Solaire Resort and Casino Staycation

It was a Heart’s Day celebration when hubby and I decided to have a family day out and book a stay at Solaire Resort and Casino. It was also our first staycation with our dear Annika. I checked online and was able to find the cheapest rate for a Deluxe Room and we are so blessed to find one. 

Solaire is a five-star hotel with an 18,500 sqm casino area and 500 luxurious rooms. What I like with Solaire is that they have a free shuttle service from Mall of Asia (and other areas), but we chose to have a grab car since we have a baby with us to avoid hassle on commuting.

When we arrived at the hotel, there was a scanner at the entrance to check the bags. Checking-in in this hotel was a breeze. The staff is very friendly and treats you like a V.I.P. 

This is the hallway.

 

When we entered the room, these things greeted us: A welcome message and a box of sweets.

The room was indeed large and you can choose either a King Bed or 2 Double Beds with fluppy duvets! :)

There is also a big flatscreen tv adjacent to the bed.

The coffee maker and mini ref were hidden inside this closet. There is also a deposit box inside the cabinet, bedroom slippers and hangers. Internet connection was fast. :)

Another thing to love was the spacious marble bathroom with the twin vanity sinks and L’Occitane toiletries. The tub was really of good size too. Not all hotels have a bathtub, so we really appreciate that Solaire has it.

 They put a lot of details into design - the grandeur lobby, restaurants and hallways.

The other side of the hotel.

When in Solaire, a must-visit is their beautiful L-shaped outdoor pool where you can catch a glimpse of Manila’s famous sunset. In this area, there are also private cabanas with jacuzzis which you can rent for your parties.

Need to walk through this bridge to get to the pool area.

One word: WOW! The most beautiful swimming pool I've ever seen.

As usual, we do photoshoots around the pool area. Hehe! :) We we'rent able to swim since I don't want Annika to swim yet to public pools.

Checked out and what a lovely stay it was. Solaire trumps the competition in terms of room size, design and amenities. I know that there many other world-class hotels in Manila in the near horizon but until the next best one appears, the rooms at Solaire come highly-recommended for a truly five-star experience. 

Cheers,

 

Maternity Leave Extended!

Praise God!!! Thank You Lord!!! All glory to God!!! :)

These are the words that are continuously coming out of my mouth at this very moment. Why?? Because my 78 days maternity leave was extended! Wohhoooo!!! :)

Someone was happy too about the good news! :)

My maternity leave was supposed to be ended today, and I am supposed to be back to work on Monday, but since we still haven't find a nanny to take care of our dear Annika, I have asked a request from our HR to please extend my leave till the end of the month. Praise God they allowed me! :)

I was so happy and I even cried knowing that I was so blessed to be part of Euro Chemicals, Inc., a company whose very considerate to their employees, and most especially, a company who has a very kind and generous bosses. That's why it is really hard for me to give up my work knowing that it would be very hard to find another company like this one. Though I admit that I have came out to the point that I wanted to resign to take care of my baby till her first year. But then, realization came.. I want give all the best to Annika and part of that "best" is to provide everything she needs and everything I wanted for her. And being a working mom would be one of the answers. Percy and I will work for her and provide for her. Someday our baby girl will understand why mommy has to work. But for now, I will enjoy my two weeks extension leave being with her because for sure I'm gonna miss her big time when I got back to work on February.

Thank You so much Lord! You're the best! I love You Lord! :)


Very blessed,

Annika's First Check-up

After so many cancelled attempts (cancelled because of traffic and holidays) of going to the hospital for her monthly check-up, finally we did it! Last Friday was our scheduled check up for our baby girl. Upon arriving at our pedia’s clinic, she was weighed and we were a bit shocked knowing that she’s now 4.5kgs heavy. Annika gained 1.2kgs after losing some pounds when she got hospitalized. That’s why carrying her now feels like workout. Hmmm.. Good job si mommy for providing the best milk (breast milk). Hehe! She’s also now 58cms long (1.9ft, almost 2ft). Wow! Ang haba ng baby namin! :)

Percy and I were both happy that our dear Annika was so behave during her actual check up. We were asked by her pedia, Doctora Masangkay if she already knew how to response when we were conversing with her. Gladly, when Doctora was talking while checking on her, our baby girl was so focused, made an eye to eye and don’t even blink. She even gave her cute smile and her “oohhhh” sound. And according to her pedia, very good si baby and maybe on her next visit makikipagdaldalan na daw si baby!

Thank You Lord for our healthy baby girl!

Very blessed,

Annika's First Real Smile

Our baby girl finally did it! She flashed her first real smile (not just one of those reflex lip curls she's been doing since birth) last Wednesday, January 6, when she was exactly 6 weeks and 2 days old. Yehey! :)

According to www.parents.com, a baby's first real smile usually makes an appearance "somewhere between one and a half to 3 months (or 6 and 12 weeks) of life (our little Annika is on track!). You can tell the difference between a reflex and a real smile by the timing and duration. Generally, reflex smiles tend to be shorter and occur randomly, when the baby is sleeping or tired. Real smiles, on the other hand, occur in response to something, like seeing her mama's face or hearing a sibling's high-pitched voice, and they are consistent... When it's the real deal, you will see the emotion expressed in your baby's eyes."

I had been waiting for Annika's first social smile every day, and when it finally happened, I immediately recognized it. I just finished feeding her and as usual, I was talking to her. She made her cute little sound “ooohhh”, and then she flashed the sweetest toothless grin I have ever seen. I knew it was real because it wasn't brief, and it was sandwiched in between other sounds she was making, as if she was conversing with me. I was soooo happy I couldn't stop talking to her. My heart melts! Nakakawala ng pagod at puyat. :)

Thank You Lord for this milestone of Annika! :) I eagerly await her next one: laughter! :)

Overjoyed,

Welcome 2016!

Today is December 31. In just a few hours, the clock will strike twelve, and 2015 will already have passed. But before that happens, let me spend some time thanking God for my bestest year so far, where God granted our most awaited blessing, our baby Annika! :)

This year, God has showered me and Percy with countless other blessings! He's really the best, answering our prayers in the most perfect time, and giving us many other things we never even knew we needed or wanted. I can only look forward to 2016 with a big smile on my face, knowing fully well that it will be another wonderful year.

I may not know what's out there for me and for us, but my faith tells me that it will all be good!  After all, it's God who has planned out everything, right? All His plans are perfect... who wouldn't be delighted? :)

So cheers to a blessed 2016! Cheers to a brand new year, a chance for new beginnings! :)

Grateful,

Our Second Merry Christmas

Percy and I have already two Christmases together. The first one was obviously special because it was the first and we were full of hope, and this year, our 2nd, was nothing short of blissful! God's gift was delivered last month and it's our first Christmas to spend it with her - our Annika.

And since Christmastime is largely about gift-giving, our little person received more gifts than us. These presents were much appreciated, and we were very thankful to all the people who remembered her.

So that's about it! Our 2nd Christmas and 1st with Annika. Hope your Christmas was as merry as our family's! Happy holidays! :)

Cheers,

Our Precious Angel

"I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him."

~ 1 Samuel 1:27 ~

Meet our precious little angel, our greatest answered prayer,

Annika Emmanuelle Bersoto-Guela

Born on November 23, 2015 at QMMC

3.7 kgs

51 cm long

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Yehey, we're now a family of three! 

Thank You Lord!

Very blessed,

It's A Girl!

The long wait is over. Today, we already know for sure what our little angel has been hiding in between those legs. Our baby is a SHE! We're expecting a baby girl! :)

Percy and I are very, very happy! Though we kept on saying that it doesn't matter whether it's a boy or a girl, in my heart of hearts, I was secretly wishing that baby's a she, that I may be blessed with a mini-me that I can doll up with ruffles and ribbons and all things pink. Haha! :) Percy's excited, too! He said baby is going to be daddy's sweet little girl. ;)

Thank You Lord for an answered prayer! :)


Very blessed,

Baby's Gender Prediction

Few more weeks, we will be finding out the gender of little angel and hubby and I could not be more excited! Though we kept on saying that it doesn't matter whether it's a boy or a girl, in our hearts, we were praying that little angel's a she. Haha! :) But whatever God will give us and whatever our little angel will turn out to be, s/he will be loved just as much.

Until the official "big reveal", there are many ways to predict whether the baby is a he or a she. Of course these ways are far from being accurate and are mostly based on old wives' tales, but still compiled a list of all the clues, simply because I am curious and I think that they are fun to do! Each one has a 50/50 chance of being correct anyway. :)

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Morning Sickness 

It is said that if you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it's a boy.

Me: During my first trimester, I always thrown up and always felt sick. 1 point for Team Girl

Cravings 

Craving sweets? It's a girl. Craving salty or sour foods? It's a boy.

Me: Well, I have been all about sweets. Anything sour makes me feel sick to my stomach. 2 points for Team Girl

 

Shape of Belly 

If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it's a boy. 

Me: My bump is high. 3 points for Team Girl

Face Shape 

When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant; it means you're going to have a girl. If your face is long and narrow, it's a boy.

Me: I've always had a full, round face. BUT ever since I got pregnant, my face gets bigger and rounder! Haha! 4 points for Team Girl

Nose 

Do you feel like your nose is growing and getting wider? If so, you might be having a boy.

Me: At 20 weeks now, my nose gets wider! Haha! 1 point for Team Boy

Chinese Gender Chart 

The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.

Me: This chart tells me I'm having a girl! 5 points for Team Girl (You can find the Chinese Gender Predictor here.)

Mayan Tale 

The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is an even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!

Me: I got 2044, so it's a she! 6 points for Team Girl

Baby’s Heartbeat

According to legend, if your little one's heart rate is under 140 beats per minute, you're having a little boy. If it's over, get ready for your little girl!

Me: The last time we checked, baby's heartbeat was at 135. 2 points for Team Boy

Pretty or Ugly 

Simple. If you have that glow and look prettier when pregnant, it's a she. If your beauty has disappeared, it's a he.

Me: I definitely feel and look uglier these days. Also, my skin has gotten oilier. 3 points for Team Boy

Acne 

If you're breaking out like crazy, then that means it's a girl. The belief goes that girls steal their mother's beauty, hence, those annoying zits. Clear skin means a boy.

Me: I have these annoying zits on my face that never seem to go away! 7 points for Team Girl

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Team Girl got 7 points and Team Boy got 3 points! Yey! Claiming it’s a girl. Haha! But no matter what, as long as our little one is healthy, we will be the happiest parents on the planet! :) We love you, little one!

Very blessed,

 

My Glucose Challenge Test

I've always had a sweet tooth, pregnant or not. But being pregnant was never an excuse to me (pasaway lang, Haha!), I can’t stop eating chocolates and other sweet stuff, and it has been much harder to resist! You'd probably guess I'm prone to gestational diabetes (a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels during pregnancy). Huhu! :( Glad my OB ordered an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) for me, so that we could catch it early on, if ever. 

My OGTT schedule was last Sunday together with my other set of laboratory tests, and to prepare for it, I had to fast for 10 to 11 hours prior. My last food and liquid intake was at 9:00 in the evening, just in time for my 6:00 am arrival at The Medical City. 

Minutes after hubby and I got to the lab, a blood sample was taken from my arm. Then I was asked to drink a sugar solution containing 75 grams of glucose.

It tasted like a very sweet soda pop. I was happy that at least it was chilled; I was already very hungry and thirsty at that time from almost 10 hours of not eating or drinking anything. After that, I had to endure another two hours of starvation.  My blood sample was taken again at around 8:00am, and another one at 9:00am, then finally, I was already allowed to eat. Well, I didn't just eat. I pigged out! Haha! We also celebrate Father’s Day with hubby, the future dad, so we went on buffet lunch! 

The OGTT results would be available tomorrow, and I have to visit my OB within the week for a follow-up check up. Hubby, baby and I will be praying harder for good results! In Jesus’ name! :)

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UPDATE as of June 23, 2015:

I passed! My numbers are in the first and third columns below, and they're within the normal range. Thank You Lord! :)

Cheers,