When I was still alone (and I mean literally living alone), it seemed like life was so simple. I used to live in a small room (around 12-15 meter squares) with just a bed and a closet, I don’t even have my own bathroom, I had to share it with other renters. I eat anything at anytime I want, hey! I may even just go sleep without eating (it’s a lazy way to get sick, hahaha!). I can go window shop every afternoon, dreaming about owning this and owning that… ahhh… life has never been easier!

Then Nicholas came and bang! Everything has to change!

Well, before I continue, I would like to say I am never sorry that I became a member of the prestigious motherhood club. I am never sorry that I was blessed with a very handsome, smart and healthy bundle of joy. No, this is isn’t about me feeling sorry for myself because I have to change my lifestyle. This is about a realization, this is about me embracing the wonderful life of being a mother.

Ok, let’s go back to business shall we?

As I was saying, it’s different now. With my angel, I choose not to settle for anything less. I want to give him the best, to do everything I can to make him a very happy and secure baby. Like, I had to buy my own computer for me to be able to work at home and personally attend to his needs. Or I had to go shopping for all his needs even before he was born. Or I had to go for monthly visits, maintain vitamins, make sure I was healthy and safe for him. I mean, I am a single Mom, and I was earning for myself. I didn’t have much money then. I didn’t even have enough for the cesarean section.So when did I get the money for this? Yeah, I borrowed. I have a credit card, I used it to prepare for my baby’s arrival, and now, I am still paying it. Oh well, I will pay until I ran out of money, I’ll borrow and borrow again if it means I can give my baby everything he needs.

Yeah, even buying him Cheetos so he can snack on it while watching his favorite kiddie TV commercials/ads, hahaha! That’s really cute!

Or shopping for his daily needs or even wants if I can give it to him. Errr… his stuff doesn’t really come from Ace Harware, but well, I can’t let him carry a heavy bag of baby liquid soap, baby lotion, milk, diapers, and more!

Or making him look smart and cool especially on an event like pictorials for his passport

Or going to a playsite where he can have fun interacting with other kids or have access to toys he doesn’t have at home.

So yes, now, I’m not enjoying the cellphone plans that I used to overpay anyways, hehehe! And now, I don’t see any movement or growth on my savings account. And yes, I’m not using my credit card anymore. I need help in saving money, I need help to shrink my bills. And I have to do all these not to the expense of my son’s needs and wants. Do I need a part-time job? Or maybe I need to change jobs (hey! that’s tempting considering the never-ending salary delays). Or maybe I just need to change my spending habits? But heck! I don’t even have much to spend! My salary comes and go, faster than my college allowance I’ll just laugh about this then. I’ll just enjoy every moment with my son, enjoy his smiles and laughters, enjoy his happiness, his health, his well-being… I am ok with the present situation (well, as long as the credit card company doesn’t put me in jail, hahaha!), I am surviving. Thanks to Mark and his kindness, thanks for his loving support and matured guidance.

Ok, shall we talk about finding another job? Hehehe!

Now this is another interesting site that Mommy stumbled upon this morning! The site’s name is Baby’s First Site. Nice… (And I’m not just being partial because the color of the site is green… ok, ok, I was a little partial, hehehe!)

The site will allow its members to have the following features:

1. Upload photos, videos and audios… hmmmm… a nice online album for Little Nicholas

2. Hit Counter, this way, Mommy can track visitors and guests to Little Nicholas’ website

3. Customize Sites, yey! I can add custom text, images, and even HTML pages to my baby’s site. There are themes available as well, I got to check ‘em out.

4. Graphical Growth Chart, now that’s interesting… I can definitely visually track Little Nicholas’ progress here, and it’s gender-specific huh!

5. E-Mail Blast, so I can also store email adds here and automatically send emails to others quickly, cool!

6. Interactive Milestones, yeah that’s a baby book or diary right? An e-journal, that’s neat…

7. Gift and Wish List, now that’s what I like!  Hehehe! I love receiving gifts! I’m sure Little Nicholas will love them too!

8. Birthday and Pregnancy Tickers, a great stuff for forgetful Moms like me LOL!

9. Free Additional Sites, which is really amazing since it will allow me to host up to four sites!

10. And more!

Sigh, I’m just sad that it’s just for a 30-day trial. Yeah, of course nothing comes for free nowadays. If only Mommy has got more than enough funding for this. It’s definitely great to make my Little Nicholas join the site and get all those cool features! Well, maybe next time, right baby?

But those Mommies who can afford it, why not give the site a try? You’ll like the features as well. Good luck!

So Mommy feels like an endorser for baby products now huh? Why is she posing like she’s having an advertising campaign for baby bottles? LOL!

Oh well, Mommy took Little Nicholas shopping a week ago. We didn’t really splurge on capricious stuff. Mommy has prepared a list, and she only purchased what were needed by her little angel. Several brands came up on that shopping spree. Jonhson’s, Babyflo, Pigeon, Babyjoy, Baby Company, Lactacyd, Baby Impressions, Baby World, Dolphin, Mc Jarell, EQ Dry, Giggles and so much more! Huh! I feel like thanking my sponsors! Hahaha!

As mentioned above, Mommy just followed a list of baby essentials that Merck’s Beginnings (Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy) booklet has recommended for expecting mommies. These are as follows:

BABY’S PLACE:

1. Sleeping area (crib or bassinet/cradle), which Mommy didn’t purchase because it’s very costly and she wanted Little Nicholas to sleep with her on the bed.

2. Place for clothes and supplies (Mommy bought only a 3-shelf rack for supplies, Little Nicholas will share Mommy’s cabinet for his clothes)

3. Pillows, Blankets and Bolster set

4. Baby Rubber Mat

BABY’S CLOTHING:

1. 5-7 Undershirts or ‘onesies’

2. 1-2 hats/bonnets

3. 1-2 sets of baby washcloths and towels

4. 3-4 dozen newborn diapers

5. 3-4 waterproof pants & diaper pants if using cloth diapers

6. 4-6 receiving blankets

7. 2-3 pairs of booties or socks

8. 2 washable bibs

9. 4-6 cotton diapers to use as burp rags

10. 3-4 fitted sheets

11. 2 crib blankets

12. 1-2 blankets for the carriage or stroller, which Mommy didn’t buy because Little Nicholas has no stroller yet (ahem, it’s really expensive)

FEEDING SUPPLIES:

1. 4-6 Baby Bottles (4 and 8 ounces)

2. Bottle Brush

3. Breast Pump

4. Nursing Bra

OTHER ITEMS:

1. Pacifier (1-piece silicone model with a soft nipple)

2. Infant carrier, which again, Mommy didn’t purchase yet, definitely next time.

3. Stroller and/or carriage

4. Nasal suction bulb

5. Thermometer

6. Front pack or back pack

7. Diaper Bag

8. Calibrated Spoon, medicine dropper and oral syringe for medicine

9. Baby nail clippers/scissors (manicure set)

10. Baby Bathtub

11. Baby comb/brush

12. Diaper rash ointment or petroleum jelly

13. Manzanilla/Baby Oil

14. Baby Wash, Powder and/or lotion

15. Baby Wipes

16. Baby Album and Baby Book or Diary

There, I guess that’s more than enough already. But to be honest, not only did my legs ached when I shopped for these stuff, my wallet ached much more, LOL! Mommy and Little Nicholas came home laden with so many plastic bags, but there’s nothing much left in Mommy’s wallet. That’s a little sad… But well, I was really really happy and I felt so accomplished as a Mom to be able to buy my Little Nicholas all that he needs (for now). Till next shopping!