And the gender is...

And so if you are reading between the lines of my previous post...

We are having another BABY GIRL!

Might be another carbon copy of Dicky based on the 4d ultrasound...

We will name her BIANCA CHARIZE

Say hello to our 2nd bundle of joy!

Just came from our 4D Ultrasound in Cardinal Santos. Thank God, the baby is very normal and healthy...

Such a cutie baby...

High nose bone like Margaux...

Her feet...

And then compare her with her Ate Margaux...(her 4d pictures!)

Don't you think they are alike?...

It's for you to tell...

The California Trip...(2nd Part)

So here's the second part...

After SFO, my lola picked us up in the evening of August 13, Sunday to stay in their place this time in Salinas, California. It was like 2 hours drive from Marriott San Francisco.

We were very tired already that day so our family slept during the trip. We arrived in Lola Lilia's house around 8pm. We had to unpack some of our stuff and then got ready for a late dinner. It was worth the wait...Lola Lilia served us Tenderloin Steak! Super Yummie! Dicky got excited with it. It was the real American Big Tenderloin Steak. We just can't get enough...hahaha. That's why we ended up sleeping late that night.

The following day, Margaux enjoyed playing in Lola Lilia's garden.



We headed out to check Monterey Bay as well as the 17-mile drive. We also went to Monterey Bay Aquarimum. Margaux enjoyed checking out the fishes...Here are some pictures from the places we've been to...





within 17-mile drive









this area is famously called "Ghost Tree"






Margaux was amazed when she saw the school of Fish!








With the penguins...






We just had to stay with Lola Lilia's place for 2 days. We headed back on Tuesday afternoon in SFO airport for our trip back to Ontario, California. Ate Lyn fetched us in the airport, this time with my mother-in-law. Mommy flew in to LA last minute. She can't miss the reunion that will happen the following weekend with Kuya Erick's family.

We just had to rest the following day and went shopping in Costco and Wal-Mart. Since it's going to be a big Thursday! Disneyland!

Thursday, August 17 when we went to Disneyland. We were suprised to see a lot of people on a weekday. It was summer break actually so then we realized. Margaux had a blast in Disneyland. Can't believe we were actually there. My mother-in-law joined us there.

My favorites...the Winnie-the-Pooh ride and the shops! So many items to buy...toys and collectibles. Too bad, weren't allowed to ride Indiana Jones so it was just Mommy and Dicky who rode that while Margaux and I enjoyed strolling around.

We waited for the parade as well as the fireworks. I got carried away during the fireworks as i kissed Dicky thanking him for bringing us there! He whispered to me "I promise you, we will go back here again!" He kissed me and Margaux while watching the fireworks on the ground. I shed some tears! Grabe sa drama! But there was something there talaga that made me emotional, esp for the first-timers! Siguro it was the music..."Disneyland, the happiest place on earth...dreams do come true!"






The Parade...






Margaux enjoyed her carousel ride...









This is what you will see in the colorful world of Winnie the Pooh!







In front of the Castle...












Of course...with Mickey Mouse!





It was already almost 11pm when we got home from Disneyland. We were so tired but it's all worth it. The following day, we woke up early for another trip...San Diego, California. Ate Lyn and Mommy picked up in the airport Kuya Erick and his family in San Diego airport. We met them after for lunch in Seaport Restaurant. San Diego is around an hour from Temecula.

We saw a fighter ship docked in San Diego Port and we took advantage of it for some photos...




The Boys... Julian (Kuya Erick's son, Dennis, Dicky and Kuya Erick)








The Girls...(Mommy, Ate Ellen-Kuya Erick's wife, Ate Lyn, me and Margaux)





Late that afternoon, we went to Pechanga Casino which was just near Ate Lyn's place. Played again the slot machine. Too bad, luck wasn't really on our side.




In front of Pechanga Casino





We had to rest early that evening cause the following day was Universal Studios Day. The whole family went. It was truly fun and we all enjoyed the fact that the whole family of Dicky was complete. We arrived in Universal Studios before lunch. We had our quick lunch at Jody Marconi...yummie sausages.




We enjoyed the rides/attractions of Van Helsing, Waterworld, Shrek, Backdraft and the Studio Tour. Though there were lots of people so had to wait for almost 45 minutes for each ride. Too bad, wasn't able to ride Jurassic Park and Mummy Returns already as pregnant women and kids age like Margaux were not allowed. We are hoping for a "next time" anyway.

Some of our pictures in the Universal Studios...





Taken infront of the bookstore in the movie "Notting Hill"








Waiting for our turn for the Universal Tour.








Margaux met Dora, the Explorer.







Getting ready to go home.









We had a great time here.





We ate dinner at Bucca de Beppo again inside the Universal Park. It was a long cue before we were given a table but worth the wait cause of the super yummie food. Di ata ako natunawan ng gabing yun. After which, we checked in Marriot Hotel Courtyard in Old Pasadena. We just had to sleep after checking in because we were so tired from Universal Studios. The following day, Sunday, Dicky together with Margaux, Julian and Kuya Peter went swimming in the pool. Look, how Margaux enjoyed her time!



Dicky and I walked through the Old Pasadena and enjoyed our lunch in one Mexican Restaurant. Old Pasadena is very nice. It was popular for the Rose Parade. We saw Colorado Street where the good restaurants are located. We checked out late that afternoon then we proceeded to Hollywood park and went to hear mass in the church where Ate Lyn and Kuya Peter got married. After the mass, we went to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills where the famous expensive shops are situated. We end the day by eating in Max's Restaurant in Glendale as per request of Kuya Erick's family. Hay, bundat na naman kami sa kabusugan!



We went home in Temecula late again that evening. Kuya Erick and his family went back to Alabama already the following day. We just rested that Monday. Tuesday-Friday (August 22-25) were just spent as Shopping Days! We went out everyday after Ate Lyn's off from work to go to the dollar store, Costco, Wal-Mart and last outlet stop in Cabazon. This was the best part! Shopping Galore!

It was friday when we packed and Dicky can't seem to figure out how to fit all the stuff we got in our luggages. We ended up bringing home 3 Balikbayan Boxes, 2 Luggages and we even used up some of my mother-in-law's space in her luggage to fit everything. That's a whole lot of shopping!

We had some last pictorial in the house of Ate Lyn and Kuya Peter before we left for the airport on a saturday afternoon (Aug26). Huhuhu, it was our last day na and we were very very sad :-( Time flew so fast...How we wished we just landed on the airport!





In their kitchen...








In their backyard...









A proof that we had brought along our 2nd baby...






Getting ready to hit the airport...





In the airport, we were saddened for the fact that we are going back home to Manila already. That means going back to real life! Our flight was delayed again for another an hour and a half but that was fine cause we didn't have to make a stopover in Hawaii. We arrived an hour and half early also in NAIA International Airport from the expected 530am to as early as 4am.





Margaux with her mini "baggage"








Do we look sad?










The Jetsetter...






Well, that concludes a blow by blow account of our trip. For more pictures, you can check it at
http://community.webshots.com/user/dickyjody3

The California Trip...(1st Part)

I still have a hang-over from our 3-weeks vacation in California last August 4-26. It was one great grand vacation for our family. Wouldn't trade off the experience even if it was a hurried and tiring escapade. Allow me to recount the details on this blog...(and oh, these is just the 1st part...)

Aug 4 at 1130pm when we left NAIA terminal 2. We were in the airport around 630pm in time for the 3-hour in advance flight of 10pm. But as usual, PAL is always late. Margaux was already sleeping when the plane took off.





Waiting in line to check in our luggages.





It took us almost 2 hours to get through the check-in and all those security measures being implemented in the airport. Afterwhich, Margaux enjoyed running around the boarding area. In fact, we noticed how happy she was that time and so because of exhaustion, she vomitted! Good thing we were not boarding yet and I had some spare clothes in the carry on luggage. Hay, sayang her terno outfit!


We have boarded the plane but still waiting for the plane to take off, which actually happens after an hour and a half!!! That made Margaux sleep already.





Since we left Manila late, we also arrived in Tom Bradley Airport (LAX Airport) almost 2 hours late. Our ETA was 745pm but we arrived at 930pm. Long cues in immigration awaited us that took us another hour to claim our luggages and meet Dennis (youngest brother of Dicky). We travelled another an hour to get to Riverside where we stayed for the night. This is the place of Ate Lyn and Kuya Peter which they are selling already.



We barely slept that night as Margaux had a hard time adjusting her body clock. We were up until 4am playing with Margaux. 730am when we woke up in preparation for our first itinerary...VIVA LAS VEGAS! We were so excited also about this 5-hour trip. We wanted to hit the road early so we can arrive there in Treasure Island (our hotel in Vegas) in time for check-in. Dennis rented a nice Toyota Van so it was so convenient for us. Thanks to Ate Lyn for providing the carseat and umbroller for Margaux.



We had a blast in Las Vegas from August 5-7. There were lots of people since it was summer break that time. Margaux was not fond of riding the umbroller the first day. We had to explain to her and show her that other kids were riding it so she will agree. That was the hard part of the trip since we have to go from one hotel to another.

My favorites...




the awesome fountain show infront of Bellagio Hotel.








the magnificent facade of Ceasar's Palace.





Monday, August 7 when we checked out from our hotel. We had our yummie buffet lunch at Luxor Hotel and proceeded to Las Vegas Premium Outlets. It was so hot that day but nothing can stop us to enjoy shopping. I got new pairs of shoes for Margaux. I got excited when I saw that there's Stride Rite Outlet there. We finished shopping late afternoon, enough time for us to travel back to Riverside. We stayed for another night there.

Tuesday morning, August 8, when we travelled going to Temecula, California already. It was our first time to see the house of Ate Lyn and Kuya Peter. It was so beautiful. Dicky and I were joking that we don't want to go back to the Philippines anymore, instead stay there na lang for good. Ate Lyn and Kuya Peter were generously offering their place.







Margaux enjoyed playing in their big backyard.






That same day, Kuya Peter and Dicky enjoyed playing in the driving range of Redhawk, the golf and country club near their village, while Ate Lyn, Margaux and I waited for them in the club.



We went shopping to Costco afterwards. I love Costco! There's a lot of things to buy there. The day after, we also went to Temecula Mall. I enjoyed shopping in Bath and Body Works. While Margaux enjoyed her time in the play area.



August 10, Thursday is our domestic flight to San Francisco. We took the Ontario airport which is just about 30 minutes away from Riverside so we stayed there the night before. It was the exact day when the liquids and gels are not allowed in carry on luggages. And security level in all US airports were heightened. Good thing i had presciptions with me for the medicines of Margaux. I was worried for this flight because of our last experience on the place with Margaux but Dicky was just so good in entertaining her and we survived it.

Ms Sherry's family (former boss of Dicky) fetched us in the airport. She wasn't there cause that was the same day that she has to go to Denver for work. We couldn't thank her enough for the generosity she and her family extended to us during our stay in SFO. We enjoyed the company of her kids and husband, Ronnie. Coming from the airport, we ate in a Chinese Restaurant nearby and headed to the must-see places in SFO. Oh, and I love the weather there!






We walked up to the middle of Golden Gate Bridge.








Can't believe we were there! Finally saw it before my eyes and not just in pictures and movies! (OA ano?)









We enjoyed our late afternoon here...Fisherman's Wharf!












Eating the super yummie...clam chowder!





We were actually dropped off in our Hotel-Marriott San Francisco at around 8pm already. We had a good night stay that evening in preparation for my events the following day.



Next day, August 11 is the time for me to set-up for the bridal fair. I was suprised to realize that the venue of the fair was just a building away from where we were staying, Marriott San Francisco. It was so convenient! I also attended the cocktails that happened that night. Dicky and Margaux had to walk with me going to Bayanihan Community Center, where the cocktails took place and we enjoyed strolling around downtown SFO.

The bridal fair run for 2 days (saturday-sunday). While I was in the fair, Dicky and Margaux enjoyed walking around the city and playing in Yerba Buena Gardens which was just across the fair venue. They also visited me once in a while in the fair.




And oh, we had a sumptuous lunch at Bucca de Beppo on a Saturday courtesy of Mickee! Super yummie the food. Margaux and Kail met also the first time...



That Saturday evening, Ms. Sherry and her family again picked us up in our hotel to go to Pacifica. This is one of our most memorable experiences. We were actually in the shores of Pacific Ocean. It was so cold....can't barely stand being outside for a long time.





It's freezing cold here...






Dicky's feet got numb after dipping it into the water...









Look at Margaux's face!








The wind blew us out!...with the family of Ms. Sherry!





And then we ate in the famous and expensive Cliff House! (where famous personalities and celebrities dine in)



We were brought back to the hotel almost 11pm already. Still have another day for the bridal fair.

What's good about the entire trip was that it was summer in California that time so at 730pm, the sun was still up. Sunset begins around 8-830pm already.

This was a recount of our first 9 days in the California...there's more to tell...will post the 2nd part soon.