2012: A Year in Review

Best year by far.

We had Arabella early this year. This sweet little girl who is displaying her intelligence early on. She's one smart lady and she is truly the apple of our eyes.

Agie finished his CPA, passed the last three subjects he took in the same semester. Hats off to you my hubby, very well done!!!

Agie became a permanent employee which means Abie can now join their company-exclusive, Montessori-based childcare. Woohoo!

A short but sweet vacation to the Philippines for Abie and I. My Guardian Angel was with me the whole journey, making the travel less tiring and stressful for me. Abie get to see her cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents and they were able to cuddle her as well.

Life is sweet. Life has been easy.
Thank you God --- you've answered my prayers (big and small) even before I prayed for it. Your generosity and bountiful blessings overwhelms us. We are humbled, we are forever grateful!

This 2013 we pray for good health;
This 2013 we pray for work-life balance;

This 2013 we will share more;
This 2013 we will live more and love more;

This 2013 we will laugh more;
This 2013 we promise to be the best we can be.

Thank you Lord for an awesome 2012, we know 2013 will even be better.

December 27

Is our 4th year anniversary and Abie's 10th month! We are enjoying ourselves here in the Hunter Valley for a much needed break for Agie.

Cheers to more years!!!!

Christmas 2012

It's Abie's first Christmas and she enjoyed the rainy day spent with friend whom we consider our family here in Australia. Here are random shots of the different parties we attended.

Nine Months

To our dear Arabella,

Happy 9th month sweet little girl. Thank you for continuing to be our inspiration. Thank you for your little squeals of laughter, thank you for your wet kisses, and thank you for your beautiful smile.

Today marks another milestone in your young life. At 9 months, you've travelled by land, air and sea. And you have been a very good travel buddy, thank you Anak.

I know that your Dad missed you so much, I hope that the nightly FaceTime sessions we had have eased the loneliness just a little bit. But I am glad that you get to spend quality time with your Lolos and Lolas, your cousins and aunts and uncles. Seeing your face lit up everytime they play with you made our travel so much more worth it.

Our little one, we pray that you continue to blossom, to be healthy and to be wise. Remember, we love to the moon and back!

Hugs and kisses all over,
Mum and Dad

8 months

Dear Abie,

Eight months. Where did time go?

You are getting bigger and bigger each day. Your laughter brings tears to our eyes; you're a character you little one.

'Dad, da, da, da, dy, Dad Dy'.
High pitched laughter.
Baby Einstein Baby Newton's 'Shapes' song and you singing along with it.
Sing-along with Dad at night time.
Size 1 clothes.
Passport photo. Lots if it.
Discovering your shadows.
Playing on your own for 30 mins in the morning before waking up Mum or Dad.

These are just some of your milestones Anak. You are one smart baby, and I'm pretty sure you'll grow to be a smart lady.

Your tight hugs are so precious, your cute little smiles heartwarming. You know how to do 'beautiful eyes' and your 'kisses' are the sweetest. Anything you do we are in awe, for you are our world.

Soon, you'll start crawling,walking and running. Then you'll want your own space. One day, we know that would come (as much as we dread it). But for now, we'll cherish the moments you're in our arms.

Let's continue to create wonderful memories our Arabella, and do remember, we love you to the moon and back.

Tight hug and a thousand kisses,
Mum and Dad

Passport photo

I literally have hundreds of shots of these. Haaaay, should have taken a photo when she was less mobile, would have been so much easier.

Cheeky little girl

She just woke up from her afternoon nap and gave me this sweetest, cheekiest face! Oh Abie, how I love thee.

Observant Chy

Since it was school holidays last week, Chy spent a day with us. It was a breath of fresh air being able to have a two-way conversation with a grade schooler. Chy, being her usual observant self, made a few comments that literally made me LOL!

While dressing up Abie after her bath
Chy: why is her butt and body dark but her face is white? (Bisto ang pagkaitom sa akong Anak!).

Checking out my screensaver of Abie doing her tummy time at 3 months old
Chy: what happened to her here? Was she sick? (Malnourish ug eye-baggin pa man intawon si Abie before)

While breastfeeding Abie
Chy: Ang laki ng tummy nya, taba taba! Ikaw din, big din tummy mo but smaller na compared to before. (Kinahanglan nako mag sit ups again!)

While cleaning Abie after she pooped
Me: Chy, can you grab some toilet paper for me please!
Chy: ieeeewwww she pooped?
Me: You don't have to look.
Chy: ieeeewwww I don't wanna be a Mum, I don't want to clean a dirty baby!
Me: But you want a baby brother or sister right?
Chy: Oh, Mama can clean the baby.

Thanks for staying with us Chy, Abie enjoyed her day and so did I.

Seriously

Does a seven month old baby needs all these?

And she's becoming a Shoeaholic too! Tsk tsk tsk.

Seven months

27/9/2012

Our Dear Arabella,

Seven months ago, you came to this world. And since then, you've turned our world upside down, and we mean this in a good way.

Today, you went with Mom for an office visit. You were your bubbly, sociable self once again. Even if you didn't have your morning nap, you never got cranky. You really are a people pleaser and you love to be the centre of attention. How we love that trait of yours Anak.

You finally cut your second tooth, you are starting to back crawl, you stand (assisted) for a few seconds and you just babble to your hearts content!

We think you are starting to develop separation anxiety specially when you're alone with Mom. You just want to be held, otherwise you'll cry. As long as you can see your Mommy, you are calm but once she's out of your sight you start to scream bloody murder! We know this is part of your mental development so we are not too fussed about this.

You are eating solids now and your favorite food is sweet potato;
You don't like prune juice but you get constipated so you have to drink it;
You still love your playtime with Daddy and you really look forward to it;
You finally do the 'milk sign' but only when you are already drinking milk! Hehe

We still can't get enough of you little one, we love to give you cuddles, we love to smell you (and your stinky feet!), and we love everything about you.

Thanks for being a good girl Arabella. You make your Mommy and Daddy so proud.

Love you to the moon and back.

Lots of hugs and a million kisses,
Mommy and Daddy

Iremit + Jollibee

I went to Iremit in Blacktown to send some money back home. I could have done the transfer online but because I was in the area anyway, I just went to their office.

While waiting for my transaction to be finalized, I saw this:

I didn't know that they have this service since 2009! They partnered with Jollibee and have a set menu that ranged from Php800 - 1,500. You can choose the package you want, pay it at current exchange rate plus $2 processing fee. They will then transmit your order to the nearest Jollibee branch who will then deliver it if the recipient is in Metro Manila, otherwise they will receive a call for the pickup time/ dine in time if in the province. This is such a brilliant idea, great way to surprise your loved ones!

Perfect timing for me, it's my nephews birthday last Sunday and I forgot to send a present for him. So, I ordered a package for the whole family to enjoy and it only cost me $36.70!

I can't wait for their feedback on Sunday!!!

I love giving surprises. ;)

How I wish we have Jollibee delivery to Australia too. :(

My MCN Stash

two in one One Size Fits Most (OSFM) nappies

My trial use of modern cloth nappies (MCN) was a success and I've decided to do it full time during the day when I am at home. Because I have the microfiber inserts, I need two inserts so I don't have to change hourly. With my initial stash, it meant I only have 6 nappies available for use and I have to wash them daily. So I've decided to increase my stash.

I checked EBay and Gumtree for China cheapies as I can't justify paying $30/nappy for Aussie made ones when the China-made does the same work. I got lucky and found $3 per nappy with insert included, and any additional insert will only cost me a dollar! How's that for a bargain. This particular seller also have printed nappies for $6 a piece, not bad at all. So I ordered enough nappies and inserts to enable me to do the laundry every two/three days.

Once you've used MCNs and shift to disposables, you'll notice how awful the 'sposies smell! Hopefully, I can get one or two night nappies so I can say goodbye to disposables for good. It's better for Abie's bum, better for our pocket and better for the environment too.

So far, I've spent $87 for my 16 nappies and 32 inserts. For washing, i use baking soda and vinegar so its really cheap! I also joined the Annual Cloth Nappy Hunt and hopefully, I'll win something from the sponsors (really eyeing the night nappies or even night boosters).

Cloth nappy is really easy to use and becoming popular nowadays. Why not try it on your next bub?

cute nappies 

Belated Father's Day Post

2/9/2012

Dear Daddy,

On your first Father's day, Mum and I would like to thank you
... for loving both of us;
... for taking good care of us;
... for playing with me all the time;
... for being the househusband the first few weeks of May;
... for being a good provider;
... for being you.

You are the best Dad in the world for us!

Labinglabing ka namo ni Mum Daddy. We love you to the moon and back.

Love, Abie

Six months on...

Dear Abie,

Today, you turned six months old. Mommy and Daddy are still amazed by how fast you've grown.


You're one spirited little girl. We love how you laugh, giggle, shriek and shout. You're one observant little girl. You stare at things as if trying to take everything in. You are very receptive, you always have been, even when you're still in Mom's tummy.

You love your Mom but your Dad lights up your world. What a playful little girl you've become. And your favorite playmate is your Dada. Yes, you're starting to talk --- Dada, baba, papa, mama --- in that order. You say Papa when you want to be played with, but cries Mama when you wanted to be held.

3 months      6 months

When Dad and I are talking, you also talk and join the conversation. It may sound gibberish to us but I know it meant something to you.

Your first tooth came out, the lower front tooth, and the second one is coming out. You may not be rolling yet but you sure wants to stand on your own two feet. You sit on your own for five seconds at the most but its only because you're interested more in playing than sitting. But I know you are capable of doing that so I am not stressed.


Although I am with you every hour of every day, I still miss you. You're growing so fast my love. But if I miss you, your Dad misses you more. And I know you miss him too. Your time together in the morning and evening is very precious to him (and to me). He can bring out the best laughter in you at the littlest effort. You respond well to him, you really do.

3 months        6 months

You like your TV (just like Mommy) but you love nature more. You get easily bored inside the house but once we are at the backyard, you can't get enough of what you're seeing.


Our lives have changed since having you. Our schedule revolves around you, you and you. Dinner with friends were replaced with weekend lunch, movie nights with tv/ laptop viewings. But we are not complaining and we don't want anything better.




Bitter sweet. That sums up what we felt as of the moment. We are sad that you're no longer the tiny baby we once held and rocked but at the same time happy that you are getting stronger and healthier and meeting all your milestones on time.

Happy 1/2 birthday Anak! You complete us. Life is more meaningful with you around. Always remember, we love you to the moon and back.

3 months        6 months

Thank you Lord!

You always hear our prayers.

We are forever grateful.

enjoying Yen's bday at Parramatta Park (thanks Chy for the photo)

childcare now assured --- welcome to CA Montessori baby Abie. Your slot is reserved for next year.

August is breastfeeding month

When I was still pregnant with Abie, I vowed to exclusively breastfed her. Not only is it cheaper but also the benefits are enormous.

Fast forward to the day I had her --- I successfully breastfed her at the hospital but I found that she was not latching properly as my nipple is quiet sore.

When I got home, it became very raw that my midwife advised me to express my milk to give my boobies a chance to heal. Also, she suggested that I use a nipple shield until my breast are better. I have a good supply, leaking at times so I did as suggested and used a nipple shield. Well, it actually resulted to lowering my supply (without me realizing it).

For the first two months, I exclusively breastfed Abie but she seems insatiable. There are nights that she is crying even after nursing, I attributed it to witching hour. Everytime I hold her, she will automatically go for my breast and wants to be fed! Agie suggested we supplement but I was adamant, I want to succeed in this!

I've been in and out of the medical centre weighing Abie but at her two months check, she didn't gain any weight (she had a very good weight gain for the first two weeks). She also don't have enough wet diaper that I am concerned she might get dehydrated. I called the ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association) help line and also had a lactation consultant came over to help me with my supply issues. I did 'babymoon', I nursed non stop for an entire afternoon, pumped after feeding but it seems Abie is still  not getting enough.

Around May, after seeing a pediatrician, I decided to supplement. And after a few days, my baby is not crying as much. OMG! My baby was hungry all the time!!! She only takes two or three ounces at a time, and then will look for my boobies, well at least she still prefers me over formula (at her age, she should be taking 6 oz).

Abie is almost six months and still being mixed feed. Its easier at night because I don't have to get up to prepare milk for her. Because we're co-sleeping (her crib is beside our bed with one side removed so it looks like an extension), whenever I see her rooting for my boobies while sleeping, I would just move to her side and nurse her. Win-win situation for us!

I will continue to breastfeed as long as likes. And they are correct, it did get easier.

For future reference, here are resources I always checked when I was up at night feeding my baby:

La Leche League

Baby Centre Birth Club

Kellymom

Australian Breastfeeding Association

Modern Cloth Nappies

I've been doing nappy-free time for Abie daily for about 30 minutes because her bottom is a bit red. I've tried a number of nappies and there's really none that makes the redness go away.

Then last Monday, I noticed a small cut while changing her and decided right then and there to shift to cloth nappies when I'm just at home.

I went to EBay and found a reasonably priced Modern Cloth Nappy (MCN) - $40 for 10 pcs plus 12 inserts. They offered free delivery too so by Thursday I got the nappies, washed and dried them and we are trialling it now.

The MCNs are sooo cute! Thing is, it needs three washes to get the maximum absorption so I had to change it every hour. So far so good. I also got the nappy liner so when baby will do #2, I don't have to wash a poo-full MCN. The liners are cheap at $2.50 for 100 liners.

If this trial is successful, I will shift to MCN full time by ordering 10 more! It's cheaper than disposable in the long run and good for baby's bum and environment as well.

Hopefully I can say goodbye to red bum forever!!!

Check mylittleripple.com.au, that's where I got these cute nappies. I am also researching more about MCNs and there are tips and tricks on how to go about using these. 

What? My Baby is already five months?

I can't believe how time flies so fast!!! 

Don't blink or you will miss their milestones.

Cuddle as much as you can, sleep together as much as you can. 

They are only babies once. And before you know it, they will be crawling, walking. They will be independent and will not need you anymore, waaahhhh!!!

Baby Abie, please remember that Daddy and I love you very much and we will be here for you no matter what. 

my baby born at 3.05 kilos

2 day old and she's showing her cute smile already

First month - March 27, 2012

2nd month - April 27, 2012

3rd month - April 27, 2012

4th month- May 27, 2012

5th month - June 27, 2012

My birth story and more

My birthing story is traumatic for hubby and me, I don't want to relive it. Looking back, I couldn't believe Agie and I did it! The labour was long and dry but at soon as i had skin to skin contact with Abie, the pain of giving birth was almost gone. The most painful part was the stitches for my third-degree tear (and the drama that went with it) but since all the wounds are now healed, I can say bring on baby # 2! 😃

My contraction started on the 26th of Feb at around 6:00 am; went to the hospital at 6:00 pm and was told I am 8cn dilated. With 2cms more to go, I didn't ask for epidural. At 9:00 pm, a catheter was attached to me as i cant seem to pass urine! At 12mn, they broke my water and at 1:05 am I had my little one.

Weighing 3.05 kgs Arabella Gaile is the most wonderful thing that happened to us.

Mobile blogging

I just discovered you.

I am so happy I can now blog about baby Abie, Yehey!!!

I missed blogging

There are too many stories to tell but right now, my focus is caring for my baby girl.

Arabella Gaile, born on the 27th of February is our life now.

I will certainly do a detaild post very soon.

Bye for now, baby is calling me. ;-)

2nd Day of Maternity Leave

Today is my second day of maternity leave. I spent most of the day surfing the net but have to walk around from time to time as Bub doesn't like me sitting for a long time. 

Last night, I had sharp, sudden pains on my pelvic that lasted for an hour (on and off). I thought the Baby wants to come out so I started to time the contractions. Just when I had my phone with me, ready to time the intervals, it stopped.

Today, my pregnancy tracker is telling me I have one week and one day more to go. But anything can happen. I should write down everything I want to ask my midwife, she is visiting me tom (I changed my pregnancy care to Midwifery Group Practice so instead of me going to the hospital everytime, its my midwife who visits me at home and will continue the visits after the baby is born, cool!).

Because my labour is imminent, I asked my sisters how their labour went. My yoga teacher told me that generally, you would have similar experience with your siblings. Our eldest told me she had a long labour (17 hours) and I remembered my niece being born conehead because she had to be vacuumed out. On the other hand, my younger sister said she laboured for only an hour! An hour, imagine??? She said during the course of her pregnancy, she was forced to exercise as her classroom (she is a Teacher) was at the third floor of their building. The exercise did her well and she had an easy labour. So now I don't know what mine would be like, I am scared but excited and looking forward to it at the same time. I think, when you're almost at the end of your pregnancy, all these thoughts occupy your head.

Oh well...

I can manage, we will manage. Everything will be okay. So help me God.

I need to bake now coz I am hungry!!!

8th Month

This is my 8th month photo, I am so huge (or my tummy that is) I am about to burst. =) I am enjoying this last month of my pregnancy because I know, anytime soon, our Baby Abi will come out na. Its more difficult to sleep now, my tummy's heavier, my trip to the loo more frequent but I am not complaining. As long as baby is safe and sound, everything is bearable.

I was silently stressing about my parents visa and have already accepted the fact that Agie and I will have to manage baby Abi on our own. Some of my friends parent's visa were granted a bit late while one is still waiting for it to be approved since lodging last October. Since my mom had their application picked up only last January 7th, I don't want to push them to follow-up this 'early' because I know she is so busy with school work.

Yesterday, she texted me asking about the tickets and I told her I will only buy it when they get their visa. And her reply was --- But we arleady have the visa since January!!! I texted you and was surprised you never replied to me.

Hahaha, all along they got their passport back two weeks after --- with 20 January as grant date for a one year multiple entry visa with a 3-month max stay per entry (we only applied for a 3 month single entry so this is a bonus!). I told her I never received her message and all the time we exchanged sms' the visa was never mentioned. My sisters never said anything when we talked because they all assumed I knew (all I really know was that my Mom asked me to book their flights on Feb 25 in the hope that my brother from Saudi can get his vacation approved and be home before that date--- which is unlikely to happen now but that's another story).

Happy Friday for me, yahoo!!! And when we arrived home, I got a letter from Mr Postie saying I need to pick up my international package. My Medela Freestyle Breastpump has arrived, double yahoo!!! I have to buy this in the US as it cost twice as much if I buy it here (around $600, what a rip off!). Cherry highly recommended this pump and Nympha got one too. Because I intend to breastfeed as long as I am on maternity leave (10 months, baby!), it would be wise to invest in a good breastpump.

I am all set --- maternity bag all packed, baby checklist all ticked off, maternity leave to start next Friday, wohooo! Now all I need to do is continue with my breathing and yoga poses, pelvic exercises and be active while waiting for Baby Abi to show herself to the world. We can't wait...

Welcome 2012!!!

Thank you 2011

It was definitely a year full of blessings --- work, family and life in general.

CPA studies done (hubby is halfway there), promotion at work (hubby found a new one) and the two of us became 3 (or soon to be!!!)

As we bid the year goodbye, we welcome the new year with open arms --- more blessings, good health, and great friends!

2012, we will claim you as our year!

(photo grabbed from Facebook friends' post)