Christmas gifts

I was confused on what to give my husband for Christmas. I heard him say that he wanted to get a G-Shock watch few months back so I decided to get not just one but two watches for him :) Merry Christmas Babykins =)

For our Zoe, we decided against getting her two big items for Christmas because we wanted her to fully appreciate her Christmas gift. So the motorized car will have to wait for next Christmas.

And, here's my hubby's Christmas gift for me this year..

LUVITTTT!

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Berry or Apple?

As I come to terms with the fact that I'm not getting any younger, I have accepted the solid fact that phones nowadays are geared to all-touch screen and no keypads. It doesn't mean that it has become easier for me though. In fact, I have managed to avoid all versions of Iphone all these years (well...)because I really find it difficult to text on a virtual keypad. This is why I love my Blackberry Torch to bits. Well, at least how it looks like and the comfort it gives me. I've never been one to update phones on a whim or everytime there's a new model available (which is like every other month); I'm a more of a practical, function-over-fad-lady. 

Recently though, an opportunity presented itself when I realized that my postpaid line's contract is about to expire. I called Globe to find out what they can offer me for their loyalty program and asked if they can give me an Iphone 4S. The agent said the the 4S is currently out of stock and offered me the Iphone 5 instead. So after much discussions, phone calls, and irate complaints, I'm finally getting my Iphone 5 tomorrow and I'm bidding goodbye to my Blackberry Torch *sob*. Hey, I need to embrace the future of technology sooner or later, right?

I've gotten so many advice on which phone to get. Samsung S3, Samsung Note II, Iphone 5, Iphone 4S; and you know what, I don't really have time and plans of testing each because I'm very gullible when it comes to gadgets. Mostly because I'm not very techie and I'm just a picture-facebook-text kind of girl when it comes to phones. Heck, I only have less than 500 songs on my ipod and zero games. Samsung phones are pretty promising and have the best LCDs but I'm honestly intimidated by it's 'high-techness' :P. I've never had an Iphone before because I wasn't completely sold to the touch screen texting thing but yeah, I'm giving it a shot mostly because I don't ask for a lot of things in a phone. 

So yeah, tomorrow's the big day. I hope it's not going to be painful at all. I've so many painful memories with Globe and I really hope they make the transaction seamless this time =)

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!!!

The road to weaning

Zoe was exclusively breastfed for 9 months and it worked wonders for her health. It was also an exceptional bonding experience between me and her which I had hoped to prolong until I eventually had difficulties pumping milk at work. Speaking of work, it was challenging to switch her from breast to bottle just when I was about to go back to work because she was a comfort nurser too. That was when my husband and I decided to get her a binky to ease her into the transition.

I really wish we didnt. If we never did, we wouldn't be in this heart wrenching situation of having to wean her from her binky at 2 years old. Her binky is her soother/bestfriend/car companion. It has saved us from a lot of screaming and tantrums. recently though, her Avent binky already showed signs of distress when Zoe started nibbling around it producing a hole near its root. I get nightmares just imagining her teeth piercing the binky completely and getting stuck in her throat. So before that nightmare happens, I told Dan that I was cutting off the binky completely to start the weaning. Today. Today when both of us had gotten back to work after the long holiday. Geez.

So I cut it off at the part where the hole was. It left a part of the nipple still but not long enough for her to suck. When she asked for it after she took a bath, I showed her the 'broken binky'. I couldnt name the emotion that struck her face the most but what I remember was that she was shocked to see her binky in that state. She didnt cry yet but she tried it on and of course it felt weird. She then started crying and held it in front of me asking me why her binky was so 'small'. My heart was shattered to see her tears as she was showing her binky to me, I wanted to run to the nearby mall to get her another one. But I hugged her and told her that her binky needed to go away already. It took her 3 bottles of milk just to get through her afternoon nap, with her binky in her hand. 

When she woke up, she showed me her binky and told me how it already smelled bad so she put it in the basket where we place her milk bottles at bedside. 

Today's the first day. I hope we'd be able to ease her into kicking her binky habit without having her resort into another hard-to-break-habit. 

Gymboree Pumpkin Patch 2012

Gymboree Eastwood held its annual Pumpkin Patch tea party on October 26-28, 2012. We weren't supposed to be able to join since we were attending a wedding on Saturday, the 27th, which was when most of the festivities were happening. Good thing I was able to secure a holiday off from work so we registered Zoe to the October 26th tea party.

The next concern was Zoe's costume. I hated that we were unprepared for this event, just like last year when Zoe ended up not being able to go trick or treating anywhere (sad..). I browsed online for interesting costumes and came across a Minnie Mouse toddler outfit but was disgusted that it retailed for around P2,000. No way. So my husband came up with an idea to dress Zoe in a 'Chun-Li' inspired outfit. Of course, it only consisted of a cheong-sam and other accessories. When I searched online to see what her outfit should look like, it actually required more work. In the end, we decided to buy her a cheong sam and hair accessories to make her look like a baby Chun Li. She looked really cute =)

The Pumpkin Patch tea party started off with a play class headed by Teacher Chesca and another teacher whose name I forgot (sorry). There were around 15 kids, give or take, all dressed up in their cutie costumes. We got there at exactly 2pm and I was afraid that the program might have started but it hadn't, since they we  had to wait for all the registered kids to arrive. After the play class, they had a parade around the 3rd floor of the Eastwood mall where they went to selected stores for trick or treat. Zoe carried her pumpkin pail and sort of led the other kids to the other stores.

After the parade and the trick or treat, the kids were treated to snacks and were given their Gymboree lootbags. Zoe was so proud of her lootbags!! She was very tired after the event but was happy to have participated in such. Of course, it would have been a lot nicer if her dad was there to see her, but he was bound by work that day; maybe next year. 

Overall, I was satisfied with the Pumpkin Patch event. It was just right for kids of Zoe's age because it was held in a controlled environment and it was very organized. I've read some horror stories (excuse the pun) about other trick or treat events where the kids didnt get any lootbags despite paying a hefty amount per head and extremely disorganized ones. I already look forward to next year's Pumpkin Patch, hopefully with a much more creative costume for Zoe, and to join the Eastwood-wide trick or treat event.

Gymboree Play and Learn Eastwood

Dan and I have been talking about enrolling Zoe at Gymboree in order to maximize her learning potentials and hone her social skills as early as possible. At age 2, we've decided to enroll her to level 5 of Play and Learn at Gymboree Eastwood and see how she will respond to the overall environment and activity.

On her first session, Zoe was very excited to play around before the class started. She got a bit shocked though when her other 'classmates' came in and she realized that the play area was not just for her to explore. When Teacher Shelly started the class, she was still quite shy and relied on me to encourage her participation. After a few minutes of warm up, she eventually started joining the play scenarios on her own. It was really fun to see her enjoying herself, my husband and I were such stage parents!

Here are some of her pictures on her trial class and on her first official day:

Overall, I think Gymboree is a good avenue for babies and toddlers in order to maximize their learning potentials and social skills. I also registered Zoe to the Pumpkin Patch Tea Party for Halloween so she can experience how it is to trick or treat and celebrate. I can't wait :)

Hubby's 32nd and Zoe's 2nd

 Time really flies by so fast. Last September 22, we celebrated Zoe's 2nd birthday. We didnt have a party for her but we celebrated by taking her to Manila Ocean Park on the 21st and hosting a birthday lunch attended by Dan's family on her birthday. My mama and sister couldn't be there on her birthday because my Auntie Sting unfortunately passed away a couple of days before.

These are the Minni Mouse cupcakes that I ordered from Nadine of Swirls N Sprinkles. I was very happy with the outcome of the design; it's always a pleasure transacting with her.

I initially didnt want to go through with inviting my husband's family because my mom wasn't there to cook but she texted me the instructions on how to cook beef and mushrooms. Fortunately, I was able to pull it off! Boy, was I proud of myself =)





On Dan's birthday (September 15th), we celebrated by going out to lunch at Buffet 101 in Robinson's Magnolia. It was a pretty good buffet, if you don't compare it to hotel buffets, that is. September will always be a month of double celebrations for us. It's going to be a constant reminder that I'm blessed with two wonderful people in my life. I love you both =)

Little vanity

Mama bought a table and chair set for Zoe as an advance birthday gift and it is the cutest thing ever. I ordered it from Handicrafts atbp and it's such a big hit to Zoe that I'm seriously thinking of getting her a dresser set. However, Miss Grace mentioned that they don't have any available dresers currently and I would have to order and to wait until November (onwards) if I really want to get one. It's such a steal at Php2,500 considering that it's made of sturdy wood and the designs are super cute. Here are sample pictures that I have seen on their website:

This is Zoe's snow white table and chair courtesy of her mama lola:

Momma make over

Got my share of make over too. I was initially planning to rebond my hair but decided against it thinking that it will make my short hair cut look very flat. So I decided on a shoulder length layered cut with bangs and light reddish brown hair color. My first time to have my hair colored ever and I'm loving it :)

2nd haircut

At nearly 2 years old, Zoe has only had her hair formally cut at the salon once, when she turned a year old. After that, my mom would cut her bangs occasionally when they have grown too long. But normally those cuts would result to crooked hair lines so this time, I decided to bring Zoe to the nearby salon to have her bangs cut.


Before the hair cut:












After the haircut:

My little Chinese baby doll

Wrath of Habagat

Today is the 3rd day of the habagat. Marcos Highway is a vast ocean and Vermont Park is just another sea. Good thing I was able to park the car at the village gate on Monday and Dan was able to move it to McDonalds and eventually SM Masinag. I really hope and pray that the rain stops soon =(

1st-2nd day: 

3rd day:

My husband off to check on our car at SM Masinag and to buy more food for us.

2014

Coming soon in 2014; our first major conjugal venture:

Zoe's new wheels

Lesson learned: Don't underestimate my husband's opinions and decisions of baby gear.


I sent Dan to Rustan's and SM Makati last week so he can check out a couple of Maclaren strollers and give me feedback. Guess what, he came back with a firm decision to get a Peg Perego Pliko Mini instead. I've heard a lot of raves on this stroller but the design just seemed too common for me, although I have to admit it is quite a much coveted umbrella type stroller. I asked him what he likes about the pliko mini and he said that he compared it with the Maclaren Quest found the former to be a better choice between the two considering they are of the same price. 


Here are some of the top features of the pliko mini that my husband is crazy about:
- It stands on its own when folded
- The wheels don't touch the sun cover when folded
- It's compact and light
- It can carry up to 20kgs
- It's not a common stroller that a lot of people already have


So here it is, Zoe's new set of wheels:

By the way, I insisted in getting the red one. He initially wanted the black with diamonds pattern. WTH? Black for my baby girl? Uh-uh. And Maclaren Quest, just for the record, I still have feelings for you :(

Quest for Maclaren Quest

My husband and I recently decided to let go of Zoe's Graco travel system and hunt for an umbrella type stroller. This realization came about when we both had a difficult time travelling without a yaya and a stroller. Although I love Zoe's Graco stroller, I have to admit that it has become too challenging to use with its bulkiness. It's almost the only thing we can fit inside the car's trunk which is a hassle when we have groceries and other shopping bags to fit. 


So anyway, I was down to Chicco Liteway, Maclaren Triumph, and Maclaren Quest but the first 2 got eliminated due to bad feedback and insufficient features. I was originally planning to have a budget of not more than 10k but it looks like I'm gonna have to go beyond being that the Maclaren Quest is about 13,500. So here's what it looks like:

Yes, it's color is in-your-face-girl but who cares? I do. The passenger is girly girl anyway. But I wouldnt mind getting the charcoal-pink or purple-blue or red versions. Oooohh, I'm so excited :)

Dad's 86th

Dear Daddy,

Hey Dad. You would've been 86 na yesterday. If you were still alive, what would you have looked like na kaya? How would you have wanted your celebration to be? What gift would I have given you?

I didn't feel appropriate to greet you 'happy birthday' but I felt it necessary to give importance to your day. I want you to know that even though I feel happy with my life now, it's still incomplete because you're not here. You didnt get a chance to meet my husband and daughter and you didnt get a chance to see how well I'm doing with everything now. But I know that you're always with me even if I don't see you. I just really miss having a Dad and I wish that I can experience that again even just for one day :)

I promise to visit you this weekend. I know I've been missing out on those visits but I'm sure you know why. Visiting you in that place just still makes me sad and lonely. But I promise I will visit this weekend and I'll bring my baby girl. Oh you should see her now, she's really smart and witty and beautiful. You'll be very proud of her. I miss you everyday Daddy and I will miss you every day for the rest of my life. I love you very much and my heart still aches for you. Cheers in heaven daddy and please continue to watch over us :)

30th at Boracay

 Dan, Zoe, and I went to Boracay to celebrate my 30th birthday. This was also our first family out of town trip and we were all excited =) 

at the grotto in station 1

birthday dinner at Mesa with my sleeping baby

Birthday Celebrations Part II: Family Dinner

I decided to take my family out to dinner at Kirin Chinese Dining restaurant in Bonifacio High Street on the 24th. We got there earlier than our 6pm reservation and the restaurant was still closed so we took time to look around the stores and do some photo ops.

My family at dinner before my eldest brother and his wife arrived.

I wanted to order cupcakes from Sonja's at Serendra but the flavors that I wanted to order were out of stock so I bought 2 boxes of donuts from Krispy Kreme instead :)

Birthday Celebrations Part I: Surprise Treat

My 30th birthday was made extremely special by a series of celebrations. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my friends at work concocted a surprise dinner for me in the office the day before I was scheduled to go on vacation leave. It was quite difficult for them to surprise me since I was already pestering them to have lunch but they were still successful and I was really happy. Thanks to my Mortgage Banking team. I love you guys =)