SURPRISE...SURPRISE!!!!!

I had been busy with work that I was not able to post immediately the story of how I was able to REALLY SURPRISE Dada Jay on his 33rd birthday last Nov 19. I should be recounting the details na or else, with my two-time CS section, I might forget some things, hehe!

A week before his birthday, I was really thinking hard on how I would be able to make Dada Jay's birthday really special. Date? Pwede naman kami mag-date kahit di niya birthday. Card? Luma na! Gifts? Lagi na lang! AVP na may greetings ng artista? Last year ganun, hehe!

So pano nga ba? I asked him to confirm if he was taking a birthday leave or if he would go to work on his birthday. Work daw kasi he would take a leave na lang ng friday para diretso weekend celebration na.

Ok, so papasok siya. Esep-esep... I thought of conniving with her 2 officemates, M and C. I would bring food and asked their help to invite some officemates close to Jay. Dapat mapaalis nila si Jay sa office pag andun na kami para ma-set up namin ang merienda at para makababa ang office friends niya. Tapos pag ok na lahat, saka siya babalik ng office and SURPRISE...SURPRISE!!!

Pero si Dada Jay, pasaway. Kung sino-sino na ang nagpapaalis sa kanya sa office niya, ayaw! Ang tagal na namin sa lobby, natutunaw na ang ice cream!I was with the two kids and asked my parents' help to accompany us since pumasok din ako ng office at nag-half day leave lang.

Officemate M actually gave up. She told us na pumunta na kami ng office with the merienda and friends at sabihin na lang kay Dada na, eto kami at may surprise kami, haha!

It was good there were 2 officemates who made a story at na-convince si Jay to go to a nearby shop.

So we sneaked in to his office, prepared the food , the friends came in and we waited for the cue that they were coming back.

Ang tagal naman nilang bumalik this time. Natunaw na ang birthday candles!

But when Dada came back and he was greeted by everyone around in chorus, "Happy Birthday!!!" he was in shock!!!!

He never had a hint that I would surprise him.

Early that day we were texting each other. I told him that I would date him that night. He replied " O sure, surprise me!"

Oh well, I REALLY DID SURPRISE HIM! Thanks to M & C. Thanks to his office friends! TYL! HE made this all possible.






This is our gift to Dada Jay. The second picture on the first row was Jay when he was a kid. Matt wrote the greeting.


We took a leave last Friday and headed to Baguio for the continuation of his birthday celebration. We, especially the kids, enjoyed the trip a lot.


We rode a boat in Burnham Park.



Kuya Matt and Luke had so much fun!!!



Kuya Matt was a proud driver to Luke!





Dada and Luke enjoyed horseback riding. Luke would cry when it was Kuya Matt's turn to ride!


Mimi's joy is overwhelming.





I love this shot!



More Baguio Weekend Getaway pictures here.

I Lost 20 lbs. in 80 Days

I lost 20 lbs. in 80 days. I'm almost back to my figure when Jay and I got married 5 years ago.

O di ba parang spiel sa commercial.(",)




Relate na relate ako sa commercial na nagtatakip ng bag pag nagpapa-picture. Here look, this was me when we went to the US last June.



Kahit na tinatago, may sumisilip pa rin na taba eh...hehe!



Teka alisin na nga ang bag...



Yikes!

When my big boss (itago natin sa initials na RGL hehe!) nominated me to join a wellness program last August, i thought, "teka mataba na ba ko?" Di ko alam kung maiinsulto ako eh, hehe! But I have a lot to thank him for.

Akala ko wellness program lang, yung seminar-type. Para ma-enlighten lang kami to healthy living. Aba weight-reduction contest pala. And our company was competing with other sister companies.

We had to lose weight in 80 days. This was me during the first weigh-in.



If not for the contest, I would have not known that my cholesterol level is 3-4 times higher than the normal range. Scary di ba! I'm just 32! Maliliit pa ang mga anak ko!

Our company was very supportive to the participants. We were provided free access to the gym, we had subsidized food, we had trainors and a nutritionist. Nakakahiyang hindi mag-lose, hehe!

The talks during the opening of the contest were very enlightening. I learned that conscious and healthy eating combined with exercise and physical activities would really make you lose weight. Healthy losing is 1 to 2 lbs a week. More than that is bad.

I also perfectly understood the concept of caloric deficit. It's the main reason why we lose weight. All the food and drinks (except water) we take have calories. When we buy packed food or bottled drinks, may nutrition facts kung ilang calories, kung ilan ang percentage ng sodium, fat, cholesterol etc. I learned to take note of that. Syempre, the lesser calories the better. Our body needs a certain number of calories to maintain its current weight. Pag binawasan natin ang calorie intake natin, our bodies will convert our stored fat into energy and use the fat instead, that's the time we'll lose weight. So counting calories is a key. I learned to count calories when I was pregnant with Matt. I was bordering kasi on gestational diabetes.

In order to lose 1 lb, we have to burn 3,500 calories. Ang dami di ba? Kaya dapat aside from we reduce the food we eat, exercise talaga. Pero masama ang nagpapagutom. It slows down our metabolism. At mahirap mag-workout pag gutom. Baka mahimatay ka, haha! Saka di ba pag gutom tayo at di na natin nakayanan, pag kumain tayo ulit, mapaparami din, e ganun din yun.

This picture was taken during the second weigh-in. I lost 10 lbs here.



Eto naman was 3 weeks after. 3rd weigh-in. Lost 15 lbs here.



Eto na ang final weigh-in last Nov 5.



Here are some things i did. A lot of my friends were asking how did i do it.

1. I set a target weight ideal to my height. Right now, I'm 3-4 lbs away from it.

2. I cut down on rice. From 1 cup to a half cup every meal. That's cutting down 200 calories of 1 cup rice to 100 calories of half cup rice. Note ha, I cut down NOT avoided it. Nga pala, may panukat ako ng rice, mahirap magtantiya. Rice (especially brown rice) potatoes, beans, oatmeal, whole wheat and whole grains are slow carbs. They are preferred over other fast carbs like white bread, pasta, noodles because slow carbs are not digested easily.

3. Aside from going to the gym 3x a week (actually nag 5 times ako nung latter part ng contest), I walk and walk and walk whenever possible.Walking burns 9 calories a minute. I don't use the elevators na for 3 floors below. Stairs na lang.

4. I avoided foods high in sugar, sodium and fat. Naku, I have sweet tooth pa naman. Dapat last taste ko matamis. I did not deprive myself naman. Kakain ako, pero konti lang. 1-2 bites lang. During the opening of the contest, sabi naman nung speakers do not deprive ourselves daw. Pwede naman, pero konti lang talaga. Kasi pag you feel deprived and you really want to eat na, mapapaparami naman ang kain mo.

Too much sodium should be avoided because it retains water in the body.

Fat, i totally avoided. I did not eat chicken skin. Nung una mahirap. Favorite ko pa naman wing part na ma-skin. Kaya ngayon, magkakalasa na sa kin ang chicken ng KFC, Shakeys at Kenny. Kasi laman lang naman ang kinakain ko eh, hehe. Eat lean mean, tanggalin ang taba!

Chicken and fish are good sources of protein with less calories pa.

The calories of regular fries is equivalent to 4 corns on the cob. E di ka naman mabubusog sa regular fries lang so tendency is kakain pa. Isang corncob lang busog na ko.

So it's really choosing healthier food with less calories.

When i found out about my high cholesterol level, I was asked by the doctor to avoid fried foods. Steamed na lang or grilled or boiled. Actually, ganito ang diet namin that the company provided. Syempre para iwas mantika. Iwas fat.

For my family naman, i changed our cooking oil. Aside from olive oil na mahal, pure coconut oil is ok daw sabi nung nutritionist namin nung opening day ng contest.

4. Do not starve ourselves. Dapat ang eating is 3-4 hours interval pero small meals lang. As i said, starvation slows down our metabolism.

5. I take healthy snacks. Veggie salads, fruits like banana and apple in between meals. Junkfood? I avoided. Pero pag natutukso dahil kumakain ang iba at nag-aalok, 3-5 pieces lang haha!

6. All drinks except water have calories. So water na lang talaga, kahit gano karami, pwede. Minsan I take water before meal para mabusog na nang konti, hehe.

7. It helps to have a support group who will understand and be one with you in your choice of food and activities. Syempre pag nagkayayaan na sa fastfood, mahirap nang tumanggi. It's good the contest was a team competition. I have teammates na nagpapaalala sa akin on what to eat at teka, bumaba tayo sa 3rd floor at lakarin na lang pababa.

I think the important learning is it's all about discipline and commitment. Kasi kung wala yun, baka di naman ako pumayat. I set a goal and I was determined to achieve it.

This whole experience is not just life-changing for me but for my family too. As the homemaker, I dictate what's to be served on the table. I was enlightened a lot on healthy eating. Pag pinakuluan ang beef para sa nilaga, alisin ang sebo. Kung pwede steamed na lang ang hotdog na favorite ni Matt, steamed na lang para iwas mantika. Wag nang kainin ang taba ng pork or better, alisin na pag lulutuin pa lang.

Ang dami kong dapat pasalamatan dahil sa wellness contest na to. Salamat, Sir RGL. Salamat sa suporta ng company namin. And of course, this is all by God's grace.

Bukod sa ang tawag sa akin ng husband ko ay Sexy (haha), I know i'm healthy na.

The challenge now is to maintain it. Naku, Christmas pa naman, hehe! Pero titignan ko na lang yung pictures ko na nagtatakip ng bag para di na ko bumalik sa dati, haha! Right now, i'm still enrolled sa gym and I intend to do so for as long as a I can. I even have a personal trainor and availed of her services nung last 3 weeks ng contest.

For more info, this site is helpful at may calorie counter pa.

http://www.acaloriecounter.com/weight-loss.php#section1

I'm Back...Blogging Once More!

It's been almost a year since my last entry... So much has happened... So many updates to make.

Luke has grown so big and smart! He is now 1 year and 7 months old. He does not want to wear diapers anymore (sa gabi na lang at pag umaalis). Minsan ayaw pa. O di mabuti, tipid na rin kami.





Matt is going to formal school na. He is in Kinder 1. At ang hihirap ng subjects for a 4 year-old, hehe.





We actually missed Matt's first day in school, huhu! Jay and I went to the US. I attended a company-sponsored conference and had a vacation after.








Matt joined a poem recitation last week. Parang mahihimatay ako sa kaba, hehe! He made it to the top 5 and eventually won 2nd place in the finals. Parang ako ang nagwagi. Stage mimi! His poem is entitled "I Love My Family So Much."




And the most important update...Mimi is 20 lbs. lighter after joining an 80-day weight-loss contest. The complete story...susunod!

Luke's Dedication

Luke was dedicated to our Lord last November 17. A dedication is a Christian ceremony in which we, parents, make a commitment before the Lord to submit our child to God's will and to raise him according to God's Word and God's way. Luke was of the same age when Kuya Matt was dedicated that was why Kuya Matt's suit then fitted him also this time.



The dedication was a simple gathering of friends, family and relatives. Luke has 5 pairs of ninongs and ninangs.



I also surprised Dada Jay with a special AVP of greetings from artistas, haha! It was his birthday last Nov 19 and he had a very showbiz birthday celebration! I also gave him Edu Manzano's dance album personally autographed by Edu himself, hehe!

Our Matt Goes To Play School!

Last Monday was Matt's first day at play school. His class is from 11am to 12:30pm, Mon-Wed-Fri. It will just be 15 sessions. Dada and I accompanied him on his first day. Dada was like a stage father, he was watching Matt from the glass wall almost the whole time!

He had an assigment already. We were supposed to do it last night but i was sleepy while nursing Luke. I told Matt we would just do it this morning before going to class. When he woke up this morning, his first statement was, "Mimi, may assignment pa ko!" And so we did that. And while we were bathing, he told me, "Mimi, bilis, male-late na ko."

He is really excited! Nakakatuwa! Oh, our little boy is growing up fast!






By the way, I finally found the time to upload Luke's pictures from birth. You may view them here.

Blogging Again

Getting back to work after my 3-month maternity leave was quite hard. It's been 2 months since I last posted so you could just imagine how hectic my sked was. It's really difficult to juggle time among my duties as a wife, mom to 2 kids, my ministry work and my professional work. But I'm enjoying it at the same time. Hard but manageable...with God's grace.

Here's a recent photo of my 2 kiddos--->i miss them terribly when i'm at work.

It's Dada's Day!

Last Sunday was Father's Day. Our Church has an annual celebration for this event. As the Special Events Ministry Head, I hosted the celebration. One of our gimmicks is to Look Like Daddy (in whatever way to imitate Daddy or simply by being look-alikes). Um-effort si Mimi! I bought Dada and Matt red-and-white striped shirts to match Luke's bodysuit. Ang cute di ba?

After the Church service, we treated Dada to the ultimate buffet in Dad's Megamall. We knew how Dada loved his lunch!

Then picture-picture....



Luke fell asleep during the pictorial. So we opted to look like Luke this time...hehe!

The Battle is Over

Thank you so much to all those who prayed for my speedy recovery from Bell's Palsy.

Actually, after the two-week therapy and steroids intake, the rehab doctor said that I was ok. My case did not degenerate so if I did not tell you that I had Bell's Palsy you woudn't notice I had it. Praise God! He is really good..all the time!

I just don't blog recently because I don't have much time. It's not easy to juggle time if you have two kids already, hehe.

Anyway, Luke is gaining weight fast. He'll be two months on June 12. Matt is getting even smarter.

Fighting Bell's Palsy

After taking a bath last Friday, I went on my usual routine of checking myself in front of the mirror. I would like to know if I’m getting slimmer as an effect of my pure breastfeeding on Luke! Aside from the many benefits of breastfeeding, I know na super nakakapayat daw, hehe!

But then when I smiled, I noticed something different. Parang di pantay ang ngiti ko. Nakangiwi ako. Naka-favor sa left. Parang no reaction yung right part ng lips ko. Teka, ulitin ko nga. Change mirror. Aha, ganun pa rin. I cried. I thought I had a mild stroke. The day before, napansin ko while talking to a friend sa phone na nangingiwi ako magsalita. Pero di ko na pinansin kasi diretso naman ako magsalita after.

So that Friday morning, after noting na di pantay ang ngiti ko, I told Jay and my parents about it. I was crying. Sabi ni Jay, “Sige kindat mo kanang mata mo.” Oh no, I can’t squint my right eye! I immediately called a family doctor and relayed what I found out. He immediately said it could be BELL’S PALSY. Facial Paralysis in layman’s term. I asked if it’s related to my breastfeeding. No, it’s not in any way related to it. He immediately advised us to go to the hospital, he’d like to see me right away and endorsed me to the Physical Therapy unit. We were in the hospital in 15 minutes. When he saw me, he had no doubt it was Bell’s Palsy. What could be the cause? UNKNOWN. Up to now, puro theories pa lang. No proven fact.
1. It could be viral.
2. Exposure to extreme temperature.
3. Too much side-lying. (Pwedeng naipit ang nerves.)

Among the three, the nearest to my case is the last one. I always lie on either side when breastfeeding on bed. Pero wala naman akong kakilalang nagbe-breastfeed na nagka-bell’s palsy. Side-lying is one of the most comfortable breastfeeding positions. Saka di ba, pag- preggy nga dapat sa left side natutulog. So parang di naman ako convinced na ito ang cause.

Jay and my parents even had their own theory: STRESS. After delivery, they knew how stressed I was. Puyat. Recovery from 2nd CS after 10 hours of painful labor, etc, etc.

Whatever the cause is, this is a battle I have to fight. And I hold on to what the doctors said that this is NOT permanent. Bell’s Palsy is curable. 2 weeks to a month at the earliest. I just have to be faithful to the therapy sessions and medications.

I had to take steroids to prevent swelling of my right facial muscles. At first, our family doctor said I could NOT go on breastfeeding. I could not help but cry. I’ve exerted so much effort going on pure breastfeeding. It was just a week since I became successful on that. Well, it was to save my face daw, to avoid sagging. It was a good thing I detected the condition early. Some do because they notice facial deformities already.

That same Friday morning, I was asked to start the 6 series of therapy sessions. Iyak pa rin ako nang iyak knowing I had to stop breastfeeding. Baka nga nagtataka yung therapist kasi sabi niya gagaling naman ako pero tumutulo luha ko. More than anything, it was stopping breastfeeding that made me the saddest.

It was a good thing that while I was undergoing the procedure, our family doctor came back and told me that he had consulted an expert on steroids. And yes, it’s ok for me to go on breastfeeding Luke even if I’m on steroids. Yehey!

I was kinda emotional the first few days upon learning I have Bell’s Palsy. But then I realize my condition is not so bad.

Let me tell you why the Lord is so good to me.

1. I have this condition two weeks after delivery. If I had this earlier on while pregnant, steroids are a no-no for preggies. I read that for preggies, Bell’s Palsy strikes on the 3rd trimester.
2. I have this while I’m still on maternity leave. I have a lot of time going to the therapy sessions and check-ups. Ayoko ngang makita ng officemates ko na ngiwi ang mukha ko, hehe.
3. For some reason, I began storing breastmilk when Luke was 11 days old. I discovered Bell’s Palsy when he was 14 days old. That means, I have enough milk stored for him even if I have to go out.

It was said that my condition would go through a phase of regression. Lalala daw. Kasi for the nerves to regenerate, it has to complete the process of degeneration. That means papangit ako, hehe! Ok lang, sabi naman ni Dada Jay, love pa rin niya ko kahit pumangit ako, haha!

With the Lord on my side, this would be an easy battle. Plus the support of my family, Church mates, and friends is really overwhelming. I cannot ask for anything more.

Well, God is indeed good…all the time.

A Very Happy Birthday

April is a very special month for our family. With the arrival of Luke on the exact day of our Wedding Anniversary, we now have 3 special occasions to celebrate this month. Last Sunday, I celebrated my birthday (my last on the calendar, hehe!). It was a simple get-together of family and friends. I just invited Churchmates. But Jay surprised me by inviting 3 of my closest officemates and 2 of our HS friends. It was a very happy birthday for me. Thanks to Dada Jay!