alvaro arrives!

from a first birthday... to a first birth day

here's another milestone you missed!

monitoring alvaro's heartbeat...

the excited lola and doctor

the anxious father...

your substitute "doctor"...

and within a few hours...

hello daddy!

welcome to the world, alvaro!

maligayang tati

thought i'd share with you the first of 2 major celebrations you missed out on...

here's our little tati's first birthday party.

good job on the pompoms!

highlight of the party was the lunch created by jj yulo... here's the menu.

some chicharon and atsara (not in photo)...

"empanatatis" ala empanadas from ilocos

the super yummy lechon with pinadine sauce...

cookies and shots of melon milk for dessert...

here are the cute stools that were also giveaways for the kids! li'l stelly has the elmo one.

the adults got hopia, something that Milan craved for when she was preggo with Tati.

Hopia like it!

Dear Stella

On this special day, I want to share with you the letter I wrote to Stella on her blog.

"

Dear Stella,

Today would have been your Lolo Achie’s 82nd birthday. He would have been beyond joy to see you and hold you in his arms. He was a very loving Dad and Lolo to us all. Just ask any of us, your titos, titas, cousins (from Paolo to Ella), and they’ll tell you how funny, warm and sweet Lolo was to each one.

I’m sure though that in time, you’ll experience Lolo’s sense of humor, simplicity, generosity and kindness in each of us children and grandchildren, and yes, in time, even in yourself.

Sometimes I catch you talking and smiling at a space above you. I’d like to believe that’s Lolo Achie you’re playing with.

When you’re older, I’ll tell you all about him — about his short shorts, big belly, corny jokes, yummy steaks, contagious singing, and more.

"

Happy Birthday, Dad! We miss you!

fangtastic

and while we're on a creative binge,

here's another one i'm quite proud of...

ria asked me to make an invite for her daughter's 7th birthday...

here are the pegs she gave...

and here's what i came up with...

pretty good huh? :)

(oh and there are 7 bats for her 7 years :))

happy birthday, rocio!

nuk

look what i found stuck on my door when i woke up the other morning?



nuk! hehehe :)

thanks for the teal dress, the uni pasta, shabushabu, higahiga day :) (and to twinpopbro for the reiki healing session!)

to all things super

today was pizza day for the birthdays of 2 messy bessititas.

i was especially touched when they all wanted pictures taken with (and without -ala blog) the pizza & spaghetti party meal.

just a li'l moment that reminds me to be thankful for all things super... which are ALL things.

'tis the season to be jolly!

swanky set-up

hey sis :)

what a birthday blast!

i knew you'd be late, so i took photos of the set-up for you to appreciate without the klezy guests.

i went for the (almost) black & white retro lounge set-up...

the "stage"...

the accessories before entering...

the occasional feathers...

the pillows i "made"...

some more details...

yun lang :) i know you'd appreciate the set-up being a set designer yourself (naks). had a blast. thanks for being the gamest 'straight' teammate.

august 4

hey sis :)

missed you at the "crep" (read: sign) for daddy's big 8-0.

i wrote him a birthday note, and signed your name anyway :)

it's also flower's big 7! (or in our years, 49... sniff...)

she grew up to be a pretty loyal, sometimes snappy li'l pooch.

disciplined too -- see how she resists (our staple) cheese sticks even if it's well within reach.

she's also a great quiet sleep-mate at night :)

happy birthday to my sweethearts!

happy boitday!

happy happy big 4-0, twinpophub!!!

i hope you enjoyed our yakitori-tastic sake-licious getaway!

aishiteru!

hapi bday sbux

bacon, eggs and pancakes in starbucks...  a rare sight!

actually happens once a year, during sbux 6750's birthday -- celebrated annually with a dawn mass and breakfast for all.

cheers!!!