milestone in my married life...

A "post-dated" post on our 3rd wedding anniversary...

On a cold Wednesday, Nov. 18 that was, Daddy Jonathan and I celebrated our 3rd year together as husband and wife. How was it different from the past annivs? One, it was a very cold day, temperature down to 11 degrees celsius that we decided to just stay at home. Two, this time we already have our baby dearest(Joelle Nikolai) to celebrate with. Three, no roses but another kind of flower(pardon me for i don't know the name, w/ the resemblance of carnation). Hasn't withered yet, daddy jon must have picked extra special for me huh...And four, a home-made hawaiian pasta fussili especially prepared by my husband added spice to the special occassion.
yum...yum...yum...

Every year, we try to make this special day an extra-ordinary one...such a milestone worth celebrating! I thank God for always being at the center of our lives, keeping us strong in every challenge that we may encounter. I wish my husband and I more fruitful and colorful years together.

What's-up Mom?

In my last post, i mentioned how difficult to be a mom, especially being full-time. What is really up with me?
It's unbelievable how a full-time mom can be, working on a 24/7 basis. Round the clock, my attention is focused on the baby. The more, i exclusively breastfeed her. So just imagine how motherhood have consumed much of me. I have no complaints about it, in fact i love it as it gives me broader perspective on the real essence of being a mom. I can have quality time with Niko as much as she needs and deserves. The best of all, I get a chance to document her every mode...


...when she yawns...


she just knows when being photographed...


...when she's tired playing alone..her cry tells you to pick her up and snuggle.

you just can't miss when she flaunts her beautiful smile!

So, no matter how difficult it can be, you can never trade with anything in this world. Again, i love being a full-time mom!

"Job: Full-time Mom"

A teacher, turned call center agent, turned a wife and a teacher(again), turned administrative officer, back to teaching--and now? A FULL-TIME MOM.

Most of the time i am asked, how it is to be a mom? i would always answer them its very difficult but it is the MOST FULFILLING role i've ever played.

Living abroad, oceans apart from your family makes it even more difficult! i remember the first few days after my mom had gone back to Philippines, i really cried along with my baby. I couldn't stop her cry, i have done everything i know to soothe a baby crying but still. But as days passed, i have come to learn and understand how to be a mom. I do most of the thing for the baby except for bath time. That is dad's role. I'm scared i might slip the baby off my hands.

Being a full-time mom is the most enjoyable, fulfilling, rewarding, satisfying of all jobs. Though it can be the most difficult and demanding, with just a beam and blab of my baby, everything is just so fine.Blogging seem to be the last thing id be doing as i always snuggle my baby. she likes sleeping while being snuggled. its not a good practice though, but once you're a parent, you would understand.
It really feels great to be a FULL-TIME mom!

aquamarine remodelled...

barely a year ago, Pusang-kalye encouraged me to enter the blog world. for what reason? let say, to kill time but it has brought me more reasons to do it..yes, i even found it as a therapy to my anxieties ..:)
as it required a blog title, i first thought of aquamarine being my birth color and have chosen this photo featuring the aquamarine water of Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
and now i have entered the world of motherhood, surely my time and attention will be focused on my baby..blogging will be my way of keeping a record of her growth and development..and share with you tales of love, joy, pride, fulfillment and satisfaction from the heart of a mom.
and thus the remodelling!..

meet JOELLE NIKOLAI R. DONES

On a peaceful evening of august 22, i delivered a healthy baby girl. just after i saw my baby, i have forgotten all the pain which lasted for about 30 hours.
a certified mom...at the delivery room, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chaiwan Hong Kong....and now we're three...our first family picture!

Time flies so fast,so as our baby growing so fast..Just as every first time parents, excited are we..we never let a day pass without a picture of our baby, capturing every smile, yawn, cry, blink, kick-her every action!

Check on my other site for more of Niko's pictures..

changes in me during my pregnancy...

Who would think i am 6 weeks pregnant in this photo?...taken during our Christmas vacation in Ilocos Norte...

And weeks after, this was how i looked. Notice the little bump on my tummy? 18 weeks on the way to motherhood.. taken during the HK Flower Show last March 22, 2009 at Victoria Park.

Its getting more and more obvious, i can no longer hide it. Just like other first time moms-to-be, i was proud to show off my tummy. 23 weeks and 5 days to be exact taken during our church beach outing, May 1, 2009.

And for my latest pregnant portrait(courtesy of my husband), my personal favorite! The smile means a lot- proud, happy and excited! 33 weeks and 5 days and have gained about 15 kilos...oh no, that is a lot to shed after delivery. This photo can be seen in all of my networking sites...just too proud,really! hahaha.

And now the question is, am I ready for the big day? Baby's bag is ready since June, my suitcase, hmmm, not yet! But I know, God has prepared me in all aspects- spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been praying for us, for a healthy pregnancy, good health and safe delivery.

Embracing 3rd Trimester...

I am welcoming my last trimester of pregnancy with much joy and thankfulness. Second trimester is over and everything just went well - no vomiting, nauseating, a little of backpain but totally tolerable..thank God!

While everyone is asking for the gender of our baby, we decided (as of the moment) to take the old-fashioned way of not knowing it and just wait for the big day..for a big SURPRISE!!! It really doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl for as long as it is healthy and normal. But there are some parents with gender preference. Que sera,sera..we are very much thankful to God for the wonderful gift.

I'm on my 25 week and at this period, i could feel the movements of my baby. I just could not explain the bliss and thrill i feel and even get tickled whenever the baby kicks and punches. The feeling is so amazing when you talk to the baby and would answer back with a kick.

While it is also on these days i have some difficulty in breathing, sleeping and easily gets tired, i know and understand they're all part of it. After all, I have tons of things to be thankful with.

As the big day is fast approaching, me and my husband are both excited. I don't deny, I'm kinda worried too. But thinking back of all the wonderful things God has done for me, the fear is gone.