the Baby has arrived

my Sophie Collections

Finally! The long wait is over. Exactly one month after hubby ordered it from amazon.com, I now have the newly published Sophie Kinsella novel, Shopaholic & Baby in hard cover. It was suppose to arrive 2 weeks ago, but due to an unexplained reason, we were asked to wait for another week. Then another. I endured to a whole month of anticipation. And to add insult to the injury, I saw a copy of the book at the newly opened Best Seller Bookstore in Galleria at a cheaper cost. I was so tempted to buy it and planned to just give the one from amazon to someone else as a gift. But I resisted and thought its not a very cost effective decision ( oh, Becky Bloomwood will never, ever think about such thing!). And besides, hubby bought it for me and I have to at least take that into consideration. Anyway, Amazon gave a partial refund of $16 for the delay of delivery. Since the Shopaholic book was about $14, this means that, we actually got the book for free :) (now that's the Becky Bloomwood way!). So now, I have to stop this post and start reading.

AJ's sick! call the doctor very quick

It has been 10 days since my last post and I think the hiatus is gettin' to me for I don't know how to start this entry. It was a helluva week, aside from the unrelenting office stress that caused me to get sick last Friday (March 16). AJ's running nose came back after his flu shot was given. Saturday night (March 17) he felt very warm but the thermometer suggested not to worry (only 37.1 degrees C). (March 18, Sunday) His temperature plays around 37-38 degrees, and aside from a running nose, he started coughing like a congested bark. Poor thing, he can't sleep and lost his appetite. Those table foods that he loves to eat (rice, squash, applesauce etc) are like the most tasteless thing on earth.. He just cries whenever he is being fed. Consumed only 1 bottle of milk the whole day. Monday (March 19), I didn't report to work to attend to AJ. We gave him Tempra for his fever to go down. Even with cough, fever and flu, AJ was still very active (crawling and standing up and sitting down) but he just seeks more attention than usual. Like he does not want to be laid on his crib when he sleeps, I guess he finds comfort with another person's body heat. He sleeps longer when he's being held and when we try to put him down.. He wakes up and wails with tears and all. It was very stressful and frustrating. I wish I can switch place with him. His fever went down a bit but his cough has worsened, he was coughing like an old man. We brought him to the doctor and her diagnosis was due to the change in weather condition and the immense heat brought by the summer season, he developed a respiratory infection and has phlegm in his lungs. He was given antibiotic (Cefalexin), he was also given Ambroxol for his phlegm, Disudrin for his running nose. He was taking all 4 medicines (including Tempra) 3 times a day.. and it was such a pity to see him cry every time we give him his medicine.. I think he has already mistaken me as a walking medicine dropper. (March 21) His fever was gone. But his cough was hurting him because he cries every time he coughs. We were really sleep deprived. And since he does not want to lay down on his own, we snuggled in our bed the whole time that we were sleeping. It was very uncomfortable since I can’t move my left arm and it already felt numb. But I have to bear the pain just so he can sleep comfortably and sleep longer. (ahh.. a mother’s sacrifices…that’s why I love my mom even more now that I’m a mother myself).

(March 25) AJ is feeling better. He occasionally coughs but no longer cries when he does. And now sleeps overnight without interruptions - except for the night feedings. We have another doctors appointment this week for his follow up check up so I hope we get to hear the good news .. No More Phlegm in the Lungs!

Did I mention I was sick last last Friday (March 16)? This is what AJ was doing while taking care of me.



He's entertaining me with his uncanny self. Cute!

more pics of AJ and his mesh toy keeper.

music & lyrics

It has been a very long time since I laughed this way.. like there's no tomorrow. A laugh that is so contagious you'll surely fart if you plan to stop it. From the opening act of the music video of "Pop! Goes my Heart" sang by Hugh Grant with matching 80's tight pants and loose top... it was a truly funny flash back. Drew Barrymore was such a cute and funny person in this film you can't help but love her. There are too many funny moments that I can't pick the best line of all... but I started cracking up like a crazy woman when Sophie (Drew)was babysitting for his sister and they were playing past their bedtime, then the doorbell rang and she said to the kids " Go to your room, this is not a drill"!!

And the songs in the movie are just incredibly infectious especially "Way Back into Love".

Music and Lyrics was a delightful, sweet, super funny and a feel good movie. A must see for everyone!

My Active AJ

This was AJ's second photo shoot at TPC in Podium. He was really not in the mood for smiling at the cam but was eager to go up and down the block. We had a hard time making him laugh. Then I remembered that he lights up and giggles everytime I sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". That was the only time he smiled. But after 5 consecutive rendition we all got tired of singing, even Mikaela ( the Photographer) joined in. After the shoot when I held him, his head just hanged over my shoulder.. poor thing he was indeed sleepy.

Nevertheless, the photos were great! Thanks also to Shawn of TPC who did this layout... what a cutie!

Happy 9th month Birthday my love!

To make photoshoot reservation, you may call the Podium branch at 634.2632 | 0926.659.7808. check out their TPC Website for other details.

bump # 1: forehead

They say its inevitable. I read in books that its ok and its normal. I'm talking about accidents that babies 8 months and up face when they are crawling and learning to stand and walk. Yup, baby AJ had his taste of bumps here and there ever since he started scooting but now that he crawls everywhere and stands up and sits down until he gets tired, we just have to keep up with this little energy bunny of ours.


And last Thursday it did happened. I received a call from my mom that AJ bumped his forehead while in his crib. She said he was playing inside his crib (its a wooded crib, btw.) and bumped his head when he stood up. They administered first aid (cold compress and lots of hug and pacifying). After crying his heart out, he got tired and slept. When he woke up, he was back to his old self and playing like nothing happened. Thank God he was not unconscious after the accident, which would have been a different story. And they said, I should expect more bumps and bruise as my baby grows up. It's all part of parenting.


When I arrived home, I immediately checked his forehead and there it was.. The big black and purple round spot on his tiny head.. Poor thing, he must have cried a river :( and that's not all, he is also infected with the flu virus. No one in the family has it so I assumed that it was a result of the weather change (yes, summer is here alright!). He got his flu vaccine last Saturday so I hope he'll feel better. His Pedia didn't prescribe any medicine but advice steam inhalation instead for his clogged nose.


After his Pedia visit, we went to Podium and had lunch at Burgoo to celebrate my mom's advance 62 birthday (March 14), papa Jun's 52 birthday (my father-in-law-March 10, Manila time )and AJ's advance 9th month Birthday (March 13). We had seafood cesar salad, spaghetti marinara, and all meat pizza. Hubby ordered Hamburgoo (double patty burger with egg) so AJ could eat the french fries that goes with it. After our delightful lunch, we head to the Picture Company for another round of photo shoot. This time with Mamita (my mom)and AJ bonding in front of the lens. AJ also have his solos showing his crawling abilities, his standing skills and his pearly whites. Though I have yet to choose which photos I like to be printed out because Hubby was so sleepy he was so eager to go home.

how to be a happier mom

Got this email from our beloved Luz and I sure learned something new. As a first time mom.. all info, advise are so much welcome even the unwanted ones :) So I thought I'd share them to you. If your single or not yet a mom... you'll still need to know for you'll be a mom too in the future. It's quite long, but a good read.

Admit when you're stressed

Ironically, once you stop expecting motherhood to feel warm and fuzzy all the time, life as a mom gets easier. "It really helps to realize that it's OK to feel frustrated, angry, tired, or irritable sometimes," says Dr. Ubel. "You're not a bad parent. It's not even a bad parenting experience. It's just normal." (Parenting.com: Get over new mom guilt. )

Get enough sleep

Most of us know that money can't buy happiness, but who knew that a good night's sleep just might? That's a key finding of that University of Michigan study. "Making $60,000 more in annual income has less of an effect on your daily happiness than getting one extra hour of sleep a night," says study author Norbert Schwarz, Ph.D., a professor of psychology. So how can you sneak in that extra hour or two?
Misha Sauer, mom of 1-year-old Riley, says her husband is good about taking over on the weekends so she can sleep in or nap. "It absolutely makes a difference in the way I feel," says the Culver City, California, mom. "And I'm more willing to do something active, like take my daughter to the park. If I'm tired, the most I can do is sit there and read to her."

(Re)consider your priorities

It may sound simplistic, but one key to being in a more positive mood is to structure your day so you do more things you enjoy. "It's how you spend your time, not your money, that counts," says Dr. Ubel. "If you have any financial flexibility that lets you maximize your family time, use it now. For instance, do you really need to be the one to clean the house? How about paying someone to help out? And if that's not an option, think about how clean your house really needs to be -- do you need to make the beds, or is bed-making time better spent drawing pictures with your kids?" And if you work outside the home, consider exploring whether you can afford to go part-time rather than full-time.

Go with the flow

Time seems to slow down when you're doing what you enjoy, whether it's gardening or running laps. People who experience this level of engagement -- which psychologists call "flow" -- are happier than people who rarely do. And you're lucky to have a master of it right before you: your child. "To you and me, every leaf and ant is pretty much the same, but not to a two-year-old," says Reivich. "So try to actively notice things as your child does -- that ant is dragging a big piece of bread, for instance."

Bringing more of your best qualities -- your strengths -- to the often mundane tasks of child rearing can also help you feel more engaged. "One of my strengths is humor," Reivich says. "I was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my kids one day, and I started talking like it was a cooking show: 'Now I'm browning the bread, now I'm applying a thin layer of peanut butter.' It transformed a mundane task into something all of us could enjoy."

One mom she knows loves architecture and got passionate about explaining the history of columns as her 4-year-old made sand castles. Her preschooler may not have gotten all the references, says Reivich, "but it was entertaining for both of them."

Savor the moment

One way to nourish positive emotions is to take a moment to appreciate, well, the moment. Just map out two- or three-minute activities that you can do that day to relish that time.

In the morning, for instance, instead of trying to do ten things, take your cup of coffee to the window and sip it while your child watches a video. Notice what's going on. Will it change your life? No, but you'll probably feel calmer.
Gilbert has an even shorter version: "Take ten seconds every hour and look at what you're doing from a higher place." While you're at it, appreciate what a wonderful child you have -- those chubby cheeks, the endearing things she says -- and share that joy with someone who'll rejoice in it with you. That's another way to grab on to the good stuff and prolong your happiness.

Take the long view

Having a sense of perspective will also improve your attitude. "It gives you more patience, and it certainly awakens you to the preciousness of the moment, which is fleeting," says M.J. Ryan, author of "The Happiness Makeover" and mom of Anna, 9. She remembers the times when her daughter wanted to sit on her lap and watch SpongeBob. "Yes, I had other things to do. But I said to myself, 'How long will this last?' I'm grateful for that time with her."

If the drudgery is getting to you, think about life without children. "You've signed on for a hard job -- it's not supposed to be fun most of the time," says Gilbert. "It's easy to get caught up in the details, but you need to step back and realize how empty your life would be without these people in it."

Reconnect with your spouse

A supportive group of friends and family is one of the cornerstones of a happy life, and for many moms, the center of that social circle is their partner. That's why it's so important to keep the lines of communication open, especially during the "diaper years" -- from infancy to around age 3 -- that experts say are the most stressful (until your kids become teens, that is!) on a marriage.

"You can't say, 'I'll handle the relationship later,'" says Reivich. "A healthy and realistic goal is to ask, 'What are some small, manageable things we can be doing to keep our connection to each other strong during this rough time?'"

For instance, she and her husband try to have a glass of wine together at night once a week, after their four kids (all under age 9) are in bed. "It's not a date-- we don't need a baby sitter-- it's just 15 minutes. But it's a change to sit together and unwind, and sometimes a chance to dream."

When she works with couples, Reivich helps them figure out what they can do for a couple of hours together that interests both of them. With one couple, one partner was very curious, the other really appreciated beauty, so they spent an afternoon museum hopping.

"It can be as easy as going food shopping together," she says. Once you make little steps, it's easy to move on to bigger ones, like a night out. Even discussing how stressed you both are can help. "It's affected our relationship a lot; we've both noticed it," says Sauer. "If you can both just say, 'Raising a kid is hard,' putting it out there diminishes the strain." She and her husband are working on having more time together-- by themselves. "We just went on our first date since the baby was born," she says.

Another way to strengthen your connection is to practice what shrinks call "active constructive responding." When your spouse comes home and shares some good news, don't just say, "That's nice." Ask questions that let him tell you about his day, even for a minute or two. At least for that minute, the two of you will be celebrating what's good about your lives.

Say thanks

Feeling grateful is a mood booster. It can be as simple as saying grace every night or finding new ways to acknowledge others.

"When our extended family gets together for a birthday, we go around the room and say one thing we appreciate and the one thing we like best about that person," says Elizabeth Howard.

Another effective way is to put what you're thankful for down on paper: Write the three best things that happened today. It might be something positive that happened to you, your kids, your spouse or friends, or in the world. It might just be something funny that your child said at breakfast. Experts say that if you do that every day for two weeks, your feelings of well-being will increase.

Of course, even if you do all of these things, you'll still have bad days. But at least you'll be less likely to think there's something wrong with you. And the more you engage in positive thinking, the more you'll realize how much happiness is under your control. Not all of it, but perhaps more than you were aware of.

"When I started to research happiness, I thought it was a feeling, and you had to wait to have it happen to you," says Ryan. "But feelings follow thoughts -- they don't precede them. I think of happiness as three things -- enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Mothering can give us any one of those at any given moment -- if not necessarily all of them at the same time!"

anticipating the arrival of a new baby

The book is finally out and when I asked Powerbooks if its available, I was told that its already out of stock. WHAT?! Since the personnel did not know when they'll have the stock, so I asked to reserve me a copy. But I can't wait any longer... I'm so excited to read this book... so since my hubby was ordering 4 computer reference books at amazon.com, I asked him if he can also purchase Sophie Kinsella's new book.. and so I wait for March 17. The estimated arrival of my hard cover book.

Did I mention I'm excited? I was unable to stop my self in reading this excerpt.

Ok. Don't panic. Everything's going to be fine. Of course it is.

Of course it is.

"If you could lift up your top, Mrs. Brandon?" The sonographer has a pleasant, professional air as she looks down at me. "I need to apply some jelly to your abdomen before we start the scan."

"Absolutely!" I say without moving a muscle. "The thing is, I'm just a teeny bit . . . nervous."

I'm lying on a bed at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital, tense with anticipation. Any minute now, Luke and I will see our baby on the screen for the first time since it was just a teeny blob. I still can't quite believe it. In fact, I still haven't quite got over the fact that I'm pregnant. In nineteen weeks' time I, Becky Brandon, nee Bloomwood . . . am going to be a mother. A mother!

Luke's my husband, by the way. We've been married for just over a year and this is a one hundred percent genuine honeymoon baby! We traveled loads on our honeymoon, but I've pretty much worked out that we conceived it when we were staying in this gorgeous resort in Sri Lanka, called Unawatuna, all orchids and bamboo trees and beautiful views.

Unawatuna Brandon.

Miss Unawatuna Orchid Bamboo-tree Brandon.

continue to read here.

Excerpted from SHOPAHOLIC & BABY by Sophie Kinsella Copyright © 2007 by Sophie Kinsella Excerpted by permission of The Dial Press, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

not so Merry Month of March

First day of March. A new month. A new one point five million plus target. On top of my six hundred ninety thousand deficit from the last two months. Is the year of the pig not a good year for a Capricorn’s career? I have not dared look at what the forecast of the year yet but I'm an optimistic person so I have to configure myself that the next three quarters will be a time for career redemption. Who says being in sales is easy? You eat, drink, breath, sleep and even poop with your monthly and annual target on mind... ok so I'm exaggerating... I have a life you know... and a son that is so adorably cute with his emerging 2 more front teeth (he now has 4..cuteness!). Ok enough of that!

Another series that I have been following for the past 3 and a half years has come to an end. I watched The O.C.'s series ender last weekend with anticipation and a heavy heart. I was so hoping that they won't do any thing drastic like killing Kiki's baby. To my surprise, it was a happy ending. I like how the producers and writers ended this 90210-like series. Six months after the earthquake, Kiki gave birth to her baby girl, Seth realized the importance of letting go (of Summer to George), Summer is off to save the sea otters, Ryan and Taylor made out at the Cohen's old house in Berkeley, Julie Cooper Nichol Cooper (love saying this, its like a tough twister) didn't marry the BULLET but was pregnant with Frank Atwood's son. Six years later, Seth and Summer got married with Ryan and Taylor as their Best Man and Maid of Honor, Kirsten and Sandy's daughter is the flower girl, Julie finally graduated from college where Bullet, Kaitlin, Frank and their son cheering for her in the audience. And Ryan, finally an architect, saw a young boy on the street (flash back to the time when Sandy saved him) and asked the boy if he needed any help.... it was like Paying it Forward :)

What if Marissa was still in the cast? What will be the ending? Would it still be a happy ending? Or as tragic as her exit last year? If Marissa had stayed, would Fox keep this show alive? ahh.. questions that I don't know the answers too.. and might never will.

Now, its just another teen series that gone off air... I still remember the time when my hubby was more eager to watch the new episodes than I did. hahaha! Now, only CSI NY and CSI LV are the only series that I look forward to... the rest already took their rest (Alias, Charmed, Sex and the City etc.)

The O.C. cast, season 4

TRIVIA: Oh and just 2 months ago, I learned that Rachel Bilson who plays Summer Roberts in this series is half Pinoy... how cool is that!? :)