Feb Fun 2009

Ronnel celebrated his nth bday yesterday and it was really special for the both of us because it's his first birthday as a father! Of course, baby couldn't greet him with hugs and kisses yet so he kicked his/her (yes! still!) hardest to greet daddy. We didnt do anything extravagant, just bought a cake, prepared some dinner (Palabok, Chicken Satay barbequed real-time and Puto pandan.) We had a few friends come over to share the special day and more food came. haha. Best of all, Ronnel had spent his day doing what he loves to do-- play NBA 2K9!

Ronnel's birthday prayer during the blessing of the food was quite simple. He wanted to thank God for all the blessings He has showered us thus far, for giving him another year, and for giving us a baby. He also thanked God for giving us good friends who are there for us to support us, to be our surrogate family, especially that our families are miles away and couldnt physically be with us to celebrate. And as for his birthday wish, he didn't say it out loud but I'm guessing, aside from me and baby being safe on our delivery, I bet he wished baby's a boy. Haha!

Here are pics of our simple birthday dinner last night:


Another update from me.. I just wanted to share that finally I'm a frustrated writer no more.

Finally, my writing skills have been acknowledged! Well, I'd like to think it has been acknowledged rather than they didn't have a choice put to publish my article.. haha.

My article was published on the IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysts) February 09 Newsletter. Attached is the newsletter and the full article.

IIBA Feb 09 NewLetter (check out Page 3)

Full Article (you wont be able to access their website without being a member)

Chinese New Year At NZ

New Zealand may be the first to celebrate New Year but we're definitely the last to celebrate Chinese New Year. But as they say, better late than never. Here are some pics from the Chinese New Year Expo in Wellington.

IIBA Agile Business Analysis

Agile Business Analysis Gottesdiener Jan 20 2009

View more presentations from Tracy Cook. (tags: agile ba)

The Waiting Game

Three scans and nothing. Nada. Zilch.

When our OB told us that we'd find out our baby's gender on the 20th week scan, we were really excited and looking forward to it. Ronnel is hoping for a boy while I'm rooting for a girl. I'd like to have a girl to dress up, put braids and pig tails on and most of all, someone to shop with! Ronnel is hoping for a boy to play basketball with -- but I think it's just because he doesn't know how to raise a girl (coming from a brood of boys). He also admits being scared that he'd be too strict on a girl - just like he is with me!

On our 20th scan, baby had his/her legs crossed so the sonographer couldn't tell. We were told to try on the next scan. We had another one on the 23rd week and still, baby's legs were covering the view. The latest we had was on the 25th week and by then, we were really eager but still nothing. We even asked the sonographer to please look for it but we were told that it wasn't a priority for them. The scans were to confirm baby's health - not the gender. It was annoying because they didn't think of how important it was to us. Of course, baby's health is our priority too but if the gender can be determined, why can't they do it? Our friends who are pregnant knew as early as the 18th week!

So there, we were resigned to buying yellow and white clothes. I couldn't resist buying a pink baby suit though. Oh well, we'll just have to really wait till D day. Maybe on the next scan, there will be some leg-spreading action! Let's just wait and see. :-)

Blueberry Picking

I skipped my post for the New Year as I haven't gotten the chance to organize the pictures yet. But here's our pictures from the Blueberry Farm fruitpicking / picnic session with our friends from Couples For Christ.

Christmas Stay Ins

With the economic recession underway, Ronnel and I made a conscious decision to cut back on expenses. Plus, we also have to prepare for the big arrival of the newest member of the family on May. So, we decided not to take out-of-town trips, cut back on gifts and “pamasko” to our friends and relatives (Thankfully, they understand the situation and are happy with the Christmas cards we sent them.) Instead, we had get-togethers in our home and invited friends to celebrate the season. Yep, it’s time to tighten our belts.

Tightening our belts doesn’t mean we have to skimp on what’s important this season – remembering the real reason why we celebrate – the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And we do this best by celebrating the gift of life, love and friendship.

So here are some of our pics spending Christmas day with friends we’ve come to love and cherish here in NZ…

Here's the Couples for Christ Music Ministry Get Together:


Here's our Christmas Eve celebration. (side story: It's been a tradition for the Rodriguez and Baloyo family to spend Christmas together ever since we were in Malaysia. We now bring this tradition to New Zealand....)



And Christmas Eve Celebration Part 2 Cum Household Meeting/Band Jamming Session



And lastly, our post Christmas Picnic by the beach (nope, it's not a nudist beach, much to Ronnel's dismay)




Watch out for our New Year's Special!

Missing Pinas and Family

Being pregnant wreaks havoc on my emotions. Tears start falling from just watching a corny advertisement. Ronnel and I were watching Cinderella Man the other day and I was really annoyed with myself for bawling my eyes out on a boxing movie!

Drunk with hormones, I get to reminisce about past Christmases and other celebrations we've had with our families. Looking at the photos of their celebrations this year, I feel a longing to be with them...

Here's my dad and my brother in their business venture. They're the sole distributor of the Amazing Education Software. Hope this business will bring them success.



Here's my brother and sis and Papa celebrating my sister's birthday last Nov 16. (I'm also nostalgic about the days when I was as slim as her.... haaaay)




And my wacky cousins, uncles and aunts...

We're ready to share the good news!

Since I've posted my recent pictures where I appear to be bigger than usual coupled with the takoyaki craving incident, friends have skirted around the question "Are you pregnant?", carefully asked so that I won't be offended (in case it's just because I ate a lot!). Well, we're ready to share it now. Yes, we are pregnant! 13 weeks as of this post.

It's been an interesting experience for me. I was pregnant last year too but had an unfortunate miscarriage during the 9th week so we were really careful about sharing the news. But since we're past the critical stage (12 weeks), we're ready to share the good news with our family and friends.

This time around, I experienced all the pregnancy symptoms I haven't had the chance to experience before. I swear, after throwing up for consecutive days, being nauseous at any slight movement, feeling faint and craving for something you can't identify - I am in awe of my mother, my grandma, my mother-in-law and all the mothers out there who have gone through this. The only consolation I get is that Ronnel is extra attentive and has been very patient with me.

Anyway, let me end this by posting pictures of our little one. I thought I'd be different from mums who show ultra sound pictures to everybody but no, I'm just like the rest of 'em proud mums-to-be. So bear with me.

At eight weeks we can barely figure out where he/she is. Good thing there's a little arrow... that's why at work, our little one is fondly called "Little Arrowhead".

Here's our little one at eight weeks:



And at 13 weeks (yay, we no longer need an arrow to find our little one!)