Skyler's birth announcement

I've been seeing so many creative pregnancy photos in Pinterest and one of those I've been wanting to do was this picture above - from bump to baby! I've also been documenting my preggy belly week after week and I've yet to compile all the pictures in a nice collage to show how my tummy has grown. But for now, here's Skyler's birth announcement - shot by hubby and edited by me. :)

Welcome to the world Skyler!

If you follow me on IG, then you must know that I already gave birth a few days ago! I may not be able to blog as much since I’m pretty much a walking zombie most of the time these days, but I just wanna share my birth story while I have some time (baby is sleeping peacefully for now...)

I finally gave birth last January 8, 2014 at 12:13 am to a healthy 6.13 lbs. baby boy! My due date was actually January 19 but I've been feeling so heavy and uncomfortable lately that I just knew I’d give birth earlier. Besides, I’ve also given birth before reaching the full 40 weeks in my past 2 pregnancies as well (trivia: Miley was born at 36.3 weeks, Sabe at 37.3 weeks and now I gave birth at 38.3 weeks!).

I’d been walking like crazy since the start of January and when I went for my check-up last January 6, my doctor told me I was already 2cm dilated after doing an internal exam. She told me to keep walking and to just come back the following day.

So basically, here’s how everything went down on January 7:

3:30pm – I arrived at the hospital (Makati Med) and by this time I was at 3cm with irregular contractions.

5pm – I was brought to the labor room and given Buscopan via IV to help thin my cervix I believe. Pretty soon I was having contractions every 3 minutes but the pain was still tolerable. I was just doing breathing exercises to help me get through it.

8pm – I was getting really hungry (my last meal was at lunch) so my doctor allowed me to have soup and crackers. But just as hubby was buying my food, my water broke on its own so I wasn’t allowed to eat anymore! Super bad timing! ;p

9pm to 10pm – The pain was getting worse. I was still at 4-5cm but each contraction was so strong I couldn’t stand it anymore. I was gripping the sides of the bed so tightly and asking hubby to squeeze my hand as hard as he could (he told me after his grip was so strong but I honestly didn’t feel it since I couldn’t even think straight!). I finally asked for an epidural and I swear I didn’t even feel it because I was such in pain from the contractions.

11pm – I was at 6cm by this time and although the epidural did help, I could still feel the pressure down there. Each contraction was about 1-2 minutes apart and I swear I could literally feel the baby’s head moving down!

12 midnight – My doctor checked me and by some miracle I was already fully dilated and ready to deliver!

I was rushed to the delivery room and everything happened so fast. I gave birth at 12:13am so imagine it took just about 13 minutes from the time I was wheeled out to the delivery room, prepped and then finally gave birth. I think it helped that I wasn’t completely numb down there since I could still feel the urge to push. I think I just pushed for about 3 times then the baby was out! This was the fastest labor and delivery for me, but also the most painful. With Miley and Sabe, I got the epidural early on and was in labor for a loooong time so I really couldn’t feel a thing even when I was pushing. But even though it hurt like hell, I’m thankful for this experience because I think it makes you appreciate being a mother more haha!

Say hello to SKYLER CALEB!

first family pic!

And now, we’re back to sleepless nights all over again. I’m carrying the baby almost 24/7 and breastfeeding on demand. My milk just came in and my boobs are so engorged and sore! Having a new baby is wonderful but it’s also challenging, demanding, and frustrating at times. But since this is my third, I also feel more confident and in control now. Less frazzled and more calm during certain situations (like when the baby won’t latch, when he’s crying non-stop and you don’t know what’s wrong, etc).

However, I also feel a bit guilty since I feel like I’m not being able to give my other kids the attention they need... Oh well, I guess we’re all in the adjustment period now and everything will get better in time. I’m just thankful that my son is finally here and that he’s healthy, strong, and so, so beautiful. I can’t stop looking at him and marvelling at how tiny he is. I almost can’t remember the time when Miley and Sabe were also this small. Reminds me that time flies by so fast and before I know it, this little baby will be walking and talking and going to school already... So really, I just want to cherish each day and embrace each moment as it comes.

hi there little brother!

So welcome to the world, my little Skyler. We love you so much and can't wait for lots of new adventures with you! :)

DIY: My mom's new chairs

Look what welcomed me when I visited my mom's house! Repainted and reupholstered chairs which she did herself!

These were previously rusty old chairs with paint peeling off and the seats were a cheap looking vinyl leather. Now they look so dainty and cute! I totally love all the colors she used, which were just leftovers from previous paint jobs. But I told her she needs to do something about the seat cushions! I don't like the fabric at all haha! They look cute from afar though. ;p But these were apparently the only ones they had around the house, which were leftover fabric from my cousin's scrub suits years ago. I'm thinking we should go with floral, ikat, or stripes? :)

And that's not all... She even painted those white monoblock chairs! Clap, clap, clap! Good job mom!

Now she's asking me what paint color to use in an accent wall for their living room. And she's going to paint it herself! Naks! I think my mom's gonna give me a run for my money in the DIY department hehe! ;p

Photo of the Day: Superhero Sabe

Someone is addicted to superheroes! He really loves wearing his costumes so much, Superman being his favorite. He wears them everyday, everywhere (if you can't tell, he's in full costume when he goes to the park to play). He especially loves wearing a cape and those are his favorite shoes too since they have the pictures of Marvel characters on them. Boys will be boys! ;p

Sale Season is here!

One of the great things about the new year is all the sales happening around the metro! Here's a list of some of the stores I saw on sale when I went around the malls...

The SM Store Clearance Sale

Visit any SM Store near you and enjoy great discounts from January 2 - 12, 2014!

Forever21

All branches are on further price reduction sale until January 15^th.

Rustan's Kick Off Sale

Start your new year with awesome discounts on your favorite brands! Enjoy up to 70% off on selected items storewide from January 3 - 17.

Celine Sale

20% off on regular items from shoes, bags, apparels and accessories. Available in all branches nationwide from January 1 - 30.

Gourdo's, Living Well, and Sleepcare's Christmas Sale

Get ready for Gourdo’s, Living Well, and Sleepcare’s Christmas Sale! Enjoy discounts up to 50% off until January 31, 2014.

Original Penguin End of Season Sale

Enjoy great deals up to 70% off! Until January 31 only in all branches nationwide.

Perry Ellis End of Season Sale

Drop by their stores at Shangri-La Plaza East Wing, Glorietta 5, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM Megamall and Robinsons Magnolia to catch their End of Season Sale from January 1 - 31.

Marks & Spencer Sale

Get set for 2014 with great value fashion finds and enjoy up to 50% off on selected Womenswear, Menswear, Lingerie and Toiletries. Available in all branches of Marks & Spencer.

The Gingersnaps Grand Sale

Big discounts on selected tops, bottoms, dresses, and accessories for infants, boys, girls, teens and expecting moms until February 2, 2014! ! Available in all Gingersnaps boutique stores, department store corners and provincial stores except Laoag branch.

Topshop End of Season Sale

Up to 50% off on selected items from January 3 to February 2, 2014.

Miss Selfridge End of Season Sale

Up to 50% off on selected items.

Timex End of Season Sale

Never be out of trend with Timex this new year as they give you the End of Season sale until February 2, 2014! Buy more and get great discounts as much as 25% on all regular-priced items.

Florsheim End of Season Sale

Visit any of their branches nationwide and grab great finds for your new look for 2014! Sale starts January 2 to February 16, 2014.

Naturalizer End of Season Sale

Sale starts January 2 to February 16 at all of their branches nationwide.

Also on Sale:

Mango, Zara, Uniqlo, Bershka, Cotton On

Cooking with Minola Coconut Oil

From my previous post, I’ve talked about the many benefits of coconut oil. To recap, Minola Coconut Oil is rich in lauric oil that helps fight viruses and bacteria. Cooking with Minola Cooking Oil will also help boost your family’s immunity because it is “MINOLAURIC” or full of lauric oil.

More than ever today, we need to make sure that our family, especially our kids, are healthy. And with Minola, you can enjoy the benefits of coconut oil without spending a lot. You can serve healthy dishes to your family and ensure their health at the same time.

Aside from using Minola Coconut Oil in our everyday dishes, I also use it during our quick and easy baking sessions with the kids. Here’s one of our favorites - Banana Bread. And this time, it was hubby who gave it a try!

Ingredients:

      - Oven Toaster Banana Cake Mix

      - 3 tablespoons coconut oil

      - ¼ cup water

      - 2 ripe bananas (mashed)

      - 1 egg 

Instructions:

- Line the sides and bottom of an 8x13” loaf pan with wax paper

- Combine the mashed bananas, cake mix, oil, water, and egg in a bowl

- Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth, about 50 strokes.

- Pour mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly

- Cover loosely with aluminium foil and lightly seal at the edges.

- Bake in the oven toaster for 10 minutes. Turn the pan sideways and bake for 10 minutes more.

And there you have it, yummy banana bread in less than 30 minutes!

Here are also some simple recipes using coconut oil which I found online that anyone (including a kitchen novice like me) could do:

- HomemadePeanut Butter

1½ c. unsalted roasted peanuts

1 tbsp. coconut oil

For smooth peanut butter:

1.     Mix the peanuts with the coconut oil, and pour the mixture into the food processor.

2.     Process the mixture until it’s very smooth.

3.     Store your smooth peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

For chunky peanut butter:

1.     Take about ¼ cup out of your 1½ cups of peanuts and set them aside.

2.     Mix the rest of the peanuts with the oil, and pour the mixture into the food processor.

3.     Process the mixture until it’s very smooth, then stir in the peanuts that you had set aside.

4.     Process a few seconds more to create the chunks in your chunky peanut butter.

5.     Store your chunky peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

- Honey ButterSpread for bread and muffins

1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup raw honey

- Savory Spreadfor bread

1/8 tsp turmeric
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup coconut oil

What’s great about these recipes is that they’re quick and easy to do, plus I’m sure the kids will enjoy it. It’s perfect for their baon in school or a snack at home. Happy and healthy cooking everyone! J

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We watched Disney On Ice!

We watched Disney On Ice: Treasure Trove at the Araneta Coliseum last December and it was really a great experience for us! I've been seeing this show advertised every year for as long as I can remember and it's only now when I've had kids that I got to see it. Well, I think it was worth the wait. :)

Disney merchandise for sale

buying the program which came with a Mickey Mouse crown (P350)

more merchandise inside the venue

looks like Mommy's more excited to watch the show hihi! ;p

view from our seats

We were seated at left side but we still had a good view since all the characters were skating and moving in different directions anyway. It was a really good show since all the famous Disney characters were present and they showcased all the well-known songs and scenes from the movies. Miley didn't even get bored and she was clapping her hands and shouting all the names of the characters when they came out. :)

Minnie, Mickey, Donald & Goofy!

Toy Story

Alice in Wonderland

Peter Pan in Neverland

The Lion King

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

A Whole New World with Aladdin & Jasmine

The Little Mermaid

Tangled

Mickey and Minnie change outfits

the finale with all the Disney Princesses!

We didn't bring Sabe since he gets bored easily and he's still not used to watching shows like this. But I think we should definitely watch this again next year with him when he's older. Now I'm even more excited to bring the kids to Disneyland! :)