Online Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Mom

Farewell for now (here's something to remember me by)

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:36:00 +0000

Hello everyone! I apologize that Mama Mia has actually been MIA ("missing in action") here in OCSAHM. Never in my life did I think that acronym will ever apply to me. Life got in the way of blogging. :)

I also didn't expect to say it but this will be my last blog post here on Online Confessions. As I've done in the past couple of months, I'll be spending more time with my daughter and try to be a more special stay-at-home mom for her. I will have to learn more for her and with her.

I'd like to thank all of you for bearing with my confessions and even following my crazy adventures as a stay-at-home mom. I admit they're not so crazy nor much of adventures, but you were there to read, comment, inspire, and teach anyway. God bless you.

And to the followers who are also bloggers, more power to you!

Finally, my last confession to all of you. Below, you will see the link to my interview in SmartParenting.com.ph. Feel free to read about our journey towards my daughter's autism diagnosis, and what we are doing for her so far. I hope I leave you with some nugget of wisdom through this article:

How we Learned that our Daughter has Autism Spectrum Disorder

Again, many thanks! Godspeed everyone!

My new nephew Rafa!

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:08:00 +0000

Goodness me! It's been over a month and I almost forgot to blog about my new nephew, Raphael Pierre! My sister gave birth to him by C-section last June 8. He was a whopping 7 pounds and 2 ounces when the medical team weighed him in.

We went to visit Rafa at the hospital the day after his birth. That time, he cried like a baby whale (like he was being held captive or something!) and was ALWAYS hungry (you'd think there was no tomorrow!). I wondered if all boys were really like that.

Rafa liked being carried and sung to. So I did just that. They told me he didn't like it whenever people put him down to bed. But because I believe I am a "Baby Whisperer" (smile!), Rafa eventually fell asleep and was out for 30 minutes, which allowed my sister some needed rest.

His parents nicknamed him Rafa. But as of today, a lot of other nicknames have surfaced such as Paeng, Apeng, Rap-Rap, and Apa. I call him Paeng and Apa, interchangeably. His older sister Andie insists, however, that EVERYONE call him Rafa only. Period.

Below are photos of our visit to the hospital. As usual, Rafa's Ninong Cupid won't be seen here because he was busy taking these pictures. :)

Rafa and his mommy Jaja.

That's Rafa's lolo Doy, holding him is his lola Josie, and his daddy Mark.

His sister Andie. :)

Yours truly trying to make Rafa burp.

"Burp!"
Rafa, please say... "Excuse me!"
Look at those big eyes!

Maia didn't seem to mind it even as she saw me carrying another baby.
Or did she? See her out-of-placed headband? :D

After Rafa's mom breastfed him, and after he successfully burped,
I carried and sang to him a little.
When he was about half-asleep, I laid him on the hospital infant bed...

...then he yawned...

...and he was off to dreamland... :)

What did I tell ya?

Baby Whisperer! :D

Welcome Paeng (I mean, Rafa)! We love you! God bless you!

Cousin Haley's 3rd Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:39:00 +0000

Haley, Maia's second cousin, celebrated her 3rd birthday with a Snow White swimming party! And just like her birthday celebration last year, this one was also held at the exclusive Palms Country Club in Alabang.

With the sun shining but not scorching...patches of fluffy white clouds hovering against a powder-blue backdrop...and topped with some summer breeze...it was the perfect set-up for an afternoon of swimming and partying with family and friends!

And when there's a pool, expect to see our Maia splashing in there and having the time of her life. :)

I hope you enjoy viewing the photos I've posted below. Special mention and thanks to our cousin Sem for allowing me to use some of his pictures from the party. :)

Maia in her pink tutu-bathing suit.
She usually swims with her favorite orange lifesaver.
But since the clubhouse kiddie pool is really shallow, we thought of letting her walk instead.
This is her FIRST time, ever, to walk in pool. She enjoyed it tremendously!

Dad, put me down! I can now walk in the pool!

Maia was loving her impromptu swimming lessons with daddy!

Dad, may I venture out on my own?

See yah later, Daddy! Hehehe :D

This is Trixie, Haley's big sister.

Young couple Teban and Klau (our cousin).

Also present were our cousins the Mercado family.
All two (2) generations of them! :)
(Left) Lyndie, Sem (standing), and Sean
(Right) Ardo, Anton, Enzo (standing), Justin, Marky, and Yana

The view from the Pool Bar

The set-up at the Pool Bar

The loot bags for Haley's little guests :)

The pretty centerpiece for the kiddie tables

Yummy party food!
Clubhouse burger, Chicken Lollipops, Spaghetti Carbonara, French Fries, Clubhouse Iced Tea, and Ice Cream

That's me, right smack at the center :).
Together with me at the table are
(L-R) our cousins Minette and Jimmy, Jimmy's friend, my mom-in-law Mommy Lily, and my hubby Cupid.

Our pretty cousins: Lyndie and Cathy (Haley's gracious mom)

All the other guests were busy eating too :D

That's Haley's dad, Johnny (wearing a cap), making the rounds

Here's the pretty little celebrator, Haley,

fresh from taking a shower after her swimming...

and wearing her favorite Snow White costume. :)

Cake No. 1

Cake No. 2

Set-up for Cake No. 2 :)

Mommy Lily joined the Trip to Jerusalem game...Senior Citizen's Edition! :D

Look at that pose! Look at how she is seated! Very prim and proper. :)

She landed on the Top 3! Great job Mommy!
Oh, by the way...that's her sister (Haley's grandma) beside her.
Tita Belle ended up as the winner. Hmm...was the contest rigged? Nah! :)

Happy Birthday Haley! It was a fun and very well thought-out party as usual. Thanks for inviting us! Godspeed princess!

Kath's Baby Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:13:00 +0000

My brother-in-law and his fiance are having a baby...today (hopefully)! Kath is on her 40th week and she is scheduled to be induced. They're having a baby girl and per latest news, they're naming her Summer. I just don't know if this will be her first, middle, or only name.

I figured that, since the baby is about to be born anytime now, I should probably go ahead and post these photos taken on the night of Kath's impromptu baby shower.

The Food!

The spread (on closer inspection) featured
Kath's Pasta Alfredo, Weng's homemade iced tea,
the Peppered Roast Chicken from Shopwise (c/o Vic and Angel) paired with Vic's "secret" gravy recipe...

...Garlic Roast Chicken (still c/o Vic & Angel) from Shopwise,
and Mommy Lily's Lumpiang Shanghai with choice of ketchup or chili sauce.
Yummy!

Kath (in brown), our cousin Angel (at the back),
posing with the really delicious and very moist chocolate chip muffins,
topped with soft pink cream, and cute little edible silver beads...
created by their friend, the other Kat (the lady in green).

Weng was so touched by the gesture, he wanted a shot of himself with the muffins.
Oh, and Kat also made those pink lollipops you see in the center. :-)

So cute and pretty don't you think?
To think these were done in a hurry.

Our cousin Margaux, her dad (Tito Noli), mom (Tita Agnes), and a friend of the soon-to-be-parents.

Friends of Weng and Kath.
Can I assume that they will also be the child's future Godparents? :D

That's Weng in brown, with Godfathers...I mean his friends: Ivy, Vic, and Jules.

That's Mommy Lily (with her niece Margaux and brother Tito Noli)!

My hubby and I :)

We noticed that most of those present were wearing either green, brown, or both!
They said this wasn't planned.

Angel's boys (Waxx, Seb, and Papa Vic)!

Weng teaching Waxx more guitar-playing techniques.
Do you see Waxx's "Stage-Mom" Angel at the back?

P.S.

I was just informed that Kath had already given birth to a 6-pound baby girl at around 2 this morning. We can't wait to see the newest addition to our family! Great job, Kath! Congratulations Weng! Welcome Baby Summer!

Our neighbor Julianne's 7th Birthday and Swimming Party

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:29:00 +0000

Maia and her cousin Sky were invited to our neighbor Julianne's 7th birthday celebration and swimming party last May. Julianne's party was held at the village clubhouse with guests comprising mostly of kids from our neighborhood. The theme for the party was "Rio: The Movie".

Here's Maia with Ate Sky (her cousin) in their pretty tutu-bathing suits.
Here, Sky was telling Maia to "Look and smile at the camera!" :D

Maia and Sky shown here swimming with Maia's daddy Cupid.

See the look of contentment on my daughter's face? :)

Maia and Daddy.

Time to eat!

"Tito-Ninong Poof, can you teach me how to swim?" asked Sky. :D

I wonder why Cupid is all-smiles here at our Maia. :D

It's so fun to watch Maia sooooo happy. :)

My two loves! <3

Getting ready for the pabitin.

Ready... Set...

Go!! :D

It was time to blow the candles.
Maia cried when we took her off the pool.

But stopped when she saw Julianne's dog, Max. :D

Here's a shot of the birthday girl about to blow her candles.
There's a partial shot of her banner at the back with the party theme.
Do you also see the blue feathers scattered on the table where the cake is?
Very "Rio: The Movie" don't you think? :)

See Maia (in yellow bathrobe) covering her eyes as everyone was singing "Happy Birthday".

Julianne seen here laughing after she made her birthday wish...that is to have her own iPad!
I wish we had captured her father's response..."Huh?!" :D

A swimming party with hotdogs-on-sticks, spaghetti, chicken lollipops, sandwiches, cake and ice cream, pabitin (the filipino version of a pinata), balloons, the company of your neighbors and their kids...it's a sure-fire recipe for success! Thanks for inviting us JB (Julianne's dad)! Happy Birthday Julianne! May God Bless you and your family even more!

HRH Maia & the Paper Crown Daddy made for her

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:01:00 +0000

Maia's dad bought a couple sets of construction paper one day and he even used the first few pieces to make little hats for our daughter and her toys. This time around he made bigger-sized ones to make a big crown for Her Royal Highness, Maia.

For this "project", Cupid not only used construction paper, but also pens for tracing, scissors for cutting, and a stapler to hold everything together. He would have decorated it some more but Maia took the crown away from him as soon as she saw it!

Ta-dah!! :D

Maia wore that thing everywhere! Kept checking herself from all angles in the mirror to see if her crown was still there. We had to secure it with a hair pin so that it didn't fall off her head. She almost didn't lie down for her usual afternoon nap because of it! It was such fun to watch her!

It's times like these when I really appreciate Cupid and his efforts to keep our daughter happy and energized. I'm so glad that he's "crafty" and creative, because Maia will definitely benefit from it . Also, because I'm sure lacking in those areas! I never knew this particular side to him until we had our Maia. Back when we were still dating, and even after getting engaged, I only knew that he worked in the I.T. industry; collected NBA trading cards, VS System game cards (huh?!), as well as comicbooks; and plays video games. You know...the typical nerd! I didn't know that he can draw very well and can make crowns, hats, boats, and "what-not" from pieces of paper. I know he also dabbled in a little origami! :)

Thank you honey! Maia and I are VERY LUCKY to have you in our lives! I just wish I made a point to observe how you made Maia's paper crown. That way, I can make one for you come Father's Day this weekend. Oh well! I guess my love and adoration for you will just have to suffice. ;-D

10 random things you never knew about Mama Mia

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:57:00 +0000

I was tagged by one of my blogger friends, LadyMishel, last week and as a result of which I must divulge 10 things about myself. It took me some time to come up with a list of things that I have not already shared here before; and feel comfortable enough to reveal. So here goes:

My breakfasts must always include a fresh cup of coffee and fried (or scrambled) egg. But the egg has to be cooked right before I eat so it's freshly cooked and steamy.
I'm a moody person. And I get even more moody when I have my period.
I get a bit loud when I'm happy and excited. But turn really quiet when I am disappointed or stressed-out.
I'm a worry-wart.
I'm stingy and don't like throwing away money on useless things.
But when I splurge (which is rare), I go over-the-top.
I, however, think that these are splurge-worthy indulgences: traveling, spa/ facial treatments, salon services, dining out, and watching movies
I'm a foodie. I love food! One of my secret wishes is to be a food critic so I can hop from restaurant to restaurant and make a living out of tasting and rating their dishes. :P
I wish to own my own cafe-bistro someday.
I can be a really good and loyal friend. But a fierce and relentless enemy when I or my loved ones are taken advantage of.

The rules now dictate that I also tag ten (10) other bloggers. What fun! I've always made a point of mentioning and tagging those who are following me via Google Friend Connect. So, are you ready to find out who these lucky bloggers are? Okay then.

I'm tagging: Allmu, Alaina Ellington, David, Dona, Fatiha Delmar, Janese, KeyannaRochelle, Mishkash, NanLT, and Pink Diva. Do check out their blogs and tell them I said "Hello!"

Happy 3rd Birthday, Maia!

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Our Maia turned 3 years old last May 27. We originally planned to celebrate it with a small swimming party for some of her playmates here in our village. But because Typhoon Chedeng (International name: Songda) was expected to "arrive" that time, we cancelled our reservation at the clubhouse just 3 days before. Any chance for a simple indoor celebration was also cancelled because, ironically, our neighbors and their kids were all out-of-town. Perhaps, to make the most of the last weekend before the start of the new school year. It's either that or they were all trying to get to "higher ground" (you remember my Typhoon Ondoy post?)!

Anyway, I will not drag this any further because I intend to post a lot of photos. Just read the captions so you can easily follow what transpired during Maia's birthday weekend. Consider this entry as my Phlog (short for Photoblog), if you will.

MAY 27, 2011

Maia's 1st-Ever Haircut

CUTS 4 TOTS, Megamall

Lola bird instructing Kuya Dante on what to do and how to handle Maia.

We were ready for fireworks, some screaming, and major tantrums.

Turns out Maia didn't mind that a complete stranger was working on her hair.

We were all dumbfounded! But really relieved.

The cape, mini car, the mirror...

it was like a carnival as far as my little one was concerned!

I don't know why I ever thought this was going to be traumatic for Maia.

I was worried for nothing. :P

Another secret to our success...they played a Dora The Explorer DVD!

Look at that smile!

I was looking for new hair clips to go with Maia's new do.

Why so serious, baby girl?

I know you don't like loud noises. But you think we can try the hair-dryer on you?

Uh-oh...she's covering her ears and avoiding the "breeze".

I think I should tell kuya to stop...

Hmmm...not so fast Kuya. Looks like Maia is enjoying it now.

So kikay!

Here's Maia using the new Hello Kitty clips I got for her. :)

So, how do you like Maia's new haircut? Nice huh!
This is just one of Tita-Ninang May's gifts for her.
Thank you Ninang May! Love you!

Playtime

DAVE'S FUNHOUSE, Megamall

Fun in the ball swim!

Even more pampering at the mini salon!

Hmm...Maia, you just had a haircut and here you go donning on a wig?!

It's a good day for a drive!

Are you dancing here, baby?

As Maia would say... "Swide!"

Time for a little snack. Too much playing can get really tiring!

But thanks Daddy and Mommy! I really had fun!

Eating Time!

CHOWKING, Megamall

I'm hungry! What's taking them so long to serve us our food? :-\

Our food has arrived!

We ordered the Family Lauriat set (good for 5 persons) which includes:

Chinese-Style Fried Chicken, Pancit Canton, Dimsum Platter, Chicharap, Rice, Buchi, and soda.

We also had an order of Beef Mami, plus Pork Chao Fan with Siomai.

Yum!!

Maia wanted nothing but the Pancit Canton.

We each took small portions...the rest was hers alone. Seriously!

It's the first time we've seen her do that.

Chowking does make really delicious pancit, anyway. :)

The (different) looks of satisfaction! Maia can be real funny when she's happy and "stuffed". :D

Oh...and here's her "fake" smile! :D

Lola, can you do a fake smile too? :D

Okay, that's that. I'm now sleepy. :)
But thanks for the treat Lola Bird!

On our way to the parking lot...

I made time to pose for a Minnie Mouse souvenir shot...

...and say hello to a puppy inside a window display. :)

In the car going home...

I fell asleep in the minivan. Daddy said I was snoring.

The celebration continued at home...

We had fried chicken and spaghetti with tomato and meat sauce for dinner!
You rock Daddy and Mommy!

By now, it's obvious to everyone that I love to eat most noodle and pasta dishes. :)

My red Ribbon Triple Choco Roll from (also from Tita-Ninang May).

Maia hid herself when it was time to sing the "Happy Birthday" song.
She also doesn't like lit candles. So I blew out the candle for her. :(

It was finally time for our family show, Jeopardy! :D

May 29, 2011

Lolo Ver and La Mimi's house,

Filinvest, QC

My Red Ribbon Mocha Choco Crumble cake from my Dela Cruz family

Lola Ver and La Mimi also sang the "Happy Birthday" song to Maia.

Though she didn't like it (see her covering her ears in the left photo?), she didn't throw a tantrum. :)

Aside from the cake, La Mimi also prepared spaghetti with tomato and meat sauce, ice cream and sodas.
While Daddy ordered the following from Shakey's: Mojos and 4 kinds of pizza:
Garlic and Cheese, Pepperoni, Friday's Special with extra anchovies, and Manager's Choice. :)

Maia's Gifts!

From Lola Bird...

a cute Disney Princesses wand that lights up and has a "magical sound" when "swooshed".

New wooden construction blocks

that Mom and Dad bought from the money given by

Lolo Noli, Lola Agnes, and Tita Margaux.

Thank you my Romero family!

A pretty Disney Princess table-and-chairs set from Lolo Ver and La Mimi.

A cute and bright-colored bouncy horse that

Dad and Mom bought from the Toys R Us Gift Certificates given by

Ninang Angel, Tito Vic, and my kuyas -- Waxx, Vincent, and Seb.

Love you all!

A really cool study-and-work-table-and-chair set from my Tita-Ninang May (again!) and Ate Pixie.

You guys are too much! Mwah!

A cool doll with her own wardrobe!

This is from Ninong Johnny, Tita Cathy, and my cousins -- Ate Trixie and Haley.

Wheee! Thank you!

The Jumbo Animal book is from my Tito-Ninong Wings and Tita Kath.
While the balls, Nemo coloring book, and Disney writing/ activity book are (again) from Lola Bird.
I love you all!

A pretty new Barbie doll from Ninong Mark, Tita-Ninang Jaja, and Ate Andie.
I love her purple shoes! Thank you! Mwah!

From my Yapyuco family...

a really adorable toy puppy that barks, walks forwards and backwards.

It's now my favorite toy! Many thanks! Love you all!

Thank God! Our Maia is truly blessed with people who love, care for, and support her 100%. May the Good Lord continue to bless them and their families!

Before I forget, thank you all for always taking time to read through my posts and browse through the photos I've attached. I hope you enjoy your time here and decide to come and visit me again. I will be sure to return the favor. :)

A Complete Wipe-Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:21:00 +0000

Picture this.

One day, I was busy reading a few mommy blogs and left Maia to the care of her Yaya Ann. Ann was having one of her "absent-minded spells". While putting away all the clutter and toys, she forgot about the baby wipes.

Maia loves the baby wipes! She loves pulling the sheets from the pack. She loves the dampness and feel of it when she wipes her face and hands with it. She also uses it to wipe the floor while saying, "Clean!".

So what did Maia, a curious little toddler, do when she saw the pack of baby wipes just lying around for her perusal? Check out the photos below to find out! :)

It was a complete and total wipe-out, I tell you! But instead of getting frustrated over 90 new sheets of hypo-allergenic and unscented baby wipes, I found the whole thing hilarious! I couldn't bring myself to teach and remind her that wipes are not toys. Anyway, it was the first and last time she did it (well, so far!). I just chalked it all up to her natural need to explore.

Taking inspiration from the MasterCard "Priceless" ad campaigns, here is how I try to sum up this experience:

A pack of baby wipes?

$2.00.

A child's capacity to satisfy her curiosity, explore, and learn from ordinary things?

Priceless!

Indeed, there are just some things that money can't buy. Okay! Okay! It's just $2.00. So why am I being overly dramatic about this?... Well, it's a parent thing. :)

Dog Day Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Thu, 26 May 2011 01:06:00 +0000

We went to Bonifacio High Street located at the Bonifacio Global City one fine Sunday afternoon in April. There, we met up for coffee at Figaro with our cousins, the Bondocs.

It was a perfect day for a stroll. With just the right amount and balance of sun, clouds, and wind. Immediately upon arriving there, and to Maia's delight, we saw dogs sprawling the complex's vast gardens and open spaces. Some pet owners brought their one or two pets along for a stroll. While some, you can tell, were breeders and were there to showcase their toy dogs, retrievers, terriers, etc. Perhaps, hoping to make a sale? :)

Anyway, getting to spend the afternoon outdoors and seeing dogs of different sizes, color, and shapes was enough to fill Maia's day with joy...and her mouth with a permanent smile all throughout (and up to the time we arrived home)! :D

Below are some photos from that sunny-but-partly-cloudy day. Do enjoy browsing them. And, as always...thank you and Godspeed!

The first group of toy dogs we saw...

Upon seeing these tiny little creatures, Maia started to sing and approach them. No fear whatsoever...I tell you!

Somehow, she managed to pry the leash of this Long-Haired Chihuahua from its breeder.

The breeder and his assistants kept saying how impressed there all were by Maia's "fearlessness".

They also kept saying that she is ready for a pet,

and were urging us to buy a Chihuahua from them...hehehe! :D

Maia's Tito-Ninong Johnny also approached one of the Chihuahuas,
and kept encouraging his daughters (Trixie and Haley) to come and pet them.

Here's Trixie and Haley (Maia's second cousins) keeping a clear distance from the dogs.

Haley and her Daddy John taking a stroll...

Yours truly and my Maia just resting on the grass
(where we maintained a safe distance and still have a clear view of all the dogs passing by). :)

Maia and her Tito-Ninong Johnny don't see each other all the time.

But here she was, comfortably sitting on his lap, while watching one of her favorite videos.

They were inseparable like this until the time we all parted ways. Aaww...how sweet! :)

But before we left Bonifacio High Street, Maia stopped to view and pet these Old English Sheepdogs.
I had to keep reminding her yaya to stop Maia from petting these dogs
for they're too big and I was scared they might jump up on her. Yikes!
But Maia, as usual, didn't seem to mind. :D

Liv's 2nd Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Sat, 21 May 2011 10:31:00 +0000

Maia was invited to attend Liv's 2nd Birthday Party. Liv is the sister of Maia's cousin Zoe. The party was held at the clubhouse of Mahogany Place III in Taguig City.

It was Maia's first children's party for the year, and so we were all very excited for her. Especially since Liv's party was to be attended by some very special guests...Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, and Dora's best friend Boots!

Hubby originally took around 200 photos of this event. But I've managed to narrow it down to 59 (only!). So, without further ado, allow me to walk-you-through that fun-filled party, and I hope you enjoy viewing the pictures.

Happy Birthday Livy! Stay smart and happy! Be a good girl and love your dad, mom, and sister.

Thanks Joel and Kat for having us! It was a real fun party! May God bless you and your family even more!

Liv and her Daddy Joel

It was time for the Scavenger Hunt!
This photo shows Kat (Liv's Mom) handing Maia her own Dora backpack and map!
An adventure! Oh boy! :D

(Left) Yours truly and my daughter Maia |

(Right) The map for the scavenger hunt, which was to happen at the clubhouse grounds!

Let's go!

Mommy, it's soooo hot and sunny!
We actually just finished Step 1 of the hunt where we looked for stuffed toys by the "Cuddly Garden".
Maia's yaya found a stuffed blue octopus, that we quickly placed in her new backpack.
Next stop was the Prize Pool! :D

Our Maia was first at the Prize Pool manned by her Ate-Ninang Zoe and her friend Sandra.

There, she was made to scoop-up a ball using a mini-net (with the help of her dad).

The ball had a number that corresponded to a special prize (right photo).

This was the scene after we left the Prize Pool.
I call this, "The Mob". :)

Maia was also first to arrive at the Little Artists Gallery.

Tita Jessica instructed her to unwrap a gift that contained a sketch pad and a box of crayons for her to keep.

But before that, Maia and the other kids have to draw something for Livy,

which will in turn be posted on the artists' wall.

All the budding little artists at work! :D

Liv had so many guests that there was no space left for her at the artists' table.
Poor baby!
But because she is a very good girl, she didn't mind nor complain at all!

Maia's cousin Sky arrived a little late
but managed to get through the whole scavenger hunt in a cinch!

Masterpieces all!
See Ate Ninang Zoe's bunny at the far left...

Maia's blue doodle at top-right... :D

And Ate Sky's rainbow at top-left!

Maia clapping and singing along to the songs

being played over the PA system inside the air-conditioned party venue.

"When you're happy and you know it, clap your hands." *Clap!* *Clap!* :D

With her new sketch pad and crayon set, Maia continued to doodle at our table...literally! Ooops!

I hope the catering crew didn't see us. :D

Eating time!

The beautiful people seated at our table --
Maia's Ate-Ninang Zoe, her friend Sandra, and Tito-Ninong Wings!

Finally...after the Newspaper Dance...

Dora, Boots, and Spongebob arrived! Yay!!

Then they had a dance number for Liv and the kids.
Dora and her gang danced to Justin Bieber's "Baby". :D

See Liv, Maia, Sky and the other kids watch and enjoy the mascots and their dance number.

We saw our Maia singing along to the song Bieber's "Baby". So cute! :D

This was Liv's beautiful cake and colorful cupcake tower!

Candle-blowing time!
Liv seen here with her parents, Dora, Boots, and Spongebob.

See Maia and Sky admiring the cupcakes.
Daddy got one of each of the available characters.
All except for the star.

Close-up shot.
There were supposed to be 5 kinds of cupcake toppers.
But Dad said there was nothing left of the ones with the star design on top.

Then came the pinata.

But instead of the goodies, Maia seemed more interested in the confetti.

She was having so much fun that Sky and the other kids soon joined in! :D

Enough of the kids! :D

My hubby Cupid and I | Cupid with his brother Wings

Zoe with her sisters, Liv and Sky | Zoe, Sandra, Zoe's Tita Jessica, and Mommy Kat

Okay, let's get back to the kids... :D
Here's Sky at the play ground...

...and Maia by the swings...

After the party, we went to Zoe and Liv's new house which was just 2 blocks away from the clubhouse.
Here's Zoe and her Ragdoll cat named, "Pillow"! :D

Maia, as expected, fell in love with Pillow right away!

She went down on all-fours and said "Meow!" the whole time.

Oh Maia! Daddy and I will give you a pet the minute we have our own backyard, I promise!

So that's that, my dear friends and readers. Hope you enjoyed the photos and reading the captions. Thank you for always taking the time to drop by and read my posts. Trust that I will also do the same for you and your blogs.

With gratitude,

Maia's First Easter Egg Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:41:00 +0000

It has been three weeks after Easter but it's only now that I make a post about the fun we had that day. Another late post, I know, but I figured that I HAVE been known to put up late posts every now and then anyway, so... why stop now, right? For some things, I believe that they were right in saying, "Better late than never." Especially for this one.

This is an important post, you see. This past Easter was a special one for us because it was the FIRST TIME in Maia's almost-3-years of existence that she experienced going Easter Egg-hunting.

Before anything else, a little trivia (and don't feel sorry for me, okay?). I'm turning 39 this November but it was only MY SECOND TIME to go Easter Egg-hunting, too! My first hunt was in Oakland, CA waaaay back in 1993. :D

Anyway, hubby's cousin Klaudine tweeted me days before and asked if we would like for her to register Maia to the "Tropical Easter at the Grove" event that weekend. We said "Yes", of course, and prepared Maia for the event.

We bought her a pair of new pink Dora The Explorer walking shoes, and paired it with some new pasalubong items from her U.S.-based Tita-Ninang May (like her Dora The Explorer socks, her pink hat, and her floral dress). Excited much? :)

Below you'll find photos and a short video of what transpired that Easter day. I hope you all enjoy viewing them. And in traditionally, always-late Mama Mia fashion, "Belated Happy Easter everyone!" Am I crazy or confusing? Better yet...don't answer! Hahahaha!

Here's Mommy Lily (my mom-in-law) posing with Klau,
who we spotted busily manning the registration booth.

Shots taken from the photobooth.
This one shows Maia donning on a hawaiian lei, while checking herself out via the monitor
(when she was supposed to look straight into the camera lens). :)

Maia is now a Hawaiian Easter Bunny!

Flanked by Daddy Giraffe and Mommy Lion :)

Hey! How come Lola Lily's not wearing a funny hat? ;-)

After Maia borrowed the plastic shovel from the photobooth,
she then sat comfortably on a chair to signal that she's ready to watch the programme.

There was a funny juggling act...

...and some story-telling.
They also sang songs from many Disney movies,
like "Aladdin"...

..."The Lion King"...

...and even "Tangled".

See us, enjoying the programme,

along with other kids and their parents!

There was also a face-painting booth.

So we made Maia go get one, but only on her arm. She objected at first.

But eventually gave in when she saw how cute her "sheep" was.

And then "showed-off" her sheep to us.
She walked-about the premises, careful not to put harm on that sheep!

Then came time for her to do her own painting.

Maia chose blue paint (her favorite color) and then painted on a ceramic fish.

Yaya Ann picked yellow paint for her ceramic starfish.

Their artwork are now prominently displayed at the door of our refrigerator here at home. :D

Next fun table we saw was the glitter-tattoo booth!

I chose a bumblebee design for Maia.
But because the template was too wide for her skinny arm,
I decided to have the tattoo placed on the back of her hand this time.

Having been painted on earlier that day gave Maia the confidence for this tattoo session.

She was relaxed all throughout and almost didn't budge.

She was curious about the "process" and looked on while the lady gave her a tattoo.

She even managed to get the brush from the lady,
and brushed-off the extra glitter from her tattoo. Good job, Maia!

Finally, it was time for the egg-hunting activity!

We were told that there were over 400 eggs scattered around the premises.

And as Maia sat under a tree to rest, there she saw an egg!

Do you see me using Maia's hat to carry the eggs (the first of many to come)?
And do you also see the "determination" on Yaya Ann's face? :D

Tita Klau gave us a bag as soon as the eggs got too many to carry.
And so Maia got her hat back! :D

Maia was so well-behaved, patient, and did such a great job of egg-hunting,

that Daddy decided to reward her with a chocolate fudge sundae! Yum!

Watch this short (and CUTE!) video and see Maia:

have fun on the grass, and run around the grounds of The Grove by Rockwell;

join yours truly and her yaya in hunting for Easter Eggs; and

find some eggs herself. :)

See Maia's stash of Easter Eggs!

She took home a total of 31 plastic eggs, all in all (yes, I counted them! Hehehe).

Inside each were some assorted candies, and cute tokens like pens, erasers, etc.

The Philippines Holds First “Spring Cleaning Day”

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:46:00 +0000

As a mom, I am always concerned about my family's health. This latest campaign, spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH), deserves our attention and support.

Following is the official Press Release:

Five cities in Metro Manila will demonstrate how the country can save lives, time, and money, as they join the first-ever “Philippine Spring Cleaning Day (PSCD).”

In its goal to push for cleaning and sanitation as one of the most effective ways to lower the country's disease burden, representatives from the Department of Health (DoH), UP-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), Reckitt Benckiser, Lysol, and several local government units are calling for better sanitation through the institution of the first Philippine Spring Cleaning Day.

On May 11, there will be a simultaneous cleanup across five cities, namely Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Manila, and Pasay.

“We hope to educate as well as to encourage the habit of cleaning and disinfecting of Filipino homes through this annual event,” says Marichu Gozun, Senior Brand Manager of Lysol.

According to a joint study commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at least 20 million Filipinos are exposed to poor sanitation. This means that one-fourth of the Philippine population has poor hygiene practices, do not have the benefit of an accessible and safe toilet, or do not dispose of human waste properly. The fact that less than half of Filipinos wash their hands after using the bathroom is a very telling statistic that speaks of the country's unfortunate attitudes towards cleaning and sanitation.

Being one with the PSCD's advocacy to educate Filipinos about the significance of cleaning and disinfecting, DoH Environmental Health Chief Dr. Rodolfo Albornoz says that families should be mindful of the harmful effects of poor sanitation not only on their health but also on other aspects of their lives.

For instance, poor sanitation affects productivity. “The rhinovirus–the virus responsible for approximately 50 percent of the cases of flu and the common cold in both adults and children–causes Filipinos to lose an average of eight school or work days a year,” shares Dr. Albornoz. Consequently, poor sanitation also results in increased economic losses.

The campaign's concentration on household cleaning is highly significant because proponents of the PSCD believe that even the home, which is supposed to be every family's place of refuge, can be unsafe. They note that bacteria dwell on everyday things in the home that are taken for granted. “What people do not know is that they are more likely to get sick from germs and viruses in their own homes than in any other place,” says PIDSP President Dr. Lester Deniega.

UP-NIH Executive Director Dr. Lulu Bravo agrees. “We invite everyone to take part in this initiative and join the fight against diseases,” ends Dr. Bravo.

Indeed, intensified cleaning and disinfection will go a long way towards helping the country save time and money, reduce economic costs, and increase productivity as well as people’s overall health and productivity.

Be part of the first public and private initiative for cleaning and sanitation, and join the Department of Health, Lysol and partner organizations as they celebrate Philippine Spring Cleaning Day on May 11. For more details, log on to www.philippinespringcleaningday.com and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/philippinespringcleaningday.

Andie's DDH Story

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:16:00 +0000

Andie is my niece. The daughter of my only sister, Jaja. She was born one August day in the year 2007. The first grandchild on both her father's and mother's sides of the family, everyone was just dying to meet her on the day of her birth. I remember being in the labor room with my sister, and seeing Andie just minutes after she was born. I fell in love with her right then and there. My first full-blooded niece!

Boundless Life and Energy
Andie was such a wacky and intelligent baby! I could tell from the start that she is a very special child. So full of life! So bright! So smart! Highly perceptive. Very talkative! Really sociable and friendly. Sometimes, Andie can also get really naughty and feisty with everyone, but never with me! (Smile!) Her energy seemed to have doubled when she became a toddler. And was like a speeding bullet in the way she zoomed from one area to the next. She ran around everywhere while screaming with delight. She hopped and skipped to nursery songs, and danced and twirled like a ballerina in her pink tutu. I can't anymore remember how many times she's announced to everyone that she wanted to dance the ballet like her mom.

There was this incident a couple years back when Andie just turned 2 years old. She was jumping on the bed and then fell, head first, on the floor. I remember the horror on her parents' face, the shock we all felt seeing the dark purple bump on her forehead, which was the size of a golf-ball! It was off to the E.R., as you can imagine. Thankfully, nothing serious came up from that. Those were the times when Jaja and Mark were all-eyes on Andie because she was figuring into too many accidents.

The Signs

I don't exactly remember who noticed it first; and when anyone really started to observe it. But one day, I observed the way Andie's left foot always "tip-toed" whenever she walked. I remember always reminding Andie to stop and walk slowly. I'd tell her things like: "Walk properly." "Place your foot down - first with your heel, then with your toe." Or "Andie? Heel. Toe." She would obey. But just soon after (not even a minute), perhaps because it really didn't feel "natural" to her, she would go back to tip-toeing, but just her left foot. So I initially thought that maybe it was the way that her one of her former yayas "trained" her to walk. Maybe they used to lift her left arm/body too high when they felt she was "slacking" as they were teaching her to walk when she was a baby.

And like I said, others noticed it too. We all saw, but never really thought of "investigating further". As Andie grew, her "unbalanced" gait was becoming more pronounced. But like most parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts...we all thought it was nothing really serious and that it was only a matter of "correcting" Andie on how to walk properly and re-training her. I, personally, thought that it was only as simple as that. How are we to know that something as simple as a tip-toe can mean something deeper?

The Discovery

While on a month-long vacation in the U.S., and enjoying Disneyland in Anaheim last November...a stranger approached my sister and suggested that she have Andie's legs checked. Apparently, the man was a surgeon.

It was the start of a series of appointments and consultations with different specialists and surgeons, from that time on. They discovered that the problem was not Andie's left foot at all. Nor her left leg, per se. Rather, it was the joint between the upper part of her left thigh bone and hip or pelvis. Specifically, Andie has a case of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). They got a second, and a third opinion. They were all the same. Jaja asked Andie's pediatric-orthopedic surgeon whether or not the condition is painful. The doctor mentioned that such case is not painful for kids in the beginning. But without surgery, and by the time Andie turns 6 or 7 years old, her unbalanced walk will get even more pronounced, and she WILL start to feel pain. The pain will even get physically debilitating as years go on. Depending on the particular condition of her DDH, the doctor said that Andie herself will be the one to ask her parents for a hip surgery. She also informed that ALL persons with DDH, but more so those who didn't opt for any form of treatment, will have early osteoarthritis at around 40 years of age. So given these facts, coupled with Jaja's own research over the internet, they had no choice but to push through with the operation.

I was shocked when Jaja first told me. I've never heard anything like it. I was never aware of such a condition until that day. It was all very surreal to everyone of us. Jaja was bawling. My heart fell seeing her that way. I was especially concerned for the little one in her tummy. Did I mention already that my sister was 2 months pregnant at the time? Yes, still in her 1st trimester. I feared that the stress might get to her and the baby. I don't know what I would do if I was in her situation.

DDH Principles

Following are just some of the data I gathered from different websites, to give you an idea on what DDH is:

caFamily.org.uk:

Background
The hip is a 'ball and socket' joint. The top of the thigh bone (femur) is shaped like a ball and fits into a matching cup (acetabulum) on the outer side of the pelvis. Various problems can affect the baby's hip as it develops. Sometimes the ball does not lie safely in the socket and is displaced from it: this is what is meant by dislocation. Sometimes, although the ball is in the socket it can slip in and out of place. This is what is meant by the hip being dislocatable. Sometimes although the hip is in the socket it is not deeply in place and we call this hip 'subluxated.' Finally in some children although the hip is in the right place the socket does not grow properly and is too shallow. If the hip socket is shallow this may allow the ball to move from the position it should occupy.

1 to 2 in 1,000 babies born may have a hip that is dislocated at birth. A slightly larger group of children have hips which are not safely in the socket or in whom the socket is shallower than it should be. In general girls are more likely to be affected that boys. The left hip is more often affected than the right.

What are the symptoms?
The condition is not painful and there are no definite signs that a child may have a problem with hip development, but the following are associated with the condition:
One leg appears shorter than the other;
One hip joint moves differently from the other and the knee may appear to face outwards;
When a baby's nappy is changed one leg does not seem to move outwards as fully as the other one;
The child crawls with one leg dragging.
After walking age it may be noticed that:
a child stands and walks with one foot on tiptoes with the heel up off the floor. (The child walks this way in an attempt to accommodate the difference in leg length);
the child walks with a limp (or waddling gait if both hips are affected).

KidsHealth.org:

Signs and Symptoms
Infants often don't show signs that they have DDH, and there may be no signs at all. Still, doctors look for these indicators:
at birth, an inability to move the thigh outward at the hip as far as possible
an audible "click" during routine post-natal checkups
asymmetry in the fat folds of the thigh around the groin or buttocks
in older kids, an exaggeration in the spinal curvature that may develop to compensate for the abnormally developed hip
limping in older children
Treatment
Treatment for DDH depends on the age of the child and the severity of the condition. Mild cases may correct themselves in the first few weeks of life.

If an unstable hip is seen in newborns, the hip may be held in position with a Pavlik harness. This device keeps the femoral head in its socket by holding the knee up toward the child's head. A shoulder harness attaches to foot stirrups to keep the leg elevated. The goal is to tighten the ligaments in the area and stimulate normal forming of the hip socket. Treatment with the Pavlik harness lasts about 6 to 12 weeks, and continues until the hip is stable and ultrasound exams are normal.

After a child reaches 6 months of age the Pavlik harness will be ineffective. Older kids will need to undergo one of the following treatments:
Closed reduction. The bone is manually put back into place after the child is put under anesthesia. This treatment is usually preferred in children younger than 18 months.
Open reduction. The hip is realigned and the thighbone is placed back into the hip socket through surgery. During the procedure, tight muscles and tissues surrounding the hip joint are loosened and then later tightened up once the hip is back in place. This is the procedure of choice for kids older than 18 months.
After reaching age 2 or 3, a child might need surgery on the pelvis to deepen the hip socket (if it's too shallow) or to shorten the thighbone or realign it. Following surgery, the child is put in a hip spica (body cast). About 1 in 20 babies with DDH needs more than the Pavlik harness to correct the condition.

Caring for Your Child
DDH can't be prevented, but if it's recognized early and treated appropriately, most children will develop normally and have no related problems. DDH does not cause pain initially, but if left untreated it can result in significant impairment of function.

Kids with untreated DDH will have legs of uneven lengths in adulthood, which can lead to a limp or waddling gait, back and hip pain, and overall decreased agility.

RightHealth.com:

Definition
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a dislocation of the hip joint that is present at birth. The condition is found in babies or young children.

Causes And Risk Factors
The cause is unknown, but genetic factors may play a role. Low levels of amniotic fluid in the womb during pregnancy can increase a baby's risk of DDH. Other risk factors include:
Being the first child
Being female
Breech delivery
Family history of the disorder
Signs And Tests
Pediatric health care providers routinely screen all newborns and infants for hip dysplasia. There are several methods to detect a dislocated hip or a hip that is able to be dislocated.

The most common method of identifying the condition is a physical exam of the hips, which involves applying pressure while moving the hips. The health care provider listens for any clicks, clunks, or pops.

Ultrasound of the hip is used to confirm the problem. An x-ray of the hip joint may help diagnose the condition in older infants and children.

A hip that is truly dislocated in an infant should be detected at birth, but some cases are mild and symptoms may not develop until after birth, which is why multiple exams are recommended. Some mild cases are silent and cannot be found during a physical exam.

Expectations (Prognosis)
If hip dysplasia is identified in the first few months of life, it can almost always be treated successfully with a positioning device (bracing). In a few cases, surgery is necessary to put the hip back in joint.

Hip dysplasia identified after early infancy may be associated with a worse outcome and may require more complex surgery to repair the problem.

Complications
Differences in the lengths of the legs may persist despite appropriate treatment.

Untreated, hip dysplasia will lead to arthritis and deterioration of the hip, which can be severely debilitating.

I'm also posting the following images on DDH for better understanding:

Image from OrthoPediatrics

(Left image from Steps Charity) Uneven folds and creases on the legs
(Right image from Pediatric-Orthopedics) Uneven legs

The last 3 photos shown on top are, from my understanding,
what they did to my niece during her hip operation.
Images from OrthoPediatrics

So in short, DDH is a deformity in the bones where the hips are, which eventually results in hip dislocation and eventually an abnormal walk. Cases go from mild (involving braces and therapy) to really severe ones (involving open surgery and possible therapy). If "discovered" at birth or only a few months after it, chances for fully correcting it are high and surgery may not even be needed. To note, my niece Andie was diagnosed at 3 years old.

The Operation

It took about 4 months, from the time that a stranger in Disneyland took my sister aside, to the time Andie was finally scheduled and operated on for her DDH. If it was up to my sister, she would have wanted the operation sooner. But their surgeon had prior professional commitments, and (apparently) other kid-patients who were already scheduled long before Andie. Goodness...how do you react to that?

The day before the operation, when the hospital staff was performing a series of required tests on her (poking and sticking things at her, taking blood samples, doing x-rays, etc.), she started to cry like any child would. But soon enough, she "braved up" to the many nurses, nurse aides, and medical technicians around her. I can imagine how very traumatic every thing was for her.

On the day of the operation, she was wheeled inside the O.R. with her mom in tow. My sister said she could tell how very scared Andie was but that she still put on a "brave face" for everyone anyway. How very Andie I must say! She smiled at her mom as they placed the oxygen mask over her nose and mouth, and then immediately dozed off to sleep. The operation took more than 12 hours to finish. I learned later on how the nurses proudly reported that when Andie came to, alone in the recovery room, she didn't even cry. See? What did I tell you? Very brave huh!

The following is a photo of Andie (in her cast) and her mom (my sister) Jaja. It was taken in March of this year, just 2 weeks after the operation.

Brave little Andie. Do you see her sweet smile? :)

The cast is almost all over her body, leaving only a few parts of her exposed (from her chest up to her face; from her right knee down to her foot; her privates; and the toes of her left foot). It's supposed to be on for only 2 months, and then Andie should graduate into wearing steel braces or something. The follow-up check-ups and x-rays showed nothing to worry about.

The Unexpected

On the 7th week (just a week short of finally taking the cast off her), the doctor saw a new gap in Andie's hip. Apparently her hip is an unstable one. And they said that it's a sign that Andie might experience even more hip dislocations and operations in the future. I'm hoping and really praying that they are wrong about this...and that a miracle will happen in Andie's favor.

All this was just too much for my brother-in-law and my pregnant sister, and it left them feeling really sad. Mark, I heard, cried and felt really down when they left the doctor's office. Jaja was emotional over the phone. I was trying really hard to console her and tell her to be strong for Andie and the little one still in her womb. To have faith and never lose hope. I feel for them, really. No parent can stand to see their little one suffering or in pain. I personally couldn't stop crying when I heard about it and thought about Andie and how all this is affecting her physically, emotionally, and mentally. How overwhelming all this might be for her young and innocent mind.

Lessons Learned

Situations like these sometimes make people start to question life in general, and God in particular. They start to ask what His purpose is for their life. But all one can really do is trust. Fully-surrender to God and trust that all these things are happening for a reason. To have faith in the Lord and all his works. Faith in the God-given talents of people, medical professionals, specialists. To teach us to appreciate people for their uniqueness, character, individual strengths, kindness, and inner beauty. To pay no attention to what other people think. To stop blaming one's self and move forward. Take action. To learn to count one's blessings. To make the most of everything. To hope for the best. And last but not least, to pray. Yes, prayer is best.

Andie was just operated on, a second time, just last Monday. As of this writing, she is recuperating from home. And I know for sure that Andie will be alright because so many people are praying for her and her full recovery. Just knowing that so many people are behind your child and supporting him or her through prayer gives comfort to any parent. So hang in there Mark and Jaja. Hang in there, Andie-girl. Your lolos, lolas, titos, titas, and cousins are all behind you.

Mama Mia, Tito Poof, and Maia are (and will always be) here for you. Always know that we love you no matter what! God will soon answer all our prayers, just you wait. Everything will be alright. Get well soon and God bless you always and forever!

My 2nd Versatile Blogger Award!

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:10:00 +0000

I received a pleasant surprise today as I was moderating and responding to comments made on my previous post (Must Love Pugs). It turns out that my mommy-blogger-friend Tina of Corsame Lane awarded me and 4 other bloggers with The Versatile Blogger badge! Read her post here.

This is actually my second time to receive this (you can read the post here). But the badge I received this time around is of a different style. I've seen it before on other people's blogs....but even then (and to be honest) I wondered when I would get one. Now, here it is! THANK YOU VERY MUCH Mommy Tina! :)

The following are the accompanying rules for this award:

Thank and link back to the blogger that awarded you the badge.
Share 7 things about you.
Award 5 or 15 other bloggers.
Contact these bloggers to let them know about the award.

Now here are 7 facts about me:

I hold a degree in Psychology. Plus a Master's degree in Business Administration.
I worked 13 years in one of the premier development banks of the Philippines.
Through the years, I held several job functions: recruitment specialist, business analyst, and remittance specialist.
I found my soulmate and became his wife at the age of 33.
I happily quit my job at age 34 so my husband and I can start a family.
I became a mom at age 35, and have since stayed-home with our daughter, Maia.
Online Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom is my one and only blog.

I would like to award this badge to the following versatile bloggers:

Alexandra (RopCorn)
Carinamodella (MJM: The Ilumin Siblings)
Charm (Metro Chic Site)
Gessyl (Gessyl Enchanted)
Jade (Momma ~~Wannabe~~ Finally!)
January (36 Weeks After)
Jem (Life's Learning of a Filipino Work-at-Home Mommy)
Karith (Pinay Expat Blogger)
Kayth (My Simple Life)
Krislin (Ting's Reality with Fantasy = Tingtasy)
Marikoy (Ako: The Adventures of Marikoy)
Pepper (The Pepperrific Life)
thegloryboxstar (Seeing Stars)
Weng (The Vendor Mom)
wickedlysexy (Mom from Manila)

All you ladies truly deserve this. And I truly hope that you pass on the love to other deserving bloggers out there. More power and happy blogging everyone!

Addendum (April 22, 2010):

My friend Joy of the blog CATHARSIS also informed me just minutes ago that she awarded me with this very same blogging badge. Details of which can be read via her latest post entitled: "In The Spotlight".

I can't tell you how thrilled I am about this! And like I've been saying how many times now, I welcome all blessings that come my way. Big or small...I will acknowledge and be grateful for ALL of them. I say, bring it on! :D

Thanks so much, Joy! Godspeed ALWAYS!

Must Love Pugs

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:38:00 +0000

My Maia is a pet lover. Cats, bunny rabbits, fish, all kinds of pets. But she loves dogs more, big and small. But the one breed she loves most of all is the pug!

It all started when her cousin Pixie sent her a book by Dan Yaccarino entitled "Unlovable", about a pug named Alfred, who has very low self-esteem because other pets around him always told him that he had unlovable features. But it all changed when he met Rex, another pug, who accepted him as he was. The book teaches about accepting your own uniqueness, appreciating yourself, and finding friends who will appreciate you. Since this book arrived, Maia has been reading it over and over. She especially loves that part where Rex came along and he and Alfred were inseparable and like two peas in a pod.

Next thing we knew, Pixie gave Maia a stuffed toy pug. We immediately called it Alfred after the principal character in the Unlovable book. And then I remembered that my sister had this old stuffed toy pug just lying around in her old room at my parents' house. I asked for that too, and it soon became Rex! Maia was ecstatic! My childhood yaya also gave her an even smaller stuffed toy pug. This last one eventually acquired a homemade leash so that Maia can "walk" it every now and then.

Whenever we are at our parents' house, she loves playing with our old family pet named Pippen, who's also a pug. Pippen has been with us for almost 12 years now. He is now 84 years old in human years, legally blind, and now has white fur on those areas that used to be black, like his ears and muzzle. But Maia loves him regardless.

Here at home, we are again hounded by a pug...Max, our neighbor's pet. He is a frisky little pup. Maia met him when he was only 4 months old, and at the height of her "pug-craze". Every hour of everyday it was like "Max? See Max?". It was cute in the beginning. But there came a time when she wouldn't do anything until she went outside and saw Max. But that was then. Now, she's learned that Max can't always come out to play with her.

Below's a video and some photos from one of Maia's supposed afternoon walks, which soon turned into playtime with Max the pug. Pardon the angle, these were all taken from our balcony. :D

Sequence:

Maia tried touching Max and then Max licked her hand;

Maia serenaded Max with the song, "Dumb Dog" (from the musical, Annie);

Ethan tried to scare-off Max with his "moves"

So funny! :D

Maia and Max.
Yaya (in black), who's actually scared of dogs,
is just looking on but ready to spring to action when neccessary.

Maia and Max were interrupted by the arrival of their other buddy, Ethan. :)

Ethan is actually not a "dog-person" and is actually scared of dogs!
But he is being brave here for Maia.
Hmmmmm....? :D

So from reading this, you can say that our household is "pugged-out" on a regular basis. There are times when Maia would prefer to whimper or make puppy barks, rather than talk (sigh! I know!). There are also moments when we would watch or read something, and then halfway-through, the minute she sees a dog in the video or book, she would say "Watch Pugs?" signalling that she wants us to play her Pugs video (a collection of homemade videos made by various pug owners).

I don't know if this will ever end. Have you ever experienced anything like this??

A Visit to La Mimi's Work Place (and Mommy's Former Office)

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:48:00 +0000

I needed to go to my former office in Makati, one fine January day, to get a replacement for my lost company ID. You see, I filed for early retirement back in 2007. My former office issued me and other retirees with a special ID card, for use whenever we come visit the premises. But I soon found it to be very useful whenever we needed to transact with Banks and other government offices. So when I lost it towards the latter part of 2010, I knew that I had to request a replacement pretty soon.

I really planned on taking Maia with me so that my former co-workers can finally see her all grown and dolled-up. The last time I took Maia to the Bank was when she was still 7 months old! So we dressed her up in one of the new outfits she got from Christmas. Maia loves dressing up! She enjoys admiring herself in front of the mirror. Plus, she always associates it to "going out" and riding in the car.

She loves wearing this dress with the lady bugs, and pairing it with her tights!

See the photo at the right? Was that a leg extension she did? Or a side kick?

I don't know whether it's a ballet move or some martial arts thing. We'll just see, I guess. :D

While in Makati, we decided to surprise my mom, whom Maia fondly calls "La Mimi" (because Lola May is just so hard to pronounce...hehe!). I believe it was the first time that we brought Maia to her grandma's workplace, so you can just imagine La Mimi's excitement seeing her there. The latter then proceeded to "show Maia off" to her staff, peers and bosses.

La Mimi couldn't contain her delight. She's seen her proudly showing Maia off in her office. :D

Then La Mimi treated us to lunch at the Tapa King outlet that was just at the ground floor of their building.

Yours truly and my beautiful mom :)

Maia toying with one of the table displays

Maia and her order of "ToSiLog".

That's Tocino, Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice), and Pritong Itlog (Fried Egg). Yummy! :P

Yum! Yum! I love Leche Flan!
But wait! What's that face, Maia? Are you full already? :D

After lunch we proceeded to my former office, which was right across (in front of) my mom's workplace. My husband always says that I'm like a "Mayor" or some big-time politician whenever I visit the office, for it seemed to him that I know everyone that we happen to pass by inside the building. Well, what do you expect when you worked 13 years in a company, and almost half of that time your main job was recruiting personnel? :)

Anyway, while waiting for me at the Personnel Department's lounge, Maia's dad Cupid decided to give her Caramel Popcorn. Maia LOOOOOOVES popcorn! But she's never tried it with caramel. So imagine her delight upon tasting some for the first time. So cute! My friends and former officemates were all over her, getting her to do stuff she usually wouldn't do in front of "strangers", and laughing at her "tricks" and funny facial expressions. I guess she liked all the attention she was getting that day. She was happy and was a behaved little girl all through out.

Mmmm...popcorn...but wait...this is new...different...but really yummy! :P

When I finally got my new ID, I decided to pay a visit to my other friends from various departments. I was happy to see them and I believe they were happy to see me and Maia too. They literally left their cubicles and chatted with us the whole time we were there. Maia was so interested by all the white board magnets, office stamps, and ringing phones...she forgot all about her nap!

Maia still up and okay, even if it was already past her afternoon nap!

My Maia and I, with some of my DBP friends :)

It was a fun visit. I hope to be able to do it again with Maia soon!

Thanks for dropping by my blog even if I am not able to update as frequently as I used to. I wish everyone a great weekend ahead! More power to you and yours!

Maia's Playdate with Ernie

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Who among you love Ernie from the children's show, Sesame Street?

I remember when I was a little girl, I used to prefer Bert over Ernie. I used to think how unfair it was that Ernie always put one over Bert. Ernie was never consistent...he was sometimes naughty but, at times, sweet.

My Maia seems to like him though. She especially likes his unique snicker.

You want to know what happened during one of their playdates? Look below... :D

See Maia:

try to sing the beginning of the "Rubber Duckie" song;

kiss her stuffed Ernie toy;

get mesmerized;

and finally snicker like Ernie :D

Maia continued to watch her Sesame Street home video, while holding on tightly to Ernie...

When the video was over, she left Ernie to his lonesome...

but made sure to put him on the chair that Daddy built using her giant Mega Bloks :D

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Godspeed everyone! (Insert Ernie's signature snicker here...hehehehehe!!!)

Maia's "Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days" DVD

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:09:00 +0000

Cupid and I have been dying to get our hands on the "Sesame Street: 40 years of Sunny Days" DVD set since it was released by Sesame Workshop in November 2009. I mean, to be able to relive those classic episodes and share the same experiences with our daughter was something we really looked forward to. We are fully aware that you can easily view classic Sesame Street episodes online via their website and on YouTube. But we still preferred the DVD set. Besides, it's a collector's item in itself already!

So we searched at department stores, video stores, and the like. Then we learned that the DVD set was never released here in the Philippines. So we asked my mother-in-law and sister-in-law if they could order it for us. It took them a while to find one. They figured that going online would give them better chances. Eventually they found a good deal over at Amazon.com, ordered and waited for it, and prepared to send it to Maia as a present last Christmas (Yay! We ended up not paying for it...hehehe!). It finally arrived at our doorstep, along with other items from my mom-in-law's balikbayan box, last January.

It was really worth the wait! Especially since Maia is into music, and already knows most of the show's main characters (Maria, and her favorite Gordon...hehehe) and the puppets (her fave Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Snuffy, Elmo, Grover, Ernie, Rosita, Zoe, Baby Bear, Telly, Biff and Sully).

Let me share with you some of the photos we took from that day the DVD arrived:

"TO: Maia
FROM: Lola Lily, Ninang May and Ate Pixie"

She, initially, didn't want us to tear up the gift-wrapping! :)

According to Muppet Wikia, the original release included a hardcover booklet.

The one we have is softcover.

The different looks on Maia's face while watching her new Sesame Street DVD were something that we will never forget.

She looked unsure while viewing the first few seasons (seeing old-style clips,

Big Bird's really small head and "Dodo-ish" voice, etc.).

Then finally settled as soon as she progressed to the later seasons. :D

You will surely find yourself singing, "Sunny days sweeping the clouds away! On my way to where the air is sweet! Can you tell me how to get...how to get to Sesame Street?" *Sigh!*

Thank you very much Lola Lily, Ninang May, and Ate Pixie! We truly appreciate the love and support you always shower us and Maia. May God bless you even more! We love you!!

Opening the Last Christmas Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:29:00 +0000

This post is actually just a follow up to my previous post, Late Christmas Reunion with College Buddies. I briefly mentioned there about our tradition of exchanging gifts once all the eating, catching up and laughing have been exhausted. Traditionally, the adults exchange gift tokens, while the kids receive toys, clothes, accessories, or Christmas money.

At home the following day, we initially felt a little weird having to still open presents almost a full month after December. But that feeling soon disappeared as soon as we saw how cute all of Maia's presents were, and how much she seemed to appreciate each of them!

Come have a look see! Pardon our appearances as opening the presents was our first order of business that one morning of January. :)

From our friends:

Henry & Karen (light but delicious Meringue from Dulcinea);

Peter & Chinggay (a backscratcher, which we totally love but is now lost somewhere in Maia's playroom);

Jon & Marise (food storage/ container made from microwaveable glass).

Thanks guys! Hope you find our gift token of wooden serving dishes (made/sold by a cooperative of deaf-and-mute craftsmen) very useful! :)

To Maia from Tito Peter and Ninang Chinggay:
Tinkerbell backpack and a pretty checkered dress with flowers and lady bugs.
Maia looks like a doll whenever we have her wear this! :)

A battery-operated Letter-and-Word Book from Tito Jon & Tita Marise. So cool! :)

Maia just loves this sun-visor given to her by Tito Henry & Tita Karen! Isn't it obvious?

This actually came with a matching headband and hair clips. But the visor emerged the winner! :)

Thanks and Godspeed everyone!

Late Christmas Reunion with College Buddies

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:14:00 +0000

My college friends and I always make a point of getting together for the holidays. It has been that way since 1993, when we were all just single and fresh out of college.

Through the years, we see bottles of beer or Bailey's slowly disappearing from the table or menu; sleepovers (due to all-night partying or hangovers) becoming a rare occurrence; cigarettes that used to be consumed soon after we all eat became non-existent; the gifts either decreasing in number (with the migration of some to other countries), increasing (with the "entry" of our partners, followed by kids), or becoming less bulky (with the kids eventually maturing in age, emotions, and personal taste).

However, for the first time, my friends and I were not able to meet up for the holidays this 2010 due to different commitments and obligations. But because we didn't want to break tradition, we still managed to hold a get-together...in January of this year!

It was held at the house of Peter and Chinggay in Mandaluyong. Following are just some photos from that reunion:

That's Maia at the bottom-left corner (with her back to the camera, busy eating & playing),
followed by yours truly, our host Chinggay Dela Cruz-Gonzales, Henry Lara, Peter Gonzales, Vince Lara

Marise Cruz-Reodique, Janina Reodique, Karen Bonifacio-Lara, Chevy Lara, and Jericho Reodique

It's gift-giving-and-exchanging time! Seen here are sisters Sab and Yasha Gonzales

Hovering over the laptop so our New Jersey-based friend, Ghay Salvania, can see us on the webcam.

Me and my college posse!...well, what's left of it. :)
I'll just see you ladies again around Christmas!

As usual, my husband was busy taking pictures of everyone else! Plus, he had the stomach flu that time. Poor baby! But thanks to him, otherwise, there won't be proof that this get-together even happened!

Truly, this is one tradition I always look forward to doing. And I'm happy to have included my husband and daughter to this tight circle.

What about you guys? Do you have set traditions with your old friends? And how do you keep in touch with them?

Take care and Godspeed!

Another Lovely Blog Award!

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:45:00 +0000

It's always a pleasant surprise to receive an award from your peers. My friend Sam, a novelist, awarded me this along with other lady bloggers and writers last March 10, 2011 via her blog, "The Slight Detour". Thank you so very much, Sam! I'm so touched, flattered, and happy!

See Sam's post here:
http://theslightdetour.blogspot.com/2011/03/friday-field-trip-eggs-and-awards.html

I'm now passing on the award to these 15 lovely blogs and their equally lovely owners/authors, to wit:

A Heart Full of Love (LadyMishel)

Azumi (Bambie)

Bitz 'n Pieces of My Life (Lulu)

Blow Kisses (Gizell)

Catharsis (Joy)

Crazy Mom's World (Rikka)

Divine's Memoirs (Divine)

Heartfelt Balance | Handmade Life (Michelle)

It's All About Seth (Sheren)

Magical World of Bea (Malen)

Mom Writes for a Cause (Yami)

My Journey To Life (Ria)

My Misadventures of Stay-at-Home Mommyhood (Ryan)

The Journey (Aishah)

and, of course

The Slight Detour (Sam)

yes my friend, you deserve another one of these!! :-)

Cheers to blogging! More power to bloggers and their lovely blogs! Godspeed!

Kanin Club Despedida Dinner for the Ranjos

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:49:00 +0000

I mentioned in some of my earlier posts that my balikbayan relatives from San Francisco (Uncle Ernie and Auntie Nona Ranjo), spent the yuletide season here in the Philippines. According to my brother (who possesses a VERY GOOD memory), the last time the Ranjos celebrated Christmas in the country was back in 1996...back when my siblings, cousins and I were all still young, single, without any kids, and all still living under one duplex compound! They come visit every couple of years or so (the last of which was during my wedding in 2006), but for Christmas, the last was in '96.

For their 2010 Christmas visit, almost all of us "former kids" are now married, have kids and babies of our own, have set-up house with our respective spouses/ partners, and busy with our own families, jobs or businesses. Good thing, they stayed at my parents' house. And since my sister and I visit and spend the whole day at my parents' once or twice a week, we got to see Uncle Ernie and Auntie Nona often. In the process, they also got to bond and play with our little girls.

But even without us "former kids" to keep them round-the-clock company anymore, they were still able to do many other things, such as:

Attend a baptismal party;
Visit malls and shopping centers they haven't seen yet (e.g., TriNoma, SM Mall of Asia, Serendra/ Bonifacio High Street, Newport Mall, and even the newly-renovated SM City North EDSA, Greenhills Tiangge, St. Francis Square Mall, SM Fairview, Ever Gotesco Commonwealth, etc.);
Be with all of us at our annual Christmas reunion;
Celebrated a noisy and observed a "super firecrack-y" New Year's Eve;
Have a New Year's Day lunch and dinner;
Have a massage at some fancy spa (twice, I believe!);
Visit relatives;
Meet-up and dinner with other vacationing balikbayan friends;
Attend a birthday party; and
Even managed to take a tour of Hong Kong and Macau!

Whew! I got tired from just listing those down! Anyway, pretty soon a month had already passed and they had to go home to San Francisco again. And because they failed to spend time at my cousin John Dee's resort in Baler Province (due to an unfortunate string of events in their HK-Macau trip), the latter thought it would be good to treat our Uncle and Aunt to a send-off dinner (with the rest of us) at a really good family-friendly restaurant, one where he knew that everyone will relax and enjoy. John Dee's restaurant of choice was Kanin Club at it's branch in TechnoHUB in Diliman, Quezon City.

Prior to that night, I have never eaten at Kanin Club. Nor have my sister and her hubby. More so my Uncle Ernie and Auntie Nona. But I have heard GREAT things and have read a lot of good reviews about the food at Kanin Club. So I was really excited about going there, and of course...seeing my cousins whom I just saw barely a week before at their mom's (my aunt's) birthday party.

It took quite a LONG while before we were seated, which was consistent also with what I have heard and read about Kanin Club. The line was long! The place was packed! If John Dee hadn't already placed his order ahead of time, I think everyone would have decided to just transfer to another restaurant. But I guess he really wanted for everyone to try this particular resto. In the meantime, he ordered Halo-halo (from the restaurant next door) for those who were already hungry. Maia and the kids weren't hungry yet and so my hubby and other cousins accompanied them and killed time at TimeZone.

Finally, after about an hour or so, our table was ready! And by the time that everyone arrived and took their seats, John Dee's orders were soon served. They were...

Thai Green Mango Salad
(sliced green mangoes, onions, cilantro, peanuts, then sprinkled with a sweet-salty mix)
I'm not a fan of green mangoes, and so I didn't try this.
But my hubby, who is somewhat of a green-mango-connoisseur, says it was GRRRRREAT!

Crispy Liempo
(crunchy pork belly strips, served with 3 kinds of dippings/ sauce)
I liked it because it was simple, not oily nor salty. A great appetizer!

Sinigang na Hipon
(fresh shrimps, slow-cooked in a sour tamarind broth)
Did you notice that when seafood is fresh, they have that bit of sweet element to them?
I tasted that in the broth! It was really yummy!

Sinigang na Salmon Belly sa Miso
(fresh Norwegian pink salmon belly in traditional sour tamarind and fermented soybean soup)
Salmon. Belly. Sinigang. Period. :)

Bagoong Rice
(fried rice mixed with salted and fermented shrimps)
Really YUMMY goodness!

Aligue Rice
(fried rice sauteed with crab fat)
Sinfully delicious! I advice that you stay away if your blood test shows high cholesterol.

Sinangag na Sinigang
(Sinigang-inspired fried rice, topped with pork liempo slices, and Kangkong that's cooked tempura-style)
This is a meal in itself. Imagine dry Sinigang. Genius!
Uh...sorry about the almost-empty plate :-\

Crispy Pork Binagoongan
(pork belly, deep-fried to a golden crisp, and served in a bed of bagoong sauce)
Now listen, if you're on a diet, then this dish isn't good for you. You poor thing! :(

Pork Barbecue
(tender pork cutlets, marinated in Chef Amilet's secret sauce, and then grilled)
I'm a simple gal! And this simple dish turned out to be my favorite of all my favorites in Kanin Club.
They say it's BBQ, but it tasted like pork tapa to me!

Crispy Dinuguan
(pork that's deep-fried to a crisp, then set in a semi-dry stew of pork blood)
Their signature dish. Kanin Club's bestseller. Said to be the one most copied by others.
I'm not one to eat Dinuguan when it's not cooked by my Yaya Nita (because I know how clean and thorough she cooks the dish, and because she DOESN'T use innards). But THIS Dinuguan...wow! I'm a believer! The crispy pork had the texture of Lechon Kawali. It blended well with the pork blood stew, which was cooked perfectly in vinegar.
No innards too! Yes!! (Ehem...I love yours too Yaya Nita!)

Kare-Kare
(beef tripe, pork leg chunks, and vegetables slowly cooked in peanut/ anatto sauce, and served with bagoong)
I can't say that I loved this dish. But I also don't hate it.
Perhaps because it paled in comparison to our other orders. It was okay for me.

Bangus Escabeche
The menu described it as "the fattest milkfish...served with a sweet-and-sour sauce of red bell peppers, carrots, and onions". Instead, we got the "regular-sized" ones. A little disappointed. I should know, we always buy fat bangus fresh from either the wet market or supermarket. Taste-wise, it was nothing special. Just okay.

Seafood Kare-Kare
(Kare-kare but instead of meat, there are prawns, mussels, and squid)
There was so much food that I wasn't able to try this. Hubby said that it was yummy, and the vegetables were cooked perfectly. But that the prawns weren't fresh, as he had a hard time taking off the shells...they were "stuck" to the prawns.

Stuffed Squid
(tender, sweet, and juicy calamari, with chives stuffing, and a secret sauce)
I know I tried this but honestly...I don't remember how it tasted. Anyway, my husband said that the squid was tender and the sauce good. But he would have preferred that it was grilled rather than fried with breading.

Laing
(Taro leaves, slowly simmered in freshly-squeezed coconut milk, & flavored with pork, dried fish, ginger, & finger chili)
I don't eat Laing so I wouldn't know. My husband didn't try it either.

Turon KC
(fried and caramelized banana, wrapped with purple yam, macapuno, and monggo)
Everyone LOVED this dessert. But I, once again, didn't try this as I am not a fan of purple yam, also known as "ube".

Sorry about the photos showing dirty and "almost-empty" plates". We always seem to enjoy eating too much and forget to take a picture of the food, before they get devoured! But overall, our dining experience at Kanin Club was very GOOD and really SATISFYING! The cuisine is traditionally Filipino but with a twist! It was very ingenuous, the way they "re-presented" old-time Filipino food classics like the dinuguan with crispy pork meat; or even the sinigang-inspired rice...yum! I describe their food as flavorful, rich, and bordering on being heavenly AND sinfully good at the same time! The broths...refreshingly delicious! Portions are good for sharing (usually about 2-3 persons per order). No wonder their loyal customers remain loyal and keep coming back for more. They sure lived up to the hype!

Take a look at the happy and satisfied diners:

My cousin Gay (with her tongue sticking out), Frenjick, Badot, my cousins the Orpilla family,
my brother Marc, Uncle Ernie (standing), & cousin Kati

(Left) The very generous Bustamantes. My cousin John Dee & his wife Pia
(Right) My Dad & Mom, the Dela Cruzes

(Left) The Tobiases. My sister Jaja & her husband Mark
(Right) The Sorianos. Yours truly & hubby Cupid

Kids no more, my cousins Kati & Gay :)

(Left) The Ranjos. Hmm..what are you doing to Aunti Nona's hair, Uncle Ernie? :)
(Right) The Orpillas - Ivy, Tor, Van & Ilka

Yours truly, Frenjick & Badot | My brother Marc & Kati

John Dee again | My aunts, sisters Arlyn & Nona

(Left) My brother Mikko, finishing-off the last of the Turon pieces
(Right) Uncle Ernie and my parents

I wish we had more photos of all the kids inside the resto. But they all quickly left with their nannies soon after dinner: the little ones (Maia and her cousins Andie, Tor and Baby Bella) quickly left for a stroll along the TechnoHub complex; while the tweens and teens (Ivy's only girl and the Bustamante boys) hung out either at TimeZone or Starbucks.

The parents...well, we all stayed behind. Somebody had to finish all the left-over food, right? So we ate some more, shared more stories, took photos...and then John Dee paid the bill (thanks cuz!). We were all so stuffed! Once again, John Dee was successful at getting EVERYONE together, and making sure that everyone was happy and satisfied.

It was a send-off dinner for the Ranjos, and the last time that the Bayot family saw one other (for the 1st Quarter of 2011, at least!). Thanks for the treat, John Dee! For now, I will just have to wait for the coming summer to see my cousins again...where I heard about plans of a get-away-slash-pool-party come next month.

But before I forget...I wanted to say thank you Uncle Ernie and Auntie Nona for the wonderful "pasalubongs", Christmas gifts, and laughter! We really have a great time whenever you are here. I pray that you guys make visiting a yearly thing, so we can always be together! Till we see you again! Be well! We love you both!

Shopwise Surprise!

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:20:00 +0000

We regularly do our meat, poultry, produce, and grocery-shopping all in one place... Shopwise! It has been that way since Cupid and I got married in 2006. Back then, we lived in a condo along Reposo area in Makati, and we used to frequent either Rustan's Fresh in Power Plant Mall or Shopwise Makati for our food and grocery requirements. But after getting pregnant and transferring to a house in Pasig, we had to look for another supermarket. There are groceries and supermarkets in our area. But food-wise (meats, poultry, and produce), they did not seem to meet my husband's expectations. He's meticulous that way, when it comes to food.

We learned of a Shopwise store along Libis. Since then, we have been regulars of the branch. Other than it being the closest outlet to our place, perhaps the main appeal of the store for us was that we just didn't want to part ways with the value-added shopping experiences we have already come to expect and enjoy from a Shopwise store -- things like value-for-money merchandise, wide item selection (both local and imported), the store's courteous and friendly staff, wide shopping aisles, free parking, cool discounts and promos, and excellent loyalty rewards/points system. Add that to the fact that, because Shopwise is a member of the Rustan Group of Companies, one can expect quality in both service and merchandise from them.

Not to seem snooty and all, but in the 3+ years that we have been shopping in the said store, we've noticed that there are not that many people that shop there (at least, compared to other groceries...or other Shopwise outlets for that matter). It's so refreshing to be able to breeze-through shopping without much hustle-and-bustle! I will admit, though, that there are days when there are more people than what we're regularly used to seeing (on Sundays and whenever there is a Sunrise Sale) . Still, they are relatively (and tolerably) fewer people than what you usually witness in other supermarts; more manageable, and never chaotic or unruly. My shopping experience is always a pleasant one at Shopwise Libis.

So, imagine our disappointment upon coming home from shopping there, one weekend of January. You see, we bought a whole, dressed Magnolia Fresh Chicken. And since it was by Magnolia, neatly packed in plastic, and stacked/ stored in the refrigerated poultry section, we didn't think that anything was wrong with it. But when our cook opened the pack to start cleaning the chicken, she found it already spoiled, dark and bruised in some parts, and with a distinctly foul smell. My husband instructed her to throw it out. I originally wanted to bring the "stinky thing" back to Shopwise so we can have it replaced. But my husband decided to just let it be, and said that it would just be a waste of time and car fuel.

But little did I know, Cupid went online and decided to post his concern on the Shopwise Facebook Page the next day (they DID ask for customer suggestions, anyway). Cupid suggested that something be done about their freezers/ refrigerated shelves, that temps be checked, so that nobody else may suffer the same thing as we have.


Above is a snippet of my hubby's post on the Shopwise Facebook Page. Double click to read it.

About a couple of hours later, someone from Rustan's/Shopwise sent him a private message, apologized on behalf of the store, asked for our contact details, and offered to deliver a replacement. Cupid told me about it, obviously delighted about the unexpected turn of events. Personally, I felt that it was only right for them to do so. But instead of saying so, I just simply said, "Okay." I didn't want to get all excited, but I wanted to wait and see first if they will actually follow-through on their word.

The following day, Cupid told me that the Shopwise rep informed him that Libis Branch staff might come over to deliver the "replacement chicken". Again, I said "Okay." Deep inside, I was saying "We'll see." A few hours after, I received a call from Daniel Pasumbal, Store Manager of Shopwise Libis. He apologized and asked what time they can deliver the item. I told him that I'll just be at the house the whole day.

About half an hour after the call, the Shopwise van pulled up in front of the house. Even more apologies ensued, and then they showed 2 packs of whole, dressed Magnolia Fresh Chicken, on a bed of ice, inside a plastic crate. I thought that maybe the other chicken was for another another customer with his/her own "chicken complaint", and that maybe they will go there next. But no, the other chicken was also for us! One was the replacement chicken, the other, compliments of Shopwise Libis. They also left the white, plastic crate where the chickens were placed in.

Two birds on a bed of ice :)

It didn't stop there. They also gave us a fruit basket containing some papaya, mango, orange, pear, bananas and different apples. The Shopwise people than handed me Mr. Pasumbal's business card and told me that we can call him for any problems or concerns we have about their store.

Our fruit basket, compliments of Shopwise Libis :)

I immediately called and thanked Mr. Pasumbal. He again said "sorry". Honestly, I was already getting embarrassed from all the apologizing they've been doing. I mean, one apology was enough, really. They said they would replace the item, and they did what they said they would. I'm happy they did. I felt their sincerity. I'm okay with that. I must say, they did what was expected of them...and even more. A trait that is traditionally filipino and very "Rustan-esque" in character, I thought.

Here's the thing...I am not even a holder of Shopwise' Wise or Elite Cards. I hold a Star Sapphire Card from Rustan's Supermarkets. Since Shopwise and Rustan's Fresh are from the same company, I can shop and earn points from either store. What I do is, I shop at Shopwise Libis since this is closer to where we live. When we've accumulated enough points from shopping with our Star Sapphire card, we hike over to Rustan's Fresh in either Greenmeadows or Shangri-La Mall, redeem our points, and use these to shop then and there. At either store, we get to line up and cash out at special and exclusive lanes. The only difference between the 2 stores is that Rustan's Fresh carries more high-end and imported items. Other than that, service and merchandise are more or less the same...at least, from my point-of-view.

Anyway, I digressed. The reason I shared the bit of info above is...because I believe Shopwise would do this for any of their loyal customers. It didn't matter whether or not I am a member of any of their loyalty programs. They didn't even ask. They also didn't ask my husband for the details surrounding our purchase. But just the same, Cupid gave the date, item number, price and weight in his reply (basically, the details that were on the receipt). When they arrived that Monday, I again offered them our receipt from that weekend, but they said it wasn't necessary. Was that cool of them or what? Too trusting on their part, perhaps? I don't know. I'm guessing they saw it beforehand, from their records or registry or something, because that's how "regularly" we shop there...using my loyalty card, plus my husband's debit card (with his name, exactly the same as his FB account name).

My hubby had this to say about it:

"...I think it was more the fact that I didn't demand for it to be replaced; or raised a scandalous ruckus; or post a disparaging blog. They appreciated that I even offered a suggestion..."

Hey, I'm not complaining here! I'm just glad that Shopwise and Rustan's has afforded us the same level of trust that we have had towards them all these years.

With that said, I think it appropriate to also post here the exchange my hubby had with the Shopwise rep. Okay, so these were private messages. And I also know that there is a reason why these were sent privately. It is too avoid any abuses and any false claims. But my take here is that:

I wanted to show the level of service that Rustan's and Shopwise make to ensure customer satisfaction;
I also wanted to show their commitment to better serve their customers; and lastly,
that I will be blurring-out names and personal information anyway :)

Did I do a good job of blurring-out stuff? Cool huh?
And see how genuinely nice they are over at Shopwise? :)

So there. It's safe to say that my faith in Shopwise has been restored. To be honest, it never really went away. We never stopped going to Shopwise. Not once.

And as in all kinds of relationships, you are bound to have disappointments every now and then. But the good thing about relationships is that, either party can always choose to redeem themselves. :)

What about you? Where do you usually do your grocery-shopping? Do you have any interesting grocer-customer stories that you wish to share, too? I'm all ears...and eyes! :)

Joey Pepperoni & Beer Belly for Wings' 35th Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Mia Dela Cruz-Soriano) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:54:00 +0000

We celebrated my brother-in-law Wings Soriano's 35th birthday last December...the way most adult celebrations go (on a regular weekday)...with dinner, and then some music and light drinking.

First stop was at Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria, in their branch at Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City. It was a gift-treat from Mommy Lily, my mother-in-law, who is based in Los Angeles, CA. And although all our kids weren't there, as well as family members in the U.S., we tried to make the most of this rare opportunity for family bonding by the Soriano men by exchanging stories and catching-up, showing each other photos of our kids, handing-out Christmas gifts, etc. amidst good old Italian-American food.

The Birthday Boy and his Lady-love, Kath. :)

My father-in-law, Daddy Chito | Brother-in-law Andrei and his girlfriend, Eden.

The following are some photos of what we ordered off the Joey Pepperoni menu:

Mozzarella Sticks for Antipasti (Appetizers)

House Salad with Caesar Salad dressing for Insalate (Salads)

We heard that, a visit to Joey Pepperoni is never complete without an order of pizzas. And so...

...we tried their Pizza Pizza Promo at the time:

Hawaiin Pizza. Another one with pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, and onions

...And of course, Joey Pepperoni's "The Works" Pizza
(smoked ham, pepperoni, bacon, salami, mushrooms, ground beef, onions, bell pepper, and olives)
It was so yummy that Cupid (again) forgot to take a photo of it before everyone started grabbing slices! :)

And what's pizza without pasta?

Lasagne alla Bolognese
(layers of lasagna sheets filled with bolognese and bechamél sauce topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese)
I never tried this so I can't say how it tastes. But Eden seemed to like it. She finished the whole thing...though slowly
(I guess, because the serving size was too big for her) :-)

Penne alla Vesuviana
(penne pasta with bolognese sauce topped with bechamél sauce and mozzarella cheese)
Cupid said this dish was just "okay". Nothing spectacular. It was too bland for him that he even had to add salt to it.

Gamberi
(Pomodoro sauce with shimps and bacon bits)
This was my order. Again, it was "okay". I actually expected it to have a more "seafood-y" taste to it. Also, the shrimps were sweet but a little overcooked. I've tasted better Gamberi elsewhere. But, to be fair, it was actually "better" than Eden's and Cupid's pasta orders. ;-)

For Dolci (dessert), we had...

Frozen Cappuccino Mud Pie
(layers of vanilla and coffee crumble ice cream in a tasty and delicious cookie crust)
Now this... we LOVE!

And another sinful dessert for me... :-)

Vanilla with Chocolate Chips
(from the Gelato by Joey Pepperoni line)!

Image from ViewManila

Wings then invited us to come watch Kath sing at Beer Belly Bar and Restaurant, at the Madison Square complex, which was just a stone's throw away. The place was packed with customers, some eating, others drinking. By the bar was a small but elevated stage set up for live music. I truly enjoyed and loved Kath's repertoire of "90's-female-R&B-songs".

Inside Beer Belly Resto-Bar.
Wings seen here listening to and supporting Kath (background) who was performing that night.

Wings ordered beer for everyone, and Coke Zero for me. On the other hand, Eden ordered this cocktail pitcher containing a "bright-blue-colored" concoction called, "Jenny's Illusion". I was a little reluctant when she and Andrei asked me to try it. But since it was Wings' birthday, I decided to give it a go. It was my first "alcoholic drink" since "banishing drinking" in 1998. It was okay. Can't say I liked it. Didn't drink a second time.

Wings' friends and some colleagues from the music and bar scene soon arrived, and that signaled to us that it was time to leave and "hand over" the birthday-boy and our table to them. It was just as well. Cupid still had work the next day, plus, my eyes were getting really tired and heavy. Turned out that Cupid was struggling to keep awake too. Indeed, not everyone is born a "night-owl" like Wings.

Cupid and I, sporting "Garfield-eyes"! ;-)

Overall, it was both a fun and relaxed birthday celebration! Can't believe that my brother-in-law is now 35 years old! First met him when he was just a wee-28 year old (hehehe)...and he still looks the same now as he did then! I wish I knew exactly what keeps him looking "forever young". Could the "night-scene" actually be the key to the "fountain of youth"? I wonder!

Happy Birthday, Wings! Stay young! Rock on! We all love yah! :)