7th at Tagaytay

We went with my in-laws to Tagaytay on Black Saturday. It just so happens that it is also Rafa's 7th-month birthday. Buti na lang most shops are open already and we were able to get a chocolate cake (Php499 lang!) from Red Ribbon on our way there. Ganda naman ng penmanship of the one who wrote the dedication on the cake. *clap* * clap*
Here is Rafa on his first-ever trip to Tagaytay. At the Pink Sisters. We never-ever missed a visit here whenever we go to Tagaytay. Most of the time, we do go to Tagaytay just for a visit to this place.

After visiting the Pink Sisters, we ended up in Dencio's for lunch kasi super traffic! We were supposed to eat in Gerry's but we are all hungry na kaya Dencio's na lang.

Here is Kuya. Nagsawa na 'ata sa picture-taking because more often than not eh ayaw na nya magpa-picture hahaha!

(candle blowing)

Side kwento: Dencio's waiter told us that if we eat the cake, we will have to settle the corkage of Php500 (ano! mas mahal pa sa cake!). I asked the supervisor instead if they have a cake we can buy. Wala raw... yun naman pala eh! So I reasoned with her and buti na lang she agreed without having to pay the corkage fee.

Here is Rafa's past time - to pull Mommy's hair all the freaking time! ;pHappy 7th-month Birthday, cutie pie!

During his visit to the pedia last March 27, he weighs 7.66 kgs and is 68 cms longer. His head circumference is 42 cms and chest circumference is 41 cms.

My Shepherd Boy - super late post ito! (09 December 2011)

I attended Enzo's Christmas presentation (his first-ever school program) earlier today. One of the perks of being on a mid-shift schedule and your son attending a morning class is you'll have the time to join him on his school's programs.

His face lit up when he saw me in school this morning. He didn't expect it, I believe. You see, his Lolo (normally) will be the one to bring him to school (via a school bus) as I'm usually catching some needed zzzZZ time so is the case this morning. The smile on my son's face is priceless and it melted my heart to see him happy that I was there to watch him. And for mommy, a bit teary-eyed watching him perform on stage with his classmates kahit hindi pa sila synchronized at all hahaha! Proud mommy moment!

Half-way there (07 March 2012)

Happy 6th-month Birthday sweetie pie!

Look at how handsome my boys are...love your own!

Choco-chips cake from Goldilocks with Angry Birds theme...

Since I realized we have not given much thought about Rafa's monthly birthday cakes like we used to for Enzo's monthly birthday, I made a career out of his 6th-month birthday cake. That is without spending much like it was his 1st birthday already. I can't believe Goldilocks was able to pull through such a nice themed cake for around Php800. Really nice, right? For his 7th-month, we'll try the Cake2Go that newly opened in our area.

Since we are 6-months away from Rafa's 1st birthday, preparations for his 1st birthday is on the way. The theme I am considering now is Super Mario Bros. Gotta start saving for this!

Moving-Up Ceremony (17 March 2012) + another Birthday Loot from Forever 21

We are in full attendance... kala mo Enzo's already graduating from High School or College but very thankful for the support of family. It has been a year of initiation for me and hubby as we sent our eldest to school. He is now moving-up to Senior Nursery this coming school year. I don't know who is more excited at the Ceremony - me and hubby or Kuya?! It must be the parents as I don't think Enzo (or even his classmates) realizes how big a deal it was for parents like us ;)

This is birthday loot #4 - such a pretty dress from Forever 21. I bought it the same day I bought the shirt shown in my last post. I'll try to post the "girly" skirt I bought that day too. Enzo's too cute in his red short-sleeved polo from Periwinkle (for only less than Php700.00). I suggest you try that shop, it has really nice clothes naku! especially for those with girls. I love their dresses!

The above picture made me teary-eyed... still can't believe how fast children grow up... really! So I cherish the time that Enzo still longs for my hugs and kisses... we love you, Kuya!

This slideshow was shown while we were with Enzo on stage to receive his Certificate. The picture shown was during their Christmas presentation. He was one of the shepherd boys.

We treated the grandparents to lunch at Cafe Romulo. Food was superb!
Tinapa Roll for appetizer. This is their bestseller for appetizer. It was just ok.

Tito Greg's Kare-Kare which hubby loves the most. Imagine he even brought home the sauce and had it for dinner that night... and lunch the next day... sulit diba!

Crispy Pata Binagoongan - not your ordinary Crispy Pata! A welcome twist to your usual crispy pata.

The General's Chicken. Just ok.

Pancit Puti - flavorful! Kala ko from the looks of it that it will taste blah... I was wrong.

Crispy Suman sa Latik for dessert. Mama had 3 of those hahaha!

I sooo love this family picture parang Telenovela sa Dos hahaha! Next year ulit...

We spent around 3.5K but we were a big group of 8 adults.

Futbol Summer Camp again! (03 March 2012) + Birthday Loot#3

It's an early summer camp for Kuya this year. I realized it will be difficult to attend the April-May schedule of Futbol Fanatics as we have out of town trips (sooo excited for that!) this coming April so we enrolled him for 4 sessions for this February-March schedule. Here is his Day 1 last March 3.

We brought his own ball on the first day but he insisted on the one provided at the camp.

...some warm-up exercises

Here is birthday loot#3 - striped loose, breezy top from Forever21. Such a refreshing color!

...game time

Birthday Loot #2: Charles & Keith Peep Toe/Slingback Shoes

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

This peep toe/slingback shoes is so pretty and versatile - I can wear on jeans and even on office clothes, nice diba? Got it for almost Php1,800.00. There was no intention for me to buy shoes last weekend. In fact, we weren't even supposed to be in Eastwood Mall last Sunday. It's just a spur of the moment buy but both me and hubby got home with a wide smile on our faces. Yes... hubby also bought a Nike rubber shoes. I know he wanted to get one and when I saw the same pair he was looking at in Cash & Carry the other weekend and it was less than 1K in Compex, I urged him to buy. He was telling me he would only buy if I also buy one for myself... alam nya kasi that I'm kuripot when it comes to myself but for my boys... go! Go! GO lang ako! So I agreed and ended up with this lovely pair.

Rafa's 1st Munch (26 February 2012)

He is now at 5months & 19days old. His pedia said we can start on vegetables and fruits. Cereals will have to be given on the 6th month. We gave him Gerber's Carrots since we were out the whole of this weekend. Next week, I'll try to prepare something fresh. Di bale, Enzo was also given Gerber as his first solid food. I just can't remember if it was Carrots or Squash but Enzo didn't turn out a picky eater. And I'm happy that we are still able to feed Enzo vegetables at this age. Sablay lang on the fruits as there are specific fruits he wants like banana. Mango di pa masyado.

I believe Rafa is sooo ready for solids as he finished off the 2 teaspoons of it and even wants more. He can also suck already the carrots from the spoon. Haaay! Time flies so fast... next thing I'll know he'll be walking na...

Currently, he weighs 7 kilos & 66cms longer now with 42cms head circumference & 40cms chest circumference.

Up next will be my Birthday Loot#2... watch out for it!

Birthday Loot #1: FaceShop's Peeling Day

Got this last night when we went out to do our grocery in Landmark Trinoma. I told hubby I wanted to try this product I've read in one of the blogs (forgot lang which among the many).

I honestly don't have any beauty routines on my face aside from the daily wash - that's it. Though my officemates said I have a very nice skin - except for the blackheads I have on my face. I hope this would do the trick. I don't like to have facials as I'm scared that it hurts - parang dentist lang. I know... I know... I underwent CS (twice for that matter) but still scared of going to have a facial or the dentist. Hahaha! I even told hubby payag na ako to have baby #3 mawala lang 'tong toothache na 'to grrr! And yes - I'm having a toothache since Friday kasi hayz! I've tried Panadol, Advil, Alaxan FR and now, Ponstan which I hope will finally take care of this pressing problem. Problem talaga yan!

True to Word: Better Fresh Dough

Better Ingredients. Better Pizza. That's Papa John's.

This is if you're craving for (good) make that better pizza. I know there are A LOT of pizza parlors in Metro Manila but I would consider Papa John's as one of my go-to places aside from S&R, Yellow Cab and Shakey's (not in that particular order but usually depending on what I want to eat). But let me warn you of their limited menu. Yes - they have pasta, side dishes but not that noteworthy. The pizza specially their fresh dough is what you will be coming back for. Here are what we ordered there:

"Forgettable" Seafood Carbonara (Php 180)

"Just OK" Diablo Burst (Php180)

"my drink-nothing special" Green Apple Italian Soda (Php69)

And the star of the show - Super Papa's 14" (Php 580)They have this garlic dip for the pizza which reminds me so much of Domino's. But the dough I super love talaga! And I'm not even a fan of thick crust pizzas. But theirs is really sooo good!

The Kuya tinkering with his iPad... I know it's not ideal to let the kids play while eating BUT that keeps him pre-occupied and lets me take care of Rafa and eat in peace (if that is ever possible with a toddler and a baby in tow).

The adorable bunso... in his Precious Moments' onesies (bought in SM).

See Rafa is still all smiles here until he realizes that it's not me nor Daddy nor his yaya that's holding him then he cries ever so loudly. Yes - nangingilala na siya at 5months.

Happy pa oh! Sayang I don't have a picture of him when he was wailing... next time I'll show you what I mean.

How I Spent My 33rd Birthday?

I had this wonderful "ME time" planned out.

Mom was supposed to go with me and shop.

I'll leave the 2 boys at home with Lolo.

My interim manager approved my scheduled leave.

BUT the boys have other plans.

When I came home last night, Enzo woke up telling me that he feels cold - that's a red flag! Enzo is the type who wants the aircon turned on all the time if he has his way. I checked his forehead. He was hot - temperature reading is at 37.9. Sabi na nga ba! But why?! That's at 11:30PM. By this time, I already texted my dad and his school bus driver that he won't be going to school the next day. 4 hours later - his temp is still at 38.2. Another Paracetamol. 2 hours later - 39.9 that's bad! So I gave him Ibuprofen which usually helps lower his temperature. I decided to bring him to his pedia who's having his clinic at St. Luke's Global. I'm bringing Rafa as well as he has cough and colds naman. Diba my boys have unique gifts for my 33rd birthday.

So my well-planned "ME time" was thrown out the window. We all got home at almost 2PM and tired and it was raining hard. I just ordered from Amber's spaghetti with meat sauce and pichi-pichi with cheese plus hubby brought home a DQ Chocolate Xtreme Ice Cream Cake.

.this should be the simplest (yet grateful) birthday to date.