Let's Go Around the World for Euen

Here are some preparations made for Euen's party.  First, the invitation with Mamaninang's final edit who insisted into putting a picture of the baby.  I made it look like a boarding pass.

Second, she had a photoshoot for her photobooth design and her tarpauline.   She was just in her pigtails, naked in a basket.  The artist made to look like she was in a hot-air balloon effect.

Third, her lootbag courtesy of Angkong's tindahan.  We collected all goodies from there and placed in a bag.

Fourth, the different flags hanged on the windows of venue and the centertables of globes with air planes. Thanks to Shashing, KS, Mamacherub and Kuya Ikoy.

Fifth, I requested for fifty balloons with helium.  It been a while since I've been to party with balloons that really fly.  I had them tied up in a basket for the same hot-air balloon effect.

Sixth, aside from the normal food from a catering service.  I also got an ice cream cart, with the classic dirty ice cream.

Next, I looked for a host for the party that will also do balloon twisting, puppet and magic show.

Next, I "customized" games for the party, i.e. E is for Euen, bring me game for babies, and prepared prizes for the games.

Next, we got a cake artist, courtesy of the sister of Shashing's bestfriend. Thus, the perfect little cake for the party.

Next, cupcakes especially baked by Mamaninang for tokens.

And lastly, the souvenirs.  Ikea cups and finger puppets with a few goodies inside.

Yes, it's a party!  Preparations made were almost the same as my wedding's.  And the number of guests?  MORE than the number of guests at my wedding.

Euen's Twelfth Month

Yey! Our baby is one year old!!  18 lbs. this month, her sixth teeth came out already.  She's started a few steps on her own but she's very cautious and didn't want to fall so she'll either sit down and crawl or find something to hold on to.  Just a few days ago, she walked 10 steps on her own! Good job, Euen!

Sadly, on her birthday, she also became sick with colds and coughs, for the first time.  It pains me to hear her cough and see her have a hard time breathing and sleeping.  A temperature of 38.5 made me bring her to the doctor.  She was prescribed with meds and hopefully, she'll be better before her party.

I baked NY cheesecake and brought a new set of candles.  We went to hear mass and my sisters came for dinner.  Good thing, she didn't lose her appetite.  And she's still active and playful even if sick.

After seven years

I couldn't believe it! Ikoy  is now seven years old!  It means I've been writing in this blog for almost seven years now! And it means, I'm really getting older! Haha.

I look back on his previous birthdays posted here.  Especially his cars party!  This year, we asked what he wanted, to ride an airplane or a party.  He opted for the airplane ride, thus the Boracay trip to which he was indeed very happy. On the plane ride, boat ride and the swimming on the beach where he wanted to live in.

On the other had, his family gave him a Woody-themed party as well, so both his wishes were granted.  We had a Woody cake for him too.

Really a BIG boy now, he has grown to be a good kuya to Euen.  And  he never fails to give us reasons to still pick him up on Saturdays and spend the weekends with him.

We will always love you Ikoy.  To infinity and beyond.

Euen's Eleventh Month

Euen's eleventh month was spent on the beach! Second time to travel and ride the airplane, my sisters and our family went to Boracay as an advanced birthday treat to Kuya Ikoy.  This was planned months ago and it's a plus that Ate and Tita went with us.

It was no surprise that the baby enjoyed the beach.  And to spare us from buying a cake, we just stuck the candles on the white sand, making the whole beach, Euen's monthsary cake.

Not so Merry Christmas

Euen's first Christmas was not so merry.   First, Shashing caught dengue and was hospitalized a week before Christmas.  Good thing, she was discharged on the 23rd.  But on the eve of Christmas, Lolo was rushed to the ER.  He was having a hard time breathing.

Good thing it wasn't pneumonia, he was on the ICU for a few days to be closely monitored then, was discharged before the New Year.   So, we had noche buena and media noche on the eve of January 1.

Eventhough it wasn't a merry Christmas, 2012 was a year full of blessings.  And the best gift was already given to us earlier this year.

Euen's Tenth Month

I baked a big chocolate-banana cake for the baby. 17.2 lbs. this month, our baby looks taller. bigger.  Her second front tooth came out. Yey!  She's become even more active nowadays: playing, moving around.  She also had a cough for a few days, no fever or colds. But it just subsided so there was no need to bring her to the doctor.

I can't believe it! Euen is ten months old now!
She has existed longer on the outside world than inside my tummy.

We are all excited for the baby's first Christmas.

Banoffee Pie

I asked my sister what she wanted to me bake.  Being the dessert-addict-who-is-so-skinny, I almost regretted I asked.  She requested: a banoffee pie.

There are three parts in making this dessert.  The shortbread crust, the dulce de leche and the whipped cream.  

I liked the texture of the crust that I baked.  The dulce de leche took time to cook and needs to be watched.  Since I don't have the whisk attachment on my mixer and Denden, my "whisk-man" was lazy at the time, we bought the spray-on whipped cream.  We enjoyed putting it all together, adding extra-extra bananas. 

The photo above might not look so good.  But it was yummy!  Mission accomplished.