MFEO

• I have been a SAHM for more than 3 months! I love every minute of it! I have spent my time learning to become a better mommy for Issie. I’m so grateful to have an understanding boss who helped me extend my maternity leave for another month. Now that I will start working next week, I’m feeling guilty already. I’m starting to miss my little girl also. *Sigh*
• When Issie’s sleeping, instead of opening my laptop, I would browse through the net using my new gadget. I find it easier than waiting for my laptop to boot. I’m so tamad! Hehe! I’m also addicted to Sims Castaway! Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted one of my saved games where I’m in the third island already. Tsk tsk! Yan ang pinagkakaabalahan ko, that’s why blogging has taken a back seat. Hihi! But, I promised myself that I will often dooce when I get back in the office. Sayang ang paid posts. Nuninu.
• Starting next week, expressing milk for Issie will be another challenge for me. This time I will be doing it in a different time and environment. So far I have 7 via cups with 6oz of milk each stored in the freezer. I hope my supply will hold up.
• I bought office clothes, specifically blouses. My pre-pregnancy pants fit perfectly (yey!) but my blouses don’t. My girls got bigger… blame it (or thanks) to breastfeeding. Hehe!
• I missed out 3 months of my Spanish classes. This one I will definitely miss. I love learning a new language. But, if I had to chose between coming home early to be with Issie or my evening Spanish classes, I would definitely choose the former. Senor told me I could always come back. He told me to take the final exam and I could jump right in. I think I can pass the exam but I don’t think I’ll join the classes yet. I’ll wait when Issie gets a bit older. Hasta luego.
• Joven got sick last week… to the point that I had to drag him to the ER. I was so worried that I almost got sick myself. Good thing he’s okay now. He almost lost weight. Hehe!
• I’m getting a vaccine for cervical cancer tomorrow. It will be my first of three doses. I think it’s important and I think all women out there should consider having one. No one is invincible. It costs less than 6k and the intervals are 5 months, I think if we can buy a nice cellphone or any electronic gadget, we should consider having ourselves vaccinated. Cancer’s no joke. Speaking of cancer, I watched an episode of Oprah that really hit a spot. Watch the video, I think it’s worth 10 minutes of your time.
• I just turned 30 last Tuesday. I don’t feel a year older but I definitely feel happier and blessed. Celebration actually extends till this weekend. A dinner and two more lunches. Thanks for the greetings guys!
• Issie’s thriving, thank God. She doesn’t mind if you kiss her all over, in fact, she’ll giggle and coo. Sometimes, I’m afraid she’s growing too fast but I sometimes wish that she grows up na. Ang gulo ko. Hehe. But, one things definite… I’m getting more and more in love with my daughter.

Punks not dead! Meaning… This blog is still alive! Hehe!

I have been meaning to blog about how things were doing on our end but I always end up doing something else. So after twenty years, here I am trying to remember what happened two weeks ago…

Two weeks ago, Saturday (September 29), we went to my OB for my regular prenatal check-up. Turns out that my doctor’s in a conference and on a vacation at the same time. Apparently, there’s no press release yet on when she’d be back. Argh! Her secretary referred us to her OB reliever. Good thing the reliever is a kind lady doctor who’s easy to talk to. She seemed to have more TLC than my OB. Haha!

After my check-up, Joven and I (with my office friend and her family) headed to the faraway land of Las Pinas to see the mermaid princess, Sofia Roxanne, on her first birthday.

We had a blast! Parang debut (ng mommy)! Hehehe!

Here are some pics from Irish’s cam:

We had fun little Sofia! Mwah!

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Last Saturday, I had another prenatal check-up (the doctor told me that my check-ups are in two-week intervals now). Unfortunately, my OB is still out of the country (I’m hoping that she’ll be back before I go into labor — but I’m starting to lose hope already). The nice OB reliever saw me and assured me that I need not worry about anything. She gave me nice pieces of advice on eating right (I guess I’m gaining weight again… nuninu) and not to tire myself too much (i.e., bawal makipagsiksikan sa sementeryo). All in all, Issie and I are OK.

After the check-up, Joven and I went to Glorietta to do some shopping. Him of magic cards (unfortunately, the box he wanted was out of stock) and me of baby stuff. I got myself this month’s issue of Baby Mag and this! We initially wanted this but opted for the previous one because it will give us more space para malagay din yung mga gamit namin. Hehe!

After attending mass yesterday, we went to SM to buy more stuff for Issie: panties (nakalimutan! haha!), diaper clamps, and comforter for her crib. I have yet to check her list if we forgot anything else we initially need.

We also took time to see a movie, Stardust. Nice and funny.

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On the pregnancy… I feel that my tummy is heavier na talaga. I can’t stay standing or walking too long. I need short rest periods when malling. Nuninu. I can still go up the LRT without stopping to rest (but not as fast as I can a few months ago). I also find myself tossing and turning in my sleep — finding the best position, I guess. Issie’s jabs and stretches, when she’s not exactly pleased on how things are on her end, has become painful at times.

I’m not complaining about anything though. I know that I will always fondly remember these things in the future… when I talk to expectant moms, to long-time moms, to Joven, or to myself.

Joven arrived from Singapore last Friday. Yay! His flight was an hour late due to some technical problems. At least, he arrived safely. His luggage went over for almost a kilo, good thing he was spared the excess baggage fee. Good thing also that his carry-on luggage was not weighed, or he would have paid extra for that. Hehe!

Last Saturday, we spent the whole day at home. The morning was spent tidying up before our guests arrived. Our friend, Brymac arrived after lunch. He’s a serious photo enthusiast and we will be his very willing subjects. Hehe! We have been talking about this shoot for over a month ago but we figured that it would be better to have it done when I’m on my last trimester already. So last Saturday, we spent over two hours doing various shots until we can’t think of poses anymore. Haha! Many thanks Brymac! Will upload pictures soon.

After the photo shoot, it’s Wii time with Brymac and the B’s. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing Wii (screaming at Resident Evil 4 and laughing our heads off at Wii Play) and later, MTG (for Joven and Benj). Beej and I tried watching a Korean movie (Unstoppable Marriage) but she ended up asleep and I, in turn, had my nails done instead.

Sunday was spent shopping for baby stuff. I was quite unsure of what to buy (in terms of clothes) because my friends keep telling me that newborns grow fast. So, I asked my mom to accompany us to the mall. We ended up buying sleeveless tie-sides, short-sleeved tie-sides, long-sleeved tie-sides, pajamas, bonnets, mittens, socks, hooded blankets cum towels, towelettes, and bigkis. Since SM has their baby sale until the end of the month, we took advantage and bought Issie’s bottles, sterilizer and my breast pump. Joven and I talked about buying a new crib (we have an old one, which was my nephew’s, but we were advised to get a new one) and I told him the Graco cribs I saw on the Net. We were just supposed to look for one but we ended up buying one! Hehe! We both think it’s a good buy anyway. I can’t find the exact model but it looks a lot like this (but in lilac and yellow). It has the same features except for the diaper organizer which our model has. We still have a number of things we need to buy for Issie but that will come in the following weeks. Exciting!

For two nights already, I can’t seem to pull myself away from the laptop. The reason? Sims 2 Deluxe!

Seventh Month

I have just entered my last trimester — baby and I are on our final stretch! I’m quite excited to see our little angel but also quite apprehensive about childbirth. I know that in God’s grace, we’ll make it through. Anyway, how has my life changed in the last month? Here are a few examples:

• Picking-up things on the floor has become a chore.
• Putting my undies can be quite difficult (Haha!)
• Shaving my legs is a challenge.
• I have given up on doing my nails and have sought professional help for them.
• Going around and bumping into things are inevitable.
• Leg cramps!
• I have to catch my breath every time I go up the station to take the train.
• Baby movements — likot! (which I love by the way)

There’s more but I can’t recall most of them. I’m surprised how fast time flies. Soon we’ll be having our first Christmas with baby! Weee!

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Baby Stuff

We haven’t shopped for any baby stuff yet; probably when Joven comes back from SG. I’m keen on breastfeeding baby. Although I have heard “horror” stories about their breastfeeding experience, but knowing that benefits still outweigh the bad experiences, I still want to do it. With Yax’s help, I think we’re getting an Avent Isis for our pumping needs. We’re also thinking of getting this and this. We also plan to open a bank account for baby. We’ll probably do that this Saturday.

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Digicam

I want a new digital camera. I’m thinking of getting a point and shoot camera with the blogging money I’m earning. But that will probably be in a month or so. Sana! But I still don’t know what to get. Any ideas? Maybe you can recommend something.

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Seeing Reena

Last Wednesday, my college friends and I had an impromptu visit to Mem’s place. She gave birth to baby Reena Emanuelle last June 25. Baby Reena’s so taba! Kakagigil! Even her mom describes her as baby siopao. Here are some photos taken at Mem’s place:

Mommy Mem and Baby Reena

 

Newlyweds — Anne and Joseph

 

 

Group Pic — See how big I am!

 

Whew! I just finished the two-week course that was quite stressful for a number of my office friends and me. We capped it off with a heavy merienda (courtesy of Jade Vine) and a few songs with my magic sing. We can all finally heave a sigh of relief. Although work is not yet over for us (post reports, etc.) but at least the hard part is over.

Last Saturday after having a very hearty breakfast of singangag and longonisang lucban, I had another stomachache. Similar to my gastroenteritis problem last month. It was so bad that I had to throw up everything I ate (gross!). I was also scheduled to see my OB that morning. Good thing, I felt a little better after throwing up (not completely though).

My OB told me that I only gained 1 pound over the course of one month. She said that it’s not that good also. She asked me to lie down so she can check on baby. She said that baby has grown but not that significantly. She said that I need to eat more protein for baby to put on more weight. Since I’m almost on my 7th month already, she told me that I need to see her every two weeks thereafter. Ultrasound? Unfortunately, she hasn’t given me the go signal yet. *Sigh* So excited pa naman.

Joven and I spent the whole day at home since I still am not in tip-top shape to go out. Plus, I was in soft diet so that my intestines can relax. I guess I ate too much the day before. Nuninu. I really need to control my food intake to what really is right lang.

Last Sunday, we made up for the Saturday-scheduled errands. We went to SM San Lazaro BDO to inquire on opening an account. We’ll get to that maybe before Joven leaves for SG again. He’s due to leave either this Wednesday or Sunday and won’t be back till September 15. *Sigh* Consolation: It’ll only be for a week. We also scouted for Avent products for baby. SM has 20% off on all Avent products until the end of the month. Cool! Joven’s going to check if it’s cheaper to get the items at SG (Hmm… Ano pa kaya pwedeng pabili? Hehe!). We also did our weekly grocery after. We didn’t have time to see a movie because we wanted to go to the 28th Manila International Book Fair at the World Trade.

Being book lovers, it has been a yearly thing for us. This time we already have a list of the books we want. Since being pregnant equates to being tired most of the time, we had to make a few rounds as possible of the exhibit area. I was able to get 2 Coelho books (Eleven Minutes and Like the Flowing River) and Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret. I am pretty happy getting the latter and have started reading it already. Joven wasn’t so excited with his loot. He was only able to get Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens. Oh well, maybe next year.

I was dead tired when we got home. I still am pretty tired this morning. Then, I remembered that the next semester of my Spanish classes start this week. Argh! I need some rest.