D is turning 1 year old in 24 days, hence the countdown to his big O-N-E has begun. I'm quite excited at the commitment that I have for his birthday party but at the same time, the undeniable fact faces me...I am about to have a toddler in the house (insert sarcastic and funny remark...).
I'm quite excited with the prospect of having my very own hurricane in the house. I know that a lot of moms and dads who have had toddlers (my parents included) will always tell me ALL THE HORROR stories that they can tell me about what life is like with a toddler. Wow, thanks so much! I'm not sure if you're happy about it or you just wanna make me feel miserable. I hope it's the former but I do know where they're coming from...I just wish that it was put more delicately, like not scaring the first-time parents. Instead, supporting them and telling them the tricks of the trade of being a parent to a toddler. It doesn't hurt, right?
I remember when I gave birth to D and all my other high school batch mates were also pregnant and about to pop...I was more than happy to tell them about my birthing experience but I was also careful with my words, I wanted them to anticipate it with excitement, happiness and joy as opposed to dread and fear. Why put so much negativity into such a happy occasion? I've always believed that if you really want to support someone, you give them a nice picture but also give them warnings but without discouraging them. It's a balance but I make it a point to do it.
I'm starting to hear a lot of "horror" and "terror" stories about having a toddler in the house:
"Halaka, samok na kaayo ang balay!"
"Nah, payat jud ka ana samot ba!"
"Goodbye na lang sa mga gamit ninyo..."
"Kapuy kaayo ang bata uy...purye gaba lang..."
Hmmm...anything positive about having a toddler? Like maybe when they pick up their toys and put them in their respective boxes? Or when they try to help you with other chores? Or when they start talking and babbling as if they're in a conversation with you?
I appreciate all the stories but I wish that people, in general, would be more positive when giving stories. I know that D will be a handful and I'm already expecting that. I thank God, everyday, for Yaya Wilma as she can always carry half of the load during the day. We're already expecting the worst (not really) but we're definitely hoping for the best.
Toddlers are expected to make a mess...they're expected to be noisy and loud...they're expected to be kids and just run around and play...what else do you expect of them? They're kids...they're learning and exploring and they want to have fun.
Right now, I can see that D is slowly transitioning from a baby to a toddler and I can't help myself but wonder, how fast time flies. Last year...he was still in my tummy, kicking and punching and basically telling us he wants to see the world. And now that he's out and about, I'm sure he wants to see more.
This sure transition to toddlerhood is something that every parent will go through...this time, with us, we want it to be a memorable and positive experience for everyone. Are there going to be bumps? Oh yes, a lot of them. But in the end, it's all about D exploring how wonderful and great the world is. And yes, I will be there...every step of the way.
Zest.Passion.Love
Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Biting The Nipples That Feed Him
Been almost a month since my previous post but I've been very busy with the preparations for D's first birthday and I got back to online teaching this week, needless to say...it's been quite hectic.
Amidst all the "chaos" that's been happening, D is pretty much growing in front of our eyes. My parents were away for just a few days and got extended for another 24 hours due to the airport mishap (they were rerouted to Manila then GenSan and took a 3-hour bus trip back to Davao). They noticed D's sudden growth and mentioned it to me, the moms at our weekly playgroup also noticed and well...as much as I want to deny it, my little boy's growing up!
And with growing up comes those little tiny instances that really try my pain tolerance, yes...breastfeeding mothers can definitely relate to this...biting! He doesn't do it on purpose, at least I don't think so, and it doesn't happen often but when it does...WOW! I'd rather go through labor than deal with those nipple bites! Whew!
Did it seem bad? Yes, I felt like I was going to lose my nipple when I felt it. I was imagining this bloody image in my head where in the actual nipple is between his four incisors and he's smiling at me with that snarl that he always gives when he's feeding off me (too bloody?!). Then I look down and it's just red, sore and bleeding a little...I looked at D and there he was, smiling and giggling. I know he didn't do it on purpose but that was just one of those VERY RARE moments that I wish I could stop breastfeeding. I didn't stop...trust me, I wasn't going to stop just because there was a tiny wound.
The best cure was to let D latch and let his saliva heal it, true enough...it was all right. Took about a couple of week for the soreness to completely go away but I was still able to pump and express milk for him. That didn't discourage me from breastfeeding...but it did make me flinch every once in awhile whenever D would latch. Somehow, those little teeth are definitely not stopping at biting everything it can get in contact with. How do I stop him though? Well...pinching his nose definitely stops it, the "suffocation" trick doesn't really work on his as he was push me away and it's more painful. So pinching works for us...
I know that this will be just be a phase, and I'm in no way deciding to stop breastfeeding. But yet, babies do bite the nipples that feed them...mommies, trust me...they still love you no matter what and they're not doing it on purpose.
Amidst all the "chaos" that's been happening, D is pretty much growing in front of our eyes. My parents were away for just a few days and got extended for another 24 hours due to the airport mishap (they were rerouted to Manila then GenSan and took a 3-hour bus trip back to Davao). They noticed D's sudden growth and mentioned it to me, the moms at our weekly playgroup also noticed and well...as much as I want to deny it, my little boy's growing up!
And with growing up comes those little tiny instances that really try my pain tolerance, yes...breastfeeding mothers can definitely relate to this...biting! He doesn't do it on purpose, at least I don't think so, and it doesn't happen often but when it does...WOW! I'd rather go through labor than deal with those nipple bites! Whew!
Did it seem bad? Yes, I felt like I was going to lose my nipple when I felt it. I was imagining this bloody image in my head where in the actual nipple is between his four incisors and he's smiling at me with that snarl that he always gives when he's feeding off me (too bloody?!). Then I look down and it's just red, sore and bleeding a little...I looked at D and there he was, smiling and giggling. I know he didn't do it on purpose but that was just one of those VERY RARE moments that I wish I could stop breastfeeding. I didn't stop...trust me, I wasn't going to stop just because there was a tiny wound.
The best cure was to let D latch and let his saliva heal it, true enough...it was all right. Took about a couple of week for the soreness to completely go away but I was still able to pump and express milk for him. That didn't discourage me from breastfeeding...but it did make me flinch every once in awhile whenever D would latch. Somehow, those little teeth are definitely not stopping at biting everything it can get in contact with. How do I stop him though? Well...pinching his nose definitely stops it, the "suffocation" trick doesn't really work on his as he was push me away and it's more painful. So pinching works for us...
I know that this will be just be a phase, and I'm in no way deciding to stop breastfeeding. But yet, babies do bite the nipples that feed them...mommies, trust me...they still love you no matter what and they're not doing it on purpose.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Pumping It Up
D's already 9 months and 13 days as of writing and he is as active as he can be! Semi-cruising and already showing signs that he's ready to let go of whatever he's holding to stand up on his own, I only have a few more months to spare before all of us will be running after him. With his constant growth, I've seen him chow down more food than I thought I could see him eat...and his milk input hasn't changed either! Love the idea that I can just pull it out and he can latch onto it, anytime and anywhere.
I've been meaning to build up a stash but since I stay home with him, laziness has come over me and pumping hasn't been a priority unless there's a need to donate some. But a few days ago, I was contacted by my former headteacher and asked me if I could start teaching again next month. I've missed teaching and if there's anything that I love to do (before I became a mom), that's teaching. I jumped to the chance and agreed to start teaching again.
My classes will start as early as noon so that would mean D will be spending the afternoon and early evening with his nanny, Yaya W. The thought of having to build a stash was already looming and quite urgent since I know that my supply would need to be reprogrammed. I wasn't too worried but I also knew that it'd be a great practice to already start the soonest.
This afternoon, I was able to find the time to actually do some sessions. I was quite surprised since I was able to pump around 3oz. during my first two sessions. I'm due for another session tonight after I post this. But with the way things are going...I'm actually happy that I'm slowly and surely building a stash. It's also perfect timing since the balloon workshop will be on the 25th of this month and I'll be away for a whole day, a stash would be perfect so that Yaya W will be relieved as well.
Such liquid gold is achievable. I'm quite glad to have the support system around me. It's not a numbers game, it's more of consistency and practice...with a whole lot of patience!
By the way...D isn't used to bottle feeding so we're skipping all those and going straight to the glass! Besides, he loves putting his mouth to the rim and feel the glass...
I've been meaning to build up a stash but since I stay home with him, laziness has come over me and pumping hasn't been a priority unless there's a need to donate some. But a few days ago, I was contacted by my former headteacher and asked me if I could start teaching again next month. I've missed teaching and if there's anything that I love to do (before I became a mom), that's teaching. I jumped to the chance and agreed to start teaching again.
My classes will start as early as noon so that would mean D will be spending the afternoon and early evening with his nanny, Yaya W. The thought of having to build a stash was already looming and quite urgent since I know that my supply would need to be reprogrammed. I wasn't too worried but I also knew that it'd be a great practice to already start the soonest.
This afternoon, I was able to find the time to actually do some sessions. I was quite surprised since I was able to pump around 3oz. during my first two sessions. I'm due for another session tonight after I post this. But with the way things are going...I'm actually happy that I'm slowly and surely building a stash. It's also perfect timing since the balloon workshop will be on the 25th of this month and I'll be away for a whole day, a stash would be perfect so that Yaya W will be relieved as well.
Such liquid gold is achievable. I'm quite glad to have the support system around me. It's not a numbers game, it's more of consistency and practice...with a whole lot of patience!
By the way...D isn't used to bottle feeding so we're skipping all those and going straight to the glass! Besides, he loves putting his mouth to the rim and feel the glass...
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!
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| 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!
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| 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!
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| 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!
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
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!
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