First-Time Mom

In any area of motherhood, there's always a first-time.

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Since we moved to our new house in 2010, my husband was fond of planting any - flowers, vegetables, and even fruits including Guyabano (soursop in English) in our yard. I had frequently told him, "atong balay mura nag lasang (Our house already looks like a forest! Even then, I just let him plant as many as he wants, anyway, we could all benefit during the harvest. Oh see.

But since our troublesome-dog,Whitey, came to the family, the flowers and vegetables were slowly messed up. He would not stop stepping and biting the plants until they slowly withered and died. We were all pissed. Can you feel our frustrations? Planted in months, destroyed in days! Since then, we concentrated growing fruits such as Guyabano, Jack fruit, and  Dwarf Coconut.

Okay, I will focus telling a story about the Guyabano...

It has been two years since we planted two seedlings of Guyabanos. One was planted at the left side of our house, and the other one was planted in front of our house. Between the two, the Guyabano which was planted in front our house grows well and bears lots of fruits. This tree has completely caught attention from the neighbors who happened to pass by our house.





How many guyabanos did you see? 


Freshly-picked Guyabano


Guyabano Shake

Neighbors Claim

One lovely morning, an old man who came from a brisk walk, who also happened to pass by our house ,asked withered leaves of Guyabano. I curiously asked him.

Me: Unsaon nimo ang dahon sa Guyabano nong?  (What will you do with the Guyabano leaves? )

Old Man: Akong lagaon day, nya imnon murag tsa ba.  (I'm going to boil the leaves and drink like a tea)

Me: Oh ok. 

Old Man: Diaebetic man gud ko day, mao ning akong alternative. (I'm diabetic and this is my alternative treatment. )

The following day of the same week, another old woman from the neighborhood who could hardly walk, also asked leaves. Out of curiosity, again, I asked. Her answer was the same as the old man's whom I have just mentioned earlier. But this time, she was hypertensive and just got a mild stroke.

Because of this fruit, we became popular in our block. Many neighbors near us already asked and made reservation - as in reserve not buy. Anyway, they are not for sale..lol

You see how in demand the fruit is? I just remembered when I was little, this fruit is the least favorite among other fruits like santol, mangga, and singkamas. How I love craving santol or singkamas after school. hehe

Back to my story....

They are not the only people I know who claimed that Guyabano can cure any kind of diseases. It is actually a common belief not only from our neighbors but also across the country that Guyabano, whether fruits, leaves, or roots could treat numerous diseases including cancer.

Yes, partly, this claim makes sense! Even myself, too, has begun to believe of this claim. Well, any fruit when freshly picked and eaten immediately will provide lots of nutrients including "enzyme". Many are not yet aware that enzymes are necessary for digesting food, for stimulating the brain, for providing cellular energy, and for repairing all tissues, organs, and cells.

However, since I am a type of person who doesn't completely believe on "hearsay", but on evidence based on scientific research, then I find myself researching on the internet regarding this matter.


Here's what I got.

Excerpt via:  http://business.inquirer.net/57335/guyabano-for-cancer
According to the scientific literatures gathered by Gigi, researches have been undertaken to uncover guyabano’s anticancer effects, starting in 1976 when the National Cancer Institute in the United States conducted the first study on the fruit’s supposed cancer fighting properties.
This was followed by 20 more laboratory tests conducted in various laboratories worldwide. They all came out with unanimous results: Guyabano tree extracts, indeed, proved to be effective against the growth of malignant cells in 12 cancer types. These include some of the deadliest cancer forms which have taken the lives of many around the globe: pancreatic, colon, lung, prostate and breast cancers.
According to the Catholic University of South Korea and Purdue University in Indiana, United States, guyabano tree extracts acted in a way that prevented it from harming normal cells, while successfully targeting the dangerous ones, unlike chemotherapy, which destroys all cells that multiply. The findings of the Catholic University of South Korea were published in the Journal of Natural Products. 
But, it has to be emphasized that all of these trials were conducted in the laboratory only using nonliving models, or what is called as in vitro experiments. Absolutely, no research in humans, so far.

On the other hand, here's another reliable article I've just found on the benefits of Guyabano.

Excerpt via: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-soursop-4285.html
Practitioners of herbal medicine recommend the fruit and leaves of the graviola tree to relieve stomach distress, fever, pain and respiratory problems such as cough and asthma, and for many other medical problems. Soursop contains a number of natural substances that have biological activity, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. These include fatty compounds called acetogenins, especially one called annonacin, along with other compounds called quinolones, annopentocins and two alkaloids, coreximine and reticuline. Soursop's acetogenins are the compounds that have been most studied, especially for their potential to prevent or slow the growth of cancer. The Cancer Center also says that some compounds in soursop may be naturally antiviral and antiparasitic, and may also suppress inflammation.

Additionally, my husband told me recently that he had read an article about Top-10 cancer fighting food in Yahoo, no. 1 is Guyabano. So I searched over the internet to get back the link so I can share it with you. Gladly, I found it.

Excerpt via: https://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/top-10-cancer-fighting-food-000615518.html;_ylt=AwrSyCO29MFTWB0ACBO4Rwx.

Who says cancer prevention is expensive?
One may—or may not—take notice of this, but majority of the following can be found in his kitchen. By just simply incorporating these nature-given ingredients to his diet, one gets a clearer shot to living a healthier, longer life.

1. Guyabano - Otherwise known as the custard apple, Guyabano is deemed one of the miracle cures for cancer. In the study, “Journal of Medical Chemistry,” 14 structurally-diverse Annonaceous acetogenins, found in Guyabano extract were identified and tested for their ability to prevent the growth of adriamycian resistant human mammary adenocarcinoma cells.

According to a research in 1976, a chemical found in Guyabano is about 10,000 times more powerful and effective than Adriamycin, a drug used for chemotherapy.


Any idea about the Guyabano benefits? Can it really cure cancer and other diseases? Let me know your thoughts by leaving your comments below.




Noticed anything new on my blog? If you are a regular visitor, you'll probably see it.  I have just rebranded my site by changing the design and tagline (the one you see beside the social icons, far left ) to sum up who I am as a blogger and what I write about.

Photo Credit: http://www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/taglinesjust-do-it/


Frankly, it has been two years before I finalized my tagline. Can you imagine how long it was? It is not because my brain was processing very slow (ha!). It is because most taglines that I wanted were already owned by fellow mommy blogs.(You see, how many mommy blogs worldwide. Hundreds? Thousands?)  Like for example, I first thought, "Diary of a First Time Mom", but then when I searched over the internet, this was already gotten.  Even my second idea, third idea, and so on, were already taken. You see, how we think exactly?

Photo Credit: http://jeanoram.com/blog/2012/05/16/create-great-author-taglines

To make sure I won't be accused of "copycat", I should have come up with something unique based on who I am. Because of that, I get to combine my experiences in both areas of my life: as a previous Math teacher and a chess player.

Here's the list.

Taglines inspired from Teaching Idea:

  • Firstime Mom's Lessons and Plans (which is connected to Lesson Plan)
  • Firstime Mom's Corner (like Assignment Corner)
  • Even a Firstime-Mom can make a Difference! (Difference is related to Math)
  • Educational tips from a Firstime Mom
  • ABC of Motherhood

Taglines inspired from Chess:

  • Good Moves and Blunders of a Firstime Mom
  • A Novice Mother.. (Just like a beginner in Chess)
  • Challenges of Motherhood.. One “good move” at a time…
  • Promoted as a Mom..Taking the Challenge..One "good move" at a time.
  • Motherly Attacks (Like Chess Attack)

Among the taglines I have just mentioned, one tagline emerged as the "winner". 

Promoted as a Mom..Taking the Challenge..One "good move" at a time.


Upon contemplating for this tagline, I noticed that it's too long, so I separated the phrases to make them two lines. One is the main title and the other one is the tagline. Here it is...

Promoted as a Mom.. - (title tag)

Taking the Challenge..One "good move" at a time. (tagline)


I guess, you need to know why I chose this. Technically, the terms used are from chess, however, even you are non-chess players, you would easily understand the terms. Still, here's the explanation.

a. First is Promotion- it is a Chess term that when a pawn (which has the lowest value among the pieces) reaches the 8th rank of the opponent's side, it can be promoted into any pieces. Queen, Rook, Knight, and Bishop (these have higher values than pawn).

Promotion is not only true with chess or even with career, but it is also true with individual status: from single to married. Right? The only promotion with no salary received, yet only received pure love.

b. Second is "Taking the Challenge". Like a brain-wracking chess game, motherhood is not an easy challenge.  Motherhood is the biggest challenge that every woman should prepare for - pregnancy stage, giving birth, child care, budgeting, and a lot more.. I am a type of gal who embraces challenges.

c. Lastly, "Good Moves". In chess, a player always aspires to win, hence, every move she makes should always be a good move for her advantage.

Does this have connection with mothering? Definitely! Mother not only knows best, but also does best for the welfare of her child.

Well, the original plan was only to make a tagline, but then, as I have mentioned earlier, the chosen tagline was very long so I better include a title tag.

How do you like my new title and tagline?  I humbly ask your opinion by leaving your comments below.

  












Hello Mommies! This is part two of my post a couple of weeks ago. If you were not able to read the first part last time, I suggest you read it here.

Ok. Let's proceed.

Ronan and I have tried our best to incorporate English words every time we talked to our little one, Chesska. Like what I mentioned in my old post, Speaking English is an important skill for a child to develop.

We mainly focus teaching English, rather than our own dialect, Visayan,  because, I know, Chesska could easily learn the "latter" when she gets older through the influence of neighbors, playmates, or even her classmates soon. Remember, we live in a bilingual-country which uses two major languages, our native-tongue and English.

However, along the road, there are factors which may interrupt her learning the language. One example is, my mom is a fan of the so-called "Teleserye", so Chesska couldn't avoid to watch it.  Another example is during "adult-talk", we couldn't avoid her listen to our conversation in Visayan. Well, I didn't say,  we all talked English at home (which sounds awkward since we were not used to ), but we only talked to our little girl in English.

The need of learning "English" as early as her age is quite important , especially that, Chesska will  start to school next year (hopefully). So she has been trained to get familiar with the things around her in English (which I elaborate below). Here's my step-by-step advice.

Disclaimer: I'm not an English-expert, nor an English teacher.  However, my prior knowledge on teaching approach and method helps me create this topic. 

1. At the age of 6 months,  I let her watch any English-based educational and interactive shows such as Barney, Dora the Explorer,  Alphabet Songs, Number Songs,  Animal Sounds, and Nursery Rhymes. 

Toddlers have lots to gain from listening to music, much more on watching educational and interactive shows. Apart from they're amusing, they also encourage toddlers to make movements by dancing with the tune, and help stimulate the process of "talking".





2. I teach to mastery,  using concrete examples and charts.

Child's learning is all about repetition, isn't it ? I say first the Alphabets and Numbers and let her follow after. I do it daily and consistently. Also, if a toddler has lots of opportunities to see pictures, chances are,  she will learn easily.








3. I often talk the routines she is doing daily such as bathe, sleep, brush, drink, comb, play, eat, watch tv, etc. 


This is Chesska's book about different actions.  I've always asked her what the characters(cat and mouse) are doing.  

During mother-child conversation, you may say:

a. Drink your milk.
b. Eat your food.
c. Let's sleep.
d. Brush your teeth.

4. A child can only speak English once she is familiar of the things around her. So I begin by:

a. Naming the foods she eats like biscuit, fruits, juice, candy, lollipop, rice, etc.

b. Naming the people, things, animals within her immediate surrounding, like mama, papa, friends, baby, dog, cat, tv, chair, table, door, window, curtain, etc.

c. Identifying the body parts  like eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Do it daily until she will remember, then have her identify body parts herself.

d. Identifying her personal belongings like shirt, short, skirt, panty, jogging pants, comb, toothbrush, etc.

e. Recognizing her toys such as bear, doll, car, xylophone, puzzle, etc.

f.  Distinguishing shapes and colors.

5. I would sometimes act out what she usually does like run, jump, smile, play, walk,  hop, close, open,  hide, seek, etc. 

It is sometimes necessary to stoop down to her level by jumping, running, walking, and playing together.
Act them out with her and say the words aloud.

6. More importantly, begin teaching good values by saying polite expressions like, "Thank you", "Sorry",  "Please", "Excuse me", "May I".

7. I teach her memorize her complete name, address, and age in a complete sentence. 

8. The time my toddler had already learned plenty of words,  I started incorporating the 5 w's (What, When, Where, Why, Who) in a sentence.   

Examples:

What letter is this? Where is your toy? But don't expect a 2-year-old child to answer your question which starts with "Why and When"?

9. I integrate "please", in making a request like:

a. Please close the door.
b. Please arrange your toys.
c. Please put back your things inside the cabinet.
d. Please help mama.

10. I teach her how to greet .

a. Good morning!
b. Good afternoon
c. Good night!
d. Hi
e. Hello

11. I am generous with praises even the small effort my toddler does. I use "Very Good", "Good", "Nice", "Looks Good" with feelings.

When my little one sees a yummy food set on the table, she would say "wow", or when her dress is pretty, she would say "Nice". She has started appreciating little things.


12. I use "Yes" for approval  and "NO"for disapproval. 


13.. I buy plenty of picture-books for her to scan. 

Mind you - your little kiddo would pretend turning the books from one page to another. Also, she will enjoy naming things seen in the picture books.



14. I also orient my toddler with the words hot, dirty, slippery/slide, etc. for her safety. 


15. I teach her how to follow directions like right, left, up and down. 


Do you find my tips useful? Please do them slowly but consistently. It is not an easy process though, and it takes time before your toddler can absorb all of these. Even I have troubles making her understand the concepts. Just be patient and do it with "LOVE"...Most importantly, you enjoy what you are doing!

Some more tips? Maybe you can add "yours" by leaving your comments below.  






















Gee, today is your Birthday!  Seems like it just happened yesterday when you were "22".  Time flies so fast indeed!

But who says you are 32? haha!


By the way, I have a revelation to make. Ronan, is a type of guy who never broadcasts his birthday to his friends. Nor he celebrates his birthday extravagantly. It's not because he is the thriftiest among the thrifty, it's because he simply likes to celebrate birthday simple and practical.

Actually,  my original plan was to make a birthday card for him. However, while at the middle of writing from a scratch of paper, lots of things suddenly popped up in my mind. If I would insist to write them all in a single card, surely, they wouldn't fit. So I finally decided to write here on my blog.

Well, happy 32nd birthday my luvs! Holy Crap, you're already 32 just like me! Seems like we want to forget our birthdays since it often reminds us that we're on our way to aging (huh!)..Don't worry, we belong to the majority.

By the way, here's my fake-birthday-cake just for you. I just grabbed it somewhere and I forgot a photo credit.(I hope the owner of this photo won't find me, otherwise...)  Anyway, being 32 just happened once in a lifetime. So claim it wholeheartedly..hehe

I believe God has given you another year, to savor life to the fullest and continue exploring life beyond 32.

I believe He has abundantly blessed you (both tangible and intangible), so you can also be a blessing to others.

I believe, you deserve to celebrate your 32nd birthday today.

Because of that, allow me to share my birthday wishes.


Wish no.1  My ultimate wish is that may our Almighty Father provide you more strength, long and prosperous life, and the best of health.




Wish no. 2.  Hopefully, you will gain more weights and fats. (haha)

Do you see a bulging muscle? Well, courtesy of Photoshop...lol



Wish no. 3 May you achieve your short-term and long-term goals in life.

Long-term Goals


Short-term Goals



Wish no. 4 As always, be the the best dad ever and faithful-husband.



Wish no.5 Stay cool and humble as what you are now.



Once again, happy happy 32nd Birthday. More cakes to eat and candles to blow.



Hello everyone! This is part two of "My tot's funny stories". If you miss reading the first part last time, here it is. I can't say it will make you laugh until your belly hurts, but one thing I am sure of, it will make you smile.

So the part two story goes this way....

Everyone was busy watching TV, except, of course,  Chesska who was busy tinkering the cabinet where her toys were kept.

It was summer time so the day was extremely hot which made our little girl to be somewhat cranky.

The electric fan did not help.

 At all!

 To settle her down.

The rotational power interruption also added to that uncomfortable and annoying day.

Chesska who felt agitated, approached me.

She tried communicating to me, but I could hardly understand (seems a mixture of different languages and didn't know where in the world she got that)

Looked so pissed,  she took my hand and pulled me over to our room.

She demanded.....

Chesska: Pointing to our door....

Me: Figuring out what she was trying to tell me. I assumed she wanted me to close the door, so I did!

Chesska:  Looked satisfied, but she again demanded and pointed to our window.

Me:  She might want me to close the window, I thought.  So here's again the poor mom, obeyed her little bug, so she closed the window.

Chesska:  For the third time around, she demanded,  "urtain". (Our curtains then were tied in the middle to allow extra light to the room.).



Me: My third guess was that,  she wanted me to untie the curtains so the room would be a little dimmer like at night when the light was off) , so I did again.

Chesska: "Ncune"

Me: What? What's ncune? (Yes you heard it right, I asked in English..)

Chesska:  Pointing straight to our aircon.  And she demanded, "ncune".

Sorry for the messy background...

So that’s how my tot's funny story ends….













"Speak English" was one of our school policies several years ago when I was still a  Math teacher of a certain school, actually a private school.  Anyone who violates the rules will pay one peso. Because of that, students tried their best not to speak vernacular, otherwise, their "baon" would easily run out.

That particular experience gave me an idea last week to do similar in our own home: "Speak English" to my little girl,  of course with exemption "No Fine Policy". (hehe).

I know it sounds awkward and baduy (uncool) for a typical Filipino Family like us to use the said language.

I guess most of you would react "why bother" in fact,  we have our own dialects where we are already comfortable of? Well, I did not say it's mandatory, what I was trying to say is to interact with your child while still young using "BASIC ENGLISH", is it difficult?

Moreover, you don't need to be like an American dude who can speak fluently in order to teach your child the "most basic and common English", right?

Unless, you grew up in a family who is speaking English well.  Unless you were raised in English-Speaking countries.  Unless  your parents sent you to a prestigious school and the medium of instruction is pure English.

Frankly,  it has always been a daily struggle since it is not the usual thing we do (with my husband). Even though we learned English concepts in school half of our life (from Kinder to College), but the fact that we did not practice the concepts to real-life conversation, then we can't say we can speak  English spontaneously!

That's why when Ronan and I  started talking English to our little girl for the first time, we both laughed when our tongues would sometimes twist, or mistakenly pronounce the words. However,  we refuse to give up for the sake of our child's welfare.  "Practice makes perfect, dba? "

The bottom line is "it's all about our child who may benefit from it in the long run".

There are two main reasons why it made us decide to do such thing:

First, English has been very important in academic success.  Learning the language is a vital skill to develop while your "kiddo" is still young. So when the time comes that Chesska is ready to school, she'll comprehend her lessons easily.

Second, it is a valuable asset for your "kiddo" to possess in order to succeed in job and or business as well in the near future.

I don't foresee yet the disadvantages of using the said language in our own home. All I know for now is that it has lots of advantages over disadvantages. Why not start speaking "Basic English" (I reiterate "basic") at home with your child right now? Do not mind other's criticism. Just focus on your child's success.

Good Day and God Bless!








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ABOUT ME


I've managed to juggle different roles: as a mother, wife, teacher to my children, VA, and follower of Christ. Everything falls into place with 100% satisfaction, no regrets so far.

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