Winter Unhappy

Posted by gmirage1 on Feb 6, 2012 in Weather issues | 2 comments

In my ten years in this city I’ve never experienced the cold that the region is sweeping now. Ok, my neighbors would say they have up to -30° when they were younger and if it was me, I’ve probably frozen while walking. It’s -11°C but I’m really not used to it…so I wonder how can I survive much colder regions?

It’s dressing up in layers this season, doesn’t mean though that dawty can’t wear dresses…she didn’t properly pull her dress on this shot so it’s not visible much but she’s wearing a red dress, her striped legwarmers over another thick stocking and her knee-high boots. That padded jacket is sure to keep her warm along with her beanie and gloves. Little boy was also in layers, long johns, long socks, padded pants skijacket, bonnet and gloves…but what’s missing? Ninja masks…as they call it. Would buy those masks where there’s only a slit around the eye area for visibility (lol).

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Teach Kids About Money

Posted by gmirage1 on Feb 4, 2012 in Money matters | 5 comments

As early as now, saving up will be beneficial not just for you but for your kids too.

Here are some tips on how to Teach Kids About Money:

1. Use money as a means to learn subtraction and addition. As soon as children learn how to count, introduce them to money but not in the sense of making them love it, just making them aware of it. Make use of paper money in teaching them subtraction and addition. This way, they will find it easy adding up the prices of things they buy in a store.

2. Tell the children the values of money. This includes how to save, how to make it grow, and most of all, how to spend.

3. Introduce children to the importance of saving versus spending. Give them piggy banks where they can put a coin or two from their daily allowance. By the end of the month, allow them to use 2 or 3 coins as a reward, just a bit from all the money they saved.

4. Be an example. When spending for groceries, make sure that you buy what you need not what you what. Making kids realize the importance of a need and a want will be a big step for them to prioritize on what to spend on.

5. Say no and mean it. Kids are often pointing this and that, wanting a toy, a candy and whatnots. Learn to say “no, you can’t have it.” Explain why…it’s like reminding them of the need versus want again and again. If they are insistent, tell them to save up for it and buy it by the end of the month….when they are allowed to spend.

6. Take kids to your trip to the bank and make them observe, talk to the teller and let them know the importance of having a savings account. Allow them to open their own account and actually withdraw from it and spend from it too. Not having to spend something might discourage them  to save at all.

7. Reward them with another coin or two if they were able to save more than spend by the end of the month.

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Vanity Bathroom

Posted by gmirage1 on Jan 28, 2012 in home comfort zone | 0 comments

Among the many things I’d like to redo at home is our bathroom lighting and mirror. Not that vanity lighting sounds better, well, such fixtures looks way better and elegant too.

At the moment, our bathroom looks as though an old couple lives in it. It has brown tiles, wood panel ceiling that made it look gloomy and lighting embedded into the panel. In short, it’s not my ideal bathroom. I’d definitely have it redone soon!

This photo is our corner cabinet by the bathroom. I was supposed to hang that mirror but since it wouldn’t match the colors inside and the built of the bathroom cabinet hubby installed, I’m left with having to put it on this cabinet along with a photo of the kids, some flowers and candles. It’s part of our mud hall and I occasionally use it as paper corner — for all our lots of paper and bills!

Aside from elegant lighting fixtures, any of those big vanity mirrors is on my list of “to buys” for our bathroom. We  have one that we bought just for the sake of having a mirror – it has a small panel where we can put the basics; handwash, toothpaste, comb but it’s too small and stuff tends to fall into the sink if I am in a hurry. A total vanity bathroom would be really nice. Like complementary colors of the wall, sink, mirror and other small details.

This is typically how I would want our bathroom to look like. Contemporary and elegant in black and white. Since the bathroom cabinets are wall-mounted, it’s easier to clean the floor, one of least I enjoy cleaning.

Baby Language

Posted by gmirage1 on Jan 12, 2012 in Babies | 1 comment

If you’re a mom you’ve definitely experienced those moments when your baby/babies cry or gibbers and you don’t know what to do. You’re pretty sure they’re telling you something you just don’t know what. In 2006, Priscilla Dunstan released a DVD set called The Dunstan Baby Language which covered five universal words babies use.

According to her, the five words (or sound reflexes) used by infants are:

Neh

I’m hungry - An infant uses the sound reflex “Neh” to communicate its hunger. The sound is produced when the sucking reflex is triggered, and the tongue is pushed up on the roof of the mouth.

Owh

I’m sleepy - An infant uses the sound reflex “Owh” to communicate that they are tired. The sound is produced much like an audible yawn.

Heh

I’m experiencing discomfort - An infant uses the sound reflex “Heh” to communicate stress, discomfort, or perhaps that it needs a fresh diaper. The sound is produced by a response to a skin reflex, such as feeling sweat or itchiness in the bum.

Eairh

I have lower gas - An infant uses the sound reflex “Eairh” to communicate they have flatulence or an upset stomach. The sound is produced when trapped air from a belch is unable to release and travels to the stomach where the muscles of the intestines tighten to force the air bubble out. Often, this sound will indicate that a bowel movement is in progress, and the infant will bend its knees, bringing the legs toward the torso. This leg movement assists in the ongoing process.

Eh

I have gas - An infant uses the sound reflex “Eh” to communicate that it needs to be burped. The sound is produced when a large bubble of trapped air is caught in the chest, and the reflex is trying to release this out of the mouth.

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Amazingly, as shown in the video above when Dunstan guested on Oprah, different babies make same sound reflexes. With a group of moms and their babies, we were shown that knowing these reflexes helped the mothers determine what to do when they hear any of the words.

There are still moms who claim that this language recognition is not effective for them…Dunstan explained that yes, maybe for 1 out of 10 moms, it may be different. Anyway, I surely hoped that I’ve known this years ago, when I was starting out as a mom.