Headbands!!!!

The moment I knew that we are having a baby girl, I started looking for headbands online. I find those cutie patooties wearing big bows adorable and I want my little one to wear those headbands as well.  Whenever I am in the mall, I never missed the accessories area.  I don't go home without at least 1 piece for her. 

It's some kind of my habit already buying headbands. ☺  Just this morning, my mom reminded me to control myself from buying these things and prepare for Peycie's future.  Yeah right, I got your point mom! But hey, I can't resist buying it for her! Ha ha

Peycie's growing collection ☺

 
Well, last week might be my last purchase.  Since I'm a Stay-At-Home-Mom starting tomorrow (loveeeet!), I'm planning to personally make headbands for her.  Who knows, I might fall in love making headbands and I guess, it won't be bad to make money out of it, right? ☺

Planning our Japan trip

Every year I see to it that I go to place/s that I haven't been to, locally or internationally.  This time, I decided to visit the Land of the Rising Sun. :) Initially, I will be traveling with my officemates but since I'll be away from my husband for 2 years (or more), I asked him if we could travel together or spend Peycie 's first birthday in Japan.  He agreed, however he doesn't want to bring our little girl with us since she can't appreciate it yet.

I haven't booked anything, and so as my ticket to Canada :p I'm still waiting for the Travel Madness this coming July 3-5. ☺  Meanwhile, I am busy preparing for our itinerary.  Mr. C and I want to visit Hokkaido or Kyoto, but still weighing the expenses for the both cities. 

Hokkaido is known for its scenic views and we are targeting the photo below.  Personally, I really want to take pictures with these flowers.  Feels like I'm in Holland!

Photo courtesy of Google

Hubby and I also want to experience the traditional life of a Japanese.  This is the main reason why we want to visit Kyoto.  Who doesn't want to live at least for a day in Ryokan, try their Onsen and walk along the city seeing Geisha? :)  Hopefully by end of this month we're already decided which city to visit and share with you our experience. ☺

Sweet Potato!

I bet all mothers are very excited to witness their babies eating their first solid food! Prior our little girl's 6th month, I bought her a booster seat to train Peycie the proper way to sit while eating and to have her join in our meal. 

Before sharing how it went, let me tell you why I chose booster seat over high chair.  Reading some reviews, most moms prefer to use booster seat simply because it's space saver and personally, I feel it safer than the high chair.

Peycie's first solid food is sweet potato.  We steamed it, mashed and mixed it with little milk and water and in all fairness to her, she loved it!  We had her tried it for a week, potato on the next and we are now introducing her the banana. :) 

She liked the mashed sweet potato though it doesn't show in her pictures because she just woke up. Hehe ☺

Happy feeding! :)

Cheesecake, etc review

Last Monday, I was really excited to go home and celebrate our baby's 6th month.  Yes, Peycie is 6 months already!  How time flies!

Cake takes a big role in any celebration.  We bought one for our little darling at Cheesecake etc.  What makes me decide to buy in their shop? Well, there are only 2 known bakeshops along Banawe, Cake 2 Go or Cheesecake etc.  Since I want to try their "famous Choco Dome" which is unfortunately not available when we dropped by in their store, we ended up buying their Black Top Cookie (I'm not sure of the name though). 

I asked the lady if she could put greetings on top of the cake and said yes.  It took us 15-20 minutes to wait (too long, I know).  Out of nowhere, when we were about to pay, this lady said "ma'am, umabot pa pala po kayo sa discount namin sabi po ng kasamahan ko, 30% po, pero ngayon lang po yun ma'am"  She's alone in the store, by the way.  So I replied "oh, ok!", but then I feel something different, there's something happened that's why she extended the discount.  I didn't bother checking the cake while we were still at the store.  Inside the car, I asked my husband to open it as I am having a bad feeling.  And to our surprise, here how it looks:

Can you read Peycie's name?!

I was really, really, really disappointed!  She should have told me that she cannot do it and I would probably understand!  I am so upset because I want a nice cake for our baby!  Well, damage has been done and that will be my FIRST AND LAST purchase from them. 

Canada Immigrant Visa application process and timeline

If you noticed in my previous post, my Letter of Approval from Manitoba states that my visa application must arrive the CIC on or before my LOA's expiration which is on May 25, 2014.  I only started gathering the requirements for my visa application in March 2014 and submitted to them my application via courier on April 16, 2014.  Here is my list of documents forwarded to their office:

1.  Filled-out Generic Application Form to Canada (IMM0008)
2.  Filled-out Schedule A (IMM 5669)
3.  Filled-out Supplementary Information - Your Travels (IMM 5562)
4. Schedule 4: Economic Classes-Provincial Nominees
5.  Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
6.  Copies of Passport/s, visa/s, arrival and departure stamps (mine and my husband's)
7.  Copy of Certificate of Nomination
8.  Copy of IELTS result
9.  Copy of Birth  Certificate (mine and husband's) and Marriage Certificate from NSO
10.  Original NBI Clearance (Travel to Canada/Visa Canada)
11.  Original photos, 6 pcs. for each member of the family and myself  (Note if the marital status is single, you only need to provide your photos)  The family that we are talking about here is your spouse and child/children
12.  Fee Payment Form - Application for Permanent Residence (IMM 5620)
13.  Visa fee payment (I can't remember if I paid through credit card or by cheque, forgive me)

I did not receive an email confirming that they received my application, I only track it using my airway bill number.  By the way, I used DHL as my courier. 

On May 13, 2014, my application was returned and true to what is written in their checklist, they will return all your documents if it's incomplete. *sigh*  Anyway, there are lacking forms from my husband that I didn't expect that he needs to submit.  I submitted again my complete application on May 14, 2014 and they received it on May 20, 2014. 

I received an email from CIC acknowledging receipt of my documents and started processing my application on July 16, 2014.  On last day of July, I received as well our medical request, take note "our", I never though that my husband is included because I put in my application that he is my non-accompanying dependent.  The following day, an email received from the Canadian embassy requesting to pay the RPRF (Right of Permanent Residence Fee).  In August, I paid the RPRF by Manager's Cheque and have it delivered via courier to the Canadian embassy Manila.

September 2014, my husband and I undergo the required medical exam.  Since I was pregnant that time, I deferred my chest x-ray and had it done in December 2014.  I report that I just gave birth in November and received a request for my daughter to undergo as well the physical exam.  Whether your dependant (s) are accompanying or not, they are required to take the medical examination. 

February 2015, I received my passport request and after 2 weeks, passport arrived with visa.  Yey!☺ 

MPNP Application Process and Timeline *2013 PROCEDURE*

I've been working in a travel industry for quite some time particularly in handling visa process.  I never thought that I'll process my own.  It was my aunt who was eager to have me applied to Canada.  How did my application start?

I applied for an immigrant visa through MPNP (Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program)  How does it work?

An applicant must meet the required points in each criteria: Age, Work Experience, Language, Education and Adaptability.  If you will apply under the General Stream (no close relatives in Manitoba or no employer), you have to have at least 2 sponsors (permanent resident or Canadian citizen) who are willing to support or endorse your application.  Support means they will fill-out the settlement plan for sponsors and provide their proof of immigration status in Canada.  The settlement plan form consists of questions such as "how is the sponsor related to the applicant, how will they accommodate the applicant and how will they assist the applicant in finding a house and on his daily needs?"  Your sponsors can be a family member, distant relative or a friend.  In my case, I have a distant relative and a friend who helped me with my application.

Below is the list of documents forwarded to Manitoba Immigration and Multiculturalism:

1.  Passport copy (including old passport/s, visa and departure/arrival stamps)
2.  Filled-out MPNP form, Settlement Plan (applicant and sponsors), Generic Application Form for Canada IMM0008, Schedule A, Additional Family Information, Schedule 4 (don't leave any blank)
3.  Birth Certificate of the applicant
4.  Proof of relationship with distant relatives (this can be birth certificates of the applicant and sponsor, marriage contract etc)
5.  Notarized copy of IELTS result (As far as I remember, they only require an overall band score of 5) *I took my IELTS examination in December 2012, this expires in 2 years.
6.  Notarized copy of diploma and transcript of records
7.  Notarized certificate from university that English is the medium of communication
8.  Notarized certificate of Employment from your present and previous employers for the past 10 years
9.  Bank Certificate with bank statements with minimum deposit of CAD10,000
10. NBI Clearance (this is not included in the checklist but I still submitted it)

My cousin (who's based in Manitoba) submitted my application last July 31, 2013.  On December 13, 2013 (a day before our wedding), I received my Letter of Approval or the Nomination by snail mail.

I believe that there's a new procedure in applying for MPNP.  They now require applicants to submit their application online which is faster compare to paper application.  You may refer to this link for the new requirements and procedure: http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/mpnp-for-skilled-workers/apply/

If in case during the process there are changes in your marital status or you have a child, it is important to inform them especially during the visa process (which will take place after receiving the nomination), because you might not be able to sponsor your dependants in the future.  In my case, I informed them via email when I got married and when I got pregnant. 

By the way, there's no fee in applying for MPNP. ☺

Safety First

How important it is traveling with your baby using the car seat?  First, it is really advisable to use a car seat for your baby's safety inside the car.  Second, it is more convenient to you and your baby.  In our country, we are not obliged to buy and use a car seat, but in other countries it is mandatory.  We love road trips and long drive and this is one of my baby's must haves.

The moment Peycie is buckled up and her dad start driving, in less than 2 minutes her eyes are already droopy.  ☺  I'm just lucky that our little one also loves traveling and she only vomited once.  Here are some of her photos in her car seat:

 

 

Take note that car seats have expiration, who would have thought that they expire? They can only be used 6 to 10 years.  If you have or you'll buy one, check the bottom of the car seat to check the expiration (applies for Graco).

So moms, if you have a car and loves traveling with your baby, don't take any chances and buy one.  Safety first!

P.S. Don't forget to read the instructions carefully. ☺