insurance current standing so she won't be caught offguard with similar situations. I feel for her.

It's a lazy and gloomy mother's day here in this part of Virginia. It has been raining since this morning and all hubby, me and our toddler do is laze around in the Bed. I couldn't even put myself to blog, we are certified couch potatoes today. Before we go to a relative's house four our mother's day celebration, let me just share with you a lovely conversation hubby and I had while our toddler was taking his naptime. He kidded my by saying that we should be making our baby #2 this year. I was surprised because coming from him he doesn't want to rush baby #2. I told him though baby #2 will have to wait and should be done in Paris Hotels or London Hotels. I have been constantly reminding him that we should go visit Europe 2 years from now and that's where we are going to have our 2nd honeymoon aka project baby #2.

Then, he was arguing that Birmingham Hotels and Manchester Hotels is where he wants baby #2 to be made. Hahha it was really funny. Then we begun wikipedia-ing places to visit in Manchester and Paris. We came across these awesome photos in Paris the Eiffel tower of course and the must visit places in Manchester. I would really try to convince hubby with that goal of ours, I really need to go to Europe before baby #2 comes out because it will be so hard to live 2 energetic kids to our folks, right? For now, let me just greet every mommy out there a big Happy Mother's day! Hope you all had a great one!

I have always been vocal that as a child my love for books is very limited. I don't know why, Maybe, I was more oriented into the practical side of growing up. More toys and more play. In highschool, I begun to love reading love novels but still, I cannot consider myself as a bookworm. It is only now that I am catching up on my being a bookworm. I would love to spend more time in the bookstore and spend a big chunk of my shopping money for books. I just hope my son does not inherit this trait that is why as early as now, I am introducing and showering him with as many books as he can possibly have.

Raising kids is no joke. Not only will you take care of the rearing side but it also entails a lot of financial responsibilities. Once you have a child, the expenses won't just stop, they are actually never-ending. There goes the education, the child insurance, the toys, clothes and other expenses that will really eat up a big chink in your budget. That's why I always tell my teenager cousins who are so weak when it comes to love that they should think of bigger responsibilities before jumping into the peer pressure of PMS as this may end up to teenage pregnancy. I tell you being a parent is toughest responsibility in the world. And the mom's tasks just never end.

I am lucky and privileged that I have to be with my son 24/7 and not have the worries that my mother friends have when they leave their kids with their nannies. I used to be equally paranoid when I had a nanny for my son whom I had some suspicion. I was even considering on getting a nanny camera to record her every move. Good thing though, as she was able to prove to me that she was trustworthy.

A friend is always asking me if her buying a nanny camera is logical and ethical thing to do. Somehow, she is a bit uncomfortable with recording her son's nanny's every move through a nanny camera. I told her if she seems to be doing a job, might as well uncut those camera and not to use it again. If you do not fully trust your househelps or nanny, it wouldn't hurt to buy one, all you want is security and protection for your kids and nanny cameras somehow help worried mothers to be less paranoid. But, there are limitations to it, if you are recording her move for your own entertainment stop, it is not ethical. Just a piece of advice from mind bubbles.

I used to think of motherhood as an easy peesy job especially those moms who choose to stay at home. It is women who can mix their booming career with motherhood that I most admire. Until I became a stay-at-home mom almost one year ago. Oh boy, it is the most difficult role to boot. There are challenges and hardships especially if you do not have any nanny or househelp. It's a learning process and a fun journey altogether. Nevertheless, I am grateful for this chance as I enjoy watching my son's milestones despite the every demands of having a toddler. Let me share with you an interesting article I came across over the net. It is exactly what SAHMs feel when they leave their children and have a good time.

Am I a Bad Mother?
Written by A.L. HarperPublished January 30, 2006

About a year ago I started to yearn for my freedom. I wanted to be a person again, not just a mother. Don't get me wrong I love my daughter dearly. I wouldn't be without her. She is the light of my life. At the same time I was sick and tired of being a mother.
You know what I mean - the person who makes the meals, does the laundry and reminds everyone where to be and when to be there (and most the time gets them there). I didn't feel like a person anymore. I didn't feel like a woman anymore. I felt like a MOTHER machine.
Now that my daughter is getting older (12 is too older) I wanted some of my life back. I wanted some me time. And I decided to start small.
Step one -I started going to the gym every morning before work (something I knew my husband could get behind). My husband gets my daughter up and off to school every morning and I go directly from the gym to work. It has worked out very well. He has really taken to it and even seems to like it. And he gets a fit, happy wife in return.
Step two - on Sunday I go and have coffee with friends for a couple of hours. My daughter complains that I'm not at home spending time with her. However when I do stay home she just wants to sit and watch TV, play video games. Last week after sitting at home all morning watching her watch TV I decided to go to coffee. What did she say as I was leaving? "But what if I want something? You won't be here for me." That's when it dawned on me, we both want the same thing - whatever is going to make HER happiest.
And ultimately, I decided, a happy mummy is what was going to make her happiest. After all I'm a better mummy when I'm happy.
My mother tells me that when you have a child you give up your life to them. That you give up all you are for your children. Where is that written?! I wouldn't have signed up if I had read that part! Does that make me a bad mummy? Taking some time for me? And while we're on the "giving everything up" subject - my mother certainly didn't do that!
I am taking a creative writing course, I got a few tattoos (something I have always wanted), I have a coffee with my friends on Sunday, and go to the gym every weekday morning. Occasionally we have a girl's night out.
I haven't abandoned her. It not as if I leave food and water in little dishes on the floor, like I do for the cat. She's fine! Fed, loved (tickled most nights), cleaned and occasionally disciplined - although not too often, she's a good kid.
I don't think taking time for myself makes me a bad mummy. In fact I think it makes me a better mummy and wife. Happier, more fulfilled, certainly more patient. I laugh and smile more easily, I am more joyous.
So why do I feel so damned guilty? When is it ok to be a person again? When can we start taking our lives back a little? I still do all the mummy things. I just do other stuff too.
Now where are my motorbike keys? I'm off to tour the world.

Do you eat the eyes of the fish? I know there are countries who sell fish or serve fish in a resto with the head! But in our country, it is the most favorite part of every fish dish! I am an eater of a fish eye, my mom is, so is my grandmother and also my bestfriend. That is why when my friend told me about a story of her eating a fish eye infront of her date who freaks out as if she was some kinda alien, I laughed my heart out. Hahhaha! To some they find it disgusting but for me, they're so yummy! I wrote about this as my 3-year-old son loves eating the head of a pink salmon. Hmmm yum yum! He really does. How about you? Do you find it queaky or yummy?

One of my fetishes includes beautiful hands. I have the worst working hands ever. Other than the fact that I do housechores ever since I was young (even with 2 househelps, my mom trained us to do things on our own), I think I overworked my hands. I loved to do a lot of things with the use of my pungy hands and I started going to a nail spa as early as 8 years old! So now my hands look damaged, pungy, dry, rough and very heavy! Do you know of any surgeries that repair hands? And kids never go to a nail spa when you don't even have enough cuticles yet!

My 2 year-old son's fascination on Transformers is just amazing. I mean, he wants to watch the Transformer movie over and over again and just hates the animation series version. For the 1st time in my many times of watching this movie with him, I found my own appreciation last night. It was a really awesome film! I believe though that it is quite destructive for a toddler's mind to be watching this film but all in all, it was a flick you shouldn't miss!