Thank you 2010

2010 has indeed been a year of challenges, wonderful blessings and countless little miracles and moments of grace for our family. I feel we are so much blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people, family and friends who continue to share their love and prayers to us. I guess I'd like to take this time to write about the most significant things that happened to me and to my family this year... sort of looking back and to help me realize just how blessed I really am.... I promised myself that this coming 2011, I'd focus more on what I do have and all the good things/blessings in my life, and how I can be more of a blessing to others as well. It's a tough job order, I know, but I have to start somewhere.. right? :-)

HIGHLIGHTS OF MY YEAR 2010

Birth of our Baby Girl, Ysabella Lily, or "Belly" as we fondly call her.

Belly was born on May 3 at 11:54 am. Even though I tried to have her come out earlier (it was summer and I was very tired of being preggy already), she decided when she would come out.. at the perfect time. Did not give me a hard time at all and just had a total of 5 hours labor. She latched on right away. She was my 2nd little angel. :)






Santi's 32nd Birthday in Subic

This was our first out of town trip as a family (just our little family of four). It was the perfect time and place! Although Santino loved swimming in the pool, he didn't care much for the sand getting in his slippers and in between his toes (that's my OC kid for you, haha). We stayed at the lighthouse hotel (I would recommend this place!) and we were able to take the kids to Zoobic, to which we also enjoyed! But of course the train/tram outshone all the animals in Santino's eyes. He wouldn't get out of the tram even to see the lions or elephants!








Santino's 2nd Birthday

Our little boy is growing up so fast!! For Santino's 2nd birthday he got his long time and EVERYDAY wish.. to ride a choo-choo train! Thank God for my little boy's simple joys. So we took the whole family and both our parents and siblings (and families) for a free ride on the MRT line. Neat huh? He was in awe the whole time! Of course we had the whole THOMAS AND FRIENDS theme going on, from tattoos to party hats, balloons, cups, etc etc.











Boracay vacation

Our annual family vacation (My side) where our whole family gets to spend 3-4 blissful days doing nothing but lounging around. This year it was back to the wonderful island of Boracay. We stayed at the most awesome Discovery Shores (would so highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a beautiful place to stay in Borcay) and had the most amazing 4 days of fun in the sun. Although having 2 kids and no yayas is quite a feat, it was all worth it. Family bonding is priceless. On a lighter note, the moment we got home (in Manila) and saw our yayas, Santi said "Now my vacation can begin." LOL.

Belly's UTI diagnosis, DMSA, VCUG scan and positive results

I just realized that I have the most amazing, beautiful, special and brave daughter EVER. She had gone through so much for someone only few months old (see my pasts posts on Belly's UTI and procedure), but she still took it all in stride, and just like a real trooper, went through everything with a smile. I love my daughter so much and I am so grateful for her in my life.





Our 3rd year anniversary

Our wedding day with our entourage

Has it been 3 years already?? My time flies so fast, especially when you've already got 2 kids!! :-) Santi and I are so blessed to be given such great blessings so early on in our marriage. Sometimes it's a bit of a challenge, adjusting to married life AND being parents at the same time, but I don't think I would change anything. I'd like to think that these past 3 years together, and this past year in particular has really been such a turning point in my personal maturity as a wife, mother and partner in life. People speak the truth when they say that marriage is hard work, a real commitment, lots of love and even more prayers!! I thank God for my family and all our friends (especially fellow married friends) to whom we get to share our struggles and victories with, it really helps to have a support group of friends who also know what you are going through. It's only been 3 years and I look forward to many more years with Santi and our kids.... and more kids (well, maybe in 2 years or so ;-))






Thanks for taking the time to read this post... I had a blast reminiscing.
Merry Christmas everyone.. and wishing you the happiest and most wonderful 2011, from our family to yours. :-)

The Padilla-Edralin Family :)

Remembering Lolo Paddy (on his 100th year)

My Lolo, Ambrosio B. Padilla, or "Paddy" as family and friends would call him, celebrated his 100th birthday last December 7... and to commemorate his 100th year, the family had special centennial stamps made in his honor. They are real stamps, folks. As in you can actually buy them and put them on your snail mail. :) Awesome right?  To read more on the article by the Philippine Post on Lolo Paddy's stamp, click here.

I can't help but feel a bit sad that Lolo never got to see me get married or meet my husband and my kids. He was a great, kind and loving man and it would have been wonderful for my family to know him. I also can't help but think back on memories with Lolo... although I'll admit that since it's been so man years since he passed, the memories are a bit fuzzy. The memories that DO stick to me though are those of Lolo teaching me how to swim. I remember very clearly how Lolo Paddy took the time and patience to teach me how. 

I also remember our family vacations with the whole Padilla clan.. one distinct memory was in Baguio. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE, HAD to wake up at like 7AM to join Lolo in the parking lot for his Tai-chi exercises. It was quite a sight. And the children and grandchildren did not disappoint. No matter how late you slept or partied the night before, everyone was up bright and early for Lolo's morning exercise. 

Another funny memory was that when Lolo would begin to give out gifts (Christmas, His bday, etc) for example, each grandchild had to line up to receive the gift, which was usually monetary, but then before you would get your gift, you had to say which number you were... this pertaining to your number in the fast-growing list of grandchildren. I think I was #21. But of course he still made it a point to say our names.. and with all those children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, you could say he had a pretty fantastic memory.

Lastly, I remember it was during the wake of Lola Lily (wife of Lolo Paddy, she had passed on a few years before him). Lolo was sitting in a corner during the wake all by himself. I went up to him and handed him an ensaymada (he loved sweets, but ate them in moderation due to his diabetes) and I asked him how he was. He just smiled his sweet and very boyish smile of his. I guess that was his way of saying he didn't know how on earth he was going to live without the love of his life by his side, but he was going to be OK. 

Lolo Paddy was really such an inspiration. I can only wish to be able to live up to the great legacy he had created and the wonderful memories he left us with.

Master of the Railway

Santino: The Master of the Railway.

My son Santino is sooo much into trains. I am not exaggerating. He is currently obsessed with Thomas and Friends... Meet Thomas and some of his friends...

Thomas the movie

Santino has this movie too and has watched this a gazillion times. He has a LOT of Thomas' friends and still counting! It's an obsession that is pretty persistent, not the same as his Barney or Veggie Tales phase... I wonder what is it with boys and trains? Is it the same as girls and barbies? He also currently discovered another train show... Chuggington!

It's a new obsession, but still TRAINS! He is so obsessed that he has a short, shorts, pants, cap, bag, snack bag, brief, hanky, chair .. all thomas! I hope he doesn't get sick of trains soon or else he'll have a really sucky wardrobe. Ok gotta go now, Santino saw me posting photos of his trains and is bugging me to "finish" so he can watch his shows! .....

Master of his railway :)