Uratex

I am very maarte when it come's to Gari's things and I am very particular when it comes to her safety. 

We started using her Graco playard since she was born, but since we are co-sleeping and Gari was not as kulit as she is now, we decided to keep it until Gari starts crawling. On her 7th month the little girl cannot only crawl and sit but also stand, the playard had to make a comeback.

Graco playards has 2 levels, the first one is for newborns and infants who cannot sit or crawl yet. We are past that stage, so the playard is setup to the lowest level. There is a cardboard-like thing that is used as a base, but I noticed that it is not as solid as I thought it was, it looks wobbly and I don't think it's comfortable for Gari when she falls on her pwet. So I tried looking for a foam mattress that I can putin the playard. I searched SM department stores and online baby shops to find one but I wasn't able to. 

I know Uratex isan institution when it comes to beds and mattresses so I google their hotline inquired if they have foams fro cribs and playards, the very friendly customer service rep said they have no foams fit for a Graco playard but they can customize one if I can provide the dimensions, which I did. The lady got my number and asked me to wait for a.callback while she provides my details to their QC warehouse.

Less than 5 minutes later, I got a call from Ms.Jenny who confirmed my order and provided me with their BDO account number. For a 2x36x27 foam we paid a total of 700+ pesos plus the 150 pesos delivery charge. It took a week after Ms. Jenny confirmed my payment to get our foam. Ooh we got to choose the cover too, by the way. Pink flowers. Perfect for my sweet pea. I have one less thing to worry about! 

Customized Uratex foam for Gari's Graco Playard

Thank you, Uratex! It was a fast and easy transaction! 

 Uratex PH
Consumer Hotline: 888-6800

The Real Deal

When I was pregnant, I was a lurker of every girl, parenting and baby forums. The nearer I was to my due date the more praning I got. A big belly also doubles as a laptop stand that time, which I guess encouraged me to stay online a lot. I read thousands of articles and countless forum entries but all of that did not prepare me for motherhood. One mother's story may be relatable but not applicable. 

The first night that Gari spent with us in the hospital room was crazy! I can't make her latch at all, she pooped and she threw up and she cried, all of those things happening at the same time with just me and Miguel with her. I was still recovering from my c-section at that time, by the way. I was scared to sleep because Gari looked so fragile in her pink swaddle, I check her breathing every few minutes and I just looked at her all night long. Talk about praning, noh?

When we got home, we decided to co-sleep at night. It would be easier for the both of us to not move much. Sleepless nights started, waking up to feed every 3 hours, changing newborn nappies. I followed everybody's advise to sleep when the baby is sleeping - best advise ever! We slowly developed a routine - wake up, paaraw, take a bath, sleep, wake up, milky time, sleep milky time sleep, sponge bath, milky time, sleep. 

The whole 2 months were all about the baby. I lost some of the baby weight but I'm 10lbs shy of my pre-pregnancy weight. I had circles in my eyes, a bit of a slouch because I was afraid to stand straight because I'm still praning about my cut, I can't finish my sentences and I snored while sleeping. I was a mess.. a happy mess.

Motherhood is the best thing that happened to me. I like to think that it made me selfless and mature. It's the real deal.

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My Labor Story

I haven't updated this teeny weeny space in cyberworld for a while now - nope I'm not acting up as someone too cool to have time to blog, truth is, motherhood tends to make any girl lose time for anything other than the tiny bundle of joy that makes pooping, farting and burping look adorable.

Yes, I am a mom now. Yes, I have sleepless nights and unpredictable hours and I look like a wreck but I have never felt happier. I gained weight that I am not sure I can shed off and stretchmarks that looks like it will never fade -- but I am contented and complete.

Let me immortalize my labor story through this blog and hopefully, blogspot would still be up and running by the time my little girl is old enough to read. Here it goes...

We were expecting the baby to come earlier than 40 weeks because the last week of August I was already having contractions and as my OB said my uterus was very very irritable already. The baby was already in full term by August 31, so anytime after that was acceptable. I was even hoping that the baby and Miguel would share the same birthday but looks like the little girl wants the spotlight to herself.

My 37th week passed and then my 38th week was uneventful, I was bored and I felt heavy and tired and just plain grumpy. I was channel-hopping and stalking people on facebook just to pass time. Every morning, Miguel and I walked and walked and walked to help the baby move farther down and finally come September 13, 2013, I woke up with a piece of my mucus plug in my undies -- I felt that the baby would be out soon. Problem is, it's Friday the 13th! Yes, I am superstitious. The contractions were getting stronger and stronger by noon but still the pain was bearable. I double checked my bag and the baby's bag and told Miguel not to go to work anymore - then the waiting started. By 10pm, I can still bear the pain but I have a feeling I am in labor already. I was decided to go to the hospital only when I can't walk already, I don't want to spend to much time in the labor room. I don't want devices attached to me, I wanted to be mobile.

12 midnight came and I realized that Friday the 13th was over, I was ready to give birth now. Around 1am I called my mom and told her that we were going to the hospital she said she'd be in the hospital first thing in the morning. I had second thoughts of going to the hospital but once we reached the bottom of the stairs going out the building, I realized that the pain is uncomfortable already and Miguel insisted that I might be putting the baby at risk by not seeking professional help. By 1:30am we were in the hospital, the guard asked me to used the wheelchair going up the labor room but I declined, walking makes me think less of the pain. At the labor room, they asked me to change into a hospital gown and got my stats, the worst part was thel part where they forced me to poop.. I know, I know, TMI. lol

I wish I could tell you that after going in at 1:30, I gave birth at 2:30. I'd be lying if I say that. I labored for 13 hours, yes, that's no typo. 13 hours. Good thing I have the best doctor and the best medical team ever. Doc Palma got in around 6am and never left my side. She monitored my contractions and decided to burst my bag of water when she noticed I wasn't getting far with my contractions. I came in the hospital 4cm dilated and went as far as 8cm, then I got stuck at 8cm. I have Doc's residents taking care of me all throughout the labor period - rubbing my back, tying my hair, helping me 'ride' each contraction. I was never alone. Another notable person is my anesthesiologist(did I even spell that right? Lol), I chose to have an epidural because I wanted to stay awake when the baby comes out. The anesthesia has to go through my back a.k.a my spinal cord. He had me curl up, with the help of a nursing aid and I did not even notice the needle was already in my back. Poof. Like medical magic, light hands I tell you. He mixed the dosage so that I can still feel each contraction but not as much pain, just enough to signal my body to push when needed. Epidural is heaven to a laboring mother.

A little before lunch time I was experiencing pain again. I was at 6cm going to 7cm then so the pain is pretty much mind blowing. I was tossing and turning and moving a lot that the needle at my back was no longer connected to my spinal cord. The last shot of epidural did not reach my body! The pain was intense! They had to re-insert the needle and it took what felt like 10years before the pain went down to bearable levels. Note to every woman choosing an epidural - Do not turn 100 times on your bed without assistance. You are not superwoman.. Yet.

At around 2pm I was still at 8cm but my blood pressure was rising to critical levels that Doc Palma decided that it is too much of a risk for me and the baby already. It's time to open me up. It was a scary moment. I was not prepared for an operation.. I went to the hospital ready for avaginal birth but Doc said that we already did everything possible not to cut me up. It's no longer about me. We need to choose what's best for the baby. She went out to tell Miguel and my mom that in less than an hour I will undergo c-section. I was wheeled out of the labor room at a little past 3pm and then baby was out at 3:26pm. Oh my scar is a bikini cut. Did I tell you my OB is great? Hehe

I was walking the next day. Out on my 4th day because I had to wait for the little girl who was under observation since I was a high risk mother. GDM and pre-eclampsia. My wound healed fast and it was closed up up real good. It was so small that I can cover it up with my hand.. Note that a 9.4lb baby went out of there. Doc, you are so amazing! :)

She's 8 months old now. I love her so much that it makes me smile remembering all the details of her birth.

32 weeks -- almost there! :)

Dear Baby,

On your 7th month we went to Baby in my Tummy ultrasound clinic near Boni Circle to get your 3d image taken. It was something that your Daddy and I wanted so we can get a sneak peek of who you look like and also something to show you when you grow up. Ninang Dane and Ninang Denise went with us - they were as excited as we are to see you.

At first you keep on turning your back on us, so the OB decided to make me eat a bit and walk around so you would move around more. It worked! After a couple of siomais plus a 15-minute walk we were able to see you. You look like Daddy, baby love. He was happy that day and kept on looking at a picture that Ninang Denise took of you. He even scanned the black and white pictures that the OB gave us. We needed to wait for a week though to get the colored printouts and the CD of all the images and the videos that the OB was able to take of you.

You made us proud baby, you looked like a healthy, happy baby girl. You look like Daddy but you act like Mommy with all the pouting you are doing.

Pout like Mommy Love! :)

The last picture is my favorite -- who could resist all the cheeks in that pic?

And finally a video of you playing in my tummy. In a little over a month Daddy and I would be seeing you. I am praying that everything would be okay on your birthday. I love you, baby girl!

See you soon!

Mommy

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

My PAL Express experience

Ever since our Cebu Pacific fiasco last year in Naga Airport and my Cebu Pacific experience in Busuanga almost 2 years ago, I never booked a flight with Cebu Pac again - no matter how many piso fares that come my way. Hey, I take grudges seriously and the inconvenience the airline gave me is just totally unacceptable. 

So since then I have been flying with PAL and it's budget friendly airline Airphil Express - now called PAL Express. I never had a problem with the airlines up until my I booked a Kalibo flight with them. Last December 2012, I booked a flight for nine people for a family vacation. Come March 2013, I got a notification via email that our flight back to Manila from Kalibo was moved from 5:15pm to 7:55 pm. I get it. Things happen. So I let it go and just continued planning our trip. Then come April, I got a call from their booking office and was told that our flight from Manila to Kalibo was moved from 11:25am to 4:30pm AND our flight going home which was scheduled for 7:55pm was again moved to 8:40pm. I called their hotline again and was told that I have no choice but take the flight because all the earlier flights are full already. After a lengthy conversation with their booking officer I had to give in since they really did not give me any other option. 

Imagine the inconvenience they caused! First, our hotel booking starts at 2pm but since our 11:25am flight was moved to 4:30pm we got to Boracay at around 10pm already! I forgot to mention that our 4:30pm flight left Manila a little past 5pm  already. We totally wasted our first day with just travelling. Second, our hotel booking ends at 12pm so our original 5:15 flight back to Manila was just right, no waiting time and no rush at all. But nooo they had to move our flight to 8:40pm. Imagine the time we had to spend in the scorching May heat with our bags in tow. I am pregnant by the way. 

On the day of our flight, all nine of us were lined up in the PAL Express check-in counter about 2 and a half hours before our actual flight. I allotted an extra 30 minutes since I am pregnant and I had to be cleared by the airline's clinic.Once we were at the counter they told us that only 5 of us can board and 4 would be left for the 7:10pm flight. They said that our flight was overbooked and they are allowed to overbook as allowance for no-show people. I stood my ground and asked them to find a way for all of us to be in the 4:30pm flight. Flying at 7:10pm would mean the risk of not being able to get to Boracay on the same day since the last trip of  the ferry going to the island is 10pm. I am travelling with the my sisters and the baby daddy plus his brother and sisters. most of them are first time flyers that is one of the reasons why I don't want them to put us in different flights. I gave PAL EXpress my EMIS (Expectant Mother's Information Sheet) so they knew I was pregnant but still I waited standing up for almost an hour while they figure out how they can fit all of us in the 4:30pm flight. I had to remind them that I was pregnant before they finally provided me a chair to sit on while I was waiting. It was almost 4pm and I had to walk up to them at the other end of the check in counter to get an update. They told us that we were all flying at 4:30pm. Wheew! But since they had to print out our boarding passes and check-in our baggage we were still at the check in counter at 4:10pm and our flight is at 4:30pm. We had to walk fast to get into the security area and the clinic and all the way to boarding area in 20 minutes! I was running out of breath and my back was hurting - but still we made it just in time to board the plane. I was disappointed by the experience but relieved at the same time because we were all in the same flight even if we are seated far away from each other. It was an exhausting experience. 

Our return flight was a breeze though - I even got an SMS from a PAL Express representative the night before our flight to confirm that we are flying at 8:40pm the next day. While we were traveling from Caticlan to Kalibo I got a call from PAL Express again and the rep informed us that were checked in already and that they got all nine of us seats that are next to each other. There was no delay in the flight as well and we got to Manila 7 minutes earlier than the expected arrival time. I am happy with the updates they provided me on our return flight  - maybe it was because of the comment I made back at the Manila check in counter that hopefully our return flight won't be as stressful for me and the baby as our flight out of Manila. I am glad I stood my ground and demanded what was due to us, other passengers were not as lucky and got left behind. I just wish that PAL Express would review  and improve their overbooking policy. It is totally unfair to paying customers. They are after all our flagship airline - we deserve better from them.

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