Tutorial: Hello Kitty Bow Headband

I love DIYs!  For Baby C's Sanrio Birthday Party, I've decided to make a Hello Kitty Bow Headbands for little girls.  If only I have the time, I would DIY everything.  Eventhough I hired a party organizer, I still want to give the party a personal touch.   

Today was spent doing this Hello Kitty Bow Headbands.  I started at 10am and finished at 4pm.  All in all, I was able to make 32 pieces.  If I still have the time next Sunday, I'll make some more.  I'm sure these headbands will look cute on all the little girls in the party!

Hello Kitty Bow Headband

Kiddie Party Ideas IV: Giveaways by Handicrafts Atbp.

They are here!  The oh so cute kiddie stools I ordered from Handicrafts atbp for Baby C's Sanrio Birthday Party! 

70 pieces Ministool II

Kiddie Party Ideas III: Prizes

If I were a child again and I will attend a birthday party, what are the things that I want to see in that party so I will go home still raving about it?  These are the things to expect at Baby C's Brithday Party!  I won't enumerate them because this will eliminate the element of surprise since almost all my friends who will be there are reading my blog.  But for now, I will share what's no. 3 on my list..  PRIZES!

Missing my Spectra 3 Breastpump

I had my Spectra 3 sent for cleaning today, and I am terribly missing it.  It's barely a day since I last used my Spectra but I can now feel a plugged duct on my left breast.  I love this breastpump. 

Spectra 3 Double Electric Breastpump is sold at Babymama.  This pump has high suction power (but can be adjusted) and empties my breast faster than any other pumps.   This pump likewise dramatically increased my milk production.

Kiddie Party Ideas II: Sanrio Party Invitations by ART RECIPES BY MRS Q

Few weeks to go before Baby C's birthday celebration and it's time to send the party invitations.  While I frequent 168 Shopping Mall where there are lots of printing shops, I've decided to leave everything to my event planner, Pink and Peach Party. A week after sending the pictures of Baby C to Pink and Peach Party, I already received the invitations made by Art Recipes by Mrs Q.

Moringana Malunggay Leaf Capsules

I started taking malunggay capsules when I was 7 months pregnant with Baby C.  This was prescribed by my OB-Gyne in preparation to breastfeeding.  I diligently took 2 capsules a day and entertained only positive thoughts of having lots and lots of milk.  As I have shared on my previous posts, My Breastfeeding Miracle Story and Our Lady of La Leche, I am among those women who were gifted with abundant milk.  Until now that Baby C is almost 1 year old, I am still donating milk to other babies.  I believe that a mother's diet has a lot to do with abundant milk.  Although supplements are not necessary in order succeed in breastfeeding, to ensure that I stay nourished and in order to boost my immune system, I take Moringana Malunggay Capsules everyday. 

Source

Tuna Pesto Pasta with Chorizo Bilbao

I love pasta, I like the taste of chorizo and yesterday, I was craving for a canned tuna.  I gathered all the ingredients available at home and decided to cook a Tuna Pesto Pasta with a twist!  That is.. with King Sue Chorizo Bilbao.   The Chorizo Bilbao complemented the tuna pesto and added flavor to the dish.

Declared Holidays for 2014

Five (5) days ago, President Aquino signed Proclamation Decree No. 655 declaring the regular holidays, special non-working days, and special holidays (for all schools) for the year 2014.  There are 18 declared holidays next year plus the date of the Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha which will be declared after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined.  November 2, December 24 and December 26 are declared additional special non-working days.

Tony and Jackey Salon Makeover

To REBOND or to PERM?  That's what I've been comtemplating to do for months!  Now that Baby C is more that 10 months and breastfeeding experts said that breastfeeding mommies can rebond, perm or color their hair, it's about time that I do something about my unruly hair.

My last chemical treatment was way back August 2010.  I had my hair permed at Soyeux Cheveux and it lasted until October 2012 when I finally chopped off the remaining curls.  I enjoyed my curls back then because there was never a bad hair day.  I really want a perm but it is high maintenance compared to rebond.  Since I'm a busy working mom.. should I have a rebond or a perm again?

Moist Chocolate Cake by Doc A

We buy a cake every 8th day of the month for Baby C's monthly birthday celebration.  Since Baby C's 10th month fell on a Sunday (his cooking and baking day), Doc A decided to bake her a moist chocolate cake.  Doc A approximately spent only P350 - P400 for the ingredients.  Modesty aside, this is the best moist chocolate cake I have ever tasted.  Not so sweet, the cake was just as good after the last bite as with the first!  

I invited a chocolate addict officemate and her daughter for some slices and three days after, she was still raving about the cake.  She narrated that her daughter likes the cake so much that when she left the cake at school and found it the next day in the lost and found, she still ate it (without her knowledge but with the consent of the yaya). 

Share Your Blessings: A Mustela Giveaway!

While still pregnant, I spent hours researching what soap to use on our precious Baby C.  A newborn's skin is very sensitive and I worry about chemicals in baby's soaps and shampoos which can cause irritation.  I read about additives and preservatives like parabens and phthlates which have the potential to alter the hormone levels in the body.  Mustela is one of the products I considered using because it claims that their products are hypoallergenic, paraben free, phtalate free, phenoxyethanol free, chlorphenesin free, alcohol free and essential oil free.

I tried Mustela Stelaprotect Cleansing Foam on Baby C. True enough, it is very gentle on Baby C's skin.  A bottle lasted about 3 months.  

Kiddie Party Ideas Part I: Venue and Host/Magician

Baby C's first birthday is fast approaching!  She will turn 1 in November 2013.  By popular demand, I will start posting our birthday preparations and her party details to share ideas to my friends and readers.

Since we only have 3 months preparation during our wedding in 2011, Hubby and I decided to start early for Baby C's 1st birthday.  We started preparing as early as February  2013 or 9 months before her birthday.  Pretty early huh?  Nah!  Because when we tried to book our first choice venue, it was already taken!  Sigh! 

Lamaze Toys vs. P10 Toy

Show your baby how much you love
them by giving them the best!

Watch your baby grow and develop through play with Lamaze toys.

You'll see these words when you open the Lamaze Toys website.  Who doesn't want to give their babies the best, right?  So one day, I bought Lamaze Toys for Baby C.  I bought the "How Do I Feel Book" and "Kerry Fairy".  Baby C will definitely love Kerry Fairy.  She is so cute and she is going to be her first doll.

Lamaze Toys from Mommy Edel

On the same day the Lamaze Toys arrived, Daddy A also bought Baby C a toy.  He saw a Mini Whistle Toy Hammer somewhere for P10 and decided to buy one for Baby C.  I saw this before in Alibaba.com.  Yes, i know it is cute, but what about the toxic?

 

 Mini Whistle Toy Hammer from Daddy A

Our Lady of La Leche (Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery)

When I was still pregnant, I heard lots of stories about moms who weren’t able to breastfeed their children not because they don't want to breastfeed but because according to them, no matter what they do, "they don't have milk".  To my surprise, even my OB-GYNE, who I dearly love, confessed to me that she wasn't able to breastfeed her children.  She said she tried everything to have milk but all efforts failed.  Now, if a doctor wasn’t able to breastfeed, what are the chances that I won't be able to breastfeed?

I diligently studied all that I have to know about breastfeeding.  I read books, articles in the internet, blogs and even free leaflets.  I interviewed mommy friends and relatives who were able to successfully breastfeed their children.  I attended countless seminars about breastfeeding.  I compared notes with other preggy friends in case I missed something.  Two months before my due date, I started taking malunggay capsules prescribed by my OB-GYNE.  My mother also made dried malunggay leaves which I added to my food.  I avoided vinegar and anything that is sour because they said that it can lessen milk supply.  I bought all the necessary breastfeeding and pumping paraphernalia.  In short,  I prepared myself physically and emotionally while I was still pregnant to BREASTFEED!  Why?  Because I am full of doubts that I will have milk!  Eventhough I read that practically all mothers have milk, still, what if I don't have milk or what if it's too painful for me or what if baby doesn't want to latch? What if? What if? What if?

My Breastfeeding Miracle Story

I am a member of Breastfeeding Pinays on Facebook. This group seeks to provide support and information to families who are interested in breastfeeding.  In less than 7 months, they already have more than 4000 members.  Wow!  If you are pregnant or have babies or somebody who believes in breastfeeding, join this support group and be inspired with the stories of breastfeeding mommies.

Last July, several members of the Breastfeeding Pinays submitted their miracle stories in a contest conducted by KAYA Women Empowerment and Support where each narrative entry should be about the contestant's breastfeeding miracle story and should contain a maximum of 200  words.  I immediately composed my entry.  I had a hard time limiting my entry to just 200 words because I have so much to share.  Breastfeeding is my new found passion.  In my own little way, I am helping mommy friends on their breastfeeding journey.

Guest Post: I am a Proudly Lactating Mom

More and more moms are now becoming aware of the benefits of breastmilk. While some can't breastfeed for long, most will at least breastfeed for a month or two before going back to work. 

STATISTICS: Out of 10 mommy friends who gave birth last year, 5 are still breastfeeding their babies until today, 3 are mix feeding while 2 breastfed their babies for at least 2 months.  Not bad right? =)

Guest Post: Working + Breastfeeding = LOVE

Today is the start of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) and the month of August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month.  I have requested some of my breastfriends to guest post and to share their breastfeeding journey for the benefit of my readers.  I'm hoping to receive all their articles on time for the month of August. =) 

My first guest post is by Madz L.Carsula-Tolentino, a busy lawyer, a loving wife to JT and a mom to a toddler, Gab and baby, Rafa.  Atty. Madz is a proof that it is possible to continue breastfeeding while working and she shares here her secret!

______________________________________

Working + Breastfeeding = LOVE

By: Madz L.Carsula-Tolentino

Reminders Before Introducing Solid Food

On my previous blog post, I shared about our baby led weaning experience.  But before giving your baby a chunk of brocolli or a strip of ampalaya, please read the following reminders.  I learned them from reading articles, attending seminars and from Baby Led Weaning Philippines on Facebook:

Mga Katanungan sa Kasambahay Law

I often receive questions about the Kasambahay Law.  For the benefits of my readers, here are some of the questions and my answer to them.

 

1. Q.Hassle naman ireport ang yaya ko sa SSS, Philhealth at Pag-ibig, puwede bang idagdag ko nalang ang contributions at premium sa sahod niya?

A: No. The law is the law and we have to follow it.  The employer is required 1.) to register the kasambahay, 2.) to deduct the contributions and premium from her salary (if P5,000 or more) and 3.) to remit the same.  

2. Q:Paano kung si kasambahay naman ang ayaw magpareport sa SSS, PhilHealth at Pag-IBIG, puwede na bang idagdag na lang sa sahod ang contributions at premium?

A: The answer is still NO.

Introducing Mang Turoness and a GIVEAWAY!

This article is totally out of the topic (not connected with being a mother, wife, etc...) but we all love food right? And I really want to help advertise! So here it goes..

Last week, a friend who I will call Ms. T, mentioned about a newly opened food kiosk at 168 Shopping Mall selling "sulit" and yummy turones with a twist.  I suddenly had cravings for saging saba so we visited the store.  It is called Mang Turoness.  I was surprised to see their very affordable  menu.   It is only P20 for 3 pieces of turones with langka filling and a caramel dip.  Add P10 and you will have a scoop of Magnolia Ice Cream on your turones! The store also offers fruits con hielo, shakes, karioka, cheese sticks, corn dog and a lot more.

My Pumping Paraphernalia at Work

Today, Baby C is 7 months, 6 days old and I am happy to have reached this far on my breastfeeding journey.  Others may belittle the sacrifices and efforts of a breastfeeding mom, but breastfeeding is not a simple process.  In fact, many mothers are not successful in it.  Looking back during Baby C's first few days of life, during those sleepless nights, during those hours of crying (I was the one crying not the baby), during those days when my nipples were full of blisters and cracks, when baby seems to have unsatiable hunger and I have to feed her every hour, it seems to me like breastfeeding is even harder than the bar exam!

But those were the drama days!  I survived it and here I am, still breastfeeding Baby C and feeding some donee babies as well with my expressed milk.

SSS MATERNITY BENEFITS: WHAT AND HOW

Are you pregnant? Here’s how I processed my SSS Maternity Benefits.

When I found out that I was pregnant with Baby C, I immediately notified our HR Officer so she could notify SSS.  As soon as I received the transvaginal ultrasound when my tummy was around 5 weeks, I accomplished SSS Form MAT-1 or Maternity Notification Form.  My employer submitted the MAT-1 and the ultrasound report as proof of my pregnancy to the nearest SSS Branch and had it stamped received.

MAT-1