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,...