When I attended a meeting at church and another church volunteer asked me where I came from, I said I fetched my daughter (who was with my husband) from her class.
Did she hear it right, class?
Yes, indeed! Aria’s “enrolled” in Gymboree’s Music Class!
We got a good deal from Deal Grocer. For about P4,000 we got one year membership, ten play coupons, and eight play or music classes. Not bad, considering how high fees are in Gymboree.
We signed her up in Greenbelt 5. Supposedly, we’ll sign up on Sofitel, because it’s the nearest. But we opted for a mall branch instead.
She had two music classes so far, and we can say she really enjoyed. The first class she attended she was with Daddy while I was at work teaching a music workshop in a school. Daddy reported that though she enjoyed the whole class, the little one cried when the maraccas was taken away from her after an activity. During day two, no more tears, and she was very active, smiling her newfound grin, tapping (no, make that banging!) the wave drum, and dancing to I’m all shook up by Elvis Presley (as it was the theme of the week).
Too much kwento. Just lookit these pretty pictures!
Listening intently to teacherBravo at the wave drum!She got there first and everyone followed! And she's the youngest and the only one who can't walk alone
After her class, she still had the energy so we let her play a little.
She loves this thing so muchThen she ran...And ran some more!
Three more music classes and three play classes for you, dearie. We know you enjoy it as much as we do (but we’d really want you to finally learn to walk alone, maybe we’ll get even more tired!).
With our family having no helper since June, I had to step up and force myself to cook, hence the recipes you have been reading in my previous posts. And with my toddler’s increasing solid intake, I also have to maintain fresh home-cooked meals with a good balance of veggies, meat, and rice.
I’ll be posting my recipes for the week. Here’s one, which I got from Good Housekeeping Magazine July issue.
Chicken Rice Soup
You will need:
Canola oil for sauteeing
Onion
Carrots, cubed
Sayote, cubed
Chicken fillets cut into cubes for easier cooking
1/2 cup washed uncooked rice
Water
Here’s what you’ll do:
1. Saute onion, carrots, and sayote.
2. Add in chicken and let it brown a little.
3. Add in water and rice. Season to taste.
4. Mix occasionally and wait for the rice to cook. Serve hot or warm.
Aria had a blast during her party. We decided to do it on the Sunday before her birthday, which is a Wednesday. Who would have thought that our dearest President would decide to make it a very loooong weekend?!
Filipinos generally will go for a quick holiday out of town if a long weekend has been declared. But thankfully, even when it was raining that Sunday afternoon, our guests came! Not everyone on the list, though. But a good number made it — almost 80 people, half of them are kids. We even had babies! It was so much fun, especially for Aria, who was both sleepy and playful that time.
The Venue and Food: McDonald’s Greenbelt
It was definitely a worry-free party venue. They had it all — yummy food, themed party complete with all amenities like traymats, party hats, lootbags, and game prizes, even the party host and program were all handled by them. No additional fees on electricity nor permits to be secured for bringing in photobooths and other suppliers. You just can’t eat food from outside, though.
My sister availed a photobooth through Ensogo for a good deal of P3,500 for two hours unlimited and gifted it to her favorite and only niece. The guests lined up a couple of times and enjoyed the friendly service of the crew as well.
The Cupcakes: IBake by Joy Alegro
My cousin Joy loves baking that she turned her hobby into something profitable. And Aria’s Birthday is the first time she handled a cupcake decorating session and it was super fun! The cupcakes were super yummy, too. I chose carrot cupcakes so that the kids won’t be too hyper with chocolate and so Aria can eat as well.
This was gifted to us by Ma’am Me-ann. Too bad The Unays weren’t able to attend the party but she still sent her assistant to set up the balloon decor, and Kuya Tikboy did it for only 10 minutes! Cute balloons which some were taken home by guests.
The Photographer: Eric Tingatinga
You would not believe this photographer is a UP Professor and has a PhD in Civil Engineering! He took really awesome shots and used natural lighting. The room had low ceiling and it was quite dark outside because of the rains but the pictures were still fantastic, especially all the happy faces in the photos.
Our suppliers were all good, and didn’t hurt our budget, some of them offered their services for free! It was indeed a worry-free, budget friendly party for our little one, who herself enjoyed her own party, the way we parents wanted it to be.
“Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (August). For this month, we join the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action in it’s “Talk to Me!” theme where participants will share personal experiences, insights or recommendations in communicating breastfeeding intentions and goals to their support system. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants.”
Left: newborn. Right: nine months
August is such a special month for our family. It was Papa’s birthday/ninth death anniversary two weeks ago and I celebrated with this blog post. Lolo, Lola, and Mama will also celebrate their birthdays in the coming days. In a week and a half, our daughter will have her first birthday party! Her birth date is so special that she chose it herself. Read related posts here and here.
We don’t only celebrate her birthday on the end of this month, we also celebrate two other things: one is the first year of parenthood for me and my husband. The other is the Feast Day of St. Raymond Nonato, the patron saint of expectant mothers, childbirth and children. And it’s Breastfeeding Month! Oh, how I love this month!
Having breastfed our firstborn for the past year is a big achievement for me. I can’t imagine how I’ve hurdled the past year — the sleepless nights, midnight snacks, occasional pumping (manual pump AND hand expressing!), nonstop whining and crying (that’s me, not the baby!), multi-tasking, battle with nursing bras and covers, etc., etc. It was hard work, and I feel like rewarding myself for this feat.
I used to be a busy bee. I work here and there and I work hard. I actively volunteer in church handling the children’s choir and the entire music ministry as coordinator, I sing and travel a lot. All of a sudden, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding put me to a full stop.
But slowly, I’m working my way to do all those mentioned above. I’ve checked all that, except travel. Haven’t gone beyond the city yet.
I had to deal with several people in this breastfeeding journey. And I will not last this far if not for these people.
The Husband. Your co-maker should always be your number one supporter. He may be your number one critic sometimes. My husband repeatedly challenged me with “If you’re tired breastfeeding, we can always switch to formula.” I never gave in! Now he tells me, if you want to shop, charge it to your credit card and I’ll take care of it. Who can say no to that!
Another thing is that he believed in breastfeeding. He accompanied me in all the La Leche League meetings I wanted to attend. He would sometimes be the only dad in the circle but he wouldn’t mind. He even took notes on our first meeting and blogged about it here.
The Mother. I knew I’d be facing a lot of debate with my mother just because she is my mother. She was the first one who told me to buy bottles in preparation for giving birth (which I never did, so she bought me a couple). I even tore a diaper’s side tape in exasperation after hearing my mom tell me that if I want my baby to get fat, I should give her formula because that’s the norm!
But she saw how I tried my best to provide only breastmilk to my daughter. And with her support and guidance, even if she didn’t know a lot about breastfeeding, we were successful. She gives my daughter expressed milk when I’m at work.
The OB-GYN. If there’s someone who supported me fully in this journey, it is my OB-GYN. From pregnancy until after giving birth, she didn’t doubt that I can sustain breastfeeding.
The Pediatrician. If there’s someone I wish who supported me it’s our pediatrician. When my daughter was eight months old she wondered why I was still breastfeeding. Well, I still have milk! I asked her if after one year I can give whole milk to my daughter, she tells me “why not give her formula instead?” I told her that I will still carry on breastfeeding and that there’s nothing wrong with whole milk after one year, just in case she didn’t know. She just said, “Okay.” Yes, she is very unsupportive. I even heard from others that she’s a breastfeeding advocate. Not true!
The Pediatrician’s Secretary. She gives me Miss Tapia looks when I breastfeed in the clinic. She even asked if the baby sling I was using was from a tribe which I might belong to. I wish she was informed that breastfeeding is not bad at all and baby slings are not a thing of the past.
The religious community. The church where I belong to has been very supportive and understanding of our desire to breastfeed, especially our Rector. They know for a fact that we don’t have a helper nor a yaya so it’s just us three (Daddy, Mommy, Baby) when we hear Mass, attend meetings, rehearsals, sing for the Mass. The occasional babysitters are there (my mom and sister) but the weekly church duties are tough for us. When I have meetings to attend, the Daddy takes care of baby. I give them expressed milk and they go malling. They all know how loud my baby is so I really appreciate it that they’ve been very forgiving, especially when I miss deadlines for churchwork or miss Masses.
The community. I laud all the efforts being done to promote breastfeeding. But I think it should start from nursing moms themselves. I don’t nurse in breastfeeding stations anymore after encountering a snooty nurse at the mall clinic who would not let our stroller in when it was just me and my baby strolling around. So I don’t care when or where I am and my daughter would start pulling down my shirt or shouting “dedede” endlessly. We nurse.
Then there are a few people who would give you nasty looks on one hand, smile and ask about breastfeeding on the other. I always love talking with like-minded and open-minded people. Breastfeeding is not best, it’s normal!
It has been a great year for me and my baby, and we don’t have any plans to stop breastfeeding yet. My baby has nursed all the more especially when she bumps herself or stumbles, when she’s teething, or when she’s really really sleepy.
The challenges of the first year I successfully hurdled. Now the next challenge for us is taking care of a rambunctious toddler who is super hyper, smart, and cute. And we love her like that.
Now, it’s time to give back. Talk to me about breastfeeding and I’ll be ready to help!
~ Touringkitty
My ever supportive husband blogged again for this carnival!
I don’t know why I believe that cutesy little cartoon mouse, but I think she’s right.
Three’s a company. That’s what we are.
Three Stooges? Videoke Night with soldiers.Before the baby popped out last year. A dinner was hosted by our most favorite Chief of Staff.
This time three years ago, I started my first office job fresh from college. I had no clue that I’d end up a writer after taking up music for eight years. I stayed at my job for a year and three months, and now, all three of us walked different paths.
The past two days, I did what any normal friend would do — after a long time of being in absentia — catch up with both of them, but in two different occasions.
You see, K just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl,
Em and Aria, Kim and Kiev
And A was in the area, specifically at Mall of Asia.
Aria and Arla
We’re kindred souls, I believe. We always share a good laugh, we graduated from the same school, we eat lunch together in office, we love our families so dearly and we (K and I) now have families of our own. But we never lose touch of each other.
I’m glad I still have friends who are in Manila, as most of my dear friends are already abroad.
It has been nine years since I last saw you. The last day I saw you was probably my happiest, and yours, too. Little did I know that you’d be gone two days after our last meeting, and on your birthday! You really made sure we won’t forget you.
I would have loved to introduce you to your beautiful granddaughter, Ariadne. She’s very smart and very amiable. You would have loved each other. You will surely shower her with much love like you did to us. You should have met my husband, Ton, too. You’d probably have a lot of things to talk about.
Your life may be short, but sweet it was, indeed. You made sure you’ve created enough memories for Mommy, me and Myk to cherish.
I miss you. I know I’ll see you again someday. We love you very much. Please continue guiding us, as you always did.
I am trying to discover my love for cooking. Well, here’s a sample.
Sharing my Lentil Stew Recipe:
You will need:
Canola oil
Garlic
Onion
Chicken pieces, about half of chicken
Salt to taste
Easy cook Lentils
Frozen Diced Carrots
Water
Tomato sauce, small sachet
You’ll also need Good Approximation Skills (notice there aren’t measurements?). I never measured! Well, maybe the first time, but when I repeat a dish I never measure anymore!
Here’s what you’ll do:
1. Saute garlic and onion in oil.
2. Add chicken. Let it brown.
3. Put salt then water. Simmer chicken until tender.
4. Add in lentils and carrots then the tomato sauce. Let them all cook.
5. Your lentil stew is done!
Here’s my personal notes about this recipe:
1. My 11 month old daughter eats this so I separate an unsalted portion for her (though I must admit, sometimes I forget, but am aware that I should put minimal salt!).
2. I let the pot boil long to make sure all ingredients are well cooked (and so that I can do other things at home!).
3. I like the chicken browned at the beginning. And to make it less sinful, we had the skin and slimy fat removed upon buying. Healthyummy!
4. I use half a pack of lentils and this recipe is good for 4-6 people.
How about you? Anything cooking from your kitchen lately?
The past eleven months had been truly life-changing for me and my family. My husband and I took baby steps, literally, in taking care of a newborn. My mother, on the other hand, had to review how it is to take care of a newborn after a 25-year hiatus (back when my younger sister was the baby then).
But what made these months extra special is that I’ve lasted this long exclusively breastfeeding my firstborn. Yes, exclusive, not a single grain of formula milk. And I am really proud!
Why? Because I wasn’t even breastfed for so long! Read my post here.
And this month, I wish to give credit to whom it’s due.
Family. Especially my husband. Choosing what to give your child must be the decision of both parents. Breastfeeding was both our choice. Luckily, I have a supportive husband hence I was able to give up my work and focus on taking care of our newborn, especially in the first months of life. My mom (who didn’t breastfed my sister at all) was very much supportive. Doubtful, sometimes, but supporting and encouraging me, still. And she gives my daughter my expressed milk when I am working!
Friends. Most especially to those who were also formula-feeding and yet encouraged me to breastfeed. I’d write super long messages to these friends and they’d give me endless tips and encouraging words. Nobody told me to stop and supplement.
Internet. I love technology, especially when it’s put to good and sensible use. The resources online are now limitless. Blogs about breastfeeding helped me a lot, especially this. I was able to share my experiences as well through this blog, which, by the way, celebrated its first year last July 20! Hooray for Touringkitty!
Online friends. Especially La Leche League Manila, Newlywedsatwork Yahoogroup, and Twitter friends. They really are inspirations to me. Some of them I haven’t met in person but they are really accommodating when I have questions.
For fellow mommies who told me I was lucky I was able to successfully breastfeed, well, maybe I really am. But be assured that if you were able to breastfeed even for a day, your children are lucky, too, they have loving parents like you. I just wished you asked me first before you gave up. Or maybe you asked the wrong person that’s why you weren’t successful when you should have been. *wink wink*
Whoever will read this blog and is nursing/planning to nurse/know someone who nurse, I would like to offer whatever knowledge I can share regarding breastfeeding if you need. And I can help hook you up to the real experts – the breastfeeding counselors – to be able to successfully breastfeed.
THE DOCTOR IS LATE should be the signage on her clinic door!
Her clinic is 8-10 AM but she arrives at 11! Wow. Happened to me in those two times I made an appointment with my new doctor. I panicked the first time because I didn’t leave pumped milk for my baby because I was first on the appointment list anyway and the clinic was less than a kilometer away from home. Turned out I waited for two hours so imagine how I felt. Baby might cry of hunger, might be looking for me, etc.
The reason for her being late: it was raining. So what?!
I heard a story from another patient. This patient arrived at 10.30 AM because she is so used to the doctor’s late arrival. But the nursing attendant said the doctor left already at 9 AM! The poor patient had to reschedule her doctor’s appointment again.
It’s not only with my doctor, but also of my baby’s pedia. Her clinic is 10 AM-12 PM and she has an afternoon schedule as well, but I always go in the morning after baby’s morning nap, or during naptime when she gets to snooze inside the clinic. Still, I make the earliest appointment but then, with the long waiting time, baby is cranky already while getting the vaccine shot. Ending: loud squealing, squirming, red-eyed baby.
This morning, we arrived a little early and on the waiting area was a young boy who seemed to have high fever. Her grandma carried her and the mother was just seated. They tried to give him milk in a bottle (formula perhaps) and rubbed his head and face with wet towel. A few minutes after, the mother was carrying her son out of the clinic, shouting his name, and rushed to the nearby hospital. Apparently the kid was having convulsions. Or something else. My baby and I stepped outside because I got one bored baby.
Poor kid. They could have brought him directly to the emergency room of the hospital across the street and not wait for the pedia, who arrived at 11 AM. Aria and I were there since 9.45 AM. She slept as soon as we reached home and almost missed lunch.
We all have appointments, right? It’s no fair that these medical professionals are always late for clinic appointments and charge sky high professional fees for two minutes of talking to one patient who waited for hours, who travelled hours to reach the clinic, and who left their babies or bring with them.
How’s your experience with your doctor? Do they come late or early?
Everything seems easy for babies. They cry when they want something — food, diaper change, nap, change of scenery, when they feel hot or cold, among other things.
But really, is it easy to be a baby? I don’t think it is.
And it’s precisely what I have observed with my eleven month old. Life isn’t easy.
Of course, babies have to practice and learn a gazillion skills to be bonafide “persons” in this world. They learn how to stretch their bodies (from being enclosed in a capsule that is the female tummy), roll over, crawl, sit, stand, walk, talk, cry, make funny sounds, make gestures like waving and clapping. Then after six months, solid food is introduced and you choose from a short list of possible first food for baby. They grew body parts, still, like their teeth.
The rest, as they say, is history. But the sweetest achievement for any baby, especially for the parents, is the first 365 days of life.
I didn’t pay much attention to celebrating Aria’s first birthday back then. I thought it’s not important because she won’t remember it anyway. Bur for a motherhood neophyte/drama queen like me, the past year was hard work, sacrifice, and glorious victories that I felt I needed to celebrate, in a frugal but memorable manner.
There’s McDonald’s and their themed parties. We chose Mickey Mouse Clubhouse since the kiddo never missed a beat when she hears the Hotdog Dance. Add a handful of family and friends, party food, some photobooth fun and voila, a sorta kiddie party for our Aria!
Will update you how the party goes, which is about a month from now. I’m super excited and thankful that our family will be celebrating this important event, especially that our little girl is growing more and more beautiful, smart, and cheerful. And we’re proud to be parents of this wonderful creation.
