Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mommy Moments #5 - Daddy Moment


I had a hard time looking for photos of my two boys during one of their bonding moments, since my hubby is a shy guy and doesn't want his face shown in any of my posts.

But I chanced upon this photo of CB and his Dadda on the day he was born. He is coincidentally wearing a mask (since he was inside the Delivery Room) and thus, concealing part of his face.

Don't they look cute? I call them TWINS *smile*




Mommy Moments #4 - Sentimental Moments


Hello! After almost 2 weeks of involuntary rest, I'm back and blogging.

Our phone line was down for almost two weeks and our DSL is still being fixed by our local phone company (PLDT), so I'm using our GLOBE Mobile Broadband connection (which was also down for a month!) right now.

I will try to catch up on my postings, especially Mommy Moments. This was the theme for April 17 and I'd like to share with you my sentimental moments with CB.




The day he was born - February 2008

This is the very first photo taken of us after I gave birth. It's precious to me because it was also the first time I saw my little bundle of joy!



First New Year's Eve Celebration - December 2008

This was an important time for our family because we celebrated the holidays in Melbourne and it was also Cheeky Boy's first time to travel to Australia to meet our families there and celebrate the New Year's.



Monday, April 13, 2009

Gone For The Weekend - Baguio City, Philippines

Filipinos working in government and private offices had a four-day Lenten holiday starting April 9. We went on a trip out of town to Baguio, a city in the Northern part of The Philippines. Because of its cool weather, it is called the "Summer Capital of The Philippines".



We decided to spend time there because we wanted to escape the sweltering and humid weather in Metro Manila. I called up Camp John Hay - The Manor Hotel and booked a 1-Bedroom Suite for an overnight stay and then we left the house around 9am the same day.



The whole trip took 4 hours, in light to moderate traffic. Thanks to the new expressway, SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway), we saved 1-2 hours of travel time! Another good thing about this trip is that CB is a good traveller. All he needs is milk and his Backyardigans DVDs, and he's happy. He entertained us with his cute antics, like singing along and putting his blankie on top of his head!



After check-in at the hotel, we walked around the estate and proceeded to Mines View Park, where there were LOTS of people! We just took a few photos and then left quickly. En route to Mines View Park, we drove past The Mansion, the official summer residence of the President.



Then it was time for dinner. Went to a local restaurant called Gilligan's Island. Hubby was craving for some deep fried pork knuckles, locally called Crispy Pata, just like Schweinshaxe in Germany. It wasn't as good as the ones in Manila, but hubby was happy with it anyways.

On our 2nd and last day, we went to church in the morning and then proceeded to the local market for some cheap but fresh vegetables and fruits. We left Baguio City just after 3pm and because it was easter holiday, there was moderate to heavy traffic on the way back to Manila. After a long and exhausting drive, we finally got home around midnight!



Hope you had a great weekend!


Saturday, April 11, 2009

Mommy Moments #3 - Kids in Costume

My little Cheeky Boy celebrated his 1st Birthday with a Pirate Party. We got the costume during our last visit to Melbourne. We couldn't find a costume in his size during our trip to Disneyland last year (it was before Halloween) and we're lucky to find one in Kmart in Australia a month before the party!

Enjoy!









Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Wordless Wednesday #3











I enjoy taking photos of CB while sleeping, not just because he is not running in different directions, but also because he looks so peaceful and content once he finds his sleeping position. Happy WW!



Friday, April 3, 2009

Mommy Moments #2 - Special Day

Here are Cheeky Boy's Special Days...



Dedication - April 2008





1st Birthday - February 2009




Butter Cake

I always make this for my hubby, because he likes having cake and coffee while working at home. He would also bring slices of this and the other cakes I make, to the office. Does that make me a domestic goddess? *sniggers* Yeah, right!

Happy Baking!

TAKES 1 hour
MAKES 12 servings

1/2 cup butter
1 1/3 cups sugar
5 egg yolks
2 1/4 cups cake flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup milk


STEP 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

STEP 2

Beat the butter until creamy and soft. Gradually add sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.



STEP 3

Sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the vanilla and milk. Blend well.

STEP 4

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake is golden brown.



STEP 5

Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Then remove the cake from the pan and cool completely.



Serve with a smile!





Thursday, April 2, 2009

25 Random Things About Me

Grabbed this from my sister's website. I know this has been a Facebook fad, but I haven't done this, so I've decided to bore all of you with stuff about me. By the way, one is a lie. Can you guess which one? Are you ready? Enjoy!

1. Mama got my name from Yvonne de Carlo, the actress who played Sephora in the movie, The Ten Commandments.

2. I belonged to an Accelerated Class, finishing elementary (grade school) in 5 years. No, I'm not a geek, just gifted! *guffaws*

3. I used to be a gymnast, journalist, a dance troupe and choir member.

4. I buy at least one type of clothing every week or every time I go to the Mall! I even have new clothes (with tags!) laying around in my closet. *heehee*

5. I love watching scary, particularly, zombie films.

6. I can shower in less than 10 minutes but take an hour to decide on what to wear!

7. I'm a bookworm! I used to get a new library card 3 times in one year, when I was in high school. I was always at the library that I've been given free books by the school.

8. I have a photographic memory.

9. I dream of owning a Starbucks franchise and sell my own pastries in the shop.

10. I enjoy taking photos of anything, especially Cheeky Boy and landscapes.

11. I used to daydream about Nicolas Cage going to Asia to meet me and we fall in love. He did marry an Asian girl, but it wasn't me! My only consolation is, he was in a movie called "It Could Happen To You" and his leading lady is named Yvonne (Bridget Fonda) in the movie. I have a VCD and DVD copy of this film and his other popular films.

12. I had a C-section, giving birth to my son, Cheeky Boy.

13. Never in my life have I eaten BALUT! Why? I just can't bear the thought of a duck embryo in my mouth.

14. I watch movies in the cinema, at least once a week.

15. I almost fainted during Kavana's concert and my younger (and taller) sister had to carry me high so that I can breathe properly (I'm claustrophobic). My sister still jokes about it to this day.

16. I used to date a movie actor before I met my hubby. *flips hair*

17. I don't like it when people drink from my straw or use my spoon or fork. *icky*

18. I love the color pink so much, even my KitchenAid mixer is pink! (and my laptop, Ipod, luggages, etc etc.)

19. I went bungee jumping during an unforgettable trip to New Zealand.

20. I'm a Potterhead! I have all the Harry Potter books in hardbound copy and read each book in 2 days. I used to follow J.K. Rowling's website and Mugglenet, a Harry Potter fansite.

21. I started a cross-stitch project while I was pregnant and I still haven't finished it!

22. I think the "bald look" on guys is kinda sexy, while I don't like guys with curly hairs (the cherub type).

23. I don't like raisins. They look like rat droppings.

24. I did a self-study of French, Indonesian, Italian and German languages. I still can't call myself a polyglot.

25. I had a hard time finishing this list. I'm glad it's done.


Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Wordless Wednesday #2



Just to show where CB got his looks from - his Dadda, of course!





Cheeky Boy's Dadda - Is that chocolate on his chin? :)