my salad days

my favorite pamangkin's first birthday!

2008-12-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

2 weeks ago, my favorite nephew celebrated his first birthday! I can't believe how time flies. It only seems like yesterday when he was born and now he's 1! Here's a picture of Christer all happy and excited in lolo's birthday gift! A new hummer!

And here's his birthday cake c/o Ninang's Mia, Mae, Lyra, Emer and Nining Alan..

It was a fun birthday party! The magician was very entertaining and everyone even the adults enjoyed his antics and new tricks! I know my nephew had a blast -- I know I had fun!

nearing the end of the countdown

2008-12-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

Officially on my 36th week and 2 days today!

Pictures will be shared once done

my dad and datu

2008-11-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

34wks and 2days...that's how old my baby is now... I had my regular check up last Saturday. This was the first time I had my check up without my mom and my hubby. It was just me and my dad! It was also the first time I saw my dad fidgeting in his chair with sparkle in his eyes when he saw his 2nd grandson in the ultrasound machine monitor. I knew he was trying to fight back tears. His ears were practically flapping with pride when my OB said that the baby looks like a small version of him. I knew he was happy, and I was happy as well. I know that I've eased all the body pains and aches that he was complaining about the night before when he saw his "apo". This was the first time he saw his apo during an ultrasound. The week after next week will be my 36th week, I will be back to see my OB for a regular BPS ultrasound, and I know my dad can't wait to come with me....I should know, he typed it in his cellphone calendar already when we were talking to my OB last Saturday!

just a thought

2008-11-20T00:05:00.000-08:00

I was watching MOMS yesterday and their topic was "The Highs and Lows of Motherhood". They said that being a mother is the hardest occupation in the world -- probably because, no mother has stopped being a mom. Being a mom is being selfless, thinking of your family, your kids before yourself -- always. That's how my mom is anyway. And now that I'm going to be a mom in a few weeks, I was thinking, can I be a good mom just like how my mom is to me? Will I be as selfless as she is? As caring? As loving? As forgiving? I'll try. I'll do my best.

When my older sister left to be with her husband, I saw the hurt in my mom's eyes. I was so proud of her that day. She didn't cry. Back when my sister was starting College in Cavite, I remembered my mom sweeping the floor several times, checking all corners of the room, trying to pass time just so we can be with my sister longer. I remember her crying all the way home. But when my sister moved to Tarlace to be with her husband, my mom didn't cry. But everytime my sister would txt and inform us of what's happening, I know my mom wanted to run to her and make her feel better. Yesterday, watching the show "MOMS", they mentioned that sometimes, our kids would need to hurt us to let us know that they're growing up. And that's going to make us realize that we need to let go.

Today is my sister's birthday. I sent her a message last night, as soon as the watch turned 12mn. I told her, in the last 30years that we've been together, today is probably the first time I don't get to see her on her birthday. In the past, I would usually drive to wherever she is and see her on her birthday, but Tarlac is just so far away -- especially with my pregnancy. I told her, probably, it really is about time to let go and grow up. But she knows I love her. And I'll always be here whenever she needs me, ready to give my unconditional love.

and the countdown begins

2008-11-18T23:30:00.000-08:00

I'm visiting my OB every 2wks now. The last one I had was last 12/8, that was my 32nd week. I will be on my 34th wk in 3days and I will be back to visit my OB again. How time flies. I was reading "What to expect when you're expecting" last night, and got very nervous when I bumped on the Labor and Delivery chapter. Living all the way in Cainta and planning to give birth at Asian Hospital (fingers crossed -- if budget permits) that'll probably take me 15mins if I have wings and 2hours by land -- without traffic, I'm really hoping not to give birth inside my car or in the middle of South Express way or C5 road! My tummy's really getting heavy as the day goes by and I would usually feel pain in my back in the middle of the day. I'd rather lie down in bed all day than walk or sit around. Movements of my little alien are still very prominent, he's still very active. I'm quite confused though, in the book, it stated that during these times, there are less room in the tummy because the baby is getting big. Why is mine still doing acrobats? Based from my last check up, he's only 4.4lbs on his 32nd week, I think that's quite small for his gestational age, but as per the OB, he's quite big...here's to crossing my fingers to not having a cs delivery.

I'm crossing out the days in my calendar and trying hard not to be nervous as the days go by...I really hope I deliver my baby boy via normal delivery -- I can't wait!

watch out

2008-11-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

I will be coming out with a multiply site soon! I'm currently working on it. Thanks to my lovely sister Aix for creating this fantabulous idea! I will definitely work on this material asap.

my alien's name

2008-11-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

I had my BPS last weekend, and my OB provided a free 4D ultrasound which was extremely cool! My husband was teary eyed when we were watching and he kept on touching my fingers and my tummy...I can see he was so pleased...knowing that Datu -- the name of my alien has his nose, of course, with my genes, Datu will be the handsome-est baby ever! hahahaha...

my alien tummy

2008-11-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

I was lying in bed last night thinking... how can my baby fit his whole body into my tummy? Lost in my thoughts, my baby moved...and I saw the little waves he created in my belly and it made me laugh out loud... that's probably the reason why babies kept moving around. He was trying to find the most comfortable nook in my tummy where he can sleep and rest for the nightÜ

It's such a miracle thinking how God made these babies complete and perfect in 9mos inside another person's body. How their little bodies developed through time and how they can recognize their mother's voice and surroundings after some months.

I prayed last night, and thank the Lord for my little blessing, that I'll be seeing next month...Mom's so excited to see you son, I love you...how can I love someone I haven't even met?

Wednesday....

2008-11-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was bad...I practically was sad the whole day. Good thing my husband went with me to the mall to buy more baby stuff for my little baby on the way, it was definitely a great way to kill time. Was back home by 5pm, and was still txting with ate practically the whole day...

Dinner time, it was just me, my mom and my husband. No little baby Christer being fed with us. After dinner, back on my couch to watch the usual soap operas on Ch2. Was still txting ate and was telling her what's cooking at Bobby Flay's throwdown challenge -- last night was JAMBALAYA - as expected, Bobby Flay was punched by the Jambalaya king. Right after that was Everyday Italian -- seafood feast was the theme. While I was watching, we were still txting and making final plans for the weekend. I tried hard to fight back the tears as I was really missing her and my nephew!

I slept around 1am, thinking .... will tomorrow be much better? I hope so, I really hope so....

letting go...

2008-11-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

I don't like goodbye's..I don't like tearful, painful waves as you see your loved ones leaving...leaving and moving away to a far away province of Tarlac...
My ate moved out yesterday. She moved out with my nephew, my favorite nephew in the whole wide world! I took this picture below just a few days before they moved out..this is usually how our weeknights are like in front of the tv, doing marathons of soap operas -- from Dyosa to scanning Throwdowns with Bobby Flay to watching re-runs of Sex and the City (especially on nights my nephew doesn't want to sleep early).I will definitely miss them sooooooooooooo much...tonight will be the first night that I will be alone in the house...they'll probably be doing the same thing -- our nightly TV rituals, but, we're not gonna be together... we'll be txting most likely (thanks to Globe Unlitxt) majority of the time, but it's not going to be the same. I'd most likely watch the videos I took of my nephew laughing and playing...I know I got to be strong, everybody needs to move on and find themselves..I can't hang on to them forever, I'm having my little angel soon and he's definitely gonna get all my attention -- but nonetheless, I'd still like my ate and my nephew beside me to share my experiences with my soon to-be new born!

my recent activities

2008-10-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

Since I stopped working, here's a quick run-down of my daily routine. Activities are kinda limited due to my growing belly :)

8am Wake up... take insulin shot
830am Get up from the bed .... go to mom's house (beside ours) and check what's for breakfast
9am Finish breakfast, take medicine and check what's on this early on the tube
1030am Check email / surf
1130am Back to the tube
1pm LUNCH
130pm Back on the couch
2pm Check blood sugar
210 - 6pm Back on the tube, sleep in between or go out (if there's anything that would come up)
6pm Watch Quickfire
630 - 730pm Watch news
730pm Take insulin shot
8pm Wake up hubby and have dinner
8pm - 840pm On the couch
840pm - 9pm Watch hubby get dressed for work
9pm - 11pm On the tube... watching endless soap operas and 1030pm is solely for 'Sex and the City' reruns on Velvet TV

.........to be continued.

Additional Income

2008-10-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

I've been out of work for 7 days now, excluding weekends...leaving my job wasn't easy, specially during these times...I'm pregnant with my 1st son on my 7th month...baby boom is really visible now since my tummy's really getting big. With all my medications, the check ups, and the adhoc expenses, I need to get an additional income fast!
If there's anybody out there looking for houses they can buy with a tight budget or just want to invest, here's a few houses and lots you can check out! Contact details included:

unexpected journey

2008-10-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

Losing a job is something that's unexpected from someone like me. I've never been out of job for more than 2 weeks...not even after college. After graduation, way back 2000 -- I graduated Saturday, and I was already working Monday. I only had my weekend that time to work on for fun and enjoy being unemployed. Eversince then, I've never stopped working. I've been in production outfits, film, tv, advertising, call centers and what have you. It's been fun. It's been good. And now, after 8 years of work, I'm finally out of the corporate industry. Suddenly, I'm not expecting any paychecks, and stress related issues from work, no colleague, just me --- and the baby inside me.

Some people say, pregnancy really slows a woman down. I never thought this could happen to me. Never in my wildest dream did I think that I'd stop and smell the flowers around me and just be still in one corner and wait for my baby to say hi to the world. This is my unexpected journey. A journey I have to go through for the final stage in my pregnancy. The last trimester. At night, before I close my eyes and pray, I would think -- what's next? What will be happening tomorrow. It's only been a few days since I was last seen at work. And now, with all the twists and turns, I'm home, every night. With times like these, a job is crucial. Money is crucial. Earning is a must. But what can I do? Who would want a pregnant lady behind their backs and work for the next 3 months and go on maternity leave after a few weeks? Then I'd say, this is a blessing...my baby's the best and biggest blessing that has happened in my life. No job can ever compensate to this fulfillment. And I pray, and thank the Lord for the day's blessings and fall asleep soundly....

What is....

2008-09-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

What is Gestational Diabetes?
A: Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that comes on during pregnancy and goes away after labor and delivery. It affects about 4% of all pregnant women, according to the American Diabetes Association. Gestational diabetes is often diagnosed on screening tests done between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. While doctors aren't sure what causes gestational diabetes, it is believed that hormones from the placenta may block the action of insulin in the mother. This means that the mother needs more insulin, and sometimes, her pancreas cannot make enough to transport the sugar in the blood into the cells for energy. The mother's blood has high levels of glucose, and that extra glucose can cross the placenta, giving the growing baby a high blood sugar level.
In response, the baby's pancreas starts making extra insulin to transport the sugar into the cells to be used for energy. When the pancreas can't keep up, the extra blood sugar is stored as fat on the baby, and that can lead to health problems for the unborn baby. Infants of diabetic mothers are at risk for abnormal growth, premature delivery, and breathing problems, among other things.
If your doctor diagnoses you with gestational diabetes, it's likely that you'll be started on a treatment plan aimed at getting glucose levels under control. This includes a plan to manage your nutrition, physical activity, and weight gain.
While most diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy resolves after delivery, some women will have gestational diabetes during future pregnancies as well. And some who are diagnosed while pregnant may actually have been diabetic before the pregnancy. In these cases, the diabetes does not disappear after delivery.

I developed my gestational diabetes as early as my 6th week...that's probably because I'm overweight and pregnant -- which makes me high risk.. I started with blood sugar monitoring 3x a week, insulin shots a couple of weeks after for 2x a day, increasing dosage every 2weeks. It's hard, knowing that I have a sweet tooth. But what can I do? I hafta do what I hafta do...this is for my baby...no time for me...no time alone... 6 1/2 months on my pregnancy, work ups, medicines, check ups... it's all good... I pray my baby boy grows up to be a brave God fearing man that I want him to be :)

Pregnantly Discriminated

2008-09-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

...."An employer cannot refuse to hire a pregnant woman because of her pregnancy, because of a pregnancy-related condition or because of the prejudices of co-workers, clients, or customers."

I've read this labor code, which is very much applicable in the Philippines on the powerful internet. I've been doing a lot of soul searching these past few days, weeks, months... I am currently 6 1/2 months pregnant and I feel that my company refuses to regularize me because I'm pregnant.. Although I have an option to resign, how sure am I that a company will be accepting my services knowing that I will be filing for a maternity leave before my 6th month with them? Is this a clear cut of discrimination?

Based on our Labor Code:
Article 137. Prohibited acts. (a) It shall be unlawful for any employer:
(1) To deny any woman employee the benefits provided for in this Chapter or to discharge any woman employed by him for the purpose of preventing her from enjoying any of the benefits provided under this Code;
(2) To discharge such woman on account of her pregnancy, while on leave or in confinement due to her pregnancy; or
(3) To discharge or refuse the admission of such woman upon returning to her work for fear that she may again be pregnant

Currently, I am looking and very much open for options outside my current company. I crave for a normal life...I want to be with my kid in the evening and be able to sleep beside him everyday...it pains me to think that by continuously working the graveyard shift, my kid would grow up not knowing or experiencing having a mother that would wake up in the middle of the night to feed him...

It's hard not to have a job...as per my husband, he thinks that it's not practical for me to stop working and leave all the money making to him... I think so too... well, I'm thinking of options as well and it's really not easy...

I'll let you know what happens......everything will work out soon... :)