M plus M

Oh Ezio! Look how fast you've grown! #throwback The little guy is only 3 months old in these photos. Now he's almost 3ft tall and says some English and Tagalog words clearly. He's now attending a summer junior toddler program. At 2 years and 3 months, he can do the following: sing/recite nursery rhymes like the ABC song, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on a Bus, Johnny Johnny, knows a bit of 5 little ducks, Monkey Jumping on the Bed, Roll Over, etc. perfectly count 1-10, can count up to 20 know shapes, colors, animals and their sounds, big vs small identify people of the household - dada, lolo, momsie, nana, ate, kuya, mommy (last to be learned) tell what he wants - dede, milk, water, swim, dutch mill (ugh), peppa pig (ugh), tv (double ugh), banana, open/close, sleep, dada and... mommy! knows how to say 'i love you' (ayabyu) and 'i heart you' with the hand gesture understands that when mommy and dada aren't home, they're in the office. So...

August 24, 2016 Went to shinagawa at enterprise with Mommy Elsa. My sneezing was bad and I thought my lasik appointment will be postponed. Good thing the doc approved as long as I can control the sneezing for 5min. There were 5 of us to have similar procedure that Wednesday afternoon. It eased my nerves to talk to them but still quite nervous that I was no longer sneezing. I was third to be called. I lied on a special chair/ bed and the next thing I remember my right eye was staring at the green light. The good doctor had some trivia about my surname. And then he began to instruct me and his staff. Stare at the green light Some eye drops were applied  He taped my upper and lower eyelashes   Relax your eye Don't push against the speculum You will feel some pressure with this I heard doc said suction or suck or something  Then the green light is overlapped by a red one. Burning smell, something like when...

Please note, Ezio Alfons When I say your feet are wide and plump - I mean to say they're the most adorable pair I have seen When I say your tooth are big and gigantic - I mean to say your smile is the most precious when I see them When I say your hair is thin and you're baldy - I mean to say your entire face is the most lovely of all I love you, son and all that you are. Always remember that! Love, Mommy

There... I can finally say it at almost 39 weeks pregnancy. We've been to the doctor twice and been anticipating our little guy to come anytime soon. But soon just becomes sooner and later it seems. Last week, during my internal examination, our OB was surprised to find me 2 cm dilated (cervix), yet still thick. That's when we started anticipating signs of impending labor. The bloody show - had to cross this out since I was already dilated The true contractions - pain radiates from tummy to back and wouldn't go away even after changing positions The breaking of the water bag - sudden gush and non-stop trickling of water even when you attempt to hold your pee After a week (today), my stats proved I progressed somehow - 3cm dilated and cervix is soft (but still thick). Still not THE indicator which will allow me to be admitted to the hospital. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk... is all the good doc recommends. Gee... These days, I so feel my bottom will fall off ...

Wow, time hasn't surely stopped when we discovered we're having a baby. I'm now on my 30th (going 31st) week and it won't be long until we finally meet our tiny pea turned into a squash/melon (lol). A lot progressed from the last time I posted up to this day. I'm on my third trimester now. The best part of leaving the first trimester is saying goodbye to nausea and food aversions ! My taste buds have returned to normal that I can finish a makunouchi bento at our favorite cheap Japanese restaurant. Still no salmon or tuna sushi for me though. Also, I still have some aversions to select garlic-tomato and instant noodle soup aroma. On my 22nd week, we had our Congenital Anomaly Scan (CAS) done. It was not cheap and also not covered by our HMO but very worth the price. That was also the time when hubby joined the #hashtag bandwagon and proclaimed #TuloyAngLahi , yes, it's a boy! We decided to name him Ezio Alfonse . Google up "Ezio" and you will hav...

Yesterday was hubby's birthday. In the morning, surprisingly, I wasn't feeling *meh* at all. I had a goal in mind. And that was to get home and bring some "special" breakfast before hubby goes to work. I wanted hubby to have the best-tasting pancake I had so far. The nearest Pancake House from where I work is at Makati Med (hospital). Hubby was kind enough to remark that the pancakes' taste are nothing compared with what we usually eat at McDo. He didn't finish everything and I ate the leftover cake. In the afternoon though, I still haven't decided on where to bring him for dinner. I just wanted to go some place where I wouldn't feel nauseous. I had something in mind though. Thankfully, when we got seated at Yabu, the scent of the place was pleasant enough for me. I smelled a mild citrus-y and perhaps tangy aroma and I expressed how it's not repulsive. We had kurobuta and hire set, and my latest discovery - edamame! We al...

June 5 (Friday) was probably the most gruelling day of my life in recent times. I bought two home pregnancy tests (HPTs) at Mercury Drug on my way home from my night job. When hubby left for work, I used one and voila - the second line appeared! This can't be - I thought to myself. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries in 2013, same month. The problem lies with my follicles/eggs not "popping" out. I seemed to be going through what I read as "false ovulation" - all this time.  My husband and I knew we won't be having an easy time conceiving. We once got help from the ob-gyn to help stimulate my hormones and induce "popping" the follicles. That didn't work. Since we didn't have enough time for all the lengthy procedures, we changed our plans - and just waited.  A month at my new work, I noticed my period was delayed for 5 days already. I kind of expected it. The change in people's daily routine can certainly alter the way o...

iPhoto effect

One of the places we visited in Hong Kong on our honeymoon in April 2012 was the sky100 observation deck at the International Commerce Center tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world.  We got a tour package from a local travel agency and our first day was supposed to be our city tour and Disneyland visit. We chose not to go to Disneyland that day and found ourselves trying out the MTR, the buses instead, until we reached West Kowloon. We had fun exploring for the first time, another city's public transport system.

Pre Nup November 2011 Our official but unofficial pre-nup photos at the Grass Garden Resorts in Plaridel, Bulacan "Post" Nup July 2013 Went to Avilon Zoo (Rodriguez Riza) with my teammates. Of course I asked the other M to come along and drive for us) Photos by Louie Francisco(top) and  Oliger Tarroza  (bottom)

Wow, our photos got blogged by our photographer, Really Awesome Weddings (R.A.W.) :-) They're definitely one of our best wedding suppliers! Click  the pic to view! We got blogged!

Our wedding SDE by Digital Shots This was shown at the later part of our wedding reception on a huge 9x12ft LCD screen :-) We love how quirky and spontaneous it turned out.

If only the end could justify the means, I could have told you that Mitch Desunia exceedingly satisfied my expectations. I wanted a simple gown for a beach wedding. I got exactly what I wanted! Simple and flowy and yet will complement my shape. I felt like it was really for me. It made me feel like I am the bride! My sisters loved their gowns as well. My bridesmaids and flower girls were very pretty in their gowns! Bridesmaid gowns by Mitch Desunia Flowers by Vatel Manila         With our flower girls Gowns and suit by Mitch Desunia Flowers by Vatel Manila We trusted Mitch from the very beginning. We got his services for us and our entourage members at a promo price (August Major Major promo). We never thought that getting gowns at a lower price will  cost us the quality of his work. That indeed never happened. We had a smooth start, I was able to fit my lining at the right schedule. Most of our entourage members were able to hav...

Aljoe Mix is Juan Carlo's partner in providing basic light and sounds system. We did not transact with them personally. It was Al from JC who did all the coordination with Aljoe Mix. We had our ceremony outdoor so I was worried that the basic sound system may not be enough to cover our venue. Al assured me that Aljoe Mix is a frequent supplier in Club Balai Isabel and so that shouldn't be a concern. Our reception venue at Club Balai Isabel (Pantalan) Photo by R.A.W. The amplification the sound system did to our hired musicians (Muzzique Vox) was excellent. During the ceremony proper, however, there were glitches in the sound coming from the microphone. I noticed that while our officiant and our parents were giving their speeches. I'm not sure what happened or what caused it. It was quite windy during that time. Ceremony & reception sound system by Al Joe Mix with Thoffy Consulta and Mayor Zenaida Mendoza Photo by R.A.W. For our reception, our host (Th...

Again, the bridal shoes was one of the last things I gave attention to before the wedding. I tried going around some malls but it's very hard to find comfortable 4-inch high wedges or chunky heels. I took into consideration the beach-sandy ceremony and reception venue. Wearing flat shoes was never an option period. I learned about E-fitte from my co-W@Wies so I wasted no time and inquired. Ms. Ann answered my text message immediately, I had to postpone our meeting to Saturday because I wasn't familiar with Ortigas area where she suggests on meeting me. I asked if there's an office where we could meet. She affirmed but she said that it's actually a factory in Marikina. My sister (also my Maid-of-Honor) went with me and she also got interested and had her shoes custom made. That was 3 weeks before our wedding. Ann assured me that she can deliver after 2 weeks. Then my mom & youngest sister had theirs custom made too. I was happy when Ann offered to deliver the ...

We got D'Ammrose, which is located in the neighborhood (San Antonio Village, Makati) to bring my grandpa and my uncle's family from Makati to Club Balai Isabel and then back. We were provided with a Toyota HiAce van and driver, toll fees and gas not included. The contract price was 3,800 PhP. We paid 600 more for 2 hours excess. Verdict: I heard no complaints from my relatives about their service.

We were running out of time when Mike & I decided to get Wink as our wedding invites suppliers. Their location is very convenient for us (within our neighborhood). We wanted a unique invitation, Mike was so particular with this. It should be something that showcases our personality and common interests (much like the wedding cake!) That's why we also got Wink to create a custom design for us.   Stefanie Mercado handled our account and gave us the initial layouts. Once we approve them, the invitations will be printed after 10 working days. Facebook-inspired wedding invitation by Wink But the first layout didn't sit well with us. So, Stef sent another proof (sorry can't find the files!), and that time we had two different layouts again. Still, I wasn't happy with them. That's when we decided that I will design our wedding invitation (I have some dormant Adobe Photoshop skills). We would just let Wink print them. And we were happy with the results :-) ...

When it comes to wedding entourage flowers, Vatel Manila is probably one of the best in the wedding industry and is highly recommended in W@W yahoogroup. I was trying my luck when I shot Dylan Gozum (of Vatel Manila) an email. And I hit the jackpot in a sense! Dylan replied on the same day I asked about his availability. And also gave me the costings in less than 2 weeks upon sending him the filled up form. He's the only supplier I made business with through email ALONE (the others I either text or call). And never had problems with it. It was a bit inconvenient though when I learned that Vatel Manila does not deliver flowers outside Metro Manila because of their green initiatives, which I understood. Good thing that our wedding coordinator agreed to pick up the flowers on the day itself. I was amazed at how big my bouquet was. I thought it complemented well my simple wedding dress! It was soo heavy though! My maid of honor & bridesmaids bouquets were very pretty with cap...

Update: This entry was made when TOE was still co-managed by Thoffy Consulta and Kathleen Tizon. As of date, Kath manages The One Exclusive by KTEEM and Thoffy has his own company, Events by Thoffy. The One Exclusive (TOE) has been making waves in local wedding circles during around this time last year. Perhaps one of the most affordable wedding coordinators, we didn't let the chance pass to meet and book them. We got their On-The-Day coordination package. Thoffy Consulta is the team's co-manager, we also hired him as our wedding host / emcee. Since we were fully hands-on with the wedding preps, we didn't feel the need to engage TOE in a lot of meetings before the preps. And of course, as a respect for what's stated in our contract. We had probably met 5 times before the wedding, including the time when we invited to meet them before booking. Mike & I were grateful to Thoffy for always meeting us at our convenience (Makati). He's somebody you would alwa...

We've always trusted in Val's expertise since the day we booked his services. My first trial makeup He did my hair and make up twice before the wedding. One during our video prenup shoot, another one during our photo prenup shoot. I loved how I look especially in our prenup pictures. I echoed to Val my fiance's feedback though about having too much make up on our first try. My second trial make up was done with airbrush and was much lighter. Mike found it much better than the first one. My second trial makeup Our transactions with Val had always been worry-free. I would call several weeks prior to the schedule, and then remind him a day before about it. I think he could do better with following up the customer a day before their schedule, specially during trial make ups for prenup shoots. He called 4 or 5 days prior to our wedding day to confirm our final headcount. On our wedding day, he and his two other hair and makeup artist came the earliest! That...