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!

Ylla Shoes

I've been meaning to buy flat shoes because I can't go on for long hours in heels anymore and I'm afraid I might fall off my face if I .. it. But since I can't go to the mall for long hours and actually pick out shoes, I went off searching the internet. My problem with most Multiply sellers, how can you call yourselves online sellers when the only payment method you accept is deposit at your bank account. How can I buy something online when I need to still go out, go to the bank, and pay?!?!?! So I had to search, search and search. Finally, I found Ylla shoes. The styles are oh so cute -and they only sell flat shoes! And best of all they accept Paypal payments - although they charge 4% additional for it. I first ordered their Mary Jane flats but they're out of stock.

So I ordered these instead...

*Photos from Ylla's website.

They're not as cute as the Mary Jane's but still cute!

The shoes don't come in a box but in a cute eco-friendly pouch. When I first tried them on, I had a hard time putting the shoes on. I thought my feet already started swelling because I had to really open the shoes up and put my foot in.So I texted Kat of Ylla and she told me that the shoes will eventually get a bit loose over time because the padding inside the soles are a bit thick for extra comfort. She advised me to fold the back part forwards so that it'll get softer.

Wore them to work the next day, but unfortunately they hurt my feet, specifically the heel part where the back part of the shoes touches the back of my feet. Although I still think I got the wrong size, I'm usually a size 5 so that's what I ordered. So I suggest if you want to order from them, get one size bigger than your usual. It's not really that my feet are swelling because my old size 5 shoes I can still wear them. And I actually recently bought new flats (from SM department store - yes I did went anyways but only for a few minutes) in size 5. I haven't worn my Ylla shoes again but I will wear them again (because they are cute!). I think they just hurt my feet because they're new and I needed to break them in first.

I was 20 weeks and 6 days along in my pregnancy when I wore my Ylla shoes.

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!

I Wanna Go Out

Since I haven't been out for the longest time, I was itching to go out with friends. Good thing some friends were celebrating their daughter's birthday, although it was kind of late when we thought of asking if the venue was on a second floor of a well known fastfood chain. And phooey it was! So we decided not to go - but met up with them for dinner and poker. After all it was Mek's birthday too!

Our idea of fun - poker!

I'm now obviously pregnant, even when seated I look preggers.

Group pic with Bambini*.

Although we went home relatively early that night, was sleepy already and our ride home needs to go already - thanks again for the ride, Ja! - we got all their money bwahahaha! Ja, Joema and I were the big winners only after playing for few hours!

*I was 19 weeks and 4 days pregnant when these photos were taken.

Singapore GP

So yeah, we did go to the condo to watch the Singapore GP. Good thing we did because Vettel was finally back in the podium, although he didn’t win the first place, 2nd place wasn’t that bad. The important thing at this stage in the season is to be consistenly place in the podium and earn big points. Unlike Hamilton, who was classified DNF and took home no points. I thought it was a bit uhmmm..what better word to use…since Vettel was always ramming into other drivers but the stewards didn’t investigate those incidents. I guess when the team asks the stewards to investigate, this will initiate the investigation. Hamilton was the loser and Webber was the one who gained the advantage. He took home 3rd place, that 15 effing points, so he’s still the leader in the driver’s championship. Truth is I don’t really want him to win haha. If Vettel won’t win then I’d like to see Hamilton or even Alonso take home the championship.

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.

Happy Birthday Dear Mother!

It’s the birthday today of my dear mother. It’s true what they say that you’ll understand your parents more once you become a parent. I’m technically not yet a mom but I feel I know my mother now more than ever.

One of the things I love with our current living arrangements - living with my parents - is how I came back to being a daughter at home – taken cared of by my parents hehehe. My mother is always on my beck and call. Before I even know what I want, Mama’s there to give it to me. She makes sure I have pineapple or any fruits everyday. She makes sure I drink my prune juice every night (I’m constipated – TMI! – so I need prunes and pineapples). She makes sure I’m careful whenever I move around the house.

When my baby arrives, I hope I can be as good a mother as she is to me. I’ll teach Bambini how to pray like how she taught me. I’ll teach Bambini how to use the less than (<) and greater than (>) sign like how Ma taught me (she taught me a trick!). I’ll teach Bambini on being considerate to other people and being sensitive to their needs.

Happy birthday, Ma! Thanks for everything!





Me and Mama in Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul last year.

Cable Woes

A setback for us staying at my parents' is that they don’t have cable TV. We don’t know how we’ll survive the coming months without cable. I don't know how much more ABS CBN shows I can take. Although I’m now quite familiar with Showtime. FYI, my father's an ABS fan plus the reception in their TV for the other channels are not that good. It's like were living under a rock. If we had mantle clocks, I would have kept on looking at them for the time - watching TV has never been this torture hahaha. Of course, I exaggerate. But I miss cable channels!

This coming Saturday is the Singapore GP. Ach! Joema and I have conjured a plan of asking my brother to bring us to the condo on the night of the race, and then just tell my parents that we need to pick up some things that we need from there ahahaha - just to watch the race! Although of course, I think I will just tell them that we’re going to watch something on cable at the same time pick up the things we need.

In the last race, the Italian GP, Vettel didn’t get a podium finish but I was happy to see him finish fourth. He started 6th on the grid so finishing 4th wasn’t bad at all. I hope he gets to win the next few races. It’s still anyone’s game to win the driver’s championship. But I think I’m prepared to not see him win anymore. He should have a lot of learnings during this season. So if he’s not fortunate enough this year, then next year there’s no excuse for him not to bag the championship.

Oh and I hope next year, I’ll see Kimi back in a Formula1 car!

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.

White Collar

While I was on sick leave, I whiled away the time by watching TV. And one of the TV shows that caught my attention was White Collar. The story revolves around Neal Caffrey who was a former thief (he steals expensive items like arts or antiques) and was taken into custody by FBI and is now using him as a consultant to help them solve their cases. His handler’s name is Peter Burke who is like a father figure to him. What probably caught my eye the first time was the actor who played Neal, Matt Bomer.

His eyes are so mesmerizing. Turned out the series is really interesting. It was funny at the right times, and the crimes are mysterious and exciting at the same time, with the personal story of Neil and Peter intertwined with each episode. By the way, the series is titled White Collar because the FBI unit they’re working for is the white collar unit, responsible for catching white collar criminals like Neal.

Even after my leave, we continued watching it every night on Fox. But now the season has ended and no more Neil Caffrey to follow. Apparently, the season shown on Fox was only season 1 and season 2 is now being shown in the US. Now, I want to get a copy of the complete season 1 because we weren’t able to start the whole season.

The Lost Symbol

I can’t remember when I finished reading this book, maybe around mid-August. This was lent by a friend, and I immediately wanted to borrow it from her when she posted something about it on FB. I don’t remember now what she said but it certainly got me curious. I’ve read both Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code of Dan Brown. And if you’ve read them, you’ll have a better idea of Dan Brown’s writing style. This book again revolved around the symbologist Robert Langdon and this time his adventure is in the United States. I don’t know why but I had a hard time picturing in my mind the US capitol that Dan Brown is describing in the book. I haven’t been to Paris or Rome (the setting of the first two books), but there I can picture myself running alongside Robert Langdon. In this book, I was lost in America, so to speak haha. But as with the other two books, from the start I was hooked reading this and I wasn’t disappointed with the ending. Although, a full chapter at the end was used to explain some of the ideologies on the book which to my dismay kept me from loving the book. I just thought the last chapter took away the excitement of the book (from start to finish). But my friend reminded me that the first two books were also like that – the last chapter was devoted to explaining some of the things that were vague in the book. But I don’t remember feeling this way about those two books, I remember feeling satisfied with how they ended. I guess what I’m trying to say is, when you’re done with the story just end it there – let the readers think on their own. Or was this because there’s another book after this? (Just like the previous book I’ve read – the … Remember I didn’t really like the ending too because I thought they dragged on about the male lead when it was supposed to be a continued to the next book.

Anyways, I really actually like this book (after all that blabbering). But of all the three books, I think I like Angels and Demons the best. I initially thought I like The Da Vinci Code better (between the first two) because of the mathematics used in the story (such a geek I am!) but if I based it on the thrill the books gave I would say Angels and Demons is the best.

Photo from: amazon.com

Relaxing Weekend

We went to Pansol over the weekend for a much needed break - just pure relaxation. At first we begged off since I wanted to rest (was sick the start of the week), but our friends egged us to come since the objective is really to relax over the weekend. And relaxed we did. We just chatted the night away, while some of us swam. I didn't bring a swimsuit because I might get cough and colds again. But thankfully, the air wasn't that chilly (like the previous time we went there) so we were able to stay outside in the cabana. The next day almost all of them swam except for me and Heyl. We talked about grown up things haha!

Here are some photos.

Our dalaginding...Kyla

My lovable godson...Miguel

Can you see my tummy peeking?

Kulit pic!


Joema playing football with his godson, Luigi


Thanks again, H and T for inviting us!

Bloomberg

Went to the Bloomberg office in Makati this morning for training. The training was basic training on how to use the Bloomberg terminal, the functions used, the different screens, the special keys in the keyboard - that sort of thing. how to But the training wasn't the highlight of our visit to their office. I was so delighted with their office - free food in the pantry hahaha! They had brewed coffee, chocolates, chips, cookies, biscuits, fruits and a ref full of beverages! If I work there I don't think I'll be able to work, I might end up eating all the time haha! But sseriously, I really wished I was working there. Aside from the pantry, I was also fascinated that all of the staff there had multiple screens (3 or 4!).

Photo from here.

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…

Concert

Last night the hubby and I were watching MTV World Stage which featured the concert of Beyonce in the Wynn Theater, Las Vegas. It wasn’t just a feast for the ears but a feast for the eyes as well. I love watching concerts with all those production effects (lights, costumes, dancers) albeit on TV. I told the hubby when we get richer we should watch concerts in HK or Singapore haha feeling ko mas maganda ang production value ng concerts don kesa sa MOA hahaha.

Here's Beyonce singing Crazy In Love

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!

Coron Day 3

Most of our third day in Coron was spent snorkeling. We went to two World War II Japanese shipwrecks and the Bintuan Marine Park coral gardens.

This is in one of the two shipwrecks we went to. Joema and Mek wanted to pose with an extra life jacket to remind them of Tric who wasn't able to join us haha

In coral gardens...

look how clear the water is. There were so many different and colorful corals! I enjoyed snorkeling here.

Then we went to the BMP Sea Hotspring. For me, this was the highlight of the day. The boat docked by an area of mangroves then we waded through the mangroves and saw the hot spring.

Ang asawa ko acting na acting! We were supposed to pose like we were afraid..sya lang gumawa.

Photo-op muna with the mangroves

This is the hot spring. It's just knee deep but it's really hot! It's sort of like a big hot tub. Back then Ja had the foresight to tell me hotsprings are not good for pregnant women so she asked me if I’m sure I’m not pregnant. Since I wasn’t (and I was already pregnant then) I didn’t soak to much in the hot spring. I mean I was there but I didn’t dip my whole body just below the knees hehe.

Out of the hot water. Dito super lamig ng tubig although there are parts na mainit..parang may umihi lang hahaha

When we got out of the mangroves it was already high tide so we had to uses this little banca to go to our boat. I'm only pretending to use the paddle, our guide is really pulling us heehee





We were fascinated with our guides. They were excellent, excellent divers. Part of the joy of snorkeling is watching them play with the fish or hang out in the shipwrecks. This is in another shipwreck. Joy was being pulled by the guide to where the shop is.


We went to another snorkeling spot where there are lots of coral. But I got injured by one coral (it was lowtide then) so I just went back to the boat. But here I am still smiling as if I didn't just get hurt by the coral.

My husband enjoyed that spot. He said the corals were more colorful than the one we saw in coral garden.

That was it. That was our last day in Coron. The next day we were headed back to Manila, our vacation over. I'm gald I was able to do all those physical activities before (I knew) I got pregnant.

Till my next adventure trip...kelan na kaya yon?

Saturday with the Kids

Spent another Saturday with the kids - our godchildren.

First up was my godson's Christening. Paco is just three months old but look how big and chubby he is! So cute! I just to kiss him and hug him and maybe pinch him a little hehehe Just kidding with the last one. I wouldn't want to hurt this baby.

The giveaways are as cute as the celebrant. Mini cupcakes with cutesy toppings.

Will update this post when I get more photos of the baptism.

After the baptism, we just had time to go home and take a nap (just me, the husband did chores hehe). Then we're off to MOA for our godchildren's birthday celebration. It was a triple celebration for Kyla, Miguel and Yuri. They had a grand time at Timezone but I didn't haha. Wasn't feeling really good when we got there so Joy and I headed off to Congo Grille to ready our dinner. Didn't get to eat much of the viands, I sticked with what works for me - lechon kawali and sinigang na baboy.

Here are after-dinner pics. (Ooops, wew didn't have photos with Yuri!)

With the birthday boy, Miguel, and Heili.

With the birthday girl, Ate Kyla. I still can't believe she's this big already. Can't imagine how her parents feel now that she's all grown up. Parang kelan lang pinapanood lang namin sya mag-aral maglakad.

I love my godson! I so adore him. He calls me "Ninang Kish" coz he's still bulol. After dinner, he was calling me and asking me to come with him to buy him a balloon. How can I say to no this little darling? We went outside and I bought him a dog balloon which he calls "Ninang dog" or "Ninong dog" depending on who asks what the name of the dog is haha!

Can't wait to be a mom myself!

Preggy Me @ 12 Weeks

This past Wednesday I experienced for the first time during this pregnancy, nausea and vomitting. Blech! What a horrid experience it was! I was still able to go to work but when I got there I was feeling woozy. My head was feeling light like it was floating. By mid-morning I was feeling so weak, that's when I vomitted. My officemate had to bring me to the clinic. Enroute to the clinic, I had to go to the bathroom again to throw up. Yikes! (Sorry, TMI) I was able to rest until before lunch time then I went home by lunch. I hope I don't have morning sickness that bad again.

Anyways, we went back to my OB on Friday and saw the baby again! The OB showed us the baby's spine and he/she now looks like this.


I'm a little bit confused with how far along I am. If my OB based it on my last menstruation, I'm 13 weeks and 3 days pregnant when we visited her. But when we base it on the size of the baby when this ultrasound was taken, I'm 12 weeks and 5 days along. While my Preggy Me posts are based on my first ultrasound, so I was 12 weeks and 1 day pregnant that Friday OB visit. I'm still going to continue counting based on the latter to make it consistent.

The baby is okay and developing just fine. My OB prescribed pre-natal vitamins for me and continued my calcium tablets because I don't drink milk. She actually asked how many times I've drank milk, and I said once haha! She's okay with it as long as I drink my calcium tablets but my family and friends are always egging me to drink milk. Ugh!

And then my OB noted that I lost weight - about a pound. Which isn't exactly true because on my first visit, her assistant got my weight wrong. I was a pound overweight in the chart she made. So in truth I just didn't gain weight. Again my OB said this is okay because the baby grew even if I didn't gain extra pounds.

Wore this dress from Ukay Manila yesterday when we went to my godson's Christening. I'm 12 weeks and 2 days along in this photo.

Is that a baby bump I see or just puson?

ManilaBaby Shop Giveaway

I love blogging especially when you meet a blogger friend (shoutout to Anna!) and that particular blogger friend has other awesome friends who blog and gives away stuff! I'm talking about Anna's friend, Neva of ManilaMommy.com who is also behind ManilaBaby Shop! She is giving away 2 diaper bags!


From ManilaMommy:


The promo period will start today, Aug. 9, 2010 up to Aug. 27, 2010.

The LifeSavers is a super light weight, canvas bag which we use to bring DW’s stuff for overnight trips. This bag has also been used as a laptop bag and can also be used as a school bag for school-aged kids!


The Froot Loops is diaper bag that converts into a stroller bag so that you can have easy access to your baby’s stuff anytime, anywhere!

Both bags have waterproof interiors with lots of pockets. You also get a free extra large changing pad which provides maximum coverage for those public changing stations and a plastic pouch!


I'm hoping my pregnancy luck will kick in and win one of these diaper bags! The first thing I liked when I read about these diaper bags is the style! It's unisex that daddies won't be embarrassed to carry them. Okay, I know there are daddies who will carry anything for their babies even if they get embarrassed but even if they aren't, the daddies will be stylish when carrying these bags. Hehe from the looks of it, I think I'm psyching my husband he will be the one who will carry the baby stuff once the baby's here.


Anyways, it would have been fun if I just keep the guidelines of the giveaway to myself so that no one else will win but I have to share it with you. So head on over to ManilaMommy and enter the raffle.

Preggy Me @ 11 Weeks

This Preggy Me post is starting to be my weekly roundup thing. I can’t get myself to open the PC at home and blog. I’m really just always tired and sleepy.

Anyways, let’s proceed. I have two outfit photos this week hehe. The first one, I just want to brag that I can still fit into my regular jeans. Although the waistline of this pair is 27 inches hahahaha! I’m 11 weeks and 1 day pregnant in this photo.

Then, this is what I wore when we watched CATS over the weekend.

The top is not a maternity top but it has an empire cut, just right for preggy women like me. Wore tights underneath.

I almost almost got sleepy during the first act of Cats hehehe. The second act was more entertaining for me. By the way, can I say I love the theater! Joema and I left early for the 3pm show, we were at CCP around 2pm but people were already milling about. See, I'm such a stickler for time I don't like being late so sometimes we end up being the first ones in an event. But I was so happy to see people who are early too to watch the play hehe. We got seats for the the balcony so it was as if we were on the topmost although we were seated on the first row center of the balcony area. Lea Salonga was superb! Her voice is crystal clear and she is the greatest “cat” in the play. For those not in the know, Lea plays Grizabella and she sang I think only two times hehe but it was worth it..she sang beautifully!

Anyways, I think I’m starting to have the symptoms of being pregnant. For the past couple of days, my stomach’s been queasy - before and after I eat. And then yesterday, I craved for pancake from Pancake House – this is in the middle of a stormy Sunday night. My sweet husband tried calling the stores but no one seemed to want to deliver in the Mandaluyong Area. He had to go to Star Mall and then to Megamall to buy my pancake. We initially thought there’s a branch of Pancake House in Star Mall. Pancake House should update their website. Here's my yummy yummy pancake. To think, I could have put off eating pancake to today, since we were scheduled to have lunch in Pancake House today heehee.

And my nose is beginning to be really sensitive. I could smell the viand our neighbor is having! Actually I smelled them sauteéing first then I smelled the cooked ulam - I think it was bistek with onions. I can’t stand the smell of onions. Before, I can cook with it but yesterday when my parents brought tokwa't baboy, I hated the smell of onions. Then when my hubby and I went to the groceries and passed by the fruits and vegetables area, I almost threw up there. Good thing, I think, is that I’m always just naduduwal and not yet nasusuka. Know the difference? Well for me the latter means I have to throw up everything I ate and I haven’t thrown up anything I’ve eaten yet. For the time being. Wish me luck!

Preggy Me @ 10 Weeks

Although I tire easily during these weeks, we were able to still go out the whole day Saturday.

I'm 10 weeks, 2 days pregnant here. This is what I wore: my Little Miss Fighting Maroon shirt and a garterized skirt hehe.


We had lunch with the Flyfish gang. It was months ago when we last saw them, just a lot of catching up to do. Two of us are pregnant, well three (we heard the good news that Saturday - Steve and Rhea, when will you join us?)!


And then we hang out at Jose’s place. Although it was just me, Joema, Charline and Allan who went there. We played this card game Sequence. Very challenging game, really. Can’t wait to play it with the others hehe.

Then we had dinner at Tric’s place. Watched the qualifying round of the Hungarian GP there. Was so happy Vettel was P1. Tricio was asking why I liked the guy when he wasn’t even cute. Well first of all, I like him because I believe he’s a very good driver, and I think he doesn’t look bad. When Vettel is wearing his casual attire, shorts and shirts, he’s cute in a Justin Bieber kind of way haha! Anyways, we also watched Pisay there, although we weren’t able to watch the start of the film. All of us were hooked by the time their first year was over.

I should make a separate post on the Hungarian GP but I think, or I would like to believe, this should be related to my pregnancy post. If you’ve watched the race, you’ve seen that Vettel went from first to third just because he had to do a drive-through penalty because he trailed behind more than 10 cars when the safety car was about to go into the pitstop. First off, I think he was instructed to do that so that Webber can lead for more than a few seconds because he needed those precious seconds for him not to lag behind the leaders after his pitstop. And then Vettel had to do the drive-through penalty that left him third! I think it was a bad strategy from the Red Bull management. It was the first time I cried over a race. Yes I cried – I believe it’s because of the hormones haha! My husband had to tear me away from the TV and had to stop me from watching because I was throwing things at Christian Horner (on our TV) when I saw him clapping after Webber’s pitstop. Haay!!!! Was so emotional that night! I can only blame it on the hormones. Vettel has had other disappointing races, I don’t know if this was the worse, but I never cried. Sure, I was sad but never ever cried. The hubby is threatening never to let me watch the race again if I ever become that emotional again. I don’t know if I can do that. Well, hopefully no more disappointing races so that I won’t be too sad with the race hehe. I have three weeks before the next race. The F1 drivers will probably go on city breaks before Spa by the end of August. Let's wait and see.

Like Water for Chocolate

This is one of my favorite books. I actually had two of these. I had one before then I thought I lost is so I asked it as one of the things in my Christmas wishlist. When I got the book for Christmas, the first one that I had just suddenly came out of nowhere. But when I got married I left them at our home in Antipolo, so when Ondoy came…well, you know the rest of the story. So I was so so happy when I saw this on the table of books with the 50% off mark in the recent Powerbooks sale!

This book is set in Mexico during the revolutionary war. There are 12 chapters representing the 12 months and in each month a recipe is interspersed in the telling of the story. The story revolved around Tita and her love for cooking among other things. It’s a very interesting story especially for us Filipinos because there are some “pamahiin” that are followed by Tita and her family so we can easily relate. There were also some “alamat” that were told that to some who are not so familiar with this concept will find it a little bit hard to believe. Aside from the recipes, this is a story of love. You will cry and be frustrated with Tita as you read the story. This is the book I brought in my first visit to Dr. Alfiler. I think I finished half of the book while waiting for my turn.

Photo from Amazon.com