Dads, oh, dads. If you only knew what sacrifice it is for us moms to breastfeed.
Daddy, Baby, and I were happily eating lunch at a Japanese restaurant (my baby had Sukiyaki!). A family of three (Mom, Dad, Baby Girl) and another man (maybe he’s a brother of either of the couple) sat on the table beside us. The mom took out a nursing cover and I silently said, brava for breastfeeding!
But here’s the glitch. The bad, insensitive dad was raising his voice to her wife, telling her not to put too much spice on her food. Understandable, because probably they have a baby who’s sensitive to different tastes of breastmilk because of what the mom eats or had reflux. But to raise voice, nah!
Here’s another incident: the dad was rushing her wife to eat because he’s hungry! Why, isn’t her wife supposed to be fed because she’s feeding someone else? He kept on yakking while playing with the baby: “ay, kawawa naman si Daddy, gutom na gutom na, ang sarap pa naman ng pagkain, o?” Then to his wife: “bilisan mo na, gutom na ako!”
I was able to talk with the poor girl who was now holding her baby when she stepped out of the restaurant after she ate. She really ate quick. Aria and I finished eating as well and were waiting for Daddy to settle the bill. I really would like to tell her how insensitive her husband was! But I held my tongue. I then found out the baby was exclusively breastfed for six months already and the baby has started solids and drinks water. She isn’t working and takes care full time of the baby. Another brava for you, mommy!
Her insensitive husband doesn’t know the word appreciate.
Man, it’s all hard work for the mom! I know you dads also work hard for the money. But you should also consider how hard work it is for us moms to take care of the baby. It IS a job, a career. Daddy-ing is ALSO a career!
So, to that Dad we saw, watch your words, especially when you’re in public. Save your nastiness when you’re at home.
No, he doesn’t pop the boob to our daughter. He told me, if only he could, he would. But I’m proud to say that he is a breastfeeding dad in more ways than one.
My husband is my number one cheerleader. When he gives me that smile and that thumbs up when I breastfeed, I know he supports me. Especially on the first days and weeks, he’d prop up a pillow behind my aching back, massage me, give me water, burp the baby, carry her for an hour because of fear of reflux, change diapers in the wee hours of the evening. He’d gladly give into my requests, too — please turn off the TV or lower the volume (my baby means business when feeding haha), hand over the iPod, turn on the internet, get lampin for my sweaty baby, etc.
My husband is very careful with his words. I never heard him complain that the baby’s becoming too clingy when we breastfeed. Sure, my daughter has her moments when she wants me and only me, but I noticed that there are precious activities only she and Daddy can enjoy, like reading, tickling each other, talking gibberish, walking (with Daddy’s assistance), and strolling around the mall.
Also, I never heard him complain that he’s hungry already because he knew that I should eat first because I need the energy to feed someone else.
He’d have side comments, like, maybe we should try toddler formula eventually (but I won’t, sorry!). Or during those early weeks when I feel really exhausted and wanted to give up, he’d tell me, we can always switch to formula. Nothing harsh.
My husband promotes breastfeeding in his own little way. He puts his two passions into good use: writing and breastfeeding. Through his blog and joining blog carnivals, he has promoted breastfeeding in his own little way. And he acknowledges the many good benefits of breastfeeding to me and my daughter (not to mention, his pocket!).
When I was pregnant up until now, we pray for a normal, healthy, happy, smart, strong, beautiful baby. And breastmilk gave us all of that and so much more. Seeing how Aria grows makes us really proud parents.
It has been 13 months of breastfeeding and we don’t plan to stop anytime soon. We enjoy this unique experience so much that we wish we could convince more pregnant couples to at least try breastfeeding. We tried. We had no idea we’d go this far. Thus, we are really grateful.
Okay, allow me to reminisce. I haven’t seen this video until today!
Four years ago, I was one of these musically gifted people who became part of this historic competition that made a mark in the history of choral music.
The Philippine Madrigal Singers won the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in 2007. It was their second win, having won the same award in 1997. Our choirmaster, Mark Carpio, was then only a member of the group founded and first conducted by Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion. Two other members have sung for both competitions.
For those who might not know, the EGP is sort of a choral Olympics of the best choirs in the world. The word European there doesn’t pertain to only European choirs. It’s just that the competition is held in Europe. To further explain that, please click this link of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.
Along with joining that particular competition, we also embarked on a three-month long European tour. Quite long, right? For those months we were literally living in a suitcase (and a trolley bag and a backpack!). We went to several cities in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Netherlands. Aside from our clothes, toiletries, and other stuff that will help us last us for three months, we had to carry our big costumes and concert shoes and make-up kits.
Through the years of travel, the Madz has been blessed with friends. And these friends organized concerts, gave us home away from home, toured us around town, some even shopped for us! Really generous people, and most of them, thanks to technology, we still get to keep in touch with.
We know food in Europe is so expensive, so we make space for some “kadiwa.” The older Madz batches have used this term for bringing “baon” in their luggages. I think it was an old term during the Marcos era. “Kadiwa” is anything that can be eaten as it is, or with hot water, or with the aid of a can opener — instant noodles, canned goods, junk foods, candies, instant coffee. Helped us save lots of shopping money!
It was one of the most memorable experiences that I had with the years I’ve been singing with the Madz. As I look back, I ask myself why did we win? We were against the best of the best choral groups, one is even an all-children’s group.
I’ve listed three things that I think made us win:
1. Practice makes perfect, and permanent. I saw that thought from a Facebook comment of one of the Madz Alumni now based abroad. Being a Madz member involves hours of practice a day. We rehearse three times a week after school hours. When a tour and a competition is near, we rehearse almost every day!
Aside from rehearsals, the Madz maintain a busy calendar of weddings, concerts around town and in provinces at times. We were also college students and have full schedules. Our teachers know that if we’re absent, we have “harang.”
[Harang: in English, block; musicians’ term for a “raket” or event that is blocking your school or work schedule. We choose the “harang” instead of school because it’s additional money and we send ourselves to school!]
So by singing together most of the time, we get to know each other, thus we somehow made “permanent” what we were rehearsing. Slight note, though: make sure you have the same edition of music sheet and you all know your notes well.
2. Proper winning attitude — right inspiration, right fashion. The Madz has a string of awards under its belt. Since 1989, when it first competed in a competition, an international competition immediately, the group did not stop winning. They joined again in 1996, winning the European Grand Prix in 1997, a first for Filipino choirs. This triumph disqualified the group in competing for international competitions for the next five years.
When Sir Mark took over the helm, the group tried its luck again in an international competition. In 2004, which was also his first European tour as conductor (and my first ever international trip!), the Madz joined a Habanera and Polyphony competition in Torrevieja, Spain. It’s not as huge as the Grand Prix, but they gave out huge prizes! We won first prizes in both categories.
Other Filipino choirs joined (and won first prizes, too!) the following years. It’s tremendous joy for the choral community when we hear of Filipino choirs winning competitions everywhere. I wish it wasn’t only the choral community rejoicing, but the whole nation as well.
Then we joined a qualifying competition for the Grand Prix in 2006 in Tours, France. We represented Tours for the Grand Prix the following year which was held in Arezzo, Italy (which is the video shown above).
Therefore, international competitions are again put on hold, so the current batch are very lucky to be touring with no added pressure. I know they are really doing well in their concerts. (For schedules of their remaining US concerts, click here).
Being discovered to have perfect pitch, I was given the arduous task of being the “pitch giver” — I hum out the reference note since we don’t use a keyboard. I’m seen hitting a tuning fork on my head or my knee just to make sure I got an A440 right before a song starts.
Next to our choirmaster, I was the most nervous person on the semicircle. Definitely. Especially during the Grand Prix. What I do is I treat each competition as a concert so I won’t be that nervous.
What is talent without audience impact? I can never forget how we called ourselves “walking tourist spots” as people took our pictures while we’re walking on the streets of Arezzo. The women carried well the beautiful black and white gowns made by a fabulous local designer Jo Rubio. Our men wore equally beautiful barongs made by Onesimus.
Not to forget, the hair and make-up. It was probably the best hair and make-up we did during the whole trip (it better be!) I know all of us singers smiled at the audience, especially to the judges (wonder if it added plus points for us?)
3. We always begin a concert with a prayer. We form a circle, hold hands, and pray. Each of us take turns in leading the group in prayer. Our prayer usually contains thanksgiving for safe travels, good health, kind hosts, yummy food, and a great concert.
I’m pretty sure all other choirs also start a concert with a prayer. Acknowledging our Master Conductor, the Great Creator of wonderful music we hear is indeed the best thanksgiving one can make.
With all those ingredients, we can surely make more winners out of all the brilliant choral groups who, like us in the Madz, once dreamed of making a mark in Philippine choral music and inspiring His audience who will listen to our music wherever we may be.
The loveliest image of our Mother -- nursing. Our Lady of La Leche's feast day is on October 11. Taken from the Our Lady of La Leche's website -- http://our.lady.of.la.leche.tripod.com/about.htm
Since it’s the last day of my favorite mother’s birth month (who else but Mama Mary! — and yes, my birth month, too!), I’ll dedicate this post to all the moms in the world, whatever shape, size, or stature in life they are in. Moms rock!
My mom is a great blessing. Aside from my husband, she’s one person whom I trust in taking care of Aria when I’m at work. She has been mother and father to us since Papa passed away nine years ago. And she did a wonderful job raising me and my sister. Blood, sweat, and tears, literally.
Then I gave birth, and my mom sort of had a “newborn” with my baby. It’s what they call nanganganay (or having a firstborn, meaning novice in everything) all over again. It’s a tough job taking care of my little ball of energy. If you’ve met my daughter, you’d understand what I mean.
Luckily for me, I have the technology to run to when I’m in doubt, which is almost ALL the time!
I’m blessed with friends. I text my mommy friends from high school and wedding ninangs if I have questions, ask for advise. In turn, I answer questions especially about breastfeeding. After a year of exclusively breastfeeding, I can say I’ve been there, done that, and I’m more convinced that breastfeeding is normal.
I started this blog July last year and have been reading blogs of mom bloggers (from hobbyists like me to professional bloggers, there are a lot!), looking for resources especially about breastfeeding, searching for answers my mom can’t answer, or verifying (which I always do especially after a pedia visit, man, do I still trust pediatricians?!)
Her website is something every breastfeeding mom should turn to! When I’m in doubt, I’d always check her VIP (Very Important Posts) and most of the time I’d always get answers from it. She is a super working mom, juggling a full-time day job and an online store called MamaBabyLove where I made my one and only online purchase of nursing mom wear — the Undercover Mama!
I first met her in a La Leche League meeting last year, the same time I started this blog, and knew about her blog from there. Super nice, very accommodating with my many questions on twitter, and gives very relevant and informative links on her blog’s Facebook page.
2. Abbie Yabot, our La Leche League leader
This is really one supermom! She looks young but she has four kids and breastfed all of them. She talked to me over the phone during the first few weeks of breastfeeding and assured me that I should not be alarmed with baby’s spit-ups.
Paola was my seatmate in a La Leche League meet I attended early this year. During the small talk that we had after the meeting, I learned that she has a home business called Mommy Treats where she bakes lactation cookies and muffins. She is just as sweet as her yummy treats!
I’ve tried those treats myself. A former choirmate gifted me with a week’s supply of cookies after I recommended Mommy Treats to her to increase her milk supply as she is nursing twins. I noticed my milk quantity (more output when I pump) and quality changed (more milk-colored than translucent/buko juice-like). This week, I’m trying the muffins and brownies which are all so yummy!
Like the other people who are fans of her blogs, I like reading Frances’ posts because she speaks from her heart. Her posts are simple, straight, and enlightening.
She’s our Mimma in our small online community called W@Wies and N@Wies. She’s Mrs. Congeniality for me! She even sent me and my husband babywearing button pins (which I will show soon).
She started her blog just recently and I love her posts! I also like her husband Abet’s blog: AngPambansang.com
Cai is a first-time mom just like me, and our babies are born a few days apart. So naturally, I ask her so much about baby’s feeding and all those stuff. We haven’t met personally yet but we attended a La Leche League meet when we were still both pregnant. I admire her determination to fully breastfeed her baby even if she’s working full-time (imagine pumping at work round the clock!). And she did, for a full year!
Martine’s blogsite is super dainty! I like the pastel colors so much. And it’s super organized, filed according to topic for easier navigation. I admire her for being a work at home mom, and that she has the license to sit in front of the computer anytime just because her job is writing.
I’d like to have a job like that! But I have yet to master the art of not letting my daughter touch the laptop when I’m working. Even if she has toys of her own, she still wants to tinker with the laptop, so lately I do my writing when she’s asleep.
There ya go. I have more in my mind, but I’ll continue with another post next time. I have 30 minutes left before September ends (sounds like a song, eh?)
Thank you, dear mommies, for the inspiration. Looking forward to reading and learning more from you. Or maybe meeting some of you in person again and some for the first time.
Now it’s time to pray for all the mommies and sleep before this wonderful September ends.
Happy Birthday to me! Thinking of what to give me, or maybe anyone whose birthday is coming? Here’s a quick rundown. I’m sure you could do one, or two, or everything if you feel like it!
1. Send me a text message, email, private facebook message because I restricted my wall posts.
2. Give me a call, if you know my number.
3. Pay me a visit! I miss friends and I’d love to have friends in our humble home.
4. Offer a prayer of blessing for me and for my family.
Sa tagal ko nang sumasakay sa LRT at MRT, di ka pa rin natuto. Sa dami na ng plakard, signage, poster, pati ang paulit-ulit na recorded at live voice sa istasyon at sa mismong tren, pasaway ka pa rin.
Gusto ko lang ipaalala ang mga sumusunod:
No Spitting. Nakatagalog pa yan na Bawal Dumura! huwag mong gagayahin yung guard sa harap ko biglang nagpakawala ng eeeeeekkkkkyyyy saliva sa tracks.
Please do not step on the yellow platform edge. Pula yan pag nasa LRT ka. Siguro naman malinaw yun di ba? Kung ayaw mo magpahagip sa padating na tren, atras lang po ng konti.
Ito ay Female Area. Eto naman yung tipong obvious na, may mga pasaway na sisingit o nagpapatay-mali. O nagpapanggap.
This lane/train is for the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, with children. Wag mo na ipagpilitang buntis ka (kung di naman talaga, o malaki lang siguro tiyan mo). Wag ka ring magpanggap na may kapansanan ka. Sige liparin ka ng masamang hangin, magkatotoo yan. Lalo na wag ka magpanggap na senior citizen. Ultimate na yan, ha?
Paupuin ang lahat ng nabanggit ko sa taas. Aminado ako, lalo na pag may bitbit akong malaking bag, pagod o maysakit ako, di ako nagbibigay ng upuan ko. Bakit, bawal ba mapagod? Nung sinakay naman namin ng mommy ko ang baby ko, ayaw nila kami paupuin. Fine. E di wag! Para sa mga lalaki, wag nyo na hintayin magpa-cute ang mga babae bago nyo paupuin. Please lang.
Please do not touch the emergency devices found above the door. Meron din nyan sa isang posteng hawakan malapit sa pinto. May mga makukulit na chikiting na Curious George na pinipindot yun. Magtataka na lang yung driver kung anong nangyayari sa likod nya.
Please do not lean on the doors while the train is in motion. Tandaan: nasa huli ang pagsisisi.
Upong otso (presyo ng dyipni ride) naman! May ibang ayaw talagang magpaupo kahit ang luwag luwag pa. Memorize ko na po yan. Yung seats pang-anim, walo, o sampung tao, kaya binibilang ko talaga at makikiupo pag kulang pa. Nung minsan, may umupo sa tabi ko, pilit akong ginitgit hanggang sa nainis ako kaya tumayo na lang ako. Kanya na ang silya!
Wag makipaggitgitan at makipag-unahan sa pagpasok/paglabas ng tren. Common sense siguro na paunahin yung mga lumalabas di ba? Naranasan ko na kasi maiwan sa loob at lumagpas dahil napagsarhan ng pinto.
Dumiretso sa loob ng tren at huwag harangan ang pinto. Heto pa ang isa. Ang luwag naman sa gitna, nagkumpulan ang mga tao sa may pinto. Anong meron?
Mag-ingat sa magnanakaw. Nong isang araw lang, may nadukutan pagpasok nya ng turnstile pa lang. Ginitgit sya ng dalawang lalaki. Ayun, pinahinto nya ang tren kaya ang tagal rin bago kami nakaandar. Mukhang successful naman sya at nabawi nya ang cellphone nya.
Huwag maging flashy. Kung hindi rin lang naman importante, wag na maglabas ng cellphone o anumang gadget. Sandali lang naman ang MRT ride di ba? Enjoy the view of EDSA. *wink*
Huwag magtapon ng kalat kung saan-saan. Ang tracks ay hindi po basurahan. Bow.
Nobela ba? Pasensya naman!
Ika nga ng isang paborito kong kanta ni Ms. Charo Unite: “Kung ano ang di mo gusto, wag gawin sa iba.” Kaya kaunting disiplina lang sana. Para kung itataas man ang singil ng pamasahe, masabi rin nating sulit at masaya ang pagsakay sa LRT/MRT.
Wag kang mag-alala dear passenger. Ang susunod na post ko ay para sa administration ng mga tren na ito. Para di tayo lugi!
Baka may madadagdag kang experiences mo sa pagsakay. Iwan ka naman ng comment sa post na ito!
Noong isilang ka sa mudong ito Laking tuwa ng magulang mo At ang kamay nila ang ‘yong ilaw
At ang nanay at tatay mo’y ‘Di malaman ang gagawin Minamasdan pati pagtulog mo
At sa gabi’y napupuyat ang iyong nanay Sa pagtimpla ng gatas mo At sa umaga nama’y kalong ka Ng iyong amang tuwang-tuwa sa iyo
Anyway, I love the song, especially the first part. I felt the lyrics encapsulated what my husband and I felt about Aria. She became our world when she was born. I sang this song to my daughter a few days after she was born as I was putting her to sleep. But when I got to the third verse, I stopped. I asked myself if I really want to prepare formula milk in the wee hours and let the baby cry out while she waits for us to measure the formula, let the water cool down, etc etc.
I liked Lea Salonga’s fierce version. LOVED the rendition of my most favorite conductor, ninong, and friend, Mark Anthony Carpio of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. I’m not sure though if the arrangement was done by my most favorite conducting teacher, Sir Eudy Palaruan.
Is there a song about breastfeeding? Or maybe you created something that you want the world to hear? Share it with us!
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.
