Sweet Indulgence

Today, I was originally planning to share something for babies, but it was side-swiped by a sweet temptation. I feel it deserves a post.

We all have our guilty pleasures and cheap thrills. I have a short list of my own and as a mom, before I could even indulge in one or two, there are quite a few things I still need to consider, like do I have the time? can I afford it at that moment? how much effort for me to have it?
Prioritize -- as my hubby J would always remind me.

But it's just chocolates! Don't think, just go for it!
That's my gut talking. My mind still has a hang-over at the sight of the price tag.
Maybe it's not by chance that we passed by the store.
So, once around over the display...
I want Royce' Chocolates, now!
I first chanced upon the name on Facebook, got curious, browsed a little, and even checked their website. Being a chocolate lover, I was already salivating just by the sight of their fine selection, and dreaming how these sinfully sweet, premium Japanese-made chocolate delights taste like. With rave reviews and accolades for these plain-looking brown tiles, I was sold on Royce' and promised that I have to get a taste for myself and find out what all the fuss is about. I recently read from a site that it opened last December at the Powerplant Mall, the official franchise, although some boxes were already being sold long before through a handful of specialty stores.

Royce' products are available around Asia, and some hooked kababayans (fellow Filipinos) usually get their fill of these brown nuggets from Singapore and Hong Kong. Now, it's finally here, although a bit more pricey.

Now I got to taste their Nutty Bar and Nama Chocolate - Milk and Bitter variants. Believe me, they are sooooo rich, decadent and smooth! I am a fan!


Since my kids were already getting restless from where we were standing, I was not able to linger over the counter and get my FREE sampling of each and every variant (damn, I would've, if only my face was as thick as a phonebook!), so i just asked for the best-sellers, tasted them, and quickly picked one box to go. Too quick that I bought the not-so-decadent choice.

What I brought home was the small box of ten, individually wrapped Nutty Bar Chocolate. As described on the waxy-smooth paper wrapping, the bar is made of a mix of crushed almonds, pecan, cashew, macadamia, puff crispies, praline covered in chocolate. It has a wonderful texture, light and crisp to the bite, and with just the right sweetness. It tasted like a finer and crispier version of Nestle Crunch and Kit-kat rolled in one.

I was satisfied, but short of feeling like a winner with this indulgent adventure with chocolates.





It was an impulsive choice. At the back of my mind, I should have followed my gustatory instincts and bought the Bitter Nama Chocolate tiles. That was one heavenly bite to remember.

This is a perfect gift idea, especially for chocoholics.

Looking back at their website (unless you can read in Japanese), I still have a long line of confections to discover. And I haven't even tasted a Godiva!

I will just dream about it for now. Gifts are most welcome :)

I shall return.

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Baby Boom, Baby Love - Part 2

My friends and I went through varying degrees of pre- and post-partum woes. Some even had difficulties conceiving and carrying their babies to full term. Until the main event, expectant moms need to keep healthy, avoid physical and emotional stress, prepare and educate yourselves for the big day and the ups and downs of child rearing.

As I was about to give birth to my baby girl, I was rewinding to my first time in the O.R. I know now that each pregnancy and delivery is totally different. You can never assume what will happen, until the baby comes out.

In Part 1 of this post, I shared that I was not able to witness the birth of my daughter. I woke up in the recovery room with mixed feelings and wild thoughts about what might have happened:
How was the baby? Is there something wrong with the delivery? with the baby?
Where's my husband? Where's the doctor? When can I see my baby?

Big brother bonding with baby sister, on her first week.

My baby had transient tachypnea. This sounded alien to me. All my husband told me is that she had water in her lungs and they needed to pump it out and give her oxygen treatment.

I was scared at first. My husband showed me a recording of the procedure that the doctor performed on her. For a moment, I felt crushed. She was so tiny, and was crying hysterically as a thin, long rubber tube is pushed up and down her throat! Maybe I would have panicked in the O.R. if I didn't hear her first scream or cry, have I seen her with a breathing problem when she came out...God is good, He knocked me out to spare me the agony.

We were partly relieved that this is not uncommon to newborns, especially to babies delivered via C-sec.

Here's an overview of TTN.

Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)

TTN, also called "wet lungs", usually can be diagnosed in the hours after birth. It's not possible to detect before the birth whether a child will have it. It can occur in both preemies (because their lungs are not yet fully developed) and full-term babies.
Newborns at higher risk for TTN include those who are:

• delivered by cesarean section (C-section)
• born to mothers with diabetes
• born to mothers with asthma
• small for gestational age (small at birth)

During vaginal births, especially with full-term babies, the pressure of passing through the birth canal squeezes some of the fluid out of the lungs. Hormonal changes during labor may also lead to absorption of some of the fluid.
Babies who are small or premature, or who are delivered via rapid vaginal deliveries or C-section don't undergo the usual squeezing and hormone changes of a vaginal birth. So they tend to have more fluid than normal in their lungs when they take their first breaths.
As for treatment, some are simply monitored to ensure that their breathing rates slow down and their oxygen levels remain normal. Others might need to receive extra oxygen through a mask, a small tube under the nose, or under a plastic oxygen hood.
Within 24 to 48 hours, the breathing of infants with TTN usually improves and returns to normal, and within 72 hours, all symptoms of TTN end.
If fluid stays in a baby's lungs beyond that, or if an infant is not improving, doctors will look for other medical problems.

Thank God my girl was off the oxygen treatment on the third day. I was able to breastfeed her thereafter. We took her home on her fourth day.

We are blessed with another miracle.

Happy baby @ 6 months

For us parents, we try to do everything in our capacity to carry through a smooth and uncomplicated pregnancy and bring to this world a normal, healthy baby.  But there will be times that things will go the other way, beyond our control.  Expect the unexpected, and hope and pray that in the end, everything will be fine.

Here's my experience with the boy in Part 1.

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Baby Boom, Baby Love - Part 1

'It's Friday again, what should my blog be for today?'

That thought never left me since this morning. As I make my way through the aisles at the grocery, lots of topics and ideas are running through my head and although I've already lined up a few things to share in the coming weeks, today just seems so uninspiring.

Just as my girl is unloading her chips on the conveyor, a friend appeared behind the next counter, all glowing and seven months heavy with her second child! I wished her well.

Topic solved.

1, 2, 3, 4, ...10 25! I counted them all. I can't believe I know all these women who are having a date with the stork anytime between June and October. Another baby boom year in my batch since 2001, beating that record of six.

If you got to read my earlier post on the baby checklist, it was dedicated to my pregnant friends to help them get started with the baby stuff. This time, I just want to share the experience and re-live it at least for a few paragraphs.

At my cousin's wedding, of which I was the planner/coordinator,
3 weeks before I 'popped out' my 2nd

It's been almost three years since my last pregnancy. I had two, and both via C-Section (CS). Contrary to common beliefs, having a CS was a good experience for me, during and after the procedure. Quick, convenient, no labor pains, no pushing, no waiting.

Our boy, at 1 month, holding on to daddy's finger

With my first-born, it was an unplanned CS.

My water broke at around 5:45 one November morning in 2003.
Wait, I was not supposed to deliver yet. My hospital bag is not even packed! But I'm leaking like a broken pipe already. After instructing my dazed and confused husband to hurry packing some essentials, off we go to the hospital. I was psyched for a smooth normal delivery.

6:30 AM - I was dilating, prepped by the nurses, then told:
"Ma'am, he's in breech position, you will need a Caesarean section."
Huwhaaaat!?!? I can't believe my ears! My mind went blank for a few seconds after hearing that "C" word.

You can say I was in shock, not just because of the frenzy in the prep room, but because I was totally NOT prepared for it. Me and my hubby J were not "educated" for a CS delivery. I demanded one last ultra-sound. I just didn't trust them saying that my baby turned upside down! I have to see it with my two wide-awake-from-shock eyes.

Fast forward to the O.R.
My entire body is shaking -- either from the freezing-cold room, the meds, my nerves, or all of them combined.

I was awake the whole time, with my lower half completely numb. And with a few tugs the baby was out. Perfect!
10:30 AM - I was in recovery. Ahh...it was a beautiful day.

JT @ 1

Second time around, we get to choose the date. It was a Monday, in January 2007.
Sunday dinner I binged on pasta, pizza and ice cream sundae - my "last" full meal. That night we checked-in at the hospital in preparation for the 8 AM procedure.

Having gone through a CS before, I thought I'd be more relaxed. But I was still terrified, with a feeling of uncertainty.

8:00 AM - My OB-Gyne reassured me that it will be a breeze, and we are fortunate that we are in a newly equipped O.R. She even noted 9 nurses on call just for just 1 patient (me). But for me, they were just a curious audience with a full view of my fore and nether region.

Here comes the epidural.
"Doc, bone-y...", was all the anesthesiologist said. I was already curling 'til my knees reached my chin! I felt a few pricks at my lower back already and he still can't get it in. Curl, and curl some more...

"Where's my baby?"
"Ma'am, you're already in recovery, the baby is in the nursery."
What the *@#%! I missed the whole thing!!! I was knocked out! Curling was the last thing I remembered.

I was sort of expecting the same experience as my first -- hear him cry, seeing him being cleaned, and brought to me for the first time. With my girl, I sadly missed the whole thing. I only learned what happened after I was brought to my room.

(to be continued)
Read Part 2 here

More about babies:
Baby Checklist
To Breastfeed or Not To Breastfeed
World Breastfeeding Week

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Rediscovering Baking

Success!

That's how I felt after the kids and I enjoyed our bites of freshly baked oatmeal cookies. It's been a while since I last baked. And the last time was a disaster.

I got into baking when I was in seventh grade, I think, and mainly because my mom was 'training' me to start helping out in the kitchen. She was not into baking at that time and she encouraged me to take baking courses or weekend cooking classes. I was so lazy then that I just got instant brownie and cookie mixes and tried them on my own. And all by manual labor!

It took a few trials for me to get a hang of some baking techniques. It also helped having a baking class in high school (the advantage of being in an all-girls school, teaching "women" skills like cooking, sewing to name a few). Eventually, I became a confident baker until I got into college. By this time, I've already been using an electric hand mixer as my trusty partner in whipping up whatever I felt like doing -- say, a blueberry cheesecake! This cheesy-creamy no-bake recipe is most-requested by friends and family. Just mix, mix, mix and off to the refrigerator. Add a spoon-full of blueberry compote and it's ready to serve. The recipe? Hmm...let me think (hard) about this one ;)

Baking was a weekend hobby for me, aside from stamp-collecting and scrapbooking. Soon, my interest waned and all the tools now rest at the back of the pantry.

Just this summer, I promised my kids that we will have a cooking or baking days at home and they can help out. I thought baking is a good, kid-friendly activity that they will enjoy. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, the last attempt was not something I want to remember. This time, I got my groove back and we were all quite satisfied.

The oatmeal cookie batter, second batch, with morsels

The request was oatmeal cookies or chocolate chip cookies - I don't have time to do both yet so I decided to make the oatmeal cookie with half of the batch sprinkled with semi-sweet morsels. Now that's hitting two flavors in one mix!

I have a stack of cookbooks lying around but I got this recipe from a site that has lots of easy-to-do, yummy treats for the whole family. The cookie 'kid meter' was on a high, very encouraging, so I guess I'll have to revive this sleeping passion and get my oven working overtime, soon.

Try this and hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

Soft to the bite, plain or with chocolate morsels

OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup (215 grams) light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup (105 grams) all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups (260 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats*

Optional:
1/2 cup dried cranberries, cherries, raisins, crushed nuts, or white /dark chocolate chips

*You can also use quick-cooking oats if rolled oats are not available.

You can decrease or increase the amount of nuts, dried fruits or morsels to your liking.

1 cup (110 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped (optional)

To toast nuts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and toast nuts for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and then chop into pieces. Set aside.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Non-stick baking sheets will do just fine.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer):
- cream the butter and sugar until creamy and smooth (about 2 - 3 minutes)
- add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine

In a separate bowl:
- whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon
- add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and beat until incorporated

Stir in the nuts, oats, and dried fruit or chocolate morsels.

For large cookies, use 1/4 cup of batter (I use a small ice cream scooper) and space the cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
Wet your hand and flatten the cookies slightly with your fingers so they are about 1/2 inch thick. Bake for about 12 - 15 minutes at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C), or until light golden brown around the edges but still soft and a little wet in the centers.
Remove from oven and let the cookies cool a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

Makes about 20 large cookies.

Her second helping

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Why Are You Crying?

At the play area:
Boy and girl playing.
Boy and girl joined by girl2.
Girl chose to play only with girl2.
Boy likes to join the girls.
Boy pushes girls, girls push boy.
Playtime over. Time to go home.
Boy starts to cry.

This is a typical scenario with the kids at a playhouse or playground. It's always nice to see them interacting and trying to make friends. For me, what happens during playtime is as important as the after-play -- how they feel after the activity, what their thoughts are about the experience and about the friends they meet.

A few days ago, this scenario happened again, but not with the typical ending. To make the long story short, after leaving the play area, my boy JT got emotional and was crying all the way to the car.  What now?! My girl had no trouble leaving. At this point, I'm holding back the urge to scold him and mete out a punishment in that instance. He was already testing my patience with his inconsolable outburst.

Just as we settled in the car, with a calm tone I asked, "why are you crying?"
"I don't like...I don't want to go!" he sobbed. Even our yaya (nanny) was also trying to console him.
"What don't you like? You know it's time to go...ok, I am not angry at you, just tell my why you are crying so I can help you."
"I don't like!!!"
Obviously, he does not want to go home yet.

I was always quick to dismiss how my child feels in such situations, especially when he throws a fit for no reason, or have tantrums.  It gets so irritating, frustrating, and at times embarrassing, especially when in a public place. There's the impulse to give him a hard smack on the butt, a slap on the hand, or shout back to intimidate him even after reprimanding him for his inappropriate behavior.

I know it takes a lot of patience (a very deep well of patience for me!) to try and understand his reactions to certain situations.  At times, my gut tells me to dig deeper.  I have learned that we cannot assume what he's feeling, especially when he cries. There is always a reason.

With my experience with child development experts, they recommend processing a child immediately after any untoward incident or emotional outbursts, as it is critical in helping him manage his feelings better:
- acknowledge his feelings first, be calm and show that you want to understand him
- allow him to talk about what transpired, listen to him
- reassure him, empathize
- briefly express your concerns, expectations, rules or parameters
- involve him in resolving the "issue", if possible, or compromise
- praise him for his honesty and cooperation
- reward him (as needed)

Some children often cannot respond properly to certain situations they are in, or function in a way we expect them to. And most often, they are misunderstood, ignored or punished. By processing the child, it will enable him to express himself more appropriately the next time he is in a similar situation. It also allows the child to feel valued, and not feel judged or neglected.


Crying and kicking, I prodded him even more in my most calm and friendly tone, sensing that there's some deeper issue behind his actions, until he finally opened up.  Still emotional, he cried:
"Mika doesn't like me anymore...she doesn't like to play with me, she only like the girl..."
Aha!
I felt a tug in my heart and was almost teary-eyed. All the while we thought it's because playtime is over. We were so wrong.

My patience paid off. After he expressed his sadness, we assured him that his little sister still likes him and will always play with him. Mika even tapped his shoulder and said, "sorry A-hia (big brother in Chinese)... it's OK A-hia , don't cry, I still want to play with you". A very sweet and touching gesture that ultimately calmed him down. At that moment, I'm one proud mama! I knew I have to share this.

Although he still says he's "not yet OK", he willingly buckled his seatbelts, wiped his tears away, turned on the CD player, and settled in his seat. I know he felt reassured, and now he was ready to go home.

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Of Diamond rings and Weddings

TGIF!

My blog day.
A tiring yet satisfying day for me, it started with bringing my boy to his summer art class, with my girl and nanny tagging along for the hour-long lesson. We're home by lunch time, and a simple meal of Filipino-style spaghetti and garlic-butter toast is waiting for us. Slurp, slurp, crunch, crunch. Then off to the kids' first visit to the dentist (now that's another blog altogether). The dental check took longer than expected. Just a few more hours and it's dinner time. My day is almost over.

So what's the connection to diamond rings and weddings? Read on...

"Mid-afternoon power nap" -- I thought to myself. Not happening. I logged on and had a brief YM chat with my aunt, who sent news that my cousin just bought a diamond solitaire ring for his lady love. That's one very lucky girl!

Wedding plans are in the offing... or so I thought. No date, no details, no ideas. Just the ring - for now. As the mom of the groom-to-be, she's trying to get a bigger picture of how they will plan this dream day from miles away (the downside of a long-distance affair). And so my day goes from kids stuff to wedding stuff. And I still want a power nap.

I have planned and coordinated weddings intermittently since '99, though I never went full blast with my services because my work (was into advertising and events) and family came first.

I got serious with the profession after I planned and orchestrated my own date to the altar. And I am fortunate to have friends and relatives who trust me enough to help them with their big day, and even recommend me to their soon-to-wed friends.

With all the details of an engagement or a wedding, I am most passionate about choosing the gowns, the flowers, and the rings -- diamond rings to be exact. There is just something about diamonds that mesmerizes me. And for sure, I'm not alone in this.

Before the wedding plans, choosing the right engagement ring is quite taxing especially for a typical guy who has zero interest in rings or diamonds, or any form of jewelry for that matter.

So I was quite impressed that my cousin, in his mid-20s, has decided on this specific ring. And to get his mom, my aunt, involved in the process.

"The ring", I was told, is like the iconic Tiffany diamond engagement ring, with a 1-carat brilliant-cut solitaire mounted on a 6-prong white gold frame. I guess it's a no-brainer for my cousin to choose this design because it's timeless, perfect for his Ms. Right.


Aside from the prospects of planning a wedding, I think as a mom, my aunt expressed mixed emotions about this upcoming engagement. Excited, maybe, about the planning and having a daughter-in-law; nostalgic that his first-born son is moving on to a new phase in his life by starting a family of his own. And to being a lola (Tagalog for grandma), "I'm ready", she said.

This ring is a promise to commit to a lifetime of togetherness. I think it's sort of a rite of passage for a man to choose and to give this symbol of love. And I think my aunt is very blessed to have a son who love her, and respects her enough to involve her in this life-changing moment.

And soon, the wedding plans.

(Emerald-cut diamond Tiffany ring)
This is my dream engagement ring, long before Carrie got a similar one from Big (in 'Sex and the City').

(Brilliant-cut with Pear-shaped side stones from Tiffany)Another favorite dazzler.

Ladies, you don't need to wait for a man to give you one. And guys, no occasion required to surprise your woman.

Choose from these popular diamond shapes

(Michael B. ring design)
I had my engagement ring re-set a few years back, with the consent of my husband of course.
I referenced this design to create an illusion of a bigger center.

Update: If you want to see the 'improved' ring, I featured it here.

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Before I Was a Mom

I just received this email today, and what struck me most about this is that everything written here is true. So here's a belated mom's day greeting.
The author or poet was not printed but I thank her (him) for making me realize that there is so much to be thankful for, and that we need to have a greater appreciation for all mothers.

This is for everybody.

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
Or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
My plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
And my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
So doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
Watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
Having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
To feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
Between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
Could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
The joy,
The love,
The heartache,
The wonderment
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
Before I was a Mom .

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

-xxx-

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My Baby Checklist

So it's Monday...I know I made Friday my official blog day, but hey, it's my lunch break and I got a lot going in my mind this very moment. At the top of my list: babies! A baby series might just be a great way to get things going for me here.

With a handful of pregnant friends (and a couple of new moms), it's time to dig up my tried and tested resources and throw in a few things I've learned and used when I was 'infanticipating'.

All swollen and heavy, here I am with my boy on New Year's Day 2007...
my baby girl came a week later.

There are just too many products out there that will overwhelm even the most organized and well-informed parents. From planning a baby to actual delivery, new parents will be deluged with you-need-this stuff, some of which will end up not being used at all.

Here is a consolidated list of items to guide soon-to-be-parents of the essentials and practical accessories to arm you for your date with the stork. This may not be as comprehensive as some may expect, but there is no bible on these things. Get what you need, stay within your means, use what you like best, use what your baby likes best, maybe even borrow a crib or carrier from a friend!

The brands on the list are mostly what we used, whether bought or received as gifts, and some are highly recommended by satisfied moms and dads. Having a baby is such a wonderful journey and I hope with this simple list, I have relieved expectant moms of some stress and baby blues that is part and parcel of the emotional circus of being pregnant.

Happy shopping!

My Mom-Friday Baby Checklist

Feeding & nursing
o Sterilizer – Chicco, Avent
o Bibs (Qty: 6-12) - Gerber, Enfant
o Burp cloths
o Gauze – Enfant
o Birds eye (cloth diaper) - Enfant

Breastfeeding
o Breast pads – Pigeon
o Breast shields and cream – Lansinoh
o Breast milk storage – Avent, Playtex
o Breast Pump – Avent Isis kit, Medela Swing / Pump In Style
o Containers or bags
o Disposal milk bags – Playtex DropIns system
o Nursing wrap / cover
o Nursing pillow


Bottle feeding – Avent, Playtex
o Bottles for formula (Qty: 6-8)
o 4oz / 9oz / 11oz
o Bottle drying rack
o Bottle nipples – stage 1 – 3
o Insulated tote – for traveling
o Bottle brush – Safety 1st

Solid feeding - The First Years (TFY), Safety 1st, Munchkin, Playtex
o Feeding sets and accessories
o Training cups
o Infant spoons (for home and travel)
o Baby food processor / masher
o High chair – Fisher Price (FP)
o Booster seat


Clothing and Layette
o Bodysuits / Onesies (Qty: 8-12) – Gerber, Carter’s, OshKosh
o Matching sets – shirt/short; pajamas – Enfant
o Frog suit or bunting
o Cap, mit, bootie sets (Qty: 4) – Enfant
o Socks
o Small Hangers

Baby Care and Grooming
o Grooming kit – Safety 1st
o Nail clipper
o Nail file / emery board
o Comb and brush
o Lotion
o Talc
o Massage oil
o First aid kit
o Pacifier
o Teether
o Humidifier / vaporizer
o Aspirator (manual)
o Petroleum jelly
o Pain relief products
o Ear thermometer
o Digital thermometer

Diapers and Formula
o Diapers – Huggies, ProKids, Drypers
o Cloth diapers
o Diaper pail, covered
o Diaper cream – Drapolene
o Baby wipes – Pigeon, ProKids
o Diaper bag
o Changing mat – TFY
o Formula milk* – S26 Gold
(Breastmilk is best for babies)

Bath and Potty
o Bathtub – TFY
o Hypoallergenic shampoo & body wash – Lactacyd blue, Dove baby, Aveeno, Chicco
o Hooded bath towels (Qty: 4-6)
o Bath robe
o Washcloths (Qty: 8-12)
o Bath toys and accessories
o Stand alone potty seat – Safety 1st

Safety
o Audio monitor – Chicco
o Video monitor – Swann
o Outlet covers, corner /edge guards - Safety 1st
o Safety gates – Safety 1st



Crib
o Crib bedding & pillows sets (Qty: 3) - Owen
o Cradle or bassinet
o Portable crib or playpen – Graco Pack ‘n Play
o Crib toys – Lamaze, PlayGro
o Receiving blankets
o Changing pads, waterproof
o Waterproof sheet lining
o Fitted crib sheets
o Blankets (Qty: 4-6)
o Crib mobile

Baby Gear
o Stroller – Graco, MacLaren
o Car seat – Graco
o Lightweight stroller – MacLaren

Nursery and furniture
o Dresser / chest
o Linens drawer
o Blanket chest
o Changing table and pads
o Armchair / rocker
o Hamper
o Covered waste bin
o Lamp
o Rug / rubber mats
o Storage solutions
o Shelves and organizers

Infant toys – for age 0-12mos.
o Rattles
o Teethers
o Soft toys - Lamaze, PlayGro
o Shape sorters
o Other musical toys

Baby Activity
o Gym and playsets – Lamaze, FP
o Bouncer – FP
o Other sensory-stimulating toys
o Classical music – Baby Genius CDs
o DVD – Baby Einstein, Sign2Me (Sign with your baby)

For Parents
o Books – Your Pregnancy Week by Week, What to Expect…, Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week
o Baby book / baby journal
o Picture frames and photo albums
For moms
o Stretch mark creams – BodyShop Cocobutter Stick, Palmer’s Firming lotion

And don't forget the DIGITAL CAMERA! Click away moms and dads! :)
Look at my babies' "double takes" here .


(Note: All brands and products featured are not paid advertisements. They are personal Mom-Picks of Mom-Friday)

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Salute To Mothers

As i write my first post last night, I totally missed re-printing the actual content of image #1 - THE poem, which is what the whole blog was all about! Please excuse me for that slight oversight :) So here's my ode to mothers:

MOTHER
From the day you conceived me
You protected me, nourished me
Care and comfort i received,
Filling my every need.

MOTHER
You shared my joys and tears
Spoke soothing words in my ears.
You are my guiding light
Showed me the path that's right.

To you dear Mother,
Thank you for the gift of life.

Happy Mother's Day

- M.Lee, 9 May 1999


Today, 10 years after I wrote this poem...... I am now a proud mom, here with my mama and my two awesome kids.

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A Fitting First Post

For weeks now, I have been contemplating on starting this blog. What title? What topic? What theme? Questions unending. The only thing I was sure about is that the blog should be for moms, for kids, for family. Then it was literally a light bulb moment for me - tomorrow is Mother's Day and I know it is just fitting that I launch my blog on this special day.

And so my search for this tear sheet of a milk ad. It's my one and only mom's day ad and I wanted it to be image #1.

It must be kismet!
Check out the date of the publication (upper right corner of the image) - exactly a decade ago, this print ad was published in the leading local broadsheet in time for Mother's Day. This is my sign. And so I blog today!

I am particularly proud of this material since it was the first poem I've written that was approved for use in a print ad, and for a major account at that. I still remember my creative director teasing me about being so mushy with the copy, but was quite pleased nevertheless, and approved this without revisions. My client was also quick to give a go on this material and so this ad came to be.

It needs to be an emotional ad. That was the objective. I was not yet a mom, nor was I married then, when I wrote this. I definitely can't recall what my mood was and what inspired me while composing it. I just know that I wanted it to be sentimental and touching - yes, mushy. That is how I want the readers (targeted at moms and expectant moms) to feel when they get to read the ad. I want the moms to feel appreciated, important, loved.

Being a mother is the most underrated of all 'jobs' - I know this now since I am mommy to two precocious tykes.

This post is my personal tribute to all the superwomen -- mothers of the world -- the Mom-Fridays! To my mama, and to all my mom friends, I salute you!

Happy Mother's Day!

p.s.
Just so you know, I was working as an account manager/copywriter for a local advertising and PR agency when this ad was produced. And for all succeeding posts, my goal is not to be too poetic, to keep it short and simple, yet still insightful and entertaining enough for you to keep on reading, and hopefully have my own following :)

Follow-up post:
Click here to read a clear copy of the poem.

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