Target's Spot the One -- Always Empty!

When Ford was still working in the US, he would always get me cheap hello kitty items from Target's Spot the One (or dollar spot) bins. I was very thrilled -- imagine getting quality kawaii stuff for just a dollar (or sometimes $2 or $3).

It was only last year when Target opened its first stores in Canada but I've read that it already lost nearly US$1Billion since then. I am not surprised. Why, their shelves are always empty!

And look at their dollar bins...

So disappointing!

I am a stationery addict and I always browse pictures of stationery items (in Instagram; #targetdollarspot) that were bought at Target Spot the One in USA. I am jealous! So much variety really, and always well-stocked!

Going to dollar stores is my guilty pleasure. I am not working and I don't have that much disposable money for expensive unnecessary stuff so it's only on dollar-dollar items that I indulge whenever I feel the itch to buy (which is almost always!). Target could have been an additional comfort place for me had its dollar bins carry more stuff. I hope they shape up soon!

Chicklet's first Christmas tree ornament

I found this Precious Moments' Baby's First Christmas tree ornament  the other day at Walmart. It only costs $4 (+5% tax) so I instantly grabbed it.

Every year, I'll get a tree decor that will commemorate my son's life. Oh, I am so excited!

I've always felt that Christmas is only for kids. This year, I am finally gonna have one -- exciting, eh! I will make sure that all the Christmases of Chicklet's childhood will be special and memorable. As a new family, we'll build lots of Christmas traditions together. We will all have fun, I promise!

Pictorial + Dinner at the San Pedros' House

It's good to have friends who cook -- we always get invited to their dinners!

October 19, 2014 (Sunday). Because Mark is back from Fort Mac Murray (where he works for 20 days per month), he and Joy invited us again for dinner at their home. Joy said she'll cook ginisang monggo for me. Super sweet, eh!

The day before that, they asked me and Ford to join them (and the Cuencas) to an "autumn pictorial" at the Alberta Legislature (in downtown) -- but we can't because I'm already  committed to my former co-workers that day. Bakit ba naman kasi nagkakasabay-sabay ang mga schedule hehe.

First autumn ko pa naman ito kaya nanghinayang talaga ako. I want to have preggy pictures by the red/orange trees! Thankfully, may punong pula pala sina Joy haha!

The tree by their front yard is old and huge and fabulous! Kaya doon na lang kami nag-pictorial haha!

Raw photo courtesy of Joy

Too bad I was too lazy to dress up that day. I was just in my pambahay clothes. Oh well, pwede na rin.

Raw photo courtesy of Joy

Mark is really cool! Always young at heart!

Photo courtesy of Joy

Photo courtesy of Joy

Photo courtesy of Joy

Photo courtesy of Joy

After the fun pictorial, we finally ate. Wow, they prepared a super sarap dinner for us.

We brought the out-of-place Japanese tray hehe!

First time kong kumain ng ginisang monggo -- and I liked it! Masarap ang version na ito ni Joy!

I cheated with Bal's guinataang bilo-bilo. I knew I wasn't supposed to eat this (read: gestational diabetes) but I was really craving for it talaga. Sakto naman na nagluto siya. Ang sarap grabe! Nagtake-out pa ako nito.

The Blancos and the Cuencas at the San Pedros' lovely home.

Raw photo courtesy of Joy

Ang sarap ng kainan namin!

Raw photo courtesy of Joy

For the nth time, I am grateful to our new found generous friends for always inviting us. Dahil sa kanila nakakakain kami ng masarap haha!

I heart Old Navy

Old Navy is probably my favorite clothing store here in Edmonton. Eighty percent of my tops were bought from there, I guess.

I love shopping at Old Navy for a variety of reasons:

• Their clothes are my type of clothes. I also like the quality of their clothing.
• They have a variety of merchandise (clothes, footwear, accessories, bags, stuffed toys, etc.)
• Their clothes are relatively cheap as compared to other shops.
• They are always on sale (haha!).
• You can often times hit the jackpot on their clearance items.

Another thing, aside from the usual big discount (never ever buy full price, magse-sale din naman kasi later on), they always have this survey coupon pa (attached to the receipt) that can make you save another 15% on your next transaction.

I don't mind answering a 10-minute survey if that means additional discount for my succeeding purchases.

I discovered though that the codes given at the  end of survey are just the same (for a specific time frame, of course). I've answered two surveys, one week apart, and both have given me "sweaters" as code. I still have another survey coupon (I bought a sweater again yesterday) and I won't be answering the boring survey anymore. I'll just put the word "sweaters" na lang agad haha!

Treats for Trick-or-Treat

I honestly don't think that trick-or-treaters will visit us this Friday. You see, our town house is located at the very entrance of our community (imagine a subdivision) facing the main road so I doubt it if children will be allowed to come here. The real trick-or-treat action will be held at the heart (middle) of the community, of course.

But my husband insisted that we still buy treats just in case.

We didn't buy much because we'd be stuck with lots of candies if no kid comes around. We just got two packs of sweets from Dollarama ($3 each haha!) and two boxes from Walmart. Walmart is definitely the place to buy candies from!

This is my first ever experience of Halloween here in Canada and I have no idea how many candies to give per child. I am definitely clueless. After this year, I'd probably learn lol! My husband (who's lived in North America since 2001) reminded me that candies have to be individually wrapped and that we should turn our lights on to 'invite' trick-or-treaters.

Everyone's praying for a good weather this Friday so that children can enjoy their costumes outdoors. I am excited to see them (but yeah, still very much skeptic that no one will come knocking at our door haha!).

---------------------
NOTE: My cervix is still closed as of yesterday so I definitely won't be giving birth yet this Halloween! Yebaaah! 

First October Snow

The snow made its appearance again last Sunday afternoon...

...until Monday morning...

our porch

Thankfully, the ice already melted in the afternoon.

No prediction of snow pours this week. I am hoping for a good, dry weather in the coming days for I still have lots of check-ups and ultrasounds to attend to. Hope snow comes into full blast after I give birth.

Reunited with my former co-workers =)

I was happy to be reunited with my former co-workers. I actually had a very short work stint here in Edmonton. I started working on February 1, 2014 and ended up resigning six weeks later, March 17, 2014, because I found out that I am pregnant. I was in pain during that time (I also had UTI then) so the moment I confirmed from the lab that I was indeed expecting, I talked to my boss and explained to her my situation. She was very understanding. She needed me the most that time (there was a management transition going on) yet she gave me the most comforting hug. She even promised me that I can come back to work there again anytime.

In my six weeks of working there, I have of course made friends with my other Filipina co-workers. Yep, syempre kami-kaming mga Pinoy ang nagfa-flock together. Hindi naman sinasadya, kachika rin naman namin yung ibang mga lahi, kaya lang talagang iba ang work ethics ng Pinoy. Mas masipag, mas magaling (naks!) kaya madalas naiinis kami sa iba haha (kailangan ko talagang Tagalugin ito kasi baka may makabasa).

I wasn't able to properly say goodbye to my 'new friends' because of my urgent resignation so I kinda lost contact with them until recently, when Cristina found me on Facebook (we have common friends). I was thrilled! Through Cristina's account I was able to find the others as well. And when I saw pictures of their bonding activities together, I commented: "Isama nyo naman ako next time."

And it was fast. Before Thanksgiving, Bonivie messaged me and invited me to go watch the Sea Lion Show at West Edmonton Mall (WEM) with them and their kids on October 18, 2014. I agreed right away, despite the fact that I'd already be 36 weeks pregnant by then hehe.

It was a Saturday and I asked my husband to just drop me off at WEM. For the first time, nagka-gimik uli ako nang hindi kasama ang asawa ko yebaah! I felt like I need some "me time" naman syempre.

Baby Chicklet at 36 weeks and 2 days

WEM is "MY" mall (because we live less than 10 minutes away) so I always see the Sea Lion Show every time I am there. But it was my first time to see the show up close.

Thanks to Bonivie's free admission pass! Even Cristina has free ticket haha! I think they got it from some of their friends who are working at the mall. One of the perks of working there are free admission tickets to the mall's attractions.

Akala ko Sea Lion Show lang ang meron doon. Sa ibaba pala, may mga aquarium din.

Their main attractions are sharks.

Emma, Me, Cristina, and Bonievie (my first picture with them)

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

The three girls -- Athena (Emma's), Mika (Cristina's) and Hailey (Bonivie's). Haha, next time kasama ko na si Chicklet. Kaso siya lang pala ang boy!

Feeding of sharks

After, we proceeded to watching the Sea Lion Show na. The show was at 4pm so we waited in line for a few minutes.

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

OMG! I looked so huge!

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

I am glad I brought my monopod (which was sent to me by my cousin Mylyn last June). Haha, Pinoy lang ang may monopod dito kaya sikat kami sa mga puti!

Waiting for the show to start

I was no longer excited to see the penguin and the sea lions. I must have seen them hundred times from afar. It's the company of my friends and their kids that I really enjoyed.

The show is really just for kids. I've seen better shows in HongKong and Singapore so I wasn't impressed anymore. But someday, I will of course bring Chicklet here.

The three girls had their picture taken with the sea lions. So cute. Mahal lang ang print-out haha! But of course the three mommas were very much willing to indulge.

After the show, we ate at a Vietnamese restaurant near T&T.

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

We had Vietnamese chicken noodle soup...

And rice plates...

Another groufie before ending the night...

I spent just a total of five hours with them and I had so much fun. I invited them to come over to our house after I give birth and recovered and they agreed. I hope this was just the first of our many bonding activities together.

The parents-in-law are here!

When people learned that I am pregnant, most of them asked me: "Eh di pupunta ang nanay mo sa Canada kapag manganganak ka na?"

Sadly, my mother couldn't come for a variety of reasons:

• She is still very busy in the Philippines co-managing our family business. Our operations will be paralyzed without her. 
• She isn't exactly in a perfect state of health. At 68, she's diabetic and hypertensive. Mahirap na kasi baka dito pa siya abutan ng matinding sakit. 
• Edmonton is too far away from the Philippines. She couldn't possibly travel alone (as no one can accompany her).

I know that I need my mother the most during this time but I understand. Often, when we talk on Facetime or Magic Jack, she would tell me to just go home (in the Philippines). But we both know that I couldn't. Ford and I are just Canadian Permanent Residents and if I give birth in Pinas, we still need to sponsor the baby to be able to bring him back to Edmonton. That can take months or even a year. Also, we are talking about the child's future here. Citizenship is the keyword. 

Another thing, Canada has a very good health care system and giving birth here is "free" (well, not really free because we pay taxes). We don't have to worry about spending anything, especially if something not right happens to me or to the baby (wag naman po sana). 

I really miss my Mamoosh. She, of all people understands, what I am going through. She's the only person who can comfort me best, give the care I need. But what I can do, I "chose" to live far away from her.

-------------

I am happy though that Ford's parents, who are American citizens and are based in California, volunteered to come over to help us in these challenging weeks of my pregnancy and upcoming childbirth. It's good that they are just a three-hour plane ride away and there's no need to apply for a Canadian tourist visa. They can come here anytime. They are also very excited cuddle a grandchild (they already have one -- Baby Ysabelle -- but they haven't personally seen her yet because she's in the Philippines) so I know that Baby Chicklet will be adored by them. 

I admit that I know nothing (as in absolutely nothing) in taking care of a child so it's comforting that Pod and I won't be "alone" during the first weeks of our son's life. 

Daddy and Mama arrived last Tuesday (October 21) and will be staying with us until Dec. 2. Of course they can still extend if we request them too.

October 22, 2014 - Lucky Supermarket

I am used to their presence actually. They already visited us last January-February (for three weeks, if I remember correctly) so I knew how they are at home. I feel more comfortable with them now. Sa una kasi siyempre nakakaaasiwa na makasama nang matagal sa isang bahay ang mga biyenan, especially since hindi naman ako domesticated na tao. I have so many flaws (haha) which I am afraid they'll find out. But Daddy and Mama are both nice and kind and non-judgmental. And they cook well, too! It's a breeze living with them.

I am so grateful because now I don't have to worry about our meals haha! They even do the dishes na rin kasi talagang masakit na ang tiyan ko palagi and I am afraid to move. Ang sarap. I can go into labor anytime now because I have companions na kahit nasa office si Ford.

Thank you Daddy and Mama for coming over to help us out. We can't thank you enough!

Goodbye, Amang. =(

A very sad news woke me up this morning. My paternal grandfather, AMANG as we all call him, passed away just a few hours ago.

Kuya, Amang, and Me (Father's Day 2013)

I knew it's bound to happen, but still no amount of emotional preparation can spare you from the pain of losing your last surviving grandparent. I last saw him almost a year ago, before I left for Canada. How I wish inantay niya akong makauwi.

I feel so helpless. I want to go home to pay my last respects but it's impossible since I am about to give birth already. But if there's any consolation, at least some of my titas and titos were there during his last days.

We love you, Amang. We will truly miss you. Enjoy your journey to heaven. And please say hello to Inang for us. =(

Autumn Trees

Our friends Joy and Mark invited us for dinner yesterday. It surprised us that their front tree has already transformed into this...

Beautiful, eh! ( in #canadianaccent )

Really, I love their tree! I wonder how old it is now.

Autumn is really nice. No wonder it's the favorite season of many people, including me. I'm here in Edmonton for almost a year now and I've already experienced the four seasons. Fall indeed is the loveliest of them all.

Baby Chicklet @ 36 weeks and 3 days / October 19, 2014

We live in a new community and a drawback in living in one is that all our trees are young and newly planted. "Baby trees," that's what they are lol!

We actually have just one tiny tree in our front yard. I don't know what it is but it is bald now haha! I have no idea if it will grow tall and thick but I wish it does.

October 20, 2014

Next year, we'll see the difference. =)

The Laundry-Iron Dad

I am such a futile mother-to-be. I feel like all I ever did was to carry this baby -- nothing more. If I am to summarize all our efforts for Baby Chicklet, no doubt that my husband will win.

"We" finally were able to wash all the baby clothes and linen last Sunday. Oh well, Ford did. I actually have a confession to make. In my almost one year of living here in Edmonton, I've never done the laundry. Heck, I don't even know how to operate our washing machine and dryer!

I have a perfect excuse though. I AM PREGNANT! Our laundry area is located in the basement and it is hard for me to go down (and up) with the heavy hamper. Ooops, but who am I kidding? Just like what my mother says: "Tamad ka lang." Sige na nga, talagang hindi lang ako naglalaba siguro. Lalo na sa Pinas, NEVER akong naglaba ng mga damit ko. I blame Mamoosh - she spoiled me.

But I swear, when Baby Chicklet is here, I WILL. I don't think I have a choice. Sana lang turuan na ako ni Pod gumamit ng hi-tech washing machine niya.

Anyway, after laundry, the martyr husband transformed into IRON MAN naman. I actually "volunteered" to iron but he obviously knows me already. Siguro nandito na si Chicklet eh hindi ko pa natatapos plantsahin ang mga dapat plantsahin. Eh kasi naman, palaging masakit ang tiyan ko (excuses excuses!).

We actually never iron our clothes. Hindi naman uso dito. Ford goes to the office in casual wear so hindi talaga kailangan mamlantsa. But a lot of people advised us (utos din ni Mamoosh) that we iron the baby's clothes and blankets. Para hindi daw lukot at patay ang mikrobyo. Ganun pala yun. I thought sanitizing them in the dryer is enough.

Ford bought a little ironing board at Walmart that afternoon and used his old flat iron.

BIM -- Ba't ang liit ng binili mong ironing board?
POD -- Pwede na yan. Ten dollars lang. Maliit lang naman ang mga damit ni Chicklet.
BIM -- Sus, hirap kayang gamitin niyan.
POD -- Hindi noh. Ipapatong ko na lang. 

After ironing one blanket, he gave up. He returned the tiny ironing board at Walmart and replaced it with a big one that costs thirty dollars. Haha, nagpaka-Ilokano pa kasi. I was surprised though that Walmart still allowed the board to be returned. Sira na kasi ang packaging at nabasa pa.

POD -- Haler, nasa Canada ka noh. Consumer protection ang tawag dyan. Saka ang yaman-yaman ng Walmart!

Fine.

Ford also bought a new flat iron kasi nga tumutulo na yung luma niya. Tsk, ang gastos ni Chicklet!

Ford, the Iron Dad

I was very impressed with my husband's ironing skills. Unlike me, alam niya talaga kung paano. When he was working in California kasi, medyo pormal ang pamasok niya (i.e. slacks and polo) so he had to iron his clothes talaga. Eh ako, what do I know? NADA.

--

I have no idea on until when "we" would/should be ironing baby's clothes. May nagsabi na hanggang six months daw si Baby. For my mother, forever daw (she's an OC!). Oh well, let's see.