Major Body Pain!

I joined a boxing class last thursday after taking a break from the sport for about 3 and a half years. I have to be honest and tell you that I sucked. I was so bad! My footwork was really off together with my balance and punches so I did look quite pathetic. I did expect that tho.

What I didn't expect was the PAIN I felt the next day. I know, you must think that of course you'd be in pain after boxing but I thought that since I've been working out more these days I wouldn't be so sore. Wow, that was the understatement of the year! I couldn't even put the spoon in my mouth when I ate because my hand and arm were shaking but felt numb at the same time.

I am seriously having second thoughts about going back to boxing all because I'd have such a hard time doing weights the next day. My trainer said that I'll be sore the first week and maybe second week only then my body would've adjusted to the workouts already.

In the name of vanity, I shall try to go back into that boxing ring. As the saying goes, no pain no gain!

Saved by Pigeon Pacifiers

My first born had absolutely no oral fixation when he was young so he never used pacifiers. My youngest is the complete opposite! He cannot go thru a day without sucking on pacifiers or munching on teethers that we'd both go crazy if I forgot to bring any on a day out with him.

I bought a lot of pacifiers and teethers. With teethers, he's liking both Avent and Nuby BUT for pacifiers he only wants to suck on Pigeon Pacifiers. I bought him A LOT of pacifiers and it was only when I chanced upon the Pigeon ones that he was truly satisfied with them.

I noticed that the Pigeon pacifiers look like bottle nipples and not those weird balloon looking ones so I guess he finds it comforting to suck them. I highly recommend this brand of pacifier to moms. It's a must for orally fixated babies and their pacifiers are age appropriate. I just moved him to stage two and my baby loves him like anything. This has really saved me a lot of headache and has soothed my baby into a lot of restless days and nights :)

Mixed Emotions Day

We had our US Embassy Visa interview this morning and we were able to renew ours while Phoenix was granted his first US Visa. This was supposed to be a happy day, tiring but happy. Everything was going well until I talked to the yaya of Phoenix.

She went on an off last wed because she told me that she wanted to check on her kids and her house after the storm. I let her go then she told me that she had to bring her kid to the hospital because he has pneumonia. Things went downhill from there. When I talked to her she told me that she would just stop working because she won't be able to think properly if she's not with her kids.

I understand how it is for a mother to worry. The thing that irritated me the most is that why did she even apply for work if she was going to flake out right away?! She was a stay-at-home-mom that recently got a caregiver's certificate because she wanted to work and now that she was working, she couldn't put her feelings aside to be able to do her job. I just wish that she didn't even apply because it would have saved all of us this hassle. She left me hanging because she just told me that she can't come back anymore so now I'm left with no one. Argh!

Good help truly is hard to find nowadays. I'll just try to stay positive and be thankful for our US Visa's.

Bellevue for a day

As I mentioned in my previous blog, we checked-in Bellevue Hotel and stayed for a night. I wasn't able to take much pictures but here are some photos I got in my phone

We actually got a room upgrade for free. I forgot why, hubby just told me that we were upgraded for free because of some mistake the staff made. Lucky us :) 

My overall assessment of the hotel was that it was ok. The staff were obviously not used to having that much influx of people come in all at one time so they were a bit slow. It was hard to get in touch with people from the front desk and in the event that I was able to get thru their line I had to wait for a LONG time to talk to someone.

Hubby & I both had mixed emotions regarding the food. We ordered room service for Cairo & Ann and the food was good but when we ate in Cafe d'Asie(same kitchen serving the room service) for breakfast the food really was not good at all. Hubby & I love Phoenix Court that's why we just ate there for dinner. I never liked Peking Duck but hubby has rubbed off on me and we both ate it for dinner. We gorged on it that we both had indigestion afterwards. Even my breast milk came out fattier because of that duck! It was still worth the indigestion tho ;)

My favorite part of our room is the aircon, we put it to 30 and it was still so cold! Great way to make up for the heat that we came from. 

Exiled to Bellevue

I think that we all were shocked by the attack of "Basyang". I believe that most people were like me and thought that this storm wouldn't bring that much destruction in a few hours. Like majority of everyone in Metro Manila, we had no electricity in our place last night till this afternoon.

Having an infant try to sleep through the savage noises that "Basyang" made in our house was not a good experience. It wasn't because Phoenix was crying, he was actually very quiet BUT he was awake and I could see how wary he was of the sounds that he was hearing. Our whole house wasn't able to sleep because I think that we were all frightened.

The village was a mess when I went out this morning as I went out to buy a lighter so that we can use it to ignite our gas stoves. The streets have become color green due to the massive number of leaves and trees that have fallen on the roads. I saw about 3 meralco posts were destroyed together with some gigantic trees that were uprooted along the main roads.

Hubby & I decided this morning to check in to Bellevue Hotel since we wanted the kids to be comfortable since Phoenix has barely had any sleep today because of the weather and the brownout. Just when we were able to check in, my cook tells me that we already have electricity in the house. Great timing huh?! Oh well, we're already here so might as well stick it out.

I will tell you more about my experience in Bellevue in another blog.

I have to go first since I need to attend to my boys.

Switching to Cloth Diapers

I have decided to switch to cloth diapers. I have placed my order and will be receiving it next week. I tried using FuzziBunz cloth diapers last week and it was really easy and comfortable for Phoenix. I decided to switch to cloth since it really would be better for Phoenix and at least I'd be able to help the environment by not using disposable diapers. Another benefit is that it would save me more money in the future.

For those of you who still have this notion that cloth diapers are made of "lampins" that are folded and held together by pins, take a look at the new cloth diapers available in the market. They look like disposable diapers and are just as easy to put on as the disposable diapers. You don't even have to use diaper creams anymore since the lining is soooo soft and won't harm your baby's skin at all.

If you're still undecided about cloth diapers, read on. This is an excerpt from the FuzziBunz website:

Why Choose Cloth? Cloth Diaper Benefits There are numerous ways that FuzziBunz® can benefit you and your baby's life. But many parents new to cloth want to know the FuzziBunz® facts—can FuzziBunz® really make their lives easier? Tereson Dupuy, the mother and inventor of FuzziBunz®, has come up with 18 reasons why you should be using (or at least considering using) FuzziBunz®:
1. Keeps Baby Dry Baby is comfortable and less cranky due to diaper discomfort. Happy baby equals happy mommy and daddy. 2. Incredible Diaper Savings You can save thousands of dollars using FuzziBunz® over the course of three years—more if you use the same FuzziBunz® for a second child. Plus, you won't be spending money on expensive diaper rash creams, diaper pail liners or wasting gas running to the store each week to buy diapers. The savings really add up! Cloth vs. Disposable Cost Comparison The cost of cloth diapers 3. Eliminates / Treats Diaper Rash No more costly trips to the pediatrician and no more goopy, sticky ointments and butt pastes. Yuck. RealDiaperAssociation.com: Diaper Facts 4. Healthy for our Environment Millions and millions of diapers end up in our landfills each year. You can do your part by making this world a better place for your baby by ditching disposables and opting for FuzziBunz®. Each FuzziBunz® is 100% reusable. No waste and no constantly buying expensive diaper refills like some of the hybrid cloth/disposable options. Alternative to the Usual Checklist 5. Adjustable Sizes FuzziBunz® grow with your baby due to its unique multiple snap placements. You can adjust each FuzziBunz® to snugly fit your baby's waist and legs. 6. No Messy or Wet Leaks FuzziBunz® enable you to customize the absorbency, so you don't have to worry about leaky diapers. The free microterry insert provided with each FuzziBunz® is super absorbent; and if your baby is a heavy wetter, simply stuff two inserts or another absorbent material inside the pocket. Also, FuzziBunz® were designed with reinforced leg casings to ensure no messes escape. 7. Stays Beautiful Wash after Wash FuzziBunz® stay beautiful wash after wash. No pilling or fraying nor staining. 8. Leg Casings! What are Leg Casings? That's our slang for encased leg elastic which exist not for aesthetic measures but to double as mock "leg dams" to serve as assurance that everything will stay where it is supposed to be. No leaks. No mess. No fleece to "poke" back in the diaper. 9. Durable Diapers FuzziBunz® are made with high tech fabrics that are easy to wash and care for. They are durable enough to last wash after wash and last through multiple children, saving you money and offering you peace of mind. 10. Unsurpassed Quality When you spend money on FuzziBunz® you are getting your money's worth! FuzziBunz® are carefully made under strict quality control measures. We GUARANTEE our product. The FuzziBunz® Warranty	11. Super Trim Fit Traditional cloth diapers can be bulky. FuzziBunz® offer a trim fit. Plus, the adjustable snaps allow the baby to fit snuggly around BOTH your baby's waist and legs. No mores sagging pants! 12. Easy to Use Simply stuff 'em and they are ready to go! FuzziBunz® are a favorite of daycares, grandmas and even dads! FuzziBunz® were invented by a mom who didn't have time to mess with hard-to-use diapers and who wanted something that was easy to use, easy to wash and easy on the eyes. 13. High Sanitation Standards FuzziBunz® were developed so that there would be no need for swirling, dunking, spraying or soaking diapers. The two part pocket system ensures your diapers get super clean. Plus, you will spend less time washing, bleaching, sunning or doing all of that "old fashioned" stuff grandma used to do to her diapers. And best of all, FuzziBunz® always look clean wash after wash. 14. Quick Drying The two part pocket system not only is a breeze to clean but also dries in a flash, lowering your energy bill. 15. Maximum Comfort for Baby You will have satisfaction that your baby is totally comfortable in FuzziBunz®. Only super soft polar fleece touches your baby's skin. There are no pins to poke, no Velcro to scratch or stick and no crunchy plastic pants to rub against your baby's delicate skin. Because your baby is in diapers every day for three years, you want to make sure those three years are spent in comfort. 16. 110% Guaranteed Customer Service Our staff is available to help you navigate the world of cloth diapering. We stand behind our quality and our service. 17. Invented by a Mom A stay-at-home mom invented FuzziBunz® in response to her baby's severe diaper rash. Her unique pocket invention has been granted a United States Patent! One mother thought her child deserved better… now yours can have something better too. 18. Stylish Your baby will be the most stylish baby on the block. FuzziBunz® diapers come in a rainbow of colors. From apple green to kumquat, you'll find a FuzziBunz® to fit any baby's style and mood.	Why Choose FuzziBunz®? FuzziBunz® One Size Diapers FuzziBunz® Perfect Size Diapers How to choose? The difference between FuzziBunz® One Size and Perfect Size Diapers The FuzziBunz® Warranty FuzziBunz® News: Cloth Diapering Benefits Save Money with Cloth? FuzziBunz® Reviews Going Green with FuzziBunz®

Why Choose FuzziBunz®? We know you have a choice when it comes to which reusable diaper to use on your baby. As moms ourselves, we just made your choice to use FuzziBunz® a whole lot easier by researching and listing what makes us better than the competition. Here's what we found:
Durable Snaps Need we say more? Adjustable ElasticAllows same diaper to fit birth to potty training Easy To Remove Insert No sticking hands into messy pocket. The FuzziBunz® Difference! Less Bulky Thanks to our microfiber technology	FuzziBunz® diapers have a SUPERIOR FASTENING SYSTEM. Our durable snaps stay strong wash after wash. You can use the same FuzziBunz® for all your babies without worry of our snaps breaking. Unlike diapers with Aplix (i.e., Velcro fasteners), there is no fraying or "stickie" on your FuzziBunz® diapers after washing. FuzziBunz® are made to stay strong for years and years, saving you money and hassle! FuzziBunz® are the leader in the Pocket Diaper industry, have been manufacturing diapers for 10+ years and are the ORIGINAL STAY DRY POCKET DIAPER. FuzziBunz® was granted a US Patent in 2004 for the unique Stay Dry Pocket design. BUYER BEWARE of me-too products! FuzziBunz® diapers have ADJUSTABLE WAIST AND LEG SETTINGS so you get a customized fit each and every time. In other words, if your baby has a slim waist and chubby legs, FuzziBunz® diapers will still fit your baby comfortably and snugly. Our patented design has REINFORCED LEG CASINGS to make sure your FuzziBunz® diapers don’t leak! See that extra sewn line around the leg? That means we didn't skimp on taking the extra step in making sure our leg openings fit snugly around your baby's thigh, and that the fleece does not roll out (or anything else for that matter.) FuzziBunz® are made with BOUNCY AND STRETCHY ELASTIC around the legs to ensure maximum comfort for your baby without leaving marks on your baby's skin.  FuzziBunz® diapers are EASY TO STUFF AND UN-STUFF. Our patented pocket design enables moms and dads to stuff the diaper with a micro-terry insert or other absorbent materials and then also easily shake out the insert into the diaper pail. No folds over the pocket or other pocket variations from the original design forcing you to touch the inside of the dirty diaper, ick! FuzziBunz® remain the TRIMMEST FITTING DIAPER on the market today and its fit is most similar to disposable diapers, but without the guilt or waste associated with disposables. Our diapers are sized perfectly to hug your baby's curves and move with your baby's motions, ensuring a comfortable and happy baby always! The updated FuzziBunz® design includes BEAUTIFUL TOP STITCHING that circles the top of the diaper and the tabs, demonstrating our commitment to manufacturing high-quality, long-lasting diapers that are also a stylish, well made garment as well as a diaper. FuzziBunz® diapers come in FASHIONABLE, TRENDY COLORS AND PRINTS. Each of our colors and prints weretastefully designed by FuzziBunz® inventor, Tereson Dupuy, to bring style to your FuzziBunz® collection. Our print fabrics are made from the same outer shell as our solids and we DO NOT use store-bought woven fabrics that wick with moisture. Our selection is neither too large nor too small most customers tell us it's just right! Happy diapering!

The road to fitness

As promised I took a photo of myself during my first week with my personal trainer. The pictures aren't pretty but I did say that I will shame myself into getting in shape and the only way to do that is to document my journey.

Here are my pics...Ugh

Getting fit with a personal trainer

My hubby gave me sessions with Bob, his personal trainer, in Gold's Gym for my birthday. I started my first session with him last week and although I didn't suck as much as I thought I would, it doesn't mean that it was also one of my proudest days.

Bob started our session by weighing and measuring me--ahem! It truly was a humbling experience. From the time I gave birth I've been convincing myself that my body's slowly going back to its old self but I guess the sleepless nights have truly played tricks with my head and vision because measurements don't lie! AND having him measure my fat by pinching my skin wasn't a pretty experience either. Although my overall fat percentage is ok for women, most of it is in my lower half...eewwwwww! Butt and thigh fat alert! Gross!

My body was sore after my first training session but after my second training session, which was today, I'm pretty sure that my whole body will be screaming in protest by tom! I started with our session today pretty strong, Bob added load to my weights and although I was panting and could hardly make small talk, I could still smile and laugh after. That was until I reached the machine for my butt!!!

Bob made me do sets that were fewer reps at the start but with a heavier load then gradually decreased reps but with a lighter load. It seems easy enough until I almost puked at my trainer after! I couldn't believe that I truly lost it after that exercise. I couldn't breathe and I had to stop and not be able to do my last exercise because Bob saw that I lost color in my face already and looked like I was about to faint! Talk about getting clobbered by my ass!

Apart from my pride getting hurt because I had such a hard time with the machine for my behind, the mortifying thing is that it is now a known fact that my butt is all fat and truly has no ounce of muscle in it :( If it did, I don't think that my body would have protested the way that it did this morning. I guess walking and running aren't enough to form some muscles in my ass contrary to what people say that our legs and behind get the most exercise because we always use it when we walk! So much for that theory.tsk tsk...

Enough with the negativity! The good thing in all of this is that it feels great to have someone motivate me to work out. It's different when there's someone pushing you to finish that last set of ab workout and making a program tailor fit to my personal fitness goals. What can I say?! I love working out with my trainer inspite of all my aches and pains because the bigger picture is that I want to have my pre-children body back.

I shall try to post pics this week so that I can document my fitness journey. This is so that I can shame myself into getting in shape! :)