He’s here :)

Had been ages, I know. But anyway, I would like to share my labor and birthing story here

At around 33 weeks, I complained about severe back pains to my OB. Also, I can feel my tummy hardening every now and then. So she asked me to see her bestfriend, who’s also an OB, immediately. I was even hesitant at first because of my work load but she was really persistent and even scheduled the appointment herself (my OB really is love ). I went to OB number 2 the next day.

OB number 2 (who i also love by the way), performed an internal examination on me and found out that my cervix is already open and I was already 1cm dilated. So she advised me to undergo COMPLETE BED REST (which is not fun at all).

At 36 weeks, bed rest was already lifted. Yahoo! So I started walking, cleaning, and enjoying the last stage of my pregnancy. Although it was a bit hard since I can feel the “contractions” every now and then.

When I went for a check-up last September 17, I was just 2cm dilated and my cervix is still thick (I blame the medications I had to take during my 33rd week LOL). Baby also is still floating. Although OB number 1 and 2 already gave me my admission form, I was told that it could take a week or two for baby to come out (or days if I’m really “malikot”). I was planning to walk around UP Oval since then but the weather would not cooperate.

September 19, the contractions were very bothersome already so I went to see OB number 2 again. I was just 2-3cm dilated by then. She advised me to do more walking.

September 23, I went back to OB number 2 because again, the contractions, though tolerable are becoming more frequent. I was 3-4cm dilated that time but cervix is still thick. She advised me to do more walking and wait for 2-3 more days.

September 23, after my check-up, we picked up my daughter at school then proceeded to my office since I needed some documents. We went to Greenhills after. At around 9pm (after dinner), I peed and saw blood on my undies (finally!). I texted OB numbers 1 and 2, and they both told me to go to the delivery room already. I didn’t panic of course. I took a bath, calmly checked if our bags are complete, dropped my daughter at West Kapitolyo, and finally went to Chinese General Hospital.

I arrived at CGH at around 1am.

September 24, 1am. Resident doctor interviewed me, IE’d me, she told me that I’m already 4cm dilated. She gave the go signal for me to be admitted. IV inserted, something that will soften my cervix and speed up labor were injected as well. Contraction/ Fetal Monitor Test administered.

From then on, it was a long wait. I was feeling the contractions but those were tolerable for me. I even slept and made “chika” to bed number 13 and 14 Had to wait hours for my cervix to dilate from 4cm to 4-5cm to 5cm

September 24, 10am. OB number 1 arrived. She IE’d me and found out that I’m now 5-6cm dilated.  However, contractions are still tolerable. She even kidded me that my pain scale states that Bed number 12 is “jolly and alert. no pain at all.” So thirsty already during this time. OB asked the nurse to give me cotton balls dipped in mineral water.

September 24, around 12:30noon. OB number 2 arrived. They IE’d me again. I’m now 6-7cm dilated. They were asking me if I want an epidural but I told them that I’m going to try to survive labor without one first. Bag of water is still intact.

September 24, 1pm. OB numbers 1 and 2 asked someone to send me to my room first (hubby already got a room upon admission). They instructed me to walk around it so baby will go down. I tried but got sleepy after a few tries

September 24, 3pm. Went back to the labor room. 7cm dilated now. Starting to feel intense contractions. Seriously contemplating if I need an epidural or not. When a strong one hit, I felt that my asthma would act up any minute so I decided to say yes to the drugs. Was wheeled to delivery room 1.

September 24, 5pm. At delivery room 1. Epidural was administered. Was already 8cm dilate upon IE. Bag of water finally broke. BUT WHEN IE’d again, went back to 6cm. The contractions were more painful now (considering that I have a high tolerance for pain and despite the epidural, yes, I felt it)

September 24, 8pm. OB numbers 1 and 2 went out first to have dinner. As well as the nurses. A resident doctor went inside and IE’d me. Was again 8cm dilated. She told me that she’s going to push the baby out of me and I need to give it all I can. I panicked because my OBs were not there! But I had no choice, it was now or never. So I pushed when she instructed me to. The pain was the worst that I’ve experienced during the entire process. I had to beg for the last shot of epidural.

September 24, 8:30pm. I finally saw my OBs. Finally relaxed. Resident doctor pushed my tummy downwards while all the nurses instructed me to push. After 3 hard pushes, they told me that it’s now time for me to push alone.

September 24, 8:53pm. After 2 hard pushes (on my own), I heard a cry. It was weird since I did not even feel him “crowning” like what I’ve felt when I pushed my daughter out. The OBs were telling me that he was big and his cheeks were big as well. OB number 2 even told me that “Kaya pala ayaw bumaba kasi malaki yung pisngi.” At 37 weeks, he’s almost 8lbs already and he’s 52cm long.

When they let me held him (skin to skin) seconds or 2 minutes after birth, I just could not help but smile. After cleaning him up, OBs started working on my stitches. Then my baby was given to me to latch on my nipple so he can breastfeed.

Baby was with me from the delivery room to the recovery room to our hospital room.

Nikko Brenden, you are worth every pain

10-13 weeks to go :)

And we’ll see Nikko in person.

We bought almost all of the stuff he needs. Just needs to wash them.

We haven’t bought a playpen or a stroller yet though.

Baby Nikko: Updates

1. We’re now 22 weeks pregnant – Just one more week and we’re on our 6th month already.
2. CAS – Congenital Anomaly Scan – has to be done on the 27th week (as per my OB’s instruction). Will have mine done at In My Womb Megamall (again). It’s 3.5php for the CAS in 3D/4D. Will just post photos of his scan after.
3. I know I can’t shop yet and I’m not. But I’m already asking people to buy/ reserve stuff for me (I’ll get those as soon as I turn 28 weeks LOL) So far, here’s what we’ve accomplished on our list:

• Sterilizer – Reserved the Avent IQ24 Steam Sterilizer with Mommy Marcia. Will cross this one out as soon as I get it.
• Baby Bottles – I already bought Avent Blue Bottles from Una’s shop and my aunt from the US has some Born Free bottles for me. Still thinking of getting Tommy Tippee bottles so I won’t cross out this one yet.
• Stroller – Since my brother’s going to Canada again for work, I asked my tita from Canada to purchase a stroller for me and my brother will just carry it home. She emailed to me some choices and here’s the one that I’m eyeing:

Peg Perego Vela Classico in Pepper

*Photo taken from Toys R Us Canada’s Site

• First Aid Kit – Will just buy something from Safety First
• Newborn Diapers
• Desitin Cream – for potential nappy rash
• Baby Wipes
• Cloth/ Gauze Diapers – Will just buy from SM
• Bottle Brush and Milk Container – Ordered these (Avent Bottle Brush and Milk Container) already from Mestiza Barbie. Will get mine in July.
• Receiving Blankets – Will just probably ordered online (cheaper than those in SM)
• Tie Sides – Will probably just buy a few
• Onesies – We have some unused or once used from the US (my cousin-in-law’s); from Canada (my aunt); and my aunt from US bought some onesies already as well. So no more buying for us Finally, a thing to cross off this list.
• Mittens – SM
• Socks – Funky Feet – will just order online
• Playpen/ Crib – We’re still thinking if we should get one since I prefer co-sleeping for easier breastfeeding, changing, and lesser paranaoia. However, if we do plan to get one, we’re going to get this:

Graco – Newborn Napper Pack ‘n Play Playard, Brunswick

or something similar anyway

• Boppy Pillow – Will get one from Babinski
• Car Seat – We don’t use this. So I’ll just cross this one out. I prefer holding my babies and just sitting at the back of the car.
• Bouncer – Miakka’s bouncer (which we got from Renee and Miguel)
• Bath Tub – Nikko will probably use Miakka’s (which is in pink). However, I asked my tita from the US to look for something like below on the 4th of July sale:

Pretty eh? Fisher Price Rainforest Bath Tub

• Saya Baby Carrier – Will buy probably from Brussel Sprouts

Well, basically those are the things I need for Nikko and the basic toiletries of course. Financial stress leads to emotional stress LOL. I’m just not trying to think too much about it.

- Ciao-

Nursery Student Miakka

We (Mark and I) attended the parents’ orientation for Nursery students at Miriam – CSC last Wednesday. We transferred Miakka to the afternoon class because our driver (her daddy) has a fixed night schedule due to his MBA classes. I felt a little sad because her classmates (and my mommy friends) from First Step are still together in Nursery. Worst is her bestfriend (Bea) did not transfer to another school (like what we’ve heard) and is still classmates with some of the students from FS-3. When I told Miakka about it, I saw a little bit of sadness in her eyes. However, knowing my daughter (who’s emotionally strong and mature for her age), she dismissed it immediately and just asked about her teacher.

Anyway, she’s in N-10 and her teacher’s name is Teacher Elayne.  They’re 23 in class (horrors!). There’s no teacher aide (double horrors). And they did not give us a grooming box (triple horrors!). Miakka is really now in BIG SCHOOL.

Now that they’re in Nursery, they will have a grading system of Outstanding, Very Good, Good, and Needs Help (pressure, LOL). They will also tackle now basic subjects such as reading (bring it on!), mathematics (still no problem there), Christian Living Education (ok, that’s good too), and WRITING (the one I think where she’ll struggle the most).

You see, Miakka is very very undisciplined when it comes to writing. She spells, yes. She knows the alphabet by heart, yes. She can write legibly, yes. But she’s not very good with following lines. That’s why she loves to paint and draw as well (she doesn’t need to follow a specific color and lines). Anyway, will just practice that with her as I don’t want her to receive a grade of NH on that one.

Anyway, will blog after her first day of classes

-ciao-

We’re going to have a….

Yes, we went to In My Womb Megamall earlier to have the baby checked since my muscles at my back is acting up again.

We opted again for the fetal biometry with gender determination in 2D.

And now, we’re 200% sure that we’re going to have a (drum roll please)

Baby BOY!!!

We already saw the baby’s balls and his little thingie. hahaha. Although, he was sleeping and was very uncooperative.

The OB-sono at IMW was very very nice. She showed us a “sneak peek” of our baby in 3D for us to fully appreciate him. Oh he’s very very cute. He has ate’s nose though (a bit on the snobbish side, haha but I’m not losing hope. It may still change before he goes out)

Now, I’m definitely decided to have my CAS done in 3D. And I’m going to bring ate with me so she can see her baby brother.

Nikko Brenden Santiago Dizon

At 20 weeks

Here’s a photo of him in 2D… Just chilling LOL

We can’t wait to meet you Baby Nikko.

-end-

Registered and Insured

We recently had Charlie (our family car) registered and insured for 2011-2012. This year we added “Acts of God” as an additional even though it costs higher. Well, with the recent changes in our climate, it pays to be safe and proves to be much cheaper.

I was browsing through the internet on how to save money on car insurance and it basically says that I should shop for my car insurance as I would shop for a pair of shoes or a good bag. I should look into every detail, compare all the insurance offerings of all the insurance companies, and decide on the insurance company that would save me tons of money later on when I need it.

However, we’re still hoping that a typhoon like Ondoy won’t strike again.

Mother’s Day Gift :)

Miakka told me a day before Mother’s day what her gift for me was: she’s going to help take care of baby brother (80% chance of having a boy).

I never saw this caring side of Miakka, I always thought she’ll be in marketing or any communication related field when she grows up. However, I saw her wanting to know more about her unborn sibling and wanting to know how she can help take care of “it”. Maybe there’s a career path for Miakka on the health care industry as well. I bet she would look more cute on nursing scrubs instead of corporate suits.

Health care practitioner’s uniform looks more comfortable as well particularly the nursing uniforms.

But still it’s still up to Miakka, whether she wants to be in the healthcare industry or the marketing industry, we’ll support her 101%

-end-

New house :)

Our new, little house is finished already. It just needs more retouching on it.

We’re excited about moving in actually. However, much needs to be done after the turn-over: landscaping, gates, tiles, paint, plus of course the furnitures.

Since, we’re having one more kid, we’re thinking of having carpets on the top floor, particularly on the kids’ room. As I was browsing for cute carpets on line, I came across trade show carpets. I can’t wait to show it to my boss actually. We might be able to use it in our new office and what’s good about it is we can add our logo on it.

Browsing further, I also saw these totally functional logo mats. Maybe we can order some of this and give it as corporate gifts to clients with their company logos on it. I just don’t know if they would like the thought that they’re going to step on the logos of their companies but still it’s a good way to advertise and personalized.

I also saw this logo canopy which I think would be useful if we volunteer as sponsors to marketing events. Clients would surely be attracted to our booth and inquire about our services.

I’m glad that you could add a little more personal touch to a lot of things these days.

And back to the house, I’ll post photos as soon as I can

-end-

Boo Me!

Was too lazy to update this blog because of two major reasons:

1. I went out of the country for almost two months (Canada, Australia, then United Kingdom). Will probably about those trips when I have the time to do so

2. I’M PREGNANT AGAIN! A little bit unexpected but we’re very happy with this second blessing.

Oh will blog again when I have more time

100th Day in School

This post is actually a continuation of my blog backlog

When it was Miakka’s 100th day in school, they were asked to wear jeans and shirt.

Below was her attire for the day

I can’t believe that she survived her first 100 days in school. Never a single tear, made a lot of friends, learned to do a lot of stuff on her own.

Her teacher gave her a tumbler with photos of her doing some of their activities in school. Quite nice actually