Skidimarink Cutest Version

To celebrate her 4th birthday today, let me reminisce on this Skidimarink video where I learned that she can move with the beat, amazing things a parent can discover when feeding the child. :)

We're turning Magic 8!!!

I fulfilled the seven months pure breastfeeding so I'm going to rejoice. Then I got a new job. Then my BM went low... so now I have to mix feed. While I am away she will be on formula then direct latch once I get home. It was hard at first to feed her by bottle again after getting used to my breast but because I found a very patient nanny, she made sure that my dear Peanut will be bottle fed once again.

The thing is, its quite heart rendering whenever I get home and little Peanut is waiting on her high chair and once she saw me from the door will give me a joyous expression of glee. As if she's saying "Finally, dede (breast in Tagalog) is back!!!" On a mother's point of view, it was always the best welcome one can get every time I get home in the afternoon.

We are seven days shy before she turns eight months...she is already trying to walk around too much. She's still learning to crawl though. You see, my daughter has a very weird milestones because she learned to sit and walk before crawling or roll over. She can now point out when she doesn't want to eat her food...just look away until the spoon in front of her goes away. She can blink her eyes also called "beautiful eyes"  and make herself look cute when she wants attention. Ah the little one is becoming a toddler fast. 

Food wise, she's a good eater. She can turn broccoli into lollipop and strawberries are her favorite munch. They said its because she was breastfed that's why she's not choosy with food. Today I tasked her "Yaya" (nanny in tagalog) to fed her the blended quinoa and salmon mixed with milk. I am just amazed how fast she can grow in a matter of eight months....seems like yesterday when I first held her in my arms. Everyday I thank God for the opportunity of being her mother.

P.S.
Did I mention she can say "baba" now and "nenny" for me??? 

A Working Mom's Dillema: Time vs Money

I am actively looking for a new job. But this time, there's a big difference. I am a mom now.  

Hello Selfie!!!

When I was single I wanted a job with big salary no matter how long is the working hours, as long it was a high paying job. I used to travel quite a bit back then so if the work requires a lot of traveling, then it was more challenging and fulfilling for me. Time was never an issue. My main worries are much trivial compared to the present time.

It's 360 degrees totally different now. Seeing my Peanut slowly grow up into a bright toddler, time has become more crucial factor in finding a job nowadays. I would rather sacrifice a smaller pay compared to what I had before if I get to spend two days in a week with my daughter. Every minute with her is very precious. I now tend to ignore the social media calls during the times when I am with her. She is my world. She was a gift from God that requires time, patience and understanding. God entrusted me her life and it is my aim to make a better world for her to grow up into. If I can weasel out more time for my growing baby from a new job, I will take that offer. I pray for a company with a motto that "family comes first." I know, God will grant it to me anytime soon. 

Being able to teach and introduce her the way of our world is more important than slaving my life in the office till the early wee hours of the morning. I'd rather be slaving away changing nappies and nursing her till the early rooster welcome the sunrise because motherhood is a personal fulfillment. Knowing that I am investing my time wisely on my little one and providing for her simple needs cannot be compared to any amount even in gold. 

This is my motherhood journey. 

The Power of Boobs

Now that I can hand express 100ml to 150ml of breast milk at one go, I cannot stop being amazed by the power of the boobs. I am totally amazed every time the milk spritz out from my nipples knowing that it contains all the antibodies and nutrients my baby needs. 

I am into my 2 months and 3 weeks breastfeeding journey. It wasn't easy at first, summing up with the bloodied and sore nips, hard as stone engorged breast and a wailing baby on the side. All the time researching how to increase my milk and trying it out each advise to ensure my milk will be more than enough. Although we are mix feeding my Peanut currently (it really pisses me off but I have no choice but increase my milk stash) and being constantly worried how her poop looks like from time to time, we are hoping that she will grow more.

A lot of mothers are unaware that a breastfed baby fats are fully packed inside their body. They might not look like Michelin or Bay Max type of fats but they are lean and packed. My hubby constantly worry that our baby is not growing fast enough, but I strongly have faith in the power of my breast milk. My baby is well nurtured with strong bones (just like last night, she kept raising her head as if wanting to sit at 2.3 months!) and she has strong immune system. 

I can continue all day and night highlighting all the benefits and wonders of breast milk  and how it is the best among all baby food but I guess, all mothers knows this. I do not condemn those mothers who choose to formula fed their babies because each mother knows whats best for their own babies. As long as the baby gets fed on time, poops properly, sleep properly then all is well. Each mom has their own way nurturing their babies and as for me, I will do my best to drink, eat and increase my milk for my beloved Peanut!

Hand Expressing the Milk

It was quite unfortunate that I was laid off on my first day back from maternity. However, I am the type of person who is positive most of the time. Because that day, my milk output increased to 300ml...which was a first.

So instead of feeling bad about losing my job, I was quite happy to see the increase of my supply. I followed all the advice on Breastfeeding Pinay and indeed, it truly worked. Nowadays, I do hand express more than the pump to totally drain out my liquid gold. Somehow I am amazed every time I see my milk soaring out of my nipples. Expressing a 100ml to 150ml each time was quite an achievement. A woman who never breastfeed her baby would never appreciate the liquid gold and the amazing things a woman's body can do to feed her child.

Truly God is good...all the time!

The Not So Newborn Peanut

I should stop calling her Peanut... well, habits die hard. 

She's almost two months on March 12...and unfortunately due to some unavoidable circumstances I might leave her for two days to personally do some stuff in my home country. It will be hard because I am breastfeeding her and she developed this crying attitude when she could not feel my presence...even if I was seating 3 feet away from her...what more so if I am on another side of planet? Thus, hubby will be feeding her formula...as much as I hate it. Because I dont have a stash of breastmilk enough to last her for two days. On the lighter side, she and her daddy will have two days of bonding. 

Time pass by so quickly that my Sophia is growing and getting more interactive. She likes...no...she loves listening...either it is from people having conversation or music from the pc. She also had been skyping with her grandma and uncle and she was attentive and giving them her adorable, toothless smile. 

She's making her own milestones like controlling her head up and trying to roll on her side... which is too advance for her age...she's not yet even two months. She started her gurgling communication and I strongly wish she will be able to develop her language skills anytime soon. 

For now, I'm enjoying my maternity leave changing nappies, nursing, and putting her to sleep...and there it goes...time's up...she's bellowing me now to come to the rescue....ciao for now!!!! 

Motherhood Journey

I delivered a healthy baby girl at 8:32am on 12th of January 2016 via CS. It was the most amazing moment of my life when I heard her loud cry.

I wanted to exclusively breastfeed her but on day 2 of my post partum she developed jaundice.  The doctor said that she didn't get enough milk from me so we decided to mixed feed her with formula on the 3rd day since my breast milk is still low in supply.

For the first time in my life... me and my husband were grateful for a 2 hours full sleep. I experienced feeding her while my head was bobbing sleepily (almost snapped my neck). I suffered post partum depression due to the hormonal changes. I was literally tearful most of the time and yes... crazy too.

But despite all the hardship and sleepless nights...journey to motherhood begins now.