36 Weeks!

This is it. This is the last week of my 8th month. By next week, I'll be 37 weeks already and will be considered full term. I can give birth anytime by next week. I really really want to give birth already. My stomach is so heavy and the aches and pains have already intensified.

I think my stomach has dropped. I really don't know how a "low" stomach looks like and I'll know when I return to my doctor for my weekly check-up on Saturday. Nevertheless, I have to keep on walking and exercising.

We're off to Tagaytay tomorrow to spend the rest of the holidays there with my in-laws. We'll be back though before the New Year. We were told to bring sweaters and jackets as it's bloody cold up there. Hopefully the trip up won't be too difficult for me but I have to get out of the house and as they say, kailangang matagtag para bumaba pa yung baby.

Probably the difference this week as compared to the previous weeks is that the bathroom trips are more frequent. Previously, I only wake up once during the night to relieve myself. Sometimes, I can sleep the whole night through. Nowadays, I get up 3 to 4 times during the night and the interrupted sleep can make me cranky. I guess it's practice when the baby inevitably arrives and interrupted sleep becomes the norm.

My lower back, lower tummy and thighs are also aching which is an indication that the baby is settling and getting ready for his birth. I returned to doing my stretching exercises which somehow relieves the aches.

I've also packed my hospital bag and have had the baby's clothes washed (with Cycles, of course). The baby cabinet (chest of 4 drawers) also arrived today. Will have the clothes washed in batches so we can start storing them in the cabinet. Leo also unpacked the baby carrier/car seat (from Tita Chit!) and has prepared it for the baby. Which reminds me, we still haven't purchased a stroller yet and a bottle sterilizer. Those are the two items remaining in our list. We'll probably go sometime this week. And I still don't have a yaya!

I have prepared the nursery as best as I could. Although we'll be moving the crib in our room to make breastfeeding easier. I'll probably try it until I return to work and will go for mixed feeding.

Ok, wish me luck! Please pray for an uncomplicated delivery and for the baby to come out safe and healthy.

Thundercats Movie - Fan Made

This person must surely love Thundercats. I recall growing up watching the cartoon series on Saturday mornings.

Try to figure out who is which and where he got the splices:

Abby's Despedida

We had Abby's despedida yesterday afternoon at one of the office's conference room as most people are no longer available due to the busy Christmas season. Since she's now with Marketing, it was her department-mates that organized the event for her. She was with the bank for 10 1/2 years.

As one of her former one-downs, I was asked on-the-spot to say something. I declined as I was already on the verge of tears and all I wanted to tell her I already told her when I learned of her resignation.

I will definitely miss her. When she was my boss, she inspired us to give our best in all we do and can make you do things which you thought you did not have the capability to do. She always have words of wisdom to spare. She was one of the reasons why I am where I am in my career now.

When I took over the headship of my current unit, she always has words of advice to share--especially when I would come running to her for help (she used to do my job). Though we're in opposite sides of the fence, she was often very patient with me and my shortcomings. She always kept me on my toes and I would always keep her in mind whenever I make decisions that would affect my unit and her business.

I have kept her emails whenever she would praise me for whatever good or smart thing that I have done. I read them over and over again as I've aptly titled the folder where I saved her emails "read this when you're down". Her words of praise really meant so much to me that I draw strength from them whenever someone at work makes me feel incompetent. They reinforce my belief in myself and that I am good at what I do.

In my last email to her, I told her that I hope to achieve whatever she has achieved and to be able to inspire my people the way she has inspired me. When I saw her reply, I could not help but shed tears--she said that she has always believed in me and my capabilities. Knowing that someone really believes in you makes the difference.

Like most of the people who recently resigned, she's going to take a breather. Work for the past few months have been...difficult and she said she just got caught up with the negativity and she had to leave before it got any worse. After the picture was taken above, I confessed to her my own fears and how I'm also thinking of leaving. I was surprised when she told me that I should stay and bear it as long as I could and one way to bear it is to stay away from the negativity. It's difficult considering the current atmosphere in the office but I'll try. Anyway, I have 3 months to think about it and I hope I'll be able to make the wise and correct decision.

35th Week Check-up

I can't believe I'm on my 35th week of pregnancy already. In a couple of weeks, I can give birth anytime as I'm considered full-term already. I really want this to be over with. Everyday is already a struggle. I'm thankful that I'm on leave already starting on Wednesday and not due back to work until the 2nd of January (hindi pa ba holiday yung day na yon??).

My stomach is so huge already but my doctor said that my baby's size is still okay for his age of gestation and still a candidate for normal delivery. I'm experiencing a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions and every turn and kick of the baby is already uncomfortable.

I had my check-up yesterday and my doctor is still happy with my condition. BP is still normal and I only gained 1 pound in the last couple of weeks. Thus my total weight gain in my whole pregnancy so far is already at 9 lbs. My doctor does not want me to have any sudden weight gain throughout the holidays.

We already discussed my birth plan. Leo will be with me the whole time and the new hospital rooms at Makati Med will be open by the time I give birth. I'm still not decided with the epidural but we agreed that they will only give it to me when I ask for it. If I can still handle the pain, they won't give it to me.

The baby is still riding "high" in my stomach. Good thing as I really don't want to give birth on December. I would really prefer that he comes out after the New Year. People laugh when I tell them my main reason: that it's difficult to plan a children's party during the holidays. Can you imagine booking suppliers in the midst of the Christmas rush?? Not only will I be charged Christmas rates but people might be too busy to attend my kid's party! 

Anyway, only two days of work left. I really want to start my vacation already.

Baby Shower Pictures

My Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law threw a baby shower for me on Dec 18 at Lolo Gening's and Lola Remy's house at Magallanes. They even had games and everything!
My mother-in-law's sisters were there together with Lola. Leo's other cousins were also in attendance.

Lolo Gening's 90th Birthday Party

On Dec 14, Lolo Gening (Leo's maternal grandfather) celebrated his 90th birthday at The Palms Country Club with his family and friends.
Leo's aunts and mom organized games for the guests and Leo's nephews even performed for the guests.

Lunch with rpgdlsu group

Lunch with rpgdlsu group on Dec 13 at Cyma and Flapjacks