Badeya-deya-deya

Right before I started writing tonight, I just finished one Blueberry croissant which served as my after dinner snack. Grabe. I really could not believe how big my appetite is. If you have no idea, you should read my previous blog and learn what a rice monster I am. But anyways, I'm not writing tonight to talk about my huge love for eating again but rather about how September has been treating me and my small family. (Ugh. Blogging using an iPad is quite turning into a challenge to me.) 

So.. 

{Laguna}

We were able to spend a few days in Laguna for Xander's birthday party. thr last time we visited was during Inno's third month pa. Inno and I arrived Friday afternoon there with someone who drove for us by the name of Kuya Mar. Unfortunately, the car wasn't in tip-top shape the reason why we're sweating the whole trip and why Inno caught a cold after. The first thing I did upon arriving was to prepare the fondant. I wish I could bombard this post with pictures as I type but they're all taken via Mumc's ipad. I would have to ask her to send me those. I promise to update as soon as they're sent. Going back to the fondant, I didn't know that it was just easy to make one! Thanks to youtube and for Martha Stewart's recipes, I was able to perfect (atleast) the fondant. 

I have to admit that the kneading part is the most challenging part while making the fondant. Back to the days when we used to own a bakery, it was very much easy for me (and to the rest of the family) to knead a dough. I think I need to get those baking skills back. It took me atleast two hours to finally smoothen the fondant and another eight hours (to rest it) before I could finally use it. 

Then we started making the cupcakes already. We had a bad start and I can't help but laugh and get annoyed too everytime I think about it. So to cut the annoyance and the long story, the choco chip muffins got burned in the oven because of wrong heating. Good thing though that we're able to perfect the next set which are the chocolate cupcakes. And yes, I also tried baking lactation cookies and they got a little toasted as well. Haha. But atleast they could still be eaten kind of cookies. In fact, everyone who passed by the dining table that time would pick one and upon eating half of it, I'd tell them that it's a lactation cookie. They were all close yo dropping it but I explained to them that it would take effect only if you're lactating prior to eating it. :) 

It was way past midnight and Inno was snoozing soundly already when we finished baking. I love Inno because he'd get along with everyone in the house. He doesn't choose who he likes to carry him. And as I see, he loves being surrounded by a lot of people. 

Saturday came and everyone was busy already. I was already  up by six in the morning and started working on the fondant and cupcake decorations. Good thing that my other cousins and titas came to look after Inno while I help with the packing of things that will be brought to the resort. :) 

Overall, the party was a success because of all the extra helping hands and the love the whole family showed during the preparation and the party itself. Xander may not be able to appreciate it yet, but it's enough to show him that he is special on his birthday and even everyday. Here's a collage of Inno's first dip. :) 

Came Sunday and it's time to go home already. As usual,  I was all teary-eyed when we're about to leave (and I didn't show them that, of course). I super duper hate saying goodbye to them. Brings out the drama queen in me. Haha.

{Inno's Six Month}

Inno turned .5 years old already this month. I could not believe it somehow but time is passing by quickly. Imagine, in a span of another six months, I have a one-year old already. How exciting is that? 

Since he turned six-months, he started eating semi-solid foods already. I'm very much excited to introduce him to real food but I treat it as just a supplementary snack and make sure that he still breastfeeds on a regular basis. I also make sure to pump every so often so I could mix it with his food and keep my supply up. 

{Abby}

My sissy next to me turned 24 last September 21. I made her this collage. :) I hope she'll have a healthy baby girl. :) 

{anniversary}

In a few weeks it'll be our first wedding anniversary and 7th year as bf-gf. We'll be spending it at Trader's hotel where we held our wedding reception last year. I still don't have anything for Kali but I already have something in mind already. :)

How about you? How are you spending your September so far? :)

Brrrr for the 'Ber Months

More than anyone else in the house, I have to admit I'm really excited for September because the Ber months are finally here. I'm actually not excited for myself though but more for Inno. It will be our first Christmas with him around. Just gives me more reason to make Christmas more special. As early as now, I could already imagine him looking allured at Christmas decorations and happily open his presents from the Santas. (Okay, okay. I'm being way too excited. He'd be a nine-month old by then so surely he can't open presents just yet!)

On other news, our little Kuya Xander on my side of the family will be celebrating his 2nd birthday on Wednesday. It's a cliche but really, time flies. What's more is he'll be officially a big brother come January because Abby is expecting her second baby. At this time, I know things are a little rough between her and Zeus but I pray that she'll get past those and have a healthy and happy pregnancy. Moreover, I super duper wish that it'll be a baby girl this time. I can't wait to unleash my auntie kikayness if ever she turns out to be a princess. 

{Responsible Parenthood}

Speaking of pregnancy, I still haven't come back to my OB-GYN for a check-up. I was supposed to go back after my first post-pregnancy menstrual visit but I wasn't able to because of, uhm. How do I put it into words? Well, I wasn't sure kasi if my bloody discharges were already my period because they don't last for a week. For months, it has been like that so I thought maybe the breastfeeding was the root cause for my still irregular period. I promise myself though to pay her a visit since we also need to talk about family planning and responsible parenthood. 

I've read a lot of stuff about family planning already. There are actually a number of methods to choose from but I guess only a few are being practiced in the Philippines like the traditional pills, condom and ligation. I haven't really tried taking up pills ever and I guess I won't be trying it for the next couple of years (or hopefully, the entirety of my existence) because I've read that it's not advisable to be taken by breastfeeding moms since it has a high boost of estrogen and could make the baby cranky. As a BFA, I strongly avoid taking anything over the counter. During days that I feel ill, I try to go natural and rely on home remedies. One reason why I think I would not settle on the pill. I just don't want to take anything that could affect the content of my milk. Although, there's actually a substitute for a pill (but still a pill), called the mini pill. (Did I just say pill?) It has less estrogen-content but I'm still not convinced to take it since I don't know what side effects it could have on me. So I guess, between Kali and I, he'll be the one to practice responsible parenthood method (aka the Rubber method). 

Inno, I could say, is an enough reason to be more mindful of doing the act. We want to enjoy him and focus on him atleast for the first three to four years of his life. We want to make him feel special and loved before another chikiting comes around. :) 

Um, okay. Rereading my blog, I think I just said too much tonight. Sorry, guys!

{Hello, Old Me}

Anyway, I think I'm soooo back to my old diet. That is, my two cups of rice per meal diet. Bad? I don't think so because I don't seem to gain weight. Good? Not much. Well, I know this may sound weird but I actually love my weight when I was pregnant. It was the only time that I actually felt and looked fat and I loved it. I swear. I prefer that over being skinny but with a kargador diet. I love my in-laws though because they always ask me to eat intensively but a part of me feels ashamed for eating almost half caldero of rice. (Yes, that means even more than two cups of rice sometimes!)

Well, I have an excuse for having this big diet. I'm not preggy (and I think you already figured that out if you read this entire post). Thanks to breastfeeding I have all the luxury and necessity to have big meals. :) I've said before that breastfeeding is like being pregnant all over and up to now, it remains true for me. You have to eat and eat and drink a lot of fluids. :)

{Sweet September}

I love how September started out for me and my small family. I love how things are slowly unfolding for me. I may not have a job yet but for now, being Inno's mommy is the best work I ever got myself into. And you know what's good? It's a lifetime job that I won't ever want to resign. And who knows, maybe the office life isn't really the path for me. There could be something more. There IS something more and I believe in that. ;)

Same way, I love how August brought so many things in our lives. One of the few things I appreciate and won't forget about last month is the time Kali and I got to go out without Inno. Don't get me wrong. We love having Inno around and going out with him, but sometimes it feels good being alone with Kali. Just like the good old days. I'd like to think that it keeps the fire burning and our marriage a little sweet and youthful (just like how it was when we were in college) but more mature this time. :)