Our first bazaar

I've been wanting to go to a Mommy & Baby bazaar since I was pregnant, but never had the chance. Finally, we went to the Expo Mom event today at Rockwell Tent.

I've been wanting to go to this one because there were two vendors I had to checkout: Mommy Matters for nursing wear and Celestina and Co. for pretty bows and bands.

With baby and Daddy in tow, I felt pressured to hurry up and go around the bazaar as quickly as possible. Haha. (I can almost hear my hubby saying, 'Really? That was supposed to be quick already?' Lol.)

Good thing we came the morning of the first day - there weren't too many shoppers around yet. It was a relief not to have to elbow your way through a crowd just to get a good look at the goodies.

And yay, the first booth I saw inside the tent was Mommy Matters. I own one of their nursing dresses - an Indian-inspired maxi that is perfect for the beach or a hot day out. I love it, very comfy! So I was looking for something similar. Too bad I didn't find any. I couldn't check out everything they had because it was a bit of a hassle to browse through their cramped display. The hooks were overstuffed, so the clothes which were hung in front kept falling off every time I checked out those at the back. For someone who was on a hurry, it was frustrating. I would've stayed longer and bought more clothes if it was easier to shop at their booth. I ended up buying a gray number that I wasn't too excited about, but was the only thing they had in my size out of the three pieces I tried. But I love how I'm a size Small in their clothes, and not the usual Medium. Hihi.

I found the Celestina & Co. booth further inside the tent and I was not disappointed. I've been browsing through their cute baby headbands and bows online for weeks now, and I wanted to see the stuff up close. Ally has one of their frilly pink headbands and a small cream bow, and they look absolutely adorable on her. So I wanted to buy more. I bought her a gray and pink band this time. Super cute.

But my favorite purchase is the cutie patootie pair of pale pink ballet flats I got from Tot Couture. I haven't heard of this brand before, and I am glad I stumbled upon them at the bazaar! They have the cutest, comfiest crib shoes! Unlike the usual baby shoes with hard soles, these are made of soft fabric so they are easy to put on wriggling baby toes. They come in different styles usually reserved for grown-ups - like peep-toe or sling backs - and some in the prettiest of prints! It felt like getting a bargain at Php350 (less than $10). What first drew me to the booth was how they were displayed - beautifully packaged in cute acetate boxes in the shape of a purse! Packaging can really tug at a customer's heartstrings, I should remember that the next time I join a bazaar as a vendor!

Most of the stalls offer discounts - like Baby Company who has baby carriers at 20% off, Baby Shower Studio who had a Php500 discount for a Php3,500 photography package, ManilaBaby who had swimsuits on sale, and a lot more stalls I can't remember.

One other great thing about the event are the freebies. There's a pick-a-prize for those who joined Expo Mom's tagging promo on facebook. Someone lucky won something from Avent. I just got a bottle of Tinybuds baby powder. Haha. Some brands give you something extra when you purchase. And I got three swag bags total, one each from Mommy Mundo, Avent, and Baby Company. The bags contained product samples, magazines, and stuff from sponsors. Most of these we can't use - like the tiny newborn diapers that are too small for my 7-month old who now wears size Large nappies. But I love the swag from Baby Company! I got all sorts of useful stuff in their bag, and even an Avent Via cup for storing breastmilk in the fridge. That, I can definitely use!

If only I could, I'd go back to the bazaar tomorrow. I forgot to go back for that cute baby tankini at Manila Baby shop. Sigh.

Expo Mom 2012 is happening at the Rockwell Tent today, May 5, until tomorrow, May 6, 10am to 8pm. Entrance is free for Mommy Mundo Passport holders, and Php25 for everyone else.

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Brands I love in this post

Celestina and Co.
http://celestinaandco.multiply.com/

Tot Couture
http://totcouture.multiply.com

Manila Baby Shop
http://manilababyshop.multiply.com/

Where have all the days gone?

 

Ally turned 7 months last week. It feels like in a blink of an eye, she transformed from a helpless little baby into a squealing, giggling, drooling toddler.  Yes, at only 7 months, my baby looks like she can go to preschool any day now. Haha.

I remember a poem that used to hang in my room as a little girl. I don't know who wrote it, but I loved it then, and I love it even more now. I can't believe I still know the words.

My daughter grows up

My hands were busy through the day

I didn't have much time

to teach my little girl

What to me was work to her was play

And when you'd come with your baby dolls

and ask me to rock her back and forth

I'd say

"Not tonight, I'm busy dear"

I'd tuck you in all safe at night

Kiss your cheek and hug you tight

Tiptoeing softly to the door

I'd glance at you again once more

God's little angel, my own delight

I wish I'd stayed a minute more

For life is short, the years rush past

A little girl grows up too fast

No longer is she at your side

Her precious secrets to confide

The baby dolls are gone today

I now remember all those times

you'd ask to help with little chores

"Can I put daddy's clothes away?"

No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear

That belongs to yesteryear

My hands once busy, now are still

The days are long, and hard to fill

I wish I could go back and share

The little things that say, "I care"

Every time I whine about no longer having the time to do a bit of crafting, I should remember this poem.

Ally's First Christmas!

Our three-month-old's social life was buzzin' over the holidays! We were expected at all family gatherings, so planning our schedule was a bit stressful. But no complaints here, Christmas season is my favorite time of the year!

We spent Christmas eve with my mom's side of the family, Christmas day with Marco's side, the day after Christmas with my Dad's side, New Year's eve with Marco's family again, and New Year's day with my mom's sister's inlaws. Plus all those other parties in between: my dad's aunt's birthday, my grandparent's anniversary, and a Bon voyage party. Complicated? Very! Hihi. We're lucky Ally is an angel to travel with! She's a trooper!

Here is a wonderful video of Ally's first Christmas, from my creative cousin Kat!
A wonderful souvenir. Thanks Kat!

I'm excited for next Christmas! It's only 11 months away! :p

Hello 2012!

I know I said I would post my birth story here. Unfortunately, the details are still foggy. Note to would-be moms: if you have the energy, write about your birthing experience while the memory is still fresh. You don't have to blog about it - jot it down in your journal, or type it away on your phone - whatever works for you. It'll make for an interesting read when your child is all grown up.

I didn't have the energy to write about my story even weeks after giving birth. I was rushed back to the hospital a few days after I was discharged, due to postpartum hemorrhage. It took me weeks to fully recover. But I don't feel like writing about it here yet. Because there are other, more upbeat things to write about, and I don't know where to start!

Who has the time to write when you're breastfeeding a newborn every hour (yes, she's ravenous!) and dealing with aches and pains. Now that I am fully recovered, and Ally only nurses every couple of hours (I know, still too often!), i finally have time to write. Problem is, i can't remember a thing! I wish there really was a Pensieve!

I am apologizing in advance: from here on out, please excuse this Obliviated blogger if events are not blogged about chronologically.

2011 was a great year! I hope 2012 brings even greater blessings!

World, meet Ally!

Our darling daughter was born on a Tuesday morning, on the 20th of September.  After 13 hours of labor, I finally met our big 7-pound-and-1-ounce baby girl. World, meet our dear Amara Luna.

Our beautiful baby girl.

God is good!  We are thankful for our healthy little girl!  We are thankful for a safe and uncomplicated delivery.  :) I conquered the pain!

I am thankful too for the delivery room pictures, because the hour I spent in there was a blur.  I don't remember much, except I thought I was going to die because of the pain.  Haha.

I didn't even know it was possible to bring a camera inside the delivery room.  I thought they only did that for special cases. Like if you were the wife of the doctor or something.  So I didn't think to ask.  Imagine my surprise when a nurse called me and asked me to smile at the camera.

Smiling when you're in labor is a challenge. 

Part of me was happy they'd document the event.  But another part of me was worried they'd also document my, uhm... lady parts.  When they gave the cam back to my mom, she didn't want to view the photos for fear of having to see my hoo-hah.  No worries - all the photos were rated General Patronage, and not PG.

I thought it was my mom who requested that they take pictures, but then I learned later on that it was the other way around.  The nurse at the station paged my mom and asked for a camera.  She didn't bring one.  Good thing she thought of rummaging through my bag back in my room. Apparently, making the anesthesiologist take photos during delivery is sort of an unwritten S.O.P. at the hospital.  Lucky us!   We didn't need to book the outrageously expensive Lamaze room to get priceless photos of Ally's first few minutes on earth.

I love you Ally.

I might post about my labor and delivery story, for those of you waiting for your own D-day, or wondering what it's like.  If I remember the details, that is. For now, all I can say is: We made it! If I could do it, you can too!

Surprise!

When I was 7 months pregnant with the beadbaby, the lovely girls of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild threw me the cutest surprise baby shower ever!

On August 13, 2011, the sneaky girls of P3 gathered at Jennifer Cruz's place where we were supposedly scheduled to hold our clay date (a crafty peer tutorial of sorts).

But instead of an afternoon of crafting, I was in for an afternoon of crying. LOL!

I was so touched by the thoughtful and generous gesture, that when I saw the pink balloons, and more than my expected 6-7 claymates, I cried.  The wa-poise, cringe-worthy kind of cry.

I wouldn't have posted these embarrassing pics had I blogged about the party a few months ago. But now when I look at them, I am reminded of how much the whole party meant to me. :)  Thank you thank you P3!

Our surprise! pose

The party was built around - what else? - a cupcake theme!  Loved it!  It was perfect! Cupcakes everywhere! In the decorations (created by Ms. Bang of Andeverythingnice)...

On everyone's necks (everyone was wearing a cupcake except me, ironically!  Of all days not to wear a cupcake! Teehee)...

Mommy Jhoi and daughter Gian with their matching beaded cupcakes.

 

And the dessert...

 

There was yummy food catered by Jen's sister, special lechon Paksiw from Jhoi's mom, and Nathaniel's buco pandan from Ghie.

And there were fun games prepared by Ms. Bang, Achie Joyce, and Donna.  I sucked at all of them, except the Diaper Game - which I won!  I was an expert in smelling "dirty" diapers, thank you very much!  The fake poop were my favorites, so I was bound to win: Flat Tops, Hershey's syrup, coco jam, etc.  I won a cupcake stamp from Mel Felipe of Purplenook, woohoo!

Guess Who The Baby Is game  (That's me in the 2nd to the last photo, top row)

No wonder I didn't finish this game, I was busy looking at the camera, lol.

 

The Dede Race (they had to finish a bottle of orange juice): Marco lost pa, sus! Haha.

I loved sniffing diapers soiled with the yummiest stuff: Hershey's syrup, coffee, etc.

The baby shower doubled as the guild's second Meet and Greet, so we had fun meeting people we've only met online.  I met Paula and Penny for the first time.  And Penny's adorable baby Charley!

Meeting Charley!

The only guests who were not members of the guild were the baby daddy and my college ex-roomie Mykee.

Marco in pink!

Ex-roomies

Everyone had fun!

The crazy P3 family

Thank you so much my P3 family for a memorable afternoon.  I really can't thank you enough!

Welcome to my mommy blog!

My baby bump at 37 weeks, impatiently waiting for D-day.

Welcome to the new blog!  The beads, the clay, and all the crafty thingamabobs are packed away in bins and boxes.  The oven out of commission.  The craft blog abandoned.  All because I got preggy!

This new blog will chronicle my adventures in the new world of mommyhood. It's called "beadbaby" because that's what my friends from P3 nicknamed my little one.  (I'm Beadlady, just in case you have no idea what the heck I'm talking about.)

Though I'm not saying goodbye to my beads and clay, I don't know when I'll be crafting again.  So while there is nothing artsy fartsy to post in the old blog, I will be posting tidbits about my new job here.  IF I have time that is.  Harhar.