I love learning new skills! If it's anything that I wanna do, it's adding more skills in my arsenal and then get to use them anytime!
I found a page on Facebook offering a Balloon 101 Workshop, D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) Party Balloons and Party Supplies. I jumped (literally) out of my chair and carried my laptop to my Mum and told her about it. I was so game because it would come in handy for D's first birthday! Hello, I get to actually decorate my own son's birthday...how cool and fun would that be?!
I suddenly had this flood of ideas as to how the set-up was going to be and how the stage is going to look like, and yes that includes the backdrop and centerpieces. I felt like a migraine was coming pretty soon but good thing my Mum slowed me down and giggled. I asked my Dad if he could help me finance the registration (it's P3000) and he agreed that we split it 50/50. Whew!
L was giggling and was really happy when I told him about it during lunch. It's probably not a surprise to him that I'm all giddy with the party planning...up to the tiniest details! Again, that's my ever-supportive hubby!
If you guys wanna join me in the workshop, just head on to their Facebook page and check out the details!
Zest.Passion.Love
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Looking and Being Different
Most people who know me don't really know what goes on in my brain, unless you've been with my crazy self for more than half of my life. So let me take you to my journey as someone who has been on the side of not only looking different but also being different.
I was born with a congenital defect, it's pretty obvious when you look at me long enough...I am a cleft, both lip and palate. No, don't believe those myths that my Mum slid and fell while she was pregnant and all that because our family can prove that that's all crap (pardon). Mum was at her healthiest and fittest when she was pregnant with me. She slid and fell while she was pregnant with both Paul (older bro) and Jam (younger sis), and they were born without any facial congenital defects.
I've always been very expressive of my feelings. When I feel lonely, you'd know...when I feel happy, you'd know...when I feel sick, you'd know...so my face is a dead giveaway of what I'm feeling (especially my eyes). And I always remember my Mum and Dad reminding me that I'm special, that I've got something special in me to show everyone. I didn't really get that...I just knew that I was special in their eyes.
Then came school...yes, the one place that taught me how to deal with real life. I grew up in the realm of the Jesuit way (you can guess by this time which alma mater I came from). Kindergarten was the best years of my childhood! I had teachers who showered us with compliments, classmates whom you were friends with, nannies whom you trusted your life with. A little segway here, I demanded that my nanny be right outside the classroom door for a whole week during my first days in school since I was SCARED TO DEATH that I would go home by myself! So needless to say, I grew up with my nanny by my side until my high school years!
Did bullies exist? OH YES! They did exist and in many different forms too! There were those bullies who would outright point and laugh at you, reminding you that you look different. There were those bullies who just randomly pick on people (whether they look different or not) to make their lives miserable for that one moment. Then, there were those bullies who just targeted YOU and only YOU. Their world revolved around YOU. That was me a year in high school.
What I love about the world that I have is that...school is so different of a world that as soon as I get home, I'm at peace. I don't care about what other people say...I'm in my zen place, my abode, my zone. I guess that's why we're such a tight-knit family and that we share a lot of our thoughts and ideas so openly because my parents made sure that our home is our cocoon, our sanctuary, and that we're safest there. My closest best friends in school know me so well and they know my dreams and ambitions...of course, I have to show a different side to acquaintances and classmates.
How did I go about life looking and being different? Well, it's something that I got used to. Being stared at, no biggie. People stopping in their tracks and pointing at me...I could care less. Why? Well, because I knew who I was. I knew what I wanted and I knew myself well enough. I love to dance, I love to perform, I love to watch movies, I love to eat pasta, I love pretty things, I love crafts, I love it when people smile at me and compliment me (whether small or big)...that was all that mattered to me. I have Mum and Dad...they're my biggest fans!
College was a different story...because of my experiences in high school, I learned the art of putting a HUGE and MASSIVE wall that would block people from actually getting to know me. I was snobbish, I was strict, I was closed...hardly anyone would dare speak to me when I would enter a classroom and I could always intimidate them with the way I talked. If there's anything that I am really good at, it's expressing my opinion through speaking and writing. A few people "dared" to befriend me and true in form, they became great friends of mine. Heck, I met my husband back in college! But I knew that I was a completely different person in college...I transformed myself into someone who knew how to do a very nasty and sarcastic comeback from an ignorant classmate.
"Classmate, gwapa unta ka...kung dili lang ka bungi." said a classmate.
"Mao ka?" I replied, looking at her with the purest sarcastic sneer, "At least puwede pa nako ni mapa-surgery...imong dagway, unsaon na lang na? Dili gud ka bungi...dili pa jud gwapa!"
I know...I shouldn't have stooped to her level but she was asking for it. After that, everyone (and I mean everyone in our department, heck the whole campus!) knew the attitude that I had. They were scared. But to me, and to my friends, I wouldn't have said that if she wasn't being tactless. Seriously...what would you have said?
After four major operations to repair my palate...the only thing left is the facial reconstruction to make me look as if I wasn't born with a cleft lip and palate. Why didn't I have it? Well, I spoke well. Heck, I was an English teacher to Koreans and I was a soft skills and communications trainer...I'm sure that I speak well. I don't need to blend in and look just like everybody else. Besides, I'd rather focus on my D who now has so many syllables in his vocabulary that I'm catching up every single day!
My parents taught me how to be strong. I grew up to be stronger. Looking and actually being different has always been something that I consider a positive for me...and that's exactly how I'm going to teach D as well.
I was born with a congenital defect, it's pretty obvious when you look at me long enough...I am a cleft, both lip and palate. No, don't believe those myths that my Mum slid and fell while she was pregnant and all that because our family can prove that that's all crap (pardon). Mum was at her healthiest and fittest when she was pregnant with me. She slid and fell while she was pregnant with both Paul (older bro) and Jam (younger sis), and they were born without any facial congenital defects.
I've always been very expressive of my feelings. When I feel lonely, you'd know...when I feel happy, you'd know...when I feel sick, you'd know...so my face is a dead giveaway of what I'm feeling (especially my eyes). And I always remember my Mum and Dad reminding me that I'm special, that I've got something special in me to show everyone. I didn't really get that...I just knew that I was special in their eyes.
Then came school...yes, the one place that taught me how to deal with real life. I grew up in the realm of the Jesuit way (you can guess by this time which alma mater I came from). Kindergarten was the best years of my childhood! I had teachers who showered us with compliments, classmates whom you were friends with, nannies whom you trusted your life with. A little segway here, I demanded that my nanny be right outside the classroom door for a whole week during my first days in school since I was SCARED TO DEATH that I would go home by myself! So needless to say, I grew up with my nanny by my side until my high school years!
Did bullies exist? OH YES! They did exist and in many different forms too! There were those bullies who would outright point and laugh at you, reminding you that you look different. There were those bullies who just randomly pick on people (whether they look different or not) to make their lives miserable for that one moment. Then, there were those bullies who just targeted YOU and only YOU. Their world revolved around YOU. That was me a year in high school.
What I love about the world that I have is that...school is so different of a world that as soon as I get home, I'm at peace. I don't care about what other people say...I'm in my zen place, my abode, my zone. I guess that's why we're such a tight-knit family and that we share a lot of our thoughts and ideas so openly because my parents made sure that our home is our cocoon, our sanctuary, and that we're safest there. My closest best friends in school know me so well and they know my dreams and ambitions...of course, I have to show a different side to acquaintances and classmates.
How did I go about life looking and being different? Well, it's something that I got used to. Being stared at, no biggie. People stopping in their tracks and pointing at me...I could care less. Why? Well, because I knew who I was. I knew what I wanted and I knew myself well enough. I love to dance, I love to perform, I love to watch movies, I love to eat pasta, I love pretty things, I love crafts, I love it when people smile at me and compliment me (whether small or big)...that was all that mattered to me. I have Mum and Dad...they're my biggest fans!
College was a different story...because of my experiences in high school, I learned the art of putting a HUGE and MASSIVE wall that would block people from actually getting to know me. I was snobbish, I was strict, I was closed...hardly anyone would dare speak to me when I would enter a classroom and I could always intimidate them with the way I talked. If there's anything that I am really good at, it's expressing my opinion through speaking and writing. A few people "dared" to befriend me and true in form, they became great friends of mine. Heck, I met my husband back in college! But I knew that I was a completely different person in college...I transformed myself into someone who knew how to do a very nasty and sarcastic comeback from an ignorant classmate.
"Classmate, gwapa unta ka...kung dili lang ka bungi." said a classmate.
"Mao ka?" I replied, looking at her with the purest sarcastic sneer, "At least puwede pa nako ni mapa-surgery...imong dagway, unsaon na lang na? Dili gud ka bungi...dili pa jud gwapa!"
I know...I shouldn't have stooped to her level but she was asking for it. After that, everyone (and I mean everyone in our department, heck the whole campus!) knew the attitude that I had. They were scared. But to me, and to my friends, I wouldn't have said that if she wasn't being tactless. Seriously...what would you have said?
After four major operations to repair my palate...the only thing left is the facial reconstruction to make me look as if I wasn't born with a cleft lip and palate. Why didn't I have it? Well, I spoke well. Heck, I was an English teacher to Koreans and I was a soft skills and communications trainer...I'm sure that I speak well. I don't need to blend in and look just like everybody else. Besides, I'd rather focus on my D who now has so many syllables in his vocabulary that I'm catching up every single day!
My parents taught me how to be strong. I grew up to be stronger. Looking and actually being different has always been something that I consider a positive for me...and that's exactly how I'm going to teach D as well.
Wedding Anniversary Year 2
Two years ago...I walked down the aisle and married the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Whoever thought that a girl like me would be able to settle down? Whoever thought that someone like me would ever find someone who was willing to take me as I am? Well...he was there.
This is the first time I am going to write about L and I as a married couple, perfect timing as it's our second year wedding anniversary.
He's the ONLY boyfriend who gave me flowers and the ONLY boyfriend who paid for our dates. That should give you an idea as to what type of guys I had before him. He's also the only guy who would be able to stand my snobbish and very often "high-maintenance" ways, only because I was the most comfortable with him. I didn't need to be someone else around him, I was all right. I was myself and I didn't need to hide anything.
What sealed the deal? Well...I know that we'd grow old together and still act like high school sweethearts (who wouldn't want that?). He's now the husband, the father, the first man who made my heart skip a beat (D being the second!).
Happy second wedding anniversary L! We have been blessed with so much...I hope you could still love me the way that you did the first you time you said those words...
This is the first time I am going to write about L and I as a married couple, perfect timing as it's our second year wedding anniversary.
He's the ONLY boyfriend who gave me flowers and the ONLY boyfriend who paid for our dates. That should give you an idea as to what type of guys I had before him. He's also the only guy who would be able to stand my snobbish and very often "high-maintenance" ways, only because I was the most comfortable with him. I didn't need to be someone else around him, I was all right. I was myself and I didn't need to hide anything.
What sealed the deal? Well...I know that we'd grow old together and still act like high school sweethearts (who wouldn't want that?). He's now the husband, the father, the first man who made my heart skip a beat (D being the second!).
Happy second wedding anniversary L! We have been blessed with so much...I hope you could still love me the way that you did the first you time you said those words...
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| L and I on our wedding day... |
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Birthday Prepping Part 3: Lootbag Ins and Outs
I've always loved doing handmade gifts so it came to naturally to want to DIY almost everything for D's first birthday, that included the lootbag!
With so many ideas swarming in my head, I needed to type it all down and finally get to researching the how-to's and methods. I was thinking of maybe doing a unique lootbag and putting all kinds of different goodies that the kids will enjoy!
So, I found the template online (seriously, everything is found online!) and got started but realized that the lootbag was a little too small to fit the giveaways that I was thinking of. So I made the template a little larger...to make a long story short, I've made three samples before actually getting into a size that L and I were happy. I tried placing the mock-up giveaways and found that there was still enough space for the food goodies!
I was too excited. That night, I showed it to L when he got back from work and all he could ask was, "You had time to make three samples? Wow...you really are crafty huh?" I wasn't too sure what he meant by that but I'd like to believe that he was being nice and sincere. He smiled and gave me a hug (aww, trying to make up for what he said probably!). L has never seen me do a lot of crafty and DIY stuff so I'm sure this is such a surprise for him.
I've also listed down the DIY giveaways that I'll be making as well. So far, I've gotten them in the list but I still need to do a little canvassing so that I can start buying them soon. With the way that I'm going...I might be able to finish the lootbags before booking all the rest of the suppliers! Haha!
At least I've ticked another item off my list of things to prep for D's big day!
With so many ideas swarming in my head, I needed to type it all down and finally get to researching the how-to's and methods. I was thinking of maybe doing a unique lootbag and putting all kinds of different goodies that the kids will enjoy!
So, I found the template online (seriously, everything is found online!) and got started but realized that the lootbag was a little too small to fit the giveaways that I was thinking of. So I made the template a little larger...to make a long story short, I've made three samples before actually getting into a size that L and I were happy. I tried placing the mock-up giveaways and found that there was still enough space for the food goodies!
I was too excited. That night, I showed it to L when he got back from work and all he could ask was, "You had time to make three samples? Wow...you really are crafty huh?" I wasn't too sure what he meant by that but I'd like to believe that he was being nice and sincere. He smiled and gave me a hug (aww, trying to make up for what he said probably!). L has never seen me do a lot of crafty and DIY stuff so I'm sure this is such a surprise for him.
I've also listed down the DIY giveaways that I'll be making as well. So far, I've gotten them in the list but I still need to do a little canvassing so that I can start buying them soon. With the way that I'm going...I might be able to finish the lootbags before booking all the rest of the suppliers! Haha!
At least I've ticked another item off my list of things to prep for D's big day!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
MomBa: The new exercise for moms and babies
Last Saturday, April 20, was such a fun day for moms and babies alike (of course, more of the moms!). A very good mom friend came to Davao City and FINALLY taught us MomBa. What is that? Well, it was coined by Nadine when she decided to put her exercise routine together with playtime with her baby Rae. It's like Zumba but with moms and babies (babies being worn!).
There were six moms in all who joined in the class (including Nadine) but my baby D was the only baby boy! Hehehe. Yaya Wilma and I made sure that D would have enough rest before the MomBa class so he had the whole afternoon to take his nap, which he did...thank God!
What I loved about MomBa was that it incorporated the imagination of the babies! Never mind the age of the baby because the youngest was Kaley at 5 months and the oldest was Zoey at around a year and a half of age so it was really more of the moms also getting their babies to participate in the activity. Nadine told us not to worry if the babies didn't want to join in the exercise because they could just run around, or in this case for most of the babies...crawl around!
She started with all the moms and babies forming a circle because the story is about to start...we were going to travel! We were walking and then slowly started running (yes, with our babies in tow!) since we were already late for our flight at the airport. I love that there's a story to this so the babies and toddlers would also get to play along.
From Hawaii, the music started with Pearly Shells as we warmed up together with our babies. We then went to Egypt for the more serious toning and cardio (our weights were our babies!).
We had to do squats while babywearing our "weights"!
We also had several minutes with arms exercises that I'm sure every mom would agree was tough (talk about sore arms for two days!).
Then for the cool down, we had a softer blend of melodies. It was supposed to make the babies sleep but only Kaley fell asleep...the rest were either tired or wide awake...hehe!
It was the best hour for us since we were really sweating it out and seriously doing cardio and toning of our muscles! Who would've thought that carrying our babies and exercising at the same time would be both super fun and so tiring?! I'm sure all of the moms would agree that we ate A LOT MORE than the usual because we were THAT tired.
I particularly loved getting back to dancing because I've been doing that since I could remember...yes, I did have ballet training with a bit of jazz and hiphop on the side but what I really missed was belly dancing. Around my third trimester (yes, very heavy and pregnant) was when I got into serious pregnant belly dancing because it eased my back aches A LOT! So when Nadine incorporated a bit of belly...I was too giddy and excited that I knew Damien was all too familiar with my hip sways! Oh, what a wonderful moment that was!
The next few hours were funny and hilarious as I felt each muscle getting more and more sore...waaah, the price that we pay for not exercising as much as we should have. Being that we're moms...I don't blame anybody but that was the perfect excuse since our babies had fun as much as we did!
The next MomBa will be at the Mommapalooza on Mother's Day! We hope to see more moms then...don't forget your Rai Ties and babies too!
Before I end this post...let me indulge in this photo taken from Ella's camera where I was doing my push-ups...of course, the reward is that I get to kiss my D!
 |
| MomBa at The POD: (from left to right) Julie Lapaz with D, Alex Hao, Nadine Casino with R, Ella Misa with M, Althea Robin with Z, Kooky Hao with K and Keryl Tan with K. |
There were six moms in all who joined in the class (including Nadine) but my baby D was the only baby boy! Hehehe. Yaya Wilma and I made sure that D would have enough rest before the MomBa class so he had the whole afternoon to take his nap, which he did...thank God!
 |
| Miel decided to crawl away from Mommy Ella to play with Rae! |
What I loved about MomBa was that it incorporated the imagination of the babies! Never mind the age of the baby because the youngest was Kaley at 5 months and the oldest was Zoey at around a year and a half of age so it was really more of the moms also getting their babies to participate in the activity. Nadine told us not to worry if the babies didn't want to join in the exercise because they could just run around, or in this case for most of the babies...crawl around!
She started with all the moms and babies forming a circle because the story is about to start...we were going to travel! We were walking and then slowly started running (yes, with our babies in tow!) since we were already late for our flight at the airport. I love that there's a story to this so the babies and toddlers would also get to play along.
 |
| Doing our warm-up with Pearly Shells as our background music... Ate Zoey was having fun dancing as well! |
From Hawaii, the music started with Pearly Shells as we warmed up together with our babies. We then went to Egypt for the more serious toning and cardio (our weights were our babies!).
 |
| Doing our squats while babywearing our babies! |
We had to do squats while babywearing our "weights"!
 |
| Toning our arms while suffering in silence...waaah! |
We also had several minutes with arms exercises that I'm sure every mom would agree was tough (talk about sore arms for two days!).
 |
| Toning down the very tired muscles... |
Then for the cool down, we had a softer blend of melodies. It was supposed to make the babies sleep but only Kaley fell asleep...the rest were either tired or wide awake...hehe!
It was the best hour for us since we were really sweating it out and seriously doing cardio and toning of our muscles! Who would've thought that carrying our babies and exercising at the same time would be both super fun and so tiring?! I'm sure all of the moms would agree that we ate A LOT MORE than the usual because we were THAT tired.
I particularly loved getting back to dancing because I've been doing that since I could remember...yes, I did have ballet training with a bit of jazz and hiphop on the side but what I really missed was belly dancing. Around my third trimester (yes, very heavy and pregnant) was when I got into serious pregnant belly dancing because it eased my back aches A LOT! So when Nadine incorporated a bit of belly...I was too giddy and excited that I knew Damien was all too familiar with my hip sways! Oh, what a wonderful moment that was!
 |
| Reliving my belly dancing days...that was too much fun! |
The next few hours were funny and hilarious as I felt each muscle getting more and more sore...waaah, the price that we pay for not exercising as much as we should have. Being that we're moms...I don't blame anybody but that was the perfect excuse since our babies had fun as much as we did!
The next MomBa will be at the Mommapalooza on Mother's Day! We hope to see more moms then...don't forget your Rai Ties and babies too!
Before I end this post...let me indulge in this photo taken from Ella's camera where I was doing my push-ups...of course, the reward is that I get to kiss my D!
 |
| Push-ups with a great reward...kisses for my D! |
Friday, April 19, 2013
Going Healthy and Raw
There's something about eating that will always make someone feel better. It's human nature to feel better and of course eating is usually at the top of everyone's list.
Naturally, when D was starting to grow in front of my eyes (literally!)...the thought of him starting on solids was something quite daunting for a new mom like me. I didn't know where to start or what to feed him first...and I wasn't about to feed him the commercially-prepared food! Mum and Dad were more than happy to share their experience in feeding the three of us when we were still babies. Somehow, I was more of a special case so I took it upon myself to follow their advice.
D was about 5 months and 22 days when we started him on semi-solids (puree). I made sure to wait on D's pedia to give the green light so that I was confident to prepare the food. Doc Monna was very accommodating and was more than happy to recommend that D was ready for semi-solids. She asked if we were going to try the commercial food or do home-made, I told her home-made through and through and she was gladder since she knew that it was safer and that I was happy with my choice.
It's always been a question: What will D eat first? Easy...ground rice from Bios Dynamis! Thankfully, the local Bios Dynamis had enough stock and we got the ground red rice. Mum helped in prepping and D loved it! She made sure that it was puree-style so that D could easily swallow with a bit of chewing since it was a different texture than the usual breastmilk. We started him slow and sure with the ground red rice for three straight days.
If there's anything that I'd like to delay with D, it's his preference for taste. Whenever he tries new fruits or veggies...he takes his time in understanding the texture and the taste. There are instances that his face changes but he hardly rejects the food. Maybe it also helps that I eat as healthily as I could so my breastmilk would taste like the food that I eat. During our Holy Week trip, he was able to try lettuce and pechay juice, carrot juice, camote tops juice and calamansi juice. He was, quite shockingly, very addicted to the green (lettuce and pechay) juice and camote tops juice. It helped with his digestive system so much that pooping wasn't even an issue during that time! I'm thinking of making our own here at home!
My parents have embraced the lifestyle of eating healthy and raw (especially my Dad!) and I am slowly coursing to that path as well. That doesn't mean that I will completely go vegetarian but I will be more careful with the choices of food that I will eat. Besides, it wouldn't be fair if I make D eat veggies and I'm gobbling on chips. It helps for me to be as fair to my son as possible.
Did we have problems with D's pooping? YES!
He's not the type of baby who poops every after he eats...he poops every other day so naturally, I wasn't too worried when he was still exclusively breastfeeding but when he started solids...I was more vigilant. Papaya is now his best friend. His anti-constipation food...
Now that D's 8 months and 23 days as of writing, he is already eating three times a day. His breakfast is always papaya to make sure that he won't get constipated and that he can manage his poop. Then his lunch and supper is ground red rice and monggo beans with a mix of steamed squash (for this week). We will then switch the squash to carrots next week.
Most common question that I hear: "Isn't it difficult and a lot of preparation?" Yes it is but it takes a certain routine and getting used to. Thankfully, Yaya Wilma has already infused in her schedule the prepping of D's food. She makes it a point to prepare enough for one day so that it's fresh.
Going healthy, whether it be raw or simply being more conscious with what to eat, is a decision that is a slow and steady process. I've made this decision because I want the best for my bubba and to make sure that he isn't exposed to the artificial taste that we are so used to. Who knows...he just might be the one who will make me go back to my roots and love veggies again!
Naturally, when D was starting to grow in front of my eyes (literally!)...the thought of him starting on solids was something quite daunting for a new mom like me. I didn't know where to start or what to feed him first...and I wasn't about to feed him the commercially-prepared food! Mum and Dad were more than happy to share their experience in feeding the three of us when we were still babies. Somehow, I was more of a special case so I took it upon myself to follow their advice.
D was about 5 months and 22 days when we started him on semi-solids (puree). I made sure to wait on D's pedia to give the green light so that I was confident to prepare the food. Doc Monna was very accommodating and was more than happy to recommend that D was ready for semi-solids. She asked if we were going to try the commercial food or do home-made, I told her home-made through and through and she was gladder since she knew that it was safer and that I was happy with my choice.
It's always been a question: What will D eat first? Easy...ground rice from Bios Dynamis! Thankfully, the local Bios Dynamis had enough stock and we got the ground red rice. Mum helped in prepping and D loved it! She made sure that it was puree-style so that D could easily swallow with a bit of chewing since it was a different texture than the usual breastmilk. We started him slow and sure with the ground red rice for three straight days.
 |
| D loving his ground red rice puree. |
If there's anything that I'd like to delay with D, it's his preference for taste. Whenever he tries new fruits or veggies...he takes his time in understanding the texture and the taste. There are instances that his face changes but he hardly rejects the food. Maybe it also helps that I eat as healthily as I could so my breastmilk would taste like the food that I eat. During our Holy Week trip, he was able to try lettuce and pechay juice, carrot juice, camote tops juice and calamansi juice. He was, quite shockingly, very addicted to the green (lettuce and pechay) juice and camote tops juice. It helped with his digestive system so much that pooping wasn't even an issue during that time! I'm thinking of making our own here at home!
My parents have embraced the lifestyle of eating healthy and raw (especially my Dad!) and I am slowly coursing to that path as well. That doesn't mean that I will completely go vegetarian but I will be more careful with the choices of food that I will eat. Besides, it wouldn't be fair if I make D eat veggies and I'm gobbling on chips. It helps for me to be as fair to my son as possible.
Did we have problems with D's pooping? YES!
He's not the type of baby who poops every after he eats...he poops every other day so naturally, I wasn't too worried when he was still exclusively breastfeeding but when he started solids...I was more vigilant. Papaya is now his best friend. His anti-constipation food...
Now that D's 8 months and 23 days as of writing, he is already eating three times a day. His breakfast is always papaya to make sure that he won't get constipated and that he can manage his poop. Then his lunch and supper is ground red rice and monggo beans with a mix of steamed squash (for this week). We will then switch the squash to carrots next week.
Most common question that I hear: "Isn't it difficult and a lot of preparation?" Yes it is but it takes a certain routine and getting used to. Thankfully, Yaya Wilma has already infused in her schedule the prepping of D's food. She makes it a point to prepare enough for one day so that it's fresh.
Going healthy, whether it be raw or simply being more conscious with what to eat, is a decision that is a slow and steady process. I've made this decision because I want the best for my bubba and to make sure that he isn't exposed to the artificial taste that we are so used to. Who knows...he just might be the one who will make me go back to my roots and love veggies again!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My Breastfeeding Advocate Hubbie
I love the fact that Lau is already an advocate of breastfeeding! Yes, my husband! An advocate! A very strong one at that!
Last night, Lau told me about one of his male colleagues who is a new father. His baby was born a little earlier than the EDD (premature) and asked Lau as to what milk we're using to feed Damien.
"Breastmilk 'pre, ako na ang magtestify sa wonders talaga ng breastmilk." Lau proudly said, "Breastfeeding ba si Gelai karon?"
"Dili na eh. Gamay lang kaayo ang gatas." his colleague said.
"Ayaw mo katingala, gamay pa ang tiyan sa baby...dili jud na daghan dayun2 ang gatas sa mommy. Basehan niya ang kagutom sa baby." Lau said.
"Mao ba? Daghan lagi ka nahibaw-an ana Sir." his colleague said.
"Natakdan na ko kang misis." Lau joked, "Dili pud, breastfed pud mi nga babies."
"Maayo pud na noh." his colleague added.
"Maayo jud kaayo. Buyag, wala jud nagkasakit akong baby. Ug tipid kaayo, ang para sa formula...na-divert na namo para sa vaccines." Lau added.
He told me all about their conversation about breastmilk. Think about it, two fathers talked about breastmilk! I love it! I love the fact that Lau testified and had a lot of information to tell the new father (his baby just turned a month old is being formula-fed fulltime now). I know that his passion comes from his experience of Damien (now 8 months and still being breastfed), but hearing him tell this story with so much gusto is another aspect that I haven't seen!
I must say that it's such a proud moment for me as well. I knew that the moment I made the decision to breastfeed Damien, Lau was behind me all the way. Even coming to he rescue that one time with MIL (will blog about it in a later post!). For a husband to be very supportive that he turned to be an advocate as well is something rare!
I'm too giddy and happy typing this story! It's such a natural high!
Last night, Lau told me about one of his male colleagues who is a new father. His baby was born a little earlier than the EDD (premature) and asked Lau as to what milk we're using to feed Damien.
"Breastmilk 'pre, ako na ang magtestify sa wonders talaga ng breastmilk." Lau proudly said, "Breastfeeding ba si Gelai karon?"
"Dili na eh. Gamay lang kaayo ang gatas." his colleague said.
"Ayaw mo katingala, gamay pa ang tiyan sa baby...dili jud na daghan dayun2 ang gatas sa mommy. Basehan niya ang kagutom sa baby." Lau said.
"Mao ba? Daghan lagi ka nahibaw-an ana Sir." his colleague said.
"Natakdan na ko kang misis." Lau joked, "Dili pud, breastfed pud mi nga babies."
"Maayo pud na noh." his colleague added.
"Maayo jud kaayo. Buyag, wala jud nagkasakit akong baby. Ug tipid kaayo, ang para sa formula...na-divert na namo para sa vaccines." Lau added.
He told me all about their conversation about breastmilk. Think about it, two fathers talked about breastmilk! I love it! I love the fact that Lau testified and had a lot of information to tell the new father (his baby just turned a month old is being formula-fed fulltime now). I know that his passion comes from his experience of Damien (now 8 months and still being breastfed), but hearing him tell this story with so much gusto is another aspect that I haven't seen!
I must say that it's such a proud moment for me as well. I knew that the moment I made the decision to breastfeed Damien, Lau was behind me all the way. Even coming to he rescue that one time with MIL (will blog about it in a later post!). For a husband to be very supportive that he turned to be an advocate as well is something rare!
I'm too giddy and happy typing this story! It's such a natural high!
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