Can't Get over Oberammergau

My kids are inseparable; I'm happy they're best friends.  It's cute that they always have fun with each other and toys are just optional.  They hug, jump, and tumble around in bed or sometimes bite each other & wrestle.  Sometimes I leave them by themselves in the playroom when Leji wants to play teacher and I'm surprised how the little guy can tolerate her bossiness.

Parenting on the Mooove

When I was in grade school,  I had a vision of the kind of family I want to have when I grow up.  I want to have kids who will grow up as best friends and I want a husband that would be hands-on with them just like me.  I prayed for a career that allowed a flexible schedule so I could prioritize my family.  When I had suitors in HS, it's funny that I screened them based on their ability to handle kids and extreme pressure.  I even checked their grades (:/).  I took my grandmother's advice "improve the race" quite seriously.  I didn't attend the HS prom because I couldn't find a Brad Pitt my age who could get along well with my sister who was at that time 2years old.  My mindset was, if I don't see a future for us never mind.  I thought even friendly dates should be serious ones.

Miss Tourism International 2018 : Promo Video

So excited for this! Good luck with your preparations Aya Fernandez! May God be with you every step of the way

Haha Praha

Miss International 2008 4th Runner-up Zuzana Putnářová of Czech Republic was one of my favorite bus buddies.  I can't find her on Facebook so I can't really say we've managed to maintain the friendship through the years but she was an awesome representative of her country.  In less than three weeks at the time when there were only a handful of tourists in her city, she managed to pique my interest about Prague and how the European Union has affected her people and their economy. 

Calming Korean Layover

Now that we're now hooked on Mr. Sunshine on Netflix I suddenly miss Korea.  I wish we could fly to Jeju Island next time.

Excited for Mutya Gold

Spirits sparkling like Swarovskies:
Lorraine Erum, yours truly, Kirby Basken, Vera Reither & April Love Jordan

I'm excited for Mutya ng Pilipinas' 50th Anniversary.  It sure is fun to reunite with my sisters and reminisce the fun times (pre social media era haha!)  Too bad my great buddies Vera Reiter and Kat Rigets can't come home because they are both in their third trimester of pregnancy abroad; but I'm very much looking forward to having playdates with them soon :))

Awesome Austria

Thank God, our dear toddler now knows how to turn the TV and electric fan on and off in the family room.  She can also wipe off her Crayola marker art on the mat and play fence when she wants to clean up.  She helps me baby proof her brother's play area and knows how to relate what she's seeing on TV to what she has experienced in the past. She still has to work on controlling her temper and being consistent, but who isn't having trouble with that?

Family-Friendly Germany

Despite having to struggle over carseats and jetlag, Germany will always be memorable for us.  My Lola is actually part-German (her mom's surname is Hayden); and when Leji found out, she claimed to be part-owner of all the castles we visited saying she has German blood :p.  

Plane Bassinets: Heaven-sent to Sleepy Parents on Long-Haul Flights

Leon lounges in an Asiana plane bassinet

I never had problems carrying my daughter when she was an infant.  Born premature at 34weeks, Leji has always been lithe and easy to carry.  Just make her latch directly and she wouldn't mind even the shakiest turbulence. 

Tandem Feeding Diaries: Months 4-6

Despite all warnings, we braved the odds and decided to take the kids on multiple trips this summer. It's a bit crazy but you only live once, right?

Drumtao with a Toddler

My dear toddler Leji enjoys adrenaline powered music. She had such a grand time when we took her to Drumtao Manila.  "HUUUge drums, Mom!" She gasped at the lights and effects; her favorite part was the one with glowing men who dance.  She couldn't help but say "WOWWW!" She also loved the fluidity of the scarf dance and the chirpiness of the flutes.

Tandem Feeding Diaries: Month 3

Women who have normal vaginal births are usually expected to return to work after their 2-month maternity leave.  For freelancers like me, we just start working as soon as a project starts coming.

Lej's Fave Sippy Cup

Leji has always hated silicone nipples.  She gnawed on them incessantly and refused to be bottle fed in my presence.  She thinks pumped milk is gross especially when she sees it coming from a Hakaa (she really hates silicone). Thus, she learned how to drink water from a straw at four months and started drinking from Avent cups independently as soon as she learned how to sit.

Tandem Feeding Diaries: Month 2

My skin is terribly dry these days.  Thank God for the inventor of mild lotion. Blame it on my inability to drink adequate amounts water after tandem feeding especially during the holidays when we had to endure traffic (& I could only drink so much while in the car).  I should take Chiqui Brosas' advice to drink at least 4L a day more seriously. Tsktsk.