Lia Turns One

Today, 28th of March, our little munchkin turns ONE! :)

Our existence has become more meaningful since you arrived one year ago.

From that moment, you've been our infinite fountain of bliss,

and taking good care of you has been our life's mission. 

Everyday, your dad and I thank the Lord for blessing us with a beautiful bundle of joy. 

The wonderful journey of rearing you has just begun, 

and we will always be by your side no matter what. 

Happy first birthday, our little darling Lia! 

Daddy and mommy love you so much.

❤

A Letter to My Almost 1 Lia

Dear Baby,

Today is exactly one week before you turn one year old, and I can't help but get emotional. *tears* I can still vividly remember those nights when your dad and I would ask God for a baby, someone to complete our family, our happiness.  You came, and our hearts had never been fuller. 

Do you recall when you were still inside mommy's tummy, how famished you made me? My stomach felt like a bottomless pit, with never-ending hunger.  Or that day when we listened to your heartbeat and you made pasikat? :) You were very active then, making sure we'd know that you were strong and healthy and happy, just like what we were always hoping for.

I wonder if you felt what I felt when we thought we lost you, those two times that mommy experienced bleeding. Your dad and I were so afraid, I wonder if your heard my cries.  If you did, I hope it didn't make you scared, baby. Thank you for hanging in there, for being so strong for mommy and daddy.

You surprised us at 22 weeks my love, when you revealed you're a girl! :) I always thought you're a boy because of my huge appetite.  I wonder if you knew since the beginning that you're going to be a little doll, just like mommy's secret wish.  I can imagine how much you're giggling inside my tummy when we finally learned your gender. At that very moment, I knew I'd name you Riella Noelle.

It was March 28, 2015, when you finally came into this world.  You were very small, with your eyes, nose, and lips all puffy from labor. Everything is still very clear in my mind's eye: the overflowing joy in my heart... the songs of praises for God in my head.  I knew then that everything I went through was worth it. Your dad, me, and you.  Our little family's complete.

Then came a whirlwind that was one year.  Things happened fast and easy, now my little baby is becoming a toddler. *tears* It was just like yesterday when your only place of comfort was my arms, you wouldn't sleep soundly on the cot or on the bed, you only liked sleeping on mommy's chest. Now, day by day, you are slowly outgrowing it. Very soon, you'll be able to walk on your own, form words to express yourself, and explore the things around you. Very soon, you'll expand your world outside mommy and daddy, and I guess then, I will have to manage separation anxiety.  Not yours my darling.  Mine.

We love you, Lia.  The world of mom and dad revolves around you, how we can keep you happy and healthy and safe.  You're only about to enter your toddler years, but we know for sure that you'll go far someday, you will go places.  But we hope that no matter how big your own world will get, at the end of the day, you know that mommy and daddy are just here, waiting for you to come back to the place where you can always find comfort... in our arms.

Love,
Mommy

Eleven Months

Happy 11 months, my baby Lia! I can't believe we are now down to your last monthly birthday before you hit the BIG ONE! Time flies!!! This line is probably one of the most overused when I talk about you, my love.  Before I know it, baka dalaga ka na agaaaad. Waaaah, I am not ready for that yet!  So for now, let me focus on the moment.  Lia at 11!

Taken this morning on our way to church. :)

One of your recent milestones is your ability to stand on your own for about 5 seconds each time (the very first time you did this was on Feb 16, I took note of it!;)) Yep! You have learned the art of balancing.  I could see how careful you are every time you do it, game face on, arms stretched out on your sides, your butt ready and 'alert' in case you fall. :) There's fear, I can sense it, but you try and try nevertheless. Attagirl! We are very proud of you, young lady. :)

One of your practice sessions with daddy. :)
Please excuse his half-nakedness. =D

I think you are able to understand already, a bit, that is. You already know how to tease! When you see me approaching to get you from your daddy or your nanny, you will face the other side and giggle. Then you'll glance back at me to see if I still want you in my arms, then you'll do the teasing all over again!  Too funny and cute. Hehe.

Speaking of cute, you've got additional cute teeth! Last month you had four, now they're almost six! Two on the upper gum, two below, and two little canine teeth (or cuspids) on the side which aren't very visible yet.  I say almost six because these tiny cuspids haven't really emerged fully yet.  They're a little shy and slow. Hehe.

Presenting your upper incisors that are one seat apart. =P

This phase is the most talkative you have been, so far.  You've invented weird combinations of syllables, and you babble and babble endlessly, and loudly! :) You are a noisy, little nene. I wish one day you'll say mommy or daddy and mean it.  Because right now, they still seem like they're empty words.  Hopefully next month, darling? :)

Speaking of babbling, you've been doing strange things with your mouth, Lia. You love turning yourself into a duck by pouting those yummy lips of yours.  I think it has become a mannerism, you do it not only once in every hour. You even pout more frequently than you smile. Hahaha. Cuuuuuute!  Be careful though, baka mahipan ka ng masamang hangin and that antic becomes permanent!  Halaaaa!

See? I caught you pouting in this month's diaper shot! :))

Last but not the least, you've been doing something sweet but curious lately.  When mommy is lying on the bed, you go to me, lift my shirt, stare at my tummy, and kiss it!  I wonder why. My ugly stretchmarks have not faded, aren't you scared of how my stomach looks? Or do you see it like it's ensaymada? But you haven't seen ensaymada, so that can't be it. Hmm. Perhaps you know that you've caused my tummy zigzags, so kissing them could be your way of saying sorry. Haha. I am obviously over-wondering. Whatever it is, my heart just melts every time you kiss me, lovey. You are very sweet like your daddy.  I love you!

So that's about it!  Next month, it will already be your 1st birthday!  Let the countdown to #LiaLoopsyTurns1 start now! :)

Today's handa: cake, KFC chicken bucket, spaghetti, and ice cream! :)

Cheers,

A Price Survey of Milk Brands for Babies 1-3 Years

Depending on the baby's age, there are different types of milk.  There are infant formulas from birth, follow-on formulas for babies more than 6 months, and toddler milk drinks for babies 1 to 3 years. Our little girl will be turning one in a month's time, and this means it's time to switch from her current follow-on formula to a toddler milk. Hubby and I were at the supermarket this morning and I was able to squeeze in a quick price survey. Thought of sharing them here. :)

In no particular order:

Disclaimer: Photos from Google Images.

Price Survey done at SM Supermarket, SM Southmall.

Date: Today, February 27, 2016.

Some photos do not match the actual SKU size I surveyed so it's better

to refer to the caption than the picture. ;)

Enfagrow A+ for 1-3 Years
1.2 kg for PhP 1,219.00

Nan Optipro for 12-36 Months
1.3 kg for PhP 1,054.50
(There's also a Nan Optipro HW 1.4kg  for PhP 1,462.50)

Similac Gain Plus for 1-3 Years
1.7 kg for PhP 1,529.50

Progress Gold for 1-3 Years
1.8 kg for PhP 1,609.50

Promil Kid for 1-3 Years
1.8 kg for PhP 1,389.50

Nido Junior for 1-3 Years
1.6 kg for PhP 749.50

Lactum for 1-3 Years
1.6 kg for PhP 794.50

BonaKid for 1-3 Years
1.6 kg for PhP 914.50

Bear Brand Jr. for 1-3 Years
1.2 kg for PhP 474.50

Nestogen for 12-36 Months
1.3 kg for PhP 544.50

Alactagrow for 1-3 Years
1.2 kg for PhP 584.50

Hipp Organic for 1-3 Years
900g for P1,025.00
(Not sold in SM where I did the survey. Got this price today at Mercury
when we dropped by to purchase Hipp 6-12 mos. for Lia.)

As you could see, the SKU sizes mentioned above differ.  To judge the prices easily, below is the apples-to-apples comparison using each brand's cost for every 100g. Arranged from the most to the least expensive:

Waaaah, I just realized now how expensive Hipp Organic is!!! But at present, it's the only milk that agrees with Lia's tummy so that she doesn't get constipated (as shared in this previous post). :( I might need to still cross over to Hipp when she turns one, we'll see.  When her digestive system becomes more mature (when she's 1 and a half, perhaps?) I'll try if she's already good with a different milk. I wish I wish I wish! *fingers crossed*  Again, at the end of the day, it is what's hiyang with our baby that matters. You're one lucky parent if your kid is not as sensitive and you have the luxury of choice. 

Anyway, that's it for my price survey today! :) Hope this helps.


Cheers,