Janysha Andrea's @ 2 months old

Milestone:

• Respond to sound by startle, blinking, crying etc.
• Fixates on human face ... follows with eyes.
• Respond to parent's face and voice
• Lifts head momentarily when prone.
• Can sleep 3-4 hours at a time and stays awake 1 hour or longer
• Can be consoled by being talked to or held.

My Birthing Story (the second time around)

I gave birth to Janysha Andrea Recta Jamias on December 23, 2009. I've been into a series of unfortunate events that only now I had the time to share my 2nd birthing story. All is well with this 2nd pregnancy. But giving birth to Jandi was very traumatic not only to me but to my husband and the whole family as well. Gotta warn you that this might be a very long post. Don't worry, I won't bore you as I will post some photos with it. So are you ready?

November 2009
My OB had me on bedrest because my cervix is semi opened. All I was thinking that time is how can I do some shopping for the little one, and of course, I need a new outfit before I give birth. I was so disappointed.

December 18, 2009
This day marks my 37th week. House arrest has been lifted, and I went with my family to do a bit of shopping. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the whole time, coz I've been experiencing a little contractions and some pains in my tummy. And of course, everybody's busy shopping for Christmas, a lot of people inside the mall. I'm having a hard time breathing and a lot of people just accidentally bumped into my tummy that made me so grumpy.

December 22, 2009
I went out with Janna and my brother. He bought his remote control for his camera while me and Janna stayed inside the car. After that we went to the mall to do another attempt to shop something for me and the baby. But again, another series of contractions were present and my super kabadong brother told me that we should head home at baka daw sa mall pa ako putukan ng panubigan.

December 23, 2009
My scheduled day for my weekly check up. OB did an IE and she smiled and asked me...

Dra. Nogoy: Kailan mo gusto manganak? Ngayon, bukas ... kailan?
Me: Doc bakit po?
Dra. Nogoy: Eh kasi you're 4 cms dilated na ... actually, 5 cms na
Me: What? Di na ako aabot ng January 2010?
Dra. Nogoy: So ano kailan mo gusto manganak?
Me: Eh di ngayon na doc, wag na natin pigilan.

She reserved a room for us at FEU Hospital right away and was advised to proceed to the hospital by 2:00p.m. I was at her clinic at around 11:00a.m. I texted Jason, asking him to go home immediately. I'm not going to give birth to this baby without knowing that he's with me. But my ever workaholic husband told me that he can't make it by 2:00p.m. coz he has to go to the bank to withdraw some cash for his laborers. It just happened that day was their Christmas party, too. So I asked my O.B. if I can buy some more time because I'm still waiting for my husband to come home. My O.B. told me that I'm in active labor but it would still take a while for me to give birth. She told me to just relax while I wait for Jason.

2:00p.m. the bloody show ... I texted my OB ... OB sa "Doc, may bloody show na ako, do I have to go to the hospital na? Wala pa din kasi si Jason." OB said, "Normal lang yan kasi dinutdut kita kanina (she's referring to the IE), ok lang yan, mag-relax ka lang habang hinihintay mo si Jason."

3:30p.m. I asked my brother to take a photo of me. Coz I haven't had a decent preggy photo (again) the whole time of my pregnancy with Jandi. So my brother took some shots of me while waiting for Jason. Take note: I'm on active labor and I'm 5 cms dilated hehehe.

I didn't realized I was this big ... when I had Janna, I was a bit smaller ...
a bit lang naman hehehe!

Since I was on bed rest on the last leg of my pregnancy, I didn't have the chance to buy a maternity dress for myself. I have no choice but to wear the same maternity dress I wore when I gave birth to Janna.

4:00p.m. Finally, Jason arrived ... he and my brother hurriedly put everything inside Jason's pick up ... hospital bag, baby bag, laptop (yes laptop ... hehehe!), PSP, everything we need on our 3 day stay at the hospital. By the time I was inside the car, contractions went on every 15 minutes. The baby really wanted to come out that day already. She's so active and I could feel she's pushing her way down there. Arrrghhhhh labs, bilisan mo at nakakaramdam na ako ng sakit!

4:30p.m. Jason parked his car near the lobby of the hospital, not near the ER ... so I have to walk a bit until we arrived at the ER. Labs, wala naman sinabi si doc that I need to walk para mag-descend ang bata, pinahirapan mo pa ako maglakad! Anyway, while I was at the ER waiting for my cue to go to the DR ... I started praying for me to have a safe delivery... no complications please, Lord. And make it safe for my baby ... I'll make sure I'll push hard so she'll get out in no time ... gagalingan ko talaga promise.

5:30p.m. I was wheeled to the LR. I kissed Jason, for I will not see him for hours. For sure he will not bore himself naman sa hospital room dahil my brother was with him the whole time, at meron siyang dalang Sun Wireless Broadband (shameless plug). This is it ... I'm back after a year and 7 months ... in the same bed that I was when I had Janna, with the same OB residents. Just like when I had Janna, I was the only one who's into labor that time and I'm so lucky that all people are focused on me. Actually, every now and then umaalis sila kasi Christmas party ng OB Gyne department ... hala! While waiting for my OB, they advised me to sleep. Sigurado kasi pag descending na si baby eh hindi na ako papatulugin ng sakit. Ang kainis pa is yung mga interns na tanong ng tanong ng history mo na paulit ulit mo naman kailangan sagutin. Nakakaloka! Paano pa ako makakatulog nun?

9:00p.m. OB made an IE, and I'm already 6 cms dilated ... She popped my waterbag and the pain is unbearable. She asked the anesthesiologist that its about time to give the epidural. The anes had the hard time inserting the epidural on my spinal space. Tumaba daw kasi ako and naka-dalawang shots pa siya sa akin. Hello? ang sakit kaya nun no! I was shouting that time, nakakahiya pero I had too to bear the pain. I think every 30 minutes, I can feel the pain. Err doc, painless di ba? bakit may nararadaman ako ... grabe na ang sakit eh.

11:00 p.m. A resident checked on me, when she saw there's oozing blood already in my vajayjay, she immediately did an IE ... she said, "Tawagin na si doc, ready na to naka-position na" ... So that's the reason why the pain is so unbearable ... Oh my God, this is it! I began to pray again, and trying to relax myself coz I wanted to get things over ASAP. They wheeled me to the DR, I know this place looks familiar ... I was here 1 year and 7 months ago hehehe. As usual, may cheering squad nanaman ako sa tabi ko, they keep telling me to push hard. Yah yah yah alam ko na yan ... pangalawa ko na kaya to!

"Inhale! Exhale! Inhale then push ... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10" Oo, kabisado ko yan ... since I was on epidural, everything should be in sync. Everytime I'll feel the contractions, I have to tell them and the next thing they'll do is to say those lines. I think I did better with the push this time. I think I had 10 pushing lang eh, basta sandali lang, di ako masyado nagtagal sa DR unlike when I had Janna that I stayed for 2 hours kasi she won't descend when I push. Muntik pa na-CS.

11:42 p.m. Baby out 11:42p.m. baby girl ... I was sedated already that I didn't have the chance to see how she looks like. I didn't even know they let her latch on my breast. Funny though, we had a photo together, which I smiled but didn't quite remember that it happened. Medyo nagising lang diwa ko when my OB and a resident was talking while they clean me up ... "Grabe, sobrang madugo ... sana tumigil na to" Ano? Sana tumigil na to? Anong klaseng statement yun? you mean may possibility na di tumigil yung pagdudugo ko? After that, everything went black!

I was awake again for the second time around when they wheeled me to the Recovery room. This time, and dami nakakabit sa akin na kung ano-ano. They're checking my vital signs every now and then. Hmmm ... mukhang serious to ah ... then my OB went inside the room. "Sheryl, about sa date and time ng baby out, hindi sila pumayag na maging December 24 kahit ilang minutes nalang. So, we changed the date stamped to its original time and date." Nakakalito? it's a long story, wag nyo na alamin. Okay sige na nga. I asked kasi kung pwede gawin nalang December 24 yung birthday ni Jandi para Christmas Eve and ka-birthday ng kuya ko. Hindi pumayag yung sa NICU kaya back to original time and date ang birthday ni Jandi. Then she explains that they had a difficult time cleaning me up. Super dami daw ng dugo ko, nakailang gauze daw sila just to pat the bleeding. napatigil naman nila, yun nga lang ipinaalaml ang niya sa akin yung naging situation.

December 24, 2009 ... 2:00a.m. ... Inakyat na ako sa room, but I'm kinda wondering bakit hindi pa tinatanggal yung catather ng epidural sa likod ko. When I had Janna, tinanggal nila agad. When I was there sa room, they strictly advise me to lay flat in bed for at least 8 hours. Huh? that's new ... para san yun?

8:00 a.m. super sakit ng ulo ko ... tumayo ako dahil I want to pee. As soon as I got up, I had this really super painful and nakakahilong headache sa tanan ng buhay ko. Umiikot paningin ko and my head was like pounding talaga. Whew ... kahit dati pag nakakainom ako, hindi ganito ang hangover na nararamdaman ko after that. Grabe, parang mamamatay na ako sa sakit ng ulo ko. Then I could feel something is dripping from the catather. I informed the nurse about it ... lalaki yung nurse, he said "Ay mom, asan yung nakakabit dito, yung parang lock?" "huh? may lock ba yan? eh nung nasa recovery room palang ako wala na nakalagay diyan." "Sige po, humiga lang po muna kayo at itatawag ko po sa anes."

Sobrang tagal ng anes ... feeling ko hindi na siya pupunta. Nung dumating na, tinanong nanaman niya ako ... "Mommy, asan po yung lock na nandito?" "Hindi ko alam, kagabi palang wala na yan lock na yan. Di ko nga alam itsura nun eh" Umalis siya ulit, went back with a small thing that he put at the end of the tube, and began injecting NSS to it ... wow ang lamig naman nun. He explained why I'm experiencing headache. "What you're experiencing right now is spinal headache. blah blah blah ... what you have to do is lie flat in bed for at least 8 hours again, walang tayuan, pa weewee use bed pan. Pag kakain ka, patulong ka sa husband mo. You have to lie flat po."

December 25, 2009 ... 7:00am ... argh! that headache, it's still here! Bakit ganun, ayaw ako lubayan ... Then dumating nanaman yung anes na resident and again put NSS on my catather .... wow ang lamig talaga nun. Then he said to gently get up, sit down ... asking if there's still headache, and I said no! He let me walk a few steps, asking if nahihilo ba ako or what. I said, No! And he said "ok, you're ready to go!"

10:00am ... we called the NICU if we can room in the baby since we're going home na. After 30 minutes, she's already here ... oh my precious Jandi, you're so pretty like your Ate Janna.

She looks like her father again but some says she looks more like me. Well, it doesn't matter who she looks like. Important is she's healthy and normal.

We didn't enjoy Christmas that time because we were at the hospital. My in laws went over for a visit and see their 2nd apo/pamangkin na di mapagkakailang kadugo nila. Itsura palang kasi di pa ba obvious na kamukha nila hehehe.

December 26, 2009 ... SPINAL HEADACHE AGAIN!!! I was really crying and couldn't do anything about it. I texted my OB about my situation so that she can inform the anes to have my blood patch immediately. Dad and I went to the hospital while Jason stayed at home to take care of Janna.

They inserted a catather again on my spinal space and injected 10cc of my blood. Ewan ko kung ano medical explanation nun, pero after the blood patch, super abrupt yung relief. They let me lie down first for 30 mins, then they let me get up, sit down, walk ... the headaches gone! Grabe sana ginawa na nila to while I was at the hospital para di na ako balik pa ng balik tsk!

January 4, 2010 ... after breastfeeding Jandi, napansin ko lumalakas ang discharge ko ... sabi naman nila normal daw yun. Kasi it helps daw para tumigas ang matres. But by the time I went inside the bathroom to take a bath, the maternity pads were already soaked with blood. And bloods oozing alreading in between my legs. Chunks of blood were also present. I texted my OB, who was in Singapore that time that I'm heading to the E.R.of FEU and relayed to her what happened.

They checked on me and the blood stopped. So they let me go home and bed rest for a while.

But when we arrived at home, my napkin is soaked again with blood and oozed again in between my legs. We decided na magpa-admit na ako. All I was thinking that time is for me to get well kasi my kids were still young and ayoko pa mamatay. I want to be there when they grow old. I want to be there for them, for my husband. Jason was crying that time coz we don't know how this things could happen to me.

To make the long story short ... lumambot daw ang matres ko ... stress ... pagod ... everything ... by January 7, I'm already at home. But it didn't end there...

January 8, 2010 ... it was Jandi's turn to be admitted at the hospital due to neonatal pneumonia. Nahawa siya kay Ate Janna niya who has colds and cough that time. We stayed in the hospital for 7 days.

My 2nd pregnancy is quite very traumatic. I just hope to have no babies for now coz I want to enjoy Janna and Jandi while they grow up. And I want to be back to my pre-pregnancy shape before having a baby again. I know it would take a lot of discipline and sacrifice but I'll do anything just to be healthy for my family.

Janysha Andrea @ 1 month old

We celebrated Jandi's 1 month birthday last January 23, 2010. Mom cooked pancit and lechon paksiw while Jason bought cake and ice cream. It's still too early to tell Jandi's milestone, for she's only a month older. But all I can observe is that she can now recognize voices. Whenever someone is talking to her, she makes effort to look to the direction where the person is. And she loves classical music. Everytime my mom plays her instrumental CD's, she automatically be lulled to sleep (or all babies are like that? hehehe!). I can see tell that she can see a bit, maybe ... but still blurry.

here's Jandi with her first ever cake ... looking forward to have
more of these in the next coming months

our first ever family picture with Jandi ...
look at Janna, she's such a darling.

blow! blow! blow! Janna's helping her little sister to blow her candle

Janysha Andrea

I gave birth to healthy baby girl last December 23, 2009 at 11:42p.m. in FEU Hospital, Quezon City via normal delivery. Some says she looks like her Ate Janna, so pretty and adorable. Lakas nga daw ng dugo ni Jason, for she is another carbon copy of himself. But some believes, that she took some of my qualities. Oh well, too early to tell, she's barely a month old.

We call her Jandi for short. Yes, mom's got it from Boys Over Flower. She's fond of calling her Andi, while us we call her Ysha. So mom got the nick Jandi so that she bares the letter "J" in her nickname, too.

Will post my very traumatic birthing kwento soon.

Preparing for Baby J#2

I'm already on my 35th week tomorrow. And in two weeks time, we will start to wait for Janysha Andrea a.k.a. Ysha's grand entrance to the outside world.

Since I'm on bedrest (how many times have I already told you about it hehehe!), Janna and her yaya usually help me on certain things like packing stuffs for Baby Ysha. I'm already done with her hospital bag. It's my hospital bag that I'm trying to prepare this time. I don't have button up blouses, and don't have the time to go to the mall after my OB will lift my house arrest. I might as well borrow some blouse from moms' ... anyway, mom has been a lifesaver for me on anything.

Janna has two cabinets ... we already taken out the clothes she doesn't wear anymore to make way on Ysha's clothes. And I let her yaya wash Janna's premmie clothes so I won't have to buy for her. Anyway, she'll only use it for only a month or two. I can say that I have a brilliant yaya, she soaked Janna's white clothes in bleach. When I saw it yesterday, they're as good like brand new. I'm sure Ysha would look good on those clothes.

Mom and Dad got Ysha some onesies from the US, sizes from 0-12 months. No need to buy it for her. I asked them if they could buy an electric breastpump just in case Ysha had problems on latching, I can pump milk for her. They bought an Avent electric breastpump (pricey daw yung Medela). Hay salamat! I hope I'll be successful on breastfeeding this time. That was one of my frustrations when I had Janna. I've got a dozen of receiving blankets (what the hell will I use that for?). Some are gifts from my tito and tita din naman. I got 4 premmie mittens which are very small talaga, I'm so sure hindi matatanggal sa kamay niya yun unlike the one's sold here in the Philippines. I don't think I saw sizes like that here kasi it's a bit small than the regular ones I saw at the mall.

Janna's baby crib has been washed and kept already, and also the stroller with baby carrier is also ready, all washed, dried and kept clean. The only thing that is still not yet prepared is our room ... we are trying to re-organize it again to make way for the crib. How the hell can we do that again? Siguro naman Jason won't have a hard time coz naka-wireless router naman na kami, and there's internet everywhere inside the house. We should be doing that anytime soon.

Another thing we aren't still not prepared for is how to handle Janna and Ysha at the same time without one of them feeling neglected or jealous. Jason and I are still not prepared for it pero we are all excited for the new baby. I'll shower both of them with all my love and care so that they won't feel deprived of the love we have for them.

May God help us.

Baby J#2 @ 32 Weeks

Baby J#2 is a girl ... Yes, it's another baby girl for us. Sabi ko na nga ba it's a baby girl ulit hehehe. We will gonna name her Janysha Andrea. Ysha for short.

Last week I had my monthly check up for November. I've been experiencing some pain sa may puson, thighs and butt. My OB did an IE and found out yung first layer ng cervix ko was slightly opened. I'm on bedrest for 2 weeks. And if I'm still experiencing preterm contractions, I'll be admitted in the hospital to prolong the baby for a while inside my womb.

I'm beginning to miss Janna everyday, for we can't do our daily activities as mom and daughter because of my condition. She's more into her yaya nowadays and it breaks my heart that she finds her yaya more than me. I promised myself that after I give birth, babawi ako kay Janna. I'm sure baby Ysha will understand that I have to attend to her ate's needs as well.

I really wanted to shop for the baby even if she'll have a lot of hand me downs from her ate Janna. But of course, I want her to have her own things, too. Eh kaso paano ko naman magagawa yun if I'm on bedrest ... hmmm ... makapag-online shopping nga hehehe!

Baby J#2 at 24 weeks

Yes, Baby J # 2 is now 24 weeks ... hala ... barely 3 months to go before his/her grand entrance. I had my congenital anomaly scan last Saturday. The baby's fine, and very healthy ... unfortunately, we didn't get to know the gender. Eh he/she's so tamad to open his/her legs para makita yung gender niya. But the sonologist told me it's 75% girl. May hiwa daw kasi, pero it's still hard to tell. My OB told me to have it ultrasound on my 28th week, coz sabi niya ang scrotum daw may hiwa din.

It's only a week now before mom and dad will leave for the US. They will stay there for2 months or until they get their SSS no. or green card. They'll be home for before Christmas or before I'm scheduled to give birth. My kuya's house is now 90% done. By Saturday, my Lola (Dad's mom) will live with us until the house is finished. She will stay with my kuya ... actually after 2 months, mom and dad will also live there. My kid brother will stay with us. Will surely gonna miss them. But mabilis lang naman ang 2 months eh plus ... imagine how many pasalubong we will get from them.

Baby J#2 @ 17 weeks

I had my monthly visit to the OB today. No babysitter is available, so we tagged Janna along. We're on our 17th week today ... and good thing I only gained 2 lbs. in a month. My OB was kinda happy about that even I ate like there's no tomorrow.

OB asked me if I already feel some little kicks on my tummy ... I said, "Yes, doc lalo na sa gabi bago matulog." She wasn't convince though coz It's still pretty early for me to feel those kicks. But we have a taekwondo baby inside me, coz when OB put her Doppler on my tummy, he began to kick. Sabi nga ni OB, "Oo nga, may naninipa na sa tiyan mo" Hahaha! And Janna was again amazed on the heartbeat her baby brother/sister has. She keeps on asking, "Mommy, baby?" hehehe!

Next month, hopefully baby J#2 won't be that shy for us to know his/her gender ... oh we can't wait!

Is this a sign?

Last month, inayos namin ni mom yung mga gifts na hindi pa magagamit ni Janna. Pero may napansin ako sa mga regalo sa kanya ...

Everybody knows naman na Janna is a girl ... pero bakit meron nagregalo ng mga ito:

A Blue Baby Book

2 Blue baby albums

1 Blue Dinner set

Hmmm ... sometimes I believe in signs and I wish this one will come true. Jason and I really wanted to have a baby boy for our second baby. Is this a sign?

A Mother's Day announcement

This is a long overdue post!

I celebrated Mother's Day of 2008 with the birth of our daughter Julianna Alyssa. It was my first time to celebrate Mother's day and I have the best gift ever.

We celebrated Mother's Day lunchtime with my family. We ate at Lamesa Grill in Trinoma. After that, while mom and dad do the groceries, my sibblings along with my hubby, my SIL and the babies went on shopping. Pauwi na kami and nag-text si BIL saying we should meet at dinner time to celebrate Mother's Day with them. So, we just took a rest for a while and by 7:00p.m. we are on our way to Brick Road in Marikina. We ate at Friday's and the food is so good. And Janna's having a great time coz they gave her a complimentary sundae because of her birthday on May 11.

Then we went home by 10:30pm. I saw an open drugstore and asked hubs to buy me an EPT kit. My period is delayed for a week already and I wanted to make sure that I'm not pregnant coz I've been taking some meds for my allergies that time. But when I took the test, it's POSITIVE. Oh my God, after a year I got pregnant again! Jason and I was laughing so hard because this was an unexpected news for us. Well, actually hindi rin naman kami shocked kasi we're not into contraceptives.

I went to my OB on May 11 and confirmed that I am really really pregnant. By May 21, I already saw Baby J#2 on ultrasound, He's so tiny like a grain of rice. And I can already hear his heartbeat already nakakatuwa. I have a slight hemmorhage that's why I was advised to have bed rest.

We're embrassing this gift from God with open arms and everybody is excited already just like the time we have Julianna. I'm not really sure if I can handle a toddler and a baby at the same time. But what the heck ... yung mga may anak nga na twins nakaya nila mapalaki ng sabay ang mga anak nila, eh what more yung magkasunod lang di ba? My mom has been so not into na makasunod ang apo niya sa akin pero she's not into me having contraceptives, so wala siyang choice. And I told them na let the baby feel na he's welcome ... ayoko lumaki siya na unwanted.

My EDD is on January 10, 2010. I'll be a mom of two on 2010 ... after 3 years of being married to hubs ... thanks for the wonderful Mother's Day gift, Lord. And we hope you give us a baby boy this time. Janna would love to have a baby brother.

A Diaper bag

Since I don't have anything to blog about, I opt to blog about the diaper bag I bought for a friend for her baby shower, which we missed because Janna was confined in the hospital that time. And since we still have the gift here at home ... I think I'm going the blew up the surprise. At least she'll know that she won't have to purchase a diaper bag anymore. Hi Hazel hehehe! Just pretend you haven't read my post ok? And when you receive the gift, pretend you are surprised pa rin hahaha!

Before buying this bag, I asked my fellow N@wie, Morning, if she have stocks of Baby Couture bags for a baby girl. She told me that she only have stocks for baby boys ... all bags are in blue hehehe. So I thought, I'll just buy it at the mall. But since I don't have time to shop, I gave Sophie and Andie a try since they have a purple color for a diaper bag. Purple is Hazel's fave color hihihi. I texted fellow N@Wie Rhea, if the color is still available. And she said yes, and gave me a 20% discount for the bag. Nice thing about it is she delivered it right through our doorstep. Too bad, we were in the hospital when she went to our house. I haven't met her in person pa kasi hihihi. There will be next time, I suppose, di ba sis?

It comes with a changing mat and purse. It has lots of compartment for all your baby needs. I so love it. Even malaki siya sa paningin, hindi naman siya bulky.

Kung wala pa akong diaper bag, bumili din ako nito ... I love the color yellow diaper bag hehehe. Since dalawa na yung Baby Couture Bag ko eh wala ng reason pa para bumili ulit ako ng isa pa. Unless may magreregalo hehehe. The best thing about Sophie and Andie eh gawang Pinoy ito! Kaya grab yourself one of these. I'm sure you'll gonna love it as well.

Christening Photos by: Ging Lorenzo

I received the package last Wednesday morning. I saw it at the foot of our bed ... napangiti ako ng todo! Ang tagal ko na kasi hinihintay ito. Share ko lang sa inyo yun packaging ha. Hindi ko kasi alam kung kikay talga si Ging Lorenzo o ganun talaga packaging niya.

As I opened the LBC seal ... eto ang bumulaga sa akin. O di ba pink na pink!


I opened the box at ito ang itsura niya sa loob


Oh di ba, kahit excited ako di ko siya mabuksan ng basta-basta hahaha! Eto ang laman nun...


Copy of high res photo in DVD format plus 50 free loose print. Super natuwa ako sa mga photos.

Photos are already uploaded here. Happy viewing!

Julianna Alyssa @ 3 months old

Reading to your baby, even at this young age, will pay off. Hearing you read helps your baby develop an ear for the cadence of spoken language. Varying the pitch of your voice, using accents, and singing will make the connection between you and your baby that much more interesting.

If your baby looks the other way or loses interest while you're reading, just try doing something else and give her time to rest. Take your cue from your baby's responses.

You'll find plenty of good books to read to your baby — such as Goodnight Moon, Good Night Gorilla, and The Big Red Barn. Choose board books that have large, bright pictures and simple text — or even wordless books with pictures for you to narrate. At this point you don't have to be slavish to age guidelines. Books designed for older children can captivate a baby if they have clear, crisp images and bright colors.

Your baby has been able to recognize you since he was just a few days old, but now he may actually be able to show it. About half of babies this age begin to exhibit an obvious recognition of their parents.

Your baby will probably continue to smile at strangers, especially when they look him straight in the eye and coo or talk to him. But he's starting to sort out who's who in his life, and he definitely prefers you, your partner, and perhaps a few others.

Your baby may quiet down and make eye contact with you, or he may search for you in a room and move his arms in excitement or smile when he finds you. He may even find your scent calming and comforting.

Source: www.babycenter.com

Janna's milestone @ 3 months

1. Moves from side to side.
2. Answers with her coos and laughs
3. Can now appreciate books with colorful illustrations.
4. Talks with eye to eye contact
5. Knows how to watch TV
6. Voracious milk drinker. She can finish 4 oz of milk. Shifted her teats from #1 to #2 already.
7. Less cry, more smile, more laugh.
8. Can now sleep through the night. Though she sleeps a little late. She sleeps at 12mn and wakes at 7:00am.
9. She can lull herself to sleep during day time.
10. Tries every now and then to hold her bottle.
11. Now enjoys bathing in her tub.
12. No more colic!
13. Big time drooler
14. Clings more to her Mom but talks to her Dad more.

Julianna Alyssa's Christening 07.26.2008

Photos are still with our official photographer Ging Lorenzo. She did a great job kahit super gulo namin eh super patient siya sa amin. Since in two weeks time pa namin ma-rereceive yung photos from her, I'll give you a sneek peek of Janna's Christening yesterday. Shots was taken by me and my brother, Sherlloyd.

It's a day full of love ... I was really surprised with Janna. Nginingitian niya lahat ... umiiyak pag puno na ang diaper at super antok at gutom na. Pero other than that, she's one happy baby kaya marami natuwa sa kanya ng sobra.

Thanks to all who came ... and to our Baby Janna, welcome to the Christian World.

Julianna Alyssa @ 2 months old

Milestone at 2 months old:

1. Can already recognize voices.
   
2. Listens attentively.
   
3. Can now socially smile back at you. She really smiles and laughs a lot.
4. Replies with her coos and little laughs.
5. She knows who her mom and dad is.
6. Can appreciate colorful things around the house.
7. Can grasp on things like her lampin and sometimes your fingers whenever she poops.
8. Can raise her head a little from time to time from lying in chest position.
9. Watch TV sometimes when in sitting position.
10. Discovered her hand at 6 weeks old. Sucking them when she's already bored or about to be fed.
    
11. She have this distinctive yell whenever she's looking for me or her daddy.
12. Loves taking her bath but still cries when we shampoo her hair (hay dilemma!)

Baby Janna is now 2 months old. There were nights of colic attacks and insomia moments but still we so dearly love our unica hija. No matter how many times she would pee on us, how many times she would demand for us to carry her all through the night ... she's still our little princess that we'll gonna love for the rest of our lives.

Enfant, A Couple's Day Out and Christening Preparations

My mom can't get enough of Enfant... dati cloth diapers lang binibili niya, ngayon pati wardrobe bumibili na. Ang mahal mahal ng damit dun for crying out loud. Maya-maya lang malalakihan din ni Janna yung mga damit. Hay o hay ... pero di ko siya masisisi, para sa unang apo, gagawin niya lahat hehehe. I'm planning to buy stuffs din naman from there kaso hindi muna ngayon kasi di pa naman ganun ma-a-appreciate dahil she's too little pa. Pag may special occasions bibili ako ng dress diyan. Actually, I saw ahat na so pretty na sa tingin ko bagay sa kanya. Pwede gamitin sa malalamig na lugar like sa mall and sa Tagaytay at Baguio.

Well, my mom's already showing early signs of being a stage lola. The reason why she bought all this stuffs for Baby Janna dahil gusto niya isali sa SM Star Baby. Susme, is it too early for Baby Janna to join such contest? hehehe ... I myself wanted my Baby Janna to be Enfant's Baby of the Month. Kaso si mom sa SM Dept. Store bumibili ng Enfant products, counted pa kaya yun if mag-apply ako sa sjop nila mismo? Tutal, sila naman nagdidistribute ng items sa dept. store di ba? Siguro naman papayag sila. Am I showing early signs of being a stage mom? Hahahaha! Ang bilis ng karma!

Eto pa, mom bought this Baptismal Gown from Purple Candy. It's on sale kaya she grabbed it agad. It's so pretty, di ko nga maintindihan bat di namin nakita ito ni Jason last time we went there. Nakabili tuloy kami ng simple white dress from St. Patrick sa Landmark, Trinoma. Maganda din naman pero nung nakita kasi ni mom yung gown, binili na niya. After the ceremony nalang daw suotin ni Baby Janna yung binili namin na dress.

Last Sunday, Jason and I went for a Baby Janna-free day. Siya din naman ang reason kaya kami lumabas nung Sunday kasi on a hunt nga kami ng baptismal gown niya. We went to our parish church first to request a letter of permission para sa christening ni Baby Janna sa Twin Hearts. Kaso kulang naman ang requirements namin kaya wala din kami nakuha, pero mabait naman yung nasa office ng parish church namin, mabilis lang naman daw gawin yun at makukuha naman daw namin agad.

Off we went to Landmark Trinoma, papunta namin sa childrens section ... my God lumuwa ang mata ko sa dami ng mga damit. Pero wala pa din kaminakita na size niya except sa St. Patrick. Ilang beses na namin nilagpasan ang St. Patrick eh dun din naman pala kami babagsak hehehe. Binili na din namin yung socks and shoes niya, pati headband ... oo headband ... para makita nila na babae anak ko hehehe. After nun nagliwaliw na kami sa mall. Naalala ko na anniversary pala namin ni Jason as boyfriend and girlfriend. 9 years na kami magkakilala (7 years na kami nung nagpakasal kami). Nag-celebrate kami sa CPK ... would you believe na first time ko kumain dito? And I must agree, masarap pala ang food dun, even ang ice tea. Suggest ko nga kay bunso na dun kami mag-celebrate ng birthday niya in August. At least that time makakasama na si Baby Janna kasi nabinyagan na siya nun. hehehe and she'll turn 3 months na rin in a few days.

In two weeks, bibinyagan na ang baby ko. Everything's all set na, documents and full payments nalang. We set a meeting with Ging Lorenzo on July 19. Para ma-discuss na yung mga gagawin at mga gusto namin mangyari sa day ng Christening ni Baby Janna. Na-eexcite na ako, sana madami magawnag shots si Ms. Ging. And I'm praying hindi maging cranky si Baby Janna because of a lot of people carrying her and not to mention the diapers she's wearing hehehe.

Marunong na magtipid

Baby Janna already know the art of "pagtitipid" ... or was it just coincidence? Coincidence because she had diaper rash a week ago. And since she's using diapers from day 1, my mom told us that she needs to wear "lampin" for the time being ... hanggang mawala lang daw yung kanyang diaper rash.

Until now Jason haven't bought any diapers ... nakakatipid na kami dahil mas pinili na ni Baby Janna for her to use cloth diapers. Goodluck to us pag time to visit her pedia, baka ayaw na niya mag-diapers huhuhu. Kahit kasi sa gabi ayaw na niya mag-diaper. Blame it on our very humid climate this past few days.

She uses 4 dozen of lampin a day ... thank God for maids ... they washed up all Janna's soiled lampin regularly ... every morning, afternoon and night. Oh di ba nakatipid nga kami sa diaper, pero mukhang mataas ang bill namin sa tubig this coming month hahaha.

Initially, we bought only 2 dozens of cloth diapers. Last week, mom bought additional 2 dozens ... and planning more to buy dozens of it. Sale ang Enfant, natuwa ang lola kaya bili ng bili.

Another thing, she doesn't want herself stuck in an aircon room. Kahit mainit na at init na init na kami lahat sa bahay, ayaw pa rin niya na naka-aircon. Hindi siya makatulog at sa tingin ko mana siya sa mom ko na ginawin. Ayan tuloy, my asthma and skin asthma has been eating me up this past few weeks. Dahil nasanay ako mag-aircon lalo na nung pregnant ako sa kanya, konting bahid lang ng init eh nag-aallergy ako. Wala naman ako magawa, hindi naman matutulog ang anak ko pag nag-aircon kami. O di ba, bawas sa bill ng kuryente?

Eversince Jason told Janna na ubusin ang kanyang milk every feeding, lagi siyang ubos. Hindi siya nagtitira. Kaya kahit mahal ang formula niya eh natutuwa naman kami pag inuubos niya ang milk niya.

Hay ... love talaga namin si Baby Janna, kahit nagkakandahirap na kami para sa kanya ok lang ... wish lang namin na tumigil na ang pagiging iyakin niya lalo na sa gabi!

Smilebox

Just trying out my latest discovery on photo sharing ... you might want to try it as well.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Julianna Alyssa @ 1 Month Old

Your baby may gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum to express his feelings. A few babies also begin squealing and laughing. Be sure to coo and gurgle back, and talk to your baby face to face. He'll enjoy holding your gaze now.

If you have things to do, your baby will still enjoy hearing your voice from across the room. And don't feel silly about talking baby talk — babies are particularly attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating that can actually teach your baby about the structure and function of language.

SOURCE: www.babycenter.com

We celebrated Julianna's 1st month birthday twice. One was last Sunday with her Lola Perly and Tito Jade, and yesterday with the Recta Family. She's getting bigger already, according to her pedia. May weight target kasi kami for her na dapat in two weeks mag-gain siya ng 600 grams. Pero nalampasan pa niya yun, she gained 900 grams weeee ... galing talaga ng baby ko. She still looks like her dad, as everybody else says ... pero she's getting prettier. Siyempre anak ko yan, siya pinakamagandang nilalang sa mundo, walang kokontra ha, bubuhusan ko ng acido ... joke lang.

We just ordered food nalang from Goldilocks. Last Sunday we had Sotanghon Guisado, Kare-kare, Double Dutch Rolls, Lumpiang Shanghai ... but yesterday, we only cooked spaghetti and mom bought a cake from Red Ribbon ... sa kasawiang palad, wala din photos kahapon dahil tulog ang birthday celebrant. Ayaw makisama sa camera hehehe.

Here's our first ever family picture... susme, ang putla ko diyan halatang walang tulog. Kulot-kulot pa buhok ko ano ba yan hahaha! Kailangan ko na magpagupit waaaaahhhhh!

Credits: Ribbon Frame, Promise Collection by: Shabby Princess

What her name means

Julianna, Origin: Latin; Meaning: Down-bearded youth

Alyssa, Origin: German; Meaning: Noble kind, of the noble sort; Additional Info: Alyssa might also be derived from the flower alyssum's name. Actress Alyssa Milano is a famous bearer.

Credits:
In The Grove Album QP by: Shabby Princess
Early Summer Alpha by: Akizo

Baptismal Preparation Updates
Jason and I decided to move Julianna's Christening from Sept. 13 to July 26, 2008. Para mapasyal na namin si Julianna na hindi na kami magwoworry na mauusog siya or what. Alam mo na mga kasabihan ng mga matatanda. Good thing some of our prospect suppliers are still available on the said date. Jason already booked the church and reception venue. I'll gonna get Ging Lorenzo as our photographer for the event. I'll coordinate with her pag plantsado na yung oras na napa-reserve namin on both locations. Although we'll gonna get the baptismal package from the reception venue, I'm thinking of making some DIY stuffs for Julianna. Mai voluntered to help me on making her invites and guestbook. I so love her, I know she's good when it comes to digiscrapping kaya alam ko maganda ang kalalabasan. Ngayon palang, salamat Mai sa iyong tulong.

My Birthing Story 05.11.2008

I gave birth to Julianna Alyssa Recta Jamias last May 11, 2008 (Mother’s Day) at 6:01 a.m. thru normal delivery. She weighs 5.53 lbs. and 47 cm in height at 37 weeks and 3 days. Allow me to share my birthing story. It was truly a very memorable experience for me… how it feels to be a mom for the first time. Not to mention, to celebrate Mother’s Day with Julianna as God’s gift for me and Jason.

April 28, 2008 - 35 weeks and 5 days
I was admitted at FEU Hospital for preterm labor contractions. When hubby and I went to hear mass last Sunday, April 27, 2008, I felt a huge kick in my tummy na halos ma-weewee na ako sa sakit that went on for a couple of seconds. Jason told me to ask my OB if we have to worry about it or not. Pag-uwi namin sa bahay, I was already having back and abdominal pains, although it’s pretty much tolerable naman pero very alarming. OB told me to have complete bed rest and pumunta na daw ako ng clinic niya kinabukasan.

Nung nandun kami sa clinic ni OB, she already knew that I’m having preterm labor contractions. Contraction intervals went on every 15 minutes. Ang akala namin ni Jason movement lang ni Baby J yun kasi everytime nagmomove siya eh may kasamang contraction. She advised Jason that I would be admitted in the hospital to observe my contractions.

I was at the Labor room for one whole night. Contraction intervals went on every 15 mins. … to 10 mins… to 7 mins… to 2 mins. I keep on praying that time, if it really is time for her to be out, please make her healthy and help her to recover fast. With the help of some meds they made through dextrose, Baby J was still in my tummy, patiently waiting for her right time. I stayed in the hospital for more than 3 days.

April 30, 2008 – 36 weeks
I’m still in the hospital, had my schedule for another ultrasound to check on Baby J. Everything is normal, but then again, she didn’t gained any weight since her last ultrasound, which is last month. The OB Sonologist got worried and advised my OB for me to have a Doppler study. Kinabukasan pinauwi na ako ni OB at complete bed rest nanaman ako.

May 3, 2008 – 36 weeks and 3 days
Had another ultrasound but this time it’s a Doppler study. Everything is normal except that my amniotic fluid went down from 13 to 9. Saka dun sa part na dapat amniotic fluid ang nakikita eh nakita ng OB Sono puro umbilical cord daw. So hindi daw niya alam kung less na yung amniotic fluid ko or not. He advised me to have a Non-Stress Test to know whether Baby J is reactive inside my tummy or not. Good thing she’s okay and very reactive. By the time I went to OB’s clinic, she just advised me to continue bed rest, drink 2-3 liters of fluids a day so that my amniotic fluid won’t go down again.

May 7, 2008 – 37 weeks
Went to OB’s clinic again for my weekly prenatal check-up. According to her IE, my cervix already ripened and thinning. Bed rest is over and now allowed to go out. Pwede na ako matagtag weeeee … Sabi ni OB kung hindi pa daw time ni Baby J lumabas eh she advised me to have another ultrasound on Saturday. Jason and I went to the mall to purchase last minute stuffs needed in the hospital and baby cabinet drawer for Baby J. Is it too obvious? Masyado kami atat matagtag ako hehehe. Natagtag nga ata ako dahil nung umuwi kami ng bahay halos di ako makatayo dahil masakit ang likod at puson ko. Pero hindi naman siya nagtuloy-tuloy, so false alarm lang.

May 9, 2008 – 37 weeks and 2 days
Jason and I attended a surprise party of one of Jason’s colleague. I was entertained by them about their stories on how they gave birth on their first born and they all wished that I give birth soon, coz it’s a lot better if you’re already cuddling your little one rather touching and talking to your tummy. Nung gabi na yun, I was starting to experience slight contractions and little abdominal pains. Later on back pains were already present as we are heading back home. I told Jason that maybe I might give birth on Mother’s Day. Of course, I was only kidding that time.

May 10, 2008 – 37 weeks and 3 days
I had a hard time getting up because of the pain that I’ve been having since last night. I’m walking like a penguin and my Mom told me that I looked like I’m in labor already.

12:00nn - Off we went to my scheduled ultrasound. OB Sono told me na parang bumaba na daw yung head ng bata. Jason and I exchanged looks with glee. Fetal weight is still the same as last week … nothing has changed. I was advised to go to OB right away.

2:30 p.m. - OB checked on me and told me I’m already 2 cm dilated. She told me she has to induce labor already because she’s worried about Baby J not gaining weight. Kung hihintayin pa namin na mag-dilate ako the natural way, eh baka ano pa mangyari sa baby namin. She gave us a new admission letter and asked us to reserve a room at FEU Hospital. I should be in the ER at

7:00p.m. Pinauwi na muna niya kami at ihanda na ang mga gamit namin. At wag ko daw kalimutan maglakad-lakad. Para at least daw pag nasa hospital na ako ng 7:00 p.m. eh at least 4 cm dilated na ako.

Everything is all set, all our bags are packed. Mom told me to take a bath already coz matagal daw akong di maliligo (matandang pamahiin na bawal maligo ang bagong panganak). So I did. I also ask Jason to take pictures of me, coz I haven’t have any preggy photos eversince, though I had one when I was still 4 months pregnant. Grabe di ko ma-imagine ganun pala kalaki ang tummy ko. Kasi pag tumitingin ako sa mirror, parang ang liit ng tiyan ko. Eto lang ang lone picture ko na buntis ako ... buti na-document ni Jason hehehe.

6:30p.m. - My Dad told us to go to the hospital before the rain pours hard. So off we went to the hospital. We were still at the lobby and doing some rounds of walking while waiting for OB’s advised when to go to the ER because we’re 30 minutes earlier. Nag-text na siya at sinabing pumunta na kami sa ER coz she already informed the OB residents na nasa hospital na ako.

7:00p.m. - pumunta na kami ng ER and they gave Jason our admission slip to get the room we reserved that afternoon. After that, they wheeled me to the DR, kissed Jason before going inside, coz I know it will be a long night for him and for me. He’s not allowed to go inside the DR so he just stayed in our hospital room and wait for OB’s instructions.

8:00 p.m. – OB instructed the OB residents for me to have nipple stimulation to increase the contractions. Good thing, I’m the only one whose in labor that time, so all JI (Junior Interns), PGI (Post Graduate Interns), OB Residents, midwives and nurses were all concentrated on me. I didn’t get bored by the way, they never left me and they always make it a point to entertain me hehehe.

9:00 p.m. – established already the right interval for my contractions. The fetal monitor was hooked in my tummy and my contractions are now under observation.

10:00 p.m. - When OB checked on me, I’m already 4 cm dilated. She asked Jason to visit me at the Labor Room because the time the Anesthesiologist injects the epidural, he will never be able to see me until I deliver Baby J. So he went, and OB told him the situation and the procedures to be done. OB broke my water bag and checked the water if it’s contaminated or not. If it’s clear, we will proceed on induce labor. If the water is in greenish color, that means nakakain na ng dumi or dumumi na si Baby J. Clear naman so proceed to epidural and induce labor na.

11:00 p.m. – Bago ang epidural, pinag-nebulize muna ako ni OB dahil baka daw ma-trigger yung asthma ko during the procedure. It’s one of the worst feeling I have that time. Hindi ko alam na ganun pala ang procedure sa epidural. You have to curl up dahil ini-inject siya sa likod sa pelvic bone ba yun. Correct me if I’m wrong, basta dun sa dulo ng spinal cord. Tapos habang iniinject yung gamot, nararamdaman mo yung daloy ng meds sa likod mo and it’s super duper makirot. Kailangan ko magtiis, kasi super masakit na ang contractions ko that time. Kaya kailangan ko na ng epidural. Feeling ko nagflashback yung childhood memories ko nun. And I was hyperventilating that time because of the pain. But the Anesthesiologist told me to relax kasi pag na-over ako sa oxygen eh mas malaki magiging problema ko. Mga 5 na injections ata yun. Basta marami yun. The epidural take effect after 5 – 10 minutes. I felt relieved and I slept.

May 11, 2008 – The D Day
2:00 a.m. – Every 2 hours nawawala yung effect ng epi … kaya nagpapa-inject ako palagi sa Anes … susme … kahit sabihin nila na mas maganda may konting pain pag nagdeliver ako ng baby eh di ko kakayanin. Masakit talaga for crying out loud. OB again checked on me… bagong gising pa siya nun ha hehehe! I’m already 7 cm dilated. 3 cm’s to go. Contractions are now 10 – 5 minutes interval. Pati heart tone ni baby J under observation na kasi may time na bigla nag 96 bpms ang heart tone niya. Pero bumalik din ulit sa 130’s to 140’s. At natulog nanaman ako.

4:00 a.m. – Nag-trip yung kuryente sa pinagkakabitan ng fetal heart tone monitor. Nawindang ang mga nagbabantay sa akin dahil hindi na nila marinig yung fetal heart tones ni Baby J. Buti nalang may Doppler sa tabi, yun muna ang ginamit nila, magastos nga lang sa battery pero what the heck, buhay ang binabantayan nila dun.

Tinawag na nila si OB, again bagong gising siya ulit hehehe. 100% induced na ako and OB checked on me and was already 9 cm dilated. She coached me na try ko umire that time … and I did … she asked if na-wiwiwi daw ba ako, I said oo … she asked one of the nurses to bring a bed pan. She then again told me na umire … and right there, I’m now 10 cm dilated. They rushed me sa birthing room. Inayos ang paraphernalia and everything, inayos ang position ko, binantayan ang contractions ko. OB gave me 2 hours para mailabas si Baby J. Pag hindi pa daw siya lumabas, CS na ako. And since maliit lang si Baby J, she insisted na mag-normal delivery ako dahil kaya ko daw siya iluwal, may konting effort nga lang.

5:00 a.m. – hindi pa din nagdedecend si Baby J. Nakikita naman ni OB na nag-oopen ang kwelyo ko pero hindi bumababa ang bata. Sabi niya walang force ang pag-ire ko kaya ganun. Some of the PGI’s told me na isipin ko na nagpu-poopoo daw ako na sinlaki ng buko yung ebs ko para daw mapilitan akong i-ire si Baby J. Yun nga ang ginawa ko pero wala pa din nangyari.

5:45 a.m. – bago ang lahat, the reason why alam ko ang oras is because I was monitoring the time (nasa tapat ko kaya yung clock hehehe!). And since 2 hours lang ang binigay sa akin ni OB, panic mode na ako niyan na kailangan ko na talaga ilabas si Baby J bago mag-6:00 a.m. She decided na I need some help na. Kaya she asked one of her assistant to help me push the baby by pushing my tummy. At ganun nga ang nangyari, lumabas na ang portion ng ulo ni baby J.

5:50 a.m. - nag-ready na lahat, may tela na nakaharang na right in the middle of my body. Somebody put oxygen in my nose, I could hear the Anesthesiologist coaching me to give all my strength sa huling ire na yun. I could see OB instructing a JI when and where to position the camera. After the scandal in Cebu, nagkaroon na ng restrictions in taking photos and videos sa loob ng operating or delivery room. And like I’ve said, ako lang ang nanganak that time, kaya madami ng tao sa paligid ko. Marami na nakabantay.

It’s time, one of OB’s assistant coach me to push and hold for 10 seconds. At the count of 6, yung isang OB resident eh sumampa sa akin sabay pinush yung tummy ko hanggang sa hindi na ako makahinga dahil super bigat niya. Akala ko magpa-pass out ako that time. Kahit sinasabi nila na mag-relax ako eh hindi na ako makarelax. Gusto ko sipain yung babaeng nasa ibabaw ko para umalis na. Hindi na masaya to … waaaaaaaaahhhh! Then I’ve felt may lumabas sa akin down there na parang large chunk of something.

6:01 a.m. – “Baby Girl Jamias was out 6:01 a.m.”, someone said … and I was furiously crying over what happened. OB even told me, “Oi Sheryl, ano iniiyak-iyak mo diyan, eto na baby mo oh.” Iba ang feeling, lalo na nung narinig mong umiyak yung baby mo. I could hear her cry na super parang pa-cute pa na di maintindihan. She was brought outside the DR for a while to be cleaned. I can still hear her cry and I was so giddy to hold her but I can’t … the anesthesia and the sedation’s keeping me from doing it. Not to mention, nililinisan na ako ni OB that time. After a few minutes, they let her latch on my breast (hay bakit nakapag-latch siya nung time na yun, samantalang ngayon ayaw na niya) … pagkatapos nun di ko na alam ang nangyari. I passed out already.

7:00 a.m. – I gained consciousness and saw 4 guys dressed in scrub suits transferring me to another bed. I’m wearing diapers and super duper gaan na ng feeling kasi wala ng mabigat sa tummy ko hehehe. I was transferred sa Recovery Room and stayed there for 2 hours.

Since nawala na yung sedation, and the anesthesia is starting to run out, nararamdaman ko na yung pain. Super duper umiiyak na ako kasi gusto ko na makita si Jason. Gusto ko na umalis dun sa Recovery Room. Gusto ko na sapukin yung isang Junior intern na nakabantay sa akin. Wala naman daw idudulot na maganda pag-iyak ko kaya tumahan na daw ako … eh upakan ko kaya siya … ang sakit na nga ng sugat ko eh.

9:00 a.m. - Two hours was like forever. Super duper naiinip na talaga ako. Bakit kasi hindi ako sinidate nung time na yun, eh di sana naka-recover nga ako ng maayos di ba? Buti yung isang nurse na guy na in-charge sa akin eh mabait. Pinakalma niya talaga ako kasi I was crying na talaga sa sakit. Inalis na ng Anesthesiologist yung catather sa likod ko.

After a few minutes, inakyat na ako sa room … nandun si mom at dad, at siyempre si Jason. Nung nakita ko si Mom, bigla nanaman ako umiyak, sinabi ko sa kanya “Mommy, ang sakit!” and I saw my mom crying, too. Ngayon naiintindihan ko na paano maging ina … mas na-aappreciate ko si Mom ngayon. And si Dad muntik na din umiyak. Si Jason naman kissed me agad by the time he saw me. And they were telling me na ang cute ni Baby J, she’s so malikot daw and kamukha ni Jason hehehe.

The whole day I was just resting and patiently waiting na makita si Baby J. 9:00p.m., Jason and I decided to visit her in the Nursery. Too bad, hindi nanaman pwede siya pumasok, and mommy lang daw ang pwede. And then I saw her … she’s so pretty and tiny … she really looked like her dad and I could say matindi ang magiging bantay ni Jason sa kanyang prinsesa. I tried to latch her pero super tulog siya. Kahit ginigising namin siya nung isang midwife, talagang sleeping ang drama niya. Nabigo nanaman ako on breastfeeding her, so we just went back to our room.

May 12, 2008
Around 7:30a.m. they room-in Julianna, super tuwa ang Lola (si mom kasi nagbantay sa akin the next day kasi si Jason may site visit) at na-cuddle na niya ang kanyang unang apo hehehe. I was taking pictures of her using my cellphone to send MMS to Jason para mapaaga ang balik niya sa hospital. Hindi naman ako nabigo, kasi maaga nga bumalik si Jason, excited na makita ang kanyang prinsesa. Nung gumabi na, dumalaw naman ang Mommy Lola Perly at Tito Jade. Excited din sila dahil unang apo din siya sa side nila Jason.

May 13, 2008
Umuwi na kami ni Julianna …

Realizations …

• The battle on breastfeeding has started and getting me frustrated already. She’s having a hard time latching and I on the other hand is having a hard time increasing my milk supply. Hay buhay!
  
• As a first time mom, I welcome myself to the world of sleepless nights and less social life. Kahit puyat lagi, I do love the job in taking care of my Baby Julianna. Being a mom is the most highest paid job in the whole world, kasi ang pambayad sa iyo is LOVE.
• Pumapayat ako kahit hindi ako exclusively breastfeeding dahil sa puyat hehehe.
• Hindi pala biro maging ina … masaya and fulfilling pero exhausting din. I know naman it’s just for a few months lang naman. By the time Julianna grows up, male-lessen naman lahat ng pagod mo. Kaya Mommy, mahal na mahal kita.
• Hindi mo maintindihan kung bakit isang iyak lang ng anak mo eh natataranta ka na gawin yung gusto niya ipagawa mo.
• Kahit gaano ka-busy si Jason sa work, maaga siya umuuwi hehehe. At kahit pagod siya, he gives his share of responsibilities for Julianna.

Eh makita mo lang ang baby mo na ganito palagi … sabihin mo sa akin kung nakakapagod nga maging mommy. Tiring, yes ... but it's all worth it!



Thank you Lord for keeping us safe from the time I got pregnant until I give birth to Baby Julianna... for keeping her healthy and normal ... for making me strong to endure all the pain from labor to delivery... for helping us to be financially stable to cover all the expenses from day 1 up to the day I give birth. Thank you for everything ... for giving us this wonderful gift.

Thanks to Dra. Cecilia Nogoy (OB Gyne) for not giving up on me and for being patient the whole time on my pregnancy. Dra. Espanol (Anesthesiologist) for making my birthing experience painless hehehe. To Dra. Ma. Paz Ong (Pedia) for taking care of our little princess, who patiently answers to all my queries. To all JI, PGI, nurses and midwives who are present that day, I can’t thank you enough how grateful I am on how you took care of me from labor until my delivery to Julianna.

To my family, Jason's family and our friends who showered us with prayers and support. I appreciate it a lot.

And to my loving husband, Jason… for taking care of me and our little princess all throughout my pregnancy and until now. We love you so much mwah!