Did you get flowers on Valentine's Day?

Because I didn't.

But that's because I've told my hubby countless times through the years NOT to give me any. Of course he showered me with flowers and all kinds of gifts when he was still courting me and during the early parts of our relationship. He even gave me a giant teddy bear that was almost as big as me one year back in college. I swear, he must have looked so silly lugging that thing around in the mall after he bought it. People were probably thinking "ang cheesy naman" hahaha!

The thing is, I appreciate the gesture. But then I would always feel na sayang lang un money. Flowers are beautiful but they are expensive and eventually wilt. Being the practical person that I am, I would prefer that he get me something I really like and can use. That's why I always go with him when he buys me a gift or simply tells him specifically what I like (where to buy, size, color, even the price haha!). Yes, there's no element of surprise but hubby prefers it too since he doesn't need to play guessing games anymore.

And it was the same for this year too. I told hubby not to buy me flowers or anything. Ako na bahala sa gift niya. So I went online and bought a couple of outfits I really liked. So thanks hubby haha! ;p

Nagkataon lang talaga na red ang color nun dress. And no, I did not wear this on Valentine's Day ;p

But then Valentine's weekend came and I started seeing all these pictures on my feed of people showing off flowers and gifts they received from their significant others. At first, I was thinking how corny... But then after a while, parang lahat may flowers ha! I kept showing post after post jokingly to hubby and he was like "gusto mo din ba ng flowers? pwede kita bilhan" To which I was like "wag na, may gift ka na nga sakin diba? un Zalora!"

We also avoid going out on Valentine's Day because we know how traffic and full all the restaurants can get. We did go out on Feb. 13 and had dinner in probably the most unromantic restaurant ever - CHOPSTOP in SM BF! But it was fun for us since we ended up drinking (well I had one beer, my first ever for the longest time!). And I will get cheesy and say that it doesn't matter where we are, as long as we're together that's what counts. (eeeek corny but it's true hihihi!) ;p

Hiyang-hiya daw siya sa Valentine's date namin hahaha! 14 pa talaga un table number e! ;p

After, I saw a post a friend made on Facebook. It was something like how he didn't like Valentine's because if you're single, you feel bad about not having someone special. If you're in a relationship, you feel pressured to take part in the commercialized frenzy. He then goes on to say that shouldn't we make our loved ones feel special the rest of the year as well? He's newly married and apparently he didn't give his wife flowers or make any dinner plans... which led to her making tampo (uh-oh).

A lot of people commented, some agreeing with him while others saying it was unforgivable haha. One person said "Piece of advice lang... Just buy the flowers... It will turn out to be a bargain whatever price you bought it for..."

And now, after doing some soul-searching (naks), I have to say that I've turned a new leaf and sort of wish I'd gotten flowers on Vday. It doesn't have to be a super expensive bouquet, a single rose would work for me (or even from the garden pwede na rin, chos!). But I guess what I'm saying is that deep down, every girl wants to feel special, appreciated, and kilig once in a while. Especially for couples who've been together for a long time, it's important not to forget these little romantic gestures matter as well.

So will I be getting flowers next Valentine's? I guess we will just have to wait and see... :)

Continuing Breastfeeding

I'm proud to say that I've been nursing Skyler exclusively for a full year now! Like I mentioned before, I definitely experienced my own share of challenges and difficulties with breastfeeding especially with my first 2 kids (read about my breastfeeding journey HERE). It is only with Skyler that I've been able to nurse for this long and without having to mix feed with formula.

Nursing at The Boutique BnB in Tagaytay. And I love this chair, very apt don't you think? ;p

I'm so happy that he has developed a big appetite and fondness for all types of food. Because of this, he doesn't nurse as often anymore during the day. Sometimes, he even doesn't drink the expressed milk I leave behind when I go out for as long as 6 hours. Also, I noticed that he doesn't like feeding when we're out since he gets so distracted with his surroundings. During his 1st birthday party, he didn't nurse the whole time since he was probably so excited!

But at night, that's when he nurses practically the whole time. He sleeps early (about 8pm) and doesn't wake up until about 6-7am (parang alarm clock). He would cry for a bit at times and toss and turn, but then he'd just need my breast to fall asleep again. I'm his human pacifier! Sometimes when I'm facing the other way from him in the bed, I'll suddenly feel him tap on my shoulder as if to say "Mommy, wake up! I'm hungry!" But the good thing is I don't have to get up anymore to sit down like when he was younger. Now, all I do is just lift my shirt while lying down and he'll know what to do haha! Which means more sleep for mommy as well. And I love how we're in a hugging position when he feeds at night. Makes me sad to think when he's bigger na and I have to wean him already. :(

He also now loves to tug at my shirt, either lifting it up or pulling at the collar. And then he says "mim" (milk). But what's funny is he does this to his yaya or his lola too! And they get so scandalized especially when we're out in public haha! And sometimes when I'm at bed but working on the computer or just watching TV, he'll just crawl over, lift my shirt, and start feeding on his own lol!

Anyway, here are some questions I usually get about breastfeeding these days:

Doesn't it hurt especially since he has teeth now?
Him breastfeeding with teeth doesn't hurt at all. What hurts is when he intentionally bites me (I guess he gets gigil sometimes?). I've been bitten quite a few times and I couldn't help but shout in surprise. This makes Sky cry since he seems to know he did something wrong. I don't know if me telling him not to do it again worked, since he hasn't bitten me for quite some time now. But he has bitten me and other members of the family in different body parts hehe! ;p

Your baby probably never gets sick since he's exclusively breastfeed.
I don't know why, but Skyler was the one who got sick most of the time compared to his older sister and brother who were formula fed at the same age. I was confused too since I know that breastfeeding should provide him with antibodies and make him less prone to sickness. But I guess you really can't help the virus from spreading in the house especially with kids. Whenever Miley or Sabe would get colds, Sky would get it too. Probably because they can't stop hugging and kissing him! So I guess breastfeeding exclusively is not a guarantee that your baby won't get sick at all. What I think helps is that he's able to bounce back quickly from it. :)

Why don't you use a breastfeeding cover when nursing in public?
I only used a nursing cover for the first few months. But after a while, both me and Skyler found it constricting. He would refuse to feed from under it and would keep trying to take it off. I guess he just likes to see his surroundings and me clearly. And it's just easier feeding him at once without having to take out the cover from my bag and then putting it on. I also don't own any nursing tops or dresses, I just usually wear something loose that I can lift up without exposing my back or too much skin. I admit, I myself got uncomfortable whenever I would see breastfeeding women in public before I had my own kids. But now, I don't care where and when I have to nurse. I'll do it literally anywhere haha! But I make sure that I am always discreet. And I really prefer this because I find it's less obvious when I'm nursing without a cover. With a cover, people know that you're really breastfeeding. But without one, it just looks like I'm holding a sleeping child. :)

Until when do you plan on breastfeeding?
I hope to be able to do it until he turns 2 years old. But I now know the feeling of wanting to breastfeed forever, it's kinda addicting haha!

I remember the first few weeks of nursing, of having to remind myself to take it one day at a time. Then suddenly it was 6 months already and now a year. I know eventually we'll have to start weaning, but for now, I'm enjoying every single minute of precious bonding time with my baby. :)

Vikings Buffet at SM BF

It was my first time to eat at a Vikings buffet (Jazz Mall branch) just last month. And wouldn't you know it, I was able to visit their newest branch in SM BF just a few weeks after!

SM BF branch officially opened last January 23, 2015

I believe each Vikings branch usually has a different theme, and if the one in Jazz Mall has a very European feel to it, this branch in SM BF has a modern-rustic vibe. 

There are lots of wooden, earthy elements...

But then they're balanced out by these modern light fixtures.

This branch was also smaller compared to the one in Jazz Mall, and the layout of the place had the food on one side of the restaurant instead of in the center.

another seating area

Since the place was smaller, I felt that there was less food than the one in Jazz Mall. But I actually preferred it since I didn't feel so overwhelmed with all the choices and the visual overload. They still had all the different stations (Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Italian, Carving, Dessert) but I really liked the presentation of the appetizers which is what you see right when you enter the restaurant.

Dessert station:

Anyway, I also love how they recycled the viking ship from the How To Train Your Dragon Christmas display. It's definitely a great place for a photo op with the whole fam! :)

Rates are the same as in Jazz Mall. We brought Sabe with us and he was just a few millimeters above 3ft so we were still charged with the kiddie price huhu! Akala ko palalampasin na pero hindi talaga e! Dapat pala, pinatanggal ko un shoes baka nakalusot pa hehe. ;p

After this, I think I should stay away from buffets for a while. With summer just around the corner, I definitely need to start my diet now hehe!


VIKINGS SM BF
2nd Floor, SM BF Paranaque
811-3888, 811-4888, 0998-988-2888, 0917-895-4888
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vikingssmbf
Website: www.vikings.ph

Sky Ranch Tagaytay

We celebrated Skyler's actual birthday last month by going on a trip to Tagaytay. Hubby had work so it was just me, the kids and my in-laws. We started the day by going first to Nuvali because the kids just love feeding the fish there.

Then we had lunch at Conti's where Skyler had a birthday cake! :)

 Afterwards, we passed by the Pink Sisters Convent so Skyler could go to church.

Then finally, we were off to Sky Ranch. This was actually my first time to go here so I was quite excited to go with the kids. But kwento first. This was in early January, but it was quite hot in Manila that afternoon that I figured it would just be cool and breezy in Tagaytay. My mother-in-law even checked the weather there and it said 24 degrees. So I just dressed the kids in long-sleeves and just brought a jacket for Skyler at the last minute. OMG. When we got to Sky Ranch, the wind was so strong and it even started drizzling. It was FREEZING cold! We weren't prepared for the weather at all! My father-in-law was in shorts and my mother-in-law just had a sheer scarf that Miley kept wanting to wrap around herself (pero parang useless naman hehe). I seriously wanted to just stay inside a restaurant the whole time to keep warm but the kids were so excited to go around!

at the horseback riding area which is right by the entrance to Sky Ranch

Anyway, entrance is P100 per person but you have to pay separately for each ride inside the park.

The Sky Eye which I wanted to ride but the kids were afraid of. Maybe next time...

Other rides inside the park. Tickets at P50 each (except the Super Viking which is P100)

There were gazebos around where you can sit and rest. I went inside one to see if it would provide some sort of defense against the wind, but wala effect haha! After a while, I just brought Skyler inside a souvenir shop to keep warm for a bit.

gazebos

nice view of Taal

ziplining for the brave souls

trampoline fun

The Sky Cruiser which is like riding a bike in air!

We rode a couple of rides like the carousel. We stayed in the 2nd floor which had a nice view of the place but it was so windy too! I swear, parang torture sa lamig. As in tagos sa buto no joke! This was even colder than when we went to Hong Kong last November. Anyway, I just decided to layer the kids' extra shirts for added warmth.

We also rode the Express Train (P50) which went around the whole park.

After, we headed to the Playzone to try out the inflatables.

The kids had so much fun here jumping around! Like I said, it was cold but after they played here, they were sweating buckets! Buti pa sila hehe. ;p

There was also a bazaar right across where they were selling food and souvenirs.

Skyler meanwhile had a blast in this grassy area! Buti na lang talaga I brought his jacket!

It drizzled again after a while and my mother-in-law decided to buy the kids bonnets. It was a cute souvenir of our day hehe!

Our last ride for the day was Wonder Flight (P50) which was really fun if it wasn't so cold hehe!

It was a fun day but lesson learned: always bring jackets for the kids!!! Better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, it was a nice place for the whole family and we had fun celebrating Skyler's birthday. Will definitely try to come back next time with hubby. :)

Our Prenup Pictorial

Today is our 6th wedding anniversary and to celebrate, I thought I'd share our prenup photos taken way back in 2008 by Flickerhappy Studio. I knew I wanted a vintage theme and I remember searching long and hard for a location for the shoot. I happened to see a photo of this place in Real Living magazine which turned out to be A11 Gallery in Pasay City. From the pictures I saw, I knew I had to have our shoot there.

I didn't know who to get in touch with so I remember just writing a random email to a contact address I saw online. Lo and behold, someone replied and said that it was the very first time someone had inquired about a prenup shoot! So yes, we hold the distinction of being the first ever couple to do their prenup in this place. :)

I completely love how the photos turned out because every single corner of the place was gorgeous! Looking back, it's probably how I would still want my prenup pics to look even if we did it today. And you might think we look sad in the pics coz there's hardly any with us smiling but that's intentional lol! We definitely didn't want to be mushy or cheesy so we just treated it like a fashion spread hehe. So yes, no kissing shots! I remember having my trial makeup done before the shoot then I just did my own hair. I also was the one who styled our outfits. Sariling sikap even then hehe! :)

Anyway, hope you enjoy the pics as much as I loved looking back on them. Throwback! ;p