Of Second Tries, Natural Birth, and Being a Mom to Two

Two weeks ago, I became a mom to two.

While this may not be a big deal for other more experienced moms, it's one of the biggest events in my life as a 22-year old mom still wading through the waters of parenting.

Last September 9, I gave birth to Cyrus Alexander Drake. A healthy baby boy, he weighed at 8.2 lbs, is 53 cm in length, and earned an Apgar score of 9.9 (I didn't know babies were given grades till the pediatrician came along with the pamphlet).

What makes him special though is how he was brought into this world.

Hello there, baby Cyrus!

We apologize for being too busy to post anything the past months. However, we are back for a very special announcement:

Isn't he adorable??

Congratulations Mommy Steffi!! She gave birth last Sunday and her family welcomes its newest member, Cyrus Alexander Drake. Here's the proud daddy:

Daddy Jayson and Baby Cyrus

We wish our fellow hardworking mom a speedy recovery, good health for Cyrus, and happy years ahead for her growing family. Hopefully, Mommy Stef can share the experience herself when she's not too busy minding the young ones!

[And I hope you guys don't mind me stealing photos from your Facebook pages haha. Cheers! ;)]

How to Prepare for a Newborn’s Needs

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Having a baby is a wonderful experience, but it also requires much preparation. Pregnant women have nine months to look forward to holding their little one, but the moment he arrives, there are many things to manage. It‘s worth taking the time to get ready for the first few weeks after delivery.

Getting Kids Involved with Household Chores

It's the end of another school year (whew!) and we all finally get a much-deserved break from having to wake up oh-so-very-early in the morning every single day, preparing baon, tutoring, and you know what else. Can we all just take a minute and give ourselves a pat in the back for a job well done? *applause*

Vacation time is a good time as any to start getting children involved with household chores. Yes, part of it is about keeping them out of your hair just long enough for you to be able to accomplish whatever needs to be done, especially if you are a working mom -- but teaching kids to be responsible at an early age by assigning them household chores benefits child and parent both.

How do you manage to get your kids to help out with household chores? Read on to find out how to get kids to take responsibility at home and see some suggestions on age-appropriate chores.

Sweeping floor. Do not disturb.
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10 Personal Things Moms Should Definitely Spend Money On

Mommies, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing a bit of guilt-free shopping for yourself. After years of being the homemaker, the disciplinarian, the doting parent and the loving mother, it's always good to set aside time to get out of the house and pamper yourself.

There are plenty of things that a mom can buy for herself, but I think she should definitely spend on these 10 things as soon as she reaches the entrance of her favorite shopping center:

8 Food Resolutions for 2012

Hello everyone! The three moms running this blog, including moi, have been quite busy to post anything the past month. Sorry about that! But on behalf of my fellow mom bloggers Kelly and Steffi, let me just wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2012! Hope everyone had meaningful holiday and love-filled celebrations with your family and friends. :)

The One-Bite Practice: Teach Kids to Eat Veggies

Impossible? Not anymore!

From the hundreds of articles on parenting I have read, probably one of the most useful bits of information that I found most handy is the One Bite practice, which gradually teaches kids to be, well, more well-rounded eaters (thank you Reader's Digest).

7 Tips to Help You Through Your Kid's First Hospitalization

August 20, 2011 – Holly's first hospitalization.

I stood there, in the pediatrics section of the ER, waiting for the staff to prepare our room. Holly's fever is at 38° already and her cough just wouldn't stop.

As I stood by our station, holding the sick baby as she wouldn't stay in bed, I listened with sadness at the outbursts and screams of the sick children around me. Never did I expect this to be emotionally draining, stressful, and just downright depressing. I went into this battlefield unarmed, thinking that this won't be any different than a regular check-up. It was a good thing I took a quick shower.

Kids Health: Healthy Snack Ideas Your Kids Will Also Love

As a mother, I know that I must make sure that my child gets proper nutrition - what with the demands of school and my daughter being in that stage where growth is at its peak. (I realize that I sound like a formula milk commercial, but we moms very well know that these concerns are valid!) Kids need to be healthier to develop immunity against diseases, more so now that it is the rainy season. Here are some practical and helpful suggestions on serving healthy snacks for kids:

The MyLac XL Prep Promo: Get a Free Gift Pack Today!

If there's one thing I hated back when I was a little girl, it's going to school sleepy, tired, and disinterested with school. And I'm sure there are plenty of kids who felt the same way.

It's a known fact that one of the reasons why most kids don't enjoy going to school is because their bodies don't have the energy to concentrate and function. This is due to a lack of proper nutrition and a good night's rest — a common issue in today's society. In my case, being the chocoholic and junk-food lover that I was, I only ate what I wanted to eat and didn't even consider what my body truly needed. I guess that explains everything.

My Daughter's First Ever Visit to the Dentist

We thought we had everything ready for the new school year but some things just happen unexpectedly. It was the second day of school and my almost-seven-year-old daughter Nini had to skip attendance because she was complaining of a terrible toothache. So my husband and I took her to a small clinic at the Fairview Center Mall after office hours for her first ever dental checkup.

College Kid and the Empty Nest Syndrome

I feel stirrings of the empty nest syndrome. I can’t even do the things that are normally advised to ease the mild depression and loneliness that comes with an empty nest: like get a new job, start a hobby, go out with friends, or go on a trip with your spouse. I still have two kiddos in the house that need caring after.

This is the start of his sophomore year. My “semi-syndrome” is kicking in a year late...