Tick-Tock, I'm Almost About to Pop!

In about a week, I'll be giving birth to our baby boy, R. Excited? YES! Scared? YES! It has been a great pregnancy, just like my first, except the morning sickness and throwing up during the first trimester, but other than that, everything's GREAT!

Y will be an achi na next week. I don't know how she'll react when she sees the baby. I will surely miss spending time with her as I have to take care of the baby and nurse on demand. The Terrible Twos is really kicking in in high gear for Y, but we'll manage, I hope. Or I'll go crazier!

We're still yayaless. I already interviewed a potential one over the phone. I liked her, the only problem is I can't give her the same pay as her last employer. It's way over the budget :( I'm still hoping she'll somehow accept the job.

Hmm.. our house is still a mess. I won't go into details. Thinking about it is making me stressed. Hehe.. I hope by the weekend, some things would be more organized already. Still need to clean and wash the playard for the baby. I have yet to pack my hospital bag too!

Everything is overwhelming! The anticipated arrival of baby R, Y's reaction to her new baby brother plus the chaos it would cause, I really don't know what's going to happen once we're in the house! Exciting and crazy times!

My Preggy Essentials

During my first pregnancy, I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion, Body Shop's Cocoa Butter Body Butter and Avent Future Mother Moisturizing Light Oil (although this one made me itchy). I would use them everyday after bath. I barely had stretch marks after, I don't know if it's genes or because I was carried small or the products I used were effective. I already saw a few stretchmarks now.. I kept on scratching my belly kasi! :( Let's see how bad it is after I give birth!

This time, I still use Palmer's but the organic variant. My other preggy essentials: Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion (not in photo), Bio Oil, and J&J Baby Powder!

Now what I need is to find a post birth essentials!

What's your preggy and post birth essentials?

Preparing for "The Day"

The bigger I get, the lazier I am to move. I can't wait to give birth! We got 5 weeks to go, 8 more lessons to go on my Baby Plus (will do a review soon!). There are still a few things that still needs to be cross out from my list.

First, I gave my fairly new crib to my best friend who's due to give birth anytime. Don't panic! We'll be using Y's old Graco playard for the little guy. I had a new foam/mattress made for the playard. We had a bed made for Y, I don't know if she'll sleep in it on her own in her room or am I ready yet to not co-sleep with her.

Second, a new chest drawer for the little guy's clothes. We'll have one made too, I think. Sana umabot. Or else, I don't know where to put his clothes! The kids' room is a mess! I'll have his clothes washed in June.

Third, schedule my maternity photoshoot! It may not look it, I don't take weekly photos of my belly bump but I like to keep a memory of what I look like while pregnant. Plus it will be a family shoot too!

Fourth, prepare my hospital bag! I need to find my old hospital bag list. I've already organized papers that I need to bring to the hospital (marriage contract, laboratory results, Philhealth, SSS, etc.)

Fifth, I really don't know how I'll manage when the baby comes. How do I divide my attention to 2 kids? I'm afraid I'll go crazy. Haha! I don't know how Y will be or react once the baby is in the house. She's very protective of me! Baka she'll get mad when I breastfeed her shoti. Waah! We tell her that she's going to be an achi and the baby inside my tummy is her shoti. She rubs my tummy (more like my belly button, then she'll laugh) and kiss it too. I really hope they get along! Both have strong Chinese zodiac pa naman, a tiger and a dragon!

I really don't know if this entry makes any sense. But I'm anxious and excited to meet the little guy. I just don't know what will happen after!

Mother Tuckers

Happy Monday Dear Readers!

Funny that I'm able to blog a lot when I don't have a yaya! :p Thank you go Gmail!

These past few days, I've been looking for a new binder to buy (online and in department stores). When I gave birth the first time, I used the one given to me by the hospital (I want to use it again but I can't find it!). I bought one from a sport's store but it was too hot and smells like rubber/plastic. I also bought one from So-en which I used (and will probably use it again) until about 5 or 6 months postpartum. My tummy got smaller but not to way it used to be before!

Now I'm looking to buy a new one, but the really good ones are SO EXPENSIVE! I'm too cheap! Haha!

Here's a list of choices:
Belly Bandit
- can be bought in Mothercare
- price around Php4,000
- made from Bamboo
*but my sister said it's tough on the skin and matigas.

from Google Images

Cinch Tummy Wrap
- can be bought online (Babyland or http://www.cinchtummywrap.com/)
- price: Php3,850
- More info on Smart Parenting

from babyland.com.ph

Mamaway Extra Strength Bamboo Corset
- can be bought at Mamaway or visit their store
- price: Php2,675

from Mamaway

Persona Abdominal Binder
- can be bought at any Mercury Drug Store
- price around Php800-900
- cheapest of them all

I've been reading mixed reviews of each so I don't really know which one to get. I still have 5 or 6 weeks left to buy, but if anyone wants to gift me with this, I'd gladly accept! Haha

31 Weeks and On a Diet

Had my check-up the other day. First thing my OB said to me when she saw me was "Ang laki mo!" Thank you ha. Haha! No I wasn't offended, I know I'm big. I gained 10lbs in 5 weeks. I'm bigger than when I was pregnant with Y. My current weight was my weight when I gave birth to Y! I eat like a monster! I'm always hungry, I can't help it and masarap kasi talaga kumain!

My blood pressure was a bit high too. My OB got worried. If it remains this high, she'll have to give me medication. :( She advised me to go on a low sodium, low carb diet which is really hard for me to do. I love rice, bread, potatoes... :( Kaya ko 'to! I'll see her again in two weeks so let's see.

Since I didn't get to consult other OBs for/on VBAC, CS na ulit ako. My OB said that I can give birth any time from June 11 - 20. We just have to pick a date and schedule my operation. Bigla akong natakot!

I still got a list of things to do and buy. My balikbayan box is almost on its way, just waiting for a couple of things na lang! Having a baby is really overwhelming, even if it's the second baby! Plus I'm also a bit anxious because this time it's a boy! For sure, iba ang experience! I'm psyching myself up just by writing this entry! Waahhhh...

Still Shopping for the Little Guy [Divisoria Finds]

Last Sunday, my mom, aunt, and I went to 999 and 168 malls. 

Agenda was to buy baby clothes! We scoured the place and most stores that sells basic clothes for babies have almost the same price naman, you can haggle a bit but they only give you a discount of 10 or 20 pesos unless you buy in dozens. They also got gauze diapers, birds eye diaper, rubber mats, diaper bags, layettes, and so much more!

And here's what I bought:
6 short-sleeved tie side shirts for 175 pesos
6 sleevless tie side shirts for 175 pesos
6 PJ's for 180 pesos

6 small gauze handkerchief to be used as burp pads for 100 pesos
3 medium gauze handkerchief to be used as burp pads also for 100 pesos

4 printed PJ's for Y at 65 pesos each

a small night lamp for Y's room for 150 pesos only (no photo)
and 2 vintage shirts for the BOS for 480 pesos each (no photo)

Saw a lot of clothes, shoes and accessories I want to buy but since I'm still pregnant, I'm saving it until after I give birth then go back again! But will probably go back in a week or two to buy more lampins!

Finished our morning shopping with a sumptuous lunch at Singaporean Hainanese Chicken Restaurant in Binondo! Cheap and yummy!

Shopping for the Little Guy!

Now that we know we're having a boy, I really don't know where or what or how to start buying. Because I started nesting last February, I've given away most of Y's stuff to my sister who gave birth a month ago. Now ako yun walang gamit! LOL. Good thing shobe lent me some of G's old clothes, but I still need to buy a few newborn clothes, burp pads, wash cloths, towels for the little guy.

Since I'll be breastfeeding and pump again, I need to replace parts of my pump and have pump serviced (need to call Philips Service Center here!). Buy new storage bottles, feeding bottles, and some other stuff (Read: unnecessary things)

Here are the things I've bought online (way way cheaper than sold in the department store):
1. The First Years Drying Rack - I already have one but I thought of buying another one for the little guy's bottles and utensils.

2. Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Bottles and Silicone Sleeves - Bought two, each for Y and shoti. To use for when we go out. I bought this because Avent rings and spouts fit since we are using Avent.

3. Philips Avent BPA Free Classic 4 Ounce Bottles - This can double as my breast milk storage bottles. Since Y is using the honey tinted Avent bottles, I opted to buy this to avoid confusion.

4. Philips Avent BPA Free Classic 9 Ounce Bottles in Blue - Since we're having a boy, I bought blue ones! Cute noh?

5. Themos Foogo Food Jar - In anticipation for solid feeding and for baon purposes when going out. I already bought this because it's really cheaper to buy in the US!

 

6. Bumkins Flushable Diaper Liners - I bought this in anticipation of my challenge to use cloth diaper all the way.

For my breast pump...
7. Philips Avent Diaphragms with Stems - for my manual breast pump.

8. Philips Avent Twin Electric Breast Pump Diaphragms and Duck Bill - for my electric breast pump.

And...
9. Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering - I failed to join Jenny's giveaway, and since I trust her cloth diaper-ing skills, I bought one for my own reference. Kung dati, I bought several breastfeeding books, now it's cloth diapering! naman!

 

10. Also bought mattress protectors for our beds and crafting items!

There are still so many things I still need to buy like nursing bras, nursing pads, more cloth diapers, binder, nipple cream, etc... I'm 30 weeks now and I feel like I'll be giving birth any time soon! Hay... I'm going to Divisoria this weekend to buy some baby stuff, sana may makita ako! Oh there's Expo Mom next weekend!

How We Spent My Birthday

Month-late post! More like 1 month and 13 days late haha! Too lazy to upload photos kasi...


I celebrated my 28th birthday last month with a day out with my family. Just us three. I didn't really want anything (material) for my birthday, I told the BOS that I just wanted to know the gender of baby#2, that would be my birthday gift!

We first went to RP Manila, to The Baby Ultrasound Company, to have my 3D ultrasound! We waited for about an hour before our turn. Y got so bored while waiting. She played with wind chimes, my iPhone, took a walk with her papa.

When it was our turn, Y started crying! Tantrums. Ayay. The BOS said Y cried because she saw the sonologist touching my tummy. Aww.. protective daughter! Well, the first thing we saw was the "bird" of baby#2. YES! We're having a baby BOY!!! :) We're still over the moon about it! BOS is happy! I'm happy! I'm excited for Y! Pero ang hirap magisip ng name!

After having my ultrasound, our next stop was Manila Zoo. I've been hearing a lot that it's not so good to go there anymore. It's true! It was so depressing. It was dirty and stinky. Hay... we would have gone to Ark Avilon or Malabon Zoo but we wanted to go around Manila only. Entrance was Php40 each for adults; Php20 for kids. Babies are free. Y was so happy to see an elephant which is the first animal you'll see when you enter the zoo. I've got nothing much to say much about the zoo... Here are some pictures.

Side story: a parrot got away while we were there. It flew to a tree, and the people-in-charge was trying to get it down but it flew away!!! My gulay. I wonder if they got it back or not. Kung hinde, patay sila!

The zebra who has lost is stripes! Wawa!

After our short 20 minutes at the zoo, we're supposed to go to Museo Pambata but it was already closed so we went to our last stop. Logos Hope! The floating bookstore!

We got there around 6pm already. We browsed and bought a few books, ate, and had our pictures taken. Y enjoyed pulling out books, sitting on the floor and flipping through the books!

Then we had snacks! I had ice cream, BOS had milo and popcorn! It's a bit overpriced but what the heck! Para lang ma-experience! Haha!

Y has super tired by then. She slept in the car buti na lang we live near lang. Hubby was supposed to surprise with a dinner at Manila Hotel's Ylang-ylang but knocked out na ang bagets. I had a great birthday! Went home to a home cooked spaghetti and fried chcken! :)

Nesting a Bit

I'm 22 weeks this week. I think the nesting instinct is kicking in early. I don't think I went thru nesting when I was pregnant with Y. I've been organizing, cleaning and making space for Baby#2. Though we haven't started on "renovating" the kids' room yet, the BOS is still deciding what to do with the room, it's basically Y's playroom because we co-sleep.

We're also talking about our sleeping arrangement when the baby comes, we want to co-sleep with Baby#2 and also with Y but our queen bed won't fit all four of us! We don't want to buy a new bed, our bed is still new. Oh the dilemma!


We still don't know the gender but I'm itching to start buying baby stuff already! I already made a list of things I need to buy.

Here's my list so far:
- Baby bottles (still deciding what brand to buy!)
- New pump parts (Petals, flanges, diaphragm)
- New Techi-Ice packs
- Prince Lionheart Diaper Depot (this is more of a want than a need)
- Infrared Thermometer
- A new drawer for the baby's clothes and stuff
- Cloth diapers (I want to try cloth diapering all the way!)
- Crib Mattress Protector

Thinking of buying all these again in the US and having it balikbayan-boxed to me. It will save me a lot! Or just buy from local resellers. Still cheaper than buying at the malls.

It's already March! That means my birthday is just around the corner! Thinking if I should do a giveaway... hmmm.. stay tuned my dear readers!

20 Weeks

I'm 20 weeks this week. I've gotten bigger, gained 7lbs! I gained back what I lost during the 1st trimester! And I'm bigger than when I was pregnant with Y. The OB advised to cut back on carbs and sugar to avoid me from gaining extra weight, or else I might develop gestational diabetes which I don't want to have. I've been eating anything I want, which is bad. So now, I'm cutting back. :(

I can feel baby#2's movement already, especially when I'm eating. We're excited to know the gender! We'll know in 3 weeks! I'll be doing my blood test and OGCT also, so we're doing the ultrasound at the same time. Can't wait to know the gender, but I'm not looking forward to the OGCT!



I'm lazier, heavier, and sluggish at 5 months.. what more in the next few months? I can't sit on the floor then stand up over and over. I can't run around with Y anymore. Tumatakbo na ang bulilit! With all of that, I still love being pregnant! Yeah, I do. Except for the morning sickness and all that. I like rubbing my tummy, feeling the little one move while I'm eating, and all the joy that comes with being pregnant! (BOS, I love being pregnant but I don't want another baby soon LOL!)

VBAC Thoughts

Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) refers to the practice of delivering a baby vaginally after a previous baby has been delivered through caesarean section (surgically). - From Wiki
I wanted to gave birth naturally, I wanted to feel labor pains, the pushing, and everything that comes with it. I'm not scared of pain. But alas, I labored but didn't feel any pain. I didn't get to push. I labored for 7 hours but I got stuck at 5cm, so I was whisked to the delivery room and gave birth to Y thru C-section.

My husband knows I wanted to give birth naturally. I was disappointed and frustrated that I didn't. When I had my follow-up check up with my OB, I asked her if I can still give birth naturally, and she said NO. My heart sank. Now that I'm pregnant again, I want to give birth naturally (if possible). VBAC is not popular in the Philippines. And I think doctors here are afraid to take the risk. Some require a 4-year gap. I'm still reading and researching about VBAC.

I'm inspired by The Milk Lady's blog post. She had a VBA2C! Only she went to Davao to give birth because she found an OB who's based there. I don't think I can do the same. So I'm looking one that is based in Manila. I actually found one but I have yet to consult her.

I have high hopes! But I won't force it if it's really not ideal or possible!

More links on VBAC:
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10212
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaginal_birth_after_caesarean
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/vbac.html
http://www.vbac.com/

PREGNANT PAUSE 2: A Talk for Modern Moms-To-Be

From Mommy Mundo

Calling all expectant moms and dads!


We are holding PREGNANT PAUSE 2: A TALK FOR MODERN MOMS-TO-BE
at UCC Rockwell this February 4, 2012, Saturday starting 1pm.


These pocket events, produced by Urban Mom, the only lifestyle freezine for moms,
and Mommy Mundo, is a popular activity we have been staging since
last year and has attracted quite a following among
young, modern, parents-to-be who are interested in the latest trends
in parenting and baby care as well as traditional practices that all
expectant moms should know about.


Visit our Mommy Mundo facebook page:


http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=NTP3Y&m=3WPkaVJrmh15FZ0&b=8IZoe22lHlelrqAD93thLQ


or click on the attached file to see our event poster:0


Topics for PREGNANT PAUSE 2 are:


- Baby Sign Language by US certified instructor Jaymie Pizarro (Baby Signs *as seen on Oprah)
- Positive Pregnancy by childbirth educator Rome Kanapi
- Breastfeeding Basics for Modern moms-to-be:)


Registration to the event is free of charge but pre-registration is a must.
We have very limited slots available so please call 5707827 or text 09178162524 to
reserve a slot now.


Please feel free to share this with your pregnant mommy friends!


If you'd like to see photos from Pregnant Pause 1: please click the link below:


http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=NTP3Y&m=3WPkaVJrmh15FZ0&b=KeM8Zp9yB4wWPS3NrdLMgQ


Thank you and wishing you all a great weekend!


Mom's the World!

I've already registered myself and the BOS! :) See you there!