The Fall

Lia fell off the bed yesterday. :(

It all happened very fast. My mom was watching after Lia, they were both on the bed and pillows were all over. We were just talking. Then I went to the bathroom for a shower. Not even 30 seconds inside the bathroom, I heard a thump then a cry. I immediately knew something was wrong. I grabbed the towel.

When I got out, I saw my mom carrying Lia, holding her head and Lia was crying in pain. She fell off the bed on to the cement floor. Then she vomited, quite a lot. I didn't want to see Lia cry. I got her from my mom hoping I could make her feel better. But she didn't. She just kept on crying. I then decided, we'd bring her to the ER.

I called Benj and told him what happened. I can almost see him already packing his things while we were still talking on the phone. Then I just grabbed a couple of things and of course my wallet and we were off to Victor Potenciano Medical Center.

In the ER, around 15 minutes after the fall, the resident pedia interviewed me. Asking for the time of Lia's last milk intake - less than 5 minutes before the fall. So that could be the reason for the vomiting. She asked me Lia's usual nap time - around the time of the fall. So that could be the reason why she has droopy eyes in the cab going to the ER.  Benj and I wanted Lia to have a CT Scan just to be sure. I know it would cost us but we still wanted to be sure. But when we saw Lia already jumping on my mom's lap and making smiley faces to the nurses and doctors at the ER (it was rather a lean time/day for them), we  settled for a 24-72 hour observation.

Now 18 hours and counting, Lia's doing ok and is not showing any alarming sign. Thank God and thank you to her angel who was with her during the fall.

Beauty, Brains, and Breastfeeding

I regret not being able to breastfeed Lia as long as I hoped I would. I was able to breastfeed Lia for 4 1/2 months only.  But the mistakes I made will not stop me from breastfeeding our next baby (when the time comes).

I'm reposting Daphne Paez' post on Beauty, Brains, and Breastfeeding. Hopefully this will also educate my mom friends the way it educated me.  

To all my mom friends, I may not be an expert on breastfeeding but I can definitely share with you the things I learned for my and Lia's experience.

:::

Yesterday we had a press conference for the launch of a new breastfeeding campaign that UNICEF is supporting. As Special Advocate for Children of UNICEF, I participated in the Beauty, Brains & Breastfeeding billboard project. The message is, “smart, glamorous and hardworking women breastfeed.” We are doing this because only 34% of mothers in the Philippines practice exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of their babies. Based on UNICEF statistics, nearly half of all mothers in the country depend on artificial milk in varying degrees.

There will be five billboards - three along MIA Road in Pasay City which will be launched 
on October 14
 when the weather lets up; one in Philcoa, Quezon City; and one on the DILG Building in EDSA. A few more billboards will be up soon with sites currently in negotiation. The photos were shot by Raymund Isaac. Our clothes were provided by my good friends – K&Company, Divine Lee’s Luca and Gingersnaps.

Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding would like to correct several misconceptions which discourage mothers with infants and young children to breastfeed — main hurdles to having all Filipino newborns properly breastfed:

B

• exclusive breastfeeding in the formative first six months of an infant is NOT a hindrance to a mother’s professional or personal goals;

• exclusive breastfeeding is a commitment to give one’s child with life-nourishing food and a good start in life; to think of breastfeeding as only for the poor should be dismissed immediately;

• continued breastfeeding DOES NOT cause a woman’s breasts to deform, sag or make her look haggard and unattractive; and

• the act of breastfeeding in public places is not an act shame and therefore should be encouraged.

No matter the prevailing conditions and norms in any society, nothing best embodies the miraculous ties between mother and child than the act of breastfeeding.

I committed myself to breastfeeding each kid for at least the same amount of time, if not longer. I did not want to deal with any issues like so and so was breastfed longer. Besides I really enjoyed the whole process. I’ve said it many times, breastfeeding is love. It was the time I felt most beautiful and powerful as a woman. My body was giving life and nourishment to my children, and I knew they were getting nothing but the best.

I’ve gone on and on about the beauty and health benefits of breastfeeding but it was only during my work with UNICEF that I got to know the issues on a deeper and more important level – that exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months is a significant “mechanism” to lower infant mortality rates globally. I have seen this firsthand. During my last UNICEF mission to the ARMM in Maguindanao, I saw babies that had severe acute malnutrition. They were being treated through UNICEF’s community based management for acute malnutrition. One of the factors why the babies got severe acute malnutrition, in addition to contracting multiple diseases, was dehydration due to diarrhea caused by formula milk plus dirty water… formula they acquired from donations at a relief centre. There are very strict guidelines discouraging donations of formula milk during emergencies. And this is why I vowed to not endorse formula milk. I’ve been used and misled once before. Now I know better.

It is also timely to mention that I cried over (spilled) spoiled milk before. During emergencies like Milenyo and Ondoy when we had to leave our house due to extended black outs, my stored milk thawed and went bad. But I realized that there’s no need for stored milk, noneed for anything except me and my direct feeding. We are still expecting 10 more storms. There will be floods and brown outs. I hope all moms of newborns choose to breastfeed.

Going back to the message of the billboards… Iza is a busy working mom. She’s a social entrepreneur and she’s very committed to her work as a breastfeeding advocate. She is also working with labour groups and corporations to help give support to breastfeeding in the workplace. Patricia Hizon, a sportscaster and TV host, breastfed her sons with the involvement and support of her husband Vince Hizon. We all want to share the same message – that breastfeeding can be done no matter how busy you are. You can look good while doing it. And you will give your kids the best start in life.

The billboards are supposed to be up today in MIA Road. I’ll take a peek this weekend.
 The billboards will be up after the current storm signals stabilize.

I’d love to hear your thoughts….

Baking Mood

I made Healthy Banana Cupcakes for 2 consecutive days now. As they say, practice makes perfect. Besides, there were still bananas left from yesterday.

But before you set your expectations on these Healthy Banana Cupcakes, I must warn you. First, this is an experiment from an inexperienced baker. Second, this post is not really intended to share the recipe but just to write about my experience.

This recipe is the lazy quick way of making banana-wheat cupcakes. I used:

1 200 gm pack of Maya wheat pancakes

3 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons softened butter

2 very ripe bananas (cavendish is preferred)

I just followed the package directions in making the pancakes, mixed in the honey, butter, and mashed bananas. I came up with this.

Placed them in a lined muffin pan. Baked in a pre-heated oven at 180 Celsius for 25 - 35 minutes. Then I got these. 

Lessons learned and tips as well:

1. When mixing solid and liquid ingredients, slowly add the liquid ingredient to the solid (ex. flour) to be able to mix it well and avoid lumps.
2. To cream butter is different as having melted butter. 
3. Follow instructions in the recipe. When it says makes 6 to 8 cupcakes, make 6 to 8 cupcakes. Don't try to fit everything in  just 6 molds.
4. Must try making chocolate cupcakes next. Hubby didn't want to taste it without bribe.

Daddy's 60th Birthday

Lia with Lolo Daddy

Daddy's birthday was last August 25th. We just had a simple celebration as dad is not fond of parties and mingling with people. Also, our rather small family became even small because my brother recently migrated to the US.

After mom and dad's overnight stay at Antel Spa Suites, we had lunch at The Original Savory. It was a simple lunch with of course the delish Savory Chicken, pancit canton for long life and cupcakes from Legally Sweet.

Happy 60th Daddy! We love you!

My Birthing Story

I've been procrastinating in writing my birthing story for 5 months now. Better do it now before I forget.

April 2
Regular OB visit at 35 weeks and 3 days. Everything was ok and OB said I should start walking around to help baby go into position. OB also mentioned that baby's quite big. She sounded like she was mentally preparing us for a C-Section.  We were surprised. Why give hints about going into C-Section when for the past 8 months, everything was always normal and within what was expected.  Benj and I were dismayed and planned to look for a new OB and hospital. Yes! Even at 35 weeks.

April 3
5am. I was awaken by screams from our neighbors. I asked Benj to check what was happening. Turns out, one of the Meralco transformers overloaded because of illegal connections.  Then the old wooden post suddenly broke causing black out in the area. We thought fire would break out. I grabbed my bag and wallet not minding if my bulging belly looked like Winnie the Pooh, and immediately went out the house with Benj.  After a couple of minutes of tension and stress, things went back to normal except the electricity.

130pm. We went to the last session of our Prepared Childbirth Class with Chiqui Brosas. Side story: this was one of the best investments we did during this pregnancy. This is super recommended specially to first time moms.

April 4
6am. Benj left early for work. As I was in the shower getting ready for work too, when I felt a light gush of water. I was thinking that my water broke. But I wasn't sure, or maybe was in denial. You see, Lia wasn't supposed to come til the 5th of May... not April. And then another gusy came. So, I called Benj. But he wasn't answering. I called his doctor friend and office mate, Rodel. He too wasn't answering. Then, Mama arrived. Then I texted my OB.  Then Benj returned my call and told me he will be going home by 11am.

10am. I was instructed to rest and observe. I suddenly felt cramp-like pain. There was pain but it was bearable. I assumed they were contractions so I timed it. It was 1 hour apart. I informed my OB and she told me to go meet her at the delivery room of Manila Doctors to confirm it were really contractions.

330pm. We arrived at Madocs. Walked to the delivery room. No need to go to the ER and for a wheel chair.

430pm. OB checked on me, I was 1cm dilated. Amniotic fluid is still sufficient enough. Admitted and wheeled to the Lamaze room.

7pm. Had my last meal. Injected with steroids to help the development of Lia's lungs since she was still 3 days short from 36 weeks.  Was also sedated to help me relax and rest through the night.

April 5
7am. Had a very light breakfast. Half piece of toast and half a cup of tea.

830am. Almost 2 cm. Labor was induced.

1030am. At 4cm and asking for anesthesia but I am still able to sleep in between the contractions.

130pm. Finally the anesthesiologist came and epidural was given.

330pm. 9cm and being wheeled into the delivery room.

452pm. Lia's out! Exactly 1 month earlier than her due date. She's excited to see the world. :)

I'm Back

Hopefully for good...

If you'll notice, I have a different url. I did this because I am starting anew. My goal is to write everyday, but I will start with once every week for now.

See y'all tomorrow!

Back Up Photography

Ang sarap maging w@wie.

You get help from a lot of sis and a couple of bros.
You get to help a lot of sis and bros.
But most of all, you get the chance to have freebies like this.

Bridalbook.ph

With only 81 days left, we need all the help we can get. Good thing I came across Bridalbook.ph

Everything we need in our wedding preps is in one site. Perfect!

Check it out!

http://www.bridalbook.ph/articles/find-all-your-wedding-needs-here/

Palpak again...

I had the feeling, that icky feeling that doesn't leave the back of your mind. It crossed my mind twice, 2 weeks before we were supposed to do it. But I dismissed the thought. I did that because I was constantly monitoring and the progress. And with the updates I'm getting, things were good. I didn't need a Plan B.  Until... dang! 

I am talking about our prenup shoot that was postponed again because there is no location for the shoot.

I knew it! I should've listened to that voice. I should've had a Plan B. I should've done it for Benj. After all, this is his prenup too. This is his wedding too.

long weekend and busy days ahead...

It was a long and busy weekend for us last week. Actually, it is the start of long and busy days for us because the wedding is less than 3 months from now.  There are a lot of things to do, a lot of detailing stuffs, especially from an OC bride like me. Hehe. And since I'm just squeezing in this blog post, there would be no more further ado...

May 7 - Benj's birthday

Benj wasn't able to take his well deserved birthday leave because of his very hectic work schedule. To celebrate, we had a simple birthday dinner at Chef's Quarter in Robinson's Place, Manila.

May 8 - Tito Roger and Dione's birthday celebration

We went to the far, far away land of Cainta to celebrate the birthday of Tito Roger (our soon-to-be Ninong) and Dione (my cousin-in-law). It was also to bid Dione "good luck" and "see-you-soon" because she will be going to US for work. Despite the summer heat, we enjoyed the typical Lee kwentuhan at the roof top of the Sacdalans.

May 9 - Before "I Do" Workshop

Benj and I attended a very enlightening and fun workshop in Renaissance Center 2000 in Ortigas. You can read the details and the stories here.

May 10 - National Elections

Yes, we went out and vote. We were part of this historic event.

We only have 89 days left for our big day and we still have a lot to do.

- prenup shoot

- video prenup shoot

- gown fitting

- barong measurements

- misallete, escort cars, table numbers, and all other possible DIYs I can think of

- barong pick up  (in Taal)

- reception guest list

- sponsor gifts

- finalization of menu

- reception program

- apartment hunting

I most probably still missed out a lot here and yet I already have a long list. Do I need to start panicking now?