Showing posts with label a baby was born. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a baby was born. Show all posts

Monday, May 6, 2013

One full plated summer!

I didn't know it's been a month (almost!) since my last entry. Apparently, I've been busy with a lot of things supposing it's the "dog days"—a time of the year when most people have nothing else to do apart from going on a vacation or doing some staycation

Well, actually, we (Kevin, my husband Boya, and I) did some to (one of the reasons why I wasn't able to update this blog prior to this post) :) 

We had our first family beach outing in Zambales. Our dear Kevin had his first taste of the sea! And I couldn't be more proud of him for being so brave and up for the waves! :) 
One happy family: enjoying the sun, sand and beach! :)
But that outing isn't really the highlight of this year's summer. What actually keeps me busy and what makes this season very memorable for me as a first-time parent is Kevin's progress with a lot of things. :) Yes, my baby's growing up so fast! (1) His two front bottom teeth have started to push through his gum line, (2) he's learned how to crawl and (3) he's taking in some solid food now! 

Tell me...don't these things deserve to make this summer full plated?!?! :D
  • Kevin's teething 

It started last April 11 when Kevin had fever. Honestly, I was scared. He had colds too, and my husband was away that time so I was alone dealing with the situation. At first, I didn't know why he was ill. Thank god for Paracetamol Tempra Drops and Kool Fever (for babies), Kevin was already well a day after. 
But our (his and mine) sleepless nights didn't end there. The following evenings were hard for both of us. Kevin was so irritable, so irate that he couldn't nod off. Then, I realized he was teething for he kept on putting his hand/s inside his mouth, trying to bite away the pain in his gums. So I just bear with my baby. Every time he cried because of pain, I gave him his teether to rather ease the pain. And I guess it helped. Now, he's more okay :) I could see his two front bottom teeth peeking through his gums. :) I'm one excited, happy mom!

  • Kevin's crawling

April 24...just before Kevin turned 6 month-old, he was on hands and knees! :) 

It was my husband who witnessed his first crawl. Our baby was trying to reach for Boya's eyeglasses which was placed a little far from where Kevin was. To our amazement, after his first attempt, Kevin did his second lollygag and luckily we caught it on video :) We're really proud of our baby! Now, he crawls most of the time. Hihi

  • Kevin's eating

Today is Kevin's second day to eat solid food! :) 

After we had our routinely check-up with Kevin's pedia last Saturday, we were advised that our baby could already take in some solid food, particularly, mashed veggies, fruits, and baby foods! :) So....you know what happened next! ;)

See how time flies so quickly. Only one summer slipped by, and many things have happened already. This summer is indeed full plated! ♥
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Monday, April 8, 2013

Expo Mom 2013: an experience like no other! (a post-event entry)


Expo Mom is the premier lifestyle event for moms in Manila. It is a trade expo, all-day workshop, shopping destination, mommy party, family occasion, mompreneur lab, all rolled into one!

Yesterday (April 7) my husband, Kevin, and I attended the second day of Expo Mom 2013. It was our first official expo as first-time parents. And while it may sound cliche, I'd like to say that it was an experience like no other! :) 
We arrived at Rockwell Tent in Makati City few minutes prior to the start of the event's programme (10 a.m.)! Thus, we were lucky to take a convenient stroll inside the tent and look through the shopping bazaars with ease! :) 

Of course, I was delighted to see various mommy and baby products!!! I didn't even know where to start looking! Or...if I even had enough money to buy things I wanted to take home :P Haha. But, I ended up buying only three important things: (1) a new sling for Kevin, (2) a nursing undershirt, and (3) a couple of cloth diapers.
I bought my new sling and nursing undershirt from the Tiny Tots store :)

While there were other products that I still wanted to buy, like the Mustela cream for my stretch marks, a meal time set and a book set for Kevin, my husband calmly reminded me to purchase only what's necessary. And so I did :) Besides, it wouldn't hurt to be practical these days. 

Anyway, apart from the Tiny Tots store, we likewise visited other booths in the expo which equally presented wonderful products, some of which are:
  • Johnson's Baby Philippines
  • Parteizeit (for party needs)
  • Cupcakes by Sonja
  • 9th Avenue School
  • Bummis and Bambino (cloth diapers)
  • Mustela
  • The Stork Studio

There were, however, two stores that, for me, stood out from the rest because of their unique, practical, and beneficial products; to wit: the Natural Origins and the R-Trevi

The first one offers a baby meal (brown rice porridge for baby) made from 100% organic ingredients. What makes this product interesting is that moms can even add their breastmilk in preparing it. Definitely healthy and practical, isn't it? :) 
Baby Natura Brown Rice Porridge :)
[photo source: http://www.babynaturafood.com/Product.php]
Meanwhile, the latter store offers a water-proof bedding protector called the Brolly Sheets. This sheet is absorbent up to two liters, quick to change, and comfortable. Brolly Sheets received a silver star from the Practical Parenting and Pregnancy. No doubt useful when time comes! ;)
Brolly Sheets
[photo source: http://www.thedailybuzz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Brolly-Sheets-Comp-TDB-final.jpg]
Like any other events by moms and for moms, Expo Mom 2013 wasn't just about bazaars and shopping spree. Of course, there were the talks, the most indispensable part of the event, given by experts who are also moms that'd love to share with other mommies the wonders of motherhood. :) 
Jenny Ong of Mama Baby Love and Jen Tan of Next9
on their talk about the "Instinctive Attachment Parenting"
One of the talks we were able to listen to was the one given by Ms. Ong and Ms. Tan. Their talk was about "Instinctive Attachment Parenting". I could still remember what they said: Kapag umiyak ang baby mo siyempre, instict mo na as a mom na buhatin siya. Huwag maniniwala sa sinasabi ng matatanda na sinasanay mo siya sa karga, o sa sayaw. Of course, there are times that babies are bored, or they want to be cuddled. That's just how they are. (not verbatim)

I totally agree with them for I experienced the same with my Kevin. :) This just shows that there's truly the #momtuition, the so-called "mother's instinct" within you—that even if you are young and a first-time parent, you'd know and feel what your baby wants, what your baby needs. Just like what the saying says, "When a baby is born so is a mother".

Altogether, Expo Mom 2013 gave me a new horizon on being a mother. There's more to it that what one sees in a bazaar, or what one hears in a discussion. Simply put, my visit at this event was extraordinary that it gave me empowerment, encouragement, and inspiration to strive more for my little one.♥

To Mommy Mundo, congratulations to yet another successful Expo Mom! :) Special thanks to Ms. Janice, Ms. Angela, and Ms. Rome!
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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Expo Mom 2013! (a pre-event entry)


Expo Mom is the premier lifestyle event for moms in Manila. It is a trade expo, all-day workshop, shopping destination, mommy party, family occasion, mompreneur lab, all rolled into one!

Nope! It's not just an ordinary for show that counts as a past-time for those who don't know what to do with their time. All the more, it doesn't refer to just another typical exhibition of mediocre Filipino (or even foreign) products that aims to make a scene in the metro. ;)
Expo Mom Year 6! 
Expo Mom 2013: "The Mompreneur Market" is simply a fertile ground where all kinds of moms—either expecting, first-time, or already a mother of four—are welcome to exchange experiences, celebrate motherhood, have fun, and learn new things that could all the more inspire them to be the best!

First launched in 2008, Expo Mom is organized by Mommy Mundo and the Philippine Association for Childbirth Education (PACE). These two organizations are founded by two mommy friends Ms. Janice Crisostomo-Villanueva and Ms. Rome Kanapi. 
Ms. Rome and Ms. Janice
(photo source: http://expomom.com/about-expo-mom/about/)
With a simple vision to "become the ultimate trade expo of mom and baby products in Manila", Expo Mom, through the years, has endeavored to deliver the best goods to Filipino homes by inviting Partners who are considered major players in helping parents tender their children.

Composed of interactive exhibits, shopping bazaar, and onstage activities, Expo Mom has been a well-received event since it started the ball rolling. And, for over five years, it has made an impact to millions of moms who dream of giving their children everything that's beyond compare.

In my case as a first-time mom, Expo Mom 2013 will be my first mom-event! Of course, I'm excited! :) I look forward to lots of things which stir up my #momtuition:

  • Special sales for mom and baby products
  • Mom and baby activities
  • Interesting and educational discussions
For more of Expo Mom 2013 event features, click HERE.
For more of Expo Mom 2013 exhibitors info, click HERE.

All mommies mustn't miss this year's bigger and better expo for moms under one roof! :)

WHEN: April 6-7, 2013 (Sat/Sun)

WHERE: Rockwell Tent, Makati City
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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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, h
e 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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