Back to the Grind (sort of)

When I don't tinker with pretty things for a while, I get antsy and miss it so badly. So just days after giving birth, I was back fiddling with my tools and creating shiny things. =)

I really like this drizzle Lisa bracelet I made. The chain is gold-filled and the crystals are small bicone swarovskis. Although it looks a bit chunky and busy in the photos, its actually very dainty and delicate. The client wanted it in juicy Berry colors

This necklace is just one of the many waterfalls design I made the last few weeks. Its made with Green Hydro Quartz and Watermelon Tourmaline set in 14k plated gold.

I haven't been posting in my business site because I was so poofed and tired all the time when I was pregnant and now all the photos from past orders have piled up for sorting.
Since I don't get help right now here in US and I'm basically a one-woman production number, I find it harder to keep up. I needed to prioritize on just the meeting the demand and existing orders rather than coming up with new designs and updating my sites.
Hopefully, I'll be able to start sorting out all the photos from the last month this week. =)

Now that we are just waiting for Hunter to get all his check ups done and start his immunization shots, I feel that our trip back to Manila is near.
I'm in a sort-of panic mode since I am still not done with my shopping for baby things that will last me until the next year.

We've accumulated so much stuff from the last three months and now I feel like shipping all these back in the Philippines would be the greatest challenge. Well, that and the courier fees! :/

I still have yet to find a high chair and a playard for him to use back in Manila.
Somehow all the stuff we have right now are in Green and has a Jungle theme but his nursery in the Philippines is in Blue and has vintage planes theme so now, I'm thinking of how to mesh the look together.

I really like this playard by Maxi-Cosi. It has a built in changing table and other compartments. I love that it will grow with him until toddlerhood.

I'm still looking for the perfect not-so-colorful and wooden high chair that will not stand out like a sore thumb in my mom's old furniture.
At least, I have something to do at 2 a.m. after waking up for the baby. =)))

I honestly don’t know what to write anymore.

Days ago, I have decided to start a new blogspot and change my blog’s name. Somehow, “isabelicious” doesn’t fit anymore now that I’m a mommy. I just thought my entries are so random and out of focus.

Weeks ago, I had an invitation from an online fashion community site in Singapore (that is just starting out) to guest as a “fashion blogger.” Really!? I find it funny since these days, I’m the least fashionable person that I know. =/ And even during my good days, my style can only be described as comfy and classic (read: boring). I've never had any outfit posts ever so I figured it might be for my jewelry collection and online shop (speaking of which, I really have to start my business blog soon!) since this is a personal blog, an online diary of some sorts and not an entertainment/lifestyle column.

Paolo talked me out of creating a new blogspot or changing my blog name because he said the evolution of my blog makes it special since it represents my growth. After all, I’m writing first and foremost for myself. Leaving my online home for the last four years will be a waste since the beauty of it all is reading my past entries and seeing how much I’ve changed and grown.

So “isabelicious” it is.

Our last three weeks

The last almost three weeks went by in a blur. We are in such a happy albeit chaotic place right now.
You can't really explain the unconditional love one feels when one becomes a parent until you are there in that situation meeting your child for the first time.
I always ask Paolo how can I love this tiny human being so much when I've only known him just barely three weeks?

My little guy and I are getting to know each other.
I'm slowly learning about his patterns and quirks and he knows my voice and scent.
It takes only so very little to appease him.
He is a pretty laid-back baby, something I think he got from his papa.
I always say he makes everything so easy for his mama: from my relatively easy pregnancy, to my less than just 7 hour labor in the hospital to my only three epic pushes for his official debut out into the world.

Needless to say, I am in love. ❤❤❤

It's also a joy watching the hubby morph into a papa bear.
I've always known Pao will be a great dad but I've never expected him to be so hands-on.
Since he became a dad a bit older already, I thought he will be the relaxed, laid-back one and I will be the one stressing out, being OC about everything.
Turns out, he's such a neat-freak when it comes to his son. I am the one who's much more calm. He is also the one who's more particular with Hunter's things from what stroller to buy down to the quality of Hunter's baby wipes!
He becomes a little snooty (so unlike him) when it comes to his son. I guess that's what parenthood does to anyone, you only want to give the best for your child.

My boys! I love their "late-night conversations." I only wake up to breastfeed, the rest Paolo does with much enthusiasm and love. I am a lucky mama. =)

I've always loved the name Hunter. It sounded so intrinsic, so basic, so strong.
A perfect name for my first-born son.
I remember reading about one of my favorite supermodels, Nikki Taylor giving birth to her twin sons Jake and Hunter when I was in grade school. And the name Hunter stuck with me. Secretly, a part of me wished I would marry a guy with a nice last name that will sound well with such a strong name. ;) The name has been with me for years.
I remember mentioning it to Paolo when I was in college and how we both agreed Hunter sounds so well with Yason. =) How it sounded almost like a title.
Months ago when we found out we were having a boy, Paolo was the one adamant about giving him the name Hunter.
Elias (pronounced with a long e) is an old name which I love and rarely hear nowadays. Elias is also a name after my mom's. Since we were expecting him this March, the same birth month as my mom's. Elias also means My Lord is God.
A strong name for a first born, I only hope and pray he lives up to his name.

More mommy updates soon. =*

And Motherhood Becomes Me =)

When I was younger, I dreamt of being a young mom. Though I had been a good student, somehow when we were asked what we would want to be, ultimately I found myself always going back to the idea of being a housewife and a mother. I guess the romantic notion was built in me early in life with seeing my mother enjoying her role so much. She had after all, but a long lucrative career giving birth at 21 with our eldest and highlighting her lengthy productive dash at 43 with the youngest.

Then things happened, life happened. The world suddenly became bigger and the more I learned, the more I found out there are so many things I still have to learn. Starting a family is still the ultimate dream. But suddenly, I started having dreams of my own, goals to meet and plans to pursue. I wanted to enjoy the first years of marriage with my husband being at our most hedonistic selves. I didn’t really have a long checklist before starting my baby popping-out years. I only want to be sure we can provide well for our family and somehow also as equally important, I knew that I have to have already made something for myself.

In retrospect, there were many times in the past that I had second-guessed myself thinking if I was making the right choice of waiting. Paolo and I were so determined to wait out the first two years of marriage before starting a family. It didn’t help with so many people asking or more like nudging me to have a baby soon, sometimes I even get the occasional tsktsk and pitying eyes as if it were a race and I’m so sadly lagging, far behind the finish line. There were many times too I wanted to retort and say, mind your own business but knowing they only meant well made me hold my tongue, thankfully.

I have nothing but respect for young mothers or women who got pregnant unexpectedly but were able to make things work. As I always say, it takes all kinds to make a world and whatever floats your boat. It wasn’t an easy road for me too, there were times that fear and doubt crept in at the darkest hours. After waiting for two years, I thought when it was time to finally start making a baby it will be easier… but I was proven wrong.
There were many moments with nothing but heartaches and whispered prayers each time we will wait if we had been successful.

It’s the sweetest when things you wish for the most, come when least expected.

There were many times especially when I was younger that I was too impatient to get things going along fast. It is when you get older; you realize you have to enjoy the whole process. If there’s one thing I can tell my single friends or those second-guessing themselves if they should wait or not: dance to your own rhythm. Life is not a race.
Trust in His time, always.

This blog, for the last two years had shown my evolution from a single woman to a bridezilla to a young wife and a budding entrepreneur. I’m excited with this next chapter: that of being a mother.

I only had a short to-do list before becoming a mom: 1. Get married in a traditional way. 2. Earn my first million in one bulk, on my own and neither through inheritance nor marriage. 3. Make something out of whatever field I am in that I would remember for the rest of my life. 4. Give back and continue the blessings and of course, 5. Make my husband learn how to help out around the house.

I can say that now, I can start making a new list. Here’s to new adventures ahead. =)

Manic Monday

I honestly don't know where I get my energy during this last stretch feeling all so cramped up inside. I've been busy, busy, busy doing orders all by myself and I hope to cover most of the requests if not finish everything before the baby comes. I do miss my lovely assistant, Lovely back home!

I have so many stories to tell, photos to post but first things first. I have to finish the baby's space in our room, do last minute shopping and update my site and finish some orders.
For the meantime, let me share some of my work these past days. I feel bad though I wasn't able to take photos of the other ones I finished because I wasn't able to find time to set up and take pictures anymore. I will be posting some of my available designs here in US and the past orders, hopefully before the week ends. =)

Please visit my shop, Charmed Life for more designs.

Our Baby Shower

Had so much fun! =)

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! =) ♥