Good Housekeeping: Get Hooked on DIY by Command Brand

The invitation to this event came very timely, as I was caught doing some research, Pinterest-ing, and DIY-ing decors at home. Recently, I'm having dilemmas with hanging wall decors because we have household "issues" with nailing our concrete walls. (but thats another story, :P)

Last November 15, I tagged my boys along to SM North Edsa Activity Area for the last leg of Good Housekeeping Magazine: Get Hooked on DIY Event by 3M Command Brand. Inside the vicinity were different booths showcasing the different Command Hooks and their various uses. The demonstrators also showed how strong the Command Strips were with proper installation.

Booths
1. Are you in Command?
2. Bathroom Battle
3. Prep the Dorm Challenge
4. Hanging in Frames
5. Be a Commando and Do It Yourself
6. Good Housekeeping Lounge

Did you know that a Command hook can carry as heavy as 3 kilos? You just have to FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Good thing we arrived early. We were able to complete our stamps with the booths, had our photo ops done and all set to listen and join the program.

My winning entry at the post a photo of the event contest

Hosted by Angel Jacob, the program started with some remarks from the Editor in Chief of Good Housekeeping, Tisha Alvarez-Angluben and 3M Philippines Product Manager for Consumer and Home Improvement Division, Jermit Rabonza.The program proceeded with games, raffle and a talk on home improvement, maximizing spaces and intalling hooks on walls without damaging them with the use of 3M Command Damage-free Hanging Solutions, giving emphasis on how strong these products hold on to the walls with your furnitures and how it can be removed cleanly.

Coni Tejada, a home improvement, crafting and DIY expert, shared some tips on how to decorate our homes and efficiently use the space, specifically our walls. She showed the audience photos of ideas and got them involved with the hands on activities which they can apply when decorating their own spaces.

These are some of the Tips on Decorating a Wall

1. Pick a Wall - choose a wall you want to highlight in your room; a focal point
2. Pick out your Frames - Size and shape (sometimes color) doesnt matter as long as they compliment each other.
3. Play with Layout options - this is important to determine a sense of balance on the wall, depends on your preference, a good practice for this is by using different sizes of Post It.
4. Hang your frame - following the planned layout, place your frames with the use of 3M Command hooks appropiate for your frames
5. Collect prints and photos you love and put it in the blank frames - let your wall speak and your chosen photos tell the story

Command Brand Ambassadors Cheska and Doug Kramer also graced the program sharing their DIY experiences with the product and how it improved their life and household.

After the talk, raffle prizes were given away and they awarded some of the audences who posted photos of them at the event. Ms-Lucky-Me won on both. *wink wink*

It was a fun-filled weekend and my family including my 8-year-old went home full of learning about organizing and decorating.

Special thanks to Que Gavan, Donna Fuentes, 3m Command Brand!

How to Win Over Breastfeeding Challenges: Event Review

Joining contests has been my hobby since I started hanging around the internet world. Im so happy I still have that lucky streak for I won a ticket pass for the Talk on How to Overcome Breastfeeding Challenges and a book signing opportunity with the author of Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking, Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag. I wanted to have this book since its launch last January, but I always forget to deposit my payment at the bank.

Good thing my online running-turned-mommy blogger friend Que Gavan, gave away an E-pass for the said event as raffle, and to cut the story short, I WON! *wink

Highlights

The talk started with a game, collecting pieces of papers under our seats with written breastfeeding (BF) myths and facts. Divided into 2 groups, Daddy Cris (who accompanied me, being a very supportive partner in my breastfeeding journey) and I got separated. The group must collect the most number of BF Myths to win. Daddy Cris' team won by 1 myth against ours. That's the good thing about tagging along your partner, someone gets to win, hehehe. (He even won at the raffle as well.)

This game was an introduction to Ms. Joyce Martinez's segment on Busting Filipino Myths on Breastfeeding. As mothers to a new generation, we are all exposed to various tell-tales on breastfeeding especially if we still have our grannies and sometimes house helps who grew from the province. Even I am exposed to so many, few sample that also came out of the talk yesterday (March 29, 2014) "Huwag itataas ang braso habang natutulog, nakakabawas ng gatas" (Dont raise arms while sleeping, it affects the milk supply) and the most famous "Huwag magpapasuso kapag pagod, dahil madedede ni baby" (Dont breastfeed when tired. All these myths and more were busted by scientific explanations.More facts about breastfeeding were revealed and nutritional and medical interventions were also discussed to learn more about the challenges other moms experience and how we, the breast-abled ones be of help.

The next part was the main discussion with Ms. Teresa, How to Win Over Breastfeeding Challenges

(photo from Breastfeeding: A journey worth taking FB Page)

She gave 6 Tips based from her Book which I found really significant to my own journey as well. I caught myself nodding with almost all her insights for I have experienced the same challenges with my son Quillan, 7 years ago for 3 years, although we have different cases. Now that I'm equipped with knowledge I feel more confident BFing Zylar. What can help a breastfeeding mom win?

1. ALWAYS have a Positive Attitude/Mindset - our minds have great powers to attract either positive or negative vibes. The people and our environment has its effects too. Its up to us which of these we choose, she notes to take the positive despite of the imperfection. Embrace the challenges and hardships of breast feeding; sore nipples, baby's difficulty latching, sleeplessness, and GO BACK to WHY you are doing this, as what she said "Find Joy in breastfeeding your child". When she said that, an eye to eye contact scene with Q when he was a baby and now with Z, flashed on my mind, Oh that's JOY!

2. Be willing to Make Sacrifices - To travel the world and a great opportunity of becoming a Flight Attendant, so much for a sacrifice, but I don't regret it. To be part of the workforce and earn extra. These were just a few of the sacrifices I made when I became a mother. I stood by my choice of being a Stay-At-Home mother and housewife despite all the should've(s), would've(s), could've(s) my immediate family were telling me. Nagmahal lang ako, and love will always require sacrifice. Incomplete hours of sleep, less shopping time with friends, shorter 'ME' time were just some of the sacrifices and adjustments we have to undertake.

3. Be Disciplined - no brainer for me, for Ms. Teresa cited an example of an athlete. With great power comes great responsibility, that's how I take it. Always go back to the "WHY's" you are doing it; Because you only want the best!

4. Be Persistent - have small achievable goals that's what she said. Don't look too far that you feel it's taking so long to get there. Plan to breastfeed for the 1st month at first. When you get there, plan to BF until baby reaches 6 months, then a year, and before you know it, you have breastfed your little one for 3 years already. Time flies fast, they always say. That's what exactly happened to me with Q. I have reached a great milestone, most moms 'envied' me for. But I tell you it wasn't like a walk in the park. I have been bitten SO MANY times, and it doesn't feel good AT ALL, that you wanted to hit baby but you cant. But I persisted only because I know this milk is the best.

5. Find a Support Group - Lucky are the moms of this times that the internet is so accessible. 7 years ago, I haven't encountered forums and parenting clubs. I solely rely on my Mama's tips and of the oldies. I also got tips on how to wean early the baby from breastfeeding. Only in 2009, when I encountered Smart Parenting Forum, where I was able to chat with my first breastfeeding online friends. Friendships were established up until now that our babies are all grown ups and new babies were added. They became my consultants on parenting how-to's, stage-mothering, etc. Now, I have encountered a group exclusively for breastfeeding moms, the Breastfeeding Pinays. This is where I was able to learn the new updates on breastfeeding, laws and protocols, and breastfeeding accessories. I also get to share my learnings from the past experiences, being able to breastfeed for 3 years, to the new moms.

6. Ask God for Help and Favor - Pray... For patience, good health, and good supply of milk.

Book Signing

Every registered participant gets a copy of the book. Of course I didn't miss the chance to have it signed and have photo opts with the author together with my precious breastfed babies. It was so reassuring that what I did and planning to do again is the best choice I made for my children. Because kids don't come with manual, mothers like me should never stop learning new things. :)

About the Book

"Breastfeeding success stories of moms from different walks of life by Teresa Gumap-as-Dumadag. Text 09178345846 or email teresa@fulllifecube.com to order.

Mission
• To inspire more moms -- especially Filipinas -- to breastfeed their babies.
• To help educate more Filipino women on the benefits of breastfeeding.
• To help more Filipino babies and mommies to be healthy by encouraging a culture of breastfeeding.
• To equip and empower moms who have made the decision to breastfeed by providing them a simple guide that can help them get started.
• To support breastfeeding moms who have bravely taken on the challenge to breastfeed their babies by letting them know that even though it’s natural to encounter challenges along the way, they can succeed if they persevere and get help from the right people.
• To assure moms who are considering to breastfeed their babies that it’s possible to breastfeed and achieve their breastfeeding goals, despite whatever circumstance they find themselves in."

A Better Mom with Better Stuff

Gave birth to my 2nd child 7 weeks and 2 days as of this writing. I can say that a lot has changed 7 years ago. My pregnancy journey and the newborn parenting styles have evolved. That's change: the only constant thing, and I got to adapt.

While rearing a 7-year old school boy, caring for an infant will create a fast shift in gears. I never regret the decision of having that big gap, number 1 because 7-year old kids are already independent and dependable. Number 2 the jealous stage, i think, already passed (compared to a 3-4 year-old toddler). My 2 pregnancies are total opposites. While carrying Quillan was light, Zylar's was delicate and tiring. Looking back, I could finish a Marathon carrying Quillan back then -- that easy. The latter, as much as I want to continue joining fun runs and marathons; which I enjoyed doing for the past 4 years, prohibited me to even go for a long walk at the mall by myself.

Part of the differences is the ability to research for parenting tools that will help me with the growing years of my kids. 7 years ago, I have no internet access, well I have but very limited because I used prepaid cards. Now, we use broadband access where I have unlimited exposure. Researching is easier. I am now updated to new mommy stuff and readings that are helpful in caring for both of my kids. Cloth Diapering, Baby Wearing, Lactation Boosters are just a few. I hope to write more about them in my next posts.