HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Its been so long since i've blogged - but HAPPY HAPPY 1st birthday to my baby boy, Gabriel!!!! I can't believe how fast this year flew by. We had a week long celebration in beautiful Hiltonhead Island. We shared a HUGE home with our close family and friends and enjoyed a wonderful week together. Pictures to come soon. In the meantime, this is a picture of my beautiful baby boy enjoying his cupcakes. Photo courtesy of Blowup Babies Photography.

Philippines

Taking a little break with my little family :) we're heading to Japan and to the Philippines! Looking forward to the mango shakes, laying by the pool, shopping at all the little bazaars, eating all the yummy food, and spending tons of time with my sisters and family. Best of all, I'm looking forward to sharing this with Gabe. i'll try to update during my trip but incase I can't, have a wonderful two weeks!!

These are a few pics I found online, can't wait to share our actual photos with you.

The beautiful Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard,

adorned with colorful capiz lanterns

Serendra - a place of serenity, our condo

The pool at Serendra

Jeepney's - popular mode of transport in the Philippines

Big Girl, Big Diamonds

"Big girls need big diamonds."

Elizabeth Taylor

(1932-2011)

I share 2 things with this legendary actress - a love for jewelry and misunderstood romances. If there were a picture of the word fabulous, it would be a picture of Ms. Elizabeth Taylor. RIP

My other love

My other love, Wil, is another year older! we celebrated his birthday last week - both in NJ and in MN. in MN, we had an impromptu dinner with our close friends and family and had such a great time catching up and just hanging out like old times.

in NJ, we ate at a famous filipino chain, Max's in Jersey City. The food there was amazing. It was a bittersweet meal since, aside from Wil's birthday, it was also our last family dinner in NJ. After being there for 3 weeks it was so hard to leave my family. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that i'm going to see them in a few weeks for our fam trip to the Philippines! Can't wait!!!

Happy Birthday, my love. I love you so much.

famous filipino dessert - "halo-halo"
our little family
Gabriel Viggo 9 months old
Jersey City, NJ

Sleep, Happy Baby, Happy Mom

Just when i thought the battle to sleep through the night was coming to an end, i find out that 9 months is a tough time for babies to sleep through the night. Most people say its the separation anxiety the babies are feeling. Others say its their discomfort from teething. Yet others say babies cry because they know they're going to be picked up. Its so hard to decipher whether or not Gabe really needs me or if he just wants to be picked up.

2 recommendations I got from people:

1) a book by Dr. Marc Weissbluth, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child"

2) Fischer Price's light up seahorse that lights up and plays soothing lullabies.

I recommend them both 100%. For the sake of your own health/happiness and that of your baby, you both need a good night's sleep. I learned how important it is to instill good sleeping habits early on.

3 months of love

Here are 3 month's worth of baby Gabe growing up :) These pictures are snippets of our life from December 2010 to March 2011 so Gabe is between 6 to 9 months old. They flew by way too fast if you ask me: (disclaimer - i have to apologize for Gabe's wacky hair - it has a mind of its own :) )

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the Air. Another year, another season and yet, i still do not have this wardrobe staple - a classic trench coat - a sin I know. I guess I keep looking for the perfect one. I do have to say though, this caught my eye. It was absolutely darling on the hanger in the BCBG store. Let's just say you'll make an impression as you leave the room with those ruffles on the back. LOVE.

BCBG "Ophelia" ruffle trench coat

Retail price- $348

www.bcbg.com

front view - in Khaki

back view in grey