Thursday, December 22, 2005
2005: Our Roller Coaster Year
| I'd like to quickly review our year …. And wish you a Merry Blessed Christmas and a Happy Bountiful New Year! I'd describe this past year as one long roller coaster ride, with many ups and downs throughout the year. We started the year with the blessing of our Wedding anniversary in January, went to the longest drive of our life yet.. to Melbourne, saw the sights of the South coast and went to the Australian Open, just the three of us! February, we were given a very nice birthday gift for Francis, our Permanent Resident visa here and then there was my birthday in April :) During the second quarter, a blessing of a new job for myself was given us, finally got a permanent one, with paid leaves and all the benefits! J… Nothing much else happened during the second quarter, just outings here and there, birthdays, etc. This year's third quarter was the saddest one in my life, went home to Pinas for a holiday end of July and went back here middle of August after my Dad's funeral, it was an unexpected death. I still miss him badly, until now I still find myself crying at some nights. It was still a blessing for us because we were still able to spend some days with him before he succumbed to diabetes. And we know he is now at peace, healthy and looking after us from heaven. September, we celebrated Franco's 2nd birthday, he was a pirate this year! In October, we found out we were again blessed with another angel. I'm going 4 months pregnant now. But during the month as well was quite sad, I thought I’ve lost a friend, but I'm thankful I've regained her. I just hope things will go back to like before. So many things have happened during this month and so many realizations have occurred to me. It was truly a life-changing, learning experience. During this month, Francis was offered a job in Switzerland as well. November, we've considered the Switzerland job offer, this would mean we will be relocating again! But we weighed everything, looks like Australia is not our last destination yet! We've accepted the offer! We're looking at moving in February next year. This month, Nestle started with the visa process, which usually takes 3 months. December, we decided to apply for Franco's and my US visa, we wanted to be ready with it when we move to Switzerland, it's nearer and mommy will be moving there by October. So I've scheduled an interview with the US consulate office and the same day, Francis had to go to the Swiss consulate office. The same day, we were advised that our visas (both US and the Swiss ones) are now approved! So, this is it! We'll be on the move again! I called this a visa’s galore month for us! J We're very excited that next year, by February, we'll be moving again.. to greener pastures (literally) and colder temperatures (not too excited about this one! As I don't really like winter!). I'll be giving birth there, too! I'm glad that friends and family who knows about the move are happy about it as well, we had to do a lot of discerning… we would be postponing our Australian citizenship, but what the heck, we are PR visa holders now, anyway . We'll see what happens, we may or may not return to Australia, we may or may not like to settle in Switzerland… that's still far beyond our plans, for now, we are very thankful for the blessings, that inspite of the family tragedy that happened, God is giving us another life to nurture.. another adventure in our life in a new place. I know it's not going to be easy, but hey, we're in it as a family, I'll be a full SAHM (stay-at home-mom) again probably for 2 years? And then, let's see! =) Oooppsss… got carried away, wanted to tell you the news na din. You won't be seeing much of us in person, so I'll send pictures. Do keep in touch and God bless you! Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas with all your loved ones, and a happy, prosperous and bountiful New Year ahead! xxx-ooo |
Friday, December 9, 2005
Boy or Girl? 38 Fun Ways to Guess Your Baby's Sex
| This article was forwarded to me by my sister, just wanted to share it. It's very interesting :) Enjoy! = = = = = = = = = > What could be more fun than trying to guess the sex of your baby-to-be? Everyone wants to get in the game. Don't be surprised if someone you've never met stops you at the grocery store, offering a prediction of your baby's gender. For hundreds of years, expecting moms have relied on time-tested methods of guessing their baby's sex. Even though these old wives' tales are far from foolproof, they are certainly more fun than their more reliable successors, amniocentesis and ultrasound. Enjoy guessing your baby's sex! It's a boy if: You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy Your baby's heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute You are carrying the extra weight out front Your belly looks like a basketball Your areolas have darkened considerably You are carrying low You are craving salty or sour foods You are craving protein -- meats and cheese Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy Your hands are very dry Your pillow faces north when you sleep Dad-to-be is gaining weight, right along with you Pregnancy has you looking better than ever Your urine is a bright yellow in color Your nose is spreading You hang your wedding ring over your belly, it moves in circles You are having headaches You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived the number is even It's a girl if: You had morning sickness early in pregnancy Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear Your left breast is larger than your right breast Your hair gets red highlights You are carrying high Your belly looks like a watermelon You are craving sweets You are craving fruit You crave orange juice You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy You are moodier than usual during pregnancy Your face breaks out more than usual You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread Your breasts have really blossomed! Your pillow faces south when you sleep Your urine is a dull yellow in color If you hang your wedding ring over your belly, it moves from side to side If you add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived the number is odd |
Sunday, December 4, 2005
let's dance, mommy
| haay... sweet music to my ears! :) this morning, my baby boy was watching blues cues (ang bukang-bibig nya this week)... in full concentration, eyes glued to the tely and sitting at the edge of his seat. then played the thinking music. to my surprise, he suddenly got up, approached me (while i was facing my laptop and busy searching for something on the net), reached out for my arms and said "mommy, let's dance". it caught me off-guard, i got a bit teary-eyed, but did get up to dance with my baby (to the tune of "we have got a letter, we have got a letter, we have got a letter, i wonder who it's from"). :) til now i can't keep it out of my mind, i'm so looking forward to the growing years of my little boy. memories went rushing in, from his ultrasounds to his first cry, to his first crawl, to his first tooth, to his first steps and so on... time does fly fast and we feel truly blessed to have our little angel in franco. can't wait for him to meet his little sibling next year. i'm sure he'll be a very sweet kuya. |
Saturday, December 3, 2005
into scrapbooking
| i'm about to begin my scrapbooking adventure. :) i just got the scrapbooking kit i bought from a lady in the office. hopefully, i'd do it well and good. will add my first creation when done. |
Friday, December 2, 2005
pasko na...
| it's december already, how i miss christmas in manila. simbang gabi, puto bumbong, bibingka, karoling sa bahay-bahay, malamig na simoy ng hangin... haay! sana makapagpasko ulit kami sa manila, hopefully next year, at dalawa na ang chikiting naming bitbit :) |