D is FOUR!

My baby boy is now 4 years old! Yes, just like that. And little more years, I'l have a teenager na! OA lang db? but honestly, time flies so fast and kids do grow faster as well. That is what as much as I can I am enjoying his childhood, even though it is harder with babyS now (talk about balancing time with two kids) I am getting there! 

D's 4th birthday is the simplest so far. But we made sure he gets all (well almost) everything he wanted. 

Remember the birthday tradition of blowing of candles and giving the gift first thing he opened his eyes in the morning? He loved it, and I guess I will definitely do this every year until he's married lol or even if he is hahaha

Months, before his birthday, D has a list na of everything he wanted for his birthday, and I just made a mental note haha.

1. Cars - yes toys again!
2. Go to Ocean Park - We did this earlier since we figured out it will be difficult na when babyS arrived. But no, he wanted to come to see the penguins.
3. Bubbles - Yes, bubbles while daddy is doing the laundry haha.
4. Balloons - Yes, lots of them
5. Carnival Cake - Yes, this although from goldilocks, ay hard to find and order din pala, so I had it customised instead.
6. Invite his friends - Yes, we did the party at the school.

D celebrated for 3 days, pero simple lang everyday. First day, we cooked simple lunch at home. We sang happy birthday and he blew his first cake, we let him pray and it goes like "thank you Lord, Salamat po sa birthday ko, sa handa kakain na ako madami, matutulog na palagi,  ..... " adorable isn't?

Next day, we went out and eat ice cream, then his final birthday. I am now a fan of simple birthday celebrations at home #hasslefree. 

And as D turns four, his terrible two stage has gone double! haha

- he asks unlimited questions he knew the answers 

- he's curious about everything and to the point I also cannot explain the idea 

- tests everyone's patience to the highest level

- questions our rules and sometimes tries to disobey them, just to see what will happen

- he's into dismantling and destroying toys

- he's sooo picky eater

- he knows to assert what he wants into the tiniest details and stand by it, even if we spank him (yes we do it sometimes)

- know how to sneak outside our gate to play 

- he's can eat all by himself only if we eat at Jollibee or McDonald's

- he does't want to ride the shopping cart anymore and run along the aisle to get whatever food he wants

- he will run and hide at you while doing the shopping

- he can reason out about everything he do

- throws tantrums (mega) if he wants something

- he's into "don't make me sleep mommy" stage

But as he aged, he's also showing some signs of maturity, KuyaD na kasi. 

- he knows how to listen (sometimes)

- he can open the refrigerator or the goodie box to get his own food, even get his own water

- he can now pack his toys, shoes and some gadgets

- he now chooses his outfit and knows how to wear them (sometimes)

- he can look after babyS (sometimes) when I do something

- his social skills improved, he can sometimes share and play with other kids

- he knew how to make lambing to the grannies so he can get any toys, food and passalongs he want

D is growing as an adorable child right?! and I super hope we are doing the right thing raising him. 

Mommy G, 

D is 3!

My baby turned 3 last sunday! He just discovered building blocks and now making "castles". 

Yes, just like that! Sooner he'll no longer wanted to be hugged and kissed (aw!) so I wanna cherish his childhood more and more. I wanna make memories that we both can laugh and tell to his future family someday. Speaking of memories and notes, I wanna document how his toddlerhood has been. 

He's still the curious as ever. So eager to discover everything and sometimes trying to be independent even if he can't yet. 

- He likes getting his own water at the dispenser, and sometimes leaving it open. (Lagot!)

- Often scans the fridge to check on his favorite food and get it. 

- Chooses his own clothes (sometimes even on what I will wear)

- Pick what will be his ulam or mirienda

- Play the ipad alone (as in ayaw pahiram)

- Turn on the appliances (major heart attack for me!)

- Bathe on his own

- He decides on what mall we will go, as well where we will eat

He being a two year old really amazes us. Sometimes I was asked if he's really 2, (proud mama here)

- His memory is superb. As in he can remember even our clothes on the rack

- He can now completely express himself (and even reason our like an adult)

- He's learning english as his second language with complete sentences like; 

         a. I can see the carabao

         b. Look it mom, castle

         c. Its dark, I am scared

         d. This is mine, don't get it

         e. I am not hungry, I don't like that

         f. Borrow please??

- He memorizes their school prayer that goes "Thank you Lord Jesus for the food, bless it, to nourish my physical body, and understand my work, thank Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen"

- His favorite songs includes "One Thing", "All of me", "All about that bass" and "Lupang Hinirang" 

- He always ask how much are the food we eat, the toy we bought etc. I don't know why. 

Even he's growing so fast, he's still my baby. We enjoy more cuddles and hugs now than before. Daddy R and I often hear "I love you" and "I miss you" from him, and of course "thousands of kisses".

Dear D, 

Mommy loves you so much. The more you cry, the harder it is for me to leave you at home. And the more you laugh, the happiest mommy is. You are everything for us, and we thank God million times for blessing us with you. On the times that daddy R and I almost give-up, you are the bridges that reconnects us. Thank you for being so forgiving at times when mommy looses her patience. Mommy and Daddy will strive to be better parents to you and for our family. 

Love,

Mommy G,  

Happy Me! February my Birthday Month!

Okay! Happy 1st of April! Ang bilis lang talaga kapag busy ka, (lol) But I thank God that I am busy, because I have work and I can provide for my family's needs. Chos! Anyway,  last Februay, I turned twenty-something and so far the longest birthday celebration I had. Super thanks to everyone who remembered my special day. Bilang isang tao na hindi makatanda ng birthdays (as in I only remember few lang talaga, Thanks to Facebook pa!), I feel so blessed na marami pa din nakaka-alala sa akin. Thus made me feel so loved and remembered last month. 

Anyway, my birthday celebration kicked in the morning when D started singing "beytday mommy, beytday mommy, beytday mommy!" Truly that boyoy song is everything! Iba talaga kapag nanay ka na  db? At infairness ang galing ng nagturo sa anak ko. (clap! clap! to Lola and Tita A). 

Since we have a training that day, no birthday leave for me. But hey, I have a surprise! Well, actually kasabay ko kasi ng birthday ung president namin, so 2 cakes! (pero wala siya! lol) and I have a lot of sponsors that day! Happy me!

Ice Creams, Blueberry Cheesecake and Sansrival. 

Lunch and Table Setting c/o our caterer. 

We also had mini pizza party!

Yum! Yum sansrival. 

That weekend, daddy R went home with this bag. With the surprise gift. Akala mo anlaki ng laman?! 

Bag full of Chico's and Cake. 

Tada! Sweet Strawberry Cake straight from Vizco's in Baguio City. 

We all loved the cake and D almost smashed it because he wanted to grab the strawberries agad agad. 

I also got to experience session in blooms in Baguio City.

Tried fried ballut at Session Road. 

Just I thought I'l just have a birthday week, R surprised me with a candle light dinner in Baguio. Yun lang, since I came from Manila pa nagdinner na ako ng bongga before meeting daddy R. So ayan, hindi na ako masyado nakakain. But I am so touched naman sa gesture ni R. I felt to loved.

 

And another surprise during that trip is R booked us a room in Hotel Elizabeth. Oo nga naman, we used to have vacations like this, just like old times. Nakakamiss din.

And the celebration is still in for our breakfast!

We have melt-in-your-mouth pancakes!

Cheese Omelette. 

French Toast. 

Chocolate Cake!

And we ended my celebration via pinipilahang Alabanza Longanisa in session in blooms. Yes, pumila talaga ako. And it was worth it. 

So far, this year's celebration is one that I value the most. Not because it's the longest so far nor the documented one since ngaun lang ako may blog na, but because this year I felt so loved and I realized a  lot of things in my life. In short nagmature na ako. Now I know to value simple things in life and so far I have a clear direction in my life. And as years add in my calendar, I know I am gaining not just age, but a lot of wisdom, friends and a lot more to be thankful for. 

So happy birthday for me!

D's Pocoyo Party (2nd Birthday)

Where did time go? I have now a toddler (officially). Last saturday, D turned 2 years old and broke 2 drinking glasses, spilled 2 pitchers of juice and had a countless bruises, OMG! what else?! But, but, those things cannot match the happiness that D brought to our family. On both side of the family, he's the ultimate favorite, because he's youngest and he's into the stage of always pasikat! haha aliw lahat!

So there..., we celebrated D's birthday with the whole family and D's barkada (yes! mayroon na!). The theme is POCOYO since D loved the gang so much! I just had a hard time since pocoyo themed party needs/supplies are very limited in the market. But I took the challenge. And in my own assessment, Baby D is so happy with the party!

I have a lot of plans for the DIY Pocoyo Party, but the stress that I had during the week before the party and the upcoming exam dates, I had enough stress and settled for few DIY's.  'Di bale baby D, mommy will make it up to you next month, birthday mo ulet! lol

Anyways, we started D's birthday celebration by a tradition that I want to have every morning with D and our future kids.

Blowing of cake and candles first thing in the morning. 

R and I sang birthday song, while D is clapping and blew his candle, btw, this is a second take na, got so excited and forgot to video the first time. 

And opening of gifts! 

We got him 4 books. I want to develop his love for reading na. 

So after the traditions (my pauso!). D run and enjoyed the rest of the day. 

Its his birthday anyway. And he has a license na as toddler! whew! goodluck to us!

Baby D's first outfit of the birthday boy! 

R is teasing me, pwede na daw isabit si D sa flagpole!

D was so excited and happy to play, so ayan hindi nakikipag-cooperate sa pictures!

My first DIY. D's cake. 

Cake: Large Chocolate Dedication Cake from Red Ribbon

Candle: Liwanag Candle

Topper: Pocoyo and Friends from Toy Kingdom 

Banner : Printed only (sorry the BBQ stick sucks, I will do better next time)

But in fairness, D liked the cake. I also DIY his first bday cake, and planning to do it yearly na. 

And the so eager ever bday boy can't wait ti get hold of the cake topper. 

D enjoying the party. Gulong kung gulong!

DIY wall. 

Gift tag. 

Party Loots c/o DIVI. I bought generic bags nalang, since I cannot find Pocoyo stuffs at divi.

Our only family picture. D's so malikot at ayaw makisama. 

He blew his own cake candle! praktisado yan! lol

The menu: 

Spaghetti, Lumpiang Shanghai, Chicken Joy, Hotdog on sticks, Biko and Puto pangasinan c/o D's lolo and lola, fruit salad, cake and chico. 

The grannies. 

Look! He's so grown up na!

D enjoying his b-day food. 

The kids enjoyed the pabitin. We also DIY it. 

I need to carry D, kundi madadaganan siya! Siya kasi pinakamaliit, yet nakikigulo!

Famila E. 

Happy birthday my Love! you will always be mommy's baby D!

Happy Birthday D!

Exactly 2 years ago, during this time, I am on my not-so-active labor pa lang, nervous but so excited to hold baby D in my arms.  Ngaun? my not so baby but a little boy is turning 2! Where did time go? He is now running everywhere, conversing with me, chooses his own clothes and growing up so fast!

This years celebration is a simple one (which daddy R said, "Simple pa ba yan sa lagay na yan?!". Promise! I'm planning a simple and intimate celebration for D. I want his close friends and relatives lang. I want him to enjoy lang. Unlike kasi last year, he's more aware of his bdays na, so I just made sure he'll be happy. 

Hence, the Pocoyo and Friends theme. We'll, good luck to me and daddy R's budget. 

Dear D, 

Happy 2nd Birthday! I don't know when will you read my letters, but I'm still writing them so mommy will capture every special moments that we have, to document your development, so when mommy's momnesia attacks, I still have stories to tell you. 

You are growing so fast, smart and a healthy baby boy. I always thank God for that, and for everyday that you make us (mommy and daddy) and the whole family happy. I hope that we are doing things right and raise you as a God fearing, respectful and gentleman someday. Mommy and Daddy may not be always with you everyday, but don't worry we will always make it up every weekend. I love you more than the whole universe anak, and I will do anything to give you the best in life. 

Enjoy your birthday baby. 

We love you so much. 

Mommy,