Victoria Peak and Symphony of Lights

For our second day, we went to Victoria Peak in the morning. We rode bus 15C to get to Peak Tram. Miya fell asleep while we’re walking from our apartment to Central Pier where we rode the bus.

Sleeping eskimo

She was asleep until the tram ride when she the sleeping beauty has finally awaken.

She's really like this after her nap - she's all smiles!

Well, hello there!

Miya absolutely loved the weather in Hong Kong. It was so cold up at the Peak but she enjoyed the cool breeze. Here are a bunch of photos.

I love our colors in this photo!

She loved walking there!

I was freezing while Miya loved the cold

See how foggy it was

After Victoria Peak we went to Citygate Outlet in Tung Chung. The last time we went to HK we also went here so my mother was eager to go again.

A few minutes after we arrived at Citygate Outlet - Miya so sleepy

Miya fell asleep while we’re having lunch and was asleep most of the time we were there. We got loads of stuff from Giordano. We got so much that we actually availed of their cash rebate haha! From underwear to shirts! We were really happy with all those bargain in Giordano. Then it was Joema’s turn to shop heehee. You see my husband never really shops. I have to tell him to buy new things for himself. So I was happy when he told me he wanted to go back to the Puma store to buy the rubber shoes he saw (we passed by the store before having lunch). He was able to buy rubber shoes, a jacket and a shirt – all Ferrari items (Puma is the official carrier of Ferrari clothing items). He was only supposed to buy the jacket and shoes but I coaxed him to buy the shirt as well because he gets another 15% discount if he buys 3 items. He was really pleased with the items he bought. I told him to buy the items because the last time we were in Korea and we saw Ferrari rubber shoes, he thought twice of buying it and never did. He was sorry he didn’t buy when he had the chance because apparently, those Ferrari items are not sold here in Manila. They cost much more during F1 season (we had some bought during the SG grand prix when our friends went there last September).

Anyways, after shopping we went back to our apartment to rest a bit. Actually they all went to the apartment while I went around our area to buy a gift for Miya. It was Miya’s birthday the next day so I went to the near Toys R Us but I was disappointed because it was a small store. I was imagining a big toy store like the one in Home Alone 2 (Lost in New York) haha! Anyways, I went to H&M afterwards and found the cutest shirts so I bought her one and other stuff to complete an outfit. When I went back to the apartment and rested for a while, we all went out again and headed to Kowloon Island. We braved the freezing cold weather and waited for the Symphony of Lights at the Avenue of Stars. There were a lot of construction going on when we went there though.

Chinese New Year greetings

We were there early and it was so cold that we had to take refuge in the small souvenir shop right beside where we were seated hehehe. But of course, the cold did not stop us from taking photos.

Miya biting her button - she's biting everthing in sight nowadays!

Miya chewing the handkerchief we've put around her neck to keep her warm

So there, on our second day we were finally able to go to the two places we weren't able to see the last time we were in HK.

First Stop: Ocean Park

So after we landed, we immediately settled into our rented apartment then headed out for lunch. We had lunch at a nearby Chinese restaurant. Went back to the apartment to bring our takeout (we ordered too much so we had the leftover packed for us) before walking towards the Central Pier. Our apartment is located near "The Center" so it was a few minutes walk to the pier. We got a lost a bit because there were too many construction going around. Good thing when we got to the pier we met a Filipina who was initially offering us the bus tour but eventually sold us tickets to Ocean Park so I asked her for directions on where we can ride the bus. I know the Citybus 629 also stops at Admiralty station but that's where we rode the last time we were in HK so I wanted my family to ride at different bus stop. The bus station was a little bit hard to find because there were a few bus stops lining the pier. Anyhoo, after the buying the tickets we went to the bus stop and rode from there.

There were so many people inside the amusement park once we entered those gates. It was hard for us to see every attraction there is. So we only went inside a handful. First stop was Panda Village.


Just right outside the panda enclosement are some small animals like turtles, fish, birds, etc.

Look at Miya's reaction to the turtles!

We were so happy because Miya reacts to what she sees. Although inside the Panda Village, she was more amused with the ceiling and everything else than with the panda bears hehehe.

After the Panda Village, we had our picture taken just near the hot air balloons.

See how many people there were!

Picture taking with one of the characters of Ocean Park.

After that we went inside lined up for The Grand Aquarium. It took us maybe 30 minutes before we finally got inside the aquarium. But it was all worth it. Our little girl was so amazed with what she saw. There was one section inside the aquarium where you can see all those sea creatures in one giant wall of glass. This is where we stayed most of the time. We had tons of photos and these are my most favorites which I think captured the curiosity of our little sweetheart.



After The Grand Aquarium, we rode the Ocean Express to reach the summit. By the time we got to the Ocean Theater, my baby was exhausted and hungry. I had to nurse her there (good thing I was wearing a nursing top, I actually never go out of the house with her in tow and not wear a nursing top! although Ocean Park has baby care centers where you can nurse/feed your babies.) while waiting for the show to start. She eventually fell asleep and was not able to catch the show. I was trying to wake her up and she tried opening her eyes but she was just too tired. It's okay, sweetie, we'll return next year! (C'mon Universe make that happen!).  So Daddy enjoyed the show instead heehee (this was Joema's first trip to HK).

After the show it started getting dark so we went back down and rode the Ocean Express again. Then it was time to say bye-bye to Ocean Park (Miya's still sleeping).

Made for Walking

I have to cut my HK posts to a halt and interrupt with this very important announcement - Miya is now walking! She can stand up  (from sitting down position) by 9 months and started cruising after that. When we tried Gymboree (mid-January which I still have to blog about), she was able to try walking on her own. Although she still falls down because she can't balance herself that much. But yesterday, she was finally able to walk on her own on solid flat ground (at home barefeet)! I was so proud! When our yaya texted me that Miya was awake and "eto naglalakad." I did not think much about it. i just thought they were practicing walking, with the yaya holding her by her hand or by her armpits. Much to my delight, when we got home she showed us she can walk by herself. The happy proud moment was a bit brief as my melancholic husband chimed "Hindi na baby si Miya." But still, this is something I'm really really happy about. I've always thought Miya would have learned to walk earlier if we had a bigger space she can roam around in. So after a week from her first birthday, I'm happy to report she was able to stand on firm ground all by herself. Now yaya's been texting me all day that Miya's been walking around and ang likot daw hahaha! I need to buy those baby proofing stuff!

UPDATED with the video!

We Flew To Hong Kong

For my and Miya's birthday, the whole family flew to Hong Kong to celebrate! Our flight was early Saturday morning in Clark so we opted to stay overnight Friday at my Tita's house in San Fernando. We were all up by 4am and surprisingly Miya woke up with us. Which actually was a good thing because by the time we were flying, she fell asleep.

Here are some photos.

At the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport

We brought along a new toy to keep her pre-occupied

Touchdown Hong Kong! She was still asleep when we landed.

With our little eskimo at the Airport Exress

Lunch time!

11th and 12th Day of Christmas

2 - 3 January 2012

The last two days of this series was spent at home with my family.

I told you before about her fake smile, right? Here it is

Those were scarves that a friend gave to us. One for me and one for Joema. Look who's using Mommy's?

After this short vacation of mine and when I went back to work, Miya started having separation anxieties. The day I went back to work, she didn't want to be put down on her crib and play on her own. This lasted for almost a week that her yaya can't do any other chores. Plus she also makes habol when we leave for work after this Christmas break. Before this, she usually gets distracted when we bring her down to us and she bids us bye-bye. After this break, when she and her yaya goes back to our unit she cries and always looks for us. it's better now although  she still cries when we put her down on her own. It's so hard to leave in the morning and we always have to hurry to go home because she cries when it's late than our usual coming home time (which is about 7-ish) and we're not yet home.  The difficulties of being a working mom. Haaaay!

9th and 10th Day of Christmas - New Year's Eve and Day

Joema had work on New Year's Eve so it was a pretty quiet day for us. I did another pasta dish for our dinner, this time with shrimp. This one's yummy!

Pasta for two!

2011 has been my most blessed year to date, because of her.

We must have done something good to be worthy of her

Miya and I slept early. I didn't want her to still be awake during the fireworks and have a hard time getting her to sleep afterwards. Plus I don't know how she'll take all that noise. So we were out before 12 midnight. Only Joema was awake to usher in the new year. He woke me up with a kiss and a "Happy New Year!" and then I went back to sleep haha!

The following day, we didn't really have any plans. Both sets of grandparents were not available so we trooped on to the nearest mall to have lunch. Shangri-la was closed so we went to Greenbelt and had lunch at Big Buddha.

We were there early, we were the only diners when we arrived.

Our New Year's feast

After lunch, we wandered around Greenbelt.

She really loves the water

I love this photo - looked like we're not in Manila.

In the afternoon, Lolo and Lola came to visit their apo. They brought her slippers.

Look at those colorful slippers

They say how you spend New Year's day is how you'll spend the rest of the year so here's wishing the rest of the year will be filled with more family bonding times!

8th day of Christmas – Miya’s 11 month Birthday

We celebrate Miya’s birthday monthly if you can call it that. Every 30^th of the month, we go out and buy cake and have a small celebration for our first born. I am so grateful to have her in my life. I always feel blessed everytime I see her. She is the living proof that God loves me, I think.

Anyways, on the 30^th of December we celebrated the little girl’s monthly birthday one last time before her 1^st birthday. Here are some photos.

Happy 11th month Birthday, Anak!  We love you!

Sometimes, I can't call her a baby anymore because she's so big already - little girl na!

Mommy loves you!

Miya dancing with Daddy! She glees every single time!

6th and 7th Day of Christmas - Migs Christmas Party

28-29 December 2011

This was a much awaited trip for me. I so wanted to just relax and unwind during the holiday season. I actually thought of brining our yaya with me but I finally decided on not bringing her as this was also a much needed bonding time with my daughter and hubby. Just us three – well, with our friends, too. It was after all our Christmas Party and Welcome-Back-Home to one of our dear friends.

We all met up in Makati in the morning of the 27^th. We arrived in Pansol just in time for lunch. Miya did not want to nap during the entire trip. I’m amazed at how energetic she was still when we arrived there.

Practice walking

 Truth be told, I never would have made it overnight without the help of my friends and their yayas in taking care of Miya. Good thing she’s a cutie (ehem ehem0, everyone was just willing to take care of her.

Tita Jiral took care of her when Mommy needed a break

More of our short vacation after the cut.

4th and 5th Day of Christmas

Monday, 26 December, was spent at home while the next day we went to my friend Reyna's house for Miya's photoshoot. But before going there I taught her how to smile, so now when we say "Smile" she gives us this silly smile that looks so awkward. I haven't had the chance to take a picture of it but it's so funny. It's like she's trying to fool you with her smile.

Here are photos from the shoot.

Sneaked in a shot with mommy

She was not able to take her usual afternoon nap so we slept when we got home around 4pm. After waking up, she was full of energy again.

Standing on her own while eating spaghetti

the next day we were scheduled to go to Pansol with our friends so I had to pack. But because the little girl was so likot and kulit, we had to put her inside the bag for her to behave.

Hahaha just kidding! But really we put her there to make her behave but we didn't keep here there. And FYI, it didn't work haha.