Elmo's Phone

As part of my Birthday tradition to buy a gift for my baby on that day, I bought her an Elmo Cellphone. We left it at Tony Roma's in Ropponggi but luckily the staff kept it and hubby got it back after a few days.

The phone lasted for only a month. Rein broke it but the sound is still working, thanks to Japanese quality control. She's still using it but only the wires are holding it together.

She loves the phone and would always hold it anywhere we go.

7th Birthday!

My Nephew's 7th Birthday
SBB's Snail Scrap
Credits:
Shabby Princess
Fonts used Big Fish and Saginaw

Color Challenge {White}

For Jan's Color Challenge {Digichick}
Credits:
Flower by sbb
Font used Century Gothic

Postcard from Tokyo

A Birthday greeting to my Dear Sister in-law.

Credits:
Papers and ribbon by Digichick
Flower by sbb

Heritage Challenge

For Robyn's Heritage Challenge. {Digi Chick}
Credits:
Vintage Artistry by sbb
Fonts used Vintage Typewriter and Times New Roman

One year ago today!

A Baby Shower hosted by Bkk_Sisterettes {1 year ago today}
Credits:
Everything from Shabby Princess
Fonts used: Pharmacy and Scriptina

Insync and some updates

Finally, we are insync with Lost Season 2. We just finished watching Season 2 yesterday from Episode 1 to 8.

On Desperate Housewives
George is so pathetic and goody-goody person. I wish Bree realizes that. Is she blinded by love? Does she really love George? I don't think so. I don't know if Gab's way of grieving is through shopping. I was laughing out loud when the big guy handed her a balloon. It was such a relief to Gab and hopefully she'll get pregnant again or maybe the baby didn't feel wanted.

On Lost
I just hope that the ending of Lost is not some crappy series out there. Michelle Rodriguez playing Anna Lucia's role is the same policewoman like in SWAT, it's a stereotypical role again for her. {IMHO}

I love Elmo...

{Tuesday Font and Sketch Challenge with Gina}
Credits:
Paper and ribbon by SP

Fonts used Saginaw and Century Gothic

Getting Senti on a Friday night

Taken a few weeks before Rein's birth.

Credit:
Borders by Dani

My Little Miss

Credits:
Paper and doddle swirl by DDE
Font used Artistamp Medium

Funny Faces

Rein's playing with her Papa.
Credits:
Paper and overlay by Scrapartist
Film Strip by Escrappers
Ribbon by Shabby Princess
Font used MA Sexy and Problem Secretary

Whew...

I woke up around 10am. Hubby and Rein got up around 11am. I digiscrap while they were sleeping and created one for Ces.

We had bacon, egg and garlic rice for brunch.

We left for Takashimaya around 4pm and was able to find a cute party dress for Rein at Burberry. Hubby loves it, even the shoes. We looked at Ralph Lauren but most items are for winter.

We'll definitely go back to Burberry to buy it, hope it's still there. I'm also looking for something to wear on her birthday. I hope I could find one with my size. Or else I'll get it in Manila. I just want to buy and arrange everything before we get to Manila so we have ample time to spend with our families and friends.

We dined at Shakey's (thank God they have a branch here}. That's hubby's favorite pizza parlor. I didn't notice if he perspired, which he does all the time when he's enjoying his food.

Weather is getting colder each day. I was wearing a Bonnet but still I experience some headache.

Oh by the way, I smelled the latest perfume of JLo called Live and I'll definitely grab one next week.

Summer....

My Dear Friend with her Son at Koh Samet Island, Thailand.

{Belated Happy Birthday Ces!}
Credits:
Citrus Blossoms
Alpha from Diane Miller {SG}

Holiday tomorrow

November 23 is Labor Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi)in Japan.

We're going to have an American breakfast with an Asian twist (Bacon, Egg and Garlic Rice). We'll try to window shop for Rein's 1st birthday party dress at Takashimaya in Shinjuku. Hubby would like to visit Books Kinokuniya to look for another Vince Flynn book. Hopefully we'll get home early to watch the second season of Lost.

It was nice chatting with Judee and May, my sisterettes. Now I am even more excited to go back to Manila to see them and their kids.

Grow old with you!

My in-laws during their 33rd Wedding Anniversary December '04.
Credit:
Everthing from SBB {Vintage Artistry}

Snuggled...

Rein at 5 days old.
Ashley Olson {Shortcake}from West Coast Challenge.

My Li'l Fairy...

My Li'l fairy during MIL's Bday.
Credits:
Digi Chick and Heather
Butterfly doddle by Angie Briggs

Quote:
A child is like a butterfly in the wind. Some can fly higher than others, But each one flies the best it can. Why compare one against the other? Each one is different. Each one is special. Each one is beautiful.

On Lost {again}

Last night, we met up with Albert for the remaining Lost season 1 files. Then, we dined at the chinese restaurant that I've told you about. We got home early so we could start watching "Lost".
We'll finish the first season today, so we could start with the second season. I'm getting excited and thrilled everytime I watch it. It's mind boggling and would not stop you from watching. We slept past 4 am.
Thanks again Albert :)

I am....

Need to Scrap this one.
Credits:
SP {Urban Kiwi}
Edge Grungy White by DSP

Laughter

Entry for West Coast Scrap
Credits:
Paper and ribbon by 2peas
Font used Carpenter

About Me...

Credits:
Papers by Digi Chick
Flower by CG Essentials
Font used Feena Casual

The ABC Book of Rein { Her First Year }

I need to finish her ABC Album before end of the month for her 1st Birthday.

Real Chinese Food

Last night, I was craving for Ramen at Koboshi (our favorite ramen house) we ended up at a chinese restaurant about 10 mins. walk from our place . We've been seeing the place since we got here about 6 months now, but I was skeptic if the food is authentic and not so expensive.

We gave it a try and ordered "Hot and Sour Soup, Sweet Sour Pork, Chix and Yang Chow". It was a challenge to communicate with them since they don't speak english. Menus are written in Japanese also. But in the end we got our orders right.

The serving is good for 2-3 persons. The food is authentic and cheap for a place like this. We were full and kept on burping when we got home.

Surely love chinese food. Thank God there's one near our place. We'll definitely go back to indulge on authentic chinese food.

Chefs are from China.

On Lost and DH

We've been watching LOST (Season 1) since Tuesday night, thanks to Albert for the files. I have no plans of watching it on a weeknight since we will end up finishing the series. Last Tuesday, after watching Desperate Housewives, hubby asked me to watch Lost with him. So I gave in and we watched 3 episodes and slept a few minutes past 1am. We are way behind the schedule of Lost since they're now on Season 2. For sure we'll watch again tonight and try to finish it during the weekend to catch up. We're on Episode 7.

On Desperate Housewives
George is such a loser. He surprised Bree by blindfolding her and showing her the new house he's just bought - which he hopes she'll move into with him. He then springs his mother on her, and a ring! Flustered with his mother looking on, Bree reluctantly says yes. Later, her psychiatrist, Dr. Goldfine, advises her not to marry George just to be polite, since she doesn't really love him. It's like a shot gun wedding.

On Lost
I had qualms while I was watching it. First, I thought of Stephen King’s set-up on Dreamcatcher (how good it was but then failed to deliver at the end, maybe it’s just the movie) and some Twilight Zone episodes. It's merely about Surviving after a plane crash. But hubby says that the interesting part is knowing what the lives of these people were like before the crash and if there’s something in common among all of them (kinda like the movie Identity). I can't tell you more about the series since we have a lot more episodes to watch.

Rein's Cousin Bears

Picture of Miles, Nina and Rein.

Credits:
SBB
WordArt by Anne Aspnes
Flower doddle by Angie Briggs

A Dance with my Papa

They dance everyday, she enjoys it so much.

Credits:

Flowers from SBB
Quote from Mark Twain: Dance like no one is watching, Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and Live like it's heaven on earth.

Brotherly Love

I was thinking of my two sweet brothers last night, actually this morning. I slept before 5 am. I can't stop doing my digital scrapbook, it's so addictive.

Picture was taken at Dencio's Tagaytay.

Credits:

Paper from Addicted to Digital
Overlay Stitches from Ronna Penner
Overlay Cherish from 2peas
Fonts used Artistamp and MA Sexy

{ Pillow Talk } Bangkok in our Minds

Almost every night Hubby and I were reminiscing our 3 years stay in Bangkok. We missed a lot of things there and hoping we could spend our vacation there next year.

Here are some:

1. Hubby's office in Bangkok takes about 10 mins walk from our place, he comes home for lunch. His new office here in Tokyo is 1 hour away from home.

2. We lived in Sukhumvit Soi 8, near all major malls along Sukhumvit. You name it: Robinson which is walking distance from our place; Emporium 2 stations away going to Onut; Central Chidlom and World Trade plus Gaysorn 2 stations away going to Mochit; Siam Center & Discovery 3 stations away going to Mochit. There are two new malls near Siam, Paragon and SOGO (renovated) beside Hyatt hotel.

3. FOOD! Tony Romas and Pomodoro are just around the corner (actually in front of hubby's office), Subway sandwich, Via Vai Italian Resto, etc. Food is very cheap in Bangkok! There are stalls by the road side selling yummy thai noodles for 25 baht and thai bbq for 5 baht, not to mention the delicious Shawarma at Soi 3 (a street full of Middle Eastern restaurants).

4. Tuk-tuk service in our condo. And Taxis everywhere.

5. Redeemer Church is 1 station away (5 min. walking + short motorcycle ride), located in Ploenchit.

6. Beaches (Koh Samet and most specially Koh Samui) and nice places to go.

7. Massage (foot and body, really miss it)

I always compare our life there and here, it's totally different. I still prefer Bangkok but I enjoy the adventure that we're experiencing here. We're also starting to look for Rein's play school and the fees are for the filthy rich!

For more, please refer to: 54 Things I Love and will Miss About Thailand

My Best Friend's Long Awaited Son

Grace gave birth last Oct. 28, 2005. It was a memorable day for me. They have been waiting for a Baby Boy and finally he arrived.

Congrats again Grace and Manny! He is such an adorable baby.

Credits:
Brutcher Paper Denim Stitched from Adigimemory
Stitches from Rona Penner
Elements from Angi Jones and cg essentials

Developmental Milestones

10th Month

* Understands the concept of No, Yes, Give, Stand, Stay and Play
* Loves to play "Peek a Boo" using her own version
* Would call Mama for Food and Papa for Playing
* Can Stand alone for more than 20 sec.
* Gets upset when toys are removed from her hands
* Transfers objects from one hand to the other
* Claps her hands (Rein style)

10 Facts @ 10 Months

1. Would play hide and seek using the sofa, door, blanket or anything she can use to cover her face.
2. Can sit and stand on the backrest of the sofa.
3. Would fake a cry when we say no or don't do that. She'll blink her eyes continuously.
4. Would say a bunch of words when talking to us or when we say don't do that, as if she's giving her side of the story and sort of defending herself.
5. Loves to eat table food esp. nilaga.
6. Loves to drink veggie-fruit juices.
7. Kisses us goodnight with a big a-mwah.
8. Welcomes her papa with a hug when he gets home from work.
9. Loves her Elmo Cellphone.
10. Lifts up mama's shirt when hungry and will then go from one breast to the other.

Credits:

Papers from Shabby Princess
Stitches from SBB
Red Brad from SG
Fonts used Miss B, Christmas and Pharmacy

{ Rein's Birthday Party update }

Rein's 1st birthday is fast approaching, I just realized today that I only have two months more to finalize everything for the big day. I've always been known for being a worrier, I just hope it would turn out the way I want it to be.

Things that need to be done ASAP:

1. Layout for the invites
2. Table Centerpieces final design
3. Favors/Souvenirs (lootbags or backpack)
4. Cake design (can't decide on cake suppliers, I've got a lot of recommendations)
5. Program (need to coordinate w/ our party manager)
6. Stage layout
7. Photo Mosaic submission

As of the moment, we requested our photographer (Nelwin Uy) for a soft copy of our contract to facilitate 50% dp. For our catering, we asked Cay(Bro's gf) to contact La Comida for the contract so she could deposit the downpayment.

I'm so preoccupied these days. I hope I could finish the book I'm reading and plan to read after that or else it would take ages. I can only do my things while she's sleeping. I do her scrapbook past 12 midnight til about 3am, sometimes hubby's still awake reading a novel by Vince Flynn.

Family Flu Shot and Influenza 101

We just had our Family Flu shot today at the Gonohashi Kid's Clinic. A lot of babies and parents came for the shot. Some babies were crying. Our Li'l Rein didn't cry for the shot, but she cried when the doctor tried to open her mouth for a check-up. The rate for adult is ¥3,000 and for babies ¥2,000. We'll come back next month for another shot. Archie and I need this shot in order to avoid being the carrier and infecting Rein. A few days ago, I had a severe headache and cold.

The best time to get vaccinated is from October through November. The "flu season" in Japan is usually from November through April.

Influenza Facts
Influenza is a viral illness that can cause fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, usually about 1-4 days after being exposed to someone with the flu.

Symptoms are usually mild to moderate in most people, but can be more severe in the elderly or very young children, causing thousands of deaths each year (mostly elderly people).

You can get the flu if:
you are around someone with the flu that coughs or sneezes and the germs enter your body through your mouth or nose you touch something, such as a door knob or sink faucet, that has been touched and contaminated by someone with the flu, and you then touch your own mouth or nose.

Influenza Vaccine Facts
The influenza vaccine, is an inactivated or killed vaccine, and is changed each year to keep up with the most common strains of the influenza virus that are circulating and most likely to cause infections. The influenza vaccine is available for children over the age of six months. To produce a good response, the first year that they get it, children under nine years of age need two doses of the vaccine given at least one month apart. Children over nine years and younger children who have previously had a flu shot only need a single injection each year.

Vaccine side effects are usually mild, and may include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, fever, and/or aches, and usually only last for 1-2 days. Children under 12 years should receive the 'split virus' influenza shot, which is associated with fewer side effects than the 'whole virus' influenza vaccine. Children over 12 years and adults can receive either the split virus or whole virus influenza vaccine.

Our New Christmas Tree

We bought a new christmas tree yesterday. The old one that we got in Bangkok was so big (hypothetically). We've been looking for a not so expensive Christmas tree and gladly found one in Livin Department Store.

When I was single, our Christmas tradition is to put the tree on the first week of September (start of the "BER" months). My sister and I would clean the house and tree then put it all together. I would start buying gifts for my godchildren and family to fill the tree. When I got married, it was adapted by my new family. Archie and I would put the Christmas tree on my birthday or right after my birthday. September for him is kinda early.

Our Christmas motif for this year is Red and Gold. Last year it was Silver, being an OC (Obsessive Compulsive) and nostalgic person. Our holidays are extraordinary, especially now that we have a baby. I want her to remember every holiday from the day she was born. I would love to show her the scrapbook I made for her when the right time comes. Also, I would like to show it off to her kids so they would know the holidays that her mom's had and proudly say how she enjoyed growing up (that would be 30 years from now). Holidays are for kids and kids at heart. It's a fun thing to let them experience this.




We enjoyed putting up the decors for our Christmas tree. Rein was so amazed with the colors. She hasn't tried to remove the decor yet, but for sure she soon will…hehehe

Got a terrible headache last night due to colds. Rain started to drizzle, good thing we were almost home.

On The Amazing Race, the Gaghan family was eliminated. I love this family. Their spirits were always high and they were very positive. Carissa, who's 9 years old, cried and couldn't speak at the pit stop. I can see that she loved the game and how she wanted to stay in the race.

Party! Party!

We came a bit early for the party. The place is new to me and it was my first time. I brought her stroller so she could sleep or play. It was a day of fun for babies and kids. Rein was so behaved and she didn't remove her Pumpkin headband. It was a hit! A lot of mums came, it was a mixture of different cultures but everybody had fun.

We left past 3pm. I had a late lunch with Yu, I met her in the party, she was a Japanese but was raised in England.

Dinner at Sizzler

Our first family picture for Halloween 2005.

Rein's Halloween Party

Credits:
Angie Svoboda of DSP
Font: Haunting Attraction