Challenge

My high school classmate posted old pictures on facebook and wow, we we’re all surprised. It’s so nice to reminisce the good old days. We were all laughing at how we look then and now. One of our classmates was even laughing so much to see his narrow waist on his CAT uniform and comparing his bulging tummy now, LOL! Everyone’s boils down to one suggestion, he should get rid of stomach fat before our reunion comes, hehe. It’s going to be a big challenge for him.

Reminiscing

It’s father’s day on Sunday and I’m feeling a bit sad that the husband’s not here to celebrate it. I really miss my husband. Although we talk through email every day, and go to hear his voice and talk to him during Friday, its still not the same when he’s here. Now I’m just reminiscing the times we spent together as a family before he left. Last April 30, we went to the Mall of Asia to celebrate his birthday. I remember how happy we are during that day. We really had fun. Hubby and little girl enjoyed watching the sunset through the binoculars placed on one side of the mall facing Manila Bay. They also enjoyed riding the Wow Wheels. It was really a fun fun day. We went home at already 11pm, tired but happy. It would be two years of waiting again before we can have another day like that. Sigh…

Funny Past

Have you ever felt discomfited because you either enter or exit the wrong door? I did. The first was when I’m still in college. I was in hurry and wanting to catch up on my next subject that I didn’t notice I entered the wrong class. That was so embarrassing. Then just last week, in a government office, I was busy sending a text message that I didn’t notice I was exiting the wrong door, I guess blame it to the obscure exit sign. Those are two unforgettable incidents and whenever I’m reminded of the first one, it makes me laugh.

♥ A Worth-Spent Holiday ♥

Since yesterday was declared holiday, (it's Pasig City Day) I already organized my schedule and thought of ways on how to make it productive...

First, I scheduled a meet up with my real estate agent. I asked my sister to accompany me. We met at 10:30am and went straight to San Mateo. Hubby decided that we'll withdraw from purchasing the property that we got last January. It's a very hard decision to make. Hubby wanted kasi that when he comes home on May 2009, the property will be ready so we can transfer. But unfortunately, the developer cannot give me exact schedule of the property's turn over. I thought I could still convince hubby if I can see that the area is already being constructed. I told my self that if I could just see any signs that it will be finished before hubby arrives, we will just go on with the purchase. But alas, when we visited yesterday, the area is still on land development stage. I didn't see anything but bare land.

Our agent told me that if we'll withdraw, we cannot get the full refund of the payments we made since January. She told me that the maximum we can get is just 50%. Nakakapanghinayang din since we shell out 30k plus already. It's hard earned money that's why it dissappoints me to know that we cannot get full refund. But since hubby has decided already, I told the agent that it's okay as long as we can still refund.

I spent almost four hours in San Mateo, talking to the developer and visiting yet another house and lot prospect. The one we visited quite got my interest since the environment is good. It's a community of single detached 2 storey houses. The price is reasonable and when I told hubby, he said that he'll consider.

We just ate our lunch and then went to the Civil Service Office in Banawe to get my eligibility certificate. Finally, the proof that I passed the CSC exam which I took October last year. I've been meaning to go there since January but can't find the time since I had to file a leave just to get it. Thanks to Pasig Day :)

Finally, I accompany my sister for some errands. We then went to Marquinton Starbucks to sip some Choco Cream Chip and Mocha Frappe :D...A relaxing treat!

When I arrived home, it's already 5:30pm. I found Jaden sleeping soundly in the couch. I didn't disturb her coz the nanny reported that they went home just an hour before I arrived (I told her kasi to bring Jaden to my parent's house). I then prepared the ingredients for our dinner. Since I don't have enough time, (I'll be attending our midweek service at 7pm) I instructed the nanny to cook and gave her the steps in cooking menudo. When the little girl woke up, I'm already heading to the door to go to church.

On the side note, I'm guilty of not having enough time with my daughter :( so I'm thinking of filing a VL next week just so I can have a whole day with her. I'm planning of taking her to Manila Ocean Park.

My sister's wedding last Saturday...

...made me sick...literally!

I was the day-coordinator and my older sister and I stood as emcees during the reception. It went out good. Although there are some glitches, which I think not our fault naman :D. It was a garden wedding held at L' Orchard in Antipolo. The whole event was decided by the groom's parents. So that means, wala akong say on some areas during the preparation, which I think was difficult on the part of any person in charge in coordinating an event. Whew!!

It went out ok if not cpunting some unexpected circumstances like:

• The caterer was late on setting up the venue for the ceremony and reception areas. It was really a big headache!
• It rained 30 minutes before the ceremony so, we started late as well. The ceremony area was totally washed out!
• One of the sponsors (a politician) didn't even had the chance to witness the ceremony. He left just before it started. May appointment daw kasi ng 5pm so he needs to leave before 5. And because of that I was pressured by the groom's parents. The ceremony should start at 4pm but since it rained the groom's father requested that we wait until the rain stops. It stopped at 4:30 but we need to re-arrange the area tapos the mother naman kept on telling me to start na because the mayor will leave daw in 5 minutes! Ano ba yun?!? Nakakaloka talaga! :D
• Some important items for the ceremony were missing or I think not properly coordinated by the groom's parents with the caterer like the holder for the unity candle, the kneelers and the podium. They told me kasi everything was confirmed and settled na with the caterer, so on my part I didn't put much attention on that. If I only knew....
• The sound system came early and their sound was good. I just didn't understand why it was a wedding and yet they don't have enough love songs to play for the pipe-in music during the reception. I gave them clear instructions plus a cd to use during the reception but they didn't play it. Kainis!!!
• There are many other things pa. I just don't want to elaborate on them na lang....:D

Haaaayyyy....after the reception, I felt like collapsing! My legs and my head ached so much. I quickly went to the bridal room and change tapos I rested for about 30 minutes. Ang sakit sa ulo! :D

But all in all it was OK. The bride and groom were happy. Their friends and relatives are happy for them. I just hope that my sister with her husband will be united together to forever. I wish them all the best..

Here are some photos I'd like to share with you:

My daughter with her cousin. My niece was one of the flower girl.

My daughter holding a bouquet

Jaden with the bride

ok pa ang itsura ko dito..taken before all the pressures :D

A day with her

I was with Jaden for 5 longs days and I enjoyed it. Our family used to go out for a splash every good Friday but this year, since my sister’s wedding is coming near, we just stayed home and enjoyed the long vacation. After the wedding, that’s when we’ll have our family outing :D.

As I was saying, I really enjoyed the vacation. I got the time to know what the nanny and Jaden is doing everyday. I’m glad to know more about my daughter’s daily activities and her development. There’s a time that they just play her floor puzzle and coloring books. I was writing down some notes and she saw me with a pen...she loves pens. She quickly took the pen from me and asked me for a piece of paper. She ran away and sat on the floor and I observed her as she writes and doodles. Afterwards, she got up and ran quickly to me and excitedly show her piece of what seems to be an artwork for her... It was just some elliptical lines and strokes that goes anywhere but she was really happy.

Times like this are really priceless. Thank God for the long vacation.

Hmmm...

What about skate shoes?...I think, not. She isn’t ready for that yet. I remember when I was younger and skate shoes are everywhere…almost every child wanted to have one! But not us. Our parents didn’t buy one for any of us. First because it’s pricey, second because it’s not practical, and third, because we don’t know how to skate :D. Knowing our frailty, our parents didn’t bother.

Mag Pic

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

Love doing this! :) Sarap palang maging cover girl at least kahit fake :D

My funny shirt

I saw these funny t-shirts in a store when I was strolling in a mall with my daughter this afternoon. A flashback of my college days crossed my mind…when I was in college we we’re asked to do a project. It’s to create a t-shirt designed through silk screen printing. We actually didn’t know how to do it so I thought that time that we’re really like experimenting. We're amatuers but we we're able to create a masterpiece! It was the first t-shirt I wore which I was very proud to say that I was the one who made it. You know what's the design?

A big Smiley! hahaha!!:)

First Communion

I didn’t know that it’s customary now to give out first communion invitations. I just saw them online and got curious. I remember the time I had my first communion. It was in grade school. My mother was with me during that time. (We were still catholic then). Honestly, I had no idea why the school was obliging us students to have it. Just looking back to the process all of us went through, I believe some students didn’t understand what they were doing that time. Some of my classmates even revealed to each other the things they confessed to the priest! Hehehe. Haaay…just reminiscing.

Mommy Survey

Saw this on Aggie, Kitts and Toni's sites and felt like snagging it :D

1. Was your first pregnancy planned? like kitts, my pregnancy was not exactly planned but we're not really NOT trying.
2. Were you married at the time? Yes
3. What were your reactions? Mixed emotions..excited, fullfilled, happy and a little bit scared. Excited to tell hubby. Happy kasi gustong-gusto talaga ni hubby na magka-baby na. scared sa whole stage of pregnancy and parenting itself and fullfilled kasi I'm now sure that we can really have a baby!
4. Was abortion an option for you? Nope
5. How old were you? 27
6. How did you find out you were pregnant? I was delayed ng 2 months already and since hubby was not with me during those times, I did the test myself to make sure and whoala!
7. Who did you tell first? my sister na sobra kong ka-close..want to surprise hubby din kasi.
8. Did you want to find out the sex? Yes, we both want a girl
9. Due date? June 15, 2006
10. Did you have morning sickness? yes, and that was terrible.
11. What did you crave? sugpo and siomai
12. Who/what irritated you the most? none in particular
13. What was your first child’s sex? Girl.
14. Did you wish you had the opposite sex of what you were getting? No.
15. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? 50lbs++
16. Did you have a baby shower? unfortunately wala :D
17. Was it a surprise or did you know? --
18. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? none.
19. Where did you give birth? Antipolo City Medical Hospital
20. How many hours were you in labor? I am not yet in labor at that time but all in all 7 hours since I got admitted to the hospital :D
21. Who drove you to the hospital? hubby as always :D with us are my two sisters.
22. Who watched you give birth? Just the doctors and nurses.
23. Was it natural or C-section? C-section...you'll know here why.
24. Did you take medicine to ease the pain? I was given an Epidural.
25. How much did your child weigh? Jaden weighs 7.9lbs
26. When was your child actually born? May 30, 2006 earlier than expected din
27. What did you name him/her? Jaden Meekaila
28. How old is your first born today? She's 17months as of this writing

Summer

Oh how I love summer! The beach…the sun…the Halo-halo (a Filipino refreshment with crushed ice, mixed fruits, beans, milk, and topped with Leche Flan. Yummy!) …and ice cold Pepsi…and of course, outings and long week-end vacation. And speaking of outing, we just had our family outing last Thursday.

During this time of the month, its hard to find a summer getaway that is budget and commuter friendly. We have kids who'll go with us and a long drive is quite tiring for them so the place should be accessible. We cut down our list to places near Marikina and stop wandering far from Metro Manila. Auspiciously, we found a haven in the heart of Antipolo, Loreland Farm and Resort .

It was such a nice place if you don't want to go far. The 30-minute trip (from Marikina City) is also quite enjoying as you can see an overlooking site of the metropolis plus the cool breeze that caresses the face (you should open your car windows to feel this :D). And the place.....breathtaking! We went there as early as 6:30am since we don't have any reservation (the resort do not have reservation policy as it was on a first-come-first-serve basis). When we arrived, I just noticed that the cashier's and entrance areas are already crowded. I supposed we're not the only group who had the idea of going sooo early! :D

It was Holy Thursday and yet the resort was packed with people – young and old - in swimwear! As far I know, Catholics usually celebrate Holy Week with retreats and self-sanctification but maybe religious practices changes as time goes…or are they Catholics? Hmmm…I’m not sure.

Anyway, I didn't know that Loreland is quite big. It has gazebos, function halls, rest houses, treehouse, playground, volley ball and table tennis courts, wooden cottages, sauna and jacuzzi, and a number of pools -- eight to be exact. They can accomodate even a large function such as weddings. The atmosphere is truly relaxing and refreshing. Green trees are present everywhere. The whole environment pleases the eyes.

Our stay lasted until 5pm. Enough to get our fill of the cool water, sunburns and aching muscles! :D. But then, I could say that everyone enjoyed it albeit the rain :D (it actually rained during the afternoon!). And I personally enjoyed it compare to our trip last year. Last year was boring and I was even frustratred. I did not have a summeriffic fun since I am still carrying Jaden in my tummy. The uneasiness and heaviness and the heat of the season makes everything uncomfortable for me. But now, time sure flies…she enjoyed the summer with us this year! :D.

We packed up, and prepared ourselves to go. But we will never forget this new found highland haven..we will surely come back.

Team Building

Last Friday, I attended a Team-Building at Angel's Hills Tagaytay composed of tenants of the building where we hold our office. At first, I was hesitant to join since I didn’t personally know those who will attend. Each company has two representatives and honestly, though we are under one umbrella, The Lopez Group of Companies, I don’t know everybody in the building.

When we met that morning my co-employee is asking me what he’s going to do there since he didn’t have any idea what Team-building is.

"Team building"(or "'teambuilding'") refers to the process of establishing and developing a greater sense of collaboration and trust between team members. Interactive exercises, team assessments, and group discussions enable groups to cultivate this greater sense of teamwork. (lifted from wikepedia)

I think the building administration is really eager to have harmonious relationships between tenants so that in case of emergency there will be strong cooperation and “bayanihan” spirit among us.

We had fun. Aside from the new perspectives I got, I also met new friends. Those that I usually see during lunch time at the building’s canteen. I finally know them not only by face but I now know their names..:D

during one of the team-building games

outside our room

Highlights of 2006

January - Got my new pair of eyesglasses.
February - Occular Inspection for company outing
March - The time we knew she's a GIRL!
April - Jerry's birthday!
May - Jaden Meekaila breathed her first
June - She was diagnosed of Neonatal Siezure and was scheduled for CT Scan
July - Our free Anniversarry Cake from Alex Franko, I turned 28
August - I went back to work
September - Alyssa's Birthday, Meek is 4 months
October - My blog turned 2
November - Meek can stand with support
December - Jaden Meekaila's Dedication day!

Our First Christmas

I am very happy. This is the first Christmas that we're a family already. I'm thankful that God's been so good to us. We're celebrating it now with our daughter, Jaden. Though I didn't receive any super-expensive gifts, I'm still happy that my family is well, and complete. This is the most wonderful gift I've ever recieved.

trip to Baywalk

Christmas -- had our Noche Buena with my family.

Gift-giving time...

Our angel...soundly sleeping at Christmas Day!..

last year, she was still in my tummy now look at her, so big!:D

Christmas rush

Ngayon ko lang yata naramdaman na mag rush. Maybe because I'm so pre-occupied with workload and so i have no time to buy gifts for my love ones and friends. Iba nga talaga pag may baby na. Kaya ayun, mega Christmas shopping rush talaga ako two days before Christmas. whew!

Dec. 21, my officemates and I went to megamall afterwork to buy some gifts tapos we ate at French baker, 8 na rin kami naghiwa-hiwalay.

Dec. 22, I filed a leave and brought jaden to her pedia forher check up (she has colds and 1 week na, kakaawa baby ko) I was with my mother. After that we went to our office and showed Jaden to my officemates. Nagpa-cute nanaman po ang anak ko, kaya tuwang-tuwa sila. heheh! then we went to galleria to do last minutes shopping again. Jaden enjoyed it alot. Tili ng tili while we're inside the dept.store kaya tuloy tuwang-tuwa ang mga sales ladies sa kaniya. Center of attraction nanaman. Then, we decided na sunduin ang daddy niya sa work. He's working in taytay kaya from galleria diretso kami taytay sana. buti di masyado traffic unlike nung papunta pa lang kami ortigas. Kaya lang kakaalis lang ni jerry sa hospital kaya nag meet na lang kami half way. After that, punta naman kami Sta. Lucia. Shopping ulit! hehehe. A real long and tiring day talaga. NApagod din siguro si baby kaya maaga nakatulog that night.

Dec. 23, I'll be semi-coordinating my friend-officemate's wedding so busy day again.

Dec. 24, Preparation for the noche buena naman...

haaay...super nakakapagod na week talaga! But enjoyed it alot!

We're back!

I can't believe how quickly two months have flown! It's time to accept the reality that I need to get back to work. It's hard. Especially when I already got used to Jaden being attached to me, being with her the whole day...and now, leaving her for a couple of hours saddens me. But that's a fact I had to accept. I need to get use to our new set up. For the meantime, mother is taking care of her and I will just fetch her after work.

The first few weeks of her life had been a challenge to us...to our faith, finances and our being new parents. (see previous post). But thank God, we get by. God never failed to show us that He's always there and always approachable. I'm very much happy to announce that her CT Scan result was NORMAL with no significant findings...which means we have to worry no more. She's back to her normal activity and no more antibiotics to take... Thank God.

I'm also glad that I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight and shape... that Fast! Well, I guess I owed that to my round the clock taking care of my baby with just a couple of minutes to take a nap. They say that breastfeeding will help us go back to our prepregnancy shape...unfortunately, I'm one of those who are not blessed with free flowing milk... :D, I breasfed her for just two weeks. But still, I'm amazed that I'm back in my old self again. I just missed though the time I was breastfeeding her... it was realy a wonderful experience. As a new mother, taking care of her was exhausting, exhilarating, scary, and wonderful all at the same time. And I enjoyed it. Having her really changed my life...our lives.

Jaden is at a really fun, interactive stage right now - gurgling, smiling and kicking her legs when she's happy. I talk to her often and she responds with her cute "coos". She looks at me and smiles as she sees the movement of my lips. As per Jerry, I think he's enjoying his being a father to her. I remember the first time he changed her wet nappy, I was really laughing since he didn't know how to do it.. But now he's learning. He's an excited dad.

Speaking of Jerry, we are doing pretty well as a couple. And now, having Jaden seemed to make our bond stronger. We just celebrated our first wedding anniversary last July 23. It's not an extravagant celebration since we were still at the stage of trial because of our daughter. We just enjoyed our free anniversary cake from Alex Franco (it was really yummy!) and had a romantic dinner in the ambiance and comfort of our home (where else?). Jerry gave me a dozen pink roses. It was sweet. I didn't expect a more expensive gift... The good health God gave to our daughter and the normal results of all her tests was the best gift we've ever received this year.

Lastly, I want to thank all those ladies who visited my blog and prayed for our daughter..It helps to know that there are people who are very much concern and always willing to help through prayers. Thank you very much!

My blog is now up and running again..I will be posting my baby's development from time to time..when I have the time of course :D

First Time DAD

Baby's CT Scan

Our cutie.... active and healthy


my 12 pink roses


Our free anniv cake from Alex Franco....after feasting on it! :D

Back to Blog World!

I'm back to blog world!!...

and yes... finally, meet our JADEN MEEKAILA...

Her arrival..May 30, 2006 12:56 am



I finally met her...

2 weeks old

she arrived on May 30, 2006 at 12:56 am. by c-section. 7.9 lbs, 50 cm.

It's a long story why i went under the knife, my birthing kwento to follow.. rest muna ko... :D

Thanks to all who dropped by and wished me well on my delivery. salamat po!

Maternity Leave

Today is my last day here in the office.

Finished with the things to be turned-over to my releiver....

I hope everything will be ok when I get back..hmmmm....

I'm getting closer to D-day, I'm excited. :D

Holy Week

Haay, this is quite a long overdue post but I'll blog about it anyway..

We didn't go to any provinces last holy week.. My OB advised kasi for me to rest na lang as much as possible..

Wednesday, our company declared half day work. Some of my officemates planned to go to Dampa for lunch but I didn't join na. Jerry will be waiting kasi for me. Jon said I can invite him also pero I know ma sha-shy ang hubby ko so I just told him na next time na lang. What I did was, I went to Megamall (my time to shop! hehehe). I visited first Pain and Rehab clinic. My pain kasi akong iniinda since last week pa on my thumb tendon. I underwent PT for 45 minutes. Medyo ok naman yung feeling after the PT. The doctor recommended for a splint para sa hands ko kaya lang it's worth 1,700! I didn't get the splint. I just ask jerry to put a splint when we got home... The doctor told me to visit them every other day, hindi naman yun possible so di na ko bumalik. Yun nga lang, until now... masakit pa rin hands ko :(

Thursday, Just stayed home. We decided to have our family outing tomorrow sa Laguna so kinda busy ang parents ko and sisters sa preparation. Ako naman nakigulo lang... Jerry naman busied himself para i-condition yung gagamitin naming sasakyan tomorrow. We slept late na...tapos 3:30 am pa wake up call namin the next day :D

Friday, We woke up early.. mahirap na daw malate at matraffic sa biyahe eh. Ok naman coz we arrived at Laguna by 7:00 am. Pagdating sa resort, medyo disappointed ako.. it's not what we expected the resort to be kasi..as in disappointed lahat. Balak nga namin mag transfer sa iba pero sayang naman yung reservation namin another gastos pag mag transfer.. Buti na lang hindi na sila naginarte :D... so they just enjoyed the place later on. We still had a wonderful family outing despite it. Me naman, hindi ko masyado na-enjoy.. di kasi ako pwede mag swimming :( so i just feel the water (nagtampisaw, in short) and enjoyed the food! :D (pictures i'll post later..). We went home by 3:30 pm (aga noh?) balak sana namin mag travel pa to tagaytay kaya lang medyo pagod na rin yung iba so we decided to go home na lang.

Saturday, we did are usual saturday chores.. hubby ko naglabada :D. We then went to our parents house to have our lunch. Stayed there for a while and played with my favorite niece, AC. Then we went home and had a little talk tapos slept na.. pagod pa rin kasi from yesterday's swimming.

Sunday, church day. Jerry was assigned to preach so I went to church with him. After the service, people approached him to thanked him for the message he shared...it was really a wonderful service. After church, we went to SM Cubao to buy other baby stuffs..Sobrang nawili ako mamili hehehe :D. Buti na lang my sister handed me Alyssa's other stuffs so yung ibang things ni baby hindi na ko bumili. After shopping, Jerry craved for halo-halo so we went to Goldilocks to eat. Went home tired but enjoyed the day naman.

That's it... despite my condition I still enjoyed my long week-end. :D

By the way, I'm already 32 weeks now and sobra nang naiinip to see baby JM. I had Braxton Hicks contractions every now and then.. my sister said sign daw yun that I'm nearing my term... :)