Online store.

I am currently getting rid of some of the clutter in our room and I've found some things that we don't/won't use anymore and I've decided to sell them all online. If you are looking for super cheap breastmilk bags, running shoes and everything in between, I suggest you visit my online shop:

http://jellybeanness.multiply.com/

Just don't expect too much from it because everything is secondhand or just given to me that I don't use and will not use. It's nothing special, really.

One year and one month.

I am now getting really worried because Brianna still hasn't started walking. I know this is still within normal but I am not feeling really comfortable with knowing that she still can't walk. She can't even stand up on her own yet. In fact, she can't make herself stand up yet.

I am really bothered by this. Can somebody help me encourage her? I don't know what to do anymore. I just get even more and more frustrated by the day. :|

First ever Grand Baby Fair experience

So I didn't get to attend the members only soft opening of the Grand Baby Fair at the SM Megamall Mega Trade Hall as well as the first two days as I would have liked but I did attend the last day. It's my first time ever to have attended such a fair that caters exclusively to the babies and it is my first time ever to have attended the Grand Baby Fair because I was admitted to The Medical City during the last Grand Baby Fair.

Anyway, I didn't know what to expect and was originally going to buy just a bag of diapers and those goodie bags they give out but when I got there, it was like a mommy's shopping haven! Despite the overwhelming number of attendees, I got to enjoy myself and I'm pretty sure Brianna had a fun time, too, with all those people she saw there.

Here are the items we got the baby girl from the Grand Baby Fair:

We got her this Evenflo BabyGo Travel seat that can be folded and be brought anywhere you want to bring it. It is extremely light weight and portable because it has an integrated carrying bag that will make it easier for the one who's carrying it. When I first saw it, I couldn't let it go (there were limited stocks) and I just had to get one. I asked the guy who works for the event to get be a much bigger cart - I only got those ones that hold two shopping baskets - so it could accommodate this. I asked for the grandparents to pay for it as their gift for the little girl. They agreed to it. Hee.

I also got her this cute and adorable drawer which now holds her clothes. Of course, not all of her clothes fit there so I still had that separate plastic organizer with all her other clothes. This was the last stock in the Owen stall during the last day of the Grand Baby Fair so naturally, I had to get it.

My mom also got this all-too-adorable Kiddy Bin-Stool by Kids Kit from one of the stalls in the Grand Baby Fair. It is a chair, a stepping stool and a storage bin all rolled into one. It's currently storing some of Brianna's toys and is happily sitting in our family room.

These were the only ones I was originally gonna get from the Grand Baby Fair but what can I say? It is hard to control yourself when everything is 70% off!

This is the best bargain of all for me, though:

The goodie bag full of, well, goodies! I got two bags because my parents had to pay for the Evenflo BabyGo Travel seat and I paid for the rest so some of the items in the goodie bag came in two. I always feel this rush when I get loot bags. A bag probably have PHP500 worth of goodies in them and everything's for free! I love it. My ultimate favorite goody is the Avent VIA Cup.

I would love to experience that again and again and again. I am definitely looking forward to the next Grand Baby Fair! Hope we see you there!

Here's a sneak peak to Brianna's 1st birthday party. ♥

Brianna's Birthday Wishlist

Fine. It's my wishlist for Brianna's birthday. Anyway, here's a list of what we still need for Brianna. Ninongs, ninangs, lolos, lolas, titos and titas, ito na!

1. Highchair - I don't know if we still will be needing one now but there's this high chair in Babyland in Eastwood Mall that caught my eye. Brianna can use it from now until she's 75. It looks heavy duty. There are several ways you can use it and even adults will be able to use it. Those pink Chicco poly high chairs will do, too.
2. Booster seats - If the high chairs are too expensive, a booster seat will do. Pink, please.
3. Portable highchair - If those two are really, really expensive, I would sure appreciate getting this. 
4. Breast pump - Okay, I know this is not for Brianna and I know I have one already but it broke a few weeks ago. So I'll be posting it here, just in case may magmagandang loob. :p Preferred brands are First Years, Pigeon and Avent.
5. Headbands - Her clothes are mostly pink and blue. I like ones from this site, personally.
6. Mickey Mouse drum thing - Ugh, this is so frustrating. I don't know what it's called. I just know that its color is red and blue and it makes drum sounds when you hit it and it lights up, too. Brianna's kinakapatid has one but I don't wanna ask the mom because we're not close. :|
7. iPad - I kid you not! Brianna loves playing with the iPad. If you are generous enough, well, she wants one.
8. Thermos Funtainer Bottle and Food Jar - Hello Kitty, Barbie, Dora the Explorer, Minnie Mouse or Disney Princess design.
9. Toys - Brianna already have a shape sorter, a talking cellphone and that pyramid thing I don't know what is called. I'm not really aware of what toys she should have so if you have something in mind, that'll be great.
10. Books
11. Clothes - Her clothes are mostly pink and blue so some other color will be perfect.
12. Photo company gift certificates - No particular photo company as long as they have branches near Pasig area pero wag naman yung mga Photoline at Kodak.
13. Diapers - EQ or Mamy Poko, sizes L to XL.
14. Cash - If all else fails, this won't.

So, there. I don't think I can add anything anymore to that list. I had to think really hard to even come up with this list. If you think we need something else or something that might be of interest to Brianna that's not in the list, well, you can give that instead. :)

Welcome back, It's All About Jellybean. ♥

It has almost been a year since I merged this blog to my personal blog. Now, I've once again decided to use this blog to document Brianna's (Brianna is Jellybean. ♥) growth because I realized that my personal blog - which is too vulgar for mommies to go to for mommy support - contained so much of my personal thoughts that there's no place for mommy concerns anymore. Now, I'm back here, charged with a year's worth of mommy thoughts and mommy experiences and I am ready to share everything mommy-related to you again.

Finally, the binyag pictures are here...

...after one month and 6 days.

As I've mentioned before (http://aletotski.blogspot.com/2011/05/binyagan-blues.html), the company I've worked with before volunteered to cover Brianna's christening and the videos and photos came in just now. There are some decent shots here and there but most of them are blurry. I am not complaining, though, they did it for free anyway so I'm grateful.

Binyagan blues

So last Saturday was Brianna's christening. It was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and it was a very inspiring ceremony. There are times during the ceremony where I catch myself about to cry so I stop myself. It was really hot because a red head was set up in the church, near us (Thank you, TVSTYLE, for the coverage of this momentous moment - redundant much? - of our family's life.) but Brianna was surprisingly quiet and calm throughout the ceremony. The priest even said that he barely baptizes a baby who doesn't cry. Even when water was being poured to her head, she maintained her silence...she had her super cute sad face on, though.

After the church ceremony, we went to Master Bee in Ortigas (I personally like the food. The pancit was uber yummy.) for lunch. Most of the people we invited were there and I really had fun (trying to) entertain them. I secretly thought of it as practice for when Bry and I get married. Hee. So, anyway, the whole time I had Kat as my aliping sagigilid (Thank you so much, Lovey! I shall be your PA again... Pagdating ng panahon. Haha!) while I was busy trying to breastfeed in public.

I was so touched by my parents - in fairness - because they actually mingled with the De Leons and they ENJOYED it. I was kinda thinking that they'll be hesitant to talk to them and end up not talk to them. This is faaaaaar too good. As Joanne has said, ang susunod nito, kasalan na.

As I've previously said, TVSTYLE was kind enough to cover this very memorable ceremony (for free?) in video and in photo. And since everyone (almost) is a PSI grad and sales people, they were friendly to almost everyone. Apprently but not surprisingly, Sir Aries was the one who stood out because of his really friendly personality that some even thought of him as papansin. But he doesn't really care about what other people think so...

My and Bry's friends, of course, have been really awesome for just being there. I've missed everyone and I'm very thankful that they are there to celebrate with us. Lau, Ella, Jackie, Jayvee and everyone who didn't make it, I know you would've been there if you could and for that alone, I am thankful.

Red ampaos (spelling?) were flying their way to me the whole time that I got so overwhelmed. Ganun pala yun? Hee. I'm sorry, I am not observant during my inaanaks' binyags. Hee. But I have to say that Malia's "ampao" was the best one. Sorry, Kat, Jill and Sara, natalbugan kayo ni Malia.

So, anyway, after lunch, we went to Packo's in QC for the Thank You party for everyone who wanted to have a drink and (surprise, surprise) I didn't have any alcoholic drink. Which is okay, I guess because I don't think I will like drinking alcohol again. Pero di ako magsasalita ng tapos dahil malay ba natin, diba?

Got to have a heart-to-heart talk with Joanne which was nice. What's nicer was seeing my parents' bonding sesh with Bry's parents. It was heartwarming and, again, as Joanne said: Kasalan na ang susunod niyan.

After Packo's we went to Stone House for Joanne's Starshooters goal. She sang two songs with the band while the gang ordered 2 rounds of San Mig Light. As for me, I had a can of Coke and a glass of water.

All in all, I was really happy that day both for Brianna and for our little family. I really can't wait for Bry and I to get married and all of us three live under one roof. That day will probably be the happiest day of my life.

Note: This entry will be reposted with pictures as soon as I collect all photos of mi Bebe's baptism.

On other, much brighter news...

WE ALREADY HAVE A CRIB AND A STROLLER!

Thank you, Baby Company fair! ☺

On making a final checklist...

Whether or not there will be a baby shower (it's seems too late to throw one - and I don't know if I should be the one throwing it), I've decided to finalize my checklist before Brianna arrives. To help me decide what to put on my list, I sought help from online mommy blogs and baby registry websites. Halfway through my list, I realized that some of the things listed on their lists are not really needed by either me or my baby.

Like a sterilizer, for example. It just adds up to the expenses. We could just use the kaldero that we use for pasta. Or maybe buy another one like that just for the baby. It's much cheaper and we can actually use it for pasta when the baby grows up. Cheap and practical, right?

So anyway, here's the list I made for me and Bry's (as well as those kind people) reference.

1. Reusable diapers/lampins - Since I'm going to be a stay-at-home mom - at least for the first six months - I will be able to use this during the day. Cheap and practical. And hello, it's reusable! Anything that is reusable is good!
2. Diaper clips - For the reusable diapers.
3. Disposable diapers - This is for when we travel or go out. According to a soon-to-be-mommy friend, Huggies and Mamy Poko are the better brands but I won't be buying bulks of these just yet because I don't know if my baby will be hiyang on these brands.
4. Disposable wipes - I would've put cotton balls in this list, too but I'm still thinking about it. I don't want the himulmol of the cotton to stay on my baby's body. Anyway, with regards to the brand, I don't think I will be choosy on the brand just as long as we get it from a shop whose specialty is on babies.
5. Burp cloths - I still need a couple of these.
6. Baby bottles (small, medium and large)
7. Baby bottle nipples (slow, medium, fast)
8. Nail cutter
9. Bath tub - Another essential and it has to be pink. It's cheap, anyway.
10. Basin - This also has to be pink. I think we have this one here at home but I haven't seen it in a while.
11. That sponge thing that holds the baby when you give him/her a bath
12. Baby shampoo and/or shower gel - I don't know what brand is good yet.
13. Hooded towel - I have one already from Bry's sister. I just need another one for when one's in the laundry.
14. Pillows - I just need one set.
15. Pillow sheets - 2-3 sets will be good. I prefer white and light colored ones. As in super light colored.
16. Crib sheets - Again, 2-3 sets will be good. And again, white or light colored sheets are preferred.

So, there. That's probably it. Again, this is just for my and Bry's reference, unless some good souls will donate some of the items on the list. :)

One more thing!

In addition, again, to my lists:

Taken from Joan's Facebook photo album.

These nifty bags for breast milk storage.

Reading my friend, Ran's, blog made me realize my wish/checklist still is missing a lot of things.

In addition to what I've previously posted, these are some of the other things that Brianna, Bry and I will still be needing:

1. Those crib sheets sets (If we're getting a wooden crib - which I prefer, but Bry wants those Gracco kinds and since he's the one who has money, whatever he chooses goes.)
2. A mattress (Again, if we're getting a wooden crib.)
3. Small pillows (Please include the pillow cases already, thanks!)
4. A pink basin (Yes, it should be pink.)
5. A pink bath tub (Again, it should be pink.)
6. The sponge thing for support when giving baby a bath (I'm sorry, I don't know what it's called.)
7. A set of those thermometers, nailcutters with magnifying glass, etc. I saw in Robinson's Department Store.
8. The baby toothbrush that fits into my index finger (I want a pink one but the ones I saw were blue.)

Ninongs and ninangs, titos and titas, lolos and lolas, if you know me well, you'll know that I am not brand conscious but please be careful on your choice of gifts. Same goes with the previous list. Thank you.

Inaassume ko nang ireregalo yang lahat sakin. NYAHAHAHA! :))

Sana makapunta ako dito...

 

Moms will converge at the  expo for the following activities:

• There will be 80 plus booths to visit  showcasing new arrivals and  the best baby care items
• There will be up to 70% OFF on great selections and Double your SM Advantage Card points
• For a minimum Php 1,000 single-receipt purchase  you will receive a fully loaded swag bag containing product samples, giveaway items and literature from our sponsors
• There will be uninterrupted activities from 11 am to 8pm
  • free-symposium on topics that matter to moms – natural childbirth, breastfeeding  from birth and beyond
  • meet and greet celebrity moms
  • workshops
  • mini concerts
• Amenities designed for moms
  • Kids play area
  • Sitting area
  • Breastfeeding area

Got this from Mommy Lace.

Things I still need to get before Brianna gets here.

Yes, I still don't have a lot of the things I need before Brianna arrives. But since I was a very good crammer back in high school and college, I know I will get by just fine.

So, anyway, part of my cramming is this list that I should have done a few weeks back considering I was doing nothing but being the lazy ass that I was, I didn't.

Ninongs and ninangs, titos and titas, lolos and lolas, if you still don't have any gift ideas for the little angel, here's a list. *wink*:

1. A CRIB! (Yes, we still don't have one and we will definitely be needing this but I think Bry already got this covered. I think.)
2. A stroller/carrier (Though we don't really need it right away. I just like the thought of having it around, just in case.)
3. Bottles (I was advised not to buy these since almost everyone will give me bottles but I can't help but think I might need it sooner.)
4. Changing Pad (I don't think I need this one ASAP, too, but like the stroller, I like the thought of having it around in case I need it.)
5. Receiving Blankets (I have some but I think I need more.)
6. Reusable Diapers/Lampins (I'm old school like that.)
7. (And because I have lampins on my list...) Diaper clips
8. Diapers and wet tissues (Will update on what brand.)

And to my ever-generous parents, siblings, titos and titas, cousins and friends, I will be very much grateful if some of you got me these:

1. Nipple Cream (Because I heard the nipples get chapped from too much breastfeeding.)
2. A new mattress for my bed (Because I read somewhere that babies need to sleep on a specific type of mattress.)
3. That breastfeeding cover thing (I WILL be breastfeeding outside, too, you know.)
4. Stretch Mark Cream (Yes.)
5. Girdles (My tita advised me to use these after I give birth.)

Will probably add to this list one of these days. Stay tuned, ninongs and ninangs! Muhahaha! =))

EXACTLY ONE MORE MONTH TO GO! ♥♥♥

The Medical City rates (Normal Delivery)

I called Medical City up just a little while back to ask them regarding the rates for delivery. I originally wanted to know how much EXACTLY the rates were but all they could give me were rough estimates and the rates minus the professional fees of the doctors.

As of January 10...

Delivery costs around Php 30,000.00 plus professional fees (OB-GYN, Pediatrician and Anaesthesiologist) and includes

• Delivery room
• Supplies to be used for delivery
• Anaesthesia
• Recovery room (private room) for 2-3 days stay

Nursery costs Php 10,000.00 to Php 15,000.00 plus professional fee (Pediatrician) and includes the kit you will be given for the baby (e.g. diapers) and 2-3 days stay of the baby in the nursery.

The newborn screening and hearing test for newborn fee is not yet included in the nursery fee. These tests will cost you around Php 1,000.00 plus.

I forgot to ask if these rates are inclusive of tax so I might call again later or tomorrow but I think the rates are already VAT inclusive.

I also did not ask about the rates for cesarean delivery because I won't be needing it. There.

Please note that these rates are just estimates and may change without notice.

We were looking for strollers the other day...

None of these were at the department store, though. But I like the colors and how they look like. This, though, is for a much older baby. Not a newborn. Bry and I want a stroller Brianna can use 'til she's old enough to walk.

What you can give me, Bry and Brianna this Christmas.

1. Maternity pads
2. Maternity bras
3. Baby diapers
4. Baby wipes
5. Receiving blankets
6. Pacifier
7. Changing pad
8. Baby bottles
9. Breast pumps
10. Stroller
11. Crib

The whole weekend was spent with babies and kids...

The whole universe is conspiring to prepare me for motherhood. This entire weekend was spent in the presence of small babies and kids.

Saturday, we had to go to my OB for my regular check-up so naturally, I was surrounded by kids of all shapes and sizes. I had fun watching them run around the corridors and screamed with their moms when they tripped.

Yesterday, we went to my cousin's christening in Novaliches and it seemed like a child's birthday party instead of baptism. There were a lot of kids around, running and screaming and all that stuff but I stayed inside my Tita's bedroom and babysat my cousin, Gracielle, instead.

I baby-talked most of the time, I began thinking "Sinasabi siguro nito sa utak niya, nakakaintindi naman ako ng normal talk, you don't have to make a fool out of yourself" but I still talked that way, anyway. I got tired playing with her, I fell asleep and my other cousin woke me up by wrestling me. I blocked him with my ginormous legs because Brianna might get hurt (Mental note: Boys are rowdy). Then I made my VERY FIRST diaper change yesterday. I was so proud of myself, I should've asked Trish to take a picture...or better yet, a video. Crazy, I know, but I have no idea how to handle a baby so that diaper change was an achievement!

More kids and babies to come this holiday season, I'm sure of it. Brianna's on her way and I can't wait. Even if I am scared to death of how small she will be.

Ninongs and Ninangs...

Here is MY list of godfathers and godmothers for Brianna:

1. Lemuelle Nathan Ding
2. Kamille Loren Untalan
3. Danielle Celiz Tabujara
4. Katherine Marie Pasigan
5. Lauren Anna Montino
6. Cezar De Leon, Jr.
7. Edmun Jose Ternida

Is this list too much? I mean, this is just my list. Bry has his own. Okay lang bang maraming ninongs at ninangs?