Grand Baby Fair 2015

Today officially marks the start of Baby Company's annual 3-day Grand Baby Fair at SM Megatrade Hall! :)  I've been waiting for this event my whole pregnant life, and I was so thrilled when I received an email saying that since I am a Mom Card holder, I could go to the preview shopping exclusive to members on January 29, which was yesterday.  

Because preview shopping meant avoiding congested halls and extremely long lines at the cashier on the actual 3-day sale, I decided to take a half-day leave and went to the fair yesterday.  Yes, I was THAT excited. :)  I even woke up so early! Heehee.

The event did not disappoint.  It's aptly called Grand Baby Fair because it was indeed grand.  I think there were more than a hundred booths, and each was offering discounts of at least 20%.  Below are some photos I took, when my shopping cart still allowed me to (it was already chockablock full after a couple of hours). =D

My 2-hour stay at the fair was frenzied! Like Cinderella, I needed to leave at 12 on the dot so I could make it to a meeting at 1pm in Makati.  Good thing I still managed to buy these items:

• crib/playard - Little Munchkin already has a nice wooden crib for her nursery, but hubby and I wanted a second one to be placed in our bedroom
• feeding bottles & extra nipples - I plan to breastfeed, but I still need feeding bottles for expressed milk :)
• newborn diapers - I bought 3 dozen disposable ones (and maternity pads)
• baby clothes - I got tie-sides, mittens, booties, caps, and pajamas.  All white from Beginnings Baby.
• beddings - I got two sets, one for each crib.  Each set includes fitted sheets, comforters, bumpers, a pillow, two bolsters, and cases.  One set even had free matching curtains and a small hamper! :)
• nursing pillow - I bought a pink one from Uratex! :)
• stroller pad - Got a pink one with flowers! :)
• baby wash - I bought the one from Pigeon
• liquid cleanser - for Munchkin's bottles :)
• mild laundry detergent - Got two 1-kg powder boxes from Cycles

This list of purchases is very short compared to the list of baby essentials Little Munchkin will be needing.  Ang dami ko pang kulaaang!  But I guess these will do for now, the rest can just follow (hopefully at the baby shower! Hehe).  And oh, Rolly is going back to the fair today to get my electric breast pump from Pigeon.  The model I wanted wasn't available yesterday, but I was told it will be there today.  So I'd already tick that off my list, too. :)

After I paid at the counter, I was given a "swag bag"! Yaaay!  This is exclusive for Mom Card holders for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P3,000.  Since I spent about 13k for all those little things above, it's just right that I get these freebies! :)  I hope Rolly gets another one later when he buys the electric pump. =D

For mommies or mommies-to-be out there, you have until Sunday to march to SM Megamall!  :) I'm sure it will be a whole lot more jam-packed than yesterday, but I tell you now that it's worth it. :)


#BellyBlessed,

Childbirth Class by Rome Kanapi: Day 4

Today's 4th of 6 sessions with Ms. Rome! :)  So, what did we learn today?

6 Ways to Progress in Birth

1. Cervix softens or ripens

2. Cervix moves forward from posterior to anterior

3. Cervix thins / effaces 100%

4. Cervix opens / dilates from 0 to 10cm

5. Baby's head must rotate and mold to fit through the pelvis

6. Baby descends in the pelvis by station; from -5 to +5

Image from Pinterest

We were also taught the breathing patterns for the first stage of the birth process, the modified Valsava Method, gentle exhale pushing, and how to resist pushing when it's not yet time to push.  We practiced pushing, even the boys! :) Different positions during delivery were also demonstrated, and I think I'd have to go with the one sitting down (as if you're just pooping).  This way, it's more natural and easier for the baby, thanks to gravity.

A film about the birthing process was also supposed to be shown in class, but the DVD player acted up so it didn't push through.  Whew!  I have a week to prepare my nerves for the sight of a baby actually exiting a vajayjay.  Hehe.  I wasn't sure I wanted to see it (and still am not, I think).

There were many other little things taught today, but I'd rather not go through all of them here. But of course I won't skip the bit about the surprise waiting for us before the class ended.  The guys from Pigeon were there to demo their products, and there were freebies --- a feeding bottle and disposable breast pads! :) Yaay!

Here they were demonstrating how the silent electric pump works. :)
Notice the big, fake boobie? =D

***********

Fours down, two more sessions to go! :)

#BellyBlessed,

Helpless

It’s been two weeks since we became “helpless.”  Our helper, Ate Beth, left poor Rolly and me, and we’ve become tired and worn out ever since.  No, she did not leave because we were such horrible employers; she did because of health reasons.  Her blood pressure was unpredictable, making her okay one moment and extremely dizzy and cold the next.  She did not want to burden us anymore with her unexpected ‘can’t-get-out-of-bed-today’ days. If I may cite an example,  on the day before Christmas just as she was about to go on vacation, she suddenly felt nauseous and threw up many times, making us rush her to the hospital. :( Haay. 

Now I am seven months pregnant, it’s not very easy for me to just hop out of bed and do the chores all of a sudden because our yaya’s sick.  Not to mention I'm such a lazybones these days. All I want to do is sleep, sleep, and sleep more. 

Rolly and I are now back to Tag Team mode, just like the old days when I wasn’t pregnant yet.  I’d do all the cooking while he takes care of the rest, hehe, like dishwashing, feeding and cleaning after our dog Blair, cleaning the house, et cetera.  It’s been an exhausting two weeks for Rolly especially.  I’m just glad I’m married to a very responsible and loving man.  One who wouldn’t even want me to lift a finger, if he only knew how to cook.  :) 

Cartoon from www.jantoo.com :)

If I see a falling star tonight, my wish would be for us to find a good replacement for ate Beth. Someone who will take good care of us (who are low maintenance anyway), one whom we can trust, one who will treat us like family. Help us find her, Lord. I know You will. 

UPDATE:
We didn't need to wait long.  We already have a new helper!  She arrived last Wednesday, Jan 28. 

Thank You so much, Lord! :) Hoping she's the one! :)

Third Trimester

Dear baby munchkin,

You are now on your 28th week in my tummy, and this means we're already in our third trimester! :) Yippee! Good job, darling!  We're now in the homestretch of pregnancy, just a few more weeks to go! :)

Just hang in there, okay?  Please don't come out until we've reached 37 weeks at least!  I want you to be healthy and strong and fully developed before you face the outside world.  If you get bored, you're more than welcome to do some kickboxing in there, I won't mind at all.  :) And during your silent moments, do not forget to say your little prayer to Papa Jesus so that you two will get closer and closer each day.  Okay, baby doll?  We love you! ♥♥♥

You and me today, at 28 weeks :)

#BellyBlessed,