What I'm Thankful For...

Thanksgiving is upon us again. This gives me the opportunity to reflect on the things and events in my life I'm really grateful for. This year is especially meaningful because God gave us the gift of life. Amidst our infertility issues, the challenges of having a long-distance marriage, and the once-a-year rendezvous, we were given this rare opportunity to journey through parenthood. At Thanksgiving, our precious angel is 33 weeks old. A few more weeks and we'd get a glimpse of the li'l creature I've been nurturing in my womb.

There is a saying that we should always count our blessings. Let me take this chance to list down all the wonderful things and events that happened this year. All those that we're truly grateful for...

• After a couple of years of trying, and after rounds of medications, God finally heard our prayers and gave us our little angel - Caerwyn Mikhail.
• A relatively easy and uncomplicated pregnancy
• A loving and supporting husband. Though he isn't physically present throughout the pregnancy, I can feel his concern and deep love for me and our baby.
• An over-eager and supportive family who longs for this baby as much as we have.
• An understanding boss who gave me lighter loads and allowed me to take off from time to time due to doctor's appointments, childbirth classes, and the like.
• Good health for the whole family. Earlier this year, I wrote about my dad having been diagnosed with Colon Cancer. With the help of early diagnosis, prevention and prayers, he was able to bounce back.
• A roof above our heads, and food for our stomachs.
• Great friends
• Wonderful teammates
• My roommate, best friend, and investment partner
• A truly productive year in terms of projects and career advancement
• Growing investments
• Answered prayers
• The opportunity to be with my husband this year
• The month-long chance to be with my family and my aunt whom I haven't seen for years
• An uneventful October business release
• Two great performance reviews
• Tenants that have been with us for a year now (hopefully renewing again)
• All 32 years of my life on earth
• Safety for me and my family
  

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The Name Game

Picking a name isn't a simple feat. Hubz and I have been through a number of baby names, debated over them, researched their meanings, searched for possible nicknames to go with it. It took us months before we finally came up with something we think would be perfect for our little angel - CAERWYN MIKHAIL (pronounced as Care-win Mi-kale). We'd call him Kail (pronounced as Kale) for short.

Like any other dads, hubz wanted our baby to carry his first name. I had to say no because his name is so well known to kids as a Big Red Dog. I didn't want our little boy to be teased (worse, bullied) in school because of that name. So we searched for a meaningful name that will carry both our initials. Caerwyn is gaelic which meant "blessed fort". Mikhail is the russian counterpart of Michael which meant "who is like God".

If we could only get our families to pronounce the name well, I think we'd all be happy campers... :) In the meantime, we have yet to search for a girl's name - just in case. Any suggestions?

The Last Stretch

I'm on my last trimester and a few more weeks, I'll be able to see, hold, and hug our baby - I can hardly wait!

I have had a relatively easy pregnancy (thank God!). In fact, I've had much more trouble getting pregnant (due to infertility issues) than staying pregnant! Though I have had some barfing episodes in the past, those were tolerable enough and it happens usually at night after dinner. Besides, they were few and far between that I don't really consider it a bad case of morning sickness. I've seen worse and I can only be thankful mine was very mild.

I had my glucose screening test and though I failed the 1-hour test, I aced the 3-hour one. All 4 blood tests for the 3-hour screening came back normal so the doctor was really surprised I failed the 1-hour test at all. I blame it on a bad fast. I was supposed to fast for 12 hours before going in for the test. By 10pm the previous night, I was still feasting on egg pie, and then I went in for my test at 8am. They drew my blood at exactly 9am (an hour after they gave me a very sweet juice to drink). God is really good because I've been praying so hard to pass my second test, which thankfully, I did. I was more worried of the risks to the baby associated with gestational diabetes than I am with dieting. And then, there are holidays coming up which would definitely make it difficult for me to control eating... :)

Now my only complaint is numbness on my wrist and fingers. My doctor calls it carpal tunnel. A wrist splint helps but it doesn't make the pain go away. She said if I really want to get rid of it, I need to see a specialist who will inject steroids. The sound of it just freaked me out so I told her I'd rather not - for my baby's sake.

The Nursery


Our baby's crib (together with a matching drawer) were delivered on Sunday. Of course, mommy was so excited (and exhausted too). Together with my roommate, we have re-organized our then computer room and turned it into a nursery. Since I still have three more months of gestation to go, there will probably be changes here and there but at least you get the idea.

The little dollhouse at the corner is actually mine. As a kid, I never had beautiful toys like these so when a neighbor sold this slightly used dollhouse because he was moving the entire family to Thailand, I just had to grab it. I've always wanted one for myself so this is my way of satisfying my inner child.

What a weekend!!!!




Where did the weekend go? Yesterday, a friend assembled our garden shed and we were able to move our garden stuff in there. It cleared out part of the garage. Then, we moved the unused computer out of the then computer room (now a nursery). I was going to send it to my brother in the Philippines. Hubz told me that they could have it upgraded so it can be used again.



Today, the crib, drawer, and playpen were finally delivered. They were also assembled, except for the playpen. The photos above is how the nursery looks like once the furnitures were in. There might be a few changes here and there from now 'til I give birth but at least, you get the idea.... :)



Next, we visited our close friend ex-neighbors who moved to their new house (a mile or so from where we live). Having undergone ligation after her now 2 year old baby, she is ready to dispose of some of her baby's stuff. Our little boy is now a proud recipient of some hand-me-downs - a bopper pillow, some beddings, bath tub, infant gate. I don't mind hand-me-downs since the baby won't be using it for a long time anyway. At least I can allot the finances intended for that on something else more worthwhile.

Baby Things Shopping Spree

I went to a knitting specialty store in Downtown Napa on Sunday to buy the required needle size for my knitting class on Oct. 15. For some reason, I couldn't find that size in either Michael's or Joann's so I had to go to a specialty store. Unfortunately, they're closed on Sundays and Mondays. But, guess what's open? Cribs 'N Bibs - it's a baby stuff specialty store. They carry items you would never find in Toys 'R Us or Babies 'R Us.

I gawked at this beautiful crib and matching drawers/changing station made of pure wood - tea stain color. It's convertible to a toddler bed too. What's more, they're on sale for 15% off. The manager told me that those were their last pair. If I don't buy those soon and they get sold, they'd have to special order them for me - which will be at a regular price. I tried to veer away from them but I keep going back so I figured, I'd buy a crib sooner or later anyway so why not make it sooner? In short, I bought the set which will be delivered and assembled on Sunday. So now we're on the race to organize the nursery (which is currently the computer room).

Next, I was looking at the colors I want for strollers when I saw this versatile playpen. It has a bassinet with cover that you can take off (when you want to bring the baby to a picnic). Then there's a changing station on the side with slots for wet wipes and diapers. There's a 10% discount off of that. To make the story short, I ended up buying that piece too. The playpen will stay in the family room so that when I'm downstairs scrapping or watching TV, the baby can stay in the bassinet. My worry was that if I lay him down the couch, he'd fall down when he's big enough to roll over. The playpen would be perfect too because as he gets older, he could stay there and play with his toys.

I emailed hubz about these purchases and he replied back commenting on how lucky this baby is. I must agree. He's got the top of the line gadgets and baby stuff right at his fingertips (of course, that would still depend on whether we'll give in to buying those for him). While I grew up with good old fashioned duyan made of abaca which is prone to tilting, he'd have a beautiful crib fit for a king (at least I thought so). I was even teasing hubz that this crib is the same price as my bed!

My roommate told me not to buy any more stuff because they're planning on giving me a baby shower anyway. I've been to dozens of baby showers in the past and a crib, drawers with changing station, playpen are not the sort of gifts you give to a baby shower, so maybe, they were wise purchases after all, or is it just the shopaholic in me justifying my spending?

Sigh, all the things you'd do for your child.

The Birthday Girl

I celebrated my 32nd birthday on Sept. 10 with very few close neighbors. I opted for a small gathering because I'm already having a hard time cleaning up. I get tired easily and my lower back is causing me a great deal of pain. Thank God for good neighbors because they helped us clean up afterwards.

This year is extra special because God gave me the perfect gift, which I am now carrying inside my tummy. Hubz has teased me that this will be my last birthday alone. Next year, I have a baby tagging along. As you can see, I have gained a bit of weight. I am now up to 111 lbs - a 15 lb. addition to my pre-pregnancy weight of 96 lbs. My doctor isn't bothered at all because I used to be underweight anyway. Then, my waistline is now at 35 inches. One more inch and I'd fit into my husband's pants.





Scrapbook Layouts
































I have been in a creative rut for months now and so, it was a big accomplishment for me to finish 4 layouts in one sitting. For our baby's sake (and for both me and hubz' sakes too), I have decided to create a baby book that will document our thoughts, feelings, photos, and emotions from conception to birth. I hope that my efforts will pay off later when our baby is big enough to appreciate and treasure what I've done. Of course, my no. 1 fan is still, undoubtedly, my husband.


We're having a boy!!!!



I had my ultrasound during my 19th week (Aug. 19th to be exact). I was uncomfortable the whole time because my bladder was full. When I saw my baby waving at us, I couldn't help but be amused. Even insde the womb, he was already showing us that he's got star potential. There really is life inside of me - moving and breathing! This must be how a stage mom feels like. I feel like I'm the mom of the smartest kid in the world! Of course, daddy was equally proud. He'd show this photo to anyone who would care to see.

Hubz knew all along that we're having a boy. Even when people around me thought I'm having a girl (all because I look good), he would tell me it's going to be a boy. Now he is so excited because he's got a playmate. Ahhh, boys!


Call me sentimental

Hubz sent me an email a while back that said "I wanted to do this for you and for our baby. I want to give you both a comfortable life". I have never had anyone tell me that. All my life, I have always been my family's breadwinner. I took the responsibility of sending my brother to school, supporting my family, building them a nice home, helping my grandma remodel hers. Every decision I make, I have to always consider them. It gets tiring sometimes because here I am, exhausting myself from work while my brother and my mom remain unemployed - just waiting for their monthly allowance. I cannot lose my job even for a day because I need the money to support them plus pay for my own bills.

It just felt good hearing those words coming from someone who wants to take care of me for a change. I have taken care of everyone else my whole life, and maybe this is God’s way of rewarding me.


I've been tagged

Tagged by Ela, here's my take:

Seven things that scare me:
- hell
- devil/satan
- heights
- crimes
- ghosts
- reptiles
- losing a loved one

Seven things I like the most:
- feeling my baby move
- reading
- scrapping
- surfing the net
- travelling
- going home to PI (to be with my husband and family)
- shopping

Seven random facts about me:
- I just celebrated my 32nd birthday
- I am now on my 23rd week of gestation
- I love to shop
- Two boys in my life that I love with all my heart - my husband and my unborn son.
- I am my family's breadwinner
- I am the eldest in the family
- My secret wish is to become a SAHM someday... :)

Seven important things in our bedroom:
- Bed
- Hubz photos
- My family's photos
- Comforter
- Alarm Clock
- TV
- Phone

Seven things I plan to do before I die:
- Make sure my family will be well taken cared of
- Secure my child's/children's future
- Go to confession
- Ask forgiveness to those I've offended
- Forgive those who offended me
- Visit the Vatican
- Unite my family

Seven things I can do:
- Cook
- Bake
- Sew
- Scrap
- Dance
- Read
- Decorate/clean the house

Seven things I can’t do:
- watch nonsense TV programs
- sit still for a long period of time
- say no to my family
- be a big spender
- go to the moon
- ride a rollercoaster
- watch horror movies alone

Seven things that attract me to the opposite sex:
- smart
- funny
- kind
- patient
- understanding
- God-fearing
- responsible

Seven things I say the most:
- Oh my God
- Uy
- Thank God
- Geez
- Kamote ka
- My gulay
- Ngee

Seven celeb crushes (whether local or foreign):
- Hugh Jackman
- Aga Muhlach
- Brad Pitt
- Tom Welling
- Mel Gibson
- Denzel Washington
- Chad Michael Murray

Seven people you want to see take this quiz:
- Xtine
- Gem
- Josephine
- Jody
- Hanagirl
- Selina
- Leirs