I am known to be a planner on my most favorite events but a crammer on least favorite activities. Cramming sometimes give me a high, while some events seem to be dull to me after months and months of adrenaline rush of planning.

Anyway, just when I was planning the year-end budget and wondered where to buy christmas gifts for mother in law, my mom called to tell me they are going to bring my sister’s pasalubong (translation: souvenir or a gift from the person returning from a trip) to my kids.

My sister and I agreed that she should buy something that the kids could wear for Christmas evening mass, a bit formal and matching outfits. I was happy to see a nice outfit for my baby boy.

Unfortunately, my daughter’s dress fit her perfectly NOW. Looks like it would not even make it to her baby brother’s baptism this August.

Oh well.

According to my OB’s computation I am now on my 28th week, so I guess it’s time for me to shop for baby stuff. Here are some items on my wish list:

1. Avent BPA-free Special Edition 9 oz. (pack of 3) bottles – Blue

I am a fan of Avent. My daughter used Avent bottles in 4 oz, 9 oz and 12 oz sizes. (I think 12oz bottles are no longer available.) So it would be just fair for our son to use Avent bottles too. No, he can’t use daughter’s old bottles because I got them way back in 2006, when Avent bottles are not yet BPA-free.

I am ordering two packs of this online.
Plus another two packs of the 4oz (pack of 2) bottles. Woot woot!

2. Avent BPA-free pump

Since this is a wish list, I included this item here. Honestly, I am still undecided if I will buy this because I have the old version of this pump I got in 2006. But like the bottles, the pump isn’t BPA-free.

3. Carter’s matching onesies, bibs and socks

I will order onesies online but not Carter’s because I cannot find a seller that accepts paypal from the Philippines at a reasonable price. Argh!

Instead, I will order onesies that have matching shoes from Old Navy.

***All other items, I plan to buy at SM Baby Center which is on sale till March 31st.

I was browsing for maxi-dresses and thought of the wedding I will be attending to this April. If I’m not pregnant, I could always rummage my closet (and my sister’s) for classic cut prom dresses. But since I’m too big now, I can either go for the (multi-way) wrap dress that I used in another wedding or buy a maternity maxi-dress. I would really love to come in tube gown, but will I find something in the mall that would fit me? Hmmm…

The wedding’s motif is black&white but the bride asked all her guests to come in black. And she’d be the only one in white. Nice idea, right?

I noticed my husband and I have something in common when it comes to shopping. We don’t.

Well, we do but not as often as other people. There are people who update their wardrobes once or twice a month.

Trivia: My husband is the fastest shopper that I know. He can do his shopping in an hour. I’m talking about an entire ensemble. Probably because he knew what he wanted even before going to the mall. Say, coogi clothing for casual wear, Van Heusen for officewear or Nike for sportswear or Speedo for swimwear/board shorts.

I just noticed that my husband and I do our shopping only when we need to attend a party, outing or trip. In short, we so love cramming when it comes to shopping! Yes, I remember we went to a zoo with friends, and suddenly felt sticky and decided we need to go swimming the following day. So the whole gang went to a shopping mall to buy swim wear! Don’t you just love being spontaneous?

I have kept some of Mikee’s stuff thinking the next baby could still use it. I even kept those stuff that are gender-specific like pink mittens and baby socks. I got them from Enfant and they are extremely cute, I couldn’t let go of them. Hahaha.

Somebody gave me an ergo baby carrier that I eventually lend to someone but I forgot who. I hope she returns it to me soon. I’ve been giving bi-weekly updates of my pregnancy on my Facebook, I’m pretty sure it won’t be missed. So if that someone intends to return it, knowing I need it for the next baby, she would. Well, if she doesn’t, I can always use either Mikee’s bulky stroller or umbroller for malling.

Anyway, just want to share a photo of my little girl with her new wocket (just too big) for her pocket.

Hubby is planning to buy a smartphone for both of us. And he is leaning towards buying samsung cell phones rather than what Apple is offering. He believes that iphone4 is overrated and expensive. Samsung is much cheaper and the perks are the same as what iphone4 is offering. He is currently browsing forums for reviews but honestly, I really don’t care as long as I’m getting a new phone.

When I was younger, I always wonder why my parents love going to this hardware store in the mall. I did not understand why my dad would get excited on material handling equipment. It was big and had a section of cute containers for clips, ribbons and what-have-you’s especially for teens, so I sort of enjoy it as well.

But a decade and half later, I can totally relate. So while the husband looks around for some things that he could put inside the car, I have fun looking around for kitchen and other house tools.

I know a lot of wives (and daughters) have no clue on what to give the men on their lives this Christmas. Good thing there are lists such as 2010 christmas gift ideas for men. I so love the hall gallery frame set that they suggested.

For my dad, I always base my gifts to him on his hobbies. No wonder, the house is filled with different sets of chess, wooden or crystal, he got them. He also now has a small collection of clocks. The one hobby that takes much of his (hobby budget and) time is coin collecting. So I’m thinking of getting him coin sorter valet this year.

For the husband, it’s a secret as he checks this blog. :p

The best gift that I got for my little girl when she was an infant was a Braun Thermoscan ear thermometer. I was glad to see that it’s $10 off and free shipping in a Black Friday sale. I’ve been meaning to give one to a cousin who just gave birth. I was happy to receive it and quite sure any mom would appreciate it as well.

Don’t you love Black Friday sales?

As much as I want to get pregnant again, I keep thinking how to get rid of belly fat after giving birth. But of course, the motivations outnumber the worries. I previously expressed that I want a baby boy next time but I’ve changed my mind when I started enjoying seeing mommies with their little girls in tow at the mall. Now I won’t mind if it would be a boy or a girl, as long as I get pregnant… soon!

Speaking of the mall, I was at the mall earlier for my eye checkup at Healthway, and checked new arrivals at Twilo. (I had no plans of shopping today as I always bring my daughter with me if I want to buy clothes for her. I’m not good at sizes, you know.) Not only do I love their collection but love the interior of the store too, later found out that it was by interior designer Frenjick Quesada. The store looks like a scrap kit collection, with coordinating colors and patterns.

Nice, isn’t it?