Your 9-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:

The torrent of words your baby has been hearing since birth is beginning to work its magic, although his understanding of words far outpaces his ability to use them. His babbling has turned to jabber and is probably starting to sound a little like real words, phrases, and sentences. Your baby thinks he's saying something, so respond as if he really is!

Your baby still comprehends more from your tone than from your actual words. He can understand when you're pleased. The more you talk to your baby — either directly or while doing other things, such as preparing dinner, driving, or getting dressed — the more he learns about communication.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 9-month-old's development.
Your life: Housekeeping woes

When you get to the point that the mess in your home is causing you stress, remember these three powerful words: Lower your standards. It's hard to keep up with the cleaning, laundry, and organization the way you did pre-baby, especially once your little one is able to move about and scatter toys all day long.

To clear up some of the clutter and make yourself feel better, consider focusing on specific, attainable goals. Take care of necessities first and then move on to more complex tasks. Organize your home in ways that will make your daily life easier — perhaps by keeping your baby's diapering supplies or toys in one place. If possible, splurge on some help from a housekeeping service for a one-time overhaul to get back on track. Then make a plan of action — with your partner — to keep future messes to a minimum.

It also helps to talk about your frustrations with other parents. They're likely to sympathize and may be able to share helpful hints. (The perfect spot to do this: our bulletin board on keeping your house in order.)
3 questions about: Strep throat

Should I worry about my baby catching strep throat?
Don't worry too much. Babies rarely get strep throat even though it's contagious. Still, if you or people you know (such as your baby's older sibling) have it, do keep an eye out for symptoms.

How can I tell if my baby has strep throat?
Look for swollen, bright red tonsils flecked with white. Other symptoms include a sore throat that lasts more than a few days, a temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (taken rectally), chills, and swollen or sore lymph glands under your baby's jaw.

What should I do if I think my baby has strep throat?
Call your baby's doctor if you observe any of the symptoms described above or if your baby has trouble swallowing, breathing, or opening his mouth wide. If your baby tests positive for strep, your doctor will treat it with antibiotics. Make sure you give your baby the full course of antibiotics, even if he seems better before all the medicine is gone. Not doing so may cause more severe complications.

To help your baby handle the discomfort, give him lots of loving attention and try offering cool water to drink. Consult with your doctor before giving any medications for pain relief.

Thiry-two Things that Change when You have a Baby

by Rebecca Woolf

What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...

1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous

3. "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye

7. "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara

13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom

16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place. — Arizona

17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do! — Ciara

You Are Pleasing to God!

For those people who wants TRUE PEACE, this is for all of you! God bless! Shalom!

You Are Pleasing to God!

Today's Scripture

"Before you were ever formed in your mother's womb, God saw you and He approved you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

You are approved by Almighty God! You are created in His image and you're the apple of His eye. You did not choose God, but He chose you and He is pleased with you–His most precious creation.

Notice that verse doesn't say that God approves you as long as you don't have any faults, or as long as you don't make any mistakes. No, God approves you unconditionally. No matter how many weaknesses you may think you have today, no matter how many times you fall in your walk with the Lord, you've got to get right back up again and hold your head up high. Don't allow the enemy to bring strife into your life by deceiving you into thinking that you are not "good enough" for the plan of God. Stand strong in your thoughts about yourself knowing that not only have you been chosen, but you are approved by Almighty God.

A Prayer for Today

God, remind me that no matter how many times I fail or fall short of Your expectations, You have already given me Your eternal "stamp of approval." I was made in Your image. Help me to have a healthy, positive self image so I can face the world with confidence. In Jesus' name – Amen.

James Parmis Ministries - www.JamesParmis.com

Goodbye Lola Yoda

Thoughts: New things come after Old things. An old-long life has ended. I now hope that a new life will start. It is painful to have someone leave this world even if we knew it was her time. Now I wonder how much joy can we gain when someone new will be born..
Music: Amazing Grace by Leanne Rimes (I sang this song for her last night in Knox United Methodist Church, Sta. Cruz, Manila)



Moja's Blog:
Our Lola Yoda, real name Lola Emiliana, died last Wednesday January 16. She had reached 92 years and should be 93 on July 20. She died because of her old age. She was still singing hymns on her bed. She could still recognize some visitors. She didn't feel too much pain. She died happily. We thank God for his faithfulness to our grandmother. God has promised abundant blessings for us all because of her. She hoped hard. She prayed hard. We love her so much.

Lola Yoda, you told me I am your Princess. You love me and my name Lea because it was taken from the bible - your only granddaughter with a biblical name. You are always proud of me when I sing, your Princess Lea. But Lola, I always sing because I know my grandma will be so happy to hear me sing for her and her God.

I promise to pass on the richness of God's grace and mercy in our family. I'll do my best to hope in the Lord always. We will never waste what you have started. You are my inspiration. We will preserve and gain more of God's blessings. We will reach more souls as what you've accomplished even to your death. In Jesus'name. Amen.

Moja's 2007 Christmas!

Countdown: 4 Days before Christmas! Whoohoo!
Simbang Gabi Topics: 5AM at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church of Muntinlupa
Dec.17- Bakit may Pasko?
Dec. 18- Bakit may Carolling?
Dec. 19- Bakit may Santa Clause?
Dec. 20- Bakit may Parol?
Dec. 21- Bakit may Kris Kringle?
Dec. 22- Bakit may Christmas Tree?
Dec. 24- Bakit may Noche Buena?

Moja's Blog:
Hehe. So far, I've attended all of the early morning church service at our church. I had a great time eating breakfast and talk with my church family. I only attended twice last year and so Teddy makes sure he wakes me up by 4:15am to shower and dress up. Hehe.
The pre-school was on-hold. Meaning, the family will instead focus on starting a Technical School that offers short-term courses. They have located a big site in Alabang, along SLEX, and thought that this kind of business will generate more income and may return investments faster. So I am starting over with getting requirements and researching sample schools. Does anybody know where's the Pangilinan's school located in Pasig? Uhh... Hello Raymond? Are you there?
We're collecting Starbucks stickers. Hehe. Six stickers more and then we'll get a planner! Hehe!
Starbucks is not a status symbol for me. It is part of my life since college. Yep. That's the truth. Ask people from Starbucks in Katipunan, Quezon City. They should know me by my unique name. Haha!
We've finished shopping. Well, almost. I never thought my sister Ate Joy is getting big again. She wants a size 32 denim pants. Which reminds me, I will blog about her here. Hehe.
I've never attended a Christmas Reunion yet but I have already attended a Christmas Party. Just so you know guys. There is a difference between the two. Christmas Reunion is when you meet your high school friends or people you haven't seen for a long time on the month December. I remember a Seeds of Faith reunion. I wonder if we're still "intact". If you know what I mean. Hehe.
Then on the other hand, a Christmas Party is when your officemates, organization, churchmates, co-cell members, bible study group, etc. decided to have a short program, eat out and exchange gifts since it's Christmas. See. Have I enlightened you? Hehe.
We can't decide where to go on Dec. 29? Is Enchanted Kingdom safe? Erwin still wants to go to EK.
My Father said he will visit us here in Muntinlupa on Dec. 23. Which reminds me, I need to call him to confirm. My mother now attends our church almost every Sunday. She's in Muntinlupa every weekend. Ate May and Kuya William has a new Innova. Nice Christmas gift!

Anyway, I am sure we'll all get the Holiday Cheer! Christ is Born! Hallelujah!

My Childhood Memories

It is not a tradition for us Filipinos to celebrate Thanksgiving. But when I was 6 years old, I remember celebrating Thansksgiving in school and at church. I attended an international christian school in Manila. I had korean and american classmates simply because some foreign missionary and pastor's children were enrolled in that school. We were trained to speak and understand English so we can communicate with our foreign classmates at our young age. We needed to understand their culture and nationality as well. Hence, Thanksgiving became imporatant to me even though we don't have turkey at our Filipino home in Quezon City.

Thanksgiving became more meaningful when I met Su Young Kang when we were 7 years old. She is a korean, tall, very fair or yellowish skin, curly long hair, tiny eyes and big feet. Yes, we sat together in class. I wonder why I sat with her at the middle row of seats. My last name then starts with "A" and I don't even understand which of the three weird sounding words (Su Young Kang) is her last name.

She smells different as well. I remember a day that I finally asked what did she eat because she smells like onion and Cheese Curls. Hehe. She didn't understand onion but she knows Cheese Curls. She pointed her bag and gave me 2 packs of Cheese Curls. Hehe. Geeh! It became the start of our great friendship because the next day she brought korean chocolates and candies. I wondered what are they called. She tried to talk a little in English and wrote how the brandnames were spelled. Of course I didn't understand them then she began teaching me korean alphabet. She told me to practice writing them at home and so I kept the piece of grade school paper on my skirt pocket. I was excited and started copying them on my notebook. It was fun but nobody in the house understood what I was doing. My neighboor Joanne scratched her head and thought I understand Shaider and Japanese anime then.

I don't remember and never understood the Korean alphabet. All I did was to copy her writings without thinking what it means. Haha! But Su Young Kang started to learn more English and Filipino terms because of me. At the end of the Thanksgiving week, her mother gave a stack of korean candies and stationaries. It was awesome! I felt like winning the Little Ms. Philippines in Eat Bulaga. Haha! And so Thanksgiving became so special since I learned to value friendship.

Su Young Kang went back to Korean after a year. I wonder how she's doing now. Did she became a missionary like her parents or maybe an actress? She could be one of the Korean actresses we watch in local channels or a model and a movies star in cable channels. Sometimes I wonder if we can meet someday like some my school busmates in Foursquare Church, Quezon City.

Oh well, I thank her for being friendly and kind. I hope she's doing well this season.

It takes more than a Carrot and a Stick

Practical Ways for Getting Along with People You Can't Avoid at Work

by Wess Roberts

Long title huh? I bought this book from NBS at Katips. I was actually contemplating over with a bridal magazie since I'm getting married next year. But then, I felt that I need to read this book first. You know, how to deal with different kinds of people. People are not the same. Even if we belong to the same religion or nationality, a person still has his or her own kind of insanity... i mean personality. Hehe. And I believe it is applicable not only for secular work relationships but also in the ministry.

Since I feel lazy yet compelled to write about this book, I copy-pasted a comment about it.

Coworker relationships influence quality of life, both on and off the job. Wess Roberts shows how workplace colleagues can get along, whether their natural personalities mesh like gears or clash like cats and dogs. It Takes More Than a Carrot and a Stick provides practical tips and surefire tactics for working with anyone. The book addresses how to get along with the 15 self-limited character types commonly encountered at work, from "Imperious Jerks" to "Perpetual Victims." Roberts walks the reader through each character type, giving concrete advice on how to thrive with others.

While reading, I remember some people I've met. Hehe. Have you ever read then all of a sudden this person's face pops out? Hehe. I laughed at them and understood these personalities. Roberts wrote the book in a very easy-to-read manner. No hifaluting words. I cried laughingly to their description and nodded to tips how to deal with them.