For my baby...

R - ivers may dry up and blooms may wither; 
     but, my love for this cute, 'lil angel will last forever.

A - beautiful blessing sent from above,
     that has changed the way I live and love!
J - ust as how the blooms sprinkle joy,
     my everyday is enlivened with much fervor!
O - ver high mountains and under deep seas,
     "I" is ready to face anything for him...conquering all fears!
N - ever have I thought I'd be blessed with a remarkable shift,
     asking self "What did I do to deserve such gift?"

K - eeping me awake through day and night,
     wearing out all my energy...oh, but I don't mind.
E - ach coos and smiles are suffice,
     to bring back lost energies and again roll the dice!
V - ictorious is what I truly feel,
     because of this angel that no one could steal!
I - lluminating my life that's once was dull,
    making it exciting and filled with delight!
N - othing comes close to this happy feeling,
    that is overwhelming and, definitely, fulfilling!

The reason of my existence! <3

Illuminated Twilight

The moon peeps at a snail's pace...

as the billows clear out and rest.

The shadow casts over its distress...

in a river filled with spoiled remains.

Shivers. Pain. Wailing. Barriers.

Choking itself up! To death it wavers.

When could it be finally free?

...when the last heartwood ceased from a tree?

The bosom starts to refrain

The candle, however, remains. 

thunderwhisps.blogspot.com 

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What's Eating Me?

I have no idea, honestly.

Maybe it's the weather. Or...maybe just the old, rusty, vintage "boredom". Ohh...I don't know. I'm not used to having a monotonous kind of life. :(

http://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/photo/girl-staring-outside-
while-sitting-in-window-royalty-free-image/114479169

I need to do something else apart from taking care of my baby! Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my little one. (I know every mother does!) I enjoy cuddling him and playing with him. Seeing the same room eveeeeerrrrryyyyy single day, however, is not something I take pleasure from! Apparently, being just a plain housewife isn't my thing! 

As of now, I don't get to enjoy the weather outside, or go shopping, or treat myself to a spa or eat out in a buffet-style restaurant. I have responsibilities as a mother, I know. But, am I not entitled to a one-day leave, at the least? >.<

My apologies if all you can read are rants and complaints. :( Just bear with me for this is what I feel right now. A young mom like me needs to have some reliever too, you know. But...as if I have a choice. What I need to do now is accept the fact that "I" is already replaced by "baby", "him", and "his".  

Oh well. Here's a learning curve that each mom should transcend. The baby is the top priority right now. Not yourself or your husband.

Must. Reflect. Now.

-30-

Chocolates on Fire!

Who doesn't love chocolates?

Either with roasted nuts, almonds, fruits, or marshmallow...they're truly adorable. Either milk, white, or dark... they're definitely delectable. Either in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, they're surprisingly enjoyable! 

Chocolates are no doubt one of the all-time favorite sweet treats by many! (if not all)

I guess all of you would agree with me if I say that chocolate is one thing in this material world that we're so grateful for its existence. Yes? YES!

But, what more if this enchanting sweet concoction is partnered with yet another mouthwatering treat? Say, strawberries! Well, in my case, I'm not a fan of strawberries though I've tried them before. I know, however, few people who go gaga over such fruit, especially if they are dipped in heavenly chocolate!

I'd like to share with you guys that last January 21, I found a diner that has a burning passion towards chocolates and gives justice to its whimsical existence...the Chocolate Fire!

Chocolate Fire (CF) is a chocolate café that offers lip smacking selection of fresh and truly healthy savoury dishes, with an extensive drink list, including their own bar wines, champagnes and cocktails.

While there are various cafés or bistros offering sweet delicacies in the country, CF is absolutely inimitable and ahead in points compared to others as it offers “a world of pure creativity”.

“To be forever creative,” that’s what CF believes to keep up with the times.

A cogent proof to this statement is their own delivery of confections that goes beyond their customer's satisfaction.

Last January 21, in celebration of our (Boya and I) 6 months of being husband and wife, I ordered from CF something that I could surprise my husband with :) 

Here are the specifics:

• 3 x large milk dipped strawberries
• 3 x large dark dipped strawberries
• 1 of the below characters on each dipped strawberry (alternating milk & dark): "I ♥ U F 2 1"
• packaged in white box
• with dark blue and light blue satin ribbon & bow 

And I asked them to have it delivered to my husband's office in Pasong Tamo Ext.

The order process went okay though I only ordered through their FB page. Ms. Jeannie was very friendly and polite. She was the one who processed my order. While Ms. Koby Parcell-Cruz, CF's chocolate consultant and one of the owners, was the one who confirmed and finalized it. Ms. Koby was even nice to accommodate my request to take a picture of my order prior to delivering it to my hubby's office. So, here it is. ♥

The strawberries I ordered from CF, complete with message of love and package of sweetness.
Thanks Ms. Koby again for this photo! :)

This order just cost me PhP 680 including the delivery price. 


Definitely worth every cent. My husband loved every bite! :)

Trends…inevitably vary. Thus, for Chocolate Fire, forever coming up with new things and designs isindispensable. 

For inquiries call 632-840-0808. For reservations, please text 0928-2826527 E: info@chocolatefire.com

You may also like their FB page https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateFireLive or follow them on twitter @Chocol8FIRE  . Do visit their Web site as well at http://chocolatefire.com/ 

I'll take a break now and munch on some chocolates. Hahaha. Happy eating chocolates! ♥

-30-

Happy Baby with Cloth Nappy!

How to properly breastfeed a baby and do it with the right positions, how to burp him, carry him, put him to sleep, make him stop crying, put a “bigkis” on him, bathe him, and the list goes on. These are only few of the things a first-time mom must learn.

While it maybe too hard to actually transform into a “super mom”, it's not impossible! But the catch is, it won't happen in just a wink!

On my previous entry about prepping yourself on being a first-time mother, it's noted that motherhood is such a happy experience for any woman. Nonetheless, it's not a journey for you to take alone. We, moms, must learn to ask guidance from others and know when to accept and entertain pieces of advice from either friends or family.

In my case, I'm trying to weigh in all the “teachings” my loved ones give me. Among which that I definitely took was the one given by my OB-gyne. :)

She told me to put on cloth diapers to my baby, instead of the disposable ones. At first I was reluctant to buy such diaper since I thought it was expensive. Prices can go as high as Php 1,000 plus but there are those that are worth PhP 300 only.

So, my husband decided to search online about it and he saw that cloth diaper comes in various colors and designs! Ang gaganda, at super cute nila! :) 

Baby Leaf Cloth Diapers :)

Kevin's first batch of diapers!

And because of that, we decided to purchase some! Right then and there, we ordered 3 diapers from Lazada.com.ph.

Currently, our baby now has 10 cloth diapers which we put on him alternately with disposable ones (we usually use this at night so he could sleep soundly).

Close-up shot of Kevin's Diaper with Spongebob design

Kevin wearing his Spidey cloth diaper

 Apart from the diaper's cute designs, we also took note of its other pros:

• Baby could avoid or would have less diaper rash
• You don't have to put 1-2 bags of disposable diaper trash out everyday
• It could help you save money
• Baby could use it until he's 2 years old

The only setback of cloth diaper is that you'll be washing tons of diaper with poop on it. But hey, it'll be worth it. Not only that you're happy saving money, but you are also assured of your little one's happiness as he enjoys the comfyness and cozyness of cloth diapers!

Kevin and the rest of his diapers :)

You might want to check out these links for cloth diapers:

www.facebook.com/NappyTotsAndHappyMoms

http://www.zalora.com.ph/kids/accessories/diapering/?gclid=CLC77pXJ7rQCFUZT4god70cAbA

http://happybabysbootique.multiply.com/products/listing/10542/ONSALE-ALVA-CLOTH-DIAPERS-Camouflage-Minky

-30-

And there was Kevin!

Having heard the news (confirmation) that I was gonna be a mom was like music to my ears. It made me feel enraptured, but...a little bit scared at the same time. :( I thought I was still young to be a mother...though, honestly as a kid, I dreamed of having a baby at 24. But hey, I got pregnant at 22 -- two years earlier than what I planned for. 

The love for this life's miracle, however, was strong enough to conquer such fear... so I continued with my pregnancy. Also, seeing my boyfriend's (who's now my husband) reaction and enthusiasm after hearing the good news inspired me! 

But, let me say this, it wasn't easy. 

I had to quit my job, put up with my morning sickness, accept the changes in my life, and mentally and emotionally psyche myself up for the big day. Oh yes, there was a lot of vomiting, headaches, weariness, and stretch marks! (Yup I got mine early...on my second trimester)

You could imagine how hard it was to adjust and accept such "adventure". Then again, it has just begun.

October 24 came, another normal day...or so I thought. 

As usual, my husband left for work at 7 a.m. while I had the luxury to cop more z's until 9 a.m. Then, after satisfying myself with good sleep, I did my daily routine: eat breakfast and go to work (in front of a laptop, I work from home as a copy writer). Simply put, never did I think that I'd be giving birth anytime SOON! Just two days ago, I had my check up with my OB-gyne and she said my cervix wasn't opening yet. So, I really didn't expect. But you know what, I was praying that day..."Lord, sana po manganak na'ko. Gusto ko nang manganak!"

And apparently, He heard my prayer.

At around 4:30 in the afternoon, I started to feel some cramping and stomach pains, but I didn't mind. I continued watching Striptease (haha). It was then after two hours that the pain intensified. I asked myself, "Manganganak na ba ako? Eto na yun?" I texted my husband about it and prayed that he'd come home on time, and fortunately he did. After having dinner, he decided to bring me to the hospital since I could barely walk or talk! It was just so painful!

My husband's friend, Ube, was the one who brought us to the hospital. It was raining. Gloomy weather.

I was directed to the ER and was checked. The doctor said my cervix wasn't open yet! So, at around 11 p.m. I was transferred to the so-called labor room--the very room that witnessed how much I suffered. 

Labor was one hell of an experience! (I know you moms out there couldn't agree more, haha!) I couldn't remember how many painkillers did the nurse give me, but I still felt the pain. I wonder why :( 

That very moment, when I was in deep pain, made me realize how bold mothers could get just to go through such great battle in their lives. It made me realize that mothers are definitely great heroines in their own right. ...and I was afraid that I couldn't win over my own battle. 

In that labor room, I was alone. No one, even my husband, was permitted to enter. So, I was alone battling...or so I thought.

At 3 a.m., the throbbing heightened! I remember asking the nurse "Nasaan na si Doc?"

Because of my continuous ranting, the nurse asked me, "Ano, CS ka na natin?" 

I said, "Oo. Ayoko na eh." 

"Hindi pwede mam. Maawa ka sa baby mo," she replied.

Left with no other choice, I endured the pain until my doctor arrived. 

The delivery, compared to labor, was quite easy. I could hear my doc saying "Tuluy-tuloy mo lang ang ire Jess. Ayan good job Jess."

Then, as I gave my one last, strong push...I heard his cry. A nurse shouted "5:31 a.m.!" They showed me my little angel...then I fell asleep.

It was October 25, another normal day...or so I thought.

Kevin's very first photo taken October 25 at 6:40 a.m.

My husband, all smiles, carrying our dear Kevin! :)

Oh, and that's me. A day after I gave birth! Haha!

And as a beautiful baby boy was delivered, a majestic mom was likewise born.

And this was the start of something great one would've never imagined!

"When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." - John 16:21

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