Elle Marie's first year birthday party!!!!

Who said I cannot have Elle Marie's first year birthday party on September 30, 2007?

My boss used to tease me that at such an early age, I am already creating confusion in Elle Marie’s mind by celebrating her first year birthday a day before her actual birthday October 1, 2007… of course, he was just joking but the “gullible-Ella” in me would always try to justify why I am putting my dear daughter in such condition.

I would always say that “who would attend a children’s birthday party on a “Monday”? at 3:00p.m. parents would still be in the office while children would be in school. If I make it 6:00p.m., same venue, who would take the challenge of going through the traffic in EDSA? No parent would allow his or her child to go through the stress and hassle of Monday traffic in EDSA. And definitely nobody would make it on time! If I make it later than 6p.m., it would already be past the bedtime for Elle Marie’s friends, much as well for Elle… Hence, no celebrant equals no party.

If I make it a week after her actual birthday, I don’t think I would still have the excitement and energy. We are planning to have an intimate celebration on October 1 together with family members only. Knowing how I prepare for events, I know that after October 1, I would have used up all my energy and excitement that nothing would be left for the “too late” party a week after. Therefore, no Elle Marie’s Mama equals no party.

But, who said I cannot have Elle Marie’s first year birthday on September 30? In fact, last year, same day (September 30), only it was Saturday, Elle showed signs that she wanted to go out and see the world but decided not to. I spent the whole day inside the delivery room waiting for Elle to come out. Dra. Gigi Rivera had to cancel all her appointments that day in anticipation for the grand “welcome” for Elle. I was induced a couple of times, was given epidural around 8:00p.m. but, no Elle Marie came out. I dilated up to 4cm only.

They say that Elle Marie heard me joke about the giveaways I prepared for her baptismal, that I cross-stitched October 2006 but left the date free in anticipation to giving birth on the third week of October as projected by Dra Rivera. Should Elle come out September 30, I would have to sew it again and it would not be that nice to look at. Obedient baby huh...

Noy joked that Elle Marie knew that if she came out September 30, I would have not received any benefits from SSS. It is the policy for SSS members to have at least two consecutive quarter contributions to qualify for benefit. I would fall short to this qualification since I started my contributing only April 2006.

As I would always say, since Elle is too young to decide I would decide for her. I have made up my mind and I say “I want to celebrate Elle Marie’s first year birthday party on September 30, 2007. I hope Elle Marie come to understand in time the gruesome energy I put on analyzing and justifying why I am celebrating her first year birthday party on September 30 instead of October 1.

In the end, the important thing is that I poured in my time and energy for her party because I love her. I want everybody to remember how loved Elle Marie is by her parents, family and friends.

FINAL countdown... and it is driving me crazy

Barely a week to go and my dear Elle Marie will be turning 1 year old... How fast time can fly. It was just like yesterday when I visit Dra. Rivera almost every other weekends in preparation for the D day!!! I would carefully read every chapter of "What to expect when you are expecting" and wish I could turn to the next chapter as fast as I read it. I just could not wait to hold and kiss my little angel...

I've never been as excited in my whole life as I was in anticipation for Elle Marie. Noy would always tease me that all the pain i endured just to deliver Elle normally were in vain considering that our hospital expenses were the same as ceasarian delivery. I was rushed a couple of times in the hospital due to false alarm... I was too excited to see Elle that I would interpret her little kicks as contractions and sign that she wants to get out of my tummy...

All of my friend would attest that I am sometimes "over-acting" in every way. I can prepare way way ahead and I tend to be too detailed... But, not all of my friends know that I have a "Hurry" syndrome. I fear being late... that is why I always prepare ahead of schedule that I either end up OVER prepared or frustrated if things don't go as I thought or planned to be.

A lot of people find me OA when I prepare every month for Elle's monthly birthday celebration. Most were surprised when they learned that Elle's grand birthday party in Iloilo last April was actually just her 6th month birthday party! (most thought it was her first year bday party already that is why we received a couple of gifts for one-year old) BUT most of friends laughed when they heard me prepare for Elle's birthday party as early as January when Elle was just three months old... hehehe

I really don't care what people say. I love Elle so much that I as much as possible I want to give her the best birthday ever (in my definition-for now)! I want it to be well-planned, party worth remembering... Of course, I will make sure that it is well documented for Elle to appreciate my love when she is old enough to comprehend everything that I've done for her...

I will never regret preparing for Elle's birthday party as early as January because if I didn't, I would end up in mental institution considering the workload that was given to me starting August... All the reports, the travels and challenges! I thank God for my innate hunger not to be late! It saved my sanity! It saved Elle Marie's first year birthday party...

Thank God for friends...

We just started sending out the electronic invitation card and map for Elle Marie’s birthday party and received a lot of positive feedback. One said that it was well made and that the color enhances Elle’s smile. Another said that the design was calming to the eyes and perfect for the event. This brought out a smile on my face but thinking about how this invitation card came to be is what made my day.

The invitation card should say it all. It is the soul of the party where people can get a glimpse of what is in store for them. It is the reason why it took a little while for us to finalize Elle Marie’s invitation card. I wanted something very prima ballerina… simple but elegant, baby pink and Elle-ish. I started by surfing the net for a ballerina themed invitation card and was able to identify a couple. I finally decided on one specific design which has drawings of tutu, ballet shoes and tiara. It took one weekend for me to learn photoshop through the online training and another weekend to apply it. I was never a quitter but I must admit that I am not an artistic person. So I gave up and turn to my ever reliable, master of new technology friend whom for years have helped me with related concerns.

Kitt has a lot of reason not to say no to my request. For one, he is Elle Marie’s primary godfather. When the church asked Noy to identify among the godfathers who he would like to be the primary godfather he said Kitt without a blink of an eye. (secret ito ha…) but I guess Kitt did it just because.

Everyday, I thank God for the many true friends that He has showered me with and this include Kitt and his family. The past few months preparation for Elle’s birthday party would not have been bearable if not for the constant free consultation through YM and direct support from him and other friends.

If I may quote Tutter in the Bear in the Big Blue House, “Do you know what is the best thing about my birthday, Bear?... My friends… My friends are the best part of my birthday”. I know that Elle’s birthday party will be VERY special because of friends like Kitt who have always been there for us just because.

The Making of Elle Marie, the Prima Ballerina

A friend who is a veteran in events organizing once told me that the key to preparing a party is having a venue first and the rest will follow.

But for me, I started with a theme, one that I have always dreamed of since I was just a kid. I am not ashamed to say that I am a frustrated ballerina… I used to own a prima ballerina Barbie doll but never got to own a tutu. I have always dreamed of mastering the art of tiptoeing, twirling and simply looking so elegant with a tiara and hair tucked neatly at the back of my head but I never got to because I had umbilical hernia during the early stage of my infancy. Back then, my OB could only recommend that I refrain from strenuous activities that include ballet.

Like me, Elle also had umbilical hernia. Fortunately, Dra Lourdes Genuino said that there is nothing to worry it will disappear after three months. And it did… Since then, I promised myself that should Elle wishes to do ballet classes, I will gladly support her. But for now that she still can’t decide for herself, I will give her a ballerina party!!

I want the party to be filled with kids in pink and white. Girls should wear tiaras while boys wear their cutest smiles. The venue will be filled with pink and white balloons and cotton candies! Elle will be the prima ballerina of the day. She will wear her swarovski tiara, just like the one we saw in greenhills and the puffiest tutu Ninang Sasha can make. I will buy her the cute ballet shoes I saw in Rustan’s, Makati… And everybody will go home remembering only one thing, Elle’s biggest and cutest smile because she had the best ballerina birthday party one could ever have!

I will make sure that (unlike our wedding) Tita Alice will get a better videographer and photographer so that we will be able to preserve the experience and show to Elle once she is old enough to remember and appreciate the party that symbolized our love for her.

Preparing for Elle's First Year Birthday

Preparing for Elle's First Year Birthday July 20, 2007

The preparation for Elle’s first year birthday party officially started today when Noy announced that Dasmarinas Village Club House will not be able to accommodate us because there is a scheduled village bazaar on the same day Elle is scheduled to have her birthday party. Adding to the “not so encouraging” news for the day was a reply from Makati Sports Club that our account officer failed to do my reservation! Talk about expensive service.

I don’t know what to do. I completely froze. I thought I had it all sorted out. I can’t believe that all the informal planning that I have been doing as early as January suddenly collapsed in front of me and I can’t do anything about it. It took me hours before I gathered my thoughts and look for another venue. Thank God for the internet! I found this blog by Lot describing a venue that she wanted to have for her son’s first year birthday but failed to because it is so difficult to get a booking. Instead she posted a couple of pictures of the venue with her and her son. The pictures were nice so I looked for the contact number and called.

To my amazement, somebody already booked on the schedule I wanted to get for Elle’s birthday party BUT it turned out that the person who reserved it is migrating to Singapore and was hoping to get somebody to avail of the venue and reimburse her payment. What a luck ha?! So, I gave my contact number and after a few minutes my angel called.

She told me that I am a blessing from heaven. They only have two weeks in the Philippines and she is worrying about the money that she paid for the venue. Like Elle, her son is also celebrating his first year birthday. Even though they are from Alabang, they opted for the Artist Pavillion in Makati Plaza and Garden. They even paid for it as early as January, eight months before the event. It was so light talking to my angel. I guess because she is my answered prayer and we are both mothers. We talked about our babies, our party preparations, about the venue. We talked as if we’ve been friends for centuries already… She even invited me for a coffee in Singapore if I go there…

God really works in mysterious ways. I almost broke down in tears out of frustration and disappointment but good thing I was able to calm myself and focus on the important things in life… Elle and her first year birthday party. Now, Elle definitely has a venue for her first birthday party and I am excited to see it with her.

Elle's 2nd month birthday!!!

Elle Marie just turned 2 months old today...

Amidst the strong wind, God blessed us with a good day that started with a check up with Dra Genuino at Manila Doctors Hospital. She just had her three in one vaccine, it hurt a little bit but I was there to comfort her.

After that we went to Glorietta to have lunch at Mcdonalds:-) I can't wait for the day that Elle can finally eat solid foods! We will eat ice cream, pizza and burger mcdo! Of course, I will teach Elle to eat healthy food first and foremost. We then met with Guen and Lance at Makati Shangrila Hotel while I interviews a couple of our project beneficiaries.

Elle's intimate yet grand party was held at Jollibee Glorietta with her Ate Guen, Kuya Lance, Yaya Amy and Ate Celia. Although, we missed Papa Noysky who went to Pangasinan... we had a blast!