DAVID'S 1ST PARTY

My godbrother David had his first birthday party today! His real birthday was actually on 28 November 2009 - exactly ten days after my birthday! - but he had his great big party today. It was a safari party! It was celebrated in a clubhouse in a village called Valle Verde IV. There were stuffed animals everywhere, and animal balloons and huge animal pictures propped up by the door and on the walls. He had a really great balloon lady called Jiggles who made the most amazing balloon figures. I was too small to play games, but I did eat cake and ice cream, and I really really loved the balloons!

December 5, 2009

Balloons make me go "wheeeeeee!!!"

There's the birthday boy, David, who spent a lot of time asleep during his party!

Sleepyhead David!

I had fun in the playground outside the party!

I love slides even more than I love balloons!

My Ninang ("godmother") Anna Devanadera got me my shirt and shorts!

MY FIRST BIRTHDAY: A LITTLE SHORT STORY

I turned ONE today!!! It's not every day someone gets to celebrate his or her First. Birthday. Ever. Teehee!!! My Papu and Mamu took the day off from work to be with me on my very, very special day. And what a day we had! Instead of having my big party today, we decided we wanted to spend my first birthday with just the 3 of us - and my yaya ("nanny") of course. This is how we celebrated my special day:

November 18, 2010

I woke up and I was 1!

Tank top - a gift from my Lola Des and Lolo Ben Insigne!

We went to a commercial complex called Nuvali. It's out-of-town, in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

They have a man-made lake there, and a boardwalk with restaurants and cafes. My parents wanted to get me outdoors!

I explored the boardwalk first before lunch and tried to decide what I wanted to do.

On my list for today: take a boat ride around the like and feed the kois!

(I was too small to go on a bike ride. Maybe next year! Teehee!)

Here I am exploring the boardwalk! I like to walk around and see everything before settling down somewhere. My Mamu calls me Curious George.

We decided to have lunch at Italiannis. It was a beautiful day out. Sunny, but not too hot.

Here I am trying to decide what to get for lunch.

The folks in Italiannis brought out birthday panna cotta for me and sang happy birthday!

My Ninang ("godmother") Bles Cuaycong got me that tee!

Boat ride comes first! My first boat ride ever! On my first birthday! Woot woot!

My other Ninang Anna Devanadera got me those shorts!

I LOVED THE BOAT RIDE!!!!

There were sprays of water shooting out of the lake.

It completely made me giggle the whole time!

Time to feed the fish! They tried to show me how to throw the fish pellets into the lake, but I couldn't do it.

I don't know how to pinch my fingers just yet, you see, so I couldn't grab the teeny tiny pellets.

And also, the fish kind of made me nervous. They seemed so hungry!

But I have always loved fish. I make a beeline for ponds and aquariums every time I see one!

Soooo.... after Nuvali, we drove back to Manila and went straight to Manila Ocean Park.

More fish! Yay!

I kept running towards the huge tanks. I was gawking at everything.

I got to touch a huge starfish too. It was all bumpy!!!

I couldn't get enough of all the fish I saw in the ocean park!

We went to visit a jellyfish exhibit too!

When we headed home for dinner, I found my grandparents, Auntie Amanda, and Uncle Jino at our house for a mini-celebration!

I also got to "blow" out the candle for a little cake my parents got me!

And that's how I celebrated my first birthday!

Thank you to everyone who greeted me and spent the day with me!!!

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Calvin Klein; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

BAR OPERATIONS ENERGIZER

What a busy busy day I had! First, my parents and I left bright and early to go to the PAL (that's the Philippine Airlines for you!) ticketing office over at this mall called Ali Mall - first thing in the morning, I might add! My parents are flying to Naga in October - without me. Boo! We had lunch at Hap Chan there. I looooved the Yang Chow fried rice - more than the congee. I've been finding plain old congee, well, plain. Give me some flavor, people!!! After lunch we rushed off to the Manila Polo Club to play squash again with my Ninong ("godfather") Monzit and Tita Karla. Then we all took a nap at home before we rushed off once again - to Malate this time. It's Bar month - September! All the law students are taking the national Bar Examinations this September - every Sunday of September. So we went that night to visit my Mamu's sorority sisters - the examinees are called "barristers" and they were all billetted at Pearl Garden, this hotel in Adriatico Street in Malate. Sororities, fraternities, and law schools all have bar operations to help their barristers. I helped too! Even though I fell asleep while we were there, I did manage to visit all the barristers!

September 19, 2009

Here I am at the PAL ticketing office, waiting for our number to be called!

My Oma and Opa got me that tee, and my Ninang ("godmother") Anna Devanadera got me those shorts!

My new favorite game this month - dipping!!!

Tee - Moose Kids from SM; Shorts - Calvin Klein; Sandals - Florsheim Kids


We picked up my Tita Kar on our way to squash.

Here I am with my Ninong Monzit, getting acquianted with Chowking, Tita Kar's Chow Chow!

Trying to grab Tita Karla's squash racket!

My Mamu's sorority sis, Tita Monica Villanueva, got me that tee!

Tee - Gingersnaps

I was asleep when we got to the hotel for Regina Iustitiae's BarOps!

Here I am surrounded by my Mamu's sorority sisters!

My other Ninang Pam Buen-Merencilla got me that adorable onesie!

(It's got a picture of a "legal pad" in front, in honor of the occasion! Teehee!)

My Opa and Oma got me those nifty blue and white shoes!

I had to change outfits several times today because I got so sweaty running around! (Or at least trying to!).

I'm being carried by one of the barristers, my Tita Ria Alazas, here!

Onesie - Pipsqueaks by David and Goliath; Shoes - Florsheim Kids

SANS DADDY

My Papu flew off to CWC this weekend - that stands for the Camsur Watersports Complex. It's in the region of Bicol. That's where a lot of folks go for wakeboarding. My Mamu and I couldn't come because I had an appointment with my pediatrician. This is the first weekend we've spent apart as a family - since I was born! Boohoo. Mamu and I tried to be productive - except it was tough, considering it was raining most weekend! We were supposed to attend my cousin Ava's 7th birthday party tonight too, but there was a horrible traffic jam on the way to the party so we had to turn back. We even bought Ava's present already. Wah. Weekends aren't much fun without Papu.

September 5, 2009

My Ninang ("godmother") Bles Cuaycong got me that tee,

and my other Ninang Anna Devanadera got me those shorts!
I wore the bib my Papu picked out and bought for me, because I miss him!

The bib says "Daddy's pride and joy" - teehee!

Cowboy, baby!

Another con about Papu being away this weekend - no camera!

My Mamu and yaya ("nanny") Nida had their hands full (I've got way too much luggage to tote around for such a little person, I know I know), so they did away with carrying my dad's camera equipment.

We had to settle for mobile phone camera pictures! Yech!

Still playing at my doctor's office! I got my measles shot!

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Calvin Klein; Bib - Furry Friends; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

SASHSQUAT

My parents have taken up squash with my Tita Karla and Ninong ("godfather") Monzit. They play weekends, and of course, I tag right along. They play in this sports club called the Manila Polo Club, where I had my first Gymboree play hour before. On their first squash session, I went back to the Gymboree there with my yaya ("nanny") Nida. On their second session, I was perfectly content hanging around the squash courts. I kept screaming in glee when I was watching my Papu through those glass walls. I kept laughing louder every time the ball hit the glass too!

August 29, 2009

Ready to tear apart the Gymboree!

My Tita Monica Villanueva got me that tee!

My Ninang ("godmother") Anna Devanadera got me those tweed shorts!

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Calvin Klein

August 31, 2009

Here I am practicing walking by the squash courts!

My Mamu's brother, my Tito Amiel and his girlfriend my Tita Mary got me that tee!

My Oma got me those cargo shorts - they look just like the pair my Papu owns!

Tee - OshKosh B'Gosh; Cargo shorts - from SM; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

POOL TIME!

I went to a beach resort called Montemar over in the province of Bataan. For the weekend! With my Papu's side of the family! Everyone was there - 4 families! I swam a LOT. I really enjoyed it too. I finally got around to liking the pool (much to my parents' relief, no doubt). It's all because they finally brought that floater my friend David got me for my baptism. It's got 2 inflatable tubes, and this little seat, so I can bob around quite comfortably on the water. My grandmother Luli brought my bath toys too so I had fun chasing them around in the swimming pool. I kept trying to gulp down the water when no one was looking, but my Mamu kept telling me off. She said it wasn't clean. Ask me if I cared?! I was having way too much fun!!!

August 15-16, 2009

We arrive at the resort! Here I am all eager to explore.

That yellow pique shirt was a gift from my Ninang ("godmother") Anna Devanadera, while the shorts were a gift from my Tito Roland and Tita Mitch Lorilla!

Yellow shirt - Calvin Klein; Brown shorts - Gingersnaps; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

Here I am exploring the resort in my walker. I changed into something cooler!

I inherited that walker from my cousin, Joshua Patajo!

My grandma Oma got me those green rubber clogs, while my grandma Luli got me the tank.

My Mamu made the mistake of leaving my leather sandals on, I scraped off the leather when I was scuttling around my walker! Teehee!

So now I'm always in my clogs!

Tank top - from Landmark; Clogs - from SM; Walker - Chicco

Here I am asleep in my Auntie Aisa's arms.

My grandpops and parents brought me to the sea.

I didn't like it! Not one little bit.

The salt water tasted nasty. And the waves are kinda scary - even the little ones.

And I sampled the sand - so icky!

(I'm wearing the souvenir tank my Grandpop got me from Subic!)

So I just went back to the pool - which I enjoyed!

David, Tita Neva, and Tito Dan Santos got me that floater! They also got me a little wading pool (and a pump!) for my baptism too!

Floater - My Baby Float

CONTAINMENT

I've been really busy so far! So much to see, so much to touch, so much to explore. I can't walk yet, but I'm always moving around, wriggling here and there, grabbing this and that. The big folks can hardly contain me! And though I still like being carried around, it's been pretty tough hanging on to me because I wriggle around so much. Here I am at a lunch with my Lolo's ("grandfather) side of the family - it was my greatgrandfather and greatgrandmother's wedding anniversary! Everyone kept raving about how big I've gotten - and how cute still, mwahahaha. Oh, and I got a new yaya ("nanny") last June, too. Her name is yaya Nida, and I really love her. She makes me laugh and has taken to sprinkling me with baby cologne! Teehee!

July 5, 2009

"Let go of meeeeeee!!!"

(My Ninang ["godmother"] Dev got me those shorts!)

Here I am sitting on my new nanny Nida's lap.

I only really sit still these days when I'm feeding - or fast asleep!

Tee - Baleno Kids from SM; Brown tweed shorts - Calvin Klein; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

GERBER

My pediatrician gave us the go signal to start me on solids when I turned 6 months old last May, but my parents didn't really start feeding me my solids until June. I've been sampling a lot of mashed veggies from Gerber's First Foods line - broccoli, squash, and carrots. Over at my Luli's, I've been trying arroz caldo, lugaw, and Cerelac. They've been keeping me away from fruits for now, so I don't develop a sweet tooth. My parents have taken to bringing a little bottle of Gerber when we go out to eat because I get so jealous when I see all the big people eating. We pack a little plastic spoon and a plastic bib all the time too - the set I'm using now are from my Opa and Oma! Here we are, having lunch for my daddy's birthday at a restaurant called Clawdaddy in Shangri-La Mall. I'm "feasting" along with the big folks too - here I am manfully chowing down on my mashed carrots! Hurrah!

June 7, 2009

That neat little plastic bib catches EVERYTHING.

Though I haven't been much into spitting - just drooling!

The bib comes with a little spoon and sippy cup too. Am all set for the big times, hehe.

That's my Aunt Mandi (she's also my godmother!), while we were patiently waiting for my Papu to do his birthday shopping, teehee.

My Ninang ("godmother") Dev got me the pique shirt. The colorful Disney sandals and shorts are gifts from my Oma and Opa!

Shirt - Calvin Klein; Denim shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sandals - Disney Babies from SM; Bib - Ikea

YACHT CLUB Part I

Back to back weekend getaways with my grandparents - with my Papu's folks this time! We stayed over at the Subic Bay Yacht Club in the city of Olongapo - in the province of Zambales! We celebrated my grandmother Luli's birthday last May 8 - my Lolo Roland Lorilla booked a huge room for us in the yacht club (he and Tita Mitch got me that tee - and my godmother Anna Devanadera got me those shorts!). I came with my parents, my Luli, my Lolo ("grandfather"), my Uncle Jino, my Yaya Sabs and our friend Ronnie! On our first day there we checked out the duty free stores and - we went to ZOOBIC!!! I HAD A BLAST!!! I saw ostriches and tigers and bear cats and a whole bunch of animals! But what I really loved the most in the Zoobic Safari? The leaves! I was sitting plopped on my Lolo's arms the whole time we were in Zoobic and he couldn't stop me from grabbing them! Quick hands! Teehee! Too quick for Lolo!

May 9, 2009

Playing with the puppies at my grandparents' house, right before we set off for Subic! (I almost ate the puppy, haha! My Mamu had to stop my putting it in my mouth!)

Inside one of the duty free centers with my grand father - "Shopping? Yawn!"

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Calvin Klein; Almost shoes - Funky Feet; Bib - Kladd by Ikea

A DAY OF FIRSTS

Whoa! What a crazy busy day I had with my parents! We were zooming from one end of the metropolis to the other! First, we hied off to Filinvest to attend a wedding reception at Vivere Suites. My dad's secretary got hitched! This was also the first ever wedding I attended. So in honor of the occasion - I wore loafers, teehee. My grandmother Luli bought me "almost shoes" socks! They are so comfy and go with most of my new shorts, yey! My Ninang ("godmother") Anna Devanadera got me that pique shirt and checkered shorts - thank you!!! After the wedding, we hurried off to Bonifacio High Street -to pick up a present in the mammoth book store there, Fully Booked. I had to buy a gift - we attended my first ever birthday party that afternoon! (I also had to change my shirt - my Tita Trina Garcia and Tito Jang Moreno got me that blue tee!). It was the 1st birthday party of Tomas, the son of my Papu's college friend. It was also the first time I've ever been to Jollibee - this major fastfood chain that kids love here in the Philippines. I think every kid's childhood here is just not complete without that big orange bug!!!

April 18, 2009

I attend my first wedding!

Check out the loafers, teehee! My Luli got me those in navy blue, green, brown and black!

At the bookstore - I had to change my shirt. Oh, this Manila heat!

(That's the bib my Ninong ["godfather"] Monzit and Tita Karla gave me - one of my favorites!)

My first birthday party ever!

I've been Jollibee'd!

Yellow pique shirt - Calvin Klein; Shorts - Calvin Klein; Almost shoes - Funky Feet; Bib - Koala Baby; Blue tee - Mothercare

MY (NOT QUITE BLUE) SUEDE SHOES

Here I am, asleep on our couch, after a visit to my pediatrician. My Papu and yaya ("nanny") took me - my daddy had to get off from work early to take me - it was vaccine time again, ugh. I have such a pretty doctor - I giggled when she held me and went all cute. (My doctor's report: my brain development parallels that of a 6-month old, and I'm as big as a 5-month old - even though I just turned 3 months! Hurrah!) I'm this close to outgrowing these onesies I'm wearing - part of a gift set from my Tita Margerry Florendo - Gerry Lee, I like to call her - I also wore them during a mini break here. Check out my beige suede shoes - one of the pairs from the bunch of shoes I got from my Mamu's sorority sisters, Titas Nicka, Tammy, Margie, Ann, Angge, and Hazel - another fixture in my collection of lolo ("grandfather") shoes. My Papu complained they were too tight at first. It turns out he forgot to take the roll of paper stuffed inside the toes!

February 23, 2009

Onesie - Calvin Klein; Shoes - Baby Company

FIRST POST - YAY!

Here I am in Moon Garden in Tagaytay - my first holiday ever! Mamu got me several baby leg warmers with crazy prints. My Tita Gerry Lee got me a pack of those onesies - I basically wore them the entire month of December, because they were the only set of onesies that fit me then. (After Christmas, it was a whole other story. I grew a pot belly. But that's another entry!)

December 29, 2008

Onesie - Calvin Klein; Leg Warmers - Baby Legs