Me and My #TeamMom

This may sound cliché, but I do feel blessed to have groups of friends, old and new, that act as my support group and cheering squad in different aspects of my life. They are my #TeamMoms. And just like me, we all have own victories and challenges to share and learn from while we grow as individuals and enter different phases of motherhood.

(L-R) Cai, Jackie, Chessy, me

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Learning the Game of Economics and Family Finance

If there's a chance for us parents to teach lessons through games, then that would be awesome, right? One of my weaknesses is finance. I just can't digest the topic (or I refuse to understand it). To be honest, I'm just not interested in learning and talking about it. But of course, I want to earn lots of money, hehee...who wouldn't?! A few weeks ago, I was invited by Mommy Mundo to one of their Mom School workshops with the theme Family Game Time. With the help of Sun Life, this was the first time for me and the boy to really have fun learning about business and investments, insurance and stocks through a board game!

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My 3 Things: SoMoms Neva and Janice

#my3things #SoMoms

For my third quarter installment of My 3 Things with the SoMoms, here are two mompreneurs in the group, sharing their on-the-go essentials. 

It's nice to see the contrast between these two as one can be considered a freshman mom to two young tots, while the other is nurturing her brood of three, which includes a teen.  Here are Neva's and Janice's #my3things.

Neva's #my3things

Breastmilk is best for babies, that's why I strive to pump wherever and whenever I can! I'm really happy that the office I work in has a cool privacy room that moms in our office can use.  My pumping sessions are my mini-breaks from a busy day at the office too.  I always look forward to my pumping sessions and use it to catch up on my reading or FB!  Here's the stuff I need for pumping:

1. Light reading (magazines or a book) - I like Mindy Kaling's new book, it's an easy read :)
2. Shaparee Ella Handsfree Bra - a friend bought this from Mamababylove and gave it to me as a gift.  Hands-free pumping rocks!
3. Manilababy Wet Bag - stores my pump accessories, the bra, a small towel and breastmilk bags.  It's what I carry from my work station to our office's privacy room where I pump (milk).

See more of Neva's posts on Instagram: instagram.com/manilamommy

* * *

Janice's #my3things

My 3 Things are essentials from my last family trip abroad. We were away for three weeks and experienced different weather conditions- sunny and hot days, rainy weather, and cold, dry days. These three things are part of my travel essentials:

1. Sunnies - Never go on a trip without sunnies. It not only protects your eyes but keeps you looking decent and cool even when your eyebag ridden because of jetlag. Did you also know that wearing sunnies also lessens chances of wrinkles on your face? Well because when you squint because of the sun, you get wrinkly around your eyes and forehead and doing this often they say, can actually cause premature wrinkles! I got this pair, Rayban Clubmasters, during my trip and I love the combination of beige and orange.
2. By Nature Baby Salve - I always keep this handy at all times and during my trip was not an exception. It's made of natural ingredients and I used it as a lip balm for my whole family! Even with the extreme weather conditions, it kept our lips from chapping.   I also used it as a moisturizer when we would get occasional dry patches of skin due to cold weather, and i used it to soothe itchy skin from rashes or insect bites, even as a first aid for small wounds.
3. Mustela Agua de Colonia - I brought this entire spray bottle with me on the trip along with a small atomizer to carry in my shoulder bag. The scent is light and fresh, I used this on myself and my 3 kids, even my teen boys since the scent is more refreshing than it is dainty. For the trip I took a break from my usual cologne and just sprayed this light cologne on myself several times during the day. It kept us smelling and feeling refreshed whether it was warm, cool or rainy.

See more of Janice's posts on Instagram: instagram.com/mommymundo

Do you use any of the stuff they like?
Check out #my3things of these two pairs:
Jackie and Fleur
Jen and Jenny

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#my3things

To shoot and share photos of groups of things that I use together or consume regularly.   If you are following me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, you will see #my3things instantly.  On the blog, you'll learn more about each one, and know the story behind them.  I'll be sharing one photo at a time.  This is another window into the life Mom-Friday. =)

Join me on Instagram and share your 3 things.  
Don't forget to use the hashtag #my3things and tag @mymomfriday so I can see them too! :)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
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Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email. I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. 
Thank you and do visit again! (Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

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Social Media Moms (SoMoms) and a #BetterMe

I've been blogging for a little over four years now and this became more than just a simple pastime of mine.  Being part of this new media opened wonderful opportunities for me, and the most important thing that came out of this are the friendships I've formed with fellow bloggers -  women I admire and respect for their values and individuality.  Many of them are part of the SoMoms.

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Family Friday: My Chaotic Summer

Second Friday of the month:  Home Life / Kids / Parenting

First, I have to thank Mommy Mundo for including this quote in their 2013 planner, and making this special poster.

Okay, I was trying to be humorous when I said that.  But I am also serious about it.  This summer proved that sentiment even more.

In my previous posts here and here, I shared how I dealt with having no househelp for months, and then posting this photo on Instagram when our yaya (nanny) left for her vacation last April 30.

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I Go for P.L.A.Y.!

Protection, Love, and Activities for Young Kids = P.L.A.Y.

Last February 23, I brought my children along for the launch of this disease awareness campaign at Playdium in Fun Ranch, Ortigas organized by Mommy Mundo.  For many years, Mommy Mundo has been advocating the importance of vaccination.  I also believe this to be the best defense against childhood diseases so I willingly supported this campaign.

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Say Hello to the SoMoms!

What is Mommy Mundo SoMoms?

We are a collective of moms who are active on social media and have unique voices and points of view that are relevant to moms like us.

We have individual beliefs and advocacies covering a wide range of concerns that most moms today have namely, breastfeeding, babywearing, natural parenting, time management, mompreneurship, home management, beauty and fashion, health, and more.

We are passionate about sharing our discoveries with other moms, giving advice, creating conversations and building relationships online with our readers and followers.

We are proud to be social media moms.
We are always online.

We recognize the responsibilities of being an active influencer in social media and celebrate the opportunities that come our way.

First of all, let me just say I'm proud to be a SoMom.
I am privileged to be chosen as a pioneer member of this exclusive circle of social media moms formed by Kris and Janice.

When I began blogging in mid-2009, everything I wrote was random.  I just write and share, and had no clear direction whatsoever. You can read why and how I started blogging here on my Who page, and What I blog about.  Even though I worked as a copywriter, writing doesn't come easy for me -- it takes a lot of time and effort to come up with each and every post you read here.  I can only wish to blog three times a week, once at the very least.  That's why I really admire those who can actually publish a well-written feature almost everyday, some even more than once a day!

Slowly, over the past few years, I saw how social media evolved, not just blogging.  I guess I started at the right time and maybe did something right, which helped me establish my niche in the blogosphere.  I never thought I'd have an online persona (I use mymomfriday as my handle/username on my social network).

I also learned so much, and still learning, from people I have met through my social media network and from various activities I've participated in.  Aside from the many opportunities that came my way as a mom who blogs (I'm still not comfortable calling myself a mom blogger!), what I am most thankful for are the friends I've met, mostly like-minded women whom I share common interests with.  I'm blessed to have formed new friendships with them through our shared experiences as individuals, as wives, as mothers.  We literally got connected through the dynamic world of social media.  It feels great to be among fellow moms that I respect and share a voice with through SoMoms.

Read about SoMoms here: www.mommymundo.com/somoms

Get to know the founding SoMoms and join their blog giveaways:

Apples and Dumplings
Attached at the Hip (formerly J and the Three Boys)
Chronicles of A Nursing Mom
Go! Jackie Go
Manila Fashion Observer
Manila Mommy
Mommy Fleur
My Mommyology
My Mundo

OC Mom In Manila
Painter's Wife

*As of June 2013, we welcomed a new batch of SoMoms here.

(Update: The blog giveaways and bazaar have been concluded.)

The SoMoms will also have a booth at the most anticipated Christmas bazaar --
Mommy Mundo Bazaar 2012 happening this weekend
November 24 - 25 at the Rockwell Tent

Get ready to shop 'til you drop!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
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Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

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Havaianas Design A Smile 2 at Mommy Mundo Bazaar 2012

"What will you do to make other people smile?"
If you have, or know of, children between 5 to 12 years old, have them answer that question above through a drawing and submit their artwork for a worthy cause, which may also win them fantastic prizes!

Like many school kids, my boy and girl both love to draw.  I think this will be a great exercise for kids' creativity by joining this charitable project spearheaded by Havaianas called Design A Smile (DAS). Kids can draw on the spot and submit their entries at the Havaianas DAS booth during the Mommy Mundo Bazaar on November 24-25 at the Rockwell Tent.  As a member of the newly-formed Mommy Mundo SoMoms (which I will blog about very soon), I'm happy to support this cause so I'm sharing with you this wonderful opportunity for your kids to participate and enjoy while you visit the event this weekend.

So, what is Design A Smile?

Havaianas Design a Smile is a design competition for the benefit of Operation Smile Philippines, a non-profit organization which provides life-changing surgeries to children with cleft lips and cleft palates.  This year's theme is "Paying it Forward: Kids Helping Kids”.  Starting this November to January 2013, artistically inclined kids from 5 to 12 years old can join.  The design should answer the question “What will you do to make other people smile?” and illustrations should be submitted at partner events nationwide, beginning with the Bonifacio Global City Passion Fest at Bonifacio High Street from November 23 to 25, and at the Mommy Mundo Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent from November 24 to 25. 

The grand prize winner will have his or her design produced as a limited edition print to be part of the Havaianas 2014 Collection.  A percentage of its sales will help fund the operations of Operation Smile.

Look what's in store for this year's qualifying participants:
Finalists will receive:
a. Gift Pack from Havaianas
b. Bobble Water Bottles
c. Pininho flip-flop accessories
d. Gifts from Hobbes and Landes
e. Gift Certificates from McDonald’s

Grand Prize winner will receive the following (in addition to the above):
a. Production of design into an actual Havaianas Smile Pair
b. Plaque of recognition
c. Special Gift from Sony

See full mechanics here. 
Join this design competition and visit the DAS Booth at Mommy Mundo Bazaar on November 24 and 25, 2012.

Like the Havaianas Philippines Official Facebook page to find out other events that the Havaianas Design a Smile 2 booth will be visiting.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow @mymomfriday on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

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Born Free with Human Nature Baby Care

Babies are life’s miracles filled with innocence, love, and joy. But, do you know that some ingredients found in baby products and baby food have actually been linked to asthma, reproductive disorder and more? At this early point in a baby’s life, their immune systems are at their most vulnerable stage, so it’s important to know what you are feeding them and putting on their bodies. - Human Nature

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