I can totally see Iñigo doing this!
He doesn't, though. Yet!
Silly babies!
He doesn't, though. Yet!
Silly babies!
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Cutie fake-crying baby
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Five sleep myths busted!
As a Pampers Mommy, my duties include answering questions on sleep over at the Pampers Philippines Facebook page.
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I did a lot of research to answer that question posed by Mommy Haydie. It's very important to keep our babies on a schedule. It helps them develop their body rhythms. For example, my Iñigo wakes up at 6 a.m. and I know he gets sleepy at around 10:30 to 11. He slows down, isn't so makulit, sits down on the sofa and just spaces out, or he gets really fussy.
I used to keep him awake so he could eat lunch with us but this made him cranky or spaced out. Sometimes, when he's also already eaten lunch, he gets energized and then he won't nap anymore at all! That was not good. So I paid attention to his sleep signals and made him nap when he wants to. This has been a huge help in improving his mood, energy and development!
Now, if you have any questions for me regarding your baby's sleep, leave your question over at Pampers! I'm serious! This is Pampers inviting their mommies to ask me stuff:
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Okay, for today's blog post on sleep, we'll talk about sleep myths.
Pampers sent me a long list of sleep myths and I want to comment on a few!
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I'm so glad Vito's first yaya helped me understand newborns and the importance of giving them a sleep schedule! I used to think the baby will sleep when it's sleepy, but Yaya Marita told me it's best for mommy and baby to have a sleep schedule. That way, baby knows what to expect of his day. A schedule of activities, feeding times and naps helps him be secure (no surprises!), well rested and well fed. Best of all, Vito was sleeping through the night at just 2 months old!
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This is an old wives' tale that is actually dangerous. I even still see this terrible advice on Facebook groups for moms! The moms say put cereal or ground up rice in the infant's milk so that the babies will sleep longer. What happens is you're putting stress on your child's digestive system and introducing elements that may not agree with an infant's immature tummy! Why endanger your baby's health just because you want to sleep longer? So scary!
Research has proven that feeding your babies exclusive breast milk (not even water!) is best until they're 6 months old. Introduce solids when they're 6 months old or even older. If you want your baby to sleep through the night, give him a good schedule of naps, feeding times and activities that will stimulate him and tire him out for a good night's sleep!
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Many moms think that by withholding naps, their children will be more tired and will sleep longer and better at night. Like I keep mentioning here, sleep is vital to our babies' development! So the more sleep they get, the better they grow!
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This is so true!!! Vince and I also believed that if the boys sleep late, they'll wake up late (therefore, we parents can sleep in, too!). Wrong. No matter what time the boys sleep the night before, they always wake up at 5am! Every morning! The problem is because they only had a few hours' sleep, they're cranky, fussy and tired.
So now that we make the kids sleep by 8pm (sometimes even earlier!), they're asleep for 9-10 hours. They sleep longer and deeper. It works for them, it works for us parents because we get more time for ourselves, too!
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One of the things we learned at the Pampers Sound Sleep, Sound Development event is that nighttime wetness disrupts baby's sleep. Of course! In my experience with other disposable diapers, my kids really do get bothered (and me, too!) when their diapers leak. The baby wakes up, I have to wash the peepee off his waist or legs or sometimes even hair, change their clothes, change the bedsheets, and we all have to sleep somewhere else sometimes! Hassle!
A good diaper like Pampers Comfort is super absorbent and super snug around the waist and chubby thighs so our babies will sleep better, longer and happier!
How about you? What sleep myths do you believe in?
To learn more about Pampers and sleep, visit their website or like their Facebook page.
I did a lot of research to answer that question posed by Mommy Haydie. It's very important to keep our babies on a schedule. It helps them develop their body rhythms. For example, my Iñigo wakes up at 6 a.m. and I know he gets sleepy at around 10:30 to 11. He slows down, isn't so makulit, sits down on the sofa and just spaces out, or he gets really fussy.
I used to keep him awake so he could eat lunch with us but this made him cranky or spaced out. Sometimes, when he's also already eaten lunch, he gets energized and then he won't nap anymore at all! That was not good. So I paid attention to his sleep signals and made him nap when he wants to. This has been a huge help in improving his mood, energy and development!
Now, if you have any questions for me regarding your baby's sleep, leave your question over at Pampers! I'm serious! This is Pampers inviting their mommies to ask me stuff:
Okay, for today's blog post on sleep, we'll talk about sleep myths.
Pampers sent me a long list of sleep myths and I want to comment on a few!
Research has proven that feeding your babies exclusive breast milk (not even water!) is best until they're 6 months old. Introduce solids when they're 6 months old or even older. If you want your baby to sleep through the night, give him a good schedule of naps, feeding times and activities that will stimulate him and tire him out for a good night's sleep!
So now that we make the kids sleep by 8pm (sometimes even earlier!), they're asleep for 9-10 hours. They sleep longer and deeper. It works for them, it works for us parents because we get more time for ourselves, too!
A good diaper like Pampers Comfort is super absorbent and super snug around the waist and chubby thighs so our babies will sleep better, longer and happier!
How about you? What sleep myths do you believe in?
To learn more about Pampers and sleep, visit their website or like their Facebook page.
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No excuses!
Maria Kang was recently bullied for this photo:
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And here's what she said:
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I don't diet and I don't exercise and I'm a flabby mess. With the way I eat and with what I eat and how often I eat, thank goodness I'm naturally thin or else I'd be obese. That doesn't mean I'm healthy. My mother was soooo skinny but her cholesterol was off the charts. I'm scared to have mine checked.
I started doing the 7-Minute Exercise a few weeks ago. My body is amazing because I eat a little less or I do a little exercise and I lose fat immediately. So when my shorts started feeling loose, guess what I did? I stopped exercising. I figured I'd rather nap (I need it!) or read or make money or spend time with my hubby and kids.
But looking at Maria Kang's photo above, I have to stop making excuses. I have to get sexy for my Vince. I have to get fit for my kids (it is not easy to keep up with little energetic boys!). Most of all, I have to be healthy so I can be with my Vince, Vito and Iñigo for the longest time possible.
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No more excuses!
And here's what she said:
I don't diet and I don't exercise and I'm a flabby mess. With the way I eat and with what I eat and how often I eat, thank goodness I'm naturally thin or else I'd be obese. That doesn't mean I'm healthy. My mother was soooo skinny but her cholesterol was off the charts. I'm scared to have mine checked.
I started doing the 7-Minute Exercise a few weeks ago. My body is amazing because I eat a little less or I do a little exercise and I lose fat immediately. So when my shorts started feeling loose, guess what I did? I stopped exercising. I figured I'd rather nap (I need it!) or read or make money or spend time with my hubby and kids.
But looking at Maria Kang's photo above, I have to stop making excuses. I have to get sexy for my Vince. I have to get fit for my kids (it is not easy to keep up with little energetic boys!). Most of all, I have to be healthy so I can be with my Vince, Vito and Iñigo for the longest time possible.
No more excuses!
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Super duper important reminders from Sangobion!
Before the month ends, let me finish telling you about my other event a few weeks ago. After my Pampers talk, I rushed to Makati Shangri-la for the Sangobion lunch. Busy busy glam na mommy! No, no, only that day. The rest of the week, I was in t-shirts and shorts, no makeup and with unbrushed hair in a bun. You know, I do love my housewife life but it's also nice to have a few days to take out the blowdryer and the makeup bag from storage and actually use them!
She wanted us to tell you, mommies, these things:
1. Moms are busy. We hardly ever have time to sleep or eat. So we blame our exhaustion and forgetfulness on that. Dr. Gamilla says, "When signs of fatigue, paleness, as well as lack of focus and energy start to show, [those] could be telling signs of iron deficiency."
2. Iron deficiency or anemia must be taken seriously. Aside from the fact that we tire easily and lack focus (very dangerous especially for moms with young kids!), our health is compromised. We get headaches, we're pale, we get dizzy, we're super tired. All of these are not good for mommies because we have little lives depending on us to be alert and healthy! If you're pregnant and running low on iron, you run the risk of having small babies or premature babies, compromising their survival rate.
3. A woman usually suffers from anemia because of menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. The first three states means loss of or production of lotsa blood. The last one is we need to pump up our iron supply because our babies get their iron from our breast milk.
4. Eat iron-rich food. Dr. Gamilla says that iron is plentiful in red meat, egg yolks, beans, and green, leafy veggies. Breakfast cereal is also iron-enriched. If your diet is not satisfactory health-wise, take an iron supplement like Sangobion.
It was a really fascinating lunch! After our lecture, syempre, what else do we do? Take pictures!
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| With kwela mommy blogger Denise of Bebengisms. |
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| With Cheska and her friend Cher. |
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| Because one of Sangobion's effects is pink cheeks and red lips (all that healthy blood!), beauty blogger Lee Shen Gee (in beige blazer) was also at the lunch. Here she is posing with us Sangobion mommies. |
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Mom's dental health affects her baby's teeth, too!
I had my teeth checked before I got pregnant. It wasn't me being all healthy, it was more on I know pregnancy and the new baby that follows are incredible time-suckers so I have my vanity check-ups (ya, I call visits to the derma and the dentist that) done beforehand.
I'm now so glad I did that because I read this today!
I was researching on Xylitol (I'm a brand ambassador for Lotte Xylitol) and landed on that article. Imagine that! The state our teeth are in while our babies are in our womb has an effect on our kid's future teeth!
So, mommies-to-be, do this now:
1. Pencil in that appointment with your dentist.
2. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
3. Floss floss floss!
4. Chew on two tablets of Lotte Xylitol every day for healthy teeth and gums!
This is my favorite flavor:
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Tell me what's yours!
Lotte Xylitol dental health gum is available in bottles and blister packs, and comes in three exciting flavors: Blueberry Mint, Fresh Mint, and Lime Mint. Lotte Xylitol is reasonably priced and can be found in leading supermarkets and drugstores across the Philippines. For more information, visit http://www.lottexylitolgum.com/.
I'm now so glad I did that because I read this today!
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| Click here to read the article. |
I was researching on Xylitol (I'm a brand ambassador for Lotte Xylitol) and landed on that article. Imagine that! The state our teeth are in while our babies are in our womb has an effect on our kid's future teeth!
So, mommies-to-be, do this now:
1. Pencil in that appointment with your dentist.
2. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
3. Floss floss floss!
4. Chew on two tablets of Lotte Xylitol every day for healthy teeth and gums!
This is my favorite flavor:
Tell me what's yours!
Lotte Xylitol dental health gum is available in bottles and blister packs, and comes in three exciting flavors: Blueberry Mint, Fresh Mint, and Lime Mint. Lotte Xylitol is reasonably priced and can be found in leading supermarkets and drugstores across the Philippines. For more information, visit http://www.lottexylitolgum.com/.
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Iñigo's über cute in Mothercare outfits
If you've been reading my mommy blog since the beginning, you'll know I'm a huge Mothercare fan. That mommy-and-baby shop really has a wonderfully curated selection of anything and everything a mom and baby could ever want!
Recently, Mothercare invited me and Mommy Ginger to give their baby clothes a spin. Boy, our babies Iñigo and Zeeka had a blast! Well, maybe Zeeka more than Iñigo. I think it's a girl thing!
Here's what Iñigo loved:
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Soooo cute! He especially looked good in the navy pants, which we bought pronto.
Here are some behind-the-scenes shots haha:
Wow! There's a ton of truly adorable outfits for babies to preschoolers at Mothercare. I love how their designs cater to any kind of mom (and kid)—whether you're sweet and dainty, smart and preppy, or playful and cheeky. My boys have a lot of Mothercare clothes actually. But I think I'll shop for more!
Mothercare has branches in Active Fun Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Manila, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Masinag, The Podium, Trinoma, Abreeza Mall Davao, Centrio Mall CDO, Harbor Point Subic and SM Lanang Davao
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P.S.
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Recently, Mothercare invited me and Mommy Ginger to give their baby clothes a spin. Boy, our babies Iñigo and Zeeka had a blast! Well, maybe Zeeka more than Iñigo. I think it's a girl thing!
Here's what Iñigo loved:
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| Love the graphic shirt and the stripey shorts! |
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| Actually, based on their Chinese signs, Vito's our little tiger. Iñigo is our little dragon. |
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| This is a cute shirt. You'll see the whole look in the behind-the-scenes pics beloooow. |
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| I love striped shirts! |
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| Especially under a preppy knit vest! |
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| So dapper! |
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| So gigil! |
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| So naughty! |
Here are some behind-the-scenes shots haha:
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| "I have to wear all that?" |
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| "I feel a sneeze coming!" |
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| "Mama fidgets with my clothes. All. The. Time." |
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| "Mama takes my pictures. All. The. Time!" |
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| "Can we take home the piano, too?" |
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| "Stage daddy alert!" |
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| "Cars are better than clothes, if you ask me." |
Wow! There's a ton of truly adorable outfits for babies to preschoolers at Mothercare. I love how their designs cater to any kind of mom (and kid)—whether you're sweet and dainty, smart and preppy, or playful and cheeky. My boys have a lot of Mothercare clothes actually. But I think I'll shop for more!
Mothercare has branches in Active Fun Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Manila, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Masinag, The Podium, Trinoma, Abreeza Mall Davao, Centrio Mall CDO, Harbor Point Subic and SM Lanang Davao
* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'
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Top 5 reasons why babies wake up at night
Hello and welcome to your weekly dose of wisdom from Pampers Mommy me!
I'm going to admit that I get a little thrill whenever I see myself and my kids on the Facebook page of Pampers Philippines. I know it's uncool to be thrilled about it but I think it is so cool to be a Pampers Mommy! I'm learning a lot about how sleep is vital for our kids' development, I get to share what I've learned to my beloved mommy readers, my blog gets promoted to a community that has 135,000 members, and I get to dispense advice!
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I also admit getting more than a year's supply of diapers for my kids is so very welcome!
Anyway, for this week's topic, we'll be taking about sleep disruptors. I bet that one of a new parent's first questions is, "When will my baby sleep through the night?" Well, that really depends on you, the parent, and your baby.
There are many reasons why a baby wakes up at night. For one thing, babies are designed to sleep light. Oh darn! Yep, you read that right. Mother Nature made babies easily awakened for their own good (yep, not for the good of poor sleep-deprived parents!). Imagine if babies slept the 8-hour, deep sleep of adults. Tiny tummies need refilling every 4 hours max. Sensitive baby skin gets easily irritated by wet diapers. Loud noises may mean danger. A stuffy nose may mean being unable to breathe. Little disturbances may not affect us adults but these can mean life or death for vulnerable little ones! That's why babies are light sleepers—it's a survival thing.
So today we'll try to find out how to ease baby's worries, to make him feel so secure that his sleep—and consequently, his proper growth and development—won't be so disrupted.
Five Reasons Why Babies Wake Up at Night
1. Startle Reflex
New parents worry when their baby gets startled while asleep. That's when the baby suddenly jerks his little body and flails his arms and legs. This is very normal. No need to worry! It lasts up to when baby is 4 or 5 months. It could be triggered by a loud sound or an unexpected touch.
What to do: Make sure baby's room is quiet. Our bedroom is far from the kitchen, for example. We also employ white noise to shush out environmental noise. With Vito, we used a toy giraffe that creates white noise. With Iñigo, we use the BBC channel set on low volume (nothing like soothing British voices!).
Avoid unnecessary touching of the baby, like checking if his diaper is wet (get a good diaper like Pampers Comfort) or pulling down his shirt (my kids wear a onesie or frog suit) or adjusting his blanket (better yet, don't use a blanket. Use sleepsacks.).
2. Hunger
Newborns have tiny tummies, about the size of his fist. So his tummy gets filled up with milk pretty quick. It also uses up that milk just as quickly. That's why a newborn wakes up hungry every 2-3 hours.
What to do: Breastfeed! Since breast milk is instant—no need to prepare or warm up—a baby who wakes up is quickly nursed back to sleep. No need for him to wait, wake up even more, or get upset for long. Plus, mommy's breast is such a source of warmth, comfort and cuddles so baby goes back to deep sleep immediately.
If your baby is formula-fed, try to find a way to quicken formula preparation. I can't give tips since I'm a breastfeeding mommy so please share in the comments. Thanks!
3. Illness
A mommy's heart is always so worried when she has a sick baby. Baby can't sleep if his nose is stuffy, if a bad cough racks him awake, if a fever makes him feel chilly or hot.
What to do: Try to make baby feel as comfortable as possible. When my kids have colds and coughs, we nebulize them, even while they're sleeping. We also consult with their pedia and religiously administer the babies' homeopathic meds so that the boys will get well sooner.
4. Light
Light, even something as pale as moonlight, can disturb a baby's sleep. Light suppresses the hormone melatonin, which is what helps us sleep.
What to do: Keep baby's room dark, as dark as possible. Use a lamp with a soft light in case you need to get up in the middle of the night.
5. Discomfort
The room's too hot or too cold. Baby's clothes are too snug. The diaper isn't absorbent or it leaks.
What to do: Check if baby's okay by observing if he's sweaty (too hot) or if his limbs are a bit blue (too cold). Use soft, comfy onesies that fit baby well. Use super absorbent diapers like Pampers Comfort so your baby is protected from wetness and leaks. It's such a good diaper, you won't even have to check it if it's full or if there's leakage! Like I said above, even the simplest touch can disturb baby's sleep. And this is what Pampers said:
I'm going to admit that I get a little thrill whenever I see myself and my kids on the Facebook page of Pampers Philippines. I know it's uncool to be thrilled about it but I think it is so cool to be a Pampers Mommy! I'm learning a lot about how sleep is vital for our kids' development, I get to share what I've learned to my beloved mommy readers, my blog gets promoted to a community that has 135,000 members, and I get to dispense advice!
I also admit getting more than a year's supply of diapers for my kids is so very welcome!
 |
| I got free diapers and a yummy chocolate cake! |
 |
| I turn around to put the cake in the ref and the next second I see this! |
 |
| They climbed up! I almost had a heart attack! Boys! |
Anyway, for this week's topic, we'll be taking about sleep disruptors. I bet that one of a new parent's first questions is, "When will my baby sleep through the night?" Well, that really depends on you, the parent, and your baby.
There are many reasons why a baby wakes up at night. For one thing, babies are designed to sleep light. Oh darn! Yep, you read that right. Mother Nature made babies easily awakened for their own good (yep, not for the good of poor sleep-deprived parents!). Imagine if babies slept the 8-hour, deep sleep of adults. Tiny tummies need refilling every 4 hours max. Sensitive baby skin gets easily irritated by wet diapers. Loud noises may mean danger. A stuffy nose may mean being unable to breathe. Little disturbances may not affect us adults but these can mean life or death for vulnerable little ones! That's why babies are light sleepers—it's a survival thing.
So today we'll try to find out how to ease baby's worries, to make him feel so secure that his sleep—and consequently, his proper growth and development—won't be so disrupted.
Five Reasons Why Babies Wake Up at Night
1. Startle Reflex
New parents worry when their baby gets startled while asleep. That's when the baby suddenly jerks his little body and flails his arms and legs. This is very normal. No need to worry! It lasts up to when baby is 4 or 5 months. It could be triggered by a loud sound or an unexpected touch.
What to do: Make sure baby's room is quiet. Our bedroom is far from the kitchen, for example. We also employ white noise to shush out environmental noise. With Vito, we used a toy giraffe that creates white noise. With Iñigo, we use the BBC channel set on low volume (nothing like soothing British voices!).
Avoid unnecessary touching of the baby, like checking if his diaper is wet (get a good diaper like Pampers Comfort) or pulling down his shirt (my kids wear a onesie or frog suit) or adjusting his blanket (better yet, don't use a blanket. Use sleepsacks.).
2. Hunger
Newborns have tiny tummies, about the size of his fist. So his tummy gets filled up with milk pretty quick. It also uses up that milk just as quickly. That's why a newborn wakes up hungry every 2-3 hours.
What to do: Breastfeed! Since breast milk is instant—no need to prepare or warm up—a baby who wakes up is quickly nursed back to sleep. No need for him to wait, wake up even more, or get upset for long. Plus, mommy's breast is such a source of warmth, comfort and cuddles so baby goes back to deep sleep immediately.
If your baby is formula-fed, try to find a way to quicken formula preparation. I can't give tips since I'm a breastfeeding mommy so please share in the comments. Thanks!
3. Illness
A mommy's heart is always so worried when she has a sick baby. Baby can't sleep if his nose is stuffy, if a bad cough racks him awake, if a fever makes him feel chilly or hot.
What to do: Try to make baby feel as comfortable as possible. When my kids have colds and coughs, we nebulize them, even while they're sleeping. We also consult with their pedia and religiously administer the babies' homeopathic meds so that the boys will get well sooner.
4. Light
Light, even something as pale as moonlight, can disturb a baby's sleep. Light suppresses the hormone melatonin, which is what helps us sleep.
What to do: Keep baby's room dark, as dark as possible. Use a lamp with a soft light in case you need to get up in the middle of the night.
5. Discomfort
The room's too hot or too cold. Baby's clothes are too snug. The diaper isn't absorbent or it leaks.
What to do: Check if baby's okay by observing if he's sweaty (too hot) or if his limbs are a bit blue (too cold). Use soft, comfy onesies that fit baby well. Use super absorbent diapers like Pampers Comfort so your baby is protected from wetness and leaks. It's such a good diaper, you won't even have to check it if it's full or if there's leakage! Like I said above, even the simplest touch can disturb baby's sleep. And this is what Pampers said:
- Pampers Comfort not just protects baby’s complete sleep against wetness, but also strengthens mom’s belief that she is providing her baby with the best possible care he needs to achieve optimum brain development.
- With other brands, mom believes that she needs to wake-up at night to check the baby’s diaper, but she doesn’t realize that even checking baby’s diaper disrupts his complete sleep and hampers baby’s brain development.
- When baby sleeps through the night, night after night, it is a key step in baby’s development.
- Complete night-time sleep is very important to baby’s development and growth. It is associated with more positive daytime behavior, mood and temperament, and better physical functioning.
There are many more reasons why baby wakes up at night (click here!). The important thing is to understand the reasons (click here!) and to not be frustrated. Put baby on a sleep schedule, make his sleeping area as comfy as possible, keep him dry, fed and loved. Sooner than later, your little one (and you and daddy!) will be enjoying a good night's sleep!
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What I've been doing when I disappeared
Oh wow! I haven't blogged here in 9 days! I didn't actually notice until Bryan Lim of Bench said I haven't been blogging. Woah. Bench is keeping tabs on my blogs! Well, I've been really preoccupied, mommies! Let me make kwento:
1. Vince ran his first race! What an ungodly hour! But we all woke up (yes, the little boys came along!), dragged ourselves to SM MOA and cheered him on! We're so proud of you, Vince!
2. I'm a Vicks VapoRub Mommy! It's my latest project. It's so fun and stressful haha because I had to host the event last Thursday and I was a nervous wreck days before the event. I'll tell you more about this new blessing soon. Just waiting for the official photos from Vicks!
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3. The kids are sick. Sigh. So I was distracted and worried at the Vicks event, rushed home to be with Iñigo, brought him to the pediatrician, babied him through the night only to wake up to Vito also sick! Poor babies! But they're better now. Still a bit feverish but makulit na. Pedia said there's a nasty viral respiratory infection going around so, mommies, protect your kids! Make them wash hands often, don't allow kissing from relatives and friends, and load them up with vitamins!
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4. I've been attending to family affairs. And by family, I mean my Amper family. I met with cousins and then my father and siblings to discuss money issues or, more correctly, the lack of it. So stressful!
5. I've been busy in the kitchen! Well, I actually cook regularly, maybe thrice a week or so, then just reheat the leftovers. But these are the dishes my husband and sons loved! Yum!
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As you can probably tell by now, I've been microblogging on Instagram instead. So please do follow me on Instagram (@francesasales) for instant updates!
I'm also updating my lifestyle blog, Topaz Horizon. I have a ton of backlog posts actually, both here and there. Lots of mommy finds for here and lots of fashion and beauty finds for there. I will really really need to sit down and start writing! As soon as the kids are better, I will!
* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'
1. Vince ran his first race! What an ungodly hour! But we all woke up (yes, the little boys came along!), dragged ourselves to SM MOA and cheered him on! We're so proud of you, Vince!
2. I'm a Vicks VapoRub Mommy! It's my latest project. It's so fun and stressful haha because I had to host the event last Thursday and I was a nervous wreck days before the event. I'll tell you more about this new blessing soon. Just waiting for the official photos from Vicks!
3. The kids are sick. Sigh. So I was distracted and worried at the Vicks event, rushed home to be with Iñigo, brought him to the pediatrician, babied him through the night only to wake up to Vito also sick! Poor babies! But they're better now. Still a bit feverish but makulit na. Pedia said there's a nasty viral respiratory infection going around so, mommies, protect your kids! Make them wash hands often, don't allow kissing from relatives and friends, and load them up with vitamins!
4. I've been attending to family affairs. And by family, I mean my Amper family. I met with cousins and then my father and siblings to discuss money issues or, more correctly, the lack of it. So stressful!
5. I've been busy in the kitchen! Well, I actually cook regularly, maybe thrice a week or so, then just reheat the leftovers. But these are the dishes my husband and sons loved! Yum!
As you can probably tell by now, I've been microblogging on Instagram instead. So please do follow me on Instagram (@francesasales) for instant updates!
I'm also updating my lifestyle blog, Topaz Horizon. I have a ton of backlog posts actually, both here and there. Lots of mommy finds for here and lots of fashion and beauty finds for there. I will really really need to sit down and start writing! As soon as the kids are better, I will!
* * * * * * *
P.S.
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'
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Surprising effects of lack of sleep on babies
As a Pampers Mommy, I'm learning a lot about sleep and how vital it is for our children. I'm also feeling a lot guilty because I can compare my two kids, Vito and Iñigo.
Vito, being the eldest child and having no one to bother him when he was still a baby, had the luxury of sleep. He napped twice a day—2 hours in the morning and 2 hours after lunch. Then he went to bed at around 6pm, woke up at 4am. That's an enviable (and recommended) 14 hours of sleep every single day!
Iñigo's story is sooo different. He hardly slept. His sleep total was 10-11 hours a day. That's because Vito wakes him up and keeps him up. This used to be Iñigo's life: Wake up at 6am, nap at 10:30am, get sleepy at around 4pm but never get to nap because Vito wants to play, finally collapse between 9-10pm. We used to think that was okay but because of all the things I'm learning from Pampers, we force the kids to sleep earlier now.
In a previous post, some mommies left comments about how naps and early bedtimes do NOT apply to their kids. You know, mommies, before I became a Pampers Mommy, I would've agreed with you. I'd have said, "Kids are different. Vito likes to sleep, Iñigo doesn't. They're both wonderful, healthy kids. So, nope, naps and early bedtime and uninterrupted sleep do not apply to all."
But at a recent visit to the pediatrician, a visit that coincided with the start of my campaign with Pampers, the doctor told us that Iñigo is short. "He's not growing," Dr. Cricket said. "He needs more protein in his diet but more importantly, Iñigo needs to sleep more and earlier. He has to nap twice a day and he has to sleep by 8pm."
To say that Vince and I were upset was an understatement. We were angry and ashamed and humiliated. We felt like bad parents. When I took out the growth charts and compared the height of Vito and Iñigo at 1 year old, Vito was taller by 2 cms. That doesn't sound like a lot but it actually is. This made us feel awful. We felt awful for weeks! We still feel bad actually. We mistakenly thought that kids are different—some kids sleep more, some kids sleep less! What's the big deal?!
The big deal is science says that all kids need to sleep, and science says all kids need a total of this many hours to grow and develop properly (see infographic above). You can't argue with science, mommies!
Now that Iñigo is sleeping more and earlier, he's grown a bit taller and his mood is even better. He's always been a well behaved child (that's why I thought the less-sleep thing didn't apply to Iñigo) but now that he's well rested, he's soooo pleasant and wonderful! But we're still living with the guilt that he could've been taller if we only insisted on nap times and early bedtimes!
Mommies, your kids need to sleep. No excuses!
It's not just slow growth that happens when our babies don't get the recommended amount of sleep. More serious consequences after the jump...
According to recent studies reported by The New York Times, even one single hour of sleep lost by a child has serious consequences. I pull a quote from the article:
There's a lot more actually but those are the major ones. So, mommies, please make sure your kids get their full recommended sleep at night! Remember, too, that our babies need to nap during the day. Naps do not replace nighttime sleep as they serve different functions. A CNN article ("Study: Lack of sleep for babies and toddlers may increase obesity risk") differentiates:
Thankfully, in the almost 2 months I've been learning about the importance of sleep, my kids have improved their sleep habits. That's because their Mama and Papa are smarter now! We put them on a sleep schedule—Iñigo knows his nap is at 10am so he automatically feels sleepy around that time, while at night, we've programmed bedtime rituals so that by 8pm, the kids are now asleep. Hooray!
And of course our partner in uninterrupted sleep is Pampers diapers! We never have to worry about wetness or leaks disrupting our kids' naps and nighttime sleep! Happy sleeping!
* * * * * * *
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Vito, being the eldest child and having no one to bother him when he was still a baby, had the luxury of sleep. He napped twice a day—2 hours in the morning and 2 hours after lunch. Then he went to bed at around 6pm, woke up at 4am. That's an enviable (and recommended) 14 hours of sleep every single day!
Iñigo's story is sooo different. He hardly slept. His sleep total was 10-11 hours a day. That's because Vito wakes him up and keeps him up. This used to be Iñigo's life: Wake up at 6am, nap at 10:30am, get sleepy at around 4pm but never get to nap because Vito wants to play, finally collapse between 9-10pm. We used to think that was okay but because of all the things I'm learning from Pampers, we force the kids to sleep earlier now.
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| source |
In a previous post, some mommies left comments about how naps and early bedtimes do NOT apply to their kids. You know, mommies, before I became a Pampers Mommy, I would've agreed with you. I'd have said, "Kids are different. Vito likes to sleep, Iñigo doesn't. They're both wonderful, healthy kids. So, nope, naps and early bedtime and uninterrupted sleep do not apply to all."
But at a recent visit to the pediatrician, a visit that coincided with the start of my campaign with Pampers, the doctor told us that Iñigo is short. "He's not growing," Dr. Cricket said. "He needs more protein in his diet but more importantly, Iñigo needs to sleep more and earlier. He has to nap twice a day and he has to sleep by 8pm."
To say that Vince and I were upset was an understatement. We were angry and ashamed and humiliated. We felt like bad parents. When I took out the growth charts and compared the height of Vito and Iñigo at 1 year old, Vito was taller by 2 cms. That doesn't sound like a lot but it actually is. This made us feel awful. We felt awful for weeks! We still feel bad actually. We mistakenly thought that kids are different—some kids sleep more, some kids sleep less! What's the big deal?!
The big deal is science says that all kids need to sleep, and science says all kids need a total of this many hours to grow and develop properly (see infographic above). You can't argue with science, mommies!
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| With a sleep schedule in place, Iñigo naps just like that. Anywhere and everywhere! |
Mommies, your kids need to sleep. No excuses!
It's not just slow growth that happens when our babies don't get the recommended amount of sleep. More serious consequences after the jump...
According to recent studies reported by The New York Times, even one single hour of sleep lost by a child has serious consequences. I pull a quote from the article:
Using newly developed technological and statistical tools, sleep scientists have recently been able to isolate and measure the impact of this single lost hour. Because children’s brains are a work-in-progress until the age of 21, and because much of that work is done while a child is asleep, this lost hour appears to have an exponential impact on children that it simply doesn’t have on adults.
The surprise is how much sleep affects academic performance and emotional stability, as well as phenomena that we assumed to be entirely unrelated, such as the international obesity epidemic and the rise of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. A few scientists theorize that sleep problems during formative years can cause permanent changes in a child’s brain structure: damage that one can’t sleep off like a hangover. It’s even possible that many of the hallmark characteristics of being a tweener and teen—moodiness, depression, and even binge eating—are actually symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation.The article is long but here's the summary of consequences. Even one hour of sleep that your child consistently loses will:
- impair academic performance
- lower I.Q.
- affect emotional stability
- may lead to obesity
- contribute to ADHD and behavioral problems
- possibly cause moodiness and depression
There's a lot more actually but those are the major ones. So, mommies, please make sure your kids get their full recommended sleep at night! Remember, too, that our babies need to nap during the day. Naps do not replace nighttime sleep as they serve different functions. A CNN article ("Study: Lack of sleep for babies and toddlers may increase obesity risk") differentiates:
Night sleep: involves "complex biological, psychological and restorative functions."I know a lot of us mommies will protest: "Our babies refuse to nap!" That's my problem with Iñigo until now. He needs to nap but he will fight it with all the might of his tiny cute body! What he doesn't know (and I know now!) is his naps mean he'll be a happier, more intelligent baby!
Day naps: may help reduce stress and help a child be more alert to learn
Thankfully, in the almost 2 months I've been learning about the importance of sleep, my kids have improved their sleep habits. That's because their Mama and Papa are smarter now! We put them on a sleep schedule—Iñigo knows his nap is at 10am so he automatically feels sleepy around that time, while at night, we've programmed bedtime rituals so that by 8pm, the kids are now asleep. Hooray!
And of course our partner in uninterrupted sleep is Pampers diapers! We never have to worry about wetness or leaks disrupting our kids' naps and nighttime sleep! Happy sleeping!
* * * * * * *
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My kids' stroller is Silver Cross
We have two strollers for the kids: Silver Cross and I forget the brand of the second one (I'll update this post as soon as I check the brand). The latter is very small so we use it when we need to be quick. But most of the time, we use the Silver Cross stroller.
The Silver Cross stroller was Mothercare's Christmas gift to Iñigo last year. Here he is in his fab present (thanks, Mothercare!):
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Here are more photos of him loving his Silver Cross stroller (which I personally also love because it's the brand of choice of British royalty!):
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So it's really for the baby, but guess who loves using it, too?
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Yep. That Vito! We're glad that the stroller can be used by both kids. So now we only need to bring one stroller and the kids take turns using it. Here are the reasons why we like our Silver Cross stroller:
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It's a stroller, not a car. Seriously, I detest those strollers that take up the entire elevator or the entire sidewalk! This is a simple, light, and easy-to-open-and-close machine. We love that it's efficient.
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It's narrow enough to fit into small spaces but spacious enough to fit a baby to a preschooler!
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We love the comfy safety harness. Plus, the harness is easy to put on and to remove.
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Well, we really shouldn't do this but we hang my bag on the handle. It's sturdy! This stroller is pretty strong but, like I said, it's sooo light!
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And I love that there are many pockets! We also love the detachable cup holders, detachable hood and seat cover. This is such a fab stroller!
You can get Silver Cross strollers from Mothercare. Branches are in Active Fun Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Manila, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Masinag, The Podium, Trinoma, Abreeza Mall Davao, Centrio Mall CDO, Harbor Point Subic and SM Lanang Davao
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The Silver Cross stroller was Mothercare's Christmas gift to Iñigo last year. Here he is in his fab present (thanks, Mothercare!):
So it's really for the baby, but guess who loves using it, too?
Yep. That Vito! We're glad that the stroller can be used by both kids. So now we only need to bring one stroller and the kids take turns using it. Here are the reasons why we like our Silver Cross stroller:
You can get Silver Cross strollers from Mothercare. Branches are in Active Fun Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Manila, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Masinag, The Podium, Trinoma, Abreeza Mall Davao, Centrio Mall CDO, Harbor Point Subic and SM Lanang Davao
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A peek into my babies' bathtime with Mustela
We've been using Mustela for our sons' bath time (although we're currently trying out Sebamed). I asked Vince to dig up photos of the boys taking a bath and he gave me these funny pics. Iñigo's just 10 months old here and Vito's just about to turn 3. They are so hilarious!
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Mustela is a mommy-and-baby care line that offers natural, safe and innovative formulas for expecting moms, newborns and onwards. Even I use it to wash my face sometimes! They are hypoallergenic; tested by dermatologists and pediatricians; has no parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalate, EDTA, genetically modified plant extract, chlorphenesin, alcohol, SLS, etc.; and at least 92% of ingredients are from natural origins. They smell really good, too!
When Mustela invited me to a little gathering with other moms to check out their new line called Mustela Bebe, I just had to go!
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Here's what I learned:
The Mustela researchers discovered that:
Now, Mustela's Bebe and Sun Protection products have a new active ingredient called Avocado Perseose, which supports the development of the barrier function and protects the reserve of cells against day-to-day stresses.
I will have to say that Mustela is an expensive brand. That's why I ask my sisters-in-law to give Mustela to the boys for their birthdays! (I know. I am such a party-pooper!) But the products are really worth it. Try them on your babies and on yourselves now!
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Mustela is a mommy-and-baby care line that offers natural, safe and innovative formulas for expecting moms, newborns and onwards. Even I use it to wash my face sometimes! They are hypoallergenic; tested by dermatologists and pediatricians; has no parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalate, EDTA, genetically modified plant extract, chlorphenesin, alcohol, SLS, etc.; and at least 92% of ingredients are from natural origins. They smell really good, too!
When Mustela invited me to a little gathering with other moms to check out their new line called Mustela Bebe, I just had to go!
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| The complete line of products with helpful Mustela girls to tell you all about them. |
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| Yummy food at Stacey's at Bonifacio Global City. |
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| The woman in the white jacket is Mustela's Sharleen Cu-Unjieng. The woman in the striped dress is our friend, Vanessa Mayuga-Santos a.k.a. The Vain Mama on Glam-O-Mama.com. |
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| The noisy table of mommies! From left: Rikki Mathay with her daughter, me, Jane Kingsu-Cheng and Keri Zamora |
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| Rikki, Jane, Mustela's Sharleen Cu-Unjieng and Tammy Tancinco, Keri and me |
Here's what I learned:
The Mustela researchers discovered that:
- A newborn’s skin contains a rich cellular resource: a reserve of stem cells at its highest potential at birth
- These cellular resources constitute the vital resources of baby’s skin and are needed for a lifetime
- This stem-cell reserve remains extremely vulnerable during the first few years of life, while the cutaneous barrier is being built.
- It takes several years for the skin barrier to reach maturity.
- While it is still being formed, the skin barrier is particularly vulnerable to daily stresses.
- As a result, this fragility prevents it from effectively protecting the precious vital resource present in babies’ skin.
Now, Mustela's Bebe and Sun Protection products have a new active ingredient called Avocado Perseose, which supports the development of the barrier function and protects the reserve of cells against day-to-day stresses.
Mustela is available in stand-alone kiosks in Ayala Trinoma, Robinson's Ermita, Glorietta 4, Shangrila Mall, Megamall A, Greenhills, The Shops, Alabang Town Center, and Mall of Asia. Shop-In-Shop: Rustan's and Landmark Department Stores, Mothercare, Pure Beauty, Numa Eco Baby Store, Medela House, and Chimes Department Store, Davao.
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I'm a Vicks VapoRub Mommy!
Always do something new every day. That's a pretty tall order, especially if you're a mom who's trying to maintain a predictable schedule for kids. My life now is pretty ordinary—stay home all day to take care of the kids and the house then stay up at night to meet work deadlines. Nothing really special, except that last week, Vicks VapoRub asked me to co-host the launch of their new ManChild campaign!
I have never hosted anything in my life! I seriously tried to back out! But it's part of my duties now that I'm a Vicks VapoRub Mommy. Yey, mommies! I have a new blog partner! And we're going to talk about taking care of our hubbies when they're sick.
Here are some photos from the event:
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That's RJ Ledesma and his wife, Vanessa, and his unico hijo, R3. RJ and I are the new brand ambassadors of the ManChild campaign. Vanessa was game enough to join us in a morning of embarrassing RJ haha.
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Full house! I was freaked out! I even tripped on the stairs of the stage. That was how nervous I was.
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Getting last-minute instructions. I sat with RJ's family and manager.
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The show started with RJ talking about how men are the pillars of the home. They work hard to provide for and to protect their family. He said that that's why they must be strong all the time and that nothing, not even a little cold, can bring them down. That's when I laugh myself to death and introduce the idea of the "ManChild."
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The ManChild phenomenon is when men get sick, they suddenly become babies! Does this happen to your hubbies, mommies? It happens to my Vince. He's not so annoying since he'd rather sleep off his sickness so I'm grateful I don't have to attend to him every minute, but he does want extra TLC. So I make sure to give him hot tea, cool sponge baths, massages, hot soup, and lots of quiet time so he can rest and sleep.
The reason my face looks like that is because RJ protested that he is still Superman when he gets sick.
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So I call in his wife, Vanessa, to tell us the real deal about RJ when he's sick. She regales us with stories about how she finds RJ adorable when he needs babying. She assured him that when he's sick, it's okay to ask for help. She says that caring for him when he's sick is her way of thanking him for working so hard. Assured, RJ says he's happy to admit that he does need his wife's caring hands when he's feeling under the weather.
Now that we got that settled, we did a game! What we did was ask what TLC wives give their hubbies when they get sick. Here is one of the mommy bloggers who won a gift pack from Vicks:
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Mommy bloggers are so much fun! They're always so game to join games! I'm a mommy blogger, too, and if I hadn't been a host, I'd join this game!
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Success! The program went off without a hitch! This is us with P&G Country Brand Manager Arthur Peña (beside me) and P&G Country Communications Leader Clint Navales.
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This time with Jane Villa (in red glasses) and Rea Agbon of Campaigns Public Relations. Thanks so much for getting me for this project!
And that's the event! I'll talk more about the campaign in my next post. It's super timely because my entire family is sick! We really did use Vicks VapoRub!
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I have never hosted anything in my life! I seriously tried to back out! But it's part of my duties now that I'm a Vicks VapoRub Mommy. Yey, mommies! I have a new blog partner! And we're going to talk about taking care of our hubbies when they're sick.
Here are some photos from the event:
The reason my face looks like that is because RJ protested that he is still Superman when he gets sick.
Now that we got that settled, we did a game! What we did was ask what TLC wives give their hubbies when they get sick. Here is one of the mommy bloggers who won a gift pack from Vicks:
And that's the event! I'll talk more about the campaign in my next post. It's super timely because my entire family is sick! We really did use Vicks VapoRub!
* * * * * * *
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This is happiness
Most days today are perfect. Thank You, God! Vince and I are constantly saying, "This is happiness!" Thank You, Lord! We are so incredibly happy so that even when we all caught a nasty bug that brought us all down for two weeks, we just can't help but feel grateful and happy! Thank You, God!
Before we got sick, my family and I had a simple little date at Greenbelt. It's nothing special and yet it's everything special. From how my boys' eyes widened with wonder at watching the fish to all of us eating our regular dishes at our favorite restaurant, it was all so ordinary and it was all so wondrous.
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My marriage and my kids. They're all I need! Thank You, God, for the blessing!
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Before we got sick, my family and I had a simple little date at Greenbelt. It's nothing special and yet it's everything special. From how my boys' eyes widened with wonder at watching the fish to all of us eating our regular dishes at our favorite restaurant, it was all so ordinary and it was all so wondrous.
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| It was our family's first time at the fish ponds. |
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| They loved all the gorgeous reds and golds! |
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| What fascinated us! The fish are so big! |
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| My one true love! (Hmm. Parang ang liit ni Iñigo dito!) |
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| The boys running up and down the stairs of the atrium is always a source of great fun. |
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| My baby daddy and my baby saying hi to me! |
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| Starting our meal with dessert. As usual! |
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| Iñigo throwing everything down to the floor while Mama tries to ignore hehe |
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| Vito's favorite thing to do in Cibo. |
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| Iñigo's favorite thing to do in Cibo. |
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| This is happiness! |
My marriage and my kids. They're all I need! Thank You, God, for the blessing!
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I'm proud to be part of NIVEA BABY's mission to help moms and babies at Fabella!
I just found out a truly beautiful thing: NIVEA BABY is renovating the maternity wing of the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.
Fabella is a mother-and-baby hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila, famous for being a "baby factory." That's because of the high rate of babies born there every single day. I read on Wikipedia that 20% of Metro Manila's babies are born in Fabella. I don't know if that's true but just one look at this photo and I can believe that:
The volume of moms and babies is so high that they are forced to share beds. This is just one of the many challenges the hospital and its patients face. Space, ventilation, hygiene, storage... the list goes on and on! What grabs my heart most is the fact that their neonatal intensive care unit is so needed and yet so severely needing help itself! Dr. Melissa Juico, Chairman of the Department of Newborn Medicine, says, “Fabella caters to premature and high-risk babies. Most of the families you see here are those who cannot afford quality hospitalization.”
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| The entry hallway |
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| The maternity ward where up to three mommies with their babies share one bed. |
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| The breastfeeding station. |
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| Up to three babies share one bassinet in the NICU. |
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| New moms and their cute sweethearts |
Imagine how I felt when NIVEA BABY asked me and a few other mommies to help them give these mothers and babies at Fabella that happier and brighter experience! This project, called "Caring Beyond Skincare," is now underway and I'm going to be helping NIVEA BABY spread awareness about it because they're going to need your help, too.
Jon Lee, Assistant Brand Manager for NIVEA BABY, shared that this is a first for NIVEA BABY because the brand wants to reach out and help give the mildest protection for babies beyond caring for skin. Dr. Juico’s team is also very optimistic about the project, and they’re very happy to have been chosen by NIVEA BABY.
I'll be visiting Fabella soon to see for myself the progress of the renovation. To be honest with you, I told the NIVEA BABY group that I'm afraid of my emotions. If the photos alone made me cry, I don't know what I'd do when I actually see the new moms and newborns in such conditions. All the more reason I want to be part of this, even if it hurts my heart! I hope you can join me and NIVEA BABY, too, in making the moms and babies of Fabella have a happier and brighter experience. I'll keep you updated, mommies!
Join the #CaringBeyondSkincare Movement of NIVEA BABY on their Facebook page.
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How to take care of my sick baby daddy
CONTEST CLOSED.
I'm part of Vicks's new campaign about caring for our husbands when they're sick and they sent me a care package just in time because my husband really did get sick and needed extra TLC. So the Vicks Manchild Care Kit was extra appreciated!
As I mentioned here a few posts ago, these past two weeks, our home transformed to sick bay. First, Iñigo got sick. Two days later, Vito caught the bug. Four days later, Vince and I got the virus. Vince and Vito were hit hard the most. They were miserable and feverish, sneezing and coughing constantly. Vince fired up the steamer to humidify the air. We quickly used up the Vicks VapoRub on chests, backs, and melted in bowls of hot water to freshen up the air and help decongest everyone.
I couldn't really take care of Vince because I had to care for the babies. Thank goodness he's not the typical guy (hehe) who morphs into a big whiny baby when he's sick! All Vince wants when he's sick is peace and quiet, lots of sleep, and lots of liquids. Usually, when a Manchild manifests, these are the ways to care for him:
Like the Facebook page of Vicks Philippines to learn more about taking care of your Manchild!
GIVEAWAY!
Do you want your own Vicks Manchild Care Kit? Just leave a comment telling me how you take care of your husband when he's sick. I'll pick a winner on Wednesday, Oct 30! I'll ship the prize for free anywhere in the Philippines. Can't wait to read what you do to your hubbies!
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My iPad Mini makes me happy!
SMART gave me an iPad Mini a couple of months ago because SMART is now a blog partner of Topaz Mommy! Oh wowowow! It was their welcome gift to the SMART family, which I'm really happy to be a part of.
I'm so glad they sent me an iPad Mini. I wrote here before how Vito is so in love with my iPad. Yes, I actually already have an iPad but Vito already claimed it. He calls it "Vito's iPad" and no one can say otherwise. So I needed a new iPad!
So why do I need an iPad? Let me count the ways!
1. The iPad saves me from boredom when I'm breastfeeding. I mean, really, there's nothing else to do. I tried books and magazines but my kids never liked it when I'm reading anything made of paper when they're nursing. They tear it up or flip the pages! But with an iPad, I put on some music to soothe the baby while I catch up on my Facebook, Twitter, fave blogs, and also my almost always neglected correspondence. I can also read ebooks.
2. The iPad also saved me from post-partum depression. When I was a new mom to Vito, I felt cut off from the world. The feeling of isolation was worst in the dead hours, when everyone was asleep and I was alone with a crying baby. Thank God for the iPad! I found mommy communities, I researched on childcare, I chatted with my mommy friends on Facebook. I stopped feeling isolated and started feeling like I now belonged to a new sisterhood.
3. The iPad organizes my life! Schedules, emails, notes, to-do lists—everything managed with a swipe of a finger!
4. The iPad helps me in my mommy duties. It helps me instantly find recipes, crafts projects, and household tips and tricks like how to remove nail polish my son spilled all over his shirt. I also do quick consultations for kiddie milestones and to check symptoms when my kids are sick.
5. The iPad helps me as a work-at-home mom. It makes it easy for me to promote my blog, interact with my readers, and communicate with clients and blog sponsors.
6. Last but not the least, the iPad helps keep the kids entertained when we're out. Thank heavens for the iPad!
Being a mom is a hard job but because of my access to the Internet on my iPad, my job—as a wife, a mom, a writer, a blogger—is loads easier. It's a mommy must-have! I'm so happy that SMART gave me an iPad Mini. Thanks, SMART!
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What our kids really think about us
Today I was talking to a mom who believed she wasn't doing anything right.
I said, "Relax, mommy. Seriously, all that matters is they're clothed, fed and safe. You can put them in nice clothes or simple ones, you can feed them organic or canned food, you can watch over them yourself or hire trustworthy help. Whatever you do, as long as you do it in love, you're doing what's right for your kids."
She said, "I can't do that. I can't relax. How can you do that?"
"Because I don't have a lot of time with them," I replied. "Every day, they take one step farther away from me. I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts!"
A New Perspective For Moms from Elevation Church on Vimeo.
We need to love motherhood, mommies. We have to stop the guilt. Our kids love us just the way we are!
P.S.
Here's what Vito thinks of me:
Vito: Mama, you're hot!
Me: (blushing) What? Aww, thanks! Who taught you that?
Vito: Papa! (Then he touches my arm, rubs my skin.) Hmm. Oh no, you're not hot. You're cold!
There went my ego! Kids, you gotta love them!
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I said, "Relax, mommy. Seriously, all that matters is they're clothed, fed and safe. You can put them in nice clothes or simple ones, you can feed them organic or canned food, you can watch over them yourself or hire trustworthy help. Whatever you do, as long as you do it in love, you're doing what's right for your kids."
She said, "I can't do that. I can't relax. How can you do that?"
"Because I don't have a lot of time with them," I replied. "Every day, they take one step farther away from me. I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts!"
A New Perspective For Moms from Elevation Church on Vimeo.
We need to love motherhood, mommies. We have to stop the guilt. Our kids love us just the way we are!
P.S.
Here's what Vito thinks of me:
Vito: Mama, you're hot!
Me: (blushing) What? Aww, thanks! Who taught you that?
Vito: Papa! (Then he touches my arm, rubs my skin.) Hmm. Oh no, you're not hot. You're cold!
There went my ego! Kids, you gotta love them!
* * * * * * *
P.S.
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Subscribe to the Topaz Mommy newsletter!
Halloo everyone!
I know I've been gone forever. I have had the most wonderful week—we went to Hong Kong Disneyland and then we vegged out at home for days and days after because we were (and still are) so tired.
How was your two long weekends???
Okay, I have to do sponsored posts this week for SMART, Xylitol, NIVEA Baby and Green Cross. I'm so thrilled I have new blog sponsors! I can continue being a stay-at-home mommy for a while longer! But that means I won't be able to post about our Disneyland trip till next week.
But!!! I just created a Topaz Mommy newsletter. It's the coolest news because a newsletter means you can get...
1. a peek at upcoming posts. Sometimes I have a lot of posts ready for publishing but since sponsored posts are scheduled, I wait a while. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you can see upcoming posts before other readers do! So my first newsletter has photos of the Disneyland adventure. If you want to see, subscribe!
2. to see extra photos that I don't post on the blog. Lots of photos mean the page is harder to download. So I try to keep the photos at just 10 per post. Sometimes I go beyond that because I have so many nice pictures! If you subscribe to my newsletter, you can finally see the tons of photos I don't get to publish on the blog!
3. to join giveaways since I'm planning to stop doing giveaways on the blog and just do it for my subscribers. I don't like doing giveaways on my blog because giveaways attract "professional contest joiners." You know, they're just on the hunt for prizes and freebies. So annoying! Why? Because I've had some really great prizes and the winners are not my regular readers! I think my regular readers should be the one winning my special prizes! If you subscribe to my newsletter, you'll be part of the select few who are automatically joined in my giveaways!
There's a lot more I'm planning for my newsletter subscribers. Discounts and freebies from my sponsors. Links to blogs, articles and news that I'm reading that week. OOTDs, more photos of my kids, etc etc! It's so exciting!
How do you subscribe?
Go to my sidebar on the right. There's a space there that looks like this:
![]()
Enter your email address and you'll get my weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox! Sign up! It will be your little birthday gift to me!
UPDATE!
I send newsletters every Wednesday! So if you signed up after Nov 6, you'll get the second newsletter next week and no, it won't be about Disneyland anymore!
* * * * * * *
P.S.
Subscribe to my newsletter
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
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Love me on Bloglovin'
I know I've been gone forever. I have had the most wonderful week—we went to Hong Kong Disneyland and then we vegged out at home for days and days after because we were (and still are) so tired.
 |
| Disneyland was decorated for Halloween so we kinda look like we visited the dead! |
How was your two long weekends???
Okay, I have to do sponsored posts this week for SMART, Xylitol, NIVEA Baby and Green Cross. I'm so thrilled I have new blog sponsors! I can continue being a stay-at-home mommy for a while longer! But that means I won't be able to post about our Disneyland trip till next week.
But!!! I just created a Topaz Mommy newsletter. It's the coolest news because a newsletter means you can get...
1. a peek at upcoming posts. Sometimes I have a lot of posts ready for publishing but since sponsored posts are scheduled, I wait a while. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you can see upcoming posts before other readers do! So my first newsletter has photos of the Disneyland adventure. If you want to see, subscribe!
2. to see extra photos that I don't post on the blog. Lots of photos mean the page is harder to download. So I try to keep the photos at just 10 per post. Sometimes I go beyond that because I have so many nice pictures! If you subscribe to my newsletter, you can finally see the tons of photos I don't get to publish on the blog!
3. to join giveaways since I'm planning to stop doing giveaways on the blog and just do it for my subscribers. I don't like doing giveaways on my blog because giveaways attract "professional contest joiners." You know, they're just on the hunt for prizes and freebies. So annoying! Why? Because I've had some really great prizes and the winners are not my regular readers! I think my regular readers should be the one winning my special prizes! If you subscribe to my newsletter, you'll be part of the select few who are automatically joined in my giveaways!
There's a lot more I'm planning for my newsletter subscribers. Discounts and freebies from my sponsors. Links to blogs, articles and news that I'm reading that week. OOTDs, more photos of my kids, etc etc! It's so exciting!
How do you subscribe?
Go to my sidebar on the right. There's a space there that looks like this:
Enter your email address and you'll get my weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox! Sign up! It will be your little birthday gift to me!
UPDATE!
I send newsletters every Wednesday! So if you signed up after Nov 6, you'll get the second newsletter next week and no, it won't be about Disneyland anymore!
* * * * * * *
P.S.
Subscribe to my newsletter
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'
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The stylish mommy's equivalent of candy this Christmas!
iPhones of course!!! I love my iPhone5. It's really helped me as a mommy blogger! I can check my email everywhere, take instant photos and videos of my kids if my Panasonic camera's out of reach, and share these adorableness on all my social media platforms.![]()
I got that image from imore.com. They did a comprehensive comparison of the iPhone 5s amd iPhone 5c so you can decide for yourself which sweetie to buy. Click here to read more: "Which iPhone model should you get?"
Once you've decided, make sure you get your iPhone from SMART!!!
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Here are the SMART plans:
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* * * * * * *
P.S.
Subscribe to my newsletter
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I got that image from imore.com. They did a comprehensive comparison of the iPhone 5s amd iPhone 5c so you can decide for yourself which sweetie to buy. Click here to read more: "Which iPhone model should you get?"
Once you've decided, make sure you get your iPhone from SMART!!!
Here are the SMART plans:
My SMART family recommends the P1499 monthly plan for the iPhone 5c and the P1799 monthly plan for the iPhone 5s. That's all in, no cash out! That comes with unlimited data and all-net call and texts.
The new iPhones will be available exactly 10 days from now. That's Nov. 15. Have fun picking up your new candy!
P.S.
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Smile! Your wishes just may come true!
I've been told my best feature is my smile. My husband thinks it's my legs. I think it's my nose haha but I do believe a smile is the best beautifier and fashion accessory. A face instantly brightens, an outfit transcends trends, a room is lit up, a friendship is struck, doubts are banished, hope is restored, courage renewed. That's the power of a smile!
Lotte Xylitol, which I am so proud to be an ambassador of, believes in the power of a smile of course! As the best dental gum in my opinion, Lotte Xylitol cares for strong teeth, fresh breath, and a clean and healthy mouth. They also care for mommies and daddies and our kids. They also care about making our wishes come true!
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This Christmas, Lotte Xylitol is granting wishes because they want us to smile. You know, just typing that makes me smile! This year has been such an amazing year of my dreams coming true and my wishes granted—I've been smiling all year long!
Now Lotte Xylitol will make your children's dreams come true with their Wish Upon a Smile campaign! All you have to do is...
1. Be a parent of a 5-10 year old child.
2. Live in the Philippines.
3. Like the Lotte Xylitol Facebook page.
4. Submit a photo of you and your child with your best smiles.
5. Answer the question: "What would make your child smile this Christmas?" and add the hashtag #XylitolSmile.
Here are my examples:
Okay, those are actually not good examples because my kids aren't giving their best smiles in the photos (but I am! haha). It's hard to make babies pose, you know! I guess that's why the contest is open only to parents with kids aged 5-10!
So do join Lotte Xylitol's Wish Upon a Smile campaign. Go to the Lotte Xylitol Facebook page now! Good luck!
* * * * * * *
P.S.
Subscribe to my newsletter
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
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Love me on Bloglovin'
Lotte Xylitol, which I am so proud to be an ambassador of, believes in the power of a smile of course! As the best dental gum in my opinion, Lotte Xylitol cares for strong teeth, fresh breath, and a clean and healthy mouth. They also care for mommies and daddies and our kids. They also care about making our wishes come true!
Now Lotte Xylitol will make your children's dreams come true with their Wish Upon a Smile campaign! All you have to do is...
1. Be a parent of a 5-10 year old child.
2. Live in the Philippines.
3. Like the Lotte Xylitol Facebook page.
4. Submit a photo of you and your child with your best smiles.
5. Answer the question: "What would make your child smile this Christmas?" and add the hashtag #XylitolSmile.
Here are my examples:
 |
| "A whole set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures will put a huge smile on Vito's face this Christmas! #XylitolSmile" |
 |
| "My son Iñigo will definitely smile this Christmas if he gets a big electric Lightning McQueen car! #XylitolSmile" |
Okay, those are actually not good examples because my kids aren't giving their best smiles in the photos (but I am! haha). It's hard to make babies pose, you know! I guess that's why the contest is open only to parents with kids aged 5-10!
So do join Lotte Xylitol's Wish Upon a Smile campaign. Go to the Lotte Xylitol Facebook page now! Good luck!
* * * * * * *
P.S.
Subscribe to my newsletter
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Love me on Bloglovin'
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