An Open Letter to my daughter on her 7th birthday

To the little girl who seven years ago changed my whole life and made me whole. Seven years ago today, you were born and made me Mom. The last 7 years have gone by fast and as much as I wish I could slow down time, I can’t, so I have no doubt that the next years will be gone in a flash as well. As you get older I’m sure we’ll clash (like we are now). But always remember that I will always be your biggest fan and I will always be proud of you. I will be your protector, friend and confidant.

You will meet many people throughout your life. Not every one of them will stay & others will become like family. But remember, if your so-called best friend says things about you behind your back, she is not your best friend. She never was. And never, ever let a boy make you cry. Know your worth & your value. There are plenty of fish in the sea, don’t waste your time on ones that can’t swim. (Don't be like Mommy!)

Be happy with who you are. Always love yourself & never let anything or anyone hold you back. You will learn that life can be crazy at times. Both good & bad. But you are a strong girl. You may face many challenges, use that strength to face it head on. Pick your battles carefully…some just aren’t worth the trouble. 

We are so incredibly proud of the little lady you’ve become. Without you, Aki wouldn't have a loving sister. Thank you for sharing everything you have with him and love him unselfishly.

Happy 7th Birthday Baby Girl. We love you truly, madly, deeply. And thank you for giving me the past seven years of utter love & happiness.

Love,

Your Monster Mom

Kidzoona : Waltermart Makati

Another happy moments for my 2 years and 9 months old Baby Hara.

Hara loves playhouse where she can jump, run or play anything. I sometimes bring her to Tinytots at Cash n Carry since its located near our place and I noticed how happy she is. That's why I am happy when I found out that there is a Kidzoona at Waltermart Makati. Kidzoona is located at 5th Level, Waltermart Makati, 790 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.

So last Christmas, while waiting for her dad, I brought Hara there to play.

Entrance fee is :

1 Hour - Php 200

2 Hours - Php 300

3 Hours - Php 400

The price is inclusive of 1 child and 1 guardian/adult. We availed the 2 hours. From 1:30-3:30PM

Hara's 1st Birthday at Jollibee

How time really flies! Last Saturday (March 7, 2015) we celebrate Hara’s 1^st Birthday at Jollibee. I always wanted to have a Jollibee Party kaya no questions ask na talaga kung saan siya magbebirthday. Besides baby palang si Hara nakaset na sa mind namin na sa Jollibee talaga siya mag 1^st birthday.

Family picture

Hara and Daddy with Jollibee

The Location we choose is Jollibee PRC in Makati since it’s near to our place. We paid PhP1,250.00 for the party fee which consist of Mascot Appearance, 20 game prizes, 10 crayons. 1 message board and 30 balloons. We preferred Jollibee to appear on our whole party for additional PhP900.00. The party theme is Hello Kitty which suits our little baby girl.

Playtime with Jollibee

For the food package, we choose 1pc chicken with rice, spaghetti, regular coke, regular fries, regular yum and chocolate sundae. I also avail their Hello Kitty Lootbags amounting to PhP60.00 each which includes, hello kitty plate, spoon and fork, tumbler and a hand towel for the girls. While for the boys, I decided to buy it since they didn’t have a lootbags for the boys which consists of different toys. Jollibee also has a gift for Hara which is the Jollibee nappy bed.

Blowing of Birthday Candle

The host is good especially the Jollibee Mascot. They make the party lively. Hara is very happy when watching their dance number. They also have us participate in their opening dance number as for the ice breaker. And their games are good for both kids and adults.

Games

Mga batang "produkto"ni Jollibee

Overall, the experience in the party was great and we are so happy to see that Hara and the other guest enjoyed the party. Kudos for the Jollibee PRC team!

Here are some photos of Hara with her Ninong and Ninangs.

Hara and Ninang Alaine

Hara and Ninong Marky

Hara and Ninang Lanie

Hara and Ninang Dhez

Baby Love Studio

Since one moth to go before Hara’s 1^st birthday, I schedule a photo shoot for her. This time, I had her photo shoot at my ex-colleague studio. The Baby Love Studio.  BABY LOVE STUDIO is a specialty photography studio offering fine art portraiture for newborns, babies, kids and expecting moms. They have a variety of package where you can choose from. I choose the Baby Smile package which includes:

1)      No time limit (could be quick or long depending on how the shoot goes)

2)      Unlimited shots per set

3)      Three different themes/sets

4)      Full editing of 6 photos (i.e 2 photos from each set)

5)      Web resolution soft copies of all shots (no editing, with watermark)

6)      Hi-resolution soft copies of the 6 edited photos

Also, I avail the Photo board Print 8r size so that I can give it as a gift. Matibay yung Board. Pwedeng ihagis nang hindi nasisira unlike some frames na pwedeng mabasag haha!

Sobrang smooth ng naging transaction namin with Sir Edilbet (the extraordinaire photographer). Hands on talaga siya. At first, pinaglaro niya muna si Hara para maging at home siya sa place. Titig na titig talaga sa kanya si Hara. Lahat ng galaw sinusundan. Since hindi siya familiar kay Sir. Pero sadyang mahilig at magaling sa bata si Sir dahil nakuha niya kaagad ang loob ni Hara. Well, Sir Edilbert is a hands on father of four lovely kids kaya naman sobrang dali niyang mahuli ang loob ng mga bata. He also knows how to caught Hara’s attention. He does the baby talk and sounds. Mabuti na lang din at walang topak si Hara haha!

At first since bagong gising siya nung dumating kami ay hindi pa siya masyadong ngumingiti, but later on voila! Ayaw na niyang umalis. She seems like a pro in camera. May balak yatang maging model ang baby ko pag laki niya. She can also know how to pose and make “pacute” in front of the camera.

I’m so happy and satisfied with the service. Aside from the fact na nakalibre pa ako sa kaniya. He gave me discounts since kakilala niya ako haha!

  

I would not hesitate to do a photo shoot again with him. And I would highly recommend him to my friends and family.

The studio is located at Multinational Village, Parañaque City. Madali namang hanapin na yung place since they also have the directions on their website. Please take note that you need to have a schedule with him before going since fully packed ang schedule niya. Big time eh daming clients haha!

Fast transaction din ang nangyare dahil kinabukasan ay I already got the raw/unprocessed photos kung saan namili ako ng ieedit. I thought it would take a week before I receive the edited photos but it only took me two days to wait! Ang bilis talaga! And sobrang sulit ang paghihintay ko because I really love the photos. I can't stop myself from admiring it. Pinagmamalaki ko pa ito sa mga kakilala ko haha! 

Here are the wonderful photos that he took:

And this are the samples of unedited/raw photos:

If you want to know more about him and his studio, you can check their website here.

Hara’s Baptismal Day

Diosmio! Mag first birthday na lang si Baby hindi ko pa pala naiba-blog ang tungkol sa binyag niya. Masyado na kasing naging busy din. Ngayon nga ay first birthday naman niya ang pinaghahandaan ko eh. Sobrang late na nitong post ko pero sabi nga eh “huli man daw at magaling ay naihahabol din”. So here is what happened during Hara’s Baptismal day.

Her Baptismal day is the first major event that I organized in my life. Wala eh! First time Mom eh. Mas todo ang preparation ko dito kesa sa kasal ko. Nanay ka eh! And you want the best for your child.

Picture muna bago pumuntang Church

Hara and Daddy

The Baptismal day happened last July 27, 2014 at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart. Ito ang first choice ko since ito ag simbahan na malapit sa Village namin. And sabi ko nga noon, gusto ko na ikasal din dito pero mukhang imposible na! haha! Two months before the date ay nagpaplano na ako. From researching sa mga Mommy Blogs out there to planning to executing. Ako lahat! Sacred Heart has two Baptism choices. One is the Special Baptism while the other one is the Mass Baptism. I choose the Mass Baptism because I don’t want to be alone! Haha! Gusto ko may kasabay para alam ko ang gagawin ko. Besides, mas mura kapag Mass Baptism. Pareho lang naman yun eh. Before the Baptismal day, they required to have an Interview for the Parents and Seminar for the Ninong and Ninangs.

While waiting for the mass to start. Ang kulit ng Baby Hara!

Tatlo kaming nagpapabinyag that day. We attended the Mass first before the Baptism. Medyo haggard nga ang hitsura ko because I cried the day before. Haha! Ang drama eh!

Family Picture with Father.

Candle Lighting

Signing of the Cross in baby's forehead

Baby Hara cried that time!

With her set of Ninongs and Ninangs

Hara has two clothes that she wore. First was the white dress that she used in her baptism and the pink dress that she wear at the reception. She doesn't like the long white gown, naiirita kasi siya eh. mabuti na lang talaga that I bought an extra Baptismal dress. Arte much haha!

            

For the Reception Venue, the first choice I have is Maxs Restaurant. But after talking with the Manager in Charge and seeing the Venue, nagbago ang isip ko. Open area lang kasi yung place. Gusto ko kasi parang simple gathering lang na exclusive for us lang. Then after bumping into Mommy’s Blog out there, I found out Precious Moments. I and my friend Alaine went to the place and voila! I instantly love it especially those cute little tear eyed dolls. Sir Jomar even offered us some Cupcakes and Ice tea while talking to us. He’s a very approachable and nice person. Madaling kausap. He even grants our simple request. 

The Tarpaulin that was posted at the Entrance of the Venue

Baby Hara with her Lola-Ninang Gleng!

I searched the net for photobooths since I really want it. Part na nga yata talaga ng kahit anong event ang photobooth. Okay naman ang service nila, yun nga lang nalate sila ng dating kaya late na din nila naset-up. Almost an hour na nga yata sila nalate. Mabuti na nga lang at hindi mahigpit sa time yung venue since wala namang ibang party na kasunod kami. Kaya hinayaan kami na medyo magextend.

For the souvenirs/ give aways we went to Divisoria to buy. Mura kasi! Yun nga lang kailangan mo talagang makipagsiksikan sa dami ng tao. Well, thank you sa friend kong si Alaine for helping me buying souvenirs at Divisoria. They even have a tarpaulin kaya dun na lang din kami nagpagawa. Mabuti na nga lang at may picture ako ni baby sa wallet ko. I didn’t bring my phone kasi. Baka mawala haha!

The Souvenirs! The Souvenirs for the Godparents is different from the Guest.

Even the food is great. Lalo na yung Cakes and Cupcakes. The guest loves it so much! Hindi nakakaumay. Tama lang ang lasa.

That's Alaine getting her food haha!

The guest book / message book is DIY by me. I put pictures of Baby Hara and some quotations about Babies.

The Guestbook/Message book.

Tada!!!! The Gifts! Precious Moments even have a gift for Baby Hara!

Here is the summary of our expenses:

Description	Amount	Supplier/Contractor
Church	900.00	National Shrine of the Sacred Heart
Reception (good for 40 pax)	15,580.00	Precious Moments Restaurant
Cakes	750.00	Precious Moments Restaurant
Cupcakes (good for 40 pax)	2,000.00	Precious Moments Restaurant
Photobooth	2,500.00	Onefunday
Guest book/ Message Book	765.00	National Bookstore
Candles	200.00	Robinson Supermarket
Invitation	150.00	Layout provided by my friend Regene then I have it printed in Computer Shop
Souvenirs & Tarpaulin	1,000.00	Lucky China Town, Divisoria
Hara’s dress	700.00	168 Mall, Divisoria
Electricity fee	700.00	Precious Moments Restaurant
Van Rental	2,000.00	Alaine’s Friend

 

I didn't avail a Photographer. Mga friends ko na lang ang kumukuha ng pictures. Overall, nakakapagod! Pero worth it naman ang saya! Atlast one event is done. More to go!

Hara's Photoshoot at Great Image

Kapag nagkaanak ka ay daig mo pa ang isang photographer at reporter. Everything na ginagawa ng anak mo ay sinusubaybayan mo. Ang kanyang unang pagngiti, pagligo, pagtawa. Maging ang kanyang paglaki ay gusto mong subaybayan. Mayat maya ay kinukuhanan mo siya ng litrato upang makita ang paglaki niya. Ikinukumpara mo siya magmula ng ipanganak siya hanggang sa lumaki siya. Makikita mo ang pagbabago. Sabi nila, madidiskubre mo ang pagbabago ng bata during his/her early months. Hanggat hindi pa siya umaabot ng isang taon. Napakabilis ng pagbabagong makikita mo sa kanya. Parang bawat araw ay may nababago. Nagkakaiba.

Siyempre bilang isang mommy, ganun din ako sa baby ko. Pero hindi naman ako mayaman para buwan buwan ay pakuhanan siya ng litrato sa studio. Mas nakakatuwa naman kasi kapag sa photo studio ka nagpakuha. Bukod sa may mga props sila na ipapagamit sa baby mo ay magaganda talaga ang mga kuha nila. Kaya naman dahil gusto ko pa ring pakuhanan si baby sa studio ay sinabi ko sa sarili ko na every 3 months nalang mula ng ipanganak ko siya dadalhin sa studio upang pa-piktyuran.

Nagresearch ako sa internet kung saan may malapit na studio. At sa paghahanap ko sa mga mommy networks ay natagpuan ko ang Great Image. Eksakto naman dahil may malapit na studio sa opisina namin. Kaya naman agad akong nag-inquire sa Great Image sa may SM Aura. Nagkataon na may promo sila na kapag nagpareserve ka na ay may 25% discount ka na makukuha. At noon ngang 3rd month niya last June ay pinakuhanan ko siya sa Great Image.

Mabait at approachable naman yung photographer. Halatang sanay siya sa mga bata dahil nakukuha niya ang atensyon ng baby ko. Nagagawa niya din itong patawanin. Kaya naman magaganda ang kinalabasan ng mga kuha niya.

Although medyo pricey ang halaga ng pagpapaphotoshoot at sinabi ko na hindi ako masyadong gagastos para doon ay hindi ko rin naiwasan dahil nung nakita ko ang mga kuha niyang litrato parang gusto kong pakyawin na lahat. Pero dahil medyo mahal ay napilitan nalang akong mamili ng talagang gusto ko. Halos naka Php4,800 din ako sa lahat ng kuhang iyan.

At eto nga ang mga napili kong mga litrato niya.

Next month kapag tuntong niya ng 6th month niya papakuhanan ko siya ulit. Kailangan ko nang mag-ipon. Hehe.