Moms, from all corners of the world, will always remember the feeling after having given birth. Whether it's their first child or their last...I think it's imprinted in their minds what ride that they have gone through postpartum. Yes, we are all in agreement that it's not in any book or manual as to what will happen and what we go through after giving birth. We all have different situations and stories and we all have different approaches to it.
If you have read my post about my birth experience, you will know that I DID NOT like the fact that I gave birth via stat CS. I HATE (yes, I use such a word) it when people (especially random people) ask me as to why I gave birth via CS.
"Ngano ka na-CS? Diba nag-Lamaze2 pa mo ni Lau?"
"Hah? Ni-abot ka ug 10cm tapos CS gihapon? Kapuy uy!"
"Deretso CS na lang unta ka kung ingon ana ra diay ang nahitabo..."
"Dako siguro kaayo ang bata noh? Mao siguro na CS ka..."
Lau and I were blessed to have had taken childbirth preparation classes with Alex, we are more blessed that my parents gave us endless and priceless tips about Lamaze (being self-taught themselves), and yes, we are blessed that my labor only lasted for about half a day and I was still able to manage the pain...riding the waves and smiling all along. All of that was worth it.
We got home from the hospital on the 30th of July, three days after D was born. I'm very thankful that my Dad and sister (Jam) made all the effort of cleaning the house before we reached home to make sure that everything was all set for D. Our house happens to have three dogs so imagine the trafficking and dynamics! I was also trying to ride the breastfeeding wagon and hoped that it'd be easier than I've anticipated.
The first 24 hours at home was a whirlwind. My mind was a blank. I was, technically, on autopilot mode. I carried D when he cried and hush him back to sleep. Latching wasn't the problem...it was positioning because of my scar. So, football hold was something that I've mastered for the next two weeks. I had this notion that my Mum and Dad were able to do it all by themselves so I should be able to do it as well, right? WRONG! I was tired, I was physically tired having gone through a major abdominal surgery and still recovering. I wanted so much to do everything that a new mom should do, because it's what we expect of ourselves, right? Sure, in the ideal world...but this is the real world.
The first month was an autopilot life for me. Of course, I had expectations of myself that I didn't do and I was frustrated. I got mad at Lau for having the peace of mind in sleeping while I was engorged, in pain of my scar and still lost at what had happened in the DR/OR. Yes, if there's anything that kept on haunting me...it was the fact that I wanted to give birth as naturally and as normally as possible...and I didn't.
I remember calling Mum a few hours after giving birth. We were already in our room and I told Lau to sleep, the time was 3:45AM. I called Mum and the first thing that came out of my mouth was, "I'm sorry Mum, I tried. I really did..." and yes, I tried to stop the tears from falling. She assured me that everything was worth it as long as D is healthy. Unknown to me, my Dad already found out that I gave birth via CS. My anesthesiologist, Doc Jean, sent D's newborn pic to Dad at early morning (2AM). I called him up after Mum and said the very same thing, Dad simply wished that he would've been there given that he was at Maragusan.
I can't really explain in the right words the feeling that I had...not being able to give birth the way that I wanted. Maybe defeated? Probably disappointed? Could be angry? I was, for the first time in a long time, at a loss for words. I knew L wanted me to talk about it...but I too...I was disappointed at myself and angry at what had happened and I felt so defeated with the situation, maybe that would be the best explanation of it all. Yes, those were my postpartum blues...well, the bulk of it anyway.
I had such a fantastic support group behind me. L was very supportive especially while D and I were mastering breastfeeding (all the positions that would make us as comfortable as possible), Mum and Dad made sure that my diet helped in my milk production, close friends sent messages of encouragement and visited us...such positive thoughts and words really helped me get through what seems to be hell for me after giving birth. I was also very thankful that my OB assured me (endlessly) that I did all that I could in order to push D out as naturally and normally as possible...
It was small successes every single day that made me survive...it's as simple as being able to sleep 4 hours straight, the three of us. Or being able to eat a full meal without D crying...those small successes that factored in a good day...those were what I counted, and those were what made me smile and made me realize that I gotta just ride it out and it'll be all okay.
Do I wanna get pregnant and give birth again? Yes! It's all about riding the waves and enjoying the journey...pregnancy, motherhood...all of it is worth it.
Zest.Passion.Love
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Getting Back To My (Dancing) Roots
I've been dancing ever since I could remember...of course, little girls start out with ballet and yes, I fell in love with ballet. I was in awe with the way the dancers would carry themselves in pointes and they look so beautiful in their tutu costumes! I just stared at them and smiled...imagining that I would be, one day, dancing and looking as graceful as they do. I remember this one conversation I had with one of the dancers in pointes...
"Hi..." I said shyly behind the curtain.
"Hi...ganda naman ng ballet shoes mo." the girl said and smiled at me.
"Thank you po." I replied and looked at her retying her pointes and I couldn't help myself, I touched her tutu skirt, "Nice, so pretty."
"Thank you too. Don't worry, you will wear this one soon." she said as she motioned me to come closer to her, "It's okay, it's actually heavy." she said and jumped lightly as I saw the tutu skirt closer.
"Really? But you look so great...I can't even split yet." I said (yes, I was that desperate to do the split at 3 1/2 years old!)
"You will..." she said and winked at me.
True enough, three weeks later...I was able to do my first split! Whoa...it doesn't feel comfortable at all! And trust me, I felt like the stick that my teacher kept on pounding on the wooden dance floor is right between my legs! Ugh! But I felt so happy and felt like I made my first accomplishment...the split!
After that...I never looked back and continued on to dancing. Ballet has always been my foundation and boy, did I fall in love with it. I memorized The Swan Lake music even before I learned the multiplication table!
Having been born different, I was able to make the stage my home. I loved the lights and no, I wasn't born with stage fright...instead, I felt happy. I was just being myself and it was the best feeling in the world.
When I found out I was pregnant, I knew that I wasn't at my best in terms of body strength so in order to prep me for the possible long hours of labor...I got back to my belly dancing days mixed with a little bit of Polynesian movements. I love the hip movements of belly since it soothed my backaches during my third trimester...and it also strengthened my core muscles because of the isolation movements. The Polynesian mix was just to help me relax and feel okay while dealing with Braxton Hicks'.
True enough, D loves to listen to different types of music and sounds. This time...we're practicing our routine for a session and he's swaying his arms and kicking his legs like crazy! I hope he gets my passion for dance and movement as well.
Going back to my roots has taught me that even though it's been awhile since I've put on my dancing shoes...when I do put it back on, it's like being a kid all over again, on the stage...just me and the music.
"Hi..." I said shyly behind the curtain.
"Hi...ganda naman ng ballet shoes mo." the girl said and smiled at me.
"Thank you po." I replied and looked at her retying her pointes and I couldn't help myself, I touched her tutu skirt, "Nice, so pretty."
"Thank you too. Don't worry, you will wear this one soon." she said as she motioned me to come closer to her, "It's okay, it's actually heavy." she said and jumped lightly as I saw the tutu skirt closer.
"Really? But you look so great...I can't even split yet." I said (yes, I was that desperate to do the split at 3 1/2 years old!)
"You will..." she said and winked at me.
True enough, three weeks later...I was able to do my first split! Whoa...it doesn't feel comfortable at all! And trust me, I felt like the stick that my teacher kept on pounding on the wooden dance floor is right between my legs! Ugh! But I felt so happy and felt like I made my first accomplishment...the split!
After that...I never looked back and continued on to dancing. Ballet has always been my foundation and boy, did I fall in love with it. I memorized The Swan Lake music even before I learned the multiplication table!
Having been born different, I was able to make the stage my home. I loved the lights and no, I wasn't born with stage fright...instead, I felt happy. I was just being myself and it was the best feeling in the world.
When I found out I was pregnant, I knew that I wasn't at my best in terms of body strength so in order to prep me for the possible long hours of labor...I got back to my belly dancing days mixed with a little bit of Polynesian movements. I love the hip movements of belly since it soothed my backaches during my third trimester...and it also strengthened my core muscles because of the isolation movements. The Polynesian mix was just to help me relax and feel okay while dealing with Braxton Hicks'.
True enough, D loves to listen to different types of music and sounds. This time...we're practicing our routine for a session and he's swaying his arms and kicking his legs like crazy! I hope he gets my passion for dance and movement as well.
Going back to my roots has taught me that even though it's been awhile since I've put on my dancing shoes...when I do put it back on, it's like being a kid all over again, on the stage...just me and the music.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Learning A New Skill
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!
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!
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!
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| 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!
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| 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.
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| 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!).
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| Doing our squats while babywearing our babies! |
We had to do squats while babywearing our "weights"!
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| 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!).
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| 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!
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| 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!
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| Push-ups with a great reward...kisses for my D! |
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