Under the weather

Just a bit under the weather since yesterday. Actually, I'm just recovering from a bout with cough and now my body aches all over. It is no excuse to stop being a mommy though. Still have to breastfeed. I'm just thankful for hubby's help in feeding the baby princess once in a while.

The past few days though, I've been thinking of weaning baby princess and just give solely formula milk. I'm not sure if I could actually do it though. There's the guilt. And of course I am fully aware of the benefits of breastmilk. It is very rewarding to know I am capable of baby princess' sustenance. And a toothless grin coming from a contented baby is a priceless bonus.

Feeling under the weather? Just a few tips :)

• Stay hydrated. Take your fluids, be it hot or cold.
• Eat a balanced diet. You may not have a huge appetite but do try to take something. You'll need the energy to fight of your illness.
• Take vitamins. A little help won't do bad.
• Sleep. Take the time to get much deserved rest.
• Think happy thoughts :)

Online shopping

Pregnancy and motherhood opened a whole new world to me: the world of online shops! I've already blogged about scouring the local malls for BPA free bottles and coming up short. You see, while I was still pregnant with the baby princess, the whole issue about baby bottles having BPA broke and of course my bottles would just have to be BPA free. However, at that time, the malls had very little variety so I turned to the computer and found all these wonderfully helpful online shops. I was skeptic at first, especially since most required downpayments (even full payments) before your order is actually processed. Then you have to wait for your purchase to arrive via courier. Some items are even for pre-order so the waiting time is longer, about 3 to 4 weeks for it to arrive from the US. Of course, being scammed crossed my mind but out of necessity, I placed my very first online order: a lansinoh electric breast pump. Thankfully, the transaction went well, the seller was very nice and I felt comfy dealing with her and I got my beloved pump.

p.s and I've bought other stuff as well after this first time (thanks hubby!)


TIPS FOR BUYING ONLINE

• Research - visit forums, ask your e-groups and be on the lookout for online sites that other moms or women (yup! we love to shop :) in general frequent and talk about
• Ask questions - ask the seller questions about payment options, delivery time, price validity, shipping fees etc before you place your order
• Visit the stores/malls first to canvass or to see if the item you want is already available locally. It is not always cheaper to buy online. Buyer most often shoulders the shipping cost, the bulkier the item, the more expensive the add on cost.
• Study the seller's site and look at the guestbook or comments of former customers. Try to get a feel if these comments come from real individuals
  If there's an option for pick up or meet up to get the item, opt for this especially if the item you ordered is bulky (this is what I did when I bought my pump)
• Be wary of sellers who only offer Gcash payments. In my opinion, a seller with a bank account and offers bank deposit as option is more credible.
• If in the end you still feel wary, then don't do it. Remember shopping should remain fun and stress free :)

surprise?!!!

another online buy (bday gift from hubby)

Thumbsucking

Right this very moment, the baby princess is thumbsucking. She mastered this skill when she was about 2 months old. At first, it was a hit and miss thing. She'll start by looking at her hand, then slowly,deliberately the hand would come closer and closer to her mouth and shoot! Thumbsucking galore. Right now, she doesn't need to look any longer, she just puts it straight in. What do I do when she thumbsucks? Sometimes, I remove it, sometimes I just let her. I believe its a phase she has to go through and if it gives her comfort and lulls her to sleep, then well and good. There have been different opinions about thumbsucking and the most common reason used against it is that it will cause bad dentition or something. But many previous thumbsuckers, now full fledged adults would attest this to be not true at all! Some say that it would eventually cause speech problems but i also read that this is if thumbsucking persists until 5-6 yearsold. But its not really an issue for me, as I watch her fall asleep peacefully and contentedly.

Chicken tinola

I was looking forward to a lunch of steaming hot, flavorful chicken tinola soup for lunch today. Last night, I requested it from our reliable designated cook of the household and was already imagining eating it. I was preoccupied with taking care of the little princess all morning and when finally I could eat, lo and behold, no tinola. Instead there was fried galunggong ( yummy and crispy) and soup with tahong/mussels. I sulked (for about 30 seconds, haha) and ate my lunch. For dinner, we'll be having chicken tinola.

I haven't cooked tinola before but i think (*wink*) its made this way:

(do enlighten me if i'm wrong)

After washing and cleaning your chicken (your choice of cut), saute it with garlic and onions. Then put water over it and let it cook. I'm not sure when you put slices of ginger, but you need to put some though. You then put your vegetables: papaya or sayote, malunggay leaves or sili/chili leaves and season with fish sauce. You just wait for the pot to boil then its done. Yummy comfort food.

Prelude: birthday cupcakes

For my dad's birthday, I had the idea of giving him cupcakes. I searched online and came upon Nadine's site, swirlsnsprinkles. I liked the pictures of cupcakes she had done before and immediately sent her a PM and specified my order: a dozen chocolate cupcakes, half with lemon buttercream frosting, the other with mocha buttercream frosting. For my dad, who is a music lover, I requested her to make musical themed toppers. I asked for a piano, guitar and some musical notes. Here's what she came up with:

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photos courtesy of hubby:)

All the toppers were edible and made of marshmallow fondant (although I think all of us hesitated before taking a bite of each one because all looked so nice, haha) The cupcakes were yummy, just the right sweetness to the choco cupcake and frosting. Thanks again Nadine!

READ the labels

I admit, its my fault.

I was on the lookout for a good baby shampoo for our baby, one that really smelled good. After a little research, i came upon a 2-1 instant foam shampoo. I know it comes in 2 variants, i got the magic melon scent. It really smelled good and it was fun to use on my baby because it was in foam form so it lathered real well. After about 2 months of use, i found out its intended only for kids 2 years and up! I assumed it being a tear free formula I could use it on my baby. I should have read the label. Good thing my baby didn't develop any allergy or anything. Another lesson learned by this new mommy. You can never be too careful when it comes to your baby.