Baby Chronicles: A Baby is Expensive!

I didn’t really believed it until I had Gab. One box of 108 Huggies newborn nappy would only last 10 days. Three pack of baby wipes would lasts for two weeks. One can of formula milk would last for two to three weeks as well (and that’s because I’m also breastfeeding). And Gab’s only six weeks old! Wow! Not to mention the clothes we had to buy because baies grow really fast. It’s a good thing many of my husband’s co-workers and some of mine as well gave us some clothes. Some of them are used ones, but we didn’t really care because we didn’t really want to buy too much since he’s only going to use it a few times before he outgrows them (he already did some of the newborn clothes he was given). But as long as he’s healthy and strong, I don’t really care about the expenses. By the way, he’s already cooing, smiling socially, and playing with Oscar (the fake dog!). How he loves Oscar. Someday, we’re going to have a real Border Collie he can play with.

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Only a completely different topic. This video was featured at Today’s morning show:

I remember the “Doble Kara” shows when I was growing up. Katuwa! :p

Mommy Chronicles: Sometimes I feel so helpless, so inadequate…

I hope it’s not just me. Sometimes, when I cannot make Baby Gab stop from crying, I feel so useless as his mother. Sometimes when I see my mom take him and he stops crying, I feel jealous that she can do that and I can’t. Or maybe I’m just being paranoid. Oh well..

I am such a Gleek

Sorry naman puro videos. I am such a Glee fan. Can’t wait until April 13. :p

Miss You Like Crazy!!!

Lech! I really, really want to watch this! I love John Lloyd! (Obvious ba?!) Hintayin ko na lang sa DVD. Haha.. :p

Baby Chronicles: Happy one month old to me!

With my proud lola. By the way, this is Gab. :p

Pacquiao is just too good not to win against Clottey

Love his after fight interviews too. :p

P.S. Watched TV Patrol World this morning and one of the reports was about having zero crime incidents in some areas during the Pacquiao-Clottey fight. Isn’t it amazing how one man can do that?!

Mommy Chronicles: Talented din pala ako

When I was young, I would always think I was not talented enough or creative enough. My older brother is very good with sketching, and my younger sister is good with singing, and both of them are good with computers. But not me. I’m not good enough with anything for it to be considered my talent. Yes, sometimes I’m too hard with myself.

But I don’t think like that anymore. Sabi nga nga asawa ko, ang laki na daw ng achievement ko. I give birth to our child. He knows it’s not an easy thing to do. He was with me the entire time during my labor and delivery. He was the one who keeps on reminding me to breathe deeply and when to push when I’m having contractions through a monitor (I had an epidural, I can’t feel any contractions). Ngayon, masabi ko na talented din pala ako. We have this little guy to love and to care for. He’s our legacy, our son, our little Gab.

Baby Chronicles: Presenting baby Gabriel

Born on February 22, 2010 at 10:04 PM.

I’m so relieved..and happy..and tired! Details soon. :p

Baby Chronicles: Still waiting at 38 weeks

I’ve been talking to the baby often now. Yesterday I told him if he comes out na, I’ll give him a toy. Hehe.. My mom is here already, we’ve ironed all his clothes and he’s the only one missing. I want to see who he looks like already, or if our combined genes will look good on the baby. I’m more intrigued than excited, really. I know it’s going to be hard, the labor I mean, but I think I would want him outside, than inside me now because I want to share the burden now with my husband. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been really supportive. I would hear no complaints when I asked him to do certain things (like massaging my swollen feet, getting my evening milk before I go to sleep, picking up things that I’ve dropped because I can hardly bend now, etc), but since he told me he’ll share the burden of taking care of the baby (dapat lang di ba?!), then he’ll get what he wants! :p

Before I give birth, here’s the picture of my weird distorted belly:

 

And here’s my mom! She’s so excited about the flora and fauna, she even thought this is a real dog!

She’s cute, my mom. Haha.. And I’ve missed her..And now she’s here! Yey! :p

Perfect love…

…drives away all fears - 1 John 4:18

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Enjoy your day with your loved ones! :p

After I give birth, I will..

1. Yes, drinks lots of coffee! You don’t know how much I’ve missed drinking coffee. True, I sometimes still have coffee (like once a week and only when I really need to be awake), but I don’t drink more than half a cup because I know the little one will keep me awake at night. Just a few more weeks, I can hardly wait!

2. Eat chips! Because of my feet and hand swelling, I haven’t been eating salty food, and of course chips with all its additives and MSG, is a definite no-no!

3. Start losing weight by Pilates. My pre-pregnancy weight is only 54 kilos. Don’t ask about my weight now though! I gain more than I’d like to. So I better start getting into shape. That’s why I’m also so adamant in breastfeeding. I’ve heard they really do help in uterine contraction thus helping you lose those excess weight you’ve gained especially in the tummy area.

4. Continue my driving lessons since we already bought a car. I’m hoping to get my P license before we go to the Philippines for a vacation.

5. And of course, care for our little one. That’s my top priority. :p

Baby Chronicles: 36 Weeks Today!

Wow, I’ve been pregnant for 252 days now! I can’t believe I only have a month to go! This is my last day at work today too. After today, my husband told me the other day, my new job is to take care of our baby. Aba, sinuswerte! It’s both our job to take care of our baby, I told him! Kala niya ha?! Hehe..

Last night, I dreamt about our baby boy. It’s weird because I know he’s just a newborn in my dream but he can crawl and sit up already. The other weird thing is he’s already eating and his favorite? Pretzels!

Anyway, I don’t think the baby’s gone down yet (lightening), but it sure is uncomfortable now in my pelvic area (especially when I sit too long),my legs and feet (when I stand too long), and my back and ribs (when I sleep). See, I can’t stop complaining now that I’m almost near the finish line. I’m learning now that it will take so much sacrifice to become a mother, and pregnancy and giving birth is only a small part of it.

On a lighter note, I can feel the baby getting bigger and stronger as I would always feel the knees and elbows now when he moves. How do I know that it’s the elbows and knees? Well because it’s pointy and it hurts more. There I go again, another complaint. Ok, I’ll stop doing it now. Gotta.Stop.Complaining.

Maybe I’ll just think of my baby boy, at how cute and healthy he will be when he’s already here with us. When I think about it, I can’t help but smile and get excited. :p

Cebu Dancing Inmates

Saw this from my friend Pat’s blog.

The man in the middle is Michael Jackson’s long time choreographer. I’ve read that choreography actually finished in just 2 days and this video was professionally filmed by Sony Pictures. Galing!

Australian Open 2010 Update and Baby Talk (again!)

I was originally rooting for Nadal to defend his Australian Open title but last night’s match with Andy Murray proved that a new winner should emerge. Yes, I am always rooting for the underdogs. Federer needs to be challenged once in a while, so I am rooting for Andy Murray. Okay, part of the reason why I like him is his accent. Hehe..

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The baby’s not breech anymore, thank God! I had an ultrasound last Monday and the baby’s doing fine. All the baby’s measurements are all good, except that the doctor warned me to lie low in eating sweets and carbo because I’m too much weight already (I already have a mini double chin! See pictures below..). So goodbye sweets (for now!).

And because the baby’s position is head down now, I’ll have to get ready for labor now. One thing  I’ve learned when I came here in Australia is that they have many labor positions you can choose from where you’ll be most comfortable. In the Philippines you only have to lie in bed, but here they actually encouraged you standing up or squatting so gravity can help you push the baby out. I actually saw how it’s done in this DVD “In the Womb“:

My husband was the one who freaked out when he saw how the baby will be delivered standing up. It’s not shown in this video, but for new parents like us, this is a really good buy. :p

Baby Shower at 34 Weeks

Our place! Yesterday! Fun Thanks Ate Marlie!

Excited parents-to-be

Where’s the watermelon? (With Jim)

The ladies (With Ned!Hehe..)

Ladies only

Some of the gifts..

Hit for Haiti Charity Fund Raiser

Sorry but I’m so into Tennis right now. I even thought I’ll have to enroll the little one into a tennis school near our place. Hehe..

Anyway, it’s nice to see these world class Tennis players enjoy the game and stop thinking about winning from time to time. :p

Communicating with your baby

They told me to always talk to the baby at this time of my pregnancy. So at home, especially when I’m alone, I try to talk and sing to the baby as much as I can. I can feel so much of the little one now, especially when he moves. His bones are getting stronger, especially his head (hard headed na daw says my husband..hehe..). I asked my husband once if he thinks it’s weird that I’m talking to the baby. Good thing he says no and doesn’t think I’m crazy.

I think talking to the baby even when he’s still in the womb is a good way of bonding with him and for him to get acquainted to the sound of my voice when he’s already outside. But sometimes, effective communication between mother and child doesn’t really happen until your little one starts to talk. To support this, there is an efficient way to enhance the child’s communications skills. The good thing about this is that they have specifically designed programs that can make learning fun for your child. And this speech online resource is easy because you can do it in the comfort of your own home.

There are so many avenues these days to make your child socially active. But I think the best thing is still to love and understand their needs by simply being there when they need you.

Australian Open 2010

Love the look of women’s tennis this year!

Ana Ivanovic

Source: http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gBDbgX8sj4WQ/429x.jpg

Maria Sharapova

Source: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/18/article-0-07E6C2FF000005DC-635_306×434.jpg

Baby Chronicles: Feeling bloated

I’ve been back to work for more than a week now. At almost 34 weeks, I still feel good and strong. The baby’s doing fine (as far as being active is concerned). But I think I’ve started swelling already. It’s particularly noticeable in my feet at the end of the day and the joints of my hands hurt in the morning when I wake up. They said it’s normal at this time of my pregnancy. I still wanted to be sure so I went to the doctor last Saturday and the doctor ordered a blood test done. I don’t know if it has something to do with me walking to the clinic that day but he said my blood pressure’s a little bit higher than normal. I’ll get the results tomorrow afternoon. Until then I’ll just have to take it easy and pray that it’s nothing serious.

Baby Chronicles: Less than two months to go!

I can’t believe I’m almost at the finish line! I am on my 32nd week now. Whew! When one of my colleagues told me that the third trimester is where the “fun” starts, I didn’t really thought about it after. Now I know what “fun” she was referring to. The other night, the baby didn’t let me fall asleep until 2 AM! He just wants to party all night long by kicking and punching me. And I have to get up every now and then to go to the toliet (did I tell you that the baby’s still in breech position? Yes, his feet keeps on  kicking my bladder!). But last night, the little one’s so good to me, I only felt a few little movements when I turn and we both slept like a baby. I guess, he’s really becoming a little person now. He’s got his up and down days too.

As promised, here are the photos of the “big” things we bought for the baby.

Sniglar cot from Ikea (Can be turned into a toddler bed and with 2 adjustable heights)

Chicco Travel System (Stroller and Infant Seat which can be turned into a car seat)

I love how both items can be tuned into something else when the baby’s a bit bigger. Hehe.. Para isahang bili na lang di ba?!Practical!

I’ve also got my hospital bag ready for the big day. Now all we need is a ticket for my Mom and the Baby of course. :p