Before I had a daughter, the only “DQ” I was fond of was the no-spill-when-turned-upside-down creamy concoction called Dairy Queen… now, DQ takes on a totally new meaning for me… For you moms out there with precocious little daughters, this one’s for you…

After her recent bout with some gastro problems, I can say that my daughter, Marga, is sooo back with a vengeance! The past few days, she has literally driven me up the wall in a hodgepodge of surprise, frustration and outright hilarity. Let me share with you some recent events to prove my point: my little princess is a “certified drama queen” (takes one to know one, I guess! Hahaha!):

Ø EVIDENCE 1:

Every morning, as Keith is preparing to leave for the office, we are very careful not to wake Marga up lest she gets into one of her moods again. Today was no different. Unluckily though, the princess was needlessly roused from her slumber…so with loud protests of “Papa, waah!” and “Dan” (her version of “down”, when she wants to get off the bed), Keith painfully extricated himself from the tearful clutches of our wailing daughter with promises that he’ll be back soon (Hon, how come I don’t get the same response when I make drama???).

Ø EVIDENCE 2:

Last night, we had a follow-up visit to Marga’s pedia. For some reason, Ramadan season contributing, probably, the hospital was packed! What normally took 3 mins to an hour took an excruciating 2 hours! Needless to say, the princess got tired and upset by the time we got home. What followed was classic: Setting her down the bed while she was already screaming and throwing a fit proved no easy task especially when I still had to get out of my “costume” (i.e., abaya) and eventually still change her to her sleepwear. Taking a quick stop to the bathroom to fix her stuff, I was surprised to see our little diva heading right at me (yup, she got off the bed pretty quick even in her “highly charged emotional state”!)and whaddyaknow! The minute she saw me, she let out a piercing wail of protest enough to wake the dead before walking out towards the living room! What a night! What a girl!

Ø EVIDENCE 3:

It’s been exactly 2 weeks since we arrived here in the Kingdom and I’ve been practically on my toes doing God-knows-what most of the time! It’s only now that I can actually sit back, catch my breath and relax somewhat… What have I been up to exactly? A quick run-down follows (drum roll please!)…

The past few days have been chaotic - it all started last Saturday afternoon when Marga developed a fever. I thought it was related to her teething - since she finally cut a lower tooth the day before ... until things just got more and more out of whack as the days wore on .

So far, Marga has also developed a viral infection in both eyes (which caused her eyes to swell and have a yellowish discharge) and also a bum tummy which started this morning. What's more, even the two boys have followed suit with maladies of their own - Luigi with a swollen throat and Rafa also with eye infection! Add all of these to undone chores, my being sleep-deprived and anxious about the kids' well-being and a chicken pox outbreak advisory from the boys' school... What have we got? Crazy days are definitely here again!

Keith has been reminding me time and again to get a grip - as I surely lose it during times like these (perfect example - I find myself crying in exasperation and exhaustion over the fact that Marga managed to poop and mess our sheets right after I cleaned her up but before I could put a new nappy - waaah! ). Can't believe a rush credit proposal for a treasury deal during my rat race days seems so much easier compared to this!

What to do? Time to re-focus, I guess... Good thing that Marga is now peacefully napping so I had the luxury of checking my daily readings and whaddyaknow, looks like I was being directed to these entries to help tide me over these trying times...

• Strength and weakness of heart is found not when everything is going our way but when flames of suffering and temptation test the mettle of our character. As gold and silver are refined by fire, and as coal needs time and pressure to become a diamond, the human heart is revealed and developed by enduring the pressure and heat of time and circumstance. Strength of character is shown not when all is well with our world but in the presence of human pain and suffering.

• We hate pain, especially in those we love. Yet without discomfort, the sick wouldn't go to a doctor. Worn-out bodies would get no rest. Criminals wouldn't fear the law. Children would laugh at correction. Without pangs of conscience, the daily dissatisfaction of boredom, or the empty longing for significance, people who are made to find satisfaction in an eternal Father would settle for far less.

• If God had the power and wisdom to create this physical universe, there was reason to trust that same God in times of suffering.

• Natural disasters and times of crisis have a way of bringing us together. Hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, riots, illnesses, and accidents all have a way of bringing us to our senses. Suddenly we remember our own mortality and that people are more important than things. We remember that we do need one another and that, above all, we need God.

• "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

True, these words seem easier said than done yet in crazy times like these, they surely feed my weary body, mind and spirit. Guess I'm sticking it out for this bumpy ride after all... for I know that there is Someone out there who is far greater than all this pain and will make sure that I will somehow survive.

Here's looking forward to my next "normal" blog .

For those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, the song "Manic Monday" will ring a familiar bell for sure ... No, I'm not about to do a nostalgia trip here. It's just that one part of the song's lyrics is very descriptive of what I have been experiencing these days - "Six o'clock already, I was just in the middle of a dream...these are the days when you wish your bed was already made!". This holds true for me during weekdays when I have to make sure I am up by 6 am at the latest so that I can be sure that my boys (Keith included) eat a good breakfast and that Luigi and Rafa have their packed lunches ready before they set out for the day.

The difference today, however, is that I choose not to dwell on how manic a Monday it is. Instead, I take my cue from our good friend Peachy's "Thankful Thursday" posts and will choose to focus on what is good in my life that I should give thanks for. Happiness, after all, is a choice, right? Considering that I already honored my dear hubby during my 1st SSS post, the next "big thing" that I am definitely thankful for are our children - Luigi, Rafa and Marga.

In this post, I wish to thank each of my children since I believe doing so is also my way of honoring Him who has entrusted the care of these wonderful blessings to Keith and I. Here goes...

Luigi, I thank you...

...for your "carinoso" and affectionate ways - I feel very special when you ask me to hug you, kiss you or tuck you in at night

...for being a responsible and loving kuya, especially now that you dutifully watch over your little sister when Mama needs to finish some house chores

...for letting me see parts of myself in you - I am amused to see how we share some interests, temperaments and inclinations

...for taking your studies seriously and for doing your best in your extra and co-curricular activities (PAL work, FOJ plays, Knowledge Bowl)

Rafa, I thank you...

...for your maturity beyond your 6 years - I never cease to be amazed everytime you make a very witty comment or ask questions I never expect from kids your age

...for reminding me to always pray in the mornings before you leave for school, before mealtimes and before going to bed at night

...for your energy and gift of gab - I love listening to your stories about school and I get amused everytime I eavesdrop on you doing your "special sound effects" and action moves when you are playing by yourself

...for being obedient and truthful to Papa and myself

Marga, I thank you...

...for bringing so much joy to all of us with your arrival - I never expected that I would still have a daughter after so long yet God is not to be exceeded in generosity since He gave you to us as a "bonus" gift

...for your innocent smiles, bubbly shrieks and endearing giggles - they surely make me forget how tired I am at times

...for letting me experience how it is to take care of you full-time, something I sadly never had the chance to do with your two kuyas

...for being very behaved and cooperative when you watch me cook, clean or do house chores from your stroller (although admittedly you also have your "off days", right?)

There are definitely more things to be thankful for about my children that escape my mind as I post this yet I am sure they will forgive me for not mentioning all of them.

As I sign off, I feel much better for not letting this day be "just another manic Monday"! Count your blessings!

I thought my "Darna" moments would considerably lessen when I left my desk job 9 months ago... Was I ever wrong! <For the uninitiated, a "Darna" moment happens when there seems to be too much going on all at the same time that you have to grab a trusty lifeline (as in the "magic bato" that the crippled girl Narda swallows to become the superhero Darna) lest disaster strikes and the “bad guys” win.> Too melodramatic for your taste, huh? Well, read on so you’ll know what I mean…

Being a full-time stay-at-home mom definitely has a LOT of Darna moments – times when I desperately wish I had that magic bato that I can gulp down (of course matched with the Darna yell) to make all my “maternal and domestic boo-boos”, so to speak, go away. To all my full-time “co-moms” out there, I’m sure these sound sooo familiar:

· The baby’s wailing her lungs out and you don’t know why while you’re trying to prepare lunch for your hubby and kids who are supposed to be home in, say, 30 minutes – Darna moment.

· Your two older kids are being especially naughty and you just have to sit them down (for the nth time, it seems!) to see what the matter is and hopefully patch things up before the food in the kitchen gets burnt – Darna moment.

· The house is begging for a clean-up and the dirty clothes are piling up yet you just can’t seem to put it together since the freakin’ toilet is also clogged – classic Darna moment!

Pardon me if it looks like I’m bit@#$ng here (well, I maybe just a little bit…) but I only want to illustrate some of the things I usually go through ever since my “emancipation” from the corporate life.

I have an inexplicable secret though… Crazier as my life seems now, I actually still would not trade it for the corporate rat race again! I seem to have embraced my new-found “diva-ness” with its Darna moments and all! Even I surprise myself! Wonder why?

I guess that my trusty lifelines are helping me keep afloat. Yup, have my very own versions of the “magic bato”… Wanna know what these are? Actually, these aren’t “ITs” but “HEs”… Who else but my ever dependable supportive hubby Keith, my rock, who helps me weather all my domestic diva woes! More importantly, I have also learned to always ask help from the “lifeline of all lifelines”, the big guy up there - though I admit I still have to work on consistently doing so as I get overwhelmed with my woes (both real and imagined) from time to time.

Well, have to go for now… Hear the baby crying again and my older son also wants to do his own blog. Darna moment? Bring it on!

Yesterday morning, just as I was preparing to make French Toast (yup, this is the boys' current favorite ), I was jolted awake by the screams of Luigi coupled with the loud cries of Marga.  As Keith was away on a two-day business trip, this was definitely NOT the perfect time for things to go awry.  What the @#$! could have happened???

Apparently, our little one, Marga, decided to spice things up a bit that morning.  Sensing that I was in the kitchen and her designated "guard" Luigi was momentarily out for a much-needed bladder break, she then proceeded to do her "double flip somersault ala-Lara Croft" but didn't achieve the desired effect (Translation:  SHE FELL OFF THE BED!).  With my panic buttons blazing, I immediately rushed to the scene of the action stunt gone wrong and scooped her off the floor (about two feet away from our bed).  I then checked for bumps, bleeding, bruises or cuts - amazingly, there were none (thank God!) - and also if there was a clear liquid oozing out of her ears or nose (clear sign of head trauma per our resident pedia, Grammy Dollie) - still negative (the Lord's protection is definitely upon us!). 

Afterwards, still shaken from this incident, I called Mommy overseas to tell her what transpired and what I should look out for further.  She told me that it was important that Marga not throw up, show signs of weakness or lethargy, and that she shouldn't be sleeping more than usual.  I watched her like a hawk from that time on and am pleased to report that she has not shown any of these danger signs.  In fact, towards bedtime last night, she even was so active and was practicing her "Tarzan-like" yells and giggling all over (at this point, I am praising God to the highest heavens!!).  Just 48 more hours of the same activity and Marga should be in the clear - please continue praying for her...

I also texted all my closest relatives like crazy to ask for their prayers to ensure Marga's well-being.  It was also comforting that Rinel (Tito Dimples) was already here and was checking up on us from time to time and that Ton, Keith's office buddy, was on hand to offer his car in case we needed to go to the hospital.  In Keith's absence, I again felt God was in control and that He was being true to His promise that He will take care of us as we venture out into this foreign land.

Lessons learned:

1. 
   
   Six month-old babies do the craziest stunts at the most unexpected times - DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNATTENDED.  If you must, there's always the trusty old playpen where they could flip-flop to their heart's delight without any danger  - so use it!
   
   
2. 
   
   The Lord is in control and is true to His promises.  It sometimes takes adrenaline-charged  moments like this to be reminded of this truth. He uses people outside our own immediate family to further reinforce the fact that He is always watching out for us.

Case closed.

Pardon me if I switch to mommy mode now but I just need a quick holler to all moms out there who may have had the same sorry experience Keith and I just had early this morning and to hopefully help see us through.

Marga, our adorable 5 month old, who usually just wakes up to feed and then promptly goes back to sleep "no problemo", suddenly woke up very restless and wailing at 3 am this morning.  What to do?  What to do?  

Thinking she was hungry (as was usually the case), I drowsily resumed "cow duty"  (breastfeeding, to the uninitiated) but was surprisingly rejected several times (ooh, that hurt!).  After which, my dear husband, already half-awake from the ruckus, came to the rescue by trying his hand at shushing the baby by carrying her - still no go!  Marga was then passed back to me and I again tried to comfort her and find out what was wrong (panic time na!) but still to no avail.  Keith then had the brilliant idea to check on her nappy (now, why didn't I think of that! Thank God for smart half-awake husbands!) and lo and behold, she did number two! (do I hear a collective "Eeew!" from our non-parents out there? Sorry but I really have to vent!).  Apparently, though,  it wasn't #2 that was the root of our darling daughter's dilemma, but the nasty nappy rash that seemed to have worsened overnight and was causing her so much discomfort!

So, with cobwebs still in our heads, we searched our Baby 101 archives (as it's been 6 years since the last bun popped) and proceeded to clean her up with warm water (baby wipes won't do for this case as we were afraid it might make things worse), dry her delicate tushie thoroughly and then decided to let her sleep "au naturel" (i.e., al fresco) through the night - with me watching her like a hawk in case she did an "encore" of her earlier performance (doing a "standing ovation" to repeat the whole routine was the furthest from my sleep-deprived brain at this point!).  Too bad that we still didn't have Desitin (nappy rash cream) as it would've presumably made our lives easier...

As of now, Marga is, well, thankfully sleeping like a baby...  I'm sure though that this is temporary as the rash is still there and I have yet to get hold of the nappy cream (my trusty husband will be able to give it to me by lunch time yet).  Till then, wish me luck and pray that this nightmare would soon be over!

Two days ago, Keith and I went to Luigi and Rafa’s school to claim their first quarter report cards.  Without further ado (drum roll please), I am delighted to share (allow me some bragging rights here) that both boys are straight A students (surprisingly with the same 96.33 average!) with a few 100% marks thrown in (Luigi for Science and Rafa for Math and Social Studies).  What’s more is that their teachers only had good words for them (i.e., “Gabriel (that’s what they call Luigi) is such an excellent student!” and “Rafael started out shy but is now doing very well.”) and were all praises for their good behavior.  What surprised us, however, was that both boys’ lowest marks turned out to be their Global Language subject, Filipino (Oh no! Our boys are turning out more “amboy-ic” than we thought!).  Dahil dito, nais ko tuloy pag-ibayuhin ang pagsasanay sa kanila sa aming tahanan sa paggamit ng ating inang wika.  Subalit, ayon sa aking kabiyak, maaring masyadong marahas ang pamamaraang ito at baka lalong hindi matuto ang mga bata.

Anyway, we were comforted when their teachers reassured us that this was usually the case for all foreign students away from their own countries.  I am confident that the boys will survive in Filipino somehow…

What pleased us even more is that their getting good grades is a reflection of how well both boys seem to have adjusted to our move here in KSA.  Truly an answered prayer.

I guess nothing is more heartwarming for a parent than to see your children growing up not only intellectually sound but moreso happy, healthy, with positive character and good behavior.  I pray that what Luigi and Rafa started in terms of academic performance and  behavior will also be true for our little girl, Marga, when she comes of age.

So, if and when Luigi, Rafa or Marga asks me (in decidedly American Idol-ish Taylor Hicks fashion - less the raining confetti and adoring fans), “Do I make you proud?”.

The obvious answer, without batting an eyelash – “Most definitely .”