Losing Tyler

It was a Saturday morning, exactly 10 years ago, when I picked up that dreadful phone call.

 
For those of you whom my husband and I have only met recently, you may not know that we once had a baby boy named Tyler.  We lost him when he was only two months old due to a congenital problem that affected his heart and brain development.

To say that the months following Tyler's death was difficult would be an understatement.  He was our first child, the first nephew of my sisters, and the first grandchild of my parents.  While losing Tyler meant grieving the loss of our son, to me it also meant losing my chance to finally call myself a mother. 
 

Immediately after losing Tyler, we went to see the doctor to check if I was healthy enough for another pregnancy. After some tests, we were told that it may be difficult for me to conceive naturally due to my polycystic ovaries.  But I knew that my God is greater than any medical limitation.  So we trusted in Him and waited for his perfect time.

Throughout the months after God took Tyler home, I found solace in God’s word. I read it like I’ve never read the Bible before. I was reminded of verses that I have read over and over as a child. They suddenly became anchors for me to be still at a time when my heart felt very confused.  Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future” – this verse was not new to me but it was a promise that I held on and claimed repeatedly as I prayed to the Lord.

I decided to surround myself with God's word.

Literally! 

I would write down countless verses that spoke to me on yellow post-it notes and stick them on the wall above our bed. Verses such as Philippians 4:6-7 which reminds me not to be anxious about anything.  But by prayer with thanksgiving, I just had to present my requests that God. And He promised to give me peace that transcends all  understanding.  I would read each of them before I slept and then again as soon as I woke up.  They were a constant reminder that regardless of the season we were in, our Savior is a good good father.

God’s word powered me through life and his promises unfolded one by one.  On that beautiful morning in March of 2008, I once again held a tiny baby boy in my arms. This time, a very healthy and normal baby. We named him Troy.  The Lord fulfilled Jeremiah 29:11 that day.  I saw hope and the beautiful future he had planned out for us in the eyes of our child.

And contrary to expectations, I was not afraid all throughout the pregnancy. It was supernatural how I was not anxious. It was supernatural how I was not worried that our baby would have the same condition as Tyler. I was overjoyed with His blessing. And I was at peace. It was the kind of peace described through Philippians 4:7. It indeed transcended all understanding. Again, another promise unfolded.

God's word is always true. He may not have healed Tyler physically, but He healed our hearts.  I have shared this before and I want to share it again. My mom would constantly remind me of God's promise through Psalm 30:5 after Tyler's passing. "Weeping may last for a night, but His joy comes in the morning".  And indeed, another joy came to us one early morning in 2011. We named her Dawn.

It has been almost 10 years since I was told that motherhood seemed loss for me. But God’s promises prevailed. Every morning I wake up and I see two little miracles sleeping beside me.  They will always be a reminder of how much God loves me. They are a testament of God’s power and love. His word is always true. His promises will always be fulfilled.

Whatever season you are in right now, I encourage you to go to His word.  Find the peace that only He can give.  Claim His promises. And watch your beautiful future unfold.

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Contest: Win Your Own Belo Baby Products!

I have recently been reading a book on the best ingredients for our skin's health. With this new knowledge, I have been reviewing the list of ingredients of all the products that my family have been using, including Belo Baby. I am happy to confirm that Belo Baby is indeed 100% natural, safe, and gentle for our baby's skin. When we attended the launch, Cristalle Belo Henares even offered to show us the actual certificates of each and every ingredient that was used on their products. This is to certify that each ingredient is proven to be all natural and safe for the whole family.

 

I have to say that their products are not only all natural but also very affordable. It's sometimes hard to love a product when the price points do not make it sustainable for us to use long-term. You may purchase Belo Baby from any of your favorite supermarkets, groceries and department stores. They are also available online through Lazada, Cudsly, and Zalora.

Today I have some really exciting news for you. Belo Baby has decided to share this wonderful bathing experience with three families!

 

You may join the contest in 4 easy steps:

 

1. Share the Journey with Belo Baby video on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/belobabylove/?fref=ts)  
2.  Like Belo Baby on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/belobabylove/)
3.  Like Breakfast With Tiffany on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/densandfan/)
4.  Follow @densfan on Instagram

You may join through the Rafflecopter link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learn more about the new Belo Baby Line through their website www.belobaby.ph and Facebook page . Follow them on Twitter and Instagram with handle @belobabylove.
 

"Crafted with care for the most delicate skin, for the most meticulous moms"

 

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The Sleeping Habits of Dads and Moms

Are you a light or deep sleeper?

 

Before I had children, I am generally a deep sleeper. Once I fall asleep, I sleep through the night. Make whatever noise you want and it won't bother me. You can turn on the lights or even the radio and I won't budge. Motherhood happened and changed all that. I surprise myself by the little things that can possibly wake me up. A faint creaking sound of the crib that tells me the baby is awake, a tiny cough or the pitter patter of tiny feet walking to the bed.  I was pretty amazed at this realization. It's almost like a miracle how most women develop bionic ears once the babies are born. Maybe this is really how God designed the female human body.

 

But let's not forget the men. Before we had children, my husband was such a light sleeper. He needed the lights completely turned off before bedtime. Night lights keep him awake so lampshades must be turned off and the room must be pitch black. I cannot watch television because even the tiniest volume would stir him up. I always complied because I knew it was hard to change sleeping habits. Or so I thought. One tiny miracle changed all that. His name is Troy.

 

When our little baby was born, my husband suddenly became the deepest sleeper ever. EVER. Troy screams and cries non-stop and he does not seem to hear it. I turn on the light to check on the baby but he does not seem to mind anymore.  What happened to the light sleeper that I married? And I am not just trashing my husband and venting here.  For some reason, he said he seriously does not hear it. Strange. To give him credit though, those times when I practically shove him out of the bed had to wake him up, he readily helps me. I will redeem my husband by saying he's a very hands-on father and I cannot complain. I remember how my cousin-in-law (Father) was telling me how his kids slept through the night since birth. Then my cousin (Mother) reacted 'What?! No, they did not!'. So apparently the Father just did not hear the cries.

 

Maybe that's just how men and women are wired through parenthood. What about you? How did your sleeping habits change with kids?

 

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How My Daughter Stopped to Thumbsuck

Dawn practically came out of the womb with her thumb in her mouth.  She loved to thumbsuck!  When she was less than a year old, most of our friends who see her thumbsuck would always tell me that babies who thumbsuck are 'good babies'. While it may be an old folklore, I guess it also stemmed from the fact that they are easily soothed and therefore cry less.

When Dawn turned two and the habit continued, I started to get a little concerned. I read some articles and got tips from friends whose children overcame this habit. From putting vinegar or chili on her thumb (both of which i did not dare try) to putting a band-aid around her finger. The latter, of course, did not work because she can easily remove it.

Three years later and we were still thumbsucking. I got more concerned because her thumb was developing marks and her teeth were already being pushed forward. I tried negotiating with her and even offering to give her prizes if she can go overnight without thumbsucking (i know it's not the best parenting trick but i was desperate). All of which did not work.

When January 2015 rolled in, I made a list of my faith goals for this year. Similar to when i prayed for Troy's leg healing in 2013.  Among other goals was for Dawn to stop this bad habit.  I knew it was impossible to curb this habit without the Lord's help. 

When Dawn was about to turn four in February, she went to visit her dentist, who also happens to be my sister-in-law.  When she came home, she told me that her aunt explained what will happen to her teeth when she thumbsucked.  So I explained that her aunt was right and how she might get crooked teeth if she does not stop. Then she asked how crooked teeth looked like. So i pulled up some google images of crooked teeth to show her and she was horrified! And you know what, she stopped thumbsucking that very night! I could not believe it. God answered my faith goal in just one month!

Four years of my own efforts proved useless compared to one powerful prayer lifted in faith. The Lord does amazing things. It's been three months now and we're 99% thumbsuck-free. I say 99% because Dawn sometimes forget so we need to constantly remind her. She would usually quickly remove her thumb and say sorry.

What is your parenting struggle now? I still have a long list but I can rest in the assurance that my God is bigger than my struggles. What a great comfort for us parents that we can lean on a mighty Father who loves our kids even more than we do. Whatever it is that you're struggling with, lift it up to the Lord. He is just a prayer away.

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Are Your Kids Protected?

Last December, some members of our family had severe bouts of diarrhea and it was just awful.  Most of us had to take oral hydride tablets to avoid getting dehydrated. My mom almost wanted to admit me to the hospital for dextrose - but thank God my friend sent some Oral Dextrose which i diligently drank every hour.  During those days, one of my fears was really getting my kids infected. I know that diarrhea could be dangerous for smaller children as they're more prone to dehydration.

Ria Tanhuatco-Trillo interviewing Barbie Almalbis-Honasan

A few days ago, I was invited to attend a talk at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).  GSK launched a No Hope Lost campaign to educate parents to vaccinate their children.  The discussion focused on the top two leading causes of mortality and  morbidity among children less than 5 years of age.  Upon hearing 'pneumonia' and 'diarrhea', the mommy in me listened intently. I've heard of friends and families with kids getting confined due to pneumonia and diarrhea. I knew there were risks but i honestly did not realize the gravity of it. 

Facts about Pneumonia:

• Pneumonia is the single greatest cause of death in children worldwide. In fact, pneumonia is the leading cause of illness and death among Filipino children less than 5 years old. National statistics show an estimated 37 Filipino children die of pneumonia every day.1

• Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung which affects primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli. 

• Symptoms: cough, fever, chills, headaches, loss of appetite, wheezing, chest pain, fever, and rapid or difficulty breathing.

Facts about Diarrhea:

• Diarrhea is defined as having loose or watery stools at least three times per day, or more frequently than a normal individual.

• Complications: Acute cases can lead to significant fluid loss and dehydration, which may result in death or other severe consequences.

• Cause: Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RVGE) is the common cause of diarrhea and severe dehydration in young children.

• Rotavirus infects virtually every child within the first 5 years of life, irrespective of race or socio-economic status. That is why it is called a “democratic virus.”

On top of the above facts, i also found out that the Rotavirus can stay on solid surfaces for several days. So it's very easy to get infected. This idea frightens me because daughter still thumb sucks once in a while.  I can only imagine the things that she has touched before the thumb goes to the mouth.

Here are some tips that protect your children:

• Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months (yay! check for both my kids)
• Adequate nutrition
• Vitamin A supplementation. Make sure it's included in your child's multi-vitamins
• Frequent hand washing
• Vaccinate

SoMoms on the Commitment Board

I was surprised to learn that a lot of parents are still not aware that there are vaccines available to prevent Pneumonia (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine or PCV) and Rotavirus (Rotavirus Vaccine or RV).  We had both our children vaccinated early on and you should too.  Both vaccines can be administered to infants as early as 6 weeks of age. It is important to follow the correct vaccination schedule as the Rotavirus is more severe and frequent in infants aged 3 to 24 months.

Parents, please ask your pediatricians about these vaccines and protect your child from these lethal diseases.  As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure.

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The First Time I Met My Children

Do you still remember the first time you  met your children? I do. It was very different for all three of them. I'd like to share my story with you.

I still vividly remember the first time I was about to meet Tyler. I was filled with anxieties since i was already told that he had paralysis on the left side of his face. Fears of not being able to accept his deficiencies troubled me as i slowly entered the NICU. The moment i laid my eyes on him, i thought to myself "He's perfect". I felt that he was the most beautiful baby i have ever seen. After that initial impression, thoughts of his condition started to sink in. And i broke down in that NICU. It was the day we were checking out of the hospital. I cried all the way home wondering how many days his crib will remain empty.  I knew nothing then of what lied ahead of us in the coming months.

My pregnancy with Troy was the most joyful one. I had very little morning sickness and i was happy most of the time. We prayed for a little boy.  More than the blue-decorated nursery in our house, I knew that since we lost Tyler, there is that longing in my heart to be a mother to a healthy baby boy. God saw my heart and answered our prayers. I felt very connected with Troy during my pregnancy. I would talk to him and read stories to him. I already 'knew' him even before he was born. Then March 7 came and i gave birth to Troy. Dens wheeled me to the nursery, 24 hours post surgery, to breastfeed Troy.  I was about to meet him for the first time (save for those few glimpses that i had in the operating room).  I excitedly waited in the breastfeeding room for him. It felt like meeting Dens again for the first time after over a month of talking daily over the phone (but that's another story). I wondered how he looked like and how he would react to me. Then the nurse came in with Troy.  He was bundled in a light blue blanket and was handed over to me. I carried him and looked at him. My first thought was 'Oh wow, he's so beautiful.' I also remember thinking how he amazingly looks so much like Tyler.  I kept looking at him and cannot seem to fathom that this perfect little baby that i am carrying is my own.  Then i started to struggle with the concept of motherhood. What was i supposed to say to him now?  What do i do with him?  It was a concept i cannot seem to  immediately grasp. I felt disconnected somehow. It did truly feel like the first time i met Dens in person. There was a brief moment of awkwardness even though we were already so close over the phone. But just like that, the awkward feeling immediately went away. Tears started to form as i  continued to look at this baby who also stared back at me. He is so healthy. He is my child.  I held him tighter and i felt my heart swell with so much love and pride. I was filled with gratitude for this gift of life. I was officially a mom again.

Dawn came three years later.  During my pregnancy, I often felt tired and i hardly had the chance to read stories to Dawn. I was also busy doing my online shopping for girls' clothes and conducting surveys for girls' names more than anything. I was just excited to have a girl added to our small family.  The day after I gave birth to Dawn was the first time I was to meet her in person. I found myself waiting excitedly in that same breastfeeding room once again. I looked around the room and saw the familiar breastfeeding pumps and storage bags. They did not feel foreign anymore. I felt more at ease. Then the nurse came in with this tiny baby wrapped in a baby pink blanket.  And it felt different the this time. Even though i did not feel any connection during pregnancy, i somehow immediately felt drawn to her the moment i laid my eyes on her.  One look at her and i knew she was my child. My first thought was "She's so pretty!" I couldn't believe a baby can already look gender-specific. She truly looked like a girl.  I looked at her and i felt complete. She was another answer to my prayers. Another prophecy fulfilled. I was just amazed.

Meeting our children for the first time can come in different forms. Some of you may feel that instant connection like i did with Dawn, while others may also struggle with the idea of mothering a child like i did with Troy. Regardless of how your first meeting will become, one thing is certain.  It will all lead to this feeling of pure and unconditional love.  A love so fierce that overwhelms you.  And from that moment on,  you will stay in love forever. 



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Protect Your Stem Cells with Mustela

Just when you think Mustela is already the holy grail for all baby products, it just got even better! They now have a new formulation that protects the stem cells of the skin. Yes, stem cells!

Stem cells are really popular these days.  I'm sure most of us have heard of the wonderful benefits of stem cells these days. But what exactly is a stem cell? I did a little bit of research and found that stem cells are actually a reserve cell with the capacity to grow and multiply to replace dead or damaged adult cells. Some, but not all, organs and tissues in the body have a supply of stem cells. Skin is one organ that contains stem cells. Skin wounds are repaired by skin stem cells so it is very vital to retain them in our skin.

Two weeks ago i attended Mustela's launch for the reformulation of the Mustela Bebe line.  During the event, i learned that a newborn's skin contains a rich cellular reserve of stem cells at its highest potential. The problem is that this remains extremely vulnerable during the first few years of life while our skin's barriers are still being formed (usually until the age of 2).

The good news is that Mustela's new active ingredient, Avocado Perseose, supports the development of the barrier function and more importantly, protects the stem cells in the baby's skin. Once safely preserved, the original stem cells can continue to play its role of restoring and maintatining the skin throughout life.  

Mustela event held at the 2nd floor of Stacy's at BGC



Van Santos of Seek the Uniq hosted the event



Sharlene of Mustela Philippines talked about the new ingredient in Mustela Bebe



Cute table setting with Mustela borchures and the signature Stacy's colored mallows and popcorns

Cai of applesanddumplings, Tita K of LiveLoveLolz, Jen of Attachedatthehip, Eli of ThePaintersWife, me, Jen of MyMommyology



 

Yes, Mustela is from France, Tita K!

This new ingredient is available across all products in the Mustela Bebe line. Since my previous blogs on the Mustela products that our family has been using (Read about it here, here, and here), i have found more products that our family is now using.

1. Baby Shampoo

With my 2-year old's growing hair, i found it important to use shampoo now instead of just using soap all over. The shampoo makes her hair soft and more tangle-free.

2.   2 in 1  Hair and Body

This was actualy recommended to me by the Mustela sales assistant in their Glorietta 4 branch. The smell lasts longer than the other Mustela washes so this is just perfect for my very active 5-year old. I like that his hair still smells nice after the end of a very busy day.

3.  Facial cleansing cloths

I found this to be particularly useful for my daughter who loves to thumbsuck. i use this to regularly clean her hands while we're out of the house. I like that i can trust Mustela's ingredients and not worry that the wipes i am using contains harmful ingredients that my daughter may ingest.

4.   Agua De Colognia

Try it and you'll understand why our family loves it!

5.  Cold Cream

Tammy Tancinco of Mustela Philippines gave this to me as a gift after our trip to Korea during the winter. My husband's elbows were peeling and very dry so he decided to test this. We're very happy with the results and Dens' elbows have significantly improved. This is also very good to bring during your winter holidays where lips and skin become extremely dry. Great for the whole family.

So what are you waiting for? Rush to the nearest Mustela branch and start protecting your baby's stem cells!

Mustela is avaiable at the following locations:

Ayala Trinoma, 1st level (beside Mary Grace Cafe)
Robinsons Manila, 1st level Midtown wing (beside Topshop)
Glorietta 4, 3rd level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)
Shangri-la Mall, 4th level (in front of Mothercare)
Megamall A, 2nd level (in front of Esprit)
Greenhills Shopping Center, The Shops, 1st level (in front of Watson's and Mary Grace)
Alabang Town Center, Upper Ground Floor, Connector Mall (in front of K & C Company)
SM Mall of Asia, 2nd level, Main Mall (near Osh Kosh and Periwinkle)

All Rustans Department Stores
All Landmarke Department Stores
Mothercare, Nationwide
PureBeauty, 2nd Floor Serendra, BGC and Harbor Point, Subic
Medela House, New Manila, QC
Chimes Specialty Store, Davao City

www.mustela.ph
Mutela Hotline 0917 895 9988
mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com
Facebook: Mustela Philippines

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Mustela Products I Love! (Prelude to a Contest)

As promised in my previous blog post about Mustela, I would like to share with you the different products that I am currently using on my kids and how I use them.

Dermo-Cleansing
 

This is a soap-free cleansing gel. that gently cleanses hair and body without stinging the eyes. Dawn has been using this since she 'graduated' from the Stelatopia line over a year ago.  Excellent cleanser for the kids that leaves them smelling like a baby!

Hydra Bebe Body Lotion
 

I loooove the Hydra Bebe Body Lotion! Our familiy is addicted! Even my husband uses this once in a while. He just feels guilty when he does because he knows i got those for the kids.

Stelatopia - Cleansing Cream
 

The Stelatopia line is perfect for those with dry skin with an atopic tendency. I started using this cleanser when Dawn developed rashes when she was just 4 months old (read about that here).  Now that Dawn's skin has completely healed, i have switched her to the regular Mustela cleaser and it has been working just fine.

Once in a while i will still switch her back to the Stelatopia cleanser whenever i feel her skin is starting to get a little bit drier or when we travel to cooler places.

Stelatopia - Emollient Cream
 

Together with the Stelatopia Cleansing Cream, we have used the Emollient Cream on Dawn. We have now moved her to the Hydra Bebe Body Lotion since her rashes never came back anymore.

On the other hand, i noticed recently that Troy has patches of really dry skin on his knees and feet. So i started using the remaining Stelatopia cream on him and have already seen drastic improvement in just a few days.

Stelatria - Purifying Recovery Cream
 

Every mom should have this!  No kidding - it is a natural first-aid cream for the kids. It repairs and soothes the skin. I use it when the kids get insect bites and i noticed that it helps make the swelling go down. I practically use it on every area that looks red.  It's my first go-to instead of reaching for the ointment or cream that possibly has steriods.

Soothing Comfort balm (moisturizing chest rub)
 

This balm contains shea butter, honey, linden, and chamomile extracts that comforts and soothes the child to give him a good night's rest. I rub it on my kids' chest and back when they have cough and colds - before going to sleep.

I have another funny discovery.  One night, Dawn woke up with a really bad tummy ache ('kabag') and wouldn't stop crying. I knew that my mom used to put White Flower on our tummies when we were younger. Other parents use Mansanilya. I didn't have any of those on hand that night. So i got the Soothing Comfort balm which was really meant as a chest rub, and decided to try it on my daughter's tummy.  She stopped crying as soon as i started massaging the balm on her tummy! I was amazed. It happened again a few weeks later and the balm worked like magic.

Afterwards, i decided to see if there was really any truth to this discovery or if Dawn just enjoyed the tummy massage. As soon as i looked up the word 'Mansanilya' online, it is the Filipino word for Chamomile - which is one of the ingredients of the Soothing Comfort balm. It really removes gas on tummies!  Hurray! Isn't that amazing? By having the Soothing Comfort balm on hand, you not only have something to soothe their cough and colds, but also something to aid their tummy aches too!

Mineral Cream very high sun protection SPF +
 

Perfect for the whole family's sun protection! This product is specifically designed to also cater to allergy-prone skin.

Now for the super good news! Mustela has partnered with New Beginnings to grant BwT readers their own Mustela dream stash! Watch out for the next post on how to win.

Abangan…


NOTE: The contest is now open - click http://densandfan.blogspot.in/2012/10/contest-win-mustela-products.html

*pictures taken from diapers.com, mustela.com

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65 Days with Tyler

I have never loved someone i've only met for 2 months so much. 

I guess that's the miracle of being a mom.

In 2006, we became parents to a little baby with a big testimony for the Lord. You know how people who go through hard times always say 'I hope i'd wake up from this bad dream'? Well, that's truly how i felt. Cliche as it may be, each day with Tyler in the hospital was another day of denial for me. I kept on wishing it was just a terrible dream that i will soon wake up from. I dreaded every call from the nurses in the NICU and every text from our pediatrician. The Lord took Tyler back after 65 days. It was the most heartbreaking day of my life.

But my story doesn't end there. 6 years later, i am sitting in our bedroom watching our two wonderful kids playing with each other and laughing non-stop. God truly restores. Our family is a testament of God's faithfulness. I may not understand all His plans for me...but I trust His heart.

Happy 6th Birthday in heaven, Anak. Until we meet again...we love you always and forever.

Read about Tyler's life here - http://densandfan.blogspot.in/2011/08/tylers-testimoney-blogged-november-28.html

Tyler's 5th Birthday - http://densandfan.blogspot.in/2011/10/letter-to-heaven.html

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Mums of New Beginnings

It's very hard being a first time mom.

They always say that the first child is often a product of [discipline] trial and error. Learning how to be a good parent is never easy.  I have bought countless parenting books and have interviewed veteran moms on several occassions.  There is always something new to learn.  This is why I was more than happy to say YES when i was invited to be part of a new community for progressive moms last June.      

New Beginnings is a community where moms grow together. Watch the video below and learn more about New Beginnings.

Meet the Mums of New Beginnings

Like us on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/newbeginnings.com.ph] and chat with other moms about the joys and pains of motherhood.

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I Heart Mustela

Do you ever wonder why we have more and more cases of infertility, cancer, and all sorts of new diseases these days? 

I do.

After we lost Tyler in 2006, i started hearing about Natural and Organic products. I knew it was almost impossible to go 100% natural but i was determined to keep our family's exposure to toxic chemicals to the barest minimum.  We never truly found out what caused Tyler's problem but hearing the older generation repeatedly say 'Wala naman mga ganung problema dati' [We didn't have that kind of problem before] makes me believe that it has something to do with all the chemicals that we are now frequently exposed to.  So i went on a quest to find the best natural products in the market - from soaps and shampoos to make-up.

When i gave birth to Dawn in 2011, my good friend Tammy Chua-Tancinco of Mustela Philippines gave me a bottle of Mustela baby wash. I wasn't familiar with the product at that time so i went online and did some research. As i learned more about the product, i also got more and more interested. I learned that Mustela is manufactured by Laboratoires Expanscience, which is the 6^th largest independent laboratory in France, and ensures its high quality products that are free from paraben, phthalate, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, chlorphenesin and essential oils. Priority is given to ingredients of natural origins ranging form 80% to 98%. Mustela continues to create a legacy of unparalled skin care.

So when Tammy called me up one weekend and invited me to lunch and hear about Mustela Philippines, i said yes in a heartbeat. The talk was held at the Premio Restaurant of the Best Western Premier F1 Hotel at the Bonifacio Global City.

Tammy and Martin Tancinco of Mustela Philippines

Liz Almoro 

The very pregnant but still chic Amanda Griffin-Jacob 

Lexi Schultz hosted the event

Sharleen CuUnjieng, who is co-owner of Mustela Philippines, talked about how the product has helped clear her baby's rashes after trying several creams and ointments in the market to no avail.  I have my own Mustela story with Dawn and you can read about that here.

Lexi interviewing Sharleen of Mustela Philippines

All of us were listening intently

They also invited a pediatrician, Dra Vienne Valentin Saulog, to discuss the benefits of Mustela

Rowena (http://animetric.blogspot.com), myself, Liz Almoro, Tammy Chua-Tancinco

With the Mustela Philippines ladies, Sharleen and Tammy

After Dawn was healed of eczema, i started using different Mustela products and have accumulated my own stash at home.  I will discuss how i use each of the product in a separate post.

Mustela has been an essential part of our family for over a year now. If you're new to the brand, this is the perfect time to check it out. They have just slashed their prices last June. Make the shift. Your family is worth it!

Mustela is available at the following outlets:

    Ayala Trinoma, 1^st Level (beside Cafe Mary Grace)

    Robinson's Manila, 1^st Level Midtown Wing (beside Topshop)

    Glorietta 4, 3^rd Level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)

    Shangri-la Mall, 4^th Level (in front of Mothercare)

    Megamall A, 2^nd Level (in front of Esprit) 

    The Shops, Greenhills Shopping Center 1^st Level (in front of

    Watson’s and Mary Grace)

    Alabang Town Center, Upper Ground Floor, Connector Mall (in          

    front of K & Company) 

Distributed at the following:

    PureBeauty, 2^nd Floor Serendra, BGC

    All Landmark Department Stores

    All Rustan's Department Stores

    Numa Echo Baby Store, QC

For more information:

    MUSTELA HOTLINE:

    0917-8959988

    Email: mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com

    Website: www.mustela.com

    Facebook: Mustela Philippines

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God's Precious Gift to Us

Troy is finally out! Today, March 21, is actually my due date but we had to schedule the c-section earlier so that i don't go into labor prior to the operation.  We decided on March 7 since it was a Friday and we wanted to spend the weekend in the hospital so that our family and friends would also be there to stay with us.

I had the usual anxieties of a pregnant woman plus some more...will the baby be healthy and normal? will i hear him cry once he comes out of my womb? will i be able to recover easily after the operation? will i be able to recover at all?!?...Dens and i checked in the hospital the day before the operation.  We asked my doctor for a day pass so that i can go home and have dinner with my family before the big day.  We went back to the hospital around 8pm and counted each hour until my scheduled c-section the next day at 7am.  As expected, i was not able to sleep the entire night.

The nurses came in at 5am to prep me for the operation.  My parents arrived shortly after since my mom was going in the operation room with me (that was one of my non-negotiable requests).  I was wheeled into the operating room at 6:15am.  They started the operation at exactly 7am.  I was wide awake the whole time and mommy was busy taking pictures.  Troy came out at exactly 7:21am weighing a healthy 6.7lbs.  I could hear him crying while they were cleaning him - it was the most beautiful sound i have ever heard.

I was able to carry Troy for the first time the day after the operation.  The nurses at the nursery were just as excited when they saw a baby with our last name.  One of the nurses told me that the moment they saw Troy, they knew he was the brother of Tyler as they looked so much alike.  They were just as happy for us.

Troy turns 2 weeks today.  It has been 2 weeks of sleepless nights of feeding and diaper changes...and we're loving every second of it! Troy is God's promise to us that came true on March 7, 2008.


[Blogged on March 21, 2008]

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