On Fitflops

Almost a year ago, I blogged about Fitflops but I never really gone out to buy it. I tried them on and they looked humongous and bulky on my tiny and narrow feet. I wasn't too impressed with their designs either. So I thought, forget it! My calves, thighs and glutes were NOT in any need for workout anyway. 

While we were in Dubai, where the malls are huge and we end up doing a lot of walking. I found myself constantly complaining about my aching feet and sore back. Every time we go out, I noticed that when I pick which footwear to wear, I always end up picking the most comfortable one. With no yaya, two boys in tow, and the one-year-old who constantly wants to be carried by his mommy (only mommy and no one else), I'd say that my new motto is comfort over fashion. 

So when I saw that Fitflops came out with new designs, I was interested on how they'd look in my feet. I liked how the Pietra looked - and more importantly- felt, on my feet. So I bought one right then and there. They're not the most fashionable flip flops around, but I have no regrets. 

I definitely did not buy it for the toning claims, and I cannot say that it feels like my calves were given a workout after walking. But I can say for sure that no matter how long or how far I have to walk, my feet don't complain at all. They are very very comfortable and have good cushioning, which is why its now my everyday flip flop. I have temporarily said goodbye to my havaianas for now. 

Thank You Jenny & Marvin!!! :)

During our five month stay in Dubai, my husband was gone about 70% of the time. Traveling is part of his job and as much as he'd rather stay with us, he couldn't really do anything about his assignments. Because of this the kids and I stayed home majority of our time. My poor little boys were always so eager to go out that the highlight of their day is when we go out once a day to throw the trash into the garbage chute. 

One of my very best friends and childhood barkada Jenny who is based in Dubai took very good care of me and the kids all throughout our stay. Jen and her husband Marvin, would pick us up (even if we were very much out of the way) every weekend and take us places. They'd take us out to eat, to the mall, to sightsee, among others. Art was even saying that it seems to him like we've seen more of Dubai in five months than he has in his two year stay. 

Jen and Marvin showed tremendous kindness and hospitality to us that I can't thank them enough. They spoiled my kids so much, especially Kaden, that the kids now have a chest of new sets of toys that we had to leave behind in Dubai. 

Jen helped me keep my sanity and honestly, I don't know how the kids and I could have done it without her and Vin. I really can't thank them enough. Its also so touching how she never forgets to check up on us no matter how busy she is at work. I could go on and on about everything I want to thank her for but I would go on forever and ever. So I'll stop here. 

Love you, Jen! Miss our all our chika and shopping moments. :) Thank you so much for everything again! See you in December. 

Lingerie And Other Things

So yesterday at Menlo Park Mall, I chanced upon a cute little apron lingerie at Victoria's Secret on sale. It was exactly like the picture on the left but in red. I held it for a while and carefully mulled about whether or not I should get it (It was at 70% off). I mean, hello? Here I am pregnant again and now weighing almost 20 lbs more than I used to, with two rowdy little boys to take care of, and I'm looking to buy lingerie? At that moment though the big question to me was, Would I even get the chance to wear it? like ever? Well, obviously the answer is a no because I returned it back to the rack and walked out of the store. 

I was chatting with my husband earlier and he said I should have just gone ahead and gotten it. Even just for the sake of keeping it, for now. Hahaha. Well, I have like 10 sets of lingerie that I got as a present from my wedding shower which I never got the chance to wear yet. Between the two kids and our long distance set-up, there is just no time and place for it!

Art and I have been talking about our long overdue honeymoon. That nice long mommy and daddy time that we've been longing for and that we both deserve. Obviously, its not going to happen anytime soon but its nice to make little plans here and there. Nothing concrete though because I don't think it will happen within a year and if it can happen in less than two years time then we're lucky. I worry that the rates of those places will skyrocket by the time we'll finally get our chance to go, but  it also gives us enough time to save up and do some research. Hopefully, I won't be pregnant again by that time or else we will have no chance of going anywhere! The other issues are: (1) Where do we leave the three kids and (2) Will Art be able to get a leave from work long enough to make the trip that we want? 

Oh, my cousins just walked in and said we're going to another mall in a bit. Gotta check if they have a VS store there. 

Cold Stone Treats

My Aunt Is bought us Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream Cupcakes for desert earlier. We got the Cake Batter Delux, which is a rich belgian chocolate cup filled with a layer of moist red velvet cake, fudge, and cake batter ice cream & topped with fluffy pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles. It was reaaaally sinful, and I felt so guilty after eating it. 

My cousins Lianne and Lucy having a little fun with the frosting. 

Oh and pre-dinner earlier, my cousins wanted to have ice cream. So we had ice cream. I found that my favorite among all their Signature Cold Stone Creations is their The Pie Who Loved Me, which was made of cheesecake ice cream, orea cookie, graham cracker pie crust, and fudge. Sounds sinful too right? We weren't able to take a picture of that cause we were too busy eating.

Photo Credit: Cold Stone Creamery.

My Boys!

When we went back to the Philippines from Dubai earlier this month, we stayed a little less than 48 hours in Manila before going to Zamboanga. I figured this would a good time to take studio shots of my little boys since they never had one aside from their passport pictures. 

So I took them to The Picture Company at MOA. I had to leave them there with my mom and dad because there was a wait and I had a previous appointment to have dinner with some of my friends. 

It's not very easy to handle my two boys, especially the little one. So because mommy was absent, there was no costume change done. Too bad!!! 

Here are some of the pictures from the shoot. 

Kuya Kaden is growing up so fast. I can't believe he's already turning 5 this year. My poor Carlos Chace will have to be a kuya too in a few months time. So by the time I go back home, I can't carry him around as much anymore coz we will already have a new baby in the family. 

Sigh, I miss my boys!! 

Online Window Shopping

I can't say it enough, I'm super excited to have a baby girl. Since I haven't been doing much lately, I find myself doing some online window shopping every now and then. The funny thing is, I haven't been looking at anything for myself. Rather, I've been focusing on adorable baby girl items. 

Here are a few of my favorite nice to haves on Etsy. 

Booties!

I absolutely adore these crocheted items! They remind me so much of my Lola Mary who loved to crochet when she was still alive, and she was very good at it. Makes me sad to think that she will never get to meet Carlos Chace and our coming baby girl. 

As for the bonnets/beanies, its so hard to decide which one to get. Because I'd want a different one for different outfits! So I guess buying the ones below seem more economical than the ones above because of the interchangeable flowers.

The tutus are also oh-so-adorable!

Love the Petti Romper!

Cutie diaper covers.

This Vintage Inspired Polka Dot Sunsuit reminds me of the ones my Lola used to make for my Dad and my uncles when they were babies. He actually has a framed photo of himself wearing one! 

Finally, I can't believe my long time dream of buying cute headbands for a baby girl is going to come true very soon!

Nakakaloka! But I'm only planning on ordering like two items out of all these. :)

I Have A New Love!

Today, my cousins Lianne and Lucy introduced to me a japanese confection which I know I'll forever love!!!

MOCHI ICE CREAM! 

Photo Credits: Google (because I was too busy eating to take actual pictures)

Mochi Ice Cream is made from Mochi (Pounded Sticky Rice) and has Ice Cream filling. It comes in different flavors too! Its so good, I swear without self control, I could easily finish an entire box of 8 Mochis. Now I can't wait to go to the grocery to try other Mochi flavors.

Blessings!

I think it was around the 30th of January when I was caught my surprise because friends started congratulating me on facebook. Apparently, the results of the November 30 & 31 Nursing Licensure Exams were released earlier than everyone thought. 

Honestly, until now I'm not sure if being a nurse is really my calling. Its sounds funny coming from me because why else would I waste 3 years going back to school if it isn't what I want to do. Well, as it seems I'm still the fickle-minded person I've always been. 

Aside from being a mommy to my growing kids, my future plans are still fuzzy as of the moment. So it looks like I still have quite a while to really think about what I what to do. In the meantime, it's just nice to think that I have options. 

They meant used to working all night and used to flipping bigger people. 

A week after the NLE results, we had another great news to share! 

Baby # 3 on the way! God has really been good to us, and we are more than thankful! 

Other half of January in Dubai

Had dinner at this yummy pizza place at the Le Meridien with Gary and his wife, Jenny.

Jenny & Marvin treated us to a lovely brunch at Saffron in Atlantis.

Kaden experienced Ski Dubai and had enjoyed it A LOT.

We went to Dubai Mall for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

Dubai Bound

We left on a 7 am flight to Manila. 

Carlos Chace saying bye to his papa. 

I used my brother's backpack as a baby bag. 

Carlos Chace and mommy while waiting for Kuya pee.

Kuya Kaden trying his best to be helpful to mommy

Aboard the Emirates flight

Gotta love the legroom. 

Carlos got a bassinet, which he used for like, 10 minutes. 

Before Kuya dozed off

Emirates Kiddie Pack

Kuya dozes off. He was asleep for 6 hours out of the 8 hour flight.