Fun with the Classic Lego Set

The weather hasn't been that good for the past few days and I'm so glad that we finally have our Classic Lego set. The set comes with a plastic storage box, a base plate that is 8 cm long and 16 cm wide, with more than 400 Lego bricks in different colors, several tires and wheel rims and a few sets of eyes and a booklet of building instructions.

I've bought my son several toys in the past and he'd often move from one toy to another that fast. He recently received a small Lego set from my friend who just returned from a US vacation and I saw how he used the blocks to create something other than what it's supposed to be - the Saber-Tooth Tiger Tribe from the Legends of Chima. It was pretty interesting because he created little "pets" using the discs as really huge eyes. If the Lego sets would tap his creativity side and will keep him off my back for hours, this toy is going to be PERFECT!

Lego time during school break.

Lego Fun time with Ate

Ate A and Kulit's creations

I was right. My daughter and my son have an 8-year age gap and it's great to see them play together and work together. While my daughter follows the building instructions to a T, my son went and created characters and a world of its own. Yes, that's how different their personalities are. What's even better is that the storage box has more room for more bricks. You bet I will buy more. If only there is a store in Bacolod that sells just the bricks. The best part about buying this set is that I get to work in peace too, unless my son calls my attention once in a while to showcase his creation.

Do you find playing with Lego fun too?

Breastfeeding a Young Child

When I said five years ago that I will breastfeed my son, I always thought that I'd stop when he turns a year old or two. However, sometimes some things do not really go as planned. So here I am, 5 years later and he still does it. A lot of people are surprised when they ask what milk does my son drink and I'd say, "my milk". I've heard reactions like, "What? You still have milk?" or "When do you plan to stop?" Most of the time I just shrug these comments off. Some days I even ask myself why I continue doing this.

So what is it like breastfeeding a 5-year old? You won't see my son attached to my breasts all the time nor will you see me whip it out in public like I used to. Kids his age eat a lot, and I mean A LOT so he gets most of nutrients from solid food with my milk as a supplement. For kids who are still breastfed over 24 months, they are able to get 30% of their caloric needs from breastmilk. It's a myth that it no longer has value when the child is older. Antibodies are still passed on to the child through the mother's milk and these help strengthen their immune system.

There are only a few times when my son would ask to nurse.

He's sleepy.
He's upset.
He's hurt.
He's sick.

Breastfeeding is not just about nourishing a child's body but a child's emotional well-being. As for me, it is my way of comforting my child just like any parent would. Nothing compares to the feeling of being there, holding your child in your arms and him looking back at you with so much love. Each time I nurse I am reminded of why I am still doing this. For every challenges I encountered and overcame in my breastfeeding journey, this is the best reward yet. Soon he'll wean off and he will, when he's ready.

The Mom joins Hakab Na 2015

What better way to start the breastfeeding month than kick it off with The Big Latch On?

Hakab Na! is an event that aims to promote breastfeeding awareness and to support and protect the breastfeeding mothers. Why Hakab? It's simply because the word means latch, and in breastfeeding a good latch is necessary for the baby to be able to draw milk from the breasts.

This event started in August 3, 2013. The Bacolod Mom & Baby club then was fairly new then so there were only 5 moms who got together. Things have changed 2 years after.

Earlier today, a total of 77 mom and baby pairs latched simultaneously for a minute. From 5 to 77. That's a huge leap! It is so exciting to see the breastfeeding community grow. The event was held at the SM  City Bacolod Main Atrium starting from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon.

The Big Latch on was clocked at 10:30 am and this was done nationwide - Alabang, Aklan, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales. While we do not have the total number yet, I'm pretty sure that we reached thousands.

After the Big Latch, the participants get to know the founding members of the Bacolod Mom and Baby club and then several breastfeeding myths were discussed. The participants and the breastfeeding supporters were given snacks courtesy of SM Bacolod and product samples from Calchews and NaFlora. Those who busted the myths also won prizes from sponsors - Pink n' Blue, Ten97, Alex & Ash, Footsie Toesie and Baby Steps Bacolod.

Overall, it was a very successful event, and I'm not just talking about the numbers. It's because the Bacolodnons now know who and where to turn to when they need breastfeeding support.