I love learning new skills! If it's anything that I wanna do, it's adding more skills in my arsenal and then get to use them anytime!
I found a page on Facebook offering a Balloon 101 Workshop, D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) Party Balloons and Party Supplies. I jumped (literally) out of my chair and carried my laptop to my Mum and told her about it. I was so game because it would come in handy for D's first birthday! Hello, I get to actually decorate my own son's birthday...how cool and fun would that be?!
I suddenly had this flood of ideas as to how the set-up was going to be and how the stage is going to look like, and yes that includes the backdrop and centerpieces. I felt like a migraine was coming pretty soon but good thing my Mum slowed me down and giggled. I asked my Dad if he could help me finance the registration (it's P3000) and he agreed that we split it 50/50. Whew!
L was giggling and was really happy when I told him about it during lunch. It's probably not a surprise to him that I'm all giddy with the party planning...up to the tiniest details! Again, that's my ever-supportive hubby!
If you guys wanna join me in the workshop, just head on to their Facebook page and check out the details!
Zest.Passion.Love
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Looking and Being Different
Most people who know me don't really know what goes on in my brain, unless you've been with my crazy self for more than half of my life. So let me take you to my journey as someone who has been on the side of not only looking different but also being different.
I was born with a congenital defect, it's pretty obvious when you look at me long enough...I am a cleft, both lip and palate. No, don't believe those myths that my Mum slid and fell while she was pregnant and all that because our family can prove that that's all crap (pardon). Mum was at her healthiest and fittest when she was pregnant with me. She slid and fell while she was pregnant with both Paul (older bro) and Jam (younger sis), and they were born without any facial congenital defects.
I've always been very expressive of my feelings. When I feel lonely, you'd know...when I feel happy, you'd know...when I feel sick, you'd know...so my face is a dead giveaway of what I'm feeling (especially my eyes). And I always remember my Mum and Dad reminding me that I'm special, that I've got something special in me to show everyone. I didn't really get that...I just knew that I was special in their eyes.
Then came school...yes, the one place that taught me how to deal with real life. I grew up in the realm of the Jesuit way (you can guess by this time which alma mater I came from). Kindergarten was the best years of my childhood! I had teachers who showered us with compliments, classmates whom you were friends with, nannies whom you trusted your life with. A little segway here, I demanded that my nanny be right outside the classroom door for a whole week during my first days in school since I was SCARED TO DEATH that I would go home by myself! So needless to say, I grew up with my nanny by my side until my high school years!
Did bullies exist? OH YES! They did exist and in many different forms too! There were those bullies who would outright point and laugh at you, reminding you that you look different. There were those bullies who just randomly pick on people (whether they look different or not) to make their lives miserable for that one moment. Then, there were those bullies who just targeted YOU and only YOU. Their world revolved around YOU. That was me a year in high school.
What I love about the world that I have is that...school is so different of a world that as soon as I get home, I'm at peace. I don't care about what other people say...I'm in my zen place, my abode, my zone. I guess that's why we're such a tight-knit family and that we share a lot of our thoughts and ideas so openly because my parents made sure that our home is our cocoon, our sanctuary, and that we're safest there. My closest best friends in school know me so well and they know my dreams and ambitions...of course, I have to show a different side to acquaintances and classmates.
How did I go about life looking and being different? Well, it's something that I got used to. Being stared at, no biggie. People stopping in their tracks and pointing at me...I could care less. Why? Well, because I knew who I was. I knew what I wanted and I knew myself well enough. I love to dance, I love to perform, I love to watch movies, I love to eat pasta, I love pretty things, I love crafts, I love it when people smile at me and compliment me (whether small or big)...that was all that mattered to me. I have Mum and Dad...they're my biggest fans!
College was a different story...because of my experiences in high school, I learned the art of putting a HUGE and MASSIVE wall that would block people from actually getting to know me. I was snobbish, I was strict, I was closed...hardly anyone would dare speak to me when I would enter a classroom and I could always intimidate them with the way I talked. If there's anything that I am really good at, it's expressing my opinion through speaking and writing. A few people "dared" to befriend me and true in form, they became great friends of mine. Heck, I met my husband back in college! But I knew that I was a completely different person in college...I transformed myself into someone who knew how to do a very nasty and sarcastic comeback from an ignorant classmate.
"Classmate, gwapa unta ka...kung dili lang ka bungi." said a classmate.
"Mao ka?" I replied, looking at her with the purest sarcastic sneer, "At least puwede pa nako ni mapa-surgery...imong dagway, unsaon na lang na? Dili gud ka bungi...dili pa jud gwapa!"
I know...I shouldn't have stooped to her level but she was asking for it. After that, everyone (and I mean everyone in our department, heck the whole campus!) knew the attitude that I had. They were scared. But to me, and to my friends, I wouldn't have said that if she wasn't being tactless. Seriously...what would you have said?
After four major operations to repair my palate...the only thing left is the facial reconstruction to make me look as if I wasn't born with a cleft lip and palate. Why didn't I have it? Well, I spoke well. Heck, I was an English teacher to Koreans and I was a soft skills and communications trainer...I'm sure that I speak well. I don't need to blend in and look just like everybody else. Besides, I'd rather focus on my D who now has so many syllables in his vocabulary that I'm catching up every single day!
My parents taught me how to be strong. I grew up to be stronger. Looking and actually being different has always been something that I consider a positive for me...and that's exactly how I'm going to teach D as well.
I was born with a congenital defect, it's pretty obvious when you look at me long enough...I am a cleft, both lip and palate. No, don't believe those myths that my Mum slid and fell while she was pregnant and all that because our family can prove that that's all crap (pardon). Mum was at her healthiest and fittest when she was pregnant with me. She slid and fell while she was pregnant with both Paul (older bro) and Jam (younger sis), and they were born without any facial congenital defects.
I've always been very expressive of my feelings. When I feel lonely, you'd know...when I feel happy, you'd know...when I feel sick, you'd know...so my face is a dead giveaway of what I'm feeling (especially my eyes). And I always remember my Mum and Dad reminding me that I'm special, that I've got something special in me to show everyone. I didn't really get that...I just knew that I was special in their eyes.
Then came school...yes, the one place that taught me how to deal with real life. I grew up in the realm of the Jesuit way (you can guess by this time which alma mater I came from). Kindergarten was the best years of my childhood! I had teachers who showered us with compliments, classmates whom you were friends with, nannies whom you trusted your life with. A little segway here, I demanded that my nanny be right outside the classroom door for a whole week during my first days in school since I was SCARED TO DEATH that I would go home by myself! So needless to say, I grew up with my nanny by my side until my high school years!
Did bullies exist? OH YES! They did exist and in many different forms too! There were those bullies who would outright point and laugh at you, reminding you that you look different. There were those bullies who just randomly pick on people (whether they look different or not) to make their lives miserable for that one moment. Then, there were those bullies who just targeted YOU and only YOU. Their world revolved around YOU. That was me a year in high school.
What I love about the world that I have is that...school is so different of a world that as soon as I get home, I'm at peace. I don't care about what other people say...I'm in my zen place, my abode, my zone. I guess that's why we're such a tight-knit family and that we share a lot of our thoughts and ideas so openly because my parents made sure that our home is our cocoon, our sanctuary, and that we're safest there. My closest best friends in school know me so well and they know my dreams and ambitions...of course, I have to show a different side to acquaintances and classmates.
How did I go about life looking and being different? Well, it's something that I got used to. Being stared at, no biggie. People stopping in their tracks and pointing at me...I could care less. Why? Well, because I knew who I was. I knew what I wanted and I knew myself well enough. I love to dance, I love to perform, I love to watch movies, I love to eat pasta, I love pretty things, I love crafts, I love it when people smile at me and compliment me (whether small or big)...that was all that mattered to me. I have Mum and Dad...they're my biggest fans!
College was a different story...because of my experiences in high school, I learned the art of putting a HUGE and MASSIVE wall that would block people from actually getting to know me. I was snobbish, I was strict, I was closed...hardly anyone would dare speak to me when I would enter a classroom and I could always intimidate them with the way I talked. If there's anything that I am really good at, it's expressing my opinion through speaking and writing. A few people "dared" to befriend me and true in form, they became great friends of mine. Heck, I met my husband back in college! But I knew that I was a completely different person in college...I transformed myself into someone who knew how to do a very nasty and sarcastic comeback from an ignorant classmate.
"Classmate, gwapa unta ka...kung dili lang ka bungi." said a classmate.
"Mao ka?" I replied, looking at her with the purest sarcastic sneer, "At least puwede pa nako ni mapa-surgery...imong dagway, unsaon na lang na? Dili gud ka bungi...dili pa jud gwapa!"
I know...I shouldn't have stooped to her level but she was asking for it. After that, everyone (and I mean everyone in our department, heck the whole campus!) knew the attitude that I had. They were scared. But to me, and to my friends, I wouldn't have said that if she wasn't being tactless. Seriously...what would you have said?
After four major operations to repair my palate...the only thing left is the facial reconstruction to make me look as if I wasn't born with a cleft lip and palate. Why didn't I have it? Well, I spoke well. Heck, I was an English teacher to Koreans and I was a soft skills and communications trainer...I'm sure that I speak well. I don't need to blend in and look just like everybody else. Besides, I'd rather focus on my D who now has so many syllables in his vocabulary that I'm catching up every single day!
My parents taught me how to be strong. I grew up to be stronger. Looking and actually being different has always been something that I consider a positive for me...and that's exactly how I'm going to teach D as well.
Wedding Anniversary Year 2
Two years ago...I walked down the aisle and married the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Whoever thought that a girl like me would be able to settle down? Whoever thought that someone like me would ever find someone who was willing to take me as I am? Well...he was there.
This is the first time I am going to write about L and I as a married couple, perfect timing as it's our second year wedding anniversary.
He's the ONLY boyfriend who gave me flowers and the ONLY boyfriend who paid for our dates. That should give you an idea as to what type of guys I had before him. He's also the only guy who would be able to stand my snobbish and very often "high-maintenance" ways, only because I was the most comfortable with him. I didn't need to be someone else around him, I was all right. I was myself and I didn't need to hide anything.
What sealed the deal? Well...I know that we'd grow old together and still act like high school sweethearts (who wouldn't want that?). He's now the husband, the father, the first man who made my heart skip a beat (D being the second!).
Happy second wedding anniversary L! We have been blessed with so much...I hope you could still love me the way that you did the first you time you said those words...
This is the first time I am going to write about L and I as a married couple, perfect timing as it's our second year wedding anniversary.
He's the ONLY boyfriend who gave me flowers and the ONLY boyfriend who paid for our dates. That should give you an idea as to what type of guys I had before him. He's also the only guy who would be able to stand my snobbish and very often "high-maintenance" ways, only because I was the most comfortable with him. I didn't need to be someone else around him, I was all right. I was myself and I didn't need to hide anything.
What sealed the deal? Well...I know that we'd grow old together and still act like high school sweethearts (who wouldn't want that?). He's now the husband, the father, the first man who made my heart skip a beat (D being the second!).
Happy second wedding anniversary L! We have been blessed with so much...I hope you could still love me the way that you did the first you time you said those words...
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| L and I on our wedding day... |
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Birthday Prepping Part 3: Lootbag Ins and Outs
I've always loved doing handmade gifts so it came to naturally to want to DIY almost everything for D's first birthday, that included the lootbag!
With so many ideas swarming in my head, I needed to type it all down and finally get to researching the how-to's and methods. I was thinking of maybe doing a unique lootbag and putting all kinds of different goodies that the kids will enjoy!
So, I found the template online (seriously, everything is found online!) and got started but realized that the lootbag was a little too small to fit the giveaways that I was thinking of. So I made the template a little larger...to make a long story short, I've made three samples before actually getting into a size that L and I were happy. I tried placing the mock-up giveaways and found that there was still enough space for the food goodies!
I was too excited. That night, I showed it to L when he got back from work and all he could ask was, "You had time to make three samples? Wow...you really are crafty huh?" I wasn't too sure what he meant by that but I'd like to believe that he was being nice and sincere. He smiled and gave me a hug (aww, trying to make up for what he said probably!). L has never seen me do a lot of crafty and DIY stuff so I'm sure this is such a surprise for him.
I've also listed down the DIY giveaways that I'll be making as well. So far, I've gotten them in the list but I still need to do a little canvassing so that I can start buying them soon. With the way that I'm going...I might be able to finish the lootbags before booking all the rest of the suppliers! Haha!
At least I've ticked another item off my list of things to prep for D's big day!
With so many ideas swarming in my head, I needed to type it all down and finally get to researching the how-to's and methods. I was thinking of maybe doing a unique lootbag and putting all kinds of different goodies that the kids will enjoy!
So, I found the template online (seriously, everything is found online!) and got started but realized that the lootbag was a little too small to fit the giveaways that I was thinking of. So I made the template a little larger...to make a long story short, I've made three samples before actually getting into a size that L and I were happy. I tried placing the mock-up giveaways and found that there was still enough space for the food goodies!
I was too excited. That night, I showed it to L when he got back from work and all he could ask was, "You had time to make three samples? Wow...you really are crafty huh?" I wasn't too sure what he meant by that but I'd like to believe that he was being nice and sincere. He smiled and gave me a hug (aww, trying to make up for what he said probably!). L has never seen me do a lot of crafty and DIY stuff so I'm sure this is such a surprise for him.
I've also listed down the DIY giveaways that I'll be making as well. So far, I've gotten them in the list but I still need to do a little canvassing so that I can start buying them soon. With the way that I'm going...I might be able to finish the lootbags before booking all the rest of the suppliers! Haha!
At least I've ticked another item off my list of things to prep for D's big day!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
MomBa: The new exercise for moms and babies
Last Saturday, April 20, was such a fun day for moms and babies alike (of course, more of the moms!). A very good mom friend came to Davao City and FINALLY taught us MomBa. What is that? Well, it was coined by Nadine when she decided to put her exercise routine together with playtime with her baby Rae. It's like Zumba but with moms and babies (babies being worn!).
There were six moms in all who joined in the class (including Nadine) but my baby D was the only baby boy! Hehehe. Yaya Wilma and I made sure that D would have enough rest before the MomBa class so he had the whole afternoon to take his nap, which he did...thank God!
What I loved about MomBa was that it incorporated the imagination of the babies! Never mind the age of the baby because the youngest was Kaley at 5 months and the oldest was Zoey at around a year and a half of age so it was really more of the moms also getting their babies to participate in the activity. Nadine told us not to worry if the babies didn't want to join in the exercise because they could just run around, or in this case for most of the babies...crawl around!
She started with all the moms and babies forming a circle because the story is about to start...we were going to travel! We were walking and then slowly started running (yes, with our babies in tow!) since we were already late for our flight at the airport. I love that there's a story to this so the babies and toddlers would also get to play along.
From Hawaii, the music started with Pearly Shells as we warmed up together with our babies. We then went to Egypt for the more serious toning and cardio (our weights were our babies!).
We had to do squats while babywearing our "weights"!
We also had several minutes with arms exercises that I'm sure every mom would agree was tough (talk about sore arms for two days!).
Then for the cool down, we had a softer blend of melodies. It was supposed to make the babies sleep but only Kaley fell asleep...the rest were either tired or wide awake...hehe!
It was the best hour for us since we were really sweating it out and seriously doing cardio and toning of our muscles! Who would've thought that carrying our babies and exercising at the same time would be both super fun and so tiring?! I'm sure all of the moms would agree that we ate A LOT MORE than the usual because we were THAT tired.
I particularly loved getting back to dancing because I've been doing that since I could remember...yes, I did have ballet training with a bit of jazz and hiphop on the side but what I really missed was belly dancing. Around my third trimester (yes, very heavy and pregnant) was when I got into serious pregnant belly dancing because it eased my back aches A LOT! So when Nadine incorporated a bit of belly...I was too giddy and excited that I knew Damien was all too familiar with my hip sways! Oh, what a wonderful moment that was!
The next few hours were funny and hilarious as I felt each muscle getting more and more sore...waaah, the price that we pay for not exercising as much as we should have. Being that we're moms...I don't blame anybody but that was the perfect excuse since our babies had fun as much as we did!
The next MomBa will be at the Mommapalooza on Mother's Day! We hope to see more moms then...don't forget your Rai Ties and babies too!
Before I end this post...let me indulge in this photo taken from Ella's camera where I was doing my push-ups...of course, the reward is that I get to kiss my D!
 |
| MomBa at The POD: (from left to right) Julie Lapaz with D, Alex Hao, Nadine Casino with R, Ella Misa with M, Althea Robin with Z, Kooky Hao with K and Keryl Tan with K. |
There were six moms in all who joined in the class (including Nadine) but my baby D was the only baby boy! Hehehe. Yaya Wilma and I made sure that D would have enough rest before the MomBa class so he had the whole afternoon to take his nap, which he did...thank God!
 |
| Miel decided to crawl away from Mommy Ella to play with Rae! |
What I loved about MomBa was that it incorporated the imagination of the babies! Never mind the age of the baby because the youngest was Kaley at 5 months and the oldest was Zoey at around a year and a half of age so it was really more of the moms also getting their babies to participate in the activity. Nadine told us not to worry if the babies didn't want to join in the exercise because they could just run around, or in this case for most of the babies...crawl around!
She started with all the moms and babies forming a circle because the story is about to start...we were going to travel! We were walking and then slowly started running (yes, with our babies in tow!) since we were already late for our flight at the airport. I love that there's a story to this so the babies and toddlers would also get to play along.
 |
| Doing our warm-up with Pearly Shells as our background music... Ate Zoey was having fun dancing as well! |
From Hawaii, the music started with Pearly Shells as we warmed up together with our babies. We then went to Egypt for the more serious toning and cardio (our weights were our babies!).
 |
| Doing our squats while babywearing our babies! |
We had to do squats while babywearing our "weights"!
 |
| Toning our arms while suffering in silence...waaah! |
We also had several minutes with arms exercises that I'm sure every mom would agree was tough (talk about sore arms for two days!).
 |
| Toning down the very tired muscles... |
Then for the cool down, we had a softer blend of melodies. It was supposed to make the babies sleep but only Kaley fell asleep...the rest were either tired or wide awake...hehe!
It was the best hour for us since we were really sweating it out and seriously doing cardio and toning of our muscles! Who would've thought that carrying our babies and exercising at the same time would be both super fun and so tiring?! I'm sure all of the moms would agree that we ate A LOT MORE than the usual because we were THAT tired.
I particularly loved getting back to dancing because I've been doing that since I could remember...yes, I did have ballet training with a bit of jazz and hiphop on the side but what I really missed was belly dancing. Around my third trimester (yes, very heavy and pregnant) was when I got into serious pregnant belly dancing because it eased my back aches A LOT! So when Nadine incorporated a bit of belly...I was too giddy and excited that I knew Damien was all too familiar with my hip sways! Oh, what a wonderful moment that was!
 |
| Reliving my belly dancing days...that was too much fun! |
The next few hours were funny and hilarious as I felt each muscle getting more and more sore...waaah, the price that we pay for not exercising as much as we should have. Being that we're moms...I don't blame anybody but that was the perfect excuse since our babies had fun as much as we did!
The next MomBa will be at the Mommapalooza on Mother's Day! We hope to see more moms then...don't forget your Rai Ties and babies too!
Before I end this post...let me indulge in this photo taken from Ella's camera where I was doing my push-ups...of course, the reward is that I get to kiss my D!
 |
| Push-ups with a great reward...kisses for my D! |
Friday, April 19, 2013
Going Healthy and Raw
There's something about eating that will always make someone feel better. It's human nature to feel better and of course eating is usually at the top of everyone's list.
Naturally, when D was starting to grow in front of my eyes (literally!)...the thought of him starting on solids was something quite daunting for a new mom like me. I didn't know where to start or what to feed him first...and I wasn't about to feed him the commercially-prepared food! Mum and Dad were more than happy to share their experience in feeding the three of us when we were still babies. Somehow, I was more of a special case so I took it upon myself to follow their advice.
D was about 5 months and 22 days when we started him on semi-solids (puree). I made sure to wait on D's pedia to give the green light so that I was confident to prepare the food. Doc Monna was very accommodating and was more than happy to recommend that D was ready for semi-solids. She asked if we were going to try the commercial food or do home-made, I told her home-made through and through and she was gladder since she knew that it was safer and that I was happy with my choice.
It's always been a question: What will D eat first? Easy...ground rice from Bios Dynamis! Thankfully, the local Bios Dynamis had enough stock and we got the ground red rice. Mum helped in prepping and D loved it! She made sure that it was puree-style so that D could easily swallow with a bit of chewing since it was a different texture than the usual breastmilk. We started him slow and sure with the ground red rice for three straight days.
If there's anything that I'd like to delay with D, it's his preference for taste. Whenever he tries new fruits or veggies...he takes his time in understanding the texture and the taste. There are instances that his face changes but he hardly rejects the food. Maybe it also helps that I eat as healthily as I could so my breastmilk would taste like the food that I eat. During our Holy Week trip, he was able to try lettuce and pechay juice, carrot juice, camote tops juice and calamansi juice. He was, quite shockingly, very addicted to the green (lettuce and pechay) juice and camote tops juice. It helped with his digestive system so much that pooping wasn't even an issue during that time! I'm thinking of making our own here at home!
My parents have embraced the lifestyle of eating healthy and raw (especially my Dad!) and I am slowly coursing to that path as well. That doesn't mean that I will completely go vegetarian but I will be more careful with the choices of food that I will eat. Besides, it wouldn't be fair if I make D eat veggies and I'm gobbling on chips. It helps for me to be as fair to my son as possible.
Did we have problems with D's pooping? YES!
He's not the type of baby who poops every after he eats...he poops every other day so naturally, I wasn't too worried when he was still exclusively breastfeeding but when he started solids...I was more vigilant. Papaya is now his best friend. His anti-constipation food...
Now that D's 8 months and 23 days as of writing, he is already eating three times a day. His breakfast is always papaya to make sure that he won't get constipated and that he can manage his poop. Then his lunch and supper is ground red rice and monggo beans with a mix of steamed squash (for this week). We will then switch the squash to carrots next week.
Most common question that I hear: "Isn't it difficult and a lot of preparation?" Yes it is but it takes a certain routine and getting used to. Thankfully, Yaya Wilma has already infused in her schedule the prepping of D's food. She makes it a point to prepare enough for one day so that it's fresh.
Going healthy, whether it be raw or simply being more conscious with what to eat, is a decision that is a slow and steady process. I've made this decision because I want the best for my bubba and to make sure that he isn't exposed to the artificial taste that we are so used to. Who knows...he just might be the one who will make me go back to my roots and love veggies again!
Naturally, when D was starting to grow in front of my eyes (literally!)...the thought of him starting on solids was something quite daunting for a new mom like me. I didn't know where to start or what to feed him first...and I wasn't about to feed him the commercially-prepared food! Mum and Dad were more than happy to share their experience in feeding the three of us when we were still babies. Somehow, I was more of a special case so I took it upon myself to follow their advice.
D was about 5 months and 22 days when we started him on semi-solids (puree). I made sure to wait on D's pedia to give the green light so that I was confident to prepare the food. Doc Monna was very accommodating and was more than happy to recommend that D was ready for semi-solids. She asked if we were going to try the commercial food or do home-made, I told her home-made through and through and she was gladder since she knew that it was safer and that I was happy with my choice.
It's always been a question: What will D eat first? Easy...ground rice from Bios Dynamis! Thankfully, the local Bios Dynamis had enough stock and we got the ground red rice. Mum helped in prepping and D loved it! She made sure that it was puree-style so that D could easily swallow with a bit of chewing since it was a different texture than the usual breastmilk. We started him slow and sure with the ground red rice for three straight days.
 |
| D loving his ground red rice puree. |
If there's anything that I'd like to delay with D, it's his preference for taste. Whenever he tries new fruits or veggies...he takes his time in understanding the texture and the taste. There are instances that his face changes but he hardly rejects the food. Maybe it also helps that I eat as healthily as I could so my breastmilk would taste like the food that I eat. During our Holy Week trip, he was able to try lettuce and pechay juice, carrot juice, camote tops juice and calamansi juice. He was, quite shockingly, very addicted to the green (lettuce and pechay) juice and camote tops juice. It helped with his digestive system so much that pooping wasn't even an issue during that time! I'm thinking of making our own here at home!
My parents have embraced the lifestyle of eating healthy and raw (especially my Dad!) and I am slowly coursing to that path as well. That doesn't mean that I will completely go vegetarian but I will be more careful with the choices of food that I will eat. Besides, it wouldn't be fair if I make D eat veggies and I'm gobbling on chips. It helps for me to be as fair to my son as possible.
Did we have problems with D's pooping? YES!
He's not the type of baby who poops every after he eats...he poops every other day so naturally, I wasn't too worried when he was still exclusively breastfeeding but when he started solids...I was more vigilant. Papaya is now his best friend. His anti-constipation food...
Now that D's 8 months and 23 days as of writing, he is already eating three times a day. His breakfast is always papaya to make sure that he won't get constipated and that he can manage his poop. Then his lunch and supper is ground red rice and monggo beans with a mix of steamed squash (for this week). We will then switch the squash to carrots next week.
Most common question that I hear: "Isn't it difficult and a lot of preparation?" Yes it is but it takes a certain routine and getting used to. Thankfully, Yaya Wilma has already infused in her schedule the prepping of D's food. She makes it a point to prepare enough for one day so that it's fresh.
Going healthy, whether it be raw or simply being more conscious with what to eat, is a decision that is a slow and steady process. I've made this decision because I want the best for my bubba and to make sure that he isn't exposed to the artificial taste that we are so used to. Who knows...he just might be the one who will make me go back to my roots and love veggies again!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My Breastfeeding Advocate Hubbie
I love the fact that Lau is already an advocate of breastfeeding! Yes, my husband! An advocate! A very strong one at that!
Last night, Lau told me about one of his male colleagues who is a new father. His baby was born a little earlier than the EDD (premature) and asked Lau as to what milk we're using to feed Damien.
"Breastmilk 'pre, ako na ang magtestify sa wonders talaga ng breastmilk." Lau proudly said, "Breastfeeding ba si Gelai karon?"
"Dili na eh. Gamay lang kaayo ang gatas." his colleague said.
"Ayaw mo katingala, gamay pa ang tiyan sa baby...dili jud na daghan dayun2 ang gatas sa mommy. Basehan niya ang kagutom sa baby." Lau said.
"Mao ba? Daghan lagi ka nahibaw-an ana Sir." his colleague said.
"Natakdan na ko kang misis." Lau joked, "Dili pud, breastfed pud mi nga babies."
"Maayo pud na noh." his colleague added.
"Maayo jud kaayo. Buyag, wala jud nagkasakit akong baby. Ug tipid kaayo, ang para sa formula...na-divert na namo para sa vaccines." Lau added.
He told me all about their conversation about breastmilk. Think about it, two fathers talked about breastmilk! I love it! I love the fact that Lau testified and had a lot of information to tell the new father (his baby just turned a month old is being formula-fed fulltime now). I know that his passion comes from his experience of Damien (now 8 months and still being breastfed), but hearing him tell this story with so much gusto is another aspect that I haven't seen!
I must say that it's such a proud moment for me as well. I knew that the moment I made the decision to breastfeed Damien, Lau was behind me all the way. Even coming to he rescue that one time with MIL (will blog about it in a later post!). For a husband to be very supportive that he turned to be an advocate as well is something rare!
I'm too giddy and happy typing this story! It's such a natural high!
Last night, Lau told me about one of his male colleagues who is a new father. His baby was born a little earlier than the EDD (premature) and asked Lau as to what milk we're using to feed Damien.
"Breastmilk 'pre, ako na ang magtestify sa wonders talaga ng breastmilk." Lau proudly said, "Breastfeeding ba si Gelai karon?"
"Dili na eh. Gamay lang kaayo ang gatas." his colleague said.
"Ayaw mo katingala, gamay pa ang tiyan sa baby...dili jud na daghan dayun2 ang gatas sa mommy. Basehan niya ang kagutom sa baby." Lau said.
"Mao ba? Daghan lagi ka nahibaw-an ana Sir." his colleague said.
"Natakdan na ko kang misis." Lau joked, "Dili pud, breastfed pud mi nga babies."
"Maayo pud na noh." his colleague added.
"Maayo jud kaayo. Buyag, wala jud nagkasakit akong baby. Ug tipid kaayo, ang para sa formula...na-divert na namo para sa vaccines." Lau added.
He told me all about their conversation about breastmilk. Think about it, two fathers talked about breastmilk! I love it! I love the fact that Lau testified and had a lot of information to tell the new father (his baby just turned a month old is being formula-fed fulltime now). I know that his passion comes from his experience of Damien (now 8 months and still being breastfed), but hearing him tell this story with so much gusto is another aspect that I haven't seen!
I must say that it's such a proud moment for me as well. I knew that the moment I made the decision to breastfeed Damien, Lau was behind me all the way. Even coming to he rescue that one time with MIL (will blog about it in a later post!). For a husband to be very supportive that he turned to be an advocate as well is something rare!
I'm too giddy and happy typing this story! It's such a natural high!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Why? Why Not?
Now that D's 8 months and 17 days as of writing, some people tend to ask the one question that I've heard a hundred times (trust me, if I get a peso for everytime I'd be asked the question...I'd probably have enough to buy a stash of GroVia hybrids! LOL!).
"How old na is your baby?" someone asks.
"He's 8 months na." I'd answer.
"Wow, ang lusog niya! Anong milk niya?" someone asks again.
"Breastmilk." I answer with a smile, as normal as I look when I smile.
"Hah? Breastfeeding ka pa rin until now? Why naman?" someone asked.
I'm so tempted to answer with all the sarcasm and frustration in the world, 'Why not?' Seriously, why not? It seems that people in the city (urbanized areas) have already been so exposed to what's on TV that the most natural thing in the world is being questioned and dare I say, criticized. I've been used to be being stared even when I was a kid given that I am born with a cleft lip and palate, so being stared and gawked at when I'm feeding D in public was never an issue to me.
I feel quite strongly about this advocacy because I do not like the fact that people are not being educated. They would rather choose what is convenient as opposed to what is natural and what is readily available. Although I truly respect the choices that mothers make, I also make it a point to speak my mind since it is something truly close to my heart. It breaks whenever I hear babies getting sick because of formula or because they easily contracted a water-borne disease.
In the US, it is even common to hear people say this to nursing mothers, 'I do not masturbate or pee in public, why should you expose your breasts in public?' Again, I would love to answer with all sarcasm in the world, 'Why? Did I expose my breasts to you?' I even saw a motto that said, 'If you're offended by my breastfeeding then you've been staring at it for too long.'
We are luckier here in Davao since breastfeeding in public is not even an issue. I've seen several photos and also read several horror stories in Manila where nursing mothers were asked to leave restaurants because they made the customers feel uncomfortable. Or that it is indecent to be breastfeeding in public so they have to look for a comfort room to feed the baby instead. Wow, I was shocked to hear about this because in our own country where it is still very natural and common to be breastfeeding even in the jeepney (yes, I've seen a mother breastfeed her baby while in the jeepney!), why constrict mothers to feed their children?
Bottomline: There is a law here in the Philippines that protects nursing mothers and yes, they are allowed to nurse in public. Malls and other public establishments are required to have an area where mothers can breastfeed their children in peace (and no, it's not the comfort room!). And if you think that it's indecent for mothers to be "exposing their breasts" to feed their children...then you're staring at it for too long.
Again...they ask why and I answer with a why not.
"How old na is your baby?" someone asks.
"He's 8 months na." I'd answer.
"Wow, ang lusog niya! Anong milk niya?" someone asks again.
"Breastmilk." I answer with a smile, as normal as I look when I smile.
"Hah? Breastfeeding ka pa rin until now? Why naman?" someone asked.
I'm so tempted to answer with all the sarcasm and frustration in the world, 'Why not?' Seriously, why not? It seems that people in the city (urbanized areas) have already been so exposed to what's on TV that the most natural thing in the world is being questioned and dare I say, criticized. I've been used to be being stared even when I was a kid given that I am born with a cleft lip and palate, so being stared and gawked at when I'm feeding D in public was never an issue to me.
I feel quite strongly about this advocacy because I do not like the fact that people are not being educated. They would rather choose what is convenient as opposed to what is natural and what is readily available. Although I truly respect the choices that mothers make, I also make it a point to speak my mind since it is something truly close to my heart. It breaks whenever I hear babies getting sick because of formula or because they easily contracted a water-borne disease.
In the US, it is even common to hear people say this to nursing mothers, 'I do not masturbate or pee in public, why should you expose your breasts in public?' Again, I would love to answer with all sarcasm in the world, 'Why? Did I expose my breasts to you?' I even saw a motto that said, 'If you're offended by my breastfeeding then you've been staring at it for too long.'
We are luckier here in Davao since breastfeeding in public is not even an issue. I've seen several photos and also read several horror stories in Manila where nursing mothers were asked to leave restaurants because they made the customers feel uncomfortable. Or that it is indecent to be breastfeeding in public so they have to look for a comfort room to feed the baby instead. Wow, I was shocked to hear about this because in our own country where it is still very natural and common to be breastfeeding even in the jeepney (yes, I've seen a mother breastfeed her baby while in the jeepney!), why constrict mothers to feed their children?
Bottomline: There is a law here in the Philippines that protects nursing mothers and yes, they are allowed to nurse in public. Malls and other public establishments are required to have an area where mothers can breastfeed their children in peace (and no, it's not the comfort room!). And if you think that it's indecent for mothers to be "exposing their breasts" to feed their children...then you're staring at it for too long.
Again...they ask why and I answer with a why not.
Birthday Prepping Part 2: Centerpieces Mock-up and Template Invitation
Finally finished with the DIY centerpieces as well as the template for the invitation. It was quite inspiring since there were templates of the characters available online. Also got the pattern for the invite online...everything is just so convenient because it's found online!
D's already asleep (yes, thank God he sleeps at around 7pm) so I'm left with more time to do some research and finish the DIY projects. I'm quite excited because I've already started with some of the goodies for the loot bag! Whee! I also got to talking with my Mum and she was quite happy with the outcome as well, even my Dad is amazed with the things that I found online. Well, I think he's more amazed that I'm so into it. Again, it's been awhile since they saw me getting crafty with anything.
Ocular inspections of the possible venues will be next in line although Lau and I already have favored our wedding reception venue (hehehe!). And I'm usually the type of customer that if I like the place and I also like the way that it was presented to us and the staff and crew are very accommodating...I book and pay on the spot. So, usually I stick with the same suppliers since they already know how keen on details I can be.
Once we've booked the venue...it's time to brainstorm for decor ideas! Glad to see that my long list of to-do's are slowly being ticked off...
D's already asleep (yes, thank God he sleeps at around 7pm) so I'm left with more time to do some research and finish the DIY projects. I'm quite excited because I've already started with some of the goodies for the loot bag! Whee! I also got to talking with my Mum and she was quite happy with the outcome as well, even my Dad is amazed with the things that I found online. Well, I think he's more amazed that I'm so into it. Again, it's been awhile since they saw me getting crafty with anything.
Ocular inspections of the possible venues will be next in line although Lau and I already have favored our wedding reception venue (hehehe!). And I'm usually the type of customer that if I like the place and I also like the way that it was presented to us and the staff and crew are very accommodating...I book and pay on the spot. So, usually I stick with the same suppliers since they already know how keen on details I can be.
Once we've booked the venue...it's time to brainstorm for decor ideas! Glad to see that my long list of to-do's are slowly being ticked off...
Friday, April 12, 2013
Birthday Prepping Part 1: Brainstorming
Ever since April hit...I've been brainstorming ideas for my bubba's upcoming first birthday. If you're asking as to when his birthday is...it's July 27th. I know, it's still months away but if you look at the details and being able to pin down suppliers at a reasonable price, and finalizing the guest list...there's not a lot of time left.
I've always been the type of person who loves to put ideas together and I've been busy brewing ideas already for D's theme for the past few months. Why too advanced you might ask? Because there's still the possibility that I could change my mind. Besides, I'm the one doing most of the planning and Lau's in charge of the legwork. And of course, being able to be within the budget doesn't hurt as well!
The theme's been decided. The template of the invitation is already done as well, only the details are missing including D's photo (shoot is scheduled around mid-June). I've already prepped a mock-up of how the centerpieces will be, there are still some elements missing though but that's all right...all of those will be done by tomorrow (yes, you heard me right...tomorrow!). After the mock-up of the table, I'll go straight to hunting for suppliers for the goodies in the loot bag. There's actually one particular goody that I've been dying to do a craft project on. Once I've got the materials ready, I'll post at how I did it and the outcome as well.
Lau's going to do an ocular tomorrow on our fave spot (where we had our wedding reception) as I've pictured the whole decor in my mind with a bit of tweaking. My goal for this month is to be able to book the venue so that we can already start with a sit-down of how the decor will be and where to put what.
To be honest, I seem to be spending more time planning my son's birthday than I did with our wedding almost two years ago. And yes, it looks like we'll have more guests with this celebration as well! LOL!
The next few weeks will be a huge brainstorming session for my brain...I don't mind, I like the exercise and it's good that I get to do more crafts this time! I can't wait for the outcome...
I've always been the type of person who loves to put ideas together and I've been busy brewing ideas already for D's theme for the past few months. Why too advanced you might ask? Because there's still the possibility that I could change my mind. Besides, I'm the one doing most of the planning and Lau's in charge of the legwork. And of course, being able to be within the budget doesn't hurt as well!
The theme's been decided. The template of the invitation is already done as well, only the details are missing including D's photo (shoot is scheduled around mid-June). I've already prepped a mock-up of how the centerpieces will be, there are still some elements missing though but that's all right...all of those will be done by tomorrow (yes, you heard me right...tomorrow!). After the mock-up of the table, I'll go straight to hunting for suppliers for the goodies in the loot bag. There's actually one particular goody that I've been dying to do a craft project on. Once I've got the materials ready, I'll post at how I did it and the outcome as well.
Lau's going to do an ocular tomorrow on our fave spot (where we had our wedding reception) as I've pictured the whole decor in my mind with a bit of tweaking. My goal for this month is to be able to book the venue so that we can already start with a sit-down of how the decor will be and where to put what.
To be honest, I seem to be spending more time planning my son's birthday than I did with our wedding almost two years ago. And yes, it looks like we'll have more guests with this celebration as well! LOL!
The next few weeks will be a huge brainstorming session for my brain...I don't mind, I like the exercise and it's good that I get to do more crafts this time! I can't wait for the outcome...
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Hunt for a MAYA
I grew up around nannies. Of course, there's always that one nanny who saw you grow up until you got married and they were the first ones who cried when you walked down the aisle. Yes, I had a nanny like that. So, it came naturally for me to get a nanny as well when Damien was born. It took us awhile...like 6 months!
I consider it as such a lucky break that we finally found Yaya Wilma. But mind you, she was a replacement of a replacement from the agency. Hehehe, let me tell you the whole story.
It was around November when Laurence and I were desperate to get a nanny since there were a lot of things to do around the house and multi-tasking made it more of a challenge. I'm the type who drops everything for Damien. So I don't care how tall the mountains and piles of laundry there is...as long as I give him what he wants, which is basically me. Being that Laurence was still assigned in Malita, he came home on Saturday evenings and would go back on Monday mornings...not exactly enough time for family and he's squeezing in chores for us as well.
The nanny that Laurence got was a newbie...but I was willing to take it since I just needed her to do the chores for Damien like cleaning the room, doing the laundry and watching over him when I'm having a meal downstairs. But alas, she only lasted for about a month and a half since it really just wasn't working for us. I was desperate since Damien is fully cloth diapering and we need to maintain the laundry chores. I called an agency and they sent me a resume of an applicant...all right, let's give her a try.
This nanny was okay. Really, she was. But she carried a whole lot of emotional baggage and easily loses focus. She also can't seem to calm Damien down when she carries him. And as soon as I take Damien from her, she excuses herself for the rest of the day since she needs to rest her arms coz Damien's already heavy...umm, I don't think she'll last given that Damien's getting heavier by the day! Yup, she barely lasted a month. The agency sent in a replacement.
I already had a different hunch with the replacement since she said in her resume that she prefers to be an all-around helper. I called up the agency and asked them to verify and they told me that she was willing to try becoming a nanny because she was already desperate for a job, the owner of the agency was nice enough to explain to me anyway so I agreed for the trial. However, this nanny didn't want to wear the uniform that I would require when we go out...and she didn't want to accompany us when we go out! Hmmm, this isn't gonna work...I don't think she understood what it took to become a nanny. The agency sent in another replacement.
Then came Yaya Wilma. Her resume was okay. Her background check was all right as well. Widow, mother of 3 boys...I think she can handle Damien well. And true to that, she has handled Damien very well. I appreciate that she gets Damien from our room when he's already giggling and laughing around at around 6:30am, which means that Laurence and I can steal more minutes to doze off. She also makes sure that Damien's diapers are changed every two hours. She's also in charge of the laundry as well as playing with him when I'm out for errands or doing my blog...hehehe! What I appreciate from her the most is that...she prioritizes my Damien above all else especially with meals and making sure that he's fresh and clean.
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| Damien's reaction after his MMR vaccine. Yaya Wilma was beside him the whole time. |
If you ask any mom who's in dire need of a nanny, it's been a challenge these days. With the Kasambahay Law in place as well as demands from the nannies themselves...moms like us just want the nanny that Maya is on the hit soap (yes, I watch that with Yaya Wilma and Damien!). But there will always come a time that will make me understand what things happen, well...it takes a little more time to realize that but it comes.
The 5 solid months that I took care of Damien all by myself also taught me that I am stronger than I thought I was. And this time that Damien's very comfortable with Yaya Wilma, I'm basically a little more free to do things that I want to do.
The hunt for Maya took a little longer than expected but the payback has been great...
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| Me, Damien and Yaya Wilma (face partly covered) during our monthly visit to Doc Monna. |
My Choice of Breastfeeding
When I found out I was pregnant, I wanted to give the best for my baby. And yes, that included me breastfeeding for as long as I could. My Mum breastfed Kuya Paul, Jam and I for about an average of a year...so I knew that I got the support from my parents. This passion was also fueled more when I attended a mommy meet-up at The POD which was all about The Milk Code.
Since I had to give birth via stat CS, Damien was wheeled to the nursery after the Unang Yakap was done on us and I was being stitched up. I was back in our room at around 3 in the morning and I was still a little doozy, awake but quite doozy. Laurence wanted to make sure that I get enough sleep because he needed the sleep as well, we've been in labor since 2pm the day before and I knew he was very tired. I was quite worried since I wanted to make sure that Damien would get my colostrum but I rested my eyes and got a few hours of sleep.
At 8am, my nurse told me that I needed to go to the breastfeeding room to be able to see Damien. I didn't think twice, I stood up and slowly walked to the breastfeeding room a few meters away from the nursery...yes, with IV and catheter in tow. I just wanted to see Damien again. The nurse told me that he just finished feeding so he might not want to latch onto me immediately, but since I made sure that he went through wet nursing...I was confident that latching for him was not an issue. I just wanted to smell him, to be honest! And I wanted to see him again...I only got to see him for a few minutes since I was in and out of consciousness when the Unang Yakap was done. But I remembered his face so clearly...for someone who was in and out during the operation, I had a good memory of how my baby looked like!
It around lunchtime when Damien was finally roomed-in with us. He was still full since he was just fed but the nurse-in-charge told me that he's not a fussy baby. He was quick in latching and would just cry out when hungry or uncomfortable. In my mind, 'Any baby would be fussy once he's out to this noisy world...' So, I knew that cuddling and making sure that he could sense my presence was top priority for me.
During our three-day stay in the hospital, it wasn't a walk in the park for us. He did latch but he wasn't as comfortable as he would like to be. I was still recovering from my C-section so I couldn't really move as much as I would like so he would sleep in our arms...little did we know that he wanted to latch and sleep at the same time. I guess everything was totally new and unexpected for Laurence and I. I wanted to go home and be comfortable in my own space but we needed to spend one more night since Damien's temperature spiked up to 37.7...hence, the third day in the hospital.
As soon as we got home, breastfeeding him was a little easier since I could do it in my own space where we were all familiar with. Our dogs even understood what was happening and lessened their fussiness as well, hardly any barks and they were right outside our door, waiting for something to happen to call out my parents' attention. I mastered the football hold because of my scar but we managed breastfeeding one day at a time. I was so determined to breastfeed...and my parents were as well so they cooked as much soup (malunggay and imbao) to help me with my supply.
Everybody around me was glad that I chose breastfeeding...I also found out on our own that it was the most hassle-free choice as well. I didn't need to prepare or sterilize anything...just pull up my shirt and Damien would start rooting like mad. It was around two weeks later that we mastered the side-lying position, by then I was more comfortable with my scar and I wasn't in too much pain.
Damien's already 8 months and 14 days as of writing and is still exclusively and directly breastfeeding...he has already started semi-solids when he was around 6 months but he refused the bottle for water, even the sippy spout as well. We resorted to cup feeding him water, to which he took very well.
Though my wardrobe has been limited to nursing wear or button-down tops, I never regretted my decision to breastfeed my boy. It was really more of an economical push as well that led me to really be an advocate. People say that I quickly got back to my pre-pregnancy weight because of breastfeeding, that's true. I could eat anything and everything I want since the calories would shed off quickly because of breastfeeding. But I'm also thankful that I chose breastfeeding since I was more conscious of what I was eating. Anything that I ate was going straight to Damien so I needed to choose well. I haven't taken any caffeine since I got pregnant and have maintained that until today. I love that I've been healthier since then.
I was asked during one La Leche League meet-up, "How long do you plan to breastfeed?" If I had the choice, I wish that I could be able to give as much milk to Damien and to other babies as long as I can. But that's not my choice...Damien has the last call if he'd still be willing to feed from me or if he's strong enough to let go and choose to feed from a glass (with expressed breastmilk, of course!). I don't think it'll reach to 4 years old (the average age of weaning worldwide) but I hope that I am brave enough to face that reality one day.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Our Holy Week 2013
Our first Holy Week as a family was definitely one of the best times! We finally got back to our favorite place...the Don Bosco Training Center at Batasan Hills, Makilala, North Cotabato.
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| Our home during the Holy Week. Yes, it looks that pretty! |
We love this place because it just gave us peace and calmness. And bringing Damien with us to this trip was going to be something as well...thank God it was a trip by land because he had most of the excess luggage! For such a baby...he sure has a lot of things to bring! LOL!
If there was anything that I loved about our Holy Week trip, it was that our family was complete. Through all the trials, pain and suffering that we go through...we go through it as a family.
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| My family: (L to R) Kuya Paul, Laurence, Damien, me, Mum, Jam, Tito Nat and Dad |
A Shift of Roles
I'd like to share with you my birthing experience.
From the moment that we found out that we were expecting...I already knew what I wanted to happen when the time comes for me give birth. L-A-M-A-Z-E. My parents were both self-taught in Lamaze and that was almost non-existent during their time since the hospitals were very cold (literally and emotionally) when it came to such ideas. But they were persistent and that inspired me...also because I saw how quick my Mum recovered from giving birth to my younger sister.
My EDD (estimated due date) was August 10...four days before Laurence's birthday. But it was the 19th of July when I noticed a bloody discharge when I went to the bathroom. I quickly sent a text message to my OB telling her that there was some color in my discharge with an added reaction, "This is WAY TOO SOON, right?" Although I was already in my 37th/38th week, I felt that it was way too soon because I haven't even packed my hospital bag nor have I even prepped the room for the baby coming! Yes, I was that confident that I was going to push Damien out in August. I decided to take a morning nap after breakfast and noticed menstrual-like cramps, I figured it was just part of the Braxton-Hicks so I just slept through it.
With insistent demands from my Mum (who was in Cebu that time), my Dad and I went to my OB later that day for a check-up since she also wanted to make sure that everything was in the clear. I didn't send a text message to Laurence (he was assigned in Malita that time) since I didn't wanna panic him, I didn't feel any different anyway. So my OB gave me an IE and lo and behold, I was 2 cm dilated and about 60% effaced! I'm sure that if my Dad had a camera, my face would've been priceless. Way too soon, right?
My mind went on overdrive with the things that we needed to work on as soon as I would reach home...making sure that everything would be ready for the day I was gonna pop. Thankfully, it seems that my contractions weren't as painful as I thought they'd be, being that I based them on movies...LOL! So, it was time to call Laurence and tell him that I was already ready to pop. Although my OB was confident that it's still gonna be about a week. That night, Laurence was back in Davao and has started his leave.
It was the 26th of July (after about a week and a lot of mall trips and even a belly art meet-up at The POD) when I felt the intervals of the contractions to be more timed and regular. I asked Laurence to write them down so that I can have something to look at in case I forget to monitor my contractions...they were about 8-10 minutes apart just before lunch. They weren't painful...I could still move as normally as I can, it just felt like Mother Nature's monthly visit. But my OB told me that if the contractions were already regular or if the pain's too unbearable, time to head to the hospital. So we did...after lunch.
We were admitted to Brokenshire at 2pm. My OB has already informed the labor & delivery room that we were to be expected so they already prepped the Lamaze room for us. But when I was given an IE, I was still 3cm. Damn, I thought I'd be ready to push Damien out! So, Laurence and I decided to walk around the labor room and just relish the few hours that we had together as just the two of us. Actually, we reminisced our wedding day! Too corny when I think about it now but I felt that it was such a happy thought that maybe it would help with the labor process...happy hormones! LOL! We also got the chance to see my OB since she just came out of one of the ORs, she just needed to go to Tagum for a quick look and she'll be back but she has one of her bestfriends (another OB) on standby in case...but I told her, "Damien and I will wait until you're back here in Davao...just be back ASAP." With a nod and a smile, my OB agreed.
Since we were doing the Lamaze method, I was free with any medical intervention. I even hated it when the midwife would ask me to lie down for the fetal monitor...but she was nice enough to make sure that I was on my back for only 10 minutes. When I was already 7cm, Trisha (my nurse) came in the Lamaze room with an IV and I asked, "What's that?" She said that it's time for me to be pricked since I'm already ready to transition and I told her, "I don't want that...seriously. Don't poke me with that. I'm still okay..." She smiled and told me that she's going to ask my OB for the go signal. A couple of minutes later...the go signal was clear. No IV for me!
Then waves and waves of contractions came about and Laurence was nonstop giving me back rubs for about 20 minutes...and I was asked to do another round of fetal monitoring again. I hated that since I was already hungry and dinner was served. I told Laurence that I'll eat as soon as the midwife's done with the monitoring. Wrong move...the monitoring took about 30 minutes and I was asked to do another IE and I was already 8cm...so no more food! Waaah, just my luck! Grrr...
It was around 10:50pm (it was raining really hard that night too) when I was asked to do another IE and I was already 10 cm dilated and fully effaced...ready to push! There was one thing on my mind, "Is Doc Mimat back?" Thankfully, she's back and waiting! We were wheeled to the Lamaze delivery room. It seemed so surreal but I was ready to push Damien out. This was the moment...
Tick...tock...tick...tock...the ticking of the clock was all you could hear in the delivery room as the whole team was waiting for Damien to descend. He hasn't fully descended and he still had about 3-4 cms to go before I can have the big push. But still...no sign of him going down. I looked at the clock and it was already past 12 midnight...July 27th, coincidentally, it was our anniversary as a couple. The whole team waited on for Doc Mimat's decision, she did something that made me say, "Aww...that was painful!" It seems that my pelvic bone was stopping Damien from descending properly and everytime I would push, his heart rate started going down.
My heart stopped when I heard this but I was too selfish to want to give in to anything else. "Juls, we have to do CS." Those words punched through like a knife...I didn't want CS...I didn't want CS...I wanted pain, I wanted pushing...I wanted natural birth.
"Couldn't we just do assisted Doc?" I asked her...yup, there we were...negotiating!
"Damien's heart rate goes down when you try to push..." Doc said.
I felt like it took forever for me to decide and then I heaved a sigh and nodded, "All right...but Doc, just give me a bikini cut. I still wanna try for a VBAC."
A small chuckle was heard in the DR since I was negotiating and already planning my next birth, all in a matter of seconds. Funny but I never thought of it that way. It just came naturally for me to say those things.
Stat CS...that was how I gave birth. I went through trial of labor...heck, I was already in the delivery room and pushed for 2 whole hours. But that all changed as soon as I heard that very loud scream of a little boy who was pulled out of me.
The shift of roles happened at that very moment, I wasn't pregnant...the person inside of me is finally out and I was a mother. I only had eyes for this one little being that was crying for my presence, crying for my arms, crying for my warmth...I knew that everything was going to change at that point.
I may not have had the birthing experience that I was hoping for but it was the experience that Laurence and I knew would help us cope to be the parents that we are for Damien. It's funny when people say, "Sayang, nandoon ka na." or "Ngek, dumaan ka pa nun tapos CS ka lang pala..."
But for me...I went through two deliveries...I was already pushing for two hours which felt like a normal delivery but because of circumstances that were beyond anyone's control, Damien needed to come out in a different way. Laurence never got tired of reminding me that I did everything that I could to stick to the birth plan that we had...but Damien had other plans instead, he wanted to come out to the world with a different bang...and boy, it definitely was a big bang!
From the moment that we found out that we were expecting...I already knew what I wanted to happen when the time comes for me give birth. L-A-M-A-Z-E. My parents were both self-taught in Lamaze and that was almost non-existent during their time since the hospitals were very cold (literally and emotionally) when it came to such ideas. But they were persistent and that inspired me...also because I saw how quick my Mum recovered from giving birth to my younger sister.
My EDD (estimated due date) was August 10...four days before Laurence's birthday. But it was the 19th of July when I noticed a bloody discharge when I went to the bathroom. I quickly sent a text message to my OB telling her that there was some color in my discharge with an added reaction, "This is WAY TOO SOON, right?" Although I was already in my 37th/38th week, I felt that it was way too soon because I haven't even packed my hospital bag nor have I even prepped the room for the baby coming! Yes, I was that confident that I was going to push Damien out in August. I decided to take a morning nap after breakfast and noticed menstrual-like cramps, I figured it was just part of the Braxton-Hicks so I just slept through it.
With insistent demands from my Mum (who was in Cebu that time), my Dad and I went to my OB later that day for a check-up since she also wanted to make sure that everything was in the clear. I didn't send a text message to Laurence (he was assigned in Malita that time) since I didn't wanna panic him, I didn't feel any different anyway. So my OB gave me an IE and lo and behold, I was 2 cm dilated and about 60% effaced! I'm sure that if my Dad had a camera, my face would've been priceless. Way too soon, right?
My mind went on overdrive with the things that we needed to work on as soon as I would reach home...making sure that everything would be ready for the day I was gonna pop. Thankfully, it seems that my contractions weren't as painful as I thought they'd be, being that I based them on movies...LOL! So, it was time to call Laurence and tell him that I was already ready to pop. Although my OB was confident that it's still gonna be about a week. That night, Laurence was back in Davao and has started his leave.
It was the 26th of July (after about a week and a lot of mall trips and even a belly art meet-up at The POD) when I felt the intervals of the contractions to be more timed and regular. I asked Laurence to write them down so that I can have something to look at in case I forget to monitor my contractions...they were about 8-10 minutes apart just before lunch. They weren't painful...I could still move as normally as I can, it just felt like Mother Nature's monthly visit. But my OB told me that if the contractions were already regular or if the pain's too unbearable, time to head to the hospital. So we did...after lunch.
We were admitted to Brokenshire at 2pm. My OB has already informed the labor & delivery room that we were to be expected so they already prepped the Lamaze room for us. But when I was given an IE, I was still 3cm. Damn, I thought I'd be ready to push Damien out! So, Laurence and I decided to walk around the labor room and just relish the few hours that we had together as just the two of us. Actually, we reminisced our wedding day! Too corny when I think about it now but I felt that it was such a happy thought that maybe it would help with the labor process...happy hormones! LOL! We also got the chance to see my OB since she just came out of one of the ORs, she just needed to go to Tagum for a quick look and she'll be back but she has one of her bestfriends (another OB) on standby in case...but I told her, "Damien and I will wait until you're back here in Davao...just be back ASAP." With a nod and a smile, my OB agreed.
Since we were doing the Lamaze method, I was free with any medical intervention. I even hated it when the midwife would ask me to lie down for the fetal monitor...but she was nice enough to make sure that I was on my back for only 10 minutes. When I was already 7cm, Trisha (my nurse) came in the Lamaze room with an IV and I asked, "What's that?" She said that it's time for me to be pricked since I'm already ready to transition and I told her, "I don't want that...seriously. Don't poke me with that. I'm still okay..." She smiled and told me that she's going to ask my OB for the go signal. A couple of minutes later...the go signal was clear. No IV for me!
Then waves and waves of contractions came about and Laurence was nonstop giving me back rubs for about 20 minutes...and I was asked to do another round of fetal monitoring again. I hated that since I was already hungry and dinner was served. I told Laurence that I'll eat as soon as the midwife's done with the monitoring. Wrong move...the monitoring took about 30 minutes and I was asked to do another IE and I was already 8cm...so no more food! Waaah, just my luck! Grrr...
It was around 10:50pm (it was raining really hard that night too) when I was asked to do another IE and I was already 10 cm dilated and fully effaced...ready to push! There was one thing on my mind, "Is Doc Mimat back?" Thankfully, she's back and waiting! We were wheeled to the Lamaze delivery room. It seemed so surreal but I was ready to push Damien out. This was the moment...
Tick...tock...tick...tock...the ticking of the clock was all you could hear in the delivery room as the whole team was waiting for Damien to descend. He hasn't fully descended and he still had about 3-4 cms to go before I can have the big push. But still...no sign of him going down. I looked at the clock and it was already past 12 midnight...July 27th, coincidentally, it was our anniversary as a couple. The whole team waited on for Doc Mimat's decision, she did something that made me say, "Aww...that was painful!" It seems that my pelvic bone was stopping Damien from descending properly and everytime I would push, his heart rate started going down.
My heart stopped when I heard this but I was too selfish to want to give in to anything else. "Juls, we have to do CS." Those words punched through like a knife...I didn't want CS...I didn't want CS...I wanted pain, I wanted pushing...I wanted natural birth.
"Couldn't we just do assisted Doc?" I asked her...yup, there we were...negotiating!
"Damien's heart rate goes down when you try to push..." Doc said.
I felt like it took forever for me to decide and then I heaved a sigh and nodded, "All right...but Doc, just give me a bikini cut. I still wanna try for a VBAC."
A small chuckle was heard in the DR since I was negotiating and already planning my next birth, all in a matter of seconds. Funny but I never thought of it that way. It just came naturally for me to say those things.
Stat CS...that was how I gave birth. I went through trial of labor...heck, I was already in the delivery room and pushed for 2 whole hours. But that all changed as soon as I heard that very loud scream of a little boy who was pulled out of me.
The shift of roles happened at that very moment, I wasn't pregnant...the person inside of me is finally out and I was a mother. I only had eyes for this one little being that was crying for my presence, crying for my arms, crying for my warmth...I knew that everything was going to change at that point.
I may not have had the birthing experience that I was hoping for but it was the experience that Laurence and I knew would help us cope to be the parents that we are for Damien. It's funny when people say, "Sayang, nandoon ka na." or "Ngek, dumaan ka pa nun tapos CS ka lang pala..."
But for me...I went through two deliveries...I was already pushing for two hours which felt like a normal delivery but because of circumstances that were beyond anyone's control, Damien needed to come out in a different way. Laurence never got tired of reminding me that I did everything that I could to stick to the birth plan that we had...but Damien had other plans instead, he wanted to come out to the world with a different bang...and boy, it definitely was a big bang!
A New Role
The last time that I wrote my thoughts in paper was last year...I was still in my second trimester of pregnancy and working an average of 10 hours a day.
Now, I have a very active and happy 8-month-old bubba who is the center of my life! Oh how things have definitely changed and I can't be any more grateful!
It's still a long way for me and Laurence since we're still adjusting to being new parents (yes, until now!)...hopefully, I can get back to writing (in this case, typing) my thoughts and perspectives. This time, it seems that it's gonna be all about parenthood, marriage and being a mom!
Now, I have a very active and happy 8-month-old bubba who is the center of my life! Oh how things have definitely changed and I can't be any more grateful!
It's still a long way for me and Laurence since we're still adjusting to being new parents (yes, until now!)...hopefully, I can get back to writing (in this case, typing) my thoughts and perspectives. This time, it seems that it's gonna be all about parenthood, marriage and being a mom!
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