Little fairy princess with flowers in her hair

Little fairy princess with flowers in her hair
Originally uploaded by micaela.

Such a sweet one, my baby! ;p And now that she's learned to "smile!" when there's a camera around, what delight!

ysobel
by Mommy

As the sunflower

that rears its head to the

wond'rous Sun

your sweet visage lights

glorious morning shine -

makes one unforget

the tap-tapping of the heart

as one does when love is.

your senses, all unmute-

palpable laughter, eloquent babble,

wide-eyed wonder.

such delight,sweet little one.

such love.

such life!

A bit of jealousy

I was on my way home yesterday when I remembered: I haven't bought pasalubong for Lia. So: I got off the jeep (yes, am really really saving now). And the moment I did, rain poured. Heavy drops.

I ran to McDonald's and sought shelter there - also, to buy fries for my baby. When I stepped out of the junk food chain, it was still pouring. Wanting to go home ASAP, I just walked in the rain, and headed to an area I knew I can get a cab. Soaking I was, but I was able to hail a cab.

When I got home, Lia smiled when she saw me. Then she got busy with her fries.

After filling her tummy, my baby, as usual, crawled all over the floor. Wanted to crawl out of the mat. Wanted to climb on the sofa and turn the light switch on and off. And of course, me, the doting mom, said "NO".

The little one cried. That was alright, except that she cried "Yaya!" and then ran to seek refuge with the nanny.

I never thought the sight would break my heart! How could my baby hate me already? (But then again, our mothers were asking that question before.)

I spent the night sounding off with Neil and him comforting me.

Sigh...

Cutie little crawler

Cutie little crawler
Originally uploaded by micaela.

Here she is!!! (Darn this photo just won't rotate left)

Brainy baby?

Last night Lia was watching this video called Brainy Baby. She got so excited about the colors and the shapes that she kept babbling and pointing to the TV! So funny. Sometimes she'd get her butt off the mat and crawl near the TV and point and laugh; other moments she'd just sit still and smile.

And then...pictures of flowers came up. Lia then crawled on her mat and got a piece off -- and that piece had a flower in it! And then the clever little baby clapped her hands and showed us the flower. We were so proud of her, especially because nobody taught her that!

My baby's getting smarter. ;)

Growing to be more kulit

Now, she can sit up on her own - and Lia's getting much better by practice! Two months ago she just couldn't do it because she was overweight. Now she can because she's lost weight, from all the physical activities!

Lia has also found her voice - and now she's always screaming her lungs out. When she wants attention, when she wants to tell me she misses me, when she is simply making lambing.

Me: proud Momma.

Charmed

I'm proud to say that Lia is growing to be a charming little girl. She's almost nine months old now, and she's still the good-natured baby that she is. She knows where things are (the stars, the birds, the angels, etc.), waves bye-bye already, and claps - endlessly. She claps when she sees Elmo, when she hears my voice, when she knows she is about to go out.

That's why it was pretty hard for me to go back to work! Yesterday was my first day back to work -- and I kept thinking of Lia the whole day. I missed her so much! I practically ran home as fast as I could. When I saw my baby I wanted to cry - her face lit when she saw me, and she clapped her hands.

All she wants for Christmas...

Well, we don't know really (thank God she still can't tell us! Mwehehe)...but here's a list of the top gifts (I think) that she got this Christmas! =)

1. The gold crucifix from Ninong John. As I said to John, it was probably the nicest, most meaningful gift for Lia this Christmas. We bought her a gold necklace for it. Also had it blessed already.



2. The PlayGro playmat from Lola Molly. She didn't have to, but of course the Lola that she is, she did. Lia's enjoying the colorful mat while lying on her stomach!



3. The Rustanette shoes from Lola Dang. I guess because it was tradition for us little girls in the family - we always had special "Sunday shoes" -- leather mary janes to go with our Sunday dresses. And it was always from Rustan's.

Of course, the cute little outfits that she got are a blast, too! Can't wait to wear that see-through spaghetti-strapped OshKosh top (that goes with a tube so Lia's boobs won't show) from Ninang Kasey!

Six months old!

Lia is! We changed her formula to a follow-on milk. I just bought a small can just in case she doesn't like it or has allergies. I wasn't surprised when she consumed all of 7 ounces and still asked for more. =p

She's also in the mimic stage. She smiles back, does what I do with my hands, looks at people talking and talks back herself.

I think she's passed the "nangingilala" stage. Thank God!

All by herself!

Lia's learned to roll over on her stomach by herself!!!! YAY!!!!

I was getting worried that she still couldn't do it - because of her weight - but now that she's rolling over every moment, well, we're proud parents!

And we're not just the ones proud - even Lia laughs her head off when she's on her stomach already!

To fit or not to fit

Two weeks ago, Lia weighed 16.5 lbs. At four months of age. That was my weight when I was nine months old!

She's wearing clothes now fit for 6 to 9 month-old babies. Some are for one-year-olds. I wanted to believe that baby clothes manufacturers were wrong with the fittings, but no. My baby is just big.

And although Lia is very responsive - chattering, listening intently, smiling, and laughing - she's not that advanced physically. Because of her body weight, she cannot roll over by herself yet! At first it was cute, but now it isn't. It's worrying me - because if she can't roll over yet, that means she won't crawl yet...and sit yet...and learn to stand yet...

So: I texted my best friend Ruth, who's an occupational therapist. I asked her to please come over and check Lia. Since she can't yet, she's going to teach me some massage techniques over the phone to help Lia.

I hope she rolls over soon!!!

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.