Lucky Buntis I Was

I never really believed the phrase "swerte ang buntis" until with this pregnancy.


I join blog giveaways only when I like/want/need/love the product being given away. I don't expect to win because I'm not really lucky in any kind raffles or contests... Until when I was pregnant with R!


First was I won a Manila Baby Shop's lunch box from Martine's giveaway! We have been using this for Y's food, milk and snacks for short trips to the mall.

Second was I won a pair of Jelly Nelly's from Mommy Pages giveaway! I'm excited to use this one! Third was an Aqueduck also from Martine's blog sponsored by Babies to Toddles online store! Yay! I'll use this one when Y's a little bit bigger or else she'll just play with water!

Last but certainly not the least, and the biggest contest and prize I've joined and won was My Zalora Wishlist! The prize was really great that I just tried my luck. I really really wanted to win, the shopping and the prizes really got me excited! So I was really ecstatic when I found out I won! Just 4 days before I gave birth! I would have jumped with joy if I can! Haha!

And so, Thank you to the people who sponsored the giveaways I've joined! Ü I was really a lucky buntis!


PS. I won another giveaway by Didi! So yay!

THE BOS [A Belated Anniversary and Father's Day Post]

We spent our anniversary at the hospital sleeping and having KFC take out for dinner. Winner! Father's Day was spent at home, with my relatives coming over to visit me and the baby so no celebration talaga! Hoping we can have a post celebration after my gelai (if we ever find the time to go out!) or we'll just buy a good steak to cook at home. Hehe


Many of you may wonder or have wondered who or what the hell is this BOS I keep mentioning in my posts. BOS talaga and hindi boss, dahil ako ang boss. Hehe!


BOS means Beacon of Strength. No, that's not my term of endearment for him but just a code name, BUT, he really is my beacon of strength! 💪


To my hubby, Thank you for being my BOS, even when we don't see eye to eye on certain things, our differences spice things up. Thank you for understanding me at times when nobody can, for making me laugh with your corniest jokes, and for loving me the way you do for the way I am. *cheezyyyyyy* Happy 4!!!

Filling out papers when I gave birth to Y. Thank You!

Thank you for being a great papa to our kids, for changing their diapers, giving them a bath, making Y's milk in the middle of the night, taking Y to Gymboree and chasing her around, spoiling them with me nagging you after buying whatever toy or giving Y ice cream kasi kontra ako lol. Belated Happy Father's Day!

Playing with Y

Spoiling Y...

Let's have a post-celebration soon, shall we?!

Iphone Apps For This Breastfeeding Momma

Having my Iphone on my bed side is really helpful nowadays especially when waking up and staying awake while feeding the baby in the middle of the night!


These apps keep me company while breastfeeding:


Twitter - this is my source of chismax and current events and where I met my mommy twitter friends! It's the only social media I have. Reading tweets of some celebrities and twitter friends keep me awake. Twitpics too!

Instagram - one of my favorite apps! Since I don't have FB, it's where I get to upload photos and see photos of my niece and nephew and friends! I follow fashion bloggers and get to see what they wear! Guilty pleasure!

Blogger - I can get to blog on my Iphone while feeding! I only use this when I'm not THAT sleepy! This is where I draft my blog entries too when the BOS is using the laptop.

Tong-Its Xtreme - I'm addicted to this one! And one of my favorite games! I'm no gambler but I enjoy playing cards. I'm Player 1 and my money now is $200k na! Yay! Adik lang!

Pinterest - pinning and feeding! Since I can't use the laptop all the time, I have to make do with my Iphone and Pinterest is one of my favorite websites! The Pinterest app is buggy at times but it keeps me company and awake so ok lang!

I use other apps too but these five are my most used apps on my phone! Care to share yours?

Kaboost Boost!

Y is 21 months now and lately she's been a picky eater. Either that or she's sawa na with what we've been feeding her. Adding to that, she's also teething. Her molars and K9s are all bursting with joy, while Y had LBM, fever, and no appetite and would not eat two weeks ago.


Whenever it's meal time and she sees her high chair, which we had since she was 6 months old, she would shake her head and say "ayaw, ayaw cha-cha" and cry! Cha-cha means eat in Hokkien. But she would eat when it's her meal time or when she's not fed with lugaw or any other of her food or when seated in her papa's lap or mine. So I had to think of a solution.

Her highchair which served us well, now to passed it on to Shoti

I initially thought of buying of a Stokke Tripp Trapp chair but that would set me back by 10k or more if I buy here, 8k if I buy in the US. I saw it on Chuvaness kasi! Buti na lang I tweeted about getting a toddler chair and Eli suggested Kaboost, Oli of Quirks Marketing showed me a video, and I was sold! Cheaper too! I picked a color (apple green!) and it was delivered to me in two days!

Y's been sitting on "her" chair whenever it's meal time. Though she won't sit still at times, it's been better than having a crying toddler and forcing her to sit and eat in her high chair! I hope there will be no more drama soon!

It's super easy to use and we can use it on any 4-legged chair, plus it's travel-friendly, we can bring it to my parent's house next time when we have lunch!


Kaboost is exclusively distributed by Quirks Marketing Philippines.
FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/QuirksMarketingPhilippines
Can be bought online through Zalora and Babies to Toddlers!

Beginnings Baby

I got this package Friday last week, which came so timely (as you all know by now, I gave birth earlier than scheduled!).


Most of Y's baby white clothes, I've already given away. Mittens and booties were borrowed and already returned to owner, Y's white pyjama's have stretched so much that she's still wearing them now (yes, it really that STRETCHED). I've already bought a few white clothes from 168, while it's cheaper than in malls, quality is certainly far from QUALITY talaga.


It is really best to buy white clothes and things for the baby as it's easy to see and spot dirt, insects, bugs, or what have you. I know moms would agree with that! Plus if and when I get pregnant again, I wouldn't have to worry buying new clothes again regardless of gender because white is a unisex color! Yay! That's why I was so happy when I received this package in the mail last week! I love the product packaging!

Set of sando, shorts, mittens, booties, wash cloths and bibs

Beginnings strictly follows US standards for baby clothes. Click to see larger image.

From press kit:

Beginnings Baby, the first all-white newborn baby apparel brand offers a full range of baby necessities. With each piece crafted from heaps of soft cotton and a whole lot of love, every Beginnings Baby product is just the thing you need to start your baby right.

Beginnings Baby, with its strict adherence to all things white, is the first infant apparel brand to herald the importance and necessity of white apparel for infants in their first year. The brand recognizes that with the first year of a child’s life comes a critical period of development. White garments are preferred by pediatricians for other reasons as well. White is cleaner; white is safer - it is easier to spot stains, dirt, insects and other unwanted objects on a white background. Indeed, loud colors and intricate designs become a second priority to such safety and sanitary issues. White proves for more comfortable wear too.  Scientifically, the color attracts less heat, ensuring that your little one is always cool and comfortable. 

The extensive Beginnings Baby line created especially for newborns to infants 12 months old carries t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, tie-sides, sleepsuits, cardigans, bodysuits, shorts, pajamas, undies, shoes, booties, caps, mittens, binders, bibs, wash cloths, blankets, towels and diapers- most everything you need for your beloved little ones, all in immaculate white.

Beginnings Baby Full Apparel Line 

I've already used the mittens, booties, and wash cloths and I really love them! It's really soft! When I'm finally done with my gelai, I need to go to the mall and buy bigger sizes of onesies, sandos, pyjamas, and tie sides for shoti!

Beginnings Baby is available at SM Department Stores.

Visit www.facebook.com/beginningsbaby for more details.

Maroon 5 Concert on September!

Swoon! I just have to blog about this, baka makalimutan ko dahil sa epidural! CHOZ!


Babatukan na talaga ako ng asawa ko! Haha!


I jumped up and down when the BOS told me about Maroon 5's concert on September! I watched the first time they had a concert here, also in Araneta Coliseum! I really spent my hard earned money for that lower box ticket just to see Adam Levine! OO, crush ko siya! LOL! I wanna see him sing Moves Like Jagger live!!!

O diba? Anong say mo sa ka-sexihan nya?

So I checked the ticket rates at Ticketnet. Rates are not far from their concert ticket rates 4 years ago! And tanong Lower Box Sides or Lower Box VIP?!

You can buy e-ticket here!


P.S. I'm in no way connected with the PR or anything with this concert. FAN lang ako ng Maroon 5.

We're Home! And My Birth Story

I was supposed to give birth yesterday. We scheduled my operation 2 weeks ago, and supposed to go to see my OB on Wednesday to get my admitting order. But, nooooo.... That didn't happen!!!


Last Monday, I woke up with a gas pains in my tummy. I already thought of taking the day off to rest, so I slept hoping to pass gas and wake up feeling better but I didn't. I woke up with sharp pains in my right abdomen. I can't stand up or walk properly with the pain. So I called my OB to tell her about it and she told me to go to the hospital and I might be on labor already.


I told the BOS. We changed clothes. Brought my hospital bag (baby's bag wasn't even ready!!!) with us and went to the hospital and straight to the delivery room. I was expecting it to be nothing and will be released right after I was examined. I still had a list of things to buy the next day since it was a holiday, thinking I can still do a last minute shopping!


I changed into the hospital robe and was asked to wait. The maternity ward that day was busy! Operating rooms were full. When it was my turn, I lied down and they strapped me with this monitoring device. Nurses were asking me my medical history etc. When my OB came, she told the nurse, based on looking at the monitoring sheet, I was already on labor and contracting every 2 to 4 minutes! Say whattt?!! Then my OB did an IE, I hate this part, I was already 2cm. She said she had to take the baby out today. Say whattttt again?!


I wasn't ready. The hubby and I were really caught off guard. We were texting the whole time I was in the maternity ward since he can't go inside. I called my mom, amma, and texted some friends that I'll be giving birth na that day.


By 12:30PM, I was wheeled to the operating room. Dun na ako kinabahan. Good thing the nurse that was with me is chatty and funny. She put my IV, and asked me to lie down the operating bed (is that what you call it?) and wait for the anaesthesiologist. When he came, he put the epidural, which was painful by the way! And the next thing, I started to feel numb na. 23 minutes later, the baby was out!


Sayang we didn't bring our camera! We weren't able to document the birth. Good thing my OB has a camera and she always takes pictures of her patients after giving birth with the baby. Can't wait to see those!


The cleaning and closing me up took longer. I was getting inip na, buti they gave me more pain killers to let me fall asleep na. I slept for 2 hours I think in the recovery room, but since there was so many moms who gave birth that day, I was wheeled to my room at 5pm, which supposed be 4pm.


The BOS was waiting for me there. I rested for the first two days and didn't room in the baby. I don't know if it's just me but the sugat was more painful this time around. We roomed in the baby the 3rd day.

He's such a well-behaved baby. We slept so soundly in the hospital.

We had a hard time breastfeeding at first, he won't latch properly. He would cry out of frustration. So we sorted to cup feeding him with my achi's and achi's SIL's expressed breast milk. We brought the milk the first night anticipating something like this would happen, I asked the NICU not give him anything until I had milk or I would give them expressed breast milk. I had to make a waiver for that. Since the baby still won't latch, my achi gifted me with a lactation massage by Zenny Feliciano (another post on that, if I find the time to blog!), she came the 4th day before we were discharged from the hospital. The breast milk finally came out!

Now, we're home. R is already 1 week old! Ang bilis! We're exclusively breastfeeding. Breastfeeding was smooth sailing after Abbie came to see me at home! More on that too later!

For now, join my mid-year giveaway! :)

A Very Big Week!

This week is a very big week for us!!!

This week, the BOS and I will celebrate our 4-year anniversary! Woot! No big celebration (I think, wala), as we're preparing for the arrival of our baby boy!

I'll be giving birth this week. We already scheduled our CS a few weeks ago. VBAC fail. :( As much as I wanted to, I was so busy during this pregnancy that I didn't get to consult another OB-GYN for that, but it's okay. I love my OB-GYN. Can't wait to see our darling baby boy!!!

And the timing of the arrival of our baby boy couldn't be more perfect with Father's Day coming up!


So, how's your week going to be?

New Yaya, Hopefully No New Woes

We've been yayaless for more than a month. Good thing that I had an extra helper at that time who helped took care of Y. Thank You, Belen! As much as I wanted to pirate her to be Y's yaya, I can't. She's amma's helper.


Last Monday, my mom told me to call achi because there was a yaya being referred by another friend. So I called the yaya to interview her. Couldn't offer her the same as her last salary but offered her a fair told her to think about it and text me if she wants to be my yaya. I was crossing my fingers on this one because she sounds experienced and mabait. 


Two days later, she texted me saying she's accepting my offer and when can we fetch her. She was living with her niece in Taguig and doesn't really know how to go to our area and asked if we can fetch her in Market Market!


Yesterday, I took a leave from work and went to fetch the yaya. While on our way back home, the BOS got to interview and asked her questions too. He's also crossing his fingers on this one.


Y is still warming up to her. And the yaya is really "tutok" on Y unlike the previous yaya who just let Y ran around the house and just shout or call to Y when she can't find Y. This yaya plays with her talaga. I let her feed Y too and give Y a bath while I teach her and watch her. So far, so good. Pero first day, well second day pa lang. Let's see!


And while on our way back yesterday, we stopped by Becky's Kitchen and buy these! Haha!

Tick-Tock, I'm Almost About to Pop!

In about a week, I'll be giving birth to our baby boy, R. Excited? YES! Scared? YES! It has been a great pregnancy, just like my first, except the morning sickness and throwing up during the first trimester, but other than that, everything's GREAT!

Y will be an achi na next week. I don't know how she'll react when she sees the baby. I will surely miss spending time with her as I have to take care of the baby and nurse on demand. The Terrible Twos is really kicking in in high gear for Y, but we'll manage, I hope. Or I'll go crazier!

We're still yayaless. I already interviewed a potential one over the phone. I liked her, the only problem is I can't give her the same pay as her last employer. It's way over the budget :( I'm still hoping she'll somehow accept the job.

Hmm.. our house is still a mess. I won't go into details. Thinking about it is making me stressed. Hehe.. I hope by the weekend, some things would be more organized already. Still need to clean and wash the playard for the baby. I have yet to pack my hospital bag too!

Everything is overwhelming! The anticipated arrival of baby R, Y's reaction to her new baby brother plus the chaos it would cause, I really don't know what's going to happen once we're in the house! Exciting and crazy times!

My Preggy Essentials

During my first pregnancy, I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion, Body Shop's Cocoa Butter Body Butter and Avent Future Mother Moisturizing Light Oil (although this one made me itchy). I would use them everyday after bath. I barely had stretch marks after, I don't know if it's genes or because I was carried small or the products I used were effective. I already saw a few stretchmarks now.. I kept on scratching my belly kasi! :( Let's see how bad it is after I give birth!

This time, I still use Palmer's but the organic variant. My other preggy essentials: Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion (not in photo), Bio Oil, and J&J Baby Powder!

Now what I need is to find a post birth essentials!

What's your preggy and post birth essentials?

Johnson and Johnson's Play Days

About two weeks ago, I received this package in the mail! When I opened it, it's full of Johnson and Johnson's goodies!!! Thank you Johnson and Johnson's and Nuffnang!

The package came so timely!

Baby powders, baby wash, and baby cologne. Perfect for summer! Baby powder to keep us from smelling like pawis, baby wash to keep us cool in this unbearable heat, and cologne to keep us smelling fresh!

I'm so happy to get this package! Since I'll be giving birth soon and will be doing gelai, baby powder will come in handy for those sticky days. Haha!

Thank you again, J&J and Nuffnang!

On Buying Spare Parts for My Avent Isis Duo

Due date is just around the corner!

It's been weeks now since I've been contemplating whether to buy spare parts for my Isis Duo here or in the US. I've already bought the valves and duckbills at Amazon but I still need the petal massager and Isis handle and cover so I can return the one my officemate lent me (mag 2 years na sa akin yon!) and at the same time, buy new parts for her too.

I initially checked Philips USA parts and accessories shop website to check out the prices so I can compare with the distributor's price here.

Here's the list of the things I need, plus the price, and shipping fee. Converted to peso, it will be around Php3,000 without shipping to Manila yet.

Click to enlarge

Then I called LJS (local distributor of Philips Avent) to compare prices.
Isis Petal Massager - Php300/pc
Plastic Isis Handle - Php500
Isis Pump Cover - Php300
Tubing for Isis Duo - more or less Php1,200 (though out of stock)

When I computed, it would be roughly around Php2,700. Almost the same lang and I can get it at their office without having to wait for it.

Now, I need to go schedule leave and go to their office on a weekday (because they're not open on Saturdays).

Conclusion? Buy spare parts here in Manila for your Avent breast pumps! But their retail prices for bottles, breast pumps, etc are way way higher! So buy those in SG (during baby fair or expo) or buy in the US.

The 6th MAFBEX Tickets Giveaway! - CLOSED

Edit-- June 3, 2012


This giveaway is CLOSED!


Tickets goes to:
Em Alcantara
Marge Medina
Helen Blas


Thank you for joining!!! :)


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This will be a quick giveaway!


I have 15 tickets to give away. I'll be giving 5 tickets to 3 readers. I've already tweeted this!


The 6th Manila Foods and Beverages Expo (MAFBEX) is going back to basics at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and WTCMM East Wing on June 13 to 17, 2012 from 10am to 8pm.


Food and beverage industry professionals and enthusiasts will be treated to a 5- day expo of craving and organic living as they watch culinary experts compete in cook-offs, get taught by the best during seminars, and get to try out all sorts of cuisines from internationally and locally-renowned chefs.


All you have to do is comment on this post. Leave your name and email address! That's it! The first 3 commenters will get the tickets!