Shopping for the Little Guy!

Now that we know we're having a boy, I really don't know where or what or how to start buying. Because I started nesting last February, I've given away most of Y's stuff to my sister who gave birth a month ago. Now ako yun walang gamit! LOL. Good thing shobe lent me some of G's old clothes, but I still need to buy a few newborn clothes, burp pads, wash cloths, towels for the little guy.

Since I'll be breastfeeding and pump again, I need to replace parts of my pump and have pump serviced (need to call Philips Service Center here!). Buy new storage bottles, feeding bottles, and some other stuff (Read: unnecessary things)

Here are the things I've bought online (way way cheaper than sold in the department store):
1. The First Years Drying Rack - I already have one but I thought of buying another one for the little guy's bottles and utensils.

2. Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Bottles and Silicone Sleeves - Bought two, each for Y and shoti. To use for when we go out. I bought this because Avent rings and spouts fit since we are using Avent.

3. Philips Avent BPA Free Classic 4 Ounce Bottles - This can double as my breast milk storage bottles. Since Y is using the honey tinted Avent bottles, I opted to buy this to avoid confusion.

4. Philips Avent BPA Free Classic 9 Ounce Bottles in Blue - Since we're having a boy, I bought blue ones! Cute noh?

5. Themos Foogo Food Jar - In anticipation for solid feeding and for baon purposes when going out. I already bought this because it's really cheaper to buy in the US!

 

6. Bumkins Flushable Diaper Liners - I bought this in anticipation of my challenge to use cloth diaper all the way.

For my breast pump...
7. Philips Avent Diaphragms with Stems - for my manual breast pump.

8. Philips Avent Twin Electric Breast Pump Diaphragms and Duck Bill - for my electric breast pump.

And...
9. Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering - I failed to join Jenny's giveaway, and since I trust her cloth diaper-ing skills, I bought one for my own reference. Kung dati, I bought several breastfeeding books, now it's cloth diapering! naman!

 

10. Also bought mattress protectors for our beds and crafting items!

There are still so many things I still need to buy like nursing bras, nursing pads, more cloth diapers, binder, nipple cream, etc... I'm 30 weeks now and I feel like I'll be giving birth any time soon! Hay... I'm going to Divisoria this weekend to buy some baby stuff, sana may makita ako! Oh there's Expo Mom next weekend!

My ZALORA Wishlist

Now that I'm nearing my due date, all I'm busy is about buying is the baby's stuff, and preparing for the big arrival! There are still a lot on my list that I need to cross out! How I wish I can shop for myself now but I have to put that on hold for now! Needs first before wants! But who says I can stop  from "window" shopping online? Right?

I've been checking out Zalora a lot the past few weeks. Checking out clothes or shoes I can wear after I give birth. Hihi... I love that local brands can now be bought online.. and baby things too!!! So much more convenient and best of all, it's mommy, breastfeeding, and cloth diapering friendly!

Here are my top five picks!
1. Anthology Cannes in Beige

With the impending arrival of baby#2 and looking after a very active toddler, I have to have comfortable shoes! And as a fan and lover of Anthology, I can attest that these pair of flats would be comfortable and perfect for mommies like me! I can wear these when we go out on family days, a visit to the pedia and even on a night outs with the hubby or to the office!

2. Mommy Matters FOV Afternoon Walks

Who says breastfeeding and fashion don't mix? I love this dress! It's so girly and versatile, I can wear it to the mall or attend a party in this! I can already see myself wearing this dress! I'll be breastfeeding baby#2 like I did with Y so I need all the nursing clothes I can buy.


3. Bayo Asja Overlap Blouse in Light Green

I love this blouse, it looks so light and breezy plus the fact that I can nurse my baby easily with its overlap style! Hit two birds with one stone right?!


4. Lässig Glam Global Bag in Black

I've long been looking for a diaper bag that can double as my own bag for when we go out with the kids without a yaya and I don't have to lug two bags (my bag and a diaper bag)! With all the compartments and changing mat included, this bag is IT!

5. SPINKIE The Essential Wet Bag

With the baby#2, we'll cloth diaper him and avoid using disposables (save Mother Earth!) as much as we can, even challenged myself to cloth diaper him even when going out! So this wet bag is very essential to a successful cloth diaper-ing career which I intend to have! And it doesn't hurt that it comes in a very cute design! I can also use this for wet clothes and swimsuits!

So, there's my very mommy list! It has more NEEDs than WANTs pa din! There's so much more I want to add but these five are pretty much what I need after giving birth. Other things can wait! :) Check out Zalora for yourself and be prepare to be glued to your computers! Click the image or the link below!

http://www.zalora.com.ph

NSO Birth Certificate Delivery

Almost a month ago, I had the privilege to attend the Teleserv Bloggers Brunch organized by fellow mommy blogger Eli of PaintersWife.com at Harvest Gastropub at The Fort . It was so timely because after two days, Y was hospitalized and I had to go to Philhealth to update my Member's Data Record and include Y as my dependent and her birth certificate was the only requirement.

I had been meaning to get a copy of Y's birth certificate for the longest time but never found the time to do it and I don't know how or where. And this is where Teleserv comes to the picture! I never thought that ordering a birth certificate would be so hassle-free, especially for working moms like me. My work requires me to be in front of a computer the whole day, so I like to do things online like paying my bills and shopping! It saves me a lot time. So I was happy that I can order Y's birth certificate online!

As what Teleserv calls what they provide as Citizens Services...

 

The online portal allows you to choose what type of NSO Certificate you need, as for me, Y's birth certificate, just go with the process and live chat and make sure to get your reference number!

Paying is easy too! There are many ways to pay for your request. Payment thru credit cards, Bayad Centers, Bancnet (ATM), and Metrobank (over the counter). More info on payment here. Delivery of your document is within 2-3 days upon receipt of your payment. More info on delivery here.

And true that, I got Y's birth certificate in 2 days!

Here are what Citizen Services provide:

• NSO Birth Certificate Delivery (www.birthcertificates.com.ph) - facilitates the application of Birth/Marriage/Death/CENOMAR Certificates by telephone or through the internet.
• DFA Passport Appointment System (www.passport.com.ph) - for application process of new, expiring, and expired Philippine passports.
• POEA Balik Manggagawa OEC Delivery (www.oecdelivery.com.ph) - provides Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) a convenient, hassle‐free application procedure for Overseas Exit Clearances while on vacation in the Philippines.

During the event, Raffy David, Teleserv's Director for Marketing, gave a presentation on the products and services (written above). I learned a lot that day! The director of NSO, Lourdes Hufana, was also present during the event, and oh boy we had so many questions! And I'm glad attended the event because one of the questions on how to change or edit your name on your birth certificate came up, I need to do that soon!

Eli, our host for the event!

Raffy David

Lourdes Hufana, NSO Director

Other important information that I learned:
- You need to keep the receipt that comes with your birth certificate, it has your transaction number and serves as a proof of authenticity.
- These NSO documents are printed on a security paper and they change the paper often. Some embassies and government agencies require documents on the latest run of security paper. Now you know!

Thank you again, Teleserv and Eli for inviting me to this lovely brunch! I enjoyed the food, virgin mojito and daiquiri plus the company of other fellow mommy bloggers!

More photos from the brunch!

My pork belly lunch! Sarap!

Raffle winners! Yay!

Yayaless

So yesterday morning, the yaya announced that she will leave and go back home. I was surprised, but then, not really.

I already have plans for firing her next month, after she paid her loan. I was looking for her replacement already. Then something happened the other day which I think made her decide to leave yesterday.

This was the third yaya of Y. She was the replacement of her daughter-in-law who got pregnant so I had to let her go. She was ok at first, but eventually her work started to be just so-so. I don't know if it's because of her age, or she's just lazy, she doesn't really want to work anymore... Then she borrowed money for her daughter's tuition which I lent her, then borrowed more for family emergency. At first, I understood her situation which is why I lend her money. But then she started to get lazy... and neglecting her work then Y started getting into (minor) bump accidents which I think is normal for a very active and makulit toddler but it was getting too often... And every time something happens, all she says is "Sorry, hindi na mauulit next time"

Right when I hired this yaya, my mom told me to install a nanny cam so I can monitor the yaya and Y while I'm at the office or while we're not at home. Good thing we did! The other day, on our way home from the office, the BOS told me that my SIL told him Y got into another bumping accident. Nahulog daw sa sofa. Mother's instinct, I felt that this is something serious, something major. The BOS said not to say anything when we get home and see if the yaya would tell us what happened, the truth. When we got home, after a few minutes, the yaya told us that Y fell from the sofa, she told us what happened. I didn't believe her, if she was just sitting beside Y, how can she fall if she was really looking.

This is how our conversation went:
Y: Naglilikot kasi siya. Tumatayo sa sofa. Tapus biglang nahulog, hindi ko na inabot.

Me: Magkatabi na nga kayo, hindi mo pa nahabol?

Y: Hawak ko kasi yun pagkain nya. Pinapakain ko.

Me: Bakit hindi mo binaba o hinagis yun pagkain para masalo mo si Y? Nagtetext ka ba non?

Y: Hinde, pinapakain ko lang.

Me: Malakas ba pagka-untog? Umiyak si Y?

Y: Namula, umiyak. Nilagyan ko ng ice kanina.

What I forgot to ask her was, were they watching TV when that happened. I was really doubting what she said and malakas kutob ko that it was more than that. So when everybody was asleep, the BOS and I reviewed the nanny cam. And yun nga, her eyes was glued to the TV. Y was standing up and being makulit, but she can sit her down naman, and she didn't! Then ayun nga.. nahulog and Y hit her head at the corner of on our sofas. Good thing there was no bruise or bumps and it didn't hurt her eye. It hurts so much for me see what happened. I cried. And makes me want to quit my work already and stay at home to take care of Y.

After watching, the BOS told me to wake the yaya. Ayan na. The BOS never talks or reprimand any of our helpers or yaya. I'm always the one who do it. But this time, na-highblood ng bonggang bongga si BOS. I woke the yaya up and told her to come out. I was stopping myself from crying but I can't so I went inside our room and left the two of them in our sala. The BOS let the yaya watch the nanny cam, and asked her what really happened. Makakapag-sinungaling pa ba siya? Nag speech ang BOS. The yaya said sorry. And this is what the BOS said "Walang kwenta ang sorry, bata yang inaalagaan mo. Pinagkatiwala sayo yun bata para alagaan mo."
Which is true naman. I think the yaya cried after. I didn't really care. Then the next morning she announced that she'll be leaving na and that she can't take care of Y anymore. Hello?! Kung hindi mo kayang alagaan, you should have told me way before so I could find a replacement! Kung kelan nagsalita ang asawa ko, tsaka ka magsasabi na hindi mo na kaya? I didn't really care anymore. Edi umalis ka. She talked to Y din, she was crying while talking to Y. I was getting annoyed with her na. She packed her things, I checked them of course. When she was at the door, Y started crying. I picked her up at binulungan ko "Wag mong iyakan si Y, hindi yun worth it!" Then she stopped crying. Good thing she's not attached to the yaya.

Why is it so hard to find a good yaya nowadays? No joke! It's hard to find someone you can trust. Mahirap pag may cellphone sila, may FB or may boyfriend sila. HAY! Now I'm yaya-less and looking for one. Good thing I have extra help but only til next month... As much as I want to do everything, giving her a bath, feeding her, and all that.. I really can't anymore. I'm big as an elephant! I need a new yaya ASAP!

Easter Egg Hunting Fail!

Last Easter Sunday, we went to Sofitel to join the Easter activity! It's our first time to join any activity. I was excited for Y!

Picture-picture muna before leaving! Pwede na ba ang pose?! Haha

The Easter Egg Hunt event was held at the tent outside the South Parking. The ticket says event starts at 10:30AM, we got there around 11AM. There was so many people! The lines to the reception booth was messy, by age pala.

O diba? Ang gulo?!

When we got inside, ang dami na din tao! Jampacked! There were no seats na. So we went around to see kung ano meron. There were booths from the sponsors, a mini Gymboree play gym, a stage, movies being shown....

Seeing how many people there was makes me want to go home na. I hate crowds right now. But this is for Y so we stayed for awhile pa. They eventually added more chairs to accommodate the crowd, and we got to sit! We ate what's inside of the loot bags hehe... And I was getting bored by the minute. I think Y was din..

When it was time for the egg hunt proper na, Y wasn't allowed pala! Hay naku. Fail talaga! Buti na lang kids lang ang may bayad! So we decided to leave na lang. Last picture with the egg before leaving!

We went to Gymboree na lang. I've been wanting to enroll Y in one of the classes! So it was perfect timing because they were having a promo! Mas nag enjoy pa si Y dito! First love nga niya si Gymbo diba?!

Hindi pa naman din totally fail. We'll go a trial class next week! Hope Y will like it!