Conflicts with my mom on parenting...

Yikes!
My mom...
...doesn't want me to wait until my contractions are 5-minutes apart from start to start before going to the hospital for delivery.
...is anticipating that I will undergo a Cesarean section.
...wants Junior Pie to wear "bigkis".
...doesn't want Junior Pie to wear disposable diapers, not even during bedtime.
...doesn't want me to breastfeed.

Good morning!

   I woke up this morning and reached down to touch my belly. A tiny bump appeared on the spot that I was touching. It felt like Junior Pie's little hand trying to touch me back. :D 


   Thank God for blessing me with Junior Pie. I'm sure I haven't done anything to deserve such a gift. 


   Junior Pie, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you.

Golden Meadows North Subdivision Lots for Sale! (San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija Philippines - 2221339

Golden Meadows North Subdivision Lots for Sale! (San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija Philippines - 2221339

Gapanese Girl at 36 Weeks

    For the benefit of those who haven't seen me with my baby bump, I'm sharing this photo that Jovel took last Sunday. Wala lang, kaming dalawa lang nandito sa bahay so I asked him to shoot some photos dahil wala pa kong picture na kita ang tiyan ko. :D


    I've been staying in Gapan for almost two weeks. I haven't been online as often as before because I'm sharing the desktop with my younger sis, Mitchie, and I haven't been texting much because I left my mobile phone with Jovel who is staying in Manila. (He's now servicing my Sun Life clients)


    Junior Pie and I are now on our 37^th week and Dra. Susan Ancheta Siga-An is taking good care of us for the past two weeks. An OB in Manila diagnosed that I had some pregnancy complications including polyhydramnios and placenta previa on my 33^rd week, but Tita Susan and her associate found no evidence of these conditions when they checked me via an ultrasound last week. She also assured me that there's a good chance that I can have a vaginal delivery. Naiskandalo ako nung sinabi niya while doing an I.E., "ang luwang naman pala ng dadaanan e!". Nakakaloka! :D
    

Happiness is...

...having my husband, Jovel, beside me and our little girl, Junior Pie, in my tummy.  :D

Bagumbayan Various Artists Music Video

Shopping for Junior Pie: All About Diapers

             I was writing a post about the money jar system (the money management system that Jovel and I will be implementing starting April 15 see my post about Vision 2010), when I got a text message from my mom. She asked when I will be going to Gapan. She also asked whether I'm already done shopping for Bukol Pie's stuff. I know for a fact the she already bought some pillows and layettes for the bukol. I conferred with Jovel first before I replied because 1.) We haven't really decided on that exact date when we'll be going to Gapan. I haven't updated my marital status and married name on my IDs and bank account yet. I need to have them updated to get a check that I'll need for my "panganganak" budget. 2.) We haven't bought anything for Junior Pie yet. We're planning to do that this week. My mom is suggesting that I buy everything in Gapan but I thought shopping for our baby's stuff is something that Jovel and I must experience as a couple. I sent my mom an "elusive" reply, if you know what I mean.☺

             Being a statistician-mom, I opened Microsoft Excel and started encoding our shopping list in a spreadsheet. Top on my list are Junior Pie's diapers. I'm not sure what type of diapering system that Junior Pie and I will be using, so I decided to get a little of each diaper type.

              Traditional lampin cloth diapers. This may be unpopular among moms my age but my first choice when it comes to diapers is the lampin. This is the most economical and environment friendly choice. I remember using my own lampin as pangsapi sa likod when I was already in high school. That's how long-lasting these diapers are. Tiyaga tiyaga nga lang, when it comes to monitoring the wetness, because the lampin is not as absorbent as disposable as "newer versions" of the diaper. Anyway, it is actually in my baby's best interest if I will change her nappies as soon as she soils them, don't you agree?
             Generic, unbranded flat diapers are widely available in public markets and department stores, but I have heard that they are not as good as they were before. Some moms and, even, dads swear by the quality of brands like Curity and Enfant. Flat cloth diapers or lampin come in two common varieties - birdseye and gauze. While birdseye is said to be more absorbent, gauze is proven to be more breathable. My mom used the gauze type when my sisters and I were little, so I’ll be using that too. I just can’t wait to embroider Junior Pie’s name on her lampin.

             Leak-proof diaper covers. To solve the issue of absorbency when using lampin, I’m also getting a couple of leak-proof diaper covers for Junior Pie. I saw plain, unbranded ones in SM but they are not cute and made of “baby-friendly” materials like Enfant and Diaperaps.

             Pocket diapers. One modern version of the diaper is the pocket diaper. It’s a pre-fitted cloth diaper that has a pocket for folded flat cloth diapers or inserts (can be disposable or reusable). Its outer cover is made of waterproof material so it’s leak proof, while its inner layer is made of micro fleece or microfiber that keeps wee-wee away from baby. A lot of imported brands are available online but I’ll be asking a local manufacturer to make customized nappies for Junior Pie. I’m just waiting for Jovel to come up with the designs.

             Disposable diapers. As much as I would like to protect the environment, I always believe that I should put people first. I do realize that other caregivers (relatives and friends) may not be as keen on monitoring Junior Pie’s diaper as I hope I would be. Tsaka masisirang tulog ni Junior Pie if she wets her nappy in the middle of the night, so I’ve conceded to using disposable diapers during night time and other occasions. I’m still torn between two brands - Fitti and Earth’s Best. Both brands are said to be gentle on baby's skin and dependable for night-time use. What I liked about Fitti is its Aloe Vera liner that helps prevents rashes. On the other hand, Earth’s Best is latex-free, dye-free, perfume-free and non-toxic making it safe for babies and the environment. Has anybody tried any of these two? Which one do you think is better?

               I'm super excited to try all of these on Junior Pie. One of our biggest considerations is affordability but we'll stick with whatever will work best for our little bukol. Anyway, I came upon some business ideas while studying the different types of diapers. Instead of being an expense, a diaper business may just be the perfect business venture that I’ve been waiting for!

1 Million Visitors Free

   Let's see if this will work...

The Love Dare - Day 13

The Love Dare - Day 13: Love Fights Fair

"Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to "fight" by. Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs."

 ♥♥♥

   The Love Dare Book was featured in the movie Fireproof. See it on Blu-ray.

The DOH Unang Yakap Campaign

   On December 7, 2009, the Department of Health launched the Unang Yakap Campaign. With this campaign, the DOH aims to cut down infant mortality in the Philippines by at least half. The campaign employs Essential Newborn Care (ENC) Protocol as a strategy to improve the health of the newborn through interventions before conception, during pregnancy, at and soon after birth, and in the postnatal period. The ENC Protocol provides an evidence-based, low cost, low technology package of interventions that will save thousands of lives.

    Based on health statistics, the Philippines is one of the 42 countries that account for 90% of under-five mortality worldwide. 82,000 Filipino children under five years old die every year. 37% of them are newborn. Majority of them (3/4) die within the first two days of life. Mostly due to stressful events or conditions during labor, delivery and immediate postpartum period. The current practice of handling newborns, like clamping and cutting the umbilical cord and washing the baby right after birth, have been known to actually contribute to the high incidence of neonatal deaths and illnesses in the country. Thus the need for a paradigm shift from  the prevailing standard procedures into the new protocol.

    Health Secretary Duque explained that the ENC Protocol involves focusing on the first hours of life of the newborn with the manual guiding health workers in providing evidence-based essential newborn care.
 
       The guidelines categorize procedures into time-bound, non time-bound and unnecessary procedures:

• Time bound procedures should be routinely performed first - immediate drying, skin-to-skin contact followed by clamping of the cord after one to three minutes, non-separation of the newborn from the mother and breastfeeding initiation.
  
• Non time-bound intervention should only be done after the first full breastfeed. These are immunizations, eye care, Vitamin K administration and weighing. Washing must be postponed by at least 6 hours.
  
• The so-called unnecessary procedures include routine suctioning, routine separation of newborns for observations, administration of prelacteals like glucose, water formula and footprinting.

       Here's a screen capture of the ENC time-bound intervention flowchart as presented by Dr. Maria Asuncion Silvestre F.A.A.P.

   In celebration of the International Women's Month, the U.P. Manila School of Health Sciences held a symposium with the theme "Unang Yakap: Yakap ng Ina. Yakap ng Buhay" to tackle the New DOH-WHO ENC Protocol. Sadly, some participants from the medical and academe sectors commented that the new protocol is contrary with the common practices of most local hospitals today. The ENC is currently being practiced by three hospitals in Metro Manila: Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, and Fabella Memorial Medical Center and Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

♥♥♥

    Now, one of my concerns as an expectant mom is to ensure that the new protocol would be observed when I give birth to Junior Pie in Gapan. Will probably discuss this with the pedia beforehand and attach a copy of Dra. Silvestre's presentation, the Administrative Order and ENC Guidebook to my birth plan.

The Love Dare - Day 12

The Love Dare - Day 12: Love Lets the Other Win
"Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first."

Hm, I've never done this before... We'll see.

Read the complete daily devotional, record your thoughts and experiences as you perform the challenges - Order your copy of The Love Dare Book NOW.

4438

   Hello Globe?! It's already April 5 and I still haven't received any message from 4438.

   My husband, Jovel, on the other hand, received this message yesterday: "From Globe: APRIL 4 marks how Globe values YOU through the years. Ngayon, may balik na POINTS ang load mo at MORE FREEBIES para sayo! Txt REWARDS to 4438 for free."

    Been looking forward to this text ever since I'd learned that the (then) soon to be launch program is a rewards program for Globe subscribers. I've been a heavy mobile phone user because of my work and I've always been a sucker for rewards and freebies programs such as this.

   Hay... has everyone received their 4438 message? Do you think I can just go ahead and register my Globe handyphone without the "invitation"? Tampo na ko...

The Love Dare - Day 11

The Love Dare - Day 11: Love Cherishes
" What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? Is there housework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you" and do it with a smile."

Naiisip niyo bang naiisip ko? *wink* *wink*

Jovel's Art Work (Iraq 2004-2005)

Vision 2010

   Close friends and family know that I will be going away middle of April to give birth to Junior Pie in Gapan and stay there until Jovel and I will be able find a suitable place for Junior Pie to stay in here in Manila.

   Though we are open to starting new businesses in Nueva Ecija, we're also open to the possibility that I might not be able to do any income generating activity while staying there. Should that happen, our family that used to be a two income household for two people will become a single income household for three people. Knowing this, Jovel and I are gearing up to double, triple, quadruple - multiply our income for the days to come.

   I spent a good part of the holidays reading about the Law of Attraction and listening to T. Harv Ecker's Millionaire Mind Intensive Program. With these, I'd decided to illustrate our 'targets' via a vision board and here's what I came up with.

    Jovel said he'll be printing a big tarpaulin copy that he'd post in our home office in Malate. ☺

    Jovel and I were too busy with being 'newly pregnant' at the beginning of 2010 but I guess it's never too late to start on a New Year's goal. We'll also be starting on a new money management system on April 15 paycheck. ☺

The Love Dare - Day 10

The Love Dare - Day 10: Love is Unconditional

"Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse - something that proves (to you and to them)that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage."

Do Not Be Afraid

I was reflecting on the message of the song "Huwag Kang Mangamba" this morning when I realized that its title is actually the Tagalog translation of the Easter message: "Do not be afraid."



Happy Easter Everyone! :D

The Love Dare - Day 9

The Love Dare - Day 9: Love Makes Good Impressions

"Think of a specific way you'd like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them."

Wrong Side

   Pregnant women are advised to avoid sleeping on their back because this sleeping position rests the entire weight of their heavy uterus on their back, intestines and two major blood vessels. This will not only worsen backaches but will also interfere with breathing and cut off the blood circulation to the baby. Sleeping on the left side is recommended to allow for maximum flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta.

   I've been following this advice since I read it in Smart Parenting's "The Smart Mom's guide to Pregnancy and Baby's First Year" book. I was then 2 months pregnant. Seven months into my pregnancy, I would often wake up in the middle of the night feeling sore on my left side. I seldom feel rested or relaxed whenever I lie on my left side. It seems like I'm literally getting tired of lying on my left side and longing to rest my back or right side, after a long while of not being able to.

   Sometimes, when I go to bed early and Jovel is still up or whenever I wake up a little early in the morning, I would try to sneak a few minutes of sleep on my right side. Grabeh, miss na miss ko nang matulog nang nakatihaya or sa right side. I would tell Junior Pie, "Right side muna tayo mag-sleep Junior ha. Sandali lang. Kick mong malakas si mami kapag nahirapan ka." Wala pang 10 minutes, Junior pie would start kicking violently on my right side, as if trying to turn me to the other side by herself and telling me that I'm sleeping on the wrong side. Ang cute noh? So balik ulit ako sa left side. Hay...

The Love Dare - Day 8

The Love dare - Day 8: Love is not Jealous

"Determine to become your spouse's biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed."

The Love Dare - Day 7

   The Love Dare - Day 7: Love Believes the Best

    "For today's dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same thing with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic."

Junior Pie's ticker

   It seems no one's scrolling further down enough to notice Junior Pie's Lilypie ticker.

  

The Love Dare - Day 6

   Obviously, I failed to stay devoted to my devotional, but for the benefit of those who are trying, I'll try to post all the challenges in this blog. Hopefully, I can read back someday and actually be able to get into the program.

   For now, here is day 6.

   The Love Dare - Day 6: Love is not Irritable

   "Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life."

    Hm... bagay sa akin 'to. Esep esep....

My Low Lying Placenta

   "Have you heard about the case of Binay's daughter-in-law? The one who died in childbirth? She had a similar condition. She had placenta previa," this was how my OB explained how fatally serious my condition was when I showed her my first ultrasound result.

   Far from being a hypochondriac, I already knew about my low lying placenta weeks before the consultation and thought nothing of it. Read the ultrasound report and researched what the numbers meant. Everything seemed normal - Junior Pie is growing accordingly. Her measurements were just right for her LMP age. Everything looked OK except for the placental location spelled in block letters - LOW LYING. So I googled what it was and found out that it will likely correct itself and should only be a problem if it doesn't do so by the 28th week of pregnancy. I was 23 weeks pregnant when I had the ultrasound, so I'm totally positive that my placenta would have "migrated" by the time I deliver.

   I got the chance to chat with my cousin Karen yesterday and here's what her OB aunt told her when she mentioned my condition, "Delikado raw yun kapag mababa ang inunan, ate. Para raw gripo pag dinugo." So I answered, "Based on statistics, only about 10 percent of women who have placenta previa diagnosed on ultrasound at midpregnancy still have it when they deliver their baby" Kung hindi, bahala na si Lord! There's nothing that I can do about it.

   I am now 31 weeks pregnant and will be having another ultrasound tomorrow. Pagdasal niyo kami ha. :D

   Read more about placenta previa on Babycentre.

Sun Life on Why “It’s Time” for Parents to Invest in Insurance | Being a Parent | Article | SmartParenting.com.ph - Raising kids 0 to 6 years old

Sun Life on Why “It’s Time” for Parents to Invest in Insurance | Being a Parent | Article | SmartParenting.com.ph - Raising kids 0 to 6 years old

The Love Dare - Day 5

   Yikes, I'm really bad at this challenge. I'm still stuck with "Love is Patient". I want to blame the weather, kaya lang umulan na today. Haha... :D Earlier, sinusungitan ko si Jovel when he was asking me why I'm not taking up MS Stat. He was actually thinking about what further studies I should be pursuing. I told him that there are a lot of things that I want to learn about but none of them seems to be worth spending the time and tuition for. Siguro di niya ma-gets because that was not what I really meant, of course worth naman ng time and money yung mga gusto kong matutunan. What I really meant to say was pwede ko naman silang pag-aralan sa labas ng classroom, di ba?

    Anyway, for those who are still following, here's dare#5

The Love Dare - Day 5 : Love is not Rude

  "Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only."

    Hm... Na-try ko na, as in while typing this entry. Medyo mahirap ha. :D

    For those who are asking where I got The Love Dare challenge, I got it from The Love Dare Book by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. 

    I gotta go. Jovel and I are attending the Team Gordon-Bayani Ortigas EB. Tonight at Starbucks, Metrowalk. Everyone's invited. :D

  

Pre-Need Problem (part 1) | Randell Tiongson

Pre-Need Problem (part 1) | Randell Tiongson

The Love Dare - Day 4

   Sorry for the long absence. Grabeng ka-busy-han namin ni Jovel this past week. I've been working on two theses, that's why I haven't been able to post. Parang ang rami pang kailangang gawin, while there's too little time. I'm planning to go on vacation by April 15. Hopefully, marami na kaming nagawang pera by that time. Oo, para kaming BSP, gumagawa ng pera. : p

  So kumusta naman ang mga love darers? Sorry for leaving you hanging. I didn't realize na five days na pala since my last post. Frankly, stuck pa rin ako sa dare # 1 - Love is Patient. I hope I can finally get on the program with the theses out of the way.So here goes dare # 4. Oh, I love this one! :D

The Love Dare - Day 4: Love is Thoughtful

 "Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them?"

  Have a blessed day everyone! :D

The Love Dare - Day 3

   Sorry for posting this late. I was hoping to post this immediately after a blog entry I was writing earlier but some things came up. So I end up not finishing the blog entry and not posting today's challenge. Anyway, here goes The Love Dare - Day 3

The Love Dare - Day 3: Love is Not Selfish

"Whatever you put time, energy and money into will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something that you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."

The Love Dare - Day 2

   I'm planning to re-take Day 1 of the Love Dare. Not that I failed miserably yesterday, but I don't think Jovel gave me enough chance to test my patience. o di ba, parang ang bait ng asawa ko. :) 

   Taking the "Love is Patient" dare yesterday made me conscious of my words and actions towards my husband. I realized that despite being more diplomatic when it comes to dealing with other people, I'm the one who's more impatient when it is just the two of us. Although I did not say anything negative, I found myself being sarcastic and "mataray" on several occasions. Bakit kung anong ikinabait ko sa ibang tao, siyang ikinataray ko sa asawa ko. Don't you sometimes feel this way, parang OK lang magtaray sa asawa, boyfriend, anak, kasama sa bahay or anyone close to you but not to co-workers or acquaintances? Hay... parang mali.

   For those who were able to complete the first dare, congratulations! Here's dare # 2.

The Love Dare - Day 2: Love is Kind

"In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness."

    Uy, exciting! :)

 

The Love Dare - Day 1

    Yesterday, as I was browsing the SmartParenting (SP) forum, I read about the The Love Dare book that was supposed to be the companion to the movie Fireproof. I have been planning to watch the movie with Jovel for months but yesterday was the first time that I'd heard about the book.

   Upon searching the Internet I found out that the main characters in the movie Fireproof, tried to rescue their marriage using the The Love Dare Book as a guide. Apparently, the book is a daily devotional guide for couples who would like to "fireproof" their marriages.


   I'm currently reading it on Google Books and I've decided to take on the 40-day dare.

    Married or not, all of us can think of one relationship in our life that needs 'fireproofing' - be it with our parents, siblings, co-workers or friends. I invite you to take the challenge. Today is Day 1.


The Love Dare - Day 1: Love is Patient

    "The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of the our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If temptation arises, choose not to say anything at all. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret."

   See you on Day 2.

Getting your baby into position for birth

Getting your baby into position for birth
Got this in the mail this morning. Really interesting for someone who would like to go the all-natural, "no epidural" childbirth way.

My Mom, the Real Estate Agent

    I just upgraded my Globe Tattoo Modem Stick and was playing with the new call features when I got my first call on my laptop. 

    Surprise, surprise! 

    It's my mom, calling to tell me exactly what she already texted me earlier. "Tin, maganda yung lote, corner lot, nagprice increase na pero pwede pa nating habulin yung old price. Magpapareserve na ko ng 10,000. Tapos huhulugan na lang natin ng 7,000 plus a month. Kaya mo bang 3500?" "Yes ma, kaya naman." "Kanino natin ipapangalan?"  Nag-iisip akong konti and said, "Eh di sayo ma." 

    Um, I think I just committed to pay for my mom's lot that she just bought from herself. Nye!

    I went to my mom's Multiply site to check the location of the lot that she was talking about. Here are the pics kasama sina kuya guard, caretaker, at doggy ng caretaker.

 

Ah, may clubhouse, pool, basketball court at tennis court naman pala.

Balang araw Junior, ikaw naman bebentahan ko ng sarili kong insurance. :)

BUNTIN = BUNtis na TINtin

tawag sa akin ni Ate Dolor, ang aming neighborhood halo-halo lady.  :D

Instant Mommy

   Suddenly, I find myself facing a challenge and a gift - a challenge, no amount of training or experience may have prepared me for; and a gift - I could never be worthy of but I would not refuse.

   26 weeks into my first pregnancy, I've somehow disproved some of the theories that I came up with earlier in life.

• I've come to accept the fact that I am but a child, even at 27, when I realized that I did not have a clue in taking care of a child. I'm scared na baka hindi ko makarga ang baby ko kapag nakita ko siya coz I have always been afraid of carrying other people's baby. Ganun din, when Jovel and I checked out the different baby stuff in the mall. I could not decide which ones to buy, even after reading all the product reviews on the internet.

• I've realized that I am capable of giving a limitless kind of love. The kind that exists only in movies - yung martir kind of love. At this point, I can't think of anything that I won't do for my baby. 

• I've learned that motherhood simply cannot be overrated. I am now waking, eating and breathing - literally living for another human being. I can't think of any other experience that can top being a human life support system. 

   I invite you to learn, live and love with me as I embark on this new chapter in my life - I was BabyTintin  but now I am InstantMommy.

From I Corinthians 13

¹¹ "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
¹² "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
¹³ "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."