Rocking Chair is an Excellent Investment!

I do believe that a Rocking Chair is a necessity for kids..and for parents. I've had a rocking chair ever since Jonah was born, and I swear it's my savior. When Jonah was a baby, that was the only way I could calm him down, or stop him from crying. I used to be on that rocking chair for the majority of the day. And now that he is older, it is the only way I can get him to bed at night. I don't know why, but putting him to sleep during the day and putting him to sleep at night are two different things. During the day it's so much easier. But at night, he never wants to stop watching the TV.

When I turn off the TV, all hell breaks loose.He screams and cries and throws a tantrum. And my old faithful rocking chair is the only way he calms down. I would put him in my arms, rock him, and sick him lullabys. It always get him to bed (and gets him to stop crying).

So for you mom who are expecting...do buy a rocking chair! It can be very helpful!

xx
Mommy

Books!

I am pleasantly surprised at how much Jonah loves reading (well, me reading to him). I saw on a Nick Jr. commercial that parents should read to their child 20 minutes a day to encourage a love of reading and school. Ever since I saw that commercial a couple months ago, I decided that this must be implemented into my daily routine with Jonah. So, I normally read him a short little story as he wakes up (about 5 minutes long). But when I put him to sleep for naptime in the afternoon is when most of the reading gets done. He knows that when its time for a nap I would read him a long story. Some of the books I prefer are the classic fairy tales (Snow White, Aladdin, etc) or the Nursery Rhymes, and also Lion King. We have tons of books but some of them are really too short. I don't know of many places in Belize that would sell good children books; I need to do some research on that. But for right now, my little collection is enough.

Jonah enjoys the reading, I'm sure of it. He always chooses the book himself and brings it to me. When the story is done, he sometimes gets upset. I dont know why, because he should know that if he wants, I am very willing to read another one!

But all in all I'm happy that he enjoys reading right now. I hope thats a positive sign for the future. I hope Jonah is as studious as I am!

xx
Mommy

Good work at school

Both Jonah and I have been doing good at school.
Last week Jonah brought home at least 15 papers that he has done. He colors pictures and he does some writing (of numbers). I am happy that we decided to send him to school so early because he comes home saying new things like..he pointed at my shirt and said "pink". (and he was right).
He is also counting from 1-4 correctly, (then he skips 5) and he says 6-8. but he's getting there!

Now for me, I'm also doing pretty good in class. I did a cute video for my health science self improvement project (check it out at the end). I know te editing isn't perfect..but it's the first time I used this program.
As of right now,  I have six A's and one C+. That ugly grade is really getting to me..I've been trying to bring it up but I just can't. i hope a miracle happens on exam day or something....

xx
Mommy

Hair Cut

Jonah went for his first professional hair cut today. Of course, he didn't know how to keep still. First, he refused to put on the coat...soo all the hair dropped over his neck and body (which of course itched him to death).
The hairdresser was very patient with him though. She brought him a lil snack which occupied him for a while and gave him a lil seat his size to sit on. He was amazed with the bottle that she uses to spray water..so that became his toy. He played with it the whole time and really didn't give much trouble! I was pleasantly surprised!

Here is the before and after pictures. It's not the best pics, but you get the idea.

xx
Mommy

Wild THAANG!

I wonder if I should be worried about this. Jonah is really a wild child sometimes. It's like when we say "No" he is thinking in his mind "yes"
We tell him leave the outlets alone, but he does the opposite. We tell him put down the camera, and he runs with it. We tell him he can't have coke, and he goes for it in the refridge...you get the idea.
Also, he really has a lot of energy. Seems like too much energy to me. He runs around all the time..at a really dangerous speed. He is always falling down or bumping into things. He never wants to just sit and relax, unless the TV is on.

He also loves to throw things down on the floor - cups, empty soda bottles, papers, books, etc.
He just seems a bit too wild for me. The part that I don't like is his biting. He recently discovered his biting skills, and bites people for no reason. I am really annoyed with that horrible habit, and I'm trying to make him get out of it. I just dont know how. I've put him in time out, gave him a lil spanking, even bit him back. Nothing seems to work. I just gotta be patient with him I guess..I hope he gets rid of this habit soon though! For all the other moms with these problems..good luck and keep trying!

xx
Mommy

A Dog Lover..

It amazes me how everyday I realize something new about Jonah. I mean, i see and hear the stuff he does...but sometimes they just don't click.
But today I realized that Jonah is just like my dad, my brother, and I. We love dogs..and so does he. I just came to the conclusion earlier today how much he loves the four dogs we have in the neighborhood. I asked him, "Do you wanna go see Steph and Gaby?" and he replies "DREAM!" (Dream = Steph & Gaby's dog). It's like he completely ignored his two cousins and only thought about their dog.

And then, later tonight we were walking outside and somehow he spotted little Winkles. She is so brown and tiny that she basically blends in with the ground..but Jonah couldn't miss her! He hugged her up and pulled her all around. Poor lil dog probably always gets frightened when she sees Jonah!

I hope Jonah stays a dog lover like our family is :)

xx
Mommy

He grows TOO fast!

I'm sure all moms can agree on one thing: our kids grow way too fast!
Firstly, it's sad to think of how fast they are growing, because when they hit a certain stage, we (the parents) won't be their best friends anymore :( They'll forget all about us. Infact, they won't even want to be seen with us! So I know all of us gotta take advantage of all the love and affection we get from them...and the love and affection we can give TO them (soon they also won't want to get hugs and kisses from us).

But that's only the emotional aspect to it. There's more..THE PHYSICAL! Jonah outgrows his clothes really quickly! I feel like as I buy him a couple outfits, he outgrows them within a month or two. So now I buy them a couple sizes bigger..but still he only wears them once or twice! I never get my money's worth. I even make sure that I always get cheap clothes or stuff on sale...because seriously, a child is expensive!..but we love them to death! :) <3

xx
Mommy

Talk, Talk, Talk

No, I'm not referring to myself. Jonah actually talks more than me! I KNOW I like to talk..but he LOVES it. Although he can't speak properly, he really is trying! He's a trooper! As he wakes up, he wants to have a big converstation with me. I wish i could understand what he was saying. But I know for sure the first thing he says is "Morning!" He already has manners :)

I guess because he loves talking so much, when we're out in public, he always says hello to people. If we're at some place like Save U and I put him down, he'll tap people on their backs to get their attention and hold a conversation with them.

I just gotta teach him from now that he shouldn't be too friendly with strangers! I wouln't want him to go talking to the wrong person, he's such an innocent, sweet lil thing.

xx
Mommy

He might be...AN ARTIST!

Yesterday we went to two of my uncle's houses. At the first house, Jonah discovered a guitar. He absolutely loved it! My cousin was showing him a few tricks, and he really didn't sound bad at all! He sounded pretty good to be a two year old! He didn't want to let it go..he really fell in love with this instrument.

Later that day we went to my other uncle's house, where he found a real drum set. He really beat that thing too loud and rough. Thankfully my uncle also had the smaller Garifuna-like drums. And when he calmed down and started to listen to my uncle, he played it pretty well too! He had rhythm. Maybe we have roots in Dangriga or something? HAHA. So it seems.

Jonah really is a natural! I will definitely encourage him to play an instrument or two from now! Who knows, he might become famous :p

xx
Mommy

Da Weh Dat?

OK, I can finally say I'm addicted to a website. And SURPRISINGLY, it is a BELIZEAN website! It's soo hilarious! The website is http://www.dawehdat.com/. It includes REALLY, REALLY funny videos like "female bavist" or "male bavist". If you're a true Belizean, you'll laugh your heart out!

Anyway, my point is that I feel proud that this Belizean website has become so popular. We are finally supporting one of our own! My friends are always talking about this website, and I always see links on facebook from the website too. Even my parents have heard about it! It's really becoming well-known.

But not only does the site contain funny videos, it also contains influential and important stuff too, like facts about Belize, Belizean poetry and top students. So it also includes the positive work of Belizeans!
I really love this site..check it out!!

Sick Family

Both Jonah and I were sick this weekend.....NOT GOOD.
Mom and baby can't be sick together! But it happened. I couldn't go to two of my classes this morning and he didn't go to daycare today either.
Thank God both of us [seem] fine for right now. Hopefully we'll have a good night sleep tonight! Last night we both had a horrible sleep.
That's it for now..no other updates!
xx
Mommy

Ahh, School!!

SOO I'm referring to two schools here. Jonah's school and my school. I'll talk about them separately, but they both have one thing in common. STRESS.

Jonah goes to school (well, daycare) three days for the week. He's only two so he really doesn't have to go. But we like the idea of him socializing with other kids and learning stuff like the abc's. It's better than having him at home doing nothing at all! Anyway, the problem is that I have to wake up wayy earlier (like an hour earlier) to get him ready for school. I guess it's really not that stressful, but welll...I love my sleep. Also, the night before, I have to pack his snack and juice plus get a bag ready for him - too much things to remember for a teen - LOL. Doing good so far though!

Anyway, the real stress lies within my school. I don't think that I get an unbearable amount of work, but because of Jonah, I don't have as much time. I can't start my school work until my mom reaches home, which is about 6:00. Then she needs to eat and shower..or do whatever she needs to do. Then she watches Jonah for me so that I can work. I really don't start my work until 7:00. I take pretty long to study for a test, so by the time I finish studying, it's around 9:00. I haven't even started homework yet. If I have essays, that's another couple hours. Accounting homework can take up to an hour as well.
But it's all possible to do - once I use proper time management. Some days I don't have much work for the following day. But I still make sure I read ahead or do work that's due later. I never go home and do no school work at all. Also, everyday I make a [mental] schedule of what I need to do - from the most important to the least. And sometimes I even allot time to the subjects to ensure I finish on time and get enough sleep.

But me going to school wouldn't be possible without my mom. Many parents kick their daughters out of the house when they find out she is pregnant. Thank God I have the most amazing parents who decided that they will help me as much as possible so that I finish my education. Most girls aren't as lucky as me, though. Most never get a high school education. Most can't afford to pay for everything they need for their baby. So I guess what I'm trying to say is - don't get pregnant? LOL.. Make wise decisions guys!

xx
Mommy

Go, Diego, Go!!!!

I've heard that a lot of parents don't let their children watch TV. Or, if they are allowed, then their time is limited. Like half an hour per day. WHAT THE..???
I must say that Jonah is allowed to watch TV basically whenever he wants (once he is well-behaved). Why would I stop my child from watching shows with theme songs like this : "what's gonna work? TEAMWORK!" or, "keep trying, keep trying, don't give up!"
Perhaps what parents need to do is prohibit their kids from watching inappropriate shows, not prohibit TV altogether. I mean, this new generation is all about technology!! Why stop your kids from keeping up with technology?!
Once used properly, TV can be something positive. Most shows on Nick Jr. are quite educational. Dora the Explorer and Diego teaches Spanish and how to be creative. Ni Hao, Kailan teaches Mandarin. And there's soo much more!
I don't believe, however, that parents should use TV as a kind of babysitter for their kids. Don't push your kids in front of the TV for hours and hours so that you can paint your nails or do whatever. We still need to be interactive with our kids..take them outside for a walk, paint and color with them, take them to swim, or whatever activity you guys find best!
So remember, use TV wisely and it can be a positive tool.

xx
Mommy