My second child’s pregnancy was planned.
I delivered my eldest thru CS and it was one traumatic experience. For the fear of enduring the same ordeal again took us awhile to have another baby. 5 years after, we thought we gave it another try, we thought its about time. My OB told me to wait until 3 years before having another baby but I thought 3-year gap is too short thus considered 5-year gap instead.
However, seems like a 5-year gap between siblings is a bit long. My kids though close with each other, seems to be disconnected at times. Each kid adjust to fit. Common scenes like the eldest had to watch and sing nursery rhymes with the youngest or the youngest would watch minecraft videos with the eldest. They blend for awhile I guess until one had to do another thing. Plus gender thing has another factor too — like the eldest wants to sing Taylor Swift while the younger one wants to play and watch Lighting McQueen movie. Being pregnant after 5 years was still a best option, besides I’m not getting any younger, so of to baby number 2.
We were careful.
It was carefully planned.
Had to prepare the nest. Frequent visits to my new OB/Gyn Dra. Ebao. Choices on good food for proper nutrition. Exercise. We wish for a boy thus we seek for advise. Though there’s science, we rely everything to God and faith and hope.

SUBCHORIONIC HEMORRHAGE
5 years ago, first week of January and after the third pregnancy test showed 2 red thin lines, we now have a reason to go back to my OB. However our excitement was cut short when my first transvaginal ultrasound showed that I suffered subchorionic hemorrhage. I didn’t fully understand it, all I know was that there’s a blood clot in my uterus and it could possible affect my baby. My OB advised bed rest and medication for two week.
Two weeks becomes two months…

APAS
With the blood clot that was still evident even after months of rest and medication, my OB/Gyn later requested for additional lab test to checked if I have APAS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome) disorder. It is an auto-immune disorder. I don’t really understand the technicalities, as far as I comprehend, my body’s antibodies failed to recognize the fetus inside my tummy thus tried to destroy it as it is mistakenly identified as a harmful object. Fear of the diagnosis, I went back to my first OB/Gyn, Dra. Atoc (the one I consulted during my first pregnancy). Nothing wrong with being sure, she reminded me, so she still request to perform those additional requests.
Results shows I had Mild APAS.
Anything for the baby’s safety.
Even if our energy and finances were drained, we had to find ways and strength to do for the baby. Thus, I took the APAS screening tests even it costs a whole month’s pay. The tests includes CBC (Complete Blood Count), ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), CRP (C-Reactive Protein Test), T4 (Thyroxine), TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone), ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies), Cardiolipin Antibodies IgG and IgM, KCT (Kaolin Clotting Time), PTT/APTT (Partial thromboplastin time / Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time). Lots of blood sample it is. We were referred to an immunologists for further analysis of the result. According to the immunologists, I had mild APAS and aspirins (aspilets) was added to my long list of medicines to take.
Additionally, my OB/Gyn this is quite busy that schedule visits and appointments are often postponed, thus the need to look for another OB/Gyn on my last trimester. So I met Dra Bevs Hermosisima, my new OB/Gyn.

HOPE
Her assessment was that since I don’t have history of miscarriages and that my baby, though small in weight, is so fine inside my tummy, everything will be alright with proper nutrition, medication, being careful and lots of positive aura. This gives me hope.
And yes I remember Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

CS DELIVERY
Had wanted to do normal birth delivery this time. I had to take the 8 stairs going up every morning to my workstation…for endurance and able to hold breath for a longer period of time. But cervix didn’t open even after series of IEs. Had to cut open again on my due date. Once a CPD, is really a CPD (Cephalopelvic disproportion). Believe me, I’m scared being cut again that I had to one the hands of the attending nurse for comfort until I hear my son’s cry and close me.

THANKFUL
It was not a smooth sailing drive but thankfully it went well by God’s grace and guidance… and family and friend’s support. Holding my baby

Everyone! Meet my second 🙂

Last year was our 10th year anniversary of being married. Can you believe it? Seems like yesterday?

Being sentimental, I asked for a renewal of wedding vow ceremony as a way of thanksgiving. You know, being thankful for the 10 years of togetherness, patience and the decision to still stay in love and that despite our differences, we choose to stick with each other and let God guide us.
I ask to wear again my wedding dress after 10 years.
I ask for a ceremony in front of our family and close friends.
I ask for wedding photo shoot since we were not able to try it 10 years ago.
I ask for a new wedding ring since ours are already big for our middle finger. Yep, we didn’t earn extra pounds, instead we lost some!
Too fancy isn’t it?
Yeah! I think it is!
And a not so practical to those with limited budget.

My hubby is not into it.
He has other things in mind.
And a much more practical!

Yep, we don’t have the luxury to spend on this renewal of vow ceremony.
He is too occupied of thinking ways how to save for the future. He thought he had enough paying house rents cause its “sayang” (waste) expense.
He thought it is time to have a home of our own.

Why not?
With the kid’s increasing school expenses, sooner or later we might not be able to meet the demands considering we don’t have educational savings yet. Plus, being a corporate slave is not so secure either. We may have jobs today and can bring foods to our table but we are not so sure for tomorrow. Just last year, there was an announcement that our company is seeking strategic alternative and is for sale.

And God laid everything us.
5 years ago, we were able to purchase a lot from a low-end subdivision just outside the city yet near to a school we plan to enroll our kids on their primary years. Its has a 0% interest scheme as long as it will be paid within 5 years. A year after the purchase, hubby was affected by the company’s Work Reduction Program. He was one of those retrenched. It really was a surprise and we worry because we don’t have savings or emergency funds. Good thing a severance pay was given and he’s been keeping the compensation for the better use. 2 months after, he was blessed with a new job though not as the same as his previous company but enough to meet our daily expenses.
Last year, the subdivision’s developer completed its road and drainage installation. With our parent’s prodding too, hubby thought it may be time to invest in building our own house. He prayed. We may have limited budget but setting it one step at time, we took the risk.

It has been a month in this new home.
Its not yet fully complete but we can managed living on it.
We run out of finances but by God’s grace, we know we can make it through.

I asked for a renewal of wedding vow.
Hubby give a new home for the whole family.
Carefully planned by Almighty and of course by His grace.

Happy New Year!

Before January 2016 ends and I know its already late but its never too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope by God’s grace that everyone will have a blessed 2016 ahead of us.

Wohoo!
I’m excited for this year and I’m inviting positivity 🙂

For starters, January 2016 is already been a busy month for us. Its more than halfway and I still haven’t got a chance to get back on track with blogging. Last year I purchased this new domain. As a way to improve my blogging stint, Mommy After Work (lotusshiella.com) is created yet I’m not yet done setting it up. Also, I’m still weighing things if I have to let Balot’s Chatter go or maintain both blogs.

Then there’s decluttering and packing. Come moving day and it still was not completed thus have no choice but to pack those unsorted stuffs and decide to sort it out later. We moved to a new home we now call our own. Its been 4 days in this new home already but some of our stuffs are still in the boxes. TV are not yet setup. No Internet connection yet! Globe personnel are so slow 🙁 Ssshhh! And because of it,  had to make this post here in the office, good thing sprint demo is already done. Still figuring the interior’s arrangements (char!) We only have minimal furniture so I guess it would not be a problem.

Then there’s work, been busy lately too. Need to complete tasks before deadlines, there’s organization re-structuring and transitions and new strategies plus an advise to double time for career development’s improvement. Busy, huh!

Kiddo’s third trimester exam is fast approaching and we haven’t started reviewing yet.

Wohoo!
And the year has just started.

No problem being busy as long as its worth being busy with it… and find joy with it too.
Again! Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a Happy Prosperous New Year!

Photo Credits

July 5, 2005, 17 days after our wedding day, two red lines from the pregnancy test faced me. I smiled knowing I’m gonna be a mom but scared knowing that I’m gonna be a mom!

For my first trimester, I don’t have food cravings. As far as I remember, there is only one crave I requested from hubby, that is to let him buy a Kit-Kat chocolate wafer for me and unfortunately he bought Knick-Knacks chocolate biscuits. Not a big deal for me, I still ate the Knick-Knacks 😀 Since its my first pregnancy, we are kind of OC – you know like being extra careful in everything stuffs and lots to avoid of. Good thing my OB is Dra. Atoc who is based at Mactan Doctors Hospital, a conventional type of doctor yet open to embrace new techniques and approach to caring pregnancy.

5 months later, I quit my job and went home to our hometown. Nothing can help me relax than the comfort and support of my family especially my parents. I know I should stay with hubby and give birth beside him but him at work and me home alone all day seems scary. While at my hometown, I had anyone. This time Dra. Paano-Go is my OB, she’s recommended by a very good friend and my cousin, Annalie, who at that time is also pregnant. Dra. Paano-Go is also her doctor so that alone is a big comfort. My cousin and I happen to have same expected delivery month.

On the night of March 6, 2006, I felt contractions every after ~20 minutes and because I cannot sleep, I asked mom to bring me to the hospital. But the resident doctor who checked my cervix informed me that its not open yet. Talk about false alarm. I tell you my tummy is in pain that night! That same night at the same hospital, mom told me that my cousin is on the delivery room about to gave birth. That makes me wanna push so we can have same birthdays on our daughters 😀  (some wishful thinking eh :D) The following days, hoping to get dilated before my due date, I took long walks. By the way, I was told that walking exercise will not make you dilate instead it will prepare your breathing as you make your big push.

On my due date, March 12, still there are no contractions 🙁 We waited for 2 more days and still no progress so I went to check with my OB the baby’s status. My ultrasound results then showed small particles beside my baby. Afraid that it might be the baby’s first droppings (meconium), my OB recommends induced labor on that day. I went home, called hubby, took a refreshing bath (mom said, I should at least be presentable :D) and checked again our hospital bags and relax (coz really I’m excited and at same time in panic mode). By 7pm that day, accompanied by my sisters, we’re at the hospital ready for induced labor. Late in the evening, the resident doctor check me and I’m 1cm dilated, I think I don’t sleep well as I already feel the pain due to contractions yet when the resident doctor check again, it still 1cm. Yes, just the resident doctor, I haven’t seen my OB that night.

The following day, still no progress with the dilation but its comforting to know that hubby is home. Also, my OB’s presence. She personally checks my cervix and yep its still 1cm. Its so upsetting bearing the pain for almost 8 hrs already and yet no progress. My water broke by midday, we were told that those particle seen in the ultrasound are not my baby’s feces. I forgot to ask what were those particles.

By 8pm that night I was told I’m 5cm dilated but seems like I cannot take the pain anymore. I heard my mom asked me for something and I can’t answer her straight. According to her, seeing  how I respond to her makes her conclude that I cannot wait longer for 10cm complete dilation, thus, she decided to tell my OB and hubby to proceed with cesarean delivery. Yes, I also agreed to perform CS since being in pain for ~24hrs is so unbearable.  I remembered being wheeled to the operation room. They have to let me curled so they can give the anesthesia, subconsciously I followed their instructions. Have heard their questions yet I vaguely remember my answers but I swear I heard my baby cried and I heard my OB’s comment that my baby is clean. Next thing I know, I woke up and asked dad about my baby.

By morning, OB checked on me and inform me I could visit my baby at the baby station and I should start breastfeeding my daughter. All the pain vanished as I held my little baby for the first time.

Original Post at Balot’s Chatter.

Since it still is November, a month for giving thanks, I wanna share with you my #AttitudeGratitude 2015 posted at Balot’s Chatter (my first home). Enjoy Reading 😀

The Western World will be celebrating Thanksgiving next month. Isn’t if fun if we celebrate it too? No! I’m not talking about the turkeys and the pumpkin pies, instead just a simple gestures of acknowledgement and being grateful for the blessing received.
Boring huh!
Well, not for me. Channel of channelmarie.com inspired me to list down 30 things I’m grateful for. I’m no famous person but for the chance to exist in this world is definitely worth it. Also this makes me notice that blessings are everywhere and it only takes a little of my time to stop, appreciate and be grateful with it.

30 Things I’m Grateful For

1. Parents
They are not from a well-off family and raising 6 kids is one of the hardships they probably endure but they did it! I heard some relatives offer to raise one of us, thankfully they never given us up.

2. Siblings
Aside from knowing that household chores are divided among us, you can have someone you could put the blame to when something messed up at home! LOL 😀 Kidding aside, siblings support each other. They stand by each other no matter what. They are the first to respond whenever help calls for it. We may often fight over petty things but we patch things up easily and forget why we fought. En, Da, Eu, Jing, Gie — I miss you much. Hoping for a get together soon.

3. Cousins
Teasing and bullying are not new to me, because it somehow train me to face and deal it. Hand-me-down clothes? I have lots of them thanks to my cousins. Wandered to other places? Overnight? This I could only do with cousins. Older cousins are also good influences too thus this give assurance to our parents that all is well when we are with cousins.

4. Neighbors
Good neighbors watch each other’s back. They are willing to help when there’s problem. They give you yummy dishes even if there is no occasion. Watch over your kids when something urgent is needed to do. How’s that?

5. Friends
I don’t have as many friends as others have yet I’m thankful for those who remember, those who asked if I’m still doing okay, those who loves to spend time with me, those who doesn’t mind the comforts as long you have a lot of fun, those who not only stick through happy times but also through my sad times. You know who you are. Thanks.

6. COCS
The school I attended during my primary years who molded me both in academics and in character.

7. MPSC
Where I spend my high school and college days. Though not as prestigious as the other private colleges or universities in our place, I’d still say it still is one of the respected school back then. For P80 per semester, you have all the privileges every state college student enjoy.

8. Teachers
For their passion and dedication to instill knowledge and inspire to go through the difficulties.

9. Classmates
Those Bible verses are easier to memorize with you. Studying together, being punished together, climbing trees even in skirts, eating cacao beans at the back of the church, eating clover chips with ketchup, watching movies at someone’s house — I tell you these are precious memories. Classmates are willing to share snacks, notes, papers, pencils, crayons and even share secrets and gossips about crushes. Those were the days.

10. Hubby
My friend, my enemy, my partner, my lover. Who, despite my flaws and abnormality, never gets tired loving me. You may not hear it often, I love you too and thank you.

11. Books
For knowledge, entertainment and develop one’s creativity.

12. In-Laws
Who is always on your side even if you are wrong… hahaha.

13. My Kids
Quite mischievous at times but I have to admit it I find it very amusing. I can’t get enough of their tantrums, their kisses, their way of reasoning, their hugs, their loud cries, their cuddles, so while they still shower me with it might as well enjoy every bit of it.

14. CS Delivery
Whoever discovers Ceasarean Section as another method of giving birth, I am truly thankful. Don’t take me wrong, I have always consider normal delivery as my first option and I even waited for my delivery due date before opted for CS. I even tried induced labor but my pelvic bone just didn’t want to cooperate.

15. Work
It help me and my family financially though we’re aiming to go away from the rat race, we can’t deny the fact that work is a blessing that really helps bring food to our table, give comfort at home, send kids to school, pay bills, help family in need.

16. Nanny
Being at work for more than 9hrs a day for 5 days a week is not fun but knowing that your kids are in the hands of those who will take good care of them as their own children is a big assurance.

17. 5 Senses
Eyes to See. Ears to Hear. Nose to Smell. Tongue To Taste, Hands to Touch. Isn’t it amazing being able to see and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation? Or isn’t it amazing being able to listen comfort words of loved ones? Or appreciate and distinguish bad and good smell? Or get to satisfy one’s palate? Or touch or hug? Wonderful isn’t it?

18. Holidays
Whole year of work and no play makes me dull 🙂 I’m thankful there are rest days or Philippine holidays. Its a venue for de-stressing and spending time to those who matters most. It is the time to talk and listen, laugh on jokes, cook together or sleep together.

19. Nephews and Nieces
They are cute and loud and funny and adorable just like my kids…hehehe

18. Oven and Baking Stuffs
My happy pill!

19. Nature
Oh, what a beauty!

20. Natural Therapy
I’m thankful that there is a holistic option other than using synthetic medicines. Though I am not against these synthetic medicines (we take some) but I like the idea of using natural methods such as use herbs or foods or even exercise before resorting to chemicals or conventional medicine.

21. Internet
Makes communication with family and friends easier.

22. Music
Soothing to my ears. Make me feel loved too!

23. Home
There is no place like home. Its our happy place. Home is where the heart is 😀

24. Good Health
For keeping me in good shape and not a burden to my family.

25. Grandparents
My spoiler 🙂

26. Transport
Earth is the most beautiful planet ever created. Exploring its beauty is best and I am thankful for all modes of transportation that makes you safely go to one place or another.

27. Blog
It has become my outlet at some point. It washes away loneliness and homesickness. It open a new door to meet new friends with their unique stories.

28. Bloggers Community
For inspiring and sharing your knowledge through your beautiful and powerful words. Sharing your experiences about motherhood, food, travel, backpacking, technology and even fashion.

29. Jesus
For His Love and Sacrifices so we can be save.

30. God
and His Grace. My creator.

How about you? What are you grateful for?

#iBlogForCebu #iBlogForCBC
Original post at Balot’s Chatter