28 weeks - 2 months to go!

Dear Baby,

We are on our 3rd trimester already. I can feel your movements more and more each day, it's like you are having your own mini party there. I hope you don't invite friends over, though - my back would kill me with the extra weight. Hehe

They say that the hardest part of the pregnancy is the 3rd trimester - it's true! The back pains, the lack of balance and all the sweat that comes out of my body -- it's a big change compared to the easy breezy second trimester. I feel less beautiful too and I cry all the time which I think amuses your Daddy more than it irritates him. hehe All the uncomfortable feelings are worth it though when I feel you kick and move and play around inside my tummy and you have good timing too, baby love - You know exactly when to make your presence felt, it's like you are reassuring Mommy that everything is and would be all right. You got that quality from Daddy Love. Now, I have two people reminding me not to worry too much.

Baby love, I celebrated my birthday a couple of  days ago. Daddy love made a big fuss out of it and got me all the things I wanted and he even gave in to my request of bagoong! (not that I'm complaining hehe) Look what I posted on his Facebook timeline. I know this did the trick. He loves you and me so much that when we join forces in making lambing he can't say no. We make a good team, baby. Hehehe Just knowing that you are inside me is the best birthday present ever. You changed my life, baby. Heck, you changed your Dad's life, too. You make everyday feel like my birthday. I love you so much!

Baby love, keep kicking your Daddy love, okay? At the end of the day he loves coming home to us and feeling his princess moving around. I like the twinkle in his eyes each time he plays with you. I think he is equally excited as I am to hold you and hug you and smell you and give you small kisses all over your face. So bear with your overly-excited parents when you get out because we would not stop holding you and loving you and staring at you. :)

Hang in there baby. I want you out of me not earlier than 37 weeks. We can do this, my love. Prayers do wonders.

Love,
Mommy

Edit: Your Daddy read my post and noticed an error on my FB post. It should have been "she talks too much.." LOL my bad. Hiyang hiya nman ako sa tatay mo hehehe

My first Insulin shot

Okay, so I am officially a diabetic and the proof would be my pricked fingers and a tiny needle hole on the side of my thigh. Yes, I just had my first insulin shot three hours ago. Was it painful? Yes it was, but not as painful as I imagined it to be. The pain was the same level as getting a blood extraction. It was bearable but given another option I would not wish to do this two times a day for the rest of my pregnancy. 

It took me two calls to my mom and a lot of convincing from Miguel to finally inject myself with my first 6 units of insulin. I felt brave after finishing the longest 10 seconds of my life. I felt happy that this shot would help me and my baby girl. They say first times are always the hardest - injecting yourself is not an exception. I heard that things would be more.. easier? I hope so. 

Aside from the mini seminar that we attended earlier, it helped that I was able to watch youtube videos on how to inject the insulin. They make it look a lot easier on the video though. Truth be told it was downright scary that I cried before actually poking myself with a needle.

For first timers, the best tip would be to find a good support group. They would help you remember your end goal and they would be able to help you go through the experience -- talking helps. A lot. Plus maybe you'd be helping the people you love by showing them how uncomfortable and inconvenient being unhealthy is. 

I hope the second time would be a lot easier. We'll find out tomorrow. *sigh*

25 weeks - Pregnant Diabetic

Dear Baby,

I had some tests done two weeks ago and looks like too many cupcakes, candies and chocolates stayed in my system and I am now officially a pregnant diabetic. I passed the rest of the tests though, but still I was worried about you - I want you to be healthy and I want you to feel safe inside me. 

The last week I was pricking my finger four times a day to check on my sugar level. The results were not good and today our endo (you can call him our sugar doctor) decided that I take insulin shots to make our blood sugar level normal. Needles scare me baby, pricking my finger was one thing but insulin shots are another. Good thing Papa Jesus sent us angels today. 

Nurse Annie is our first angel. She was the one who explained to me how diet can help my condition. She was real patient with me and your daddy, baby girl. We asked a lot of questions and she answered everything without losing the smile in her face. Our sugar doctor prescribed Humulin 10units in the morning and 6 units at night. The thing about Humulin is that it does not come in pen form, which means that I have to buy an insulin syringe -- totally inconvenient. Nurse Annie said that there are physician's samples for Humulin pens so I just have to buy the needle and the cartridge - but the sugar doctor ran out of stock. :(

We were already on our way home when Nurse Annie sent me an SMS saying she was able to get me a Humulin pen from one of the doctors in VRP - she said she was willing to wait for me in the sugar doctor's office. When we got there she was outside the sugar doctor's office eating some nuts and she greeted me with a smile. She said she was real worried about me and you since I can't find a pen for my Humulin. I thanked her and she said it was the least she can do for me, I got the pen for free, by the way. She also gave me tips on how it would make my shots easier. Good people are really hard to find nowadays baby and we are blessed that we crossed paths with Nurse Annie. She is a blessing.

Another problem was that my glucometer (sugar meter) ran out of strips and your Daddy and I can't find the brand of strips needed in any Mercury Drug branch in the area. Good thing I have the number of Ms. Grace    - the person we bought the glucometer from and she called me to tell me that they have a fresh batch of strips in stock in Mercury Edsa Pavillion -- yipee! She also said that if stocks ran out again she can deliver some to our place on Monday for a lower price. Being pregnant comes with it's own perks baby love - kindness from strangers. 

I hope one day you can be a blessing to others too, baby love. Always remember that no matter how small or big your action is, as long as it is an act of kindness, it goes a long way. You are loved baby girl, everybody who sees my baby bump knows that there is a miracle growing inside me.

Less than three months and we'd get to see you, baby girl.

Love,

Mommy

22 weeks

Dear Baby,

It has been a busy 4 weeks for your Daddy and me -- or maybe sleeping just takes too much of my time now so I have no time left to blog. I realized though that I want you to read something about how I carried you in me for 9 months and how Daddy and I got all giddy watching you grow.

The biggest news of the last 4 weeks is that we found out that you we are having a baby girl! Yes baby, you are a little baby girl and we are gonna name you Marga Alessandra. Everybody is so excited about the news! Your Mamu even posted it on facebook before me. Since you are a baby girl, everyone thinks you are a baby doll. Clothes keep coming from all direction that maybe - if my self control wins over my mommyhood, I won't be shopping for your clothes for the first year of your life. You are loved baby, and everyone is looking forward to meeting you :)

I also celebrated my first Mother's day about a week ago. I know it would be more meaningful next year when I am holding and you are showering me with hugs and kisses in between drools. This year Daddy made a big deal about Mother's day and took me out to dinner and gave me the kitchen cabinet I have been requesting for. Baby, you have to know that Mommy appreciates cabinets more than flowers. I am practical that way. 

See the picture above, baby? That's you when you were just a dot in my uterus and then there you are - a 5month old baby girl. See how much you've grown? I am so proud of your progress my love. And Daddy is proud too! You should hear how much he talks about you, you topped his favorite-topic list -- Imagine how special you are since you beat basketball and UFC and went straight to number 1! He loves planning about your future. He plans on making you a baby brother to ward off possible suitors in the future. lol

I am more than half way through my pregnancy, baby -- proof would be my bulging tummy, my penguin walk and my Pamela Anderson boobies. I can feel you kicking me more and more often. Sometimes I wonder what you want me to do when you kick me, are you hungry or am I too noisy or am I tiring you with all the walking I am doing. I feel you baby, I know you are there and I love the feeling that I am carrying you in my tummy. I love being a mom already. 

As much as I love being a mom, your daddy loves being - well a daddy. A daddy to you our little Marga. When we went to Bora for vacation all he did was touch you and talk to you and play with you. He said it's our first vacation as a family and he is looking forward to bringing you back there when you get to the age that you can make sand castles and swim and ride in his ATV. 

Baby, kick me all you want. exercise those baby arms and legs so you would be strong and healthy when we see you in a couple of months. We are excited to be your parents baby.  Take care and be a strong baby girl. We love you!

Love,

Mommy

18 weeks

Dear Baby,

You and I have been together for 18 weeks now! Daddy is happy that you and I are both okay, he likes touching my tummy every now and then. I look pregnant already baby and I am very much enjoying the perks of being one. I am treatd like a queen because of you, baby love. They know I am carrying someone very important - I am carrying a life. I know one day you'd be a parent too, you'd get to experience the joys of being a parent and you will know the happiness of knowing that I am carrying the greatest testimony of the love that your Daddy and I share. We love you, baby. And I know that we will fall in love with you again and again and again once you come out of my tummy.

In two weeks time we would hopefully know if you are our little Franco or our little Marga - we are excited! Your daddy thinks you are a baby girl because my nose is not yet swollen. LOL. My side of the family wants a baby girl while your dad's side wants a baby boy to carry the Blanco name. Either way baby, I know our big family would love you.

I have been growing an appetite lately baby and my throwing up days are finally over. I do have some back pains every once in a while but I think it has something to do with the way I sleep. I get tired easily, too. Daddy thinks I move too much at home but that's just the way Mommy is. I tend to clean and fix or try to find something to do. I am impatient and easily bored. LOL

Daddy on the other hand is extremely helpful at home. He cleans the house and washes the dishes - he basically makes sure that I won't find anything productive to do. I appreciate all his efforts, but I am a control freak and I wish he lets me have a sense of control on the things that he does at home.

I miss Mamu's adobong pusit, baby. I think I am finally craving for something. This is me with a pregnant belly talking now. One hungry woman. I hope Mamu sends some over real soon. I made lambing yesterday already - and i can't wait until I taste her cooking again!

I have to go back to work now, baby love.

Happy 18th week :)

Love,
Mommy

16 Weeks

Baby,

Yes, I think we finally found "the one". Her name is Dra. Christine Palma from VRPMC. She was so nice when we visited and she answered all our questions -- and believe me, Mommy and Daddy has too many unanswered questions since having a baby is new to us. She said you are growing healthy, baby. I would've wanted another ultrasound of you, I wanted to see how you look like at 4 months but the doctor said we need to wait for another month when you are 20 weeks old to take another picture. We heard you though - we heard a party going on in my tummy a couple of thump-thumpin' and some tugsh-tugsh, you were having a blast making the doctor follow your movements! She had to move the doppler thingy a couple of times because you were busy swimming around - Daddy says you are a mini-me already, makulit.

The doctor made me add multivitamins to my daily routine. I am currently taking Calciumade, folic with iron and vitamin C. Seems like I need more than that but hey - anything for you baby love. The doctor made me stop taking Anmum - you and I are getting too big and Mommy and Daddy wants to try to deliver you via Normal Delivery.

Mommy was sick the past days - the doctors at the hospital said it might be due to fatigue since nothing is really wrong with me. There is a huge change in my working schedule and this might have affected our health - but Momma has to work so I try to rest as much as I can on my days off. I was really worried about you the whole time I was sick, I felt like I am not a good mom for making you go through the temperature changes of my body and the contractions that happen when I cough. I promise to take care of myself more, my love. Just hang on in there - I'll be extra careful for the both of us.

I wish you can show us already if you are a he or a she. I am dying to start shopping for you. I am browsing online shops and going through a lot of baby blogs to see what you'll be needing the first few months of your baby life. I am excited and scared to see you baby - just 5 more months and I get to smell you and kiss you and hug you tight! I hope I can be a good mom to you. I know your daddy would spoil you to bits like what he does to me. We love you.. so much!

Love,
Mommy

13 weeks

Dear baby,

You are now 13 weeks old in Mommy's tummy. They say time flies fast when you're pregnant but I find it a little slow paced. Maybe because Mommy moves like a turlte right now, I can never be too careful with you inside me. Daddy and Mommy are arguing a lot lately, small petty stuff that leads to dramatic moments -- you'll get to know about hormones when you grow up. I am so thankful that Daddy tolerates  my Drama Queen moments. Believe me, I surprise even myself sometimes with how easily I feel kawawa. hehe

You must be growing up real quick in there, baby love. I can feel your heartbeat more right now. Your titos and titas are amazed with how fast your heartbeat is, they say you must be running a marathon in there.

I have been OB-skipping recently. I can't seem to find "the one". I want to make sure that I choose the right one for the both of us -- less worry for Daddy, too. I have narrowed our hospital choices into two - Cardinal Santos in San Juan and VRP in Mandaluyong. So the OB should be affiliated with either of those hospitals. Don't worry baby, we'd finalize everything before the month ends. Forgive mommy for being so fickle minded. :)

From the internet it says that you have fingerprints now, you can also open and close your fists already. Reading those updates makes me really excited to see you - I know you'd be everything we asked for! Did i tell you already that Mommy is att he point where she now uses Daddy's boxer shorts when she sleeps? My tummy is getting soo big now that my old shorts won't even zip up! You are one big baby, my love - just like Mommy and Daddy. hehe

Last weekend, your Daddy gave in to my cravings and had your Lola Carmen cook bagoong for me. I died and went to food heaven, baby love. It was that yummy! But since Mamu and your titos and titas was at the house for a visit, they food-napped my bagoong to make sure I don't go overboard with my salt intake.

Take care in there, okay?

Love,
Mommy

11 weeks

Dear Baby,

Daddy and Mommy moved in to our new place last weekend. Mommy is still adjusting but I think Daddy is getting a hang of living here. I miss your titos and titas - I worry about them a lot. Baby, Papu is in the hospital, but don't worry, Mamu is taking care of him. I wish I could be there though. Let's pray for Papu ha?

Baby love, I spent my first night alone here in the new place since Daddy is on night shift. I woke up a couple of times during the night but I'm good. I still feel rested. Give me a couple more days and I'd finally fully adjust to this place.

We had our first home-cooked meal yesterday. Daddy was so sweet - he knows I love cooking so he prioritized buying the cooking stuff so I won't be bored. It's either that or he finally got tired of eating store-bought silogs hehe

Another week baby love and you'd be 3 months in my tummy. A couple of months more and you'd be coming out and changing Mommy and Daddy's sleeping routine -- I say that lovingly, baby :)

The metallic taste in my mouth is really bothering me, but the internet says it is normal and some of my preggy friends are also experiencing it too, so I better get used to this. 

Daddy can feel your heartbeat too, baby. He is constantly talking to you and begging you not to make Mommy throw up. I guess he is a bit bothered that I still throw up at night. I welcome it though - I know you are still in there doing some stomach kicking in there. haha

I love you, little one.

Love,

Mommy

10 weeks

Dear Baby,

You turned 10 weeks old in my tummy yesterday. Daddy has a new way of celebrating your weeksary - He hugs my belly and shouts "group hug!". Yeah, he is a little crazy but I know you would appreciate his craziness when you guys get to play in a couple of months. 

Last Sunday Daddy and Mommy went to our new place and fixed things up. Daddy had to go back home for a while to get some stuff for the new place and left me with Tita She and Tofi - he missed out because while he was away I got to experience a Brothers Burger-ish burger but for a lower price! Tita She was right the Hickory flavored one was to die for. It made me look forward to move there knowing that I'd be near that burger joint - yes, Mommy is a meat lover. :)

When Daddy got back, he was with your titos and titas plus your cousins, Lance and Maggie. Baby love, you are lucky that you belong to a big family -- the support system is overwhelmingly awesome. After they got there they started fixing the TV Rack and the TV and helped us clean up a little. They love us, baby. I want you to know that aside from Mommy and Daddy you have a big big family that loves you as much as we do.

Baby love, I fell in love with your Daddy a little bit more last weekend. Heck, I fall in love with him every single day! The way he stepped up and took responsibility of everything is a trait I want you to inherit. He takes care of us every single day. While we were tidying up the new place, he noticed how tired I looked, so he fixed the room and told me to lie down and sleep while he finished constructing the small dresser for your things. When I got up a few hours later I saw that he was also able to setup the speakers and the wiring and he also cleaned up the floor and the bathroom! Your daddy is a superhero,  I am happy to know that he will be a good role model for you.

I feel less tired nowadays, baby. Less tired but more sleepy. Two more weeks then I can use the treadmill again. I want my body to be ready in time for your birthday. I don't want to put any stress on you when you go out and I want to be able to recover quickly so I can take care of you and Daddy immediately. 

Daddy lost his uncle, baby. I wasn't able to meet him but I know that he is a good person because your Daddy's family are good people. Let's pray for him and the family he left behind, baby love.

We love you baby. When you hear Daddy shout "Group Hug!" that means he is very near you and he would love it if you hug him back :)

Love,

Mommy

Baby Bump -- thump! thump!

Dear Baby,

It's cold today. It took all my energy just to get up and prepare for work. Given a choice I would be snuggling a pillow with a blanket covering me -- buuut Momma has to work. When you grow up I want you understand what responsibility means, I want you to know the value of time and I want you to understand that sometimes you have to give up what you want and do what needs be done. I want you to be a better version of Mommy and Daddy.

Yesterday I was a bit nervous because my head hurt so much and when I checked my BP it was 140/90. I prioritize your well being, baby love. I would stop the world just to make sure you are doing okay. So I lay down in one of our sleeping quarters and rested until I my heartbeat slowed down and I felt your regular thumping-in-my-tummy routine against my belly. Thump all you want, baby. Let me know that you are still there.

I smiled when I saw my belly earlier - you are getting big now. I like that. I am using the pants Daddy bought for us -- ooooh I love the gartered waist band! I can sit without you getting squished! I can't wear a lot of my clothes now and your Ninang Dane is plotting on which pre-you clothes she can "borrow" from me haha I am in love with cardigans right now, baby. I want to feel warm and comfortable while I am carrying you. If I am grumpy, i have a hunch that you'd be grumpy too -- so comfy clothes are my new thing.

I gotta work now, little one. Keep hugging mommy, okay?

Love,

The lady with the bump

9 weeks 3 days

Dear baby,

Mommy listens to a lot of music nowadays, I am still gushing over Maroon 5's Daylight and Alicia Keys' Girl on Fire. Maybe you'd grow up as talented as they are. I developed a strange habit of touching my tummy while walking to make sure your little heart is still beating, I am scared to lose you baby love, that is why I am taking extra efforts to be careful everywhere I go.

Last night, mommy cooked Tuna spaghetti for your titos, titas and for Daddy, too. I miss cooking but I am easily tired now and Daddy tells me to slow down and have somebody else do the cooking but mommy gets irritated when somebody else uses my kitchen. Daddy is hopeful that you wouldn't inherit my OCness.hehe 

Daddy bought me lotsa treats from Breadtalk because Mommy craves for their bread so much, he also brought home this week's supply of fruits and juices. See, Daddy loves us so much that is why he gives in to Mommy's every request. One thing though, he won't allow me to eat tita Carmen's bagoong anymore, he said it aint healthy. I have a record of not being able to control myself when it come's to Tita Carmen's bagoong.

Baby, I wake up each morning thankful that I still feel you inside me -- I welcome the morning sickness, the backpains and the fatigue as long as I know that you are growing there inside me. Grow strong, baby. Be healthy. Keep hugging mommy and don't let go til you are fully developed, okay? Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to see you in 6 and a half months.

We love you, little one!

Love,

Mommy

9 weeks

Dear Baby,

This week Daddy and I bought maternity pants. I am bloated I tell you. Gassy and bloated. You wouldn't be proud of me right now. I realized that my pre-you pants maybe constricting your movements and I want you to move freely and make mommy's tummy your playground. I am worried that I might not be giving you enough nutrients because I have been throwing up a lot. Good thing daddy makes sure I eat even if I have no appetite.

Daddy and Mommy bought things for our new house, we are trying to make sure everything is ready when you come out. Daddy bought a TV which he assures me you would enjoy once you appreciate Barney and Disney channel, but I have a hunch that while you don't appreciate TV yet he would be the one doing all the watching. hehe 

I feel you every now and then baby love, I like feeling your heartbeat in my belly. My tummy is growing too, I welcome this change in my body because I know that you are growing there inside me. I miss walking though, I want to start walking again so you won't have a hard time coming out. The nice OB told me that I can walk again in 3 weeks. I'm looking forward to that.

Baby, Mommy loves you so much -- and with Daddy's overflowing excitement I know he loves you too. I pray that you will grow up to be a healthy, beautiful, kind and loving individual. I am looking forward to the next time the OB shows us how you look. According to the internet you are looking more and more like a little baby now. I wonder who you would look like? :) 

Stay safe baby love. Keep holding on in there.

Love,

Mommy