When I was still alone (and I mean literally living alone), it seemed like life was so simple. I used to live in a small room (around 12-15 meter squares) with just a bed and a closet, I don’t even have my own bathroom, I had to share it with other renters. I eat anything at anytime I want, hey! I may even just go sleep without eating (it’s a lazy way to get sick, hahaha!). I can go window shop every afternoon, dreaming about owning this and owning that… ahhh… life has never been easier!

Then Nicholas came and bang! Everything has to change!

Well, before I continue, I would like to say I am never sorry that I became a member of the prestigious motherhood club. I am never sorry that I was blessed with a very handsome, smart and healthy bundle of joy. No, this is isn’t about me feeling sorry for myself because I have to change my lifestyle. This is about a realization, this is about me embracing the wonderful life of being a mother.

Ok, let’s go back to business shall we?

As I was saying, it’s different now. With my angel, I choose not to settle for anything less. I want to give him the best, to do everything I can to make him a very happy and secure baby. Like, I had to buy my own computer for me to be able to work at home and personally attend to his needs. Or I had to go shopping for all his needs even before he was born. Or I had to go for monthly visits, maintain vitamins, make sure I was healthy and safe for him. I mean, I am a single Mom, and I was earning for myself. I didn’t have much money then. I didn’t even have enough for the cesarean section.So when did I get the money for this? Yeah, I borrowed. I have a credit card, I used it to prepare for my baby’s arrival, and now, I am still paying it. Oh well, I will pay until I ran out of money, I’ll borrow and borrow again if it means I can give my baby everything he needs.

Yeah, even buying him Cheetos so he can snack on it while watching his favorite kiddie TV commercials/ads, hahaha! That’s really cute!

Or shopping for his daily needs or even wants if I can give it to him. Errr… his stuff doesn’t really come from Ace Harware, but well, I can’t let him carry a heavy bag of baby liquid soap, baby lotion, milk, diapers, and more!

Or making him look smart and cool especially on an event like pictorials for his passport

Or going to a playsite where he can have fun interacting with other kids or have access to toys he doesn’t have at home.

So yes, now, I’m not enjoying the cellphone plans that I used to overpay anyways, hehehe! And now, I don’t see any movement or growth on my savings account. And yes, I’m not using my credit card anymore. I need help in saving money, I need help to shrink my bills. And I have to do all these not to the expense of my son’s needs and wants. Do I need a part-time job? Or maybe I need to change jobs (hey! that’s tempting considering the never-ending salary delays). Or maybe I just need to change my spending habits? But heck! I don’t even have much to spend! My salary comes and go, faster than my college allowance I’ll just laugh about this then. I’ll just enjoy every moment with my son, enjoy his smiles and laughters, enjoy his happiness, his health, his well-being… I am ok with the present situation (well, as long as the credit card company doesn’t put me in jail, hahaha!), I am surviving. Thanks to Mark and his kindness, thanks for his loving support and matured guidance.

Ok, shall we talk about finding another job? Hehehe!

I love Davao City! The people are friendly, courteous and discipline, the streets are wide and clean, smoking is truly banned in public places, urban zones are developed, the whole city is peaceful and of course, the sights and scenes are amazing!

So when Daddy came over for an 18-day stay here in Mommy’s birthplace, I’m so happy because Mommy and I were able to show Daddy the beauty of this city. And yeah, I won’t deny the truth, aside from making Daddy happy, I was making myself happy to go out and shake my bootie! Hihihi!

So where did we go? Ok, we went to Jack’s Ridge, High Ponds, Eden, World Palace, Pearl Farm, AhFat and all the malls in the city! Hihihi! We practically visited all the restaurants that serve yummy food as well. Can you believe Mommy’s got an itinerary prepared for Daddy’s visit? Wow Mommy! You’re the best

Well, we were at Jack’s Ridge so that Dadda could meet my aunts and uncles at last I think I ate something bad that night though because Mommy said I’ve been acting really strange. She said I was not talking to anybody, would freak out if someone wants to talk to me or hold me in their arms, wouldn’t want to eat anything, would cry and cry and cry, in other words, I was a pain in the bottom So yes, I missed the view and the food and the fun too Dadda was very patient and understanding though (as he always does). I bet he understood we men always go through this phase, hihihi! Dadda was great! He entertained everybody with his friendly manner and amusing talks. My uncles definitely had fun with him on their guy talk! I would have wanted to join them (hey! I’m a man!), but my tummy really hurts (sorry Dad).

Click here to see the Jack’s Ridge Album

We stayed for one peaceful night at High Ponds too. I like this place, it’s got a beach and a flowing swimming pool, and it’s very peaceful too. The pool was cold though that was why I cried when Dadda took me for a dip. Mommy was laughing though because she likes cold water (and she feels sexy on her two-piece bathing suit), brrrr! Well, Dadda felt the cold too so we decided to just walk along the shore where Mommy took a stick and wrote some sweet words on the sand We took many pictures of Dadda too. I’m glad he liked the place because of its simplicity and serenity.

Click here to see the High Ponds Album

Next stop was Eden Nature Park. We stayed in this paradise for 3 days and 2 nights – too bad it rained for 2 days though So we weren’t able to thoroughly enjoyed mother nature’s gift. We went for a tour around the park even when it rained. Poor Mom’s slipper didn’t make it through the whole trip though so Dadda bought her a new one in the park’s souvenir shop. Mommy was complaining because it’s all buffet from breakfast to dinner. Her clothes won’t fit her anymore, especially that she’ll be wearing for the first time the Victoria’s Secret sexy red dress that Dadda bought for her. We had a romantic candle light dinner on our second night. Mommy and Dadda had a bottle wine, I just had water, hihihi. I’m happy that Mommy was glowing because Dadda makes her very happy with all his loving I love Mommy too and I know I make her happy but it’s different with Dadda, he completes our family.

Click here to see the Eden Nature Park Album

When we went back to the city, Mommy decided it’s time for Dadda to meet her cousins. Yes, it’s a night out with my aunts and uncles, yey! Too bad no cousin of mine was there. I know it’s a gathering for grown-ups but hey! I’m the host too, ok? So we spent 4 hours in a VIP room in the World Palace. All my Mom’s sisters and beautiful and handsome cousins were there. They all said one thing – that Dadda is one great guy. Of course he is! And he’s lucky to have found my Mom,that makes him one wise great guy, hihihi! Oh of course Mommy’s very lucky to have Daddy too. I don’t have to enumerate Dadda’s great qualities, I might ran out of pages So we were in the Floral VIP Room, singing, laughing, talking, taking pictures, eating, drinking and having fun! I’m glad my aunts and uncles enjoyed the night but what’s more important is that Dadda and Mommy had a great time.

Click here to see the World Palace Album

Next stop! Ahhh! The great Pearl Farm! I must say we enjoyed our 3 days and 2 nights there. Dadda even wanted to extend our stay! But well, it wasn’t practical. Besides, we’re leaving for Manila in 2 days so we might as well go on with the original plan. Pearl Farm is really beautiful! The white sand, the comfy cottages, the heat of the sand, the seemingly infinite pools, the friendly staff, the beautiful sights, the cool water, the colorful flowers, the sunset, oh yes, the sunset, the drinks (at half the price) and the yummy buffets. We even went to the other island (Malipano) which is also owned by Pearl Farm. Dadda had a wonderful time taking pictures of the beautiful cottages there. We also had our little trek around the island and discovered many beautiful spots worthy of space in Mom’s cam. So we spent our time having fun! Fun! Fun! I really don’t have to tell you how happy we were, the pictures will tell you

Click here to see the Pearl Farm Album

We stayed in Manila for four days but at least, we were able to show Dadda the beauty of this city even for just 18 days. I’m just happy that Dadda enjoyed his second visit to Davao because we stayed mostly in Insular Hotel on his first visit and it was just for 2 nights! But what really matter is that, even if we didn’t take Dadda to those beautiful places, I know he’ll still enjoy his stay with Mommy and me (at least that’s what I heard him say to Mommy :)). So wherever we go, whatever we do, as long as we’re together, I know we’ll have a wonderful time.

Thanks for reading! See you on my next posts!

What a great 3 weeks that was! It’s sad that it has to come to end but well, at least I had the chance to be with my Daddy for a longer time

You see, Daddy lives and works in Hawaii. Mommy and I will have to work on some papers so we can be with Daddy since it is much much practical and convenient for Daddy to work there instead of here. For now, we are just content that Daddy can visit for weeks and then we can see him and talk to him over skype when he can’t come.

Back to Dadda’s visit, his plane landed at 9:10PM last January 14, 2010. Mommy said I was sleeping when Dadda came which means I missed the airport kiss Anyways, was awake the next morning and saw that Dadda brought too many gifts for me. Chocolates, books, videos and hugs and kisses, lots of hugs and kisses

Dadda also bought me and Mommy a new box, hihihi! Ok, it comes with a television but I am more interested with the box where Dadda created a door and a window.

I love Dadda. We played a lot, laughed a lot. Sometimes though I get jealous with the time Mommy and Dadda spent together. So yes, there are lots of crying times too. But I know Dadda also came here to give Mommy her ring aside from wanting to see us because he misses us too. So ok, Mommy’s happy, I am happy too Well, poor Dadda slept with Mommy and me on our small bed. I know Dadda had a hard time sleeping since I’m so used to rolling around the bed and banging my big head everywhere, hihihi!

We went to a lot of wonderful places and Dadda also met my aunts and uncles. I will be telling you about it on my next posts so you better wait for it! See you soon!

Wow! I love the books that I got from WhatToExpect.com! It arrived this week and oh boy! I’m impressed! Maybe because I am a book-lover or maybe because I am a first-time Mom and I am overwhelmed with too much information in the book or maybe because What To Expect kept its promise to send me these books

Let me see, I received the following:

“What To Expect When You’re Expecting”,

“Eating Well When You’re Expecting”,

“Pregnancy Journal & Organizer”,

“Baby-sitter’s Handbook”,

“What To Expect the First Year”, and

“What To Expect the Toddler Years”

I think the last book is the most useful for me now since Nicholas is already one year old. But of course I can still use the other books especially with the fact that Mark and I are planning to build a BIG family

Now I can start my reading and then share what I’ve learned to my angel’s blog’s avid readers, yes you guys WhatToExpect.com also promised to send me more books to give out to my blogfriends. So yes, watch out for the contests that I am launching at this site so you’ll win the same series of books as well. Isn’t that exciting?

Hey! Thanks  to Tony of WhatToExpect.com for this wonderful gift!

Mommy made me look like a newborn again boo-hoo-hoo :(( Not fair! I just turned one! Give me back my hair! LOL!

Honestly, I actually enjoyed my first haircut Too bad Mom’s phone doesn’t have a cam, she wasn’t able to capture my first ever haircut (or hairbald??? hihihi!). Grandy Jane however took pictures and a video so I’m sure Mommy will ask for them and have them printed as well

So what do you think of my new look? I know I know, it’s an old new look I used to look like this last year, so nothing much is new except that I’m bigger and taller now, and hey! Don’t forget more handsome too LOL! See? Mommy wants to show off how handsome I am with or without my hair… hmmmmm.. I know! I look like Daddy Mark now! See how handsome we are? So handsome that we both captured my Mommy’s heart Yes, she’s madly inlove with both of us