Last day of 2011..welcoming the new year!

 We would usually celebrate the New Year at Palms Country Club.  However, for this year, as I was not feeling well due to pregnancy, we decided to just celebrate it at home with my mom.

It was actually relaxing. No need to dress up fancy. And no need to put on make up and do my hair.  The food was c/o mommy of course.

Posing with my son Paolo, who by now is almost as tall (or shall we say as short?) as I am.  Oh, and there is the baby bump!

I am 6 months pregnant! Just 3 more months to go!

L-R: Paolo, Me, Mama Son (my mom), Jojo, Lara

 Posing outside the house. Wow, this is such a fun shot, we are all seriously lined  up!!

L-R: Rafa, Paolo, Miguel

 The kids clowning around. The 2 boys are our neighbors and have been friends with Paolo ever since they were babies.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

From Paolo, Jojo, Leah and baby boy Tomacruz :)

It's Christmas 2011!

It has been almost a tradition to have our Christmases celebrated with Jojo's side of the family, usually at Jackie(Jojo's brother) and Eileen's residence at Hillsborough.  

Sharing our Christmas pics - 

L-R: Norma (MIL), Bebot (FIL), Paolo, Me, Eileen, Jackie
Back: Jojo

Merry Christmas from the Tomacruz Family. Table setting by my creative sister-in-law, Eileen Tomacruz

I am 6 months pregnant at this time

Lolo and Lola with their favorite apo, Paolo

(nag-iisang apo pa lang kasi, kaya favorite)

We asked Paolo to perform a few song and guitar pieces for us and he gladly did. He started having guitar lessons back in 2010 because he was very much inspired by American Idol.  I'm glad that he took to playing an instrument.  This is a second hand classical guitar left by his cousin Bab before he migrated to the US.

Unknown to Paolo, his dad and I bought him a brand new acoustic guitar and a small amplifier as Christmas gift. Okay, it wasn't entirely our gift.  I had talked/suggested (forced?) my mom (mama Son) to share half of the cost with us. And so she did... matigil nalang ako siguro sa kakakulit sa kanya!

Here is his Dad carrying the gift!

Paolo was really surprised and was quite shy when he accepted the gift.  We love you Paolo! Hope you continue playing good music.  

The envelope contained cash from his Lolo and Lola and Ninang Tess (who is now based in Canada).  He also received cash from Ninang Eileen and Ninong Jackie! 

Ah, the perks of being an only apo.

Happily eating...

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Siblings Arrive!

Both my sisters came home this August.

Sort of bad timing for me.  I didn't feel well during my pregnancy so I really couldn't take my sisters out much.  I was able to come along to a few lakads though.

Back Row L-R: Me, my son Paolo, my older sister RUTH
Front Row L-R: Papa Rey (my dad), Mama Son (my mom), LARA and DANA (my nieces)

My mom Sonia is originally from Bacolod.  So with my OFW sister#1 coming home, dinner at Bacolod Chicken house branch in BF Homes Paranque was definitely a good choice!

My older sister Ruth is now based in Beijing China and teaches at Eton, an international school.  She came home with her daughters, Lara and Dana.

L-R: my nephew BAB, my son Paolo and my sister SHEEAN

OFW sister #2 wanted to go to Leslie's in Tagaytay. So off we go even if it was raining hard.  Bulalo and the rainy weather was such a perfect combination.  Of course, with me not feeling well, I wasn't able to eat much even though I knew that I wanted to eat a lot (plus the crispy pata and the sago gulaman!). Why oh why couldn't I be like this (without appetite to eat) when I wasn't pregnant? 

My younger Sister, Sheean, is now based in the US.  She teaches in a Montessori school.  She came home with her son, Bab.

I promised Sheean that I would take her out to Filipino restos and super pig out.  But, this was a promise that I made before I got pregnant, when I still had the super appetite to eat. I wasn't able to take her out much. Sad not to be able to have the appetite to eat.

Cousins Bab and Paolo busing playing with their gadgets while waiting for the food

Husaband Jojo and I. 

Please don't laugh at my hairdo. It was the best that I could do considering that I wasn't feeling well.

Dana, Tita Eileen Tomacruz and Paolo 

I also took Dana to visit Tita Eileen Tomacruz at her home.  When Dana was younger, she would get invited by Tita Eileen to join Halloween parties at her house together with Paolo. They were still much younger back then.

I also took Dana to Strikes at the Palms Country Club.  She and Paolo enjoyed the yummy burger!




The cousins also enjoyed their experience at Lazer Extreme at the Alabang Town Center.  It's a state of the art laser tag system wherein you shoot your opponent (from the other team) using the gun that emits laser. It should be aimed at your enemy's vest (different areas of the vest correspond to different points). It's really kinda cool and a good exercise as well.

The pretty birthday girl, Dana

  My niece Dana, husband Jojo and son Paolo

Cousins: Dana, Lara and Paolo

We also celebrated Dana's 13th birthday with a dinner at Cafe Mediterranean at Alabang Town Center. Courtesy of Ate Ruth! Thanks for the treat! 



Of course, mama Son likes to have a family portrait taken while the whole family is complete.  My niece Lara booked a slot at The Picture Company at Alabang Town Center.

 Complete cast!

L-R: Ruth, Mama Son (Sonia), Sheean, Myself

Tres Marias with Mama Son

Standing back: Papa Rey
Front: Bab, Dana, Paolo

The cousins having their picture taken with their lolo. At Alabang town center.

I would have wished that I could have entertained my sisters more when they visited but I really wasn't in the best of condition.  I hope they can visit the country again and bring lots of pasalubongs again!!

Till we see each other in person again, sistahs!

An Unexpected Blessing

Me and my 11 year old son, Paolo

Me and my husband Jojo

At 37 years of age and with an 11 year old son, I was contented with how this small family of three was going through life.  Since my son Paolo now only needed minimal supervision, I am living the 'easy' life -- work on weekdays, grocery, malling, bonding with my girl friends and going out with Paolo and husband Jojo on weekends, I couldn't ask for anything more. I was contented. I can have my alone time, my quality time with son and hubby and kikay/eating time with friends.

But God had a beautiful plan for this small family. A surprise. Another blessing.

June 2011, I found out that I was pregnant!

sorry for the blurry ultrasound pics

  
Jojo was really surprised and couldn't believe when I told him the news. I had to take the pregnancy test 2nd time around because I also couldn't believe it. Although I knew that there wasn't a false positive result, I told myself maybe I should buy a more expensive pregnancy kit. So I did! And so I found out once again that I was really preggy!!... Exciting times ahead!

It would be another boy! So no one would still understand my kaartehan and  moods. But, I would still be the queen of the family!! Wee!
And so started my monthly visits to my OB, Dra. Madeline Florendo, at Asian Hospital.  She was referred by my high school batchmate Aura Perez Cruz. Dra Florendo also happens to be the OB of Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. O, showbiz diba?!

I would also have to go visit a cardiologist, Dr Juan Dionisio Foronda, at Asian Hospital. I have a right bundle (or was it left? can't remember) branch block. But it wasn't serious so I had the go signal for a CS section. It's a repeat CS for me.

Perks of being pregnant (for me):
Husband more caring and sweet
Son more caring and sweet
Reserved parking at establishments
Spoiled at work
Served on by friends
Can wear body hugging clothes 'coz you had the excuse of why you have a big tummy! yahoo!!!

Downside of being pregnant (for me):
Feeling sick everyday
Very emotional and sensitive
Don't have the appetite to eat (is that you, Leah??!)

Then on goes my 9 month journey...