weekend therapy

I had to work on a Sunday. The team is actually aiming to finish some deliverables for this quarter so we had to sacrifice our weekends for work :( I felt so sad and tired... these flowers made my day! got them from Legazpi Sunday Market after our meeting! The color is lovely isn't it?! :)

I thought of little project for our baby girl's room :) can't wait to start working with my hands!

Officemates requested if I can cook pasta for Monday lunch. We had our sort-of-potluck for lunch. Exag!!! busog to the highest level:D We had home-made fruit salad and leche flan from Conti's too.

Spicy Tuna Pasta

canned tuna in brine/water

olives & capers

extra virgin olive oil

fresh basil & italian seasoning

salt, pepper and lotsa chili flakes!!!

simple and easy friends! try it at home too! :)

weekend cooking

What i love to do for my family... if only i could just cook for them every single day...

Sun-dried tomato and pesto penne pasta

My own version of chicken inasal

Bacon Carbonara (my son loves this!)

Sukiyaki Pork Teriyaki

happy 2nd birthday our bebe :)

A Two-year-old child is so many things...

A tiny discoverer of butterfly wings,

A hugger of Teddies,

A sweet sleepyhead,

And someone to dream for in bright years ahead..

.Happy, happy birthday our darling Kian! Mama, Dada & Kuya loves you so much ♥

Kian's Party Favors

Found these cute favor bags from Gourdos! They were on sale :) Filled it with bah-bob stuffs- coloring books & crayons, stickers, pencils, bubbles, some fancy mini springs; and of course chocolates and candies for the sweet tooth!

We prepared these gift tags ourselves! I soooo love do-it-yourself preparations. Makes me really happy and proud after :) A colleague offered to play with the lay-out for me. And mom-in-law helped me with the printing :) Thanks, thanks with much love :)

My good friend Naomi of Naomi's Kitchen gave her chocolate lollipops as a gift for her godson. These are home-made as well! Thanks Ninang!
My mama will be baking Kian's cake and cupcakes for the party; and I will be decorating them myself :) Mommy is super excited! :) I know our little boy will have a blast! and all the kids too! <3

bah-bob for our growing boy!!!

We are celebrating Kian's 2nd birthday in one week :) The family is excited as we've prepared something special for him again this year! it's a bah-bob party for our growing boy! :)

mommy checklist --- almost done!

Father's Day Weekend 2011

We had dinner at Isabelo's Secret Garden on Saturday, dinner with our Cuna cousins at the Canoys on Sunday and buffet lunch at Manila Peninsula on Monday =) Food-trippin' on Father's Day!!!

We love you Dad! =)

on leg cramps during pregnancy

It's my third already; but the pain is still killing me like it's always the first time. Waking up in a painful leg cramps is like a bad nightmare. My mama said it's because of too much salt in my system or maybe I don't drink enough water and I read it's also because of the weight gain :D


It may really be just part of this whole pregnancy but I am still looking for ways on how to prevent the pain.

Stretch your legs a few times a day, especially before bedtime.

Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes to increase circulation.

Resist pointing your toes as you crawl into bed.

Avoid crossing your legs or standing for long periods of time.

Eat potassium-rich foods such as bananas.

Eat calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, fish with bones (salmon or sardines), green leafy vegetables, almonds and tofu.

Reduce your intake of phosphorus-rich foods such as soft drinks, processed meats and snack foods

Food Suggestions:

Almonds
Bananas
Foods Containing Calcium
Leafy Green Vegetables
Salmon
Sardines

Some informative sources here, here and here.

sharing huge blessings =)

Hubby and I are thankful for life's surprises and blessings :) We are preparing for our 3rd baby on the way! Praying for a girl this time :)

Kian is now a "kuya" and kuya kyle is now "manong" :D I'm due to pop on October 30 :D We have a new addition to the family this Christmas! Our family is growing! :)

We are also preparing for Kian's 2nd birthday on July 8. We are doing a spongebob party this year! Our little boy is very fascinated with spongebob (bah-bob)! He watches spongebob videos day and night! I'm sure he will scream his heart out to see spongbob balloons and toys at his party :) Hubby's related post here :)

Happy happy birthday Kyle! We love you so much! :) I miss the baby in you! you've grown up so fast!

10.10.10

finally, alone time with the husband :) it's our 6th! :)

Our darling Kian is going to be 1 soon! =)

recent pics =)

our little tyke @ 6 weeks old =)

favorite hobby

playtime with the best kuya!

God's msg via FB =)

... that every little part of you is magical. Yes, even the parts that hurt, even the ones that are feeling disease right now. It's alright to love what is in pain. More than alright, that's ...exactly where your love is needed the most. So... why not touch that part that hurts and smile at it, at yourself through it, and whisper: ''I love you.''

ME time

I went out after lunch today by myself to have some ME time at the mall. I hardly do this anymore or I must say, I don't do this anymore. I always have my hubby or brothers to drive for me if I have to go to the mall, buy groceries from the supermarket or to do an errand. Otherwise, i'd be taking a cab instead because I am a self-confessed lazy driver...

For a starter, I got myself Jodi Picoult's -My Sister's Keeper (been wanting to watch the film but I have to read the book first or else- i'll forget about reading it na :D). I also got two tagalog books for Kian's Yaya Susan hehe (so she won't get bored if the little tod is asleep).

Finally, finally - I already made time for a hair treatment today. I wanted one even before getting pregnant but didn't have the luxuryof time to do so because of work and other family events. Then, I found out that I was preggers so totally no chemicals or whatsoever na talaga for my body at that time. I actually had a haircut at Menage Salon last week but it seems the hair didn't cooperate at all. Hehe, the style was nice and fashionable but the hair is just so dry so overall it looked so dull :( I spent three hours at the salon today for a hair treatment while the little tod is having his afternoon siesta :) Yahoo!

Yes, its ME time but still the mommy can't help but think of what her boys need:) I got kuya his Vitamin C. We're trying out a new brand. He's been coughing and sneezing again, it seems the old brand isn't working anymore.

I got our Kian a new set of baby blue tie-side shirt and a pair of bottoms from St. Patrick Collections (my mom used to buy ruffled dresses from the same brand when I was still a baby) for his pedia check-up. The onesies that we bought before and those that were given as gift are still big so baby ends up using his "pambahay" clothes when going out. Of course, the mommy is excited to dress him up so i'm splurging a little amount if the tod is going out for "pasyal" :P

I am blogging while the baby is still sleeping and I am about to tutor kuya in a bit again :)

Domestic bliss...

kian's first month

we are celebrating our sweet pea's first month today! =)
love you baby kian! =)

it'll a very long and exciting day for us. it's my first time to give the baby his morning bath without grandma (mama zeny), who usually bonds with the baby every morning! for about a month since baby kian was brought home from the hospital, the doting lola would wake up the baby for his morning sunlight and sponge bath. now ko lang nasolo because my mom went home to check our house in ilocos. i did cut his nails too! gwapo baby and his growing na =) hehe the chubby face is getting bigger everyday. the baby's got a big appetite u know! but the arms and legs are still payat =( maybe because a loonggg baby! hehe!

it's our first ever family day-out today =) we are attending this event in Crowne Plaza Hotel for newborn babies =) i'm excited! baby and i will do some yoga and stretching! daddy and kuya kyle will be there too to cheer and take photos. =)

super kuya taking care of baby kian! :)

two movies that i've been meaning to watch...

Our little boy at two weeks :)

We went to his pedia last Wednesday for his scheduled BCG shot. The daddy is not so friendly with needles so he had to excuse himself out of the room during the shot. Everything went well. Baby Kian gained 1lb from the time of his birth. Our pedia said, babies normally lose weight in the first two weeks of their lives. I got a little worried kasi why parang di sya tumaba. I am worried that my breastmilk might not be enough but according to the doctor the sweet pea is very well and healthy - so I don't have to worry about anything.

Breastfeeding challenge.

I was a bit worried that he wouldn't latch properly when we were still at the hospital but I am trying my very best because I really want him to get enough milk. When we got home, he learned how to latch! Lo and behold! He wouldn't stop. My breast were sore and my nips cracked already. Supportive hubby would massage while I breastfeed. My mom bought a Tommee Tippee breast pump for me to use while I rest and let my sore breast heal. Hehe! parang major event everytime mag-feed si baby! :D I also asked help from my mommy friends over the week and I am very thankful for the very informative and useful advise that they gave me. And truly this is all about relationship with your little one. Now, Kian already learned to latch properly and I am not that hurt anymore.

Kian's ride.

The parents were excited to buy a stroller this week. There were so many good and expensive brands to choose from at Baby & Co. -if only we have a deep well of money then we will definitely not think twice about getting brands like Quinny or Mclaren. These are really good brands. But as parents, we have to save up for the rainy days so we had to say NO to to these 20k worth of strollers. We were also looking into other brands like Chicco or Graco. They have strollers that costs less than 10k. Not until this new brand caught our eyes! Goodbaby Strollers are manufactured in China but are distributed worldwide - mostly in the US and European countries. I asked hubby to check it it out. Of course, we wouldn't want to compromise our little tod's safety so we had to make sure :) Looks safe and good to us. We got the red! We're planning to go back for the car seat later on.

hello world =)

hello everyone!

I got excited and decided to pop out a little early than expected :)

My name is John Konstantine A. Pimentel

call me KIAN for short :)

I was born July 08, 2009 at around 8:32pm

at the Makati Medical Center

I weigh 6.14lbs (healthy and strong!)

and I am about 48cm long (tall like daddy!)

Mommy and daddy are celebrating of course! Everyone's excited!

My kuya kyle was in the hospital too waiting :D

Mom will say more about d-day in her next post

(teehee! when i've given her enough sleep already)

**********

kuddos to my daddy!

48hours of no sleep! from work, he met up with mommy for her weekly check-up -not thinking that i was on my way out already :D he had to rush back home and get mommy's hospital bag! He's been doing so well taking care of me and mommy for the past days!

(but dad, you have to learn to carry me ok?! I won't fall promise :P).

i'm a proud baby! i have the best dad! :)

points to ponder

got this email from my friend tricia days ago but had the chance to read it just now...

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items infront of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you torecognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always betime to clean the house and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the golf balls first-- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend."

*****
Breathe...

random (waiting for d-day)

I finally bought b. boy his Tommee Tippee bottles. Couldn't wait for donations anymore.Hehe! I figured this is what I really want for our lil' one so why not get it for him right?! We are extremely frequenting all these baby stores for a couple of weekends already. Nakakaloka all the cute stuffs that we want to buy for b. boy. Even kuya is gettting addicted already. We went to Baby & Co Podium last Sunday because Kyle wanted to buy these cute socks that he saw a week ago for his "ading" (an Ilocano term for a younger sib)- then he saw these squirking toy for newborn babies and he wanted to get it as well. We tried to stop him but he got mad- kasi it's his money naman daw. Yes folks, kuya's been saving for his lil' bro's welcome present too! So there, he bought four pairs of super cute socks and a newborn toy for b. boy. (I shall post the pics after Saturday). So loving, generous and thoughful kuya Kyle. Mom and dad are so proud :)

******

Met up with my bestfriend Mar last Friday night at the new Eastwood mall. At last! we've become so busy with work and yes we are getting old and yes- she is still complicated (rather - she still dates complicated men!) There's so much catching up to do! We've been missing so much. We had coffee at Starbucks so we can have more time to update each others' lives. Oh, I had to drag her to Babyland and Toytown for some baby shopping also. (Yeah, priorities change- Babyland vs Steve Madden :D ) My loots that night- a flashcard brain stimulator for infants, a cute puppy bath towel and a non-toxic liquid soap for cleaning b. boy's feeding bottles. I got him a cute bib that matches one of his outfits too! :)

******

saw Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs with kuya and hubby over the weekend. The film was hilarious!

*****

Nearing d-day, mommy is becoming anxious and impatient. Maybe it's because of the big belly and the swelling feet hehe. And my body is aching badly. I hardly sleep at night anymore which means I have a hard time waking up in teh morning, but as practiced, I still wake up to preapre Kyle for school even if we have helpers around who can do it for me. I love being a mommy to Kyle. He can actually fixed himself alreadyfor as early as 3-4 yrs old but even with that, I still make sure to wake up and look after him while he prepares himself to school. Soon, kuya will grow and will not need me to look after him, but I want him to remember that mommy is just around when he calls out for a towel or warm water...

I am excited about the stuffs that i've been collecting for b.boy. I so love extraordinary and personally designed onesies- not the typical white ones. I've been collecting cute designs -mostly cars, truck, play balls and cute designs made by local mom-preneurs on-line :) I find munchkin products interesting too! very colorful and vibrant! I already bought a blue bottle & nipple brush today (non-slip grip) and I am planning to go back for the formula dispensers, medicators, soft-tip infant spoons and fun ice chewy teethers :) Oh life! magastos pero masaya! :D

*******

Hospital bag for mommy & b. boy - all set!

Pelvic Ultrasound done last Sat at Medical City - everything normal! Thank God! :)

Weekly check-up scheduled on Wednesday. Hay!!! Can't wait na talaga!

Endorsements due to finish this week. Maternity Leave filed. Excited to be just home and play mommy to my kids and full-time wife to my hardworking hubby! :) Perfect! :)

*******

the baby ticker is making me impatient already :D c'mon!