(Mummy post) My first Mother's day experience

I am lying if I tell you that I did not look forward to Mother's day this year, cause I actually did! Not that crazy thinking about it everyday, but I gave it a thought. How it will be like, who will first greet me and all that stuff. The gift was my least expectation.

On its eve, I was out with friends. Attended a party. Was so upset cause hubby decided to stay at home, little did I know that he was preparing something for me. I remember telling him "tomorrow is mother's day and all I ask of you is to come with me in this party." Its past 12 mn and I'm not yet home, but was on my way.

 I bribe him with take out from the party, just in case he gets mad.

Upon entering our room, the lights were dimmed. And he was holding a camera, recording a video. So I was like....What is happening? I was on my way to the bathroom, when I notice that there was something in the bed. There I saw the glittery pink roses, a small note from my husband, a simple gift and I think the highlight of them all was my last picture with our baby...that made me tear up!

He was at home, waiting for those beautiful flowers to be delivered. Cleaning the room, making sure the room look cozy and smells good.

sorry our image has been hidden

I told you, his gift was my least expectation. I was about to cry any minute cause I was resenting so bad that I am not with my baby on my first mother's day. That's the reason why I tear up so easily just by seeing our picture with that bouquet.

So far my first Mother's day experience was memorable and probably something that I will carry with me from this time on. The next time my husband desert me again from a party, I knew that he was just busy doing something special for me.

(beauty tip) DIY French Manicure at home

I remember when I was a kid, how I always wanted to have french manicure.

I don't know...I just find it classy.
Do you remember this corrector fluid? Are you one of those silly kids who play with them and use them as a nail polish? raise your hand if you do! lol!

liquid corrector fluid

Also when I was a kid, I tried applying clay to my nails.
I couldn't hold on to anything, saving my well groomed nails from a disaster.
I remember my Mom scolding me for keeping my clay for too long, keeping them longer than usual so I can apply them to my nails all over again.

I told myself that when the right time comes and I started working, I will always have french manicure.
And so I did. 

Having your nails well groomed is a part of my job! Up to this date, I never visited a salon to have my nails done, except of course when I'm in Manila. I am not saying I will never ever visit one, guess what? I might...one of these days out of curiosity.

My Korean colleagues taught me to always apply a base coat before a nail color.
So you have to keep a 3 step in coloring your nails.
A BASE COAT, NAIL COLOR AND A TOP COAT :  I've never heard of this back in Manila! Or I might not be aware of it. when I do my nails I just jumped right into applying my preferred color. The reason behind applying a base coat is preventing your nails from yellowing especially if your using colored polishes than nude ones. Your nails are merely stained from the polish and will return to their normal shade if they are left unpolished for a while.

I also tried having fake nails previously. First, during our honeymoon in HK. The nails was just pressed against mine without altering it a bit. It look so huge!!! end of story I have it removed in less than 24 hours, and paid double. So I told myself that I'd rather do everything myself cause I always end up feeling sorry. After that horrible experience in HK. I tried applying fake nails many times.

in HK back in 2007

about to be removed

One of the greatest experiences I have learned being away from home, was learning new things on my own. It also saves you bucks from spending?

here's how I made mine


After you thoroughly clean your nails with a cuticle remover. I like to dip my nails back into a bowl of water to soften them and remove any rough areas. It's like having a second check.

get ready to be nipped out!

After removing all those rough thingy. Get your preferred nailpolish ready!

I always like mine to be sheer. But you can make it as natural as possible.

I used Chic colorless with a hint of tint as a base coat.

Now get ready your tape and cut it into strips.

Let your nails completely dry from the base coat before applying the tape.

Get ready your polishes baby!

colorless top coat, Sally Hansen's white tip applicator, nude sheer polish

so where were we? after your base coat have completely dry. apply your white liner tip.
let it dry completely before stripping the tape.
Remember : don't put too much tip as it will go with the tape the moment you strip it off. If you smudge, you need to do it all over again.

.
I made this version long time ago. In this picture, my nails are longer than usual. So if I just apply colorless as a base coat. My natural nail will be seen at what length it is. So I apply a beige color. Notice how I made them as thin as possible.

base coat : colorless, nail color : beige, sally hansen's white liner tip, finish it off with your top coat.

(beauty haul) claire's pastel colors nail polish

After purchasing my Dior vernis st tropez 401 few weeks back.

I purchased another set of polishes, this time from Claire's, the trendy accessories and jewelry shop for young girls from UK. 

I saw this from our previous trip to the mall, but stopped myself and said next month's payday can wait. But there were just three box of this version left in the rack, I guess I won't see them in the racks so next payday can't wait. hahaha!

price : $10.00 / PHP 450.00 / 4.5 OR

I made a swatch of every color except for the pale pink. it is what it is so I didn't bother.

coral, purple, blue, green, yellow

(housekeeping duties) My HOLMO floor lamp from IKEA

Thank you to a friend! I was given a HOLMO floor lamp from IKEA.
I've been dying to get this one for a while now, but just don't have the time to visit the nearest IKEA store. By the way, the nearest is by 45 minutes plane ride to Dubai or Abu dhabi, UAE.

I was so excited when he told me that he's visiting dubai real soon. So I asked if he can buy this for me, suprisingly he have a spare in his room...probably to bring home, but since he's visiting again he gave me this one since he's getting another one for himself. That was just so sweet of him!

I first saw a DUDERO floor lamp at a friend's flat. I fell in love with how her room look cozy just by having this floor lamp lit the whole room.

L (dudero) R (Holmo)

Unboxing the floor lamp from IKEA.

In just 5 minutes my floor lamp is here!!!!!!

Looking forward to good night dreams when hubby is not beside me. As I have a hard time sleeping when he's not around and so is he!

Recipe: Chicken Pastel by Panlasang Pinoy (pinoy taste)

Chicken Pastel is the Filipino version of the Chicken Pot Pie. This recipe is rich and full or wonderful flavors.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cubed
2 pieces Chorizo (or Chinese sausage)
2 pieces Beef franks (or Vienna sausage, hotdogs)
1 regular sized carrots, cubed
1 regular sized potato, cubed
2 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken stock
6 to 10 pieces green olives
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 pc lemon (or 5 pieces calamansi)
1 cup white mushroom sliced (or button mushrooms)
1 cup butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 cups water

Cooking Procedure
Marinade the chicken in lemon and soy sauce mixture for a minimum of 10 minutes
In a pot, place 3 cups of water and bring to a boil
Add the salt and pepper then put-in the chicken
Let the chicken cook until liquid completely evaporates. Set aside
On the same pan, apply heat and place the butter
Put-in the tenderized chicken and fry until the color turns golden brown
Add the Chorizo (or Chinese sausage) and beef franks (or Vienna sausage, hotdogs) and simmer for 5 minutes
Pour the chicken stock and bring to a boil
Put-in the carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and green olives. Mix and simmer for 5 minutes
Thicken the sauce by adding flour and butter mixture (please see procedures below on how to make this)
Put the chicken in an oven-safe container and cover the top with dough (The dough will eventually be the pie crust after baking.)
Place in the oven and bake in 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes
How to make the flour and butter mixture:
Heat a small pan and put-in 3 tbsp of butter
Add the flour and mix well
Pour ½ to 1 cup of water and mix thoroughly

How to make the Pie Crust:
In a large container, combine the following: 3 cups flour, ½ cup butter, ¼ tsp salt, and 3 tsp water
Mix the combined ingredients thoroughly (this will become the dough)
Knead the dough. Make sure that everything is properly distributed
Flatten the dough by using a rolling pin
Fit the dough on top of the container and trim according to the container size
Using a fork, shape the edge of the dough by pressing
Cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent over cooking
Bake in 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes

Cheesy Brocolli soup by chili's - steal!

credits to miskadie of allrecipes.com

CHILI'S CHEESY BROCOLLI SOUP






BROCOLLI CHEESE SOUP
by Karin Christian from allrecipes.com

1/2 cup butter
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli
4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (1 pound) loaf processed cheese food, cubed
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2/3 cup cornstarch
1 cup water

In a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat.
Cook onion in butter until softened.
Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
Reduce heat,
and stir in cheese cubes until melted.

Mix in milk and garlic powder.
In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into water until dissolved.
Stir into soup; cook, stirring frequently, until thick.

TGIF vs Chilis and a movie date : Avengers in 3d

I've been out for 4 days now! regardless if I have training or not the next day. Sleep is very important to me and I feel weak when I don't get enough of them.

I am a big fan of Mr.Stark and his humorous anecdotes. That's my only excuse for watching 'The Avengers in 3d' 2012 The great thing about cinema is that you have a bunch of people who laughs with you, while if you wait for your local channels to air them you will just look blank with those lines. 

We were able to watch the movie after coming back the next day 'cause the tickets were just sold out by kiddos!!!!! So we had them booked the next day instead.

I dressed up and wore my teal dress, as I've been loving this hue for a while now. So not to spoil our outfit we had our dinner at TGIF. The Baby back ribs was superb and their Classic Nachos is my new favorite than Chili's. (Sorry, just saying)! but what friday's don't have is the cheesy brocolli soup that I always go for at Chili's.

The Nachos at the local cinema here in Muscat was delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I asked hubby to buy me Lay's® instead but he end up buying another batch of Nachos for me. 

I was too late when it brought to my attention that we will be watching in 3d and no normal filming was available. I am not a 3d goer due to hygienic reasons. you know, you don't know the last person who used those glasses plus I was so bothered that I might get dizzy, especially now that my sight is getting blurry by the second. But other than that, it was phenomenal!!!!!!!!!

It funny I know, but I was a bit teary at the end. I really thought Stark will expire. Glad he did not!

here are some of my favorite lines :

Agent Phil Coulson: [Over telephone] Mr Stark, we need to talk. 
Tony Stark: You have reached the life model decoy of Tony Stark, please leave a message. 
Agent Phil Coulson: This is urgent. 
Tony Stark: Then leave it urgently. 
[Coulson enters] 
Tony Stark: Security breach. 
[to Pepper] 
Tony Stark: That's on you. 
Agent Phil Coulson: Mr Stark. 
Pepper Potts: Phil! Come in. 
Tony Stark: Phil? Uh, his first name is Agent. 

(after Hulk came back from his normal body, fell from the ceiling of a warehouse.)

Security Guard: Are you an alien? 
Bruce Banner: What? 
Security Guard: From outer space, an alien. 
Bruce Banner: No. 
Security Guard: Well then son, you've got a condition. 

(he was naked, and his underwear as a Hulk was way huge)

Tony Stark: [regaining consciousness] What just happened? Please tell me nobody kissed me. 
Steve Rogers: We won. 
Tony Stark: All right, hey! All right good job guys. Let's just not come in tomorrow; let's just take a day. 

Agent Phil Coulson: You're gonna lose. 
Loki: Am I? 
Agent Phil Coulson: It's in your nature. 
Loki: Your heroes are scattered, your floating fortress falls from the sky... where is my disadvantage? 
Agent Phil Coulson: You lack conviction. 
Loki: I don't think I 
[Coulson shoots Loki with his BFG, causing Loki to be blown through the wall behind him] 
Agent Phil Coulson: So that's what it does. 

Thor: Have a care how you speak. Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard. And he is my brother. 
Natasha Romanoff: He killed eighty people in two days. 
Thor: He's adopted. 

duty free steals

hello everyone! I have not been updating for a while now. So busy with training school. Anyhoo, I went somewhere nearby that allowed me to pass by duty free for a while.

Finally, I found that perfect teal-turquoise-tiffany and co color that I've been looking for months now. Sadly, it was too pricey 'cause it's from Dior. But on a second thought, it's just one of these moments. I don't do this everytime so why torture myself. I swear I've look far, First I went to check it out at Mac, then at Essie, Zoya, OPI, Nyx even Inglot. So i finally gave in to the temptation.

credits by cafemakeup

dior vernis saint-tropez 401

I bought myself 5 lipgloss at a price of one.
I was actually looking at shiseido's purple lipgloss but I am after the quantity and same quality. so i went up for this! used one and I can give it as a gift to some back home.

nude pinks, corals and bronze

A month ago, I bought Mac Snob. I have been collecting lipsticks every month since I've been back. and for months now I've been looking for this purple-pink-lilac lippie everywhere. Hubby was not happy with the Mac lipsticks I've been eyeing when this MUA at MAC offered me this Snob, but it's looks kinda nude when I wore it. So I went and looked for a lipgloss maybe it will do the trick. It was just too light but whatever.

my second home

Finally arrived in the sandsoil after a year of absence in preparation for motherhood. I am not really excited in going out or meeting old friends.

The first morning upon arriving here wasn't pretty. Wasn't sleeping that well, plus missing a lot my baby girl back in Manila. For most of my days, I am giddy when it is bedtime already, cause I always look forward to waking up the next morning seeing baby girl's smile...its the first thing I see upon opening my eyes.

It was a torture realizing the absence of that smile I always look forward to. I cried the time I woke up. Will hold on to that last onesie she wore the day I left. Looked at her photos, and when it was hurting too much I would watch her videos to see her for life...temporarily. it's like an instant relief.

A week ago, I was so jumpacked with deadlines to pass, to pay, to buy before leaving.
I tried so hard to bring all the stuff I bought home the time I arrived in Manila a year ago. My goodness, I was able to fit my stuff a total of 30 kg. my hand carry luggage was so heavy that I was asked to carry all my spare handbags containing my valuable jewelries and shoes. I got a tire arms after the flight. I got a very nice seat near the emergency exit but was seated with an arab man that I felt so uncomfortable, that I decided to switch to a window seat with a filipino beside me. Let me tell you, that I am not fond of watching in flight enterntainment however I was thinking too much that I couldn't put myself to sleep that I decided to watch "thelma" and boy it was a nice film to watch.

It was so cold in the plane that I wanted to reach my destination asap cause I was so sleep deprived. I tried my best to sleep upon settling down but just couldn't. the next day I got puffy eyes that I couldn't report to the office immediately and missed training with the rest of the new filipino girls. oh well!

first solid food experience

This is not the first time we tried to feed her with solids. however, we were not able to document it the first time so this time I made sure I took everything in detail.

at three months old, babies should be given solids as per pediatrician's instructions.
I was told with experienced mom i know that I should try to give her bland foods as much as I could. So i tried to give her ampalaya and carrots.

made a small portion

I boiled the veggies until well-cooked.

This is the fun part, I smashed it. when I wasn't convinced, I pureed it using an electric blender.

I just made sure to give her small portion to prevent choking from happening. the problem with babies is that when they feel something off, they cannot speak something for themselves. 

I made sure that I was giving her water in between takes, and when I feel like that she's starting to be irritable then I stopped. 

I read somewhere that when giving solid foods, its important to give it a one week interval to check if your baby is allergic to a certain type.

leaving again

My one year unpaid vacation will end soon.

I totally missed a lot at work, and probably I'm the last person to visit our european routes. But my baby is more than enough for me. It really is about priorities. My priority is my family. 

just thinking of leaving again makes me all sad. Out of need, left without a choice I have to leave baby back home for at least 2 months. all vaccinations will be done by that time plus we dont wanna risk travelling her in a long haul flight. I've been flying for 4 years now and I have seen babies whining all throughout the flight, and the problem with babies is that they're so helpless to tell us what's wrong with them. 

I can't do this, but I have to for her. If I don't leave the soonest, then the longer I have to wait to initiate the process of her papers. Later on, I still have to leave. Argk, if only there are jobs that pay the same in my country then leaving will be out of my option. When you have a child to look after to, it is still best to be in your own country where family and friends are just a call away.

I've been writing down things I have to buy before leaving that is essential to my work.

-lots of black ponytails

-hairnet

-stockings

-nude nailpolishes

-a mani/pedi set (pusher, nipper, cuticle remover)

choosing a camera

Sadly, our family's Nikon d40's lens got wrecked while I was in the middle of shooting houses with my husband. I don't know but it just got stacked while I was zooming the next thing I know there was this black crescent in my photos. This cam was given by my mom to my youngest brother while in college. We had an agreement that after college it will be mine in exchange of the laptop and PSP I gave him. But I guess, it's better for the cam to stay with him due to sentimental reasons..

So now, I am looking what kind of Cam will best fit my needs: traveling, family portraits most of them will be my baby, tutorials that I have to come up soon. So here are my picks

NIKON   D5100  vs CANON 1100D vs CANON 60D
CANON G12 or NIKON COOLPIX P300

CANON 1100D vs NIKON 5100
traveling is a big part of my existence, it's the perks I get out of my job.
I love taking snaps of everything. However, I've stopped uploading albums in my FB account. Im making more of a slideshow of an event these days.

The thing about Canon 1100d is that it's for beginners and it's not that pricey.
I'm taking the Nikon d5100 into consideration because of the retractable LCD, that way I know how I would look like if I am to capture myself while in a foreign land. Compared to the 1100d the price is still quite reasonable. The canon 60d's specs are brilliant however if your not a photographer then you need to pass on this one. its very impractical.

CANON G12 vs NIKON COOLPIX P300
okay, so these days everyone has at least one DLSR. But when your a mom, you better start thinking about packing lightly. I though of G12 because of its retractable LCD like the d5100. while the Nikon P300 boast of its DLSR's capabilities. hmmm...


prices in philippine pesos. visit dbgadgets

my Toni & Guy experience

A pamper-me day from hubby.
Celebrated my journey to motherhood by having my hair chopped thiiiiisssss SHORT!

I've been looking forward in having my hair chop for the longest time.
The last time I had this short was way back in HS. I guess it was the trend back then.
I am not really a fan of hi class salons cause i usually do trims every once in a while, if not in an average salon...I do it myself. cause I always end up sorry for my hair everytime. There's this miscommunication everytime. I would say a half inch then end up having my hair tooo short. but since I was eyeing a certain style of cut I decided to go to the experts who knew their craft. I was afraid that the salons 'sa kanto kanto lang' will murder my hair.

upon entering the salon, you will be asked which hairstylists do you prefer. If you don't have any preference, they will assign you anyone. I was given a glass of cold drink together with hubby.

after shampooing my hair and a little massage on the side. My hairstylists appeared. I was not happy with her attitude by the way. not so accommodating. not even suggested what kind of short styles will best fit me. anyhoo, she opened a set of scissors that I don't know what for.

It was only a haircut but I sat there for almost an hour or more.
sectioned my hair. when she's done with cutting my hair. I thought I'm all done by this time after my hair was blown dried. but my stubborn hairstylist went back and trimmed more, to give my hair more texture. It's a bit pricey but you get the value of the what you paid for.

I would say my experience with this salon turned out to be great if not only due to this supladang hairstylist. I wouldn't mind if she smiled?!

hubby was taking photos while I was being pampered. when i was done, he told me "its my turn now" hahahaha! by the way, I think He was happy with his hairstylist than I was with mine. argk!

an update

i'll be coming back to my flying duties in no time.
I was thinking of making videos to show my family and friends back home how my life revolves in a daily basis how's the routine. and best of all, my job as a sky nanny. this way, it will clear up the misconceptions on how glam and etc it is.


so far i'm loving the idea of being a newbie mom. I made a tumblr account to track her growing patterns. its been two and a half month and still everything feels so surreal. how she came out, how she looks like, and everything. still, i am thankful. I was able to celebrate Christmas and New Year with her and the rest of the family though without my hubby. But hey, I'm not whining. 


I was able to sew using a sewing machine a balloon skirt for her during the holiday. I was so engrossed with sewing that all my family was busy videoking the night. My little pumpkin was whaling as I out the skirt on. so I gave up! but she wore it for like 10 mins on Christmas eve. I'm looking forward in sewing more stuff for her. I just realized that whenever I walk inside a store. I always look behind the clothes how they were sewn. Geesssh, why have I not thought of learning this while growing up? 


anyway, thats for now. 
oh, I'm busy making her birth scrapbook. just needed to put those bump stickers. goodnight!

my journey - first pregnancy

6.82 lbs
normal delivery
labor : 4 hours.
check in : 11:45 am/sunday lunch
baby's out : 4:45 pm/sunday afternoon
in the suite : 9pm/sunday night
discharged : after 24 hours.
cheeky and pinky.


I have always feared the process of giving birth no matter how beautiful it is in so many ways. But it is actually in facing our fears, we can only find out. but after having passed that stage, I can say that I am actually stronger than I thought I was.


My EDD fell on my birthday. but baby arrived 5 days early, at 39 2/3 weeks. and just 48 hours after hubby's arrival in manila. must be pretty excited to meet her dad! meaning, we will not be able to have a bump photoshoot cause she decided to skip on that. lol! but hubby was able to experience my belly going crazy for at least 2 nights. it was so funny looking at him so amazed with her movements.


friday -      hubby 's arrival.
saturday -   hubby  paid a visit to his folks without me. It was also this time when I started preparing hubby's stuff. mine and baby's hospital bags have been prepared long before his arrival. I was pretty tense while checking on what to pack.


saturday night, while i was having my shower, i notice a mucusy discharged (mucus plug) similar to nose mucus, plus I was having diarrhea -- i don't know why. probably, clearing my system for baby's arrival. dad even ordered a big box of pizza that night. so that was pretty much the last food I had.


by this time, I have come to realization that baby is arriving soon. I was still hoping that we will share the same birthday. - - just hoping! but still it is God who schedules.


Sunday - We woke up pretty early. We watched a very funny korean movie and was laughing like crazy. I haven't laugh that much with him for a very long time. anyway, then he asked me for a walk outside, and probably stop at the nearest starbucks. So I went for a pee, and boom found brownish stains in my undies. this was the first sign we were waiting for. but still no contractions. I alarmed my dad and all the people in the household. hubby and I manage to have a quick shower and have one photo before heading out. My dad even said "manganganak ka na, pipicture picture pa!" lol! still no contractions.


I was 4cm dilated, when I was checked.
they adhered a medicine that will help me contract to initiate the process of labor. it was only at that moment when I started contracting. I remember asking the nurse that I wanna do poo poo. I had no idea that this was the labor pain everyone was talking about. literally! But I was cautioned not to push, coz its not poo poo - - plus, I have to save my energy. the only time I can push is when I'm fully.


The early stages of labor were perfectly beautiful. Nothing hurt that bad. then few minutes later my contractions were in full force. until a contraction came on where I shifted gears. I was hanging on the handles of my hospital bed while I was doing inhale-exhale and timing them facing the wall clock. mobile phones were not allowed form the time I went inside that was a huge bummer! it made waiting seem long.


My OB/mom's friend came and poke my water bag. and asked to have the delivery room ready.


delivery room -  they were all waiting for me to become fully - 10cm.
bro's gf is working in that hospital, (same as he few months back. He left that hospital when Mom was terribly sick.) anyway, she managed to go back on duty when she found out I was giving birth that day. she was a big help in assisting me manage  pain, and proper breathing technique. it was at this moment also when i was given local sedation.


they started asking me to push this time. "taeng tae ka na ba? sige itae mo na yan." then I push really hard!!! I had no idea how pushing the baby out could be so hard especially for a first timer. you have to push hard and longer. Also, there were like 3 nurses assisting me. I was so confused with them, every one of them is telling me "mommy, breathe tayu 1, 2, 3."  that i don't know who to follow anymore.I was like, can i just follow one person? they were all talking at the same. i decided to pay attention to my brother's gf. at one point i started telling them to shut up just by simply saying "sssshhhh" and raising my two hands to tell them to be quiet. i just can't focus if it's noisy. then when i couldn't contain it anymore i told them "please wag kayo maingay di kasi ako makapgconcentrate" in my sweetest voice. just like a normal person when they're doing poo poo. lol. thats the last thing i remember.there was no shouting or cursing my husband from my end, those things that you see in movies. i don't know why some people yell at the top of their lungs.oh well, every pregnancy is different so i can only speak from my own experience.


8:30 pm I was in the recovery room. I was told by the anesthesiologist that i have given birth already. I have short memory loss due to the local sedation given to me. upon hearing "hoy, nanganak ka na!" i stared at my belly looking for my bump, and touched them. "huh? asan na ung anak ko?" the nurses told me that my baby looks very much like me and was being feed like crazy.


By this time, I have seen my baby already. and was so happy she came out cheeky, pinkish and healthy. I was officially a mom. i was discharged the next day.


when I first saw her, I wanted to carry her right away. but just couldn't. I was wondering how I was able to carry her for 9 mos. she was so cheeky! and I have very small belly . during my last trimester. I just suddenly loss my appetite compared to the previous trimesters.I don't even eat that much.


I was thanking GOD non stop. I feel so so so blessed for being able to bear a child. I did not cry. as much as I wanted to. Still groggy with the sedation. I even sense the way I talk was so different.


around 9 pm I was transferred in my room already, was so hungry. Dad and the rest of my family was there. my sister and my Dad was laughing like crazy and when i found out behind their laughing scheme i started laughing so hard."tumigil na nga kayo ng kakatawa. may tahi ako anu ba kayo!"


I told my Mom that if ever I will bear a girl, I will named it after her.


so this is it!
this is my journey. thank god for a healthy and safe pregnancy. i feel soooo blessed! plus the wonderful people in the hospital. I feel like my mom was with me in that delivery room because of her wonderful friends who was with me. my attending OB and baby's pediatrician. she even told me "tita's here already. so push hard!" and when I was able to push it the right way. tita would tell me "thats right! push hard....harder! i'm so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!"  I feel like I was within my comfort zone because of them. i'm so blessed!!!! and my wonderful girlfriends from different places who gave me pointers on what to do. thank you all of you till my second pregnancy. godbless us all!

Officially a Mom

I totally don't have time to spare to even check anything online.

Pretty much occupied with motherhood duties. I swear, 24 hours a day is not even enough. 

I just realized that the only time you realize how much hard it is to be a mom is not until you became a Mother to someone. I've always been fond of babies, but its totally a different story when it comes to looking after your own baby.

Starbucks® and bump update

I was very happy last weekend. I got to visit Bonifacio High Street after a long long time..I think I was here almost five months back when I went to see my cousin for her wedding preparations.

Perfect place to hangout with the whole family + got the chance to do my usual walking exercise. after having our usual lunch, the rest of them went somewhere while I do my own business. that way I won't be thinking too much of them, and can focus more on my one hour goal. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Some days, I have hangover during Saturdays and at a thought would love to spend more time in bed but when you wake up really early to have mass with your family, its so different! I felt like Sundays are always jump-packed with a day full of activities and it is the only day of the week I really miss when I'm not in Manila. Even in Muscat, I know from the time I open my eyes that it is indeed Sunday. When Mom was still around, I would phone them and ask them to bring the laptop down and I would watch them while they're having their lunch. 8am muscat time.

It was so hot last Sunday! but I didn't mind when in fact I'm so conscious that I might get burned. What I was aiming these days was to walk at least an hour during the day and in the evening right after dinner. Its a good thing though that our street is not really a passage of a lot of people. except during the day. 

on another note, I love the watermelon shake I had with my lunch last weekend. I bought watermelon yesterday and some crushed ice and made some at home which was good for two days serving, I kept some and just made them fresh before each meal

Aside from this place. I love Greenbelt, rockwell power plant mall, shangrila-plaza mall and lastly eastwood city mall. Its not really crowded in these places. Plus they have nice outdoor scenery. plus I get to see good looking people. lol! You should understand, I'm working in the middle east and get to spend 40 days in manila a year and most of the people I see everyday are all covered. They're beautiful in the same way however I'm just enjoying seeing the crowd since I'm here in Manila. Its just nice having my cup of whatever and observing all these people passing by.

I'm a regular goer of Starbucks® . Its the only vice people know about me. I can see the couch as I was doing my I've been stopping myself in spending time alone with one of their couches for days now. Hubby is arriving soon, and I'm so looking forward in spending time with him in one of their couches. Miss having long conversations with him and for sure we need a lot of catching up to do for the last six months we've been apart. Its just so different when he's right in front of you. Blackberry messaging have helped us alot. thanks to technology.


I remember Mom telling me years back that half of my paycheck goes to my daily consumption of coffee. I wanted to correct that. I don't drink strong coffee. My all time favorite is Mocha Frappucino®  which is like 10% espresso base as I would like to believe, its more chocolate than coffee plus that yummy whipped cream on top. I don't know what makes me going back to this place over and over again. Even in Muscat, when I wanted a to chill out once in a while I must go. But the coffee beans in Muscat is different from the one here in Manila. Given that the baristas in Muscat are all filipinos, still it tasted differently! 

starbucks in muscat fronting beach side

last time I had starbucks in muscat

okay my post is all about  Starbucks®  now. 

I am craving as I am typing this. Been stopping myself from visiting until hubby arrives. I can't wait to drop by at any Starbucks location with a good ambiance.

I can't forget that one rainy morning I was with my brother somewhere in Ortigas when he gave me one signatured hot chocolate. There was something about mornings that I love lounging at one of their couches. A few days after I've asked some friends to go with me to have another Starbucks®  moment, this time we went to Rockwell and it must be raining outside. It was a pre-requisite. I love raining! it only rains in Muscat once a year no kidding! I saw law students having their own world with all their hard bounded books, and it kinda brought me back in time when I was still in university. OHhhhh, who doesn't like reminiscing? 

Hubby is arriving in less than seven days. Okay here's where the update comes in sorry. Now I really don't know why I said a lot of stuff about my love for Starbucks in this current post, maybe because I'm craving and thinking at the same time of being with hubby ehehe! 


Had my weekly OB checkup yesterday, a lot of preggers where there too cause its a monday. and I am currently 1cm dilated. I can give birth anytime soon. Meaning, my cervix is ripening and its not too long before she arrives. 


Every pregnancy is different from one another. I did some reading online and have read some staying at 1cm for some weeks while some give birth the next day. One was saying she stayed at 3cm and stayed that way till her due date and have actually past her due date 14 days.so no one really knows exactly when baby will make her grand entrance. just hoping she can wait for dad-to-be's arrival. Dad arrived early last night and was quite paranoid. My sister in law and youngest brother wanted to bring me to the hospital when I told them I had some few spottings. Though no contractions yet. The spottings could be from the IE done by my OB. She was trying so hard to feel my cervix. I could hardly breathe and was asked to breathe from the mouth. 


I informed hubby right away, and was so bothered that baby will pop anytime soon without his presence. He felt like baby doesn't wanna hang on a little bit just in time for his arrival. I have finally calmed him down and I'm doing the best I could to hang on until he arrives though I don't forget about all those pre-labor exercises. I can see myself finally walking in a different pattern "penguin" walk. 


People can really tell that I'm having so much fun with my entire pregnancy. 
Been updating my FB status with my progress. Would keep on updating on the day itself. :)

irony

A month ago, I was the happiest "ate" when I received a message from my Dad saying my sister was expecting. I did the math, and that means after six/seven months Dad will have another addition to his grandchildren. I wish its a boy this time. I was soooo grateful for her blessing, that I can't stop thanking GOD.

I was praying all this time for my sister to get pregnant. 'cause the idea of being mothers at the same time just excite me, I just felt that our kids will be a way for us to meet more often in the future. especially mom is not there anymore.

I am few days from delivery, but just few days back 10-10-11 my sister sent me a message saying she's bleeding and advised her to visit and have it checked as soon as possible. I wasn't expecting the next message I got from her....no more heartbeat when in fact the baby was doing well at 150 bpm. There was silence after that, and when I phoned my brother in law that night, my sister was in the hospital bed sedated and in the process of having Dilation & Curettage --- in tagalog RASPA

Isn't it ironic when you can't wait for your baby to arrive then suddenly you found out your sister just had a miscarriage? I got questions in my mind. but yet again, who are we to question God's way? again, in another time He will reveal that.

This is not a different person, this is my SISTER! 

How can I have such a normal pregnancy, no complications and yet my sister the opposite? I am grateful, really I am...but was quite wondering what had happened to her pregnancy.

Anyway, they have the rest of the year to make another one. 

found such an interesting quote in twitter 

 "When one thing ends, another thing begins. Sometimes ending hurts, but a new beginning is worth the pain."

This is one of those moments when you really needed a mom at your side. I was told that she was calling out mom's name while crying. I just can't imagine how painful it is for her. Really, I am deeply hurt as she is. I was not able to eat my lunch when I was exchanging messages with her that day. My husband told me to eat because of my baby, I told him I just don't have appetite. But of course, I had something. 

She's okay now, back at home from the hospital. 

A friend just asked me if my sister really had a miscarriage, apparently she just shared her journey in her FB status. Now what pisses me off, is that some people are just NOT thinking. Clicking "like" when in fact someone is mourning??? I mean, does someone know what LIKE really means? you can comment but like a sad status about mourning or sickness is such a big no-no. 

again, I'm just sayin....

untitled

Things are a bit hazy around the household due to petty misunderstandings. Being the eldest, I stood up and finally had the courage to talk to the parties involved. Enough is enough!

We humans, usually see first the bad from the good.I Everyone is guilty about this! I can simply put fingers and go on and on and on why you are wrong. But no, that's not how I talk this time. 

We usually go into conversations when we wanted to know something. I just wanted to know why things have been repetitive over time. But I got more than that. Tears and skeletons in the closet were far from what I expected. on another note, my mom moved to heaven January of this year, never have I pictured losing a mom this young. When in fact I will be a mom myself in a few weeks from now. You might have your aunt, ninangs, or sisters or girlfriends ---- but having a mom next to you is one of the best things in this lifetime. I never had the chance to write something about her/or what really happened to her because its just too personal. Up to this time we still felt like everything is so surreal. I imagine her walking past the hallway in her household dress calling out my name, or sometimes roll calling us all when she needed something.

It just that.... it saddens me to know that mom is not here anymore and yet argument is there. it just makes the household gloomy. Plus, Dad feeling frustrated then depression comes next and the next thing you knew he's being quiet because he missed mom again. Something that I am preventing to happen.

I sometimes look at myself, not knowing when to stand for myself. Afraid of confrontations and all that. cause I never do any of that. Especially when it comes to the matters of the family and the heart, I easily break down to tears. But I was more surprised when the person I was talking to break down first. 

Not all the time, what we see is normally what they seem to be.Sometimes, they all have DEEP roots! so talk with caution if you have to.