When Zach turns 1...

After months of looking forward for those baby firsts thing, celebrating his 1st birthday is the most exciting one.

I've been looking forward to this as I want it to be worth looking back when he grows up.

The following were preparation made for his big day:

1. Setting up funds to work on his birthday.
* The moment were done with the baptismal, we already start putting up fund for his birthday. Remember to live within your means.

2. Choose venue.
* Most fast food chain provides birthday party package for kids. We initially thought of Mc Donald's. But we need to consider location so it would be accessible to visitors both from down south and Manila area. So Mc Donald at Alabang Town Center was the first bet. We had it pencil booked. But then, when we're about to do the reservation, we had doubts since the accomodation they are saying for 100 pax seems to be so small. At the same time, we were asked to choose from their theme and none was applicable to our son's liking. He's into Toy Story at that young age. And no available slot on the exact or even near date of his birthday. So, we decided to inquire at Pixie Forest Festival Supermall. All the concerns above were addressed. There were supposed to be 2 choices for the actual venue, party room (max of 120 pax) and forest ground (max of 150pax). And 3 slots daily from monday to sunday; 10am, 1pm, & 5pm. To save the date, since only one slot was left (party room at 10am) nearest the exact day of his birthday, we need to do the reservation.
We paid 50% of the actual bill of 8k. It is good for 30 kids which includes party hat, name tags, invitation, mascot appearance, party host, prizes for the games, souvenir, sound system, tables and chairs, cake, and unlimited rides at the Pixie Forest.

3. Food to serve.
* It so happened that for Pixie Forest party room, only Jikabo catering is accredited. We ordered kids food for 30 pax and 90 for adults. We did the food rasting this time and still we did not go wrong. The package we got includes free gift (bike), balloon burst with 10 ggifts for selected kids, uniformed waiters, choco fountain, Toy Story backdrops and  balloons, buffet table arrangement with flowers, balloon arrangements and tarpaulin.

4. Invitation
* Even though there's a free readymade invitation, we asked one of his ninangs to make softcopy of invites for visitors whom we can't provide physical invites.

5. Souvenir
* Pixie Forest prefer souvenir bought from them but since we have our own. We decided to give it out after the party proper out of vicinty. You will be charged P500 for corkage fee though it was just a ref magnet.
I find out souvenir cheap but cute done by Heavens Craft.

6. Giveaways and Prizes
* On top of free giveaways and prizes provided by Pixie Forest, we opt to add more since it was Christmas Season then. Our items composed of school supplies such as pen, notepad, eraser, sharpener, coloring book, puzzle, and some candies all in a party bag. We bought them at 168 Divisoria.

7. Zach's OOTD
* We browsed online for a cowboy costume and found one exactly for baby Woody. The one in department store is 2x expensive than what we got. The cowboy hat cost P50 and the boots P600 both from 168 Divisoria.

8. Pictures
* We just asked friends to capture moments during the party. Then months prior his birthday, I was able to avail Photobook Philippines promo for his album. It costs P700 originally P3,500 plus P300 delivery fee.
Just to mention, the picture used for album cover page, souvenir, and tarpaulin were taken at Tronix.

9. Cake.
*We had 2 cakes. One on the exact day of his birthday (Sweet Piccoli) and the other (Aggy's bakeshop) was inclusive in Pixie Forest party package. Both choco moist flavore.

It was an awesome day. The kids even the adults enjoy the games. We were complimented with the good food. After the party proper, we let our son enjoy the ride all you can freebies.

See more pics below:

https://m.facebook.com/aggyscakes.sweets/
http://festivalsupermall.com/entertainment/pixie-forest/
https://m.facebook.com/heavenscraft.ph/

Celebrating His Baptism...List of things to be considered

3-months after birth, he's officially part of the Catholic family!

How the preparation started?

1. Set-up estimated funds and work from there.
Everything should be dependent on your expected budget. Whether it be from your savings or will you use loans/credit card or someone will sponsor the it.
* In our case, it was from our savings and cedit card converted to installment (we spend much on the unexpected CS delivery ☺).

2. Pick date for the day.
If possible, set 2-months preparation prior the baptismal just to make sure everything is ready and prevent cramming. Usually baptismal fall on a sunday. You may consider you're preferred visitor aside from you family member's availability. Also, check on the church if they can accomodate you on the said date.
*As for us, it so happened that it was celebrated on a palm sunday.

3. Prepare list of prospect God-parents.
Probably during your pregnancy, some friends already volunteered themselves.  Remember, they will be the 2nd parents of your child. So be keen in choosing. Let them know of your chosen dates. Aside from that, some might give their pledge as gift for your baby.
* Our list of God parents composed of 10 ninongs and 10 ninangs. Actually 3 of the ninongs are priests. Some are old friends some are relatives whom we think would love to have our son as they're own as well.

4. Decide on where do you want the baptismal rite take place and reception as well.
Usually, baptismal rites happen on the parish where you belong. List of requirements will be asked such as birth certificate, marriage contract, permission from parish where you belong if you chose other church, and fees. It would be helpful if reception is near the church. By the way, I'm talking of Catholic baptismal.
*As much as we want to have ours on our own parsih, we decided on choosing the nearby church instead because the parish priest there volunteered not only the church but the garden at the back of the church for the reception as his gift since he's one of the ninongs. Who we are to decline the offer?☺☺☺
So it was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish San Pedro, Laguna.

5. Choose food to serve.
If you've chosen a restaurant, then no problem as there are some package already available dependent on your choice.
*Initially, we are thinking of Max's or Ho Chai Lai, but since we already had a free venue for the reception, looking for catering services is what's needed. Angelica's catering has a promo in Ensogo, 15k for 100 pax. Since we're on a tight budget, we grabbed it without even food tastinmg. And you bet, we never go wrong on this risk. Aside from the good taste, they also provide good service.

6. Invitations to be sent.
There are lots of ready-made invitations whether on line or bookstores. You may also make yours personalize whether through net graphics or hand-made  craft.
*Ours was ordered from Prints Unlimited

7. Souvenir for those who joined the celebration.
Same as invites you may create your own or buy ready-made.
*We chose a baby figurine in different basketball actions for souvenir. Aside that it complements the blue motiff, my husband wants Zach to be like him when he grow up. In addition to this, we have some cupcakes that comes along with the cake prepared by Decobake which serves as additional souvenir for Godparents packed in blue paper bag.

8. What to wear.
Consider white and light fabric for baby's comfort.
*We bought a set at SM department store for only P300. It comes with inner sando and white cap. It was cheap but my baby looked good in it.
For the shoes, my sister in law lend us the one-time used shoe by my nephew.

**No matter how physical preparation was done, it is important that you as parents are also well-prepared spiritually so your child will live up to their faith until they grow up.

http://wikimapia.org/725226/Our-Lady-of-Lourdes-Parish-Church

http://m.ensogo.com.ph/#deals/angelica-s-catering-buffet-party-catering-service

A very special day...

It was morning of December 10 when me and my husband went to the hospital at MPI-MCM. The weekend before that day, my ultra sound result saying low normal amniotic fluid.  I usually have my ultrasound done at OGUSCA (OB-Gyn Ultrasound Center Alabang) located at level 3 Toll Wing Festival Mall. While my monthly check-up and laboratory test were done at KOBE Clinic at National Bookstore entrance Festival Mall.

Going back to the amniotic fluid status, since it was low normal, we need to be vigilant so it won't reach the critical level. The choices provided by ob gyne is to have ultrasound every other day or to give birth earlier than expected. Expected delivery is December 24. So we decided on the latter since ultrasound every other day seems expensive. I stayed at the Emergency room at first then transferred at the operating room. Time seems so slow at this room. A doppler was attached to monitor my baby's heartbeat. Vital signs was taken every 2 hours. And monitoring of cervix opening.. It took me more than 24hours before my OB asked us to decide again whether CS or another day to be induced. Since me and my husband seems to have no other options, we opt to agree on the caesarian instead. Another day of inducement may cause more bleeding after pregnancy. As much as we want normal delivery, we had no choice.

Right after my husband signed the waiver, I was transferred to the opearting bed.  Someone is taking my full name. Anesthesiologist introduced himself and what he  was doing. He injected the anesthesia in my spine after which I fell half-asleep.

Few moments later, I heard the doctor wake me up introducing my newly born baby. I heard him cry. And I felt like crying too. Just when my doctor told me to smile for a picture taking and jokingly said good for fb upload.

It was really a very special day for me and my husband. It started at 9:45 am and ended at 12 pm of December 11, 2014.http://jipang-group.com/kobe-clinic

**The following were immediately prepared after giving birth

1. Finalization of Certificate of Birth which includes giving name for our first-born.  His name came from top names which was selected based on length and bible.
2. OAE Test
3. New-born screening

***By the way here's my hospital bill.  Hope this helps you in looking for hospital and budget estimate..

A portion is deducted by Philhealth if you're a member.

For the professional fees:

There were 3 doctors:

Ob Gyne 

36,025 - 5,320 = 30,705

Anesthesiologist

15,575 - 2,280 = 13,295

Assistant dr

7,765 

***Here is the hospital charge for my baby.