close encounter with asthma

In the last several weeks, Joaqui has been suffering from on and off coughs and colds. Despite our regular check-ups with his pediatrician and taking of medications, his symptoms really never completely went away. We even tried "hilot" (an ancient Filipino art of healing) but to no avail. I was never really worried because his lungs are always clear and I thought that he gets this from school. When he had the colds again, I decided to bring him to his pediatrician and this time, he heard some wheezing in his lungs. It was then that he ordered a chest x-ray and his suspicion for asthma has been confirmed. When we learned of this, I was really sad because it is a lifelong illness and battle with environmental triggers. His pediatrician though assured us that as long as we can control the triggers such as dust, animal dander, etc., his symptoms will be minimal except of course for the change in weather - that we can do nothing about. And to be living in a country with an ever changing weather is not good for asthma.

Joaqui is on nebulization therapy for 5 days and he has to take an anti-asthma medicine for 3 months, and then his doctor will check on him again. I'm proud of Joaqui for being able to tolerate the mask for his nebs. It is a good thing he is very imaginative and when he wears the mask and hears the sound of the nebulizer machine, he thinks of himself as an astronaut in space.

As a parent, it really breaks my heart to see him like this, but I know that God will heal him and keep him away from illness.

Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

—Isaiah 41:10

smart online saving tips

Finally, after a week of not being able to go online because of a busted phone line, brownouts, typhoon and our recent move, this blog is back! We have moved to our new condominium unit and although it was really stressful - financially, physically and emotionally - it was all worth it. Of course, our stress level would not have reached ultimate high if we could have hired professional movers. Packing and unpacking our stuff was so tiring and how I wish I could call on Houston movers to do that for us.

We have prepared well for our move. We searched and compared prices for our electrical appliances like air conditioning unit and refrigerator. I have learned to follow our budget strictly and avoid unnecessary purchases, which is a money-saving advice I got from Billy.com. It was also a little difficult for us because school already started and the move was also a little stressful for Joaqui. Good thing he settled in quite easily, although he was asking for his "sassy" (my mom) in our new home.

Our next step would be the blessing of our unit which would just be a simple family affair. We are planning to do it in time for my dad's birthday. Now I really have to learn more about online saving tips to keep our budget air tight. ; )

Mommy Moments - School Day

This school year is Joaqui's first time to go to school. He is 3-1/2 years old and at the Nursery level. His classes start at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. He was a little anxious on his first day at school and would not want to be left alone, but on the second day although he was teary eyed, he agreed to be left in the classroom without me.

This was the first time he wore his school uniform and of course we had to take pictures. ; ) I can't believe how much he has grown when I saw him in his school uniform for the first time. My baby is now a school boy!



When I ask him what they do in school, he would tell me that they color, draw, play and their teacher read them a story. He also tells me that they pray and then eat their "baon." I also always ask him if he is having fun in school and he would tell me yes. We don't do formal lessons yet at home because I don't want to pressure him, but we do coloring and drawings, and most of the time, he would ask me to help him write his name.

Get to know other kid's school days as their moms blog about it at Mommy Moments.