1st doses for two more vaccines

Joram and I went to his pediatrician this afternoon for his rotavirus vaccine and HiB shots.
It doesn't come cheap. But thinking about the possibility of our baby getting sick with those disease is enough to scare us into spending for the vaccines. We really don't want anymore hospital days for our baby.

Praying that God would use these vaccines to help baby Joram combat infections. Trusting...

para sa mahal ko... ^^,

I should have posted this during Father's day last June 19.
But then again, we were kind of busy.

Anyway, I am always thankful to God for the men in my life. I love them dearly.

I thank God for the blessing of having a responsible and supportive father throughout my childhood. Plus, the bonus of having known and being loved by both of my grandfathers.

So, when my husband added to the list, I felt more blessed! Yes, I don't deserve it... and yes, that is GRACE!

Anyways, I got all of them a card last June 19.

But I especially love the one I found for Dennies which I got around late April. It was so fitting that I couldn't wait but to buy the card early.
Maybe, I could post it here sometime.

I want everyone to know just how excited he is of our pregnancy as well... how supportive and patient he's been and how blessed (most term it LUCKY) I so feel!

i am at least 4 weeks away

Baby Joram had been moving more frequently this past days. He too seems to be excited at going out!

But I have to remind him that he is at least 4 weeks away!

I have been sorting out my baby checklist. Although most of the items were already given to me by dear family and friends, there's about a couple more things that we've yet to buy.

We are to get the crib this week. And to purchase the mattress covers and pillows to go with it.

As our home is undergoing a repair at this moment, we're waiting on it to be done before we could finally put things "baby safe" and neat as a welcome to baby.

We have no nursery in the house. But we're dedicating a big corner of our bedroom to him... which will be a place for his crib and most baby stuff.

Hopefully, I could get to decorating next week. I am thinking of cartoon transport to decorate and had been busy Googling images that would be great for our baby boy. I am excited!

I need to check our budget though. We can't go overboard.

just ranting

for the past 2 weeks...

I have gone to recovering my account every other day or two. I don't know what's the problem with my account and I am honestly tempted with just going off making a new one and ultimately leaving my old username. But somehow, I just love it that I couldn't find myself to doing it. Also, it is directly connected to this blog... which means that to access or do any editing here, I need to try to recover my Google account which I still haven't recovered since June 10.

My Yahoo mail is also going through changes in password and security questions which I didn't do. And so, I get to change or reset my password ever so often.

But the recovery is better at Yahoo than at my Google though.

Anyway, I am blaming it on the applications in Facebook... which I allowed (yes, it's my fault.)

And yes, I am not going to get into any more new applications. Afterall, I am cutting my FB time to save on electricity since our bill had doubled this month.

normal delivery vs. cesarean section (my opinion)

My opinion (another article would be written on the real pros & cons)

As a nursing student years ago, I had seen both normal delivery and the cesarean section performed at the hospital.

I have first witnessed a normal spontaneous delivery. It was really painful. It felt like the pelvis would snap or that the mother's entire vulva would shatter.
It made me think then, that if I were to be pregnant... I would choose a C-section.

It wasn't long after that when I had my duty at the operating room where the doctors need to do a C-section on a mother whose babies (she carried twins) were in distress for such a long unsuccessful labor.
I saw the doctor sliced through the the woman's tummy in a flash... they do have to do it in a hurry if they want to save the baby.
But to me, it looked like butchering.
Then, it made me think that a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (NSVD) would be a better option.

A year after, I got the chance to witness a scheduled C-section. There was no fetal distress at this time so the client's OB was not in such a hurry. She got her a "bikini cut" incision. And it was done with such grace and gentleness.
This made me think, that maybe, I'd want a C-section after all.

Anyway, more than that, I did read on articles comparing the two methods of delivery which I will be sharing on a different entry.

It is also interesting to note, that a lot of celebrities do go for a normal spontaneous delivery even when they have all the money to pay for a CS.

Right now, the cost alone of a normal delivery over a CS is enough for me to go for the first. Since the latter is more than twice the amount of an NSVD package.

We're praying that all will go well with our pregnancy and to a normal delivery.

In fact, I would want to strengthen my chances of a normal delivery which I would be writing about in another entry as well. Right now, since I have yet to read much, I can only point out diet and exercise... plus lots of prayer.

basic newborn apparel checklist

 I got to this article while searching for a more comprehensive and budget friendly checklist.
With the gifts that I got from my parents and gfs, I think I can start on checking off some of these in the list. :)

http://baby-checklists.yeahbaby.com/article.php?page=62

Newborn (birth to six months) clothing checklist

This article provides a list of clothing your newborn will need to keep him/her happy and comfortable!

By the YeahBaby.com editorial staff

Before you go out and spend a truckload on clothes for your newborn, consider that clothing is a common gift at baby showers or to celebrate the birth of your child. You may also be blessed with hand-me-downs from older siblings, friends, or family. While you want the best for your child, they could care less if they are wearing Baby Polo or their cousin's clothes that don't fit anymore. Your baby will grow fast, and may only get to wear an outfit once or twice before they outgrow it or seasons change.

This list will provide you with a good start for what your newborn (birth to six months) will require for clothing.

Onesies (4 to 6)  :) Macel had given me 4 sleeveless rompers for baby already. Rompers, she deemed, looked so cute on babies that she wants our baby to have them as well. It is also efficient to use when you are to use disposable diapers.

Pants (2-3 pairs)  :) 

Pajamas and/or body bags (4 to 6)  :) Mama had bought me 6 pairs of pajama bottoms and tops (3 are short sleeves & 3 are with long sleeves)

Short-sleeve bodysuits with snaps at the crotch (4 to 6)   :) still need to buy some of these though... although with i think that it would be not necessary anymore since there are other baby clothes that they bought me that are not in this list that could very well take the place of body suits. 

Sweaters (1-2) :) since we are in the Philippines, those long sleeved shirts would work just fine. If it gets really cold, then, wrapping him in a blanket would do.

Winter coat and/or Snowsuit (during winter months) :) no winters in the Philippines!

Mittens (2 pairs during winter months) :) even though there's no winter, it has been customary in the Philippines that baby's nails are not to be cut until a month old which explains the need for mittens or gloves but the thin cotton ones would do and they have already given me a total of 5 pairs already.

Booties or socks (4 to 6 pairs) :) I already have 7 pairs of booties and 1 pair of socks which they gave me. 

Hats (2 to 3) --  :) I thought I already have 3... turns out, I only have a pair. So, I need to get at least 1 more.

Receiving blankets (3 to 5) :) they gave me 3 already.

Crib blankets (2) :) Yes, Mama bought me 2 already.

Stroller or car seat blanket --  :) Mommy (my mother-in-law) said that Dennies' cousin have a stroller to pass on to us. I wouldn't be crossing this out just yet though since it's not in our hands yet.

Diapers (10-12 per day for newborns) --  :) I have 3 cloth diapers right now and 6 little briefs (my favorite) which he can wear after the cord falls off, and 1 waterproof diaper. We'd buy more diapers soon since I won't be using disposable ones all day. We plan to use disposable diapers at night and when travelling though. So, disposable diapers are entirely not out of the list.

Burp cloths (2-3)  :) they gave me bibs already which could double as burp cloths already.Shoes are cute as an ornament or decoration, but aren't necessary until the baby is close to walking age.
If you ''inherit'' hand-me-down clothing, make sure you are clear with the donor whether they want the clothing back when your baby is done with it. If they would like it back, it is easy to create a spreadsheet on the computer containing an inventory of where clothing is to be returned when it is outgrown.

 :) It turns out that I have most of my newborn apparels at hand. Although if I were to be more comfortable with washing or laundry schedule, then, I should have more... but indeed, for someone on a budget, it doesn't hurt to have more laundry schedules for our little one for few months. We do hope he'd grow out of this clothes soon enough.

back in Biñan

Got back last night from a 6-day trip to Davao... no, we didn't do any more sight-seeing since that's my hometown... I was there to meet as much of my family & friends as I could possibly can. & I was to visit my dentist -- which I had to cancel due to a busy sked. I was happy to have been with my family. I do miss them a lot. I got to see my Lola again for her birthday celebration last Saturday which was joined with my cousins' graduation party.  I got my fill of the lechon! yumyum! Sunday, we went to our church in Digos for worship where we got to meet long lost family, friends and acquaintances. And, yes, I love displaying my baby bump. We slept over at Barayong after a Dinner that Uncle Arthur prepared for the family. Inna (my cousin & his 2nd child) graduated as the class valedictorian, Saturday. We also prepared for Jobbie's 10th birthday last March 29 which he celebrated with his friends at a village pool near our home in Davao. Most were my Mama's cooking... I only got to cook carbonara by my bro's request. We were able to eat at PICOBELLO which is the family's favorite Italian restaurant in the city. I was there with my big brother Jon, his gf Tin and Jobbie last Monday. We down in 4 pizzas since they still have their buy one take one offer between 2-5pm, and having 2 wouldn't have been enough for the four of us. Monday night, we ate at a beach side 'restaurant'... kind of like the Dampa.. where they cook fresh seafoods the way you like it. We were there with Uncle Gen & his family and our Lola. It was our parents' treat. Indeed, my tummy was a lot bigger that Monday! Tuesday, Jobbie's birthday, was spent at home... cooking for him and his friends who were at the pool about 3 blocks away from our home. It was fun but tiring..but definitely a time to appreciate my Mama for the effort she gives on preparing for my lil bro's birthday! It brings back memories of how my Mama affectionately prepares for our birthday each year as well... it might not be filled with balloons and poppers but definitely with lots of LOVE! I am indeed loving my Mama more these days. Wednesday, I got to rest the morning off. And the afternoon, I got my hair cut at Ate Ailyn's salon then proceeded to go shopping with Mama for baby stuff which I will blog about in another entry. That dinner, I spent it with my Ninangs from the wedding where I got sultry and funny marriage love stories which I won't blog about.   ;) Thursday, I realized that I only have 5kg of baggage left for pasalubong... which my Papa filled in with tuna for my in-laws. ^^< Thanks, Papa. I had lunch at Mandarin, my favorite Dimsum restaurant in Davao, with my gfs Aimee and Macel who brought Khaiah, 2yo, my only girl 'inaanak' (godchild). I ordered my favorites of course! And Macel had bought me more baby stuffs which i'd include in the other entry. And Khaiah is still so cute and pretty, she's talkative & sings "Sanay __ibig na lang ang isipin" from Mutya. After that, I got a chance to visit Jobbie's school again for his report card. He didn't make it to the honors this year :( And I kind of blamed myself for it. But committing everything to God for he knows best. I feel so blessed indeed for my family and friends! Thank You, Lord!

before i'd go...

Three of my friends contacted me at Facebook recently after knowing of my pregnancy who were unfortunately still without a child after more than a year of trying to conceive. My husband and I are especially thankful to God for hearing our prayers and for allowing us to pregnant. As in my previous post, I had realized that getting pregnant is not as easy as I thought it would be. With all the rumors and events of unwanted pregnancy, I thought it would be as easy as coitus during your ovulation. But in our first 3 months of trying... I was proven wrong. In a way, I can feel for these women since those three months seemed so long for me... the fear that I may never get to be pregnant closes in but I need to remind myself that God is in control and that He has nothing but the best for me. ... that has eased my anxiety. There was a time when I actually think that maybe... just maybe... I wasn't meant to be a mother to one or two children... maybe I was destined to be a mother to more than that as I am so in love with children and I seem to be gifted with kids (as in a mother in the orphanage or in the classroom). But anyway... we are expecting a baby boy by the end of July. And we hope and pray that he will be healthy ^^< Back to the 3 women, I got to share my article on getting pregnant. And I do pray for them, along with other wives who have long waited for those two lines in their pregnancy test kit. The first one, whom I talked to last January, is now 6 weeks pregnant with twins! God be praised indeed! The other two, I had them read it this March (the 3rd one, just today), I really hope that the article would be of help. But in all these, I trust in God's perfect timing. There is grace in waiting. I believe that with all my heart. If God had granted our prayer of a baby on our honeymoon night (yes, I was ovulating then), I wouldn't be able to have an idea on how difficult it is to conceive. And, my husband and I wouldn't have that bonding in prayer of begging to God for a baby. And in that wait, we realized that this baby in my womb is indeed God's gift!(which is why we were to name the baby LIA had he been a girl) So, with this pregnancy, God be exalted! (JORAM's meaning)

for today...

We are celebrating Josh's (my cousin) graduation today with a family dinner. Then, we're off to sleep over at my in-laws. And tomorrow, my hubby's dropping me off at the airport before he goes straight to work. Yes, I am off to Davao tomorrow! And I am excited! I feel bad of having to leave Dennies alone though. He'd surely miss me as he would be coming home to an empty house for the next 5 days. Thanking God for the internet and mobile phones though... then, we can keep in touch. I already miss him...

planning

... well, planning to blog down - the baby's progress in utero - what to do/eat - what to expect on the month's prenatal visit - what to watch out for i'd want to start from the 1st month down to the nine... but since i'm currently on my fifth month, but I guess I'd start at the 4th since that's when pregnant women are likely to feel the baby move ^^< which is the first and closest thing to sensing the baby, ultrasound aside... and well, maybe when i'd feel like it.. go back down to the previous months...

ultrasound: IT'S A BOY!

we had an ultraound last saturday... IT'S A BOY! I'd post a better picture of this one soon. Anyway, my husband and I were so amazed that our baby waved to us during the procedure. It's priceless! It would have been better if it were recorded. but it was too late when i learnt that our OB sonologist could have had recorded the whole procedure. next time... I'd definitely remember to remind her to press the record button. I hope that Baby Joram would be awake on my 3rd trimester ultrasound... maybe he'll give us more than a wave next time. a somersault maybe? or a flying kiss would definitely do! His facial contour is also evident, and his chin appeared prominent during the ultrasound although it is not quite clear on this print. He had his hand over his face most of the time. He also had his foot crossed over the other... i need to see whose mannerism this is. And he likes rubbing his right hand to his left in such a cute way! We are indeed excited and waiting for you, baby Joram Anthony! Thanking God in the blessing of love and family! Thank you so much, Lord!

on baby names now that I am Mrs. Espina

If we were to have a baby girl…

Again, Denise is a given name.

And for the other name… Lea (meaning = bringer of good news) the wife of Jacob, Lydia of the new testament.

But Dennies' opposed of Lydia since it reminded him of Aling Lydia who was their neighbor. It does sound so off when it would be pronounced as Li-Ja instead of Lid-Ya. But most people would probably say it as the first... so, Lydia is dropped.

And then, there's Lia which is a variant of Lea and actually of Hebrew origin itself which means 'I am the Lord's'

... and Lia is the winner.

So, If we were to have a baby girl, she'll be Lia Denise.

If we were to have a baby boy...

I asked Dennies if he would want Dennis or Anthony... he went for the latter. Since Mommy's maiden name is Antonio. So, his second name would be Anthony as well.

And now.. for the J from the Bible.

...choices... James? John? Joshua? Jacob? Jonathan? Jethro? Jotham? Josiah? Joseph? Jeremiah? Job? Jude?

or maybe Jose Antonio?

Then I found Joram. His story in the Bible is not really that of victory and he is definitely not one of the popular ones. But I do love the meaning of this name... 'God is exalted.'

Indeed, after the days, weeks and months that we've prayed for this baby, God alone deserves the praise!

So, Joram Anthony... if our baby were a boy.

on baby names before I were Mrs. Espina

I’ve been so excited about motherhood that I’ve thought of what to name my baby even before I met a suitable husband.

And yes, my mind has changed more than a thousand times.

There are things that remain though consistent ever since:

1.   1.    I want to have two names for my baby.

I’ve always hoped and maybe even envied (although not that kind of serious envy) my classmates back in school with two names.

That way they their paper looks better formatted (or so I thought)… the down side, they take longer time to write down their names. And the better side, they get to practice their handwriting and scripts! J

2.    2.   I don’t want any of those combination names of parents into 1 name.

No offense meant. Although,

3.    3.   I’ve always wanted one with a good meaning and that with a story to tell plus a touch of history and family in it.

Since my baby is bound to write one formal theme in grade school about his/her name… I want it to be a lot easier for him/her. *winx*

And things that have remained consistent since around 2000:

4.      4.  I want a Bible name as much as possible.

5.      5.  I want one of the name from my husband’s name… a derivative if our baby were a girl.

(e.g. Joelle, Josie, Denise, Ianne, Ivanne)

 6. I want a J as a start in one of the names especially if our baby were a boy.

Since practically every one of my immediate MALE loves are J.

(Lolo Jose, Papa Joel and my brothers,  Jon and Jobbie) 

Not to mention the big J in our lives who is our Lord Jesus Christ!

Plus my nickname starts with a J too.

7.     7.  It may start with an L if our baby were a girl.  

… from Ligaya and my Mama’s Luzviminda.

Around 2006, I guess, I fell in love with the name Abigail since she was the only one in the Bible described as a beauty and brain… and her story is not that familiar. I never even thought that she was a Bible name.

And well, here comes Dennies! (His Dennis was misspelled in his birth certificate… you all know the hassle that comes with that so they stuck with it)

I actually thought of Denise Abigail as a name if we were to have a baby girl. Well, that was before I learnt about his sister’s first and only name. (No offense meant) I love my sister-in-law, Abbi. It’s just that I don’t want both of our baby’s name to mimic anyone from the immediate family.

So, If I were to marry Dennies… and if we were to have a baby girl, one of the names would definitely be Denise… and if we were to have a baby boy, one of the names would either be Dennis or Anthony (Dennies’ second name).

my dearest husband

About a year ago, my FAQ is "Are you sure about him?" And my reply would be, "Yes… because I prayed for him." I'm thanking God for the testimony that I could share to young girls... or shall I say ladies. It's not that I prayed the perfect prayer or that I have the perfect man right now because we all know that nothing and no one is perfect except God. It's just that when we pray, God listens… and yes, He answers. Anyway… since this is with regards to my pregnancy as well… I just want to remind myself years from now of these times… written by me (so, I would likely believe it more than if he'd say it.)… so, I have an archive of the lovable things about him when he nothing he does is cute anymore. I am having all those hormones that is expected through pregnancy. I don't go vomiting like others do, but morning sickness is certainly not just in the morning. And there are those times when all you want to do is sleep or do nothing (that is actually progesterone at work). Plus, there are those apparently normal odors that sets you off. I know that this is intellectualization at work (my favorite coping mechanism). Back to my husband, he comes home from 12 hours of work… and less than one minute for him to realize that he has to open the door himself since his housewife is down in bed, there's no food at the table, the floor hasn't been swept and there's laundry left to do. We all know what he did next since I still call him "dearest". We pray that everything will be better on my second trimester. I am already better this month since I manage to cook for him this time. But I have a case of alternating hypersomnia and insomnia in days that leave me doing nothing. We pray that he'd be given more patience to deal with me. (He actually has notes to himself now… especially on schedules since they were bound to change with a simple scent of garlic cooking or the like) We pray that I could cope better soon and stop using the hormones as excuses to do nothing. By the way, he proved last night that even placebo efforts work. The story… I was feeling nauseous last night at his scent and I did have vomitus in my pharynx already. I asked him to wash up. He dutifully stood up. I heard the bathroom faucet running. Minutes later, he came back with a shirt on and a new pair of shorts since I asked him to change too. And I had no problem anymore. He told me minutes later… when he was sure that I wasn't nauseous anymore that he didn't wash up. He merely changed his clothes. J Oh well… I really don't mind. We're happy that the placebo worked… too much of this KSP hormones. Since I don't know how to end this anymore… I just want to end with something that is so understated and so yesterday. I love him! & I thank God each day that we've met. … so yesterday but a lot truer today.

wrapping up 2010

january 1 -- New Year & my Mama's Birthday someday in between -- I announced to my family that Dennies would be coming over to Davao to visit 13 -- My Papa's birthday 15-17 -- Dennies' visit in Davao.. his first ever to set foot in Mindanao february 20-24 -- My visit to meet his parents & relatives march 3 -- Kristine Joy (my H.S. barkada)'s birthday & wedding 21 -- Dennies' heart to heart talk with my Papa & my Papa's backstabbing me with my TOP 3 UNLOVABLE TRAITS 29 -- Jobbie's birthday april pre-marriage counselling by Uncle Boyet & Auntie Yayang visit at Divisoria for fabric finds... may 1 -- my parent's 28th wedding anniversary 15 -- my 27th birthday 20something -- Dennies and his family came to Davao to meet my family pre-nuptial photos were taken by our friend Dot Tiu. june 1-5 -- vacation at cebu and bohol with Lola, Mama and Jobbie. Jon, his gf & Ate Tata & Ate Lilil are residing in Cebu. someday just about 1st semester is to start -- i got news that i won't be teaching anymore subjects in college... which is a blessing since i would have more time with our wedding prep then... but it would have been better if my boss would have informed me earlier than the start of classes that i actually have none. july busy one weekend -- Papa, Mama, Jobbie & I went up to Davao Oriental for a break at a fishing village on the other side of the Davao Gulf august 7 -- Dennies and Abbi(his sister) arrived in Davao 8 -- the rest of his family arrived; dinner at Barayong 9 -- our wedding... a blessing indeed for both of us! 9-10 -- at Eden Nature Park 11 -- Off to Manila then Binan, Laguna 21 -- Post-Wedding Reception at Marikina 22-23 -- hang-out with my family at Laguna 24-26 -- at the hospital... na-dengue kuno ko. 1st time since 2 or 3 years old. september 9 -- First Monthsary ever to celebrate for either one of us 17 -- My Father-in-law's birthday october 2 -- Dennies' birthday with a wife november undas at Nueva Ecija, my farthest up north to date 9 or 10 -- a successful conception... God is gracious 30 -- 1st pregnancy test turned faintly positive... december 1 -- second positive preg test... a whole lot clearer lines! 15 -- 1st ultrasound 22 -- homeward bound to Davao 23-25 -- Christmas retreat with family at Tubalan 25 -- Christmas Party at barayong 26 -- short catch up with friends before the flight back to manila 31 -- good-bye 2010... happy birthday, Mama

after months of silence

I haven't been really blogging for around half a year now… So, I'd give a rough summary of how it has been… & here are my articles to write: 1.      1.  Description of the wedding plan that I have in mind & how it turned out to be that 8-9-10. 2. An inclusion of the wedding photos taken would be nice too. 2.       3. Bloopers from the wedding 3.       4. The blessing that it had been 4.       5. Our sort of very short honeymoon at Eden's Nature Park in Davao. 5.       6. What we thought of our first days… weeks together. 6.       7. Ligaya home in… Binan?!? 7.       8. Our Post-Wedding Reception at Marikina 8.       9. Our first months together & the next chapter: 1.      1.  Baby-making 101 – it is not as easy as I thought 2.      2.  What we seemed to do right that November 3.      3.  God's special Christmas gift to Dennies and Me & side trip: 1.      1.  Our first Christmas together 2.       2. Home in Davao for Christmas! 3.       3. Reminiscing 2010 4.       4. New Year at Home 5.       5. 2011… hopes & dreams & our pregnancy: 1.      1. Officially starting my pregnancy journal 2.      2. Surviving the crazy hormones 3.      3. My take on morning sickness 4.      4. My dearest husband 5.      5. Revising our budget That seems to be a lot indeed! But hopefully, I could get half of them done by the end of this week. I hadn't been sleeping well lately. I especially miss the long straight hours of sleep during my first month. 3 hours sleep was the longest straight that I've had… followed by 1-3 hours of tumbling on bed before I manage to get back to sleeping again. This actually leaves me "seasick" the morning I'm awake… coupled with my morning sickness that lasts throughout the day… equals my dearest husband needing to help me out with my household chores.