MFEO

How was your holidays?

Gosh, I miss blogging. My blogging life obviously (which includes my paid posts) has taken a back seat… so has my facebook career. Hehe.

Here’s what’s keeping me/us busy:

• Mini-parties. Contrary to what I thought, our holidays have been full. I thought that since we were on “house arrest,” our friends will just go on with the kitakits/parties sans us. But, they fixed their schedules so that they can visit us. Nice talaga! So, on different occasions we had friends over for either lunch or dinner.
• Breastfeeding… err… pumping milk that is. I have been pumping milk since Issie came because she doesn’t want to latch (which is really a big let down for me). Actually, I’m blaming CGH for it. They bottle fed Issie while in she was in the nursery. Since I had a C-section, they did not bother to bring me to the nursery to feed her. After I was discharged, my OB prescribed some meds to me which prevented me from breastfeeding her. Haay. I learned later that UST Hospital cup feeds newborns at the nursery and brings the mothers to them for feeding. Next time talaga, I’ll find a better hospital. Well, that’ll be 3-4 years from now pa naman. Hehe. I’m thankful for a good milk supply. Although at night we still give her a bottle or two of formula. I’m still trying to store more milk para I can exclusively feed her na lang. Kaya ngayon, best friend ko ang sabaw. Bow.
• Hospital check-ups. I still have to go back to my OB this January for another check-up. Issie has had two check-ups and immunizations already. On the 22nd, she’ll have a 6-in-1 vaccine. Tapang naman ng baby ko, when her pedia sticks the needle she only cries for a short while, tapos nun, ala na.
• Baby Stuff. We been going to SM San Lazaro every once in a while to get Issie some of the things she needs. Latest addition is her Cosco Geoby Baby Stroller – gearing up for her baptism.
• Preps for Issie’s Baptism. So far, we’ve booked the church (UST) and the reception venue (Chinatown’s Best Food Resto) for the 26th already. Thanks to my best friend who had her daughter’s baptism there too. Hehe. I made simple invites via Microsoft Publisher and had them sent out already. I have yet to get the souvenirs and Issie’s baptism clothes.
• Salon Visit. A friend told me that postpartum depression sometimes comes when the mother doesn’t feel too good about herself. So, I made it a point to visit the salon and get my hair fixed. I also had my nails done. Ayun, feeling pretty na. Haha!
• Wedding. One of my friends, Lalaine, got married last January 4. She prepared for this wedding for over a year. Being an overseas bride (UK) and a not very hands-on bride (hehe!), she would often ask me q’s on the preps. I was one of her candle sponsors and my mom, one of her principal sponsors. The wedding turned out great. More pics here. Sayang lang, some of our friends are abroad already. Hi Anne, Cathy and Mai! Sino na kayang next? Paging Andrew, Mai and Beej. Peace. Hehe.

• and of course Issie! I’m getting obsessed already. Haha! I created a multiply and a friendster account for her already. She’s smiling na! She would coo whenever you talk to her. Kakaaliw talaga. Sarap ng may baby. When she smiles, burado na lahat ng pagpupuyat.

From Joven, Dionne and Issie

We had a crazy, busy December. Just like last year. But, who’s complaining? =D

December 13

FSI Christmas Party

Allan and I ended up hosting the event. Our day started as early as 9AM and ended at 4PM. Parang children’s party. Hehe! I was dead tired but had a really great time.

Our intention for hosting the event was to get away from performing that day. Although I also ended up as the choreographer of our dance presentation, it was less stressful for me. After teaching them the steps, that was it for me. =D

We won second place! For the past years, we always had the worst presentation. At least second na ngayon! =D

Dinner at Tokyo Cafe

Together with my office barkada, we had dinner at Tokyo Cafe in MOA. Since Irish, Allan and I had lunch there a few days ago, we thought of bringing the other peeps there. Joven joined us after work. After loads of laughter and kwentuhan, we decided to call it a night. Joven and I went around shopping but were unsuccessful with what we want.

December 16

Last minute errands and more shopping

We started the day with a few errands – meeting his Tita and accompanying my mom for some of her holiday shopping.

As a surprise, we brought her to the appliance center to buy our gift for her. My sister and I (of course with Joven) decided to get her a brand new television. Since our TV broke down a month ago, my mom has been watching her favorite teleseryes in a 14″ TV. We got her a 29″ TV this time. At least di na nya huhulaan yung tao. Hehe!

Joven and I decided to get our own 29″ TV as well. Now we can watch DVDs at the comfort of our bedroom. Nice! That was our big gift for each other. =D

December 17

More Shopping

Joven asked me a life-changing question a few weeks back: “Magic Sing or PS2?” Aaaaaargh! I said I needed to think about it. I ended up asking people around me.

Magic Sing it is! Haha!

We bought ours after dropping off at Nanay’s. Shempre, tinest agad! I think it took them four hours to make me stop. Hahaha!

December 19

Lunch at Krua Thai

Our boss treated for us for a sumptuous lunch. The whole group went to Blue Wave and ended up at Krua Thai. Parang last meal, super busog! Minsan lang ‘to, kaya dapat i-blog. Haha!

Get-Together with Lalaine from UK

My high school best friends, Con (with hubby, Arjahn), Lalaine and I (with Joven) met at SM San Lazaro. Lalaine went home for the holidays and to try to make arrangements for her wedding on 2008. Dinner was at Congo Grille and, since we cannot get a decent seat at Starbucks, coffee was at Coffee Dream. Laughter and chika non-stop. *Sigh* Miss the simple life of high school.

December 20

Vidoeke at Music Match with Office Barkada

Much awaited! We prepared for it (with matching exchange gifts) for almost a month. Videokes are never the same without these people. They sure know how to have fun. We really had a great time! =D

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a camera at hand so we ended up begging for pics instead. =P

Here are the ones from Yax and Dhang.

December 21

Videoke with SML

What?? Videoke again? Haha! You’d think that partying till 1AM will stop us? Nah. I even came to the office before 9AM. Joven was in his office earlier. =D

The night was for SML this time. Richie came home after a year of studies in the US (he’ll be back there in January though). We haven’t had any videoke session when Richie was away. So what would be best but to welcome him with one. Ryan, Cors, The Bs were also present. It was great to hear Cors singing this time. =)

December 22

Dinner with Frenchies & Japs

There was a Frenchies dinner at Crazy Roll a few weeks back but Joven and I weren’t able to join them. That was the time Joven got sick. It was great of them to fix their schedules and have dinner with us again.

Dinner this time was at Burgoo in MOA. Coffee was at Starbucks. Jera brought along her friend from Japan. It was nice how they teach her bad words. Haha!

December 24

Noche Buena

My sisters from Pasig trooped to our place for our annual Noche Buena. Mommie was busy in the kitchen all day. I took the liberty of baking a chocolate cake (which didn’t stay long in the fridge. naks!) and fixing the chocolate for the fondue.

My 5-year-old nephew, Jef was soo excited in opening his gifts. He was shrieking and laughing while he was tearing off the gift wrappers. He got his ultimate dream this Christmas: WWE action figures.

I got three bags from my two sisters and mom this Christmas. I wonder why. =P I also got a shirt from Jef. A Coelho and a Micheal V DVD from Joven. Hihi! Aliw! Joven and I got Chritsmas money from my dad which will turn into a love seat one of these days. Thanks thanks everyone!

December 25

Christmas Day!

We woke up mid-morning and were immediately swamped by inaanaks and neighborhood children. After our ninang duties, we went to mass at Lourdes church.

We were expected at Tita Nene’s place by lunch time. We asked Jef if he’d come with us, surprisingly he said yes. I guess it was after enticing him with duguan (what he calls dinuguan) – his favorite viand.

When we got there, the elders were already eating lunch while the young girls were upstairs and the young boys were playing PS2. Jef immediately took his place with the boys but I urged him to eat duguan first. I guess the call of PS2 was louder because after three spoonfuls of food, he told me he was already full. He immediately made his way to the group of boys as if he’d known them since he was born.

Of course we were asked the question again, “Wala pa ba?” Ahm, I told them we’re trying to get there. Insert *sigh* here.

December 26

MMFF

With nothing better to do, Joven and I, together with my mom, decided to watch a movie. We were weighing our options (nothing much really), and ended up with Ligalig. It was supposed to be rated A by the cinema board, for Joven and I it was quite predictable. There were certain scenes that were unnecessary, some scenes produced a “duh!” from me, some effects were not really that good. Oh well.

December 27

The day was spent with Lalaine, Merc, Cheche, and Tantan. I won’t spill the beans. I’m keeping my mouth shut since I signed a contract. =P

We ate lunch at Tokyo Cafe. Yeah, yeah. I recommended the place. I can’t help it. If we were on the north side, I would’ve recommended Crazy Rolls. =P

ArtBag

Joven told me he has a surprise for me when he gets home. Apparently, Leslie (Fol’s wife) dropped off our finished album to his office. Of course, with our own ArtBag. Woohoo! Thanks Fol and Leslie!

Whew! That was a busy December indeed. We still have an overnight thingy tomorrow. Kwentos on that on our next blog entry.

BTW, I’m a winner again! I just got it from the mail. Apparently, I’m one of the five lucky poll voters who won gift certificates from Sanctuario Spa. Many thanks to Manila Bulletin’s About Weddings and of course to Benz because it was her who e-mailed us about the poll. I’ve yet to get it though. =P

As we celebrate our first Christmas together as husband and wife, we would like to thank you for being a wonderful part of our lives.

We wish you and your family a blissful Christmas and a better year ahead.

May your days be filled with love, happiness and good health.

Dionne and Joven

Credits: Shabby Princess Holiday Sampler, Fol Rana Jr. Photography

No, I don’t have a problem with that. =P

It’s this one that’s finally up: