Baby Kulet!

"Ang kulit kulit na ni Baby!" - your Mama exclaims. That kind of summarizes how you've become very active Lia. :) Now you easily can sit down on your own and you like just sitting down anywhere and hold any toy for you to tinker with. When propped up, you stiffen your legs attempting to stand on your own two feet! Good job Lia. 

The downside is it's harder for us to guard you. A few weeks ago when I was on business trip, your mama chatted to me panicking because you fell from the bottom part of the bed while she was sleeping. Somehow you've rolled over the pillow which was there and fell to the floor. You were brave Lia... you didn't cry. But you were visibly shaken. Still, you seemed fine. No reason for us to bring you to the doctors as there was no visible effects of the fall. 

But that shook us up. Soon, we have no choice but to let you sleep in your crib. Your crib which is now transformed to a full playpen crib. Because you're all grown up. 

Yaya is also having a hard time changing your diaper. You like to roll around while she is doing so. And she's so kind that she doesn't scold you and make you stay still. She's too nice to you :)

I hope this develop to an active yet nice baby. Not like your Mama who is kind of a brat when she was small.  

Love,

Daddy

Cherish every moment

Dear Lia,
I used to get annoyed when papas and mamas cant seem to get enough talking and sharing about their babies. Now I understand them more. I find myself sharing every cute picture of you.

I realize we have to cherish every moment. You can only be cute adorable babies once. So we cant get enough.

Now you like tp hold your toys, blanket, bottle, and other stuff. Me and your mama are so proud with every little achievement.

Love you baby!

Comfort of Lola

Dear Lia,

Earlier tonight, we witnessed you cry the worse cry you had and we had no idea why. You were coughing a bit but not continuously. But it was clear you were having a hard time with something. We know you don't cry for no reason. There is something really really bothering you. Your mama and I were worried. Your yaya was there to help. Especially when you suddenly vomited. 

It was a spit up to which we were used to. There was a lot of it. Mostly milk and think fluid we thought at first to be phlegm. Yaya had to change your clothes again.

For a brief moment, you were relieved but when mama lied you down again, you cried once more. I asked her to carry you again. Then, it happened again. You vomited what seemed to me more than the first time. I was worried. I called your Lola.

Told lola what happened. At first she wasn't sure what it could be. Until I told her you ate mango then milk. She said that in her experience you shouldn't eat fruit then milk. At least not yet. It seems that maybe like us when we were small, the combination does not suit your stomach. So from now on, no more mangoes. 

It was comforting to have Lola around. Someone to ask to for experience as a mother. I'm glad she's around to help us when we need her. You bring her much joy baby. You'd play with her more when you grow up. She'd be in your school and would join you in your wedding. Remember then to thank her just for being there! 

Ubo :(

Dear Lia,

Sorry for catching a cough causing you to get it as well. It's so hard to see you have a hard time the other night waking up coughing. :(  I can only wish and pray that you and your ma gets well really quickly. 

A Shout out to My Breastfeeding Buddies

Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (August). For this month, we join the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action in its "Talk to Me!" theme where participants will share personal experiences, insights or recommendations in communicating breastfeeding intentions and goals to their support system. Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants.

 

One of the major decisions my husband and I made when I was pregnant was to exclusively breastfeed our baby.  Making this decision was easy—the real challenge I faced was how to start doing it when baby comes. Sadly, I do not have a breastfeeding role model/mentor.  I only have a vague memory of my mom breastfeeding my younger sibling but then, she already passed away.  And I’m not aware of any female relatives who breastfed—I was only exposed to formula-fed babies.  I have read in one of the parenting blogs that the cycle of breastfeeding was broken during our mother’s generation (the Baby Boomers).  This was the time when formula was being aggressively marketed—hence, being touted as better and more convenient than breastfeeding.  So, how do I start? As all things in life, what you seek, you will find. When I decided to breastfeed, information about it (albeit hard to come by) came knocking at my door through:

 

 

• A Friend- of all the girlfriends that I have in my life, there's only one person I  know who breastfed (that's you, Len!). Even when I was single, she already shared with us during our reunions about breastfeeding her babies. When I see how healthy and smart her kids are, I told myself that I would give breastfeeding a try. But of course during that time, I was focused more on finding Mr. Right. So when Mr. Right found me, we got married, I got pregnant and then gave birth, Len's tips were invaluable from what brand of pump to use to treating sore nipples (thanks, Len!).

 

•  Books - when I got pregnant, reading books like What to Expect When You're Expecting  (Murkoff) and The Complete Organic Pregnancy (Dolan/Zissu)encouraged me more to breastfeed as these books discussed extensively the benefits of breastfeeding to both mom and baby and the risks of not trying to.

•  Latch seminar at the Medical City - when I learned about this, I thought to myself—‘a breastfeeding class? Breast milk is natural, hence, breastfeeding should come naturally, right?’ I now know that the answer to that question is 'not really.'  Good thing that the books mentioned about the challenges I may experience in breastfeeding. So I took no chances and attended the seminar--after all, it's free.  It's indeed another source of very helpful breastfeeding information.  I couldn't count the number of times I referred to their handouts whenever I have breastfeeding issues.

• My doctors and nurses at the Medical City and VRPMC - I'm glad I gave birth at The Medical City--it's truly considered as a breastfeeding-friendly hospital. I was fortunate to get a chance to room-in with my baby on the day I gave birth--despite undergoing CS operation. It gave me an early start to bond and breastfeed her. I just observed that although the nurses highly encouraged me to breastfeed, they are no lactation experts as they never taught me how to latch correctly. I just discovered that I was doing everything wrong when I went back to my books and notes from the Latch seminar.  But you have to give credit to them for their eagerness and sincerity to help out.  My pedia and ob-gyne are very supportive and encouraging as well.  It was actually my ob-gyne who showed me what my colostrum looked like when I was feeling helpless thinking that my baby was starving and not getting enough milk from me during the early days.  When I saw the thick liquid coming out, I was so relieved.

After taking baby home, I was still encountering some breastfeeding issues (incorrect latching resulting to sore and cracked nipples). Though my hubby was very supportive, I started feeling alone and inadequate that I would not be able to get breastfeeding right. I became timid to ask for help from my friend (as I was already bugging her with lots of questions) and I felt that the information in the books were no longer helping me (this was me experiencing baby blues). This was the time that I turned to the Internet for solace. First, I started reading the forums at www.babycenter.com which led me to www.kellymom.com. These are all enlightening sites and it gave me a lot of insights to the issues I was having plus more information! But I still felt something was lacking--I needed to relate with someone closer to home. That was the time when I stumbled upon www.chroniclesofanursingmom.com. It felt like I hit a jackpot! I was not alone in my breastfeeding journey anymore as I was reading the blogs there.  It compelled me to join my first milk mama diaries carnival last May.  There, I 'met' more moms like me and I felt like I belong to a some sort of a breastfeeding community.

 

 

In this day and age, communication is no longer limited to just a few media.  Internet has become a powerful tool in reaching out to millions.  You can relate to the experiences of a lot of people--including total strangers!  I'm grateful for the breastfeeding 'buddies' that I have: personal ones (the friend who introduced me to breastfeeding and the ones I met along the way); the analog ones (the books I read); and the virtual ones (whom I can openly share my experiences with and whom I can learn a lot from).  Now, when my nieces (and nephews) see me breastfeeding my baby, I hope they will be breastfeeding advocates (and supporters) in their own generation.  As from what I experienced, it can only take one person to make a difference.  

 

http://applesanddumplings.blogspot.com/2011/08/communicating-and-breastfeeding.html">Apples

and Dumplings: Communication and First Time Breastfeeders

http://daintymom.com/2011/08/creating-a-pro-breastfeeding-culture-in-the-family/">Dainty Mom:

Creating a Pro-Breastfeeding Culture in the Family

http://www.trulyrichmom.com/2011/08/truly-rich-tips-esp-for-moms-how-to-get.html">Truly Rich Mom: Truly Rich Tips (esp. for moms) - How to get others to support you in breastfeeding

http://www.mecasmom.com/2011/08/pre-natal-pediatric-consultations-are.html">Mec as Mom:Pre-

Natal Pediatric Consultations Are Necessary

http://wifelysteps.com/2011/08/17/on-breastfeeding-say-it-claim-it-get-support/">On

breastfeeding: Say it, claim it, get support!

http://www.ethanmama.com/2011/08/my-best-breastfeeding-support-system-my-husband/">EthanMama:

My Best Breastfeeding Support System — My Husband

http://touringkitty.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/communication-through-

breastfeeding/">TouringKitty: Communication through Breastfeeding

http://esciebossingnirudy.blogspot.com/2011/08/ready-get-set-go-for-

breastfeeding.html">Escie's World: Ready, Get Set, Go! for Breastfeeding

http://jencc.blogspot.com/2011/08/welcome-to-milk-mama-diaries-carnival.html">J and the Three Boys: I'm breastfeeding, and that's that.

http://nanaystrip.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/breastalk-text-retweet-share-your-knowledge-and-experiences/">Nanaystrip: BreasTALK : Text, Retweet, Share your Knowledge and Experiences

http://penpenespie.multiply.com/journal">PenpenEspie: A Shout out to My Breastfeeding

Buddies

http://projectblogbykate.blogspot.com/2011/08/talk-and-make-it-happen.html">Project Blog by

Kate: Talk and Make It Happen

http://the-newbie-wife.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-i-taught-family-to-breastfeed.html">Newbie

Wife: How I Taught the Family to "Breastfeed"

http://www.chroniclesofanursingmom.com/2011/08/effective-communication-bucket-

list.html">Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Effective Communication Bucket List

http://gohelpyourself.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/6-persuasion-tips-for-breastfeeding-moms-and-

advocates/">Go Help Yourself: “6 persuasion tips for breastfeeding moms and advocates”

http://mymommykuwentos.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-i-recruited-my-top-breastfeeding.html">Mommy Kuwentos: How I recruited my top breastfeeding buddies

http://handymommy.wordpress.com/">Handy Mommy

"Da Da" "Da Di"

Dear Lia,

Heartwarming! Even if you probably are not using it to call me but since last week (or so) you've regularly say "Da da" and "Da di". Much to the chagrin of your mom, she's still waiting for you to learn to say "Ma ma" or "Ma mi". I think i've even heard you say "Ya ya" or even "Li ya". But not mama yet. I'm sure when you do it would be a great relief for her. So maybe it would be a gift you can give to her on you 6th month or 1st year she'd be absolutely thrilled. :)

I'm super happy that i'm able to make you smile most of the time you see me. You event stop breastfeeding, look at me and smile leaving mama's breast leaking milk! Mama would "Baby! Natatapon!". Looks like you are really Daddy's girl. :)

Thus, it is becoming hard for me to imagine leaving for a trip and not seeing you for several days! So far, that hasn't happened yet but i'm sure it will happen soon. I don't know how I'd cope on that idea yet. 

5 months!

Dear Lia,

We all just got back from morning grocery run, lunch and shopping in Market Market. You've slept half the time while we were there. When you are awake, you like looking around and observing. But most of the time, you just want to be left alone and get to sleep. Mama enjoys being able to go out with you. Frankly, I do too. It is a lot of work though so i'm glad it's at most once a week thing. (Daddy is not young as he used to be)

Yesterday, when everybody was here at our house, you were more cranky. You didn't want other people holding you much and you'd rather be left alone with Mama or Yaya. Nangingilala ka na ba?

Today, a different story. You are happy in the bed... shouting God knows what while Mama tries to sleep beside you. 

You still like to eat your two fist but lately you discovered a bit of thumbsucking.  Just in time when you turned 5 months! This is the first month I missed the celebration. I had to stay at the office late for work. Mama and I are already planning your 1st b'day! Although we are excited, I don't want to hurry. I'd like to cherish all the time we have with you while your a sweet baby. 

Love,

Daddy

Beh!

Dear Lia, 

This week, you learned a new skill... you learned how stick your tongue out. Although you don't say "beh" yet... I can imagine you be doing so soon. 

You always smile when I see and greet you. Nakakatuwa. And now, you toss and turn and kick around and end up upside down! Nakakadapa ka na rin on your own. Kontin na lang then you'd be crawling. Amazing!

Right now, you have no plans of sleeping yet. Even though mommy is fast asleep beside you. Sleep well baby! See you in a few minutes :)

Wake up call

Dear Lia,

Today, you woke me up by your gentle kicks. I opened my eyes and you were looking at me. It seems you woke up earlier and was watching me sleep. I'm sure this is just the first time that you'd wake me up from my slumber :)

Making you smile and laugh

Dear Lia,

Happy that I have a near sure fire way to make you smile :)  Just the way you make us smile everytime we come home everyday.

As long as you're in a good or ok mood I can smile in front of you and nod my head up and down and in 5 seconds that stoic look you have turns to a full blown "chichay" smile. And you can't take your eyes away from me from that point forward. If I laugh doing it you laugh even harder. 

I cherish these moments. :)

Love,

Daddy

Conversations

Dear Lia,

Recently, mama and I have been having long conversations with you! It's amazing how you try to form words having discovered your gift of making sounds. And we can see you try very hard to make different sounds. We wish we can already understand what you are saying because you bring us joy in your smile and i'm sure your words would bring us more warmth. 

Lia , now your Mommy and I know that indeed seeing your smile when we get home washes away all the worries of our workday. 

Keep it up baby! 

- Daddy

Baby Lia's First Month

Lia's first milestone which coincided with her well-baby check up.  She gained a pound (she's now at 7 lbs and 2oz)!  And I've been breastfeeding for 4 weeks now...another milestone for me :)  Trimmed baby's nail for the first time as well--I was nervous in the beginning but realized later on that it was not so difficult at all.  I preserved baby's nails in her notebook. We celebrated this day with a cake and spaghetti from Red Ribbon.

You're 3 Months Old!

Dear Lia, 

Today, marks another milestone for you. You're 3 months old! Your mom informed me that this technically means you are no longer a NEWBORN and instead you are now considered an INFANT. 

It is a workday (Thursday) and both your mommy and I are in the office. Right now, your yaya Linda is taking care of you and we can't wait to go home from work to celebrate with you. 

See you!

Top 10 Life-Altering Moments of a New Breastfeeding Mom

"Welcome to the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival (May).  This carnival is dedicated to all moms, celebrating Mother's Day today.  Participants will share various topics covering A Breastfeeding Mother's Top Ten List.  Please scroll down to the end of this post and check out the other carnival participants."

Prior to giving birth to baby Lia last February 2011, my hubby, Pen, and I came to a decision to exclusively breastfeed our first baby for a year.  To prepare myself, I've read books, attended seminars, talked to friends who breastfed, watched baby shows at Discovery Home & Health and  research the Internet on all things related to breastfeeding. With all these information inside my head,  I was confident that I got the breastfeeding process down pat that I even consider having an alternate career as a lactation consultant!  Little did I know that no amount of preparation can prime me for the initial challenges of breastfeeding plus adjusting to my new role as a mom when I came face to face with my baby. They said that having a baby can change your life forever..how true! I listed below the changes I'm still going through as a new breastfeeding mom from the mundane to the thought-provoking ones:

1) The Pain
My first few days of breastfeeding was painful both physically and emotionally.  Aside from experiencing sore and cracked nipples, I had guilt feelings that I was starving my baby as she would cry endlessly when I tried to nurse her. Giving her the formula was so tempting, good thing, my colostrum came out by her 3rd day. But by this time, my nipples were so cracked and sore, nursing was so painful that I was crying every time! And during this time, I was still recovering from my CS operation too. I went back to my books and realized that my baby and I got our latching wrong.  We practiced and practiced until we got our perfect latch.  Now, I'm exclusively breastfeeding her for 11 weeks and counting! That's an achievement for both of us.

2) The Reward
For every pain comes the reward. I'm always looking forward to our well-baby check up to find out how my baby is doing. I'm always happy to learn that my baby is healthy and thriving on my breastmilk alone that my pediatrician did not recommend any multi-vitamins for her anymore. This makes me feel that my baby is the greatest achievement of my life.

3) Fashion
The types of clothes I wear now has changed as well. I now have to consider which nursing cover would go with what outfit. I now have to say good-bye to form-fitting tops as i have to wear tops that are easy to open or lift for easy access to nursing or pumping. My Victoria's Secret bras are kept at the back of my closet to give way to nursing bras. I now have to wear nursing pads lest my milk would stain my top.  For accessories, I have to tote my Pump in style Medela bag when I go out without baby--good thing it goes well with everything.

4) 'Shameless'
In the first few weeks of delivery, I would ask visitors (even family members) to leave the room as I nurse my baby.  I realized how lonely it can be inside the room especially when nursing for me can take 40mins to an hour, when the guests outside are talking and having fun.  As I got used to nursing, I started going outside my room and entertain guests with or without a nursing cover (especially if immediate family members are visiting). I surmise that there's nothing indecent in showing a part of my breast as I am nurturing and nourishing my baby.

5) Eating habits
I have to be conscious with my food choices as well as there are certain foods that baby reacts to like the spicy ones. I now have to refrain from eating my favorite Thai, Mexican and Indian foods.  If I want to indulge, I just sprinkle a few chili flakes or a few drops of Tabasco sauce on my food.

6) Gimmicks
My idea of gimmicks has changed as well--meaning, no long night outs with friends and hubby..until I can pump enough milk to leave for baby or I can either take baby or pump along.  My dates with hubby are carefully planned as ' x' number of hours away from baby means I have to estimate how much 'x' ounces of milk I should  leave for her. When we take baby along, I should know beforehand the nursing stations situated in the place or any place where I can nurse undisturbed.  Most of the time, when we're out with baby, the preparation time takes longer than the actual time that we're out as we have to fix the diaper bag, dress baby, load the car seat and stroller. But it's all worth it when I see my baby curiously observing her new surroundings and being exposed to new experiences.

7) Working
The way I work has also been altered. Aside from lugging around my laptop bag, lunch box and purse, I have to add pumping bag and cooler to the list.  In addition to attending and scheduling meetings, I also need to find time and an empty conference room to pump milk regularly.  And then store it inside the fridge where my officemates won't mistake it for a coffee creamer. I also have to deal with separation anxiety--having spent almost 3 months with my baby can make going back to work a real challenge.

8) Losing control
I WAS the type of person who likes doing things according to a plan. 'Was' is the operative word here because when baby came along, all the things I planned to do, remained...a plan. During the early weeks, I resented the fact that someone else is in control of my time and my life. I felt like I was at the mercy of my baby. I am used to being in control. But eventually, I learned to let go and just let things be. I realized that the term maternity leave is not called that for nothing. I'm on leave from everything to focus myself on an important role--being a mother.  My hubby encouraged me to write my feelings on a blog which is a good segue for my top 9...

9) Learned to blog
My baby oftentimes nurse for 40minutes to an hour as she finds comfort in it. Aside from bonding with my baby, this allows me to catch up on my reading. When I got tired of reading, that's when I thought of writing a blog as I nurse, as my hubby suggested (like what I'm doing now).  This way, we can document her milestones,  my feelings as a new mom...something to look back to when baby has grown.

10) Mother's day
This year's mother's day is my first so I'm pretty excited about it.  The day is specially meaningful for me now that I'm starting my journey to good motherhood. It's a powerful thought that nourishing my baby did not stop after 9 months inside my womb, rather it may continue on even after her 1st birthday through breastfeeding.  This reminds me of a shirt I saw for pregnant women that says 'I grow humans.  What's your superpower?.' For breastfeeding moms, we can proudly say, 'I create my baby's milk. What's YOUR superpower? '.

Here are additional blogs from the milk mama diaries carnival participants:

Top Ten Breastfeeding Partners
Ten Things a Handy Mommy Can Do While Breastfeeding

Ten Life Altering Moments of a New Breastfeeding Mom

Nurturing Rafael: A Breastfeeding Mother's Top 10 List

Ten Things I Now Know About Breastfeeding Because I Breastfed 

Things a Handy Mommy Can Do While Breastfeeding

10 Ways to Cheer Up a Breastfeeding Wife

Aria's Habits While Breastfeeding

Top Ten Tips for Pumping and Working Moms

Our Breastfeeding Library

My Top 10 Favorite Foods for the Breastfeeding Mom

10 Reasons I Still Breastfeed, Even As a Low-supply Mom

Nursing must haves...and cheaper alternatives (1/10)

A Proud Mama

We took Lia to her well-baby check up today.  She's now 10lbs and 2oz and 57cm--she's growing quite fast!  I'm always so happy to learn from our visits to the pediatrician that baby is healthy and thriving on my breastmilk alone--I feel like this is the greatest achievement of my life!  The pedia encouraged me to continue breastfeeding even after I get to work and to pump religiously to keep my supply up. Lia was also given vaccines so the doctor said that she is protected enough to be taken to the mall--music to my ears :) I'm now planning our first outing with baby..hurray!

Baby Lia's 2nd Month

Celebrating another milestone with Amber spaghetti, lumpia, chicken lollipop and leftover cake from Lia's baptism.  Baby is also starting to sleep like an 'adult' now--sleeping for as long as 8 hours!  I know I should wake her up for her night feedings but she usually sleeps through it...antukin talaga!

Chichay Smile

Baby Lia is starting to smile and responding to our smiles now!  We can finally see her dimples --well, we still see them everytime she howls and screams when she's uncomfortable so it's great to see her dimples when she's actually smiling for a change!  We specially like her not so toothy smile which we call her 'Chichay Smile'.

Lia, Welcome to the Christian World!

We've been planning for this day for weeks!  Lia was well-behaved all throughout the ceremony at Don Bosco Church in Makati because she was well-fed and fast-asleep.  She slept througout the ceremony including the part when the priest poured water on her head (I guess, she took after me...antukin..hehe).  She also slept through the lunch reception at Superbowl in Glorietta 4..so Pen and I got to mingle and spend time with friends and family (who I terribly miss being cooped up inside the house for many weeks now).  We're so happy that everything went well.  Special mention to the cupcakes (as souvenirs) and the baptismal cake that were so cute and yummy!  Thanks to Mitchelle Sweet Kiss (which we discovered through Buyanihan that got us a good deal).  And special thanks as well to her ninangs (Ethel Locarinas, Dominoe Banez, Len Mina-Gonzales and Bibi Ocampo Tan) and ninongs (Nino Paz, Danny Cheng, Mark Casquero and Allan Chu) as well--who we know will help us rear Lia to be a good Christian.

Raising Baby Lia Intro

Introducing Emilia Patrice, our first born child and her journey coming to our world.

Feb 25

14 times... a relatively good day

Breastfeeding Times

0231-0255, 0431-0444, 0632-0648,0734-0751

our first long rest...

1046-1113, 1334-1351, 1431-1442, 1523-1534, 1631-1647, 1719-1744,1830-1840,1900-1930,2000-2015

when we thought it would again be a record of every hour feeding, remarkably long sleep before...

2322-2344

we had another one right near midnight before we had our next long sleep.

Diaper Change

6 diaper change today. We really have to check and change diapers as much as possible if we'd have any chance of 2-3 hour sleep.

What the heck is a Feeding and Pooping Log??? I keep a log of Lia's wee, poop and feeding frequency. The challenge in breastfeeding is that it cannot be measured--baby would eat based on demand--unlike in formula feeding where bottles are calibrated. Hence, one way to measure is how often we change her diapers and the number of times she feeds (in breastfeeding, babies should eat every 2-3 hours).

Breastfeeding baby... how hard can it be? I had a bumpy start in breastfeeding baby--I suffered from sore and cracked nipples that I almost gave up. But thanks to the support of the nurses and doctors from The Medical City and from friends and relatives--most of all, from Pen, I'm now going into 5 weeks into breastfeeding Lia. Target is 6 months to 1 year. There are also resources in the web that is helpful (http://www.llli.org/; http://www.babycenter.com/; and http://www.whattoexpect.com/what-to-expect/landing-page.aspx)

Why "Emilia"? Emilia means 'to emulate', 'to excel' or 'to rival'. It was the name of my mom who passed away when I was 18. Although she will not be able to meet our baby now, naming baby Lia after her is one way for us to honor her memory.

Why "Patrice"? We also named Lia after our Ninang from wedding (Patricia Nakaoki). Patty was the one who set-up a group blind date among my friends and Pen's friends. For that, we are truly grateful for her that we made her Ninang and named our daughter after her.

Espie's prenancy baby bump picture slideshow.