Warehouse Sale 2
August 22, 2011 § 2 Comments
I had a lot of great buys from the previous warehouse sale. Hoping or the same experience this year.
See you there!
Lego Pilipinas! Woohoo
August 16, 2011 § 2 Comments
When we were in Australia, we were amazed when we saw this…
at the Sydney Aquarium
at Sydney Wildlife World
And just today I got this in my inbox… ooohhh am really excited I hope they are drool-worthy! Theirs are pretty but ours are personalized kasi Philippine Landmarks and mga gagawin eh. Please please please be really nice!!! Can’t wait to see it.
Am so happy Lego is doing it in the Philippines too!
My Childhood!
August 14, 2011 § 10 Comments
It’s my turn! This is all about me! Sorry kayo blog ko ito and I can do this 🙂
Umpisahan natin ang mga pictures sa nanay ko para maganda. Oh ayan sorry di ako ampon. She’s 7 months preggy here.
di ko alam ano ine-emote ng nanay ko dito and kung nasaan ako I should be 2 months old by this time, bat di niya ako inaalagaan? Tsaka di siguro ito bahay namin? Sosyal nasa hotel? Bakit? eh baby pa ako asan ako??? Iniwan? hmm di maganda yan.
a six months old, naku tagal ng buhay ng silver tinsel Christmas tree namin na yan, naalala ko pa nung nagpalit kami to the green na plastic tree.
8 months old ako nito, ano ba yan Feb. na may Christmas Tree pa sa bahay na-mamana pala yang ugaling yan
madalas din kami sa Luneta, dun kami ng younger brother ko pinapaarawan. Or morning exercise siguro.
She’s a boy, bat naman mukha akong boy:( Sana Amorsolo na lang yung painting!
di ko mabasa nakasulat sa cake (uuyy Hizon’s yan) pero di ko ito birthday but sila nakiki picture with me? Anong meron pag September? *puzzled* siguro parang bahay namin ngayon minsan maski walang occasion bumibili kami ng Hizon’s cake
naku madalas din kami sa Nayong Pilipino… I therefore conclude lakwatsera pamilya namin! at mahilig magpicture.
I like your pants mader! Yung pictures ko na naka collage sa wall -Bob’s Studio yan- am sure familiar sa mga friendships ko kasi hanggang after college yata nasa room ko yan tapos nilipat sa room ko sa Baguio na bahay eh.
dala dala namin sa bagong bahay ang Christmas Tree of course!
itong picture ko naku naka frame at naka display sa room ko until High School kaso nung mataba ako nahiya na ako kaya pinaalis ko na niloloko ako ng mga tao na taba taba eh. See the flower sa dress ko? Painted yan, ewan ko if mura or mahal sinasabi ko lang kasi naaalala ko.
pag nanay ang kasama sa Luneta may lobo, pag contrabidang auntie wala! hmph!
Ganito kami mag party noon, ewan ko kung bongga yan pero sabi ng nanay ko bongga daw yan (kaso di lahat ng sinasabi ko sa anak ko totoo so now napapaisip ako if totoo nga o hindi) basta ang saya saya namin niyan. Sino kaya yung mga bisita ko? Parang walang familiar? Nancy, Oliver Ruber, Sherington, Sherwin, Ahia Mike, Steve, Achi Annabele, Ramon nasaan kayo? Di kayo umattend ng bday party ko?
Back then your yayas stays with you for years! Yaya Cely on the left umalis sa amin kasi may sakit siya but matagal yan sa amin, si Yaya Nilda on the right stayed with us for a long time siya pa yaya ni brother for a long time until nag abroad siya, alam ko pa name ni Nilda Parreno, ma google at FB nga pag tapos nito.
My very First Flower Girl gig. Ahh ipopost ko ito sa FB para makita ng mga pinsan ko wedding picture ng magulang nila haha 🙂 matuwa kaya sila or mahiya? Diyos ko po ubos na halos kaibigan kong single, parang awa na ninyo kunin ninyong mag flower girl si Laya! Ako na sagot sa gown niya please (maka 3 times lang ok na ako)
Girl ako 🙂
Ford Fiera ng uncle ko (yes yung kinasal kung saan akoay flower girl) for his beef ball business na sinusupply dun sa fast food ng mom ko
you know you are Chinese if… you look forward to the bloom of this plant at midnight, it blooms for a few hours lang tapos dead na pag morning; tapos ipapa tuyo na ng mom ko tapos sa ref na yan kasi ingredients ng mudra sa sabaw pampaganda niya. Anybody here knows what this plant is called? Naku ang dami ko nang igu-google after this post. Also here is one of my mom’s super good friend kaso she passed away na tagal na. Sa HK siya based tapos siya taga luto ng Shanghai Hairy Crab ko whenever we are in HK tapos sa hotel namin kakainin. Yummy!
Ayan the brother dumating na. TV namin yung uso noon nasasara haha
Nakita ninyo yang stroller? Kaloka diba? Actually nagtataka ako bat buhay pa kapatid ko imagine ang laki ng chances na ma accidente diyan. Puritang klaseng stroller kaya yan? Pwede ka pang ma tetano sa grills sa ilalim eh.
June birthday namin magkakapatid at six years pagitan namin sa isa’t isa kaya madalas combi ang party. Ito naman ang ka share ko eh si brother 1 siya ako 7 na. Oo na kamukha ko tatay ko.
di ko mahanap malaking image nito puro contact prints lang
malamang Chinese Garden ng Luneta ito
gaano kayang kadaming oras nauubos namin kaka picture?
Luneta pa din.
Sandali baka sabihin ninyo di talaga ako madalas sa Makati, eto prueba! Di lang kami panay Luneta 🙂
ito ang aming playground, naku too many fond memories of my childhood, yung dulo sa left bahay nila Ton & Sherwin before their house kina Kim naman pero lumpiat sila sa likod after a while.
ito naman yung facing other side, yun nakikita sa tapat yung ilalim niyang may sari sari store, natuto akong tumawid kapupunta diyan, tapos near that may panaderya din buy kami pandesal ang liit lang tapos ang tamis. pero further pa sa street takot na ako di na kami pinapayagan ng mga yaya namin to go there dangerous na.
di lang ako Luneta & Makati girl noon, Malate girl din. Diyan kasi nakatira friend ng mom ko na kapitabahay nila Katie na classmate ko sa grade school. Yan si Katie, at friends pa din kami until now… ilang years na Katie? 🙂
kamukha kami ng mommy ko… ng damit! yan yung shelf ng mudra ng shoes & bags. At syempre naka balandra yung make up luggage niya.
super love ko itong resto at alam ko may picture pa ako eating the corn. super insist ako eating here heheh brat brat ko!
end this with a nice photo of me 🙂
Tama na nataob ko na nanay ko 30+ pictures ko kanya 20+ lang.
🙂
I had a super great childhood and I just hope Kite & Laya will remember how much fun their childhood was too when they grow old. I think everybody have lotsa good memories but some remember the bad when they grow old, others remember the good lang. It’s all in the perspective.
Of course madami din kaming sad memories, daming dinaanan family namin but it is still a lot more fun than bad.
Hope your memory of your childhood is fun too.
My Mommy! A Brag Post
August 14, 2011 § 30 Comments
Ok nagpunta ako sa house ng mom ko sometime last week, matagal na matagal ko na yan planong gawin kaso nakakatamad kasi ang dumi dumi ng bahay kasi walang nakatira, but last week nga nagpascan ako ng pictures na meron ko dito sa amin para madigitize na (at ma blog or ma FB upload) eh natapos na niya so pag return niya ng batch 1 gusto ko padala na ang batch 2 para di sayang sa biyahe so yun ang reason ng why now. But as I was checking the pictures out grabe they are so so precious and I was too excited to show off my pretty mom so nag scan ako ng mga fav ko, di ko namalayan nasa hundreds na pala yung iniscan ko. So here they are.
My Mommy 🙂 (favorite ako niyan!)
oh diba prettiness ng mudra? itong dresser niya playground ko minsan, nagme-makeup ako sa sarili ko. Yung mga gamit niya sa make up hay until she died yun pa din like yung lalagyan ng loose powder, yung gold gold na lalagyan ng tissue paper and etc.
uuyy ako yung little CUTE girl at ate ko yung isang girl… anybody knows where this is? Makati ba?
nice ng outfit diba? ito yung compound where we lived when I was 1 year old until mga 21 siguro ako (my childhood barkada all came from this compound – may kapitbahay kaming bombay kaya nalaman ko na nagibilad sila ng mga pagkain nila sa araw tsaka may amoy na iba sa bahay -uuy di ako racist ha, bahay namin may amoy din pang Thailand amin amoy curry kami- tapos may neighbor kaming Espanol, hmm asan na si Ramon Machuka, mag google or FB search nga, sila Nancy, Oliver, Ruben, Sherington, Sherwin, Achi Annabelle, Cindy, Kim, Kent and their cousin Dodong am in touch with until now; si Ahia Mike & Steve mahahanap ko kasi pinsan ng kabarkada ko si Ramon unaccounted, sila Jessie yung landloard namin di namin ka barkada kasi rich sila Benz ba naman lahat ng kotse as in madami ha more than 3 na Benz yun aber!) pucha nag FB search ako at nahanao ko ng si Ramon..tignan mo nga naman. Kamusta kaya sister niyang pretty na si Potpot?
if I am correct Rizal Theater ito, Nasa Makati likod ng Rustan’s where 6750 is located now. Tama ba mga oldies?
ito sure ako Makati ito sa Goldcrest yan, tambay ako dito noon habang nagtatao sa fastfood nanay ko at auntie ko
tambay nga kami sa Makati naniniwala na ba kayo?
kung hindi ito ang isa pang proof. maniwala na kayo or dadagdagan ko ito!
I think mahuhulaan ng lahat anong hotel ito. Ilalim nito ay Spirals na ngayon.
if tama ako ito yung labas na part nung hotel sa itaas.
Paco Park right?
ang ganda nung clock na ito, asan na kaya? (Philippine Airport kaya ito?)
ito sure ako dito sa Pilipinas itong airport na ito, may mumu na kaya noon pa?
siya yung pag nag abroad may maleta ang mgamake up niya, and kung tulungan ng pagbuhat ang usapan unang una akong kukuha nito pinaka magaan eh hahaha wais ito. andun pa yata itong make up bag sa bahay eh
itong place na ito vivid sa utak ko, malapit lang ito sa bahay namin sa Roxas Blvd ito (Dewey pa nun) but di ko alam ano siya, please help if anybody know this place. Ang dalas dalas namin dito pero di ko maalala anong place siya.
ganito mga pictures namin for a time noon, promo siguro ng Kodak
o-ha! kaya niyo yan?
naman na waistline yan!
alam ko sa barko ito at natulog kami dito pero ewan ko din bakit or ano ano napuntahan namin? Corregidor ba? Sana may nakaka-alam, share naman. yeah yeah yeah alam ko naman and yes mahal na mahal ko tatay ko pero sana nanay ko ka-carbon copy ko *sigh* wish lang naman
sa Luneta yan, ewan ko din ba anong ginagawa namin dis oras ng gabi doon at ganyan ang outfit! kaloka!
eto na, ito yung kontrabida sa buhay ko. siya yung nanay ng housemate namin ngayon (auntie ko siya bunsong kapatid ng mommy ko, sampu lang naman sila) naku di umuubra lahat ng drama ko dito sa auntie ko, nagrolyo na ako sa Luneta kaiiyak para lang sa lobo kaso iniwan lang nila ako so ayaw ko naman maiwan dun, eh di end ng drama tayo ako at sabay habol, pero nagmamaktol ha di pa ako tapos um-emote eh. pero syempre bati na kami ngayon pero takot pa din ako sa kanya! Talagang what goes around comes around, siya nagasikaso sa amin nung time na busy busyhan na nanay ko, now my turn naman to take care of her kid, then si Unca Maimai I suppose will watch out for Kite & Laya eventually din.
ito help din, ang dalas namin dito, asan ba ito?
ang fresh ng fez noh? kainis di pinasa ang genes sa akin hmpph
maski naka maong ang ganda pa din di siya casual looking pag maganda ka pumorma, that’s my younger brother
ikaw kaya mo icarry and red pantsuit? wala ka sa lolo ko!
di pa uso animal rights nun! hula ko kaya ganito ang pose niya kasi show off niya new nose niya ssshhh secret yun!
Nanay ko pa din ang pinaka vain na tao sa lahat ng nakilala ko wala pang tatalo sa kanya promise! Siya yung wala akong pakialam kung gaano kasakit basta maganda kayang kaya yan, tiis ganda ang motto sa buhay! Dahil sa kanyang vanity naka dalawang trip ako to Japan nung bata pa ako, dun pa siya nagpa enhance eh, wala pa kasi dito. Yung vanity niya? Accepted na namin yung, no issue at all, actually siya may issue kasi di kami ganoon, galit yan sa amin kasi di kami willing uminom ng kung ano anong mapapait na gamot/sabaw pangpaganda ng skin at ano ano pa. Yeah di ko natutuhan yung mag-ayos ayos but kung may natutuhan ako from my mom it is how she is such a dear person to all her friends and I want that for my kids too. Yung love ng friends niya sa kanya dahil sa tulong na nabigay niya or dahil sa asikaso niya or dahil sa luto niya walang papantay. I saw how good her friends treat us dahil lang sa lahat ng nagawa ng mom ko for them and yan goal ko talaga yan to spread good while I am alive so I know people will make sure my kids are ok if something happens to us. And true ha, yung mga tinulungan niya when she got plenty were there and were so loyal when she had none. She got very good friends talaga. Di ko na nga lang alam asan sila ngayon. I do wish I made effort and learned Chinese para nacontinue ko yung communication with them. Oh well.
O nahiya ako 25 pictures lang ito. BUT when all the pictures nascan na nung pinapag scan-an ko (thanks Maan for telling me Jhen does it) di ko ma promise wala itong part 2!
I love you mommy!
ps. hay ang tagal in the making ng blog post na ito… pag scan lang ilang gabi na, tapos ihiwa-hiwalayin yung mga pictures ilang araw din, pag pili ng pictures ay sus… eniwey, but na lang isa lang nanay ko. Abangan ninyo din yung next post ko, ako naman bida doon!
Personalized Gifts
August 12, 2011 § 14 Comments
I so love receiving personalized gift.
(lucky me for having friends who always send such).
Sharing them here, mag ‘ber’ months na at malapit na ang Christmas.
Here are gifts that I gave away: (click on image to go to the website of maker)
The Write Impression gave us this memo pad as gift and the year after we gave it to friends naman. (by The Write Impression | photo by Alpha)
Personalized fans with Logo
I loved having my own name in my fan. Luckily, Didda Abet‘s hometown is Lumban, the land of Barong. He got a lot of relatives there who can help us source and order these fans. So last Christmas 2008, this is what we gave away, then again last year to the some other friends. Now our nephew in Lumban is our go-to guy if there’s order for this. He found the source and can handle orders na if may bulk orders.
Personalized Picture Frame
Gave this away to kids of our friends last 2008. Was actually hoping the makers still make them coz some of my friends got new kids na but they dont anymore daw 😦 boohoo
Memo pad with their handwriting
I had Kite ask her classmates write their name in a paper and then sent it to Noky to scan and place sa top ng memo pad. Perfect for first graders huh? Kite’s gift to her Grade 1 Classmates. (by Wink – Written in Ink)
Gift Cards
Gift Cards – gifts to Kite’s prep classmates 🙂 (by The Write Impression)
Polymer Figures USB
We had this Kite USB made in Bangkok and we were so amazed.
When we saw Clay Creation here we showed her these and she added this as their line na since. For a year almost all our family & friends got this for gifts from us.
These are made na by Clay Creations. (by Clay Creations)
VCOP Officers Year 2008
This is Abet’s gift to his set of officers during his term as President of Vespa Club of the Philippines. Super aliw ako kasi pati yung color ng Vespa nila pinagaya namin. (by Clay Creation)
Maong Apron with Embroidery
My friend Yvonne (her gifts are always personalized) gave me one as gift and 2 years after ito na gift ko din sa friends ko. Love it 🙂
Floor Tote
I met Lynlyn in a bazaar in Rockwell and ordered these floor totes from her last Christmas 2009. (ordered from lynlyndy@yahoo.com)
Bag Tags
Kite’s gift to friends & classmate’s when she was in Kinder 🙂 (by Tagz Inc.)
puzzle
Ordered from a wedding supplier but she sold her business na. Gift ni Kite to her classmate sa Grade 2 farewell party.
This one is a marvelous idea kasi cost niya nasa P25 lang per pad. Erron Ocampo did all the illustrations in our 2011 W@W Desktop Calendar, aside from the illustrations on the cities he also made illustrations of Malacanan Palace, DOT Building and the Building where we stay for our message place. We found his illustration of our building too nice to just use once so I had this brilliant idea na gawing note pad and ipa print but syempre bida si Abet Rana his idea is brilliant-er izerox na lang para mas mura at mas madaling gawin. Ayun we printed it sa isang bond paper, per bond paper 4 na memo pad ng kasya, we place each name of the recipient (lahat ng kapit bahay namin na alam namin ang name ginawan namin, meron pang lobby guard, sa akin lang I have Benz Rana, Mr & Mrs Rana, Bennette Rana). Tapos pina-photocopy sa Copylandia 50 sheets per pad then pina cut ko and pina pad na lang sa Kenstar Graphics, printing press where all our printed materials are done. Ito super galing talaga. I love I love! Thanks Erron!
Picture Bag
We used to order A LOT of picture bags sa ibang supplier and they used tarp printing lang, when my sister in law Ellen who’s based in Aus said gusto niya pagawa ng picture bag ulit hinanap ko number ni tarp bag maker kaso di ko na mahanap kasi ilang years ago na yun. Then I remembered seeing this sa wall ni Charisse of Print Diva ayun this bag is a lot nicer kasi the picture is printed sa tela and maganda yung printing niya. Medyo matagal lang ang order so allot 3-4 weeks for order. Happy with this discovery!
Now here are the gifts we received naman na I love:
Notebook na may name na sa labas may name pa sa bawat page from The Write Impression
from Clarice made by Tisha
bag organizer na malaking malaki from Yvonne ulit
toiletry kit na his & hers from Willin/Beabi
kikay bag for Kite & Laya from Yvonne
Will keep adding if I see more. Sige if may maganda kayong gift bigyan niyo ako hahaha!
Laya’s Birthday Party Pictorial
August 11, 2011 § 4 Comments
Our baby Laya turned 1 last March and instead of having a big birthday party we had pocket celebrations and a birthday pictorial. The pocket parties were planned, we started with a family dinner (just people in our house), a family dinner (all of Didda’s side) and another party in Australia where we spent the summer. The pictorial on the other hand wasn’t planned it just fell into place. We had quarterly shoot with The Stork Studio and on her 9th month Sofia suggested an outdoor shoot but we were not ready for it so we had it inside the studio, but on our way home after the 9th month shoot, John said we can do outdoors the next time and just prepare a small table for four and have a small cake so we’d have a birthday themed pictorial since it will be her 12th month. That was my ‘aha’ moment and it turned into one big production number as soon as we got a nod from Teddy Manuel.
Please read more about the party, the suppliers involved and etc at W@W’s Blog or Didda Abet’s Blog or Mommy Manila’s Blog and please watch the video at Threelogy’s Blog shots from shoot of Phoeben Teocson Cinema 🙂
Am here to brag lang that the party is included in Smart Parenting’s Aug 2011 Issue on Party Special
click to enlarge
We didn’t really plan this pictorial to be a full blown party pictorial but it turned that way and we are so happy. So happy that I would even recommend this to all, both those who intend to throw a big party and to those who don’t.
Why I like it?
1. We didnt spend a fortune throwing a party for her.
2. She didnt need to endure a party she wont remember yet we have party pictures for her to enjoy when she grow old.
3. We got a LOT of pretty family pictures. We always miss having family pictures during our parties because we are all busy entertaining our own guests and when we do get some snapshot they are hurried.
4. We got to do dream set up we wouldn’t be able to afford for an actual party.
5. It is so damn fun! We were just busy looking good and having fun, no guest to care for and no program to follow!
Oh I super suggest this to other families! Now if I can just convince Kite to not celebrate her debut haha!
Happy Happy Bithday Kite!
August 5, 2011 § 11 Comments
I wish Laya have a shot like this too.
August 5, 1999, St Luke’s Medical Center
1st Birthday Party at Grilla, Libis ‘Up Up & Away Party’
2nd Birthday Party at ‘What’s Your Beef?’
3rd Birthday Party at Zong’s Retiro ‘生日快樂 Theme’
4th Birthday Party at City Center Bldg ‘Barrio Fiesta Theme’
5th Birthday Party McDo ForbesTown
6th Birthday Party at home
7th Birthday Party at C3 Events Place ‘Walk Down the Aisle Theme’
8th Birthday Party at home ‘Simpson’s Theme’
9th Birthday Party at home
10th Birthday/Cory’s Burial/Laya’s ‘It’s Positive’ News Party
11th Birthday Party at Blue Leaf ‘Arts and Crafts Theme’
12th Birthday Party at Cerchio Restaurant
CAKES
For every party we plan we give most effort on the invitation and the cake. Kaya bigyan natin ng space yung mga career cakes niya.
Cake Topper from Gift Gate, you wouldn’t know where the topper ended & the cake design started sa galing ng paggawa ni Virginia
1st Birthday - Cakes by Virginia
2nd Bday - Cakes by Virginia
3rd Birthday School Party
3rd Birthday Party - Alex Franco Cake
4th Birthday - Cakes by Virginia
5th Birthday – Cakes by Virginia
7th Birthday - Cakes by Virginia
11th Birthday - Joy San Gabriel's Mini Cakes
Habang hinahanap ko mga pictures I saw the ‘furniture’ we gave Kite so am posting them na din 🙂
her desk & chair and her house for the 2nd birthday
her own sofa - 3rd birthday
Yun lang.
Happy Birthday Kite! We love you so much!
Guide to Breast Pumps
August 4, 2011 § 7 Comments
I am also asked every now and then what breast pump I use. I got several friends who also bought the same brand but some friends find it too expensive. Although I think majority in the group uses Medela pumps (I used MedelaFreestyle) I remember reading about other well recommended breast pumps that are cheaper in N@W so I asked them to recommend and tell more about their breast pumps. Here’s what I got:
Ameda Purely Yours
From Meng: I used Purely Yours of Ameda. It’s basically the same with Lansinoh, but brand new is a bit pricier than Lansinoh (am not sure why). I wanted to buy din Medela sana noon, but my cousin advised that Ameda is still better and a lot cheaper.
From Maize: I’m using Lansinoh double electric pump for about 10 months already. It’s so cheap but works really great. I bought it from Mi’Ann of Babymama. During the first few weeks post partum, I had difficulty latching Brent. Kaya I resorted to pumping. I was able to exclusively pump for less than two weeks then after that, Brent learned to latch na. That pump helped me produce a lot of milk during the days na di ako makapag-direct feeding. Now that I’m working, nagagamit ko siya 3-4x a day. It usually takes 3-4 months before having to change valves. Kaya I would say laking tipid ko sa pump na yun and di na-sacrifice ang quality. I’m able to pump 16-20 oz during my 9-hour work. I really recommend Lansinoh double electric pump to budget-conscious working moms like me. Very portable, lightweight, easy to assemble, nice color, fits all standard size bottle, inexpensive, and very good quality. 🙂 Bought it for 7k, with 3 pairs of white valves free. Complete spare part kit is 1500 if needed to be replaced. I use it 3 to 4x every workday. But during the first 2 weeks of breastfeeding, I used it every 2hrs round the clock.
On Manual Pump naman, which I heard is more effective but yung nga with effort talaga.
Manual Pump
From Iya: My very first pump was Pigeon manual. It was ok and effective naman but tried 2 more just to know which one is really effective (more milk being expressed) Price is 2K in Rustan’s. The second one Medela also a manual pump. My friend lent it to me but didn’t like it, it was painful and the membrane was so delicate. May milk din na su-stuck sa mga gilid gilid na mahirap matanggal. The last and what I’m currently using is Avent Manual On-the-Go. I bought online sa TipidBABY pROducts. Can’t remember the exact amount but it was around 3,500-3,800. It has a bag and 2 4oz bottle plus ice pack so you can express it when you’re outside or away from baby. Avent became my favorite. It doesnt hurt when expressing and dami milk lumalabas and mabilis ako natatapos mag express. So for me avent breast pump talaga.
Will add more as they come.
Hope this helped!
Guide to a Breastfeeding Newbie
August 4, 2011 § 2 Comments
I know new moms have so much on their mind and even those who are dead set on breastfeeding sometimes fail because there’s lack of preparation and all sorts of reasons come in. Some find it hard to actually pursue because they thought it will come naturally like pregnancy & birthing. Well it is but there are several bottleneck on the breastfeeding journey that I would advice new moms to learn about it and find out as much as they can. Yes online reads are very helpful but to actually join a support group is the most ideal, aside from you actually get inspiration from those who were able to do it you also get to find your support group. There is nothing more powerful than knowing people who actually did it, I think about my friend who did it and tell myself doable yan ang daming naka gawa eh.
Here are ways to arm yourself with breastfeeding knowledge before birth. (I personally think the work is 5x harder if you start seeking help when you are actually there na. I even think that is 95% why breastfeeding fails, the other 5% is medical condition na.)
1. Attend classes to learn how to breastfeed
a. L.A.T.C.H. (Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counseling, Help) is a hospital based non-profit organization established in 2006 that offers quality lactation education and peer counseling services to mothers who wish to breastfeed.
LATCH will have a FREE breastfeeding talk at The Medical City (TMC) this August 13, 2011 from 9:00-12;00 nn. Best to attend with partner/support person.
Read about What to Expect During LATCH Classes. I have never been to their class so I have no first hand info.
b. Medela Moms – they are the exclusive and authorized distributor of Medela Breast Pumps here in the Philippines, they also accept repair and check ups for pumps even if bought abroad or thru online sellers. They hold breastfeeding classes in 3 modules. I will try to get hold of their modules and schedule and price too. Will update this as soon as I get them.
Breastfeeding 101: Sept. 10 (1:30pm-3:30pm)
Breastfeeding 202: Oct. 15 (9:00am-11:00am)
Breastfeeding 303: Nov. 19 (8-10am)
To register, just email back or text 0917-5614366. Indicate if you will be accompanied or not (for the snacks’ headcount :). Fee is P500 for 3 classes
c. Join birthing classes, usually those who are interested to do birthing the natural way are also the same people who are very interested in breastfeeding. I know of two groups that offer birthing classes. That of Chiqui Brosas-Hanh & the one from Rome Kanapi. I recommend these classes to first time mom, we took it when we had Kite and we learned a lot, you dont have to want to do Lamaze or anesthesia free birthing o join the class, we joined it to learn about birthing and just know more. Classes included newborn care & touches on breastfeeding too.
Chiqui’s Prepared Childbirth Class
PCC 202
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER CLASS 2011 (4 Sundays)
DATE: (Aug. 21, NO CLASS), Aug. 28, Sept. 4, 11, 18
TIME: 2:00-5:00PM
Prepared Childbirth Class
PCC 203
SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 2011 (4 Sundays)
DATE: Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16 (or 23, not confirmed which of the two dates)
TIME: 2:00-5:00PM
2. Join breastfeeding support meet. This is to make the journey fun and to have some people to talk to for support when the going gets tough.
a. La Leche League Phils is formed by Abbie Yabot it is an international support group organization for expectant and nursing parents. Meets twice a month, every 4th Saturday at Mothercare Greenbelt 5 at 1030am, join their facebook page to get latest update re meet schedule it changes sometimes eh. (I attend this one as much as I can)
b. The BreastFriends Support Group – join their YahooGroup for meet update, though the mailing list is inactive you can still post your questions and get the ball rolling. The group meet every 2nd Saturday in Baby & Co. Podium at 10:30am confirm muna if there is a class before attending, they require registration thru text too. (I attended this one a few times)
3. I got Nanay Lita Nery to massage me to prepare me for birthing and also massage me to help me relax and guide me in breastfeeding Kite the first time and again when I had Laya. I heard she no longer accepts pre natal massage because of her busy schedule. Actually I tried getting her services when I wanted to relax but she couldn’t fit me in her schedule. But am glad she made time for my friends who were in dire need, so I am assuming she picks whom to go to base on the urgency of the case and I commend her for that 🙂 Call Nanay Lita at 0918.5557565
Now that you have armed yourself and prepared for it. Here naman are the list of people to go to if you encounter problems Breastfeeding Counselors in the Philippines or if you need to consult or ask for help call the Latch Warmline 0917.5325643 (pls remember the people in Latch are ALL volunteer moms so there might be days when it takes a while before a reply is given) start rate for home visit consultation with Latch volunteers is at P500.
In case you are wondering what you need to buy to prepare for breastfeeding well NONE, you dont even need to buy a breast pump. Pumping is suggested when you reach 6 weeks na so wait for the need to buy before you go and buy one. I am also asked what pump I used I used Medela Freestyle Pump, I got it from an online seller. I am very happy with my choice and have recommended that too to several friends. But that doesnt mean it is the only good pump. I am actually now on a hunt for cheaper pump.
Hope this gives you a headstart for now. See you in one of the meets I hope 🙂
Mga breastfeeding friends, if you are willing to accept emails from people you dont know please leave your name & contact info or blog info sa comments so they can also go to you if ever.
Laya’s Breastfeeding Story
August 2, 2011 § 9 Comments
After sharing my Breastfeeding Story of Kite. Here is Laya’s naman:
We had Laya 11 years after Kite and 11 years din after forming NewlywedsAtWork (N@W) so we were armed with a thriving support group whose members have practically been through everything that could possibly happen, we have all kinds of moms there: breastfeeding moms, formula feeding moms, mixed feeders, those who had a hard time breastfeeding, never attempted breastfeeding, longing to be a mom, wouldn’t want to be a mom ever, being a mom more often than they would want to and what have you. I knew motherhood will be so much more fun this time with so many mommies to run to for any of my most trivial questions. I knew my chances of successfully breastfeeding Laya is high, as I am very good friends with Velvet and Abbie who are experts and studied breastfeeding (their actual title escape me now); am friends too with Jenny who’s blog Chronicles of a Nursing Mom is all about breastfeeding; am friends with a lot of the members of Latch (another breastfeeding group) and there’s so many breastfeeding moms in N@W (that we can even form our own breastfeeding group if needed), need I add more? Ahh I almost forgot, hubby Abet is I think keener than me in making this breastfeeding business a success.
Hubby would bribe me by saying sige breastfeed ka, if you are still breastfeeding mag Cebu na tayo as reward by May. Syempre ako atat sa lakwatcha kaya effective naman his idea. We stayed in a hotel muna for a night to try it out. Successful kami so we went to Tagaytay for a night the week after to see if we can do it again and see how Laya behaves to traveling, aba it was easy! Off we went to Cebu as soon as Laya turned 1 month old 🙂 Hiya ko lang tumigil after Cebu diba? hahaha
Seriously, I think what really clinched it for me was hearing Mimi say I never entertained the thought I wont be able to breastfeed, basta ako mag be-breastfeed, it was so simple, yet so powerful! Whenever I wanted to stop or doubted I would remember how she said it and I remember, of course I am going to continue breastfeeding.
Let me start on the day I gave birth. I was induced March 29 and had Laya that afternoon. Wasn’t able to see Laya again til 12 hours after, by then I was told she was given glucose water already. Am old na, I dont sweat the small stuff anymore. Fine, I just told the nurse nothing anymore after that kasi I will purely breastfeed. I tried to make Laya latch and was so happy she took it in so naturally but she wasn’t hungry and was more interested to sleep. Me too, I wanted to sleep too so I went back to my room na but I requested rooming in of Laya as soon as possible. Well she was roomed afternoon na. And Velvet, my one and only visitor (we didn’t let friends visit kasi we intend to breastfeed so we dont know the schedule when Laya would want to feed, ayaw ko naman mag feed with visitors around; she dont do personalvisits anymore ha, she did it for me lang kasi love niya ako heheh) was able to visit me that day to help make sure I will be off to a good start. She watched and taught me how to latch, taught us to look at the jaw to watch and listen to her swallow, to feed and feed and feed by demand, to not even look at the clock and worry just let baby lead, to put as much of the areola in and make sure it is not just the nipple (it is the nerves in the areola that signals the mind to produce milk) most common mistake is the latching, if you latch right I think there’s 80% success. Velvet also taught us how to massage Laya. We had a smooth breastfeeding routine with Laya at the hospital that night.
As we were about to discharge from the hospital the next day I felt pain in my nape, it felt exactly what they said high blood pressure would feel like, had my BP taken yes it was getting high. I was still discharged but what I was feeling was scary na. Got home and immediately texted Nay Lita Nery (lactating masseuse) to help relax me and at the same time make sure latching is correct. She came and taught me how to feed lying down and I think 2 more positions. My BP remained high and went higher pa. The fact it was Maundy Thursday made things worse for me as I didnt want to go to the hospital on Good Friday all my doctors are away! To make things worst I was also instructed by my OB not to take care of Laya and I am not allowed to breastfeed at night! Huwat? I didnt want to feed formula and I didnt have extra milk. Worst I didnt have a yaya as the yaya who will take care of Laya is our helper whom I haven’t trained yet. And hubby the only other possible person to take care is sniffing and looks like he is going to get sick! Oh that was one super stressful Thursday for me. Lucky I have friends! First Dee came to the rescue she not only gave me milk, she delivered it pa! I had no way of getting the milk at this point (this is also why whenever I donate and I feel that the mom or dad asking for the milk have no way of getting I do personal deliver of the milk as much as I can, aside from not knowing how to handle the milk it is a really a very busy time for new parents). Milk problem solved! Now I needed someone to care for Laya, one whom I can safely leave Laya with, lucky for me Medical City’s nurse station helped me secure one. Sigh! All my immediate problems are solved. The midwife stayed with us that night and cup fed Laya. I wasnt able to sleep a wink. It was hard having somebody else in our bedroom and I missed Laya too. Oh added to the already stressful situation was my dilemna, all the ge-lai food I should eat are also the same food a high blood patient shouldn’t be eating ayayyay! Good think my childhood friend Nancy (my friend since I was 1 year old) took me under her wing, she’d cook a big pot of whatever food I am to eat that day, she’d bring it to me before lunch and then I would reheat the remaining portion for dinner (inaagawan pa ako ni Abet! kasi yummy) she’d carefully choose and ask what are the food allowed sa ge-lai and allowed sa high blood, yes fish nga with lotsa soup! She’d bring it to our place while I am asleep and would teach my helper what to do with it. Am so blessed with so many friends talaga those days! We got over the high blood episode on Easter Sunday (so apt no?), and the midwifes trained Laya’s yaya on how to care for a baby too, she can do everything except she is not comfortable giving Laya a bath. Fair enough, I am also not comfortable entrusting Laya’s bath to her yet.
Breastfeeding Laya was smooth but it was hard. There’s pain, lack of sleep, doubts and a whole lot of other things. Major was the feeling na I cant function, cant do anything kasi a needy child is relying on me and would need me anytime. I remember it was Mother’s Day and I was awake middle of the night so I took that time to greet my mommy friends and hopefully disrupt their sleep. I was at this point wanting to stop breastfeeding na kasi am tired and aching and was really finding a valid reason to stop. Eh yun nga wala akong nahanap na reason so I went on. Every step of the way when the going got tough I would do mass texting, (my regular text victims were Velvet, Abbie, Jenny, Rica, JenCC, Dee, Mimi… either some or all of them hmm forgot who else) always may 2 or 3 na sasagot hehe. I also started going to Abbie’s La Leche Meet and also Breastfriend at Mary the Queen. I started going with so many hang ups, questions and I got my groove there. So my BF Support Group friends saw me turn into a swan. They were with me through all my issues and now am with them egging the newer ones to go on. Now am paying it forward na.
Why am I blogging about my breastfeeding story? 1. It is breastfeeding month kasi. and 2. After reading Confessions of a milk machine and Breastfeeding: It’s a Choice I felt the urge to blog or say my piece. But I also do not like to be perceived as puro breastfeeding na lang. The blog by Frances or better known as TopazMommy, I don’t want to be a lactivist, is so so true. So there.
While I am on a roll let me share na din Why I love breastfeeding.
1. It is so convenient. We just bring a small bag with change of diapers and clothes and a small towel to wipe and we are ready to go anywhere.
2. Because I breastfeed, I had a very easy time taking care of Laya, imagine we went on an overnight stay before she turned 1 month and had her riding an airplane by 6 weeks old, went out of the country for 6 weeks when she turned one.
3. Breastfeeding is the solution to everything! She falls? I feed her and she is ok; She is cranky? I feed her and she is ok; She got hurt? I feed her and she is ok; when she wants something she cant have and is about to throw a fit, I show her my booby and she forgets everything. Breastfeeding her solved EVERYTHING!
4. You know whats amazing, you have booby antennas that tells you your kid is hungry, you actually feel it before she cries that it is feeding time! The things you will realizes are simply so amazing.
5. I watch her feed and the muscle movements from her cheek, tongue and jaws am sure help her so much, while bottle feeder just suck and the milk comes out, the breastfeeder work on it so early and get to use na their muscles.
6. A breastfeeding baby can detect boobies even while asleep. This one still amazes me until now. Sometimes at night I just watch her and she knows which direction to face and when to open her mouth! Amazing talaga.
7. Breastmilk cures everything. I was a cynic too at first, OA naman yan ano magic? Have a cut? Rash? Itch? Put breastmilk and it really does cure! Did it and it worked 🙂
Miss U moments:
People who made it possible for me and helped me with this mommy journey!
Velvet – who would be my rah rah girl talaga throughout the journey. Did I also mention I met up with her for a one on one session on what to do with a newborn aside from about breastfeeding? And when I was looking for a midwife to care for Laya and was not getting anywhere she even offered to yaya Laya sa house namin, papahatid siya kay Atan and stay the night in our place, grabe my heart was filled with gratitude for that text she sent. Super duper thank you Velvet! I owe you!
Dee – she sent me milk when I wasn’t able to breastfeed, if I resorted to formula then and had a taste of convenience I am pretty sure I it would be super hard for me and will constantly be tempted. I also learned from her how to pack and freeze the milk, hers was so flat and so pretty to look at!
Mimi – since she is always no nonsense and frills free I go to her when I am stressed and true enough her ways are the simplest.
Rica – she is like me oldie na and habol baby na lang ito so we can relate with each other, her amazing story of being able to pump 16 oz in one sitting helped motivate me to reach that level.
Nancy, Grace & Morning – oh these are my childhood friends who fed me and made sure I dont stop the ge lai thing. Morning and I had a one on one session too on the meds and drinks to take.
Abbie, Jenny, JenCC, Rica – for always receiving my text and for most of the times replying 🙂
Didda – for making it so clear stop breastfeeding is not an option.
Laya is 16 months old now and we are still breastfeeding. She’s been taking solids since she was 6.5 months old and had her first taste of cow’s milk in Australia. Am now trying to let her get used to the taste of cows milk so she have milk to drink when I go out at night in preparation for the time I go out of the country. She is so loving the chocolate milk from MilkMan, yung fresh milk sometimes she likes sometimes she doesn’t, so what we do we milk the choco milk with milk na lang.
Again, if you are breastfeeding or would like to breastfeed, please know you can drop me a line here or thru my email or thru my facebook or text me if you have it. Would be more than happy to be part of your breastfeeding journey.
MimmaBenz.com 