MY GODMOTHER'S BABY SHOWER

It was my Ninang ("godmother) Bles Cuaycong's baby shower today! Together with my parents and yaya ("nanny") Nida, we met up with my Tita Marge and Tito Jvic, Tita Neva and Tita Dan - and my godbrother David! We had lunch in a restaurant called the Stock Market in Bonifacio High Street. It has been a loooong time since I last saw David - last time was during my baptism! We had a fine time catching up.

November 28, 2009

David and I "ran" into each other in High Street, with our yayas in tow! Heehee!

I'm not really grabbing David's shirt, see? I just need to hold on to someone because I'm not quite steady on my feet yet!

I can do short bursts of speed though!

(My Opa and Oma got me my shorts and shoes, while my Ninang Bles got me those socks!)

David has a wardrobe change. I would have to get in touch with his Mommy for the details!!!

My Ninang Bles is expecting a little girl.

Look at all the pink stuff everyone got her! Ewww!!!

After the baby shower, I "drove" away in my new car! Teehee!

This is the big present I got from my parents for my 1st birthday.

My dad has a remote control he uses to steer the car, while I sit there all pretty.

I sometimes think my daddy enjoys this toy as much as I do!!!

(My Tita Ina Alazas got me that tee! I had to change before we left since I got all sweaty running around with David!).

White tee with car print - Gingersnaps; Cargo shorts - Moose Gear from SM; Sneakers - Florsheim Kids; Baby blue socks - Baby Gap

White tee with animal print - Carter's

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

ANNUAL PICTURES

Every year my Papu's side of the family has an annual picture-taking day. This year, we had it at my cousin Josh's house. This is the first time I got to be part of the picture! Yipee! Last year when they had the annual picture, I was still inside my Mamu's belly!

November 15, 2009

My Lolo Roland and Lola Mitch Lorilla got me those shorts!

This is one of my favorite tees - my Papu picked it out all on his own for me!

(You can see my family picture over here).

It was also my Uncle Choi Kapunan's birthday celebration.

I had a bit of his birthday cake. Teehee.

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

HIGH STREET

Ooh, my Mamu made my Papu and I wait for three (THREE!) hours while she had her haircut in The Fort. So my Papu and I, together with my Ninong ("godfather") Vince Escobar, and my yaya ("nanny") Nida went to check out a car show nearby. I wanted to clamber on the SUVs there! Then we went to Bonifacio High Street, this outdoor shopping complex in The Fort. I had a blast running around the lawn there, with my yaya chasing after me. I'm still learning how to walk on my own - I'm a bit wobbly still, but I'm getting there!

November 7, 2010

Here I am playing among the art structures in High Street.

(My Opa and Oma got me my shorts and sneakers!)

I can't walk properly yet, but I do so love climbing!

(That's my yaya holding on tight. My Mamu blogged more about our day here).

I can do this, I can do this.

Hear me roar!

Time for a donut break!

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Moose Gear from SM; Sneakers - Florsheim Kids

MY FIRST HALLOWEEN

I went as Count Dracula for Halloween! My First Halloween EVER! It was an impromptu costume - my Mamu and Papu dashed into a bookstore (yes, a bookstore) called Pandayan, found the costume, and snatched it up. It was too big for me! I had a big orange collar printed with bats, a white ruff, and a black satin cape. Then we headed over to my cousin Josh's house for the Patajo Halloween party. I missed trick-or-treat though. But I did have a blast running around entertaining my relatives and playing with all the Halloween decors at Josh's house. My folks even got me a little pumpkin bucket for my candy - not that they let me have any. I'm too little for candy, they said! Phooey!

October 31, 2010

Ready to conquer Halloween!

(My Opa and Oma got me my shorts and sneakers!)

I have to wonder why I am hugging this pillar! Heehee!

Little Count playing the piano! (Sort of!)

Tee - Gingersnaps; Cargo shorts - Moose Kids from SM; Leather sneakers - Florsheim Kids; Halloween costume - Pandayan Bookstore

BUSY BEE

My Saturdays are always busy busy busy. First, I went to visit my pediatrician with my parents. I grew taller again! Then, we went to meet my Opa and Oma for lunch in this mall called The Podium. We ate lunch at this Japanese restaurant called Yaku and had dessert at Figaro's - the oldies had coffee and tea, while I tried a poppyseed muffin! Then we headed to my friend Tasha's 1st birthday party at her house. I had so much fun! There was a bubble show, a magic show, and face painting. Ooh, next month I'll be turning 1, too! I can't wait!

October 17, 2009

Poppyseed poppyseed!

I wore the tee my parents' boss, Atty. Sonya Castillo, got me!

I took home a bunch of balloons from Tasha's party.

I really like balloons.

That's Tasha! Happy birthday!

Her mommy works at my Mamu and Papu's firm too.

Another souvenir from Tasha's party - my first "tattoo", heehee!

Tee - Zara Kids; Camouflage cargo shorts - Spin; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

MY FIRST MOHAWK!

I am back! I left this blog with a pretty depressing post and it has been sitting here by its sad little self for months and months. (I've been Very. Busy. I can walk now!!!). But, I'm back and I shall share my FIRST HAIRCUT EVER. My parents took me to this kiddie beauty salon called Cuts 4 Tots in TriNoma Mall. Can you believe seven - yes, SEVEN - adults came to see me get my haircut! Aside from my parents, there were the Lulipops (my paternal grandparents), my Uncle Jino, my yaya ("nanny") Nida, and our friend Ronnie. My other set of grannies wanted to come too, actually, but good thing they had to go out of town - it would've have been too too embarassing having almost a dozen people coming for my haircut! And I'm just one little person, too. Teehee. A lot of the other kids were wailing. I didn't cry AT ALL though. Yay. My folks were very proud of me.

October 4, 2009

Here I am, waiting for my turn.

I picked a little motorcycle for my "barber's chair!"

Souvenir tank from Subic, from my grandfather Pops; Shorts - Spin; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

Look how long my hair has gotten! No wonder people always mistake me for a girl!

All done! (And can I just say - it took almost AN HOUR! Grrrr!)

My Mamu and yaya trying to brush off all the stray hair!

I refused to stand still! I've been sitting still long enough!

(My parents' boss, Atty. Sonya Castillo, got me that tee!)

Tee - Zara Kids; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

VOILA!
My new haircut!
My Mamu was inspired by Maddox Jolie-Pitt, teehee.
I say I look far far better! Hihi!

How do you like the new look?!

STRANDED!

It started out as a pretty normal day. I was out of the house with my Papu, Mamu and yaya ("nanny") Nida at 7:00 am on a Saturday. There was a slight drizzle but no dark clouds so we weren't really worried about the weather. We picked up my Ninong Zito, then my Tita Kar, and we all headed to the Manila Polo Club where my folks played squash as usual. Then BOOM! The rain fell! Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) unleashed 1-month's worth of rain in the Philippines - in just 6 hours! Oh boy. The flooding was horrible. We tried to stay in my Tita Kar's house but the water came streaming in. We had to evacuate. My Papu had to carry me because the water at that part of Forbes Park, the village where my Tita Kar lives, came to right below my Papu's waist. My parents and I stayed stranded in Market! Market!, this mall in The Fort, in Taguig City because the roads were jammed with both traffic and flood water! Mamu, Papu and yaya Nida had to buy new clothes and everything because they were soaking wet (I was the only one kept dry!). We couldn't go home because the village where we lived, and the highway leading to our village, was completely flooded and unpassable by cars. (My grandparents, Opa and Oma, had to evacuate!). It was really bad. We had to stay at my Lolo ("grandfather") Ferdie's condo-hotel over at Discovery for three days. We were only able to go home on Monday morning, when the water receded enough for us to head home. It was a bad bad bad experience - but at least we are all safe and sound! My country has been placed under a state of calamity. People say it's like Hurricane Katrina. This is the worst rainfall recorded in Philippine history, and in a lot of areas, the flood water was over six feet tall. A lot of people did not get as lucky as we did - our homes at least stayed intact and no one in my family died or got hurt. I am really praying for the rest my kababayans ("countrymen").

September 26, 2009

Here I am at the Polo Club, engrossed with my Papu's squash racket.

At this point, we were all still completely clueless about the horrible effects of Typhoon Ondoy.

Tee - Gingersnaps; Shorts - Baby Armstrong; Sandals - Florsheim Kids

My Opa and Oma got me those shorts. I didn't know at this point that I'd only be seeing them Monday!

(That's my yaya Nida holding me!)

My hair has grown soooo long this month.

They've taken to tying it back or, worse, even clipping it back! Grrrr!

Here I am in Discovery now, with my Lolo Ferdie, Lola Irene, Ate ("big sister") Bianca, and Kuya ("big brother") Rapha.

We couldn't go home to our own place (unless we swim back! Plus, there was no electricity there).

Here I am, getting all fussy, with my Mamu. I get cranky when I try to fight how sleepy I actually am!

I've changed for bed - my yaya gave me a shower.

We didn't have extra clothes when we left. I'm wearing shorts my Mamu got me from Market! Market! (We also loaded up on formula there and water for me, because we had no idea where we'll be stranded, or for how long).

My Kuya Rapha lent me his shirts all weekend!

They kept calling me Casper, because Kuya Rapha's tees were all too big for me! I looked like the friendly ghost.

I'm too little to be of much help but I send out a hug to all the Filipino flood victims out there!

ORDINARY DAYS

It's a national holiday today, so even though it's a Monday, I got one extra day with my parents at home - yey! We mostly lounged around and played in Papu and Mamu's big bed. We saw some videos, and headed out once to buy videos and go to the supermarket. I enjoy the sights and sounds when we go out, but I do so enjoy quiet days at home with my parents too. I wish we had more days like this! (Even though we forgot to bring the camera when we went to the grocery! Hihi!).

September 21, 2009

My Uncle Amiel and my Aunt Mary got me that onesie, my Opa and Oma got me those shoes, and my Ninang ("godmother") Bles Cuaycong got me those socks from Baby Gap!

Onesie - OshKosh B'Gosh; Shoes - 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