Hello, family and friends, and people who arrived at this page by accident! Apologies for the much-delayed pictures. In the meantime, I've been moderately (and steadily becoming heavily) pregnant, having the time of my life rediscovering my body and what it does without my knowledge or permission, and well, hitting the beaches as the mercury climbs. Alfred and I also had the chance to watch Soundgarden's Chris Cornell in concert here in Sydney, but sadly, no pics of that. We were too much in a hurry after the concert to pick up Bea from her cousins', but it was still unforgettable. To hear 'Spoonman', 'Seasons', 'Fell on Black Days' and 'Black Hole Sun' once again (and this time, live) is so exhilarating. Brings back memories of when we last raved to this music, we had beer and cigarettes in hand. And to watch Chris strip. Don't get me started on that. I had no idea he looked more a supermodel than a rock star. He started taking off his jacket, then unbuttoned his polo to reveal a sculptured six-pack there, until he finally just took the darn shirt off. Unreal.

I guess the nesting bug hasn’t hit full throttle yet, although Alfred and I have constructed our own blanket box already. From pieces of pre-cut wood we bought at a hardware outlet store, mind you. Not the flat-packed ones, so we did a fair bit of customising, sawing and measuring here... Ahem.

Yes, it’s summertime here in the southern hemisphere. The quilts have been rolled away, sandos, shorts and short skirts have been taken from their hiding places under the bed and back inside our draws, and showers, well, we do that almost twice a day now.

If you want to view all the new pictures, just select the month November 2007 from the menu on the right, as I’ve bunched them all together in one go – Bea and my three-days-apart birthdays, trips to beaches, a photo at home of Bea washing dishes (oh, yes), and photos of Bea’s book parade this year.

Well, enough blah, and on with the show. Hope you enjoy it. Tell me what you think by clicking the "O" at the top of each picture. It will lead you to a page where you can leave comments so we can hear from you, too! We miss you all so much!

Silly face blowing my surprise cake after a long day at work. I was expecting flowers in Carbie when they picked me up from work on my birthday, but found nothing. When we got home, I was half-expecting flowers on the dining table, but nothing. When I went to the bedroom to change, I was expecting flowers on the bed or at least a card (I lowered my expectations), but nothing. I asked Bea who was with me inside the room if she made a card for mum. She said sorry she couldn't because there had been too much homework that day, and that she would make one after dinner. Then, I heard Alfred calling out from the kitchen. I walked over with all hopes for a present dashed, only to find a mango cheesecake with a tall solitary lighted candle in the table. And that's when the birthday song erupted. Beside the cake, there was also a homemade card from Bea and a framed poster designed by Alfred on canvas. Unbelievable. I told them both they're getting good at lying, as I wasn't able to detect a hint of a present from the moment they picked me up. I usually smell something fishy with these two, but not today. Anyway, it was a good 31st birthday for me, real good.

Kids never tire of all this cake-blowing. Mum and dad, on the other hand, were exhausted after today. And we only had eight guests over! Hirap magpaparty kung wala si Ate Evy!

Bea with Cake Number Two, on her intimate celebration with her cousins and a few friends last Saturday. The day after, her actual birthday, we plan to have a quiet day with just the three of us, er, four pala, including Maya.

The girls (and a few boys) in Bea's class crowd up to her to get one of the six sugar flowers on her cake. Bea takes her time choosing. Oh, the dilemma...

Sliced 26 pieces that day, for the whole class plus her teacher, and still had several to take home. For Alfred and I, of course, over tea or conversation... or... or while thinking up more excuses to have another slice.

My anak on the Friday before her birthday, when Dad and I brought this cake to class. We call it Cake Number One in what we're about to discover will be a three-day cake-blowing (and eating, of course) affair!

At around six months' pregnant, I can still lay on my belly, although it's starting to get a bit uncomfortable. I'm gaining weight, too, but not too worried, as this rush of hormones makes me feel terrific. Lapping up the sun and surf, as in a few month's time as my best friend in Virginia says, (fade in: 'Bilanggo' by Rizal Underground) I'll be home-bound most of the time. Miss you, Mylee, so terribly much!

Dad and Mum's favourite spot - just the two of us... but with Bea at arm's length. Oh, and Maya growing well in my womb.

Ayy, lamig sobra! But we still went in for a total body plunge soon later. It's not too bad if you don't mind chattering teeth. ;)

Yes, the warmer months have ushered in the beach season, although the water's still a bit chilly. This is Coogee Beach in Sydney, around 20 minutes' drive from home. Thank God, Alfred's become a convert to Bea and my beach state-of-mind. Ninang Racle, wish you were here. We so terribly miss our Lenten season beach thingy. Hope to be with you soon!

A hurried photograph before the class went up the stage to be applauded by their proud parents.

Dressed as a 'generic' witch for this year's Book Parade, where kids are asked to dress up as book characters. What would children's stories be without this quintessential character? (Wink, wink) Gosh, I'm running out of ideas for costumes, and new, ready-made ones are too boring. This gem, we found at a second-hand clothes shop near home. Find out next year what we'll be dressed up in.

Bea's first time washing dishes. Thank God, she enjoyed it! Hard to believe my suwit baby is now an 'ate.'