Christmas 2014

I can’t believe that July is almost over and before I know it, we are already in the “BER” months which in the Philippines, signals the start of the Christmas season, which only means that 2014 is again almost over.

Last Christmas, I was pregnant with our 3rd child and so I was a bit lazy to move around and do some Christmas decorating. But this Christmas is extra special with a new addition to our family so we are all excited to decorate the house so we can really feel the Christmas spirit. That is why as early as now, we are already checking at christmasplace.com for department 56 as we wanted to buy Christmas village as a new decoration for Christmas in our living room.

But I am sure with or without these Christmas decors, we can definitely feel the Christmas spirit because of the love and joy that is overflowing in our home.

Christmas Presents

I can’t believe that it is September already and before I know it, it is Christmas already. That is why my husband and I have been talking about our plans for the coming holiday season and we have discussed also our gifts for the kids.

Hubby said that he plans to buy a new TV for the room of the kids so they can watch in their room. He is also looking at mounts and more so he can mount the flat screen TV on the wall to save space.

Oh I am really excited for the coming of the Christmas season.

ToT 2011

Before I look for Janitor Jobs to help my friend, let me make a post here first about Bela and Cobi’s Trick or Treat experience last October 30 at Boni High Street.

I was happy that hubby decided to leave for Bicol on the 31st instead of during the weekend as what he did last year, which is why we were not able to attend any Trick or Treat event last year. So when I learned that we have the weekend to attend ToT events, I started looking for events in hotels and malls that we can attend.

Most of the events at the mall were finished already and so I have no options left but to avail of the buffet lunch in the hotel to attend their ToT event. Thankfully, my good friend Mai told me about the event in Boni High Street and we only need to have P500 purchase from any of the Boni High Street merchants to join their ToT event.

So we were at Boni High early (around 1:30 PM) so we can do some shopping first and as expected we went Hobbes and Landes, Bela & hubby’s favorite store. When we were done shopping, people are starting to line up already even if it is only 2 PM and registration won’t start until 3 PM. So we lined up as soon as we saw the queue.

It actually started to rain while we were in line that hubby wants to go home already but of course we stayed, as that is what the kids wanted. After waiting for an hour, we were finally able to register and get our loots. Bela and Cobi got lots of loots from the registration booth alone.

We then went around the different participating stores where the kids got more treats and candies. Bela had so much fun.

After trick or treating, we met up with Jacqui and her kids to have snack at Friday’s.

Tomorrow is Father's Day

Tomorrow is Father’s Day and we will be visiting Bela’s grand father (the father of hubby) to celebrate with him as this is the first Father’s Day where mama is not with us.

We were not able to visit papa when we arrived two weeks ago as hubby was still away and is attending training in the US so tomorrow will be the first time that we will see Papa after our long vacation in the US.

We have no plans yet on how we will celebrate Father’s Day but I already bought gift baskets which contains sugar free candy for my father-in-law as our Father’s Day gift for him.

I am sure he misses Bela and Cobi so much so with or without any big celebration, my father-in-law will be very happy if we pay him a visit. So our itinerary tomorrow will depend on what time we will be able to wake up (which I am sure might be a little late already since it is bed weather) so I guess anything goes for tomorrow’s Father’s Day celebration.

Takbo Para sa Karunungan

Bela and Howell will be joining this:

DZMM will be sponsoring a fun run at the Quirino Grand Stan dubbed as “Takbo para sa Karanungan” next Sunday, March 13, 2011. Hubby registered himself and Bela for the 3K run and he got their uniforms and document already.

Howell is already excited for Bela as this will be Bela’s first marathon. Of course we are not really expecting that they will win but all hubby wants is for Bela to have this kind of exposure so she will get to enjoy different activities and then it is up to her to decide which sports she wants to pursue.

You know how much excited hubby is? He is even planning to go to Recto to order a personalized medal for Bela for participating in the marathon. LOL. And so I thought that I am the only stage parent in our family. I guess I am wrong as Howell is doing a much better job of being a stage dad.

For the Best Dad

Father’s Day is coming soon and Bela and I have to think of a nice gift for the special man in our life. If only Howell is smoking, I would have bought those discount cigars as our gift for him. But I am running out of ideas on what to give Howell for his special day.

Howell is truly the best father. He is responsible, patient, loving, hardworking and a good provider. He has a lot of plans for the future for us and how he can give us a better life. Since I had a very difficult pregnancy, Howell has always been there for me to support me and to take care of me. I know sometimes he is so tired after a long day at work, but I never heard him complain even for one single bit when he has to do some errands for me and Bela since I can’t work while I was on bed rest.

So I would really want to make this Father's Day extra special for Howell. Any suggestions on how I can pull a special Father’s Day celebration?

Bela's Loots

Before I do my search for car insurance quote online, let me post first a picture of Bela’s loots last Christmas:


* Talking Little Einsteins dolls and Lion Robotic Stuffed toy from mom and dad
* Sleep wear and blouses from her grand dad June and grand mom Jenny and grandd ad Bong and grand mom Penn
* Pocketville Playhouse from her tito JP
* Baby Alive doll from her Tita Veejay
* Tiger stuffed toy from my in laws

Even though Bela knew already what her gifts were (she was with me when I was doing my shopping online and I let her choose what she wants to receive for Christmas. She was also with her Tito Jp when her tito bought his gift for her and he let Bela choose also what she wants. The same is true for her Baby Alive doll), we asked her to promise that she will act surprised when she open her gifts on Christmas day. And true to her word she didn’t forget her lines after she opened each of the gifts that she received.

Bela: “Oh I’m surprised. I am so excited. I am so happy”

But I guess she is not pretending at all when she said this as we can see how excited and happy she was with all the gifts that she received. Thanks again to all our loved ones for all of your gifts for our princess Bela. You really made her very happy and left her with a very memorable Christmas for 2008.

Christmas Preparations

It is only 24 days to go before Christmas. Our Christmas tree is now up but hubby hasn’t taken a picture of it yet. All the gifts for our cousins and god children are all under the tree. I am also finish buying clothes that Bela will wear on Christmas day, New Year’s day and for her party at school (you see it has been a tradition in our family when we are still kids that we should have new clothes and shoes for Christmas and New Year and so I want to have that tradition too for Bela). We also received the boxes containing our presents for Bela and all I have to do is wrap them and it is ready to be put under the tree too.

For our food, I told my aunt (who is always in charge of the cooking every time there is a special occasion) that we will just order from CCME instead so she will not be stressed out and harassed on Christmas day. I have tried CCME twice during MBAPs and my twitter buddies’ Christmas party and the food is good, yummy and affordable. So I showed my aunt the menu and she totally agreed with my suggestion.

I bet I will need diet supplement after the holiday season but who cares. Christmas is the time for festive gatherings so I should not think of having a diet and just enjoy the holiday season.

Party Time

I could say with nary a hint of exaggeration that we were so blessed for having two kids besides being so sweet and loving are both physically and mentally normal and perfectly healthy. And like any other loving parents we are ready and willing to do anything in this world for their safety and happiness. As our son John Paul is about to celebrate his 7th natal day come June 21, to please him, husband and I had agreed to host a shindig birthday party similar to his sister some years back. At 7, add from laughs, smiles and giggles of our child, is a start of trying to make sense out of his baffling world. And so husband and I shared a common belief that 7 is the perfect age for a child to have one of a kind birthday celebration that he would greatly appreciate and left a long blissful memory.

Everything now is set and ready with all the birthday invitations completely distributed. Our son’s great anticipation for his party continues to dazzle him as it comes nearer and nearer and creates a feisty environment for all of us. There’s no doubt in my mind when the defining moment is here he’ll truly enjoy the fun. See you at the party!!!

Grand Santacruzan @ Intramuros

Last Friday was the Grand Santacruzan held at Intramuros, Manila. It is an annual event organized by the Intramuros Administration together with the Fashion Designers of the Philippines.

My good friend Ate Annie, knows the organizer and had asked me if I want my Bela to be one of the angels for the Santacruzan. Of course, I immediately said yes.

So last Firday, I head straight to Intramuros from work while Howell had to leave early from work so he can take pictures of her dear daughter. The stage lolo and lola brought Bela to Intramuros so Howell and I don’t have to go home to pick her up.

The Santarcuzan will start at Fort Santiago and we were told to be there by 4:00 PM. But the program started around 6:00 PM already. Good thing Bela was still in the mood and she gamely let her lola put on her make up and dress her up.

She was a charmer and she really loves attention. I did not really prepare for this event because I never thought that Bela will really participate. But when we asked her to line up with the other angels, she quickly followed our instruction. She was even smiling and waving her hands like she was really enjoying all the attention. She was one of the smallest angels in the group so the people watching are really so fond of her. She even went up the stage when all the participants of the Santacruzan were being introduced.

Here are some of her pictures.

When we arrived home, I was really tired but I’m really one happy and proud mom.

Bela and her mother’s day gift

I was so happy when I arrived home last Thursday as my daughter greeted me with her Mother’s Day gift for me. They did their art work that day where their teachers asked them to make their hand print. Their teachers cut each of this hand print and pasted it together with our family picture and a poem about Mother’s Day.

The poem goes:

I miss you when we’re not together
I’m growing up so fast
See how big I’ve gotten
Since you saw me last?
The years will fly right by.
You’ll wonder how I grew so quick
When and where and why?
So look upon this handprint
That’s hanging on your wall
And memories will come back to me,
When I was very small.

Happy mother’s day!

As soon as she sees me, she run to get her art work and hand it to me. She even put her hand on her hand print to show me that it is her hand print. I was so touched. My Mother’s Day is so complete. I am one proud mom and I’m happy and I could not ask for anything for more.

On a side note, I am happy that my daughter is really having a great time at Toddler’s Unlimited. Every time we tell her that she will go to school, she always looks so excited and will say “Go to school, go to school.” According to my mom (who always accompanies Bela to school) she is very much comfortable with her classmates and teachers and she is always happy when she is at school. And on their way there and home, she will sing different songs that they sing at school which really proves that she is excited to attend class. I will enroll her next week for the coming school year. I’m glad that we really made a right choice in enrolling her at Toddlers Unlimited.

And here are some more of their art work.

.: Her artwork when we had her trial class :.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Tito Pipit!!

Happy Birthday Daddy/Wowo/Groovy Lolo!!

Happy Birthday Daddy/Wowo/Groovy Lolo!!

You are truly the best, daddy and wowo. Thanks for always being there for us. We are really thankful for all that you have done for us. We are, who we are today because of you. We will be forever grateful for all the selfless things that you have done for our family.

We love you very much wowo. Happy birthday!!

Last New Year’s Eve

I was browsing my phone for some pictures of Bela that I can post here and I chance upon this picture.

This picture was taken last New Year’s Eve at my grand mother’s house. Bela just so love wearing these shades of my cousin, Aliah. She even strike a pose or two on camera wearing this. I was really laughing after seeing this picture of Bela with her Tita Tessa.

Bela Turns 2 @ Philippine Columbian Association

This was posted in my other blog but was buried deep in the archives because a lot of opps came pouring in and I think none of my fellow bloggers was able to read it. So I’m posting it here again in my Bela’s new blog.

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We had another party for Bela last Nov 17 to celerate Bela's birthday w/ our family & friends. Below is a slide show of some of the highlights of the party.

Nov 17

I woke up early because we still have a lot of small details to do (and maybe because I'm excited also). Then I woke Howell up because he has to go to Philippine Columbian to deliver the tarpaulin then drop by at Quiapo to buy tapes for the videocam. He drop me & my mom off at Dangwa because we have to buy fresh flowers for Bela's head dress & our leis.

The videographer arrived around 12:30 to take videos of the preps but the birthday girl is still taking a nap. It's already 1 PM & Bela is still asleep so Howell & I decided to go ahead of them because we still have to set up the prizes, souvenirs, tarps, coloring pages,etc.

When we arrived everything is already set up & Pizzie (from Little Royalties) is already there to assist us.

Our host is still not there (I think she’s 1 hour late). Good thing the guests are also late. Maybe because of the heavy Saturday traffic. I started to get worried na nga kse kaunti pa lang ang guest & 3 PM na. I also provided Lilo & Stitch Coloring pages so the kids have something to do while waiting for the program to start.

The program immediately started after Bela arrived. The host started with games for the kids. Super enjoy kse nagpaparticipate lahat ng kids. Naubos talaga lahat ng prizes na binili ko (kulang pa nga ata eh).

After the games, eating time muna. While the guests are eating, we played 2 AVPs made by my husband's business partner & Bela's tito, Nick. He created an MTV of some of Bela's home videos & then the other one was a picture AVP with the theme “What would Bela be when she grows up.”

Super big hit din ang Haiwaiian Snow Cones, Chocolate Fountain & Caramel Apple of Sanfo Treats.

After the guests are finished eating, lumabas na ang special guest ni Bela, si Lilo. Medyo takot lang si Bela kay Lilo mascot & medyo maton kumilos si Lilo.Hehehe

Then around 5 PM, Pizzie informed me na wala pa yung mag bubble show.4 PM call time nila so 1 hour late na din sila. So we decided to continue with the program.

We asked the kids in costume, to parade and then we announced the best in costume and the best in artwork. Wala pa din ung bubble show performers, so the host did some balloon sculptures for the kids. Tapos nagperform ulit si Lilo, then picture taking with the kids. Tapos we proceed with the balloon burst, then candle blowing. Eto favorite part ni Bela.

Exactly after all this, dumating din ang bubble show. Sulit din naman ang pag iintay kse super enjoy lahat kahit mga adults. I even received a lot of praises from our guests for the bubble show. My favorite is the photo opp where kids will go inside the giant bubble. Nakailang ulit nga kami ni Bela kse ayaw kong tumigil hanggat walang maayos na picture si Bela.

Then we distributed Bela's souvenir-personalized tumblers.

Some of the kids went swimming pa after the party.

Howell & I are super tired after the party but we're really happy kse super enjoy si Bela. Mas na appreciate na nya kse mga parties ngayon. Actually, mas na enjoy ko to kesa noong 1st birthday nya. Hehe.

After the party I received a lot of text message from our guests thanking us for inviting them because they really had fun. Kaya sulit talaga pagod namin.

If you want to see more pictures, I have uploaded more pictures at Bela’s webshot account. (Medyo madami yung na upload kong pictures at hindi natiis ni Howell na magkuha ng pictures kahit super busy na kami entertaining our guests.)

Flower Girl & Tagaytay Trip

Last Saturday we attended the wedding of Noemi & Vice in Caleruega, Tagaytay. Bela was one of the flower girls. This is the second time that she was chosen to be one of the flower girls. The first time, she was just 1.5 years old and so she just played outside the church and did not join the rest of the flower girls in walking down the aisle.

This time, I was so proud as she was able to walk along with the other flower girls. Of course, Bela’s lolo & lola are present to watched their grand daughter. At first, she doesn’t want to go inside the chapel. She just wants to play outside. But when she saw the ring bearer going up the stairs, she said “up, up” and so I assisted her in going up the stairs. And as soon as she saw the guests watching her walk, she immediately smiled at them and continued walking up to the altar. Yun nga lang, I was walking with her. I thought of letting go of her hand and just let her walk alone, kaso naisip ko baka umiyak kaya pinanindigan ko na lang ang pagiging stage mother ko. When we reached our seats, she saw her dad taking pictures and so she started calling her dad. And since maliit lang yung chapel, lumabas na lang kami bago mag tantrums si Bela. So we just went to Bag of Beans since di pa nag bre-breakfast lolo at lola ni Bela.

Below are some pictures:

.: pose pa din kahit nasisilaw na :.

.: entering the chapel :.

.: lolo & lola (in the background) watching bela :.

.: with the stage mom :.

After the wedding, we went to the park beside Taal Vista where we can go horse back riding. Bela fell asleep on our way there. But as soon as she wakes up and as soon as she saw the horse, she immediately said “Dad, ride” while pointing to the horse. And I didn’t make a mistake since she was really not scared of the horse. I initially paid for 30 minutes of ride but after 30 minutes, she still doesn’t want to go down and so I have to extend the rental of the horse. Pumayag lang syang bumaba when I bribe her that we will buy Coke. (bad mom). LOL.

Here are some of Bela’s pictures while riding the horse:

.: super happy kahit maiinit :..: our favorite photo opp spot :.

New Year 2007

So how did we celebrate our New Year? Would you believe I was still at work Dec 31st? But we’re still lucky as we had an early closure so I was able to go home by 12 noon. I dropped by at Blumetritt after work to buy some fruits for our table (this has been a tradition of our family. For good luck daw).

Around 7 PM, we went to my grand mother’s house (which is just a couple pf blocks away from our house) as we will be celebrating New Year’s Eve there with my other relatives. We had dinner around 8 PM and after dinner, the kids (my couins and Bela) we’re busy playing with their new toys while the grown ups we’re either busy eating or watching TV. Howell needs to do a lay out of a tarpaulin for the debut that he will be covering on January 6 and a signature book for the wedding he will be covering on the 5th. These are all just special request (for the clients are both our friends), and so even though Howell knows that he is already press for time, he still gave in to his client’s request. I missed digi scrapping and since I don’t have anything else to do, I offered to help him do the 8x6 and 2x6 tarpaulin. So while waiting for the clock to strike at 12, I was busy doing the lay outs for the tarpaulin. And boy, I was proud of my finish product. (I must have missed digi-scrapping that much).

Bela fell asleep around 11 PM. And so when it was already 12 Am, I tried to wake her up but she was really tired already. We went home around 1 AM and Howell and I slept around 3:30 AM as we started doing the lay out naman for the Signature book.

The next day, Bela woke up late and so Howell and I we’re able to catch up some sleep. Today is Howell’s 32nd birthday. We don’t have anything extra special planned for his special day as our schedule is full with get together from both my family and Howell’s family. And besides, maarami ng handa sa bahay so sayang naman kung kakain pa kami sa labas. LOL. And we will just celebrate his birthday in Bohol and I know he is already happy with our gift for him (Do I sound defensive and guilty ba for not preparing anything for hubby? LOL). We started preparing around 10:30 AM as we will hit the road again to visit Howell’s family in QC. We left around 12 PM and since there is no traffic, we reached QC around 12:30 just in time for lunch. It was one quiet afternoon. After lunch, Bela watched the Cars movie from Disney Channel, while Howell and I tried to take a nap. We left around 3:30 PM as we will be meeting my relatives to go to Eternal gardens. It has been a tradition of my family na kse na we will all meet up at Eternal Gardens to visit our dearly departed relatives. We just had merienda there and some fireworks. The kids were busy playing while the grown ups were busy eating again. (Looks like all of us gained a few pounds during the Holiday Season). We left around 6:30 AM as it is dark already.

When we reached home, all of us we’re tired from all the holiday happenings but Bela was still full of energy. Howell and I we’re already sleepy but she still wants to play with us. Luckily she got tired after watching the movie Cars and so we all hit the sack by 10:30PM.

Christmas 2007

This was Bela’s 3rd Christmas and the first Christmas that she was aware of what’s going on around her. She is joining her other cousins in opening the gifts and was very excited to receive gifts from all her titos, tita, lolos and lolas.

I posted some pictures taken last Christmas in my other blog. You can take a look at it here.

Christmas 2007 Pictures

As promised, just want to share with you some of our pictures taken last December 25.

.: picture by the xmas tree @ our home :.

.: bela wearing her lola pen's belt :.

.: w/ bela's lolas & titas :.

.: with my mom :.

.: with lolo june :.

.: the apos & apo sa tuhod :.

.: saying ty for her gifts :.

.: super excited for her pokemon collections :.

.: ang puno at ang mga bunga :.

.: bela's gifts from mom & dad :.

.: bela's loots :.

More pictures to come: Pictures with Howell’s family. (I’ll try to resize it later).