Hello 2012, So Long 2011

Only twelve hours left until the new year. I'm sitting here on the floor playing with my little Tala while DH is out buying baby water. I spent the first half of 2011 being pregnant, and the second half nurturing my baby. I couldn't have asked for a better year. I've always dreamed of being a mom and now I'm living the dream. DH is a wonderful wonderful Dad. My heart is full.

From my home to yours, a very Happy New Year! May 2012 bring with it the blessings of good health, joy, peace and love for all of us. Cheers!

Christmas Wishlist

I'm starting my gift shopping tonight. I already now what to get for my loved ones so it shouldn't be time-consuming. I can't wait to wrap the gifts so I can already put them under my tree.

Now on to what I really wanna write about. MATERIAL THINGS. Teehee. I have stuff that I wish I can get for Christmas. It doesn't matter that I'm in my thirties and don't exacly have a Santa who would cater to my wishes. It's just fun to wish. I don't necessarily have to have these things. I'm happy if I can get a book or two.

So here it goes. My top ten wishes for Christmas:

1. Mac Lipstick in Ruby Woo. I have one red lipstick and unfortunately, it's not the right shade. I have yet to find the perfect red shade for me and this might be it.

2. Nars Blush Orgasm. I rarely use blush. I'm pretty sure this would make me remember to prettify my cheeks.

3. Shue Uemura Eyelash Curler. Now most stylists attest to the awesomeness of this curlash. Who wouldn't want a perfectly curled lashes?

4. Classic Ipod. My music is in my laptop and my old iphone. Since I'm doing gazillion stuff with both gadgets, I need a digital space exclusively for my music. I don't want an iTouch since it does gazillion things too.

5. Moleskine cover with LED light for my Kindle. So I can read at night without turning on the lamp. The last thing I want is to wake up the baby. I don't have enough time to read as it is.

6. Brown Boots with Wedge Heels. I have black flat boots which is perfect for a mom like me, but I could use something with heels. It's been forever since I used heels so wedge is preferable. I don't wanna trip while carrying my precious baby. Que horror.

7. iPhone 4S. I gave up my iPhone 3g when I moved from AT&T to Sprint to save on bills. Big freaking mistake. Not only am I stuck with a fugly and problematic LG phone, my bill is in the same range. FML. At least I still get to play with my old iPhone provided there's wifi.

8. Burberry Perfume. I gave up perfumes two years ago and lived on colognes. Now I'm ready for some new scent.

9. Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote Bag in Bilberry.  I need a bag that will fit my baby's things and mine. I hate diaper bags. This, I can use. It can also double-duty as travel bag since we're homeward-bound in February. Crossed fingers.

10. Toms shoes in gray. Perfect for walking and running errands.

Wow. I can't believe how fast I made this list. I could even go up to twenty. Ha! So therapeutic. I suggest you make your own list too just for kicks. :-)

Uno, Dos, Tres!

Three years ago today, DH and I got married in church. It was a beautiful wedding held in a resort in Subic Bay, Philippines. We chose Subic Bay because it was where we met for the first time. I initially did not want a church wedding since we were already married in civil rites in Japan, but I'm glad we went ahead with it. There's nothing like being surrounded by your family and closest friends on the most special day of your life.

It's 20 Days 'Til Christmas!

The days are going by so fast. I have yet to buy presents. At least DH and I have put up the tree already and decorated the fireplace mantel. All that's lacking are the presents under the tree. Oh and stocking stuffers.

Tala is growing by leaps and bounds. Yesterday, she finally took to the bottle. I've been exclusively breastfeeding her for the last 4.5 months. For a month now, we've been slowly and unsuccessfully teaching her how to feed from the bottle and presto, she finally did it yesterday. Hopefully, I will have enough milk to express so she wouldn't have to drink a lot of formula.

Also, she's been rolling over a lot more these days. We don't have to coax her anymore. She gets so giddy looking at the world from a different angle. I remember how she would always want to be held and now, she's getting more independent. It's totally bittersweet. I miss my newborn baby. 

Here she is at four months looking so happy and healthy. What more could a mom want?

I'm Back

It feels like forever since I've been here. So much has happened. My little jelly bean is now almost four months old. Being a mom is so much more than I ever imagined it to be. I feel like I'm being stretched a little bit every single day to become this person who's equipped enough to raise, nourish and love my little one.

As cliche as it sounds, I've never been happier!

Tala's birthday

I'll do my best to update this blog. I have so much to share, starting with Tala's birth story. Here's to life, love and all the delightful things they bring!

At 9 Months

Music Monday- Quelqu'un m'a dit (Someone Told Me)

I was watching a documentary on Carla Bruni, the First Lady of France, the other day and got to watch some of her music videos. She has a really nice voice and even though I didn't understand a word, I found her songs so beautiful. Wouldn't it be nice to learn how to speak in French?

This particular song is so haunting and lovely. I googled and found out that it's part of the soundtrack for 500 Days of Summer. Part of the lyrics goes:

I’m told that our lives aren’t worth much,
Passing in an instant, like wilting roses,
I’m told that time slipping by is a bastard,
Making its coat of our sadnesses.
That you still loved me
Someone told me…
That you still loved me.
Well ? Could that be possible?

So here it is. Listen and enjoy. :-)

First Day of Summer

Today's the official first day of summer! DH's niece, Sabrinna, has been having a blast wading in our inflatable pool since yesterday. It sure beats the heat! I'm joining her later when the sun's not too hot anymore. Truth be told, summer is my least favorite season. Texas summer can be harsh, but then again I come from the tropics so I'm used to it.

Any day now, our little jelly bean will grace us with her presence. Can't wait to meet my lil princess. Summer is gonna be pretty special for us from now on alright. I'm already dreaming of the summer birthday parties we'll be throwing for her.

Anyhoo, here's a couple of pics from last Saturday's BBQ with DH's friend. Looking forward to more of these.

DH taking a break from barbecuing pork ribs. He's already perfected it!

with his high school buddy and son

Happy First Blog Anniversary

I didn't realize last Thursday was my blog's first anniversary. I can't believe it's been a year. It's amazing how I managed to keep this blog since I post sporadically. To this day, I'm still hesitant about sharing my thoughts online. Thus, only a handful of people know about its existence.

Maybe one day I'll decide to finally seek out like-minded souls and communicate with strangers. Who knows? But for now, this blog is my outlet. My little space in this online world where I get to say anything that my heart desires. Well, to a certain extent of course.

A year ago, I was hoping, wishing and praying to get pregnant; here I am now awaiting the birth of my little jelly bean. A month from now, my life will never be the same. It's comforting to know that I have this blog to turn to whenever I'll have those few moments to myself while taking care of my Tala.

They say writing is a lonely task. It is, but it is also rewarding. It helps me clear my head. It gives me the opportunity to look back and remember exactly how a certain instance happened; how I felt, how I dealt with things.

Written words are forever. I'm grateful I have this blog to keep track of a little part of my life; my fun and not-so-fun days, my triumphs big and small, anything and everything special or mundane that I choose to remember.

Happy First Anniversary my little blog. Here's to more postings this time around.

Our Baby Shower in Pictures

DH's family threw us a baby shower last Sunday. It was such a sweet thing for them to do especially since I'm half a world away from my own family. I definitely feel so blessed and loved. They decorated DH's cousin's house with pink and purple balloons. It was so cute. We had strawberry and carrot flavored cakes. There were fun games with prizes to boot. DH aunt told me the first baby shower is always the most memorable. Couldn't agree more.

We received a lot of stuff for Tala. Can't wait 'til we can dress her up in cute onesies and dresses. Five more weeks 'til we meet our little jelly bean!

Friday Music: Adele

I've been obsessed with Adele for months now. Her album 21 is perfection. I could listen to it over and over again. Her music feels like home; something you'll want to return to. It's a perfect blend of angst, heartbreak and bittersweet memories. She stands out in a world of bland popular music dished out by equally bland singers hiding their blandness in sexy outfits and outrageous gimmicks.

Here's what I call music. Adele's exquisite rendition of Someone Like You right in her home. Have a beautiful Friday!

All About Chicken

I cooked chicken afritada for the first time yesterday and DH proclaimed it to be my best dish yet. He says the same thing about most of my cooking, but it still sounds sweet to this culinary wannabe. It's chicken in tomato-based sauce, mixed with vegetables: potatoes, carrots, green peas, bell peppers & a helping of hotdogs. Even hubby's niece said I should make it again!

There's nothing more fulfilling than being able to feed your loved ones with good old home-cooked meals. I'm an amateur cook, but I'm learning fast. Gourmet meals....you don't seem to be so impossible to prepare, after all. Wait 'til I get my bearings. :)

Chicken Afritada (a Filipino dish)

My Weekend in Pictures

I attended my first Quinceneara last Saturday. It was DH's niece's held at a ballroom in San Antonio. It was a lot of fun, with the better part of the night spent dancing along to a medley of mexican music. Not that DH and I did. Hehe...We had fun watching. One day we'll summon enough guts to just dance and not worry about our two left feet. Riiiight. 

Anyhow, I found out that a Quinceneara is similar to the the debutante ball that we hold in the Philippines. The major difference is that the coming out party for girls there is at age 18 and here it's at age 15. I can't help imagining my Tala's own Quinceneara & debutante ball! It's still so far away, but a mom can dream.

DH saw a lot of friends and relatives that he has not seen in along while so he was more than happy to catch up with them. Prior to being stationed in Texas in 2009 as a navy recruiter, he was based in Japan for 6 years, and more than 10 years in San Diego. So he was only able to come home to Texas once a year during that period. His relatives in Fort Worth are inviting us to spend a weekend with them so we'll see if we'll be able to squeeze that in before I pop out Tala. We're thinking maybe this coming Memorial weekend.

Back to the birthday girl, she looked so pretty in her blue gown. Her parents of course were beaming with pride and happiness. Her court of girls wore this cute white knee-length tube-top gown with tutu-like skirt. I was told that usually, there's a church ceremony preceding the Quinceneara, but I'm not sure if Marissa (the birthday girl) did the church thing. One of the highlights of the night was her and her court's cute dance presentation along mexican, r&b, and rap music. 

Here are some snapshots:

with our cutie nephew Leelen

with family and friends

the celebrant's sister

the pretty birthday girl with her escorts

the celebrant with her parents

the happy sponsors

DH with sister and nephew

with her hubby and youngest

can hardly tell that I'm 7 months preggo in this pic

we're both in our 7th month, same due date as July 13

with my niece Sabrinna, looking so pretty in pink

they're dancing to a medley of mexican and rap music

brother-in-law and sister-in-law tearing it up at the dance floor

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and the dads and everyone else who also double-duty as moms. May the love that you give your children be given back to you a hundred-fold. 

Here is a photo of me and my mom taken at my church wedding on Dec. 6, 2008. DH and I flew to Japan two days after our wedding and I haven't been back to the Philippines since. Needless to say, I miss my mom so much. I wish she could be there to hold my hand when I give birth. I will just have to wait until we get to go home for a short vacation hopefully this Christmas. And then the plan is she would stay with us for half a year here in the states when Tala turns six months so I can go back to school. That way, Tala will be at least a year old before we have to leave her at daycare. 

I love you, 'Nay. Thank you for everything. I carry with me all the love, lessons, and wisdom that you so patiently instilled in me. You're my number one role model. There's no one in this world that I look up to more than you. I could only hope to be half as good a mom as you are to me and my siblings, but I'll certainly try.

I Want Bangs

I want something new for the month of May. Nothing expensive or radical or hard. I just want a new hairstyle! I'm thinking of having fringe bangs like Rose Byrne in this pic.

She looks so darn pretty! Now where to find a good hairstylist?

At 7 Months

With my DH, who spoils me everyday with breakfast in bed before he leaves for work.

So Far So Good

I'm in my 29th week of pregnancy and I'm doing just fine. My blood sugar level is manageable. Tala is healthy and kicking like there's no tomorrow. In my last ultrasound, she weighed 2.8 lbs., not too big and not too small. We play music for her every night: classical and baby music. I still have to buy baby books, but sometimes I use an iphone app to read books to her. I can't wait until she's old enough so I can get her the Nancy Drew series. I really want to provide a good reading environment for her. DH and I were discussing that we won't let her watch TV at least in her first two years. This way, we'll have more time for reading and for playing outside.

The last two ultrasounds, she wouldn't let the nurse take a picture of her face. She just wouldn't turn her head. I guess she wants to surprise us. I wonder who she'd take after; me or DH. Will she be more asian looking or hispanic looking? I kinda wish she'd look more like DH though. hehehe. I don't know why. I just find it cute to have a baby girl that looks like my husband. One thing for sure, she will have big beautiful eyes like mom and dad. Unless she'd take after my brother and sister who could pass for Korean or Chinese. Okay, enough fantasizing. The important thing is that she's healthy. That's every parents' wish for their baby.

We still have to buy baby stuff. What we have right now is a crib with an attached changing table. DH's boss gave us his son's old mattress and my sister-in-law is lending us her baby's bassinet. Considering how expensive baby things can be, I'm glad we're getting free stuff. I hope we'd get more before Tala comes. I've been searching the internet for basic baby stuff and reading parents' comments about what to buy and NOT to buy. So far it's been enlightening. I'm in the process of making a shortlist of baby essentials.

There are days when it still feels surreal that there's a baby growing inside of me. I can't believe that I'll be seeing her in July. I'm not ready yet! I'm both terribly excited and scared. Will I be a good mom? How can I teach her the ways of the world when I'm still a little lost myself? Uh oh. Time to stop. I don't wanna get philosophical. I just wanna shout to the whole world how happy and grateful I am to be given this chance to be a mother.

It's been a very wonderful experience; this pregnancy with all the nausea, heartburn and whatnot. In less than three months, Tala will be in my arms!!!

The Mother's Prayer for Its Daughter

This is an excerpt from Tina Fey's new book, Bossypants, that I read from this link. It's a hilarious and dead-on poem that she wrote for her daughter. As an expectant mom to a baby girl, I can totally relate.

"THE MOTHER'S PRAYER FOR ITS DAUGHTER"

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. 

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the the Beauty. 

When the Crystal Meth is offered, 

May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half 

And stick with Beer. 

Guide her, protect her 

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the nearby subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock N’ Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age. 

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. 

Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes

And not have to wear high heels. 

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit. 

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers. 

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. 

Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, 

For Childhood is short -- a Tiger Flower blooming 

Magenta for one day -- 

And Adulthood is long and Dry-Humping in Cars will wait. 

O Lord, break the Internet forever, 

That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers 

And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed. 

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, 

Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, 

For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it. 

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, 

That I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 a.m., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. 

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. 

“My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental note to call me. And she will forget. 

But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes. 

Amen.

Happy Monday

Trying to decide which one to use from my growing collection. Such happy colors!

My New Mantra

I have a confession to make. I've been coveting Alexander Wang's mini rocco duffle bag. I've been trying to justify buying it, but my better sense always prevails. I remind myself that I have a wee one I'm about to pop soon so baby stuff should come first. I'm sure many women have been under the same dilemma. Especially in this consumer-driven society of ours. It almost feels unfair, right? Why have this desire for a nice, albeit expensive bag and at the same time feel guilty about buying it? I guess it all depends on whether or not you can afford it. But beyond that, what I'm really concerned with is, after I succumb to my desire, what then? Will I stop at that? Or will I be slowly entrenched into a web of buying branded purses because I caved in and is now addicted to the high?

That's what I'm really worried about. I don't wanna be a slave over material things. I've always believed that experience is greater than material stuff. Instead of buying those expensive bags, I could just save up for more travel. There's so much to explore and discover in the world. Broadening my horizon is so much better than having an overpriced bag no matter what angle you look at it. It's a no-brainer.

So this is now my new mantra: experience is greater than material things. Repeat ad infinitum.

Salado Wildflower Art Show

Last Sunday, DH and I went to the 11th Wildflower Art Show in Salado (located between Waco and Austin, Tx). Around 50 artists and artisans participated and showed original creations from yard art to home art to blown glass. It was fun checking out all the artworks, food, and live music. DH was happy to find an ammonite that he's been looking for on ebay at a much cheaper price.

Here's a snapshot of the blown glass. So pretty! The artist even holds classes for those interested in making their own glass art.

After the show, we drove around the main street which is lined up with antique and art shops and bed and breakfasts. Perfect for a weekend getaway! We'll definitely be back to look at those art shops. I'm excited to find an oil painting that I can display at home. Preferably that of the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas.

At 6 Months

Dressing the Part

I checked out the GO International Dresses Collection at Target last night. They're re-issuing some of the dresses that were part of the collection for the past five years. There's a bunch of choices at affordable prices, but since my belly is big already, only one dress fit me comfortably.

So this is my first ever maternity dress :) It's not a maternity dress per se, but you get the picture.

Here's the link for the collection from thebudgetbabe.com available from March 13 through April 10, 2011.

Target GO International Designer Collective Look Book (Part I)

Target GO International Designer Collective Look Book (Part 2)

Forty is the New Thirty

DH celebrated his 40th birthday last Sunday with a simple lunch together with some members of our extended family. He wanted a quiet celebration so we just stayed at home and prepared some food. It was a lovely coincidence that his grandma, aunt, and niece were visiting someone near our place the day before, so they ended up staying the night in our house and joining us for his birthday lunch the following day.

I baked him a carrot cake (my first), roasted chicken (another first), and made classic pinoy sweet-style spaghetti that his family surprisingly liked. I guess coz it's different from the spaghetti that they're used to. (Note to self: have a stock of the sweet-style sauce).

DH helped me by mixing the cake ingredients and basting the chicken every 15 minutes for two hours. He joked that I was making him work on his special day. But if I did it all myself, I bet you lunch would've turned into dinner!

I'm happy that I'm learning to cook a lot. The carrot cake and roasted chicken turned out delish. I've always thought that cooking is extremely hard. Now, I'm learning that it's not and that it's so much fun and rewarding. I'm also lucky that DH loves to cook. I can't imagine being the only one  responsible for preparing our meals.

me with the birthday boy

carrot cake

it came out good!

pinoy-style spaghetti

right out of the oven. so yummy!

i wonder what he wished for

looking goofy

pretty Lilly

with mom, grandma, aunt, and Lilly

Besides his turning 40 being a milestone of sorts, DH's birthday this year is extra-special since he is to become a dad for the first time. He also had a successful knee reconstruction surgery. He's been going to physical therapy religiously and his knee is on the way to being fully mended. This year is also his last in the navy. He's retiring in March 12.  I'm happy and excited at the new horizon awaiting him. Thankful to the Lord for always keeping him safe, sound, and well-grounded.

To my DH...Happy 40th! You're the best!