My Pregnancy: A Road to Motherhood

Hello Readers!

According to Brett Kiellerop, “Pregnancy seems designed to prepare you for life as a mother. You start making sacrifices nine months before the child is born, so by the time they put into appearance you used to giving things up for them.”

It was September 26, 2013, Thursday, that Gary and I discovered I am pregnant! I have conducted a Pregnancy Test after I’ve missed my monthly period for 10 days. It made us very happy since we have waited for it for 3 months after our marriage. That day was one of our happiest days, which we both sincerely thanks our Lord.

To confirm my pregnancy, Gary and I went to a doctor on
September 28, 2013, Saturday. My first doctor was Dra. Corazon Mata in Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital. She asked me to have a TVS or a Transvaginal Ultrasound at the Oro Ultrasound Center, since she still cannot hear a baby’s heartbeat. And, yes! After my ultrasound, she confirmed that I am 6 weeks pregnant!

So, I was then asked to take vitamins, milk supplement, and healthy foods in order to support baby’s proper development. Everyone then telling me to take extra care since the first trimester of the baby is the most delicate stage. That time, I really can feel I am going to be a mother, which I think is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world.

Then I had my monthly check-up with my doctor, Dra. Mata, for the months of November and December 2013, and January 2014.  Before Gary and I decided to switched a doctor on February 2014. My second doctor was Dra. Angeline Cagas of Cagayan de Oro Medical Center.

One of the exciting parts of ones pregnancy is knowing what’s the baby’s gender. From the beginning Gary and I already had the gut feeling that I am carrying a baby boy. We have even called him “Baby Honesto”, since ABS-CBN was airing a teleserye “HONESTO” and I dearly loved its main cast, Honesto. Hahahaha! Yeah, it’s weird!

March 2014 when I had my next ultrasound. And because of what they are telling lukso ng dugo, our gut feeling was right! The doctor confirmed “IT’S A BABY BOY!”

And since I am down to the last two months of my pregnancy, excited parents as we are, Gary and I are starting to buy baby’s stuffs like his infants wear, a crib, and etc. I have also processed SSS Maternity Benefits, hired and trained my reliever for my 2 months Maternity Leave, scheduled for a Maternity Shoot, and have even renovated our room so when he came he will feel comfort. Wow! It is really different when you are blissfully waiting for a precious gift to hatch out. LOL

               Photo by Dave Sabio Photography

First Birthdays as Husband and Wife

Hello Readers!

I will be joyfully sharing our first birthdays as a married man and woman! Gary and I got married, May. After our wedding, we’ve looked forward to celebrating our first birthdays as a married couple, July and August. And, as much as possible we both wanted it to be very special!

JULY 22, 2013. Gary’s 24^th Birthday and I’ve awaken him with a birthday greeting whisper. ^_^

I have then planned for a birthday dinner in the evening. I've booked one function room in Barkadahan Grill, invited some family members, and then bought a birthday cake. It has been a very simple birthday celebration since the weather really seems so bad, like it rains almost the whole day as if the heaven was showering bounteous blessing for Gary. ^_^

Indeed, God is really great! Gary’s birthday celebration went so well. We had fun. Smiles were painted on Gary’s face. Truly, his day was really celebrated successfully.

AUGUST 16, 2013.  My 23^rd Birthday. Gary sent me a Happy Birthday song and it just started my day. ^_^

Gary was on full search what will gonna make me happy on my birthday. His partner on planning was my bestfriend, KC. He just asked me to invite my friends for a birthday party.

Certainly, I had a blast 23^rd birthday celebration that was well-attended by people so dear to me. I have there my mother, my aunts, titos, cousins, and friends. The area in Loretos grill was just awesome. As I’ve entered the room, the tarp, the balloons, the cakes, and the smiles of the guests got my attention. It was heaven!

Then, my best-est friends Kc and Jennifer lighted the candles of my birthday cakes, the moment I’m done blowing all of those. Gary entered the room with a bouquet of red roses sealed with a birthday kiss. Sweetest!!! ^_^

  Love,

  Bevs

 

Baguio City: A Perfect Honeymoon Destination

Hello Readers!

I have thought of telling stories and sharing experiences about our Honeymoon trip in the City of Pines and the Summer Capital of the Philippines – Baguio City. I guess this would be a nice idea as I will be able to keep those memories here in my blog.

The idea of Baguio City’s cold weather is the one that urge me and Gary to spending our honeymoon in there. And, because of some working schedule constraints we have planned the honeymoon trip two weeks after our wedding since we still have to file Leave from work before and after our wedding day.

So, we have booked June 13-16 honeymoon trip in order for us to have atleast 2 days and 3 nights stay in Baguio since we will be spending 2 days for traveling back and forth.

 

JUNE 13, 2013 | Thursday, at 10AM we left from Lumbia Airport of Cagayan de Oro in their last two days of operation due to its transfer to the new Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental. I just couldn’t help but took photos in the airport and the aerial view of Cagayan de Oro which the thing we all gonna miss about having the airport in Lumbia.

 

We arrived in NAIA, Pasay City at 12NN then directly rushed to Makati City to meet my friend Jennifer and to having a lunch with her.

And, for heavens sake, a heavy rain pours down at 3PM and reportedly some areas in Manila were already experiencing flood. We were in worry since we still have to travel to Baguio City in the afternoon.

BUT, God is good; He made things possible for us. 4PM when the rain stops awhile then we left Makati and then rode a bus to Cubao, Quezon City where the bus terminal for Baguio City is located. 6PM when the bus left Cubao to Baguio City which is 6-7 hours away from Manila. It was a long travel indeed. I slept all throughout, and was able to wake up in every bus stop. In one of the bus stop, vendors were selling foods and I, who just came from a very good sleep, asked the vendor, “Tagpila na?” Whoa! I forgot I was in Luzon. LOL

12MN we arrived safely in Baguio City. We were then feeling the freezing cold wind as we are about to step out the bus. Hurriedly, we then looked for a hotel to stay in.

JUNE 14, 2013 | Friday, Gary and I woke up at 7AM and then warming up to start our Baguio adventure. 9AM we start to walk from the hotel to SM Baguio which is just walking distance from our hotel and because ofcourse we wanted to see the city’s vicinity. After having lunch at McDonalds SM Baguio we went back to the hotel to recharge while getting ready for our next stop.                                                                                                                   

Then we were excited to officially start our Baguio adventure!!! ^_^ Since taxi is the main transportation there, we’ve hired a taxi @ P250.00 per hour for rounds to the following Baguio tourist spots. :)

  

                                                                                  

                                                                    

                                                                                              

BURNHAM PARK

        Burnham Park is one of the popular destinations in Baguio. You can see its simplicity yet you can feel its very remarkable history. Sadly, we weren’t able to ride with its famous “bangka-bangka” but we’re able to take a photo of it.

PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY IN BAGUIO

        The Philippine Military Academy in Baguio is a 30-minute away ride from the city proper. Maybe, it’s situated in there in order for the PMA students to have a room for concentration and serenity. 

MINES VIEW PARK

BAGUIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

WRIGHT PARK

THE MANSION

Indeed, it was a fully-packed day! Exhausted but we really had fun. And, before our Friday ends, a kababayan from Zamboanga invited us in their home in Baguio.

JUNE 15, 2013 | Saturday, Gary and I just stayed in the hotel to recharge again and have planned to continue our Baguio invasion in the afternoon. This time we have realized not to hire taxi @ P250/hour anymore since it is very costly and yet we can ride taxi from one place to another anyway.

We went to one of the famous destination in Baguio, the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. It is popular with its more than a hundred steps. In the downside you’ll see vendors selling memorabilia and some candles and flowers as an offering to the Lady of Lourdes. Gary and I bought candles and one piece of red rose. Lighted the candles, offered the flower straight to the foot of Our Lady of Lourdes, and then said our prayers and intensions. Indeed, it was a very fulfilling feeling that we are able to visit the place.

Our next and last stop is the Tam-Awan Village, a Garden City of the Sky. I find it so relaxing to stay in the village just like our adventure parks here in Mindanao.

In the evening, Gary and I went to Baguio’s night market and just roam around the Burnham Park for the last time. Burnham Park was filled with lovers dating during night feeling the cold breeze and serenity of the park.

JUNE 16, 2013 | Sunday, we arrived back in Manila at 6 o’clock in the morning. We’ve roamed the streets of EDSA Magallanes in Pasay looking for a fastfood for breakfast. 7AM we had our breakfast in McDonalds EDSA Magallanes. Then, Gary decided to check-in to the nearest hotel for us to recharge and while waiting for our 4PM flight back to Cagayan de Oro. 2PM when we arrived in Ninoy Aquino International Airport and then got ready for our 4PM flight back home.

Hooolah! That ends our honeymoon trip! Short yet full of wonderful experiences. Thanks to our God! ^_^


Love,

Bevs

A Spring Blossom Dream Wedding

Hello Readers!

Sorry it took me too long to update my blog. I and my husband have just went unto very tight schedule before and after our wedding day. But anyways, I’m here again geared up to share the details of the best day of our lives.

Let me share some thing about our wedding with below sequence;

a.       Church and Hotel

b.      The Officiating Priest

c.       Wedding Theme / Styling

d.      Wedding Invitations

e.      The Wardrobe

f.       Wedding Ring

g.       Groom and Bride’s Shoes

h.       Wedding Cake

i.         Wedding Souvenirs

j.        Wedding Suppliers

CHURCH AND HOTEL

        The 8AM wedding ceremony was held at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, the parish where our community belongs. The church has really that sentimental value for my husband and me, since it serves as our home for two months when we tragically lost our home and belongings after Typhoon Sendong.

        The wedding reception was followed at 10:30 in the morning at Machuca and Bayanihan Ballrooms, second floor of Pearlmont Inn in Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. We have chosen Pearlmont since it is the nearest hotel to our church and they really have good food and ambience.

THE OFFICIATING PRIEST

        It’s REV. FR. LINO A. MACATOL II, SSJV who’ve bind us as one in the name of our Lord and Jesus Christ. Again, the officiating priest just like our church has really that sentimental value for me. Since Father Lino whom I used to call “Kuya Lino” almost 5 years ago is a good friend of mine. 

WEDDING THEME / STYLING

        I guess having a theme wedding is every girls dream. We had SPRING WITH CHERRY BLOSSOM THEMED WEDDING courtesy of Accent Cagayan, a team which is very new in Cagayan de Oro but yet they have impressed both my husband and I and our guests with our simple yet elegant church décor and amazing reception set-up. That Cherry Tree, marvelous twigs for table centerpieces, fabulous drapery, splendid bridal bouquet and flowers for the entourage and that beautiful reception lights – awesome!!!

                                                                                                  

WEDDING INVITATIONS

        With simplicity and elegance, I’m loving our spring blossom wedding invitations made with full of sophistication by Ms. Clay Tan and Chuck of Accent Cagayan/Wedding Mailbox.

THE WARDROBE

        Sticking with the theme, I’ve made my wedding gown replica to Ms. Jobelle and Julia Montes’ gowns. It’d very minimal bead works, only in the belt part. I really wanted everything to be very simple from my gown to my entourages’ gowns to my groom’s wardrobe which is the very typical black tuxedo.  As they said, simplicity is beauty.

 

GROOM AND BRIDE’S SHOES

        Here are the shoes we wore on our most special day. I’ve got mine from GiBi Shoes and my husband got his from W Brown.

WEDDING RING

        So, we had a silver still simple wedding ring with engraved “Carylou” and “Bevelyn” 05-25-13 on it.

WEDDING CAKE

        I have entrusted the making of my dream spring blossom cake to my former workmate Ms. Pinky Zulita who is now venturing into cake business. She really made the cake the one I wanted it to look like. The teal green fondant look cake with cherry blossom twig and flowers in one side plus those yummy cupcakes under a cherry tree. Perfect!

WEDDING SOUVENIRS

        Photobooth in a wedding seems to be the coolest wedding souvenirs nowadays. So, we had SNAP IN A BOX PHOTOBOOTH hired for our wedding. Hoolah! Everyone’s had a great time for that 3 poses in every 5 seconds with funny freaky props, and in few seconds there you got the photo in print!!!

        Aside from a photobooth, Gary and I made also a glass wedding give-aways distributed right after the wedding reception.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

        In photo below, we have the Photographers: Dave and Andrew, Reception Host/Emcee: John D ProVoice, Wedding Coordinators: Weddings and Events Republic Aileen Marchy and staffs, and the Videographers: The Digital Eye Alain Caasi, GilbertKhuta and the team. Weren't in the photo were the Event Stylist Accent Cagayan, Hair and Make-Up Artist Ardelon Bernaldez and my wedding cake supplier Pinky Zulita.

        I am really feeling delighted and blessed having those wedding suppliers work on the most special day of Gary and I’s lives. They really undeniably showed kind compassion and professionalism in their fields.

 

:) :) :)

I hope I had inspire you, Readers, you too deserves absolute best on your own wedding!

SPREAD THE LOVE!!!

♥

Bevs