Still here...

Gosh, it's been so long since the last time I was online. We switched ISP's from Comcast to Earthlink last Saturday. The guys promised it will only take a few minutes but it turned out they didn't know what they were talking about, argh! It all happened so quickly I didn't even get to leave a notice or something but anyway, I'm back now and that's all that matters, lol! My mother-in-law was with us since Saturday so I got a lot of rest. It felt like I only had one kid when she's here coz she takes care of the big boys and the cooking. Thanks a lot Mom! She went home yesterday afternoon so now I'm back to having 3 kids, lol!

Since I didn't have the internet for days, I was able to just enjoy my new baby. I stare at him all the time and sometimes I wish he'd stay a baby forever. I just love that baby smell and that soft baby skin. We had Aerell's first pedia appointment last Friday (Jan 25th). At 10days old, he weighed 7lbs 11oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. The doctor said everything's perfect but he was a little yellow on the face. I was kinda worried that he might have jaundice but the doctor wasn't concerned about it because he's pink on the rest of his body. He's still a good baby, doesn't cry much and sleeps well at night. We were able to go out to eat that night as well. It was the first time with 3 kids in tow, lol! Better to train them when they're babies so by the time they're toddlers, they're already used to it, hehe!

And since I had a lot of time while offline, I was able to take a few shots of Aerell. Got some ideas from the professionals. I really wanna take more photos but I still didn't get a chance to go to the store to get some of my props, lol! Took these 2 last Monday. I actually wanted him to be asleep on this first shot but for some reason, babies just can't stay asleep when you undress them, lol! At 13days old, this baby can already hold his head up high and yeah he's hairy, lol! but nope, I didn't crave for balot when I was pregnant, lol!

This second shot was kinda hard to take because my baby is such a wiggle worm. He's skin is still peeling. Sometimes, I just wanna pull the skins off, lol! Ah, I can't resist it. It's like they're calling for my name when I see them, lol! Anyway, thanks for all the messages you left on my previous entry. I appreciate them all. I'm still trying to get Aiden to sit with the baby so I can take a picture of my 3 precious gems. Hopefully, I can share a pic of them next time.

It's been a week...

since Aerell was born. Well technically, in another hour and a half but who's counting. Everything's actually working out fine. My mother-in-law was such a big help so I was actually able to sleep a lot during the weekends while she was watching the big brothers and taking care of the kitchen as well. Aerell is not a cry baby at all and I am just so amazed at how content he is. Sometimes, I don't even know when he's awake because he would just lay there and look around. Of course, if he messed his pants, he'd start crying but that's something you expect from a baby. He's strictly breastfed so hopefully, it would help me lose some weight as well, lol! His favorite place to sleep during the day is his carseat. That's where he is on these photos. Took them this afternoon after I gave him a sponge bath. I don't know what it is about baths but babies always sleep better after taking one.

Aiden is actually getting better. He's not so scared to touch his baby brother anymore. I saw him quite a few times giving Aerell kisses and that just really melts my heart. He talks to him when he's awake too so I think he is adjusting pretty well. We are working on potty training Aiden but haven't really gotten so strict with it yet. AJ was potty trained at 2yrs. and 7mos. old so we should be working on it real soon. It's not just hard changing diapers for 2 kids but it's very expensive as well.

So, that's it for now. I missed scrapbooking already but baby is always hungry every 2-3 hours so I still can't find time to sit down and make a layout. Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who left messages/comments on my previous entries. I really, really appreciate them. I started bloghopping this afternoon too but I'm not done with all of your blogs yet. So, if I haven't been to your blog, I promise to give you a visit one of these days. Till then!

Introducing...

...the newest member to our family! I really wanted to share pics sooner but I was just so exhausted that I sleep so much whenever I can that is. Anyway, here's Aerell and I few minutes after he came out of me, lol! I don't normally share photos of myself after giving birth but I'm not gonna care this time, lol! I'm just so thankful that everything went well and that the baby is perfectly normal and healthy and beautiful too! (wink) I was giving birth while watching American Idol by the way so I didn't miss a thing at all, lol! I think this is the only time I get to watch tv while in labor and giving birth, so it was an amazing experience!

Daddy's turn to hold Aerell. This is taken the day after I gave birth. Aerell is less than a day hold here and getting ready to meet his two big brothers. Those red marks on his face were from the scratches he did. The mittens I got were too big to fit him and just keeps coming lose. Good thing, babies heal really fast, so those marks are actually gone now.

And here he is meeting his two big brothers for the first time. Aiden gave him a kiss that day and that was also the last time he touched him. I'm not really sure what is going on his mind right now but he seemed to be scared to touch his baby brother. I think he sees him to be so fragile. AJ is always asking to hold the baby. He's a great big brother. He sings and reads to him and the little one seems to pay attention as well.

I took this photo last night using my old point-and-shoot digital camera without the flash. It's too grainy and not a very good quality but I thought I'd share it anyway. He just looked so peaceful. He's really a good baby. He doesn't whine at all even when he's got a poopy diaper, lol! He did cry a few times after his circumcision but that's about it. I love staring at him and giving him lots of kisses. I can't seem to get enough of it, lol!

That is what's keeping me busy around here these days. We're lucky and grateful that my mother-in-law is here to help us out. By the way, I might not be able to visit your blogs in a while but I promise I will as soon as I can. I appreciate all the messages you left in my previous entry. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I'll leave you with Aerell's video I took last night. Will share more pics later.

This is it!

I'm at the hospital right now. I'm having painful contractions already but it doesn't look like I'm really in labor yet so I might still end up coming home tonight. Anyway, I thought I'd let you all know. Isn't it cool that they actually have wifi connection for the guests here? LOL! I made this LO yesterday. I'll post credits later. I uploaded it earlier before I left home and I don't really remember all of the designers' names. Ok, that's all. Wish me luck!

edited @ 4:30pm:

I'm currently 4cm dilated but haven't broke my water yet. However, the doctor has decided to go ahead and break my water later (if it didn't happen on its own yet) as soon as we get into the L&D room. Apparently, there are so many moms giving birth right now. Looks like I'm gonna miss American Idol tonight, shucks! LOL! Will update again as soon as I get the epidural.

edited @ 9:39pm:

He's here! I wasn't able to blog after they gave me the epidural because I took a nap, haha! Everything went fine and I am so glad it's all over now. Will let you know the baby's name when I get home. I just want to make a formal introduction is all. He's adorable, that's for sure! Of course you have to remember this is mommy talking, lol! I just fell in love with him the moment I saw him. I wanna share more but I am soooo hungry! The last time I ate was around 9am so I'm definitely starving! Thanks for all the well wishes, prayers and thoughts! Muahh!

Scrap Addict Sundays (winter magic)

Good morning everyone! Obviously, I haven't popped just yet, lol! Thanks for all the well wishes you've left on my previous entry. I appreciate it! I actually got this layout ready earlier this week just in case I won't be here to make one today. It would have been nicer if I had a snow pic but since it doesn't snow here in Houston, this is the best winter pics I have, lol! I got inspired by Angie's Time, a Luxury LO, which by the way has been lifted so many times by a lot of amazing scrappers as well.

Credits: Background paper by Miss Mint, cardboard overlay by LindaGB, stitches by Two Sisters Designs, round stitches by Kim Christensen, tabs and clips by Amber Clegg, corrugated cardboards and lace by Amy Martin, bomb glitters by Jofia Devoe, buttons by Amanda Rockwell and tied bows by Bernadette Hunt. TFL!

I'm ready!

I haven't done anything today except the layout below. I'm tired too, just couldn't get enough rest at night. As a matter of fact, I was so miserable last night, it's like I was awake all night long. It might have something to do with the crispy pork skin I had for dinner though, lol! My stomach always complains about too much oil on just about anything now that I'm pregnant. Anyway, I'll have my doctor's appointment tomorrow and in case I won't be back in the next few days, then you know I'm having the baby, hehe! I'm a little upset that she didn't check me for dilation last week because I really feel pressure when I go #2. It's so uncomfortable when I feel the urge to push but I'm trying to hold it back instead. I hope it's just my feeling. So, we'll see how it goes tomorrow. I have packed everything already so I'm actually good to go now but if possible I'd like to deliver during the weekend though. Of course my doctor wouldn't like that. She scheduled me for an induced birth on the 18th actually so unlike his big brothers, this baby's birthday will definitely not fall on the 21st. As you can see my belly is already way too big now. It looks like it's gonna pop anytime soon, doesn't it? I took that photo yesterday using a self-timer. I think I got what I wanted to achieve actually. Got this black cloth at Walmart for $1/yard, great deal huh! The white stuff I'm wearing is actually my recycled wedding veil, lol! I am not sure but I think my veil was like 3 meters long so it's pretty long and wide too. Makes a real great prop, lol! I figured since I don't have any daughter to wear my wedding stuffs, then why not use them now. I think I'll leave my wedding gown alone though, lol!

I got the boys big brother shirts that I ordered from etsy.com. I didn't have enough time to do it myself so I just went ahead and order it. I got a great deal actually since the shipping was free. I just wish they had a long sleeve one though but oh well, it's warm in Houston anyway.

Like I said earlier, I was able to scrap today. I really wanted to finish Aiden's 2nd birthday layout but I just had a hard time on where to place all the photos in one page. So, I scraplifted Juliet's Chicago layout from the galleries. Well, it's almost 5pm here so I should go and start dinner. I'll visit your blogs later. Thank you all for the messages you left on my previous entries. I appreciate them as always!

Credits: Background paper by Gina Cabrera, inked edge by Ida, balloons, broken candles and sequins by Natalie Braxton, #2 by Kate Hadfield, stitches and glitters by Jofia Devoe, labels by Dani Mogstad, staples by Traci Murphy, artiste misc. by Amy Wolff, tag alpha by Kim Christensen and clockwork elements by LindaGB. TFL!

Scrap Addict Sundays (together)

Happy Sunday everyone! Here's my first entry for this year's Scrap Addict Sundays. Hubby and I didn't get to take our traditional anniversary photo this year because I just felt too fat, lol! So, I'm using the last photo of us together, which was taken last Dec. 9th during their company Christmas Party.

Credits: Kraft paper by Dani Mogstad, printed papers and buttons from All You Need is Love kit by Michelle Coleman, staples by Traci Murphy, corrugated hearts and lace by Amy Martin, flowers by Annie Manning, sequins by Rachel Young and alpha by Jani Crowley. TFL!

Seven years!

That's right! Bear and I have been married for 7 years now and a few days since I didn't get to post this on the actual day, lol! Anyway, I am still amazed that it has been that long already. I honestly don't feel it. I still feel like we just got married the other day and to be honest, sometimes I'm still surprised where did all these kids come from, lol! Seven years and almost 3 kids, wow! We've been busy, that's for sure, lol!

The past seven years have been the best years of my life. I just never really thought married life would be this great. Of course we have some not-so-good times as well but that's just life. With Heavenly Father's help, I found the right man to spend the rest of my life with and have babies, lol! I feel so blessed. Bear and I used to argue about who's the luckiest, the happiest and the most blessed of all. Who else but ME? LOL!

Anyway, we actually had great plans for our anniversary this year. We asked mom (my mother-in-law) to watch the kids while we go out on the 31st. Since we got married in the Philippines, our anniversary actually starts at 8pm on the 31st here. Unfortunately, mom got sick so we lost our only baby sitter. We still went ahead and proceed with our plans except this time, we brought the kids with us. We decided to go to The Cheesecake Factory and oh boy the place was packed. I forgot it was New Year's eve and a lot of people actually go out to eat. So, we waited for an hour to get seated and when we finally got our seats, Aiden started throwing up! What a mess! We had lunch at Cici's Pizza earlier that day before we bought groceries and apparently, his stomach didn't agree with the alfredo sauce or so I think because that's all he really ate there and the only thing he was throwing up as well. So, we decided to leave but I'm not ready to go without my cheesecake, so we got a couple slices of their strawberry cheesecake (my fave) and chocolate mousse cheesecake for Bear. I can't believe 4 slices would cost $30! I wonder how much the whole thing cost, lol! They are very yummy though. We actually saved them for dessert on our New Year's day lunch.

So, that night we ended up going to the drive-thru at McDonald's since hubby and Aiden were both messy from the incident. Bear and I got chocolate shakes with our meals and the kids have their kiddie meals. I got my favorite french fries and chocolate shake, I was happy! LOL! It's just one of those days where life throws stones at us but as long as we got each other and our family, we're happy.

First entry for 2008...

Happy new year to all of you! I didn't think I'm gonna make it today since I haven't really been on the computer much lately. Anyway, thank you for your greetings/messages. I am sorry that I haven't paid some of you a visit yet but I will when I find the time. I'll be 37weeks pregnant tomorrow, which means the baby can come any minute then. I just hope not too soon though 'coz I haven't packed my bags yet, lol! My belly has been really getting heavier lately and sometimes, I'm even scared to go #2 'coz I might push the baby out as well, lol! As much as I love being pregnant and all, I think I am ready to pop this baby out. My pelvic bones are hurting like crazy and sometimes, I have to sit to sleep at night 'coz I couldn't breath. Well, it's all my fault for eating too much. Yesterday, I already weighed 136lbs! At 5 feet tall, it isn't a pretty picture, lol!

Anyway, like I mentioned last time, we had the big family Christmas party at my mother-in-law's house last Dec. 29th. The boys got more presents in addition to the things they got on Christmas day here at home. Bear has been teasing that Santa gave them a toy store for Christmas, lol! I got a few pictures to share here. I have to be honest, I wasn't really in the mood for taking pictures that day because Aiden fell off of the sofa that morning while we were getting ready, which left a cut on his face. You'll see it in the photos below. New year's day is also our wedding anniversary. Bear and I have been married for 7years and a couple of days now, hehe! I'll talk about that in my next entry since this is getting longer than I thought. Have a great day/night everyone!