11 Month Shenanigans

This week, he started hiding things behind him. Aside from his ridiculous strong grip, he will hide an object behind him when he doesn't want me or his Dada to take it away - these are the generally not allowed objects (still safe). 

Now as workaround, if it's trash I will take him with me to the trash bin and ask him to help me dispose it. We of course have to sing on our way to the trash bin. 

We will then praise him once he's disposed of the trash. He will celebrate with us with his mighy "Yehey" and a lot of yelling and clapping. 

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We had our pictures taken at UFoto, a Self Portrait Studio. 

I wanted this to be a family December tradition, for Christmas and their birthdays.  

Little one wasn't in his playful mood so we only got a few smiling shots of him. The good thing though, he was looking at the camera in almost all of the pictures. The red blinking light did the trick.

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He's been practicing standing without support, and though he's still far from walking independently, we are already so proud of all his milestones. 

Yesterday, he tried drinking his milk using straw. It took several sips before he figured it out. It's amazing to watch him figure things like these out even though I had no way of explaining it to him or modeling it to him.  

He started fake subo to us. He would hand his food bits close to our mouth then take it back, smiling while doing so.

We are also trying to wean him off of his pacifier. We're on Day 3 I think.

I now understand why other parents say that kids grow up too fast. I guess they really do.

1st Farm and playground Experience 

Yoki's Farm

12/11/2022

Buffet Breakfast

Farm Hills Garden

12/11/2022

1st swing experience 

SOMO Vista Mall 

12/15/2022

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Another Empty Promise to Self

"Magpa payat na tayo"  

...then proceeds to dine at another kapitbahay restaurant 

Crouching Mama  

Shasha's Treats

At talagang nag desserts pa

The verdict:

Masarap pareho. Pinaka favorite ko yung sawsawan ng krawpek! Muntik ko nang inumin yung Sinamak nila.

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CKAD

Mombies went for quick cocol at Starbucks Alabang West Parade. We've completed the required stickers and planned on redeeming a Starbucks Tradition. I find the steel tumbler really pretty, but I still ended up getting the planner. Afterall, I might receive a flask either from boss ke ate ;)

The planner is also pretty with all the nice little shiny shimmering details.I got the champagne one since my 2020 planner came in black.

Pero ayun pagdating namin, nagkayayayaan muna kumain. We had meriendinner at Ippon Yari. Can't say no to Japanese cuisine. 

I had a delicious cheese hirekatsu. But Yabu pa rin winner sakin when it comes to Katsu.

The following day, takas date naman with hubby at Cool Kids All Day (CKAD).

Nag takeout lang kami sa Mexican food place tapos brought it at CKAD and bought drinks there. Nung una namin yun ginawa, nag beer pa kami pero sobrang bloated dahil ang bigat nung burrito. 

This time nag quesadilla lang ako and nachos, and no alcohol dahil 0600-1400 shift , for now.

May pa sounds, tables and chairs, big lawn to picnic, and string lights dun sa CKAD kaya siguro dami tumatambay.

When we arrived last night, naka full blast December Avenue. 2010 nung unang shinare ni Alidogz yun, wala pa yung piano/organ player. Zel, Jem, Dondon, and Jet pa lang. Instantly fell inlove. Tapos nag gig-chasing ako. Kung sinu-sino niyaya ko, may after 2PM shift sa 19East, sa Saguijo, amd yung mga bigger venue. Tapos ang sipag ko maki interact on Twitter, feeling close talaga. Hanggang sa naalala na ko and recognize, nag hi sakin si Zel nung Sonicboom gig sa Eastwood; "Khaz, right?" ayun kilig si fan girl. Tapos nung magpapa picture kami kay Jem, niyaya nya kami punta where the rest of the band is. Sobrang FC haha. 

Going back to 2022, ayan sa labas ng All Day na lang ang gig date namin, lol. 

Pero my heart, kakakilig din talaga watch our baby grow. Yesterday nung nag read kami bedtime book nya, he pointed at the Boots and again sa next page. Kaka proud kahit simple bagay lang.

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Tell Me the Story of Your Proudest Moment

"What kind of year has this been for you? Tell me the story of your proudest moment?"

I've been very vocal about my struggle with motherhood. It's a constant battle of trying very hard while second-guessing every step of the way.  

One proud moment I immediately thought of is teaching LO maneuver to crawl. I believe all babies do things in their own timeline. But it made me proud that somehow I saw significant improvement after teaching him where to put his knees and arms etc. Same goes, when I taught him "feet first" when getting off of the matress. Those little wins are precious to me. Those were the moments I feel we're doing alright.  

Technology is two-faced coin. 

It helped me a lot with things we struggled with. At the same time, it's seeing how others do parenthood sparked my insecurities.  

Truth is, it still makes me sad not being able to breastfeed LO. 

I pumpled a little bit and still have the washi tapes of my "date/time + oz collected" labels on my wall; albeit rather few.

He was able to latch; I hope I don't forget that. But those times were very brief, as if he only suckled for comfort. 

Maybe someday I will be able to finally move past this bitterness, he's turning one afterall and doing great with solids through baby-led weaning. 

Surely there are other aspects of my life, but for now my world revolves around this tiny human beside me.

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In the quietest of the night 

I am no longer a woman, not a wife, not a mother;

I am reduced as a grieving daughter

The Little Curry House and my IKEA Pasabuys

Reiko and Danica went to IKEA to shop for Dan's dining chairs.  

Nag take advantage na lang ako and nagpasabuy nung mga items na naka add to cart ko. 

Madami pa sana ako gustong bilhin, pero ayun nga mahirap nga pala kami.  

Buti na lang niyaya ako ni Boss ng food trip, medyo sumaya ako.  

Ang sarap dito! Dayuhin nyo! Kaso tiny restaurant and street parking lang.  

Little Curry House

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Crispy Pata Daysss

So ayun, the following day dumating si tita Karen at nag request ng....... Crispy Pata. Buhay pa naman kami at natuloy din mag bibingka with Nurse Ninang Tata Tiw and Ninong Kikomelon.  

Hindi talaga nagpa awat katakawan ko, pag uwi naman Sibyulee date with Mombies. 

Proud na proud na ko sa hindi ko pag rice. Pero nakarami sa bulgogi, kimchi, and that sweet potato thing.  

Also proud na di na rin nagkape dahil kung magkataon ika 3rd cup na yon. 

Bakit ako ganto???

Kabuwanan weight pa rin magbbirthday na anak ko. Huhu stahhp na self!!!

Plug ko lang affordable food tray with the Best sisig in Pulilan 

Photodump ng mataba at matakaw--

Late na kami, hangry na ang mga bagets

Oh hello SM Pala-Pala

Kila Inang

Pasyal slash Daddy's first attempt to get baby to like sports

Content creator slash Foodie yannnn?

Christmas in our belly

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Crispy Pata Day

Flippin thru the pages of my 2022 Starbucks Planner slash journal para ijustify ang pag-papa biktima ko sa consumerism at mag start ulit mag collect ng stickers for 2023 planner.  

This year's planner entries were mostly Nikokai's appointment and some random gala.  

I just need to write somewhere, and by somewhere I mean my annual Starbucks planner.

Anyway, I found OG yaya's new Facebook account! Di sya nag reply nung huling beses na kinamusta ko sya on her old account. Sabi nya kasi kay Ali nagka sunog sa area nila. Di ko alam if there's any truth to that.  

I'll admit, hinanap ko sya, okay? And I know nga na mahilig sya mag create ng bagong account, which according to her, is because nalolock or something, forgets password and 'di makabalik.

Ganto pala feeling ng ghino-ghost! 

Iniisip ko pa man din send-an sya and her daughter ng something dahil magbibirthday na sila. 

Oh well, buti na lang hindi na sya maaalala ni Nikolai.  

And while on the yaya topic, new Ate is MMK lead character at best and Tulfo main at worst.

She's amid yet another domestic problem with a partner, involving a relative to add to the turmoil. 

She's emotionally charged and there's no reasoning to her anymore. Wish ko lang, after the storm has passed eh makapag focus na sya sa work nya, more importantly, wag nya iwan Nikolai. 

...

Bb is now 10 months! And we've started preparations for his 1st Birthday + Baptism.

Unfortunately for my wallet, we cannot celebrate both at the same time.

Enter, Pag IBIG loan. Tyinaga namin to pila at Pag IBIG Office in Robinson's Las Piñas sooo early in the morning.

At kami lang talaga minalas na nasaktuhan ng technical issue, which consumed almost half a day. Sayang ang play time with bb. 

...

I just heard couple of weeks ago na this undas naka "Wellness Break" sila Riley from school. How I wish may ganito din para sa mga private employees on top of the Vacation Leave credits we incur! 

Right now, I'm just making the most out of my new schedule transition. Nasaktuhan for k'A's birthday and dalaw at Memorial Park na rin. Dinikitan ko na rin ng isa pang VL para di haggard pag uwi ng Bulacan.

Ang traffic everywhere agad. Nakaka guilty na saglit na saglit lang visit namin sa sementeryo dahil late kami and gutom na kids.

And after lunch, ano pa nga ba, edi kape. Nakapambudol ako ng 11 stickers, the planner goal will come to realization sooner than expected. 

Pag umuuwi Bulacan, I expect proper lafang, whether sa bahay ni Mama, kila Inang, or elsewhere.

But 'di ko intention na mag crispy pata for lunch AND dinner.

May inoorderan kasi si Mama. Naka ilang beses na rin.

Dinalhan sila Inang kasi di pa nakakatikim, also nandun si tita Myra.  

Buti medyo nag pigil ako. Kasi usapan nga na foodtrip kami nila Kiko and 'to Nolz.

Bibibgka is what I had in mind, tho ang message ko kay Kiko is sisig and Starbucks (para mambudol). 

For dinner - nagdala ng luto nya si tito Nolz. Lechon Kawali, Sisig, and Crispy Pata.

Walang halong bola, isa sa pinaka masarap na nakain ko in recent while 'tong sisig ni tito Noli! 

Ganto ineexpect ko kaya ako nagyaya ako mag Pampanga. So oks kang kahit hindi na kami tumuloy dub. Solved na ko.  

Tomorrow is another day. See you again very soon Ka Resty Bibingka!

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Longer than a Tweet

Bb is sick and has on off fever since yesterday.

I absolutely hate it when I can't help him.

It's awful when challenges just arrive one after the other.  

Since getting a new yaya, he's been so clingy. I gotta be honest though, it's nice to be his favorite person once again; I doubted my rank since he was very close with OG yaya.  

I just hope he sleeps better tonight.  

And what was I thinking, getting latte at 4pm?  

I knew I wanted to have a quick walk with bb. There's just no park to walk to, so we ended in a café.

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Random Things and Stories

Went out on coffee date with husband yesterday morning (3 days ago na irl). Sinusulit dahil by next week new yaya na. More praning na ulet and hindi maiwan bb.  

The coffee shop we went to is called Sentro Fortis Café. It is located just by the gate of Victoria Homes at the end of Daang Reyna.

Mas mahal than our usual indie kapehan, but they brew Yardstick coffee and etong pain au chocolat is so delish.

The year is 2022 and "Team Building" is still a thing. Ang layo ng venue buti na lang mamsh Doanne is sipag and magaling mag navigate bandang Gatchalian. 

And buti ka-team ko sila. I enjoyed mga dating team building back nung Diageo and extended fam ka-join. I have still yet to connect with "new" teammates. Fortunately, office besties are in the same team, so I don't really feel left out. 

From now on, this is my official hotel breakfast buffet combo starter. Kaya kapag walang Egg/Omelet station, nakakalungkot. 

Also, note starter. Dahil kakain pa rin ng all of the above depende sa kung ano offered. 

This beauty of a platter was from Crimson Hotel; P900 for walk in guests. We had breakfast there to celebrate Mina's birthday last 9/10. 

Finding Donna.

Barely a guest on a Saturday morning. 

I miss her. It's been a year and I'm still lost for words.  

And for now, all we can do is gather every now and then, and be there for each other. 

 

I wasn't this adventurous with food when I was younger. Now, mga favorite ko are from nearby Periperi and Thai food place, Tolit's Peri-peri and Somthai respectively. 

Random Maternity shoot photo. Hindi ko na nabalikan yung Photobook project ko dahil tinamad ako coz I keep getting an error na kulang ang images. 

Sobra Cafe in Molito Alabang and Cafe Beam in Baliuag are like aesthetics sister cafe. Posting for interior inspo kahit forever changing ang taste.

You've reached the end of this post. Here's bb enjoying bibingka. 

Kthxbye.

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Sobrang miss ko na sya. She deserved so much more than what the universe had given her. She deserved more from us, her children.

Nahihirapan pa rin ako mag cope. I was told to "honor your grief". Pero hindi ko kaya to move a step closer to acceptance. 

A lot of days I look okay, but that's probably my refusal to realize that I'm trapped. Na, eto na yun, wala na sya. 

Palagi ko kni-kwestyon bakit di man lang sila pinag tagpo ng anak ko. 

Mahaba habang panahon pa siguro na ganito yung sakit. 

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The Walang Makakwentuhan Post

Will my blog turn into "All-things-baby" blog? 

As much as I prevent it from happening, I am slowly turning into "THAT Mom". Yung meron 971 photos ng baby sa phone gallery, yung dating travel, food, lifestyle Feed sa Instagram turned to baby photo album, and over sharenting (root: share + parent) on Facebook. 

It's inevitable.

LO started solids few weeks back and I never thought that it could be this enjoyable to watch at the same time extremely nerve wracking! 

We attended webinars for infant first aid and learned about gagging vs choking, but still the first time he gagged on his food, I felt blood drained from my face.  

But how fun to watch him enjoy his meal eventhough most of the food we prepare end up on the floor.

I suggested to Ali to serve him salmon, partly coz I'm also craving for it. His response was "Bakit ang mahal ng mga gusto mong ipatapon sa kanya?!".   

Looking at the list of the food that he has tried so far, I see that I was partially biased. First food/veggie - squash, first fruit - avocado. 

Side kwento the Tarlac trip, avocados, tray of eggs.

It's OG Team Gastritis Little Espresso, Tobias Griffin's 3rd Birthday. 

I guess, yes time flies!

Another staycation sponsored by Team Condo. We went to Tarlac City to attend Toby's birthday party. 

Naki pictorial and kain lang kami coz it was a pool party and baby is not allowed to go swimming yet. 

Before going back to Cavite, ang daming pabaon ng pamilya Puri plus all of Toby's hand-me-downs.

On few occasion, I return to my old self. 

Last July 14, I had late lunch slash coffee date with friends after our onsite shift. 

We are scheduled to report onsite once a month which equates to catching up day with whoever is also in the office. RTO = Chika slash pictorial slash foodtrip day.

Jenna left Vz last year, but went to Alabang to meet us and tagged her bunso along; her Copy + Paste, Hayley. 

Before we bid our goodbyes, Erliza said "Sana next time may dala ka na rin maliit (pertaining to Nikolai)" and I immediately cut her off "Ay hindi, dalaga ako pag RTO".

Sorry na 'nak, Mom needs a bit of "Me time" for my sanity. 

But being away from baby is tough; even more if he's only left with yaya.

We are fortunate enough to get a trustworthy and mabuting tao yaya. I feel her sincerity towards LO and trust her enough to leave him with alone with her sometimes. That's why we have takas na movie dates and cocol.

Yesterday was my cousin's wedding in Antipolo. 

Babies and weddings don't really mix well, so we ultimately decided to leave him home kahit pumayag naman si Jay for us to bring baby. 

I was already missing him before we even left the house! He was taking a nap and I couldn't play with him.

I guess part of my worry is that we are couple of hours away, and wala nearby relatives sa bahay coz we're all at the wedding. 

But we survived, kahit medyo eat and run kami. 

I felt guilty because I know how much time, effort, and money it takes to prepare for an event like this, tapos hindi tatapusin ng guests.

But circumstance was different. Anyway, we were home in time for afternoon play. And ODK, baby was soooo excited to see us!!!

I've never felt more loved! 

I enjoyed playing with him, give him bath, read to him, and cuddled til he fell asleep. 

Indeed a beautiful journey unfolding.