Something bought, something new

Jason bought his new toy a week after I gave birth to Julianna. It’s Julianna’s first car. We call it Frodo … for it is a Ford Ranger. Looking forward to build good memories with it. Welcome to the family, Frodo!

The Baby Couture Bag was Jason’s gift for me on Mother’s Day. Na-delay ng two weeks ang gift niya sa akin hehehe. Nagamit ko na siya last time we went to visit Jlianna’s pedia. Sa lahat ng nagpa-check up, ako lang may kikay na bag hehehe. I bought this from a fellow N@wie, Morning. I also bought additional bottles for Julianna dahil super malakas siya mag-feed ngayon. Much better if I have lots of bottle na naka-abang kaysa wala.

This one naman I bought from Jing. It’s a drying rack and powder formula container from Munchkin. I so love Munchkin products, can’t wait to buy some more by the time Julianna starts to eat solid foods.

And last … this is a gift from one of our Ninang, Tita Beth. Nung nalaman niya na nanganak na ako eh humanap na daw siya ng gift niya for Julianna. Since wala pa masyado toys si Julianna, perfect ang gift ni Tita Beth hihihi. Maraming salamat po.

I’m now starting to plan for Julianna’s Christening. Medyo matagal pa naman ang kanyang dedication… it’s on September 13 pa. It’s a mutual decision between me and Jason kasi medyo genetically small pa si Julianna and pinapalaki pa namin siya with the help of her pedia and our tender loving care. Sana nga ma-achieve namin yung additional 600grams on her weight bago mag June 7. Help us, Lord. Make Julianna more healthy.

BCG Shot, Newborn Screening and Sacral Pit

Last Saturday was Julianna’s sched for Newborn Screening and BCG Shot. Naku parang sinusumpa ko yung Newborn Screening … susme, halos super namula talaga si Julianna nung ni-prick na yung heel niya, she was crying so hard dahil mega piniga yung blood niya sa heel para mapuno yung 4 circles sa filter ng blood sample niya. Pero strong talaga ang baby namin, umiyak lang siya during the procedure. Pero after that natulog na siya ulit, parang walang nangyari.Nung BCG shot din niya, umiyak lang siya nung tinurok na sa kanya yung needle, pero after nun natulog nanaman siya hahaha.

Our baby’s pedia did her routine check-up on Julianna. And when she looked at her back, she saw a dimple near Julianna’s butt. She asked me if I already saw this before. Sabi ko, ngayon ko lang din nakita yun. She calls it a sacral pit. Usually daw yung mga newborn babies na kulang sa timbang nagkakaroon ng sacral pit. The doctor advised us to go to another doctor, a pediatric neurologist, to clear whether the sacral pit is on the safe side or not.

After seeing my OB for my post partum check-up, we headed to the pedia neuro to check on Julianna. Based on her test, all of Julianna’s reflexes were normal. And when she saw the dimple, she said that na malayo naman pala sa spinal cord. Pero para makasiguro, she advised us to have her sacral ultrasound just to make sure na walang problema. Sabi ni Pedia, we should do it in 2 weeks time. Para sa next check up ni Julianna eh may result na ang ultrasound. Kaya we need your prayers, na sana ok naman at walang maging problema sa aming prinsesa.

Ano nga ba ang sacral pit?

A sacral dimple or sacral pit, also known as a pilonidal dimple, is an indentation or little hole in the crease between the buttocks and the base of the tailbone. This dimple generally develops as the spinal column is forming inside the mother’s womb. To put it simply, if the inner tissues of the neural tube that forms the spinal column become malformed, the outside layer of tissue including the skin may not be smooth. This could mean that the outside layer formed with some dimples in it, which have no effect on the inner layers; or there could be a malformation of the inner layers, which have no effect on the outer layers. So a dimple in the lower back along the spine may be a simple divot in the skin, causing no problems whatsoever, or it may be the sign of malformation in lower tissue layers including the spine and spinal cord.

Most sacral dimples are harmless. However, some sacral pits continue deep inside and may even connect to the spinal canal or even the colon or large intestine. In the latter case, bits of stool can leak out through the opening causing a chronic rash. This type of dimple needs to be closed. Other signs that may indicate an abnormality in the lower spine include large or deep sacral dimples or dimples that are covered by hair or a birthmark.

Most spinal cord defects signaled by a sacral dimple may be adequately investigated by doing a thorough physical exam and, if needed, an ultrasound. For those in which there is a very high suspicion of a spinal cord defect, an MRI is usually performed. If these tests detect a problem affecting the spinal cord, the child may require surgery.

If you notice a deep or an unusual-looking sacral dimple on your infant, be sure to discuss it with your pediatrician.

Some things your pediatrician will look for include:

* Can the floor of the pit or dimple be easily seen? When the bottom portion of a divot can’t be seen, this may be an indication of a neural tube that never closed completely.
* Does the pit have hair growing from it? This again makes a pit suspicious for deeper involvement.
* Is the neurologic exam normal? If there is significant involvement of the spinal column, there may be weakness in the legs.
* How high up on the back is the dimple? Most dimples very low on the back (just above the buttocks) are of little concern. The higher the dimple is, the more likely it is to be associated with defects in deeper tissues.
* Are there signs of any other defects? The brain, spinal column, kidneys, as well as other structures form at the same time the neural tube closes. Therefore, if there are any malformations in any other parts of the body, it becomes more probable that the neural tube may be involved as well.

After doing an exam, your child’s doctor will discuss what, if any, treatment is needed.

SOURCE: https://www.akronchildrens.org

My Birthing Story 05.11.2008

I gave birth to Julianna Alyssa Recta Jamias last May 11, 2008 (Mother’s Day) at 6:01 a.m. thru normal delivery. She weighs 5.53 lbs. and 47 cm in height at 37 weeks and 3 days. Allow me to share my birthing story. It was truly a very memorable experience for me… how it feels to be a mom for the first time. Not to mention, to celebrate Mother’s Day with Julianna as God’s gift for me and Jason.

April 28, 2008 - 35 weeks and 5 days
I was admitted at FEU Hospital for preterm labor contractions. When hubby and I went to hear mass last Sunday, April 27, 2008, I felt a huge kick in my tummy na halos ma-weewee na ako sa sakit that went on for a couple of seconds. Jason told me to ask my OB if we have to worry about it or not. Pag-uwi namin sa bahay, I was already having back and abdominal pains, although it’s pretty much tolerable naman pero very alarming. OB told me to have complete bed rest and pumunta na daw ako ng clinic niya kinabukasan.

Nung nandun kami sa clinic ni OB, she already knew that I’m having preterm labor contractions. Contraction intervals went on every 15 minutes. Ang akala namin ni Jason movement lang ni Baby J yun kasi everytime nagmomove siya eh may kasamang contraction. She advised Jason that I would be admitted in the hospital to observe my contractions.

I was at the Labor room for one whole night. Contraction intervals went on every 15 mins. … to 10 mins… to 7 mins… to 2 mins. I keep on praying that time, if it really is time for her to be out, please make her healthy and help her to recover fast. With the help of some meds they made through dextrose, Baby J was still in my tummy, patiently waiting for her right time. I stayed in the hospital for more than 3 days.

April 30, 2008 – 36 weeks
I’m still in the hospital, had my schedule for another ultrasound to check on Baby J. Everything is normal, but then again, she didn’t gained any weight since her last ultrasound, which is last month. The OB Sonologist got worried and advised my OB for me to have a Doppler study. Kinabukasan pinauwi na ako ni OB at complete bed rest nanaman ako.

May 3, 2008 – 36 weeks and 3 days
Had another ultrasound but this time it’s a Doppler study. Everything is normal except that my amniotic fluid went down from 13 to 9. Saka dun sa part na dapat amniotic fluid ang nakikita eh nakita ng OB Sono puro umbilical cord daw. So hindi daw niya alam kung less na yung amniotic fluid ko or not. He advised me to have a Non-Stress Test to know whether Baby J is reactive inside my tummy or not. Good thing she’s okay and very reactive. By the time I went to OB’s clinic, she just advised me to continue bed rest, drink 2-3 liters of fluids a day so that my amniotic fluid won’t go down again.

May 7, 2008 – 37 weeks
Went to OB’s clinic again for my weekly prenatal check-up. According to her IE, my cervix already ripened and thinning. Bed rest is over and now allowed to go out. Pwede na ako matagtag weeeee … Sabi ni OB kung hindi pa daw time ni Baby J lumabas eh she advised me to have another ultrasound on Saturday. Jason and I went to the mall to purchase last minute stuffs needed in the hospital and baby cabinet drawer for Baby J. Is it too obvious? Masyado kami atat matagtag ako hehehe. Natagtag nga ata ako dahil nung umuwi kami ng bahay halos di ako makatayo dahil masakit ang likod at puson ko. Pero hindi naman siya nagtuloy-tuloy, so false alarm lang.

May 9, 2008 – 37 weeks and 2 days
Jason and I attended a surprise party of one of Jason’s colleague. I was entertained by them about their stories on how they gave birth on their first born and they all wished that I give birth soon, coz it’s a lot better if you’re already cuddling your little one rather touching and talking to your tummy. Nung gabi na yun, I was starting to experience slight contractions and little abdominal pains. Later on back pains were already present as we are heading back home. I told Jason that maybe I might give birth on Mother’s Day. Of course, I was only kidding that time.

May 10, 2008 – 37 weeks and 3 days
I had a hard time getting up because of the pain that I’ve been having since last night. I’m walking like a penguin and my Mom told me that I looked like I’m in labor already.

12:00nn - Off we went to my scheduled ultrasound. OB Sono told me na parang bumaba na daw yung head ng bata. Jason and I exchanged looks with glee. Fetal weight is still the same as last week … nothing has changed. I was advised to go to OB right away.

2:30 p.m. - OB checked on me and told me I’m already 2 cm dilated. She told me she has to induce labor already because she’s worried about Baby J not gaining weight. Kung hihintayin pa namin na mag-dilate ako the natural way, eh baka ano pa mangyari sa baby namin. She gave us a new admission letter and asked us to reserve a room at FEU Hospital. I should be in the ER at

7:00p.m. Pinauwi na muna niya kami at ihanda na ang mga gamit namin. At wag ko daw kalimutan maglakad-lakad. Para at least daw pag nasa hospital na ako ng 7:00 p.m. eh at least 4 cm dilated na ako.

Everything is all set, all our bags are packed. Mom told me to take a bath already coz matagal daw akong di maliligo (matandang pamahiin na bawal maligo ang bagong panganak). So I did. I also ask Jason to take pictures of me, coz I haven’t have any preggy photos eversince, though I had one when I was still 4 months pregnant. Grabe di ko ma-imagine ganun pala kalaki ang tummy ko. Kasi pag tumitingin ako sa mirror, parang ang liit ng tiyan ko. Eto lang ang lone picture ko na buntis ako … buti na-document ni Jason hehehe.

6:30p.m. - My Dad told us to go to the hospital before the rain pours hard. So off we went to the hospital. We were still at the lobby and doing some rounds of walking while waiting for OB’s advised when to go to the ER because we’re 30 minutes earlier. Nag-text na siya at sinabing pumunta na kami sa ER coz she already informed the OB residents na nasa hospital na ako.

7:00p.m. - pumunta na kami ng ER and they gave Jason our admission slip to get the room we reserved that afternoon. After that, they wheeled me to the DR, kissed Jason before going inside, coz I know it will be a long night for him and for me. He’s not allowed to go inside the DR so he just stayed in our hospital room and wait for OB’s instructions.

8:00 p.m. – OB instructed the OB residents for me to have nipple stimulation to increase the contractions. Good thing, I’m the only one whose in labor that time, so all JI (Junior Interns), PGI (Post Graduate Interns), OB Residents, midwives and nurses were all concentrated on me. I didn’t get bored by the way, they never left me and they always make it a point to entertain me hehehe.

9:00 p.m. – established already the right interval for my contractions. The fetal monitor was hooked in my tummy and my contractions are now under observation.

10:00 p.m. - When OB checked on me, I’m already 4 cm dilated. She asked Jason to visit me at the Labor Room because the time the Anesthesiologist injects the epidural, he will never be able to see me until I deliver Baby J. So he went, and OB told him the situation and the procedures to be done. OB broke my water bag and checked the water if it’s contaminated or not. If it’s clear, we will proceed on induce labor. If the water is in greenish color, that means nakakain na ng dumi or dumumi na si Baby J. Clear naman so proceed to epidural and induce labor na.

11:00 p.m. – Bago ang epidural, pinag-nebulize muna ako ni OB dahil baka daw ma-trigger yung asthma ko during the procedure. It’s one of the worst feeling I have that time. Hindi ko alam na ganun pala ang procedure sa epidural. You have to curl up dahil ini-inject siya sa likod sa pelvic bone ba yun. Correct me if I’m wrong, basta dun sa dulo ng spinal cord. Tapos habang iniinject yung gamot, nararamdaman mo yung daloy ng meds sa likod mo and it’s super duper makirot. Kailangan ko magtiis, kasi super masakit na ang contractions ko that time. Kaya kailangan ko na ng epidural. Feeling ko nagflashback yung childhood memories ko nun. And I was hyperventilating that time because of the pain. But the Anesthesiologist told me to relax kasi pag na-over ako sa oxygen eh mas malaki magiging problema ko. Mga 5 na injections ata yun. Basta marami yun. The epidural take effect after 5 – 10 minutes. I felt relieved and I slept.

May 11, 2008 – The D Day
2:00 a.m. – Every 2 hours nawawala yung effect ng epi … kaya nagpapa-inject ako palagi sa Anes … susme … kahit sabihin nila na mas maganda may konting pain pag nagdeliver ako ng baby eh di ko kakayanin. Masakit talaga for crying out loud. OB again checked on me… bagong gising pa siya nun ha hehehe! I’m already 7 cm dilated. 3 cm’s to go. Contractions are now 10 – 5 minutes interval. Pati heart tone ni baby J under observation na kasi may time na bigla nag 96 bpms ang heart tone niya. Pero bumalik din ulit sa 130’s to 140’s. At natulog nanaman ako.

4:00 a.m. – Nag-trip yung kuryente sa pinagkakabitan ng fetal heart tone monitor. Nawindang ang mga nagbabantay sa akin dahil hindi na nila marinig yung fetal heart tones ni Baby J. Buti nalang may Doppler sa tabi, yun muna ang ginamit nila, magastos nga lang sa battery pero what the heck, buhay ang binabantayan nila dun.

Tinawag na nila si OB, again bagong gising siya ulit hehehe. 100% induced na ako and OB checked on me and was already 9 cm dilated. She coached me na try ko umire that time … and I did … she asked if na-wiwiwi daw ba ako, I said oo … she asked one of the nurses to bring a bed pan. She then again told me na umire … and right there, I’m now 10 cm dilated. They rushed me sa birthing room. Inayos ang paraphernalia and everything, inayos ang position ko, binantayan ang contractions ko. OB gave me 2 hours para mailabas si Baby J. Pag hindi pa daw siya lumabas, CS na ako. And since maliit lang si Baby J, she insisted na mag-normal delivery ako dahil kaya ko daw siya iluwal, may konting effort nga lang.

5:00 a.m. – hindi pa din nagdedecend si Baby J. Nakikita naman ni OB na nag-oopen ang kwelyo ko pero hindi bumababa ang bata. Sabi niya walang force ang pag-ire ko kaya ganun. Some of the PGI’s told me na isipin ko na nagpu-poopoo daw ako na sinlaki ng buko yung ebs ko para daw mapilitan akong i-ire si Baby J. Yun nga ang ginawa ko pero wala pa din nangyari.

5:45 a.m. – bago ang lahat, the reason why alam ko ang oras is because I was monitoring the time (nasa tapat ko kaya yung clock hehehe!). And since 2 hours lang ang binigay sa akin ni OB, panic mode na ako niyan na kailangan ko na talaga ilabas si Baby J bago mag-6:00 a.m. She decided na I need some help na. Kaya she asked one of her assistant to help me push the baby by pushing my tummy. At ganun nga ang nangyari, lumabas na ang portion ng ulo ni baby J.

5:50 a.m. - nag-ready na lahat, may tela na nakaharang na right in the middle of my body. Somebody put oxygen in my nose, I could hear the Anesthesiologist coaching me to give all my strength sa huling ire na yun. I could see OB instructing a JI when and where to position the camera. After the scandal in Cebu, nagkaroon na ng restrictions in taking photos and videos sa loob ng operating or delivery room. And like I’ve said, ako lang ang nanganak that time, kaya madami ng tao sa paligid ko. Marami na nakabantay.

It’s time, one of OB’s assistant coach me to push and hold for 10 seconds. At the count of 6, yung isang OB resident eh sumampa sa akin sabay pinush yung tummy ko hanggang sa hindi na ako makahinga dahil super bigat niya. Akala ko magpa-pass out ako that time. Kahit sinasabi nila na mag-relax ako eh hindi na ako makarelax. Gusto ko sipain yung babaeng nasa ibabaw ko para umalis na. Hindi na masaya to … waaaaaaaaahhhh! Then I’ve felt may lumabas sa akin down there na parang large chunk of something.

6:01 a.m. – “Baby Girl Jamias was out 6:01 a.m.”, someone said … and I was furiously crying over what happened. OB even told me, “Oi Sheryl, ano iniiyak-iyak mo diyan, eto na baby mo oh.” Iba ang feeling, lalo na nung narinig mong umiyak yung baby mo. I could hear her cry na super parang pa-cute pa na di maintindihan. She was brought outside the DR for a while to be cleaned. I can still hear her cry and I was so giddy to hold her but I can’t … the anesthesia and the sedation’s keeping me from doing it. Not to mention, nililinisan na ako ni OB that time. After a few minutes, they let her latch on my breast (hay bakit nakapag-latch siya nung time na yun, samantalang ngayon ayaw na niya) … pagkatapos nun di ko na alam ang nangyari. I passed out already.

7:00 a.m. – I gained consciousness and saw 4 guys dressed in scrub suits transferring me to another bed. I’m wearing diapers and super duper gaan na ng feeling kasi wala ng mabigat sa tummy ko hehehe. I was transferred sa Recovery Room and stayed there for 2 hours.

Since nawala na yung sedation, and the anesthesia is starting to run out, nararamdaman ko na yung pain. Super duper umiiyak na ako kasi gusto ko na makita si Jason. Gusto ko na umalis dun sa Recovery Room. Gusto ko na sapukin yung isang Junior intern na nakabantay sa akin. Wala naman daw idudulot na maganda pag-iyak ko kaya tumahan na daw ako … eh upakan ko kaya siya … ang sakit na nga ng sugat ko eh.

9:00 a.m. - Two hours was like forever. Super duper naiinip na talaga ako. Bakit kasi hindi ako sinidate nung time na yun, eh di sana naka-recover nga ako ng maayos di ba? Buti yung isang nurse na guy na in-charge sa akin eh mabait. Pinakalma niya talaga ako kasi I was crying na talaga sa sakit. Inalis na ng Anesthesiologist yung catather sa likod ko.

After a few minutes, inakyat na ako sa room … nandun si mom at dad, at siyempre si Jason. Nung nakita ko si Mom, bigla nanaman ako umiyak, sinabi ko sa kanya “Mommy, ang sakit!” and I saw my mom crying, too. Ngayon naiintindihan ko na paano maging ina … mas na-aappreciate ko si Mom ngayon. And si Dad muntik na din umiyak. Si Jason naman kissed me agad by the time he saw me. And they were telling me na ang cute ni Baby J, she’s so malikot daw and kamukha ni Jason hehehe.

The whole day I was just resting and patiently waiting na makita si Baby J. 9:00p.m., Jason and I decided to visit her in the Nursery. Too bad, hindi nanaman pwede siya pumasok, and mommy lang daw ang pwede. And then I saw her … she’s so pretty and tiny … she really looked like her dad and I could say matindi ang magiging bantay ni Jason sa kanyang prinsesa. I tried to latch her pero super tulog siya. Kahit ginigising namin siya nung isang midwife, talagang sleeping ang drama niya. Nabigo nanaman ako on breastfeeding her, so we just went back to our room.

May 12, 2008
Around 7:30a.m. they room-in Julianna, super tuwa ang Lola (si mom kasi nagbantay sa akin the next day kasi si Jason may site visit) at na-cuddle na niya ang kanyang unang apo hehehe. I was taking pictures of her using my cellphone to send MMS to Jason para mapaaga ang balik niya sa hospital. Hindi naman ako nabigo, kasi maaga nga bumalik si Jason, excited na makita ang kanyang prinsesa. Nung gumabi na, dumalaw naman ang Mommy Lola Perly at Tito Jade. Excited din sila dahil unang apo din siya sa side nila Jason.

May 13, 2008
Umuwi na kami ni Julianna …

Realizations …

• The battle on breastfeeding has started and getting me frustrated already. She’s having a hard time latching and I on the other hand is having a hard time increasing my milk supply. Hay buhay!
  
• As a first time mom, I welcome myself to the world of sleepless nights and less social life. Kahit puyat lagi, I do love the job in taking care of my Baby Julianna. Being a mom is the most highest paid job in the whole world, kasi ang pambayad sa iyo is LOVE.
• Pumapayat ako kahit hindi ako exclusively breastfeeding dahil sa puyat hehehe.
• Hindi pala biro maging ina … masaya and fulfilling pero exhausting din. I know naman it’s just for a few months lang naman. By the time Julianna grows up, male-lessen naman lahat ng pagod mo. Kaya Mommy, mahal na mahal kita.
• Hindi mo maintindihan kung bakit isang iyak lang ng anak mo eh natataranta ka na gawin yung gusto niya ipagawa mo.
• Kahit gaano ka-busy si Jason sa work, maaga siya umuuwi hehehe. At kahit pagod siya, he gives his share of responsibilities for Julianna.

Eh makita mo lang ang baby mo na ganito palagi … sabihin mo sa akin kung nakakapagod nga maging mommy. Tiring, yes … but it’s all worth it!

Thank you Lord for keeping us safe from the time I got pregnant until I give birth to Baby Julianna… for keeping her healthy and normal … for making me strong to endure all the pain from labor to delivery… for helping us to be financially stable to cover all the expenses from day 1 up to the day I give birth. Thank you for everything … for giving us this wonderful gift.

Thanks to Dra. Cecilia Nogoy (OB Gyne) for not giving up on me and for being patient the whole time on my pregnancy. Dra. Espanol (Anesthesiologist) for making my birthing experience painless hehehe. To Dra. Ma. Paz Ong (Pedia) for taking care of our little princess, who patiently answers to all my queries. To all JI, PGI, nurses and midwives who are present that day, I can’t thank you enough how grateful I am on how you took care of me from labor until my delivery to Julianna.

To my family, Jason’s family and our friends who showered us with prayers and support. I appreciate it a lot.

And to my loving husband, Jason… for taking care of me and our little princess all throughout my pregnancy and until now. We love you so much mwah!

The Wait is Over …

Celebrating Mother’s Day was indeed the best ever. It’s my first time to celebrate it and I just received the best gift …

I already gave birth to Julianna Alyssa last Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 6:01a.m. at 37 weeks and 3 days.

Birthing kwento to follow … It’s a very wonderful feeling at the same time traumatic experience for me. Eto muna ang installment ko sa good news ko for all of you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there. Sorry late na ang greetings hehehe!

On a party we went

Last night, sinama ako ni Jason sa party ng president ng UAP Capitol Chapter. According to Erlie (wife ng celebrant na si Bong) eh munting salo-salo lang daw yun … and surprise party for her husband … (munting salo-salo ba yung Blue Petals and caterer?). Akala ko hindi ako kasama sa lakad na yun. Pero sinama pa din ako ni Jason para daw matagtag ako hehehe.

I just wore my pink striped maternity polo shirt and black leggings and Crocs shoes … medyo concious pa nga ako sa suot ko pero what the heck, wala naman ako iba damit kundi mga ganun lang. And besides, I have an excuse to wear something not so in fashion coz I’m pregnant hehehe. One thing good about Jason’s crowd, kahit mga arkitekto mga yun eh super duper down to earth sila. Adopted child na nga ako ng UAP Chapter as far as I can remember nung sumasama ako sa activities nila nung hindi pa ako buntis. Kulang nalang talaga mag-take ako ng board and get my license para maging member nila.

My God, ang ganda ng bahay nila … or should I say, ang ganda ng place nila (di ko pala napasok bahay nila pero nakita ko some part of it). Yung office kasi ni Bong and Erlie nasa right side lang ng bahay nila tapos may beautiful garden with pond pa. It’s made of scraps of wood from an old house na giniba na. Hindi mo mapagkakaila na arkitekto nakatira dun … super ganda ng office nila. These are some of the things Jason and I wanted din someday na magkaroon kami. I plan on helping my husband nalang kasi sa mga projects niya para I don’t have to be a corporate slave. At least matututo pa ako kung paano patakbuhin yung negosyo.

Jason and I are planning to move out on our own sometime this year. Hindi pa namin alam kung mag-rerent kami or bibili ng lot to have our dream house build there. Pero I told him na maganda talaga na pag may own house na kami eh dapat may room siya for his office. Kasi pag marami ginagawa si Jason lalo na pag mag-eestimate yan, susme, nakakalat ang mga blue print sa bed namin. Halos di ka na makakilos. Sabi ko sa kanya, “pag dumating na si Baby J, ewan ko kung makatrabaho ka pa sa room natin hahaha!”

Ilang beses ng nasabihan si Baby J na nagdala ng swerte sa buhay namin ni Jason. Last night, yun kasi ang isa sa topic, kaliwa’t kanan daw ang project ni Jason. Ngayon taon kasi na ito, pinagpapasalamat namin sa Diyos na madami talaga project na nakukuha si Jason. Continuous ang shower ng blessings kaya di kami masyado nagigipit. Kaya halos everyday talagang super nagpipray ako at humihingi ng constant guidance  at nagpapasalamat sa Kanya sa mga binibigay Niya sa amin.

So hopefully, pag nagtuloy-tuloy pa ang belssings eh matuloy na makabukod kami … medyo masikip na ang bahay nila Dad para sa amin lahat. Kaya dapat baby J, maganda lumabas ka na sa tummy ni Mommy so we can take care of you and we can decide already what’s the next step to take mwah!

Ngayon ko lang naisip

I’m on my term already … pero wala pa rin akong matinong preggy picture. Susme, baka manganak na ako bukas eh wala pa din akong kuha na matino … hmmmm … Maybe I’ll gonna ask hubby na everytime na lalabas kami, picturan niya ako para may pics ako while pregnant hahaha. Ayoko naman magpa-preggy portrait … eh di naman ganun kaganda ang tummy ko para picturan … ewwww… puro stretch marks hahaha!

Baby J @ 37 Weeks

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don’t be surprised if your baby’s hair isn’t the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Source: www.babycenter.com

Medyo sabog ang entry ko ha … pagpasensiyahan nyo na hehehe!

I received a text message from OB yesterday asking how I’m feeling. I told her that everything is normal, wala naman madalas na contractions, but I’m starting to feel back pains and pain sa puson area. She told me na hayaan lang ang mga sakit-sakit na yan because I’m already on my 37th week, safe na ilabas si baby.

We went to her clinic around 11:00a.m. and sakto, ako lang ang patient niya kaya di na kami pumila. As usual, IE routine check-up and hearing Baby J’s heart tones through doppler. Heart tones were ok naman … she’s malikot that time kaya her heart tones were accelerating. According to my IE naman … my cervix already admits tip … meaning yung tip daw ng fingers ni OB pumapasok na sa cervix ko sa sobrang nipis na niya. Kaya sabi niya mag-start na daw ako maglakad-lakad para matagtag weeeeeeeeeee. Hindi na ako bed rest sa wakas!

Dahil hindi na nga ako bed rest … pumunta agad kami ni Jason sa mall … para magbayad ng bills and mabili yung cabinet for Baby J. After namin magbayad ng bill eh kumain muna kami ng lunch. At dahil double dose ako lagi ng Moriamin Forte eh palagi akong gutom. After lunch, we headed sa baby section to find a rattle for Baby J … sa sobrang kuripot ng asawa ko eh na-pending nanaman ang pagbili namin ng rattle. Ayaw niya kasi ng made in China. Eh kaso yung Fisher Price na toys masyadong mahal … kaya saka na daw muna wahahaha! Nung nagpunta naman kami sa plasticwares, wala dun yung brand ng cabinet na nakita namin sa SM North … so bumaba kami sa ACE Hardware … pero bago yun, nakita namin na sale pala sa SM Fairview. Aba, bumili ng t-shirts si Jason. Eh kasi naman ako na nag-insist na bumili siya ng new shirts kasi naman luma na at gasgas na sa picture taking mga t-shirt niya. Kaya ayun bumili hehehe.

Sa ACE Hardware namin nabili yung drawers for Baby J, it’s on sale din. Yun nga lang walang color pink (ay kainis!) meron light green kaso walang bagong stock … the one in display may gasgas na. Kaya wala kami choice kundi bilhin yung color blue. Anyway, blue naman ang color ng room namin (ano ba… girl ang baby namin di ba? Bakit blue?) kaya binili na namin. Bumili na rin ako ng lalagyan ng feeding bottle ni baby J. Hindi kami bumili nung baby bottle rack … ang mahal kasi eh tapos parang di kasya yung Avent na bottles. Kaya bumili nalang ako ng multi-purpose box para mailagay yung mga sterilized bottles ni Baby J dun.

Sa sobrang lakad at libot ko sa mall kahapon eh super duper napagod ako to the point na sumakit na likod ko at puson ko sa pagod. The whole night ganun ang naramdaman ko. Halos one position lang ako at di ko talaga maikilos ang katawan ko. Naka-monitor ako kay OB, siguro nagpaanak kagabi yun kaya kahit madaling araw eh nagrereply sa aking mga text. Akala ko nga time na para manganak ako …. eh kaso nung umaga, parang walang nangyari, nawala lahat ng sakit (pwera sa puson area) … kaya nag-text nanaman ako kay OB, sabi ko false labor nanaman hahaha.

Today naman nag-road trip ako with Jason. May pre-construction meeting kasi siya sa Corinthian Hills. Sinama nalang niya ako kasi nga dahil sa nangyari kagabi, eh baka bigla nanaman akong mag-labor ek-ek at least kasama na niya ako at pwede na kami dumiretso sa ospital. Iniwan niya muna ako sa Starbucks, oh di ba ang sosyal, tumambay sa Starbucks.  Di naman kami nagtagal dun. After 30 minutes nandiyan na si JAson at sinusundo na ako. Nag-site visit na din si Jason sa dalawa pa niyang oin-going project, oh di ba kasama pa din ako Magiging ganun na ata ang routine habang di pa ako nanganganak.

Before I forgot, may pahabol na pasalubong para kay Baby J … thank you Tito Junior, Tita Josie and Sir Earl for the gifts.

Additional onesies, frogsuits, dress and bib

A Braun Ear Thermometer (weeeeeeeeeee! )

2 Huggies Newborn Diapers (Winnie the Pooh ang print weeeeeeeee!) and Huggies Moist Towelette (Winnie the Pooh din weeeeeeeeeeee!)

May wish ako ngayon Mother’s Day … sana manganak na ako hahaha! At sana bilhan ako ni Jason ng Baby couture bag! (please please pretty please!)

We’re Ready!

All bags are packed … ay hindi pa pala … konting gamit nalang like pillows and extra Baguio blankets para sa hospital. Pero yung mga necessities needed namin ni Baby J eh naka-pack na. We started sterilizing her bottles already so I can bring one or two of it in her hospial bag. Sabi kasi ni OB just bring bottles just in case kailangan though advocate naman daw ng breastfeeding ang FEU.

Sabi ni OB kami daw magpoprovide ng diaper for baby J, kaya binuksan ko na yung Pampers New Baby na binigay ni Tita Evelyn sa akin. Susme, di ko alam na ganun pala kaliit yun. Ang akala ko may mas liliit pa dun sa Huggies Diaper XS na binigay sa akin ng Havin a Baby. I packed at least 10 diapers … pag nagkulang madali lang kunin sa bahay yung isang pack hehehe. And I’m sure pag normal delivery ako eh 3 days lang ako mag-stay sa hospital. Kaya no worries.

According to her Doppler Study last Saturday, ok naman siya, kaso dun sa part where the amniotic fluid is eh puro umbilical cord ang nakita ng OB Sonologist. So he advised us to undergone NST (Non-Stress Test). Reactive naman si Baby J sa NST niya so wala naman problema, pero OB adviced me of fetal movement counting and drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day para di matuyuan ng amniotic fluid. Ok ok para kay Baby J gagawin ko yan hehehe… buti nalang mainit ngayon. Walang problema uminom ng tubig. Guess what? May Admission Letter na ako from OB … meaning pwede na ako manganak anytime. Ang schedule ng check up ko ginawang twice a week instead of once a week. O di ba … pero isa lang dun may fee si OB, yung 2 days na yun eh good for one day lang. On Wednesday, ma check up ako ulit sa kanya… at 37 weeks na ako nun. Then come Saturday, may ultrasound ulit … yun eh kung di pa ako manganganak.

Gusto na ni Jason lumabas si Baby J … para daw makapagtrabaho siya ng maayos hahaha! Dad requested na mas madami dapat siya time nandito sa bahay kaysa sa site kasi no ones gonna drive for me kung sakali manganak ako. OK naman kay Jason. Siyempre prinsesa niya yung mag-ga-grand entrance anytime. Good thing na rin may household help na dumating last Sunday. At least all I could think of is meand the baby and nothing else. Sila na muna mamroblema sa pagluluto hahaha.

Grabe na movements ni Baby J ngayon, may kasama ng contractions, lalo na sa gabi. Minsan nga namimistaken ko na contractions yun, pero pag naramdaman kong gumalaw siya eh hindi ko na pinapansin. Hinihimas ko nalang ang aking tummy kasi I know inip na inip na siya at gusto na lumabas.

Baby J, Mom and Dad can’t wait to see you … are you having your grand entrance on Mother’s Day? Sana nga para maganda ang gift ni mommy, ni Lola Lydia and Lola Perly on that day We’re hoping to see you soon mwah!

The Hubby Tag

I was tagged by Karla

How long did you date? 7 years

How old is he? 33 turning 34 in 6 months

Who eats more? si hubby

Who said “I love you” first? siya siyempre!

Who is taller? 5′1″ ako, 5′3″ siya … cute namin no?

Who sings better? ako ata

Who is smarter? depende … academically siya … street smart ako ata … pareho lang ata kami.

Whose temper is worse? Hubby, kasi pag nagalit yun wala ako magawa hehehe.

Who does the laundry? nagpapa-laundry kami pero underwear ako … pero ngayon bed rest ako, nanay ko hahaha!

Who does the dishes? Madalas ako, pero pag nilambing ko siya … siya gumagawa.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? since I got pregnant, ako ang humihiga sa right side of the bed.

Who pays the bills? siya lang… ako lang tagahawak ng pera eh.

Who cooks dinner? Me … pero minsan he gives a hand sa pagluluto.

Who drives when you are together? Siya pa din, kasi di ako pwede mag-drive ngayon dahil term ko na.

Who is more stubborn? Ako ang mas stubborn in so many ways … siya pag may sakit … minsan ayaw uminom ng gamot.

Who kissed who first? Ako ata, sa cheeks, sa sobrang katuwaan sa kanya… pero sa lips siya hehehe.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? pareho kami …

Whose parents do you see the most? My parents, kasi sa kanila kami nakatira until makapanganak ako.

Who proposed? He did …

Who is more sensitive? ako … eh minsan bato yun eh hahaha!

Who has more friends? pareho lang ata, the difference lang is that lahat ng friends niya presently working and living dito sa Pinas, while mine eh halos nasa abroad or malalayong lugar sila.

Who has more siblings? Pareho kaming middle child, I have 2 brothers while him have a brother and a sister.

Who wears the pants in the family? Siya siyempre… hindi ako nagdedecide mag-isa, siya lagi nasusunod hehehe.

So now I am tagging … wala na ako ma-i-tatag … na-tag na lahat … so just tag yourself kung di mo pa to nagagawa. =)

Preterm Labor Contractions @ almost 36 weeks

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She’s shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she’s in a head-down position. But if she isn’t, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an “external cephalic version,” which is a fancy way of saying she’ll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Source: www.babycenter.com

I was admitted in FEU last Monday because of preterm labor contractions. Ang interval kasi ng contractions ko nung una is every 15 mins … then naging 10 mins interval … tapos naging 7 minutes … tapos 2 minutes na … we thought talaga manganganak ako at 35 weeks … Nung nasa clinic kami ni OB for an emergency check-up, nakapa na niya yung head ni baby plus mas lalo daw numipis yung cervix ko. So she told hubby na ma-aadmit ako sa hospital para i-try na mapigilan na lumabas muna si baby J

Nagpapigil naman si Baby J … salamat sa Isoxilan in dextrose … nyek!

Nasa labor room na ako ng 6:00pm ng April 28. Hindi pwedeng kumain kaya until 11:30pm super gutom na ako at nag-ma-migraine na ako … kasama pa yung stress na naririnig ko yung katapat kong bed eh nagli-labor na due to give birth.

Ok na kami ni Baby J, actually nasa bahay na kami, bed rest until on my 37th week. Pero on Saturday, Baby J will gonna have her doppler study kasi according to the latest ultrasound, delayed nanaman ang fetal size niya to 2 weeks … she’s just a 4 lb baby. Pag walang nakitang problema sa Saturday, go pa rin ang bed rest until Wednesday. Pero pag may nakitang problema, mapapaaga daw ang termination ni OB kay Baby J at schedule na niya ang CS ko ASAP.

Super thankful ako that my husband took care of me well and very supportive naman ang family ko. I so love them talaga …

Sige, ako’y hihiga na ulit … yun nalang muna! Salamat sa mga nag-alay ng prayers for me and Baby J … super appreciate ko ang concern and effort