Baby Zee!

Baby Zee is finally here! She came to this world via C-section last June 16. 

She was already screaming at the top of her lungs as the doctor was pulling her out of me! Ain't she a cutie?

Dumpling gives his little sis a ride!

Our lives now revolve around nappy changes, breastfeeding and more nappy changes! Plus, I still have an energetic 2-year old to take care of! Life is just CRAZY... CRAZY GOOD :)

Infanticipating

As I write this, I am on my 38th week of pregnancy and I am 3 days away from my delivery date! Quite excited but nervous, too! Round-the-clock nursing, swollen and cracked nipples, incessant crying... ahh, yes.. it's all coming back to me now!


This pregnancy has been a complicated and challenging one compared to my first (morning sickness still plagues me to this very day!). I've also been waiting for the pregnancy glow (which I enjoyed with my first) to kick-in... but looks like it decided to skip my stop this time! 


Good thing I have hard, solid evidence that once upon a time, I had a happy and stress-free pregnancy. How I miss those happy days! (I was also 38 weeks when these photos were taken but boy, does my tummy look different now!)

Photos taken by The Stork Studio.


Despite my pregnancy woes, I am very much excited to hold my baby girl! 
Please include us in your prayers for a safe and smooth delivery! 


Might be MIA for a while but please do follow me via twitter @ iloveyummymummy! 

Making A (Hospital Bag) List & Checking It Twice!

I was shocked when I realized that I'm on my 35th week of pregnancy! I'm going under the knife in less than a month! Looks like it's time to start packing for the big day (I've been trying to put it off as long as I can because my huge pregnant ass is just too lazy!)

With Dumpling, I only had to pack a few items because he spent the whole time in the nursery of Makati Medical City. But now I'm giving birth in a different hospital with a strict rooming-in policy so I have to be prepared! 

Here is my list (mostly based from my first birthing experience and the lists of Topaz Mommy and Manila Mommy):

For Yummy Mummy:
1) Extra Pillows and Blanket

2) Nightgown with front opening (easier to breastfeed!)

3) Nursing Bra - I got mine from Marks & Spencer and H&M

4) Disposable Cotton Underwear - I got this from Watsons - they have good ones that feel like real underwear! Why disposable? This saves you from having to wash bloody underwear in the hospital (and hanging it on the bathroom for your guests to see!)

5) Cotton Underwear - You can use this when major bleeding has subsided

6) Abdominal Binder - Better to bring your own so the hospital won't charge you an arm and a leg for it! Must have for yummy mummies undergoing C-section.

7) Maternity Pads/Adult Diaper - Better to bring your own so the hospital won't charge you an arm and a leg for it! I use Modess Overnights since it has wings which I prefer.

8) Underpads - This like a big cotton pad which they place under your butt so you won't stain the hospital bed with blood. Better to bring your own so the hospital won't charge you an arm and a leg for it (I think they charge P50/piece! You can buy an 8pc pack for P145.75 in the supermarket!)

9) Breastpads and Breast gel - I use Lansinoh and Medela

10) Nursing Cover - lest you welcome your guests with a surprise peep show!

11) Slippers

12) Lipbalm and Mints

13) Glasses/Contact Lens/Contact Lens Solution

14) Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, face wash, shampoo, bath wash/soap, bath towel, etc)

15) Liquid Hand Wash - I prefer this to regular bar soap because I find it more hygienic.

16) Change of clothes/ Going home outfit

17) Breastpump - I used this when I gave birth to Dumpling to relieve engorgement. I still fed him directly but the nurses gave the expressed milk via cup feeding. Better to just bring yours if you have one anyway because MMC charged P100 per use of their industrial breastpump.

18) Breastfeeding Pillow/Boppy Pillow (optional)

15) Kidney basin (if you have)

16) Ear thermometer with Lens Filters - the nurses change the lens filter after every use. They take your temperature every 3 hours. It's P10/filter. You do the math!

For the little one:
1) 1 pack of newborn diaper - Again, bring your own so the hospital won't charge you

2) 4 Tie-sides/Kimono sets

3) 4 pairs of mittens (the ones you tie up, not the garterized ones which come off easily) and booties/socks

4) 2 receiving blankets

5) 1 Baby Wash

6) 1 Baby Towel

7) Burp Pads or Lampin

8) Baby Wipes

9) 4 Frogsuits/Footsie Pajamas - we stayed at St. Lukes BGC and it was sooo cold! 

10) Going home outfit

For Daddy:
1) Pillow and Blanket
2) Toiletries
3) Change of Clothes
4) Bath Towel
5) Slippers

Others:
1) Camera with chargers and extra memory cards - make sure your batteries are fully charged before going to the hospital

2) Checkbook & Cash - some doctors only accept cash payment so check on this before the big day so you'll know how much to bring

3) 1 Gallon of Water + Paper/Plastic Cups

4) Paper Plates, plastic spoon and fork

4) Alcohol/Hand Sanitizer

5) Cotton - remember, each and every cotton ball the hospital uses on you and your baby will be charged!

6) 2 Pens - you will be filling up a LOT of forms!

7) Baby Book/Memory Book 

8) Phone chargers

Documents:
1) Philhealth
    - Philhealth ID
    - Form 1
    - MDR (Member Data Record)
    - Contribution Certificate

2) Marriage Contract

3) Birth Certificate of Mum and Dad

4) Doctor's Admission Slip

5) Mother's Information Sheet - different nurses, doctors, residents will be asking for THE SAME information. Just hand this over so they'll leave you in peace!

6) La Maze Certificate (if normal delivery and you want daddy in the birthing room)

7) Birth Certificate Cheat Sheet

Hope this helps other yummy mummies preparing for the big day, too! 
Is there something on your list that I missed out? 
Please leave me a note so I can add it on mine!

Pampering Toes for the Infanticipating

I am usually pretty low maintenance when it comes to my nail care. I cut my own nails and reserve professional mani-pedi sessions for special occasions. 


But my 7-month belly has made it impossible for me to reach my toes and it has reached quite a nasty and disgusting length.


So... I hauled my pregnant feet over to Organic Rituals Spa (recommended by a mummy friend)!

What a pretty sight! Very welcoming!

It was a quiet afternoon. I had the whole place to myself!

Organic Rituals Spa uses only Zoya Nail polish which is free of toulene, formaldehyde, DBP and camphor (no chemical nail polish scent!). 

Vegan nail polish - perfect for pregnant and lactating chicks!

Look at all the pretty colors you can choose from!

The other thing that rocks about this spa is its commitment to protect the environment. Like when they prepped my feet, they used just the right amount of water in the basin (unlike in other spas where they fill it to the brim - how wasteful for just a 5 minute soak!). It even had stones at the bottom which felt great on my tired feet.

The staff were very courteous and accommodating! They even insisted I place extra pillows on my back to avoid any strain during the session. It would have been nice though if the treatment came with a refreshment (like an organic tea!). Anyway, they assisted me in choosing which package to get - they were recommending the Rescued Feet package which had all the works but I was in a hurry so I settled for the express pedicure.

All of their nail technicians are well-trained and follow international spa standards and procedures. Seline was assigned to me and I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her! I usually ask the technician not to file my nails because it always makes me cringe! But Seline's hands were so gentle on my feet that I did not mind AT ALL! I actually almost fell asleep during the session. She's THAT good! 

Here is Seline working on my nails! 

I barely have time to read magazines so I used this chance since they had a huge stack of Hollywood mags! While reading, I came across this hilarious ad:

A Vibrating Bra - in HOT PINK!

And an hour later - VOILA! Pretty, pink, pampered pregnant toes! 

I chose a pale pink color called "Corinne" - usually used by brides! I wish I could pull off bold colors like shades of red or metallics, but they just don't suit me. Sadness!

The damage? Only P250 (around $5.50)! Worth every penny!
Even if I just got the basic pedicure, my feet really felt so pampered! I am definitely going back to try the Rescued Feet treatment!


They also have massages and body scrubs - I am definitely signing up for that once I pop! I do wish they offer prenatal massages, though! 


Here's a list of their other services:

They also have SPArty packages catered by The Sexy Chef - a nice idea for bridal or baby showers!


Organic Rituals Spa is located at the Mezzanine Floor of Atlanta Center along Annapolis, Greenhills. For appointments, you can reach them at 661-3101.
Open from Monday-Saturday, 11AM to 9PM. By appointment on Sundays.

Belly Bonding

With my baby girl's arrival only 3 months away, I've been trying to think of ways to ease my son Kian into being a big brother. 


You see, a friend confided in me that she was super happy that her son loved her newborn sister so much. He would always hug her and kiss her and tell her that he loves her... until, she caught him pinching the baby when he thought no one was looking! (True story!)


I went to Fully Booked and searched for a nice big brother book. I was so happy they had this in their collection:

They also have the big sister version!
It's sold for Php294 (around $7)

Here's a sample page of the book. So cute!

It's an easy read with big letters and cute drawings! It teaches big brother-to-be how he can play and help out with his new sibling! It also tells him how things will be different when the baby comes (but in a good way!) and how the important things (like our love and care for him) will always be the same. I'm pretty sure our little baby in my tummy is listening to the story, too!

At night, I also ask my little dumpling to help put my anti-stretch mark lotion on my belly. I just put a pea-sized amount on his palm and he happily massages my tummy! Recently, he is the one who even reminds me to "put lotion on Shobe (Chinese for little sister)".

They say it's the best stretchmark lotion in the market! (a gift from Startupbabies)
I got awful stretchmarks with my first pregnancy (I used Chicco Mama) so I do hope this works!

Kian is also fond of stickers! Last weekend, I saw him putting the stickers on our wall. So I asked him, "Why don't you put stickers on Shobe?" He gave me a big smile and got to work!

Belly Art!

We used Ben10 stickers which he got from a children's party. He got quite upset when I tried to remove the stickers so I had to sport it overnight. This photo of my belly makes me smile! I will definitely show this to his little sister when she's older, so she'll know that her big brother loved her even before she was born.