My love for Millennial Moms PH

Millennial Moms PH is a community every mom needs – it’s a safe, non-judgmental, non-partisan, happy, and helpful place for all of us moms.
We all know that motherhood is very much overwhelming. Yes, we love our little ones to death, but it’s also accurate that there are days when we just want to get out of the house and run. There are days when insecurity and guilt will eat you up. There are days you feel inadequate as a mother. And that’s why a group like Millennial Moms PH is such an amazing room for a breather.

I learned about this community when, Dette Zulueta, founder of Millennial Moms Ph, followed me on Instagram. Out of curiosity, I checked it out and followed back. In an instant, I knew it’s something I am comfortable in joining in. As days go by, I see positive posts, engaging topics, and most importantly, I gained new IG friends. What’s good about MMPh is, they don’t choose who the members are, they do not just adhere to only one parenting style. You will not feel attacked nor judged just because of the parenting decisions you make. This community will only support and never make you feel less about how you raise your child.
Aside from tips, advices, product reviews, this group also holds regular #MomTribeMeetUp wherein mommies are invited to join and participate. Different topics are discussed every Meet-Up and it feels so refreshing to finally see the moms you normally just see online. I will never forget my first ever MomTribe Meet-Up as it opened my vulnerability. It was a topic by the power couple Omni & Bryce about Parenting Shared and we all learned a lot. I was also given a chance to share my own experience and shout to the world how blessed I am to have a husband like Beejay. Not only did we take home fun and laughter from the event, our hands were also filled with goodies from the very generous sponsors. What else would you look for, right? You come in with hope to learn something and you go with almost everything you need and more. What a joy to be part of Millennial Moms Ph!!!

I am so proud of Dette and her team for the amazing work they’ve been doing since Day 1. All these are moms who just want to share their love to the whole mommy community. They are doing the best they can to make each mom feel they are valued and not alone. If there’s one gift I can give to every mom I would meet, that is to inform them of this group and ask them to join. <3

In this generation where everything is posted online and your every move is almost always calculated, it’s refreshing to find a safe place you can just lounge in. Moms who don’t judge other moms. It’s very important that we respect each other and never impose what we know to another.
PS: Big thanks to their powerful and generous sponsors also! All of us appreciate everything given to us.

@pldthome, @tempraph, @eastwoodmall_ and @richmonde_erh. The major sponsors are: @absolutedistilled, @atlanticdelightsph, @beginningsbaby, @nestle_wellness #Cerelac, @kindercareph, @megamalunggay, @megamangosteen, @pampersph, @profreeze.ph, @vpharmaph and @mommysmartsteps @123babyph, @aveenoph, @babycompanyph, @babydovecare, @belobabylove, @berzbabyph, @betadinephils, @betadinefreshblissph, @botanicals_inbloom, @brightbrands.ph, @caprichosapambahays, #CeconPlus, @ceoemporium, @cleverish.ph, @cusinahome, @faithhopeloveskinfood

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Isla Sugbu Seafood City (Venice Mall) Experience: DISAPPOINTING

WARNING: LONG POST BUT BETTER READ IT:
This is a Public Service Announcement, not meant to degrade, talk shit, or put down someone or something. This is purely factual and objective as it’s based on our experience.
A lot may have seen or checked out Isla Sugbu Seafood City in Venice Mall. I was one of those who got curious because who wouldnt, it’s unlimited seafood for only Php 888 promo price (regular rate is Php 1300).
So I forced my friends to go there for lunch. Here’s our experience. Again, this was OUR experience.
1. The staff who answered my call for reservation, Lady, was very nice and accommodating.
2. Place is new, so it looks and feels clean. Lighting was really good and very inviting.
3. Food seems fresh because you can see aquarium and all but then, the only things included in Php 888 are the ones on ice. Pwede na. They will assist you in choosing and knowing the type of dish you want. Very Dampa.
Those are the only 3 good points I can say. Here’s the sad part:
1. While waiting for our food, may nabasag na baso about 2-3 tables from us. Nahulog ng waiter. Of course they were quick to clean it up. While cleaning up, the waiter accidentally kicked the bottom part of the glass and it went straight under our table! It could have hit me, my friend, and worse, Monica since she was about to go down from the chair!!! Imagine!!! Pano kung natamaan ng bubog ang anak ko sa katawan or mata or whatever?? That thought made me really furious and went straight to them. The waiter said sorry but I still called the manager. To be fair they apologized but it’s still not enough. Yes accidents happen, but they better be extra careful. Sayang I was not able to take a photo of the broken glass.
2. I asked for a high chair and had to make kulit 3 waiters for me to be accommodated. Worse, binalibag lang at first kasi inuna yun ibang table. They could have atleast informed me to wait. This is 15 mins after I got mad from the first incident. Talaga ba, ganon na lang? Customers don’t matter? Or yung mga sikat lang dapat nyo iaccommodate?
3. I was told to wait for about 30mins for our orders to be cooked and served. Ayun, more than 1 hr, dumating yung sea grapes. After 10mins, yung buttered shrimp. Then sigur 1 hr 30 mins dumating yun iba. Take note, patapos na kami kumain, di pa kumpleto ang orders. We had to ask na ipagluto ulit kasi syempre gutom na and super tagal. Mali ulit yung order, hinayaan na lang namin kasi andun na eh.
4. Nothing special with the food. Mas masarap sa Dampa or even you can cook it. Di rin super fresh and di na crunchy yun calamari pagdating samin.
5. Kinain na lang kasi super gutom na and hello sayang ang Php888!
So there. It was really a bad experience to the point that I will use the hashtag #NeverAgain. Sure it’s new and probably on a dry run or beta phase but hindi ba dapat best foot forward rin naman sa umpisa? Overall, no value for money, food and experience-wise, it’s 1/5.
Lesson: Don’t ever believe what you see online lalo pag mga celebrities ang nagpost haha. Not that they are liars but because they’re treated more importantly than regular people. It’s a fact. Hope they will be better in the coming days. Sayang ang hype.
 
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THE REGULAR CUSTOMERS, WE ARE THE PAYING ONES AND WE DESERVE BETTER.
UPDATE: The COO contacted me this morning and he apologized. I appreciate the gesture and I felt the sincerity but some things never change. I don’t think my impression will get better. But hopefully they will learn their lesson and improve.
 
 

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KinderCare Ultra-safe Baby Wipes – Really the SAFEST!

I never had to really focus on baby wipes until I became a mother. Pre-baby, wipes are something I can totally live without haha. Post-baby, OMG, wipes are something I should not leave the house without. For real. When you have a baby, you can go and do whatever if you have it in your bag. It’s basically, an answer to anything! From an infant who pooped, a toddler who touched anything she sees, a sweaty child, nasty little face, hands, unsanitary high chair and table, to a stressed parent who has dirt all over because of his/her kid! Haha.

It’s a given, we NEED it. But do we settle with just knowing how important it is? No right? As a mom, especially when it comes to your baby, there should be no compromise, as they say.

I am not a meticulous mom, well, at least not yet. Probably because I am not a maselan type of person. But of course as a mommy, all I want is what’s best for my baby. So whenever I see a baby product that says organic or natural, it would be instinct to get whatever that is.

For a loooong time, we’ve been hoarding an organic type of baby wipes, thinking that it’s safe and natural. And boy we were wrong! It really pays to read the label!

Thanks to KinderCare Ultra-safe Baby Wipes! I learned that products that say “natural” don’t mean 100% natural. It still has chemicals that can be harmful to us and and our little ones. What we have to check is the tag “All Natural” because that one is guaranteed to be really legit.

With KinderCare Ultra-safe Baby Wipes, the tag line “All Natural” holds true as they have ZERO harmful chemicals: zero parabens, zero phenoxyethanol, zero methylisothiazolinone, zero synthetic fragrances, zero lanolin, zero SLS/SLES and zero alcohol.
Wow big words. I know. To those who know me, you will say, ako ba’to? Am I really that particular? With this one, I’d say yes. Especially now that Monica is a toddler already. I remember seeing a viral post on Facebook about a kid who suffered severe rashes on face and body because of baby wipes – that alone terrified me, verified incident or not. So better be safe than sorry, right?
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Why settle for anything less when the best is just within reach? I strongly urge my fellow parents to try this out! <3

For those asking, here’s the price range and the stores we can get this from (I know I know, if there’s one thing we can complain about this brand – SANA NATIONWIDE, ALL LEADING SUPERMARKET AND DRUG STORE AVAILABLE, right? Haha. But in the meantime, here’s what they’ve got:

IMG_3184
Kc-324 wet wipes 25’s – Php 69.90
Kc-325 80’s – Php 129.90
Kc-326 w/ plastic cover – Php 139.90
Kc-327 w/ tub – Php 219.90
Kc-328 10’s – Php24.90
Online exclusive of a pack of 6 80’s wipes – Php715 plus shipping fee.
Shipping fee: Flatrate of Php 180 for Metro Manila and Php200 for provincial.
Here are the list of stores where KinderCare is available in Metro Manila:
Robinson’s Department Store Ermita
Robinson’s Supermarket Ermita
Robinson’s Supermarket Otis
Robinson’s Supermarket 168
Robinson’s Supermarket Cloverleaf
Robinson’s Supermarket Pioneer
Mart One North Edsa
Metro Market Market
Ever Commonwealth
M1 Guadalupe
Sta. Lucia Department Store
 
NOTE: I AM NOT IN ANY WAY AFFILIATED WITH THEM, JUST ONE MOMMY HELPING OUT ANOTHER. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE MAKERS AND I WAS SOLD. REALLY. THANK YOU KINDERCARE!

Din Bautista

Twinning is a Thing

At least in our vocabulary. Yes I am that mom – the mommy who wants to twin with her daughter. Why, you would ask. I enjoy dressing up and have ourselves photographed. I feel this makes motherhood really fun.
I can clearly remember how my mom was like this to me and my brother before. She would always buy terno clothes for us. And as a grade school student, I did not appreciate, in fact I hated it. HAHA.
But look at me now, I grab every chance I get to wear matchy clothes with Monica even if it’s as simple as white shirt and denim shorts. Haha.
Since Monica is just 2 years old, I don’t often buy twinning clothes yet. I do, for special occasions, but most of the time, I just match what we have at home – may it be color or style. We don’t go twinning ALL the time but when we do, I make sure to have my husband take a photo of us. Haha. Because of this twinning thing, I came to follow and love different profiles on Instagram that showcase positivism in twinning. Thank you to the mommas who became my inspiration in this “twinning journey” haha. You guys know who you are. <3
Sharing twinning photos here!
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For Beejay <3

First appeared in: SmartParentingPH

 

I have so many awesome photos of my daughter, and each one is made possible by my very patient and eager husband. I think it’s the same with my fellow millennial moms.

My husband takes the most beautiful candid photos of my daughter (and me!) because he knows what will make us look and feel good. No photographer will be as patient, kind, generous and loving as my husband is with my daughter and me.

FULL STORY HERE:  https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/tag/instagram-husband

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I am Stay-At-Home Mommy

First appeared in SmartParentingPH:

I am a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) by choice, and it’s the best thing so far — but also the most challenging.

When I was working in the corporate world, I used to lead a team. I used to mingle with lots of people, attend meetings, brainstorm, handle deadlines and quotas, and many more. So imagine how my life changed when I decided to stay at home and take care of the household 24/7. I had been asked before, “What’s going to happen to your career?” to which I remember answering, “My family is worth putting my career on hold for now.”

FULL STORY HERE: https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/parenting/real-parenting/sahm-a1741-20180601?ref=feed_1?ref=home_feed

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Smart Parenting

I’ve been an avid follower of SmartParentingPH and never in my wildest dream that I thought of writing for them. I am not even a writer, duh? Haha. But the joys and cries of motherhood make me want to share my experiences to the world. I used to just write in my blog, write notes, write long captions in Social Media but now I have the avenue to express myself and be of help (somehow) to other parents out there.

I have 9 articles to date and it keeps getting better! I have an amazing editor who unselfishly and willingly help me out! Thanks Ms. Leah!

Super shout out to our friend, Rej, for paving the way for this to happen. I will never ever forget this. Thank you again, Rej!!!!!! <3

I will be posting my articles here! Yay!

 
Link: https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/author/din-real-bautista?ref=article_author

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Bautistas in Boracay

This is a super late post but posting anyway! I am now motivated to update my blog haha. <3 :-p

So last February 27-March 1, we went to Boracay to celebrate our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. Why Boracay? We wanted Monica to enjoy the fine sands and see the beauty of Boracay – even if only a little or none probably will stay in her mind. Haha. Plus we’ve always wanted to go back ever since we spent our honeymoon there in 2015.

There were a lot of firsts for Monica – first plane ride, first boat experience! It was awesome! When we were at NAIA3, Monica kept saying “ehypleyn!” “wow many ehypleyn!” These simple moments really convinced me that traveling with Monica is a must for our little family (of course if resources permit).

We stayed in Ambassador Boracay in Station 1. We rate it 7/10. Location is great, food is uhmm, so-so, service, average only, room, good. But still, it was fun.
Sharing you guys our photos from this very memorable trip.


And Monica became Ariel! Hahahaha. Super cute crochet costume from Tina of Posh Dollies. We ordered a number of costumes from them for Monica’s monthly celebration before. <3

 
That’s it! Thank you to my husband for the beautiful photos and for booking this trip for us! More to come, baby! I love you and Monica! <3

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"Wow, I am impressed!"

“Wow, I am impressed!”

Said Monica’s pedia earlier during her monthly check-up. While we were in the clinic, she recognized different letters and started talking. She even counted from 1-6, started saying A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. Yes. Monica can say it already, quite clearly. Monica can also point and say different colors: red, orange, blue, yellow, pink, black, white, green, red, and purple.

Pedia said, “your daughter is so advanced!” “You must nurture it!”

Yes, it’s true. I am not kidding nor bragging.

In my previous post, I said Monica has already mastered the objects and the alphabet at 15 months. We started with numbers and colors this month. She can point to a certain object or letter when asked. AND she can also say it when you ask even without looking at something.

Monica can already say plenty of words. She can even repeat right away and can easily remember when asked.

YES. THIS MAKES US FEEL GOOD. I think it’s normal to feel proud, yes?

I don’t know what we did or why Monica is a bit advanced. But one thing is certain: HER TONS OF BOOKS HELPED.

At 7 months, Monica was already flipping pages and would babble and mumble while pointing at letters and pictures. And as months went by, her eagerness and focus improved. What we did was encourage her interests – we bought her more books, got her a chart, alphabet puzzles, etc.

My daughter is just 1 year and 4 months and I know there are much more to see and observe. Well, I just have to let this out. I AM FREAKIN PROUD AND I GUESS IT FEELS JUST RIGHT. 🙂

 

Din Bautista1 Comment

Welcome to Toddlerhood!

Welcome to Toddlerhood!
I have not been able to keep up with this blog. Why? Because we have a toddler now! And people are right, there will be no to little alone or quiet time when you have a toddler! I know, I know, we have just begun and there will be more to come! Haha
Monica made her first real steps a day before her birthday. A week after, she can walk fast and straight already, wobbly for a bit but still good! She didn’t use any andador, walkers, or anything. She learned by cruising and her stand was firm because of her many, many floor time. I allowed her to crawl anywhere she pleases. And I think it helped her a lot.
At first we were really proud and excited! First time parents, what do you expect? But lately, I would dream of the infant Monica because this stage is really tiring! She would really explore, walk, scream, laugh, anything! Haha.
She has also become a picky eater. When she hit 1, things changed. I never had a problem feeding her anything, but now, it takes A LOT OF EFFORT to feed her solids. She would just grab the boobies and latch. Yes, exclusively breastfeeding for almost 16 months now. Feeding her solid food stresses me at times because I am worried she won’t get enough nutrition but the pedia told me it’s normal and I won’t have to worry since her weight and height are above average.
Too many milestones! Yes, that’s right. She can already say more than 20 words, just say a word and she will repeat. When she hit 1 year and 2 months, she learned her body parts already (and say it). At 1 year 3 months, she already knows all the letters in the alphabet. She would practice on her own and look at the chart. She will say the letters when she sees one. And believe me, there are letters anywhere! Haha.
Oh no, before you think that we force her or we teach her too much, stop. The reason why we “teach” her is because she showed interest first. I guess the credit goes to her books. We would buy her books every week and she got accustomed to it. She loves books. Good thing!
Social skills I believe is at par also. She loves being with other kids – she enjoys playing. But she would cry when she sees “strangers”. I was told it’s normal and it’s actually a developmental milestone. It’s just a phase so no worries.
Each baby is different. That’s true. But as a parent, it is normal to feel proud of every (and any) thing that yoru baby does. No matter how big or small, whatever your baby does, you will feel proud. Haha. I swear! Even a very sweet smile is already a reason to be proud. Hahahaha.
If you ask me how we are as parents? I am not an OC mom. Weird ba? I just let her. I trust Monica and just let her. Beej is more protective which is understandable. #DaddysGirl. Haha.
Anyhow, too early to tell. But for now, Monica, at 15 months – I guess, it’s safe to say that Beej and I are doing okay in raising her. The real challenge begins when she hit adulthood. Okay, sige teenager. Haha.
So there. That’s the Monica update! <3
 
Till next!
Din
 
 
 

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