Mama Regine

Even if it means temporary seclusion from showbiz, Regine Velasquez is relishing her new role as a mother. She enjoys staying close to her and husband Ogie Alcasid’s three-month-old son Nathaniel James every minute of the day and swears parenthood has already had a profound effect on her.

“It’s been a year, actually, since I stopped working but I’m enjoying it,” begins Regine after a sumptuous dinner she prepared at their Quezon City abode where she and Ogie have been happily holed up since becoming a couple. “Although I have to admit that I miss it (showbiz) because for the first time in 25 years, I rested. But I really don’t mind staying in the house with Baby Nate because I’m enjoying it.”

Becoming a mom immediately changed her lifestyle. Working as hard as she did before “is not for me anymore. I can’t leave the baby longer than two hours as I’m breastfeeding him.”

Regine knows this is the only time in Baby Nate’s life that he would be 100 percent dependent on her. “He grows fast and you can’t turn back the time if you miss certain progress during his developmental stage. That’s why, I truly enjoy every moment with him.”

At the moment, Regine doesn’t care much about getting her old shape back pronto.

“I’m trying to lose weight by going to Belo but I make sure that there are no invasive procedures and strict diet involved because I’m a breastfeeding mom at ayos na yung nababawasan pakonti-konti. I also do yoga.”

Thus, in their recently-held concert, Mr. and Mrs. A, which turned out to be a success, a still quite “heavy” Regine was seen performing on stage “but that’s fine with me because everyone knows that I’ve just given birth.”

The concert, she reveals, was an idea she broached to Ogie months back. The reason? She missed performing in the concert scene as she concentrated on doing TV soaps prior to shifting to a “non-working mode.”

“I really missed singing on stage. Besides, we haven’t done a concert together yet at ngayon may baby pa kami,” says Regine who has already shed 19 lbs. of the weight she gained during pregnancy.

The concert was supported by GMA 7, Belo Medical Group, Smart, Bench, Pacific Blue, Sterling, McDonald’s, Victoria Court, Pagcor, M Lhuillier, Cravings, Asialink, Pest Off and Woodpecker Studio.

Regine is thankful that her mom gives her tips on child care and helps her with Baby Nate every time dear mom comes to visit them.

“It’s a different feeling when there’s someone who is totally dependent on you. Well, before as a breadwinner, I’m used to having people who depended on me. Sa lahat ng na-achieve ko in my career, having a baby is my greatest achievement.”

Homebound most of the time, discover how Regine takes her mommy role dutifully:

7 a.m. — That’s the time I sleep because I’m wide awake at night for Baby Nate’s feeding time. I will let the nurse take care of him while I’m sleeping.

11 a.m. — I wake up and since it’s already midday, I don’t usually have breakfast, I take lunch instead. Then I start breastfeeding Nate every two hours. His bath time depends on the day, kung malamig di ko sya pinapaliguan and I don’t think he needs to take a bath every day. Saan ba sya pumupunta at magiging madumi sya, di ba.

12 noon — If my mom is here in our house, that’s the time I go to Belo but I make sure to come back before his next feeding time even if I pumped milk for him before I leave.

1 p.m. — I do the grocery during this time, no specific day.

3 or 4 p.m. — Back at home. Sometimes, I cook for Ogie even if we are blessed to have some help. I also prepare his baon during tapings like vegetarian pasta, steamed or baked fish.

Then I just stay beside Baby Nate all the time and wait for his next feeding time. If he’s sleeping I also try to sleep pero minsan di ako nakakatulog so I either watch TV or visit my Twitter account and tweet.

I make sure I’m wide awake during the night starting at 12 midnight then feed Baby Nate at 2 a.m. and the routine goes on. I also change his diapers. No, I don’t bother Ogie to look after the baby at night because I know he’s tired from work, kawawa naman. I just call the nurse if I need help.