Our Little Nicholas

I know you’re supposed to launch a blog contest a month before your birthday.

I know you’re supposed to re-design my blog two weeks before your birthday.

I know you’re supposed to post this and that seven days before your birthday.

I know you’re supposed to write some stuff, do some stuff, buy some stuff…

But you never get to do them.

It’s ok Mommy, you were there for me all the time

You have given me all the prizes that a good boy like me deserves, feels like I won every contest but the biggest contest of them all is the “Best Mommy in the World”!

You designed my life to be colorful and magical even if you are struggling to meet ends, still, you never fail to make sure I get all I need and even all I want (with Daddy’s help too!).

You posted all the wonderful things that a Mommy can post about her son, you are so proud of me and you’ve shown to the world how happy you are that I came into your life.

You’ve been busy with work Mommy, writing this and that, then your computer crashed and you have to rewrite everything. I saw you cried and struggled, but still you had time to play with me, talk to me, cook for me, feed me, give me a bath, read my books, take a walk with me… even when the nanny’s around. And if that isn’t enough, I saw you even took a part-time writing job just to make sure you got all my needs and wants covered. You bought so many stuff for me, it’s like you grew addicted to seeing me smile when I see I have a new shirt or a new pair of shoes. Or if you replaced my toothbrush with a musical one or buy me a new cap, a new bag, a new pen and notebook, a new everything! You are so happy even if you didn’t even buy yourself anything… nahh.. maybe except for the bottles of shampoo and conditioner, you’re addicted to making your hair beautiful too — long, shiny, straight — beautiful! But well, that’s my Mommy!

And you even have time for Daddy, chatting with him whenever you had the chance because you miss him so much. I even hear you cry at night Mommy, wishing Daddy’s here with us. I know how you feel Mom, I miss him too and I wish we’re together everyday. But as you always tell me, it won’t be long, we’ll be together soon, very soon, and we’ll never part. So hold on Mommy

And then you have time for GrandMa and GrandPa too. Every weekend we visit them. You make me happy by letting me see GrandMa and GrandPa and have them carry me, kiss me, and put my head on their shoulders, then I get to see my aunts and cousins and play with them, and I have fun all the time, laughing, running and screaming! And now, we’re even celebrating your birthday with them with a splash!

So you see Mommy, you have done all that you’re supposed to do… except for one — do something for yourself. I know, you’ll say “I’m happy that my son is happy” or “I’m ok that my Mom and Dad and sisters are happy, I’m happy too”. That’s fine I guess. But what about doing something for yourself to make you happy? I know Daddy makes you happy everytime you see his handsome face and his heart-warming smile or hear his sweet voice as you are happy when you see me smile or hear me trying hard to talk, but there are other things that would make you happy and relaxed Mom. Take a time out from work, even just for a day. Go pamper yourself. Go to a spa, have a relaxing massage. Change the colors of your nails, or your hair if you fancy that Buy new clothes, new shoes, new bags, new jewelry, new books Indulge yourself. You earned it. You work so hard to make other people happy, time to make yourself happy too, it’s your birthday!

Oh Mom! I really wish other people would make you happy too. I for one want so much to see you happy and I know Dad feels the same way. I wish nobody would hurt you anymore and make you cry. I wish people would stop judging you and just let you be happy. I wish you’ll get all you hoped for — a simple, happy life with me and Daddy. I wish you the best on your birthday Mommy. You deserve that and more!

Happy Birthday Mommy… I love you so much.

What kind of “angry person” are you? Do you throw things? Do you hurt others physically like slap them or pinch them? Do you nag your way to anger? There are times one needs to get fired up before she calms down from her anger. Sometimes too, there are hormones in our system that we can’t just stop from exploding (yeah right! Blame it to those pregnancy hormones! We can get away with that.) Meaning, it’s but normal for us to get fired up sometimes especially when the tension’s mounting and we’re in deep need of a fast way to get some angst out of our system. The next time this happens, try this simple and un-scandalous activity instead:

In the midst of your anger, take a piece of paper and a pen, go to that quiet corner and write down your worries and fears; you can take note of your anger as well. Be as detailed as you can get; elaborate on those bad emotions. Just write everything out of your system. When you think you’ve written everything down, and that your brain is finally empty of reservations, apprehensions and irritations, take a deep breath, count to three and then shred the paper — and your rage — into tiny bits. Now, doesn’t that feel better?

What’s the Matter

Your place is getting too small for you and your baby, especially with the Nanny tagging along (hey! You need extra spaces for your baby’s stuff too!) Moving to a new location sounded like a fun escapade when you thought about it 5 months ago. Why not? You’ll have a new place, will meet new people and go through new experiences in a new community. It will be a fresh start! But your fresh start turned out to be a rotten dead-end. You decided the neighborhood is just too noisy for you to take, and the sea of hostile strangers in the other door makes you want to hide inside your apartment and stay there permanently!

What You Should Do

I know, just like me, you see yourself as the most genuine person in this world. Still, Even if you don’t feel like it, (since this can really be quite difficult and painful) it’s about time to show the biggest smile you can manage. Yes, you can do that. It’s easier to frown but you won’t like the results. So better show that radiant smile.

Why It Works Magic

There’s this popular cliché about getting through a very rough time – “Fake it till you make it”. And it does works! You see, smiling through a nerve-wracking situation or any grueling condition can help a lot. It will not only make you look friendly and composed (which is definitely an advantage for a stranger like you in a strange land), but it will also lift your mood altogether. It’s no secret, and what’s the rationale behind? Simple! Smiling sends a signal to our brain, it tells our brain nerves to be calm and tranquil. And when your brain is calm, it’ll send a signal to your lips to keep smiling and let the neighborhood know that you’re a friendly person who’ll respect their rights as long as they respect yours.

There’s The Rub

Who would turn down a massage with that yummy rub? Not many people I guess, but pregnant women would say it’s almost essential to have it. Especially during those times your body’s feeling beat and that contractions are sometimes painful, you can banish stiff muscles with a soothing natural body rub. Massaging certain areas of the body will help compete with pain messages in your brain. To make a special rub, peel and mash a ripe banana and a ripe avocado together in a bowl. Use your hands to mash and get the mixture as smooth as possible. Then add a drop of eucalyptus essential oil and mix some more. When your mix is ready, spread out a beach towel (you can pretend you’re in the beach too, hehehe!), put on a loose or open top (you can go naked as well), and rub it into your aching shoulders and other parts. You may have to ask your partner to rub your back as well and yes, your legs. Ahhh! Now that’s soothing, and yes, pampering!

What’s The Matter

The dirty dishes (stacks and stacks of them) are piling up on your sink again. It’s gross, and the truth is, you really wanna do something about it, but you are too wiped out to peel yourself off the bed to wash and clean them.

What You Should Do

Who says pregnant women shouldn’t exercise? Exercise (prenatal fitness) is very important in pregnancy. Thus, whenever you find yourself lacking the energy you need to get through the day, squeeze in some time for your exercise. Here’s a video from YouTube to help you with the most suitable exercise for pregnant women. Let’s sweat it out!

Why It Works Magic

I’m sure others have this perception that exercise would only make you more tired (and yes, it might – that’s if you only do it once a year). The truth is exercising regularly gives you way more energy, especially during pregnancy. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly aren not just in better shape, they’re also happier and less stressed, as well. Medically speaking, exercise decreases the levels of our body’s stress hormone (cortisol). Thus, it will also help in turning up your body’s production of serotonin and endorphins – the hormones that basically lift your mood.