Love@5 Years

Can’t imagine that we have celebrated our 5 Years together as husband and wife which will only mean that we have been together as a couple for 13 Years. Hubby posted this on my wall:

“...to the one woman I will marry a thousand times over...happy anniversary =) love you!"

Syempre kinilig ako! Even after all these years, he continually gives a warm smile on my face. To which I replied:

“ waaah! now ko lang nabasa... thanks ney! ... and to the man I will say "Yes!" a thousand times over... Happy 5th Anniversary!"

And that’s true. I believe and trust that we are both right for each other. Just look at our kids – diba perfect combination – genes pa lang yan! Hahaha!

We decided to celebrate with an overnight stay at Edsa Shangri-La last December 30 (post celebration). We brought with us the 2 boys (sans the yaya) so imagine our hands were full but it was a fun stay especially for Kuya who enjoyed the swimming pool so much. And when we asked him if he wants to join a swimming or football class – he would excitedly say “swimming.” So we are still torn where to enroll him this summer.

I didn’t go swimming anymore to watch over Rafa. Hayz! I could have brought my swimsuit and alternate watching over Rafa with hubby. We actually got a go signal from his pedia that it’s okay but it was our choice (in the end) not to let him swim since he’s barely 4 months old.

Take a look at Kuya… all ready to swim…

Having so much fun with Daddy.

By the pool.

That night, we ate at the Heat. I consumed less rice (HA! I’m so used to eating less rice.) but devoured on the baked salmon, grilled salmon, baked lobster and the chocolate chip cookies. Those cookies are heavenly, I tell you. Not much pictures during dinner… remember, we have 2 boys with us.

The next day, we had breakfast at the Heat again. Thank God we were such early birds because we would have been lining up for breakfast. They’re jam packed that morning (31st) . We loved the Coffee Frozen Yogurt they served during breakfast yum yum!

Coffee Frozen Yogurt on top of my Peach Crepe
with pistachio and dark choco chips.

After breakfast, Daddy and Enzo went swimming again. Rafa and I went up early to our room as it was drizzling. Daddy and Enzo followed suit before 11AM as Enzo still wants to play at the bath tub. Seriously, when we buy our own house, we’ll have a bath tub installed.

And here is our yearly Anniversary picture. Oh! I have yet to post our yearly Christmas picture too (reminds self!)

at 35weeks & 3days...

...I am on leave today, August 26. This is the 2nd day that I have been the one bringing Enzo to school. Yesterday, I woke up at 5:30AM to prepare and bring him to school. Then I waited for 2 1/2 hours and brought him home before leaving (again!) for my 12nn-9pm shift. I got home a few minutes before 11 last night. Whew! What a day that was... I was sooo sleepy in the office.

I don't think I'll survive another day like that especially now that I'm sooo heavy with Rafa. Maybe if I wasn't pregnant. So for today, I asked permission to go on leave. Besides I have to see my Endo again as her assistant is not sure if they will have clinic next week. I bet I will endure another long wait at the Clinic this afternoon hayz!

Futbol Summer Camp Day 3 (16 April 2011)

Let me share with you Enzo's 3rd day at the Futbol Summer Camp last April 16.

...enjoying the stretching exercises they do in-between!

We're done with the 3 sessions and only have 2 more sessions left. It has been truly a fun summer camp for the little one.

Beckham buddy

Last Saturday (April 2), we went with Enzo for his trial class in Futbol Fanatics. We were not sure if Enzo would enjoy the activity but he ended up having sooo much fun.

... looking such a pro! :)

...huddle time... hey Enzo! listen to your coach!

...lining for his stamp for a job well done!

...sooo pawis yet he had so much fun!

We ended up enrolling him for 4 more sessions every Saturday. Next year, we can attempt for the full 10 sessions.

Fish Feeding @ Nuvali

With less than a month, I will be turning 32. My age is out of any months in the calendar. Hubby says, “it’s okay, you’re still in Lotto!” grrr… But I don’t really mind my age now unlike when I was younger and single. I think it is my family that makes me feel complete. Financially, we are better off now than when we were just getting started. Our combined salaries then would have been lower than what hubby is earning now. But we survived then… with the weddings costs then I got pregnant at once and delivered via CS plus Christening and 1^st birthday party. Whoa! That’s a lot and we survived. Sometimes, I think that even if I quit my job now and rely only on hubby’s income, we should be okay. It’s just a matter of spending within your means. Except we might not be able to afford to send Enzo to Ateneo harharhar!

-oOo-

On another note, hubby gained the confidence in driving (or is it really me who gained the confidence to let him drive?!) so we are able to use now my parents’ car to bring us to nearby malls. Maybe next time, I will be brave enough to let him drive in EDSA (maybe on a holiday!). Enzo named “his” car – Astroboy. Technically, it is my parents’ car which my brother used until he was able to get their own car. It is really an old but reliable car which even survived the wrath of Ondoy.

Our only problem is the parking in our area. So we still park the car in my parents’ house which is some blocks away from our condo. We still end up hailing a cab on our way home.

-oOo-

Last Sunday, January 9, we went to Tagaytay, Caleruega, Nasugbu and Nuvali, Sta. Rosa. We were supposed to go with hubby’s cousins that Saturday however, Enzo is a bit feverish that Friday night so we begged off. My in-laws offered to bring us that Sunday. My parents also went with us. It is Enzo’s 3^rd time in Tagaytay. The weather that Sunday was cool but rainy.

Here are some of our pictures in Pink Sisters.

Then off we went to Caleruega. This was our 1st time there.

Before we proceeded to Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, we dropped by Rowena’s to buy buko pies/buko tarts. I swear their pies/tarts are way better than Collete’s.

Enzo had the most fun in Nuvali and enjoyed the fish feeding and boat ride a lot. The fish food is Php15.00/plastic while the boat ride is Php30.00/person with a capacity of 12 pax. 2 years old and below are free of charge.

We treated the lolos and lolas for lunch at Pig-Out since hubby was recently promoted. It’s always a plus points for me (and I guess for any moms or dads out there) when restaurants have activity sheets and crayons to keep my son occupied while we enjoy the food. Though their rice platter is small especially when you compare it with those offering unlimited rice these days. I think we ended up ordering 2 additional platters of rice. But the dishes we ordered are all yummy!

Their bestseller Crispy Pata (Php549.11). Though the skin is not that crunchy anymore.

Flavorful Adobong Spareribs (Php433.04 ) which hubby loved!

Yummy Grilled Tuna Belly (Php388.39 ) which I loved!

We were unable to bring Enzo to Ocean Park last year. I am hoping we can bring him this year. When? My birthday is actually coming up but I am decided to only celebrate at home by ordering spaghetti from Amber (which I have been craving for lately!), pitchi-pitchi with cheese, Elar’s Lechon or KFC bucket and Brooklyn Pizza (which I missed the most when I left AIM!).

Flower Anniversary Celebration

Our 4^th Year Anniversary was spent on a weekend at Sofitel. We decided to splurge a bit as a consolation for our cancelled Bohol vacation. We left the condo early thinking we can at least enjoy the hotel facilities even if we will not be able to check-in early. Luckily, there was an available room at the 5^th floor so we were able to check-in as early as 11AM.

There was only a hassle on guaranteeing our overnight stay. Since I know that my credit card might not be accepted due to recent charges made on the card, I specifically asked the Reservation Officer if they are accepting BPI EPS. The girl said yes and even offered that they also have a BPI ATM machine within the hotel premises. Great! So when my credit card did not work (as I have expected) and when I was about to settle the room accommodation with a BPI ATM card, I was told by the Front Desk Officer that their machine is only for BdO. What?! She told me they have a BPI ATM machine downstairs. Fine! However, that machine is unable to make transactions. What?! I was really pissed off already but controlling myself as I do not want to ruin our stay. I demanded to be allowed to check-in already so that we can go out and find a BPI ATM machine nearby. If that Reservation Officer advised me when I called the day before that they cannot process BPI EPS then I would have made the withdrawal before going to the hotel. That’s my point!

Thank God there is a nearby BPI ATM machine that can actually dispense some cash harharhar! We decided to eat in Jollibee (as Enzo is demanding!) so we can splurge later on the dinner buffet offered at Spiral. But since the Jollibee branch there only have breast and wing part which hubby doesn’t like, we moved to KFC where we were able to finally grab our lunch. We headed back to the hotel by 1PM.

After some photo ops in the hotel, we finally let Enzo swim in their brrr… cold… freezing cold pool! But the lil boy had a blast and it was harder to get him out of the water. Then we took a quick afternoon nap.

Thank God that we made a reservation at Spiral that afternoon. We were even told that we will be on the waitlist already. We went down a bit early for our 6:30PM reservation and surprise! Surprise! They were able to include our reservation in the lay-out of the restaurant so we don’t have to wait anymore for our turn. As they say, “The early bird catches the worm!” And guess what time our dinner ended? 9PM harharhar!

We woke up early the next day to have breakfast so that we still have time to go for another swim. We were done with breakfast and swimming before 11AM and had our mini-family pictorial at the hotel room 533 and the hotel grounds. Nice pictures huh?!

This is why I told hubby I wanted to get married on the month of December. The mood is sooo festive and happy. Thanking God for those 4 blessed years of being together. There might have been bumps along the way but I’m happy and thankful that there weren’t really any rough roads for us. Plus we are blessed with this wonderful kiddo – who’s talkative yet inquisitive, naughty yet charming, temperamental yet sweet and lovable and he’s only 3!

13 days to go

... before our much awaited Bohol vacation!

*excited*

Enzo's Bohol Checklist

We need to bring the following:

- Huggies swimpants (check!)
- new swimsuit bought at Landmark for only Php339.75 (check!)
- small "salbabida"*
- Buzz Away*
- Dr. Edwards* (around 6 small bottles)
- 2 Nestle fresh milk*
- 2 Chuckie
- 4 Red Ribbon bread* (for his breakfast)
- 6 8oz. Avent
- 2 water bottles (buy a new one without straw*)
- milk powder dispenser
- biscuits and cookies (check!)
- medicines: Sunblock, Advil, Dimetapp, Prox-S, Opigesic, petroleum jelly, Betadine and thermometer (new battery) (check!)
- 3 short sleeves shirt & 2 pajama
- 7 extra shirts & 3 shorts
- Crocs & Sanuk sandals
- 4 Drypers for night time & 10 Huggies Pull-ups for day time (check!)
- Buzz & Woody

* - to buy!
Did I forget anything? Will go back to this list when I start packing.

42 days to go...

and I pray for a good weather such as this to welcome us on our family vacation...












We ended up booking at Dumaluan Beach Resort as finally I was convinced that Dumaluan Beach is a lot quieter and beach is also nicer, they say. But I should keep in mind that the food in the older Dumaluan Resort is cheaper and better than here. We should try their grill restaurant there.

I was thinking of having our lunch on the 15th at Bohol Bee Farm as they said food is okay here and it's our treat for hubby's 31st birthday. Any feedback on their menu?

The tour guide, Mang Johnny (referred by hubby's officemate) is suggesting we do the Panglao tour upon arrival since check-in time is still at 2pm. Then he said we can have the Countryside tour the next day. I was thinking of skipping the "Hanging Bridge" and "Butterfly Garden." I was also told by Mang Johnny that the Loboc cruise and lunch is Php400/head... hmmm... but I heard reviews that don't expect much on the food. But it's also one of the highlights in Bohol aside from the Chocolate Hills and Tarsiers encounter.

Lapit na...

What the future holds?

Enzo will be 2 years & 10 months come August 7. He'll be 3 by October. Imagine that!

By June 2011, he'll be 3 years & 8 months and all ready for school. If you ask him if he wants to go to school, he will gladly say "yes." One of the schools we are considering is Claret School of Quezon City, which is located inside UP Village. They are accepting applications for admission by August. When I inquired over the phone, the staff said Enzo will be in "Junior Nursery" by next year. Tuition fee is reasonable and much lower compared to progressive schools. I'm not that convinced yet of progressive schools as I came from a traditional school and I turned out okay. Plus my boss' wife (who's a teacher) told me that what is important is how my son will enjoy the school setting whether traditional or progressive. And that not all schools that claim to be progessive are really what they claim to be and there are traditional schools which integrate the progressive approach to their teachings. Hubby & I are planning to visit the school by end of August to check their facilities. I was told that for Nursery level there will only be around 10 kids per class which is a good ratio and they do have grade school and high school already if I intend to keep him there or perhaps move him to Ateneo by Prep.

Another school we are looking at is Miriam College Child Study Center, which is located in Katipunan, Quezon City. Browsing through their website, Enzo will probably be in First Step given his age. Then they have Nursery and Kinder. Tuition fee is a bit steep, almost double than that of Claret. The savings I could have if I enroll him in Claret, I could already use for the next school year and even will even help us prepare if we're going to enroll him in Ateneo by Prep. And when he graduates from Kinder, I would still need to find him a good school when he enters Grade 1. I'll ask hubby. He might still want to compare the facilities they have.

If we'll afford to send him to Ateneo in grade school, I'm still wondering maybe I can send him to Philippine Science High School afterwards. Well, we'll cross the bridge when we get there besides I still have to consider how my son will fare in school. I don't want to pressure him. He doesn't have to be an honor student as long as he studies well, enjoys school and pass his subjects (no red marks please! 80 is okay).

But first, where to send him for preschool? Will update you when we do visit the above schools and let you know what we decide. I have downloaded the application form of Claret... teehee! excited!

First Face Painting Experience (03 July 2010)

His first ever face painting (at 2 years & 8 months) is a Spiderman. He loved it that he even lined up for another one which is Winnie d Pooh (though I was unable to take a photo this time).

We attended last Saturday the 1st birthday party of my boss' granddaughter at Wack-Wack Country Club.

our first movie date (26 June 2010)

...was Toy Story 3 last Saturday, June 26, 2010.

We have been planning to let Enzo watch in a big screen when Shrek was shown but we ended up missing that one :(

Hubby & I told ourselves already that we might end up wasting the Php510.00 tickets if Enzo insists of going out of the movie house. Prior to this day, we have been telling Enzo that we will watch in a biiig TV and that the lights are turned off. It's also a good thing that he knows the characters such as Woody, Buzz, Mr. Potato Head & Mrs. Potato Head.

We intended to watch the first showing since I plan to pass by the grocery afterwards. We first bought tickets for the 12:40PM showing at Cinema 5 in Trinoma then we went to McDonald's for lunch. Enzo almost finished off the 1-piece chicken hihihi!

We entered the cinema around 12:20PM or so and we were all excited. I am more anxious I guess whether or not Enzo will really watch the film in full. But guess what?! We finished it and Enzo was so so so behaved. I'm proud of my baby! He's really a little boy now...

I highly recommend the movie as well as it literally brought me to tears hahaha! Watch it folks!