2014's Top Three

Today is December 31.  In just a few hours, the clock will strike twelve, and 2014 will already have passed.  But before that happens, let me spend some time writing about the top 3 highlights of my bestest year so far. :)

1.  My HK-Macau Valentine Trip with Hubby.  Of course we've already been to Hong Kong before but it was our first time in Macau! :)  My favorites include our visit to St. Paul's Ruins and our private gondola ride at The Venetian.  

I was looking for my blog entry about this trip so I could link it here, but I realized I wasn't able to write anything at all! :(

2. Our Tokyo Travel.  The best part?  Cherry blossoms and Hachiko! :)  And needless to say, the company of my darling officemates and friends! I would also have included Tokyo Disneysea if not for the horrendous queues we had to endure just to experience the rides. 

The nest time I'll be flying to Japan, it's going to be hubby already! :)

3.  God Granting #DreamNumber1.  Nothing could beat this, our most awaited blessing has come, and she's now rapidly growing in my tummy.  Thank You Lord for this sweet gift of life! :)

Little Munchkin and I are already 25 weeks along today! :)

These are only my top 3, but God has showered me and Rolly with countless other blessings this year! He's really the best, answering our prayers in the most perfect time, and giving us many other things we never even knew we needed or wanted.  I can only look forward to 2015 with a big smile on my face, knowing fully well that it will be another wonderful year.  Maraming salamat po, Panginoon!  Sa lahat lahat lahat. :)

Grateful,

Our 3rd Merry Little Christmas

This year, we have received the sweetest Christmas present! :)  Thank You Lord!

We can't wait to 'unwrap' her come April!  Merry Christmas everyone! :)

I had to crop the photo this way because my body screams "FAT!" all over!  Hehe.

#BellyBlessed,

Daddy Milestone

Dear baby doll,

You and daddy have a shared milestone today! :) His hands were on my tummy and he felt you move for the first time!  Hooray! :)

You know I've been feeling your somersaults for quite some time now, but your dad never had until this afternoon. We were wondering when you would let him feel you, and today you did.  We were inside the cinema watching a movie when it happened.  We're so happy!  Thank you for the kick, baby doll.  Keep them coming, you're making your daddy feel giddy with excitement.  :)

We love you!  Up to the moon and back! :)

Your mommy,

Baby Essentials

The year is almost over;  Rolly and I are about to get to the happiest chapter of our lives as we meet our precious little munchkin come April 2015.  I know it's still a few months to go, but I've already started thinking about the list of baby stuff that we need to buy or register for (especially since many of my friends have been telling me to write down a wishlist so they don't have to rack their brains guessing). :)

Been researching for newborn checklists for days, and I found the one from makeitblissful.com the most helpful and the least overwhelming.  I rearranged the list in order of priority, and added a few other wishes for our baby doll. I'll be updating this entry from time to time to cross out the ones we've already bought or received. :)

APPAREL:

• 12 tie-sides (so I won't have to pull shirts over baby's frail little head) [I already have 6!]
• 6 short-sleeved shirts (the ones that open from the front)  [Got these already at Baby Company's Grand Baby Fair! :)]
• 4-6 receiving/swaddling blankets  
• 6 pairs mittens 
• 4 caps [Got these already at Baby Company's Grand Baby Fair! :)]
• 4-6 pairs socks [Got these already at Baby Company's Grand Baby Fair! :)]
• 4-6 pajama sets/frog suits (those that open up around the nappy area)

DIAPERS:

• At least 5 dozen newborn diapers (disposable)
• Cloth diapers

FEEDING:

• electric breast pump [Got these already at Baby Company's Grand Baby Fair! :)]
• nursing pillow [Done!  From the Baby Fair also! :)]
• nursing cover
• sterilizer [Consider this done! My friend JJ's gift :)]
• bottle rack
• 6-8 4 oz. BPA-free bottles (Pigeon) [Already have 3!]
• 6-8 8 oz. BPA-free bottles (Pigeon)  [Already have 3!]
• bottle brush [Got one from the Baby Fair!]
• sterilizing tongs
• nursing pads
• nipple cream
• milk bags for storage

I browsed many product reviews, and moms say Pigeon bottles and nipples are better than Avent's.
The teats are especially ultra soft and flexible, which babies like. :)

NURSERY FURNITURE:

• crib [We already bought this from Baby Company! Size is 24x48.]
• crib toys, mobile
• bassinet / moses basket (I super like The First Years' Close & Secure sleeper whose photo appears below. It's sold at Baby Company!)
• changing table
• baby monitor
• diaper stacker
• clothes hamper
• mosquito net

NURSERY LINEN:

• 4-6 fitted sheets (size should be the standard 28x52 to match the size of Munchkin's crib mattress)
• 3 crib blankets (those that are 100% cotton are nice :)
• 2 crib bumpers
• 2 pillows and 4 pillow cases
• 2 bolsters and cases
• 2 waterproof sheets

TRAVEL:

• stroller [Bought this already! We got a red Chicco Simplicity.]
• stroller pad  [Got this already at Baby Company's Grand Baby Fair! :)]
• baby carrier (I'd love to have Aprica's Easy Touch carrier in Fitta Red; Ergobaby and Tula are nice, too.)
• diaper bag [Got this already from Cess! :)]
• car seat  [Got this already from Mommy & Daddy! :)]
• changing pad
• baby wipes
• insulated bottle keeper

BATHING/ GROOMING:

• 4 hooded towels [I already have 2!]
• 4 wash cloths
• newborn to toddler bath tub and bathing support net
• nail cutter, hairbrush, and comb
• rubber bath mat
• 3 canisters/jar sets for small essentials like cotton balls, cotton buds, etc.
• sponge/mitt
• basin and dipper

APOTHECARY:

• digital thermometer
• nasal aspirator

TOILETRIES (I prefer buying these ourselves so we could scrutinize esp. the product ingredients):

• baby soap/liquid bath gel [Got these already at Baby Company's Grand Baby Fair! :)]
• baby shampoo
• baby oil
• baby alcohol
• baby cologne
• mosquito repellant
• cotton balls
• cotton ear buds and nose buds
• diaper rash ointment

**********

Wow.  I remember saying this list's the least overwhelming but this is still A LOT!  Good thing we have a few month's worth of lead time so we could make sure everything will be complete before munchkin arrives.  :)

(By the way, photos here are all from Google Images. ;))

#BellyBlessed,