When Papa is away, Ora will play!

WARNING!!! ... More in line!!! :)

1, 2, 3... smile!

Our Happy Little Family! Woops! Sorry for some blurry shots! :(

Once Oscar got home from work, Ora would follow him in the room and would quickyl grab his bag (which is quite heavy), for she knows it's her Cam Time! hoooollaaahh!!!

Despite those Baggy Eyes.

I was bored this afternoon. Nothing made me busy. I came to read this happy post from Yahoo Shine and it was so touching and sweet!

Parenting Guru: The most beautiful woman in the world is...me?

by: Akemi

When I was in second grade, we read a lovely Russian folktale about a lost peasant girl who is trying to find her mother. The villagers run over to help, asking the girl to describe her mother.

"My mother is the most beautiful woman in in the world," the girl replies.

So the villagers bring the girl the most beautiful women they can find and to each one the girl says, "No, she is not my mother."

At the end of the book, the girl tearfully reunites with her mother, a plain and dumpy peasant woman.

The message resonated with my then 7-year-old self: The mother is not beautiful to everyone but she is beautiful to her daughter. To love is to see beauty.

For years, I've remembered this tale and its lesson. (It's actually a retelling of a Russian folktale by Becky Reyher; the dialogue above is mine, created from memory so the story as I remember it may differ from the book.)

Today, my 6-year-old son gazed up at me with sincere eyes and touched my face and my hair so tenderly and said, "beautiful."

He doesn't see the untamed hair. He doesn't see the up-past-midnight dark circles. He doesn't see the ten pound weight gain.

He loves me, so I am beautiful - to him.

Remembering the folktale, I go out on a limb and ask my two sons the leading question, "Who is the most beautiful woman in the world?"

"You, mom, " they smiled back. "You."

I am proud of my newly crowned title because I earned it. The most beautiful mom in the world has untamed hair, bags beneath her eyes and wears the same shirt for days on end.

I am thankful for the gift of children who see me through the beautifying lens of love.

I feel beautiful.

***

Thanx for sharing this story! This made me cry. Despite of these baggy eyes, you made me feel beautiful! <3>

Sunday's Best!

For this week’s post!

Yesternight when I arrived home, there was quite an unusual feeling inside. All’s quiet, hassle-free and were just watching TV. But I have always been trusting my instincts. Then I came to know from my Nanay that my Tatay has been pissed off that day coz of Ora. He had rigid cough but Ora wants to cuddle up with him. Well, no one wants to carry Ora except Oscar (with no complains you hear) coz of her heavy weight. Ora’s getting heavier each week!

So we looked-for some backyard repairs at home. The fence at the back of the house we're busted out by strong winds last week since we live on an elevated place here in Davao (but that was I like about it here! Cooler place in the evening and a happy foggy morning scene) . The previous fence was merely made out of bamboo sticks so we could separate the yard out from our neighbors’ back garden. We have changed it to a more durable fence using some left diamond wires (I don’t know how exactly to call it) which we bought from one of our neighbor since she could not think of any other usage of it. Oscar and my Tatay did the repairs. ‘Twas just momentary since we plan to change it unto hollow blocks very soon!

While the two men were working, my Nanay prepared some grilled pork for our breakfasts while me, cleaning the house & feeding Ora. That was a scrumptious breakfast since I was the one ask do the final food seasoning. Burp!

Then we did our Sunday afternoon routine… Buying ice cream before evening comes became one of my favorites on our Sunday’s Best! We had Choco-peanut flavored ice cream this time!

============================================================

And so we got our new Mini ASUS computer! Quite expensive than the usual notebook but that’s okay since it was provided by the company where Oscar is working (Aha!). Watched some videos and Ora loves so much every time she sees herself on the monitor if I turn on the camera, she goes up and down and she dances so well! Good job Ora! And thank God for the new gift before this year ends!

Photos to be posted soon! ;)

Funny Moments...

Last night my daughter played with a magazine which contains my journalistic writings way back in College. I come across with this literary write up I made long before... Oscar and I were laughing while reading this.

Sense of Unreality: from my diary of emotions

by: bernadette Aquino)

It was then a frigid November... In the pearly grey light of afternoom, everything seemed to assume a different facet. The foliage on the vines and acacia trees hung floppily, even the birds had no strength to sing in the heavy sticky air. The silence was broken with a inquisitive weep of a girl immersed with tears as she was staring nowhere...

He looks at me with passionate emotions. I come across at him and endure staring nowhere with wide-open eyes, while wiping those tears that had fallen from my eyes. A fierce smile was my reply and voiced out... "I understand..." and I destined it.

" It had to be that..." He blurted out finally.

The flap to the delightful realm of ours was closing ceaselessly. For all its tender woes and all the primordial way of thinking, it evoked in both of us. We both kenw that it was the last spilt second of its sort we would ever share.

One minute it became us, think we're in high spirits, we both have each other for quite a moment now or two, and the next minute, it was moved out, and we don't know what beat us.

I promised myself, I would never go down and love. But I never grasp that I would smash that promise as quickly as I made it. I fell in love with him...

We met during my sophomore year. I was busy then with someone else, but fate brought us closer over time. My friends would warn me of what I was getting myself into, but you know how it is when you are blinded by love. I gave in to my feeling after sometime, and everything went smoothly.

I could still bring to mind the promises we had made. The imaginings we've both dreamed of, those engaging modest stuffs we've shared. The old drama we've planned --- to pretend that we let our love down... When he took me to a cathedral where I've never been before , for the first instance as we steeped on, he held my hand tightly... A firm clutch I coudn't make sense of delineating that I got nothing to fear. Yes, everything went on gently... But now, it was just a memory worth keeping. It was simply a beautiful tale of love and friendship.

He's the first guy I'd ever loved. It was a shock when he told me one night that he had to leave. I felt so small, I felt so betrayed, why I didn't see it coming?...

"Now I'm letting you go..." was all I recount from what he'd disclosed. "I'm giving up..."

From that, I knew as I looked at him that I would forever remember that moment, with the moonlight streaming across his mug. I felt as though in a solitary hours of darkness I had lost not only him, but all my illusions...

To be honest everytime we would see each other in school, it was hard. He looks like he always did. When I see him, and part of me thinks we're still one, and precisely we are. It's so weird, and so hard to be aware of that he's not part of my life anymore. It was probably hard for him too. But this is what he wants. He made it plain again. I don't know what happened. I wish I did. How I wish I knew where I went wrong, where I failed, what I did or I didn't do... I must have done something. You just don't wake up one day and leave, or maybe you do. I don't know... I don't think I'll ever understand it or get over it!

Yes it's true... Our life is dead, like an aged tree that needs to be chopped along before it falls over and kills someone and the person who's apt to kill right now is ... me.

The moment it ended... devoid of any grounds... but it never nashes my teeth... I didn't feel anything except dread, as though I knew something awful had happened and I coudn't remember what. But i know, at the interior of me, I knew. Every twine of my being knew that I had lost the only guuy I'd ever loved. The world I had known and loved for has just ended. And all I wanted was to die with it. I was on my own now forever...

The panorama of all of it was so enormous as to be beyond understanding. The reality of it was upsetting. It was a remember to each of us that no one was off the hook from lightning striking when you least expected. No one could ever know what would happen...and just when you thought you could coast forever and you're out of harm's way you discovered that you weren't.

Mayber those moan of dejections that I shed for him was just a shell of memory that I have to leave in the wake of... I fell in love, so that I will learn, I got hurt so that I will become strong, and I cried so that I can let go and he taught me how to love and find my place in the life of someone who will love me that way I had loved.

"I have to go, take care of yourself..." he said solemly. " I mean really take care. You look appalingly thin."

I didn't know how to answer him, I just looked at him, nodded, and looked away so he woudn't see the tears in my eyes. " Thanks for letting me be here today."

" I'm gonna miss you..." I cried. I felt as though I had been gunned down in a drive-by-assasination. My knees were trembling...tears ran down. We look at each other for a longtime. So many memories we had shared were irrelevant now like old clothing left to go to wrack and ruin quietly in a garret. The garret of our hearts, and the union we had destroyed. I felt as though my complete life had been deposited in a dumpster like so much debris. All things that had once been treasured and loved and belonged to someone, and now had no dweelling. And I along with it, tossed out, forgotten, unloved. It was a depressing notion. I had to make my own now, and adjust to the realities of my life. The truth was that I was alone, and would reside that way.

I cried when I wrote him a note of thanks, " THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES...I STILL LOVE YOU..." There was no way to conceal from it anymore. I was totally alone and I thought my heart would break as I handed him the note that day, it was fruitless. And as I drifted of to sleep in bed, I felt desolation swallowed me until I felt as though I were about to go underneath.

It was still hard to suppose sometimes that I'd survived. At night alone in my cradle, it seems as though everyone I had loved was gone...

This happens to people, Things change. Live go in unsual directions, people give up the ghost of love, and got broken and fall out of it... It just happens... The unseen, concealed love we have known for was over. We both now have our new lives. I didn't exist anymore, as far as he was concerned. He had blown everything we ever had in a solitary rage. And as I drifted off to sleep, I told myself I didn't care anymore, about him, or anything. All I wanted was to forget I had ever loved him and go to sleep. It was a new life, a new day! And for me, wether I wanted it that way or not, it was going to be a new life, too...

I never hnow how love is going to stride into my life, or if...and when it did, I don't know what face it's going to wear. But in some ways, for both of us... " I'm glad it was him! "

PS. dis is 4 u. u know hu u r. OL3

And as Oscar was reading it, all the teasing went on last night! :)

Our Li'l Trouble Maker

So I went in our room to call her. There she was, sitting on the corner facing the wall. Doing something. Quietly. We always have this morning routine to eat together (the 3 of us) before Oscar and I will be heading for work. I was behind her.

When she faces Mama this is what happened to my newly-bought lipstick.

Ora has this quickest hand when messing up things inside my bag. But still for Mama she's the cutest gal ever!... She ran towards her Papa on the table eating while leaving her mess.

She's indeed Mama's Weeeeh Little trouble maker. Papa's lucky charm!

Another Rigorous Discussion Moments for a Name!

I had so much to do this day like weekend ,Christmas plannings and some other details for our planned wedding with my pen and paper but this caught my attention while browsing the net: How lovely the name of our little one!

'twas not so long when I made so much suggestions as to what will be the name we could come up for our 1st baby. But Oscar made a straight decision for it and this came out and I made no disagreement:

Real Name: Eleiza Rozette Aquino- Lazaro

Nick Name: "Ora"

These are some of their meanings:

Ora Money (Anglo-Saxon)

Ora Beautiful seacoast (English)

Ora Light (Hebrew)

Ora Gold (Spanish)

And now for the second one, I'll me making my first suggestion to Oscar and I'm hoping for a big YES! for this. That if we'll still be blessed of a baby girl :)

Elzira Rowa Aquino-Lazaro.

Elzira = devoted to God (Hebrew)

Rowa = lovely vision

And I'm still torn between these two for her nickname:

Odi / Ody = wealthy defender (Anglo saxon)

Ori = My light (Hebrew )

Hoping for a "me" decision this time! Hurrah!

Dance around oh! Our little pea pod!

The other day I found a good– brief nursery rhyme I could teach to ERL. Sounds like she liked the tone and how she loves to dance and swiftly dropped her whole body after she hears the last part!

Ring-oh-Ring of roses

A pocketful of posies

Atishoo! Atishoo!

They all fall down!

We are so much proud of you little one! And we're always excited to see each day your wonderful talents!

Kisses!

Office Blessing with my Meno Gaia Family

English Net College under Meno Gaia Co., Ltd. Philippine Branch, One of Japan's Top On-line School-- and I'm lucky to be part of it for almost 3 years now!

October 25, 2010 we officially blessed the new office and with everybody's help we made it! Everyone were all dressed up especially the GNA (Global Net Academy) staff along with their Manager (well, we were not actually told that we need to dress well only them! Aha!) Oozed with scrumptous foods along with my nice colleagues! But this is what happened a night before the party.

While everyone's working for the stage, staffs were busy posing while monitoring the homebased teachers. Now, that's multi-tasking!:)

And we made it! Stage is ready! And were about to start!

... And I guess luck comes with me that day! I was awarded as the most numbered Trial lesson teacher! Haha! Got the money, overwhelemed, and I almost forgot that I need to take sa photo for that!

We had a huge laughters and tummies! Had our yearly group pictorial at New Jersey and party at night at World Palace (but didn't go with them anymore due to my motherhood career ehehe).

...And as we continue to be gobally competitive, above all we continue to serve and be appreciated! Gambatte Ne! :)

Kampai for more years to come! :D

How does one become a butterfly. One has to want to fly so much

that they are willing to give up being a caterpillar.

3 years after!

A year of Hope, Tears, Joy and Love!

How precious is each moment we live, no matter what year it is. To gaze upon a tender picture and breathe life into it by sharing it with others, this is what makes so special. It is the place where no memory ever has to be lost, but can be passed on to friends, connecting us all...if only for one brief moment in time…

So much had happened for these past few years after University. I had the most out of 2008, 2009 and Zero’10. As I looked back, I got to think on those breathtaking, cheerless, exhilarating and weird and wonderful memories I’ve had. Be it with friends (acquaintances and those I’ve had throughout my down moments), classmates and schoolmates way back in University, My Family and those who were “bitter” ones haha!

There were memories worth saving for. Some were big, some were extraordinarily wonderful!

University days. It may have taken me years, but I don't care. The road has been hard and painful at times, but I also met some of my best friends and those good memories will never fade away. The loves and the losses, the late nights and crumpled thesis papers on the floor, early morning classes after a nights of press works, the projects, tests and weekends going home. I'll never forget this place- USEP and my The Eagle family!

“Remember the little things in life....For one day you may look back and realize they were the BIG things"

Graduation. I faced and had my unforgettable graduation speech fronting roughly 6000 people. The feeling of making even the most mischievous studs in the campus cried was worth all the sleepless nights I’ve spent thinking how to begin and end my speech, plus those of my professors and batch mates’ expectations from my speech content. Thanks Prof. Cenojas for your encouragements & motivations. No ants in my pants but all I had was excitement to each word I uttered at that moment! Oh, how I dearly miss my truest friends! And I miss University days!

Scholarships. Those great efforts I’ve had before I could get the scholarship I passed for Korea, still, in some way I was gratified it was not pushed through. All I have was the credential of my labor! But passing all the interviews was pretty tough!

Teaching. God has blessed me with a job I’ve prayed I wish to have! Weeks after my graduation I was lucky to join in a company where gags will rock ‘til the very inch of you. My Meno Gaia Family! Teaching is fun! The idea that you just don’t teach something but also inspires someone to give her best and be appreciated is the best feeling ever! I got to meet naysayers on job but I appreciate more my amazing colleagues. I miss some of those who were already out from the company. Hope our roads will cross someday!

2010. I was blessed to have a baby and I love having a baby. She has just opened my world in such a colorful, lively way! I love the warmth of my husband’s hand on mine. The feeling of being safe and secure in your husband’s arms. The bliss of having someone to grow old with. Having someone who sincerely believes you can go further in life. Seeing my daughter in the loving arms of her grandmother. The assurance of your daughter’s quality care from her grandparents while you’re at work. Listening to your Father -in-law sharing stories about your husband’s younger days. Wonderful in-laws. Respect, Maturity, Spiritual happiness. Peace of mind !!! Loving what you do everyday. The moment of RIGHT NOW. These are things that bring me much happiness to my 2009 & 10. These are the things that make my life worth living!

You never see the hard times in a photo album, but those are the ones that get you from one happy snapshot to the next...

Memories worth Saving: Oct 17, 2010

Our second sunday for this year at church. Well, as always, everyones attention for some time was on Ora. She shouted so loud while hearing the mass for she wanted to play with the other kids older than her after she joined us singing some of the songs in church. Oh how she loves music! By afternoon, we had some walk around the village as what our sunday routine should be, to keep Ora out from boredom and good sleep by night. We got to pass in an unoccupied land around the village with some wild mumps. Oscar told me that it's easy to plant those types and so we got as many as we can have in different colors. Ora placed an orange one on her left ear. And everyone who crosses our way adores Ora so much! Lucky to have our cute li'l one!

Beach. Beach. Beach. Oh we love the beach!

Yesternight Oca and I had some groceries for tomorrow's trip to Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Ate double delight pizza before heading to the supermarket and grab some of the food we want to have for our beach travel. Since both Ora and him loves mango, we'll have mango float ala Adang tomorrow weeeeh hahaha! And of course, never will I forget Ora's cute GAP beach outfit and her polycarbonate sunglasses which I doubt she'll wear the latter :(

Off to the beach tommorow and we're all excited!

1 more to come!!!

And we're much excited for another one to come! And gladly I found a very nice, gabby , wise doctor who will soon to be helping me in my 2nd pregnancy! And we prayed deeply for our baby Arue's arrival. God was so good to give us what we wished for!

Chosen Hospital: Davao Medical School Foundation

Obgyne Doctor: Dr. Sherrie Ann Jesus-Lu MD

Pregnancy Tickers from WiddlyTinks.com

Pregnancy Tickers

MY SUPER ONE!

She is God's opinion that my world should go on!!!

At a young age, few months after my graduation ,at 21, I received the most wonderful blessing God has given to me.Like so many women I know, at that time, I was trying to make the best decisions for myself and the sweet baby girl in my womb. But like many new parents, I didn't have a clear idea of what that meeting will be like. But when I saw those tiny fingers and toes, I had the happiest and the most fortunate feeling ever.

Sweetie Life!

On June 16, 2009 at 10:14 AM an angel was born and joined our family. Her name is Eleiza Rozette "Ora" Aquino-Lazaro. We had chosen names well in advance for both occasions - be it a girl or a boy. A modernized-Filipino sounding name for her. Taken from her grandmothers Elizabeth and Rosita. Well, I was secretly hoping for a girl although 85% were saying it's a boy judging by how high I carried the baby. I had a safe delivery. Four hours labor! Woosh!!! There Ora goes! MY SUPER ONE!!! :)

Well, I did it. I have one beautiful, tiny miracle that's a rosy healthy baby and feisty and I couldn't feel more blessed. Here are some updated pics of my little gal.

In action. Love her smile! She is a precious little 13 month old baby and we are loving having a little girl! And who could resist? What a sweet bundle of pure joy! The one whom gave some love and laughter in our home.

When she came, it's like the journey never ends, but it has been a joyful one. I definitely do things now differently, since I realize now how fast time really does fly by. I've learned to say no to commitments that take up too much of my time and how to settle for a less than perfectly spotless house. I’ve learned to just stop, put everything down and sit in the floor and play and enjoy my little girl, savoring the everyday moments and memories we’re making. I know that all too soon the house will be spotless again, and very quiet…too quiet. When that time comes, I’ll pick everything back up again and begin to enjoy that season of my life. But for now, I’m making the most of this Super One! ;)

Here's a video I personally made for her which defines how I love to be with my super one Ora. She's just oohh sooo precious!

In one word she was adorable.

Working in the office and having access to my mobile phone has helped me for my motherhood tremendously. I have gotten daily updates the whole day with my little one, as well as talking with my “Nanay” ,who takes good care of our Ninkee Dooh -Ora while me and my husband are off to work. Using Globe’s prepaid sim enables us to enrich our everyday communications and brings us closer to our dear super one!

Using Globe, we are able to live our Filipino values through communication and bring us closer to what matters us most!

Our 2 days Escapade!

When God is in your heart, it is the most fulfilling life you can live..

Walk in his ways and you will truly appreciate all the day he gives you!

I had two days leave intended for our family plan to somehow spend time with each other. All had a blast with those short days we had.

July 18, 2010- Sunday

Time for our little Ninkee!

Went off-- out from the crowded city of Davao and headed to the white sandy beach an hour away from the city with our little sexy baby (hahaha). Had a scrupmtous lunch prepared by my in-laws. By 2 we watched Toy Story 3 via DVD. At 3 in the afternoon Ora had fun walking with her Papa along the sea shore. You could see how excited and ejoyed she was looking on a wide open beach with an ooh!!! so!!! loud laugh she gave. She sat on those rocks since 'twas low tide where there were few amount of water sorrunding,touching those tiny thingy with her little hands. But she couln't help to sat down 0n the sandy watery part with all her diaper. And here comes Mama the Antagonist of Ora's excitement: I asked the two of them out from the water since it's too windy already and Mama's quite worried of Ora's health. She went out with her feeling a li'l disappointed. :-(.

July 19, 2010 - Monday

Shopping & a date with Oscar!

All dressed up with my yellow-green blacky dress (hehe)! I bought a 2 metered pink, flowery cloth for Ora's pyjamas,3 pairs of socks & shades for Oca, and a black tights for me. Oca helped me picked out a nice pair of earings to fit on my dress. While looking for a nice tights to fit my size,a college classmate I haven't seen for quite a while -Bessy and I met and talked a while about our kids. Did a little groceries and we ate a lot after. Leche Flan, baked macaroni, maja blanca, bam-i , chicken adobo, cooooold soda, buko juice for me and burp!!! See how the two of us loves to eat??!!

July 20, 2010 - Tuesday

A day with me

Went to Ukay2 with a colleague and bought 2 pairs of swim suit at a very low price. I was a lucky one to have a GAP and Carter brands of Ukay and still looks new. AT that time I was very excited to fit to Ora all the things I bought for her.

Then, I headed to a China town nearby after work and bought a pink flowery blouse for myself. Weeh!! it's been quite a while... I haven't explored DCLA, 168, 668 etc. hahaha.

The rest of the days are work, fun with my family and enjoying what each day offers me!!!! :)

Aquino-Lazaro Fam!

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com


Birth Announcements

Each day is a reason to celebrate!

Birthday Tickers from WiddlyTinks.com

Our Baby Ningky2 Doo!!!

A Day with Ora after work

I asked Oscar to go home early this day after work. Cooked noodles for him as what he requested. T'was a whole lot of fun having bond with our little pretty ningky doo baby. And here are some of those last July 8, 'Zer10.

Ora rarely wears her smile so yesterday I was lucky to see those 8 pearly white teeth.

Yum-Yum Kiss Mwah!!! From Papa and Mama! Unfortunately She ignored it! Because she was...

...oh sooohhh!!!!...BUSY... so occupied watching her favorite show Momay!

And when I say "Momay!!!" she would shout "May!!!" Good start ayt?

I asked her to take a pose and this is what happened...

She was totally annoyed how Papa would carry her.We'll she's not in mood at all to take more photos! And Papa's having sty/e on his left eye! Coz weeeeerreee.... the STY/E FAMILY!!! Ayeeehhh!!!

Yipeeee!!! Her reaction when she saw the red warning light of the digital Camera.

She loves to stay in her Papa's huge plastic box. She's fond of playing here while taking her a bath and she goes wild!

This one thing .. why I love to have another one

NEVER!!! interrupt her when she's busy! I was calling her to look at the camera but ends up having this. Ain't it cute??? :-)

She's always been a happy little tod!