Over the past 10 years, I've been blessed enough to focus on taking care of Chesska. And it’s been a great experience to see her grow from being a clingy baby to a cranky toddler, to a timid preschooler (as she often cried in school), and now into a young lady who surprisingly begins to shine and bloom in her God-given talent. 

I am in awe as I watch her overcome her preschool years, become an independent learner, become a responsible sister to her younger sibling, and most of all enjoy what she loves doing such as creating comic strips, editing animated videos, as well as playing Minecraft and Roblox which I can't relate. 😁😁 

I just can't believe that she's now 10 years old, and for that, I am eternally thankful to God for guiding, blessing, and protecting her up to this day. 

I am thrilled to see what God has in store for her future and I am confident that it'll be amazing. 

Verified

I can feel my kids' covid-19 fatigue. What I mean is they have been stuck at home for over two months since the Delta variant cases escalated. 

Wasn't it just yesterday when we celebrated Psalm's 5th birthday? Days pass so quickly and I can't believe that I have already two big girls in my family. I have also to accept the fact that as they get older, I get older too (hehe.)

Last Sunday, we celebrated Psalm's birthday. This is the second time that we celebrated her birthday at the time of the covid outbreak. I know, we are all affected by this pandemic but despite our difficult situation around the world, let us remember that there are still plenty of things to be grateful for.  In my case, one of the things I am so grateful for is we are still alive and we are not infected with the virus ever since the outbreak began.  By the way, allow me to share our photos last week.

What I love about Psalm is that she can already decide on tiny things like choosing the birthday theme for herself. A couple of months ago, she often mentioned that she wanted a jungle-themed-like birthday party. She said that she wanted to have a tiger dress and tiger toys so we granted her request. After all, they only become children once.

So, a month prior to her birthday, we busily looked for her dress and birthday decor in Shopee. To be honest, it's difficult to find those specific items in our local malls so Shoppe is always in the rescue. SALAMAT SHOPEE!! In case you want to know the sellers, I place the links below. I swear, what we found on these sellers was pretty and have a nice quality too. I also bought a dress for Ate Chesska so she would not get jealous. 

BUY TIGER COSTUME DRESS HERE

BUY LEOPARD COSTUME DRESS HERE

BUY BIRTHDAY JUNGLE SAFARI THEME DECOR HERE

BUY NUMBER BALLOON HERE

As usual, we limit our visitors to some relatives who are close to us and of course, those who are already vaccinated. 

We just prepared simple snacks from Jollibee since my kids are huge fans of this food chain (hehe). 

Green Jungle Safari Theme Birthday Party Decoration Ideas for Kids 

Some hated him but surely many loved him. Well, what can you expect from the haters and detractors? Their only major job is to find faults with the government in favor of their own interests and motives. You can never hear them appreciate what's good in the government because they are insecure and jealous. 

Yes, Tatay Digong is not perfect. He has character flaws which he does not hide from the world.  He curses the priest.  He does not sugarcoat his statement to please people. But he delivers, and his performance as a public servant outweighs his flaws.  In fact, there's no other President I know who truly serves the Filipino like him. He is compassionate and has a heart for the poor.

I know, I should not put much energy into this post because I am a busy mom but I can't help but need to express my sentiments and appreciation to Tatay DIGONG not only for the radical change he has done to our country but my family has also felt the real change caused by his efforts and untiring service. 

Let me enumerate how my family benefited from Tatay Digong's administration.

1. My mother's pension was increased by 1000 per month. I remember PNOY vetoed this bill.  

Read: Duterte Approves 1000 SSS Pension Hike This Year

2.  I was able to get a driver's license that is valid for 5 years instead of 3 years from the previous admins.

Read: Duterte Signs Law Extending Validity of Driver's Licenses to Five Years

3. My niece was able to study in college without paying the tuition fee. 

Read: Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act

4.  My brother who is a minimum wage earner is now exempted from tax due to TRAIN Law  (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) 

Read: Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion

5. Our community is more peaceful and safer because of the Government's campaign against drugs and criminalities. I am not afraid to walk even at night. 

6. When my uncle got hospitalized due to a stroke, we are able to ask for financial assistance through “Malasakit Center”, a one-stop-shop where indigents can easily access financial assistance from different agencies (PHILHEALTH, DSWD, PCSO)

Read: PRRD Signs Malasakit Center Act

7. My experience with Government transactions is now easier and faster (ex. LTO, PSA, SSS) Before, it took me even weeks to get documents from the government offices. 

8.  Whenever I go out, I can see the continued progress in our city since there are plenty of infrastructure projects such as bridge constructions, road repairs, widening, and rehabilitation through the BUILD, BUILD, BUILD program of DPWH.

Read: Build, Build, Build, Paving the Way to Progress

9. Rice is more affordable now than before. Previously, a kilo of quality rice ranges from 50-60. But now, you can buy it at the price of 40 pesos or even cheaper. (correct me if I am wrong)

Read: Rice Tarrification Law

Now,  tell me,  how can I hate TATAY DIGONG? No matter what the haters say,  they can't put a good man down. 

Even when the time comes that TATAY DIGONG is no longer a president, I will never, never forget him because he is my Tatay, Lolo, and President that has a true compassion to the ordinary citizen like me.  Kahit hindi ka na maging presidente tatay, ikaw pa rin ang presidente sa puso namin. 

Throwing a birthday party for your loved one is not only exciting but also tiring. Over the years, I've always thrown a birthday party for my kids, and I learned that the simpler the party is,  the better. Not only you can save money, but you can save time and effort as well. Since the Covid-19 outbreak started, I am now more practical in many things including spending money on birthdays.  Today, I am going to share with you a simple blue birthday decoration idea at home in less than 300 pesos budget. 

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an Omega-3 fat, is naturally found in breastmilk. But when some mothers stop breastfeeding due to some reasons - maybe health, work, or personal reasons, they shift to formula feeding. They often look for the best formula so they will not feel guilty for replacing their infant's natural food (mother's milk) with formula. 

One of the main nutrients to consider before choosing a formula milk for a baby is when there is a DHA content in it. 

According to clinical studies, DHA  is a very important nutrient to support brain and eye development, helping your baby achieve developmental milestones such as crawling, smiling, walking, and grasping. 

It will also improve their language and cognitive skills in the later years when babies are given the right amount of DHA on their diet. 

However, a lot of formula milk with DHA content available in the market today and it's hard to choose the right one.

This video below will help you choose the right milk for your little one based on their needs. Watch from the start to the end to see the different brands of formula milk and their added nutrients and benefits. 

For the first 6 months, my baby was entirely dependent on milk.  Actually, I  breastfed her mixed with formula feeding. 
From 6 months onwards, I  started giving her solid foods. At first, she did not like the taste,  and what was fun about it, she made a face every time I  spoon-fed her. However, eventually,  she got used to the taste and texture of the food.

Purchasing online is becoming popular in the Philippines right now especially we are now in the midst of the pandemic. The demand for online delivery has increased like food, clothes, gadgets, and other necessities. Even jobs and classes are now done online. 

There's an easy way how to load your DITO sim without creating an account. Just follow these steps.

1. First, download DITO app from the Google play store. 

2.  Once installed, just open the app.

3.  Then you will see "you can manage multiple accounts", just click "SKIP" found at the top right of the screen. 

4. Then click, "GET STARTED" red button. 

5. Next, sign in with your DITO number. 

6. In the lower portion of the screen, you can see "SIGN-IN WITH SMS"

7. Enter your DITO number, then you will receive an authentication code sent to your phone. Just copy it and paste it into the box.  Then click sign-in. 

8.  Just wait for the privacy statement to pop up, then click "I AGREE". 

9. After that, click the "BUY LOAD" icon. Then choose how much you want to load. Then click "LOAD" button. Choose "GCASH" as a payment option, then click "PAY". 

10. You will see the "SUMMARY OF TRANSACTION" for review,  then click "PROCEED". 

11. Then, login with your GCASH number.  Then click "NEXT".  You will receive a 6-digit code sent to your phone, then copy and paste it into the box.  Then click "NEXT".

12. Enter your GCASH MPIN number, then click "NEXT" and click "PAY BUTTON".

13. Lastly, you will receive a DITO notification that your transaction is successful. 

DITO SIM AVAILABLE AT SHOPEE AT P250 WITH 348 RATINGS

Watch this video: How to Load DITO sim with GCASH without Creating an Account

Disclaimer: The information or products provided on this website is for general purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.  Never rely on the information on this website in place of seeking professional advice. You are encouraged to consult with your pediatrician concerning the needs of your baby. 

Nothing compares to mothers' milk. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for up to 6 months.  However, if you are a busy, working mom like I once was, exclusive breastfeeding is difficult to do.  So parents like me are looking for a formula that is close to the mother's milk, ensuring that their babies are given the complete nutrition that they need in the first year of life. 

There are different types of baby formulas and brands available in the market, however, many parents are wondering which brand is the best and most nutritious for their little one.  

So in this blog post, I wanted to help first-time parents in selecting milk formulas based on their baby's needs. But before you choose a formula, consult first a pediatrician. 

To help you pick the right one for your baby, here is the list of the best baby formulas that are popular in the Philippines and also available in the market. 

Things to Know Before Choosing a Formula

Types of Baby Formula

The first thing parents need to consider before buying a formula is what the base ingredient can be. Here are some of the common ingredients used as a base for baby formula. 

Cow’s Milk: Most infant formula is made with cow's milk. It is the most common and the least expensive one. Most babies do well with cow's milk but some babies are allergic to it which needs some types of milk below.   

Soy Milk: If you want to exclude animal proteins from your child's diet, this type of formula might be also an option for your baby. Consult first a pediatrician, before choosing or switching to this type of formula. 

Lactose-Free: It is used for babies that are lactose intolerant or have allergies issues. 

Hydrolyzed baby formula. Also called protein hydrolysate–based formula or predigested formula, these formulas contain broken-down (or “predigested”) amino acids, making them easier for the baby to digest. 

Read: Best Vitamins for Babies Up to 12 Months Old

Read: Bonna Vs. Nestogen: Which One is Better For Babies?

Read: List of Best Formula Milk for 6-12 Months Old Baby 

Read: List of Best Formula Milk for 1-3 Years Old Baby 

List of Best Baby Formulas 2022