The Daily Matters

Last Sunday, the hubby dropped off Casey and me at the town’s green to watch a free concert. A lot of things are happening in this town and a concert every Sunday is just one of the fun outdoor activities that residents take advantage of on their family day. I’m glad I had gone there even for once before it ends in August. The music was good. They had cool performers. Families had picnics. There was barbecue, ice cream and burger stands in the green.

Some women and kids dance to the tune, too. I wish we had known someone there it would be nicer to watch the concert with friends you know. I got bored and Casey got out of hand when he wanted to run around where there was a lot of kids. I didn’t want him to get in trouble so I decided to walk him to the golf range to see the hubby. I don’t think I’m going back there next Sunday though but it was a good experience rather than staying at home most of the time. In the end, Casey enjoyed the freedom at the golf range with is dad when he was allowed to run around a big space all to himself. Got to show some pictures later.

Casey is getting picky again with his food. Sometimes he doesn’t concentrate on his meal. I spoil him with the television while eating which I know isn’t good at all. I just thought before it didn’t bother him because he was usually a good eater in spite the cartoon shows that he likes. But now, he seems to be distracted and then loses his appetite. So, what I did this morning is turn it off. He did complain a bit and that was it. He ate a bit and then wanted to get down from his high chair and off he went playing. I think he just didn’t like his breakfast a lot.

It was sliced strawberries and French toast sticks for kids. Perhaps he wasn’t all that hungry. My trick is just to put his plate of food near where he plays so when he feels like eating, he can just grab his food. I notice him do that most of the time. At least he is not really starving at all and whenever he needs something to drink; he is good at asking me by giving me his empty sippy cup trying to ask for a refill. It’s cute since he is not talking yet. Anyway, that’s all about it and we’ll see what he’s going to be developing more. Oh by the way, potty training is on the way. It’s a good start for toddlers his age.

Casey likes his fire engine bed already. I think the freedom to get in and out of it attracts him compared to the crib that looks more like a prison cell. He can sleep all night long in there. Although, I have to lie next to him until he goes to sleep. It’s the only way to get him to slumber.

I don’t fit in there like a small kid would, but I manage all the time. LOL! I guess it’s exclusive for toddlers only. Hehehe. I’m glad though that he doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night to look for me.

For a couple of nights he’s been sleeping really nice in there and at about 4-5 in the morning he starts looking for me. He looks for my hair to be specific because it’s his comfort object. He feels safe when my hair is within his reach and that means I am there for him.

The fire engine bed is next to our big bed, so it’s not really bothering us at all if ever he wakes up looking for me. I just pull him out of his bed and move him in our bed until it’s time for us to get up for about a couple of hours after that. He knows where to look for us which makes him feel safe.

Yesterday, I took my son’s crib apart which was the most useless piece of furniture in his babyhood since he never liked to sleep in it. We co-sleep and we like it. We have no regrets whatsoever. But as he is getting bigger, we will eventually train him to sleep on his own bed.

We know for sure he will never sleep with us forever. Who knows, when he is fifteen he will start to move out of our bed and needs more privacy to himself. LOL! His second cousin has outgrown a fire engine bed so our son is taking over. It was handed down to him from a family friend’s child and now it’s our son’s turn to own one.

Our boy is only 18 months old but I guess we can start from there. The bed is good for 24 months – 4 year olds and he still doesn’t appreciate the need to sleep in a nice toy bed. Anyway, I found out at Amazon what it costs which is a whooping $599 for a piece of plastic.

We sure saved a lot of money from taking other people’s junk. Well, not a complete junk at all since it’s still in pretty good shape. We got more new bags of used clothing as well. So you see, people in this country including kids want more than they can actually use or have for the rest of their lives. So many stuff (toys, clothes, etc.) for them to handle they find it hard to get rid of sometimes. They all go to the basement or storage in no time. That’s a lot of money down the drain for some families. Perhaps not for the rich – they won’t really mind.

I made a special dinner tonight. Siopao. Yes, once again I had the urge to make some siopao dough and had enough of 2 cups of all purpose flour for it. I enjoy making it. The filling is made of ground beef sautéed in garlic and onions with soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. I added diced potatoes as well as wedged hard boiled eggs. The hubby loves it all the time.

I wish I can find a grated fresh coconut meat made into ‘bukayo‘ so I can make a snack or dessert as a filling to steamed dumplings. I want to make sweetened mongo filling too perhaps I can make next time. I have yet to visit a Filipino store if there is really one in this state to buy the mongo though. Hehehe! Again, I am lazy at taking photos of my siopao. I’ll post it some other time

I feel good that I actually was able to make dinner tonight. I prepared lasagna from scratch. Can you believe it? I think it’s only my second time to make lasagna and the first one was about a year ago or so. I usually prepare something quick and easy as I don’t like to work in the kitchen for a long time. I am a mix of lazy cook and eager baker. Hehehe.

I never fail when I make something Italian. Pasta is the hubby’s all time favorite that’s why I am always confident he would like dinners with something tomato-ey or with pasta sauce. I actually acquired the taste and like it much better than the usual taste I am accustomed to back in my homeland. Anyway, I served lasagna with vegetable salad. I love grape tomato and it’s simply the best with my salad along with cucumber.

Casey’s bedtime and nap time schedules are erratic again. I don’ think its mommy and daddy’s fault. I try to get him to nap like usual but he’s been refusing in the past couple of days now. He would rather play more and when he gets really tired and ready for a nap it’ s either to late or close to bedtime already thus, we all get affected. Anyway, I hope he gets back to usual so. It happens a lot and I know it’s not something permanent. Babies and toddlers tend to change their own schedule.

It is father’s day today. Happy Father’s Day to all the daddies, papas and soon-to-be dads out there! Today is my hubby’s second year since he became a dad. I’m glad the family sent him cards to greet him. I didn’t send him anything though. LOL! I didn’t get him anything until after he said he wants books for Father’s Day the other night. I couldn’t decide what to get him so I was only thinking of baking him a cake. It’s the thought that counts after all. Gifts are secondary. Hehehe. Such an excuse!

Oh well, I’ll make up with other occasions. Father’s Day is only once a year but the responsibilities and obligations of a father is definitely timeless and it doesn’t choose a date or time. Fathers deserve far beyond material gifts. Such an excuse, again — for someone like me who didn’t get anything wrapped in fancy paper. Anyway, have a happy special day for fathers, especially to my dear husband and equally to my own dear father back home.

Casey fell asleep while reading his favorite book “Tall”. It’s very unusual of him to nap without me beside him because he is usually fond of touching my hair before he could fall asleep. Daddy was next to him though and it helped. I was just a bit surprised knowing that Casey can’t stand not having me in sight even if I am only doing some work on the computer and he is with Daddy in the bedroom to nap.

I think it is the first time that happened. LOL! He got quiet all of a sudden after a few minutes when I left them and when I checked back to see if he were still up, I saw him sleeping already. What a good boy! He must have been tired from our grocery shopping a while ago.

What was I going to say? Let me thin, think, and think! Oh, now I remember. I just talked to my cousin this morning and learned that her mom is having some health problem. She is having symptoms of diabetes. It runs in the family specifically on my mom’s side. In fact, my second cousin was recently diagnosed and is now more cautious with what she eats. My aunt who is my mom’s younger sister is now in the same stage and needs a checkup.

How I wish I could extend a help more than they needed because they are really in need of one. I am actually looking into sending them a small financial assistance since I have promised them before that I will be sending them money when I have extra after helping my siblings in college. I know I should have done it a long time ago, but due to my own family’s needs I had to wait.

Anyway, I would feel really good once I have already helped them even with my own little way. I mean, I don’t have a job here in this country that most people think of from my hometown to be a very privileged one. But, I have my own little means and I am willing to extend my arms especially to my relatives who most deserve them.