| Start: | Nov 29, '08 |
| End: | Dec 1, '08 |
| Location: | Cuenca Covered Court and St. James parking lot, AAV |
Monday, October 27, 2008
St. James Bazaar
Monday, October 20, 2008
OGTT and CBC results
I called my doctor's clinic this afternoon to check if my results were already forwarded by the lab. The nurse immediately told me that my blood sugar is normal--THANK GOD! That means NO GESTATIONAL DIABETES. I'm still a candidate for normal delivery! Yay!
However, my CBC results say that my iron is low. Odd though considering I take my Natalbes on an empty stomach (it's the first thing I do immediately when I wake up). My doctor will probably give me more iron tablets or change my pre-natal vitamins. I'll see her again probably on the 15th.
The whole day though, Sebastian kept on poking the right side of my stomach. I kept on rubbing my side and was quietly asking my baby to move a little bit to ease the ache. My stomach's better now but I think the baby's still settling down for the night.
However, my CBC results say that my iron is low. Odd though considering I take my Natalbes on an empty stomach (it's the first thing I do immediately when I wake up). My doctor will probably give me more iron tablets or change my pre-natal vitamins. I'll see her again probably on the 15th.
The whole day though, Sebastian kept on poking the right side of my stomach. I kept on rubbing my side and was quietly asking my baby to move a little bit to ease the ache. My stomach's better now but I think the baby's still settling down for the night.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Childbirth Classes
We had our second session of our childbirth classes yesterday. Since Leo just arrived from Jakarta yesterday morning, he did not join me as he hasn't slept yet. Fortunately, there were three other women there without partners so I did not feel left out.
The classes are really informative and one can really learn a lot. I treasure the exercises that I learned to relieve lower back pain and our exercise ball here at home is my new favourite chair. We were also taught breathing techniques to get through the contractions during labor--one I hope that I would remember when my actual labor happens.
I'm already on my 26th week and my third trimester is fast approaching--the last stretch of my pregnancy. I'm very excited to meet this baby that's making his presence felt more each day. The movements are getting more pronounced and the kicks are getting stronger. I can feel his movements more during morning and before I go to sleep each night. He's pretty well-behaved as when I ask him to rest (especially when I'm going to sleep), he follows my suggestion. I hope he's this well-behaved when he comes out.
We still haven't finished shopping for the baby. One of Leo's maternal aunts was kind enough to send us a Graco car seat/carrier. We still kept it inside the box as it'll be three more months before we can use it. I think we can find a stroller that will match the car seat and probably the crib will match as well. Nothing like a matched set to keep the OC in me and Leo happy.
We were at Town Center this morning and we kept passing by the Baby Couture store. There was this diaper bag (blue, brown and white stripes) that I've always kept my eye on but was having second thoughts of buying. Maybe because I'm hoping that someone will give it to me as gift (hint hint hint!). :) Anyway, I can always buy it last minute as it's not a big purchase anyway.
The classes are really informative and one can really learn a lot. I treasure the exercises that I learned to relieve lower back pain and our exercise ball here at home is my new favourite chair. We were also taught breathing techniques to get through the contractions during labor--one I hope that I would remember when my actual labor happens.
I'm already on my 26th week and my third trimester is fast approaching--the last stretch of my pregnancy. I'm very excited to meet this baby that's making his presence felt more each day. The movements are getting more pronounced and the kicks are getting stronger. I can feel his movements more during morning and before I go to sleep each night. He's pretty well-behaved as when I ask him to rest (especially when I'm going to sleep), he follows my suggestion. I hope he's this well-behaved when he comes out.
We still haven't finished shopping for the baby. One of Leo's maternal aunts was kind enough to send us a Graco car seat/carrier. We still kept it inside the box as it'll be three more months before we can use it. I think we can find a stroller that will match the car seat and probably the crib will match as well. Nothing like a matched set to keep the OC in me and Leo happy.
We were at Town Center this morning and we kept passing by the Baby Couture store. There was this diaper bag (blue, brown and white stripes) that I've always kept my eye on but was having second thoughts of buying. Maybe because I'm hoping that someone will give it to me as gift (hint hint hint!). :) Anyway, I can always buy it last minute as it's not a big purchase anyway.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
OGTT - The New Torture
Being on my 6th month, my OB ordered a new batch of tests for me--OGTT or Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is one of them.
I had the same test last July during my first trimester and I hated it then. Since I was nauseous, it took so much from me to prevent myself from throwing up as if I do so, I have to drink the whole damn thing all over again and it's really unpleasant. Just remembering the taste makes me want to throw up. The taste is like Royal Tru Orange with double the sugar. Right now, I just want to avoid anything orangy.
Since Leo is in Jakarta, I had to go through the whole thing alone. I brought my DS with me and a couple of books which I was not able to read as I was pretty much preoccupied by my DS. Since the test requires fasting, I was ravenous when I was done at 1130. I was actually at the hospital at 730 but due to the great number of people who were there first thing in the morning due to blood test fasting, it took awhile before my name as called.
Much to my regret though, the MT who took my blood did a poor job in doing the first draw. This year alone, I've been prodded and pricked so many times that I've grown immune to needles and blood already. However, it really HURT when she did the extraction. Up to now my arm is sore and the vein looks swollen. She took two vials from that vein and it absolutely hurts! For the next draw, I asked that they extract from my right arm instead. But after the 3rd draw, my right arm was hurting as well so I asked them to draw from my sore left arm again with the request that they look for another vein. You can just imagine my relief after that last draw.
Belatedly, I was thinking if it was possible that they just inserted a heparin lock and just draw blood from there every hour. Is it possible or is it for injection purposes only?
Anyway, I need a nap to sleep away the effects of the fasting.
I had the same test last July during my first trimester and I hated it then. Since I was nauseous, it took so much from me to prevent myself from throwing up as if I do so, I have to drink the whole damn thing all over again and it's really unpleasant. Just remembering the taste makes me want to throw up. The taste is like Royal Tru Orange with double the sugar. Right now, I just want to avoid anything orangy.
Since Leo is in Jakarta, I had to go through the whole thing alone. I brought my DS with me and a couple of books which I was not able to read as I was pretty much preoccupied by my DS. Since the test requires fasting, I was ravenous when I was done at 1130. I was actually at the hospital at 730 but due to the great number of people who were there first thing in the morning due to blood test fasting, it took awhile before my name as called.
Much to my regret though, the MT who took my blood did a poor job in doing the first draw. This year alone, I've been prodded and pricked so many times that I've grown immune to needles and blood already. However, it really HURT when she did the extraction. Up to now my arm is sore and the vein looks swollen. She took two vials from that vein and it absolutely hurts! For the next draw, I asked that they extract from my right arm instead. But after the 3rd draw, my right arm was hurting as well so I asked them to draw from my sore left arm again with the request that they look for another vein. You can just imagine my relief after that last draw.
Belatedly, I was thinking if it was possible that they just inserted a heparin lock and just draw blood from there every hour. Is it possible or is it for injection purposes only?
Anyway, I need a nap to sleep away the effects of the fasting.
Monday, October 13, 2008
CSI Las Vegas New Season - Spoiler Alert!
CSI Las Vegas started its new season last Friday and it's quite a new season. I was shedding tears throughout most of the one hour season premier.
The last season ended with the Undersheriff shooting Warrick Brown. It was definitely a cliffhanger. I'm sure most of you know how that would end up in the new season.
This new season will bring a lot of changes--other than William Petersen handing the reigns of the CSI lab to Laurence Fishburne (aka Morpheus from the Matrix), another one will no longer be part of the team.
Gosh, I really miss the old team. CSI will not be the same without Gil Grissom's quips.
The last season ended with the Undersheriff shooting Warrick Brown. It was definitely a cliffhanger. I'm sure most of you know how that would end up in the new season.
This new season will bring a lot of changes--other than William Petersen handing the reigns of the CSI lab to Laurence Fishburne (aka Morpheus from the Matrix), another one will no longer be part of the team.
Gosh, I really miss the old team. CSI will not be the same without Gil Grissom's quips.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Missing Leo
Leo will be leaving for Jakarta early tomorrow morning for their company's annual planning. He hasn't left yet but I'm missing him already.
He will only be gone for a week but it seems like a long time for me. This will be the longest time that we're apart ever since my Singapore trip last March (that was only 3 days).
I know I'll survive this week, I'm just worried if I'm suddenly hit by leg cramps in the middle of the night. Whenever that happens, I can always count on Leo to wake up and stretch my leg for me. The pain can be debilitating and I really don't know what I'll do when it's just me. I guess I'll just take precautions and stretch before I go to sleep. Other than that, I pray that I'll be able to handle it.
He will only be gone for a week but it seems like a long time for me. This will be the longest time that we're apart ever since my Singapore trip last March (that was only 3 days).
I know I'll survive this week, I'm just worried if I'm suddenly hit by leg cramps in the middle of the night. Whenever that happens, I can always count on Leo to wake up and stretch my leg for me. The pain can be debilitating and I really don't know what I'll do when it's just me. I guess I'll just take precautions and stretch before I go to sleep. Other than that, I pray that I'll be able to handle it.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Claudio Teehankee Jr. released
While reading today's newspaper I saw this article about Claudio Teehankee Jr. being released in the dead of night. Bits and pieces of what happened then came trickling back and it's good that the article refreshed my memory on what I've forgotten.
On 1991, Claudio Teehankee Jr (yes, the namesake of the former Supreme Court justice) shot and killed Maureen Hultman and Roland Chapman, wounding Jussi Leino as well. All in their early 20's. There was no logical reason or motive why he killed them. He just confronted them in a street corner in Dasmarinas Village and just shot them after accosting them. Fortunately, Leino lived to tell the tale and testify against Teehankee.
Teehankee was released for good conduct behavior and he is sorry for the sins he has committed against society. But a part of me is very troubled by this development. Heck, I can only imagine what the Hultman and Chapman families must feel right now knowing that their daughter/son/sister/brother's killer is out and free. Is spending 17 years in prison payment enough for taking 2 human lives and wounding another?
Hay naku.
On 1991, Claudio Teehankee Jr (yes, the namesake of the former Supreme Court justice) shot and killed Maureen Hultman and Roland Chapman, wounding Jussi Leino as well. All in their early 20's. There was no logical reason or motive why he killed them. He just confronted them in a street corner in Dasmarinas Village and just shot them after accosting them. Fortunately, Leino lived to tell the tale and testify against Teehankee.
Teehankee was released for good conduct behavior and he is sorry for the sins he has committed against society. But a part of me is very troubled by this development. Heck, I can only imagine what the Hultman and Chapman families must feel right now knowing that their daughter/son/sister/brother's killer is out and free. Is spending 17 years in prison payment enough for taking 2 human lives and wounding another?
Hay naku.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Discovery Home and Health
The above is one of the channels of Discovery and unfortunately, it's only available under the Skycable Platinum subscription. Skycable though shows some channels from their Platinum program every few weeks and we managed to catch some shows from this channel this week.
This evening, we caught a program which showed a woman delivering her first baby. Leo and I watched the show and we were both squeamish afterwards--especially him. I think he's dreading joining me at the delivery room when he saw all that blood.
They also show interesting shows involving families and child-rearing. Too bad it's only available at Platinum. It's becoming one of my favourite channels.
This evening, we caught a program which showed a woman delivering her first baby. Leo and I watched the show and we were both squeamish afterwards--especially him. I think he's dreading joining me at the delivery room when he saw all that blood.
They also show interesting shows involving families and child-rearing. Too bad it's only available at Platinum. It's becoming one of my favourite channels.
Discovery Home and Health
The above is one of the channels of Discovery and unfortunately, it's only available under the Skycable Platinum subscription. Skycable though shows some channels from their Platinum program every few weeks and we managed to catch some shows from this channel this week.
This evening, we caught a program which showed a woman delivering her first baby. Leo and I watched the show and we were both squeamish afterwards--especially him. I think he's dreading joining me at the delivery room when he saw all that blood.
They also show interesting shows involving families and child-rearing. Too bad it's only available at Platinum. It's becoming one of my favourite channels.
This evening, we caught a program which showed a woman delivering her first baby. Leo and I watched the show and we were both squeamish afterwards--especially him. I think he's dreading joining me at the delivery room when he saw all that blood.
They also show interesting shows involving families and child-rearing. Too bad it's only available at Platinum. It's becoming one of my favourite channels.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Six Months
I had my monthly check-up today and I'm happy to say that baby and I are in good health. I'm ending my second trimester and beginning to again experience the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy.
Heartburn has been plaguing me a lot lately. According to my doctor, it's due to my uterus pushing up my intestines and stomach up towards my chest. I also gained only one pound this past month and my blood pressure is still normal. Both facts which we're happy about. Since I'm already overweight, too much weight gain will put me at risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and my pregnancy would have to be terminated immediately.
Next week, I have to take the dreaded Oral Glucose Tolerance Test--the same blood test which I took early in my pregnancy wherein I had to drink this nasty sugary solution and blood was extracted from me four times in four hours. If I pass that, I have one more exam. However, if I fail, my doctor will have to send me to a doctor who will teach me to monitor my sugar intake and put me on a low sugar diet.
I'm also beginning to feel lower back pains--especially when I do a lot of walking. The baby's very feisty now and he's been kicking and moving a lot lately.
I also received my first tetanus shot today. My upper right arm hurts like hell right now. Next visit, I'll be getting two shots (Hepa and the second tetanus vaccine). We started discussing birth plans but we'll go more into detail when my due date is nearer. She said that after the 28th week, she'll be seeing me every other two weeks instead of the usual monthly visits.
I don't want to think about the birth right now as I'm actually dreading it based on all the birthing stories that I've heard. Even if I'm still a candidate for a vaginal delivery, I'm leaning towards a caesarian delivery to at least spare me and my baby the trauma of the former. But my doctor said we'll discuss the pros and cons as my due date draws nearer. Besides, by that time, I'll be anxious for the baby to get out as it's already very uncomfortable for me.
Heartburn has been plaguing me a lot lately. According to my doctor, it's due to my uterus pushing up my intestines and stomach up towards my chest. I also gained only one pound this past month and my blood pressure is still normal. Both facts which we're happy about. Since I'm already overweight, too much weight gain will put me at risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and my pregnancy would have to be terminated immediately.
Next week, I have to take the dreaded Oral Glucose Tolerance Test--the same blood test which I took early in my pregnancy wherein I had to drink this nasty sugary solution and blood was extracted from me four times in four hours. If I pass that, I have one more exam. However, if I fail, my doctor will have to send me to a doctor who will teach me to monitor my sugar intake and put me on a low sugar diet.
I'm also beginning to feel lower back pains--especially when I do a lot of walking. The baby's very feisty now and he's been kicking and moving a lot lately.
I also received my first tetanus shot today. My upper right arm hurts like hell right now. Next visit, I'll be getting two shots (Hepa and the second tetanus vaccine). We started discussing birth plans but we'll go more into detail when my due date is nearer. She said that after the 28th week, she'll be seeing me every other two weeks instead of the usual monthly visits.
I don't want to think about the birth right now as I'm actually dreading it based on all the birthing stories that I've heard. Even if I'm still a candidate for a vaginal delivery, I'm leaning towards a caesarian delivery to at least spare me and my baby the trauma of the former. But my doctor said we'll discuss the pros and cons as my due date draws nearer. Besides, by that time, I'll be anxious for the baby to get out as it's already very uncomfortable for me.
Six Months
I had my monthly check-up today and I'm happy to say that baby and I are in good health. I'm ending my second trimester and beginning to again experience the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy.
Heartburn has been plaguing me a lot lately. According to my doctor, it's due to my uterus pushing up my intestines and stomach up towards my chest. I also gained only one pound this past month and my blood pressure is still normal. Both facts which we're happy about. Since I'm already overweight, too much weight gain will put me at risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and my pregnancy would have to be terminated immediately.
Next week, I have to take the dreaded Oral Glucose Tolerance Test--the same blood test which I took early in my pregnancy wherein I had to drink this nasty sugary solution and blood was extracted from me four times in four hours. If I pass that, I have one more exam. However, if I fail, my doctor will have to send me to a doctor who will teach me to monitor my sugar intake and put me on a low sugar diet.
I'm also beginning to feel lower back pains--especially when I do a lot of walking. The baby's very feisty now and he's been kicking and moving a lot lately.
I also received my first tetanus shot today. My upper right arm hurts like hell right now. Next visit, I'll be getting two shots (Hepa and the second tetanus vaccine). We started discussing birth plans but we'll go more into detail when my due date is nearer. She said that after the 28th week, she'll be seeing me every other two weeks instead of the usual monthly visits.
I don't want to think about the birth right now as I'm actually dreading it based on all the birthing stories that I've heard. Even if I'm still a candidate for a vaginal delivery, I'm leaning towards a caesarian delivery to at least spare me and my baby the trauma of the former. But my doctor said we'll discuss the pros and cons as my due date draws nearer. Besides, by that time, I'll be anxious for the baby to get out as it's already very uncomfortable for me.
Heartburn has been plaguing me a lot lately. According to my doctor, it's due to my uterus pushing up my intestines and stomach up towards my chest. I also gained only one pound this past month and my blood pressure is still normal. Both facts which we're happy about. Since I'm already overweight, too much weight gain will put me at risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and my pregnancy would have to be terminated immediately.
Next week, I have to take the dreaded Oral Glucose Tolerance Test--the same blood test which I took early in my pregnancy wherein I had to drink this nasty sugary solution and blood was extracted from me four times in four hours. If I pass that, I have one more exam. However, if I fail, my doctor will have to send me to a doctor who will teach me to monitor my sugar intake and put me on a low sugar diet.
I'm also beginning to feel lower back pains--especially when I do a lot of walking. The baby's very feisty now and he's been kicking and moving a lot lately.
I also received my first tetanus shot today. My upper right arm hurts like hell right now. Next visit, I'll be getting two shots (Hepa and the second tetanus vaccine). We started discussing birth plans but we'll go more into detail when my due date is nearer. She said that after the 28th week, she'll be seeing me every other two weeks instead of the usual monthly visits.
I don't want to think about the birth right now as I'm actually dreading it based on all the birthing stories that I've heard. Even if I'm still a candidate for a vaginal delivery, I'm leaning towards a caesarian delivery to at least spare me and my baby the trauma of the former. But my doctor said we'll discuss the pros and cons as my due date draws nearer. Besides, by that time, I'll be anxious for the baby to get out as it's already very uncomfortable for me.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Respite
Everyone deserves this one-day holiday. Everyone deserves a respite from the horrors that greet us at work nowadays. Yesterday, some of my colleagues had a really tough time and I think I was the only one who went home with a more positive outlook and feeling less worried (there were work-related events during the day that lead to this feeling). I've been in their shoes before and I really feel for them. It somehow brought me back to earth after celebrating a mini-victory.
We've been getting almost daily emails from the powers-that-be about the crisis that the US economy and how it will or will not affect us. We've somehow weathered the collapse of Lehman Brothers and now, our bosses are figuring out how the US bailout rejection (is it really true that the US Treasurer went down on his knees and begged the Democrats to approve the bailout?) will affect our business as well. Probably this is the only time that I'm thankful that we're not as big as the bigger banks are right now. The company focused on growing its business out of the US specifically Africa, Asia and the Middle East and as one of my colleagues pointed out, our products are less sophisticated as those offered by our competitors.
I have yet to understand the full problem or the repercussions surrounding the issue but I'm suddenly reminded of the answer that my regional boss gave me when I asked if we've already hit rock-bottom. He said that it seems that we're already on our way up but if there's one thing he learned is that anything is possible.
I guess it's also a blessing that it's raining today. Perfect bed weather and a chance to catch up with my sleep. Yeah, sleep. It's my favorite hobby nowadays. Every weekend when Leo and I go to the mall, I always ensure that I'm home after lunch so I can sleep. I've been told to savor this moment as in a few months, sleep will be a precious commodity which I will have to forgo as I have to take care of my newborn. Thank God for 3 month maternity leave!
We've been getting almost daily emails from the powers-that-be about the crisis that the US economy and how it will or will not affect us. We've somehow weathered the collapse of Lehman Brothers and now, our bosses are figuring out how the US bailout rejection (is it really true that the US Treasurer went down on his knees and begged the Democrats to approve the bailout?) will affect our business as well. Probably this is the only time that I'm thankful that we're not as big as the bigger banks are right now. The company focused on growing its business out of the US specifically Africa, Asia and the Middle East and as one of my colleagues pointed out, our products are less sophisticated as those offered by our competitors.
I have yet to understand the full problem or the repercussions surrounding the issue but I'm suddenly reminded of the answer that my regional boss gave me when I asked if we've already hit rock-bottom. He said that it seems that we're already on our way up but if there's one thing he learned is that anything is possible.
I guess it's also a blessing that it's raining today. Perfect bed weather and a chance to catch up with my sleep. Yeah, sleep. It's my favorite hobby nowadays. Every weekend when Leo and I go to the mall, I always ensure that I'm home after lunch so I can sleep. I've been told to savor this moment as in a few months, sleep will be a precious commodity which I will have to forgo as I have to take care of my newborn. Thank God for 3 month maternity leave!
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