Last Monday, October 19,2009, after 3 days of overdue on the expected date of delivery my baby finally decided to come out. My waterbag broke at exactly 1:05am and had contractions at 2:00am. I was excited at the same time scared. This was my first time having a baby in a different country and at the same time hopefully my last. The pain was unbearable around 6:00am and because I have to wait when morning came I was on the verge of crying everytime a contraction was on its way. It was like expecting for the pain to come any minute soon after.
I had asked my husband to still go to work and just come back for me at 8:00am. So he went his way and by 8am I was calling him every minute telling him to hurry up. The modwife called at 8am and I insisted that I go to the hospital already. When my midwife checked me in the hospital, she told me I was just 3cm dilated and I was disappointed as I wanted to get it over and done with. She gave me an injection to make me sleep but I could not sleep because of the pain. So she asked that I have an ultrasound as I was also diagnosed with placenta previa, by the time I was on the ultrasound room I was in 2nd stage labour and had the urge to push. Panic arised as my midwife told me not to and to wait when I get back to the room! The feeling was of utter confusion as I was trying to control myself from pushing but my body was not giving in. It was like talking to the devil and the angel. hahahha what a description.
Anyway I was able to stop myself from delivering my baby in the ultrasound room but I was shaking so badly from the pain. When I got back to the room I was already pushing as hard as I can and in to make the story short delivered the most beautiful baby I could possibly have. She was so small and fragile. My husband cut the chord and took some pictures. It was such a wonderful experience and it was more special because my husband shared the experience with our son.
My Daughters Arrival October 27, 2009
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction October 8, 2009
Has anyone heard of this before? I did’nt until it happened to me. I never thought there was such a thing until I complained to my midwife about my pelvic pain and she told me I had Pubic Symphisis Dysfyunction. Huh??? what was that again? I had to ask as I felt it was funny.
According to babyworld:
Although it appears to be a firmly fixed circle of bone, the pelvis is actually four separate bones jointed together – the sacrum and coccyx at the back and at the sides the two hip bones which curve around to meet at the front. These are joined at the front by the symphysis pubis.
“In pregnancy the hormone relaxin is released to soften the joints in preparation for the birth of your baby, but in around one in 35 women the hormone causes the ligaments to soften and stretch too much and become painful,” says Ann Johnson, superintendent physiotherapist in women’s health at Leeds General Infirmary.
It is normal for there to be a gap of 4-5mm between the two pubic points at the symphysis pubis joint and during any pregnancy this widens by another 2-3mm. If this gap widens more than this pain may occur and in some cases a severe form of the condition called diastasis symphysis pubis is diagnosed.
The job of the symphysis pubis joint is to hold the pelvis steady when we’re using our legs, and if the ligaments have softened or stretched too much it won’t work properly and strain is put on the other pelvic joints, causing pain.”
“OUCH” that’s all I can say. At first I thought this was just the case of working too hard at home and in the office. Having no one to rely on but ourselves, we have to do the housechores right? but anyway its not the case its all about the hormones that we produce specifically the hormone “relaxin”.
I had to go to a physiotherapist to aid me with my distress only to find out that they can’t do anything except to provide me with a belt to wrap around my pelvic area. Anyway I am 39 weeks and counting and the pain is unbearable as of the moment. There is no such thing as medicine for the pain except panadol which I personally do not want to take.
Yesterday, wanting so desperately to give birth already decided to have a 1hour walk with my husband and son at the park. After doing that and having dinner decided to rest but when I got up to go to the toiletuthe pain was unbearable. I could not walk. My husband had to carry me to and from the toilet. I guess the only remedy for having this problem is not to overdo things. It’s not something that you can just ignore. So to all those pregnant women who have the same problem as I have, take care and good luck! That is all I can say. Do post some of your experiences. It helps to know that you are not alone=)
My own pan de sal September 24, 2009
For the love of food and having nothing much to do. I decided to make pan de sal. My husband would have said…”Not again?!!?”. You see I torture him by forcing him to eat what I experiment when cooking and when he does not eat I give him the silent treatment. You get the picture?
Well, one thing I discovered is that yoghurt actually is good in baking or so I think it does. The last time I made pan de sal it was hard as a rock so imagine my husband’s horror when I told him I was going to make pan de sal so that he would have something to eat at work.
Good thing though, it was soft and yummy and no one complained at all=)
Here is the recipe. I used my breadmachine to mix and do the first rise of the dough. It will come out really wet after the rising and at first I was quite hesitant and worried that it was not pan de sal I was making but with a little flour and more kneading it turned out pretty well.
1/2 C water
1 C milk
1 egg
1/2 C sugar
3/4 tsp salt
5 tbsp softened butter
1 tbsp oil
4 C flour
3 tsp breadmachine yeast
1 tub strawberry yoghurt. (yes yoghurt, strawberry??? that’ my preference.you can use plain if you want)
breadcrumbs
1- combine water, milk and heat in microwave for 35 seconds.
make sure egg is at room temperature.
2- add ingredients to your breadmachine following manufacturers instruction on what order to put ingredients. mine says wet then dry ingredients leaving the yeast last and not touching the wet ingredients.
3- after breadmachine does its cycle. sprinkle some flour and knead the dough.
4- shape dough and cover with breadcrumbs.
5-slit the center of the dough and put on tray
6-let it rise the second time
7-bake in a preheated oven for 10-15 mins.
Enjoy!
My Little Angel’s 4D Scan July 1, 2009
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- shy baby
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- 2nd attempt
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- 3rd attempt
I was already excited even a few weeks before the ultrasound. It was like christmas again and I was a little child waiting to open my presents. I did a little research on what the baby’s development should be. At 23-24 weeks, I should expect the baby to be fully developed and what really concerned me most was if he/she was ok.
We went their a bit early as I did not want to be late. In a few minutes time and just as I was engrossed reading about angelina jolie and brad pitt, my name was called and we were lead to the room I had my ultrasound a few months back.
The sonographer checked the baby. I was really impressed as she really checked all the fingers, toes, heartbeat, kidneys,etc and was pleased with the result. I asked if they have a 4D scan and luckily they said they had and if there was still time she would have some 4d scan of the baby. Great! I said and after making sure that no defects were seen of the baby, I then asked what the gender was. They dont tell you until you ask as some parents want it a surprise but in my case I wanted to know as soon as possible. It’s a girls, she said and I was just so happy…. I was smiling from ear to ear. Finally, a little Francesca I could call my own.
Then the sonographer did the 4D scan. To my surprise, I saw a little replica of our little Nico right before my eyes. Nothing could explain how I felt that time. I have 2 angels now=) cant wait to welcome her in the world.
One of those days June 25, 2009
There is always one of those days when you just miss someone so much and your eyes start to water thinking about them. Well it’s those dreaded days again when I miss my family in Cebu so much that I just can’t stop myself from shedding a tear.
Its the time when you regret moving away, regret what you thought was right for you. I dread these days when I can’t breathe just thinking of them, how much happier we were all together. I dread these days when all I want more than anything is to just go home and forget what I have planned for my future.
It will always have no end. Nothing wont change. There will always be those days. I just miss them so much but what can I do? I am miles and miles away….and nothing I can do but just remember those days when we were all happy. Funny thing is, it makes it much harder for me. Harder to deny the fact that I was much happier where I was than where I am.
It’s just one of those days…..
A realization June 23, 2009
A few weeks back, I went back to the Philippines to see my family. The excitement was all there and I could not wait to see them. But part of me was scared…..scared that after those six weeks I would feel the same feeling I felt 2 years ago. A feeling of lose and sadness.
It was a very happy and joyous occassion indeed. All was well planned out and we had the best time we could possibly imagine. What was more visible was the look of my sons face everyday…of pure joy and hapiness of having to be in my families company. Indeed, I knew there was going to be a problem as my son has asked that he stay behind while we come back to New Zealand.
It made me wonder then if my purpose of coming here has all been wasted. Now my son has made a decision to never come back to what we now call home. I know now what I was dreading to hear..My son was never happy here in New Zealand. It was just a matter of just saying it in our face.
All I know is that I could never give my son what he wants now…and yes I am hurt seeing him not with the same smile he has been showing in the last 6 weeks. I could never give him that…not now. I do know that we will be saving up for a trip next year. Still don’t know how we will manage but we will find ways to go home every year. That I can promise!
I thank my family for all the hapiness and memories they have given us. No words can explain how I felt. Indeed it is never easy to leave your family behind….but I have my reasons and I hope my son will understand someday.
Here are some pictures of the wonderful time we had…thanks guys!
Street Food Cravings April 27, 2009
A lot of times I have heard of people say someone died in their sleep because of a full stomach but have you ever heard of one who died in their sleep with an empty one? Of course not because no one can sleep when hungry. Is there anyone who will protest to this???=)
Last night, I was in the bed at 10pm but was twisting ang turning and can’t sleep. I was very hungry but because I did not want to stand up and eat as it was late, decided to just think about the hunger and get it over with. However, it was not a good idea as I was now thinking of street food from cebu! Here was the list of the food that I think is worth eating and now I can’t wait to eat these when I get back!
- manggang hilaw ug hipon sa ilawm sa flyover sa robinson
- tinap anan sa colon ug sa among merkado
- ginamos ug lemonsito
- fairlane ngohiong
- bbq ug puso sa fuente
- kinilaw
- ginabot sa labangon
- siomai and halo2x sa tisa
- lechon manok sa arena
- sutukil sa opon
The list can go on and on and the one’s above where what I was craving for last night. At around 1am I was tired from thinking and my stomach was complaining already. I got up and opened a box of sky flakes that was sitting on my bedside table. Had 2 crackers and drank water and after 15 mins or so was dozing off dreaming of the days ahead of me where I can taste this for real….
My Baby’s First Pictorial April 17, 2009
my baby loves to thumbsuck=)
- full body picture
Yesterday we had our NT (Nuchal Transluceny) Scan.
from Baby center website it says:
“This prenatal test (also called the NT or nuchal fold scan) can help your healthcare practitioner assess your baby’s risk of having Down syndrome (DS) and some other chromosomal abnormalities as well as major congenital heart problems.
The NT test uses ultrasound to measure the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back of your developing baby’s neck. Babies with abnormalities tend to accumulate more fluid at the back of their neck during the first trimester, causing this clear space to be larger than average.”
The sonographer then called my name and we were directed to a large dark room. It had two large lcd screens on bothe opposite sides of the room so I can get a clear and comfortable view of the baby rather than peeking on the side of the screen. The sonographer then put some warm gel on my tummy and in just a few seconds found myself in awe at the sight of my baby.
The baby was always moving and thumbsucking. I could not believe the detail of the baby at 13 weeks. I did not expect it as it was known that baby at 13 weeks is the size of half a banana. Imagine my surprise to see not a peanut like image but a full bodied baby moving and wriggling while the sonographer was trying to get a better angle of the baby. It was such a sight to behold and we were grinning from ear to ear. It was a beautiful experience not only for me and jonjon but also for Nico who has been waiting for a sibling for some time now.
Here’s some pix of the baby=)
Calamares Express March 26, 2009
Yesterday, I was in a hurry to cook calamares for dinner as I had a long walk from my son’s school to our house. The bus that I usually take home did not drive by my son’s school thus the long walk home.
Back to the calamares, the cooking time it took me to cook it was a breeze and I ended up eating it without rice as the rice was still cooking on the rice cooker.
ingredients needed:
1 egg
salt
pepper
paprika
flour
calamares (cleaned and cut in rings)
1. Heat oil for deep frying.
2.marinated the calamares in salt,pepper and a little paprika. around 10-15 mins. Put marinated calamares in fridge.
3.added the eggs directly to the calamares and mixed.
4. Put flour,a little paprika and some more salt and pepper in a plastic ziplock and mix. coat the calamares in the flour mixture and deep fry until golden brown.
Put in a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Serve with your favorite dip.
Voila! It was simple and easy.
Sorry was not able to post a picture as I guess it didnt reach the serving plate. My son loved it!
My Shot at Becoming a Good Mother March 24, 2009
Becoming a parent is not an easy task. It is not like having a child and leaving them to learn on their own. As a parent you are destined to nurture and rear them that they become what a good person should be.
I would want to talk about being an only girl in the family. I was brought up with 2 boys and me in the middle. I had my insecurities I would admit but it was’nt much of a competition as I was the only girl. But how I love to be challenge and so I became one of the guys. For me, it was never so much of who was the smartest, most athletic, etc. But more important for me was the affection of my parents.
I came to believe that my older brother was the apple of my mother’s eye and I understood that because he was the eldest. My younger brother was of course the baby of the family and that was natural. I suppose that my parents would put all the attention to him. On my part, I never thought of myself as special. I was the middle child you see. And!!! although my mother dressed me up in fancy clothes, I never considered myself as a girl anyway..so what was there to love???
Through the years I had those in the back of my mind but being brought up as a true christian, I was able to figure things out for myself. I do admit I was in a phase of rebellion but sooner or later it turned to a challenge for me to reverse my ways and offer all my love to my parents… it then dawned on me that there were so many things that I have taken for granted. So many things that were done out of love. It was only a matter of understanding and finding answers.
I came to realize that in one way or the other, we are loved. It is a matter of looking at it in different ways. I guess I am blessed to have discovered it earlier. Not dwelling much on the past but looking at the future.
Now I see myself in my mother’s shoes… I see myself trying to let my child understand what it means to love. It is not giving everything that he wants. It is about teaching him what he needs in life. It is not about who gets the attention. It is about giving your son a chance to become a better person. I will have one more child soon and I would be in a situation where there might be rivalry of attention and love. I guess the only way is to let them understand and see that everyone is loved and important. I will have to wait and see… and if all else fails, I will always have my mother to ask advise=)
farahway
