Kaitlin's first month


Kaitlin turned one month old last week! So far she’s been—feeding. Yes, forever feeding! I’m purely breastfeeding her (no formula milk!), and when she’s not at my breast, she’s gulping down the milk I pump—fast. Hence, whenever I need to go out, I’m always rushing, because Kaitlin always finishes the milk I pump even before I am scheduled to come home. I have yet to find a solution for this (hahaha, I guess more milk to pump should be it).


Ate Lia has been a good big sis to Kaitlin. She’s sweet, and always offers to take care of her li’l sis. Doesn’t mean she’s not jealous, though! She lashes on us—the adults. She’s been misbehaving since Kaitlin came home from the hospital. :( We are trying our best to discipline her but sometimes it’s just so hard! I finally spanked her—for the first time—a few weeks back. I cried because my heart melted when I saw her cry. :(


Sigh. Being a parent is really hard work!

Kaitlin's out!

Gave birth to Kaitlin Ava last February 22! She weighed 6.4 lbs. :)

Neil and I were up early last February 22, because we had to be at the hospital before 6AM. My OB-Gyne was a morning person; she wanted to do the surgery at 7AM! :) So I had to be in before then for the preps.

It was a different experience from that of Lia's childbirth. I walked into the delivery area and announced I was giving birth--a scheduled caesarian section. I handed in my typed Q&A for the nurse (hehehe, the OC person that I am), they told me to change into my hospital gown, did skin allergy tests on me and inserted my IV. While they were doing that, my doctor came in (that was still 6:30 in the morning--she really is a morning person!) and asked how I was.

I was then wheeled into the delivery room. The anesthesiologist (very pleasant) introduced himself, and informed me of the anesthesia he was going to give me. With my OB-Gyne's help (curling me up to the C position), he gave me a shot at my lower back. As they lay me down the table (which was really so narrow), I began to feel the numbness from waist down. Then my doc sliced my old wound (where Lia came out) as I waited.

I think I waited for only 10 mintues or so, before I heard Kaitlin's cry. She was a wailer! I watched as they checked her out and ID'd her. Then they brought her to my side. She was crying her lungs out but when I talked to her, she stopped! :)

They took Kaitlin to the nursery, while I chilled (because of the anesthesia). They then wheeled me to the recovery room, where I stayed for 12 hours (that was because there was no available room for me! Aarrrgh.).

When finally I was given a room, Kaitlin was brought to me. She roomed in with me the whole time we were in the hospital (whereas Lia stayed in the nursery). It was a different experience--as I had my hands full on her right away!

We left the hospital after 2.5 days. It was relatively quick, as CS recoveries usually take longer. I guess I also couldn't wait to get home and get comfy.

So...here's to another round of dirty diapers! :)

14 more days!

Kaitlin is almost ready to come out!

I'll be working only until next week. :) Lia's already excited having me stay home (but am not sure if she is excited about her baby sister; I can't tell yet if she's just saying so to please me or if it's real ;p). So far, I have completed the documents I'd need for the hospital (Philhealth forms, SSS benefit, even the Q&A for the nurse when I get to the delivery room ;p). I have also started packing things for me and the baby (but am sure there will be lots of packing and unpacking, deciding whether to bring a particular item or not--like I did with Lia =p).

Neil has also started rearranging our room. The bunk bed we had planned to buy for the girls earlier has been junked; we're buying mattresses instead. Although am still wary with the idea of the mattresses on the floor (dust bunnies!!!), Neil is bent on buying these instead of investing on a crib/playpen for Kaitlin.

So...next week, we'll be buying all the stuff we still need. I can't wait to go on leave from work! ;)

Kaitlin in 4D

She's really a girl! We had our 4D ultrasound last week. I brought Lia, my mom, and Neil with me. I was in the ultrasound room for about 1.5 hours. The ultrasound center, InMyWomb, had a viewing area--a large flat screen TV and a bench--for companions. First impression: baby Kaitlin looked like Lia! At least her chin and lips were like Lia's. We're just not sure about her nose; I thought she got her dad's (lucky her).

We're still not sure about the name Kaitlin, though. Although I like Kaitlin more than Keira, so we're most likely to use Kaitlin. I suggested a second name, Ava, which has the same meaning as Lia (bringer of good news). We're still thinking about it. Any suggestions? :)

It's a girl (again)!

We went to the doc about two weeks ago, and found out Baby #2's gender: it's a girl! Lia was ecstatic. Neil was dumbfounded (he really was hoping for a boy). :)

Since Lia was so excited about having a baby sister, I already planned our room arrangement and all the changes that come with it (which includes buying new furniture here and there). :) If I have the full plan, I'll post it here. :)

We're thinking of Kaitlin or Keira for a name, by the way. But that's still tentative. :)

Lia quips (for the nth time)

1. Lia: I'm sexy now. When I was a baby, I was fat, but now, I'm sexy!
   
   Ninang Patty: Oh my God! Hahahaha!
   
   Lia: But someone said "Oh my God".
   
   

2. Dad: Lia! Be a good girl. Obey Daddy!
   
   Lia: I only obey Mommy.
   
   (Neil seething)
   
   

3. Lia: Mommy, did you eat my baby brother? (assuming the baby is a boy)
   
   Mommy: No! Why?!
   
   Lia: How did he get inside your tummy? Did you eat him?
   
   

4. Lia: Mommy, who is your husband?
   
   Mommy: Daddy.
   
   Lia: How about me? Who is my husband??? (Then repeatedly asks me this the whole day.)
   
   

Fifth month!

I'm on my fifth month of pregnancy now. We still haven't gone for an ultrasound for the gender, because the doc said it would be better if we did next month. If you ask me, I'd rather go in December because I really really want to make sure! But, I guess I still have to undergo ultrasound next month to check on my placenta (if it's still low-lying or if it has gone up).

I feel more normal now than when I was pregnant with Lia. Except for occasional dizzy spells, and sometimes, the feeling of having a hangover from too much alcohol! Weird, huh.

This baby is also calmer than Lia. Not too much acrobatics here!

Placenta previa

I had my checkup last week with my OB-Gyn. I've been a good patient, having done all my bloodworks requested. ;) I was glad to find out I was relatively healthy, except for my (inevitable) anemia. My blood sugar level was normal (which I was very happy about, my mom having diabetes now and me eating lots of sweets recently, hehehe).

I also had a transvaginal ultrasound with my doc, to check how the baby's doing. I felt elation again as I saw our (second) baby. I was surprised; I had thought I poured all my joy and excitement when I was pregnant with Lia. :) I guess every child really brings joy. The baby swung his (hehehe, I'm really wishing it's a boy) arms and legs while we looked. I was surprised that he was already a fetus, with his brain, arms, legs, and body developed. And a strong, fast heartbeat at 177 beats per minute!

The doctor noticed my placenta was low-lying, though. :( I was banned from exhausting myself too much, as it may cause bleeding. I hope the placenta goes up as the baby grows.

The ultrasound also indicated that I was 10 weeks and 5 days pregnant already (that day, August 16). This week I'll be on my second trimester! I can't wait for my nausea, vomiting, and sleeplessness to end!

We're pregnant!

Indeed, Lia's going to be a big sister. We found out I was pregnant around 2.5 weeks ago. I decided to test for pregnancy when I began having nausea, cravings, and of course the obvious--delayed period.

Lia wasn't too excited about the baby when we told her. I took her to the doctor, on my first ultrasound appointment. She just asked me, "Is that the baby?" I answered yes, and then she said, "Cute cute baby!" then turned her back, and pouted. ;p After that, she asked me why we needed to have another baby, when she is still just a baby. :)

Nowadays, Lia's saying "good morning" and "good night" to the baby in my tummy, just to please me (yes, I can tell). I hope she'll get used to it.

Lia's first musical/theater experience

lia_hsmusical
Originally uploaded by micaela

Last night, Lia and I went to Meralco Theater, to watch Disney's High School Musical on stage. The tickets were gifts from Tita June. It was a gift for Lia's birthday, but the good friend that she is, she included me in her ticket purchase---thanks soooo much!!!

It was Lia's first time to watch a show on stage. I was quite excited and apprehensive at the same time. Lia loved the movie, yes, and I knew she'd be excited watching it on stage, but at the same time, she's just three years old--and could get bored anytime. So before we arrived at the Meralco Theater, I briefed her about the do's and don'ts of theater-watching. She listened well, and said "okay" to my every reminder.

First sign of boredom: when the show didn't start on time. "Mommy, WHERE IS Gabriella???" She wouldn't stop her questioning until the lights went off and the show started.

As soon as the show began, Lia got so excited. She immediately looked for Gabriella Montez. And when Gabriella started singing, Lia shouted, in her loudest voice: "Gabriella, you're galing!!!" People around us laughed at my starstruck kid.

Lia sang (and danced) with the performers. When the high school kids mingled among the audience, dancing at the aisles, Lia did something I half-expected her to do: she got out of her seat and walked towards the aisle, wanting to join the dancing cast! But when she was almost at the end of the row, she turned around and looked for me. She could not go on anymore, as she wanted me to go with her! Of course, I couldn't go with her and dance! ;p

When the show ended, I bought her a souvenir program, which she held on tightly until we reached home. :) She raved about the show to her Dad and yaya and our househelp. She's still raving about it until now!

Lia's third

Lia at 3
Originally uploaded by micaela

We celebrated Lia's third birthday at McDonald's. We let her choose between a beach trip and a McDonald's party, and she chose the latter--with a Disney Princess theme.

So...off I went again, working out my canvassing powers. McDonald's provided food, decors, invites, loot bags, and game prizes, but I just couldn't resist. I had to conceptualize a souvenir, canvass for cake designs, choose between a pabitin and pinata, decide whether to have a glimmer or henna tattoo booth, and look for a design for Lia's birthday dress (and have it tailored).

I settled for name bracelets for souvenirs. Aside from costing lower than my other souvenir ideas, it was personalized--therefore, had more appeal (and use, which is really my number 1 criterion for souvenirs). I took a trip to my bead haven in Quiapo, where I bought the letter cubes and other supplies. When I was ready with everything, I asked for every kid's wrist measurements. Then I put each bracelet in a gold pouch (most appropriate, because it was a Princess party).

I surveyed everyone if they wanted henna or glimmer. Henna won, and so I went off to Robinson's Galeria to talk to Gene Testa, a known tattoo artist, and hire their services for henna tattoing.

Since Goldilocks was the "accredited" cake supplier for McDonald's parties, I went to their Pasong Tamo branch (it's open 24 hours!) to look for cake designs. I brought Lia along with me so she can choose her own design. She chose a Cinderella round cake.

I went to New Divisoria Mall in Divisoria to buy a pinata. I chose pinata over pabitin because Lia doesn't quite like pabitins (she had experiences where she couldn't get even one item). I chose a Cinderella pinata to go along with her cake. We shopped together for candies and chocolates to put inside the pinata. And together, we put all the goodies inside the pinata. As for the stand, I had my mother order one from the local carpenter in the province.

For Lia's dress, I searched the net (where else) for designs. I found one which had an a-line cut. Unfortunately, my mother insisted on it being a ballgown, and had petticoat done. :( I could not throw it away, or have it repaired or done all over again, so I made do with it.

I made all the preps, and stayed on budget. :)

When the day of the party came, Lia was so excited. She welcomed her guests with a smile, said "Thank you" when she was greeted "Happy Birthday", and kept on smiling until the party ended and she was already tired and sleepy.

Lia's favorite gift? The pig pillow given by Lolo Father. How she loves it! Which made us parents realize again that Lia's joy really lies in simple things. :)

Mall tantrums (not)

This is why I'm proud of my Lia even if she pisses me off sometimes: at the mall, she does not go stomping or have crying spells or tantrums or lying-on-the-floor drama whenever she wants something that I don't buy for her.

It's really a wonder how I did that: discipline her shopping behavior. When we go out (especially when we go to Toy Kingdom), I tell her, before entering the store, that we're not buying (just looking around), or we're buying but not an expensive toy, or we're buying but just one item. And she doesn't have a problem with it at all! I never experienced even one bit of a complaint from her.

Last Sunday, we went to Toy Kingdom. I told her that we were not buying anything, but she can point to me what she wants for her birthday. She said, "Okay, Mommy". Then we went around the store, but she could not tell me what she wanted! She'd approach one shelf, look at one item, look at me, then walk away. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or if I wanted to pity her.

So last night, when I was in Robinson's Galeria, I dropped by Toys R Us. I decided to buy her something special--as a reward for being a good girl. I was also a bit guilty of not buying her anything for the past 3 months! After buying this huge playset, I called her up, and told her I had a surprise for her. When I got home, was she glad--AND thankful! I never felt so appreciated. She is such a grateful kid.

I hope she continues this kind of behavior until she grows up!

Guess who Lia turned out to be?

These days, not a day goes by without me scolding Lia. For having so many excuses before doing anything we ask her to do, for not eating properly, for not coming when she is called, for not waiting for her turn, and many other reasons.

One day, I told her, out of exasperation, "You know, when you were smaller, you were a very good girl. Now, you're not nice na. I wonder what happened to you?"

And Lia graciously replied, "Because...I turned out to be like Daddy!"

And while Neil reacted violently, I laughed out loud. :)

Lia went (sorry, this is a late post) to school

We enroled Lia in summer playschool, for about 10 sessions. The school was near home, just inside the village. We didn't have time to go to a trial class, though, because by the time we decided to enrol her, trial classes were over.

Because we didn't get to attend the trial classes, enroling Lia was sort of a gamble for us. What if she didn't like it? But, when we visited the school before her summer class started, she instantly liked the place. I also liked the place, since classes were not confined in just one classroom. There were different rooms (art, play, etc) where kids get to transfer to/around during the two-hour class.

Lia was the only girl, though! There was another girl but she didn't regularly attend class. So, Lia was surrounded by boys. And the boys! Whenever they needed to hold hands or do the choo-choo train, they scrambled to get to hold Lia's hand (or waist, for the train thingy). ;)

According to the teachers, Lia's a bright kid. :) I do hope they're right, hehehe.

We're not enroling Lia yet this June, though. Besides the fact that she's still young (turning 3 on the 26th), we don't want to pressure her yet (plus the fees are sooo high, it's enough to make us think twice if the schools are indeed good).

Who turned off the light?

Last Easter Sunday, we went to Sta. Rosa, Laguna, to visit my tita. After mass, we decided to head to Tagaytay to have dinner at Antonio's.

On our way up, the sky was a deep, dark violet blue--twilight. Lia was looking out the window, staring at the sky.

And then she asked. "Mommy? Who turned off the light in the sky?"

I was baffled. I answered, without thinking: "God."

And then Lia said, "Aaaaah. From the church?"

Lia&Vida@ActiveFun

Lia&Vida@ActiveFun
Originally uploaded by micaela.

Here they are! It was just too hard to pull them out of ActiveFun--especially Lia. I had to go inside and persuade her! :)

Fun Ranch

Fun Ranch-ActiveFun
Originally uploaded by micaela.

Finally! We got around to visiting this place. Parents have been raving about Fun Ranch in blogs and e-groups, that I got so curious about it. Ginny's invite was timely: we set our kids' play date to Fun Ranch last Saturday.

Despite careful planning (i.e., thinking there were fewer kids if we went there early), we arrived at ActiveFun to see so many kids in the playground--care of a birthday celebrant. :( Since Lia and Vida were already excited, we had no choice but to let them in along with the birthday celebrant's guests.

After an hour, we had to pull the kids away because we had to have lunch. We hopped to nearby SM Hypermart and had lunch at A Venetto (always a wise choice because their food always got our tummies full). We went to the grocery (where I bought prepared Yakitori and Chicken in Pandan Leaves--prepared food is heavensent for moms like me!) before we returned to Fun Ranch.

I couldn't let Lia play in ActiveFun anymore, though, as I could already see that she was tired and sleepy. We just had one round at the Merry-Go-Round, then she bid goodbye to Vida.

My assessment of Fun Ranch? It isn't too big at all. Neil and I were talking about it, and we liked the playground we took Lia to, at the SM Mall of Asia, better. It was bigger, brighter, and the air conditioning was better.

Maybe if we go on a weekday we'd have a different perspective. We'll try that next time. :)

LIA quips

Here are just some of the reasons why Lia brings so much joy in our lives. :)

Lola Molly: Lia, can you count up to 20 for Lola please?
Lia: No.
Lola: Please? Please count up to 20?
Lia: No.
Lola: C'mon Lia! Please count up to 20!
Lia: Okay. (Pause)
Lia: Up....to....20!!!!!!!

Mommy: Daddy, you know, the little boy (in class) likes Lia!
Daddy: Really? The boy has a crush on my baby?
Lia: Yeah. (And then says in her most nonchalant voice) But I don't like him!

Lia: Dad, please turn off the TV.
Dad: Why?
Lia: Coz you're watching basketball.
Dad: So? Why should I turn it off?
Lia: Coz basketball is bad for me! Turn it off, Daddy, turn it off!!!

Mom: Daddy, let's go to Disneyland.
Dad: Why?
Lia (wide-eyed and whispering): Dad, Mickey Mouse is in Disneyland!!!

Lia (in church): Mommy, what's this? (Points to an embedded cross on the pew)
Mommy: It's a cross.
Lia: No, Mommy! It's a....? (Waiting for mom's answer)
Mommy: A cross.
Lia: Tsk! It's a letter "T", Mommy!!!!

Lola Molly: Lia, don't eat too much sweets, okay?
Lia: Okay.
Lola: Lia ha? Remember what Lola said. Don't eat too much sweets!
Lia: Lola you're koooolit. You said don't eat sweets then you said don't eat sweets again. That's two times! You're kooolit!

(Here's another variation)

Yaya: Lia, be careful. You might break the Cutex (translation: You might drop the nail polish bottle).
Lia: Okay.
Yaya: Lia! Be careful!!!
Lia: You're kooolit. I said OKAY na nga di ba?!

Lia (singing): It's the start of something new...it feels so right to be here with you.....
Mommy: Lia, come here.
Lia (still singing and not paying attention to Mom): ...looking in your eyes, I feel in my heart....the start of something new....
Mommy: Lia!!!
Lia: My name is not Lia!
Mommy: What!!? What is your name, then?
Lia: Lia Gabriella Montez. (from High School Musical)

:)

Lia's first long trip

lia_vida_fireplace
Originally uploaded by micaela.

We recently took a trip to Baguio, for Mom's birthday celebration. :) It was Lia's first long trip! I thought she was going to get bored, but five hours on the road was just right--she slept, she chatted with Ginny's daughter Vida, she sang.

We stayed at The Manor in Camp John Hay, thanks to Ginny's family's timesharing privileges. As soon as we checked in, we knew the kids loved the place.Check out Lia and Vida at The Manor's fireplace! :)

We were in Baguio for four days with Ginny's family, and John and Ryan. We had plenty of time to take in the sights, and the food, hehehe. Lia herself was enjoying the food, much to my surprise. Plus, she took her first horseback ride (which was, again, unexpected, as Lia has more "scared" moments than brave ones).

When at last our trip ended, and we headed home, Lia refused to "go home". True enough, when she caught sight of our home, she screamed and cried, "I don't want to go home! I want to go back to Baguio!" :)

Lia's third Christmas

train
Originally uploaded by micaela.

As usual, we spent Christmas with Neil's relatives in Cavite, my family in Sta. Rosa and Alabang, then back to Cavite. I was dead tired after Christmas, but Lia must have been more fatigued!

We bought a train set for our little girl. It was what she wanted--and after thinking about it, we gave in. After all, it was better to see her all happy that she got her train set, rather than seeing her disappointed over our own choices. ;p

Lia was only able to open her gifts on Christmas morning, though. She slept through Noche Buena. :)