Alvababy France

Bonjour à tous ! I have extra Alvababy double gussets diapers and I am selling them. Kindly message me if you are interested. Thank you. pinaymaman@gmail.com 

Detergent for cloth diapers

This is very helpful --> http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html 

I use noix de lavage (its like soap nuts) for washing cloth diapers. It's great BUT it can't take off hard stains.   

Pas de photos

My husband and I decided that I would not post our pictures here. I think I have posted pictures of our baby but she was facing on the side. Désolée. 

I made an Insta account. Follow me: pinaymaman

Merci !

Medical certificate of the child

Leave for sick child - 3 days / year if the child is under 16
                                  - 5 days / year if the child is less than one year or if the employee has sole charge of three or more children under 16 years
                                  - Unless agreement or regulation more favorable disposition, leave for sick child is not subject to compensation.
                                  - Inform the employer of his absence
                                  - Send the employer a copy of the medical certificate.

Leave for parental presence - Leave for an initial period of four months and is renewable two times, so the maximum length of leave is one year. 

                                                - No remuneration is paid by the employer. However, an employee may receive an allocation of parental presence, replaced since May 1, 2006 by the daily attendance allowance parantale (AJPP), paid by the CAF. The amount of the allowance, after deducting the CRDS is:

                                                - € 856.54 per month if you live in couple or € 1,017.16 if you make one (e) the care of the child, in case of full suspension of activity

                                                - € 260.94 per month if you live as a couple and € 345.06 if you make one (e) the care of the child if reduced to a period of between 50% and 80% activity a full-time - € 428.29 if you live in torque and 535, if you make only 36 (e) care of the child when reduced to limit activity of a part-time 

                                                - Tell 15 days before the commencement of the leave for parental presence, the employer by registered letter with acknowledgment of its intention to benefit

                                                - A copy of the medical certificate of the child stating the need for your presence to the sick child. If you want to take one or more days off you must first inform your employer at least 48 hours in advance 

Sample agreements more favorable provisions concerning leave for sick child.

- Collective agreement of the bank

Article 60 of the Convention provides a paid leave of absence for the father or mother:

• 3 days per year to care for a sick child under 14 years

• 6 days if the employee bears the burden of two children aged under 14 years

• 9 days for 3 or more children aged under 14 years

• 2 days per calendar year for hospitalization including day hospitalization of a child under 14 years.

The Convention itself provides for authorization of additional unpaid leave of absence to care for family members such as spouses, parents, provided they submit a medical certificate stating that his presence is required from the patient.

Caution! The right to leave conventional does not apply when the spouse of the employee already on leave for sick child during the period of absence.

information from here. 

Done with the first one

I had my DILF exam last Tuesday and thank God it went well. But the result will be released in one month because they said it's nationwide exam. My husband and I decided that I will have a month break before I go back to French Class to proceed to the next level, which is DELF A1. 

Attends

I have been busy studying for my French Exam on May that's why I have not updated this blog. Sorry. I will post again soon. 

From 400 hours down to 189 hours

I'm sad and disappointed with how the OFII (Office Français de L'Immigration et de L'Intégration) cut the hours of French class of the immigrants. When we went to OFII in Dijon to have my first Carte Sejour, the madame there said that I am on DILF (Diplôme Initial de Langue Française) basic level and I am entitled to have 400 hours of French class (free). 

Today in my new French school (since February) my professor told me that I won't be having 400 hours, it's down to 189 hours. I did 132 hours in my previous school and 21 hours in this new school, that leaves me 18.5 hours. I don't need to go to French class anymore after I complete the remaining hours, and my DILF exam date is on the 7th of May 2013. If I want to have French class on DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) the next level, I will have to pay for it. 

My professor doesn't know why the OFII changed the hours; I wish she knew so she could explain it to me.

The OFII didn't even send a letter to explain the new change/s.

Oh well. C'est la vie ! 

Time change 2013 (France)

Spring 
Sunday, 31 March 2013, 02:00:00 clocks are turned forward 1 hour to 
Sunday, 31 March 2013, 03:00:00 local daylight time instead 

Autumn 
Sunday, 27 October 2013, 03:00:00 clocks are turned backward 1 hour to 
Sunday, 27 October 2013, 02:00:00 local standard time instead 

Fresh indeed

You should check out this supermarket if you're looking for good vegetables and fruits in France. 

2013 Soldes

Winter Sales: January 9 - February 12, 2013. 
Summer Sales: June 29 - July 30, 2013. 

20/01/2013

Time flies! :) 

Protective sheets for Cloth Diapers

My mother-in-law bought this in Magasin Bio. 

This can be used between the cloth diaper and the baby's skin. It's soft and prevents solids to soak and stain the cloth diaper. 

Price: 6-7 Euros. I forgot the exact price. 

Cloth Diapering again

I was 6 months pregnant when my sister shared to me that she's been using Alvababy Cloth Diaper with her 2nd child. She told me that it's cheap and the quality is good. I saw on the webcam that my niece was wearing a leopard print cloth diaper, and I thought it was cute (I'm a fan of leopard print). So, I asked my sister to buy some for me from the same online seller she bought her cloth diapers. She sent it to me thru DHL (when your family in the Philippines will send you package here in France, make sure the things inside are worth no more than 45 Euros. Otherwise, they will charge you.) 

I started using cloth diaper with my baby when she was a month old (I was also using lampin and pampers baby dry that time). I stopped using it September last year when we moved to our new place because I was busy cleaning and moving things. I didn't have time to wash it. And now that we are settled, I am back using it. 

(alvababy 3.0 minky)

(alvababy 3.0 solid color)

(just to give you an idea what the inside looks like)

(insert for 3.0)

(solid color and minky)

Alvababy 3.0 cloth diaper has hip snaps, waist snaps, 3 sizes adjustment snaps (small, medium, large), and single gusset. I love the minky because it's soft and cute. The leopard and zebra print are my favorite. As you can see in the picture, I have two leopard print. I also have a 3.0 dark blue and camouflage (not minky), they're in the laundry basket. 

(alvababy 4.0 color snap with double gussets) 

(this is why it's called color snap)

(with double gussets. for no more side leaks)

(insert for 4.0. there's a snap so you can attach it to the cloth diaper and keep the insert intact) 

(color snap with double gussets)

Alvababy 4.0 cloth diaper has hip snaps, waist snaps, 4 sizes adjustment snaps (extra small, small, medium, large), and double gussets. I prefer 4.0 than 3.0 because of the double gussets and its insert, but they don't have girly designs. So, I always use the 3.0 minky ones. 

I decided to use cloth diapers because we can save money on disposable diapers. But I still use disposable diaper during bedtime. I use Pampers Baby Dry, it's good up to 12 hours and our baby never had rashes with it. I use cloth diaper during the day until before bedtime. 

Late 70's French Cloth Diaper

I saw this Cloth Diaper last month during our vacation at my mother-in-law house. The texture is quite similar to lampin. My mother-in-law told me that she used this with my husband when he was a baby. It would have been nice to use it with our baby, so I can experience using it. But it's too late now. 

There's Yakult in France

We bought this Yakult in Monoprix. We never thought we would find it here because we don't see it in E.leclerc, Géant Casino, and in other supermarket, only in Carrefour in Nevers.

We bought it for 3.59 Euros. 

Treatment for my cracked dry skin

I made an entry about my problem with my hands, they were dry and cracked. I told my husband about it and he bought me cold cream soap Vendome (my husband said that cold cream soap is good for dry skin), cream Cicabiafine, and gloves (I use it whenever I wash mugs and plates that cannot go in the dishwasher, I used to wash them with bare hands). 

Vendome 

Cicabiafine

i put this on first before the rubber gloves

I used them for only 3 days and my hands were better.

9 January 2013  

Ang Phil Emba ay hindi na bukas kada unang Linggo ng buwan

Pumunta kami sa Philippine Embassy sa Paris nung Linggo, nagbakasali lang na bukas sila dahil nakalagay sa website nila na bukas sila kada unang linggo ng buwan. Pero sa kasamaang palad pagdating namen doon, may nakalagay na note sa gate na nagsasabi na simula sa Enero 2013 ay hindi na nila maitutuloy ang serbisyo kada unang linggo ng buwan dahil may mga nagreklamo na mga katabi nila sa abala. 

Bumiyahe kami ng 2 oras papuntang Paris (plus 2 oras pabalik), para lang malaman na sarado sila. Kasalanan din namen hindi kami tumawag nung Biyernes para maconfirm kung bukas sila, pero sa sobrang busy at pagod na din sa biyahe nung bakasyon, hindi na namen nagawa. Sana lang alisin na nila sa website nila na bukas sila kada unang linggo ng buwan, para hindi na rin mangyari sa iba. May nakasalubong din kami na pinoy na papunta Embassy noon, buti siya taga Paris lang, kami taga Bourgogne pa. 

Website of the Philippine Embassy in Paris 

9 January 2013

25 Décembre et 31 Décembre 2011

25 Décembre

We spent Christmas Eve at my belle-mère house in Nevers, just like last year. My husband relatives were also there. We opened the gifts first before we had special dinner (the majority voted to open the gifts first. It wasn’t like this last year, it just so happen that some relatives weren't there and we were only 6 including our baby). I don't believe in Christmas but I respect my husband's family in celebrating it.

24 and 25 décembre menu

24 décembre

24 décembre dîner

cadeaux 

25 décembre déjeuner

31 Décembre

We spent New Year's Eve at my husband uncle in Dijon, other relatives were also there. Last year we were at Paris with my mother's friend who lives there for more than 20 years. In Philippines, almost everyone play loud music and fire fireworks at midnight. But it's not the same here in France, the neighbors weren't noisy. After we opened the gifts, we had special dinner, and then we waited for midnight to greet everyone a happy new year, kiss, raised our glasses for 2013 and santé !  

cadeaux

2013 gateau. i didn't get the chance to take a picture of the new year's eve meal because i was busy with our baby

9 January 2013

Sh*tFrenchPeopleSay - FrenchFriedTVEpisode1

My friend shared this to me on Facebook. Click here to have a good laugh. Enjoy! 

HowToFakeFrench

My friend shared this to me on Facebook. Step two is my favorite: Oh la la ! Enjoy. :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edYHlnhxyOI 

Keep calm and obey your wife

I did this last week because my husband was complaining that he's always wrong. And I jokingly told him that he just have to obey. 

Here's the website if you want to do your own. 

12 December 2012

Cracked dry skin

I have cracked dry skin on my hands; it's not because of the weather. I didn't experience this when I was in England. I always wash my hands every time I attend to my baby, and every time I do and finish a household work. I reckon it's because of the new hand liquid soap that we have. It's our first time to use it; the one that we always use is out of stock in the supermarket. My husband told me to stop using it and we will buy a new one, definitely not this soap again!

Has anyone of you used this? Did you experience the same problem? Email me at pinaymaman@gmail.com 

13 December 2012

Second time to eat Escargot

I was really hungry from walking in town that's why I had 12 Escargot in one go. I don't know if I can eat Escargot as much as this on a normal day. 

9 December 2012 

The sexiest Coca-Cola ever

I don't usually drink Coke, and I only bought it because of the bottle design. 

4 December 2012

Hello Kitty winter gloves

If anyone of you who is pregnant and expecting a baby girl or just gave birth and have a baby girl, I am giving away my baby's Hello Kitty winter gloves (for 2-4 months). It doesn't fit my baby. We bought this pair of gloves when I was 5 months pregnant, I thought then it would fit her and also I got excited when I saw this. She never worn it but it has been washed two times, the first time was right after we bought it and second was when I tried to fit it on her last week and she end up playing with it. I think it's nice if another baby would use it this winter, instead of just keeping it in the closet. I can always buy another pair of this gloves, this time I would buy the right size. 

For free and free shipping (but only in France). 

Email me at pinaymaman@gmail.com

30 November 2012

Christmas gift from Jouéclub (used the VIP card for points)

When we bought our baby's bed in Bébé 9 we were asked to fill up a form for Jouéclub. After a month we received a 20 Euros Bébé9 voucher and Jouéclub VIP Card; it's a card that you can use for every purchase (3 points for every 1 Euro). 

My husband used the card when he bought Christmas gifts for our baby and his nephew. He bought a Leapfrog good night musical book for our baby; it's about 13 or 14 Euros.

32.

We will start to read a bed time story to our baby soon – in French! Good luck to me, eh? 

My Christmas gift for our baby is a Gigoteuse from Aubert. 

22 December 2012

Christmas gift from Aubert (used the Bons d'Achat)

We got 2 Bons d'Achat worth of 30 Euros from Aubert because we bought 2 things that are worth more than 50 Euros. I've used the Bons d'Achat to buy our baby a Christmas gift (my husband Christmas gift to our baby is here); it's a good thing we got it because we are running out of money to buy gifts for everyone this Christmas, its great help for our pockets. I bought Gigoteuse size 6 to 36 months (our baby's gigoteuse are getting smaller for her, size 0-6 months), it's 45 Euros, we just added 15 Euros.  

It's not on Aubert website. 

Aubert's Bon d'Achat is until the end of December. Try to drop by at their shop. 

9 December 2012 

Sticky note 11/12/12

Last night I went to bed with my assignment from French class because I didn't want to stay downstairs until I finish it. I opened the big light on, instead of the lamp on the side of the bed. I thought I need the big light so I can see clearly, though the lamp is also bright. I didn't know that turning the big light on will wake my husband up. He was annoyed about it. I said sorry and told him that I will just finish my assignment. He said okay in a grumpy voice.After I finish my assignment, I went downstairs to write down a sticky note on the table. My husband also did the same in the morning.

My message:

Bébé, I'm sorry for turning on the big light when you were sleeping. I was doing my devoir about present tense. I did it on my own and I understood and memorize what I should do. I hope you are proud of me. Take care at work. Je t'aime! God bless.

His message:

Baby, thank you for your message. I wish I had been with you to help with your devoir on present tense. Maybe next time! Love you. Take care and God bless.

This is not the first time that we wrote down a note for each other when we get annoyed, mad, or had an argument. I think it's important for married couple to understand and respect each other, and not let anything ruin their marriage. 

Surprise 28/11/12

My husband went home last Wednesday holding this and gave it to me together with money for shopping, even though there was no occasion. ♥

#mustlovefrenchmen

Rubber play mats

My mom sent these rubber play mats thru DHL together with her gifts to my family. She gets a discount in DHL because she's a regular customer. She sent 2 packs (10 pcs each) of rubber mat, which is about 260 Pesos. It's a good bargain for a good product. Now, I don't have to worry that my baby will bump her head against the floor; I know it's something that we cannot avoid but we can prevent it from happening. I'm thankful to my mom for sending these. 

Rubber mats in 
Bébé 9: around 45 Euros (can't remember the exact price) 
King Jouet: around 25 Euros (can't remember the exact price) 

Crawling and Pulling up at 7 months

Our baby started to crawl and pull herself up at 7 months. :) I cannot put into words how happy I am. She seems to enjoy crawling, and I should play with her on the rubber play mats/floor often than just leaving her in Le Parc alone to play. 

I will have to buy more rubber play mats soon. 

Here's a link of Milestone chart: 7 to 12 months from Baby Center. 

Bumbo floor seat

(this is written at the back of bumbo)

My sister-in-law lent us this Bumbo baby floor chair few months ago. If my memory serves me right, it was given by her friend from England. She said it's famous, or rather known in United Kingdom. It's made for babies who can support their own head and can't sit up by themselves yet. I've used it during my baby's playtime with me or her papa; when she is seated on it she looks relaxed and comfortable. I still use it sometimes because it helps my baby to have a good sitting position, even though she is now 7 months old (going 8 this December 25). I find it cute when my baby is seated on it. I actually love it.

Here are the details from the website:

The Bumbo Floor seat was designed to seat young babies who can’t sit up by themselves yet.

As soon as your baby can support their own head you can seat them in the Bumbo Floor Seat. The seat has many technical design features that supports the babies posture allowing them to interact with their surroundings.The Bumbo Floor Seat has received many awards from around the world for its effective and functional design but be aware of copy products that lacks some important features.

http://bumbo.com/products/#babyseat 

Separation Anxiety

Our baby sleep in her own bedroom now, and it breaks my heart. She's only 7 months old. I miss her sleeping in our bedroom. It's a shame I have to adapt to this French culture.   

6 December 2012

Repas de 7 mois

For the past few weeks, our baby was difficult to feed because her bottom tooth is growing. She can only have a half of Bledding pot meal 100 gram and for dessert a Petit-Suisse 60 gram or half of Nestle Fruit 130 gram per meal. And most of the time she doesn't finish her meal. I try not to be upset about it because I cannot force her to eat more. I am just worried that she might not gain enough weight, but during our last visit with her nurse, her weight was alright. We will book an appointment with the nurse next week; and I hope everything will be okay. 

11 December 2012

Perfect high chair

My sister-in-law lent us a high chair; it's a Chicco high chair called Chicco Mamma. It's a 10 year old chair and has been used by 3 babies. I didn't mind using it but I told my husband that it would be better if we buy a new one because our baby will use it for 3 years. We went to Bébé 9 and saw a lovely Chicco Poly 2 in 1 high chair, but I told my husband that we should also check the high chairs in Aubert. We saw the same high chair there that was on sale, bought it for 134 Euros (normal price is 169 Euros). 

Here are the details from the website: 

High chair scalable. Polly 2 in 1 turns to follow the growth of your baby at 5 months, it is a comfortable and practical highchair, which then transforms into a chair adapted to the size of the child until the age of 3 .

scalable

Phase highchair, the cover of the seat is double padded, soft and enveloping with a pillow headrest soft and comfortable.

As the child grows, the double padding and double tray can be removed and the chair adjusts to fit all tables. Your child can take his meals with the family as a great!

Most product:

Double padded cover, soft and enveloping.

Extra shelf.

Footrest adjustable in height.

Tray with rigid crotch.

The tablet includes a removable tray is practical for use on the big table as placemats.

Tray attaches to the back of the chair (on model 2011 and 2013)

3 reclining positions including a position "sun."

Adjustable seat height positions 7.

Ultra-compact closed space for up to 50% less than a traditional high chair.

Features:

Dimensions when open: L 104 x H 63.5 x D 82 cm

Folded Dimensions: H 92 x W 63.5 x D 25.5 cm

Weight: 10 kg

Use: from 5 months to 3 years.

http://www.aubert.com/repas/chaise-haute-polly-2-en-1-chicco,fr,318964.html 

9 December 2012

Perfect walker

We went to Bébé 9 to buy spoons and bowls for our baby, I passed by this Chicco walker band piano, I fell in love with it and thought to myself that we should buy it while it was on sale for 89.90 Euros (normal price is 99.90 Euros). There was not much difference but we got a Bébé 9 20 Euros voucher, so we bought the walker for 69.90 Euros. It’s quite a deal. My husband loves to play piano and harpsichord; it's one of his ways to relax from work. I know it's the perfect walker for our baby because it has a mini piano. 

Here are the details from the website: 

Upholstered. Seat height adjustable and removable.

With gamepad removable (can be attached to the stroller with the straps provided.

Use: 6 months to 12 kg.

Ref: CONF-trotteurbandpiano

Colours available: Water lily (green), Zanzibar (orange)

Delivery time: 6 to 12 days

Brand: Chicco

Net weight: 4.500

http://www.bebe9.com/trotteur-band-piano.html 

9 December 2012

Another bed for our Fil-French baby

We assembled the bed that we bought in Bébé 9 (http://pinaymaman.blogspot.fr/2012/12/perfect-bed_1.html) in our baby’s bedroom in our new flat, but later on we realized we don’t want our baby to sleep in her own bedroom yet. I told my husband that we try to lift and move the bed into our bedroom, but he said it’s heavy and insisted that we should buy another bed. I honestly wouldn't want to waste money on buying a new one; I thought it’s a complete waste of money. My mind was changed when I tried to lift and move the bed. Yes, it’s heavy. I couldn't do anything but to agree. So, we bought this Babidéal travel bed that is easy to move about inside our bedroom. We bought it in Géant Casino for 45 Euros.

Here are the details from Baby Care (I couldn't find it on the website of Géant Casino):

A fantastic lightweight travel cot that’s simple and easy to use.

Suitable from birth to around 3 years

Easy to set up

Neat and easy to transport and store in its handy carry bag

Two mesh sides offer good visibility and ventilation for your baby

Sponge clean mattress and top rails

Mattress dimensions: 120 x 60 cm. (L x W)

Weight: 9.2 kg.

Warranty: 1 year

The folding mattress we use for it, we bought it in Aubert for 35 Euros.

3 December 2012