Last April 26-27, 2008, Justin finally had his first dip in the swimming pool. It was Ed’s annual summer outing at ADB, and this time, it was at the Club Balai Isabel Resort at Talisay, Batangas. There were six of us who went: Ed and I, Justin, Manang, my sister Meann, and her husband Orlan. We encouraged them (Meann & Orlan) to go with us because they have a car, which made it easier for Justin to travel all the way from their house at Laguna Bel-Air to the resort.

We were billeted in two rooms, with two beds apiece and each furnished with an aircon, a refrigerator, a kettle, glasses and plates, towels, and soaps and shampoos. We actually had the best place, I think, since the rooms we got were actually located in the villa where the owner of the resort actually resides, and that villa had its own swimming pool to boot aside from the resort’s main pool. So we had the swimming pool all to ourselves as if we were just having our own family outing. The place was also equipped with a barbecue area, and there were fruit-bearing trees everywhere: avocado, chico, Indian mango, kamias. We expected it to be a fun and memorable experience, especially for our youngling, but it turned out to be the complete opposite.

First, Justin was afraid to get in the pool. He had every reason to be because the kiddie pool beside the adult pool in the villa was actually filled with at least three feet of water. So he could not really stand in the pool with his head untouched by the water. He cried every time his dad attempted to carry him to the water. He ended up just wading his feet and sometimes lying on the excess water that flowed out from the two adjoining pools.

Second, the bathrooms only had a shower. Though we had a shower at home, I do not use that on Justin whenever I give him a bath. So the idea of a shower is actually alien to him. He actually went on a crying fit and bumped his head on the bathroom wall from trying to evade the water getting out of the shower. For a few days after the outing, Justin had been afraid to take a bath at home.

Finally, nearly a week after the outing, Justin contracted a fever. He was diagnosed to have throat and ear infections. The ear infections, according to his pediatrician, could have been caused by the “dirty water” from the pool that got into both his ears. He was given antibiotics and ear drops for that, but he ended up having loose bowel movements for one week as a side effect of his antibiotics.

Poor Justin! All we wanted was for him to have fun, but his first swimming experience turned out traumatic. It was memorable all right, but for all the wrong reasons. I could only hope for a better swimming treat for him next year.

April last year, my blood tests showed a very high level of bad cholesterol. Tsk…tsk…So I was given medication for one month and a cholesterol-lowering diet guide, which I followed to the hilt. And I vowed I’d lower that amount with strict discipline and determination, which I did. And yes, I aced my second round of blood tests. But since I was late again for this particular appointment with my doctor--a good one month (or is it two?) has passed since my scheduled visit with him--he said he needed to see how my cholesterol level is faring with the absence of medication. And so he gave me another request for another series of blood tests, which I was supposed to have completed in January of this year, but I still have not done until now. It’s the holidays, for God’s sake! I still might have remnants of all the fat-laden foods I ate last Christmas and New Year had I went for those tests in January. Is that cheating or what? I was actually kind of complacent, too, after having received a very good 2D-echo result on that same visit with my good doctor. Not to worry, doc, I’m maintaining my fish-centered diet, with very few binging on the side. I’ve actually become more careful now with the food I eat, and that has a lot to do with being a mom. I have to be healthy for my son, even if that means sacrificing some of my gastronomic cravings.

For nearly a week now, Justin has been sleeping soundly through the night. Gone were those days of both mommy and baby waking up two to three times more for his milk feedings after he’s put to bed at around 9 to 9:30 pm. Finally, baby gets to enjoy an uninterrupted 8-9 hours’ sleep. And mommy, too, gets to sleep a full 6 hours, which is definitely better than the amount of sleep I was getting since I gave birth to my son, and that’s been what, 20 months since then. I badly needed that. I’ve lost weight since I gave birth mainly due to sleep deprivation. I weigh even lesser now than I had weighed before I’d gotten pregnant. Not that I’m complaining. I’m actually enjoying that slight weight loss just a tiny bit. And why not? I get to wear pants and shirts one size smaller than I’m used to wearing. Now, that’s one good reason to smile about.

We went to Justin’s pediatrician two Saturdays ago for his pneumonia vaccine, his final shot in a series of four, each costing a whopping Php5,000.00. Boy, I didn’t know immunizations cost much these days! Just one shot and in a snap, my husband’s hard-earned bucks disappeared before our very eyes. Since birth until now (Justin is now 1 year and 8 months old), he’s had a total of 33 shots, some of those given in combination, with prices ranging from Php1,000.00 to Php5,000.00. No matter the cost, Ed and I tell ourselves at least we know our son is protected. We’re investing on his health, and that’s all that matters.