Wow, can't believe it's been more than THREE months since I last posted an update here about my pregnancy... Can you guys believe I'm almost FULL-TERM now?? I'm on my 36th-37th week! Even I can't fully grasp it... So overwhelming!
To be honest it's been a bit whirlwind during my Second and now my Third Trimester. To give you a quick recap, I am now back home in Manila. I got here a month ago for the delivery. Honey is here with me and Baby.
For the past week, I wasn't able to take off my wedding and engagement bands. I wear them on the same left ring finger, and truth is I hardly take them off even at night. I would say I take them off at least Thrice a month only when I feel like letting my finger breathe.. This is why I'm not sure how long has it been since my fingers got so SWOLLEN due to the pregnancy, that I wasn't able to take the rings off last week!
I've always had delicate "candle-like" fingers. I know I sound vain but it's true. It's always been one of my assets, even my nails have these natural white French tips often mistaken for a fab manicure (added to my long thin fingers) so I don't feel like I have much need for nail polish. I remember one friend telling me, "Maganda pala kamay mo noh... Sana naging kamay ka nalang!" Hahahah :P Twas so funny but so true. My smugness is one of the main reasons why I didn't listen when my flatmate told me to take off my rings while I could, since her fingers got too big when she was pregnant that she almost could not take 'em off. I was stubborn and too confident that mine won't get THAT big. Plus I feel like I'm naked without my rings; I've worn them everyday since we got engaged, then married, years ago!
So anyway, moment of truth. Last week I just felt like taking them off, but lo and behold, it didn't work! I tried some soap and lotion, but still nothing! I felt my heart picking up a beat but tried to calm down. I thought I'd sleep on it and try again in the morning, coz I thought fingers must be like feet; they get bigger at the end of the day (which is why it's best to buy shoes in the evening, or so they say)..
The next morning I tried the soap and lotion trick again, but NOTHING! I then started researching online, typing in HOW TO TAKE OFF RINGS ON SWOLLEN FINGERS DURING PREGNANCY, and I got TONS of suggestions! Apparently its really common problem, and I got so worried coz some of those women resorted to cutting off their rings! NO WAY! I know our wedding and engagement rings are not worth millions or that expensive, but they mean SO MUCH to both of us, and I wouldn't trade them for the biggest diamonds EVER! Honey bought my beautiful 18K white gold engagement ring with a small precious diamond safely snug at the center, at that time when he was earning almost nothing...
my engagement ring
And our wedding bands are exactly what we've both wanted; no fuss, simple, no stones, just unique cuts in two-tone 18K white and yellow gold, and engraved with our names (his on mine and mine on his), our wedding dates and a small cross to keep Christ in our center.. They were our dream wedding rings. Just thinking about cutting them off, even if we could possibly find a jeweller who could put them back, gives me shivers. I feel like it's bad luck or something. No way I'm gonna let that happen.
our wedding bands
Some women suggested Vaseline (which I tried), oil (which I tried), and Windex (I wanted to try this but do we even have that here in Dubai??). Then one said her fingers got less swollen after one and a half hour of dipping in a cold pool. While others said they held frozen vegetables in their hands. Apparently the cold helps, so since we had no pool or something, I put my hands in water filled with blocks of ice for one and a half hour. The cold hurt like hell but still DID NOT WORK! In fact I think they got even worse! :(
I found this link on youtube, where they used ClingWrap and butter... It looked messy but promising I just had to try it..
Unfortunately, as happy as I am with this fellow pregnant lady, her solution did not work for me. I almost cried after trying this. Literally. Coz I kept on thinking, how come it worked for her and not for me??
By that point it was already almost evening (please take note I've been trying to take off my rings since the night before, almost 24 hours now), I just thought to myself I would stop obsessing about it and just let a few days pass by. This was honey's suggestion actually. He told me that the constant pressure made my finger more swollen and that we should wait out a few days before trying again, just to calm down the swell. And since I've gotten used to wearing them everyday, plus it wasn't hurting yet, I agreed.
This all happened a week ago, and everyday for the past week I would find myself staring at my rings and wondering how we were gonna take them off. Sometimes at night I would stare at my fingers with despair... I really did not want to cut those rings off! I got worried they would get bigger everyday and we would have no choice...
The good news was, it did look like the swell was wearing off for the past few days.. I would touch my finger and feel that it was getting softer, and felt no more pain from the swell. Honey would comfort me and tell me that it was growing back to its normal size and just be patient. Finally this morning, as soon as I woke up, I just had to try it. Hon was telling me he found something on the internet which used DENTAL FLOSS, and that it looked like the best way to take off the rings. And he said he was gonna try it for me. So I woke him up and told him it was time.
What we did was lather tons of lotion and Vaseline into my finger, and then he put in this sewing thread inside the wedding ring. Then when it was already in , he wrapped the rest of the thread into the space nearest to the bands, basically thinning out my finger bit by bit to make the ring fit easier while he tugs it off. He did this so patiently, twisting and turning the ring, while pulling and tugging the thread slowly but surely. I was trying my best to relax and not look at my finger coz I could see it was getting BLUE again :(... I knew that if I panicked it might get more swollen. I could feel we were making some progress, and kept on coaxing hon that I could feel the ring moving, though it hurt like hell (small price to pay!).. We did this for at least 15minutes I think, and finally I could feel my ring slowly getting to my knuckle which was definitely a good sign. Until finally, VOILA, it got OFF!!! I couldn't believe it!
The engagement ring was so much easier to take off after the wedding ring, and I couldn't stop kissing and thanking hon. I don't know how he did it but he really IS amazing! Sometimes I really don't know what I will do without him! My rings are now safely kept away, and I will put them on again after the delivery. Whew!
sausage finger! ewww! :D
Word of advice to fellow pregnant women out there, TAKE OFF YOUR RINGS WHILE YOU CAN! Don't wait up to the last minute. Don't be stubborn or Mrs-Know-It-All like me. Trust me. You wouldn't want to go through the same dilemma like I did. I'm sure you won't even dream of cutting off your rings! Just take 'em off! :)
Today (last night actually) was one of the most exhilirating moments of my life. We finally went for our Anomaly Scan, and I'm telling you I was just too moody the whole day! I was so grumpy and acting like a total prima donna I almost felt sorry for hon (kaso pinapatulan nya din ako eh haha :P) Anyway I knew it was because I was so scared of the upcoming scan, too worried that something might be wrong with our baby... In the end I prayed sooooo hard and lifted it all up to God during our afternoon Mass. And prayers really do work wonders. The Homily was all about believing in God without seeing any proof (Doubting Thomas Gospel), and it really tore at my heart. I could feel God was speaking to me that everything was gonna be alright.
When we finally got to the clinic, I was a bit more calm but still trying to compartmentalize by thinking of other stuffs while waiting for our turn at the Ultrasound Room. We actually were planning to find out our baby's gender through lotsa fun ways, but in the end we both agreed we just wanted to know, and orchestrating those complicated (although admittedly more fun ways) just added more tension to my already "too-imaginative" mind. We just wanted to know, and in the end I just really want to have a safe and healthy baby.
The sonographer was a very kind and cheerful woman, and she gave me such reassurances and made light of the whole situation we couldn't help but like her! She kept on repeating that "baby's fine," and "baby's happy", that I really felt so much better :) She even joked that since she's touched me now no harm will come to me and to my baby anymore :)
Here are some cute videos captured by Daddy... :) I was crying like a nervous wreck but baby was sooooo naughty and playful!!! Manang-mana sa ama nya! :)
In the end, the sonographer told us that baby was 60-70% GIRL.... But she was so uncertain that we did not know what to feel! So she told us to come back the next night and she would try to find out baby's gender again without any additional payment...Told yah she was very kind!
But you know what, just seeing our baby so healthy and so safe and so happy.... It was enough to make us feel so thankful and soooo grateful to God!!! This was us after the scan, so high with love for our cute wriggly baby!
I am writing this quick post while getting ready for work. I just have to fill you in on my most recent encounter with our little angel..
The other night something woke me up. I felt some sort of light scratch from the insides of my belly. I sat up and thought to myself I must be hungry; must be my stomach rumbles. But there it was again. And I definitely was NOT hungry. So I just laid down again back to bed and fell to sleep wondering, "Was it you, baby??"
The problem is I am a first-time Mom. I have absolutely no idea if that was indeed baby's tiny kicks. I shared this to hubby the next morning and he was so upset I didn't wake him up, pout and all, hehe.. But I clarified of course that I'm not even sure at all if it was baby indeed. When I got to work, I told a colleague about it during break and she confirmed to me that it must be my baby. After all I am 20 weeks pregnant now, and the only thing is I have had no previous experience to compare the strange sensation to. But describing it to her and her being a mom of two herself, she said only I will know. And suddenly I had tears in my eyes... Coz in my heart, I knew... It really was our baby E. I felt the first baby movements. And I felt so humbled and so blessed to experience the magic of all of it...
That evening at work I was coaxing baby to make me feel some more. I called E to tell him about it and he was so happy :) He said I better make sure to wake him up next time! I kept on whispering sweet nothings to our baby while I was on idle time at my desk, and guess what?? At around 730pm, I felt that same flutter again.. And I just sat there with glazed eyes and I know my mouth was forming a small O, out of amazement... I definitely wasn't hungry (been eating snacks and bits at my desk the whole evening), and it was the same thing I felt the night before. Like small pitter-patter and teeny tiny scratch of someone trying to get my attention. I knew it was our baby...
All of this new emotions welling up inside me, I'm not prepared for it.. I am too happy!!!! Oh God I cannot wish for baby to start kicking big ones inside me, so that honey can feel 'em... So he/she really is ok, growing up so well! I am so proud and so thankful...
Today I'm officially 19 weeks (based on my OB at home), or 20 weeks (based on my OB here). I've gotten used to the confusing due dates coz this is just one tiny teeny hiccup I have to get used to. I mean, hello, it's quite common for women to give birth WEEKS ahead of their due dates, some even do so on their 7th Month! So I really don't want to dwell on this little detail. Therefore, yup I'm 19-20 Weeks today. :) Meaning I may have officialy entered my Second Trimester. :P
What I really want to talk about on this milestone of a day is that fact which everyone seems to be waiting for right from the start. Are we having a Boy or a Girl? If I could count the number of times I've been asked that question and convert it to Dirhams, we'll probably have a full Nursery by now hahahah :P Everyone seems to have a mystic way of knowing my baby's gender. Let me just give you a few examples.
Some people base my baby E's gender with how big or how round my tummy is; if I'm carrying it high, it's a Boy, if I'm carrying it a bit low, it's a Girl; although some say my tummy is too round and not pointed so it's DEFINITELY a Girl; lotsa weird touches in my belly there! I've also been asked countless times how I'm dealing with the pregnancy (some say since I've been feeling mostly OK since I got past the first three months it's a Boy, but others say since it's completely no Fuss for me it's a Girl!). My most favorite criterion? When people base my little angel's gender on how I look, coz I always get the same answer there: apparently I'm "blooming" so it's definitely a Girl. I love that answer not for the gender part but for the "complimenting-Mommy-Yais" part hahhaha :P
I was supposed to have my Anomaly Scan a week ago but we have decided to wait until past the 20 weeks so it will at least be a bit more definite when we try to get a glimpse of baby's little secret. ;) Yup I am quite impatient and so is honey, but we're trying our best to hold on. In the meantime I have been researching a lot on the internet about finding out baby's gender, either scientifically or through old wives' tales. And I tell you it's quite entertaining! The things people think of! Ohmygod, it's all too funny. :) Some say a very fast heartbeat means it's a girl, a lower one is a boy (and our baby's is too high, 158bpm), while some even base it on how the Mommy eats (which is just too weird coz I think most expecting moms eat a LOT right so does that mean I'm having a boy??!), while some even base it on the Linea Nigra (that tiny line by the tummy pregnant women get due to hormonal changes), that if it gets past above the belly button or not, and I don't even want to tell you guys what mine is like coz it will be so awkward announcing to the world how my tummy looks like. :P Some people even resort to dangling this necklace or chain above their tummies to see if it goes in circles (girl) or forward/backward (boy)!
As most of you well know I am not obsessed with any particular gender. I guess my previous loss and two years of trying since has made me go well past above that little detail. I am already too estatic just to be expecting again and I already feel too blessed. Hand in heart, I truly will be happy with a baby Boy or a baby Girl. Both genders have their adorable positives. I can imagine a cute little boy playing ball with my honey in a park while I watch them from a bench and I sigh just thinking about how the two of them will look so much alike. There are times I think about a little girl who will be honey's new little Princess, and he will happily dote on her. :) I just really cannot wait to find out. To be honest it makes me a bit irritated whenever people assume that we want a particular gender for our baby. Yes E may have wanted a baby girl so bad before I got pregnant (coz he grew up in a house of boys), but over the weeks he has seriously grown to love our little one so unconditionally that I can see the change in him. It's not about blue or pink anymore, it's about our baby making it through, safe and healthy. That's all we've been praying for. :)
After gushing about all my fears and worries from my last post, it's time I start enumerating all the little wonderful things which has happened the past few weeks..
1) I heard baby's first KICKS! Oh my God, I went to the doctor for a checkup about two weeks back and she put on the Doppler and we heard baby's usual fast heartbeats (which is as always music to my ears), then there was a big fuzzy noise and my OB said baby was KICKING! She was a bit surprised, and I was speechless! He or she was probably sooooo excited to showoff to emotional Mommy that it felt like proving me wrong! As expected I started welling up again at the clinic, it was embarrassing LoL.. :) I think it's becoming a habit now hahaha :P But it was a truly indescribable moment for me, I just wish honey was there to savor it with me..
2) Honey's back home! Yup, last March 14th (more than a week ago) he arrived back here in Dubai and we're finally complete again.. One happy family: Me, him, and our little angel.. :)
welcome back Daddy! we missed you!
3) We found out that our OB Gyne in the nearby clinic makes referrals to Zulekha Hospital, which offers Direct Billing for my company. This was just FABULOUS news since we are greatly considering giving birth here. Just because I want my baby to stay with me longer (120 days at least, I'm selfish like that); just imagining leaving him/her weeks after I give birth puts tears into my eyes. Plus as I said the company I works for has some Medical Benefits with certain hospitals and it was really good news that the OB we want to stay with makes referrals to one of those hospitals (she can't deliver the baby since she only works at a clinic). So thank God for that! One dilemma down! :)
4) I have started doing some Cross-Stitching for our baby E.. It's not much, and I know it's not a momentous feat, but I still feel proud and am quite excited by it.. :D I plan to have it framed and boast it to our baby when he/she is old enough hihi.. :D
5) Got some fab Maternity clothes and tons of Anmum from my family at home.. It was so heartwarming and a bit disconcerting at the same time. God, my life has really changed now! I can just imagine when baby comes out, for sure I won't even be in the Gift List anymore, hahahah! :P
maternity dresses from Mama and Ate, Anmum from everyone at home haha :P
fab fuschia dress from Ate :)
date day at DFC :)
So there you go... Those are the things right off the top of my head.. Will come back for more awesome news soon..
So I know I haven't exactly been the most tedious blogger on this new adventure, but it's time I start fessing up..
Last night the clinic called me to confirm my Anomaly Scan two days from now, and after I hung up the phone I began to envision how it will be, and all I could think about was the time when I went through exactly the same thing with my first pregnancy. It's going to be the same clinic, most possibly the same Ultrasound room, and (this part I'm dreading the most) may even be the same insensitive doctor who would perform the US with me.. And before I knew it I was crying.. It was crazy.. I was at work, and I suddenly had to run to the restroom coz the tears and short breaths were attacking me.. I felt SO SCARED and so heartbroken.. I started imagining the WORST things that can happen, and I just couldn't take it. I literally felt like collapsing on the bathroom floor when I started to think of all the possible scenarios. I was crying like a mad pregnant woman, and I called my husband and I had to croak out first that I'm ok because he could tell from my voice right away that I was not and I didn't want him dashing to the airport. And then I started pouring out all my fears and worries to him and of course he was really upset that I felt that way. You see he's VERY excited about everything concerning our baby. He's not scared at all. In fact, he looks forward to our trips to the doctor (or the clinic). For him everything will definitely be fine. He's not hunted by our first pregnancy like I am, or at least not as hunted as I am. And understandably, he wants me to feel the same way...
That was when I realized how much Trauma I still have about our first loss. Much as I try to keep my head up and put on a brave smile for everyone to see, my heart still bleeds for our first little angel. I still have lots of questions why it had to happen, and I still have this constant dark fear in my heart that the same thing will happen to this little kiddo in me. I honestly don't know how I'm gonna wipe it all out. All I know is that the only fervent prayer I have for God is not even to wish for a boy or a girl, but for Him to keep our baby safe and healthy. It's like all my energy is just focused on that wish, I don't even have the time to ask for anything else. And I feel like asking for much more particular stuffs will be just too greedy. It's a HUGE blessing in itself that I'm pregnant again, and I am forever grateful for this gift.
I am so sorry my baby if Mommy gets scared most of the time. Please do not be afraid like me. Please stay strong for Mommy and Daddy. We love you so so much... I will try my best to stop feeling all this negativity, and will do everything in my power to keep you safe. Just stay with us.
Wow it's been almost 3 weeks since my last post; I don't know if twas on purpose or I was just plain busy (and lazy!) the past few days... :)
Anyway, A LOT has happened. Aside from celebrating Daddy E's birthday last February 24th (YAYYY!), I also had to go back to Dubai last February 26th.. Unfortunately I had to go ahead of honey coz of some visa issues.. It was really too emotional for me (hello again hormones!) and I was crying on a practical daily basis, at anytime and anywhere! I didn't wanna go back alone (with baby of course) coz I was gonna miss my honey so much, and of course the selfish side of me was miserable thinking how was I going to work and fend for myself at my present condition??! I was sad and scared at the same time.. It was a horrible combination, especially for an emotional wreck of a pregnant woman that I currently am.. :(
Well to give a little light on this blog we did get to see our precious little angel again last February 23rd via Ultrasound and he/she was waving his/her little hands! Wow it was really unbelievable.. Honey said baby was saying hi to him LoL.. And you could make out his/her cute little form now, it was just so surreal! Papa (hon's dad) said "Karatista" daw si baby coz you really could see the arms and hands.. :) It was soooo endearing.. Wish I can post the sonogram soon! Gotta find a decent scanner!
And so I got back on duty at the airport the next day after my flight which was Feb 27th, and from the time I came back thankfully I have been allocated at the Express Check In which meant I didn't have to worry about tagging the passenger's bags.. This was less burden for me and I was really grateful. Plus during my restday I was able to fix honey's documents for coming back here (hopefully soon) and get my maternity uniform which was a KICK! :D I was just soooo excited coz I have been waiting a LONG time to wear that uniform LoL... I really love it :)
full-length.. but this was just borrowed haha :P
feelin' pretty c mommy ;)
The most important part of updates I got is that today I finally decided to brave my fears and went back to the nearest clinic here in our place just so I could finally check if baby is ok after my flight. It was the same clinic where I had that tragic experience two years back, but I tried my luck since I plan to scout properly only when honey gets back. For now my priority was to check on our baby asap. Good thing somebody told me there's a Filipina OB Gyne in that clinic now and so I scheduled an appointment with her this afternoon. Scared little Yais had to ask a good friend to come with me coz I really didn't wanna go on checkups alone..
You know how sometimes God truly works His way through you?? That was how I felt this evening during my first meeting with that OB Gyne.. It was a total surprise and I couldn't believe it that she was actually trained by my OB Gyne in the Phlippines! It's really a small world! Plus she graduated from UP too which makes me more comfortable with her.. And lastly, she was super nice!
Let's see what will happen, coz I still don't know if I'm gonna stay with her or transfer to a hospital. You see there's a chance I might give birth here, depending on honey's work status, and I really love the idea that I'll be able to spend longer time with baby even after I give birth..
Whatever happens I know God is working His best for us... :)
Today officially marks our baby's TWELFTH WEEK (yeyyyyy!), and I am just sooooooo happy and soooooo relieved that everything went by smoothly. :) According to the specialists, and my pregnancy books, the risk drops significantly to just 3% once you're past the First Trimester. So today is really a milestone for us. :)
My doctor said I can just finish with my meds (Duphastone) and no need to continue anymore (thank You Lord!), except of course for my Vitamins. This was just wonderful news for us. And she said so far it looks like everything's great and I should be able to go back to work soon... Wait is this really good news?? LoL.. :P I actually am looking forward to going back to the airport just so I could wear the "mommy uniform" hahahah :P
But up to this moment I am still praying so hard, and I just hope that now that we have "officially" announced to everyone that we're expecting, I really wish everyone we know will pray for our baby.. Yun lang po talaga. I hope our friends will take even a minute of their prayer time to include her/him in their prayers. And I am sending you all lots of hugs and kisses for each prayer you guys offer to our little one.
Tips and Suggestions from other Mommies out there are now WELCOME! :):):)
Last February 15th was one of the most magical days of our lives...
As I've mentioned on my last post, it was our scheduled visit to the Gyne. Of course I was a nervous wreck even the night before.. I had a lot of worries on my mind and I was scared as hell. We went there late in the morning (almost around 11am) and I was feeling so sick. I didn't know if it was because of sheer pregnancy symptom or simply because I was dreading the sit-down with the good doctor. When we were finally called, I was just keeping myself quiet and giving one-word answers to the OB's questions, until finally she said the words I was dreading to hear: "Let's check if we can finally hear your baby's heartbeat, anyway you're already more than 11 weeks pregnant."
So I (bravely) got up, and laid down on the table almost numbly. I was surprised when she came in with the hubby, she normally leaves him by the desk while she does her usual checkups on me. He was grinning like crazy, and I knew he was very excited. I just tried to ignore him, while the doctor touched my tummy with this device, lingered for awhile, and suddenly E was practically jumping up and down! I didn't understand at first what was going on, until she told me, "Can't you hear it??" And sure enough, I heard what the commotion was all about.. It was our baby's heartbeat. Oh My God.
I've never heard anything like it. I've read it in my books of course, I knew it was going to be real special for us to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time, but I still wasn't prepared. It was the MOST AMAZING thing I've ever heard, and I felt so proud! I started tearing up but I tried to control it (hormones!), I didn't want to scare my doctor haha! :P But it was beating so fast! It was like drumroll only it goes to a different more fancy beat, and I just couldn't believe that sound was coming from my baby inside my body.. It was just a very humbling and real emotional experience for me... After praying so hard and doing everything we could to keep her (or him) safe for the past three months (which apparently are the most crucial parts of any pregnancy), I feel like I can finally breathe...
Honey was just on a high, it was endearing. He kept on imitating baby's heartbeat like some madman, and when we got home he insisted on using the stethoscope to try to hear baby's heartbeat again no matter how many times I told him that he wouldn't hear a thing! He's crazy like that.. I love him so much..
Incidentally it was our Nanay's 81st Birthday that day, so we dropped by a bakeshop on our way home and got her this:
It's so much fun adding your name in our signatures! :D We love you so much baby!
Baby E is turning almost 12 weeks on Monday, finishing her First Trimester.. We're scheduled to go back to the OB tomorrow and to be quite frank I'm as scared as hell... I always feel the same way whenever we go back to the OB. It's like I'm still traumatized by what happened before.. When everything was so normal and so exciting on our scheduled Ultrasound and then suddenly that horrible news..
Everyday Erick prays with her. It's so heartwarming how he always "babytalks" with her :) And every night he would pray the "Angel of God" bedtime prayer while touching my tummy (with signs of the cross on my stomach and all!). It always tears me up, I just don't show it.. I love her so much it hurts. All I want is for her to be safe and healthy. To finally be with us..
Today is Valentine's Day and incidentally our EIGHTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY as boyfriend/girlfriend. :) We started the celebration last night with some live music at the UP Fair with my sis and good pal Arlene. It's still way too early, to be honest we don't have anything planned, although I have been teasing honey that we should watch that new Pinoy movie of Coco-Julia called "A Moment in Time" heheh :P I actually am quite curious with it, the trailer is really cute! Coco just started calling Julia "BABY" even though he hasn't even met her yet.. So kilig ;) Anyway some of the scenes were shot in beautiful Amsterdam (where my bff and i were supposed to go this May, wahhh! Anyway lotsa next time :P):
Anyway here are some of our snapshots last night: Mommy, Daddy, and baby E at the UP Sunken Garden:
I just hope and pray that everything will be perfect tomorrow... So I can start shouting to the whole world that Ellie is finally back! <3
People are telling me that I am one of those lucky women who don't feel a lot of changes or emotions due to pregnancy. I don't feel any morning sickness, I don't crave for weird food.. But I do get so light-headed and nauseous at times... Just like last night at the mall. I really thought I was gonna fall down! I felt like the world was turning around me so fast... I had to sit down and really pull it together coz I didn't want to freak out my hubby. And this morning I was stuck in the bed. ALL morning. I just slept like a baby.
Yep, I sleep ALL the time. Morning, afternoon... Although I've been having some difficult time sleeping at night lately. But yes I do sleep like a log. Like it's never enough LOL. :) As of eating, I don't know if it's any change or what because I DO tend to eat a lot hahaha :P And yes, I do get that achy feeling on my chest area.. Hurts a LOT!
Oh well... But there are times I do wish I would feel more pregnant.. Symptoms and all. I just want to experience everything..
Approaching Week 11 on Monday. :) According to my site, whattoexpect.com, my baby is now about Two inches long. Yayyy! :D
When I got pregnant December 2010, our immediate reaction was sharing this wonderful news to EVERYONE. We were estatic, we just couldn't wait! But after that tragic incident, there's something so beautiful and precious about keeping this pregnancy just between me and my honey, and sharing it only to our families and closest friends.. It's like a very special gift that is preparing to be wrapped with all the colorful tinsels and bows. We simply do not want everyone to know just yet. You know how those celebrities wouldn't want to divulge their whole lives to everyone because they're saying it's all too personal and special? I used to think it was all crap, but now, I fully understand what they mean.. This is about our own little family. We were finally going to be a real family. And no offense, but it's really none of everybody else's business. Not just yet anyway. We want to treasure this blessing in our own little circle first. We're selfish that way. ;)
Of course our families were overjoyed to the point of crying (my side, of course, haha!).. My closest bestest friends just couldn't stop expressing their happiness for us. We actually already have a long list of godmothers for her already! All volunteers haha! :) We are so humbled by these lovely people's joy..
We will probably shout out to everyone this wonderful news once she is safely past the First Trimester. Just to avoid any pressure for our little kiddo who's so busy growing up so fast! :)
Two days after we found out, we finally braved all our apprehensions and visited my OB Gynecologist. She was equally delighted when she found out, and ordered an Ultrasound right away. And that was when we first saw our baby...
Seeing her on that black and white monitor was just too much... And when the doctor pointed her to us, I started crying.. And she called Erick to come in (coz he thought he wasn't allowed inside hahah! Sorry first time daddy!).. We were transfixed at the sight of her.. She was already too beautiful for us... The nurses knew me from less than two months back when I was there for a regular Ultrasound checkup and I could see they were all sincerely glad for me. It was an inexplicable emotion..
Apparently I was already 7 WEEKS AND 4 DAYS PREGNANT on that day. Wow. Almost TWO MONTHS along and I had no idea! It was really an unbelievable moment for us.
So this is possibly the WORST ultrasound pic EVER.. My apologies coz our stupid scanner isn't working anymore, I just took the pic using my phone hehe... Just can't wait to post it! So this is the clearest one of the bunch, unfortunately.. But she's there all right ;) That bean-like figure at the upper left side of the screen :D (I promise to post better ones next time!)
Baby E at 7 Weeks and 4 Days!
My OB started her speech to us with these memorable words: "Pregnancy is NOT an illness." She was basically prepping me that from that day on my lifestyle and eating habits were gonna change. Considering my previous history, she wanted me to be extra careful. And the tricky part was, she didn't want me to go back to work until I finish my First Trimester. Flying back was also not an option. Said it was not gonna be good for the baby. My mind was already working all these things out even when we were still inside her office. How was I going to ask permission from work?? I was only supposed to be gone for a week, and she doesn't want me to come back for another month at least?? But then even before we went out of the hospital I was already decided. It doesn't matter what my company says. I will take care of my baby. My baby comes FIRST. They can take my job if they want, but they will have to let me stay. Because there was no way I was gonna risk this pregnancy. No way.
This is almost a month too late, but I have decided to start posting these blogs about my new adventure to write down my thoughts, otherwise I'm gonna go crazy! So here's how it all started...
January 16, 2013
My husband and I arrived two days before (14th) from Dubai for a week-long holiday. On that particular Wednesday the 16th, we were in a hospital accompanying my mom-in-law for her session, and by lunchtime we had to go to the nearby mall to eat.
To buy some time, I urged my hubby that I should probably take a pregnancy test. Just like that, out of the blue, LOL. The thing is I've had this gut feeling for a month now, but I have always been irregular on my periods so twas a thought that was crossing my mind but wasn't fully entertaining. He was worried that I would get depressed (again) if it was negative so it took some time badgering him. I told him it couldn't have been a more perfect timing: we were just lounging around in a busy mall at a lunch hour and I sincerely didn't want to make a big deal out of it (you can imagine the countless times for the past two years I orchestrated these surprise plans of telling him the good news whenever I was delayed and I would take the test and it would be Negative; it got to a point that it was too heartbreaking for me). I knew he was worried for me. Told him I could handle it, twas just a simple test no big deal, just to get it off my mind. Until he finally agreed with a promise from me that if I "flunked" the test (i.e get another Negative), we were gonna drink that night, to which I agreed heartily hahah :P
So we bought the cheapest pregnancy kit (my call), and I went straight to the Ladies Room to do my business. I was just staring at the sticky thingy (impatiently) when I saw the first line, to which I just thought, here we go again, just one line for me... And then like a suspense movie, I slowly saw a SECOND line! I couldn't believe it, I almost dropped the thing! OMYGOD! Was I imagining this?? I was just looking at it and I could feel my eyes were getting bigger and my heart was beating faster... Was this for real?? It was the oddest place but I started crying... It took at least 5 minutes before I gathered myself, and quickly went out to meet my husband who was boredly waiting for me. When he saw my face he got so pale even though I wasn't saying anything.. I just hugged him tight and started crying. Yes, in the mall. People were looking at us, nosy strangers, but I didn't care. And I knew he knew what it all meant. He was so lost for words too, and finally grabbed the kit from me, and I started chanting, "Positive hon, POSITIVE!". To which he just replied, "Magiging Mommy and Daddy na tayo?!"
First pic after we found out the good news at the mall... Excited Mommy and Daddy!
Everything happened so fast then. He wanted to go to a doctor right away, but I wanted to be 200% SURE. So I told him I wanted ANOTHER pregnancy test (with a better kit this time, meaning a more expensive one LOL), before going to an OB. Of course, the Second Kit gave the same amazing results. We had to wait for our mom to finish at the hospital, and I still couldn't believe it that :D I persuaded him to let me take a last Pregnancy Test by taking my BLOOD sample at the clinic inside the mall. After waiting almost an hour for the Lab results, hon took the envelope containing the Lab result from me coz my hands were shaking hahha.. Again, it was POSITIVE. I literally JUMPED up and down like a kid at the clinic door that E had to calm me down. It was the best day ever! All I could think of was I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!
The "infamous" Pregnancy sticks (with our wedding rings..): POSITIVE!
Most of our loved ones are well aware of the fact that I miscarried and lost our first baby two years ago, January 2011. She was only 7 weeks old. It was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life... God knows how hurt we were, and we have been trying to have a baby since... Now that it's all happening again, I just can't contain my joy! We are both so over the moon with this! We love her too much already!
Welcome BACK baby E!!!
The best part is it was our 33rd wedding monthsary. It was the BEST day ever. We're so happy she's back... :D
