Why do I breastfeed

I am a member of Breastfeeding Pinay in Facebook. Somebody asked (for a survey) - Why did you decide to breastfeed your baby initially? Give at least 3 reasons.

Napaisip ako...bakit nga ba? Sa panganay ko di pa ako member ng group na to. I am not sure nga if 6 years ago may Breastfeeding Pinay na =) I am not that aware of the pros of Breastmilk and cons of Formula Milk. Basta alam ko lang na mahirap ang breastfeeding and dapat pag handaan.

Di kaya ang reason ko is it is a challenge for me? Alam kong mahirap, gagawin ko! And maipagmamayabang ko sya haha! 

Maybe yes maybe no. But I know I have given the best to my panganay (though mixed fed sya...e kasi nga di pa ako member ng forum...how sad!) until he was 3 years old!!! and now, I am giving the best also to my bunso...eto exclusive talaga! Thanks to the mommies at BFP, I have learned a lot and learning everyday. 

I also thank my husband for supporting me...alam nya kasi ang effect sa panganay namin - smart, high EQ and my eldest eats what is on the table (though konting pilit sa veggies).

I pray to God that I can sustain this until my bunso is ready to wean!

UN Day 2012

For United Nation Day, Antonio was assigned to wear the National Costume of Mongolia. I searched the net kung ano itsura, parang Cheongsam lang. I printed out the costume and asked my mom to go to Divisoria to look for the costume. Stage Lola kasi kaya pumayag! Haha! For the hat, I asked my brother to do it. Sayang nga at medyo malaki yung hat.

On the day of the presentation, I was so worried that Antonio will not participate as this was Antonio's first major school event. Hay, I was so happy that he was so game =)

haha, naging Mongolian si Spiderman

Barney

Sa sobrang tagal ko ng di nagpopost, di ko na maalala kung ano nangyari ng 2012 ahahaha!

I was browsing through the pictures in my laptop, then tsaka ko lang naaalala lahat! Haha!

So magulo gulo pa tong posts ko!

Anyway, Antonio and I watched Barney last year. Ayaw sumama ni Arch kasi nasasayangan sya sa money...so dakilang driver na lang ang aking hubby! =)

Antonio's face when he saw Barney. Excited sya nyan =)

We enjoyed watching Barney...kahit sa picture di halata! Hehe! Antonio was so happy to see his imaginary friend ;) Kung pwede lang pati mga nanay sumayaw, malamang maraming gagawa nun! Hehe!

First Day High

Antonio started formal schooling last June. Even before we transferred here, I was looking for a school near our place. Basta ang top requirement ko is di na dadaan ng main road. Kasi delikado, traffic and baka mapagod si Antonio sa byahe haha.

There are several schools near our place. pero either di ko type yung name (yeah maarte ako) or di ko type yung facade. Naglolokohan nga kami ni Arch na ipapasok ko na lang si Antonio sa European International School. Asa!

Anyway, after searching and searching sa net and sa N@W, I found a preschool that offers Kindermusik. Sabi ko kung may Kindermusik, it must be good. Haha! The school was decent, affordable and near our place. At ang maganda is may school service pa =)

Here are the first day pictures of Antonio. I was so happy that Antonio did not cry =) I know he is ready na for school.

San Juan, Batangas

2012 was a good year...stressful yes. But we tried to de-stress as much as possible.

Last year we went to 3 different beaches. First was in Calatagan during the Holy Week. We were with my family. You may find my post about that here.

Second, we went to San Juan, Batangas last June 2012. This time, we were with Arch's sister and her family. We stayed at Laiya Coco Grove. We really enjoyed our stay there. Medyo di lang maganda yung beach kasi madumi, maybe because it was habagat season na. But there was a pool that the kids enjoyed, may trampoline pa na okay sa mga tweens na kasama namin. The food was also great. Kasama na yung meals sa bayad namin, buffet pa. Mura pa yung ibang food like coffee, beer, and coffee hehe! =)

The accommodation was so-so. Luma na siguro. Pero ayos na rin naman. Important naman sa amin is comfortable yung mga bata.

Next beach stop...Boracay! =)

Updates updates

Yes, I am still alive! Haha!

Have been busy with work and house thingies kaya I was not able to update this blog. Bad bad me. I do not even have the time to blog hop. Yes, ako na ang reyna ng kabusyhan haha! Wala na ako sa circulation' Ano nangyayari sa Philippines? Tapos na ba ang impeachment? Haha!  Oh diba, walang alam.

I am thinking when kaya ako magiging parelaks relaks ulit? Though, hiningi ko to kay Lord, tanggap lang ng tanggap =)

What have transpired in the last few weeks? Weekends are allotted for grocery time, shopping for house items and time for Antonio and Arch...or diba, kahit weekends busy pa rin?

We went to Calatagan last Black Saturday and Easter Sunday...and I so want to go to the beach again!!!!! Hopefully, we will have another family outing first weekend of June. If not, I have to wait for December. Boracay here we come! Woohoo!

Oh by the way, I have reserved for Antonio's preschool na. Which reminds me, I have to enroll him na pala haha! I am also looking for his school service. Tricycle na lang ba or school bus? Hmmm.

Antonio is enjoying naman playing with our kid neighbor...Palaging nasa labas. Minsan, ayaw muna kumain lalabas na. Unfortunately, he got sick this week...so bed/house arrest muna sya. Ang sama ng ubo nya grabe. Last Monday, he was coughing all through the night...kawawa naman. So I asked my husband to bring him to the doctor. I was ready na our pedia will give him antibiotic kasi ang sama talaga ng ubo. I told Arch, wag sya bibili ng gamot pa kasi I can get free medicines. Ayun, pagtapos sa doctor, sabi ng doctor..sipon lang yan. Viral lang yan. She just asked us to give Antonio Dimetapp, Solmux and Calpol. After 3 days, wala ng ubo (paminsan minsan na lang). Wow I so love my pedia!

So ayan, hopefully, I will be able to update this blog regularly na =)

Valentine's Day gifts

We do not normally celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th...ayaw namin makipagsiksikan. This year, we do not have plans yet...basta sabi ko lang sa husband ko manonood kami ng Unofficially Yours...maybe we will watch it on Saturday! Hehe!

I decided to buy my husband a cake (Frozen Braso de Mercedes from CaraMia) last Monday and I gave it to him na rin that night...because I knew he will have a busy schedule yesterday, February 14.

Yesterday morning, I was surfing the net while my son was playing. He formed this thingy into a heart and greeted me - "Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy!". He is such a sweet boy!

We made this heart card naman, which was Antonio's gift for his daddy. I cut the heart and wrote the dedication at the back. Antonio drew the face =)

Since busy nga si hubby yesterday, I did not expect him to give me flowers or a gift...pero naghahanda na ako ng 'tampong' script in case wala nga syang gift. Haha! When he arrived, he surprised me with a bouquet. =)

We capped off the day with us watching 50 First Dates. Hay, kinilig na naman ako! =)  

T, U, V

T for Truck

U for Umbrella

V for Volcano

Happy 38th Month!

Antonio's milestones:

• Super super daldal. Matutulog na lang ang dami pang sinasabi
• He is in the ‘questioning ‘ stage now
• Who’s that?
• Where is the sound coming from?
• Why? – Why is he sneezing? Why does he have colds? Why are they shouting? Why are you laughing?
• Where is daddy? Where are my cousins?
• He can now say “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen” and say our short morning prayer

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*Antonio getting ready to have his afternoon nap*

Antonio: (whispering) Ate Rose, carry.

Ate Rose: Bakit carry? E ang bigat mo na?

Antonio: Thalap e

Ayos naman sa hirit! Haha!

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Grabe naman sa memory. Recently, he was gathering his puzzle pieces so he can assemble them. When he saw the Mickey Mouse puzzle pieces, he stood up and went to his cabinet, looking for something.

Mommy: What are you looking for?

Antonio: Puzzle piece. Kulang e.

Mommy: Pano mo naman nalaman na kulang e di pa nga buo.

Antonio: I am looking for the puzzle piece. Kulang (still looking for the piece)

Mommy: Hay, halika gawin muna natin *I started completing the puzzle*

I was shocked, kulang nga. Shockers! Then, I suddenly remembered na the day before nga, he saw one piece of that puzzle in one of his toy bags

Giftssssss

When Antonio started receiving gifts days before Christmas, I told him that we need to wait for Christmas. Reason? I want him to learn how to wait...which I am successful naman. He did not open naman until December 24 lunch...I allowed him to open one gift. Then before dinner, he opened another gift. We planned na sabay sabay para fun, kaso feeling ko na-overwhelm sya e. Hehe!

So next year, I think I will let him open his gifts siguro mga December 24 morning pa lang. By night time naman madami pa rin syang ioopen =) Kahit December 25, meron pa rin!

Santa's Love Letter

2011 Christmas Wrappers

Antonio and I made homemade Christmas wrappers last year. But we only used the wrappers to wrap the gifts for my family kasi busy busyhan. Since Archie loved the idea, we decided to do this activity again this year.

Happy 37th Month!

Antonio's milestones:

• Says presents instead of gifts
• Compliments people
•  Loves to copy other people
• Ang daming alam! Haha! When he asks a question and my answer is "maybe it is ___", he will say "could be". 
• If we did not hear what he said and it is not important naman, he will say "nothing". Parang matanda?

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Mommy: Look Antonio, there is the moon.
Antonio: Moon. Crescent.
Daddy: What? (Did not understand what Antonio said)
Antonio: Crescent.
Daddy: (Talking to me) Ano daw?
Mommy: What did you say?
Antonio: Moon, crescent.
Mommy: (Laughing). Crescent daw. Haha!
Daddy:*Tameme*
----

Antonio's 3rd Birthday Celebration

We had 2 mini-parties for the little boy. 1 for the south people (my family and Arch's dad) and 1 for the north people (for Archie's siblings).

Antonio loves Angry birds. So it is but fitting that his cake is Angry Birds. I got matching shirts for the 3 of us as well =)

Supplier: I got the cake and cupcakes from Hannah Enrile.
Rating -  Cake:  Design - 5 out of 5. Taste - 3 out of 5.

Okay kausap si Hannah! Madali din mag reply. I loved how the cake turned out. Nanginginig si Antonio sa excitement when he was opening the cake box =) I just did not like the taste so much. Ang taste niya e pwede na. It was a chocolate cake. It was not sweet parang may kulang. Siguro dahil matamis yung fondant kaya di na matamis yung cake. Pero still, I highly recommend Hannah.

Nothing compares pa rin talaga Antonio's 1st birthday cake. That cake was made by Le Sucreries. Hay sana sa 5th birthday ni Antonio, we get to order from her again =) Siguro next year, I will not order fondant cake anymore. Mas gusto talaga yung taste ng cake pag di.

Rating - Cupcake: Design - 5 out of 5. Taste - 4 out of 5.

Mas nagustuhan ko yung cupcakes ni Hannah. Kasi mas may lasa na sya =) Kasi siguro yung topping nya is not fondant but buttercream ata. Sayang lang medyo nagulo na yung cupcakes. Kasi dala na namin yan from Alabang to Las Pinas to San Juan. Haha!

Magic Santa

Does your kid love Santa? Mine is addicted to Santa! Haha! I have learned this program from one of the mommies in N@W last year...where you can customize Santa's message. You may also include picture of your kid and yourselves. Inabangan ko talaga yan this year. Here is what I have made for Antonio. The link below will take you to the website.

Magic Santa

Dali, gawa na kayo for your kiddos! =)

Antonio's 3rd Birthday

We just had a simple dinner on Antonio's birthday. Red Ribbon Pancit Palabok and lumpia from DEC.

Syempre, we also had a cake (from Chocolat) with 3 candles, which Antonio blew twice that day. Hehe!

 
Here is the obligatory family picture. =)

Happy 3rd Birthday Baby!

Happy 3rd birthday, Antonio! We have passed the terrible 2 stage with flying colors. I was expecting I will be blogging my rants all throughout the year, but no. You have been a very good boy.

We are really blessed to have you in our lives. I have never imagined that I can love a person as much as I love you. Your I love yous, smiles, hugs, and kisses complete our day.

We pray that you will grow up to be a good Christian, loving and respectful to others. We love you so much baby! Mwah!

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Antonio's milestones:

• When we massage him, he says "Ahhh thalap" with matching facial expression.
• He remembers a lot. He can still remember that a balloon popped when my brother-in-law closed the trunk of the car. This happened October 1 before they left for the surprise party of my mother-in-law
• If he does not know the next thing to say, he will ask - what's next?
• He loves to say - "maybe" (when I asked him for his car, he will say "maybe under the sofa")
• He loves to play hide and seek 
• He is such an OC kid. If he sees trash on the floor, he will pick it up and throw it inside the trash can. If the floor rug is not properly laid out, he will fix it. If the door is open, he should close it and say - close the door pasok lamok.

Not that techy

*While Antonio and I were looking at the Toy Kingdom Catalogue*

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Antonio: Oh look, Super Mario.

Mommy: Yes, correct that is Super Mario

Antonio: Just like what Ate Alexa's (cousin) playing.

Grabe ang memory ng anak ko! E bibihira lang nya makita yung DS ng ate nya kasi di naman palaging dinadala dito. And di nga nya nalalaro yun because ayaw namin....dahil a year ago nasira nya yung DS na yun. Haha!

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Antonio: (pointing at the Nintendo 3DS) where is Super Mario here?

Mommy: Oh, we have to put a 'chip' first

Antonio: No, card

I was speechless! We do not own a Nintendo 3DS here or kahit anong game console (yun ba tawag dun? haha). So gusto ko sana sabihin na anak, chip ang tawag dun, kaso tama naman talaga sya e...hehe!

Ako na ang low tech, old school! Buti na lang di ko sinabi - anak, we need to put a cartridge first. haha!

Q, R, S

Q for Queen

R for Rainbow

S for Snake

Happy 35 months!

Haha! Mag 3 years old na baby ko sa Wednesday, now ko pa lang gagawin to, which is supposedly for October! Tsk tsk tsk.

35th month milestones:
1. Grabe ang imagination! We always playing pretend. Most of the time he is a dog and asking for a bone. Sometimes naman, he will ask for grapes. Kunyari bibigyan mo, he will say thank you and go back to his toys. Haha!
2. He sings - "Angry bird is coming to town" - to the tune of Santa Clause is coming to town. We really do not know where he got that.
3. He talks like an adult. When you answer his question, he will say - "Ah, okay okay".
4. Yes, he still breastfeeds. Pero feeling ko comfort sucking na lang ang ginagawa nya =(
5. He drinks more ounces of Lactum from the feeding bottle (hay, di ko pa sya mawean sa bottle), so palaging butas ang Avent nipple...shyecks ang mahal!

2 days to go!!! Woohooo! This will be a week-long celebration for Antonio! Hehe!

Airplane Wood Puzzle

I love puzzles. Kung impatient ako sa ibang bagay, sa puzzles hindi. Siguro I can sit the whole day forming a puzzle...either nerd ako or boring akong kasama or tamad ako to do household chores ahaha!

Earlier this year, I bought 3D puzzles from Regina's in Greenhills as part of Antonio's activities. Kahit ako lang ang nagassemble, at least sya yung tiga tanggal sa 'plates' ng parts and tiga sira after ko ma-assemble ahaha! Sad part lang is the puzzles are made from hard paper so madaling nasira when I was still assembling them, pano pa kaya kung nilaro na ng anak ko? Hehe! Sabi ko sa husband ko sana wood na lang yung material.

So I was excited when I saw 3D wood puzzles at Japan Home Center in Greenbelt 1. I bought 2 - airplane and race car.

Earlier today, Antonio and I assembled the airplane. It was quite challenging kasi the instructions are in Japanese and the numbers are written on the paper and not on the pieces itself. Even then, we were able to finish it in less than an hour. Sumakit nga lang fingers ko kaka-assemble.

Here is the finished product! Woohooo! I am so proud! Haha!

I told my husband na pwede namin pangregalo to sa mga pamangkin nyang boys =) I went to Japan Home center in Greenhills this afternoon, mas madaming designs. May old school na car, spaceship, helicopter, etc. Sana lang di maubos coz I plan to start buying gifts this coming Friday pa lang.