Halloween 2019: Our first ever pumpkin

Simula nang mag-migrate ako dito sa Canada, aliw na aliw na talaga ako sa mga pumpkins na binebenta sa grocery stores kapag fall. Wala nyan sa Pinas eh.

October 6, 2019. At dahil may bahay na kami at big boy na si Nathan, time na para magdecorate kami ng aming first-ever pumpkin! I was able to buy that big pumpkin at Save-On-Foods for $3.99. Medyo mahal pa nga, may mas mura pa sa iba lalo na kapag sine-sale na.

But the problem was -- Ford and I didn't have any carving skills. Again, lumaki kami sa Pinas kaya malay ba namin dyan noh! My husband is the most uncreative person in the universe kaya wala talaga kaming mapapala sa kanya sa mga ganyang bagay. At lalo namang hindi ko keri ang mag-carve, tapos ang messy messy pa after.

Buti na lang may reliable na Dollarama. They have this pumpkin decorating kit for only $1.25 (plus 12% tax = $1.40)!

Nathan was so excited to decorate!

Pero syempre ang nanay din ang tumapos lol! Cute naman hindi ba?

We placed it in our frontyard. Biglang sumayang tingnan ang bahay. =)

Medyo nagregret lang kami ng slight kasi the following week, we went to a pumpkin patch (first time din!) and we brought home three more pumpkins. Kasama na pala sa ticket yung pagpili ng pumpkins. Naisip namin na sana hindi na kami bumili. Tapos nag-field trip pa rin si Nathan sa apple barn at nag-uwi ng isa pa. So we had five pumpkins all in all. Oh well, magsisi pa raw ba sa $3.99 lol!

Halloween 2019: Frontyard Decor

September 17, 2020. I was feeling bored as usual so I walked to Dollarama after bringing Nathan to the school bus stop. My agenda really was to buy a couple of cheap decors kasi nae-excite na talaga ako sa Halloween. Imagine, one and a half-months to go na lang pala. Nakita ko rin kasi na may decor na yung isang neighbor namin kaya medyo nainggit ako haha.

I ended up buying "pumpkins" (or Jack-o'-lanterns) so I can stick to my Halloween "pumpkin patch" theme last year. Ayaw kasi namin ni Nathan ng scary decors, yung mga cute lang dapat.

By the way, Dollarama has tons of Halloween stuff kaso dapat medyo ingat lang kasi mapapagastos ka rin talaga. Items range from $1.25 to $4.00 and before you knew it, napasubo ka na lol.

I plan to buy ng paunti-unti kasi nakaka-guilty rin mag-splurge sa mga "nonsense" stuff ngayong panahon ng pandemic. Kaso naman, kailangan ko rin ng spice sa life ko. And Halloween really makes me happy. Saka sa dollar store nga lang ako namimili eh. Kung may budget lang ba ako talaga, magfu-fullblast ako at sa Homesense mamimili.

Oh well, sige na, let me show you our simple Halloween set-up last year. Minimalist lang ang peg ha. Last minute ko na rin kasi nilagay, October 28 na. Ulan kasi ng ulan that time at noon lang tumila (we were lucky to have a 'dry' trick-or-treating, sana this year din). Ayaw ko rin kasing masira ang decors ko kasi I plan to reuse them sa mga susunod na taon. Sayang naman kasi.

The pumpkin patch theme was inspired by our first ever pumpkin patch experience on October 12, 2019. Parang ang cute kasi ng idea ng "farm"for our frontyard.

It was our first Halloween here in Roundhouse and my first time to decorate a house for Halloween. Naaliw ako nang sobra! I had very few decors (kasi nga noon lang uli kami nagkabahay) kasi nga ang mahal din kapag namili ng isang bagsakan pero naisip ko that I'll add up na lang every year.

Here are some shots on the actual Halloween.

By the way, the three pumpkins on the left were from the Richmond Country Farms (where we went to). The small one in front was from Nathan's field trip at Taves Apple Farm. The decorated one was bought at a grocery store. Since we don't know how to carve, nilagyan na lang namin ng mga stick-ons from Dollarama.

View from the inside.

I am actually faced with a dilemma this year. You see, our house is facing the highway. Hence, it is not strategic for trick-or-treaters. Hindi rin kasi gaanong dinadaanan ang harapan namin. Our neighbors gave candies in their respective garages (para facing the inside of the complex) kaya wala ring naging silbi ang decors ko (except for a few minutes of enjoyment for us) kasi nga wala namang nakakita. 

So ang tanong, shall I decorate the frontyard this year o not? Sa garage side/driveway na lang ba ako mag-aayos on October 31? We have a narrow driveway kasi at dinadaanan siya ng car kaya hindi pwedeng ayusin in advance. 

Oh well, let's see. Kahit ano pa man yan, may pandemic man, basta I'll surely enjoy this year's Halloween. Kailangan ko yan para maaliw naman.

Hearts in our window

Last week of March 2020. One time while walking around our residential complex, I noticed that some of our neighbors have already put hearts on their windows. Naaliw ako. I was already familiar with the concept -- wherein people are decorating their windows with hearts and messages of hope to remind others that we are all in this together -- kaya natuwa ako na may gumagawa na rin pala nito sa community namin.  Syempre kelangan naming maki-join. Unang project ko ito sa gitna ng pandemya. 

At last, nagamit ko rin ang sangkatutak na colored papers na pinagbibili ko dati pa, karamihan mga bitbit ko pa from Pinas. The hearts kasi have to be colorful, hindi puro red kasi magmumukhang pan-Valentine's hehe.

I printed hearts on these colorful papers and cut them perfectly. I am telling you, OC ako sa cutting. Talent ko yan eh.

At syempre dahil kailangan ng rainbow to symbolize optimism that this Covid-storm shall also pass, I asked my son to color a printable rainbow template. 

I can go all out (just like some of our neighbors) but I opted for simplicity. Gusto ko medyo malinis lang tingnan at may pagka-minimalist kaya ayos na ito.

March 31, 2020. Almost 9pm na nang magsimula kaming magdikit ni Nathaniel. Night owls kami eh. I was happy na very enthusiastic din siya sa project na ito.

And here it is! Honestly, we were so thrilled! Nakakasaya pala talaga ng puso ang mga ganito!

Day time look. 

Actually inisip ko pa if we'll add more hearts pero ok na yan. Tipid-tipid din sa papel lol.

We put the remaining 10 heart cut-outs sa back side ng townhouse, sa may sliding door. I let Nathan tape them kung saan nya gusto (with a little guidance, of course).

And taraaaaaaaan! Ok naman din hehe. Again, hindi na namin dinagdagan ang hearts para hindi naman masakit sa mata. =)

It's already May 26, 2020 at almost two months na silang nakadikit sa bintana at sliding door. I have a feeling na magtatagal sila dyan... at least until next year, when the pandemic is over hopefully?

I took pictures of our neighbors decorated windows and I'll post them here soon! If you haven't done this project yet, baka gusto nyong subukan? I am telling you, it's so worth it. =)

#LatePost: Ford's 38th Birthday (2016)

It's my husband's birthday today. Oh how time flies, he's now 39. One more year and his life will start na lol (40 wooohooo!). I met him when he was 22, grabe 17 years na palang part ng buhay namin ang isa't isa.

Anyway, today's a Wednesday so the birthday boy is out working. Magbu-buffet dinner na lang kami mamaya pagdating niya (cheat day again!).  So while waiting for him, please allow me to post muna the simple celebration that we had last year for him. Haha, ang dami kong gustong ipost na happenings in the past. Unti-unti.

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September 6, 2016. My closest friends in Edmonton had been bugging me na "magpakain" sa bahay since we were about to leave Edmonton already. May buyer na ang townhouse namin that time and we we were to turn it over to the new owner by the end of September. So sabi ko sige, I will host a simple kainan on my hubby's birthday before I pack the house (which was a really sad thought huhu).

Looking back, I am glad Pod was able to celebrate a birthday in our first home. Pero sayang kasi hindi ko na na-decorate. We were so busy na kasi that time.

I looked so ngarag haha! At kelangan na ng rebond. :)

I only had three girl friends coming (one was in Pinas that time) plus their kids so I just bought a small chocolate cake from Julie's Bakeshop. Dati kasi malaki ang binili ko (for Nathan 7th month birthday) kaso hindi naubos.

Buying a small cake was a good decision. Kasi hindi na masarap! Tsk, paborito namin dati ang cake ng Julie's (moist and Pinoy-tasting) kaso hindi nila na-sustain ang quality. Buti na lang I was able to make it "cute," maganda sa picture.

For the handa, we just prepared beef ribs sinigang (na sobrang nagustuhan nila), daing na bangus, halabos na hipon, and grilled liempo, talong, and mais.

Joy brought cassava cake (Pod's favorite!) and Ate Celina baked these goodies naman:

Kamayan on the house! Haha, puro babae ang guest namin (pwera sa two boys ni Mylene). Too bad walang kainuman si Ford, nasa Fort Mc kasi ang mga boys (may work sila).

Inser Ate Celina

 Oh how I miss my friends! Sayang wala si Cecilia.

It was a very simple and matipid na celebration pero I remember all of us being so full. Kapag nasa abroad ka, ganitong mga pagkain ang palaging gusto mong kainin talaga eh.

I knew Pod had one wish that night, and I am glad it was given to him just a couple of weeks later. We are so grateful!

Ford and I's birthday wish this year is to have a house again and hopefully celebrate our next birthdays at home. And we are wishing for more new friends, too!

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August 31, 2016. Oops, because Bal (Pod's #1 kainuman in Edmonton) was about to go back na to the camp at hindi aabot ng September 6, we held a small kainan-inuman din nga pala noon. Hay, nakakamiss talaga ang mga ganitong get-together!

Excited for Nathan's Mickey Mouse Party

Ford and I have decided to throw a party for Nathan this coming June 13 (his 7th month "birthday") for our Edmonton friends because we (Nathan and I) are going 'home' in Pinas this coming July and will be back only after his first birthday in November.

Noong una, sina Mylene and Cecil and Joy (and their kiddos) lang naman sana ang invited pero naisip naming imbitahan na rin ang ilan pang kaibigan at kakilala namin dito. Sayang naman kasi ang preparation kung ilang tao lang.

Anyway, I am super excited. This is the very first kiddie party that I'll be organizing. Small party at home lang naman but still, I want to make it a little more special for our little boy. I have sort of planned everything na (from the menu to the decors and trimmings) in my mind, execution na lang hehe.

Yesterday, while we were at Dollar Tree, I've chosen Mickey Mouse as the theme na lang. Since we are strictly on a budget (magastos umuwi sa Pilipinas so kailangang magtipid), naisip ko na mas economical kung Mickey Mouse na lang kasi nga it's practically everywhere - mura at madaling hanapin. Eto nga at nakabili na ako ng ilang items (for just $1.25 + 5% tax each).

Plus Mickey Mouse is so adorable! Bagay na pang-baby kasi uncomplicated. When Nathan is a bit older, I am sure he would prefer different cartoon characters na. So baka ito na lang ang chance ko na magka-Mickey Mouse theme haha!

Ooops, this cap ang nagpa-final ng decision ko. It was given to Nathan yesterday by his Ninang June and it looked so cute on him!

I will try to tabulate all the expenses for this upcoming party. We'll be allocating a budget of $300 for this, sana magkasya. #goodluck

Nathan @ 3 Months!

Yey, our dear Nathan is now 3 months old!

February 13, 2015 (Friday). As usual, it was just the three of us who celebrated. Buhay-Canada hahaha!

I was happy because I thought Ford would come home late na from his field work. I was surprised that he was home already by 5pm.

My most favorite part in celebrating Nathan's monthly "birthday" is of course the cake. For this month, I just bought chocolate cup cakes from Walmart (cheap but delicious!). The candle set is from Dollar Tree. Nice noh?

And because it's a day before Valentine, I chose a cupid (also bought at Dollar Tree) as the "topper." It's the last piece so parang meant to be hehe. So kawaii!

For the first time, I cooked all of Nathan's handa. We had spaghetti, garlic bread, spring rolls, calamari, and nachos. 

I am looking forward to the day that my baby boy can blow his cake na. 

I added this for added touch of Valentine.

Again, how I wish somebody would take our family picture! Sawa na ako sa selfie/groufie eh!

Oh, Nathan! Thank you for bringing us so much joy! We are so pleased that you are such a happy baby! You never fail to smile everytime I say "peechur peechur!"

Thank you too for being so easy to take care of. You just cry whenever you want to be fed. You don't want to be carried (buti na lang because you are so heavy na -- around 14 lbs) so hindi nahihirapan si Mommy. But I admit, I miss you sleeping in my arms. You love to "broom broom" so we have no problem bringing you out. You sleep longer na rin at night (sometimes up to 10 hours, would you believe?) so I am getting my rest na rin.

Plus you remain so cute!

They say you are dad's mini-me. Hmm, fairer version nga lang hahaha!

We love you so much, Cheeky Boy! Happy 3 months! Mwah!

Regrets

We were at Walmart (Windemere) last night and I wasn't able to resist this picture frame. I've always wanted a frame for Nathan where I can put his first 12 months pictures pero kahapon lang ako nakakita ng gusto ko. I got so excited!

Then it hit me... parang wala akong maayos na one month picture ni Nathan na magandang ilagay sa frame! Still, i bought it. Magka-crop na lang ako ng picture.

Then at the Baby Section, I saw a set of monthly birthday stickers similar to this:

Picture taken from the internet (credits to the owner)

I wanted to cry that very moment. Bakit noon lang ako nakakita ng ganun sa Walmart? Palagi kami sa Walmart when I was pregnant and we bought most of our baby things there, how come na-miss ko ang stickers na ganito?

I also remembered that the other night, I saw a picture on Instagram na parang ganito. A very good monthly pictorial idea for a baby. Nalungkot din ako kasi nga hindi ko na magagawa ito for Nathan. Late na.

Picture taken from the internet (credits to the owner)

I've only been a mother for 11 weeks and I am already filled with regrets. Feeling ko ang dami kong hindi nagawa for my baby at sa pregnancy ko.

• I had very few preggy pictures.
• We never had a good "family" picture when I was pregnant.
• I didn't have a maternity shoot.
• I wasn't able to document my pregnancy, especially the earlier stages.
• I didn't have a baby shower.
• I didn't buy baby keepsakes like baby memory book, casting kits, frames, and milestone stickers.
• I didn't have a nice picture with the newborn Nathan.
• Nathan didn't have a newborn studio pictorial.
• I wasn't able to take videos of Nathan when we were still at the hospital.
• I wasn't able to conceptualize a good monthly birthday pictures for Nathan.

I don't want to blame myself entirely though. Some things were beyond my control. I had a very difficult first trimester so I wasn't able to blog for several months (that was my idea of documentation). I stayed mostly at the house so I never felt the need to buy nice but expensive maternity clothes and have my pictures taken. I didn't have a baby shower because no one here in Edmonton will throw me one. And because I quit working, I didn't have my own money to spend on some pregnancy whims like maternity shoots and baby keepsakes. My husband naman is clueless about those things kaya nahihiya akong masyadong gumastos. We've already spent a lot on the baby's basic needs eh.

But sige, now I will admit that when I was still pregnant, I was so afraid of buying so much for the baby for the fear of "jinx." I remember that when my friend Mels was pregnant with her second child, she told me that she didn't want to post so much on Facebook about her pregnancy because something might happen to the baby. I felt the same way. Ayokong magpaka-OA agad when it comes to Chicklet. I was so praning talaga that time.

I kept on telling myself that had I been in the Philippines during my pregnancy, I would have enjoyed it so much. I can buy everything I want, have my pictures taken every day, experience a baby shower, have somebody else to take Nathan's pictures and videos after I gave birth, etc. My mistake is not contextualizing my pregnancy here in Edmonton. I should have planned and acted based on our current situation.

Hay, regrets regrets. But I guess I've learned my lessons now. My son is already 2 1/2 months old and I realized that I couldn't bring back time. Sadly, I can no longer take a good picture of his one-month self. I realized that I am dealing with a human being now, hindi ko puwedeng i-delay ang mga puwede kong gawin. I need to plan ahead. And I have to enjoy my every moment with him kasi hindi siya bata forever. I am lucky because I am given the chance to be with him 24/7. I should be grateful.

Kung ako ang masusunod, si Nathan na siguro ang only baby ko. But if we'll be gifted with another bundle of joy, alam ko na ang gagawin ko.

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Nathan Anak, I am so sorry for all my shortcomings. I know that I am not that bad in terms of mothering you but I feel that I could do more, could have done more. I am not sure what will you like or be like in the future that is why I want to do everything for you now, para akong regrets kung sakali. Promise, mommy will make it up to you.

Nathan @ 2 Months

Thirteen is my new favorite number. And I am so excited to welcome the 13th day of every month because that means another 'birthday' celebration for Nathan!

January 13, 2015. As usual, it was just another party for three. But I told Mylene and Cecil that we'll invite them some time in summer for Nathan's monthly birthday. We just couldn't do that now because it's winter and our house is a big mess. I am also still recovering (yeah, I am taking it soooo slow) and I can't host a party yet.

My two-month old looks so big na on this picture noh? I myself was shocked! It's only been two months but he doesn't look that baby anymore! In fact, he already wore the Baby Mickey shirt which we thought he would wear this summer pa or when we go home in Pinas. It was his first time to wear a t-shirt and he looked so cute!

Anyway, what excites me the most about this day was the cake of course! I think I did pretty well on his first month cake so I have to live with the expectations haha!

But since Ford and I aren't really into eating cakes (in fact, ni hindi nga namin natikman yung first cake), I thought of buying just a slice. Sa Safeway kami nakabili for only $3.

I wasn't able to find a nice cake topper so I just asked Ford to have Nathan's picture printed in their office. I posted it on a card board para matigas saka ko itinusok sa cake. The result is this:

Simple yet 'personalized.' I want my son to know later on that in my own little ways, I tried to make things special for him.

This is the close-up look pala of the picture on the cake. My son's so adorable! #biasedmom

Since Nathan's second month fell on a Tuesday (and we just had buffet dinner the day before for our 3rd wedding anniversary), I just asked Ford to buy pancit palabok and crispy pata at Manila Grill Express. Nagustuhan kasi namin yun the last time we went there. The pork giniling was cooked by yours truly.

Almost all of our plates are Corelle and I've grown tired of them. I wanted something colorful plating for my baby's handa but expensive dinner wares are not on the budget yet. Thankfully, I found some cheap stoneware plates and bowls and glasses at Dollar Tree! Ayan, pati sa table setting ay excited na rin ako!

More than the superficiality of celebrating a monthly birthday, Ford and I are really grateful that our son is growing well. Health wise, we never had any major 'concern' for him. He seems happy and healthy.

I noticed that he started smiling a lot and 'interacting' with us when he was just five weeks old (December 23 to be exact, thanks to my hobby of taking pictures and documenting Nathan's every move!). We were impressed. Physically, he's quite a big boy with nice flawless skin, chubby body, and adorable little face. A lot of people were telling us that he doesn't look like two months only. He can even hold his head steady na. We are very very proud of him!

Thank you for being such a good boy, anak! Keep it up! We are so looking forward to your 3rd month birthday! We love you!