Birthday Venue Look-Out

I have been on constant look out for a prospective place where to hold my baby's first birthday since I first decided on her party's theme. Today, I learned about this beautiful place inside the Cavite area which is recently being rented for big events such as weddings and debuts. It has a big pool beside the well-landscaped garden and a castle-like hall complete with airconditioning.

The only downside is, it would be a little far from our place and I doubt if all our friends could drop by considering it's a 30-minute drive from Tanza. Oh well, it's just one choice we have on our list, the first, that is... We still have a few more months to decide on the place. I have another one in mind, an exclusive clubhouse in a posh village nearby which my good friend, Atty. Grace suggested. There is another village with a posh ballroom venue which my friend and business partner Anne, could readily sponsor for me...

Visiting the two clubhouses is next on my agenda. =) Updates will be made as soon as we decide on the place. =)

The Royal Wedding..

The original plan was to go to Tagaytay for an early steak dinner at Firelake, but since the Royal Wedding will be shown on Lifestyle Network, I decided to forego our long-planned out date and chose to just watch Prince William & Kate Middleton tie the knot before millions of people worldwide...

It was like a dream come true, a fantasy we only read in books. A beautiful royal wedding which happens very seldom, but I was lucky enough to watch as it unfolded. (Thank God for cable) As Chingching happily chewed on her chubby fingers while Leih carried her , Mommy & I enjoyed some fastfood take out as we watched detail by detail how the wedding went by. I couldn't help but reminisce our 2009 fairytale-themed wedding and how carefully I picked out every detail to make it have that "royal" feel. I was happy to see that Kate's gown was as conservative as that of mine, with long sleeves made of lace, a beautiful diamond tiara and a long train to match it with.

I may have to make another schedule for the postponed steak dinner date with Leih. But truly, the wedding was worth a missed meal. =)

Online Shopping ~ A Hobby..

I got a new batch of shoes coming for Chingching. I asked Leih's cousin, Evan, to get me 3 pairs of shoes from Macy's which I chanced upon online, together with the 3-in-1 Avent Breastpump I ordered. Lately, I've been experiencing some pain on my wrist ~ a possible sign that my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome was recurring, due to constant pressure brought about by my breastpump.

I will be getting the goods in May when they get back from the States. I can hardly wait. =)

Nikki's 4th Month....

Chingching is officially 4 months old today!!!! Thank You Jesus...

She was scheduled for another check up with the doctor. And since we're going to Manila, Leih and I decided to make this a "family day" for us three. If you'll notice, I made Leih wear blue just like me and Chingching.

My daughter had been very brave with the vaccine, she didn't even cry after the doctor administered the vial. I couldn't be any prouder... Looks to me like I have one toughie in my hands...

After seeing Dr. Pamela Caedo, we went to grab a quick brunch at Contis - Greenbelt 2 and proceeded to Mothercare at Greenbelt 5 to get her a few clothes & shoes. Then off we headed to Mall of Asia for a late Thai lunch. The food was okay, nothing exceptional though but good enough for a first timer like me. =)

Before going home, we got her a Coffee Crunch cake from Red Ribbon, for her 4th month. (",)

Ever since we had Ching, shopping has always been about her. We barely got ourselves a few pieces. Not that I'm complaining. I just couldn't seem to resist the beautiful dresses I see. Being a new mother, I feel excited to dress up my little doll and take pictures of her whenever I get the chance.

This has been a great day. My little one's health is absolutely impeccable. I have nothing else to complain about. =)

Happy Third Month, Ching!!!!

Chingching is officially 3 months old today!!!! Thank You Jesus...

She was scheduled for another check up & DPT vaccine with the doctor. We left the house at around 9 in the morning and arrived at Makati Med just in time before lunch. Good thing Dra. Caedo was still at the clinic when we got there.

I decided to wear something casual since it was too much humid outside. I chose a black hugging shirt and my old jeans and to my amazement, I realized I lost a lot of weight three months after I gave birth to my daughter. I was more than happy to snap a picture of myself through the mirror as I finished dressing up. Yay for Mom's weight loss!!!!

Chingching gained a kilo and a few cms in height. The best news every month we always hope to hear... Before we went home, we dropped by Mall of Asia to get Ching a box of chocolate slathered cinnamon rolls from CINNABON. We put a number 3 candle on it which we lighted at home.

Till our next check up, little one.. =)

A Gastronomic Thai Adventure...

Today, Leih & I decided to wander off and eat something different for a change.. I am not a fan of Thai cuisine but Leih insisted that I try it just this once so off we went to this Thai Restaurant in Mall of Asia (forgot the name) to recharge for a whole afternoon of walking and shopping...

For starters, we had a plate of appetizer of Fresh & Fried Vegetable Lumpia & Shrimp Cakes.. And I must say, I looooved the shrimp cakes. It was delicious and very fresh on the palate... I could order a handful at any time of the day..



We also ordered a serving of Pineapple Fried Rice with Curry. First time to taste it with curry... Not much on my fave list but it wasn't that bad, really...


I loved the Crispy Pork & Beef on a bed of crispy cucumber salad and veggies.. More like the filipino version of Lechon Kawali...


And last but not the least, Leih's Thai adventure wouldn't be complete without his Chicken & Beef Satay, though I have no idea what it tasted. =)


All in all, our gastronomic Thai adventure went well. Enough to make us come back next time.. =)

Delicious Menudo Breakfast Rice ala Ayha

Leih is scheduled for a 5-day training at RWM so for a week, I will be up so early in the morning to fix him a good breakfast and prepare things for the baby before I leave for work myself.

Today, I prepared Menudo Rice for Leih. It was piping hot when I took it out of the pan. First, I thawed the menudo I bought yesterday and fried it altogether with the rice from last night. I then added a clove of minced garlic, some finely chopped leaks and I'm done. Paired with a banana and a simmering hot of freshly brewed coffee, Leih was so full when he left the table.

I felt good knowing he loved my breakfast... Gotta think of a new menu for tomorrow though. =)

Ching's Baby Bather...

This morning, I took out Ching's Baby Bather out of the box and for the first time, we bathed her using it... The baby bather was a gift from Mommy which we bought when I was still 6 months pregnant. It looked similar to a baby carrier, with pink flower designs and a headrest pillow to provide more comfort for the baby... Mommy excitedly watched and snapped pictures as I started shampooing our baby's hair, soaping her chubby body, rinsing her carefully until she was spic and span all over...

Bathing Chingching is so much fun for us, we're actually looking forward to this everyday.. This I will never get tired of doing. =)

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Today was Daddy's scheduled flight back to Saudi Arabia. He'll be gone for another six months and will be back by October or November.

Before he left, we took some pictures of him with Chingching and though he was apprehensive at first, he mustered enough courage to carry the fragile sweet pea in his arms for a good picture.

I'm sure Chingching's gonna miss my Dad just as much as we will miss him...

Have a safe flight, Dad.. We love you very much..