He must be fair...uhmmm, not!

This is Daddy Chard and Baby Psalm. Lil boy loves to be attached to his dad with this orange-y carrier we bought at Rob Pioneer.

I remember a funny story when we got this. When my son's like 3 months old, we went to the mall in the hopes of finding a rattle for Psalm. We've decided that we're going to wait for Papa -my dad to arrive from abroad before getting Psalm toys. Apparently, Khrys and I can't wait to get a hold of the toys at Duty free (especially the cars...correction cathy, it should be Psalm's toys, not YOUR toys). Anyways, we can't find a seemingly good enough rattle but found lots of carriers at sale. Psalm already has one black carrier but for some reason Chard wants another one that's colorful. Ok fine, so we did get one.

I would opt to get something red so I'm checking the red samples. Then the salesman said out of the blue, "Ma'am, maganda kulay yang red. Bagay po yan sa baby nyo. Mukha namang maputi baby nyo eh." Ma'am, the red color is nice. It would look good with your baby. Your baby must have fair skin. Chard and I looked at each other and would not know whether to laugh or squirm, which I think we did both at the same time.

That's Lols X10! You see, all, or almost all are expecting that my lil boy Psalm will come out white. After all, his dad is chinese and has fair skin. It's somewhat expected. But no, haha! Psalm may have gotten all his attributes from Chard but guess what, he got his skin color from us. Us being Ilocanos, you know we're not really fair.

And the end of the story, no - we didn't get the red one. But more so, a colorful Orange we took home. Lolz! Must be bagay (fit) because mukhang maputi nman si baby (it looks like baby has fair skin). :D

On Worship

I know I miss going to VCF Pio. Since giving birth, we stay at QC every weekend so we go to another church (same umbrella though) during Sundays. Good thing, there's Worship Night every First Thursdays (monthly) which we make attending compulsory. The service isn't the same as that regular Sunday worship that has you anticipating life changing series and sermons. Just as the name suggests, it's simply a night of worship and praise  to God.

But last night was extraordinary. It was an outpour of spirit, bliss and impact. It's a different experience when you not only know but FEEL it's really all about God and NEVER about us. There's nothing we can do that can place us in a position worthy enough of God's love, yet He chose to love us just as who we are. This week has been a struggle for me, made me restless and anxious of small, petty things. Honestly, during the start of worship last night my mind's been wandering off and about. We're supposed to go home after work and just promised to go back for church. But with people like us (yeah, that includes me and you), promises are meant to be broken. Our patience ultimately is that short. The service is at 7pm and our work hours end at 4pm. We're aching to go home. God knows we want to do this for Him but He knew better that we will never go back to Pio due to rain. A good excuse at that actually but instead of us having to use that alibi, it was the same rain that stopped us from leaving (it's raining real hard at the time we went out the mall doors). :)   Again, It's never about what we do, it's all about God.

Worship has never been so uplifting! It's directly us and God and no one in between. It was a relief to hear that in all things He is in control. We just need to back off and let go of the struggle that we're keeping up with God all this time. Come to think of it, why fight Him when we know we'll never win? Though situations are hard and oftentimes disappoint us, there is hope and breakthrough in God. We just need to be faithful where we are cause our God is faithful and has definite plans for each one of us. We may feel that the journey's been long and dragging but know that, we simply just need to let go and Let God. It's actually us who impede and slow down the walk.  We just need to repent, stop complaining, and see His grace that's overflowing. When we submit, when we surrender we'll see that the Lord's plan has been there, is not only good but the BEST all along.

Psalm at 5 months + Baby Rocker

Psalm turned 5 months last Saturday. I know babies grow fast but I nver thought it'll be this fast. Five months ago, he was this teeny tiny bird so fragile yet so strong. Now, he has this aura of a cute lil boy always eager to amaze us with his tricks and simple charms.

And since he turned a month older now, we gave him a rocker. Originally he wants a baby bouncer. I'll post the story behind that next.

Back to the rocker, we were so excited to have Psalm try it expecting that the thing will make Psalm swoon. But no, that did not happen the first time. What's up with bouncers? Is it really that comfy compared to rocking chairs? Well Psalm cried buckets for when he was placed to the chair the first backward rocking motion surprised our poor baby and gave him that effect of lula (dizziness). :( So much so for our first attempt.

Good thing there's one big snail on the rocker that screams Y-E-L-L-O-W. You see Psalm likes this color. You know the Yellow Cab motorcycle? He smiles at these rides whenever he sees one. And for sure when you ask him to pick, he'll grab his yellow pillow over a colorful ball. I had him touch the snail and I waited. I waited for Psalm to show his smile. When he did I knew that's the cue he's willing to give the rocker a second chance. And that was the start of Psalm's relationship with his rocker. :D

But that doesn't stop there. Papa brought these soft pillows from abroad and Tita Keek placed Psalm on it. Boy he was giggling and so ecstatic that he would grab the pillow on the sides while his Tita Keek is swaying him.

Psalm on the left drinking milk and playing with his rocker. Psalm on the right giggling on his mini mattress.

Next thing, I and Keek put Psalm with his pillow on the rocker. It was a perfect combination. And our little boy couldn't get enough of his tiny den that till now back at home they say Psalm loves his rocker and would sleep on it every day. 

Psalm with his rocker+pillow combination.

The best for you always baby Psalm. Daddy and Mommy loves you a bunch!

Rocker was bought online at Shopfortots. I got Psalm's crib from this vendor too. All brand new, unopened and a decent price that makes your money well spent. :)

Psalm's milestones-still at 4months cap [Part 2]

Back from my blog hiatus (two days leave, hehe)

Psalm rolled over by himself last Friday! Yey! It was great seeing this milestone by ourselves compared to mom telling the story that Psalm did this, did that. I was so close to tears seeing Psalm turned from his back without any help. When he was still weeks old (like 2 weeks), Psalm can already lift his head without any helpwhile lying on his stomach. He has this "ultra" strong bones that his doctor said he's one strong athlete in the making.

Clockwise from left: Psalm's first roll over (by himself) and yes, he was agitated that he can't roll back;
next pictures are of him (only weeks old) lying on his stomach

Apparently, we recorded some of Psalm's firsts this weekend.

HIs first "real" solid food. Bananas with Milk. I don't think he liked it, but Psalm, being the good boy (and matakaw) that he is, he finished his bananas (except that he can't feign his disgust over the taste).

Mommy, what's this experiment again?

And know what?? Psalm can hold standing now (yipee)! He's nearly (only) 5months and doesn't want to sit still. He wants to stand everytime we make him sit.

Psalm with Mama and his Daddy.

Hayys, kakatuwa ka Psalm. You're growing so fast anak!

:

His Kornets Description

While at the grocery...

Hubby:  San na yung Cheese Curls ko?

Me: Nsa bag ko. Teka, bili ako junk food, (kuha ng Kornets)

Hubby: Paborito mo yan, ayoko nyan eh lasang luma.

Hehehe, adik lng...

Early Separation Anxiety

I cried last Tuesday. While Chard and I were on our way home riding our motorbike, I shared my thoughts and suddenly found myself crying. It's about petty things which are quite embarassing actually. Psalm is only an incoming 5-month old cutie but here I am being frantic of what will happen 20 years from now. I grieve (OA term, hehe) that my baby will one day find his way to leave me and Richard alone for an independent life, or worst (OA again) for a wife.

I know I sound ridiculous. While I read blogs of moms relating how they'll miss their kids when they go back to work after maternity leave, or start preschool, or go to college even, I am jumping super fast forward to who knows how many decades from now worrying about separation.

I have a plan-- Start a good and marketable business. Have your child run it for you (or put it under his name and make him the future owner) and he'll be stucked with you for the rest of your lives.

Good idea, right? Lolz. We'll be starting a business for sure but we won't use that as a bait for Psalm to stay with us. It sure will be a bonus if he will but we pray Psalm will pursue and accomplish what God has in store for him. That's the priority that will never change.

One of my reasons why we choose to stay in this crazy part of the Metro (Mandaluyong) is that I want to be near Psalm (and /or my future other kids) when they start working. Haha, it's that far thinking I had become when I became a mom. I know now that it's hard for parents to be on one side of the city with their child renting another place near work. Our setup is the reverse-Psalm is the one staying at my parent's place while we-the parents are the ones renting. Talk about my sister who is also out of the place now due to work. Back then when I was just "the daughter" and still single, I lavish the idea of being independent, carefree and doing things on my own. But I never got that chance to be away from my mom (dad is out of the country so the parent then with me is Mama). My sister is more adventurous than me, a go-getter, she'd say from us two she's the rebel (a good rebel at that) that's why when she had the chance to go she did go. And I'm proud of her for taking that step forward!

I told Richard my parents did not see this coming. Well, I do now know I'll face this scene too and it's because of my parents. I know mom cried the day I got married. You see the day before my wedding was the day my parents found out Chard and I are living out ASAP. ASAP means it's that same day Richard moved in to a new place we planned on staying. They know we're not going to live with them but we didn't tell them when, not our intention though to make them feel bad but it just happened. We were so keen on the "leaving and cleaving" element of marriage but I forgot I need to let them know the timeline so we'll not hurt them deep. It was so fast and caught even us by surprise. I know it's bad. You should ask Chard how I cried myself so hard that wedding night (with matching nginig pa habang nagsasalita). We didn't have a romantic night on our first 'coz I just cried buckets of tears, haha. (lolz, it's really embarassing but we just laugh it out now everytime we remember that night).

I don't think now that these are petty. Motherhood sure does change a person's thinking. I don't know but it'll sure hurt as much when that time comes no matter what preparations I do. (I wan't to cry again, hihi)

20+ years to go. I still have lots of years to be with my baby. While Psalm is busy growing up I should apparently select to first miss the petty separations we're gonna walk by. Like sleepless nights or potty training. I'll even pray hard as early as now for the future wife to be the best for my little boy.

hayys...naman still so forward...:)

efficient daw...

*Translated from Tagalog

Before going for the weekend off--

Me: I'll take out the trash.... I'll turn off the lights... (checked that bathroom's close, locked all windows)

Hubby: The outlets..

Mommy: Yes, they're out. I'll get your helmet and put it near my bag so we won't forget it.... see I'm getting efficient!

Hubby: Yeah, I can see that..and I'm so happy! From our house to the house at QC, for Baby Psalm...you now always pick up what needs to be done and...

(Tootoot, tootoot...message tone from hubby's cellphone...)

Me: Must be something important

Hubby: Yeah, could be someone texting to inform a leave, can you check?

Me: Ahmmm....the cellphone? (thinking Where's your cellphone?) Hmmm, can't find it...

HUbby: Where did you put it?

Me: Ahmmmm... (still thinking I don't know)

Hubby: Efficient huh...


Oh well, still a work in progress... can't blame it anymore on post pregnancy blues. Turned out the phone is in my bag. Hubby said I need to put my small stuffs on the same place always so even if I forget I know where to look for it... and like I said I'm working on it.

Papa's arrival

Yay! Papa has arrived! We picked him up at the airport yesterday last Wednesday. It just dawned on me now that he's staying here for good...no coming back anymore to this other country. Can we count this as his second home as he stayed there three decades?



Here's our cowboy speaking googoo gaagaa. See, he likes his hat!

Anyways, I made sure I captured Psalm and Papa's first meet up. Me baby boy sure knows how to impress his lolo. He's blurting his lungs out when Papa first took his eyes on him - more like having a monologue. :)

G6PD: Newborn Screening

A baby undergoes Newborn Screening (NBS) within three days of his birth. NBS will be able to tell if a baby was born with any metabolic disorders that will affect his body's normal processes and functions. Psalm was tested on his 3rd day. He was pricked at the heel with three drops of his blood taken for testing.

the doctor/pedia said we can't take pictures while the test is being
administered but mom managed to snatched two pictures

And then the results, while we actually forgot about it already, we received a mail stating Psalm being positive in one of the disorders NBS is looking for. Yes, he's G6PD deficient.

• Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency  is a condition where the body lacks the enzyme called G6PD. The deficiency may cause hemolytic anemia, when the body is exposed to oxidative substances found in certain drugs, foods and chemicals. For more info, check:  What is G6PD Deficiency? and http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/g6pd.html.

• G6PD Deficiency is in fact the most common genetic enzyme deficiency affecting an estimated 600 million people world wide. While this is the mildest disorder that is covered in NBS, it is the most common: One out of 55 babies may be affected.

It's that common but I still wish this list did not include Psalm. How common can that be? Out of the 55 babies, he’s the sole 1 who has it.  While it's a relief to know that G6PD isn't bad as I initially thought it was and that Psalm’s doctor said it was not something to be that concerned about I'd think still what of all the things I did while being pregnant gave you G6PD. I thought it was something I ate or any lack on my part that put Psalm in this state.

And yes we went to reconfirm the results. It was disheartening to see how your baby's little feet would be pricked for another nobody knows how much ounce of blood to verify if he indeed has the deficiency. I'm sorry son, I didn't look when they took you in. But I heard your cry and boy you're really angry that time. We prayed so hard for the results to turn negative but no, my baby still has it. 

One day I didn't know that G6PD exists, the next day I became a dictionary about it. I was scared and angry at myself thinking that..

      ...it is an inherited disorder and cannot be contracted in any other way.

You see, G6PD is X-linked. Meaning he got it from me, him being male and so his female parent is the one who passed it on to him and that’s me. But I was corrected that  it’s not because I did something while he’s at my womb. It’s possible I have it but that I’m immune with the triggers, or I may just be a carrier with the deficiency dormant inside me. With this, I would want myself be tested as well for curiosity’s sake so I can weigh if I’m indeed affected too especially that the G6PD unsafe list they have has a bunch of what we eat most. I'd like to be assessed myself so I can weigh how much of an issue this deficiency is.

I researched so well and dug deep in the hope of finding what can cure this condition. But no…

• There is no known cure nor do you grow out of it. It is a life long condition. The only thing you can do is avoid substances which cause oxidative stress and that use G6PD. Carbohydrates require G6PD for the body to change them into energy for example. Legumes (especially the Fava Bean) contain the proteins vicine, convicine and isouramil which cause hemolysis.
• Symptoms include hemolytic anemia caused by ingestion or exposure to certain triggers. Anemia in turn causes jaundice, pale skin or finger nails, lethargy, exhaustion, shortness of breath and fever, among others. These symptoms usually go away on their own when exposure to the trigger is removed.

I remember, Psalm has jaundice when he was still a newborn and it stayed till he’s three weeks I think. Sunshine was his bestfriend then.

Any benefits whatsoever? One benefit of having G6PD deficiency is that it confers a resistance to malaria.

His wonderful Pedia doc said it's no big issue as only a handful of items are a no no while some can be tolerated to some little extent.

But oh no, the list include foods that RIchard and I consider staple on our daily consumption...talk about tofu (me favorite, huhu), taho, soybeans, beans, and anything with soya. Richard drinks Soya like water! Good thing yakult is not include, phew!

But anyhow, thank God for the internet as I found out Psalm can still live a normal life despite of G6PD. Just like his Daddy who gets rashes from eating shrimps or from swimming on pools with chlorine, we may just treat this as some kind of an allergy perhaps. As early as now, I need to plan changing our diet as we need to limit our “our staple foods” intake with our baby ready to eat solid foods anytime around. Need not worry coz it looks like we won’t have problems introducing fruits and solids to Psalm.



Clockwise from left: Psalm tasting Mango (he didn't eat any, just tasted the fruit juice);
Psalm eating carrots from his dropper; and Psalm with his cookie.

References:
http://www.babycenter.com.ph/baby/newborn/newbornscreening/
http://www.g6pd.org/en/Home.aspx
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/g6pd.html

Our Cowboy Psalm with his teether war

I posted about Psalm having his early teething symptoms. My sister Keek, Psalm's Ai (First Tita in Chinese), stayed at QC last night. She posted a photo grid of Psalm battling with his teether at Instagram. Keek said he really likes to munch on it much so that he sometimes gets himself choked. Really, my boy is so engrossed with food that it seems he's in a hurry to finish anything he gets his mouth on. Here's the picture...

With Psalm are his wonderful lolas - Mama Cheng and Mama Aline. :)

I forgot to note that we also bought Psalm a cowboy hat yesterday. It's a surprise that Psalm didn't mind having this on his head. He's not a fan of anything being put on his head. It irritates him. But last Sunday was an exemption as he didn't attempt to remove this hat, hmmm...interesting. I supposed I'll now be on the lookout for fancy and cute hats for Psalmtot. Keek said I should look for small Fedora hats, anyone knows where I can find one?

Psalm's first cookie

Psalm's 4th month (02 May, 2012) came with a huge achievement. He ate his first cookie! Yey!

Here in the Philippines, we have this Marie biscuit that babies can munch on as early as their fourth month. I, if I was there, would not permit Psalm to eat (or even taste) this cookie as I think he'll develop his sweet tooth too early for him to like foods that are not as appetizing. I would wish for him to eat non-sweet foods first so he'll not become a picky eater in the end.
Oh well, that's just a wish for now. My mom gave Psalm his first bite/s of Marie as a gift when he turned four months. I told my sister Khrys how I would like Psalm to skip this Marie episode, she just said, "hmmm, just tell if you'll feel the same when you see how cute he is trying to finish a biscuit the fastest he can..."

And right she is.... who can resist and not give this cutie one biscuit or maybe two. :D

I am a self-confessed Marie addict! Mom said when I was little I, too, can finish lots of the then 2pc Marie biscuit (it's currently 6pc). Up till now, Mom still buys me a pack of it. There's a lot of Marie biscuits in the market but she buys the one made by Island Biscuit, which, according to hubby, is the original maker. It's the one that melts in your mouth with a distinct sweet taste. No wonder babies love it. And like mother, like son, it's no wonder Psalm loves it. Richard echoed too that we must be strict on giving Psalm certain foods but oh well, "Kakaawa eh, gusto niya ng Marie, bigyan mo na..." and so Psalm won, being the silent cookie monster he's becoming, munching not only one but six cookies at one time.

I ok'ed mom to give Psalm this treat but only for like once a week max. Richard and I immediately looked for other alternate treats to give Psalm. From forums and other mommy blogs, we were able to find baby food cheaper than Gerber and we're so happy he loves it. Can't give Psalm anything with Soy coz he has G6PD so Cerelac was exed out from my list. Will blog about my baby's first organic, jarred food next.

Psalm's 4th month milestones and other stories

Ei, am back!

I was supposed to blog something while am at mom's place but never had the time to open my laptop to visit this page. I was so preoccupied with my baby boy that I didn't have time to do other things. Time flew so fast that my weekend was over but it was so well spent.

Few things that made my weekend a blast:

• Psalm's milestones and other stories:
• He can continuously "close and open" his hand with the chant of his loved ones. :) This is a great accomplishment for little chimchim. I may need to add though that during the first week of Psalm he actually can do this exercise but only a few times so this is not the first time he's done this. Now though am making it official, he picks up directions as he can do the close and open thingy with us chanting the phrase. :) It's funny na ginagawa niya to in fast forward mode, hehe. (My mom -Mama Cheng said yung first conscious close/open ni Psalm is last Tuesday, 05.15.12.)
• We bought his first teether last night. Psalm is already showing teething symptoms this early so we bought him something to grind his gums on instead of chewing his dad's hand. Kawawa rin pacifier niya kasi yun yung pinangigigilan niya lagi.

This is the exact model we bought (Disney Gel Teether and Rattle).
Nakalimutan ko mgpicture kagabi. Around P219 ata ito.
Took photo from the net.

• Richard found out yesterday that Psalm is making the same chewing/ or biting mannerism he has. Talk about Richard giving all of his attributes to Psalm. Nadadagdagan yung list ng pagkapareha nilang mag-ama habang lumalaki si Psalm. Me - yung kulay parin ang nag-iisang nakuha sa akin...hehehe. Wait...nakuha rin pala niya yung paglalaway ko nung baby, lolz.
• Ok na si Psalm sa playpen niya. Mukhang masaya naman siya run kahapon. We had his playpen set up nung mga few weeks old palang si Psalm but back then he doesn't like sleeping there so Mama ended up folding the playpen to free space.  Richard assembled this crib again kasi di na pwede maiwan sa bed na walang harang si Psalm. Ang likot na ng batang to and malingat ka lang baka mahulog. He likes kicking his way around the bed so in a matter of seconds he really can be in a totally different area thanks to his uber hard bones sa feet. Pwede nga pang swimmer.

Psalm's playpen set up at his 17th day. Stayed there for like 3 days only. 

Psalm, at 4 1/2months, enjoying the playpen with his bug toys.
Playpen is GRACO, bought online from ShopforTots.

• We got to treat Psalm's Mama Cheng and Mama Aline to a post Mother's day celebration. I forgot to take pictures though, my bad.  It was a late treat as last week we were met by rain so we weren't able to go out. We can't take Psalm's other Mama (Mama Len) for she needs to be with Tito Greg before he leaves for overseas. I know it's a headache having these multiple mom tags but to make things clear, these three ladies are actually Psalm's grandmothers. :D I'll just make a separate post about Psalm's wonderful lolas for they're such a blessing!
• Papa is coming home at last! But for the nth time, it was moved again but gratefully it's only for a day. Looking forward to my father seeing his grandchild for the first time. You see, we think Psalm was the one who got my father decide to stay for good. He's still the best dad for me eventhough he was away for most of our years--this may require a separate blogpost so let's just leave it as that.

Going home...off to my old home

Yey! Finally it's weekend again. Completed five days of work, didn't notice time as it's so fast that I'm about to go home to my parents again. Yep...you see when I delivered Psalm, we stayed with my mom in QC during my mat leave. I sort of missed the fact that I only visited my former home for like 3 or 4 times only during the first year of my marriage. Maybe mom stopped missing me then coz she knows I'm not coming anyway. Yeah I know... bad bad me.

Now she won't miss me anytime soon. When I got back to work, I'm the one missing someone and almost everyday during the first month, phew...I would literally cry and laugh while shrinking myself on the sofa trying to think what to do, reasoning out if I actually need to do something regarding our current arrangement. Psalm stayed with mom when I went back to work. I stayed in Manda (like 1.5hrs away from QC) during work days. I only get to see Psalm during the weekends. For most of moms I know you'll question this setup (and believe me I do too).

I would want to take Psalm with us and just hire a babysitter to look out for him. I guess this setup is ideal and this is what I thought so when we're just planning for a baby. But when Psalm came everything changed. All things I know turned the other way around. I now prefer having my mom and my Tita handle my little boy. I forgot how I once thought I'll bring my boy with me and have a stranger take care of him. Well at least for now...at least when he's not yet able to tell when the yaya did something to him.

It's like balancing pros and cons...more like weighing what's for Psalm and what's for us.  I would cry thinking I'm not there with him when he's out sleeping at night. I'm not there when he took that first cookie bite (hushhush). It's a shame I'll wake up dreaming about his smile, content on watching his videos on my phone. Oh well,  I am was not in a hurry to my becoming rich, but when Psalm came I'd dream about having all the finances we need just so I can stop working and be there for this little big baby.

But heck yeah, we need to push a little harder for now. I guess I'd just look forward to this weekly meetups with my baby. I can't wait to see him now.

His Purpose [Insights for Living]

by Charles R. Swindoll  |  from Insights for Living

Read Job 23:1--17

Job struggles, finally admitting his frustration: he cannot find God. Ever been there? Of course. All of us have! There are days we search in vain for some visible evidence of the living God. I'm thinking, Wouldn't it be great to wake up in the middle of a full-moon sky tonight, peek out my bedroom window, and see some skywriting, "Dear Chuck, I hear you. I'm right here. I'm in charge. Love, God." I would love for that to happen! I'd love to get into my pickup after a tough day at the church, turn the radio on, and have God interrupt, saying, "Before you listen to this station, Chuck, I want to talk to you for a few minutes." Let face it, all of us would love to hear an audible voice or read a visible message from God. But that's not the way it works. Our walk with Him is a walk of faith, not sight.

Job is a great and godly man. He is a mature saint, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, he longs to witness God's presence. "Oh, that I could know where He is. But I cannot see Him, behold Him, or perceive Him."

Though unable to locate the presence of God, Job states his trust in Him: "Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, you can say whatever you wish against me. God knows which way I go. He knows the truth. He is my Justifier. He and I are on speaking terms. I trust Him. I believe in Him. Furthermore, after the trial is over, and He has accomplished His purpose within me, 'I shall come forth as gold.' "

You can count on that, my friend. When the trial has passed, you will be deeper and richer for it. Gold will replace alloy. I want you to allow those words to burn their way into your brain so deeply that they become like a divine filter for everything that happens in your life from this day forward. God knows which way you're going. And His Word will be a lamp for your path (Psalm 119:105).

Cute Maternity Photoshoot

This is so cute!

Buti na lang I gave birth na before I saw this kasi I really want to have this prenatal shot....

Taken from http://rockamamadiary.tumblr.com/post/19553798954

Hehehe, joke lang...in the words of hubby Richard, "as if naman kaya ko gawin..."

Pero honestly, I find the peg not tacky. It's tastefully done especially ang ganda ni mommy kaya bagay.

How Psalm came to the world

Psalm is 4 1/2 months old now. Late as this post would be, I would like to record my labor and Psalm's birth story for I know I'll relieve this moment again and will read this post few years ahead from now.

Reposted from my girltalk entry (20, January, 2012) - with edits

I was due January 1 but gave birth the next day. Baby Psalm spent 40 weeks and 1 day in my womb. Opted for NSD pero after 12hours of labor I still went on C/S. Here's what happened.

At 4am of January 2 I woke up to pee. Along with my urine I noticed blood discharge na parang menstruation. After 30 minutes I had contractions na pero bearable naman. I woke hubby to tell him na parang it's gonna be D day na. Sabi ko wait muna tayo ng 2 more hours so pinatulog ko uli siya. Ako naman nagopen ng pc and timer. I timed the intervals and kung ganu katagal yung contractions. Every 5 minutes na siya and at 45 seconds each. Naging prominent yung pain at 6am so ginising ko na mom and hubby ko. Bearable pa pero uneasy na yung feeling.

When we arrived at Chinese General Hospital pinadiretso na ako kaagad sa labor room. That's at 10am. I was at 5cm then. Nagturok na sila kaagad ng pampacontract (oxytoxin) para magprogress na dilation ko. Yung mga katabi ko at that time kinakausap ko pa and medyo nkangiti pa ako. After an hour ayun medyo naramdaman ko na yung labor pain na painful talaga. It was like dysmenorrhea x10. Pero carry pa naman, I was confident in no time it's gonna be my turn to deliver my baby. It's going to be a long post pag icocomplete ko pa kwento so papaikliin ko na lang. I was IEd a number of times na di ko na maalala yung count (yung sakit yung di ko mkakalimutan). I was given 4 dozes of oxytoxin from 10am till 5 pm. Problem was yung measure ng IE sa akin is nagiging 6cm tpos 4cm tpos 7cm tapos balik 6cm ulit, paulit ulit yung ganun. Yung pain sobrang sakit na, umiiyak na nga ako sa labor room and feeling ko annoying na. At around past 5pm ayun nag9cm ako. They rolled me to the delivery room na. At that time I was screetching sa pain. Kinakausap ko na si baby sa tiyan ko na lumabas na. SAbi ko nman konting tiis na lang. Kaso ayun, at the delivery room as I was asked na umire pag nagcocontract yung abdomen ko, pag wala na yung contractions si baby ang ginagawa is nagpapadyak sa loob, kilos ng kilos. So parang ang nangyayari si baby nilalabanan niya yung pagdescend niya. From cephalic nagslant yung position ni baby so nung iIE ulit ako naging 4cm nlng ata or below.

Around 7pm, sobrang pagod na ako sa pag-push. :( I asked na the doctors kung mga gano pa katagal yung possible na paglabas n baby. Sabi nila it could be 2 hours more raw kasi naglilikot talaga si baby sa loob. At that time naisip ko na baka pagod na rin si baby, and worst bka magpoop na sa loob. Talked about paranoia and all. Minsan talaga sobrang info nakakasama pa eh, hehe.

Back sa kwento, after mga ilang minutes pa (di ko na kaya tumagal ng another hour) I then asked for C/S na. My mom went to the labor room na, ayun sabi niya I really looked tired na and wala ng lakas. Kaso isa pang nagpatagal, si hubby lumabas kaya ayun hinintay pa siya bago maclearance ako to undergo C/S.
Ayun at the operating room, I waited till my anesthesiologist injected the meds to make me numb waistdown. Wala ako naramdaman na pain nung tinurok niya yung needle. Sobrang parang heaven yung C/S after the labor I went through. Ngarag na ako sobra pero before dozing off inantay ko muna si baby. After 15 mins lang sa OR narinig ko na yung cry ni baby ko. That feeling is incomparable! I forgot everything I went through when I heard my baby's voice. I gave birth at 7:59pm on January 2, 2012 to my boy Psalm Lukas. Naiyak na ako nun lalo na nung pinakita and dinikit na si baby Psalm ko sa akin.  Natawa lang ako kasi parang comedy mukha ni baby ko the first time I saw him. Maga maga lahat ng mukha niya pero nevertheless sobrang saya ng feeling.


Next thing I knew nasa recovery room na ako and naghihintay na makabalik sa room ko. Side kwento, katawa pa yung nagtransport sa akin from Recovery room. Nung papasok ako ng elevator, nagtataka yung nurse aid bakit di kami magkasya, yun pala yung isang paa ko bumalandra sa sliding door ng elevator. Eh dahil wala ako nararamdaman waist down di ko alam na nkaharang yung paa ko. Buti nalang hinang hina pa ako kundi tinarayan ko si kuya.

So ayun, after the delivery all I can rant about is yung labor pains. Nung naroom in si baby the next day nakalimutan ko lahat ng pinagdaanan ko. Kaya pala di nagdescend si baby, he's one strong guy! At his first day kaya na nya itoss yung head nya from left to right, can raise both of his legs at 60 degrees angle and sleeps with both of his hands up on his head. Aside from these, marami pa tricks si baby ko na advanced na for his age.



Clockwise from left:
Psalm when he was 2 hours old (one of his first pictures0);
Me and Baby Psalm on his 4th day;
Daddy Richard with Psalm (still at 4 days);
Psalm (at 2days); and
Psalm listening keenly during his first meeting with Daddy and first karga kay mommy.

Clockwise from left:
Mommy's first karga and Daddy's first meeting with Psalm;
DAddy showing off initial hospital records and confinement;
Me with my sis - Ai Keek and Mama Cheng;
Tita Daya, Me, RIchard, cousin Takashi, Ahma Vilma with Psalm and Ai Grace;
Daddy Richard filling out Psalm's birth record;
Mama Len and Daddy Richard probing the nursery minutes after Psalm was born;
First room in ko after the delivery (still numb waist down); and
Happy and proud Daddy! Told me after that though Psalm didn't
initially have the Chua tag Richard already knows Psalm is his boy.



Ngayon, Psalm is 4+ months na and still looking forward to what other joys motherhood will bring me.  The feeling is priceless that it made me feel proud I still went through that painful labor process just to get my 'lil guy out.

Random Quotes [ 1 ]

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man would have to seek the Lord to find it!"

so true...still holds this verse up till now that I'm married. God is good!  

On Editing Blogger's templates

I've spent like two days tinkering blogspot's templates so I'll arrived at a presentable blog site. Oh well, medyo nhirapan ako kasi I'm a tumblr user kaya nalito ako and nanibago sa UI ng blogger. Di siya kasing simple ng tumblr (or maybe bias ba ako?) and kailangan talaga balikan ang html and css.

Ayun, at last, and at least...I can start blogging na rin as medyo contented na ako sa itsura ng blog ko.

Dilemma ko ngayon? What post/s to publish first. Ang dami ko gusto ipost (mainly picture spam of Psalm my baby!) and ang dami ko gusto isulat...

anu ba dpat mauna? kasi nman, if I started this blog before ako ikasal e di sana ang daling simulan (eh tpos na nga at least marami naipon-hehehe).

Most likely I'll just start with Psalm's arrival 4 months ago...yep, interesting naman yung nangyari ng delivery ko so that's one story I'll post next.

Ciao!

Daddy and Baby Chim

My first photo entry —


Presenting to you my then 2months’ old Psalm Lukas with his Daddy Chim - Richard.


Can you imagine now how family life’s ever so good with these two amazing people with me? :)

My first ever blogspot post

Hi all --

I'm Cathy
Wife to Richard (Daddy Chim) and
Mom to Psalm Lukas (Chimchim).

Welcome to my site!
Been thinking about starting a hubby and wifey blog eversince but never thought I'd be able to start one (we're married for 2 years now).

I'd been maintaining my design blog Pyxlyf but stopped for a while to attend to my mommy duties, ahmm, yeah I'm a new mom! :)

and right, I haven't started any personal blog yet -

up until my little boy was born...

Yep...
This 'lil creature made me plot this site

-so much that I wanted to post all tons of pictures I have of him
along with what goes on with our brood.

Help me share our life, our joys and adventures.

See you all around. :)