I guess you can say we're still hung-over! What a blast!! Z's birthday bash was super tiring yet so much fun! :)
Because the official photos won't be available till after a few more
weeks months (pala) [correction again: it's ready to ship na, in less than a month!], let me just share snippets of our daughter's first birthday celebration c/o our guests' photos. And as promised, I'll be sharing some behind-the-scenes kwento from my POV as well as the list of our wonderful suppliers. I also intend to blog about each of them so please stay tuned to this "mother page" as I update each with their own blog link :)
Ready for the kwento? Here goes...
The Day Before
The day before the party was probably the craziest of them all! We were still busy running printing errands in Recto, then had late lunch at home and then brought Z to her pedia to have her checked. [Side story: Z got sick a few days before and the doc said we just had to wait it out. No meds, nothing...aaaacckkk, really? Yes, just before her birthday..] When we got home, it was a non-stop cycle of DIY art attack and tending to a sick child #StressDrilonMuch! Daddy A also had his own errands to pick up the craft materials from Quiapo and the personalized chocolate bars from MOA. Towards the evening, we were still waiting for one supplier to deliver some goods. Panic started to set in when I realized their delivery should have been made before lunch; good thing they are a trusted supplier and were able to rectify the situation.
 |
| Our Recto Haul |
 |
| DIY Indays |
It's like Insomnia-ah-ah-ah
I can't remember anymore if we had a proper meal for dinner. In the midst of our busy-ness, we were able to catch some Zzzzs if only for a good 4 hours. And then we had to wake up at 2am because Z was too cranky due to her illness :( How to soothe a sick + teething baby during the wee hours before her birthday party? Tall order for that morning, I must say. So we just tried to breastfeed, babywear and I thought it'd be a good time for me to do some more practice for my song number. I kept praying for her to be healed so that she can at least have a good time (and have good photos) during her party. Before I tried to doze off again, after a night full of drool, I tried to check up with the caterer who was supposed to start setting up in an hour's time. To this day, I can still remember the feeling of drool all over me. If I may I be allowed, I'd very much love to use the hashtag: #SoMuchFeels hahaha..
Judy Shirley Kwai La (or however it is spelled or pronounced *wink!*)
The first ever photo I received was the one below when our stylist was still setting up. My reaction? So kilig! I've been a big fan of Passion Cooks both for their delicious food and the quality of their styling. And ever since I saw this rose wall, I've been in love with it! Luckily, it matched our theme and they were able to add some art deco pillars on the sides. Let me tell you, this alone made being up from 2 am to 4 am much more bearable!
 |
| Photo courtesy of Madison Events (Ayee and team as our OTD Coordinator) |
The first supplier we met was our HMUA team c/o Chinky Tanjangco, Wheng Divah and Chinky's assistant. They were super early! As in they were also our wake-up call. I hurriedly got up and showered my sleepy and sleepless self. At this point, I was so much more thankful I decided to get professionals to do the make-up for us. Had I decided to DIY this, it would virtually cost nothing but in the state I was in, I definitely needed help in this department. Again, thank you so much to Chinky's team for being so professional all throughout :)
 |
| Chinky Tanjangco and Wheng Divah doing their make-up magic on my mom |
 |
| Crying Z with Great Grandma and Lolo |
I thought we had lots of time to spare, after all, we started early. But after the hair and make-up, family members started pouring inside the house. And that was the start of the party blur. Before I knew it, we were almost running late to meet our photographers for the mini portrait session. Good thing our venue was just a few minutes away from home so we were able to make a run for it.
Gorgeous Gatsby, Baby
When we arrived at the venue, the set-up was 95% done but my gosh, the AC was not turned on!!! Gaaah...nakakahiya for the suppliers because we rented it since 5 AM. My MIL reminded the security team and they did switch it on na. Buti na lang mostly family yung guests who arrived early so they would've understood the situation.
Our photo (Happy Folks Studio) and video (Shuttercount) teams were also on hand to take the photos and vids. After saying hello to our guests, we had to go upstairs to have the mini portrait session with HFS. Originally, it's just for us three - mom, dad and baby. But because we have the good fortune of having her great grandparents with us, I wanted to take the opportunity to have them included in the session. I asked permission from Ms. Toni prior to the event and she agreed. So all sets of grand and great grandparents went up with us to pose for pictures. Yet somewhere along the blur of events, and I'm not sure how it happened, Z's uncles and aunties started to come too. It was nice to have photos with them but I hope it was also okay with the photographers. Z was not in the best of moods to have her photos taken but I'm just glad that she still went with it.
 |
| Lim Family (Photo Courtesy of Tito Kim Go) |
We went back to the party venue to see our guests starting to fill in. Some were working on the wooden nameplate for the kids, some were lining up for the food carts and some were taking their photos with the lovely backdrop :) Oh, and some were also dropping by the memorabilia table to write their personal birthday messages and to see Z's photos through her first year.
 |
| Memorabilia table (Photos courtesy of Ninong Arvin) |
 |
| The lovely table setting (Photos courtesy of Tita Bet-bet) |
 |
| The Titas working on the kiddie wooden crafts project (Photo courtesy of Tita Bet bet) |
 |
| Kiddie Craft Time! (Photo courtesy of Ate Diane Lao) |
It was really nice to meet everyone again after our wedding and my long hiatus from work due to pregnancy and childbirth. Although we started with less than 50% of the guests, we were so happy that when we checked again, the party was jampacked! :) God really has His ways. We didn't expect to meet the 250 guest list but somehow, our guest turn-out was just right.
 |
| With the former Lamco/Ardent team (Photo courtesy of Tita Athel T.) |
 |
| Even the grown-ups were in Gatsby attire! (Photo courtesy of Ninong Arvin) |
I do hope they enjoyed and had a fun time at the party. I wasn't able to pay full attention to our host -magician Chayno's program but when I took a peek, I saw that the kids were truly participative and having fun! They loved his balloon swords, bubble machine and his games. Even those who I thought wouldn't enjoy kiddie games anymore were up on stage and joining everything! Did they love the prizes too? :)
 |
| Bubble fun! (Photo courtesy of Ate Diane Lao) |
We also did a little bit of "branding" for a Gatsby-esque food cart feel... Moonshine, Gold 'tatoes and Fizzy Fluff. We retained Pinkerton's own branding because it's nice already :)
 |
| Food carts galore! (Photos courtesy of Ate Diane Lao and Tita Bet-bet) |
And the cake! I must say, it's really just super duper nice!! :) When Ms. Lovely of Sugarplum Pastries and I were still coordinating, we were both kinda worried how the execution will go. Daddy A and I wanted a cute flapper girl topper but Ms. Lovely mentioned it might look too kiddie, given the elegant theme we chose. I'm just glad we trusted in a supplier who's able to deliver well...and how! This cake really fits the bill - stylish, elegant, simple, has that Gatsby feel and Art Deco elements and just so very cute..very fitting for Z's first birthday! :) We are just sooo happy! :)
 |
| Birthday cake by Sugarplum Pastries (Photo Courtesy of Tita Athel T.) |
Well I also had my 2 minutes of fame! After all, I got to belt out my song for Daddy A and Baby Z (eventhough she was asleep!) :) Eto talaga ang highlight ng party! Hahaha kidding...but not really! :p When we were discussing this singing thing, Daddy A said he'll just stay at the back (out of embarassment); that's why I was surprised to find him walking towards me and even gave me a kiss on the cheek! Ayan tuloy, the more I got lost with the lyrics hahaha :) Our guests were egging him on to have his own performance number kaso he's so shy hahaha :) I sure hope the video team got this on tape so that Z can watch her parents' "Sheryl Cruz-Romnick Sarmienta That's Entertainment" moment.
 |
| You are the sunshine of my life! (Photo courtesy of Ninong A) |
After some point we did have to end the party. Chayno called out for the cake to be brought front and center..dun dun dun dunnn......we got our baby droola who was changed into a new outfit (I think you can guess why) and although I doubted it, I still hoped she would blow the candle as we have practiced for the last 12 months of cake blowing. Nada, didn't happen hahahaha..Mommy understands, baby!
 |
| Zhu ni sheng ri kuai le, Xin Ping! :) |
Quotable quotes from the party
"Madel, dahil sa pa-Gatsby party mo, nawe-wedgie tuloy ako!" - uttered by Z's uncle who was nay comfortable in his suspenders...Sorry po Tito P! Ahahahahaha :)
"Where's my lootbag?" - asked a kid after the thank you remarks, on the stage. While it is a staple for most parties in the Philippines, we decided to get them a nameplate, something that would last longer. But my gosh, a loot bag is a loot bag is a loot bag. Mommies, please take note! Hehehe :)
Our heartfelt thanks...
I know we have thanked everyone during the party but allow me to share our gratitude here too.
We want to thank everyone who came to Z's party - it really means so much to us that you have chosen to help us celebrate our daughter's milestone. We should note that there are guests who traveled all the way from Quezon province, Cavite, Laguna and even the US. It's just so wonderful to see everyone come together; people we have met during different points of our life just being there. Because of the support and solidarity you have shown, I do not feel the need to distinguish friends from relatives...everyone who came is family to us. We are overwhelmed also with so much gifts! Thank you...we do not need to buy her any more toys or clothes, it seems. :) We will also ensure that the monetary gifts will be well taken care of so she can benefit from it not only for her present needs, but also in the future. Please continue to include our daughter and our little family in your prayers :)
 |
| Thank you so much!!! :D |
We are very grateful to all our suppliers (see our list below). Thank you for the special care and attention you have given our family. From first inquiries, planning, coordination to the actual day, it was truly stress-free! Is that even possible? Yes indeed! We pray that you will be blessed with more clients so that you can continue to give the best service as you have shown us. If we ever get to throw another party, we'll definitely contact all of you in a heartbeat!
We want to thank our parents and grand parents. Again without having to, they have shared so much of themselves, for their grandchild's day to be so much more special. Thank you not only for helping us with the party or other celebrations but most specially for helping us take care of Z during our most clueless of days when we first brought her home. Mama, Papa, Mommy, Daddy, Amah, Nanay, Dear Uncles and Aunties - our hearts are so full because of the love you have shown our daughter, thank you! We will make sure she knows how much she is loved. We will always strive to emulate your good works and bring her up in the best possible way, as we have been taught, so that she can reach her full potential and be able to do the work God has laid out for her.
