Being a temporary stay at home mom

I have just transferred to another job and I have 10 days before I start. Although its a short time, every minute is precious to me as I get to spend it with my little girl.

At 9.5 months she already knows a few tricks like blinking (beautiful eyes), closing and opening her hand, clapping, waving goodbye, dancing, spanking, standing and walking for 2 to 3 steps before face planting.

She's still breastfed but we have also increased her solid food intake and introduced other vegetables and fish. She now has 1 tooth and another one on its way which makes latching a little more challenging. I'm lucky when she's sleepy as she latches gently, but when she's active oh boy does she want to bite on me.

First time to eat fish (tilapia)

We've just removed our bed frame since she's been really hyper and would wake up in the middle of the night wandering in all the corners of our bed. Currently she wakes up at 12mn and sleeps around 3am. She just goes down to her play area and play by herself then gets up to the bed and finds me and pulls my shirt to let me know she want to nurse and sleep.

        

Everyday is priceless, I get to see her development, make her smile, make sure she gets everything she needs. How I wish I won't need to work anymore or be a work at home mom. For the meantime I will just cherish this mini vacation as they really are growing up too fast!

Quick Boracay Getaway

Last April 2015 we booked our Manila to Caticlan ticket via Cebu Pacific for November travel which costs roughly 1700 each (Two way). Our flight is at 10:00 in NAIA Terminal 4. It took us around 3.5hrs to get to the airport that we arrived at 9:30 and almost miss our flight. Luckily the check in officers still allowed us to check in. The travel time from Manila to Caticlan took around 1 hour and 15 mins.

Need to maintain my supply since we did not bring our baby

From Caticlan airport you can take a tricycle to Caticlan port for 20 pesos each or just walk for about 10 minutes like what we did. When you get to the port you would need to pay for the terminal fee, environmental fee and boat fare which costs a total of 200 per person.

Once you reach the island, you can rent a tricycle to take you to boracay for 100 pesos. We stayed at Zuzuni because we loved the location, price and food. The room we got was the standard which we booked 8 months before our trip. Since we were returning clients we got additional discount aside from the early bird promo. Their room rate already includes breakfast which is really good! Check their rates at www.zuzuni.net

1st order of business: Lunch at Manana

Feeling teenagers eh?

It is our 5th time in Boracay already so we didn't really have plans on doing water activities and other touristy things. We just wanted to relax, lay on the sand and swim. In the morning, there are a lot of water activities being offered in the island such as helmet diving, parasailing, banana boat, fly fish, paddle boat and diving. You can also try ATV that goes uphill where you can have a great view of the sea. The price actually varies, usually they tell you a much higher price during peak season then it goes to 50% less during off peak. Just try to haggle and don't close a deal immediately. Compare and haggle 👌

At night, Boracay mood changes from serene to that of a party place. A lot of bars are lined up in the beach. Some offers acoustic, reggae or party music. Be sure to be out by sunset as it is magical as always.

Day 2: Swimming

Swimsuit from Zalora (Perfect for the mommy body)

We just stayed for 3 days since we left our baby in Manila. As for my mommy duties, I would like to thank Zuzuni for taking good care of my expressed milk.

Using my nursing blouse from Nursing Mommies for easier pumping on our flight back to Manila

Hopefully by 2016, we can revisit this Island again. This time with our cutie patootie :)
Any recommendations on kid-friendly accommodations? or tips on travelling with a toddler?

Isabel's Christening at Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish (OLAP)

Last November 2015, we had our dear Isay baptized as a Christian.

The husband and I decided on OLAP in Mindanao Avenue since they offer private baptism, an air-conditioned room and the location is also good since it was near our house.

2 months before our target date, I called their office and asked if our preferred date was still available. They do not book through phone so they advised us to go to their office instead and bring a copy of our daughter's birth certificate. We paid around 2,500 pesos and registered the list of sponsors. The fee includes the 30 minute baptismal rite, 2 candles for major sponsors and a cloth (bib like) to be worn on top of the baptismal clothes during the ceremony. 

We have 12 sponsors for Baby Isay so I had to DIY baptismal candles. I used small sized candles from St. Pauls. The ribbons and flower are from National Bookstore. I think I spent less than 100 pesos for these. 

Dress, headband and shoes from SM Department Store

We had the 10:00 ~ 10:30 ceremony, the priest arrived and started immediately. It was a very solemn and elaborate christening. Aside from the usual pouring of water on our baby's head, we were also asked to kneel and our sponsors gathered around us.

Blessing by the priest, daddy and mommy

Sponsors (Ninang Jem)

Pouring of water

Why so scared little girl?

Prayers from the sponsors

The ceremony did not took that long, after this we were still given a chance to take photos.

Lolos, Lolas, Ninongs, and Ninangs

Baptismal certificate can be claimed after a month. Just keep the receipt ;)

The Medical City Normal Delivery Package: Actual Cost

I gave birth last April 2015 at The Medical City thru the Normal delivery package.

For the 2015 rates, the normal delivery package is estimated at roughly 57,000 pesos while the CS is at 90,000. You may get a copy of this at the TMC concierge :)

As for the actual amount, we spent around 58,000 (Less phillhealth) overall which already includes the hospital charges and professional fees. I think it is a really good deal considering the quality of service and facilities of TMC.

Here is a breakdown of my hospital bill:

For mommy:
     Delivery Suite                     42,711
     Room & Board                      3,300
     Pharmacy                              1,614
     Laboratory                               640
     Central Processing Unit           102
     --------------------------------------------------
                                 Sub Total 48,367
                      Less Philhealth -   3,000
     --------------------------------------------------
                                   TOTAL 45,367

     ** Inclusive of the epidural shot


For baby:
     NICU                                     11,151
     Nursery                                    2,310
     Laboratory                                  255
     Central Processing Unit               95
     Pharmacy                                       6
     --------------------------------------------------
                                   Sub Total 13,817
                        Less Philhealth -  1,250
     --------------------------------------------------
                                     TOTAL 12,567


     ** Inclusive of BCG, Hepa B vaccine, Hearing test, Expanded new born screening
     ** Baby was roomed in

 Overall my experience with TMC was awesome and I think the package was really worth every penny.

Happy 6th month Isabelly

Oh how time flies really fast. A week ago we celebrated her 6th month. Just another simple monthly celebration with the family. ♡

Uno's chocolate fallen from Lolo

Being a mother taught me a lot. There is always a great feeling of love and contentment everytime you look at your child. Everytime I see her no matter how tired or sleep deprived I am, it all goes away. Motherhood changed me a lot, my priorities changed in an instant. When I was still single I used to be obsessed with my career, my schedule revolved around my work. I used to spend overtime even on weekends. But now I am always checking the time, I always look forward to coming home and seeing her face light up when she sees me. For the first 6 months I have also discovered a lot of thing about my husband. How responsible,loving and caring he has become and with that I am really proud of him.

My Isabelly

I wish that you grow up to be a gentle, God fearing and brave lady. Always respect other people and be compassionate. We love you dearly Isabelly ♡

Breastfeeding is Best Feeding

While I was still pregnant i've read about the benefits of breastfeeding. My husband and I also attended several seminars from The Medical City (These are free by the way) that encourages us parents to breastfeed. I also joined a support group in facebook called Breastfeeding Pinays and learned a lot of this to prepare us when baby Isay arrives.

Now at 6 months I am very grateful that we were able to do exclusive breastfeeding and i'm planning to continue until she turns 2 or until she weans. Through this journey I have learned a lot of things that I would also like to share to first time moms like me.

1. Breastmilk is the best source for your baby
WHO and DOH recommends breastfeeding exclusively (No other supplements, not even water) for the first 6 months. It is the perfect source of nourishment for your baby. Vitamins on the other hand depends on you if you think there is a need for it. Some doesn't recommend it, some doctors do. Isay's pedia prescribed iron during her 3rd month and vitamin C during her 5th month.

2. Mom's antibodies are passed through breastmilk
This is very important for me since I am prone to allergies, the thought of passing my antibodies is the one that made me commit to breastfeed. There is also no problem with constipation or milk allergies. And as I have observed she really has good immune system.

3. Economical and Convenient
Formula milk usually costs around 4k to 6k per month. Breastfeeding is not free, I still bought some tools (Breast pump, storage bottles, breastmilk bag, feeding bottles) but overall I think we were able to save a lot. As for the convenience, when we go out we do not need to bring a lot of things. When we go out I usually bring my expressed milk or just do direct latching. At night, I don't need to get up. I just pop out my boob then we will doze off.

4. Special bond with mom and baby
There is an unexplainable feeling of joy and fulfillment everytime.

5. Support system is essential
I am lucky that my husband and our families are very supportive of this endeavor. Also if not for the understanding of my co workers I wouldn't be able to pump as much as I do at work. Another part is from online support groups which have been really helpful especially when you have doubts on your supply or the benefits of your liquid gold.

There are a lot more lessons and knowledge I have gained throughout this journey. And I am glad I am able to provide this for my baby.

The Medical City Baby Friendly Ward

I delivered baby Isay at The Medical City through their normal delivery package. The package is an estimated P57,000 inclusive of Labor and Delivery charges, Hospital Room and Professional fees. The price is really good considering that a normal delivery usually costs 80k to 90k pesos. To qualify to this package you need to be endorsed by your ob and have met the following conditions:
        1) Pregnancy is at 38 weeks or more
        2) No complications (eg. High blood pressure)
Once you get a go signal to avail the package, you will be given a form by your ob that you will present in the pre labor room when admitted. Also, one of the conditions of this package is that you will be staying at the Baby Friendly Ward. Room upgrade is not allowed.

While I was in the labor room, the nurse told my husband to secure a room in the ward for me. The baby friendly ward is different from an ordinary hospital ward. It is a special area with a nurse in charged and 6 rooms (I think). Each room has an accordion divider so there is privacy. There are 2 common CRs, 1 on each end. The CR also has a shower area.

The room is quite small, just enough for 1 companion. It has a bed, chair for companion, bassinet for the baby (Rooming in is required in TMC), a drawer for your things and this movable table. I think it is good for the price, it is small but there is privacy and enough room for you, hubby and your baby.