Go-Shussan Iwai

Having a baby in a different culture could be challenging and surprising, and so as being married to a foreigner. You never know how deeply ingrained your culture is until you live in a different country or marry a foreigner. But then all would end up so well when both of you are willing to adapt.

I didn'T have a hard time adjusting since I've been going/living here for quite a long time. When we got pregnant to our little bundle of Joy, surprisingly I discovered that there are still more customs and traditions that are so new to me. One of these customs is gift-giving which seems to be important to Japanese. The gift giving is a major custom and sort of a social duty or obligation with gifts being given on special occasions. The emphasis is not on the gift itself but on the art of gift giving, so nothing to worry about expensive or inexpensive gifts.

When Azumi was born, we received gifts from Hubby's relatives and friends, my mom's inlaws, neighbors, and some friends. Most were given in the form of cash enclosed in a special envelope called Oiwai Bukkuro ( お祝い ).

This gift giving itself called Go-shussan Iwai. (shussan literally means childbirth)

Special envelopes called Oiwai Bukkuro .. Oiwai (iwai) literally means to celebrate or to congratulate.

Go-Shussan Iwai is the gifts for healthy newborns. The gift is usually given a week after the babies birth and is usually things like clothing, toys, memorabilias, and/or cash.

The cash we received is quite surprising for me. If only I could give birth every year I will.. --lol just kidding.

Thanks Bheng =)

Someone made our day again. I got a package, actually it's for Azumi, all the way from Chicago US of A.

THANKS Scarty

Thanks to my dear ol friend Scarty who has been my inspiration when it comes to photography. She always says she's just a wannabe but her photos say it all... SHE'S A PROFESSIONAL.. Visit her flickr Photostream and enjoy sneaking her wonderful and amazing shots I swear.. You might be inspired too...

Her blogs are
Captured in Time and My Baby Girls and Me

our first ELMO...

Goodies from Universal Studios Japan


and it's our first ever ELMO...

I guess I've become an instant Elmo lover as soon as I got these goodies today . These indeed started our day with a biggy smile .

Presents, may it be simple or extravagant, always bring tears of joy especially when you least expect it.

I really want to thank the one who gave these to us.. she's one of the few people that inspires me and I admire so much. Everybody loves her, syempre that also includes me..

本当に　心　から、　ありがとう　ございます はずかしくなった　けど。Dolly Anzu loves it especially me
.. it's so sweet and thoughtful of you

Precious Gifts

We were so much delighted, especially me, when I unexpectedly received these gifts from Mr. Postman

Kawaii Winter Dress Set
and a very touching note
from my ol friend who is about to give birth on Spring
I'm so excited for her coz she's having a baby girl.
(im so sure she will be a pretty lil dolly)

From Jayz of babydoll.nu

Anzu wears it most of the time because it's warm and fashionable hehe
Thanks ganda mwah...


and another set of gifts from my idol in being a supermom

Kawaii Warm Clothes and tights for lil ANzu, precious xmas card,
and a perfume for me.. (hiya talaga ako sa kanya)
( actually she doesn't want me to post it here =( but cant help, for the love of pink )

Anzu wore it for NEW YEAR, wala ng labahan SO cute!
いつも　ありがとう　ございます。

Thank You! Domo Arigatou!

My Lil Dolly Princess is now officially a little girl . But of course, she'll always be our baby .

Thanks to all of you who watched our journey into Parenthood. Most of you has inspired me to become a better Mom to our lil girl.

Your warm messages indeed always bring joy and positive outlook throughout our day.

I also wanna grab this space to Thank our dearest Clarissa of KIZUNA for this surprise gift to lil Anzu on her birthday. It was delivered when we were having a happy hour with our loveones. Just imagine how surprised we were.

Thank you so much dear, our lil princess loves it so much.
You just know what Anzu loves..

THANKS also to my dear pretty ol sisterette Keianne of My Everyday Blog for another surprise gift to our lil Anzu..

THANK YOU so much girl.
I love your taste! Anzu will gonna wear them til next 2 years.

and lastly, I wanna thank the following faboulous Moms online for remembering my lil Anzu's day.

THANK YOU MUCHOS

Ate Rose

Niko

Kikamz

Seiko

Genejosh

Lulu

Noreen

and to all my readers who regularly visits my precious babyblog. Thank YOu.

ﾟ･:,｡★＼(^-^ )♪ KIZUNA ♪( ^-^)/★,｡･:･ﾟ

click here

I actually don't know the exact words to describe what I felt when I received a surprise gift from my ol friend who's always been thoughtful and nice to me eversince . What more surprised me was the homemade goodies she made for us . Good timing that Honey was home when the package was delivered... it was a lazy sunny late afternoon ... She just doesnt know, we had such a great time opening the gift, Anzu was sooo makulit 本当に　楽しかった　and we enjoyed the yummy Soy Cake and cookies until our midnight snack (as in ubos na). ANg sarap talaga, made with love kasi

THANK YOU MUCH Ate Clarissa, you don't know how you always inspire me いつも　ありがとう　ございます。。　

I also witness another milestone when ANzu picked up the cookies from the floor while sitting

Im really looking forward to our first meeting. I dont know when but Im sure we will..