Milestone! Yay!

Last Saturday, dumapa na mag-isa si Y! Yay!


It happened all of a sudden that I was so shocked! Jaw-dropping shocked! But I was also so happy! A milestone! woohooo! 


Next to look out: crawling! :D


And she'll be five months next Sunday!

You're growing up so fast, Y!

Yummy Mommy Treats!

As all you know, to those who reads my blog, my milk supply was so low last week! Then, I read about these yummy lactation cookies and muffins for nursing moms first at Topaz Mommy, then over at The Painter's Wife, then recently at Fabnaima.

After reading The Painter's Wife that she tried both muffins and cookies, I left a comment asking which of two is better because I can't decide which one to order. To my suprise, Paolo Loot of Mommy Treats replied to my comment giving me an extra treat that if I order her cookies or muffins, she'll give me a sampler of cookies or muffins! Yey! So, I quickly checked Mommy Treats, considering how desperate I was to do/eat/take anything to boost my supply, I submitted an order form for a week's worth of cookies. We exchanged SMS and got my treats last Friday! Can I just say? She's super duper nice!

Here are my treats. :) I ordered all three flavors: 3 packs of Raisins, and 2 packs each of Chocolate Chips and White Chocolate Chips.

Raisins! My favorite!

White Chocolate Chips

Chocolate Chips

What's so special about these treats? They are filled with galactogogues (Oatmeal, Fenugreek, Brewer's Yeast), which helps promotes lactation. Kaya nga ako nagorder! It has a bitter aftertaste because of the brewer's yeast but very tolerable. My favorite is the Raisin one! Can't taste much of the bitterness, not too sweet, and the raisins she used is really good! I let the BOS took a bite, even he finds it yummy! I find the White Chocolate Chips too sweet for my taste while the Chocolate Chips are good too except for the stronger taste of the brewer's yeast. And what's so good about it too is they are not fattening! 


And then there's the muffins which also comes in three flavors: Banana Oatmeal, Banana Walnut, and Carrot Walnut. I got to taste each of the three from the sampler Paolo gave me. The muffins are soft and moist, just the way I like it. Take note, I ate the muffins 1 week after I got them, I didn't put it in the ref, just room temperature. I was surprise that they are still soft. And no bitterness at all! I like all three flavors! YUM!

Photos from Mommy Treats

As of the effectiveness, they are! My milk is slowly catching up again. Thank God! I need to stock up cause I don't want to go crazy again next month when my period is about to start! TMI sorry! But I really get worried! Next month week, I shall order another week's supply again, this time it will be all muffins! ;) BTW, Mommy Treats has a special soft launch discount for the whole month of January! Get 10% off. ;) You got three days left!

Mommy Treats

http://mommytreats.multiply.com
mommytreats@yahoo.com
+639177923432 

Kristine and Oyo's Pre-nup Photos

I saw Kristine and Oyo's Pre-nup photos last week on Style Bible. And I just had to see the rest of their photos!  Kristine is so PRETTY! I don't particularly like her but she really is pretty! They look so happy, I must say!

Photos by Nelwin Uy

Kitchen Attempts

I'm no chef. I'm no cook. But I try to! So far, all the dishes I've cooked are edible (as my BOS said they were). I look for recipes on the internet, cookbooks, ask my mom how to cook this and that and I also regularly visit Yummy Philippines, Market Manila and Connie Veneracion's Home Cooking Rocks! where most of the recipes to my success in cooking came from. LOL! Now, I won't be posting any recipes. Instead, whenever I cook, I take a picture of the outcome (success or fail), so I'll just let the photos do the talking! ;)

Egg in a Nest (burnt! LOL)

Potato Leek Soup (Yummy but too thick!)

Sour Cream Chicken

Sate Squid

Carbonara

Beef Steak (Used Leftover Roast Beef)

Beef Salpicao (Used Leftover Roast Beef too) 

Chicken 1-2-3 (Recipe from Home Cooking Rocks)

Eggplant with Minced Pork and Leftover Beans

Chicken Curry (Love this curry!)

Creamy Chicken with Potatoes (recipe also from Home Cooking Rocks)
Yummy!

Pineapple Chicken - too much patis!

My favorite Filipino dish - Sinigang na Baboy

Not my best - Sautéed Sayote and Carrots plus Porkchop na over-marinated LOL

Carbonara and Porkchop

And the recipe and dish I can say I have mastered in making is Potato Salad! It's yummy and fattening!

Potato Salad!

I should make this potato salad again soon! I love potatoes! I'll post the recipe if I'm not too lazy to do it. It's only a few dishes but I hope I can cook again soon. I've also cooked Pork Adobo, Chicken Adobo, Pork Nilaga, Chicken Soup.. I've yet to try cooking beef! I want to cook Korean Beef Stew, that's my next goal!


For now, I shall eat dinner!

Midnight Snack

How can I lose this pregnancy weight if I keep on eating sweets? Look what I had for midnight snack last night!

UCC Chocolate French Toast

I love how it tastes! The butter, chocolate, whip cream... yum yum yum! More please!

OH YUM!

I discovered this yummy treat late last year!

Two small moist and soft chocolate cupcakes for 24 pesos only! This is what I had for my snack yesterday afternoon. A quick fix for whenever I'm craving for chocolates! Yummy!

Here's what I wore to work last Friday.

Denim Oversized L/S - H&M; Leggings - Promod; Cream Studded Flats - Charles and Keith

Close up of the flats (pardon the tile flooring!)

I love Friday's because it's wash day! It means I can ditch the office clothes and wear something casual! Yey! Did I tell you that I hate to dress for work? So I love Friday's!!!

Yaya Chronicles

I just laid off my first yaya the other day. I caught her off card and she was shocked when I told her it's her last day yesterday. I never really like that yaya, she's not clean with Y, and the quality of her work is not the best. She claims she's experienced but I don't think so. Her salary? Just thinking about all those things about the yaya is stressing me out!


The new yaya is here. Her name is the same as one of the The Cullens (of The Twilight) LOL! She has a husband and a son in the province. She's younger than me by 2 years. So far she's fine, I also hope that she'll stay for a long time. Please sana kasi mahirap magturo ng paulit-ulit.

Trenta!

For you all Starbucks fans, lovers, and/or addicts, Starbucks (US only) now will have a new drink size option! The largest size ever, the 31 oz. Trenta!

Starbucks Overload!

Photo from fitperez

"The Trenta, which is 11 ounces larger than the Venti, will be available for iced coffee, iced tea and iced tea lemonade drinks in the US. And it will cost 50 cents more than their previously largest size! "

I personally can't finish a Venti-size drink, so I wouldn't get a Trenta-size drink if it ever becomes available here in the Philippines. But it would be perfect for sharing! Don't you think?

For all you Starbucks drinker, would you want your favorite drink in a Trenta size?

Miranda Kerr and Baby Flynn

A beautiful breastfeeding photo of Miranda Kerr and her baby boy Flynn taken by Orlando Bloom! 

Photo from Miranda Kerr's Blog

So precious and priceless!

Grand Baby Company Fair

Just in time for the next payday!


From January 28 - 30 at SM Megatrade Hall 2 & 3!

- Featuring all items for babies & toddlers 

- Get up to 70% Off on Selected items. 

- Get a Free Swag Bag filled with freebies with P1,000 min. single receipt purchase. 

- Attend Learning Sessions with Experts and with Celebrity Moms. 

- Free Photo Ops. 

- Lots of Exciting Games and Surprises. 

- Gymboree Play Area. 

- Its shopping, learning and bonding with your baby rolled into one.

I want to go! And maybe make a side trip to Forever21! Yey!

On a Lighter Note..

My first outfit post! I'm no fashionista but I try to mix and match my clothes, I like to wear trends that suit my style.. so here it is. 

Checkered Buttondown - Topshop; Boyfriend Jeans - H&M; Silver Flats -  gift

This is a lazy and super comfy outfit! Wore this to SM to buy baby stuff. I hope to do more outfit posts in the future! ;)

Breastfeeding Awareness... Or The Lack Of.

The other day, I chatted with an officemate. Her cousin gave birth last week, so as the curious breastfeeding mom that I am, I asked if the baby is breastfed. She said the baby is mixed fed. Para daw masanay yun baby (So the baby will get used to it). Used to what? I asked but she didn't know the answer either. She also said that at times when the baby is hungry, they sometimes just feed her with water because she poops every after feeding and a waste of diaper because you have to change. I thought again, what? So I just said, newborn babies are really like that. They cry, feed, poop (alot!), pee, sleep... It baffles me that because the amount of diaper changes, you would just feed her water so she won't poop and save on diapers. She needs your milk, mommy! The mother has milk, why won't she just exclusively breastfeed her baby? I wonder... maybe it is her choice to mix feed (or there are elders around her that influences her).

And then two weeks ago at the pediatrician's office, while waiting for Y's turn. A young mom was also waiting for her turn. She was with her mom (the grandmom) I think. Her baby became fussy, so the grandmom fed the baby with milk, but the baby was not taking the bottle so the grandmom said, "Gusto ata magdede sayo" ("I think she wants to nurse from you"), she told her daughter (the mom). The daughter answered, "Naka-dress ako, panu ko siya papadede-in?" ("I'm wearing a dress, how can I feed her?"), with a But-I Don't-Want- To tone. She was wearing a strapless dress with a cropped bolero, she can easily feed her baby. Well, who am I to judge?

That weekend was also my first time to breastfeed in public, I used my nursing cover so it wasn't a problem. I don't own any nursing tops but I was wearing a buttondown shirt so it was also fine. My only complain was the cloth used for the cover! My Y was sweating while feeding! Poor Y. Other than that, my first experience to breastfeed in public was fine.

I really wish there are more breastfeeding awareness programs so more people would become more aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. And doctors would also recommend breastfeeding rather than pushing formula milk to their patients. Well, I thought I was going to formula-fed my baby, but the BOS (my husband) insisted that I breastfeed as he was breastfed. I was clueless at first, but I'm glad I was able to check out forums and blogs on information on breastfeeding and its benefits. It really helped a lot!

How about you? Do you have any experiences like this?

I'm a Milk Mommy!

Today was not a good day. 


This morning when I checked our ref. There's 2 Avent Via Cups left of my BM (breastmilk), 1 was 4oz, 1 was 5oz. I opened the freezer, there's only 1 Avent 4oz bottle with 3oz of BM. Sum it all up, I got 12oz! I'm worried it won't be enough for Y's consumption while I'm at work. She usually consumes 15 to 16 oz, it's not enough. (See related post) So what I did was fed her before I left for work. Lunch time, I called to check on Y. Her yaya said there's still enough, so I'll just hurry home after work so that she can feed from me before she sleeps.

But, I got worried for tomorrow's milk! My supply is still low (see my ranting here), and I went a bit desperate! I was thinking of mix feeding her (formula and BM), so I called my pediatrician's office and asked what kind/brand of milk should I fed supplement. Actually, she was fed with formula milk on her first night at the hospital., but I exclusively BFed her from the next day til now. I was already starting to convince myself that it's okay to supplement since Y needs to gain a little bit of weight and formula can do that. And then, SNAP! NO NO NO!! I will not give in!!! Breastmilk only! 

Rows and rows of formula milk..

So, what am I going to do? Take a leave tomorrow morning so I can feed her plus I get to spend more time with her until I have to go to work around lunch time and hopefully what I pumped today will be enough for the rest of the afternoon.

It's really great that my BOS is cheering me on this, and told me to not give up. So thank you my dear husband!

Now, all I have to do is chant this "I'm a Milk Mommy!" over and over so I won't have to think about formula milk again! Chant with me! LOL!

19 weeks

Seems like just yesterday she was still in my tummy! Last year this time I was still pregnant with her. Now she's 19 weeks, almost 5 months na! She was so tiny when she came out, now she's not tiny anymore (she's not big din LOL). I can't get enough of this cute little dumpling!! How I wish I can be a stay-at-home-mom soon so I can get to spend a lot of time with her!

Y at 16 weeks

I love that she's such a happy baby! She now smiles a lot, laughs when we clown ourselves in front of her, knows how to put her fingers in her mouth (obviously), curious with her surroundings, likes to hold things and feel its textures, coos a lot when you talk to her likes she understands and answers back with lots of coos! So cute!

Y, please don't grow up so fast. Mommy and Papa can't catch up. I wish you could stay a baby forever but I'm also excited to see you grow up and walk and talk and have tantrums LOL! 

I love you, my little dumpling!

And It's Pink!

I saw this while browsing the internet the other day and then saw their billboard this morning at NLEX going to Tarlac! I got giddy, I'm a sucker for loyalty cards! I got Bench, Suki Card, SM Advantage... Kahit na marketing scheme pa yan, it doesn't hurt to get one! LOL. And this one is in pink pa! 

Baby Company Mom Card is available starting today, January 15, 2011. Perfect for moms and moms-to-be who loves to shop their baby stuff at SM and SM Baby Company! You can avail the card for a minimum purchase of 500 single receipt, easy-peasy!


Here are some of the perks when you apply a Mom Card:


Exclusive privilege and treats are given to Baby Company Mom Card members:
* Exclusive and special discounts and freebies
* VIP access to special events
* Tips from Mom and Health Experts
* Meet and Greet with Celebrities
* Reward points earned every time they buy at Baby Company
* Members–only sale events

Membership is valid for three years! 

For more info on the Mom Card, visit the Baby Company website. Visit your nearest SM or Baby Company to get one!

A Long List

My To Do List is piling up. With so much things to do I don't know where to start. I'm making a list here so I can just go back to this entry and cross out whatever I've accomplished. Sana magawa ko kahit isa. LOL!

1. Long overdue pictures from my Maternity Email Stork Studio.
2. Find the charger of my Lumix ASAP! Just unearthed this last night
3. Do I need to start planning Y's (my dumpling, I'll call her Y na lang mas mabilis!) 1st birthday party and baptism?
4. Get a NSO copy of Y's birth certificate
5. Make a bank account for Y
6. Be credit free from my CCs
7. Remember my payroll bank account so I can enroll it online!
7. Buy stuff for the house:
    * Dish Rack
    * Cup/Glass Rack
    * Utensils Container/Orgainzer
    * Water Dispenser
    * Toaster
    * Pitcher
    * Ice Cube Tray
    * Hamper
    * Bathroom Mat/Rug
    * Iron at Kabayo
    * Organizing Trays
    * Shoe Rack
    * Hooks
    * Full-length Mirror
    * Side Table
    * Small Dresser
    * Mattress and Beddings for the Crib
    * Shower
    * Faucet
    * Trash Can (2 or 3)

Ang dami! I'll get to them slowly but surely. We (husband and I) don't like rushing into buying things, except when we  fell in love with a certain furniture/equipment or whatever it is, we buy it on the spot or we walk it off and come back to it when we're ready to buy it. This happened when we were looking for bar stools. It took us a month or more before finding the ones we liked. Kahit na more than our budget, go lang! But now with the baby, we need to adjust that but that's all well. Y is our top priority!


Now, next is finding these stuff! How I wish we have IKEA here. Since wala, to SM we go!

Sales and Bazaars

Payday is just around the corner. Get your pockets ready as there's a lot of sale and bazaar going on and it's the just of the year!

It's a Blackout Sale! Up to 70% off on Bayo, Kids of Bayo and Missy brands until January 30.

All-out Clearance Sale at Robinsons Mall until January 31!

End of Season Sale at Topshop until February 3. This I must go to! 

Last but not the least, it's the SuperSale Bazaar over at Rockwell Tent this weekend!

Shop shop shop away!

Breastfeeding Classes!

I attended my first (hopefully not the last) breastfeeding class July of last year at Rustan's Makati. It was really informative, hearing and listening first hand experience from other breastfeeding moms. I know I wanted to breastfeed but had no idea what to do, how to do it or even where to start. So attending that class really helped me. I found out about the class from reading Fabnaima, where I also got more information on breastfeeding. She just posted new class schedules for January, I just want to repost it here!


This coming weekend, L.A.T.C.H. will be holding its first breastfeeding class for the year. It will be at the 4/F of the Center for Patient Partnership Building, The Medical City, Meralco Ave., Pasig City from 9AM to 12NN. According to Jenny (of Fabnaima), a must-join is their break-out group - this is unique to LATCH classes. Counselors split up the class into smaller groups to discuss the specifics of latching and positioning. Classes are free. If I could, I would attend this class, but we (family) have a wedding to attend.

Breastfeeding 101 of The Breastfeeding Club is from 8AM to 10AM over at The Medela House, #29 1st St., New Manila, Quezon City (Contact Nos. 725-3723, 738-6272, 0917-5614366) 1st St., New Manila, Quezon City (725-3723, 738-6272, 0917-5614366). The Breastfeeding 101 is about the basics, advantages, tips, and early troubleshooting. Abbie Yabot (also my lactation counselor), Certified Philippine Lactation Counselor holds a series of classes starting this month.

For more info, contact nos., other breastfeeding classes and questions, please visit Fabnaima.

I do hope I could attend future classes and meet other moms.

Trying..

to blog using my iPhone. Just testing it out! It's hard to type. Not suitable if I want to write a long entry. Anyways, I'm experiencing low milk supply again! This happens when I'm going to have my period. It sucks!!! Good thing I have milk on stock.

I Want To Shop!

Since I got pregnant, I haven't really shopped. Well, we (DH and I) mostly shopped for the baby, I bought a few clothes and shoes for a wedding I went to (2 months post-partum), for new office clothes (because I haven't gone back to my pre-pregnancy weight plus the flabs and bulges here and there), and stuff for the house. But those didn't stop me from online window shopping, lusting over clothes I can't fit it! But for shoes, I can buy! It's the only part of my body that went back to normal LOL.


Ichigo Shoes
I don't own a pair of Ichigo's YET! But I always check their site for new style of brogues or oxford shoes. It's oxfords and loafers overload! This is from their lookbook.

Yumiko in Gold
Photos from Ichigo Shoes

I would love to own a pair of two of Ichigo's, but that would have to wait for now. I've got bills to pay!

Next online shop would be, Tonic.

I've been a fan of Tonic for 2 years maybe, I have 2 pairs of their shoes, a passport holder and a bag. I always visit their store in GH or their booths in bazaars. I know the owner so I get discounts! Booties are the trend right now, I want to own a pair but I don't know how to style them with my current wardrobe (that needs to be updated!, I'm a mom now but I don't want be losyang).

I have my eyes on these Annika Booties!

More on booties, I've recently discovered Gold Dot. I had been lusting over their lace-ups for the longest time, only to find out it was sold out when I wanted to get one already. I think there are a few pairs left of the green one and it's now on sale (20% off)!

Bianca Lace-ups

And then there's this pair of booties! Made of real soft leather, with studs, and I love the heels! These shoes looks so yummy! I can't resist them. Ughhh!

Brandy Booty-licious!!! in Tan

And a sky-high pumps I don't mind owning but would really be hard for me to walk in!

Brittany Pumps in Gray

Gold Dot shoes are pricier than of Ichigo and Tonic shoes. But of better quality also! If I'm not on a shopping ban and on a tight budget, I would love to buy a pair of Gold Dot! But for now, I'm content just being able to window shop!