Moms Know Best: Style and Comfort for Pregnant Moms and Not

When I was younger, I used to splurge on shoes.  Whenever I buy, I just look at the design and don’t even think if they are comfortable.  I wore them once, twice and then I’ll forget about them.  Ironically, when I started working, I had more control in buying shoes or other sorts of foot wear.  I’d always go for comfort and quality.

As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, I’m not a fashionista (so for my friends who would like to give me a make-over, you’re all welcome to help me with this ..haha!) but I try my best to look, you know, all right and presentable even I’m not too lazy :|.  Same goes for buying shoes now.

My mom influenced me a lot when buying comfortable foot wears.  When I got pregnant, my mom kept telling me to get comfortable slippers or shoes (non-slip soles especially).  It’ll be for my safety and of course when my tummy gets bigger I’ll need a one that’ll support my lower back because it’s really gonna get heavy.  I told her that my existing slippers are still ok and serving its purpose and since I’m pregnant, I’m gonna need to save and I can’t splurge on stuff anymore because I know comfortable slippers are pricey.  She would just often shake her head and would still insist that I NEED to buy comfy foot wear.

My mom loves flip flops.  She doesn’t wear shoes unless she really needs to.  She got tons of slippers or step-ins.  When she tried on Fit Flop‘s Electra for the first time, she immediately fell in love with it and got herself the bronze one.  When she got it, she told me that Fit Flops are perfect for me and are really comfortable.  I was still skeptical because of the price until she somehow gave up on me and said that she’ll buy me a pair! (Actually, that was all I’m waiting for..haha! Kidding. :P).  She asked me to choose a design and that time I loved the black Pietra.  True enough, it was really comfortable and my legs and lower back didn’t hurt even when I spent a lot of time walking or standing up when I was pregnant.  I don’t remember wearing any other pair of sandals since, even at work during Fridays when it’s our wash day or club day.  One of my co-teachers even noticed that I always wear my pair of Pietra and asked me if it’s worth it to get a pair of Fit Flops and of course I said definitely it is worth it :).  Until now, it’s been almost 2 years since my mom got me that pair, I still use them often.  An aunt also gave me a pair of sandals, that was trying to compete with the Fit Flop brand, but the comfort is really different.

I still choose to wear my Pietra.  Now that I’m no longer pregnant, I still find my pair essential because it still gives me the benefit of not having back pains whenever I carry Lucas (who is now 10 kilos) especially when he get tired riding his stroller when we are at the mall walking around the mall.  I actually tried wearing a different foot wear when we’re at the mall with Lucas, there was really a big difference when I’m wearing my Fit Flops.  I had a lower back pain and my legs really hurt after.

You might think it’s all worn out now but unbelievably, it is still in good condition (but I’d rather not post a photo of it 🙂 ).  I admit, they’re pricey for me (especially now, I’d rather splurge more for my Lucas than myself) that’s why I haven’t got another pair.  I’d love to, but every time I’m about to get one, I’d think of Lucas.

My mom got herself another pair (Luna).  Now she’s planning to get another one (Rokkit Supernavy).  Again, she’s convincing me to get another pair, that I need to give my old Pietra some rest.  I told her that I will (maybe if I delay it some more, she would get me another pair.. 😀 ..kidding).

There is another brand of flip flops my mom recommended me to wear when I was pregnant, it was the OKA b. (www.oka-b.com) thongs.  She actually got me pair (again she shouldered this for me..I’m such a mommy’s girl :P) of the pink Elle thongs.

She told me to wear this at home because the sole is non-slip.  She’s really confident with this because she got, I don’t know, 4 or 5 pairs of these in different styles.  She started buying these thongs after she had an accident in the house, where she slipped on the wet floor and fell on her back while wearing an ordinary thong.  After that incident, she decided to try on OKA b. thongs.  It has a non-slip sole and it is sturdy (worth it for its price, mine gave up after more than 2 years of daily usage in the house ..one of the strap is starting to tear).

To conclude this entry, I would say that my mom really knows best when it comes to foot wears especially with the comfortable ones :).

I would highly recommend these foot wears to pregnant mothers and of course even to those who are not.  They’re really comfortable and stylish.  Especially now they have released various designs.

I’ll surely treat myself really soon, to get a new pair of each brand 🙂

My First Yoga Experience

I’ve always wanted to do yoga even when I was pregnant with Lucas. I just didn’t have the time because there’s no studio near Marikina that has prenatal yoga. I told myself that I’ll just do it after I give birth. But then again, I wasn’t able to do it because I was taking care of Lucas. So I forgot about wanting to do yoga.

After almost a year, a friend of mine asked me to like a yoga page on Facebook to help support her cousin who’s a teacher/owner of the studio. From then on, I see updates about the events and activities they have. My friend’s also posting photos and updating her status about her yoga experience. I started asking her about the studio and the classes. It’s in Bgy. Kapitolyo in Pasig — well it’s far from Marikina :(. So I got less interested about it..again.

About a week ago, I met up with another good friend who lives in Pioneer, Pasig. We eventually talked about yoga, that she’s also interested to try it. She mentioned about the studio near her place, which was also the studio my other friend was talking about. We decided that we’ll give it a try :). I realized that I can visit the place when I’m in San Juan during the weekends.

It was such a good coincidence because while I was checking Deal Grocer’s (www.dealgrocer.com) deals, I saw a discount voucher (50% off) for the 15-day unlimited yoga pass of the studio my friends are referring to. It was a great deal so I got one.

Yesterday, my friend who was already doing yoga scheduled to guest me for the FNR (Flexibility Not Required) class. My other friend came to use up the 15-day yoga pass she already availed. As a first timer, of course, I have yet to learn the proper poses. I realized that I can somehow do it 😛 I was worried about flexibility and I’m glad they have this FNR class. I just need to attend more sessions 🙂

Just like any other workouts, the pain started to kick in the day after (so today my body is sore :|). But it’s bearable :). So I’ll be going back really soon to avail the voucher I bought. I enjoyed the experience and I’m willing to pursue it. However, I can only do it during the weekends because that’s my only time and the most convenient days to go there because I’ll be in San Juan. One session a week might not be enough, but it’s better than not having a workout. And I told myself that this is a good opportunity to have a “me” time and destress 🙂

As for the studio, I went to Urban Ashram Manila in Bgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig (www.urbanashrammanila.com). The studio was nice and clean. They provide the mats, blocks and straps. They also have lockers and clean shower areas provided with shampoo and shower gel. The people are also friendly and approachable. 🙂 I would recommend the studio for beginners like me 🙂

Long, Chin Length or Short Hair?

I have been thinking of what to do with my hair.  Well over the years, I’ve tried different hairstyles.  I had it long, chin length and cropped.  So what should it be?  I do have pros and cons for each hairstyle.

Long.  My hair is really thick, not just the volume but the hair strands as well.  It’s also naturally wavy.  When my hair was long, I was able to experiment different styles.  I was able to curl and straighten my locks.  But, it was high maintenance.  It should be treated often (hair wax or spa) because it tends to get dry.  I also had a rebond and it was really pricey to get the best hair rebond for  the length (and we know that the price of hair treatments depend on the hair length).  Another thing, shampoo and conditioner run out easily :s .

Here’s a photo of my long hair with no treatment and air-dried.  I’m so sure it won’t look this way with the humid  Philippine weather.

 

Chin Length.  As I’ve mentioned, my hair strands are thick as well as the volume and it’s wavy.  So when I had a chin length hair, I had to have a semi-rebond so it won’t go all over the place.  So again, it’s still needs hours of stay in the salon and of course should be maintained by treatments.  But it’s not as expensive as having a long hair.

Here’s a photo where I had a chin length hair.  But I had a semi-rebond then.  I had this haircut right after the wedding 🙂

Short.  I had my hair cut really short when I was about to finish high school until my first years in college.  Until then I grew it so long until I got married.  Slowly, I had it cut chin length until I had it cropped really short (especially when I got pregnant).  It stayed this way until now (but had it short with different styles).  I tried having it colored as well.  It is low maintenance, I save up a lot of shampoo and conditioner, I don’t need to have it treated as often and it’s definitely a “wash and wear” kind of hair.  But of course, I’m hoping I could experiment on the styles, but I’m really not sure what style would look nice without actually putting on too much products such as gel or wax.  The maintenance I do with my short hair is a monthly trim.

Here’s a photo of my short hair.

I haven’t had a trim or haircut now, because I’m not sure if I’ll have it chin length or long again or have another haircut to keep it short.  So what do you think? Haha 🙂  I hope you can help me decide by answering the poll.  Feel free to write comments and suggestions.  🙂 Thanks

Scribble Time

One of Lucas’ favorite activity is scribbling using his large washable crayons and scratch papers 🙂 I believe it’s not too early to expose him to these materials and kind of activity:)

Finding the Right Helper (Yaya)

In this country, a lot will surely agree with me that finding the right helper (yaya) is never easy.  It’s all about luck, like winning an instant prize in a scratch game.

My husband and I have gone through so much as we search for a reliable helper for us.  If only we don’t need one, we wouldn’t hire one.  If only I could just stay at home with our son, I would.  If only my mom can take care of our Lucas on her own, she would.  But that’s not the case.  Me and my husband needs to go to work and do our second love which is to teach.

Whenever we’re in search for a helper, we enumerate what her jobs will be and here’s the list:

1.  wash and sterilize Lucas’ bottles

2.  wash and iron our clothes (me, hubby and Lucas’) and wash our sheets

3.  clean OUR room only (because we still live with my parents) which includes changing of sheets every week

4.  ASSIST us in taking care of Lucas (feeding, bathing, playing)

5.  IF THE NEED ARISES, assist the other helper do other house chores (sweeping the floor, washing the dishes, etc)

So simple.  The helper is not really a yaya (caregiver) for Lucas, but an assistant to us (whenever we’re around) or to my mom (when we’re at work) and my mom-in-law (when we’re in my husband’s place during the weekends).  We let the helper carry Lucas or stay with him only if there’s a NEED to (like when we are eating) and we make sure they’re not out of our sight.  You tell me if tasks I listed are so difficult 😐 .

But then, believe it or not, within a year, Lucas already got 4 yayas or I would say we already got 4 helpers for him.  The very first one, when Lucas was only weeks old until he was about 4 months old, she was the ideal one.  She’s worked in other households and there were only few things we needed to teach her because she knows how to work.  She also knows how to carry and take care of infants because she is also a mother — yes, and her being a mother is also the reason why she left because she needs to take care of her 3-year old daughter left in the province.  Good enough, she recommended another possible helper, someone from her province as well.  She’s a bit younger and needed more training from us.  She learned and got used to the daily routine.  She also knows how to take care of babies..and again yes.  She is a mother.  Again, being a mother to a 2-year old son she left in the province made her leave and go back to their province.  However, she lasted longer, for about 6 months.  Before she left, she was really sure that she’s coming back because she even availed a return ticket.  But unexpected problem occurred, she wasn’t able to come back.

The third one, the youngest among the helpers we had, came from the same province and was recommended by the first helper.  She actually volunteered.  She said she knows household chores but admitted that she doesn’t know how to iron clothes.  It was ok for us because the other helper can teach her do that.  But then again, she just lasted for about a month, because she didn’t want to work.  She complained all the time saying that it wasn’t her job to wash our clothes (mine and my hubby’s) because the jeans are too heavy for her.  She was also constantly lying that made me lose my patience at one point.  But then again, it was just her excuse, she just wanted to go back to their province.  She admitted her reason why she volunteered to come to Manila — she thought life is so easy here (says who?).  We didn’t stop her of course.

The fourth one and the present.  She came from a different province.  Her sister is working in our neighbor and we knew her aunt for a long time.  So far, she is ok.  She’s been doing her job properly, enjoys taking care of Lucas and  is willing to learn from us.  She’s been with us for 2 months.  We don’t know how long will she be staying with us.  Of course we’re hoping she’ll last longer than the rest.

Finding the right helper is really not easy nowadays.  

Fashion Haven – NITA

NITA store in Greenhills Shopesville

Fashion Haven – NITA

If you like the clothes from Bayo or Kamiseta but find them pricey, well here’s the shop for you – NITA.

Located at the 3rd floor, Shoppesville – Greenhills Shopping Center (beside the atms and vendo)

Store hours: Sunday to Thursday – 10am to 8pm
Friday and Saturday – 10am to 9pm

They’ve got great designs, use high quality fabric and stuff are reasonably priced! (As compared to branded local lines)  All clothes are meticulously sewn and the owners even give their own personal touches on each design.  Clothes are also proudly made in Manila :).  Sizes are from 0 to 4! Another thing I love about their line is that each design is limited to only one or two per design – – so you won’t have to worry seeing at least 4 people in one mall at the same time wearing the  top you’re wearing..haha! (I know that’s an exaggeration but it happens right?)

And of course, the owners are my very good friends that’s why I’m promoting their store.  But even though I don’t know them personally I would still give them a great review 🙂 Their stuff are really nice.

So if you happen to be in Greenhills Shopping Center, please don’t forget to visit their store.  But if you’re too far from the area, you can still check out their collection and buy online.

https://www.facebook.com/nitaclothing or http://nitaclothing.multiply.com

Enjoy shopping!

Raising Good Boys: The 5 Values you Need to Teach your Son

Raising Good Boys: The 5 Values you Need to Teach your Son

I just want to share another article I read from http://www.smartparenting.com.ph .  It’s a good read especially for those parents who have sons.

When I read through it, they seem so easy.  Lucas is still so young, but I know in the simplest ways we can, we should already teach him the values enumerated here.  I’ll keep praying to God that my husband and I will be able to  instill these values to him.

Here I’ll quote the 5th value mentioned in the article which I consider the most important of all:

“5.  The value of being prayerful

Wouldn’t you like to raise a son who has an unwavering faith in God? Start by praying together as a family. Try asking your son to lead some of the prayers and say it in his own words. Make it a daily habit and your son will grow up to be a prayerful person.  
You can also strengthen his belief in a Higher Being by reading bible stories together so that your son can learn more about God and the values He teaches. Share your own stories too. Tell him how your faith helped you in your own life. Raising a son who is able to integrate faith in all that he does will help him face the challenges that come his way and guide him in choosing the right thing to do”. – Raising Good Boys:  The 5 Values you Need to Teach your Son (www.smartparenting.com.ph)

Lucas Goes to School

As educators, my husband and I believe that no one is too young or too old to attend school. So this summer, since Lucas is already 1 year and 3 months old, we decided to enroll him to a summer playgroup class. Of course, it is in ISYC (Integrated School for Young Children) where I’m currently teaching. Months before, we decided that I won’t get any teaching load for the month of April (at the same time with my husband’s summer break) so we could have a first-hand experience of Lucas attending a class.

The reason why we enrolled Lucas, besides bonding with him, is for him to learn how to socialize with other children of the same age as he is and with other adults. He may not fully understand the simple concepts (for this session, it’s all about colors) taught to him, but his time to sing and play together with other children is important for him. Surprisingly, he remembers routine songs (he raises his hands whenever the attendance song is being sung) and listens whenever a story is read to him. He also somehow got a sense of pride when he does something good whenever he is verbally praised or given a sticker or stamp on his hand. 🙂

Lucas also gets to explore with art materials such as paints, paintbrushes, glue, colored papers, etc. It’s fun to see his reaction whenever he touches the paint or glue 🙂

Our Lucas may be so young who can’t even talk and still walks with assistance. But we know for sure, the playgroup class helps him learn more about his world. Bonding with him is another thing why we decided to enroll Lucas. Because when April ends, my hubby and I will go back to work and unfortunately, we won’t have the whole day to be with him.

So 3 more days, the session of Lucas’ playgroup class will be over. It’s not only him who gained something from the experience, but also us, his parents enjoyed this milestone with him 🙂

with Tatay in one session 🙂

15 Things You Should Give Up to be Happy – by Purpose Fairy

A friend shared this link (http://www.purposefairy.com/3308/15-things-you-should-give-up-in-order-to-be-happy/ ) in Facebook.  It made me think a lot.  When I was reading it, number 15 struck me the most:

“Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves.  You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.” 15 Things You Should Give Up to be Happy (www.purposefairy.com)

Traveling with Lucas

Last Holy Week, it was our first time to travel with Lucas via plane.  So we really have to be conscious with the things that we need to bring because there’s a weight limit of the baggage that we’re allowed to check in.

Just an overview:  When I was availing our plane ticket, my husband and I decided that on our way to Davao, one of us will just avail the 15kg baggage allowance then on our way back one of us will be allowed to check in 15kg and the other 20kg (thinking that was enough in case we buy pasalubongs).  Well, that decision wasn’t a good one, unfortunately.  After we packed all our stuff in one huge luggage, we’re 3kg over the limit :s .  So we’re left with no choice but of course to just pay for the extra kilos.

Now, I’ll enumerate the essentials we packed for Lucas for 5 days:

Hand-carry bag:

1.  Feeding Bottles – 5pcs. 8oz. and 3pcs. 4oz (since I’m not breastfeeding anymore) filled with water.

2.  Formula milk dispenser – enough for the packed water-filled feeding bottles.

3.  about 5 Diapers

4.  Baby Wipes

5.  2 extra Bibs

6.  2 extra shirts

7. 1 extra shorts

8. jacket

9. small blanket and pillow

10.  entertainment:  2 small books and tablet with the videos he loves to watch

11. extra shirt for nanay 🙂 – we never know what might happen along the way

Check-in bag:

1.  A lot (I can’t remember how many I brought) of white undershirts (sando) – because we’re told that it’s really hot and humid in Davao.

2.  Shorts and pants

3.  About 5 Light-colored T-shirts

4.  2 pairs of socks (just in case he’ll need to wear them)

5.  towel and bath robe

6.  swim suit

7. toiletries (shampoo, soap, lotion, sun-block, diaper rash cream)

8.  medicine kit (oral rehydration sachet, paracetamol drops, vitamins, thermometer, antihistamine, cold and cough drops, bandage, antibacterial ointment) plus his baby medical record book

9. mild laundry soap and dishwashing soap

10. small can of his formula milk

I think that’s it!  You might be wondering why we didn’t bring any sterilizer and my baby is still bottle-fed.  It’s because my bro-in-law told us that there’s no need because they have a sterilizer at home.  We’re lucky because of that right? 🙂 They also bought our Lucas a medium-sized can of his milk, 6 liters of his water and a big pack of his diaper.  🙂 Thank goodness that Davao got everything as well just like Metro Manila 🙂

Those are the things we brought with us when we traveled with Lucas.  It was overwhelming to pack but then we survived it.  Also, we learned that it’s better to have more baggage allowance than nothing 😛

oh of course we didn't forget to pack Lucas 🙂 haha! He actually didn't want to get out of the luggage