New Year 2014

Everything new happened for me, or for us in the span of one year. Which is cool. Who wouldn't like new clothes, a new car, a new iphone?

I got-- a brandnew hubby (first owned), moved to a new place (permanently), new family name, new friends (still kept the old ones and have no plans to destash), an entirely new life... And even though it wasn't Christmas or my birthday in April, I got to unwrap the most precious gift, Liane Xandrea and got hooked to the most fulfilling job in the planet: Motherhood which opened up a lot of interesting and indulging advocacies; breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering and baby led weaning. 

More new stuff:

LX is teething. There's a little white tooth surfacing on her lower gums. 

My mompreneur partner Mitz and I have gotten Pinay Mommy PH rolling. 

FB: Pinay Mommy PH

I have discovered the ultimate anti mosquito and all in one booboo solution: Mommy Patch Anti-mosquito and Lavender Rescue Sticks

10 Things to do in 2014

1. (Definitely) Blog more: 365 blog challenge

2. Launch Pinay Mommy PH Nursing Line

3. DIY Liane's 1st birthday

4. Go on BLW Dates

5. Get Fit (!!!)

6. Cook

7. Bake

8. Travel

9. Learn to wear L on the back

10. Learn to drive from Tagaytay to Alabang and Tagaytay to airport.

What a strong blessed year 2013 was. We continue to trust our Lord, He has been so faithful in our lives.

From our home to yours...

Happy New Year! 

Perfect Solution for Pesky Mosquitoes and Mosquito Bites

Motherhood has been a blissful experience for me. It still excites me everyday waking up to the little girl that calls me mom (or "dede"). I have been basking in the pure joy of it and have embraced everything about it. Along with this I have made enemies and waged war against mosquitoes, bugs, rashes, bumps, bruises and anything that hurts or causes my daughter discomfort.

Here are two products that totally work. Anti Mosquito Rescue Stick & Lavender Rescue Stick.

What are these?

Anti-mosquito Rescue Stick 

Our Anti-Mosquito Rescue Sticks revolutionized how parents protect their children from the dreaded mosquito bites. Since its introduction to the Philippine market in 2010, we have sold more than 10,000 AMR™ Sticks in Asia and in the U.S.

Safe and Effective.

Patronized Worldwide.

Proudly Philippine Made.

An Original Mommy Patch™ Creation.

Lavender Rescue Stick

Made from the purest of ingredients, our Lavender Rescue Sticks are every Mom's Best Friend.

Infused with the highly coveted Lavender Essential Oil (45%) that has been used for centuries for its healing properties. No colorants, no preservatives.

ALL NATURAL....Just the goodness of

Lavender Essential Oil.... in a stick.

No spills, no messy application.

Directions: 

Just remove cap and apply directly onto insect bites, burns (first aid), cuts, scrapes, etc.

Our Lavender Rescue Stick™ can be used on any type of skin and is a skin re-generator, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti- bacterial, deodorizer, analgesic, relaxing, helps prevent scars, helps boost the immune system and it smells so fabulous mommies could use it as their little perfume stick too.

The top 3 great things about them are:

1. 100% Organic and safe even for babies.

2. Smells great. Have you ever experienced getting a head ache from the strong citronella smell of anti mosquito sprays and lotions? 

3. Handy and does not give you sticky hands. It's not messy... No need to wash hands after applying. It also fits anywhere and is virtually weightless. (Think: chapstix)

(Available at FB: Pinay Mommy PH at only P195 each.)

Also, here's a Mommy product that is pure love. Mommy Patch Goat's Milk and Olive oil with Glutathione Soap! It really does smell so good and keeps skin moisturized. 

(Available at Pinay Mommy PH @ P100 only)

You have got to try this.

Just today, these freebies arrived for me as a pleasant surprise and I can't wait to try them all!:) Thanks Mommy Patch for the early Christmas present. 

Mommy Patch Rescue Range:

Anti Mosquito Rescue Stick

Lavender Rescue Stick

Anti Mosquito Rescue Body

Spray

Anti Mosquito Home Spray

Soap-on-a-rope

Olive Dream Mood Alchemy Soap with Moroccan Argan Oil

French Lavender Room & Linen Spray

Glowing Contessa Dry Oil

Little Contessa Sanitizer

Olive Dream Perfume

Gift card <3

Perfect Love. Happy 8th Month Babylove!

My baby turned 8 months today! Yay!!! She now shows off that she can close-open her hands and clap. She has a good sense of humor and hates lying down. She stands up a lot now and tries to balance herself by letting go and rolling off everywhere. There are no words for the pure joy she brings to our home. Her sweet dimpled smile still sends me to cloud 9. Along with her milestones are learnings and discoveries about mommyhood. I can't say I am a perfect parent... But I will say that my love for my daughter is. Happy 8th month Liane Xandrea!:) 

365 with R

On this day last year, R and I exchanged wedding vows. And now, 365 days and a baby later, I could not ask for more. God's faithfulness in our life together is overflowing. 

I have always envisioned being married and having a house full of children and pets and being a full time mom and now I am living it. Ok, I have tweaked my plans a little bit, I am not having 10 children anymore, maybe just one more, but our little girl may have countless sleepovers and our home may still be filled with silly giggles and childhood memories. Huhu, just thinking of it makes me tear up. 

I married literally a man of few words. There are no overwhelming promises nor impressing stories and tales... But he never fails to buy lotion and diapers for LX and sometimes comes home with little surprises, a McFlurry because I saw it on TV, grapes and longgan because he knows I like it, muffins... Does grocery shopping, worries I am bored because my day is spent mostly at home with the baby... Anything. 

I have a wonderful, kind, generous and loving man for a husband who rarely says it... But shows it each day. 

I love you Raymond Ambion!:) 

As certain as the sun will rise, I am yours and you're mine, all mine.

Happy first of many wedding anniversaries!:) I sure am a happily married woman.

Baby Led Weaning

What is Baby Led Weaning? And why did I choose this route in introducing solids to my baby daughter?

One month into solids and people have been sending me messages about LX's videos where she eats independently so, Baby Led Weaning or BLW is an alternative way to introduce solids to baby wherein we do away with the traditional way of mashing food and spoonfeeding baby. We also do away with jarred and instant baby food.

The BLW way is simple; cut food into finger sized "french fries cut". Personally, I like to steam or give her table food veggies minus the seasoning or just serve fruit fresh. Baby has to be able to sit independently with or without assistance on a high chair or booster seat.

Some advantages of BLW are

1. There is no chance of overfeeding baby. As baby controls her food intake, she will stop when she is full.

2. Reduced risk of choking. Baby learns to chew first before swallowing. It is important to be able to contrast choking from gagging and learn first aid.

3. Food appreciation. Baby enjoys meal time because she is able to touch, explore and taste different textures of food in her hands and in her mouth. No picky eating! LX eats ampalaya with no fuss.

4. Eat in peace. Baby minds her own food, so mommy gets to eat happily especially when we are out. I always remember to bring her booster seat and bib because she is too tiny for the restaurant high chairs.

5. Convenient. I don't have to prepare her food separately.

I will add to the advantages as I continue to experience these all first hand. I am a first time mom as well and all these are learning experience for both L and myself. 

We are turning 7 months in 4 days and we are still exclusively breastfeeding. She eats 3x meals a day with us on the table. She enjoys and looks forward to meal times. 

Some of our BLW photos:

11.15.13 Squash for breakfast

11.15.13 Okra for lunch

11.16.13 Broccoli for breakfast

Photos Eating out:

11.12.13 Steamed Beans at Tita Leah & Tito Pj's wedding

11.10.13 Cafe George Cebu, Broccoli for dinner

November 2013. Cafe George Cebu. Lunch. Fresh Zucchini.

November 2013. District 50 Cebu. Banana and Cucumber. Lunch.

November 2013. Rib eye steak, Pearl Meat Shop Cebu. Dinner.

November 2013. Max's Ayala Cebu. Camote fries. Lunch w/ Pappi Jun.

10.30.13 Uncle Kevin's bday dinner at Marco Polo Cebu. Steamed Broccoli for dinner.

By far, here are the food she has tried:

1. Papaya

2. Ampalaya

3. Cucumber

4. Broccoli

5. Sayote

6. Beans

7. Squash

8. Okra

9. Banana (Latundan)

10. Chico

11. Rib eye steak

12. Brown rice

13. Egg (yolk)

14. Pandesal

15. Carrots

16. Zucchini

17. Camote

18. Potato

Her favorite are: Broccoli, Okra and Cucumber :)

By BLW, we are not just teaching good eating habits but also, values such as being independent, learning to wait, table manners and chewing food.

Eating independently also helps babies appreciate and explore food textures with her hands and her mouth. It helps them practice picking up food, controlling their grip and learning to stop when they are full.

At 6mos and 1 day, Liane can drink from a cup with a straw like a pro. We skipped feeding bottles and sippy cups all together and went ahead from boob to baso. (Breast to cup)

October! Liane's 6th month + Baby Led Weaning

Liane is our Love Child. The moment we found out Raymond and I were expecting, I knew in my heart I wanted to be there for her. Be the one to care for her hands on. And that is exactly what I got. For the past 6 months, I wake up and see her smiling her big gummy grin and flash her dimple at me, it jump starts my day effortlessly. My nights are filled looking forward for our next feed. I am so inspired and excited by this little person who surprises us everyday.

10.19.13 Saturday

We dedicated her formally to the Lord in time for her 6th month birthday.

10.21.13 Monday

We started BLW. She was a natural. I gave her a slice of papaya for breakfast and she instantly knew what to do with it.

I am a walking ball of emotions. I will miss changing her exclusively breastfed diapers and our 10pm, 1am, 3am breastfeeding sessions. She had a growth spurt at 5mos and 3wks in time for her 6th month... She suddenly learned to crawl effeciently and has slept longer.

Where has the time gone? I have been with our baby daughter for the past 6 months and yet I still miss her even while she sleeps. What a blessing she is.

South Mommies 1st Breastfeeding Meet

Today, October 5, 2013, at Asian Hospital was our first breastfeeding meet for South Mommies. 

I was there with Raymond, Liane and Ate Inday (her nanny). We met new friends and it is nice to finally put a face to some mommies at the Breastfeeding Pinays support group online. 

Let me just say how passionate everybody is and how cute all the babies are! My Liane was instantly so excited, bouncing, babbling, squeeling the whole time.

Here's a photo of her with her new friend Tita Mau, NICU nurse at Asian and Tita Virgie.

The mommy treats were so good. Especially Mommy Christine's muffins!!! I did not get to take photos as I finished off 3 instantly. (Oops)

My favorite breastfriend Jah was there with Jacob and James, too and we had dinner at Conti's right after.

I know I should have taken more photos at the event, it really slipped my mind!

Here's Liane sleeping in between activities during car rides, pooling her energy! Adorable!

On our way to Asian

From Asian after the event to Conti's

On our way home to Tagaytay trom dinner.

Of course, Ellie the Elephant is her favorite buddy. She held my hand for comfort when she was fussy on our way home and slept. What a good girl!