Holidays

We started Christmas with the midnight mass at Rockwell.

We were blessed to have both our mother and father side join the mass, especially with Tita Nene and family's first time in fifteen years to be back in Manila for Christmas.

Noche Buena was celebrated at our place. Mama, my Lola cooked most of the meal, while I cooked the baked salmon :) We were about 30 people in total.  Dami talaga!!!

We ate, drank and merrily watched old home videos circa 80s-90s, mega laugh trip.

Of course, the highlight of the evening was opening the gifts.

It was my cousins, Ian and Mikee's first time to give gifts from their hard earned money having just joined the workforce.  Hence, gifts are more meaningful nowadays, baligtad na, the 'young ones' are the ones who give gifts to the uncles and aunties.

It was also Gavin's first Christmas.

I had to wake him up at the strike of midnight, but I didn't think he will stay up talaga.

I guess, my love for the season rubbed off on him...he was so excited to open his gifts and play.

I was also glad to see that my son puts a big smile on the faces of everyone he spends time with.

Here he is with our different family members and our angels at home- Emelie, Analyn and Yanna, who all love him dearly.

The following day, we had a late lunch at my mom's side of the family.

Brought another tray of the baked salmon :).  Everyone was really excited to spend time with our cousins from LA as we were all small kids when they left Manila.

We also had merienda with my in-law who travelled great lengths just to see their apo.

Cooked the spaghetti for merienda :)

Out last stop for the day was dinner at my Mama's house (my dad's mom) to celebrate Tita Belen's 50th birthday.  Lechon ang main course :). Did not have the energy to take photos during dinner, super pagod na talaga.

Nevertheless, it was a memorable Christmas, I will always and forever 2013 for my Christmas with the Little Man.

Merry Christmas Part Two

Went to Rockwell for the usual midnight mass then noche buena at our place.

More pics soon!

For now, here is the little boy with his best buddy, Chip :)

Merry Christmas :)

Merry Christmas! 2013

The grand parentals wanted a Santa outfit for Gavin and found one at the last minute via IG :)

We are now officially done with our gifts and wrapping for the holidays!

So many things to give thanks to this season and so many blessings to offer to Baby Jesus!

But of course, this year is extra special because of the little man, Gavin :)

Dear Gavin,

I hope that you learn to love Christmas as much as I've loved it through the years.

I hope that you truly believe in Santa, will look forward to your letters soon.

I hope that you will always remember the reason for Christmas- Christ's love for us and

Always remember that he is Emmanuel, your namesake too which means Christ is with us.

He truly is :)

Love,

Mom

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's my first Christmas with the love of my life :) 

He is a bit sick today, so I'm hoping that the Christmas will indeed be merry and bright and phlegm-free!  

    4 days to go go go!!!

Tis The Season To Be Jolly!!!

Last year, December was quite in eventful because I mostly stayed home. 

This year, I'm glad that all the Christmas gatherings happened during the first part of the month...so I can have the last weekend before Christmas all to ourselves (to shop, hehehe)!

Ateneo Christmas Dinner 

Aquila Christmas Dinner

Lunch with SSI friends (ex and present)

It's going to be a very busy December with the forthcoming arrival of our balikbayan relatives :)

More parties to come :)

9 Days of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas, Gavin went to ATC to shop with his mom, Lolo, Lola and titas. 

We chanced upon the Christmas "fireplace" at Rustan's and we couldn't help taking pictures.

Na excite ang bagets seeing all the toys and the kids running around.

Plus kasya na siya sa supermarket basket :) 

I was super happy I found a Star Wars onesie at the Bazaar.

This outfit will be for keeps :)

Looking Back

On our recent visit to Asian Hospital, we took the opportunity of passing by the neonatal intensive care unit of Asian Hospital.  In my early posts, you will see that Gavin spent ten long days there due to pneumonia.  My first few days as a mom were spent at the NICU, looking after Gavin, but unable to carry him.  This was also why I was able to get out of bed at once and walk in spite of my CS operation as I wanted to go there to be with Gavin.  It was also the reason why I did my very best to feed him breast milk, it was the only thing I can offer him, a chance for a good health.  Glad to let you know that he has never been sick since he was discharged.

    Past photo when he was still in critical care, he was only 8 months old.

   Ready to leave...at last!  Baby bubut with mommy*

    May 5, 2013 at 10am, happiest day of my life! 

I was so happy that the nurses who always looked after Gavin before were still there.

It gave us a chance to say thank you and to wish them a Merry Christmas :)

I also saw some moms who had babies in isolation. I hope that our visit gave them the confidence that all will be well.  I will forever be grateful to those who have looked after my baby during his early days.  Glad we were able to thank them personally.

We also had our picture taken at Genesis Center.

I had bittersweet memories of that wing because I stayed there for days or week long stays the four times I had a threatened early delivery.  The doctors and the wonderful nurses saved Gavin, really.

Worth it naman Diba. :)

Kindermusik Christmas

Gavin and I started Kindermusik's Cockadoodlemoo Village classes a month ago.

Now, our Saturdays are hectic, early but fun!

I wanted him to have an activity outside the home with interaction with other babies as all of us are grown ups in the house and kiddie interaction is very limited.

We also noticed that he enjoys and responds well to music.  As early as two months, he always falls asleep to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Incy Wincy Spider and I'm A Little Teapot.  

He also gets excited whenever he hears the intro music of Pocoyo.

Each module consists of 8 one hour sessions.

A parent is always required to be with he child during class.

You also get to take home materials so to aid you in story telling, singing and playing at home :)

We were in luck because a block away from our house was a preschool who conducted Kindermusik classes during weekends.  Teacher Marah Estuesta of Mindbuilders was wonderful to kids and great with parents too.  

        These are his classmates :)

    With Teacher Marah!

Last Saturday, our little Kindermusik class had our little Christmas party.

The whole class was full of Christmas carols and Christmas themed toys.

We had a reindeer, a sleigh ride and Santa activities during class.

Early bird din kami, so more time for pictures, yey!

   Me and the little elfkin!

    Spot the baby Santa *

Sorry blurred, this,is our class picture!

After class, there was a little salo salo with the food that each family brought. Of course, full force kami, with Lolo and Lola in tow.  

    Christmas doughnuts c/o Gavini!

Glad that his was Gavin's first Christmas Party :)

Breastfeeding Stations 3

Singapore Changi Airport

I chanced upon the breastfeeding room of Changi airport recently.

It had two areas, a small room that can be locked with a small couch to breastfeed, pump or take care of the baby and another general area with a wooden bench and the sink.

It was also cool to see a diaper dispenser, pero ang mahal, sgd1 per diaper, that's php33 :o

There was also a hot water dispenser that is helpful for sterilizing and what nots.

Plus a changing area. 

    This is the private area *

It wasn't cozy at all, but it serves it's purpose.

Plus while I was there, a cleaning lady went in to clean it and make sure everything is in order.

7th Month Doctor's Visit

Visited the doctor yesterday for Gavin's hepa shot.

He is now 69.5 cms long and weighs 7.3 kilos.

We still need to work on our weight gain and eat more solids.

He can now sit on his own and his motor skills are well developed.

It was Gavin's first time to lick a lollipop during our visit :)

My heart still aches when he cried a bit during the injection.

He didn't cry for a long time, still a brave boy compared to mommy, hehehe.

How time flies!

I can still remember our first visit when he was a few weeks old and he was so small, the weighing scale was a lot bigger than him.  Look at him now, with his legs beyond the scale, at talagang nakakapit pa sa side.

Was also going through Gavin's photos and noticed his different looks.

This is his poopy face, I have a poop mommy!

This is his I am thinking of doing something silly like pulling ninang's hair look.

This is his whaaaat, picture again? I am not amused look!

This is his pretty please look! Please let me out of the door so I can walk!

This is I am hungry I want to eat everything, please feed me look!

In the other neck of the woods, yaya is leavin next month :( what to do?

Panic attack! Still praying fervently we find a good one, as good as the one we have now.

This is really my Christmas wish xoxo 15 days to go before Christmas!