a friend's prayer

this is just what i need!! i got this in my email and i cant help but share this ..
dear d,

Am so happy for your family in having two blessings. One, your safe delivery and two, for a healthy cute baby Miguel. I cant help but exclaim in prayer:
Lord GOD, YOU are truly an awesome GOD for pouring upon this new family the gift of a child, a symbol of their love for each other. Lord , as they continue with bringing up this child, guide and inspire them with your wisdom and light, that they may lead him and bring him up to be a GOD-fearing, GOD-Loving and GOD-serving individual. We pray, that you will bless them with good work and quality time that will enable them to bond with one another. Strengthen that bond as time goes on , so that they may serve as a shining example for Miguel, and manifest to him in action, rather than in words, how it is to love, unconditionally. Enable them to withstand any hardship or trials that may come their way, during their journey in life. Bless all of them with good health that they may enjoy the material blessings YOU have and will continue to gift them with.In their successes, give them,grateful hearts and enable them to be blessings for others, that thru them, others may be led closer to YOU. This we ask in JESUS' name, Amen.

love,
m c

everyday, i continue to pray and thank god for all his blessings..i still pray whenever i cant stop my baby from crying and i pray again when he has finally calmed down..and i thank god that now, in the truest send of a word, i am a mother!! isnt God amazing?

cherish your chosen one

my good friend c gave me this email..she knows i am a fan of bo sanchez..oh how i love how he writes.. read on!!
Cherish your chosen one
By Bo Sanchez
Getting married is the greatest mistake anyone can ever make. Being wed is the height of insanity, the most ludicrous commitment, the most totally illogical decision any human being can fall into.
Tell me. Why should I commit myself to be with one woman for the rest of my life - and thereby reject 3.2 billion other females in the world?
Along the way, I'll meet a girl who'll be more beautiful, or more intelligent, or more charming, or sexier, or holier. So why nail myself down to one choice, permanently -- and suffer the agony of simply watching beauties pass me by?
And in western countries, one out of two marriages end up in divorce. That blows my mind. That's a pathetic 50% failure rate! I would never buy a car, a stereo, a shaver, or even a nail clipper if there was a 50%chance that it would conk out on me.I simply wouldn't.
And why stay with one person "in sickness or in health, in riches or in poverty, till death do us part"? Is my mind fried? If my shirt shrinks on me because I eat too many pizzas, don't I just throw it away and buy an XL? That will be the day.) And if I outgrow my ancient computer, don't I just look for an updated version?
And then there's the catastrophe some call kids. I mean, I don't really want to wake up in the middle of the night to entertain a self-centered, bald, toothless tyrant in diapers? Do I really want little rampaging monsters to break the most expensive furniture in my house? Do I really want juvenile creatures to stay on the phone for six hours straight,
listen to noise they call music that you believe came directly from hell, and mope around uncommunicative, catatonic, and depressed because another demented juvenile creature (a.k.a.boyfriend) hasn't called in the passed thirty minutes?
Why should I go through the torture? Marriage is insanity.
But few years ago, on my 32nd birthday, I gave myself a special birthday gift: I got married to a lovely woman -- and committed myself to insane living.
Marowe is her name, the person I chose - out of 3.2 billion females.
Yes, we now have a tiny tyrant that wakes us up at night, and in the near future, we will most likely have little monsters that will destroy our house during playtime, and creatures from outer space that we will call teenagers.
Why? For three reasons. FAITH. We believe that God calls us into marriage. And if HE called us there, that means He'll be there to meet us. We will suffer all things-just let us be with our God.
HOPE. We confidently expect the best blessings -- immeasurably much more than all the hardship. God will bless us beyond our wildest dreams.
LOVE. Oh yes, there will be other females who'll be more beautiful, or more intelligent, or more this and more that. But they'll only be just that - females - like flowers in the field of a million hectares of flower fields.
But not this woman - my Marowe - the one beautiful flower I have personally chosen, personally picked from her roots, personally planted in my own clay pot, personally watered everyday, personally watched every day, and personally loved every day. Because of my love for her, there will be no one like her.
In my heart, she will eternally be the most beautiful flower of them all.
Because in the end, there will be only be faith, hope, and love.
And the greatest of these is LOVE.

THIS ONE SHALL PASS!

im getting the hang of it!! the mantra, THIS, TOO SHALL PASS! really does work..when i told h about this mantra, he changed it to THIS ONE SHALL PASS! with the sleepless nights we had, we are actually considering just having one child!! i know i know its still early but we do get desperate at times. with baby's constant crying for no reason (or so we thought as we just cant figure out why he still cries when weve just fed him, his diapers not wet, he's sleepy..etc..) we are really having a hard time! not to mention the every 3hour feedings...haayy..
but last night, for no reason, our little one slept from 10pm - 5am..with no feedings in between..i really dont know if that s good ..i always thought if he was hungry he would wake up but tonight he did not! is that ok?
i gotta research and look at babycenter.com..

Sixth week appointment!

i thought my sex i mean six week appointment was scheduled at 10am..but when i checked again at my appointment slip, hala, it was at 1pm..h had to go on a half day this morning just to accompany me..he has that perfect attendance award in going to doc's appointments from the time i got pregnant and now that i am not and he wants to hold on to that record..i dont know until when!!
luckily, when i called my ob to explain how i thought i was scheduled to see him this morning, he tried to squeeze me in the morning schedule..good for us!!
h had been extra sweet today!!with the baby crying and breasts leaking, sorry h..but it's the last thing on my mind!!

destin

h sent me out ALONE on a shopping spree together with my 2 girlfriends a & e as he would take care of our baby..a had her baby i while e had baby j..i had hesitations but h insisted..so off to destin i went..but my mind just cant stop thinking about my baby..times have changed..i was insisting h to come with us but naaah..he commented i deserve a break..apparently, i think i really do need a break but i know ill be missing my baby even for a short while..h even explained that at least he gets to have a break in his work and a break at home too while i on the other hand just stays at home.. i do go out at times but still baby is with me..im so used in lifting the car seat, putting him on the stroller and voila..push him wherever i go!
at the outlet, my eye caught a nice diaper bag from coach..but then, the practical in me thought how long shall i be carrying a diaper bag? at 6 weeks old, i can see how fast our baby grows as most of his clothes have shrunk! thats why it is also not practical to buy new clothes too much or new shoes for the little one! see..im out on a shopping spree and all i can think about is my baby!!!

i would have to admit hubs has the eye for taking reaall good pictures!! im thinking of making a photo gallery with all his shots!! i think he has the talent!

caught in the act!!i woke up at 2 am and my two boys are in the nursery!!
what a lovely sight!

here's the link to see some photos !
im still in the adjustment period and so is the baby but i just cant help but brag about him!
i just love whenever he smiles, cries, winks or does anything! i love it too whenever he sleeps, poops or weewees...been a victim already!!
i am so crazy in love with him! and so is his dad!! though we are still sleep deprived, it doesnt matter! as long as we could gaze at his beautiful eyes, we do not mind at all..
having a baby is a big change! but a great change!! i know its too early to tell but we just know he has enriched our lives!! and i really thank god for all his blessings!

MY ANGEL

i havent slept for the loooongest time!!! with all these contractions, all i think about is that it'll soon be over! that after 5 minutes of unthinkable pain, i could rest..but they are so intense..a kind of pain i can never explain nor imagine!! i remember praying, holding hubs hands, breathing...haayyy..hubs was reminding me of the breathing exercises we had during our childbirth classes but it never worked for me..ahh-hee-ahh-hee-ahh-hoo!! whatever!!!
but seeing my baby, my angel amidst all the pushing and breathing ..ahhhh..its all worth it!!making me a part of this miracle of life is really beyond words! im sure any mother can relate!!
god is soooo good!!! he has blessed me with so much!! this baby is so precious i cried and cried while holding him, caressing him..! his hands and feet are so tiny! and i think he looks a lot like me!!!!
I'M A MOM NOW!! WHOAAAA..!! This journey to motherhood officially begins now!!

the journey begins!

it was a typical saturday! i was doing my last minute cleanup and so is hubs! he was putting "pledge" on all our kitchen cabinets..at 6pm, i had to do my usual visit to the bathroom when i saw blood stain in my undies !! uh oh..!!i was maintaining my composure but had to shout in a way to call hubs attention! i cannot feel any contraction so i thought this could be a false alarm..besides my due date is on the 19th..still early although im now on my 38th week..
as soon as hubs saw the blood, he was in a rush to go to the hospital.. i was taking my time, had to do my shower and eat dinner and perhaps take a nap..heheh..then he checked the bathroom and saw my mucuos plug..uh oh!! he then took our packed bags in the car and begged me to hurry!!he is a picture of an excited dad to be!!!
by 8pm we were both in the hospital!! i still feel normal! no contractions whatsoever! i was so positive we will go home in an hour! this is false alarm!!
they told me to change into their hospital gown at 9pm..i did that! but when the nurse checked me, hala, my water broke!! uh oh uh oh uh oohhh..!! that means i can no longer go home! and i have to deliver my baby!!!
everything looks and feels wonderful!!hmm..we'll see!!!

saki house

thank god its friday!
my hubs invited me for a dinner! we were craving for japanese food and so we tried "saki house" the place was really small..it will look like a typical carinderia...but when we tried the food..oh wow!!!it was soooo good!!!
their onion soup rocks! i really dont like onions but this soup made me gobble my entire bowl!!
delicioso!!

some more pics

here's some pics of the baby's room. pls click this to see the link!
looking at the making of this room, i cant believe how we have transformed this room from a computer/office room to a nursery!
i just hope our little boy will love this room..lately, we have been hanging out at his room imagining how it would be like if he is now here!! yippppeeee!!! it gives us such a high!!

i finally had the guts to post this because of clarice. h took this last sunday and i have to admit he's got an eye and i have the tummy to show!!

the pope

i never got to see him personally but up to now i do wave at him on tv and i know he waves back at me!
He is a great man! one that i will look up to at all times! He has touched my life in so many ways!
A asked me if i cried after hearing about him being gone! I told A why should I when i know He is in heaven now!

the hospital tour

i was talking to my dad an hour ago and he asked how far the hospital was from our place.. i told him it was about 5-10 minutes drive..i felt he got relieved after hearing that..i then told him our hospital tour which happened last month ( yaikss, i forgot to blog about it) for me that tour relaxed my nerves!! or so i thought!!
after our weekly check up sometime march, we were asked to preregister at the hospital. we filled out all the required forms and submitted our insurance card. we even had a passcode as no one can just get access to our personal info. i remember signing a note that i dont have a living well..(should i have one? )
then we were instructed to go to 2nd floor! we were constantly reminded never to go to the e.r. and instead go straight to 2nd floor where lo & behold all preggy woman are there about to deliver their babies. the nurse in the receiving room was so helpful that she offered to tour us around. we went to the nursery where babies will be placed once they have a problem. ( i sure do pray mine wont stay in their nursery)otherwise, they will be rooming in with the mom. then we saw the big room where they have a big tub as well and all the other stuff needed for the delivery. the room was so comfy i felt i was doing a tour at the hotel during my wedding preps..lastly, we went to the delivery room for c-section..of course i dont want to be there but they just let us take a peek to familiarize ourselves..oh & she also showed the vendo..got to bring lots of coins for that..
my dad was happy knowing about the hospital tour..he reiterated how he wanted to be with me at this moment but i guess thats not possible yet..sometime soon..i hope!!

walking in sunshine

im too tired to walk..my feet are swollen as well as my hands..but my neighbor e & a called me and insisted i walk with them..e had her baby j, a had her baby i, while i have my baby in my tummy! see the picture???
it was a good walk which ended up in my house as i offered them a strawberry banana smoothie! here's what i did!
1. wash 4 oz of fresh strawberries and put them in a blender
2. add 1 cup of yoplait yogurt (strawberry flavor)
3. add 1 banana
4. add ice
5. blend, whip, crush in a blender
6. serve in a tall glass!
it was so yummy and healthy too!!i gulped the entire glass and so did my friends! delicioso!!

pictorial

e called me early morning to remind us of the daylight savings time! she picked me up to hear mass too! her baby joe cried with all his might in the church..nyay, what will happen if my baby does the same thing?
as soon as i got home, i saw h busy with our lawn! it's spring and h had been quite excited to do his gardening tasks! i ended up staying inside the house!! the weather is fine but i need my sunblock to make me stay under the sun! vanity!!
later in the afternoon, i reminded him of our pictorial kuno! he had been longing to take pictures of me in my sexiest body!! his shots were real good but my body --particularly my tummy....hmmmm!!!teehehehe.....reminds me of alpha's blog!!
(how are you alpha?- im praying for you)

h had to work on a saturday morning! i thought it would be best if he dropped me off the mall to do my last minute shopping for the baby! he dropped me at 10am and he said he'd pick me up at lunchtime!! reeds jewelers was on sale and i saw this 1/2 ct white gold princess cut diamond earrings! i tried it on and it looks sooo good!! the store manager was doing her best to make me get those earrings but i know i can wait!!tsaka na lang siguro..
i ended up buying baby clothes, the breastpump ( i got one as a shower gift isis but had to exchange it for medela which according to my friends is the best--even the instructor yesterday was suggesting medela) and some feeding bottles to match my breastpump! i also bought a formula , a small can just in case i dont have milk!! ooopps, dont give up! breast is best!!
at home, we started fixing the nursery again!! finally, we were able to set up the diaper changing station..we just used an old dresser, removed the 3 way mirror, bought a contoured dressing pad and voila! it matches the crib so all is well!!yipppeee..!

breastfeeding class

i am so forgetful!!! must be the hormones or what but i swear i havent been like this before!
i glanced at my calendar and remembered i have a breastfeeding class today! i called the hospital and asked if it was scheduled at 630pm just like my childbirth class which i missed last tuesday! it was scheduled at 430pm-630pm .. btw, i called them at 4pm..good thing the class is just about 5 minutes away..ohmygulay!
luck was on my side as my bro in law just parked his car in the garage..i asked him to drive me to the hospital..he immediately panicked and asked me if its time..ahihiihih...i cant help but laugh as i had to explain how i almost missed my breastfeeding class..i had to call h and ask him to pick me up at 630pm..
all had been taken cared of!
breast is best!! i agree! the class showed a video on how to's and what to's..the basics!! i just wish ill really have milk..well, let nature take its course..we'll see!
sad thing is, the class only lasted until 530..i tried calling my bil but he was not picking up nor h..so i had to wait for 1 looong hour..
the thing about not having your own car is that you have to depend on so many people..i miss driving in manila!! traffic is fine with me!!
to keep me busy, i just walked in the parking lot! if someone was watching im sure he'll wonder what was i doing ..anyways, that was a good exercise for me and my baby!!

good neighbors

h wants to bring me to his office so that i will not be left alone in the house..i told him i need to fix and clean the entire house and do my last minute errands! i just think of the baby and a million things would come in my mind!i think that's what they call nesting! my, i just cant stop cleaning!!
good thing i got good friends like a & e..they called me to check if im doing well and insisted i stay with them for the meantime..since a is still on a maternity leave, i thought it would be better if i visit her ..when lunchtime came, e dropped by a's house and a mini get together immediately happened..
to keep my hands busy, i cooked nilagang baka!! i have to admit i missed cooking and so did h! he complimented how yummy our dinner was! that was enough to make me smile!

alone again

they left at 6am! we were in the airport at 445am! we kissed, hugged and waved goodbye! was that 6 months? i just remember picking them up on the same spot a few months ago..and now..its the other way around!! time flies so fast!!
i envy h..i havent seen him cry! theyre his parents but i gotta admit seeing them leave made me cry..really!!
the house is so quiet!! good thing i have another check up in an hour..cant wait for h to be home!
i have to keep myself busy!!

zzzz's

all their bags are packed!!! mil will shed a tear or two..then burst into buckets of tears!!she gave me a list of things i should do for his oldest and favorite son... (btw, i did not ask for that list and i dont want to post it here either..naah..i dont even want to remember it!) looks like im the one who's about to cry though..
she gave back the books i asked her to bring home for my brother..( sighs ) well, at least she brought home the rubber shoes for my dad..tsk..! dont want to dwell on this..
also, h insisted we miss our childbirth class and eat out with the inlaws at their fave restaurant, panda grill! thats fine with me as i still cant recall my breathing exercises..!
mixed feelings and super sleepy too!! we have to wake up at 4am tomorrow!! (sighs)

our neighbor e hosted my in laws despedida party..pot luck style, e cooked pancit palabok and bbq, a prepared hot and spicy chicken wings while we brought crispy pata..naah, that was our dream but the supermarket had pork shoulder only so thats what we baked. this was the long table for 9 adults and 3 kids..this was gone in less than an hour though..last month, we hosted the despedida for a's inlaws as they were too busy to host one..tonight, we felt what they felt before..we're sad that they're leaving us yet at the same time glad that we'll have our own space again..its hard to explain but those living with their inlaws im sure can relate!! countdown, 2 days!!

mommy

its my mom's 16th death anniv! my dad has not remarried as much as we want him to..i myself dont want him to be alone as he grows old in this world! dad says as long as he has us, his kids, thats more than enough..in his own words , he said this..
"nag-iisa lang mommy nyo eh, kung me kagaya pa nya, baka sakali pa!" sweet!
it was my high school graduation when my mom passed away. i remembered attending the graduation ceremony alone! there was a portion in the program where we had to give our diploma to our parents. i knew that i left dad at the hospital early that morning with my mom but i was surprised to see him at his designated seat. he tried his best to attend though late but for me it was just the right time!
i love you mom!! i know you're in heaven now!!!:)

shopped--dropped!

we shopped for last minute pasalubong for my inlaws! they sure do want to fill their baggages huh..
a year ago, when i had my own job, i had the power to buy anything i want! ( of couse it should be withing my income..hehehe..) infact, my greatest luxury was to travel which is how i met h too.. now, living in a single income with a baby coming means i have to stretch out our budget and make sensible decisions with regards to money! the truth that god provides is real for me!! god is sooo good talaga!!
i really wanted to buy some clothes for my dad, shoes for my brother, some girly stuff for my sister but i stopped myself! i dont want to send the wrong signal once they see what i got for my family! i cant imagine if mil throws me that look so i delighted myself just browsing at the mall, buying stuff for my sisters in law and nephews and nieces instead, all belonging to their side..i do wish someday ill be able to buy this and that for my family ..yeah, the somedayitis syndrome..who knows, in the future, i can get to work again sometime and earn my own money!!
dont get me wrong, h will surely agree with me if i buy something for my family..besides, he never looks at our checkbook and leaves all the budgetting to me..at times he would just ask how much is our savings and i would say an amount and that's the end of it..often times he would remind me to shop for myself, but being the stay at home wife i would reason out i dont need to shop that much..
but i do need a bag! a kate spade diaper bag!!
just kidding!!;)

ok ok! im no photographer!! im just trying to capture my feet! and the beach as well!!!

i just soooo love the beach !! the feel of the pure white sand! the long walk (minus the braxton hicks contraction...awiieee) spring break is here so people are just chilling out!!

14 stations

a invited me to join her in the stations of the cross at st dominic catholic church! it was totally apart from the 14 stations held back home! the actors were good though! they had to roam the whole church instead of us moving from one station to the other..the short reflection as well as the songs after each prayer were very good it made me reflect on how christ died for my sins!
good thing h remembered my calamari! i was ready to finish my day with a canned tuna as i did not remind him! but he came home with my calamari!!
a short moment of silence!!! jesus does loves us!!

i got this from my best friend i as a baby shower gift! she is my first choice to be miguel's ninang! cant wait to open it! even h's officemates and our friends are still giving gifts up to this time! so many blessings!!! baby's room is filled with so many baby stuff !!! yeheeeyy!!!

childbirth class

it was h's idea that we attend the childbirth classes at the hospital which consists of 4 sessions lasting 2 hours each! tonight was the second class and the relaxation and breathing techniques did no good to me! i forgot to exhale and inhale or whichever comes first..golly, what should i do??
ive been reading my books but i think this class overwhelms me! the other couples were ok!!
i think the instructor will give me a f!! she even came near me to watch me do my breathing exercises! that made me more tensed!
i have to commend h was a good coach ! the only problem was me!!
relax, relax, relax!!!

stain go away

our sofa has a stain!!
i noticed this stain last monday..last night h noticed it too and he confirmed what i thought..i.e. it came from the red wine which fil had been drinking lately..we were both mum about it so as not to hurt fil's feelings..however, i made arrangements to call rhodes as we had this fabric protection plan for 5 years..according to the plan, they will treat the stain , try their best to remove it and if not, they will replace it with the same furniture..if said furniture is out of stock, they will then give you the option to get a new set provided it matches the price of your current furniture or a little higher as that would mean extra income for them..then, mil saw it this morning.. she wanted to get a brush and a soap and clean it her way and even wash the entire sofa..nyaiks...told her about the protection plan before she starts cleaning it up! she then asked me to call the furniture shop to which i replied i already did..
in a week's time, the ils will be back home! i wonder how i would feel!

doctor is out

its my 36th week and my ultrasound is scheduled today at 3pm.. thank god, the baby's head is down..the nurse's guesstimate (that was her word) was 5 pounds 5 ounces which is right according to my size and built.. i still have 4 weeks and baby can grow as much as an ounce a day if i watch what i eat.. unfortunately , 10 minutes after my ultrasound, my obgyn had an emergency so i need to see him again tomorrow as he will be on vacation next week..i was the one complaining but hubs who had always been present in ALL my checkups did not mind at all!!
braxton hicks contractions have been acting out a lot too..oh this practice contractions really hurt but i know this is all worth it!!

hubs is sick

the alarm went on at 6am but hubs is so dizzy..he tried to get up but as soon as he was on his feet, the room was twirling so he went back to bed again..after three unsuccessful attempts, i told him to just call in sick..when the boss got my phone call, she thought i was in labor and knew that hubs cant be at work today!
i feel so guilty because i made him finish my closet yesterday! should have just let him rest! hope this day he'll be able to do just that! and get extra snooze too..

after a long day, here's the finished product! oohh and i still have to buy some baskets and really start arranging my stuff..bait talaga ni hubs!!

the man of the house is at work again!! the woman of the house has been bugging h for the longest time!!(especially after seeing the baby's closet, the constant reminder errr nagging finally began) h with the help of my fil started the work on a sunday morning..

yup, its another baby shower thrown by our pinoy friends here..it was filled with fun, games, food and lots of gifts and surprises!!!this time, even the husbands participated in the games..it was a riot as our tummies were filled with food and laughter..the cake was yummy baked by my neighbor/friend e..the au gratin was real good baked by my good friend s and a had her house as the party place..
pls click this to see more photos..
everyone had a great laugh as we all sniffed diapers filled with chocolate..at first it looked yucky but it smelled good (its all in the mind..ahihiih..)as we all had to guess what the brand of the chocolate is it..next game was the price is right where lots of baby stuff had been displayed and the couple who guess the price without going over is the winner..afterwards, the charades whose answers all about baby stuff was hilarious..( imagine, how do you act out epidural or dilation or even bottle feeding- try this last one and see for yourself..;))
our fave was the diaper relay where each couple had to put the diaper in the teddy bear using one hand..



it feels good to be pregnant.. friends here are soooo generous we really couldnt ask for more!!

finally, we were able to set up the crib! it has been in its huge box for the last 2 months! the closet was even fixed first as lola started started sorting his clothes and stuff..
tsk, ningas kugon hehhe..but now that we've really started fixing the baby's room , nobody can stop us..(hey, the practice contractions started too..and theyre a little painful! luckily it still goes away..on & off..but, masakeet huh..)back to the hubs, he had been sleeping late at night just to finish our little boy's room! i just know he's going to be a great dad! i still have doubts if ill be a good mom though! all his power tools have been up and about! while im busy taking some pics, he was busy putting up the crib! im taking the easier tasks...ahihiih...

the border i ordered online came today. it matches our jungle theme for the nursery! so hubs had been scrutinizing every inch of the wall..with his carpentry skills, he also did the two shelves on both sides so we have a place to put the baby's pics and toys..

the color of the paint is beachcomber (upper) and seawater grass (lower) which we both chose at lowe's. we originally wanted a shade of green but our dear joseph's room(our neighbor's baby) is alredy in green..

hubs calls the shade light blue and dark blue...whatever!

almost, almost done!!

this is the reason why we had to fix the baby's nursery the soonest time..our baby has all the stuff he needs from diapers to clothes to rocker to swing to everything(i really thank god for this) we can feel he will be here with us real soon and the sooner we start getting organized, the better!!!

i have never received so many gifts in my entire life nor does hubby! our little baby is not yet born but his stuff is almost everywhere!! thank god his lola started fixing his closet which i will soon invade anyway...(hehehehe)

THE BABY SHOWER!!!

i am still shocked!!! that was an awesome shower party! something i never expected!!h and i had been truly blessed!!



ok ok, for the last 15 months, ive been a stay at home wife which is so apart from the corporate world im so used to..thank god, i got friends nearby ..some are a chat and a blog away..mostly are a phone call away while the others would mean 5-10 hours drive away... i have 2 pinoy couples who are my neighbors and friends at the same time--the closest ones ive got distance wise (we live in the same village)..so receiving this baby shower from hub's friends was a real treat for me! and all i had to do was open the door at their conference room and this is what i saw!!!


everything had been taken cared of! the cake, the trimmings..details details! the party plates, napkins, decors and pins - they even gave me a "mom to be" pin while the lolo and the lola and the hubs had a "it's a boy" pin.. they were all within the theme !!"
to see more photos, please click this!
oh, and did i mention the gifts? i know i mentioned last january when we bought the crib that i did my baby registry upon hubs officemates insistence..little did i know that they will really buy the gifts in that registry..there was a little problem though i did not see it that way as gifts have been doubled, nay, tripled..imagine receiving a baby monitor thrice..good thing is that i can return them and have it exchanged for something i dont have (which i dont know yet....my goodness they even gave me a laundry detergent to make sure i will be able to wash all the baby's clothes!! they have covered everything..haaay..- no complaints :)


the biggest surprise was the stroller gift from hubs friends..we were just joking when we included this in the registry as hubs and i scanned it using the gun at babies r us..truly, we have been blessed as lolo and lola bought one last month already complete with a car seat..guess what, we got not just one but two strollers, the eddie bauer style..ohmygulay!! naturally, i shall be returning this gift though i want to keep the other stroller as it is lighter than what we have.. i thinks it a freebie though..hehehe..still want to keep it!


the food was also taken care of.. my mom in law however brought some lumpia and pansit which was the first to disappear in the buffet table as hubs friends have been raving how yummy our egg rolls and noodles are..so many guests came though it was officially working hours..i just felt sooo loved by hubs friends and colleagues.. almost everyone at the nursing facility were present.. i just wish my dad and my siblings were here to share this moment! but still, i am so thankful !!! i just know our dear God loves us and He loves me so much to become a mom to be!! we're surrounded by friends ..i came to realize how much hubs friends love him to throw us a party like this..GOD is soooo good!!!i just praise HIM!!!

after!!! tada..

(these are the gifts we got from good friends- almost complete!!)

in between (notice that the closet had been painted as well and had been remodeled by h)

before

almost done!! finishing touch by the lolo & the dad to be!!hehehe..

lola is very excited too! had to wear her eyeglasses to check the right shade..oh well!

feeling painter!!! we've been so busy painting the nursery!!!cant wait to see this all done!

passport

i called my dad 10 minutes ago and he uttered this....the one i have been longing to hear!!!
"balak ko ng ayusin ang passport ko para makita kita dyan. aayusin ko na sa dfa anak.baka next week siguro.."
finally, it has come to his senses that at this time, the only way that we could see each other is that if he flies here and spends some time with me (just like my inlaws hehehe) ..i know its easier said than done..it would require him to first apply a passport then apply for a visa and voila, he'll be here ... ive been convincing him even before i left to apply for one but he always has excuses..and he really does not like to fly..i remember him saying one time because of my kakulitan..
"o baka pag me apo na ako sa yo, baka sakali bisitahin kita..baka lang huh..ayaw ko namang umalis dito noh..matanda na ako, takot pa sa eroplano.."
the ultimate reason why he can't apply for a passport is because he does not have a birth certificate..it got lost during the world war ii and he has to submit affidavits of whatever just to secure a passport..and then he thinks he is too old to travel..i cant divulge his age at the moment .. i could get into trouble..(ahihiihihi..)
but tonight, im so happy that he is finally taking the first step!!
a journey begins with a single step..!
im keeping fingers crossed! harinawa!!!

accounting

i love math..i love numbers! i love solving problems and it gives me a high if i solve difficult ones!
when we got married, h passed the checkbook into my hands..i had no time to complain!
when he started a business last year, he did the same thing..even that checkbook was under my control..good thing the reports required would be sent thru mail along with the instructions..thanks to my bank exposure i was able to do it! with a slight difference as some rules here are somewhat different!!i think i did well as i have submitted all the reports for the entire year..
except for this one..
i still cant figure how to do this!!
i think i need a real accountant..it will cost me though but im so close to giving up..
ahhh..will try to do this again this afternoon..

shocked!

you thought you know a person very well! then it turns out you dont know her after all!!you never expected her doing a thing like that, but she did it anway!!
you can never be sure whats gonna happen next!!im still shocked!!i still cant believe she can pull a thing like that..how on earth??
ive been out of the corporate world since i got married but emails from my staff and friends have kept me abreast of what's new and what's hot (tsismosa ba?)..and as soon as i got this alarming email..i took a deep breath..i uttered a prayer for her..
only god can help her at this time!!!

a reason to eat!

r & e invited us for lunch..the ocassion, it was baby j's 3rd month bday!!! we never celebrated his 1st month..2nd month's party was held at our house c/o her nanny cum mil ..so today , the 19th, his 3rd month, we really need to celebrate!! seriously, we're just thinking of an excuse to gather and eat..hehehhe..
the party's theme was korean..e's korean pancit deserves an award along with kimchi & some grilled meat! there were veggies too but i dont eat them so i dont know what they're called..
her choco mouse is also something!! she should start her baking business soon! we've seen & tasted her cakes and it just keeps on getting better and better..!!
( i wish i could post pics but it has been weeks and i still cant open my hello account..what shall i do?)
anyways, as i glanced around, i noticed how their house now sports a baby look! the swing was in the sala while baby j, now 3 months old & baby i, now a month old , took turns in sleeping at the said swing..the teddy bear and little play gym was in a corner..the infant car seat was close too..ayy, the baby signs are all over!!
by the month of april, miguel will be a part of this crowd too..!
ohhh..he just gave me a kick! a real strong one..i think he agrees!!

50mg or 100 mg

time difference of 14 hours..
at 1:30am the phone rang..i glanced at my cellfone to check the time and saw 3 missed calls ( my cell was in a silent mode) h then picked up the landline and it went off..
then there was a text message, "PLS CALL ASAP!"
it was h's sister in the phils so i immediately dialed her number..h and i were both half asleep, half awake but why on earth would she call at those wee hours if it's not really urgent?
she began her litany.."ate i'm in mercury drug..mom asked me to buy this medicine but out of stock 100 mg..they only have 50 mg ..should i buy the 50 then double the dosage? i ve been to 3 drug stores already and its really not available..what shall i do? my fil is leaving tomorrow and he's sending these to you..can i talk to mom?
i said "sis..do you know what time is it? are you sure you want to wake up your mother just to ask that?" (the disgusted tone in my voice cant be hidden)
h grabbed the phone from me and he heard the same thing..we both cant believe what she's saying!! h repeated the same thing i said, "you want me to wake up mom just for that?"
he then instructed her to just buy the 50mg no need to double..sis's fil is coming here tomorrow who will in turn give these medicines to mom..it was a last minute thing yeah, so she had to call as she cant decide!!
after that call, it was sooo hard for h and i to go back to sleep..we were both disgusted!!!
can't decide on a simple matter?
i need to sleep to be in a good mood!! poor h, he has to go to work!!!

my plan worked

i prepared h's clothes, put toothpaste on his toothbrush, sat with him at the breakfast table, had a chit chat, prepared his coffee....
at the garage, he reached for his car keys when i gave him a tight hug and a kiss and said..
HAPPY 15TH MONTHSARY!!!
yey..it worked!!
as he was about to wave goodbye, he said..you still forgot valentine's day! (flashing a mischievous grin)

we still do celebrate monthsary..a simple note, a greeting, anything, but we always always remember with kilig memories the special day we got married! he started that drama..
his siblings cannot believe how baduy he can be when i told them h greets me monthly..last month, we even had to explain to my inlaws why we need to go out on the 16th as it was our anniversary..and with a questioned look they will insist we just stay home for dinner and save our money for the baby..hmm..we may listen ..or maybe not!!!
im feeling good today!!

a post valentine movie

mushy as it seems, h and i watched the notebook..ive heard good reviews about the novel c/o mickee and having no time to read the novel, i settled for the dvd instead..
h can totally relate ..yup..we soo loved the movie..even the inlaws loved it!
i think i should start reading the novel..maybe tomorrow? or is it still a good idea? it can give me a break from "what to expect when you're expecting" and other pregnacy books in my bedside table..what do you think?

i forgot all about it

i woke up early and joined h for breakfast. lately, i have been spending extra time in bed since mil had been preparing breakfast for her fave son (my HUSBAND) and of course, im pregnant!! my good friend adviced me to take tons of sleep and i try to do that..anyways, mil also prepares his lunch too ( i used to do this also but mil now does this ) i just know this wont last long enough as lately h has been returning home with his lunch untouched ( i have a big grin..hehehe)
still, i always, always, without fail, give h a kiss and a hug and a wave at the garage as he leaves for work..(mil once tried to do this but she stopped the moment she saw i was at the garage door ..)
10 mins later, h called..
h : hey love, how are you?
m : doin good, about to go back in bed..why?
h : hmm..just wanted to say something..
m : what? im still sleepy..
h : uhhmm.. Happy Valentine's Day!
m : ohmygod! (nawala antok ko) are you sure?
h : yup, it's valentine's day..obviously you forgot! good thing ! last year i did forget too, ..this year, its your turn..hehe
m : awww..sorry...im pregnant kasi eh..i read in the book that pregnant people tend to forget a lot.
h : yeah, and you forgot that we have an obgyn appointment at 3pm..after that, let's watch a movie or do something..let's celebrate!!
m : goodness, im really sorry!! how can i forget? this never happened before..
h : its ok..so, we have a date.??! ill pick you up at 3pm, ok?
m : ok ..
h : love you!
m : love you too..sorry!!

i need to see my doctor! oh yeah, i have an appointment with him later! haaay...

mongolian grill

golly im so full!!
h asked us (me & inlaws) to join his colleagues for dinner! what a feast!!this restaurant is about to close in a week's time so all floridians are actually eating here . news spread that this location which is beachfront has been sold and will soon be developed into condominium units..(gone is the beachview, tsk) and the owners of this restaurant have been really paid well that they dont need to work for the coming years!!!management thinks its a wise decision! our tummies think otherwise!!
i was reprimanded by my mil as i filled my plate with beef strips and pork and chicken..the veggies were missing!! what can i do? i really need to stuff some more greens but i am not really the type! lagot ako ke miguel!!!
still, i ate to my tummy's delight!

despedida

c's parents are going back home and my good h decided to throw them a despedida party tonight! it was his idea but i had to execute it..heheh..he thinks c should be really sad now that his parents are leaving them so it would be better if we plan the party and just invite them here! it was 7am when h thought of this and party will start at 7pm..12 hours is a long way to go!
i baked a ham ( well, i just had to thaw it from the ref and put the sauce afterwards..heheh) mil cooked pancit..c brought fish with tausi while r brought dessert, a cake with lemon curd & cream cheese! and the party began..
they even watched our wedding video which brought oohhss and ahhhhs again..and the whirlwind romance has to be told over and over again! no complaints, its good to recall those happy times!
will surely miss tito v & tita c..have a safe trip back home!

attic ko po siksik!!!

tired, exhausted..hmm..my back ache is horrendous! should have listened to h! never would i bend forward, or worst pick something up from the floor..ever again!
we know we have to make some space! if you take a look at our attic, ohhlalala..lots of unnecessary junk are still in there..im waiting for the day when our attic will just fall ang voila, all those junk will be all over the garage..oooppss and i havent mentioned about our garage too ..awww..
i know im not the most organized person in the world but i like to keep my things and stuff in order..it pains me when it takes me some time to find some thing when i know i just placed it somewhere..h thinks im soooo organized that he asks me everytime he looks for something....lucky me i have not failed him..yet!!
ok ok..im trying not to confuse you as i am confused myself..our inlaws have been trying to organize our house which does not work for me and h as well..unknown to us, they invaded our attic and reorganized everything..so when it was our turn to look for something, everything was not in its old place..haaay..
h suggested to have a garage sale which i readily aggreed..so it meant we had to put everything down from the attic and sort ALL the stuff..
the thing with my inlaws is they are so good in the word stewardship! they dont know how to let go..! i was so proud of my h as i noticed the big change! would you believe last year at this exact date i together with h was doing the same thing? we both noticed this as he pulled out 4 boxes with labels bearing the same date last year! which meant that this box has been untouched for 1 whole year hence they are not needed anymore and we can truly let go of this box..
but with the inlaws helping, they would always reason out that we can still use this and that..fix this fix that..hay naku..we end up keeping almost everything...its so hard to argue with them..we were both exhausted afterwards..sermons as to how we should be thrifty and stop throwing away things or buying new items..we do appreciate their view but..
we needed a space..i need a space..a big one ..with the baby coming soon, we try to create the space..its hard to move with a big tummy!!
you just got to do what you have to do!!!

the stroller & car seat from grandma!

its saturday!! we woke up late!! h & i wondered how come the whole house is quiet! and when we checked the car..nyah..its gone! & so are the inlaws!
as soon as we had our brunch, here comes the lolo & the lola with tada...their gift for their fave apo to be! a complete set of stroller & car seat from gracobaby!!
here's the link to see the actual gift !!
i love the color mil picked too!! it can be used by a girl sometime soon (of course not in the near future definitely)
isnt she adorable..??
karma??good karma of course!!
bottomline, the stroller & car seat is now out on my list( & budget too)..yippppeee!!!

Tag I'm IT!
I've been tagged by Nyree
Random 10:
1. Piano Concerto No. 21, K. (Mozart)
2. I cherish the treasure of you (steve green)
3. One More Day (Diamond Rio)
4. Time will reveal (el debarge)
5. I Only want to be with you (hooty and the blowfish)
6. Dancing in the moonlight (hmm..sa dawson's creek cd)
7. I say a little prayer (Workshy)
8. constantly (vanessa williams)
9. Out of reach (Gabrielle)
10. Ikaw
1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?334Mb =)
2. The last CD you bought is:
Nyoy Bolante.
3. What is the last song you listened to before this message:
Smart Symphonies CD - track 16 - Beethoven's for elise
yan nyree- for the lil baby in the tummy ang songs ko
4. Write down five songs you listen to a lot or mean a lot to you:
1. Just the way you look tonight ( M. Buble's version)
2. The Prayer (Josh Groban & Angie Stone)
3. Sweet Love (Anita Baker)
4. Get Here (Oleta Adams)
5. Forevermore (Side A)
5. Who are you gonna pass this stick to? (3 persons and why)
pia - para magulo ko sya ;)
alpha - para magulo din
chie- panggulo pa rin

hi-tech

mil has started her countdown..
she has mixed feelings as she wants to go back home in the phils to be with her other grandkids and children as well (yes, in that order)..yet at the same time she knows that she wants to stay with us here too..we know she will miss us especially me..(oh really??)heheheh..
i do love my mil..i consider myself blessed that she has her own way of pampering me, her son or even her apo in my tummy. at first i felt slightly invaded, what with her 6 months of stay here at our home. on her 1st week, she started cleaning my house, cooking, doing the laundry, even preparing h's breakfast and sandwich and coffee..i just focused on the positive side..at least i get to rest but sometimes i do miss doing those stuff . i have to admit i dont get tired doing it for h..but then mil loves to do it so i let her..and when the "i miss doing that" attacks, i make sure i wake up an hour earlier..(would you believe she wakes up at 5am?) so i can cook for h..- (but dont worry..that attack rarely happens with me being preggy ..hehehe)
we do have bonding moments..like me teaching them how to send text messages, how to use my notebook, how to surf, how to answer emails and tada..the friendster!! h's siblings had been shocked when their mom sent them a friendster message..
ooppss..she's calling me..my assignment for the day is to teach her how to operate her sony digicam w-1.. we just bought her one last night!
hi tech na si lola!!!

bad mood

out of the blue i just freaked out..i dont know..i just dont want him to be near me!
he then teased me! "ang init ng ulo ng asawa ko ahh"
i glared at him..meooooooooowwww!
hmp!
i dont know..i just didnt like that he called his mom on the cellfone though we're together and asked him what the ref lacks..hello, i was with him..after all, i do make the grocery list...just that since his mom has been here, she also does her own grocery list..and cooks and cleans and all other stuff..its hard to explain..our ref benefits though as it has been full and overflowing lately..
when i told him how i felt, he just shrugged..he did not find it offensive that he asked his mom..
hmp..im not in a good mood!

pre-registered!

we've preregistered..today, my obgyn has instructed us to preregister at the hospital before my 30th week..& so we did...
we went straight to the admissions office..the little lady seems to be so tired that she barely smiled at us..i suddenly thought maybe she has been having a long day but still im a client, customer who deserves a little smile! anyways, we were given forms to fill out, brochures and special instructions, passcodes...she then reassured me that i can go to the hospital anytime now and deliver my baby..imagine the thought!!..but itll be best of course if he comes on the date itself..nevertheless, there's a room reserved for me and never, never should i go to the emergency room on that day..instead i should go to 2nd floor..i guess my shocked face made her give away a slight smile..and then it got wider!!at 515pm , she smiled..i dont know the reason but at least she smiled!:)
nyay..just the thought..the day is getting nearer and nearer..and i have so much to do!!!(lots of books to read too)
my check up will now be every 2 weeks..to make it a sugar coated visit..itll be on valentine's day!

baby memory book

i am restless!! thank god h understands how my hormones have been up & down & in a roller coaster mode..but today its my friend s who saved my day!!
ok ok..last week i was at babies r us where i registered stuff ill be needing for my baby shower (which s will host too.) i found a cutey baby memory book that has safari animals on the cover with matching photo album & a brag book and all the kaartehan for a soon to be mom like me! i immediately bought it.. then last friday as i surfed the net, i came across a better baby memory book which i really really like! i told myself i dont have to buy one as i have one already! i then reasoned that i could still get this new one which i really like and just give the ones i bought to a friend ( which i cant think of who ..at the moment) ..i recalled all my friends and just thought of i who will get married by sept 2005..well, maybe she can have the baby book but she has to be pregnant first..or better, i should just go to sleep and forget about it..if tomorrow, i still think of that baby book, well 'im going to buy it !!
the next day, mom in law asked me to join her in shopping for a digital camera..she thinks i have a better eye so i accompanied her as we browsed sears, best buy & the internet too.. we then went to sam's club to do my grocery list and the rest of the day was over just like that..still, i thought of the baby memory book and how i wanted it terribly! but the practical mom to be in me reasoned out that maybe maybe tomorrow i will be able to forget it!!kasi nga, i have a baby book na which is now in my room and is just waiting for me! kuleeet!!!
sunday was another busy day so i said tomorrow, if it is STILL on my mind, no one can stop me from buying the baby book!! this i promise!!!!
early today, i was ready to buy the book when lo & behold!
its gone!!
its not available online anymore....whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??? ohhh nooooo!!!!!
so i surfed and surfed and tried to find the book i want .. shipping would be another problem..it was that moment when s called and i pleaded her to go to babies r us and buy me the baby memory book i badly want! she laughed as i told her my story..to be tempted or not..to control or not..to buy or not!!
when her work was done at 5pm, s rushed to babies r us..! there she found the cutey memory book i fell in love with..she then recommended the matching photo book, brag book, calendar book etc etc..hala, the list went on and on..this time i did not resist the temptation!! she was on her cellfone while i was at home but it felt like i was the one shopping and craving for all those baby stuff.. if h finds out, i could be in trouble ( or maybe not)
as soon as i know that she has the book i wanted, my next plan was to go to jax ( a good 5 hours drive from my place ) but later on, i thought of c who will be spending the weekend with them..so all i have to do is wait as i know that when c comes back, he has my baby memory book ..!!
upto now h has no idea what has been on my mind..tsk!
am i going nuts?? ( well, at least i have the baby memory book..)

tapsilog

at 9 am, we woke up with the scent of longganisa..i got this from jax last week so h & i are both excited..being away from phils makes you delight in anything that is pinoy..be it just tuyo, purefoods hotdog & danggit!! at the breakfast table, mom in law instead cooked tapa...she had to recycle my father in law's kaldereta which was last nights dinner..(the look in our face might have triggered this)..we gobbled up the tapsilog anyway and prepared ourselves to go to church..its my first time to attend h's church along with my inlaws..this was a result of their constant nagging that we do not go to mass as a couple..i go to st dominic's catholic church while h does not..hence, it was also h's first time to attend their church here - a baptist one although i know he's not a baptist--now im confused..( he mentioned before that you dont have to attend church --his excuse for not ever attending one here-- though he comes with me on special occassion like christmas and lenten season) in the phils, i joined them once or twice in a service for born again christians..i did not find any difference in the catholic charismatic i used to attend to..oh well, we only have one god !!what's important is our personal relationship with Him..
after church, h & i went to bed bath & beyond to buy cutlery tray, chopping board etc..we then went to home depot to buy bulbs, batteries and other stuff h needs..it was here that we bumped to c & r..they were buying a grill!!! we kidded that maybe we can visit them after they schedule their b-b-q party..teeehehehe...
on our way home, h had been extra sweet as he opened the car door for me!!! he had always been doing his best to make me happy!!! as he tucked me to sleep tonight, he mentioned how much he loves me..with a hug and a kiss and something i cant write..and that he's blessed to have me..& miguel..!!!
must be the tapsilog! ;)

dora the explorer!

i love dora!! i used to watch her and even sing her songs!! then i got pregnant and started reading books instead and lots of sleeping too (hohumm)..but i still love her!
i had mixed feelings as we bought
the dora the magic hair fairytale princess doll
i dont know if im that old but it gives me the creeps as her hair grows longer as a magic wand is being pressed on her crown..the reviews says adults like me would find it weird but kids with so much imagination will not mind..at least i get to share the creeps with h..after all he was the one who insists on buying it as a christmas gift for his inaanak..talk about being late..
i thought id help him save time by ordering it online but it was not available..we rushed to toys r us and there it was, a creepy looking princess in a yellow satiny gown..well you just have to see the picture instead..nyay!!
again, i cant help but add some more items to our baby registry..the "r us" companies are affiliated so h & i did our fave.. "scan and gun away.."
miguel is the boss!! he has been the top in our shopping list lately!!! he gives us so much joy just anticipating what he's gonna be like...woohoooo!!!

babies r us!

being pregnant can be sometimes overwhelming..! im not complaining though..i have been reading tons of baby books, surfing the net, and hearing my mom in laws advice..not to mention my 2 girlfriends cum neighbors who just gave birth..golly..!!!
i remember when we were planning for our wedding. ..lots of choices to make (flowers, gown, bridal car, the cake )..i delight in reading wowies emails on their planning and i feel so glad im over it.. 14 months later, our focus is tada..
THE NURSERY...hey, i never thought looking for cribs, stroller, car seat, nursery theme to name a few can be that tedious....and fun too!!!
so today , together with my good friend s and loving h and the inlaws, we went to babies r us! it took us 3 hours to find the perfect crib as h and i had been debating on the color and style and comfort etc etc..finally, we settled for a cherry colored crib which will turn into a full size bed..loading it in the truck was h & fil's job later..
after that, we then had to start our baby registry..its a good thing s was with me as she gave me a checklist of what are must haves and have nots..s is truly heaven sent! the staff were also accomodating and their free baby shower invites as well as guide to babies, books, leaflets are all helpful.. just have to complete the guest list soon..
i had the impulse of scanning almost everything..hehhehe..luckily , the registry can still be accessed online so i will just have to edit some stuff or maybe add some more..im thinking of the latter..ahihihihihi...
miguel has not been born but if i sum up the items we've bought for him..he is surely one lucky child....but if we really look at it, h & i are truly the ones blessed to have him!!
no complaints..next thing to buy..the armoire!!haayyy..

joseph is 2 months old!!
and his nanny, ehem, my mom in law just cant help but celebrate..she cooked pancit bihon! his parents were so surprised when they picked him up after their work at our house..i told them their little boy is having a party!! pinoy style with a loaf of bread ( but not seen in the picture--) we even had a little birthday song as a background music..i insisted on wearing party hats but his mom says its way too much! besides, it was just r & e, hubs and me, and my inlaws! c even called and asked us to visit them as their baby isabelle is now at their house too..they dont have pancit & asked us to bring them some..hmmm...we'll see!!
its just a joy to have joseph at home on weekends! he is so sweet and adorable! he rarely cries! if babies are like this, i dont think i will have a hard time..soon!!!

pancit & coke !

mom in law & joseph!

i know ive been giving you pictures of babies! i cant help it! we are 3 pinoy couples here in the village..r & e had a baby boy (their 1st after 6 yrs) last nov! now, its c & a's turn! both their moms insist i carry them! the thing is, once i carry a baby in the hospital, it has always been my experience that i end up being a "NINANG".. hubs says its alright! after all, we seem to belong in one family, sharing almost everything and helping each other whenever one needs something!
babies everywhere! cant wait for the merry month of april!!!wooohooooo...!!!

the inlaws, h & i visiting isabelle!

me & isabelle!

its a girl!

practice lang! ;)
me & joseph !!

senior citizens

my fil wants to go fishing..but with expected rainshowers today it is impossible..!
however, tito v & tita c, also wants to go fishing as they have been craving for fish here in florida! all they have been eating during their stay here had been burgers, steaks, beef, shrimps and they miss THE FISH.. so what they did was to go on a fishing trip to destin florida to get all the fish heads--for FREE!!
tito v picked up my fil at 7am.. a little exchange of directions convinced me that i should come with them although they insist they can do it by themselves..i dont want to risk them getting lost or ill be in trouble with their sons...
an hour later, we left our coolers at the seafood market and we were instructed to get it back at 11am..with 3 hours to wait, we went to books a million to get some coffee (excluding the preggy lady) and relax and read a book.. still, the stories poured..i find it all so amusing, just listening to their talks..
of all the stories they exchanged, i had to eavesdrop on one where my fil was telling how h and i met..he shared his disgust on all h's ex gf particulary the last one before me where they almost, almost got married but thanks to their prayers they broke up..and how they approved of me..feeling proud, i had to delight myself in that story how they prayed for h's right partner..
h & i met last 10/19/2002.. a week after h called his parents to tell them he was getting married to MOI ( i had no idea that love at first sight exists, well.... a week passed and h went to the philippines where he introduced me to his family and courted me for real..a year after, we got married.. they immediately approved of our relationship right from the start..they even helped h looked for our reception venue .. so even before i said yes to h, his family has been planning all along..and they liked me!! (or so it seemed :)

i had a mischievous smile....it just feels good to recall our ligawan blues..and how both my inlaws are trying their best to let us know they care and love us.. although sometimes we end up arguing here at the house (its not easy to live together in one roof..they know its our house but they just have a way of telling you how to live your life even though we're all grown ups- or maybe all parents are like that..or i dont know) still i know that this set-up is just temporary and i know that once their vacation here is over i will truly miss them..a lot!!

the new director!

h has resigned as the rehab manager! effective tomorrow, he shall be a physical therapist! we had to clean his desk and make sure that proper turnover shall be done!
it goes without saying that he will have no more bossy powers! (says who..hehe)
i am the one feeling lonely as we took his stuff in a box! i know he will still work in the same place but decision making, filing of reports and other tasks assigned as the team leader makes me feel different..but the thing is h is so relieved! after all, he has been the one treating the patients and doing the managerial skills at the same time for the last five years! this time, he shall be limited to treating patients alone which is really his passion (aside from ehem..me) and now that he is no longer the manager, overtime work will be paid..(good for me) and this would also mean less stress for h..no more blood pressure checking, pulse check etc..
h seems happy with this scenario..so i should feel the same!!!i know my man will be the best in whatever path he chooses to take!

one year away from home

now i know where i got it from..being sentimental that is..i was trying to make it feel like it was just an ordinary day but i knew in my heart it has been one year since i left home, since i left my family at the airport..to be exact 1 yr, 5 hrs, 3o mins, secs.. just as i was trying to be brave, i got a txt message from my dear daddy
.." anak, its been a year since you left me, i miss you terribly. i remember this day jan 6, 2004. but dont worry im ok here as long as youre ok there. take care of my little apo ok! love you."
waaaaaaaaaaa...i just bawled..h just got out of the shower when he saw me crying.. he got the cellphone to read dad's message...he apologized as he knew how i felt..
i still want to feel ok but actually im not..if only i could be with them at this moment..im just hopeful that soon, we'll all be together...even just for a while! or longer..! that would be a lot better!
another best actress award nomination for me...tsk!

check up

i had a hard time getting up at 8am appointment. i still want to get some more zzz's but h insists we have to get going!! he doesnt want to be late too..he's taking a half day off even though my inlaws offered to drive me to our obgyn this morning! still, he wants to make his presence felt..as always h has been the kind of man i would marry over and over again..im positive he'll be a great daddy!! my, he's got the perfect attendance award for daddies present in the obgyn's office monthly check up! ( he's qualified for the first 20 weeks but the last 20 weeks will determine if he gets the prize..but with his attitude, looks like he's going to get the title)
at the doc's clinic, just hearing miguel's heartbeat, that was enough to make me fall in love with my little boy! it still moves me..just like the first time i heard it..the feeling just amazes me.. the doc says everything looks good and my oh my..im just really excited!!
motherhood does changes you!! now, i delight in looking at babies around me! most of all, i am so amazed at my own little baby in my tummy!!!
life is a bliss!

highlights

hmmm..what was the highlight of my year? let me see..
january - i left my family at the phils to join my hubs here in the us..tears poured out, long distance calls were made.. but then i'm in love..i told myself its good now that h & i are together..but being terribly homesick was inevitablet..h allowed me to have a week vacation with my good friend s in jacksonville but still i miss my dad and my siblings.. well, to make me feel better, i tried cooking..reading those recipe books and putting them into use made me the kitchen queen..and my dad cant believe it..i never cooked any dish but life now with h made me realize how i love cooking! the experiment goes on...
february - our first valentine date together.. i got him pj's and he gave me a bath & body works spa set..oh, and we used it at once in our jacuzzi..what followed next..hmm..let me think!!
march - britney spears rocks! h treated me to her concert in jacksonville! if i could just have that body!
april - had a close encounter with her as she came uninvited in my house..i can just feel her jealousy..i really should stop being with her..maybe once a year..it would be better if i dont see her..
may - we had our wedding reception for our friends here..it was our first party and the planning details have all been put into practice..not to mention my designing skills..i realized that h will never settle for anything less..he always wants something bonggacious..hehehe..
june - seaworld with i & b & hubs of course..now i know she's really jealous..who can blame her? i have the best hubs in the world..
july - ohmygod! we're pregnant!!just when you least expected it..what a great blessing from god! my knees were shaking as we took the pregnancy test together..h jumped for joy..as soon as i saw how happy he looked, i felt ok..i guess it was really god's time..
august - am i really pregnant? i dont feel anything..i think i am in the denial stage..or it has not really sunk in yet? am i fit to be a mother? i dont have morning sickness or cravings or whatsoever..
september - yeah, the sonogram confirmed it..8 weeks have passed and the pea in the pod is really here! i just saw his picture..the beat of his heart made me cry..
also, it's my bday away fromhome..met hurricane ivan here in florida..nyay.!!
october - in laws are here, just in time for h's bday bash. we had a small gathering for friends h felt the crisis of getting old..heheh..
we went to tennessee and north carolina ..autumn at its best! my first time to experience this seasonl!!it was sooo beautiful!!!
november- our 1st year anniv..still very much in love..i just pray this feeling lasts forever..we went to washington dc & new york (with my inlaws)..2 weeks of travel, fun and exciting places to see...
december - remembered my plan of totally forgetting christmas..i was in no mood to celebrate as i was a thousand miles away from home..h had to remind me that this is my home now..still terribly homesick..

it was a good year!! a very good one!! GOD has been tremendously blessing us! ALLELUIA!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

happy new year!

pavlova..yum yum!

alive & kicking

this baby just loves to kick!!!hubs is so proud that whenever he touches my belly, he could feel his punch, kick or whatever that is..we just know there is someone inside me..moving, breathing..wait a minute, there's a penis inside me..errhehehhehe..makes me wonder!!
being 1st time parents would make us think how on earth would we be able to do this..yet, we are positive that god is with us at all times..He knows that this is the right time!!
imagine, He thinks we are ready!!! so be it!!..if He trusts us that much, who are we to doubt???
23 weeks..and counting..!!!

quiz bee in the wee hours !
tita j, mil, & me..all thinking..ala battle of the brains!
grand prize..lots & lots of shopping money courtesy of generous bro in law!
(i did not win :( )
h gave me his prize though but the biggest winner is mom in law..baket kaya??

sale sale sale!!!

they say the day after christmas is the best time to shop..! to prove it, i asked hubs to bring me to destin's outlet center, a 1 hour drive..our neighbors c & a are coming too!! we decided to join them instead..the more, the merrier!
we decided to take our own destiny..that is to go to shops we like most! we would be lost for a while but we decided to meet in banana rep's store at 6pm..
we also saw our ninong & ninang dr l & n..already in their 60's, their hands are loaded with shopping bags too!! still, they looked every inch a sweet couple..
we had to beg off from the dinner which c treated..sayang..one of those rare moments where c would treat!!hubs headache had been present all the time i was shopping..am i the culprit???we asked our brother to fetch us at the restaurant instead..the food looks yummy but knowing that hubs is in pain made me want to rush home!!
i immediately prepared dinner (leftovers from noche buena..thank god for microwave) and made hubs rest at once..there, i massaged his forehead which extended to his shoulders and back as well.! in a while, he fell asleep!!
in the middle of his sleep, he hugged me tight & whispered "i am so lucky to have you as my wife, hope you always keep that in mind"
my heart melted!!!
(but i need to sort the clothes i bought, and the perfume too..haaay..bad wife me..tomorrow na lang when he is back to work..erhehehhe..)

labor of love!
i had to make my own christmas card! i wanted to give h a unique card! i know that if i buy him one it will be easier but it meant i had to spend his money..i know its my money anyway as i am the president and treasurer of our company (what am i talking about?) but i just want to make sure that my card came from my sweat and tears (owwwwss...drama queen??) so , i cut out letters and pictures from magazines and had a concept..in this 4 paged card i expressed everything i love about him! mwaaaahhh..
also, i enclosed a gift check which also represented my first earning ( i worked and earned $100, my real first paycheck last october which i saved) he thought i will go shopping spree after getting that check but i did not as i was saving it for this christmas..
i just love that feeling that what i gave him really came from my own sweat.. (owwwwwwwwwssss..???)
seeing the expression on his face after reading the card ..it was priceless!!!

show must go on!

our pinoy neighbors decided to have the CHRISTMAS party in our house. potluck style but still, i had to make sure that we are ready!!for a BIG change, since its christmas, hubs insisted we do not use disposable cups or plates since its a special occasion..we have 15 guests and we have wine glasses , forks, spoons & plates for all! he commented that the dishwasher will do the dirty work after..he was able to convince me though! lets see if we'll be able to pull this through!
hubs has always been into details that he started decorating the dinner table! the fresh pine tree with cherries was a very nice centerpiece..its aroma was soooo..i just felt it was really christmas now!!he even surprised me with candles he just bought 2 days ago, just the type i was looking for!!when it comes to taste, i have high regards for my man!!
the kitchen is the busiest place of course!! hubs cooked ham while i fixed the lumpiang shanghai! at 7 pm guests arrived with GIFTS too..i panicked! remember i never planned of giving gifts to anyone! NYAY...i had to go inside our room and wrap four picture frames for these 2 families..KAHIYA..that was the fastest gift wrapping session of my entire life! i hurriedly wrote a christmas card and even inserted a gift card from pier one which has been in my wallet for the last 2 months..INSTANT GIFT!!
the guests stayed until 1am.. the food was sumptous, the exchange of stories was unstoppable like we dont live in the same village and talk in the phone daily..but i had to sneak and call my family in the philippines..this is my first christmas away from home and im terribly sad..but, again, show must go on..! i was pretending i was smiling but in my heart i longed for my dad, bro & sis..i know its hard for them too..! thank god for the telephone!! and the phone card too!! i was able to talk to my family first then all my titas and cousins..the whole clan would always gather on christmas day for the traditional gift giving...it made me feel ok..but then..
best actress award nomination for me!!!

merry christmas!!!

guests ready to chow!

the centerpiece..smells good!!looks good!!

paella, lumpiang shanghai, garlic mushroom, pancit, black forest, brazo de mercedes, pot roast , ham..yumm..

meeting of the minds

the in laws are forever trying to help..today, they thought of putting up the gutter (alulod) for our entire house..i told them we have plans of doing the same this summer and have allotted money for that..besides, we dont want to risk them climbing those roof and what if they fall? my goodness!!! not to mention the weather..its freezing here at 20-30 degrees..it is not really a good time for any home project..stil they insist..just watching them measure their proposed gutters made me nervous and cold too..there's no stopping them so both of them went to lowe's and got a quotation...as soon as they got home, they presented the idea..the bad news is the different curves of the house would make it hard for them so they could only put gutters in the straight ones and they were asking for my approval..i told them pls dont bother as its just a waste of time on their part and money as well (since they always insist on paying for this project too) blah blah blah..i did not agree to what theyre saying..they said theyll wait for their son as soon as he comes home..i told them hubs will not agree as it would be putol putol na trabaho..where in the earth can you see a home like that? plus both hubs and i want to have pulidong trabaho and di pwedeng basta basta lang..
when hubs came home, mil started the talk..hubs has not even taken his seat nor has placed his bag down when mil shared her ideas with fil as her back up..
the funny thing is, he said exactly the same thing, as if his comment was an echo from mine...yet, we havent talked about it! i had a mischievous smile as he pointed out everything i just said...
the inlaws were speechless..i cant wait to go to our room and tell hubs what i just thought..meeting of the minds? we're just both perfectionist i think..after all, this is our house and we, as always, will have the final say..!

the kind lady!

i had our shopping cart at the grocery filled with veggies..after a minute i saw my mil pushing another cart filled with veggies and a ladies bag..i called her attention "ma, thats not our cart!!" the lady was then following her..i said sorry and she said it was ok..after a while, she bumped into my mil and asked"pilipina ka?"
the conversation went on and on with her inviting us to her house which is just 2 blocks away..can you believe that? she's 70 yrs old, alone with a garden of fresh veggies which my inlaws cant resist..theyve been insisting on planting everything from ampalaya to malunggay etc etc.. but hubs and i had been firm that they can only plant in a portion under the tree! i could see jealousy on their faces as they harvested the veggies from her garden..my, they got all the sili and kamote plus the seeds of okra talong etc etc..
im telling you this lady is so generous that she started giving all her grapefruits, all the fish, bagoong in her ref..she was even willing to let us stay for the night..
god bless her heart.. i know we will be seeing more of her! ill always include her in my prayer!!

frames

the belen- to complete!

its a boy!!!

miguel!!

at 10:00 am, hubs and i are now in our obgyn's office! i'm used to peeing in a small cup, giving it to the nurse, who then gets my bp, weight, etc etc..blah blah blah...i want this done because i really want to know..is he or is she???
acting like newlyweds, we had to hold hands as the nurse held my tummy..thru the screen, we saw the baby's head, then the shoulders, then the hands, then the whole body & feet! she had to find whats in between the legs..our baby cooperated very well..my!!!those kicks were really strong!
voila, we saw what we wanted to see!!hubs was sooo happy!!!he brought this ultrasound in his office to show off and shout to the whole world...
" IT'S A BOY!!!"

christmas balls & lights!

hubs UP at work!

hubs at work!