Sad News

I know I’ve mentioned that I don’t want to talk about my bedrest last month but I’ve heard 2 news of miscarriages for the past two days and I feel so affected (this is excluding my mom’s friend who also had a miscarriage last month). I am so grateful that despite my difficulties with this pregnancy, my baby and I are both okay now. I am now ashamed to admit to a friend over the weekend that I’m not a happy pregnant woman these days. Let me elaborate on that. I’m not as chirpy as I would like to. I’m always tired. I snap at my kid every time she’s restless and wants my attention (this I am super guilty of doing and so sorry). I am sad because I can’t give my eldest all the attention she needs because I always feel tired. Honestly, sometimes I don’t feel like staying home with her because I feel that all my energy gets drained when I spend a number of hours with her. I can’t keep up with her energy. And she’s like Ms. Energizer bunny these days. She can’t sit still and wants to talk every single second. I know I’m sounding like I’m blaming her. But I don’t, really. I’m so sorry for not giving her my full attention these days. Although an upside on this is that she gets to bond more with her father.  I also feel a lot of new things with this pregnancy – the nausea, morning sickness, weird cravings. These are all new to me as I haven’t experienced this with my eldest. I think that’s also affecting my over all attitude these days. All I want to do is just be a lazy pregnant women and sleep. Don’t get me wrong I am super happy with these pregnancy, I just feel like I’m not celebrating the pregnancy that much as much as before. And again, I account these to the difficulties I’ve been encountering. But after hearing these news, I am ashamed! I will forever be grateful that nothing happened to us the past month. I’ve prayed everyday to the Immaculate Mother to please save my baby during my entire house arrest. I’m sure these ladies rallied the heavens with their prayers as well. I don’t what difference we did that my baby is saved and not theirs. My heart is bleeding for these two ladies I know. Words will not be enough to comfort them. I may not have experienced what they are going through but I’ve had a sort of taste of it when I went through last month. I pray that the Lord will give them the strength to go through this difficult phase in their lives. I have to believe that everything happens for a reason and something good will come out of this. God bless these ladies and their children who are now in heaven. May God comfort you and pacify your hearts.

Buntis Serye @ 12 Weeks

Last Saturday, we went back to our OB for my monthly check-up. Baby Minion (as Miiya calls our baby) was just the right size for his age. For our previous check-up, she was a few days smaller than her gestational age. But this week, his gestational age was 12 weeks, 5 days and his size was 12 weeks, 4 days. Yehey! I'm so relieved because my I lost weight so I was a bit worried that she might be small. And our baby is so likot!!!! Watch his video below.

We were so happy to see him moving about inside my tummy. Did you hear Joema's voice full of excitement when he saw the baby move?

Here's a photo of me 12 weeks and 5 days along with our little Ate Miya.

On Miya: goooandgaga dress used as top, black leggings and white Stride Rite shoes
On me: Uniqlo shirt, maternity shorts from SM department store, Espadrilles

Preggy Me @ 37 Weeks

Our visits to the OB have been weekly now. During our last visit, I learned with much horror that I gained another 2lbs. (2lbs in 1 week!). Seems like I’m catching up with my wieght gain. Good thing though is that the estimated weight of our baby is now 6lbs. So still not bad atleast my baby gained weight too. Our OB also taught Joema how to wear medical gloves because he will cut the baby’s cord. Didn’t know there’s a right way to do it (it’s because the outside of the gloves is sanitized and you can’t touch it with your hands). She told him that he shouldn’t hesitate to cut the cord since the baby won’t be hurt by doing so. They will wait until the throbbing of the cord stops before cutting it. We were both so excited while our OB was teaching him. It felt so real now hehehe.

Pregnant me at 36 weeks and 4 days.


But I’m still going to work. No signs of labor yet. But if last week I’ve been avoiding walking (per my OB’s instructions), now I can walk all I want. The other day, I went out to the mall during lunch time after almost 4 months!!! We ate at Jollibee and Jollibee never tasted that good ahahaha! I've also stopped taking duvadilan since we're already on term. (40 weeks is full term, while 37th to 39 and 6 days is term if you didn't know).

Preggy Me @ 36 Weeks

At 36 weeks, I am now starting to feel the heaviness of the baby inside my tummy. Today, I am feeling so heavy and feel like lumbering my way when walking. I’ve started bringing food to work (for lunch) so that I don’t have to walk down to our cafeteria to buy food. The only time I get up from my work station is if I need to go to the washroom, go to the printer/copy room, go to my boss’s office or go home. Bambini's movements are starting to get unbearable. One day, I thought I was already experiencing labor pains because I felt pain in my lower tummy every time she moves. I get paranoid everytime I feel something painful eventhough most times they're just flickers of pain. Someone asked me how I'm feeling now, if I'm excited or if I'm scanred or if I want to give birth already just to get this over with. Well actually it's all of the above. It differs every day, every hour hehehe.

Last Saturday we had another check-up with our OB (we are now doing weekly check-ups) and imagine that after only two weeks I have gained almost 5 pounds. Ugh! I have now gained a total of 24 pounds. My baby is now 5lbs 8 oz. Our OB is confident I can deliver her normally. We’re praying everything will be okay come D-day so that we don’t have to settle for an emergency C-section. I'm actually getting scared of the labor pains, I'm expecting the worse. When I feel scared, I just have to think about Bambini, that after all the pain we will finally see her.

We’re pretty much ready for the baby to arrive. Although we don’t have a yaya yet. Hopefully, we have found someone by the time I give birth so that we can move back to our place. My hope is that we’ll bring home Bambini to OUR home and not to my parents’ home.

Well that’s about it. Here’s a photo of me during my ultrasound taken by my husband on our last OB visit (@35 weeks and 4 days). See my very pronounced linea nigra?

All our Bags are Packed

And we're set!

Daddy's bag, Mommy's bag and Bambini's bag.

Used this list on what to bring to the hospital.

Birthing Class

12 December 2010

On our last day in birthing class, we were taught how to clean the baby when she pees or poops, how to put on diapers (both cloth and disposable ones), how to swaddle, how to give a bath and discussed everything in between.

The dads are supposed to be in charge of changing the nappies since us moms are breastfeeding.

Here 's a class pic taken a week before our last day..so I'm 29 weeks and 5 days pregnant in this photo.


Wacky shot!

Here are the contact details for our birthing class:

Rome Kanapi
Landline: 436-1757
Mobile: 0917-5415114
Email: romeinquiry@gmail.com

Preggy Me @ 33 Weeks

Happy New Year everyone! Let me start the year by blogging about my pregnancy which really is the highlight of our year. I'm now on my 33rd week, going on 34th by tomorrow. We had our OB check-up last Wednesday before 2010 ended. Good news is I didn't gain that much weight. Whew! 1 pound in 3 weeks yay! Our little girl is now 4lbs 10 oz. Everything seems to be doing great. We just have to week for my EDD. We've discussed our birth plan with our OB and decided on everything already. She has also already given us our kit in Medical City, which we have yet to read. On our next visit she will be teaching me on the breathing exercises and how to push when I finally am ready to give birth. She will also teach Joema how to put on medical gloves since we plan on him cutting the cord of our baby.

Here's the latest sonogram of Bambini. Although the image is not quite clear.

We still have to buy Bambini's things. But we're thinking we can do that in the coming weeks. I have yet to ask my mom's kasambahay to wash Bambini's clothes that were already given to us. When everything's wash we can finally prepare the hospital bags (one for me and one for Bambini). Hopefully our little girl won't come out until everything's prepared.

I'm excited and anxious at the same time. Excited to see her (I can't think of anything else but the baby, you can't even bother me with Custom Logo Design) and worried in case anything bad happens. Oh, we haven't got a yaya yet so we're still looking. We're really not yet actively looking because I've asked my mom to get onto that but it seems there are no leads as of yet. Our final resort is get some relative from the province to temporarily stay with us. We plan to go back to the condo once I give birth. I have yet to finish reading my books on breastfeeding (I've already read one from birthclass, but I have yet to finish the chapter on What to Expect when Expecting, and finish the book Penny has lent me on breastfeeding). I think I have to make a separate blogpost on breastfeeding. I'm hell bent on doing this. There's no plan B regarding breastfeeding.

And so I've grown really big already. I'm a bit happy because anyone who sees me would say "Ang laki ng tiyan mo!" Atleast it's my tummy they notice and they don't say "Ang laki MO!" hehehe.

Here are some recent photos.

@ 30 weeks and 5 days

@ 33 weeks and 5 days

Preggy Me @ 30 Weeks

We had another check-up over the weekend and I’m happy to report that everyone’s doing great. Although my OB has warned me to be careful of what I eat this Christmas season (I gained 5 lbs since my last checkup!). She’s not really asking me to go on a diet, she’s just worried I might gain pounds that are not really necessary because of the holiday season. So it’s taking all of my willpower to say to no to sweets to every parties I’ll be attending boohoo! But I was able to sneak a cup of ice cream that afternoon haha (we had our annual Christmas party at Jose's place - they even threw me a surprise baby shower but more on that on a separate post). The truth is I am able to stop eating desserts after I knew I was pregnant, so I’ve been really a good girl after all. Although the past few weeks, especially those times when hunger pangs really strike, I eat whatever I like, even junk food so I’ve been naughty too!

Anyways, I was able to ask our OB a few questions regarding the discussions we had in birthing class like doing the enema and shaving. She explained a lot of things to us. She said we can discuss our birthplan in detail on our next visit. Although she warned us there are things that she need to approve. I think she really doesn’t believe in the “no-to-epidural” birth. She believes in maintaining her patient’s comfort so that when it’s time to push the baby, mommy’s not too stressed and will be able to do so. Discussing this with her made me at ease. Believe me, I’m attending the birthing class but I don’t think I want to go through the no-meds way. She also told us that our birthplan will also be provided to the residents and she will give them strict instructions to follow it to the letter. She discouraged us to immediately check into the birthing room of the hospital and advised us to indicate in the birthplan to just transfer me to the birthing room when I’m nearing delivering the baby. She said, the birthing room costs a bit and this way, we don’t have to pay too much. Oh how I love our OB. I’m really not afraid to go into labor anymore knowing that she’s there for us. Although, I still pray Bambini will come out when she’s already full term and I’ll have an easy labor. I always talk to her and tell her to make it easy for mommy.

Our little girl’s almost 3lbs already. In 7 to 10 weeks, we’ll be finally able to see her!!! I believe my tummy’s grown bigger, a lot bigger than before. It’s like I ate a basketball, no , a beach ball because it’s really much bigger than that. And Bambini’s movements have changed too. If before I feel her thumping inside my tummy, now I feel her stretching and pushing her way inside my tummy. Sometimes, it’s like she’s trying to find a perfect position for her inside there.

We still haven’t bought anything for her (aside from her music CDs and a baby book). Although because of the baby shower, she has a few clothes and some things...so cute baby stuff. A friend already gave me some of her hand-me-downs. So that’s basically it.

Here’s a photo of me 28 weeks and 1 day pregnant. We shot a music video for our Christmas party – theme is rock! Rock on, preggy ladies!

Preggy Me @ 28 Weeks

Yesterday was our third session on our birthing class. Rome made us watch a birthing video. The truth is before the start of the class, I thought Joema was nervous at the thought of watching this video. I was teasing him and joking him that it will all be alright. But after watching the video, I was terrified! I don’t know if I’m brave enough to go through labor and delivery without the meds! Last night I had a hard time sleeping because I kept on remembering the video and then some other things that we discussed yesterday like enema and shaving. We have to discuss these things with our OB when we return for our next check-up.

We haven’t bought anything for Bambini yet. We always tell her, “Wag ka muna lalabas kasi wala ka pang gamit,” especially at times when I’m having contractions. I’ve downloaded a list online but I’ve asked friends on their comments regarding the list if I should really buy those things, if they are really essential. I don’t want to buy everything and then end up not using half of what we bought. Especially because I can’t go around the mall/store for long periods of time. So I’m still waiting for their replies. This actually resulted to me finding out about a supposed “surprised” baby shower for me haha! But it wasn’t really my fault, it was my friend’s fault hehehe.

The only things we bought for Bambini are music CD’s. We’ve been playing her classical music as early as my first trimester. Can I just say, my daughter’s been really playful recently. She’s been moving a lot in my tummy and I’m always delighted with glee everytime. Yesterday during class, while we were being taught on how to breathe properly during labor, Joema can see my tummy bouncing like a radio speaker because Bambini’s so likot hahaha! We can’t concentrate on practicing breathing and pushing. I think my daughter thinks she’s part of the exercise. WE’ve been talking to her every chance we get. Last month when Joema was on night shift I had him record a song for her (his lullaby for our little Bambini), the past week I noticed that every time I play it instead of falling asleep, the little girl starts squirming inside me hehehe.

Oh, I can’t wait to see you Bambini. Although we still have to wait for a few more weeks! Here's me at 28 weeks and 3 days.

Here you can see clearer my big tummy...and arms haha

Depression’s hitting again..HARD!

But when our little bambini gives me a hard kick or a couple of jabs (like Manny Pacquiao) I’m happy as a clam. Every morning when I wake up, I tell her to be with me the whole day (as in kick me the entire day). Going to work has never been this hard and I need every bit of motivation to go to work everyday. So that was our deal, she has to keep me company and I in return, well I don’t really do much for her now but I eat and rest.

Now this depression, I think I’m sad because I want to go on a vacation. I know I have been resting but that’s at home. I want to go to a new place, sleep in a new bed, eat hotel breakfast. Oh my, hormones! I’m tearing up right now just thinking about it. Haaay!

Preggy Me @ 26 Weeks

I'm once again here at home. I had to go on leave again as I wasn't feeling well this morning. Although I already went back to work last Thursday and Friday.

This was me at 25 weeks and 5 days.


At 26 weeks and 4 days.

For the past week, I was always hungry. As in! An hour after eating breakfast or lunch, I'm already hungry and looking for merienda. I wonder how many pound I would have gained on my next OB visit. For my last checkup, I gained 9 pounds. Yikes! But my OB wasn't really worried, maybe because it was the first time I really gained weight and it was between my 5th and 6th month when the weight gain happened (haha palusot pa!). Well, our birthing class teacher said I was on track with my weight gain, too. Yes, we enrolled in a birthing class under Rome Kanapi and our first class was yesterday. And for the first session we talked about nutrition and some exercises.

I wasn't able to participate in some of the exercises - like this pelvic rotation - because of my condition.


Joema getting stretched. I was actually able to do this, I was the one lying down and then Joema lifting my legs. With this exercise, you can feel your lower back being stretched. Since the preggies can't do this to their husbands, the daddies did one another hehe.


Raikkonen, aka Joema, doing another set of exercises. I was excused in doing this again.

We learned a lot from our first session and excited for the next ones.

Preggy Me @ 25 Weeks

I'm now 25 weeks along my pregnancy. This pregnancy has seen me at my very high and my very low. And I'm blaming the hormones for these haha!

We went back to our OB last Saturday. Everything's fine with Bambini although our OB said her weight is below average but within the range of baby weight around her gestation period. But she advised me to take Anmum twice a day and eat a lot of proteins (meat, egg). She still told me to limit my physical activities since the baby's position is still low. I wasn't actually alarmed by this anymore. I thought we managed to be alright the past few weeks as long as I follow my OB's orders. But when I talked to two friend of mine on separate occassions they told me maybe I should have asked the OB to put me on bed rest just to make sure. So just to ward off their anxieties I told them I will go back to the OB when I feel something else like when my back aches again. Because when I told my OB that for the past of couple of days I've been having back aches she said it's also because of the baby's position. I usually have these back aches at the end of the day at the office, and I thought it must be just because of the whole day seating in front of the computer. But when Wednesday came and I felt my back aching at around 9am, I was a bit alarmed. Hubby and I went straight to the OB's clinic, and she advised me to rest at home for atleast a week just to be on the safe side (she also checked the baby again and everything's okay with her). So yes, I've been on house arrest for 3 days now. Don't get me wrong, I 'm actually loving it hehehe. I get to rest away from the stress at work and at the same time be assured that I'm taking care of the baby while doing this.

The problem was I had a major breakdown this morning. My husband got off work a little bit late (he's on night shift the past week), so he wasn't here yet when I woke up. And a lot of things came to my mind - that he might not want to come home anymore because I'm so losyang, I always wear pambahay when he gets home, or I haven't taken a bath yet when he gets home. Argh! It was a major blow to my self esteem. I got up from bed ready to take a bath only to spend the next few minutes crying in the bathroom while showering. He was already at our room when I got out of the bathroom and I've tried to stop crying by then. Then something fell on the floor and tears were falling down my face again and I was bawling like a baby. He panicked when he realized I was crying. Believe me, it was a scene right out of a movie! I had to explain between sobs why I was crying. I don't think he really understood why but he was able to calm me down. Haay! Hormones!

Photos were taken when I was 24 weeks and 4 days pregnant! :)

It's safe to say that I'm feeling much better at the moment. Here's hoping no more breakdowns in the near future hehe.

Our Bambini is a Boy/Girl?

16 October 2010

On our last visit to the OB although we didn’t see our real OB, we were scheduled for a congenital anomaly scan with Dra. Pineda. My first question to Dra. Pineda when she entered the room was “Doc, malalaman na po ba yung gender ng baby namin?” and she answered “Depende kay baby kung gusto nya ipakita. Ano bang gusto nyo?” I told her I wanted a girl, while my hubby preferred a boy.

Then she said “Winner si mommy.” The first image the OB showed us was our baby’s genitals.


We’re having a baby girl! Our Bambini is a girl! I’m so so happy :D Before I got pregnant, I wanted to have a boy as our first born. I always wanted to have a kuya (being a first-born myself) and wanted my kids to have their kuya, someone to protect them. But when I got pregnant, basta lang, I just felt that I’m going to have a girl. Although it helped that people kept telling me it might be a girl hehe. But there were times that I thought the baby’s a boy because my skin got darker, I got lines in my neck and my armpit had darker skin (TMI!) and based on old folks these are tell-tale signs that the baby is a boy.

Anyways, Joema and I were both grinning when the doctor said our baby is a girl. Then the doctor proceeded checking every little body parts of our little girl. Her hands, her feet, her brain, her neck, her spine, her kidneys, her bladder, everything. We’re happy to report that our little girl passed with flying colors, she’s a healthy and normal baby. Thank God! She actually kept on moving and changing her position while the OB did the CAS. The doctor was able to get photos of her doing different poses.

Her profile

Looks like she's praying (see her hands clasped together?). Me too, anak, and I think the Lord heard our prayers.

See, I think she looks like me hehe and she seems like she's smiling here.



After our prior OB visit (which was a scare!), we are so thankful to know that our baby girl is healthy and normal. And although, my real OB hasn't given me the go-signal yet to start walking around, Dra. Pineda assured us that the baby's position is not too low. We’re so excited to see you, Bambini! Oh, we love you so much! I still marvel at the thought of how much I can love this baby even though I haven’t met her in person yet!

This post serves as my entry to "I Draw For A Living's October Giveaway."

Preggy Me @ 23 Weeks

I am now on my 23rd week of being pregnant. My face has gone bigger, my nose is like a tomato, my belly button is protruding, my arms are bigger, well, let’s just say everything got BIG! And there are days that I’m not liking it. There are days when I feel so ugly. There was this one time when we had to go to my godson’s party. Before we left for the party party, I had to change my outfit several times because I felt so fat and ugly with each set of clothes I tried to wear. My hubby said in a not insulting way that it’s okay because I’m pregnant. I blurted out in my angry voice that yes, I’m pregnant but I don’t want to look ugly. Then he hugged me and kissed me to tell me I’m not heeehee. My husband is my number one fan and my number one cheerleader. I actually feel the ugliest when the ugliness is translated into photos. I have a bunch of posts lined up – events we went to – but most of my photos are FUGLY! So you will probably just see those that I thought I’m pretty enough for public consumption hahaha! Everytime I see a pregnant woman with a big tummy, but small face, slim arms, I just want to wrangle her hahaha – just kidding! Well, I let out a big sigh and wish to high heavens I won’t get bigger as my pregnancy progresses. And with that, here's a photo of me when I was 21 weeks pregnant.

I want to list my pending posts so that I can start doing them and crossing them off my list:

1. the big purchase (no we didn't buy furniture)
2. Stefan’s birthday
3. Epoy’s stay in Manila
4. Adam’s wedding
5. entry to a blog contest

I won’t ante-date my blog posts and just put the exact dates the events happened in each, this way I won’t be confused. Most of my recent posts were ante-dated and it was really confusing for me hahaha!

Preggy Me @ 20 Weeks

Bambini and I endured another week..yey! I had another scare last Friday but I don’t think I felt contractions. It was just indigestion me thinks. Although I felt like fainting. Hay, naninibago ko. I’ve never felt so frail and helpless. My husband has been an angel all this time, always there to help me or get things for me. Although he has started calling me Mojacko hahaha. Kasi naman when I slump to our bed, there’s no way you can ask me to leave it or move anywhere from it. He has to give me things or help me stand up. He said he can just tip me over and I’ll roll over hahaha.

The little one has been very active. Last night I was barely able to sleep because aside from his/her movements that kept me awak, I couldn’t find a good sleeping position. When I get tired of my usual position, I can’t move to another position where I won’t feel my tummy being stretched or where Bambini’s being squeezed by me or hubby (this is the position where I turn to my husband’s side – my tummy’s so big, Bambini’s getting squeezed between me and his daddy.

All in all I can say the week has been fairly easy. Hopefully, more blessings will come our way. We have to wait though for two more weeks before we can see Bambini again. I’m so so excited. And I want to know if the baby’s a she or a he!

I was 20 weeks and 4 days along when this photo was taken. Went out to view something we're planning to buy for the longest time. Will post about it soon!

Preggy Me @ 19 Weeks

I've been feeling Bambini now everyday. Sometimes he/she wakes me up with all that moving inside my tummy. The husband felt Bambini for the first time on Saturday. I told him the baby was moving a lot and he didn't want to believe me. When I asked him to place his hand on my tummy, he was a bit impatient waiting for the movement. And then we tried again. I told him he wouldn't feel a "kick" instead it will feel like someone touched your palm very softly. Good thing when we tried again, Bambini let out a big nudge. Joema exclaimed "Ayun!" with his eyes bigger with excitement. We've also been talking to Bambini as often as possible but mostly when we wake up and then before going to bed. I was joking Joema that Bambini will only recognize his voice because when he greets the baby in the morning with "Good morning", it's usually his bedroom voice just when he woke up.

My colleagues have been extremely wonderful. They have offered to bring documents to other departments that I have to bring so that I can minimize my walking. Even my expat boss went to my cubicle and asked me how I was doing. I was so touched!
>

For the past week, it seemed like my tummy suddenly grew big. I now definitely look pregnant. The guards at our building no longer remind me to go throughthe x-ray machine (or was that supposed to be the metal detector - I'm not sure what it's called...basta that thing you go through to check if you have metals just like the ones in the airport).

I'm 19 weeks and 5 days along in my pregnancy when the photo above was taken. I hate it that the photo doesn't show how big I am now. I have another photo with my big belly but I look crappy so I changed my mind on posting it here (I actually edited this post to delete that photo heehee). Don't worry I'll try to make up for it in the coming weeks. I'm actually waiting for a friend to upload some photos in FB so that I can show you a more pregnant me.

Preggy Me @ 18 weeks

The first few days after our last OB visit were a bit tense. I don’t know if it were psychological or I just really felt contractions during those days. Every day I had to take Duvadilan to keep the contractions in check. My father drove me to the office and then picked us up after work. Joema rides the shuttle in the morning since his clock in time at the office is one hour earlier than mine. Although on the days they (my parents and brother) weren’t at home, I rode the shuttle with Joema. Even though it made me come to work too early, I didn’t really want to commute by myself. By the way, my family still pushed through with the trip to Ho Chi Minh even without us - I should have asked them to bring back personal contact cards of the shops they went to.

Oh and last Sunday during mass, I almost collapsed. I think it was during the part where we need to stand for the longest time during the mass. While singing “Ama Namin” I started seeing block spots and then after a while everything went black. Although I was still able to sit down and didn’t collapse, it was still a horrible experience. I sat for a few minutes and thank God, everything went back to normal. I was able to line up for communion afterwards.

I’m 18 weeks and 6 days along my pregnancy when this was taken. This is a maternity top I’m wearing. I also wore maternity leggings.





Can you spot Queenie in the background?

Preggy Me @ 17 Weeks

I'm now blogging from my parents' home..we're temporarily staying here. Haaay.. I don't know how to begin this post. But everything starts from the beginning right? So let me start this with the photo of what I wore yesterday to my OB visit.







We went to the OB thinking we're just there to get our regular check-up and to get the certification that I can travel with my family this weekend. I was even thinking about dedicated hosting for this blog. Dra. Alfiler first proceeded in hearing the baby's heartbeat, I remember thinking to myself I should ask if I can record the heartbeat. It was our first time to hear it. Then she proceeded with the ultrasound, she showed us how big the baby is now, which is a week smaller based on the EDD (expected delivery date). Per my OB's record I'm 17 weeks and 6 days along during my last visit, while the size of the baby shows 16 weeks and 6 days. I don't want to be confused anymore so I'll just follow my OB's record with these blog entries. Anyhow, we saw the baby's hands, the circumference of his/her tummy, and that the baby is in breech..then we saw something else - a contraction in my uterus (upon further reasearch it's called hourglass contraction which is a constriction in my uterus). We basically saw a bump inside my uterus, a bump which seems a little big. And then I was told the position of the baby is quite low and that I should limit my physical activities and avoid malling.

Our Bambini - that's what we call him/her

Then I had to ask if we can no longer travel...my OB was like a mommy giving a lecture to our kid. She told me I should do everything to save the baby, and that even if my mother or aunts or any relatives hadn't had any miscarriages it could happen to me and we don't want it to happen. She told me if I won't be careful, she might advise me for a complete bedrest on our next visit. We don't want to risk premature labor, she said, and that our aim to get to atleast week 37. I was just so frightened - I think the hubby was too. The OB didn't really tell me as if she was blaming me but I felt blaming myself for this. I kept thinking it was my fault because she mentioned the cause might be because of tight clothes I wear, which I really am guilty of. I haven't worn maternity pants just yet. I'm still wearing my old pants with the belly band we bought. Anyways, I was advised to avoid walking around the mall (I could still watch the movies, and I can go to the mall then if it's the only thing on the agenda). If we have to do our groceries, she said, maybe Joema can do it and I can sit out and wait for him outside. I should avoid going up and down the stairs, which is a major problem because our condo is loft type with our room on top and the bathroom on the first floor plus I still ride the MRT where I also use the stairs to go up and down (no escalators in the stations that I get on and off) - another reason I feel guilty. I already felt like crying inside the doctor's clinic but I was able to maintain my composure. I felt like crying while paying for our bill but I was still able to hold the tears. But once we're out of there, I was crying non-stop. I was feeling guilty on what I've done wrong and worrying about the baby. My hubby couldn't do anything but hug me. When the OB talked to us it felt like she was readying us for the worse to come. Instead of eating lunch before going home, I asked Joema if we can go straight home and we did. I also asked my supervisor if I could take the whole afternoon off, which thankfully she agreed. I was crying from the clinic to our house. Before we went home, I immediately texted my mom to tell her the OB didn't give me clearance to fly off with them. I was thinking of all sorts of things during the ride home, that maybe we can temporarily live with my parents because they have no stairs at home. And that maybe it was about time we should buy our own car, just scrimp on anything else and maybe we can afford to buy one. Although when we live with my parents my father can drive me to work everyday.

When we got home, I was still crying and my husband was hugging me. He's so brave during these times. He told me that we should prepare ourselves, that when the OB talked to us she was readying us already on what might happen (we thought the same thing). Most importantly, he told me not to blame myself for what happened and that it wasn't my fault. I love my husband so much. He's my rock. When I read his phone messages this morning (yes, I'm that kind of wife - I nag and look into his personal stuff), a friend texted him to be always positive and to not show me any sadness because this might worry me further. Thank God, my husband has friends whom he can tell his problems too.

Anyways yesterday, Joema and I talked about it and decided to stay here at my parents' home. Of course, my parents were more than willing to welcome us here. Last night, they fetched us and we were able to bring a few of our clothes here. All of our things are still at the condo, our home for the past 21 months.

This morning, Joema and I with my father who drove us (thank God for parents!) went to the department store to buy some maternity pants and clothes. No, I didn't walk around so much. We went straight from the parking to the area for maternity wear. Will try to take a photo of my new maternity clothes soon when I wear them.

I'm actually feeling a lot better now especially because of family and friends who are there supporting us. They've offered prayers and told me not to worry. For the handful of my readers, kindly say a short prayer for me and the baby. I hope and pray this won't be my last 'preggy me' post. I can't still help but worry when I think about it.

Preggy Me @ 14-15 Weeks

Sorry I haven’t blogged in such a long time. But don’t worry I have updates. I just hope I can keep them coming.

Wasn’t able to blog on my 14th week but here are two photos during my 15th week.

@ 15 weeks and 1 day




@ 15 weeks and 2 days


Got sick during the last week of August. Was so scared because I kept thinking on what might happen to the baby. Night of the 30th, I wasn’t able to sleep properly due to my clogged nose. When I woke up, I wasn’t’ 100% okay so I decided not to go to work. Which was probably a good thing coz around 10am I was already feeling really sick, I was cold even if the fan was turned off. I was begging the husband to come home already. Sent a text message to my OB to ask what I can do, she advised me what not to eat – spicy foods, shrimp, crabs, dried fish, bagoong, eggs, chicken, mango, pineapple, citrus fruits and all sweets – and to drink only water (plenty of it) and milk. I was told only to drink Biogesic when my temperature reaches 38. I wasn’t able to eat lunch, although I did eat a heavy breakfast (rice and veggies). My husband was able to come home after lunch – yey! After taking my afternoon nap, my temperature shoot up to 38.5 so that’s when I had Biogesic. By night time, I was feeling so awful I asked Joema to take me to the hospital. Although I was thinking twice about it because there I heard from a colleague that a lot of people are getting sick nowadays. I might get another illness when I go to the ER with other sick people. So we scrapped the idea and just rested at home. By morning of Tuesday, I was feeling a lot better. And then I stayed home again on Wednesday to rest fully. That was an awful, awful experience especially because of the baby. I was so worried about what might happen. I don’t know if I should cover myself with blankets because I was so cold or not because I kept thinking on what my OB said (during our first meeting) that hot temperature is to be avoided. I was getting paranoid thinking what if my baby gets cooked inside my tummy because it was so hot in there.

Since that week, I’ve been drinking milk. I tried Anmum but I really don’t like the taste of it even if we add choco powder. So we switched to Cowhead – the Lite variant with the light blue label. Surprisingly I liked the taste of it (this is with choco powder of course). But when we ran out, we had to buy the original variant of Cowhead with the blue label (SM doesn’t have the Lite milk). And I hate the taste again. But I think I have to drink milk na so Joema and I bargained, I’ll drink milk as long as the glass is not full (only half-full or half-empty hehe) and it’s always with choco powder.

Oh I also started feeling the baby although I haven’t really thought about it that way. My friend only asked me if I am starting to feel it and she told me I’ll be feeling something wiggling. When she told me this, I instantly knew it must have been the baby I was feeling. I thought I just ate something bad (air in my tummy) or that I was pressing too much on my tummy (I think I first felt it when I was lying face down on our bed – don’t worry I don’t really sleep like that, I think I just happen to do that position when I was finding a position I can sleep in, must be having trouble sleeping that night). But after my friend and I had that conversation, I haven’t felt the baby again. Hmm…

Preggy Me @ 13 weeks

This is finally the week when I can't fit into my pants. I'm 13 weeks along in this photo, wearing an empire cut top, denim jacket and black pants.

Bought this belly band from Havin' a Baby (costs below P1000), which you put over the waistband of your pants so that it can keep it from popping even with the open button and zipper. See...

My heightened sense of smell is at its highest. It's so sensitive. The other day, my husband was making a sandwich with cold cuts, I was so angry at him because I didn't like the smell! And I was really angry! I was telling him he's food is already spoiled hahaha!