Liwanag's Fisrt Birthday Photoshoot

Wow it's been a really long while since my last post. There have been a lot of things that have kept me busy and one of them is my daughter Liwanag or Lili as we fondly call her. We celebrated her first birthday last March 11 but before the birthday. We had a photoshoot with of course her Dad, Kulay Potograpiya as our photographer. Sharing our favorite photos on that shoot.

Location: Riverfront Corporate Center or most commonly known as outside Crocodile Park

OOTD: Pillow Dress made by local WAHM, Smartmum Online, Headband crocheted by my friend Ailyn, shoes from Crib Couture

 

OOTD: Denim Jacket from Gap, Tee from Old Navy, Skirt from Cotton On, Tutu Skirt made by my friend Roselle

MCNP is 3 Anniversary Raffle

Modern Cloth Nappying Pinay FB group is turning 3! In celebration of their third year "Transforming the world... one nappy at a time!", they are giving away 3 MYSTERY BOXES to help 3 mommies build their stash!

When I saw the poster above, I decided to join though I  know that we have a slim chance of winning since there were around 230 plus entries. This was our entry with the following caption 

"We don't need to possess superpowers to be super heroes.
We only need to care for the environment and help save the world and be superheroes in our own way.
Our family chose to use CLOTH DIAPERS over disposable ones because it is reusable and help reduce waste. 
Thus calling other mommies, daddies and babies, be a superhero and choose cloth diaper."

We had fun doing the shoot with hubby as our photographer and Kuya Kulay as his troublemaker assistant. Lili was very cooperative and didn't make much fuss. 

Some Behind the Scenes Shots

The winners were announced last September 7 and we were really overjoyed that our entry won as Admin Choice! We almost did not win as our entry tied with another deserving entry but thankful that we won after the tie breaker.

This afternoon we just got our prize which is the FLUFFIEST MAIL that we've ever received! 

We are so really THANKFUL to MCNP and to the sponsors of this contest

next9
Asya's Cradle
Baby Chic Boutique
Smart Mum Online
The Marshmallow Baby Online Shop
BABY LEAF
Tickled Moms
Cottonytail
Earthbaby

The prizes we received will be very helpful in our cloth diapering journey!:-)

Our Cloth Diapering Journey

Before our first son was born my husband and I agreed to make him wear lampin. We thought that disposable diapers are costly, wasteful and could cause diaper rash. So when Kulay was born last 2010 we made him wear good old lampin with pins for three months using only disposables at night and when going out. 

Our First Born in Lampin

We eventually succumbed to using 100% disposable diapers because we got tired of doing the laundry , we have no helper. It was not just the lampins but also the bed sheets, blankets and etc  because of pee or poop leaks. I was aware then about modern lampins or cloth diaper but I found it too expensive (around P500 and up) since most of available brands are US made.

With our second child, Liwanag, I did more research on cloth diapers and found the Modern Cloth Nappying Pinays Group in Facebook. The group was really informative and all I learned all about the modern lampin from that page. A friend who was also pregnant found online stores which sell China made nappies like Alva so we ordered together to avail of the wholesale price and save on shipping fee , I bought 5 pieces initially. I chose Alva 3.0 pocket cloth diapers because it is cheap and it would fit newborn babies up to 2 and a half year old kids.

I got the actual diapers when I was still 7 months pregnant and it was love at first sight. The designs are so cute and it feels so soft to touch.  I can’t help but order again, so I bought 5 more CDs.

When my daughter was finally born last March, I waited for 4 weeks before I made her wear the CDs, making sure that the meconium (that black sticky stuff) on her poop was gone. I thought the diaper was too big for her but then I later realized that I didn’t adjust the snaps properly.

my second child wearing her first CD at 27 days old

 We survived exclusively cloth diapering her with the 10 diapers but it was too tiring to do the laundry each day. I handwash the cds myself at night before going to sleep so I decided to buy additional Cds.

Whenever I am online I stalked the MCNP group and made sure to check the for sale/trade album. I eventually bought more second hand pocket diapers, brought covers and tried other pocket diaper brands until I found out what worked for us.

Now my daughter is almost 6 months, medium wetter and we have 25 CDs in rotation which is mostly composed of Sunbaby Size 2 pocket diapers. She uses around 6 to 8 CDs per day so we need to do the laundry every other day not to run out of CDs.

Loving our Sunbaby CDs

 I never regretted choosing cloth diapers and am always encouraging other mommies to try it out. It really has lots of benefits,will post more about it next time.

Things To Consider When Buying Baby Stuff

I have lots of pregnant friends and I really envy them because having a new baby is such a huge blessing. And one of the most exciting part is shopping for your future baby's clothes and stuff. But before you go and splurge for your baby, here are some humble tips I'd like to share:

1. Refrain from buying until the baby's gender is established. 

When I was pregnant I was hoping for a girl and got pretty excited and started window shopping for cute pink girl clothes. My mother told me not to buy until I reach seven months, I heeded her advice to which I'm really thankful because the baby in my tummy turned out to be a boy which was already determined during my first TVS (Trans Vaginal Ultrasound) at 12 weeks. Most gender is determined by 20 weeks and onwards so better wait.

2. Try to ask from friends and relatives for hand me downs

Babies grow too fast so they also outgrow their clothes very quickly. It is wise to ask for relatives and friends who recently had babies for hand me downs or some stuff you can borrow.

3. Wait for your Baby Shower

You are not the only person excited for your baby, I'm pretty sure your family and friends are too! They will surely organize a baby shower (secret and surprise) for you and you'll receive lots of baby stuffs then.

Me at 8 Months Pregnant During My Surprise Baby Shower

4. Decide if You Will Use Cloth Diapers

Even before your baby is born you and your partner should talk and decide whether you will use cloth diapers for your baby. This decision will guide you in your shopping for lampins or other forms of baby diapers.

5. Refrain from Buying Feeding Bottles

Every mother is encouraged to breastfeed their newborns so better condition your mind that you will exclusively breastfeed your baby. Besides if the need will arise then it is very easy to buy Feeding bottles which is available at drug stores, convenience stores, supermarkets and department stores.

Having a baby is really costly so it is really wise to save every dime and shop wisely for baby stuff.

Shopping Cart Cover

We usually bring our son with us every time we do our grocery shopping. Thank God grocery carts are design with a seat for children that makes it convenient for parents like us. Some carts even have toy cars at the bottom where your child can play driver but I find this hard to maneuver so we prefer to use the regular shopping cart. We noticed that Kulay bites the handle of the cart when he's bored so Mike and I became concerned with the sanitation. He said we should   look for shopping cart covers. I haven't seen covers on the malls so I decided to shop online. I searched on Ebay philippines and luckily I found one! A used but in good condition Infantino Shopping Cart Cover and Activity Playmat for only P550. 

I also found brand new shopping cart covers from multiply but the price range is around P1500. I placed a bid on the item on Ebay and won. Luck is on my side because the seller is also from Davao so we agreed to meet thus I saved on the shipping cost and bank charges. Mike and I found the cover very useful and we believe that it protects our child from virus and bacteria left behind on the cart by the previous users. Also it keeps our son comfortable while we cruise from lane to lane. The cover we bought can also be used on high chairs and as a play mat so it was a really good buy which I would also recommend to other parents.

Kids grow up so fast

I've heard, read and said this phrase a hundred times and I'm gonna say it now which makes this the hundredth and one ..."Kids grow up so fast"! Boy they really do! It seems like yesterday when Kulay was still a bump in my belly and I was shopping for newborn clothes but now I'm cleaning up his closet and tucking away clothes he outgrew. He is now 10 months and 3 weeks...only a few weeks shy of his first birthday. It seems that he only wore some of of  his clothes a couple of times. We've been lucky  because Kulay got lots of donations from my relatives and friends that we only get to buy a few clothings. It's really wise to not over indulge in shopping for infant clothes because they will be easily outgrown. I am filled with nostalgia right now as I fold (and smell) his clothes one by one...*sigh* my baby is growing up so fast. Well no matter how old he'll be..he'll always be my precious little baby*more sighs*

I was at the 1st Davao ExpoMom!

Last Sunday I went by myself to the 1st ExpoMom to be held in Davao City at the Abreeza Ayala Mall.  I went in and registered and they gave me these informative zines and pamphlets on being pregnant, baby's 1st years, immunizations and motherhood stuffs. 

Then I went around to check out the booths. I wasn't planning to buy anything but this shirt from Indigo Baby Caught my eye. Ain't this cool? I can't wait for Kulay to wear this shirt.  

And I also bought this organic hand sanitizer from Tiny Buds because when you buy any of their product you get the Hand wipes for free. I love their cute branding.

There were a lot of activities for mom and kids alike but and I even had a free photo to be taken at the photobooth courtesy of IndigoBaby but I was in a hurry because I had to babysit Kulay because hubby had an event to attend. Though I was not able to see the entire program I can say that it was a success and I hope that this would be a yearly event and hope that more mompreneurs would join the bazaar next time.

Baby Shoes

I've read that it is not recommended for babies to wear shoes until they are starting to walk. Shoes constricts those cutesy little toes. They might look cute but babies are better being barefoot or wearing socks even when they are starting to walk because it helps develop and strengthen the muscles. Shoes are recommended for babies when they are walking outdoors though for protection. My son usually wears socks but I can't help but buy soft shoes because they look cute. I let him wear them on special occasions for vanity's sake. I make it a point though to buy comfortable and cheap footwear because they are easily outgrown. Here are some of my cheap and cute finds.

Rainbow sneakers @ P95 bought at a stall at Victoria Plaza Mall

 Rubber slippers @ P30 bought from a little girl selling at the sidewalk of Magsaysay Ave Corner Banggoy St.