Baptism preparations

A month after my actual delivery, I’ve already started planning for my baby boy’s baptism. I already know party theme I want, even preferred party suppliers for my boy’s big day. Budget already set and I’ve already short-listed possible party suppliers for catering, venue and even party decors.

And since this is our first boy, not only I am all geared up for baptism theme, I am also thinking of possible tokens for give-aways to godparents and guests. So far, I’ve been thinking of giving personalized wine tokens or native delicacies. Then I saw on the web cigarettes or tobaccos may be a neat idea like Padron cigars. Ideal gift for male godparents who smokes, right? The web offer is too tempting! Even with free UPS delivery for above $99 orders. Awesome, huh! And since I gave birth to a baby boy, tobacco cigars will be the perfect gift idea, don’t you think so?

RED for Christmas

And just in time. The gift I've been waiting for arrived just in perfect time. Never been better timing ... just three days before Christmas! What a perfect gift, right?

Balenciaga S/S 2010 Day Bag in Silver Giant Hardware : Sang

I've been dreaming to own this for months now and finally, after months of searching everywhere (including Japan and Singapore), the "wish" came true. All thanks to my good online friend, Kelly for making my Balenciaga bag possible. Now I am drooling for my next project ... could it be another Balenciaga bag again? LOL. Probably, part time SGH or city this time? Hmmm... well, anthracite is a nice color. Hahaha!

Christmas Wish

For this Christmas, my wishlist consists of simple items. No plans of asking extravagant gifts from the husband since we are in a cost-cutting mode after giving birth last month, and as we prepare for Miguel's baptism early this year. Aside from the baptism expense, we've been planning for that major house painting job which we deferred for months now due to several typhoons that hit our country. Anyway, for this year ... I hope Santa will give me any of the list below :

1. Cash .. and more cash to pay party suppliers for Miguel's baptism. LOL.

2. Coleman Cooler : for outings and party use. I wish to get the cooler with wheels, for easy and convenient transport.

3. Cash again ... for myself. Need to shop for clothes and change my maternity wardrobe. I enjoyed Zara shopping the other day with the husband. Haven't done clothes shopping with him for quite sometime now.

4. Gym equipment, particularly treadmills. o keep me fit after this holiday season. Yes, I am gaining weight again after shedding off 18 lbs a week ago. Blame it on all those yummy holiday food! :)

5. US Travel by January 2010 : The husband will be going on a Hawaii trip for work this coimng January. I wish he'll bring me and the kids but thinking about the airfare cost ... I don't think we have extra money for this. Probably mid next year then ... enoguh for our anniversary celebration.

See, I have simple wish this season. Hahaha! Hope all my Christmas wishes will come true ... if not, I am ok with at least two items form above. Hahaha! Happy Christmas everyone! :)

18 lbs ...

gone after giving birth three weeks ago. Yes, I surpised myself that I already successfully shed off 18lbs and still counting. My friends were asking me what is the secret formula of my drastic loss of weight but I don't know what to say... Really, nothing special. Though I eat less, by skipping breakfast and midnight snack (since I sleep a lot!) and of course with the help of few slim pill I think I was able to successfully lose weight quite easily. And it comes naturally especially if you are breastfeeding and awake most of the wee hours of the morning. Add to the fact that mommy duties includes, a home to attend to, raise two active school kids, a baby ... now, my hands are full! No time to sit, and be a couch potato.

Anyway, just check out my recent photos below. That is my post preggo body ... still quite big but believe me, a whole lot improvement from my past months body figure. Hehehe! Wish me luck that this will continue to my next 10 lbs more less goal. :)

diamond dream

Diamonds are girl's bestfriend ... agree. And so are shoes, bags, make-up and clothes! LOL. Seriously, buying jewelry particularly diamonds best investment women should consider over nonsense items like bags and shoes. Value of diamond appreciates and will never go out of style even for decades. I've been investing on jewelry for years now from different jewelry supplier and friends, and I never regret buying each piece. Over time, I was able to collect few lovely pieces enough to leave as an heirloom my little daughter. And by buying jewelry constantly, I was able to develop an eye for authentic gemstones, distinguish good and quality diamonds based on its cut, clarity, color, brillance and carat. Of course the price of these items vary depending on the characteristics of the diamonds mentioned above. Say for carat, the heavier or greater weight ... the more pricey it is. Anyway, with my love for diamonds and bling-blings, I can't help but browse online once in a while for beautiful formal dangling earrings. Until I saw the item below ... I heart it so much! Really lovely, don't you think so? Wish I can get this for myself by Christmas. Pretty-ness eh?! :)

Christmas Wish

Since I've been very, very good this year. For Christmas ( and New Year), I wish Dear Santa will give me any of my wishlist below:

Balenciaga Giant Day Bag with Silver Hardware in Ruby Red or Sang color

Dream Bag No. 2 : Chanel Classic Jumbo Flap in Caviar with Silver Hardware (kahit Pre-owned, ok na Santa!

Hahaha ... Wake up, girl! As if I will get Bag No. 2 anytime this year or next year. After getting the C dream bag last August, I don't think we have extra resources or moolah to get a brand new (nor pre-owned) for the next years to come.

The good news, the Balenciaga bag may arrive anytime soon! Weeee!! More budget-friendly. After months of waiting, finally the new red this season (Sang) will be available. Oh, just can't wait. Another Red-y Christmas for me!!

gift for my Mom

With 24 days to go before Christmas, I haven't completed my gift list for my family. You see, it's really difficult giving gift to your loved ones especially if you are working on a budget. Hehehe! Of course you want to give something useful, memorable and special for them for the holiday season. But with all the good finds available in the web at promo price, really hard to choose! Luckily, I saw just a perfect Christmas gift for my Mom. The best wrinkle treatment I found on the web. Not that she's old already, as a matter of fact my Mom still very active, cool and groovy at the age of 53, but wrinkles can now be seen in her face. Cannot deny that she already aged physically, but with the wrinkle treatment I am hoping her wrinkle lines will disappear and instead will give her young and youthful looking skin. Oh, I should reconsider getting the treatment too, as a preventive measure already. Don't you think so?

impulse buying

Oooppsss... I did it again. Impulsive buying, that is. Last Thanksgiving Sale, I bought Magic Sing videoke out of the blue. No huge discount, just ten percent off from it's original price. And since I am bored to my wits just staying home, I am thinking of something to do for my entire vacation leave. And that is singing. Harharhar! As if I have a good voice. Well, practice makes perfect right? Anyway, I am happy that our new magic sing complemented very well with our Samsung HDTV , it defines total home entertainment system package now at our home.

surprise! surpise!

Last week, the husband went home and surprised me with this ...

SONY DSC-TX1 Digital Still Camera

I don't know what prompted him to get us a new digital camera, since our old Sony (DSC-W55) idiot cam still working very well. But the husband told me it was a surprise gift too from his partner in Japan. A gift?! Whoa!! A brand new, recently-released Sony TX71 camera as a gift! Boy, he's very generous eh?! Well, the husband told me to call it as a "baby-arrival" gift from his partner. That is, for us to capture precious moments will have for our newly-born son, Migo. Anyway, I checked the web for newly-released digital cameras and I found out new cam Sony TX71 special features. Aside from sweep panorama, it has anti-motion blur and with handheld twilight mode for sharper and cleaner night shots. Coolness!! Hehehe! Now I can't wait to use it for our upcoming parties this week. But first, need to get protective sheet or plastic for the screen before I use it.

Oh Christmas Tree ...

... Oh Christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely
Each year you bring to me delight, meaning in the Christmas night
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely

Last night, we were busy not with so much food or feast on our table for Thanksgiving celebration, but instead we were busy setting up our Christmas tree. Since I came from Thanskgiving Sale that day from our local mall, decided to spice up our home with some of the latest Christmas decors and added up few more ornaments like balls and berries to our old Christmas tree. And for this year, we decided to still use the traditional Christmas colors : Red and Gold. Though I wanted to use fresh pine trees to get that Christmas-y feel and scent, however, to be more practical and thrifty, we shall be using our good, old but sturdy artificial christmas trees bought online.

Daddy and Sam, setting up the Christmas Tree

with the Christmas decors, courtesy of Mommy

with the hall lights off

Fraternal Twins?

Could it be they are fraternal twins at five years apart? Hahaha! Just see the stirking resemblance ... you won't miss this one. They both look alike at birth. Wish the features will remain same until they grow up. Real adorable and cutie (yes, mom biased here!) don't you think so?

Left side picture shows Samantha Gabrielle (the ate) at 4 days old, November 2004. While on the Right side, Miguel Gabriel (the little brother) at 10 days old November 2009. Yes, both of them born month of November and just seven days apart from their actual birthdate. Really amazing, huh?!

home improvement projects

Before I check for walk in tubs for our bathroom upgrades plans this month, allow me to share some of my to do list while I am still stuck here at home for the next 60 days or while enjoying my maternity leave with my new baby.

1. look for handyman to change broken door and cabinet hinges.

2. change lanai sliding doors to analok frame.

3. put up the christmas tree and decorate christmas lights outside the house.

4. install new screen door for the dirty kitchen/laundry area.

5. re-upholster sofa.

6. proceed with the exterior house painting (will it rain again next few weeks?)

7. fix home theater wiring at master's bedroom.

8. cabinet spring cleaning : discard old items and kids' stuff to give-way to more cabinet space! (A must!)

My vacation schedule very timely, don't you think so? With me here at home and with the upcoming holiday season, I can do more stuff and prepare for Christmas party this year. And what better way to spend bonding time with the family but during holiday season. Simply perfect, wouldn't you agree? Wish I can do this yearly. LOL :)

dental check up in school

Today, the little bratinella went home from school with a letter from their dentist. Apparently, it was the pre-school department's dental week and each of the students were checked for any possible teeth problems. And since she's been eating sweets lately and start losing her milk teeth, her dentist's recommendation : her right side of teeth upper (E D C B A), needs filling (amalgam or light cure) asap. Very bad! and really need to act on this one fast! I don't want the little girl to have teeth problems in the future. Or even worse, if the problem persists, might be needing major dental implants. Though I heard dental implants Mexico offers a good package and service, not sure if I can afford it at this time with the new baby addition in our family.

Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale

Every year, I always make it a point to go to Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale. I never miss this once a year shopping opportunity since I always end up getting good toys at a great price! As always, I made sure that I'll be at the TK Warehouse Sale at Megatrade Hall early on it's first of opening. And this year ... was no exception. I was able to grab really nice items for Christmas gifts. With the husband having more than thirty plus (yes, 30!) inaanaks ... need to be practical, thrifty and wise Chrsitmas shopper, you know! LOL.

Anyway, just want to share some of the great finds I got from the last Toy Kingdom Sale 3 this year. Price insanely amazing and items really at a great steal! I was even surprised with further mark-downs when it passed the barcode scanner of the shop.

Transformers Robots from P1,499 down to P400 each

G.I Joe Toys from 999.75 to P500 (bought two : for my brother G.I JOE fanactic fan and niece!)

Looney Tunes Majorette : Bugs Bunny, Taz, Tweety and Coyote Car Toys from P899 to P200

Magnet Books from P299 to P50

Shellcore Shape Toy Sorter From P999.75 to P400

Barbie Dolls : From P399 to P200 each (got five of these again!)

Jungle Puppets Theater from P699 to P250 (laavveet!! bought 5 packs of this! LOL)

Musical Farm from P599 to P300

For Samantha : Barbie Hawaiian Girl with Wrap and Twist Hair P1,199 to P600

Bratz Rockstar Guitar P2,799.75 to P1,000 (thanks to jody, gave samantha complementing hannah montana rockstar dance pad wig and video, cool christmas rockeoke party eh?!)

Sadly, because of limited time ... I forgot to buy small trinkets for Sam's classmates. Hahaha! Got so excited with the Transformers and G.I Joe toys instead. Though I plan to get additonal items at Richwell Toy Sale at Libis, I was told the items here not as fab as the items I got above. It used to be the "it" store for toys at a discount, but for the past two years ... the sale items not as amazing anymore. Too bad. I can still remember the 5 ft. Chicco slide I bought at Richwell three years ago, it was priced at P7k only from P15k store price. That was a good buy! Unfortuntely, they don't offer this kind of sale items anymore. Oh well, probably next year then it'll improve.

Samantha's Hello Kitty Party Time!

Since I've been very busy lately with the birth of our new son, Migo ... I almost forgot posting about the little bratinella's 5th birthday celebration dubbed as Hello Kitty Pizza and Chick n' Chips Party.

The party was a huge success, as always! Months of party preparations truly paid-off. Family and friends who came and celebrated with us enjoyed the good food (pizza and chick n' chips), magic treats (Wacky of Jelly Bellies) and loots. Kids and adults went home happy not only because of the prizes they won, but because most of them can relate to the Hello Kitty craze! In fact, everyone was so eager and excited to participate in the games and bring home a Hello Kitty item. LOL.

Anyway, allow me to share some of our party pictures on the success of Samantha's 5th birthday party celebration. Let the pictures speak for itself how much fun we had last November 7 at Shakey's Katipunan. Do check it out ...

the party details : cake and cupcakes, loots, prizes, balloon decors, tarps all Hello Kitty aligned themed. For boys, Spongebob items

The Hello Kitty-themed party cake and cupcakes

the pretty birthday girl, Samantha with the family. Oh, just check out my pictures below, being nine months pregnant heavy gives me sleepless nights lately. Thanks to the best eye cream I found on the web, dark circles under my eyes, no more! Instead, you'll see glowing and radiant preggo mom at the party! :)


the guests : family and friends who came and celebrated with us

the yummy giant pizza

the party games



More party pics to follow ...

home improvement plans

Before I proceed with the Medicare supplement insurance for possible additional maternity benefits coverage, allow me to share some of my home improvements plan for the next sixty days ... eerrr, that is my to do lists until I am still on maternity leave.

1. proceed with the exterior house painting job : I've been planning this painting job since summer, but due to several typhoons that hit our country this year, the house painting plan was deferred.

2. change our existing lanai doors to analok metal frame : part of home improvement upgrade.

3. change and fix hinges, locks and steel frames of cabinets and doors. Get carpenter for this.

4. clean and sort Samantha's room again : sort out her toys and clothes to give-way for Baby Migo's stuff.

5. set up our Christmas tree complete with decors and trimmings.

6. send the sofa for repair.

7. send two (2) electric fans for repair.

Wow, can't believe my home improvement plans to do list above! and on top of these projects, I need to finalize baby migo's baptism plans. Very busy vacation months, eh? Doesn't look like vacation at all, don't you think so? LOL. Wish me luck that I complete my home improvement plans this year. Actually, the possibility to do all of these will depend on the available moolah from the husband. :)

Hello, Miguel Iñigo Gabriel

Welcome to the latest addition to our growing family ...

Miguel Iñigo Gabriel Soriano or " Baby Migo"

Born: November 11, Wednesday

Time: 1052am

Place: Medical City, Pasig

Weight: 7.3 lbs

Length: 20 in.

More about Baby Migo's birthing post to follow ... For the meantime, I leave you with our first family picture with Baby Migo.

black friday shopping

Just can't wait for the Thanksgiving or Black Friday Sale. I've been saving up lately so I can get the kids shoes and clothes for the holiday season. AsI browse the web for possible must have's for the little girl, I saw this really elegant, and nice looking equestrian apparel that will suit her perfectly. I so love the nice outfit, looks comfy and glam especially paired with the tall black riding boots. I even so want the set for myself! LOL. I just wish I have enough funds to buy the entire outfit. From the shirt blouse, pants, boots and accesories. It will be a very classy outfit for the little girl, don't you think so? And not just for this holiday season but for all-year round wear.