Sophie the Giraffe

Meet Sophie, Euen's latest toy. Next to her hands and fingers that she likes to put inside her mouth, Sophie is her next best thing. Made from natural rubber and BPA free, she's a very good teether. Euen isn't growing teeth yet, but Sophie is better than the baby sucking her fingers. She makes a squeaky sound when squeezed and she has contrasting colors, stimulates the sense of sight, touch and hearing. Sophie's chewable parts: ears, horns and legs are perfect for soothing a teething baby. Currently, Euen's favorite is her nose and mouth. Once again, thanks Ninang Ina!

Cradle Swing

Euen got a new/hand-me-down cradle swing, Fisher Price Starlight Papasan cradle swing! When we got it I was so excited to assemble and let the baby ride it.

Indeed every parent wishes for a swing like this for their baby. It's swing has six speeds that can be plugged in a switch or battery operated. It can swing from side-to-side or front-to-back with a two-position reclining seat. It plays music, has a mobile on top and night light projector.

Since there's no more space in our house, Mamacherub wanted it placed in their house. Something to look forward to, going there on weekends. In the picture, the baby's fascinated with the lights.

Thank you for sharing your swing, Kuya Caleb. We will take good care of it.

Hand Me Downs

As I'm nearing towards the end of my pregnancy and as we await for the day that Euen finally arrives, we received a lot more of hand-me-down-baby-sutff, from relatives and relatives' friends (a.k.a. sisters' friends). The first picture is a very cute and colorful zero to three month, strawberry and stripped set from Baby Katka and Tita Aves, Shashings' bestfriend. Of course, the cute elephant bib is probably because Shashing likes elephants.

I have read somewhere that you shouldn't buy too much baby clothes, since babies would just outgrow them.

Since my bestfriend already gave me a whole wardrobe up to twenty four months (thanks to Ate Annika and Kuya Alfons), I was able to stop myself from shopping and just bought these few items: 2 sleeveless onesies, 2 sleeved onesies, 2 newborn pajamas and 2 pairs of mittens. Euen received advanced Christmas gifts also, she had a few pairs of socks. Thanks to the Santos family, our neighbor who's very thoughtful, and to Tita Michelle, my cousin.

Then came hand-me-down clothes from newborn up to three months from Tita Aa and Kuya Caleb. Yes, the colors are blue and brown but they are still soooo cute, especially the onesies and body suits. More socks, mittens and hats as well.

A couple of months ago, Tita Ina, Denden's cousin from the US, left me a message at Facebook congratulating us and asking for Euen's gender. She was hoping it was a girl so that she can send us all the baby stuff of her daughter, Justine. Baby stuff not only meant clothes but a lot more of baby things that we didn't have to buy.
1. Boppy Pillow for nursing.
2. A diaper bag. Good to have an extra.
3. Select a Show Soother, a soother with various sound choices with a projector.
4. A pile of bibs, from the smallest, cutest bibs up to toddler bibs.
5. More than 50 pairs of colorful socks. For newborn up to two years.
6. More baby accessories, hats, mittens, headbands.
7. A whole clothesline, from newborn to toddler: dresses, shirts, jeans, skirts, shorts, leggings.
8. Toys: teethers and Freddie the Firefly
9. Four pairs of the tiniest and cutest shoes you'll ever see.
10. Baby Wrap
11. Baby Monitor
12. And my most favorite of all, a portable playard, Pack 'n Play!

With all the clothes, I don't think we'll need to buy clothes for Euen until she's two years old. With all the baby stuff and baby gadgets we received, we are so blessed to have relatives and friends who'd graciously share their preloved baby stuff.

From the bottom of our hearts and my tummy, Denden, Euen and I are very grateful.

Putting up the Nursery: Part 3

Here's our criteria for the crib: 1. It has to be white. 2. It has to be convertible to toddler bed. 3. It should have a drop side for convenience when getting baby in and out of the crib. We decided on Mothercare's Takeley Cot. A cot meant that it is smaller than the standrard American-sized cribs that we usually have. But we opted for this since there is limited space in our room. Removing the side/s could convert it to a toddler bed, but we're thinking it will just be up to 4-5 years. For the cheaper price, we figured it was okay to change beds after five years. We had a small dilemma since the cot was continental size, mattresses were harder to find. Good thing there's Ikea with continental sized mattresses, a sister in Singapore and Kuya Shosh who shipped and handled the mattress with care. Ikea's Vyssa Vackert, a mattress with durable pocket springs in a protective foam box. The quilt was recently bought and specially selected by Denden for two reasons: the butterflies and it's pink.

Recent addition to baby Euen's nursery: From Ate Annika and Kuya Alfons, a newborn to toddler portable baby rocker, hand-me-down clothes, from newborn to eighteen months (a whole wardrobe), Medela Manual Breast Pump and feeding bottles. I want to breastfeed, all, if not most of the time and I am hoping not to be able use the breast pump and the feeding bottles too much. But it's good to have the bestest bestfriend who saved it all up for us, we won't have to buy these.

Lastly, we put drawers on the wardrobe cabinet for the baby clothes to be more organized. and we decorated with some stickers.

It is getting crowded in Euen's room, literally bouncing and kicking, I can feel she's pretty excited too.

Early Christmas Present

I got an early Christmas gift from the bestest sisters in the whole world!
Between the three of us, I am the only one without a MAC device: without Whatsapp and Facetime. And since I didn't really want an Iphone, they decided to give me an IPAD 2 instead. They figured I'd want the bigger screen to be able to play games and browse the net. And with the two cameras and an HD videocamera, I'll be able to "document" Euen easier.

Thank you Shashing and MamaCherub.

Thanks to Bing, for the GST refund and bringing it here from Singapore.

Plants vs Zombies

Just documenting the longest I've been to Plants vs Zombies Survival:Endless. Yes, I've been addicted to this game for some time.
Note1: I did not play this in one sitting. I've been saving the game for a few months and just played when I had nothing else to do.
Note2: I did not cheat. I did not have unlimted sun.

Teddy Coaster

Ikoy had a Mr. Bean Bear he once brought from their house. Teddy has an "X" in his eyes, because of the button-effect. That night, he slept with Teddy by his side, then in the morning he talked to me.

Ikoy: Nuni, pwede mo ba ako ibili ng bear walang X sa eyes?
Me: Bakit?
Ikoy: Kasi si Teddy may X sa eyes. Kapag night na, natatakot ako sa X sa eyes nya e.

So for his birthday, I saw this cute little brown bear that has normal eyes. And gave it to him. He immediately grabbed it and I was happy he liked it. He even took Mr. Potatohead's eyeglasses and told me he was borrowing it for the bear. I asked what will be the bear's name.

Ikoy: Teddy!
Me: Teddy na naman? Diba may bear ka na Teddy? Isip kang ibang name.
Ikoy: Umm.. umm.. umm.. Alam ko na! Teddy Coaster.

Thus the name.
He had one more question.

Ikoy: Nuni, si Teddy Coaster ba girl or boy?

I laughed and told him it was a boy.
If I could copy-paste a person from my life, it will definitely be little baby boy.

Gingerbread Man

We had a special treat for Ikoy. Aside from spending time with him on weekends, picking him up from his house, going to malls then sleeping over, he had a special visitor last Christmas. We explained that since Santa Claus could not come because he's sick, he just sent Gingerbread Man to greet him a Merry Christmas.

My sister got this costume from her officemate and it really is Gingerbread Man. When Ikoy came, one of us hid and wore costume. Ikoy couldn't believe his eyes! He was speechless. He looked curiously, hugged him and listened when Gingy told him to be a good boy always. Gingerbread Man couldn't stay, after a few minutes he had to say goodbye. (It was hard wearing it for too long because it gets too hot.)

Ikoy bid Gingy goodbye and looked forward for his next visit.

Iko's opened gifts

This boy,or should I say, Woody, is probably the luckiest boy in the whole world. But he deserves it. Because he was a very good boy and he patiently waited for the right time that we said, "Pwede na i-open ang gifts mo." To think that it had been standing there, underneath the Christmas tree for several weeks now. From time to time, he checks if his gifts were still there and accounted for. And he would be a little more excited if he finds out that there are new gifts waiting for him.

Mises Potatohead was unwrapped and finally out of the box. It was not Ikoy who was the happiest. It's Mr. Potatohead.

Another long-awaited for gift is Shashing and Kuya Shosh's--- whole else would be happy but Bumblebee because Optimus Prime is here.

Mama Cherub and Bamba had many extra gifts but the main event was Cars! We had him a Cars racing track which specifically requested when he saw in a magazine once. And, we had completed his Cars collection: Lightning Mcqueen and Mater buddies are now here: Chicks, Guido, Doc Hudson, Sally, The King and the Dinoco Helicopter.


Obviously, we were as happy and as excited as Ikoy. Not only because he was very happy of his new toys, but also because it is also OUR new toys. :)

The wife of Mr. Potatohead

Since Toy Story 3 and Ikoy getting Mr. Potatohead, he has long been searching for Mrs. Potatohead. For Ikoy, she is "Mises" (pronounced as read).

Last week, Mamacherub finally found her. And she's my Christmas gift for Ikoy. But Mamacherub couldn't resist telling the little boy, thus, he didn't stop until I agree to let him see the "Mises."


He played with the box, with Mr. Potatohead. He asked too many questions and told me to me read what's in the box, meticulously looking at the pictures at the back of the box and the accessories inside. He was happy but contentment will only come when the box is opened, and we have to teach him to be patient.

"Nuni, pwede ba si Mr. Potatohead na lang sa loob ng box tapos si Mises na lang sa labas?"

He had to try...

Lightning McQueen’s request

IKO: Pwede ba ako magbirthday party sa bahay ganda nuni?
NUNI: Anong bang gusto mo sa birthday mo?
IKO: Cars na cake.

For his fourth birthday, we wanted to give him more than the Cars cake. A birthday party with our very own CARS costume. Made from cardboard and poster paint, each us of had our own character. Of course, Iko is Lightning McQueen, Papa is Doc Hudson, MamaCherub is Sally while Bamba is The King. Denden and Kuya Shosh are the front and back of Mack. Shashing is Mater and I was Guido.

We spent the last three weekends designing, cutting and taping. And the painting. And here is our finished product. Iko had his share of making the Cars. And we were all excited for his birthday.

Saturday Night Club

Everytime we pick up Ikoy on Saturday mornings, he would always ask the same question. “Tutulog ba tayo sa bahay ganda nuni?” In an excited, yet, "please-fully" manner, you couldn’t say no. So my sisters and their better halves are all in for the sleepover. Thus, the birth of the Saturday Night Club.






Ikoy has a different set of toys for every house and so he looks forward to playing with Woody and the 101 Dalmatians. He wouldn’t stop playing with Casper, Cotton and Ginger to the point that the dogs themselves, will hide from him. He also likes taking a bath on the shower and would make each of us smell him afterwards claiming, “Lilo ako sa ulan.”

We? We just look forward to every weekend with him. Aside from the coffee, dessert, home cooked brunches, I look forward to a house with more than two people on weekends. And spending quality time with my sisters.

Always Our Baby

Iko had a party at their house. He was very happy with his Cars Birthday cake. He wanted to get the cars and play with them even if he hasn’t blown the candle yet. He kept on tasting the icing, dipping his fingers on the cake, we had to cover it with cookies.


His advanced birthday gift was a bike. Bought the week earlier when Chalo was here. He was so excited when we told him we’re buying him a bike. When we reached the toy store and he eventually tried to ride a bike. He discovered he doesn’t know how to ride it, as if changing his mind, he said it was too big for him. “Laki Bike!” But the next day, he realized he really wanted a bike, so we got him one.


Bought him a fish also. We asked him what will be the name and he thought for a while and said, “Fish!” He was so amazed and kept on watching the red fighting fish in its little aquarium.

We brought him to the zoo the next day. So fascinated with the animals especially with the white tiger. We all laughed when he said he wanted to buy the tiger, “Bili, Tiger!”

At dinner, he was so happy when we asked the restaurant crew to sing to him the birthday song. He blew his birthday candle with all smiles on his face.

People often see us with him in different places, or see our pictures with him and they ask, who's baby is he, is he ours? my sisters'? Avoiding too many explanations that he isn't blood relative, I just smile and say, he's our baby. Honestly, I am glad that he grew a year older and we haven’t lost him. He will always be our baby.

Surprises

A real nice black blouse.

Chocolates from Ghirardelli. I’m not a chocolate addict but he brought drinking chocolate especially for me. I like putting milk and chocolate on my brewed coffee.

A black wallet. Confession: I don't really buy wallets. I am usually given one as a gift. But the one that I last used is just a nice freebie from my sister. The reason, I am not too fond of the usual big wallets with too many cards and pictures inside. But I like what he bought. It's tri-fold so the size was just right. And it’s plain and simple black with some white stitching on the side. And the catch is that he bought two. A his and hers for both of us.

Nintendo DS Lite: my really really really wish that I didn’t really ask him to buy. I am just hoping he'd be thoughtful enough to think that I wanted one. Anyway, these was almost replaced by a bag. Or was it the other way around? Since the baby puppies are all gone, this is my new baby.

Last but not the least, a heartbreak. Yep! One, big painful one.