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.

on weight gain

Excessive weight gain during the last weeks of my pregnancy is an understatement. I can't believe I grew that big and fast! Though as per my OB, I am still at my normal weight with 20-25 lbs allowable treshold, but nevertheless, I am still big comparing my pre-preggo body. How I wish I can go back to my old weight 5 years ago. Those days wherein I can eat all the sweet cravings I like without worrying gaining additional pounds. Thus, now I am thinking of taking an effective diet pills to speed up my weight loss. Any suggestions?

Nov 1, 38th week

at 39th week : Nov 11 full term

Christmas Gift from Margaux

Thanks Margaux for the lovely Hello Kitty convenience store. Sam loves this early christmas present ... just as she wished for! Now she's a proud owner of Hello Kitty mini village. Hehehe!

I haven't bought yet for Samantha's MBAP baby, Estong (Alpha's cutie kiddo). Was about to get him this week his Christmas wish, unfortunately with Migo's impeccable timing, need to hold all my shopping activities for the meantime. Let's see.

vacation planning

The husband and I already started talking about our travel plans for year 2010. You see, with the new addition of a baby in the family, going abroad or long vacations should be well planned. Not only we should be financially ready, we need to consider the emotional and physical readiness of the kids when going out for long trips. And since the husband and I thinking of going to Hawaii early this year, bringing our five year old daughter may be feasible but to consider bringing our new born son ... it may not be wise or practical decision at this time.

And since we already planned to spend seven days in Hawaii to attend his telco-conference, our aunt based in Florida begging us to consider flying to Florida and spend time with her and enjoy beautiful orlando vacations. She's willing to shoulder our additional domestic airfare from Hawaii to Florida just to allow us to enjoy the tropical weather on the East Coast side of the US. Tempting, huh?! Her offer is really good and will save us a lot of money, but the husband I haven't decided if we will take her offer. Going on an extended vacation may be difficult for us especially it is still school time for the little girl and with a little kid in tow. Anyway, no definite decision yet. Let's see, we still have a month to decide if we will take the travel offer.

home improvements - the living room

Since I plan to do some home improvements lately, I plan to do some minor changes in our living room. As a start, I so want to prepare our living room with a Christmas theme atmosphere by putting some home accents like with a splash of red and gold colors. From corner center pieces, accent chairs or pillows, table centerpieces and even rugs. I saw on the web area rugs which I think will be prefect for my holiday theme effect. A small area rug will be nice focal point of the house, and getting the deep red color will just be perfect to match the festive mood theme of the house. Anyway, the price is very competitive and it even offers free shipping for items priced above $75. Great deal, huh! You, any plans for home improvement this year?

at 38 weeks ...

... I am ready to pop! Tummy really pronounced and you can see I am already quite top heavy already. Just waiting for the the big day! LOL.

Anyway, this shot was taken last November 1 to celebrate All Saint's Day at Heritage Memorial Park. This special holiday is done to celebrate memory of our loved-ones. Together with me, the little batinella Samantha who enjoyed our picnic and play time at the park.