Hooray! I’m 34! Proud and happy to be at this age. Blessed even! Let me share why I am so ecstatic to have turned a year old last March 28.

• Except for that back pain that gets nasty once in a while, I am perfectly healthy. I can actually keep that back pain at bay by doing the prescribed core exercises. It’s a bit of a struggle but I keep pushing myself to exercise regularly because those core routines can also make my abs absolutely sexy, if only I can do it daily.

• I may not be downright sexy but at least, I’m not flabby all over. My tummy is my only problem spot. I so want to get back to my pre-wedding abs!

• Wrinkles? I only have a few lines under my eyes. Very thankful that there are only a few! I don’t use eye creams because they are too expensive. I know I should be using one especially at my age. Maybe I can convince myself to get one the next time I do my groceries.

• My married life is pretty happy. It’s not perfect, though. I don’t think that there’s one. My husband and I have our share of rough times, but, praise God, we manage to surpass them each time. I have witnessed how God moves in our marriage. He is turning us into better individuals and continues to enrich our roles as husband and wife. I believe that God will bring us from glory to glory.

Celebrated my 34th birthday at Vikings with my loving husband and our sweet little one

• I am blessed to have an adorable, sweet and healthy toddler who never fails to brighten my day. He is one great ball of energy who can drive me into exhaustion at times but it’s fine because that is how he explores and learns about new things.  I always pray that he will grow up to be a godly man.

• I am very blessed that I am still able to breastfeed my two-year-old son at this time. Saves us a lot of money! We don’t have to buy cans of formula milk and we don’t have to wash and sterilize feeding bottles. Whenever my son wants milk, he just comes to me and I breastfeed him. Anytime and anywhere. He usually asks for milkmilk whenever he’s about to take his nap and during bedtime. He would also nurse on me when he’s thirsty and prefers breastmilk over water.

• We’re doing a bit of toddler homeschool at home and I’m happy that our little one is reaping its many benefits. I am glad that like his parents, he also loves books and he has a growing collection. He would grab a book at any time of the day and would ask us to read it to him. Sometimes, he would sit on his tiny chair, open a book and starts to babble as if he is reading the exact texts of the book. He is now familiar with the basic shapes. He has a fascination for animals. Also, little by little, he is able to hold a crayon or pen properly. I am just so glad that being a stay-at-home and soon-to-be work-at-home mom, I have the opportunity to homeschool our son.

• My baking has progressed significantly. I am now able to bake cakes and cookies that everyone enjoys eating. 🙂

• If you have been reading this blog for a long time, you would know that I was a corporate employee turned stay-at-home mom (SAHM) so I can take care and breastfeed my baby exclusively. I became a WAHM for three months when my son was a year old but had to quit after realizing that a job that requires me to log in and out each day is not ideal for our family life. It has brought added stress to me and led me to neglect some of my responsibilities to my hubby, our son and our home, which defeat the purpose of why I chose to stay at home. But, blessings come to those who wait and persevere! Through the group which Nadia of Nanay’s Trip (thanks a lot dear!) invited me to join, I was able to land a project which I can conveniently fulfill at home at any time. Though this is just a short-term gig, I am still very thankful to God because I know that this will open more doors of opportunities for me.

• I am so thrilled that my blogging life is getting exciting this year. God has kept me motivated and he has given me inspiration and encouragement. He prompted me to put the gift that He has given me to good use. I’ve been writing frequently than I did last year. I am also able to attend events for bloggers where I can bring my family. I am very thankful for being able to participate in projects involving brands that I use and believe in and those that are worth giving a try. It is through these events that I get to meet new people whose interests and beliefs are the same as mine.

Gave our Pampers Baby Dry loot to his baby cousins; Pampers gifted us with Louiji’s portrait

Along with parenting tips, we were also able to take home these goodies from the Celebrity Mom and Huggies Playdate

There may be things that I have not included here but what I have shared in this post are truly worth celebrating. My birthday gave me a retrospect of how God has blessed me and how He continues to move in my life. I pray that all of us will always feel the same way as I do 🙂

We’ve been using Pampers for our little one since he was just a week old. Before that, we have tried using other brands but none of them fit snugly and meet the demands of frequent newborn wetting and pooping. Fast forward to today, our son, who is now two years old, is still a Pampers user. As a matter of fact, we have recently transitioned him into XL because the L size can no longer accommodate his growing bottom.

Being long-time Pampers users, I was thrilled to have been invited to a baby shower which was aptly titled, “Love at First Sight.” It was held last March 18 at the Active Fun Building in BGC. The venue was Pinterest-worthy having been decorated with paper pompoms, lanterns and balloons in green, blue, orange, yellow and white.

Very chic setup at the reception; a colorful dessert station; photos of Andi and her lovely bump

This event was a celebration of many firsts. Soon-to-be mom to her firstborn, Andi Manzano-Reyes was introduced as the new endorser of our favorite brand. Pampers Baby Dry, the brand’s newest variety of diaper, and Pampers Active Premium were unveiled, and FirstBook, a Facebook app that will help moms collate photos and videos of their baby’s many firsts, was also launched.

Andi talks about her pregnancy; the unveiling of Pampers Baby Dry and Pampers Premium Care Active Baby

Pampers Baby Dry promises up to 12 hours of skin dryness giving babies uninterrupted sleep that will help a lot in their development and enable them to face a new day happily, one of the benefits of having a good night sleep!

Pampers Baby Dry also has stretchy tapes that will better cope with the increasingly active movements of our little ones. At the event, these tapes were stretched so hard but they didn’t tear apart.

Ultra stretchy tapes of new Pampers Baby Dry

Pampers Baby Dry also has the Magic Gel feature typical to all Pampers variants that locks in wetness thus preventing irritations and provides better sleep for our little sweethearts. I just can’t stop emphasizing how helpful Pampers is to having a healthy slumber! Just look at the little experiment below.

A test on diaper absorbency

Don’t just take my word for it. Go ahead and buy a pack of Pampers Baby Dry and try it on your baby. The many features of Pampers Baby Dry that includes soft-touch dry layer, magic gel, stretchy tapes, all-around breathability and soft cottony cover certainly brings diapers to the next level. Say hello restful evenings and cheerful mornings with Pampers Baby Dry!

Pampers Baby Dry are available sizes. Pick one that best suits your baby.

NEW Pampers Sizing    Currently Wearing    Estimated Weight
1                                                NB                                Up to 5kg
2                                                S                                    3-8kg
3                                                M                                   6-11kg
4                                                L                                    9-14kg
5                                                XL                                 12-16kg
6                                               XXL                              14+ kg

Starbucks is a happy place for me and my toddler. For me, it’s more than a coffee joint. It is where I get to enjoy my favorite Chocolate Chip Cream Frappuccino and at the same time, breastfeed my two-year-old conveniently. He would eventually fall asleep with the buzzing sound (of voices) of baristas and other guests as his lullaby. Having breastfed my son in public for a couple of years already, Starbucks is the only establishment that has made feel very welcome and comfortable.

Our little boy patiently waits for Mommy to get her caffeine fix.

One time, I visited the China Bank Paseo branch with a slightly heavy bag on one arm and an active toddler on another. I was glad to have found a spot near the counter that will make it easier for me to watch over my stuff while placing my order and carrying my little boy. After I have paid for our breakfast, a smiling barista quickly emerged from the counter and came to my side to help me bring the tray to our table. The manager also followed and gently asked me if I still need anything. I then asked for a mug of cold water which they promptly provided. We even had a little chat about my baby. These things may mean nothing to other people but these are things that moms like me appreciate greatly. I’ve been to other dining establishments before but only the people at Starbucks were able to give legendary customer service to their guests. That is how this coffee shop became my happy place.

One sweet February weekend, I was on a baking spree. I wanted to have some sort of dessert buffet for Valentine’s Day so I made cookies, cupcakes and pastillas (my nephew and niece did the finishing touches for this milky treat).

Baking homemade cookies has been my ultimate dream and I was able to achieve it with the help of a very easy to follow recipe from Baker Bettie. I stumbled on her recipe for Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies when I was looking for  instructions on how to make cupcakes and cookies without baking soda. Here is my version of the cookies.

I’m a sandals and ballet flats kind of woman. They’re the easiest to slip on and my feet look chic (to me, at least) when I wear them. Well, actually, I wear sandals when I have freshly pedicured and decent looking nails to show off. If not, I’d put on that trusty pair of flats and match it with just about any outfit that I’m in.

Ever since I became a Mom, I made sandals and ballet flats an essential part of my Mommy Wardrobe. I used to have a penchant for high heels and wedges before I got pregnant. I feel tall and sexy wearing them. I just don’t see the practicality of being in these tower footwear anymore when I have to be around with my two-year-old. And I love being with him every single time! There’s no way that I can run around with him and carry him while I’m in heels.

Happy weekend everyone! Weekends are meant for spending time with our loved ones. What better way to do it than to prepare something special that will surely delight their taste buds. For today’s breakfast, I was able to cook Sweet and Fluffy Pancakes for my loveys. Here’s how I did it:

SWEET AND FLUFFY PANCAKES

Ingredients:
1 medium egg, beaten
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup of White King All Purpose Flour
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 tbsp Calumet Baking Powder
1/4 cup of water
1 tbsp of butter, room temperature
Jolly Claro Palm Oil

Procedure:
1. In a bowl, beat egg and add salt.
2. Add brown sugar and mix until well blended.
3. Put in the flour and baking powder. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add water to the mixture and stir conitnously.
5. Add butter and mix well.
6. Heat the frying pan and put just enough oil.
7. Pour in 1/4 cup of the batter on the pan.
8. As soon as more bubbles start to surface, flip the pancake to cook the other side.
9. Serve with your choice of syrup and toppings.

Makes 3 servings.

For our pancakes, I used my leftover cream cheese frosting and spread it liberally on each serving. My boys loved it so much that I am inspired to make these Sweet and Fluffy Pancakes more often 🙂 I will share pictures of this comfort food next time 😉

You might want to try out fhis easy pancake recipe, too! Happy cooking!

This may be late but I would write about it anyway.

We had a little celebration here at home last January 14 when Louiji turned two years old. It was a simple dinner with his grandparents, cousins and tita ninang from my side of the family. To make this milestone extra special even if we just stayed at home, I prepared food and decorations that I know will delight my little tot. I decided to have Louiji’s Favorites as our theme.

We served enough food for everyone to feast on. I baked a Red Velvet cake and a dozen cupcakes using the tips and techniques that I have learned from the Maya Cooking Class that I attended last year. I washed Louiji’s toys and made them as cake toppers. I also added a Happy Birthday washi tape and a #2 birthday candle. My parents volunteered to cook pansit for us, a recent favorite of our little one. My husband bought roasted chicken. I grilled liempo for the first time. I was so glad that they were not burned! I used the Jolly Lychees in Syrup and prepared chilled lychees mixed with nata de coco, an irresistible dessert for my husband. 

I’ve been watching a local TV series titled Dream Dad recently and one episode inspired me to make our own homemade pastillas. I used this recipe as my guide. I didn’t follow the recipe exactly as indicated because I just used whatever we had on the fridge. Thus, the Homemade Pastillas Rolled in Brown Sugar.

I added Nips chocolates, too!

My output turned out great and was actually delicious according to my nephew and niece. My two-year-old and I feasted on these milky treats the night we made it. I had to exercise self-control to ensure that there’s more left for the following day 😀

I am planning to make another batch soon and use candy sprinkles instead of brown sugar. I’m sure that the kids will go crazy over these colorful and sweet treats!

Do you love pastillas, too?

UPDATE: Due to the coverage of the Papal Visit, Sarap Diva will be aired on January 24 and 31. 

We’re having a long weekend here at the Philippines this week. The whole of Metro Manila is on a special holiday to give way for the visit of Pope Francis. The Filipinos are truly blessed to have been visited by the Bishop of Rome and that is why a lot of people went the extra mile just to get closer or even have a glimpse of the Pope.

Long weekends are meant to be enjoyed with the whole family. What better way to spend this mini-vacation than to prepare a special meal for our loved ones! You don’t have to look far for a new recipe to serve the fambam this weekend. Just tune in to GMA 7 this Saturday, January 17 and next week at January 24 at 9:40AM to 10:25AM, to catch Regine Velasquez-Alcasid at Sarap Diva as she works her magic on exciting dishes with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. Regine will teach us how to cook Pamplina, a Spanish-influenced soup dish, and tasty Pork Steak with Mushroom Bits.

Catch Sarap Diva with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid on January 17 and 24 at 9:40 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. as she dishes out three, exciting dishes: Pamplina, a Spanish-influenced soup dish, and tasty Pork Steak with Mushroom Bits.

Our darling Louiji turned 2 last January 14! We had a mini-party here at home with his grandparents and his cousins (my side of the family). More about this house party on a separate post.

As always, I have documented my son’s milestones and antics 🙂 Here are reasons to celebrate the days leading to his 24th month:

• Louiji was babbling and making upward gestures. Daddy said that he was doing a praise and worship just like what we do in church.
• Uh oh! He now knows how to unplug the fan from the socket! I have tried to cover the socket with plastic cover and duct tape but his little hands were so strong that he was able to remove it.
• He has just finished having his milkmilk and decided that instead of going back to sleep, he will get up and play. Though it’s a bit dark, he stood up on the bed and looked around. I used the light from my phone to serve as his light. He saw a shadow on the wall so he babbled and gestured with his hands to tell his Dad, who was just beside him, that they do the shadow show.
• He was having milkmilk for bedtime and I was humming a lullaby. He babbled and took my hand to tell me that he wants me to pat his thigh so he can sleep.
• Our little one said “car” when he was showing Dad his toy car.
• Louiji is getting good at sorting. He took all his train stickers and stuck them together on the door. He did the same thing with the traffic light stickees.
• Louiji was able to follow the instructions on Barney May I.
• We were doing a videoke at home when Louiji got hold of the mic. He was babbling while looking at the screen as if he is singing 🙂 He kept doing it for almost half an hour.
• We were settling in for the night when Louiji caught sight of the iPad lying on my desk beside our bed. He was reaching for it but I said, “Tomorrow na lang baby. Bedtime na e. ” He did not object and sat back on the bed. What a good and obedient boy! 🙂
• We were saying our bedtime prayers and Louiji kept his hands together til the prayer ends.
• Louiji was taking out his stuffed toys out of the big box one at a time. As he does it, I tossed the toys back. After a while, he noticed what I was doing so he took all three toys at the same time and moaned 😀
• Our little one enjoys eating fruit salad and embutido and it was the first time he had a taste of these.
• Louiji was able to identify the fireman in his set of Mega Blocks after teaching him about it for 4 consecutive repetitions.
• Louiji used to rub the roll-on analgesic on his armpit because he would see us do it with our deo. Now, whenever he sees it, he would take it and rub it on my back. I hope that he will soon learn how to massage my back 🙂
• Our little explorer was being creative when he took the broken strap of his diaper bag, draped it over his shoulder and was putting it together as if he is tying a sash.
• Louiji just discovered how to do a frog hop. He just love to do this during the night when the floor gets a bit cold.
• Louiji knew that the cover hanging on top of the microwave oven is meant for that appliance because he pulled it and was trying to cover the oven.
• While I was mixing the ingredients of the macaroni salad, Louiji would come up to me to see what I was doing. I tried to give him a cashew nut and he liked it that he came back for more. Same thing with the cheese, potato and macaroni.
• Louiji started eating grapes and ponkan! But would spit the skin.
• Louiji loves dancing to the song “The Ants Go Marching.” He eapecially likes the last part and would act it out by bending his knees and springing up.
• Louiji strummed on his side after pointing at the picture of a guitar on his toy.
• Louiji saw a candle at Vikings and started clapping, which is actually a prompt for me to sing Happy Birthday. I did as requested. After that, Louiji tried to blow the candle.
• Louiji dragged my lumbar pillow from our bed and rode on it. He likes riding on everything these days.
• Most of the time, Louiji would look away when he knows that his photo is being taken. But, if he is going to be with Mommy or Daddy, he would tilt his head towards either of us. It has now become his favorite pose 🙂
• Louiji can remove his own socks.
• When I asked him to share the ball with another toddler in church, our boy gladly did so.
• Louiji now plays peek-a-boo using both hands.
• Louiji  did something amusing by bading bye-bye to Granny with his hand behind him, head bowed down while smiling. Silly baby!
• After seeing my sister holding a cup, Louiji ate binatog for the first time.
• After lots of practice, Louiji was finally able to pull the pieces of his Mega Blocks apart.
• Learning from his Dad, Louiji knew how to use his Daddy’s phone to search Youtube for his favorite toy demo videos.
• At night, whenever Louiji would hear a pedicab pass by, he would knock on the table or door and say, “Dada.” It’s as if he’s expecting that his Dad would get off the ped and knock on our gate.
• Whenever Louiji would see a photo of a bee, he would point at it and buzz.
• Louiji saw a younger baby when we entered the nursing station at Rustan’s. He waved at the baby to say hello. He is becoming more sociable 🙂
• I was looking at my FB feed when I scrolled on a photo posted by my sister. Louiji quickly pointed at his Lolo in the group photo and pointed at my sister’s tiny profile image.
• The little explorer was rummaging through his grooming box and got a hold of his moisturizer. He began squeezing it the way I would. He would pretend to get some and slather on his neck.
• The little one saw a scrap of crepe paper on the floor and started tearing it to pieces. He placed them on the mat and started blowing a piece until it moves forward.
• Louiji took off his long sleeve shirt on his own without any difficulty.
• Louiji ate two small servings of tuna sandwich for merienda. First time!
• Our little boy can now put back the screws of the wheels of his rocking horse.
• We are proud to have been breastfeeding up to this time! Hooray! My husband has been persuading me to wean our baby from the breast. I am having mixed feelings about it which makes me reluctant to go through the process. Well, everything in it’s proper time 😉

We’re believing for more milestones for our little one. We are truly blessed to have an adorable and healthy boy. We love you sooo much, Sweetie Pie!!!