Birthday Invite

Join us in Celebrating our birthday on the 27th of October at 7:00 pm at The Landmark Hotel Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok. It will be held on the 31st Floor.

Created by: Sisterette Judee

Chubby cheeks

Jasmine Audrey

Latest picture from our Sisterette Brenda and her hubby Jo. She looks like her mom. And she's big for her age. Thank God both of them are ok.

Changing Relationships

How being pregnant changed my relationship with those close to me?

Even more I understand my parents and my friends with children. I appreciate all the things that my parents had done for us to be able to live comfortably. The values that they shared with us made me a better person. I remember how irritated I am every time my mom talked to me over and over to study hard, get good grades, to value money, to live within our means, to be satisfied with what we have and to strive to get the things that we want in life and not to step on someone's foot. Those were the days, and I'm very thankful that she kept on reminding us until I finally realized. I made a promise to myself that I will strive and do my best for my family. Just like what she did for us. She's my inspiration. She had set a good example to me.

How being pregnant is different from what I expected?

Who would not love being pregnant? I love it so much that sometimes it made me so paranoid, a lot of things kept bugging me although I kept on thinking of happy thoughts. I'm nervous if I don't feel my baby's movements. During my first trimester, I was praying that he/she's doing well in my tummy since I can't feel his/her movements nor see him/her at that time. I've been wondering how he/she's been. I didn't expect to feel that way. I was so petrified with the things I've been watching and reading. The only things that made me secure were the check-ups and ultrasounds. If it's possible to have an ultrasound every visit we will do that in order to check him/her. I was planning to buy a Doppler but I know it would make me more fearful. All I can do is pray to God that our li'l bundle of joy is doing well. We waited for two years to have our first baby.

How I am feeling about myself and being pregnant?

I'm in great joy. Being pregnant is such a miracle and a wonderful gift from above. I couldn't wait for the big day. I'm no expert on this field. But surely, I can handle it with my husband. It would be a great experience once he/she arrives doing things the first time.

Time flies so fast, I am enjoying every bit of my journey through pregnancy.

Special Moments

Things I most enjoy doing for myself

Expressing my feelings, opinions, etc. thru my live journal at Blog. Canvassing for baby stuff, surfing the net about Parenthood, learning new things. Doing my digital Scrap booking.

I take time for myself by

Canvassing for baby stuff. Going out alone for shopping.

What's Ahead?

I'm not attending any childbirth classes, since we decided to have a Caesarian Section. We already talked to our ob and discussed the pros and cons of both sides.

Useful Information

If I'll have a normal delivery, I will attend a Bradley or Lamaze classes with my husband.

Keeping Up

Comments about my visit to my caregiver

On our last visit we asked him if I could have the GTT and he said this is the best time to be checked on that. That was Thursday when I had it and the nurse called me for an appointment with the endocrinologist. It turned out that I have Gestational Diabetes.

A Special Note to my Baby

I have been thinking about you all the time and been dreaming about you ever since I found out. I have high hopes and dreams for you, I have a lot of things that I want to do with you, your papa and I have been talking to you every night and he's been reading Disney story, he's teaching you some addition, subtraction, multiplication. During the day I keep on talking to you and telling you how much we love you and that we're excited to see you.

I would like you to know that we will do our very best to give you the very best of everything. But we don't want you to be spoiled. We will be here for you to guide, protect and mold you to be the person you want to be. We will support you in every step/endeavor you'll make.

BABY'S FIRST MOVEMENTS

We first felt our baby sometime at the end of my 4th month. It was Wednesday afternoon. The doctor said it was not our baby who moved, some organs in my body or bowel movement.

I first felt my baby move

Around the end of 4th and 5th month, it was very noticeable esp. at night. During this time, we usually enjoy him/her doing some acrobats and flutter.

If felt like? someone is practicing gymnastics. He/she's probably doing some somersault. Hubby said someone is playing baseball. Hehehe

How long it was before someone else could feel my baby move?

Nobody feels my baby's movement yet, because most of the time, she/he's active during the night. In the morning, we're busy.

First Look

My first ultrasound was at Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok Thailand on May 28, 2004 in the morning, attending Physician is Dr. Pongsak.


How I felt about the ultrasound? We didn't want to convince ourselves that we're pegnant, but when the doctor started the ultrasound and said that there's a life in there, we were in high spirits, the joy that we experienced on that very moment was something that we couldn't forget for the rest of our lives. I did cry, not because I'm sad, but because we were so blessed to have our baby. He/she was indeed a Miracle from God.

First Look

I wanted to know the gender of the baby because we want to start calling our baby with his/her name, we have names already about a year ago, and we want to buy the exact color for the baby.

My disappearing Waistline

(My Second Trimester)

What I am really enjoying about being pregnant?

Knowing that you're bringing a new life in this world, it's a magnificent experience. Being able to feel his/her kick and flutter and familiarize with his/her pattern of wakefulness and sleep. Knowing that in a few months you'll be able to cuddle your baby. Wow! I can't wait for that moment.

I'm done with my second trimester.

Things that happened

I've been dreaming about my baby and I'm excited to see him/her on our next ultrasound, I was hoping to see him/her last Aug. 2 but the only thing that we did with our ob was to check our baby's heartbeat with a Doppler, the rate is 149 BPM which is within the range. We'll have to wait till Aug. 30, which is my 20th week for an ultrasound, hopefully we can confirm our baby's gender by then, so we could start shopping for baby's stuff. I'm also excited to see the baby clothes that my mother in-law bought from the States.

Changes I have noticed about my body?

I've always anticipated any changes in my body, if you happen to see me now, you'll definitely say that I'm pregnant and I'm happy for that. There are no changes on my face, it's still the same I don't know if it'll stay the same, I've heard about the nose getting bigger, mine is still the same. Some of my pre-pregnancy clothes aren't fit. Good thing we bought some maternity pants and some of my polo-shirt still fits me. I noticed that I couldn't sit for a long time, without standing once in awhile. I feel a tingling sensation on my tummy.

Another Shot

We went back to our endoc. last Tuesday and was advised to add more shots before bedtime. It's exasperating, but I got no choice. Although I was doing the monitoring of food and is aware of what I ate. It seems that we really have to adjust the shots. Right now I have 4 units each of N and R. If this doesn't work, we have to adjust again.

Hope everything goes well.

It ain't over til the fat lady sings!

I can't express how deeply sad I am these days. My husband's boss talked to him last Thursday night regarding his project that might end on November or December. Although we anticipate it would happen sooner or later. We're more concerned now cause we're having a baby. And we want to keep the job as much as possible. Who would not want the best for their offspring? All we can do now, is pray to God for the extension until December.

Que sera sera
Whatever will be, will be.

But if it's time to move on, we have to move on. I just love Thailand. And if there's an offer again here we'll definitely grab it. We still don't know where our second project would be. We're confident that God has a better plan for us.

We're still ambivalent if we're going home on December or stay here until I give birth.

Certainly, It ain't over til the fat lady sings!

First concert in Bangkok together

Eagles Live in Bangkok(Oct.15-16,2004)

We were excited yesterday for the Eagles’ concert. I was busy updating my blog around 2-3 pm and decided to take a nap for an hour. But I can’t sleep. Perhaps, I’m excited about the concert and edgy if we could get a cab after the concert.

We started preparing around 4:15 pm. I took a bath and hubby did the cleaning of dishes, since I was the one who cooked our lunch. We were ready at 5 pm and took a cab to Muang Thong Thani Impact Arena. It took us about 30 minutes only to get there. We have no expectations on the said place because it was our first time. I talked to myself that I won’t spoil the night. We ate dimsums however we didn’t like it, I was expecting a taste similar to MK. So we dined at McDonald’s. I was aware that my sugar level will sky-rocket, and it did, it was 170.

Back to the concert, we didn’t expect to see our OB there. He was seated about 5 rows from us on the same bracket. I was relieved. If there’s any emergency, he was there to assist us.

The concert started at 8:15 pm. It was a superb performance! They sang around 30 songs. Most of the songs that we know were performed. They still have amazing voices. While having a short break, we said our hellos to our OB and he came to us and talked about my pregnancy particularly my Gestational Diabetes. He reassured us that everything will be fine, as long as I follow the advise of my endoc and control my food intake.

The concert ended at 11:30 pm. After singing Desperado, we left immediately so we could walk around since I was seated for a long time. Luckily, we were able to get a cab after just a short walk. We arrived home at 12:10 am. Hubby wants to listen to the Eagles on DVD but I told him to do it the next day as the songs from the concert might not sink in.

Thoughts to Ponder

· Many people are afraid of growing old. I'm afraid of growing old and boring. Many people are afraid of growing old, alone. I'm afraid of growing old, insane. Many people are afraid of losing their looks. I'm afraid of losing my dreams. Many people are afraid of losing their youth. I'm afraid of losing my soul.

· When you're 15, 35 seems ancient. When you're 35, 15 seems juvenile. A turn around in a split second - two decades zoom past and before you know it, it's only a mile to the next millennium. Don't fear age - it's a right of person hood. Don't fear death it’s God’s greatest jest. Don't grow old - you don't have to.

· Don't date because you're desperate. Don't marry because you're miserable. Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior. Don't separate because you think it's fashionable. Don't drink because you have troubles. Don't gamble because you think winning is inevitable. Don't philander because you think you're irresistible. Most likely, you're not.

· Don't associate with people you can't trust. Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend. Don't try to buy your way into the kingdom of God. Don't dictate because you're smarter. Don't demand because you're stronger. Don't sleep around because you think you're old enough and know better. Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder. Don't sell yourself, your family or your ideals.

· Don't stagnate. Don't regress. Learn a new skill. Find a new friend. Start a new career. Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or anyone back. Don't put your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking and you can't afford to have your eggs harvested before the new millennium.

· There's always a mad rush to something, somewhere, but victory does not always belong to those who finish first. Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions. You can't always go with the throng who could be wrong. Sometimes, you have to be alone to be enlightened.

· To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless. To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy. To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy. Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons. To keep yourself warm, buy a jacket. In the long run, it will be less complicated and less costly. To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.

· Simplify your life. Take away the clutter. Get rid of destructive elements - abusive friends, nasty habits and dangerous liaisons. Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty. Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family. Be true to yourself. Don't commit when you're not ready. Don't keep others waiting needlessly. Fall in love - it's the greatest thing on earth. But take care and remember, after the fall must come the rise.

· Go on that trip. Don't postpone it. Say those words. Don't let the moment pass. Do what you must even at society's scorn. Write poetry. Love deeply. Walk barefoot. Hold hands. Dance with wild abandon. Cry at the movies. Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take care of you. You light up your life. You drive yourself to your destination. No one completes you - except you.

· It is true that life doesn't get easier with age. It only gets more challenging. Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love. Pursue your passions. Live your dreams. Don't lose faith in God. Don't grow old. Just grow up.

Lucky Me

I usually express how I feel to my husband, even though there were times that I'm a control freak. I am so lucky to have him and I couldn't ask for more. His patience in dealing with my ups and downs made me realize how blessed I am to have him.

He always accompanied me on my check-ups ever since I found out I'm pregnant. He's there for me at all times. He deals well with my mood swings and comprehend each other. At times, my conscience knocks me off especially when I do or say something stupidly. My pregnancy shouldn't be an excuse to act differently. I was messed up with some issues right now. He told me he'll prolong his patience for the duration of my pregnancy, he'll try not to over react over petty quarrels which were mostly started by me.

What made me a Drama Queen?

Last October 7, 2004 while chatting w/ the Nantiruj Sisterettes, I burst into tears while explaining to them the result of my blood sugar. And how I felt when I told my hubby not to give me any present on my birthday because of the cost of my medicines. Despite that, we went to inquire for handbags at Chanel, Gucci, Salvatore, LV and Tod’s.

Yesterday, October 12, 2004, after going to the hospital we went straight to post office to send the parcel to my cousin in the States. I forgot to bring some scotch tape and pentel pen that made me angry, as the staff there didn't have any. Anyway, everything wasn't well. Hubby and I had a fight. He didn't like my attitude of being bossy. I was trying to control my emotions but I couldn't. I even told him to write on the box, as my hands were shaking. Guess I have to attend Anger Management or blame it on my hormones.

Depressing result

We went back to my endoc yesterday to check if my blood sugar is good enough, unfortunately, she told me that I have to add more insulin shots in the evening, so it would be one in the morning and one in the evening. The results were fluctuating and very depressing, there were days when it’s normal, and days that weren't. I think I have to modify my diet even more, cut back more on carbs instead of 6 servings, I'll have 3 servings. I have to restrain from taking smoothies which is my favorite esp. lychee and cantaloupe. I usually have it once a week. According to my endoc the normal range for me is 95 (fasting in the morning) and 140 (one hour after meal). I'm a carbo addict before and when I tried taking the south beach diet last March until April, my weight went down and I lost about 20 pounds. Certainly, that's the reason why I got pregnant last April.

I will be going back to my endoc next Tuesday for a follow-up check-up, hopefully, by then the result is acceptable.

Baseball fans

My Hubby always gets up early in the morning this past few weeks to watch Baseball. He's so sensitive in not turning up the volume of the television while I am still asleep. He waits until I get up and would ask me if I won't go back to sleep. Little things that I noticed on him that made me so happy to have him.

I also enjoy watching baseball games, so sad that the Anaheim Angels didn't make it. But I'm hoping that the Red Sox could make it and the Cardinals. Oh.... We love the Yankees too (but it’s time to give others a chance).

Brenda gave birth

Johannes texted us informing that his wife Brenda gave birth via CS last Saturday. I informed all the sisterettes based in Thailand about the good news.

We called her this afternoon to congratulate her and Jo. She sounds groggy. Jasmine is fine and she's going to the nursery room to breastfeed her. She might stay in the hospital for 4 days.

Baiyoke Sky Birthdays Celebration

Denise and Agnes diva, had their birthdays at Baiyoke Sky. We arrived around 7PM and met at the lobby, we went straight to the 78th floor for a dinner buffet. All were present. It was very entertaining for us and for the kids because of the clowns, magicians and musicians (Filipinos) who sang the birthday song for the celebrants. Denise didn't expect to receive a gift from the Sisterettes. It was a nice shirt!

On the other hand, we were teasing Agnes about the gift that we bought for her. It was a pair of Swarovski crystal earrings and a Winnie the Pooh stuff toy. We were jokingly saying to bring Pooh on her European trip. She was just a sport and we were all laughing the whole time.

I was full, but managed to keep out of carbo. We left past 10 in the evening.

Off to Manila

Agnes and Rolex left this morning. We went downstairs to say our goodbyes and congratulate them for their upcoming church wedding. Our husbands helped Rolex loading their luggages. We hugged each other tears started rolling, before we knew it, we were all crying. Surely, we'll miss them.

Must Haves for the Newborn Baby

Infants Staple RTW
3 side ties -long sleeves, 6 tie-sides - short sleeves, 1 sweater, 6 binders (optional), 72 diapers, 6 safety pins or diaper clips, 2 plastic panties, 6 bibs, 2 booties, 4 mittens, 2 bonnets or caps

Necessities for Breastfeeding
12 nursing pads, 1 breast pump, 1 nipple shield

Baby Needs
1 baby lotion, 1 baby oil, 1 absorbent cotton, 1 baby powder, 1 mild soap, 1 soap dish, 1 nursery jar set, 1 bath tub, 1 sterilizer, 12 formula bottles,12 nipples, 3 nipple covers (optional), 1 tong, 1 bottle brush, 1 jar for boiled water, 1 airpot, 1 bottle warmer, 1 seater/carrier, 1 feeding spoon,1 bowl, 1 mug, 1 food grinder (for infants 2 months and older)

Infant Linens
4 fitted crib sheet, 3 crib pads, 6 receiving blankets, 2 comforters, 1 pillow, 2 bolster pillows, 3 pillow cases, 6 bolster cases, 1 mosquito net for crib, 2 batch towels, 6 wash cloths, 1 nursery bag, 1 rubber sheet

Children Furniture
1 crib, 1 crib mattress, 1 nursery cabinet, 1 crib bumper, 1 nursery lamp, 1 stroller (3 months and above) 1 high chair ( 5 months and above), 1 walker (6 months and above), 1 playpen (6 months and above)

Toys
1 crib mobile, 1 rattle, 1 teether, 1 squeeze toy, 1 kicker for gym exercise, 1 activity center

Price of Carelessness

It's confirmed that I have Gestational Diabetes, this occurs about 3 to 5 percent of all pregnant women. It's a different type of type 1 diabetes where the body produces no insulin and insulin must be injected, and from the more common type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes suffer from varying levels of insulin resistance and may control blood glucose levels through diet and exercise, with oral medication, or with insulin injections.

Gestational diabetes usually develops about midway through pregnancy, at about 20 to 24 weeks, and is caused by the changes in hormones in our body during pregnancy. In addition to supplying our baby with nutrients and water from our circulation, the placenta produces a number of hormones vital to the pregnancy. Some of these have a blocking effect on insulin. As the placenta grows larger, the more hormones are produced, and the greater the insulin resistance becomes. In most women, the pancreas is able to make additional insulin to overcome this insulin resistance. When the pancreas makes all the insulin it can, and there still isn't enough to overcome the effect of the placenta's hormones, gestational diabetes results.

These are the steps that I will do to help achieve a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby:

* Follow an appropriate meal plan
* Frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (4X/day)
* Administering insulin injections and knowing how to adjust the dosage depending on results of SMBG (30 minutes before breakfast, 1 time)
* Controlling/treating hypoglycemia
* Adding or maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity (treadmill for 30 mins.)

I will be doing the self-monitoring of blood glucose, or SMBG. I was advised to monitor at least four times a day. It requires a drop of my blood (from a finger stick) and a home glucose monitor. I already bought the equipment called One Touch Ultra.

I will need to take insulin shots, since pregnant women cannot take oral anti-diabetes medications, since the safety of those medications during pregnancy has not been established. I should use only human insulin, since the use of insulin analogs has not been adequately tested in pregnant women.
My body's need for insulin is going to steadily increase throughout my pregnancy. My insulin dose may have to be adjusted upward periodically; it may also have to be recalculated as we (my baby and I ) get bigger. I will have to log the result every time I prick.

We will go back to my endoc. next week to see If I am responding on the medicines.

Couple's Shower Party

We had the shower party for Rolex and Agnes last Saturday around 7PM. We arrived around 630PM since we picked-up the cake which was ready around that time. When we came to Somerset, Nila, Jovy and Judee were busy preparing the food and the place. The balloons were in place, they were busy cooking "Lumpiang Shanghai". Some of the sisterettes were watching the Thailand Open semi-final round. We decided to have dinner while waiting for the other sisterettes. They arrived around 9PM. had dinner and started with the games, hosted by Agnes.

The party was a blast! Games that we had were Charade, Word Jumble, Snap the strap, How long is your carrot and Ambush for Rolex and Agnes.

Kinky stuff
Rolex licked the b??bs on the cake, while Agnes licked the p???s on the cake. Yummy!!!

Hey, grow up! (hehehe)
After the gift-guessing game for Agnes, the group started to put some cake on each other. May and Denise's place looked like a disaster area with all the bits of cakes everywhere.

Hand in Hand
Everybody was cleaning the place after the messy cake got into our face and body. The place was a total chaos.

Watch out for pics. (Coming Soon!)

Pinoy Food

Dante will be arriving today from Manila for a Business trip. We asked him if he could bring some pinoy food from my in-laws and he said ok. We will be meeting him this evening. Yehey! Finally, we can eat tocino, longanisa,TJ Hotdog and daing na bangus. Yummy!

Out of the Loop

I'm out of circulation these days because of the following.

* I had my Glucose Screening Test last Thursday. We arrived before 7AM and had my first shot (blood extracted from my arm) and took a glass of water w/ sugar and lemon. The second shot came after an hour so we decided to walk around the hospital. We visited the dental section since hubby's tooth needs to be filled, he made an appointment with the doctor around 9AM. The dental cost was pricey for a tooth filling. While waiting for his appointment we decided to visit the nursery room at the 6/f. I peer elatedly seeing those babies on their pink and blue blankets, their tiny hands and feet. It made us giggle.

* We went back after an hour for my second shot and had my urine for testing. Hubby went to the dentist and came back after 45 mins.

* Total shots were 4. We left the hospital around past 10 AM. and had lunch at Soi 5 (Thai Restaurant). After lunch, I went to the mall to buy something for the couple's shower party and arrived home around 7PM.

* I received a call from the hospital informing us that I should go and see an endocrinologist on Monday (10/4/04).

* I was able to buy some maternity clothes in Central Chitlom last Friday.

Christmas around the corner

The BER months are here. When I was in Manila, this is the best time to start putting the Christmas décor with my siblings. By this time I have my shopping list ready for my family, relatives, friends and godchildren. I have updated the list of my godchildren's age and size incase I will buy them shirts or pants. Mall sales are everywhere starting October.

I miss Christmas holidays in the Philippines. With "Simbang Gabi", puto bumbong, bibingka and chaa". Christmas décor, songs and parties are everywhere too.

3 more months to go

Our OB didn’t perform the ultrasound instead he asked me to lie down so he can check our baby’s heartbeat. Immediately when he put the doppler on my tummy, we heard his/her heartbeat at the rate of 150 BPM, like a galloping horse indeed. It’s perfect!

Things we discussed during our routine check-up

1. pros and cons of normal delivery and caesarian section. (we made the decision a long time ago, but it becomes stronger when we talk to our friends and ob)

2. Ballpark for normal and CS (roughly if will cost us around 78K(ThBaht)


3. If we could select a date and time of delivery incase of CS (We can choose for date and time, as long as he/she’s 38 ½ weeks)

4. Edema (nothing that he can do about it, if I don’t control my weight)


5. Pain on my lower abdomen (normal since the baby is growing and my tummy is expanding)

6. Glucose Test (I’ll have it done this coming Thursday, we’ll be there from 7AM until 10 AM, I wonder how excruciating it will be for me and my baby and to my hubby since he will accompany me.


7. Birth Plan (I have my birth plan already, I’ll just have to print it and submit it to my ob, one of our request is for my hubby to cut the cord.