Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Whoever said that big is beautiful is a liar... I don't mean to discriminate the fat and obese but seriously how can looking like humpty dumpty look beautiful? Big houses, big diamonds, big bank accounts, big (beep! beep!) are always attractive, sure, but not when it comes to bodies. That means one thing, I really need to get my ass to exercise soon! Now that am hiring a nanny, I have no excuse not to go to the gym. Our facilities include a decent treadmill and bicycle so might as well make use of it. Letting go is good but not when it means letting go of oneself.

My wake-up-call was when I attended a friend's birthday party last night. The girls were looking hot, especially my friend the birthday celebrant (nope, I'm not going lesbian). She was older but boy, it's hard to tell that she's got a daughter. Her body looks like that of an eighteen year old. Must be her genes? Nope! She told me she had a personal trainer to help her get back into shape after giving birth. So, I guess I need to hit hard at the gym if I want to have a body like hers. Sigh!

The party last night made me reminiscent of the good ol' single days when dancing on the couch seemed like fun and guys howling when doing it made it even better. I guess I have grown out of that lifestyle, especially now that I have a family. It's entertaining watching others do it but there's no way you can make me put on a show anymore, just doesn't feel appropriate...Sure but that doesn't mean I have to start looking like a cow and not have the moves. (Hmm... maybe I should take up pole dancing)

A lot of women have issues with their post-pregnancy weight and body shape, me included. The curves just disappear, the hips expand and most of all the breasts just sag. A friend of mine was complaining about how her nipples became distorted after breastfeeding baby. She was considering going to a plastic surgeon to have them "fixed."

Oh the sacrifices of a Mom...there's just too many of them! But, I am not complaining! I guess there are only two ways of going about it... accepting the change or doing something about it. I choose the latter! Someone told me that it would be more difficult to shed pounds after a year of giving birth. Oh no! That means my deadline's over... gotta start now! Tick tock tick tock...

Camera Shy

I was troubled after my friend sent me a video of a nanny physically abusing a baby. I don't know what I would do to the nanny if I found out she hurt my child. God forbid! Some are considering to install cameras in their apartments but I am not sure if I want to see every move our helper makes. I feel that it's like reading someone's diary or watching someone take a shower. I guess I am naive but I don't want to start doubting and look for problems at the beginning of a mommy-nanny relationship. So, let me just put my memory of that terrifying video aside.

Finding a good nanny is really important. My hubby just interviewed one today and saw how she worked and was quite pleased. Unfortunately because I was in the office, I only had a couple of minutes to converse with her so I can't really say much. I think she is okay though, twice my age and quite experienced. I just hope she knows how to cook my favorite Filipino food. That saves me a meal at Cinta J (Filipino restaurant in Wanchai)!

The mommy-nanny relationship is so important and should not be taken for granted... I mean come on, she is practically taking my place (temporarily) and will be living with us. It's like having my mother-in-law with us at home. New person to deal with, someone to share things with, someone who hears every conversation I have with hubby etc. etc. I could go on and on and on... but let me talk about that in my future posts.

I just hope and pray that she is the right one and most importantly, she would take care of my baby. Not to kiss or hug her but guide and play with her when I am not free. My daughter is such a sweetheart and she deserves someone to look after her 100%. Since I was nanny-less for more than 3 months, I will make sure I will have my own QT time with baby, even if the nanny is around.

For now, I am just happy that it's a Friday because not only am I going on a well-deserved girls' night out, but also that means I have the weekend with my baby. Thank God it's Friday!

Letting Go

Gone are the days when baby would cry if she didn't see me. She went through this stage where she had separation anxiety. If I dared go to the bathroom or kitchen, she would follow me right away or else she would be hysterical (even if she was with her daddy). So that means my trip to the bathroom had to be quick, could not bathe without her opening the shower curtain or risk her getting burnt while she watches me cook. Tough eh? If I had to just throw the garbage and the door closes on her, she would think I am leaving her. But, no, I didn't bring her with me to the garbage disposal area in our building and just let her cry.

Now, tables have turned... since I have been working for over a week now! It was the first time she saw me leave yesterday and did not cry. She just waved goodbye while she was carried by daddy. I didn't know if I was exactly happy about that. Maybe this time, I am the one with separation anxiety! Some mothers feel this too when leaving their children.

So, after work, I told my hubby to make sure baby does not go to bed early and I rushed to go home to play with her for a bit. She laughed and giggled as soon as she saw me. That felt nice! She also learned a new trick from her dad recently, now baby knows how to frown. Looks kinda cute! After we watched her fave Boogiebeebies program (and dances to all the tunes), I fed her last bottle of milk for the day and put her to bed.

Now I'm less tired after seeing the smile on her face! Just a few minutes of play with baby before she dozes off is good for me...

Today, we are interviewing a potential nanny and hope it works out! It will be another thing when she becomes attached to her caregiver. Both mommy and daddy get upset when we see her attached to the someone who's not family but I guess that is normal. I guess you really can't have it all... Sigh!

Lunch Date

I ate salmon maki, sashimi rice, chicken teriyaki and a mango smoothie for lunch (oink!) Did I mention that I also had Mrs. Fields cookies an hour before? Gosh! Am on my way to fatty land!

Since I felt guilty about everything I shoved down my throat, I decided to walk around the vicinity of my office in Causeway Bay to burn some calories (yeah right). After a few steps, I saw Hermes and Chanel on my left, Gucci and Tod's on my right. Not a good sign! This place is shopaholics' land!

I ended up in Lee Gardens and went to the children's floor. Saw the orange Burberry dress for my daughter and even if I really liked it, I still couldn't justify paying 1,400 HKD for one. So, I moved on to the next store, Seed, a children's clothing line from Australia.

Felt like I was in heaven! I palpitated when I saw their spring-summer collection. I am not gonna shop... I am not gonna shop! Now, breathe! Their stuff were perfect for my daughter... feminine, playful, preppie and practical! Seed is just like Gap and Zara Baby, just a bit more expensive. Okay, a tad more expensive! But their clips, shoes, denims, swimsuits were irresistible! It's so her style! The saleslady must have seen the reaction on my face when I was browsing around and said, "They are really cute huh?" I told her I would definitely come back. Besides, lunch break is over.



Next time, please remind me to just call the Thai resto beside our office to deliver some cheap and cheerful Pad Thai. It's dangerous for shopaholics like me to roam around the busiest shopping area of Hong Kong with fave shopping companions, VISA and MASTERCARD! I am banned for now...

Don't Pick Baby's Nose!

Umm... this is not exactly the topic I like to write about in my blog... but, if you are a mom of a kid with boogies, you would understand. All babies freak out when you start touching their nose, it would be hell to take the mucus out. Sometimes I don't bother anymore because I end up in a wrestling match. But, what's the point of me shopping for nice clothes for my daughter when she has green stuff coming out of her nose?

Well moms, problem solved! Someone invented the Boogie Wipes. These wipes have saline that helps remove babies' boogies caused by the common cold or allergies. Yey! No more screaming and crying! I need to phone my Mom in the US to get me some for a snot-free baby.

Boogie Wipes come in three scents: natural, menthol and grape for US$3.99 a pack.

It's Not Fair

Too bad I am already working... I missed the opening of the China Sourcing Fair- Baby Products at the AsiaWorldExpo. Before I got this job, I was hoping I can visit the fair, not only to shop or write about stuff in my blog but was interested to sell baby stuff since I'm passionate about it. Oh well! Maybe I'm meant to buy the stuff not sell them.

For those who still have time the fair lasts til Thursday! Should I go on leave? Not!

Strike A Pose!

I just received the launch issue of Junior magazine in the mail a few days ago. This magazine is published in the Philippines by Bella Luce (also responsible for Wedding Belle, Digital Photographer and GolfPunk magazines). I'm happy that there are more parenting magazines coming out. I never thought I would read any parenting magazine before since it spelled B-O-R-I-N-G to me! But, nowadays there are magazines like Cookie, Baby Couture, Vogue Bambini, and now Junior that just makes you want to have a baby!

The cover of the mag is no other than Isabeli Araneta Elizalde, beautiful daughter of Bianca Araneta Elizalde and Juan Elizalde. I still remember seeing Bianca around when we were in high school in Colegio San Agustin, she was famous for her Ivory commercial back then. And now, she's got her own family (even earlier than me who's a couple of years older). Time flies so fast!

Junior magazine is featuring all the cono (pardon the term) babies in their baby fashion spreads. You wouldn't think they are Filipino at all. My daughter looks more Asian than them... which got me thinking, I wonder when she can be on the cover of a magazine? Oh shucks, my "stage mother" instincts are coming out. Maybe I should get her set card done soon. Nah! I'm only kidding!

My hubby actually brought up the idea of my daughter being in a photoshoot one day and it just gave me the shivers. I have been shooting with young models for years now and the protective side of me just came out and said a big fat N-O! I just didn't want her to grow up thinking that modeling is an option or let her work at a very young age. I guess I'm too scared that she would end up liker her dad. In the good ol days, he was modeling for leading fashion brands in Europe and the United States. Now, I understand how parents want their kids to be doctors, lawyers, athletes, etc. It's all about their frustrations or experiences that they want to either share or avoid for their kids. (I've got a lot of those. I already thought about her course in university and where she would be studying! Fashion in Milan) Selfish eh?

Going back to Junior, their articles are very interesting. For moms who are expecting too, they have a lot of insight too. And because the content includes tips, recipes and different resources, it's the type of magazine that you can read from cover to cover or even keep and read again if you get pregnant the second time around. Kudos to Maite Matute and the rest of the Junior magazine team for a job well done! I'm hoping more of these glossies will come out soon (meaning more jobs for me).

...And if my baby will be modeling soon, nada! I say let Daddy (and Mommy) bring home the bacon (and milk for that matter)...