The Waiting, the Wanting, the Yes

Pregnancy & Perimenopause Diary Series: The Waiting, the Wanting, the Yes

This is what happened next…

Today was quieter than yesterday.
Not calm exactly… but softer.

At around 3 p.m., Hanz and I went to the diagnostic center for the blood test. The one that would say, clearly and officially, whether this pregnancy was real or not. We waited, did what we had to do, and then decided not to hover. We went to a nearby restaurant for my first meal of the day.

It was a nice moment. Ordinary in the best way. Good food. Sitting across from my husband. Life continuing while something very big hovered in the background.

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woman overlooking island sunset

Closing January, Welcoming February (Again)

It’s February 1 today.

And instead of planning this post properly, I ended up rereading something I wrote a year ago — February: The Month I Finally Choose Me.”

I didn’t mean to analyze it. I just wanted to remember how I was feeling back then.

Short answer: tired. Even a little defiant.
Hopeful, yes. But very, very tired.

What struck me most was the list I made.

On one hand, I listed all the things that were working — businesses moving forward, improvements at Oslob New Village, new VA clients, better communication in our marriage. At the time, I acknowledged those wins but somehow still felt like I was falling behind.

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MomTraNeur

The Quiet Wins of My First Week of January 2026 (A MomTraNeur reflection)

A quick note before you read:

I wrote this reflection during the first week of January, when things felt clear, grounded, and quietly victorious. I planned to publish it then… but life continued to unfold.

The days that followed were full. There was HR work for Oslob New Village. Tasks included hiring and screening, as well as managing payroll systems. Compliance was also addressed. Additionally, there was the invisible weight of holding a growing business and a family at the same time.

Sleep became irregular. Regulation became a daily practice again.

I’m sharing this now from Bohol. I arrived on January 18. I am slowing my nervous system down and allowing myself to rest. The wins still matter. And so does the honesty about what came after.

This post isn’t about perfection.
It’s about continuity.

Here’s a little glimpse of our arrival in Bohol before we dive back to the first week of January….

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sad October

When October Doesn’t Feel Like October

Last month, I was in such a different place.

September felt hopeful. I had just celebrated reaching my financial goal way ahead of schedule — in August, no less! 🥂 I remember feeling proud, grateful, and full of energy. I even wrote about my excitement to finally start doing things differently. I wanted to create from a place of joy. I aimed to explore projects that truly spark something in me.

I thought October would be the month I’d ride that wave of momentum.

But here I am… and it doesn’t feel that way at all.

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choosing me

February: The Month I Finally Choose Me

February has always been a special month for me—not just because it’s my birth month, but because it’s a time when I reflect on where I am in life, what I’ve given, what I’ve lost, and what I still need to do for myself. This year, as I turn 47, I am making a conscious decision: I am focusing on me.

For as long as I can remember, I have been generous to a fault. I give—sometimes more than I should. I sacrifice my wants, my needs, my dreams for the people I love. It’s in my nature. But over the years, I’ve learned, through painful lessons and small victories, that boundaries matter. I’ve learned to say no. I’ve learned to delete toxic people from my life. Yet, I still find myself putting others first too often. And the truth is, I haven’t done enough for myself.

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2024 LOOK BACK: A Year of Growth, Celebration, and Dreams Taking Shape

As the clock ticks closer to the end of 2024, I can’t help but reflect on what an incredible year it has been for our family. This year wasn’t just about celebrations; it was about growth, stepping out of comfort zones, making bold moves, and seeing long-held dreams start to take shape. And so, as I sit down to reflect on 2024, I feel a mix of emotions. Though the latter part of December saw me struggling with a wave of depression, I now realize it was likely hormonal — my period suddenly arrived after a delay, which made me wonder if I might be entering perimenopause.

It wasn’t just hormones, though. My VA business has grown exponentially this year — I now have 12 clients! On top of that, I juggle multiple roles in our businesses: as co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer of our hotel, restaurant, café, and catering business, all while trying to keep up with the many business and personal development courses I’ve enrolled in. Somewhere along the way, I over-fatigued my already overloaded system.

Thankfully, I have my husband, Hanz, by my side. His unwavering support, his constant reminders to take breaks, and his effort to make sure my “love cup” is always filled to the brim helped me push through. Looking back at all that we’ve accomplished this year, the sadness has lifted. It’s been replaced by a deep sense of gratitude, hope, and joy for every big and small blessing that has come our way.

Here’s a month-by-month look back at the highlights of this unforgettable year. (Note to self: I hope to blog about each of these things in more detail this coming 2025…)

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Reflecting on the Adventures: My 2023 Holiday Recap

As I sit down to recount the adventures of my 2023 holiday season, I must admit that this recap may come a bit late. It’s already March, and I actually created the vlog last month at a time when I was feeling a bit down. However, if you’re in need of some travel inspiration or just want to relive the magic, this is the video for you! It’s never too late to catch up on the fun! So, grab some popcorn and watch it here or down below:

The holiday season of 2023 was a whirlwind of adventure, relaxation, and memorable moments. As I sit down to reflect on the experiences of those days, I’m filled with a sense of gratitude for the opportunities I had to explore new places and create lasting memories. In this blog post, I’ll take you through my holiday recap, sharing highlights from my travels and the lessons I learned along the way.

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Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa

Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu – A Blissful Birthday Retreat

Hey there, lovely readers! Welcome back to momtraneur.com, your go-to source for family-friendly travel adventures and lifestyle tips. Today, I’m thrilled to share our recent escapade at Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu, where we celebrated my husband’s 45th birthday in style. This is just Day 1. I took tons of photos and videos so I had to divide my vlog into two parts to make sure I don’t miss sharing with you our wonderful stay! You can head to my vlog now and watch our Tambuli Day 1 stay:

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Unwrapping 2023 Halloween Magic: A Spooky Saga and a Dash of OCness!

Hey, fellow festive souls! I know, I know—it’s December, and the twinkling lights of Christmas are already stealing the show. But hold on to your elf hats because I couldn’t just let the Halloween magic fade away without sharing the spine-chilling details of our most epic celebration yet!

You see, life threw a curveball my way in the form of family travels right after Halloween. The excitement of exploring foreign lands with my loved ones consumed me, leaving the tales of our bewitching Halloween hanging in the balance. Blame it on my OCness, but I couldn’t dive into our travel chronicles without first immortalizing the ghosts and goblins of October on my blog.

So, here’s the deal—I’m about to spill the cauldron of Halloween goodness, and once that’s done, I’ll be your guide through our international adventures. I promise, Christmas and New Year‘s tales will have their moment in the spotlight come 2024. But for now, let’s relive the most fun-filled Halloween that swept me off my feet!

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Louis Vuitton Cebu Salon de Luxe: Our Luxurious Experience

Introduction

When it comes to blending opulence, entertainment, and high fashion, NuStar Resort & Casino stands as a shining example. Nestled within this haven of luxury is the prestigious Louis Vuitton store, beckoning fashion connoisseurs and style enthusiasts from around the world. Join us on a virtual tour of this remarkable shopping destination, where extravagance meets gaming in perfect harmony.

But before that, the truth is, this was my very first time inside any luxury brand shop. Before this visit, I only had the guts to go inside a Kate Spade shop where I bought a P20,000+k handbag (which I forget now where I put I can’t find it anywhere, huhu) after I spent almost P500K on a Black Pearl 24K gold face mask package at Alabang Town Center (where I really got duped!) I was supposed to use that money for an LV bag but these Black Pearl people are such notorious sales people, ugh! Anyway, that was almost 10 years ago. Life happened. I mostly shop online these days when I have the budget (I’m extreme… I’m super frugal most of the time but when I get hormonal, all hell breaks loose in shopping lol!) This time, I had the guts to finally come visit a Louis Vuitton shop coz it coincided with my hormonal phase and it so happens there’s a shop now in Cebu!!! 🤑🤑🤑 I was super excited! My budget was less than P500K but I was really excited to buy.

Enjoy this vlog I created about our unforgettable visit that happened the day after our 9th Anniversary Celebration at Nustar. Do check it out:

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Celebrating Our 9th Anniversary at NuStar Resort & Casino

As we celebrated our 9th anniversary as a couple, we embarked on an unforgettable journey to NuStar Resort & Casino, a place where love, adventure, and family bonding merged into a perfect paradise. Nestled amidst the serene landscapes and azure waters of Kawit Point (formerly Kawit Island), NuStar Resort & Casino stands as a beacon of luxury and entertainment. This tropical paradise offers an exquisite blend of world-class accommodations, thrilling casino experiences, and breathtaking natural beauty. I created a vlog below that will take you on a virtual journey through the captivating NuStar Resort & Casino and explore the reasons why it has become a must-visit destination for travelers seeking the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement.

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