Friday, July 18, 2008

35th Week

Baby and I had our regular check up earlier today and Dra. De Guia performed an ultrasound to check our little boy's position and to see how he's doing in my tummy.

  • Biparietal Diameter - 9 cm - 36 weeks 4 days
  • Head Circumference - 32 cm - 36 weeks 0 days
  • Abd. Circumference - 31.1 cm - 35 weeks 0 days
  • Femoral Length - 7.2 cm - 36 weeks 4 days
  • Ave. Ultrasonic Age 36 weeks
  • Estimated Fetal Weight - 2753 grams or 6 Lbs 1 Oz

When she saw my tummy, OB said that I seem to be carrying a small baby because my bump is not that pronounced. However, when the ultrasound started, she said na my baby's big daw :-) She even said "Sigurado ka ba na 35 weeks ka lang? :-) ". Baby's bone measurements kasi are one week off the mark. Siempre, worry naman ako because I was really watching my food intake para hindi masyado big si baby. But the doctor said that it's really our boy's bone structure with matching "saka malalaki naman kayong tao na mag-asawa eh." Imagine, stop na ako on sugar niyan ha? Paano pa kaya kung hindi ako tumigil sa sweets? I also found out why my back and hips are aching these days. I am carrying a 6lbs-baby na pala. Since everything is a-okay, instead of coming back for a check up next week, we'll see our OB again in two weeks time. The next time daw, may admitting letter na ako na baon when we go home. Hay. Homestretch na talaga. And speaking of stretch, may lumabas na several stretch marks in my lower tummy. I guess I'm really meant to have them since I was religious in applying body butter naman.

We also purchased a "My Little Bed" co-sleeper for Lucas. We've been choosing between these three kinds:

My Little Bed

Snuggle Nest

First Years

First Years and My Little Bed were both available in SM. We were initially thinking of getting the First Years brand but when hubby saw that it has no bolster pillows, napaisip na siya. He thinks that the one with the pillows is more safe for baby. And we also read some reviews stating that limiting factor sa length of use yung parang harang sa may feet area. Snuggle Nest sana okay rin kasi walang harang, but wala sa SM and I cannot find online sellers. So, it was down to "My Little Bed". Suwerte rin because when we decided na we'll be buying it na, clearance sale sa SM and we got it at 50% off. Not bad

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Chitchat and Birthdays

Long time, no entry. I noticed that it’s been more than a week since my last kuwento. I’ve been busy lately and I can’t find the time to jot something down and update my blog.

Hmm, so what’s new with me? Baby Lucas is now on his 34th week inside my tummy. I can definitely tell when he’s awake and when he’s asleep. He loves moving around in there and what’s really funny is the fact that he somersaults a lot when I am attending a meeting. Maybe, given my relaxed state, I can feel his movements better but still, it makes me smile whenever I am jolted by one of his kicks during meetings. Our weekly check-ups will start this Friday. We’re also up for an ultrasound to check his position. I am kinda scared of stepping up the weighing scale because I gained 21 lbs already and I don’t wanna overshot the normal weight gain during pregnancy. I’m all for a normal delivery that’s why I am cutting down on sugar and other “bad” food, (including chocolates. Sniff. Sniff).

I so miss you T!

Last Thursday, I met with Sheryl and Aggie and had dinner at Clawdaddy’s in High Street FB. Unfortunately, Laurs was swamped with work so she wasn’t able to meet with us. It was an “expectant mom/ titas” meeting as both She’s and Ag’s sister-in-laws are pregnant. So, in one way or another, all three of us are expecting a baby in the family this year. It was also the first baby shower for Lucas as they both gave me gifts for the little boy. (Thanks again She and Ag).

Sunday was a busy day for us as we had two birthday parties to attend. Good thing Tita Olive’s party is for lunch and Miggy’s party is at 3PM. Tita Olive’s celebration was held at Alba’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato. The food was great and the dessert, oh my, really yummy. They served Brazo de Mercedes, banana cream pie and mango tart. I was able to have a few bites of everything (thank you JJ) and I would have loved to have more but I had to stop since I am trying to reduce my sugar intake. JJ kept on telling me, “Sandali na lang naman. Tiis ka na muna.” It was fun to see Kuya Larry’s little girls again and do they love to pose for pictures J

Cutie pie sisters, Laura Mae and Lily Anne

After lunch, we rushed to Muntinlupa to attend my nephew Miggy’s first birthday party. We arrived just in time for the kiddie party. My sister-in-law prepared the kiddie meals herself and commissioned Queensland Catering for the ‘adult’ food. JJ and I weren’t able to eat that much as we were still full from the buffet we had at lunch. But I had the chance to taste the food when I had dinner. I loved the liempo and the chicken pastel dishes.

The guapito birthday boy, Juan Miguel.

And that is how our weekend went by. Oh, and one last thing, Baby Lucas got a gift again that day. My Tita Blyn bought a Graco Play Pen for him. (Thanks Lola Tita By).

Monday, July 7, 2008

Sports Weekend

JJ and I spent our weekend at home since long walks are difficult for me these days. I have to stop and sit down every once in a while when we go out. We spent Saturday and Sunday mornings in bed, I was reading a book I bought just last week and he was either online or playing with his PSP. Afternoons were spent napping and evenings were spent watching our fave sports. Mejo nakakainip pala pag walang lakad (highlight na ata when we tagged along with FIL when he went to Makro for groceries) but after a while I realized that days like the past weekend will be difficult to have once Lucas pops out since we'll be busy with him na.

The Wimbledon Finals and the British Grand Prix were both scheduled last weekend. I am a Nadal and Raikkonen fan. The result of the Wimbledon Finals is more than pleasing but the grand prix results were a little disappointing. I couldn't write what happened in my own words (baka puro shortcuts lang ang masabi ko) so I just plucked articles from websites to describe what happened :-)

RAFA WINS WIMBLEDON

So now we know. For 65 matches spanning six years we have wondered who could possibly be the man to stop Roger Federer on grass, and at Wimbledon. Did such a player exist, or was Federer's elegant supremacy such that the mere idea was the stuff of ridiculous imagination?

On Centre Court on Sunday, imagination took flight. The sporting world trembled on its axis, and mother nature sent out thunderclaps and lightning around the All England Club to herald the extraordinary moment. So remember the date, July 6 2008, the time, 9.15pm, and then shout the name out loud: Rafael Nadal.

Little wonder the Spanish national motto is Plus Ultra – literally, further beyond. If the translation is clumsily ungrammatical, then the legend itself spells out in neon what Nadal achieved. Four weeks to the day since he permitted the Swiss a confidence-mincing total of four games in his clay court kingdom of Roland Garros, Nadal robbed Federer of his most treasured possession, the title that defined him: his Wimbledon crown.

The 22-year-old Majorcan already has four successive French Open victories, but this is his most glittering prize. Three weeks ago at Queen’s he became the first Spaniard to take a grass court title in 36 years. But it is 42 years since a player from his nation conquered the lawns of SW19.

The moment when at last he touched victory hit him like a bullet in the chest. It left him flattened on the turf, eyes squeezed shut, face crumpled. Tears came, and he rolled over into a near-foetal position, before staggering to his feet to acknowledge Federer at the net. But the need to be with those he loves the most was paramount for Nadal, and he clambered the stands to find their embrace, before taking a startling walk over an adjoining roof to receive a handshake from the Spanish crown prince in the royal box.

Little wonder he felt such need for release. All through the match he had contained his confidence, with none of the lavish celebration so habitual to his game. Dozens of times in any given match he can be seen extravagantly rejoicing in some extraordinary shot by swerving away with his left fist clenched, arm pumping, shouting: “Vamos!” But today there was no investment of energy in such wastefulness until late in the final set. Face set in concentration, he permitted himself just an occasional fist-clench of affirmation, until almost the moment he smote the legend.

Who could blame him? Every second of this match was cloaked in spine-tingling tension, and that was just for those who watched. What must it have been like inside Nadal’s skin, to wake on Sunday morning in the knowledge that this was the most important day of his professional life?

Twelve months ago here, he became the only person to have taken Federer to five sets since his grass court streak began in the ancient days of 2003. This year so many voices publicly proclaimed him champion before a ball was struck. But he was facing a man who was bidding to make history, by becoming the first player in 122 years to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon six times in succession. Federer was decreed to be at his most vulnerable, yet no one else here had been able unburden Federer of so much as a set in the whole fortnight. The only outcome no one could envisage was an anti-climax.

On a cool and blustery afternoon, the Centre Court crowd were all but gibbering with anticipation. Arriving on court Nadal looked tense and purposeful; Federer strolled in behind him with a graceful wave to acknowledge the ovation. When umpire Pascal Maria called time, Federer strode at once to the baseline, but Nadal lingered for 10 seconds in his chair, pondering his destiny.

He grasped the first point of the match with a powerful forehand, and it prompted not only long applause but a great murmuring ripple through the crowd, as if some sensational piece of news was being passed among them. Even the sun peered out from the dark skies above, unable to resist the lure of the action.

Moments later the ripple was a roar of astonishment. The match was three games old, but already the Spaniard had a break, and Federer never got it back. It felt as if the mental burden of that Roland Garros evisceration was casting a shadow.

The shadow grew longer when Nadal came back from 1-4 down to take the second 6-4. Federer, the grass court king, was two sets down. If that seemed unreal, it was positively eerie when at 3-3 in the third, Nadal galloped to 0-40.

They felt very much like match points – but all went by. On such chances great matches might hinge. An 80-minute break for rain saw Federer renewed, as if he had remembered that all he had to fear was fear itself. From being dangerously near defeat, he took the set on the tie-break.

The fourth set tie-break was a thing of heart-stopping beauty – heart-stopping in its tension, beautiful in its quality. Twice Nadal held Championship point, and twice heaven passed him by on the other side. Federer took it to a fifth, and here at last Nadal’s destiny lay waiting.

There is no sound like the roar of the Centre Court crowd as it tumbles on to the turf. The great wave of it crashed over Nadal. Was there ever such a final as this? The king is dead; long live the king.

Article from wimbledon.org. Written by Kate Battersby.

KIMI PLACES 4th

Kimi Raikkonen has had a fortunate couple of races and collected 13 points, when he could easily have ended up with nothing. In France he nursed an ailing car to the finish and wasn't asked to pit to remove a flailing piece of machinery. In Britain, he lost his car going backwards out of control towards the pitlane barriers but stopped short.

It was a rare sight to see the Ferrari consistently lapping five or sex seconds slower than the Mclaren, and on one lap he was a whole eight seconds slower than Robert Kubica. This wasn't a case of getting caught out in unforeseen rain, this was a miscalculation of grip and tyre wear by Ferrari.

Lest it be forgot when Raikkonen lost it backwards through Woodcote he had the right tyres on.

Up until the first pit-stops he looked in ominous form but his fall from grace was spectacular.

(from planet-f1.com)

Monday, June 30, 2008

Our 32nd Week and Buntis Goes Out to Dinner

I am now in the 8th month of my pregnancy with Baby Lucas. We had our scheduled pre-natal check up last Friday and everything is okay according to the doctor. We heard our baby's heartbeat (galloping horses galore) and I, so far, gained 21 pounds since I became pregnant. We will be back for an ultrasound (to check baby's position) in three weeks time. From the next check up, our appointments with the OB would be on a weekly basis. Malapit na, as in, malapit na talaga ako manganak. Our hospital bag's already packed with a few items such as the baby blankies that we had washed just last week.

Saturday was the scheduled dinner thingy with Sam (I won in the BPI EPS promo). JJ, sis-in-law and sister accompanied me to Trinoma for the "date". First thing in the agenda was the Bench Shopping Spree. Thousands worth of Bench GCs came with the price package and boy was it difficult to shop. I was having a hard time buying things for myself given my condition and the fact that Bench has no Maternity line. Those assisting us were resigned to handing down XXL-sized clothes to me (yeah, ganyan na ako kalaki ). After a while, I just concentrated on getting stuff for JJ, my parents and my in-laws. After an hour of shopping, I was told by BPI's Kitty that I only have 10 minutes left to shop as my appointment with Bench Fix Salon is in 15 minutes.

I sat at the salon and in 2 seconds, I was told that my hair will be curled and that it would be put up, half-pony style. Before I can even say "ok", the salon person was already starting to curl my hair! Buti na lang ok lang sa akin magpakulot (since I plan to have my hair curled after I give birth). My make up was also done in the same salon. In an hour, I was done. The HMU was okay but it is not that great. JJ even commented that I looked mature. Oh well, for P950, puede na rin :-)

With my Tita Blyn, sis-in-law Eunice, sister Chissa and Iya (hehe) after the HMU. Oo na, I am big na

with hubby ipinag-drive pa ako para makipag-date sa iba.... haha!

Sam's really nice, I guess one would know naman kung kunyari lang na mabait yung other person. My sister and I were basically asking "Da-Buzz" questions hehe We didn't have pics with him in our camera (at least ako wala) because we have a photographer (it comes with the BPI price package rin) and she took most of the pictures. Will post it here when I get them from her.

Eunice and Sam

Chissa and Sam

Tita By and Sam

One thing pala that ruined our day is the mall's parking system. My tita's car kasi won't start (she left the headlights on or something) so we have to go back and help her. She parked sa rooftop ng Mindanao Parking. Grabe pala ang tagal lumabas sa parking area nila around 930PM. Promise, it took more than 30 minutes for us to get out of the parking area. Yun pala, they just have 1 booth wherein you'll pay. Ohmy! When we asked her kung talagang isa lang ba yung booth, she said that there's another one sa Third Floor. But we didn't see it (or baka sa kabilang side lang). Hay, since we're from the South, feeling ko we won't be back in Trinoma for a long time. And if ever bumalik kame, mag-MRT na lang kme

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Sad...

I am sure that most of you have been reading the same frontpage headlines since Monday. MV Princess of the Stars, capsized, 800++ passengers, less than 100 survivors, this agency blames another group, why was it allowed to sail? etc. etc.

While I've been asking some of the same questions myself, I cannot help but feel for the families of those who lost their lives. Let's all say a prayer for:

  • the lola who has 15 relatives on-board the ship and so far, not even one included in the survivor list
  • the teenage girl whose parents and 4 other siblings were on-board
  • the husband, whose wife and children were on the ship
  • the boss, who sent 5 staff to do some work in a branch in Cebu. Only one is listed as a survivor. No news on the other 4 as of the moment.
  • the little girl holding a picture of his dad, who works as a crew for the boat
  • and the rest of the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May they all be given the strength and may their faith in God remain strong.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Our 30th Week

Countdown: At least 7 more weeks (hopefully) before Lucas pops out.

JJ and I started shopping for baby stuff and things we’d need in the hospital. Side kuwento: My mom was always telling me that I shouldn’t shop for Lucas before I turn 7 months (pamahiin, I think). So following her advice, I only started collating baby checklists on week 28. Week 29, I visited my parents and the first thing my mom tells me, “O, anak. Dapat complete na gamit ni baby. Kahit yung dadalhin lang sa hospital. Anytime kasi puede ka na manganak”. Nyak! I was like, “Ma, 1 week pa lang ako 7 months eh”. Mommies talaga But then I assured her that we will start shopping by week 30. Naku, Friday night, may mega-long SMS pa yung mom ko on what we should buy. Hay, sayang talaga that my mom cannot join us sa shopping due to her condition. Mas masaya sana

Week 30: Our first stop was SM Makati. I was told that the best place to buy baby stuff is in SM or Landmark pa rin. Coming from Park Square 1 parking, the walkway to SM will lead you to the children’s/ infants’ section of SM. Ikot ikot kami ni JJ and while checking out First Years baby products, the saleslady asked us if we’re shopping for baby. She informed us that I can register sa kanila and then everything included in my registry will be at 10% discount (sis Clarice from N@wie also told me about this). Even the stuff that we’ll be purchasing that day will be at 10% discount rin. Not bad right? Thinking that my baby shower will be in 3 weeks time, I listed that event na lang. So, I filled up the form and we were told to choose the items na and bring the items back to the registry counter for them to include the items in the list. JJ and I really want to avail of the 10% discount so we chose items that we’d be buying rin talaga kahit walang magbigay kay Lucas. Saya saya mag-shopping ha pero siempre pigil pigil rin because yung mga saleslady kanya-kanyang push ng product nila. We just bought the stuff we’d be needing sa hospital and several other items like sterilizer, nursing bib, diapers and other consumables. The other items, di na muna namin binili but we had included in our registry. We’ll be back na lang after the baby shower to purchase the items that Lucas will not get. We’re not really planning to register naman but since there’s a 10% discount, ok na since bibilhin at bibilhin din naman naming yung most of the items sa list. We only bought several sets of newborn clothes (specially yung mga pambahay) for Lucas pala kasi marami siyang nakuhang hand-me-downs from his cousins (from Ate Michelle’s boys and yung mga nalakihan ng 2 nephews ko). Buti na lang all-boys sila Hehe. Kaya dami dami cute na socks, etc ni Lucas. Ipapalaba na lang namin one of these days.

This weekend, we plan to arrange Lucas’ stuff sa cabinet niya and to pack na rin our hospital bag. Nyay, malapit na talaga ako manganak!

Sunday was Father’s Day. It was JJ’s first father day Mas masaya siguro next year kasi Lucas will be out of my tummy na to greet his daddy. Sunday kasi kicks lang ang bati niya kay JJ eh. We had lunch at my parent’s house (as usual, stars na naman ang mga nephews ko. kakaaliw talaga sila!) and we’re back at my in-laws in time for dinner. To JJ, daddypops, dadi Gani , my brother TJ and all daddies out there, Happy Father’s Day!

Sunday night, Nadal beat Djokovic in the Finals of the Artois Championships. Ha! Did I mention that it’s a grass court tournament? Well, Roger won a grass tourney rin in Germany but according to reports, he didn’t face anyone from the Top 10. Oh, I cannot wait for Wimbledon. Start na next week!

Random Pics:

Me at 27 weeks (I think).

Matty ogling the cake.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Hope Rafa wins...

Today is the French Open Men's Semis and the match between Nadal and Djokovic is one of the most anticipated matches in the clay court. I am a Nadal fan so I am rooting for Rafa to clinch a slot in the Finals. Here's the match preview from the French Open website:

Day 13 - Match of the day: Rafael Nadal – Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal
Spain
VS.
Novak Djokovic
Serbia
BACKGROUND
Rafael Nadal has been unbeaten in his 26-match career here at Roland Garros. If that were not impressive enough, in none of those was he pushed to five sets. He is the king of clay, the master of his art, and his outstanding performance in his first five matches (25 games lost, an Open era record) only serves to reinforce his commanding status. The Spaniard is far and away the favourite to win. Winner of the Australian Open and of the Masters Series at Indian Wells and Rome, Novak Djokovic has been the in-form player in first part of the 2008 season. To such an extent that the Serb, like Nadal, can consider himself to be a serious contender for Federer’s number one crown. From this perspective, if he shocks Nadal, he will move closer to the top spot. He has the weapons to worry the Spaniard, as he proved here last year in the semi-finals, but he still lost in straight sets…
CURRENT FORM
Outstanding. Rafa has been suffering from blisters on his foot since Rome and he still wears a protective bandage but as he said himself, he is physically in excellent condition. Just ask any one his five defeated opponents, especially Nicolas Almagro who was crushed 6-1 6-1 6-1 in the quarter-finals. Nadal has perhaps never been as strong at Roland Garros. Nole lost the first set he played at the tournament, to the German Gremelmayr. Since then he has become stronger with every round. The Serb played a very good quarter final in what could have been a tricky match against one of the surprise stars of the tournament, Ernests Gulbis. But he made an even better impression in his fourth round clash with Paul-Henri Mathieu. He is in good physical form, but questions could be asked about his mental freshness, after playing, and winning, so much in the first five months of the year.
STRENGTH
We are getting to know Nadal’s strengths very well. Firstly, he is extremely strong physically. His footwork and movement are exceptional, as is his stamina. But he also has an almost superhuman eye and anticipation. His cover of the ground is unmatched by anyone on the tour, he is mentally unshakeable and his confidence is sky-high. Add to that his devastating top-spin forehand, his great touch on the ball (ah, those drop shots…) and the fact that he’s a left-hander means that his opponents have practically no solution. Djokovic, like Nadal, has no weaknesses and is a force to be reckoned with. A great server with a fantastic first serve percentage and brilliant return, Nole has a destructive forehand and a solid backhand. His shots are very difficult to read and he can play inside-out shots or crossing shots at will, on the forehand or on the backhand. He is comfortable at the net and has improved his stamina over the last year. The man from Belgrade overflows with ambition and his confidence rocketed after his win in Melbourne.
TACTICS
Nadal is already being compared with Björn Borg, even though the Spaniard does not welcome this comparison. But, like the Swede, he seems indestructible. We have yet to see any mistakes in his game here at Roland Garros and he has never shown any signs of weakness, even against Federer or against those rare players who have tested him, like Puerta or Mathieu. If Rafa plays at his best level and moves quickly into the lead, he will win. It is almost a certainty. Djokovic is not afraid of anything, but nevertheless he faces a huge hurdle. He will have to connect again and again, take risks, vary his game, come to the net…in short he will have to play some exceptional tennis in order to win. If he wants to keep the scores level he will have to get a large percentage of his first serves in. The first set will, without a doubt, be vital. He will have to take the lead rapidly in order to sow the seed of doubt in Rafa’s mind.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Nadal leads 7-3 in his head-to-head with Djokovic. In last year’s semi finals here at Roland Garros, the Mighty Mallorcan blew Djokovic away in 7-5 6-4 6-2, despite a strong start by the Serb. Even at Wimbledon, just afterwards, Rafa was stronger. On clay the head-to-head is even clearer cut: 4-0 to Nadal. Djokovic has beaten his opponent three times, each time outside on hard court. This year at Indian Wells he won 6-3 6-2. He also showed great resistance against the Spaniard in their last clash at Hamburg. Nadal won 7-5 2-6 6-2, but it was undoubtedly one of the most spectacular clay-court matches of the year.

Go Nadal!