Sleeping "out of the box"

This is my active son after sleeping for 3 hours. The scene made me laugh that I had to take pictures of such a funny moment.

He's simply unique. :)

Duncan...CAN!

Just posting my son's latest pictures. Duncan is a real "hard-working" baby who already turned from back to stomach (and made a 360 degree turn also) five days before he turned 3 months. According to books and doctors, it should be when a baby is from 5-8 months old. Now, he wants to crawl and gets irritated that he can't move. Oh...well, he actually can, inch by inch. he..he... When supported on his 2 arms, he can already stand and makes his small walks. He simply has his sweet, fun and admirable ways of bringing us to a big smile every single day. :)

My Dear Little Duncan

Just wanted to post some pictures of my dear little Duncan.

And like all parents, I would like to brag about my wonder baby.

At 1 month, he already started lifting his head, making eye contact and smiling with eyes open.

Just a few days before he turned 2 months, he already turned from his stomach to his back.

At 2 months, he started talking with words like "ouhhhh", "eiaaaaa", "ngengeee...", "awuaaaa".
He also started grabbing ring toys and kept it in his hands while being carried until he fell asleep. He also kicks too much that he managed waking up at the end side of his bed...on a horizontal position. And the moment he opens his eyes in the morning after a long night sleep...he will immediately flash his super big smile.

I just can't get enough of my every minute with my dear little angel.

The Day I Conquered My Greatest Fear And Received My Biggest Gift

As most of my family members and close friends know...I am afraid...or should I say...TERRIFIED of giving birth. Blood, operation, injection and any medical procedure are just simply not for me. I literally faint when I see blood and hear ”bloody” stories. When my doctor brother once told me he will operate my toe and take off a nail, i fell unconscious on our floor and was dragged to the bed. Then my mom’s very first words were...”Paano na kapag nanganak ka?”. I said...”I don’t know.” Then I immediately called (my then boyfriend now husband) Brian and told him my funny ”hinimatay-bigla” story and he said he will just be there to support me of my fear. (What a lucky me!)

Fast forward...Feb 2008. I found out I am pregnant. The thought brought joy, excitement and as expected...a few percentage of fear. Fear of the forthcoming ”delivery” moment.

But as one good friend told me...”you have 9 months to prepare yourself”. And that ”the situation will bring out a certain level of strength you never thought you have.”

I am due Oct 9. While most predicted that I will give birth ahead of time...I went 6 days overdue. I actually got a bit impatient that I walked and walked and MARATHONED for hours inside our house.

Oct 14, around 11:00 pm, while watching a Clint Eastwood movie, my water broke. I immediately called my husband and told him that ”IT'S TIME.” And because it’s a big moment, I even managed to take a quick shower and my husband...got to shave quickly. (Both getting ready for the ”after the delivery” camera moment...ha! ha! ha!)

Then we rushed to the hospital around 12 midnight and was admitted in because I was 3cms. open. Prior to this moment, contraction was actually a mystery to me until it came with a clear ”BANG” after my water broke. And yes...as what most mothers say...when it comes, you will never doubt that it is the real contraction.

During the whole labor process, I felt (several times) the need to faint...but the strength that came from somewhere within me and God’s divine intervention pushed me to hold on and fight.

While waiting for the doctor that will conduct/inject the epidural (pain reliever), I was asked to try laying in the bath tub (with water at 37 degrees in temperature) first to relax my muscles and ease the pain. I went in and a few minutes after, I was suddenly quiet. The midwife recommended that I just stay in the bathtub during the entire contraction since I am very calm in it. That will also bring less complication since it is the most natural way of dealing with labour pain. I also got accupuncture. 4 small needles were placed around my hands and back. Then after that...I was just on my own little world...concentrating.

I was working on mentally fighting the pain by counting from 50 down. Then everytime I reach 30...i know the pain is less. It kind of worked so I kept doing it over and over and focused 100% until I am 10 centimeters open around 4:30 am. Then the midwife said...”now we come to the most exciting part...seeing your baby.”

I moved from the bath tub to the hospital bed for a better way of pressing baby out. My ever supportive husband and my ever skillful midwife helped me go through the ”pressing” stage and after a couple of minutes...came the biggest gift I have ever received and have always prayed for...my little Duncan at 5:53 am.

He was placed on my chest and then after...everything else felt completely new. I was on a whole new dimension that the little pain of the stitches (with the help of anesthesia) did not matter a bit. The sight of my husband holding my son while I am being sewed gave me all the power I needed to overcome the last few procedures necessary.

My dear angel weighed 3.8 kilos and was 53 cm long when born. He actually got a perfect 10 score from the midwife which meant everything was as it should be from his skin color, physical features, breathing and all.

Now, as I breastfeed...i enjoy staring at my son and reminiscing the ”giving birth” moment...because he, my dear sweet Duncan, gave me the strength I never thought I had. Overcoming my biggest fear and being rewarded with the sweetest child a mother could ever have...October 15 is and will always be the best "WINNING DAY" of my life.

The much-awaited 9th month

We are expecting a BOY!

6 months and counting...

A Glimpse of Our Little Angel

Just wanted to share with you our baby's very first picture. This was taken yesterday (April 2, 2008) as I went through my first scanning together with my husband. The entire 30 minutes of just watching baby move around is simply an experience I can never put words to. Amazing, incredible, fantastic...these words may come close to the description but still wont meet up to the whole experience.

Can't wait to welcome him/her in this wonderful world...can't wait to be a mom...and to see my husband become a dad. I know he will do an excellent job just as he is as a husband. Brian and baby...can't ask for anything more.

Thank you Lord for the best gifts of my life.

We are having a BABY!!!

As most of you know, my husband and I have been married for almost 1 year and 7 months now. And like most modern couples who wanted to spend more quality and "selfish" times together, we decided to wait having a baby.

It is also a very important factor for us because we came from a long distance relationship where in getting to know each other and building a strong loving relationship are a must. Plus the fact that I am adjusting to a new world with an entirely new culture, language, government systems and all. We also waited till our house and office are done to be sure that when our baby comes, we can be as prepared as we can ever be.

The plan is to start January 2008.

My last period was January 4. My husband and I were so curious how things will go towards the next few weeks and months.

I am supposed to have my next period January 30 since I am always around 3 days advanced. Then days passed by with no "monthly visit" yet. A strong excitement grew bigger and bigger each day that Feb 6, my husband and I tried using the pregnancy test to get a hint. I held the stick while he started counting then after 3 minutes, came 2 red lines. We were so happy that we called the doctor immediately for a quick check-up. Feb 7, the doctor confirmed that it is POSITIVE!

The joy is simply overwhelming that we immediately started buying pregnancy magazines, healthy food, vitamins for pregnant women, fruits and milk.

My husband has started his new habit of touching my stomach every morning and every night.

We also went to church to offer a prayer of thanks. God is and has always been a loving, generous God to me and my husband.

My former boss Cindy (after hearing the good news) wrote me an email saying...
even in your goal of when to get pregnant you are meeting your deadline.

That made me laugh with joy in my heart and gratefulness to God.