I admit, I suck at clothes shopping or shopping in general. I don't think I have ever bought a dress, top or bottom that I really, really liked. My sense of style is overshadowed by my mom's since most of my clothes were given by her. Now that I am a mother, my children's clothes were also mostly gifts or hand-me-downs. I think I have gone shopping specifically for my daughter's outfit only twice or thrice. Does that make me a bad mom? The disadvantage of that is my style is not being … [Read more...]
A Makati Shangri-La Stay (day 2), Cymplified!
I woke up at around 6 in the morning, still sleepy. But, I was looking forward to breakfast at Circles, Makati Shangri-La. Nomnomnom! We left after I washed the baby bottles and put them in the sterilizer. I was so full my tummy didn't even have room for the pastries and muffins. Darn! We went back to our rooms afterwards. After a little rest and getting the swimming paraphernalia ready: a beach ball and a float ring, we were set! Elle was excited, I could tell. She and daddy hanged … [Read more...]
A Makati Shangri-La Stay (day 1), Cymplified!
My friend is pregnant with her first child and I with my third. We thought of having a sort of joint photoshoot and stayed at Makati Shangri-La hotel to put some vouchers to good use. Caleb and I were warmly welcomed with smiles, the front desk ladies were enamored with his cuteness. The one assisting me even carried him while I sign some documents. I was disappointed with the Superior Rooms we were assigned with. They were so small and we didn't know if the shoot could be done there. We … [Read more...]
Date At Home, Cymplified!
And so, the baby has arrived. Dad and mom need a day or night off to recharge. But, the little one won't sleep! Or his sleep pattern is so erratic it's unpredictable, therefore, they cannot leave the tot to a nanny or grandparent since sometimes only the parents or the mom in particular can put him to sleep. It might be counterintuitive to have a family sleepover at a hotel since it's not home and the baby most likely will be sensitive to the new surroundings; but wouldn't it be great to have … [Read more...]
Pregnancy Woes, Cymplified!
Ahh...Pregnancy! It does bring out the worst in women at times. Take me, for example, I know I already have some challenges in qualities as a person. But I think being pregnant magnifies them a hundred times. What are these, you ask? For one, Clumsiness. No, I haven't fallen from the stairs...yet! I don't want to imagine the excruciating pain that's going to cause. It's just that the whole shifting of my center of gravity, looser joints thing gets to me sometimes: accidentally bumping … [Read more...]
Sustaining Breastfeeding, Cymplified!
Sustaining breastfeeding, something I have not accomplished with my first two children. I am hoping I will be able to with my third. The wonderful benefits of breastfeeding should be able to empower me, even if I lack adequate knowledge, lack support and get discouraged easily. It's nice to have a friend who's also pregnant with her first baby and who's bent on acquiring all the information she could get by taking advantage of the classes and seminars offered nowadays. I wouldn't be informed … [Read more...]
Incentive, Cymplified!
We all need something to motivate us at home (chores, anyone?), at work, and even for the (supposedly healthy) lifestyle that we lead. Our efforts should always be rewarded somehow. One challenge I am facing at present is how to encourage my 4-year-old daughter to do her homework. What incentive must I employ to get her to have the desire to do her tasks from school? She is smart and I know she would do them well if only she wants to. "What's in it for me?" A question we sometimes … [Read more...]