Xmas Party '07

I went dancing last night.
After more than 10 years of being just in the backstage, I realized there's more to look back to if I chose to be upstage.

Now, I have my confidence back.
And I'm feeling great!

Arisha's GodParents

To the Ninongs and Ninangs of Arisha:

May each of you give our dear Arisha all the support, love and guidance as she grows.

Ninongs:
Mr. Wilbert Pascasio - My 1st cousin on my mother's side. A loving Dad to his 4 kids
Mr. Andy Reyes - An officemate, A Couple's for Christ Leader, A loving Dad to his 2 kids.
Mr. Edyson Henson - A highschool friend, a new dad to his few months old baby.
Mr. Caloi Aguinaldo - An officemate with a big heart for kids.
Mr. Dominic Taplan - A cousin from Art's side, very loving Uncle to his nephews and Nieces
Mr. Ryan Patrick Fernandez - An officemate and a Daddy in the making

Ninangs:
Atty. Floriza Labog - A very good friend way back in HS and is almost my sister
Ms. Goldie Estigoy - My housemate in College who taught me how to cook.
Ms. Abigail Abalos - Another housemate in college who is now a mom with 3 kids
Ms. Edna Magbojos - My roommate in college, my maid of honor
Ms. Nova Bagasao - My 1st cousin from my mother's side
Ms. Armida Abad - Art's youngest sister

My Babies Are Safe With Me

Am I less of a mom because I couldn't be a SAHM?
Am I compromising my babies welfare by leaving them to their nannies care 8-9 hours a days from Mondays to Fridays?
Have it been better if I left my babies in our province to stay with their lolo and lola rather than their nannies?

*******

I can't be a SAHM because I need my job to help my husband raise our kids and send them to a good school someday.
Good thing is, I have a job that gives me a decent pay and a manageable time plus a boss who is Pro-family. Whatelse? My work location is just 15-20 minutes away from home.

My earnings enable me to pay the bills, buy my babies their own brands of milk and diaper every week, good food at the dinner table, vitamins, monthly check ups and vaccines and the weekend treats for family bonding moments.

********

Before I made a decision to remain a working mom, I partnered with my mama to help find me reliable nannies. Of course I am scared of all the horrible yaya stories I've been reading from everywhere. I also prayed for God to send us an 'angel' yaya. God never failed me.

Though the yayas are the primary caregivers to my babies while I'm at work, I still do my part using the hours I have before and after work.

*******

Just like other Lolas, my mom wanted so much to take my babies with her in the province but when she saw how my babies were loved and taken cared of despite me not being a SAHM, she was convinced that it is best for them to stay with me.
She said she admires me for how I am as a mom to my babies. For Kenzo who is very smart, very respectful, very sweet and very much a loving 'baby kuya' to his baby sister, Arisha.

*******

Even if I am a working mom, I never fail to
1. Tell Kenzo and Arisha how much I love them morning and night (and thru phone calls when I'm not home)
2. Kiss and hug them everyday
3. Check their food and grocery supplies and toiletries.
4. Check on their health everyday
5. Take care of them myself in times they needed me most.
6. Read them books, teach them words, watch movies with them.
7. Prepare their food: Mashed for Arisha and table food for Kenzo
8. Change their diapers at night.
9. Trim their finger/toe nails.
10. Treat them out on weekends.
11. Shop for them.
12.Set time for play time.
13. Brush Arisha's tounge and help Kenzo brush his teeth
14. Clean and sterilize their feeding bottles, sippy cups, plates, forks and spoons.
15. Soothe their tantrums.

16.Think of them all the time.
17. be their MOM

********

And because my babies are with me, I can never miss the chance of seeing them grow each day.

Arisha' Christening

I am super thankful, my daughter's baptismal celebration was a blast!


Unlike Kenzo's lavish baptismal party last year, Arisha's was not at all grand in preparation but it came out simply elegant.

I am so proud of myself too for being able to manage a very decent party on a low budget.

Let me recount how I did it.

First thing I looked for was the reception, The Imperial Treasure along Shaw Boulevard. I worked closely with the Manager, Mr. Lino Pigue, who helped me come up with a great meal for approximately Php 240 per head only.

This is the menu served per table of 10 and it was indeed plentiful!

Bird's Nest Soup
Oriental Fried Rice
Miki Bihon Guisado
Fish Fillet with salt & Pepper
Braised Pata Tim w/ Vegetable
Fried Chicken in Lemon Sauce
Sesame Balls

Oh, all my guests were so happy with the food. Thanks to Mr. Lino. Now another friend of mine will be having her party there too. And as of today, I heard that our company have already booked the place for our Field Group Christmas party.

The only thing here though is that they don't decorate the place according to theme. But it's not a problem at all since the place is clean, the walls are rich in color, the chairs are new and the tables are neatly covered. But because I wanted to have a theme, I ordered balloon centerpieces at Php203.00 each from National Bookstore in Shangri-la and some pearlized balloon on sticks from Chingkoy's at Shaw Blvd. I also had a personalized 3 x 5 ft tarpaulin for Php575.00 only.

The colorful teddies were our giveaways. We got each at Php60.00 each from Divisoria mall. The cake was from Ms. Beth of Tender Trap for Php1,500. It may look simple but it's what I actually requested for. The simpler, the better.

As for the church, I was actually choosing between St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Our Lady of Fatima Church. The first one does not offer a "special" baptism while the other 1 does. But since I am reminded to work on a budget, I confirmed my booking with St. Francis just 2 weeks before December 1.
There were I think about 4 - 5 babies christened that day. It wasn't bad at all. I first thought mass baptisms wouldn't give us the privilege to have our baby privately attended to, good thing we were seated at the very front row giving us the chance to be closer to the priest.

The invitations were from me. I had to steal some working hours to do it while at the office. Thank you that I have a deskjet printer, the print quality was great.

I made the giveaway tags too.

I Had 60 guests all in all. My closest friends & relatives. My special thanks to my Auntie Lyla ( I know how busy you were but you still managed to surprise me with your presence), Auntie Lou and Ate Josie and her baby girl.

But all could have been better if the party I organized for my daughter was properly documented. I didn't hire a photographer so I just relied on pictures taken by us and by friends. Very unfortunately, the person I assigned to take charge of taking pictures didn't show up. So now, I can only describe the place based on what I have seen. Alas, it could have been described better if it were picture perfect.