aren turns one

aren's birthday: january 15, 2009

aren's 1st birthday party: january 17, 2010

details: kenny rogers roasters, quezon avenue, quezon city; 2-4pm

we chose the animal theme of kenny because we thought of merging it with our very own lion king theme...

...because aren loves his simba!

cake from gashville,

surrounded by kirigami jungle animals by tita meang (guests were asked to identify the kirigami animals and those with the most number of correct answers won a prize)

lootbags from kenny, mostly catering to school-age guests

prizes (all the animal themed items were from us, the rest were from kenny).

we provided special lootbags for guests below school age (in brown bags)

guests decorated their own cookies, special prizes were given out at the end of the party

guests were given cut out kirigami animals with instructions

overwhelmed by a lot of guests, aren finds comfort in simba

games for kids...

...and adults!

cassey engaged in puzzle activity

simple buffet for adults


the bright-eyed birthday boy



cookie decorating entries


guests were not told that a "best in costume" prize will be given, but ninong bruno and ninang len were chosen, because they were dressed as the theme...

...of the "safari family!"

thanks to our families who helped us!

diaz family

lagahit family

1st haircut!

Before....

After!

Aren's first haircut! c/o Tito Peter! :)

aren’s 1st christmas

Holidays 2009 were special because Aren, tatay, and mommy were a complete family, and also because it was Aren’s first.

December 24 was Kuya Christian’s birthday. They came to our house and we celebrated it with lots of food. Tatay and Tito Egay were with us, even if Tita Ricci was not. In the afternoon, we had games, prizes, and exchange gifts for our annual Christmas family get together.

That night, we went to UP for noche buena. Aren still had to get used to lots of people, so he kept on crying. Besides, it was also his bedtime already. He eventually fell asleep in Ate Mikka’s room. We went home at around 1am.

December 25 morning, we spread his floor mats in front of the Christmas tree. Aren opened all his presents, of course with some help from tatay and Lola. He received lots of nice clothes and some toys and food.

"I wonder what this is..."

In the afternoon, we went back to UP. We had more games with his cousins there. We went to church at 6pm, and Aren had his first jeep ride! We brought his stroller in the Ikot jeep, but he did not have to use it in the UP chapel during the mass.

Beside Christmas tree in UP Chapel

In front of Oblation and Admin Building

December 27 was Ate Ria’s party at University Hotel in UP. First, we had Sunday mass at Lourdes, and took pictures at the belen. We picked up Ate Mikka and Tita Tess at UP. It was a nice ballerina party, and we got to see many of our relatives.

In front of belen at Lourdes Church

In Ikot jeep

In front of University Hotel with Ate Mikka

December 29 was Aren's 1st Eastwood trip. We met Ninang Christy, and balikbayans (and newlyweds) Ninang Nancy and Tito Sindre, for lunch. After that, we strolled around, checked out the new mall, and had dessert at Dulcinea. Aren sat on a high chair for a second time this day. He was so tired that he fell asleep in his stroller late that afternoon!

Strolling in Eastwood

December 31, we went to bed at 9pm, when the firecrackers were not yet that loud. Mommy covered Aren’s ears everytime there would be loud and continuous explosions. However, when it was 11:30pm, the noises became too loud that Aren woke up! It was also nice because it was like he wanted to be awake like the rest of us to welcome the new year. We went down in spite of the smoke. We tried to bring him out to see some of the fountains and fireworks, but he became so afraid. But he was brave enough not to cry; he was just holding on to mommy. At 12 midnight, mommy, tatay and Aren jumped!

"The firecrackers are too loud lola!"

We had a few things to eat afterwards. The noises had died down at 1am, and we went back to sleep.

Brave baby did not cry, he was just overwhelmed

January 1, we woke up at 8am. We had to get up to go to church to start the new year right. Aren’s cousins were also coming for lunch. We did not have games, but Tita Gigi brought their magic sing. Unfortunately, we had to leave at 4pm for UP because tatay’s balikbayan relatives sponsored the food for a get together there.

Happy New Year, Ate Ria!

Aren was not very fussy when we got there, maybe because it was held outside at the garage, where it was easy for us to push his stroller around, or for him to practice walking on the street. He was very friendly with his cousins, playing high five, shake hands, and peekaboo with them. But at around 7pm, he started crying, probably from exhaustion and sleepiness.

Aren played with Ate Icia and Kuya Mig

With other cousins from tatay's side

When the guests had left, we went inside Tita Meang’s house. Aren enjoyed it there because he got to practice his walking some more. He would take a few steps towards Kuya Mig, Lola Pining, or tatay, then back to mommy. We were also able to discuss some details about his invitation. As soon as we rode the taxi home, Aren was asleep in literally 10 counts! He was so tired!

January 3, Feast of the Epiphany, we had mass again at Lourdes. He was so active during the 1st part of the mass, only to fall asleep towards the end. It marked the last day of the advent season.

As of today, it is still a busy time for us, because we are starting the countdown to Aren’s first birthday. Preparations are underway, but it will not be a big and overly expensive event. It will simply be a celebration and thanksgiving of Aren’s life and his milestones. At 11 months and 4 weeks, his brain is very receptive to new things. His motor and language skills are developing probably twice by the day. It has become easy for us to teach him actions and new vocabulary. He is also growing physically at an astounding rate! Two new upper teeth (he has bitten mommy, tatay, and lola already!) , weight gain, and I can’t wait for his haircut on the day of his 1st birthday on January 15 courtesy of Tito Peter! All the walking and playing is getting him all sweaty especially at the nape! Tatay acknowledged that he is indeed no longer a “baby,” because his bodily “excretions” all smell like that of a big boy already! :)

watch out for the choppers!

upon the advice of our pedia, we started giving aren solids on his 6th month. dry cereal mixed with water was mostly what we gave him.

but our choppers did not come out until the week before he turned 9 months! so adorable little white teeth peeking out from his lower gums. :)

he's a little late, i know... (but a little advanced in other milestones, i should say... ) made eating soft biscuits easier for him. we can now think that it's safer to give him more varied solids such as mashed vegetables and fruits.

i'm so excited for the other teeth to appear! more excited to give him other solids too.

the 7-month-old turista

It was an almost last minute decision... which I’m so glad we did.

It was my and my mom’s first international flight. It was Aren’s first everything :) Six days in Singapore! Too much for a 7-month-old baby? Think again :)

Aren logs:

Day 1: September 4

I had to "read" the safety instructions on the plane

Arrival area, Budget Terminal, Changi Airport

First dinner; Bedok Market

Day 2: September 5

Mommy, takpan ba ang mga mukha namin para lang makita yung sign? :)

















With white tigers and giraffes

With lions! Tatay, relatives ni Simba? :)

Day 3: September 6

Nice view from tatay's condo room. Singapore is so clean and orderly!

Merlion Station, Sentosa


Family pic at a nice beach in Sentosa

Underwater world. I was still inside my mommy's tummy when we went to Manila Ocean Park.


Too bad we were not able to get good shots of the dolphin show and Songs of the Sea.



Day 4: September 7

Marina Square

Nice lights

The real Merlion

Day 5: September 8

My first swimming (Tatay's condo)

Orchard stretch of malls

Day 6: September 9

Wonder why it's called Giant? ;) (We were actually entering Ikea which was right across it)

Shuttle bus waiting in front of Courts Megastore

At the airport, waiting for check-in time for flight back to Manila

Lola Pining and company were waiting for us at NAIA. We had no idea of the rains here in Manila. I fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Nades' PS: I'm sure not all of these will stick with Aren's memory, but at least there are photos that will show him in the future that he spent six days in Singapore when he was seven months old.

first award!

thanks chell! so sorry for the delayed acknowledgment... i know you were still a soon-to-be mom when you gave me this award, and now you are a real mom! (as if there are fake moms! hehe) congratulations! and may i add, you truly deserve this award.

as the title says, this is my first award! thank you, all! *waves to fans* ;) i'm so honored. :)

shake hands!

Aren’s newest trick! (c/o Lola Nits) It was fun seeing him do this! :) Just make sure that anyone who wants to try this with him should wash their hands first! :)

I’m sooooo proud of my baby… At 7 months, Aren...

- has gained weight from 6.5 lbs. to 10.3 kgs. (almost as heavy as an LPG tank, tatay says)
- has stopped breastfeeding but has increased his formula intake from 2oz to 6oz. (P800 every 6 days huhuhu)
- has outgrown nightly colic. (no moooooooooooore crying bouts!)
- developed and shrunk his inborn hydrocele. (buti nalang, diba lolo? *wink*)
- has turned from very dark-skinned to fairer than his mommy. (haaayyy buti nalang talaga!)
- sleeps through the night and wakes up for a bottle only once (yey for mommy!)
- has outgrown two bassinets and one crib. (Two to go!)
- has graduated from newborn, to small, to medium diapers! (EQ Dry is the brand for us!)
- has attended a swimming party and a Jollibee birthday (with a photo with no less than the bee himself!)
- has increased his vitamins from .3 to .6 ml. (no more natural protection from mommy)
- has started eating cereals. (and a bit of papaya and banana palang... scared pa si lola bigyan sya ng other foods)
- has grown used to the camera. (nice poses for tatay, baby!)
- has developed on-off face rashes, flaky dry skin at his back, and minor colds. (Allergies my dear)
- has learned the all-fours position, and mastered sitting unsupported (and flip through both positions in a matter of seconds!)
- can also stand on two legs just being supported on the hands (but of course for a few seconds only)
- can laugh at the slightest funny face or sound (and even slap whoever is carrying him!)
- can hold his bottle by himself (and finish 6oz in 5minutes!)
- can grasp big toys (and put them in his mouth!)
- has had his first bleeding incident (via a toy cutting through his gums, and mommy went crazy with panic!)
- has had his first fall from the bed (c/o lola nits hehe, but no broken bones or bukol whatsoever, don’t worry!)
- has started babbling (with different volumes and tones at that!)
- has learned to appreciate new sounds and sights. (so many sights to see ba, baby?)
- has had a passport photo taken (very behaved!)
- has visited Lolo Roger at Loyola twice. (although the first time, it rained!)
- turns around when he is called by name. (Aren that is, not Ardelio Endrino though)
- can turn moving parts of his toys with his little fingers. (so cute hand skill!)
- has developed an attachment to a stuffed toy and a pillow (Simba was tatay’s gift to me!)
- has his own ATM card, c/o Ninang Christy (laman nalang ang kulang, tatay!)
- has his own insurance/trust fund (yearly ang hulog tatay ha!)
- has “blown” 7 month-birthday candles (and defaced his 6th month cake!)

Here's looking forward to more milestones!

best tatay in the world

i hope this is one of those instances when a picture is worth a thousand words, as the cliche goes.

i recall the time that i told you that i hope aren gets to inherit your nose (*wink!*), your athleticism, and your visual artistry. but above all, my daily wish for aren is that he grows up to be a brave boy, like tatay! i can never tell you enough that i am so proud of you! making a decision like that, and more importantly, standing by it.

you have certainly outdone yourself since the first week after aren's birth. all your apprehensions have turned into excitement for the day that you can get to play chase with him. when i see you carrying our little angel, my heart is at peace knowing that he will always be safe even without me, that he can also create a bond just as special with his tatay.

(i hope that doesn't count as a thousand words... rats...)

we hope your first fathers' day was a memorable one!

a reflection on my 1st 3 months as a mom

thanks to ninang sen, aren has had his first publication at 3 months old: a short feature in our parish newsletter. the easter issue showcased different parishioners and their stories about new life, loves, beginnings, and the like.

writing the article helped me sit back and reflect on my three months of experiences as a first-time mother. i have the honor to reprint our segment:

"I had a fairly pleasant pregnancy, I was surrounded and taken care of by people who loved me. However, an unexpected development caused me to give birth three weeks early. With God’s grace, my labor was only three hours short, and my delivery was normal. What I was most thankful about was the fact that the baby did not have to be put in intensive care.

A few days after Aren was born, I was able to confirm the idea that no amount of books, magazines, or baby items can prepare a first-time mom for a newborn. When my son and I would have quiet time alone, I would feel an overwhelming emotion about his presence. It was like God was speaking to me through him, and I would always acknowledge that Aren is God’s blessing to me and my husband.

Aren has already celebrated two “month birthdays” with our families who dote on him. This Easter will be special for us because he will be baptized on that day. We chose Easter Sunday because it is symbolic of God’s love by renewing mankind by giving us His Son Jesus again. As parents, we promise to show Aren the same love that God showed us when he blessed us with our little angel. We will do our best to raise him with Church teachings, and to always walk the path of the Lord."

as mentioned above, aren was baptized on easter sunday (april 12, 2009) at the up parish of the holy sacrifice. i put some of my "event planning" skills to the test for this occasion. i hope it was memorable for our guests just as it was fun for us organizing it!


1) did not cry after the buhos (yey!); 2) with the ninongs and ninangs

we also decided to celebrate his 3rd month birthday during the reception. our families and friends came to show their love for our little angel.


3) the setup at up hotel; 4) a party staple-- cake! (from chocolate kiss)

the newly-baptized birthday baby, all grown up... (though a bit cranky because he cannot seem to finish his 4oz of milk because of all the interruptions!)