Let's Get it ON

Last Saturday, I already set-up our 3' Christmas Tree. It was a little late compared to the date when I did it last year.

Last year our decors are mostly in the shade of orange. This year, I changed them into red. The balls became smaller but they are many now. The ponsentias were gone and replaced by other shaped decors. I like it better now. Hope you like it too.

Flowers and Chocolates

Last Sunday, we went to ATC to claim my phone and our printer from Nokia and Compuserve. We're there at around 10:30am. I asked hubby to get 1st the printer while I'm waiting for my number to be served. After claiming, he brought it to our car and when he got back to NOKIA, he gave me a long stem pink rose. It was so sweet of him.

That time, the counter is still serving #101. I just asked him to buy the Palmer's lotion from Personal Care. To my surprise again, when he got back, he was bringing me my favorite chocolate. I was so happy. It removed all my irritations with all the waiting time I am having in NOKIA.

I really love my husband for being sweet. Btw, he gave me all of this in celebration of our BF/GF and Wedding monthsary which falls on 20 and 19 respectively.

Preggy Diary: Week 20.4

I thought I'll done with my Preggy Diary for Week20. I was wrong because I got scared again this morning. There was another bloody show.

After bfast and while I was fixing some things, I felt that I needed to pee. I was shocked to see a blood on my undies. It was not deep red but brownish red. The color was almost black. I texted my OB and she told me to observe because it may be caused by my constipation this week. It didn't gave me peace of mind. Hubby was also worried about our baby so we decided to go to my OB this afternoon. She told us that she will be in the SM Sucat clinic from 6-8pm.

Hubby told me that it might be another occurence of UTI. We asked for a repeat urinalysis when we got to the clinic. It was all normal. My OB IE'd me and she found a polip from my uterus. She said that it was aggrevated by my pregnancy. We don't need to remove it now because it can cause trauma in my cervix which in turn can cause contractions. She said that I don't need to be worried. My cervix is close and no blood was seen from there. The blood I saw was an old blood. Bleeding may continue in a month. But if I will feel any contraction, I need to inform her right away. She also prescribed me DUVADILAN. But she told me to inform her first before I take it.

Our fear subside after our OB consultation. My wieight gain is normal as well as my blood pressure (110/80). Baby's heartbeat is @ 140-150bpm. Thanks GOD!

BE PE Bonding in LUVZ Resort , LB Laguna

Last Sept. 29'08, Ariel's Group (BE PE) had their bonding in LUVZ Resort, LB Laguna. It was a nice resort although the water is not hot.

All of them had fun. It was nice to see them playing our old time games like patentero, tumbang preso, hula-hoop and the nut relay. The only issue they encountered was the rules and the mechanics they know. Some of them are from the North, South and NCR and each location have different rules. There were lots of debate on the rules before they could start with the games but overall it was fun.

Some of the pix are here.

Preggy Diary: Week 20

Since I entered my 2nd trimester, I felt a little better. Morning sickness is not as frequent as my 1st trimester. Although at times, I still feel very sleepy. Now, I can work like before but I get really tired at night.

However, two unpleasant things happened to me in the last two weeks. I've been constipated twice. The 1st one was last friday and the 2nd one was yesterday. I've been taking lots of fuids like water, fresh buko juice and grape juice. I am also taking COGEL VCO twice a day as per my OB's prescription but it is still happening to me. I don't know what seems to be the problem.

The 2nd one was the leg cramps that I'd experienced yesterday morning. It was not tolerable. I even woke up hubby to help me out but the impatient in me strikes again and I just told him to stop. I just sat beside our bed and lay my foot flat on the floor. Good thing that the pain subside. When I woke up in the morning, I felt fine. However, last night until today, it is still aching. It is tolerable but I don't feel normal.

Sigh. My OB check-up would still be next week. Hope everything would still be fine. For the meantime, I'll wait for the text reply of my OB within the day.

MOM's BDAY

Our Mom's Bday was last Sept.03. But we were only able to celebrate it last Sunday. My dad just cooked some foods. I brought some fruit salad and my sister bought a cake. We enjoyed the foods, the wentuhan, asaran and the kulitan. It was a fun family bonding.

Hubby is Sick Today

Hubby is asleep. He is not feeling well since yesterday morning but he still insisted to go to work. But in the middle of the day, he really felt weak so we decided to go home earlier. We left the office at 3:30pm.

At home, we called the massage parlor for a home service. He felt better after the massage and it was a blessing in disguise that our cable connection got loss because of heavy rain last night. We were forced to sleep early.

This morning, we woke up early to eat breaskfast and for him to drink his medicines. Unfortunately, he's still not feeling well.He's not ready for work. And now, he is sleeping. Hope he get well soon.

1st Altered Clock

Finally, I was able to finished my 1st altered clock as my entry to the PS Blog Kaya 16 Challenge.

More details in here. Comments are welcome.

Preggy Diary - Week17

Last Wednesday, I got my 1st sight of blood since I had my last period in April. I got nervous yet tried to be cool. My bleeding started at 2pm. I called hubby but he's not around. He called me back after an hour. After some questions, he told me that my UTI might have recurred. I told him I am scared but he just advised me to relax. My OB also texted me to have a repeat urinalysis. I stayed in our room until he arrived from office. The bleeding is still there at 7pm. After dinner, we went to a nearby hospital for urinalysis. Results showed that the RBC and PUS cell in my urine is beyond normal. It gave me some relief, it is not a spotting.

Yesterday, we went to Paranaque Doctors Hospital for an OB check-up. It was our 1st time in this hospital. We usually go to Las Pinas Doctor because this is nearer to our place. However, she doesn't have a clinic in LPDH that day. During my check-up. I got some good and bad news.Bad news 1st, my UTI recurred. I needed a new medicine. And she also advised me to have a Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test in Hi-Precision Clinic.The good news is, my uterus is back into place. I can get back to work but need to be cautious if I will any feel abnormalities. We also heard our baby's heartbeat - average is at 141bpm.It was such a very good music to our ears.We heard it more clearly compared to our previous check-ups. From PDH, we went to Las Pinas to have my Urine C/S. We're advised that the result should be available from 4 to 7days.

Today, I am still at home, hubby and I agreed that I'll just go back to work next week. I need to take more rest before I go back to the battle (work). Hehehe.

The Dinner Date

Hubby knew how bored I am at home. He planned for a dinner date and we had it last night in Josephine's Tagaytay. It was a good dinner. We were so full and satisfied with the foods that we ate.

We're not hungry huh?! Actually, we're still supposed to have some hot choco in Starbucks but I told hubby that I already had too much sugar for the day! Josephine's Berry Macapuno was really irresitable. I've been watching my sugar but can't help it. Nevertheless, I am half guilty because I shared the leche plan of my dessert with Hubby. Hehehe.

TGIF

Finally, it's Friday. Another workweek has ended.I'll be with hubby again. Staying at home gets you bored at times especially if you are not allowed to do some task. But, I just want to think of my baby. At least she/he will also get some rest. But what worries me today is the weight that I'm losing. I don't know why. Hope, I'll get on track as the days passed by. My next OB vsit will be in 2 weeks.

Just a recap of my week.

Monday - Holiday. Hubby was at home and he had a home service massage. I was envious. We had Greenwich overload for PM snaks. Yummy.

Tuesday - Hubby went to office and I was left at home. Scrapped the pix of our help's kids.

Wednesday - Typhoon Karen made me a couch potato. Thankful that we're safe at home. Have seen those who really got affected of the typhoon. Hubby bought me fresh buko. Yipee!

Thursday - On BED all day. And got these pasalubongs from one of our friend who just got back from his 3 week training in our CA office.

Friday - TODAY! Got very dizzy when I woke up. Just ate bfast with hubby before he left for work. Took a nap because I really don't have the energy to get up. Good thing that I felt better after 2 hours of sleep. Now, I am still resting and anticipating the dinner date that hubby wants us to have tonight. We just hope that the road will be clear on this Friday Night!

Preggy RECAP

Yes, I know. I haven't blog about it yet.I really delayed it because of some issues. But let me tell you the whole story behind. This will be long. Pardon me.

APRIL
My period was delayed by eight days.

MAY
I missed my period for a week. I told hubby that I won't take a test until it reaches 9 days. And so we just waited hoping and not hoping.

JUNE 5
It was the 10th day. At the same time, hubby had a dinner treat with our director. Red wine was served. I took some. I never thought that my Irish director was watching my move. He even made a joke that in Ireland, when they suspected somebody to be pregnant, they would offer her a drink. If she accepts it, she's not else she is. I just smiled and didn't make any comment because I still don't know yet. But when we got home, I told hubby that I should take a test. We still have one test kit at home. I was nervous. I let hubby do the test. He told me that it is positive. Both of us don't know how to react. I told hubby that we need to buy another kit tomorrow. We're happy but still can't believe it. Hubby believed in the result but I don't because maybe I am just so O.C.

JUNE 6
No broadcast notification to anyone. After work, we bought another kit. It is still positive. Now, I am 100% sure.We then made some plans of going to Asian for OB consultation.

JUNE 7
Asian Hospital. My HMO referred me to their accredited OB. We waited for quite some time before my turn. The OB told me to take some test first like trans-V, Blood Typing, a couple of blood tests and urinalysis. I informed her of the mass that I am feeling inside my breast. She asked me to have a breast ultrasound.We finished all the lab tests that day but not the ultrasounds due to time constraint.We scheduled it on June 13.

JUNE 10
We informed our bosses of my condition so we can take a leave on Friday.

JUNE 13
Asian Hospital at 8am. Hubby was with me dutring the trans-V. I was watching him. He was not expressive but I know he's happy to see the little SAC.I t was confirmed that I have a normal pregnancy. Then I had the breast ultrasound. They found many masses on my breasts but the significant one was the one on the right. It was 2.4cm. Scary.

JUNE 14
Asian Hospital Roller Roaster Ride. We showed the result of all my tests to my OB. It was quite easy at first. But when she saw the breast Ultrasound result, she told me that it needs to be removed. I need to consult a surgeon.She told me that we need to remove it asap before it's too late. Ok lang daw mawala si baby kasi early pa naman daw. Mother's condition and safety comes first. I hated her for telling me that. I was almost crying when we left her clinic. Hubby is just cool. We went to a surgeon. We showed him the Ultrasound result. I like him better than the OB. He was so cool in explaining things to me. He also taught me of a better way to do self examination. He had given me hope by telling me that:
- we can postpone the surgery
- we can do another test after 3 months or consult him as soon as I felt that it is growing bigger.
- if the mass grew larger, we need to do needle biopsy.
- if it's benign, we can postpone the surgery after my pregnancy or after I'm done with breastfeeding.
- if it's malignant, we need to do surgery asap but he assures me that the baby will be safe.
This gave me a relief.
When we got home, I told hubby that I wan't to change my OB. I don't like her.She's so tactless and.I'm not comfortable with her. Then, we remembered the OB that we met in HK. We're almost together on all our tours.But we just got to know her on our way back while waiting for the shuttle that will bring us to the Airport. We already consulted her during our TTC stage but we didn't continue due to tight schedule. Medyo malayo nga lang ang mga hospital and clinic nya.But at least, I am confortable with her.

JUNE 16
Contacted DRA. Gina Valenzuela. She was so excited that she even called me on my cell to confirm my pregnancy. She told me to take care and see her on Saturday.

JUNE 21
My 1st consultation with my new OB. I was able to compare how we are treated in Asian compared to LPDH. In Asian, they didn't take any vital signs like BP and weight. My OB was so also very accommodating. She has many stories and I feel really comfortable with her. She was also surprised that my 1st OB didn't perform IE on me and gave me a baby book. She also advised me to stop all the vitamins that my 1st OB gave me which are Natalwiz and Caltrate because I am already overweight. She just prescribed Folic Acid. She also advised me not to worry about the mass in my breast. We just need to wait for the 3month period that the surgeon gave me.

LAST WEEK of JUNE
Already told some of my close friends of my condition. They are very happy for us! But as the saying goes, may pakpak ang balita, may tenga ang lupa. Dami na nakaalam! Hahaha. Some were even asking because they heard me inside the restroom calling some "UWAK". Hehehe.

JULY 26
2nd Consultation with my OB. I'm done with Folic and she asked me to start taking Trihemic, Potencee and Calci-aide. Also had a pap smear. I am also worried with my discharge but we'll know about it after the pap smear result. She just advised me to use cane vinegar as feminine wash.

AUGUST 4-6
Work.Work and Work. Busy.

AUGUST 6 Night
I felt a mass hanging inside me while doing my night wash. I thought it was a discharge. I texted my OB and she asked me to see her the next day.

AUGUST 7
LPDH at 10am My OB told me that she was thinking about it all night. When she did IE on me, she told me that it was a nerve that was holding my uterus. I have a very low uterus which is just about 1cm from the opening. This is not normal. This should be seen when I am on my 6th or 7th month. I am just on my 3rd month. And so.... I was advised to take a month of complete bedrest. Waah. I also informed her of some abnormalities that I feel when I urinate. She asked me for a urinalysis because she said that it is a sign of UTI. 4pm - I got a text from her. She told me that I am positive with UTI. Good thing that she already gave me the prescription for UTI before we left her clinic.

AUGUST 8
Bedrest.

AUGUST 11
Went to work to settle some endorsement and issues with direct reports. My bosses are bugging and begging me to just go home and take care of myself. I was lucky to have such bosses.

AUGUST 12-13
Bedrest.

AUGUST 14
Bedrest and Bored. This is why I am able to complete writing this entry. BTW, I have some pregnancy weekly photos here.

Btw, please pray for me that everything will be fine until I give birth and even after that. Thanks!

Early Gifts

A friend of mine just came from her 7 weeks offshore work in our San Jose CA main office and she got me this as "Pasalubong".

Our baby is very lucky, he/she already received 2 gifts although he/she is still inside. The other gift was from my SILs. They gave us an electric sterilizer.

Appreciate all these gifts. Thanks!

Late na Kaya 15

If Lee has a MALING KAYA. I have my Late KAYA15. A lot of things happened few days ago aside from the sideline (mini-album) I had which resulted to a late kaya entry. I got challenged with the sketch and so I tried it though it was already pretty pretty late. Hope you like it.

Journaling:
I am letting go of my worries, fears and doubts. Because today, I will marry the man I LOVE. March 19,2005.

Materials:
BG PPS, CS, Mesh, AC Thickers, Cherry Arte Rubon, Prima Flowers, Brads (Bo Bunny & HOTP), Ribbon, AMM Metal Bar, inkpads, Tool (Fiskar Border Puncher).

Scrappy Saturday

Last saturday, hubby and I just stayed at home. I took advantage of not feeling any morning sickness. And I was able to do 5 LOs for the whole day. TFL.

Together
Journaling: CML summer outing. El Madero - Lipa, Batangas. 050908
Materials:
PPS (Bo Bunny, SR), White CS, HS Mask, Inkpads, Flowers (HS, Petaloo), Rub-on (BG, 7 Gyp), , Diecut Alphas, Rickrack, Fancy Pants Diecut, Butterfly diecut from stamp, Zig Pen

Birthday
Materials:
CS, Craft Express PPS, Inkpads, HS Stamp, Fiber, Brad (KF Loopy Brads, Provo Craft), Tools (Fiskars Border Puncher, HS Corner Stamp, Zig Pen)

Dine-out
Journaling: We had dinner in Bonitos, one of the famous resto in UP during our Los Banos trip.
Materials:
PPS (K & Co, SR), CS, Mesh, AC Thickers, Flowers (Petaloo, Prima), Bo Bunny Brad, Ribbon, Zig Pen

New Christian
Journaling: Ethan's Christening 042708
Materials:
PPS (SEI, SR), AC Thickers, Cork Alpha, Provo Craft Brad, Flowers (HS, Petaloo, Prima), Button, Ribbon, Rickrack, Zig Pen

Island Hopping
Journaling: Puerto Galera 06/11/07.
Materials:
K&Co. PPS, Black and White CS, Foam Embellishment, Diecut Letters, Inkpads, Rickrack, Zig Pen

Blog Awards

Issa tagged me again. She just gave me the Blog of Destinction & Brillante Weblog Awards! Thank you friend!

So, here are the rules that go along with the awards:
1. You post the award logos on your blog.
2. You link back to the person who awarded them to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 people whose blogs you admire and add links back to their blogs.
4. Leave a message for the nominees on their blogs.

And, here are my nominees for inspirational blogs and very talented artists:
Jenn (Memories of Jenn), CV ( Just because...), Meanne (Me and My World), Dianne (Malibu Dream), Joanne (My Life and My Boys), Pam (Love my Blog), Lee (The Armchair Scrapper).

Birthday Tag from Beverley Todd

I celebrated my birthday last Friday and I also got a birthday tag from my friend Issa! The tag is a part of Beverley Todd's 40th birthday celebration and you can view the instructions here. So if I tag you, you better spread the tag because there'll be lots of prizes to win. Happy Birthday Beverley!

Here are her questions and my answers...

1. What age was your best birthday (so far) & why? It was my 28th birthday. This is my last birthday as single. Hubby proposed to me that day. I also got lots of letters from my siblings. I got teary eyed reading those.

2. What was the worst? None, so far.

3. What is the best present you have ever received? If material thing, it will be the Guess Wallet from my sis last year. For something very special, it is the new life inside me from GOD.

4. What was the weirdest? Nothing I can remember right now.

5. Where would you most like to spend your birthday? Our home with my family. I just want a simple celebration.

6. What is your zodiac sign? Cancer

7. Chinese Year? Dragon ... powerful?!

Thanks for the tag Beverley and Issa... and now I will pass it to Meanne, Jenn, CV and Dianne.

Arte y Pico Award

Thanks so much Jenn, for passing this award to me and for considering my blog creative & inspiring. I really appreciate it.Thank you also for appreciating my "SWEET ESCAPE" LO.

This award was created and to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creativity and their talents, also for contributing to the blogging world in whatever medium. When you receive this award it is considered a “special honor“. Once you have received this award, you are to pass it on to 5 others.”What a wonderful way to show some love and appreciation to your fellow bloggers!!!


The rules for passing this honor on are:

1) Pick 5 blogs that you would like to award this honor to. (This is the hard part–there are just so many good ones around it is very difficult to choose just five.)

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

So the award goes to: CV, Meanne, Dianne, Issa and Aggie.

Sweet Escape

Another New LO.

Journaling:
A cozy night during our Los Banos Escapade. Some time-off from Work. Met with some friends and visited some Landmarks.

Materials:
PPS (MME Bohemina, BG), Rubons (Craft Express, Luxe Design, 7 Gyp), Flowers (Petaloo, Prima, Diecut), Ribbons, Button, AMM Metal Word, Brads, Tool used (Zig Pen, Fiskars Border Puncher).

SMILE

Last night, after organizing some of my things, I got scrappy and finished this LO in one hour using the July 1 sketch from sketchabilities.
Journaling:
No matter how tired you are, you still managed to SMILE for me.

Materials:
PPS (AC and SEI), CS, Flowers (Prima, Petaloo, HS), Zig Pen, Thickers, MME Journaling Tag, Inkpad, Rickrack, Bo Bunny Brad.