The Reveal:Little Buddy at Week 32

Doctor: Parang baby looks more like Mommy....
Me (in my bubble thought): Oh no, parang pango.


Ever wonder how the baby you've grown to love while still inside you looks like? I always do. Most likely, dear hubby (DH) is wondering too, so he really wanted to make sure we get a 4D ultrasound. It was hard for the doctors because baby was covering his face with his arm, or his fingers while thumbsucking, and wouldn't turn around. We were at the hospital by 11 AM, and would up finishing a little after 3 PM (our OB-gyne's appointment took an hour in between those ultrasound efforts). Nevertheless, I carry around little buddy's picture after it came out. He is active, almost weighing in at 4 lbs when he was last checked (now he's probably more than 4 lbs), with what seemed to me like chubby cheeks, and otherwise a healthy body. His legs are getting stronger as I feel the kicks are much more harder, with his torso bulging and arms flailing, sometimes at the same time. As for the nose, Mama said to exercise his nose hahaha! While DH says he's still not convinced buddy takes after me.





****
Anyhow, DH went a little overboard yesterday at Fully Booked by buying these for our little one. He tells me he grew up with Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss and he says these are his approved beginner books. Last night I read Dr. Seuss' Sleep Book aloud and did not finish as I was too sleepy. He said I was not suppose to finish it; read it, digest it a page or two at a time. You know me, I tend to gobble up things.






We're eager beavers, as first time parents. We have bought these things so far:

-diaper bag (P4500, Mothercare)
-Mothercare baby blanket (I learned it's not so safe to have a blanket for babies!Arrg. I got it because it was blue =) Cost: 1400)
-Gap baby tee (duh! L wanted it, but it's so expensive @ P700)
-Flexibath (P2495, Mothercare)
-Sterilizer (gift c/o sister)
-milk storage (Medela, P700)
-2 pcs onesies (P160)
-detergent for baby's clothes (398)
-diapers (stocked 4 bags, should be easy to replenish stocks)
-baby wipes (P512 but I don't know how long this supply will last)
-Avent starter 4oz bottles, cotton buds, Lactacyd baby bath soap, lampin, lampin pins
-baby clothes (gifts)
-Quinny Zap Xtra stroller (from 0- 3 years old, priced P24,999)
-Chicco Lullaby crib(15K)
-Chicco boppy nursing pillow (P4K)
-bath towels (3 pcs P1,199)
-sleep suits 3 pcs (one piece outfit for baby's sleeping, P1,199)
-bibs (3 pcs, P399)

Baby cost calculator told me we will spend a lot for the baby's first year. I had to adjust our spending and lifestyle, as I only thought about costs up to giving birth. Those diapers, milk, baby food and needs will indeed cost a lot.


Next on our list:
-breast pump (after attending breastfeeding class)
-nursing bra
-bra pads
-nipple cream
-maxi pads, pantyliners
-ice packs
-pacifiers
-bonnet/hats (2 pcs)
-brush for bottle


In the meantime, I am preparing myself for the labor and delivery. I hope to have an easy one, please!

Vacation!

It was a hot humid day yesterday, in contrast to the rainy Saturday the other day. Both days I decided to spend with my sister's kids, who are here on vacation for the entire April. They are staying in our parent's house in Sta. Mesa but also go to Batangas to see the other grandparents. While they are here, I try to spend quality time with them, because time flies so fast, and pretty soon, they will be taller than me, and probably won't let me kiss them anymore =(.

Saturday we spent doing the essentials: haircut for the girls! I have a stylist who shall remain nameless for his salon offers such a great deal for a cut. My other stylist is now charging P1750 at the Basement Salon so I bid him adieu! This one is a steal at only P500 in a Japanese salon.

KAMILLE

Kamille gets a layered bob.




















CUTENESS

While Ysabel (who wanted a one-eyed layered haircut- one eye covered by hair haha) had to content herself with a bob. Isn't she the cutest?




















We spent the rest of the day lunching, and my delayed Christmas present- shopping for toys.
The next day, we headed off to Boni High to pick up my books for our baby. The kids were fascinated with this boulder- fountain installation of Reg Yusun.















KUYA MIGUEL
Miguel is almost as tall as I am, at 8 years old. He still hugs and kisses me. For now. He is still fascinated with Transformers. His activity book wishlist have titles under Star Wars, Pokemon, Dinosaurs and Transformers. He told me my baby should have a set of fairy tale books as well.






















YSABEL
What can I say, this girl wants to be a singer in college!





















WITH YSA
I remember swaddling this baby and saying she doesn't demand much as a new born. Now look at her, 6 years later. She told me she wants to name my baby John Paul. Just because. (Either that or Fifi, her fascination with a dog's name).





















KK
A merienda after our book shopping.





















What are you up to this summer?

More Baby Talk

Can I just say that I am so relieved?

After having the oral glucose challenge test (OGCT) last week, which was higher than the normal sugar level of 140, I was subjected to a 3-hour, 4-blood draw oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) last Wednesday and I got the results today. Normal! Whew!
I have been good as the Ferrero and Nutella are still intact, sitting in front of our dining table, untouched. I have not been eating cakes for breakfast (for anything actually), and could easily ignore Selecta's Hershey's series or the soda that L keeps buying during our bimonthly grocery.

As of last update, though, my hands are still swollen, and I hope to actually address this too by drinking lots of water and avoiding salty intakes. But I loooove cheese. I will try, though, as I am afraid I could no longer drive if this persists and goes up to my palms.

When I checked my weight meter, I also got worried with my weight gain. I should only gain up to 25 lbs during this pregnancy as I am already overweight prior to pregnancy. (Remember I was already trying to lose the weight and started a rigorous training program with 2 trainers then bam! I was starting to lose the weight, too!). Now I am up 23 lbs already, which is what I should be weighing in at 40 weeks! I still have 8 weeks to go and I don't know if my weight will be leveling off anytime soon. Maybe not, as Little Buddy still stands to gain at leas 3 more lbs. I look like I swallowed a basketball, and I'd post a picture soon. I am just amazed my knees are not buckling down to my weight, and that I have no back pains. And thank God, my face isn't all swelled up. In fact, it's the only thing small in my body right now.

Buddy's movement is more regular now, and it seems he's sleeping more regularly. At night, though, he rolls (as I switch sides when sleeping), flutters, kicks and thumps. I make sure I count the movements as advised, to ensure he is not under stress, and still moves. Last night I dreamt his leg got stuck in one of my ribs and it got all tangled up, and the pain in my rib was ever-present. The other night I dreamt I was holding a potted plant then suddenly worms were coming out, and I was cutting them in half, because they were just too many. All of these weird dreams I know have something to do with the pregnancy, as each move I make at night makes me wonder if I have not squished my little buddy inside.

Overall, hubby and I are so into the nesting stage right now. We bought a FLEXIBATH tub for Buddy last week, and my sister's gift of a diaper bag also arrived! We were hesitant to spend 16K on a crib, do you think we should buy?



Our next weekend's schedule looks like this
-House of Medela: finding out everything about breast pumps, lactation , and other baby products
-4D ultrasound: I keep asking my baby if he looks like me or his Pappy. Will he have hair? :)
-32 week check-up: I will discuss with our OB all about our birth plans
-Hospital tour: I want to have a nice room for the labor, recovery and delivery
-Retail therapy: On our schedule is another look for crib, glider/rocker/ottoman, and a burner for our renovated unit. It's week 3 and the carpentry works are in place. The next three weeks will be for painting and finishing.


My next find is a starter library set for Little Buddy. Note how I broach the subject:
A: Hon, let's go to Fully Booked to find baby books for Buddy.
L: What??!! He's still a baby, why will he need books, he can't read yet?
A: Duh. Hahahaa. I will read to him!



STARTER LIBRARY FOR NEWBORNS TO 6 MONTHS
SOURCE: www.babycenter.com

With very young babies, what you read isn't nearly as important as that you're reading. Reading out loud gives your newborn a chance to listen to her favorite sound — your voice. And if you hold her warm and snug in your lap while the two of you share a book, she may just associate her happy feelings with reading for the rest of her life. (Test your read-aloud knowledge with our reading to your child quiz.)

Try these classic titles on your baby:





Twinkle, Twinkle: An Animal Lover's Mother Goose, by Bobbi Fabian
Mother Goose is perfect for newborns because it has the da-ta-da-ta-da-ta-da rhythms that mimic a mother's heartbeat. This collection features clever, charming photo collages of animals in the starring roles; for example, a kangaroo as Jack Be Nimble. It's a great new twist on an old classic.


The Baby's Lap Book, by Kay Chorao
This classic collection of nursery rhymes — from "Jack and Jill" to "Three Little Kittens" — features realistic pastel drawings. The soothing cadence of the rhymes can calm babies or you can focus on the nonsense lyrics to inspire giggles or coos if you make a game out of it. Kiss your baby during "Georgie Porgie," for example, or make crying noises when you read "Little Bo Peep." After a few readings, you'll know the words to some of those nursery rhymes you used to bluff your way through, so you can play the games anywhere.




Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book
The good "doctor" provides a collection of sassy, witty poem-stories that rollick and rhyme in a way sure to satisfy your newborn's preference for singsong verse. Plus, it's all about the number-one concern of exhausted new parents: the wonders of going to sleep. This book is perfect for fathers or mothers who consider themselves reluctant readers. It's funny and nonsensical — you're supposed to feel silly reading about the Biffer-Baum Birds and the Herk-Heimer sisters. This one will stay on the bookshelf even after your child's gone off to kindergarten.






The Three Bears Rhyme Book, by Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen spins the tale of the Three Bears in lilting verse. Start reading this to a newborn and he'll already know one classic by the time you introduce stories with plots. The warm illustrations are pure pleasure for the adult reader as well, offering colored-pencil realism with a watercolor wash.






Black on White, by Tana Hoban
Featuring simple black illustrations on a white background, this book offers high-contrast images for an infant's developing eyes. As your baby gets older, he'll start identifying the images with the words you read — leaf, key, ring, bib, and so on.




How a Baby Grows, by Nora Buck
Rhyming couplets address a topic parent and infant are both obsessed with: babies. Phrases such as "These are the things that babies do:/Cry, wet, sleep, coo" are good practice if you're a read-aloud novice, and the illustrations are bright and high-contrast. Older siblings will also enjoy this book — just point out the many things they can do that a baby can't or proudly remind them how they did all those things when they were little.



Goodnight Moon board book, by Margaret Wise Brown
Sure, everyone knows that Goodnight Moon is the book for babies, but did you ever stop to wonder why? The images are clear and colorful, the rhymes (like "hush" and "mush") are simple and soothing, and, perhaps most important of all, the story of a little rabbit in his striped pajamas saying goodnight to each object in his warm, secure world is a calming ritual — for you and your baby. You'll have your pick of editions for this classic, but our favorite for a newborn is the indestructible board book.


More More More Said the Baby, by Vera B. Williams
Here's a love song to babies of all sizes, shapes, and ethnicities that'll grab you with its enthusiasm. Bright folk art puts a reader right in the middle of the action as babies are swept up and swung around, and belly buttons are admired and toes kissed. And all the while, "more, more, more," says the baby. This book will make you happy to be a parent.

11 Weeks To Go And Counting

Baby and I are on Week 29 of pregnancy. What this means since we last talked about pregnancy changes:
-my neck started getting darker at the onset of my 7th month, I know ! =(
-my belly became undeniably rounder (Baby is about 3 1/2 lbs by now, but his weight will still double in 11 weeks time, so we still have a long way to go!)
-more pronounced kicks (baby kicks throughout the day, mostly after I eat and when I am getting ready for bed. Also when his Pappy, yes, that's how L wants to be called, talks to him. The baby is amazing, he recognizes L's voice and flutters around when L talks to him. It is LOVE.)
-I suddenly had swelling of my fingers, or edema, which is due to the volume of blood brought about by the pregnancy. ( No worries as I am still able to drive to and from work).

****
I made us (L and I) busy by mounting the task of moving to another unit while our own unit is being redecorated. It took 3 months of planning but the big furniture and fixtures I bought four years ago are gone and will no longer see its place in our tiny place. Think minimal, think space savings. That's going to be the new mantra. (Wish us luck). They are going to be replaced by custom-made furniture to fit the space of the tiny home, designed to make use of the space. Thanks to an interior designer who fully understands our vision for the space (and a really kind contractor). We will post some pictures once the unit is done. We are excited! As L puts it, I find many ways to busy myself when I'm supposed to keep steady while on the last 2 months of my pregnancy. I told him I can't help it, and want the best for the three of us. Who would not want to settle in a place that is organized, more spacious, well-lighted, with everything in its place, and most especially, where one can cook with a decent kitchen?

****

The other thing we love doing together on weekends after attending our birth class sessions is looking around Mothercare and other baby shops. At 7 months, we allowed ourselves to already shop for Little Buddy. The thing is, we still haven't figured out the essentials. There are so many cute things lying around it can get distracting.

Here is a rundown of what the experts are saying we will be needing.

Source: www.whattoexpect.com

Buy It Yourself

These are the bare essentials to have on hand even before your baby shower — since babies keep to their own schedules, and sometimes (surprise!) they come early. So at the very least you want to be sure you’ve got an infant car seat for your new baby to go home in and a place for her to sleep. Other buy-it-yourself gifts, like the breast pump, are usually considered too personal for others to purchase for you.

* Baby-furniture basics (crib, changing station, bassinet)
-Somebody promised Louie we will get a playpen. Is it the kind that's crib/playpen convertible? We don't know. My friend said not to buy, so we haven't. Will decide when we've reached that 8th month mark. We will buy a new mattress for the baby, that's for sure. Plus flat, fitted sheet. I already bought a blue blanket (my first baby purchase!).

* Undershirts (aka onesies, in newborn and three-month sizes)
-We were already gifted with 6 sets of onesies+6 pairs of cute little socks, 6 pcs tie-shirts, 3 receiving blankets, 6 pcs of mittens
-Will need to buy muslin squares (lampin), washable diapers, pins for the lampin

* Infant car seat
-Haven't decided to buy yet
* Medical supplies (thermometer, medicine dropper, suction bulb, baby meds)
- Great job from L. He won one during one of our birthing class sessions. The 2 sets was worth over P1500!!
* Breast pump and other nursing accessories (like pillows, nipple cream)
-Medela (P22000) or Pigeon manual (P4000)? Lanolin nipple cream a must I hear. I have to attend the breastfeeding 101 from Medela first. I am new at this and didn't anticipate there were so many options for baby care, baby needs, not to mention a nursing mother's needs, but the question is which are the ones necessary?
* Bottles and nipples (even if you plan on breastfeeding, you’ll want someone to give your baby the occasional bottle so you can take a break!)
- L didn't want me to buy Avent's starter kit yet because he said I will breastfeed. We will buy this once sister comes from KSA. We will shop together. Wink, wink. Of course we will need bottles! Sister promised to gift me with a sterilizer.
* Diaper-rash cream, baby lotion, shampoo
- None of this bought yet. Sister gave me a huge petroleum jelly to avoid diaper rash.


Ask Your Family For

These big-ticket items are a great way for new grandparents to start spoiling their new grandchild. (Note: Ahhh, our parents will find other ways of spoiling Little Buddy, they will help in the first few months of our baby's arrival, yey!)

* Stroller
-L's assignment. So far we are looking at Quinny from Mothercare. The whole stroller, pushcart, baby infant seat, traveller's set overwhelms me, I leave the choice up to the hubby.
* Play yard
- The good news is if the gift is not a crib, we'll have a playpen ready. (yey)
* High chair
-Really? Ok maybe not yet.
* Stationary entertainer/Exersaucer
-What is this??
* Swing
-Really??


What Your Close Friends Will Probably Love Buying
Count on your friends for things that are stylish, useful, and guaranteed to get a big Aww! or Ooh! when you open the gift at your shower; the cool gizmos you’d love to have but would never buy yourself (hello, wipes warmer); or certificates for babysitters and restaurant dinners to remind you that you’re more than a mom.

* Adorable outfits, bibs, and burp cloths (the cuter the saying, the better!)
* Receiving blankets (we have 3 already. I'd like to have a baby sack so I won't use blanket on Little Buddy at night. )
* Diaper pail
* Baby carrier or sling
-Yes, we want! Where to buy?
* Bouncy seat
- Ha? What is this??
* Bottle warmer/bottle rack/bottle brush/insulated bottle bag
* Bathtub, wash clothes, hooded towels
- Yup, next on our shopping list. EDIT: We bought the Mothercare FLEXIBATH last weekend. It folds neatly and won't take up a lot of space in the bathroom.
* A chic diaper bag (which — get ready — will also double as your purse at least for the first year)
-Done! Our first major purchase. Mothercare's Skip Hop set us at around P4500. L is crazy about utility bags and considers this a good buy. Ok with me :). EDIT: Sister gifted me with another one. So now I have 2 diaper bags.
* Mobiles
* DVDs to keep you entertained (and awake) during those nighttime feedings
* Babysitter/restaurant gift-certificates for a parents’ night out. (No need friends).


Crazy, right?

So on our shopping list:

-lampin, pins for the lampin. (Mothercare's muslin squareds cost P1500 for 12 sets. Will definitely go to SM)
-Washable diapers. This set will cost us P3K. Better compare with SM first or look at multiply sites.
-Avent starter set (bottles).
-lanolin cream
-bath set (DONE!)
-Breast pump (undecided on the brand)
-Milk container
-cotton, diapers, cotton buds
-stroller
-new mattress and bedsheets for the baby

For mommy
-maternity pads
-nursing bra
...and
a yaya!!



We are so excited to see the little one (who by the way has a name, but that is another post)!

Saturdate

Dear Cie,

Because of you, we decided to make sure we get together monthly with S and R.
Because yeah, I was seeing you more than I see them, and they live within a 30-minute drive! So this Saturday, S picked me up, and we went to pick up R from her Magallanes Village home. Except this time, it took us an hour and a half. What the F? Traffic was horrible along Edsa and we were thinking if this was brought about by a concert at MOA. Turns out the Special Pyrolympics started this Saturday. We missed a turn, and we ended up taking the skyway and exiting to NAIA. Dinner was supposedly at Little Tokyo, and by the time we reached the cluster of restaurants there, parking was a problem.
I know, right? The problems of living in Metro Manila.

We chose Nodasho, instead of Izakaya Kikufuji because there was not a single parking slot available in that area. We only got a good look at R's new hairdo when we stepped out of the car- it was a sleeker, shorter version of a bob, and your name came up. S commented that your hair is always changing, from short, to long, to very long, to kulot to kulot na kulot. We were conversing just as if you were there with us. It looked great on her, we tell her. She seemed happier, too.

New job too for her. Her title is now GM- surpassing us all, unless of course, I told everyone, if your title was still Regional Director. That really takes the icing on the cake. But you know us girls, our talks really did not center on the jobs but on the things that truly matter- on relationships, on life. R wants to have a child, and S wants to think hard about this, or in replacement of this if she can't have it. Does she just walk away from the man she loves? Does she compromise? What replaces a child in terms of fulfillment? S wants a child too, did you know that? I thought he was content being a mother of two...dogs. Apparently, he does. Let's talk about this when you get home. What about you? If you're homesick, come home, let's do a Saturdate. I truly enjoyed the last one. It was a quiet, calm Saturday complete with a perfect weather, good enough to sit outside. We ordered tons of food, and enjoyed every morsel of Japanese cooking. The food was excellent although the service was slow, but it made us enjoy our food quietly while conversation free-flowed along with the ocha, or green tea. A small whiff of the yakisoba brought back memories of our Japan days, and yes, the kind of yakisoba that has the red ginger, you remember? S wondered if you had fun with your ex. That food brings you this kind of trip down memory lane. Maybe it was better that you were not there =).

On the other hand, if you were there, maybe we could talk about your Shanghai guy, or why everywhere you go, you always say you are bored. Or why you don't want to settle back home when you miss it so. If you were there, you could have done my makeup, or gone shopping. Heck, we could have gone away for the weekend for that annual outing we do. (Told the guys to do it this year, even if I can't.)

Oh yes, we miss you so. Can we have one Saturdate soon, too?


Love,
A

P.S.
We'll do a pata tim date soon!

Whopee!

You know what keeps me giggling these days?
The tiny kicks I feel in my tummy.
I try to imagine the little boy (or girl) growing inside of me and it's making me feel warm all over.
During our last ultrasound, we were hoping to find out whether our little buddy guess is correct or not, but the baby just wouldn't confirm it. I had to cough, to walk for 30 minutes, but the doctor wasn't sure, and asked us to come back next week. While the baby was being checked (the length of the head, feet, hands, the condition of the liver, pancreas, aorta being checked for congenital abnormalities) we saw his little arm in fist raising up to touch my tummy and I felt it. Now I can associate what that little kick means inside of me. At this stage of pregnancy, there is enough room for our baby to turn his whole body around, and kick his way through. It was both surprising and giddy to feel and see it at the same time!

***



On my 6th month, L and I attended our first childbirth class. You know me, I like taking short classes and I felt that to assuage my fears on child birth, especially the fear of pain, I had to learn more. We are taking Rome Kanapi's childbirth classes on Saturdays at Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park and the only challenge we have so far is waking up early on Saturdays. Tee-hee =).


***

So enough about pregnancy. I am also daydreaming (would you call it that even if I do it only at night?) about our home renovation project. The cost is substantial- enough to commit to long-term benefits, but I really want to do it. One, in preparation for our baby, second, so I can expand our kitchen and enjoy the cooking more. I am liking it more and more, and would love to expand my knowledge there (cooking class next). The operative word being I really want to do it. Of course, I had to ask the hubby, and so far he's been supportive, as I know we will both need his practical side, and I will need to listen. Do we do the flooring, along with the stainless top kitchen? Where do we buy our dining table? What do we delay? What do we need vs what we want? He is so good at explaining being practicality, I promised to listen.

Tee-he he.



***

Lastly, as part of being mature and responsible parents, it's never too late to fix our insurance/investments/joint savings account. All of these we accomplished right on my timeline. Because the last trimester will be about home renovation, preparation for the coming of the baby, and child birth plans.

OC girls, raise your hands!

Ha-ha-ha!



You know you love me,

xoxo

Evolution

As hard it is for me to keep still, I am forced to. Having a baby means taking care of one's body as it becomes a vessel for another life. I learn this as I experienced some spotting on my 18th week. Now I try a little to be still, to slow down, to move less, and to lay down more. Little buddy responds well, meanwhile, life goes on.

Still, oftentimes I'd find myself muttering, why does it have to take so long? Nine months is like a lifetime to hold off on the many things I could be doing (like playing sports to get me closer to my ideal weight, drinking and socializing, eating junk foods whenever I want to, enlisting on adventures with the girls, traveling, and so on). Days are slow to crawl, but when I put my hand on my tummy and think of all the hard work that's happening inside me, with the brain cells forming, ears and toenails growing in proportion, bones and cartilages going stronger, I get it. And yet, I could not fathom it all! I still find it unbelievable how such a miracle of life is bestowed upon me, to give! The image of my baby tumbling and tossing inside me, without my knowledge,nor control is something beyond my comprehension, and I find myself saying over and over again: "How could I ever attempt to control my child's life, when,from inception, he moves on his own free will?"

Also, most of the time, I find my thoughts turn to the visible changes happening to me physically. My body has totally changed, my uterus is growing larger to make room for the baby,while other organs are pushed back; my tummy has jutted out and has extended to the biggest I've ever been. My thighs have grown, as evidenced by a stretch mark that is too late to cry over with. I am hoping my legs are strong enough to carry me in the next four months before I deliver. There are abdominal pains when the uterus stretches, a shooting pain from a pinned nerve in my pelvis, changes in my breasts, changes in sleeping position, and so on.

Tonight, though, I think of the evolution that is happening not just in my body, but also within me.

I am going to be a mother. I think of educational plans, and insurance payments, and possibly, transferring to a house in the next five years. We are on target with our condo redecoration project in preparation for the baby, and are bracing ourselves for major expenses. Still, we have some more major saving to do before 'lil buddy arrives. L and I check each other's spending (yes, we have financial projections for 2011). We agreed to making joint decisions on major purchases. We talk about our goals, including being healthy. We talk about possible changes in our lives when the little one comes. We are excited, anticipating, and are anxious to attend our birthing class next month.

Then it dawned on me, maybe that's why there has to be nine months. We need to prepare for the baby! We need to talk about all this stuff, and before we can do most of this stuff, we need to come to terms with what this new life will bring. We're talking about life-changing, behavior-altering perspectives. Suddenly, time becomes more precious as I weigh about ways to getting my figure back vs the time I'd rather spend with my child (Really? I really thought I could be socializing and losing weight than having this baby all because it's taking nine months??! And because I am gaining weight? But then again, Japanese women begin dieting when they learn they are pregnant. Still, what was I thinking??!!) Suddenly, bonding with my child seems more important than getting right back to my fitness goals. There's no hurry as the priority is to heal after giving birth, and to make sure the baby is healthy. The decision of bikram vs badminton alongside jogging can wait til I have it down pat if breastfeeding is easy or not, or whether L and I can keep up with the night duties, or bless us, if we have found the right yaya!

The April Boracay tickets I booked on the internet while I was on a seat sale rush mode can be rebooked. For now what's more important is the baby is kept in full term (DUH!). The yearly outing with my girl friends can wait, as long as we continue to commit seeing each other once a month, or communicate via email or chats, I can continue to enrich my friendships with our time.

The goals I set for myself, I can re-evaluate--the weight in number,the Europe trip by when, what is being financially secure one year at a time. Instead, I ask this: just who will I be this year when I become a mother? Just who will I be years from now when I reach 40? What kind of mother will I be? What kind of wife will I grow to be? What kind of daughter, sister and boss will I be as I begin to juggle this many roles with being a mother.

It makes me feel alive to know I can rewrite the pages in my life one day at a time. This evolution is happening right now, and I am grateful for recognizing this moment.

Same Day Edit: Pat Dy Photography

Sharing with you the fondest memories of our special day.
Photography by: Pat Dy
Video by: Bordoy Viterbo