3 months

Almost. Almost 3 months since I got back at work. So far, so good. I missed work. Yeah. I have had my time of being a stay at home wife and mom and I also enjoyed those days. But I like working too (read: $$$).

Anyway, I guess I got the vibes again. Navigated my way back. Remembered long forgotten passwords and scripts and rules (why is that again? what's this for? ooohhhhhh...).

In these months that I was back, I got sick. The baby got sick (for the first time!). Struggle. But not that much, really. Good thing J is at home. And so are Lolo and Lola. Times living with in-laws is something to be grateful for.

Oh, the places he will go!

Yes, after the post about Birth Announcement/Birthing Story comes the 1^st Birthday post. I know I am just kidding myself when I wrote that I shall be trying to write while I was on maternity leave.

Anyway, I am back now at work. Bunso is one year old. What a year that was!

The first days were terrifying because of the G6PD deficiency complications. Bunso displayed an early onset of G6PD Deficiency symptoms. So bad that we have to leave him at the Hospital’s NICU. His bilirubin was at alarming level, his pee was tea colored, he was losing weight more than is expected. That is just too much for his tiny body. And too much also for Mommy. I am just glad that I did not have post partum depression and that Bunso is okay after about 9 days.

Since it was winter, Bunso and I just stayed home. We hibernate. We went out occasionally but that is just if it is needed. 

We only had walks about April or May? He was baptized in May in preparation for our back-to-the-Philippines trip (separate post for that trip).

By the time that the weather is ideal for strolling, we were also ready flying back home to the Philippines. 

We were not really planning for anything extravagant for his 1^st birthday celebration. I have learned my lesson that babies really don’t need that kind of party at that age. Plus it is costly. We had that fantastic Philippines trip so we were just planning to lay it low this time. 

 When we got back here, I re-started the party planning -- contacted and booked suppliers -- I did it mostly online, while trying to re-connect to the city. 

We have agreed that it should not be too fancy, yes, but I of course wanted something special for him too.

On the actual day of his birthday, we did a cake smash pictorial and simple party at home. 

While the actual birthday celebration was just a simple get together with relatives and friends. If I can have it my way, I would have wanted it at our home but I know that’s going to involve too much stress and planning for me and our house is not going to accommodate all the guests comfortably. We settled for a buffet restaurant.

A few balloons, a special cake, birthday banner, customized candies, and a theme-related souvenir. That’s it.

Here’s to more happy and healthy years and more places to go! We love you, Bunso!

Javier

Javier Alissandro

November 3, 4:18 am

6 lbs and 14 oz 

They say each pregnancy is completely different from another and I completely agree. I must say that it is also true with giving birth. My first one was uneventful and painless but kind of complicated because I needed blood transfusion. This time, I was also aiming for an uneventful labor and push day. Although I was a bit worried because I didn't know what pain management technique is going to be used during THE day. 

Thank goodness it was also uneventful but far from painless. 

I was awaken by a throbbing pain on my hips at around 2:30 am. I thought that was just because of my  awkward sleeping position. Since Ii was already awake, I decided to take a pee... Oppps there's a bloody show. And then I suddenly realized that the pain is still there. I calmly woke J up and told him, I think this is the time. We both got ready hurriedly but calmly. I can feel the pain and it was really hard to walk but was still tolerable. I was timing it and it is already within 15 to 20 seconds intervals. 

It is a Monday so my Kid #1 had to go to school. We informed my FIL (father in law) that we are going to the hospital and to please look after our son. When we are about 5 minutes away from the house, J decided to have my FIL go with us so he can take the car back to our house since we will be staying in the hospital and parking fee is way too expensive.  So we drive back home to pick up FIL. It is now 10 to 15 seconds interval. 

When we reached the hospital area J asked me if it is all right to go around the hospital area once so that my FIL would know where to park and where to drive back home. Okaaayyyy. I'm in labor here? I agreed because I don't want to argue anymore. I'm busy concentrating to hold it off until we are at the hospital room. 

We did the roundabout and finally we were at admission. A few questions answered, presented our med cards, printed the hosp tags and then we were instructed to go to the 3rd floor for triage. On foot. Yup. No wheel chair or whatever. At the triage, a a few more questions and room was given to us and a hospital gown for me to change into. I am just lucky and thankful that I just have to stay at one room -- from labor to delivery to recovery until the baby and I are ready to check out. 

Once I was settled in our room (J is with me all through out),  I was given internal exam and there... The dilation is already  9 cm and ready to push anytime. There were only nurses and the doctor was not yet with us so I am still holding myself not to push. They took my vitals, etc. and was telling them how my first delivery was. Come to think of it, don't they have a copy of my history? I have already told my Obgyn about that. Since I had a previous blood transfusion, they were trying to find a good vein to have it ready for blood transfusion, just in case. I was poked several times by 3 nurses until they found a good one. By this time i was already in pain and was already asking for the doctor because i know I am way too ready to push. There was no time for epidural or whatever. 

Needless to say it was a short labor. It was painful but bearable. The doctor asked if i want the baby on my chest once he's out and I said yes. He asked J if he wanted to cut the cord, of course J declined. Haha! 

So here's my bunso's birthing story, Needless to say, it was all worth it. 

Hiatus

I know. I have been gone again. Well, as you may have guessed, I have popped! The baby couldn't have timed it a little better. I have filed for Mat Leave effective Nov 3. And he decided he wanted to see the world on that day, 10 days earlier than our due date. But at least he let us do our trick or treating.

So how am i doing, you might ask. The past 2 months have been blissful -- not. Heheh i am not one to sugar coat it, but my first born is already 7 years old, i have already forgotten how it feels like to have a newborn, the struggles of the 4th trimester. So yeah, sleepless nights, spits, crying (baby and mom?) and all, I'm getting familiar with them again. Am i complaining? Yeah. But.... But, looking at my wee one erases all of those mentioned above. If you're a mom, you know it's true.  I may have begrudgingly wake up in the middle of the night for feeding and nappy change but will be cooing happily with him afterwards. The crazy world of having a baby.

Bye for now but i will try to do a post every once in a while. I will also do a separate post to properly announce the wee one. 

Oh, by the way, Happy New Year! I hope you had a great time celebrating the season. May we all be safe, healthy, happy and loved this 2015. Kanpai!

review: 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream

I recently bought this body cream or lotion or moisturizer from 100% Pure upon the recommendation of one of the organic/non toxic blogs that I have been reading. I am always in the look out for great non toxic beauty products, don't ask why, and I am willing to try anything as long as my budget permits.

image: 100% Pure Canada

But first let me share what other products I have tried before this.

We have been using Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion (J is loyal to this) for the longest time and it's working just fine with me. It scored 5 in Skin Deep, with a 10 on PropylParaben, 8 on Fragrance, and 7 on DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser).

image: Jergens Canada

I also have the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (score: 4, with a 5 for Benzyl Alcohol and 4 for Petrolatum) but I am finding it really hard to apply.

image: Cetaphil Canada

As I have said I have tried Body Shop's Body Butter but I only liked the Almond. Last time I checked, Almond is not being offered anymore (But I checked today and it's back on stock!!!!), I have tried the Shea, Mango and Honey Mania. And half jar of the latter is still sitting on my dresser for about a year now. They all scored 6, because of the paraben ingredients and fragrances.

image: The Body Shop Canada

The Curel Moisture Lotion Daily Moisture Lotion for Dry Skin, Original (scored 4 because of paraben, fragrance and petrolatum) works fine with my skin too.

image: Curel Canada

I have tried Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Creme but I didn't like the smell and how it felt on my skin. I think I have only used it twice. I can't seem to find it in the Skin Deep database, though.

image: Burt's Bees Canada

I still have my first travel tube of L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream in my bag (scored 7: paraben, alcohol, fragrance).

image: L'Occitane Canada

The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion I have on my desk works wonder on my hands. I have been using for about a year now at the office and I am liking it. I will be buying a bigger size and will try it as a whole body lotion. It scored 2 overall on EWG with a 5 on Benzyl Alcohol as the ingredient with highest concern.

image: Aveeno Canada

Back to 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. It scored 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database so it is safe and natural. I have been using it daily for about 3 weeks now. I chose the almond because I really loved the soft scent of Body Shop's Almond Body Butter. And 100% Pure's almost smells the same way. The consistency is thick and I really have high hopes for this product.

It came in easy to squeeze container and is also easy to apply. I must say it really moisturizes my skin. But sadly, only for a few minutes. Maybe it is my skin, maybe it's the pregnancy hormone making my skin really, really dry, maybe it's the weather here in Canada. But I don't think this is the right body moisturizer for me. My skin feels okay after applying it but immediately feels parched after just a few minutes of applying. As if I haven't applied any at all. It's not even winter yet, we are still above the normal fall temperature so I guess I shall stop using this for now and use it again come summer. Hopefully I can write a more favorable review when that time comes.

review: 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon

I am a lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, lip shimmer, lip-whatever-kind-of person. I have tubes of those products that I have only used once or twice. Why do I keep buying? Because.

I don't usually wear make up and the eye brows and lips are the only parts of my face that I can confidently put products on, on a daily basis. If I have something on them, I already feel made up.

And we all know that lip products are either a hit or miss. You have to buy it and try it to truly determine if it's going to work for you (unless you're comfortable on trying the testers at the store). Amongst all those that I have tried, these are the memorable ones:

DuWop Lip Venom (ca 2000):

image: DuWop

The Body Shop's Lipstick (only using it for occasions wherein I have to appear to be truly made up), I forgot the exact shade but it's reallyyy RED:

image: The Body Shop

Skin Food Tomato Jelly Lip Tint (just found out that they are still available up until now!):

image: The Skin Food

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.

image: Kiehl's

All of which I can't seem to find in Skin Deep database. 

And the latest that I have been using for about a year now is the Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Spicy Honey and Black Honey.

image: Clinique

I have also bought Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry but as usual, didn't work out fine.

image: Clinique

Clinique's Almost Lipstick works fine with me, specially the Spicy Honey. Although Black Honey has a lot of rave reviews, I find it too dark for me for everyday use. But I see it is a good Fall/Autumn shade. 

And since, I have been reading about organic/non toxic products, I decided to try 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon,

image: 100% Pure

I ordered it together with the Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. And came with sample products in sachets: shampoo and 2 other nourishing cream of which I gave to somebody else to try on to. 

I first used it when I attended a wedding. The color is rich and the feel is creamy and non-drying. However, the stain didn't last long and and it clumped on my lips. Again, maybe it's just my lips or pregnancy hormones. Our body chemistry reacts distinctively with each product. It doesn't mean that we'll have the same results so you have to try it yourself to see how it's going to work for you. Given, it didn't deliver the way I have expected it. But I still think it's a keeper and I plan to use it in replacement of the Body Shop Lipstick. I find the shade too festive for everyday use so I will use it on need-to-be-fully-made-up-occasions. I don't want to buy a tamer shade for everyday use because the price is a bit too expensive for me at C$22. 

I have bought 2 lip balm from Burt's Bees last week and I have been using it alternately for days now. I will write a review too after a couple more weeks but I am loving it, I want to buy another shade. At $8 a piece, not bad.