Don't you love chocolates? I know a mom who really loves chocolates and she said how could she live her life without it? Wonder why? It puzzles my mind. Yes, I admit I do love eating chocolates but the fact that she can't live without it, that catches my attention.

Then came to my experience. One time, I was so sleepy (well, if you are on my shoes, " I'm always sleepy" is an underestimate sentence to describe my responsibility. To go further, that I can't explain as of now. But you get the hint, at least) that I don't have energy to do my responsibilities as a  mom which my  mind told me that I have to but my body was so weak. I had to find a solution, " I have to get going " and so I did. It came to my mind about what I thought about that chocolates thing. My thoughts about it and the theory I had in mind, why she said that. Chocolates has most the same effect as coffee, for me. Then I tried, eating chocolates to have my energy back. And it worked! Yes, it worked like wonders! I had my energy back then I tried it again days after, same result. So if I don't have any ideas that can think of and dark chocolates (or any chocolates is the only available), why not take the plunge eating it. As long as I'm not hungry (chocolates contain oil that may develop heartburn, there's a big possibility that you'll throw-up or tummy trouble if you're hungry eating chocolates), I am going to indulge myself in, if that's the only thing that can bring my energy back even at least for a moment then I'll do it.

What a journey it has been. An experience that I can prove to myself, thinking back how that busy woman/mommy cope up everyday journey she's in, and why she tells that. It may just only a metaphor but it connotes the idea that it actually is an energy booster as well as fights sleepy-ness.

Do you think so? Why, and why not?

As a first-time mom and being a mother, my journey has been the most difficult, trying, lonely, confusing, challenging experience I have encountered. I am not complaining because this is what I like and want to be, a mommy and a homemaker. For years, I was in BC and the time that DH and I already planned for a little angel, I was overjoyed when God granted us the desire of our heart. Now our little angel is growing so fast. When she was little, most often, her dad usually bought her toys that are suitable for her age. Now, that she is a little bigger, and ready to explore the outside world, I then bought her a mini scooter just like a kick scooter, to which I helped her in maneuvering it.

I thought this kind of toy is for the boys only. Not until little girls (including my friend C's daughter and son) in the park. When SAM saw them, she also wanted to have herself and so interested to be at it, yes, ride on it. I cannot stop her from doing so because she cried out loud. I gave in, after all, I was with her helping to maneuver the scooter. Furthermore, I tried to position her feet on the scooter’s floor, and put her tiny hands on the bars, she was actually scared but excited as well as so happy about it. Also, when I started to push the scooter slowly, her anxiety started to break off and in just a few minutes, she enjoyed more riding her mini-scooter (with me at her back of course). If the weather is good, especially if the husband has no work, we usually go to the park and let our little angel play, run, walk, swing and the likes. If Sarah is happy, I am happy as well. Her laughter is like music to my ears.

Ooh my SAM. :)

As great as we Moms are, most of us just aren’t the tool carrying fix-it kind of gals we'd like to be. We just can't do it all. Too many of us just don’t know the difference between a Phillips screwdriver and a flat-blade one. While this isn’t a really big deal for most of us smart women (we usually find other areas in which to excel). It does pose a problem when something breaks down or needs fixing, especially when we don't have a handy guy around to help.

Even so, times are a changing, and although you, like me, may believe home-improvement projects fall into the guy area national telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation shows that about half of all American women of knowledge, have undertaken one home-improvement job or another over the last two years - even if it is just painting. Still, this is an astonishing and pleasant fact (a project none of us would have taken on some 30 years ago.)

How Do They Do It?

Apparently, before taking on a project of this nature, most 'handy-gal' women seek out the advice from the Pros at the local home-improvement store. Or they watch a how-to video, a TV program, read a book or ask a neighbor about the process of the job at hand (see what I mean - smart women.

What’s The Point?

When asked, these women stated that the primary reason they took the job on themselves was to save money. Although, some said it was the satisfaction in knowing they could get it done that led them to success.

How Do You Start?

The simplest way to take on a home-improvement project is to plan ahead. Take on a simple project, something like installing a curtain rod, blinds or tightening the cupboard pulls first. Look at the hardware you need to install, then head over to your computer.

Research the repair method, view a few videos and write down any special tools you’ll need. On a whim, take a walk down to your basement or to your tool drawer and see if you have the necessary tools to complete the job. You probably don’t, but don’t let that stop you.

A Great Way to Get the Guys to Pitch In.

Even if you aren’t a real do-it-yourself-er, having the tools available can get the job done. The secret to making the guy in your life get up off the couch and fix the problem is to have the right irresistible power tool available. He’ll be so excited to use the tool that he won't realize he’s doing real around the house work.

Household chores can pile up throughout the day, particularly if only one person is doing them. By encouraging your children to help out with chores from an early age, you will not only benefit from their help but also teach them the necessary life skills they need to run a household. Chores teach responsibility, respect, and practicality. However, sometimes it can seem like pulling teeth to get any help from your kids around the house. By establishing expectations and a routine, you can get your kids more involved and make life easier for everyone in the long run.

Start at an Early Age

Some easy first chores for children can include making their own bed, tidying up their toys, setting the table, and helping fold laundry. These can be done from a very young age, don't take too much time, and help improve motor skills. Toddlers tend to enjoy helping out around the house. By encouraging your child to help out from a young age, you can start to instil good habits that will hopefully last through the later years.

Some of these tasks can be difficult for small children to do alone, so you can work with them to straighten sheets or fold laundry. When your kid is ready to go to school, you can get him or her involved in school preparations such as organizing school supplies, affixing school name tags to clothing, and preparing a packed lunch. Children in primary grades are just learning to enjoy their new-found independence, so this can be encouraged by letting them take an active role in preparing for school.

 Keep House Clearly Organized

It will be easier for your child to help around the house if he or she knows exactly where items are supposed to go. You can use name labels UK to mark sections of the living room where each child can put their own toys. When a child is setting the table, it's helpful if dishes, place-mats and cutlery are always in the same places. This will help teach order and organizational skills along with independence. Shelves, cubby holes, and drawers can be used in bedrooms to give plenty of room to put items away in their right place, rather than simply throwing them all in a heap in the closet.


Don't Turn Chores into a Punishment

Although as children get older it may be increasingly difficult to turn chores into a fun game, you don't want to give the impression that they are being punished by keeping a tidy house either. Reward children and teens for completing their tasks, rather than punishing them with extra housework. If you punish them with chores, they'll have a negative connotation with helping out and will avoid it at all costs. Show your appreciation when a job is done well, and give them additional privileges if they go above and beyond expectations.

Whether you choose to actively reward your children for their help around the house or simply keep chores as a basic expectation, consistency is important. Let children know what you expect from them and follow through when they don't meet your expectations. By setting standards from a young age, you will help raise more independent and helpful youngsters.

(Thanks for the guest post Alina Anghel)

It sounds as if, well, yeah; I was dead tired, but I am not complaining. I ran to the grocery store to buy something that I could prepare for our visitors. I cleaned the kitchen after cooking and of course, nanny-ing to my precious little angel as well. I run from here and there, and I had no time to park myself in a couch. I wish I have a nanny for my daughter, so I could finish all the things earlier. Nevertheless, I am proud of myself for I was able to do all these things all by myself. It’s a great feeling to see that everything has been done. I know being a mom to Sarah, and a wife to my husband is not easy. I have different roles to them, and I wish I would be able to perform my roles very well. Anyhow, it’s time for me to stop now for I need to put Sarah on her bed, and besides, I am sleepy too.

Sarah is just one year old, and a few more months I guess, I have to give her a potty training (I get nervous when I think of it). Honestly, I have no idea on how to start with it. I hope there will be no fighting scene between me and Sarah. Ha-ha! I asked hubby about this, and he told me just to give her the potty chair, or I will let her see me sitting in the toilet. Ha-ha! Hubby thought that it is just as simple as that, but for me, this is really a big thing that I should have to learn before Sarah could start her potty training. I actually asked some of my friends who have children about this potty training issue, their own journey about it and the steps. And they shared their experiences; some were funny and some were frustrating. Anyway, I know there are also books that I could read on how to train a child to poop on her potty-chair. I wish I could have it soon so I could start reading on it.

I hope my mommy instinct will work. :-)

It’s a first day of the week, and as a stay at home mom, Monday is just an ordinary day for me, not unless if somebody invites us (me and Sarah) for a lunch. :-). But, to my husband, it is the first day of the week at work, and hopefully he has a great week ahead at work. Good thing today is a holiday, Columbus Day!

 I am just glad that I have Sarah to fill my day everyday. Not just like before Sarah came into our lives, I was alone from Monday to Friday during the daytime because hubby was at work. If I could only pull the time faster, I would so that husband would come home soon.

Now, everything has been changed, but the changes have made my life complete. Being a mom is not an easy task, but the feeling of being a mom is wonderful. I know I still have lots of things to learn as a mom because I am a first-time mom, and I mean to learn these motherly tasks for the sake of my daughter. I wouldn’t be a perfect mom, but I will try my very best to be a better mom to Sarah.

Okay, usually she is in great mood. She smiles a lot which melt everyone's heart. :-)

 I am just glad that my little princess has the extra great mood today. She did not disturb me while I am doing the house chores (and yeah, I even have time to blog like what I am doing now). I give her toys, and all other things that could make her time occupied so I could finish my work before my husband arrive. Even if I was doing the house chores, I had to check her if she is okay. I am just glad that every time I check on her she is playing, talking to her toys (ha-ha! Ahh! Kid. ) and standing (or learning how to talk, grabbing the rails of her playard).

She give me smiles when she sees me and continue playing while I am busy. I am so thankful that I am able to finish some chores. Anyway, since hubby is not at home and Sarah does not eat solid food yet, I will just prepare food enough for myself but I do not know what to cook. Oops! Well, I am not a picky eater, so whatever inside the fridge or in the pantry, I will just cook it. I hope hubby will bring food for tonight so I do not need to cook for tonight’s dinner.

Breaking up is never easy, but it’s even harder when there are kids involved. Whatever the circumstances of your romantic relationship ending, chances are that you will be continuing a relationship of sorts with your ex, as co-parents of your children. And whatever age your kids are, they will also need a certain amount of assistance to adjust to the new situation. So, how best to enter this new phase in your life?


Parenting

Have the discussion about how you will go about co-parenting early on. When will you each see your kids? How will big decisions be made? What notice is required about any change of plans? From the major questions such as schooling to day-to-day management like school lunches, it all needs to be sorted out and, if necessary, formalized. It could help to bring your children into these discussions as well.

Finances

Unless you are in the happy position of being financially self-sufficient, for many, becoming a single mother means your financial status – and security – will likely change. Retirement funds, joint bank accounts, child support, mortgages and car repayments will all figure in these changes. Consult an accountant to find out about any changes to your taxes.

Network

It will be important to have a support network to turn to in times of emergency. Something as simple as having the flu for a few days can be stressful for a single mother, so it’s good to have family and friends you can rely on to do some child-minding if necessary. Making connections with other single mothers will also be important – someone to understand the difficulties you’re facing.

You

Most mums tend to put themselves last, and for a single mother – running a household solo, often juggling school lunches and household decisions with a busy career – it becomes even more difficult to find ‘me-time’. Even something as small as 20 minutes for a bath, catching up with your girlfriends for coffee or reading a book after the kids are in bed will give you the space to focus on you for a little while.

Dating

It might seem like an insurmountable task to re-enter the dating scene with kids in tow. It can be difficult to meet a potential new partner, but sites can help set up introductions with compatible dates and they are a good way to ease yourself into dating again.

Most importantly, you need to think positively about the new direction your life has taken. It may not be the direction you expected, and it can be difficult to reset your expectations. However, it can mean greater independence, the ability to try new things and the freedom to do it your way.

I already lost four-five pounds (4-5 lbs) as I had my crash diet weeks ago of most liquid and an easy-digest foods I ate for 10 days. This way was introduced to me by a good friend Anne. True enough, I succeed and I lost my undesired weight, in short, I got my goal of having such. It is not an easy diet journey but because I was determined I got it and good thing I still maintain my weight until now. Good news, isn't it? I can just smile. Such diet was my first time. By the way, I gained weight as I had my baby, this is from my pregnancy body up to delivery and afterwards. Now, I am proud I am already 118 lbs from 122-123 lbs. Yay! It's a call for celebration. :-)

If I did not lost such, I may consider to have another way of dieting to which they called as african mango diet just to attain my target weight. It's just on my mind that I really have to lost such weight because I am not used with my weight and I can see the parts of my body like it is swollen. I can't blame my thoughts because I am fit or even slim when I was still single. I never dreamed of this weight, but because I long to have a child of the right time which is this time, I have to endure it during such. Actually, I loved it! And after delivery and before the 3/4 quarter of a year age of my child, that was the time that I have to do the dieting I ought to have, or planned of a right time which is best for my health which won't sacrifice the quality of care my child deserves to have. You know, when it's not a right time for dieting yet, you may end up to being sick or alike to which will affect your time for baby care. You know. :-)

After a 10 days-detox cleansing diet I had which the ingredients was being given by a good friend Anne, special thanks to her, now a very dear friend (Elaine) too is introducing to me the 30 minutes fruits-before-meal routine (I am making a so-called words, but you can see what is it in the pattern). Yes, I am in that current routine though I still drink some sugar-free or Grade B maple syrup-lemons juice. And I tell you, I can see the good effect on it. I was told to eat fruit/s first before 30 minutes to an hour of eating the normal meal. Friend E told me about fruits, but I am also including the vegetables from soup (like fish soups and alike) though the latter is a bit different with fruits since when eating the meal, I ate (or continue to eat) the vegetables first in the fish soup I made and to tell you what, I don't need to eat rice (I am a rice person, I can't eat a meal without rice or else it seems like I am not eating at all. Makes me more crave in that way.) with it after such. What I did the last time since I like to eat the fish and I can't eat the 1/2 cup of rice I had but I can't also eat the fish without rice, I just decrease the volume of rice. So instead of 1/2 cup, I just the 1/4 or 1/8 of it. And my fish craving had been successfully done. At the same time, I had protein (oops! not sure what we can get with the fish meat, correct me if I am wrong)!

So I am so ready for my other set of diet which is this "30 minutes fruits-before-meal"  for now. Yay! By the way, did you know that I already lost four-five pounds (4-5 lbs) from my detox cleansing diet for 10 days? Yep, a crash diet. First time ever. :-) Hope to maintain it or loss a bit. :-) (I had other post of it)

Yes! True enough when a woman just deliver a baby, it is expected for her to gain weight. Imagine bringing a six plus pounder (6+lbs) baby with all the other water with her and stuffs. If you haven't imagine yet, better do it now so we can proceed. Smile. Kiddingly smile but I am serious. :-)

Alright, I delivered my baby daughter six months plus ago. I breastfed through breast-pump mixed with formula for about two months then pure formula-fed afterwards. With that, I can eat whatever I want for health diet but that doesn't work. I still have this 122 lbs weight until now, though I loss the after-deliver weight but there's still the unwanted ones. And I don't like it! I don't like looking at my tummy, legs and upper arms.

So now, beginning today for ten (10) days, I have to do seriously the diet I have in my hand now. I need to do it religiously. So let's see if I am that goal-oriented enough. I aim to have 110 lbs to 113. Whew! Will I get that target weight? I'll see if I can do it! Good luck to me.  :-)

Having friends, is one of the most precious in our lives. They are next to our family. Yes, it is to me.

Today is the last day of March, I did not matter it. I even did not noticed that tomorrow is already the start day of April. I had fun with my friends here in my place. We are four, the first time we're complete of going out (Friend P is always not with us), and first time of how many months the four of us together wayback when I was still pregnant, that is more than six months ago. This month has been good to me (despite of being hard having an infant, ha!). Much better because my friend Au with her family was here in the middle of last week.

It has been weeks Friends P and A along with me planned this, and this day just came. Hooray too because Friend D was with us with her two kiddos. What a together-again friends getaway. We had "siopao" and ate in "The Boiling Crab", my first time eating in the resto crab place and it is really good, much more because we had a great chitchat and a reunited moment of the four of us, the mommies in the block. :-)

All in all, it is a great, great day! I hope yours too! How was your day, by the way?

Babies are a welcome addition to any family. Preparations for making the home child-friendly starts the moment a couple finds out that they’re having a baby. They begin to buy furniture and home fixtures that will make their home a safe place for the baby. Months before the baby is born, most parents have already bought everything that the baby will need like preparing the baby’s nursery and buying things like a crib, bibs, baby clothes and the like. They also buy baby strollers or push chairs that they can use when they bring their baby to the park or when they go out for a walk. As the baby grows, their needs also grow. And in times when we cannot leave them at home, or when we have to take them somewhere like for a doctor’s appointment, we have to make sure that our cars are child safe, too. High quality pram or baby car seats should be added to make traveling with your babies safe and more enjoyable. Trusted Dealers can provide you with the best quality baby car seats. They understand that your baby’s safety is your priority which is why they do their best to help you choose the best baby car seats for your baby.

Being a first time mom in a journey of Cacai M. (yours truly) is really quite a challenging feat. You are doing loads of tasks all at the same time for the first time and most of the time you will really be hard pressed on trying to fit all of your tasks and chores into one single day, just so you can have a few precious free time and downtime the next day. Don’t you just wish you had more time so you can squeeze more work in? Or so you can enjoy and play with your baby more? Or so you can have a few precious hours to hang your feet for awhile and have 8 hours of sleep? I know it is just wishful thinking, really. Maybe, until my daughter is a few years older, spinning like a top to finish this and that chore will be a constant scenario at home. And maybe I would really have to consider getting a permanent makeup just so I can still look as presentable even if I am drowning in a mountain of dishes to wash and chores to finish. I saw this Permanent Makeup Barrie while I was finishing some online work a couple of days ago, and I must say, they are rather impressive and imagine all the time you can save when you do not have to check your face out in the mirror and apply all those make ups and what-nots every time you head out!

Yes, I morning the night and I don't care, of what? I don't care sleeping, alright, I plan to sleep later afternoon when I can have more time, successive time, since she would have her last medicine in the morning by 12 noon with her milk and a little food then, the next is her snack by 3:00 pm or I can have it by 4:00 or 5:00 pm full. So I can have at least 4 hours uninterrupted sleep. I also need to have consecutive naps then to complete the 6-8 hours of sleep, at least 6 hours.

Why I morning the night? The first thing is I have to awake because baby Sam has a fever and I make sure I am always available when she needs me, in the daytime I think I can have my DH but not during night time. So, I need not to sleep. Secondly, I need to update my blog whilst tending her. Of course, she's the priority reason aside from tending my DH's sleeping disorder (yes, having bad dreams or alike). In this way, we're all safe and sound. I have to adjust my time. And so I morning the night. Am fine. I even smile like this: :-) and wink too. ;-) Ha! Good morning USA!

You already know that I have embark into a mommy. I have now my own mommy journey. Spending quality and a lot of quantity times with her is priceless. I've got to nurture her by my  own, and my one and only strength. Without family circles to help me can be an overwhelming job but I choose this and I tell you what, I never regret it. It's precious!

My pretty little girl is getting bigger and bigger each day, I hardly have time to keep up with her developments and milestones and here comes new ones. I am only too glad I was able to stay at home so I can witness all these wonderful little milestones that my little princess has. If I were still working, it will probably break my heart if I was not able to experience her first gooey smile first-hand or witness her first roll-over with my own two eyes. The little girl will be sampling solid foods very soon (actually had her first sampling yesterday) and I cannot wait to see her reaction to different tastes and textures. I am just glad I am just at arm’s reach to guide her every step of the way and to take photos, too!