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Month: December 2008

Ultrasound Two: Pink or Blue?

Yesterday, we went to get an anatomy ultrasound for Baby Z, and that includes the possibility of finding out the gender.  For the past months, I’ve always felt that the baby was a boy, already preparing Zem that she’ll have a baby brother.  So she’s been calling my tummy, Baby ZIAS, short for Zacharias.  And even people in church know Baby Z by this name…We’ve planned our kids’ names even before they were conceived so we’ve had our hearts set on them. But yesterday, the technician felt very unsure about concluding the gender of Baby Z due to the position of the baby.  This made Perze and me a little heartbroken, but even more so into a deeper realization that this baby could in fact be a girl!  All the images of having two beautiful little girls close in age made me rethink the dynamics of our family.  Don’t get me wrong, boy OR girl, we’re immensely excited for this added blessing, this amazing life being formed in my womb.  I’ve just always had this image in my mind that Em would be helping me take care of her baby brother.  The thought takes some adjustment.                              But aside from […]

When Reality Bites …

… I flinch. When I flinch I don’t hide it really well. We went to the radiologist yesterday to hopefully find out what Baby Z’s sex was but the baby was being stubborn. I got upset from the inside, but I didn’t really hide that pretty well because Marchesa saw the reaction in my face as if she was reading a comic book. I honestly got sad. Made me wish that I shouldn’t have expected anything. Would have been nice if there was a definite answer, is it a boy? A girl? I wasn’t ready for … Uncertainty. I honestly can’t wait until this baby gets here, five months feels too far away.

SJBCI Christmas Cantata 2008

Two Saturdays ago, SJBCI held their annual Cantata, with this year’s title "To Find the King."  I praise God for really sustaining all of our members during the two months we practiced.  Retrospectively, I can now admit to my fear of not finishing the task successfully, due to some unexpected obstacles from many angles, but I know everything was through God’s grace.  Looking back, I also thank God for sustaining me under His protection as I was in my early stages of pregnancy.  The experience was surprisingly not as stressful, although twice as challenging. The feedback of that night was really humbling, even from people I have not met.  And the ones that have moved me most as a directress were statements of blessing- not because of how the choir sounded, but how they have felt God being lifted up, how they’ve seen the heart of the choir, and how it was a night of worship. This video doesn’t do the sound justly, nor does it capture the mood completely, but for those who want to see it, you can view the complete video on Google Videos, but for our viewers’ pleasure, we bring it here on Twelvesixteen.net: I really […]

GAP Warmest Puffer Coat

New details include a leaner, more feminine silhouette, polar fleece-lined pockets, and 75% down fill. details Polyester/nylon blend. Long sleeves, zip and snap front, detachable hood. Fleece lining at collar and pockets. Front slant pockets, interior pocket. So I went to GAP and found this on sale for $35 from $98.  I went to purchase it and the final price went as low as $25!  For a down GAP coat. I tried it on and it was perfect…snug, with some allowance, detachable zippered hood, elastic wrists to give it a more feminine shape at the arms and the bottom hem has an adjustable toggle.  I’ve always liked puff coats but all the ones I’ve tried on make me look like a huge marshmallow, but the first time I tried this on, I knew it was the perfect one, and the best I’ve ever seen on myself.  And with the price being so low, I was hoping I could also find one in white.  Honestly, it’s perfect…comfortable, soft, and very warm. Source: GAP Original Price: $98 Sale Price: $25

Elefun

This was our Christmas gift this year to Emma because one- she LOVES to pretend that she’s catching butterflies and two- she’s into elephants (we don’t know why).  So instead of pretending, we decided to try this game by Hasbro.  Elefun– a game that blows the butterflies out of a 4ft. trunk.  It comes with 4 nets, 30 butterflies, and a friendly blue Elephant.  Aside from needing 4 C batteries, it’s an ok game.  It would perform better if the fan was a little stronger since the butterflies would come out a little slow and not as powerful.  So, you have to wait a little longer.  Also, it only comes with 30 butterflies, so one game only lasts at most 2 minutes or so.  Then you have to keep refilling it so expect your toddler to keep needing your assistance. Fun factor?  Really great.  My 3 year old daughter and her almost 3 year old cousin squeals in excitement.  I doubt the game’s excitement and fun will last until they’re 5 but for now, it helps their coordination. Source: Walmart Price: $18 Age Range:  3-6 years

Our Christmas Greeting

From the Ababa family, Merry Christmas! We celebrate the wondrous beauty and awe of the birth of Jesus this Christmas season and extend the same joy to you and your families!  We hope God’s love will find you and fill your hearts with renewed hope and especially worship.  -Perze, Marchesa, Emmanuelle, Baby Z "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11 "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Emma’s First Choir Experience

So momentous for the Fabila-Ababa family last Saturday during SJBCI’s annual Christmas Cantata, as our daughter sang in her first children’s choir!  For two weeks now, we’ve been practicing the song "Joy To the World" so she can participate w/ the other kids in church.  "Let every heart, prepare his room…"  – Emmanuelle Grace Her shawl is somewhat askew due to her running around prior to the presentation, but surely enough, she bravely went up there and sang her heart out.  She memorized all three stanzas and even gave out flying kisses and waves of hello to Perze and me before she sang.  We’re EXTREMELY proud of her.  emma (she just typed her name).  I asked her afterwards if she liked singing on stage, and surprisingly she did.  Now, "Joy to the World" is favorite Christmas song.  Anyway, we hope you enjoy. Thanks btw to Bunny and Genny for giving me this video since I was nervously walking around before the adult choir went up to sing.