Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Baby Shower, Baby Shower, Baby Shower, Baby Shower...4 Times the Fun!
(This cute hand-made baby shower souvenir was madeby my cousin Ate Tesay and Mariel Bagon.)
I guess it's better to post something now, than never! I had these wonderful plans to blog the hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute, play-by-play details about our 4 baby showers...yes 4 in a span of one month! It's no wonder why I didn't have much time to create updates on MacrossKitty.
- My very first baby shower was given by my co-workers at Catskill the same week LAUSD handed me my "Notification of Displacement Letter". (I will try to explain this story in another blog entry because it was way too much of an emotional downer to share about in this entry.) All I can say is that I am so fortunate to work with a campus full of friendly and fun staff members. They are the best folks I've ever worked with! Everyone really cheered me up and helped me to look past my life of almost 9 years in my 5th grade classroom. As you can see we all had a potluck breakfast together. If it wasn't for the annually scheduled 8:30am earthquake drill, we would all have lingered in the teacher's lounge a little longer just to enjoy "ooing and awwing" at all the baby gifts and getting our coffee cups refilled.
- The second one was given by Erwil's co-workers at DCAA the night before Veteran's holiday at the Crab Pot in Long Beach. Erwil had no idea that the folks working in his department came together to not only treat us out for a seafood dinner, but come up with wonderful gifts to welcome the new baby. Erwil's co-worker Michelle baked a strawberry and cream-cheese frosted cake. I was well aware that shellfish is on the "Do Not Eat" list, but I couldn't help it. Forgive me for irresponsible parenting, but I took a risk and had my share of seafood that night. It was delicious!
- Another one was given by the CPC Ladies the weekend before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve madness began, here at our place. It was a reunion of all our closest friends. I am merely understating it if I say this was a fun party. The CPC Ladies from church as well as my mom and aunties took care of the food, while Mariel and Bethany did a great job in playing the part as MC to keep things moving along. Ate Victoria led a Godly and bright message on Psalm 129.
- The last baby shower Erwil and I celebrated was a combination of Thanksgiving-Hannukah-Babyshower given by Buclatin's, at Auntie Perlie's house. This was a huge celebration, bringing our immediate and extended families together in one house. They are very fond of cooking all the authentic Filipino dishes. Plenty of food! Again, Mariel hosted all of the games to keep everyone from having a hefty food coma, while little cousin Kiyana assisted her on the side.
See this small piggy bank? This is the Untalan's family tradition. Erwil's mom and dad have saved up coins for each of their grandkids. Our child is the 10th one to receive the silvery contents of this piggy bank that contained coins totaling about $105.
Just reflecting back on our baby showers, we couldn't be more aware that God is able to sustain and provide for...not just a little, not a few, not some...
...but ALL of our daughter's needs.
We appreciate all the outpouring of love from our family and friends, for many have been praying for my health and the baby's health since I became pregnant. We enjoy the all the lovely gifts, the cards that contain well-meaning words attached to the gifts, and even all the advice and encouragement that we receive from the most generous and thoughtful folks. Thanks everybody!
You've seen how Erwil and I are the farthest away from being perfect people. Indeed our little baby girl one isn't going to be born perfect, regardless of what we'd like to think and highly expect from her. Even after listing all that we need to welcome the baby on that Target and Babies 'R Us baby registry, we might still feel like we don't have enough. That's where we have to be careful and guarded--the fearful feeling of not having enough when God in His faithfulness is always proving to us that He's more than enough for us and that all of our cares matter to Him.
When Erwil and I were called by God to enjoy having this child, we really learned to prayerfully guard our hearts from drooling over possessions and achievements we might dream of lording over to others. For example, it's just so tempting to be able to own bragging rights to a 6-figure yearly salary, elevated career status, prestigious college degrees and combing the desert for future scholarships for our kids, perfect credit, multiple savings accounts, measuring adequate square footage of a home for the each family member to have a bedroom and space for Rover the dog, shelling out major "$cha-ching$" for the most safely rated automotive vehicle with all the technological bells and whistles, living in the right suburban neighborhood, sending our kids to the best API ranking school, and everything else that makes parents feel "more equipped", "deserving", "better off in", "having higher chance" of raising a good family in this world.
At one point in time in our marriage, Erwil and I have been guilty of entertaining such nominal and borderline Social Darwinism "survival of the fittest" conversations on family goals and getting too far ahead of God's intention to bless us as He wills, at any point in time He wills. There's nothing wrong with having one or all of the above mentioned or pursuing it, but we pray that we guard ourselves from that Grand Canyon of a crevice between appreciating our blessings by giving courtesy credit "not by our might" but by God's handiwork, rather than allowing a pleasurable idolatry snuff out God like a candle on a birthday cake. (Not that we humans have that ability to snuff out a great God, but I hope that know what I mean by the imagery.)
Despite all that, God has not held back anything from us thus far, especially His mercy and His grace. Our family's needs are constantly being met, and that's just the top surface of what lies deeper beneath. We are so grateful and beyond content and by prayer and looking to the Bible we are all the more learning to take a more humble stance and let God do what He does best with His lovingkindness.
****
Last of all, I love the words written in Isaiah 43:1-7 as in "Fear Not" because the experience of celebrating the arrival of our daughter's birth for one whole month straight have summed up how Erwil and I have been faithfully praying together to live out God's calling as parents.You've seen how Erwil and I are the farthest away from being perfect people. Indeed our little baby girl one isn't going to be born perfect, regardless of what we'd like to think and highly expect from her. Even after listing all that we need to welcome the baby on that Target and Babies 'R Us baby registry, we might still feel like we don't have enough. That's where we have to be careful and guarded--the fearful feeling of not having enough when God in His faithfulness is always proving to us that He's more than enough for us and that all of our cares matter to Him.
When Erwil and I were called by God to enjoy having this child, we really learned to prayerfully guard our hearts from drooling over possessions and achievements we might dream of lording over to others. For example, it's just so tempting to be able to own bragging rights to a 6-figure yearly salary, elevated career status, prestigious college degrees and combing the desert for future scholarships for our kids, perfect credit, multiple savings accounts, measuring adequate square footage of a home for the each family member to have a bedroom and space for Rover the dog, shelling out major "$cha-ching$" for the most safely rated automotive vehicle with all the technological bells and whistles, living in the right suburban neighborhood, sending our kids to the best API ranking school, and everything else that makes parents feel "more equipped", "deserving", "better off in", "having higher chance" of raising a good family in this world.
At one point in time in our marriage, Erwil and I have been guilty of entertaining such nominal and borderline Social Darwinism "survival of the fittest" conversations on family goals and getting too far ahead of God's intention to bless us as He wills, at any point in time He wills. There's nothing wrong with having one or all of the above mentioned or pursuing it, but we pray that we guard ourselves from that Grand Canyon of a crevice between appreciating our blessings by giving courtesy credit "not by our might" but by God's handiwork, rather than allowing a pleasurable idolatry snuff out God like a candle on a birthday cake. (Not that we humans have that ability to snuff out a great God, but I hope that know what I mean by the imagery.)
Despite all that, God has not held back anything from us thus far, especially His mercy and His grace. Our family's needs are constantly being met, and that's just the top surface of what lies deeper beneath. We are so grateful and beyond content and by prayer and looking to the Bible we are all the more learning to take a more humble stance and let God do what He does best with His lovingkindness.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Happy 2nd Birthday, Kyla!
Kyla is now 2! We celebrated our niece's 2nd birthday with her cousins and friends.
28th Week of Pregnancy...Let the Last Trimester Begin!
The 2nd trimester went by so fast. Physically, I have no complaints. Nothing abnormal.
I'm trying to protect myself from colds and flu, and I do admit that I'm a little cautious. Ok, maybe standing on the cusp of overly cautious. I opted not to get the H1N1 vaccine. I never in my life have had a flu shot. I've never been stricken with a terrible flu even though I deal with a lot of sick kids at my job. The worst it would ever get for me is a 1 day sore throat and 2 days of coughing, perhaps considered barely a scrimmage for my immune system. I think I have the immune system of a cockroach, but maybe it's just how careful I am with washing my hands with soap and sanitizing those student desks and chairs with Lysol anti-bacterial wipes. Whenever I substitute teach for a sick teacher, I bring my own pencil case of dry erase markers, pencils and pens. I never use any of their tools. I'm also being careful with shaking people's hands and lessening my time spent in common area places that have potential to harbor people with illnesses.
The 3rd trimester begins today. I still have no complaints, but I do feel tired and sleepy more often. At night I battle my bouts of sleep insomnia, which inspires me to blog. Although I drink plenty of water, I still experience leg cramps in the middle of the night. Those are the worst wake up calls! I also have swollen feet, angles and hands. I can no longer wear my wedding rings. I've gained a lot of weight. I started at 155 lbs. but now I'm 180 lbs. Doctor says don't worry.
Last Friday I went in for my 1 hour glucose test. I flunked it by 2 points. Why? Aww, I'm not diabetic. I was guilty of eating a huge seafood dinner at Claws in Garden Grove the night before. I knew I wasn't going to pass the test. Eating that king crab dinner for Kuya Wil's birthday at Claws was so worth it! So the doctor has me scheduled to do the 3 hour glucose test. It's ok. I'll pass the 3 hour glucose test. Eat everything in moderation.
The recent ultrasound shows that my placenta is still lying low. This was no surprise to me since the first full scan ultrasound showed partial placenta previa back in September. The placenta is blocking my cervix and I will not be able to deliver the baby by normal birth. In some cases, women who have placenta previa experience bleeding and need to go on bed rest.
Thankfully, I haven't bled nor experienced pain 'down there' and I haven't been recommended to go on bed rest. I do need to take it very easy though. Having plenty of rest is key. I have to really be sensitive to all the physical cues that my body feels. I have to really limit the long-day activities that I normally involve myself in on the weekends. I also have to take it easy at work, especially with the heavy lifting and excessive walking. I realize that am not made of steel, and I'm just making sure my baby daughter has a high chance of a healthy delivery.
The ultrasound also shows that the baby is breech too, which means that the baby's head is not positioned down below by the cervix. Whoa, a double whammy! C-section looks like this baby's only way out. Although I know this type of surgery is both risky and common, I'm not going to get myself too worked up about it.
My own mother had given birth to 3 children by Cesarean section back in the pre-historic ages (1977, 1979 and 1983) with rudimentary medical technology. She shared to me that I was born around the time during the New York City blackout of 1977. She even mentioned that my father had to climb 23 flights of stairs to visit my mom at Bellevue Hospital, which I imagine was not exactly the medical haven at that time. Then she lifted her blouse to expose the small incision scar from her experience. It's not a scary scar.
Does this mean that I'll dodge having to experience horrible contractions during labor? I get varying "opinions" from folks (men and women, people with kids and people who don't have) about labor and delivery. I didn't know that it would be such a definitive issue for folks. What Erwil and I need to do to is research the various pain medications used for labor and delivery just so that we know what can be available to me. Would it make me look like less of a mother if I opted for an epidural in my pain management plan? All I know is that my own mom's lack of fear and zero post-partum complications from her 3 C-sections gives me a strong assurance that it's going to be OK in that delivery room when that time comes.
Birth plan hasn't been discussed by details, but Erwil and I definitely need to sit down and decide the play-by-play. Looks like we'll need more time off from work and more help around the house after the baby's delivery. I know that my mom is taking a week off in January. She's off on the 14th to be exact. Erwil is also taking a leave but we haven't discussed exactly when to start his time off.
There are still a couple of loose pieces to hammer down with our bosses at work, but hopefully the requests for leave time will be granted smoothly.
I'm trying to protect myself from colds and flu, and I do admit that I'm a little cautious. Ok, maybe standing on the cusp of overly cautious. I opted not to get the H1N1 vaccine. I never in my life have had a flu shot. I've never been stricken with a terrible flu even though I deal with a lot of sick kids at my job. The worst it would ever get for me is a 1 day sore throat and 2 days of coughing, perhaps considered barely a scrimmage for my immune system. I think I have the immune system of a cockroach, but maybe it's just how careful I am with washing my hands with soap and sanitizing those student desks and chairs with Lysol anti-bacterial wipes. Whenever I substitute teach for a sick teacher, I bring my own pencil case of dry erase markers, pencils and pens. I never use any of their tools. I'm also being careful with shaking people's hands and lessening my time spent in common area places that have potential to harbor people with illnesses.
The 3rd trimester begins today. I still have no complaints, but I do feel tired and sleepy more often. At night I battle my bouts of sleep insomnia, which inspires me to blog. Although I drink plenty of water, I still experience leg cramps in the middle of the night. Those are the worst wake up calls! I also have swollen feet, angles and hands. I can no longer wear my wedding rings. I've gained a lot of weight. I started at 155 lbs. but now I'm 180 lbs. Doctor says don't worry.
Last Friday I went in for my 1 hour glucose test. I flunked it by 2 points. Why? Aww, I'm not diabetic. I was guilty of eating a huge seafood dinner at Claws in Garden Grove the night before. I knew I wasn't going to pass the test. Eating that king crab dinner for Kuya Wil's birthday at Claws was so worth it! So the doctor has me scheduled to do the 3 hour glucose test. It's ok. I'll pass the 3 hour glucose test. Eat everything in moderation.
The recent ultrasound shows that my placenta is still lying low. This was no surprise to me since the first full scan ultrasound showed partial placenta previa back in September. The placenta is blocking my cervix and I will not be able to deliver the baby by normal birth. In some cases, women who have placenta previa experience bleeding and need to go on bed rest.
Thankfully, I haven't bled nor experienced pain 'down there' and I haven't been recommended to go on bed rest. I do need to take it very easy though. Having plenty of rest is key. I have to really be sensitive to all the physical cues that my body feels. I have to really limit the long-day activities that I normally involve myself in on the weekends. I also have to take it easy at work, especially with the heavy lifting and excessive walking. I realize that am not made of steel, and I'm just making sure my baby daughter has a high chance of a healthy delivery.
The ultrasound also shows that the baby is breech too, which means that the baby's head is not positioned down below by the cervix. Whoa, a double whammy! C-section looks like this baby's only way out. Although I know this type of surgery is both risky and common, I'm not going to get myself too worked up about it.
My own mother had given birth to 3 children by Cesarean section back in the pre-historic ages (1977, 1979 and 1983) with rudimentary medical technology. She shared to me that I was born around the time during the New York City blackout of 1977. She even mentioned that my father had to climb 23 flights of stairs to visit my mom at Bellevue Hospital, which I imagine was not exactly the medical haven at that time. Then she lifted her blouse to expose the small incision scar from her experience. It's not a scary scar.
Does this mean that I'll dodge having to experience horrible contractions during labor? I get varying "opinions" from folks (men and women, people with kids and people who don't have) about labor and delivery. I didn't know that it would be such a definitive issue for folks. What Erwil and I need to do to is research the various pain medications used for labor and delivery just so that we know what can be available to me. Would it make me look like less of a mother if I opted for an epidural in my pain management plan? All I know is that my own mom's lack of fear and zero post-partum complications from her 3 C-sections gives me a strong assurance that it's going to be OK in that delivery room when that time comes.
Birth plan hasn't been discussed by details, but Erwil and I definitely need to sit down and decide the play-by-play. Looks like we'll need more time off from work and more help around the house after the baby's delivery. I know that my mom is taking a week off in January. She's off on the 14th to be exact. Erwil is also taking a leave but we haven't discussed exactly when to start his time off.
There are still a couple of loose pieces to hammer down with our bosses at work, but hopefully the requests for leave time will be granted smoothly.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
100 Days to Go...
Since I started working in the classroom again, I haven't had much time to blog about week 22, 23, and 24 of my pregnancy. I'm looking at our countdown calendar and today marks that Erwil and I only have 100 days left to prepare for our baby girl.
Here are the common questions that folks have been asking us:
- Do you have a name? (Yes, we have a name already picked out for our baby girl. We'll reveal it when she's born.)
- Do you feel the baby moving? (Yes, the little lady has been tumbling and giving me kicks.)
- Any cravings? (I'm always hungry!
- Have you taken any classes? (We've completed 2 nights of breastfeeding class at Torrance Memorial Medical Center with Susan Orr, a certified lactation consultant. It was a really good class! We recommend her! We have also signed up for an Infant/Child CPR class with American Heart Association and held also at Torrance, along with the Prepared Childbirth classes.)
- Do you have a baby registry set up? (Babies R Us and Target, and we feel so empowered walking through the stores zapping merchandise away.)
- When is your baby shower? (I'm receiving my 1st baby shower at work this coming Friday, October 16th. There's also one for the family and relatives on Thanksgiving day. We also have one for our friends on November 21st. We wanted to do this before the holiday season gets really hectic. Thank you to all our family and friends who are willing to give us a shower!)
Thank you to Sarinna, Jovica and Rocelyn for letting me borrow maternity clothes! Now that I'm in month 6, I can't get away without wearing them every day. Since there's only 3 months left, I'm not really shopping for more maternity clothes. I have plenty! Erwil also took me to Payless Shoes to buy new white wide width tennis shoes. None of my tennis shoes fit me, so I needed a wider width to accomodate for my grown feet.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Erwil the Builder
There was a tea-stained crib and matching changing table for the baby's nursery that perfectly matched with the tea-stained futon that we have in the baby's room. The moment I saw it, I knew it was perfect in size, safety and price.
Driving home with the large, heavy crib tied on top of my truck's luggage rack was more of a pain. To securely tie the heavy box down with thin plastic twine took longer than setting up the baby crib set! We S-L-O-W-L-Y drove from Irvine back to Buena Park on side streets because I was too worried that we didn't tie the package down well enough. We also didn't want to compromise or damage the wood either for safety reasons. Note to self: Next time, stop being so cheap and just pay for the baby furniture delivery service! Sometimes being frugal is not always worth it.
Erwil has been quite the builder these past couple weeks. Since the guest room has been converted into the nursery, we had to donate a few pieces of old furniture to Goodwill make space for the new. There was no need to re-paint the sky blue walls, since it compliments well with the color of the baby's furniture. The baby's crib and the her changing table were easy to build with the help of my brothers Noel, Elmer and our friend Jay. It took less than an hour to put everything together.
Erwil and I have always wanted an ABC and Animals theme and neutral blending colors in mind for the nursery. Fortunately, Target has exactly what we had in mind for the baby's nursery!
We're quite happy that the boring and empty guest room is looking more and more like a cheerful and cozy room for the baby!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
20 and 21st Week of Pregnancy (The weeks are going by so quickly!)
I wasn't able to really give an update about the 20th and 21st week. I basically had to take 2 glucose tests. The first was the 1hr glucose test and then a 3hr test the following week. Even though I passed the first one, the doctor thought it would be best for me to take the 2nd one since both my parents have diabetes. So far, so good! I'm in the clear! And I'm starting to get used to having viles of blood drawn from my arms. I did go home with 2 matching quarter-size bruises on my left and right arms.
I had such a busy end of August through early September. I was setting up my 5th grade classroom. Dayne was able to help me do a lot of the heavy lifting of books, removing them from the top of my classroom cabinets. She was a life saver! Then Erwil also came in to help me finish off my classroom.
It's been so hard to find time to blog since the new school year began. My new class of students are really nice. I have 15 girls and only 8 boys this year. The kids are aware that I'm pregnant and I let their parents know that I'll take maternity leave once Christmas break begins. My co-workers always ask me how I've been feeling--energetic, happy, and hopeful. I'll feel fine as long as I'm in an air-conditioned room or car.
It's been so hard to find time to blog since the new school year began. My new class of students are really nice. I have 15 girls and only 8 boys this year. The kids are aware that I'm pregnant and I let their parents know that I'll take maternity leave once Christmas break begins. My co-workers always ask me how I've been feeling--energetic, happy, and hopeful. I'll feel fine as long as I'm in an air-conditioned room or car.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Happy 1st Birthday, Dylan!
We celebrated cutie-pie Dylan's 1st birthday at the park with Troy and Janssen! It was such a picture-perfect day to be there.
Monday, August 24, 2009
19th Week of Pregnancy: Congratulations! It's A...
(Photo courtesy: Monsters Inc Wallpaper by Disney Themes http://www.disneythemes.com/monsters_inc.htm)GIRL!
We found out the baby's gender during a full-body scan. It was quite an experience to see a fully-formed little baby girl moving around inside my belly.
The doctor also said that I have partial placenta previa. This means that the baby's placenta is lying low in my uterus and partially covering my cervix. The placenta is supposed to move up as the uterus and baby grows so that the baby has a clear passage for delivery. The doctor said usually the placenta will move up as the baby and uterus grows. The doctor will keep monitoring it in the next 10 weeks to see position of the placenta. In many cases, the placenta does move and the mother is able to have a normal delivery. It's nothing to panic about, reassured both doctors.
I am not worried about it. I still have 10 more weeks to go as far as seeing if I can deliver this baby girl without having a C-section.
The doctor also said that I have partial placenta previa. This means that the baby's placenta is lying low in my uterus and partially covering my cervix. The placenta is supposed to move up as the uterus and baby grows so that the baby has a clear passage for delivery. The doctor said usually the placenta will move up as the baby and uterus grows. The doctor will keep monitoring it in the next 10 weeks to see position of the placenta. In many cases, the placenta does move and the mother is able to have a normal delivery. It's nothing to panic about, reassured both doctors.
I am not worried about it. I still have 10 more weeks to go as far as seeing if I can deliver this baby girl without having a C-section.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Is it a Boy or a Girl?
**Can You Guess the Gender? Game**
For our dear family and friends who love games, we're inviting our blog reading family members and friends to play a little game with us.
As you may know, our next ultrasound appointment is scheduled for August 24th. It's the one when we find out the baby's gender.
We want you all to guess the gender by leaving a written comment only on our Macross Kitty blog. Do not post your predictions on our Facebook Wall or Myspace comments. Whosoever guesses correctly will receive a little prize from us.
If you live far away from us, we'll mail the prize to your mailbox.
You have a 50% chance of guessing our baby's gender correctly, so there's no harm in trying to play along.
Game entries close on August 23, 2009.
We will announce the winners on August 24, 2009.
For our dear family and friends who love games, we're inviting our blog reading family members and friends to play a little game with us.
As you may know, our next ultrasound appointment is scheduled for August 24th. It's the one when we find out the baby's gender.
We want you all to guess the gender by leaving a written comment only on our Macross Kitty blog. Do not post your predictions on our Facebook Wall or Myspace comments. Whosoever guesses correctly will receive a little prize from us.
If you live far away from us, we'll mail the prize to your mailbox.
You have a 50% chance of guessing our baby's gender correctly, so there's no harm in trying to play along.
Game entries close on August 23, 2009.
We will announce the winners on August 24, 2009.
18th Week of Pregnancy
Not too much going on except that I can feel the baby moving a tiny bit more and that I did gain another 2 pounds. Those pre-pregnancy jeans just need to be laid to rest for now. Erwil took me to Old Navy and I grabbed 1 new pair of casual maternity jeans and 1 new pair of maternity black slacks for work. I also have other dresses from Forever 21 good for the 2nd trimester and post-pregnancy. All of my new clothes have to be brought for alterations for hemming. I don't mind hovering around the house in basketball shorts and Erwil's t-shirts. It's just uncomfortable wearing clingy clothing.
I can feel my shoes tightening around my feet. I actually broke the straps on my favorite leather slippers. Erwil offered to crazy glue them, but I think these slippers will just burst open again even after Mr. Cobbler's shoe repairs. If you notice, all I do now is wear my cheap Old Navy navy blue rubber slippers. Even if it doesn't match with the wardrobe. I don't care! Comfort matters more to me than style.
Because of all the foods high in citrus that I've been eating, I've been having a lot of dry skin buildup around the mouth and jaw area. I have to exfoliate and moisturize to keep the face looking clean. It's just a common skin reaction you get from eating a lot of acidic fruits and vegetables. So I went to Sephora and bought Boscia's skincare line of preservative-free cleanser, moisturizer and mask. Yes, I switched from Shiseido White Lucent Line to Boscia because it's sulfate free and very gentle. I'm really happy with the switch.
As far as resting, I am no longer a stomach sleeper and I'm such a light sleeper. I am also trying my best to sit-stand-sit-stand during the day and put up my feet whenever I can do it to avoid varicose veins. I did find a few icky vein marks on my thighs and calves. This too is normal in a pregnancy and it fades out after awhile. What's alarming is that I also saw a bruise (the size of a half-dollar coin) on the side of my knee. I have no idea how it got there. It's been purple for days. It must be because I was sleeping on my side in fetal position without using a pillow between my knees. The trick is to try to keep the feet elevated and to mindfully change sleeping positions often. So it's hard to get an uninterrupted amount of sleep. If that's the case now, can you imagine how I'll be once I'm in my 3rd trimester?
Even though we don't know the baby's gender, Erwil and I have been checking out baby cribs at stores and online. We're reading all the Consumer Report articles, recalls, and customer reviews on cost, safety, and durability. We haven't found one crib we liked, so we're continuing the search. We've also been checking out the different baby strollers. Some strollers are really over-the-top luxurious and some are really craptastic. I think I found the brand and type of one traveler system that I like for its good safety and customer reviews, but can't decide on what color to get until we know if the baby is a boy or a girl. There's just so much baby gear out there to clutter our house. We're just going to narrow things down to the essentials.
I can feel my shoes tightening around my feet. I actually broke the straps on my favorite leather slippers. Erwil offered to crazy glue them, but I think these slippers will just burst open again even after Mr. Cobbler's shoe repairs. If you notice, all I do now is wear my cheap Old Navy navy blue rubber slippers. Even if it doesn't match with the wardrobe. I don't care! Comfort matters more to me than style.
Because of all the foods high in citrus that I've been eating, I've been having a lot of dry skin buildup around the mouth and jaw area. I have to exfoliate and moisturize to keep the face looking clean. It's just a common skin reaction you get from eating a lot of acidic fruits and vegetables. So I went to Sephora and bought Boscia's skincare line of preservative-free cleanser, moisturizer and mask. Yes, I switched from Shiseido White Lucent Line to Boscia because it's sulfate free and very gentle. I'm really happy with the switch.
As far as resting, I am no longer a stomach sleeper and I'm such a light sleeper. I am also trying my best to sit-stand-sit-stand during the day and put up my feet whenever I can do it to avoid varicose veins. I did find a few icky vein marks on my thighs and calves. This too is normal in a pregnancy and it fades out after awhile. What's alarming is that I also saw a bruise (the size of a half-dollar coin) on the side of my knee. I have no idea how it got there. It's been purple for days. It must be because I was sleeping on my side in fetal position without using a pillow between my knees. The trick is to try to keep the feet elevated and to mindfully change sleeping positions often. So it's hard to get an uninterrupted amount of sleep. If that's the case now, can you imagine how I'll be once I'm in my 3rd trimester?
Even though we don't know the baby's gender, Erwil and I have been checking out baby cribs at stores and online. We're reading all the Consumer Report articles, recalls, and customer reviews on cost, safety, and durability. We haven't found one crib we liked, so we're continuing the search. We've also been checking out the different baby strollers. Some strollers are really over-the-top luxurious and some are really craptastic. I think I found the brand and type of one traveler system that I like for its good safety and customer reviews, but can't decide on what color to get until we know if the baby is a boy or a girl. There's just so much baby gear out there to clutter our house. We're just going to narrow things down to the essentials.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
17th Week of Pregnancy
I'm feeling a lot more energetic now that I'm in my 17th week of pregnancy (that's about 4 1/2 months of baby's gestational period). We're almost half-way through!
This past weekend was eventful. I helped out with the FAYAC Conference at Filipino Community Presbyterian Church in Eagle Rock. The conference began on Thursday evening and ended on Sunday afternoon. I was pretty busy with helping the rest of the leaders (Aira, Kristine, Dan, Lynneth, Alex and Mike). There was plenty of things that I learned from this conference, so I'll have to spill more details about what I got from it it in another blog. Our days started as early as 7am and it didn't end until past 11pm. I'm just thankful that I was able to have enough energy to carry on through the day.
On Saturday evening I came home to find that the Untalan siblings were having dinner at our house. Ate Willen, Lauren, Sean and Cameron drove from Seattle to Los Angeles for summer vacation. They actually arrived last Wednesday, but we didn't get a chance to tag base with them until this weekend. Kuya Wil, Ate Maribel, Kalyssa and Kyla also came to our house. It was definitely a packed house! We ate, played Wii Sports and Rock Band. We even got a chance to play Catchphrase against each other. It was hillarious and pretty competitive!
On Monday afternoon, I planned a last-minute Manhattan Beach outing with Hannah, Jeremae and Joyce. I picked up Joyce, then Jeremae and Hannah. The day was beautiful. We walked all the way to the end of the pier and visited the Manhattan Beach Aquarium Museum, which only takes donations from visitors. We browsed through the clothing stores and had a real legit Italian dinner at Mama D's. I love going to Mama D's and I'm glad I was able to introduce it to the girls. We had fun just talking and catching up on life, non-CPYF business related. It was quite a gabbing session with the girls. (Photo courtesy: Hannah Bernabe)
So how am I feeling at 17 weeks? I feel great so far. I still haven't gained any weight. In fact I dropped at least 3 pounds. I'm still the same weight since I got pregnant. Of course, when I started this pregnancy I was already overweight. I guess it's because I am eating more nutritious foods and gave up Starbucks drinks, sodas and a lot of the junk food. Could it be that I'm losing and the baby is slowly gaining it back for me?
I did feel an indescribable movement in my lower stomach. This sensation is something that I've never felt, so I slightly jumped from my seated position during the FAYAC conference (while I was leading my small group discussion). I think I felt the baby moving. It usually occurs more when I'm sitting or laying down in a sedentary position for a longer period of time.
This past weekend was eventful. I helped out with the FAYAC Conference at Filipino Community Presbyterian Church in Eagle Rock. The conference began on Thursday evening and ended on Sunday afternoon. I was pretty busy with helping the rest of the leaders (Aira, Kristine, Dan, Lynneth, Alex and Mike). There was plenty of things that I learned from this conference, so I'll have to spill more details about what I got from it it in another blog. Our days started as early as 7am and it didn't end until past 11pm. I'm just thankful that I was able to have enough energy to carry on through the day.
On Saturday evening I came home to find that the Untalan siblings were having dinner at our house. Ate Willen, Lauren, Sean and Cameron drove from Seattle to Los Angeles for summer vacation. They actually arrived last Wednesday, but we didn't get a chance to tag base with them until this weekend. Kuya Wil, Ate Maribel, Kalyssa and Kyla also came to our house. It was definitely a packed house! We ate, played Wii Sports and Rock Band. We even got a chance to play Catchphrase against each other. It was hillarious and pretty competitive!
On Monday afternoon, I planned a last-minute Manhattan Beach outing with Hannah, Jeremae and Joyce. I picked up Joyce, then Jeremae and Hannah. The day was beautiful. We walked all the way to the end of the pier and visited the Manhattan Beach Aquarium Museum, which only takes donations from visitors. We browsed through the clothing stores and had a real legit Italian dinner at Mama D's. I love going to Mama D's and I'm glad I was able to introduce it to the girls. We had fun just talking and catching up on life, non-CPYF business related. It was quite a gabbing session with the girls. (Photo courtesy: Hannah Bernabe)
So how am I feeling at 17 weeks? I feel great so far. I still haven't gained any weight. In fact I dropped at least 3 pounds. I'm still the same weight since I got pregnant. Of course, when I started this pregnancy I was already overweight. I guess it's because I am eating more nutritious foods and gave up Starbucks drinks, sodas and a lot of the junk food. Could it be that I'm losing and the baby is slowly gaining it back for me?
I did feel an indescribable movement in my lower stomach. This sensation is something that I've never felt, so I slightly jumped from my seated position during the FAYAC conference (while I was leading my small group discussion). I think I felt the baby moving. It usually occurs more when I'm sitting or laying down in a sedentary position for a longer period of time.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary, Nate and Nicole
I always get a good laugh hearing about how Nate first met Nicole. You should hear her talk about how they first started out as a couple. They're perfect for each other!
And now they are not only married, but married with child. Nate and Nicole welcomed their daughter, Addison on May 15, 2009. Here she is now at 12 weeks old:
We can't wait for the Rubin family to visit us down here in Los Angeles this coming October. We want to meet Baby Addison!
Monday, August 3, 2009
16th Week of Pregnancy
The heat is ON! I don't need a calendar to remind me that it's August. If it wasn't for centralized AC, I would become parched inside this house at a temperature of 85 degrees. (That's equivalent to 125 degrees to a pregnant lady!)
Last week Jenny K. and I went to an aqua fitness class together at the nearby gym. We both used to go to different work out classes together, one of our favorites being Turbo Kick Boxing. This time she was nice enough to join me for an aqua fitness session and we both agree that the 1 hour class was deceitfully easy. The workouts are low impact, so we didn't have to worry about injury or pain to our knees and ankles. We felt it was a good workout for cardiovascular; all the major muscles were put to work since our bodies were able to defy whatever obstacles that gravity restricted us from doing in an out-of-water exercise. Best of all, since we were in the water we didn't experience that sweaty, overheated feeling that you get from running and jumping around. I told Erwil that this is an exercise that I can actually add to my pregnancy workout regimen. The workout did make Jenny and me have a ravenous appetite afterward. It was fun! I thought that my single girlfriends would not be interested in hanging out with a boring, pregnant wife...but I was wrong!
Here's the most recent photo of Jenny and her boyfriend. Isn't she pretty?
Since I've moved to Buena Park, I finally found a nail salon right by Target that I really enjoy. It's not like I go get pedicures very often either. I figure I'm done with the risky 1st trimester, why not get a pedicure and my eyebrows done? The sweet woman who helped me said, "I knew from the moment you walked into the shop, you are probably 2 months pregnant." So that's a sign that my pregnant belly is looking more obvious to people. It's also very obvious that I don't have the post-marital muffin top waistline like I used to. The muffin top torso is now just two parallel lines.
The baby is now 16 weeks of gestational age. Behold, things really do change when you are pregnant! This includes experiencing headaches, which the doctor told me is normal and due to hormonal changes. I've never been the type of person to get any migraines and headaches even if it is discomforting. I think I can count on my hands how many times I've had a headache, and it didn't take a very long time before the ache subsided. I'm not the type to wash down tablets of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches. Usually I would just guzzle more refreshing water and lie down somewhere quiet. It works for me!
Since I have this summer break, I wake up and fall asleep to a badgering sense to get rid of my old belongings and hang newer photos up. I'm now 32 years old, and many things that once did and things that I cherished just aren't as important to me anymore. The large packrat in me died ever since I saw that positive pregnancy test.
Erwil and I went to Ikea this weekend to buy a new bookcase so that my books can have a decent home. I love to read and find inspiration from what I read. I'm quite sure that I have plenty of my secondary favorite books still floating around in other friends' homes but I don't have the need to ask for them back. I feel excited to see the progressive changes being made in our living space. This is not just a physical change but an attitude adjustment for us. We're sharing space, thus making us share habits. I have no complaints though, but rather satisfied with thankfulness.
I have to admit that between the two of us, Erwil is really good in keeping our house really well-ordered among other qualities that I admire about him. I am starting to become more like him in finding a routine to tidy up and simplify my life. I feel so blessed that things are coming along without little marital annoyances between the two of us. I don't feel I ever have to transform into a dog, barking orders at Erwil. And when I'm wrong, he's so gentle in guiding me that I don't ever feel the need to electrocute him back with a disgusting tongue. Lord help me, when I do fail!
We help each other out and we do our best to help those we care about. Much of the anxiety and suffering that we and our loved ones live under draws us nearer to God in prayer. I've been seeing Erwil reading his Bible at night. Sometimes he's inside the walk-in closet so that he won't disturb my sleep. Sometimes he's sitting on the couch. Sometimes he's in the office reading chapters in his red leather bound Bible. We're almost a year into our marriage and working on submitting our marriage to Jesus Christ. Submitting demands a strong love, the unselfish kind, the most obedient kind. With so much going on to distract and discourage us, it's really easy to slip and make God and His Word--the most important reason to live out our existence--the very last priority of our marriage and family. It's not easy to submit and love each other like this, but we need Him. Erwil and I realize that we don't have that luxury to slip away or take short cuts around God right now that we've been entrusted to bring up a child who has also been living with us (inside my belly) for the past 16 weeks.
Last week Jenny K. and I went to an aqua fitness class together at the nearby gym. We both used to go to different work out classes together, one of our favorites being Turbo Kick Boxing. This time she was nice enough to join me for an aqua fitness session and we both agree that the 1 hour class was deceitfully easy. The workouts are low impact, so we didn't have to worry about injury or pain to our knees and ankles. We felt it was a good workout for cardiovascular; all the major muscles were put to work since our bodies were able to defy whatever obstacles that gravity restricted us from doing in an out-of-water exercise. Best of all, since we were in the water we didn't experience that sweaty, overheated feeling that you get from running and jumping around. I told Erwil that this is an exercise that I can actually add to my pregnancy workout regimen. The workout did make Jenny and me have a ravenous appetite afterward. It was fun! I thought that my single girlfriends would not be interested in hanging out with a boring, pregnant wife...but I was wrong!
Here's the most recent photo of Jenny and her boyfriend. Isn't she pretty?
Since I've moved to Buena Park, I finally found a nail salon right by Target that I really enjoy. It's not like I go get pedicures very often either. I figure I'm done with the risky 1st trimester, why not get a pedicure and my eyebrows done? The sweet woman who helped me said, "I knew from the moment you walked into the shop, you are probably 2 months pregnant." So that's a sign that my pregnant belly is looking more obvious to people. It's also very obvious that I don't have the post-marital muffin top waistline like I used to. The muffin top torso is now just two parallel lines.
The baby is now 16 weeks of gestational age. Behold, things really do change when you are pregnant! This includes experiencing headaches, which the doctor told me is normal and due to hormonal changes. I've never been the type of person to get any migraines and headaches even if it is discomforting. I think I can count on my hands how many times I've had a headache, and it didn't take a very long time before the ache subsided. I'm not the type to wash down tablets of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches. Usually I would just guzzle more refreshing water and lie down somewhere quiet. It works for me!
Since I have this summer break, I wake up and fall asleep to a badgering sense to get rid of my old belongings and hang newer photos up. I'm now 32 years old, and many things that once did and things that I cherished just aren't as important to me anymore. The large packrat in me died ever since I saw that positive pregnancy test.
Erwil and I went to Ikea this weekend to buy a new bookcase so that my books can have a decent home. I love to read and find inspiration from what I read. I'm quite sure that I have plenty of my secondary favorite books still floating around in other friends' homes but I don't have the need to ask for them back. I feel excited to see the progressive changes being made in our living space. This is not just a physical change but an attitude adjustment for us. We're sharing space, thus making us share habits. I have no complaints though, but rather satisfied with thankfulness.
I have to admit that between the two of us, Erwil is really good in keeping our house really well-ordered among other qualities that I admire about him. I am starting to become more like him in finding a routine to tidy up and simplify my life. I feel so blessed that things are coming along without little marital annoyances between the two of us. I don't feel I ever have to transform into a dog, barking orders at Erwil. And when I'm wrong, he's so gentle in guiding me that I don't ever feel the need to electrocute him back with a disgusting tongue. Lord help me, when I do fail!
We help each other out and we do our best to help those we care about. Much of the anxiety and suffering that we and our loved ones live under draws us nearer to God in prayer. I've been seeing Erwil reading his Bible at night. Sometimes he's inside the walk-in closet so that he won't disturb my sleep. Sometimes he's sitting on the couch. Sometimes he's in the office reading chapters in his red leather bound Bible. We're almost a year into our marriage and working on submitting our marriage to Jesus Christ. Submitting demands a strong love, the unselfish kind, the most obedient kind. With so much going on to distract and discourage us, it's really easy to slip and make God and His Word--the most important reason to live out our existence--the very last priority of our marriage and family. It's not easy to submit and love each other like this, but we need Him. Erwil and I realize that we don't have that luxury to slip away or take short cuts around God right now that we've been entrusted to bring up a child who has also been living with us (inside my belly) for the past 16 weeks.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Happy 1st Birthday, Olivia!
I'm holding Olivia. She turned 1 today! She's the 1st born daughter of my friend Sarinna and Jerome. Olivia had her birthday at a nice, quiet, neighborhood park in Long Beach. Her birthday was picnic style. I thought it was fun for the kids and the parents.
Sarinna and I have been very close friends since 7th grade. I can't believe she's a mommy now. Her daughter is very sweet and you can just tell she's a bright child. Just look at her eyes! Olivia is talkative and pretty outgoing for a 1 year old girl.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Happy Birthday, Janssen!
This is Janssen, with her husband Troy, and daughter Dylan. Janssen celebrates her birthday today.
Janssen and I have been best friends since we were 3 years old. She's a great wife, mom, and best friend! What more can you ask for?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
13 Week Ultrasound Appointment
I know that you can hardly make of these photos, even if enlarged, unless you have a trained eye to look at these images. Don't feel too bad. I've been shown many ultrasound pictures before. The "ink blotted" fetal images hardly made sense to me. Now that I experienced my 2nd ultrasound and watched how our baby actively moves inside my womb for a good 35 minutes, I see how the images of the baby's anatomy make perfect sense. These images are much better viewed through the lens of a video camera. I regret not I asking for a video recording of the whole ultrasound or having Daddy Erwil become more involved by video-recording the ultrasound monitor.
It was a joy to see our little bean develop into a lime. He/she is now anatomically complete with legs, arms, belly, head, skeleton and major organs in just a matter of 4 weeks. (That's only 3 months if you count back to conception.) The ultrasound technician had a hard time getting 2 accurate measurements of our baby's size from crown to rump and nuchal translucency because he/she was squirming, turning and even flipping face-down. Measuring the nuchal translucency is just a non-invasive routine measurement of the fluid between the fetal neck and fetal skin for any obvious chromosomal abnormalities. Measuring crown to rump length was interesting, since it helps in calculating gestational age. The baby was exactly 13 weeks according to the measurement. Measurment was on point!
Erwil could not contain his triple dimpled-smile as he watched our son/daughter move arms, legs, turn sideways, upside down. (Yes, can you believe Erwil has 3 dimples--2 on the right, and 1 on the left side of his cheek?) According to Baby Center, our child is approximately the size of a lime at 12 weeks of fetal development. Here's an approximation of how that would look (Photocourtesy by: Baby Center Photogallery):
Limes are cute!
At the end of the appointment, the tech sent me to the restroom to deposit another urine sample through the tiny door, right beside the sink. No problem! I used to have a slight aversion to public restrooms, but when you are pregnant you can't be choosy about where you have to go for bladder relief. You have no choice but to become much like a dog, and mark your territory anywhere to relieve your bladder. You do not want to contract a UTI (urinary tract infection) which can cause low birthweight and early labor if untreated. Besides, the clinic's restroom is not only clean, but it even has a charming floral arrangement that is really an arrangement of flower pens stuck in a nice glass vase. It reminds me of an art project that is much like I have my 5th grade students create for Mother's Day, that was taught to me by Mrs. Billedo, my mentor teacher. How inventive!
Then back in the examination room, she pricked my right ring finger and drew six drops of blood to scan for any abnormalities. Just as I thought I was finished with drawing blood samples, the receptionist handed me a slip to draw even more blood. I had to go to a separate clinic across the street from Torrance Memorial Medical Center to get 4 more viles of blood drawn from my right arm. I usually feel anxious around needles, but I'm starting to gain a tolerance for it since blood drawing has become routine.
It's still too early to tell through the ultrasound if the baby's sex is a boy or girl. I know that many people are asking and wondering, even strangers. However, some even go too far by putting their hand on my stomach without asking for my permission. To be honest, I don't really like people putting their questionably clean hands to feel and pat my stomach. Sometimes I wonder what kind of a reaction I would get from them if I reciprocated right back by touching and patting them on their jello-jiggler stomachs just to send back "stay away" a message. Unfortunately, I don't have the heart to do that to people. I just have to swallow their excitement much like I swallow those large, foul-smelling daily prenatal vitamins.
Even Erwil and I wonder who this child is going to become, and what can we do to prepare for its arrival. I am usually like to plan life far ahead, but this time I personally want this to be a surprise and just learn to go with the flow. We've never had any grandchildren on my immediate side of the family. This is a surmountable excitement for them as the baby will be the first born Genuino. On Erwil's side, 9 grandchildren came before our baby. They knew the sex of every single Baby Untalan while in the womb. No surprises. The pragmatist side of Erwil would like to maintain that tradition of knowing the baby's sex as soon as possible so that we can begin planning all the necessary details.
Our next ultrasound appointment is scheduled in late August, right before I return to work. It will be more in-depth than the previous ones. We're looking forward to it!
At the end of the appointment, the tech sent me to the restroom to deposit another urine sample through the tiny door, right beside the sink. No problem! I used to have a slight aversion to public restrooms, but when you are pregnant you can't be choosy about where you have to go for bladder relief. You have no choice but to become much like a dog, and mark your territory anywhere to relieve your bladder. You do not want to contract a UTI (urinary tract infection) which can cause low birthweight and early labor if untreated. Besides, the clinic's restroom is not only clean, but it even has a charming floral arrangement that is really an arrangement of flower pens stuck in a nice glass vase. It reminds me of an art project that is much like I have my 5th grade students create for Mother's Day, that was taught to me by Mrs. Billedo, my mentor teacher. How inventive!
Then back in the examination room, she pricked my right ring finger and drew six drops of blood to scan for any abnormalities. Just as I thought I was finished with drawing blood samples, the receptionist handed me a slip to draw even more blood. I had to go to a separate clinic across the street from Torrance Memorial Medical Center to get 4 more viles of blood drawn from my right arm. I usually feel anxious around needles, but I'm starting to gain a tolerance for it since blood drawing has become routine.
It's still too early to tell through the ultrasound if the baby's sex is a boy or girl. I know that many people are asking and wondering, even strangers. However, some even go too far by putting their hand on my stomach without asking for my permission. To be honest, I don't really like people putting their questionably clean hands to feel and pat my stomach. Sometimes I wonder what kind of a reaction I would get from them if I reciprocated right back by touching and patting them on their jello-jiggler stomachs just to send back "stay away" a message. Unfortunately, I don't have the heart to do that to people. I just have to swallow their excitement much like I swallow those large, foul-smelling daily prenatal vitamins.
Even Erwil and I wonder who this child is going to become, and what can we do to prepare for its arrival. I am usually like to plan life far ahead, but this time I personally want this to be a surprise and just learn to go with the flow. We've never had any grandchildren on my immediate side of the family. This is a surmountable excitement for them as the baby will be the first born Genuino. On Erwil's side, 9 grandchildren came before our baby. They knew the sex of every single Baby Untalan while in the womb. No surprises. The pragmatist side of Erwil would like to maintain that tradition of knowing the baby's sex as soon as possible so that we can begin planning all the necessary details.
Our next ultrasound appointment is scheduled in late August, right before I return to work. It will be more in-depth than the previous ones. We're looking forward to it!
Erwil Has Baking Skills
Being pregnant often brings a specific craving to my palette. My food cravings change from week to week. My particular craving this week happened to be fresh baked banana walnut bread.
I have no shame in updating 500+ of my "closest" friends and family network about my present time status, and this is how I often rant about life's pain these days. I was just aching for fresh baked banana bread. Ate Sheree, my cousin who lives all the way in New Jersey responded back with this recipe through Facebook. Yes, that's right. I said Facebook.
I have no shame in updating 500+ of my "closest" friends and family network about my present time status, and this is how I often rant about life's pain these days. I was just aching for fresh baked banana bread. Ate Sheree, my cousin who lives all the way in New Jersey responded back with this recipe through Facebook. Yes, that's right. I said Facebook.
Here's Erwil making the bread mix.
I could tell he was actually having fun putting all of these ingredients together. Needless to say, there's something really attractive about a guy who knows what to do in the kitchen.
While we knew that the final result of this batch looked a little more tan than the usual all-purpose flour mix, don't be instantly put off by that whole wheat flour. It tastes just as great and has longer mileage on that daily fiber intake.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Jenny's Birthday
Today's July 8th! Here's Jenny and her husband Edy.Aloha to Jenny, my birthday-twin (because we were both born on July 8)! Jenny and I maintained our close friendship since 7th grade and it still remains even to this day. She's a great friend--someone who you can really talk to and have fun with. I'm so glad that she's having the time of her life right now living in Oahu!
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