Everything for Baby at My Baby Planet

Tucked on one side of the Puregold complex on Araneta Ave. cor E. Rodriguez Ave. in Quezon City is My Baby Planet, a one-stop baby shop that pretty much carries everything a mom and even mom-to-be would possibly need.

They have everything from diapers, toiletries, baby bottles and breastfeeding supplies to safety equipment, toys and even pediatric vitamins.

But I'm not just talking about basics, they carry hard to find items that are most often just available in high end grocery stores, the brand's kiosks, or have to be purchased by relatives and friends traveling abroad if not shipped from Amazon.

From Aveeno to VTech, they've got most brands covered.

I just have to say, having Aveeno Baby widely available here now in the country is such a big deal. This is one of those products you just hoard, and I mean hoard, when traveling abroad. Now we can free up our luggage space for other stuff, like stuff from Trader Joe’s haha!

Aveeno and Aveeno Baby products which are a staple for every mom who has a kid with eczema. Of course they've got the Johnson's Baby range products as well like the Milk Bath, powder and lotion as well

What sets apart Aveeno Baby from other baby brands is that fact that it’s natural - made from oat extracts, and is hypoallergenic and really gentle on infants and babies with sensitive skin. The Wash & Shampoo is tear-free, the Daily Moisture Lotion and Soothing Relief Moisture Cream moisturize for a full 24 hours. Not a surprise given that Aveeno Baby’s active ingredient is Oat, which is known to help restore skin's normal pH and aid in the maintenance of skin's moisture barrier to help prevent and protect dry skin.

Sun Protection products by Mustela which are usually available only in their kiosks and not in most baby stores

 This hard to find zartcreme by bebe Zartplege had to be sourced from Germany

Apart from Pampers premium care, they also carry the full range of diaper brands. If it's not in the store, they can have someone get it inside Puregold so you don't have to step out anymore

A softcup for premature babies and Special Needs feeder for babies who have a hard time latching by Medela, which I doubt you'd find easily in any of the baby stores in town

There's a baby wipes extravaganza happening here: they've got Nivea, Enfant, Pigeon, Mother K, Seventh Generation, MD Moms and Organic Baby Wipes

I was pretty impressed with the look of the store too. It has a homey, hipster feel that Millenial Moms would feel right at home at. Lots of natural wood, bright lighting, lots of space to manuever a stroller in, plus seating for Dads!

 

Organic, natural and baby safe seems to be the order of the day at My Baby Planet. From organic baby foods to baby monitors, this place is a haven for discriminating parents.

Eating organic is easy with HiPP baby food to NurturMe toddler snacks

Natural household brands like Seventh Generation and MessyBessy sit side by side at My Baby Planet

There's also a wide array of baby safe laundry products from Cycles, Downy, Dreft and D-nee

Apart from this Baby Monitor by Motorola, they also carry bump guards, locks, baby gates and other baby-proofing items

They even have Ecomom, an ultraviolet sterilizer and dryer from Korea that's safe to use on baby bottles and breastfeeding parts as well as toys

Speaking of toys, My Baby Planet also carries toys as well as strollers, bouncers, baby bath tubs, baby carriers and so much more. If they don't carry it right now, then they pretty much can and will, because they're always on the lookout for products us moms need and want.

The best part of all? We don't have to go all the way to QC to shop at My Baby Planet. They have an online store, and they'll be launching it soon, with free shipping to boot for the first 100 customers!

Visit www.mybabyplanetph.com to see the full list of brands and products they carry. There's an entire planet to discover!

Part 1: Shrink the Belly Project

"What!!! You have a four month old baby?!"
 

I get that a lot. But before you dismiss me as annoying, genetically lucky, a psychotic workout freak, or all of the above, hear me out. 

The truth is, there are a lot of things I did, and still doing, to get back into some semblance of my pre-pregnancy shape. It's not like I am blessed, crazy, or anything. To be honest, I need a lot of muscle toning work pa.

Case in point: This is me a week after I gave birth. On the surface, I may look good for a mom who just gave birth, but the reality here is, my thighs are cellulite-y, and I have on my husband's shirt and my maternity shorts. So of course they fit!

More importantly, I was wearing this inside: the Wink Ultimate Post Partum Ultra Bikini from Urban Essentials. This is what I wear when I am out and about.

It has 3 layers of hook and eye closures at the side to adjust for different waistlines and when I wore this, it was a struggle to wear at its widest layer.

It was depressing to put on at first because I could hardly close it. But surprisingly, they're quite comfortable, that they are so much better than wearing Spanx. 4 months later, I fit into the first layer of hook and eye closures, which means, yes, I've lost a few inches already.

Apart from artful concealment, and a seamless shapewear that holds everything in, here are all the things I did, and I hope it helps you, as it has helped me.

But before that, to see is to believe, so here's my baby belly 10 days after I popped. No bola, no photoshop, no sucking in tummy, no artful angling, no belly wrap to cover tummy. In short, no false claims. I'll be honest, if somebody is like "Oh look, this is all you need, it's so easy!", she's lying.

Ok game, are you ready for this? Here we go:

1. Train your core. It would be great to have a strong core to start with, but core training via belly breathing and abdominal bracing right after pregnancy is still safe to do. I stumbled upon this technique online when I first gave birth to Berry and I've done the same after popping out Xavi and Tepper. It's amazing how you can see results aka a flatter tummy in just a few days. Read it, HERE.

2. Magic Potions. Trust the French to come up with magic potions we need to tighten and firm up skin. I slather on Mustela Post-Partum Restructuring Gel (higly recommended by Sharleen Cu-Unjieng of Mustela Philippines) all over my tummy, around my waist, and all through the back. The same goes for my butt and thighs. If you want an organic option, try Marilou BIO Body Firming Gel from cutieverse.com.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Tightening Lotion works great too. I used that for Xavi and it helped tighten my floppy belly skin.

3. Binding. When Jessica Alba says wear two corsets and wear it 24/7 for two months, then you go and wear two belly wraps 24/7 for two months. Yes it gets sticky and sweaty, and the rubbery parts dig into the skin, but I think that sauna-like effect shrinks the fat cells or something. I also wear a hip wrap.

For binding at home, I use a Medela Belly Wrap which I bought in Amazon when I was pregnant with Berry. This worked fine on its own after I gave birth to Berry. The Cinch Wrap and Shrinx Hips Ultra I bought through Stemcord, but it's available in Rustan's. These two were all I used after I gave birth to Xavi. Now I use all three together with Tepper. If I give birth another time, I'd be wrapped like a mummy by then.

4. Cryo Baby. When it seemed that everything I did wasn't working fast enough given the time frame I set for myself (ehrm, two months post pregnancy), I went for a more drastic measure.

This is the cryo sculpt machine at Aesthetic Science Clinic in Makati.

It's from Korea, and uses a cool probe to apply serum onto skin. As part of my post-pregnancy beauty regimen, I'm doing the Cryo Sculpt with Vitaminc C serum to treat my freckles that multiplied and darkened when I was pregnant with Tepper, (it has anti-aging effects too). But this is also the same machine used for slimming and tightening skin on post-pregnancy bellies. While the probe is cold, when used on my tummy, it has a warming sensation inside, like my fats were getting cooked. Or melted. Heehee.

Results are expected to be seen in 6 weekly sessions, but in my case, there was a noticeable improvement by the 4th week. Skin was relatively tighter, although still loose given the stretch it has endured from 3 pregnancies. But at least it wasn't hanging or saggy.

If you think this is a lot to do just to get back into shape, there's more. As with all things that seem effortless, there's a lot of furious paddling underneath the surface. We'll get to that in the next installment of this post.

To be continued...

Medela House SALE!

Mothers! It must be shared! MEDELA HOUSE SALE happening this Saturday, January 24, 2015 in New Manila. Most of our trusted go-to brands are going to be there, so it's worth a visit. We might see each other there pa ;)

For details about this sale, click on image to enlarge.

Mustela Mamas & Bébés

I love how the kids still smell like babies after bathing with Mustela :)

Berry and Xavi are Mustela users since birth (check out Berry's Glossy to see what I mean). It's a staple not only during bath time, but throughout the day, and wherever they go, be it at home, at school, or at play.

 

I personally cannot get enough of their cologne, especially now that I am pregnant and I can't stand the smell of strong perfume. Musti and Mustela's Baby Cologne are just perfect for me and my pregnant nose.

Over the years, our Mustela line-up has expanded into all of these, from our initial bath time essentials, not counting the ones I use from the 9 months line!

With the third Little One coming soon, my current pregnant state, and with these new Mustela products just launched recently, I know for sure I'm adding more Mustela to our daily routine. 

I already swear by Mustela's stretch marks products and their new Stretch Marks Care Oil really ought to be beside every expecting mom's bedside table. 

For all my three pregnancies, I make it a habit to slather on lotions, creams and oils as early as the first trimester, when my skin hasn't fully stretched yet to prep it for further stretching. I have had no problems with stretch marks thanks to this practice, and I guess my genes too. Heehee.

Both Berry & Xavi have never had a problem with diaper rash too, and I credit it all to Mustela's Vitamin Barrier Cream. That's why I am stocking up on these for the newest Mr. Dychiao!

As soon as my babies put on a diaper, yes even as newborns, we slather on the Vitamin Barrier Cream right away. It's protection from urine and poop and I honestly wouldn't wait for rashes to erupt before you start using this. I swear I don't even know what diaper rash looks like, thanks to this wonder product.

We have been using Mustela's After Sun Spray already, but with a new product added to their Sun Protection Line, I am looking forward to trying their Very High Sun Protection Lotion. Very High protection talaga at SPF 50, which means 500 minutes of sun protection. 

I am such a huge fan of Mustela that when they asked me to talk about how Mustela has helped me as a mom, I didn't even have to think about it. I said yes right away!

with fellow Mustela mamas Shen Cala-or and Nicole de los Angeles

It was the least I can do for Sharleen Cu-unjieng and Tammy Tancinco, the mamas who brought Mustela to our shores, and who have become my friends over the course of time since I started buying from them, because I cannot imagine how I would have to hoard Mustela abroad if not for them.

Seriously, before Mustela Philippines, I had to pack bottles of Mustela products whenever we had to go to Manila for a visit, because there was no other way to get it here then. So thank you Sharleen and Tammy for making this mommy's life so much easier, and my babies, smelling so much sweeter! Wala pang diaper rash!

And with that, I leave you with the video where Shen, Nicole and I talk about our motherhood experience, and why we love, love, love Mustela!

For more on Mustela Philippines, visit their website, and Like their Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/MustelaPhilippines.

Mustela has kiosks at most major malls. Contact +639178959988 for the store nearest you!

Glamourbox Beauties & Babies

Call this month's Glamourbox subscription a tribute to moms! 

The ladies at Glamourbox have curated an assortment of brands that both moms and babies will love, putting together a selection of tried and tested brands as well as new discoveries worth checking out.

With the Bio-Oil bottle plus other samples from Mustela, Messy Baby, Milea Baby, Natasha Beauty and Eden's Paradise and L'il Tots, this box, at Php595, is sulit na sulit!

For more on Glamourbox and their subscription boxes, click HERE. 

All products featured in Glamourbox are also available online through their website. 

Whether you are a busy, frazzled mom or not, there's no excuse to let go, when you get a curated selection of beauty products delivered right at your doorstep! ;)

Mustela Stelatopia for Infant Eczema

To say that we are huge fans of Mustela is an understatement. Because I swear by it. Berry even knows the line by heart. This morning, she saw Mustela products at our pediatrician's office and she told her that she and Xavi use Mustela shampoo and body wash.

We also use Mustela Stelatria for itchy rashes and flare-ups. I actually took this photo of Berry's rashes that I sent to our pedia. She recommended we use Stelatria, so I went straight to the Mustela store in Shangri-la and in two days, I swear, the rashes were totally gone. Like they were never there.

These rashes disappeared in 2 days with Mustela Stelatria!

When I was pregnant with Xavi, I used the moisturizer and stretch marks cream, and loved the Instant Comfort Legs cream. Each night, Dada would massage my legs with it, and the tiredness in my legs seemed to just melt away.

The full range of Mustela products for babies and moms

A few months ago, Tammy Tancinco and Sharleen Cu-Unjieng of Mustela Philippines launched Mustela's Stelatopia line for babies with dry and eczema-prone skin.  Like Mustela's Nine Months, Dermo-Pediatrics and Sun Protection lines, Stelatopia is very safe, paraben-free and made from ingredients that are from natural origins. Say bye to steroids, forever!

Pediatrician, Dr. Vienne Saulog, is also a huge fan of Mustela

Mustela Philippines distributors Sharleen Cu-Unjieng and Tammy Tancinco with Juana Yupangco, Jackie Antonio and Amanda Jacob

Here's the 411:

Stelatopia is a line of high quality skin care for babies developed to gently yet effectively treat infant eczema. It offers a complete response to dry and eczema-prone skin with four high quality products guaranteed safe for babies. Stelatopia’s active ingredient is Sunflower Oil Distillate. It’s a patented ingredient of natural origin. It has lipid replenishing action and breaks the vicious cycle of atopic dermatitis by reducing xerosis, desquamation and itching.

From L to R: Stelatopia Emollient Cream in tube and pump, Cleansing Cream, No Rinse Cleansing Water and Milky Bath Oil

Stelatopia Cream Cleanser is ideal for daily cleansing of baby’s face, hair and body. It protects skin against dryness with its patented Active Lipid-Replenishing Process, and quickly soothes discomfort by reducing the sensation of irritation and itching.

When skin flare-ups occur, Stelatopia Milky Bath Oil comes to the rescue. Frequent use of this emollient-rich bath oil diminishes the frequency and intensity of flare-ups due to the presence of sunflower oil distillate. Stelatopia Milky Bath Oil requires no rinsing and does not leave an oily film.

Stelatopia Emollient Cream is a handy companion to keep skin nourished. It restores moisture balance by replenishing lipids while purifying the skin as it restructures even the driest skin, rebalances cutaneous flora and limits microbial proliferation. Stelatopia Emollient Cream limits the need for corticosteroids by up to 100%.

Finally, Stelatopia No-rinse Cleansing Water is a gentle, one-step daily use cleanser for face, body, and diaper area of babies. It gently cleanses the skin with an ultra-mild, no-rinse washing base to help form a barrier against hard water that may cause more irritation.

About Mustela:

Mustela continues to break new grounds as the skin care expert for babies and mothers to be, and holds its position as the number one selling product in European pharmacies. Mustela is manufactured by Laboratoires Expanscience, which is the 6th largest independent laboratory in France, and ensures its high quality products that are free from paraben, phthalate, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, chlorphenesin and essential oils. Priority is given to ingredients of natural origins ranging form 80% to 98%.

Mustela is available at the following outlets:

Ayala Trinoma, 1st Level (beside Cafe Mary Grace)
Robinson's Manila, 1st Level Midtown Wing (beside Topshop)
Glorietta 4, 3rd Level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)
Shangri-la Mall, 4th Level (in front of Mothercare)
Megamall A, 2nd Level (in front of Esprit)
The Shops, Greenhills Shopping Center 1st Level (in front of Watson’s and Mary Grace)
Alabang Town Center, Upper Ground Floor, Connector Mall (in front of K & Company)

Distributed at the following: 

PureBeauty, 2nd Floor Serendra, BGC
All Landmark Department Stores
All Rustan's Department Stores
Numa Echo Baby Store, QC

For more information: 
MUSTELA HOTLINE: 0917-8959988
Email: mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com
Website: www.mustela.com
Facebook: Mustela Philippines

Xavi's Here + Win Newborn Must Haves from Mustela Philippines!

We are so thrilled to share with you that Xavi Dychiao is finally here! He arrived last July 18, 2012 and  has been keeping the entire family happily busy these past couple of days. And to celebrate his arrival, Mustela Philippines, Xavi and I are giving away three sets of Mustela's newborn MUST HAVES: Dermo-Cleansing wash, Foam Shampoo for newborns, Vitamin Barrier Cream and Dermo-Cleansing Wipes.

I have used these products religiously for Berry and will continue to use these for Xavi, and of course I would like for you to discover these for the "new arrivals" or "coming soons" in your family too!

By the way, Tammy Tancinco of Mustela Philippines shared that they recently had a price drop - so, it can be said that the Philippine retail price of Mustela is the 2nd cheapest in Asia and the Pacific! But of course, there's nothing like winning these products for the teeny tiny ones in your life!

So join now by using the Rafflecopter widget below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest is open to all with a Philippine address. I will close the contest on August 10, 2012 and will announce three (3) winners on August 12, 2012. Prizes will be raffled off randomly. Good luck dear readers!

For more on Mustela Philippines:
- LIKE them on Facebook
- Visit www.mustela.ph

Mommy Potions, Lotions and Creams

When I was pregnant with Berry, my friend Mary Anne gave me a whole year's supply of Palmer's to prevent stretch marks. It could be that, or it could be genetics, but I swear, with Palmer's I never got stretch marks, even just one tiny bit at all. Take note that I started moisturizing as soon as I got pregnant, before my belly even protruded, just to prep my skin for the months of stretching ahead.

This time around, when Denise R. of Rustan's Beauty Source found out I was pregnant, she thoughtfully sent me this whole range of Palmer's and if I wanted to moisturize my entire body, and my whole family, I could! Super thanks for this Denise! I really love Palmer's, I swear by it!

I also have Mustela's 9 Months range of pregnancy creams, and I switch these with Palmer's for this pregnancy. I have creams all over our room, and all over our bath as well, so I never forget to moisturize. Yes, it's a bit indulgent, but when you are pregnant in your 30s, you just cannot afford to be lax with skincare. Ain't as elastic as it used to be, hehe. Tammy T. of Mustela highly recommended the Instant Comfort Cream for Legs, and I find that when I massage my legs with this at night, I don't wake up with painful leg cramps. I also love how it has this cooling effect. Even if you are not pregnant, if you've been up or walking around all day, this is a great thing to massage your legs with before you sleep at night.

Another indulgence and one of the perks of living in Manila, is affordable pampering services. My friend Nina told me about the prenatal massage treatment at Clarins in Rustan's Makati and I always look forward to my twice a month sessions. I just feel so relaxed and refreshed after.

They gave me a sample sized stretch mark cream and treatment oil for toning, but I only opted to buy the toning gel shower cleanser since I could seriously start a mini oil spill with the number of lubricants I have in our bath.

What I like about the pre-natal massage treatment at Clarins is that they really have special procedures for pregnant women in the second trimester, and the third trimester. Every procedure is targeted for a pregnant woman's concerns - ie  2nd Trimester is for exfoliating & toning the body so as to prevent bloating, while 3rd Trimester treatments are meant to combat puffiness on the face, as well as dealing with pregnancy aches and pains.

I have a treatment scheduled at Clarins tomorrow, and as usual, I look forward to it! I cannot wait! =)

Mustela bébé

My Darlings, I just wanted to share with all of you that Mustela, Berry's go to brand for skincare, has been available in Manila for a few months now. You may have come across these products in Rustan's or in one for their stalls, and I urge you to give it a try. I first came across Mustela when my friend Sarj said I should add it to my baby registry. A 60 year old French skincare brand with 4 different ranges (including 9 Months, Dermo-Pediatrics & Sun Protection) and widely used by moms and babies in Europe, I like that it is hypoallergenic, paraben and phthalate free and has a delicate delicate smell unlike other baby products. I also think it has played a huge role in taking care of Berry's sensitive skin.

I remember when Berry was a newborn and I was so clueless. I would bathe her twice a day, in warm water, not realizing that it was drying out her skin. She broke out with eczema and it was so bad I felt like crying looking at her. At the time, I did not realize that baby skin was a whole lot more sensitive than I thought. Here's how Mustela illustrates it:

So, I drastically changed her bathing routine, giving her a bath only once a day, using Mustela's Foam shampoo and Dermo-cleansing, but this time in tepid water. Then I would give her a rubdown of olive oil after. In less than a month, her eczema cleared up and her skin was as soft as a baby's should be.

Thankfully, diaper rash was never a problem with us. I swear Berry has never had a diaper rash ever. Our nurse in the hospital recommended that we not use baby wipes  on our newborn for diaper changes because of the chemicals, so instead, we did it the old fashioned way with cotton balls, but soaked in water or PhysiObebe (which incidentally, is so mild it doubles as a great makeup remover according to Tammy Tancinco of Mustela Philippines). 

From the very first diaper change, I also religiously applied Mustela Vitamin Barrier cream every time Berry had to change her nappy. When she was born till the time she turned one, I only had to use a tube of the Vitamin Barrier cream. It's worth it because you only apply so little and it goes a long way.

I do switch Mustela with Kiehl's Baby, but Mustela almost always wins out when it's time to replenish. I continue to buy it because I just can't risk it. I have thought of switching to Johnson's now that Berry is bigger, and besides, it is a lot cheaper. But whenever I take a sniff of it, I find the smell too strong now, all I can think of is chemicals. I know strange, I grew up using Johnson's so it should be fine, but Mustela is just so much milder and more natural.

I swear by Mustela that I would enthusiastically recommend it to expecting moms, and moms with new babies. Actually, a set of Mustela bébé products make a great baby shower or christening gift too! Baby bath products are a practical yet still thoughtful present that a mom will cherish forever. I always remember our friends Apoorv & Chinmayee whenever I use Mustela, and our cousins Henry & Brenda when I use Baby Kiehls's.

Especially if your baby has sensitive skin like Berry's, I am saving you time and telling you now, you don't have to try any other brand, just stick to Mustela, and you're baby's skin will be better than fine.

Look for Mustela at:
Ayala Trinoma 1st Level ( beside Cafe Mary Grace )
Robinson's Manila 1st Level Midtown Wing ( beside Topshop )
Pure Beauty 2nd Floor Serendra
All Rustan's department stores
Glorietta 4, 3rd Level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)

Soon to open:
Shangrila Mall, Level 4, in front of Mothercare- Oct 15, 2011
Megamall A, 2nd Level, in front of Esprit- Nov 1, 2011
All Landmark Department Stores- 1st week of October 2011

MUSTELA HOTLINE:
0917-8959988
Email: mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com
Website: www.mustela.com

Berry Gets Glossy

Berry is my daughter, and an assistant editor here at MFO. Today, she shares her beauty secrets. Read on and learn from an expert.

On Berry: H&M top from Ninang Cathy & Ninong Jon Lim, Gingersnaps jeans from Ate Carissa Carale, 

Robeez shoes from Liam Palma  

Playing with: Dada's lens cover and a Christmas mitten for a Starbucks gift card - fits my hand perfectly!

Working for my Mom, I get a lot of beauty products. Or maybe it's not because of my work - a lot of the beauty products I've been using were received as gifts when I was born. Over time, I have continued to receive beauty products, which I use, of course.

I have been using Mustela ever since I was a newborn. When I was still in my Mommy's tummy, Tita Sarj pointed out Mustela to her, while they were browsing the aisles at Buy Buy Baby in Chelsea. She said it was the best for babies (hypoallergenic, non-irritating, fragrance-free, paraben-free and with no artificial colorants), so Mom added a starter set to her baby registry. Uncle Apoorv and Aunt Chinmayee got a set for me, and while those goodies have since run out, my Mom continues to buy Mustela bath products for me. I heard that its best to switch shampoos around, so I interchange my Mustela Baby Shampoo with Santa Maria Novella Girl's Mild Shampoo, a present from Tita Therese of Rustan's. I love the smell of Mustela 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash, they say I smell like a baby because of this. Then again, Mom says I am still a baby. Well, whatever.

I don't go to the salon for hair cuts. My hair grows at an incredibly, snail-pacingly slow pace, so I don't see a need for that yet. Last I had a hair cut, I cried and cried. My Mom cut my hair, and when my Aunt Lorraine couldn't keep me from squirming, they exchanged places and Mom hugged me while Auntie finished the job. My Dada says I look beautiful with a pixie cut, and Mom and Dada call me Berry Mulligan.

My Auntie Brenda works at L'Oreal so I got a lot of Kiehl's from her too. I love Kiehl's Baby Foaming Hair & Body Wash, but we've run out of that and it's so expensive here in Singapore. So much cheaper in the US, promise! I still use Kiehl's Vital Sun Protection, Diaper Rash Ointment and Nurturing Baby Cream for Face & Body. I also use Kiehl's Baby Lip Balm (because I love using my Mom's lip balms and poking my finger into it until they get mushed, so she says I should have my own lip balm).

After I take a bath, I powder with Burt's Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder or Santa Maria Novella's Talbomentolo. I like the latter because it smells soooo good! I switch my powders around too, depending on what my mom wants to use on me. For my boo boos, I use Grandma Minnie's Boo Boo Balm from Tita Marie of VMV. One of my first words was "boo boo", and every time I see a pot of Grandma Minnie's Boo Boo Balm, I point to my knee and say boo boo, even if there's no boo boo there. Old habits die hard.

Which reminds me, Grandma Minnie also has the Monolaurin Hand Sanitizer which is fantastic! My mom is sort of obsessed with sanitizers, we use that a lot. There was a time though that I caught a bug and got colds. My pediatrician here in Singapore introduced Vapor Soove to us, she says this is safer to use - it doesn't contain camphor unlike regular Vapor Rub which may cause seizures on children, for serious. My Mom and I love Vapor Soove so much that we are bringing these to Manila! I like it as a tummy and chest rub, and when I had cough & colds, Mom would also rub these onto the soles of my feet and make me wear socks. My mom is talking to her friend Tita Angel who is a pediatrician, and she will be carrying these in her clinic. We are also looking into having these sold online, in baby stores, and drugstores. So watch out for this!

Now, when it comes to scents, my mom sprays a bit of Tartine et Chocolat on me, this was a gift from my Tita Trina, Mom's sister. I really consider myself lucky and so blessed because I get to try all these wonderful, amazing beauty products courtesy of my generous benefactors!

- as told to ITG, according to Mommy

UPDATE: OMG! Emily of Into The Gloss / @IntoTheGloss read Berry's post and re-tweeted it too! Thanks Emily! Yay Berry!