Currently...

• munching a bunch of puto
• feeling/counting Baby A’s knee/elbow pokes and his “locomotion-papaya-dance” steps
• tweaking a new blog’s template (yup, my 3rd and “would-be” main blog)
• checking the status of my new and recently bought domain (a .com this time, baby!)
• synchronizing recently downloaded mp3s into hubby’s ipod

Overload.

So many happenings, so many snapshots to upload and so many stories to tell….but so little time to do so. If there’s one term to describe the week that was…OVERLOAD just fits right…photos, gifts, stories, “sweets” / food (patay na naman ako kay OB ko niyan), and while everyone seems to be enjoying the holiday break..I had work overload this week! Arrgh! Let me catch my breath for a while. Promise, I’ll be back with some more entries and hopefully, some digiscrap layouts too. Happy weekend everyone!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Credits:
12 Days of Christmas - Cards by Raechel Knight

Missing my Online Friends.

I miss my bebot digiscraping friends badly! Our forum has been down for several days. I heard Angie’s fixing some stuffs on the site. I wonder how the bebots are doing lately. I wonder if everyone who participated in this year’s Christmas gift swap got their gifts from their Mommies already. I received mine a couple of days ago and I love it. I’m cooking up another post for that. Thanks mommy JennyL!

I also miss my CWL friends. They are the late ’05 and early ’06 fellow brides I met online at weddingsatwork who later on became IRL friends. It’s been a while since we last saw each other and I don’t think I’d get to see them all soon since 3 of them flew abroad this year. Added to that, half of the group are Mommies already and are busy attending to their babies. So I’m giving a shout out to all of them..miss you guys!


Jacque, belated happy anniversary to you and simon. I know you’re so busy lately with all the business gigs and your market research; and mommy duties to Simone. Don’t forget to set some time for yourself okay? Wella, happy birthday to you on the 24th! I know your birthday and Christmas this year is a bit more special since you’re celebrating it with Nikki. Mec, thanks for the Christmas card you sent via airmail! Congrats again for winning our anniv RAK. Yna, how’s Christmas in Singapore? Con, send my kisses to Porkchop. Tinchie, how’s 9-pounder Andie? Karla, Chris and Charie, have a great holiday okay?

And The RAK Winner Is...

I'm so sorry if it took me almost a week before I came up with the announcement. Sorry to keep you hanging for a while but first, let me thank you for all the sweet messages you left. You just don't know how we enjoyed reading all of them making our anniversary extra special. So without further ado...here's our Anniversary RAK Winner:

Mec, thanks for the kind words and warm wishes. Paul and I were extremely moved by your sweet thoughts. I'll be sending you your prize in a while.

Credits:
Web and Frostbitten Frames by Katie Pertiet
Acid Rain Paper by Janelle Kretschman

Fonts: Clingy and Harting

Missing Baguio.

The whole family is all set and excited for the traditional 4-day Baguio Christmas getaway on the 26th – everybody except me and hubby who’ll be left behind: 1. Long and tiring trips are definitely a no-no for me 2.) I have work on the 26th until the 28th (bummer!). So there, we’ll miss a Baguio adventure this year. We’ll miss the fun and bonding with the whole family. We’ll miss the cool breeze of the city. Anyway, we’ll just devour on their pasalubongs when they get back…strawberries, peanut brittle, lengua de gato, etc. as we watch their videos and pictures riding a boat at the Burnham Park or enjoying a horse ride at the Wright Park.

***Speaking of horses, if you are into horses or is engaged with any horse back riding sport, check out the wide selection of equestrian riding apparel at theequestriancorner.com. They offer the best and comfortable riding boots, riding breeches, riding helmets, show clothes, horse blankets, saddles and much more at “comfortable” prices!

5 Things.

I was tagged by Nyree (thanks girl!).

5 things found in my bag:
• Wallet
• Mobile Phone
• Kikay Kit
• Keys
• Plenty of abubots

5 things found in my wallet
• Cash
• Credit, Debit and ATM Cards
• Maxicare and Intellicare Cards
• Receipts
• SSS and Philhealth IDs

5 Things found in my room
• TV
• Desktop PC
• Laptop
• DVD Player
• 9 pillows on bed (yup ganun karami ang unan namin ni hubby!)

5 Things I've Always Wanted To Do
• Travel Around the World
• Learn Photography
• Have a grand vacation away from work
• Learn how to cook
• Learn how to drive

5 Things I am Currently Into
• Blogging
• Online Tasks
• Digiscrapping
• Eating (!!!)
• Photography

5 People to Tag this Meme
• Kathy
• Suzanne
• Litzie
• Mhay
• Jacque

Last Hoorah.

It’s the last work day before the holidays and I’m dead tired and exhausted. I thought I’d just be relaxing today since everyone’s on a festive mood and several officemates were already on leave. I started the day light and easy but come noon just a few hours before my shift ended..everything went ballistic. Rush transactions simultaneously poured in. Isn’t that great? Arggh! It’s indeed a one big bang surprise before the Christmas break. Luckily, traffic wasn’t that bad on our way home. It’s a good thing that hubby took the Nagtahan route rather than EDSA because as seen on tv news, traffic was indeed heavy.

It’s four days before Christmas! Happy Holidays everyone!

Missing the Fun.

I was supposed to join my officemates-cum-business partners on a wedding coordination sideline gig tomorrow. But since I’m banned from engaging with strenuous and tiring activities, I was “scratched off” temporarily from the team’s roster. I’m a bit envious that I’m missing the fun working with my best buds, the nostalgic feel of a wedding and of course, missing a moolah-earning opportunity. The wedding is set very early in the morning that’s why my colleagues have convened already in a hotel tonight. I just checked on them a while ago and learned that they’re having problems with the wedding flowers vendor. I just hope the problem gets to be resolved soon while there’s still time. I wish them all the luck.

Just Checking In Quick!

I'll sneak in here quick before starting today's work. I know I still owe you several updates regarding our anniversary, the RAK, the sweet surprises I received this week (including our Bebot exchange gift) and several other updates but I just can't do them at the moment. So that means you still have time to join! I promise, I'll be back this weekend. Hopefully I can start flooding entries by tomorrow night.

Even though office work is neck-deep in this "most wonderful time of the year", my colleagues and I are somehow feeling the Christmas spirit with all the gifts flooding our department's doorway. Gifts from fellow colleagues and from our beloved business partners (that's how we call our vendors) are overflowing. This is one of the perks that we in the Purchasing Group truly enjoy! In the spirit of Christmas, we decided to share these blessings to the whole Finance Group through holding raffle and random drawings. So there, we are taking home nice loots from expensive wines, grocery packages, gift certificates to small office desk items like planners, calendars, notepads and promotional pens. Funny and ironic though, all the preggies (including me) in our department drew and took home the much sought wines.

2nd Year Anniversary and a RAK!

Hubby and I are celebrating tomorrow our 2nd Year Anniversary. (I’m posting this now for a longer RAK time – see details below). I don’t know yet how are we going to celebrate it since they’re having their Christmas Party tom night. Anyhoo, since I can’t go out to buy him a special something, here’s a layout I painstakingly did for about four hours this afternoon! (Yay finally, was able to use the goodies I shopped these past few weeks). The message says it all…..so to my dear hubby: Happy Anniversary!!! Love you so much!

I’m also sending a shoutout to Andrea and Ramil…happy 2nd anniversary to both of you din!!!

Journalling:
On this same date two years ago, I vowed to be your constant best friend, your faithful partner, you eternal soul mate and fortress. I can still vividly remember that special moment when I gave you my word that I’ll love you forever and it is with you that I’ll share the rest of my life with. Now as we celebrate our second year anniversary and as we joyfully await the coming of our Baby A, I want to renew and reaffirm my vow..to be the best that I can be - as your wife and soon, Baby A’s mom. Nothing in this world could ever be as wonderful as the love you’ve given me. Surely we have our own share of ups and downs but it’s in those moments that we’ve proven how stronger we could become, how our love encompasses everything…and I thank for you that. Happy Anniversary and I love you so much!

My apologies if I don’t have any material thing to give you on this special day. I know, more than anything else, it’s this lil blessing inside my tummy that you’re most anxious to get hold of. Don’t worry Dad, our greatest and most-awaited gift will be unwrapped soon.

Credits:
Clustered Frame by Catherine Paturet
Flower Swirl by O.N. Designs
Abigail and Acid Rain Papers by Janelle Kretschman
Bailey Elements by Janelle Kretschman
Frosted Snow Flurry Gold & Blue Bow by Michelle Coleman
Ribbon Rider by Natalie Braxton
Being Me Elements by Gina Marie Huff
Grunge Frame by Nancy Comelab
Font: KGD Kate

*****************************************************

So here’s another RAK I’m throwing to my blogging friends out there. Since hubby and I were so blessed this year, I’m giving away $10 worth of paypal credits to the lucky one who’ll post the sweetest anniversary message and wish for us. (Minimum of 60 words and the link should appear one time within the post…just joking! Paid blogging ba ang dating? Lolz) This will be open until I say it’s over. Good luck!

28 Weeks.

My Baby A, we are on our 28th week already and this marks our third and last trimester. We’re in the home stretch, my sweetie! We’re almost there..just a few more weeks and we’ll finally see you. Mom will have her prenatal routine next week..the weekend before Christmas! Dad is excited again since I’ll undergo an ultrasound for your CA scan. We’ll be seeing you again my little boy in the monitor, I bet you’ll carry out again your usual tricks. Don’t give the doctor a hard time checking on you ha?

Here’s how Mom looks like now onset with the last stretch of our journey. A lot of Mom’s friends whom I rarely see are asking how I look like recently so here it is. Now they can attest if I really look like a “butete” just like how Mom’s colleagues would always jokingly say.

Mom together with Tita Amor, Tita Bel, Tita Joy and Tita Riza during the Xmas Party

Dad and I went to Dakki yesterday to avail of their sale promotion. Look what we got you, sweetie! You now have your pillow set. Daddy said it’s his Christmas gift to you. He’s even joking that he’d wrapped it also so you have something to open when you come out. So far, here are your stuffs at the moment, your Baby Book and this infant wear set given by your Tita Dada. Dad and Lola Liz scheduled to shop your other stuffs by next month. I would love to go with them but as you know we’re prohibited to engage with tiring activities for our safety.

Tomorrow is a special day for your Mom and Dad. We’ll be celebrating our 2nd year wedding anniversary! We both are in high spirits since we’re celebrating it in anticipation that our family will soon be complete with your coming. I’m just not sure though if we can have a special date tomorrow since it’ll be your Dad’s Christmas Party in the office. Probably, the date will have to be moved to some other day. Let’s just wait and see.

I love you my sweetie,
Mom

Baby A’s development at 28 weeks:
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Another Award!!!

Thanks to Yen and Kathy for this award eventhough I'm a bad blogger sometimes (usually on weekdays):


Bodacious means;
bar·da·cious (bär-) Southern & South Midland U.S.

adj.
1. Remarkable; prodigious.
2. Audacious; gutsy.

adv.
1. Completely; extremely.
2. Audaciously; boldly.

Now I'm passing this badge to Litzie, Suzanne and Diane.

Ang "Kawawang" Lechon..Bow!

Whew! I just finished a handful of my blog assignments. I’m a bit tired and sleepy already. Tomorrow’s a another day and since it’s still a no-work day, expect a lot of new entries (and photos) on this blog. You know naman, I usually get to update my nook only on weekends. So before I retire the night, I’m sharing a photo that I know you’ll be drooling over. Here’s the Lechon Cebu (flew all the way from Cebu really!) we massacred and feasted on during our Christmas Party last Tuesday. Yummy!

My Kris Kringle Gift.

One of our Christmas Party highlights last Tuesday was the Kris Kringle revelation where we got to know who our Mom/Dad and babies were during the themed weekly giving of gifts. Since it was the culmination of our Kris Kringle, we had the giving the other way around. It’d be the babies who’ll be gifting their Mom/Dad in accordance to their posted wish list. My Dad, who was generous during the weekly giving and gave me a pillow, 2 bars of chocolates and stuffed cellphone holder, wished for an Adidas golf visor or a body pillow. I gave him the latter since it was easier to buy in a nearby Dakki outlet and the cost is just within the agreed limit. As for me, who has been ever ready with my wish list since November, I received this from my baby:

…the latest Nicholas Sparks novel (released just last September). It seems that Nicholas Sparks’ books have been a yearly/traditional gift to me. I got 2 books last year and now I have another one to add to my collection. Can’t wait to start reading it!

Memorabilia.

Bubba Gump is one of my fave dining hang out at Greenbelt. Aside from their yummy and huge servings, I just so love the ambiance with all the Forrest Gump memorabilia strategically displayed and draping their walls. I wonder where the owner obtained those authentic collectibles. I actually saw this similar Tom Hanks-signed poster hanging on their wall.


They must have got it from Millionairememorabilia.com. By the way, if you are in the lookout for authentically signed and unsigned memorabilia of your favorite movie and television celebrities, sports and music icons, check out this site. They have a wide selection of signed posters, displays, photographs and prints of infamous celebrities of all time. They even have in here Harry Houdini and US President Display Memorabilia. If you are a collector hobbyist, then this site is a one-stop shop for you. You better check it out fast as they have a 15% off holiday sale promo.

For the sports fans out there, check out their wide array of baseball autographs and minted memories sports collection as they are tied up with The Highland Mint. Among their bestsellers is the Angel Stadium of Anaheim Bronze Coin which only cost USD 14.95. It’s actually a nice inexpensive holiday present for those baseball fans out there.

Mesothelioma What?

Are you familiar with or have heard of the term mesothelioma? It’s my first time actually to hear about it as I stumbled upon the topic “mesothelioma lawyer” while surfing the net a while ago. I initially thought it was some kind of a criminal offense or any misdemeanor-related act of some sort. When I googled about it, I was surprised to know that it’s some kind of a cancer usually hitting a part of the respiratory system due to exposure with asbestos. The asbestos industry has been regulated since the 1970’s being the sole cause of this disease. There are actually legal issues connected thus, there are lawyers who are focused, help represent and recover damages of those affected with such disease and other serious injuries.

Party-filled Week.

This week was a party-filled one. One was last Tuesday for our department’s exclusive Christmas bash while the other one was the company-sponsored party for all of our Makati sites last Wednesday.

Our department’s party was supposedly held at Prince Plaza but due to schedule conflicts, the managers decided to have it instead in our colleague’s place here in Makati. It was actually fun although I didn’t participate much in the contests. There were lots of foods (catered by Food Creatives)..i love the Cebu lechon; videoke galore; parlor games and the most-awaited dancing contest. There were 4 groups who competed and strutted their own Papaya Dance versions. Since there are 3 of us in the department who are pregnant and didn’t join, we served as the judges and it was actually tough. They all have their own styles, unique costumes and different interpretations. The first group (who eventually emerged first placers) was the most impressive of all. I like their funky, colorful, flashy and prismatic style where they used little, different-colored flashlights strapped on their fingers and eyewears. Their blings-blings also spiced up their costumes. I heard they even intended to use more props such as solar lights but it just didn’t work when they were about to perform. The other groups adapted various themes such as Filipiniana-Political, Ang TV-Santa Reindeers and 70’s themes. The party was a blast. We ended it up early since we still have work (and another Christmas party) the next day.

The company-sponsored party was held at the PICC Forum. Well, I dunno but it was actually pretty boring. We just availed the free food (catered by Via Mare), tried our luck in winning raffle prizes and just grooved to the disco music afterwards. Out of boredom and since I got sleepy, I didn’t finish the party and went home ahead of everybody although I noticed that several were also leaving the venue early.

I have pics to share but I haven’t uploaded them at the moment. Will post them here soon.

Fridays Feast 172

Appetizer
Make up a word and give us its definition.
Mai-licious - which means pretty and sexy pregnant lady! Lolz!

Soup
What is currently your favorite song?
Swept Away by Christopher Cross. It’s definitely not a new song but I find it playing it over and over again on my Playlist every time I do my online chores. Probably the sentimental in me is striking again plus these crazy pregnancy hormones overwhelm me and gets me pretty excited with the coming of Baby A. I’m really and literally “swept away”.

Salad
What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
Hmm..stuffs for Baby A (since I can’t go malling and shopping) – The Coutoure Diaper Bag (I have a feeling Santa will be surprising me with this soon) and Baby Sling.

Main Course
Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.
To be specific, Ralph Lauren Perfume…hubby has never tried other perfumes other than Polo Sport.

Dessert
Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?
Baron Geisler…drunk, wild, berserk inside Big Brother’s house. Quite disturbing really & scary.

On Being Skinny.

Since my childhood days, I have always been on the “skinny” side. I am not sure if it’s quite a blessing then but I had my own dose of scolding from my folks – to eat plenty, take naps in the afternoon, drink vitamins, etc because they say being thin when you’re a kid comes with an impression of being almost malnourished. I did try overhauling my scrawny-look but probably, that’s just how my metabolism (and genes) works. There was even a point when I could consume two cups of rice a meal – yeah, a construction worker appetite – but the heaviest I weighed during my late teen years was just up to 100 lbs (average weight played around 90-95 lbs). I never passed beyond that. Diet, slimming teas, medicines and trainings, diet patch – those were never part of my vocabulary.

With my pregnancy and with Baby A developing inside me, it’s a milestone actually for me to see the scales hand whip up beyond 115 lbs. As of my last checking, I’m on my 118 lbs mark already. I’ve indeed gained a lot but a lot has been commenting that I still look “sexy” (thanks!) and lean despite the bulging tummy: in short, no pregnancy fats. Prolly, this is the time when I have to thank my metabolism and genes, at least, I won’t be having a hard time or will not undergo at all the stage of trimming down weight after I give birth.

The Orleans Hotel.

For those of you who are heading to Nevada for the holidays, you better check out the cool deals being offered and place your reservations at Orleans hotel Las Vegas. Located two miles west of the Las Vegas “strip”, it houses over 1,800 comfy and attractive guest rooms and suites. The Orleans offers the best of everything from gaming, entertainment, shopping, fitness, outdoor fun, etc. Mardi Gras is also celebrated everyday here so do check it out and see for yourself.

Gasping for Air.

Eeeekk…no weekday updates? Well, it’s December and it’s certainly that time of the year when our department is so swamped with work! Oh well, being with the Finance Department of the company and having a centralized Purchasing Group catering the needs from across all of our sites (7 in Manila and 2 in Visayas), makes us the most wanted and most sought after during these times when everyone’s up with their Christmas Parties (booking of venues and caterers), purchase raffle items, book travels and accommodations (issue LOAs to hotels, pension houses and Condo Hotels)..anything that has to do with procurement of the things they’ll be needing, commercial negotiation with vendors etcetera etcetera. While everybody is so high-spirited and giddily excited over the holidays, yeah..we on the other hand are busy and so stressed out that we can’t even seem to feel the holidays anymore. With call centers having a fast-phased setting aggravates the situation…all time favorite term? RUSH PROCESSING! Arrghh! We can’t even breathe anymore. We need a break..a loooong break!

27 Weeks and Happy Feet.

My Baby A..As anticipated, our last week was indeed busy and tiring. Mom’s back at work and after a 2-week absence, I was so swamped with unread emails, phone inquiries from vendors, and other pending tasks. Mom intended to blog but since I was so tired to do so, I just managed to hang online for several minutes..read mails, did some blog visits, monitored paypal earnings and that’s it. Albeit hard, our week was pretty exciting too and filled of surprises and blessings. Here are just some of the highlights of our week:

* Everyone’s glad to see me back last Monday and they’re all happy to know that we’re both well. They commented that my tummy grew bigger na nga. They even compared my tummy to a co-preggy colleague who has the same body physique as mine and who’s giving birth a month ahead of me. Mine is bigger daw.

* Dad started shopping for gifts already. Yay! Since he was on a week-long offsite training, he’d dropped by Glorietta muna before picking me up after work (since Mom also rendered OT for an hour each day to cope up). Galing-galing ni Dad pumili..hehe! He’s really a savior since we’re barred from malling nga.

* On Thursday – Yipee! Mom received her 13th month pay! Mom also received a package from a blogger friend, Kathy. (That deserves a separate entry). Thank you sis! Mmwah!

* Friday – Mom’s boss treated the whole group with a sumptuous lunch at Sentro Greenbelt.

* This week was a comical one. I received all sorts of comments that a pregnant woman typically gets:
Colleague: "Mai..ang laki-laki na talaga ng tiyan mo!" (Siyempre naman, nagdedevelop si baby eh)

Colleague # 2: "Mai..ang cute mo..para kang butete!" (Hmmm..flattered with the “cute” thing. With the butete thing..whatever!)

Colleague # 3: “In fairness, Mai..pag nakatalikod ka..di ka mukhang buntis” (Siyempre naman, ang baby ko nasa tiyan ko..wala sa likod)

Colleague # 4: “Mai, ang nene mong tignan kasi eh..para kang batang buntis!”

Paul on my protruding navel: “Bi, ang cute ng pusod mo…mukhang pwet ng manok!”

Paul on my way of walking: “Bi, ang cute mong maglakad..para kang penguin” (Maestro music! Dance..Boogie Wonderland..hehe mala-Happy Feet ba?)

Hay I wonder what comments will I get pa?
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How Baby A's growing:
This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?

Stop Me!

“Stop me…stop me!
….Ay tigilan mo ako..tigilan mo ako. Jun-jun, I told you not to go to but you go to.....”
Oh well..just mimicking the hilarious maid in the recent PLDT commercial ad (on their wireless landline phone). But totoo…stop me! Waaah! I’ve been shopping for digistuffs lately (and even madly downloading freebies that I get hold of) but the problem is, I haven’t even opened my Photoshop lately. I have several projects in mind…but where the heck is my mojo nga ba?!? Hmmm..eto na talaga..I’m off to open my Photoshop!

Purchased Stuffs (Digiscrap) by maileen1

By the way, my shopping madness holed up $21.06 on my Paypal credits already. Kaya…stop me talaga! (tigilan mo ako…) Lolz. Buti na lang..mababa ang conversion ng $$$ ngayon!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

This is so true! Bukod sa mukha akong angel..likas talaga akong mabait! Bwahahaha! *kapal*

Linky Love Chain.

I was tagged by Alpha.

The rule:

When you get tagged, you have to add your name next to the person who tagged you and by doing so you are letting the list grow.

Limadang.com
RamblingMoo.com
blogginginmypyjamas
StylewithPassion
Chinneeq
Dora-zooropazoo
Babyshern
HiPnCooLMoMMa
Rachel’s Soulful Thoughts
When Silence Speaks
Dancing in Midlife Tune
Underneath it All
My Charmed Life
Blueberry Cheesecake
Underneath it All
I am Dzoi
Alpha’s Blog
The Scrapaholic Me.
Mai's Love. Happiness. Us.

I'm tagging Nyree, Kathy, Toni, Mhay, Rissa, Andrea, and Meng so you can also increase your links!

Legal Help?

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Online To-Do's

Why I didn’t get to blog for one week? Well, as anticipated, pending tasks at work were the culprit. I extended some extra hours just to cope up and since I need all the rest I could have after a tiring day, I didn’t get to hang out that much online when I get home. I’m just glad that it’s weekend so here am I, updating my blogs madly and planning my online itinerary. 1. I pretty have a handful of blog assignments that are nearing deadlines so I better start doing them. 2. To those who left messages on my tagboard and left comments on my previous entries, I owe all of you blog visits. I’ll hang around in your nooks in a while. 3. Hubby started doing our Christmas shopping for gifts already but there are still several in the list that we haven’t thought of what to give. I’ll surf for great ideas later. 4. I must also start browsing for baby stuffs. I’ll research the must-haves and other necessities that Baby A will need. I’d also start hunting for baby furniture like drawers or closets for his things and probably, baby cribs too. Seems I pretty have a hectic line-up of to-do’s so I better start going and will be back in a while. See yah later.

26 Weeks.

My Dear Baby A..today marks the last day of our 2-week house confinement. Yay! The doctor gave us the go signal to resume work tomorrow BUT we were reminded to observe extreme caution at all times. Bawal mapagod..bawal mastress. While I’m pretty excited to step out of the house, I’m kinda apprehensive with the heaps of awaiting tasks on my desks at work. I wonder how many emails that I need to go through tomorrow morning.

According to Mom’s OB last Thursday, everything’s going well with you and me. I now weigh 115 lbs (we’re surely getting heavier huh?). For the first time, you didn’t give the doctor a hard time catching your heartbeat through the Doppler. That’s my boy! But of course, you didn’t let the checking finish without you performing your usual antics. You gave two powerful bolts to the doctor’s surprise and delight. You’re really so active na..as I always say, you can be so malikot inside me but promise me when you’re out, be nice and always behave, ha? Our next visit will be on the month end and we’ll be catching a glimpse of you again because we’ll be having our CAS.

It’ll be one busy, hectic week ahead of us, my baby…but I promise, we’ll take it easy. I love you, my sweetie!

Xoxo,
Mom

*******
Here’s how Baby A is growing according to Babycenter.com
Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. The nerve pathways in his ears are developing, which means his response to sounds is growing more consistent. His lungs are developing now, too, as he continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when he's born and takes that first breath of air. His testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Squeaking Bed.

It seems we are in need of replacing our bed already. I am not actually sure what’s eerily squeaking, if it’s the bed frame or the foam mattress. With the coming of Baby A next year, we need to have a king-sized one since I’m planning to co-sleep with him perhaps, during his first few months. I guess we’ll start canvassing and plan when to purchase it. For the mean time, we’ll just bear with the squeaks or probably hubby can remedy it.

Itchy! Itchy!

Arrggh! My belly’s itching badly! I’m really tempted to scratch it but the thought of horrid stretch marks make my hands back off. My OB doesn’t recommend applying any creams (anti-itch lotions and moisturizers) since there are still no proven studies that these mixtures are actually effective, according to her. Between 75% to 90% of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy and it’s a fact and phase that I just have to accept and face (pregnancy hormones again!). Actually, I can see some marks start appearing already :sob: I just hope that they disappear in time. The only means of appeasing and lessening the chances of having it is by not scratching it no matter how itchy it can get.

For those Mommies out there, how did you deal with these?

Technorati Tags:pregnancy, stretch marks

Online DVD Rental.

With the onset of piracy, video sharing internet sites (Youtube, etc) and peer-to-peer file sharing applications (Limewire, Kazaa, etc), I wonder how the video rental shops are still making business lately. Although the government is already exerting tremendous efforts of combating piracy, these businesses should also come up with innovative ways on winning their patrons back. In the US, they have these so-called Online DVD Rental Companies where one can rent DVDs by mail. These companies operate with such premise:

1. Customer avails rental service through the company’s website.
2. Customer sends a list of movies and the DVDs are sent directly to their mailboxes.
3. Customer watches the DVDs and sends them back in the mailbox for pick up. A prepaid return envelope is used for this.
4. When the company receives the returned DVDs, movies next in the customer’s list will be sent.

I don’t see any reason why this can’t be adapted in our country. Everyone is practically connected to the internet nowadays anyway.

New Look.

Since today’s a holiday and there's not much to do, I finally decided to clear the cobwebs away and gave this blog a new look. I’m still smitten by the Baby Book I bought so I’m having a Guess How Much I Love You theme this time. I was actually contemplating to have a Christmas theme (tomorrow’s December already!) but I couldn’t find a blue-themed template. Oh yeah, blue has been my blog’s motif ever since I started.

So tell me how do you find the new look?

BTB Award.

Che gave me this one (thanks a bunch!) and I am so honored to sport this badge on my blog.

Quoting it.. “this is the Be The Blog award, which is presented to a successful blogger, one who can “be the blog” - making it their own, staying with it, interacting with the readers, and just plain having fun.”

To Andrea, Toni, Mhay, Litzie and Rissa..it’s your turn to display this badge on your blogs.

Fridays Feast 170.

Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?
The Rollercoaster! Albeit terrifying, I love the adrenaline rush and I feel so proud of myself after the brief ride.

Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?
Hmm, usually I tend to keep mum, try to be myself, and then think how I’d get out of that awkward situation fast.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?
I’ll give it a 6. I’m not much of a theoretical person..I’d rather engage with and talk about realistic and other rational things.

Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
No. Our company offered free shots a couple of months ago but didn’t have it since preggers, especially who are on their first trimester aren’t permitted to take so. I’d probably have it next year.

Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?
During weekdays, I only get to watch the boob tube at night (have work at daytime) for about 2-3 hours. Have more time watching on weekends though. In a week, approximately 24 hours I think.

Just a Quick Note.

I’ll be out at noon today for a routine check up with my OB. Hopefully, everything’s well and I’ll be given the go signal to resume work on Monday. Will be back later with an update, some tags and awards that I just received again. It’s a rainy Thursday, so ingat ingat!

Gifts for Him.

Another realization has just set in (relating to my yesterday’s post, since I’m barred from malling due to this pregnancy complication), how will I surprise my ever dearest hubby with a holiday present? I’ve blogged about how he’s wanting and wishing for an iPOD Nano and a Basketball Backboard. I’m also eyeing to give him a nice shirt. I’ve already browsed online for these items and I might just resort to shop from my favorite online stores. I’ll check out Coupon Chief if I can snag some Amazon coupon codes for the iPOD and basketball backboard and Gap coupons for the shirt. Hopefully, they’re all still within my shopping budget limit.

First Baby Stuff and Revised Wish List.

Since I am restricted from engaging in any tiring activities, it dawned on me that it’d be months before I get to set foot again in a mall. That means, no holiday shopping :sob: and moreso, I might not get to enjoy baby stuffs shopping for Baby A. :sob sob: (unless I’ll be given a go signal by next year). Dear hubby gladly volunteered naman that he can do the shopping of gifts for inaanaks, family and friends. I should just provide him a shopping list daw. For Baby A’s stuffs, he and MIL can go to Divisoria by themselves. Further, dad and stepmom will be coming home on Feb with lots of baby stuffs in tow. Of course, I appreciate the thought but the point is I’m missing the fun..the excitement at siyempre pa, I don’t get to choose the must-and nice-haves for Baby A. Pero sige na nga okay lang, these sacrifices are for Baby A naman. Besides, I trust naman my hubby’s taste, after all, Baby A’s is his little boy…as he always put it..”his junior” and probably, his would be “mini-me”.

Anyway, I’m not that disheartened naman kasi I can tell Baby A that his first baby stuff is this which we bought at Fully Booked in SM The Block. We bought this a day before my bleeding episode and hospital confinement.

**(photograbbed from Amazon.com. I haven’t taken a pic of the actual book yet kasi naiwan sa Frisco)

I just soooo love this baby book. I can’t wait to start filling it up already. There’s a portion in there for the pregnancy part so I’ll start drafting the answers na.

On that note, I have to edit my wish list for this Christmas! (Kapal noh, di na makapagshopping for gifts pero may wish list ako haha!)

1. The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
2. Guess How Much I Love You: My Baby Book by Sam Mcbratney
3. A Baby Couture Diaper Bag
4. R' Jellybean Baby Sling by Next9
5. Digital Scrapbooking Magazine August/September 2007 and October/November 2007 issues

Mai's Xmas Wish List by maileen1

On Benefits.

Spreads of call center job vacancies and advertisements are widely published in the daily newspapers nowadays. There are even billboards of such sprawled along the busy road of EDSA and even MRT coaches aren’t shunned by the biggest call centers in the country for their marketing strategies. (Oh yeah, the company I’m working for has one). While it’s true that call centers pose the highest hiring employment percentage yearly, it’s also a fact that this industry has the highest attrition rate.

There are several factors why call center agents resign easily. Oftentimes, you just find these resignees hop from one call center to another, one that’s offering a more attractive and competitive salary package. This is the reason why these companies shouldn’t be lax in designing their employee benefit packages. Aside from attractive perks, like bonuses, incentives and commissions, they should also come up with benefits such as health and life insurance benefits. There are actually several Corporate Insurance Plans for Employers that are offered by various Insurance Agencies locally. These types reduce premiums so both employers and their employees benefit a lot from such. Our company, in fact, has this benefit. Now they just need to come up with other interesting retention plans to lessen the attrition rate.

Bloggy Award.

Look what Mhay has given me:

Hmm..honestly, I don’t know if my blog really deserves a kitten-friendly award (baka naman may mga readers din akong kittens hehe!). This is cute, I must say. I’m flattered with all the awards that have been given to this nook of mine, although I haven’t blogged about most of them..not because I’m ungrateful, pero blame it to my pregnancy hormones, I just unintentionally forgot to do so..pati na mga tags. Don’t worry, I’ll do them soon.

Now, I'm also awarding this badge to Ann and Kathy.

Krillion.com

Christmas is just 27 days away. Have you finished your holiday shopping already? I haven’t even started. I bet crowds of holiday shoppers will be drawn again which discourages me to brave the malls. I easily get impatient and tired although, shopping in this time of the year is exciting and fun. Makes me think again, how I wish we have our own version of Krillion.com in our country. It is actually an online catalog of national brand appliances where a consumer can search for an item, peruse its specifications online, compare prices and locate the nearest local store where one can purchase that particular item. Let’s say you're eyeing a sharp HDTV. You don’t need to waste gas and tire yourself of canvassing and hopping from one store to another just to find your preferred item. You can already do so in the comfort of your home by browsing the TV Product Sitemap at Krillion. The site will then just locate the local shop nearest you where the item is available. Isn’t it interesting and worth checking out?

25 Weeks and the Big Announcement.

Baby A, another week has passed again and yes, we’re on Week 25. We’ve been resting at home for a week since our trip to the hospital and will continue to do so for the rest of the week. We’ll be seeing the doctor on Thursday for a follow up check up and hopefully, we’ll be given the go signal to resume work on Monday. Mom’s boss is already texting me when will I be back. Perhaps, he’s already troubled with all the pending tasks I left. I just hope it’s not that bad when I get back. I can’t afford or should I say I wouldn’t allow to get myself stressed with anything.

Mom’s overly bored. But I’m still lucky though since I get to nap, eat and be online anytime – do paid blogging opps, blog hop and of course, I get to update this blog more frequently. Mom’s also getting some digiscrap mojos back, I think. I shopped some digiscrap goodies during the Black Friday sale and hopefully, this will drive me to get my creative juices back again. I really hope to scrap again some time soon.

Lately, mom’s feeling some irregular contractions on my tummy but they’re all painless naman. Perhaps, these are the so called Braxton Hicks. I asked the doctor about this and advised that as long as they do not appear more than five times a day and the interval is not five minutes apart, it’s nothing to worry about. I am still a little worried though – any discomfort that I’m feeling since our traumatic ordeal, I get so nervous na. But then, it’ll get uncomfortable naman talaga as weeks pass since you’re getting bigger and heavier. In fact, my tummy is getting stretched to its limit (and yes baby, stretch marks have started to appear on my tummy) already. But it’s okay…I know it’s all part of it.

Recently, mom held a game in this blog for fun. I asked them to guess your gender and about 90% of them are assuming you’re a boy. And they are correct! We are having a:

Probably, they were given hints on how I relayed through my story that you’re so malikot! Anyway, I asked Dad this morning to give me 2 random numbers from 1 – 13 for the drawing of the winners. He initially gave me 3 and 10 but I asked him to pick another number since the 10th commenter posted anonymously (my apologies..whoever you are).

**So to commenters # 3 – DIANE and # 12 ALPHA – please let me know the paypal email addresses that I’ll be sending your $5 prize to. And since I’m in the mood of giving more, I’ll also be sending $5 to JACQ’s paypal email as a special prize. Reason: hmm basta, will disclose it later.**

Baby A…as we always say, just continue to grow and thrive inside me….we’ll see you in 15 weeks, my dear son. We love you!

Xoxo,
Mom

How Baby A’s growing according to mybabycenter.com:
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after he's born.

Engagement Rings.

A friend of mine just got recently engaged and now they're looking for the perfect wedding rings. Jamesallen.com offers a wide range of classic and contemporary designs – diamonds, classic solitaire settings, white gold bands, to three-stone rings. Their online catalogue is so easy to navigate whether you’re in search for the perfect engagement rings, loose diamonds, designer collections and one of the best things about them is that you may also get to design your own ring. Their shopping cart is also secured and is easy to go through. Added to that is their reliable customer service who are always on standby should you have concerns or questions.

Before I Take a Nap...

Hmm..this is just quick since it’s my “our” afternoon nap time na and while I also wait for the downloads to finish (bought digiscrapping goodies this morning - weehh! bumabalik na ata si mojo ah). I better start dozing off while the little angel inside me is still asleep. Nagiging malikot na talaga siya lately and seems parating gising. I have a small body frame so I can really feel even his slightest movements. Also I noticed, parang madalas naninigas ang aking tummy ngayon…normal lang ba yun at 6 months? Hmm wala namang pain somewhere pero it’s a bit uncomfortable lang that my tummy is stretched tapos matigas.

Hmm..wala na bang hahabol sa Guess Baby A’s Gender Game? Sayang ang $5!

Of Stolen Entries and Digiscrap Layouts (Be Warned)

To my blogger and bebot friends out there…be warned!

I just bloghopped from Che’s site and learned that there’s a thief on the loose, copying one’s blog entries verbatimly and claiming digiscrap layouts as hers on her blog. I scoured further the plagiarist’s blog and saw na she has copied entries from 4 of my blogger friends (Che, Aiza, Thet & Wanda). I am just not sure if there are others pa. Grabe! The nerve talaga! Being a blogger and digiscrapper myself, I’d also fume mad to hear that someone’s stealing my ideas and layouts that I painstakingly did.

Sa mapapadaan na bebot here on my blog, kindly post this in our forum to warn the bebot digiscrappers and bloggers. I still can’t access the site kasi. Extra careful na lang kasi I think she's also registered sa forum natin (check out this post).

See the plagiarist’s works here:

1. Check out Che’s entry – complete with screenshot comparison
2. Aiza’s original post and the copied work
3. Thet’s original post and the copied work
4. Wanda’s original digiscrap layout and the claimed work

Edited:

5. Here's another one - Bonita's/Fritzie's original digiscrap LO and the claimed work.

Edited 11/24: She has started deleting entries already (as well as her picture) on her blog. There are still some entries left...I bet copied entries pa rin yun. Lolz.

Friday Morning Post.

Happy Friday everyone! So how are you wrapping up your week? I’ve got not much extraordinary plans to share since I am still on a house arrest over the coming week, obviously I’ll still be just staying at home, tinkering this laptop, finish these scarce online assignments, be glued on the tv when I run out of sites to surf, sleep and eat. Pretty boring really. At any rate, I’m just seizing this moment that I can totally relax, I get to be pampered, not worrying of anything especially with work (although sometimes I can’t help but wonder if my boss is still alive with all the pending tasks I left and I’m also wondering how it’d be so magulo na naman when I get back).

Hmm..about 95% of those who joined the Guess Baby A’s Gender Game are certain that it’s a “HE”, huh? I’m not revealing yet to give time to those who’d still want to participate. Just received some Paypal earnings today and so I’ll be picking 2 winners of $5 each (or who knows if I’m feeling a bit more generous, will pick 3!). So get those guesses coming in. I’ll probably end this and announce the winners in a day or two.

And oh, happy Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating it. Gobble Gobble! Have a big turkey bite for me! Good luck on your Black Friday Sale shopping!

Sales Lists.

In any kind of business, an effective marketing strategy is necessary to boost its sales that will ultimately lead to greater profitability and business success. Nowadays, businesses in modern times use online marketing tools that are indeed cost-effective. One of them is having these so called mailing lists or sales lists. These are databases of compiled names and addresses that have the same interests, profiles or demographics who’d likely become prospective customers of one’s business. This is what Martin Worldwide basically provides to businesses with their direct marketing efforts. With their most successful product, ResponseCom, higher profitability, response rates and new business opportunities were attained by their overly satisfied clients. It is a multi-dimensional database of proven direct mail responders carefully tracked and compiled over the decades. Check out the other services of Martin Worldwide in their site and prep up your business for higher sales and profitability.

Guess Baby A's Gender!

I’m so bored!

- blog assignments – done!
- update blogs – done!
- blog rounds – done!

Whew! Ano pa ba pwedeng gawin? Hmm…

Aliwin niyo na lang ako…why don’t you guess Baby A’s gender? Tapos tell me also why you think it’ll be such. As a token of appreciation for “entertaining” me, I’ll be using a randomizer to pick a winner of $5 paypal credits. It’s not much pero c’mon this one’s easier than doing a 50-word paid blogging post. Hehe! Besides, I’ll throw in another game next time..for Baby A’s second name naman.

O Bilis start guessing na!

24 Weeks and the Traumatic Ordeal.

** Journalled 11/20/07  8:00 pm.

To My Little One,

We’re officially in our 24th week and 2nd day of journey. And it’s just six hours since we were officially discharged from the hospital. Yes, my dear, we celebrated your 24th week in the Emergency Room of CMC last Sunday. Sad to say, mom and dad went through a traumatic experience again..we tremendously worried and feared..we thought we would lose you.

It was Saturday night when Mom bled. Shocked, I stood still for several minutes in the wash room unblinking then shivered at the sight of fresh blood blotches on my undies. I right away told Dad about it and decided we would observe for a few more hours. Ironically, I didn’t cry unlike the first time I had spotting a few weeks ago. I didn’t cry but I was more worried this time. In fact, I couldn’t sleep well that night that I’d always check in the wee hours of the morning smears or traces of bleeding. To my relief, there was none. Sunday morning, your dad had to accompany your Lola and Tito Kevin get his report card. Mom was left at home so I can rest..but all the while, I still felt restless. True enough, I found brown splotches again and a few minutes later, your dad, lola and I found our way to the hospital’s ER.

I was checked and later on was recommended for confinement to closely monitor and control the bleeding. I was right away led to the Delivery Room for a more rigorous observation. I was IV’d then checked for any contractions every minute or so. I stayed (and was overly bored) for about 7 hours in the Delivery Room while Lola and your Dad took care of the paper works. They, too, were anxiously waiting for me, worried of course since they are not allowed to come and see me inside the DR. I was finally given the signal by the doctor to be wheeled to my room at about 7 pm. Dad and Tito Kevin just also arrived; they went home and brought all the things I’d be needing throughout my stay in the hospital. I was so proud of your Dad. Even without instructions or whatsoever from me (since we didn’t get the chance to see or talk while I was in the DR for observation), he knew the things to bring – clothings, toiletries, utensils & glasswares, pillow, my vitamins, other necessities and of course, he didn’t forget the laptop so he’ll have something to tinker while watching over me. Dad was overly maasikaso. He really took care of us well. I knew and I could see he was tired already, exhausted for lack of sleep and yet he still lovingly attended to our needs…from prepping up my meals to aiding me when I pee on a bedpan. I felt so incapacitated since I was not allowed to move that much but I felt secured because of how your Dad nursed us. I love your Dad so much but with that, I love him even more. Even if you can’t see it yet, I know you’re already feeling how much Dad loves you so much.

Our first night was a hard one. A doctor or nurse would come and check on us every hour waking us up either to examine me, give me meds or monitor your heartbeat. Further, the IV was hurting me every time I move my hand, thus, I couldn’t really sleep comfortably. Despite it, Dad and I woke up the next morning excitedly. We were scheduled to have my ultrasound to completely scrutinize what could’ve gone wrong inside there and of course, we would know finally your gender. The sonologist first showed us the image of your head, your spine then your legs. Then there it was. It’s finally confirmed that you’re a ____! (I am holding this news for a while because Mom is cooking up a surprise for everyone..hehe!) Your dad and I are so overly delighted. We’re getting a clearer picture of how you’d be like come March. In fact, we already decided that your first name will be A _ _ _ _, a name that your Dad had in mind since, which means “blessed”. We’re still thinking for your second name at this point. Perhaps, we would need help with this one because we want to have a name that would be as lovely as your first and one that will perfectly suit you. Your Lola is a little bit frantic though about your name because she knows someone who’s a namesake of yours and that kid is makulit and malikot daw. Hmm, truly, I think you’re turning into such also because you have your own antics already as early as now. The doctors usually have a hard time catching your heartbeat on their dopplers because you would be very active.. malikot..stirring madly in my tummy..as if you’re playing hide and seek with the doctor. As early as now, I could say, mana ka sa Daddy mo.

We were relieved over the ultrasound results. My placenta has gone up (contrary of their suspicion that I had bleeding because of a low-lying one), cervix is intact and no funneling detected. Everything’s completely fine inside and you’re perfectly okay. In fact, you were awake and we saw you moving your hands and feet while capturing a good sonogram of you. Your heartbeat is just okay too. Thank God! My OB explained that, perhaps, I just got too tired from the shopping and walking we did at SM last Saturday. The low placement of my uterus plus, you’re strong movements and activities inside could have lead to my bleeding. The doctor said that you just probably did a sudden summersault since you still have an ample space inside my tummy. Your breech position at this point could also have something to do with that.

With the favorable results and since they were able to control the spotting, I was given the go signal to be discharged the next day. We just consumed the dextrose and uterine relaxant meds injected to it. My movements are still constrained, though, and I am directed to a complete bedrest for two weeks. The second night was easier. The IV was removed and I slept more comfortably and with peace of mind knowing that we’re both okay. We also slept a bit full since Tita’s Cathy, PJ, Kate and Tito Joseph visited us that night and brought us our favorite, ham and cheese calzone & Four Seasons Pizza from Yellow Cab. Again, we could say that you’re makulit nga and nangilala na, because it was only Tita PJ (the one who brought the pizza) whom you let feel your kicks. Lolz!

The next day, we got ready to go home. We just waited for my OB for her final bilins and instructions. I was given oral uterine relaxant meds to take for several days and was prescribed as well with a new Vitamin brand to take since we’re about to embark on our last trimester. We’ll be seeing her again after two weeks for a follow up check up.

I am truly thankful to God for keeping us safe all throughout this ordeal. We’re still blessed that we have our doctors and loved ones who took care of us well…especially your Dad who painstakingly attended to all our needs. Hang in there, my Little One. We love to see and be with you already but the right time hasn’t come yet. You still need to grow inside me. Mom’s doing everything to keep you safe. It’s definitely difficult and hard but the mere thought of you..it’s already enough to keep me inspired and energized to breeze through the remaining months of my pregnancy. So just “behave” there, okay? As Daddy says, wag masyado malikot sa loob ha?. We love you so much, our dear A!

Xoxo,
Mom :)

Significant Other's Tag.

I was tagged by Litzie.

1. His Name: Paul…Paul Benedict (sounds so Papal, isn’t it? As In Pope John PAUL and Pope BENEDICT). He refused to be called Benedict, though. He goes with a monicker, Pondong (given by her “bulol” ate when they were still kids). My term of endearment to him: Bi (short for, baby). I also used to call him labs, bibshki, bibshi, bibay, bibshkidoodle, bishay, Fondie, Pondongongoks. I am such a sweet person, am I not?

2. How we met? We were high school classmates. We had an M.U. (mutual crush) thing way back freshman year but didn’t lead to anything serious because 1) we were so young then 2) he was so torpe. We got in touch again when we were in college. We stayed together from then on. You can read more about the story of us here.

3. Characteristics of Paul?
I think it could be summed up with a digiscrap layout I did for his 26th birthday last May. I love everything about my husband..here’s the list:
1. your jolly personality
2. your admirable wisdom
3. you have a positive outlook of life
4. you are driven to achieve your goals
5. you are my uplifter when I am discouraged
6. you give the most relaxing massage when I get home tired from work
7. you are a very good provider
8. you are supportive of me all the time
9. you have nothing but praises on my digiscrap layouts
10. you have the sexiest bulging tummy
11. you are a good dancer
12. you take care of me well when I am sick
13. you have a contagious laugh
14. you are a very good listener
15. you always pray with me at night
16. you always make me feel safe
17. you put up with all my moodiness and crankiness
18. you give awesome hugs and kisses
19. you make me weak in the knees
20. you play on the desktop or watch TV so I can scrap and blog in our laptop
21. you make a very good technical support when our computer bogs down
22. you give sensible advices
23. you have the sunniest smile
24. you accept me as I am despite my shortcomings
25. you are always there for me especially when times are tough
26. you love me unconditionally
This list may also never end as I could go on and blab more about my dear hubby.

4. Our 20-30 year plan
• Have our own house
• Have one or two kids more
• Be financially secured (probably put up a business)
• And most importantly, just grow old with each other.

I'm tagging Kathy, Anne, Wella, Nyree, and Andrea.

Christmas Shopping.

Christmas is definitely just around the corner. Have you started doing your holiday shopping? I would love to start and go malling but since I’m on house arrest due to pregnancy complications, I won’t be able to scour my favorite stores personally. But it’s okay, I can still shop for the holidays by just doing it online. In fact, online shopping is a lot easier and can be effortlessly done. I get to window-shop endlessly with the wide array of choices and options offered by online stores. I get to shop at the comfort of my home.

Online shopping can really be a lot of fun especially if they use a reliable shopping cart. Ashop Commerce has this cool ecommerce software that lets online shops sell so easy. Its features include easy web-based administration, customizable design without restrictions, safety and security with 24x7 monitoring of their technical support and customer service, and most of all, this shopping cart software provides total solution for just a small amount of monthly investment. Stores online should start integrating this software for a more convenient and outrageous shopping experience.

Memory Check.

Time to check our memory caps. Got this from Litzie, by the way.

1. They say elephants never forget. Would you compare your memory to that of an elephant or gnat?
Just like Litzie, I can compare mine with a gnat, too. Especially with these pregnancy hormones (preggy women tend to be forgetful), I’m at lost recently. Just yesterday, I was looking for my comb from my hubby and it was the maid who reminded me that I hid it already in my bag. I even asserted that it was just my cellphone that I hid, and true enough, when hubby opened my bag, we found the comb there. Lolz!

2. What kinds of things do you find it easy to remember?
Birthdays and other special occasion dates.

3. What kinds of things do you find it difficult to remember?
Nothing in particular. Just random things.

4. How does your short-term memory compare to your long-term memory?
I find it weird but I think my long term memory is better some times.

5. How do you commit things to memory? Do you use tricks, songs, images, word associations, or other little mnemonics?
When I was still studying, I often memorize my lessons using mnemonics.

You may go ahead and snag this.

Feast 169.

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?
I was a student assistant for the university’s testing center on my junior year in college. Was paid for a meager daily allowance but nevertheless enjoyed it since it was my first experience to get paid for something that I’ve worked for.

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
Hmmm..when I digiscrap, I usually visit and get ideas from online galleries of digital scrapbooking sites.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
I’m in front of a crowd and all eyes are on me. Honestly, I don’t want being the center of attention.

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?
Perseverance, respect for others and honesty.

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
1.) the Macarena dance craze
2.) Boy bands – Backstreet Boys, Boyzone, 98 degrees, etc
3.) Revival of retro clothing, preppy look (Tommy Hilfiger), body piercing, etc.

Computer Training.

Due to my lazy hormones recently, it’s been a while since I last opened my Photoshop CS2 software and scrapped my digital stuffs. The little artistry in me might have dwindled already; not even sure if I can still recall the techniques I learned in the training that I attended a couple of years ago. Since the holidays is just around the corner plus, the “Little One” is coming which means there are a lot of photos to scrap, I would love to further my know-how on Photoshop’s advanced features. I like to enhance my digital creations thus; I am really interested to undergo a computer training. But since I am a “corporate slave” having a limited time or should I say, no time at all to attend a classroom-setup course, I’m looking for a tutorial which is computer-based so I can set my learning at my own pace and time. I found several helpful links on computer courses at computerbasedtrainings.net. I’ll browse over each site one of these days so I can decipher which is suited and is most helpful for me. I might also check out the other links such as the Leadership training and e-Learning modules. I’m sure they’re also interesting topics to learn about.

Sleepy.

In as much as I want to blog more tonight like answer tags and do paid opps, I can’t stay up any longer as my eyes are already drooping. I’m sooooo tired from my neck-deep work load. Aaack! Besides, I have to store extra energy for our teambuilding tomorrow. The group will be having a bowling session at MOA and nope…of course, am not playing. I’ll just do the watching -eating thing. Lolz.

Don’t worry my blogger friends, I’ll be back with my answer to your tags. Ciao!

Easy Money by Blogging.

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My Tuesday....

..as usual and as always, was busy.

I accomplished a lot: processed multitude of invoices for payment, answered several vendor calls, replied to numerous emails and queries, and filed several Purchasing docs…arrrgghh! But, still several pending transactions are left. I still have 3 days anyway this week to finish them all. Really can’t wait for the weekend to come. I need a break. Relax..mai..relax! Breath in.. Breathe out..

In Search of a New Car.

I forgot to blog about the misadventure of our very dear Green Machine two weeks ago. It conked out again while we were on our way to my in-laws’ house in Quezon City. We were unfortunate but luck was still a bit on our side since we just wheeled off the garage. We were running for about 10 secs when the machine just stopped suddenly then it wouldn’t start. I ended up controlling the steering wheel while hubby pushed back the car to the driveway. We had it towed to the service center the next day to have it repaired. Although it got fixed, hubby is thinking of selling it and buying a new one. He’s not yet decided of the make and model to buy but he’ll definitely consider Toyota, Kia and Honda Cars.

It would be helpful if we have a local site of Carsblvd.com here where consumers can compare wholesale prices of vehicles online depending on the preferred or chosen car model, make, year and trim. Two quotes will be provided for free. Let’s say you would like to compare Honda Car Prices, just hop over their site and choose your preferred details from the drop down menu and in just a matter of seconds, you’ll have your Honda Car Quotes instantly. You also get to browse and read more about each type of car make and model on their Top 10 Car Searches. Loans, insurance, and refinancing options are also presented on the site. This is truly an amazing site and surely, car enthusiasts will find this site useful.

23 Weeks.

According to Whattoexpect.com:

"At eight inches and slightly over a pound, your baby is the size and shape of a small doll. (But then, you already knew that you were carrying a living doll, didn't you?) This week marks the beginning of some serious weight gain. Your baby's weight in the next four weeks alone should double (and you may feel as though yours is too).

You have probably heard your baby's heartbeat through a Doppler a number of times already (though you never get tired of hearing it), but by now you can also hear it through a standard stethoscope. What a heart throb!

Your baby's skin is reddish in color now because of the developing blood vessels underneath (remember, the skin is very thin still). It also hangs loosely from his or her little body at this point. That's because the skin grows faster than the fat develops. But don't worry. By the time your baby is born, he or she will be pleasantly plump and filled out — from chubby cheeks to chubby toes."

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So how we’ve been this week, my Little One? Well, I know you’ve grown bigger and heavier. I weighed just the other night and found out that I gained 2 more lbs since mommy’s routine check up two weeks ago. I can feel that my tummy has stretched to a few centimeters more since I couldn’t almost fit anymore in my baby tees; that’s why I have to set them aside for the mean time and wear instead loose, bigger shirts (one of them was gladly lent by Daddy).

Dad and I can feel that your moves and antics are getting stronger and last night was one of the hardest that I felt. You were quiet and still the whole time and so we assumed that you’re already sound asleep. Dad even praised you for slumbering so early and when he kissed you good night, you suddenly jerked so hard that I jolted. Then your frolics continued for several minutes. We were laughing kasi as early as now, you’re already playing tricks on us.

Mommy’s experiencing severe back pains and my legs get easily tired from walking probably because of the pressure and the weight that you’re putting on my tummy. But it’s okay…I’m not complaining my honey. It’s all part of it and if that’s what it takes to have you grow strong and healthy, I’d gladly go through it. Daddy’s kind and patient enough naman giving me soothing massage at night.

Mom’s kinda sad kasi we don’t have anymore our daily dose of mango shakes for lunch. Fruitas’ contract might have expired already that’s why they are replaced with a new one in the pantry. They also offer fruit shakes but my taste buds have bonded well with the mango shake of Fruitas.

The weekend’s almost over again and we’ll be back in the office for another grueling week. Hope it’s not as bad as last week. Mom was so loaded with lots of work and was so tired. I was trying to manage it well and was trying not to get stressed for you.

By the way, Dad and I agreed to have our check up on the 24th. We’re really anxious and overly excited to see you again in the monitor as we’ll be having our 3rd ultrasound. This time I think it’ll be more comprehensive since we’ll be having a CAS (Congenital Anomaly Scan) as well as the placental position checking. I’m really praying that it has gone up na and everything’s alright inside there. Further, we’d finally know whether you’re indeed a “Junior” as your dad is hoping you to be or a girl as what Tita Dada is wishing you to be on the other hand. It’ll definitely be a good surprise but whatever it is, as long as you’re healthy and normal, it’s perfectly fine really. We love you, our Little Bibay! (our slang for “baby”).

Magic Loans.

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Weekend Blogger.

I’ve been blogging again like crazy this weekend especially on my other blog. As you’ve figured out, it is because this is the only time I get to surf and stay online all day. Work doesn’t allow me to do so on weekdays. Paid blogging opps are scarce lately, though, specifically at PPP. But at any rate, I still managed to accomplish about 8 opps (as of this writing) since yesterday courtesy of other paid blogging sites. Yahoo! That’s about USD60+ additional savings for the Ipod budget of my dear hubby. Yep, that’s one of the things that Paul has on his wish list this Christmas. I know I have to do more. I’m wishing that PPP will be a little bit kinder sana and they give out more opps for those who are lowly segmented.

Online Shopping.

Do you also do online shopping once in a while like me? Isn’t it fun doing so? I mean, you get to buy the things you want without going out, spending on gas and tiring yourself. With all the online shops flourishing on the web, it’s like mall-hopping worldwide browsing the “infinite shelfspace” while you’re relaxingly sitting in front of your computer. As they say it, shopping at the convenience of your home.

Online shopping can really be fun especially if the online merchant uses a safe and reliable ecommerce software. Of course all shoppers would prefer online stores that offer easy navigation and security. This is what Ashop Commerce exactly offers. They boast of its shopping cart software that is built with several features which include: a web-based shopping cart feature meaning no installations needed, optimized search engines, flexibility and ease of use, customizable designs and best of all, its affordability. They offer a lot for just a small amount of investment. Further, it provides security with its 128bit SSL encryption for admin’s and storefront checkouts. They also offer free 24-hour support via email, phone or online chat. In addition, they send out free emails, do upgrades, payment integration and web promotion tools. So for those of you, who have online businesses, better check them out. You can actually avail of their free trial version for 10-days.