It’s been awhile since I wrote an update about my ever-growing toddler! When you’re a #wahm (work-at-home mom) or a freelancer, your everyday is extraordinary. Everyday is a special day. Why? Quality time with baby is unlimited. Whether I’m in a rush for a deadline or easy-going with my projects finished ahead of time, I’m with Clyde, and I’m happy to say, that now, when it is time for a site inspection, I’m with the hubby, Clyde and Dave. Since this post is a throwback, I’m gonna share some cute candid photos I dug up on my phone. These were taken a couple of months back, when Clyde still has tender knees. hihi
And what’s more fun than slapping cakes with my little man? 😉
These were taken Summer of 2014, now look at my kiddo.
Photo taken yesterday night, as an entry to #1Mcleantoilets campaign of DomexPh for #worldtoiletday
Big changes, I dare say! Like I always say, it’s bittersweet. Proud for his milestones, and little achievements and at the same time, missing the cute little bub he used to be. Ayaw na nga patawag ng baby because his big na. He prefered being called kuya.
As a full grown toddler, Clyde has his own preferences. Be it food, television show or color of his toy, even his answers (English and Filipino) now depends on what we call mood. Just like when we collaborate in naming Motts Apple Twins. He wanted to name them Mana and Sanas because gusto niya Tagalog, eh.
Clyde is excited to taste my versions of Nestle Club’s “O Can’t Believe It’s Breakfast!” recipes! Thank you Ma’am Mavs for inviting us.
He can easily adapt to his surroundings. Unlike before, Clyde is now having fun playing along other kids although he prefer his lone time sometimes, he now anticipate to play with his cousins and other kin.
No, he won’t allow you to take David home.
He is possessive and generous at the same time. Again, it depends on his mood, and/or circumstances. Like when others are asking him to give Dave to them, the answer is a confident, convicted NO.
Aside from breaking the fasting, Breakfast is a celebration of life. You get to wake up and eat again. But pray first! More breakfast facts here.
Since I now have two babes beneath my mothering wings, this toddler’s top 5 today shall now be tod and bub’s top 5 today!
Dave approved!
I think Clyde is excited to homeschool. I think. 12th was Dave’s 5th month. Today, he finally tasted kangkong leaves, some red onion, another grape, a scrape of banana and the tips of bone marrow. Delish, puro laway and super scream siya to make us give him more samples of food. I am now preparing his first baby bottle for the water.
Want more of Dave? Stay tuned for more Todd and Bub’s combined Top 5 Today! #TT5T
There are toys, and there are versatile toys. Toddlers learn more when they are having fun. How else to do it but by having versatile toys. This kinds of toys are helpers; toys that will teach them.
Just like these toys from Tahanang Walang Hagdan. I’ve talked about these for quite a while now and we (the toddler and I) still is loving it.
Toy blocks help kids develop their physical aspects such as large and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, ability to analyze if the blocks would fit or fall down (this will give them a head start on following orders). It also help creative juices to start spilling when the opportunity to create something without limits is presented. When playing with others, it encourages them to make friends. Interaction and imagination together with other kids makes them sociable; this will be a good start to have a stronger form of quality relationship with friends and loved ones when they become adults. What’s more? You could count the blocks, match them, group them by certain number. It will help them learn colors, shapes, sizes even math depending on which blocks you are using. The possibilities are endless when it comes to toddlers intellectual benefits.
What’s good about these toys are that they are made of wood. Easy to clean and sturdy. Big pieces – so no choking hazard and Clyde could pass these to Dave still looking brand new.
It’s heartwarming to know that when you buy toys from Tahanang Walang Hagdan, you also get the opportunity to help others as well.
Johnson’s and child development experts rally for active sensorial play to enhance a child’s holistic development
(L-R) Host Eliza Ypon, Teacher Monica Javier of Keys School Manila, licensed clinical psychologist and play therapist Fiona Sandoval, mom Kris De Guzman, and Johnson’s Associate Marketing Director Trina Tanlapco pose for the camera after a very engaging discussion on the importance of active sensorial play in the children’s holistic development during the gadget-free playdate held by Johnson’s baby.
Children learned so much more from playing with multi-sensorial activities in a gadget-free playdate hosted by Johnson’s baby
In a society that is highly becoming more digital by the minute comes the swell of gadget use. It is said that 36% of Filipinos have about 10 gadgets per household*, which could tell why it has become a normal scene at homes that even kids use it for play. More so, giving them the latest gadgets has been a way for parents to give their kids so much more, with their digital acumen considered as an advantage.
While it is true that gadget play can teach children in many ways, it is through active sensory play when all their five senses are awakened to discover and learn the world around them. This has been proven by Johnson’s baby in a social experiment to see how children respond to gadget play versus playing with textures and shapes, water, different implements, and even with other children. Captured in a heartwarming film, this initiative has unveiled the wonders of learning using the five senses through active sensory play – as witnessed by the moms themselves.
“As a brand committed to the happy, healthy development of children, we at Johnson’s believe that every activity that a child does can mean so much more to him,” said Trina Tanlapco, Johnson’s Associate Marketing Director. “Active play is integral and essential in the holistic development of children to let them discover the world around them. As a brand, this is something we would like to keep reminding parents of. With the information and products we offer, parents can let their children turn playtime to a time of learning while they #playforreal. ”
Apart from fostering the bond between parent and child, it is during active sensory play when all five senses of the child are awake, making him more receptive to learning the world around him. According to Fiona Sandoval, a licensed clinical psychologist and play therapist, a child reaps the maximum benefits of active sensory play when his senses are enhanced and maximized in these activities. “The brain grows up to 90% of its adult size from birth up to five years old. It is important that all the different senses get stimulated in activities like active play during this period so that the neurons and brain connections are formed better. If this is achieved, there will be more synapses and connections, which can optimize the brain development.”
“In sensory play, children develop their fine motor, language and cognitive skills. The stimulated senses work hand in hand in helping a child achieve holistic development,” she added.
Meanwhile, Monica Javier, a teacher who has worked with preschool children for more than ten years, also added that active sensorial play help children prepare for bigger things ahead of them which is why it is encouraged to be integrated in early education. “More than fun and entertainment, play actually helps children to expand their knowledge about themselves, allows communication with others, develop new competencies that may prepare them for challenges of the bigger environment.”
In school, sensorial activities are used to teach children about different concepts. For example, encouraging them to play and explore with blocks allow children to distinguish shapes, sizes and weight; it also encourages them to plan strategically. Providing opportunities to paint with different implements or with their body develops creativity and teaches them about colors and textures. Running, jumping, crawling or any form of movement can help them develop gross motor skills. Pretend play in these areas encourages communication among them.
“Sensory activities allow children to go through a scientific process in a very natural way. While playing, they ask questions, predict, make hypothesis, test hypothesis and make conclusions,” shared Javier.
For mom Kris De Guzman, a mother of two, introducing sensory play to her children balances out their time from other forms of play. It also makes them more imaginative, creative, and resourceful in the activities that they do together. “At home, bath time is also playtime for my kids. We play with bubbles, make up stories, and learn about body parts. Through simple activities like this, we are able to make enjoyable moments together and strengthen our connection toward each other,” said de Guzman.
Indeed, playtime can mean so much more, so let your kids #playforreal. To learn more about how you can do sensory play at home or in your school, visit https://www.facebook.com/JohnsonsBabyPhilippines.
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*Survey conducted by Microsoft Philippines in 2011
A family friend once gave Clyde a monster truck toy. It was very well used to the point that the chassis was detached to its body case yet he still plays with it. Twice already that we fix it that even the glue gun can no longer do the justice. He still plays with it. I have to say, that toy is very well-loved. The fewer their toys, the more they’ll give appreciation to it.
Although, I really am convinced that we are not obliged to buy our kids expensive toys, especially when we don’t have the budget; I also learned that quality time is better than quantity of toys. Don’t tell me I’m a killjoy mom. Clyde has lots of toys – gifts and hands-me-down from relatives and as mentioned earlier from friends. But, most of the time, Clyde was more than happy to play with me – my walking fingers and talking hands – than his not-so-long-ago bought toys. He even is giving more importance to my art.
Two of his favorite things: the all-time favorite, family portraits and his recent addiction in everything mechanical, elevators. Can you spot baby number 2?
At the dawn of his three years, I’m proud to say that he is not-so-secretly loving household chores! I myself loves to do the dishes. He cooks, I scrub is the current situation in our house. The two years old sweeps the floor. And just recently, he helped me wash the dishes. He scrub the plates and cups while I do the second scrubbing -just to be sure- and rinsing. He scrubbed away while explaining to me how the bubbles (suds) will wash away the germs and make our chinas clean so that we could eat again using these bacteria-free utensils. Yup, I have a professor in the making. Involving him this early on household chores is a step forward to a more fluid distribution of work in the future!
Surprisingly, there are a lot of simple tasks toddlers can do. Get things from here to there. Fold clothes. Separate the spoons from forks. Wipe the table. Sweep the floor. Close the door. Etcetera. It will give them confidence that they can do things, it will assure them that we trust them; and as we expand and increase the complexity of the tasks, they will grow as helpers in the house, not spoiled masters that whims on the littlest things. Maybe, I’ll be spoilt on waking up with breakfast ready, complete with freshly brewed coffee. Ahh, I could dream, can’t I?
And giving them responsibilities is a win-win-win situation. Who needs a maid when you can’t afford one and have kids that love household chores?
And if you can, maybe you could use the salary fund as reward fund aka quality family time together -shopping maybe, out-of-town, movie dates perhaps? Besides, it will benefit them in their adult years. Smart and practical.
Creativity is defined as the invention of any new thing. This can be a new solution, artwork, way of thinking and even a new way of playing with an old toy or ordinary objects. Encouraging creativity in toddlers can help them to cope with the demands of a rapidly changing world and prepare them to adapt in a variety of settings as they progress through childhood.
Kids don’t need to paint, sculpt nor compose to be called creative. I’m amazed at how my two-year old shows his creativeness. It’s his mindset to produce art.
He gets a paper bag; put everything inside the cabinets in it and called it shopping.
He put all the clothes he could get into a pile. He is creating a mountain.
The freshly pressed clothes was tumbled down. I asked him why he did it. It’s the London bridge falling down.
He imagined himself as the elevator. So no airplane spoons for him. I need to press his nose and wait for the elevator to arrive and open before giving him his spoonful. After swallowing, he will explain that the food will go down his stomach, ride the rollercoaster of his intestines and come out as kaka (poop). Professor indeed.
I let him play hide and seek on a blank corner of our room. He thinks he’s inside an elevator.
He put alphabet letters and shapes on his dump truck and mix it with a big spoon. He is cooking.
#throwback
And many more…
Toddlerhood is the time to explore new things, this is the peaked height of their curiosity. Let’s let them. Just make sure they are supervised.
My “hectic” schedule (which includes housework, some freelance job, a toddler and my third trisem pregnancy) hinders me from blogging on a regular basis hence this update is actually behind schedule but nevertheless it’s still better to have it this way than none at all. Do you agree?
My baby is growing up so quickly, it’s actually bittersweet! Still hard to believe that it seems like just yesterday I became a mum
Photo: Baby Clyde with Lola Ellen
with a newborn and now I’m expecting another bub!
Okay, so let’s focus on the toddler. My little baby is not so little anymore as he starts to become more and more independent that he’s starting to like to do things his way without any much of my help.
1) He can feed himself when he’s hungry. He actually announces it first, before running for the table – or wherever the food maybe and starts helping himself up with him knowing the right utensils to use. Like always he prefers fruits like bananas, oranges, apple, strawberries and grapes rather than chocolates and candies. We were way past his bottles and sippy cups, we actually rarely used them – and it’s so fine with me. 🙂
2) He enjoys other toddler’s company. Though he prefers to play with his kuyas and ates, sometimes, toddlers younger than him makes him curious. Although there are times when he does not want to share everything his, including toys and favorite persons. We patiently teach him that sharing is caring, sharing is fun and sometimes, he voluntarily gives and share everyone what he is having, like his stick-O. He pass it around until everyone is holding one. Good job!
Babe was wearing a black barong for like 5 full minutes with tugging the cuffs here and pulling the collar there, complete with moaning and face-making; he ended up wearing his inner sando the whole time! Aside from that, he keeps on tugging his daddy’s necktie. I get the point babe, next time you’re wearing tux! 😉
3) He is starting to dress himself but most of the time, he enjoys himself in removing his shoes!
4) He can now do simple math like addition and subtraction plus the fact that he could count more than ten and could do a countdown, I know he’s on the lead to a potential math lover! #proudmom I actually had fun exposing him to beneficial math skills everyday, I started in introducing simple 2d shapes, puzzles, sorting things according to kinds, shapes and matching and classifying food, toys, soft and hard objects and also counting numerical numbers, countdowns. Now, he’s enjoying his 3d shapes and all the shapes that ends with ‘gon’. Good to know that early exposure to numbers focuses development on critical thinking and problem solving skills. 😉 I’m happy that I expose him this early on numbers because it will focus on baby’s development on critical thinking, problem solving and creative thinking. Giving him one step ahead on math and science.
5) He sings the complete ABC’s, he can actually sing along with his nursery rhymes on YouTube. He loves elevators, construction vehicles and the root canal procedure was on hard repeat on Youtube lately. Yes, dentistry has a clearer view from this point in time. I think he’s an engineer and a baby doctor too. I let him be. lastly, he is excited to meet his new sibling! He loves to watch animation of natural birth which includes labor and entertains us by explaining how his baby brother will poop. It goes something like this: “Dito Bambam (here is Bambam – points to my tummy), dito lalabas Bambam (points to my lower abdomen). Iihi mommy, lalabas Bambam. (When mommy pee, Bambam will come out!)”
My baby is now growing so quickly, as always it is so hard to believe, I’m proud and it is bittersweet. My almost three years old is becoming more and more independent each day. I always bear in mind that what happen in one’s childhood will have a lasting effect on one’s future. Therefore, I try to give my toddler happy memories he would be looking forward to reminisce years from now. As his parents, we know that we could do things to help make our toddler’s childhood life happy. 🙂
It’s been quite a long time since I posted a top 5 today simply because I’ve been hibernating these past few weeks. The bun in the oven enters the 17th week and I’m excited to enter my second trimester and be jolly and always on the move like most pregnants are during this stage.
Moving on, these are my toddler’s top 5 milestones!
1- Simple Math is a breeze! Addition and Subtraction on my fingers are so far the best way to teach him while having fun and learning fast.
2 – Family-oriented. He always do the roll call after waking up. Calling everyone to enter the elevator and making sure we all are walking together when were strolling including holding hands together, not to mention, the group hug (more like, head hug) in public. Yup, PDA much!
3 – I never introduced him to lollies but his Pedia did. Well, its her truce for putting him to a painful ordeal every month, he he he. I’m just glad that he still chooses brocolli over chocolate and fruits over candies. Especially when I told him it’s his favorite even when it’s his first time. 😉
4 – He loves the water so much. Instead of telling him he’ll go take bath, I would encourage him by saying “we’ll go play water downstairs and you’ll get to car-wash your favorite dump truck”, it always do the trick! 😉
5) Masha and the Bear – is his current favorite on Youtube! 🙂
I’ll end this post with a cute story!
We were on a fancy restaurant for a meeting and like always, I have Clyde tagging along. I was surprise to see his face light up, help himself up on a chair and start digging the food. I thought he would go for the mozzarella stick, as that is where his hand is going, until he picked up the garnish – a fresh-cut of green lettuce and afterwards help himself fish out the basil leaves on the pizza. lol
And so I heard that these moments would test your patience to its limits, your wits to its end and maybe just maybe turn you to a lunatic with dirty laundry on the floor, dishes on the sink and arms full of tornado, err, toddler.
this photo sums up my life: work and baby
Everything was cute and dandy until the toddler learned how to say no. No shoes, no socks and definitely no blankets please.
sociable.
When it comes to his hair – you’ll get what you pay for. Wiggles and Giggles will give make his hair neat and clean while cheap barber shops along the road would definitely make his hair a road-kill and my clothes itchy with his DNA – been there, done that.
photo-ready all the time 🙂
He wants his own PC/laptop – wherever he could peacefully watch his educational videos online- with his own mouse and speakers.
wherever I go, he goes. 🙂 #travelbuddy
It’s a good thing to know that he is still satisfied riding the elevator, escalator and play the racing game without dropping a token on the slot. ;))
First morning in #Baguio. 🙂
When asked what he wants to eat, he always says “hotdog” – not a problem to me as long as he still eats everything veggie and drinks his milk straight out of his glass. He still is breastfeeding. I’m thinking of letting him wean on his own as it was my original decision. It’s bittersweet as ever.
That’s about it. Now I’m starting to learn about homeschooling if that’s possible for our situation. It looks promising although I’m not yet ready for it. Do you have any idea about homeschooling? Share your ideas down below!
If you’re a first time parent like I am, you’ll be surprise on what a two-year old toddler could do. This post is important because this is one way of teaching our kids discipline, house chores and for freelance/work-at-home moms like me, this is one way of lightening the load off our shoulders. 😉
1) Put his toys in the basket/toy box.
2) Fetch his new diaper and wet wipes when he soiled his diaper
3) Throw clean thrash away like papers and plastic wrappers on my home office bin
4) Stack his baby books on shelf
5) Open and close his plastic drawers
6) Get the broom and the dustpan or better yet
7) Make him dust the floor
8) Press the on/off button of the laptop/tv/desktop/electric fan
9) Tuck in the mosquito net
10) Get my phone/wallet in my bag
11) Change the cable channel and finally,
12) Change the light bulb! Kidding! Remove his clothes for bath time! ^_^
Of course I’m monitoring him while he is doing his “chores”, like when he sweep the floor, he just swipe it like 3 to 5x when he is so determined to do it and I’ll finish it off. The thing is, he should participate and maybe next month he could swipe the four corners of the room.
Sometimes, I let him sign the blueprints for me. 😉 Got you there again, huh?
The best part is, he is having fun doing it. 🙂
Do you have anything else in mind? Comment down below!
2) He cried so much the last time we went window shopping at a local toy store, he ended up lying on the floor while my pocket broke.
3) He loves red. He loves cars. He loves red cars.
4) He can finally say “Mommy!”. Hurray!
That’s the last time that carrot saw daylight…
5) He called our pickup “Ook” and so shall we. 🙂 Ook, the pickup ford is the third SUV of the family, she will be fighting over carpark with Mr.Egg, the Honda Civic car and Grace, the Hyundai van.
As a full grown toddler, Clyde has his own preferences. Be it food, television show or color of his toy, even his answers (English and Filipino) now depends on what we call mood. Just like when we collaborate in naming Motts Apple Twins. He wanted to name them Mana and Sanas because gusto niya Tagalog, eh.
Gerilen and Jer Sons 