The Journey Continues...: 2006

Jenny's Wedding

1:15 AM | Labels: events

I attended Jenny and Alvin’s wedding last Saturday, December 23 at the Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Quezon City. Jenny is my officemate at our only HR personnel.

I really love weddings, even before I got married, sobrang happy ako each time I attend a wedding ceremony. Syempre lalo na now that I’m married, can’t help but reminisce our wedding day especially during the vows. Most of the time din, naiiyak ako sa bridal march, sayang lang this time we were a little late at di namin naabutan nung nagmarch si Jenny.

Every bride looks really pretty on her wedding day. Jenny looks radiant and you can see from their eyes that they’re both so happy. To Alvin and Jenny, congrats and best wishes!

Alvin and Jenny

At the church

Reception

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Ilog Maria, Krispy Kreme, atbp...

1:12 PM | Labels: daily musings

I went on leave yesterday to go to tagaytay with my sis-in-law ate beck and her sis micah, to buy stuff at Ilog Maria. We bought bee propolis (that’s what we use when we have colds and fever), and other stuff too. We bought a few bottles para sa house then some more for my sis-in-law. They’ll be bringing it kasi when they leave for New Zealand two weeks from now. Ako aside sa bee propolis, I bought lip balm, liquid soap, insect repellant tsaka ointment for insect bites. Kagatin kasi ako ng lamok eh, sarap daw ng dugo ko. Hehe!!!

From tagaytay, we went naman to fort para mag tiangge sana sa NBC tent, kaso it’s too early pa, 2pm pa pala sila open kaya di kami natuloy don instead, we went na lang sa serendra to buy krispy kreme. Sarap! May free taste pa din sila until now! Medyo matamis yung donut nila kaya kelangan may water ka or whatever drink right after eating. Pero masarap siya at crispy nga. J

From fort, we went naman to eastwood for lunch. Naakit kami nung billboard ng Dencio’s sa may bridge sa C5 kaya ayun, napa-sisig kami for lunch! Sarap din!!! Tapos we also went to Gateway to buy diaper bag for ate beck na she’ll use as hand carry pag alis, at pagkatapos non umuwi na! Daming lakad! It was kinda tiring but fun!

Update naman on lance, kaya na niya yung head niya. Pag carry ko siya inaangat na niya yung head niya tapos lingon kaliwa’t-kanan. Kakatuwa! Tapos pagnakahiga naman, sinusubukan na niyang tumagilid. Feeling ko medyo nahihirapan pa siya don kasi ang bigat niya, hehe! Pero oks lang, di ko naman siya minamadali. Kung kelan niya kayang gawin yon, aabangan ko na lang!

Ilang days na lang Christmas na, happy and sad yung Christmas ko ngayon. Happy kasi may Lance na ko to celebrate it with, pero sad kasi Paul won’t be coming home for Christmas. Sayang nga kasi first Christmas pa naman ni Lance. May shipment kasi silang kelangan habulin kaya di siya makakauwi eh. Sa Chinese New Year na lang daw. Hayyy…. Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!!! May we all have a wonderful Christmas and may we never forget the reason for the season! :)

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Adtel Christmas Party 2006

3:45 AM | Labels: events

We had our company Christmas party at Shanghai Bistro, Eastwood Libis last December 8, 2006. The theme of the party was “Super Sikat Pinoy” where employees are asked to dress up like sikat pinoys; those who made the Filipinos famous in whatever field they are in, whether sports, arts, theater, music, politics, etc…

I was again asked to host the party and I dressed up as Imelda Marcos and of course the other host as Ferdinand Marcos. It was really fun especially when we had the contest for best in costume. Employees joined dressed as Gringo Honasan, Andres Bonifacio, Jasmine Trias, Kris Aquino, Toni Leviste, even the Mt. Everest Expedition Team were there. Hehe!

Below are some pictures of the party

ferdinand and imelda marcos

the contestants for best in costume

with best in costume winner, Manny Pacquiao

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I'm still here....

5:30 AM | Labels: daily musings, On Lance

I’ve been quite busy since I got back from work and I miss blogging. I went back to work from my maternity leave last November 27. I’ve been quite busy then since we’re again preparing for our annual surveillance audit for ISO 9001:2000 which was scheduled on December 6. During that time, I’ve been staying late in the office. Thank God the result of the audit is ok. We have one minor nonconformity which can be easily addressed.

After the audit, next in the schedule is our company Christmas party which was held last December 8 at Eastwood. I was again asked to host the party for the 3rd consecutive year (di kaya sila nagsasawa sa kin?) hehe! We had so much fun at the party. I will make an enty on this one next time and will post pictures too.

Then last week, I was again out of the office for our last training week for Black Belt Six Sigma. It was much easier and more relaxing compared to the previous weeks that we had. Probably because it’s the last phase and we’re more aware now of what tool to use for our project and we’re closer to each other since we’ve been classmates for 4 months. There’s more kulitan and our facilitator is getting makulit na din which is really fun. Anyway, Monday we were informed that there will be a project presentation by Thursday and Friday of all the participants. I then asked our team to meet after my training on Monday to discuss my project coz it hasn’t moved since I had my maternity leave. We were able to come up with the fishbone diagram, cause and effect matrix, etc… And I was able to present it last Thursday, ok naman comments nung facilitator but I still have a long way to go. I’m still on the define and measure phase of the project. There are three more phases to work on, the analyze, improve and control phase. Friday afternoon, we had a “graduation” and a Christmas party also. We had fun and I will surely miss our classmates especially the meralco boys who not only made our class noisy but made it lively with the help of their witty comments. Those 3 guys got the bronze, silver and gold award during the graduation, (we have an exam every last day of the training week). They were our seatmates also in the class and during lunch time and I learned a lot from them too.

Update naman on Lance, he’s getting bigger and longer each day. And not only that, as he grows, he looks so much like my husband. He also smiles a lot already and is so madaldal. Whenever I go home from work, I always ask him how his day was and he gives me a long sentence that I really can’t understand but I know he’s making kwento talaga. And every morning when he opens his eyes and I greet him good morning, he gives me a smile and shows his tongue. I’m blessed coz ang bait ng anak ko. He does not cry a lot, as in di nga alam ng kapitbahay namin that I gave birth already kasi wala daw silang naririnig na umiiyak na bata. Even sa madaling araw, he does not give me a hard time. Di siya yung baby na umiiyak sa madaling araw, gagalaw lang tsaka uungot ng konti when he’s hungry or nagising tapos konting tapik lang or bigyan ng milk ok na. Sayang lang Paul is not with us now, p di niya nakikita lahat ng ginagawa ni Lance, pero whenever Paul calls, I make it appoint na ipakausap siya kay Lance para maging familiar si Lance sa voice ng dad niya. Nakakatuwa naman kasi pag magkausap sila, tumatawa naman si Lance and gumagawa ng sound. Kakatuwa sobra ang may baby sa bahay, ang sarap maging mommy. I know all moms will agree with me na sulit talaga lahat ng pagod at kung ano ano pa pag tumawa na at nagrespond ang baby mo. I love being a mommy! Anyway, below are Lance’s latest pics… ang laki niya talaga! At kamukha ni Paul! Hehe!

looks so much like daddy

a little smile

kissed by kuya ethan

3 gilit sa arms... 3 gilit sa legs...

being carried by my nanny

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Overweight

2:30 AM | Labels: On Lance

I brought Lance last Saturday to his pedia for his monthly check up and immunization. Ayun, his pedia said he’s overweight. His length now is 62cm, head circumference of 38cm and weighs 6.5kg or 14.3lbs. He was 7.14lbs when he was born which means he already doubled his weight. His pedia said that his weight now is the weight of a 4-month old baby. Nyak! She also said that ok lang naman yon tsaka di naman pwede i-diet yung baby basta as long as he does not get sick ok lang. Kaaliw nga kasi ang lusog eh, yun nga lang medyo magastos sa gatas (one week lang yung 1 can ng milk na 900 grams) so medyo wish ko eh humina sana ang pagtake ng milk ni lance tsaka medyo mabigat din pag carry. Hehe! Pero thank God healthy baby naman siya, nothing wrong with him kahit na parang madalas may sipon. Nagre-respond naman siya with smiles and coohs pag kinakausap ni doc tsaka sinusundan niya yung sound and kung ano man toy yung nilalaro sa kanya. He was given rotarix (anti-diarrhea yata yon), tapos his next visit will be on Jan. 20 for another round of immunization (mag 6-in-1 daw ulit kami). :)

Last Saturday, we also had a garage sale sa house. We sold clothes, mga di masyado nagamit or di talaga nagamit (kasi hindi kasya or hindi namin type) na mga clothes, accessories at pati na din old issues ng magazines. It was our first time to do that at ang saya pala. Hehe! The clothes prices range from P20-P200, P20 pag mga shirts tapos P50 pag mga blouses, meron din P100 na blouse at P200 naman pag mga maong and other pants. Tapos yung mga accessories P5 each at ang magazines, P10 each. Ang dami ding nagpuntang mga tao. We earned P5200 for that day alone. Di kami nakapag open nung Sunday kasi ang daming lakad and kelangan asikasuhin. Next Saturday, we will open again and we will include yung mga shoes naman na di din masyadong nagamit. Nagpapabenta din yung mom ng sis-in-law ko pati mga kapatid niya. Sana mag earn ulit kami this weekend. :)

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Lance's Baptism

8:42 AM | Labels: events, On Lance

Lance's baptism was held last Saturday at Our Lady of the Abandoned and the reception followed at Kapitan Moy. It was already long overdue as he was almost 2 months old. I arrived in Manila just the day before. And as usual, everything was already taken care of by Toni, from all the paperwork for the baptism to the reception, down to the cake and balloons. Thanks honey!

The baptism started promptly at 11am. He was asleep when it started. He just woke up when the priest poured water on his forehead. The venue of the reception was just right next to the church. Tatawid ka lang ng kalsada which was convenient for us and our guests. Thankfully, some guests that didnt make it to the ceremony were able to arrive at the reception as most of our guests werent very familiar with the area. Only about half of the tables were occupied when we started but soon enough, the whole place was brimming with guests. Toni and I were both busy making rounds at naka isang plato lang kami ng pagkain! It was nice to see old friends again because we only see each other during occasions like these. There were also a lot of kids there. Some of them were running and playing around while the others mga karga pa rin ng mga mommy. It just feels so great to think that soon, Lance would also be running around and playing with other kids as well.

with mommy and daddy

with ninongs and ninangs

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Happy Birthday Honey!!!

8:00 AM | Labels: events

WHAT MAKES A DAD?

Can't think of anything to describe it eh kaya eto na lang. Lance is so lucky to have you as his dad and of course ako eh lucky din to have you as my husband. Luv you honey!

Happy happy birthday!

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La Lang

7:58 AM | Labels: motherhood, On Lance

It’s been a month and a half since I gave birth. Ang bilis ng panahon. Malapit na akong bumalik sa work and I’m sure I’m gonna miss my son. Kung pwede lang huwag na mag work para I can stay home na lang all day. Ang sarap palang maging mommy. Sulit lahat ng pain and pagod from labor to giving birth to puyat and all. Lalo na when you see your child staring at you when you talk to him. Haaayyy….

I hope I’m doing a good job as lance’s mom. Ang hirap na ang sarap maging first time mommy. Dati, praning ako pag gumalaw si Lance sa gabi, kala ko something’s wrong o kaya yung paghinga niya parang di normal, takot na ko agad. Buti na lang there are friends that I can text to and ask pag mga ganong situations. Until now praning pa din ako, pag parang may kakaibang nararamdaman si Lance or pag umiiyak siya na di ko alam yung reason why. Ngayon nga he has colds at kung pwede ko lang kunin lahat ng sipon niya at ilipat sa kin gagawin ko para ok lagi sleep niya and syempre para di na magkasakit.

I know I still have a lot to learn as a mom, una na ang pagpapaligo (yung yaya niya yung nagpapaligo sa kanya, feeling ko kasi malulunod or mababalian ko si lance pag ako nagpaligo eh hehe!), and I’m sure madami pang puyat, pagod at kaka-praningan ang mararanasan ko but I’m willing to take all those challenges, sobrang sulit naman yung happiness na kapalit non eh. Yun lang!

Below are some of Lance’s pics. Laki na niya agad. Lakas uminom ng milk. :)

P1030741

P1030858

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Birthing Kwento - from Mommy's Point of View

6:16 AM | Labels: memories

Brief background, my due date is on October 4 but I want to give birth
on the last week of September because Paul (my husband) works
abroad and arrived last September 23 and will be here only till October
11 and I would like him to spend more time with our baby. Upon his
arrival, we went agad to my OB to ask if I can give birth na anytime.
Magpapa-induce na lang ako para mas mapabilis. Ok daw sabi ng OB,
she gave me medicines to take (pampalambot daw ng cervix) and
advised me na maglakad-lakad muna then come back on Monday
(September 25) para maglagay siya ng pampahilab.

Monday, we went to her clinic as advised, so nilagyan niya ko ng
pampahilab and advised us na mag-contact (hehe!) para makatulong sa
contractions (which unfortunately eh di namin nagawa, sayang! Hehe!)
After that, mega lakad kami ulit ni Paul. 5am ng Tuesday, pagpunta ko
sa restroom, may mga blood na ko nakita and it scared me kasi ang
dami niya and buo-buo. I was expecting na yung bloody show eh hindi
ganon, yung tipong, liquid lang talaga, yung sa kin kasi may buo-buo
talaga. So I asked Paul to take me to the hospital. Prepared na naman
yung mga bags kaya alis na kami agad. We then proceeded to the pre-
labor room sa medical city and gave them my admission slip. They
strapped me up and monitored my contractions pati na din fetal
heartbeat ni baby. 1cm pa lang daw ako, (hehe!) and di pa ganon
kadalas yung contractions ko so the resident OB called my OB and
asked what we should do. My OB advised us to go home muna and
visit her on her clinic later that day kaya umuwi muna kami. Kakatawa
nga kasi yung sis ko nag text pala sa mga relatives to pray for my safe
delivery eh false alarm pa. hehe! We went home muna then visited my
OB sa clinic ng mga lunch time. When she examined me, 1cm pa din
nga daw and advised me na maglakad-lakad ulit but told me to go back
to the hospital in the afternoon kasi medyo madami nga akong bloody
show. Kaya pagdating ng hapon, balik kami ulit sa medical city at dala-
dala ulit namin ni Paul yung mga gamit namin at iniwan muna sa car.
Sa pre-labor room, ganon pa din yung opening ng cervix ko, 1cm pa din
so kinausap ako ng OB ko kung ano yung plan namin ni Paul. Kung
balik ako clinic niya lagyan ulit ng pampahilab or magpa-admit na ako
para ituloy na yung pag induce. Nagdecide kami ni Paul na magpa-
admit na ko kasi kakapagod din pabalik-balik ng hospital. So mga 7pm
admit na ko at dinala na sa labor room. Nagulat pa kami ni Paul na di
na pala kami magkikita kapag na-admit ako at after giving birth na kami
ulit magkikita. Kala kasi namin, I can wait muna sa hospital room para
together kami, di pala ganon. Hehe! Kaya ayun, pinagbihis na ko ng
hospital gown and binilin na kay paul yung things ko and they asked
him na to get a room for us pati na din dinner for me kasi sisimulan na
nga yung pag induce. Ay before pala nila ko dinala sa labor room,
shave muna and asked us to sign some documents. Tapos ayun, punta
na sa labor room.

Sa labor room, mga 2 lang kaming patients, that was around 7pm.
Dinala na din sa kin yung dinner ko and after eating, may nilagay sa
butt ko for edema daw. After a few minutes, nag take effect agad and
punta na ko cr. After that strap nila ko ulit ng pangmonitor ng fetal
heartbeat and contractions tsaka IV na din. Tapos sinimulan na din
yung pag-induce. May nilalagay na gamot sa kin I think every
30minutes, di ko lang matandaan. Tapos tinigil din nila yung pag
induce mga 9 or 10pm kasi bumabagal yung heartbeat ni baby. I heard
the resident OB called my OB and asked for advice. Ayun, pinatigil
nga muna since mukhang na-stress si baby sa pag induce. May
nagmo-monitor din pala ng contractions ko, andon lang siya sa tabi ko
and take note ng contractions. Mga 11pm, the resident OB told me na
at 12 midnight dadalahin muna ako sa room ko tapos babalik na lang sa
labor room ng 5am. Natuwa naman ako kasi ibig sabihin makikita ko si
Paul. Ay at that time pala 1cm pa din ako.

So ayun, dinala ako sa room, tapos kakatawa kasi nagulat si Paul.
Ang unang tanong niya sa kin, kung nagdeliver na daw ba ko. Sabi ko
hindi pa, pinapamonitor pa yung contractions ko. Windang yata asawa
ko, ang laki pa ng tyan ko tinanong ako kung nanganak na ko. Hehehe!
Anyway, sabi nila matulog daw ako at magpahinga dahil definitely
manganganak ako the following day. Kaso di ako nakatulog, kasi
madalas na yung contractions. Halos madurog ko yung kamay ni Paul
pag nagco-contract. Ang sakit talaga. We even asked the nurse kung
may pain reliever ba, kasi parang di ko na kaya yung pain. So syempre
wala kaya tiis muna. Thank God mga 4:30am may dumating na OB at
IE niya ko ulit. 5-6cm na daw ako, yahoo! Kaya as scheduled dinala
ako ulit sa labor room ng 5am. Paul and I said a short prayer first
before nila ako dinala. Buti na din nga naibalik ako sa room kasi nung
una, di kami nakapag pray ni Paul.

Pagbalik ko sa labor room, ang dami ng patients, puno na agad! Hehe!
When I left, 2 lang kami at pagbalik ko mga 8 na kami sa labor room.
Medyo kakapraning din kasi yung iba naririnig mo na maiyak iyak na
sila dahil sa pain ng contractions. Tapos ayun, every now and then
pinupuntahan ako ng resident OB to check yung opening ng cervix.
Nung nag 7cm na ko I asked kung di pa dumadating yung
anesthesiologist ko dahil ang sakit na talaga. Thank God after a few
minutes dumating na siya. Inject na niya ko sa spinal and ayun di ko
na naramdaman yung contractions. 9am dumating na yung OB ko,
9cm na ko non. She told me na nag iintay lang kami ng delivery room
kasi nga ang daming nanganganak. Ok lang naman sa kin since wala
na naman akong nararamdaman. Nararamdaman ko naninigas ung
tyan ko pero wala ng pain. Nung may available na na delivery room,
pinutok na nung OB ko yung water bag ko, 9cm pa din ako non.

9:45am dinala na nila ako sa delivery room. Ang dami palang tao pag
ganon, hehe! Kulit pa ng anesthesiologist ko, she was telling me na
dapat by 10am tapos na ko manganak dahil ang dami pa daw nakapila.
Hehe! Pag sinabi daw niya na iri, push na ko. Tapos di ko alam game
na pala. Ang saya kasi don sa delivery room eh. Hehe! May music
tapos sabay-sabay sila sa pagsabi ng inhale, hold and push. Tapos
count ng 1-10. Nung di ako nagsucceed sa pag push they called
someone to help me push. Ayun, may tao nagtutulak sa tummy ko.
Every contraction, push kaso di ako marunong mag push. Tawag sila
ng ibang mag-push. Naka-apat akong taga-push, as in yung pang 4th,
yun na yung head daw nung mga nagpu-push (di ko alam tawag sa
kanila eh). Nahirapan talaga ko. Tapos they were telling me, kaya mo
yan Toni, sige ka pag di ka nagpush ng maigi i-CS daw ako don na
mismo kasi wala nang room. Kita na daw nila yung hair ni baby at kung
pwede lang sabunutan para lumabas gagawin nila. Hehehe! So game
ulit, push na naman and finally at 10:45 lumabas si Lance. Ang laki
daw ni Lance. 7lbs and 14oz siya tsaka 51cm. Kaya din siguro ako
nahirapan.

Ang sarap ng feeling nung lumabas siya!!! Kita ko siya while they were
suctioning him and cleaning him tapos pina-latch on sa kin. After non,
dinala na siya sa nursery. Pinakita muna pala siya kay Paul before
dinala sa nursery. Kakapagod magpush, I asked pa nga kung pwedeng
humingi ng water, eh di pala pwede. Tsaka since di ako marunong
magpush, naputukan ako ng ugat sa mata (yung sinasabi nilang blood
shot eyes), di naman siya masakit pero red all over lang yung right eye
ko. Anyway, sa delivery room, parang nararamdaman ko yung buong
kamay ng OB ko na nasa loob ko. And shefs asking me kung masakit
daw ba, sabi ko wala akong nararamdaman. After that I passed out na.

I woke up sa recovery room na. Sabi nila minimum of 2hrs daw don, so
excited ako. Kala ko mga 1pm dadalahin na ko sa room. I kept on
asking the time, sabi nila di pa daw pwede kasi ang baba daw ng pulse
rate ko (or BP? Canft remember). Sabi nila matulog daw ako kasi pag
tulog ako nag improve yung pulse rate or BP. Eh kaso di ako maka-
sleep dahil gusto ko na nga pumunta sa room, lalo tuloy ako
natagalan. I asked pa the nurse kung pwedeng dalahin si Lance sa
recovery room kung hungry kasi gusto ko sana magbreastfeed. Dinala
naman nila and pina-suck si Lance sa kin.

Finally at 4pm, dinala na ako sa room ko. Paul was there waiting.
Kwentuhan ko siya nung nangyari. 5pm viewing time so I asked him to
check on Lance and pagbalik niya ang dami na pictures. Hehe! Nung
feeling ko ok na ko, I asked Paul kung matatayo niya ko sa bed,
unfortunately di ko kaya. Hilong-hilo ako and ang daming blood na
tumulo. Yung nursery was asking kung i-room-in na si Lance and we
said no first kasi hilo talaga ako. Sabi ko ako na lang punta sa nursery
for breastfeeding. Pati the following day, hilo talaga ako so di ko
napupuntahan si Lance. My OB called me and told me na kaya daw
ako hilo kasi I lost a lot of blood nung nagdeliver. Di ko alam yung
tawag pero yung parang blood count ko before was 130 tapos nag drop
to 80 kaya hilo talaga and kelangan ng blood transfusion. Sobrang sad
ako kasi di ko talaga kaya bumangon and pumunta sa nursery. Si Paul
visit lang si Lance pag viewing time and don ko lang siya nakikita sa
pictures. Pinupuntahan naman kami ng pedia niya to update us kung
kumusta si Lance and ok naman daw siya. Thursday midnight nag
start yung blood transfusion. 2 bags yung sinalin sa kin and natapos
siya Friday ng madaling araw. My OB advised us also na I can go
home na on Friday pero we decided to extend until Saturday since
kakatapos lang ng transfusion para makarest din ako. Friday midnight
finally, na-visit ko na si Lance sa nursery. Saturday, wefre preparing
na to leave. Ang tagal nung clearance sa nursery, yun pala di namin
maisasama pauwi si Lance. Pinuntahan kami ng pedia niya sa room
and told us na medyo ma-yellow daw si Lance kaya mas gusto niya na
iwan muna para observe. Test din daw muna yung blood ni Lance
tapos kung ok result pwede iuwi. Unfortunately, yung test niya 13 yung
result eh dapat below 10 so iwan talaga siya. Umuwi muna kami and
bumalik kami ni Paul the following day. Pagpunta namin sa nursery
andon yung pedia niya and told us na nag improve daw color ni Lance,
yung back na lang yung medyo ma-yellow. By tomorrow daw pwede na
kami umuwi. So balik kami ng Monday, Oct 2 and finally nauwi na
namin si Lance. He's now 26 days old. Yun po ang mahaba kong
birthing kwento. :)

Here's a link to his photos:
Lance Gabriel

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Birthing Kwento - from the Daddy's Point of View

10:22 AM | Labels: memories

I arrived in Manila Sept. 23. This was already Toni's 38th week and since I would be home for just a little over 2 weeks, our OB advised that labor be induced. That time we were still afraid that Toni might give birth pa at the latter part of my stay kasi mataas pa yung tummy nya. That same afternoon, we went to our OB and we were told that Toni's cervix was still closed so the doctor opened it to 1cm. What alarmed us was that when the doctor checked our baby's heart rate, medyo mabagal daw but bumilis naman eventually. We were also told to watch out for the contractions and to time the intervals. Since this was our first child, we didn't even know what a contraction was like so the OB described to us what it was. Only then did we figured out that Toni was already experiencing some contractions, just spaced widely apart. Toni was also told na maglakad lakad para lalo mag open yung cervix nya. Since the clinic is located in a mall, that was just exactly what we did. Kakatuwa kasi nakakapag mall na ulit kami together. Di rin kasi sya makapag mall before kasi she was trying to avoid walking too much kasi nga baka mapaaga yung delivery tapos wala pa ako.

The following Monday, we visited again her OB to see if her cervix had opened even more. Unfortunately, it was still at 1cm. The doctor then tried to open Toni's cervix to 2cm but she found it difficult to do so. What the doctor did was put something like a gel to promote contractions. The doctor even said that she can already feel the baby's head. After that, Toni and I just went around and ran some errands para matagtag din sya. Then in the early morning of Tuesday, Toni went to the bathroom but when she got there she was surprised because she started bleeding already. Medyo panic na kami so pumunta na agad kami sa Medical City. Buti na lang it was early morning so the streets were almost empty. When we got there, Toni went inside the Pre Labor na while I waited outside. While she was there, the doctors and nurses measured the baby's heart rate and the interval between contractions. Ok naman yung heart rate ni baby and her contractions were spaced far apart. She was also able to talk to her OB and was advised to go home na muna and just continue to time the contractions. So sige umuwi na nga kami. After lunch naman the same day, we again visited her OB. Buti na lang her OB also has a clinic near our house. Konting lakad lang andon ka na. Sipag namin at araw araw nag checkup hehehe. Anyway, the doctor checked Toni and the baby. She noticed na medyo madami na nga yung bloody show ni Toni so we were told to go back to Medical City at around 5pm.

When we got there, she went inside the Pre Labor again while I waited outside. Since Toni was already having the bloody show, her OB gave her the choice on whether to be admitted na or apply the gel for contractions one more time then go back again to the hospital the next day. Toni then decided to be admitted. At least we were already in the hospital. I was then asked by the doctor to get a room for Toni and to buy her dinner also because the next time we'd see each other would be after the delivery na. They said I could wait in the room and they would just call me to inform me of the status of Toni and the baby. So we hugged and I said some encouraging words before I went to get a room and her dinner. As I left I was saying to myself "this is it. in a few hours we would finally see our baby."

I was just waiting in the room but I couldn't find myself to fall asleep. I guess it was the anticipation of Toni's and the baby's condition. I think it was close to midnight when the door opened and I saw Toni in the wheelchair, smiling like she always does. I thought the delivery was over, our baby was in the nursery and Toni was now here to rest from the ordeal of giving birth. But she said that her cervix wasn't dilated enough so she was wheeled in to the room to wait for it to open up some more and to time the contractions. The nurses told us that she would be brought back to the Labor Room at 4am to check on the progress and perhaps the delivery as well. It was good that she was brought to the room so we'd be together and we'd also assure each other that everything was going to be fine. We were trying to rest but we would be roused from sleep every so often when Toni had contractions and then I would take note of the time. We would hold each other's hand so if she had painful contractions, she could squeeze my hand. I was really hoping that that would bring her some level of comfort. As 4am came and passed, we were getting impatient for the nurses to bring her back to the Labor Room as her contractions were getting really close to each other and she was in so much pain already. We kept on calling the nurses about it but we were told that they haven't been advised yet and they couldn't give her pain killers because that would be administered in the Labor Room. So all we could do was just hold each other and pray and say reassuring words.

Thankfully the nurses came at about 5am to bring Toni back to the Labor Room. And again I heard the line that they would call me to tell me if she was about to be brought to the Delivery Room. I was also told that I could call the nurses' station if I wanted to know about Toni's condition. I was thinking to myself that that would be around every 5 minutes hehehe. So it was back to the waiting game. This time around I was able to get a little more sleep than before. Maybe because Toni wasn't there squeezing my hand like a clamp heheh.

I think it was around 9 when I finally got the call that Toni was being brought to the Delivery Room and that her cervix was now 5-6cm. I was also instructed to wait outside the delivery room so I could see our baby after he was born. Being a dad for the 1st time, I even asked if there was something I needed to bring, maybe a receiving blanket, baby book or whatever. They said only a camera and baby book if we had it. After handing the camera and baby book to the nurse, I took a seat in the waiting area where all the other soon-to-be dads were seated. It was about 11am when I heard my name called. When I approached the nurse, I saw that she had a wheeled bed with a baby inside. My baby. The nurse said it was a baby boy for me and Toni and he weighed 7lbs 14 oz and measured 51cm. I wanted to hold him but decided not to as I was afraid he would contract some germs and I knew that he was in a very delicate condition being a newly born. I just saw myself standing there looking at our baby. I was completely mesmerized by him. My stare was only broken when the nurse told me that Toni was in the recovery room and would be brought back to the room after about 2 hours. They then brought our baby to the nursery. As I was walking back to the room, I was saying to myself "I'm now a dad!"

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Maternity Portrait

5:15 AM | Labels: pregnancy

Just got back from gateway at syempre excited ako to post my maternity pic. Yung anak namin di papatalo, nag kick para makita din siya sa picture. Hehehe!

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I'm Back!

3:25 AM | Labels: pregnancy

I’m again here in the office. Was supposed to be on training this week but unfortunately, it was moved to next week and I might not be able to attend anymore. I’ll just arrange a session with the facilitator to make up for what I’ll miss coz next week, I want to give birth na! Kaya this week, back to work here in the office.

Anyway, last Saturday I visited my OB again for my regular check up. Don’t know if it’s good or bad but when she IEd me, she told me na medyo malalim pa daw so parang malayo pa si baby and closed pa yung cervix. She also asked me to walk na palagi if I want to give birth next week. Paul is due to arrive on Sat and we really hope that I’ll give birth the following week so that he can spend more time with our baby. I also had my ultrasound and the result said that my EDD is on Oct. 9 whereas before it was Oct. 4 so I asked my OB again if it’s ok. She said naman that my placenta is in Grade 3 already meaning it’s full term na din kaya pwede na talaga ko manganak. Thank God! We’re worried din kasi na baka if we push for next week, magkaron ng complications si baby kasi mamaya ayaw pa niya lumabas. So hopefully everything will turn out ok. Side kwento pa pala, kakatuwa nung sa ultrasound kasi kitang-kita genitals ni baby. Told Paul nga na super confirmed na boy nga si baby kasi nakita ko eh, hehehe! Tapos I also saw him sucking his thumb. Kakatuwa talaga! Hehe!

Yun lang! Please continue praying for me and our baby and for Paul’s safe flight on Saturday! Thanks! :)

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Mid-week Update

6:25 AM | Labels: daily musings, pregnancy

I’ve been on leave since Monday and I dropped by the office today to check on some stuff. My officemate told me that our training which is scheduled next week was moved to end of September or first week of October which means, I don’t think I’ll be able to attend. Hayyyy!!!! I need to discuss this with my OB first so that we’ll know what to do coz if I’ll be attending the training, baka doon ako abutin! Ngii!!!

Last Saturday, I had my check up again and sabi naman OB ko normal pa din lahat, thank God. IE din niya ko and closed pa naman daw cervix. Ayaw din niya masyado idiin kasi baka mag-trigger ng opening eh ayoko pa manganak dahil sa 23 pa uwi ni Paul. Excited na kami!! Next Saturday, I’ll go there again and I’m scheduled for another ultrasound.

Ang sarap magpahinga sa bahay… ang hirap lang kasi sobrang mainit! As in sobra!!! Nagkasipon na nga ako dahil sa init eh. Pero ok din kasi nakaka-rest. Pag gusto kong magsleep, tulog lang. Naayos ko na din yung hospital bag ni baby and pati na din yung bag na gagamitin ko. Pati yung room, ok na din. Si Paul na lang tsaka si baby yung kulang! Hehe!

Now I’m here sa office kasi galing ako gateway. Dumaan na din ako to discuss my concern sa training sa boss ko tsaka para makapag internet na din. Hehe! Bad trip eh, wala pa din kami internet sa bahay! Haayy…. I went to gateway kanina kasi nag-member ako sa blow up babies and I had my picture taken today. Hehe! Maternity portrait!!! Arte! Sarap magpa-picture! Ang mahal nga lang!!! I’ll post my pic next week pag na pick-up ko na siya.

Below pala are some pics when I went out with my High School friends mga 3 weeks ago. Tagal na! hehe! Thanks Leslie for the pictures and thanks Siena for the food! Sarap!!! Till then…

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Last Day!

8:45 AM | Labels: daily musings

Today is my last day here in the office. I’ll be on leave next week to rest then I’ll go to my training the following week, and the following week hopefully I’ll give birth na which means I’ll be on my maternity leave na. Yahoo!!! December na ako ulit babalik ng office!!!

Next week, I plan to fix all the baby stuff, including the hospital bags para anytime I give birth, ready na! Excited na kami ni Paul sa pagdating ni baby! We’re hoping and praying na di muna lumabas si baby at intayin ang pagdating ni Paul, kaya baby, relax lang ha. Huwag masyadong excited! Hehehe!

Anyway, I’ll try to visit this blog and keep you posted on what’s going on with me and the baby. Wala pa kasing internet connection sa bahay eh, kaya I’m not sure kung kelan ako makakapag update ulit. haayyy!!!! Please continue praying for a safe and normal delivery for me and for a healthy baby. Thanks and God bless!! Happy weekend everyone!

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Thanks Mama and Daddy

1:10 AM | Labels: pregnancy

My parents “box” arrived last night and they sent me these:

Dami ko na feeding bottles (they sent earlier 2 boxes of starter set, tapos Paul bought din microwavable sterilizer that has 4 9oz bottles, and then eto pa! hehe!) Tapos sa box, they also gave me clothes, shoes and liquid soap for our baby. I do hope I’ll have plenty of breast milk to feed our baby (para aside sa healthy na, economical pa!) Thanks again mama and daddy! You’re the best! Luv you!!!

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Despedida Pictures

8:40 AM | Labels: daily musings

At last, I have a copy na of our pictures sa Wok Inn. Post ko lang yung iba! Thanks vangie for the pics and thanks jon for the free food. hehehe!

pics with the boys (si jon yung chinese na naka brown)

with the girls naman

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Update on my Check-up

5:00 AM | Labels: pregnancy

I went to Medical City again for my check up last Saturday. There was no one to accompany me so I drove to the hospital by myself. Some people say it’s not safe for me to drive anymore but others naman said it’s ok. Good thing my sister’s car is automatic so it’s easier to drive and there’s no traffic last Saturday morning kaya mabilis din lang yung byahe. I left the house at 10:30 and was home na by 12:30, bilis no!

Anyway, here’s what happened on my check-up. I’ll be on my 36th week tomorrow. So far everything’s normal (and I hope it will be until I give birth), and I have no problems naman. My OB then checked our baby’s heartbeat and measured the length (length nga ba measure niya? Hehe!) She told me na naka-position na si baby pointing to where my baby’s head is pati na din other parts ng body niya. She also told me why the left side of my tummy is bigger than my right. Mas andon kasi si baby eh and yung sometimes na malaking part eh yung butt niya and yung mga tumutusok-tusok sa right side of my tummy are his elbows. Sometimes it aches pag nag stretch si baby, parang mababali yung ribs ko tsaka yung skin ko parang mapupunit. Hehehe! But it’s an experience na sobrang indescribable. Tapos, I told my OB also na I get tired easily and hirap na maglakad coz of the baby’s weight. I also told her my fear na baka matagtag ako and give birth earlier which I’m hoping na won’t happen. As a result, she advised me to rest whole week next week (my 37th week) para I can attend my training the following week (my 38th week). That was what Paul and I agreed also kaya ok talaga yung advice ni Doc. So that’s what I’m going to do. As of today, I’m at work pa but next week I’ll be on leave then I’ll go to my training the following week. I asked my OB also if Sept. 23 is ok for Paul to come home and she told me that the date is just right. So ilang days na lang magkikita na kami ulit ng asawa ko and after a few days din, magkikita na kami ng baby namin. After the check up, I went home na agad and rested.

Yesterday, I drafted the things I need to finish before I go on leave. Para din when I ask permission from my boss, may action plan na ako. What I need to do now is meet with Jacq (my colleague) to tell her what we need to accomplish before the year ends. Because after this week, December na ko babalik sa work! Woohoo!!! :)

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The Week That Was

3:15 AM | Labels: daily musings, pregnancy

I haven’t been blogging for the past few days. I’m quite busy with work especially now that I’m nearing my due date. Parang too many things to do and yet too little time. Pero to think na I know naman na dadating at dadating yung due date ko pero di ko ginawa yung mga dapat kong gawin. Hehehe! Tapos now, may mga additional projects to do pa, kaya ayan, sabay-sabay na at doble-doble. Haaayy!!!! I wish I can finish them all before I go on maternity leave.

I’ve been praying to God and talking to our baby na huwag muna siya lumabas. Hehehe! I still have a training on sept 18-22 and that’s my 38th week already. Whenever I talk to some people about giving birth, kinakabahan ako. Not with the act of giving birth but with the timing. Some of them gave birth on their 37th or 38th week na sana won’t happen to me. Our President approached me and my teammate and told us that we should make sure that we finish the training and the project as well. Ngii!!! If only I can tell him, “eh sir, what if I give birth?” hehehe! Tomorrow is my check up again. I’ll ask my OB how we’re doing and if it’s still possible not to give birth early. Tipong what should I do to prevent from giving birth on those weeks? Also I need to know when can Paul sched his flight to be with me when I give birth.

Anyway, magkwento na lang ako how the past few days went by. Friday night, I had dinner with my officemates at Wok Inn, Shaw Blvd. One of them resigned a month ago and last Friday lang siya nagpa-despedida. Hehehe! Ang daming food and it’s good to spend time with them again. Medyo matagal na din kasi kami di nakakaalis ng mga officemates ko. Sayang they haven’t sent the pictures yet, will post them next time.

Saturday naman, I went to Glorietta to attend the breastfeeding convention. I learned a lot from the convention and I’m glad I attended. May doctor pa na may pinakitang video nung pina-latch on niya yung new born baby sa mommy. Ang galing!!! Suzie Entrata-Abrera and Daphne Oseña-Paez were there also to share their experiences. Kaka-inspire sila pati na din yung ibang mga nag share and I wish that I can do the same to our baby when I give birth. Sana nga, sabi naman nila determination and patience lang yan. May lootbags din silang binigay and vouchers na may mga discounts. Aliw talaga!

After that, nag mall lang ako then met with my HS friends at 6pm sa Superbowl. Puro Chinese restaurants kinainan ko lately. Hehehe! One of our friends celebrated her birthday last week and ayun treat niya kami sa Superbowl. Super saya din yung dinner naming coz we haven’t seen each other for quite sometime. Sayang lang I need to go home na agad coz I was not able to bring a car and malayo ang Makati sa Marikina. Eh mga taga-Makati yung mga yon at di nila ko mahahatid sa Marikina dahil baka maligaw sila. Hehehe! I went home na after dinner while they went pa Starbucks. Ok na din kasi don’t want to go home late eh. Ok na sa kin yung nakita ko sila and nakausap. As usual, wala na naman pics. To follow na lang ulit, hehehe!

Dito naman sa office, like what I said earlier, I’m quite busy with my work and with the new projects that I need to accomplish. Sana lang, I’ll be able to finish those before my due date. Wish me luck and pray for me and our baby. Happy weekend everyone! :)

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Iba’t ibang updates – medyo mahaba

1:50 PM | Labels: daily musings, pregnancy

I’ve been out whole week last week for our black belt six sigma training kaya I haven’t updated our blog. Kaka-miss mag internet at mag blog hop. Hehehe! Anyway, here’s what I’ve been doing for the past few days.

August 11 - Glorietta

I went to makati to watch the movie click with my good friend Tristan. We had dinner first at Superbowl tapos ayun, we watched the movie na. I had fun watching the movie, it was funny and it has values. Pangpamilya siya. For those who haven’t seen it, I recommend you to watch this movie (that is kung showing pa! hehehe!)

August 12 morning – Medical City, Breastfeeding Week

I went to Medical City to attend their launching of the Breastfeeding Week. Ok naman yung launching nila. Binigay nila benefits of breastfeeding, tapos nagbigay ng testimonial si Pia Arcangel sa side ng mothers, (at ang ganda niya! Hehehe!) tsaka si Apa Ongpin naman sa side ng fathers. Tapos may mga games at free snacks. Tapos may mga iba’t-ibang booths din. I even got freebies from Johnson and Johnson, isang pack ng baby wipes, powder, panty liner tsaka body wash. Ok naman yung launching nila. Informative naman. After that, I went to my OB for my check up. Ok naman daw kami ni baby and nag sched na siya ng 2x a week check up ko. Yung next sched ko dapat August 26.

August 12 afternoon – Tita Remy’s House

The Garcia family had a small get together sa house naman nina Tita Remy to celebrate her 69th birthday (I’m not sure of her age. Hehehe!). It was great to see my relatives again. Lalo na with all the kids playing. Ang bilis ng panahon. Dati, kami yung mga naglalaro, now, mga nephews and nieces na yung naglalaro at nagtatakbuhan. Kaka-excite din coz I know soon, kasama na yung baby namin ni paul na nakikipaglaro sa kanila.

the kids

me with my siblings and cousins

August 14-18 – Astoria Plaza

Start na ng training naming for Lopez Group Black Belt Six Sigma. Our training was held at the Astoria Plaza from 8am-5pm. Ok yung training coz I get to learn a lot from it. Medyo difficult lang for me coz we’re required to bring a laptop and of course the training material (na isang binder!) Medyo mahirap for me coz I take a shuttle to work tapos di pa sakto sa Astoria yung babaan kaya I need to walk mga 3 blocks pa. So imagine how I look, 8 months pregnant, with laptop and binder plus yung bag ko pa. Buti na lang din yung bag nung laptop eh backpack kaya medyo easier to bring pero kahit na, mabigat pa din siya! Haayyy….
First day of the training I had colds, as in grabe yung sipon ko which resulted to fever when I got home Monday night. My temperature was 38.5C. I asked Paul to call my OB to ask what medicine to drink para I get well agad and at the same time safe for baby. So ayun, I asked my brother to buy me medicines tapos I monitor na lang my temperature every hour. Ang hirap niya coz I need to get well overnight because I can’t miss the training. Thank God, Tuesday morning, back to normal na ulit. 37C na yung temperature ko. So ayun balik sa training and ok naman until matapos ko siya.

Daming ko natutunan and it’s as if we’re back in college. We discussed statistics as in yung mga normal distribution, kurtosis, skewness at kung ano ano pa. Kakaaliw pero syempre kelangan i-refresh ang memory. At the end of the week, we had an exam to check kung we learned something ba. Hopefully ok naman maging result ng exam ko. We also had a project presentation where we should apply the learning we got from the training. I presented my project and ok naman daw sabi nila. They just made some comments for improvement habang ginagawa ko yung project.

August 18 Afternoon – Medical City, Check up

After the training, I then went straight to medical city to have my check up. Supposedly, August 26 pa but because I got sick last Monday and I felt so tired during the entire week, I decided na magpa-check up ulit. Hobby ko na. hehehe! Ayun, ok pa din naman daw kami sabi nung OB. Nothing to worry daw. I asked her then kung kelan ko papauwiin si Paul and she told me to advise Paul to be here end of September. Baka i-induce na niya ako end of September so that I’ll have more time to rest before attending the training again on Oct. 23-27. She also advised me na huwag masyado magpagod coz I have a training pa din ng Sept. 18-22. I also asked her kung ok pa ko mag-jeep papasok sa work. Ok pa din daw as long as di ako makikipag agawan (which I don’t do, kahit di ako preggy). I also asked her if it’s safe pa for me to drive. Ok din daw, mas advisable pa nga kesa sa mag jeep ako. Besides, automatic naman yung car so mas madali i-drive. If ever daw, try ko na lang i-avoid yung rush hours para di ako ma-stress sa traffic at sa mga sumisingit na mga drivers. Yesterday may dala ako car pag pasok pero today nag FX ako. Hehehe! Ok naman byahe this morning!

August 21 – Shopping!!!

Hehehe! Last weekend, stayed at home lang to rest para na din mabawi ko yung pagod ko nung week ng training. Buti na din lang holiday nung 21 at na extend pa ang bakasyon. Ligpit lang ako things sa house nung weekend tapos nung August 21, shopping ulit! Yahoo!!!! Hehehe!

Sa Sta. Lucia lang kami nagpunta ng sis-in-law ko para malapit lang. Konti na lang din kasi mga kelangan ko for baby. Bought hangers, diaper clips, rubber mat, sponge, cottons, finger toothbrush, nasal aspirator, etc. Basta yung mga kulang sa checklist ko. And at last, complete na yung kelangan ni baby. Si baby na lang yung kulang. Hehehe! Well may isa na lang pala, yung organizer tray para sa mga feeding bottles para di nakakalat. Wala pa din kasi ako makita eh, out of stock pa din yung gusto kong bilihin.

Sarap talaga mag shopping. At syempre pati ako bumili din ng mga kailangan ko. Hehehe! I bought nursing bras, pajamas tsaka mga ilan pang clothes. Lumaki kasi ulit legs ko (na dati ko nang problem) kaya yung pants ko before eh di na naman magkasya. Haayyy…. Pero I’m so happy with everything I bought, as in! Pagdating naming sa house, ayun, nag list ako ng expenses tsaka nag update ng check list para mapakita ko kay Paul pag nag online siya. I also promised myself na pag suot ko yung mga bago kong damit, papa-picture ako para mapakita ko din sa asawa ko. Hehehe! At least alam niya san napupunta sweldo nya. Hahaha!

Pag usap namin ni Paul, I sent him the checklist and the corresponding prices of each tapos discuss kami kung ok na lahat. Told him kung di ba siya nagulat sa mga presyo ng mga pinamimili ko, sabi ba naman sa kin, di na daw niya tiningnan at baka mahulog siya sa upuan niya. Hahaha! Asawa ko talaga!

Whew!!! Ang haba na pala, hehehe! Till then….

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Shopping

9:00 AM | Labels: pregnancy

I went shopping last Sunday at SM Megamall. I was with my kuya’s family, my sister and ate rose. Ang dami namin. Hehehe! Sayang lang di kasama si Paul.

Ang saya mag shopping ng baby stuff! Yung kuya ko nagrereklamo na nang aasar (siya kasi taga bitbit namin), ang dami ko daw binili so mahal na daw yon, kawawa naman daw si Paul. Hehehe!

I got most of what I need, yung ibang kulang, either out of stock, last stock na or I forgot to include in the checklist. Nyak! Hehehe!

I took some pictures of what we bought para I can show it to Paul. Here it is:

Comforter, pillow and bolsters

Hooded Towels, Mittens, and Socks

Yung iba di ko na post. Hehehe! Here’s the checklist of what we have and what we need pa. Excited na ako ulit mag shopping. Hehehe!

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Baby Pictures

6:30 AM | Labels: pregnancy

Excited! Hehehe! Just got back from medical city to get the cd of our baby’s pictures from last week’s 3D ultrasound. Check it out. Yung video next time na lang kasi di pa ko marunong mag upload sa youtube. Hahaha!

Ang daming nagsasabi na kamukha ng asawa ko si baby. Hehehe!

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Dream at ibpa.

7:00 AM | Labels: pregnancy

I had a dream last night. I gave birth na daw to a healthy baby boy. Tapos kakatuwa kasi di daw ako nahirapan when I gave birth. Di masyado nag labor tapos nung lalabas na talaga si baby, mabilis lang talaga. Tsaka normal delivery siya. Yahoo!! Tapos sabi sa dream ko, nakita ko si baby na nilinis muna sandali then itinabi sa kin, tapos inalis ulit then I saw Paul and passed out na. hehe!

I guess yun yung wish ko when I give birth kaya ko siya napapanaginipan. Hehehe! Sana nga when the time comes na manganganak na ko, ganon nga siya kadali! Kailangan i-condition si baby. Hehehe!
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I called medical city now, sabi nila ready na daw for pick up yung cd nung 3D ultrasound ni baby. Yahoo!! Sayang lang wala sila office tomorrow. Will pick it up na lang on Monday.
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I also called our wedding photographer, ready na daw for pick up yung portrait namin. It’s been 14 months since we got married and wala pa kaming album. Hehehe! First final output nila yung portrait na makukuha ko tomorrow. Yung album naman, hopefully within the month. Yung video, goodluck na lang sa min kasi di pa kami nag submit ng list ng songs. Nyak! Hehehe!
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Last na, tomorrow we’re going to shop for baby stuff. Hehehe! Excited na ko! Yun lang! happy weekend!!!

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It's A Boy!!!

4:00 AM | Labels: pregnancy

I had my 3D/4D ultrasound last Saturday at the Medical City. I decided to have one na so that I can send the pictures to Paul para naman di siya ma-sad, since di ko siya nakakasama sa mga check-ups. At the same time, para na din malaman gender ni baby. Buti na lang this time, di na siya nahiya at nagpakita na.

I was at the hospital mga 8am. When I inquired kasi sabi madami daw tao pag weekends so I should be there early, tsaka medyo matagal din yung pag ultrasound lalo na kung di ok position ng baby. So when I got there at 8am, I was 5th sa queue. Buti naman open na sila so I just need to wait lang. I was called around 9am na tapos ayun. They were asking me first if I’m with my husband para nga makita din niya, so I told them na I’m alone and that I’m doing it para nga makita ng husband ko. Ayun, buti naman ok position ni baby. Kita ko yung face niya na medyo nakadikit sa placenta at kamukha siya ng asawa ko! Hahaha! The sonologist recorded yung mga ok na angles para mas kita si baby tapos punta naman siya sa ibang parts ng body. Pagdating sa organ, at first di namin makita kasi hawak ni baby yung organ niya. They were joking nga na baby pa daw naglalaro na! hehehe! Tapos ayun, try nila galawin tummy ko so that our baby will move and change position. Nag move naman si baby hanggang makita namin kung boy nga or girl. Ayun, boy nga siya! Sabi nga ni mel boy daw kasi ayaw magpakita, ayaw pa daw mag shopping! Hehehe! Naka indian sit siya kaya partly hidden pa din pero you can see it na. Kakaaliw. Galing talaga ng technology! So they captured ulit yung ok na views nung organ ni baby tapos printed them muna in black para I have a copy na. Then balik ulit sa face to record more pictures.

I finished around 9:45 tapos waited for the results. Ok naman daw si baby, meaning yung fetal heartbeat is ok, pati yung size niya within range sa gestational age niya. Yung ibang nakalagay sa results di ko na maintindihan, hehehe! Papa-interpret ko na lang sa OB ko sa next check up. Next time ko na lang post yung pics ni baby coz I don’t have a copy of the colored pictures yet. Mga next week ko pa makukuha yung cd. :)

After I got the results, I texted Paul agad to tell him the news and syempre happy si daddy. Lalo na nung sinabi ko na kamukha niya si baby! Hehehe! I also texted my siblings and when I got home, I showed them the black and white print-out. And they confirmed na kahawig nga daw ni Paul si baby. Tapos they also told me yung naisip nilang name ni baby. Sabi ko consult ko muna with Paul dahil si Paul naka assign mag isip ng name ni baby. Hehehe!

Since we already know our baby’s gender, this weekend I’ll buy stuff na for him! Hehe! Excited na ko! Shopping na! :D

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Six Sigma Black Belt Training – To Go or Not To Go

2:45 AM | Labels: daily musings

What is Six Sigma? It is a tool for advancement of the business processes, customer service and over-all way of life. Enabling the company to improve it's performance in all aspects of its service-oriented institution where their beloved clients and partners gets all the benefits of a fast, efficient and friendly service. It is a methodology that provides businesses with the tools to improve the capability of their business processes. This increase in performance and decrease in process variation leads to defect reduction and vast improvement in profits, employee morale and quality of product.

Black Belt is part of the Organizational Structure of Six Sigma. The task includes: identifying barriers, managing projects from planning through execution to realization, ensure that results are sustained and making sure that the project undergo all the phases.

Anyway, that’s where my problem lies. The Lopez Group of Company is sponsoring a Black Belt Training for Lopez Group Employees and my boss asked me if I want to attend. The training is for free, we just have to shoulder the food and venue charges. If I avail it outside of the Lopez Group, the company will have to pay around Php250K or if trained outside the country, it’s around 10K USD excluding hotel and airfare. I really want to attend this training coz they seldom do this in the group and it’s really cheap, but the thing is, it is a series of training and it requires implementation, improvement and control. The training schedule are as follows: Aug 14-18, Sept 18-22, Oct. 23-27 and Nov. 27-Dec 1. I’m due to give birth on Oct. 3 meaning I’ll be on maternity leave on the last two training schedules. I already asked my OB if it’s possible for me to attend and she said that it’s all right. I can attend the weekly training but I need to be careful coz I might deliver earlier than expected if I’ll be stressed and busy. Also, even if I attend the weekly trainings, I still need to make sure that the project is running and that what I learned from that training is applied on the project.

Haayy.. I really don’t know what to do. I want to attend the training because I know it will help me and I can still use it even if I don’t work for our company anymore. But I don’t want also to sacrifice my time with our new born baby. My boss naman said that they will help me with the project and that I can work at home. Tapos, the week that I’m suppose to attend the training even if I’m on maternity leave will be paid off. They will extend my maternity leave daw. But still…. Haayyyy… I don’t know what to do and I need to decide soon because the group is asking already for the list of representatives per company. I discussed this with Paul already and he said it’s ok with him if I go as long as I can handle the situation. Hayyy….What should I do?

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Shy si Baby

1:00 AM | Labels: pregnancy

I was on half day leave yesterday for my ultrasound and check up. That’s my 2nd time na to check our baby’s gender since last time nakatalikod siya so the sonologist advised us to come back after a month. So I did. Unfortunately, di pa din nakita gender ni baby. This time around, covered naman ng legs and knees niya. Pasaway tong anak namin, mana sa kin. Hehehe! The sonologist advised me to come back na lang on Saturday to check kung makikita na gender. Sana nga, hehehe! The good thing though is that I saw our baby’s face and other parts of the body. Kita ko yung lips niya, eyes, mouth, nose etc. Kakatuwa sobra!! Dati kasi, we were not able to see it also since nakatalikod nga si baby that time. I also saw other parts of the body such as shoulder, ribs, spinal column, legs, knees, arms, etc. I even saw our baby moving and kicking and now I know na yun palang masakit minsan pag gumagalaw si baby eh yung knees niya. Nanunuhod yung anak namin. Hehehe! Sayang Paul is not around anymore to see those. We’re thinking of having the 3D ultrasound para makita niya, bahala na. :)

After the ultrasound, I went naman to my OB for my checkup. I told her what happened during my ultrasound and ayun, natawa siya. I asked na lang for a request for 3D ultrasound in case nga magpa-ganon ako. Ok naman daw ako sabi ng OB, the baby’s ok also and nakaposition na siya. Di ko lang alam kung iikot pa ulit. Hehehe! I also had the glucose screening test pero I don’t have the result yet since it was late already when I went there. I’ll pick up the result later. I also asked my OB of my concerns and na-address naman niya. Tapos, I inquired also about the packages sa medical city and the room rates. Discuss na lang namin ni Paul kung mag avail kami ng package or not. That’s it. That’s what happened on my ultrasound and check up. I’ll pick up the result for the glucose screening test later and sana naman di ako diabetic. And sana din on Saturday, di na shy si baby! Hehe! Excited na kami ni Paul eh! :)

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Panic Monday

4:20 AM | Labels: daily musings

I arrived in the office late, got here around 9:45 na. Know why? I was dressed up na and ready to leave the house at 8:15 but when I tried to open the door of our room, hala! The door knob is not working! As in di siya umiikot. Nag jam na! Ang mahirap pa, I applied lotion to my hands already so madulas na siya kaya mas mahirap iikot yung knob. There were 3 girls left na lang in the house, me, my sis-in-law, my nephew’s yaya and my 1 year old nephew. I asked my nephew’s yaya to give me a screw driver pero di pa din nag work. My officemate called me up and taught me how to remove the door knob. Was able to remove naman the main knob, after that I should push daw the base. Eh yun yung mahirap. My hands are aching already pero di pa din siya ma-push. My sis in law on the other side of the door was doing the same thing. Kakatawa kasi halos kalas-kalas na yung door knob pero di pa din ako makalabas. Ayun, our yaya called for the driver na lang sa house nung mom ng sis-in-law ko (buti na lang they live near our house lang) and with force, na open yung door. Halos mabiyak yung portion ng door na kinakabitan ng door knob. And at last, after 1 hour, na-open na yung door. Hehehe! Was able to leave the house and got here in the office. Hehe! Ang sayang Monday!!! :)

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My Uncle's Last Day as an Officer

3:22 AM | Labels: events, memories

I attended my uncle’s retirement ceremony two weeks ago at the army grandstand in Fort Bonifacio. He’s 56 years old and was a 1975 graduate of PMA. He served the military through the Philippine Army.

As I was listening to the speech of my uncle and as I was watching the soldiers that were listening to him, it made me realize that the military had a great effect in our family, in my life. We had 3 military officers in the family. All of them are brothers of my mom. Two graduated from PMA while the other one from Philippine Constabulary, now known as the Philippine National Police. My uncle from PNP passed away 3 yrs ago with the rank of Superintendent, my other uncle who served in the Air Force retired 2 years ago as Major General. I remember, we went pa to Mactan Air Base for his retirement ceremony. That was also the first time I flew to Cebu by C130. It was a great experience. Then, this time around my uncle naman from Army retired as Brigadier General.

Having 3 uncles in the military has advantages and disadvantages. I got used to the “military time”, coz whenever we’re going somewhere and agreed on a certain time. Rest assured that my uncles are ready to go 10-15 mins ahead of the agreed time. That had a great influence on us. Very seldom do I arrive late in whatever meeting, gathering, etc. Good effect di ba? Another is that we got used to soldiers at an early age and even until now. Kasi di ba, there are others na they get scared when they see soldiers around, so kami, di affected pag ganon. There was one time pa na my uncle arrived in our house with his staff. There were about 8-10 of them and all in full battle gear. Kakagulat at first pero ok lang. They left naman their armalites at the door and did not bring it inside our house then greeted me “ma’am, good evening ma’am!” Bat kaya ganong mga sundalo? They start their sentence with sir or ma’am and end it with sir or ma’am din? Hehehe!

Anyway, this post is really for my uncle. Just want to thank him for all the things and knowledge I got from him. I saw in him the life of a soldier that made me appreciate them and their sacrifices. You see, my uncle seldom spends time with his family. My aunt and their children are residing in Cotabato, while my uncle lives where he is assigned. From cotabato, to samar, to tarlac, to the headquarters and so on. I’d like to thank him also for allowing us to stay in his quarters when my parents left for the US. We stayed at Paoville from 1999 till this year, ilang years din yon na libre bahay. Hehe!

He delivered a good speech. Part of which includes telling the soldiers that service to countrymen is spelled as sacrifice coz you really get to sacrifice a lot for the country. He also said that they should not pull each other down and that if there are promotions or recognitions, support them instead, for this will help them and our country. Can’t remember na what else he said eh.. basta yan lang yung naaalala ko. Congrats again for being a great soldier and servant of our country. Mabuhay ka!!

My Uncle

The soldiers

The Journey Continues...

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Six Sigma Black Belt Training – To Go or Not To Go

Shy si Baby

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My Uncle's Last Day as an Officer