Merry Flashback

Even though we all have moved on already to all things 2011, I thought I'd share with you a little wrap up of how we spent our Christmas last year since I didn't have the chance to blog about it before new year.

I thought we were going to celebrate it in our new home but since our "moving date" got a little delayed, we decided to have our Christmas party at my cousin's house instead.

It was a bit festive because each of us brought a fair share of foods and drinks. My cousin cooked yummy filipino foods. My mom brought roast chicken, filipino delicacies, and 2 bottles of champagne. My uncle also brought roast chicken and snacks. Yours truly planned to cook her specialties but we didn't have time so we ordered foods instead. A friend of ours who didn't make it to the party delighted us with her special "mochi" as one of our desserts.

Now camera rolls on for camera freaks!



I have to Thank technology so much for enabling families and friends who might otherwise be apart, to see and talk to each other especially for special occassions like this. It may be virtual but it feels so good to feel closer to our loveones and friends in other parts of the world. Somehow eases the lonely part of me :)


This may be late but I'd like to thank my friends online for all the holiday greetings via facebook, twitter and comments :)

Thanks to Mrs. Cottrill (lovely Ate Rose) for this wonderful meme that indeed brings nostalgic memoirs.



Join and share yours every thursday.

Bon Voyage

Last week, after Anzu's pre-school class, I took her with me together with some friends to meet an old friend of mine who was leaving for good with her husband whom I haven't seen for years.. I'm so glad they ended up to each other after so many things have happened. That only means that love is so strong. Love indeed conquers all... and so as love moves in mysterious ways lol --- i believe so

Before I get so cheezy and mushy, let me share you some memorable photos taken during our bonding time at Yokota Base


This is my friend Irish. God knows how much I missed this pretty lady. It's been quite awhile since the last time we've been together, almost 3 years?...

I'm just so happy she thought of visiting Tokyo and call us to spend some quality time before they leave for Estados Unidos.

I guess an half day was enough to catch up (of course it wasn't enough..)

SO here she met our little dolly Azumi. IT was LIKE at first sight! It was unusual to see her liking a person instantly, no awkwardness nor worries on her face during the first minute of meeting her. SO KAWAII...

I think she forgot that she has me as a mom for awhile lol. She was so at ease that she even cried when we said goodbye =)




Azumi and her cousin, Ryukun, and a new girlfriend, Miyuki Chan.

They were so all over the place during our late lunch at Chili's..

CUte though....



It was a fun hot and yet afternoon .. i miss the old days when we were still working together. I miss those drunk nights and endless chikkas lol.

Day 214 of 2010's

No goodbyes.. We will definitely see each other again and catch up .for the lost time for sure...


Also sharing this to Nostalgia.. Join and share yours every thursday.

Time does Fly

Mothers' cliche, time sure does fly...

This was taken when Azumi was barely 7 weeks old.



Well, it really does seem like just yesterday that me and my cutie girl were hanging out in the bedroom almost the whole day. She was such a different person then. Back in her baby blob stage. She slept and nursed and slept and nursed. Sweet smiles and giggles when awake. I would always think what a cool thing to be her mom.

There were times at night we would wake up because she was crying. But we had some of our best threesome moments together during those nights.

I’m really so much fun being her mom (and so as her dad) -- teaching her about the world while the world is learning from her at the same time lol.

21 blissful months. We made it this far. We’re doing fine. Three more months to go before the big day.

Ohh baby don’t go too fast. I’m still trying to absorb this all in!

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.

The Greatest Thing...

October 8, 2008 at 7:31 pm, our little bundle of joy came out to join us in our world.

I remember how unprepared we were during the day my doctor asked me to stay in the hospital when it was supposed to be one of my regular check up. I spend the night alone because visitors weren't allowed to stay in until 8pm. I thought I was lucky that I won't go through the labor pain because my water bag has already broken during the day and still didn't feel anything. I felt the twinge of pain at exactly 9pm and the contractions continued til the next day. The pain was bearable not until 1pm. Fortunately for us, we have amazing family who jumped in at moment’s notice to cheer me up and give me courage. The abundance of calls, emails, and just general well wishes from my relatives and friends has been overwhelming and truly inspired me.

Here's the greatest thing happened to our lives..

We forgot to bring the videocam, the camera inside the DR. I only have my phone with me which was LOWBAT.. But I'm so glad I got to take a short clip of her first few minutes.
Daddy couldn't take his eyes off of her

Life has indeed changed more than we thought. I became a selfless and a better person. No one in the world could have prepared me for how much love I have for this little person. She's the greatest thing ever happened in our lives.

Those 23 hours of labor pain turned out to be the sweetest pain the moment I laid my eyes on her. Giving birth to her is the most memorable, unforgettable, and wonderful experience I've ever had.

Movie Buddy

I am an avid moviegoer, i mean I used to be. During my college days, my girlfriends and I would sometimes cut class just to catch the last full show. I miss those crazy and yet fun times with my forever Bff.

When I got here, I still watch movies with Mom or with some friends from work. When there's no one available to be with me, I watch alone. Tickets here are quite expensive but for me, nothing compares to the sound effect heard on cinemas, it makes any movie more fantastic and entertaining.

Anyway, eventually, I found a movie buddy when I met my honeyb who wasn't really much of a movie goer ---can't he say NO to me?!

I can't remember how many movies we already watched together. Even when I got pregnant, we still go out for last full shows almost every friday (when there's a good movie showing) Friday is Couple's Day, cheaper tickets for couples.

This is our last Purikura taken on our last movie date together. We usually go to Amusement Game Centers before/after the movie to take Purikura Shots.
I was 40 weeks pregnant. Just 4 days before I gave birth.

OH I miss my movie buddy =( Things have changed. We prefer to rent DVD and watch at home because of our lil Patootee..

My 26th Birthday

May 13, 2008

This was my first birthday celebration that celebrated the simplest way, no party nor guests. Although my thoughtful and loving Mom brought me a cake because I have to blow and make a wish no matter what. It was my first birthday of being pregnant anyway

Ok we had a little unplanned celebration during lunch with my mom and my brother.

I miss those times when I was still living with them.. I miss talking to mom about anything during bedtime. I miss my sweet, cute, naughty and funny brother who always make me laugh. Oh well, he's a big boy now and kinda sort of "suplado" and doesn't want me to join in his own world lol ---

Getting ready for our birthday dinner date, just the two of us, my honeyb

We decided to celebrate my birthday, and motherhood at the same time, just the two of us, for a change. Because I wanted it to be romantic, like the way we were when we were still dating. We had a romantic dinner, went to game center and had this Purikura..



and then stayed in a Love Hotel overnight...

sorry i have to pixelate the lower part because this blog is GP heheh

19 weeks Pregnant
May 13, 2008

WELL, I LOVE BEING PREGNANT... There is absolutely miraculous about creating and carrying a life around inside you. Being pregnant and giving birth are definitely the most profound and fascinating experiences I've ever had and I love every minute of it.




join and share your nostalgic memories with us

Happy Bath Time

It's always a HAPPY BATH TIME for the three of us, sometimes only me and my lil girl. We do this before bedtime so that our little would have a good night sleep which really works. She rarely had trouble falling and staying asleep at night since she was a baby.

Plus it's good to have skin on skin moment for mommy or daddy and baby because it is beneficial to their development.

I usually rinse ahead while she and her dad would bond and play at the hot tub while I am getting ready to put her to shower and wash.. It's been awhile since the last time we bathe together because it's almost summer here, it's too hot for a hot bath.

I love this photo.. She didn't want to stop yet, so the camera man in me took photos of ourselves while on a Happy Bath...

Taken Feb 10, 2010

Now, I'm looking forward to have her first real Pool Experience, hopefully next month.

P.S
to our dear host and friend, Ate Rose

4d Ultrasound Experience

This is our Azumi's first 4d Ultrasound Shot during our 30 weeks.

It was really a wonderful experience to see your baby moves in your own stomach. So glad that my doctor does 2d-3d sonogram in every check up and he would schedule us for 4d if we want to but with extra charge.

I get why people would want to see more. It's just so tempting to be able to see him early! :) We were one of those first time parents who were antsy pantsy tunnel vision impatient to see their lovechild before she'll be delivered lol.

It was amazing and totally worth it. It made us more excited to anticipate the big day (my delivery)


If you're thinking of having 3D/4D ultrasound, make sure you get them within a recommended time frame. Many suggested around 28 weeks when baby is big enough to see without being scrunched.

Look or ask around if there are hospitals or Ultrasound Centers that offer different services and packages for expecting parents. I was supposed to get mine at In My Womb when I had a month vacation in the Philippines because their packages are quite tempting, and I heard alot of positive feedbacks about the staff, technician and the doctors.

join us and share your nostalgic photos every thurs. Click here

Bliss of Motherhood

The thing I miss most about my motherhood is nursing… It was such a wonderful experience for me.... the closeness, the bond, and the knowledge that I was doing the best that I could for her at the time, which somehow, now, it never seems like I can do enough for her...


I feel sorry for myself (and my lil girl) that I only could've nursed her for four months =( If given a choice, I would want to be an exclusive, long term breast feeder, as long as my baby wants to.. But the thing is, she kinda weaned herself when I only refused to feed her with my precious breastmilk for a day because I wasn't feeling well during that time.

I loved the time I was breastfeeding Azumi and I miss it (not to mention missing my fabulous breasts! lol)

Seriously, sometimes I miss breastfeeding... I miss the moments.. I miss my baby being a baby.. I think it's one of the essences of motherhood -- the principle of being able to think and give the best you can for your child, the love.

For future moms, I strongly recommend breastfeeding your baby for 101 or more reasons...

18 weeks Pregnant

Do pregnancy photos make you feel nostalgic? Well I DO.. I always get the feeling of nostalgia whenever I look at my 2008 Photos. Learning that we're pregnant was a good start to start the quarter of the year.

I actually took photos of ourselves almost everyday. Because everyday, we were having so much fun. We were excited. I AM EXCITED. We waited for this, and it was happening. I think that was the time I started to appreciate things more --small things, nature, everything--. I became sentimental. I got interested in scrapbooking, blogging and photography.

Anyway, this was one of my pregnancy pictorial lol.. We were on our 18th week.



All I remember is we were having so much fun. We laughed so hard. Perfect entry for Ate Rose's Nostalgia.. Honey was so funny...

You might like this stuff:

• The Belly Book: A Nine-Month Journal for You and Your Growing Belly (Potter Style)

• Pregnancy Journal: A Week-by-Week Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pregnancy (Personal Organizers) (Guided Journals Series)

SO FUNNY here

oooppps.... he'll hate if he sees this here...