It came true and I'm so happy with end-result.
Monday, June 25, 2012
The Amazing Iñigo
Dear Iñigo,
We celebrated your second birthday last Saturday, with our closest friends and families. They have tagged along their little ones so they may meet you and have fun with you on your birthday. Mommy and Daddy planned for your party to be held at home, but things got a little different so we decided to just have it at the fast-food restaurant which has a fun character that you love so dearly. Unlike the parties we've attended, Mommy and Daddy were the program hosts and you yourself sort of acted as the mascot in your Spiderman costume. You were so amazing that afternoon as you played around the room with all your cousins and friends. You did the activities that Mommy planned for all the kids at the party like getting a stick-on tatoo and coloring. I'm sorry that Mommy forgot to have you design your own cupcake, too like the rest of the kids but things got a little busy and we had to attend to other matters at the party. When you were done eating, you went in front and got hold of the microphone. You were so comfortable saying the words you knew for everyone to hear like, "Spiderman", "Mommy", "Daddy", "Iñigo", "Buzz Lightyear", "Cake", "Balloons", etc. You and Daddy even had a question and answer portion which went something like, "How old are you Iñigo?" and your reply was, "Two" which you pronounced as "Choo". As I said, you were amazing, like your friendly neighborhood Spiderman. Everyone was in awe of you, especially us, your Mom & Dad.
They say that turning two is something that parents must look out for, because TWO is usually spelled as TERRIBLE. They may be right, because that night after your party, you had a huge bump on your forehead and cried so hard that Mommy and Daddy thought of bringing you to the hospital. Thankfully, the bump disappeared the following morning and we didn't have to bring you to the doctor anymore. But despite these little accidents that we know will still happen as you grow older, we trust that you will be terrific and we will always love you and we'll continue showing you how much love we have for you.
Do you know that Mommy and Daddy got the idea of throwing a Spiderman party from you? You had some other favorites like Mickey, Toy Story, Nemo, but as your birthday came nearer, your admiration for Spiderman became undeniable. You would climb up our windows and tell us that you're Spiderman. Do you know that Daddy also wore a superhero costume? Can you guess who?
Anyway, everything at your party went smoothly. We had fun games and the food was also great. There was a dessert table set-up which Mommy DIYed and it was quite a hit. You loved your cakes especially the one with Spiderman's face, which your Ninang Cathy ordered. Towards the end, you danced away with your friends to the tune of your favorite songs.
Mommy is now super excited to plan for your upcoming birthdays. We love you little man!
We celebrated your second birthday last Saturday, with our closest friends and families. They have tagged along their little ones so they may meet you and have fun with you on your birthday. Mommy and Daddy planned for your party to be held at home, but things got a little different so we decided to just have it at the fast-food restaurant which has a fun character that you love so dearly. Unlike the parties we've attended, Mommy and Daddy were the program hosts and you yourself sort of acted as the mascot in your Spiderman costume. You were so amazing that afternoon as you played around the room with all your cousins and friends. You did the activities that Mommy planned for all the kids at the party like getting a stick-on tatoo and coloring. I'm sorry that Mommy forgot to have you design your own cupcake, too like the rest of the kids but things got a little busy and we had to attend to other matters at the party. When you were done eating, you went in front and got hold of the microphone. You were so comfortable saying the words you knew for everyone to hear like, "Spiderman", "Mommy", "Daddy", "Iñigo", "Buzz Lightyear", "Cake", "Balloons", etc. You and Daddy even had a question and answer portion which went something like, "How old are you Iñigo?" and your reply was, "Two" which you pronounced as "Choo". As I said, you were amazing, like your friendly neighborhood Spiderman. Everyone was in awe of you, especially us, your Mom & Dad.
They say that turning two is something that parents must look out for, because TWO is usually spelled as TERRIBLE. They may be right, because that night after your party, you had a huge bump on your forehead and cried so hard that Mommy and Daddy thought of bringing you to the hospital. Thankfully, the bump disappeared the following morning and we didn't have to bring you to the doctor anymore. But despite these little accidents that we know will still happen as you grow older, we trust that you will be terrific and we will always love you and we'll continue showing you how much love we have for you.
Do you know that Mommy and Daddy got the idea of throwing a Spiderman party from you? You had some other favorites like Mickey, Toy Story, Nemo, but as your birthday came nearer, your admiration for Spiderman became undeniable. You would climb up our windows and tell us that you're Spiderman. Do you know that Daddy also wore a superhero costume? Can you guess who?
Anyway, everything at your party went smoothly. We had fun games and the food was also great. There was a dessert table set-up which Mommy DIYed and it was quite a hit. You loved your cakes especially the one with Spiderman's face, which your Ninang Cathy ordered. Towards the end, you danced away with your friends to the tune of your favorite songs.
Mommy is now super excited to plan for your upcoming birthdays. We love you little man!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Infinite Love, Infinite Happiness
When Alphabet Dad and I were just starting to go out, I asked him a lot of questions about the girls he used to date and made sure I knew each one of them. If you ever want to know, he and I have known each other since our mid teens through common friends but we never really thought that we will end up together. Well, we did, we went through highs and finally decided to settle down. The girls from his past must have sensed it and they slowly disappeared from his network or maybe destiny never gave them a chance to meet again. Hey, that worked so well for me for I'm the really jealous type back then (I've had my share of heartbreaks, too, haha!). Anyway, of all these girls (they were a handful, I tell you), B. was the only one I never got jealous with. No they never dated, she's his best friend from piano lessons back when they were ten. Instead of getting jealous, I was really eager to meet this lady, who from his stories is Chinese and has a lot of lhasa apsos. I got to meet her a few months before our wedding as she willingly accepted our request that she does the calligraphy on our invitations.
Last Sunday, B. got married to her Prince Charming, who according to one of the maid-of-honor resides in Capaz, Tarlac. With their union, B. will not only be taking care of her more than a dozen dogs but also look after some 250,000 chickens!
We are the type that look forward to attending weddings. I bought a not so fancy but appropriate dress some weeks before the event and he even bought a new suit that he used for the occasion. We eagerly trooped to Sofitel that rainy afternoon and enjoyed being in a fancy place, meeting fancy people, and eating delicious food. Life is good this way. To B and J, infinite love and happiness to your journey together.
Last Sunday, B. got married to her Prince Charming, who according to one of the maid-of-honor resides in Capaz, Tarlac. With their union, B. will not only be taking care of her more than a dozen dogs but also look after some 250,000 chickens!
We are the type that look forward to attending weddings. I bought a not so fancy but appropriate dress some weeks before the event and he even bought a new suit that he used for the occasion. We eagerly trooped to Sofitel that rainy afternoon and enjoyed being in a fancy place, meeting fancy people, and eating delicious food. Life is good this way. To B and J, infinite love and happiness to your journey together.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Small-town Life
Early this year, Alphabet Mom and Dad got hooked with this TV series about a New Yorker and brand new doctor who landed a practice in small-town Bluebell, Alabama. Admittedly, the plot is cheesy and mainly revolves around Dr. Zoe Hart's (played by Rachel Bilson) love interests. What got us watching the whole season 1 is the charming premise of a small-town life, where everyone knows almost everyone else and where people, especially ladies are quite on the conservative side.
However, what I love most about this comedy-drama series is Zoe's fashion style. Yeah, I realize it's not too motherly and quite superficial to wish for her vital statistics but I'm grateful to have been inspired by the way she dresses up somehow. Maybe it's the contrast of country life vs. city life that makes this series and its characters interesting. Anyhow, I wanted to share my outfit to our recent visit at the nearby farm I blogged about previously:
I wonder if it's anywhere near Zoe Hart's style? Well I sure did feel like it was so. Haha.
(On me: Top and blazer from SM Girls Teens' Wear, mini skirt from Kamiseta, Sandals from Payless, On I: Inner shirt from Gingersnaps, Jumpsuit from Osh Kosh, Shoes from Mothercare)
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Birthday Thoughts
June is a birthday-packed month for our family and made even
extra-special because it's little man's second year. The mister and I
talked about having a small party at home for just the family. Even so, I
have dreams of throwing a really fun party for the little man and his
five cousins. I've only got two weeks to prepare it that's why I have to
decide, like right now, which theme to pull off. I'm torn between these cute inspirations. Can you guess which themes we want?
I love this photo wall. We have a window frame in our service area that I have been wanting to put into good use.
I want interesting food labels on the buffet table. It looks quite fun.
I also need to look for games and activities that will keep the kids busy.
Hmmm....I'm pegging this entry as my checklist as well. I need to buy these:
1. Table cloth 3 pcs
2. Electric fan (our lone fan downstairs won't be enough)
3. Loot bag and loot bag goodies
4. Game prizes
5. Costume
...
I'm so bad at making lists, let alone fulfilling them. Which reminds me, we have to get the little man a gift! Haist. Two weeks to the birthday. Bless this Mom.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
A Balanced Diet
Being healthy shouldn't stop at eating nutritious food. Our meals should also be well-balanced. Here's a list of the food groups that should comprise a toddler's daily food intake according to USDA. Younger ones aged 2-3 yrs old are required at least 2/3 portion of the following:
Grain group: 6 servings
(Serving size examples: 1 slice bread, i/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta; 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal)
Vegetable group: 3 servings
(1/2 cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables, 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables)
Fruit group: 2 servings
(1 piece of fruit or melon wedge, 3/4 cup of juice, 1/2 cup of canned fruit, 1/4 cup of dried fruit)
Milk group: 2 servings
1 cup of milk or yogurt, 2 ounces of cheese
Meat group: 2 servings
(2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish, 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat
Fats and sweets: Limit calories from these
Here's another guide I got that we try to adapt at home once in a while (it's for vegetarians and we aren't). It's comprised of indigenous kinds of food that's actually better as they're locally available and most are chemical-free:
Grain group: 6 servings
(Serving size examples: 1 slice bread, i/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta; 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal)
Vegetable group: 3 servings
(1/2 cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables, 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables)
Fruit group: 2 servings
(1 piece of fruit or melon wedge, 3/4 cup of juice, 1/2 cup of canned fruit, 1/4 cup of dried fruit)
Milk group: 2 servings
1 cup of milk or yogurt, 2 ounces of cheese
Meat group: 2 servings
(2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish, 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat
Fats and sweets: Limit calories from these
Here's another guide I got that we try to adapt at home once in a while (it's for vegetarians and we aren't). It's comprised of indigenous kinds of food that's actually better as they're locally available and most are chemical-free:
Monday, May 28, 2012
Great News, Good Memories, Healthy Stuff
The Alphabet Mom has been very happy the past days. I can't reveal the details yet but as of late last week, I was already granted permission to work from home. That means, I will have a fuller devotion to my other career, which happens to be my most favorite thing to do in the world at the moment: Mothering.
While counting the days though, I have made use of my time wisely. Well, I've still been going to the office for the past two days while I wait for my new contract to be drafted, however, I've also been giving myself some pampering by going to Core Yoga for my long-overdue fitness regimen. I bought a coupon for a week long unlimited yoga classes from Deal Grocer a few months ago but I had to wait for the perfect timing to use it which happens to be this time of the month, before the coupon expires on May 30. I've gone to two classes last week and tried both their Bikram and Vinyasa routines. Although I missed their weekend classes and yesterday's (forgot to bring my mat), I'm looking forward to going tonight after work. I think four days of yoga are well worth the 600 bucks I paid already. Imagine 90 minutes of pure sweating, stretching, and concentrating. It was my first time to try Bikram and I thought I was gonna pass out some time between the 70th to 80th minute but I survived it. I felt divine having finished the session. While I was already doing Vinyasa before, as part of my pre-wedding fitness activity (naks), it wasn't easy coming back to doing the postures perfectly (at least in my standards). The instructor had to coach me in some of the postures and it felt like I was doing yoga for the first time again. Well, I don't mind much, what's important is that I'm giving the alone time we all deserve while I can. I really wish there's a yoga studio as nice as Core Yoga in Malate area that I and my husband (yes, he wants to try!) can go to.
Meanwhile, we were at Sta. Elena Fun Farm last Sunday for the Balik Bukid Country Fair. We had a terrific time and I can tell from the face of the little one he found the whole place A.W.E.S.O.M.E. He laughed really loudly when we took him near the carabao resting beneath the tree but was really quiet when we rode the carabao-driven cart that took us around the farm. We decided to hang around the Kids' Playground where he enjoyed sitting on the swing, jumping on the trampoline, and balancing on the bamboo bars. Here are some of the photos we took from our phone (forgot to bring the digicam, geez). Our friends though brought their very nice DSLR so we are waiting for them to upload the pics on Facebook.
Daphne blogged about it and that's where we learned about the place. I also saw a big banner along the highway on the way there. The parking lot was full but the place is vast so I hardly felt the crowd. When we arrived there was a band playing and it felt just like Saguijo, my husband joked, only it's more General Patronage.
As it was also a country fair, there were so many local goods being sold. I was giddy to see the colorful flowers and cute paper weights made of stones and covered in crochet pictured above. I also took home some organic vegetables from Holy Carabao which I cooked with the organic beef and chicken we bought from Landmark. I've been a fan of free range chicken of Bounty fresh for quite some time now and have also been buying Farm Organics meat whenever we shop at Landmark. The chicken and beef are packed with flavor and with just little salt, the flavors are even more enhanced. I love serving not just nutritious food to my family but also those that are artificial flavoring-free, hormone-free, and preservatives-free! Now if only they would do away with the styro and plastic packaging of these meats, that'd be perfect!
While counting the days though, I have made use of my time wisely. Well, I've still been going to the office for the past two days while I wait for my new contract to be drafted, however, I've also been giving myself some pampering by going to Core Yoga for my long-overdue fitness regimen. I bought a coupon for a week long unlimited yoga classes from Deal Grocer a few months ago but I had to wait for the perfect timing to use it which happens to be this time of the month, before the coupon expires on May 30. I've gone to two classes last week and tried both their Bikram and Vinyasa routines. Although I missed their weekend classes and yesterday's (forgot to bring my mat), I'm looking forward to going tonight after work. I think four days of yoga are well worth the 600 bucks I paid already. Imagine 90 minutes of pure sweating, stretching, and concentrating. It was my first time to try Bikram and I thought I was gonna pass out some time between the 70th to 80th minute but I survived it. I felt divine having finished the session. While I was already doing Vinyasa before, as part of my pre-wedding fitness activity (naks), it wasn't easy coming back to doing the postures perfectly (at least in my standards). The instructor had to coach me in some of the postures and it felt like I was doing yoga for the first time again. Well, I don't mind much, what's important is that I'm giving the alone time we all deserve while I can. I really wish there's a yoga studio as nice as Core Yoga in Malate area that I and my husband (yes, he wants to try!) can go to.
Meanwhile, we were at Sta. Elena Fun Farm last Sunday for the Balik Bukid Country Fair. We had a terrific time and I can tell from the face of the little one he found the whole place A.W.E.S.O.M.E. He laughed really loudly when we took him near the carabao resting beneath the tree but was really quiet when we rode the carabao-driven cart that took us around the farm. We decided to hang around the Kids' Playground where he enjoyed sitting on the swing, jumping on the trampoline, and balancing on the bamboo bars. Here are some of the photos we took from our phone (forgot to bring the digicam, geez). Our friends though brought their very nice DSLR so we are waiting for them to upload the pics on Facebook.
Daphne blogged about it and that's where we learned about the place. I also saw a big banner along the highway on the way there. The parking lot was full but the place is vast so I hardly felt the crowd. When we arrived there was a band playing and it felt just like Saguijo, my husband joked, only it's more General Patronage.
As it was also a country fair, there were so many local goods being sold. I was giddy to see the colorful flowers and cute paper weights made of stones and covered in crochet pictured above. I also took home some organic vegetables from Holy Carabao which I cooked with the organic beef and chicken we bought from Landmark. I've been a fan of free range chicken of Bounty fresh for quite some time now and have also been buying Farm Organics meat whenever we shop at Landmark. The chicken and beef are packed with flavor and with just little salt, the flavors are even more enhanced. I love serving not just nutritious food to my family but also those that are artificial flavoring-free, hormone-free, and preservatives-free! Now if only they would do away with the styro and plastic packaging of these meats, that'd be perfect!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)