Pumpkin munchkin

All set for tomorrow! Thanks to Lola Mimi Lopez for this cute ensemble. 

First pedi

Came home today after being out the whole morning with work and family. Dani had to stay home because she had a slight fever, cough and cold. 

To my surprise she had this by the afternoon. 

I have to admit, it got me emotional. I've always been a late bloomer and have only recently (last year) started painting my nails with color. I always went for the colorless type like forever. Pretty insecure with my nails, actually. 

So seeing Dani, aged 2, with actual nail polish on her feet... And she loved it... Please don't grow up too fast! Apparently, the helpers had a lot of free time on their hands. 

Dani is definitely more kikay than me. Its funny on so many levels. Sigh! My baby girl... 

Tito Joey

My baby brother holding my baby girl. Life has a way of getting to you when you just look away for a few seconds. 

Lord, teach me to value my heart more than the

externals. Grant me the wisdom to cultivate internal

ingredients that will make my heart a wellspring of

life to those whom I come in contact with today.

The contents in your heart are more important than the outer packaging. 

- ODB

Times when it hurts being a mom

Dani tripped and fell on her walk this afternoon with her cousin, Ericka. It was such a lovely moment when it all came crashing down, literally. 

How I wish these moments could have been prevented. This happened with 2 nannies beside her! 

Looking at her poor little face as she sleeps beside me. My little angel hurt. Its a reality I have to face more times over in the years to come. God help me face it all and hope nothing permanent hapoens. God is in control. Until the next time, pass the ointment, please. 

Puppy love!

Nothing cuter than puppies and babies. 

A. W. Thorold writes, “The highest pinnacle of the spiritual life is not happy joy in unbroken sunshine, but absolute and undoubting trust in the love of God.”

Discovered a new hang out

Dani's routine starts with her wake up call at 7:30am for us to all go to the office together by 9. A struggle 99% of the time since she sleeps from 10:30pm to 12mn. Poor preggy me. I love sleeping with her so much but she stays awake longer than I can and it does tire me out.

We get back home about 12:30 and after lunch I usually get her to sleep at around 2. I nap the same time she does. Then i wake her at 4pm so she can start her afternoon walk around 4:30-5 depending on the weather. 

She comes back to her room at about 6, takes her evening bath then its back down to the living room at 7 to wait for the rest of the family to get home. 

After dinner she stays downstairs for a while then comes up around 8. She comes to our room about 9 and the battle is sometimes up or down. 

This afternoon she wasn't sleepy at all. So at that instant I decided to start my grocery shopping early and have her tag along.  It was mainly for her things anyway so might as well.

We had fun at the grocery at GT Mall. She was in such a good mood!

After grocery shopping we headed to the 2nd floor. Yayay Jen mentioned Dani had an interest in sling bags and I remember a small kiosk in the 2nd floor that sells Hello Kitty merchandise. And I was right. She literally gravitated towards the bags. 

I only noticed after I bought the bag that she was wearing her Hello Kitty shirt, too. A bit much? Well, she won't be a kid forever. 

Again at the spurr of the moment we decided to visit the Esplanade. We always pass by it but never really had the chance to really take a closer look.

We were in for a treat! There was a play hub for kids of all ages. A go kart area, playground and even a milk tea shop. It connected to the Esplanade itself so there were tons of people out for a walk, jog and people watching. 

I love the Cholabite area! Cozy and clean. Snacks and drinks to choose from with the view of the river and play areas adjacent to it. Breeze that reminded me of my hometown. Lovely. Finally, a place to bring the kids. 

Ran into family friends there. Very comfortable atmosphere. Malls are too stuffy and kids need a place to run and just be around some good old fresh air. Even in the subdivision, Dani has to play in the street. Dogs unleashed passing by, strangers coming in and out, speeding cars with stupid drivers. Not a playground in sight. 

Glad the Esplanade is just across the river from us, a few minutes away. I guess I found our new hangout. 

Dani enjoyed her run. And what child does not like cheese sticks? C'mon! Its a no brainer!

Achi in training

Few months left until the arrival of our new angel. So much to do and so much to look forward to. Can't imagine a better way to start the new year! 

Dani is going to be an Achi (big sister). As a big sister myself, its a big job but worth every fight and hug. My life wouldn't be the way it is now if it weren't for my brother. I learned to be the stand in mom at a young age. My every decision was going to be his decision, too. When he failed, I shared the pain. For every victory and aha moment, I was front and center. Life brought us down a very unlikely road, but that only bonded us even more. 

Now its going to be Dani's turn. She will have to learn to share the spotlight, no longer the center of everyone's attention. But seeing how she has been with Liam, i have a good feeling she will handle it better than I can ever hope for. 

She is smart, quick, gentle and very loving. Everyday it amazes me how much she has developed. I forget she's only 2. 

Tonight was one of those nights that may be very simple to some, but almost brought tears to my eyes. May be my raging hormones. But it is what it is. 

Bryan brought in one of his puppies and we let Dani have her first experience taking care and holding a puppy in her arms. She has touched and petted puppies before. But this time we actually let her hold the puppy and set it on her lap.

At first she was giddy and so gigil! But we reminded her to be gentle and take it slow. She settled and was womdeful with the puppy. The puppy actually fell asleep on her lap! 

This just melted my heart. Bryan was watching them both carefully. You could see it in his eyes he was very proud. It just became one of those "awww" moments. 

So little sioti, not to worry. You're in good hands with Achi Dani. 

Me, my book and a world of imagination

Growing up, a habit I inherited from my dad was the habit of reading. I could spend the whole day, continuous days even, in my room with a good book. Some snacks didn't hurt either. I was a homebody that way. I knew how to take care of myself and my time. Just give me a good book.

Reading was never a waste of my time. Nowadays, I long for that time when I would pride myself in finishing a book within an amount of time. These days, audio books are my easy means of reading. With a toddler, its hard to have that space and attention exclusively. 

I am so pleased that Dani has gained that interest in one of my ultimate passions. Although she still needs to learn the alphabet, the pictures fascinate her. She easily recalls pictures and emotions I tell her. Very assuring on my part. 

I may never be able to give her the world. But books open up the world and countless possibilities. From adventures, experiences, trials and characters. What a life it is to be able to read. 

My dad had a rule that I would like to implement on my kids. Toys are to be earned. Books are unlimited. 

Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer for the Ephesians

 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.