That day I found out..:)

          Exactly this time last year i found out I was pregnant. I'll never forget that day when my bestfriend Thirdee forced me to take a PT after how many weeks of not feeling well. It all started in Boracay during Laboracay, first few days we were there I was fine! The last 3 days we stayed i stayed most the time in the room because I wasn't feeling well. Until we got back to Manila i wasn't feeling my fever best I thought maybe i had a little too many drinks or I was just really tired from all the events we went to. So after a few days i saw my friend Gab post that he was sick and Gretchen as well, i started to think "ah oo, napagod lang kami" ayun after a week they felt better. Ako, nope! Still felt sick. I started to think, OH NO i might be pregnant? Hindi naman cguro?

         
          I took the PT and 2 lines came out, I kept reading the box over and over again, medyp na memental-block ako, maybe I misunderstood the directions? But no, 2 lines meant positive, sabi ko kay Thirdee, "isa pa, baka nag error yan or masyado ako madami nalagay na kiwi" but deep down inside I had that feeling.. I'm preggy!

          Thirdee then said para sure sure at dahil ayaw ko maniwala sa PT na ginawa ko, na to call our doctor friends who are close to us, sola Doc Joyce and Steve lim. So thats what i did, the said if the test reads positive with 2 lines 99.9% that its correct. OMG! my heart dropped nut i was sad, i wasn't angry or upset, I was scared! So we went to St. Lukes to our OBgyn Dra. Joji Rey-Matias and had our ultrasound. BOOM! I saw my little Kieras heart beat for the first time.

Thirdee was in shock, as you can see in the photo above.. hahhaha akala at a niya aha buntis! 

After a few week i was able to tell my mom and dad na,  that was the hardest part and that was finally done! Now inisa isa ko na close friends ko, which included Bianca Manalo and Gretchen Fullido (who are Kieras ninangs) Their reactions were funny but both happy for me. I was so happy how everyone kept it a secret till I was ready to talk, I really appreciated how wretch never said anything even if kinukulit na aha ng mga tao, until I was ready, sa sakanya ako una nag pa interview.

This was before my The Buzz interview with tito boy.., Full support ang mga atey! 

With that behind me, everything went smoothly after, i had no bashers, I had no ba reactions, everyone was surprisingly happy for me, and I was so thankful and thanked God for such a wonderful blessing. He's always been by my side

Time to celebrate!! Some of my closest friends set a party for me!--->

My pregnancy was a fun one, I didn't stop myself from having fun, I was able to go to Cebu, and even Brunei twice! I had a blast. Lucky for me my pregnancy was an easy one, di ako pinahirapan ni baby Kiera ko.

<-------Baby shower!!! here I'm almost 8 months preggy!

My little ones first picture via 4D ultrasound--->

                                           










                                            My journey...:) thank you for being part of it...

                               Love,

                                    Mel

                               Be Kind

Being a New Mom..:)

          Im just home, sitting at the dinning table, baby is sleeping. So while waiting for Kieras bottles to finish sanitising, here I am finally being able to write another blog. Today I'm home alone, trying to get by with no help haha. My PA is out running errands, and Charles is at his parents house because he has a bad cold and cough, nahawa ata sha kay baby eh. hehehe so I decided to write a post about being a new mama, and how to cope.
          I've always been the type of girl who handles pressure and stress in a well mannered way, I never let it get to me, but being a mom, omg! Out of this world! haha. Heres a few rules I did that maybe might be able to make your being a new mom a little bit easier.

1. Its okay
     Its okay girls, you don't have to do everything on your own, its okay to take a minute and let you mom or help take care of baby for a bit, you need a breather, you can't master everything all at once, everything is a learning process. When you get that overwhelming feeling, just take a minute, back off, then when your ready again, your beautiful baby will be right there waiting for you. You never want to get to that point where you tell yourself, "pagod nako" "di ko na kaya' or even "ayoko na' being a new mom is the hardest job, your responsible for a precious little life. Remember, Its okay to cry, being a mom is not an easy job, and crying has actually been proven to make you feel better.

2. Me time
     Never forget about yourself, wag mo pabayaan sarili mo in short. We deserve some pampering and some love. Make sure you still feel beautiful, even if its that 10 minutes in the shower, or that 10 minute manicure or even that 1 hour massage! After all that pushing and carrying that baby in your tummy that the least we deserve.

3. Friends
     Have a good set of friends that understand you, the journey of motherhood is no joke, your whole world changes, make sure you have a support system around you in form of family, friends or loved ones, or even other moms that helped me a lot knowing they are going through the same things.
They will be the ones who will keep you sane and make the journey a really fun one.

4. Shop hahaha
     Yes, Shop... need I say more? For me i found that shopping is a huge stress reliever, not only that but baby enjoys going out, seeing people, lights, colours, and of course while baby enjoys so do I! (specially now nothing fits) Few dresses, some little toys for baby or even a piece of your favourite cheek tink will take away all that stress instantly! Its every girls magic. SHOPPING!

5. Time off
     Leaving baby might be difficult but a few hours won't hurt, watch a movie, go on a date with you partner, at least once a week, it makes all the difference, plus, keeps the love alive! hehe

6.  Love that Mom Bod
     Kung may dad bod may mom bod, hahha that post partum body is nothing to be ashamed of, you carried a little life inside you for 9 months, we even have battle scars haha in form of stretch marks. Why be ashamed? We have a huge blessing in form of a baby, thats healthy, and of course cute, that weight, it will go away, don't pressure yourself, if someone says your fat, masama lang talaga ugali nila haha Take your time don't pressure yourself to lose the weight right away, your baby needs you thats you #1 priority, when your ready, go!

7. Every mom is different
     I used to compare myself with other moms, how the carried the baby, taught them to play, discipline them, or kahit un mga "haka haka" ng mga magulang nation or mga nakakatanda. How you take care of your baby is your way. It good to take advice from others but mothers instinct is the best way to go. Tayo nakakakilala sa anak nation and we know whats best for them. Everyone has a different way of taking care of their little one, if you make a mistake, it doesn't mean your a bad mom. Its a learning process

8. Enjoy it
     Remember time goes by slow, but years fly by. Before you know it malaki na si baby so cherish every moment you have with them, di na mauulit yan. One day, we will miss this.

9. When baby sleeps, you sleep.

10. Acceptance 
     We're walking down a new path, a new journey, a new life, and we let go a lot of things that we are used to. Thats a big part pf being a new mom, don't feel bad, don't be discouraged. God has put you on this path for a reason, trust his timing, and trust his plan. I've always said a baby was exactly what I needed it opened my eyes to a whole different world, I became a better person. Just always remember, things always get better. Sometimes it even turns out better than it was before. You are blessed.



          Love,
            Mel

          KE KIND

Strechy problem.. -_-

          So I never thought I would be that girl, but I was. I have severe stretch marks, really bad, across my tummy, on my sides, behind my arms and inner thighs, and for some reason I feel like lalo sha dumadami? Anu ba to? Super na depress nako, looks like I was attacked by a lion! Haha but no worries I found something that won't eliminate stretch marks but help make them less visible and prevent it na dumami pa, I really wish someone would have told me about this when I was pregnant. My good friend Bianca Manalo failed to tell me this early on but its their family secret- Argan oil, she doesnt have a baby yet but all her sisters do and none of them have stretch marks, so pregnant or not argan oil is absolutely a must and a girl secret we shouldn't keep from each other!

          I always hear and see argan oil being sold some even mixed in shampoo but pag ganun madami ng iba halo ng products so it not really PURE, minsan may halong olive oil or other thing i dont even know, in other world tinitipid tayo, tas mas malaki kikitain nila.. Well im really lucky that my good friend @sel_guevara who is a fitness blogger and PBA courtside reporter is a distributer of the PURE ARGAN OIL.. You can order your "Liquid Gold" directly from her as i can asure you it the real thing! I use it everyday now and i can definately see and feel the difference! Its somewhat addicting! as you see sa pic malapit ko na maubos haha

         

Here are the top 10 uses for Argan Oil- 

1. Face Moisturizer - After cleansing morning and/or night, massage a few drops of argan oil directly onto your face and neck. Since argan is considered a dry oil, it absorbs quickly and is not greasy. If you want to use it as a serum, apply your night cream after the oil absorbs into the skin.

2. Hydrating Toner – Add a few drops of argan oil to your favorite facial toner to hydrate and tone simultaneously. You can make your own toner by adding a few drops of argan oil to Rose or Orange Blossom water.

3. Rejuvenating & Brightening Face Mask – Add a few drops of argan oil to your store-bought mask. Alternatively, make your own mask by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 3 teaspoons of Greek-style yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 drops of argan oil in a bowl. Apply on a clean, dry face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

4. Exfoliating Lip Scrub and Moisturizer – To smooth and moisturize your lips, add a few drops of argan oil and vanilla extract to fine brown sugar. Lightly massage into lips using circular motion and rinse off.

5. Face Glow – Add a drop or two of argan oil to your foundation, bronzer or tinted moisturizer for a dewy, luminous glow.

6. Leave-on Conditioner – After the shower, while your hair is still wet, add a few drops of argan oil to your hair, ends and scalp to hydrate and moisturize. It’s especially nourishing if your hair is dry from daily use of a blow dryer, straight-iron or curling iron.

7. Hair Styling Shine – When your hair is dry, use as a styling product by adding a few drops of argan oil to the palms of your hand. Rub your hands together and run your fingers through your hair to create shine and tame frizz. You only need a small amount. It lasts a long time.

8. Overnight Hair Treatment – Massage a generous amount of argan oil into your hair, ends and scalp. Wrap your hair and leave it on while you sleep. In the morning, wash your hair and you’ll have luminous, soft locks.

9. Cuticle and Heel Softener – Massage a few drops of argan oil into your cuticles to soften, moisturize and encourage nail growth. Use as an overnight treatment to nourish cracked heels by working a good amount into your feet and toes. Cover with socks and wake up to supple feet.

          Aside from Argan Oil I made another discovery, Mustela Restructuring Gel! I already use Mustela products but for Kiera they have a huge selection of baby washes and other baby products that I adore! while searching for other baby products I could get for Kiera, I came across some of their mommy products that were amazing, as well as the nipple cream that really help me help after breastfeeding to prevent that boo boo and ouchie if you know what I mean haha but lets talk about the tummy gel first.. I also use this under my corset, you can instantly feel the tightening and it dries so quickly! Use at least twice a day for a month. The main effect of the get is to restore firmness of tissues, remodels body contours and restores skin quality. This is also the only product on the market that is especially formulated for the post partum period, its also not sticky! as my research tells me 84% of women clinically tested reported firmer skin and 89% reported increased tone and 81% notice skin restructuring. This product is also compatible with breastfeeding! i love it! Its also a mommy must have for me.... you can check the out at a mall near you or on IG @mustelaphilippines 

          One day pag naka lakas ako ng loob i'll show you guys my stretch marks and how it changed.. kaya ko to! Its never to late!

          Hope I helped you out! 

          Love,

            Mel

          BE KIND

1st day at Gymboree

Yesterday was Kiera’s first day at school. Yes she took classes yesterday at Gymboree, and I think I had more fun! I didn’t think that babies as old as Kiera could even take classes. I was surprised to find out that Gymboree offers level 1 classes to 3-6month old babies. She was on her best behavior though during the end of the class was kinda in a bad mood na kasi she was alittle sleepy from the night before kasi late na sha natulog and had to wake up early so she could get ready and we wouldn’t be late.

 I think you have the same questions in mind as I did, what would babies that small even do at a place like Gymboree, well here is what we did. We first laid the babies on the floor on their backs and started rotating their arms in circle while singing them a nursery rhyme, after that we did other activities too like toys that stimulate Kieras eye sight and also her hearing, watched bubbles and tried to reach for them and lots of activities that show bright colors and shapes. I think I enjoyed more than Kiera did. In the class she only had one classmate but that was enough, chumikka agad si Kiera making sounds and trying to have a mini baby conversation with her classmate it was super cute. I can’t wait for Kiera to be able to walk and move to higher levels in the Gymboree classes. They offer more music activities, painting and much more. Grabe its such a great feeling to be able to join her through this, na-mommy vibes talaga ako!

Im soo thrilled to start noticing that Kiera is starting to react to facial expressions, colors and she follows object now when she sees them. bilis niya lumaki at parang kalian lang na she was im my tummy! Nakakaexcite na next week she will be learning something new sa school niya and Gymboree is there to assist because I would never know what to do on my own.

I now understand that it is never too early for our baby to learn, ill share in a future post about, “Baby can read” which I ordered online. You can start teaching your baby to read at only 3 months! Yes 3 months! I haven’t started yet, but I will let you know as soon as I start.  Our little ones are growing so fast, lets make the most of it.

Love,

    Mel

BE KIND