People's Choice Award

 Goes to:

SOPHIA!!!!!

And of course the Stage Momma was the proudest and the happiest!!!!

She represented the BLUE Team during their Intramurals last month. Who would have thought our little girl will give us the performance of her life. For the past 2 school programs, Sophia was very shy to dance around an audience. She just stood up and sway a little and then ran to the audience to join them watch her fellow classmates.

Sophia: " The Blue Team"

So when she danced and entertained all of us during the program I was in awe!!! I totally didn't expect it. I was amazed and  I was teary eyed. My two year old, has gone a long way. Full of confidence and charisma. She got everybody's attention and everybody loved her. Oh,She never fails to amuse me every single day.

Cheerdance

Too bad hubby didn't get to see her dance that day. When I told him all about it he was envious. Very very envy... Lol. :)

Production Number

In her Talent portion.

I didn't get to record her dance that day because I was enjoying too much of the show she made for us. But I have  a video that I took at home, and more or less will give you the idea on what happened on the talent show.

Piatot and the proud Stage Mommy

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Now I have to prepare for her UN happening next week. Hopefully she will still wear the same enthusiasm and confidence that day.

You'll be reading about it soon.

Sophie’s Style:

Swim Suit: Gifted

Talent Costume: Belly Dancing Hip Scarf (from Mimi)

Shoes: New Balance Rubber Shoes

Have a blessed Wednesday everyone. Kinding Kinding and Kisses from Sophia  :)

PhoebeCarla

Love Notes for Sophia: Be by Your Side. Always.

I love my mom. She's the best. When I am wounded I always have her to nurse and comfort me, she's always ready to listen to my silly stories, and she doesn't get bored even if she heard those stories for the nth time. I don't need to pretend, or lie to her because she accepts me for who I am. With her, I have the coolest Mother and the bestest Bestfriend.

But it wasn't really like that the whole time, there was a time in my teenage years when I listen more to my friends than her and I would ignore her advises because I thought I was big enough to make my own decisions and that maybe I need her less. I was surrounded with wrong people who I thought were my friends, I was making bad decisions that could trouble me now if not with my mom's intervention.

Of course it wasn't an easy route, mom and I had several misunderstandings but she bore it all, me not talking to her, me hating her, me thinking she was the enemy. She had to make a stand in order to save me from the trouble I was getting myself into.

Long story---- short, She saved me. And even though, I was pushing her away that time she stood still and stayed with me.

Piatot,

         If time comes, that we will be in the same situ, (and I am dreading that day to come) always know that I as your mom will do anything and everything for you and your whole being. Maybe to the extent of being Cruella Devil to your life. But PLEASE don't hate me...

Just know that everything I am doing is out of love. I will always stand by you even if you push me away.

I love you Nak Nak!!!

Love, 

Mommy 

Love Notes for Sophia

***

I want to teach Sophia a lot of things and I'm scared I might miss out on the things I know now. 

This post is for her.

For her to remember how everything was when she was still little

For her to never forget the values I want her to keep forever and most especially...

For her to know in her heart, what a GREAT LOVE I have for her.

***

{ Daily Snapshot }: Little S Progress Card

September 14:

Me and hubby went to surprise Sophia by picking her up in school since hubby didn't have to go to the shipyard last Friday. He wanted to have a lunch date with her girls. And we thought that sneaking a little quality time together is a good idea since we've been very busy with work the couple of weeks ago. The date was such a good timing because it happened to be the day that Sophia's report card will be given to parents and boy, were we surprised and happy to see how well she did in school. We know that she's a little advance for her age and can really converse with paragraphs now and how excellent her comprehension is, but seeing it in writing and in record made it more official. 

Sophia is just 2 years old and 5 months now, and the youngest in her class. Some parents tells us, its too early to send her to school and few months ago I would say the same thing. I never wanted her to go to school as early as 2, I even wanted her to go to school when she's 4 or 5 yrs old maybe. But because she was getting shy around kids and practically don't know how to associate with them worried us. That's why we sent her to school for that particular reason. To just hang out with other kids. Learn. Play. 

I know, she's just in Nursery and this card won't even show up in her transcript and maybe to some this isn't such a big deal. But to me and hubby it is such a GREAT DEAL because this is our little girl's achievement. Our achievement as well. And we are so proud of her.

Her teacher told us to read books to her more because she loves books. I'd say reading to her while she was still inside my womb, and up to this moment before bed time paid off. Now, I need new ones because she knows all her stories too well.... 

I'm going to the bookstore this week and buy her a new good book as a reward, do you know any good books for toddlers? Please do share. :)

xoxo,

PhoebeCarla   

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

Take a sneak peek of our everyday life:

366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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

Sophie Style: Buwan ng Wika

Last friday, Sophia's school celebrated the culmination of the "BUWAN NG WIKA" for the month of August. I was only informed 2 days prior to the said program that they have to wear Filipino costume. 2 days. Because  that's the time Sophia got back to school after being hospitalized. Luckily, my friend Nina saw and bought the last piece on display that fits Sophia. Well kinda fit her, I had to adjust the skirt because it was way too long. Other than that I was happy with how the dress looked on her. Haaaaaaaaay salamat.

Anyways, so last friday we have to take a day off, me and hubby , to see Sophia dance. To see her in action. She has been dancing at home, and I believe she's doing the steps for their dance number. We were so excited.

Add caption

Parents were encouraged to wear Filipino costumes also. But because of the limited time, I wasn't able to find me a costume. But I'm glad hubby has a lot of Barongs so at least there's one of us who can go wearing a Filipino costume. 

We had a critic saying "we are such stage parents" for taking a leave at work to see our barely nursery one kid (Sophia is in playgroup). And even commenting about wearing the Barong when it's not really compulsory. OH MY GOD!!!!

First, branding us "stage parents". I don't know about that. What I know is, we love our daughter so much and on this specific occasion we want to be there for her. It's hard enough to leave her everyday to go to work so on occasions like this, we just don't want to miss it. The best gift we can give her is our TIME. (So scratch you!)

Second about the barong, I'm proud to say Hubby won the best in Filipino Costume. When his name was called, Sophia was so happy. She was jumping up and down singing, Daddy daddy daddy!!!! She was so proud you can see through her twinkling eyes. Seeing my daughter that happy and proud of us, introducing us to her classmates and teachers was all worth it.

We sent Sophia to school late of July because she was getting shy around kids. And since then a lot of things have changed. She's more playful around kids, she's more interactive with them too. Everyday after school she amazes us with the new things she learned that day. :)

Letting Sophia go to school is one of the best decisions we've made for her. :)

Sophie’s Style:

Dress Filipiniana Costume: Metro Ayala for P199

Have a blessed Tuesday everyone. Kisses from Sophia  :)

PhoebeCarla

What Hit Me

It's been too long since my last post and I've been wanting to blog so I can vent out all the emotional baggage I had for the past 2 weeks almost.

Wow, it has only been 2 weeks but it felt like the longest time of anticipation and anxiety.

2 Sundays ago, Sophia had a high fever around 39C, I know that fever is caused by infection and when I saw her swollen gums I was sure that she was just teething and the last 4 molars erupting is causing the fever.

Monday and Tuesday she was so weak and no Paracetamol helped lower the fever. She just wants me to hug her all the time and complained that her limbs and joints hurt. Her eyes are bit swollen, I think from crying and being so whiny all the time. She must be really tired because all she wants to do is sleep. When she woke up, she's complaining that her eyes stings and hurt. Her lips are cracked. Again, due to High Fever.

Wednesday. She was a bit energetic, and already asked for food. Temperature still the same. Eyes more puffed, Gums are generally really swollen. But in my assessment she was getting better because appetite is back and she's in her usual playful self. So I went to work expecting her to be better when I come home. That night, although fever has become 38C but her eyes are really puffed more puffed before I left her this morning.  I was getting worried. Really worried.

Thursday. Hubby and I took her for dengue test complying her Pedia's request. I was sure she's free from Dengue and it's something else.

The dengue test came in POSITIVE. And what's more is that the test showed she already had Dengue prior to this. WHEN? I don't know. It was really horrifying for me. I was fighting with my subconscious the whole time blaming myself. Hubby didn't bring it up, but I was ashamed of myself for being so lax, he was insisting of having lab works for Sophia but I constantly brush the idea away because I was sure it was only teething. And the main reason I didn't agree, because I don't want to subject my dear daughter to such painful needleworks when I know she's only teething. IS SHE?....  How can I be stupid and so close minded.

DENGUE?!? Where did she get it? Maybe from our out of town trips the couple of weeks. Maybe from school. Maybe from home?...  I was in such denial and look what happened to her. I feel my intestine twisting inside me, makes me wanna vomit from all this mix emotions. I couldn't cry but I sure wanted to. I just said a silent prayer to God to give me and hubby strength and more to protect Sophia and keep her away from danger. I cradle her, kissed and hug her saying how sorry I am for misjudging and asking her to be strong.

She was hospitalized for 4 days. It was the longest 4 days of my life. I don't know how many hours I've slept, I was awake most of the time not wanting to take my eyes of her. She had blood extraction 2x a day because we had to monitor her platelets, some extraction wasn't really very pleasant the kind that makes you wanna slap the medtech's face but I know it's not really their fault, the lowest she had was 81,000 and when that result was relayed to us. That's the time I can't control myself from sobbing. I don't remember myself being that scared.

Now, she is well. Lost few pounds, but I couldn't be more happier now that she's ok. I bought lots of off lotions already. I've researched about dengue and mosquito, and how to keep them away from my loved ones.

I thank God for keeping Sophia safe. I thank God for my family, my mom, dad and 2 brothers for being there to support us 100% all the time. My aunts and cousins and to my dear friends who loves Sophia so much. Without them, I know I shattered to pieces. Thank you again for the encouragement and for keeping me sane during those moments.

What happened to Sophia, I wouldn't wish it for anyone and for any mother . Let's all be safe and healthy.


PhoebeCarla 

Love Notes for Sophia: Journal

Even before, I already practice documenting my life. I write when I'm happy. I write when I'm sad. I write when I'm mad. I write when I'm inspired. And it has helped me a lot in so many different ways.

When I feel lost, or when I'm faced with a problem that needs big decisions, I open my diaries from before. And then read the story of my life, sometimes I don't even recognize the girl in the story anymore, I laugh, I cry reading. Not being bias but the best novel I have ever read is the story of ME. You know why?

Although, I am not an excellent writer and my book has many flaws but reading my story gave me the chance to remember who I was, it made me relive the memories. In my lowest times, it made me realize how wonderful my life was and how wonderful it still is. When I feel a little unsure about me, my diaries makes me remember the times when I was facing bigger challenges and how I overcome it, and then it made me remember the strong woman in me.

Sometimes, we look for inspiration else where when the best inspiration we need comes from our own stories. Document your life anak, make a journal write everyday. If the grammar is not perfect, who cares you will get to laugh about it in the future anyway. 

Let diary take you back to good old memories, at present it will help you take your stress away, you can vent out your inner feelings, Let it bring you to that woman you want to be. 

“When I am writing, I am doing the thing I was meant to do.” – Anne Sexton

Love, 

Mommy 

***

Love Notes for Sophia

***

{ Daily Snapshot }: Elian and Sophia's Pajama Party

July 11

Cousins Elian and Sophia finally met in person. Elian is Australian, Sophia is Bisaya and can only speak and understand simple English, yet they perfectly understand each other. Kids. Amazing huh?

I'm so glad to be reunited with Aunts Nanay and Mommy Kelly, my cousin Vlasta and happy to see and finally meet the hubby Stephen and my super adorable beautiful nephew Elian. I can't wait until Saturday when the rest of the clan is finally here. 

How's your day?

PhoebeCarla 

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

366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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

{ Daily Snapshot }: Our School Girl

July 9:

Finally I get to take a picture of Sophia in her uniform. 

She isn't really required to wear one since she's still in Nursery Junior but I want her to fit in so I got her a pair of uniform. Most days, she just wears civilian. She wears clothes of her choice, most of the time she wants to wear pink so right now she's running out of pink clothes hahahaha....

PhoebeCarla 

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

366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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

{ Daily Snapshot }: Potty Trained

July 1:

Sophia isn't full pledged potty trained yet. I blame it on my hectic schedule. Sometimes when she's already awake before we leave for work, I take of her nappies and bring her to her chair to pee. But most of the time she's still asleep, you see me and hubby wake up at 5 am getting ready for work and leaves at 6:30, so most of the time Sophia is still asleep.

But Today is different, she woke up same time we did and demanded to be taken to her potty trainer because she wants to pee. 

I just stared at hubby in amazement. 

PhoebeCarla 

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

366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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

{ Daily Snapshot }: Kikay Set

The best thing about having a baby girl is like having a walking, alive doll. You can dress her up, make her hair, we mother's can relive our childhood days. Yeah? 

Thank you Tita Susan and Tita Nina for the wonderful gift you gave Sophia. It not only made her happy, it made me giddy happy too. I think I was more excited to open it up. Sophia was telling me "Mommy that's mine" hahahaha....

PhoebeCarla 

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

366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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

{ Daily Snapshot }: Lips are for Lipsticks

Me: Sophia, what are your eyes for?

Sophia: See

Me: Your nose?

Sophia: Smell

Me: your ears?

Sophia: Hear

Me: Your lips?

Sophia: Lipstick. Pak!

Haaaaaaaaaay.... My baby girl is always asking for my kikay kit. I'm not sure if I still have a decent lipstick left... tsk tsk.

PhoebeCarla 

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

366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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

Love Notes for Sophia: Your Best Man

Sophia's First Birthday

Timely for the coming Father's day this weekend.

Sophia is such a sweet girl, out of nowhere she goes to hug us and then fill us with her kisses. Ang Sarap. That instantly lifts any bad days.

She went and hug hubby and then kiss him on the lips. I told hubby, take advantage of that now because when she'll be a tween, I'd doubt if she'd still let you kiss her. It was a joke of course but I hear real stories about kids growing up and too embarrassed to kiss their parents.

 I was teasing hubby but i guess it got him. He was silent. I think it worried him.

And for awhile it worried me too.

I told hubby, that I don't think it will happen. And he asked me why.

Because I will be ready to show this post to her, I'm sure she will be moved by even the mere thought of her not loving you made you super duper sad.

Hubby just laughed. I laughed too but it got me thinking will that day really come? Hope not.

XOXO,

PhoebeCarla

***

Love Notes for Sophia

***

{ Daily Snapshot }: Independence Day/ Slide Day

Happy Independence Day!

I've always wondered how come we don't celebrate it like the Americans do on the 4th of July? Maybe because we aren't that independent yet? Oh well, I'm not even sure about how I feel about it, maybe I should read history more. I'm not a big fan of history,, so I'm going to skip that topic and head on to what happened to us that day.

It was a holiday, so we decided to visit our house, the one we bought 2009 and we were supposed to move in 2011 but we decided not because of a lot of reasons, let's just say we are slowly working the moving in the new house now but for the meantime we just go there weekly to clean it and hang out there for awhile.

We found out that they made a temporary playground for the kids, so we went to check it out. 

Sophia got overwhelmed with the presence of a lot of kids, she was happy but she got too shy to join in, I can see the excitement but I can also see a bit of fear in her eyes. It bothered me. Because this is the first time I saw her like this. Maybe because she's surrounded with more adults in the house than kids.  

She just stand and stare at the kids playing. She'd only play with the swing and slides when the other kids are not using it. Awang awa ako kay Sophie. It's such a sad sight.  I told hubby not to pressure her and we decided to play with her nlang.

We should bring her more to parks or playmaze to get more interactions with kids her age. I'm going to ask my friends to schedule playdates for our kids too. That should slowly open her up. 

Mommies, did u have the same dilemma with your kids? How did she/ he overcomes it?

 PhoebeCarla 

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

366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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

Love Notes for Sophia: Beauty Inside and Out

Be beautiful anak, inside and out.

PhoebeCarla

***

Love Notes for Sophia

***

Sophie's Style: Crayons our New Secret Weapon

Boy, don't you love crayons?

Well, I do. Beside from the very obvious reason that I am specially inclined to artworks, pretty and colorful things, Crayons has become the secret weapon we use to Sophia when we she becomes very impatient and irritated, and it has worked wonders on her.

Say for example in restaurants, my hyper active child couldn't stay still and wait for our orders to come. Bring out the paper and crayons.... and TADA.... instantly our table becomes peaceful as we wait for our hearty meal. Now who says, we can't handle going out without a yaya? Yes, we are still yayaless. But slowly now we've adapted and being hands on working parents has become easier now compared to the first few months we let go  the yaya...

Anyways, we went to Manila last May 13 and 14, just the three of us, hubby, me and Sophia. Crayons made our lives easier that day at least easier for Maury and I, and fun for Little S.

This was at the airport NAIA 3 on our way home to Cebu... 

When the magic of the crayon comes to an end, Little S is back to her active self but of course kids are kids and there is no way you can stop them from being curious and playful. But at least when we need time to control their tantrums or when we need to divert our little kids attention we have crayons/colors to depend on. At least it worked for my Little S.

Sophie’s Style:

Top: Gingersnap

Leggings: SM

Have a safe cold  Tuesday everyone. Kisses from Sophia. :)

PhoebeCarla

Daily Snapshots: Motherhood. What have you done to me?

Mother's Day 2012

Being a Mother changed my life in so many ways. And I thought about what life used to be without Sophia and these are the few changes I've observed through the whole 2 years of being a Mom.

• In fairness to me, I've always been a very thoughtful and loving person but I didn't know that by being a mom I COULD LOVE THIS MUCH. That I still have this much love to give. It's crazy. You don't account who loves more and how much love you have already given, you just love. Love. Love. Period.

          Now the meaning of unconditional love is crystal clear to me.

• I miss shopping for myself. And I realized that it's never going to happen again. If I shop for myself, I always end up shopping for me, hubby and Little S.

          Heck, it's even easier to decide purchasing things for Little S, than going for my indulgence.

• I've become a constant thinker and worrier. I can't help it. I'm always thinking about Hubby and Sophia's care 24/7.
• I now prefer to wear flat and comfy shoes.
• I've become so emotional about kids and families. One time I remembered watching a coke commercial here, I was crying for like 3 minutes. Promise, I got so affected by the commercial.

But those changes are only few and minor, compared to the wonderful gift of being a MOTHER. I wouldn't trade my everyday kiss and hug from Sophia, I wouldn't trade the joy she gives me every day. True, Mauryy completes me and with Sophia she keeps us WHOLE.

I play a lot of roles, from being a wife, a friend, a sister and a daughter. But Being a MOTHER is the BEST role I love to play.

PhoebeCarla

***

{ 366 } Life in a Snapshot 2012

***

Sophia's 2nd Best Day Ever Party: Castle Photobooth

Every princess deserves a nice castle.

If you've read my previous posts before, you now know now that our little girl is super into "Tangled' the movie. Thus the Birthday theme. Thus the making her a castle.

'Making', because we want to stick on our budget and besides, I like things handmade because they always represent labor of love plus the fact that I'm so into kuting things...

I made the standee, but I'll talk about it more in my next post and maybe a little 'how to' if time permits because it seems complicated to make but they are really fun and easy.

The Castle Photobooth, I give credits to hubby for taking time cutting out and making her princess a castle, knowing how busy he is, he managed to make time. That I call love :)

Photobooth

Maury made the photobooth 2 days before the party. We just made used of the carton from an old Ref, painted it some cartolinas, decorative papers and plastic plant decors the ones found in any home section of the department store. And lastly let's not forget Rapunzel's Golden hair made of crochet yarns. 

Even Kuya Icee helped out.

Sophia was there to supervise daddy the whole time. 

She adoring her even undone castle was such a joy.. I know we made her happy. I can see her eyes twinkle as she looks at it. And during the actual party, she bragged about it to everybody. 

She's just so adorable. 

The photo booth was a hit. The guests love it. But most importantly we made our little princess very happy with her castle.

Queen Lalah and princess Sophie

Have a blessed weekend you all. Stay Safe :)

PhoebeCarla

{Sophia's 2nd Birthday} Sophie's Style: Birthday Photoshoot

1 week before Sophia's 2nd Birthday I scheduled her photoshoot so I can finalize her Tarpaulin and I needed a good quality picture to make her a standee.

We didn't hire a professional photographer I just took her pictures with hubby's DSLR. The photoshoot was chaotic, as in. Super Duper to the highest level. Little S had so much fun. Maybe too much fun making me run after her. She wouldn't stay still. As in. I kept telling her, "anak, we are running out of time". To no avail, she was running and laughing and I was still all chasing her.

In my mind, i kept telling myself  "Patience is a virtue"


But really who could get mad when she's all looking like this.

Sha sha sha....I decided to just had fun with her and took her pictures, snapshot after snapshot... 

Until finally she stood still and said, "Mommy, picture". O diba Bongga bebe ko. She takes her time talaga. hahahah...

Sophia is having a Tangled Birthday Party. I searched anywhere for Rapunzel gowns but there was just none. At the mall, they only have Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmin, even Ariel but wala si Rapunzel. Why why why? Diba Disney Princess din naman si Rapunzel?  It was really so depressing because 2 weeks isn't enough to customize Rapunzel's gown.

Luckily I found this gown by IHA in Ayala Cebu. It isn't really a Rapunzel Dress but it's purple and she looks pretty on it. That made it perfect for the D' Day

This is going to be her standee

this will make a good mini standee

I was planning to make Mini standees for her as well to add to the centerpieces I'm making for her birthday, here are other pictures I took from her in a span of 1 week.

We reused the gown she wore at her Tita Jet and Tito Lloyd's wedding. She just loves this gown. I love it too.

Sophie’s Style:

Purple Gown:  IHA

Shoes: Rustanette

Gown # 2: Flower Girl Dress from here

Happy Monday, you all. It's sooooooooooooo nice to be blogging again.

PhoebeCarla