Babywhiz Company Photo Contestants (11-14)

There were some readers who submitted their entries but failed to complete the mechanics and some who did all the mechanics but wasn't able to send the photo.  To be fair to those who dutifully complied with all the mechanics, I will not consider their entries valid.  Hope it is ok with them. =)

Below are the other four (4) photos:

Yummy!

Aerith Bernales
16 months old

My Drinkaholic Baby

Yvolette Zoe Baclayon
11 months old

Food Lover Baby

Tiana Zhariane Baquiran
11 months old

Years had passed, changes were made, and I am a proud momma watching my little one's feeding milestones.

Baby Airicka
Now 2 years old

For the first ten contestants, please click HERE.

Hobbes and Landes: Art Lab

It is summer time again and parents are on the look out for interesting summer classes for their kids. I was never enrolled in any summer classes when I was a child.  Summer vacation for me means helping out with our family business or going to the province to visit my aunt and cousins.  I sometimes envy my classmates taking up swimming, voice lessons or baking sessions.  Be that as it may, I do not regret working during summer because it taught me how to be hardworking and gave me a sense of accomplishment as a child thinking that I was a part of our business.

Solaire Resort and Casino "1 in 1"

Although I've heard about Solaire Resort and Casino since its soft opening last March 2013, finally I was able to visit it two (2) weeks ago when I claimed my complimentary concert tickets to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis 2014 World Tour.  I saw my schoolmate there at the Solaire Rewards Club and he gave me a welcome card.  I wanted to use it right then and there and explore the casino to see how it differs from other casinos and why Solaire claims that theirs give an ultimate Las Vegas gaming experience, unfortunately, hubby and Baby C were waiting for me in the car.  I really hope we can go back there and dine in one of their restaurants or maybe watch one of their events especially now that Solaire is celebrating its first year anniversary.  

Babywhiz Company Photo Contestants (1-10)

Below are the first ten (10) entries for the Babywhiz Company Giveaway!  They are also posted on  Legal Mom Archives Facebook Page.  This is not a photo-liking contest but I will ask three friends to pick their favorite and I will choose the winner from the 3 chosen entries.  Consolation prices will be given to the other 2 entries. =)

Ang Batang Matakaw

Kamilah Elise Bermejo
9 months old

My Not-So-Picky-Eater Baby

Zairi Pablo Baylon
11 months old

Baby Eating Chicken

Alexa Yu
15 months old

I waited for her signal that she's ready for her first solids, finally, when i gave her her 1st cereal, she made a point.

Lara Georgina Corral
1 year 8 months

*She was 6months+ old on this pic.

Sossy Baby-Bottle Holder and Thumb Lover!

Stacey Red Malasan
2 months old

Yum Yum Yummy

Carlene P. Sangal
21 months

This calamansi looks yummy!
Oops! Ang asim!

Gilliane Melissa Garciano
18mos.

She was 15mos. old in this photo.

I'm a Breadstick Lover!

Josher Rhainne M. Cunanan
11 months old

Yumminess all the way!

Gracie Ramirez
15 months old

And I So Love to Eat!

Janinn Elisha Remoroza
6 months old

Contest is until March 31, 2014.  To go to the mechanics, please click HERE.

Thank you so much for joining and supporting Legal Mom Archives. 

Love, love, love!

Mommy Edel

Book Review: I Wish They Taught Money in High School

Everybody loves money and we all wish that we can grow money on trees.  But is it possible?  Author Clarissa De la Paz said that perhaps if you start believing that money grows on trees, if you plant the proper seeds, they will.

First Time Parents Workshops by Manila Workshops

When I was still pregnant, my Saturdays were usually spent attending seminars and workshops about breastfeeding and childcare.  I have no regrets investing time attending these seminars.  Being a first time parent, I admit I have many things to learn and these seminars guided me during Baby C's first year.
 

On March 22, 2014, Manila Workshops in partnership with Medela Moms will hold two (2) separate workshops for first time parents.  First workshop is all about breastfeeding and in the afternoon, topics are toddler care, first aid and dental care.  I will attend the workshop in the afternoon because I want to refresh what I learned about first aid last year also from Manila Workshops and I want to pick up some pointers on toddler care and dental care.

Babywhiz Company and a Giveaway!

Are you ready for another giveaway?  Mommy Joy will give away P500 worth of Babywhiz Company store credit.  I had a hard time choosing the winner during the Baby Wizard Giveaway via Rafflecopter because a lot who joined failed to follow the instruction or failed to do a mandatory step.  To make things easier for me, this time, I will just ask for the cutest photo of your baby while eating/drinking/breastfeeding.  Before I state the mechanics of this contest/giveaway, let me introduce to you Babywhiz Company.

Babywhiz Company is an online store also owned by Mommy Joy of Baby Wizard PH selling almost all kinds of baby products from baby clothes like branded rompers and onesies, socks, pajamas, dresses, baby costumes, swimsuits, sunsuits, to bathrobes, bath gloves, wash mittens, bath towels, bibs, shoes, Shupeas, breastpumps, baby bottles, rockers, baby gym, toys, baby bags, different brands of cloth diapers, feeding sets, sippy cups, baby food and even Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter!  As I've said several times on my previous posts, Joy's price is lower than other online stores that I know and the P500 store credit will already buy you a lot.  Every once in a while, she has promo items so be sure to like her Facebook Page and put the notification on so you won't miss anything.  

Brave Women's Self-defense Workshop

During high school days, it crossed my mind to take taekwondo lessons, but my parents did not allow me to enroll.  They gave me the same answer for not allowing me to take gymnastics, "Baka mabalian ka ng buto."   

I was thrilled when Sally of The Binondo Mommy invited me and another mommy friend to attend the launching of Brave Women's Self-defense Workshop last February 22, 2014.  All three of us attended the workshop for free.

Sally, Me and Germaine

Lenten Practices

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which marked the beginning of Lent.  I attended mass at 6pm and ashes were placed on my forehead (Imposition of Ashes) as a sign of repentance to God.  For some, ashes on their forehead is enough observance for the first day of lent, however, having studied in Catholic Schools since kindergarten to law school, I was constantly reminded that we should observe fasting and abstinence.  I was not able to sleep well last night and woke up with my conscience bothering me. 

There are only two (2) days in a year when Catholics are required to FAST and ABSTAIN from meat.  They are during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  FASTING means we can only have one (1) full meal in a day and ABSTINENCE means no meat.  Catholics ages 18 to 59 years old should practice fasting and abstinence on these two days.  This was usually easy for me even when I was pregnant.  But yesterday was different,  I ate 3 full meals!

Baby C's First Birthday Party Suppliers (Part 2): Sophiaphotography

We do not have any plan to hire a videographer for Baby C's birthday party last year.  I was thinking that a good photographer is enough to preserve the memories.   However, two weeks before Baby C's birthday, Doc A and I changed our mind and I started to look for a videographer.  

Since this was not included in our budget, my goal was to find an affordable videographer below P10,000.00.  It was not easy.  I saw some studios offering a video package for as low as P3,500.00.  Unfortunately either they were already booked or I do not like their editing style.  I was about to give up the idea when I stumbled upon Sophiaphotography's Facebook Page.  Their photo-video package rate is P12,000.00.  For video package only, their rate is P8,000.

Tips on Properly Brushing Your Teeth

I saw yesterday a lady vigorously brushing her teeth.  I wanted to tell her to be gentle to her gums and teeth but she seems not to be the kind who will take an advice from a stranger.  To spread awareness, I'm writing here instead.

When my family visited our dentist last January, I was so relieved when she praised my pearly whites. She said "Very good ang teeth ni mommy!"  I know mothers who lost some of their teeth during or after pregnancy.  Phew!  

Shupeas, the Most Versatile Baby Shoes in the World! (Plus a Giveaway)

Baby C has tons of shoes.  When I say tons, I mean about 40 pairs of shoes.  12 pairs of these shoes were already outgrown by Baby C, 12 pairs are currently being used and the rest are still big for her.   By the way, almost all her shoes were given as gifts by relatives and friends or hand-me-downs from her cousins.  Doc A forbade me to spend much on baby's clothes and shoes.

Photo by Life at Imagination Photography

Baby C's Quest: The Search for the Missing Keyhole

Baby C likes playing with keys.  She watches intently everytime we open our car.  This morning, Yaya Leah gave Baby C a set of keys.  I followed them outside wondering what Baby C is up to.

Yaya Leah and I had a good laugh as Baby C tried each and every keyhole she can find in search of the right one.  

Skills developed in this quest/activity:

1. Dexterity of baby's little fingers and hands

2. Hand and Eye Coordination

3. Problem-Solving

Paternity Leave Benefits

Are you married, pregnant and about to give birth or recently had a miscarriage?

If your answer is yes, continue reading the Q & A below to determine if your husband is entitled to seven (7) days paternity leave with full pay during your period of recovery.

What is paternity leave?

Paternity Leave refers to the benefits granted to a married male employee entitling him to his full pay for the seven (7) days during which he is allowed not to report for work, on the condition that his spouse has delivered a child or suffered a miscarriage for purposes of enabling him to effectively lend support to his wife in her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the newly-born child.

Baby Wizard PH and a Giveaway!

I'm sure many are waiting for the giveaway to be sponsored by Mommy Joy of Baby Wizard PH.  Your long wait is over, finally it's here and I have good news for you my readers! Mommy Joy will not just sponsor Baby Wizard Cloth Diapers, but will also give Babywhiz Company store credit!  Yehey!  So watch out for my next giveaway which will be posted immediately after the announcement of this giveaway's winner.

About Baby Wizard PH

Baby Wizard PH is an online store selling Baby Wizard Cloth Diapers.  The owner, Mommy Joy is an authorized distributor of Baby Wizard in the Philippines.  She welcomes resellers.

Baby Wizard Distributor Certificate

Facebook Online Support Groups for Mommies

Almost everybody uses Facebook!  I myself read news on Facebook, shop online on Facebook, I chat with my friends on Facebook, I search people on Facebook, I join contest on Facebook, and so on.. 

Since I don't have the time to surf the internet all day to find the right information that I need, I started joining Facebook Groups. 

I would like to share with you some of the mommy and parenting groups on Facebook which I've joined to help me to be continually abreast with the latest information about parenting.

1.  BREASTFEEDING PINAYS

Medela Moms Brings you "Seeing Doubles" Multiple Support Group

Breastfeeding is a challenge for some moms.  I have friends who struggle with their milk supply and their babies are just singletons.  Although I am blessed with abundant milk supply for Baby C, I salute moms with twins who are exclusively breastfeeding their babies.  When Baby C was 6 months old, she can consume 25 to 32 ounces a day plus direct latching at night.  If I have twins, I need to produce around 64 ounces a day to make sure they will have enough milk supply when I am at work. 64 ounces expressed milk a day?! Wow!

If you were able to read one of my first blogposts entitled "My Pumping Paraphernalia at Work", you probably know that I recommend Medela Swing Maxi for working moms.  I bought mine from Medela Moms Inc., the exclusive and authorized importer/distributor of Medela Breastfeeding Products in the Philippines.  Medela Swing Maxi played and is still playing an important role on my breastfeeding journey.

We Love Babywearing

Below are photos of our family babywearing Baby C.  Me, Doc A and Yaya I.

Baby C at 6 months.  Recently I was told that front facing should be made with caution.  After that, I never carried baby front facing again.

Doc A babywearing Baby C using a Next 9 pouch.

Breastmilk Storage Guidelines Specifically for the Philippines

While still pregnant, I got confused with the different breastmilk storage guides I learned in seminars and read in books and in the internet.  In the end, I made my own time frame for my expressed milk and of course, I trust my nose and taste buds.

Last May 2013, one of the admins of Breastfeeding Pinays on Facebook posted guidelines which is specifically made for the Philippines.   This guide has helped a lot of breastfeeding moms especially those who needs to transport their milk or those working with no refrigerator at home. For those not yet members of Breastfeeding Pinays, sharing to you this breastmilk storage guidelines from the Trainer's Reference Manual "Gabay kay Nanay sa Tamang Pagpapasuso". 

Baby C's First Birthday Party Suppliers (Part 1)

Baby C's first birthday bash was a success!  Friends and relatives' feedback about Baby C's 1st birthday party is heart melting! Everybody, old and young enjoyed the party! Some kids even asked their mommies or titas when they will attend Baby C's next party.

So far, almost all the birthday suppliers were able to deliver and some performed even beyond my expectation.  Below is my list of suppliers and my rating for the first 5 suppliers, 5 hearts being the highest and 1 heart the lowest:

1.  Food: Verleo Catering

2.  Food Carts: Precious Party Needs

3.  Venue: North Greenhills Clubhouse

4.  Event's Stylist: Pink and Peach Party

5.  Host/Magician: Chayno

6.  Videographer:  Sophiaphotography 
7.  Photographer: Life at Imaginenation Photography 
8.  Cake and Cupcakes:  Hearts and Bells

9.  Photobooth: Snap Patrol Photo Booth

10. Souvenir:  Handicrafts atbp

11. Face Painting and Kiddie Salon: c/o Pink and Peach Party

OOTD: Purple Dress

Who loves playing Barbie Doll?   Well.. I do.  Errr.. I played Barbie until I was 14 years old because I love dressing her up.  I even sewed and knitted some of her dresses.   My sweet elder brother would always buy me a Barbie dress every payday.  It was only P50 per outfit way back 1990's.  

Now that I have Baby C, it was expected that I'll make her my Barbie Doll.  I started by making her cute hair trinkets.  Since I don't have the time to sew her dresses, and Doc A forbade me to spend much on her clothes..  I settle with whatever my friends or relatives gave her as gifts.  I mix and match and that's it.  

I've been wanting to post her OOTD since the day I started blogging, but I want her pictures taken while she's standing up.  Ohh well, baby can now walk unsupported but she won't let me take her pictures standing up.. alone!  So for now, here's her OOTD.  We took these pictures when we were on our way to a nearby church.

Look at Doc A wearing a purple t-shirt!  Nakiterno pa!

12 Months of Sweets

How do you celebrate your baby's monthly birthday?  

We celebrated Baby C's monthly birthday with a cake and I take lots of pictures.  I regret I failed to take a monthly picture of her beside a stuffed toy to compare how much she has grown every month, I'll just do that for our next baby.

Baby C's monthly birthday is our excuse to indulge in sweets.  Majority of her cakes were bought at the nearby Goldilocks Bakeshop.  When Baby C turned 10 months, Doc A started baking her chocolate cakes.  For Doc A's yummy moist chocolate cake, please click HERE.

Cloth Diaper: Our Story

I started buying cloth diapers when I was 6 months pregnant.  When Baby C was born, I have a stash of 22 cloth diapers.  We started using cloth diapers when she turned 3 weeks old since the smallest size that I have is still too big for her.  With 22 pieces, we have to wash every other day to make sure we won't run out of clean diapers.  I have 21 pocket diapers and 1 all-in-two (AI2).

Baby C at 3 weeks

Baby C at 5 months

Product Review: Define your Curls with Monea!

Who's curly?  Meeee! and I am loving it!

Last September, after suffering from post-partum hair loss, I had my hair digitally permed at Tony and Jackey Salon 168 Shopping Mall Branch.  Read about my it HERE. After the falling hair episode, my hair became very unruly and I have lots of tutchang.  Everyday is BAD HAIR DAY that I have to do something about it! 

After the perming session, the hair dresser offered for sale 2 bottles of hair products to maintain my curls which I politely declined.  I can't remember the exact price but more or less P2000 for the 2 bottles good to last for more than a month.  I know.. so mahal!

Chooks-To-Go Kwelavan

Last Saturday, The Binondo Mommy and I attended the Blogapolooza at SMX, SM Aura and Chooks-to-Go caught our attention.  They were having an interactive kwelavan and the bloggers were enjoying the games.  We also joined the fun and guess what?  We both won the grand price - a whole Chooks-to-Go Chicken!  Yehey!!

Chooks-to-Go Interactive Kwelavan

Posing with their mascot

We ate the chicken for lunch the next day and as expected, the chicken was malambot and juicy!  Indeed, Chooks-to-Go is masarap kahit walang sauce!  Doc A weighed the chicken and the result is .75 kg.  For only P194.00 each, Chooks-to-Go Sweet Roast Chicken is so sulit!  

Yummy Chicken!

Chooks-to-Go has sweet roast and pepper roast chicken.  They also offer other products like Fried Chooks Supersize, Chix 22 Bucket (22-piece Fried Chicken in a bucket), Chix 22 Half bucket, Juicy Liempo, Cooked Necks in a Bucket, Pork Barrel, and other frozen items like Spicy Necks, Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Licken Chicken Hotdog.  For a brief description of their products, please click HERE.

Chooks-to-Go now also delivers within Metro Manila. Their delivery hotline is 687-1010 from 9am until 8pm and the fee for every transaction is P30.00.

Do you also like Chooks-to-Go?  Show some love by liking their Facebook Page. 

This is not a sponsored post.

We Want to go to The Mind Museum!

As soon as I got home from the Blogapalooza yesterday, I showed my husband, Doc A and Yaya I the brochure of The Mind Museum at BGC, Taguig.   There are so many interactive exhibits to see and we know that a day will not be enough to explore everything.  Then we started to debate which gallery is the most interesting.  We debated and debated but there is one thing that we all agree on.. we want to visit The Mind Museum!

Ceelin Plus Syrup

Baby C was exclusively breastfed for Six (6) months.  She did not take any vitamins, water or solids.  Just pure breastmilk.  Breastmilk is sufficient as the sole source of nutrition for the first 6 months.  However, after 6 months, baby's diet needs supplementation by introducing solid food.  

When Baby C turned Six (6) months, aside from solids, I also started giving her multi-vitamins.  I thought this was enough until Baby C caught a bad cold giving her cough and congested nose.  It was so severe that her pedia prescribed antibiotics and we even bought a nebulizer for her.  At first I don't want to give the antibiotics because she was just 8 months then but I was advised that it might lead to pneumonia.

Barely a month had passed, I saw the symptoms again - congested nose, coughing and lost of appetite.  My sister-in-law, Florence, advised me to give Ceelin Drops.  To my relief, the cold symptoms went away after 5 days.  Since then, I have been religiously giving Baby C 1 ml of Ceelin Drops everyday together with her vitamins and lots of nutritious food.  Ceelin Drops is pure ascorbic acid.

Blogapalooza 2013: Join the Fun!

Calling fellow bloggers and business owners to attend Blogapolooza 2013 where bloggers will meet business owners, big and small.  This is the biggest event of the year for bloggers and this is the best place for business owners to be who want to effectively advertise their products and save at the same time.

To know more about Blogapalooza 2013, please click HERE.  

Hurry!  Only few slots left.  See you there!

You can Homeschool and a Giveaway

Can I homeschool?  This was the question I had been asking myself eversince I was pregnant.  After attending the homeschooling seminar conducted by The Learning Basket held sometime early this year where I heard testimonials of homeschooling parents and after talking to their smart children, I finally decided to homeschool Baby C.   

Baby C showing her tongue when she saw this flashcard for the first time.

BDO Junior Savers Club and Metrobank Fun Savers Club

I can still remember how my mom taught me how to manage my money when she opened a bank account for me.  My dad also taught me how to earn my own money when he helped me with my "samalamig" business one summer vacation way back 1993.  All my ang paos (cash gifts in a red envelop) and all income from my "samalamig" business were personally deposited by me on my bank account.  At an early age, I already learned the value of money and saving for the future.