Visita Iglesia in Quezon City

One of the Lenten traditions of Catholics is the Visita Iglesia the visitation of the seven churches, sometimes 14 churches or more. This practice is usually done during evening of Holy Thursday. Few years ago we started this tradition with my siblings and it's like our routine every Holy Week. I was not able to do this for 2 years already due to motherhood reasons. But this time i made it with my plus one, with my daughter. It was exciting and challenging this time since I have my toddler with me. Visiting different churches,doing the the Stations of the Cross, beating the heat and also take note of the crowd during the Visita Iglesia. Can you imagine the stress Julian just experieced? I'm feeling guilty but in a good way. Trust me once you finish the visitation you will feel so clean not literally clean but it's like your being cleansed from your sins but seriously speaking you also need to confess all your wrong doings guys. ;) I'm just so glad I have the best company and good thing Julian behaved well. She was not able to rest and have proper naps because she was also curious of what we are doing and that I consider her "little sacrifice". I am so happy i get to expose Julian into something like this. At her early age I want her to know who Jesus is and what are the things he sacrificed for us to be save from all of our sins. I really want her to be a good person who likes to pray and kind to others.

The 7 Churches we visited last Holy Thursday | Quezon City Bound

• St. Pio Chapel, Libis QC

Carrying our own cross at St. Pio Chapel 

In St. Pio Chapel, we did the stations of the cross. I was surprised that they have provided a cross that every people needs to carry during the way of cross. (Look at my niece Gaby, carrying her own cross too.) It feels like your really experiencing what Jesus had been trough while carrying our own crosses. Please take note of the proper attire during church visit. Slippers/Sandals are not allowed. My sister was wearing a sandal and she was not allowed to do the stations of the cross if she's not gonna take off her sandals. She had no choice but to to do it barefoot. 😫

• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine, New Manila QC

The Holy Squad | Baby is knocked-out 😉

• Sto. Niño de Violago Church, E. Rodriguez QC

Photo taken outside of the Sto. Niño de Violago Church

First time to see an image of  of Mama Mary breastfeeding baby Jesus. She is called as "Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto ( Our Lady of Milk and Happy Delivery) I feel so blessed and so thankful because i get to breastfeed my baby up to now. 👐

The Altar

Again, the Holy Squad 👪👫👶

• Christ the King Church, E.Rodriguez QC

The Altar

• Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Lantana St. Cubao, QC

The beautiful Altar and Ceiling of Diocese of Cubao

• St. John the Apostle Church, Timog Ave. Cor. Mother Ignacia St. Diliman QC

The Altar

• Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon Ave., QC

The Altar

That sums up our church visit. It was tiring but fulfilling at the same time. Holy week is not only the time for us to reflect and pray. We have all the time if we will just pause for a while. All praises to Our Lord God, Savior, the ONE who free us from all our sins for everything he have sacrifice for us to be saved. Let us ask His forgiveness and being sorry for the sins that we have committed. We should pray not only for ourselves but for others as well. Praying should not be selfish. Praying is not only for personal intentions. If we pray, we pray for everyone. Trust me, you will be bless 👐

Hope you all spent your holy week with God and with your loved ones. Until next time. 😁

Ann 💋

DIY Party and Planning

Are you planning for a party? A birthday party in particular? If you are a practical mom these tips i'll be sharing might help you. I'm just glad to share with you the planning and all the preparations i made for my little one's 1st Birthday Party. So sit back, relax and continue reading below ;)

Party Planning

My husband and I decided not to throw a big party for our baby because she won't remember it yet. We wanted something simple yet a memorable celebration with families and close friends only. (practical right?) Also, since it's not that grand I decided to DIY Julian's (my daughter) party from planning, styling to party decors, baking sweet treats for her dessert table and many more. Party planning is very stressful and it is very hard to find time especially you're doing it ALL; taking care of your child and DIY'ing stuffs, oh no! how am i gonna do it? Well, I did! Lucky Me! I admit, it's not so easy and there were times that I'm super tired and wants to quit. I just want to sleep and rest. Well, I'm no QUITER! ;)

Here are the glimpse of my DIY stuffs ;)

• First, book a venue suited for the party ;) 

Siena Park Residences, Function Room

Our little walker  and the celebrant :)

• Party Invites: You can make your invites just for free. Just search on the web for a free invite maker, customize it, download and Voila! Tip: Make sure you have a theme already prior making invites. Be creative! We also did the pre-birthday shoot just outside our house :) 

Our little sunshine :)

• Gather all your tools, Buy DIY Stuffs, Be artistic. Tip: Search on Youtube videos, tutorial in making your DIY stuffs. Julian's party theme  "Anything in Rainbow Pastel, Colorful Stuffs" We decorated the venue with Paper Fans, Pompoms, Balloons, etc...

Paper fans and pompoms

letter standee

Julian is a little behave with her ate ana while im doing these stuffs ;)

paper fans

our little gym was occupied by these stuffs...

my version of PIÑATA

centerpieces for tables

and more paper fans..

backdrop

little fans and pompoms for centerpieces

inflated balloons invaded the room | night before the party

preparing for the party...

DIY DIY DIY

see, i told you Its Tiring! :)

• Dessert table is a must! I made sweet treats on her birthday. Baked rainbow cookies, brownies, muffins, cupcakes and a cake for her to SMASH! :) I promised that i'll let her smash and eat the cake i will bake for her 1st birthday. Trivia: Since I started to get into baking, every time Julian turns a month older her monthly birthday i always make time in baking her cakes. If I remember it correctly i started to bake her cake when she was  6 months old. I get to practice baking every month. :)

my customized monthly photo of Julian

buntings for the cake, busy mom here!

drooling over rainbow cookie dough :)

looks yummy right?

little helper, stuffs for pabitin and party bags

tadaaa! ready for smashin'

Monthly Photos of Julian

• Delicious food is important, so hire the best food caterer. 
• Also, a party will not be fun without some entertainment for the kids to enjoy! 
• If you have more budget, you can also get some food carts. There are a lot of suppliers that offers everything for you to have an amazing party. 
• Make sure to hire or get a very good photographer that will capture this very important event of your child. 
• Lastly, have fun and enjoy the party.

I hope you guys learned simple and practical ways on how to prepare for a party. A simple party may turn into a grand party with a proper and well planning. 

*Will be posting photos of Julian's 1st Birthday Party very soon :)*

Have a Happy Day, Mommies!

Ann 💋

Benefit Bigger than BB BIG EASY - Review

Here's a little review of my favorite beauty essential, the Benefit Bigger than BB Big Easy Multi-balancing Skin Protector SPF 35.

Why i love this product?

• This is All-In-One Beauty Product.

• Lightweight and has smooth like powder finish.

• It has sunscreen protector with SPF 35.

• Multi-balancing complexion perfector that melts into skin like cream and gives natural coverage to even out skin tone and conceal imperfections.

• Not greasy and oily, I swear :)

• Long wearing cream, just pat on more to conceal blemishes and build the coverage you like.

Mommies, if you haven't tried this beauty product yet, I must say you go and grab one. I'm am using the 02 light shade, just perfect for my skin tone. They have 5 shades, the light, light/medium, medium, beige and deep beige. Make sure you get the right shade suited for your skin.

I just love to put this on my skin especially it's summertime it's really an ideal product for me. Just apply this cream to your cleansed face with fingertips blending for an even and natural finish. Try it yourself and I'm pretty sure you'll love them. Just a warning, this product is a bit pricey but its worth your money. :)

This BB cream is a lifesaver! You will never regret purchasing this one. It really saves the day!

Have a beautiful day, Lovies!

Ann 💋

My Birthing Story

Flashback to my D-day...

I know i owe you guys a story about the most significant moment of my life.. The day i gave birth to a beautiful tiny little being:) The day i was promoted and officially called "Mother". It's been a year already, but still i could remember every bit of it, every ounce of pain i felt that time and when she's finally out....! I can say that it was really all worth it. Thank You LORD! 

Feb 18, 2016

I was a bit nervous and excited at the same time because i know that I'm nearing my D-day. I don't know, maybe i just felt it, or it's just instinct whatever you call it. I'm ready, my admitting orders are ready, packed all my stuffs, etc.  I contacted my siblings and informed them that i maybe check-in my self to the hospital that day.  

Around 9 am i noticed something reddish in my underwear that makes me alarmed. So i checked my phone, take pictures of it, then silly me, sent it to my OB right away for her to check. I don't feel anything unusual yet, i know I'm being paranoid of thinking what if i can't make it to the hospital and gave birth at home. "LOL" My OB who is so calm told me that there is nothing to worry about because those are just the signs of labor. She just keeps on monitoring me. But me, who is so excited and a bit worried wants to check-in to the hospital now. Fast forward to my story, another bloody discharge came out, experienced back pain, no water breaks yet but this is it! My OB confirmed that it's time for me to go to the hospital. Accompanied by my sister-in-law and my helper we went directly to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital- Delivery Room and hand over my admitting orders and medical records (ultrasound, lab reports, etc)

I was asked to take off my clothes and change it to a hospital gown. There i was being checked by a Resident Doctor. I'm being questioned a lot of things, about my whole pregnancy and even personal experiences. Duh! Maybe its her way also for me to keep calm. She did Internal Exam to check the stage of my labor. I was 2-3CM that time, she said it was still early. I am worried that she might send me home but she did not. So i was transferred to my private room to wait until my cervix gets dilated. I feel so relaxed that time no pain yet but starving already. I asked my OB if could still eat. She said yes but not too much. During night time, my siblings arrived to accompany me. Time to time the resident doctors are checking me (IE & monitoring contractions) 3CM still. Oh no! my labor is a bit slow.. I just want to pop out already! I've been texting my husband keeping him informed of my condition. He is also bit nervous and excited.

Last day of my pregnancy. I''m missing my bump ;)

My OB instructed the resident doctors to give me castor oil. It's stimulant laxative that causes contractions in the bowels which in turn  stimulates uterine contractions. This is the worst drink ever! It's like your drinking a cooking oil. I have no choice but to finish it all the way down and take note you are not allowed to vomit or spit it out. Poor preggo me. :( After taking that castor oil i think after an hour i felt the results already it's like your having a diarrhea, i had to go to the toilet for many times i feel exhausted already. Contractions already started and i just cant sleep well.

February 19, 2016

Around 4 am, I went to the toilet to poop again and there i found out that my water just broke. I was brought to the delivery room right away and was being checked ( IE, vital signs, checking the heartbeat of the baby). I am 7CM, i need to be at least 9-10 CM to start birthing. I was transferred  to Labor Room, i remembered i was crying in pain on every contractions. I cannot described the pain. It was so intense. I keep on praying the whole time. I just prayed to God that He will guide me all throughout my delivery. I prayed for me and my baby's safety. When i was 9 CM i was again transferred to another room the real Labor room. This is it! It's time for me to push!

Inside the Labor room i had to practice pushing, the 2 resident doctors were there and they are teaching me how to push. I had an idea on how to do the pushing since my niece (a nursing student) instructed me that when it's time to push, you need to push hard without interruptions its like your just pooping and you just want to let it all out! Haha! And take note, just push when there is contractions. My OB arrived also and some of the nurses were all ready. My younger sibling was also present during my birthing. She was allowed to enter inside the labor room and was able to capture the very crucial part.

The pain was very extreme. Every contractions was very painful. I was crying and crying but keep on praying in my mind. I still remember they are giving me this epidural anesthesia but they are having a hard time injecting it, i just cant explain the real reason. I keep on pushing hard, I'm very exhausted already but still i didn't lose hope and finally my baby came out at exactly 11:03 am and forgot how many times i tried to push her out! I heard her cry and i just passed out! My OB just told me they just sedated me and no epidural anesthesia was being done.

Meet my dear Julian Dominique :)

Around 1:30 PM  I woke up from the recovery room. There i saw my little baby. They brought her to me and there i started to breastfeed her. I am very happy because I was already holding her in my arms. She is just so perfect. My husband and I are so blessed to have her in our lives. I can say that she was all worth it! I'm a "Mom" now! :)

Until next story, Mommies. Have a good day!