Monday, January 26, 2009

More Gifts Coming IN

Last Sunday, our little baby received another batch of gifts. This time, they are from Ariel's sisters. Thanks!

Preggy Diary - Week 38 (Add'l Update)

We had our weekly pre-natal check-up last Saturday.

Some Good News:
    - No weight gain for me.
    - Last Weeks BPS- ok
    - Baby's Heartbeat - ok
    - Dilation improved - now at 2cm
    - OB already issued admitting orders

Not So Good News:
    - Although I am 2cm dilated, my cervix is not yet that ripe. It's already soft compared last week but it is still thick.

From LDPH, we had our BPS in OB-GYN because the Sonologist in LPDH is currently on ML. The cost of the BPS in Festival Mall is 30% higher compared to LPDH but we have no other choice. My OB wants to have my BPS that day for more accurate comparison.

BPS Result:
Score: 8/8 = GOOD
Baby's Weight: Increased from 3030 to 3239 grams = Not so GOOD
Amniotic Fluid: Increased from 18.9 to 20.8cm = BAD

I texted the result to my OB and she said that I really need to give birth soon to avoid having a CS delivery. She doesn't want it for me because of my GDM.

After the BPS, I had my 4th Pre-natal Session. It was really relaxing especially for my aching back.

Now, I feel that I really want to give birth soon. My backache is really killing me. Also, I felt some kind of fear last night because of the mucous coming out of me. I had texted my OB and she said that It might have been caused by her IE. Well, I hope that this is already a sign of labor.

Need your prayers for my safe delivery soon. I hope it would be soon.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Aching Back

I am complaining about it for quite some time already. Maybe this is
cause by our little girl who is getting heavier and my scoliosis. I
believe it is not yet a contraction because it stops or it lessen when I
change position. However, this is really affecting my mood. Huhuhu.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Year 2008 RECAP

2009 had already started and the 1st month is ending soon. Let me just list down all the blessings we received and trials we faced last 2008.

Highlights (Let's count our Blessings.)

Hubby and I had a beginning of year Bonding Moment (Jan2-3) in Los Banos Laguna. Went to Visit UPLB.
Few Weeks after the year started, I was given a new assignment with a good career opportunity.
We're able to start our investment with Philam.
Birth of my 1st Nephew.
3rd Year Wedding Anniversary which we spent in Punta de Fabian in Baras Rizal.
My sister graduated in HS with honor.
Had a 3rd Gimik with hubby for the year - spent a night in Coffee Farmhouse.
Hubby got his promotion and was moved to another group.
Before the middle of the year, another project was assigned to me.
WE GOT PREGNANT.
Able to meet with hubby's College Friends (Wilson visited Phils. after one year of migrating to OZ)
Fully Paid our Pag-ibig Housing Loan.
Ariel had another blessing.
Home Improvements ( Dirty Kitchen - roofing and turned it to a real kitchen plus kitchen cabinet)
We are still employed!

Lowlights (Trials):

Learned some bad new from about one of my sister.
Death of Daddy Tony (My Dad's 2nd dad).
Our 1st househelp left us after more than a year of service. She decided to finally settle down in their province. Good thing that we had a new one before she left.
I was advised by my OB to have a month of bedrest due to low lying placenta.
Our 2nd househelp left us. But this is also a good thing because she had some attitudes that we don't like.
RIF (Reduction in Force) in our Company.
Learned about my GDM (Gestational Diabetes).

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Preggy Diary - Week 38

Yesterday, we went to visit my Endoc to consult about the change in my sugar level. She said that it is just normal and gave us the targets to follow.

Pre-Breakfast = 80 to 94
Post Meal = 85 to 120

She also advised me that if my pre-breakfast will go below 80 then I may need to reduce my insulin intake by 2 units. I also told her about the dizziness I am feeling lately. She said that I may be anemic but after she checked my eyes and said that it looks normal. She just advised me to tell it to my OB.

When we got home, I texted my OB and told her what the Endoc told me. She replied with a sigh. Hehehe. She told me that I'll just follow what she instructed my last Saturday. The target that we will be using is 90 for post meals.

Now, we're kinda confuse. But we still pray that everything is REALLY normal and everything will continue to be Normal until I give Birth.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Preggy Diary - Week 37

We had our weekly pre-natal check-up last Saturday. As per my OB, my last week's BPS is still ok. My IE showed no difference compared to last week. I need to do more walking. She gave me another medicine to help in my dilation. She also checked my blood monitoring result. She said that my recent sugar level is low and may need to decrease my insulin intake from 8units to 6units. She also suggested that I continue to go to work. This will help in my dilation.

We just had our lunch in the hospital while waiting for my BPS. We're 3rd in the list. It was just good that the 1st two patients didn't take long inside the room. However, our little girl was in a deep sleep during the BPS. It took us a long time wake her up. The result of the BPS is not so good. We are expecting my water to decrease but it increased from 12 to 18. I texted my OB and she advised me to lessen my water intake but never to dehydrate myself. Sigh. Hope everything will be fine soon. Actually, hubby and I were thinking about the BPS result. The sonologist used a new machine that day. We don't know if it was already correlated with the old machine. Hmmm. We have to wait and check next week.

From the hospital, we went to Festival Mall to buy some nursing bra and do some walking while waiting for the time to pass by. I have a scheduled pre-natal massage in Rebirth Spa at 5:30pm. After the walk, hubby and I had a little PM snacks in Shakeys. I just ordered the Salad Chix Pizza. It comes with 2 pc of Mojos but I gave them to hubby to reduce my carbohydrate intake. We're done eating at 5pm and arrived in Asian at exactly 5:30pm. Just in time for my massage. It really relaxed me. It's good that I still have 2 more sessions.

Right now, we are worried about my blood sugar level. It is getting lower and lower. We will need to consult my endoc soon.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Another Pasalubong

Some people may think that I am poor but I believe that I am rich because my wealth is the relationship I have with my friends and family.

If you would see, I have blogged a lot about gifts from friends. True friends are hard to find these days and we are happy to know that we have a lot. Below is another evidence that we have lots of friends around.



Thanks to Tita Chu for this Pasalubong! We really love the color. It fits our table and we are now using it!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Preggy Diary - Week 35 and Week 36

Week 35 - Jan. 03
Returned to my endoc. She read my blood monitoring diary and said that everything looks good. She just need a new blood test from me - TSH and HBA1C. I have them done in Healthway ATC where she holds clinic. We just had lunch and then went to LPDH to have my weekly ultrasound (BPS - Biophysical Profile Scanning). The doctor arrived late and I was 3rd on the list. Baby didn't cooperated at first. She was sleeping. I needed to get up of the bed and eat a little to make her move.After I have eaten a hotdog from the hospital's canteen and got back to the ultrasound table, the doctor already saw an acceptable movement from our little girl. From Las Pinas, we drove back to Alabang to have my 2nd session of pre-natal massage in Rebirth Spa in Asian Hospital. It was so relaxing since I've been having a lot of backaches recently.

Week 36 - Jan. 10
9:45 am in LPDH for my pre-natal check-up. As per my OB, the BPS result is normal and good. She noticed that I lose some weight because of my GDM. I almost can't eat anything. She also did an IE on me. It kinda hurt. She said that I am 1cm dilated however my cervix/uterus is still thick. I may give birth in 2 to 3 weeks. She also told me that there is a big chance that I can give a normal birth. She also gave some instructions to us for the preparation of my birth giving then she again gave me a request for my next ultrasound. She also prescribed a lactation medicine - Natalac which I need to take once a day.

12nn in Healthway ATC for my endoc check-up. All my blood test results are normal. However, my blood sugar level before breakfast for the last 2 days are above 94. She told me to increase the dose of my insulin by 2units if it will not go below 95 tomorrow. I need to see her again next week.

Hubby and I just had our lunch inside the car.because we need to be back to LPDH at 1pm for my BPS. Unfortunately, the doctor arrived at 2pm. The only good thing is that I am the 1st in the list. According to the doctor, everything is normal including the cord. Our little baby didn't cooperate again during the movement monitoring but she started to move when hubby played some music thru our cellphone. Thanks God.

After our check-up, we went to SM Southmall to buy some more baby stuffs, home stuffs and did some grocery shopping. So far, here are the additional items we bought for our little girl.



PS:
I feel in love with the socks. They are cute, right?

WELCOME 2009



We had welcome 2009 with a blast and a little drama. Hehehe. We didn't had any fireworks. We just listened and watched our neighbor's fireworks. Actually, we really don't spend money on fireworks. This is for our safety and our way of being money smart. Anyway, below are some of the foods we had prepared for our Media Noche.



We love all the yummy foods.

We also played some games after eating like darts, picture frame and bingo.



We enjoyed the night. We also hope that 2009 will be prosperous for all of us!

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

More Baby Shopping



Last Sunday, after attending our friend's daughter's Christening, we went to SM dasma to buy more baby stuffs. Below are the items that we bought. Do you think we are excited?

Pahabol na Xmas Gift

Yesterday, we received another gift for our little baby from our friend
Shirley who just came back from Taiwan. They are so cute. Thanks!!!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

RECAP: HOLIDAY 2008

We started to get busy for Christmas by the end of September. Our little Christmas tree was already standing by that time. However, we started shopping for gifts end of November. This was because of the recession that was happening in the US. And since we are an American company, there are cost cutting measures that our company made. There was a reduction in force. We lost 2 engineers from our department. Ariel's department lost 7. We just hope and pray that they were still able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Anyway, below are some of our gimiks.

11/29/08
Started our Christmas Shopping in St. James Bazaar.

11/30/08
Divisoria shopping.

120708
Shopped for add'l xmas gifts in AAVA Bazaar.

121008
Ebay Shopping for Hubby and my parents.

121208
It was the NPD PE Party. It was fun. Our theme was Animated Musical Play. Our group was assigned to do the Naruto or Madagascar. We chose to do the later. The other groups do 2 animated movies. It was a stressful preparation because some of the members doesn't want to cooperate. I was just supposed to be the director by I ended up also performing and dancing. Anyway, all our efforts paid off. We are only after the last prize (4th place) but we ended up winning the 2nd place. It was really a good feeling aside from the fact that we also won a cash prize of 7K instead of 2K.

121308
Shopped in Market2.

121708
Started wrapping gifts for our direct reports.

121808
Started giving gifts.
Shopped in ATC after my check-up with the Endoc.

121908
Hubby's group Christmas Party.

122008
Shopped in Rockwell Tent.
Meeting with Ariel's Friend from Australia.

122108
Completed the wrapping of gifts.


122208
Fetched my family from Pasig. They will spend Christmas in our Home.

122308
Done giving gifts to friends and inaanaks in the office.

122408
We're already on leave but hubby is still getting calls from office.We attended Misa de Galo at 8:30pm. My mom and dad are the ones who prepared our Noche Buena. I only prepared the salad (which unfortunately is not good for me).

122508
Noche Buena Special.



Gift giving with my family. We're all laughing when we saw that my nephew was scared of our Pop-up sun Gift. Hehehe.


We slept at 2am. We all woke up at 8am. We 1st visited my dad's relatives in Antipolo - my grandma and Tita Aida's Family. Then my Mom's relative (Auntie Fe in Taytay and Mama Linda in Pasig). Then we dropped my family in my parents house. We just left our gifts for my inaanaks and other cousins.

Hubby and I then went to SM Hypermart in Pasig to buy Shirts for the Jorge-lypics (His family's yearly xmas reunion) because we both don't have the required colored shirt. I need to wear green while hubby need to wear yellow. We arrived in Filinvest Antipolo at 6:30pm. The party was supposed to start at 6pm but unfortunately, the guests are not yet there. The party started at 8pm instead. The worst part was when it started to rain. The party was outdoor and we only have 2 big tents. We only have a limited space but it still looks like that everybody had fun. After the program and the gift giving, we left the place at passed 1am. We still fetched my dad from their home in Pasig because he will be doing some carpentry in our house. He'll be doing us a double deck bed.

122608
Woke up late. Opened all the gifts we received. And here are all of them! Thanks!!!



123008

Hubby and my Dad went to Farmers in Cubao to buy some seafoods that we will be preparing for our Media Noche. They were able to buy Crabs, Shrimps and Lapu-lapu. My dad will be cooking all of them. Yummy! I am now excited for the media noche!

123108
Blogging while waiting for the New Year. Will blog soon about our Media Noche!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Preggy Diary - Week35

I was not able to provide a preggy update lately because our last few weeks was like a roller coaster ride.

From my last update, I had my 2nd OGTT last Nov.16. But I was only able to get the result on the 13th of December during my OB visit. It was higher compared to my 1st. As per my OB, I needed to consult an endocrinologist. We both felt bad about it. However, we felt excited when we had our 4D ultrasound and saw the features of our baby. She has a very shubby cheeks.Cute!



121808

We went to Heathway in ATC to visit the endorsed Endoc by my OB. She told us that my readings are really high and I need to start monitoring my blood sugar but I need first to undergo a Diabetes Education in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Medical Center asap.

122208
Attended the Diabetes Educ in OLPHMC. Unfortunately, the Dietician was sick and not around. It was only the nurse who conducted the class and just advised me of the recommended diet. We bought a new gadget - a glucose monitor meter. This is expensive. But I am more concerned of the pricking and the sight of blood. Sigh.

122708
Follow-up check up with my Endoc. Accoding to my glucose Monitoring Book, my glucose after meal is within limit but the fasting is not. I needed to inject 4units of insulin everyday 0.5H before dinner. If after 2 days, my reading won't change, I need to change it to 6units. Another bad news. Sigh.


My not so nice new Gadgets.


From ATC, we went to SM Sucat to wait for my OB. She has no clinic in LPDH (The OPD is close until 01/02). While waiting, we shopped for some baby stuffs. It was fun and exciting.



We made our reservation with my OB at 5pm. Her sched starts at 6pm. I was 4th in the list. I should have reserved earlier. My OB was not happy with my glucose issue. She said that I'll be needing to have a weekly ultrasound to check for baby's size and I really need to give birth on my 38th week because the baby might get bigger as a side effect of my GDM. She said that I need to take more care of my diet. I also had my last dose of Tetanus Toxiod.

Now, I already had 4 dose of insulin as advised by my Endoc. The last 3 days was good. It was lower than 100. But this morning, it went up again to 99. I don't know why. My sugar after breakfast was also high (130). Good thing that my after lunch is lower (104).


Diabetes Mgmt Diary

We hope that my blood sugar level especially the fasting will be corrected as soon as possible so that I won't need to increase the dose of my insulin intake. We are also worried about our little girl.

Please help pray for us.

RECAP: 122008 7th BF/GF Anni & Gimik with Friends from Australia

Last December 20 was our 7th anniversary as BF/GF but instead of having a date, we celebrated it with Ariel's College Buddies.

We started the day in Rockwell Tent, we just bought some stuffs for friends and for Christmas gifts. We had lunch in Jollibee. Then moved to Glorietta 1 to pick up some items from Matus. Our date with Ariel's friends was late in the afternoon. While waiting for them, we windowed shop and took some rest in Food Choices. Hubby had his Banana Split while I had my sugar free Cheesecake.

His friends started to arrive at 3pm. Ariel and his wife came 1st, then Peter and Marose. We waited for Wilson and Hannah ( who visited the Philippines after migrating to Australia last June'07) in Greenbelt 3. We had our pm snacks in Cafe Breton. It was a very good bonding moment.


After some time, we went back to Glorietta1 to have dinner in Dencio's. Everybody had a good time.



It was a very nice day. Looking forward to our next meeting!

RECAP: 112808 - Our 1st Xmas Themed Throw Pillowcases and Curtains



Last November 28, I had my monthly pre-natal check-up. My OB had an Emergency and advised us that she will be late for our appointment in Prima Medica SM Sucat.

While waiting for her, I went to home section of SM Sucat and saw that their curtains are on sale. I bought these curtains and throw pillowcases. These are the 1st xmas themed items we bought for our home.

They are simple yet I love them!

Pasalubong from my Friend Tere

My Friend got back from her Bangkok 1-month assignment last December 15. It was good that she was able to arrive safe even with Bangkok's government issues.

She brought all the clothes below for our little girl. Daddy and Mom also got our pasalubongs.




Thanks for the early xmas gift!

Happy Holidays!!!!



I know. I know. This is quite late for Christmas. I really have gone very very busy.
Anyway, I hope everybody had a good Christmas and we wish that we'll all have a prosperous 2009!

Happy New Year to All!

Sunday, December 07, 2008

AAVA Bazaar and New Baby Stuffs

We had a busy day today. We're in AAVA Bazaar this morning at 9:30am. We're able to buy some stuffs for the holiday like exhange gift for our PE Group Party, other gift items for our inaanaks and firends, a couple of polo for hubby, some shirts for me and of course another onesies for our little baby. We're done shopping at 11:30am.

Some Stuffs from AAVA Bazaar

We then went to cubao to visit ariel's sisters. Daddy is also fixing some pipe leaking in their place. When dad was done, we went to my parents house. My mom handed me some baby stuffs from my sister, most of them are pink and so cute.


From Ditse & Mom


We finally got home at 8pm. Right now ,I'm taking some time to rest before sleeping.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Long Weekend & Some Preggy Update: ww30

We had a very stressful week last week. We had appointments that we needed to cancel because of some urgent office stuffs. The RIF in our group was completed last Thursday. Thanks God that Hubby and I were not included and we pray that those identified will be back on their feet soon. The other groups are still not done and needed to complete it last Friday. We asked permission from our director for a day-off because I need to visit my OB last Friday. He already allowed me because we're already done with the RIF.

We just try to complete all the things we need last Thursday and able to leave the office at 8pm. We're already hungry and so we opted to have our dinner in a nearby Chinese restaurant.


FRIDAY
My appointment was 1:30pm in PDH. We decided to go to ATC first to pick up my repaired "NEW" phone. Finally, it's already working properly. They have replaced the whole mother board and it's now like a new phone - the IMEI # was changed. After I got my phone, my OB texted me that she have an emergency and will just meet me in SM sucat at 4pm.

From ATC, we went to Festival Mall to have a 2D Ultrasound and found out that we are having a baby Girl. We're both glad that the OB told us that everything looks normal. After having our lunch, we went to SM Sucat.

Hubby had his massage because his complaining about his back from some day already. I just did some window shopping. Actually, I checked some of the baby stuffs as well as the crib prices.We're torn if we're getting a wooden crib or not. When I got to the home section, I saw a 2-panel curtain for only P350. I bought 2 designs. Hubby was done with the massage at 4pm. However, I received another text from my OB. Her patient has not delivered yet and advised me to just go to the clinic at 6pm. Hubby and I just decided to take a PM snacks in Greenwich and spend only 25 pesos for a baked mac meal, a Hawaiian madness meal and a fit and right juice because we have a BPI charged slip with a reward/perks.

We've decided to wait in the clinic at 5:30pm. Good thing that my OB was already there. However, we are already the 3rd in the list. We should have reserved our slot before going somewhere else. Anyway, as per my OB, everything looks fine. I had my 2nd dose of Tetanus Toxoid. She also advised me to have my dose of steroid for the safety of the baby in case I'll have a pre-term labor. We're so tired that day and just had our dinner at home.


SATURDAY
Another tiring day. We're in Metro South Hospital at 7am for my 1st dose of steroid. Never thought that it will be painful compared to the Tetanus Toxoid. However, it is still tolerable. From the hospital, we went to AA for this annual St. James Bazaar. We're there at 8:30am. The other sellers we're still setting up. Hubby and I we're able to buy gift items from the sellers that we also saw last year. We also bought some baby stuffs (onesies, mittens, booties and baby books). We're also able to buy some stuffs for our home and for ourselves. Hehehe. We had our early lunch there because baby and mommy were already hungry. We're done shopping at 1pm when we saw my manager with his family who are also shopping there. St. James Bazaar was indeed a good bazaar! We'll definitely go back there next year if budget permits.


Some Stuffs bought for our Little Girl from St. James Bazaar



Some Stuffs we bought from St. James Bazaar


When we got home, we're hungry again and had our PM snacks. Then hubby left to meet with his sisters in Gateway Mall to do some errands. I just stayed at home and had some rest. At 5pm, I went to SM Molino with our help to do some grocery shopping. We're supposed to wait for hubby there but he told me that he'll be late. Hubby got home at 9pm. We went to the hospital for my 2nd and last dose of Steroid. Again, it was painful.


SUNDAY
Divisoria Day. We woke up at 5am and left home at 5:45am. We're supposed to be in 168 Mall at 7am but we're caught in traffic in CCP because of the ongoing Milo Race Event. We arrived there at 7:15am and still lucky to have a parking slot near the mall which eventually opened at 7:30am. We met with my mom, dad, sister and his BF there. They went first to Divi Mall. I didn't plan to go there because of the distance and the crowd. I don't want my baby to feel the pressure. We're done shopping at 12nn. We just had our lunch in Jollibee near Nueve de Pebrero because the Food Court was so crowded.

At my parents house, hubby and I had our regular Manicure and Pedicure then we left to fix some errand in Edsa Shang. We got back in my parents home to pick up the materials needed for our temporary kitchen gate and the materials needed by dad for the cabinet of my neighbor. My dad and bro will be staying with us while they are working on my neighbor's kitchen cabinet. When we got home, we left again to attend a Mass in St. Jerome's Parish in Alabang. Unluckily, it was raining hard and we can't leave the car. We just open our window slightly so we can still hear what's happening inside the church. When we got home, we just ate dinner and fixed some things before going to bed.


MONDAY
A rest day. We woke up at 8am. We're still sleepy but baby is already hungry. I did nothing but rest, eat and sleep. After dinner, we fixed our things for work before sleeping.

We had a very tiring week but we're still lucky to have some bonding time together and with our families. We're even given a day of rest before going back to work. Bottomline, it was all worth it.

Got My 1st Xmas Gift



A friend gave me this book this morning. She said that it is her Christmas gift for me and she knows that I can really use all the things written in the book.

Thanks Ate Bona! Mwah!