A Poem For My 1 Year Old

One year ago today,

A little being came into the world

I must say.

You changed our lives forever,

A dull moment with you--NEVER!

So this I'd like to say,

...

You're are my daughter, my love and my light

You bring me joy each and every sight.

You are our little guru, our ultimate dream

For you have just made us a wonderful team.

I can't help but feel blessed,

By your presence, you bring out our best!

Happiest birthday my darling moonflower!

Thank you for being born!

Thank you for choosing us to be your parents!

Baby Yoga

How was it that i forgot to blog about this? Anyway, I just remembered after stumbling on this pic. Just like her mommy, my little yogini baby at only 2 months old in relaxing pose after her baby yoga practice.

Yes mommies, a baby can start at this age. Or even as early as a newborn :)

Here's what baby yoga can do for you and your baby:
• baby yoga strengthens the bond between mom and baby.
• baby yoga helps you and your baby connect with other moms and their babies.
• baby yoga helps you develop confidence in holding your baby in many ways.
• baby yoga teaches yoga poses appropriate to baby's age.
• baby yoga teaches moms how to stretch and massage baby to improve circulation.
• baby yoga helps develop baby's hand-eye coordination.

The teacher Bunny Tamesis is awesome! She was my student when she was pregnant with her 3rd child, and now she is the teacher of my child. Energies like this are meant to cross paths. :)

Baby yoga is a great way to bond and know your baby even more. I highly recommend it! If interested you may reach my baby's guru at:
+63 918 923 5507

Location:Belmont Dr,Muntinlupa City,Philippines

Not so Au Naturelle-- But Trying!

My husband and I choose to live a natural life. Exercising it may not come easy all the time but we do our best to incorporate a greener, more peaceful and a more organic lifestyle everyday.

Let me share with you an example of what I mean.

When we found out that there was a tiny being growing in my womb, automatically, natural pregnancy, natural birth and natural parenting was the plan. I am happy to say that we had a very natural and easy pregnancy. I followed this up by going through a holistic diet of Ayurvedic and raw (on occasions) foods. Yoga for my physical being, birthing class to boost our education on pregnancy and birth, and meditation and visualization for me and my baby's mental and spiritual health. I would gladly recommend reading Deepak Chopra's " Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives and Denise Spatafora's Better Birth books. Reading it cover to cover just inspired me, made me positive and heightened my joy and excitement. All this went so well till the birthing part came. The geek in me together with my husband and doctor had a birth plan that was expected to be followed. Well, that just didn't happen for us. A natural birth planned became a caesarian birth at the last minute.

Now as new parents, the universe had other plans again. Trying to go the natural way was getting a little bit more challenging.. Breastfeeding, the most natural and best way to bond with baby-- became tough and stressful for the both of us. With 3 lactation specialists who couldn't figure out why my baby rejected my breasts (even when I forced her at one point), and all the natural breastfeeding supplements I had to take, it just wasn't going to happen. Not like the lucky moms who have breastfed their children until the age of two years!. But I am contented enough to say that even for just two months, my baby was still able to get some colostrum out of me with the help of a breast shield, fed from small quantities of milk pumped from my breast; and for awhile, a hearty donation of breast milk from a mama so blessed with milk-producing mammary glands!

We now realized, even though the intention was there, maybe it's just not for all of us and that's ok. It doesn't make you a bad parent and it doesn't mean that your child will bond less with you. There are other beautiful ways to encourage bonding. Our baby is a happy one even with formula and that's all that matters to us.

Now, my husband and I try to practice natural parenting as best we can and with an open mind and open heart. With this in mind, we think it best to take bits and pieces of every parenting theory we see fit for our darling child. Or whatever you think is best for your child.

One of the philosophies that totally connected with us right from the start was bits and pieces from the attachment parenting school. Fostering a secure bond through responding with sensitivity, a nurturing touch, safe sleep, consistent loving care and positive discipline just resonated with us.

At 6 months old, here's a small example of how much we just love having our little moonflower close to us at all times and as much as possible:

From baby wearing:

To co-sleeping:

Here's to a little bit of everything in the natural world! SHANTI OM!

Coos and Aahs

My darling moon-baby is already 2 months and 2 days old into this world. As I greet my daughter in the morning I am greeted back with smiles and the most adorable cooing and aah-ing that just melts my heart.

As I play with her, I look at her lovingly. I am humbled by this little guru who teaches me, who reminds me, who makes me aware, that we are far richer than we realize. Everyday can be beautiful. All you need is a change in perspective. Thank you for waking up mama with these precious hints my brave little soul. Don't ever stop. You truly are my greatest earthly inspiration. Thank you, I love you!

Photo credits always go to my baby bro Leo! Thanks bub!