How to Miss a Childhood

I am a sentimental person. And I am 'emo' too! There are days where I longed for the days that are already done. I miss my childhood. I miss the day where I run in the fields and climb trees in our province. I miss my cousins and my childhood friends, some of them we have already grown apart.

I remember Pipay's first night in our house. Her cry, the light, my panic. I miss her being smaller. I miss her tricks and the firsts we shared together. I know she will grow old, but I wish it would be slower. I to be able to remember everything someday. I want every moment stored in my heart. But will not wait. She will not wait for me to grasp everything first before she do her next trick, before she reach a new milestone.

My MS thesis adviser, who is a mother of two, shared a link on her Facebook page. I read it. The title is How to Miss a Childhood. I read it and shared it to my husband. We were both teary after reading it. Because the point hits home. We are both working with computers. Him as a faculty in Computer Science, and I as a programmer and soon to be faculty in the same field. See? We are both working with the 21st century stuff, with the ever changing technology. Both our works involved checking emails frequently and being in front of the computer more than 8 hours a day.

When I read the blog, I realized that I missed, missing and would miss a lot of my daughter's childhood. For around 2 months now, I've been playing with my phone whenever I remember. And that is almost every 2 hours since the game I was playing, Hay Day (a farming game) requires me to tend to my crops and other game stuff almost every hour or so. When she was smaller, I usually get my tablet device beside me at night so when I woke up in the middle of the night to feed her or to cradle her, I would be able to play. Also, when I breastfeed her, I am playing at the same time.

After reading the article, both of us decided to limit our phone, tablet or computer use when we are with her. It is hard given our work. But we will. The first thing I did was, uninstall the game on my phone and stop playing with it when we are together. I want to make sure that we will have an eye to eye during breastfeeding time. I want to be in full attention when we are playing. Or when we are making funny noises. I want her to know that the sounds I make in response to the sounds she make are genuine and not just absent-minded responses.

I was able to limit my phone use for the last 2 days. And I am happy with it. I am grateful that I was able to realize all this early on. She's just 9 months and half. So luckily, I did not miss a lot yet. Her childhood, although fast, is still long and would be full of memories to cherish and enjoy.

I plan to witness all the milestones and be there during mold and guide her according to the principles I learned. I learned before that 'Principle is not a principle until it cost you something'. The principle of being hands-on undistracted mom would cost me the price of being always online and being able to try new entertainment using new gadgets. But I know in my heart that what I'll give up is nothing as compare to making my child feel loved, important and cared.

Lez go mommys! Let's give our kids the time they deserve! Aja!

Baby Pictorial 2

Yeps, we had another baby pictorial last February 9 at Babies in Baskets studio in Fairview. Our photographer is still VJ Matias. The baby photography business was just new since he is really in the wedding photography industry.

I think this pictorial is more challenging since Pipay is older and she moves a lot as compared to our 1st pictorial, but since VJ is patient enough we were able to have lots of good shots.

Here are some of my favorites.

Pipay's Teeth and Biting and Breastfeeding

At around 7.5 months, her teeth came out.. Here is her picture sporting her teeth.

I already blogged about her biting me, and how it was painful. Now, with 2 tiny teeth that are not yet fully out, her biting is more painful than before. I not yet sure how to deal with this. We noticed that when she bit me and I reacted, she'd laugh and do it again. I think she does that because she think it was fun and because she gets my attention (and others).

I am worried for the next months, when she has teeth in the upper gums because it would be worse. I wonder how breastfeeding mothers like me deals with the biting...

First Tooth (or teeth)

We were assuming since she was 3 months old that she is teething. It was because, (1) she drools (2) she sometime pull her hair and ears; which, according to some articles, could be a sign of teething. Apparently, we are wrong.

Her teeth (the tiny tip of her 2 lower front teeth) came out last April 6. Well, not exactly that day, but that was the first day that we felt (when she bit my finger) the hard sharp tip of her teeth. We were excited, and happy.

However, I was worried too, because this could mean that some of our nursing sessions would be more painful. Sometimes, Pipay loves to bite my nipple, then pull it. It was very very painful, and I guess it would be much much painful now that she has teeth.

I guess, nipple biting is one of so many sacrifices that breastfeeding mothers must face. Howell, goodluck to me!

Here is Pipay's photo on the day we felt her teeth, she was adorably touching her teeth with her tongue. I'll post another one soon (in 2-3 weeks maybe), in which her teeth are already showing.

Pipay Fell from the Bed

I was so busy with my work and with my MS thesis that I wasn't able to blog lately. But since I need a break and what happened yesterday (March 25, 2014 Wednesday) was frightening, here I am blogging.

I usually don't leave Pipay alone on the bed. When it is just the two of us, I do things when she's asleep. Such as having my lunch, taking a bath, and washing the dishes. When I have to pee, I surround her with pillows on the bed if she is awake or put her in her high chair. Because I don't want her to fall from the bed.

Yesterday, I was playing with her on the bed when my phone signaled a new email. I went to my laptop to read it. When I was in front of my laptop, I looked at Pipay. She was in the middle of the bed, and my judgement is, she won't reach the edge before I finish reading the email. But I was wrong.

I was reading and was shocked by the sound her body made as she hit the tiled floor. I even heard her bumping into the clothe boxes near the bed. I looked. And there she was, lying on the floor. Silent for a moment.

I went to her side, panicking, picked her up. She cried. It was heartbreaking. She cried and cried as I try to console her. I called my mother, who was washing Pipay's clothes. We checked her while she was crying.

She eventually stopped. I breastfed her for a while. Then I tried to make her laugh. She didn't. But at least she seemed okay already.

I was so sorry, that it happened on my watch. I'm sorry baby. I just hope that she really is Ok. I did read some articles online and observed her if I need to bring her to a hospital.

She ok now, I think. She plays. She laughs. She's back to being malikot. So I guess she's ok. Well, maybe that was just one of those moment mothers (or fathers) regrets and gets frightened about. One of those frightening, but not alarming situations that melts our hearts and makes us more watchful and caring.

I love you Pipay.

Pipay @ 5.5 Months

Pipay is now 24 weeks or 5 months and 3 weeks. We visited her Pedia last Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. She weighs 9.15kg and her height is 68cm. The Pedia told her she's obese. I think that's ok for infants. Especially since she is breastfeeding, exclusively (oh! I don't want her to start with solids yet!)

Since her Pedia don't compute percentiles, I looked online for a calculator. I found a nice one, with graphs here. According to them, calculation is done using WHO data.

Pipay is at 93.3 percentile in height. She is a little bigger than the height of most the children her age.

For weight, she is at 99.6 percentile, which means she is heavier that most children her age.

I think, since it is based on WHO, which is world wide, Pipay is really tall for a Filipina baby. :)

I am glad, she is happy, healthy, pretty and super active. She can roll over now. :)

Roll Over

I wish I can pinpoint the exact moment of this very important milestone, however, I can only share some of her firsts.

Last Feb 6, 2014, when Phil and I was about to sleep (at around 1:30 in the morning), Pipay woke up and rolled over 2 times! Nawala ang antok namin just to see that. A few days back was her official first roll over, but we can't remember the date, plus we though she was able to do that because of the uneven surface.

Then Feb 7, Friday, we visited her Pedia. The Pedia asked if Pipay can roll over already. I told her, Pipay did it less than 5 times. Then she said, Pipay is delayed if she can't roll over yet.

The weekend after, as if she is proving the doctor wrong, Pipay rolled over more than 10 times. :)

Here is a video of her rolling over. :)

Biting

I don't really know when it started, I just noticed that instead of thumb (whole fist actually) sucking she was biting her fingers, that was past 3 months old.

Then, err the pain, she started biting my nipple. Thank goodness she doesn't have teeth yet! Ohh and sometimes, she'll bite while pulling away. That hurts a lot. I just tell her not to bite mommy. Haay, Kaso, nanggigigil talaga sya e.

Today, she is 5.5 months, and I think she is starting to teeth, and for sure the biting would be painful. However, I am determined to breastfeed her until, at least, 2 years. Lez go baby!

Pipay @ 4.5 Weeks

We went to her Pedia last January 6, 2013 for her vaccine. Her height and weight was taken, and I am so happy that she is taller than last time and she gained more than a kilo. She now weighs 8.45k and she is 66cm tall. She is a healthy, active and a super cute baby. Our Pedia and her assistant even commented that she is big (and that maybe because of her genes and breastfeeding). When we calculated her percentile, she is at 97% in weight and 91% in height.

I am proud to say that my baby is exclusively breastfed and that I plan to breastfeed her until she wean on her own. Soft, solid foods will be introduced when she is 6 months. For now, I'll enjoy our breastfeeding moment. I know I'll miss these moments, when she is on my breast, feeding, smiling and making me feel more important and loved.

Aja to us, breastfeeding mothers!

Baby Pictorial

This is a late blog. The pictorial was last October 15, 2013. Our photographer was VJ Matias of  Virtuoso (He was our prenup photographer too). He is not really the photographer of their group, he is the videographer. And their forte is wedding. But since he is our friend and he really love to try to have a photo shoot with babies (he is a soon to be a dad), we all agreed to have the pictorial.

Phil and I looked for possible concepts and I did the props. We even bought a basket and a new pashmina. It was a great session. It was not rainy (we did indoor since Pipay was less than 2 months) so the lighting from the big glass window at the department of computer science faculty lounge (It was holiday and do not have any better venue) was perfect. VJ was great. He loves kids so he was all cute, kind and patient to Pipay. 

All in all, we had 5 scenes. And the whole photo shoot took us about 3 or 4 hours. The hardest part was making Pipay smile, and when we need her sleeping, she was wide awake. But  The results are all awesome.

Here are some of the awesome pictures of Pipay. :)

Poop Talk

I didn't expect that baby poop could tell a lot. That the frequency, texture and color of my baby's stool is every important. I didn't expect that I would smell, look very very closely, count and even touch her poops.

The first thing a mother should know is that the stool of a breastfed baby and the stool of a formula-fed baby are different. They differ in appearance/texture, and in the number of times in a day. I breastfeed my little girl, so I can only speak/write for breastfed babies. However, I am a new mother and just starting on my journey, so my experience is too little, however, I read a lot because I want to be sure on what I do.

I found a nice gallery of baby poops here, I always check that to compare my baby's poop.

Baby poops are explosive. You could actually hear when she poops. It was like a mini bomb explosion. And actually, if she is not wearing diapers (I seldom use commercial diaper, I either use lampin or cloth diapers with liner), pieces would scatter.

The smell is not as bad as adult's. It is like milk gone bad. A little sweet but more sour smelling milk.

I noticed that there are times that my baby seems like she is having a hard time pooping, it was as if she is exerting force to push something out and sometimes she'll cry. I thought at first that she is constipated. However, when she finally poops, the texture is soft and watery and therefore not constipated. So, I don't know why she can't just push it out or maybe that pushing doesn't mean she wants to poop (a lot more to learn!)

I also noticed that sometimes there are yellowish liquid (poop-like but too little) that comes out when she fart. According to what I read, it is not considered as a stool (so don't include it on your counting) and it happens because her stool is watery and comes out easily.

I learn in a forum (a mother said this is according to her Pedia) you can induce pooping by stimulating your baby's anus with a wet soft cloth or cotton. I haven't tried that though.

Oh and I also learned from reliable internet websites (like Baby Center & Mayo Clinic), blogs from breastfeeding mothers and forums that a breastfed baby can poop as much as every after feeding or could be none for a month (that's the longest I read in a forum for Pinay Breastfeeding Nanay). So I know that I should not worry that much. But I also already know that mothers worry about almost everything even when we know there is nothing to worry about. But still, if you are not sure and you are so worried, go visit your pedia.

Here are some of the pictures of my baby's stool and they are NORMAL for breastfed babies.

<to follow pictures>

Start of My Breastfeeding Journey

I decided to exclusively breastfeed my first born. The first week up to the first month was super hard for me and I guess for my baby too. The past 6 weeks and 4 days was a roller coaster of emotion. At first I thought I was not producing milk, but knowing that her tummy is still so small comforted me. She doesn't need so much yet, in fact according to my OB (thankfully, we had a breastfeeding seminar with her when I was pregnant) babies can survive up to 2 weeks without any food intake after birth and that her stomach is smaller than a grapefruit. 

Below is the estimated size of a baby's tummy.

Breast feeding is a skill that both mother and baby have to learn. I want my baby and I to be the best breastfeeding partner, so I always seek answers for whatever problem we have on our breastfeeding journey.

The key to a successful breastfeeding is a good latch. However, since day 1, we are already having problems with latching. I really don't know what the problem is. May be my nipple is too big for her mouth, or she just really don't know how, my position is wrong, or her position is wrong. At some point there's this feeling that you are producing too little. And sometimes, I think my milk let down is too much for her to handle. Worst, maybe she doesn't want me, my breast, my smell or my sound. So I am always happy when she latches right away when I offer my breast.

According to the books and other online sources, the proper position is a key to a proper latch. So here are some of the breastfeeding positions. (pic source)

I still don't know what is wrong with me and my baby. She can't latch. Latching had been always difficult at the start of every feeding session. Our routine? She'll cry then I'll calm her down then we will try to latch again. It will usually take us more than 10 tries before she can finally latch properly. Sometimes, after a successful latch, my nipple will just slip out of her mouth and then she'll cry again. It was a struggle and I don't know what's wrong.

I came across Lip Tie and Tongue Tie as possible reason for not properly latching. There's a lot of good resources online, here are some of the symptoms:

I immediately checked Pipay's mouth. Her tongue seems Ok. I followed the instructions here to check for tongue tied. I looked for pictures and examples online, and I thought her upper lip is tied. The picture below is  from a mother's blog about daughter's upper lip tie (upper left photo) and their decisions to have it corrected.

Below is my daughter's upper lip and gums. It really looked like a lip tie. So I told my husband, and we researched about it. We learned that it could be operated and that the process is quick and could be done as early as infancy. If not treated it could make breastfeeding difficult (not for some), or there could be speech and dental care problems in the future. 

It was heart breaking knowing that your very young child would undergo an operation. We have to make sure, so we have to consult her pedia first. I told my mother too. And when she checked, she said she think it is normal and that she will check my nephew's mouth too. She texted me, Jared's lip and gums look the same.

I asked our pedia (her first pedia) and she said, that is not lip tie. Whew! We are no longer worried and we decided that my baby was just 'Maarte' when breastfeeding. I also asked the new pedia, she did not check it but she told me that lip tie will not affect breastfeeding.

Difficulty latching is very frustrating. However, it could not mean that something is wrong with me or my boobs, there is nothing wrong with my baby too. I would like to attribute it to he process of learning. I am learning. My child is learning. And we are getting better everyday.

First Week

I thought having a nice maternal instinct would be enough once you are a real mother. I thought things would just fall into their right places. That answers, solutions and know hows would just come out of nowhere. That things would be kinda easy and smooth sailing.

In the hospital, the first night was a little ok. I thought I'd be able to sleep the night away but since my baby will no longer stay in the nursery and would be in the room with us, I had to wake up a few times to breast feed her. But since I am still tired and a little sedated, it was nanay who did most of the taking care of baby. Sunday came, and as much as I want to sleep when Pipay sleeps, I was not able to because of the visitors and the nurses and doctors checks my BP and my temp and baby's temp too.

Sunday night was just me and Phil. It was our first night with just the 3 of us. There was a lot of crying. And sometimes we don't know what's wrong.  I started to think that maybe I don't have milk. And well, confidence level dropped big-time. We survived. Tired yet happy and excited to go home with new family member.

First night at home was not as ok as the nights in the hospital. She was set to sleep in her crib but she kept on crying and sometimes I don't know why.  Nanay, kept baby beside her and she stopped crying. I didn't sleep well since I kept on checking on her. Also, sometimes she can't latch properly on my breast. I was convinced that my breasts are not producing milk

The following day, I was paranoid. She didn't poop, and this was the 2nd day. She slept all day. She cried a lot and sleep a lot. Phil went to work but nanay was there to help me. I was a little happy that when I tried to express milk by hand, there was a little drop of milk. Confidence went one level up and I felt really happy.

After 2 days of no poop, she finally pooped. It was dark green (meconium) similar to the ones she pooped when we were in the hospital. Then after that her poops are yellow liquid. Which made me worry again. Is it diarrhea? What did I eat that caused her to poop to be like that?

More than once, in our first week, I wanted to bring her to the hospital to be checked or to text/call her pedia for opinion. Million of times I visited google and read, watched and listened to a lot of things, to at least feel a little better.

When her poop was Ok (the same as the ones posted in many mother-and-newborn-friendly websites), I felt a little better.

Lack of sleep, worries and more. I have experienced baby blues. I know I have to tell Phil whenever I feel sad or if I just wanted to cry. I need him for support. And thankfully, he was just what I needed.

Well, let's just say that I have a lot to learn, a lot to do and a lot to enjoy.

Purple Raine: Pedia Info

Will update this every now and then. :)

Here are some important stuff  (immunization, tests, etc.) to remember:

• New Born Screening: Aug. 25, 2013
• Hearing Test: Aug. 25, 2013 (R & L invalid)

• BCG: Aug 24, 2013
• Hep B: Aug. 14, 2013, Sept. 30, 2013

Hello Purple Raine Sale Zuniga!

I saw her in ultrasound images. I even saw her move during the 3D/4D ultrasound. And I finally saw her right after she greeted the world, but I was not able to remember her face (maybe because of the sedative and tiredness) so the moment I saw her when I was fully conscious was really magical and full of emotion.

When I saw her face, I felt like crying (have to stop myself, nakakahiya naman e). This is the baby I cared and love for around 9 months. The baby who slowed me down and gave me different emotions and experiences. The baby whom I vow to protect and love.

Our first born, our first child, our first angel. Phil and I are really happy to see you baby Purple Raine!

Here is some information about our baby.

• Date of Delivery: August 24, 2013
• Time of Delivery: 2:40 PM
• Type of Delivery: Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD)
• Birth Weight: 6 lbs 11oz (3033 g)
• Birth Length: 52 cm
• Head Circumference: 33 cm

Below are some of my angel's pictures right after her delivery.




Below is one of our first pictures as a family.

The Real Thing: Labor

They said, I'll know it when it's time. That I'll be able to distinguish the pain and know that labor is coming or has already started. That I'll know I have to be in the hospital soon. That the pain would be the most I'll experience.

Well, they are right.

Saturday, August 24, 2013:

I was in bed beside my husband when I feel some weird pain in my loins. The pain woke me up, but I thought it was a dream since after it, I fell asleep right away. But after sometime, it will happen again... Pain, woke up, back to sleep. So when I saw in our terrace  that it already morning, maybe around 5am, I just waited for the pain to come back. When it did, I thought baka naiihi lang ako. I went to the bathroom and saw blood on my underwear, same as last time when I was at 2cm. I grab my phone and lay beside Phil again. I waited for the pain again and marked the time interval between each pain.  He woke up (not sure if he went to the bathroom) and ask me 'may masakit sayo?' and I answered 'Wala, Ok lang ako' (since I'm not sure what is happening). Dr. Joy told me that when I counted 6 contractions within an hour, I have to go back to the hospital already. But I don't know how a contraction actually feels. She said, I'll be able to tell. And I know, that the 'pains' are already contractions. After an hour, I counted 7 contractions with 8-15 minute interval. I quickly brewed his coffee and heated 2 Bibingkinitans for him (I should not eat or drink anything when I know I'll go to the hospital) then I took a shower. I prepared his medicines, then packed some more stuff to our hospital bag. I am ready to go, but I have to wake Phil up first.

I went to our bed, kissed him around his face like I always do and slowly blow on his ears. He asked me what time it is, I said 7:30 (but it was just 7:20 when I checked the clock after). He said '30 minutes pa.' So I told him na, 'Kailangan na ata nating bumalik sa hospital'. Then I told him, masakit sa puson and that I've been counting intervals.

He had his breakfast and took a bath. While I was texting my OB telling her that I have contractions and asking her if I should go straight to the labor room or wait for her clinic to open at 9am. She said, since the interval is 8-15 minutes pa, I can still wait for her in the clinic so she'll be the one to check me. She said she'll just finish her lecture to her students.

At around 8:15am, we were outside her clinic already. I was still counting contractions. And when the pain struck, I was like 'pusang hindi mapakali'. I want to keep moving on my seat to find a comfortable position, but nothing helps. Between contractions I was able to smile and joke with Phil. We took pictures too. Our last pictures as 'just the two of us' and last pictures of baby in my tummy.

Doc Joy arrived at around 9:30, and she even joked that since I can still smile, matagal pa ako. Esmie, her assistant, measured my blood pressure and weight. I weigh 178 pounds (I was at 169 pounds during our very first checkup last January). While my blood pressure was a bit high at 120/90 (My bp is usually at 110/80).

They asked me to remove my pants and underwear for the IE (internal exam). Doc Joy said my cervical dilation is at 5cm and that I can be admitted already. She even told me that the head of my baby is lower now as compared to last week's position. She asked us what pain relief medication we prefer, and we chose Twilight over the painless Epidural. She gave me instructions and joked that I should kiss and hug Phil before I go in, because I won't be out until after the baby is born.

We went to the entrance of the labor room, we kissed and hugged and said I love you. Then I went in.

I gave the admitting form to the nurse, told them I'm at 5cm and was escorted to a room. They checked my contraction, counted the interval, took my blood pressure, and did an IE. Since I was interviewed by the OBs there already (when we had a false alarm) they did not interview me anymore, but the pediatric section doctor did some interview.

They gave me Fleet Enema as a suppository, and the nurse (not sure if she's a nurse) shaved my pubic hair (Huh! The contraction covered the embarrassment!). She asked me if I have a camera, I just told her to ask my husband.

I was transferred to the Labor room, where there is a belt-like apparatus (similar to the ones they use for BPS) that monitors the baby.  They attached the Dextrose to my right arm. Then they asked me to drink 1.5 tablets of a certain medicine that has a sedative effect. Dr. Pia, gave me a pin that I have to press every time the baby moves. There was a time that the baby fell asleep, so Dr. Pia ring a bell and even played Katy Perry's 'Last Friday Night' to wake her up. Then, I fell asleep.

From there, everything was a blur. I'm not sure of the sequence of events. I am not aware of the time. But well, here are some episodes that I can remember...

• I woke up and just said repeatedly 'Ang sakit'. The pain from the contraction is much much more intense.
• I heard 2 male voices. One of them lifted me from the bed in the labor room to a stretcher. I opened my eyes and saw the delivery room. I can only remember that there is bed, big spotlights, an oxygen tank and some curtains. The guy lifted me to the small bed in the delivery room.
• I keep on saying 'masakit', and I heard Dr. Pia said 'Sandali na lang' or sometimes, 'Wait lang'.
• I heard someone asked where Dr. Kayaban (Joy) is. Someone answered, 'Kumakain pa.' It was again asked, and someone answered 'Nagbibihis na.'
• I remember trying to lie on my side.
• I told them, 'naiihi na ako'. They lifted me and put a cold thing (a bed pan?) under my hips. Nothing comes out. I said it again after a few minutes, they did nothing. I remember the long flow of water from me to the bed, 2 times. I guess that's my water breaking.
• I remember them holding my feet, I was a bit malikot due to pain.
• Someone attached an oxygen supply on my nose.
• I heard Dr. Joy said that I should wait for her to say push to do my first push.
• Dr. Joy said I should push as if 'natatae'.
• Someone injected something on my right arm.
• Dr. Joy said, 'RA, push'.
• Dr. Joy said, I can hold on my knees when I push (instead of some handle).
• I remember about 4 or 5 pushes.
• Dr. Joy told me to push without sound. I was making an 'eeeeeee' sound.
• I remember pushing without them telling me to push. And pushing without sound.
• I remember that push that finally delivered my baby. I know it was her. I felt so happy. Then I heard her cry. Then a few lighter pains and I know I delivered my placenta already. I remember them putting my baby on my chest. I opened my eyes, saw her, but for some weird reason, I cannot touch her, my arms are so heavy.
• I remember being carried in a stretcher again.
• I remember waking up, asked the nurse what time it is, she said 5 something.
• I keep on sleeping. And will wake up when someone checked my BP or put a pressure on my stomach.
• I remember someone putting pressure on my stomach and checking my BP.
• Someone removed something in my vaginal area (maybe a catheter), she instructed me to to take a deep breath.
• Someone removed something in my right arm and instructed me to take a deep breath.
• Someone is lying on another stretcher beside me. A female, and I wondered if she gave birth as well.
• Someone said, Dr. Joy will check with me first before they release me.
• A guy pushed the stretcher to a lobby, and I read the sign 'Recovery Room' from the door where we came from.
• Someone checked my VP. Dr. Pia called Dr. Joy and told her my BP was stable and that I am awake.
• I heard Phil's voice asking when I'll be released.
• They carted the stretcher to the door. I saw Phil and felt so happy, I really wanted to cry there and then. I want to kiss and hug him tight, but I was not able to. He kissed my head though. I saw Ada and ate Grace too!

Moments after I was trasferred to our room (nanay was there), a nurse asked if she could bring the baby to our room already, we said yes. We really really loved to see our angel.

(link to my blog: Hello Purple Raine Sale Zuniga!)

We stayed until Monday morning. Kizy, Casey, Phil's parents and siblings, Kuya Leng, the Cariagas visited us. :)

And our total bill reached Php 56,000.00. 

Baby Shower

August 17, 2013

It was a surprised baby shower for me. And they were good. Even Phil was good at keeping it a secret to me.

Less than a week ago, Ada told me that she and Karen will meet and if I want to join them for dinner. I told her I am available on the date they scheduled (Actually, I was not 100% sure of my availability, I forgot that nanay and ken might stay in our house). So we scheduled a Saturday 6pm dinner at Seoul Garden. Ada even invited Phil but I told her na baka hindi sasama yun. Nagpaalam ako kay Phil, and to my surprise, gusto nyang sumama. I thought kaya ok lang sa kanya sumama e dahil hindi naman nya naging student si Karen plus gusto nya kumain sa Seoul Garden. Kaso he reminded me na darating si nanay. Sabi ko, icancel ko na lang yung dinner with Karen, sabi nya, wag na. Magprep na lang kami ng dinner for nanay and Ken (hindi rin natuloy si Nanay at Ken)

To my surprise, Karen was not in Seoul Garden and Ada was not alone. Manica and Sheli was there too. So I thought, ininvite din siguro ni Karen. But wait, JA and Aubrey was there too! So doon ko lang naisip na aba, this is for me. And I saw gifts pa.

Shower of gifts for our baby!

Individual pics available on my FB or Instagram accounts.

Plus a video of greetings and well wishes!

(Will attach the video soon! Still have to ask for a copy from Ada)

False Alarm

Last Tuesday (Aug. 20) I noticed some mucus-like (vaginal mucus plug) thing on my underwear everytime I go to the restroom. From the whitish color, it became pinkish during the night. I didn't tell Phil since I am not feeling any pain or contraction, but I was thinking of when to tell him. I took a bath, because I thought that if that's the start of labor and if I'll feel the contraction at dawn, at least I was able to take a bath the night before. I was a bit worried too because of Typhoon Maring and because it was in the news that some areas going to De Los Santos Medical Center are still flooded.

I fell asleep, woke-up two times (in both times there was no mucus discharge) and finally get up at around 9:30am. I checked my underwear and there was nothing. After around 30 minutes, Phil woke up so I brew his coffee. Then I went to the bathroom to pee. And there. There are blood in my underwear. I immediately texted my OB, and she advised us to go to the hospital so we can be sure.

Phil was still in bed playing PVZ2 on his iPad. I was a bit nervous on how and what to tell him. I kissed him and told him we have to go to the hospital because there are blood on my underwear. He finished his coffee, brushed his teeth and changed his clothes (while I was preparing too!). He asked if I feel any pain, there was none. So we were a bit sure it is a false alarm, that it is not labor yet. We just brought the backpack and was in the hospital around 30 minutes after I texted my OB.

I went to the labor room, they checked my vital signs, counted my contractions and did an internal exam (IE). And I was already at 2cm cervical dilation. They advised me to walk for 2 hours. When we heard that I was already at 2cm, we were kinda sure that I'll be in labor that day or the day after. But after walking for 2 hours, I was still at 2cm.

Doc Joy explained that it could progress or stop for a while and she gave me pointers or signs on when to go back to the hospital. So we were sent home.

It was frustrating. But well, Baby, I'll see you soon!

BPS Ultrasound

BPS stands for Biophysical Profile Scoring Ultrasound. Detailed information is available in BabyMed and BabyCenter websites. But to give the basic BPS is "a simple, painless test that's performed during pregnancy to assess the baby's well-being, specifically, whether he/she is getting enough oxygen in the womb". It is a combination of Nonstress test and ultrasound examinations ( Fetal tone, fetal movement, fetal breathing and amniotic fluid volume; each test is graded 0 - 2. And a total of 8-10 is considered normal, while below 8 needs further evaluation. Below is a sample grading chart from BabyMed.

August 17, 2013

Baby is at 37 weeks and 4 days already. Doc Joy said we have to take the BPS Ultrasound to check if the baby is ok (or if we can still wait for the due date). So last Saturday we went to De Los Santos Medical Center for my weekly check-up and for the BPS ultrasound.

Doc Joy examined my pelvic and she tried to locate the head of my baby, and she told me that the baby is too high and I might deliver past my due date. And since the baby seems so big (by belly is big) we do not want to extend the pregnancy anymore because the baby will grow bigger and it might be harder for a normal delivery. Additionally, the baby might move and change position (from cephalic), her position now is already perfect. So she suggested walking. Walk walk walk so the baby will engage (head on touching the pelvic floor).

Her ultrasound schedule is in the afternoon, so we had lunch then we waited near the ultrasound department. I was second in line but since the first one was not back yet and Doc Joy has been there already, she examined me first. We paid Php 630 for the ultra sound, Php 550 for the stress test and Php 450 for the reader's fee.

At the ultrasound, my baby scored 8/8 (for the fetal tone, fetal movement, fetal breathing and amniotic fluid volume) and it was confirmed that the my baby is still high. The ultrasound also showed that my baby weight between 6.5 and 8 pounds.