health, mum's thoughts

this mum’s wish to be body beautiful in her 30’s

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I have struggled with my weight + my over-all body image all my life. What can I say, I was born a big baby + it did not help that being tall + big-boned runs in my Mama’s side of the family. I was towering over my classmates + friends all my elementary life + was stuck with a 52-kilo, 26-inch waistline even before I hit my early teen years. I know totally uncool, right? It was a good thing, though, that tank tops + skinny jeans were not yet a fad at the time + I was always clad in my choice-of-clothing hand-me-down shirts + poloshirts from my Papa + my totally unflattering lone pair of jeans! It did not even help that I was living a half-sedentary lifestyle, sitting in front of the tellie whenever I had the time, with biking around the barrio during weekends as my only form of exercise.

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It was in my early 20’s, when I discovered the beautiful thing that is yoga + tried doing it in the safety of my bedroom, just before I go to sleep at night or when I wake up in the morning. It was also then that I discovered vegetarianism. I tried my luck with this healthy lifestyle alternative + was never happy with myself! For the first time in my life I can wear shorts + skirts in public + I manage to get rid of the unsightly extra flesh on my thighs that has been there all my life! I was in my best form, filled at the right places. I even tipped the scale once at 49 kilos, the lowest I have weighed my entire life. I can also wear those form-fitting sexy blouses, as well as those body-hugging skinny jeans {my waistline has trimmed down to 27 inches around this time, too!}! I felt light, I felt good, I felt healthier + I was healthier!

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I started gaining back the weight several months before I turned 30, I became rounder + fuller but it was all good. Little did I know that there was actually a little, beautiful surprise that was waiting for me to discover!  I was to become a mum! Contrary to the usual, instead of gaining weight, I was actually losing them during my first trimester, with the morning all-day sickness + unusual lack of appetite. I just started gaining back the body weight in my 3rd trimester when my baby bump was all obvious + I was a few months away from delivery.  I never had problems with my body at the time, since I was totally enjoying my pregnancy+ I was discovering all these beautiful things about my body + the little pea thriving in my tummy! Not to mention I am also enjoying the extra oomph pregnancy gave to my breasts! 

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occasions

happy 114th independence day

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occasions, Papa, Blog Photo Challenge, Philippine Independence

Happy 114th Philippine Independence Day everyone!

I remember my Papa the most on occasions like this. Weeks before the celebration, he will busy himself hoisting up the Philippine Flag at home + teaching us a thing or two about our rich, colorful history. Most of what I learned + know about patriotism + nationalism, I learned from him + I hope to pass on to my little man when it is time. + I bet, Papa, will also be one of the million boxing aficionados who were disappointed at the result of the Pacquiao-Bradley bout last Sunday!

Anyway, choppers have been zooming past our place since before the crack of dawn today, one of them must’ve carried no less than the President himself. P-noy is slated to lead the flag raising ceremony at the Barasaoin Church patio in celebration of our Philippine Independence, the first time in our humble city’s history that the highest official of our country joins Independence Day celebration at the historic Barasoain Church. Oh well, just so you know it is in this beloved church, deemed as one of the most important religious building in the Philippines, where the First Philippine Republic was declared, which earned her the title “The Cradle of Democracy in The East.”

Shame I cannot attend the ceremonies. Hopefully when Jared is a bit bigger we can go to one of those flag raising + independence day festivities at the churchyard.

Oh well, am sharing this Independence Day celebration photo I took the last time we are out in the mall + linking it with 366 BPC {03/366} as well! 😉

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Parenting 101

tips on how to toddler-proof your homes

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parenting 101, safety at home, home
the little man in one of his home explorations!

As mums we all want to give the best to our children: the best nutrition, the best toys + stuff, + a child-friendly space for them to thrive in, with areas safe for them to wander around + play in. Your home, much like mine, has probably transformed into one big play area for your little children, they needed a bigger space, after all, to practice toddling + crawling, walking + exploring, afterwards. It must also be a common scenario to see toys + other play things everywhere in your house. I used to fuss over them much when I realized there is no way I can keep the house spic ‘n span as much as I’d like to, as long as there is a toddler around. I gave up on OC-ing about my home + putting security screws on every item imaginable + directed my sight at keeping our little space as safe + friendly to my little man as I possibly can.

I claim to be no expert + my son has had one too many boo boo’s at home from bumping here + there + falling from the bed + the sofa + yeah, I will never forget that time when he accidentally got hold of a glass sitting at the spot in our dining table where he can easily reach. He got one big cut in his thigh out of that incidence  + the scar is still prominent up to this day. It always breaks my heart every time my child fall or hurts himself. If I could, I’d probably put him back in my womb where he will be safe from harm, but alas, I see no way he would fit in there ever again!

Here are a few toddler-proofing tips you might want to keep in mind:

  • remove vases, frames + the likes out of your children’s reach. If you cannot help it, make sure overhead displays are a lot higher for your children’s tiny arms to reach + grab, + don’t forget to install tamper proof screws whenever possible to prevent accidents + untoward incidents from happening
  • make sure the screen door has a latch or lock that your child cannot easily reach
  • install safety gates at the foot of the stairs or where you deem fit {I am using our main door as a  make-shift safety gate against our stairs. When we are upstairs I see to it that the bedroom door is never left open}
  • it might seem impossible to keep an eye on your tot 24/7, so designate a safe spot in your home, where there is no danger of anything falling onto him or him grabbing anything breakable, where he can play, read, relax while you go about with your activities for the day {read: chore + more chores! :)}
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