Dad is Home

This is such a sweet photo. I took it just this Monday when hubby and I brought Vito to the Makiling Botanic Gardens.

Vito was so excited to see the place but unfortunately, it's closed on holidays. Grrr. We just made the most of our time by playing outside the gate. Hubby and I enjoyed watching Vito run around, follow the rope by the gate, chase a butterfly, step on dead leaves, and pick up some stones. *sigh* My little boy loves nature and the beauty of life. He taught me to be a kid again and appreciate the seemingly meaningless things around.

When hubby arrived last Friday night, Vito did not recognize him instantly. AT first, he did not want to be cuddled by his dad. But after just mere five minutes, he started to ignore me and he started clinging to his dad as if there was no tomorrow. Vito slept at 1 AM because he did not want to separate from his dad. He slept in his dad's arms. And there I was staring at two of world's greatest wonders asking myself how I managed to be this blessed. In the stillness of the night and the serenity of the forest, I whispered to God: "I know miracles are real. You make them. Thanks for showering my life with miracles."

More pics from Botanic Garden and forestry area:

Living in a forest

Yes, you read it right. We now live somewhere near the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve. Cool? Uhm, in ways more than one. Uncool? In ways more than one, as well. Personally, the real perk of living there is being in the heart of nature, nestled by Gaea. There are priceless treasures: super fresh air, calming sight of trees, the music of the birds and other creatures. Vito loved it there since day one. Our apartment is so huge that he feels as if he has his own playground inside. It's wonderful to see him love being a child.

I now have a new job. I work for an international organization in UPLB as their public relations specialist. Been busy lately due to some backlogs that were turned over to me (that's why I hardly had enough time to blog [lurker mode on]). My new job is a very challenging job because I am the whole PR department. I am a one-woman team. Although I expect that it will get difficult sometimes, I embrace it fully. I am now bound to finally spread my wings and fly. The joy of working here in a suburban/rural area is that I get home early and that translates to more bonding time with Vito. "Rush hour" is definitely foreign in this place and I love it to bits.

Allow me to share with you some of the recent developments of Vito:

1. He has learned about "ownership."

When Vito sees something around the house, he picks it up and gives it to the owner. For example, my makeup, my shoes, etc. He hands my stuff to me. There was one funny incident wherein my mom used my blanket. Vito, upon seeing that his lola was using my blanket, took it away and covered me with it.

2. He appreciates other people.

If he hears someone sing or sees someone dance, he claps his hands. I think he learned that from us because every time he does something good, we always use "reinforcement." We clap our hands and say "very good."

3. He has learned about excitement.

My mom is an avid viewer of Deal or No Deal. Because we're watching it every single night, Vito has learned to say "Deal." The funny thing is that each time a briefcase is opened, Vito screams with all excitement. The first time he did that was when the 1M peso briefcase was opened.

4. He is now tall enough to open the aluminum door.

5. His motor skills have greatly developed. He can do tumbling, skip steps, run tirelessly, to name a few. He has incredible balance too.

6. He knows how to operate the TV, electric fan, etc and he has started to click some keys in the computer.

7. He knows these concepts: get, return, run, jump, sing, dance, tickle, and many more. His vocabulary is now increasing!

Vito surprises me each day with new things he has learned. Sometimes it hits me hard, "My boy is growing too fast." And no matter how much I want to make him remain the fragile clingy little boy that he is, time will come for him to become who he wants to be. But for now, Vito, just be mommy and daddy's loving little baby.

The Day I was Born

Did it ever cross your mind to find out who was born on your birth day, what important event happened, or where in the world there's a holiday? If yes, then this is the perfect meme for you. Thanks Teacher Julie-a special education teacher, fellow proud pinay mom, and my blogger friend-for this fun tag.

What do I need to do?

1. Go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday (month and day).
2. Write down three events, 2 births, 1 holiday and tag 5 friends.
3. There are five slots in the Birthday Meme. As you are tagged, you have to remove the name in the first slot and bump everyone up so that your name can be added to the bottom.

I am a Scorpion born on November 19. :)

3 Events:

1493 - Christopher Columbus goes ashore on an island he first saw the day before. He names it San Juan Bautista (later renamed Puerto Rico).

1816 - Warsaw University is established.

1999 - John Carpenter became the first contestant to win $1,000,000 U.S.D. on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

2 Births:

1831 - James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States (d. 1881)

1917 - Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India (d. 1984)

1 Holiday

United States - Equal Opportunity Day

I’m tagging these five blogger friends:

Mitch

Auee

Dimaks

Janice

Arlene

And the list:

Last Minute Lyn

Are We There Yet?

Gran’s Memory Keeping Corner

Teacher Julie

Mommyness is Happiness

Basically, the events, people born, and holiday I chose had something to do with me. Like in events, I cited a religious event, a discovery, and a fortunate event. These things are close to my heart. I believe in God and love Him dearly. I am amazed with new discoveries and breakthroughs. My soul celebrates in the triumph of other people. I like to think that someday I'll be that lucky too.

The people who have the same birthday as mine were both great leaders. Their success inspires me to weave my own mark and difference in this world.

As an advocate of social justice and equality, it's really nice to know that my day is Equal Opportunity Day in USA.

On a lighter note, know what other holiday is celebrated on my birth day? World Toilet Day! Hahaha.

Fisher-Price Toys Recalled due to Lead Content

Just recently, BFAD has banned the entry of some Chinese candy and food products because of formaldehyde content. Now, Chinese-made products again take the limelight as toys manufactured for Fisher-Price toy company (under parent company Mattel, Inc.) have been found to contain more than 0.06 percent lead, that which is considered unsafe for our children.

The worldwide recall being announced Thursday involves 967,000 plastic preschool toys made by a Chinese vendor and sold in the United States between May and August. It is the latest in a wave of recalls that has heightened global concern about the safety of Chinese-made products. Associated Press, Wed Aug 1, 7:33 PM ET

This is an area of concern for us parents because child safety always comes first. What makes me panic is that this is already the second occurrence of such recall. Just this June, "RC2 Corp. announced a voluntary recall of several toy trains, vehicles and play sets from the top-selling Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway collection. The recalled toys contain lead paint, which could be hazardous to children." Jhsph.Edu, June 27, 2007

Personally, I am a fan of well-made children's toys such as Fisher-Price, Vtech, and Leapfrog, to name a few. I like how they package their toys wherein I find explanations as to how this particular toy can contribute to my child's development. Toys, made for the leisurely consumption of our kids, have now become potential dangers to our bundles of joy. Thus, we should always be vigilant on the toys and products that we give to our children to explore.

Young children are more at risk for exposure to lead because children explore their environment by putting their toys, hands and other objects in their mouths. Lead can interfere with normal brain development, resulting in permanently reduced IQ and behavioral problems. Even small amounts of lead can be harmful. Oregon.Gov

Is your child a fan of Dora and friends? How about Sesame Street? Check the toy recall list. Your child's favorite toy may be one of these:

33662 Elmo Light Up Musical Pal

33663 Ernie Light Up Musical Pal

33664 Big Bird Light Up Musical Pal

34658 Elmo Stacking Rings

39038 Elmo Tub Sub

39054 Sesame Street Shape Sorter

87946 Elmo Keyboard

90267 Ernie Splashin' Fun Trike

90609 Elmo Collectible

90611 Cookie Collectible

90612 Zoe Collectible

90613 Ernie Collectible

90614 Big Bird Collectible

90745 Construction Playset

93068 Elmo Boom Box

93107 Action Fire Engine

93307 Press N Go Elmo

93308 Rev & Go Cookie Monster

93492 Cookie Saxophone

93493 Elmo's Guitar

93615 Splash Tub Puzzle

93780 Music And Lights Phone

B7554 Count To Beat Elmo

B7888 Shake, Giggle & Roll

B7987 Elmo in the Giggle Box

B7989 Silly Parts Talking Elmo

B9620 Dora's Talking House

C6908 Dora, Backpack, Perrito Figure Pack

C6909 Diego Figure Pack

C6910 Swiper Figure Pack

C6911 Boots, Tico Figure Pack

G3825 Dora Talking Vamonos Van

G5112 Sing With Elmo's Greatest Hits

G9717 Giggle Doodler

H2943 Grow with Me Elmo Sprinkler

H3343 Cousin Daisy

H3344 Birthday Dora

H5569 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Cookie, Ernie)

H5570 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird)

H4187 Dora Figures in Tube

H4628 Water Fun Tote

H8236 Dora 3 Pack Figures in Tube

H8237 Blue 3 Pack Figures in Tube

H8238 Sponge Bob 3 Pack Figures in Tube

H9124 Chef Dora

H9125 Bedtime Dora

H9186 Giggle Grabber Ernie

H9188 Giggle Grabber Oscar the Grouch

J0338 Diego Talking Field Journal

J0343 Go Diego Go Antarctic Rescue

J0344 Go Diego Go Deep Sea Rescue

J0345 Go Diego Go Mountain Rescue

J0346 Go Diego Go Talking Rescue 4 X 4

J5935 Giggle Grabber Soccer Elmo

J5936 Giggle Grabber Chef Cookie Monster

J6537 Sesame Street Giggle Toolbelt

J6762 Queen Mami

J6763 Royal Boots and Tico

J6765 Prince Diego

J7983 Sesame Street Tub Pots & Pans

J9518 Sesame Street Giggle Drill

J9692 Dora's Talking Pony Place

K0617 Twins Nursery

K3414 Diego - Talking Gadget Belt

K3571 Go Diego Go Mobile Rescue Unit

K3580 Fairytale Adventure Dora

K4139 Go Diego Go Dinosaur Rescue

K4140 Toucan Motorcycle Rescue

L0305 Dora Figure

L3194 Surprise Inside Diego Eggs

L3215 Sesame Street Elmo Jack-In-The-Box

L3488 Sesame Street Birthday Figure Pack

L3507 Sesame Street - Super Boom Box

L5202 Birthday Dora

L5813 Diego Tub Trike

L8905 Pablo & Pals

M0351 Dora Figures Dora & Kitty

M0352 Dora Figures Diego & Bear

M0524 Go Diego Go Talking Gadget

M0527 Sesame Street Giggle Doodler

M0732 Dora's Talking House

M2051 Let's Go Rescue Center

M2052 Fairytale Castle