Holy Thursday

H and I spent Holy Thursday with my in laws down South.  We decided since there would be no traffic, the ride going to Alabang should be okay - and it was! Only a 40-minute drive from home this time.  I haven't been there since I hit the third trimester so I took the opportunity to go.  We spent all day there and then headed home after dinner (father-in-law cooks a very mean dish of chicken and pork adobo which I requested).

Decided to pass by Starbucks in Missouri Street, Greenhills before heading home and as I was called to claim my order, the barista asked, "Going home, ma'am?" I said yes and he went, "Oh, bringing these (referring to the drinks) home for the kids?" I pointed to my bump (which he couldn't see from the counter) and said, "Wala pa, still in my belly!"

Hmmmm.  This made me think.  Mukha na ba akong may KIDSSS? As in plural? Hahaha.  I didn't know if I found it funny or insulting or maybe just a tad bit futuristic.  But I guess it's a good thing I project an image of a mother.  Boy am I getting old.  Make this maybe 3-5 years ago and I'd be insulted like anything! I guess pregnancy and married life do change people ;)

So if you're wondering, nope, belly still hasn't popped out yet! I felt some weird pain last night though, around 2 AM - a mix of menstrual cramps and kabag and some unknown pain in my lower back ... and discomfort everywhere in my mid section.  I thought that was it but I was also hungry - so I asked H to get me a slice of bread.  I ate it and drank some water...and felt better.  The pain hasn't come back since.  Well, I just hope this won't stretch until my due date (April 21)! Still pinning for any day before April 13.  Pray with me!

Productive Tuesday

So, today was ultra productive! I spent the morning in downtown Manila with my parents, searching for that drugstore that sold ge lai ingredients.  I think I wrote about this Chinese practice the other day...? Here's Chronicles of a Nursing Mom writing about it: CLICK! So off to Ongpin we went... My mom's friend told her about this drugstore that sold all the necessary ingredients for the different kinds of teas I was supposed to drink (there are about 4, I think).  We bought the ingredients for the first week, in case baby decides to make an early appearance (which I am hoping for). 

The Said Update

So turns out I really needed the ultrasound.  Doctor wanted to check on the baby's weight since I gained 4 lbs. in a week, hehehe.  I will blame the chocolates and sweets for that! :P No more na talaga from tomorrow onwards since I want to maintain baby's weight at 7 lbs.  At 37 weeks and 2 days, 7 lbs. is actually not bad, according to the doctor.  Just right, she said.  Hopefully, baby decides to make an entrance in the next days or until next week max to avoid him gaining any more weight.  Fingers crossed! Until then, goodbye to my 1 cup of rice per meal (will cut down to 1/2) and dessert every after meal!

See you soon, baby <3

Of Goodbyes and Hellos

HELLO:

It's Monday today and I'm home! :) Yup, you got that right, no more work for me.  Since I'm due this month, hubby has already fixed his work schedule so that he works from home for the entire month of April.  I hope it's to help me take care of baby while I do my Chinese ge lai (A Chinese tradition that requires me to stay away from showers, any cold drink/food, etc.  I will also have to take some sort of tea, and other herbal medications).  According to old Chinese tradition, this allows a woman to regain the strength she lost during childbirth.  At first, I rolled my eyes at the thought of it but eventually realized, what the heck is 1 month anyway - that'll go by quick with all the sleepless nights of caring for baby and stuff.  It'll be over before I know it (crossing my fingers).

GOODBYE:

Despite being elated because of reaching the full-term mark, I received sad, sad news yesterday about one of our school administrators (Financial Administrator).  Sr. Teresita Canivel, MIC passed away Sunday, 2:02 AM.  Was never really close to her but during assemblies and stuff, she'd always be comical and had a pleasant approach to things (despite how challenging issues may be).  I commend her for her years of service to ICA - she was 82 when she passed away.  I can only hope to be able to serve the Lord in such a way as she did.  In the same way I wasn't allowed to go to my good friend Jen's wake and my best friend's mom's wake, I'm also not allowed to go to this one.  Bad luck apparently for a pregnant woman to go to a wake, as well as to visit the sick.  So I'm sitting this one out, though I'm sure Sr. Tere understands.

HELLO:

In other news, going to the hospital in a bit to have my weekly check-up.  Crossing all possible body parts to cross (eew) that I've already dilated (even just a bit).  I think not being dilated at full-term might possibly imply a complication or something so I'll need an ultrasound if that's the case.  With all of baby's movements lately, I cannot deny that he is one healthy and active little peanut! Well, the best news I could ever be told for later? "You're dilated and in active labor! Get yourself admitted ASAP!" HAHAHA.  I doubt that would be the case but it would be awesome to give birth before Holy Week :)

Will check in again later for an update!

The Big Three Seven!

Finally!!! The moment I have been waiting for, okay, second to the real labor pains, that is! Today, Liam turns 37 weeks in my belly and I'm happy because I know he can come out anytime soon without much complications (but still always praying, of course).  According to my pregnancy references (mostly the iPhone application: Whattoexpect which is based on the book, What To Expect When You're Expecting - have this, too).  I'd have to say, as a first-time mom and one without a lot of pregnant friends, this was really very helpful!

Luckily, my good friend Ritzi lent me the next phase of this book ;)

In other news, I had a really productive day today! Extremely so that I'm so pooped out now! Woke up at about 9AM, had breakfast, lounged around - okay, it gets better - had lunch, did a general cleaning of the room (specifically cabinets, drawers and the like).  I figured I won't be able to do this for a while so might as well.  This was when H went to play basketball (which he does so every Saturday).  H & I had dinner at Cafe Dome in Shangri-la Plaza then walked around for about an hour or so.

Phewwww!

Pregnancy does take a huge amount of effort! From the mere a fact that I've already gained about 30 lbs. or so, I know that it isn't an easy feat.  Hey, not easy to walk around, up and down, with the belly! I do not claim to be the world's most awesome mother since I could not even completely forgo caffeine, hehe.  But I can say that to a certain extent, I've grown so much (not just horizontally) the past 9 months and I just really cannot wait to be the best mother ever to my son.

He can pop out anytime but there's really no telling when exactly - this week, tonight, in 2 weeks...? I hope he doesn't take too long, though.  We'll see! :)

2011-2012

Running down the many ways this year has been eventful, to say the least:

1) I had to re-learn Salvation History and figure out how to teach it.
2) I entered the school year at a very irregular time (Second Quarter)
3) I lost a very dear friend, Jen :(
4) I no longer walked around the corridors as Ms. Ng but as Mrs. Guce
5) I experienced teaching in the fourth floor - with baby in tow
6) Oh, for the first time EVER, I didn't have a fair booth! :) hehehe

I think that although I complained a lot about this year (my colleagues know this well), I can sincerely say that yes, I am still grateful for all that I have experienced this year.  It has been a life-changing experience, having to teach high school freshmen and has really prepared me well for motherhood, if I may say so.  This year I learned to be persistent and to never give up on people who matter.  I learned also that sometimes, you just have to accept that not all goals are met in the specific time you'd like them to meet.  I learned that as a teacher, your worth can never be measured in the classroom, sometimes the success of a teacher takes years to be seen and discovered.  Like I told my kids (advisory class), I may not have changed you but I hope I at least planted the seed for that transformation.

Last year, I learned that "love makes what is difficult, easy".  This year, more than anything else, I learned that giving up is only for the weak.  The strong never give up, even if things seem hopeful.  Love never gives up :)

Here's to ending the school year right, and starting another year in 2 months! :) My sixth year of teaching will be awesome - I can feel it already.  Will not only be a mother to the girls, but to my little boy Liam - who turns 35 weeks in my huge belly today! :)

Waiting

So, I'm currently 34 weeks and 1 day pregnant.  Time just really flies by so unbelievably fast! One day you're counting down, the next, you're out of days to count! It's a good thing, though.  The school year is over and tomorrow, the kids are taking their exam on my subject, which means, i'll be busy checking papers from tomorrow to Wednesday (assuming I'll be done by then).  After which, it will be mostly paper work for us, until the 30th when we'll be off for summer break.  I've never been THIS happy about ending the school year - seriously.

While my co-teachers have trips planned left and right, it seems that the only trip I'll be taking will be to the hospital for weekly check-ups and, well, the big day.  By March 31, I'll be 37 weeks preggo so that means I'll be ready to pop anytime after that.

As for now, I've got all I need, save for the breast pump, which I will be getting by 2nd week of April.  I can say I'm ready for motherhood although I must admit on some days, I feel a little unconfident about how prepared I am to raise a child.  Sometimes I think, I can't even say I can take care of myself, what more a little one? But I do trust that God will prepare me well, plus, I have a wonderful partner so I'm not going to have to do this alone.

Sigh, the anxieties of motherhood :-) Nevertheless, the ultrasound scans have gotten H and I really excited to see baby Liam so here's to counting down the last 6 weeks! <3