34 weeks down...

Wow baby, we're now on our 34th week together in my tummy! How are you doing there? I bet you're having a good time inside mommy's belly, with all the kicks and jabs you give me every time I eat and laugh, or even when I sleep. I'm sure you're excited to come out and see the world. We're super excited to see you, too! Daddy's preparing our room now, and your Lola Mila has already washed your clothes. Your Lola Amy and I have already shopped some of your stuffs, but Daddy and I will also shop for some more this weekend. :)

It's been about 8 months when I've stopped drinking coffee and softdrinks. It was tough at first, since coffee is my fuel, and Mountain Dew is my energizer when I didn't have enough sleep. I have somehow forgotten how they tasted, but their aroma is enough. I can get rid of all these caffeinated and carbonated beverages if it's for you, little boy.

A friend added me in a Facebook group called "Breastfeeding Pinays" and so far I am getting more and more excited to carry you in my bosom as I feed you with my most precious milk. I have been learning a lot from that group and I hope we'll also experience the immeasurable joy of breastfeeding.

We got just a few weeks to go, son. Maybe 6 more weeks, but if you're ready enough, we may see each other in a month's time. Or even less. Oh the thought gives me chills!

Thank you, darling, for being such a good boy to mommy. My friend's say that I am lucky with my pregnancy that I never get to experience morning sickness and illnesses. All our tests and vital signs were A-OK and I give credits to your daddy for taking good care of us. I'm sure you'll always be a good boy like your daddy and titos and lolos and Kuya Miggy and Kuya Amiel. We'll go to church together and I'll teach you to be a rockstar and Daddy will let you play with his lens so you can also be a good photographer like him. :)

Most of all, we'll pray together. Before Daddy and I got married, we were taught to build a church. And you, our most precious gift, are our Church. I know you will grow up to be a responsible Christian, with all the guidance of your lolos and lolas.

I could go on and on with the words I want to tell you. This is how excited I am. I thank the Lord for blessing us with you, our Matt Daniel. ♥

The Big Day will soon be here!

The third trimester page from my Anmum mother's book

Hello 3rd trimester! I'm down to my last 3 months of this joyful journey and will soon unfold the Lord's wonderful gift for me, my husband and our family. 

My baby boy has been moving A LOT, which I am really happy about, though it could be painful at the same time. But hey, these pains are worth enduring as long as I know baby's alive and kickin' (well yeah, literally) down there in my tummy. My feet are now growing bigger, a state which books call "edema", or "manas" in Filipino layman's term. But yesterday, I just saw my OB for my monthly check-up, and she confirmed that everything's normal with my BP, weight gain and lab tests. Baby and I are healthy and I got a "very good" thumbs up from Doc. Weeee.

I know that the next 11 weeks, or could be less, will be crazier and busier too. We got a few weeks to prepare the nursery and the baby stuffs (I'm thankful I can have some of my nephew Amiel's stuffs). And I still have to prepare my endorsements at work before my much awaited two-month leave. And I bet there'll be a looot of baby kicks and jabs along the way. 

But all in all, I'm joyful. I have never been this joyful my entire life. My officemate once commented "I'm sure you'll have a happy baby. Ibang iba yung tawa mo ngayon eh. buong-buo!". I'm thankful that my husband has played a big part in making my pregnancy a happy stage (for those who know how a comedian he is, you know what I mean). I'm sure he'll be a good dad, too. 

And as an advanced birthday gift to my baby's dad, my husband (it's his birthday tomorrow), thank you for taking care of me throughout this journey. I appreciate you coming me with on my monthly check-ups, and even giving me a foot massage after long walks. Thank you for preparing me healthy meals, and for bringing home my favorite Jollibee spaghetti when I craved for it. I may not have a birthday gift for you, but here, in my tummy, is the best gift we have received. Are you ready to share more sleepless nights with me? Let's do this! 

So, what shall we name you, little boy? It's a secret for now, as we're still praying for it. More important than your name, I pray that everything will be healthy and normal for both of us, dear. In Jesus' Name, I claim things will be OK.

You are the perfect gift!

I just turned 26 recently. Wow, I'm already 26, yet baby na baby pa rin ako ng parents ko. 

I'm 26 and in love. Happily in love. 

I'm blessed, overwhelmingly blessed. Last ILC I attended, God affirmed me that He is bigger than all my plans and fears. 

Before I turned 26, I had a crazy birthday wish: A ring. An engagement ring. I know I didn't need one because Lloyd and I will get married anyway, but I just drooled for one. Or maybe I wanted a concrete proof of our love for each other. 

Wish granted

 A few days before my birthday, I unwrapped an advance birthday gift. We found out that I'm already carrying a little one inside me. I tried on a home pregnancy test one morning, and it gave me a "positive" result. Inside me is a concrete proof of our love. We are a family now! I called Lloyd at once, we both trembled with fear. But we're both happy and excited. We both know this is untimely. We originally set the wedding for next year because we didn't have that much savings yet. Now, this! We agreed to let our families know on my birthday. We have a family outing on April 20, and we thought this news might ruin the fun, so we decided to hold it until the 21st. 

So came the family outing. Both our families are there. We enjoyed the entire day, and I really felt this is the most special birthday I've ever had. Amidst the fun, I prayed and thought how will they react when they find out that we'll soon have an addition to the family. Will they get mad at us, because the baby is outside the wedding vows? Or will they be excited for another "bugoy"? 

Accepted

We separately let our parents know. For Lloyd, it was easy, 'cause this is the first apo, if ever. But it was tough for me. Being the unica hija/bunso, you understand why. Lloyd's parents, as soon as they knew, really got excited. They immediately decided to go to our place so we can discuss this. Meanwhile, my mom took it lightly. She just said, "ah, ok! Ok lang!" I bet it was tough for my dad, because I have always been the Papa's girl. But nevertheless, he's excited, too. 

So my birthday was celebrated with an instant pamamanhikan. I just admired how Lloyd did all the talking all throughout. Nanginginig, but humble, straightforward, and he just showed that we wanted this and we do not regret this.  Define kilig, plus joy, plus excitement! Wow! We knew we've always dreamed of this, and now here it is. 

First encounter

I guess it goes along with the pregnancy that I could really be emotionally stressed. Fears and worries are trying to eat me. But two days ago, I had my first check-up, and my first ultrasound. While waiting for my turn, I kept talking to myself "babe, are you still there? hold on tight, ok? Mommy and Daddy love you!" So to relieve me from my fears, I was allowed to listen to the baby's heartbeat. OH IT'S SOOO AMAZING I SWEAR! I couldn't help but cry right there. This is just sooo sweet. 

there you are!

The wedding preparations are now on. Though pressed with time and budget constraints, we're excited. We just got another big reason to really strive hard at work. And this also taught me to take care of myself more. I'm thankful how everyone in the family is taking good care of me. And I'm sure everyone is so excited and would love to see you, little one, soon, in December. :) 

Just one favor, please? After you read this, can you please pray for me and for my little one? So we'll both be healthy until the time we see each other? Salamat ng madami! :)