Christmas and New Year in Iloilo....

We finally decided to spend christmas with my family in Iloilo after two christmas' of not going home. In 2006, Elle was just three months old and was too fragile to travel. On the other hand, in 2007, we went home early December because of an assignment in Boracay and thought that it would not be practical to go home again after just one week. Hence, we decided to spend christmas in Manila.

I saw it in my parents' eyes that they were very happy to see Elle. My mother never let a minute pass by without playing with Elle. Everyday she would scold her most beloved dogs for barking at Elle. She went through with her annual gift giving in Jerios all alone with Elle (because I was sick)! She let Elle give out toys for kids in Jerios! Mama was so proud of Elle...

Mama would invite me to Gaisano so that Elle can play in Jollibee's play area. A day before we left for Manila she invited me to SM so that Elle can ride the carousel, mall train and ferris wheel (Elle's first time)!

On the other hand, my father would tell me everyday that Elle is so pretty. I would answer back, "of course she got her looks from me" and he would ask me back "from whom did you get your looks?". It's logic, papa knows that I got my look from him hence elle also got her look from her... He would give me a big smile after this exchange...

Looking back, I never really got a chance to do something like this with my mother and father when I was small. Maybe, because I grew up in Manila and would go home only twice a year or maybe because there were no play areas or big malls during that time... I would kid my sisters that none of our photos landed in our father's wallet but Papa now carries in his wallet Elle Marie's photo!

God, I love Mama and Papa. I love spending Christmas in Iloilo because my family is there.

Elle Marie, the flower girl

Last weekend, Elle Marie's Tito Danny got married in Laguit Padilla, Bugallon,Pangasinan and Elle was one of the flower girls. It was Elle's first time to be a flower girl. When I learned about it, I was sooo excited! but with all the activities that we had to do I was not able to prepare...
Elle was the youngest among the flower girls. She wore a mint green gown just like what the whole entourage wore. They wanted to put make up on her and do her hair but i objected. No offense to the make up artist but neither would I want to risk my daughter's skin with her make up nor subject Elle's hair with the spray net that i saw her putting on the other flower girls. I made Elle wear the pink and green beaded hairband that I bought in Cebu (in anticipation to Elle's being a flower girl); the pearl earrings (same as mine) given by Ninang Sasha. I was thinking of making Elle wear stockings but I only learned about their color theme when we got in Pangasinan.
They made Elle bring a basket of colorful flowers. At first she cried because as ninang and ninong, Noy and I had to march first and she was left alone with her escort. Good thing, Kuya shaolin was there. He walked down the aisle with Elle together with Elle's escort! Hahaha what an experience! I look forward to next year and more of flower girl stints for Elle!

This Little Light of Mine...

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine let it shine let it shine Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine let it shine let it shine

Call me a stage mother, a bragger or whatever suits you but nothing can stop me from saying and boasting that I am soooo proud of my daughter! During their christmas program in school, she walked to the stage on her own while her other classmates were carried by their yayas! She shaked the flashlights and swayed her head as the song was being played! She neither cried nor screamed for me or Noy!!!

God, I am so proud of my daughters' milestones! I hope she knows how elevated (as if in cloud nine) I felt while watching her perform on stage with her friends. Again, I had mixed emotions. Ecstatic because of my daughter's achievements, very grateful to God for giving me Elle and very in love with Noy for without him, I would not have Elle... I was almost in tears but this time I did not freeze... but my unreliable rechargeable battery did! I almost grabbed the camera of the person beside me so that I can take Elle's photos but good thing we had a back-up, the camera with noy which was supposed to be used in taking videos. One big lesson learned from this experience is to buy a new camera, new rechargeable batteries and and keep the old one as back up:-) who knows!

Gymboree Pajama Party

Today is Pajama party in Gymboree. We were not supposed to go because we are having a playdate at Lo's residence but Noy already bought the P300 ticket (for enrolled members) so we went.

I've never been to a pajama party before and I did not have time to prepare or at least research for this event. Press for time, I just grabbed the most comfortable sleepwear that I could find in Elle's cabinet: a red t-shirt and red printed leggings (too big for her actually!) They are not actually sleepwears but I can't find any clean pajama so I thought they would do.

We were late, Gymboree was crowded, there were yayas and kids everywhere. In one corner the teacher was doing a class, gym area kids were just playing. They prepared a mini theater in the lower floor but children seems bored while watching the cinderella dvd. Elle was bored and just played with Kristine in the food area. I should have listened to my friend who said it's going to be another disorganized event.

Nevertheless, what matters most is Elle. She seems happy:-) We still love gymboree...

"This Little Light of Mine", Crispy Creme and Plenty of hugs and kisses on our 3rd Year Wedding Anniversary

Today, Noy and I celebrated our third year wedding anniversary with three things: "This Little Light of Mine", Crispy Creme and lots of hugs and kisses!

In a heated argument, Noy and I would often tell each other "pinagtitiyagaan na lang kita!" yet we are still celebrating our third year anniversary!!! I guess this is what marriage is all about patience, understanding and sweet nothings... No marriage is perfect. Kailangan lang talaga pagtiyagaan ang isa't isa. I remembered waking up last week crying because I dreamt that Noy and I parted ways. In my dream I told him to get back with me but he said I am sorry but I am afraid. I cried and cried and cried... After realizing that it was all just a dream, I immediately went to my sleeping Noy, hugged him tightly and cried and cried and cried... I warned him that if ever he tells me that he doesn't want to get back with me, I will take his word for it and never again see him! Hehehe poor Noy, he was very shocked!

In the midst of close friends' failed marriages, I am just happy that I still have Noy to hug, to argue with, to laugh with and just to do crazy things with... I usually pretend to Noy that I can make it without him just to make myself look tough but the truth is I will die without him! I just can't imagine life without his smile, his hugs and kisses, his weird kawawa look that makes my heart melt, his sexylicious body and his analysis:-) God! I am still head over heels kilig with my Noy!

Last week, I forced Noy to think of a special surprise for me today in celebration of our wedding anniversary. I told him that i wanted it to be very romantic, just the two of us, and something new! We ended up taking photos of Elle during her performance in Toddler's xmas program; eating Crispy Creme ; and walking/ strolling while holding hands (na pa sway sway pa at si Elle ay nasa gitna namin) at Bonifacio High Street!

Looks like there will never be a Noy and Ella ever again... but life is more beautiful with a Noy, Elle and Ella...