10 New Year's Resolutions I Wish My Two-Year-Old Twin Toddlers Will Make

new year's resolution toddlers kids
  1. Master potty training
  2. Beat our plain pasta food addiction.
  3. Let mommy and daddy use the bathroom in peace.
  4. Work on our indoor voices.
  5. Stop scribbling on furniture.
  6. Sleep / nap more and shorten our bedtime routine. Two bedtime stories and saying good night to the 4 Mickey and Minnie stuffed toys on the bed will do.
  7. Learn to share.
  8. Keep our toys organized.
  9. Stop swallowing the toothpaste. 
  10. Let mommy and daddy tie my hair (Audrey) and wipe my face (Antonino) especially when we're outside so they won't be judged as parents.

Think these will hold through to the end of the year? What resolutions do you think should your kids make?

new year's resolution toddlers kids 2

Wanted: A Toddler-Proof Christmas Tree

toddler proof christmas tree

Audrey and Antonino just love Christmas trees. At home, they demand that we "Turn on tree!" (meaning the lights) even in the morning. Once the lights are turned on, they stare at it for a few seconds then try to grab the branches and ornaments. Yikes! My mom (aka LaMom) suggested that we put up a toddler-proof tree in the twins' playroom so I searched the internet for options. I found a lot of cute ideas but most of them required plenty of DIY tasks that I didn't have enough time for. So imagine my joy when after a few days, LaMom surprised Audrey and Antonino with a kiddie-sized Christmas tree! Actually, it wasn't just any tree. It was the Christmas tree she bought for me when I was 4 years old! She even let me decorate it on my own. I remember putting cotton on the branches because I wanted a winter wonderland-themed tree. How cool is it that now Audrey and Antonino can decorate my kiddie tree?

Happy 2nd Birthday, Audrey and Antonino!

twins second birthday
My dear Audrey and Antonino,

Happy 2nd birthday! I can't believe you are two years old. You both came out as tiny 34-weekers who needed to stay in the NICU to grow. Not an ideal start but you quickly showed everyone how strong and determined you were to get out of the NICU right away.

It has been amazing watching both of you grow. When you were just months old, we waited every month for you to hit all those significant first year milestones like crawling, rolling over, babbling, and sitting. Then after your first birthday everything went by at lightning speed. You actually look more like kids now than babies and somehow you know it. You always say "Big geeeel Adee!" (Big girl Audrey) and "Big boy Nino!"

Do's and Don'ts For a Successful C-Section Recovery

c-section recovery tips

Don't lift anything heavier than your baby, keep your incision clean and dry, avoid exercise until you get your OB's go ahead, call your OB if there's swelling in your incision or if you have a fever (even if your incision looks fine). These were the standard reminders given to me almost two years ago when I gave birth to Audrey and Antonino via C-section. But what about laughing post-operation? Even weeks after giving birth, laughing would hurt so bad that I would usually end up crying both tears of joy and genuine tears of pain! So for you fellow C-section mamas out there, here are some post-operation do's and don'ts you won't normally hear.

How To Help Your Wiggly Toddler Sit Still During Dinner Parties

help toddler sit still through dinner

It's holiday season once again. It's that time of the year when we shop for gifts, organize/attend plenty of get togethers, and for parents of toddlers, worry about keeping our kids seated during Noche Buena and all those dinner parties.

Audrey and Antonino will be two years old this Christmas and I sometimes feel like telling them to sit still and behave for an extended meal like Noche Buena is a lot to ask. After all, they're both typical toddlers with short attention spans and plenty of energy. We're lucky that we have family and friends who are more than happy to play with the twins whenever they get restless during gatherings so that Joey and I can finish our meals. But of course, we still have to come prepared with some form of entertainment which is why we're always ready with our bag of tricks. And no, it's not just an expression. We really have a huge bag filled with all sorts of toys and supplies that can keep the twins occupied during parties. So today I'm going to share with you what we usually bring with us along with some things we keep in mind when packing our bag of tricks.

Stocking Stuffers for 2-Year-Olds

stocking stuffer toddler 2 years old

A couple of weeks ago, my cousin Patricia (aka Ninang Pat) surprised Antonino and Audrey with their very own Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Christmas stockings. The moment they saw them, they squealed with delight and began shouting "Mick-eeeeeey!" and "Min-nieeeee!" while hugging their stockings. Ninang Pat then explained that mommy and daddy will fill their stockings with small gifts for Christmas. Although I'm pretty sure I can get away with putting crinkle paper in those stockings and they will still feel like they won the lottery because they're Mickey and Minnie stockings!

The Stages of a Mickey Mouse Addiction

mickey mouse birthday obsessed toddler 1

If your kids are like mine, they go crazy over anything and everything Mickey Mouse. And so, based on my experience as a mom of twin toddlers who are mad about Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, I want to share with you the stages of a Mickey Mouse Addiction:

Scenes From A Family Photo Shoot

family photo shoot twins

When Audrey and Antonino turned one year old, we had our first family photo shoot. Since they're about to turn 2, I figured it was time to have another shoot to document how much they've grown since then. Plus maybe have a few family photos where everyone is composed, smiling and looking at the camera. I know, I may be asking too much from my twin toddlers but it was still worth trying.

6 Signs You Are A Preemie Parent

preemie parents prematurity awareness month

November is Prematurity Awareness Month. According to an article from the World Health Organisation, the Philippines is one of the top 10 countries with the greatest number of premature births. From birth experience to homecoming, everything is different for preemie parents. I remember feeling joy and intense love upon first seeing my babies but there were also feelings of worry, guilt, powerlessness, and even anger. Audrey and Antonino are now almost 2 years old. They've grown a lot and are super active, but I will never forget the things Joey and I went through as preemie parents especially during their first year.  Here are some signs you are a preemie parent:

Yummy Yucky, by Leslie Patricelli

yummy yucky board book leslie patricelli

Do you have a toddler who always tries to put everything in his/her mouth? I have two! Being a bit of a germophobe, this is one habit that I really want Audrey and Antonino to break. Their pediatrician told Joey and me that it's completely normal for little ones to explore the things around them with their mouths and what we can do is explain firmly which stuff go in the mouth and not by saying something like "We don't put toys in our mouth." So when I saw the book "Yummy Yucky," by Leslie Patricelli, I knew at once that it would be the perfect companion for teaching the twins what's safe for them to eat.

12 Reasons Toddlers Cry

funny reasons toddlers cry

Audrey and Antonino are not even 2 years old yet but I feel like they've discovered so many new skills. They're now more confident on their feet and walk at full speed. They've already started stringing words together to form short sentences like "Put it here, mommy" and "Take a bath." We do our best to encourage them to use their words to describe their feelings. But then again they're still very young so there are times when they get frustrated because they can't have everything their way or they simply can't tell us what they want. The result? A temper tantrum. As with most parenting conundrums, Joey and I try to keep our sense of humor or else we might end up crying too! So today I'm sharing with you a dozen silly reasons why our twin toddlers cry:

5 Random Things My Twin Toddlers Love

It's funny how toddlers are attracted to the most random household items. I mean, yes, the twins love their board books, puzzles and cooking sets, but there are also times when they would rather play with stuff that's just lying around the house like these:

Toy basket
The first thing the twins do when they get a basket of toys from the shelf is dump everything and then just play with the basket!
toy basket

Moms Are Secretly Snow White

Snow White? As in a princess? Why yes... sometimes. It's not always about balls and parades for Snow White. Even princesses get stuck with mundane chores too. Don't believe me? Have a look below.

Diaper Cakes: Pretty and Practical

diaper cake baby shower pampers twins

When I was on my third trimester, Joey, the twins and I got spoiled with not one, but two baby showers. The first shower was hosted by my friends when I was seven months pregnant. The second shower was hosted by my family one week before I gave birth - just in the nick of time because I gave birth early!

Surprised by our favorite lullaby

you are my sunshine baby lullaby

When the twins were newborns, my go to song whenever they would cry was You Are My Sunshine. All I had to do was start singing it and they would instantly keep quiet. It was a win-win for everyone because the song helped me relax too. It worked in any given situation from the small stuff like when they would get cranky after waking up from a nap, to the big stuff like when they had to go through blood extractions during their hospital confinements. I must have sung the song at least 20 times a day in 2017.
 

Toys That Are A Hit For One-Year-Olds

toys one year old

When Audrey and Antonino turned a year old, they were both very eager to walk and raring to talk. They also showed a lot of interest in throwing, toppling, and banging stuff. Then after a few months, they wanted to climb all over everything. When they turned around 1 1/2 years old, they also picked up the habit of copying us - we sneeze, they fake sneeze, we scratch our heads, they do the same! Needless to say, the twins are in a very active phase right now. Oh and let's not forget the times when they would prefer playing with boxes over the toys inside. That is, except for these toys which they absolutely love:

Grandma Loves You!, by Helen Foster James

grandma loves you helen foster james review

"Grandma Loves You!" by Helen Foster James is a sweet book for grandmas to read to their grandchildren. The tender rhymes and soft pastel illustrations capture the feelings of grandmothers from the moment they first see their grandchildren.

Audrey and Antonino love it whenever LaMom reads this book to them. They sit on her lap while fighting over who gets to turn the pages.  Right now they like looking at the photos and the snuggles they get when LaMom reads to them. But I'm sure when they're older and able to understand the text better, they will definitely feel how special they are to their grandma.

Simple, warm and sweet, "Grandma Loves You!" is a lovely gift for new grandmothers. In fact, I think parents can even use it to announce a pregnancy to grandmas-to-be.

Audrey and Antonino are lucky enough to have 2 grandmas and even a great grandpa around. My Lolo (grandfather) is already 90 years old. And although he may sometimes forget our names, he always remembers that Audrey and Antonino are twins. When we were in Ilocos to celebrate his 90th birthday, he would always ask "Where's the other one? They're twins, right?" whenever he would see only one of them running around. I find it really sweet that he's still able to remember that detail. So I have to give a special thank you to LaMom, Mima and GG Pin (Great Grandpa)! We love you! 

Happy Grandparents' Day to all the grandmas and grandpas out there!

Thank You, LaMom!

grandmother of twins

Audrey and Antonino are so lucky to have LaMom in their lives. We cannot thank her enough for everything she's done to make our lives better but of course, I'd like to try. So in honor of Grandparents' Day, I would like to list 5 reasons why LaMom is the best!

Keeping Our Toddlers' Sippy Cups Mold-Free

clean sippy cup mold free
Joey and I introduced Audrey and Antonino to sippy cups when they turned a year old. It took them a while before they found THE cup. They tried everything from soft spouts to hard spouts to those flat lid types where liquid comes out around the sides of the cup when you suck on the edge of the valve. Still no luck.

Then, we made them try straw sippy cups. They LOVED them. Joey and I... not so much. Why? Because they turned out to be the most difficult to clean. We also read various product reviews which said that some sippy cups have internal components where fluids get trapped, causing mold to grow. What's worse is that in some cups, those components cannot be disassembled. Some parents even sawed through the lids of their kids' cups and found mold. Yikes!

The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss

the foot book by dr seuss cover

I've loved going to bookstores ever since I was a child. When I was younger, my mom and I would always drop by the bookstore whenever we would go to the mall. There, she would let me pick any age-appropriate book I wanted to read. Book shopping is actually one of my favorite mother-child bonding activities which I also hope to share with Audrey and Antonino one day.

Well, that one day came sooner than I expected. During a recent trip to the mall with the twins, we visited Powerbooks to check if there were any new arrivals we could add to their collection. As I was browsing the display, Audrey suddenly leaned forward and grabbed a board book from the shelf: The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss. She wouldn't let go of the book when I asked if I could see it so I just picked up another copy. In true Dr. Seuss fashion, it has lots of clever rhymes which make it a great read-aloud book so we bought it.

It's In The Bag: The Best Storage Bags For Baby's Needs

breastmilk bag mother k

I first came across Mother-K a few days after giving birth to Audrey and Antonino. Since they were born at 34 weeks and 2 days, they had to stay in the NICU so they could grow some more before coming home with us. Breastfeeding them was a huge challenge because their sucking abilities were a bit weak. So I started pumping milk when we were at the hospital. The NICU gave me sterilized bottles to store my milk but I knew I needed to get breastmilk storage bags once I get discharged from the hospital so I could deliver my milk to my babies everyday.

3 Tips To Survive An In-Flight Diaper Change


in-flight diaper change

If you read my post last week, you would know that the twins recently went on their first out of town trip via air and land travel. You must be thinking "Aren't we done with this yet?" Well, I really hope you will bear with me on this topic because that first trip was a huge milestone for Joey and me. I mean, just going out to lunch with the twins takes us hours to get ready. Imagine preparing for a trip! It was like an experiment that could either be really successful or blow up in our faces.

The one-hour airplane ride alone got me really worried. I had this fear that Audrey and Antonino would cry inconsolably the whole flight and everyone would be annoyed at us. I also had a number of other thoughts like:

5 Things You Need for a Plane/Road Trip With Your Toddler

toddler trip toys

Last weekend we went to Ilocos to celebrate my Lolo's (grandfather) 90th birthday. It was Audrey and Antonino's first out of town trip. My Lolo is based in Ilocos Norte but for this special occasion, he treated us to a vacation at a resort in Ilocos Sur. This meant that getting from Manila to the resort involved a one-hour plane ride and a three-hour road trip. For the longest time, Joey and I have been really intimidated by the thought of traveling with twin toddlers but of course, we couldn't miss my Lolo's milestone birthday.

Stock Photo Roundup: Things Pregnant Women Do

pregnant stock photo balance

I admit that when I was pregnant I did a lot of unusual stuff like:
Taking multiple pregnancy tests to be completely sure that I was still pregnant.
Crying... and then laughing hysterically the next minute.
Craving for some dish only to end up staring at it when it's in front of me.

Blame it on the hormones, right? But when it comes to the world of stock photos, things get a bit stranger for pregnant women. I don't even think the things they do can be blamed on raging hormones anymore. Stuff like:

Audrey and Antonino At 18 Months

twin toddlers playing

Audrey and Antonino turned 18 months old last month! I'm still having a hard time grasping the fact that my two little babies who were born 3 weeks early are now one and a half years old! As cliche as it sounds, everything really went by so quickly!

Two words to describe both Audrey and Antonino are active and talkative. They love running around and climbing, and don't ever get tired! They're also talking more and more. They've already mastered mommy and daddy and no matter how many times Joey and I hear them say it, it still melts our hearts.

A few days after they celebrated their 18th month, they learned to say "NO" and actually knew what it meant. It's now their favorite word.

Toys That Are A Hit For Babies 6 to 12 Months Old

baby toys 6 to 12 months

As parents, we want to give our little ones the best toys that are appropriate for their age and will aid in their development. Between 6-12 months, I noticed that Audrey and Antonino began showing more interest in interacting with people, banging stuff, crawling and cruising. Here are the toys that kept them entertained during this age.

5 Things My Twin Toddlers Do That Cause Muscle Pain

toddlers muscle pain

If I learned anything from my 18 months of parenting, it's that manual labor is part of a parent's job description. Parenting is really hard on the body. Just take a look at this list of 5 things my twin toddlers do that cause muscle pain.

They always want to be carried.
While I know that the warmth of a parent's embrace has no substitute, I sometimes feel like I exist to carry my twins 24/7. I set them down on the play mat and they start to cry. I pick them back up and they're suddenly OK as if they weren't screaming bloody murder just a few seconds ago. And because they love resting their heavy heads against my shoulder and neck, I have to tilt my head to one side while carrying them, giving myself neck pain in the process.

On The Night You Were Born, By Nancy Tillman

on the night you were born nancy tillman

Like all parents, I want my children to feel loved and special in order to set them up for a healthy sense of self esteem in the future. "On The Night You Were Born," by Nancy Tillman has exactly what I want to say to Audrey and Antonino to make them feel like VIPs. The author just has a way with words that's simply magical. I mean just read a few lines from the book below:

Packing A Diaper Bag For Twin Toddlers

diaper bag twin toddlers

I always feel like I'm packing for a weekend trip whenever I get the twins' diaper bag ready. I was under the impression that they would need less stuff once they they get past the one year mark. I was wrong! Toddlers still need A LOT of stuff. What more when you have two?  Take a peek below and see what I always pack, along with some tips.

How To Be A Dad (According to Stock Photos)

Happy Father's Day! Here are some tips guaranteed to make you father of the year... or not.

Try this new burping technique.
Embed from Getty Images

Call dibs on his/her crib.
Embed from Getty Images

Cry when the baby cries.
Embed from Getty Images

Give this unusual bathing technique a shot.
Embed from Getty Images

Use your child as a barrier between you and a large animal.
Embed from Getty Images

Of course, I wouldn't let Father's Day go by without greeting the best dad in the world!

fathers day 2018

Happy Father's Day to the greatest father, husband and protector: Joey! First of all, thank you for not pulling any of the crazy stuff in the pictures above. Hehe. OK, I'm going to be serious now. Thank you for always being considerate of my mommy worries. I know they can sometimes be OA but I've never heard you say "Quit worrying" especially during Audrey and Antonino's first year when I was convinced that even the smallest sneeze was equal to a life-threatening illness. You always seem to know the right things to say and do to ease my worries. Thank you for making the twins laugh with all your tickling games. No one can make them laugh as loud as you do. And most of all, thank you for loving us unconditionally. I'm so lucky to be sharing life, love and twin parenting with you! We love you!

And Happy Father's Day to all dads, dads-to-be and father figures out there!

Because I'm Your Dad, By Ahmet Zappa

because i'm your dad book

Whenever the twins see Joey walk into the room, he might as well be a rockstar. Their faces light up, they scream daddy and they squeal in delight. And though I know it's not supposed to be a competition, I can wholeheartedly say that between Joey and me, he is the clear winner of the Fun Parent Award. Kind of like the dad in the children's book, "Because I'm Your Dad" which has become one of our regular reads.

Favorite On-The-Go Toddler Snacks

toddler snacks on the go

Joey and I have this joke that instead of Starter Mama, I should have named my blog Snack Mama. Yes, wherever we go, I always carry snacks in our diaper bag and backup snacks in my own purse. I just feel like they're a necessity. You never really know when a toddler's next meltdown will be. 

I remember the day we took the twins to the DFA to apply for their passports. While we were waiting for their turn at the photo capture station, they seemed fine while quietly flipping their board books. Then as the waiting area started to fill up, they became restless. I was worried that they would lose it right before or during their turn for photos.  Thankfully, I was able to pack familiar snacks for them which helped calm them down. Whew! 

Have you been in a similar situation lately? Well, there's nothing that a little packet of snacks can't solve. Today I'm sharing with you 3 snacks my twin toddlers love which have helped keep tantrums at bay. 

Note: Babies should sit up and be supervised at all times while eating.

5 Twin Parenting Hacks (Infant Stage)

twin parenting hacks

A year ago, I was taking care of my 4-month old twins wishing I could activate the Carry Four Flo boost. If, like me, you were hooked on Diner Dash many years ago, you will remember this as the boost that allows Flo (the game's main character) to carry up to four items at a time in order to serve more customers quickly. In a way, parenting twins is like Diner Dash. You have to complete numerous tasks and feed (then burp, bathe, and dress hehe) demanding customers. Luckily, I've learned a few things in my first year of twin parenting that can help fellow twin parents navigate life with twin infants without having to grow an extra pair of hands. (Wow, that's a lot of "twin" for one sentence!)

You're All My Favourites, by Sam McBratney

you're all my favourites sam mcbratney

It was a lovely surprise to see another book by "Guess How Much I Love You" author, Sam McBratney while I was bookshop browsing a couple of weeks ago. After reading the synopsis, I immediately went to the counter to ask if I could see the inside of the book. Good thing the lady who assisted me had to answer a call after she opened the book's plastic cover because I got teary eyed when I read it. I actually had to pause for a moment and compose myself before I could tell her I would be buying it.

"You're All My Favorites" is about three baby bears who start to wonder who among them their mommy and daddy bear like the best. In the story, each baby bear describes himself/herself according to birth order, color, gender, and size. These descriptions show how each baby bear is unique. However, in their young little bear minds, they tend to perceive their unique qualities as something that may prevent mommy and daddy bear from liking them best.

Happy Mother's Day!

mommy and me 1

It's my second mother's day but sometimes I still find it hard to believe that I'm a mother (of twins!). Even with 17 months of motherhood under my belt, I'm still a starter mama who's just learning and stumbling her way through motherhood. Wasn't it just yesterday when I was playing pretend with my peeing baby doll? Side note: They should have made a version that goes number 2 every hour to really prepare you for motherhood. Hehe.

So if I'm starter mama, there's seasoned mama. That's my mom, of course! My mom is an amazing mother and the most beautiful woman I know. This week's post is dedicated to her.

Baby Toys That Are A Hit For Ages 3 to 6 Months

baby toys 6 months ball rattle

Toy shopping for babies is a little tricky. When my twins were only a few weeks old, they were more interested in lying down, drinking milk, crying (too interested in this if you ask me), and staring at my and Joey's faces than playing with toys. But when they turned 3 months old, they started to become very curious about their surroundings. They began reaching for toys, mouthing them, and exploring different textures.

Here are the toys that kept my twin babies entertained from 3 to 6 months old, with some of them still on rotation even now that they're already over a year old.

What Do Your Kids Call Their Grandparents?


My aunt sent me this video which made me remember how people would always ask my mom what she wanted to be called by her grandchildren even back when I was still pregnant. Apparently, her friends didn't go by the classic Filipino name Lola or English Grandma. Instead, they had younger, hipper sounding names like Coco, Lolly, Mia and Mymi (pronounced like it's spelled). Eventually, my mom chose LaMom, which is short for Lola Mom.

I guess cool grandparent names have really become a trend. There are even a couple of books on the topic like You Can Call Me Hoppa and The New Grandparents Name Book, which I think would make great presents for grandparents-to-be.

So, what do your kids call their grandparents? Are they cool names too?

This post contains affiliate links. This is not a sponsored post.

Dinosaur Dance, by Sandra Boynton

dinosaur dance Sandra Boynton

One way to describe Dinosaur Dance, by Sandra Boynton is high energy. As the title suggests, the book is about dancing dinosaurs. After reading it a few times to the twins, Antonino would bounce up and down just seeing its cover and Audrey would start shaking sideways (unprompted) from the moment she hears the line "The blue Stegosaurus goes shimmy shimmy shake." 

One Toy, So Many Uses

stacking cups

I really enjoy going toy shopping for the twins. As I wrote in an earlier post, I'm a really picky toy shopper. Like most parents, I'm always looking for toys which give me the most bang for my buck. Something that the twins can use through many ages and help in their development. I always do a lot of research before buying a toy. It's really rewarding whenever I'm able to choose the right one among the many possibilities out there. An example of this is a set of stacking and nesting cups.

12 Things To Do When You're Pregnant With Twins

twin pregnancy tips
Last week, a twin mom-to-be messaged me this question:

"I'm 12 weeks pregnant with twins which was a total shock to me and my husband. Anyway, now the shock has subsided, but it has also been replaced with worry. Is it true that I will go into early labor? How did you handle your twin pregnancy? Any advice?"

Organizing Photos (Plus A Mothers' Day Gift Idea And Promo Code)

photobook worldwide promo

I love having photos taken to document special occasions, but I'm really bad at organizing them. When Joey and I got engaged, we had an engagement pictorial session. We were lucky to have such a thoughtful photographer, who compiled our best shots into a photo book and gave it to us as a gift. Otherwise, these pictures would have just lived in my hard drive and our photographer's website.

Teaching Kids About Easter

easter bible storybook

As a kid, Easter meant searching for plastic eggs containing tiny toys and chocolates. But as I grew a bit older, I learned that it should really be about giving thanks for the resurrection of Christ. Now that I'm a parent, I want my kids to be able to enjoy the sweets and at the same time understand what truly matters on this holiday: Jesus and what He did for us.

"So Jesus, whom we pray to every night was nailed to a wooden cross where he bled to death. But it's OK, he came back to life after 3 days! Don't be sad, here's some chocolate to make you feel better."

Life Before Kids Vs. After Kids

before kids

The photo above was taken exactly two years ago. Joey and I were already married for 14 months and hoping to start a family. A few months later, we found out we had two babies on the way. Twins! Imagine that! While we both knew parenthood would entail enormous responsibility, we didn't expect that it would mean...

That's Not My Baby, by Fiona Watt

that's not my baby fiona watt

Even though they cannot read yet, Audrey and Antonino have been showing an early interest in books. Whenever they see a book lying around their play area, they pick it up, flip and chew (oops!) its pages, and then hand it to me to read to them. With every page turn, they squeal with delight, imitate sounds and reach for colorful pictures.

How To Save P100,000 in Baby's First Year

save one hundred thousand baby first year

Though babies are tiny, they come with big expenses. But don't worry, based on my first year of parenting, I've come up with some tricks to help you save up to P100,000 in baby's first year. You can thank me later!

Note: Potential savings in this post are based on the average price of each item and rounded up to the nearest peso.

10 Things New Parents Should Know

stuff new parents should know

Exactly a year ago, a sleep-deprived mom hit the publish button for the first time and posted an article about motherhood. Yup, the sleep-deprived mom is me. At that time, I didn't really know what I was doing. Motherhood is truly the best and most fulfilling job but it's also the craziest, most demanding role I have ever taken on. They say that sometimes you need laugh so you don't cry. I guess I took the saying to heart and tried to find humor in every sleepless night and poop explosion that came with being a new mom.

7 Tips for Eating Out With Toddlers

eat out with toddlers

The first time we took the twins out to a restaurant, they behaved impeccably simply because they were only 4 months old and slept through the entire meal. We took them out a couple more times after that but only for really quick meals in restaurants within our neighborhood. They were pretty manageable then. We just had to be really quick in whisking them outside of the restaurant until they calmed down. After which, they would fall asleep for the rest of the meal. But now that they're over a year old, dining out with them has definitely become more challenging. 

Inside Baby's Brain

Success! The baby is asleep. This means mom and dad can sleep too, right? Wrong! I bet as soon as your head hits the pillow, there's a big chance your baby will wake up and scream. Why? A new study suggests that babies have sneaky brain sensors that control their reactions whenever their parents are about to have some downtime. Don't believe me? Here's a diagram which makes it highly scientific and 100% legitimate!* Take a look at the incredible findings below to learn what goes on inside a baby's brain.

baby brain map

*You got me, there's no scientific study at all. But admit it, the diagram's pretty accurate, right?

My First Time Attending A Twin Parent Support Group Meeting

parenting emporium twin parent support group

As a mom of twins, I've gotten used to drawing lots of attention whenever we go out. At the doctor's clinic, at restaurants, and even in restrooms, people just come out of nowhere to ask "Are they twins?" But even though people notice us all the time (we're pretty hard to miss with the million stuff we're lugging around), there are times when I can't help but feel invisible because people find it difficult to relate to my experiences as a twin mom.

Vetro Crib: The First Non-Toxic Acrylic Crib In The Market

Thanks to the Internet, I was able to do plenty of baby gear research without leaving my bed before the twins arrived. I had a lot of fun checking out all the stuff on the market for babies with just a click of a button. One thing that caught my attention was the Nursery Works Vetro Crib.

vetro crib

Doesn't it look so modern, stylish and very different from the usual wooden cribs? According to the product description, its features are:

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale: What We Bought

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 1

Guess how much I love books and good bargains? Enough to forgo 3 hours of precious sleep, apparently. Just yesterday, Joey and I left the house at midnight to go to the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, which is touted as the world's biggest book sale, open 24 hours a day. The twins were already asleep then and my mom offered to watch them so we could avoid the huge crowds (Thanks, Ma! We love you!). Our primary purpose was to look for fun and educational board books for the twins. Was the midnight shopping trip worth it? Absolutely! We were able to get 13 books for only P1,860. Here's what we bought: