Cutty

After Tito Lerm, Inay and Tito Mark, I thought that our quota for the year has been reached. After all, we had three already. Bad luck comes in threes, right? Some time after opening our Christmas gifts, I read that my maternal grandmother passed away already. The message was sent just before 6PM, Dec 24. I kind of sensed that it was the message when I heard my phone go off while I was nursing Javi. Getting a ticket to Iloilo this time of the year is next to impossible. If I do get a ticket, I'm sure it will cost more than an arm and a leg. I just realized, I have no grandparents anymore. I lost two this year alone. It's just so sad because with all this Christmas frenzy, I haven't had time to mourn properly. Rest in peace, Lola. Please pray for us.

Christmas day is almost over. Next thing we know, we're bidding 2008 farewell. Christmas Eve was spent with both sides of the family. We had two Noche Buena feasts. Our first was with the Endrigas . As usual, we had enough food to last us for days. I particularly feasted on Emerald's Pata Tim and Cuapao . I was too full to enjoy our second Noche Buena so I just nibbled on some nachos, a slice of ham and some leche flan. Johann ate three versions of his favorite (spaghetti) at three different meal times. Dec 24 was quite long for the kids. Though this is our second baby's first Christmas, Javi's gifts are not open yet. We didn't have the energy to open everything for him. He was already uncooperative at around 1130pm, so we decided to go to our own home. He slept for 5 hours straight for the first time. I am quite happy for that since I got to sleep longer. As for the older boy, Johann enjoyed ripping the wrapping paper off. He didn't know which ...

Last weekend, I was in Panic Mode. Now, I am more relaxed. Things in my to-do list are slowly being eliminated. I got Vic a gift last Sunday. I am glad that TriNoMa was open till midnight. He passed by the store while I was paying for his gift. Luckily, he didn't enter the shop. I was rushing the cashier to give me the merchandise before he sees me. As he was walking to the other side of the store, I quickly made my exit through the other door. That was a close call =P My FIL's gift is ready for pick up. I got him a print from Gallery 7. I hope he likes it. Well, he likes everything with his face on it. I was afraid that it wouldn't make it since I approved the design just last night. Every year, I have a hard time looking for Christmas present for him. What do you give to someone who has everything already? There are still two people to buy gifts for. There are still lots of gifts to wrap. My cakes are cooling and waiting to be frosted. I need to finish this...

With a few days before Christmas, everyone is out and about. Traffic is so terrible. People spend so much time on the road instead of looking for gifts in the mall. I'm relieved that I have only a few parties to go to. However, there are still so many things to do.... I need to get gifts for the last few IMPORTANT people in my list. I am not worried about the less important ones. My first gift idea for Vic didn't work out. I am scouting for another one. I need to start packing for the HK trip. Johann still needs bottoms fit for winter travel. I need carrots and cream cheese. I need to prepare my documents for the ACS Tokyo trip...that is, kung makakasama ako. I need to get Johann and Javi their Christmas outfit. I need to make a list of chores for the househelp who'll be left behind when we leave for HK. I need to figure out what to wear for Bonnie's Filipiniana wedding.

We always get text reminders about our engagements from our choir manager. For our singing engagement last night, it read: TMW, 15Dec Caroling: CT/Rehearsal 8PM, casa de ARCH. Gerry EXXXXXXX.... So, I thought we'd be singing for a priest. When I approached the guardhouse to ask for directions, I asked, "San papunta kina Fr. Exxxxxxx?" The guard said, "Ma'am, kanan po tapos pangatlong bahay sa kanto." I got to the house with no problem. Once settled inside the house with the rest of the choir, I noticed that there was a bubbly guy talking to the group. I assumed that he was our host for the night. I asked the person beside me, "Siya ba si Archbishop Exxxxx?" Aba eh, tinawanan lang ako. Di pala siya Archbishop. Architect pala siya. Ganda! Kaya pala maganda pagkakagawa ng bahay niya.

Vic and I were able to squeeze in some Christmas shopping before doing our weekly grocery shopping. I scratched off 5 people from my gift list. I have 8 more people to buy gifts for. That number excludes Vic and the boys. Hay. I need ideas.

... to go to the caroling tonight. Mimi's fiance arrived from France yesterday and he bought this for me

You read it right. Ynzal is having another sale before the year ends. If you are a Mac user, you're sure to find something there. Check ynzal.com for the list of items they are offering at reduced prices. I saw some digital cameras in the list, if you are interested. If you've run out of gift ideas for your techie friends, Ynzal is a good place to start.

We veered off our usual Sunday routine because of the new baby and because we were too tired. Vic just "had" to go this car-club meeting, the same way I "had" to go to the Urban Bazaar at Rockwell. While Vic was at the meeting at The Fort, the kids and I spent the morning lazing around. As soon as the kids woke up from their nap, we went to our Sunday lunch with my family in Marikina . They were dressed in the clothes they slept in. Haha . Marikina is my other home, if only I didn't have to go anywhere else, pambahay mode din ako . I didn't bother eating breakfast after the big dinner the previous night, so I was famished. Apparently, Vic was famished also. He had three helpings of chicken bbq . We didn't stay long. As soon as Johann and Daddy were dressed in identical F1 shirts, we hit our next destination. First stop: Rockwell's Urban Bazaar Entrance fee: 100 Items were mostly for the female market so it was a good thing that Vic and J...

The past weekend was so busy. I barely had the time to sit in front of the computer and blog. Don't be surprised that I am blogging at this hour. ----------- Last Saturday, Javi was baptized. It was an intimate ceremony, attended by the people who play a significant role in our lives. It was held inside the adoration chapel of Our Lady of Pentecost. We were glad that the officiating priest decided to hold it there. The baptistry was too hot and chaotic because of the First Communion attendees. Javi's godparents consist of Vic's sisters, my siblings, a couple of my relatives and some of our friends. A couple of godparents couldn't make it. We had to pull in some observers to stand-in for them. The ceremony didn't take long. There was just a short briefing on what will happen. Unlike most parishes, there were no talks on the responsibility of godparents prior to the ceremony. We were off to the reception in 30 minutes. We've chosen Dencio's in Capi...

We're having Javi baptized tomorrow morning. So, today, I am finalizing what we need for the rite and reception. * Baptismal clothes and cap * Extra clothes for Javi's costume change * Johann's clothes * candles c/o Kris * tokens for godparents * Sabroso Lechon arriving at 11:30 * decors arriving at 11 * ice cream cart arriving at 11 * list of "must-shots" for the photographer * remind godparents and grandparents * final payment for the church and suppliers What else am I forgetting?

According to Chuvaness , Royce opened yesterday at the Powerplant Mall. Nama chocolates are priced at 560 per box. Check out her blog to see what they have in stock for chocoholics like me. When can I go? I am not even sure if I can indulge myself. Javi's face is breaking out. I am not sure if it's because of some allergens in my milk.

Javi is officially a month old today. It has been a long month of sleepless nights. At least breast-feeding hasn't been as exasperating as it initially was. Everyone in the household has made major adjustments to his arrival. All of us have a reason to celebrate. I don't know what to prepare for dinner. What should I concoct from Cathy's Kitchen? Maybe some pasta? Some roast chicken? There will definitely be cake and ice cream.

We acquire so many things in our lifetime. Most of which are found in our closet. Not only do women have to keep our wardrobe up-to-date, we'd have to secure items for child-bearing and nursing. I am quite thankful that those living in Manila do not have four seasons to contend with. As I was going through my stuff, I have made piles of what needs to be given away, kept for future use and what may be brought back to the world. Thanks to breast-feeding, I am slowly going back to my pre-pregnancy size. There were some realizations along the way: ...I used to fit into size 8 bottoms or Medium tops. ...It is time to organize another ACS garage sale. ...I am making room for future purchases. ...I am relieved that my shoes are kept in a separate closet. ...I really need to get a closet organizer to fit more items. What was most striking about this process was seeing the watch box that I buried underneath the pile. I have forgotten about it. That was exactly my purpose of burying i...

I got a new pair of shoes at a private shoe sale. I was actually eyeing the same pair at Greenbelt several months ago. I am glad I didn't give in to temptation then. I got mine for only 1K, a third of its Greenbelt price. In addition to that, it came with a shoe bag already. Pwede na. I found out about this shoe sale from my SIL. It appears that this shoe sale goes around exclusive villages in the metro. They carry Nine West, Naturalizer, Anne Klein, Jessica Simpson, RL, Kenneth Cole, Seychelles and other American brands. All pairs are sold at 2.5K each. There were also end-of-season pairs that were sold at 1thou each. I arrived right after lunch. It seemed that I was already too late. What were left were "napagpilian na." I was prepared to get several pairs but I didn't find anything else that suited me. Still, I am happy with what I got. Coming on the first day of the sale was actually a good idea. I wonder, what else would be left on the Saturday?

... of S&R yesterday. The main objective of my visit was to get candy canes for Javi's baptismal centerpieces. Somebody from the Newlywed group suggested that I can find green canes at S&R. Instead of going all the way to The Fort, I went to the Congressional branch instead. Upon arriving, I inquired about the membership. I am torn between getting the Day Pass or the Gold Membership. The Day Pass holder would be charged an additional 5%. Becoming a member for P700 will entitle the holder free membership to all S&R branches. The CSR suggested that I check out the place first to see if I'm interested in purchasing a lot. That would, at least, help me decide if I wanted to become a member. So, I went around. I saw a lot of great stuff. Some expensive, some really reasonably-priced. I was convinced. Besides, I wanted a reason to frequent the place. I miss shopping at Costco. S&R is a good alternative. After going through each aisle , I've seen ni...

This was sent to me privately, but I want to share the news to all. For those who are looking for techie gifts, this a great opportunity for you. ---------------------- Come and join the much anticipated 2-Day Microwarehouse Year-end Sale. This will happen on December 14, 12:00PM until 7:00PM and on December 15, 10:00AM until 9:00PM at the 21st floor The Enterprise Center, Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas Street, right at the heart of Makati City. Enjoy great discounts as your favorite digital lifestyle brands such as Apple,Philips, iHome, Linksys, Palm,iPAQ & Belkin bring their prices down to extreme lows. See you there!

This is Javi, the latest addition to our small family. At this stage, we are still getting to know each other. He is quite familiar with my voice and Kuya Johann's screams. We are quite familiar with the sound of his cries and the scent of his f@rt =P Like most newborns, he still sleeps most of the day. He just chooses to wake up when every one is fast asleep or is about to sleep. He is quite colicky. As you can see, he has grown a second chin. He likes to carried and swayed to sleep. Though Johann was just like Javi a year ago, I feel like I'd have to adjust to being a mom again. I still haven't mastered soothing him whenever he is in his crying fits. I'd have to get used to sleepless nights once again. I am back to my wash-and-wear hair-do. I'd have to double-check if I am dripping every once in a while. I am amazed that, at this time, he already rolled over from lying on his tummy to his back. He has also smiled at me several times. Javi is already ...

I have expressed my desire to go bazaar shopping in my previous entry. When Vic saw the free ticket to the Karl Edward Bazaar, he couldn't resist picking on me. Knowing how intuitive my husband can get, I knew he can sense my daily struggle to keep my sanity after tending to two boys. He "declared" that we can go to the bazaar. I am sure he also itching to exercise his right to shop. I was excited, nevertheless. Every trip out of the house is a luxury nowadays. After hearing mass at the ever-crowded St. Peter's, we headed off to Libis. There was ample parking space at the back of the Nuvo City showroom. The rear entrance was lined up with Nuvo's agents welcoming shoppers. Apparently, the free ticket entitles the holder to a free talk about Nuvo City's latest developments. The bazaar area was quite small. The selection is different from the one you'd normally see at the NBC tent. There were several stalls selling food, export over-run items, bags,...

There are so many bazaars this weekend, if only I can go. That is one of the sacrifices one has to endure when one becomes a mother. I have to bid bazaars goodbye for now. You may want to drop by and visit any of the following: Eagles of Hope Bazaar at the Ateneo de Manila University Nov 27-29 Cervini Lawn Urban Bazaar Holiday Series Nov 28-30 Rockwell Tent Noel Bazaar Nov 26 - 30 World Trade Center Karl Edward Bazaar Nov 29-30 NBC Tent Let me know if you find something really interesting.

photo snagged here This American holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The first Thanksgiving meal was a harvest meal shared by the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians in the year 1621. This shared meal was actually a celebration of harvest and a way of giving thanks for the bountiful crops. It eventually became a symbol of cooperation and interaction between the colonists and Native Americans. Modern Thanksgiving meals are celebrated with loved ones. Oven-baked Turkey is usually the star of the meal. Present day Thanksgiving is more celebrated than Christmas. Though not every person in America (some Filipinos) makes a big deal out of this holiday, it is still very-much anticipated. Apart from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade , it is on this day that shops offer the greatest deals and biggest discounts, in-store or online. It is so amusing that even Philippine retailers are capitalizing on this ...

I've heard so many horror stories about the passport application process. I have no time, nor the strength to brave those horrors. I am glad I found out about this firm that processes passport applications. All I had to do was call their hotline to find out about the requirements. Once I had everything, I called them up again to arrange for a pick-up of the documents. They use Aboitiz 2Go. I was given a schedule for appearance at the DFA. Their service was very convenient and reliable. I was met up by an usher who brought me to their window. All I had to do was to counter-check the forms and sign in behalf of my son. My passport and other documents, which were sent to the DFA, are still in good condition. My whole stay didn't last for 15 minutes. Amazing! I was informed that the passport will be delivered to me in two weeks. Service fee is P1,300. That includes pick-up of requirements, scheduling, processing and delivery of passport. It is more expensive if you choo...

I stumbled upon this article (from Babycenter.com by Rebecca Woolf) when I was reading up on helping newborns sleep through the night. Please read on. You may find it amusing. 1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms. 2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid. 3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices. 4. You respect your body ... finally. 5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way. 6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own. 7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child. 8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago. 9. Your heart breaks much more easily. 10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day. 11. Every day is a surprise. 12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!) 13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead...

As I have detailed in my previous post , we are a growing family with increasing needs. This morning, we made our first step in polishing up the place. We finally met up with Vic's cousin/architect who's going to help us figure out how we can expand our living area. She made some great suggestions. She knew exactly what we needed, like a bigger kitchen for Cathy's Kitchen and a play area for the kids. It slipped my mind that she will be going around our house to inspect the area. She saw our house is perfect disarray. Juskoduday, nakakahiya. At least, now she knows that we terribly need storage space for our mess and space allotment for our service area. Knowing that she'll be a great help to us, I am thinking of giving her something really special for Christmas. Any Dive Watch suggestions?

Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon. I, now, have Facebook . =P I thought it was just like any other networking site. But, it was so fun. Most of my friends are there. I was being left behind in all the chizmax . I couldn't let that happen, could I?

In connection with the three-year countdown towards Ateneo de Manila University's 150th Anniversary, the Sesquicentennial, and in celebration of this year's theme of Deepening Spirituality, you are cordially invited to *TAKE AND RECEIVE: THE FIRST FESTIVAL OF ATENEO MUSIC* Sunday, 7 December 2008, 6:30PM Church of the Gesù Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights FEATURING: Ateneo Boys Choir (Daisy Marasigan, Conductor) Ateneo Chamber Singers (Jonathan Velasco, Conductor) Ateneo College Glee Club (Ma. Lourdes Hermo, Conductor) Ateneo High School Glee Club (Jose Emmanuel Aquino, Conductor) Dulaang Sibol (Dr. Onofre Pagsanghan, Managing Director) Jesuit Music Ministry (Fr. JBoy Gonzales, SJ, Director): Blue Symphony, Bukas Palad, Himig Heswita & Musica Chiesa AND The premiere of RYAN CAYABYAB'S medley arrangement of "Take and Receive" ----- FREE ADMISSION ----- *Donations accepted for the benefit of the Ateneo Sesquicentennial Scholarship Fund.*

It has been three years since we've moved into our home. In that short time, one can already see signs of wear and tear. It has become more obvious now that there are new houses sprouting in our street. We are fortunate to have been given the lot behind our current home. This will give us room that we need. We do not really need that much space. It's just that we failed to consider a lot of things during the construction of our current home. We have acquired more belongings as our family grows. With that added lot, I can see an area that would accommodate additional househelp. The expansion will also give room to a lanai, more storage space and a play area for the kids. It would be a great time to have the house repainted, the garden re-designed and have a new gate installed. Looks like we have to brace ourselves for a major construction. All we need now is an architect who can help us integrate the new wing to our current house design and a working budget.

There has been some discussion about where to go for the New Year. FIL is planning to take the whole family (his kids, their spouses and his grand-children) to HK or Shanghai. I believe this will be his gift to us this year. Unfortunately, Javi is still too fragile to join us. I personally prefer HK. Not just for the shopping, but mainly for Disneyland. Kids will surely have a great time. I hear that there's a special event being cooked up by HK Disney for the New Year's Eve celebration. Since we are bringing Johann without the yaya, we are looking forward to lots of activities to keep him occupied. I hope we get to go around HK as well. I am looking forward to Ikea and H&M and the Mango and Esprit outlet stores. As for Shanghai, I am not sure what we can do to amuse the kids. Shopping will surely take most of our time. I'm sure there'll be lots to do in the Paris of the East. One drawback is we'd have to allow time for Visa processing. Another is t...

As a family tradition, we try to have the new baby baptized in a month's time. Prior to baptism, we rarely take the baby out of the house. We want the baby safe from harm and protected by the GRACE at all times. So, waiting for a month is feat for a lakwatsera mom like me. Trips to the mall are always rushed and are done as needed. But, I digress. At this point, we've already made arrangements for the church. We've chosen Our Lady of the Pentecost Parish in Loyola Heights. I've managed to get a reservation at Dencio's in Capitol Hills, too. The reception venue was actually our stumbling block. It exceedingly difficult to get a venue that will fit our budget and preferred date, during this season of weddings and Christmas parties. I am still waiting for feedback from my preferred photographer and cake topper supplier. I hope that both can accommodate my request. Cathy's Kitchen plans to make cupcakes as give-aways for the guests. Invitations will by DIY...

Last Friday, Nov 7, I was so excited to make the trip to Libis . I was looking forward to the toy sale at #6 Industria . Vic and I arrived at the venue, thankful that no one was in sight. I glad that we were there early. We can have our pick among the mounds of toys. I asked if I can have a look around while they were unpacking. I was informed that the sale isn't till next week. Nyahaha . Ganda ! ------------------------ Despite the busy schedule brought about by the new addition to the family, Vic and I managed to slip out for a few hours to visit the warehouse sale. We were glad we made the time. We got gifts for the kids at prices you wouldn't believe. I admit that the toys were still expensive. But, considering that they were name-brand items, the prices were reasonable. Johann got a LeapPad . Javi got a Chicco Crib Mobile at 50% off the original price. Most items (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Dora, Fisher Price, Vtech , Pigeon, Nuby , et al ) are at 50% discount. R...

I just realized that most of Johann's waking hours were spent with his yaya. I wish I had more time in the world to give him. With a newborn to nurse and watch over, quality time with him is very limited. I sense that the arrival of his brother made him feel displaced. He has become more affectionate to his yaya. I already feel guilty about spending too much time with Javi. I feel like I am neglecting the older boy. I hope that with every hug and every kiss I give him, he'll feel more loved. Besides, we loved him longer. I hope he feels it every time I say I love him. Is this post-partum blues, or what? Hay. This deserves a good cry.

I couldn't say sweeter. But, this second delivery was definitely less troublesome than the first one. The November 8 timeline 3:28 AM: I started having contractions. I felt it in the "puson" area extending to my lower back. I went back to sleep to see if it will progress. 3:38 AM: I felt it again. I was hesitant to go to the hospital because I felt the same thing with Johann. I had contractions at around the same time but it stopped after a few hours. 4:15 AM: Left the QC house to drop off Johann at the Pasig residence. Johann was awake the whole drive. I counted around 3 contractions on the way to the hospital. They were at 7-minute intervals. 5:00 AM: Arrival at The Medical City. I proceeded to the Pre-labor room for examination. I was already 5cms dilated. The pain was still bearable. My water hasn't broken yet, still no bloody show. I was also hooked up to the baby monitor for contractions. Apparently, I was to be admitted because I am already in...

Proudly presenting the new addition to the family Nov 8, 2008 9:50 AM 6 lbs 13 oz Does he look like Kuya or what?  Here is Johann when he was born a year ago.

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Yes, only one more week to go till I go under the knife. For now, we are waiting for more consistent labor pains. As per my weekly check-up, my baby has made his way lower into the birth canal. However, the opening is still firmly shut. I may be several days away from the actual delivery. It is actually a good thing since Vic's project (The Crib) is far from finished. I am still experiencing discomfort. Lower back pains and contractions are more frequent now. Getting up from bed is still the most difficult thing to do. I have less leg cramps, though. At present, I am more concerned about our first-born. He always looks for Mama when he wakes up in the middle of the night. I have already made arrangements for his stay when the time comes. We are hoping that he will not have a hard time adjusting to his new sleeping companions. Before I forget, Baby #2 has a name already. The in-laws are still "requesting" to include my husband's name, which happens to be my F...

When I found out that there is still another balikbayan box waiting to be filled up, I quickly went online to check out some stuff that I'd like to be shipped back here. Shopping in the US has always been a pleasure. There are so many name-brand items that one could get for a fraction of the what we pay here. I wish it were that easy. Browsing is the fun part. However, since I am using an internationally-issued credit card, I am having a hard time purchasing what I like. Most online shops only accept cards with US billing addresses. They don't care if you are shipping items to a US address. I found several online shops that do accept non-US bank cards but they end up canceling the order if they can't contact the card-holder. Do they really exert that much effort to make a sale? I thought owning a Paypal account would make it easier. Apparently, the shops I had in mind do not accept Paypal . Anyway, I've made several purchases. I've gotten additional stuff...

Ever since I saw the trailer of Nights in Rodanthe in Yahoo Movies , I knew that it would be something different. What could possibly go wrong with Richard Gere and Diane Lane teaming up in a movie? It was not a problem convincing Vic to watch it with me. I was anticipating a film laden with a more mature sort of romance. I was looking forward to that feel-good sentiment one gets after reading a very satisfying novel. When Gere's character didn't show up for dinner, I should have known that it will not end the way I expected it to. Like other Sparks' novels-turned-movies (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember and Message in a Bottle), the girl and the guy never got together in the end. What served as the ending was the sense of closure and a new beginning that each of the main characters achieved. Adrienne (Lane's character) regained her sense of self-worth, stood her ground when needed and reached a meeting-of-the-minds with her daughter. Paul (Gere's character), o...

On that Halloween night, Vic and I snuck out for a treat of our own. It was a very wholesome treat, mind you. We made our way to The Peninsula Lobby to try out (for the second time) the famed chocolate buffet . I think he was forced to go that night when I told him that I can no longer enjoy chocolates once I start nursing Baby #2. Well, it worked. We finally went. What perfect timing it was, too. The lobby was almost deserted. We didn't have to wait in line to try out the chocolate concoctions. Unlike the first time, we knew what to expect. Unlike the first time, we knew that we could get woozy for over-stuffing ourselves with this aphrodisiac. Unlike the first time, there were no chocolate drinks offered. Feast your eyes on these little wonders. We came out an hour or so later, aesthetically and gastronomically pleased. In the picture above, you'll see the Chocolate Panna Cota with Brandied Cherries, moist chocolate cake, fruits in a chocolate shell, an assortme...

This year Johann became part of the Trick or Treat festivities in my in-laws' place. I was able to cough up a simple costume for him that didn't require too much preparation. All I needed was a pair of wings for our little angel. My good, old friend, SM provided it for me. Here are some shots of Johann and his cousins. I apologize for the poor quality. Kuya Rovic as McQueen, Ate Rachelle as the Witch (Best in Costume Awardee), Ate Eliza as the Fairy Johann trying on Ate Rachelle's hat.

This morning I woke up thinking that it is THE time. I've had non-stop dysmenorrhea -like pain in my abdomen. It extended to my lower back. I called up my mother to ask if I should take any meds for the pain. I was told that I may be experiencing labor pains already. Hmmm . That got me nervous, to say the least. Mother, on the other hand, got all excited. She already called in our room reservation. There are still so many things to be done. I still don't have a second name. Besides, Vic still has cough and the sniffles. Johann has the same. My mother dropped by to examine her patient. Verdict: Baby #2 is not yet ready to come out. The pain has stopped and there was no bloody-show. The cervix is still sealed shut. At least, the contractions have started. We may still have a few days. My other OB suspects that I may give birth on Nov 1. ---------------- Good news: I called up the hospital this afternoon. The Lamaze room may be used. The patient will just ha...

We had a wonderful time last night, specially after hearing all these: 1. The winner gets a 3 days-2 nights stay at the Pearl Farm b*tch resort. 2. Please claim the GCs to her. 3. Let us all welcome Carla Ramona and her theme. 4. May we request you to come up the steej. BAD, I know. If you were there, you would have cringed too. I have my "Cutty" moments also but not as many as hers in one night! If someone had to talk in front of Manila's high-society, it should've been someone who had better hosting skills with good grammar to boot. In fairness, she looked really lovely last night.

My group, the ACS, is back from their three-week North Am tour. This means that we are back to the old grind. Just this evening, we already faced our first audience at the Rockwell tent. The event, entitled Flavors of Spain, catered to the Spanish community in the Philippines. The event aims to promote tourism in the Philippines and Spain. Wines, cold cuts and cheeses from Spain over-flowed. I was very fortunate to taste the famous Jamon Iberico. Due to my current condition, I had to limit my intake of the smoked meat varieties and wines. Cocktails and dessert were provided by Bizu. Entertainment was provided by our choir and the famous Carla Ramona and her Flamenco dancers. The highlight of the affair was the free trip to Madrid c/o KLM. I would've gotten the chance to join the raffle if I brought a business card with me. Several lucky individuals got free stays at the Fuego hotels, travel luggage from Rudy Project and the Travel Club, and gift bags from Clarins. Seen ...

We are less than 60 days away from Christmas. We are in the -ber months already and the air is still too "friggin" hot. Is it just me or is really global warming?

Walking around is so difficult nowadays. It seems that every time I take a step, I get the urge to pee. Every stride I make engages the baby's head deeper into my crotch. Ouch! Did I feel this way when I was carrying Johann at 38 weeks? I hope this discomfort will make this second delivery more bearable. Baby #2, on the other hand, is quite inconsistent. There were days when he is enjoying his time inside mommy. He would kick and stretch out his limbs several times. There were days when he is not as hyper-active. He is quite familiar with Kuya Johann's loud voice. His going home outfit is ready. He has brand new supplies coming in a few days. He already has a name, by the way. But, I am not satisfied. I still want a second name that Vic and I both favor. They say that most moms are more nervous about giving birth for the second time. I feel the same way. At this point, I have done minimal reading on the stages of labor and delivery. Getting too much information ...

I've been bugging my husband to take me out of the country. It has been three years since we've gone on a major vacation together. Both of us had opportunities to visit places but with other people's company. We haven't gone out of the country since we had our little boy. Putting that aside, I've been very fortunate to visit a lot of major cities in my lifetime. I hope I could add more to this. View my profile Create your own travel map or travel blog Travel Info at TripAdvisor Traveling is a luxury nowadays, specially with the Peso-Dollar rate fluctuating. But, like any other luxury, it is something that needs to be invested on. Traveling exposes one person to a world outside our comfort zone. It is where we test our strength as a person and our tolerance as citizen of our nation. This is how unforgettable moments are made. As they say, memories are priceless. It is something that can not be stolen from us - unless you're inflicted with Alzheimer...

Our little boy, Johann, is afraid of male strangers. He usually smiles at female strangers. This is the reason why we frequent Cut4Tots in Trinoma, where they have female stylists. However, this time, going to Trinoma for his haircut alone would be too far and too much of an inconvenience. We decided to try out the Kid's Salon at the Podium. We initially didn't like the Kid's Salon branch in Rustan's. First and foremost, they only had male hair cutters. That posed as a big distraction to Johann. There were other factors that I do not care to elaborate on. You may read it here instead. Anyhow, we gave the salon at the Podium a try. I was very pleased. The stylist knows how to handle kids. He knows how to divert the child's attention to the TV or toys. He talks to them gently. He is also very careful with handling scissors, making sure that the pointed part is away for unexpected head turns. Most importantly, he cut Johann's hair according to my spe...

The Pink Kitchen at the Rockwell Tent This is an annual event organized by the ICanServe Foundation. Guests are requested to pay a P200 entrance fee as donation. This fee will allow patrons to enjoy cuisines prepared by different renowned chefs. Vic and I tried to sample what we do not normally eat. Unfortunately, not all food were exceptional. Here are the items we tried out: * La Tasca's canneloni - The serving size is quite small. I could have gotten two for the price I paid. The dish left an after-taste that I couldn't wash off for some time. * La Tasca's Paella - This dish tuned out to be very tasty. The serving was also just right for one person. * Everybody's Cafe's Murcon - It looked very appealing from where I stood. However, it turned out to be very salty and dry for our taste. The cup of rice they served with it tasted like it was the cheapest variety. This is totally not worth the price I paid for both items. * Dimpy's Frozen Brazo - Th...

After an uneventful Thursday, the succeeding days were jammed with places to visit and things to do. Mall-wide Sale at Megamall I was looking forward to this sale since I really wanted to jump start my Christmas Shopping. It may be not worth going if you are not going to buy a lot. Most items are marked at 10% below its original price. Very few are at 20%, 30% or even 50% off the original price. It took me two hours to finish the home section because of the crowd. The other floors were less crowded. I haven't even gone to the mall part. Raves: I was very thankful for the valet service. I didn't have to tire myself out and lose my patience over a parking space. The mall employed extra attendants to help people like me carry big items to the package counter or to the car. There were stools for people waiting in line at the cashier. It makes the wait more tolerable. Best purchase of the day was the Igloo ice chest at 50% off. It came with a smaller ice chest and a small wate...

image by associatedcontent.com I guess, I should be thankful. But, I am itching to get out of the house. I'll probably have some food delivered to boost my spirits. Thank God it's Thursday. The weekend is just a few winks away.

I don't like dealing with spoiled brats. I wasn't raised as one. I was brought up to live simply and practically. I had to work hard for my rewards. I had my own share of anxieties and punishments. These people were over-indulged when they were little. They grow up to be holier-than-thou individuals who are proud enough to believe that they are always right. I pity them for not being equipped to handle bigger challenges that the real world throws at them. Having said that, I would like to share with you some guidelines how NOT to raise spoiled brats . 1. Don't indulge every request. Children should be taught boundaries to nurture emotional growth. It is important that they learn how to delay gratification and to get over their own stumbling blocks. I believe this is known as EQ today. 2. Don't be a safety net. Parents shouldn't feel obligated to rescue their child every time. Children should be allowed to feel frustrated, unhappy and angry. These feeli...

I just finished viewing the first few episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives. I am trying so hard to recall how those shows ended. At least, now, most of my questions answered. However, it opened up new ones. What would you like to see in this coming season?

It has been a long time since the family went out without any yayas in tow. Today, we accomplished just that. I did my bank errands while Vic and Johann stayed in the car. Johann was content with steering the wheel and the occasional honking. Surprisingly, today's short outing wasn't that difficult. He behaved when we're inside the car. There were the usual tantrums but, nothing that Vic and I can't handle. I've forgotten how it felt to be by ourselves, with no other person to be responsible for except for my family. In the beginning, I found that lugging a nanny can be so intrusive. I would have to be on my guard in everything I do or say. On the other hand, it can be very convenient specially when the parent's patience is about to run out. I hope we have more days like this. However, with the little kid being too fussy and active, and with the mommy too sore and slow, days like today will not come by more often. Well, at least not for another year.

This is what the quiz told me. Mej mahal nga lang. Occasional visits pwede na. You Belong in London A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. What City Do You Belong In?

Yesterday, I made an unscheduled visit. My family went out of the way, all the way to The Fort, just to get to the NBC tent. The main purpose was to get some sleep-shirts that could double as nursing gowns. Of course, I had several more items when I came out of the tent. My mission was accomplished. ------------------------ When the Holiday season nears, I frequent this specific bazaar at The Fort. Before I had Johann, I always stop by the NBC tent after hearing mass. I love this place because it has a very wide selection of clothes, accessories and food. This bazaar is also the perfect place to search for unique gift items. Most importantly, I can haggle (not as much as I can in Divi but still....) One drawback, however, is the entrance fee. It's not much. But, if you are used to going to the mall that doesn't charge upon entry, you would be dismayed. Now that we are approaching Christmas, more options are available to the ever-generous gift-giver. I plan to make...

Vic and I were just talking about our stock of Royce Nama Chocolates. We still have several boxes tucked inside our freezer. No matter how tempting it is to finish off, we wanted to savor each cube at a leisurely pace. We also had to consider the issue of gestational D. Consuming our supply slowly is a must. Now, that plan is no longer in the picture . Vic noticed that all those will expire in a couple of weeks. Our hopes of prolonging our supply went up in smoke. So, imagine my delight when I found out that we can get our regular supply locally. CVS announced in her famous blog that Royce will open its flagship store in Rockwell this November. I can't wait!!! I wonder how much one box of Nama would cost?

In less than five weeks, we'll have a new baby in our arms. My list of things to do seems never-ending. Apart from the fatigue, dizziness and immobility that result from my condition, I am feeling excited, more than anything. I can't wait to see how Johann will react once he sees his new brother. I can't imagine how Vic and I will share the load of taking care of two children, both below two-years-old. I can't begin to imagine how I will cope with breast-feeding this time around. Lastly (and definitely the least important), I can't wait to get into my pre-pregnancy clothes and shoes. I've been neglecting them for too long.

Word of the Day ( WOTD ): Bubbles He discovered something new while taking a bath. He saw small, round objects floating in his tub. He decided to lick them but we caught him, just in time. He was told that those were bubbles. As he was about to fall asleep, he saw the same thing inside his milk bottle. He said "bah- bol ." He kept repeating the word till it became "bah-boy." I couldn't suppress my giggles. If he only knew what he was talking about.

I always was a sucker for romance novels. I still am. It started with Sweet Dreams then I moved on to Silhouette and Mills and Boons. I made it a point to collect works of my favorite authors. I have enough of these trashy but feel-good novels to fill up a bookshelf. I don't know why I am into these things. Was it because of Cinderella and all those fairy tales? One thing is for sure. It is a mere mortal's belief that God has a way of making things right. At the end of the day, I know that everything will fall into place with God's grace. I want to share with you a story about love and about waiting for the right time for love. ---------------- First Love PEOPLE By Joanne Rae M. Ramirez Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Women go to the beauty parlor for pretty much the same reason. They want to look good. But they also go there when they ...