Dear 60-year-old me

Dear Kaye,

First off, this year, our birthday falls on an Easter Day. Isn't it fitting that the Catholic day for rebirth and new beginnings coincide with the year that we turn 30?

How are the kids? I'm sure they are all grownups now, with lives of their own. I sure hope they still call and visit you. How is Darwin? Have you fulfilled your visions of sitting at the front porch together and just watch/make fun of people as they walk by?

Right now, the kids are 5, 2 and 3 months. Do you remember them at this age? God, they are a handful! You can never work from home properly, the house is topsy turvy and someone is almost always shouting. But you know what? We got ourselves the most adorable and lovable right here. More on that later. Let me first tell you about our day in 2014.

As far back as I can remember, I had always been excited for our birthday. I look forward to greeting ourself at exactly 5:05pm, the time specified on our birth certificate. But two years ago, a little baby girl changed all that when she decided to grace the world with her presence one day before our birthday. Just like that, April 20 ceased to be our birthday. It turned into an I'm-so-tired-from-all-the-birthday-preps-the-day-before-I-just-want-to-sleep-the-whole-day kind of day. Because April 19, 2012, Dahlia Felize was born and she was amazing!

This year, April 19, we planned a small celebration for the princess. Family and few of Iya's friends shared the spaghetti, chicken lollipops and hotdogs that Darwin all cooked (love you pre!). Black Saturday pa yan ha. So come Sunday, Easter, and our birthday, we basically ate leftovers and went to Mass in the afternoon.

I had all but forgotten our day, save for the 60+ people who greeted us on Facebook (remember that?). And it made me think of what do I really wish for on this day. I have 3 beautiful and loving children. I have a family who keeps me grounded. I have a career that I love and hate at the same time. No one is really THAT sick. And although we have some financial hiccups along the way, we manage. I realize God has blessed me with more than I can truly deserve. I find it embarassing to God if I can not even share the blessings he has showered upon us.

So, going back to you, old lady. I hope you enjoyed life. You should have tried to be more friendly. You should have been brave and taken risks. You should have loved more, given more, sacrificed more. Remember that love is a verb, not a feeling. Be thankful for all the blessings and learn to forgive the hurts you might encounter. I hope our life has been full and you had been grateful.

Please give my kisses to the kids and to the grandkids, if we have them by now. Give my kisses to Darwin; he has his faults but I know he loves us and we love him dearly.

May God continue to smile upon our family. I love you, future me. :)

Breastfeeding Diaries: Blessed Be

Hello from the Eastwood Diana (i.e. Lactating) Room!

Look how much milk we got this morning! I can almost feel God smiling down on me because He knows how giddy He made me feel with this blessing.

5.25 oz of liquid gold, beybeh! :)

What did we do differently this morning? Hmmm.. I was so tired and sleepy last night that I didn't get to switch sides in the middle of the night. Thus, Miko only latched on my left boob throughout the night. This morning, my right boob was so engorged so I decided to latch Miko, still on the left, while I pumped the right. I got 3 oz! Apart from that, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary so hey it is a great surprise and a good way to start our day.

And then... surprise surprise! Another 5.5 oz this afternoon!

It's official. God is making me lambing with all of these blessings. :)

One more thing I did differently -- I prayed for my supply. Told God I wanted to be able to produce enough for Miko, as well as for Kuya, who is having lung health problems recently. I pray my milk strengthen you both and give you the nutrients that you need to grow and get healed.

And I wanted to experience donating milk too. But we're still saving enough frozen milk stash for that, so let's talk more about that on another post, m'kay?

So Iya, I hope you breastfeed your child, when you have one. I will support you all the way should you decide to go on that journey. Tell me all about it okay?

And you two boys, let's drink to more milk!

I love you, my musketeers! :)

Breastfeeding Diaries: Busy bee

Hello from the Eastwood 1880 Diana room! :)

I was running late for a meeting this morning that I had to boot my machine and go through last week's minutes while expressing milk.

Oh the things I have to do for the little archangel! Do you know that I drink more water now, eat less junk food and fast food, and consciously try not to get stressed at work. This is to ensure that you get a looot of milk from me. It also helps that you direct feed at night, no nipple confusion at all, thank God. You will surely hear more about this when you get older! :)

I love you, son, and I'll see you at home! :)

Oops! My most revealing shot