Check out our latest family photo. That's me at 37 weeks. Huge as a hippo with whole body aching like an 85-year-old lady. With Sandy, I wasn't in pain like this but maybe it goes with age? We're talking about giving birth four years ago when I was in better shape. Also now, I wasn't as diligent in exercising in the treadmill so that could be a reason as well. I just hope it will be as easy this time around when labor starts!
So much social activities this May. I only wish I have enough time in my hands to go to all of them. And not only that, we only have a month or so before our little bambina comes out. We are so excited but so not ready for sleepless nights just yet. Which is why I'm doing what I can to get rest and spend time with my husband and daughter. I've also been accepting multiple design projects so I can save more money. Even though I work from home, I want to take off for at least a month without worrying about not getting new projects. We've saved enough for hospital bills, baby shopping and baptism without touching our main savings account so I'm really happy with the way things are going.
We just finished cleaning up one of the smaller rooms in our house. It's the one nearest our bedroom and small enough for Sandy and the Husband whenever they want to play PS2 or watch videos. That way, they won't disturb me and the baby when we're trying to sleep. When I first checked it out, I was saddened to see that the closet was filled with old stuff and there weren't enough storage space. But after convincing the Husband to throw away most of the unusable items and sold the ones that can still be salvaged, we were left with two whole cabinets ready to be filled with "new" junk from the master's bedroom. So now, all the things that we don't use that much was moved to the smaller room. This leaves our master bedroom with lots of space for my new computer table and a future queen-sized sofa bed which will be used by Sandy and the Husband. Another great project done!
To those who don't know yet, I am currently 3 months pregnant. This explains my lack of updates and why I am unbelievably stressed right now. If only I can have one of those cancun honeymoons that Karisma Hotels are known for. The massages on the beach, lying down on beach beds with retractable curtains for privacy, your choice of sumptuous dinners or as simple as watching the blue waves crash down on the white sandy beaches.
But even if I can't have a vacation now, there's no stopping me in daydreaming and wishing that someday I can experience one of the hotels in Karisma. I'm especially interested to see the Hidden Beach Resort at the Riviera Maya. It caters to nudists and is a secluded, adults-only property. Of course, I couldn't see myself baring it all which I'm sure already disqualifies me to an entrance. Still, I've never been an adults only hotel before and it could be really interesting.
Another hotel I'd like to try is the Azul Beach Resort. Since it caters to families, this is more the type that will benefit us. And just because it's a family-oriented resort doesn't mean it's not romantic. Aside from beach activities and amenities for kids, they offer dinner by candlelight by the beach for couples, luxurious massages, picnics, tequila tasting and non-motorized water sports.
Holidays are here again and so are Holiday Thank You Cards. With so many gifts we receive at this time of the year, it's just appropriate to send back a holiday thank you card for each and every present. Invitations-Shoppe specializes in several kinds of thank you cards so you might want to look at their site. For companies, business holiday thank you cards are definitely a must not only for Christmas gifts but for successful Christmas events your company will host.
Baby Shower Invitations from Cards-411 are not only cheap but very unique too. You won't find any of their baby shower invites anywhere else. They are specially designed with new parents in mind. And although it could be your 2nd or 3rd baby, having a baby will always be as special as the first one.
The printable baby shower invitations are customizable too. You can upload a photo of the mom, change the color, font style and words to fit your requirements. And to those who just don't want to spend, http://www.cards-411.com also offers free baby shower invitations so you can celebrate your child's arrival in style.
I'm lining up all our vacation plans. Before Sandy turns 10 (she's only four now), I'd like to be able to visit Europe. And perhaps, we can also try the white sand beaches of Riviera Maya.
Any of the Karisma Hotels will do but since we're going on a family vacation, my husband just don't have the heart to leave our little one at home, I can say the Azul Beach resort will be perfect. According to their site, here are some of the reasons why you should stay there:
1. It's close to the airport, only about 20 minutes.
2. Everything is a short walk away from the resort - beach, pools, game room, bars, restaurants.
3. Great rooms for families. There are rooms that sleep 2 adults and three children plus there are also connecting rooms.
4. Lots of activities for kids - night pajama parties, kids' programs, balloon wars, beach games
5. Even if it caters to families and kids, you and your husband can enjoy some romantic time with each other. There are beachfront sky massages, candlelight dinners and jacuzzis.
I always find our previous travels stressful no matter how beautiful the beach was or how high-end the rooms and amenities were. But if all resorts can offer the same features that Azul does, I'm sure the number of happy vacationing families will increase tenfold.
There are so many things that happened so I'm just gonna do my best to summarize it. First, if you're not familiar with the term MBAPs, it means Mommy Bloggers Association of the Philippines. It's not really official, I'm sure there are plenty of groups for mommy bloggers out there. Our founder, the B!tch Goddess, came up with the name while she was high on sugar and the name stuck to our little group since then.
So back to our summer getaway, we started the event with a basketball tournament for the daddies. It was a perfect idea because they all bonded after the game. While they were playing, the mommies were either taking photos/videos, chatting with each other and looking after the kids.
Who says romantic beach escapades are just for newly married or child-free couples? I've been site hopping for travel destinations worldwide when I came across Azul Beach Hotel at the Riviera Maya. Based on the photos, it has that romantic, secluded feel every honeymooners wish for. The only difference is that you can bring your kids and still enjoy luxury and comfort. These Family Friendly Resorts offers extra amenities like strollers, cribs, beach games, coloring books to make your vacation truly stress-free. They cater to vacationing families by providing all kinds of activities for the adults, teenagers and kids. You can have a totally luxurious and comfortable vacation without worrying how long you will have to entertain your kids so they will not get bored. :)
How was your New Year? I've been slacking off blogging-wise after promising to the husband that I will not touch the computer during the holidays. I'm just sneaking out to wish you all a Happy New Year. We had a lovely time even if our plans to spend it in Tagaytay didn't push through. There were enough fireworks in our neighborhood to keep the skies bright and colorful.
Here's a shot of the fountain that we bought especially for Sandy. She loves seeing fireworks and this one was definitely a hit.
Coming up next - my New Year's resolution(s)!
We're off to the mall now to shop with my mom-in-law. She decided all of a sudden to remodel the dirty kitchen just in time for Christmas. I'm not really looking forward to browsing through kitchen sinks and counters but I can use the time away from my computer. I've been an Internet slave for days and I need a reason to get out of the house. Sleeping is not possible because mothers just don't take a nap. When the little ones are sleeping, we just can't put our minds to rest knowing we should be taking advantage of the free time to do something useful other than sleeping.
I hope I can convince my mom-in-law to go to this furniture warehouse sale too. A friend was able to buy a recliner for only $100 and a 27" LCD tv (refurbished) for only $200.
Family obligations first before personal plans. My mother got hospitalized two days ago but she's okay now. Still, I want to make sure that she's getting the best medical attention so I'm going to take her to a specialist tomorrow. It might help if she hears directly from the doctor that her work is too stressful and how she needs to take it easy. I know she gets bored at home so I'm willing to give her my old laptop to keep her busy.
Me and my twitter friends are having an online exchange gifts. I haven't bought my "baby" her gift yet so that's another agenda for tomorrow. I'm prettyexcited because I know she'd be really happy when she finds out what I'm going to do with her gift. Nope, I won't spill it here. Soon, I promise.
It's Friday now but the night is still long. I'm off to research on snowmobile parts for a client but hopefully, I can turn off my laptop earlier than 9PM.
Some photos from our recent Boracay trip. It rained the first day but we had enough sunshine the next three days so it was all good. Sandy didn't throw tantrums that much, thanks to her cousin and playmate Chloe. They enjoyed Boracay a lot even if they were just playing inside the room. I guess it helped that we were booked in a family room where there were plenty of space to run around. She also slept well which I'm really thankful for. I was afraid we'd be sleepless in Boracay, what with her cousin being wide awake at 2AM but Sandy couldn't keep her eyes open at 11PM anymore.
Such a lovely day. Okay, you probably don't see that all the time here but I'm all about positive thoughts now. To start off, let me list down the things that makes me realize someone up there really loves me.
1. My new job. I'm so happy with the tasks and if may say the pay. My old company is giving me my 13th month pay too this November so that should be enough to pay for the laptop that I ordered online.
2. Great weather at the beach. We rarely go out of town so when it rained so hard on our first day in Boracay, we did our best not to feel down. We did pray and hoped that God will give us sunshine so our kids can play at least. And he did. We were rewarded with sunny skies for three days. Money well spent.
3. Good friends / company. I have loads of them both online and offline. Even if we don't see each other all the time. I know they will be there when I need them.
4. Perfect health for my husband and Sandy. Occasional colds and headaches are nothing if you see how many kids have been going in and out of the hospital lately due to the weather.
5. Financially stable. We are, thanks to our jobs. We're not close to purchasing our dream house but we are doing okay to afford the luxuries life has to offer. Besides, we don't really need much. A combination of good book or great show plus amazing food is enough to make us happy.
From our family to yours.
