My Birthday Celebration & Ryan's First Father's Day

Unlike the 5 birthdays I've had away from home, my previous one was the first no-frills birthday that I've ever had.  In fact, it was a series of firsts: first birthday without a party, first birthday as a Mom, first birthday that I had to share the limelight with somebody else because it's his first father's day (not that I'm bitter, haha!), first intimate birthday celebration with my two loving boys. Ah, nothing gets better than that! So you see, even if I didn't get to celebrate my special day the way I used to, it's still just as special.  No, make that extra special :)

We had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's for some uber tender baby back ribs that reminded us of the tasteful version of Racks back home. We also orderd white fish & shrimps cooked the New Orleans way perfectly partnered with pilaf rice & steamed broccoli, which is my absolute fave.

Now on to the gifts:

bag bling from dear hubby

first blue box from my Pinoy colleagues

a bottle of perfume from Bessie B

a lovely greeting card from my friend at work, Loopins

with a bouquet of pink hued flowers, too

scrumptious Magnolia Bakery Cookies N' Cream cake from the de la Cruzes

a hotel voucher from cousin S & her hubby

and not to forget Daddy's gift

And what did we get for the first time Daddy?

a new toy!

Happy father's day, honey! Dade & I love you sooo very much!  You're a darling, Dad and we're so proud of you!  Kisses from your two babies!

Dream Luggage

For someone who lives halfway across the globe from her home, I am the type who makes it a point, no matter how expensive it may be, to fly home on a yearly basis to see my family and friends. Having said that, I would need a reliable set of luggage to use whenever I travel, whether to Manila or to other cities, because for me, a luggage that is only good for less than 10 flights is a total waste of money.

Don't get me wrong, I love, love our set of Lojel luggage, which has travelled with me to five countries already including the US.  It's super sturdy and really practical.  But if I have the money to spare, I would invest in a good set of luggage like Rimowa.



This is me being realistic because I guess I'll never, ever own a set of luggage from LV in my lifetime (unless I win big in the lottery which is also not possible in this part of the world!) Besides, I don't think I could ever pull off traveling with at least one LV luggage and eventually sit in coach, haha!

Irked To The Bones

A few weeks ago, our family went to the newest mall in town, the Mirdiff City Centre.  It was a Thursday evening after work so we decided to unwind, and what better way to loosen up after a busy workweek than to stroll around the mall and window shop.  We also checked out some stuff at the E-Max store where I let the husband drool over the accessories, gadgets and gizmos abound. He didn't leave empty-handed as he got himself a Hoya circular polarizer for the camera.

Anyway, as we were moving along from one store to another, something totally unexpected happened.  Out of nowhere came this local lady who darted to my son while he was strapped on to his stroller and planted a big kiss on his cheek -- with full hot pink lipstick on!  Husband and I were too shocked to move we just stood there frozen not knowing how to react.  Deep inside, I was soooo pissed and at the same time stunned so I just gave her my severest dagger look.  She looked like she was sorry for doing so and gave me an apologetic smile.  I looked away and focused my eyes on my poor li'l boy who almost got smothered by the lady's headgear.

cutesy boy who was stolen a kiss

cheeky smile

Ok, I get it that people find our baby adorable but we don't appreciate total strangers kissing him.  We consider ourselves kind of lenient already because we let him be touched on his feet, leg, arm, and sometimes even on his hand and face.  But no kissing please!!

So what did we do afterwards?  Thank goodness for hand sanitizers and baby wipes -- they come in quite handy.  I just hope next time this doesn't happen ever again!

Dade's 1st Birthday Save-The-Date

Just wanna share Dade's save-the-date for his first birthday party.  Please indulge me :)

thanks to SIL Kaye for the layout

Yes, we picked Sesame Street as the theme for Dade's first birthday.  We didn't consider any other theme for the party other than Sesame Street because for one, it's something that all three of us can relate to.  Plus it's got lots of characters so the party will be super colorful. Ooh, I can't wait to see how the party will turn out!  I'm sure it will also bring out the child in our adult guests, as well.

50 Random Questions

thanks Mandy for this tag! i'm tagging Mich & Vannie -- can't wait to see your answers, ladies!

1. What time did you get up this morning?
- 6:10 am

2. How do you like your steak?
- Medium well please

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
- Shrek Forever After

4. What is your favorite TV show?
- F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is my all-time favorite TV show -- I never get tired of watching reruns over and over again.  But i do like SATC, CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, House & Glee, too.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
- Like Mandy, I want Italy to be my baby.  The countryside would be perfect for me.

6. What did you have for breakfast?
- chicken & seafood fried rice

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
- Italian, Spanish & Chinese
8. What foods do you dislike?
- exotic food

9. Favorite place to eat?
- I like to eat at Chili’s, Macaroni Grill & The Noodle House (I hope they bring back the old menu)

10. Favorite dressing?
- ranch

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
- I don’t drive, but we do have an Outlander

12. What are your favorite clothes?
- i love casual dresses & jeans

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
- I’d like to visit Mauritius, Western Europe & Japan

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
- half full

15. Where would you want to retire?
- in the Philippines – somewhere in Laguna (Los Banos, maybe)

16. Favorite time of day?
- night time, when everyone's asleep :) -- same here. I think that’s automatically your favorite time of the day once you become a Mom

17. Where were you born?
- Manila

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
- basketball & tennis

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
- I don’t know

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
- not expecting anything here
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
- no one in particular
22. Birdwatcher?
- nope
23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
- night person
24. Do you have any pets?
- 2 dogs back home
25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?
- nothing. I’m boring right now, I know.
26. What did you want to be when you were little?
- a newscaster
27. What is your best childhood memory?
- Going to the province with my cousins for summer holidays to visit my maternal grandfather’s side’s farm. Oh, the memories of taking a dip in the river, eating halo-halo, harvesting tomatoes, running in the pilapil and playing all day long.
28. Are you a cat or dog person?
- dog person
29. Are you married?
- happily :)
30. Always wear your seat belt?
- Always whenever I sit in front, and sometimes when I sit at the back (although I’m trying to make it a habit to do so, too)
31. Been in a car accident?
- several, but thank God those were only fender bender ones
32. Any pet peeves?
- people who have no respect of others’ privacy, inconsiderate people, those who jump the queue, know-it-all jerks & bluffers (sheesh, I have lots of pet peeves, and these are just on top of my head!)
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?
- cheese, pepperoni, onions and bell pepper
34. Favorite Flower?
- lilies & tulips
35. Favorite ice cream?
- Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough & Chunky Monkey
36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
- McDonald's, Burger King, Hardee’s & of course, Jollibee
37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
- never (back home). I hope I don’t fail my test here in the UAE (if I get the courage to finally drive here!)
38. From whom did you get your last email?
- work email: from a colleague
- personal email: from Thor Productions
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
- Hermes to get me a Birkin 35 cm bag (as if my hubby will allow that!)
40. Done anything spontaneous lately?
- none. I'm so boring right now
41. Like your job?
- yes. It’s interesting
42. Broccoli?
- oh yes! love it!
43. What was your favorite vacation?
- our trip to Jordan last 2008. It was fun amid the sweltering heat. It was kind of an adventure for hubby & I -- one trip we will never forget :)
44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
- my habibi & our little baby Dade
45. What are you listening to right now?
- the staccato sound of keyboard being typed on
46. What is your favorite color?
- pink
47. How many tattoos do you have?
- none
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?
- two
49. What time did you finish this quiz?
- 11:47 am
50. Coffee drinker?
- yes. in fact, i finished half a cup while answering this

Happy 10th Month, Dade!

Here's wishing out darling baby the happiest 10th month celebration!  Look at our cuddlepie! Isn’t he the cutest? 

Thanks Ninang B for coming over to celebrate with us (and for picking me up from work, and accompanying me in buying Dade’s yummy-licious ice cream cake)!  And of course, thank you for the nice gifts you got for Dade. Now he’s all set to go swimming again in his new pair of swim shorts.

ice cream cake is the way to go

grumpy monkey looking on

Ninang feeding the li'l boy his share of organic spaghetti

He’s grown so rapidly over the course of 10 months that I actually feel a bit sad to see him do things he never used to do.  Like for instance last night, as I was reading him The Very Hungry Caterpillar, he practiced standing up on his own for almost an hour, enjoying the glory of this wonderful “look Ma, no hands experience.”  Oh he’s truly a little big boy now! What can Mommy do to keep you her baby forever, honeybunch?