Momma’s favorite things for Gellibean

I’m happy when my kids are happy.

My kids are happy when I’m happy…and I’m happy when they are happy, comfy, well fed, and well adjusted.

And just because we can all be happy together, I wanted to share this video with you. I LOVE IT. It REALLY makes me happy. I hope Gelli grows up to have some of these smooth dance moves. Someone made it for World Down Syndrome Day, last month and it does wonders for my soul. 

 

But some other things that make me happy? Gellibean…AND some of my FAVORITE THINGS for Gellibean are included in this post.

Even as I’m typing this post I’m softly humming a Julie Andrews song….

 

But back to the matter at hand…My Favorite Things for Evangelina…

Piccalilly Clothing

This line of organic cotton clothing has been available in the Philippines for almost a year now. Exclusive distributor Pia Casenas was looking for a line of clothing that was as ecologically responsible and aware as she and her husband are. They came upon Piccalilly and knew that conscientious parents would claim these pieces for their precious children. Pia knows that when it comes to the environment, “Small things make a big difference.” This is exactly why she and her husband love the thought and care that goes into producing classic clothing designed with children in mind that is not only age appropriate, but meets GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARDS. (GOTS)  “What’s even more important (for Pia) is that she knows immunity is built in the first five years of life. So the advantage to buying Piccalilly is that they will be less likely to be sick from toxic dyes used in the process of making their clothes.”

Piggy Paint

When Gelli was just an infant, Gia and I would paint her toes with our polish…UNTIL…she found her toes. And at that time, all she would love to nibble on is those yummy piggy toes. So-when we realized she was doing this, we stopped painting her toes for awhile.

My friend Jenny Ong over at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom wears many hats as a momma. She’s a lawyer, a breastfeeding advocate, an entrepreneur, a blogger, a “do gooder,” a mother, and a wife. When she’s not busy with all of these jobs, she finds time to attend brunch with the SoMoms, too, which is where she gifted Gellibean some Piggy Paint 🙂

Anyway-we love this polish…and not just because it’s summer and sandals weather-but because there is nothing harmful in this water based polish. I’m not worried if Gelli takes a little nibble. (but of course I wouldn’t encourage it)

Lalaloopsy

There are not many toys that Gelli has shown a preference for at her young age, but how oh how could I not buy her a Lalaloopsy doll when this is her reaction?

 

What I learned through an event with the SoMoms, was that Bankee Trading is responsible for so many happy things in our house! Here in the Philippines, they are the exclusive importer and distributor of many familiar brands that we enjoy and depend on. From Graco, to Boon, and B-Daman to Lalaloopsy, they make Aventajado kids (and Mommas) happy campers. You can find all of these great brands at the bigger department stores and at Toy Town in Glorietta.

Chooze Shoes

I found Chooze Shoes when I was looking for sneakers for Gellibean. She was just learning how to walk, and since Stride Rite is not available in the malls nearest our home, we decided to try and get her some sneakers that were light in weight, cute, good for her feet and close to home. We found a pair that we were looking for, but we also stumbled upon these adorable shoes that were mismatched by design! I fell in love with them! 

Truth: Back when high top Reeboks were the fashion in all different colors and I was a teenager, I was known to sport one pink sneaker and one gray sneaker. (So I had my own mismatched shoes, before it was made cool and cute for toddlers and Big Kids!)

 

I was even able to purchase Chooze SANDALS last week with the helpful staff of Babyland. I saw the pair I wanted on Instagram but knew they were not available in a branch that was close to me. When I inquired thru IG, they had two pairs sent to the Festival Mall branch so Gelli could try them on. Of course we ended up taking one pair and some other Fab Finds home with us too.

Manila Baby Wet Bags

My friend Neva over at Manila Mommy is much like Jenny. She wears a multitude of hats in her life as well, but one of those hats puts her in a special club. Her son, Noah, was born with Down Syndrome, just like Gelli. And since meeting her through DSAPI, I am happy to say that we have been able to nurture a beautiful friendship filled with love and support.

 When Neva and I first became friendly last year, I saw her at one of the Mommy Mundo bazaars and picked up a Wet Bag for Gia from her Manila Baby Shop. At the time, Gia was going on lots of play dates where she was swimming at a friend’s house so Neva’s Wet Bags seemed like the perfect alternative to bringing around plastic bags which are not environmentally friendly.

 I loved them so much that I bought one for each of Nino’s nieces and nephews, and stocked up on a few more for myself because with a family of 6 people, one can never have too many wetbags once summer weather hits. Now, that Gelli will be taking swimming lessons soons, these bags that I stocked up on will certainly come in handy.

Now that I have shared my Favorite Things with you…maybe you can take a minute and share some of your Fab Finds with me?  Remember 🙂 Sharing is Caring!