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Boy or girl?

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Before you think this is about what gender I'd want my next baby to be, it's actually about pregnancy myths. Haha. Akala niyo buntis na naman ako, no? Hehe.

Anyway, I'm subscribed to the Anmum Mommy Circle Facebook group (like their page, too!) and many times I see a lot of moms posting questions on the wall. Questions on pregnancy symptoms are common, and how to handle meddling in-laws, too, tee hee. I sometimes answer because I'm very helpful like that but sometimes I'm alarmed at how some questions are really from another time, as in, hindi-pa-uso-ang-science time.

Second pregnancy: I was huge!
When I was pregnant with my second baby Iñigo, my former yaya did this stupid pencil-on-a-thread thing on me. She stuck a needle and thread into a pencil eraser then suspended that pencil above my wrist. She said that if the pencil goes side-to-side, I'll have a girl. If the pencil goes back and forth, I'll have a boy. The pencil went back and forth ("See? Lalaki panganay mo—si Vito!") then the pencil started going side-to-side ("Bebe! Yung pangalawa mo babae!"). When the ultrasound showed that Wiggle was a boy, she wouldn't believe it. Pencil over ultrasound pa rin!

First pregnancy: My skin calmed down when I was 6 months along.
My dermatologist always predicted the gender of my kids correctly. She said, "Sooo many pimples. You're having a boy. His testosterone is making your skin break out." I did hate it when other people would tell me gleefully, "Ang panget mo! Lalaki dinadala mo, no?" Minsan, if I was feeling especially bitchy, I say it back, "At least ako, may excuse! Ikaw?" No, I wasn't a pleasant pregnant woman.

Anyway, what one looks like while pregnant, what others think of you when you're preggy and even the baby's gender really shouldn't be important in the great scheme of things. What matters is mommy and baby are healthy! So as long as you're eating right, taking your multivitamins, drinking your Anmum if OB says you need it, doing your exercises, and basically doing what you can for a healthy pregnancy, then rest in the knowledge that you are giving your best to your child!

Now if you really still believe in pregnancy myths, Anmum has a new website that says it's time you believe in science!

Now, do I want a boy or girl if I'm lucky enough to have a baby again? It doesn't matter at this point. I'd love to have another boy. I think I'm a mother of men! I do think girls are love but I don't know what I'd do with them. I never really related well with girls. I think like a man. I act like a man. I'm actually a man with a vagina. 

P.S. Vince just said over my shoulder, "No, you're not. You only think you are." Hehe.


Vaccinations let my kids do more!

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Someone once told me that he and his siblings attended chicken pox parties when they were kids. That was how their moms dealt with the virus—let the kids get it while they were still young so that there won't be horrible scarring in their teens. These days, you won't have to throw a chicken pox party. You can just get your kids vaccinated!

Mommies, let's educate ourselves about our kids' health. When GlaxoSmithKline invited me and a few moms for an afternoon seminar on kids' health called P.L.A.Y. (Protection, Love and Activities for Young Kids), we hied off to Fun Ranch with our hubbies and babies pronto.
Here are the mommies having fun learning about diseases and how to prevent them. Yep, there were guessing games and puzzles and adventure hunts for moms and kiddies.

Since my babies were too young to participate, I stayed at the back with Vince. Here they are clambering all over me! I tried my darndest to listen to the lecture by Dr. Carmina Delos Reyes, a pediatrician whose expertise lies in pediatric infectious and tropical diseases. I got that little bit of info from The Filipino Doctor.

Dr. Delos Reyes talked about common childhood infections that we tend to ignore because, well, kids get sick. It happens. They die. They die??? Yes. Every year, Dr. Delos Reyes said, a million children die from pneumococcal diseases (PDs). PDs include meningitis, sepsis, bacteremia, pneumonia and acute otitis media (middle ear infection).

Our elders usually tell us when our kids get sick that as long as the child is still "makulit," there's nothing to worry about. Fever? Headache? Muscle pain? Colds? Cough? Every kid gets that! But we're the more informed generation now, right? And we don't sit back and let diseases ravage our kids! We fight!

As parents, we should arm ourselves with proper knowledge about our children's health. I'm happy I have my What to Expect books. I am a fan of kids' health websites like WebMD, Ask Dr. Sears, Kids Health, and Healthy Children. I love that our boys' pediatrician, Dr. Cricket Chen of St. Luke's Global, really takes the time to talk to us about each developmental milestone, each sickness (which happens really rarely in our boys!) and each vaccine with Vince and me.

It's very important to know what we can do to protect our children from so-called common diseases like PDs. Read up! There are many books and credible sources online. Mommy Mundo, P.L.A.Y.'s organizer, has been actively campaigning for preventive healthcare for our kids for many years (for more info, click here!). Plus, make sure you talk to your kid's pedia about vaccines.

My babies are vaccinated and breastfed! 
But you know what the best way to keep your babies' immune system super strong and their little bodies protected against germs and bacteria and other nasty things? Not only is this amazing prevention step readily available, organic and natural, it's also FREE! What is this miraculous product, you ask? Breast milk.

Breastfeed your child as soon as he is born and keep him on your fabulous milk for as long as possible and you'll have a strong and healthy kid. Breastfeeding does these amazing things:
  • Boosts immune system with infection-fighting white blood cells
  • Prevents food allergies
  • Protects against respiratory infections, diarrhea, dehydration, ear infections, meningitis, UTIs and many more!
  • Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome

With properly scheduled immunizations, great food, sunlight, fresh air, active play, breast milk and lotsa loving, your baby's good health is guaranteed!


Why mom bloggers are liking Ferretti shoes

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I normally don't attend events anymore, unless I can't resist the one who invited me. Either the brand or the person from the PR/brand. In this case, I couldn't say no to Liz Lanuzo of the beauty blog Project Vanity. She's one of the few bloggers I admire so when she said one of her clients, Ferretti, a local shoe brand, is inviting a few mom bloggers to check out their shoes, I showed up.
We all gathered first at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery at Glorietta 1. It was my first time there, but I've heard practically all of Manila gushing about the place like it's the most beautiful thing on this good earth. Well, it is a very pretty place. Not exactly my cup of tea but it was cozy and cute, a place little girls would love. I loved the dainty pots and tea cups. I even told Karrots of Live, Love, LOLz that I wish Vanilla Cupcake sold the pots and cups the way TWG does. Oh, in case you didn't know, Vince and I collect tea pots!  

Anyway! I'm rambling. Let's go back to Ferretti.

This is Cecille. She likes to call herself the daughter of the owners. She then regaled us with her parents' love story. Her mother's family owned the factory, her father was one of the workers. Theirs was a love story fit for telenovelas. All the mommies were thrilled to bits and asked for more details. But we were there to talk about shoes!

Ferretti is a Proudly Pinoy brand. The shoes are all designed by Cecille's mom. Then her dad is in charge of making them come to life. Sooo romantic! She dreams them up, he makes them come true! All the shoes are handmade in Marikina. Yes, handmade. You can even ask them to customize a pair for you, in case you wanted a design in a different material or other color or your left foot is bigger than your right. Even though the shoes are handmade, they're very affordable. They start at around P600! The mommies were happy again!

Here are some of the shoes I liked:
Yeah, all summery and flat and comfy. Yes, comfy! I was very surprised at how good they felt on my feet. We all remarked at how light the shoes are, too. You know how some shoes are so heavy, you stomp? Or you feel like your calf muscles are getting a workout? Ferretti shoes are light! They feel like air! All the moms were so happy!

There were other designs, by the way. The other moms were freaking out over the high heels and wedges and platforms but those styles belonged to my former life; my life now is all about chasing a toddler and carrying an almost-year-old baby! So I ended up choosing between these two:
I picked the sandals. I love them! They're just P795! They are so comfortable and they match many of my outfits—whether it's a dress, a top and shorts or jeans. I want to go back and get the black pair, too! Actually, I want more more more!

The nearest Ferretti shop to me is the Glorietta branch. But you can find Ferretti in Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Robinsons Place Bacolod, Robinsons Place CDO, Gaisano Davao and Gaisano Gensan. Visit their website for a complete list of styles and branches.


Pregnant? Don't eat for two! Autism is linked to obesity in pregnancy

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You know how everyone tells you to eat and eat and eat when you're pregnant? Don't do it. My OBG, Dr. Rebecca Singson, actually put me on a diet when I was pregnant both times. She told me, "I want you to gain between 25-30 lbs only. It gets dangerous if you go beyond that." I gained 33 lbs for each pregnancy (Oops!). She said big pregnancies puts women at risk. You get high blood pressure, which can endanger your life and the baby's life. You get diabetes. You'll have a hard time delivering vaginally. You get fat.

But here's another alarming reason why you should stop shoveling food into your pregnant body: Your child may suffer autism. Research, and this was research reported last year, has shown that there is a link between autism and being fat before and while pregnant.

Here's screencaps from the Wall Street Journal article:

Autism now affects 1 in 50 kids. That's alarming. I know 6 kids with autism. Everyone says autism is an epidemic. But it's not contagious. So why are more and more kids getting diagnosed with this condition? Well, I believe it's because we're a generation that eats a lot. That's just what I believe. Science hasn't pinpointed the exact factors that cause the condition, but if research has found that being fat before you got pregnant and while you were pregnant raises the risk for autism to a whopping 60%, then, mommies, watch your weight! That's 60%! That's a huge risk!

Of course, there is still no single reason why our kids have autism so, moms, never ever think it's your fault. There's genetics, there are environmental triggers. Studies have shown that autism happens more in kids with older moms, or moms who lived near a highway, or moms who didn't take prenatal vitamins, or if the gap between the kids was less than a year. Guess that means we should all clean up the environment, plan our families, and have kids in our 20s. Oh dear.

I guess I shouldn't get pregnant anymore. I may have had healthy pregnancies, with my weight controlled, but I'm 36, I live along EDSA, my Papa has diabetes and there's autism in the family, too. Genetics, check. Environmental triggers, check. Getting pregnant is not so good an idea anymore for me!

But if you're a woman wanting to be a mom or you're pregnant, be vigilant and watch your weight! Now more than ever, we must have healthy pregnancies—eat healthy, eat moderately, take prenatal vitamins, exercise. Again and again, I can't stress it enough, watch your weight!

April is Autism Awareness Month. Read up on the condition. Learn how you can lower your unborn child's risk, how to check your child for early signs of autism (early diagnosis and intervention can make a huge difference!), how to get help and treatment, and how to treat children with autism and their parents (with kindness and compassion, of course!).


Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo and kids on Smart Parenting

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And I wrote the cover story!

This was a great interview because Judy Ann remembered me! She was actually happy to see me again. I first interviewed Judy Ann three years ago (see here). Back then, I had a hard time interviewing her. She was pleasant and all but I felt like she was giving me canned answers. But now, with this interview, she was candid and happy and confident. She admitted it later, too. She said she used to be so insecure—yes, even though she's a superstar!—and she would be so guarded about her image. But when she became a mother, she truly found who she is and she doesn't care anymore about what people think of her.

She told me, "Nakuha ko na ngayon yung confidence that I’ve been looking for the past how many years of my life. Ngayon lang ako confident sa kung sino ako, kung ano ako. I’m 35, turning 35 this year. How else can I reinvent myself? Sa papaano pang paraan ko pa maipapakita sa mga tao na I am more than this? But the again I realize that there’s nothing to prove anymore. I don’t have to prove anything. The only thing I have to prove now is I have to prove to my children that I am a good mom and a good wife to my husband. Wala na akong ibang tao pang kailangan isipin."

That's what motherhood did to me, too! It gave me a new power, a new confidence. Judy Ann and I talked about that, too. How motherhood made us "unpleasant" in the sense that we're no-nonsense, no-bullshit now. Don't waste a mother's time!



Judy Ann and Ryan got so gigil with Iñigo. But they're not so hot on having another kid just yet. They're happy with the dynamics of their family now. I guess it must be so annoying to be asked about having more kids all the time but I had to ask.
More children? (Laughs out loud) We’re thinking, we’re thinking about it, maybe one more pero it’s easier said... Well, yung done thing, easy lang naman din yun (laughs). Yung pagpapalaki, yun ang the hard part. Now kasi parang perfect balance na tig-isa kami ng bata lalo na kapag nasa trips kami abroad. Siguro by the time na magkaroon kami ng pangatlo, si Yohan would be talagang overly independent already.    
Well, I was going to bring this up. When we were both pregnant...  (Laughs) Yes!
Sabi mo sa akin na ipagsusunod-sunod mo... Oo, naisip ko rin yan.  
Para isang payatan na lang. Oo nga. 
O, ako ang nag-ganun. Here he is, the second one! Ako ang nagpabuntis agad. Oh, ikaw pala yung nakinig sa sinabi ko! 
You wanted sunod-sunod para isang payatan lang and I thought that’s a great idea. Obviously, hindi ko siya nagawa (laughs)!

More photos from the shoot here.
I interviewed Ryan, too. That guy is so smart. It was really refreshing talking with him because he's also not bullshitting you. He reminded me of Vince actually!

For more about the Agoncillos, grab the April issue of Smart Parenting now!


Work-at-home mom, 2 babies, no maids

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I just described myself.

I actually like having no maids. I've said that before and I'll say it again: Life is better without strangers in your house. Especially strangers you treated kindly, as part of your family, and then they go and steal P10,000 from you just like that.

Life is so much better. If you call a not-so-clean house and fast food meals a better life. Well, fellow blogger Tara of Chronicles of Vanity came by the house a couple of days ago and she said our house was clean. Hooray! I hope you meant it, Tara! And thanks so much for bringing us food!

To be fair to me and Vince, we do the chores and I cook as much as we can but our time is really divided between the kids and our work. Household chores can wait! And between chores and sleep, you can bet which one wins!

But life is so much nicer. The kids are happier. Their parents are happier. There's no pakikisama now. We have privacy again. We feel secure. We know what exactly is happening with the babies. Sigh! If only we didn't have to work! Seriously. If we had all the money in the world, we will NOT have household help. We'll cocoon ourselves, take care of the kids ourselves, cook, clean, everything! It's just that we have to work.

We really want to continue with this no-maids arrangement. Aside from what I said in the previous paragraph, we'd save a ton of money, especially with that Kasambahay Law, which is hard on the budget. Vince and I have admitted we do need a housekeeper who can clean maybe twice a week. Maybe a babysitter for some afternoons so Vince and I can work. But we can't find anyone who wants that arrangement! Do you know anyone who can come in just a few times a week?

Anyway, I was thinking that my word this year was simplify. To be very honest, my life wasn't getting any simpler. I'm busier now than I was when I was employed! And so many fabulous things are happening because of my blogs! My life was getting more exciting!

Then the theft happened. Suddenly I had no household help. Meetings were cancelled. Deadlines were missed. Work truly took a backseat. And you know what? Life is so much simpler and sweeter. Of course, I'm more tired. I can't even find the time to brush my hair. But I'm happy. Maybe this is how this year is supposed to be.

Anmum app for pregnant mommies!

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This is not me!
Let's get this out of the way: I am NOT pregnant. But I have to finish my sponsored post series for Anmum, hence all these Anmum preggy posts!

You know, when I first got pregnant with Vito in 2009, I felt so relieved that there was a wealth of information online from credible parenting and health websites. The pregnancy was a complete shock so I was so unprepared—I didn't know anything about pregnancy, proper nutrition, giving birth, and post-natal care! It's a good thing that my husband bought an iPad because I relied on that mobile device—aside from my OBG and the What to Expect books!—for all my pregnancy concerns.

Now, pregnant women are even luckier. Anmum is offering the Anmum Pregnancy App, the handy mobile tool to help you with your journey into motherhood!

If you have a smart phone, you can download the new Anmum Pregnancy app. Simply search for “Anmum Pregnancy App” on the Google Play Store for Android devices (“Android link”) or on the Apple App Store for iOS devices (“iOS link”).

Here's what you can find:

  • Weekly pregnancy updates
  • Healthy recipes
  • Weight tracker
  • Exercise tips
  • Appointment scheduler
  • Reminders for taking vitamins, milk
  • Folate test
  • Baby kicks counter
  • Ask the experts tool



Now if you're wondering if I've tried this app out, I haven't. For one thing, my phone is a crappy Blackberry. And, like I said, I'm not pregnant. But if you do download the Anmum Pregnancy app, do tell me about it!

*images courtesy of Anmum

On TV to talk about my new life as a WAHM

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I forgot to tell you about my guest stint on UNTV's breakfast show, Rise & Shine! I was invited by host Hilary Ann Isaac to talk about being a work-at-home mom. Yes, that's what WAHM means.

I told the person who contacted me, "But I've only been doing this for a few months. I don't know what to say!" And he replied, "It's okay. We have another more experienced WAHM. You can be the inexperienced one." Hahaha!

Well, it turned out I was the only one who showed up. So I was pretty nervous. I was up next after the cooking segment and I was getting butterflies in my tummy. I thought that was rather strange since I've been guesting on TV shows and radio programs for years and years! Then I realized I always appeared on shows before to represent a brand or a company. I've never represented ME. That kinda made it really scary!

This is Louella Cordova. As you can see, she is covered from head to toe. I didn't get the memo that UNTV was a Christian channel and everyone's strongly discouraged from exposing skin. So I was very conscious of my bare arms and legs!

Thank goodness Louella and Hilary are the funniest, most dynamic and truly entertaining TV hosts I've ever met! They put me at ease immediately! But they gave me a throw pillow to cover my legs first haha.

They asked me why I chose to leave the workplace, how can a mommy earn from the home, how does one work and be a homemaker at the same time.

Here I am talking about resources, how important it is to read books, ask advice from fellow WAHMs and look up helpful websites. I said that working from home is still as busy but in an office, you have a boss who tells you what to do, gives you deadlines, does a performance review. When you're a WAHM, you're the boss and employee. So no one's there to tell you what to do, how you're doing or even to nag you when you're feeling lazy. It's all up to you!

I hope I still made WAHMing a fun thing to do. I loved being a career woman and I do not regret putting my career before everything when I was younger. But when the kids came, I decided on a new arrangement—I still wanted my career but I also wanted to be with my babies. Thankfully, I was prepared for the transition. It took a year to prepare! So if you're also planning on becoming a WAHM, take careful steps as early as now!

Louella, me and Hilary. They're the best TV show hosts ever! They're so upbeat and their rapport with each other is amazing. You should watch them in action!

That's the guy who cooks. I didn't get his name! Anyway, watch Rise & Shine every weekday from 8am-9am on UNTV!

Thanks, Rise & Shine, for having me on your show. Sa uulitin!


Soul tired

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Yesterday, I brought Iñigo to the playground just before the end of an incredibly tiring day. Having small children, every day is an incredibly tiring day but yesterday was unusual because even my soul was tired.

I said hello to the other children, to the yayas, to the other mommies. Then I saw my Praying Wives friends Earl and Claire. I didn't say anything. I didn't even frown. I know I smiled, I know I did, so I don't know why Earl looked at me and said, "Come here. You need a hug."

And she hugged me tight and I thought I was going to collapse then and there in complete exhaustion. But she held me up and she said, "Let it go. Let it out." And I did.

Dear God, I love my family and I am beyond grateful I have my beautiful boys. They are more than enough! And yet You, in all Your wisdom, also gave me friends who can see right through my soul and hold my head up during those times when motherhood threatens to drown me. Because You know that I can't do it all. Thank You for sending me real-life angels to help me look up and beyond the nitty-gritty and see how truly blessed I am.

God bless you, Dada, Cathee, Earl and Claire! You have saved me from the brink many times!

Our family day at Power Plant

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Power Plant is our mall. Well, we don't own it haha but we've been patrons for maybe a decade or so now. Anyway, if you ever want to meet me or see the kids, just hang out at Power Plant and we're sure to bump into each other.

In fact, I've met many blog readers at Power Plant—while lined up at Rustan's grocery, at Fully Booked, while eating at Cibo Bimbi, and especially at Baby Co. Women just come up to me, say hi, say, "Oh, hi Vito! Is this Iñigo?" and then they chat with me about marriage and my kids and I'm smiling and nodding but my thought bubble is, "OMG, do I know this person?!?" Haha. Yes, pleeeeease magpakilala kayo, mga mothers! I'm super friendly (unless the kids are having a tantrum or I'm paying bills, then hindi ako namamansin haha!) so do please say how we know each other.

Anyway, so today, after a week of confinement at home (Vince was sick), we ventured out and had the most incredible fun. Either we have really simple joys or we've been cooped up too long because we had such an amazing day!

First, we ate lunch at Cibo Bimbi. We always eat here. Always!
Iñigo was bored by this time.
Vito didn't want his picture taken!

Then we went to Build City to buy the boys LEGO. Iñigo may still have the smallest hands but he plays with the LEGOs just the same. He always imitates his older brother!

Then we trooped off to Powerville. It was Iñigo's first time on rides! We've been here before, with just Vito but I remember him getting dizzy on the ride so we never went back. But today, we asked Vito if he wanted to try the rids and he said, "Yeah!" We got a VIP pass (it makes the most sense, mas matipid super) and the kids rode almost everything! It was crazy!
Vito chose a pink Cadillac for his first ride.
Vito got dizzy on the carousel. Poor baby!
For his next car ride, Vito asked for Iñigo to join him.
They kept pushing buttons and steering the wheels.
Iñigo did everything Vito did. Soo cute!
These didn't impress the boys so much haha.
Chewbacca didn't move, which was ok. I didn't want to ride it!

Vito and his baby brother had so much fun! And what happens to little boys who had so much fun?
At Gong Cha, Vito had his fresh milk while Iñigo slumbered. 

What a great day. I live for days like this! I hope your weekend is just as lovely!

Preparing for our mini day in the sun

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Today is the last day I'm applying tretinoin on my face. Tretinoin is my beauty secret now. My pimples are gone, my acne marks are lightening, my skin is looking tight! Miracle cream! But tretinoin also makes skin very sensitive to the sun so I'm discontinuing use this week because, in a few days, my little family is off to Edsa Shangri-la Hotel for a retreat!

To protect and care for our skin, I'm bringing these:
My family loves NIVEA. We've been using NIVEA products even before we were a family! Their products just really work. For our pool escapade, I already packed the NIVEA Sun Kids Swim & Play Sun Lotion, which has SPF 50+. But I'm also bringing this along. It's a spray!

My problem with lotions, you see, is my kids never sit still long enough for me to apply everywhere. Okay, not just my kids, make that "my boys." Yes, their father included. I'm hoping this spray, which is also cooling and refreshing, will be the solution!

These are for me. Like I said, my face is tretinoin-ed now so it's very sensitive. I usually use Kiehl's or Lancome for my face but those are expensive haha so for maximum sun exposure, I'm going to need a more affordable sunscreen that I can pour on my face but is just as effective. Celeteque! I'm going to put this baby on my face and neck and then I'm going to top that with Benefit Hello! Flawless Oxygen liquid foundation with even more sunscreen and then I'm going to put on a big hat.

I hope no one mistakes me for a Korean or a Japanese. Every single time I put on my big straw hat, people think I'm Korean or Japanese!

Then, after all that sun exposure, I'm going to soothe my skin with Celeteque's After-Sun Gel and pamper my hair with L'Oreal Professionnel's Mythic Oil. I've heard so much about this oil but I've not tried it. I'm so excited to try it out this week at Shangri-la!


The baby's excited to try out the products, too! I'll tell you all about our poolside adventure next weekend! Meanwhile, enjoy this one!


Topaz Mommy is shopping at Taste Central!

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I have a new favorite online shopping place. It's Taste Central. I signed up in February and then I got a box of goodies from them, which thrilled me to bits. I love how Taste Central offers the good stuff. Not ordinary stuff. The really good stuff!

So I already have on my wish list some goodies for the home and kitchen which I blogged about over at Topaz Horizon. Taste Central enjoyed my post so much, they asked me to check out the selection for moms and kids. That made a lot of sense since I am, after all, a mommy. Oh my, oh my. I think I'd rather buy for my boys! The stuff they have for kids are so cool and cute! Here's what's on my new wish list:

Babiators Junior - Soooo cute! I really want to get baby aviators for my kids, especially Vito because Vito loves sunnies.
Vito had yellow-rimmed Ray-Ban Wayfarers, which he loved to wear all the time, but Iñigo grabbed at them one day and one of the temples broke off. So it's time to replace them with unbreakable sunnies designed especially for kids!

Weplay Basic Motor Skills Set - Always a good idea if you have active kids in the house and they're still developing their basic motor skills! Basic motor skills include climbing, jumping, balancing, coordination, walking up and down stairs. Plus, it stimulates their imagination since they can build buildings, towers, bridges!

Weplay Putt Putt Balance Board - This is for kids aged 3 and up. Vito's still 2-and-a-half while Iñigo is just about to turn one year (gasp!). So it's not really needed yet. But I still think it's cool to have!


Carter's Street Fleet Crib Bedding Set - My boys love anything with wheels. We have so many trucks and cars in the house! This sheet set will be enjoyed so much, I'm sure.

NoJo Jungle Babies Crib Bedding Set - I like this one because it's really quite a delightful design. We do love comforters. We place them on the rug so the kids can lie down, play and nap in the living room so we can never have enough!

Modern-Twist Get Creative: Kidz Box Mat - I like how my babies can color the mat, then erase what they did! It's renewable fun!

Chicco Apple Banana Toothpaste and Brush Set - Because Vito and Iñigo love to brush their teeth. They love toothbrushes (Vito especially enjoys the checkout line at the grocery because of the toothbrushes on display!) and they love toothpaste and they love toothpaste commercials. They're crazy!  

That's my wish list! I'll shop this week. I want to test their promise that delivery is guaranteed in 3 days. That's pretty quick! Plus, the shipping fee is a standard P100, whether you buy a tiny swim diaper or a huge toy set! So it kinda makes more sense to buy a lot to maximize on that shipping rate!

Okay, if you want to check out Taste Central, click here. Click my link, ha! It has a referral link embedded there somewhere so click it because I want to earn credits hehe. Shop shop shop, mommies!


*photos grabbed from Taste Central

La Pomme Kids

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Hi mommies! I want to tell you all about La Pomme for Kids. It's an online shop filled with handmade Pinoy goodies for the home. Then why does it have a French name? Pourquoi, en effet? Well, the mommy behind this adorable shop is Apol Lejano-Massebieau. She married a French man and moved to the South of France many years ago. She's also the sister of a good friend, Jing.

I remember reading Apol's blog (a lovely blog on motherhood and the simple life) and she was ranting about how the French was telling her how to cook rice and Apol was so exasperated. You don't teach an Asian how to cook rice, sweetheart!

Apol, her husband and their daughter, Lilou, have now moved back here, to Bohol. There they employ artists and artisans to make beautiful objects for the home. I'm so inspired! I want to do the same—sell handmade or Pinoy-made things!

You can shop for La Pomme for Kids online. Or, you can also browse the products yourself live on May 1! Let's go!

Topaz Mommy is a media partner for fab mommy event Mom & Me!

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Hi mommies! I'm so excited about this upcoming event! Mom & Me is an event specially offered to moms and kids. It's a month from now but I'm already promoting it because Topaz Mommy is an official media partner! This is my first time to be a media partner so I think the organizers of Mom & Me had it up to their ears with all my questions. I'm so sorry about that! But thanks so much for thinking of me for this event!


I was also supposed to give a talk at the event, which my husband urged me to do since this means I can get to meet my readers, invite more people to read the blog, and basically raise the profile of Topaz Mommy (which of course means more awareness and income!). I was planning to talk about earning money from home or how to be a supermom even when you're actually super walang alam haha but something came up so I had to back out of the talk (sorry again, Mom & Me!). I'll just have to think of another way to promote Topaz Mommy!

Meanwhile, here's what you can expect from Mom & Me:

A WEEKEND FULL OF ACTIVITIES at MOM AND ME 

Summer is almost over – it's time to snatch up some worthwhile quality time with your kids before you send them off to school! Share bonding moments and enjoy activities with your little ones at Mom and Me on May 25 and 26 (from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) at Rockwell Tent, Makati– a last hurrah for the summer and the special Mommy month of May.  

This event aims to foster the relationship of moms and kids through activities that both can do together. While kids can learn from independent play as it nourishes creativity and imagination and organized activities with other kids as in summer classes, when parents and kids do activities together, it gives them a common sense of purpose and a goal. Kids love receiving the affection and undivided attention of their parents, and want to be able to spend as much time with them as possible. 

Let Mom and Me jumpstart your daily family play-time with a weekend full of bonding activities! The event is participated in by supporters of mom-child activities. 

Choose between a relaxing yoga or fun Zumba workout sessions led by Beyond Yoga, or do both! Learn what kind of dishes you and your little tots can do together with McCormick. For something more exciting, Coach Stauro of Coach and Kids, Inc. will teach moms and kids how to kick and punch with a taekwondo demonstration. Young Artist's Studio will spark your and your little one's creativity with a workshop session on painting, drawing and coloring together. 

The educational talks promise to be an enjoyable one for both moms and kids as interactive games are included in each. Ives Lim-Esteban of Halo Philippines will talk about "The ABC's of Safe Sleep" while Dra. Michelle Daddo tackles the topic of "Healthy Moms for a Healthy Family". Mom blogger Mariel Uyquiengco will be share ideas to capture a child’s heart through the wonderful world of books with a short talk entitled "Childhood Happens Once: Read to your Child". After the short talk, kids of all ages are invited to participate in a musical storytime that will get them listening, rocking, and moving! 

Tiddle Tots will transport moms and kids to wonderland with a fashion show of fairies, superheroes, and princesses. For those with toddlers, Gymboree will conduct their crowd-favorite- Parachute Time, along with moms and dads. The Learning Library, an educational enrichment school whose mission is to develop the love of reading in English and Filipino among children, will host an interactive story-telling activity in Filipino. Wiggle and jiggle with Regine Tolentino (see photo below), as she teaches an interactive fusion cardio, and dance some more with a version of Zumba dubbed as “Swamu” by Slimmer's World

The entire family can have their portrait photos taken by mommy photographer BG Valencia of Red Stiletto, and enjoy the beauty corner of Vanity Beauty Bar and Patisserie. Kids will also enjoy playing around Gymboree’s Play area plus glitter face painting from JAS Party Needs will be on hand. 

On top of all these activities that moms and kids can do together, top mom and kids brands will be showcasing their wares from clothes, shoes, toys, home décor and more! 

Entrance passes to this fun-filled weekend are at P499, good for 1 mom/dad and 1 child; additional participants at P250. Those who prefer access to only the booth activities such as the family portrait area, beauty booth, play area, and shopping area can get passes for P199.

Interested to join as a vendor? Contact the Mom and Me organizers at tel. no. 542-1480 / Globe: 0915-8398582/ Smart: 0947-6288700 / Sun: 0922-8924918 / Email: mommyandmePH@gmail.com/ and via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mommyandmePH or Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mommyandmePH

Mom and Me is also supported by Elba, Smart Steps, Bite Block, Enchanted Kingdom, Citibank, Diana Stalder, Party DNA, and Rockwell Tent. 

Media sponsors include Smart Parenting, Good Housekeeping, K-Zone Philippines, Total Girl, Disney Junior, Princess, Business World, Herword.com, Highlife, kristn.com, Southern Living, and Topaz Mommy.


Remember: Mom & Me is a fun event for moms and kiddies. There will be tons of activities, interesting talks and loads of shopping! It will be on May 25 to 26, from 10 AM to 8 PM at the Rockwell Tent in Makati. Tickets are just P499. Or you can check my blog this week because I'll be giving away tickets!!! Watch for it!



Vito attacks Iñigo!

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On a regular day, the kids are both in shirts and diapers, their hair matted with sweat and whatever food particles they raked through it. Their shirts are stained. Their mouths smeared with juice or milk or cookies. And when they become messy like that, they start acting feral and attack each other! Vito especially likes to stalk his baby brother.


After we tell him to leave his little brother alone, Vito waits a bit then lunges again!

I don't blame Vito. Iñigo is so irresistible!

Sigh. I love it that my boys love each other so much!

Vito hardly ever eats

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Bad mommy in the house. At least that's how I feel whenever my toddler Vito refuses to eat. Today he fell asleep on the carpet without dinner.

We're trying to wean him from the bottle (he's almost 3!) so this week, we decided to give him milk in his sippy cup (we'll handle weaning him from the sippy cup next year). Vito's a lazy eater. He'd rather drink milk. Since the yayas left, we've actually seen progress—Vito sits at the table with us and so he eats now. He likes it that he has his own place at the table (the yaya used to follow him around with a spoon and bowl). He likes that he can see the food in their respective bowls and dishes and pick what he'll eat. He likes that he uses his own spoon and fork. So Vince and I really think it's great we have no yayas since Vito's become independent and he's eating!

So we figured that since his eating habits have improved dramatically, it was time to let go of the bottle. Oh, but when we started the no-bottle rule, it's been hell. Complete and utter hell. He refuses to eat if we refuse to give him milk in the bottle. The result is a hungry Vito. No milk and no food. As parents, we are horrified. Fellow parents and even yayas tell us, "Okay lang yan. Magugutom din yan." Meaning Vito will cave in eventually. But, dear God, it is not easy to stand firm when you know your child is hungry!

We don't know what to do. Vince and I were talking earlier, when the kids were already in bed. We discussed giving in. It's only been two days actually. Will Vito give up the bottle? Will he start eating again? Did he inherit his parents' bullheadedness? Because right now we are in a deadlock and neither side wants to give in. Oh wait. Vince and I want to give in. We just want our baby to eat really. Maybe we'll do this bottle-weaning another time.

Win tickets to Mom & Me!

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Hallooo mommies! And daddies, too! As promised, I'm giving away tickets to the parenting event of this summer—Mom & Me! But in case you want to know first what's in store for you, here's a look at the fun-filled weekend:



Looks like a fun weekend, right? And if you're lucky, you just might get to go to Mom & Me for free! All you have to do is...

Like Mom & Me on Facebook.
Like my Facebook page na rin!
Leave a comment below with your name so I can check if you liked both pages.

That's it! I'm giving away four (4) tickets to this fab event. I'll announce the winners on May 10. That's just 10 days from now. Join join join!

Topaz Mommy is a proud media partner of Mom & Me. I really loved typing that!


Our mini-vacation at Edsa Shangri-la Hotel

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Vince and I seem to be starting a tradition of celebrating our wedding anniversaries at hotel pools. Last year, we spent it at Sofitel. This year, we stayed at Edsa Shangri-la. And boy did we have the most wonderful time!

We got the Chi Premier Spa Room package but got upgraded to a Garden Wing Horizon Club Deluxe Room. I seriously don't know what that Horizon Club thing means but, hey, we got an upgrade! Hooray! I'm always going to call reservations instead of booking online—you never know, I just might get upgrades or special stuff!

Our room was nice. A bit old in the decor department but Vince said it's okay. It feels very European. Europe has old hotels while Asia tends to boast of ultra-modern hotels. We loved our room! Vince did say, as he was sinking in the bed, "Our duvet and bedsheets are much nicer." Shang's bed was wonderful but I agree with Vince—our own bed feels so much better.

That's the main reason why we don't like to travel. Vince and I have created such a wonderful home that staying at hotels—no matter how many stars it has—makes us homesick! Yes, I am very proud of that. Our home may not be "designer" but we have invested in lovely things that last. We want our sons to grow up surrounded by beauty. The only things our home doesn't have is a nice big garden and a pool. And that's why we travel!

As soon as Vito and Iñigo were done inspecting every nook and cranny of our room, off to the pool we went!

This was past 6 in the evening. Vito did not want to leave the pool! But we finally went back to our room, all had a bath in the tub, then ordered room service. For dinner, we had fish and chips and grilled lamb chops served with vegetables and mashed potatoes. My picky eater Vito absolutely loved the fish and chips. Best I've had actually. Even better than the ones we ate in London.

We slept really well in the big big bed. I loved that the room was completely sound-proof. You can't hear the hallway noise (unlike in 8 Suites) and you can't hear the heavy construction going on right outside the window (unlike in Sofitel). This really helped us have a wonderful night's sleep!

The next day, off to Heat we went for the breakfast buffet. Yum yum! I had a Pinoy breakfast—fried rice, eggs, sardines, taho. Yep. One of the best breakfast buffets in town and I eat sardinas! After breakfast, we invaded the pool!

Oh, what fun we had! What great great absolutely wonderful fun we all had! We have a hundred photos more of our happy holiday at Edsa Shangri-la. But the best memories—the kids' laughter, the "we all fit in the tub!" moment, the mommy-daddy moments (haha)—are all stored in our happy hearts. We must go and travel again! Families make vacations so much better!

Want to know what we wore? Check out this week's Fashion Friday over at Topaz Horizon!

Applying for Iñigo's passport

The surprising blessing of household chores

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This was how I spent my Saturday night:

Thanks, Cinderella! I'm using her picture instead of mine because (a) I don't take photos of myself doing household chores and (b) I wasn't wearing any bottoms, just a long shirt. I was on my hands and knees and I didn't want to get my skirt wet.

By the time I reached the dining area (after the hallway and living room and writing area), I decided that I didn't want to spend a perfectly wonderful Saturday night washing the floor. It's the only good time to do it, however, since the baby boys are asleep. But I decided that I'll call the condo housekeeping on Monday and hire them to wash, wax and polish the floors instead.

I was washing the floors because they're not clean. Obviously! Having no household help and yayas, we now just vacuum the floors but the waxing, polishing and buffing? Nope. That's really not a good idea in a house with little babies who crawl and lie down on the floor on a regular basis. They also throw food on the floor a lot, spill milk and juice, spit out food they don't like, and basically do everything in their power to make the floors as sticky as possible.

That's why I was washing the floor. I actually liked doing it. It was quiet. It was repetitive. It was calming. And every time I found a sticky spot or a cookie crumb or a soggy cereal, I'd remember Vito and Iñigo and how cute they are and what they did today and what new things they're learning and their exuberance and laughter, and I remember how incredibly blessed I am. Even when I'm on my hands and knees scrubbing that floor and ruining my hands and nails!
Chores are not gentle on hands!

I'd have loved to do the entire house actually but I've had a long day. My kids and I did a lot today—cleaned the rabbit cage, built stuff with Legos, tickled and tumbled, cooked, did the grocery, and all of that while Vito, Iñigo and I were suffering a really bad cold. I'm very very tired. I need my rest because tomorrow those same little boys I love with all my mommy heart will wake up and demand all my love and hugs and energy. And make the floors sticky again anyway so I might as well sleep. So good night, oh happy world!
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