Yay!

At last!!! I can upload photos!!!!

But...why is it on the right side only?

???

Guess I have to do with that for now.

Lia!

P1000586
Originally uploaded by micaela.

Testing photo upload...

I sure hope this works!!!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Top five baby stores!

Uh-huh! This blog would not be complete without my top list of baby stores!

1. SM Baby Department. It's got almost everything! And at a really reasonable price. I get most of Lia's stuff there. They also have discounts throughout the year (really, from experience). Plus they have the SM items (sort of like their SM Bonus in their supermarkets) that are cheap but good (like sleeveless shirts that Lia uses for sleepwear). And mind you, they have helpful salespeople now!



2. The Baby Company. They have outlets in PowerPlant and Podium (these I know of). The one in Podium has more complete stocks, though. Here is where I found tights (thanks to Jenk's tip) for Lia, and the complete lineup of Lamaze toys. I bought Lia's mobile here, too. Some of the salespeople are not very knowledgeable, though - it took four of them to figure out what "tights" I was talking about.



3. Chicco. Just because they have cute outfits. Super expensive, though! You just have to know when they're on sale because they'll have their P1,800-outfits on sale for just P200 to P400. I got a nice orange mini skirt for our neighbor's second birthday for just P200. Hehehe.



4. Rustan's Baby Department. Here is where I find rare items (usually those sold only in the US). They have the Dr. Brown bottles (never mind, I didn't buy them anyway, I opted for Avent). However, I found out that some items are ridiculously priced higher than normal! For example, the Gerber nursing pads are P199, while I get them at SM for P147! Gosh.



5. Enfant, because I was surprised at some of their cheap items! I got a pair of shoes there for around P70! Wow. Wait until they go on sale; they have really good items, too.

That's it! I have to search more stores for more value-for-money stuff! Hehehe!!!

Baby's Day Out!

Lia went out today!!! ;p With the blessings of her pedia (who said she can already go out as long as we choose a good day...i.e., a weekday; and a good location...i.e., a place where there's not too much crowd). For that, the closest venue I knew - PowerPlant Mall!

We were there as early as 10:30am! Lia was silent at first; getting to know her surroundings. When she was comfy enough, she was already smiling at everything and everyone. Hahaha! Hmmm, I can see she's going to be a mall person too like mom. Mwahaha!

Jenk and her kids Justin and Jersey joined us around lunchtime. My God. Lia was just as big (and maybe slightly bigger) than Jersey, who was one and a half months older! Jenk was disappointed because she brought a really nice outfit that she thought would fit Lia...but it looked like it wouldn't! Anyway we still kept her gift. =)

One thing about bringing your kid to the mall: make sure you're there really early, so you can finish your business and leave the mall before the clock strikes five. We left there at 4:30, and the mall was already crowded - not to mention the difficulty we had getting a cab! Sigh. I was too occupied with my malling that I forgot the time (I had planned to leave at 2pm, can you believe that).

And next time we'll bring dad along! To carry the stroller! Hehehe.

Happy Baby

What can I say? She's so much like me. ;p Lia is such a good-natured baby! A talker, too.

Now I know that "bundle of joy" is not a cliche after all.

=)

She's here!!!

Lia Ysobel is finally here!!! I gave birth last June 26, at 2:55 pm. Same birthdate as my good friend John. =)

The first hours

I wasn't quite expecting to give birth already that day. The night before I gave birth, I was out with Ginny at 530 in the afternoon and we were stuffing ourselves at Itallianni's...until around 8pm!! We had (go nuts) donuts and coffee (well, milk for me) after....and met up with Cam after that...and stayed up until after midnight.

Neil and I got home at around 12:30. I went to sleep right after...Neil didn't - he had a little snack, watched a little TV....before we knew it, my bag of water broke (at 3am)...and then we were rushing to the hospital.

I was admitted at around 3:30 am. They hooked me to a fetal monitor. I was just lying down like that, listening to Lia's heartbeat...it was actually boring. Finally, at around 5pm - an IV, to keep me going. I was actually very hungry then.

At 6am, I was pushed into the labor (Lamaze) room. I saw my OB, and they had Neil come in. I was still 2cm dilated then, so my doctor had to give me some medication to induce labor.

At 7am, the contractions came. I was still acting and feeling normal.

A little before 8am, the contractions became stronger. I was still okay.

At around 830 am, I screamed for anesthesia.

The epidural was another story.

In labor

The anesthesiologist took forever to find the right space in my spine. Aside from the pain from the contractions, I was crying out also because my back was bent for a long time while the doctor played darts with my spine.

Finally the anesthesia took effect...but not for long. I kept asking for more doses as the contractions kept coming. I felt like a druggie.

I was progressing with my dilations too, because of the medication.

At 2pm, I was fully dilated. I began to push.

Ready to deliver

I was then brought to the delivery room.

Push, push, push. Lia Ysobel wouldn't go down.

Two residents helped me by pressing on my fundus. The pain doubled. I screamed but nothing came out of my throat.

Still, Lia wouldn't go down.

Then, on the fetal monitor - Lia's heartbeat starting to fail.

We had to make a decision.

CS delivery

Neil and the doc then agreed - they had to do a caesarian section.

A few minutes after the decision, I was sedated. Next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room already.

First sight

I saw Lia hours after the operation. She was brought into my room at around 8pm already.

Boy, did she have lots of hair!!! And she looked so much like Neil. =)

Darling little girl

Lia is one and a half months old now...and she continues to charm us. She makes lots of sounds now, smiles a lot, and the other day - laughed for the first time!



=)

Any day now!

We're on our 40th week now...which means Lia Ysobel is coming out any day now!

Neil has finally finally completed his reading assignments on childbirth...and am also done packing for the hospital (lots of stuff forgotten during the first packing and had to pack and repack again)...

The doc says that if I still don't go into labor on the 28th, she's going to have to induce me. Her fear is that the baby is constantly growing inside - she was 7.3 lbs the last time we checked! So if Lia doesn't come out soon, I might not be able to get her through via normal delivery!

Wish us luck!!!

Third trimester news!!!

This is loooooooong due. No, not the baby! This blog.

First off the list: we've changed doctors. For the third time. A different doctor for every trimester, can you believe that? Our first doc, Dra. Gie Lazaro-Dizon - we could not afford. Her professional fee was way too high for us. She transferred us to another doc, Dra. Caedo-Lim. Who, when I was nearing the end of my second trimester, dumped us because she won't deliver anymore to the hospital of our choice. Cute, huh.

We found another OB, Dra. Henson. We glad we did, because she's just wonderful (so far!). Plus, she doesn't mind us haggling for the fees.

Bigger news: Lia Ysobel (yes that's her final name) is now 6.3 pounds! How much more will she weigh by the time she's due to come out!??? The doc is doubtful that I'd be able to do a normal delivery...but we're still hoping I can. Wish us luck.

I'm due on the 21st this month. Excited and scared at the same time.

Oh, and I might need to have blood transfused. I'm anemic, and although I've been taking iron supplements, my hemoglobin count is still low. We're looking for donors, O type - just in case.

I've also started to pack our stuff for the hospital.

Are we ready yet???

Wish us luck!!! Need your prayers, guys.

How natural can I go?

We're enroling in Lamaze classes.

So far, Neil's convinced that we can do it. *cower*

Had initial talk with the instructor already. Asked about my height, weight, week of pregnancy. She says I seem a little big. After some more questions on my diet, we find out the culprit: mangoes.

I've been having mangoes almost every day, since I'm constipated. But no - it's making me gain weight. Or at least the baby is gaining weight. So now am only allowed one mango slice per three days. =(

So anyway...we're starting classes next week. God help us!

Week 25!

Am on my 6th month already! Soon I'll be leaving my second trimester. Darn.

So far everything looks normal. Except for constipation pains. Aargghh.

And her name is...

We've thought this out a long time ago already (well, it was mostly my thought, hehehe)...she will be named Ysobel.

I wanted to add the name Alessandra, but the image of that jologs actress keeps popping into my mind.

Any more ideas for a second name?

It's a GIRL!

Went to the hospital last Saturday to have pelvic ultrasound. Everyone guessed right (well, except the Chinese calendar) - it's a girl!

Although I couldn't figure out its genitals on the ultrasound printout, I guess I should trust what the doctor says. ;p The fact that he said it a few times should do, right.

So...am in my 22nd week (and 3rd day) now. I can't wait until July!

This week, in the news

Headline: Fainting spell scandal! While waiting for a ride last Tuesday, I blacked out. How unglamorous! Neil was there to save me, of course (but you don't expect him to haul all 128 lbs of me, do you?) - and a kind man helped him hail a cab to bring me to the Makati Med ER. I regained consciousness in the ER. A shot of medicine in my arm and an ECG later, I was sent home. Darn these dizziness and fainting spells.

Womb action: most number of somersaults ever recorded! Well, am not sure about the numbers part, but the baby looks like he/she's practicing her acrobatic talents in there! I still go "whoa" and "oops" even after a week of endless fetal movements. Is this normal at all? I gotta ask my OB tomorrow. Maybe I just need some ice cream, huh, Neil?

Sidelines...I took out baby photos of me and Neil and tried to imagine how our baby would look like. I still can't imagine. Heehee.

Augh, no pics!

Bad news: I can't upload photos here. Sucks!

I'll figure out something...

(fret fret fret)

Let's see if this works...

Testing if I can "post" photos here. Darn. I wish I can upload via FTP.

Why this blog?

I first thought of writing these down on an actual journal but what the hell -- who am I kidding. I won't have much time (well, I will, but I'd rather spend it sleeping/resting) when I get home from work to actually sit down and write down my mom-thoughts...so here it is, am online again.

Why only now?

Ever heard of first trimester trauma? I'm inventing the term. I was just so out of it ("it" being myself, my life, my surroundings, everything) that I really don't want to recall the first three months anymore. Okay, if anyone's curious about it - one powerful word, then: regurgitate. Major.

So am starting this blog with me at 19 weeks of pregnancy.

=)

Test...

Alrighty....first blog for the mom-to-be...