Ice Cream Saturday at Icebergs

It's a loooong birthday weekend for my family.  My daughter turned 10 a couple of days ago and my son will be turning two tomorrow.  Both of them are crazy about ice cream and so my husband and I brought them together at Icebergs in SM by the Bay.

The location is great because it's near the Bay and the best time to be there is around sundown if you want to get seats at the back.  I suggest you get seats inside if you want to get desserts after a hearty lunch.

I love that they do not just have ice creams on the menu.  They have a variety listed such as pasta, sandwiches and a few set meals.  I ordered a Banana Split for the kids to share, Strawberry Sundae for my Father in Law, Cheesy Beef Lasagna for me and later, Lechon Kawali for my husband. 

Classic Banana Split

Yummy Strawberry Sundae

Cheesy Beef Lasagna

The food was great although their services could still be improved.  My daughter happily finished the rest of the Banana split when my son couldn't get another bite.  The lasagna was very filling as I expect it to be.

My daugther, thankful that her brother has a small stomach, finished the Banana Split

Their Branch by the Bay is open from 10am to 10pm and you can also visit their other branches in Quezon City (Banawe, Timog Avenue, Metrowalk Complex and Trinoma), SM Stores (North Edsa, Fairview, MOA and SM by the Bay), Robinsons (Galleria, Ermita and Midtown).

The Day My Life Changed....Forever

I can still recall how it was like giving birth to my daughter like it was yesterday.  We were completely unprepared and clueless of what's going to happen and what it would be like. 


June 19 - I asked permission from my boss then if I could start my maternity leave.  I was uneasy at work and my pelvic area is hurting.  I couldn't find one comfortable position be it sitting down or standing up. 


June 20 - I spent the day sleeping and preparing my daughter's clothes.  Hubby and I washed all of them and leave them out to dry.  Then we spent the day at home doing nothing but watching videos and listening to Bob Marley's songs. 


June 21 - All the clothes are dry and I spent the entire afternoon ironing them.  Then I slept.  I woke up with the urge to go the bathroom and to the bathroom I went.  I noticed though that it seems like I was still peeing.  It turned out, my water bag was leaking!  Hubby and I rushed to the hospital. 


Off to the labor room I went and they confirmed that my water bag has broken.  I could still remember how the other pregnant woman in the labor room was writhing in pain while I was on the bed completely BORED.  All those times I was thinking I should have brought a book or a magazine.  And maybe they could play some music in the labor room?!  Then my thoughts went to the movies that I've watched where the actress is due to give birth.  Will I be cursing my husband too? Will I be shouting like crazy? Then I was sedated. 


I can only remember bits and pieces of it.  I remember my OB telling me my labor is not progressing and I need to give birth via CS.  I told her "No;" then I slept.  
I remember seeing the lights in the delivery room then I got knocked out by the medicines.
I remember being semi conscious and felt a pain in my abdomen.  I thought "This is it.  I am going to give birth now." Then I heard the nurse tell me I have given birth to a healthy baby girl.  Then I was off to sleep again. 

JUNE 22


Baby, you were born at 37 weeks and 6 days.  I remember seeing you for the first time and thinking that you were so tiny and fragile.  You were only 18 inches long, weighing 5 lbs and 9 oz.  I was so scared to hold you -- scared that I might hurt you or break you into pieces.  The day you were born is the day that my life -- our lives -- changed forever.  When I looked at you, I knew that my life is no longer mine but will be spent taking care of you and loving you forever. 

Today you are 10 and I can't believe how much you've grown.  You will always be my baby girl.  Know that Tatay and I love you unconditionally. 

Happy Birthday.

7 Things I Hate About You

I hate that you sleep most of the time because you stayed up late to work on our daughter's project or lull our son to sleep.


I hate that the house is messy when I get home because you had to run after our son to make sure he doesn't fall off the sofa and he doesn't climb up the stairs.  


I hate that in the weekends you sleep late to watch the replays of shows like Storage Wars or Kings of Restoration because in the day, the TV is either tuned in to Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel or Baby TV. 


I hate that at times you get mad at things such as me forgetting the last time our son or daughter had fever or when our kids got bitten by the cat (on two different ocassions).   I know that you're just concerned about them, you just get frustrated when things are out of your control. 


I hate it when you don't care sometimes.  You don't care that the clothes are on the floor or if we haven't done the laundry.  You'd rather see me relax and rest after an overnight shift.  

I hate that you don't give me flowers and chocolates but surprise me with a good meal or an empty laundry basket.


I hate it at times that I have to leave home to work but that means that you want me to live my dream while you take care of the kids.  


You may not believe it but the things that I hate are the same things that I love about you. 

What we have is not perfect but we somehow make things work.  

To the man of my life, my partner, I LOVE YOU.  

From your kids and I, 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

PCOS and ME

It was two years ago when I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).   First question I asked then was why? Why me? Why now when we're ready to have another baby.  The more I thought about it, the more I get distressed.  I was fortunate enough to have a husband who tried so hard to divert my thoughts from Whys to Whats.  What do we need to do then?  It was he who kept asking my OB.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition where the woman's ovaries have many small cysts.  The cysts are follicles that have not properly developed because of hormonal abnormalities.  Those small cysts were detected by my OB when a Transvaginal Ultrasound was performed. 

There are several symptoms of PCOS and some women may or may not have all of them.  I have 2 out of the 4 mentioned.

Periods.  Not the punctuation mark but if you have irregular periods or don't have one at all, there is a possibility that you have PCOS.

Ovulation. If you have PCOS, then most likely your body is not ovulating every month, thus increasing your infertility rate.  Contrary to what I learned in school, having your period every month sometimes do not mean you are ovulating.  And unless you are very observant with your discharges and you know how to take your basal body temperature, ovulation is not something that can be easily predicted.  

Watch your Weight.  Are you overweight? Do you gain or lose weight easily? This could be signs that you have  hormonal imbalance.  I was X number (fill in the blank) of lbs overweight then.

Unwanted Hair.  When I was young, my cousins used to tease me that I look like my father with a thinning mustache.  Unwanted Hair. Check!

If you got anyone of the symptoms present and you're planning to have another child, then go see your doctor so you'll know what to do.  As for me, I finally got pregnant after 5 months of medication.  Some women who have PCOS takes longer than that.

What about you?  Are you one of those women who have PCOS too?

Nick Jr. Playdate at the SM Mall of Asia

There's something to look forward this weekend.  After the Spongebob's Yellow Party,  Nick Jr.'s Playdate is scheduled this Saturday from 3pm to 6pm at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. 

Entrance is free.  All you need to do is show up with your kids in tow and enjoy a fun filled afternoon.  The lines are usually long so I suggest you arrive at least 30 minutes before the said event.


See you there!

My SansFlou Baby

Our first encounter with the product was during the Mommy Diaries last year.  We immediately fell in love with their Tooth and Gum wipes.  Cleaning my son's teeth was such a breeze.  When my son was one and a half years old and is taking interest with his Ate and me brushing his teeth, we thought what better way to introduce oral hygiene than getting him his own toothbrush and toothpaste.

My son's toothbrush, toothpaste and his Xylitol Swab. Isn't the toothbrush adorable?

Getting him to brush his teeth never became a problem.  He'd even say "boobrush Andre;" to remind me that it is time to brush his teeth. 

Brushing his teeth before bedtime. 

After he brushes his teeth, we also apply SansFlou Xylitol swab to prevent formation of plaque.   


My Mommy Friend together with SansFlou is currently holding a giveaway that will allow you to win a SansFlou gift pack.  All you need to do is visit Moomy Musings here and to know more about the products, you can visit the Oral Health Care for Babies' Facebook Fan Page


Good luck mommies!!!

Toddler's Nook and Nursing Station at the Iloilo City Airport

My family and I arrived around 4 hours early for our flight from Iloilo to Manila a couple of months ago so we had the kids run around the airport.  Both of us (hubby and I) got too exhausted especially from running after our energizer bunny - my son. 

When we got to the 2nd floor of the airport, we discovered that the airport has a Toddler's Nook and Nursing Mother's Station.  I got really excited because now I can let my son loose in one room not having to worry so much and I got another nursing station that I can experience and write about. 

Play area for the kids

Upon entering the room you see the large floor area covered with a rubber mat where the kids can play with the toys found on the shelves.  If you want to have a quiet story time with your kids, there are a lot of books that you can choose from.

Books on the shelves

Toddler toys that your kids can play with

Comfortable Chairs at the Nursing Room

If you want to enjoy a quiet time with your babies, there is another room where you can nurse them privately.  Personally I'd rather nurse my son in the nursing station only because the toys and the books in the play area might distract him.  

The Toddler's Nook is part of the CAAP Iloilo GAD Project.  So if you happen to be at the Iloilo City Airport and you have a toddler like mine, come and visit the area.