babymomi

Happy 8th month day!

2009-02-15T12:41:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, there were two reasons to celebrate with some cake: Valentine's day and our baby's 8th month day. So we got a Valentine-inspired Dora cake. It was a chocolate cake with lemon buttercream filling covered in marshmallow fondant. It looked absolutely cute, perfect for our little girl. It tasted yummy too, a bit too sweet, yes, but yummy. The colors were great, my favorites, purple and pink. And it was really girly, with its pink cutout hearts and little flowers. The Dora figure, which is about 3 inches in height, is edible but we don't have the heart to eat it yet. And its just so amusing to look at because I think Dora looks a little like Elmo here, with those big eyes of hers. But the details of the figure is amazing. Its so Dora, from the bracelet down to the shoes.
I just wish I could also give baking a try someday. I mean, to be able to create even just cupcakes or simple cookies. I think I'd have a blast. Not to mention it would also be a nice bonding activity for mother and daughter, don't you think? And it will also keep hubby's tummy happy. Maybe after the laptop, I should ask for an oven next?

Valentine's Eve

2009-02-13T19:58:00.003+08:00

I've a new toy! Hubby surprised me with my very own laptop, woohoo! All the more reason to blog and surf away. Its an Acer aspire 4715z. It has the following features:

Intel pentium dual core processor T2390
14.1" WXGA Acer crystalbrite LCD
1 GB DDR2/ 12o GB HDD
DVD

I can't elaborate much on these since I really don't understand what they're for, but as long as its has internet explorer and word and photoshop, I am happy. Thanks hubbybaby, i love you, happy valentine! xoxo

Sweet tooth

2009-02-12T21:15:00.006+08:00

Last sunday, was the 7th birthday of a little boy and as our gift, we got him a cake from Kitchen Krafts. It was my first time to order a cake from them and I wasn't disappointed. For its price, it was well worth it. We got a really yummy looking and yummy tasting treat. I just loved the icing! And the cookie lollies! Its like being a kid all over again, eating all that chocolatey goodness, haha. As requested, the design was Tom and Jerry.

Actually, the cake exceeded my expectations. It wasn't big, it was about 8 inches in diameter, but it stood on its own. Just look at the details, there were even little bees on the trees at the side of the cake. The colors were vibrant and very attractive, very much appreciated by the kids. The chocolate cake was moist and the icing not too sweet or bitter because of the bright colors. Will definitely order again, maybe for our baby's birthday.

I'm back!

2009-01-11T16:52:00.003+08:00

With a bowl of leftover spaghetti, I decided I should start blogging again!
Currently, I am planning our little girl's first birthday party. Five months to go and still LOTS to do. Venue, photographer, host/magician and balloon decors booked. Guestlist, done. I kept on changing my mind with regards venue, but finally decided on Max's, good, value for money food and amenities, okay as well. Big thank you to my hubby who's been so patient with me and my whims. Oh, theme is Dora the explorer. Thinking of how to make her a little more girly though.

Bounce right back

2008-11-09T08:48:00.004+08:00

A cute little grin, a cute little giggle, even a cute little cry, all the cuteness of a little person can make the biggest difference.
I've experienced a couple of disappointments over the past few weeks and being human, it took quite a while to get over some of these stuff. Good thing hubby and little princess are there. Can I say that they're the most patient persons in this whole wide world? :)
Anyway, bouncing back for me means getting on with Plan B, Plan C and party planning!
I know its still about 7 months from now until the little one's first birthday but with lots of ideas in mind and budget on paper, I'm marching head on to planning her first bash. Don't you think this is one of the things, moms do best? Dreaming about the nicest party, worrying about the smallest detail and sticking to the budget and badgering hubby when its all too much already? Haha.
Here are some things I've done so far.

Make guest list
List down an itemized budget
Do ocular of 2 possible venues ( thanks hubby for going to OSMA )
Research about possible cake, entertainment, food suppliers
List down my planned DIY projects

I'm back :)

Under the weather

2008-10-14T20:51:00.004+08:00

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

2008-10-12T21:23:00.008+08:00

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

2008-10-12T19:27:00.001+08:00

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

2008-10-03T13:34:00.000+08:00

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

2008-10-02T21:20:00.001+08:00

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:

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

2008-10-01T09:04:00.000+08:00

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.

Sweet Start

2008-09-30T19:02:00.001+08:00

Last saturday, I went to Market!Market! with hubby, my parents and brother. After having Chinese food for lunch, I had the craving for cupcakes. Actually, I've been obsessing about cupcakes for a few weeks now. It started with me scouting for possible suppliers for my daughter's future birthday cake and seeing all these pictures of colorful cupcakes that looked yummy. Then I saw a show of Bobby Flay wherein he competed with a lady who makes really yummy looking red velvet cupcakes. After seeing that show, I was already on the lookout for a red velvet cupcake.

I already heard about Sonja's cupcakes before but never had the chance to try it. So after our lunch we went to her shop at Serendra and was right away excited by the sight of the red velvet cupcakes! So I got one of that, then I also got vanilla surprise and the pistachio cupcake, I forgot its name. My verdict, yummy! The cupcakes had the right moistness and flavor. I loved the cream cheese frosting of the red velvet. The buttercream frosting of the vanilla cupcake was a bit too sweet, but I like sweet so it was ok. The pistachio's whipped cream frosting was also good and the strawberries between the cupcake and the whipped cream was a delicious bonus.

I'm definitely coming back for more.