Pitter Patter of a Tiny Heart

Though our schedule was at 830am, Kit and I were already at our OB's clinic for my monthly check up by 8am.  We didn't realize that we were early until we saw the entire [doctor's clinics] floor almost deserted, except for the janitor who was mopping the floor.  It was the first time I saw the floor empty.  On my previous check ups, it was usually bustling with patients, visitors, doctors, etc.  It was a nice change since it allowed me to take in the morning in my usual slow pace.  (Have I mentioned I'm not a morning person?)

Needless to say, we were the first in line.  Being early sure have its advantages! No more waiting! (Have I mentioned I'm also a bit impatient? Haha!)  Dra. Rivera complimented how big my tummy is already.  At 4 months, I already am showing.  Feel na feel ko talaga maging buntis. :-)  Anyway, she said that Baby is 1 inch below my navel and just the right size.  She also let us hear Baby's heartbeat for the second time.  And hearing that melodious sound never fail to put a big smile on my face.  :-)  Baby's heartbeat is really strong.  Kakalagay lang ng doppler, narinig na namin agad yung heartbeat.  The entire clinic heard it too.  What a beautiful way to start the morning!

For me, no other sound is more beautiful than the pitter patter of your baby's heart inside of you.  So tiny, yet so strong.  A part of you, yet has a life of his own.  A miracle destined to bring more joy and more love in our lives. :-)

*We love you Baby.  Keep on making your heart beat stronger, as the hearts of your Daddy and I only beat for you. *     


   

All about My Husband

Now that I'm pregnant, I love Kit even MORE!  He does things that completely surprises me.  ♥♥♥

Here are some random things on top of my mind at the moment:

1.  I always complain (and Kit knows this) how heavy his arm/hand is.  Literally, mabigat ang kamay nya.  When he hugs me at night, it seems like I'm under a ton of bricks.  (Exag! Hahaha! But I still love him hugging me at night, I feel so secure and safe.)  Anyway, it surprises me how light his hand is whenever he would touch or hug my tummy.  He does this so slowly and carefully, lest he hurt our Baby.  :-)

2.  Being the girly girl that I am, almost all of my shirts are "baby tee's", the ones that are tight and just falls right on your first hips.  Yes, even my pantulog clothes.  Now that I'm pregnant, imagine how short they are!  The hem rides up and exposes my tummy.  And Kit does not like it one bit because according to him, Baby might get cold, even if I'm under the comforter.  So what he does is he lets me wear his shirts.  And still calls me sexy even if his shirts are 2 sizes bigger on me.  How sweet can he get! :-)            

3.  Kit has always been a morning person, a breakfast-eater at that.  While I'm the complete opposite.  During our first month of marriage, I tried waking up early and prepared him breakfast.  But when I got pregnant, I found it harder to wake up early because of the "morning sickness" (excuses, excuses!).  And he perfectly understands!  He was the one who even suggested for me not to prepare him breakfast anymore since he knows I need to cope with my ever-changing body.  And he wants me and Baby to get as much rest and sleep as possible.  According to him, he feels guilty whenever I wake up early to take care of his needs.  At siya pa talaga ang na-guilty.  Ang bait, di ba?!  Don't worry Bab, I promise to make it up to you after Baby is born. :-)                      

4.  I have been open about my ability to cook, or better yet, the lack thereof.  Haha!  Whenever I try something, like the tuna pasta and taco the other night, he finishes everything like its the tastiest food on earth.  He finds it delicious even if my tuna pasta was salty and the taco, spicy.  Now tell me, how can I not love him??? :-)

Loving Gingersnaps

I've always associated Gingersnaps with kid's clothes.  The few times I've been to the store was only to buy gifts for my godchildren.  The clothes are sooo cute!  You would just love dressing your kids in their clothes.  And oh, those accessories!  Don't even get me started! :-)

So, imagine my surprise when I saw that they carry a maternity line too.  I was excited!  My husband loved the designs too.  So now, yes I like wearing my maternity clothes.  I feel so stylish and girly and sophisticated! Hahaha. :-p 

Baby's Things... Wishlist No. 1

I'm nearing my fourth month and Kit and I are really, really excited for our baby to come along.  We can't wait to hold him/her in our arms and smother him/her with hugs and kisses. *We love you Baby.  We can't wait to see you. =)*

In the meantime, we are on the lookout for baby things.  Funny story first.  A few weeks back, Kit was telling me how much he wanted to buy an iPAD 2, an iPhone, an iPod touch, a new laptop and a driving playseat for his PS3.  But upon seeing the prices of baby accessories, all those took a backseat.  Iba na raw ang pangarap nya --- crib, stroller at car seat na. Hahaha!  He would even check the internet now and then to scout for baby accessories.  I'm so proud! =)   So, here goes our  first list:

1.  Chicco Cortina Key Fit Travel System

     We were initially inclined towards MacLaren and Safety First.  But upon checking the net, we fell in love with Chicco Cortina more.  Here's why:

          Key Fit Car Seat

• Energy-absorbing foam for improved side-impact protection
• Secures baby from 4 - 30 lbs
• Removable newborn insert for smaller babies
• Thickly cushioned seat pad and five-point harness for maximum comfort
• Spring-assisted level foot, bubble levels, and “Center-Pull” adjustment for easiest installation

Cortina Stroller 

• One-hand fold and automatic storage latch
• Multi-position, flat-recline seat with “Memory Recline”
• Parent and child cup holders and large storage basket
• Adjustable leg rest, canopy, and all wheel suspension
• For use from birth to 50 lbs 

 

2.  Graco Pack n' Play Playard 

• Sleek frame design with airy mesh on all sides to provide maximum ventilation
• Removable, full-size bassinet is perfect for napping
• Quilted mattress pad creates a comfortable nap space
• Signature Graco® push-button fold makes closing your playard quick and hassle-free
• Toy bar features soft toys to amuse your baby
• Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage
• Electronics module with songs and soothing sounds
• Changer with cushioned rim for more comfortable diaper changing
• Three cubbies to keep baby essentials close at hand

So far, that's what our hearts are set on. =)

First Time Cooking

I don't know how to cook.  For some reason, cooking doesn't interest me.  But I know that I have to do it sooner (or later? At talagang humihirit pa ako! =p) since it's only Kit and I who live at the condo.  For the past 3 months, we were able to live by take out, delivery (since the mall is just across our condo), "baon" from our respective families when we come to visit, and by me frying food.  Yes, yun lang ang alam ko.  Magprito! Pero nakakasawa din pala yun.  Hahaha.

So, last night I decided to cook pasta for the first time.  Tuna pasta to be exact.  I bought penne (this is Kit's favorite), tomato sauce, 2 cans of tuna (original and spicy), mushroom, garlic, olive oil and some basil.  Surprisingly, it was good! (Yes, biased kung biased!Hahaha!)  It was a bit salty, but it was good.  We had 2 big servings each when we were supposed to be watching our diet.  Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.  So the verdict, not bad for a first timer.  =)  With that success (Feel na feel ko talaga! Akala mo nman complicated recipe. Haha!), I have a newly found interest in cooking.  In fact, I've been searching the net for recipes I could try.  And yes, I can finally say that I'm looking forward to cooking again.  I just hope this feeling is not a temporary thing. 

P.S. Too bad I wasn't able to take a picture.  I was so overwhelmed with the feeling of finally cooking something that I forgot to take a picture. Oh well... Next time...

15 Weeks Pregnant

I'm 15 weeks pregnant! Meaning i'm now in my 2nd trimester.  Good thing for i'm now past my "all-day sickness" episodes!  =)

According to baby center,15 weeks of pregnancy is described as:

"Starting this week, any stomach rumblings you feel may be your baby trying out some acrobatics, since she can now move all her limbs. She's also becoming sensitive to light. If you shine a torch at your tummy, she's likely to move away from the beam. Anxious to know whether she's really a she or actually a he? Your baby's external genitals are probably developed enough by now that an ultrasound technician can make a good guess at the sex.

You may not know it when it happens, but your tiny tenant frequently gets the hiccups, which babies master before breathing. Babies don't make any sound because their trachea is filled with fluid rather than air. 

Although you've probably gained between 5 and 10 pounds / 2.2 - 4.5 kilograms, the fetus weighs in at around only 2.5 ounces / 70 grams. It measures nearly 4 inches / 11 centimeters long, crown to rump. Legs are growing longer than the arms now, fingernails are fully formed and all the joints and limbs can move.

If the idea of having a baby seems so remote, nothing makes it feel more real than feeling your baby move for the first time.  Most moms-to-be discern movement (called quickening) between 16 and 20 weeks. If you've been pregnant before, you'll feel things earlier rather than later. What you may first think is a rumbling stomach may be your baby doing some back flips. Make note of when you first start feeling the baby and tell your doctor at your next visit. This middle stage of pregnancy is a good time to start exercising."

How exciting is that! Sometimes I still can't believe that another life is living inside of me.  I can't wait to feel her/him move for the first time!  I hope I can discern though that she/he is indeed moving, and its not just my tummy rumbling.  Now for sure, I'll be more conscious of what my tummy is feeling.  *Baby, sige lang, paramdam ka lang kay Mommy ha. We love you! =)*

On Being a Mom

Saw this from Indigo Baby's blog and the iyakin that I am (or was it the hormoness???), I shed a tear while reading this.  I really can't wait to be a mom and get to hold my baby for the very first time.  *I love you baby.  See you in 6 months. =)*

Being a Mom

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."

"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.

I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.

She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to k now that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.

TRY NOT TO CRY....

I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.