Julian is Love

Julian occupied our time for almost a year now. Yes in less than 2 months he will be celebrating his 1st Birthday! I couldn't believe time just passed by so fast. Our son made each single day full of fun. Me, Juriz, and our entire family seem so excited for Julian's new milestones, new words, new actions, and our daily lives just suddenly focused on him now. 

Julian's eyes are like empty buckets ready to be filled with new things to learn, new thoughts to make him feel he is loved, and new place to explore. He loves his stuffed animals, he loves his ball, he loves saying few words like "tatay, mama, dada, car", he loves looking at the leaves swaying, he loves to watch "super wings", he loves to walk, dance, he loves playing with lolo and daddy, but above all he still loves mommy's milk. And of course I love the feeling that I am capable of providing him with nourishment through my own milk. Big thanks to Juriz, Tatay, and to my entire family who supported my breastfeeding journey since day 1. 

Everyday my heart is filled with thanksgiving to the Lord for allowing us to experience a different kind of joy through Julian's presence in our lives. This baby changed us into better persons now I know why we all have parents they are extension of our Father's love here on earth. 

Julian @ 10 months

Writer's block

As Google said, "the condition of unable to think of what to write or how to proceed in writing". 

I used to be a writer that's how they used to call me. I graduated with a degree in Journalism. It was 4 years of gathering thoughts, putting into words, with the right grammar and punctuations. I landed a job in a fashion magazine. I loved it! Then one day I just stopped writing. 

I couldn't feel the need to write. Years passed and I felt that I wasn't good enough to write anymore. 

I am keeping this blog to remind myself of my first love that no matter where I go, no matter how long I feel this writer's block this page will always be waiting for me. 

Our amazing 9 month journey

Pregnancy is such an amazing experience!

I was so blessed that my 9 month journey was indeed easy and smooth sailing. Thanks to my husband Juriz, family, friends, and colleagues at work who really supported my first pregnancy. All of them were so caring and thoughtful of my situation. I could say I had a stress free journey to mommyhood.

My doctor, Lilia Lizano was also one of the best in taking care of me and my baby. She let me enjoyed every single moment and ensuring our health and safety.

Me and Juriz were nearly in tears when we first heard our baby's heartbeat.

We were filled with so much joy when our baby started to kick.

A mother's joy begins when a new life is stirring inside, when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone. - author unknown

My mother passed away too early to see my son but I know she is looking down on me whispering in my heart from time to time how to raise my son the way she raised me.

My son Julian Jace 

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this wonderful blessing. May we as parents will be able to guide him according to your teachings. Show us your way and keep us close under your care. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Our piece of miracle

It was last year September 29, 2014, my mom's 10th death anniversary that I missed my period. Though I was hesitant to take the pregnancy test I was also hoping that the long wait was finally over and our prayers has been answered. And it was!

I took this test on Oct 1, 2014

Today we are celebrating 2 special occasions, my mom's death anniversary and my son Julian's 4th month birthday.

Julian celebrating his 4th month birthday

In this life we definitely need to have a stronger faith in Him that our prayers will be answered not in our time but in His own perfect time. Miracles happen every day open up your hearts to receive it!

Love at First Sight

"We are deeply in LOVE with a Child we haven't yet met..."

It was October 22, 2014 when Juriz and I finally had our first glimpse of our little one. At that time the baby was just 7 weeks old. It was just a tiny odd looking round shape which at that early has a very strong heartbeat.

My baby at 7 weeks

After 2 weeks, I had another ultrasound to see the baby's development to our surprise it formed into a tiny human being. It took our breath away when we saw it moving. No gender yet but everything was looking just fine.

My baby at 10 weeks

Now the baby has everything tiny head, his tiny hands and feet

Almost halfway and at 20 weeks finally we found out the gender of our first born. A baby boy! The doctor assured to us that our baby will be perfectly healthy. We couldn't thank God enough for showering us countless blessings.

At this time I have a hunch that he will look like mommy

"The moment I heard the beat of your tiny heart and felt those first kicks, that was the first time I fell in love again after I married your father."

On my 32nd week, we went to A Little Insight to have a 3D 4D ultrasound. It was an amazing experience to see how he has grown now we can his face clearly and those toes were so cute that looked like he got from his dad. 

Different expressions

Cute tiny toes

"I never understand LIFE until it grows inside of ME." - Sandra C. Kassis

Two bold lines means Positive

I'm back!!! Finally, I was able to retrieve my account! A lot of things happened in such a short span of time, a bunch of crazy changes in my life and I'm so ready to tell a story! 

My husband Juriz and I have been trying and praying for a child since 2012, 2 years after we got married. The plan to have a baby didn't come easy as we have expected. Although the tests done to us came out normal and our doctors made sure we are capable of having kids still we had a hard time conceiving. 

I still remember the piece of advice my OB Dr. Lilia Lizano gave me she said to stop using the ovulation kit because it tends to stress both me and my husband. She said the best way is to just enjoy the moment. 

My period was supposed to be on the 29th of September, my mom's 10th death anniversary, but I missed it. Missing a period was a common thing to me in fact there were times that I'll be delayed for a week and yet it will be a negative result. I was so nervous to take the pregnancy test because what if I'm just keeping my hopes high and then it will just crumble into pieces when it turns out nothing but Juriz insisted.

The following day I still didn't take the test maybe I was a little hesitant to face the truth and possible disappointment. To cover my unwillingness to know it I asked Juriz if we could watch a movie, I love watching action movies and so we picked Equalizer. It was a movie with lots of gunfire and it was rumbling inside the theatre. To my surprise my tummy was twitching all the time. 

Me after watching the movie Equalizer

First day of October around 6 am, I got my pregnancy kit and with all braveness mixed with nervousness I finally took the test. The 3 minutes waiting time felt like eternity and then 2 bold lines appeared and in a few seconds I forgot what it means! POSITIVE!!! I wanted to scream on top of my lungs but I kept silent I wanted to keep it a secret for now. All I did was to thank God for a wonderful blessing. 

Two bold lines at 6 am of October 1, 2014

To make sure that I wasn't dreaming at when I did the first test I did it again but this time with a digital one.

My second test says what it is 

This was how I broke the news to my husband, my dad, and to my sister. 

My Tatay got promoted to being a Lolo

My gift box for the new Daddy

That priceless SMILE knowing he will be a DAD

I always asked Mother Mary to help me convince her son to let me have one of His angels to be my child. I also asked my mom to pray for me since she was there in heaven her prayers will be closer to God. My husband and I kept our faith in Him that in His own time our prayers will be answered. We surredered our plans to God and let Him plan for us.

Matthew 7:7

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." 

Treasures from the Past

I barely remember when I started eyeing for vintage and antiques. I have this belief that every piece has its own story to tell. A timeless remembrance of the past that helped to mold the present and future. Finding out important details like what year it was made and how it was used during the times just amazed me and also present market value of these pieces were rocketing. Great finds indeed! 

Made me think of the movie Titanic Rose Dawson (Kate Winslet) was seen
using a brush like this one. Vintage Vanity Set now in the market at $50/set

Vintage 1950's Lady Sunbeam electric razor still in perfect working condition 

Classy Vintage Hard Case Carry On Suitcase 

Vintage manual razor 1940's

My Grandma's 1940's Needlepoint Purse, priceless!

Vintage Wooden Spice Cabinet with 12 small containers
I bought this for $1 few years ago and now the market value is $199 

Vintage Glass Oil Lamp with Finger Hole by Lamplight Farms

Vintage Copper Salt and Pepper shaker

No need to go to the postal office with this 1978 Letter Weighing Scale

Vintage Silver Plated with Flower Detailed Jewelry Box

1965 Life Magazines

1960's Jewel 10 Transistor Radio

Retro Map Radio from 1975 made by Sonnet

Vinyl Records Collection from 1930-1950

VHS Collection from 1980-2000  

1950's Russian Hand painted Trinket box

Made for Vain Ladies in the year 1940 Glass Powder Vanity Jar with Metal cover lid

Before the iPod this was the coolest gadget for the teenagers in the 1979 - 1999

Cute and Small Victorian House Tin from London 1986

Chic Vintage Floral soap dispenser 

My most favorite one my Jollibee ceramic cup bought by my
Lola Ely somewhere near University Belt in Manila in 1986

Vintage Finds are timeless and priceless goodies.