BABY

Ruther took this cute photo. :D

BEEN GONE FOR SO LONG

I know. I've disappeared from the face of the earth again. I just had so much on my mind (not in a good way) it's a miracle I didn't develop a split personality (yet). I don't know if it's the hormones, the unknown future or whatever uncertainties I have but I just lost track of my blogging life. Which I miss now.

Anyway, before anything else, I just want to say, I MISSED YOU! Okay... updates.

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I'm still pregnant. And it's weird because I thought I was due in October but apparently I miscalculated and according to the 3 ultrasound tests I had, I'm due sometime September 10 or 11 (first utz said Sept 10, second was Sept 11 and the third Sept 10 - so I guess it's going to be a September baby). This means given a few weeks we'll be seeing our baby. The gender, you ask? Well, we're all wondering about that too. Because the baby's legs were so tightly folded and closed the doctors couldn't tell. Which means, we have to wait a few more days before finding out if we're having a girl (at last!) or a boy (again!). Anyway, other than that, the baby is perfectly fine. Been kicking and moving a lot though and I have to go to the bathroom to pee like every 30 minutes which is pretty bothersome because I'm really not a bathroom person. My tummy is so big too. Can't imagine it being this big before but then again, I may be suffering from "pregnancy amnesia". Here's a photo Ruther took of me a few weeks ago...



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It's been raining a lot these days which is a relief from the heat, definitely. I am loving the cool weather and so glad that the summer is waaay over. Just have to be wary of mosquitoes though. Don't want the boys to have dengue or some sickness. A friend of mine had to have her son confined at a hospital because of dengue. And she said that she never imagined it would happen to them. We just have to be real careful, I suppose.

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I finally finished my TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) course! Yay! That's another reason why I didn't have time to blog. I wanted to accomplish everything without procrastinating and I did it! Now I could rest easy. I've been browsing the 'net for some jobs in Japan for wannabes like me and hopefully, after I give birth I could try that. Who knows, I might get hired. I really wouldn't want to try it here in Manila because the pay is so measly. It's like 1/6 of what I would be getting if I work in Japan. It just would not be worth it being away from the kids and earning so little. Of course, I have to talk this over with Ruther but with the way our finances are heading, I just can't sit around anymore. It's scary and I know it's going to be tough but I guess I gotta do what I gotta do...

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It's so hard picking baby names!! Ruther and I have been picking our brains trying to come up with nice possibilities and it's giving me a headache! We do have ideas but it's pretty hard when we have no idea what the sex of the baby is yet. So we're just trying to pick the best ones and maybe decide once we know for sure. It was a breeze picking Nikki's and Ethan's names!

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I started preparing my hospital bag and the baby's bag too. Ruther has been paranoid about getting things ready. He wasn't with me when I gave birth to Nikki at the hospital (he was in Saudi Arabia then) and when I delivered Ethan, he was with me but we had it at a lying-in clinic. So this will be the first time for him to have the birthing at a hospital and although it's only 7 minutes away, he wants everything ready. I'm hoping that this time around there won't be any problems with the birthing and we'll be able to bring the baby home very soon. Nikki and Ethan had to stay a few days longer at the hospital because Nikki had some blood problems and Ethan had to take antibiotics. Am hoping now, it would be a different story...

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I have decided to try to breastfeed the baby. I was unsuccessful with Nikki and Ethan but now, I want to try it out. I'm saying "try" because I don't want to promise to be successful in this endeavor. I might eat my words later on. Anyway, I have been reading on it and have already learned so much. I have yet to read my second breastfeeding book and hopefully that will be very informative as well. I have some friends who are breastfeeding their kids and are willing to help me and provide me with tips and advice and I know I'm going to need their assistance. So yeah, I'm pretty excited! :D

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It's wonderful having Ruther with me while I'm experiencing this pregnancy. He was not with me at all when I had Nikki and he only experienced the last few weeks of my pregnancy with Ethan because he had a project in Japan then. But this time, it's nice to see him interact with the baby by talking and rubbing my tummy. I guess the baby senses it because it moves around so much when we talk to it or when we rub the bumps on my tummy. So cute. Even Ethan is warming up to it. At first he couldn't care any less (especially when my sis would ask him, "Where's the baby?") but once he started feeling the movement, he became quite interested. So now he rubs and kisses my tummy a lot. Can't wait to see the boys with the newborn in a few weeks' time! :D

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Oh yeah, Ethan turned 7 last June 12 and I am now 34 (my birthday was last July 10). Ruther and I also got to celebrate our 10th year anniversary last June 11. Just some of the celebrations we got to experience recently. :D

BEEN AGES

You must possibly hate me by now.

I've been so terribly busy these past 3 weeks. Mama's helper went home to the province so I have to do most of the cooking, the cleaning and washing, not to mention homeschooling and then studying myself to finish my TEFL (Teach English as Foreign Language) course. So it's been crazy and hectic but at least it's kept me busy until now. May has been such a terrible month weather-wise. Most of the time we spend the day downstairs in the boys' room where the heat is less suffocating. But some days we just can't not use the AC even for an hour or so. The boys have been coughing somewhat which worries me but hopefully, a change in the weather and some Vitamin C will remedy that. I really wouldn't want them getting sick. Anyway, a few more days and May will be over!! Summer will be over! OMG! Am so happy!

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Ruther was supposed to be home on the 29th (Saturday). But because there have been delays in the handover, it was moved to June 4. Of course I was bummed about it! My hormonal self just had to have a tantrum because of this but what else could I do? I suppose I should be glad it's only for a week. But still! Ruther reassured me that once it was over we'd have uninterrupted time together. As much as that gives me hope, I just can't trust the future...

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My pregnancy is going along nicely. I no longer have headaches as frequently as before which is a relief and I don't get nauseous. My appetite has normalized (meaning, less crazy cravings) but because of my busy schedule I haven't had much time to exercise. I just hope I don't look too FAT these days. The baby has been moving around a lot. I could easily feel it from time to time. We still don't know the sex of the baby because I would still want to get the ultrasound when Ruther is with me. So we might know finally by June. Still hoping it's a girl...

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I've been so conflicted these past weeks. I don't know if I should enrol Nikki in regular school or continue homeschooling him. I would still want to HS of course but I worry about his lack of interaction with other kids his age (am not talking about socialization because that's a different story). Ruther said having a playgroup might increase his interpersonal skills. And I could see that but the problem is, the boys don't have cousins and relatives of the same age don't live nearby. It wasn't like when I was growing up, I lived with my grandmother and my cousins lived there too and after school we would all get together and just play until we were good and dirty. Anyway, I've decided to enrol Nikki in a once-a-week homeschool coop class which starts next month. I decided to pick Arts and Music first and hopefully he'll enjoy it and learn to make friends. Am keeping my fingers crossed...

SIZZZZLING...

It's been SO TERRIBLY HOT this summer and I really hate it. And yes, I mean "hate". It isn't pleasant at all being pregnant in this weather. I just wish summer would end already so the rainy season would bring some relief from all this heat!! I have been showering 4 times a day just to keep cool and to keep my headaches at bay. The boys spend mornings and afternoons in their pool and I don't blame them. We can't use the AC anymore because our electricity bill is horrendous! P8,800 for this month!! Imagine that?!?! I can't imagine where the consumption happens but it's just atrocious!!

We would happily spend time in a mall just to stay away from the summer heat but that only means more expense (who goes to the mall without spending for food or stuff?!). Sigh. I absolutely hate summer. And I hate El Nino. And I hate global warming!

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Last night, I met up with some of my High School friends and their families. Out of the blue, Glenda SMS'd me and asked if we could have a get together because our classmate Irene is in Manila for a few days (she lives in Cebu). I said yes after telling Ruther about it. Glenda picked me and the boys up at a nearby mall and we headed for SM Mall of Asia. We ate at a seafood restaurant and even if there were only 6 of us, Glenda, Ritza, Irene, Jasmin Abbie and myself, it was a lot of fun and we were all so noisy (as usual). Anyway, after dinner we strolled for a bit by the bay and took photos. This is the first time I've met up with my friends after so long (excluding Glenda who I see yearly). It was really great. I hope to see more of them again. :)

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My pregnancy is going along fine. Except for the bothering heat, I'm coping quite well. I could definitely feel the baby kicking and it kicks a lot! Am still hoping for a girl. I still want to be pretty. My friends last night all gushed that they hope we would have a girl and I feel the same way. I just think it would be wonderful. I lost my cravings this month, but who knows later on? Ethan is starting to kiss my tummy and to acknowledge that we're going to have a baby later on. I think that's good. So he's prepared and wouldn't think, "where did this baby come from?" He's a jealous guy. He sometimes doesn't want me and Ruther to hold hands!! Silly boy. :D Anyway, a few more weeks and then we'd finally know...

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I am so hating politics in the Philippines. I just think it's so crooked. You don't know whom to trust and once election's over promises are forgotten. That's why I'm staying out of all the election fever. And I'm not voting either. I'm not registered (we were in Japan when the registration took place) and besides, I don't have a candidate in mind. I know it's very apathetic but I really don't give a @*#^.

EARTH HOUR 2010

I'm starting to get used to my pregnant belly. I know it's only going to be so much bigger in the next few months and who knows if I could even walk properly by then (I believe it's called waddling) but since this is going to be my last pregnancy I want to savor every moment of it.

I already started having some back pains which will only worsen later on (had that problem with the past 2 pregnancies) and am still having headaches (like now) which are no fun at all. Still, a small price to pay for helping a life grow inside me for 9 months.

Sometimes, when I'm not doing anything, I just rub my tummy and imagine I'm actually touching the baby inside. Sometimes I could feel tiny movements. Really tiny. If I was not pregnant before I would think it was something strange but I know it's the baby moving. The sonologist (during my first ultrasound) told me that I would not feel the movement for a few more weeks but I know what I felt and I was not imagining it nor was I intentionally thinking of the baby. I just felt it suddenly. I can't wait for Ruther to come home and feel the baby move. I'm sure he'd be psyched!

Oh and yeah, I'm still hoping it's a girl. :P

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Did you get to observe Earth Hour? We did. I bought some candles and we formed a 60 on the table representing the 60 minutes of no lights. Oh yeah, we have photos. :D




























I know some people think that Earth Hour is lame but I'm just glad that people from all over the world are willing to forget their differences and for one hour be united in taking part in this event. I only wish that every day is an Earth Hour day. That would be so wonderful.

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My favorite aunt is coming in June! Well, she's not actually my aunt really but Ruther's. But she's still my favorite. I know I wrote several posts about Tita Nicki (who is from Australia) and she just announced recently on her Facebook profile that she'll be coming to the Philippines! What's more, she'll be staying for a year!! That is so great! It will be so wonderful to have her here again. I missed her a lot these past months and have been calling her sometimes for advice or just when I need a shoulder to cry on. She's been so fantastic. She's been a wonderful second mom to me. I just can't wait to see her!! Ohh! Wait til she sees my tummy! :D

EVERYTHING BABY

Now that I've seen the baby through ultrasound I can't deny it any more. I can't say "It was probably a false positive" or like in Glee, "it might be a hysterical pregnancy". Nope. Can't deny it any longer. A baby is growing inside me and in a few months, we'll have another addition to the family.

Of course I'm still hoping it's going to be a girl. If I can't admit that to myself then I suppose I'm simply deluded. I just think it would be wonderful to have a baby girl in the family, you know. And it would great to finally be pretty during a pregnancy. Having two boys did weird things to my face while I was pregnant. Really weird.

Anyway, I've started buying some onesies (and mittens) for the baby. Just 4 pieces though coz I still have some of Nikki and Ethan's baby clothes. I've yet to see how many we have at the moment and I'm sure we'll still be getting more later on (in the form of presents). It would be great to dress the baby with cute clothes if it turns out to be a girl. Just imagine the possibilities. :D

I have to plan ahead and check what other baby things we have in the house. We still have a couple of strollers, baby blankets, cloth diapers, but we gave away the crib years before. No matter. I'm sure the baby will be sleeping with us on the bed. I know that in some places this is a no-no but believe me, in the Philippines, it's a natural thing to do. I've had Nikki and Ethan sleep with Ruther and me on the bed and no harm has come to them. I just hope the baby won't be fussy...

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I've started crocheting again. I've already made a baby beret and I hope it'll fit the baby's head. I started making a swaddling blanket but ran out of crochet yarn (I need 4 more) so that's on hold for now. I'm now making a onesie and so far it's progressing nicely. Will post photos when I'm done with some of my crochet projects.

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Ruther tells me that he'll be home May 29. It seems not too far along but it feels like such a long time. Sigh.

FIRST GLIMPSE

Today I went to a nearby diagnostics clinic to have my tests done. I called beforehand to find out the schedule so I was at the clinic a little past 4pm.

I had to wait for a few minutes before I was called into the doctor's office. The radiologist asked me the usual questions: age, last menstrual period, etc. then we proceeded to the ultrasound room. Instead of getting a transvaginal ultrasound, he told me that a pelvic one would suffice since I seem to be more than 10 weeks along (rough estimate). So, I lay on the bed and got ready. After a few minutes of checking out the important things: placenta, fluid, etc, he showed me the baby. It was really cool. The baby was sitting upright (breech position) but the doctor told me that could change later on as it grows. I saw its head, its arms, its body, its tiny heart beating away, its legs and I got so overwhelmed. It was like the first pregnancy all over again. I wanted to cry but of course, not wanting to look like a fool and alarming the radiologist, I just concentrated on the monitor. I asked the doctor if it was moving and he said yeah. He then showed me. And did it move! I was relieved of course. After informing me that everything seemed normal and okay, I thanked the doctor and left the room. Back at the waiting area, I messaged Ruther and told him about the experience. Of course, I was sad that once again, he wasn't here to share the experience with me. It would have been so great for us to have seen the baby together for the first time. But he did promise that when he comes home in May, I'll have another ultrasound and we'll see the baby together then.

Anyway, after that, I had to wait for a few more minutes before having my blood extracted for testing. I needed tests for CBC and HBs-Ag. The extraction didn't hurt at all. I guess it's good I have a high pain threshold. I needed a urinalysis too and that wasn't too hard because I now have the constant urge to pee. Anyway, I was out of the clinic at around 545pm. Since I didn't get a transvaginal ultrasound (which costs P850), I only paid P945 for everything, which is pretty reasonable. The pelvic ultrasound cost P450, CBC was P175, urinalysis P100, and HBsAg screening P270.

And here are the ultrasound photos: