It's all about the baby bump

Baby magazine tackles all things pregnant this month. Besides showcasing fashion for expectant women, the March issue contains lists of must-bring's to the hospital, articles on preventing pregnancy complications, distinguishing “false labor” from the real thing, labor stories as told by husbands, and a month-by-month guide on the baby's growth before birth.

Other topics covered in Baby's latest issue include controlling toddlers' tantrums, a step-by-step guide on bathing your baby, preparing young children for the arrival of a new brother or sister, tips on dealing with bullying, tips on taking brilliant baby photos, and long-term financial planning for the family.

In celebration of Women's Month, featured in this issue, too, are unsung heroines who are quietly making life better for others: volunteer firefighter Jennie Joy Dy, professional home manager Libai Censon, Pro-Life volunteer Sally Ruiz, and Project Brave Kids founder Sigrid Perez.

Regular columns are “Baby's Doctor” by Dr. Lourdes Anne Co, “Childbirth 101” by Rome Kanapi, “Pediatric Dentist” by Dr. Fina Lopez, “Family Finance” by Antonette Reyes, “Understanding Your Child” by Tedi Villasor, and “Fatherspeak” by Manuel Escasa.

Baby magazine, published by Marathon Publishing Inc., is available nationwide at National Bookstore, SM Department Store baby section, Baby & Co. in Power Plant Mall and The Podium, Babyland, Big & Small Co. in Shangri-la Plaza mall, and selected Bufini and mag:net plus outlets. Call 728-3655/56 or email magazine.baby@gmail.com for inquiries.

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As of today, the magazine is still not out in stores. We expect them at the office from the printers Wednesday, the 5th (I know, too long a wait!) and hopefully in some stores on the same day. I so look forward to this issue (well, actually, every issue, but this one is quite meaty) for several reasons. For one thing, it contains the story on Sally Ruiz, the generous woman who adopted little Nonoy to save him from being aborted (blogged about her here). Also, we're featuring maternity fashion in this issue -- first time since I joined the magazine a year ago. Carol, the lady we asked to model the clothes, remarked that she didn't realize until after the shoot that such things took so long -- and a lot of work! Being a non-professional in the field of modeling and entertainment, she required more coaching for the different scenarios. And, being a non-professional in the field of modeling and entertainment, she was spontaneous, natural, fresh, unaffected. Just what we needed!

Crib warning

Here's an ABC News report I found via News Anchor Mom about crib-related deaths:


Crowded cribs linked to baby deaths
Cribs crowded with pillows and other soft bedding linked to baby deaths
By CHRISTINE SIMMONS Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON Feb 28, 2008 (AP)


Parents are putting their babies at risk when they place pillows and other soft bedding in their cribs, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned Thursday.

From 2002 to 2004, 241 children under age 5 died in incidents involving nursery products. About 40 percent of the deaths involved cribs, with soft bedding cited as the leading contributing factor. Many of the children suffocated when lying face down on pillows or other bedding, the agency said.

"Less is more when you're talking about the crib," CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said, adding that cribs should be free of adult pillows and blankets, stuffed animals and baby quilts.


Full story

Kids and a playground

Though I can't remember the feeling I used to bask in, I do recall feeling quite exhilarated whenever, as a child, I was out in the playground, running around with friends. It was a feeling that was possibly unmatched in the happiness index -- for a 7-year-old. It's like I was born to play, play, play. Recess and dismissal were my favorite times of the day because these meant time for playing. There's something about wide open spaces that gives a child an unparalleled sense of freedom.


We recently had a photo shoot with two-, three- and four-year-olds. It was held in a public park, and if one stopped long enough to really watch the kids, it would be easily noticeable that they were so gleeful on account of the freedom to run around with all that open space. But I think the photos didn't capture just how fun it was for them. And how exhausting it was for us grown-ups =)



Marco, the 2-year-old boy, looked serious and stared a lot--then broke into disarming expressions at the most unexpected times. Here he is after being photographed with twin girls Dharma and Nirvana, who were still gamely striking poses for their mom's camera toward the end of the pictorial.


"Huli ka!" Hehe. These kids, when caught off-guard, squealed with delight.

Something old, something new...

How's this for a retro issue?

Several years ago, my brother started saving old photos on digital format. Some of them were even on slides (you know, the one you view using a slide projector), like the ones of my grandfather during his early 20th century sojourns and of his academic pursuits. The photo above was taken on our parents' wedding day in May 1953 -- an early matrimonial ceremony at Pinaglabanan Church, San Juan followed by a breakfast reception at the Aristocrat Restaurant which, according to them, cost P1.50/plate! And no professional wedding coordinators were involved in the preparations!

[Addendum: Not P1.50/plate, my mom pointed out a few nights ago when I asked her again about it. It was P3.50/plate] =)

I think the cover below fits them to a T, whether or not it's Valentine's month :-)

deadpan

Saw this on John Jansen's blog, Lunch Break, last week. I can imagine the scene, and I think it's funny but also thought-provoking:

A Dose of Humility

A few years ago, Jocelyn gave me a holy water font for Christmas. Since then, we've tried to get our kids in the habit of frequently blessing themselves with holy water.

Last night, five-year old Teresa got some holy water from the font with her left hand, and I gently reminded her that we're supposed to use our right hand.

"Why do we use our right hand?"

Caught off-guard and honestly not knowing the answer, I had to admit as much: "You know, Teresa, that's a really good question. I don't know why."

To which she deadpanned with the unique innocence of a five-year old: "I thought you were smart."

Coming on the eve of Lent, this was a welcome dose of humility for me.