Welcome to Sicat’s Meow!

Summer is for Grandparents

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:10:33 -0700

I had a TON of errands to do today. I needed to go to the bank, Safeway, Target, the mailbox, etc. And everywhere I looked, I saw a grandparent with a child or children. You’d think it would be a happy image of a smiling grandmother holding her grandson’s hand while she listened intently to his imaginative storytelling. No, it was more of a tired looking woman, pushing a cart while her angry grandson followed behind her screaming about wanting something he couldn’t have. I bet his mother was happy to be rid of him even for just a few hours. Oh, the joys of summer... When the children are bored, and the parents happily pass their little brats to ignorant grandparents who have no idea what they’re in for.

Reminds me of my summers with my grandmother in the Philippines. I couldn’t wait to spend the week with her. I looked forward to them. She ran a little “sari-sari” store in what would have been her garage, but she converted it into a little convenience store/eatery where local carpenters and laborers could buy a refreshment or sit down and have a home-cooked meal. Oh, how I cherished those summers because I had (or so I thought) free reign on all the goodies she sold: candies, colas, popsicles, mmmm. I also used to help her roll coins and give change. It was fun! But by Day 2, she’s had it with me eating everything out of her store, and I was ready to go home because I missed my brothers and I was bored. I would call my Dad and ask him to pick me up and take me home. But he’d stretch it out for another day or two, and by that time, my grandma and I have worked out all the kinks and I didn’t want to go home anymore. I always left my grandma’s house with new dresses or skirts which she had sewn for me. What a great treat because I was the first granddaughter. Those were good memories despite all the crying. I miss my grandma. (I miss both of them.)

Next week, Miranda will spend an entire week (just the days) with my parents, along with her cousins since they will be going to Vacation Bible School. My mom is looking forward to this! She did it last year with just the boys and LOVED it, while my Dad (after 2 days of having the boys screaming, jumping, running, crying, playing, throwing, hitting, wresting, etc. in their house) was complaining to me behind her back -- and my child wasn’t even there! Let’s see how long the “honeymoon” phase lasts this time.

My Family

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 23:28:39 -0700

Everything that matters to me is right here in this picture.
My beautiful family on a sunny day at my favorite beach.

on our 12-year anniversary
new brighton beach

She’s a Keeper!

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 22:58:38 -0700

A month before Paulo was born, I spoke to Miranda’s pediatrician (Dr. Moses) and informed her that soon she will be my next baby’s doctor. When Paulo was born, I called our pediatrician’s office and set up our first appointment. Sadly, the next day I had to cancel it because (what I didn’t know!) was that because I am under a different medical group as Dr. Moses’ medical group, Paulo could not see Dr. Moses. He had to see a pediatrician from MY medical group – at least for the first 30 days until I can transfer him to Dr. Moses’ medical group. Confused?

So for the first month, Paulo saw “Dr. Y.” She is friendly and gentle, and her office is the same office building as my OB/Gyn. It’s nearby (two blocks away) so it’s convenient, especially since babies have A LOT of doctor’s appointments. I didn’t mind it at all, and for a while I was even considering transferring Miranda to this pediatric office until... I started having questions. I asked Dr. Y:
Why does Paulo spit up every time after he eats whether off the breast or from a bottle?
Does it mean that he’s eaten too much?
Does he have acid reflux?
Why can’t I get him to latch on the left side?
Is it normal for him to grunt?

Dr. Y’s standard answer was, “Hmm... I don’t know. Maybe. Would you like to see a lactation specialist?”

I was disappointed about Dr. Y’s lack of knowledge and inexperience. She’s young – maybe younger than me – and she has two children. I can’t understand why she couldn’t answer my questions. So I decided to change Paulo’s medical group and visit Dr. Moses. We just had our first doctor’s appointment last week, and I cannot tell you what a sigh of relief it is to see her again (It’s been a while since Miranda’s last appointment!). She easily answered our questions, and even brought up other concerns that we didn’t think of, such as perhaps he can’t latch on the left side because he cannot turn his head to the right. That’s not the case. Paulo CAN turn his head both ways, but just hearing her even suggest that tells us that she is very knowledgeable. She is an excellent doctor! And her philosophy and style matches ours.

So once you find a good doctor, you must keep her or else. You don’t know what’s out there!

One of Each

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 16:59:58 -0700

Both times I was pregnant, we didn’t want to know the gender of our babies. We waited patiently at the end to find out what God has given us. The first time was easy. We didn’t know what to expect having a child, so knowing or not knowing wouldn’t have mattered. The second time around was much more difficult. The only reason I was dying to know is so that I can get the clothes ready. It wouldn’t have mattered which one I got.

Before Paulo was born, I remember trying to imagine what if I had two girls. I could see the three of us going shopping, doing girly outings, driving in a convertible singing girl power songs, and picking on Daddy. I could imagine Miranda and her sister dressing together, sharing a room, fighting over the bathroom, and doing other sisterly things. I figured it would be fun.

Of course, I also imagined how it would be if I had a son. Would he be like Ed? Would he like sports or would he be outdoorsy like his father? Would he be a terror, and be the completely opposite of Miranda? I couldn’t imagine what it would be like since my only experience was having a daughter.

Now that two months have passed, I enjoy having my son. I love that he has a voracious appetite. I love that he grunts in his sleep. I love that he’s so heavy in my arms. I love that he looks like Miranda but his features are more masculine. I love every inch of him! He’s so huggable, and I wonder if he’ll give me giant bear hugs when he’s an adult. I wonder if he’ll protect Miranda from her numerous boyfriends. I wonder if he’ll love his Mommy more than any other girl.

Knowing what I know now, if I had been given a choice whether I wanted another girl or a boy when I was pregnant with Paulo, I would definitely choose BOY! It’s great having one of each and I thank God for giving me my perfect family.

Miranda’s Sleep Toys

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:20:13 -0700

Stuffed animals! How many can one child get?! I used to “collect” stuffed animals as I child until I was in high school, then I had to “send them away to a farm.” Who am I kidding? I either sold them at a garage sale or donated them to the Goodwill. Of course, Miranda has TONS of stuffed animals! In this picture (when she was 3 years old), she took all her stuffed animals and lined them up. Then she asked me to take a picture of her with her “friends.” Haha! How could I resist? It was too cute to pass up.

So as much as I would love to “send one animal to the farm” each month without her knowing, I just couldn’t.* She LOVES them all and named them all. In fact, she also sleeps with a different “friend” each night.

Here is this week’s line up (as far as I know):

When we go on vacation somewhere, she carefully selects one to take along on the trip. “Hmm… Mommy, which sleep toy should I bring to San Diego? Can I bring two sleep toys so that Mr. Green Bear doesn’t get lonely in case I forget him in the car?” (Adorable, right?)

* Solution to too many stuffed animals: click here! We have it in pink.