People talk about all the nightmarish things about pregnancy…morning sickness, hormonal imbalances, weird cravings, aches and pains…. but in truth there are so many more awesome things about being pregnant, aside from that initial moment when you both find out, the fun announcements you make to friends and family, that precious day when you feel your baby’s very first kick, the late night dancing in my belly, bonding moments with my husband as he sings to the little princess growing inside me… but one of my best parts of my pregnancy was the three baby showers that my friends and family planned for me! Oh what a treat :)

My family and cousins just threw me a special candy filled baby shower a few days ago by the Gramercy Poolside.  And a couple weeks ago, our other group of friends, (The Brady Bunch) threw us an awesome baby shower at the CitiClub in Makati.

And last week, at 71 Gramercy’s spectacular Terrace, my closest friends organized a super fun afternoon baby shower, which culminated as we watched the amazing Manila Bay sunset from the country’s tallest building.

At First, I thought it wasn’t going to push through since the month January was just so busy for everyone… Weekends were filled with weddings to attend, so many events and meetings the whole week made weekends sacred. I was a little worried at first about all the preparations needed but my friends pulled through and managed to throw a really memorable baby shower with one week’s preparation!  And it all looked so wonderful from the setup to the games to the food that it felt like professional events people were behind it all.  But in truth my friends did all the decor and planning themselves! They went to mega mall to source for decorations, got the cake sponsored plus giveaways, got contributions for all the food, designed the invites and texted all of GP and I’s closest friends and ninongs and ninangs of our coming bundle of joy Pilar Olivia Manzano Reyes. They even got a photographer to document the entire event. It was perfect.

Thank you to everyone who came and showered us with baby gifts. We’ve received so many gifts for Olivia that I don’t think I need to buy anything anymore :) Thank you Monique Jamlang, Vincent Ramos, Maybel Cabrera and Alex Habaluyas for planning! I LOVE YOU guys.

When GP and I got home, bringing in all the big boxes of stuff that our friends gave to our baby we realized… Man, BABY SHOWERS ARE BETTER THAN BIRTHDAY PARTIES! Look at all this!

But more than anything material, we are so grateful for the gift of friendship from our closest friends, the godparents we picked for our baby and the love they all share for us as a couple and for Olivia. WE can’t wait to meet her, and we’re excited for all of you to meet her as well.

March 30-April 4 are the dates.  I’m gonna be a mom soon! <3

Cake and cupcakes were made by Regine’s Home Baked Goodies!

Look at the BELLLYYYY!

With Alex :)

Alex, Monique and Manolet Dario… The early birds.

With Ambassador Antonio who also happens to be our Ninong at the wedding! So glad he made it :)

Henry Y, Mano and Marco!

Martin “Martipus” Reyes, Alex with my Riki Flo… Soon to be Riki Reyes ;)

With Ida and Ces.. My bridesmaids!

With the Brady girls.. Bubbles and Mika!

With my college friends… Maybel and Vincent :)

Couple Couple!

Jad, GP and Erik/Mr. Successful Living!

Timmy and Prinny!

Jam, Crystal and Princess!

Huli ka Riki Flo!

Kevin Tan trying to cheat his way :P

Boys with Bottles!

Marco you cannn dooo ittttt!

My lovely hosts that afternoon <3

With my fellow preggo mate!

Gifts, gifts and more gifts!