Boobs and Milk

Aha. That blog title got your attention didn't it? ;-) This post is about boobs and milk... or more specifically, breastfeeding.

I'm a breastfeeding mom and I'm proud of it. I feel very fortunate to have been influenced by family and friends to strive to stay determined despite the many challenges to breastfeeding. I remember when I had my first child, it was such a struggle. I got so frustrated when he didn't latch on automatically... Santino actually refused to breastfeed during the first few hours of his life... I guess he preferred to sleep more. ha ha... but this still made me feel frustrated and helpless... and a bit anxious since I would hear stories about how babies should automatically start sucking on the breast or else they'd grow hungry and then you'd have no choice but to give them formula or water... thank God I was determined. It took a few more tries, but eventually (Santino and) I got the hang of it. Breastfeeding is no easy feat (especially for first time mommies)... aside from the anxiousness and frustrations, there is also the tendency to develop wounds around the nipple.. so remember.. nipple cream!! I remember the time when my nipples got so sore that I dreaded breastfeeding... it felt like torture every time... but I knew I had to continue, not to mention that the expense of formula (milk) was something I wanted to avoid for as long as I possibly could. And I succeeded, well at least for 1 whole year!!

After Santino, almost 2 years later I gave birth to our girl, Ysabella. This time around I knew what to expect and what to do, so I was much more prepared to handle the whole breastfeeding process. I had less sore nipples and things were much more easier. I guess it also helped that Ysabella was a much more cooperative baby, meaning as soon as she came out into the world and the doctor put her on my chest, she immediately started to suck. I can still remember how cute she looked and how happy I was to finally have such an enthusiastic 'eater'. I successfully breastfed Ysabella for 6 months. This time around I was a lot less conscious, like I wouldn't mind breastfeeding in public (with a wrap of course) and things came much easier to me.

Breastfeeding by the beach :)

Breastfeeding now came so much more naturally for me. I also found myself encouraging other soon-to-be moms and fellow new moms to breastfeed for as long as possible. The benefits of this for mom and baby are so much that it's worth all the handwork and dedication. The only thing I regret was that I started going to the gym right away. I wanted to get into shape right away (Belly was only 6months) and so I started going to the gym and doing a little weights... I guess this had some effect on my milk production and so my milk started to lessen and then just diminish all together. I then had to put Belly on formula since my milk was no longer enough :( A few months after this I also found out I was preggy with Baby #3 (Giovanni).

A year and a half later our 3rd little bundle was born. Giovanni is by far the most mabait baby. No trouble in the feeding and sleeping habits. Now the third time around, things just went like clockwork and breastfeeding, parenting and motherhood were like second nature already. I love being a mother to my kids, and I truly enjoy sharing in extra special moments with each of them in different ways. Nowadays what's been crossing my mind is finding an avenue to which I can give back in way and causes that also give me much joy. Thinking about how I can help other moms as well... been thinking about how to go about getting involved in something that will help me achieve these goals of being able to counsel and help out other moms as well.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

My 3 little treasures.

Kids grow sooo fast. One day you gave birth.. and then BOOM suddenly they are all so grown up! I was telling my husband the other day that our kids seem suddenly so big already!

Santino (3 yrs) is quite the chatterbox.. he always has something to say! There are still times when I am still amazed when I am conversing with him. The things he says!.. sometimes I wonder where he gets them! lol.

Here's an excerpt from my hubby's conversation with our son:
Santino: (pointing to the Church) "Daddy, what is that?"
Daddy: "That is the Church!"
Santino: "The house of Lord?"
Daddy: " YES! That's right!"
Santino: "But where is he?"
Daddy: (How do I answer this?) "He's up there!" (Pointing to heaven!)
Santino: "Tell him I want to see Him!" 
Daddy: "Uhhh, Yeah, Me too! Not today ok?"
Santino: "OK!"


Belly on the other hand is growing up to be such a beautiful little lady. I can really see her character -- the definitely holds up her own next to kuya.. and is not one to be forgotten even with baby Giovanni around. She really knows how to make her presence felt! ha ha. She's super kikay, loves to wear my shoes, carry her handbag and put on make-up! I adore my little girl!

O diba? Parang sneaking away from the paparazzi lang ang effect ng isang photo niya. ha ha!!

And of course there's my bunso, or as I like to call him, my little body builder! He's only 2 months and a few weeks old but he looks like he's 5 or 6 months old already! haha. By far my biggest baby, but still equally adorable. He has such a sweet temperament... he only cries when he is hungry, sleeps a lot and smiles often. I am slowly starting to see his character, I think he will be the most "mellow" and gentle of the 3.

Kids are really such a blessing and a great gift. I often catch myself looking at my kids and wonder... "however did I pop all these kids out?" haha... and more importantly, how can I be the best mother for them? I sometimes think that wasn't it just yesterday that I was out on gimmicks and didn't have a care int he world.. and now I am not only responsible for 3 little people, but must take care for a husband and handle a household as well. PHEW! That is indeed a tall order. Amazing. Life and family is amazing. Going through everyday with your family is an uncertain and amazing adventure... a bumpy one, but with God's grace, I think we'll get through it.

Happy Halloween! :)

(blog originally posted on Oct 31)


Celebrating Halloween has really evolved for me. I remember my younger (Grade School and High School) days when I would go around the village with my cousins, racing to get the best and most number of candies in. It was always so much fun at the end of the afternoon when I'd be so overwhelmed with all the candies I had accumulated in just 3 hours! Then I remember my college and single days when it was no longer about the trick or treating, but more of the gimmicks -- in costume still of course! -- with friends. We would frequent Makati and Malate where it was totally normal for adults to go around in costume. I even remember winning some money at a bar in Malate for my Snow White costume! (remind me to look for old photos from those days...) It was really fun staying up with friends and having a few drinks. Those were fun times indeed!

Then I got married and had kids... and it was a whole new Halloween experience. The STRESS of making sure your kids have costumes and the logistics of everything... it's no joke! ha ha. But seeing my kids having fun and getting all excited, so worth everything!! This year was a blast since we practically filled up a hi-ace with the kids, yayas and us adults! It was a lot of chaotic fun.

My son Santino came as Thomas the Train (his favorite), Belly came as Alice in Wonderland and Giovanni was a monkey!

 Aren't they just the cutest?? :) Dressing up kids for Halloween is just too much fun... especially if they don't complain and actually wear the costumes the whole afternoon. he he :)

Of course the whole caboodle was in full costume force... even the yayas had a blast!

Can't wait for next year! Happy Halloween!! :)

It's all about ME.

(blog originally posted on Oct 24)


I've been feeling pretty crummy all weekend, aside from the fact that physically I think my body was screaming for some rest, which was why I also got a bad cold and fever during the weekend. My body was aching so bad and I could feel the stress and tiredness just oozing out from my shoulders. I guess you could say I never really fully recovered from my first pregnancy... having 3 kids one after the other is no joke. I am still tired from those sleepless nights with my first child!

Anyway, at the spur of the moment I decided that it was time to have some quality ME time... even though it was just for 2 hours (I'm breastfeeding so I can't be away from Giovanni for long without my pump). Before I could change my mind, or before the kids could sense me heading out and stopping me, I rushed into the car and drove to the nearby mall. This 2-hour quality me time was just what I needed.

First on my agenda was to get a massage and get the ache out of my shoulders. Headed out to VIBES Massage. I think, by far, this was the best massage I ever had. NOTE: This is not for those looking for the 4-star treatment with scented oils, fluffy bathrobes and a free glass of iced tea. This is as good as it gets, honest to goodness, work those aching muscles out massage by the blind. It's quite a bargain for P275 for a 1 hour massage. 

After my 1-hour pleasure-torture massage I went to the newly opened Sbarro for a slice of pizza and some salad. Not exactly fine dining but it did the trick for me. There's nothing like comfort food when you don't want to feel guilty for eating carbs when you shouldn't. ha ha.

After I satisfied my stomach and eased the tension from my body, I then of course had to pass by the grocery... why is it that when you are a mommy and there is a grocery within a few walking steps, you just have to go in, look around and find something to buy? Go figure. Anyway, so I purchased a few goodies, staples if you will, that our home cannot be without... and some other items that I needed.

My kids are ADDICTED to chicken nuggets and chocolate pancakes. Cannot run out of those!! Plus bought some ready mix mashed potato for Santino to bring to school on wed... according to his diary, he has to bring mashed potato good for 3. I could make it from scratch but I do not want to stress myself with that since I just had a massage after all. I also bought some pandan mix and all-purpose cream since I am into making buco pandan now... have been craving for it ever since my mother-in-law made some. yum...

On another note, as I was busily checking out each row... I discovered that Kris A. and Sharon C. apparently even have a cookware line?! Medyo hindi masyado bagay kasi trying hard maging Martha S. sila pero the quality of the pots and pans look good... had to stop myself from getting one. Maybe next grocery trip.

All in all, it was a pretty great "me time." It just goes to show that we moms always have to have some sort of personal time away from the hustle and bustle of the family and running a household... and there's totally nothing wrong with taking a few hours or even a "day off." 3 kids and 4 years of marriage later, I've stopped feeling 'guilty' about leaving the kids at home or just shutting out for a few hours (just as long as you tell someone from your family that you are taking a 'break' so no one panics ;-)) for some much needed quality 'me time'... A perfect way to get rejuvenated and energized to resume 'supermommy' duties. 

40 years and beyond.

My parents recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary... what a blessing! Who would have thought that we would be celebrating such a milestone... time flies so fast. Especially when I think about how they almost didn't make it, but God really has a great plan for each family. He brings the right people and opportunities at the right time. You just have to trust and put your faith in Him and He will do the rest. 

This was my parents more than 40 years ago. Groovy diba?

Santi and I just a few days (or weeks) after we became a couple. Still very much slim. haha!

Santi and I are going on our 4th year this December... still a long, long way to go... and still a lot more things to learn and experience as a couple, as parents and as a family. There are so many things going on in our family that I am so blessed to have. Santi and I are not free from problems, but we are very happy with the direction of how our family is going.

I remember a few weeks back I thought to myself "Tumaya kaya ako sa lotto (why don't I try my luck with the lottery)," but I did not push through with buying that ticket (the cash prize wasn't big enough, kidding!) because a voice inside me said... what for? God knows the desires of our hearts and exactly what we need. He will take care of everything because He only wants the best for us... and true enough, God has never let me and my family down. He has truly shown us how clinging on to Him will bless our lives a hundred times over.

And I guess my parents have had the exact same faith for so many years and that is why they were able to reach their 40th wedding anniversary and are still going strong on to 50 years and more :) I can only wish and hope for the same.

My parents, Frank & Gerry and their growing family.:) 5 kids, 2 in-laws and 6 grandchildren.. and counting...

Homaygad.

Can I just say ang gulo ko?! Been jumping around from one blog host to another and in the process all my posts are scattered in cyberspace! Ok so I am now shifting back to my blogspot blog. Ang dami ko napalang posts dito. Anyhoo, will try to transfer my past weebly posts... unless I have to d everything manually... hay...