Tuesday, November 30, 2010

my expomom adventure

that saturday afternoon, we trooped to rockwell tent to see what's in store for us at the expo mom bazaar. popular shops are present like mama.baby.love, earth & me, tot couture, funky findz and stork studio, to name a few. there is also lassig bags, firefly toothbrush, cycles & cradle, and learning is fun booths.

i've been looking forward to this visit since i made a purchase from indigo baby earlier, it's an earth diaper bag in blue animal. a funky bag to replace our good old, worn and used diaper bag. this one has 8 pockets to stow all of jared's travel essential and it has enough room for mummy's things and for other stuffs for when we go shopping. plus indigo baby agreed to bring this to the expo instead of having it shipped (i saved on courier cost which if you are residing my side of town, will burn almost a hundred in your pocket!) so i am so excited! but turned out they left my order in their shop and if i can wait until 6pm for it. trouble is we can't stay longer because jared is a little bit under the weather that day due to colds! so i guess, with much regret, that i just have to wait for my stuff in the mail (they've been kind enough to shoulder the shipping expense since it's their fault anyway, many thanks for that!) sigh!

i wasn't able to take photos of the lovely booths and the cozy rockwell tent cause i was busy scanning booth after booth for a great find and, yes, running after my tot, simultaneously, the entire time.

i took photos of the stuff we brought home, though, go take a look:

i was inked by expomom! (in lieu of the actual event footage!hehe!)
jared's haul for the day: some nice shirts and a polo/shorts terno: all priced at less than 500php! 
an early christmas shopping for my little one:)
i took home these freebies from cycles and cradle simply by answering a survey!yay!
i've been using cycles on jared's laundry since day one and what joy it is to have some for free
i bought one of these to try out...been meaning to buy an anti-mosquito product for a while now, see if you live amidst the trees and the plants and a stone's throw away from the rice fields, mosquitoes visit aplenty and a mum's just got to be ready, right? (heck, why am i rhyming??)
got this freebie: a back issue of momstoday:) 
been on the hunt for this particular magazine, 
not available in booksale where i buy my smartparenting copy
not even in waltermart or puregold
glad to finally find it!
and i have to buy the latest ish, haven't i?:) 
so i won't have a hard time looking for one, again.
must rush my subscription, i guess?

all in all, it was quite an experience, although i guess there are only quite a handful of shops available plus the lack of activities did not add up to their advantage (there is a raffle draw each hour, though), or was it only because i left too soon?

i'd love to hear your expo mom story


an email on baby sign language and early childhood education

i received this email a couple of days back:
and in response i am posting her article her for the benefit of other mums out there. feel free to email me for your questions and clarifications.  


Talk to your Baby without Words


A crying baby is a sound that many people would agree, sends a chill down their spine, and you never want to hear.  Parents these days are so dedicated to their children, and their needs, so they never have to hear that cry.  Luckily, a new trend is helping parents to decipher what a certain cry means, no it is not a machine or pulse-checking test.  It is teaching them sign language in an attempt to start communicating even before their first words.   Teaching children this young, can be beneficial in numerous ways.

A Jump Start


The ability to communicate articulately in a variety of ways and languages to the widest possible audience is a great way to stay ahead and ensure a decent standard of living in our suffering economic state.  This is not limited to speaking different languages but also non-verbal communication: signing.

However, the shortage of qualified interpreters fluent in American Sign Language that has led to more career opportunities is dwindling– and if current trends continue, it's likely that skilled ASL interpreters will have little problem securing lucrative employment in a society where such a commodity is destined to be in short supply.


Connecting with your Child
 
The benefits of early childhood education through signing are endless.  In addition to giving kids a way to communicate, it also provides them with an opportunity to form a bond with their parent(s).  The hope is that eventually it will become know as one of the "firsts" that no parent wants to miss, such as the first time they walked or their first tooth.  Signing is likely to allow communication much earlier than verbally.  It creates a closeness that will allow parents to be more in sync with their child's thoughts and needs.

"Ma-ma", "Da-da", or Silence

The toddler years and beyond – ages 2 to five –are an ample time to educate children in different modes of communication and language because of their brain development course. This goes beyond the spoken word (though it is an optimal time for children to learn a second language); many young children have an aptitude for signing as well.
American Indian nations have used sign language for centuries to facilitate communication with other tribes with whom they do not share a language. Some paleontologists and anthropologists theorize that Neanderthals – who apparently lacked the vocal mechanism to produce many spoken words – depended a great deal upon hand gestures to communicate. Therefore it is not as strange as one would think.


In fact, recent research suggests that sign language is innate. An article published in the Boulder Daily Camera in 2003 presented strong evidence that babies as young as six months old communicate with their hands:

            "...by 6 to 7 months, babies can remember a sign. At eight months, children
            can begin to imitate gestures and sign single words. By 24 months, children
            can sign compound words and full sentences. They say sign language reduces
            frustration in young children by giving them a means to express themselves
            before they know how to talk." (Glarion, 2003)

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are also referred to by the author, demonstrating that young children who are taught sign language at an early age whether at day care or at home, actually develop better verbal skills as they get older. The ability to sign has also helped parents in communicating with autistic children; one parent reports that "using sign language allowed her to communicate with her [autistic] son and minimized his frustration...[he now] has an advanced vocabulary and excels in math, spelling and music" (Glarion, 2003).

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas

Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the network of Austin day care facilities belonging to the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose day care schools.  Primrose Schools are located in 16 states throughout the U.S. and are dedicated to delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum throughout their preschools.

i would love to teach jared sign language only if he is old enough to learn it, that is right after he speaks his fluent gibberish, right?

what are your thought? let me know, drop a line at vixenp33@gmail.com



join the PMAP and SEAIR Search for the High Flyers!


i was fortunate enough to attend the recently concluded presscon of pmap for their high flyers video making contest. 

what is pmap?


The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) is a fifty year old national association of top HR practitioners in the country.  With about 1,800 member companies, PMAP helps institutions mold an enlightened, competent, socially responsible and influential sector of people managers who can effectively participate in nation-building.

the advocacy:

pmap, thru studies and research, identified three behavioral competencies which will enable college students to land the job of their dreams once they graduated. these behavioral competencies are: initiative, communication skills and critical thinking.

the video-making contest:

the high flyers video making contest is open to all currently enrolled college students and is a fun and interactive way of spreading this advocacy further

To create a high level of awareness, PMAP has partnered with Dingdong Dantes as the campaigns’ official endorser. 



the mechanics: 

you can download a high resolution version from pmap high flyers' facebook page

prizes awaiting the high flyers are as follows: 

the Grand Winner will receive:

(1) A BARKADA TRIP FOR FIVE TO BORACAY WITH ACCOMMODATION VIA SEA AIR

(2) A SPECIAL FOUNDATION IN CULINARY ARTS CLASS FROM GLOBAL CITY INNOVATIVE COLLEGE

(3) A roundtrip airfare to Singapore to be given to the school of the winning group

(4) AND MANY MORE EXCITING PRIZES!!!

*All Top Ten finalists will receive prizes from our sponsors. 


for more info just check out pmap high flyers' page on facebook.
 
it will be a dream come true for me if jared will possess initiative, communication skills and critical thinking to be a high flyer not just in school but in the game of life.

thanks to blogger friend vance, of purpleplumfairy, and richard mamuyac for the invite. here's to more blogging event in the future!

note: will be posting some photos later when blogger allows me!





meet me on monday: 24th edition



Questions:

1.  What is your favorite way to eat chicken?
2.  Have you decorated for Christmas yet?
3.  What is your favorite article of clothing?
4.  Do you pay your bills online or write checks the old way?
5.  Do you make Christmas cookies?


my answers:

1.  i love it fried and crunchy and yes i eat the skin, by my favorite way of eating chicken is pininyahang manok (that's chicken with pineapple chunks and milk, my mom's recipe is the best!)



2.  yup, check it here. i still have to buy some more decorations to make it look more festive and yes, i haven't found a star or an angel to place on top of it....


3.  my favorite article of clothing?hmm, let me see, i am usually clad in my shirt and shorts cause i'm usually just at home taking care of jared and doing the household chores. but i must say i love my gray shorts by far, saves me the trouble of wearing jeans (which i must admit are a tad tighter now that i am continously gaining weight and getting bigger in the midsection!darn!) and very comfy too. fits a mum who has to dash every few seconds to follow her toddling little boy! but unfortunately i do not have a nice photo of it to share, in my future posts perhaps.

4.  neither, i pay bills in cash and do it the long, old fashioned, inconvenient way. each bill payment day i would drag myself (with jared in tow, or lest nag someone else to do it for me!) to the nearest shopping center and pay it manually, pathetic, i know but gives me peace of mind doing it that way. am afraid of way too many hackers giving a go at my online account!!


5.  if i could, i definitely would in lavish christmas shapes my son will totally love. one day soon, i will learn how to bake biscuits and more...any tips for budding cooks like me?

note: thanks a bunch google for the cute photos:)

my take on this week's meet me on monday, now it's your turn.
join here





Questions:

1.  How many pillows do you sleep with?
2.  Where will you eat on Thanksgiving?
3.  Would you rather go to a party or host a party?
4.  How many purses (for the guys..wallets) do you own?
5.  What is your favorite kind of seafood?

my answers:

1.  i sleep with four large pillows and sometimes jared's baby bolsters and moo pillow join the party!
2.  we do not celebrate thanksgiving here in the philippines but if we do i will most likely celebrate it eating a sumptious (i hope!) meal hear at home

3.  i'd rather that i go to a party than host it, from what i experienced with my son's first birthday (which reminds me, i haven't posted it in its entirety)!
4.  am not really a purse type of person cause i prefer to bring my backpack or my mailman bag wherever i go, and of late, the not-so-handy-dandy diaper bag that has all my son's travel essential. i would just put my stuffs in the dappy's bag pocket for convenience.but here is a preview of my new diaper bag i ordered from indigo baby!

5.  my favorite kind of seafood is tuna!i can eat everything tuna, tuna belly, sizzling tuna, and yes even fita in tuna flavor used to by my staple. can't get enough of it:)






Monday, November 29, 2010

music monday: Owl City - Fireflies




this is one of the latest songs jared is listening to. he would just stare at the screen, unmoving as if entranced. maybe the cute toys caught his attention or probably the catchy lyrics won his heart, whichever, we play this over and over and over again each morning and he never grow tired.


Fireflies lyrics
Songwriters: Young, Adam;

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep

'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell

But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

my entry for music monday...

enjoy!


Sunday, November 28, 2010

a free custom blog design up for grabs!


New premades and a BIG Giveaway!

who wouldn't want a blog makeover, i would love to have one  soon (when my pocket permits it!), it might cost a fortune for a sahm mum like me, who, as of the moment is still not earning her own moolah!(sigh!) i believe it will give more character to my blog and hopefully draw followers and readers in. 

now how about if you can have a blog makeover for free?

i hear you raising your hands and shouting "yes!".  well then, here is a blog contest especially for you. go visit simply fabulous blogger templates and see the lovely designs available and with just a few and simple mechanics, you might win and get for free! 

Grand Prize: A full custom template, it comes with a blog button, post/sidebar custom font, social networking icons, page dividers, and post signature. (ARV $150)

Other prizes: Two custom Christmas photo cards (ARV $30 each), Two premade templates (ARV $5 each), and one custom blog header (ARV $80).

simply choose a blogger template of your liking and follow these easy steps and you're on your way to a more fabulous blog!

How to enter:
- Go to premades4purpose.com and tell us which templates/photo cards are your favourite
- "Like" Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates on Facebook  
- Follow @simplyfabblog on Twitter
- Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in the comments.
- Grab our button
- Follow @simplyfabblog on twitter and Tweet " I want to #win a custom blog design from @simplyfabblog (ARV $150) http://to.ly/87A1 " (once a day)
-Post on YOUR Facebook page: " I want to win a custom blog design at http://www.simplyfabulousbloggertemplates.com/ (ARV $150) "

giveaway is open to everyone worldwide and will be up until the 10th of december, so don't waste those precious time and join now!

here's to a simply fabulous blog!


Thirty on 30 "Changes in My Life" Blog Contest


blankPixels' Thirty on 30 Blog Contest to celebrate her 30th birthday and Just Another Pixel's second anniversary!

seems like when i blog about contest, i can't stop so here is another exciting blog giveaway, this time from just another pixel, the thirty on 30 blankPixels' birthday giveaway!

if you will be one of the lucky winners, you will get to take home any of the following:

Changes in My Life"  Blog-Writing Prizes
  • First Prize: $40.00 Paypal cash
  • Second Prize: $25.00 Paypal cash
  • Third Prize: $15.00 Paypal cash
  • PLUS surprise special award/s
 Favorite Sponsor Blog Post Blog Writing Prizes
  • 3 Winners of $10.00 Paypal cash for BEST POST
 First Comments Raffle Prizes
  • 3 Winners of $10.00 Paypal cash
 THIRTY ON 30 RAFFLE PRIZES were exciting items are up for grabs!




Primary Sponsors

Everything Nice!News Break OnlineFat Girl No MoreWritten by Mys
My Thoughts, My Heart, My TurfZoWandererJust the Tip of an IceBerg
Just About AnythingBlogger ManilaDress Up Your BlogsPinay Mom
Certified FoodiesPinay Online Money MakerPinay Reviewer

Secondary Sponsors

Georyl: Blogging with my HeartPop Ups of My MindBlog TacticGrace in Creative Life

General Sponsors

Make Money Online and BeyondOne Proud MommaLover MushroomPlate and MePaula's HomeMake More Money OnlineThe Miscellaneous MeHere, There and EverywhereTravels and ExplorationsMusings of LifeKharen's CornerIt's KhaNoypistuffJennyholic, Confession of an AddictDeej SpeaksTechie ThingsCups and LowercaseLive for LiveExperience of a Super MomSharing my ThoughtsYashiro's JournalTable for FiveInternet Cafe BlogblankPixels – The Geek Side



promo runs til the end of november so head on to her site while you still have time!


a christmas giveaway...

Christmas Giveaways

to all you freebie and giveaway addict just like me, here is another exciting giveaway for us to join, the pink go green christmas giveaway by ilovepink1078

here's what's in store for the  winners:

1st Prize:
$ 15 or Php 600 via paypal
1000 EC credits (Pink Go Green)
3 month space 125 x 125

2nd Prize
$ 10 or Php 400  via paypal
500 EC Credits (Mapeh Homepage)
1 month space 125 x 125


3rd Prize
$ 5 or Php 200  via paypal
300 EC credits (Hymns and Prayers)
1 month space 125 x 125

8 Consolation Prizes
$ 2 or Php 100 (e-load)

contest ends december 15 and winners will be announced 3 days after. for details on how to join the contest just click on the giveaway badge for the link!


the first ever life can't wait giveaway


here's another exciting giveaway you might want to try, up for grabs are the following:

First Prize:
40$ Cash
10,000 ECs
One month 125x125 Ad Spaces on High PR Blogs

Second Prize
20$ Cash
9,000 ECs
One month 125x125 Ad Spaces

Third Prize
10$ Cash
6,000 ECs
One month 125x125 Ad Spaces
she's even thrown in this lovely necklace for a special raffle!
Major Sponsors


Minor Sponsors

http://www.elaisblog.blogspot.com http://www.elaispreciousangels.com http://www.mywishlist.info http://www.klivengood-iTravel.blogspot.com http://www.myplace-home-family.comhttp://www.lizmagikera.info/ http://www.wordyliz.com/ http://liezl-read-write.blogspot.com/http://www.jejeizahfaye.com http://www.work-and-earn-online.com http://www.oneproudmomma.comhttp://mymomsbest.us http://kissmi.info http://sherryever.com http://loveandthoughts.com http://isherrygo.comhttp://lurvevertyhing.com http://www.jeromejames.info http://www.redismarose.comhttp://iamjennyholic.blogspot.com http://addicted2contest.blogspot.com http://georyl.com http://crazy-over-purple.blogspot.com http://hahpiness.blogspot.com/ http://prettymomie.blogspot.com/

joining is quite easy, just head down to marice's site for more details. this promo is until december the 10th so you still have ample time to join and spread the word.

goodluck!



i won!i won!




i was so delighted when i received an email congratulating me for winning in this giveaway! these are my prizes:

SECOND PRIZE:
$30 VIA PAYPAL
3000 entrecard credits
1 month ad space from selected sponsor blogs

i've received my cash prize thru paypal and the 3000 entrecard credits. as for the 1 month adspace, i have contacted all five sponsors and as of writing was updated by eihdra  and have my badge installed at pinkstuffgalore by bonz.

wow, am i on a winning streak? this is my second time to win a blog giveaway (check here for the first one) and am just to psyched up to join more!

again, thanks to written by mys for the great opportunity and to her lovely sponsors as well, more giveaways in the future!
for more of these, do drop by every so often as i will be posting more in the future, cheers!



my first blog giveaway winnings!

my first ever blog giveaway prize!yay!

i can't believe my eyes when i saw my blog's banner photo in mommylace's blog and to top it off she's just posted the winner for her lactacyd baby bath time contest! and yes, i won! the contest was fairly easy, really. i  was just asked to comment about the best bath time experience i had with my baby, so i did. i wrote about our bath rituals and and enumerated our activities for a superb bath time experience. i even forgot to mention that i also blow edible bubbles for jared's enjoyment whilst he play on his bathtub!

here's the except from mommylace's blog:
    
Thank you to everyone who joined, I had a hard time choosing the best answer! Obviously, all of us enjoy bath time with our babies :) And here is the mom who will enjoy a shopping spree at Big & Small Co. worth Php 3,000 :-
Mommy Vix says:
I try to make every bath time a fun experience for me and my baby. I bought him a tub especially for the occasion and  i sing him a song whenever i bathe him “ligo, ligo, ligo na si jared..”
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs336.ash2/61610_435367600605_627475605_4967217_6002411_n.jpg
Vix and her baby Jared
We also make bath time playtime by handing him his rubber fishies (yep, he doesn’t take much liking to rubber duckies!) to play with as I clean him up and yes, mummy sprinkles water gently on baby’s face, while he splashes on the tub like a fish accompanied by fun giggles. In the end, mom ends up all soaked too! I also allot 2 to 3 minutes of play after I rinse him up. That will be the time baby will play with his mini basin and dipper, banging them on his tub and splashing them on water.
My baby had cradle cap and skin allergy when he was born and I used lactacyd to bathe him as recommended by our pedia. I love that it is gentle on my baby’s sensitive skin and that Jared smells very clean after every bath. It also makes bath time more fun time since I have one less thing to worry about.
Congratulations and enjoy shopping! :)

yay!3,000php gc from big & small co! have yet to ask someone to pick-up my prize for me, though. can't wait to shop for jared's christmas stuff (i've done a bit from the last expomom and i still have to buy him pants or shorts and shoes!)

thanks mommylace and here's to future giveaway success! if you want to try your luck on contests and giveaways do drop by her site every so often, she always has something up for grabs:)


Friday, November 26, 2010

girls talk: accessories/apparel section


this is a section of the mall i have totally neglected, see i am not really your accessories girl more so when i became a mum. accessories for me will just consist of my simple earrings (pearls mostly, in different shades which i've procured long before i became a mother, a yellow, shell-like one which my kumareng (that's a godmother of my son in our vernacular) jannai gave me several christmases ago, some button-like thingies and star and heart shaped ones, and my lovely green dangling i got as a christmas present from my friend, jackie), a bunch of bangles (the breakable once which i bought for cheap in the guadalupe tiangge ages ago and which i can't wear a lot, especially when i go out with my son), this lovely bracelet (made of charms and swarovski, in purple, which i had when i was pregnant), my watch (which reminds me - i had to go to the nearest timex branch to order for a new bracelet so i can replace the broken one and wear it again) and that's about complete my arsenal! yup, i admit i am not your girlie type of girl really, i am only girlie to a certain extent!lol!

for apparels, same thing. i cannot recall the last time i bought myself new stuff, well, save for shorts and the pedal pushers which daddy egged me to buy a few months back from the giordano depot in shell of asia. i would probably buy one (a shirt or any top to much any of my son's christmas attire - so we can go out in terno!hehe!)

there goes my entry for this week's Girls Talk, what's yours...link up so i can read and leave you a comment...

happy shopping gals!


40th pedia talk live


on november 27 at 8am-12noon,mommy academy will host the 40th pedia talk live at the dusit thani hotel in makati.topic to be tackled will be "home for the holidays", jut in time for the christmas season. this is free admission but you have to pre-register, and if you can, do invite your mummy friends and colleagues and you will even get a chance to win a personal ref from the raffle.  


for a sahm like me, who normally spends the weekend mornings with jared at home this will be a welcome treat to go outside and spend a saturday morning with other mums like me with their babies in tow. this will be the first time i'd be attending so i don't know what is in store for me, but i love adventure and i love to experience new things and i will be sure to blog about afterwards. so if you have nothing to do this saturday morning, join mommy academy's 40th pedia talk.

for more details visit mommy academy or e-mail them at mommyacademy@ggproductionsinc.com to pre-register.


friday fill-ins #200



FFI


So...here we go!

1. Why does the harry potter saga have to end?

2. when jared is a lot older, i would like us to conquer and see the world.

3. Thank you for all the blessings that i have been receiving.

4. christmas is my favorite holiday because it reminds me so much of our holidays when i was a kid and hopefully i can make those lasting and wonderful memories and beautiful tradition with my son.

5. I am SO addicted to blogging is the first thought that comes to mind.

6. we can always be happy if we make up our minds to be.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping sound, tomorrow my plans include going to the 40th pedia talk in dusit and Sunday, I want to just relax and go to the memorial to visit my parents!


love to read your take on this one...do link up with   



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