Celebrating My 1st Birthday

Today is my 1st Birthday, I am now a full pledge toddler (yippee!!). It's going to be a very exciting day for me and my parents. They were busy preparing for my birthday celebration, sleepless nights, calling one supplier after another, watching tens of videos of different party host, finding venue and all other stuff needed for my birthday. After two or three months of planning, all are set. (dad's note: LCD Projector, anyone???)

For now, I am still mastering the art of walking, I could make a step or two but still hesitating to make a few more step.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings. Thank you Lord for making me happy each day with my friends and family.

It's party!!! time.

Have a nice day to all,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Costume Fitting and More

Five more days to go before my 1st Birthday but there are more things to be done (dad's note: finally, everything is set after two grueling months, my back is aching so is my feet). I was so busy last weekend in preparation for my upcoming party.

We woke up as early as 5:30 to hear Mass at the Monasterio de Sta. Clara (see dad's blog site) in Katipunan where we also offer the traditional eggs for good weather (yellow cellophane). I wrote my own petition and thanksgiving. After hearing Mass, I practiced walking around the vicinity until my parents were tired.

Right after our short stay at Monasterio de Sta. Clara, we visited my grandmother and enjoyed our breakfast with them then we proceeded to our mananahi (tailor or fashion designer) (who incidentally made the gowns of my parents' secondary sponsor) to fit my costume. It is indeed beautiful! , I like it a lot (dad's note: you did a great job once again, manang).

After the costume fitting, we went home and slept for a while while my dad went to the market to buy for our food for this week (dad's note: after eating, I went to Divisoria* to buy more fancy hats and wigs). The moment dad arrived from Divisoria we tried all the fancy hats, wigs (see my photo below) and eyeglasses for a few minutes of fun and pictorials. We end the day by making the finishing touches on my party favors (No loot bags this time for kids but instead a usable item for them).

It was indeed a very tiring day for us and we only hope that all things will go smoothly as planned. Ahh!?, I can't wait to see my friends on Saturday.

*Divisoria-is the mecca of valued shopping and Manila's bargain haven.

Have a nice day to all,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Milk from Ninang Agirl (Zia's Mom)

I just want to thank Ninang Agirl for giving me some of her baby's (Zia's) milk supply. Actually, Zia wont need it since my Ninang Agirl is bless to have more than enough milk supply for her baby. Instead of throwing it they gave it to me as supplement to my milk supply (mom's milk is not enough to sustain my daily milk need).

Thanks for sharing your milk, Zia and thank you Ninong Joel and Ninang Agirl for bringing it at our house. Mwah!!!.. more milk...LOL

Eighteen (18) more days to go before my first birthday and the preparation is almost done. We're done with our caterer, photographer, face painter, food cart and souvenirs. There are two things we need to finalize, these are party host and my costume. Mom and dad is still searching for a good party host/magician/puppeter who is good and affordable. Distribution of Invitation is on going, we hope to finish everything next week.

Have a nice day to all,

We've been framed!!!

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

I am now Eleven Months Old

Time really flies and I am fast growing like a blink of an eye (dad's note: let's go to Neverland, were kids never grow old). One month left and I will be celebrating my first birthday. I know it's going to be exciting. As a preparation, dad will begin our "Blowing a Candle 101" tomorrow and I hope I could master it quickly.

At eleven months, I could stand on my feet without help or support and I am expecting to make my first step (and second, and third and so on) anytime. I am enjoying exploring our house, I can't last playing in the crib and bruises and bumps can't be avoided.

I also gained weight and I am now at 18.50 lbs from last month's 16.72, almost 2 lbs. gain weight.

Dad and mom is finalizing the list of suppliers they are going to hire for my party needs.

Twenty eight (28) more days to go before my birthday, I know it's going to be an exciting and fun-filled party.

Have a blessed weekend,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Welcome to My Amiga Zia

After waiting for almost forty one weeks (dad's note: the last couple of days of waiting is more excruciating), baby Zia was born via normal delivery at Polymedic Hospital (now Dr. Victor Potenciano Hospital) last September 16, 2010. She's 5 lbs. and 4 oz in weight (dad's note: based on what I read in Zia's chart).

Great! job Ninang Agirl. I'm sure everyone is very proud of you.

To Zia: Welcome to the outside world. I am looking forward to our playtime and gimmick(??)

Have a nice day everyone,

Photo(s), courtesy of Ninong Joel Saludares except for my photo courtesy of my dad, ricky pascual

Starstruck

Two Saturdays ago our family attended Kuya Enzo's (Mommy's officemate's son) 7th Birthday. Before we go to the venue, dad and I went to Ortigas Center to find a venue for my upcoming 1st birthday. Most of them were already booked the other one was already ceased to operate (sigh!?). I hope we could find a venue the soonest time possible for we are running out of time. (dad's note: as of today, we found two possible venue here in Marikina).

As we were waiting for my mom to arrived from work, dad and I proceeded to Robinson's Galleria to eat lunch (I ate cucumber while dad ate chicken with rice). Dad took the opportunity to bond with me. We went to Tom's World to enjoy some of the rides. It was my first time to ride on a carousel and I also tried some ride like the moving (stationary) boat. There was this plane ride that I was supposed to try but dad hesitated to insert a coin since it might move a little bit shaky. Luckily, his hesitation was right because the plane rises up to 6 feet high before it moved(dad's note: whew!!!)

After an hour of waiting for my mom, we went to Kuya Enzo's Birthday celebration at Jollibee Vira Mall in Greenhills. It was my first birthday party which I really enjoyed and It was my first time to meet Jollibee in person (I mean in mascott, ha ha ha). I was in awe as I watched him danced and moved, In short I was starstruck. I gave him a flying kiss and high five.

You may notice that I haven't uploaded any photo from these activities because dad wasn't able to recover every single images of Kuya Enzo's Birthday celebration and my little bonding with dad at Tom's World (dad's note: sorry Enzo and Mommy Lheng, sniff! sniff!)

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Different Faces

And the countdown begins, 54 days to go before my first birthday and here's a sample layout of my photos. Dad is still working on it and is still ten pages short before the photo book is finished (dad's note: I am still learning to use Photoshop and it's going to be tough since I have zero knowledge about the software).

Dad captured my portrait in different expressions and the above collage are some of it. There are lots of photos to choose from the thousand or so pictures and I'll be sharing it with you in a couple of months.

Both my parents are preparing for my 1st birthday and they're having a hard time looking for a venue preferably located in Ortigas. They've found one but they only allow in-house catering. Anyway, they hope to find a suitable venue within the week or early next week so that they could move forward.

In other matters, I already got my passport (yippee!!) last Friday in time for our November Hongkong Trip. We all hope by that time the anger of the Chinese communities because of the hostage crisis here in Manila will dissipate so that we could enjoy our vacation even more.

Have a nice day everyone,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

I am now Ten Months Old

It's been a while since my last blog post. Anyway this will break my almost three weeks of silence.

At this point I am just beginning to understand many simple words and phrases, so it's more important than ever to keep talking to me. Give your chatterbox a head start on good speech patterns by repeating my words back to me using adult language. Try to avoid the tendency to use baby talk — it's fun, but hearing the right words is better for my development.

Though it may sometimes feel silly, having conversations with me baby is a great way to encourage my language skills. When I rattles off a sentence of gibberish, respond with "Oh, really? How interesting." I'll probably smile and keep chattering away.

I start to make the connections. I clap my hands together, specially when we are going to the park or to a mall or just outside our gate (daddy's note: she can now imitate what we are doing like clapping of hands, high five, raise of hands in the air, different sounds among others, I am more than amazed). Teeth are coming too, as of today two are partially visible and the other two are also ready to come out.

By the way, last Friday, dad and I went to Marikina River Park for a 5 km jog (See photos below and above).

Have a nice day to all,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

A Little Chat with Dad

Yesterday, I had a little chat with my dad while he was eating his breakfast and it goes something like this:


Dad: Hi Gabby, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Me: NR (No Reaction)
Dad: Gabby?!, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Me: Hmmm. (high pitch, like Ina Magenta of Okay Ka Fairy Ko)
Dad: (amazed and resigned) Gabby, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Me: Hrrrrr (in low voice like Gollum of the Lord of the Rings)

End of Discussion.

Dad's Note:

I wonder if she really understood what I was saying. To validate it, I asked her again last night (with her mom as witness):

Me: Gabby, Will you allow daddy to work abroad?
Gabby: Hrrrrr (in low voice, again like Gollum of the Lord of the Rings)
Mommy: Ha, ha, ha!

Honestly?, I don't have any plans of working abroad though it sometimes made me thought about it. I can't imagine myself leaving the two important person in my life just to work abroad. In this time of crisis I just hold on to God and hope that He will provide for our needs. Four months had past and our company is slowly recovering causes by the recession (I too, am slowly recovering from financial setbacks).

My wife said, "di ka makakatagal mag trabaho abroad" (you wont last working abroad). I believed her, just imagining it made me cry. These too special people in my life keeps me going, keeps me on dreaming and working hard. Maybe if my family is with me, I will reconsider working abroad.

I knew that dad was only joking when he asked me this question.

P.S: I am now a member of the "Facebook" community, thanks to my dad for creating my account

P.S. 2: Baby Zia, see you soon!

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Family Day @ Fun Ranch

Last Thursday (July 29, 2010) was my Dad's 35th Birthday. We went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Parañaque (along Macapagal Avenue) to apply for my passport as a preparation to our Hongkong trip this coming November 2010.

There is a courtesy lanes for infants (less than one year old) so we finished the whole process in less than 2 hours (dad's note: Though still far from their 30-minute per transaction target, I may say that it is still fast compare with the old system, not to mention the new facilities we enjoyed). Anyway, after DFA we went straight to Tiendesitas in Ortigas for our lunch and afterwhich we went to the "Fun Ranch" to enjoy some rides there (yippee!).

I rode an electronic pony to my delight, all you have to do is insert a 10-peso coin (dad's note: though I did not insert a coin, my Gabby enjoyed it even better) . I even shout "ya! ya!" as I moved my hands and feet as if I was riding a real pony. Though I bumped my lips on the pony's head a couple of times, it did not bothered me that much (dad's note: we thought that Gabby's lips was badly hurt but nothing was serious, whew!)

We also rode the train and enjoyed it for a couple of minutes then we crossed a hanging bridge, dad was carefully crossing the bridge when mom intentionally shook it to scare my dad (dad's note: she was successful, she knew that I'm too scared crossing a hanging bridge)

It was an enjoyable day for us (dad's note: and most of all for me)

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

A Beauty Queen and/or A Model?

Another weekend with full of surprises and fun, This time an unplanned pictorial which made my parents and relatives smile with glee. Two of the many poses I've done in front of my dad's Cameron (that's what dad called his Canon Camera) is the topic of my blog post today.

The above photo was choreographed by my dad, he let me stand on a chair while I was holding on the handle and dad told me that at the count of three to turn my head in front of the camera, it was not an easy pose though.

The 2nd photo was a bit free flowing, dad just let me play and shoot several shots and this was the result . I was wearing a crown on my head and waved my hands as if I won in a beauty contest.

Dad love these photos and she thank me for being cooperative (whew!). Am I going to be a Beauty Queen or a Print Model?. But I am afraid non of the above, dad told me that I should not consider it as a profession and I should only do it during my free time (dad's note: I prefer you should be a print model and I am your photographer, LOL. Honestly?, I am praying that you choose a profession/career wisely, I'll be there to guide you every step of the way though I have my own biases).

That's how we play, we've learned from each other even if I am just 9 months old.

Have a nice day everyone,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

I've Learned to Stand and Sit

I am getting closer and closer to full-fledged walking. I can crawl and cruise, moving around upright while holding onto furniture. I also learn how to bend my knees and how to sit after lifting my tummy and stretched my knees. It's harder to master than you might think! (dad's note: Gabby is just too excited with the things she learned. Most often than not, she just moved around as if she is a grown up kid and our heart sometimes pumps nervously.)

It's time for dad to move down my crib's mattress (I might try climbing soon) (dad's note: already did it this morning).

Yesterday I had some minor head bumps because of this new routine, it's part of growing up I guess (dad's note: be careful Gabby) and tear off a small portion of our linoleum (dad's note: oops!!)

Have a nice day,

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.