[Zei the MOM] How parenthood has changed me

I'm 27 and I'm a mom to a darling 7 month old named Zia and this is my list of things that have changed ever since our little one came into our life. This list though is on top of the given or profound ones like being more responsible, wiser, more practical, more prayerful, etc. This is just a rundown of the mundane things that being a parent has done to me. I hope somehow this will give parents-to-be a sneak peek into the wonderful (sometimes challenging) world of parenthood.

Since having a kid...

1) Hand washing has become an addiction and a pack of baby wipes is my security blanket

I have issues with dirty stuffy, like most people I assume. But since I gave birth, I think I have never washed my hands as often in my whole life. I think my hands are now so dry from constant washing and application of alcohol. If I could baby wipe everything Zia lays her hands on I would. One time, at the mall, I found myself baby wiping the sofa, high chair, baby changer and the list actually goes on. But yes, cleanliness is really important for everyone, especially little ones since their bodies aren't as fully developed to help them fight off whatever bacteria they come across with.

2) We've mastered the art of watching TV w/o sounds

Our little girl is 'magugulatin'. When she's asleep, even the faintest sound would wake her up so just so we have a semblance of normalcy, the TV is on but it's usually on mute. So to enjoy his games or shows while Zia is sleeping in our room, my husband bought those big headphones. Hehe. True enough though, a picture really paints a thousand words, since I don't get lost in the story even without the sounds.

3) Our choice of restaurant is based on seating comfort

Of course, this only applies when we have Zia with us. We've stopped deciding where to eat based on our cravings, but based on the seats. We need a comfortable space where we could put Zia's baby bag, position her stroller or sometimes her carrier. We prefer being seated in booths or the ones with couches since there are times I need to change Zia's nappy ASAP.

4) I have become a night owl

Although I was never a person who loved sleeping, I never thought I could stay up even in the wee hours of the morning. We haven't struck our fortune yet in having Zia sleep through the night, so she wakes up around 3 times after midnight to feed. I don't think I've slept for 6 hours straight ever since I gave birth. But yes, I am optimistic that it will just be a matter of time when Zia finally learns to sleep through the night.

5) Mothercare, Gingersnaps, Peppermint, Baby Gap, Zara baby have replaced Forever 21

Yup, being the shopaholic I am, it wasn't hard to give up going inside my favorite store and buying a new ensemble because I have found my new loves - baby stores where they sell the cutest stuff. Hehe. Maybe if we had a boy the baby shopping would have been less, still a lot, but less. =p

6) My tolerance for all things icky has gone way up (Warning: Slightly gross)

I was never the cringe-y type of person when I see poop, but I was also never the type of person who'd willingly touch poop. But since Zia came, I had no issues having my hands dabbed in baby poop. The smell of poop is also one of the smells I have come to terms with while others I suspect might want to gag. The smell of our cute little one's poop is crazy I tell you. Haha. Sorry if this part grossed you out.

7) Accessorizing has gone down to the bare minimum

I love piling up stuff on my left arm - I used to have a watch, my Yabang Pinoy bracelet, my wooden beads bracelet, and my leatherette bracelet all in my tiny wrist, but I found that it hurts Zia's neck when I carry her or cradle her to breastfeed. So those had to go away. And now, Zia has found a fascination for tugging on my necklace when I carry her so I had to temporarily say goodbye to my gold necklace with a cross pendant which I've been wearing for the past 8 years (it was gift from the husband, then boyfriend). So the only accessories I wear when we're out with Zia are just my two rings - my engagement ring and my wedding ring.

I know all these are just temporary changes since our little girl is growing up fast and slowly things will go back to normal - or maybe even better than how it used to be. So there, I hope this list helps somehow. But please don't get me wrong, these changes may seem a bit on the hmm... not positive side, but the payoff is definitely more than worth it; because these changes wouldn't have come about if we weren't gifted with the best gift ever - our sweet pea, our sweetheart and the love of our life, Zia. And she makes everything meaningful and worth it.

[Zei on Home Deco & Design] Home bucket list

I think the nesting stage hasn't left me even after pregnancy. I always seem to want to do something to prettify our home. So off the top of my head, here are the four things I'd like to do when I find the time and the resources to make it happen.

1) I want to have a yellow accent wall

2) I want to install some sort of wall art to our plain white wall that leads to our bedrooms

3) I want a cooler looking kitchen

4) I want to find a cheap but nice outdoor sitting/dining set for our bare front porch

Seems doable this year, yes? I just need to find time to look at my options and canvass for important pieces. And maybe I'll set aside a weekend to do that wall art thing since I've got something up my sleeve already (will post about it once it materializes).

How about you? Do you have home projects planned for this year?

Photo credits: www.pinterest.com / www.alfresia.co.uk / www.mydiychat.com / www.kitchenisms.com

My Christmas/Forever-until-I-get-it wish list

It's 52 days before Christmas and what better way to spice up my countdown than by sharing my Christmas wish list. This list isn't actually just limited to Christmas, which is why I'm also calling it my Forever-until-I-get-it wish list.

MY wish list

1. VNC Green satchel (http://www.facebook.com/#!/vncphilippines)

2. Elle Emmi peep-toe wedges (http://www.kaboodle.com/)

3. Dooney and Bourke Spicy Satchel in Black black/Black/Kelly Green (http://www.shopstyle.com/) 4. Guess Groovy Rhombus bag in black (http://www.4trees-lemon.com/) 5. Fridge-to-go in pink (http://www.fridge-to-go.com/) 6. Lactation cookies (http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/)

7. Lots and lots of stored milk supply for Zia when I go back to work (http://www.littlebayi.blogspot.com/)

8. Mamaway nursing tank with built-in-bra in black and white (http://www.mamaway.multiply.com/)

9. Forever 21 shopping spree (http://www.stylesilove.blogspot.com/)


10. Makeover to get me out of my maternity leave/stay at home rut

11. 1-year subscription to Real Living magazine (http://www.summitmedia.com.ph/)

My wish list for Rich & I

1. Master bedroom makeover (http://www.1blondesambition-home.blogspot.com/)

2. Trip to anywhere (http://www.tonyocruz.com/)

3. A smaller car (http://www.mazdapits.com/)

My wish list for Zia

1. Your Baby can Read DVD set (http://www.whosmybaby.com/) 2. Lamaze cloth books (http://www.babysoft.com/)
3. Dr. Seuss Book collection (http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/)

4. Shopping spree at Baby Gap & Zara Baby

5. Manuella yellow kitty bag (http://www.babygadget.net/)
6. Dwell Studio crib bedding set (http://www.modernurbanbaby.com/)

7. Aprica Marshmallow Fruit Car seat bed (http://www.safensound.com.my/)

8. Infant vaccine spree at The Medical City (good until she's 1)

9. A college plan

My wish list for our home

1. A kitchen makeover

2. Shopping spree at Dimensione & Howards Storage World

3. A blue bladeless fan (we already have one in pink for Zia's room) (http://www.ft.com/)

4. mp3 speakers (http://www.mp3speaker-s.net/)

5. Additional wall decals (we have a couple installed already) (http://www.facebook.com/#!/refreshfashion)

And of course, there are the intangible ones for all of us such as good health, wisdom, safety, love and happiness. Go jot down the things you'd love to have now! Remember, it could extend beyond Christmas so big ticket items could be listed. =p

Happy wish list making everyone! ;)

*Photo website sources listed beside item

On with my lists, oh and hello 3rd trimester!

Today marks our 3rd trimester and it's like time is zooming by. And so today I've decided to make another list of my goals for our 7th month and as always, I'm letting you in on it so I'll be pressured accomplish it.

My 7th month list of things to do:

1. Prepare hospital bags (mine, baby's and richmond's)
2. Have a 3d ultrasound so we have pictures of baby in the utero
3. File maternity leave and fix other paper work - CHECK!
4. Remove excess clothes from closet in 'nursery' to make room for baby's new stuff
5. Schedule a tour of TMC's birthing facilities
6. Buy crib and stroller - Half CHECK! Stroller already purchased.
7. Set up baby registry - CHECK!

So there, those are my to-dos for this month. Really hope I could accomplish everything on my list. Fingers crossed. =)

Among my many lists

I'm a list person. I think I've always been that way since I could remember. So here's another list just in case I forget.

My list of things to eat/drink after baby arrives:

1. Salmon Sashimi (lots of it)
2. McDo Coke Float
3. Serenitea (Hokkaido)
4. Happy Lemon (Rock Salt Cheese)
5. Dirty Potato Chips - Salt & Pepper flavor
6. Chicharong Bulaklak
7. Coffeebean (Vanilla Ice Blended)
8. Sunny Side Up egg (not necessarily well done)

Now that I'm looking at my list, it isn't as long as I thought it would be so it would probably just take me a week or two to eat/drink everything on my list without worrying about jeopardizing baby's development/nutrition. Looking forward. :) Until my next list!