Cutty

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.