I Hope....

Rein's pic after her 1st Birthday. Taken at Oddy's {Thai Resto} in Greenbelt, Makati during our short vacation.

Everything from SP

Aidan's 2nd Birthday

Karen, May and Yours Truly

We attended Aidan's Birthday last Sunday. I met Aidan's Mom through N@W. May {another N@W} and her family came. Before reaching their door, we smelled the yummy food that she's cooking. Rein was so happy coz she got a playmate again although they don't like the same game. Rein managed to mingle and play a little with him. She was happy seeing sooo many toys in Aidan's room. She had a blast.

It's a small world after all... It's a small world after all. I'm singing this song coz it was indeed a small world for Archie and his high school classmate in Don Bosco Makati. After years of not seeing each other, they met during Aidan's Birthday. He was Aban's {Karen's hubby} former officemate. They were chit-chatting the whole time.

We were sooo full that time. Her spaghetti, lumpiang prito were all delicious, not to mention her Leche Flan.

I'd like to thank Karen and her family for attending Rein's Bday in Manila. They were leaving the next day but took time to drop by.

Credits:

Papers by CG Essentials and SBB

Flower by Gina Miller

Beaded swirl and Crossed staples by 2peas

Chinese New Year {Kung Hei Fat Choi!}

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4704 begins on Jan. 29, 2006.

Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.

A Dog Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in dog years tend to be loyal, kind, and generous. They will work to right wrongs and are able to keep secrets. Bill Clinton, Shirley MacLain, Benjamin Franklin, and Jane Goodall were all born in the year of the dog.

Fireworks and Family Feasts
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.

A Mother...

For Sarah's Color Challenge {TDC}

Credits:
Awfully Chocolate kit by Jasbeanie. Paper clip by Laura Alpuché. Mini tags by SP

Ebi {Shrimp} Fillet is BACK

Wow! I'm so glad that McDonald's brought back the Ebi Fillet. I really love it so much but it was gone last December to give way to a new product or trial. When it was offered months back, I always had it once a week. Rein and I were done with our grocery and play time at the nearest strip mall and passed by at McDonald's and saw it. Without further ado, I ordered and had a very nice afternoon snack, of course with my li'l one.

Hubby doesn't want to taste it. He said it was kinda weird to have shrimp on a burger. He's missing a lot.

I'm planning to have it again anytime this week.

What Scrapbooking item are you?

You are STICKERS!
You like brightening things up in life and decorating your living space with your own personal style. You are versatile and able to get things done with a stick-to-it attitude. People love your colorful personality and personal flair! You like exploring new things and are willing to try anything once. But Stickers beware - sometimes you like to stick to someone that you like a little too much and take them into your confidence a little too easily. Your personality tends to make you a steadfast friend, but make sure the friends you choose are worth your efforts!

What scrapbooking item are you?

Thanks Andrea. That was fun!

A Glimpse....

Bundle of Joy
Quote reads:
Into your arms, this gift.
Into your life, this love.
Into your world, this being.
Into your soul, this blessing.
Credits:
Paper by dde. Black Stiched, Bow and Alpha by SP. Flowers by Dani, Taran and Susan.



{Letter from Papa}

Jounaling reads:
I would like you to always remember that you are a Miracle! You are a winner! You are special! We are so blessed to have you in our lives. I am sure that you will hear this story over and over and over again about how God gave you to us as his most precious gift. Your Mama and I were told by our doctor that in order for your mom to get pregnant, she must take some medicines to aid and prepare her body for pregnancy. Your mom was scheduled to start this medication on June 2004 so we were not really expecting her to get pregnant anytime before that. We went into a traveling spree going to three different places to relax and unwind prior to this date. We were told that when your mom starts the medication, the doctor needs to monitor her progress regularly and that she must rest most of the time. But when we were in Koh Samui, you we’re finally conceived, naturally and without any medication. That’s why you are a miracle. Your conception went against the circumstances at that time. We were so shocked when the doctor told us that you might have been conceived around April 13 to 15, 2004. That was during the Thai Songkran Festival
Credits:
Homespun by Amy Tanabe. Paper clip and border by Laura Alpuché. Flower by Dani Mogstad

Snowy Day

{First time to experience Snow in Tokyo. }

Credits:
Date Stamp, Staples and Arrows by KPertiet
Papers and frosty by Hunibuni

The Sassy Sisterettes

Finally, we met again last January 7, 2006. These Sassy Sisterettes add color to my life.

Credits:
Wordart by DD
Flowers by Susan B
The rest from TConyers

{A THANK YOU CARD}

A Thank you card was sent to our families and friends who took time to celebrate Rein's 1st Birthday at the Ramon Magsaysay Hall last January 8, 2006

Please take a look at Rein's1st Birthday Party

Credits:
SBB
Ribbon, Tag Vellum and Knotted Ribbon by Anita S
Library Tag by 3S

10 Days of Fun-filled Vacation in Manila

Jan. 4
Our flight was delayed due to Hydraulic Leak. We were behind our schedule for about 45 mins. Finally, we arrived in Manila past 12 midnight and we thought that our cellphone was working but it was not. So I asked hubby to ask someone if we could borrow his cellphone and use our sim card so we could make a call to my in-laws. We got home at around 2 am. On our way home we bought some food at Jollibee Shell at South Super Hi-way. Had a very late dinner and slept past 4am. When Rein saw her grandparents and auntie she was so quiet and just looked at them. After a few minutes when we got home, they carried her and she liked it and was playing with Hello Kitty dressed in a Santa Costume.

Jan. 5
Went to Duty Free to buy some chocolates for our family and prizes for Rein's Bday. Dined at "Little Quiapo” in BF Paranaque. Then proceeded to Alabang to have my hair done. I was also looking for Rein's shoes since most shoes available in Tokyo are for winter. While we were having our hair done, Rein was playing with her grandparents. It took us 2 hours to finish everything but she didn't cry the whole time she was with her grannies.

Jan. 6
A lot of things happened on our way to Manila. We had an ocular inspection at the Ramon Magsaysay in Roxas Blvd., had lunch at Emerald Chinese Restaurant and was stopped by a police for a violation (beating the red light). We were all busy trying to locate the place and we didn't notice the stop signal. We were talking to these two guys and the rest is history. Finally, we found Jollibee and discussed how we wanted the food and the time of delivery to RMH. We also made the 50% DP and got the toy freebies which we planned to include on the prizes. We went straight to Robinson's to buy gifts for my Sisterettes’ kiddos. I intended to buy stuff in Tokyo but all clothes are for winter. I love Gingersnaps and I bought all the gifts there. It was really a hectic day for us plus the thought of Rein's Birthday and the nitty-gritty of the party.

Jan. 7
Before going to Nila's House, we went to Elar's Lechon in QC for the DP and to buy some lechon for our friends. It's been a long time since we last see each other and I'm very grateful that we had the chance to mingle, update and chikka to the max. Our hubbys were outside (not playing poker) and girls were inside with the kids doing some updates and exchanging gifts. We left before 6pm to pick-up my MIL and dropped by at ATC to buy something for Rein. Last minute shopping for Rein's Big Day.

Jan. 8
I Woke up a bit early, very excited to take pictures of our li'l princess. I always wanted a Princess theme but decided against it since she can't enjoy being a princess and Elmo has a special place in her heart (Elmo was the first character that made her smile). Everything was set for the party and we left a bit early to check the place and see what's going on. I will make a separate email about her Birthday kwento and Suppliers’ ratings.


Jan. 9
Rein got sick since last night. I thought she was just tired but when we checked her temperature around 6am it was still 38.4. Archie rushed to Mercury Drug to buy some meds. The whole family rested and was constantly checking her condition. It was immediately gone after 1 dose of meds although I still called her pedia at Asian Hospital to check if she can still take the HIB3 vaccine or if we have to wait until she's fully recovered.

Jan. 10
We went to Sampaloc to visit Archie's favorite Aunt. Left before 3pm and went straight to our favorite hangout when we were still dating. Rockwell is so special to us and I have vivid memories of the times we spent there. During that time, only a few people knew of the place. I bought a gift for Archie and he opened it right away. He played billiards with my brother. And Lawrence (3rd sibling) accompanied us and bought some stuff. We had dinner at Dencio's (Archie's Fav) and went home past 10pm.

Jan. 11
We had our Annual check-in at the Renaissance Hotel to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. It was so much fun now since we have Rein. People were asking if that was our 2nd honeymoon and I shrugged my shoulders and lifted my eyebrow. Times are hard and having a second baby is not our priority. Rein just turned 1 and I want to enjoy her toddlerhood.

Jan. 12
Whew! We were excited to see what breakfast buffet they have. During our stay at the Renaissance, Food has always been our top choice. My schoolmate from College still works at the said hotel and she was surprised to see our Baby. She helped us find a comfy table for our li'l one and was so helpful in attending to our needs.

Jan. 13
It was so relaxing to have a massage every week to de-stress and revitalize. I wish I could do it in Tokyo. The Spa in Alabang is a great place. The ambiance is so relaxing. They have the best masseuse and ginger tea. I still look forward to have a massage at The Spa and Lodge at Tagaytay Highlands.

Jan 14
Please refer to my Post dated January 16.

A Stressful Day @ the Airport

It was THE most stressful travel day for us. We were hassled from check-in to boarding. First, our baggage reached 106+ kilos, we only had 50 kilos total allotment. We asked if they could accomodate the excess baggage since some people didn't have much to bring. But they didn't allow us and we were advised to pay 32,000++ pesos (@ $12/kilo). About the same price of a round-trip ticket to Tokyo. Worst thing was we didn't bring the cellphone. Archie called his father via a payphone and luckily he arrived back at the airport before our boarding time.

I forgot to bring the original marriage certificate for a Travel Tax discount, so I paid 1,600+. I have the photocopy but they were asking for the original one, I didn't want to argue with them about it since we were having a bad day already.

Rein pooped and was crying the whole time. And there were people who were on our flight but queued on the other NW flight since it was shorter. Then one of the staff put them in front of us that made us angry and hubby couldn't take it anymore and he talked to that person. And there went the NAIA personnel down to the Security Guard who power tripped. Some won't even help you even if you were carrying a baby and would bang on your car to vacate the temporary parking slot even if he saw you carrying a heavy baggage. Yan ang Pinoy!

Then upon arriving at Tokyo the weather was terrible. It was raining like there was a storm and it was very cold. Luckily, our aunt picked us up from the airport. If not we may all have gotten sick.

Nearing One

Rein is turning One in a few days :)

Credits:

Cheryl Wray

T Conyers

Happy Birthday 2 my Brother Louie!

May you have more years to come! See you soon.
My first post for 2006!