From Dawn Till Dusk

(Foreword: This is exclusively girl’s talk. So if you’re not, better close this tab because I bet you wouldn’t be able to relate pretty well. Well, not unless you’re a Dad or a husband or an Ob-gyne.)

Above’s a pregnancy test kit, alright. And yes, I’ve taken the test just this morning. The month of March will end tomorrow and I’ve been waiting for my “time of the month” as early as the first week, but still no visitor. I haven’t been suspecting that I’m pregnant though as I see no signs at all. No breast tenderness, no little bits of powder substance that goes along with the urine when I pee, no metallic taste in the food that I eat, no morning sickness–nothing at all.

But by around 10 in the morning yesterday, I was gagging the sink really hard. I want to get out something in my digestive system (the food that I ate at breakfast probably) that I spend a couple of hours just vomiting and vomiting. I feel kinda dizzy too in between nauseas, and as a way to console myself, I bloghopped and visited Friendster (heehee, yan ang mga major ways ko of theraphy–connecting with friends) a little just to shift my attention and let the weird feeling out of my system.

So I hopped on Blogfriend’s journals. And guess what? Latest updates I’ve read got me thinking: is there a pregnancy fever or something? Last month, my gracious webhost Amore announced her pregnancy to Baby No. 2. Then last week, Mommy Analyse, este, si Ate Louna pala, reported the good news that she’ll be an Ate soon as her Mom is expecting by September of this year too. When I logged in to my Friendster account, there, I saw a baby ticker widget in MeAnn’s profile (the Dubai-based friend of mine and Hubby) that says she’s on her 15th week already! And just yesterday, I’ve learned through Kelly that two of her Blogfriends as well have been visited by the stork.

But that’s not all. As I hopped over at Thet’s latest posts yesterday, I was happy and giddy and excited to learn she is expecting as well. Nung una pa nga, hindi ko agad na gets, kasi naman dalawa yung bagong posts. The first that I’ve read was a blast from the past regarding how she knew she was pregnant with her daughter Iya. And I’ve even commented na baka she’s expecting kaya ganun. And when I opened the post previous to that, true enough, she was indeed expecting!

And that all the more convinced me to try the test myself. Why? First off, Thet’s Iya and my Nico is almost of the same ages, Nico was just days apart. And I’m not sure if this goes with other Mommies as well, but I’m one of those who compare notes with Moms whose sons’ or daughters’ ages are close as mine. Kinda weird but that’s sort of my way to gauge or convince myself to think of having another baby. And second, honestly, sobrang nainggit ako. So I think, that adds to the urge to finally try the pregnancy test myself.

And the result… Continue Reading »

After rounds and rounds of hectic school days, most especially the last two weeks stretch, it’s officially vacation for Nico last Thursday. It’s a day much anticipated by everyone in the household (especially me) because at least we’ll be spared from the early morning rush, finally! You know, the regular morning routine of waking up the Little Boy as early as 6AM, finishing breakfast in no more than 20 minutes, preparing his baons (na may kasama pang protesta minsan because the Little Boy sometimes demand the not-so healthy ones), and hurrying Nico to dress up in no time (eh madalas pa, ayaw magpatulong magbihis sa akin, big boy na daw kasi sya!). Hay naku…

And so when Thursday came, I’ve afforded to at least be a little bit laid back when it comes to doing the Mommying chores. “Hay salamat, VACATION na!!!” that’s how loud I’ve said it first thing in the morning of Thursday. After finishing a couple of chores and some kulitan time with the Little Boy, I went straight to the Office hours before lunchtime just to check on some working papers. Before heading to the Office though, I’ve told our house angels to give something to keep Nico occupied while I am away. Say, something to color, or if the Little Boy wants it, he can play with kids in the neighborhood. That way, he’ll never feel bored.

And so, I was away for a few hours and when I came back home early afternoon, these were what greeted me: Continue Reading »

It’s past 6 in the morning as I wrote this and am supposedly be doing the daily news summaries for the Office at this time. Heehee, yan ang gawain ng mga work at home people. However I’d thought to write down a few thoughts before anything else. Fact is, I can feel my cheeks and chin still willing to smile and all after a tiring day yesterday. Heehee, I think too I’ve fallen asleep last night grinning ear to ear even. Who wouldn’t? With all the overwhelming feeling of being the proudest Mom ever as my Little Boy went up the stage to get his diploma and award on his graduation day yesterday afternoon, I’m in cloud nine still!

Heehee, parang ang OA naman kasi eh. But I believe that any parent for that matter, for as long as you witness a milestone or an achievement of your child, one would be the proudest and the happiest. I asked Hubby how he felt when he accompanied Nico up the stage yesterday to put on the medal for his son and you know, men being the silent type that they are, he just said: “Syempre, sobrang saya at sobrang proud!” Quite simple and short, but even as he didn’t elaborate, I knew what it meant all along.

Proudest because academically, he excels. But more than that, we are the happiest too as we saw our Little Boy metamorphosized from being they shy, aloof and quiet three year old that he was before, to now a sociable and friendly preschooler who can confidently communicate and mingle with people. And can I add he’s very independent already? I remember how my Mom used to comment how helpless Nico was before–as in you’d have to prod him to take a bath and dress up and carry all his things for him on the way to school. Now, he can all do that by himself, and he’d refused if in case you’d offer to help him. “No need to help me, big boy na ko!” that’s what our Little Boy would often say.

Anyway, it will be endless to brag and brag how happy and proud we are. And before I totally forgot why I am supposed to be awake at 5AM (heehee, dapat tapos na news summaries ko by this time) here’s to share photos of Nico’s graduation yesterday. Continue Reading »

Hi everyone. I hope all of you had quality time to relax and reflect during the Holy Week much as we did.

We took the opportunity to spend the long weekend out of town, to Subic, Zambales, that is. Actually there are so many places just nearby Metro Manila that’s great for a family getaway. But Subic was foremost our first choice despite having been there for so many times. Heehee, addict kasi sa Subic, that’s why. With so many places to see there, we simply can’t get over Subic more than anything else. Last year, we were also there, particularly at Camayan and Ocean Adventure, as a post third birthday treat for Nico. A little misfortune though during our stay last year, our camera went bonkers, thus, we didn’t have photos to keep, not even a single one. Tsk. And so from then, we made a promise we’ll go back to Subic no matter what, and which was what we did last Thursday.

The original plan was to book in Camayan again but we learned that as early as January, the resort was already fully booked for Holy Week so that left us no choice but to opt for other hotel accommodations. Cookie generously advice me of available accommodations within Subic (thanks Cookie, that was really helpful!) but unfortunate as it was, they’re all booked too as early as February. There are still a number of hotels within the Freeport zone I’ve researched on the net though, but fearing these are those nightmare hotels I’ve read through reviews in the net, Hubby and I decided to look at options even outside Subic, provided they are just minutes away from the Freeport area.

Long, long story but to shorten everything, we finally made booking in a resort in Zambales, just kilometers drive from Subic. The place wasn’t exactly the ideal choice I wished we were booked (the rate of accommodations was just way over pricey as compared to the prime rates in Subic) however, we thought it was the best option laid on our hands. So pikit-mata, off we booked first week of March, with high hopes it’s worth the money and the effort moving a little too far. Continue Reading »

It’s Easter Sunday and what could be more rejoicing than feeling God’s blessings through a warm fellowship amongst Christians alike.

On the way through the Church’s exit doors, sisters in Church greeted everyone with Easter eggs after the Mass. Nico happily took and opened one.

Receiving even just an egg was already a delight through a child’s eyes, but anticipating what’s inside it was just as exciting. Continue Reading »

All our bags are packed, and we’re ready to go…

My Little Family will be out of town tomorrow till Saturday for some R and R. The first R being Relaxation (I believe we all needed that. You know, the proverb which says “All work and no play, makes a dull boy”. It has never been more true.)

But more than a good vacation, the second R, which should stand for Reflection is far more important. I hope I can do that myself. We’re halfway of the Holy Week and to all of you my Blog friends, may the long weekend be an opportunity for us to have our individual quiet times for a meaningful reflection.

And to all of us, may we have a blessed Easter ahead!

(This post is for my brother and his wife, who send off their daughter in Pinas for a three-week visit. For your own peace of mind, dudes! Sana kasi, sumama na din kayo pag-uwi! Heehee.)

Blood is thicker than water. Agree? Scientifically speaking, yes it is.

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid (technically a tissue) that is composed of a liquid called blood plasma and blood cells suspended within the plasma. Water on the other hand refers mostly of its liquid form or state, though the substance also has a solid sate, ice, and a gaseous state called water vapor. Wikipedia

And how about treating the phrase figuratively? I have to say, blood is not just thicker than water-it’s thicker more than anything else.

Yesterday, my adorable niece Erika came for a visit at my Mom’s. Erika is the daughter of my youngest brother based in Chicago and her maternal grandmother who is currently in town tagged her along to the Philippines. It was already two long years ago since we last saw Erika (she was only one year old then when she and her Mom took a month-long vacation in the Philippines) and having really missed the little girl for so long, we’re really excited to see her again, especially me. Why? Go ask Michelle, she very well know how much I so loooove my nieces too, much as I love my Nico. Continue Reading »

We went to see Nico’s pediatric pulmonologist for a follow-up check up yesterday, finally (after postponing and canceling our long-overdue appointment). After bouts and bouts of terrible coughs that he had last year, the check up was required by the doc to see the Little Boy’s susceptibility in acquiring asthma. Thank goodness because during the doc’s assessment, he said that Nico’s doing pretty well as far as his weight management is concerned, which should put the threats of asthma at bay.

Nico’s still in the overweight category (heavy at 23 kilos), but the doc’s pretty impressed to see that Nico have not gained weight for the past three months. “Tumangkad lang pero buti naman at hindi nadagdagan ang timbang,” the doc says and even kidded we stop calling Nico our Little Boy because he’s taller by a few centimeters since the last checkup (112 cms as of todate). Heehee, buti na lang at hindi nagmana ng pagkabansot sa Mommy at Daddy.

Anyway, we were really grinning ear to ear hearing the doc’s assessment because at the very least, it was a good measure that the weight management we’ve been doing back second week of December is paying off. It was kinda difficult hurdling through the weight management program at first especially that Nico’s drastically switched from powdered milk to now fresh milk, but the Continue Reading »