It has been a while...

I have been away for a while mainly because our household help went on vacation for a month and I was having a difficult first trimester. Although I did not hire a yaya for Rocco, our angel helps me with Rocco especially on weekends when we go out and bring her along with us. Gosh, I never realized how difficult and challenging it could be when you are alone. Hats off to my friends and relatives abroad who do it all by themselves.

Moving on to my pregnancy, I feel much better now. With Rocco, I rarely experienced nausea and when I did get the morning sickness, it was nothing compared to what I went through the second time around. I'm off to my second trimester... Please, please be good to me😁

Confessions of a soon to be second time mom

We are expecting! It came a bit of a surprise to us but nevertheless we are so thankful for another blessing! When Rocco was still not yet active, I wanted to have another baby before the year ends. When he learned to walk and turned one, I changed my mind and decided we will wait until he turns two. I was also contemplating on going back to work. But God had better plans. I took it as a clear sign that I will focus on my growing family an be there for my second child full time, similar to what Rocco experienced.

Things feel quite different with baby numero dos. I feel nauseous, sleepy and hungry all the time! My morning sickness and cravings are much worse! I can't wait for my first trimester to be over!  On a lighter note, I feel I am more emotional, especially when I saw the tiny little bean for the first time in the ultrasound.  I am not sure why but probably it's because I am just so amazed that I am going to be a mother the second time around.  I now know how it feels to hold that little bundle of joy and see him grow and discover the world.

Now that I already have 'experience,' I have made a promise to myself that I will do my utmost best to exclusively breastfeed baby number 2 this time around. You see, I was not well informed about breastfeeding when I had Rocco.  I was only able to do my research after I had him.  I was immediately disheartened when he could not latch properly.  I was not that well informed, so we did mixed feeding an I gave up on pumping and breastfeeding him on his 3rd month.  I was exhausted and desperate and the easy way out was to give up.    I never thought that breastfeeding was this challenging.  I always thought that the baby will just automatically latch and that's it!  Easier said than done, but now I know that you have to be informed, determined and have the support that you need especially in times when you feel like giving up.  As early as now I have been doing my research and prepping my hubby to support me with breastfeeding our baby especially when there will come a time that I feel that I am going to lose the fight.

Honestly I am so excited to fulfill this goal of mine because I know it's for the good of my child.

Of Eastwood mall and celebrating the joy of a hands on mom

Today, my mom and I went to Eastwood with Rocco in tow for his second haricut at Cots for Tots.  Right after we ate at Momo, we went to the breastfeeding room to use the changing table.  We were surprised to see that there was a man (alone) inside the breastfeeding room.  He was seated on the couch and immediately got out of the room. I guess my mom and I were both taken aback that we were not able to utter a word. What the hell was he doing inside the room?  I have no idea. Your guess is goos as mine.  I honestly think no one ever checks that room, specifically in Eastwood, especially since the mall seems to be encouraging sleeping on the couches that they have in the 3rd and 4th floor.  No offense meant, I love the couches.  But it loses its class when people are snoring with their mouths open for everyone to see.  I live near Eastwood, so I frequent the mall (because of Gymboree) and those couches are always jam packed with sleeping people.

In connection with sleeping people inside the mall, we saw a "yaya "sleeping with her "alaga" in one of the couches.  The little girl was lying on the couch, while the "yaya" was semi-lying down on the couch, both with towels covering their eyes.    For all you know the parents of the kid don't even know where there child is napping (or better yet, where their child naps every day).  Our guess is that they just live in one of the condo units in Eastwood and are in the mall "para magpalamig."   If I were the mom of that kid I would totally go ballistic!   As a parent you just cannot help but think of the worse.  What if someone just kidnaps that kid and yaya is fast asleep?  Seeing that kid, really justified  my decision to be a hands on mom for the time being especially now that Rocco is still small.  

Not everyone decides to be one (hands on/ stay at home)  and not everyone is able to be one.  Being a stay at home and hands on mom was not an easy decision. I worked my ass of right after I graduated from college and it was a 360 degree change. But, I  know what my priority is and it is my son (and family, of course).  At this point, I cannot fathom the fact of leaving Rocco to someone else's care.  It has been the best decision I ever made and I know I will never regret it because Rocco will benefit from it.   It is not an easy job as what others would think, but it is the BEST job I have ever had because I get to be with my son and see all his milestones. It never gets boring because every single day is a new discovery.

So, cheers to all the stay at home mom out there!  

When you're a stay-at-home mother you have to pretend it's really boring, but it's not. It's enriching and fulfilling, and an amazing experience. And then when you're a working mother you have to pretend that you feel guilty all day long.
Amy Poehle

Hair update

It has been a month since I got my rebond and digiperm at Tony and Jackey. So far so good. I love how my rebonded hair (the upper half) feels smooth and natural. It's the first time ever that it felt that way, promise! I'm pretty happy with the results and am crossing my fingers that it will lat longer compared to my previous treatments😃

Your hair(ness)

I have naturally curly hair.  Back in the days when Rebonding was still not available, I would literally spend just an hour blow drying my (short) hair.  So imagine how ecstatic I was when rebonding came into the picture.  Life will never be the same again.  As far as I can remember I have had 5 rebond sessions already.  Although it (rebonding)  promises to be safer than the good 'ol relaxing/straightening formulas, it's still chemical and your hair still needs to have monthly treatments and breathe.

Talking about resting my hair.  It was free from any chemical treatments for almost two years since I got pregnant and gave birth to my little Shaolin.  Rebonding is a definite no-no during pregnancy.  I also made a conscious effort not to treat my hair with any chemicals until Rocco was a year old (add to the fact that I also breastfed him for the first 3 months).  I sacrificed my hair (having a better looking hair, if you can call it that).  However these past few months I really couldn't bear it anymore!  My hair has become unruly even if it's tied back in a ponytail.  These baby hairs looked like bean sprouts on top of my head and I started to become irritated by it.  So, I finally decided that it's time to do something with my hair.  Not just a haircut, but I wanted it to be manageable!

I have been wanting to try Digi-perm (weird you'd thing because I already have curly hair).  However I did not want my whole hair permed.  So I did some research and came across Tony and Jackey, a Korean salon that specializes in this technology.  Deal Grocer also had a promo at that time (rebond/ digi-perm + treatment +1000 GC) so I grabbed the chance. Last Sunday, I went to their SM Noth Edsa branch, which was closer to home.  They referred me to their Senior stylist, Ms Grace and she examined my hair.  She then said I needed to have a treatment first because my hair was so dry and I gladly obliged since I badly needed it.   I had to pay an additional amount for the treatment and for the 'strong' rebonding solution that they will use on my hair.  Moreover,  since I wanted to also have the lower part permed, that's another plus ($!#%!).  I just went with it (that's how badly wanted to try it).  I just closed my eyes hoping that my hubby wouldn't ask how much I had to shell out apart from the promo I got (which wasn't that cheap as well).    In hindsight, I actually paid the same amount way back when I would get my hair rebonded in Piandre (and Piandre has way better service and facility).

I was surprised that the process only took 3 hours.  I was used to sitting on the chair for 4 to even 6 hours. I was even allowed to wet my hair the following day, except that I should only use conditioner for the next 2 days.  At present I cannot really say if this was all worth it since it has just been two days.  But so far, the curls are still intact and my hair is still 'tame.'

I'll blog again about my hair after a month and we'll see the real results.  But for now,   I learned not to buy from groupons having salon promos again .  There were just too many hidden charges.

Below are just a few of the pictures that I was able to take. When I came home, my son did not recognize me and refused to go near me for about an hour! He did not recognize me with bangs and curls! So cute!

Mommy Bag

I love bags! Well, who doesn't? There was a time in my life (when I was single) when I really splurged on bags ( and shoes and clothes and gadgets, haha). I wasn't thinking of anyone at that time. I was single and I can do whatever I want! Well, well, that was the old me. Once I had my son a year ago, things changed. My priorities have changed. With a baby (now a toddler) in tow, I do not even have the time to change my bag. Now a days, I prefer lightweight totes ( me and my over used LC's!). I rarely use the leather ones because some are pretty heavy to lug around . In addition to that, I need roomy bags. Sometimes, I don't even carry a bag. Just me and my good ol' pochette and magic wallet.

The other day, I allowed myself to salivate over bags in the internet which I think will be perfect for me since they're big and I love the colors. There goes my birthday wish list! It will probably be after 2 years that I'll consider buying one (fat chance) when Rocco is older. Going back to lightweight (and did I mention nylon) bags, what I really really want is the Prada Nylon tote. It's so simple and low maintenance.  So now let me think who I can convince to buy me one, tsk tsk!

 I. WANT. YOU.

I.WANT. YOU, TOO!

Parenting choice: What you eat is what you get.

While I was pregnant with Rocco, I never really thought of what to feed him once he would be able to eat solid food. In my mind it was only Cerelac and Gerber. Probably because these were the food staple in every baby's diet, i.e. the 80's baby (lol!). I also did not know that now a days, most babies are only given pure breast-milk/ formula (mixed in my case) until their 6th month. Note that I said 'most pediatricians' because each one has a set of different practice. A lot of pediatricians however, nowadays advise parents to only give breastmilk or formula until the baby is 6 months. The reason for this is that babies tend to like solid/soft food (whatever you want to call it) more and drink less milk, which isn't good. I am personally amenable to this practice. Sometimes, it is really more of the thrill of feeding and shopping for food and utensils that gets us.

Before Rocco hit his 6th month, I researched the net for baby food recipes. For some reason I became very conscious on the type of food that he would eat. As much as possible, I veer away from giving him Dried cereals and bottled food. In short, I prefer to make his food. Although once in a while I resort to Promina/ Cerelac and Earth's best baby food especially when we are travelling or when I'm just too lazy to cook. My goal is for Rocco to grow up with healthy eating habits which means not bingeing on junk, processed and fast food which may lead to future illnesses like obesity and Diabetes to name a few. Diabetes also runs in the family that's why I'm cautious. Most of the food that I prepare for him are steamed, baked or boiled. If I make him drink juice, I prefer it fresh and I seldom make him drink as well so that he will learn to drink water. I avoid giving him fried food. I just can't picture my son eating fried food at this young age. Maybe when he's 5, haha!

Preparing his food everyday isn't easy, but I think it's worth it. I admire my cousin in law and one local actress who were able to train their children to snack on fruits and vegetables. I may not be there yet, but I'm trying.

My only wish is that Rocco will be able to practice healthy eating habits as he grows older. And I know that his Dad and I will play a big role on molding him to be one.