under the tree

i hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season!

my family had quite a busy couple of days as we celebrate from Christmas eve all the way to Christmas day so you can just imagine the amount of shut-eye i was able to get these last few days.  of course, that is not to mention that today is Boxing Day (and in Canada, considered a holiday when all the stores go crazy on sales!).

i will be loading more photos once i am able to get the decent sleep i most need but i wanted to share with you my favourite present from this year.

these are my  new pair of TOMS :)

***With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need.  One for One.***

not only do i love the idea behind the shoes, they are actually very comfortable!  i heart them and want more! i also am canvassing around to purchase some for my little man.

thank you hubby, for such a thoughtful gift this Christmas.  i love that i'm not the only one who has received a present but that someone else is need is able to share it with me!

kisses are for keeps

when it comes to having a child, kisses are on top of my favourite things.

i give  my little man a million and more kisses a day.

if i'm lucky, he'll sit with me for a few minutes while i pamper him with kisses.

but most of the time, he'll squirm out annoyed at me for stopping him from his play.

which brings me to the other night.

after his milk and a goodnight prayer the little man gave me a kiss.

and another... and another... and he would say "wubyou mommy".

then a kiss, another kiss and another "wubyou"

and this proceeds for the next five minutes alternating kisses and words.

it is heaven i say.

to get his undivided attention.

to get tons of kisses from him.

to hear that he loves me.

we must be doing something right.

Dylan at 2 weeks old and 5 months old

the sweetest gift of all...

at the doctor's today, the hubby and i along with our little man
received the earliest and sweetest Christmas present of all

it looks like we're having ANOTHER BOY!!!

i can't wait for Dylan to have a baby brother.

to be able to share scrapes and bruises with.
cry and laugh with.
be batman and robin together.
play under the heat of the sun
and spend endless hours doing what little boys do best.

Christmas Countdown: T-8 days

i change my mind.

i do WANT something for christmas (though i can't say who in their right mind will buy me this).

this is the Britax B-Ready stroller.
good for two kids in the infant and toddler stages.

take note that the infant car seat as well as the secondary seat is an entirely separate purchase.
oh, and let's not forget the attachment!

but seriously, this would make my life so much easier when baby #2 rolls in.

i just love the endless options i will have in this stroller!

i am coveting this system in the silver.

note to santa:

i have tried to be very good this year.

 instead of me dishing $1200 for this whole system,

could you please just plop it under my tree?

i would really and truly appreciate it.

Christmas Countdown: T-10 days

Dylan enjoying the lights and sparkle of the "PIPA'S TREE"

(Christmas tree in his toddler language).

my christmas list

a few years back at this time of year, my "must have's" for the season is set with a copy in the hubby's (then bf) email and phone.  my list composed of the usual things a girl could want --- a new camera, an ipod mini, a guess bag, a new winter coat, a leather jacket, nine west and puma shoes, a pair of new earrings, a tiffany bracelet... seriously, this list can get long and irritating.

fast forward to today ---

we have been doing our christmas shopping the whole of this week and the hubby has been asking what i want for christmas.  he'll point to certain things --- the ring i want with the little man's birthstone... a new charm for my pandora or tiffany... a new purse perhaps?  or how about the plain wedding band i have been looking at to match my current one?  an ipad... shoes... clothes... a tiffany necklace perhaps so that i can switch up the only necklace i wear on a daily basis?  or how about the selphy printer i have been coveting for over a year now?  or better yet... the cricut expressions that i have been drooling over?!?

i have looked at each and everyone of these items ranging from the cute and cheap to the most outrageous and expensive.  i have weighed my options at getting one or two items --- possibly even three!  but at the end of each shopping trip, i come out empty handed for myself but with more goodies for my little man.

my mom told me that when she used to go out shopping for herself, that she will come home with nothing but delightful clothes and toys for me and my brother.  i now know where she is coming from.

you see, THERE IS NOTHING THAT I WANT MORE FOR MYSELF.  i would rather spend all the money i had for things that will make my little boy happy and excited... there is really nothing that compares to a child's expression when they receive something they truly want.  also, call it cheesy and cliche but i have a wonderful husband who will give me the entire universe if he could and i have a beautiful little boy who is my greatest joy on this earth.  i may not have the house, the nice car or even my dream job but i have the most important things in my life --- THE FAMILY THAT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED AND PRAYED FOR.

so for this upcoming christmas, though i do not open any prettily wrapped gifts, i hold the greatest treasures that God has ever blessed me with.  these treasures of mine is enough to last me for my lifetime and beyond.  

and next may... we open up another chapter of our lives... the one where God is giving me my late Christmas present.

please let me...

sometimes, i feel a pang of sadness that i do not have more close friends who are mommies.  don't get me wrong, i love the support of my friends now but there is something about telling a story to someone or replaying an event that happened with your child to another person who has been there and done that and who will fully understand what you are talking about.

i'd like to be able to ask questions and compare notes.  see what i am doing wrong or right and check if there's something i could've done better.  i'd like to get suggestions --- because currently, everything i do with my son is based on my concept of right.  

even when it comes to shopping, there is only so much research you can do on the internet about products for kids --- it's different when you're able to talk it through with someone who has had experience on certain baby products.  which formula to use?  when to potty train?  how to feed a picky eater? how to wean off the bottle and pacifier?

and with another baby on the way --- how do you sleep train both kids to be on the same schedule?  how do you not exhaust yourself?  how do you handle TWO under the age of three!

i need other mom friends who understands baby-proofing and will laugh and empathize when i tell a story about how my son threw a tantrum fit at the mall worthy of an oscar.  i need mom friends who understand why i'm always late when it comes to meeting up, bring a massive bag when going out and why sweat pants and a sweat shirt is my best friend when we're out and about at the mall trying to shop.  i need mom friends who will not resent my backing-out last minute on plans made, realize that i can no longer go on certain trips even if it means the whole group is going and whom i do not have to make excuses to.  "I'm just tired and drained by taking care of a toddler full time so no, I don't feel like going to your place tonight, Thanks."

i think i need a mom support group.  i need the input and friendship of other mommies who can understand me when i say "i'm sooooo exhausted" and "i can't do this anymore!".  i need their support and their understanding without judgement as they know EXACTLY what i am going through when i feel like tearing my hair out and screaming at the top of my lungs or crying just because my hormones are on overdrive.  i need mom friends who can empathize with me, not be so shocked that my sex life is currently down the drain, know why i'm at bed by 8pm and that my extra 10 (ok, 15 lbs it is) is just not going away.

i wonder how other moms feel when it comes to this situation?  i think i need to find me some sort of mommy support group.

:(

dancing king

two weekends ago, we attended a wedding reception
and decided to take our little man with us.

we usually would never take a toddler to events such as these

as we all know how much ruckus they cause

but for this certain event we were lucky that the bride and groom

have opened their beautiful celebration to the little tykes.

so off we went dress up my little man in his H&M get-up.
yes, that`s from head to toe.

the best part of the evening of course was that my little dude was a behaved little boy!
this is never really the case with him.
he is usually a bundle of energy... always on the go.

but for once, he sat to eat dinner and listened to speeches.

but when the music got going,
he jumped out of his seat and started dancing to the beat!

and when the people started milling around the dance floor
well.... this is what happens....

i am so thankful that at least this little man of mine did not get my two left feet!

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

the very first snowfall of the season is finally gearing up it's head
in our lovely part of town

i sit here and type this looking out at the lamp posts outside
where the wind is blowing tons of snow our way.

it is absolutely gorgeous.

as much as i love the golden brown of the autumn leaves

there is something to be said about the pristine white that coats the ground,
 the cars and the houses this time of year.

so let that snow keep falling as i gear myself up for the holidays!

doesn't it feel like christmas already?

the second time around

i haven't been keeping this blog updated just because i really haven't felt like it lately.

i'm constantly nauseated and disgustingly irritable most of the time.  then there's the sleeping pattern --- don't even get me started on that.  i fear that i will never get back to my old sleeping habits.

let's not forget that i do have a fully-active toddler who constantly wants my attention.  as much as i thoroughly love him, i would appreciate one day of peace and quiet where i can just lay in bed and do absolutely nothing.

*sigh*  this pregnancy is just taking so much longer.  can i just go to sleep and wake up tomorrow with a new baby in my arms???

words

being a stay home mom has to be one of the most rewarding things.
i don't ever get to miss the little things that the little man says or does.

like our little conversation yesterday.

me:  dylan, brush your teeth!  here's your tooth paste.  say tooth paste babe.

to which my 20 month old replied:  POO PACE!!!

absolutely priceless.

did someone say BABY?!?

!!!!!!!WE ARE EXPECTING!!!!!!!

i say hello again to morning sickness, constant nausea, hunger pangs at 3am, constant bathroom runs, cravings, weight gain and all the other fun that pregnancy comes along with.

nontheless, the hubby and i are absolutely thrilled!  our little dylan is finally going to be a kuya (big brother)!!!

it is official!

as of Monday, October 4, I am going to start my new job

a full-time housewife and mommy!

i am uber excited for this change of pace in my life.

even better, i have much more exciting news for everyone on monday!

...

photobooth love

we had just a little bit too much fun.
get your own photobooth pix here!

the dusty bookshelf: Goodnight Moon

when my (not-so-baby) brother was about three or four years old, my mom came back home from a Chicago trip and along with her was a copy of Goodnight Moon that was a gift from our aunt.  it was my baby brother's most treasured possession and now, at 20 years of age, he still proudly has his copy of said book --- tattered cardboard pages and all.

fast forward to now, after hassling my brother to lend me copy of said book, he finally relented not by lending me his but purchasing one for his one and only nephew.

every night, the little man and i will lie on the bed as we pore through every page of this book.  we will say goodnight to the little house and young mouse, to the cow jumping over the moon and the three little bears sitting on chairs.  we wave goodnight to the light and kitten and mittens.  we also say goodnight to the comb and brush and the lady whispering "hush" (complete with my little bhubba's finger on his lips as he whispers "hush" with me).

this book truly is our favourite book --- enough that i have memorized it and will quietly go through the words with my son even without the picture book when we are in the car on the way home late at night.  it truly puts him in a calmer state knowing that it's time for bed.

so for now i say,

Goodnight stars, Goodnight air
Goodnight noises everywhere...

summer just isn't complete...

without spending some time by the pool.

because the vancouver weather has been absolutely beautiful these days, the little man has been spending tremendous amounts of time outside giving this mommy some time to relax by the shade reading a book.

how has your summer been?

congratulations: Mr & Mrs Agustin!

congratulations to one of our dearest friends and finally may i say
WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!!!

Jay & Leah Agustin
August 7, 2010

more photos to come

the dusty bookshelf: 3 books in 1 day!

my love of reading started in the summer i turned 10. i distinctly remembered my mom bringing home a borrowed copy of the Sweet Dreams Book #1 entitled P.S. I Love You by Barbara Conklin.

i read and re-read that book and poured over every word... i still recall giggling over the character's first kiss and crying with her as her heart broke over "P.S." --- what more, i fell in love with reading.

it seemed only appropriate that i create another feature on my blog --- THE DUSTY BOOKSHELF --- now that i am picking-up again on my reading.

here's a few books i picked up last monday (please bear in my my love for trashy romance novels!!!)

something borrowed: CAKES

in early celebration of my upcoming 27th birthday (on Wednesday!), it seemed only appropriate that my "something borrowed" feature one of my top favourite things.

here's a few Cakes i just happen to heart quite a bit.


born in the year of the pig --- this just happens to be on top of my list!


the next time i get pregnant and have a baby shower, hopefully this is my cake!


my son loves trains --- i'm hoping to get something close to this done for his 2nd birthday!

photos from pink cake box

those were the days

this upcoming 30th, my little man is turning a year and a half old.

SERIOUSLY?!?

i am surprised at how fast time seems to be going. i only wish that it could slow down a tiny little bit so that i can enjoy more of his childhood --- remember each of his every expressions, engrave how tiny his hands and feet are in my mind and cherish all those firsts in his life... from smiles to babbles, grins and crocodile tears, his first crawl, first tooth, first owie, first step... every precious little moment that seems to be just slipping right through my fingers.

though i love him so much more now as a toddler, i do miss those days when he was a tiny little helpless baby. when all he wanted to do was cuddle and be held, rocked and sang to. i used to spend endless hours at night unable to sleep just looking at his face and thinking... "he's gorgeous and he is absolutely mine!" ... now i spend countless hours in the day missing him madly and looking forward to my evenings and weekends when i get to spend all my hours with him.... selfishly trying to keep him awake at most times to be able to do as much in so little time.

though he will forever be labelled a "baby" in my eyes, i still can't believe i now have a toddler in my arms.

The day after he was born

Our first Family shots taken on Valentine's Day --- he was 2 weeks old

Dylan and Daddy on the little man's Dedication

Celebrating his very 1st birthday

My little man now!

father time, could you please just slow down a little for us?

something borrowed: CHARMS

surfing the internet when i have a spare moment is becoming a fast hobby of mine. i usually stick to certain sites but find that i am coming across more and more things that i am interested in these days.

i've decided to try something new on this blog of mine. i'm going to call it my "Something Borrowed" feature... a selection of photos, artwork, quotes and more that i have "borrowed" from somebody else in the internet world.

this week, i'm going to share my love of CHARMS. there is something so fairytale-like and whimsical about them and i can't resist their girly pull on me.

photos from weheartit