Life these days

Just what I have written in my facebook page, I feel so loved and cared for this last trimester. My pregnancy is a family affair, everyone doing something to make my family feel loved and cared for and I'm forever grateful for that.
I'm a one busy preggy woman and though I have to huff and puff all the time because I have to catch my breath more often than not,I feel tired yet happy that the hubby is here to share all these happy, little moments.

My sister Hazel organized an awesome baby shower for me, Ate Vi has been helping out immensely with everything. I've also been busy with my little shop with all the orders pouring in because of Ate Vi's awesome marketing skills. I haven't been updating my shop's site because of running around all the time but I will take time to do something about it soon.
We also had our maternity shoot at The Clementes beautiful home.

We had our very casual maternity shoot one really nice afternoon. I've always known I want something light and outdoors. Something that depicts little packets of happiness that come with starting a new chapter. =)
Thanks to my brother-in-law who is Photography Hobbyist, we were able to come up with what I have been hoping for and more.

a nice-smelling baby for me please.

First, I'm really thankful for a very supportive and caring family.

I just realized today how we are so taken care of, my baby and I and Pao as well. I mean, families are supposed to be that way after all but I've never been more thankful enough that I have this group of people by our side. Sometimes we take our family for granted and now that I'm starting my own, I realized how grateful I am (and the hubby as well) for the one I came from.

My very awesome sisters are planning to throw a baby shower for me. Since its a shower and I have nothing to do with it except to show up and enjoy, I'm so excited.
They had been asking me for my wish list of baby stuff and I just realized---I really don't have one! Up until a few weeks ago, I've never been the one to daydream about the latest baby gadgets and designer strollers. All I know is both my husband and I don't like frilly, cutesy stuff for our baby boy. No teddy bears, pastels and overalls for him!

So this upcoming baby shower made me so excited to look at things that will be needed by the baby. I realized I'm almost 8 months into my pregnancy and we haven't even started shopping yet for our son. No big ticket items yet nor little, cutesy baby clothes aside from a few gifts here and there. Up until some days ago my sister Hazel was the one more excited shopping for baby stuff for me. Thanks, tel for the head start. I love them all.

Now I'm raring to go. I figured it'll be much harder to get hold of stuff that we like once we go back in Manila so that means serious buying (hoarding?) for us and at the same time major self-control.

Two things though that I'm really quite sure about:

One, is I want to prepare the baby food myself, something I am sure about even before I got preggy. I remember deciding on this when a major brand had a big product recall about a year ago because of pieces of glass found on the jars inside. Urband legend or not, I'm not taking chances. Hence a baby bullet is a must-have on my list.

Next is exclusively using Johnsons bath products for my baby because a nice-smelling baby is one of the best things in the world. =D

I like to think I am an experienced babysitter. Aside from getting plenty of practice from nieces and nephews, I babysat for other people's babies here in Illinois during my summer break from school.
And one thing I found out--- Only Johnson's baby products "enhance" that lovely baby scent. I've encountered enough baby bath products, expensive ones, organic ones, etc. etc. and I came to conclusion its just Johnson's for my little one. Of course I'll use other brand products from time to time but for the most part, its just J and J for the bath stuff.

Can't wait for the hubby to get here! Two more nights!

WANT!

New beauty stash for 2012

I found myself wanting to change my usual beauty stuff for this year. probably because of a big change that will happen...or its really time since my go-to perfume and my hair and make-up stuff are the same since college. I find myself buying the same things over and over again and I realized now is the best time to make a change. :/
The following are my baby steps. =)

My new signature mommy scent. =) I love it.

I'm going up a notch in skin care by trading my usual moisturizers to firming/sculpting ones. I've always loved Estee Lauder and I think I'll be sticking with it for a long time.

Speaking of Estee Lauder products, my favorite buy for this year so far is their line in Collaboration with Michael Kors. I got the one in Gold since I'm aiming for neutral colors. You get this for $40 dollars when you buy something worth $80 dollars. I've always been a sucker for this kind of selling style. :/ I'm so happy though with my new additions. =)

Love Clinique's Chubby sticks. I hope they don't discontinue these.

Urban Decay's much-hyped Naked Palettes. Although I much prefer the Naked 1. Its the only make-up I will be needing for the year. All the colors are so nice!

I found a compromise between quality and price. Hoping to stock more before I go back to Manila.

That's all. I always get beauty tags from other bloggers but rarely make a beauty post myself. I'm not at all high-maintenance though am particular when it comes to my beauty stash.

So there, not much but baby steps for the year. =D

Random Ramblings

I was reading my past entries and I chanced upon this post I wrote about two years ago.

And now I'm just two months away to giving birth. Time flies so, so fast. I always say, its hard to catch up. You'd think two years takes a while and then suddenly you're there and the situation is so different.

Deciding to give birth in the States for us is not a walk in the park. We are peso earners spending now a serious amount of dollars since we don't have US medical insurance.
Giving birth here costs way more than triple of what I would spend back in the Philippines in a top hospital not to mention the prenatal care and pedia costs.

But then you can't really put a price tag with wanting the best for your child. One can't only just wish and pray for the best but one has to do the work part. I've always known in my heart this is the best choice for us since my whole family is here and my nephew (thus the possibility of genetic connection) was born with a heart condition and thankfully was treated because of the advanced technology here.

Now connecting the dots, I've never been more thankful and happier that we had the privilege of waiting and preparing in all aspects--physically, financially and emotionally for this baby. I am more excited than ever.

One thing that I've always known but was reiterated to me more with this situation is there is really time for everything.

So I tell my friends, next time when well-meaning people indirectly bug you by asking "when are you getting married," "when are you having a baby", etc etc. Just smile, don't be pressured and take it all in a stride then say "You'll definitely know when the time comes." :)

My little boy is going to be a one cool kid.

So much stuff there is for babies these days. Just looking at shoes alone took most of my time last night. =) So much cool-boy cuteness I can't resist!

New Year: It's all about family

Happy New Year! Happy New Beginnings! =) ♥