married at last

I'm still alive

2011-07-22T17:12:00.001+08:00

whew! last blog post was dated August of last year! could you imagine that?! err.. I'm so sorry for not posting any updates. got busy with mommyhood and all. I may not have blogged about Basti's milestones & developments here but I have my own version of 365 day album on my facebook and I'm currently doing his toddler years.

I wish I can write again. Time be my friend please. :)

WHO WOULDN'T LOVE THESE BAGS?!?

2010-08-09T14:11:00.005+08:00

up for grabs are 2 lovely diaper bags from manilababy shop!!! and it's so easy to win. just hop on manilamommy for details.

aren't their names so lovely!!! I'm sure the BAGS are and more so with their names so catchy! I'm sure a lot of moms would definitely want one for their babies (I for one would want one for my Basti!) and even non-moms for their other things like laptops, etc.

Supplier ratings

2010-08-01T21:42:00.008+08:00

SEBASTIAN SKYE’S BAPTISM SUPPLIER RATINGS

With only 2 weeks preps time (ang tagal kasi naming magdecide sa date!) and a tight budget 70 guests, good luck naman sa akin. Sharing my son’s long read baptism supplier ratings. Happy reading!

CHURCH: Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
PESO POWER: 1K baptismal fee, P100/ sponsor, inclusive of BIG candles
REQUIREMENTS: Certified true copy birth certificate and Letter of Permission from Parish, if not a parishioner

Even nung hindi pa ako preggy, hubby and I already set our minds na kapag magpapabinyag kami e dito sa simbahan kung saan kami ikinasal. Solo mo kasi ang Baptistry at hindi kagaya sa ibang simbahan na sabay-sabay. Reserved 2 weeks prior. Reservation is P500 pero I paid in full agad para less worries na. Completed the requirements a week before kasi hindi ko agad naasikaso ang letter of permission. Nataon kasi na bagyo at brownout so hindi maprint ng parish church namin yung letter, hehe.. Ma’am Dodo just advised me to tell my sponsors na dumating at exactly 1230pm kasi 1pm slot ang nakuha namin. Baptism started on time. Malamig pagpasok at hindi naman kami nainitan kahit madami kami sa loob. Mabait si Father at sya pa naunang magsabi na picture time. Mabilis lang ang binyag. Mas matagal pa ang pictorials.

RECEPTION: Rustica
PESO POWER: P280 + 12% vat per head. 3 hours exclusive use of venue. With sound system and no corkage fee for the cake.
REQUIREMENTS: 3K downpayment. 50% of balance to be settled a week before the event (cash or check). Balance on the day (cash only)

MENU:
Fish fillet w/ tomato concasse potato, carrots au Gratin
Roastbeef w/ Mushroom sauce
Smoked baby back ribs
Sotanghon canton guisado
Steamed rice
Iced tea
Fruit salad

You have to reserve for 50 pax para maging exclusive ang venue which we did. We reserved for 70 pax pero on the day ay 80+ pax ang bilang ng mga dumating.

Winner ang food! Halos lahat ay nag-second and third servings. Nagpadagdag pa nga kami ng pansit kasi naubos agad! Gawin daw bang kanin ang pansit? Lol. I so loved their smoked baby back ribs, roast beef w/ mushroom sauce and pansit. Malambot kasi ang baby back ribs pati roast beef. Maganda ang feedback sa amin ng guests and madami nagsabi ang sarap ng food and they’re asking kung paano naming nahanap ang place. Sulit talaga ang bayad.

Set up of the buffet table & tables are ok with me. I just requested na wag na lagyan ng blue runners ang tables kasi magiging “I belong” ako since I’m wearing a teal dress! Lol. Sinunod nila ang request ko to just use their brown table cloths and sa buffet na lang maglagay ng blue motif. Table centerpieces are the lamparas which I find nice. My cousins just added blue & white balloons which I didn’t know they’re doing pala kasi sabi ko wala na sa budget ang balloons.

Attentive ang waiters. Nagpadagdag kami ng tables sa loob kasi umulan. Hindi namin nagamit yung garden nila which nag-set up sila ng big tent which I find very nice. Malakas masyado ang ulan at career na mismo kung dun namin pauupuin mga bisita.

CAKE: Red Ribbon
PESO POWER: P900 chocolate filling, fondant
REQUIREMENTS: 50% down payment, full payment upon pick up

Initially, dapat sa Frupcakes kami oorder ng cake kaso hindi na kaya iaccomodate ang aming order. I asked other cake makers kaso its either sobrang mahal or too late na for customized order of cakes. So I just chose between Red Ribbon or Goldilocks. Naisip ko na for picture purposes lang naman ang cake so why pay more kung sa bahay lang naman kakainin ang cake diba? And mas cheaper sa Red Ribbon tapos fondant pa! I ordered and paid in full a week before. Mas convenient pa sa amin kasi along the way yung branch so less hassle for pick up.

FAVORS: mini feeding bottles for the guests, teddy bears w/ rosaries for female godparents, teddy bears w/ chocolate balls for male godparents
PESO POWER: P22 for guests P100 for godparents
BREAKDOWN:
Mini feeding bottle with face towel inside P18/pc
Teddy bears P45/pc
Rosary P30/bottle
Ribbon P180/ 30 meters
Laminated feeding bottle P70/pack of ten
Chocolate balls P295
Bag for bears P7/pc
Favor tag P3/pc

Talagang naghanap ako sa net ng magandang give aways. Gusto ko sana cupcake tower kaso ayun nga kulang sa time. Meron sana kaso P65/pc which I find mahal. Until I saw the mini feeding bottles which I find very fitting for a binyag.

Ginalugad naming ang Divisoria Mall hanggang makita namin ang mini feeding bottle with face towel inside. Nilagyan ko na lang ng blue ribbon and tag. Pati teddy bears, rosaries, ribbon & tags e sa divi mall namin na-accomplish. Laminated feeding bottles and chocolate balls naman ay sa Chocolate Lovers in Welcome Rotunda. Nakakatuwa kasi after ng binyag, I saw my friend's daughter drinking the mini feeding bottle, ginawa na nyang toy! ang cute!

BAPTISMAL OUTFIT: Landmark, Trinoma
CHURCH: Long gown with hat and shoes
PESO POWER: P390
RECEPTION: Barong with inner shirt, shorts, hat and Enfant shoes
PESO POWER: 199.75 + 65 = 264.75

Una kong nabili yung barong tapos habang naghahanap ako ng reception outfit ay nakita ko ang long gown! Aysus, I fell in love agad kaya sabi ko yung barong sa reception and long gown sa church! Inspired kay baby James, lol. Winner pa sa presyo! Tama naman ang nabili ko kasi yung long gown ay de patong lang at iriribbon lang sa likod so suot ng anak ko ay yung inner shirt and shorts while waiting for our turn. Nung malapit na kami pumasok sa Baptistry saka lang namin ipinatong ang long gown. Pagdating naman sa reception ay saka namin isinuot ang barong kaso naman ang MIL ko e pinahubad kasi daw maiinitan, toinks!

PHOTOGRAPHY: Flickerhappy
CONTACT PERSON: Mige Espeña
PESO POWER: 9k (2K down payment, balance on the day)
INCLUSIONS:
Package A - P9,000
2 Photographers
Pre-Event Pictorial
High Resolution, Unlimited Digital Shots in DVD
8x8 20 pages Magazine Style Album
2x5 ft. Welcome Tarpaulin
100pcs. Thank You Cards

They’re our back up photogs nung wedding namin, they took my maternity portraits and now sa binyag naman ng baby namin. So in short, suki na kami.

Pre-event Pictorial: 3 hours din ang pictorial ni Basti sa studio nila and I think nag-enjoy ang baby ko kasi hindi sya umiyak the whole process! Iba pala ang pakiramdam kapag anak mo ang may pictorial, stage mommy alert!!!

On the day: Maaga sila dumating ni kuya Jun. They gave me the thank you cards which I find so lovely! As in ang ganda! Hindi ko inexpect na ganun kaganda ang lay out. Wala naman kasi akong theme for the baptism, basta sabi ko lang blue ang motif and baby things.At ang tarpaulin ng anak ko ay pinagkaguluhan sa reception! As in feeling artista ang tarp kasi dun nagpapapicture ang mga guests! Hahaha! At ang FIL ko ay hiningi ang tarp! Hihindian ko sana kasi syempre remembrance ko yun kaso hiritan ka ba naman ng “nasa inyo naman si basti e!” toinks. So wala akong nagawa. Nagpagawa na lang ulit ako kina mige. Tapos kinuha na agad ng FIL ko e madami pa gusto magpapicture! Oh well. And oh, I received our DVD copy of raw pix after 6 days kaya goodluck sa akin kasi I have to choose 150 pictures for the album.

SUMMARY:
Overall, mhirap magpreps ng mag-isa. Overseas kasi si hubby kaya mag-isa akong nagprepare ng binyag ng baby ko. Big help sa akin ang aking daddy kasi sya ang driver ko sa simbahan, reception and divisoria. Pati pinsan ko ay sinamahan ako sa divisoria. Mommy ko naman sa paghanap ng cake. Through email kami nagdedecide ni hubby for the details. With 2 weeks preps time ay kaya naman ng beauty ko. God is good kasi nakaya naman ang preps with the time period.

Umulan ng bonggang bongga on the day. Kaya habang nasa simbahan kami ay naisip ko na patay baka wala ng makarating sa reception. Pero nakupo, jam packed ang Rustica! Nagpadagdag pa kmi ng pansit! Madaming invited ang hindi nakarating pero madaming uninvited ang dumating so keri lang. What’s important is masaya ang celebration kasi may games pa kami (Pinoy Henyo: the Baby edition and ang walang kamatayang Hep hep Hooray!) at nairaos namin ang binyag ni Basti. Kaya now, pwede na sya rumampa, lol!

Sebastian Skye's Baptism

2010-07-28T15:58:00.004+08:00

A card poem
You have come into the world so tiny,
Yet with such great promise for the future.
Before you were even born,
God planned wonderful things for you.
As you are baptized,
May you feel His love
And the love of those around you,
And may you always follow in His way.

BAPTISM preps update

2010-07-15T16:02:00.002+08:00

updates
1. go to OUR Parish for the Letter of Permission ASAP! (July 14) - OK!
2. go to Chinese General Hospital to pick up birth certificate of Basti (July16) - OK!
3. submit to Twin Hearts: nos. 1 and 2 (July 18) - ok!
4. pay 50% to Rustica (July 18) - ok!
5. go to divi land for favors (July 19) - ok!
6. Buy Baptismal outfit for Basti. - OK!
7. Buy Baptismal outfit for me! - shoes na lang, hehe..

Baptism preps

2010-07-13T18:04:00.006+08:00

flashback in 2007, my then bf, now my husband, and I was planning our 2008 wedding [One year in preps and it was still not enough, meron pa din last minute cramming!] and now, we're planning and (dis)organizing our baby's baptism within two weeks time!

with a limited budget and a very short preps time, I feel excited and at the same time nervous because we're cramming! the reason is because, we can't decide with the DATE! and with the chosen date, it must coincide with the church and the reception venue! whew!

but by God's grace, umayos naman ang schedule ng lahat.Ü

SUPPLIERS:
Church: Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (fully paid)
Reception: Rustica (down payment paid)
Photogs: Flickerhappy (down payment paid)
Favors/ souvenirs: DIY
Cake: still waiting for replies
Invites: DIY, for mass posting in facebook (thank you fb!)
Baptismal Outfit: searching searching..

TO DO:
1. go to OUR Parish for the Letter of Permission ASAP! (July 14)
2. go to Chinese General Hospital to pick up birth certificate of Basti (July16)
3. submit to Twin Hearts: nos. 1 and 2 (July 18)
4. pay 50% to Rustica (July 18)
5. go to divi land for favors (July 19)
6. Finalize with the cake supplier - ongoing
7. Buy baptismal outfit for Basti - done!

1 month & counting

2010-06-19T11:20:00.006+08:00

how fast time flew! who would have guessed that motherhood indeed changes a woman. looking back, from the day I gave birth to the day I hugged the idea that I am indeed a mommy, puts a smile on my face and pride to my heart.

we celebrated Basti's first month with pancit and cake, courtesy of owo & owa.

milestones:

1. he can lift his head already, as in ikaw ang matatakot kasi 45 degrees angle!
2. looks in to my eyes when talked to, stares at faces
3. follows objects with his eyes
4. can see black, red & white (nakakaaninag)
5. smiles when asleep!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good reads:

1. Milestones this month
2. Milestone Chart

post natal check up

2010-06-11T11:38:00.005+08:00

First time ko makalabas ng bahay with my baby. Kasama ko parents ko and cousin ko. Inalalayan nila ako. Went to TMC-SM fairview for my check up and Basti's 1st check up as well. All's well with me and with Basti.

Basti is sleeping while waiting for his turn.

My ob, Dra Tangonan commented na mukhang hindi ako nanganak kasi payat agad. E susmiyo, papayat ka naman agad kasi wala ka tulog! lol. Feeling ko nga, walking zombie ako kasi dark under eyes.

Dra gave me these. I love her kasi effort ang magpalaminate ha!

After my check up, sakto tinawag na name ni Basti. He measured Basti's height, length, head circumference & checked his heartbeat and breathing. Afterwards, tinuruan lang ako ng pedia, Dr. Basco, how to clean the umbilical stump to hasten healing. Tagal kasi gumaling ng pusod ng baby ko. And masarap pakinggan na healthy and well baby ang baby ko. No need for vitamins kasi complete na daw since I'm breastfeeding tapos with milk formula pa. Bitin kasi palagi ke Basti ang gatas ko. Matakaw ang baby ko in short. haha!

weight: 3.3kls

AFTER giving birth

2010-06-11T11:29:00.008+08:00

I still can't believe I am a mom na talaga. kasi noong bata pa ako, hindi ako mahilig sa baby. period. as in. pero ganun pala talaga yun, once you've given birth, nagbabago ang lahat. Pananaw mo. Paniniwala mo. etc etc etc.

And I admit, dumaan ako sa PPD. ano yung PPD? post partum depression. Kasi after 7 days of giving birth, sobrang hindi pa ako nakakarecover sa bagong ako. As in feeling ko kawawa ako. Palagi puyat sa baby. Hindi pa continuous ang milk supply. Tapos wala pa asawa ko. Oo, kasama ko parents ko, tinutulungan ako ng mga pinsan at mga tyahin ko pero iba e. Nagself pity ako. Yes, I cried 2 days in a row for reason/s I really don't know. Thanks to my mom at inalalayan nya ako. She cancelled all her appointments to be with me and for that I am forever grateful.

4 weeks have passed like a blur. You will never notice that time passes you by so swiftly all because of the intricacy of your newborn baby and your new self. In other words, hindi mo hawak ang oras. Instead, time is controlling you. Pero as days passed by, nagagamay ko na ang pagiging bagong ina. Nagkakaron na kasi ng routine.

Ganun pala yun, mas maiintindihan mo ang nanay mo kapag naging nanay ka na din. Totoo nga ang sabi nila.

My birthing story

2010-06-09T11:05:00.009+08:00

My edd is May 9, 2010. Excited kami ni hubby kasi if masusunod ang EDD, the three of us would have the same birthdates.

April 13
Had my regular check up. My ob gave me admission slip kasi papasok na ako sa 37 weeks of pregnancy on the 18th. She also taught me the signs of labor and we discussed the different types of anesthesia.

April 18
No contractions. No breaking of water bag.

April 20
Weekly check up. IE was performed. 1cm dilated. Went home. Went on my morning walks.

April 27
Weekly check up. IE was performed again. Still stucked at 1 cm. I was prescribed with eveprim for 1 week. Kinareer ko na ang paglalakad. Went to Robinson’s Padre Faura at naglakad maghapon. Sumuko kapatid ko after 2 hours of walking. Sinabihan ako na tawagan ko na lang sya kapag manganganak na ako, lol

May 3
A day before my check up, went up to Tagaytay to attend a birthday party and para magpatagtag as well. Umuwing pagod but still no pain yet. Nagulat mga relatives kasi kabwanan ko na pala e nakikibirthday pa ako, lol

May 4
Weekly check up. This time, nagbunga na ang pinaghirapan. 3 cm dilated but still no pain. No contractions felt. My ob discussed with me na if lumagpas ako ng EDD ko, she’s giving me a week or else induce na nya ako which will eventually lead to CS! She also requested for a BPS to check my amniotic fluid and baby’s status inside.

May 9
My EDD. Woke up early kasi excited ako. Pero wala pa din. Kahit na 11pm na e hindi pa din ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na manganak kaso ayun, wala pa din. Natulog na lang ako.

May 10
Election day. Nakabuti ang pagiging preggy and all ko kasi priority ang preggy sa presinto para bumoto. Voting was a breeze. Thanks to my baby, haha!

May 11
Woke up early kasi need ko pumunta ng UDMC for my BPS then went back to TMC-SM Fairview for my weekly checkup. Went out with my parents and sobrang gutom na ako kasi almost 1 pm na kami nakabalik. Actually, hinabol na lang namin ang sked ni dra and good thing umabot naman kami.

Dra performed my weekly IE and lo and behold. She asked, are you sure walang masakit? So I said opo wala po. She asked again, are you sure? So I said, opo dra. Then she said, you are now 4-5cm dilated. Ipapaadmit na kita now na. so I said, hmm dra pwede po kumain muna kasi gutom na po ako. Natawa si dra! She said, ok pero light lang ha.

My mom was with me the whole time and hindi ata nya narinig si dra so I said, mommy now na. magpaadmit na daw ako ngaun. My mom was like: huh?! Ngaun na?! as in natawa ako sa reaction ng mom ko. Sya pa itong nagulat na parang namutla na stressed out! Hahaha! While I was all relaxed and excited. So again we asked for dra’s permission na kumain muna. Sabi ni dra basta light lang ha! So I said, dra pwede po pasta? Nyahahaha! Natawa na lang si dra sa aming mag-ina.

So I called my dad who was roaming around the mall. And nagulat din sya na now na! And I'm like, mom dad, uwi muna tayo kasi gusto ko pa maligo and para akong najejerbs. Sabi nila, no way. Kain na tayo then derecho na tayo Chinese Hospital! Hahaha! And look, ang pinakain lang sa akin ng magulang ko ay ilang subong lugaw at 1 small porion ng steamed lapu lapu fish! E gutom an gutom na kaya ako tapos sila may chammy pansit pa! Hmp. Anyways, excited din naman ako kaya hindi ko na napansin ang gutom ko.

4PM nakarating na kmi sa Chinese General Hospital. Nagloko pa elevator so nagstairs na lang kami ng mom ko para kako mas matagtag ako. 3 floors lang naman so keri lang. Pag-akyat namin may nakasabay ako na babae na namimilipit ang tyan sabay ako wala lang. sabi ng guard, san po kayo mam? So sabi ko sa labor room and she’s like: huh? Kayo po? Sabi ko, opo eto admission slip ko. So ayun pinapunta na ako sa labor room. Again, may nakabantay na 2 nurses and kagaya ng reaction ng guard, sino po. Hahaha! Nung pinakita ko ang admission slip saka lang naniwala. Kaso hindi pala pwede celfon sa loob so sabi ko may tatawagan lang ako saglit. Lumabas muna ako to call my hubby who was overseas kaso he’s not answering so I just texted him and ibinilin ko na lang sa mom ko. I even asked the nurses kung iiwan ko na ba yung digicam & baby book, sabi nila later na lang po kapag manganganak na kayo. So I returned the stuffs to my mom and pumasok na ako sa loob.

May receiving table ulit, this time mas madaming nurses na. and they’re like ano yun. So again, inulit ko dialogue ko and they just asked some questions. If I’m married na. What was my last meal and from what time. Who is my OB. When was my LMP. And I’m thinking, lahat yan nakalagay sa admission slip ko. Pero I stopped myself at baka ano gawin sa akin sa loob,haha! Then they told me pasok na po kayo sa loob at pumili ng bed.

Ganun pala itsura ng labor room sa CGH. 2 rows ng beds. Facing 1 direction only. I chose bed number 9 facing the clock. Haha! When I entered I was all smiles pero I noticed the other mommies were all quiet and serious! Haha! So nagserious look na din ako. Paghiga ko, I can’t stand the quietness of the room and hearing the heartbeat of a baby nung isang mommy. So I asked the mommy beside me kung what time sya dumating she said 9am and its 4 pm already! Then I was given a waiver to signed on, a scrub suit to changed on then dextrose was attached to me and IE was performed again, this time I’m 5 cm already. The nurse who performed the IE was bad. Ang sakit nya mag-IE! Unlike dra who is so gentle with me! Haha! The nurse also punctured my water bag kasi nakita ko sya may hawak na stick and gave me a bed pan. I’m like, hmm para san po ito kasi never pa ako nakagamit ng bed pan. So the nurse positioned it for me. Then boom, pagkaputok ng water bag, ang daming tubig! As in parang pumutok ang isang napakalaking lobo at walang tigil ang tubig sa paglabas. Tapos after some time tinanggal na nung nurse. E nararamdaman ko may lumalabas pa din na tubig. Natakot ako kasi nababasa ko na yung bed! Kaya nung may lumapit na nurse, I asked kung pwede ba mabasa kasi may lumalabas pa din sa akin. Sabi ng nurse, opo mommy pwede po.

5PM I am bored. As in ang boring. Napasaya naman ako kasi nakita kong dumating ang aking ob. I’m so happy to see her kasi I heard na may mga ob na dadating kapag palabas na baby mo, as in nakalabas na ang ulo at hahatakin na lang si baby. For me kasi parang hindi enough yun kasi kaya ka nga magbabayad para nandyan sya. Just my opinion po ha.

630PM when I felt something but I can tolerate it. Every 10 minutes may pain. I just squeezed my stress ball pero the pain increases so I increased my squeezing but then I can’t handle it anymore! Kinagat ko na ang stress ball! Haha! I looked around and still deadma lahat ng mga mommies. To each his own ang drama naming lahat. Kaya kinausap ko na lang baby ko sa tummy na kako labas na sya para hindi mahirapan si mommy! Ayoko sumigaw kasi nakakahiya and feeling ko kapag sumigaw ako e paguusapan ako ng mga nurses. Whimper na lang ako sa loob loob ko.

7PM onwards. This time pumikit na lang ako kasi masakit na pero kapag nag-counting ka ng paghinga matotolerate ang pain. Dra even asked me if I want an epidural. I answered: try ko po muna dra na wala. Alam ko 2x nya ako tinanong.

Tapos pinatagilid ako nung nurse sa left side then may lumapit ulit sabi sa right side. I’m like, ano ba? Saan ba talaga? Kayo kaya ang tumagilid? Ang hirap ng paiba iba ng position ha! Hahaha!

Nung masakit na talaga e narinig ko na bubuhatin na daw ako. I heard male voices and sabi mommy tagilid lang po, lipat po tayo ng bed. Sabi ko, wait lang po, masakit! Hahahaha!

Then naramdaman ko na umaandar na ako and pagdilat ko, nakita ko yung opearting room lights! Sabi ko, this is it! Pero pucha ang sakit pero sabi ng isip ko kaya ko ito. Mahal ang epidural! Mahal ang CS!

From time to time kinakausap ako ng ob ko to ask kung kaya ko pa. Sabi ko opo kaya ko po. Then may time na super sakit, e since nakapikit ako, nangangapa ako kung sino ang pwede ko hawakan para kapitan e wala akong makapa, sinabunutan ko sarili ko! Sabi ng nurse, mommy wag mong sabunutan sarili mo, hawak po kayo sa handle. E since nakapikit nga ako, mukha akong bulag na nangangapa sa dilim. Nung naiabot na sa akin e pucha ang lamig! Gusto ko sabihin, wala bang human hand? Kasi parang mas conforting kapag tao yung hawak kamay mo dba? And sabi pa pala, mommy mahuhulog na kayo, taas po. Im thinking, huh? Nakaupo ba ako?

Basta from time to time nakakatulog ako. Then magigising ako na parang may kung anong sakit sa balakang ko na lalabas na ewan. Yun pala ang feeling ng dysmennorhea. Kasi no idea ako. Nadidinig ko ob ko and the staff na naguusap na active contractions na daw ako, etc etc. In between e nasabi ko pa sa ob ko na dra may dala po akong camera and baby book!

Basta all I remember after is, tinuruan nila ako magpush and after 2-3 tries e naitama ko din. Kasi sabi wala daw boses dapat and close ang bibig. E nakasarado naman bibig ko and sabi ko is hmm… sabi salita daw yun! Hahaha!

Then naramdaman ko na shinave na nila ako, then may dumagan sa dibdib ko tapos sabay sabi push daw, e di push ako pero nasa isip ko “hindi ako makahinga!” then ayun tulog na ako.

11PM. Ginising ako ni dra and sabi nya nanganak na ako. Sabi ko: totoo po? Natawa si dra. Oo Helen, kapain mo pa tyan mo. Ay oo nga,wala na laman tyan ko. Normal po ba si baby? Yes, normal healthy baby boy. At tinanong ko pa ano po APGAR score. Sabi dra 8. Then pinakita ni dra yung picture ni Basti with her own camera. Hindi daw kasi naibigay yung digicam ko. Inupdate ako ni dra na nasabi na nya sa parents ko that I gave birth and hindi ako humingi ng anesthesia pero umiiyak ako.

After some time e hinatid na ako ng mga stretcher boys papunta ng ward. While doing so sabi ba naman nung isang lalaki, mommy after 1 year pwede na ulit! Sagot ko, no! mahirap manganak! Sabay sabi nung lalaki, “mommy dahil sa inyo kaya po kami may trabaho”. May ganong linya si kuya? Haha!

Nagkwentuhan pa kmi ng mom ko before ako nakatulog. Hyper nga daw ako sabi.

Hubby called para mangamusta and asked bakit iba boses ko, sabi ko, hunie xempre naglabor ako, hahaha! At pinaalala na magupload agad ng pictures! Sabi ko, hunie magpapahinga muna ako! Lol.

MAY12. Woke up and excited makita si baby. Tinanong ako ng nurse kung naihi at nadumi na ako. Sabi ko hindi pa po. Sabi nya, babalikan kita after 1 hour kapag hindi pa din lalagyan kita ng catheter. E ayoko malagyan ng catheter kaya inubos ko yung 1 bote ng mineral water at ayun naihi na ako at nadumi ng kapiranggot.

Since kaya ko na maglakad e nagrefresh lang ako then naglakad na kmi ng mom ko papuntang nursery. Napagalitan ako ng mga nurse sa nurse station kasi bakit daw ako naglalakad! Hindi daw ba ako nahihilo? Ayun ikinuha nila ako ng wheelchair at saka pumunta ng nursery. Nakita ko nga ob ko and all smiles sya kasi nga kaya ko na daw agad.

Then balik na ulit kami sa room. Dumating ang OB ko then pati yung pedia. I so love my ob kasi feel na feel ko yung care nya sa akin. Pati yung pedia e oks din yun nga lang hindi sya affiliated sa TMC SM Fairview, kaya nirefer na lang nya ako sa iba. Sabi ng pedia, tonight iro-room in na si baby then i-breastfeed mo ha. Tuturuan ka naman kung paano. Oh my! Nagpanic kmi ng mom ko kasi hindi ko akalain na itatabi na agad si baby! Pero carry naman pala. Yun nga lang, every hour ata iyak sya kasi gutom and wala pa lumabas na milk sa akin. Pero very good si baby sabi nung nurse kasi nakapaglatch agad. Yun nga lang since wala pa lumabas na milk e napilitan kmi painumin ng formula si baby. At least tumigil sya sa pagiyak kasi kakaawa naman.

MAY 13. Pumunta ulit ob ko and nabigyan na ako ng go signal for discharge. Buti din pala hindi na ako nagpalipat ng room kasi makakauwi din agad. Hindi na din naman kasi ako nagpadalaw except of course my immediate family and my inlaws. Sabi ko, sa bahay na lang magsidalaw which turned out na good idea kasi nakapapahinga na ako kahit papano. Bdw, the midwife bathe Basti and taught me how to clean the umbilical stump. Checked out of hospital at 12nn.

Looking back, natatawa ako sa sarili ko. May halong comedy moments ako. Kung iisipin, kaya naman pala manganak ng walang anesthesia. Mind over matter lang talaga. Pero syempre dahil first timer kaya may fear of the unknown kahit alam mo na ganun ang gagawin sa iyo dahil kahit papano e nakapagbasa ako ng mga birthing stories ditto sa n@w and asked my friends about their personal experiences. Iba pa din kapag ikaw mismo.

2010 elections

2010-05-10T09:28:00.003+08:00

my parents woke me up pretty early at 530am so that we will reach our assigned precinct early. to avoid pandemonium I think? hehe...

left home at 15 past 7am and we're home at 15 past 8am. pretty fast huh! oh the benefits of being pregnant and all! actually, senior citizens and pregnant women are given priority. it is so hot even with electric fans. it is because of the magnitude of people lined outside.

I think I will give birth na kasi nakaboto na kami mag-ina. maybe basti wanted to exercise our right to vote before he says HELLO world!

I commend the people assigned in our precinct because of their long patience. That's the word for the day: PATIENCE!!!

I suggest that next time, the COMELEC will put large signs and they man the holding area to avoid confusion. Ü

pregnancy diary: 40 weeks

2010-05-10T09:18:00.002+08:00

from what to expect

It's the official end of your pregnancy — though your baby might not have gotten that memo. Hang in there!

Your Baby in Week 40 of Pregnancy
Congratulations! This week marks the official end of your pregnancy. Your baby probably weighs anywhere from six to nine pounds and measures between 19 and 22 inches (though tons of perfectly healthy babies are smaller or bigger). The bones in his skull haven’t fused yet — Mother Nature’s way of making it easier to get through the birth canal during labor and delivery. He now has enough fat under the skin to maintain his body temperature outside the womb (with a little help from those cute outfits and swaddling blankets that you’ve been stocking up on!). You (or actually the placenta) are still providing the antibodies he’ll need to fight off infections for the first six months of his life. And if you plan on breastfeeding, your milk will be giving him more antibodies that’ll boost his immune system.

Your Body in Week 40 of Pregnancy
When will your body know it's time to deliver this baby? Well, about half of all pregnancies go past the 40-week mark, but your baby's birthday will absolutely be sometime in the next two weeks, as your practitioner won't let you go longer than 42 weeks. One event that's not guaranteed before the onset of labor is your water breaking (the rupture of membranes surrounding your baby that contain the amniotic fluid he's been living in for the past nine months). Despite what you see in the movies, very few women experience a public water breaking. In fact, more than 85 percent of expectant moms enter the birthing room with their membranes fully intact. Even if you do end up springing a leak, it's more likely to be a slow trickle than a big splash.

Week 40 Pregnancy Tip: Pelvis Size

Many women share an unfounded fear of not being able to actually birth their baby. It does seem implausible that something so big (a six-or-seven-plus-pound watermelon) could squeeze through such a little space, but that's exactly what happens most of the time. Whether you're plus-size, petite, or any size in between, it's the size of your pelvis — not your frame — that matters. Mother Nature knows what she's doing (for the most part), and the majority of newborns are pretty well matched to the size of their mothers (if you're small-boned, chances are you're not carrying sumo baby in there — unless, of course, you've eaten like a sumo wrestler during pregnancy). And your vagina knows what to do, too — it stretches considerably during childbirth and then, miraculously, it tightens up again. (You can help that process along by doing your Kegels faithfully both before and after you deliver.) Even your baby knows what to do — by molding his still-pliable head to fit through that tight squeeze. So don’t worry!

Week 40 Pregnancy Symptoms

More frequent Braxton Hicks contractions: Wondering if those contractions you’re feeling this week are the practice Braxton Hicks contractions or the real thing? If they don’t increase in frequency or severity, or if they subside when you walk around or change position, then they are probably just practice contractions.

Slowdown in fetal activity: Even though your baby’s movements have slowed down, he still should be moving around in there. How much movement is normal? You should be able to count ten flutters, wiggles, or rolls in an hour.

Heartburn or indigestion: Your heartburn may be a thing of the past in a few days. In the meantime, get some relief by chewing gum after every meal (as well as popping those Tums).

Cervical dilation or effacement: Although you won’t feel your cervix opening or thinning out, it is probably happening this week. Dilation is measured in centimeters and effacement in percentages; after an internal exam, your practitioner will probably give you the measurements. The cervix will continue to dilate (and efface) through early and active labor.

Diarrhea or nausea: Your bowels take a beating during pregnancy — and it seems as if they go from one extreme (sluggish) to the other (loose). This week, loose bowel movements may be a sign that your labor is imminent. So if you have other signs — bloody show, your baby has dropped, your mucous plug has fallen out — you may be meeting your baby face-to-face soon!

Pelvic pressure and discomfort: If your baby has dropped this week, the uncomfortable feeling in your pelvis may be traced to a certain someone’s little head bumping up against your hips and bladder. If you have the time, schedule a massage with a certified prenatal massage therapist; it’ll soothe the discomfort.

Leg cramps: While no one really knows what causes those painful spasms in your legs, it’s a good bet that carrying around all that pregnancy weight (especially this week!) is a pain in the legs. When a spasm hits, gently flexing your ankle and toes back toward your shin can help.

Difficulty sleeping: As tempting as it is to try herbal supplements or other over-the-counter sleep aids, don’t. Instead, ask your partner for a relaxing massage

Fatigue or extra energy: Changes in energy level are pretty common this week. Maybe you’ve been hit by the nesting instinct or maybe you just have an urge to slump in front of the TV and veg out. Don’t worry — both are completely normal, as is alternating between the two states.

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I changed my source because it only has up to 39 weeks of pregnancy information.

Anyway, baby basti reached his 40 week! he is now considered full term. The agony of waiting or should I say the art of waiting? whatever. the grannies are constantly fidgeting because they're wondering what's holding basti inside my tummy. I told them no worries because dra told me as long as baby basti is moving there is nothing to worry! also, I still have a week. My ob-gyne is giving me until May 16th (41 weeks) or else, I will be induced. On the other hand, the grannies are poking me to undergo CS already because they can't wait anymore! hahahaha!

This is my body and he is my son. I am still letting mother nature take its own course. I believe God has reasons why basti is still inside my tummy. On a comic side, I think Basti wanted to vote first before he says HELLO world. Ü

yaya and housekeeping PART 2

2010-05-06T10:34:00.002+08:00

oh my! I didn't wished na magkaron ng nightmare with my newly hired maid/yaya. good thing she left us na.. for good! baka sa kanya e mas manganak na ako agad agad! lol.

with my previous post, I am quite hopeful and optimistic but with the days she'd worked for us, it's like we have a bakasyonista and we're paying instead for her stay!

my dad is a very good man. he never ever in my entire 30 years of my life ever raised his eyebrows on our maids but this time, he lost his cool. nagalit na sya but not on her, but dad poured his feelings on me. that's why he said it is a good riddance of her! hahahaha!

san ka ba naman nakakita ng maid na after maligo e naka-bath robe then she'll perform her duties wearing such?! and where can you see a maid who walks in the evening with nighties on? and where on earth can you see a maid who sleeps on the sofa beside her amo (my mom particularly) who is sleeping on the floor?!

these are some of her weird actions which lead us to believe that she has topak or sapak? whatever!

and eto pa, hinatid namin sya sa bus terminal but we saw that instead of boarding the bus, she left her luggage and walked as if no one is there? oh my! we we're worried so my dad went up to her and told her to board the bus immediately. know what she answered? she said, I am waiting for my sister. duh. so we left her because maloloka na kmi sa kanya! we just informed her sister that we left her at the bus terminal and went to our own byahe and that she didn't board the bus. her sister is so apologetic because of her sister's weird actions.

on a brighter side, we have a new all around yaya and on her first day, she's good ha! and this time I have a good positive feeling with her. and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

pregnancy diary: 39 weeks

2010-05-06T10:29:00.002+08:00

The average baby is about 20.5 inches / 51 centimeters long from head to toe and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds / 3.4 kilograms at birth, but anywhere between 5 pounds 11.5 ounces and 8 pounds 5.75 ounces / 2.5 and 3.8 kilograms is a healthy range for newborns.

Your amniotic fluid, once clear, is now pale and milky from your baby's shedding vernix caseosa. The outer layers of skin are also sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

In TV programs, labor always begins with the waters breaking - in the middle of a crowded room, of course - just before contractions start. If you've been worrying that this scenario will happen to you, you can stop. Membranes rupture in less than 15 per cent of pregnancies and when it does happen, the baby's head tends to act like a cork at the opening of the uterus. (If you lie down, however, you may notice fluid leaking.) You should stay calm - it may be hours before you feel your first contraction - and call your doctor right away. Your body will produce more amniotic fluid until the baby is born, so your carers may suggest you wait at home until contractions are under way or may suggest an induction.

And if the week passes and there's still no baby? Don't panic - only 5 per cent of babies are born on their scheduled due date. Most doctors wait another two weeks before considering a pregnancy overdue.

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Had my weekly check up last Tuesday and I am now 3 cm dilated but not yet effaced. My ob didn't want me to go to labor room yet because maiinip lang daw ako (and aandar na ang metro ng hospital bill!). It helped that I went with my family to Tagaytay a day earlier kaya siguro natagtag ako kahit papano.

stuck @ 1 cm

2010-04-27T21:12:00.002+08:00

Had my weekly check up today and I am still stuck at 1 cm. my ob prescribed eveprim to hasten dilation of my cervix. she can't recommend the usual "have contact with your hubby" since my hubby is away. but she added I may apply nipple stimulation to promote contractions.

ayayayay! ganito pala ang waiting game when you're nearing your EDD! I asked dra what will happen if I'm still 1cm come my EDD. she said that she's giving me until May 16 or else I will be induced which will lead normally to a CS operation. Huwat!? I said, no dra, normal delivery po ako! hahahaha!

if I won't give birth this week, I will have another check up next week. Oh my! my baby, pls say hello na to the outside world. your mommy and daddy are waiting for you na! oops, no pressure anak!

anyway, I was browsing my facebook account when I read my tarot for tomorrow:

Three of Cups. Return of old friends. Deep friendships and romantic attachments are possible. Pregnancy or new member of the family. A celebration. Happiness and light. Be happy in this moment and enjoy life. No worries in sight. Gatherings and focus on family and friends. Positive energies surrounding you and those around you. A person in love with two people at the same time.

---- is this it?! as I read my tarot, I interpret it as I will give birth and all my family & friends are happy for hubby and me. and that I will fall in love with two people: that will be my hubby and my baby! ang tanong! will I give birth on April 28, 2010? lets wait and see. waiting game resumes.

yaya and housekeeping

2010-04-26T17:24:00.005+08:00

I've been on the look out for a potential yaya/ maid ever since I entered my 3rd trimester. and it's been so hard to find someone to fill up the position. It's either there are no more yaya's around or sadyang wala ng yaya na kagaya noong araw na magtatagal sa iisang amo.

My dearest daddy even asked help from his suking tindero at tindera for leads. And after months of searching, we found one.

She doesn't seem like a yaya/maid for us but she's quite optimistic that she can perform the job. So I gave her the chance and told her my expectations and stuffs. I am an AMO this time and not a MAYORDOMA, lol. And since I'm still as big as a watermelon, I told her she will be a maid first and when I give birth, an all around yaya. She will have no problem with laundry, ironing & cooking because we already have help for those things. All she needs to do are clean the house and wash the dishes. In short, keep the house clean! Seems easy right? Yes, it is indeed easy because I can do these things noh.

It's been 4 days since she came and it seems all ok but I heard some stories. I know I should not make patol because hindi naman ako naaagrabyado. I'm still keeping her but if she insists on her way, I will let her go. That's why as early as today, I prepped myself, she may go anytime.

Lets just wait and see. Que sera sera. Whatever will be will be.

pregnancy diary: 38 weeks

2010-04-26T17:18:00.003+08:00

Can you tell if you're carrying a boy or a girl? One hint may come from the size of your baby - boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. Babies at week 39 weigh about 6.8 to 7 pounds/ 3 to 3.2 kilograms and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your little one's organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity. (Even after your baby is born, it may take a few hours before she establishes a normal breathing pattern.) - I'm carrying a boy!

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? Most Caucasian babies are born with dark blue eyes and their true eye color - be it brown, green or blue - may not reveal itself for weeks or months. The color of your baby's eyes in the first minutes after birth won't last - exposure to light changes a baby's initial eye color. Most African and Asian babies usually have dark grey or brown eyes at birth - their dark eyes becoming a true brown or black after the first six months or year. Multiracial children often turn out to have the most beautiful colored eyes.

How your life's changing

You may be feeling huge and uncomfortable during these final weeks. Try to take it easy -- this may be your last opportunity to do so for quite a while. See a film, read a book that has nothing to do with pregnancy or babies, have your hair or nails done, or just spend time with your partner. Neither of you will have much time for cooking in the few weeks after your baby's born, but you could prepare some home-made frozen meals to enjoy when you need them. What else can you do? Make sure the car's filled up with gas, and read our fun baby star signs.

Your partner should try to relax, too, and enjoy some activities there won't be time for after the baby arrives. Suggest some inspirational reading -- he may need it when you go into labor. Is he worried about how he'll cope with a new baby in the house? Read our new dad's survival guide and debunk five myths of fatherhood.

Be prepared

This is a good time to have an in-depth conversation with your doctor or midwife about pain relief in labor. On the practical front, make sure you know where to park and which entrance to use to get to the delivery room quickly and ask about what happens when you arrive at the hospital, if you don't already know. Make sure you take plenty of change with you for vending machines and telephone calls (mobile phones usually have to be switched off in hospitals because they can interfere with medical equipment). If you have other children, make back up plans for childcare when labor begins.

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Anytime now, I may give birth. Actually, last week pa ako pwedeng manganak but it seems my little boy still enjoys swimming inside mommy's tummy!

Prayers for Pregnant Mothers

2010-04-25T20:19:00.003+08:00

My aunt called me up and told me to pray to these saints for safe delivery of my little baby.

A Prayer of an Expectant Mother

My Lord and My God, Giver of life, I praise and thank You for the child in my womb. You have willed it to happen that I bear this child and so mercifully grant your help and protection until You have finished the work You have begun. With humility and trust, I am manifesting all my needs to You. I pray that You may hear my petition through the intercession of St. Raymund Nonato, whose martyrdom in the hands of non-Christians has shown us the way to exemplary holiness. Grant me this grace which I ask of You if it will be for Your greater glory and for my salvation. (pause and mention your petition)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. St Raymund Nonato, pray for us.

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Prayer for a Safe Delivery

Saint Elizabeth, through the great blessings you received from God at the birth of your son, Saint John, I beseech you to obtain for__(me)___ the grace of deeply understanding with joyful wonder the privilege of motherhood and of living each day in happy anticipation.

I ask this grace through the Precious Blood of Jesus, God’s Gift of Love to us.

Saint Anne, obtain for__(me)___ through your own blessed child, Mary ever Virgin, the grace that no accident may befall her (me) and that she (I) may deliver her (my) child safe and sound into the world.

I ask this grace through the Precious Blood of Jesus, God’s Gift of Love to us.

Mary, my Mother, I pray you to intercede before your Divine Son, Jesus, and obtain for__(me)___ the help and blessings of God so that she (I) may patiently endure with joyful expectation the pains of delivery and that her (my) child may receive the grace of Baptism.

I ask this grace through the Precious Blood of Jesus, God’s Gift of Love to us. Amen.

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A Prayer to St. Gerard for Safe Delivery

O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.

O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

dentist @ work!

2010-04-22T12:28:00.004+08:00

yes, I'm back to work today! the motor of my compressor is now working again in tip top shape and when I tried it yesterday morning, wow! it's like running like new! and since I don't feel any contractions yet, I know that I can still work. although I must pass temporarily on prostho cases (awww!). syempre, ayoko naman i-pending ang cases. It will look like I will just get their money then after a month pa ang result. no, I'm not like that.

how I miss our clinic! hehehe...

do dentists have maternity leave???

2010-04-21T08:46:00.002+08:00

as of Monday, I am on house arrest. or should I say, I'm not in the mood to work? lol. Mainly because my compressor conked up on me last Saturday and is now on the repair shop. So here I am, just fb-ing since Monday and boring pala ito. haha!

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my mom asked me if I'm gonna have 30 days leave or 15 days leave. And I'm like, huh? actually, I am not really thinking about it. I believe I will be back to work when I can already walk again. I'm really wishing to deliver via NSD. We didn't get an associate dentist that's why it's all about me again after I give birth. Ngaragan mode. I finished all my pending patients as of last week so that I can relax but what's funny is when I started to have my break, a lot of patients wanted to come! what to do, what to do! if only I can predict the actual exact date when I'm giving birth ano?

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hubby is insisting that I take a break na from work. baka daw kasi mastress ako sa clinic, lol. actually the only reason why I stopped working temporarily is due to my compressor. it's like my son telling me: mommy, pls don't go to work na. aww!

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back to my title: yes, dentists have maternity leave!

pregnancy diary: 37 weeks

2010-04-21T08:37:00.003+08:00

Your baby weighs close to 6.5 pounds/ 2.8 kilograms and may be about 20 inches/ 50 centimeters long from head to toe. Your baby's head is now cradled in your pelvic cavity - surrounded and protected by your pelvic bones. This position clears some much-needed space for her growing legs and buttocks.

Many babies now have a full head of hair, with locks maybe around one inch/ 2.5 centimeters long. But don't be surprised if her hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes taken aback when their children are born with bright red or blond hair, and fair-haired couples likewise can produce babies with dark hair. And then, of course, some babies don't have any hair at all.

Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby from 26 weeks has disappeared, and so has most of the vernix caseosa, the whitish substance that also covers her. Your baby will swallow her lanugo and exterior coating, along with other secretions, and store them in her bowels. These will become your infant's first bowel movement, a blackish waste called meconium.

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had my weekly checkup yesterday and all is doing good. my bp's ok, baby's heart rate are ok as well as his fetal height.

but what I noticed was, I'm beginning to look like I ate a whole watermelon! hahaha! even my ob noticed it! hehehe...

she measured me and I am now 1 cm dilated. 9 cms to go, hahaha! but baby is till high in position. she told me to let nature takes its own course. I read from n@w that some n@wies would make use of lots of walking but to some this doesn't work. some would eat pineapples. hmm, maybe I would take that route, noh? I love pineapples! hehehe...

she even asked me if we already have a name and she said the name is beautiful! I know! hubby is the one who chose it!

hubby is so excited he can't wait to see our little boy!

4D Ultrasound: to do or not to do

2010-03-28T16:32:00.002+08:00

First read from N@W and read through stopgettingsick.com

FDA Cautions Against Ultrasound 'Keepsake' Images
February 20, 2004

By Carol Rados

It's risky business taking pictures of unborn babies when there's no medical need to do so. That's the word from the Food and Drug Administration, which is concerned about companies trying to turn an important medical procedure into a prenatal portrait tool.

Facilities with captivating names such as Fetal Fotos, Peek-a-Boo, Womb with a View, and Baby Insight are popping up in strip malls and shopping centers all over the country. And they're promoting "keepsake videos" that use the latest ultrasound technology to produce high-resolution three-dimensional and four-dimensional (moving) images showing the surface anatomy of babies developing in the womb. The lure of this burgeoning industry is that parents-to-be get to see characteristics like facial features, hair, and even the baby's sex, and often they can count fingers and toes before their baby is born. Some women even have videos made at various stages of their baby's growth. And the videos are often being marketed as a prized addition to collections of childhood memorabilia.

As compelling as these sneak previews may be, the FDA is warning women about the potential hazards of getting keepsake videos. The agency also is warning companies against creating them for entertainment purposes. While ultrasound has been around for many years, expectant women and their families need to know that the long-term effects of repeated ultrasound exposures on the fetus are not fully known. In light of all that remains unknown, having a prenatal ultrasound for non-medical reasons is not a good idea.

What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging is a common diagnostic medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic images (sonograms) of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. Prenatal ultrasound examinations are performed by trained professionals, such as sonographers, radiologists, and obstetricians. The procedure involves using a transducer, which sends a stream of high-frequency sound waves into the body and detects their echoes as they bounce off internal structures. The sound waves are then converted to electric impulses, which are processed to form an image displayed on a computer monitor. It is from these images that videos and portraits are made.

Obstetricians use ultrasound at a very low power level to check the size, location, number, and age of fetuses, the presence of some types of birth defects, fetal movement, breathing, and heartbeat. When ultrasound is used by a qualified clinician to check for this kind of medical information, the FDA says the medical benefit far outweighs any risk.

At somewhat higher exposure levels, given daily for weeks at a time, ultrasound is used to speed the healing of bone fractures. At even higher levels, the technology produces a heating effect in tissue that is useful in treating sprains and pulled muscles.

Why All the Fuss?
Ultrasonic fetal scanning, from a medical standpoint, generally is considered safe if properly used when information is needed about a pregnancy. Still, ultrasound is a form of energy, and even at low levels, laboratory studies have shown it can produce physical effects in tissue, such as jarring vibrations and a rise in temperature. Although there is no evidence that these physical effects can harm a fetus, the FDA says the fact that these effects exist means that prenatal ultrasounds can't be considered completely innocuous.

As more advanced ultrasound technologies (usually using higher ultrasound intensities) become available, greater numbers of expectant mothers and their families are requesting fetal keepsake videos and portraits for souvenirs. Sometimes these images may be made by people not well trained, or for longer exposure times and at higher levels than are usually used in medical situations. At the same time, the medical community is discouraging the use of ultrasound unless it is medically necessary.

Mel Stratmeyer, Ph.D., in the FDA's Office of Science and Technology, says that most animal studies have not identified any fetal harm with low-dose ultrasound exposure.

"But the issue of keepsake videos has to be that if there's even a possibility of potential risk, why take the chance?" Stratmeyer says. Animal studies have been performed during the last 30 years to investigate the effects of the procedure on a fetus, due to the increased use of obstetrical ultrasound in the 1970s. Human studies, however, are not feasible for the same reason that experts are cautious about casual ultrasound: It's too risky to subject unborn babies to any unknown effects.

"The problem with experimental research," Stratmeyer says, "is that you really need both animal and human studies to make more predictable outcomes." He adds that as technology advances and becomes more complex, the potential for physical effects to be identified in the future also increases.

However, a few studies, Stratmeyer says, suggest that exposure to diagnostic ultrasound during pregnancy may have an effect on human development, such as delayed speech in children.

Danica Marinac-Dabic, M.D., an epidemiologist in the FDA's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics, says that the most consistent finding in the recent literature is a potential association between prenatal ultrasound exposure and subsequent left-handedness, especially among boys. At least three large follow-up studies involving thousands of school-age children in Sweden and Norway suggested such an association.

"Since ultrasound examinations in these studies took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s," says Marinac-Dabic, "and the fact that modern ultrasound equipment is capable of producing approximately eight times higher intensities than equipment used a decade ago, we continue to study the possible long-term effects of prenatal ultrasound in both animal and human epidemiologic studies."

The History of Fetal Photos
The FDA first learned about keepsake video productions from consumers in Texas in 1994. The Texas Department of Health and the FDA's Dallas district office jointly inspected three firms. The FDA then initiated investigations of similar firms in other parts of the country. Investigators uncovered numerous companies offering a wide variety of ultrasound packages. Among the agency's findings were that ultrasound was being performed by untrained, unlicensed technicians and often without a doctor's supervision.

The FDA wrote about its concerns to 10 health professional organizations and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, stating that anyone promoting, selling or leasing ultrasound equipment for making keepsake fetal videos could be breaking the law. The agency asked the organizations to have their members discourage patients from having ultrasound procedures for non-medical reasons and to notify the FDA of any keepsake video operations in their communities.

Not a Wise Choice
For every reason a mother-to-be wants a keepsake video, there are good reasons she shouldn't have one. Women cite early bonding with their babies, determining the baby's sex, and a desire to share their prenatal experiences with friends and families as major reasons in favor of the videos. And the quality of images in commercial videos makes them especially tempting. Because many obstetricians still use two-dimensional imaging, which is considered standard in prenatal care, women may seek the more advanced three- and four-dimensional images used by some keepsake businesses, in which the features of an unborn infant are more easily recognizable to the non-professional.

But health experts say these are not medical reasons for having an ultrasound. Lawrence D. Platt, M.D., president-elect of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist in Los Angeles, adds that while physicians need to be sensitive to expectant mothers' feelings, "We have to go beyond emotions in this case. We have to do the right thing," he says. "Ultrasound is a form of energy and it must be respected."

Besides concern that unskilled technicians could be performing and interpreting such ultrasounds and that the procedure is not always done under the supervision of a qualified physician, some facilities may be using equipment that's not in good working order.

"Not all ultrasounds are created equal," says Nancy Hueppchen, M.D., a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. "Patients don't know the level of expertise of the person performing the procedure." Hueppchen says there's also the worry about ultrasounds not being conducted in medical settings. "These portrait facilities are not equipped to provide counseling should something go wrong, or proper guidance if a gross abnormality is suspected," she says.

The FDA also notes that some video companies have been known to use the ultrasound machine on higher energy exposures for as long as an hour to get the pictures. The procedure should always be done at the lowest possible energy output and for the least amount of time. Exposure to ultrasound for longer than the time specified by the FDA for fetal monitoring could pose a potential risk to the health of the mother and her developing fetus.

Some companies make it clear that they are not providing diagnostic ultrasounds, but those that don't may wrongly give women the impression that their ultrasound examination will identify problems.

The FDA and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), which also strongly discourages the non-medical use of ultrasound, have concerns that women are being wrongly reassured by commercial sonograms. Women may misinterpret the studio ultrasound as a medical examination, thus giving them a false sense of security. And inaccurate findings may cause them to undergo unnecessary follow-up tests.

"Even in the best of hands," says Hueppchen, "fetal structural problems can be missed due to technical and gestational age limitations, thus falsely reassuring the patient."

Understanding the Laws
Ultrasound is conducted with a prescription medical device that is regulated by the FDA. The agency sets the standard for the level of energy to be used for various treatments or diagnoses, including fetal ultrasounds. This standard restricts ultrasound exposure to levels that produce few, if any, effects on the fetus, based on epidemiological evidence.

The FDA can take action against the keepsake industry in two ways: for promoting a device for other than its approved use, and for using a prescription device without a prescription from a medical professional. By promoting and advertising keepsake videos, the advertiser is creating a new intended use for the device, and this requires premarket review by the FDA. And many keepsake facilities do not appear to be requiring doctors' prescriptions from their customers.

Kimber C. Richter, M.D., a deputy director in the FDA's Office of Compliance, says that regulation of the commercial ultrasonic imaging of fetuses is complicated because each video company scenario is different.

"In some cases, there may be no prescription and no physician oversight," she says. "In others, there may be a physician involved but no clear doctor-patient relationship." And in still others, "the video might be made through an extra visit to the physician that the patient normally sees." Richter says the regulatory approach in all these cases varies. "FDA regulates devices, but the qualifications and behavior of technicians and physicians would be regulated by the states," Richter says.

The FDA announced in 2002 that anyone administering ultrasound to consumers without a medical prescription is breaking the law. "In the past," says Richter, "the FDA has taken regulatory action, such as a warning letter or even seizure, when these devices were used for entertainment purposes without a prescription."

Margaret T. Tolbert, deputy director of the FDA's Division of Device User Programs and Systems Analysis, says the agency is updating its current Web statement warning consumers about the unknowns of using ultrasound equipment for entertainment purposes and is developing a set of questions and answers to educate those considering keepsake videos as a business opportunity.

Since a number of advertising examples recently have come to the FDA's attention--suggesting an increase in entertainment ultrasounds--the FDA is currently taking a closer look at these businesses. "We are reviewing these cases and will consider regulatory action as appropriate," says Richter.

The Bottom Line
The prescription status of ultrasound equipment ensures that pregnant women will receive professional care that contributes to their health and to the health of their babies. Performing prenatal ultrasounds without following state and federal guidelines puts a mother and her unborn baby at risk. Therefore, the procedure should only be used to provide medical benefit. Besides being inappropriate and contrary to responsible medical practice, the bottom line is: Why take a chance with your baby's health for the sake of a video?

Legitimate Uses for Ultrasound Imaging
Diagnosing pregnancy
Determining fetal age
Diagnosing congenital abnormalities
Evaluating position of placenta
Determining multiple pregnancies

To report keepsake video operations in your community, write to: Diagnostic Devices Branch, Office of Compliance, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, HFZ-322, 2098 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.

Official Statements on Ultrasonic Fetal Imaging
Food and Drug Administration:
Persons who promote, sell or lease ultrasound equipment for making "keepsake" fetal videos should know that FDA views this as an unapproved use of a medical device. In addition, those who subject individuals to ultrasound exposure using a diagnostic ultrasound device (a prescription device) without a physician's order may be in violation of state or local laws or regulations regarding use of a prescription medical device.

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM):
The AIUM advocates the responsible use of diagnostic ultrasound. The AIUM strongly discourages the non-medical use of ultrasound for psychosocial or entertainment purposes. The use of either two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound to only view the fetus, obtain a picture of the fetus or determine the fetal gender without a medical indication is inappropriate and contrary to responsible medical practice. Although there are no confirmed biological effects on patients caused by exposures from present diagnostic ultrasound instruments, the possibility exists that such biological effects may be identified in the future. Thus ultrasound should be used in a prudent manner to provide medical benefit to the patient.

European Committee for Medical Ultrasound:
The embryonic period is known to be particularly sensitive to any external influences. Until further scientific information is available, investigations should be carried out with careful control of output levels and exposure times. With increasing mineralization of the fetal bone as the fetus develops, the possibility of heating fetal bone increases. The user should prudently limit exposure of critical structures such as the fetal skull or spine during Doppler studies (a type of ultrasound that detects movement, direction and speed, such as fetal heartbeat).

--FDA Consumer Magazine

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After reading this, hubby and I have decided not to do it for the simple reason that it will cost another money; even if my ob told me it is safe & its purpose is for mementos sake I still won't do it. Call me frugal. Call me afraid. But its the health of my baby we're talking here. Hubby and I won't take the risks. Nakasurvive naman both parents namin ng walang 4D eh. And I also think, undergoing a 4D ultrasound kills the suspense of what he really looks like when he comes out! Mamya madismaya pa ako kapag distorted na ang images na makuha, manghihinayang pa ako sa pera, hahaha!

pregnancy diary: 34 weeks

2010-03-28T16:21:00.003+08:00

only 4 weeks to go and pwede na ako mangitlog (earliest I can give birth according to my ob) or 6 more weeks to reach full term (my EDD).

what am I feeling?

honestly. I'm excited yet somewhat a cry baby at night.

Excited because I can see my baby in few weeks time yet I am sad because hubby will not be around when I give birth. Napaemote pa tuloy ako when my friend's mom told me that when she gave birth, she's always crying because she got envious of other women who gave birth beside her at the hospital with their husbands at their sides. Oh my!

I cried last Friday because I missed my hubby so much. Thankfully, we got time to chat on ym. Iba pa din talaga kapag nadinig mo ang boses ng asawa mo. Iba kasi kapag through text messages lang. Anyways, I know I must be strong for my baby. And this is our choice. A little sacrifice will do.

On a lighter note, still got no stretchmarks! A bonus on my part I think? hehehe...

what to bring to the hospital on the DDay!

2010-03-20T18:56:00.004+08:00

got this list, again from n@wie sis rowie.

NOTE: I edited the list based on my needs.

Goodie Bag

* doctor's orders/ admission slip
* stopwatch or watch with second hand, to time contractions
* lip balm, for dry lips
* hair band/rubber bands for hair
* massage & pain relief items: stress ball
* diversions to help pass the time: books, mp3, etc.
* pens and paper
* camera and batteries/video camera/sound recorder to record baby's first cry
* partner's food
* mommy's snacks/candy
* baby book
* cellphone
* toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash
* washcloth, small towel
* medical information sheet with important data
* Philhealth papers: MDR, form from employer
* marriage certificate
* HMO papers
* SSS ID and authorization letter
* cash and credit card

Suitcase - Clothes and Stuff:

* a sheet of paper with your baby's name clearly written on it
* cellphone charger
* nightgowns with front opening (so you can breastfeed)
* lots of underwear (post-birth can be messy)
* breast pads
* tummy binder
* bathrobe
* slippers
* baby's clothes for rooming in: tie shirts, diapers, mittens, booties, 2-3 receiving blankets
* wash cloth for baby
* mommy's going home clothes (nursing shirt) - remember that you're still going to look pregnant, so bring maternity clothes
* baby's going home clothes
* baby's going home diapers
* little snacks, candy
* partner's clothes

Toiletry kit:

* cotton
* feminine napkins (maternity ... another option is to buy a large pack of the largest baby diapers and use those on the first day or two since you're probably going to bleed a lot)
* manual breast pump
* bath towel
* petroleum jelly
* wash cloth

gifts gifts gifts!

2010-03-17T14:11:00.004+08:00

I love gifts! who doesn't, right?

My parents went to Singapore to have my mom's birthday celebrated there. Too bad I'm a fully grown watermelon that's why I can't fly, hehe...

They met Rissy, my girlfriend-since-childhood, and she gave not one, not two but seven Avent bottles!!! She also included pacifiers and diaper ointment! I so love her! I'm sure baby Basti is dancing with happiness!

My parents also gave their apo a newborn starter set & a shirt. Happiness!

My brother and sister-in-law gave a born genius romper, which is so cute!

Then my other girlfriends gave me useful items like maternity pads, breast pads, photo album, clothes and mittens during my surprise birthday & mini baby shower!

I am indeed a lucky mommy to be. A lot on my things to buy list were already given as gifts! God is so good!

pregnancy diary: 32 weeks

2010-03-14T18:46:00.003+08:00

I am now 32 weeks or 8 months. Only 6 weeks to go and I'm ready to poop este give birth! Yay! I can give birth as early as April 22 but I'm still hoping my baby Basti will come out on May 9. Wishful thinking eh? I still got things to buy, but at least, I already crossed out a few. And manang already washed them a few days ago.

And because my friends gave me a baby shower, few things to buy were again crossed out off the list! Another yay!

Slowly, we're clearing our list! Yahoo!

birthday + baby shower

2010-03-14T18:24:00.003+08:00

I am so thankful to have friends like my childhood friends. through thick and thin, magkakasama pa din.

They sent me a message informing me that we will go to our friends' house to have a mini dinner. All the while I thought it's just a post wedding anniversary of our dear friends. I already forgot that my birthday just passed. I am that lutang!

We all agreed to meet at 7pm but my brother was stucked from traffic and came at 8pm. I was all apologies that we'll be coming in late and I got a surprise answer of: don't worry, we will wait for you. Usually, they would answer back with it's ok, una na kami eat or something.

Anyway, when we reached our friends house I noticed that the house is so quiet, so unknown to the celebration I was expecting. then I was lead upstairs and there it was, a mini buffet for me! with banderitas, cake, carbonara that I love, yellow cab pizza and manok! Sniff sniff!

and after we ate, we entered the room and another surprise, they gave me gifts for my upcoming baby. Aww, im so touched!

And since my emotions are still somewhat locked up inside of me, I cried. They all gave their support to me and hope for the best for hubby.

how am I?

2010-03-14T18:10:00.003+08:00

It was a weekend of roller coaster of emotions. I didn't shed a tear when I bid goodbye at the airport. But woke up the following day with puffy eyes. More so, a bucket of tears on my birthday.

All along I thought I was carrying it all ok but no, I'm not. I may look tough but no I'm not. I may not shed a tear but my emotions are just bottled up.

For 3 days I cry myself to sleep and it was an achievement when I didn't shed a tear on the succeeding days and nights.

Yes, I do miss him. And I'm trying my best not to cry anymore for the sake of our baby. I know my baby will feel whatever I'm feeling.

So this is how it feels when you're a single parent and your husband is away. This is our sacrifice for our marriage, for our upcoming family. We both do hope and we're still both praying that everything will turn out fine and that our sacrifice will be all worth it.

the TRUTH

2010-03-10T13:05:00.007+08:00

I turned 30 years old on my 31st week of pregnancy. I am happy yet I'm sad.

Happy because some of the things I want to do when I hit 30 came true. Yet I am sad because hubby and I are not together.

No, we didn't fought. And please, we are not separating!!!

September of last year after the typhoon Ondoy, we noticed the decline in our dental practice. Sad but true, hindi promising ang pagiging dentista kung isa lang ang clinic mo at kasalukuyan kang gumagawa ng isang pamilya. Idagdag pa rito na pahirap ng pahirap ang buhay sa Pilipinas.

Hubby and I had a talk and we both agreed that we will try our luck abroad.

But things changed. I got pregnant and the more we need more money. Bills accumulate and so is my pregnancy.

Hubby passed hundreds of applications at workabroad and jobstreet on October. And with God's way, he was contacted by many starting November. Some agencies give ridiculous offers while some will make you think twice.

December 2009 when he was contacted and asked for an interview with the employer. he passed and luck was on his side when he was told he may fly by January. All papers were processed.

January 2010 when he was told to report at the agency and behold, he already has a visa stamped on his passport. And was told to attend PDOS. after which, he will wait again for the call for his scheduled flight which may come not later than second week of February.

Things got too busy at the clinic we didn't noticed how time flew. With my pregnancy and all, we already assumed that he may fly after I give birth because March is already approaching and still he got no calls from the agency.

I am scheduled for my monthly check up on March 4 when he received the call to report to the agency immediately. So instead of him accompanying me, it was my mom and dad. We met afterward at Trinoma to eat dinner. He was told to report the following day. So what we did was, we bought some of his essentials in case he fly immediately.

Friday came and he called me up saying: "hun sa sunday na ang lipad ko". I was so shocked to reply. When my senses came back, all i can answer is, "uwi ka na para maayos na natin gamit mo".

Things got crazy because he had to call his parents and I to my parents. Then when he got home, he again received another call from the agency telling him, tomorrow na ang flight!!!

It was so fast paced that I have no more time to do an emotions check. Yes, we are both aware that he may leave the country but we didn't think it was this too soon. We both faced the situation as calm as we could be and packed his things immediately.

On March 6, 2010 at half past 4pm, he entered the boarding area of NAIA Airport. And this is a start of our new journey as a married couple and of a temporary goodbye.

pregnancy diary: 30 weeks

2010-03-05T15:32:00.003+08:00

Oh my! few weeks to go and we'll be seeing my baby boy! So excited but at the same time, am nervous. Who wouldn't be? I guess every first time moms would agree with me. I know I must be strong and fear not the unknown. Also, I know I have to trust my ob that I am in good hands.

Sometimes, I can't help but be afraid especially that temporary goodbye is near. [gee, another entry for this!]. But I know that I shouldn't be. Hay, ang gulo ko!

Anyway, we had our monthly check up and everything is going fine according to Dr. Tangonan. She said that my baby is of right length and heartbeat is strong. Also, my weight gain is within the limit! Yay for me!

She just reminded me to be more extra careful since the 7th month is the most crucial. If I didn't feel any movement from my baby, I must inform her asap. Good thing, my little baby have his time of movement timed already. I always notice that my baby moves at these times: 7am, 11am, 3 pm, and 10pm. Movements can also be noticed in between these times.

Also, she told me that I may give birth as early as April 22 but because this is my first born, I may give birth nearer to my EDD which is May 9, 2010. Hope it's May 9 so that baby will share the same birth dates with me and hubby. Family of 9's! Yay!

PS. I also want to share that prior to my check up, I talked to my little boy that I wish he will not give Dr. Tangonan a hard time in looking for his heartbeat (like before where he is so malikot! Ayun, tagal namin ni doc!) and you know what? he is indeed a very good boy because he didn't give dra tangonan a hard time! Isang tapat lang ng doppler, swak agad! Bait bait ng bebe ko! Love you anak!

Baby shopping 101

2010-02-28T21:11:00.009+08:00

I learned this post from a fellow n@wie rowie. Very helpful list for first time moms like me. I agree that it is quite overwhelming on my part on which item is a must-buy and which is a nice-to-have. It's like the wedding preps again! Think a million times first then decide.

image source

LIST OF ESSENTIALS:

FOR SLEEPING

a. Crib. CHECK!
b. 2 pcs. fitted sheets for the crib. CHECK!
c. 2 pcs. waterproof mattress pads. bought one. pwede na kaya ang isa lang? hmm..
d. Crib mobile (from 1 month onwards). CHECK! already included in Basti's crib! Yay! But I think I should buy a more colorful electric mobile, hmm...

CLOTHES

a. 8 - 10pcs. side-tie shirts. CHECK!
b. 4 pcs. onesies. hoping to receive this as a gift!lol
c. 5 - 6 pcs. receiving blankets. bought 3 pcs
d. 2 pairs booties/socks. CHECK!
e. 3 pairs mittens CHECK!
f. 1 hat CHECK!
g. Gentle laundry soap, like Perla or Cycles. CHECK!
h. Clothes for colder/ warmer temperatures. CHECK!

Still haven't bought many clothes for Basti because I'm still waiting for my baby shower. haha!

FOR DIAPERING

a. A place to change baby's diapers. Baby's crib or our bed would do.
b. Cotton balls or alcohol-free disposable baby wipes. CHECK!
c. Water container. According to rowie: It's handy to have a little bottle of water where you change baby's nappy, to wipe him with. We use a small plastic ketchup bottle and fill it with water each morning. CHECK!
d. A waterproof changing pad. Again from rowie: A pad to put baby on while you're changing his diapers. It's a good idea to get two -- one for the house, another for your diaper bag. so I NEED to buy another one? Boo.
e. 4 washcloths for diapering. It's helpful to have some washcloths nearby when you're diapering to wipe baby. If you have a baby boy, it's a good idea to cover his penis with a washcloth when you're changing him in case he decides to pee just when you take his diaper off (and this happens quite often!). We distinguished between our baby's diapering washcloths and his bathing washcloths by getting them in different colors: his diapering washcloths are white; his bathing washcloths are blue. lampin will do. CHECK!
f. Petroleum jelly for circumcision area (if applicable). CHECK!
g. Diaper pail or basurahan. CHECK!
h. Cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories (if applicable). CHECK!
i. Disposable diapers (if applicable). CHECK!
j. A box of soft tissue (Kleenex). Very useful.
k. Diaper rash ointment. Rowie says she uses Desitin. My friend gave me avent. CHECK!

FOR FEEDING

a. A comfortable chair with stool for feeding. CHECK!
b. Nursing Pillows. CHECK!
c. Feeding cup, spoon, or dropper if you plan to exclusively breastfeed.
d. Breast pump. Bought chicco manual breast pump. CHECK!
e. Breastmilk storage bottles or storage bags, if you intend to breastfeed.
f. Bottles. CHECK!
g. Formula, if applicable. will wait for pedia's advice AFTER I give birth.
h. Sterilizer. CHECK!
i. Bottle brush. CHECK!
j. Bibs - 2 if you're breastfeeding, 6 if you're bottle-feeding. CHECK!
k. 12 burp cloths. Regular lampin's make great burp cloths. CHECK!
l. Nursing cover, if you're breastfeeding, so you can nurse discreetly in public. Lampin will do. CHECK!
m. Nursing pads, if breastfeeding. Expect to go through at least 3 pairs a day, depending on how much leakage you have. CHECK!

FOR BATHING

a. Baby bathtub or basin. CHECK!
b. 3 pcs. baby bath towels. CHECK!
c. 4 washcloths for bathing. CHECK!
d. Baby bath soap.
e. Baby shampoo.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

a. Isopropyl alcohol for quickly cleaning your hands before you hold baby. CHECK!
b. Ethyl alcohol and cotton balls for cleaning baby's umbilical cord stump before it falls off. CHECK!
c. Baby hair brush.
d. Baby nail scissors or nail clipper. CHECK!
e. Bulb syringe nasal aspirator. CHECK!
f. Nasal saline solution to hose baby's nostrils when he has a cold (to be used with the nasal aspirator).
g. Digital Thermometer. CHECK!

OTHER ESSENTIALS

a. Storage solutions for baby's things. CHECK!
b. Diaper bag. CHECK!
c. Infant car seat.
d. Baby memory book, for recording baby's milestones. CHECK!
e. Baby carrier. There are many kinds: ring slings, pouches, and front packs.
f. Stroller. CHECK!
g. Electric kettle. CHECK!
h. Reference book on babies, for when you need to look up information on how to take care of baby. CHECK!
i. A camera. To record all those magical moments! CHECK!

Digitized SSS ID

2010-02-27T14:20:00.003+08:00

Yay! hubby and I went to SSS Novaliches branch to apply for a digitized SSS ID. I know it's long overdue already. But what can I do, tinatamad kami, hahaha! but the real reason why we scheduled this na is because NO SSS = ID NO MATERNITY BENEFITS!

Anyway, since it was my mom's staff who handles our government affairs (BIR taxes, SSS, Philhealth, etc.) all we had to do is request for the form needed (E-6) and list of requirements required to bring (two valid ID's and we also brought our NSO marriage contract - original & photocopy) [as in, bibitbitin na lang namin yung paper kasi lahat ng entries were filled up already and naka-typewritten pa] and voila, punta na kami sa SSS.

Before doing so, I've been visiting sis Neva's blog so we can have an idea what to expect when we go there. Actually, hubby and I are having second thoughts if we're gonna apply for our ID at SSS main branch at East Ave or at the SSS near our place. Good thing, gawa ang machine ng SSS Novaliches. Beforehand kasi, I heard na palagi sira ang machine nila. So what we did was, hubby asked the guard if there is indeed an ongoing application for digitized ID at SSS Novaliches and it turned out it's a YES!

We arrived few minutes before 11am and OMG! ang daming tao!!! so I asked the guard where is the area for application of SSS ID and he told us to go upstairs. So up we went. When we arrived on the 2nd floor, there are 2 areas of seats. One area has a sign designated for Loans/ Contributions while the other area has people seated which I have no idea for what. so I asked the nearest lady where is the line for those applying for SSS ID. and you know what she told me? She said [in pataray mode, as if I've disturbed her with her work e wala naman sya ginagawa]: ayan o, hindi mo ba nakita nakapila sila? so I said, ah okey. so I went back and hubby and I took our seats and waited. While waiting, another pregnant woman came and asked the lady the same question I asked and again, the lady answered in the same tone & manner. the pregnant woman can't help herself and she blurted out: wala naman nakapost na note ha. Oh my, I want to laugh!

After a few minutes, it's our turn. The man verified our forms, he asked me for two ID's since I still have no ID under my married name while my husband was just asked for one ID. in fairness, mabait si manong ha. then we proceeded to the picture taking area.

While waiting for our turn, we can hear and see the procedure and oh my. You can't blame the person assigned if he's gonna have his blood pressure shoot up. why? because some people are just so slow or mabagal ang pick up. good thing the person assigned has long patience. then it's our turn then we're finished! there's a notice on the wall that the ID will be mailed within 4-6 months and if we didn't received the ID on time, that's the time you will return to the office for follow up.

Then we went downstairs so that I can submit my maternity form (MAT 1). the lady in charged just checked my form and my ultrasound and just asked me when I am due and she said to sign my name on the log book and when I gave birth, I will attach the MAT-1 with MAT-2. wala pa 5 mintes tapos na.

All I can say is that, it's a breeze applying for a digitized SSS ID at SSS Novaliches branch. My cousins who applied for theirs we're asked to return to a certain date, they applied at SSS main.

pregnancy diary: 28 weeks

2010-02-19T11:53:00.002+08:00

Yay! I'm 28 weeks pregnant already which means I'm on my 7th month! Here I come 3rd trimester!!!

What I've noticed is I urinate more frequently now. As in every hour. My gawd! But the good thing is my little baby lets me sleep through the night unlike other moms out there who frequents the bathroom even at midnight.

My little baby also moves a lot more now and sometimes would press my uterus hard. When that happens, I talk to my baby and I say, "please be careful my little child. Mommy feels a little pain down there". And voila! He moves gentler.

Little baby would move every time hubby and I would talk before we sleep. We would even include him in our convo so that he knows that mommy and daddy are talking. And I'm sure he is glad because he moves a lot when told so! Chismoso ang baby ko, haha!

On a lighter note, my cousin told me there'll be a sale at SM Fairview on Feb 26, 27 & 28! Yay, baby shopping here we come!!!

pregnancy diary: 26 weeks

2010-02-05T19:08:00.004+08:00

this is how my baby is positioned. even dra commented that my baby is so likot!

I had my monthly check up yesterday. and my lab results were all good news! yey! and God is so good because we were supposed to be on the fourth line, but because the first three were not yet there, we were first to be checked up on! another yey! we didn't noticed that we already spent 30 minutes inside doc's room,hehe..

Things discussed are:

1. I lost weight. Oh my. even dra said that I was not supposed to lose weight. I was just supposed to lessen my rice intake! hehe... Maybe the REAL reason why I gained weight the previous month is because of the Holiday season.

2. Rates at Chinese General Hospital. Yes, hubby and I plan to give birth here. One reason why we chose to give birth here is because this is the same hospital where hubby was born! Another reason is, our ob-gyne is affiliated here. The other 3 hospitals where dra's affiliated is either too expensive or we just don't like the hospital. period.

3. If I am a good candidate for NSD or simply known as normal spontaneous delivery. Dra said since I have no signs of complications (yet. fingers & toes crossed!) and my pacenta are in normal position, I am. But it will depend on my pain threshold on the day of delivery.

4. Difference between epidural and twilight. These are my options if I can no longer tolerate the pain on the big day. Epidural is when a drug is introduced to my body through my back so that I feel numb and no more pain from contractions and I am awake. Twilight is given naman when I can't tolerate the pain anymore and I am still awake but the moment I see baby come out, I pass out na or this may be given after I give birth. Between the two, epidural is more expensive but twilight when given prior to baby coming out may have its disadvantages.

5. She don't like to induce. Meaning, dra will wait until I'm on my 40th week before she will induce me and not before I reach my 40th week. The reason she gave us is this, she wants me to give the natural way. Basta, limit ko is until my 40th week. If I' already on my 40th week and no signs of labor yet and I'm inip na, that's the time she will induce me or perform CS, on my prerogative of course.

After the talk, I love my dra even more! She's firm in saying na wag pilitin ang hindi pa hinog. Even hubby is firm when he told me: "we won't switch obs. Even if her PF is higher than the other ob's because she's the one who took care of you hunie & baby basti." Aww... hubby is so sweet...

Bdw, I had my first shot of tetanus toxoid vaccine. Next shot will be on my next check up (March) then my 3rd shot will be on August, months after I give birth to baby "Basti".

all about CARS

2010-02-03T21:18:00.003+08:00

With my growing baby bump, its a no brainer that it is hard to commute or use the public transport. That is why, one that tops my wish list is to buy my own car! If only I have the money to buy one. Having my own car means more convenience, not only for myself but for my soon to be born baby.

I can EARN!!!

2010-01-27T20:27:00.003+08:00

OMG! I know there are a LOT of pay to click ads nowadays but this one really pays! I recently joined and answered a welcome survey and there I earn $6 immediately so that it means I have P270 on my account already!

This is the real way or earning!!! I know, nakakatamad magclick ng magclick ng ads but hey this is for real! It makes sense pa nga kasi napa-practice ang English language natin. It only consumes a short minute and yet it helps us earn. Very useful for times like this (recession and all.)

Please join and share the good news!!!

it pays to wait

2010-01-27T19:26:00.002+08:00

I am a patient person but sometimes am not. Especially when I want to do things immediately but certain things must be done first before I can continue with my supposed to do things. Ang gulo ko ano?

Oh well.. I still can't divulge the details here but I know I must wait and smell the roses while waiting.

According to wikianswers:

It's only perspective... Patience, or any reaction/behavior, without instruction or planning, unfolding into a positive event that 'one' can NOT imagine or make happen with physical intention is also 'luck'. Doing 'nothing' or 'waiting for the correct moment' can be the most difficult thing to do. Those that do it well... have a greater sense of Peace in appearance. It only seems from another perspective to a worthy quality. The truth is Patience is an illusion... Still waters run deep, and patient people break things when no ones looking. Virtue is something one envy's in another and over looks in themselves. ~Bruce Filmore Dunn

care to CLICK

2010-01-26T21:36:00.002+08:00

I've been visiting blogs everyday and what I've noticed is a lot of bloggers have this

maybe this is USO kaya nakiki-USO ako. there's no harm in trying. If I earn, then I am happy.

baby shopping

2010-01-24T17:16:00.003+08:00

I'm really looking forward to this. and I am currently busy browsing the net for tips, advices, what-have-you's from real parents. and sobra akong nag-enjoy with this dad's attitude towards baby stuffs.

First of all, I am looking for crib/ playpen, stroller with car seat, diaper bag, cabinet and feeding bottles. I'm not yet on the look out for his clothes because I am still waiting for my baby shower (if there will be one? wishful thinking eh?)

CRIB/ PLAYPEN - honestly, noong hindi pa ako married, ang buong akala ko ay pwede na yung gawa sa kahoy na kinalakihan ko. but when my brother got married and they have their own child, he requested na crib daw ang iregalo ko. of course, the mabait na elder sister and tita-to-be that I am, buy naman ako pero yung hindi gawa sa kahoy. that's when I realized hindi pwede ang kahoy kasi baka ma-shoot sa pagitan nito ang arms, legs or or even her head! so I bought the crib at SM.

but now that I am married & pregnant, choosy na ako. Gusto ko branded. Gusto ko Graco. kaso naman, halos mahimatay naman kami sa presyo! so here I am, browsing the net, calculating costs kasi baka mas mura sa Singapore e sakto punta doon ang parents ko on March. but I've read somewhere mahirap ito i-hand carry. meron kaya 10K lang na Graco? max budget na yan or else I'll settle for Enfant and Disney, which I heard is only 5k. sobrang swak sa budget!

STROLLER W/ CAR SEAT - if only I have the means, I'll buy those Graco travel systems. partner partner. ang cute tignan and I know quality wise talaga. of course, being a lakwatsera that I am, a car seat is a must! I remember my bessie in Australia, hindi mo pwede iuwi si baby hangga't wala car seat. safety measure ika nga. Pero there's mothercare also. Which I assume is expensive also.

DIAPER BAG - no questions asked. I'll be buying baby couture!!!

CABINET - I like those cabinets at Ikea and Our Home. but I know its cheaper when not mall-bought. See you in Pajo perhaps?

FEEDING BOTTLES - no question here. even my brother testifies, Avent is the best. Good thing they'll be going to Singapore before I give birth. mas mura daw kasi dito kumpara sa Pinas. If I remember correctly, P1.5K yung 4oz twin bottles dito or approx 750-800 per bottle.

Oh well, so many things to buy and so little money to spend. Haha!

a boy's name

2010-01-24T13:27:00.006+08:00

oh my. this is what I'm afraid of. I am afraid of naming my baby boy wrong. Because I believe that when parents give their child a name, it is forever marked on them. it will be his identity for life! Hubby already has a name on his mind but we haven't decided yet on his second name.

and here's the stressful part: my dad is insisting that we include his name. and when, in case, we give in to his request, of course my FIL would also insist to include his name too. so what? there'll be 3 names for my boy? I hope not! kawawa naman anak ko kapag nagschooling na sya. tapos na lahat magsulat, sya hindi pa! oh my. what am I gonna do?

imagine this: gregorio + jorge nick are his lolo's names. ok, what name combination/s will you come up with??? suggestions & violent reactions are very much welcome!

and the winner is...

2010-01-21T17:51:00.004+08:00

everytime we attend family gatherings, reunions or simple meet ups with friends and family, they always ask us: "whats the gender?" our usual answer was: "next month pa po".

and the big day had come!

yesterday, January 20 off we went to UDMC to undergo CAS, OGCT and HBSAg.

We went first to the ultrasound section for my name to be listed (I'm number 12 as of 11am) then to the Laboratory, again for my name to be listed (I'm number 22). after which, I paid the corresponding fees at the cashier (P1,825 only) and went back to the two windows to submit my proofs of payments. and then hubby and I sat and waited.

My name was first called at the Laboratory section and I was given a bottle of sucrose for my OGCT. It tasted like royal true orange but more sweeter and it is not cold so imagine my throat tingling.

while I was looking at the bottle, the med tech told me the things I must do and can't do such as:

1. I must consume the bottle within 10 minutes.
2. I cannot drink water within 1 hour.
3. I cannot eat candy.
4. I must not urinate.
5. I must not move. All i have to do is sit down.
6. I must not throw up.

after i finished with the bottle she advised me to return after an hour. while waiting for teh hour, my name naman was called at the ultrasound. this time, written on the door was: only patients are allowed inside. :(

anyway, while I sat inside and waited for my turn, I saw my hubby sitting and busy watching movie on the big screen. oh yes, they have a large flat screen on the waiting area. o dba, sosyalin naka-cable pala ang UDMC!

I was then called and led to the cubicle and was advised to lay down. usual instructions given when I had my TVS months ago. the assistant spread cream on my tummy and the ob-sono entered and she exclaimed: "oh my! alam ko na agad ang gender!" hahaha! proud na proud daw ang aking baby.

then she counted all the fingers, toes, arms, legs, checked the chambers of the hear and the works. she then asked me if its my first baby and I said yes. she then asked me if I was accompanied by my husband, again I said yes. she told her assistant, pls call the husband, so I was so happy because she permitted my hubby to enter! Oh i love her!

when hubby entered, he looks worried because he knew he was not allowed to enter but his worries were immediately erased when the ob told him: "here are the balls, here is his pototoy and here is his heartbeat".

ps. afterward, off I went to the laboratory section to have my blood extracted.

gender prediction

2010-01-21T17:38:00.004+08:00

since I got pregnant, a lot of people has been asking me what do I/we want to have as a first child. our standard answer would be: "basta healthy & normal, happy na kami".

we also have a Chinese friend who gave her prediction and she's counting on her prediction so that she will know when to get pregnant to have her baby of their dreams. I also took fun in answering gender prediction quizzes. the more quizzes I took, the more variety was the answer. and more confused I have become.

so when I had my last monthly check up with my ob, we asked if we can now know the gender and she gave the go signal but she advised not to undergo the 4D ultrasound yet, only the CAS. because this early, we may not appreciate our baby yet because he/she is still thin.

of course, I searched the web and looked around for hospitals doing CAS. mahal kasi sa medical city and by appointment pa. P2500 for the CAS procedure plus lab works estimated for the total of 3.5K whereas I've read in smart parenting that there are some hospitals offering the same as low as P700. Big difference huh. READ: nagkukuripot este nagtitipid lang naman kami mag-asawa. sa 4D ultrasound kami gagastos ng bonggang-bongga!

TEAM KRIS

2010-01-18T14:02:00.004+08:00

Being a married woman, I symphatize with kris aquino. And I strongly believe this negative publicity is intented for noynoy. The detractors blew the issue out of hand not knowing it will only increase noynoy's popularity more because the issue is mainly a domestic issue and NOT a political issue.

Kris Aquino may have her own share of negative past but if my memory serves right, she had those relationships when the men she'd involved with are no longer cohabiting with their respective partners. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Kris may be tactless but I love her for being truthful and speaking articulately her thoughts and feelings. Being a public figure doesn't mean you have to lie, instead you have to be truthful so that people will believe you.

And I agree with her, she is just protecting her territory. she's reacting as a wife to James Yap and not as Kris Aquino. Any woman, married woman for that matter, will agree that we know who are safe women and unsafe women to be friends to begin with.

And who in their own right mind would send gifts to a married man addressed only to the man and not to the whole family. Respect begets respect.

I also believe, any married man or any person who is in a relationship, should be wary of female/male or members of the opposite sex who is wanting friendship with malice. There may be no malice at first but don't ignite a fire with a matchstick.

I remember, I know of a woman who once told me: she believes that any man/woman should not be left alone with the opposite sex even if their respective partners knows it is a no malice date/get together. Why? because people will speak. And again, respeto naman sa partner diba?

Hay naku, basta ako, team kris ako!

ps. I wonder why is James keeping mum about all these? Is he a gentleman enough not to talk about domestic matters publicly? If yes, why then is Kris asking for an assurance? Yes, Kris may have her issues but hey, you married the gal!

baby moves

2010-01-15T15:49:00.002+08:00

oh my!

I have a very active baby inside my tummy! even hubby is amazed at his movements. Lately we've noticed that our baby moves when he hears rock bands. at this stage, we still haven't undergone the CAS procedure due to the simple reason that our schedule is so tight. oh well, next week is the date!!! save the date or save the week?!? hehe..

It all started with taps then thumbs and now I know it is my baby moving inside of me. Late last night, around 10pm, while watching television, baby suddenly kicks as if he wants to go out already! Hubby is afraid that he is hurting me because hubby saw with his own eyes that my tummy is pushing outward! oh how I love the look in my hubby's eyes!

Then at 3am in the morning, yes that way too early, again baby is moving! and now that I am writing this blog, baby is kicking! hahaha! If only I could see in utero his actual movements. Is he holding his toes or swinging the umbilical cord?

I am getting excited when his toes or hands are finally embossed on my tummy. If only I can take a picture of that precise moment when it comes.

and oh by the way, I found a great read about fetal movements.

long term plans

2010-01-13T20:58:00.004+08:00

with recession all over the world, we are not spared. even dentists have its own fall out season. we noticed it started when typhoon Ondoy devastated the country.

what we've expected was the longer period our practice is, the higher the return of revenue. not! there is the saying that the ROI of our practice is between 5-10 years. but it is the complete opposite, in our experience. I've been studying our green book when I noticed that with our 4 years of practice, our first 3 years are the best. unfortunately, as we are nearing our fourth year, problems arise. and we cannot blame the economy. people need to fill their stomachs first before they took notice of their tooth aches.

and that is why, with our upcoming little angel, we began making plan B. and that is to work abroad. and if it turns out great, little baby and I will follow hubby.

so help me/us God. Amen.

pregnancy diary: 23 weeks

2010-01-12T19:25:00.005+08:00

Your baby now weighs a little over one pound/ 500 grams and measures about 11.4 inches/ 29 centimeters from crown to heel. Her hearing is well established and she can make out a distorted version of your voice, the beating of your heart and your stomach rumblings. Loud noises often heard in utero, such as the barking of a dog next door or the roar of a vacuum cleaner, probably won't bother your child when she hears them outside the womb. (at least masasanay na ng unti-onti si baby sa ingay ng mga doggies namin dito sa bahay)

Some studies seem to indicate that the unborn prefer classical music. (and I'm listening to Mozart!)

In addition to advances in your baby's hearing, her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. She's swallowing but she normally won't pass her first stool (called meconium) until after birth.

If your baby were to be born now, she would have a small chance of survival (about 16 per cent) with the right care. Every day in the womb makes a difference at this stage. If she was born at 24 weeks her chance of survival would rise to 44 per cent.

As for you, you may feel clumsy now that your center of gravity has shifted. Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and your belly button, once an 'innie', may now stick out. Don't worry. It'll revert to its pre-baby state soon after you give birth. (yay! it is indeed a semi-outie na! lolz.)

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What I've particularly noticed is that my baby moves more at frequent periods of time already. And I find it funny that when I make such position, where I protrude my body, my tummy looks like a pyramid/ triangle shaped! lolz. It's like the head of my baby is protruding! And I am quite amused! But hubby is quite worried with my new found position because he thinks I might hurt our baby, aww...

On the other hand, I like to drink water more frequently now. And I want cold water. Some say that pregnant women should avoid cold drinks because it makes the baby large. But I think NOT! What makes baby large is when your sugar consumption increased, like drinking sodas and colas. Good thing hindi ito hinahanap-hanap ng katawan ko. In short, I can still control my cravings! hahaha! Aba, takot ata ako magkaron ng gestational diabetes and eclampsia! Also, ayoko ma-CS as much as possible. Bukod sa matagal ang healing period e mahal! Yun un!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2010-01-09T22:59:00.006+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the greatest hubby in the whole world! my ex bf of 10 years & my hubby for 1 year & counting! iluvusomuch!!! mwahugs!!!

Since today is a Saturday, we went to work at 9am and went home at 7pm. Long working hours today for the birthday boy. Nevertheless, my mom takes care of hubby's simple dinner which turned out to be a mini fiesta because there are way lots of food! my golly! sira ang diet! hahahaha!

wala sa pix ang sotanghon & ice cream

the Cristobals from Laguna

with the Gruyals

at syempre, kaming mag-asawa

weight gain!

2010-01-08T19:33:00.002+08:00

I, together with my ever supportive hubby, had my monthly check up yesterday and oh my! i gained an excess of 2 kilos! my gosh! supposedly, I am to gain only 2 kilos but with the holiday season, I gained another 2 kilos!!! waaaaaaaaaaaaaa...

My ob reminded me to lessen my rice intake or else mahihirapan kami pareho later on. oo nga naman, kapag hindi ko binawasan ang kain e ako din naman ang mahihirapan kasi pwede akong magkaroon ng gestational diabetes and mas magiging good candidate for CS delivery! Ay, unlike!!!

Since we're 22 weeks already, we asked my ob when can we know the gender of our baby. She said, anytime now. She gave us referral for Congenital Anomaly Scanning, OGCT and HBAg tests.

And now, we're praying that our baby will be normal & healthy. We're currently on the lookout where will we undergo these tests.

pregnancy diary: 22 weeks

2010-01-03T13:22:00.004+08:00

The baby now weighs almost one pound/ 430 grams, measures nearly 11 inches/ just over 27 centimeters long from crown to heel, and is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since her baby fat hasn't yet developed. Although she's getting heavier every day, her skin still appears wrinkled because she needs to gain more weight. The lips are distinct and the eyes are formed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily.

Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before you know it, your baby will be born, and soon after, her first teeth will come through. (puts pressure on our part, blame it on our profession!)

You've probably gained between 12 and 15 pounds/ 5.4 and 6.8 kilograms. Starting now, you'll begin to put on weight more steadily, averaging about half a pound/ 225 grams per week. You may crave certain foods and you may notice an increased (but not bloody) vaginal discharge. Both are a normal part of being pregnant.

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RANT: a lot of people are noticing that my nose is getting wider. boo! oh well, I can't do anything about it because every part of my body is getting huge now.

RAVE: on the other hand, I love wearing pretty clothes emphasizing my bump! yay!

CHRISTMAS is all about family

2009-12-26T13:34:00.007+08:00

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

Eto ang status ko posted in facebook. Hindi naman kasi importante kung may regalo or wala. Ang importante, masaya at buo ang pamilya.

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December 25th l Midnight

This is our 2nd Christmas as husband & wife and again, we celebrated it with my Gruyal family. Sa new year kami magcelebrate sa Laguna. and God is so good kasi pinayagan kami na mahiram si beauty the adventure para hindi magcommute si kimmy (my mom's petname for our baby, kesehodang ano ang gender basta kimmy ang nickname!)

sumasama kasi sa pix si patrash kaso nung nagset na yung timer, ayun naglikot!

hubby and I with baby kimmy in my tummy

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December 25th l Morning

Reunion with our relatives (Ignacio clan). Too bad, medyo madami ang absent ayan tuloy wala silang lechon and bigas take home. As usual, dami ulit food na hindi na namin nakuhanan ng pix kasi attack agad lahat, hahaha!

We had Pinoy Henyo - Kids edition, Newspaper Dance, Stop Dance, Bring Me and the most anticipated Bingo game! Nagimprove ang prizes kasi electric fan, 5 kilos of rice, cash prizes ang major prizes while minor prizes include toys, biscuits, pens, umbrellas, bags, etc.

We had a lot of fun kasi its either super bagal sa pag-announce ng number or super bilis na sunod sunod naman! kaya hilong balelong kaming lahat kasi 4 cards and up ang hawak namin which costs P5 per card.

Halos lahat naman ay naging winners. Pero hindi totoo na kapag buntis swerte kasi hindi ko naman nakuha ang grand prize. Nevertheless, I won minor prizes kaya happy na din. Ang importante, sama-sama kaming nag-enjoy. Usapan tuloy, sa Christmas 2010 baka electronic gadgets na ang major prize!!! Winner!!!

CHRISTMAS RUSH!

2009-12-23T21:14:00.005+08:00

oh my! hindi na nawala sa akin ang pagpro-procrastinate. oo, maaga ko ginawa ang aming Christmas list pero ganun talaga. mahilig ako sa bukas-na-lang-drama! aba, in fairness, si hubby e hindi tinamad magshopping today! sabagay, I/we have reasons of my/our own why ngayon lang kami nakapagshopping ng gifts. excuses! hehehe...

1. crazy schedule sa clinic (dahil December, kahit naka-schedule ang patient, magpapamove sila ng time so ang ending, pati sched namin nagugulo, pero we're not complaining!)
2. madami lakad na hindi ko maisingit ang shopping in between (HS reunion!!!)
3. pagbigyan na, mabagal ako kumilos ngayon, juntis e, hehehe...
4. pinagshopping namin ang aming 4 pamangkins in tow as per request ni momsie (as in kami lang ni hubby ang kasama, kalurkey!)

pero happy pa din kami ni hubby kasi natapos na namin lahat today. o diba, talagang rush kung rush! next stop: gift wrapping! but according to hubby, he can't help me na in this area. but who's complaining? i love wrapping gifts!!!

bdw, hubby and I can't wait to see our loved ones open their presents! as in super excited kami to see their faces!!! we know kasi that they will super appreciate our gifts. kahit rush ang pagbili, may kasamang puso yan sa pagpili ng regalo para sa kapamilya!

pregnancy diary: 20 weeks

2009-12-20T10:09:00.004+08:00

Yay! I'm 20 weeks pregnant as of today! I'm halfway there! So excited to see my bump getting bigger though I kind of worry much because Christmas is just around the corner. It means lots of pigging out! I'm afraid I will gain so much wait and my ob will order me to start on a diet by next month. oh my! hehehe... but let's not worry now. let's enjoy the Holiday season and worry later on, hehehe...

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Fetal development - 20 weeks pregnant
from babycenter

Your baby measures about 6.5 inches/ 16.5 centimeters from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight. A whitish coat of a slick, fatty substance called vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby and protects the skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. It also eases delivery. The baby's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.

You may want to look into a prenatal class if you haven't done so already. Whether you are a first-time parent or want a refresher course, you will benefit from a structured class either way. No matter what the philosophy behind it, a prenatal class can help prepare you for the rigors of labor and birth. You should plan to have completed the classes by 37 weeks, when you'll be considered full-term and labor could start at any time.

Be extra vigilant about getting enough iron. Your baby needs it to make red blood cells, among other things. In fact, it's almost impossible for you to get too much from food alone without overeating. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals.

50 reasons to be glad you're pregnant

2009-12-20T09:53:00.004+08:00

from babycenter

1 Relishing the early weeks when only you and your partner know your special secret. (as in patago pa pumunta ng CR sa madaling araw)

2 Knowing you've got nine whole months to plan, dream and fantasize.

3 Choosing maternity clothes -- they've never been more practical or more sexy. (having people around you giving shopping money)

4 Now you've got the perfect excuse to pamper yourself -- spending hours in a scented bath, enjoying a massage, or rubbing soothing lotions into your growing bump.

5 All your contributions to your SSS and Philhealth that are taken out of your salary are put to good use when you claim your maternity rights.

6 You can join a childbirth class and find a whole new bunch of friends (and don't forget our BabyCenter Philippines birth clubs: another great way to meet people due at the same time as you). (plus I have N@W!)

7 For once in your life you need to get heavier -- pregnancy is nature's way of making you feel good about putting on weight. (double yay!!!)

8 If this is your first baby, enjoy the next nine months sleeping late at weekends: you won't get many chances later on.

9 At last you've got the bust size you've always wanted (super true!!!), which means you also have...

10 ...a great excuse to buy lots of pretty new bras.

11 You'll have a healthy glow without the packaged blush.

12 At last you'll have something more than potted plants and your cat to care for and nurture.

13 Suddenly, you'll find you're getting lots of extra attention from parents, friends, aunts and uncles, not to mention your partner. (sobrang pampered!)

14 You may find you develop a closer relationship with sisters, cousins, or friends who are parents themselves. Congratulations, you've just won free admission to the parents' club.

15 Telling your mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, dog the good news and watching their faces light up. (uber!!!)

16 New talents -- whether it's knitting booties or assembling a crib, you'll suddenly find yourself trying out all sorts of new skills.

17 Suddenly you'll feel a new appreciation for your own mother and all she went through having you.

18 Decorating the nursery: one of the most exciting things you'll ever do.

19 Feeling those first fluttering kicks and thinking, "Is that what I think it is? Or is it just wind?" (as in kakagulat na kakaexcite to know its my baby moving after all and not some gas!)

20 Feeling perfectly at ease when you send your partner out for mushroom pizza followed by double-choc chip ice cream.

21 Your parents digging out your old crib, toys, and clothes, which they've kept safely all this time "just in case."

22 Going for healthy walks with your partner and getting fresh air in your lungs because it's good for you and good for your baby.

23 Enjoying the extra-vivid dreams you get in late pregnancy -- and laughing about them with your friends.

24 Feeling a little pair of heels prodding under your diaphragm and knowing you'll soon be meeting the little person they belong to!

25 Choosing baby clothes -- or just strolling through the malls planning what you're going to buy.

26 Writing a pregnancy diary for your baby to read in the future. (blogspot!!!)

27 Getting someone to take photos of you smiling over your enormous bump so that, one day, you can look back and be amazed you were ever that size.

28 Finding out how many people there are out there ready to care for you: doctors, nurses, midwives, birth coaches, lactation consultants.

29 Lying in bed with your partner's arms around you and your bump, knowing that love has created a new life. (happiness!!!)

30 Enjoying indulgences, such as evenings out, weekends away, slept in mornings, and anything else you might not be able to do so easily once the baby arrives.

31 Knowing that from now on, whatever happens, you'll never be bored again.

32 Making new friends whenever you go shopping -- everyone has a pregnancy story to share.

33 You can spend whole evenings debating whether to call your baby Ysabela or Marianne, Jose or Richard... (don't forget to try our Baby names if you get stuck!) (oh!!! we already have prepared names!)

34 Imagining what he or she will look like. Your sweet little ears, of course, and his sexy eyes.

35 Dreaming about, "My daughter the president/movie star/brain surgeon."

36 Looking at your growing bump in the mirror and realizing there's a person in there! (and someone to talk and sing with)

37 Making out a squirmy outline on the ultrasound monitor. Asking for the pic to take home and pinning it up next to your work station, or just keeping it in your bag to sneak looks at.

38 The expression on your partner's face as he sees the test strip turn blue, looks at your growing bump or feels the baby kicking. (and the expression hubby had when he heard our baby's heartbeat ~ priceless!!!)

39 Buying that first little cuddly toy for your baby, not somebody else's.

40 Making that phone call to your partner to tell him that -- we're off! -- labor has started.

41 Trying out all those exercises you learned at childbirth class and finding out that they actually work.

42 Being held and supported throughout a contraction by your partner/doctor/nurse/labor companion and knowing that you can trust them totally.

43 Finding out, as the contractions get tough, that your repertoire of swear words is far more extensive than you ever realized!

44 Making an informed choice about pain relief and finding that it's right for you at that stage in labor.

45 That huge rush of pleasure and relief when, suddenly, all the pain and effort stops.

46 Looking into your newborn's eyes and falling utterly in love.

47 Watching your partner kiss the nurse, the doctor, cleaning lady, delivery man and anyone else he can find because his joy and pride are overwhelming.

48 Opening a bottle of bubbly to celebrate, whatever the time of day or night.

49 Making all those phone calls to announce the arrival. Telling everyone the news and hearing the excitement in their voices. Posting newborn pics on all your online social networks.

50 Waking up to see your baby sleeping next to you and thinking, 'Wow! This is real. I'm a mom!'

PLDT yay!

2009-12-18T21:25:00.002+08:00

our PLDT is now activated! so happy! and what surprised us the most is that the speed is better than globe! maybe this is the 3G technology they're talking about, hmm...

goodbye GLOBELINES, hello PLDT!!!

2009-12-15T20:06:00.004+08:00

it was so fast. we applied for PLDT internet@home last Friday, approved on Monday morning, delivery & payment was done in the afternoon (all in the confines of our dental clinic ~ super hassle free!). and now, we are waiting for its activation which probably will be tomorrow. yay!!!

I just hope that the advertised speed of 512 kbps is the same as our former broadband.

let's wait and see.Ü

GLOBELINE LANDLINE SUCKS!

2009-12-08T13:39:00.009+08:00

we have been a globeline landline subscriber since July 2006. only a few months after our clinic started its operation. we were quite satisfied with their service and it is quite cheap (only P995 per month!) for the bundle (landline + internet). we chose globelines for the simple reason that there is no available line for new PLDT subscribers that time. in short, no choice naman kami.

on november 2, 2009. we noticed that we cannot make any outgoing calls. we can only receive incoming calls. our payment is updated and we never missed a payment so we thought maybe they're just upgrading their system. but we were worried when after 3 days, we still cannot make an outgoing call. we didn't noticed it yet because we were quite busy in the clinic. so we called up their customer service and got the usual answer: we will make a report and do check it out. turns out, after numerous follow ups on our side still our landline problem is unresolved.

after a month of waiting, hubby and I decided to terminate the services. we know it is quite a long time spent testing our patience. but we're fed up already. where can you find that the customer is the one who does the follow ups even if they already told us that our concern is already expedited and that they are the one who will call us? didn't they know this is the second time we we're irked with their service?

and since the problem is cannot be resolved anymore, they are telling us that if we interested to upgrade instead. but here is the catch: if we upgrade, we will pay a higher amount. fine. its ok with us but we are concerned with retaining our number. the supervisor told me that they will put a voice prompt in order that those who will be calling our old number will be redirected to our new number. and here again is my concern, how much would that cost us? again, the supervisor told me he will get back at me. so I said, pls call me at my landline number or to my mobile number for faster transaction. again, I waited for the promised return call.

and today, december 8, 2009, I am terminating their services. globelines sucks big time.

come to think of it, they are still the one who will benefit from all of these if we complied with the upgrade. we will pay a higher amount. but where is the assurance that their poor customer service will improve? i doubt it. why? because they are an outsourcing company. not a direct employee of globe.

ps. we formally gave our letter of termination of services today. and we're told na we have to return the unit & modem. we were surprised because for all we know is that it is ours already because we paid for it (in addition to the P995 per month). it turns out, the lock in period of 24 months is just for rental fee only. toinks. oh well.

ps2. I also asked if I am to be blacklisted. The reason why I asked is this. My hubby and I are loyal globe mobile users since college. What if there comes a time that we need their service, are they going to assist us or not. She comforted me by saying: "No mam. People who are blacklisted are those who don't pay their bills and terminate the services within the lock in period." whew! I can breathe now.

early Christmas & anniversary

2009-11-09T19:23:00.006+08:00

Since Christmas is just around the corner with only 45 sleeps to go and only 61 days till our clinic's anniversary, hubby and I are having an Early Christmas and Anniversary promo to our loyal patients (and new patients as well)!!! Oops, sorry for those who live way too far.

We've lowered our fees but we are not sacrificing the quality of services to be rendered.

Please share the good news to your family and friends!!!

VISIT US #1256 Sampaguita St., Area D, Camarin, Caloocan City (just right beside Caloocan City Hall - North and LA Reyes Drugstore and below COMELEC)

EMAIL for questions dr.gruyal.cristobal@gmail.com

disclosure policy

2009-11-01T10:04:00.001+08:00

This policy is valid from 31 October 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

paid blogging

2009-11-01T09:42:00.004+08:00

I am always fascinated by stories of fellow bloggers who earn through blogging. It always makes me wonder how do they earn while typing those words and letting their hearts tell a story.

To have an answer to my question, I always visited blogs and search the web for answers. And I've discovered pay per post which bloggers claims to really pay! If this is true, I am now happy!!!

I recently signed up and waiting for some approval to prove that I am not a computer generated robot. Hoping my last sentence will prove my point.

You can't beat a good euphonious

Couvade Syndrome

2009-10-27T20:27:00.004+08:00

Couvade comes from the french word couvee meaning "to hatch". It has come to mean a man having a "sympathetic pregnancy." Yes, ladies, this means that your partner could start to vomit, gain weight, and have many of the "joys" associated with pregnancy.

Generally, couvade syndrome begins in the end of the first trimester and increases in severity until the third trimester. The only known cure for couvade is -- birth.

from about.com

eto pala ang term kapag si mister ang naglilihi imbis na si misis. yup. it was my hubby who first showed the signs. antukin. mahiluhin. as in hindi ako. we haven't taken the PT (pregnancy test) yet that time because we were thinking hubby was just a sleepyhead as normal. but when we told my tita about his conditions, she said maybe he is the one who is naglilihi. we just laughed and shrugged the idea. after a week, we took the PT and yes, we are indeed pregnant. Yay!

for sale: SAKAE Fuji Self Oiling Pump

2009-10-24T16:10:00.001+08:00

FOR SALE: 1 Unit of SAKAE FUJI Self Oiling Pump
Package includes:
1 HP motor
1 Drum capacitor pressure tank
1 Unit Euro Star Water Pump
and
1 Unit Pellet Air gun with CO2 tank

PRICE: P20,000 (negotiable)
Contact Person: Gregg 0921 5876785

one year and thankful!

2009-10-20T11:48:00.006+08:00

Last Sunday, we went out of our way just to hear mass at the Parish of Hearts of Jesus and Mary wherein exactly a year ago, we got married.

Yup, we are celebrating our first year of our marriage at the same church. Cheesy but I think this is our way of thanking God for all the blessings (good or bad) that we had received for the past year. and I think, we will be doing this every year as our tradition being husband & wife.

I am very thankful because I am blessed to have a husband like my hubby. He is not only a husband, but he is a best friend, a confidant, my cook, my doctor, my alalay, my everything! And with pregnancy hormones raging, I am very thankful that hubby doesn't get pissed, hehe.. ganyan kahaba pasensya ng asawa ko!

And now, I am sharing our wedding march video and my wedding diy AVP.

wedding video

DIY wedding AVP

best mango juice (for me)

2009-10-15T16:41:00.002+08:00

when I got pregnant, naghanap ako ng mango juice. gusto ko yung magnolia (or was it nestle?) tetra pack na available noong bata pa kami. nagpahanap ako sa tatay ko since sila ng nanay ko ang lalabas. pag-uwi nila, bungad agad ng nanay ko na nagpanic buying ang tatay ko kasi walang available na magnolia/ nestle tetra pack. as in madami silang pinuntahan na supermarket, maibili lang ang kanilang prinsesa. ang ending, bumili ang tatay ko ng 3 klase. yup! 3 brands. Gina, del monte and another brand na hindi ko na maalala.

unknown brand: sorry pero itsura pa lang, mukhang pineapple juice ang iniinom ko. matabang pa. maputla kasi.

del monte: sorry pero parang amoy putok or something. pero sabi ni hubby baka dahil hindi malamig kaya hindi masarap.

gina: the best! sobrang lasa ng mangga! yum yum! sabi ng nanay ko, kaya siguro yan ang palagi sineserve sa mga restos kasi lasang mangga talaga.

ob hopping and TVS

2009-10-11T15:41:00.003+08:00

we still don't have a regular ob so to speak because we've visited two ob's in a span of 2 months. both ob's are ok naman with us.

ob#1 is young and what's nice with her is she's taking her time to explain to us our pregnancy. hindi sya yung tipong hindi pa nagiinit ang pwet mo e gusto ka na palabasin sa doctor's office. medyo mahal nga lang ang pf nya sa UST & FEU.

ob#2 is a fertility expert. what's bothering me is late (or should I say uber late?) si ob#2 sa first appointment namin with her. so medyo turn off but it turns out na she's good and damn too honest which we like, hehehe...

yet, hubby and I are torn kasi hindi 100% pasado ang hospital facilities sa mom ko kung san sila both affiliated. actually, hubby and my mom is gearing towards delgado hospital but I read some reviews that CS delivery may start from 80k up! ohmygulay! ano ako, magpapakasal ulit? lolz.

on a brighter note:

I already did my TVS (transvaginal ultrasound) last Friday. and oh my! I can't describe what I felt when I saw the flicker of heart and heard the heartbeat of our baby! I am teary eyed! happiness!!! I am indeed pregnant!!!

ps. while I was prepped by the nurse for the TVS, I asked her: "masakit po ba?" she said: "mam, buntis na nga po kayo e!". lolz. ako ang napahiya sa tanong ko, hahahahaha! aba, malay ko ba! first time ko lang e.

pregnancy diary: week 8

2009-10-04T18:09:00.003+08:00

Your baby is growing at an amazing rate — about a millimeter every day — and now is the size of a large raspberry or about the size of a kidney bean. Your little berry is looking a lot less reptilian (even though she has webbed fingers and toes, her tail is just about gone) and a lot more baby-like these days, as her lips, nose, eyelids, legs, and back continue to take shape. Her heart is beating at the incredible rate of 150 times per minute — about twice as fast as yours! And even though you can't yet feel it, she's now making spontaneous movements as she twitches her tiny trunk and limb buds.

wala nang magkasyang maong pants ko sa akin. sadness. kaya eto, madalas na akong naka-slacks. bukod sa masikip ang pants e magagalit si hubby kapag naiipit ang aking tummy, baka daw maipit si little raspberry baby!

I was supposed to have my transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) this week but due to the bad weather e postponed muna. next week na lang. at least, by next week, I am 9 weeks preggy na so mas may makikita kami sa TVS. mas malinaw na si little raspberry and makikita din ang heartbeat! Double yay!

october na!

2009-10-01T13:57:00.003+08:00

OMG. october na! ilang days na lang 1 year na kami kasal ng mabait kong asawa. dati rati ay nagpaplano kami kung paano ito ice-celebrate pero sa nangyayari sa ating bansa ay hindi namin makuha magplano. come what may na lang ang drama! seize the day!

initially, we planned to go to boracay or bohol kaso na-preggy na ako so scratch off the list ang travel. after na lang makapanganak para sure na safe si baby.

we wanted to buy his and hers watch pero scratch off ulit kasi mahina ang clinic. need muna makabawi ulit. malamang sa pasko na lang.

so ang ending, malamang ay magluto na lang ako ng garlic spaghetti pesto na fave ng asawa ko.

in short, kuripot mode activated. lolz.

ps. bibili nga pala kami ng microwave oven dahil request ng aking parents who'll be celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary ngayong october 14! yay!!!

rain in the philippines

2009-09-29T19:27:00.001+08:00

it is a normal thing na maging maulan sa Pilipinas dahil wet and dry lang naman ang season sa ating bansa. ang pinagtataka ko lang, bakit kahit ilang beses na tayo napupuntahan ng bagyo ay palagi pa din tayong hindi handa.

I know, this is not the right time to point fingers but I can't help but wonder, where does our taxes go? hindi ba dapat in times like these may pondo? ay ewan. ang nangyari tuloy, private sector ang naunang tumulong sa ating mga kakabayan na nasalanta. ang masahol pa nito, dati rati ay may calamity loan for SSS members, pero ngayon ay wala na. salary loan na lang ang meron. pati GSIS members ay wala ring pondo so to speak.

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our family was so blessed to be spared from the wraths of Ondoy but some of our relatives who live in Marikina and Holy Cross, Quezon City are not. kaya what we did upon learning what happened to them, we immediately organized all our clothes, food, supplies and water to help our relatives. ang masahol pa nito, binaha na nga ang mga pinsan ko, nanakawan pa! walang puso ang mga ganid na tao! hmp.

hubby are so thankful na kahit mahina ang aming clinic ay hindi kami binaha. some of our fellow colleagues in the dental profession are not. as in fully submerged lahat ng supplies pati compressor nya ay lumutang so to speak. ayaw nya pa icheck ang dental chair kasi baka sumabog. imagine the que horror. patay ang negosyo. patay ang practice. kahit naka-insured e force majeur. so paano na?

kaya eto, always kami nagdadasal na sana magkaron ng lakas ang lahat at wag mawalan ng tiwala sa Diyos. lilipas din lahat ng ito at lahat tayo ay makakabangon muli. amen.

its a girl..

2009-09-24T12:42:00.007+08:00

again!!! congratulations to my brother and sis-in-law (SIL) for their second baby girl!!!

ano bro, isa pa baka maka-boy? ahihihi...

woke up at 3am because the CS operation will be held at 7am. and since malayo ang metropolitan hospital sa bundok ng camarin ay kailangan maaga kami bumyahe. nakaalis na kami at 430am. at dahil buntis ako, ayun kalagitnaan ng byahe ay nagutom na ako, haha! nagdrive through kami sa mcdo. buti na lang may 24 hours along the way.

we reached metropolitan hospital at 630am. medyo groggy na si SIL and tulog pa mga kasama nila sa room but my brother is wide awake na. unlike sa unang delivery, this time kalmado na kapatid ko. hindi na sya harrassed or stressed. pero si SIL ang halatang takot and kinakabahan since alam na nya ang procedure.

God is good kasi ipinasok sya at 7am and at 7:26am ay tapos na ang operation and thank God walang complication. tibay talaga ng SIL ko!

we saw our newest pamangkin at exactly 9am. am puti!!! aliw na aliw ang mommy ko kasi am puti! hehehe... sabi namin, sana ay kahit mahanginan ay maputi pa din! ahihihi...

wala kami ginawa sa room kungdi manood ng tv, matulog, kumain at makipaglaro sa pamangkin ko. ewan ko ba, feeling ko super pagod ako. pero kahit pagod ay aliw na aliw ako sa unang pamangkin ko kasi ang loko na.

nakabalik si SIL sa room at around 1130am and loko talaga pamangkin ko, lahat kami tahimik biglang sabi nya: mommy hi! 3x! hahahaha! ang cute!

ayun, nakauwi na kmi sa bahay at 10pm dahil super traffic dahil bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. and tama hinala ko, para akong binugbog sa pagod. parang lantang gulay ako. oh my, ganito ba talaga kapag preggy? am bilis mapagod, sobra!

pregnancy diary: week 7

2009-09-21T19:51:00.006+08:00

monday | week 7 | day 1
holiday pero nagopen kami. aba, kailangan kumayod. swerte ang baby namin. simula ng nalaman namin na preggy na ako ay araw araw ay may pumapasok na patient.

medyo nagalit si hubby kasi ang dami ko pinastahan sa patient. baka daw nastress ako. sabi ko, no worries kasi madali lang naman yun. kapag extractions siguro yun na lang ang ipapasa ko sa kanya.

tuesday | week 7 | day 2
OMG! pasintabi sa mga kumakain, nagtatae ako! malamang dahil 2x ako uminom ng anmum kagabi. tsk. sayang ang anmum. hahahaha! the kuripot side of me is showing! never again to drink anmum 2x a day. sabi ni dra once a day. kulit ko kasi ayan tuloy. sarap kasi e, hehe..

ps. nothing much to post except may mga cravings ako. and I so hate the smell of garlic! arg!

pregnancy diary: week 6

2009-09-21T18:56:00.005+08:00

tuesday | week 6 | day 2
because I was delayed for a month and a week, I took the pregnancy test using medic, bought from mercury drugstore worth P125, with my first pee at 3 in the morning. hindi naman ako masyado excited?! though I admit, medyo kabado ako kasi na-experience ko ang malungkot last month (August) nung kahit 3 PT kits na ang ginamit ko for testing e talagang 1 line lang.

lo and behold, 2 lines can be seen! though parang medyo faint yung isang line. nevertheless, all smiles ako nung ipinakita ko kay hubby.

and napabangon ang asawa ko! nagpanggap ako na negative and sinabi ko sa kanya na sya na lang ang tumingin. makikita mo na all smiles sya, ahihihi.. kodak moment!

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wednesday | week 6 | day 3
again, nagtest ulit kami. this time, using a different brand: accupure worth P60. and this time very clear na two lines. hindi na malabo. kaya super happy kami!!!

initially, we planned na magpacheck muna sa ob before announcing to my family e kaso tinawag ng pagkakataon kaya sinabi na namin kinagabihan! hindi naman kami masyadong excited ano?

so paano ba namin sinabi? pinakit ko yung 2 PT kits. sagot ba naman ng tatay at nanay ko, ano yan?! natawa kami mag-asawa. so sabi ko na lang, magiging lolo at lola na kayo ulit! ayun, hiyawan na! ang napansin ko lang, nung nasabi namin ang result e bakit biglang lumaki ata ang puson ko?!? biglang nagpapampam si baby? ahihihi...

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thursday | week 6 | day 4
supposedly may pasok kami sa clinic. imbis na mag-open kami ng clinic ay sa ob gyne kami nagpunta. nag-walk in lang kami sa medical city, sm fairview. nagtanong lang sino ang available na ob. and since 11am pa si doc dadating ay nagantay na lang kami para hindi sayang ang byahe. dumating kami ng quarter to 11m pero pang number 6 na kami. so antay lang kami. nakakaantok pala mag-antay. nagkamali pa kami ng upo kasi lumipat kami sa malapit sa pintuan ng clinic ni doc na maliit lang upuan. hindi tuloy kami comfy. anyways, naasikaso kami 12:15pm na! waaaaaaaaaaa! grabe sa pagantay pero worth the wait naman. inorasan ko kasi kung gaano katagal yung meeting with dra and more or less 15mins each except yung isa na parang wala pang 5 minutes ay tapos na.

napansin ko pala while waiting, madami kaming may kasamang lalaki na I'm assuming ay hubby din nila. ang hindi ko lang maintindihan, bakit kapag tinawag na ang babae ay hindi na sumasama sa loob ang lalaki? buti na lang yung isa ay sumama. hay naku, ako? talagang nirequest ko kay hubby na sumama sya. and kahit sya man ay gusto nya din sumama. o di ba, am bait ng asawa ko.

gosh. ganun pala kapag first time sa ob. kinakabahan ako na excited. mabait si dra tangonan. and take note, ang slim! nagmukha tuloy akong dambuhala, hehe... she asked us my medical history. yung usual na tinatanong namin sa dental clinic namin. pati info about us ni-ask din nya. she also took my blood pressure (100/80mmHg normal ko ay 90/60mmHg). medyo tumaas kasi kinakabahan ako and its ok naman. tapos eto na, IE or Internal Exam. she gave me a scrub suit tapos pinahubad nya slacks ko (next time dapat magskirt or dress ako para panty na lang). she is very gentle and talagang ieexplain nya why she's doing the exam. tapos she gave me vitamins (Folart 5mg/ day), a free anmum (to be taken once daily) and my pregnancy book. tapos ask kami ng questions and she patiently explains to us the answers. ang pinaka the best na sinabi nya ay, I am 6 weeks and 4 days pregnant. tapos she requested for some lab works. at natapos ang aming check up na may ngiti sa aming mga mukha.

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friday | week 6 | day 5
ika-11month wedding nniversary namin! gandang monthsary gift ni baby! all smiles tuloy kami. grabe ang pagpamper ng asawa ko sa akin. as in kulang na lang wala akong gawin. pati parents ko, naguwi ng suha and seedless grapes! yum yum!

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saturday | week 6 | day 6
palagi akong nagigising ng disoras kasi nawi-wiwi ako. sabi naman ni dra ay normal ito. good thing nga daw at hindi ako nagsusuka. still the same, si hubby pa din ang nagtitimpla ng gatas ko every morning and sya nagaasikaso ng breakfast ko. spoiled!!!

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sunday | week 6 | day 7
nagsimba kami para magpasalamat sa blessing ni Lord sa amin. nung hapon, ayun, naghanap ako ng indian mango with bagoong. at khit napakainit para lumabas ng bahay ay umalis ang asawa ko para bumili and sya din ang naggisa nito para siguradong malinis ang bagoong! ang sweet!

how did we do it?

2009-09-19T19:29:00.003+08:00

after posting to our facebook status that we are expecting, a lot of my friends from w@w and n@w are asking me how we did it.

first and foremost, we didn't visit an ob-gyne prior and I didn't went to a masseuse. we didn't even practice the advise of others to place a pillow during and after love making. we just let nature take is own course. because we believe, that it is God's will.

but here's what I did.

1. READ. since I am a member of newlyweds@work, I search the archives on how to get pregnant. from there, I saw that I can join mycycle in order for me to know my ovulation period.

2. PRAY. we prayed to the Lord. we asked God that His will be done. and that whatever happens, we will accept it with a full and grateful heart.

3. BUY AN AIRCON. seriously! when friend#1 of mine got married after us, she immediately got pregnant after a month! and when friend#2 wants to get pregnant, they seek advice from our friend #1. they shared their secret and viola, friend#2 got pregnant immediately after buying an aircon! so that's what hubby and I did! and here's the result! yes, I am 6 weeks pregnant!!!

PS. wala naman siguro mawawala kung gagayahin nyo kami. magagamit nyo din naman ang aircon kasi extreme ang weather sa Pilipinas.

how it all started

2009-09-18T13:25:00.004+08:00

NOTE:this post is intended for female readers only or for those who wants to take a glimpse as hubby and I take this pregnancy/ maternity/ parenthood road.

regular cycle ako.
never missed a period.
ever.

hubby and I have been married for 11 months.

August, I am delayed for a week.
took 3 pregnancy tests, all are negative.
it caused us sadness.
but we let it go.
we believe, it is God's will.

September, I am again delayed.
we waited for a week to take the test.
took a pregnancy test on my 8th missed day, 2 lines!
took a pregnancy test again on the 9th missed day, again 2 lines!
went to the Ob-gyne...
we're expecting!
I'm 6 weeks or 1 1/2 months already.

good thing I am taking up Folart beforehand and loves to drink Nido milk.
Ob said it is a good thing that I'm taking up Folart and that I love milk. hindi na daw pahirapan on my part, hehe..
Folart is good for the baby's brain & body development.

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Hubby and I went to Medical City at SM Fairview at quarter to 11am and looked for an Ob-gyne. Nagulat kami, pang number 6 na agad kami. we were accommodated at 12:15pm. gutom na ako! hahahaha! good thing, mabait si dra tangonan. hubby and I agreed na sya na ang Ob namin. we feel safe with her. hindi sya intimidating. and she answers all our questions. syempre we are first timers kaya dami kami tanong. I even asked dra if it is normal na naging ututin ako. and she said yes and don't be shy to ask weird questions. kaya daw ganon kasi mabagal ang digestive process ngayon ng aking digestive system. kaya ang solution? eat in small portions pero dapat madaming beses. and never ever lay down agad after eating or else, magsusuka ako. good thing din that I am not yet experiencing nausea & dizziness.

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bdw, I'm now drinking Anmun Materna. it tastes like magnolia fresh milk or Nido na walang asukal, hehe...

and oh, I also noticed, lumaki ang boobs ko, hehehe... ang saya!!!

and we become 3

2009-09-17T20:14:00.004+08:00

kaya naman pala ako biglang tinamad...

kaya naman pala madalas ako magwiwi...

kaya naman pala ako naging antukin...

kaya naman pala...

thank you Lord for the blessing of a new life!!!

not interested (am I really???)

2009-09-13T23:13:00.002+08:00

I don't now what's with me why I stopped playing my favorite FB games: farm town, farm ville, fish world, country story. But for the record, I am still playing pet society (my first FB game).

Before, I usually make my schedule ahead of time on which game I will play on this day and on that day on that time but recently, I snapped out of it. Maybe I got tired of playing them. Maybe these games lost their magic on me. Wala na silang dating or wala na akong challenge.

Maybe, I am growing up. Lolz. Or maybe, sadyang tinatamad na ako. Hahahaha!

september chiclits

2009-09-13T22:42:00.005+08:00

whew! I didn't even notice that its Sunday already because I was so busy reading my ebooks from my mobile. I started reading 1st day of September and would you believe, I finished... 6 ChicLits?!?

Love the One You're With by Emily Griffin

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Accidentally Yours by Susan Mallery

Givenchy Code by Julie Kenner

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

and I am currently reading Love You to Death by Melissa Senate

of all the 6 ChicLits that I've read, I love My Sister's Keeper, Givenchy Code and Twenties Girl. These 3 I would highly recommend for good reading but Confessions of a Jane Austen addict? I'm sorry, but a big no-no. I thought I would love this one because of its very intricate narration but heck no. pinilit ko na lang basahin para matapos na and para madelete na sa memory ng mobile ko, hehe..

rainy days

2009-09-11T19:22:00.002+08:00

"Rain rain go away
come again some other day
Little ____________
Wants to play
Rain rain go away"

I love the rain when I was still a student because it meant no classes. But now that I am working, it sucks.

Why? Because...

1. It means that there will be less patient/s coming in.

2. It means fluctuant electricity.

3. It means more germs and bacteria around.

4. It means no open shoes/ sandals for the day (hehe..)

on the other hand, I don't think it really sucks because...

1. It means I can catch up on my readings (ebook galore!!! yey!)

2. It means hot choco on the side while reading ebooks

3. It means more time to snuggle under the covers

Oh well.. you can't have it all!

highschool life

2009-08-23T22:00:00.000+08:00

High school life, on my high school life
Ev'ry memory, kay ganda
High school days, oh my high school days
Are exciting, kay saya

There are times, may problema ka
Kung ang homework, left undone
Pray ka lang, 'wag tawagin ka
Upang di pagtawanan

High school love my one high school love
Not infatuation or crush
Tunay 'to s'ya ang buhay ko
Di n'yo lang alam ako'y nagba-blush

Bakit nga ba ang first love ko
Ay di serious, so it seems
Kung alam lang ng first love ko
He is always in my dreams

Ang saya ng high school
Same in yours and my school
Di na mapapantayan
T'yak ganyan ang buhay na sadyang makulay
Alaala kaylan man

High school life, on my high school life
Ev'ry memory, kay ganda
High school days, oh my high school days
Are exciting, kay saya

High school life, ba't ang high school life
Ay walang kasing saya?
Bakit kung Graduation na'y
Luluha kang talaga?

High school life, ba't ang high school life
Ay walang kasing saya?
Bakit kung Graduation na'y
Luluha kang talaga?

Ang saya ng high school
Same in yours and my school
Di na mapapantayan
T'yak ganyan ang buhay na sadyang makulay
Alaala kaylan man

High school life, on my high school life
Ev'ry memory, kay ganda
High school days, oh my high school days
Are exciting, kay saya

High school life, ba't ang high school life
Ay walang kasing saya?
Bakit kung Graduation na'y
Luluha kang talaga?

SECTION 4D. with my former classmates & adviser.

OMG! because of facebook, parang nagkaron na din kami ng reunion with my former classmates, schoolmates, batchmates. nakakatuwa kasi ang dami nagpopost ng highschool photos and my gulay! ang daming nagbago! madami na may asawa and anak. madami din ang nag-migrate na. yung iba naman, mga OFWs na. grabe, 12 years had passed yet parang kahapon lang nangyari ang lahat! tindi din ng mga memory nila kasi naalala pa nila ang mga kulitan, kalokohan, kaharutan days noon!

nakakatuwa kasi I get the chance to be reconnected again with long lost friends. good thing talaga, nainvent ang facebook! kasi wala naman ganito sa friendster e. friendster ko? ayun, pasilip silip na lang ako.

nakakatuwa kasi naalala pa nila na yung classroom namin ay ginawang horror house. yung section namin ay nagpa-disco ball! and, yung section namin ang nakahiwalay kapag may friday mass! hahahaha! and eto ang the bomb: notorious daw ang section namin?!? watthe*%@!?!?

highschool life! Ü

HIGH time

2009-08-21T21:07:00.002+08:00

I had the time of my life when I first saw our wedding photos on flickerhappy's website.

what more when I saw, again, it was posted this time by sis arvee!

I so so so love our wedding!!! I am not an OC bride. nasa halfway into OC bride pa lang. We may not have a perfect wedding, but since we live on this mantra, to live with contentment, for us, perfect ang aming wedding!

On a lighter note, I love it when people fall in love with flickerhappy's photography! I feel so proud to be one of their subjects.

on parking spaces

2009-08-19T18:46:00.000+08:00

our dental clinic is occupying a space on the ground floor together with the drugstore; COMELEC on the second floor and a cooperative renting on the whole third floor. so imagine the buhos of people coming in.

of course, the space in front (of our dental clinic) is ours to use and for our patients use exclusively. kasama sa monthly rent ang parking space. what irate me and my hubby is, even if we have placed signs that the frontage of our clinic is ours to use (since we are paying for our space), still a lot of people are so ewan. it is fine with us if you park if and only if we have not yet opened or if we have placed notes that we weren't open that day. but heck no. patay malisya pa. nakakabwisit din ang sumuway. ok lang sana kung maayos kausap pero no. mga balasubas. parang kami pa ang nahihiya sa kanila. my gulay!!!

since today is Quezon city day, a lot of people parked to register at comelec. so of course, we pointed it out to them. but no, they remained glum. as in deadma. so hubby will again tell them to park elsewhere because it is our space. a few minutes after the van left, another van parked. again, hubby went out to kindly tell them. this time they moved. but then a big car parked with DILG ID on it. again, hubby waited for a few minutes before going out. good thing, they immediately unparked. maybe because, naabutan na sila ng cut off.

hay, bakit ganun ang mga Pilipino? I mean, hindi ba kayo nakakabasa ng signs? or sadyang hindi kayo marunong magbasa? or ayaw nyo magbasa? malaking abala kaya yung kung kapag nanjan na ang patient namin saka namin kayo paalisin? susmiyo.

facebook... ang liit ng mundo!

2009-08-18T21:15:00.001+08:00

Sobra akong amazed. yes, I know the world is too small and when you meet people, one way or another, you will have some common friends.

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NUMBER 1. I am using facebook when I browsed through my schoolmates pictures when I saw that my HS schoolmate and my patient knows each other! naaliw ako, super!

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NUMBER 2. I am playing farm town (again, in facebook) when my HS crush chatted with me through farm town's chat. oh my, how fast time flew! He was my ultimate crush way back in high school but when I saw him now, geez, are you my type?!? Lolz. Anyway, he said that their family dentist knows me. So I asked what's the name, maybe I know her and I could say hi for them. He said, that their dentist knew me because I was well known (daw) nung college. Yeah, right. I was active in school then. And I added, maybe because, iilan lang kaming maganda nung college! hahahahahaha!

Naaliw lang ako kasi nanumbalik ang HS memories ko kay crush. OMG. as in crush ko sya noon. Ayun, kamustahan sa mga buhay buhay eg. may-asawa. Pati na din sa buhay HS namin. Nakakatawa kasi nabanggit nya na sikat daw ako nung HS. sabi ko, no I'm not. Sabi nya, yes kasi iilan lang kayong maganda noon. sabi ko, sila lang ang maganda noon. after HS saka ako gumanda! hahahahaha! then he said, di ba hindi naman tayo classmates noon pero kilala kita. kasi nga maganda ka. sabi ko, hay naku kilala mo lang ako kasi crush kita noon! Nakakatawa, kapag lumipas ang panahon, madali ng sabihin ang mga ganitong bagay sa taong noong araw e hiyang hiya ka ipaalam.

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NUMBER 3. Ang dami kong nakilalang friends na friends din ng friends ko! Galing talaga. Lahat ay connected. Parang yung sa movie na jologs ba yun?!

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Facebook reconnects people. Aliw!!!

a child's dream come true

2009-08-07T20:34:00.000+08:00

I saw the post of sis tani about her son wanting to become a dentist when he grows up. Reading their mother-and-son conversation brings back my childhood memories.

Since I was little, I knew I wanted to become a dentist. The reason why I wanted to become one is because my thinking back then was, I want to be like my tita who works on her own pace. My tita who works under no boss. My tita who doesn't bring home paperwork at home, unlike my mom who's a CPA, who brings tons of paperwork at home. My parents always told me that I love to bring my toothbrush wherever we go. As in literal na baon baon ko palagi ang aking toothbrush. Makalimutan na ang lahat wag lang ang toothbrush!

Little did I know what it takes to become a dentist and being a dentist, for that matter.

I took up preparatory dentistry (a 2 year course prior to dentistry proper) at Manila Central University. Then took up the 4 year dentistry proper course at the same university. I was blessed to have a CAP scholarship plan. Yes, hindi ako naabutan ng pagsasara sa pagkalugi ng CAP. As in we paid zero tuition in my first 4 years of college. We only paid 2 years, and that was a big savings on my parents wallets. But heck no. We have 4 semesters (2 years) of clinical internship and that is bloody expensive. With the dental materials and supplies we need to buy and use for our patients.

But God is so good because I was blessed with friends and relatives who need dental works. As in I paid zero. Good thing, naniwala naman mga kamag-anak ko sa akin, lolz. I no longer need to pay for patients from agents who charges a minimum of P100 per patient and that is exclusive of merienda or lunch. O diba, ginawang kabuhayan pa ang magpasa ng pasyente sa clinician. As in, sa ahente lang yung P100. This is actually good news, if and only if, mabibigyan ng porsyento ang patient but no. madalas sa ahente lang yun.

Anyway, I finished my college education on time, took up the excruciating! diarrhea-causing! board exams and I passed the board! Yey!!!

I work my way up from being a dental assistant to dental associate to now a full time dentist of our own dental clinic. 2 years of outside experience before we set up our own. Took up orthodontic post graduate course in between my jobs. Yes, galing sa sweldo ko ang pinangtustos ko sa post graduate course ko. Nakakahiya na kasi sa magulang ko humingi ng pang-tuition since I am now a college graduate and working. Baka duguin na ang parents ko sa kakabayad ng tuition!

And now, I am a dentist. Childhood dreams really do come true. You just have to work hard, believe in yourself and put your faith with God.Ü

for President Cory Aquino

2009-08-02T19:50:00.000+08:00

Show your support for President Cory! Post a Yellow Ribbon on you profile picture in facebook or any other social networking site. pls get a yellow ribbon.

goodbye tita cory

2009-08-01T20:37:00.000+08:00

picture source

hubby and I woke up early today. even if I am still dead tired (from sleeping?), bumangon na ako kasi nagugutom na ang asawa ko. upon walking out of our room, my dad told us "patay na si Cory". oh my! then I saw my mom, whom I know is a devotee and an avid fan of Cory. (this is the reason why we call her tita Cory instead of Madam president. feeling close kami, hehe...). TV is blasting with the news. My dad can't even decide which channel to watch. Err, dad its the same. But I like Channel 2 better. I even saw a glimpsed of the Parish of Hearts of Jesus and Mary where Cory attends mass since she lives in the area. Bdw, this is where we got married. So when people asked us where are we getting married, we always reply with: "sa simbahan ni tita Cory!"

Naturally, my mom cried. she even urged my dad to go with her to Tita Cory's wake. but my dad said not today because there is a typhoon. I guess the weather is also crying for tita Cory. but I know God (in heaven is waiting for her) and Ninoy is there, waiting with a big smile.

our Family will be praying for the Aquino family and also, to the whole Filipinos. for me, tita Cory is the lone president who is straight and knows what the Philippines really needs.

ps. here is tita Cory's website.

Prayer for Married Couple

2009-07-23T18:53:00.000+08:00

copied from sis krisel

PRAYER OF A MARRIED COUPLE

Heavenly Father, by Your love You created us, one for the other, to be united in the Sacrament of Matrimony. Now we come to you, in the name of Jesus who said – Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.”

Bless our life together that by our fidelity and love for each other we may be witnesses of Christ, Your Son. Bless our children as we pray for the grace to be loving and good parents to them.

You willed us to be united that we may know how to manage material blessings, so that when we help those in need, they will see only Your providence. In times of need, teach us to be humble so that we may know how to admit and share even this that humiliates us.

Keep us enlightened, so that we may see others – our relatives, our friends and all those that you send us, not as loads that can burden us but as souls that need to be nourished. Make us aware that our souls too can be nourished if we remain faithful in your love.

Remind us to care for our body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, so that we may also learn to care for all Your creation. Teach us to be simple and modest, so that our home and our family may reflect the Trinitarian Life in the Little House of Nazareth. Give us wisdom so that we may remain strong when we are called to defend what is right and what is good according to your will.

Shower us with Your love so that we may be a channel that will bring this love to all.

In moments of temptation, let us see Joseph, humble and faithful, knowing only to serve You. In moments of sorrow and despair, let us see Mary at the foot of the cross, desolate but ever obedient. In moments of suffering, let us see the face of Jesus, crucified and forsaken yet even more united to You – “Abba.”

Mold us so that we may keep the flame of love always alive in our home. For the times we failed to love, we ask Your mercy. We are nothing without You; but, You are Love.

We entrust ourselves to You. Help us, we pray, that we may be victorious in our desire to keep ever alive the presence of Jesus in our midst.

Amen.

on wedding coordinators

2009-07-19T21:03:00.001+08:00

wedding coordinators can either make or break your wedding as they say.

photo ops with the KEEM team together with Leo and manang and ms lorna (assistant make up artist) at the reception

I even dreamed of becoming a wedding coordinator after our wedding but my hubby didn't let me. He said that it will eat my time and who knows, I might even neglect our clinic. (my first dream)

Why am I on this topic? My w@wie sister is asking me about my personal experience with our coordinator and after such talks, I concluded that we should be thankful that our OTDs did such a wonderful job even if for some people e hindi sila pumasa. There is no such thing as perfect wedding so is there are no perfect wedding coordinators. kahit super kilala pa yan or newbie pa lang, for sure meron at meron glitch. it's how they handle such situations that make them cut above the rest.

We booked our OTD for the simple reason that I don't want me and my hubby to be harassed on our big day. and also, ayoko ipasa sa mga pinsan ko ang pasanin simply because I already experienced being harassed and not enjoying the party at all.

So what are our requirements? Budget of course! Aanhin ko ang magtanong sa alam kong super galing kung hindi naman pasok sa budget. So what I did was, I listed down all those OTDs na pasok sa budget and eliminating those na hindi therefore preventing me from feeling kawawa kasi hindi namin sila kaya bayaran at magday dream na lamang, haha! Then I backread from w@w archives for reviews about my chosen few. So I came up with my top3 and started to email them about their rates.

I am thankful because my top 3 choices are all very nice in our exchange of emails. Yun nga lang, when we are ready to pay our downpayment, nagclash na yung scheds kaya napunta kami sa aming Top 2 who nevertheless performed well.

Looking back, I am still thankful we booked our top 2 because they performed well. All our requests were granted esp my request na walang tao sa likod ko when I do my bridal march; when it comes to seating arrangement during the wedding reception; distribution of favors & tokens for the sponsors, entourage and guests; pag-asikaso sa parents namin. Stress free din kami mag-asawa. Napasaya pa nila kami with their services. Nairefer nya kami sa magaling na makeup artist kaya mas gumanda ako that day and feeling artista as well dahil nakasunod palagi sa amin ang makeup artist for retouch (as in! dami nga nakapansin na kinarir daw kami ng makeup artist, hahaha!) and sa mura pero kalidad na LCD projector supplier. Ü

kulitan after the party

ps. our wedding coordinators made our wedding a very organized and successful one! (as per feedback from guests, yey!!!)

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my college friend sent me a text message about wedding preparations. I urged her to join w@w (until today, I have no idea yet if she already joined).

anyways, she asked for my help on where do she start. she knew kasi that I was hands-on with our wedding. my hubby even kidded me: "hun, be ready to be swamped with lots of queries!!!". Seriously, I was answering him in my mind with: "Ooohh how I love to answer her queries!!!". I am again giddy with excitement!

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To start with, ask yourself these questions: budget, date and location. Then everything will follow. Believe me because that's what we did. wink! wink!

photostory: baguio

2009-07-18T20:31:00.000+08:00

I am having a hard time maintaining a blog and facebook (oh before I forget, I also have a multiply account! silly me, haha!). it just so happen that I am (so) addicted to pet society and farm town. harhar...

anyways, let me share some photos taken during my trip to baguio with my very good friends-since-birth lulu and thea.

hindi naman halata na excited kami masyado bumyahe.
see! ang cutie ng hotel!!!

yum yum! panalo ang crispy tapa! inimagine namin kung gaano kahirap itong pinrepare ng cook. hiblahin daw ba isa isa para magmukhang pugad ng ibon? masarap din ang adobo. mechado? so so lang.

picture galore

masarap ang pumpkin soup. the food? no comment. buti na lang madaming hipon, haha!

super happy sina lulu & thea kasi super yummy ng korean ice cream! hubby introduced me to this ice cream so in turn I introduced this to my friends! tawanan kami kasi of all places, kumain daw ba ng ice cream daw sa baguio!

solo pics at SM baguio after mamili ng shades

nabigla talaga kami kasi 1st time lang kami makakita ng gigantic dog!!! in fairness, artistahin si douglas ha! kinareer ang pagiging dogartist nya, haha! kuing pwede lang syang iuwi sa manila! at eto ang matindi, may taga-punas sya ng laway! imagine! hahaha!

pwede ba namang mawala ang photo ops with the igorot na naka-costume. xempre hindi. at talagang sinulit namin ang bayad na P10/ pax sa cosyume and P20 kay manang igorot. if you'll look closely, close sila ni thea, haha!

YUMMY!!! grabe, ang sarap ng pata tim & shanghai! to think na hindi ako mahilig sa shanghai. yun nga lang, hindi kagandahan ang food presentation pero wagi dito!!!

inabot na kami ng gabi kakalamyerda sa baguio. dumaan lang kami ulit ng cafe by the ruins para bumili ng bread pero dahil umulan at wala kaming payong e dito na kami naghapunan. since malamig at umuulan, ano pa ba ang masarap kainin kungdi lugaw with egg plus tokwa an very interestig kasi tokwa cubes!

going home to manila. sorry, wala picture yung toilet. in fairness, on time ang victory. talagang 5 hours lang. maingat mag-drive si manong driver and may stewardes na sa wari ko'y hindi pa sanay maging konduktora dahil hindi pa nya kayang magbalanse masyado. malinis din ang toilet. talagang pinilit namin maihi para masubukan ang binasyaran, haha! super happy kami kasi relaxed na relaxed ang aming tired legs dahil parang dental chair ang seats! narerecline upto sawa ang back seat then yung leg rest ay naitataas. sulit ang P700/pax.

PS. super enjoy kami sa aming out of town trip. actually, first time naming umalis na kaming 3 girls lang. kung hindi pa siguro nakaranas ng heartbreak e malamang e hindi ito mangyayari. blessing in disguise na din siguro na sila ay nagbreak dahil nagkaron kami ng bonding moment. sa uulitin girlfriends!!!Ü

why i haven't blogged

2009-07-03T18:15:00.000+08:00

a lot of things have been happening lately. friends are getting pregnant, friends losing their loved ones, people get sick, and i am back from baguio.

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almost a month had passed and i still haven't blogged about our baguio trip. together with my girlfriends since birth (lulu and thea), we went up to baguio last June 27-29 for some R and R. maybe because i am still exhausted with all our packing & unpacking of things.

all about girl bonding!!! it is so fun to be with these ladies! i so love them!!! while we were in baguio, we were already planning about our next trip! yey! can't wait.

we stayed at microtel inn, located just beside victory liner. what is nice about this hotel is that, there is a walk way from the terminal to their hotel. o dba ang nice! the room is nice and comfy with big mirrors overhead. the staffs were courteous and very attentive. but what i noticed was, there are no toiletries given like toothpaste, toothbrush and shampoo. good thing we bought our own, hehe... and there is hot and cold shower!!! i say, a must in baguio!

looking back, i so love the aroma of coffee in their lobby.

all we did in baguio was to pig out! hehe... we ate at cafe by the ruins, forest house, rose bowl and had some drinks at 18BC.

we are very thankful that the weather cooperated with us. God is so good because He didn't let it rain while we are touring the city. it only rained when we are eating our last supper of our trip.

and oh, we rode the deluxe victory bus on our way home and the P700 transpo fee is so worth it! we traveled for 5 hours only (wala kasing stop over since the bus have its own toilet. need mo lang ng talent sa pagbalance kasi syempre moving ang bus, wink!)

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transformers 2 is still being shown in cinemas and still, we haven't watched it. harry potter 6 is now being shown in the movie theaters and i am not yet sure if i can squeeze it to our busy schedule.

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my bestfriend called me to spread the good news or should i say the great news (?). and i must admit, i felt jealous. yes, i am happy for her because it is a blessing from God. jealous because, after 6 months of trying, I haven't conceived yet. but i know God has plans for me and my hubby. God is teaching me to be patient and to trust in Him.

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Facebook is eating my time. yup. it is eating me. i am so addicted to applications like farm town and pet society. and i admit, facebook is the reason why i haven't blogged for a while. Ü

lesson learned about toothache

2009-06-22T22:31:00.000+08:00

I was browsing sites when i saw this...

When I was a child I often had toothache, and I knew that if I went to my mother she would give me something which would deaden the pain for that night and let me get to sleep. But I did not go to my mother-at least, not till the pain became very bad. And the reason I did not go was this. I did not doubt she would give me the aspirin; but I knew she would also do something else. I knew she would take me to the dentist next morning. I could not get what I wanted out of her without getting something more, which I did not want. I wanted immediate relief from pain: but I could not get it without having my teeth set permanently right. And I knew those dentists; I knew they started fiddling about with all sorts of other teeth which had not yet begun to ache. They would not let sleeping dogs lie; if you gave them an inch they took an ell.

Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of (like masturbation or physical cowardice) or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like bad temper or drunkenness). Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.

from http://www.philosophyforlife.com/mc31.htm

maybelline makeup from topaz horizon!

2009-06-21T13:29:00.000+08:00

i was browsing my blogs i love to read, my eyes popped out because there's a contest given by FRANCES!!!

i so love maybelline products! just check my kikay kit and you will see 3 types of maybelline's product lines. that's how much i loooove maybelline.

crossing my fingers and toes that I win the mineral makeup collection (the first prize), hehe.. it's not bad to ask naman di ba? ask and you shall receive. wink wink!

wensha spa experience

2009-06-15T22:23:00.001+08:00

i am a spa virgin.
yes, a certified spa virgin.
lulu, thea and i are all spa virgins to boot!

last saturday, together with my girlfriends-since-birth-buddies went to wensha spa pasay branch to try their famous body massage. we availed their promo 8 which includes body massage, body wash, eat all you can buffet & shabu-shabu, jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath.

oh my!

yes, we've read the reviews that no underwears are allowed! we are hesitated at first and even planned to change our plans but what the heck, lets do it!!!

we entered at around 230pm and left at around 9pm. bdw, wensha spa allows its patrons to stay up to 6 hours only instead of their previous offer of 8 hours or more. maybe because, a lot of people makes their wensha their official tambayan with free food to boot.

since we are newbies, we asked the receptionist about the body massage and body scrub but they insisted the body wash. so we asked if its the same with body scrub. they said yes so we said, ""ok, we will avail those" but they suggested promo 8. we paid P800 each and we were given key locker bracelet or should it be locker bracelet keys(?)

our key locker bracelets

here we are, looking for our slipper sizes

we were given one towel each and since we are newbies, we don't know where to start. the attending lady told us to use their wet facilities first (jacuzzi, steam and sauna bath) and so we did.

we find it hard to remove our clothes with all other women walking around but we noticed, walang pakelamanan so thats what we did. we stripped off our clothes and left our undies.

while we were busy waddling in the jacuzzi, a lady went to us and said: "mam, pakitanggal po ang panty". we looked at each other and understood one thing.maybe that's the reason why the other women were looking weirdly at us. we were wearing panties!!! so we removed our panties. yes. we are that naked!!!

after some time, we felt comfortable in our naked self and went out of the jacuzzi to go to the sauna. oh my! it is hot!

afterwards, we went back to the jacuzzi then to the body massage. what i find weird is, the place lacks directions where this or that services is located. we were lost. then we see our way, hehe...

oh boy! i love the massage!!! we were even lifted! i asked for soft massage only because i am afraid that if i said hard, i cannot walk anymore, hehehe...

my friend thea asked her masseuse if she had celebrity clients. the masseuse said she haven't yet. so my friend said: "so, first time mo pala ngayon." hahahahahaha!

and hunger sets in. we changed into our robes

cameras are not allowed inside the locker room, pero nakatakas kami, lolz

and went to the dining area.

wow, the food looks delicious! contrary to the reviews we've read, buffet and shabu-shabu are both available that day. and yes, we've tried both! and it is yummy!!! i loved their pansit and shabu shabu.

with lots of food and kwentos, we didn't notice the time! since the wall clock on the wet floor is not functioning well, we went to our lockers and we only have 30minutes left before our time runs out!

we immediately went to the body wash section and indeed, a Chinese lady will do the job. what i've observed was it is a small room with a table with leatherette foam and shower. for me, it looks like our anatomy class way back in college. wherein a cadaver sleeps on the metal table. the only difference is, we are alive (and naked).

oh how i love how she does her job! it only took 20 minutes. then we took our showers and changed.

here we are, kulitan mode while waiting for our sundo - my hubby!

ps.

1. pregnant women and those with hypertension are not allowed in the sauna & steam bath.
2. after the services were rendered, the attending crew will ask you to sign a small piece of paper where you will put in writing the mount of tip you would give and lets you put your signature on it.
3. you are naked, but disposable panties can be requested i think.
4. no need to bring towels, shampoo and soap because you can request for 2 towels at most. shampoo (anti-dandruff) and shower gel are conveniently placed on each shower cubicle.
5. we will definitely come back!
6. we conquered it (being naked)!!!

new projects: an update

2009-06-07T22:47:00.000+08:00

almost done with my project 101!!!

http://www.mywedding.com/dmdweds/

to follow na ang slideshow Ü

new projects

2009-05-30T21:26:00.000+08:00

since wala naman akong ibang pinagkakaabalahan except for facebook (farmtown!!!) e may ginagawa akong project. wedding projects actually.

PROJECT NO. 1
weddingannouncer (WA) ang wedsite namin noon, pero ngaun we've switched to mywedding(MW). palagi kasi nageerror ang WA unlike yung MW. at ang pinakamatindi pa nito e na-overhaul ang wedsite namin! imagine my que horror upon learning from fellow w@wies na burado lahat ng pictures! waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! kaya eto back from scratch. hopefully malapit ng matapos. masarap din kasi balik balikan yung wedding preps and wedding day memories.

PROJECT NO.2
dahil wala naman kami onsite video/ same day edit video (hindi na kaya ng aming wedding budget) e may ginagawa akong slideshow. may nagawa na ako actually pero parang nakukulangan pa ako.

ayan, mahilig akong magumpisa pero wala pa akong natatapos. still crossing my fingers (toes included) na matapos ko na. naway sipagin ako at wag mahumaling sa farm town, hahahahaha!

boils will be boils

2009-05-12T21:02:00.000+08:00

from mahalo

Fast Facts

1. Also called: Furuncles, carbuncles
2. Type of ailment: Skin infection
3. Duration: Usually no more than two weeks
4. Common medication or therapy:
5. Cause: Bacterial infection beneath the skin

Boils Symptoms

Boils usually begin as small, reddened lumps that are usually be painful or tender to the touch. As boils fill with pus, they become increasingly painful and may develop white or yellow heads. The skin surrounding boils may also become red, inflamed and sensitive to the touch. After boils rupture, they will ooze pus and may crust over. Because boils are usually caused by some sort of infection, other symptoms related to the infection may develop, including, mild fever, nausea and fatigue.

At-Home Treatment

* Avoid puncturing or popping the boil—this could make the infection worse
* Before it ruptures, apply a warm compress to the boil several times per day
* After the boil ruptures, wash it several times per day, then apply an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin and cover the area with a bandage or gauze to prevent infection

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from healthcentral

Boils and carbuncles are skin infections usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (staph). These staph infections form pockets in the skin that are filled with pus, which includes bacteria, dead skin cells and infection-fighting white blood cells. Whether the pocket of pus is called a boil or a carbuncle depends on its location and size:

A boil, also called a furuncle, begins as a painful infection of a single hair follicle. Boils can grow to be larger than a golf ball, and they commonly occur on the buttocks, face, neck, armpits and groin.

A carbuncle is a deeper skin infection that involves a group of infected hair follicles in one skin location. Carbuncles often are found on the back of the neck, shoulders, hips and thighs, and they are especially common in middle-aged or elderly men. People with diabetes are more likely to develop carbuncles.

Symptoms

A boil looks like a red, swollen, painful bump under the skin. As the infection gets worse, a whitish tip, also called a point or head, can appear at the center of the boil. This tip is usually the area where the boil's pus will drain. A carbuncle looks like a cluster of interconnected boils.

Whenever you have a boil or a carbuncle, you also can have a fever and feel generally sick. A fever is more likely with a carbuncle than with a single boil.

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose a boil or carbuncle by examining your skin. If you get several boils within a short period of time, your doctor may do blood tests to check for diabetes or other medical conditions that can increase your risk of repeated infections.

Expected Duration

In many otherwise healthy people, a small boil will form a white tip (come to a head) and drain within five to seven days. However, carbuncles or very large boils can last longer and may not drain on their own. These may need to be drained by a physician, and you may have to take antibiotics.

Prevention

If you have an area of skin that is prone to boils or carbuncles, keep the area clean and dry, and avoid wearing tight clothing that doesn't allow the skin to breathe. Washing daily with an antibacterial soap also can help. At the earliest sign of irritation or a bump at a hair follicle, use warm compresses to open up the blocked pore and drain any early infection. If you develop signs of inflammation or infection at a hair follicle (folliculitis) as a result of shaving, you should avoid shaving in that area to prevent bacteria from being spread from this area to other parts of the skin.

Treatment

Small boils can be treated with moist heat (usually a warm, wet washcloth) applied for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day. This will help the boil drain on its own. Once the boil drains, cover it with a clean bandage to protect the skin and absorb draining pus. Wash the affected area daily with antibacterial soap to prevent the infection from spreading. Anyone who helps care for the infected area should also wash his or her hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap.

Carbuncles and large boils may be treated with antibiotics. In many cases, the doctor will drain the infected area through a small incision. This will relieve pain, speed recovery and limit scar formation. If the infection is completely drained, antibiotics may not be necessary. If the infection is deep, your doctor may fill the empty pocket that previously contained pus, using a strip or piece of sterile gauze. This gauze can keep the incision open which will allow pus to continue to drain. The pocket can then heal slowly, becoming shallower over time until it is only a superficial wound. You may need to return to the doctor a few times to have the gauze and dressing changed.

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor whenever you have a carbuncle, a large boil or a boil that doesn't improve after a week of home treatment as described above. If you have diabetes, you should call your doctor even if you develop a small boil because you are more prone to developing serious infections. Ask to be seen immediately if a boil of any size:

*Develops in an infant
*Is located on the face, rectum, groin or spine
*Produces fever or severe pain
*Interferes with movement of a body part
*Causes swelling, red streaks or other discoloration in nearby skin

If you have been treated with antibiotics for a boil or carbuncle and your infection does not appear to be responding within one or two days, contact your doctor urgently. Your infection may be caused by a type of bacteria that is resistant to several commonly selected antibiotics. This bacteria is called community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (community-acquired MRSA). To treat this type of infection, your doctor needs to know that your first antibiotic was not helpful. A separate antibiotic may need to be substituted.

If you have had several episodes of boils within a short period of time, visit your doctor. Your doctor can check whether an undiagnosed medical illness is affecting your body's ability to fight infections.

Prognosis

Most small boils heal without leaving a scar. In general, the larger the boil or carbuncle, the greater the chance that it will leave a scar. Because of this, you should see a doctor if you have a boil on your face. Antibiotic treatment and surgical drainage can help limit scar formation.

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And now you ask, why am I posting this subject? Yes, your guess is correct. I have a boil right now. Ouch!

PHOTO & VIDEO

2009-05-06T14:34:00.000+08:00

Last part of our supplier ratings.

Photography is used to preserve memories of favorite times, to capture special moments, to tell stories, to send messages, and as a source of entertainment.

Wedding photography can be a must have or a non-must have for soon to be wed couples. For hubby and I, its a middle ground. We're on a limited budget. We don't want to spend much on wedding photography and videography because we thought, our parents didn't spend a fortune for their wedding photo and video and yet they are still going strong. Their marriage is still intact. And based on what my brother experienced, they paid a huge amount only to wait for about 1.5 years for the final product with a so-so output.

For documentation purposes, we booked and paid a photo and video studio recommended by our relatives. We booked them based on their actual products and based on their price range. (read: swak sa budget). Little did we know, we bought headache.

Yes, they have talent in editing and doing lay-out. Please click HERE for the actual work. That's it. But their customer service is poor. Why? The photographer can't accept criticism! He is not open for comments and suggestions. Where have you heard a photographer who has been in the business for so long telling their clients after agreeing with the client that they are open for comments and suggestions that he got hurt!?! WTF!? My golly! And here's the migraine: they don't update their customers. They promised us to give the raw cd a month after the wedding and the final output 2-3 months after the wedding. They even bragged that we let them choose the photos to be placed in the album so that processing will be much faster. And what happened? If we didn't call them, they won't inform us of the development. And here's the deal: they've gone MIA. (Please read HERE.) Imagine they relocated without informing their clients! Imagine our horror when we went to their shop only to find out its been occupied by a restaurant! Adrenaline rush took over. We were like NBI's looking for clues for their whereabouts and God is so good we found them.

Fast forward. A month after finding them, we got our wedding portrait, wedding album and wedding video. Its a good thing they did a wonderful job. We are very satisfied with the output.

Looking back, even if we are very happy with the output, never again will we ask them to cover an important event in our lives. Heck, we won't even recommend them! Don't worry, they are not known here in cyberworld. But if you want to know their name, click HERE. Don't tell us we didn't warn you. Its your call.

PS. this is the last part of our supplier ratings. for our full supplier ratings, please click HERE.
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On a lighter note, we are very grateful to mige espena of FLICKERHAPPYSTUDIO for providing us back up photography. Together with our families, hubby and I so love her!!! I don't know what might have happened if we don't have her.

wedding album and deebeedee

2009-05-05T22:12:00.000+08:00

AT LONG LAST! after 6 months of waiting, we finally got hold of our wedding portrait, album and video. hubby and I am so happy because it is like reminiscing our wedding day while looking through our photos and watching our 2-hour wedding video. yes, it is that long!

and boy, we are so surprised because we didn't expect that our album will turn out this beautiful! even my family are so impressed with the turn out. we love how they did the lay-out. ang linis nila mag-crop! we let our main photographer choose the photos and do the lay out. we let them surprise us and we are indeed surprised! we so love our album! it is indeed, worth the long wait.

and did I tell you we only spent 30K on this. YUP (you read it right), only 30K!

the cover

first page

the last page

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DEEBEEDEE deebeedee
front and back cover

dvd label

Wedding and Marriage

2009-05-01T21:51:00.001+08:00

A wedding is for a day, but a marriage is for a lifetime
by Fr. Peter deSousa

Most people put a lot of time, money and energy into preparing for a
wedding. What will we wear? What will we eat? What music will we play?
Where will we hold the reception? The day comes and goes. What remains?
Only beautiful memories and photographs.

Marriage however is for a life time of wedding days. Man and woman are
called to be bride and bridegroom to each other everyday until death do them
part. They enter into a solemn covenant on their wedding day to love and respect
each other, in good times and bad, in sickness and health, in riches and
poverty. Will they honor it?

It is God who calls and chooses them for this holy vocation of matrimony and
provides them the grace to be channels of his love and life to each other, in
word and deed. He is the silent third party in this covenant relationship. If
couples are aware of his presence and grace, whatever the circumstances they
face, they will receive the necessary help to love and cherish each other.

Through living God's plan for their marriage, couples become holy and
witness as disciples of Jesus to their children and neighbors. Holiness however
is not by throwing holy water on each other to exorcise the others weaknesses.
Witnessing is not shown through preaching or moralizing. Discipleship is not to
prove one's spiritual superiority. Nor does one have to act the martyr. A couple
does not always have to agree about everything. Spouses may often feel upset,
hurt, angry or impatient with each other? Surely Jesus himself being human, did
not always find it easy to love his own disciples.

After a few weeks or months of living together, when their expectations are not
met and a husband and wife become aware of each other's failings and weaknesses,
they may feel disillusioned. You may be upset at your own lack of patience or
tolerance. What was attractive in your spouse, now gets on your nerves. Work,
friends, children, even prayer meetings can be good escapes from each other. Can
I find satisfaction by myself without my spouse, as a married single?
Disillusionment leads to misery. Well meaning family and friends help to put
asunder what God has joined together by siding with their child against the
spouse.

Some spouses do not even quarrel but act cold and distant, living like
strangers in the same house. When they stop touching, they get out of touch with
each other.

Spouses need to make time to listen and to share deeply with each other. They
need to resolve conflicts and be enriched by their differences. They need to
pray together for the grace to love.

Man and Woman are different and compliment each other by their differences.
Differences in age, culture, family backgrounds, life experiences, customs,
expectations and values could enrich or could drive a couple further apart.The
more different two people are, the greater the degree of flexibility required to
adjust.

A person who is rigid, closed and unwilling to change should marry someone from
a similar background. There will be less adjustments. Every marriage has to face
ups and downs ... sickness, financial problems, unexpected pregnancies,
unemployment, hurts, losses, misunderstandings, failures, transfers are part and
parcel of everyone' life. When a couple stop praying together and lose sight of
Jesus' presence in their relationship, they begin to nag, manipulate, blame, act
defensive, superior, cold or indifferent to each other.

But Jesus invites them to forgive each other, to enter into each other's world
to listen, understand, comfort, appreciate and heal each other. Beginning again
after a quarrel, refreshes the marriage and helps them to be channels of his
love to one another.

A man and woman are sexual in their relationship. They are male or female in
every aspect of their personality and behavior, which is why they got married.
Through word and touch, they reach out to express their love and need for each
other. This is the way God created them so that they would be help-mates and
companions to each other. Even after the child -bearing age, after menopause and
in old age, they still need to express their conjugal love for each other. This
is the way God comes to love, understand, comfort, forgive, heal and unite them.

Man and woman are called to be in communion with each other and to be life
giving to each other. They could also be death dealing when they act sarcastic,
rude, violent, abusive, cold, suspicious, jealous and
indifferent to each other. God's call is for the two to become one flesh. A
loving couple is the best antidote to a broken and divided world. Love is at the
service of life and the love of husband and wife is personified and expressed in
a child, conceived and nurtured through the conjugal love.

God gives couples the privilege to be co-creators with him. He respects their
decision to plan a family consciously. When couples become aware of their
fertility cycle, they can choose to space a family. But even in times of
abstinence, they are called to love and reach out to each other, as couples do
before marriage.

It is not always easy to be a disciple of Jesus for single or married folk. Joy
is not an absence of suffering but the presence of God. A couple may experience
suffering and sacrifice and can still be joyful as they share God' love with
each other and their children.

Marriage is a school of discipleship. Jesus invites married couples to love one
another as he loves them. He asks them to take up their cross daily and follow
him. He walks with them and is always there to strengthen, comfort, forgive and
heal them through each other.

So it is important to walk humbly with Jesus and to allow him to make yours his
hands and voice to each other. He has no other hands but yours to touch, heal
and bring each other to life. He has no other voice to love, affirm and comfort
each other. Yes he is with you on your journey through a life time of wedding
days.

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copied from w@w post by sheila_may_salinas

torn yet crazy

2009-04-26T09:40:00.000+08:00

i am torn.

yup!

i am torn between sony ericsson G900

and

nokia 5800

both units are in my wish list, hehehe...

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My five year old nokia 6600 hanged up and died on me last April 24 that's why I am on the look out for my new phone. I guess its about time my ever loyal 6600 retire. I've already searched for reviews and both mobile phones have their pros and cons. I mean, you can't take it all, right?

Before, I am 100% interested in nokia 5800 but upon reading a review that texting can be quite difficult, I am having second thoughts. But I guess it depends on the user.

Both mobile phones have my (simple) requirements:

1.can read e-books
2.wi-fi capable
3.xempre pasok dapat sa budget of 15K or less
4. stylus is a plus

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and the winner is.....

the nokia 5800!

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Hubby and I went to trinoma this afternoon. My goal was just to compare and know what it feels like when the units are in my hands. But hubby bought the unit already! Crazy isn't it?!

ps. im loving my new phone!!! yey!!!

picturebooks

2009-04-22T21:15:00.000+08:00

YEY! we got our coffee tablebook from picturebooks today!!!

I am all smiles when i went out of their office in quezon avenue. worth the wait (10 days - inabot kasi ako ng Holy Week, usually its 7-10 days) and worth the money spent (P2,495 for 40 pages)! o diba, mura na quality pa! even my dad commented na ang ganda nga daw and dapat magpagawa pa kami ng another copy para may maiwan na copy kina balae, naks!

photos were from mige espena and lay-out was done by me. mahirap maglay-out ha! kaya no wonder, mahal ang bayad sa lay-out artists!

o diba, prettyness!!! I SO LOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

afterward, together with my dad, I bought some dental supplies then we ate at Slice n' Dice along quezon avenue. I ordered T-bone steak while daddy ordered bulalo steak. Oh my! The T-bone steak is to die for! it was so yummy!!! while the bulalo steak was cut into perfection. sorry, I forgot to take pics. di bale, I will definitely come back and this time kasama na si hubby ko. for only P99++ value for money. ang laki pa ng serving! ^__^

solicitations, donations, what-have-yous

2009-04-18T15:15:00.001+08:00

after I've attended to my patient, the doorbell rang. when i opened the door, 2 women were asking for a solicitation. solicitation for a fellow metro aide who succumbed to death.

personally, i don't like giving solicitations because of the various scams like faking death certificates and the like. our usual line is, please go to our city hall (just beside our dental clinic) because that's where our taxes go. (isn't it?!) or sometimes, when we see the white envelope asking for donation/s, we just point to our sign: no solicitations. 'nuff said, right?

but this time, the two women were telling me to please give them donation because the metro aide who died is the woman who's been cleaning our clinic front. hubby said, ask them to describe then if its the cleaning lady we will give a donation. the ladies describe a different lady! so hubby said, just tell them its not the same lady and today is the first time we've seen their faces. lo and behold, the ladies said that the woman who they're describing is the cleaning lady who is not cleaning our clinic front but on the other block. so there, we just told them sorry, we don't give donations and/ or solicitations.

even our patient who have been listening told us, be careful of people who's asking for donations. because once you give to one, everyone will follow.

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Giving alms is against the law. I saw this when I was still a college student. it was displayed on a billboard on my way to school. my parents taught me to give food instead because you'll know its for their stomachs and not for somebody's pockets. I know we have an obligation to help the poor but sometimes as it comes out, its the poor who can't help themselves.

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on a brighter note, my friend just texted me that his wife is now pregnant! oh my, I can't help but be happy for them! but on the other hand, I can't help but feel a little bit jealous because after 6 months of getting married, I am still not pregnant. But I know, my time will come. Una-una lang yan, hehe...

a Dentist Creed

2009-04-16T22:11:00.000+08:00

To respect my profession, my reputation and myself. To be honest and fair with patients as I expect my patients to be honest and fair with me; to think of Dentistry with loyalty, speak of with the praise, and act always a custodian of its good name. To be a man whose word carries weight with my fellow - citizens, to be booster, not a knocker; pusher not a kicker; a motor not a clog.

To base my expectation of reward on a solid foundation of service rendered; to be willing to pay the price is honest efforts. To look upon my work as an opportunity to be seized with joy and make the most of it, and not as a painful drudgery to be reluctantly endured.

To remember all the success lies within myself, in my own brain, my own ambition, my own courage, and determination. To expect difficulties and force my way through them; to convert hard experience into capital or future struggles.

To believe in my proposition heart and soul; to carry an air of optimism into the presence of possible patients, dispel ill temper with cheerfulness; kill doubts with strong convictions, and reduce active friction with an agreeable personality.

To make the study of the professional and business sides of Dentistry; to know both sides in every detail from the ground up; to mix brains with my efforts, and use system and method in my work; to find time to do everything needful by never letting time find me doing nothing.

To make every hour bring me dividends in fees, increased knowledge, or heartfelt recreation. To save money as well as earn it; to cut out expensive amusements until I can afford them.

Finally, to take a good trip on the joy of life; to play the game like a gentleman, to fight against nothing so hard as my own weakness; and to endeavor to grow as a dentist and as a man with passage or every day time.

THIS IS MY CREED.

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I love being a dentist. Even if, at most times I am mistaken by patients as the dental assistant or secretary because I am too young to look like a dentist (daw!). Hmm, maybe I should wear glasses... but one patient of ours said that the reason why he went to our dental office is because we don't wear glasses. For him, dentists wearing glasses seems like they can't see the tooth. Oh well, to each his own.

Being a dentist have its own advantages and disadvantages. I own my time. I report to no boss except myself. I can have a weekly or even daily day-off's (but this means less cashing cashing!). At times, money is hard but when you have a patient who is willing to pay, that is good news.

Dental health awareness in our location (Caloocan City, Philippines) for that matter, is very low. Many times have we heard of patients haggling (making tawad) to as low as they want! Que horror! And even making their own fees for certain treatment like extraction for children should be charged low because milk teeth pa lang daw. Excuse me, if that's the case, why don't you try pulling your child's teeth instead?!

My hubby hates treating children who are so uncooperative. Add to that their parents who thinks that their children are the cutest when making arte on the dental chair. That is why I am the one in charge for kiddie patients because I have longer patience than hubby's but when I already exhausted all my powers to no avail, sedation is the answer to give the child no more pain OR leave the tooth unattended. This depends on the parents, of course.

Less pain, more expensive.
No pain, no glory.