We just got back yesterday from our 4day vacation at Dos Palmas in Palawan. We were all so tired that even Vera slept early last night. I thought she was just going to take a nap. Well she did! She woke up after about 40 minutes, ate dinner and slept. I wasn’t able to play with her last night since I was also so tired from the trip. Good thing though, she also wanted to sleep already.

Day 1 - Saturday, October 13

Our flight was 1 hour delayed but we were informed the night before about this. We were in the airport the same time my MIL and FIL (Mother and Father-in-law) were there. Vera spent two hours walking around the place, waving to people, going after the walis tambo (native broom), and having breakfast while roaming around.

We were the first one to board the plane since we have a baby with us (not to mention that we have an additional 2 senior citizens, hehehe). While inside waiting for the other passengers to board, I asked the Flight Attendant if we can take Vera’s picture with the pilot inside the cockpit. Vera loves to watch Rocket of Little Einstein and she loves to look at the airplanes passing by our place, she even cries when she can no longer sees it.

We got a little disappointed when we arrived at Puerto Princessa, it’s raining! But even so, before we disembark, I saw the FA we talked to in Manila and asked if Capt. Gan can have a picture with Vera at the cockpit. He allowed us and much better, he made hamey sit inside with Vera and he was the one who took the picture (Thank you very much Capt. Gan!).

It was an hour travel by plane and then another 30 minute ride to the boat station and finally, an hour of travel by boat going to the Island.

We arrived the place around 1230, and we went straight to Kara-enan Restaurant. After lunch, we had our orientation about the whole island and the things we can do there and signed forms for basic infos apparently a requirement by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

At 2pm, we dipped in the pool with Vera. We stayed in the shaded part though it was cloudy at that time. We tried going to the beach but it’s not as fine as it is in Boracay. I got a little bit scared at the holes I saw which was made I think by crabs. (I forgot to ask the people there what really made those holes.)

Day 2 - Sunday, October 14

After breakfast, hamey and FIL decided to kayak. I joined them and left Vera with the grandmas. I had fun bonding with my FIL, he’s fun to be with. Anyway, we didn’t see much and the boys got tired, we decided to go to the snorkeling site with Vera and the Grandmas. We dipped Vera there to let her see and play with the fish (fishes/ school of fish). She loves the water. She knows what a fish is (we have an aquarium). Good thing she enjoyed the experience.

We returned about 11am, after Vera took a nap in the snorkeling site. We were scheduled to have our picnic lunch at Puting Buhangin (White Sand), an Island 10 minutes away (by speed boat) from Dos Palmas. There, Vera had fun playing in the sand. Too bad we have to go back early to Dos Palmas since we thought it’s going to rain. This one is a memorable ride for me! It was wavy!!! I have my life vest, I have Vera with me and I don’t have balance. I can’t hold on the railings with just one hand with Vera. Mama, who was beside me, held me tight. I’m strong, I don’t get scared easily but it was different. I have Vera with me. I was definitely scared for her life! It was an unforgettable experience!

Day 3 - Monday, October 15

Same itinerary, after breakfast, we went to the snorkeling site again. Vera was so excited that not even the cold water can dampen her excitement! But I think it was too early. The fish, I think, were still hungry. One parrot fish bit me in the leg. We never thought it would happen to Vera, but it did! She was bitten in her right index finger and hamey even saw it coming. Of course Vera cried but thank God it didn’t scare her permanently. After a while, she was playing in the water again.

*To be continued

Should I stop giving Vera her vitamin for the mean time? She still doesn’t want to take it. I don’t want to force her every morning just so she’ll have one. Or can you recommend a ‘technique’ on how to administer medicines to your toddlers. *sigh!*

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I need help with Vera regarding her vitamin and milk intake. Well, we tried giving her Pediasure Chocolate flavor this morning. Her first reaction was different from Gain Plus. She was reluctant at first but not at all against the milk. Then after awhile, yaya J told me that Vera almost finished her milk, she just wants it cold! She was able to finish 10oz. of formula milk and unmeasured quantity of breast milk today! Yipee!!! Now, our only problem is how to administer the vitamin without her screaming, kicking and wiggling. ‘Til tomorrow! Ciao!

We had an appointment with Dr. E last Monday for Vera’s scheduled vaccine. She was prescribed to drink 1 tsp. vitamin everyday and was advised to give her at least 8 oz. of formula milk a day since Vera just feeds from me at night.

What help do I need? Well, Vera doesn’t like powdered formula milk. She ‘d rather have the liquid no-water-needed formula milk. That was then and the problem now is that, we don’t have liquid base milk for toddlers here in the Philippines (if we do have, please let me know). Dr. B, Vera’s pediatrician in Michigan, actually allowed Vera to drink fresh cow’s milk when she turns 1. If we’re still there, that wouldn’t be a problem since there are lot of cow’s milk to choose from and at a cheaper price. Unlike here, the worth of one bottle or one carton of fresh milk is actually equivalent to about half gallon milk there. But if she’d rather have fresh milk than powdered formula milk, then I think I’ll have to surrender to what she wants. But for now, we really have to try to teach her to drink powdered milk. Or do you have any suggestions? Please, please… I really need some.

The other thing I needed help from is how to administer Vera’s vitamin, she doesn’t like it too. She screams and wiggles a lot! Sigh! What am I suppose to do?

HELP!!!

I need to come up with a healthy diet plan for me, hamey and Vera. The problem is, I love food, but I’m not a good cook. No! I don’t cook! I can’t cook! But I have to! I specially need to learn how to cook healthy food. Hamey’s family has hypertension, mine has diabetes. It’s a bad combination for Vera.

When hamey was assigned in the US for a work assignment, I once or twice tried to cook new dishes. There were also times I cooked simple Filipino dishes but all my efforts seems to be futile. Adobo na lang d ko pa magawa! But mind you, I can proudly say that I am good when it comes to making/baking cake and cooking pasta dishes. I do it from scratch!

Anyway, I need a menu plan for hamey and Vera. I don’t know where to start. I’d like to try cooking for them but I think I really haven’t overcome my fear of it. At least it’s not Mageirocophobia. It’s more like fear of failing, fear of rejection and fear of wasting food. O well, I have to try.

I think what I really need most is a chef, hehe!