Artsy Fartsy

Ever since I have always loved doing arts and crafts, cooking and baking.  I attribute this to my Mom, Mama (Mom's mom) and to all of my aunts - Honeying (Tita Luz), Nanay Lily, and Tita Gigi.  Each of them have their special talents and have influenced me.

My mom loves collecting art pieces (paintings), cooks and bakes.  Mama used to own a bakeshop (Prairie Inn) in Greenhills, and later on in Katipunan back in the 80's. Honeying is an Interior Designer and was an Art teacher who taught me the basics of drawing when I was a little girl.  Nanay Lily is the voracious baker and cook who just whips up the BEST Eggpie.  Tita Gigi, loved to draw and bake as well.

I used to love to draw, but my talent is not as good as my other cousins ( i.e. my little cousins).   I remember enrolling in UP one summer after my HS graduation and was intimidated by my classmates who drew soooo well! To think I only enrolled in Basic Drawing, my classmates should have been in the advanced class.  I'm pretty sure I still have the skill, but I'll just reserve it when the time comes that I need to draw for my little boy, LOL!


Baking has always been my first love (more than cooking).  I spent a lot of Christmases watching Nanay Lily bake loads of Eggpies, pastillas, and chocolate cupcakes.  My mom taught me the best (in my opinion) chocolate chip walnut oatmeal cookie and russian cookie recipe.  We used to bake tons of it during the holidays and gave it as gifts.  When I was in college I also sold cookies and revel bars in school.  All this came to a halt when I became to busy and stressed out from work.  It took me years before I really considered baking again.  It was only when I had Rocco that my desire to bake again was ignited.  I want to be one of those moms who did their child's birthday treats.  Hence, I took classes in Heny Sison to start it off.  I already did a blog on the Themed cupcakes.  My latest class was on Basic Fondant since Rocco will turn one this coming June.  I so loved the class and enjoyed it so much!  How I wish I could decorate more cakes, but we were only allowed one.

Anyway, here is the cake that I made for my Rocco.

For a list of class at Heny Sison, check out: http://www.henysison.com/Courses/Life_Courses.html

What's inside my bag (diaper) and other must haves

Once you have a child you will understand why you will need to have everything in handy and in excess especially when you still have a baby/ toddler.  With everything that we need to bring, I try ( again, try) to bring a diaper bag that's not too heavy for the stroller to hold.  So, here are my diaper bag essentials and other must haves whenever we go out or travel.

I have 3 diaper bags (LOL!)  2 were given to me as gifts and the other one, I bought since I also wanted to have a lightweight bag.  My favorite is the one given by my son's ninang Audrey for Christmas from Momtrepeneur Shop in  Shangri-la mall.  I love it because of its chic design and the outside pockets which makes thing easier and accessible. (photo from Momtrepeneur Shop)

Now moving on to the things I can't live without whenever we go out:

Water spray - Yes, you read it right, water, as in agua!  When I can, I try to void using wipes.  I bought a small     automizer to make things easier.

Insect repellant   (stick on and electronic) - This was due to the Dengue outbreak a few months back and everyone was very scared to have any mosquito bite.   I usually stick the insect repellant either at the back of my son's shirt or at the hemline of his shorts/ pants.  For the Chicco battery operated insect repellant, I use it when we are outdoors or in dark places.

Baby wipes - Of course who can't live without them! 'Nuf said.

Pigeon hand and mouth wipes - This was one of my Mom's discoveries.  I use this especially when there are a lot of people that held my son's hands (!), after playing at Gymboree, and after eating a messy meal :)

Mustela - Another product that my mom discovered while going around Shangri-la
   (They also have it in SM Megamall.  In Shangri-la, they have it in Rustan's and they also have a kiosk at the 4F in front of Mothercare >>> a little cheaper than Rustan's)

Since the bottles are too big, I transferred the contents to small atomizers.  Mustela products are paraben free.

   
   PhysiObebe No rinse Cleansing fluid - I use this as the last 'wipe' during diaper change.   It can also      be used to clean your baby's face.  It's alcohol and sop free and has neutral pH.

    Soothing comfort balm -  This is a chest rub that soothes and relaxes the baby.  It also helps in easing breathing discomfort.  I use this before  before bedtime especially when he is irritable or has colds.  


    Skin refreshener -  I love how it smells on my son (and me) -so fresh, clean, smells like a baby! It reminds me of Tartine et Chocolat!

Boogie Wipes and Spiffies tooth wipes - another fab find by my Mom when she went to Singapore!    The Boogie Wipes are saline infused wipes.  It's great to use in removing those hardened mucus.

The Spiffies toothwipes come in handy on days wherein we come home late and won't be able to go through our usual routine of taking a bath and brushing his teeth.

Baby King Disposable diaper bags - I bring a handful with me every time and comes in handy especially when my son does the #2.  It keeps the smell away since it's scented.

Munchkin mat - A gift from the Cabelin's during my baby shower.  I love it because there are compartments for you to place the wipes, a couple of diapers, and other things.  In that way you don't need to rummage through the diaper bag. (photo from canbeebaby.com)

Triple Paste diaper cream - Oh I just so love this baby shower gift from the Licopit's!  It does do the job, fast!

Playtex drop-ins - Back in the 80's, yes the 80's!  This was the type of bottle that my aunts were using.  It's great for traveling since I only bring with me the drop ins and extra nipples!  A box of 100 liners costs around P500, so what I do is to buy several boxes whenever my mom goes to Canada or someone from there goes home since it's cheaper by around P150.  (photo from playtex.com)

Whew! That wasn't easy, hahah!  I think this post will have a Part II :)

My little boy is growing up fast!

I haven't been blogging since Rocco learned how to crawl.  I never thought  that I would actually be missing the days wherein he was just lying on his back or on his tummy, still not knowing how to crawl.  I was able to leave him in his playpen/ crib while I blogged or do surf.  Nowadays, it's a totally different story.  He hates staying in enclosed places that will restrict his mobility.  He enjoys playing on his huge floor mat in the living room.  He would rather play in the bed and would cry is heart out when he is inside his playpen.  He loves playing in Gymboree because of the space and he gets to interact with other kids.

I remember when he was still not crawling, I was anxious to see him crawl and wondered what it would be like.   Now we are on this stage.   He's been crawling, pulling himself up to stand and jumping to death.  My goodness, babies never run out of energy!  He has learned to straighten his legs real hard whenever we try to put him in his stroller, booster seat or car seat.  As for now, lending him the ipod or mobile phone does the trick.  For how long, that remains to be seen, LOL!    It does require a lot of energy taking care of him nowadays.  It is a different story when your child learns to crawl and stand ( what more when they start walking!).  There are days when I truly miss the little boy just lying on his back and just wiggling. Although tiring, it is also a fun experience as he starts to get curious with everything that he sees and hold on to and discover new things and tricks.  It is such a joy to witness all of his milestones.  I am lucky to be with him every step of the way and not missing anything.

Three months from now, he'll be a year old!  I can't believe I'm going to have a one year old boy soon!  As my friends say, it does get more tiring. Oh well, I guess that's what parenthood is all about.  There are no time-outs or days off.  It's a different challenge every day.  It's a 24x7 job - a job that is the most fulfilling and I'm, blessed to have this job :)

...Now the next challenge is  planning his 1st birthday... I'm pretty excited because I'm gonna be hands on in planning and executing it.  Not that it's gonna be a huge party.  We will just make it low key, celebrating with our  respective families and close friends... ciao!

The days are long the years are short

When my daughter was too young to walk to school, we rode the bus. Each morning I gazed impatiently down third avenue, a day off was a treat. Until one morning-"Look Mommy! A dog!," she cried. It hit me, this was her childhood. One day we'd no longer be riding that bus. Now I think, another chance to ride the bus. The days are long the years are short. - Happiness Project-


I came across this while browsing some blogs and I was just so moved by it.  Although I am only a new mom with an 8 month old kid, I can relate to what the author (Gretchen Rubin) was talking about.  And I am pretty sure this is what every mother would feel and have felt: The days are long and the years are short.


I am lucky to be able to take care of Rocco full time and not share my time and energy with work.  Taking time off from work was not an easy decision to make at first.  For 11 years I have been used to earning my own money and just focusing on my needs.  But now that I see my son growing up, being there every waking and sleeping hour, witnessing every milestone is truly priceless (Yes, Rocco, I don't want to miss a anything!).  Although there are times when the days are long, I know that this is something that I will never regret and it is truly one of the best decisions that I ever made.  

More fun in the Philippines

The new DOT campaign has gone viral.  I have been seeing a lot of photos with the new tagline " more fun in the Philippines."  The new campaign has garnered a lot of criticisms though.  I really do not care about the negative reaction.   I think what we should concentrate more on is  asking ourselves how well we know our country and how we have helped promote tourism.  A lot of us would rather explore the beauty of other countries and skip on discovering the many wonders the Philippines has to offer.  It can be pretty embarrassing when a foreigner knows your country more than you do.  The new campaign just made me realize that I should start getting to know the land where I was born in.  Hence, from now on, I vow to start exploring this beautiful country.

Of malls and changing tables

I never really thought about/ complained about  the lack of changing tables in Shangri-la mall until I had my own son.  You see, I (actually, my whole family) love to go the Shangri-la mall.  We are in Shang every week, at the very least.  We even used to hear mass  in the 2F every Sunday at 11am.  It is our mall of choice  because they have clean washrooms, subdued piped in music, not too crowded and it just feels safe there.  One more thing that I like about this mall is  that they have roving first aid people clad in yellow jumpsuits --- I had first hand experience on their responsiveness and helpfulness when I fainted (I was by myself) in the mall while hearing mass some 5 years ago.  But that's another story!

So anyway, going back to the reason why I'm writing this blog --- It's just disappointing for a 1st class mall like Shang not to have enough changing tables in their washrooms! They charge an entrance fee (majority of their washrooms) and yet can only provide 1 measly changing table in the 5th floor! Can you imagine the queue on the 5F ladies washroom during weekends and having to go all the way up/ down the floors just to change your baby?  Oh, you'd be pissed! I wonder if someone ever thought of writing to the management and making them SEE this ---well I'm sending them a letter today!  How much would 1 changing table cost? I'm sure the mall can afford it, especially since they charge an entrance fee to the washrooms.  

I hope Shangri-la steps up since all of the other malls, specifically SM - all their branches ( well, the ones that I have been to) have changing tables in every ladies washroom ( and read: they don't charge a fee). Kudos to the newly renovated Rustan's in Shang mall for seriously thinking about the mommies and babies.  Not only did they install a changing table ---the cubicles are huge enough to bring the stroller inside.

Cupcakes take the cake

For several years now, people have been obsessing about cupcakes, making them the highlight of important events instead of the convential cakes.  A lot of creative flavors have been born apart from the usual chocolate and vanilla flavored cupcakes.  Gazillion flavors and uber cute decors adorn this little dessert that everyone's going gaga over.  For the longest time I have been wanting to go back to what I've always loved doing as a kid - baking.  I used to bake cookies and cakes and sold them during Christmas, but that stopped when I became too busy with work.  I'd rather sleep than bake, that was how tired I was.  I regret the fact that I stopped.  But now, I'm trying to go back to my first love, especially now that I have Rocco.  I want to be the one to make all his birthday/ celebration treats.

Celebrations are more special if you make it personal. Hell yes, there are a lot of dessert gurus out there that I can order from, but nothing beats homemade goodies.  One day, I'd love to be able to say, "I made my son's birthday cake," or my son say," My mom made my birthday cake and it's so cool!" Hence, this is the reason why I enrolled at Heny Sison's Theme Cupcakes in preparation for Rocco's baptism.

The Theme Cupcakes (by Chef Aggy) workshop teaches you how to make 3D cupcake toppers (so don't expect that you'll have hands on training on how to make different cupcakes since that's another class). When you come to class, the cupcakes are already prepared, topped with fondant that acts as your topper's base.   Chef Aggy will  quickly show you how to make the banana choco chip cupcakes, fondant and gum paste and the rest of the time, she will teach you how to make the toppers.

Initially I was wondering why the class would run from 10am to 6pm.  That long to 'just' make 3D toppers? I never thought that making these little toppers would be so tiring because you'd be using your hands all day molding (gum paste) them into works of art.  You will need A LOT of patience especially if  it's your first!  I'd say it's also not for everyone because you will need to be creative.  Time flew so fast  and before I knew it, the day was over.  I took home all 10 cupcakes that I made by myself and was itching to start on my 1st project, my son's baptism!

Under the sea : our first cupcake, I had a hard time doing the starfish because I forgot to cut my nails!  Lesson learned: always have short fingernails!

Baby shower/ Baptism

For the Bagaholics

Safari/Jungle theme

 My first project: give aways for my son's christening

Bottles (yes, those are bottles ;) ) and booties

For Heny Sison's schedule of classes, check her website: http://www.henysison.com/ .  The Theme cupcake workshop costs P2800, a whole day hands on class where you get to take home your works of art.