Thoughts of a First-Time Mom-to-be

Before I got pregnant, I was involved with my sister-in-law’s pregnancy. We were always with them every other week. She went on with her usual activities, still driving to and fro her office, even until her 9^th month. She ate a lot and gained weight even during her first trimester. So I thought,” I hope I won’t have a hard time with my future pregnancy, just like her”.

But I had a hard time. A really hard time. I had a threatened abortion and had to take medicines that made me acidic. I had to rest, but couldn’t lie down for a long time due to acid reflux (acidity going up my throat when I lie down). I was throwing up so regularly I was developing a personal relationship with our master toilet. I couldn’t eat a lot, because I would get bloated and acidic and throw it all up anyway. I’m supposed to relax and not get stressed, but how could I, when I even have to get up in the middle of the night to rendezvous with the toilet. And the biggest thing of all – I had to take a 1 month leave without pay, just when I need the budget for my medicines and checkups. The ironies of my condition were endless.

So in all honesty, I couldn’t feel “happy” during those times. I feel guilty when I realize that all that was in my mind were my discomforts. Of course, at the back of my head I knew a miracle was happening, a gift was given to us, but I couldn’t feel totally joyous about it – not with my mind trying to control my nausea for the most part of the day. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t sulking and questioning God why I had to get pregnant, because I did pray and wish for it. I wanted to get pregnant, I just didn’t really “feel” pregnant – I felt like someone who had acute gastroenteritis. Especially since my abdomen wasn’t showing yet.

Then I woke up one morning sometime towards my 3^rd month. I realized my tummy wasn’t aching with acidity that much. I started to feel hope that this was it, I was starting to get over the drama. But after a few days, I found myself making friends with our office toilet – so I start wondering, what the heck is going on? I thought I was over this already?

So I started to get into a funk again, about why I was still feeling all these, when I realized that, hey, didn’t I manage to sleep a bit better last night? Hey, didn’t the frequency of my nausea go down? Hey, didn’t my acidity somehow lessen? Hey, wasn’t I generally feeling better than before? I started becoming positive, seeing my improvements and thanking Papa Jesus that this was better than before. It was at this point that things started to look up.

Now in my 17^th week, though I am still not allowed to travel as I used to, and I still throw up once in a while, and I still get bloated and acidic and have recently developed an annoying after taste. But I feel happier, I have more appetite, and my tummy is showing – making me realize that a little one is really growing inside me. My officemates have been very supportive, always watching out for me and reprimanding me, understanding my absences.

But the greatest feeling of all is seeing the baby, MY baby, inside my womb, squirming and jerking and changing positions. Although the ultrasound still wasn’t able to determine the gender of our baby, the more important aspect was the fetal biometry – in layman’s terms, the baby’s vital statistics. Thank God, that despite my sensitive pregnancy, my baby’s growth is on time, right on schedule. The size of the head, the abdomen and the length are all normal for his/her age. I still haven’t felt a kick or a punch yet, it may take more weeks for that, but seeing that everything is normal gave me relief beyond measure. We really thank God for that.

I realized that seeing my baby healthy even just through ultrasound suddenly made everything I went through worthwhile… how much more when I get to meet him/her in person next year? Our worlds will probably turn upside down, the unica hija now with the unica niña who has been loved from the moment the second pink line appeared… :D

And they really HAD to make it to NY Times....but what about the others?

http://www.starmometer.com/2009/10/01/cristine-reyes-and-richard-gutierrez-make-it-to-the-new-york-times/

I'm sorry guys, I just have to react on this. I know it's hardly the time to have negative feelings about other people, but I also believe in giving credit where credit is due.

So lemme make this short.

I agree that stars saving other stars is worth media coverage -- especially since it makes everyone realize that in calamities like these, there are no rich, poor, popular celebrities nor D-list wannabes. Everyone is equal in times of danger and crisis.

However, I also firmly believe that stars saving ordinary people are all the more newsworthy. Popular actors almost unrecognizable with the waters reaching up their mouths, hollering to their neighbors to check if they are ok, braving flood waters without motored transport, saving people and animals alike, tying ropes as make shift anchors lest they be carried away by the current... I think they all the more deserve appreciation.

So, ok, the more popular make it to New York Times... How I wish they included the more heroic too...


God bless us all, and may we continue the spirit of compassion and sharing amongst us...

Infanticipating

July 14: Wondering, "Where'd my period go? I already had spotting, didn't I? Where is it now?"

July 17: Staring intently at the home pregnancy test, "Do I see a second line? Is that a second line? I think it is a second line! OMIGOD OMIGOD OMIGOD!"

July 22: First TransV Ultrasound. Sonologist: "You're around 5 wks pregnant, but see this spot here? That's not supposed to be there. That's blood inside your uterus. There's minimal subchorionic hemorrhage -- this is a sign of miscarriage. I suggest you go back to your OB immediately, she might recommend you to rest."

And the next 4 weeks were therefore spent at home -- coupled with increased hyperacidity, flatulence, nausea and actual throwing up.

Morning sickness proved to be an All Day sickness, necessitating frequent bouts with the Master Toilet. Never in my life have I had a closer relationship with a ceramic bowl until this. All medications stopped, hoping to tame the nausea and hyperacidity. TUMS and Kremil only serving to neutralize the top layer of acidity.

But the one silver lining amidst this ordeal is hearing my baby's heartbeat through the doppler -- a confirmation that yes, a little one is growing in my tummy!

Krispy Kreme Drive Thru!

Yesss. Krispy Kreme drive thru. Jemmi's idea. Didn't believe it until I saw it. It was my first time to drive thru a doughnut shop!

Here's the entrance that says Drive Thru :D


And here's the drink selection, and the doughnuts by the dozens

And here's the doughnut selection. My personal favorite is Hershey's special dark chocolate. I bought New York Cheesecake for my hubby :)


Cool huh!

The only un-cool thing was the car before us changed their orders several times -- to the point that they actually gave back 2 of the 3 boxes they already had... jeez... in fact, one passenger actually got out of the car and transacted in the window, making it look like a sari-sari store. Excuse me, drive thru nga eh! :D Ocge na nga, at least I got my dark chocolate doughnut, and Jemmi had her chocolate covered chocolate cake or something like that (that I finished for her... yummy!!!)

Save or Splurge? Cosmetics 101 (Part III of III)

Foundation = Splurge! The best beauty brands are the ones that offer foundation in a variety of non-irritating shades that suit every woman's natural skintone.

Concealer = Splurge! Unfortunately, those cheap concealers don't cover your flaws as naturally as the expensive ones.

Powder = Save and splurge! For daily wear, you'll do fine with cheap grocery face powders, but for special events, you need to use long lasting powders offered by more pricey brands.

Source: Belle de Jour Power Planer 2009

Save or Splurge? Cosmetics 101 (Part II of III)

(Part 2 of a 3-part series)


Blush = Save! There are so many choices out there, so it actually boils down to proper application and blending.

Lipstick = Save or splurge! As long as the formula is non-drying and non-irritating, then the choice of shade and brand is up to you.

Lip Gloss = Save! Most of them contain the same ingredients, anyway.

Source: Belle de Jour Power Planer 2009

Save or Splurge? Cosmetics 101 (Part I of III)

For lack of proper knowledge in cosmetics, these simple tips from my trusty Belle de Jour Power Planner prove to be practical and useful ones. Read on.

Save or Splurge?

Eyeshadow = Save! If you don't have enough money to buy designer brands, then go for the cheaper alternatives. Just make sure the eyeshadow formula is not chalky. That's what testers are for. Apply it on your hand or arm. If it feels rough and uncomfortable, then try another brand.

Mascara = Save and Splurge! If all you need is daily mascara that you can easily remove, then opt for cheap ones that come with a small brush size. For parties and nights out, spend on waterproof volumizing mascara.

Eyeliner = Splurge! While there are a lot of cheap brands that are good enough for daily wear, you need to invest in branded eyeliners that are gentle on your eye area and don't smudge easily.

Source: Belle de Jour Power Planer 2009

(hmmm... So that's why I keep getting eyeliner smudges... Ok will be looking for branded ones na... sigh...)

Till next :D

Ciao!