Twinning is Fun with Your Fun Onesies

Having twins is like having instant celebrities. Whether we're just strolling around the neighborhood or in the mall, people will surely turn their heads twice to check if they're seeing double or they're actually seeing adorable twins right before their eyes. Parents of multiples know exactly what I mean. 

Before I had my twins, I had some questions in mind. I never really knew the answers until I'm a mom of twins myself. The question is, why do parents dress their twins alike? Why can't each of them have their own identity? Now, I realized the answer is so simple. It's because they are twins or more (triplets, quaruplets, etc.)! They were supposed to look alike so might as well dress them alike while we can. Because when they grow, they are going to build their own identity anyway. 

With Dale and Drei, the truth is, only their faces and their OOTDs are usually the same. As they grow, I realized how different they are in so many ways. Gone are the days when I can't even identify who's who. Right now, I am fine with buying them the same set of clothes, but for the sake of others, I usually buy two different colors of the same design. So when I am asked who's who, I just simply say Dale is wearing this color while Drei is wearing that color.

I found this online store that personalized onesies for babies and toddlers. It's YFO Your Fun Onesies. They have a lot of designs and colors to choose from, so it's possible to buy the two colors of the same design, exactly what I needed for my twins. If you're the cool new mom who organized a monthly pictorial for her baby, then you should check out their full year set and avail their set price instead of the individual price. They also have a full week OOTD. Or if you want your child onesie to be shouting with the statement "I have the best mom in the world!", they can also do that for you.

Twins OOTDs :)

Daily OOTDs for a week :)

Here are my "Little Big Bosses" with their super cute statement onesies from Your Fun Onesies:

Their onesies say it all! They are the "little brothers" of the family. Twins OOTDs also from Your Fun Onesies:

Thank you so much to Ms. Kathy Redondo for my twins OOTDs. Check them out on Facebook, YFO Your Fun Onesies and Instagram, @yourfunonesies.

Our Rainy Season Must Haves to Avoid Mosquitoes

Dengue fever, Zika virus, malaria and  the most talked about Japanese encephalitis that alarmed most moms especially here in Pampanga, these are the top diseases that can be acquired by a simple mosquito bite. Mosquitoes may be small but they are actually dangerous and deadly.

Rainy days bring more mosquitoes since they usually breed in water. More mosquitoes means more panic to parents. Aside from Japanese encephalitis vaccine which can't be afford by all and is currently out of stock in most pediatric clinics here in our place, here are our rainy season must haves to avoid mosquitoes in or outside our home:

Our anti-mosquitoes must haves!

1. Control Freak's Control:Mosquitoes. It is a water-based spray on the skin and clothes with different scents to choose from. Most of us know that the scent of citronella shoo away mosquitoes, but did you know that there are some other scents that are hated by mosquitoes? Control Freak almost have them all: Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass and of course Citronella.  Our personal favorites are Lavender and Peppermint spray. We actually spray them on clothes instead of cologne, they smell so good and at the same time we know that we are mosquito proof especially when going out. My girls don't go to school without the smell of Control:Mosquitoes on their uniforms. I spray it on the twins too. Definitely safe even on babies since it is made of natural ingredients. To those who doesn't like the sticky feel of lotion or oil, I recommend this.

2. Indigo Baby's Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me Home Spray and Lotion. Both of these contain citronella so no doubt that they shoo away mosquitoes and other insects too. I use the home spray on cribs, under the table and chairs, in rooms and almost all parts of our house. The good thing about the home spray is that it is safe to spray the house with it even if we are actually home because it doesn't contain nasty chemicals. Both products contain natural and organic ingredients only. Addy personally loves the lotion because according to her, it makes her skin soft and smooth, but the most important thing for me is, she's protected from mosquitoes.

3. Hanns Philippines Insect Trap. I call it the "electric katol" (mosquito coil) without the unpleasant smell and smoke from it. This model is their most affordable and most handy insect trap. It can even be used without electricity provided you have a charged laptop or powerbank. It works best on dim light. We use it every night and place it on one corner of our living room. It traps insects well but mostly, mosquitoes of course.  Here's how it works:

Here are also some tips from DOH and WHO on how to avoid mosquitoes at home and our sorroundings:

Find our rainy season must haves here:

Instagram: @controlfreakph, @indigobabyshop and @hannsphilippines

Facebook: controlfreakph, indigobb and hannsph

Bear in mind that not only our kids can get sick but also us. Products with dreadful chemicals may be effective but they may harm our bodies in some ways so I recommend the products listed above instead. We don't want to acquire a sickness while protecting ourselves from another one, right? Our must haves are proven safe, natural and effective products to shoo mosquitoes away from our families. How about you? What are your rainy season must haves to avoid mosquitoes?

Modern Bahay-bahayan: Li'l People and Li'l Bouncer

When I was young, me and my sister together with some other playmates would play bahay-bahayan (pretend house or town) under the table. We used pillows and blankets to build a small town with a house, a hospital and a grocery store too. It was fun to pretend!

Nowadays, with modern technology, kids can run a whole town by just using their index fingers. However, let's make them feel that it's more fun to play when they're moving their whole body and they get to interact with other kids.

My kids were invited to visit and play at Li'l People and Li'l Bouncer. When they saw this huge playground inside the mall, they were instantly energized. They were sweating and were moving a lot, and the most important thing is they were interacting with other kids. I was just watching them from a distance and was waiting for them to get tired, but I have waited for so long that I have to encourage them to go home because it was already night.

Here are my thoughts on Li'l People and Li'l Bouncer as a parent:

1. I have trust issues when it comes to the safety of my kids so I don't usually leave my kids alone that's why I never really left my children while they were playing. The good thing about these playhouses is, parents actually have a choice if they will leave or stay. You just need to pay an extra amount if you stay though.

2. I specifically love Li'l People's concept, it's like having a small city for kids. There is a hospital, a grocery store, an iPad store, a fire station, etc. Children can actually play pretend, costumes are also available.

3. I love that they have options, there's a ballpit and there's also a corner full of stuffed toys.

4. Li'l Bouncer on the other hand is a safer place for active children since it is a giant inflatable slides and more.

5. If parents are looking for a place where they can leave their children for an hour or two to do some grocery shopping, I recommend Li'l People and Li'l Bouncer. I know this might contradict my statement no. 1, but leaving our children for a reasonable time with trained people (which they have) can actually help our kids develop their social skills and independence.

Here are some photos taken from the different branches of Li'l People:



Here are photos showing how my kids enjoyed their stay at Li'l People and Li'l Bouncer:



Pampanga moms, you may visit SM Clark and SM Pampanga branches of Li'l People and let your kids enjoy a modern "bahay-bahayan" experience. They also provide rides for our little ones while inside the mall through their sister companies: Cartsville and Li'l Ride. Li'l People and all its sister companies are actually available in most part of Luzon, so find one in popular malls near you.

Product Review: Kuchi-kuchi's Baby Bottom Balm and Calming Massage Oil

The twins were starting to learn how to remove magic tapes from their diapers that's why I started to switch into diaper pants. Unfortunately, the first brand that I have bought wasn't gentle on my twins' bums and left some rashes. I can say that these rashes were quite a lot than the usual. I was a little worried and was thinking of using my over the counter diaper rash cream, but in the end I opted to use an organic product sent to us by Kuchi-kuchi. 

Things you need to know about Kuchi-kuchi's Baby Bottom Balm:

1. One of its main ingredients is virgin coconut oil. I have personally tried and tested VCO's soothing property so I trusted that it'll do the same for my babies.

2. Other ingredients include aloe vera oil, shea butter, calendula flower oil and jojoba oil - all were proven to be good for the skin.

3. Most importantly, it is paraben free and no nasty chemicals included.

4. It is fragrance free.

5. It claimed to treat diaper rash effectively.

With these facts on my head, I used the product on my twins for the first time. The result was amazing. Overnight, diaper rash were starting to disappear. I made sure to apply it every diaper change, and voila, within 24 hours, rashes were gone. Also, because of its ingredients, I also used it on bug bites. Bug bites gone as well. With all honesty, I am recommending this product.

From babies to toddlers, I feel that my twins are not only growing but are also gaining more and more energy. But at the end of the day, they still love being cuddled before going to sleep. I still continue our skin to skin contact through massaging with the help of Kuchi-kuchi's Calming Massage Oil.

Again, it is made of pure virgin coconut oil blended with french lavender oil and chamomile oil, both known for their calming properties. It can also be used as a natural remedy for colic on babies, cradle cap and even eczema.

I use Kuchi-kuchi's Calming Massage Oil every night when I give my kids, including my girls, a back rub. They love the scent of it, and I noticed that they sleep better during the night. I can also say that a small bottle can go a long way because a back rub only requires two to three drops of this oil.

A tub of Baby Bottom Balm cost 350php while a bottle of Calming Massage Oil cost 300php. Still economical to use because only a small amount is required for every use. You can get yours here: Kuchi Kuchi on Facebook or @shopkuchikuchi on Instagram.

Giveaway Alert: Next 2 Nature Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Hello there moms and dads! Another giveaway from our sponsor.

Get the chance to win this 100ml bottle of Next 2 Nature Extra Virgin Coconut Oil by simply following the mechanics below. There are two ways to win:

Through Instagram:
1. Follow @next2natureph and @meettheagarans.
2. Repost the photo above found on my account and tag 3 or more friends, use #agaransmeetnext2nature.
3. On your post, tell us why you need a VCO in your household. Don't forget to tag @next2natureph and @meettheagarans on it.

Through Facebook:
1. Like Next2Natureph and Meet the Agarans by The 24/7 Mommy.
2. Share my review link found on my FB page and tag 3 or more friends, use #agaransmeetnext2nature.
3. On your post, tell us why you need a VCO in your household. Don't forget to tag Next2Natureph and Meet the Agarans by The 24/7 Mommy on it.

Comment down below for any questions. Announcement of winners in on August 25! Thank you! xoxo

Breastfeeding Month Special: Getting to Know Your Parenting Station by Abe-Abe Moms

I am a mom of four. With my two girls, I thought that when you are a working mom, you should automatically bottle-feed your baby. Not even the hospital where I gave birth recommended or educated me about breastfeeding. Even pediatricians I chose in the past didn't give me much information. In fact, they recommended formula milk right away. My mom and my OB-GYN encouraged me to do so, but I guessed encouragement was simply not enough. 

When I was pregnant with my twins, I was so eager to breastfeed them. Online support groups had influenced me a lot. I have educated myself well with breastfeeding do's and don'ts. I have read a lot of articles about breastfeeding and all things connected to it. I've done so much research. In fact, I felt I became obsessed to it. Unfortunately, the hospital where I chose to give birth is not breastfeeding friendly. I wouldn't want to get into details but my twins first milk was formula. They had to stay in the hospital for three more days. I was in pain, we didn't have a car, I couldn't go to the hospital to give them milk so they had more formula. At home, I would love to ditch the formula but I was alone with my four children most of the time because my husband had to work. I just couldn't get the tandem feeding right. And the stress went on and on, my milk was gone no matter how hard I've tried to bring it back. In the end, I had to choose to save myself from post-partum depression. I blame no one for what happened. I am still proud that I have breastfed my twins for four months! 

I may not have been successful with my breastfeeding journey but I still call myself a breastfeeding advocate because of my will to help other moms to be successful in theirs. Moms, especially those who lives in Pampanga, I would like to introduce you to Your Parenting Station by Abe-Abe Moms. 

Your Parenting Station by Abe-Abe Moms specializes in breastfeeding basics, baby wearing, cloth diapering and parenting. It is owned by Ms. Marlene Deang-De Mata, a breastfeeding advocate. It offers lactation counseling and consultation with certified health care providers and counselors. It also sells breastfeeding products and other supplies such as Medela, Baby Leaf, Honey Suckle, Baby K' Tan, Snug-a-Hug, Mamacare and a lot more. 

With the very accommodating Ms. Marlene.

Visit them anytime from 10am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. It is located on G/F Nadeco Meifoods Commercial Bldg., Magalang Road, Corner R.A. Canlas St., Pandan, Angeles City.

Note that their one-on-one counseling is by appointment basis. You can contact them via mobile: 0908-863-6154, email: abeabemoms@gmail.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/abeabeparentingstation/, and Instagram: @abeabemoms.

Moms, be informed that you are not alone in your breastfeeding journey. When you think your support system is not enough, or you just want to be prepared, now you know, Your Parenting Station by Abe-Abe Moms is just within your reach.

Art is Fun with Play Paint Philippines

My kids love art, that's not new to everyone already, but even when they do something that they love, they still get wearied in using the same materials over and over again. Moms, if you have preschoolers and grade schoolers, welcome to the world of endless searching for fun and educational activities for your kids. Their imagination is beyond our control already. Not to mention their growing addiction to screens, which I always state in my past posts that I want to at least lessen.

When my girls received tempera paints from Play Paint Philippines, they were so excited to use them. It was their first time to use tempera paints at home because only pencils, crayons and water colors are always available. They were a little bit disappointed though when they saw that they were only given three colors. I reminded them by singing, "When you mix red and yellow it makes..." "Orange!", Kiera shouted. And so the fun begun after that. They were so happy painting and mixing colors.

Thank you Play Paint Philippines for these primary colors for my girls!

Mixing colors, they already made orange and purple.

They chose to paint their past drawings which they haven't colored yet.

These tempera paints can be used with or without water, but my girls asked for a little water to make the mixing easier.

These girls don't have a problem at all on sharing the paints :)

Sometimes Kiera paints alone. This time she mixed colors plus water to make colors lighter when needed.

Play Paint Philippines provides non-toxic, easy to wash and kid friendly tempera paints. It is safe even for one year old kids, with supervision of course. Since it is easy to wash, it can also be used for hand paintings, it's also non-toxic so it's safe on the skin. We'll try hand painting one of these days.

Try these tempera paints now and you might just love them as much as we do. Follow @play.paint on Instagram to see more of their products.

Winner: Organic Beauty Products from Cleopatra's Secret, Laurent Cosmetics and The Happy Organics

Sorry for the delay of the winner announcement, my twins are sick but are now getting better. Anyway, thank you to all who joined my giveaway contest. A big thank you to our sponsors: Cleopatra's Secret, Laurent Cosmetics and The Happy Organics!

Watch this to know the winner:

Having trouble watching the video? Try this link: WINNER

Congratulations! To the non-winners, don't worry, I have a lot more to giveaway so hang in there! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @meettheagarans and I will be launching my Facebook page really soon! Lots of love! :)

A Need in Every Home: Next 2 Nature Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

I was sent a 100ml bottle of extra virgin coconut oil by Next 2 Nature and to be honest, I didn't know what to do with it first. It stayed unopened for two days. The first question that came into my mind is, what can this oil do for me? I started using the product with the knowledge of its usual benefits, here's the list of what I've done with VCO:

Next 2 Nature Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. I call it the versatile wonder oil.

1. I used it as a natural way to treat my hair and scalp. I am blessed to have a naturally straight hair. However when mommy duty calls, I tie my hair with anything I see first that can hold my hair up high, may it be a rubber band, a garter or a straw, even a pencil (lol but true) plus the dandruff caused by stress. So yes, hair and scalp treatment is a must. But then again I don't have the time to go to the salon so thank you VCO. I can now treat my hair and scalp at least once a week. Also tried it on my kids' hair.

My girls' hair after using VCO.

2. I used it as a moisturizer for my skin and even my lips. Yes, I literally covered my whole body with VCO. Just when I thought I'll be sticky with oil all over my skin, I was wrong. After a while, the sticky feeling was gone. I feel like my skin had absorbed the VCO, even the one on my face. The result was really impressive. My skin feels soft and smooth, just the way I like it.

Me right after applying VCO all over my hair, face and body. 

3. I used it as a massage oil to all my kids. This one is very common. Almost all moms in all mommy groups I am in, uses VCO to massage their kids especially babies. 

That's all that I know until I've researched and the list goes on and on. Here's the list of the uses of VCO that I would love to try:

1. As an anti-aging. Mixing one tablespoon of baking soda to two tablespoon of VCO can form a paste that can be used as a mask to achieve younger looking skin. 

2. As a home remedy for cold sore, cuts and scrapes. VCO can be used as a replacement to antibiotic creams.

3. As a treatment to dry and scratchy throat. Since VCO is edible it can be swallowed directly for an instant relief or add it to a calming tea.

4. As a balm to bug bites and stings. A small amount of VCO can relieve discomforts cause by bug-bites and stings.

More uses of VCO in our daily lives:

1. As a carrier oil for the very famous essential oils these days.
2. For medicinal uses. You can research and seek doctors' advice on this one.
3. As an all around household essential: cleans and conditions woods and leathers, removes rust on metals, greases up small motors, etc.
4. For our fur babies: conditions our pets' fur.
5. And many more.

Thank you so much Next 2 Nature for your very versatile wonder oil! Want to learn about Next 2 Nature's other products? Follow them on Instagram @next2natureph.