I'm hopping on the bandwagon and will be reading this trilogy for the next few days...

I hope I'll like it because I haven't been reading as much since Hunter came along.
How could I when there's someone this cute peeking at me all the time just begging to be cuddled while I read... *sigh.

Monday Musings

 I am enjoying my days right now. I’ve always loved owning my schedule but I must admit, I am extra loving it these days with my little mister.

I have always been extra (and annoyingly) diligent with whatever endeavor I deem important but I am taking this domesticated WAHM to another level.

I figured I have been given the privilege of having a choice to work or not and I have to make the most out of it.

There are days though when I wonder if I made different decisions and how different my life would be if I did.

Choosing to stay at home, I have to constantly remind myself, is not an excuse to slack off but a privilege and an opportunity to make the best possible environment and home life for my family. I want them to feel like always running back home at the end of the day. That doesn’t mean I will never work outside home again for the rest of my life but for now, I can’t imagine being far away from Hunter’s smiles.

One lesson I learned from my mother that I love to always remind myself is doing your best with whatever you have right now.  I used to ask her which is her favorite time in her life so far and she always answered the same thing: all the stages.  That is because your life now is your only time.

Sometimes we tend to feel unmotivated thinking we are in a transition.

That will just do better in the future when we are already living the lives we planned for ourselves, when we are already living in the house that we dreamed of or doing things that we have always wanted without thinking that one of life's sharpest paradoxes is that our brightest future hinges on our ability to pay attention to what is happening in the present. 

Life is lived in moments.

Today, I will cuddle with Hunter a little bit longer and feel thankful and blessed of everything I have now.

Pedia Visit

We finally have a pediatrician for Hunter and we opted to get one in Medical City. It's hard transferring care from States. We had to request copies for the records and documents from his hospital in Illinois sent to his new doctor.

My big baby being weighed in.

 Meeting his new doctor. =)

Loving mommyhood.

While listening to his new pediatrician and care plan.

Look at Hunter's smile! Hehe.

 Out to lunch afterwards.

I think getting a pediatrician is one of the most important things you do for your family. You have to get the best fit.
We had to research well and look for the right one for Hunter.
Pao and I have lots of Pedia doc friends but I thought knowing how I am, we had to find somebody who is formal and yet I can be neurotic and OC with, somebody I can stalk when my son is not feeling well (just kidding)!
I am a bit shy to subject all those things to somebody we both personally know. =)

So There. One of my biggest and immediate to-do ticked off from my list. On to the next!

Project 1: Hunter's Playroom

I've been busy with my little projects right now and most of them are about home improvement.
When we came back from the States, in less than two weeks, we had the house sanitized, the window screens and air cooling appliances replaced, the floor rugs and carpet changed and the cabinets organized.
Yes, I am turning into my mother.

I'm halfway done with Hunter's Play room. We are still waiting for all his stuff we sent here through a courier when we were in the States and Its taking too long! I can't wait to finish his animal/jungle theme  play area. Anyway, so far so good.

I still have to replace the Yo Gabba Gabba rug, I'm thinking of an animal print one but my sister Hazel says its an overkill, pun intended. :/ We'll see as we go along fixing the room.

I especially love the monkeys "hanging" from his toy shelves. There were actually six monkeys but I only included five. My sisters and brother know why. Hehe =)

I'm done with just one corner but I think the overall theme is coming along well.
 I used to want a vintage-y, soft color baby theme but I read somewhere that vibrant, loud colors are appreciated by babies more and contribute well to their development.

Loved that Hunter sign from Hunter's Mama Hazel who is also the one checking me all the time if I started working on his play room already. Ayan na po, madame.
What can I say?  Hunter has four mommies (Thankfully, though =)). 


I still have to wait for most of his stuff but I'm happy with how things are going. I'm simultaneously working on our room upstairs to make it comfortable for us three since we are co-sleeping with the baby. I'll post photos of that too soon. 


I just want the best possible environment for the little one. I must admit, I am enjoying these little projects!

obsessed.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

We are growing up

I can't believe we just "celebrated" Hunter's 4th month! Goodness! Where did time go?

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY!

It's Pao's first! Happy Fathers' day! =) You amaze me everyday with the kind of dad you are.

I think I hit jackpot in that aspect (and with many things about you as well)! =) Hunter and I love you so much.

And of course, Happy Fathers' day to the first man in my life! =) The man who set the standard so high. I'm so happy though because that didn't make us settle for anything less. I love you so much Pajai! =)

Row, row your boat gently down the stream

Oh goodness, life has been busy, busy, busy! I only found time now to squeeze in a blog entry while the little boss is sleeping.

I'm still not getting a yaya though. It will be really nice to get some help but I'm just too OC when it comes to Hunter. Not that I'm too particular with his care its just that I feel uncomfortable leaving him when I can bring him all the time anyway.

Pao and I discussed about it and though we are open to getting one when Hunter starts walking, right now is not yet the right time. Our household help is more than enough.
We also spend a good number of months in the States every year so getting a yaya just for a few months is so impractical.
Ok, keep telling that to yourself Isabel.

Anyway, my lola turned 80 last Wednesday and I decided to give her a simple celebration in our house. It was past noon when I found out that my Uncle and cousins totally forgot that we were holding it last Saturday.




Goodness gracious, so off we went to Bulacan the last minute, all the food in ugly boxes. Nevermind my home made fruit tarts that I planned on making as my centerpiece.




We pushed through with the celebration since it's not everyday our lola turns 80.
In the end, we were actually thankful for the change of plans. =) We got to visit Calumpit after a long while, surprised nanay and had a break from the City.




That's how life is, you have to go with the stream. All's well that ends well.
We love you, Nanay!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!!!

I love you sooo much! =)

Work it, work it

Paolo is now back at work. It was the longest time he was away.
I just realized he had been working with the same company since I was in high school.
Goodness. Just some random fact.

I am so thrilled by the way. Charmed Life by Ysa Yason is now available at KK&Co. Ca.
I am just happy that my items are now selling in an actual store in Clovis, California.

Special thanks to Kim for making it possible! You know how thrilled and proud I am to be a part of your team. =)




Yay!

Shop talk

These are some of my work from my best friend's wedding.

Sewn and made by hands, these were worn by the bride's entourage during wedding and given to them as well as gifts.










It's good to be back. =)
Please visit my shop Charmed Life by Ysa Yason.

Baby H., You are so loved. =)

Most of our relatives have seen Hunter.
Seeing them meet Hunter for the first time is like giving birth and seeing Hunter for the first time all over again.
I love seeing their reactions! I'm so happy my baby is so loved.

I would love to have taken photos of each first-time meeting, but I guess I was so engrossed with the moment, I forgot to take even one.

Luckily, My cousin Dian was able to take one with Hunter's great grandma. =)

Oh, how she laughed and cooed at Hunter. I'm glad he was all smiles at her too.
It's just amazing to see Hunter with his great grandma. It's a rare gift, after all. Will I be able to see Hunter's grandkid someday too?
We love you, Nanay! ♥

Leaving Home, Going Home

Hunter is such a good baby. It was like we just brought a teddy bear (who poops and drinks milk =)) during flight.

We already miss lolo and lola very much!

Sleeping in his bassinet. Such a good boy, he made the whole flight enjoyable for mama and papa.

Watching and loving Pororo! A new discovery!

While waiting at the most beautiful airport in the world. =)

Hunter in Sando adjusting to his bigger car seat, a must for crazy driving in the Philippines!

We miss everyone already so, so much! I'm back to my crazy time calculations. ;)