The 10-pieces Cloth Diaper Challenge

On our 8-day vacation to Bacolod, I took 10 Cloth Diapers with me for my toddler to use.  I intend to bring more but I don’t want to bring an extra baggage with me for the trip.  I had to compromise with my dear hubby because he’d be bringing the bags in the first place.  Don’t get me wrong.  He is very supportive about me using Cloth Diapers.  He even learned to remove the poop from the Nappy and he alloted a budget for my “addiction.”  He just doesn’t want to bring a LOT of stuff with us especially when we’re travelling with two kids although we sometimes feel we have more than that because of my Energizer bunny (toddler).

It was only the first day and we already decided to buy “back up nappies.”  Thanks to the bad weather.  It was raining pretty hard and according to the weather report, it may continue to be that way for the next couple of days. 

Day 2 – I woke up and saw that the raining stopped but there is no sun either.  I didn’t mind because I don’t have to do any laundry today.

Day 3 – It was a bad decision to wake up late to do the laundry.  The sun was up but my inserts were still wet at the end of the day.  Thank God for extra inserts.  We had to use one disposable nappy and hit the mall.

Day 4 – I had to do the laundry again.  Good thing I woke up really really early.  I then thought about doing the laundry at night.

Day 5 – My son used CDs all day and then did the laundry at night.  I should have done it sooner because it was easier and the Cloth nappies dried faster.

Day 6 (New Years Eve) – Used another Disposable nappy.  The weather was not too good.  I’m actually considering using Disposable diapers until our flight two days from now.  I don’t want to bring soiled nappies with me.

Day 7 – Son was on Cloth Diapers the entire day. I decided that I’ll do all the laundry tomorrow so I have two days for my stuff to dry.  The sun was pretty cooperative anyway.

Day 8 – My son used disposables the entire day and will probably use them until we fly the next day.

Day 9 – Can’t believe the vacation is over and it’s time to go back to the real world.  My mom was impressed about the Cloth nappies and she was even glad that I started using it with my son.

My Stash in Bacolod. Four of the nappies are still hanging out to dry.

Conclusion:

10 Cloth diapers and 12 inserts are not enough to sustain a 9-day vacation if you plan to use CDs the entire time.  You have to take into consideration the crazy weather and be prepared about it.  At the back of my mind I knew it was not enough but I wanted so much to show these to my mother because I have been raving about it for months!  And why bring just 5 or 6 when my hubby said I could bring as much CDs that could fit into the small spaces of the luggage?

I need to buy a really good washing machine for our home in Bacolod.  Or at least a spin dryer so the Cloth diapers will dry faster.

Spending for a pack of a dozen and a half disposable diapers is not bad.  If I didn’t bring the CDs, this pack would have only lasted for 2-3 days.

Those Colorful Agogo's

I want my kids to have fond memories of their grandparents the same way I do with my Lola.  I remember she used to send me my supply of Chocolate balls that I nibble and even sometimes use as a viand.  Call it wierd but I ate those chocolates with rice.  Now I know that my kids will remember my mother because of their unlimited supply of Agogo (a Hiligaynon term for Ice Candy) whenever we visit them in Bacolod.

Grape flavored Ice Candy that my son calls as "Colors." 

Ice Candy monsters!!

Making Agogo is a no brainer. Really! All you need to do is buy a pack of juice and mix it in water.  Then put it inside those Ice Candy plastics that you can buy at the market and leave inside the freezer for 24 hours.  My mother usually sells this for 2 pesos but when my kids are at home, they end up consuming almost everything. And you know what, it was one way of teaching my toddler about colors too.  

HAMming Up the Holidays

There were a lot of things that we looked forward to during the last Holiday Season. One was our family’s week-long vacation to Bacolod because it will be our first time celebrating the New Year there and the other is sinking our teeth into the Premium Honey Glazed Ham from Frabelle that was delivered at our doorstep.

Noche Buena is never the same without Ham at our table. Call that the Quimpo family Tradition.  While the kids running around, playing around and laughing, my husband went to prepare and cook the ham. 

The Claim

Frabelle Foods Premium Honey Glazed Ham is made of whole muscle meat that came from the ham leg.  It does not separate when sliced or cooked.  It is naturally smoked using real wood chips then caramelized to perfection.   Topped with pure honey and sugar, the ham is blowtorched to produce that brownish glazed covering and the sweet succulent taste.

The Verdict

The ham was everything that it promised to be and more.  It was delicious and very tender.  One can taste the smokiness and the sweetness of the meat inside.  I had to remind myself that there are other family members who’d like to try this yummy treat. The kids and I ate it plain while my husband and my mother-in-law made a ham sandwich.  

Will I be buying this the next time? Most definitely! This would have been on our table during our Media Noche if it were available in Bacolod.  Now that I’m back in Manila, I’ll be hitting the grocery soon so I could buy one for my Parents and have it shipped.  This is one ham that will most likely be served on days that we feel like eating one. 

Thank you Frabelle Foods for making our Noche Buena complete. 

Looking Forward to the New Year

The start of 2012 was a little rocky for me professionally.  There were several movements in the company that forced me to adapt.  It’s not easy but it somehow allowed me to grow and discover what I am capable of achieving.  I say 2012 is not at all bad.  Sure I got sick for more than three months but I am showered with so many blessings. 

I have great support system in the form of our Mommy Group – AMO. 

I was given the chance to work with someone who unselfishly taught me a lot about Six Sigma (although I didn’t get the certification – yet)

I have written more regularly now on my free time.  I had four reviews posted in the Smart Parenting Site and I hope to do more.

I’ve met great people and somehow expanded my network.

And of course I have a great family who I love dearly and who have been putting up with me for years.  I can be pretty annoying sometimes.

This year I know it’s going to be different.  I can’t wait for what’s in store for me and my family.  Maybe I’ll write my new year’s resolution or maybe I’ll just create SMART goals for myself.  Maybe....

But let me start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year.  Here's to more opportunities and more blessings this year and the years to come.