Baby Gender Reveal

Although i know we are blessed with whatever gender our baby will be, This is one of the most exciting part for me, to know the gender of our baby. But practically speaking we didn't throw up a baby shower or baby gender reveal party. Now that we have a first born baby boy, It could be awesome if God will grant us a baby girl...

God is good!!! He granted us a boy first and finally with a girl...

Out of excitement, my hubby and i went out to the mall to buy her first clothing...This 2018 violet is said to be the color of the year, i decided to make a lighter one to be the theme/motif of most of her things...

Now we're going to have a : (Daddy's Girl)

And a : (Mommy's Beauty)

I am now starting to create a checklist for our little darling's necessities when she arrived. And hopefully will complete everything before the big day comes.Since i am a CS, it will not be a surprise when will that big day be. I can be ready as soon as my OB scheduled my delivery.

Best of 2017

Here are the list of the best things about my 2017:

January - I decided to get organized to the benefits of my family as well as myself. I started

• Planning - By using a simplified planner i personally made
• Managing Finances - By tracking/monitoring our bill dues, income,savings and expenses
• Prioritizing - Doing first what is important.
• Setting Goals
• Purchased our first ever 120sqm. land property (fruit of labor by my husband)

April 20 - Arrival of my husband after 3 years from working overseas(Japan) as welder.

May - Spend some time with my family (and my brothers' family). 

• We went to Enchanted kingdom in Sta. Rosa Laguna so that kids may enjoy playing.
• My family had our first out of town summer get away in Puerto Galera (beach escapade) 

 July - 

• It was 25th of July when i learned i am pregnant with our 2nd child ( what a blessing!)
• My husband's 1st customer in photography, 7th pre and bday shoot (He decided to pursue photography business as another option just incase he won't be able to work abroad again.
• First pre-wedding photoshoot in Batangas by my husband
• First wedding coverage in Cavite City by my husband

October - 

• I was invited to be a bridesmaid on my friend's wedding then had a maternity photo shoot with my husband.
• 2 pre-birthday photo shoot by my husband
• 1 pre-wedding photo shoot by my husband

November - 

• 3 7th birthday coverage by my husband
• 1 wedding coverage by my husband
• Baby gender reveal: It's a GIRL! 

December - 

• Work abroad called up for my husband's application.
• Simple gathering with my family in Christmas day

Sure there are some worse part of this year but i don't really considered it as worse instead i consider it as a challenge. There are moments when my son, myself and my mother got hospitalized and broke my wallet. But this made me realized that health is wealth so i have to consider health this coming year so that we can avoid getting sick. Includes healthy meals and exercise for the family. 

Over all, we thank the Lord for blessing us throughout the year. We manage to cope up the challenges and learned from the people we encountered everyday in good times and bad times. 

Thank you 2017 and welcome 2018, Please be kind to us we are looking for a better year with hopes and prayers...

4 THINGS 2017 HAS TAUGHT ME (a year end reflection)

I was in college when i first realized the importance of reflection. I studied in a Catholic scholarship program school which helped by the government in educating the under privilege ladies and guided  by Opus Dei in Religion/spiritual being. I have learned the reflection in day to day basis, contemplating on the things you've done today, taking down notes on achievements, failures and sins committed (could be big or small), so that when confession day comes, you will be able to ask for forgiveness about what you've done and of course to correct what you've done wrong or improve yourself.

As a Filipino,we have this New year's resolution thing in the beginning of the year. I guess it's not just a tradition or what ever but i guess having it in your life will help you become a whole rounded person specially if you do it right and base it in reality. " The examined life is worth living" I believe. So, as this year ends, i would like to look back on my 2017 life events and look forward to what 2018 can bring me...

My 2017 has TAUGHT me to :

1. ORGANIZED 

Being organized is tough for me ever since because I'm a distracted person. I do whatever i feel like doing. But since I wanted to make use of my internet well, I've tried reading from different Christian and homemakers blog, This encouraged me to follow their tips and advises in becoming a better home maker, recognizing the important role of a woman for the benefit of your family and God's glory. From there i was able to make one step at a time in organizing.

• Planner - i started using a planner which includes 

1. Bill tracker (income,savings,expenses,bill dues)
2. Grocery list
3. Menu Planning (daily/weekly)
4. Cleaning lists
5. Things to do

2. SET GOALS/PRIORITIES

Just like organizing, goal setting is another challenge for me. I cant recognized what i really want in life. I want every little bit of everything and my plans keeps on changing. Staying focused is one of my weakness. Glad that it was my husband's strength. In this aspect,  his additional guidance has helped me.

3. SAVE AND MANAGE FINANCES

I can't say i am now successful in this aspect but i can say i have improved in a way. Actually, i am the spender and my husband is the keeper type of person. That is the best thing about marrying the opposite person as you are. I have learned saving some income in a bank, put up a little business that could help us earn extra income, and purchased only what is necessary. My husband's philosophy here is first things first. You have to recognized the difference between needs and wants and uses the this formula : Income - Savings = Expenses. I found it effective anyways.

4. FORGIVE.FORGET.MOVE ON.

I don't want to approach the coming year with a burden heart. Time to release the unnecessary emotional baggage of the past year. yeah, forgive and forget the people that may caused me irritations, harms and pains. My bitterness, career wise and try to focus on the blessings that me and my family received. Time to refresh my heart and leave everything to our fair and prudent judge God.

I am excited about the opportunities that a fresh New year would bring. The challenges and projects that needs to accomplish /complete, declutter physical, mental and spiritual aspects in life. Time is tickling and a few more hours to go before 2018 starts. 

Things I've Done as i kick off the new year with a fresh start:

• Paid Bills - House rental, Electricity, water, internet bills
• House keeping
• Declutter digital life: phone,photos,files,PC
• Give tokens/gifts to people i care about
• Cook food as we celebrate the first day 2018

Alright! 2018 Let's get it on!!! Happy New Year People :)

My 29th Weeks Baby Bump Updates

"Psalm 127:3 Behold,children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."

I haven't post much about during my 1st and 2nd trimester. The symptoms of being pregnant, my experiences along the way and how i cope up difficulties and emotional roller coaster i have had. Now I'm on my first week of the last trimester. And this is what I'm feeling now.

Pros:

- No more morning sickness
- Gained more appetite in food
- Emotions are manageable now
- Enjoying every movements in my tummy.

Cons:

- Back pains
- Leg cramps
- Getting out of bed/ getting up is now a heroic act
- Penguin like movements

I'm just being grateful that this present pregnancy is not as delicate as my previous one. I can move better and work well without having pains and spotting. It is such a blessing that i have a wonderful period of time carrying a God given gift of life. So today I am starting to plan and prepare the essential things for my little one when the big day arrives. From the milk down to the things that the baby will need in the future.

Here's the update on our simple photo shoot during my 29th weeks pregnancy...

See you soon honey :)

Together with Daddy and my first born Brent...

Oh how i love them :) 

Daddy feeling the baby

i love the innocent looks of my boy here :)

By the way, these photos are taken by my husband which is called low key shoots. Baby reveal soon...

An Addition To The Family

There's nothing more exciting than knowing that i am pregnant... AGAIN! It's such a blessing for someone like me who has a delicate womb with a history on previous operation such as myomectomy and chromotubation. I had a miscarriage on my first pregnancy and a delicate 2nd. It was july 25 when i first knew i was pregnant... What a joy for both my husband and I... Thank God.

So, to enjoy my pregnancy my husband took a maternity shoot in my 24 weeks baby bump

So for now, i will nurture my baby in my tummy and wait for the big day... Updates will follow soon :)

Bridal Couture 2017 Paco Park Manila

Since photography became the passion of my husband, I supported him. Every time we find time and chances for photography i go with him. So there's this invitation in Nikon Pilipinas an FB page for photography hobbyist and enthusiast for the 2017th bridal couture organized by Gilbert Manawat. We hardly know anyone there but out of curiosity and also to practice shooting, there we go...

Event: Bridal Couture 5
Organizer: Gilbert Manawat
Gown: Marvin Garcia
Hair and Make Up : Donna Porras

So here's a glimpse of the pictures taken by an amateur photographer.

All about the bride

With the Groom:

I just feel so proud about my husband's shots...He's a first timer, no diploma for photography just passion. This pictures may not be the best but for the eye of his wife, it is :)

8 Ways To Show Your Love For Your Husband

No relationship will be successful if you don't work it out. Just like the flowers, it needs water and sunlight. I have been married to my husband for 5 years but we've been together for 10 years and over the years i have observed things that would pleased him. So in order to make him happy and show him how much I love and care for him, i should keep on doing the things that compliments him.Here are some of things i do for him...

1. My complete attention - Men's brain evolve to one thing ( book:Key to a man's heart) while we women tend to multi task. Often times i am the one who's more destructed by work, friends, mobile phone, children. But attending to them while talking to him makes him think that he is less important. So , keep an eye contact and limit interruptions as much as possible. Make him feel that he is the priority.

2. Serve his favorite meal - " the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach" i guess that is the best description everyone knows. Serving healthy foods makes him feel you wanted him to stay fit and healthy too.

3.Taking care of yourself - My husband is health conscious, he exercise often and i don't. So He keeps on encouraging me before to take care of my health specially now that we have a child. Pampering my self, exercising, eating healthy food indicates that " i want to have a long and wonderful life with you" 

4.Complimenting him - Genuine compliments on his looks and strength  confirm that you admire him which equates to love.

5. Encouraging him to take time for himself - This is what i keep on telling him, as long as your doing your obligations, fulfilling your duties and taking care of us, it doesn't matter to me if you have fun once in a while. I would love to see you having fun and enjoying life. Just don't indulges to vices, drunkenness, or adultery. That's a different thing. Encouraging him to take time for himself means showing support and allowing him to have the freedom to do what he wants, what he needs to be his best self. This will also indicates that you trust him.

Photography is my husband's hobby

6.Asking his advice - Asking for an advice shows that you rely on him and there's a place for him in your life. " when a man can fix something, he feels competent and useful".

7.Thanking him for the little things - Giving thanks will improve his attitude and infuse your relationship with a feel good energy. I still recall the time he asked me why i never said thank you to him, i told him i don't understand why he wanted to hear it because for me i never asked him to thanked me every time i did something for him.It's understood that we are grateful for each other. Well, again it's a feel good energy so instead of getting upset for his demand, ill do it for him. Anyways, it is an etiquette we can share with our kids too. To show and express gratefulness.

8.Intimacy - While woman connect verbally men connect more through touch. A big hug, a loving touch and sex. The chemical they release during sex stimulates the mental pleasure and reward center of a man says Dr. Dow.


9. Letting him vent - It shows you care. Just listen to his worries or problems without even trying to fix it. When my husband worked as an OFW for 3 years he often vent at me at night. Instead of having sex, we're having a conversation. I just feel his trust for venting on me. And at the same time i can feel how hard his life is when he was away from us. At least he was able to unload his burdens for quite a long time. I know it helps him.

I hope i will learn more ways other than these. You can share some tips on the comment box too...