26 days before Christmas!

It's 26 days before Christmassss!!!!!

I haven't finished my Christmas shopping yet but I'm getting down to the bottom of my list (Yayyy!)

But I'll let you in on a secret. . . I have yet to think of something for my mom and dad! Haha!  I don't know if it happens to you but don't you think giving gifts (and thinking what to give!) to parents is the hardest?  I guess I just want their Christmas gift to be more special. . . I am one lucky girl to be so loved by them.    

I have also started wrapping gifts.  For a change, I thought of trying these decorative boxes.  They're cute right?  No wrapping needed!  Heehee. . . .  

Got these nice gift tag stickers too . . .

My sister also bought these plastic handles for our DIY gift bags . . .

I know we all want to give our loved ones the nicest gift we can think of.  The "nicest" though doesn't necessarily mean the fanciest or most expensive.  As Mother Teresa said, "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

I know that sometimes we get busy with our holiday preparations but let us also keep in our minds and hearts the true essence of Christmas and honor the greatest gift we ever received from our Heavenly Father.

Some things never change. . .

I had an ultrasound when I was 33 weeks pregnant and the sonologist told me that the Little One is fond of playing with her hands and that she likes putting the back of her hand on her cheeks.

It looks something like this. . . .

(If you can't seem to make it out, don't worry, I had a hard time distinguishing the ultrasound pictures too, haha!)

She is now 5 months . . . and I guess some things never change =)

Sweet Dreams Little One. . . Daddy and Mommy love you. . .

Answered Prayers . . .in God's Time

I am soooo happy, ecstatic, jumping for joy, over the moon (running out of words here, haha!) right now. . . words are not enough to describe this feeling of happiness when you know that a prayer has been answered.

I found out that a friend of mine (I am calling her Queen D) is pregnant!!!!  She and her husband E (a sweet and loving couple) have been married for 9 years.  They've had their share of adventure as a couple and eventually, they would like to start their own family.  Though it didn't happen sooner, they didn't give up and did everything (everything!) they could to make it happen.  They have pledged devotion to different saints, have danced in Obando (a place in the Philippines where women go to take part in a fertility dance) and have sought medical help as well.  They have waited patiently, with great hope and faith accompanied by fervent prayers . . . and they got what they were wishing, hoping and praying for! 

Queen D is now 9 weeks pregnant.  She has always been lovingly spoiled by her dear hubby.  If she felt like a princess before, she now feels like a Queen!  (That's why I call her Queen D now)

Image credit: www.adorababy.com

If you feel like you've been praying so hard for a long time and you haven't gotten the answer that you want, I hope that this story would make you realize that God has a Master Plan for all of us and that His timing is always perfect.  

Sometimes, when you don't ask for anything from Him and He gives something to you. . . then you know it is meant for you because He gave it in His time.  He caught me by suprise (a pleasant surprise) when He gave me our Little One because at that time, I wasn't even sure if I was ready (funny that at 37, I was still not sure?  LOL) to become a mom.  But He did and I guess He knows I'm ready without me knowing it.

Whether God answers your prayers or not, I hope you find in your hearts to trust Him because He knows what is best for us.  I know it sounds cliche, but "everything happens for a reason" . . and I've proven it so many times in my life.   It is this cliche that made me realize that having to go through my first (and only) major heartbreak actually led me to my Happiness . . . and now I'm married to him. 

Found this quote from a blog which I would like to share with you:

Next time you pray any kind of prayer, whether it be for the resolution of healing, or for a house or for a car, or for a husband, or for a family conflict, or for a solution to a problem, tell Him he can say yes or no.  Because in the end, you're a winner.  Every time.

- Bo Sanchez (You have the power to create love)

FEELING LUCKY

Image credit: www.depositphotos.com

I feel so lucky today!!!

Starbucks has an online survey where a customer is randomly chosen to answer their company's survey.  After doing so, you are entitled to get a free beverage of your choice.  (You are the lucky customer when a customer voice survey code gets printed with your  receipt.) 

In a month, I got three of  these.  All the baristas told me how lucky I was as this was a random thing and that it doesn't happen too often.  So I just felt really lucky to have gotten 3 in a month and from different Starbucks locations!

If I'm in a lucky streak, I might as well go big time and purchase a lotto ticket!  LOL

But more than anything, I feel luckiest knowing that I married a good man, we have a daughter we treasure dearly, a supportive family we can always count on and loving friends who truly care.

So much love going around. . .I am truly blessed. . . and I am thankful.

Practice makes Perfect

The Little One has rolled overrrr!  Yayyy!

Actually, she was able to do it a few weeks ago (in a clumsy manner) . . . by accident because she slid from her Boppy Pillow.  Today, I'm proud to say that she has mastered her own technique.  She has learned that "practice makes perfect".  I just hope she can pick a better time to practice though . . .  . other than 3AM!  LOL

Yes, this photo was taken at 3AM!

Just kidding my Little One, you can practice anytime you want. . . . I'll always be there to watch you.

XOXO  =)

Zola's Cousin and Sharing

Zola's cousins - Iya and Joshua

I've told you about Zola's cousin, Iya, in an earlier post . . . .well, this is another "Iya story" (you'll probably be reading more about her in the future again).

We were watching a local variety show hosted by a local actor when we had this conversation:

Me: Iya, sino pinaka-gusto mo sa mga hosts diyan?

Iya: Ummm. . . si John Estrada and Matteo

Me: Ay pareho tayo, ako din gusto ko si John!

(She doesn't actually like it when you have the same choice as hers so I was kind of expecting her to tell me to pick another host.)

Iya: Ta-ta, sige, SHARE na lang tayo kay John Estrada

LOL

I was happy that she takes by heart the value of "Sharing".  I guess being the eldest among 3 siblings helped in teaching her the importance of sharing.

But I took a mental note that when she reaches the appropriate age, I will tell her that . . . .

"Sharing is good . . . .but NOT when it comes to your man."

Well, just being a good and dutiful aunt here looking out for her best interest.

Haha! =)

Mommy's "Me Time"

Yes, Zola's Mom was able to get some "Me Time" yesterday.  

My sister had to go to Manila (which is an hour away from us) to meet her friends and asked me if I could drive for her.  I took this chance to do some Christmas shopping as well (actually, I wasn't productive in the shopping part, haha!).

While waiting for her at the mall, I was looking for a place where I can sit and rest (my feet were killing me!).  All the coffee shops were busy. . . . but I was thankful to have found a cafe tucked in a quieter part of this big and busy mall.  I went there armed with my magazine (local showbiz magazines are my guilty pleasure, haha!), an Ipod (not really to listen to music, but to play Tetris, hehe), my mobile phone and ofcourse an ice-cold Coke Light!

I took a picture of my cozy corner . . . . .

While waiting for this . . . .

UCC's Seafood Salad

I miss taking care of the Little One but it also felt good to just have some time for myself and just do. . . nothing.

My friend gave me a book entitled "Meditations for New Mothers" by Beth Saavedra and there is a page that talked about Relaxation.  It said "Mothers need genuine rest.  We need time to simply be with ourselves, and we can do this in a variety of ways.  We can take a hot bath, stroll through the park, or gently rock ourselves in a rocking chair.  It doesn't matter how we get in touch with ourselves, but it's important that we do."

And that was exactly what I was doing in the quiet corner of the cafe, clearing my mind and "recharging" myself before another week starts.

As they say, "A happy mommy means a happy baby"

Have a nice and a HAPPY week ahead everyone!

What's in my bag?

One of my favorite features in Cosmo is "What's in your Bag?"  So for this post, I thought of sharing with you what's in mine.

1. Wallet

2. Sunglasses

3. Rosary - I always bring a rosary in my bag because it makes me feel secured

4. Passbook - I tend to forget to bring them when I go to the bank, so I just thought of putting them in my bag, hehe

5. Mobile phone - I don't even know what Nokia model I have (I'm not really a gadget person)

6. Facial tissue, feminine wipes, wet tissue - Yes, I bring all of these! Haha!

7. Gatsby oil blotter - No to shiny face, hehe

8. Hairbrush

9. Fan

10. My "kikay" kit - I think it deserves a picture of its own, Haha!

11.Pens - Yes, i have 3 and in different colors!

12. Mints

13. Digital camera   

14. Calendar planner - I've mentioned that I'm not a gadget person so I still keep track of reminders, notes and my "To do" list. . . the old fashioned way, Haha!

And now for my "Kikay" kit. . .

I don't like bringing bulky bottles so I bought atomizers for the following:

1. Mustela Skin Freshener - nice to have especially when it's humid 

2. Gap Dream Cologne 

3. Alcohol - Is it just me or do you also bring one?  

Don't worry, I don't get mixed up (not yet anyway) with these 3 containers, haha!

  

4. Hair accessories 

5. ETUDE lipgloss - my favorite!

6. Clinique Lipgloss in sugar plump

7. ETUDE brow liner - another fave of mine. . . well-groomed brows do make a difference 

8. Face shop cheek powder 

(*ETUDE and Face Shop are Korean brands which I love. . . they have good make-up suitable for Asian skin)

9. Body Shop lip balm

10. Jap stick - learned about this from a friend, it's like menthol in a stick - I use it when I have a headache or colds

11. Body Shop Tweezers - if you're looking for nice tweezers, Body Shop has one of the better ones

12. Nail cutter - comes in handy. . .not just for nails

13. Nail file - to go with the nail cutter, haha!

I mentioned in an earlier post that I love big bags. . .now you know why. . . 

So what's in your bag?

My First Book Review: An ABC Book =)

I read that reading is an important form of stimulation for babies.  As explained by KidsHealth:

Reading aloud:

• teaches a baby about communication

• introduces concepts such as stories, numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way

• builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills

• gives babies information about the world around them

And so I went to the bookstore to look for flash cards but couldn't find anything I like so I bought an ABC Book for the Little One.  The book was sealed so I couldn't browse it but the description at the back of the book said it had "large, clear, easy to read text and vibrant pictures".  And this is exactly what I need!

The book does have "large, clear, easy to read text and vibrant pictures" that are pleasing to the eye.  Though I suggest they use objects for each letter that are one or two-syllable words because I think all Little Ones should start with simple words that are easy to follow.

Here's a look:

A is for "Apple" (as expected, hehe) . . .though I wish the apple was all red in color (LOL)
B for "Butterfly" is okay but I think "Ball" is a better choice. . . .right?

C for "Car" is good
D for "Dinosaur"?!  I wish they just used "Dog" . . . or "Duck" . . .  or "Drum" 

I must say though, this is a cute dino, teehee

E for "Elephant""?. . . .What about using "eye", "ear" or "egg"?
F for "Frog"?  Okay, it is one-syllable but I had enough of animals, haha!  
What about "feet" or "fan"?

G for "Gorilla"?  I'll go for "grapes"!
H for "Helicopter". . . is too long I think
H can also be for "Hat" or "Horse"
Though I would probably choose "Helicopter" over "Hippopotamus", Haha!

So I guess I'll stop with letter H now (teehee) . . . .

I'm planning to get some more books for the Little One. . . next on the list, a good fairy tale book.  

Yes, I'm starting her early . . . and I hope this would foster her love for reading.

Any book recommendations you'd like to share?

Parenting Lesson from a 5-yr old

Photo credit: www.kidpower.org

Thanks to Iya (my adorable 5-yr old niece), I got my first parenting lesson.

One day, she asked me something (forgot what the question was) and I answered it the best I could.  . . and then it was followed by a gazillion "whys". . . until I can't think of an answer anymore!  So I gave up and said "I don't know" (thinking that would make her stop).  Well, she did but after she told me this ---

Iya: Ta-ta (that's what she calls me, short for "Tita") dapat hindi mo sinasabi ang "I don't know"

      (Ta-ta, you should not be saying "I don't know")

Me:  *E-M-B-A-R-A-S-S-E-D*

Kids just don't say the darnedest things. . .they say the smartest things too!

I know I have a few more years to go before the Little One asks her "whys" . . . so care to share what you do when you can't answer a child's questions anymore? =)