READ-WORTHY OF THE MONTH : Chicken Soup for the Soul (Moms Know Best)

This is again another revelation of one of my passions in life : BOOKS!    Aside from shopping beauty products and clothes, I am also an impulse-buyer of books.   Who doesn't love reading, anyway?   Aside from the fact that it is entertaining, reading reduces stress from work, it is mentally stimulating, adds up my knowledge, expands my memory, vocabulary and writing skills, improves my focus and attention and aids in developing stronger analytical skills.   So, there you know its benefits.   Now, enough of my ramblings.  Lol!

So, I decided that every month I will share to you the books I am currently indulging with.   

While looking for a Game of Thrones box set at National Bookstore, I saw this book and suddenly I fell in love with it (agad-agad?).  

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul books has always been my all-time favorite.   I was able to read several Chicken Soup books way back high school years.   I love that its stories are so practical and  very inspirational. 

Little One's Must-Haves

Yeah, I have been featuring beauty products and reviews lately. So this time, I will be featuring my little ones' must-haves.   I know every mom wants what's best for our babies but, of course, there are still products that may be more affordable compared to other products yet hiyang to our little ones.

So, mommies, here's my little one's must-haves :

Product Name : Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Product Description : This gentle, soap-free cleanser was originally formulated for dermatologists, specifically for everyday cleansing of even the most sensitive skin.

Use/s : For the face

Summer 2014 : The Baby's Journey

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Hello, pretties!

I know, rain has started to pour out for the last three days (especially during the afternoon).    But this Baby's Journey of her summer 2014 vacation is worth the share.

We went to the famous Boracay Island last April 3 - 6, 2014.   We will make this as our yearly birthday treat for our little girl (of course, as long as she likes it) since she really loves Boracay.   We stayed at La Bella Casa de Boracay (I will write a separate review on this on my next blog) since we preferred to be staying near the Station 1.   We already had experiences staying near Station 3 and 2 of the famous white beach.   

Enjoying the beach.. Inside the plastic bag is her castle-making tools.  

Our first night has been so tiring.  First is because of the very long travel, second is because our little girl had a fever

A Letter to my Daughter : You Are Always LOVED!

How can I stop the clock?   It seems that my baby grows fast and I can't help but to enjoy every moment that I can still cuddle her, carry her in my arms and kiss her endlessly without her refusal or rejection.  

Now, I will take this moment to write this article for my baby (and hope she'll read this in due time).

To our little one,

I would forever call you baby.  I know there will come a time that hearing this from me would bring a frown on your face or you'll tell me that you are a big girl already.  (Actually, just a week ago, I was carrying you in my arms while kissing your neck that you blurted, "Mama, put me down because I am too heavy already.  I am already too big to be carried."  This made me sad... only for awhile..)   But I will never get tired calling you my baby. 

A real sweetheart...

Our journey together has been so overwhelming, rough, challenging, inspiring, beautiful and chaotic.  Actually, no adjective could best describe our journey together.   A journey of endless possibilities, of so many surprises, of so many emotions and learning.

Your first twelve months has been a discovery of firsts.  Not only your "firsts" but also mine as well.  Your first cry, your first yawn, first word, first solid food, first step and more.  My first breastfeeding journey, my first cradle with a super tiny creature, my very first significant accomplishment as a woman and so many firsts.   

As months became years, I discovered that  this little creature creates a big happiness in our hearts, in our home.   It is also a discovery that this little creature teaches me so many lessons in life and made me discover my potentials.   While teaching you how to talk and walk, the shapes and colors and the ABCs; you are also teaching me to become a better person worthy to be called as your ultimate role model.   While teaching you how to say your name; you are also teaching me to be patient and to be dedicated to my goals.   That while I teach you how to sing the Barney song, you are teaching me how to enjoy life in its simplest form through the simple things it offered.   While I teach you how to pray your first prayer, you are also teaching me how to pause for a moment despite the busyness of life and thank God for everything.  That while we watch your favorite movies like Dora, Barbie, Lorax, Despicable Me, Barney and so much much mooooore; you teach me the absolute value of quality time spent with our family.   That while you demand to eat pastries and other sweets that we bought in stores; you made me realize that I should learn how to cook and bake for my family.   That while your fascination on bows, hair clips, head bands and ribbons grows; you teach me to be creative so that I could personally make your own bows, head bands and hair accessories.   While you enjoy wearing my high-heeled shoes; you made me realize that material things does not last and what matters most is to enjoy every moment of our life.   That while I do my gardening and you do your "play-with-sand-and -stones gardening"; you teach me how to pause, breathe and get your hands dirty to enjoy life.   By teaching you the values needed to be a good Christian; you are also teaching me to be true to my words, to be more cautious on my actions and to set a good example to you.

Separated : Our First

Being a career mother, I always make it a point to stay away from possible appointments and activities that would lead me to not sleeping at home during nighttime.   With our little girl still breastfeeding and would not be able to sleep at night without me on her side, these situations left me no choice.

But now, I could no longer escape from certain responsibilities at work.   I was told that I will be attending a 5-day seminar-workshop and this means to be separated from my little girl during sleeping time since the venue is a 2-hour travel from home and the activity ends at around 7 PM.

To The Family's Superhero

Not all superheroes wear cape or carry a gun.  Our superhero is not covered with steel costume or does not produce webs out of his hand.   But he is as strong as any superhero you know, our very dear Tatay.

Always up for games and surprises,
Tatay joins our parlor games during our  2012 Christmas Party.

A salute to our Tatay, not only for raising us to be the person that we are today but also showing to us how he really loved our dear Nanay.   We are not born rich and well-off but our Tatay always made sure that our needs are always met.   Not only a great provider for the family but also the strong wall for everybody to lean on especially in times of confusion, trials and sickness.   While Nanay is (a bit) strict and expecting us to be disciplined; Tatay is more of playful and relaxed by the rules.   However, Tatay also has his own shares of rules to follow and he always mean what he says.   Tatay always has the habit to tickle our armpit to make us more relaxed despite stressful days or heavy works at home.   I sometimes got irritated by this but this always made me smile.   Lol!   He is also a man full of words of wisdom.   You can try seeking advice from him when you're in doubt or just to lighten up your mood.   Or ask pieces of "quotable quotes" from him.  (Tip : He always enjoy reading books and watching epic movies.)

Kaizle @ 2 : The Breastfed Toddler

Well, yeah, I have to admit that it sometimes bothered me knowing that at 2, I am still breastfeeding Kaizle.   I thought it was already inappropriate that at her age, she still have that habit.    However, I have encountered an article on breastfeeding a toddler and it inspires me to continue breastfeeding Kaizle as long as I have enough supply of milk. Lol!

I want to share it to all moms out there to better know the advantages and benefits derived from breastfeeding.

DeeWorkingMom's Video of the Week

I saw this video on Youtube and I can't help but share this with all of you, especially to our dear mothers.   This is one of the most touching videos for mothers I ever saw.   Mother's Day is everyday, I guess.

Indeed, "Life does not come with a manual, it comes with a Mother."

A MOTHER'S LOVE

by : Jim Brickman (feat. Mark Masri)

Thank you for watching over me
All of the sleepless nights you lay awake
Thank you for knowing when to hold me close
when to let me go

Thank you for every stepping stone
And for the path that always leads me home
I thank you for the time you took
to see the heart inside of me

You gave me the roots to start this life

and then you gave me wings to fly
and I learned to dream 
because you believed in me

A Mother's Love : Mother's Day Tribute for My Dear Nanay

She carried me for 9 months in her tummy.  I know how tiring it was to walk with a heavy bump, or how hard it was to lie down or to even sleep soundly having a little mover kicking inside your tummy.

She could not get enough sleep just to feed me through the nights or even to play with me until the wee hours of the evening.   She could not rest during the day just to play with me, sung me a song or read me a book.   She patiently taught me how to walk and talk, to dance and to sing, to read and to stand by my own.   Unceasingly, she took care of me despite my tantrums, quirks and demands with a smile.   

Taken on June 10, 2009 during my werdding.

However, she is more of a disciplinarian.  She taught me values and principles; instilling discipline if necessary.   She will not always tolerate me once I was stubborn, especially during my teenage years.   But she never deprived me from enjoying life and discovering my self.

rompers!!! for my lil girl...

A romper suit is a one-piece garment worn by children and sometimes women. Somewhat similar to a coverall, it is loose fitting and usually has shorter legs that may be gathered at the end. Puffed pants are particularly associated with rompers. Rompers usually are meant as a combination of shorts and a shirt, though the term can include jumpers, one-piece bathing suits, and clubwear fashions to name a few.  
(Source : Wikipedia)

I adored seeing little girls wearing romper suit or rompers, as we mostly call it.  Seeing them in rompers makes them look more bubbly.  Rompers now became part of every little girls closet. Unlike the conventional rompers, it has now a more girly touch with fabrics that varies from lace, silk and cotton.

Bought from Rhainella's Couture.  Some of their rompers have headbands or bows to match with.

I have not wasted my time searching for a romper for my little Kaizle through online shopping.  I have found two good sellers which have a wide selection of rompers and pettiskirts.  I have a hard time selecting rompers since almost all of their items are so beautiful.

MATCHED!!!

"A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that she gains from her mother the attitudes, hopes, and beliefs that will determine the kind of life she will live and the contribution she will make to society."

Having a little girl is like having a mini-me in the house.  A copy-cat of my self.  At the age of one year and nine months, Kaizle seemed to imitate most, if not all, of my gestures, mannerisms and expressions.  I carefully chose my actions and language at home since I have an important role in molding our daughter to be a person of good character. 

Baby's Journey : She Turns 1!

Being first-time parents, everything seems so exciting!  This time our little Kaizle turns one and we want the celebration to be simple yet fun, memorable and personal.  

 Metamorphosis....

 Reminiscing before turning 1!

Baby's Journey : First Beach Swimming Experience

Date : April 30, 2012

We already had several trips to beaches with the little girl but this was her first experience swimming (or bathing) on the beach.  Our little girl seemed anxious at first, but her Papa was very supportive of her and motivated her through encouraging words. After a few moments of playing with water, the little girl learned to love the beach.  She played with the water (while her Papa was holding her other hand) and the sand.  

We decided to go home after almost an hour of bathing, however, we had a hard time convincing the little girl to change her wet swimsuit to a new set of dry clothes since she has been so busy playing with the water. 

Good job Papa & our little girl!  Until our next beach bonding!

So excited... Keep blabbering "beach.. beach"

Mom's Journey with the Little One

Angels fly above you. They know that we love you. So, we watch you dreaming now. We wonder if you know….

   

 Before we knew your name. Before we saw your eyes, your chin, and your nose.

Before we counted your fingers and toes, we asked Heaven for someone wonde rful as you and every prayer and wish came true.

We dreamed of you before we knew your name.

We are thankful for you. You know we adore you. So we watch you dreaming now. We wonder if you know…

Before we knew your name. Before we saw your eyes, your chin, and your nose.

Before we counted your fingers and toes, we asked Heaven for someone wonderful as you and every prayer and wish came true. We dreamed of you before we knew your name.

We dreamed of you before we knew your name.

The Best Job Ever : Motherhood

While searching for I-don't-know-what in the internet, this article catch my attention and I decided to also post it here because I can relate much on its content.  Credits to the author of this article whoever he or she is.  

Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom - I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom - I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Remember that behind every successful woman, is a basket of dirty laundry.
- Unknown

Thoughts of an Expectant Mom

Being pregnant is one of the most wondrous and magical adventures that I ever experienced.   With my ever-supportive husband, I enjoyed the intimacy between me and my baby for nine months.  All throughout the process, everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world our baby will turn out to be.  I looked forward to our baby’s arrival in this world with huge anticipation.  I longed for the day when I can finally physically carry our baby in my arms and look at our baby in the eyes.

THE MOTHER

Name : Carmela

Age : 29

Place of Origin : San Jose, Antique

THE FATHER

Father : Kenneth

Age : 30 

Place of Origin : Malaybalay, Bukidnon

  

 SO, IT’S CONFIRMED!!!   POSITIVE!!!!