mommy matters – Page 64

Ma-sim and Wa-yet

Ayex started talking earlier than usual but in German – in words none of us can understand. Over the months, I noticed how her speech evolved and Ayex does not fail to amaze me and Mon.

After dinner last night, Ayex was already begging for milk but I haven’t cleaned up myself. To prevent her from throwing temper tantrums again, I reminded Mon that we still have some sour gummy worms. He took it from our hiding place and showed it to Ayex. This should be my cue to go. I asked Ayex to give me a piece before I head to the bathroom. I was so surprised when I heard her say, No, bad, masim (maasim/sour). When did she learn how to say maasim (sour)?

After cleaning up, I finally gave her milk. While she was feeding, Mon and I were talking about something. Our voice was not too loud as Ayex usually sleeps while feeding. After a few minutes, she stood up, faced her dad with her pointer finger in front of her mouth and said, Daddy, wayet (quiet). Understanding what she meant, Mon and I laughed so loud! It was the first time we heard her say that. While we were laughing, she faced me and said, Mommy, wayet! This time with real conviction. When Mon and I stopped laughing, she breastfed once more.

Her vocabulary is indeed increasing very fast. She has started reading more books and even repeating what she hears from the television! Our little baby is now a real toddler!

Quitting – Phase I

I had a very very very bad day last Monday. I had trouble letting my milk down as I was so stressed. I was supposed to attend a meeting but due to circumstances, I told hubby to pick me up already as I wanted to go home. After a few minutes of trying, my milk still won’t come out. I finally gave up, mind already aching because of anger. I told myself I’ll just express milk when I get home. I produced barely an ounce of milk.

After eating dinner at that night, I told hubby to prepare my pump so I can make Aye’s milk for the net day. After a few seconds, I told him that I’ll probably rest already as I’m too tired. The next day, before I took a shower, I checked if hubby was able to put inside the fridge the little milk I made. I saw a bottle in the sink after looking inside the fridge. Then I found out that MIL threw the milk. I just dismissed it to cut the long story short and told them (MIL and Ate Meriam) to feed Ayex with Dutchmill and Chocolait. So that Tuesday, Ayex didn’t have breastmilk during daytime.

When we came home, I immediately asked Ate Meriam how was Ayex given that she didn’t have breastmilk after we left the house for work. She said she was just fine. She asked for water most of the time and would ask them to open the fridge so she can get “milk” by herself. I was relieved. I had the feeling that Ayex would be all thirsty for milk from time time we left her until we come back. So I asked Ate Meriam, “Sa tinging mo pwede na akong hindi mag express ng milk? (Do you think I can stop expressing milk already?” And she said yes.

So today, it is the second day that I come to work without my pink tweety lunch bag. I told hubby that I will stop expressing milk at work as it is also tiring for me but I also told him that I will still continue to breastfeed Ayex during nighttime and exclusively on weekends. I don’t think I’m already ready to quit breastfeeding Aye altogether, that’s why my title has “Phase I”. I’m still leaning towards child-lead weaning.

Ayex and A New Favorite

I’ve always been a fan of mac and cheese since I tasted it from Kenny Rogers. Not sure where else this is being offered here in Manila.

Even though it’s a personal favorite, I didn’t bother cooking one for myself nor for my family. Then one time when we were doing the grocery, I found a mac and cheese recipe in a box! Since then, I’ve been telling my colleagues about it even if I haven’t tried it. Last week, I finally got two boxes to try.

When I woke up this morning (the real one because I also woke up at around 5AM, which I’ll tell you why later), I requested Ate Meriam (our super helper), to boil six cups of water for me. When I bought the boxes of mac and cheese, I also bought the other ingredients I’ll need namely: milk and butter. That’s it? Yes, that it!

When the water is already boiling, I put in the pasta (included in the box) and let it cook for about 6-8 minutes. When done, I drained the water. Then in the same container, I put in the 3 tablespoons of butter; 4 tablespoons of milk; and the powdered cheese pack (also included in the box). I mixed them and I was so amaze seeing the pasta swirls turn orange y! In a matter of 15 minutes, I have my homemade mac and cheese!

Therese and Beng tasted it and they said it’s good. I told them that given it’s price, it’s all worth it.

Now, what about Ayex? Well, she just fell of the bed at around 5AM when hubby woke up to pee. I was probably so sleepy that I didn’t hear hubby told me to watch over Ayex. Good thing she was not hurt because she fell on her play mats. That’s the third time in a span of two years.