Product Review: Bite Block Insect Repellent Lotion

Bite Block Insect Repellent Lotion

Rainy Season means Dengue Fever Season. A big Red Flag for an expectant mom like me. I would not risk suffering from any form of illness at this stage, which is why I'm extremely cautious with my health and well-being (well, minus the sleeplessness and uncontrollable workaholic urge). I have been diligently cleaning and emptying any potential nesting grounds for mosquito eggs and replacing water in my plant vases. But lately, I've been getting so many insect bites wherever I go. So, I've decided to arm myself against these nasty bugs.

Back Pain, Pregnancy, and Sleeplessness

The past few weeks have been very tricky. I've been finding it harder and harder to find enough sleep for some reason. The longest sleep I've had in the past weeks was 10 hours, with 30 minutes being the least. I'm not sure if it's the anxiety regarding the long-delayed room renovation, excitement, or my uncontrollable urge to keep overworking myself that's keeping me up, day and night.

Happy Adventures with My Little Boy

My little boy and I are turning 35 weeks in 3 days, few more weeks til we get to hold him. After dinner, I was telling his dad how much fun baby and I have had in the past months. Since Day 1, baby and I have been partners-in-crime when it came to fast-food binges and insane cravings. Though still in my belly, we've been having so much fun in our 35+ weeks together. 

Proper Diet and Healthy Snacks for Expecting Moms

Proper Diet and Healthy Snacks for Expecting Moms

Baby and I are now on our 34th week! Few more to go before we get to hold the little one.

During my 24th week visit, my doctor advised me to start on a high-protein diet and avoid food high in carbohydrates. Although I am not at risk of diabetes, being overweight (lucky that baby is taking in all the weight instead of me!), and was allowed to still eat anything I want, the doctor said it's important to maintain a proper diet to prevent gaining too much weight during the last few stages of pregnancy.

A Giveaway! Happy Mommy Adventures x Yeah Baby Accessories

Mommies, are you having a hard time looking for adorable and affordable hair accessories for your little princesses? Check out these super cute hair accessories from Yeah Baby.

What started as a hobby and a labor of love for her little girl turned into a business for mompreneur.
Yeah Baby Hair Accessories, hand-crafted with love by the very creative mommy, Jam Galingan-Punsalan.
Yeah Baby is an online shop owned by Jam Galingan-Punsalan, a stay-at-home mom to a very adorable two-year old girl, Jaleel.

Yeah Baby's Super Cute Baby Model, Jaleel, wearing the Red Hello Kitty Ribbon by Mommy Jam.

Mommy Jam, being a kikay, naturaly creative, and stylish mom, wanted cute accessories for her adorable little girl. She couldn't find quality yet reasonably-priced girl's accessories so she decided to make her own instead. She made cute little hairbows, ribbons, and other hair accessories for her daughter.

Friends and relatives loved her creations and started ordering from her. That's how Yeah Baby was started.

Being a mom herself, Jam handcrafts and sews each product with love, and uses only quality and  baby-friendly materials.

Due to the popularity of her handcrafted hair accessories, Jam decided to quit her job and work on her business full-time. Her designs are definitely a hit with babies and mommies, as most of her creations are quickly sold out. Prices range from 66-199 pesos. Ain't that such a deal??? Mommy Jam also accepts custom orders.

Check out some of my favorites from Yeah Baby's super adorable hair accessories.

Hello Kitty-inspired Headband

Hello Kitty-Inspired Ribbon in Pink

Hello Kitty-Inspired Ribbon in Red

Aren't they all super lovely??? If I had a little girl, I would definitely dress her daily with different hairbows from Yeah Baby!

You can check out her website:

www.yeahhhbaby.multiply.com/

www.facebook.com/by.yeahbaby

Yeah Baby is giving away 3 of these lovely Pretty in Pink Ribbons. Just follow the steps on the Rafflecopter widget below to join.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second Adventure: A late post

June 19, 2012

Third Trimester!
I'm now 20 weeks and 3days. (22 weeks According to LMP)
Baby is even more active than ever!
Movements and kicks are even more pronounced! I can see my belly move and raise up whenever baby kicks. Baby's kicking harder and I get startled and get woken up at times.
I've been playing intrusmental and classical music for baby at 2 months. Baby responds to music even more now and I think baby has already picked a few favorites from the playlist I made.

Halfway through my pregnancy and I'm just so excited to see my little angel.

I'll have my 3rd ultrasound at 26 weeks. I'll need another CAS again because baby was too young at that time. We will also find out baby's gender! Ooooh, I can't wait! I've been trying to get some gender "predictions" using tests with scientific studies and the Chinese Calendar.

CHINESE GENDER CHART
Click Image to Enlarge.

At 28 weeks, I'll have my TDAP vaccines. TDAP stands for Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
By getting a TDAP Vaccine during pregnancy, you'll be able to transfer the antibodies to your newborn, which will help protect your baby from TDAP until he or she can be vaccinated. The TDAP Vaccine is P1,700 at St. Luke's Medical Center, to be administered by your OB-GYN.

Another test is FBS (fasting Blood Sugar Test).
Pregnant women, especially asians, are prone to Diabetes, due to our carbohydrate-rich diet (rice, noodles,etc).

I've started slathering that cocoa butter cream to "prevent" stretch marks and to relieve that weird ithcy feeling. My doctor said stretch marks are inevetable and serves as a pregnancy "battle scar"/"proof". Everyone who's gotten pregnant gets them. I beg to differ so I religously maintain my morning and everning ritual.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Cream for Stretch Marks P495 is available at Watson's and Rustan's.  I like how it smells like vanilla and chocolate. The smell is relaxing and soothing. It's a thick cream that glides on wonderfully, a bit greasy for me, though. There's another brand called No Stretch Marks Lotion by J. Thomas. Its around P550 at Watson's. I haven't tried it nor have seen any reviews about it.

I've also started looking into Prepared Birthing Classes. I'm still undecided between Lamaze and Bradley Method. I've been reading a lot about other mom's experience with Lamaze under Rome Kanapi. All the feedbacks I've read were positive, plus Rome also holds classes at the Mayo Clinic in Ateneo.

Also been thinking about Cord Blood Banking. Considering the high costs versus the benefits for my child. Cordlife Philippines offers Cord Blood Banking Services. P40,000 fee upon enrollment and P8000 annual fee. StemCord Philippines, the country's pioneer in cord blood banking, costs around P55,000 upon enrollment and an P8,000 annual fee. Conveniently, StemCord has an office at St. Luke's Medical Center. I'm having mixed feelings on this matter.

In the meantime, I shall relish every single moment the joys of pregnancy gives me.

Til my next post.

Have a Happy Mommy Day!

Prenatal Massage Review: Zen Asia Spa

I wrote about Prenatal Massage as a way to soothe pregnancy aches and pains in one of my previous posts. Read about it at  http://happymommyadventures.blogspot.com/2012/07/soothing-pregnancy-aches-and-pains-pre.html

One of the Spas I've featured on that post was Zen Asia Spa located at 25 Timog Avenue, 2nd Floor Riviera Filipino Bldg, Quezon City. One Sunday Afternoon, Daddy and I decided to try out their Prenatal Massage services. 

Waiting Area

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the receptionist and were asked to fill out our names on a log book. We got the Couples Room, Prenatal Massage for mommy and Shiatsu Massage for daddy. After several minutes, our massage therapist asked us to proceed to the massage area and change into our robes.

The massage area was a dim narrow hallway, with curtains separating each area or "room". There weren't any massage beds, but they had massage mattresses on platforms. What I didn't like about it was that the curtains didn't provide much privacy and relaxation. You could hear footsteps, other people coming and going, and talking. During our therapy session, someone suddenly opened the curtain. Good thing there weren't other people at the hallway at the time or we would have been "exposed".

Hallway. Curtains separate each massage area.

The Prenatal Massage.

It was okay, considering it only costed 300. The therapist was very careful and gentle, I even had to ask her to knead harder. It wasn't as relaxing as I thought it would be but she was able to relieve me of the shoulder pains. She had to avoid the hands and feet as these areas/points are not supposed to be touched to avoid contractions on a pregnant woman. 

My Verdict: It was okay- I wasn't really happy and fully satisfied. The place isn't pregnant-friendly, to be honest. The floors were slippery with oil, they also did not provide non-slip slippers. These are major hazards for Pregnant Women.

Daddy's Verdict: He didn't enjoy it. His therapist's kneading felt uncomfortable and "sharp".

Zen Asia Spa is located at  25 Timog Avenue, 2nd Floor Riviera Filipino Bldg, Quezon City. 

Prenatal Massage rate is 300 per hour.
*photos from Zen Asia Spa's website: www.zenasiaspa.com

Celebration Giveaway!

It's time for a CELEBRATORY GIVEAWAY! 

Today, we are one our 33rd week! How quickly time flies by when you are having fun, indeed! In just a few weeks, we'll be able to cuddle our little boy. To celebrate the wonder of life and our 8th month, I've decided to host a little giveaway!

These are made from 100% cotton and materials that are safe for babies. They are hand or machine-washable. Aren't these super adorable???

Click Image to Enlarge.

 Just follow the steps on the Rafflecopter widget below and 3 lucky mommies and babies could win a onesie each! Isn't it that easy? What are you waiting for? Let's have fun and join my Celebration Giveaway! :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Smart Parenting Baby Shower

Last September 1, 2012, Smart Parenting held the Baby Shower Event at Discovery Suites, Ortigas. I was one of the very excited expectant moms who joined the super fun-filled event. Upon arriving at the venue, we were welcomed by the Smart Parenting staff and were given name tags and our assigned tables. They had a photobooth set up at the entrance. Before the event started, everyone enjoyed the lunch buffet spread provided by the wonderful staff of Discovery Suites.

The event was kicked off by a lively opening of our very perky host, Delamar Arias. Several resource persons gave out talks on Pregnancy Myths, Parenting Tips, Breastfeeding, Proper Nutrition during Pregnancy, and Pregnant Fashion Tips. The talks were very fun and informative! They had games at the end of every talk and gave prizes to attentive moms!

Talk on Pregnancy Facts and Myths

Talk on Parenting

We had so much fun with the fun games they had! There were games such as Pictionary, The Price is Right, etc which gave moms a chance to interact with other moms and bring home goodies for their nursery rooms. For a first-time mom like me, the event gave me an idea on what to do for my own baby shower. It also made me even more excited to plan out my baby shower. I wish all moms could go to events like this. Not only is it fun, its very informative as well. Helps ease my "first-time parent anxieties and worries".

My Team won the Pictionary Game. Yay!

Everyone went home with goodies from Smart Parenting Magazine, Avent, Oilatum, All About Kids, and Robinson's Department Store. I love that they gave us nursery and baby essentials such as Layette Sets, Milk Containers, and other baby products. Truly this event gave all of us expectant moms a fun wonderful break from all our pregnant mommy duties. Such a fun-filled day it was!

What Moms Love the Most: Goodies for our Babies!

To close off the event, they had a raffle and one very lucky mom won a well-deserved overnight stay at Discovery Suites!

Be Derek’s Next Anna and Win a Samsung Ultrabook

Derek is looking for a new Anna!

Watch Anna's video reply:

Find out how Derek’s family came to the rescue and supported him! Watch the complete story 

And in case you’d like to see Derek’s video one more time, here’s the video:

It must be such a heartbreak for a young boy to get rejected by a girl he really likes, imagine how even more humiliating and painful it must be to be rejected in public! But as they all say, life must go on! And so, Derek is in search for a new "Anna"!

Girls, what are you waiting for? Be Derek’s Next Anna by going to www.dereksnewanna.com. All you have to do is submit a video entry on why you should be Derek’s new Anna! If you win, you’ll be part of the next PLDT myDSL commercial and also take home a Samsung Ultrabook.