Trick or Treat 2009

Since the class was suspended yesterday due to strong typhoon Santi, we were forced to bring the little girl for some Trick or Treatin' activity at the SM malls (Podium and Megamall). You see, she was really disappointed when she wasn't able to go and celebrate Halloween Party at school, thus we decided to let her dress up anyway for some last minute candy trick or treat.

For Halloween 2009, Samantha wore pink-fairy inspired outfit.

getting an online degree

Surprisingly, the husband is very much eager and interested to pursue further studies particularly for leadership courses for almost a year now. You see, ever since he was promoted, and expanded his job function in his company, he’s seriously considering going back to school. And just early this year, since his tasks no longer limited to business development and generating revenue for the telecoms department of his company, he’s also responsible in development and growth of his team which consists of product managers and network engineers. Thus, made him decide to pursue advance studies on organizational leadership particularly in his chosen field, telecommunications industry.

And with limited time and resources, I encouraged the husband to check Online master degree I found on the web which focuses on organizational leadership. The course offers flexible scheduling which adapts individualized degree plans, tailored learning which is customized for specific industry or research organizational problems, the school even provides expert instructors which focuses on specific industry, and with highly accredited programs, very competitive and affordable tuition fees even financial assistance to students... this is truly worth checking out.

last minute preps ...

... for the little girl's birthday party next week. Just came from 168 Mall earlier to get last minute party favors, prizes and tokens for boys since I noticed there so much Hello Kitty items for girls. And as I count our kids' list ... can't believe still growing. With one week to go, my list seems never-ending. Hahaha! Thus, to make it fair for everyone decided to add a dozen more loot bags and prices. Now we have over 100 prize items excluding the 25 pieces balloon burst prize I got from last Toy Kingdom sale. I am sure the kids will have a blast! And to list some of things to do this weekend :

* Finalize party guests with Shakey's. Revise the headcount and party package.

* Coordinate with party boosters for the additional kiddie chair set-up.

* Decide if to get ice cream thru Shakey's, or purchase nearest grocery for flavor variety.

* Check out Samantha's party outfit this wekend. Wanted something simple, cool and comfortable for her to move around.
* Of course, check preggy Mom's outift. No plans of buying, thinking of accessorizing my old preggy dress instead.

* Order Dansko sandals online to match the little girl's outfit and my attire.

* Prepare the additional lootbags, add gift tags to each tokens.

* Finalize the tarp/streamers or Sam's party within the week for printing.

* Send out party invites. For completion early next week.

Whew, list seems unending. I can't believe with barely 11 days to go ... it seems I am not ready at all! The party-OC maniac me starting to panic now. LOL. Anyway, wish me luck that Sam's party will be successful as I plan to be. No major glitches, and let's hope and pray that I won't give birth PRIOR or DURING Sam's birthday party. Otherwise, major booboo and totally unexpected scene-stealer event. Hahaha! :)

at 35 weeks ...

... you can still find me everywhere! LOL.

From malls, parties and great mall-wide sale events, still present as ever. No big tummy nor contractions can stop me. I am busy as ever at work. Busy attending budget meetings, doing account endorsements and last quarter sales contribution for the team. I am still unstoppable. If I have my way, I would even attend our last company event for the year, the Club B golf tournament at Iloilo. Unfortunately, the airline will not allow me to fly anymore at nine months. Too bad. :(

Anyway, despite feeling heavy lately and getting tired easily, my baby still very cooperative and allows me to do my work (and shopping pleasure) most of the time. There may be few tummy contractions once in a while, but all in all I think I am doing well with my pregnancy. Thanks to the baby pregnancy book given to me by my colleagues, I am more than prepared with things what to expect during my pregnancy phase. The book even covers post pregnancy discussions from taking care of mom's body, excercise, food diet and even some colon cleansing reviews which I think helpful after I give birth. Ain't that great? Now I am more tha ready ...

picture taken just last sunday, at my 35th week. Quite a biggie, huh!

Samantha's 5th Birthday Party

All set for Samantha's upcoming 5th birthday party. Invites ready for distribution, guests already informed and all suppliers already confirmed and settled. Just counting the days until her big birthday bash!

This year, the little girl called the shots for her party details. Yes, I can't believe she's so capable of deciding, choosing, and voicing what she wants. From her party venue, theme, cake, invites design ...as in, every detail she's so involved. Believe me, it saved me a lot of decision-making, party pressure and a whole lot of wrinkle cream to make the party work! I am glad she can decide for herself. Hahaha! Saved me a lot of time. And because of this new found freedom, she's so eager and excited and can't wait for her big day.

And thanks to my online couple friends, Abie and Howell for the party invites LO. The little girl loved the designs so much and she was pleased with the outcome. Makes her even more excited about her party. LOL.

Wedding at Tagaytay Highlands

Just some quick post on Robin (my BIL) and Heidi's wedding last Sunday, October 18 at Madre de Dios Chapel at Tagaytay Highlands. Theme: Red and Gold, Christmas Season. Reception followed at The Veranda, Highlands. The wedding was really nice and solemn. Very intimate and fun wedding lovingly prepared by the couple. I enjoyed the food as well, It was oh-so-yummy buffet. Again, I overstuffed myself. LOL.

For the couple's honeymoon, no definite plans yet but they are considering of Outer Banks vacation rental. I am sure they will enjoy it here. Perfect place away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Anyway, do check out the pictures taken from our good ol' point-and-shoot camera. See how much fun we had at the wedding.

Samantha happily playing inside the church with cousin Bea

with Daddy Max

the couple with the junior entourage

Wacky shots while waiting for the bridal march

After the wedding pics --- obviously, wala na sa mood si samantha.

all dressed up ... the Husband and I ... and with my Mom

party updates

With barely 3 weeks to go, we are now getting ready for Samantha's fifth birthday party. So far, everything on schedule. Despite preparing quite late this year, so far ... so good. Set budget exceeded a little but I am happy that with a few party add-ons, will be able to have a great party for the bratinella. As I promised the husband, it will just be a simple party this year. Since she can't have a party and blow her birthday cake inside the school premise, I want her to celebrate her special day with some close friends and immediate family.

Anyway, just an update on our party preps ... loots all ready including the prizes. Bought the party bags and prizes at 168 Mall few weeks back. Got some Hello Kitty stuff for the girls like pencil cases, cups, face towels, lunch kits, utensil sets, stickers, pens and coloring books. For boys, bought matching Spongebob items too. Here are some of Samantha's party loots.

Preparing the loot bags, Sam happily helping Mommy put snack items on each bag

All done ... 50 pcs lootbags. Spongebob for boys, Hello Kitty for girls

And with some of the party prizes.

Now off to my party updates. Need to check the web for affordable water filters that we can use here at Ortigas condo. Our present filters badly needs replacement asap. And since the husband is very busy with work lately, need to get the parts online immediately. I just hope it will be delivered soon.

simple yet elegant ...

the latest addition to my growing pearl collection.

i simply adore it ... and i love it!

just can't wait to get the matching pearl pendant. hihihi!

raffle for baby migo's diaper fund

This is sooo cute ... prepared by my colleagues for my upcoming baby shower by 2nd week November. Since I almost have everything ready for the baby (from crib, stroller, baby clothes to booties), I thought of doing the diaper fund instead. I got the raffle/diaper fund idea from another blogger, Gracie and I thought this would be a perfect highlight of my baby shower.

And since we are all from sales team, the best sales person who can sell more tickets will get special prize too! Cool huh?! The prizes for these raffle donated by me (Alex Franco cake, grand prize)and some of my friends. I am so excited. Few more winks to go and I am ready for my baby shower party! :) Now off to my baby shower party ideas, need to search effective fat burners to remove those unwanted post-preggy weight in a few months.

at 33 weeks ...

... I feel so big and heavy. In fact, I easily get tired and I don't enjoy prolonged standing nor sitting for hours at my office desk. I don't enjoy malling or shopping which is absolutely weird for a shopaholic mom like me. I do experience leg cramps every mornings, and backpains also evident especially during the afternoons or after work. Though despite all these, I am enjoying my preggy state now. I do get a lot of perks such as much more loving attention from the husband, special considerations at work (even what food I like to eat) and of course special treatments from all the people around me. From my colleagues, relatives, friends, salesladies, customer service, guards etc they always make my life easy. No more queuing in line for hours, seat always being offered and assistance immediately given. I am enjoying everything to bits! LOL.

Anyway, since I am only weeks away before I finally pop, I am now preparing my birthplan to be used by the husband and upon my hospital admission. Just want to make sure everything ready and well-planned. I am thinking if the nurses equipped with medical coding training courses such as the program I saw online from allied health institute. Hmmm... this needs to be checked out. Off to blogging then ...

after Ondoy calamity ...

... our streets still filled with flood water. Though the water subsided a little, but the main entrance to our village still unpassable for vehicles. Going in and out of our village now a big problem for us. Traffic really bad since we need to pass the long route (via Taytay exit) which is at minimum two hours everyday one way travel. Really difficult for kids going to school and of course for preggy mom like me, still driving at 8 months.

Anyway, since it is so inconvenient and tiresome for the kids to pass the longer route everyday, the husband and I decided to get a small place for us as a temporary shelter. We finally found our new home at San Antonio Village near Ortigas Commercial Business District (CBD) area. It's a one bedroom brand new condo unit near Samantha and Kuya Ico's school, few kilometers away from the hospital (Medical City) for any maternity emergency, and husband's work place at Emerald Ave. Very strategic and convenient place for all of us. Though the rent is kinda pricey, but we have no choice but to bite the bullet ... until the flood water inside our village disappears. We are hoping will be staying here just for two months ...and not more than that! Otherwise will be spending our Chirstmas away from home. Really sad. :(

Despite all of these minor inconveniences (flood on our streets, bad traffic, moving out and unneccessary rental expenses) we are so much blessed. Our house was spared from the Ondoy flood. No property damaged. Our family is safe, very important. And of course we still have a place we call home. Really thankful for all of these. God is so good for keeping us safe from harm.

another toy for the bratinella?

After getting her the Baby Alive Doll last week at Toy Kingdom, the little girl is now asking for her own laptop! We were surprised the other night when the little brat blurted out of nowhere that she wanted to have her own laptop. I believe this was brought by the funny incident that night when she wanted us to play with her new Baby Alive doll, Sophia. The husband, me and even Kuya Ico were busy tinkering with our laptops (yes since we have wifi access, we are almost online even inside our home! LOL) and nobody wanted to play with her (bad parents!). As soon as she noticed nobody's listening to her doll stories, she immediately said : "Mommy, I want a laptop too!" We all looked at her and laughed at the idea of getting Samantha a laptop toy-gadget. That would be very, very expensive of course!

Anyway, the brother suggested that we get her new Mp3 players instead so she can listen to all her fave Mama Mia! and Disney songs without borrowing Kuya's ipod. Cheaper and more pratical gift for a five-year old girl, don't you think so?

Samantha happily playing with her new Baby Alive Doll

Happy with Samsung

Eversince we bought our Samsung Home Theater, the husband and I never regretted our decision to get this brand. It may be fairly new brand in the appliance or home theater market, but quality and price-wise ... truly affordable and produces good picture quality. We bought the Samsung Home Theater last year, together with the LCD series 7 and now we are thinking of getting much improved home-viewing system by getting the new Samsung Blu-ray DVD below. It'll be a nice investment for the family, don't you think so? Now I wonder, will Samsung come up with videoke entertainment system too? If yes, I'll be the first one in line to get this :)