Then and Now : From New York Ladies to BFB Mommas

My kabarkada (close friend) Geline sent an email to the three of us (Tanya, Jammy and I) yesterday containing pictures we had together about 4 years ago. It was that time we were all together in the Big Apple. Geline and I were on vacation (that was my 2 month long vacay!) while Tanya and Jams were both based there that time. It got me all nostalgic and sentimental because I remembered how that time was like. I was single, carefree, adventurous and just about ready to do anything (that was the time I got my tattoo in Greenwich Village! For those who don't know it...yes, I have a tattoo of my Mom's name "Corito" on my right foot - It was the same year she passed away). It was crazy and fun... most of all, it was the trip that literally changed my life! It was then that I met Joel, who is now my husband, again. We were acquaintances back in High School but  never really got to know each other. It was definitely a huge turning point in my life. 

And now... the four of us are EXPECTING! :) Who would have thought we would all be sharing this journey through motherhood together?!? Jammy and Geline are due end of this month/early next month. I am 7 months already and Tanya is 4 months. 

June/July 2007

Geline, Jammy, Moi and Tanya 

Walking the streets of Little Italy 

 Shake Shack :)

Inside Tanya's Apartment

 Fun Times in NY

Fastforward to NOW.... 2011

 Geline at 8 mos, Tans at 4 mos and Me at 7 mos... missing Jammy who is still in NY now at 8 mos

 Tanya insisting that she has a bump already...

From then NY Ladies to Soon-to-be Mommies...missing Jammy :( Come home na kasi!

I'm so happy and fortunate to be sharing this journey (well technically for me, it's the 2nd time around already!) with some of my closest girlfriends! Love you mommas! This blog is to celebrate how we've grown and matured over the years! Cheers! Mwah!

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.  ~Rajneesh

Valentines with my Boys

Gone are those Valentine Days when we use to spend on romantic and expensive candlelit dinners, dress up for the occasion and get all hyped up anticipating what you'll receive (and I guess for the men, get all stressed out with what they'll give!). Dada and I graduated from this since we had you, Henri boy. Phew! Thank God!  I remember that last year we just spent it in our cozy apartment in New York. I cooked up a special dinner for us (nothing really fancy) and opened up a bottle of wine. This year, it was all about spending it together as a family! :)

Thank you to you and Dada for being my Valentines :)

6:45 AM - Started the breakfast preparations downstairs because Henri was up already. 

8:45 AM - Dada finally wakes up. Breakfast is served.

It was a very straightforward morning meal (since Dada doesn't really like eating heavy at the start of the day) composed of a fruit platter and an assortment of  warm bread with butter and jam, HEART-SHAPED fried eggs (yes! once a year I get to use of egg-shaper!) and sweetened spam with freshly ground black pepper. 

Plus some tomato juice to go with it!

 The three of us enjoyed eating on the bed especially Henri because he always just saw our bed as a place to sleep! hahaha :) While munching on our meal, we realized that the Grammy's was being aired lived so we decided to move the breakfast trays to the family hall way so we can watch it!

1:30 PM -  Special Delivery. I was surprised with a dozen red roses from "Santa"

2:30 PM - We head to Batangas because I had to do some work at Corito's Garden. Spent a few hours there and left about 6:45.

8:30 PM - We arrived at home already. We were suppose to just bring down our stuff and eat a quick Chinese meal with Hip and Henri but they already prepared dinner for us... Fly-over chicken from Davao! Ninang Josie also sent us a pyrex of Baked Macaroni (Fresh out of the oven) - it was still hot when their driver delivered it! :) Thanks Sisons!

We ended the night watching the replay of the Grammy's because we didn't get to finish it that morning and eating Maltesers and Prunes. Why the combo? Hmmm I'm not sure how we ended up having those two things for dessert! Hahaha! Very random indeed.

       

                  

Happy Hearts Day Everyone! Spread the Love!

Up, Up and Away : Henri goes to Pampanga for the Hot Air Balloon Festival

The Ponientes went on a mid-week getaway last Wednesday. We drove to Angeles Pampanga and stayed overnight for the 16th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Clarkfield grounds. We were up at 6:30 to make sure that we would be there in time for the inflation and the actual flight of the balloons. 

Early morning family bonding = love :)

The very pregnant Mama, Henri and Dada

 This is one of my favorite shots that day! We were eagerly pointing out the colorful balloons to our little one.  Notice our matching outfits -- white top and fatigues!

I had a trip taking his picture because he just looked so happy to be there. He was dancing and running around. He even posed on the grass and kept this huge smile on his face. I'm glad you had a blast that morning my love!

At about 8 am, it was getting way too hot. Henri was turning red as a tomato so we decided it was time for breakfast. We didn't know what was open that early so we opted for the safe choice : Mcdonalds Breakfast :)

We came back again late afternoon to watch the jet/plane exhibitions.

 Dada: Mama get your bag so I can carry Henri boy

 His climbing move with Dada

Another family shot by one of the display planes.

'Til the next time, Pampanga! We had a great time.