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.
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.
Five summers ago, we formed the choir to serve in the Third Sunday Mass of the Shrine of Jesus. From ten kids, they tripled in number in the following year. Members came and left, but we maintained an average of 25 members. Now we have about 35.
I will never forget their first service – because I wasn’t there to witness it! I was in the middle of a European Tour and so my then boyfriend and now my dear husband took over rehearsals and Mass services. It was a Fathers’ Day as well so indeed, my husband is the “father” of these kids. The rest is history, as they say.
This choir is our pet project and we’re proud of what we have achieved. Participation in concerts, choral festivals, even wedding engagements and TV guesting have made these kids (and their parents) busy. Sundays are spent at church for rehearsals (and the mall afterwards).
We’re super blessed with all the people who helped, supported, and cheered for us all these years. To the parents, families, Shrine family and our dear Shrine Rector, the Shrine Office and Sacristans and the ever faithful Mang Barry, thank you so much. We’re also blessed with all the members we had. You’ve been part of our journey and we wish to be singing with you again soon.
And we’re blessed to have performed in big concert stages and TV. It is a privilege to have sung with great performers on the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater and Philamlife Theater. We were starstruck with Sam Milby and Angel Locsin in “Only You.” We also thank the two couples who trusted us to serenade them in their special day.
I am happy how we’ve instilled the value of church service this early to these kids. Most of all, I am proud that they get to appreciate music making and strive to better musicians every rehearsal. The stories they share to their own homes and to their friends are enough consolation to us, their conductors.
Today, I prayed for four fathers who mean the world to me. And here’s my quick thank you notes for them.
To my Papa. Thank you for giving us life. Yours was short but sweet, and we treasure each moment spent with you. We remember you as a good provider, good cook, ever supportive of our school programs, homeworks, piano recitals. We miss you everyday and we love you forever. You have a very beautiful and smart granddaughter and I know you’d be proud of her, too. I know you’re proud of me and my sister.
To my Lolo. Thank you for being my number one fan and for sharing my passion in classical music. I took it from you. Thank you most especially for walking me down the aisle with Mama. I remembered how I prayed hard when you were hospitalized a couple of weeks before my wedding day, because I so wanted you to witness and be with me in that most special day in my life. I’m happy that you and Lola are living happy and healthy, and I pray that God will give you the best of years to come.
To my Mama. Thank you for being mother and father to us. You are amazing because you never fail to acknowledge that God is helping you and Papa is guiding you. Thank you for supporting everything we are doing, even now that we’re both grown up. I know how much you love me and my sister, and how much more you love my daughter. I realized I can never be like you only because you’re one of a kind, but be assured that I’m doing my best to be the best mom for our little princess.
To my husband, my better half. I’d look back at our earlier years as friends more than ten years ago, and I can’t still believe you’d be the father of my child. Thank you for being a super dad to me and the little one. You’re doing a good job so keep it up. I pray that we would live long to see our children’s children.
And to all fathers, fathers-in-law (mine included), those bridging the gap, mother and father in one, and our Spiritual Fathers, Happy Fathers’ Day.
Today ends my one week sabbatical from my second most favorite vice (next to my family, of course) – Facebook. One word to describe the feeling of not browsing my account: LIBERATING!
It’s such a tiny little world out there on Facebook that I have forgotten it’s not the only website that ever existed. The past week made me browse blogs, updated my own blog theme (still on the process of making a customized masthead), and baking oatmeal cookies using our oven toaster! Will post about it later.
Internet time has been cut in half, or more than half, and I have learned to turn off the wireless connection of my laptop when I don’t need it. Saves up battery life, I must say. I was able to finish church work and choral arrangements, and got more ideas on how to work with baby in tow.
The No Facebook Week gave me time to take a closer look at my daughter. She’s teething so she needed all the soothing and calming because she is just too fussy. Tooth number five came out the other day. She’s learned walking around her crib and crawling so fast on the bed so I’ve been taking pictures and videos here and there. We take naps together and wake up together. I don’t rush anymore to turn on the computer when she’s asleep.
I now conclude that I can live without Facebook. But hey, I activated it for three reasons:
One, I’d still post pictures and videos of my daughter for my family overseas. I know they want to see my daughter grow even if they’re miles away.
Two, I’d keep in touch with people who really matter. You know who you are.
Three, I’d still help encourage breastfeeding. This has been an advocacy for me. Some might be offended and I do apologize. But I hope that when you take a look at how my baby is after nine months, I hope I can change your mind.
Nine months of giving baths, dressing up, changing pooped diapers, singing lullabies, rocking a baby to sleep.
Nine months of cuddling and kissing this beautiful creature that has my genes (actually more of my husband’s).
Nine months of discovery, learning, recording milestones, picture taking.
Nine months of newfound love.
Nine months of waking up everyday thanking the Lord for this wonderful gift.
It has been the best eighteen months (counting also the past nine of my pregnancy) of my life. And I look forward to many more months and years with the family God has blessed me with.
Happy nine months, sweetie! The whole family loves you very much.
For those who are wondering, I deactivated my Facebook account since yesterday. It’s sort of a self-punishment for being curious (and stupid!) for clicking a link and actually spreading a javascript spam. So for those who received it, I apologize.
Anyway, I also found this perfect opportunity to assess my internet life. I have deactivated my account and will return after a week. If I can stretch it longer, the better.
Yes, I admit that I live with this technology. I spend almost the whole day updating my status, posting pictures of my daughter who had learned a new trick, commenting on my friend’s photos and all that. Sum it all up and I spend a total of at least five hours a day, with half of it on Facebook. If I can’t sleep at night, I’d spend an extra hour lurking on the news feed. I can’t believe I enjoyed talking to a wall expecting to talk back to you through the comments of your friends. Honestly, 1/4 of them I don’t really know personally, but because of a group I once belonged to I’m “expected” to accept them. Not good, eh?
But on a positive note, I have gained a lot from Facebook and from the internet in general. I found and reconnected with old friends, I get inquiries for voice and piano lessons and singing engagements, researched about breastfeeding and other baby care stuff, and I am able to write for pleasure (this blog) and for income (through several writing assignments). I also research music which I use for my choral arrangements and was able to download a free music writing software where I can freely work on my scores (visit www.musescore.org to download). I ask my friends (and strangers through yahoogroups and various mommy-related fanpages and the blog carnival) for tips on taking care of the baby and give advice as well.
Facebook is a lifestyle for me, another way of channeling my stress, frustration, and joys over this little girl who was once so fragile to hold, and now is spinning like a tornado. The whole world (or at least those in my friends list) saw my baby grow, and I’ve allowed these people to be with us in this wonderful moment.
But it has gone overboard. It became a business and destructive at the same time. If not spam messages, people will tag you to sell their products or do marketing. Ugh, I just hate spammers!
So I do hope you’ll help me in this experiment. One whole week of no Facebook. But I still have to use the internet, though, as my friends abroad need to contact me and vice versa. For that, I’ll overhaul my blog theme and official website (www.marylouise.webs.com) and maybe create a new logo or masthead (yes, I love blogging already!). I shall also finish pending arrangements and create new ones.
Update you about this no Facebook thing next week, Thursday. Good luck to me!
