Baby Shower with friends!

Being preggy for the first time means wanting to document each and everyday of your pregnant life as much as possible. Trying the 3d/4d ultrasound and having a baby shower is a must for first time (soon-to-be) mommies. So when I had the chance to have my 3d/4d ultrasound for free (c/o my mom), I grabbed it with no but's! And..when a friend offered to organize my baby shower, of course, I did not hesitate to say yes.

I learned from the web that baby showers are mostly done when mommies are already on their 8th month of pregnancy. So, we did it on my 8th.

Girlfriends and ninangs talked about the event over facebook and kept the details from me. What broke my heart is when I thought I would just be attending the party and not organize it myself in the end. I actually dunno what went wrong over their conversations on facebook. I wouldn't want to spoil my baby shower so I took care of it myself. Nonetheless, I enjoyed ze process.

I was the one who planned for the flow of the shower. I searched the net myself for games suited for the occasion. After days of looking for fun and somehow unique games, I decided to have three for my baby shower. Games such as Naming Baby items (paramihan ng baby items), Guessing game (full name of the baby, mommy's tummy size, etc.), and the 'how well do you know mommy-to-be' wherein I made the participants guess what attributes from mommy and daddy I want my baby to have.

I made this for inviting my friends online:

I also took care of the prizes for the games and the giveaways. Again, I searched the world wide web what I should consider for the giveaways. My friend organizer suggested I buy loot bags and fill it with candies and stuffs for my giveaways and prizes. Me and hubby went to divisoria (Manila's bargain place) to buy cheap finds for the occasion. I bought paper bags for 6pesos and 10pesos each. We went to Divisoria Mall to buy candies ranging from 35-120 pesos a pack. Its a good thing since it would be a lot costly if you buy it in the malls.

candies and giveaways

game prizes

the loot bag

what's inside the loot bag?

I also made bookmarks with Madge's (my baby's name) 3d picture on it for giveaways. Jorge, an officemate/friend helped me on editing the final layout. I printed it in the office and had it laminated for 15pesos each.

I made the papers for the games myself without anybody's help..hehe

Bookmark

Everyone agreed for potluck for the foods. My friends grouped themselves and planned what food to bring. Officemates brought graham cake, Fritz's friends brought the buko pandan, my college and highschool friends contributed for the drinks, paper plates, spoons and forks and cups, Kim also bought another dessert, brownies from Goldilocks, my mom bought two big boxes of pizzas. I brought a 2 kg spaghetti cooked by my mother-in-law and hubby.

 The theme of the occasion is stars, since I consider Madge as my shining star. :)

I chose Fernandina 88 Suites for the location of the party. I got a gift certificate from my beloved BusinessWorld for P1,999.00 for a P4,000.00 deluxe suite inclusive of breakfast for 2.
(I'll write a separate blog for the hotel)

It was a sunday, and I still have to go to the office in the morning before I proceed to the hotel. At 2:00 p.m. I logged out of the office and went to Cubao to meet my early bird friends.

We had photo shoots while waiting for the others.

The shower will start @ 3:00 p.m. but since they're all used to the so called "Filipino time", we started the program at 5pm.

First thing the gang did? Eat! hehe.

CLOCKWISE: college friends, office buddies, mom with friends

After satisfying our tummies, we then moved on with the games.

game on!

While we are busying ourselves with the game, the boys busied themselves with their beers.

from the left: daryll, jay, bruce and hubby

The program was fast, (actually, frustrating din dahil minadali talaga sya..hahaha)

After the kainan and games, as cam whores as we are, we then posed for our photo shoots. hehe.

pag si Kim (kimiviajera.blogspot) e present, maraming kakalokang shots!

Gifts were given by friends:

It was a very tiring yet fun-filled day for me and I thank everyone who cared to join us celebrate my baby Madge's baby shower.

2013!! So, what's new??

Every year end allow me to look back on the year passed and..it also makes me realize things..

This year is somewhat my most special year. Though I haven't had my chance to pursue with all my 2012 travel plans, I didn't feel sorry..AT ALL.

Last January of last year, I had my first (and hopefully my last) tooth surgery which COSTS us not to go on with our much anticipated anniversary celebration at Potipot, Zambales. But, thanks to Business World we still get to celebrate our 5th year together @ Microtel Mall of Asia.

February made me decide to leave my comfort zone. I learned to live all by myself without anyone to cook for me. Here's when I realize I can be responsible enough to take care of myself.

We had the chance to visit Tagaytay and Batangas last March. It was my mom and Fritz's second out of town together.

The last week of April surprised me with a good news. I was 2 weeks pregnant and I had to stop smoking.

I suffered from morning (and evening) sickness from May to June. I almost spent all my sick leave even before  we reach half year.

July dated when my tummy is already recognizable. I had to attend the company's anniversary party dressing up preggy. AND this month was also the month our baby's gender was revealed..baby girl.

PLUS,  this month also dated my wedding.

A low pressure area and monsoon (Hanging habagat) brought to much rain last August which caused too much flood all over Luzon, including Caloocan City, where I live. I was 5 months pregnant and it was an effort for me to reach the house. I needed to cross the flooded areas barefoot to go home. Good thing, nothing happened to me and the baby and I was just advised to rest.

September. My morning sickness ended this month and I was already used to my bulging tummy. Baby kicks are now very obvious and I feel her more often.

I thank the innovation of today for creating such wonderful masterpieces (the 3d/4d ultrasound as one). I had my first glimpse of Madge through this technology. She was hiding her face but they captured her smiling, I saw her first smile. I also had my baby shower this month.

madge inside my tummy

November, I gave birth to my Baby Madge. She came out 2 weeks advance but I'm glad she's all well and healthy.

baby Madge

I had THE most wonderful Christmas and New Year last 2012. We celebrated Christmas and welcomed New Year with our little angel..the most precious and priceless gift we ever received.

This year, I'm sure to learn more..about motherhood and life. I know every year, as the calendar turns, I get more matured and I learn to accept all the facts of life.

Again, a bow to my 2012's roller coaster ride.

Just Got Married! (Orchid garden Suites review)

Right after the reception of our wedding, we proceeded to Orchid Garden Suites for our first night as husband and wife. I got a gift certificate from my work worth half of its original price.

from my beloved BWorld

The reception greeted us with a welcoming ambience. Guards and receptionists never fail to give us their sweet smile.

reception with baggages from tourists

While waiting for the receptionist to call us for our room's keycard, we had some photo opportunities by the lobby.

After a while, a staff accompanied us to our room. The suite is spacious, I think more than five persons can fit in the room alone. The living room can accommodate a maximum of ten persons.

ze living room

kitchen and dining area

queen size bed

The bathroom is complete with all the toiletries you will need. From the hand towels, towels, shampoo and conditioner, soaps and toothbrush and toothpaste.

toilet and bath

We had some baon for our cable tv marathon later that night.

foodies

After tiring our eyes with the idiot box, we then called it a day. We woke up early the next day for our complimentary buffet breakfast. This view greeted us with a very good morning.

waking up married

The buffet breakfast table's menu wasn't that special. Typical Filipino and American breakfasts were served. What I liked was the cereal counter which offers fruit loops, koko krunch and corn cereals.

cereals

my platter

All in all, our Orchid Garden Suite experience was super worth it. With good staffs, fine breakfast menu, great suite room with complete room amenities (not to mention the uuber daming cable channels w/c hubby enjoyed), we surely had a memorable first night as husband and wife.

SOME MORE PIX:

Who would have thought? Getting married at the age of 24?? :)

July 7th of 2012. I married the guy I've been inlove with for the past 5 years.

Who would have thought we'll go this far?

If anybody who witnessed our love story found out about our wedding, I assume they'll get shocked and it will be hard for them to believe! :)

He didn't propose, I didn't see it coming, we both didn't.

The planning and the preparation isn't that hard, having only 1 pair of ninong and ninang, and our parents to attend. It was not that grand celebration which is every girl's dream. It was so simple, yet the feeling I had, I have to say is exquisite..for me it was an intimate and perfect occasion. Yes, there's no wedding cake, no new and luxurious wedding rings, even our reception's just a typical family dine every Sunday. But really, it doesn't matter. As long as the bride and the groom are both happily in love, who cares about all the fancies??

It was a fine Saturday morning, we had to wake up at 5:00 a.m. so as to ready ourselves for the grand event. I didn't have anyone to do my make up and hair, I did it myself. Around 8:30 a.m., we're all ready to go.

(btw, we had a Civil Wedding)

Where: beside Caloocan City Hall, 
Time: 9:00 a.m. 
Attendees: Groom, Bride, Parents,1 pair of Sponsors, a Friend, a little girl
Licensed Wedding Minister : Rev. Eduardo M. del Rosario

Let the pictures tell you what a wonderful day it has been:

Mama calling papa, late na kasi!

signing the papers

walang kawala, hahaha

ring

pledge

ninong and ninang signing the papers

from the left: My mom, Gwen, Fritz's mom, groom and bride, my dad

Happy 

with the parents

The whole cast's pictorial:

The ceremony only took us like, 30 minutes or so. We proceeded to Max's Restaurant in 10th Ave. right after.

Like what I've said, the reception was just a typical dine. We (Fritz and I) chose the Per Table Menu A which is good for ten persons. Its a complete set menu that includes the ever delicious Max's Fried Chicken, Soup of the Day, Pancit Canton, Chopsuey, Lumpiang Shanghai, Caramel Bars and Plain Rice. It cost us P2,705. I added 6 Regular Buko Pandan for the girls (P65.00 each)

The foods:

Kulitan with Part while waiting for the foods:

 

 

The Gang:

After a little photo opportunity, we all headed back home. Fritz and I have to pack our things for our very own little celebration @ Orchid Garden Suites, which will be on my next post.