10 weeks

Dear Baby,

You turned 10 weeks old in my tummy yesterday. Daddy has a new way of celebrating your weeksary - He hugs my belly and shouts "group hug!". Yeah, he is a little crazy but I know you would appreciate his craziness when you guys get to play in a couple of months. 

Last Sunday Daddy and Mommy went to our new place and fixed things up. Daddy had to go back home for a while to get some stuff for the new place and left me with Tita She and Tofi - he missed out because while he was away I got to experience a Brothers Burger-ish burger but for a lower price! Tita She was right the Hickory flavored one was to die for. It made me look forward to move there knowing that I'd be near that burger joint - yes, Mommy is a meat lover. :)

When Daddy got back, he was with your titos and titas plus your cousins, Lance and Maggie. Baby love, you are lucky that you belong to a big family -- the support system is overwhelmingly awesome. After they got there they started fixing the TV Rack and the TV and helped us clean up a little. They love us, baby. I want you to know that aside from Mommy and Daddy you have a big big family that loves you as much as we do.

Baby love, I fell in love with your Daddy a little bit more last weekend. Heck, I fall in love with him every single day! The way he stepped up and took responsibility of everything is a trait I want you to inherit. He takes care of us every single day. While we were tidying up the new place, he noticed how tired I looked, so he fixed the room and told me to lie down and sleep while he finished constructing the small dresser for your things. When I got up a few hours later I saw that he was also able to setup the speakers and the wiring and he also cleaned up the floor and the bathroom! Your daddy is a superhero,  I am happy to know that he will be a good role model for you.

I feel less tired nowadays, baby. Less tired but more sleepy. Two more weeks then I can use the treadmill again. I want my body to be ready in time for your birthday. I don't want to put any stress on you when you go out and I want to be able to recover quickly so I can take care of you and Daddy immediately. 

Daddy lost his uncle, baby. I wasn't able to meet him but I know that he is a good person because your Daddy's family are good people. Let's pray for him and the family he left behind, baby love.

We love you baby. When you hear Daddy shout "Group Hug!" that means he is very near you and he would love it if you hug him back :)

Love,

Mommy

Baby Bump -- thump! thump!

Dear Baby,

It's cold today. It took all my energy just to get up and prepare for work. Given a choice I would be snuggling a pillow with a blanket covering me -- buuut Momma has to work. When you grow up I want you understand what responsibility means, I want you to know the value of time and I want you to understand that sometimes you have to give up what you want and do what needs be done. I want you to be a better version of Mommy and Daddy.

Yesterday I was a bit nervous because my head hurt so much and when I checked my BP it was 140/90. I prioritize your well being, baby love. I would stop the world just to make sure you are doing okay. So I lay down in one of our sleeping quarters and rested until I my heartbeat slowed down and I felt your regular thumping-in-my-tummy routine against my belly. Thump all you want, baby. Let me know that you are still there.

I smiled when I saw my belly earlier - you are getting big now. I like that. I am using the pants Daddy bought for us -- ooooh I love the gartered waist band! I can sit without you getting squished! I can't wear a lot of my clothes now and your Ninang Dane is plotting on which pre-you clothes she can "borrow" from me haha I am in love with cardigans right now, baby. I want to feel warm and comfortable while I am carrying you. If I am grumpy, i have a hunch that you'd be grumpy too -- so comfy clothes are my new thing.

I gotta work now, little one. Keep hugging mommy, okay?

Love,

The lady with the bump

9 weeks 3 days

Dear baby,

Mommy listens to a lot of music nowadays, I am still gushing over Maroon 5's Daylight and Alicia Keys' Girl on Fire. Maybe you'd grow up as talented as they are. I developed a strange habit of touching my tummy while walking to make sure your little heart is still beating, I am scared to lose you baby love, that is why I am taking extra efforts to be careful everywhere I go.

Last night, mommy cooked Tuna spaghetti for your titos, titas and for Daddy, too. I miss cooking but I am easily tired now and Daddy tells me to slow down and have somebody else do the cooking but mommy gets irritated when somebody else uses my kitchen. Daddy is hopeful that you wouldn't inherit my OCness.hehe 

Daddy bought me lotsa treats from Breadtalk because Mommy craves for their bread so much, he also brought home this week's supply of fruits and juices. See, Daddy loves us so much that is why he gives in to Mommy's every request. One thing though, he won't allow me to eat tita Carmen's bagoong anymore, he said it aint healthy. I have a record of not being able to control myself when it come's to Tita Carmen's bagoong.

Baby, I wake up each morning thankful that I still feel you inside me -- I welcome the morning sickness, the backpains and the fatigue as long as I know that you are growing there inside me. Grow strong, baby. Be healthy. Keep hugging mommy and don't let go til you are fully developed, okay? Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to see you in 6 and a half months.

We love you, little one!

Love,

Mommy

9 weeks

Dear Baby,

This week Daddy and I bought maternity pants. I am bloated I tell you. Gassy and bloated. You wouldn't be proud of me right now. I realized that my pre-you pants maybe constricting your movements and I want you to move freely and make mommy's tummy your playground. I am worried that I might not be giving you enough nutrients because I have been throwing up a lot. Good thing daddy makes sure I eat even if I have no appetite.

Daddy and Mommy bought things for our new house, we are trying to make sure everything is ready when you come out. Daddy bought a TV which he assures me you would enjoy once you appreciate Barney and Disney channel, but I have a hunch that while you don't appreciate TV yet he would be the one doing all the watching. hehe 

I feel you every now and then baby love, I like feeling your heartbeat in my belly. My tummy is growing too, I welcome this change in my body because I know that you are growing there inside me. I miss walking though, I want to start walking again so you won't have a hard time coming out. The nice OB told me that I can walk again in 3 weeks. I'm looking forward to that.

Baby, Mommy loves you so much -- and with Daddy's overflowing excitement I know he loves you too. I pray that you will grow up to be a healthy, beautiful, kind and loving individual. I am looking forward to the next time the OB shows us how you look. According to the internet you are looking more and more like a little baby now. I wonder who you would look like? :) 

Stay safe baby love. Keep holding on in there.

Love,

Mommy

8 weeks

The baby turned 8 weeks yesterday. According to my OB the baby's weeksary is every Monday :)

So what is it like to be 8 weeks pregnant? A lot of lazy days, nausea and vomiting. I feel hungry and full at the same time - yes it can happen, believe me. I also have this weird metallic taste in my mouth that comes and goes. The doctor gave me folicard for the baby and I am currently drinking Anmum. I am at the point where I can feel the baby already -- not the kicks and movements just a tiny pulse in my stomach which moves a little to the left when I go to sleep. I am not 100% sure it's the baby but I am hoping it is because feeling that tiny pulse against my belly makes me look forward to the time when I can finally hold our baby. It makes me more motivated to stay healthy.

Right now, my diet mainly consists of fish and rice, cereals, low fat milk, fruits and the occasional meat. Miguel swears that my hips are getting wider which is backed up by the fact that my pants aren't too comfortable to wear anymore. I am down to my loose pieces of clothing and I am hiding behind layers of coats and cardigans. Pretty soon, I would have to but a whole new set of wardrobe! The time when my belly is barely showing but my hips are widening is extreme torture! It's like the awkward stage of growing your hair out. I know it's worth it though, the pulsing belly says so. Four more weeks baby love and we are finally on our safe zone - the second trimester.

Christmas a thousand times over!

You know the feeling of wanting something really really bad and finally getting it? It's like Christmas a thousand times over! 

2013 is the year that I get promoted - from a big sister and a daughter to a mom! I wanted to write about this the moment I knew about the little baby growing inside of me, but Miguel and I wanted to let the important people know about our little angel in person. I wanted the news to be within family and friends first -- if it was not for some complications with my blood pressure that might affect my work I would not have let my bosses know at all. Yeah, for me this is intimate, plus I like the feeling of walking around and touching my belly knowing I have something special inside of me. My little secret :)

I am happy that everyone is excited about the baby. Miguel and I are lucky to have family and friends who love us so much that they welcomed the baby immediately and we have a whole bunch of people wanting to be ninongs and ninangs already! This is one lucky kid I'm carrying.

My mom's side of the family is insisting that it's gonna be a girl. Yeah, fearless forecast. And yeah, they want a girl so bad. Miguel is rooting for a boy though, which I think is understandable knowing that every man wants a son to carry their name. He is excited, you know. I remember his face the moment my OB showed us our baby for the first time. A small pulsing dot. A life inside of me. The look on Miguel's face was priceless. He was grinning from ear to ear, I am happy that this little pulsing dot will grow up being loved by it's daddy. I am lucky to have Miguel, I am lucky to be sharing this experience with him, I am lucky that my baby daddy loves me and the baby and is taking extreme means to take care of us. I am lucky to start a family with the love of my life.

So here you go, meet the pulsing dot inside me.. kamuka ko noh? hehe

366 days

366 days. Yes, it has been over 366 days since we officially became a couple. I don't want to sound like a sap but the past year was the best year of my life and I know that if this year is a preview of the coming years with Miguel -- then I'm sooo looking forward to our forever. It was an epic year full of boo-boos, adventures and a lot of firsts! I wouldn't have it any other way. The past year I gained a brand new brother, three awesome sisters, an extra mom and an extra dad plus Lance and Maggie. I love my extended family. I'm happy that loving Miguel means getting to love his family too. 

The past year was too awesome to put in to words. I wish I could invent a word to describe how I feel. Happy just won't do justice to the butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling that I get whenever Miguel shows me how special I am to him. I could go on and on and on about all my my-heart-skips-a-beat moment but I wouldn't want to bore you - I could ramble for hours just talking about how special Miguel is and how he completed every aspect of my life.. but I promised not be a sap, remember? Haha 

We were not able to celebrate on the day itself because work did not permit us to. It fell on a weekday so we just decided to celebrate the weekend after our actual anniversary. Of course, my boyfriend wanted to see me on our special day so despite my busy work schedule we were able to do a quick anniversary lunch near my office. Did I mention that he came from night shift and waited for my schedule to free up so we can have lunch at 230pm. EFFORT. See why I love him so much? :)

The real celebration happened last Sunday, he took me to Vivere Suites' Sky Lounge. He picked me up around 5:30pm for our 7pm reservation. The place exudes a relaxed vibe. I liked how the wind blew my hair away from face -- it was cold, it was cozy, it was romantic. I liked that he chose a Sunday night over a Saturday night because there is a relatively small number of people there so we got to enjoy the place more. The food was okay, not the I'll-go-back-there-soon kind of okay, but it was worth the  cashing cashing that the boyfriend paid for. So now I'll shut up for a bit so you can enjoy some food porn. 

Nachos : must love their sour cream-salsa combo

Clam Chowder 

I totally forgot what this is, but it's a white sauce pasta with chicken and mushroom

Chicken Wellington -- love this one!

Shrimp Thermidor-- which I devoured but was actually Miguel's order hihi

Beef Bourguignon - my favorite that night

Frozen Brazo

The surprise slice of chocolate cake -- it's like I died and went straight to chocolate heaven!

Now here is what the place looks like.. I have a fear of heights so dining in an open area on the 31st floor is no simple feat for me. I super like the infinity pool at the far end of the dining area, the sound of water plus the soft piano music is really soothing, so soothing that I totally forgot how far up we were! The view was definitely breathtaking. I would go back just to see the city skyline again. Oh, plus the service! Their staff was so polite and we felt like royalties. I am one satisfied customer. :)

Interiors : geisha-inspired? hehe

Non-smoking area

The infinity pool

Of course the night wouldn't be complete without some couple shots, right? Plus we wanted to maximize our 31-floor stay on their mirror-y elevator. Yeah, Vain. :)

my prince charming all dressed up :)

Happiest 1 year old couple :)

The Vivere Hotel Sky Lounge
5102 Bridgeway Ave., cor. Asean Drive Filinvest Corporate City
Alabang, Muntinlupa City Philippines 1781

Ryan and Celene: September 18. 2012

Since my parents had me when they were young - like undergraduate young, I belong to the older batch of cousins on both sides of the family. Being so, there are only a few people ahead of me age-wise, so when people ahead of me starts getting married, I know that the next question would be if I would be next. Poof. Pressure. Imagine bringing your boyfriend to every family event and people ask when your wedding would be. Awkwaaaardd. Now imagine bringing your boyfriend to a wedding - double the pressure. hahaha

Ate Celene is the only girl cousin who is older than me, I was surprised that she asked me to be one of her secondary sponsors and I was more than happy to accept. I like it when people ask me to be part of their happily ever afters, I feel special. I wanted to be presentable for that wedding because I represent my family in the entourage list. What I look like and how I act is a reflection of Celene's side of the family.

For my makeup I requested for a Latina look, I wanted to embrace my skincolor so I asked her to use browns, nudes and bronze on my face and I had Pols, my HMUA to exaggerate the curls that I already have. She was so easy to work with, she consults everything before putting anything on my face. I trusted her judgement to shape my eyebrow and it really worked for the look I was going for. She is pretty young for her profession ha, she is just 20 years old. I figured this girl would make a name for herself pretty soon. So if you want your hair and makeup done by Paola Estipona you can contact her at 09264891219. It won't cost you an arm and a leg to be pretty.

I vowed never to show anyone any photos of the wedding but it turned out better than I expected. I hope you enjoy the pictures, it's not everyday that a girl gets to dress up. Forgive my vanity :)

Candid shot by the boyfriend showing my fading hair color. LOL

makeup by Paola Estipona @ 09264891219

mom and tita belle

Cousins - Cyrus, Kuya Cedrick, Jayvee and Chino with miggy

mom and me

The bride

the bride's family

e sino pa ba date ko? 

Celene and Ryan 

Miguel's Birthday 2012

Warning: This is a picture heavy post.

I fell inlove with Raf's camera - so much that I waited for his pictures because my pictures look like crap next to his. hehe

I wish there were pictures of the other guests but by the time the rest of his friends came I was too busy in the kitchen playing host/first lady. hehe

I love the super candid shot of me and Miguel by the pool- two people with a connection. :)

The party made me realize that I love every person who loves and cares for Miguel. Enjoy the pics!

We enjoyed the party so much that we are already planning to hold a Matela-Blanco party real soon for our siblings.

Two baby cakes from Sugrahouse

Early Birds, from L-R: Raf, Ken, Joan, birthday boy and Doc

Ref filled with Booze - I think we had over 40 cans there

Pancit Malabon, Lechon Manok and Liempo, California Maki, BBQ, Spaghetti, pichipichi, and the cakes





From L-R: Doc, Mhos, Ken, Joan, Raf, Jeff

His Teammates plus the awesome Gae :)

Ken and Raf enjoying the pool the morning after

A candid photo of me and the birthday boy

Half-drunk Miguel hehe

Hiding my bagong gising eyes behind sunglasses

I was on  the other side of the pool when I took this shot

With Joan(Miguel's sister) and her boyfriend Ken

Therapy Bags

After my SUY BAGS experience, I was able prove that quality bags does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. The trick is to find a brand that is sturdy and stylish. For a while now, the only item on my sturdy-and-stylish list is SUY Bags -- that is until I stumbled upon Therapy Bags

I have been stalking their facebook page for a while now but being on self imposed shopping ban, I mustered all my self control to not buy from any of their collection. 

Let me tell you one thing about me, though - I have weakness for a certain four letter word that is spelled S-A-L-E, a week back I logged on the my fb account and saw that they were having a Crazy Sale, all bags from their new collection are sold for only P699. I lost all my self control and sent a text message with my order details. I got my bags a day after they shipped it to me.

At first glance I can say that their bags are not made from cheap material, the bags are made from thick faux leather and the metal closure is pretty secure. The designs are in trend and is sooo now. I love how they incorporate small details that really umphify the bag -- for the murray2 in taupe the braided handle and the studs and for the camille2 it's the animal print lining on the inside. 

I chose murray2 because a girl should have at least one roomy bag in her lifetime. I mean, with the kikay kit, the umbrella, the perfume bottle and the planner, a girl needs space - lotsa space in her bag. This is also my new generic bag, the color literally goes with anything in my wardrobe. Camille2 is another story, see the bright denim blue color? It is the less conservative of the bags. It is also the smaller bag of the two but it's still large enough to accommodate my daily essentials. If you're feeling down a blue bag is the perfect pick me upper. The animal print inside the bag is like a dirty little secret - it's like I'm hiding something beautiful in my bag. I swear when I open the bag - I smile from ear to ear. Like SUY Bags, I know that their designs are well thought of. 

Murray Shoulder bag in Taupe

Don't you just love the texture?

Camille2 in Denim Blue

Animal print lining is love

You can choose your own Therapy Bag from their facebook page or their multiply page. I swear that their online transaction is pretty efficient. Oh and did I tell you that they sell those vintage Casio watches too? Shop na :)