Topaz Mommy

I'm in Good Housekeeping talking about how I do it

2012-01-27T10:04:00.024+08:00

I can't believe that I can just nonchalantly say, "Oh, motherhood, marriage and career? Sooo possible. Here's how I do it!" But Good Housekeeping seems to think I have all my ducks in a row and included me in their January-February issue of how mommies successfully juggle all the things that successful women are supposed to juggle.

See the part I encircled? I'm one of the Real Moms Who Do It!

Click here for the story on why I look like that.

Thank you, Good Housekeeping. I feel very honored and flattered you think quite highly of my abilities. Well, when I did this interview, I really did actually feel that everything was under my control. Then the bag business unraveled and other occupations started breathing heavily down my neck and... I am now feeling really weird when I see that feature. Funny how things can change just like that.

The other day I cried simply because the new maid can't cook the rice right. She puts too little water so the rice isn't fluffy and tender and soft. She's been with us since January 2 so it's been almost a month that we've been chewing hard on our hardly cooked rice. I keep reminding myself to show her how much water to put in the pot but every day I'm just too busy and too tired and too caught up with all the things I have to do that I forget. I only remember when I finally sit down to eat and then I see the rice and then I become unhappy.

So the other day I cried because I can't believe I'm so busy I can't even tell the maid how to cook rice properly. I don't even have to cook it myself, I just have to tell her how but it seems I can't even do that (I've told her today, by the way). And then I have the audacity to appear in a magazine and tell other moms how I juggle everything so well.

So I'm feeling out of sorts. Everything is usually under control but lately, things have been... Well, let's just say every day is a surprise and so every day I'm constantly adjusting. It's stressful. I was telling my friend Mariel that I am a duck, placidly floating on the water but underneath the surface, my feet are paddling away furiously.

Maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones. Maybe it's just the lack of sleep. Because, in truth, I do juggle very well. Compared to other mommies who have to work a 9-to-5 job and have long commutes, my schedule's pretty darn flexible and I should be grateful. So maybe it's not that I can't juggle. Maybe I'm just wondering if the things I'm busy with right now make me happy.

And that's a scary thought.

Calling all mommies, lolas, titas and ninangs! It's Baby Company's Grand Baby Fair time!

2012-01-25T22:18:00.001+08:00

(I know I promised the next chapter of Vito's Car Saga but commercial muna.)

If you still have money left over from paying all the credit card bills from the holiday shopping, then Megamall is the place to go this weekend!
Beginning this Friday, Jan. 27, and ending on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Megatrade Halls 2 and 3 is Baby Company's annual mega-sale for all things baby! There are more than a hundred participants that will sell their baby merchandise for as much as 70% off. That's a big discount on beloved baby brands like Johnson's Baby, Philips Avent, Pigeon, Chicco, Farlin, Huggies, and more!

Aside from the sale, there will also be exciting raffle prizes for shoppers and exclusive offers for Mom Card holders (which reminds me... my Mom Card is missing! I used it the last time I shopped at Baby Co. Power Plant and then I never saw it again!) .

The best thing about shopping at the Baby Fair is there's a swag bag for every shopper with a minimum single receipt purchase worth P2,000. Every shopper who spends at least 2K! Here's what a typical swag bag* will contain:

Parang nabawi mo na yung P2,000 mo with all the freebies, diba?

If you're not in the mood to shop, the Baby Fair will keep you busy, too, with all the free talks from celebrity mommies and daddies and childcare professionals. Here's a list of talks to expect (click to enlarge):

Go na! For the shopping alone, you get great deals na. Then there's learning sessions pa! At the very least, support my friends Lexi Schulze and Tessa Valdes when they take the stage! So there, mommies and lolas and titas and ninangs--a huge sale event that I am sure you'll enjoy. Have fun!

For more info, visit Baby Company's website or like their Facebook page.

P.S. Oh, dear Baby Company, next year, get my son Vito to be a model for the fashion shows, ha?

*contents of swag bag may vary

Vito's new car, Part 1

2012-01-23T22:40:00.003+08:00

Exactly one month ago, Vito got a brand new car. And I'm only telling you about it now because it's such a loooong tale! This story is so epic, I have to break it down in parts! This part will be about how Vito was tormented by his Big Bad Mama who actually wasn't bad, just very worried that the expensive car will be unappreciated.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's the story:

Once upon a time, a little boy named Vito discovered cars. He was crazy about them. Absolutely bonkers. But no one could've predicted his reaction when he went to the supermarket one time and he saw a toy car that he could actually drive. That blew Vito's mind away!

So his Mama and Papa decided to buy him his very own toy car for Christmas. Mama Frances was very happy to find a great deal for a Little Tikes toy car in Deal Grocer (from 8K to 5K!). Papa Vince, always magnanimous, said, "Buy my son his car." But Mama Frances, always the cheapskate, said, "But it's sooo expensive! What if he doesn't play with it after a few days?"

So Mama Frances dragged Vito to a garage sale where there were used toy cars, just to see if Vito really did like toy cars and that joy at the supermarket one wasn't a fluke. Vito, quite predictably, went wild for a yellow battery-operated Hummer that could seat 2 kids. But since the Hummer owner was selling it for 8K (hello, used car for 8K!), Mama Frances said no. And poor Vito went home crying.

A few days later, Mama Frances dragged Papa Vince and Vito to a major toy chain to see how the little boy would react to the toy cars there. Secretly, she was hoping he'd go for a cheaper car. Papa Vince was very disapproving of Mama Frances's behavior but he went along with it (because he indulges his wife like that. Sometimes!).

Now, even after the Hummer episode, Vito didn't like the electric, battery-operated, remote-control cars. Whew! Good thing because those hideous contraptions were 10-15K each!

But he was very very very pleased with the Little Tikes car (even though the one in the toy store was very dirty. It was dusty and sticky with mysterious dried up liquids. Mama Frances didn't want Vito sitting in the car but, oh well, Vito had already climbed in!).

So, seeing how happy he was, Mama Frances and Papa Vince finally agreed that Vito should get the Little Tikes car from Deal Grocer. But when they tried to take their little boy home without the car, oh the heartbreak!

Oh no! Such a sad face! Will Vito ever find a happy ending? Will Vito ever get his very own toy car (hint: but of course!)? That's in the next post!

Black is slimming. Stripes make you look fat.

2012-01-22T00:47:00.002+08:00

So say the style rules. But pregnancy, in its usual exasperating way, changed the rules yet again.

I looked like a stuffed sausage in black...

Zara shirt, Gingersnaps leggings, Anthology flats,
Kate Spade bag, Vita Fede gold-studded leather bangle,
plastic earrings from tiangge

... but I looked really cute in stripes!

Zara tee, Gingersnaps shorts, Anthology tweed flats.
Longchamp clutch, Vita Fede gold-studded leather bangle,
pearl necklace

Weird.

Will post more pregnant pics soon!

Where will Wiggle sleep?

2012-01-17T21:43:00.002+08:00

I never thought I'd co-sleep with my baby. That is why I bought Vito a lovely crib that converts into a toddler bed. This was such a great find from Mothercare. It's simple and classic, larger than most cribs, doesn't have that dangerous drop-side feature, and grows with your baby. And it costs just P8,400! I love Mothercare!

Right now, however, that crib functions as a day bed for Vince and me (yes, it's very sturdy) and a dumping place for the ironing and extra pillows at night. Why? Because as soon as Vito arrived, I realized I had an easier time if he slept with us in our bed. Don't worry--the crib was useful! As an infant, Vito used it for naps (and it was so roomy, I climbed into it, too!), it was our changing table and bath counter, and his playpen since it's quite large. So no regrets even if Vito sleeps with us all the time now.

But there's a new little boy coming soon. And I want Wiggle to experience the co-sleeping benefits Vito had with me--the closeness, the warmth, the breastfeeding, the comfort.

For more benefits of co-sleeping with your baby, go to Dr. Sears.

But if Wiggle stayed in the same bed as Vito... It's just not going to work since our sleeping Vito kicks and punches and moves about the bed like a breakdancer. A tiny infant and a super strong active toddler--even an asleep one!--just don't mix.

I guess this is when we train Vito to sleep in his toddler bed. But he likes it with us and we like it with him so what are we to do? Well, I figured I'd buy a Moses basket and put it by my side of the bed!

Mothercare is currently having a sale on their Moses baskets and Vince, Vito and I were at their spanking brand new Bonifacio High Street branch last week to see what choices were available. I'm really kinda in love with these:

It's called a Moses basket because of the Old Testament story of baby Moses being placed in a basket of reeds and then found by the Egyptian princess. So, s a Born-Again Christian, I love the Biblical reference!

Actually, I really like how cozy it looks. I can tell that Wiggle will feel snug as a bug in it. Vince likes that it's portable so we can bring the baby from room to room and to other houses. You see, Vito absolutely hated the stroller and baby carrier. We also didn't like those actually. So not stylish. But this basket is beyond adorable!

Methinks Wiggle can use it only for a few months, most definitely not when he can sit up. I don't mind. I can reuse the basket as a cute place for the kids' stuffed toys or for rolled up towels in the bath!

Now this is a swinging crib. It's just as narrow and snugly as the Moses basket. I like how it matches Vito's crib perfectly. I also like how I can reach through the slats and touch the baby when we're sleeping or look at him while I'm lying in bed--something I won't be able to do with the tightly woven basket. Oh, and it swings! So I can rock Wiggle to sleep. When Wiggle outgrows it, I can use it as the storage/display case for the boys' toys and books.

This baby bed is really cool. It attaches to the side of the bed so that there's absolutely nothing between the baby and me! Easy to comfort him, check on him, maybe even breastfeed him. Plus, this fabulous bedside cot eventually converts to a bench for the kids' room and a desk, too! How clever is that!

Which do you think I should get? I just can't decide!

*product photos from Mothercare website.

It's a great time for the family to own a computer!

2012-01-13T23:38:00.002+08:00

Microsoft sent me materials for their new campaign, "It's a Great Time to be a Family," and I just have to agree with it. The computer age may be appreciated by people who work--oh the productivity! oh how easier my job is!--but really, a computer is one of the best inventions for the family.

In my house, there are two laptops, three phones that connect to the Internet, a tablet, and a game console that can be a word processor and connect to the Web, too. That's 7 devices. And how many people actually use these things? Three: me, Vince and Vito!

I don't think it's excessive. After all, almost every mobile device now is a family computer. There's no escaping it. My day starts and ends and is spent in front of the computer. That's because I'm a writer and an editor and I'm also a blogger.

But more than just for work, my computer has helped me as a mommy. When I first got pregnant, my blog was a source of comfort and friendship because so many people all over the world celebrated and commiserated with me through the trials and triumphs of pregnancy. Then when I became a mom and honestly did not know what on earth I was doing, the Internet came to my rescue with mommy forums and educational parenting websites.

For Vince, who is also a writer, the computer isn't also just a way for him to earn money for his family. It also allowed him to enhance the most beautiful photos of our child. We have thousands upon thousands of photos of our little boy. Everyone is always commenting on how professional and gorgeous Vito's pictures are. Well, thanks to our powerful computer, we have wonderful keepsakes of his childhood that we made all by ourselves!

For Vito, yes, he uses the computer, too! He loves watching videos of himself. He loves looking at our family photos. He watches his ABCs and nursery rhymes on the computer. Sometimes, he pretends he's like his parents and he'll "type" away. I'm guessing that it won't be long till he uses a computer to do this to us:
<a href='http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&vid=0d78d0a2-942f-4a0d-96a4-c94509df0092&from=&src=v5:embed::' target='_new' title='Microsoft “Dog.ppt” TV Commercial' >Video: Microsoft “Dog.ppt” TV Commercial</a>

So my family just loves the computer! How does your family use the computer?

How we spent our holidays

2012-01-10T11:28:00.001+08:00

I have lots of photos and stories to share (like Vito's priceless reaction to his brand new car!) but it's been an extremely busy first week of 2012 so I have a ton of posts, half-baked but must be shared, which means I'll be talking about Christmas till summer!

Let me start by telling you how Vince, Vito and I spent the holidays. Well, it was very quiet--it was just the three of us. Or four of us, as Vince keeps correcting me, with a pointed look at my ever burgeoning pregnant belly. We had no yaya and maid, which was amazing. It felt like a honeymoon! So Vito's every day was just play and school and fun with Mama and Papa.

While we did the requisite rounds to the respective families, we mostly spent the last three weeks indoors and at the playground. This is how fun our days had been...

Morning playtime:

Afternoon school with Papa:

Bath time with Mama:

And I have Car Time, Eating Time, Baby TV Time, Vito's Cute Visitors, and Out of the House pics, too! But then this post is already too picture heavy!

It's been a blast! I think the last three weeks of December were the happiest (and most exhausting) weeks of my life!

But now there's a new yaya and life's gone back to dealing with strangers in the house, going back to work and real life. It's not that bad, though. Vince and I have adjusted our schedules to make sure we both have lots of face time with Vito still. In fact, the new yaya is so confused because she ends up just cleaning the house or sometimes doing nothing because Vince and I are so hands on!

So that's our parenting resolution: Be a present parent!

How was your holidays and what's your parenting resolution? Please share!

Red? Blue? Green? Or white? Kids' bedrooms are on my mind!

2012-01-08T23:40:00.002+08:00

Been looking at kiddie bedrooms for a week now. With soon-to-be-two babies in the Sales home, the room that is now Vince's office and Vito's playroom will have to be converted to the kids' bedroom. I can't decide on the color theme, however. All of these rooms look so adorable!

I like!

I super like!

I like!

One color the kids' room won't be is pink. Make a wild guess why!

Yes, we're having another baby boy and we're both so thrilled and happy, especially for Vito. He'll soon have a wrestling partner and leave me and his Papa in peace!

Images from here: Hooked on Houses, Plotos, HGTV (1), HGTV (2), Bedroom Ideas For, Design Dazzle, Babyology, Talk Interior, Bedroom Design, Child Mode, Home Decor Concept, Digs Digs

Vito got my smile!

2012-01-07T22:43:00.000+08:00

Or did I get his?

Vito's list of spoken words at 16 months old

2011-12-31T11:20:00.003+08:00

BabyCenter.com says that while a 16-month-old can basically understand almost everything you say, he/she can only speak an average of seven words.

Well, that makes my boy a huge talker! Here are his spoken words:

Mama
Papa
milk
water
kain (or, when he's really hungry, he says "kang!")
more
no more
dede (that's his word for chest, breasts and nipples)
buhok (hair or head)
toes
nose
t*t* (yep, his penis!)
baby
bye-bye
hi
baba (go down)
no
oh no! (he says this when he drops something or he's upset)
car
taxi
choo-choo (that's his word for train)
ball
catch (for when we play ball)
shoes
book
toothbrush (he says it as too-bush)
light
tray (his booster chair has a removable tray)
doggie
Teeda (our rabbit Matilda, although when he sees rabbits on TV, he still calls them Teeda!)
fish
monkey
cat
blue
yellow
two
moon
flower

The other night at bedtime, we were praying, Vito and I, and when I said "Amen," he said, "Amen!" But I think it was just mimicking so I won't include that in his list just yet.

He can also comprehend our speech so giving him directions is easy now. This makes parenting easy and hard at the same time. Easy because we can communicate; hard because we can tell when the little someone's deliberately being defiant and disobedient!

The jump in his speech development all happened in the last three weeks, when we had no yaya. It can't be a coincidence, right? Vince is really into reading to our boy, and massaging him while pointing out different body parts--activities they very much enjoy. I'm into pointing out everything in his environment. Clearly, being with Mama and Papa is a huge stimulation to his developing brain.

My friend Earl is a full-time mommy and Sophia, her daughter who's just 3 weeks older than Vito, can speak in full sentences. As in, "I like this car" and "Thanks for cooking macaroni, Mommy." She's just 17 months old! This has definitely made Vince and me think more about spending quality time with Vito!

Back on the treadmill in 2012!

2011-12-30T23:31:00.001+08:00

Over at Topaz Horizon, I listed down my New Year's resolutions. I said in a previous post that I was going to exercise come first week of December but... I didn't! Oh well. I have 20 weeks to get fit before D-Day so next week, I'm lacing up the adidas trainers I have and will ease myself into a fitness regimen.

Of course, since I'm 5 months pregnant, I can't fit into any of the tight workout gear adidas offers. Oh well, big shirts and leggings and loose shorts for me then. How unflattering! It's a good thing my hubby thinks I'm sexy and gorgeous no matter what I look like!

What are your fitness resolutions?

P.S. Oops, forgot to add this note from my sponsor (thanks, adidas, for the support this 2011!):

Since today is Rizal Day, showcase your nationalism with the adidas Philippine Range collection! Displaying our absolutely beautiful flag's trademark colors (yes, I believe that our flag is one of the best looking flags in the world!), the collection is all about national pride and style. For more information, click here.

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Loving life without yaya and maid!

2011-12-22T00:43:00.005+08:00

It's been almost 2 weeks since the household help abandoned us and it's been wonderful every single day! Well, we're tired all the time, of course. My face has sprouted several pimples, a sure sign that I'm exhausted. But it's been more than marvelous living life with just Vince and Vito.

There's no drama, no different bodily smells, no pakikisama to do, no stress, no hiding in the bedroom to talk or to make love, no qualms about walking around in undies or no undies, no restrictions. Everything is where they should be, everything is clean and orderly, everything is not broken!

Vito was always sad whenever Vince and I went to the office.

Best of all--and this breaks my heart--Vito is so happy. I've never seen him this happy, and I think it's no coincidence that it's because it's his own mama and papa taking care of him. I've never been guilty about being a working mom. I never had to be--I work just across the street and I have flexible hours. I go to work usually when Vito's asleep so I never felt that he missed me. And I guess I never felt that Vince had to be more involved as a father since, well, fathers work all day--that's what they do. So to ask Vince to stay home and be Mr. Mom just never occurred to us. But now, seeing how Vito's all lit up with both his parents taking turns caring for him, oh, I'm seriously rethinking our arrangements.

I don't want to quit my job. Like I said, my job is the best gig because it's so near and my time is my own. So I'm really happy that, in the last two weeks, Vince and I have made adjustments to our schedules so that we can both work and care for Vito and manage the chores. The chores, obviously, are the last priority but even then, visitors to our home are amazed at how clean and tidy our place is (thanks, Mr. O.C. Vince!).

Now, with Papa taking care of him, he's always happy! He doesn't even mind when I have to leave for the office!

I'm so grateful to Vince. He's really taken to the nurturing and caring for Vito so well. For example, he's a more patient teacher than I am. He reads books to Vito, he does play activities with him to refine Vito's motor skills. Me? I'm better at the feeding, bathing, changing diapers part. Funny because I'm the one who used to be a preschool teacher! Vito now has more words in his vocabulary, he's more active, looks more healthy, cries and whines less, and is just so much happier! Best of all, Vito is also now so incredibly close to his Papa. It's now always, "Papa! Papa!" It just warms our hearts.

Life with no yaya has proven to be absolutely wonderful. If I weren't pregnant, we'd go on with this arrangement forever. For the sake of the new baby, however, I need to rest more often, especially since this was a delicate pregnancy and I need to take care of myself and Wiggle more. I'm so exhausted now, I forget to eat and take my prenatal vitamins!

Well, the new yaya starts on January 2. That's exactly 10 days from now. Just thinking about it makes both Vince and I sad. But we figured we'll continue with our current arrangement and just have the yaya as more of maid than yaya--you know, cleaning, washing up, tidying up so we'll do nothing else aside from our work but to be with Vito--then just have her babysit when Vince and I need to go out. Emphasis on need.

But definitely, after seeing the big and wonderful changes in Vito, we're going to spend even more quality time with our boy.

New Year's resolution: More quality time with you, Vito!

Juggling work and home. Whew!

2011-12-15T23:59:00.002+08:00

Haven't been able to update because, well, if you'd been following Topaz Horizon, you'd know the household help abandoned us last week and, boy, it's been tough to juggle caring for the baby, the house and the job! But you know what? It can be done! The past few days have been incredibly exhausting but super incredible, too. I will say that I am lucky to have the job I have because my hours are flexible and I get to bring Vito to the office!

Tonight was the office Christmas party, by the way. I wasn't able to go because of my yaya-less situation. I feel a bit bummed--very slightly--because the Christmas parties of Summit Media are insane. Being a media company, we're populated by highly creative, very expressive, super fun lunatics. Some people are decked out in lingerie, some wear costumes like cheerleader outfits, nurses uniforms and all incarnations of Johnny Depp's movie characters. Some guys have attended as women, some women have attended as... well, let's just say their mothers wouldn't have approved! All in all, our parties are fun to attend if only to see what crazy outfits people come up with.

But I haven't gone to a Summit party since 2009. That year I was suffering intense nausea and fatigue as I was in my first trimester of pregnancy. Last year, I didn't go either because I was a new mom and was just overwhelmed and tired. This year, well, I had no one to leave Vito with (I'd have to bring Vince because no way am I going to a party without a car, not with the hellish traffic we've been suffering this season!).

Am I sad to not have gone? Well, a part of me wanted to see all the craziness again (it has been a while!) but a bigger part of me just wanted to cuddle the baby. It's not sourgraping. It's just being a mommy, I guess. I get a lot of crazy from my 16-month-old child all day anyway!

It's all about football!

2011-12-10T11:24:00.022+08:00

Last week, L.A. Galaxy had a friendly match with our very own Philippine Azkals. I have friends who desperately wanted a ticket for their kids to the Galaxy football clinic. If Vito were just older, I'd do the same, except that my friends complained about the steep price of the tickets (P14,000 each kid!). That's two hours, a jersey and a bag. Oh, and of course you're paying for the fact that your kid learned football moves from Beckham!

Well, we weren't able to watch the game but OK! magazine was lucky enough to be invited to cover it (our special report in the January issue!) and we've got some fantastic photos of both teams--and the players all look really great! I like a football player's body. I think that, of all the athletic bods, the ones who play football and who swim have the best looking bodies. I guess that's why I want Vito to take up the sport.

Anyway, in keeping with the football theme, check out the gear adidas has in its stores now:

If there's a sport you and your family may want to take up in 2012, consider football. For the gear alone, you'd all look so cool!

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

All I want for Christmas is a big car for my little boy

2011-12-08T11:32:00.001+08:00

I've blogged about the silly stuff I want for Christmas over at Topaz Horizon. And I figured that I can buy myself a few items on that list, like the dress, the curling iron, or the nail polish. That should cost me around 4K thereabouts. But something happened this week that made me change my mind.

Vito discovered cars.

Vito knows about cars for a while now. He loves riding in his Papa's Zoom Zoom. He shrieks, "Cars!!!" every time we're on the road. He loves watching his Papa play Gran Turismo. He loves his Hot Wheels cars (that are supposed to be for 3-year-old kids). He loves cars!

But when we went to the supermarket one time and we put him in a toy car/cart, well, that just blew Vito's mind away.

He was soooo happy! He honked that horn. He said, "Vrrrrroooooooooom!!!" He wanted us to go faster. He kept turning the steering wheel, the key in the ignition. He. Loved. It.

So I've been staring at these for days now.

The Little Tikes Mobile is a kinda stroller, kinda car. I can push him around (the boy who hated strollers!), which is a relief since, with my burgeoning belly, I can't carry him around anymore. It's soooo cute! But it's P7,000! There's a deal at Deal Grocer right now--the mobile is now at P4,900. What do you think?!

Then there's this: The Cozy Coupe, also from Little Tikes. This one I'm really liking because it's very similar to the shopping cart car that Vito loved. This can also be pushed around. What makes this better than the Mobile is this can eventually be a real toy. Take out the floor of the car and Vito can push himself around with his feet a la Fred Flintstone! Now this coupe costs P7,999. Ouch. But, again, at Deal Grocer, there's a deal that offers it for just P4,999. That's P3,000 in savings! What do you think??!!

Sigh. Just so you know, I'm not the kind of mom who shops a lot for her kid. I haven't needed to! So many people give gifts and clothes to my son so I've spent the last year just getting him food and diapers. Recently, the shopping's been all about his shoes since Vito's feet grow so fast. Toys? He's happier with remote controls, paper bags and his Papa's gadgets. So I've never actually spent on him. Which is why my husband says we should pull out all the stops this Christmas and waste some money on our boy!

So which should is be? This isn't a sponsored post, by the way. Neither Little Tikes nor Deal Grocer is paying for this post (although I do believe they'll enjoy the mileage) so I hope they don't mind that I grabbed their photos. I'm definitely going to buy anyway, I just haven't decided on which, but I will buy. I have no choice really. I mean, just look at the rapture on my little boy's face!

What mother can resist that?

Free the fishie!

2011-12-07T18:07:00.000+08:00

This boy, oh, he just killed me! He's sooooo adorable!

"He's beautiful!" Aww, sweet baby, that you are, that you are indeed. Thanks for making my day!

My little sprout in a Green Sproutlets outfit!

2011-12-06T21:27:00.002+08:00

Vito attracts all kinds of good will. Just last week, his Tita Michelle of My Mom-Friday gave him this fabulous set of new clothes from Green Sproutlets:

Heed my wise words.

Green Sproutlets is an organic clothing line from the US of A. The fabric is made from either bamboo, soy, hemp or organic cotton. These are all biodegradable, soft-to-the-skin, durable products you and your babies will love.

I'm so cool and comfy!

I like the clothes for all those reasons but my number one reason? My Vito looks oh so adorable in them! Plus, he seems to like how comfy it is.

I like how it makes my cute little butt cuter!

Hollywood's most fashionable tots agree. Green Sproutlets has been spotted on Violet Affleck, the eldest daughter of movie stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. Obviously, since I'm the editor of OK! magazine, the country's first and only Hollywood title, I love that my little star is wearing celebrity-approved clothes!

Ah, I love my Green Sproutlets outfit!

Thanks, Michelle! You're so nice to my Vito. You and Paola and Rone are such doting titas to my boy. God bless your beautiful souls!

For more information on Green Sproutlets, check their Facebook page.
If you want to shop for your little ones, check out Mothering Earthlings.

IQ Air for fresh, clean air for your home

2011-12-04T22:59:00.001+08:00

Because we live in a condo near EDSA, my father-in-law gave Vince and me an air purifier when we got married. When I got pregnant with Vito, my Papa gave us an extra air purifier and ozonizer so that the air in our home will be even cleaner. Our folks are really concerned about the air we breathe because I have asthma and Vince has allergic rhinitis. And our not-so-little baby boy may have the allergy gene so the lolos and lola were insistent on clean air. So far, so good--Vince, Vito and I haven't suffered any allergy attacks!

If you also live in the city (or you may live in the province but there's lots of allergens in the air like pollen), the IQ Air system may just be the air purifier your family needs. Mothercare sent me a press kit explaining this advanced air cleaning system from Switzerland, and it listed illnesses we can get from air that's polluted or have allergens, bacteria, chemicals and strong odors:

allergic reactions
eye infections
irritations of the nose and throat
bronchitis
pneumonia
headaches and nausea
breathing difficulties
asthma attacks
skin reactions (i.e. eczema)

Clearly a matter to take seriously by parents everywhere! Yes, not just city-dwellers. I grew up in the hills of Antipolo, when it was still rice fields and mango trees. The freshest air you could breathe! We chased dragonflies and fireflies in the fields, caught mudfish in the creek, climbed trees and ate duhat and alatiris and kaimito nestled in the branches... and yet my asthma was so bad. I always thought I'd die in my teens! I had asthma every night during the rainy season, woke up to swollen eyes and a runny nose, I had eczema on my fingers and feet. My allergies were wild! I was so miserable.

Now that I'm older and aware that my condition could've been prevented, managed and improved by simple allergy medication and filtered air, I'm vigilant about preventing allergies in my home. If you have the same philosophy, do invest in the IQ Air! More from the press kit:

IQ Air’s Health Pro 150 Air Cleaner (Php 71,095.00) and the Health Pro 250 Air Cleaner (Php 79,695.00) are now available in selected Mothercare stores.

IQ Air systems feature the most reliable and efficient air cleaning technologies against indoor pollutants targeting the following:
Pollen, spores, dust mite allergens, and other particular matter – the can trigger hay fever, asthma, and other allergic reactions. Even short-term exposure to elevated concentrations of fine particles can significantly contribute to hearth disease.
Microorganisms - such as viruses, bacteria and fungal spores are responsible for various infections like tuberculosis, influenza, aspergillosis, MRSA and SARS.
Pet allergens (dander) – mainly found in salvia and therefore on hair and skin of pets. When the allergens are inhaled, they can lead to serious allergic reactions.
Tobacco Smoke – contains thousands of chemicals and particles which can irritate the mucous membranes and lead to acute and chronic diseases.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – are gaseous chemicals emitted from vehicles, industry and building materials. They can be carcinogenic and cause damage to internal organs.
Smog and Ozone – can cause irritation of the respiratory tract even at low concentrations and can trigger asthma attacks. While these pollutants are mainly generated outdoors, they enter buildings via doors, windows and ventilation systems.
Cleaning products, sprays and solvents – can irritate the mucous membranes and aggravate allergies such as asthma and hay fever.
Paints, varnishes, and adhesives – can contain a multitude of harmful substances. Inhaling the vapors can lead to headache, nausea, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic diseases.
Depending on your specific air quality needs, take your pick from the following filters: Pre-max Filter (Php 5,295.00) controls coarse & fine dust particles. The V5 Cell Filter (Php 8,795.00) controls a broad range of chemical pollutants & odors. The Pre-Max MG Filter (Php 8,795.00) is a combination of the Pre-max & the V5 which controls coarse & fine dust particles, as well as chemical pollutants and odors. The HyperHepa Filter (Php 14,995.00), which is used by hospitals, controls fine particles, allergens, bacteria, viruses and mould spores.

IQ Air is available at Mothercare branches in Greenbelt 5, Shangri-la Plaza, Robinsons Galleria and TriNoMa.

Second pregnancy update (because there's been hardly any updates and here's why)

2011-12-02T23:11:00.000+08:00

Unlike with my first, I've not been as open about sharing my second pregnancy experience. I know why and I also don't know why! That will make sense (I think) in a bit.

When I got pregnant with Vito, it was such a surprise, so overwhelming (I wasn't ready to be a mommy despite my three-year marriage), so new, so scary, that I just had to share the journey. I had no qualms about opening up about how I felt. The only time I paused from the sharing was when I was about to give birth and I felt that I didn't want to share photos of Vito. Vince said that since so many people were sharing the journey with us and have been so kind and generous, the least we could do was share our new baby boy. And you loved him and embraced him when we did. Thank you!

Now Wiggle. With this second pregnancy, I felt a need to keep quiet from the very start. I don't know why! Every time I wanted to announce the pregnancy or blog about it, something stops me. I was telling Vince, who was wondering why I'm like this, "I just feel like I want to keep this baby to myself." What I couldn't actually say was "You'll never believe me but the baby seems to be telling me that it doesn't want to have a public life."

Did that sound crazy or what?!

It sounds crazy. But I'm not crazy. Or am I? It's weirding me out actually.

Well there. I hope I'm wrong (I was wrong about my feeling that Vito was going to be a serious baby, for example). I want to share my Wiggle with you because you love my family. And I'm sure you'll love Wiggle, too. Maybe I'll feel different tomorrow or next week or when I'm waddling or when I give birth. But for now, the new baby wants to be, er, left alone.

Did you ever feel this way? Or did you always feel that every pregnancy update should be shouted from the rooftops? Did you ever want to keep it a secret (and I don't mean that kind of secret!)? This is so strange!

My mommy group exercises

2011-11-30T09:17:00.004+08:00

Where I live, there's a group of mommies who became friends just because their kids hang out together. Those would be the moms of Enzo (Trisha), Alfonso (Claire), Justin (Dada), Sophia (Earl), Ezekiel (Ma-an), Nikolai (Kathy), and Vito (me!). Everyone's involved in some sort of fitness regimen--yoga, Pilates, running, Plana Forma. Well, everyone except me since I was ordered to go on bed rest. But now that I am 16 weeks pregnant, I'm ready to ease myself into... I don't know yet!

But since Claire is so fit because she's running marathons and my own hubby is so healthy now that he's also taken up running, I'm thinking of hopping on the treadmill, too! These running shoes that adidas emailed me are encouraging me towards that direction:

P5,495

P4,695

P6,595

P5,495

Each adidas running shoe is designed for women's feet--there's space for our toes, support for our arches, cushioning for our soles, and a chic and simple style! I like the pink-and-orange one. Obviously!

Of course, since I'm pregnant, I'll just walk. I did a lot of walking when I was pregnant with Vito. That's why I think I had such an easy time with labor and birth. As for my pregnancy with Wiggle, I've been sitting on my ass and/or lying on my back for the last 4 months so I'm kinda worried I'd have a hard time when delivery comes. Well, I got 5 more months to get back into fighting form! Wish me luck!

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Big bad bullies in the playground

2011-11-25T20:53:00.001+08:00

Last weekend, while Vito and I were at the playground, I witnessed a most shocking thing: a group of boys, 7- or 8-years-old, started bullying a little girl. One girl vs a group of boys. They started by calling her, "Black devil!" The girl, also 7 or 8, is Iranian.

I live in a complex where the foreigners seem to outnumber the locals. There are Americans (whites and blacks), Japanese, Koreans, Indians, Iranians, and a lot of other races--I just figure it out when they open their mouths and talk. Quite a few celebrities are my neighbors, too. Anyway, I guess with the mix of many races in one place, racism was bound to happen.

At first, the Iranian girl (I know her name but I won't say it) sat quietly on her bike, trying to ignore the boys. But when one of them pushed her off the bike and another shouted, "Go away, black devil!" to her face, the girl grabbed her shoe and smacked the sole right at her tormentor's ear. The boys went wild with fury. The girl ran away but then realized she had left behind her bike so she hesitated on the edge of the playground.

The boys took their water guns (those huge things that shoot out long jets of water), went to the pool and filled them up. One of the boys was told to guard the bike. All the while, they were talking about "getting her." As the boys were at the pool, three Korean boys were edging around the bike. Then the other boys came back, shouting insults and brandishing their water guns. They chased the girl off. Meanwhile, the Korean boys got the bike and started following the group of howling boys.

I followed, too. I had had enough. I stayed out of it because, well, I honestly didn't know what to do! But the boys had guns now, water guns yes, but they didn't just mean to hurt with words now; they were intent on doing violence. I grabbed Vito and chased after them. Just in time. I caught them circling the girl. She was already wet and cowering. My blood is still boiling now!

I gave those boys a tongue-lashing alright. I told them to stop. I told them to put away those guns. I looked at them one by one, called their names, and said, "You have sisters! What did your parents tell you about treating girls? You're supposed to treat girls right. You're supposed to protect them!" I told them they ought to be ashamed of themselves, that they should play fair, that they should treat everyone--whatever skin color or gender--right. Then I told them to go home. And they ran away.

The Korean boys came up to me and said, "We were going to keep her bike safe and return it to her." And I thanked them but I also added that if they see something wrong, they should step right in and stop it. Then the girl got her bike and she was crying non-stop now. I told her, "Please don't let anyone ever treat you like this. You always have to fight back!" But she just looked at me, forlorn, and said, "Nothing's going to change. It will always be like this."

In the elevator, as Vito and I went home, I cried. I was so upset and angry and sad. Upset because those boys, I know those boys! They used to be sweet little things like my Vito. They used to play with my rabbit, Galady. I guess I was upset because I was scared Vito might become like them one day.

I was also angry at the injustice done to that girl and sad that she just accepted it. I was sad that these horrible things start at such a young age. I know bullying happens, not just now but since time immemorial. I was bullied, too. But how do you teach your child not to be a bully? How do you teach him to stand up to bullies?

Even though he's only a year old, I had to explain what happened to Vito. After all, he was there the entire time, watching the whole horror, watching me scolding those boys in a voice he's never heard me use before. I told my son that night, "Vito, the world isn't always a happy place. There are a lot of wrongs out there. I will always hope that you will always know and do what is right. I want you to never turn away from these wrongs. If you see injustice, you must always do your best to stop it." And my little boy looked at me gravely. I like to think he understood.

About push presents

2011-11-21T19:58:00.000+08:00

Over at Topaz Horizon, I talked about how it would be nice to receive diamonds as a push present for our second baby. I got comments wondering what that was all about and if I invented the concept. Nope, I didn't invent it--it's most likely the brainchild of some jewelry company, the way they decreed diamonds are forever. (Wiki says the jewelry industry didn't invent it.)

A push present (or baby bauble) is a gift someone, usually the father of your child, gives you when you give birth. It's a present meant for the mother, to congratulate her. Usually, you see, from the moment a woman becomes pregnant, everything revolves around the child--ask any mom! So a push present says, "Your life will be devoted to your child now but here's me spoiling you."

It's not a required gift, it's not a tradition, it's not important. But some hubbies and some parents and some friends are usually so overwhelmed with happiness and love for you that they can't help themselves.

Vince gave me a topaz ring. It was both a push present and a birthday gift. He said he hadn't been planning on giving me anything but when he saw me give birth and when he met our baby boy, he fell in love and went and bought me a bauble. Now every time we see my ring, we think of Vito.

A push present is usually a piece of jewelry. Most of the time, it's a ring with the birthstone of the child, and so with every birth, the mother can stack the rings on one finger (mine was my birthstone, though). Some get a necklace and you just add a pendant of the child's birthstone and so on and so forth. Sometimes it's a charm bracelet and you add a charm to symbolize each child. Some get watches or earrings.

Here are some nice gift ideas I saw over at Red Envelope:

Sterling birthstone stacking rings

Framed stacking rings

Hand-stamped mother+children necklace

Personalized milestones necklace

Charm bracelet

These would make any mommy happy--if not as a push present but for birthdays and especially for Mother's Day (another invented and commercialized holiday!).

Now, push presents need not be jewelry. It can be flowers or chocolates. Parents.com has a good list that includes a rocking chair and a family vacation. Some women who weren't allowed to eat certain foods while pregnant get bottles of champagne or baskets of sweets (gestational diabetes sufferers!). These are usually push presents from friends, who must've missed drinking parties with you or suffered nine months of you whining about how you can't eat this and that. Some parents and in-laws are also so proud of you for giving birth that they give gifts. I know someone with really rich in-laws and she got a Jaguar for giving birth to her daughter and BMWs for each son! Wow!

But I personally don't believe that women should expect a push present. Remember that it's a gift so it should be freely given and graciously accepted, whether it's a box of chocolates or a new car. Do I think push presents are excessive? Nope. Like I said, it's a gift. If someone wants to give you something because you made them happy, well, then what ya complaining about? A lot of women feel push presents are silly and financially stupid but, hey, each family's financial situation is different so if someone can afford to give jewelry and cars, the rest of us who get flowers or nothing at all shouldn't feel so bad. We got a baby after all!

I'm happy my husband gave me my ring. I wear it every day! But to be very very honest, what I appreciated more than any material gift was when Vince, on his own, decided to take an entire month's leave from work to be with me post-partum. Our stupid labor laws only allow seven days of paternity leave but Vince was with me for a whole month! It must be because I suffered post-partum depression and he genuinely couldn't bear to leave his son. So that lovely month-long treat was the best push present ever. Thanks, Vince!

I do tease him about what he'll get me for the second baby (I have a sneaky suspicion that if it's a girl, he'll give me the sun, the moon, the stars!) but I know that he knows it doesn't matter to me. The new baby trumps all gifts!

How about you, mommy? Did you get a push present?

Can't wait to exercise!

2011-11-18T11:06:00.002+08:00

I forgot to tell you all that my subchorionic hemorrhage (SCH) is gone! I found out right before my birthday 2 weeks ago so that was the best birthday gift ever! Thank you for all your prayers, dear online friends!

So now that I am officially off bed rest, the first thing I wanted to do was get some exercise. Especially when I saw the workout gear adidas emailed me, which I'll be showing you throughout this post!

Why do I want to exercise? Well, I feel really yucky. Being told to lie in bed all day for about 10 weeks may sound like a dream but when you're actually there, it feels like a prison. With nothing to do all day, I've just been getting bored. So I watch TV, eat and sleep all day. The result: an all-around feeling of sluggishness and exhaustion. Yes, lying around all day is exhausting!

Exercise is also very beneficial to a pregnant woman and the developing baby. For me, that means my muscles will be strong enough to carry the heavy load of my ever-expanding tummy every day and, when D-Day comes, my heart and lungs can withstand the pushing needed to deliver the baby. It worked the first time around! I was at the labor room at 4:30am and Vito was out (with just 5 mega-pushes!) by 7:42am. Giving birth was such a breeze!

Exercise also helps the fetus. With all the blood circulating through my body, pumped up by my active heart, more nutrients reach my baby. More oxygen reaches the tiny brain. My baby's development is enhanced. So with all the benefits I and my baby can get from exercise, that's all I want to do now!

But my OBG said I should wait till after my 16th week. That would be the first week of December. Meanwhile, as I wait for the all-systems-go signal, check out the workout outfits adidas has for us girls:

I own a pair! It's very hapit-sa-legs! Sexy grabe. So,
since I'm preggy now,hindi na ako kasya!

Pretty neat! Can't wait for December!

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Proud mama! Vito is developmentally advanced!

2011-11-16T23:30:00.003+08:00

Hi!

At Vito's 15th month check-up, his pedia, Dr. Cricket Chen, said that my little boy is developmentally advanced. His motor skills are those of an 18-month-old, his social skills and emotional development are those of a 2-year-old, and his language--for a boy--is pretty good.

Apparently, at 15 months old, girls can talk a mile a minute. Boys, on the other hand, can say an average of five or six words. Vito can say Mama, Papa, bye-bye, hi, ball, doggie, car, more, no more, dede, baby, Teeda (that's our rabbit, Matilda), baby, t*t* (yes, as in his penis) and... Hmm, he can say a few more but the words escape me right now. That's 13 or so words. As Dr. Cricket said, "His language is very good!"

He loves to point out cars and shriek, "Car!!!" or go, "Vrooooom!", making traffic jams loads more tolerable, even fun. He loves to entertain us with his silly faces and energetic dances, which must be performed on tabletops, of course! He expects applause and nothing less. He can be told to fetch things, which he does happily, but there are times he's been disobedient. Once, he even lied. Lied! He's got a bad temper, a strong personality, a very determined will and a very focused single-mindedness.

One of my naughty faces.

Well, no surprise there. His parents are the same. Our own parents proclaim Vince and I are not exactly the most behaved, most obedient or the easiest children. And now, look what we have here--a mini-us! Funnily enough, Vito's tantrums (which Dr. Cricket says is typical of a 2-year-old, not a 15-month-old) don't work on me. I've had tons of practice with my own tantrums, with Vince's tantrums, with former bosses' tantrums and with other kids' tantrums (I used to be a preschool teacher). So when Vito throws himself on the floor in a screaming fit, I just get very amused.

Well there! I'm bursting with pride! I am, however, fully aware that a developmentally advanced baby doesn't mean a lot in the long run. For example, I started walking when I was 10 months old. I was a physically strong baby, climbing and running so much so that my grandfather tied me to my crib. But am I an athlete now? I can't even climb a flight of stairs without panting. I can't even walk fast. Run? Ha!

On my favorite perch, the glass table

So I know Vito's leaps and bounds in the milestones department may mean nothing in the future. But for now, I am oh so proud! So incredibly proud. And looking at my wonderful boy, I allow myself to dream such very big dreams.

Behind-the-scenes of a mommy fashion shoot

2011-11-12T22:46:00.000+08:00

... is a little boy trying to join in on the fun!

This was a little shoot Vince and I did for my sponsored fashion post for Mango. The task was to create looks using the Fall/Winter 2011 collection. From top to toe. Since I am pregnant (and I am bigger now compared to my first pregnancy), I had a hard time choosing clothes that will flatter my oddly shaped body. But, of course, it was a success!

To see the photos, click here!

Someone commented that she never realized Mango sold maternity clothes. Mango doesn't. It is I who refuse to buy maternity clothes! Longtime readers of this mommy blog know from my first pregnancy how I absolutely abhorred the maternity fashion out there. So what I did was buy regular non-preggy clothes but in a larger size.

In my favorite Kamiseta plaid summer dress.
I was just about to give birth to Vito!

It can be done, folks. I only have 2 maternity dresses from Gingersnaps. I survived on clothes from Karimadon, Tango, Kamiseta and Warehouse and not once did I look frumpy (except when I was at home!). Fellow preggy mommas, a stylish pregnancy is absolutely possible! Let's not give up on style. It's harder, yes, but people have to see how gorgeous we look if only to stop them from saying stuff like, "You must be having a boy because you look ugly/tired/terrible."

Share with me your fashionable finds, too! I'm lazy to shop for this second pregnancy but I don't want to repeat clothes from the first one. Why? Well, so I can tell the difference! So I ought to shop. But feeling very lazy. So please inspire me!

Vito's first official Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:05:00.002+08:00

Actually, the first one was October 2010, but last year, Vito was just nearly 3 months old and Vince and I were in a very sour mood because our finances were drained to almost zero because of someone else's medical emergencies. So this year, to compensate, we decided that Vito has to have a great Halloween!

Hi! I'm Tigger. That's because I was born in the year of the Tiger.
No, we're not Chinese.

Here is my barkada: Enzo as a policeman, Alfonso as an Angry Bird and
Sophia as a fairy.

Mama kept saying Enzo had the best costume.

Isn't MY costume cute? Mama even voted for Enzo,
not for me! Why?!

It's a good thing they had iced candy. It made me
feel lots better.

Yum!

We all had to join the costume contest. I won!

I still can't believe Mama voted for another boy.

And here's the rest of the crazy crowd!

The little guy won two costume contests. The second one was the day after this so we just dusted off his Tigger costume and sent him off. He came back with tons of candy and strutting about while yaya said Vito walked onstage all by himself (I had to stay home because I'm on bed rest). His Papa and I are very proud. And after the second time he brought home his prize, we have a better understanding of that horrific show Toddlers and Tiaras!

How about you? Hope you can share your kids' costumes, too! Leave a link so I can check them out! Happy Halloween!

Vito Sales: future football star!

2011-10-30T18:54:00.000+08:00

One of the reasons why we gave Vito his name is we wanted it to stand on its own, ya know, in case he becomes famous one day. For example, if he becomes a rock star or a football star, the chants that will reverberate will be "Vi-to! Vi-to! Vi-to!" It stands alone compared to, say, Mark and John and Allan and Michael, nice names but very common names.

So there I've confessed it--we have superstardom dreams for our boy. When prenatal Vito was kicking about ferociously in my tummy, I decided this little boy is going to be a football player one day. His Lolo Mon and his Papa used to play soccer so it's not unlikely Vito will follow suit. Especially since, at just 14 months old, he learned to kick a ball!

The fact that the Philippines now has a football team gives me hope. The Azkals aren't the best team in the world but, hey, we're new in the world of soccer and already, the Azkals are making waves internationally. In fact, in December, L.A. Galaxy is coming over for a match (I just want to see David Beckham!). That's good, that's good! I am hoping we'll develop a football culture so that 10-12 years from now, we'd have a real chance at the World Cup and Vito might be plucked out of some grassy field and asked to play!

In honor of football, here's a really cool pair from adidas that I can actually see Vito wearing one day:

Looks mighty space age! Can't wait for my future football star to own a pair!

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Book review: Love You More, a story about the divine surprise of adoption

2011-10-26T12:31:00.004+08:00

I know I haven't been updating the blogs. I thought I would be blogging like crazy actually since I'm on bed rest. But I have turned away from the computer (I have to sit on a chair for computery stuff!) and taken a couple of books to bed and read and read and read.

The iPad's been great, too, for blog hopping and games, but not so great at blogging. The auto-correct feature annoys me plus I like typing with crunchy keyboards. You know, when I type, I want each letter to go clackety-clackety-clack.

So anyway, I finally read Love You More. It's a book I got for free from BookSneeze. Yep, they give away books to bloggers in exchange for reviews. How cool is that?!

The first book I asked from BookSneeze is Love You More by Jennifer Grant. It's Jennifer and her husband David's journey into adoption. Having three kids, they certainly didn't "need" to adopt a child but as it turns out, a child--whether adopted or born--is a story of true love, and Jennifer talks about how they felt the deep need to search for their daughter Mia, how they found her in Guatemala, and how she is just the perfect addition to her already beautiful family.

Jennifer also talks about the difficulties faced with adopting a child--from disapproving family and friends, the horrors of finding out about the terrible state orphans are in around the world, the expense, the qualification process, the long wait, the awkward but thrilling first interaction, the adjustment, and the judgmental opinions of other people when they see that your child looks different from you and the rest of your family.

My free book from BookSneeze!

It's a great story! I wish Jennifer had included more situations and conversations instead of just writing it like an essay. It was okay actually until she included an epilogue, which detailed a girls' day out to the salon, just mommy and two daughters--one very white, the other very brown. The interaction with the manicurist was very interesting. So I felt that Jennifer could've sprinkled the entire book with vignettes like that because then she's not just talking about it, she'd be weaving a story. Technically, that would have been better but, hey, it's still a good read. It made me cry thrice!

As a mommy, my heart was broken by the stories of abandoned and unloved children. I was also crying because most of these mothers gave up their babies because they were forced by their families, their poverty, their culture. It's horrible. No child should be punished for that! And yet Jennifer says adoption is not for everyone. She firmly emphasizes that you should adopt because of love, not out of pity or charity or guilt or a desire to save the world. So, funnily enough, I chose Love You More so that I can learn more about adoption and came away from the book knowing I'm not the adopting kind.

I've been interested to adopt a child or two since 1998, when I was diagnosed with endometriosis. It's a disease of the uterus lining, the endometrium, which instead of the lining shedding just once a month (we all know that as the menstrual period), the lining sheds constantly. I won't die from this, it's just painful and inconvenient, and if left untreated, likely results to infertility. No biggie! Especially since I've been a good patient, the endometriosis is managed very well--there is no pain, no bleeding and no cysts. But since that 1998 diagnosis, I figured that should I become infertile and want kids, well, adoption was obviously my choice.

After reading Jennifer's lovely story, I realized adoption isn't for me (or maybe not yet). The book made me seriously think about my own motivations for adopting a child and, to be very honest, I wanted to adopt so that I could help a poor kid out. I thought it would be wonderful to take in a child that nobody wanted. I also actually liked the idea of "choosing" a child and discovered, to my shame, that I thought it very similar to shopping. You see, with a biological child, you never really know what you'll get--a boy or a girl, cute or not, healthy or not--but with adoption, well, you can see what you'll get.

It's horrible, I know. That's why I'm glad I read Love You More because this book really made me confront some certain not-so-nice things about myself. It showed me that adoption isn't charity. Adoption is love. It's parenting. It's commitment. It's family. And until my heart is big enough for that, then I should just help by donating to charities and orphanages, pushing for the RH Bill, and raising awareness about the plight of orphans and the poor.

To know more about Jennifer Grant and her book, go to her website.
To get your copy of Love You More, buy from Amazon.

Time for me to start using Palmers Oil

2011-10-23T03:44:00.000+08:00

I wasn't very religious with applying the creams and lotions last time I was preggy. Even then, I only have a few stretch marks--inner thighs and bikini line--and they've mostly faded now. So I don't really care much about stretch mark-prevention now that I'm pregnant again.

Until I saw that Palmer's came out with this oil:

It won't only prevent, it can also treat! Scars (even acne scars), stretch marks, dry skin, damaged skin, fine lines--bring it on! Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil with Rosehip seems like a wonder oil!

Here's more from the press kit Rustan's sent me:
It’s lightweight and preservative-free formula contains an exclusive blend of key ingredients. Theobroma cacao seed butter is extracted from roasted cocoa seeds to produce an emollient that softens skin. Sesamum indicum seed oil creates a barrier that locks in moisture, while Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E) and Rosehip oil acts as an antioxidant with healing properties.

The active ingredients combined with the goodness of natural cocoa butter, rosehip oil, Vitamin E and natural oils produces a unique rapidermal absorption system that quickly penetrates without the usual icky greasiness, leaving skin moisturized silky smooth, clear and radiant. In fact, many users noted having a less oily face and expectant mothers have used the oil to effectively prevent stretch marks. With Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil’s non-staining formula, you also need not worry about your clothes.

Has anyone actually tried this? It's P495 for the 60ml bottle (P695 for the 150ml one) so I wanna know if this works first before I go off and buy. But I really really really want this to work because this oil will simplify my beauty routine--and when you're pregnant, with a toddler, a business and a career, that's huge! Instead of scar remover for this, moisturizing lotion for that, anti-aging here and lightening there, I'll have everything in one golden bottle!

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil is available at Rustan’s Department Stores: Makati, Shangri-la, Alabang Town Center, Robinson’s Place, Gateway Mall, Cebu and all major department stores and supermarkets nationwide, outside of Rustan’s.

These shoes remind me of the happiest place on earth!

2011-10-22T22:20:00.001+08:00

One of my happiest memories is when Vince's parents brought the entire family to Hong Kong Disneyland in November 2008, some time after my 32nd birthday and a few weeks after my mother died. I desperately needed cheering up and that trip was just the medicine.

Since then I associate my birthday and happiness with Disneyland. I totally fell in love with Disneyland. I told Vince I want to go to all the Disneylands in the world. In fact, when we applied for our US visa in 2009, I told the guy behind the window, "No, no real reason. I just want to see Disneyland." Ten-year visa approved!

Anyway, I've been meaning to go every year but I got pregnant November 2009, was a mom to a newborn in 2010 (and completely financially wiped out, too, because of my father's double amputations), and now... It's 2011, I'm turning 35--a milestone!--and I'm on bed rest because I'm pregnant again. Geez. At this rate, the next time I see Disneyland will be when I'm 40.

So when adidas sent me photos of their Mickey and Minnie shoe collection, a happy (and wistful) sigh escaped me.

Vito has to have a pair when we finally go to HK Disneyland. And, if Wiggle turns out to be baby girl, then we'll have to buy her a pair of Minnie's!

I'll wait for a while before we buy Vito shoes, though. We just went shoe shopping for Vito and Star Wars-geek Vince bought his son uber cool Boba Fett sneaks!

Cool! More cute photos here!

adidas for kids is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

All about the first 10 weeks of my second pregnancy

2011-10-20T22:23:00.002+08:00

I'm 10 weeks pregnant today. Hooray! Now if only this pregnancy could be as stress-free as the first one!

Vince asked me some time ago why I wasn't as happy about this pregnancy as I had been the first time around. I assured him that I was waaaaay happier this time actually and refreshed his memory on how I was terrified when I was pregnant with Vito. This time, having been there and done that, there is no fear.

Until the sixth week came along. Just as I was about to announce the happy news all over the blogs and social media, the way I did with Vito, I started spotting. At first it was just a little blood but as the days passed, my undies became bloodier and bloodier. I Googled it and forums said bleeding is normal so I put off going to the OB since I didn't want to seem alarmist. That's okay with a first-time mom, not for a veteran, I thought. But on the seventh day of bleeding, I had to use a sanitary napkin. There was a disquiet in my heart and so we immediately went to my OB, who promptly scolded me.

"Bleeding is never normal in a pregnancy, " Dr. Rebecca Singson said. "At the first sign of blood, go to your doctor! This is a threatened abortion."

My heart sank. I underwent a TVS and it showed I had a subchorionic hemorrhage (read more about SCH here). The blood clot was as big as my baby. We had to reduce that clot to nothing so that it won't threaten the growing fetus. In some cases, the clot grows with the baby and compresses against it, leading to miscarriage. We didn't want a miscarriage. We wanted this baby!

What comforted Vince and me was that the scan also showed a little egg-shape with a strong heart. It looked like a lone caviar, black and round and clear, with a pulsing center. Beautiful! Nevertheless, we both decided to postpone announcing anything until the baby pulled through.

Well, that all changed when I was hospitalized last week for bleeding. I still wanted to keep it a secret but people from work were getting alarmed at my "sickness." I had to say something. So there. I announced the happy news! Except that the happiness is tainted by so much worry.

So now I have to take medication that costs us P10,000 a month. Then there's the regular ultrasound scans to monitor the SCH. Sometimes the scan shows the SCH has diminished; the last one showed the clot grew. Every visit to the doctor is emotionally harrowing. All these on top of the usual lab tests and prenatal vitamins. The financial cost is mounting. But we don't mind, we don't mind. If it's all going to lead to a healthy pregnancy then what's money? Besides, we have everything we need... except to be worry-free. We desperately need Wiggle to be okay.

This emergency ultrasound showed a little baby wiggling its butt!

So here we are, two weeks away from the end of the first trimester and still not out of the woods. It is so strange because here I am bursting beyond happiness while simultaneously stressed and afraid for my child's life. It's hard for me to blog because blogging is very personal so it doesn't distract me from my worries. Work has been a better distraction so even if I'm on bed rest, I've been working working working.

But it's impossible to forget that we're fighting for someone's life here. Sometimes I tell Wiggle, "You fight, anak. It's so nice out here. You've got the coolest parents in the world and the most amazing big brother. We'll give you an incredible life!" And I imagine that the little one wiggles in response, the way he/she did when we thought we'd lost him/her last week and then everything is all right again.

Everything will be all right.

For the kiddies: Foldabots Toybook and party!

2011-10-19T16:17:00.000+08:00

My mother company is launching their latest kiddie offering in a fun event this Saturday afternoon at Powerbooks Greenbelt.

Now I know for a fact that kids go crazy for paper dolls (yes, it's a robot but same concept!) so I am sure your boys (and girls, too!) would be thrilled to check this book out. Bring them to the event, too! It'll be tons of great fun!

Please report this Facebook profile

2011-10-18T23:20:00.003+08:00

Today, I received an email from a very concerned reader, Amina, who told me that someone named Jamie Palanca is using my photos on her Facebook account and passing them off as her own.

Since I wasn't friends with this woman, I couldn't see her other photos but Amina told me that in the other photos, Ms. Palanca claimed Vito as her own, except that she named him Savannah Lauren. And as you can also see from her comment below, she also claimed Vince as her husband.

Talagang angkinin ang asawa't anak ko, ha!

I am not very upset. This is something unexpected, after all. That's one of the consequences of putting your life all over the Internet. I was telling my friend Jill that it's kinda funny, kinda creepy, kinda flattering (although why did she use that unflattering photo?!) but mostly very sad and pathetic. So, guys, don't worry. I'm cool!

My cousin Diana pointed out, however, that while it's great I'm not blowing my top over this, she said that Ms. Palanca is an online seller. If she happens to be an unscrupulous person (and she very well may be because if she can lie about this then she can lie about anything), then she might be running off with people's money. And then what if a swindled customer saw me or my family somewhere and gets angry and attacks us? Put that way, that is a very scary scenario.

Well, folks, please do me a HUGE favor and report this person. Kindly go to her Facebook page (click here) and, on the left side of the profile, somewhere under the profile pic, click on "Report/Block" and say this person is pretending to be me. Thank you!

P.S. Please don't post harsh words on her wall. I know some of you are very protective of me (thanks!). I think it's a very sad thing she had to do this so let's just wish she finds a great husband and make gorgeous babies and have a fabulous life so that she wouldn't need to pretend to be me!

P.P.S. I wouldn't have known about this if it weren't for Amina. Thank you! You know, despite this, I'm still very glad I blog because I have people all over the world who truly care for me and my family. I am very blessed!

The worst-kept secret in the world!

2011-10-13T23:30:00.000+08:00

If you've been following me on Twitter and reading my strange status updates on Facebook, you might've guessed correctly what's been up with me lately. Or, if you're like some people who got alarmed, you'd think I'm dying.

I've been talking about certain foods not being allowed, gaining weight rapidly, feeling nauseated and tired, taking medication, visiting the doctor, and being told by said doctors to stay in bed and rest. A lot became very concerned when I said on Facebook that I just came from the hospital last Tuesday.

To a lot of people, this sounds like a dire medical condition. To a majority of women, all these sound mighty familiar because I just described what it feels like to be pregnant.

Yes, folks, I'm pregnant again. And we're so very excited!

I wanted to keep it a secret and then surprise you all with a big belly, a la Beyonce at the MTV VMAs but I was getting messages of concern from brand managers and advertising clients and I didn't want them to think I was sick! That's very bad for business (exhibit A: whenever Steve Jobs took a medical leave, Apple stocks went doooown).

So there. I'm pregnant! Let's all be happy! And pleeeeeeease pray for my little wee Wiggle!

Vito goes shoe shopping!

2011-10-12T01:17:00.000+08:00

Last weekend, Vince and I took Vito shoe shopping. My boy has big feet. He has already outgrown shoes meant for 18-month-old kids, and he's only 14 months!

So, dressed very casually in shirts and shorts (Vito donned his Future Azkal shirt from Mothering Earthlings, Mothercare shorts and now-too-tight Hubsche Ginoble shoes), off we went to Jump at High Street and was absolutely delighted to find a well edited selection of kids' shoes there.

Here I am with my new adidas Star Wars sneaks!
I'm also picking out new sandals for Mama.

Mama's gotten chubby! There's a big reason why! But I can't tell yet.

Mama and I always sit on the floor when we put on shoes.
And no, Mama never brushes her hair!

Testing these black Ipanemas. Very comfy!
Mama, Papa, buy these, too!

Okay, shopping's done. Let's go home now.

Papa, stop taking pictures!

Fine. I'm going to the car. You follow. Bye.

It's so uncanny how our son is just like us. Vince and I like shoes and style. The kid's barely out of infancy and already he's got an eye for cool shoes! I'm so proud!

Vito weaned himself. Just like that.

2011-10-08T20:34:00.001+08:00

I've been feeling down lately. Vito decided, on his own, to wean, and I'm feeling bereft. I wasn't ready. I was imagining, preparing, even anticipating all the stories of my fellow breastfeeding mommies who suffered sleepless nights, crying babies, and the anguish and drama of weaning. Instead, I had Vito who, around two weeks ago, just stopped nursing. No drama.

I've tried forcing him to nurse but that only resulted to either chuckles from him or a really annoyed baby and a painful bite. I am now expressing my milk and pouring that into his goat's milk formula. It's my way of thinking he's still getting lots of human milk goodness. But I can only express an ounce a day now so I feel that it isn't enough.

Why did he stop? Well... I really don't know. My husband and friends have theories and they all sound sound. I don't want to elaborate yet on the theories but pretty soon I will talk about the BIG REASON why I think Vito weaned on his own. But for now, I am in a bit of mourning because I really loved breastfeeding my baby boy and I miss it terribly.

P.S. I also noticed something really curious. Now that Vito's on formula, his breath changed. It's not exactly adult stinky but it's not as fresh anymore. When Vito was about to start on solids, my friends said, "As soon as he eats solid food, he'll get bad breath." Didn't happen! So they all said, "Well, wait till he starts eating meat!" Again, it didn't happen! But now on a diet with very little breast milk, his breath has finally lost its baby goodness!

So this is what they meant about breastfed babies smelling better, and not just the poop. The breath smells better too. Now I'm even sadder! I miss breastfeeding and I miss my super sweet-smelling baby!

Vito's first black shoes. They go with everything!

2011-10-03T15:16:00.001+08:00

Remember when I was looking for shoes to match Vito's Boston Celtics onesie?

Well, a kind reader sent Vito shoes! Ines Lovina Santiago, thank you! We love the Silly Souls shoes you gave Vito for his birthday. We even had a photo shoot!

Outfit post!

Another pose from the back

Front view. The laces and Velcro locks make this shoe impossible
to kick off! Little feet are safe!

Side view. Yes, you read that right. It says Boob Man. Because
breastfeeding Vito loves the boobie!

Bottom view. Thin soles make for a nearly barefoot experience--great for
developing feet. Red traction pads make walking secure.

Action shot! As you can see, even running down an incline is no problem for my
super active one-year-old Vito!

Vito loves his Silly Souls Boob Man shoes. He wears them every day! They're supposed to be for 18 months and older but my nearly 14-month-old son has such big feet, he already fits into these shoes and soon enough, he'll outgrow them. I think it's time for me to buy more Silly Souls!

Silly Souls is available at all JUMP outlets and at Ines' In The Crib online shop.

UPDATE: To the ones who asked why Vito's hair grows so slow, these photos were taken in August, right after his birthday. It's October now. Vito's hair is currently 2 centimeters long.

It ain't all roses

2011-10-01T22:35:00.000+08:00

This is just a rambling sort of post.

Yesterday, Hannah of Flair Candy saw me and Vince and our boy Vito. Now, Hannah is one of the country's power bloggers. I met her in October 2009 when we were part of Nuffnang Philippine's representatives to their first ever Blogger Awards held at Singapore. She asked me, almost three years married at the time, if I had any kids. I shuddered and said, "Nope, no plans on having kids ever!" One month later, I was pregnant.

So yesterday, when Hannah saw me with Vito, she teased me about that. Believe me, a lot of people have thrown my words to my face again and again over the last 19 months and I accept it all with good nature. But have my views on motherhood changed? Not at all.

What people don't know is I never wanted to be a mother not because I hate kids or because I think motherhood is overrated; I didn't want to be a mom because I think it's the hardest job in the world and I just don't think I'm qualified for it. Even now!

I told this to Mia Cruz, the editor of Smart Parenting, and she said, "That's great you think that way. A lot of people just enter into parenting thinking it's all cute and wonderful. It's really a lot of responsibility."

And now that I'm in the thick of it, it really is the hardest, most nerve-wracking, most tiring thing I've ever done. Of course it's also cute and wonderful and fun and incredibly joyful but let me tell ya, there are many days when I really miss the ten-hour sleep, the smoking, waking up at noon on weekends, the towering heels, the stylish clothes, the just-get-up-and-go-to-the-movies, the freedom. Actually, I don't need all that. I just want to sleep for ten hours straight again!

So do I regret becoming a mommy? Of course not. And that's no defensive chuva. I love being a mom, which is still a surprise to me. But I confess that I did spend the first five months of my pregnancy with Vito sad and scared. Well, to be completely honest, I was unhappy throughout the pregnancy. I wept in Vince's arms, wailing, "My life is over! My life is over!" Mommy friends and friends who were trying to have kids would scold me harshly or gently, depending on my mood, "Be grateful!" But I wasn't. I was terrified. It's hard to be grateful for something you never asked for.

Then Vito came and he's just such a joy. He's also such a handful. Every day, I thank God for giving me not what I wanted but what I needed. I certainly never thought motherhood was for me so thank goodness God's a whole lotta smarter than I am!

I'm still terrified, though. Parenting is never-ending vigilance, which is very very exhausting. So I still won't go around telling people, "Have babies! They're the best thing ever!" Yes, they sure are nice but, boy, taking care of them is not for the faint-hearted. Have kids when you're ready. What does ready mean? I don't exactly know but it sure has something to do with selflessness. Even now, I battle with my selfishness every moment! But that's what being a parent means and if you can give up yourself, then you can have kids!

Okay, rambling ended. Time to cuddle the baby! Happy weekend!

Believing in our kids can do a whole lotta good

2011-09-28T12:21:00.000+08:00

Hello friends! I've been away for a good long while, I know. I'm trying to avoid announcing something really exciting, that's why. Soon, soon, when the time is right!

For now, I want to share this lovely video that moved me so much these past few days.

No one really believed in me when I was growing up. Mostly because I was a girl and that means I'm just expected to be pretty and stupid and get married and have as many children as possible. Second, I was actually a pretty child so again, no expectations of greatness there except to snag a good husband. So I didn't really have great self-esteem. I guess that explains how I came to be in an abusive relationship in college.

What helped me was my faith and friends and Vince. When I realized that Jesus actually died for me, that's really big. That was a huge turning point--I was special enough for someone to lay down His life! My friends are also amazing. They always saw these great qualities that I never knew I had, like I'm smart and funny and hardworking and generous and kind. They told me I was all that and more! Then there's Vince. Vince is the reason where I am right now. He always wanted to give me the best because he said I deserved it. He also always pushed me and nagged me and scolded me and encouraged me to keep going after my dreams, insisting that nothing was beyond my reach. When you have someone like that in your life, you're unstoppable.

As a mommy, I realize how just simple affirmation and unconditional love can protect my child from this destructive world. There are already challenges even now in the playground, kids who reject Vito, push him away, ignore him. As he gets older, it will get worse. There will be cliques, gangs, bullies, girls, break-ups, job interviews. There will be friends who no longer want to be friends or move away or die. It's never going to end. But as long as he has a huge reservoir of love and faith in him, those things won't destroy him.

And that's why we parents have to love our children! If our kids know that we believe in them, then they will believe in themselves and there is nothing in this world that can stop a person like that from doing great and wondrous things!

Workout wear for the sexy (or at least trying to be!) mama

2011-09-21T22:13:00.000+08:00

If you haven't noticed it yet, adidas is my blog sponsor. They somehow found out I only use adidas--shirts, shorts, socks, shoes!--and so they contacted me to see if I'm interested to feature their stuff and they'll give me workout gear in return. Because I'm anxious to get back into fighting form (and because I only use adidas!), I agreed.

What I didn't factor in was I'm shy to take photos of myself in workout clothes! Yep, even if the workout clothes are as cool as adidas. Photos of my bulgy self in skintight stuff are, well, embarrassing.

But for those of you mommies who already have nice bodies or aren't shy about your physiques, then let me show you the adidas gym outfits I'm salivating over:

Show off those tones arms and back muscles in these sexy T-back tops!

These pants are comfortable and lets your skin breathe. Bonus points for making your tushy look great!

And with this cool windbreaker/jacket, you can run and play in the rain! Protected from the elements and still looking chic!

As for me, I'm glad that adidas also has tees for shy mommies. Their shirts aren't baggy and ugly (I may be shy but I'm not unfashionable!) but are sleek and regulate body temperature and wick out sweat just as efficiently as those cool T-backs up there.

Okay, okay. I figured, since you've been with me on my mommy journey from the very beginning, now is not the time to be coy. I'll post my adidas workout clothes in my next post!

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Vito's long hair!

2011-09-19T22:12:00.000+08:00

So you all know that Vito's upset because I had all his baby hair shaved off. Well, lookit what I did:

Hehe. That's my Tokyo POSH hair extensions. I love it! I figured, since Vito was so attached to his hair, he might like new instant hair. Well...

He didn't! My boy is such a boy!

For more about my hair extensions (mommies, I've found the solution to our hair-in-a-perpetual-pony and mommy-hair-means-short-hair problem!), check out my fab photos on Beauty For A Living.

As for Vito's outfit, he's wearing a No Paparazzi tee (hehe, and I make my living off paparazzi photos!) and Next9 cloth diapers, both of which you can buy from Mothering Earthlings online store. Sooo easy to shop there!

What my boys do when I'm sleeping

2011-09-13T09:37:00.001+08:00

This is an old video. Vito must've been 10 months old. He's 13 months today. Yes, this very day! And that's Papa and baby boy early in the morning.

He doesn't do gigil anymore but he waves hi and bye, joins conversations, attempts flying kiss (he just puts his palm to his lips--he doesn't make the kiss fly!). He says Mama, Papa, Teh (for Ate, his yaya), Teeda (for our rabbit Matilda), baba (for going down to the playground), kang (for kain). He says many other things but so far he's the only one who understands his language!

Happy 13th month, Vito! We miss your gigil face!

UPDATE: Syempre, as soon as this got published, Vito set out to prove me wrong! He's doing gigil face again (hooray!), he can do flying kiss with relish (mwah!), and he can say "shoes." He even said, "Papa shoes!" when he saw Vince's shoes!

I want these adidas sneaks!

2011-09-11T08:35:00.042+08:00

I used to be someone who wore heels a lot (yes, even in bed for Vince! But let's not go there...). When I was pregnant with Vito, giving up heels was hard. Those shoes had been part of my life for a good long while. My mother bought me my first pair when I was 13. She said, "You're short. You need these." I'm 5'3", taller than most Pinays, but in my family where women are at least 5'5", ya, I was short.

So I was never the flats kinda girl. I lived in heels. And when I wore sneakers once to a family reunion, my aunts all looked at my feet with great disapproval and said, "Ladies do not wear rubber shoes."

Well, I think these pairs from adidas will change their minds!

I love the simplicity of these adidas Originals Stan Casual Low for Women. It's a leather sneaker, with a cute gingham cotton lining. I also love the little holes--looks like a dainty eyelet pattern. Very ladylike without being too girly. It's just the right kind of shoe for a no-frills mommy like me!

I like the brown one better. My personality can never keep that pretty white thing clean enough!

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Vito's first haircut

2011-09-09T07:57:00.002+08:00

Two weeks ago, Vince and I, with Yaya Marita in tow for this big milestone, took one-year-old Vito to Cuts4Tots for his first ever buzz cut!

Hi! My name is Vito. I don't know why I'm here but Mama says it's for my
first ever haircut. What's a haircut?

This place is cool. I get to have my own car and a TV right in front of me!
Even Papa doesn't have a TV in front of him when he drives!

Uh. Why are they dressing me up in a blouse?

Uh oh. Whenever Mama has that face and high-pitched tone, something bad
is going to happen. Like vitamins and shots!

Excuse me, Mama. You're blocking the TV.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?!

Please tell me this isn't happening.

It's really happening.

Why do they keep saying my head's perfect? They only realized that now?

Where's my... hair?

I want to go home now and hug Totoro. Please. Ktnxbye.

Poor Vito. Until now he pats his head whenever we say "kalbo" and "buhok." I didn't realize he had such an attachment to his hair!

Then this week, I picked up Vito's "First Ever Haircut" certificate! Sooo cute! The haircut cost about P400, ha. Mas mahal pa sa Bench Fix ang loko! But fine, fine, the certificate made up for it!

Cuts4Tots is on the 5th level of The Atrium of SM Megamall. We like it there. The staff are super nice and gentle with your baby. And the regular cuts (no certificate!) cost much less. Hooray!

My delightfully selfish reasons for breastfeeding

2011-09-07T09:39:00.001+08:00

So we all know that breast milk is best for baby. But, my dear fellow mommies and mommies-to-be, you don't have to keep thinking, "I'm breastfeeding for my child's sake!" Let's not be martyrs. Did you know that breastfeeding is good for us, too? Here are my six just-for-my-own-benefit reasons why I breastfeed:

1. I'm lazy.
This is what made me decide to breastfeed in the first place. I was a formula-fed baby so I didn't really care whether I should breastfeed my baby or not. But when I was reading about breastfeeding and listening to other moms' stories, the idea of not getting up in the middle of the night to make milk, not sterilizing bottles and nipples, not lugging around huge bags of baby stuff, not worrying about getting clean water for formula when I'm in another place--all of these just appealed to the lazy girl in me! Baby cries, pop out the boobie! Baby's hungry, pop out the boobie! Baby's bored, sad, tired, pop out the boobie! Baby's sleepy, pop out the boobie! Problem solved. I like that very much!

2. I want to save money.
A can of formula costs a minimum of P500. That's a small can and usually lasts a week or less, if you happen to have a greedy baby. Breastfeeding saves me a lot of money! Plus, and for me this is more important, breast milk is filled with antibodies that protect my child from germs, allergies and sickness. When I'm sick, my body's antibodies come out in my milk and my baby sucks it all in so he's protected. In Vito's one year of existence, Vince and I had gotten sick three or four times of nasty colds and coughs and the flu. But because Vito got my antibodies, he never even got sick! So breastfeeding keeps Vito out of the hospital and our savings intact.

For more info: How human milk protects babies from illness - Dr. Sears

3. I like being a sexy momma.
If you see me eat now, your jaw would drop. I eat a lot. It's almost obscene. I can finish three platefuls of food on average. Three big dinner plates of food! But I'm still at a slender 117 lbs. With boobies. So I can eat lots and lots but since breastfeeding consumes so much energy, I don't get fat! A slim woman with a big appetite is sexy!

4. I want to have a super baby!
Research has told us that breast milk makes babies smarter, stronger and not fat. But did you also know that breastfed babies smell better? Their poop smells better. I clean up my son's butt every morning and it's not horrifying at all (well, it was better when he wasn't on solids yet!). Breastfed babies also have nicer skin and better muscle tone--it has something to do with the fat and protein in mommy's milk, which is better suited to human babies than other animal milk. So breastfeeding means I have a smart, strong, slim, healthy baby with not-so-smelly poop, gorgeous skin and nice muscles!

For more info: Three little-known benefits of breastfeeding - Dr. Sears

5. I get protection from cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.
Scientific research says that moms who breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months are less prone to ovarian, breast and cervical cancers. Breastfeeding moms also reduce their chance of getting osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions and strokes. Since my family has a history of cancer, diabetes and strokes, this is fantastic news for me!

For more info: Breastfeeding protects mother - BBC

6. I'm selfish!
And my super favorite reason why I breastfeed is I get to have Vito all to myself. When he's in my arms and getting his nourishment from me, it's almost like being pregnant again, when it was just him and me. It's very intimate. Of course when I express my milk, my hubby and the yaya can feed Vito, too. But I know Vito prefers my breast. And when he's suckling, we look into each other's eyes, we giggle, we play. It's just him and me and it's one of the best feelings in the world ever. And I get to feel that way many times in a day every single day!

So those are my super selfish reasons for breastfeeding Vito. The best part is I get to enjoy all these benefits with the super duper bonus of being seen as a wonderful mother just because I breastfeed! Winner talaga!

One year of Vito

2011-09-05T22:18:00.000+08:00

And the most amazing year it's been!

Thank you, Vito, for making Mama and Papa really happy. Really very happy!

ProMama has a special event for expecting mamas

2011-08-30T22:11:00.002+08:00

Where were these events when I was pregnant?! You mommies-to-be are so lucky!

Now remember: It's this Saturday at the Glorietta Activity Center and it's open to all parents-to-be so bring your baby daddies! Enjoy the pregnancy!

UPDATE: Here's more info from the press kit:

The Proudly Promama Fair is an all-day event celebrating mothers-to-be with free pampering services, consultations with nutritionists and a fun program in the afternoon at the Glorietta Activity Center, Sept. 3, 2011.

Discover how ProMama, Wyeth's newest product, and its partners help celebrate mothers-to-be at this unique event. A fun-filled and informative program gives pregnant women all the tips they need to look and feel their best. Along with surprise celebrity guests, pregnant women can find out how ProMama helps them meet their increased nutritional needs. They'll also get tips from nutritionists as well as beauty advice from the experts. Finally, participating fashion brands will showcase how pregnant women can strut their stuff in their stylish ensembles at the Proudly ProMama Fashion Show.

Registration and Snacks will be served at 2pm at the California Pizza Kitchen, Program starts promptly at 3pm at the Glorietta Activity Center.

Vito loves these lullabies from YouTube's Super Simple Songs

2011-08-29T21:12:00.000+08:00

One evening just recently, I was having a hard time getting my son to sleep. I tried tickling him to exhaustion. I tried rocking him in my arms. I tried total silence in total darkness so he can get bored. I tried his usual night-night songs. And still he was climbing down my arms, climbing down the bed and running around (yes, even in the dark!).

Finally, I said, "Vito, since you simply refuse to sleep, let's work on your alphabet. Let's look for a phonics video on YouTube." After being displeased with some phonics vids, I found Super Simple Songs. And, miracle of miracles, these songs sent Vito off to dreamland!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

I love how dreamy this song is. I love the soft voices. I love the art. And the constant repetition lulls Vito to drowsiness.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

I think this is so adorable. Vito absolutely loves this video best. And when Mr. Owl says good-bye to Mr. Star, Vito and I get to practice our bye-bye wave and then I whisper, "Good night, Mr. Star. Good night, Mr. Owl. Good night, Vito." My little star falls asleep soon after!

There are more lovely songs and charming videos on Super Simple Songs. That YouTube channel is my favorite find this month and I hope it becomes yours, too!

Commercial muna

2011-08-29T20:14:00.000+08:00

Halloo mommies! How's your loooong weekend?

Sorry been away for a while. Pretty hectic sked lately although I was able to update my personal blog. Check out our Bali trip there (Part 1 and Part 2). Vito is SO CUTE there!

Was supposed to double post here, too, but I figured some of you moms might like to check out Topaz Horizon--it's just as nice as this! Enjoy tomorrow--it's the last day of the rainy holiday. Sigh!

Topaz Mommy needs to get fit

2011-08-24T08:54:00.000+08:00

Looking at my recent photos makes me cringe. I have never been so wide before! My waist has disappeared, my arms have thickened and my breastfeeding breasts make me look fat. Well, since Vito's already one year old, it's time to start looking like a hot momma and burn the fat away!

The fastest and easiest way to do this is to run. I already have adidas shoes but they're for cross-training. Basically, for the treadmill. I started on the treadmill last week. Vince and I feel so good! We'll try the gym for a few weeks and then, when we're good and ready, time to take the running outdoors! And these are the outfits that I'm looking at:

Black for a slimming effect!

Of course, I need serious running shoes now. My cute pink cross-trainers just won't cut it anymore if I'm running outside! To complement my all black workout gear, I'm liking the black-and-pink adiSTAR Salvation 3W:

P6,995 a pair

And then a new yoga studio opened up a few blocks away from my apartment. I guess I can just run there and back! I am so ready to get fit! I want to be a hot mommy!

And remember, if you're joining the "1,000 Runners for 1 Heart," the special run for darling angel Sofia Ysabel this Saturday at McKinley Hill, get good running shoes!

adidas is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

This blog just got a new domain

2011-08-23T07:54:00.001+08:00

Been meaning to buy the domain of Topaz Mommy for the longest time. So over the weekend, I finally did. Except that someone already owned www.topazmommy.com, which really annoyed the hell out of me since there's nothing there, no content, just a dud site.

Just as I was about to contact the owner and offer to buy the domain, I remembered that everyone calls me "Mommy Topaz" or Mommy Frances. The domain mommyfrances.com was actually also free but I bought www.mommytopaz.com instead so that I wouldn't have to change my blog header.

So there! Mommy Topaz/Topaz Mommy is up! Kindly update your links, although even if you don't, Google will automatically direct your old link (topazmommy.blogspot.com) to this place. But just in case it doesn't, please do update your links!

Speaking of updating links, the only problem I have is all the links on my blog roll disappeared. I had so many fabulous mommy blogs on that blog roll! Now I'll have to remember all of them. What hard work this will be. If you were on my blog roll, kindly leave your URL on the comments below. Thanks!

SM Kids is on a MEGA SALE!

2011-08-22T22:00:00.000+08:00

SM's got lots of stuff in store for us mommies this weekend! Like this super exciting huge warehouse sale in the kiddie department:

That's a big big discount on brands like Gingersnaps, Elle, Disney, Barbie, Sesame Street, Looney Tunes, Hot Wheels and a whole lotta more! Remember: Sale starts on Friday and lasts till Monday. Bring your credit cards so you can get 3 months installment at no interest. Have fun shopping!

Vito's first birthday party madness! Part 3: The funnest day

2011-08-21T19:22:00.001+08:00

So Vito's party was a big hit! No stress at all since there was no program, no games, no clowns and no decorations. It helped that all the guests were just toddlers. There was no need to entertain them since they could entertain themselves.

But all birthday parties have to have one tradition: the blowing out of the birthday candle! Vito was having such a good time on the couch with his friends, Alfonso and Sofia, that he didn't want to blow any candles!

I am digging Alfonso's cool shirt! Also liking Sofia's sunshine-y dress. Now if only Vito wore his complete Totoro costume. He looked really weird without the head and paws!

There's the head and paws! Alfonso, being older, got off the couch easily enough, ready for some birthday candle action. These two had to be physically removed from the couch!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday, dear Vito...

Happy birthday to you!

We practiced for days before the big event on how to blow out the candle. The best Vito can do was "hah, hah, hah!" instead of "hoo! hoo!" He did try.

So Papa Vince said, "Blow out the candle, Mama," and so Mama made a wish (long, happy, healthy life for Vito) and blew that magic candle out.

Whew! So after all the cake, cookies, lasagna and chicken, after all the running around and screaming and banging on the furniture, after all the songs and Totoro movie that played throughout the party, the little kiddies collapsed on the couch, the rug and in their mommies' arms and slept.

What a lovely day. Happy birthday, darling Vito! We wish you many more happy birthdays, many happy meals with friends and family, many songs and laughter, and lots of warm hugs and loving kisses from the world.

Love,
Papa and Mama and all the wonderful people who love you so

Vito's first birthday party madness! Part 2: The uber cute guests

2011-08-21T19:05:00.001+08:00

Vito's first birthday party just had a short guest list. And the guests were also short! Look how utterly adorable our party people are!

That's Keddie, Enzo, Vito and Audrey. Vito, by the way, refused to wear the head and feet of his Totoro costume.

Everyone kicks off their shoes--that's the sign of a great party! This is Enzo. You've met him before (click here!). He's the cute kid who hugs and kisses everyone on the playground. You can't escape him. If he wants to kiss you, he pulls you in and he's a hefty guy so he's pretty strong.

Audrey is shy. She just celebrated her second birthday but she's really tall, she looks like a preschooler. She's the earliest to arrive at the playground and she's always hiding behind her yaya. Pretty girl!

Here's another pretty little person! That's Sjofn (Syo-feen), daughter of Paola of Mommy Treats. You've met Paola before, too (click here!). Our kids were born two weeks apart. They've met before, at the Swatch Zebra Day, which I forgot to blog about. Vito liked Sjofn but she didn't like him back. Haha, Vito, that's life for you!

Neighborhood cutie is Sophia. She's just three weeks older than Vito and incredibly talkative. Like, she can talk. I was shocked! Earl, her mommy, is a broadcast journalist. She says that her daughter's talkiness is inherited from her, naturally. Well, Sophia's dad, Judah, is a TV and event host. He likes to talk a lot, too. Very verbal family!

There's Enzo, owning the couch. We covered it in a sheet to protect it, since we have kids running around. But amazingly, our house--accused to be not kid-friendly because of the white upholstery, glass tables and vases--was unharmed. Not a kid was harmed, too! This affirms our philosophy that we families don't have to live in plastic houses with plastic furniture, devoid of beauty and charm. Kids know how to appreciate beauty and will learn to respect it. (Of course it helps that we adults are very vigilant!)

This is Alfonso, Vito's very first friend! They met when Vito was just 5 days old and Alfonso was 9 months old. Vito idolizes Alfonso. Totally looks up to him. Everything Alfonso does, Vito will imitate. Vito also tries very hard to please Alfonso. It's like he's Vito's big brother.

Vito, Sophia and Sjofn like Alfonso's gift very much. There was a tug-of-war, with Alfonso watching almost with approval!

Sofia won that round. Oh, there's Totoro's head and paws beside her!

So Sjofn just went after the hopping mechanical rabbit.

Except that little Totoro was faster. Parenting note: Must teach the boy some gentlemanly manners! Anyway, there were two more guests, Justin and Keira. Sounds so Hollywood! But we somehow weren't able to take their photos.

Now that you've met the cast of zany characters, more party pictures in the next (and last party) post!

Vito's first birthday party madness! Part 1: Before the madness

2011-08-20T22:38:00.004+08:00

My darling Vito turned a year old exactly one week ago, August 13, but we had a mini-party for him on Monday, the 15th. It was just a tiny party for his playground friends. Vito gets scared of lots of big people fawning over him so we spared him the traditional big bash, which would only upset him. It worked out great! Vito was beyond thrilled to see all his little friends in his house! And it was just crazy! All these tiny creatures running around our apartment! We enjoyed it immensely. My kiddie party was a success!

But before the madness, here are the details of our simple birthday party for Vito:

Topaz Mommy and the birthday boy, who wasn't in a good mood. His nap time is from 1-3 PM (his party was at 3) so we had to wake him up at around 2:30 to get him ready. He didn't like being woken up!

So Vince had My Neighbor Totoro on TV. Totoro was our party theme. The Studio Ghibli-produced anime is about two young sisters who, together with their father, move to a rural village, near the hospital where their mother is receiving treatment for a long-term illness. They meet the spirits of the wood, and Totoro is one of them. It's a lovely movie about family, sisterhood, faith and hope. I highly recommend it!

As you can see, Vito was transfixed. And this allowed us to put him in his Totoro costume!

We had Vito's costume made by Bumblebee & Company. Got a great deal through Cash Cash Pinoy a few months back. We loved meeting the costume designer, Maita. She's a very gentle soul, knows how to relate with kids. Vito took to her quite fast. He was very happy and comfy in the shop--every time we went there. Great people to work with!

Our cake was made by Gel Colet of Swell Sweets. Gel is Vince's college buddy. In 2007, she had just left TV production and we heard she can bake. So we got her to do our wedding cake. It was such a huge hit (we served the cake as second dessert) that two years after our wedding, people were still talking about it! Naturally, we got her to do our son's cake.

Here's a close-up of the cake. Isn't it adorable? It's not to-scale, though--Totoro's much, much bigger than those other two spirits! But it doesn't matter. We love our cake! As with our wedding, the cake stole the show. Not only was it lovely to look at, it tasted amazing, too! By the time the party ended, there was just crumbs left. I feel bad that I only had a tiny slice!

Beyond the cake is what we served--lasagna and chicken lollipops from Almost Gourmet. A few days before the party, I still didn't know what to serve the guests. I Tweeted for help (follow me!) and Almost Gourmet was recommended by a lot of people. So I called Joyce up and she sounded wonderful. She gave me tips on how and what to feed my party guests. The cost was reasonable, too, even cheap! Then on the day of the party, the food arrived still hot. It's like it was cooked next door! The best part is the food tasted really great!

For our giveaways, we ordered cookies with a simple Totoro design, again from Swell Sweets. I forgot to ask Gel to put Vito's name on the cookies! The cookies were yummy, like the cake. But I liked the cake better (I'm a cake person). The custom-made cake and cookies weren't cheap but just look at how gorgeous they were! Definitely was the centerpiece of the party so totally worth it.

Pretty simple, right? We're simple folk, but with very good taste! So I made sure to get really good suppliers for the party. We'll meet the super cute guests next!

Mommies-to-be, please breastfeed your baby (even if it's "hard"!)

2011-08-20T00:53:00.000+08:00

I had a lovely lunch last week where the fabulous and gorgeous beauty editors of Mega and Metro said they breastfed their children. I was so happy and encouraged! One of the ladies at our table was horrified, however. I am not exaggerating--her face registered disgust when she found out that Kim, Charmagne and I are breastfeeders. She said that she didn't breastfeed her kids because she was traumatized when she saw the saggy boobs of her grandmother.

My Facebook profile pic!

Mommies, we all have our reasons to not breastfeed. I go through those reasons every day! Here are some of them:

1. "It hurts!"
When the milk first comes in and for a few weeks afterwards, the sensation of your breasts filling up will hurt. When your boobs become engorged, they will hurt. When the baby suckles, it will hurt. When the baby starts teething and will try to soothe his gums by biting down on your nipple, it will hurt. But the pain does go away--your nipples will toughen up! As for the biting baby, you can train him not to bite. Yes, even infants can be trained!

2. "I don't have milk."
You do. You just don't see it. We don't have the satisfaction that transparent bottles and nipples may give us so we worry worry worry that our kids aren't getting milk. Trust your bodies--you have milk!

In the beginning, you might think no milk is coming out. Don't worry. Your newborn's tummy is the size of a small strawberry. He only needs a few tiny swallows at a feeding. And it's colostrum that comes out and coats your newborn's stomach lining. Once your baby's tummy is protected by colostrum, then your body starts producing milk. This can be on the fourth or fifth day!

Try lactation cookies! Mommy Treats really helped with my
milk production. Click here to buy yummy cookies!

3. "The baby won't latch."
As with all things, practice makes perfect. Don't get frustrated (I did!). And when other women tell you that a bottle and nipple will be easier, well, try your breast anyway! I was fortunate to have my sister-in-law Lizelle coach me when I was pregnant. Then when I gave birth, the nurses at St. Luke's Global showed me how to breastfeed, too. Not once did they suggest infant formula for Vito, despite my tears and fears that he was going hungry. And true enough, on Vito's third day of existence, he latched correctly!

4. "I feel so exposed."
I never had a problem with this until recently. Why only now? Vito's so active and curious now. He won't breastfeed under a cover. He has to watch the world go by while suckling. And if something grabs his attention, he'll sit up suddenly, leaving me exposed.

Just so you know, I don't have a problem with nudity. It's malice that makes nudity a problem. That's why when I'm breastfeeding Vito, and people around me start getting uncomfortable, I get appalled that they are thinking of me and my child in an ugly way.

This beautiful photo of model Miranda Kerr
angered a lot of women. They said she
"sexualized" breastfeeding. Really!

Dirty minds don't belong to the menfolk, though. In my experience, it's the women who get their panties in a bunch. Puh-leeze. You're showing off your boobs, too, and the only good reason to expose that much boob is when you're breastfeeding.

5. "It's so inconvenient."
This is not really true. Breastfeeding is so easy! No need for bottles, milk, water and big bag! I only think of this reason when I'm in a place with lots of judgmental people. Breastfeeding in a place with squirming, horrified, shocked and disgusted people does get to me. It really bothers me. I just keep thinking, "My child is more important!" So, moms, please breastfeed whenever, wherever. We have to make breastfeeding normal!

6. "I wasn't breastfed and I turned out okay!"
That was my line for years actually. My mother took medication to dry up her milk as soon as she gave birth to me because she had to go back to work. I was a terribly sickly child but other than that, I turned out great. Still, after reading all the benefits of breastfeeding, I sometimes wonder if I could've turned out better! That's why I'm breastfeeding Vito now because I want him to have the best possible start in life.

Vito's big head! Can't use a breastfeeding
cover now--he won't let me!

7. "My baby's already big. It doesn't look right anymore."
Tell me about it. At one year old, Vito's taller, stronger and faster than many kids his age (it's the breast milk!). He's walking and blabbering. He's a big boy now. But I still wrestle my big baby to my breast. It's harder now but it's still worth it.

Another version of this reason that I hear from other people is: "Breast milk loses nutritional value when the child starts eating solids so stop breastfeeding!" Studies have shown that breast milk after the first year changes in composition, yes, but the changes are more fat and more protein and more antibacterial properties! Your body is aware that your baby is a fast-moving, fast-growing machine now so it makes milk that will give him more energy and muscle. Your body is also aware that your child is eating solids and picking up everything and putting it in his mouth, so it now makes milk that protects your child from allergies and tummy infections. Is our body great or what?! So amazing!

8. "My boobs will sag."
And so we go back to that woman who refused to breastfeed on the basis of vanity alone. You know, I'm aware that a lot of women can't breastfeed for medical and physical reasons. They're sick, their nipples are inverted, the baby has a cleft palate, etc. When that happens, of course, infant formula (or even better, breast milk from other moms!) to the rescue! I will never ever say that formula is evil. But please, if you can, try breastfeeding first! And please, don't let your reason be as shallow as saggy boobs!

Can't actually breastfeed your baby? Your expressed milk
is perfect! And your hubby will enjoy feeding baby, too!

My friend's friend (who I detest for many reasons) told me, "You know what your boobs will look like after you breastfeed? Like empty socks hanging on the clothesline." I'm so glad then that my husband is a butt-and-leg man and that I got a great perky butt and fab legs!

Well, I have no idea how my breasts will fare after all the beating they're taking from my greedy child. I want to think they'll be fine but if not, well, I was a size AA before I got pregnant. Flat as a board. If I go back to flat, so be it. If I end up with empty socks, I'll go call Dr. Belo.

August is Breastfeeding Month but I hope every month is a chance for all mommies to try breastfeeding. It's got its kinks but the benefits far outweigh the little annoying parts. By a lot! So please breastfeed!

* * * * * * *

For more info on the benefits of breastfeeding beyond 12 months, read these:
Kellymom - "Immune factors in breast milk increase in concentration during the second year."
Your Family Doctor - "The official policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics is not to put any limit on the duration of lactation."

See you next week!

2011-08-12T23:26:00.000+08:00

My dearest readers, I'm taking a break because it's my darling boy's first birthday weekend celebration. We have costumes and cakes and cookies to pick up, a kiddie fashion boutique event to attend, families to see, then the birthday bash to throw. It's so busy busy busy and we're so happy happy happy!

Yes, it's been a year! Thank you all for loving me, my son and even my husband. Your warm wishes, your gentle advice, the lovely presents and your friendship have made this incredible year even more fantastic. God bless you and have a great weekend, everyone!

Will this pair of red shoes go with Vito's green outfit?

2011-08-11T08:04:00.001+08:00

Vito, tired from his morning walk.
Me, groggy with sleep!

Good morning, lovely mommies! Let me share with you our morning ritual:

Vito wakes up at 4:30 or 5am. He wakes me and Vince up. I breastfeed him then we play for maybe an hour. Longer if I'm not too sleepy. He also usually poops at this time so we wash up and sing and tickle.
Then we go out of our room at 6:30 or 7 so he can eat his breakfast. I hand him over to the yaya and I go back to bed and sleep.
While Vince and I sleep, Vito finishes breakfast, takes a bath, puts on his shoes, then goes off to the playground to get some sun and see his fellow toddlers.
He comes back at around 9am, demanding loudly, "Mama! Papa!" Lately, however, Vito just walks into our bedroom and demands his hugs and kisses.
Vince and I have breakfast. Then Vito takes his nap as soon as Vince leaves for work.

Anyway, yesterday morning, Vito wore his Boston Celtics onesie. He was so adorable in it!

Vito talking loudly. He's a loud child!

But shoes make the man and his shoes ruined the look! His shoes are super scuffed from all the walking he's been doing. Time for new shoes really.

Since his onesie is an adidas, maybe this pair will do the trick:

What you think? Or, because it's a red-and-green combo, will it look too Christmas-y? Haha!

adidas for kids is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Mommies-to-be, pencil in these two dates on your August calendar!

2011-08-10T19:26:00.006+08:00

This Saturday, August 13:

If you go to Smart Parenting's Baby Shower, you get to find out how to keep fit while pregnant. This is really important--my yaya forced me to walk and walk and walk when I was pregnant. When I gave birth, I had such an easy time pushing Vito out (just five mega pushes!) that the nurses were begging me to hold Vito in because the OB was still stuck in traffic. I could've given birth sooner but no, I waited for Dr. Becky patiently. So attend this event so you can prepare for the birth!

Next Saturday, August 20:

If you attend Mothercare's Baby & Me event, you get to learn about proper nutrition and dental care while pregnant. This is very important--not only for your developing baby but also for your own health and looks. Plus, you might win a Phil & Ted's double stroller!

So the Baby Shower is to prepare you for the big D-Day while the Baby & Me is so you look and feel good as you get bigger and bigger with baby! Attend both! You get lotsa freebies, too. Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend!

How to sign up:
Smart Parenting's Baby Shower
Email these details to spbabyshower2011@gmail.com with "SP Baby Shower" on the subject:
(1) Name
(2) Age
(3) Home address
(4) Contact number
(5) How many months preggy are you?

Or you can just bring the August issue of Smart Parenting to the event!

Mothercare's Baby & Me

Registration is FREE! Just visit Mothercare's Facebook page and post the following on their wall:

(1) Full name

(2) Contact number

(3) How far along are you in your pregnancy / How old is your child.

Successful registrants will receive a confirmation text from Mothercare.

Making Vito's Totoro party invitations

2011-08-09T10:41:00.003+08:00

Given my already insane schedule as OK! magazine editor, satchel seller, blogger, wife and mommy, I really shouldn't have decided that I wanted a homemade party--from invitations to balloons to food. All I left to the pros was the cake, but since Gel Colet of Swell Sweets is Vince's college buddy, the cake will still feel like it's homemade.

But I wanted a children's party to look like a children's party. I want my baby boy's party to look messy and fun and wild and, well, kiddie! So our party invitations must look like an arts and crafts project!

How to make kiddie party invitations (with a fun Totoro theme!):

First, buy gray felt paper and white cartolina. Draw your Totoro main pattern--ours was done by Jen Inumerable, Smart Parenting's art director and one of Vito's fans! I tried drawing it but couldn't get Totoro's symmetrical roundness. So, folks, it's okay to get professional help here and there!

Trace the pattern on the back side of the felt paper with marker. As you can see, the felt paper's thin enough for a guide to come through the gray side. Cut away!

Totoro inspects the progress. He looks happy at his likeness!

Using your pattern, just trace several more Totoros onto the back of the felt paper.

Cut, cut, cut away! It helps to listen to music or have a silly movie or show playing on TV. Don't watch anything that will need your eyes (haha!) like action movies or a tennis match.

Add the background of your invitation before pasting Totoro. Since Totoro is a monster that can make things magically grow, I had a grass theme. I used three shades of green here for dimension.

Paste Totoro from the bottom up, smoothing out air bubbles as you move along.

Draw in his eyes. I actually wanted to use black beads for his eyes because Totoro has beady eyes but I was worried the beads might fall off or be bitten off. Remember, the guests are one year old!

Draw his nose and whiskers. I also wanted to use black yarn for Totoro's whiskers since I wanted Vito's guests to feel their invitations. Toddlers are very tactile! But I couldn't find any black yarn so I just drew them.

Paste his distinctive tummy patterns using scrap felt paper. This was actually the most tiresome to do because cutting and pasting those tiny things is hard!

Et voila! Really crappy but super cute and cool kiddie party invitations!

I had so much fun making these. I know that with our busy schedules, it's easier for us mommies to just pick up ready-made invites or have them printed out. I totally agree, especially if you have a guest list of 50-500! But since my Vito's party is very small--both in party size and size of guests--a very personalized invitation like this is adorable. Try it!

Run for Sofia Ysabel!

2011-08-03T13:53:00.002+08:00

I've been away for a while because my little family went abroad for a friend's wedding. Vince and Vito had tons of fun. I did, too, except that by the end of our trip, I nearly collapsed from exhaustion. I'll tell you all about our Bali trip in a bit but what I have to say now is more important.

Sofia Ysabel's pretty eyes

The thing I fear the most is losing Vito. Sadly, for too many parents, this is a fear they actually realize. But for Nhatz and Trish Rosal, who lost their baby girl Sofia Ysabel just 11 days ago, life is not to be lived in fear but in grace, faith and gratitude.

Reading their blog--about Sofia's happy birth, her fight to live despite trisomy 21 and Down Syndrome, her parents' deep faith, her brothers' protectiveness, their family's humor, and then that heartbreaking post of her death--their blog has taught me a lot about enduring and unconditional love and even more about peace that passes understanding.

I'm familiar with that peace. Met it reluctantly in late 2008 when my Mama died very suddenly when she choked on Bear Brand chocolate milk. Some things you just don't fight or else you'll go insane. Some things you accept. Some things you just embrace. Then there's also the peace and joy that faith gives you, that unshakable conviction that death is just temporary and that, one day one day, I will see Mama again and the void in my heart will be swept away in a long-awaited embrace. But I am not in a hurry to see that day. It will come anyway and life goes on, both mercifully and cruelly.

So the Rosal family will continue to live but they still need our help. Sofia's 3-and-a-half months in intensive care wiped them out financially. I know how it feels like to be wiped out. It's not a happy feeling and Vince and I had to go through it twice. It happened when Mama died. It happened when Papa had his two amputations last year. And I know how it feels to be humbled and receive help from people who love you and from strangers, too. So I'm asking you now to help the Rosal family and participate in a run for Sofia Ysabel.

On August 27, at the Piazza at Venice, McKinley Hill, grab your running shoes (and ten of your family and friends!) and run for Sofia and her family. Registration is just P500 per runner. All the money goes to pay for Sofia's medical bills (they're in the millions of pesos). It's not a race, just a fun activity for a little angel's family.

Let's do this! Spread the word! Spread the love! Run for dear life!

For more details, click click!
Run for Sofia Ysabel
The fun run's Facebook page

Check out the new Disney line of adidas Kids!

2011-07-26T21:45:00.001+08:00

I previously blogged about the cute Disney Cars 2 line of adidas shoes that I wanted to get Vito (but he'll have to walk first!). Now here's more! I love the dynamic designs.

For the boys (and girls who loved the movie), these are fun play clothes:

Now, adidas and Disney didn't forget the girls.

These are super cute shoes for little princesses just beginning to walk:

I personally love the Snow White shoes. I am uber loving the apple detail and the gold trim. Now if only I had a little girl!

adidas for kids is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza.

Crazy faces for Tita KT

2011-07-25T10:16:00.000+08:00

Vito's such a character. When my friend, Kate Torralba, came over last week (because I've been such a bad friend to all my friends and haven't seen her in a long, long time), she and Vito totally hit it off.

These are from Kate's camera.

Still shy and hiding beside me.

Eating cookies and distracting Tita Kate

Here's his gigil face!

And his "Am I cute?" face. Kate agrees!

Another "gigil" and Kate is charmed.

Kate and Vito sang and danced and talked for more than an hour. Incredible. I don't know where Kate gets the energy! And after Kate left, Vito was still so excited, dancing and singing Kate's "digidingding" song for 30 minutes!

Thanks, Kate, for the visit. See you when you get back!

Vito's in this month's Smart Parenting!

2011-07-24T02:07:00.000+08:00

Calling all members of Vito's fan club! Grab the July issue of Smart Parenting (the one with Judy Ann Santos on the cover) because our little star is in it!

And not just once, but twice!

We have the same eyes =)

Oh yes, I got dragged into the shoot, too (here's the behind-the-scenes). I was so not ready for this. It was such a busy morning that I didn't even have time to shower, much less fix my hair and put on makeup! So, mommies, always be ready when your kid's in a magazine/commercial shoot. They might just ask you to join your child in front of the camera!

Planning Vito's first birthday party!

2011-07-23T07:29:00.084+08:00

In exactly three weeks, Vito's turning a year old. I still can't believe it. I look at him oftentimes and wonder, "Where did this super fast crawler, super loud talker, super bossy, super happy little person come from?"

First birthday! Are we having a party? Well, yes and no. I really wasn't planning to throw him a party. First, because Vince and I are allergic to parties. We really, really are stressed out whenever there are gatherings of more than 10 people. Believe it or not, we are really shy people and the thought of interacting with more than a handful of people is painful. Like, we physically wince at the thought. Second, Vito's just like his parents. He doesn't like it when there's a lot of people. So to throw him a big party will just upset him. Third, Vito's 1 year old. He'll never remember a party at his age!

But last Monday, I suddenly decided, right out of the blue, that I can compromise. I'll mark the special day with a party but with his playground friends. The party will be very small, with people he already knows since he sees them every day. That means he (and his parents) won't get upset!

We'll invite just 6 kids, all a year old, too. There'll be a small cake, finger food like chicken nuggets, steamed carrot sticks and french fries, and maybe balloons. Since all the guests are one year old, there's no need for games and entertainment. They'll just crawl and chase balls, bang on the furniture and eat.

Now Vito loves Totoro. Absolutely loves that monster from the lovely Miyazaki film, My Neighbor Totoro. So Vito's party theme is Totoro!

I'm totally inspired by these parties:

These homemade decorations are super easy to do. All I need is some illustration boards, paint and place them around the house. (A Miyazaki Birthday)

These homemade invitations are easy, too. And since there's only 6 guests, no stress on my part to cut and draw. Love them! (A Beautiful Birthday for Brody)

Totoro can make things grow magically. So a great giveaway will be seedlings. I also like that as the plants grow, Vito's growing with them! (My Neighbor Totoro Birthday Party--this is a lovely post. Do visit it!)

I'm also thinking of balloons, since Totoro is as round as one. These personally decorated balloons are easy and clever! (Letter to Camille--another lovely post. Do read it!)

And what's a birthday party without cake? This is an elaborate design actually. But it's so adorable. Maybe I'll have that copied or have a much simpler one made. (Totoro cakes)

So that's it! I've decided on the theme but haven't gotten around to actually doing anything about it. I am such a crammer! Even my own wedding was planned in 2 months. I really should stop this habit even though it's been working fine. Will update you on how this birthday goes!

Shopping for Vito's first adidas shoes!

2011-07-22T21:14:00.000+08:00

I'm not the sort of girl who wears sneakers but if I have to, I only wear adidas. I'm a total adidas fan. I have a gorgeous pair of leather sneakers for casual days and pink trainers with air mesh uppers for exercise days. So naturally I want adidas for my boy!

I'm loving the Disney Cars 2 collection:

So cool! Must get Vito a pair. Or two. Now, Vito, start walking!

P.S. adidas for kids is exclusively available at adidas shops in Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant, Trinoma, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Davao, and Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la Plaza. There's also super cute shoes for girls. Will blog about that next time.

My new power

2011-07-22T11:53:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, I was at a lovely lunch hosted by Estee Lauder (the brand, not the woman!) and I was seated with the gorgeous Agoo Bengzon, beauty director of Summit Media, wife and mom extraordinaire. We were talking about the horrors of pregnancy and labor--making the single ladies seated with us shudder--and someone asked what makes it all worth it. Instead of saying the expected "Motherhood is the best thing ever!", Agoo replied, "Once you survive giving birth, you feel like you can conquer anything. Anything!"

That is true. Since I gave birth almost a year ago, my life has become more charmed and not just because of the baby. OK! magazine is doing so well, I have new and amazing mommy friends, my blogs are growing every month, we launched a bag business, and people seem more attracted to me now--showering me and my family with love and gifts. While I always said it's because Vito is my lucky charm, I think it's really because I changed. Motherhood changed my attitude towards life and infused me with a new power.

I used to have a lot of shit in my life, mostly imagined. You know how the young think everything's such a big deal? "Omigod, my nail broke--my life is over! This weather is totally frizzing my hair! He didn't call me up after our date! Why did she look at me from head to toe? I'm so going to kill myself if I don't go out tonight! If I can't have that bag, I might as well die now. Now!" La di da. So unattractive and such a total waste of energy.

I know I sound like I'm trivializing these concerns (okay, I am!) and that's unfair because to the very young, these issues are really issues. And before I got pregnant, I really did obsess about a lot of silly things. But not over my nails, hair and shopping, ha. I mostly would spend weeks agonizing over the girls hovering around Vince and what to wear and say when I'm at invited to lunch with his family. Silly me!

Then I got pregnant. And everything hinged on that little boy's heartbeat. I took refuge in silly stuff like worrying over stretchmarks and looking great while preggy--these all seemed so much more familiar and friendly than worrying about my Jelly Bean's growth and development, and my life and how I'm risking it for this child, this stranger.

Then labor happened. Wow, that really hurt. I felt like a huge knife was stabbing me from the inside. Lots of blood involved. Vince said huge blobs of what looked like raspberry jam was coming out of my vagina and making sick "shplop" sounds as they hit the delivery room floor. He was in shock. Thankfully, I didn't get to see any bloody mess. I just felt warm gushes. Then push push push push push (yep, just five pushes!) and I felt my stomach swoooosh empty and then--most glorious of all!--a really angry squeal and cry rent the room. Vito was born!

Giving birth is such a horrendous experience. It's also quite beautiful, one of the most beautiful things in the world. And when they say life changes after giving birth, I know now the changes don't just involve the kid. I personally have changed. For one thing, I have less patience for the silly stuff. When your vagina just expelled gallons of blood and gore and a child, you really wouldn't care about lipstick on your teeth.

You may think, "Your life has meaning and purpose now!" Nope, my life always had meaning and purpose but before motherhood, I allowed people to distract and prevent me from doing and saying what I really want. I cared about what people thought and would say yes, yes, yes to things I didn't want, like or care for simply because I wanted to be nice and sweet and not ruffle any feathers. Well, not anymore.

I guess I am slowing down to take stock of what really matters in my life. With a child, I have less time now so something better be worth my time. I care less for the trivial. I care even less about what people think.

At the same time, I feel I have so much power now. So much life! I feel I can take on the world and it will bow down before me because I am a mother now. My old self died the day I shed so much blood for my son and a new self was born. And this new self takes no shit. This new self takes no prisoners. This new self has the hands that rock the cradle. And so I rule the world.

Pampers makes learning about baby fun with a fabulous month-long contest!

2011-07-19T14:28:00.001+08:00

Okay, loooong post ahead so sit back and be comfortable. It's worth it!

Vito has switched to Pampers diapers. We still use Next9 cloth diapers during the day but for a comfy sleep, he uses Pampers Comfort. For play and when we go out, he uses Pampers Active Baby. So when Pampers invited us to their Mommy Day event a few weeks ago, of course I had to go!

Pampers endorser Vina Morales

So many moms and babies showed up!

I shoulda brought Vito. He'd have enjoyed this!

Met this amazing mommy. She suffered from
bone cancer and then she got pregnant!
Miracle baby! He was super cute, too.

Pampers shows us how much faster their diaper absorbs
wetness than the other leading brand.

A tissue placed on Pampers diaper is dry! The other is wet.

I got to take home some really cool stuff from that event, by the way. Like a gift certificate from The Spa, a photo shoot from and free membership to The Picture Company, a Cloud B's Soothing Sounds sleep toy giraffe and Pampers diapers of course! How generous Pampers is! Or as Vince says, "There's a lot of money in the diaper business!"

Indeed! More about Pampers' gifting spree after the jump!

Now, Pampers is making parenting easier and more exciting by sponsoring a fun and prize-filled contest this month. They've dubbed July as "Pampers Trivia Month." Trivia Month is a special month dedicated to parents who want to know more about their child's development. So that it won't be boring, you get to know the facts through a contest where moms and dads must get the right answers to baby development questions. Get the answers right and you stand to win some fantastic prizes!

All you have to do is like their Facebook page. The latest trivia question is on the wall or on the notes tab. You can make a wild guess or you can make an educated choice by researching the correct answers on the Pampers website. No, it's not cheating!

Just look at all these prizes!
1-Jul Bilibo Pixel from Hobbes and Landes
2-Jul Picture Company Family Photo Session and a 5x7 portrait
3-Jul Gymboree Class Coupons
4-Jul Language Littles from Hobbes and Landes
5-Jul GCs (worth P500) from Skin Dermatology & Laser Center from the Spa
6-Jul Gymboree Class Coupons
7-Jul 2 packs of Mommy Patch Anti-Mosquito Sticks from Hobbes and Landes
8-Jul GCs(worth P500) for classes from Barre 3 of the Spa
9-Jul Bilibo Mini from Hobbes and Landes
10-Jul GCs (worth P500) from Skin Dermatology & Laser Center from the Spa
11-Jul Bilibo Pixel from Hobbes and Landes
12-Jul Gymboree Class Coupons
13-Jul Baby Zoobie Elephant from Hobbes and Landes
14-Jul Picture Company Family Photo Session and a 5x7 portrait
15-Jul GCs (worth P500) from Skin Dermatology & Laser Center from the Spa
16-Jul 2 packs of Mommy Patch Anti-Mosquito Sticks from Hobbes and Landes
17-Jul Kaloo Melamine Set Liliblue from Hobbes and Landes
18-Jul Gymboree Class Coupons
19-Jul 2 packs of Mommy Patch Anti-Mosquito Sticks from Hobbes and Landes
20-Jul Picture Company Family Photo Session and a 5x7 portrait
21-Jul GCs(worth P500) for classes from Barre 3 of the Spa
22-Jul Picture Company Family Photo Session and a 5x7 portrait
23-Jul 2 packs of Mommy Patch Anti-Mosquito Sticks from Hobbes and Landes
24-Jul Gymboree Class Coupons
25-Jul GCs (worth P500) from Skin Dermatology & Laser Center from the Spa
26-Jul Picture Company Family Photo Session and a 5x7 portrait
27-Jul GCs(worth P500) for classes from Barre 3 of the Spa
28-Jul Gymboree Class Coupons
29-Jul GCs(worth P500) for classes from Barre 3 of the Spa

Personally, I want the Barre 3 sessions and the family photo sessions. You all know how the camera loves Vito! So go like Pampers' Facebook page now and win a daily prize! Good luck!

Can't I just love him?

2011-07-15T22:44:00.002+08:00

I've been a mommy for just 11 months and 2 days so I don't really know a lot about motherhood. When the TV show MOMents asked me to dispense advice to mommy viewers, I confessed I have no advice but that I only follow one rule: To respond with love always.

Meanwhile, I get a ton of tips on how to raise my son, most of them seems to be to hold him at arm's length because love will spoil him. I've been told that breastfeeding makes the child clingy so I should stop. Letting the baby sleep with us in bed will ruin our marriage. When I cradle him in my arms and dance and sing him to sleep, I get warned that he'll be a brat and will never learn to sleep on his own.

He already squirms away from kisses and hugs =(

You know, I appreciate all the advice but I just can't do it. I want to breastfeed him, to nurture him and comfort him. I want us all to cuddle in bed because Vince and I work all day and we only have Vito at night. I want to sing to him till I'm hoarse, dance with him till my hips hurt. If that's what makes him happy. If that's what makes him feel loved.

I don't know if I'm wrong, I don't know if I'll regret all this one day. Maybe I will but I sure hope not. Because I only have a small window of time with Vito and one day too soon he'll not want to be with mama and papa anymore. He'll want to sleep in his own bed, lock the door. He'll turn up the music loud to drown us out. He'll want to be on his own, which is only right and what should be, and as his parent, I will help him be on his own.

But until that day comes, let me love my boy.

Flexibath, you're the one! You made Vito's bath time lots of fun!

2011-07-13T22:29:00.002+08:00

Vince and I have been wanting to buy a FlexiBath for Vito for months now. We both agreed it's such a clever, space-saving, brightly colored bath tub. We couldn't agree on the color, though! Vince wanted the green while I wanted the translucent one with blue trim. Mothercare solved our dilemma by sending us a purple one!

My darling Vito had been bathing in a storage bin for months. My sister-in-law lent me her kids' Fisher Price reclining bath tub but Vito absolutely disliked being made to lie back and, since he's so malikot, the shallow tub made for a very wet mess everywhere. So I went to a hardware store and bought a deep bin and that's where Vito takes his baths.

Vito at 4 months old. He can hold up his head
and sit up with support.

This was when little Vito started liking his baths. He
liked "holding" the water. So cute!

That was all well and good when he was smaller. Now that he's 11 months old, he just doesn't fit into the storage bin anymore. Hence our FlexiBath fixation.

We loved FlexiBath for 4 reasons:

It folds up flat. Since we live in a high rise, we have tiny bathrooms. FlexiBath makes for easy storage! And it's perfect for traveling or sleepovers because it's so easy to bring along.
It opens up to become a big tub. It looks small, yes, but it's actually quite roomy and long. Great for growing legs! It's designed for children up to 4 years old in fact!
It's won numerous awards for design. Vince is a sucker for good design. So this bathtub from Denmark that's been recognized for its originality, functionality and design (like the Kind+Jugen Innovation Award and Formland Prize) is right up Vince's alley.
It comes in vibrant colors! Right now, there's green, purple and transparent with blue trim. Soon, there'll be blue as well. I looked at their parent site and I think Mothercare Philippines should bring in the sleek white and girly pink, too!

What is this, Papa?

You mean this big purple tub is all for me?

And I can play with lotsa bubbles now?

That makes me just so happy!

We're happy with our purple one. Just lookit that huge smile! Plus, when we get a new baby and if she's a girl then the purple one will still be perfect.

Thanks, Mothercare, for loving Vito! You know we love you right back!

FlexiBath is available at Mothercare and selected Dimensione shops for P2,495. For more information, visit FlexiBath Philippines.

Vito's 10th month was absolutely fun!

2011-07-12T21:01:00.001+08:00

Vito is 11 months old tomorrow. My goodness! Wasn't I just pregnant?! How time flies! Here's a few photos from such a fun and whirlwind month of flying kisses, itsy-bitsy spider, bathing in the shower, gigil and super fast crawling!

Vito does "gigil"!

Out of focus shot! That's because the
subject was moving very very fast!

Vito doing the gestures for Itsy-Bitsy Spider. This is the
"Down came the rain and washed the spider out" part.

Like his Papa, he loves gadgets.

But not silly hats!

We tried babywearing but he didn't take to it.

We applied for his passport!

Vito's walking! Little steps, sure, but walking still!

Looking forward to your 11th month, Vito!