Daddy's Letter

Sophie,

I have loved you from the moment we knew you were in mommy's belly and I promised myself that I will do my best to give you a life worth living.

I will never force you to live your life as I see fit because it's yours. I'm only here to tell you things you need to know so you can decide for yourself.

I only have a couple of things I would like you to always remember - love God above all else. He will be there and get you through in times that you feel alone.

There will be times that we will argue, times that we will not agree and times that you will think that we don't love you. But that what makes us a family and we will always be your mom and dad. Remember, we won't know what love is if never knew hate. We won't feel happy if we never felt sad and we won't succeed if we never failed. These are all part of our life - appreciate everything and learn from it.

I love you with all my heart and you will always be my little girl who cried herself to sleep in my chest.

Love, Dad

My Breastfeeding Journey: part 1

Image from: http://beadbaby.blogspot.com/

Even before I gave birth to Sophie, I have already decided to breastfeed. I wanted her to receive only the best in life and I know BM is the very first gift I can give my baby. We have been breastfeeding for about 9 months now and I was able to do it despite being a full-time busy working mom. Our breastfeeding story is very challenging and fulfilling at the same time.

Remembering the first time we breastfed at the nursery, I still cannot imagine how time flew so fast. I can still remember how fragile and dependent she was then. Everything was wonderful as if we have been practicing for that very first latch.

When I got back to work, I though it will be the end of breastfeeding, I was obviously wrong. It seems like I find it hard to give up BF more than her. Because for me, BF time is like our bonding in which I know she can only experience with me. Months passes by and before I even realized it pumping at work is like a normal habit for me already. I would breastfeed her during the day and during her last feed at night. Then, I will pump at work so she can take it using a bottle & at 6 months we started mix feeding with formula because I no longer pump enough milk for her while I am away

The cycle can be tiring sometimes, especially during busy days, but I make sure that I do not only find time for pumping, instead I make time for it. I invested on good pumps & a thermo bag to help me with my journey and money spent was well worth it.

Sometimes, I get offended by some people who think I BF my daughter just because I want to save money and that I do not want to spend on good formula milk. It can be very depressing sometimes. But, I know and all BF mommies know that it’s just not about that; no formula can be as good as BM. There are also time when I just wanna give up BF so that I can limit my food intake and get back to my pre-pregnancy body, but then, being a mother made me so unselfish.

So that is how my Breastfeeding journey began, however, I am currently facing the biggest threat to my journey. I am currently on a business travel for 3 weeks here in Malaysia, so far, I am able to pump every 2-4 hours and still have good supply. I also left her frozen milks to take while I am away

Chances that we might get extended here is high.

I know, I can keep up, but that also means, the chance that Sophie might get used to formula milk is also higher..

The thought is killing me. Like what I said, giving up BF is harder for me. Being away from her is hard but giving up is harder. They say, when baby get used to formula & bottle, they will start saying no to BF and that is what I am scared of. This is the biggest challenge for me but then, It will be easier if Sophie is the one who gives up milk rather than me.

I still have 1 and half week to go before I go home.. and may still be extended.. Let’s see how it will goes.

Alva Cloth Diaper: Review

If there is one thing I am so thankful for, It is when I decided to use 'lampins' or 'cloth diapers'. As a first time mom, It's easier for me to just buy diapers and throw them after using, unlike using lampins where in you have to change more often and wash them. It was my mom who pushed me to keep using lampins, sabi niya kasi kawawa naman ung skin ni baby. Totoo naman.. hanggat nasanay nalang ako na lampin gamit ni baby.

When Sophie started crawling, di na effective ung lampin.. lage na nagleleak ung wiwi nia. (sorry for the term) So I decided to buy some cloth diapers, I checked sa malls and sobra ako na shock sa prices.. it ranges from 500-1000pesos each! Buti nalang I have a friend who saw this brand online, it's ALVA CLOTH DIAPERS. The normal price online is around 300-350pesos each. Not bad cause it's all-in-one size and adjustable. Dun sa online shop na nakita namen, nagbibigay sila ng huge discount for bulk orders. I ordered 6pcs and pay only 1,500pesos. So that's 250each! super tipid!

My Review:

Pro's

Super affordable. You can get as cheap as 250 - 300 pesos per diaper. That already includes the inserts. Think about the money we save! We only spend 360 pesos on Pampers, this is already good for one month.

Stylish. They have a wide variety of designs for both girls and boys.

Effective. Super worth your money. My baby only uses 4 cloth diaper in a day. This does not include at night as she already uses diapers when she sleeps. One diaper can last for 3-4 hours and does not leak no matter how wiggly my daughter is :)

Adjustable. This can be used by babies as young as 1 month and up to 3 years old cause it's adjustable. No need to buy different sizes.

Eco Friendly 


Con's

Bulky. You can no longer put on a short since the diaper is so bulky. But then, it's already stylish so i guess it won't matter. :)

It stinks! ahaha.. this is what I hate about cloth diapers. They stink. This is not only on Alva diaper but on most cloth diapers as well. You need to get a diaper pail or use the wet-method in storing used cloth diapers.

Over all rating: 9/10 - will definitely recommend. Leave a comment if you wanna know where I buy mine. Huge discount for bulk orders :)

Hello, Malaysia. See you later, Sophie.

On Novemeber 13, 2012. I will be flying to Malaysia for a business trip that will last for 3 weeks.

Sadly, I will be leaving my little daughter.

This opportunity came last month, I was offered to fly to Malaysia for a very big project. Yes.. I do have a choice. Ever since Sophia was born, I never left her for more than a day. Just leaving her work for work makes me miss her like crazy! Accepting the offer is probably the hardest thing I have ever did as a mother (so far). I hope people won't judge me. This is a MAJOR factor in my career. 

Sophie is still mix-feeding. (BF & Bottle). So I already have tons of frozen milk that Sophie will be drinking when I am gone. I started pumping and freezing 3 weeks prior to my flight. I also plan to pump & dump while I am away. My only worry is what if Sophie no longer wants to BF when I get back. :( This will make me cry.   Also, The free internet connection at our apartment is so freakin slow as well, so we might have problem using skype. (Since I will be bringing my phone with me, which I use as a modem). There should be no more problem with the internet connection at home cause I borrowed my friends wifi stick. :) I need to teach yaya to use the computer and Skype.. so even if hubby is not around, we can still chat. Thank you Technology. You make things (a little) easier. 

I will also miss my baby's 10th month. This is probably the hardest for me.. but when I decided to continue working, I have also accepted the fact that I won't be there for everything. This is the sacrifice every working mom has to make.

So.. there. Wish me luck. I know this is hard but then, this is also for her. As she grows old, so does the "gastos". This will give me a good head start in my eve rso dream of becoming a Manager. I can do this!

Trick or Treat

September palang I was already thinking of Sophie's costume for Trick or Treat. Our company (& so does hunnieh's) are conducting a yearly trick or treat in the office. Gusto ni hunnieh mag bunny costume si baby kaso wala ako makitang cute naman! I stumbled to some online shopping sites na ng bebenta ng super affordable costumes.. the choices varies from kitty, duckie up to pumpkin costume. Higit sa lahat affordable! Prices ranges from 600-1000pesos lang. You can search 'MommysList' in facebook to check it out yourself.

I was supposed to buy their duckling costume when I saw 'Shane Marga' in facebook. She makes Made-to-Order tutu skirts & dress. Super cute ng designs nya! for the price, you will need to message her to quote it for you. Depende ata sa age ng magsusuot.

After pag rere-search ng pag rere-search I found this very cute 'Queen of Hearts' tutu costume online. Then pinagaya ko kay sis Shane. She gave it to me for 1050pesos including the headband na and may pinagawa ako sakanyang wand.

Here is the picture I saw online.. pinagaya ko sya kay sis Shane pero sabi ko gusto ko skirt lang.. hindi dress..

            

picture from: pintrest.com

picture from: coolmompicks.com

then, here's the picture of Sis Shane's version of the dress.. totally worth the wait! :)

worn by my baby

Here are more pictures of my baby at HP Trick or Treat & Startek Makati Fright Night..

   

      

with Prince Eric and Ariel

with Sebastion (Jo) and Ninong Mon

with Nenet the Flounder

with ninong Mon :)

Sophia's Christening

Last March 18, my baby has reached another milestone. She had her christening at St.Parish church.

Everything was wonderful. Everyone came to celebrate with us!

Church: St.Parish Commonwealth

Reception: Max Restaurant - Circle. Rating: 4/5

- Max is ok, they have cheap packages that already includes the giveaways, balloons and the invitation. The food is yummy too. The guests love them! They offer food that they don't usually serve. I chose Max Circle because their restaurant is very clean and like new, only few people dine in their so it's not very crowded. Also they have very big function rooms unlike other Max Resto. I only have 60 guest but they reserved the 70-100 function room for me! yey :)

What I only hate about Max is that the tarps are so old.. it's so ugly. Then the name also keeps falling down! Just look at that! Except for that everything is beautifully arranged.

Dress: Sophia has 2 dress, one for the binyag and the other one for the reception. Her lola, (my mom) bought them in Japan. Very pretty!

Photo & Video: Fotografix IMAGE + Motion. Rating: 3/5

- Fotografix gave us a very affordable package. Only 10,000pesos for Photo+Video+Print outs (10 4R and 1 8R) +Storybook+ AVP + Soft copy saved in USB (free usb). The quality of the pictures are good but some of them are blurry. For group pictures, it's usually focused only to one person and the others are blurred. Also, the Thank you video took months! The binyag was March and the video was given April already. The Video itself took 2months and the Storybook about 4months.

But I have to say that I love their Thank you video & video itself. They also have very very good candid shots! You can check out their portfolios: https://www.facebook.com/fotografixIMAGE.MOTION/photos_albums

At the end of the day, I have to say everything went well. I am so happy! <3

with daddy

baby bear