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Tormented by coughs and colds

January 20, 2014, 9:12 am
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We've finally recovered from coughs and colds. The torment started just before New Year's Eve. Vito and Iñigo even suffered fevers. At my friend's wedding in Cebu a few days later, we might've looked all glamorous in this photo but we were feeling under the weather.

In fact, the camera caught Vito caught coughing here. Vince had just changed our boy's nice wedding clothes because Vito was coughing so hard, he vomited all over his shirt, pants and shoes. Meanwhile, I had finally pulled my styled hair into a no-nonsense bun because Iñigo kept using my hair to wipe his dripping nose. I also asked the makeup artist not to cake on the makeup since I keep blowing my nose and I'd look really weird if my face looks flawless but my nose was rubbed red. Sigh. The stories pictures can't really tell!

It's been three weeks. The coughing finally stopped. The noses finally stopped dripping. But still, that's three weeks of my sons unable to sleep well at night, with labored breathing, coughing so hard sometimes that they wake up and then vomit all over the bed. It's been awful.


Now I'm scared to leave the house. Not only is there a measles outbreak (my boys have only been vaccinated once so they might still get it), but I hear and read about viral infections and bad respiratory conditions of practically everyone I know (thanks, Facebook, for updating me!).

We Filipinos usually blame the cold weather for coughs and colds. Nalamigan, nahamog, naginawan. The fact is the cold weather doesn't cause respiratory diseases. So why the rise of respiratory diseases during the cold and rainy seasons?


Vicks says it's because we're in crowded conditions (see here). People stay indoors to keep warm (or dry if it's rainy), and the recent holidays meant shopping in malls, and then reunions and kisses on the cheeks, hugs, hand-shakes. Ugh! That all means germ transfers!!!

My family and I have actually been sick on and off since October. It's really been awful. It's just colds and coughs, nothing that warranted a hospital stay (thank God!), but we've been miserable just the same. To get better, we loaded up on multivitamins, used homeopathic therapy, slurped chicken soup, and dissolved Vicks Vaporub in hot water to steam up the bedroom and soothe our congested lungs and noses.


We are so tired of being sick. Thank God we're finally better! I am so looking forward to a healthy 2014!

For more tips on how to protect your home and your family from viruses and germs, visit this article the new Vicks Philippines website: "Don't let the cold and flu feel at home in your house!"

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The 5 reasons why I'm a Pampers Mommy

January 23, 2014, 5:25 am
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I'm in the midst of this never-ending task of organizing the files on my computer and I saw these old photos of the kids. These were taken in June last year—Iñigo had just turned 1 and Vito was about to turn 3. So this was about two months before I became a Pampers Mommy digital ambassador.

We're buying junk food diapers here and Vito fell asleep in the cart. Typical toddler, he used to fall asleep just about anywhere, which we thought was so hilarious. We have other photos of toddler Vito dropping off (on top of the table, under the love seat, etc) but for this post, let's just do these two photos because this post is all about why I'm a Pampers Mommy.

For my babies bums, it just has to be the best disposable diaper because we're talking about their most sensitive areas. With Vito, I searched hard and long for a diaper that he was hiyang to because he suffered mild diaper rash now and then throughout his first year. I tried the cheap ones but we ended up with Pampers because of these reasons:


1. Dryness that lasts for up to 12 hours.

2. Moisturizing properties of aloe lotion.

3. Softness like cotton.

4. Breathable cover.

5. Comfy fit.

All those reasons point to one big issue: caring for my babies' skin! Many of us are worried about cost or we buy what our friends and fave celebs use/endorse, but what should only matter to us is our baby's skin. Especially that super sensitive area! Keeping my babies' skin dry yet moisturized, fresh and comfy yet secure from spills is what protects them from skin irritation, feelings of being uncomfortable and hot. They are happier, they sleep better and longer, and they're cleaner! All of this matters to me! And Pampers is the disposable diaper that met all my requirements.

I'll be talking about sleep, skincare and hygiene for a few more weeks as my stint as Pampers Mommy nears its end. For more information on good sleep for our kids, join the Facebook page of Pampers Philippines now.

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Another conversation with Vito

January 29, 2014, 8:00 am
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On the last week of December, I was desperately looking for a gown for my friend's wedding. Being pregnant, I was quickly filling out and nothing in my closet fit anymore. So off we went to SM Department Store. It really was wedding season since the dressing rooms were packed with women trying on gowns, too.

Vito came along to the fitting cubicle and when he saw me zip up the gold gown I picked out, he gasped in appreciation. "Wow, Mama! Perfect fit!"

I was so happy! "Aww! Really? It doesn't make me look fat?"

"Oh," he shrugged. "You look fat. See your tummy? Very big!"

The whole dressing room erupted in laughter. Kainis! I laughed, too, actually, and retorted, "That's because Mama is pregnant!" Haha, defensive. I said that loudly so that every single woman in that dressing room will hear but that just made everybody laugh more haha

When I told Vince what happened, he laughed and said, "Never ever ask a guy if you're fat!"

Well, I think I looked just fine teehee.

I'll be blogging about this beautiful wedding (probably the most love-filled and stylish wedding I've ever been to!) on Topaz Horizon this weekend!

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Pregnant mommy guilt

February 2, 2014, 5:56 am
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I'm sad today. I had a bad day with the kids. Been having bad days with them lately. I think it's because they're growing up and becoming more rambunctious while I'm pregnant and getting even more tired each day. The exhaustion is testing my patience and certainly not helping my temper. Perhaps what I'm also struggling with most is this: The most difficult thing about being pregnant for the third time is the fact that I can't take care of myself the way I did when I was pregnant the first time.

The first time, when I was pregnant with Vito, is all magic. It's just me and this new life inside me. All I did was focus on him and him alone. I devoured books on pregnancy, followed week by week the development of my growing baby. I slept and rested all day if needed. I ate only healthy food. I religiously took all my vitamins. I was on the dot with all my tests and appointments, the lab results all filed neatly in a clear book. My first pregnancy was love.

The second time, with Iñigo now, was easy, too. Vito was (and is) a fiercely independent child. When he was just three months old, he'd push me away when he was done breastfeeding. He only asked for me if he wanted to eat or to play or to cuddle. He was happy to be on his own. He made motherhood so easy because I always had time for myself, my husband, my friends, my work. Even though he was only a year old when I was pregnant with Iñigo, he understood what was going on with me, and he preferred playing alone or with his friends or with his Papa than to bother his slow, sleepy pregnant Mama.

Vito demanding I get out of bed and play. Well, it was 9 am! Lazy mommy!

This third time I'm pregnant, however, is very hard. Iñigo is a clingy child. This second son of mine, he can't let go of me. He refuses to let me out of his sight. When I'm in the bathroom, he pounds on the door, crying. He follows me everywhere. He's really like that, since he was born. Iñigo's always happy when I'm within touching distance. So I always brought him along with me, carried him in a sling, did all the attachment parenting things with him, even breastfed him exclusively till just a few days ago because I read that breastfed toddlers are more independent than formula-fed ones.

I don't really mind. Well, okay, I do sometimes, especially since I don't like clinginess—from parents and my friends and even to my choice of husband. My parents knew that I was a better daughter when they respected my need for distance. My friends are like me. We just pick up where we left off and that could be weeks and months in between. Vince isn't high maintenance. He's not the type who wants to be with me all the time. He doesn't reply to texts. He doesn't call except if there's an emergency. As long as he has his books and his writing, he's fine. He and Vito are exactly the same. So when Iñigo came along, I didn't really know what to make of him. Except love him, of course, and if this is how he wants to be loved then so be it. But now that I'm pregnant, I'm just too exhausted having someone stuck to my skin nearly 24/7.

How can anyone resist that guy? Seriously.

It's just not Iñigo, of course. Having no household help and yayas, Vince and I are constantly caring for the kids. Plus, there's the house. It needs to be cleaned, vacuumed, wiped down. Food has to be cooked, dishes need to be washed. Clothes need to be laundered, folded, steamed. So when the kids are asleep, Vince and I take turns working and housekeeping.

I can't eat properly. I can't sleep when I want and as long as I need. I forget to take my prenatal vitamins. I haven't been able to schedule my lab tests. I haven't even been able to just bask in this pregnancy. Today, as I was cooking dinner, I recalled that when I was pregnant with Vito, I wouldn't even cook because I didn't want my tummy, which was at level with the stove fire, to get hot. That was how much I took care of myself, to the point of silliness. Now, who has the time? Kids need to be fed. House needs to be cleaned. Work needs to be done. I don't even blog anymore, unless it's a sponsored post. There really is just no time to sit down and type. To stay sane, I just get on my phone when the kids are watching TV and scroll through Facebook.

The other night, I felt the baby move. I was so amazed. It's always an amazing thing. I focused my thoughts on the darling baby, "There you are. Please be alright. I know Mama's not taking care of herself. I know I'm not taking care of you, but please know that I love you and that I think of you." And that last part I felt guilty about because that's not really true. I don't think about the baby. I forget that I'm pregnant because I'm always running around, washing butts, picking up toys, sweeping crumbs, yelling at the boys to stop hitting each other while I'm cooking their lunch. I'm too busy with my kids to think about the child I can't see.

Please pray the baby will be as perfectly healthy as Vito and Iñigo. Thank you, everyone!

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What Vince wants for V-Day: 7107 Music Festival!

February 2, 2014, 5:48 pm
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Take a break from your mommy duties, mommies! The most anticipated music event of the year is here! And my husband wants to be part of it. Because I'm a Smart subscriber, we just might be able to get even more than just watching and dancing and singing along.

The 7107 International Music Festival will be headlined by the best international acts (including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kaskade, Empire of the Sun, and Kendrick Lamar) and the most talented local bands (like Up Dharma Down, Taken by Cars, and Radioactive Sago Project, and more). This music fest will be held at Global Gateway Logistics City, in Clark, Pampanga on February 22 to 23, 2014. And if you're a really, really lucky Smart subscriber (and I'm hoping that would me moi!), you can win free tickets to the event!!!


Not only will more than a thousand Smart subscribers get to win tickets, we also get to experience the following:
  • Smart Headquarters at the venue so we can all lounge in comfort
  • A chance to meet and greet the artists backstage
  • Take home exclusive merchandise
  • Get exclusive perks on the festival grounds
  • Free WiFi for a truly interactive 7107 experience! Post photos on all your social media accounts so everyone knows you and your hubby and kids are at a historical music event! 
As a happy Smart subscriber, I can vouch for its claim that Smart has the ‘nationwidest’ and most reliable mobile and broadband network in the country.


(From left) Smart’s Media, Trade Activation and Touchpoints Group Head Darlene Chiong and Data and International Services Marketing Head Michele Curran join Tina Herrera, Executive Producer of the 7107 International Music Festival, Smart Innovations and Product Development Group Head Melissa Limcaoco, and Smart Prepaid Marketing Head Joel Lumanlan during the press conference for this year’s most anticipated music event. Smart and SPINNR, the country’s largest online music portal, are co-presenters for the 7107 International Music Festival.

Charles A. Lim, EVP and Head of the Wireless Consumer Division at Smart, says, “We are making sure that our subscribers will have the best music experience during the 7107 International Music Festival that only Smart and SPINNR can provide. We have made a promise that our subscribers can ‘Live More’ by being with Smart. And we believe that the 7107 International Music Festival is a perfect avenue for that.”

Loving that "Live More" mantra! In the past few months that I switched to Smart, I truly have been living more. So now I'm hoping I get to win two tickets to the 7107 International Music Festival. It's the only thing my husband wants for Valentine's Day!!!



To get the latest updates on how you can hop aboard this one-of-a-kind music experience brought to you by Smart and SPINNR, visit smart.com.ph/7107 or follow @SMARTPromos on Twitter and like Smart Communications on Facebook.


Smart is currently the leader in mobile services in the Philippines with over 56 million subscribers as of 2013. With a network of 10,000 4G-capable (HSPA+/Wimax, LTE and LTE-Advanced) sites backed by four times more fiber power delivered through 78,000 kilometers of fiber footprint in the country, Smart provides only the fastest and most reliable mobile service that allow subscribers to Live More.


SPINNR, powered by Smart Music, is the country’s biggest online music portal with more than 3 Million songs from a wide range of local and international artists available for download. For as low as P49, users can enjoy unlimited music streaming from SPINNR on their PCs, smartphones and tablet with no data charges for 30 days. For more information, please visit www.spinnr.ph.

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Sangobion donates to Yolanda victims

February 6, 2014, 8:27 am
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Being pregnant again, my iron needs have nearly doubled (preggy women need 27mg a day while non-pregnant women need just 18mg) so you can bet that I'm relying on Sangobion more than ever these days. 

Unlike other iron supplements, Sangobion contains Ferrous Gluconate. It's organic iron! The body has an easier time absorbing it (no constipation!). Not only does each chocolate-scented capsule contain organic iron, it's also packed with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Copper Sulfate, and Manganese Sulfate. A Sangobion organic iron capsule a day helps us women have healthy blood, which translates to pinker cheeks and redder lips, the ability to focus more, daily can help give women the iron boost they need so she can always look and perform at her best –even during the hectic holiday season. 

I'm really happy that aside from the iron supplement I've trusted since 2009, Sangobion has also been my blog sponsor last year, and now it also helped the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda with generous donations. Here is my family when Sangobion donated to the Red Cross just before Christmas.     

All of us Filipinos know about the devastation Yolanda caused last November throughout the Central Visayas region. Here is what one of the hardest hit areas, Tacloban City, looks like today: 

Our fellow Pinoys are still struggling! Actually, I read somewhere that it's always rebuilding that is hardest for the survivors. That's also the part that the rest of the world forgets about. So we can't stop helping, mommies! Here's what Sangobion, my fellow brand believers, and the media did to help: We attended a fund-raising event just before Christmas where Sangobion pledged to donate cash for each guest who attended. So the more, the merrier!   
The event was at Shangri-la Makati, where we were entertained by comedienne Giselle Sanchez.
Me and Vito enjoying the show.
Iñigo entertained by his brother (in the striped shirt!).
Oh,  I was part of Giselle's skit! I found out just a few hours before the performance so I was really nervous!
The highlight of the event wasn't Giselle and me, though (haha talagang sinali ko sarili ko!). The real cause for celebration is the special donation to the Philippine Red Cross. Ramonito T. Tampos, president and managing director of Merck, Inc., donated Php 200,000. This was the total amount pledged in behalf of everyone who attended the event (it was like Php 5,000 per guest) so we're so glad that people attended the Christmas party! In total, Merck, Inc., the manufacturer of Sangobion, has donated over P2M worth of cash donations, medicines and various relief goods to the humanitarian agency.

Hooray for generous Sangobion and Merck!
Sangobion brand believers: (from left) me, Jenni Epperson, Tin Dychiao, Giselle Sanchez,
Cheska Garcia Kramer, Jackie Go and Rowena Wendy Lei. 

To wrap up the occasion, Sangobion raffled off special gifts (gadgets galore!), and each guest received gift bags of Sangobion goodies. The year 2013 was a successful one for Sangobion and I'm grateful I was chosen as one of its brand believers. Thanks so much for believing in me, too, Sangobion! 

For more information about the benefits of organic iron, visit www.sangobion.ph.

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Five ways we keep the love alive

February 7, 2014, 8:33 am
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Because it's Valentine's Day next weekend!

This blog is supposed to be just about motherhood (marriage topics go live on Topaz Horizon!) but since my blog sponsor Green Cross wanted me to share with you how I keep my love affair with Vince so kakakilig after 15 years, I'm writing a few of our secrets here. Well, I'm kinda shy because that's kinda spilling intimate details, ya know! But here's a list of what we do:

1. Prioritize your marriage. Lots of men and women think that their love story ends at the altar. They stop dating, they stop dressing up, they let themselves go, they put career and kids before each other. Then they wonder why they're so unhappily married.

True, in the hustle and bustle and the drudgery of life, prioritizing your marriage is difficult. As a pregnant mother of two toddlers, I confess this is not easy at all. But it could really be as simple as Vince kissing me first when he gets home from work or from a run before he looks for the kids, or if the kids pounce on him at the door, he hugs them then he always asks, "Where's your Mama?" It's also something as silly as posting a photo of me and Vince (no kids for once!) on Facebook. It's a shout-out to everyone that I think he's my super VIP!
My current Facebook profile photo is Vince and me when we just started dating!

2. Get a hobby that you enjoy by yourself. You don't have to share every interest. For example, Vince patiently listens to me talk about Hollywood while I try to understand his love for cameras. Vince likes to run, I like to sit on the couch and watch crime shows. Vince has his TV shows and music that only he enjoys while I read novels on bestseller lists that Vince sneers at.

We don't share the same hobbies or the same friends, but this delineation helps us keep our individuality. In a marriage, being one is vital, of course, but don't lose your personality. That's how you keep yourself interesting!

3. Take care of your looks. Speaking of interesting, our appearance to each other is very important to us. It's not about vanity, it's really about loving the body your spouse loves. Vince is turning 40 in a few days but because he exercises regularly, has no vices, and eats moderately, he still has the body of a man in his 20s. No joke. I like seeing him naked!!! I'm a little lazy on the exercise aspect (I'm pregnant and tired!) but I know my husband likes it when I'm dressed up, made up, with my hair in a tumble of waves or in a high ponytail. When I'm gorgeous, he can't keep his eyes or his hands off me, and he makes sure to tell our sons: "Look at the most beautiful woman in the world!" It may not be true but I love it anyway!

We met when I was 22 and he was 25 but to this day, my husband tells me I grow more beautiful each year. I know this isn't a lie because he's very supportive with my salon visits and beauty regimens and shopping. In other words, he tells me he wants me to take care of myself. Like, he'd tell me, "Do you want to buy new dresses?" (a.k.a. he's tired of my old outfits haha). Some women tell me that's nerve-wracking, having your husband scrutinize you, but that only means one thing to me: He's looking at me, not at other women!

4. Talk regularly. Nothing too serious or romantic or lengthy. Just a little chat every day is enough. With two kids, no household help, and our work, gone are the days when we would talk and talk and talk for hours on end. Now we talk when the kids have gone to bed. While Vince does the dishes, he likes me to sit across the sink and chat him up. I like talking when I've just showered and he'd massage lotion on me. We also chat on the couch before we go off to work at our computers (we work at night because we do chores during the day). Or, if we've had a terribly busy day, we sneak a cuddle in bed and whisper in the dark till we fall asleep. We do this every single night!

We talk about the kids, of course. But we also like talking about books we've read or the movie we watched or something in the news. We also gossip a lot. It's our guilty pleasure!

5. Enjoy sex, lots of it. I know, I know. Marriage isn't all about sex but it isn't a marriage if you don't consummate it. And it isn't a happy marriage if you don't consummate regularly. Regularly can be daily or weekly or twice a month. I won't say how often Vince and I have sexy time but it's very often (Vince says not often enough!). That's why I'm pregnant every year, folks!

Seriously, though, sex is very important. My prayer group discussed this in great length because we wives have this debacle: We want our husbands to be malambing but guys, grabe lang talaga, they equate sex with affection. It's hard for them to be affectionate with a woman they're not intimate with. Meaning, husbands are "sex muna bago lambing," whereas us wives are "lambing muna bago sex."

Vince and I have always had a very sexual relationship. It is one of our many joys, how we are in utter sync in and out of bed. But when Vito was born, I was in no mood for sex. At all. I just had a big baby come out of my vagina. No way am I letting anything in! Then when we had two kids, with Iñigo being a clingy baby attached to me all day, I just didn't feel like having my skin touched again by Vince at night. Sex (well, the lack of it) was starting to become a problem area in our marriage.

Thank goodness for the Bible! During our tortuous prayer group discussions about this, we wives learned that sex between a husband and wife is God's plan. In fact, the Bible is clear in I Corinthians 7:4-5: "Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." That means married people are supposed to have sex as often as possible, only refraining in mutual consent (for example, you're sick, you just gave birth or he has a business trip) or when you have to pray. When you don't have sex, you both become insecure, you feel unloved, and then it becomes easy to dream of your sexy co-worker or be tempted to have your needs met by someone else!

There are many other ways to keep the love alive, of course. Be affectionate. Respect each other. Laugh together. Call each other silly pet names. Praise each other. Do chores together. Never roll your eyes at each other. Now this is one tip I got from the Green Cross Mommy PROs that I hope I can do more this year:
Next time, no more next time. We are talking about the date nights that we perennially shove to the indefinite state of “next time.” So the next time that this topic comes up, just go for it. A simple date of dinner out and a movie can make wonders to a relationship. There is already an emerging industry of babysitters on a per need basis, and it might do you good to start exploring them if your excuse is your kids.
Vince and I really need to go on dates more. We watched Wicked recently and it was fun. We were dressed up because there were no kids to wrinkle our clothes and smear it with grubby hands, for one thing, and that really made us feel like grown-ups!

How about you? How do you keep your love alive?

For more ideas, check out the suggestions on the Green Cross Mommy PROs Facebook app now. Happy Valentine's week!

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The hugs have been received

February 11, 2014, 9:10 am
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Butt-saving tips please!

February 11, 2014, 11:29 pm
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I'm not talking about my butt haha but Vito's. He's already 3 and we're still in the throes of toilet-training. I see other moms talking about how their kids learned to pee and poop in the toilet in three days and I am in despair because it's been months and we're nowhere near big boy potty success!

It's my fault actually. One thing that's really stopping me is his diaper rash. As you all know, we use Pampers in this house. But since we started toilet-training Vito, we've taken out the cloth diapers again. Or cotton briefs. (I used to put cloth diapers on the kids all the time—except for sleeping and going out—when we had maids, but after the maids left and I found myself at 3am late at night, washing poop-and-pee-stained cloth diapers, I decided my sanity was more precious!). Anyway, since Vito gets wet, his sensitive skin down there gets irritated so I took out Pampers again so he can be dry. The rash goes away and we're all happy again.

Yes, it's my fault!
Vito is pooping here hehe. We're at Mövenpick's garden. He refused to go to the toilet!
My friend Jennie of Marriage and Beyond said cloth diapers helped her toilet-train her son because the wetness made Jed feel uncomfortable so he became more aware of the need to go to the loo. I'd do that were it not for the rash situation. 

Questions to successful moms:
1. How do I take care of his skin while toilet-training him, mommies???
2. Did you use a cloth diaper or a disposable diaper? I'm getting mixed tips from everyone.
3. Did you do the training the whole day? OMG, I don't think I can wipe up pee all day. I don't have a maid and it's so hard for my pregnant body to bend over to the floor!

I have the most helpful mommy readers so you're all madaldal haha. Why don't you blog about how you toilet-trained your kid and how you took care of their bums, then leave the link in the comments section? I promise to visit and read each helpful blog post! I really need to!!! Thanks!

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I'm Elin's first brand ambassador!

February 14, 2014, 4:14 pm
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Hi, pregnant and nursing mommies! I have great news for you. Elin.ph has a line of comfortable clothes in the softest material, just perfect for our changing bodies.

The other great news is for me—I'm Elin's first ever brand ambassador! It's a cute gig—a friendly favor so I'm allowed to wear other brands heehee—but it thrills me still because I have never ever thought I'd be gorgeous enough to be an endorser of clothes. And I'm endorsing fashion when I'm 37 years old and at a time when my body is so imperfect! How crazy is that?
Read more here!

The first Elin dress I wore is the Delsey. Its soft material fits loosely around the body, has stretch, and features Dolman sleeves for those self-conscious of their arms (like me).
For the non-pregnant.
For the pregnant.
But Vince (happy birthday, love!) took one look and said, "It's too long." My husband likes it when I'm showing a bit of skin so the Delsey didn't really impress him. So I shortened it by tying it into a knot around my hips. Vince loved it!


I wore it to the hospital for my lab tests. It was so comfy and light and cool, it felt like I wasn't wearing anything at all! When I posted a photo on Instagram, lots of women loved it, too.

Thanks for making me your first ambassador, Elin! Mommies-to-be and new moms (and even not-so-new moms who want something comfy and stylish to wear!), check out Elin's maternity and nursing collection here!

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My first print ad ever

February 16, 2014, 8:03 am
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Because it was Valentine's Day and I remembered this:

Heehee. I hope the title of this post didn't make you think I'm a glam model now haha (I don't think that will ever happen huhu). But I just wanted to post this Vicks ad that featured my husband and myself (and RJ Ledesma and his wife Vanessa) because I like that the first ad I ever did was of me as a wife and mom. I like that it celebrates my happiness.

This ad came out in parenting and home magazines last November but I only remembered to tell you guys about it now. Funny lang that the copy of the ad made me sound like a teenager. "Gush" and "ardently" made me giggle.

Thanks, Vicks, for making me your brand ambassador for the ManChild campaign!

Find out more about Vicks and how you can care for your family on their new website: vicks.com.ph

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Family fun at Mövenpick Mactan

February 22, 2014, 9:38 am
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Our first trip this year was to Cebu for the wedding of our dear friend, Kat. She was getting married at Mövenpick so we decided to stay there, too. When you have kids with you, you want everything to be as easy as possible!

Mövenpick used to be the Hilton. They're doing extensive renovations on the place so if you plan to stay there, do ask for the refurbished rooms. The place is airy and modern. A wee bit too modern for my taste but I love how airy and spacious everything felt. Like the lobby, for instance.

We arrived early so our room wasn't ready. It was okay since Vito and Iñigo had so much fun exploring the lobby. It was super fun just watching them jump on the huge chairs and lounges, running around the space, looking out at the pools. Beautiful place!

This is the façade of the hotel from the street. Okay, this isn't really going to be a typical review of the hotel so I won't be posting photos of the facilities. There's a ton of travel blogs that have featured really great photos of the hotel so do check those out. Suffice it to say that we loved Mövenpick a lot because our kids loved it there.

But Vince and I are kinda hotel snobs so, if it were up to us, the hotel still needs a lot of improvement. For one thing, the bathrooms. The bathrooms made me faint! The bedrooms were renovated but the bathrooms were completely ignored. While the rooms are bright and airy, all turquoise and white, the bathrooms are still from the 80s, all dark blue tile and marble. The contrast between the fresh room and the dank bathroom is startling and unpleasant.


But that's my only complaint! Everything else is wonderful. The hotel staff were so helpful and friendly. They totally doted on the kids. The food was good. Not excellent, like the food at Shangri-la or Sofitel, but good enough. Okay lang, kumbaga. There are restaurants right down the road outside the hotel and we suggest you eat there instead.

However, at Kat's wedding reception down at one of the hotel's restaurants, Ibiza, the food was OMG good. The kinilaw was the BEST EVER! I don't know if that means the food at Ibiza is really better or it was because the food was specially prepared for the wedding.

The beach is fake, of course, since Mactan is a stony island, but Mövenpick imported really good sand so we enjoyed the beach very much! Plus, we loved the thoughtful touches like toys for the kids, then a hotel staff brought us sea water in a cooler so the boys can build sand castles, then up the steps from the  beach to the garden were wooden buckets filled with fresh water that you can use to wash your feet. All those thoughtful touches really made our stay special.

So will we go back to Mövenpick? YES! For the service alone, they should be loved! It's 5-star service definitely. We love all the smiles and how everyone just jumps to our needs—a glass of cold juice when we arrived, towels handed at the beach when we weren't even thinking about towels, staff looking out for the boys when they were running about wildly, a hotel staff offering to drive us to the airport himself when we realized we were running late!

If you're a mommy planning a trip to Cebu, then do try Mövenpick Hotel. I highly recommend it! I had an easy time booking our stay, and the reservations staff were so helpful even when I had so many demands (haha). Plus, since I booked early, like months before, we got a discount! We love Mövenpick! Just be a bit patient with it because they're renovating, but the service, the beach, the gorgeous lobby are fantastic. Our sons had such a lovely time! So of course their Mama and Papa had a blast, too!

More on Mövenpick at their website!

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Nice vs good

February 23, 2014, 9:25 am
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Vito's favorite bedtime story now is Wreck-It Ralph. The other night, it occurred to him that the bad guy (Ralph) was actually the hero in the movie and that the Nicelanders (the sweet, normal folk Ralph had for neighbors) were the cruel and mean ones. So Vito asked, "Mama, can nice people be evil?"

And, because I'm brutally honest, I said, "Yes. Not all, but in my experience, it's the nice people you watch out for."

Tonight, Vito asked for "Raf stowy" again and this time he asked, "Why are some nice people evil?"

And I told him what his father told me: "Because they are afraid. They're afraid of new things, of different things, of change. They feel threatened that their way of life, their way of thinking, their beliefs will be challenged. Not all nice people are like that but usually the nice ones like everything to be perfect, so when someone looks different or acts different or lives differently than they do, they get very afraid. And you know what Master Yoda said about fear, right?"

Vito nodded in the dark and said, "Afraid then mad then hate then sad!"

Wreck-It Ralph with the nice people of Niceland. Even perfectly nice guy Fix-It Felix isn't really a good guy
since he completely failed to see Ralph's suffering for 30 years!

I've always let Vito trust his gut when it comes to people. Some people he instantly likes, some people he just can't. I don't force him to like everyone. In fact, when Vince and I notice that Vito doesn't like someone, we find out later on that that person is a bad person. The Spidey sense of that child is pretty sharp.

Meanwhile, I'm a very bad judge of character. I think it's because I'm a girl and I was trained to be pleasant and tolerant. All my life, this has resulted to me being used and abused by so-called friends. I'm very picky with my friendships as a result. Despite the fact that I'm the friendly sort, I have very few friends, and you'll know you're one if you've eaten at my table, I've spent time at your house, or if you know certain things about my marriage and kids. I may spill my guts all over my blogs and tell my life story to complete strangers, but the secrets of my marriage and my kids, I protect ferociously. A lot of people think they know a lot about my husband and my boys but only my friends know our problems, our fears, our hopes. All of my friends are as transparent as me (they also all happen to be the eldest girl in their family!), but I trust them with my deepest hurts and joys. And these words will never be used to describe them or me: "She's a nice girl."

Nice is different from good. Nice people try very hard to be nice. That's because they desperately need you to like them. They need approval, they need to belong, they need affirmation. They need something. I've seen that good people are just good. They don't pursue the need to be loved or accepted or affirmed because their very goodness attracts all that. They are secure.

I hope my sons learn to discern who is good and who's just nice. It's very hard to do this. Until now, despite my caution, I still get betrayed by so-called friends who talk about me behind my back and then are super nice to me to my face. I hope my kids learn to love their fellow man without fear or suspicion but have the wisdom to guard their hearts from such nice-but-nasty people. Sadly, I don't know how to teach that as I am learning this myself.


*image from HD Wallpapers


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Why do babies get diaper rash?

February 24, 2014, 3:59 pm
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As you all know by now, I use Pampers disposable diapers on the kiddies. I detailed all the reasons why in this previous post so today I want to talk about diaper rash.

My boys! Always mussed up, rumpled and crazy!

Iñigo never had diaper rash. Vito's the one who suffered from it until we switched to Pampers. We tried the cheap diapers and the cloth diapers, too. The cheap ones just worsened it. The cloth diapers are actually a great help but only if we change the diaper often (and we do because they're cloth). Vito's diaper rash was always mild since I'm always on top of it, whipping out the zinc oxide ASAP. Still, this puzzles me. Why does Vito get it and Iñigo never did?


First, let me state my observations with Vito. He got diaper rash when...
1. He used cheap diapers.
2. We introduced solids.
3. He had diarrhea.

Second, here are the reasons why diaper rash happened under those conditions:
1. Cheap diapers are made of substandard material and are of poor design. So what happens is they may irritate baby's sensitive skin, the plastic lining that prevents leaks may also prevent air circulation so the moist environment causes bacteria to grow.

Actually, it's not entirely correct for me to say that just because a diaper is cheap, it's automatically going to harm your baby. But you know the saying, "You get what you pay for," really applies to most things, especially the stuff we need to be of high quality, like the stuff that touches our babies' skin!

2. Introducing solids will change your baby's poop and pee. Maybe a new food will make your baby's waste more acidic, for example. So your baby's skin reacts to the new chemical composition of his poop or pee. If your diaper isn't a good one, or if you got lazy to change him out of his diapers/wet pants, or if your baby fell asleep with poop in his nappy, then his skin is exposed to the irritants in his waste longer.

3. When Vito had diarrhea twice, his skin got red and sensitive. It never got bad. Like I said, Vince and I are super vigilant with changing his soiled diaper, washing him with gentle cleansers (we like Mustela), and applying diaper rash cream. But the more than usual exposure of his skin to wet poop did take a toll on his skin. Hence, the redness.

And last, why does Vito get diaper rash and Iñigo never?
Well, I don't know. Maybe Iñigo's skin is tougher? Maybe his solid food intake never affected his pee and poop? Maybe because he never had diarrhea? I don't know really! I'm just glad he never had it! Did your kids ever have diaper rash?



If your baby is suffering from diaper rash, here are a few ways to prevent and treat it:
  • Regularly check your baby's diaper for fullness or if there's poop, and change it immediately.
  • Use gentle cleansers when you wash baby's butt. We like Mustela!
  • Use baby wipes that are free from alcohol and fragrance. We like Mustela and Watsons! If baby's skin is super sensitive, use wet cotton balls.
  • Let baby's skin dry completely before putting on another diaper. Check all the folds!
  • Applying a barrier cream can really prevent rashes. We like Mustela!
  • If baby already has a diaper rash, apply zinc oxide cream with every diaper change.
  • If you use cloth diapers, you really have to change baby's diapers more often. Plus, make sure you use gentle detergent since baby might be allergic to the detergent.
  • A good disposable diaper that keeps baby's skin dry and yet lets air circulate and allows baby's skin to breathe will definitely prevent diaper rash! We like Pampers!

So that's how we do it in my house! We always take care of the baby butts! It's also always a good idea to check with your child's pediatrician if the rash doesn't go away, gets worse or is accompanied by a fever. 


For more on caring for your baby's sensitive skin, like the Facebook page of Pampers now!
  
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    My 7 parenting hacks

    February 26, 2014, 4:00 pm
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    My blog sponsor Green Cross asked me to blog about parenting hacks. Hacks is what you call techniques that increase productivity or efficiency. It's computer programmer language that's been adopted to mean anything (short cuts, tricks) that can make life easier and less complicated. So today I'll share my parenting hacks.

    I am all for minimalist parenting a.k.a. slacker parenting. I know that's shocking in this Age of the Supermom where moms cook organic food sourced from farmer markets, or where iPads and TVs are the tools of lazy mothers, and infant formula is milk straight from the gates of hell. There seems to be a prevailing belief these days that anything that makes your life easier is proof that you don't deserve to be a parent.

    Okay. All valid points.

    It's a good thing I don't care what people think hehe!
    Yes, we use the iPad!

    What matters to me is I'm a happy mommy because when I'm stressed out and angry, then I'm an unhappy mommy, and the kids suffer because I yell and throw things around and cry behind the bathroom door. For example, one night, while Vince was out running, I decided I wanted to surprise him with my special adobo. I had two kids, no household help. But I was sure my husband was going to be impressed with his very pregnant wife, who not only cared for his two kids while he was at the gym but cooked him a fabulous dinner as well! How hard could it be? I can't even begin to describe it.

    I was running out of the kitchen every few seconds because the boys were climbing on top of the dinner table and I caught Iñigo swinging from the chandelier. I ran back to the pot to find that it had bubbled over and I cursed aloud because that means I'll have to clean up the sticky mess after. Then I ran out again because I heard the boys banging their die-cast metal cars on the glass coffee table. Then I ran into the kitchen again because I smelled something burning (I forgot to turn down the fire). By the time I set the table, I was such a nervous and angry wreck that I broke one of my gorgeous gold-rimmed plates (because I wanted to serve my special adobo on the pretty plates of course), the kids were crying, Vince arrived to find not a fab dinner but chaos, and I wanted to run out into the night and smoke a cigarette except I had already quit 4 years ago.

    All this drama and pain could've been prevented if I had just ordered Chinese food! We all want to do our very best but sometimes the best doesn't have to be so difficult. Perfect parenting is not what I aspire for. I just want to be a good and loving parent and to be that way, I have to be relaxed and happy, so I've resorted to a few tricks to keep me sane and parenting fun!

    So, without further ado, I hereby present My Parenting Hacks:

    Order in. Eat out. 
    1. Order food. I think my story up there explains this. You don't have to order every meal (that's expensive and unhealthy!) but neither do you need to cook every single meal your family eats. Unless it's your thing since some moms love to cook. I don't. It's a stressful activity for me even though I'm actually a really good cook. So if you're too tired from a too long day, don't be a martyr. Call for pizza now. It's okay!

    2. Give kids fresh milk. Of course nothing beats the ultimate hack of all: breastfeeding! But since both my boys weaned on their own (I'm very proud of this no-drama development) and yet they're still just 3 and almost 2, they still need milk. I considered powdered milk (I still haven't said no to powdered milk yet!) but we found it easier to just buy fresh milk in the carton. Instead of making timpla pa, we just pour it out. Easy!

    3. Put a mini cooler/ref in the bedroom. Iñigo wakes up at 3am asking for milk, Vito wakes up at 5am to do the same. I used to wake up groggily and stumble to the kitchen, make them their milk then stumble right back to bed. Now Vince and I just prepare their bottles before I sleep, put the milk in a mini cooler of ice, park that cooler beside the bed, and when the kids wake up, I just pop open the cooler and grab their milk! Life is so much easier! Vito even doesn't wake me up anymore, he just gets his own milk from the cooler!

    That's the Hulk chasing after Wreck-It Ralph.
    4. Use Lego for everything. There's no need to buy new toys when there's Lego. Vito builds his own Avengers. The boys build new toys every day for sword fights, epic battles, towers and cars. We teach them colors and patterns and counting with Legos. Legos are amazing!

    5. Mattresses make great slides. For those days when the kids are bursting with energy but can't be forced to wear shorts and shoes to go outside and play, we take the kiddie mattress from the bed frame, plop it against the sofa and the kids can slide down all afternoon. Physical activity is non-negotiable, so if they have to do it pants-less, then so be it. I don't want to fight anymore!

    A crafts service has taken out all the headache of crafting activities! 
    6. Subscribe to a crafts box service. Some moms love planning crafting activities for their kids and they get excited to go to Divisoria and get good deals on art paper, glitter and stuff. I'm not that kind of mom. Anything that lets me stay at home (like online shopping!) is a good thing, so I'm so happy I have Sandbox crafts service. Every month, a box of arts and crafts—with a lesson plan, too!—arrives on my doorstep and the kids and I learn and have fun. No stress!

    7. Use machines. Life can be much easier with intelligent appliances. We use a steamer instead of an iron—a 2-hour ironing session is over in 20 minutes with a steamer. Moms, invest in a water heater, vacuum, washing machine and dryer. I'm finally buying a microwave oven this year because I'm tired of bringing out and washing pots and pans just to heat leftovers. I want a dishwasher and a good big oven, too. If I can buy a robot to do every chore in this house, I would. Less time doing chores means more time being with my kids and doing my work!

    That's just a few of what we do to survive and enjoy parenting. I'm not saying you should do what I do. Some mothers really enjoy the hunt for the perfect slab of organic beef, or they enjoy preparing quinoa and kale salads, or they find fulfilment in running their household on a strict schedule. You know what's best for you and your family. In my case, I love being super hands-on with my kids (I enjoy washing poop off their butts, strangely) but for the other parts of parenting that I don't enjoy, I've found ways to make life easier for both me and my family. Because, yes, parenting is the hardest job in the world but, really, it doesn't have to be any harder than it already is.

    Do you have parenting hacks? Do share in the comments! For more parenting hacks, visit the Green Cross Facebook page now!

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    7 common mistakes moms do in taking care of their baby's skin

    February 28, 2014, 4:00 pm
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    Sometimes I still can't believe I'm the mother of two babies. There's another one coming in the middle of this year, too, and we can't wait for the little one's arrival. If someone from this time went back into the past and told the younger me that I was going to be a mom of three and that I'd actually like the whole idea of it—poop and all—the younger me would never have believed it.

    Unlike a lot of girls, I never thought motherhood was in my cards. For one thing, I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 22. It's a disease of the uterine lining that makes the woman bleed too much and too often, causing blood cysts to form and attach all over the reproductive system (sometimes even on other systems). The cysts and scarring eventually make getting pregnant impossible. While the bleeding and pain definitely had to be addressed, the eventual infertility never bothered me. For one thing, I never liked kids (I kinda still don't actually, hehe, I just like mine!) so a future without kids looked fine and dandy to me.

    Imagine how I felt when the pregnancy test said I'm positively pregnant with Vito! I freaked out. I was 33, I've had endometriosis for over a decade. Pregnancy wasn't supposed to happen! So I devoured all the pregnancy and new-mommy books. I gobbled up every baby-care article I found on the Internet. I asked my old yaya (the one who took care of me and my brothers) to come teach me how to be a mom.

    I'm so glad Yaya Marita was there to help me. I didn't know how to take care of babies at all. There was a lot of stuff I would've done wrong, were it not for her guidance. So when my blog sponsor Pampers asked me to write about common mistakes moms do when caring for their baby's skin, these are what I would've done but didn't, thanks to my expert Yaya M!

    Vito at 4 months.
    Giving baby daily baths. Especially with newborns, baths aren't necessary at all. It's not like they roll around in the dirt in their first few days, even months! In fact, until their umbilical cord (or, in the case of circumcised boys, their penis) is healed, don't get baby wet at all. Just a sponge bath is all the wee one needs. When the umbilical cord has fallen off, baby still doesn't need a daily bath. Maybe twice or thrice a week will do.

    Using regular soap. Baby's skin is a lot more tender than ours so don't use regular soaps on them. Some germaphobe parents will even use antibacterial soap! Don't do it! In fact, pediatricians say clean water is fine. Only use the mildest baby cleanser when baby is dirty, and they usually don't get into that state until they're walking and tumbling and feeding themselves. Even then, just soap the dirty, sweaty parts (hands, butt, feet, knees, neck) and just use water on the rest.

    Soaking in a tub of soapy water. I used to do this to my boys! I figured that since I love soaking in a tub of warm suds, my kids would love it, too. But soapy water can irritate the urethra. For girls especially, this can be a cause of UTI. If baby enjoys her baths a lot, just let her sit in clean warm water.
    Vito loved bubble baths. Oops!

    Using wet wipes not meant for the delicate areas. Choose hypoallergenic, unscented and alcohol-free. It's really important to read the labels since there's a plethora of wet wipes in the market. Some are anti-bacterial, for example, or some are makeup removers.

    Kissing! Because the mouth is teeming with all sorts of bacteria! Don't kiss baby on their lips! Daddies should also be extra gentle because they usually have stubble that can irritate baby's sensitive skin. It also goes without saying that other people shouldn't kiss baby on the mouth, too. Just kiss hands and feet if you can't resist (and who can resist a baby?).

    Not using sun protection. Since babies are still so very delicate, don't expose them to the sun. If the pediatrician recommends a sun bath, do it in the gentle light of the early morning sun. It's also best to use sunscreen made for their skin. Sunscreen for babies are not like sunscreen for us grownups. Their sunscreen is made with zinc oxide (yes, like diaper rash cream!) so that it just sits on the skin as a barrier, it doesn't get absorbed.

    Putting baby powder with every diaper change. I've never used baby powder on my baby's privates. I've used cornstarch (not talc) on their backs when the weather is really hot, but sprinkling generous amounts of baby powder is not a good idea since this can irritate baby's genitals, nasal passages and lungs, and trigger allergies like asthma. If you want to keep baby's diaper area dry and comfy, use a great diaper like Pampers!

    Hope my list helped! For more on caring for your baby's sensitive skin, like the Facebook page of Pampers now!
      
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    Mid-pregnancy report!

    March 6, 2014, 8:41 am
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    Okay, whew, I've been gone for a week here! That's because I'm updating my lifestyle blog, Topaz Horizon. Ever since I became a work-at-home mom, my life has been more mommy than anything so I've been neglecting Topaz Horizon for, like, a year (whaaaaaat?!). So if you miss mommy me, jump on over to glamorous me (haha) because my life is not all about my kids, ya know!

    So! Where were we? Oh yes. Mid-pregnancy report. Right. I'm 21 weeks now, just past the halfway point of my third pregnancy. This pregnancy is going by really fast, mostly because I'm preoccupied with the two kids already living so largely and loudly in my life, and partly because, well, it's the third time around. Nothing's a surprise really.

    A few days ago, Vince and I dropped off our two boys at their grandparents' house and went off to St. Luke's Global to have our congenital anomaly scan. That's when a sonologist peers in the womb to check on the baby, ya know, if the baby has all its parts. I always find this scan so stressful. But, thank God, everything's there: the brain, the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the spine, the arms and legs, hands and feet, all ten fingers and all ten toes, the kidneys, the stomach, the four-chambered heart beating so strong and steady, and the penis.

    Yes! Yes! We're having another boy!
    Another one of these cuties!

    We're so happy!

    Vince was hoping for a girl and I wanted one, too, because I had found the most perfect name in the whole world for a girl. It's so perfect that every time I see other girls' names (including mine), I sigh wistfully. But a boy is fantastic! Three boys! Wow. Crazier times ahead! We can't wait!

    Now we just need to find a name for the new little boy. Vince is already busy with that. He's always the one excited with the names of our kids. I love him for being even more excited than me haha. Four months to go! Can't wait to meet the little cutie!

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    Preparing the boys for their new baby brother

    March 9, 2014, 8:54 pm
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    My blog sponsor Green Cross asked me to talk about preparing my kids for the new baby's arrival because they have an article on their Mommy PROs app over at their Facebook page ("When Baby #1 Becomes an Ate or Kuya") and they wanted me to expound on the topic, too. I should be an expert, right, since Vito took to Iñigo quite well, despite these photos saying otherwise:
    Unhappy Vito when Iñigo was a newborn.
    Naughty Vito happy to sit on his baby brother.

    But I'm really no expert. Vito was only 22 months old when Iñigo was born but he processed the change in his life quickly and took to his role as big brother with relish. His ability to get over himself and welcome Iñigo with love is a testament to his own emotional maturity and empathy. Vince and I don't really have anything to do with it. We did follow some tips and tricks from other parents:
    1. Tell everyone your baby is in contact with (yayas, grandparents, aunts and uncles, your friends) never ever to tease your child about the new baby. For example, "Mommy will have a new baby soon. Mommy won't love you anymore!" You shouldn't tease your kid either. Your child will feel threatened and will resent his new sibling. 
    2. Make your child feel excited about the new arrival. This can get tricky because if you get him too excited ("You'll have a new playmate! You'll have a best friend forever!") and then the baby comes out and is basically a screaming, pooping, crying blob for the first six months, your firstborn might think you were lying to him haha. 
    3. Give your eldest child a gift from the baby. Everyone gave this advice, so days before I was due to give birth, we bought a Lightning McQueen toy for Vito and packed it in the hospital bag. When Vito came to see his new baby brother, Iñigo had McQueen in his hand (well, kinda haha) and we told Vito that his brother had a gift for him. Vito was thrilled to bits, and that relationship was off to a great start!

    Like I said, I'm not so worried about Vito. First, he's already gone through this. Second, he's almost 4 so he understands that he's got another sibling coming. Last, he's actually excited about the whole thing. He keeps patting my tummy and talking to Baby Chicken and saying, "I love Baby Chicken." Sometimes he yells to the little guy inside, "Come out, Baby Chicken! Come out now!" And I go, "Not yet, not yet. He's not big enough." And then he'll go yell again to my tummy, "Eat, Baby Chicken! get big now!" Silly Vito.

    As for Iñigo, well, I'm worried about that bunny.

    I mentioned before that he's my clingy son. He's so possessive, he's so jealous. Sigh! One of the biggest reasons I breastfed my kids is because studies say breastfed babies are loads more independent than formula-fed ones, so you can say I'm a bit disappointed that that study didn't apply to my second boy. Didn't apply to my first one either since Vito was mix-fed and he was fiercely independent from Day 1. I'm not against breastfeeding, okay? I still think it's one of the best things I ever gave my kids and myself. I just now think that a child's independence is not in the milk, it's in the kid's personality.

    Iñigo was breastfed exclusively (not even bottle-fed with expressed milk!) till middle of last month (breastfed exclusively for 21 months!). But he clings soooo much, it drives everyone crazy in this house. For example, when he sees me and Vince sitting beside each other, he'll get really mad and burrow himself in between us. Every single time. It's a miracle Vince and I found a way to get pregnant again! It's just insane how Iñigo can't bear it for me to be with anyone. Even when I'm talking to other people, he hates it. I'm hoping he'll grow out of this insecurity because I can say with all confidence that neither Vince nor I have done anything to make Iñigo feel insecure. Aside from the exclusive breastfeeding, he also benefited from having no yayas, growing up with both parents taking care of him 24/7, and having a caring older brother.

    Don't get me wrong—Iñigo is a sweet baby boy. Very affectionate and kissy and huggy. Unlike Vito. Vito can be affectionate but in a bro kinda way. And he's more verbal than showy. If he does hug and kiss, it's very brief and quick. When we hug and kiss him, you can tell he just tolerates the whole exercise. But Iñigo relishes hugs and kisses, and lavishes us with so much affection. He likes to touch, he likes sitting on our laps, he likes cuddles. He's a total darling.

    So I'm worried about my second boy. We're already preparing him for the baby's arrival the way we did with Vito for Iñigo, but I have a niggling thought that whatever we do won't be enough. Do you have any more tips?

    For more ideas, check out the suggestions on the Green Cross Mommy PROs Facebook app now.

    P.S. For this post, I read a previous blog post about how Vito reacted to Iñigo's arrival ("My one mommy heartbreak"). It made me cry, remembering how it was for Vito, and yet it also made me super proud of how wonderful their relationship now is.


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    7 diaper tips and tricks

    March 10, 2014, 9:07 am
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    In one of my Pampers posts, someone asked me how she should properly dispose soiled diapers when she and her baby are out and I said, "Scrape off the poop into the toilet, flush, then wrap up the diaper in a plastic bag before throwing it in the trash can so that you won't stink up your host's bathroom."

    That simple tip made more than a few moms to exclaim, "Wow, I never thought of flushing the poop! I never thought of wrapping the diaper in plastic!"

    Well, here are a few diaper tips and tricks I picked up from other parents and from the Internet:

    1. New moms are told to buy diapers in bulk for greater savings. But when you have a new baby, you don't know yet which diaper will be the right one for your child. With my first baby, we bought a big pack but we ended up not using that brand because Vito kept leaking. We tried cheap diapers, expensive diapers, cloth diapers until we finally found the right one. So buy just small packs at first till you and your baby find the right one, then buy in bulk to save money.
    Only stock up once you find the perfect diaper for your kids.

    2. A changing station is a sanity-saver. It should be a good height so you won't break your back, and it should have space for everything you need—diapers, wet wipes/wet cotton balls, diaper rash cream, et al. Everything must be within reach since it is never advisable to leave a baby on the changing table while you run to the bathroom for tissue or to the closet for new diapers.

    3. Never ever leave baby on the changing station or elevated surface (like the bed) unattended! If you must go get something, bring baby with you. If you can't place the baby on the floor.

    4. While a changing station is a great idea, I found that multiple changing stations are an even better idea when the babies start walking. That way, you always have a wet wipe and a diaper within reach whether you're in the bedroom, the living room or the kitchen!
    Baby Vito! We change his diaper everywhere—on the bed, sofa, pouf, and
    even standing up in the bathroom at the mall!

    5. Be quick. When baby starts to squirm and wriggle, this is the only way to keep both you and baby happy! If you're naturally slow, then entertain baby with songs or with a toy. My second son, Iñigo, likes to hold his new diaper. I tell him, "Will Mama's happy helper hold on to this nice clean diaper while I wipe you up down here?" And he's really happy to help! I also like that Pampers diapers feature different animals so we point out the animals and identify it or make its sounds.

    6. Be positive. Never make your child feel ashamed or guilty about pooping or peeing. I know, I know. Poop smells awful. Babies also tend to poop just as soon as you finished changing their diaper and since diapers are not exactly cheap, it can feel terribly wasteful. But don't tell your baby he's bad for pooping in his diaper again, or don't make him feel bad because his poop stinks or looks yucky, or don't act disgusted. Psychologists have long said that potty incidents can affect a person's psyche. There have been links to bad toilet training experiences and adults feeling ashamed of their sexuality (and they either become sexual deviants or cannot enjoy sex at all). So make every diaper change, every potty training session, every trip to the toilet, even every accident just a normal thing!

    7. Wash your hands. I wash my hands after every diaper change. What I forget is to wash my hands beforehand! I am, after all, about to touch my child's most sensitive areas and it's never a good idea to go down there with bacteria-laden hands!

    If you have more tips, do share in the comments! Thanks, mommies!

    For more on caring for your baby's sensitive skin, like the Facebook page of Pampers now!
      
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      Smart's new promo may get your family in their ads!

      March 13, 2014, 2:21 am
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      Looking at this post's title, I just realized you might think it's family planning haha. Nope, I meant that Smart has an online promo called #SmartFamilyTies. Here's what you have to do:

      1. You have to have an Instagram account set to public.
      2. Share your family photo featuring the month's theme.
      3. Don't forget to tag your photo @smartcares and to use the promo hashtag #SmartFamilyTies.
      4. Keep your fingers crossed your photo will be picked for Smart's online ads!

      The first theme is graduation. This is currently running until March 21. Ads featuring the graduation theme winners will run on March 28 – April 5. The next themes will be summer, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. Smart will be announcing the themes and I'll make sure to tell you mommies about it.

      Prizes are free phones, gift certificates to restaurants, and an overnight stay at Sofitel for the whole family! Hooray!

      Smart announced this promo yesterday at a lunch at Romulo Café in Makati, which I attended with other mom bloggers.
      I did this! Because I love my blog sponsor! Thanks, Smart, for making me Live More!
      Pretty decor for the mommies to enjoy.

      There was a short program featuring supermoms Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Janice Villanueva and Ana Ongpin talking about how technology helps them juggle work and family in the best way. Smartphones help these moms and their hubbies to stay connected with each other and their kids throughout the day.

      As a kinda busy mom myself—yeah, kinda busy only because if I'm very honest, I'm really not that busy!—I can attest to how my life has become so much easier when I switched to Smart a few months ago. With an iPhone, an iPad Mini, a strong and constant mobile signal and unlimited data as my tools, motherhood, marriage and work have become much easier to juggle and to enjoy.

      I'll be talking about the Family Ties Plans this weekend. But in a nutshell, there are two postpaid plans that offer three lines and three handsets. Each of the three lines in Plan 900 and Plan 1800 includes Unlimited Calls and Text to the two other lines, Unlimited Texts to all Smart subscribers, 200 texts to all networks, data for mobile internet browsing and three handsets from an array of smartphones.

      If you're interested in Smart’s Family Ties Plans, call 848-8877 or dial *887 on your SMART mobile phones. You may also go to the Smart Store nearest you or visit http://smrt.ph/familytiesplans for more details.

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