22 weeks

One of the things I miss most now is...my IDENTITY. I used to be Dhing to most people, Danniel to some of my friends, Winter to the cyberworld...now, I'm just plain...BUNTIS. Yep, Buntz for short.

I've lost my identity and have assumed a new name...one that is guaranteed to be shed along with the extra poundage after nine months.

Anyway, my little cocktail (well, he/she is a spawn of Jambo...) must be practicing his/her aerobic skills in there, for all the little kicks and punches I feel now and then.

Makes me more excited about being a mommy!

Dream..Believe...BSP Singers' 3rd Concert

Originally scheduled on 30 July 2008, the BSP Singers' concert finally pushed through today, 13 August. Despite having a bad case of cough and colds, and almost (almost...) not fitting into my corset-top, mermaid-bottom gown, I was able to make it as alto...my last performance with the chorale until I give birth...Thanks to a lot of plea bargaining with God, warm tea and Jam's midnight Vicks chest and back rubs.

I'm two weeks into my 4th month...and hey, I've got boobs! Too bad for self portraits, I didn't notice the dirty mirror. duh!

Finally, Tita Norie took pity on me taking self-photos...Here's me in full costume, inside the huge cabinet (yes, we've been known to sleep inside this thing) while waiting for curtain call.

Surprisingly, despite our doubts, the concert was a resounding success. We thought the less-than-an-hour lunch concert would attract only a handful of fans (plus some Hakots) but lo and behold! people were already standing due to lack of chairs...wait a minute...did somebody remarked there were only 10 seats? Joke.

BSP PRAISE

July 16'th BSP PRAISE Awarding Ceremony was moved to today, bumping the BSP Singers' concert off their July 30 lunch-time 45-minute mini-concert (Dream, Believe...The BSP Singers in Concert)

The good news is that, since the Singers would (undoubtedly) sing in the ceremony, we were able to practice a little more. We sang Pambansang Awit and two intermission songs, You Raise Me Up and Magandang Pilipinas. Since I am one of the awardees, I didn't have to be in chorale get-up. I didn't mind because, being 4-months pregnant now, I can't fit into my gown anymore.

And by the way, lunch was a treat for all awardees. Center Table was the best...I kept looking for Rica..heehee. Hingi sana ako ng take-out bag ng Tiramisu.

Here's me with some of my co-awardees (and ex-classmates)...with newly-appointed Monetary Board member, Mr. Ignacio Bunye...the good thing about these events is you get to mingle with those you otherwise would just read about in newspapers.

Berry Pancakes

I've been badgering hubby for strawberries for a while now...and not because I'm "infanticipating" but because I'm dying to make strawberry pancakes. I scoured SM grocery for strawberries, but came to nil. So I settled for good old strawberries in can.

Not only that, last week, I bought a 170-gram pack of dried blueberries. When I was shopping at Shopwise, everything was topsy-turvey. They were moving merchandise around. So I was shocked to see dried blueberries in one of the shelves. I got the shock of my life when the cashier punched in the price. At 320, it's more than I bargained for..so I figured I might as well maximize the blueberries.

So, here it goes...blueberrie pancakes with strawberry sauce.

Growing...growing

A few weeks ago, I got a tip that I should start taking pictures of my growing belly for a memorable pregnancy album...as if pregnancy is an easy thing to forget...

So here's a shot taken on May 23...at 6-7 weeks, I think...

And here's The Tummy (with a personality all its own) on 7 July

Yup, those are stretch marks. But I didn't get them because of my sky-rocketing weight gain...I've had them ever since I can remember...