Blogger FAIL

I totally failed this whole daily or even weekly blogging. I promised myself that I'd try to blog about my pregnancy & keep up with weekly measurements of weight & baby bump growth. Now that I'm at the last leg of my pregnancy (or however that expression goes) it's a bit too late to even back track. BUT if you're a follower of my Instagram (ig) then you'd have been kept updated with the weekly pictures I post of my ever growing belly.

As far as the pregnancy goes, here's a quicky update: Based off my last menstrual period (lmp), my expected due date (edd) is 07/30/2012 which means I'm exactly 36 weeks & 3 days. Or what my iPhone app sees as 37 weeks pregnant & considered full-term (though I thought it was 38 weeks being considered full-term, but what do I know), in which case I can deliver now! BUT based off my first scan or ultra sound (u/s) my due date is 08/10/2012 which makes me 35 weeks exactly (if my calculations are correct). My last Obstetrician (ob) check up I didn't get positive results from my attending physician (Md), why? Well, my urine came out with excessive proteins & my blood pressure was a little high considering I'm only 24 plus I'm pregnant so neither of those are a good sign. My specimens were sent out to the lab to make sure everything is alright, haven't heard back from the Md so I'm assuming everything's just fine? Hoping I don't have preeclampsia. [crosses fingers & toes]. In addition, my Md has ordered another u/s just to make sure the baby is alright because he's not measuring accurately externally (via measuring tape) since he's apparently a lot lower than he was two weeks ago. What does that mean? He wants to come out! The u/s is also to check that there's plenty of amniotic fluid in the womb & that the baby is measuring fine since there's a discrepancy at least that's what's written on the u/s orders from the Md office.

That's pretty much it as far as pregnancy update. I mean if you really want more I could talk about.. pelvic pain, insomnia, excessive weight gain, leg cramps, hip pain, joint pain.. I can go on!

What else have I been doing? As a mother to a 14 month (mos) old or 1 year old (y/o) so it's not so complicated.. trying to keep up with life! Oh, & crocheting! Finished superbaby1's (will be referring to my first born son by this nickname) blanket that I started a little after his birth. Finally! I know! I've also made a few different beanies for superbaby2 (will be referring to our second born son by.. oh you get the picture). Now I'm in the process of crocheting an area rug. Yes, an area rug. Why? Well, buying any area from any store is going to cost 10 times more than making it. Plus, it's a lot more special this way. And.. it will be machine washable!

What else.. superdad is considering signing up with the officers program of the airforce. More on that when he & I talk more about it. Superbaby1 has his own bed now.. causing more of my sleepless nights since I have to check up on him every 15 minutes. I prefer not to but my body has it's own alarm that I cannot fight. After superbaby2 is born superdad is suppose to get a second job or at least have his own account with a hotel which means we'll be staying here in Milpitas & even getting our very own place. Lord knows we need the space on top of the privacy.

Let's see.. dinner tonight is "Crock" Pot Roast.. my very first time making it. Only because our housemate bought excessive amounts of meat for the barbeque we hosted yesterday for no more than 5 people. He bought enough to feed oh.. say 50?! So now we've got meat (beef) up to our noses & I'm trying to find ways to cook them in big bunches! The Pot Roast was a success since I'm an insomniac I started on it at 6am & well.. it was done cooking 3 hours ago which I was able to eat for lunch.

Okay.. so that's it! Until next time!

Dress Shopping & Pregnancy

Quick update.. over the weekend I went dress shopping with my cousin, who's getting married in October, & the rest of the Bridal Party. Let's just say it was the most painful (emotionally) thing I've ever had to do. No body's fault that I'm pregnant, but I wish we could've started this dress shopping a lot earlier or at least like the bride wants.. push the wedding back to next year. But the groom wants to get married this year! Anyways.. it was hard to try on ANYTHING! I'm only 18+ weeks but this being my second pregnancy I've already well.. popped! I had to go in the following Monday to talk to the consultant about sizing me now.. that way whatever size I am today will hopefully be the size I am by the time the wedding comes around. I'll be 2 months post by then. After getting sized for the dress that was chosen to be in the running.. my cousin decided she may want to change the dress into a more fitted dress. While the dress that I was originally sized for is an empire waist line. The empire waist line is more suited for the bridal party only because we've all got 'different' body types & it will definitely suit us perfect. Versus the fitted dress.. well.. we'll all look like a bunch of blimps. That's how I feel. But it's not my wedding so I can't really be picky. I just want to be comfortable in what I'm wearing.. & well be able to BREATHE!

Okay.. enough of that. I need to get back to studying & try to get a bit of sleep. =(

Baby Baking Update

Trimester: 2
Weeks Pregnant: 17 & 6 days
Weight:128lbs
Gain: 18lbs
Waist: 36" (at belly button)
Bust: 32"
Hips: 37.5"
Average # of times I get up to pee every night: 3
Est size of the baby: Sweet Potato
Est weight of baby: n/a
Position: n/a

Other pregnancy related: Baby has been very active! I've got back & hip pain like a mofo.. there are times where I can't even walk. Often times I wonder how I'll be able to march from the parking garage to my class which is from one end campus to the other (length wise). Been really good about what I'm eating. Unfortunately, I'm not drinking enough water like I'm suppose to. I've got an appointment tomorrow, but it's not baby related. At least I don't think so anyways since I was told it's regarding the lump they found in my.... it's a lump that was discovered a few years back. The doctor just wants to make sure it hasn't gotten larger since. Also, in my last obstetrics (OB) visit my MD says my cervix looks a little strange.. probably cause I had a baby! lol! But she wants to get that checked out too. =/ I'll be 20 weeks in a couple of weeks. I hope the MD orders an ultra sound (u/s) since I'm really anxious to find out how the baby is doing. I've yet to see him/her since 6 weeks. So it's been a while! Hopefully then we find out what the gender will be too. =)

That's all for now. Stay tuned!

Baby Baking

Unfortunately, I didn't start this pregnancy journal early enough so I could see the weekly difference. But here's my stats from pre-pregnancy (that I can remember that is)

Weight: 110lbs
Gain: I was 8lbs lighter from before I was pregnant with Ares
Waist: 26"
Bust: 31"
Hips: 36"
Average number of times I get up to pee per night:
Est size of the baby:
Est weight of baby:
Position:

Other pregnancy related things: 1st trimester wasn't as bad as my first pregnancy. I wasn't as tired & weight gain was steady. I guess having been previously pregnant  you learn to control your cravings. Too bad I can't say the same about my emotions. I told my mom I was pregnant in December when I was 10 weeks.. I remember because she asked me. She's actually excited to have another grandbaby. Now.. I wonder when Mark's planning on telling his parents. Maybe after 20 weeks when we find out what the baby's gender is. After all.. he did the same thing last time. =/

Maybelline Baby Lips; First Impression

A friend of mine recommended I buy the Maybelline Baby Lips Chapstick/lipbalm/gloss/tinted moisturizer. I can't figure out what it is yet. Apart from this, there was only one other color available which was some neon pink color. I was a bit intimidated so I stayed away & bought this one which is Quenched #05.

First Impression:

-cute packaging reminds me of glue stick

-love that there's a lot of product

-smells like.. Fruity scented eraser from the Philippines. (if you're Filipino you should know what I'm talking about)

-glides on smoothly without chunks or excess products rubbing off

-doesn't feel oily or greasy

-not shiny, shimmery, or glossy

Overall pretty impressed with the product. The back does state that my lips will show improvement in 4 weeks of continued use. We shall see! I plan on purchasing a different shade.. The peach & grape colored one. I'm more curious to see what they smell like. Lol!

So far.. I recommend this product. The price is fair $2.96 at Walmart.. Down side since its a popular item it's hard to find.

Stay tuned for more updates!

2012

Just listing out a few things that will be happening this year.

**April:
-Baptism
-Ares 1st birthday

**August:
-new addition will be born

**October:
-Cousins wedding in which I'll be the maid of honor

**November:
-Baby daddy turns 26 (not so important)

**December
-my 25th birthday (that's a crisis lol)

I'll update this if anything else comes up. Busy year for this mommy.

Cravings

Been craving:

-Indian food.. Attempted to get some but I didn't understand what they were selling since their menu didn't have a description of the food item.
-I recently had a dream about beer. Not sure if I'm craving it but it's been a while since I had any type of alcohol.
-Mediterranean food.. I've always liked trying new dishes. It's just that this time it's hard to satisfy a craving a can understand.
-I've had Ethiopian food before & I loved it. I always enjoy being able to eat with my hands & it was great that eating with hands was one of the ways to better experience this food. Down side it was quite $$$ for one whole tray of food which you share with everyone. That's right, one tray of food & a group of friends digging their hands in the same food you're consuming. Haha! All part of the experience.
-this time around I'm having a worse time taming my cravings. I can't taste salty foods. I keep telling my baby daddy that I need to add salt in the dishes I cook.. At least more salt. Keep in mind he's not very good at describing.. Well.. Anything. So he just tells me don't add salt. Even when it comes to foods like take out.. I crave salt. Damn taste buds!

There's something my body is craving for & I can't put my finger on it. I'm more aware of what I'm eating this time around so it's harder to gain appropriate weight without letting my brain go wild & eating whatever it feels like it wants to eat. I am getting adequate nutrition, but maybe.. Like with Ares I need to just let go & not control my appetite. After all.. I'm sure I'll lose the weight so long as I breast feed** like I did with Ares.

**if that didn't give it away well you've got problems! Lol!

Back pain. Knee pain. I'm getting old! Popcorn. Need to get my lab work done tomorrow. As much as I like getting my blood drawn, since our body gets to produce more (out with the old in with thee new), I hate needles. "Need-less" to say I have to get this done ASAP!

Had an appt on Thursday.. Doctor found something she's afraid might be "something serious" so now I have to get seen & tested by another doctor to make sure it's nothing "serious". Let's just say I've had this "something" for several years now & I hope to god it hasn't grown! I wasn't worried before, but now.. Now I am a bit concerned. Oh duck! =\ When it was first examined by a doctor several years ago he said it wasn't anything to really be concerned about, but wtf does that mean? Nothing to really be concerned about? So there's a chance i should be concerned. Uhh.. Anywho.. We didn't have it surgically removed only because he was afraid it would spread. Oh great! =[

Secrets

I hate secrets. Only because I'm one of those people who want to tell everyone everything if I think it's important. This secret has been eating me up.. I've known since December & it's driving me nuts that I just can't tell everyone!

But the fact that it's been so long & I've revealed this secret makes me very proud of myself. I still wish I could just say it & get on with MY life.

First lub-dub

As the doctor walked out the room I was relieved to hear her say "everything looks fine". So I was surprised to have her come back in 5 minutes later with a fetal Doppler & said she nearly forgot that we needed to here the baby for the first time.

I wasn't sure how I would react or I'd I even wanted to listen. I wasn't sure because my heart hadn't completely accepted the fact that I was going to be a mommy.

As she moved the Doppler all around my pregnant bump.. I began to worry. Worried that there may be something wrong, again. I thought about the last pregnancy I had. It was heartbreaking to see my 6 week old fetus on the sonography monitor.. Lifeless. I cried.

It took a few minutes before she could get the Doppler on the right spot. And when she did.. That first "lub-dub-lub-dub" brought a smile to my face.

An Honor

Yesterday, my cousin who I grew up with & one of the few that are here in the states asked me to be her "Matron of Honor". I accepted! I'm excited! I'm not only a god mother to her first & only daughter but I get to experience this as well. I'm so happy & beyond excited for her. If ever I got married she would be my choice as my maid of honor because no one knows me better than myself & god than my cousin!

Wedding date is set: Friday October 12 2011 so it will be a challenge planning all this in 9 months as well as my sons baptism & birthday. I'm going o have my hands full!

Birth Story

I've read a lot of posts by women sharing their birth story. And I've yet to share mine. At the moment my son is busy crawling all over the house & standing by the glass door looking out the front yard.. I'm sure I can spare just a few minutes writing this. Here goes..

My son, Mark Ares, wasn't due until May 7th 2011 because that's when I was suppose to be 40 weeks into my pregnancy. So I was surprised when I had found out that I went into labor at 38 weeks. It was a Wednesday in mid April, I went to my 'last' prenatal appointment. I had no idea it would've been the last time I'd be walking into that clinic pregnant. My appointment was different than the past ones I've had.. normally I'd pee in a cup, she'd measure my tummy, & we'd talk. I was surprised to have been asked to undress from the bottom down. She wanted to check my cervix to see if I was dilating.. I was a little surprised since well I was only 37.5 weeks along. What surprised me the most was when she said I was already dilated by 1cm. While measuring my oh so growing pregnant belly she asked if I was having any sort of contractions. I explained to her that since it was my first pregnancy I wasn't sure what a contraction was. Right when I finished my sentence she replied, "there! you just had one." Of course I felt some tightening in my abdomen which I thought was normal since I was having them all week long! Who knew! I obviously didn't! She then asked me a few more questions & made sure I understood what a mucus plug was. Eww! Sounds gross I know.. it kind of is if you've ever seen it! LOL! Before I left I said told the OB I'd see her next week at my 39 week check up. Her reply of "maybe sooner!" made me wonder if I was going to be giving birth within the next week.


During the second half of my pregnancy I was babysitting my baby sitter who was born August of 2010 as well as playing soccer mom to my two other younger siblings. I was also attending college full time Monday thru Thursdays.. so it was a lot of driving back & forth. Luckily I was on Spring Break! So I spent the weeks staying down in Monterey & would drive back home come the weekend. Home being Milpitas, which is a little over an hour north.

Friday April 22, 2011 started off as a pretty normal day for my schedule. Took the kiddies to school. Watched my sister & went to the park. Picked up the kids from school. Around 5pm I decided it was time to drive home soon as I finished getting my stuff together. I had a feeling that since I didn't text Mark (the boyfriend) he'd assume I wasn't coming home & would be out with his friends getting drunk. Guess what.. I was right. I got home & he wasn't there. So I was a little upset that I had pack everything in the car & now unpack everything & lug it into the house in my condition. An hour passed since getting home & I did the usual.. pee'd.. A LOT! I was actually on the phone with my god mother who is an RN for the Monterey County & was asking her what contractions would feel like & how fart a part they were suppose to be & blah blah blah.. After taking a wee wee I continued my conversation with my aunt who then proceeded to ask me to lean back & feel my tummy so I can get an understanding of what contractions felt like. Soon as I leaned back by only an inch I felt a "pop". I started to trickle into my liner so I ran.. more wobbled to the bathroom & sat on the toilet for a while! I thought to myself, "I just peed a few minutes ago.. how can so much pee be coming out now & why can't I stop it!" So I told my aunt, "I think my water broke." She asked why I thought that.. I replied, "well either that or I have an uncontrollable bladder cause I can't stop peeing!" She told me to make my way to the hospital ASAP & to get Mark's ass home!

I texted Mark & told him it was time. You want to know what he said? "Are you serious?" Uhh.. yes! Who would kid about something like that, seriously! 20 minutes later he comes barging into the room in-bloody-toxicated with a bunch of his intoxicated friends! Yea. I was furious! I wanted to drive down by myself instead they had me get into the front seat of his friends van which seats 7-8 people? Let me just say this.. it was packed. It was the most obnoxious drive ever! Before we even made our way down to the Hospital, I delivered at Community Hospital in Monterey (yea an hour drive) his friends said they didn't want to go & asked to be dropped off. So we had to drop most of the guys off in downtown San Jose but before we left Mark had the nerve to give everyone hugs & blah blah blah.. GET IN THE FOOKING CAR! It was the longest hour drive of my life. I nearly ripped off the seat belt I was in so much pain. I texted my mom & told her I was on my way to CHOMP. My birth plan was during labor to have NO ONE there only because it was my first time & I hate noise! It's hard to keep calm when other people are loud & panicking around you! Mark knew what I wanted.. but when we got to the hospital who was there, his mother. I was a little upset since I was in no mood to have a video camera in my face. All I wanted was to lay down or walk or stand up or SOMETHING! Anything than be annoyed by anyone!


This part I'm sure I can skip.. the getting dressed into the ugly hospital gown. It was midnight by the time I was admitted. I wasn't offered pain killers until around 4-5am which was just fioricet. It made me drowsy but the pain killer part didn't last long. Contractions are horrible! Since Mark & his mom were sleeping in my room I couldn't scream, cry, or felt like bothering anyone. It was horrible. I had to go to the bathroom a few times or at least felt like I had to! You know.. poo! But nothing came out & I didn't want to push since I was afraid I'd give birth in the toilet. LOL! Yea, I have a crazy imagination. When I arrived they checked my cervix & I was already at 3cm. Come 5am I was at 4cm & was offered epidural.. let me tell you this.. I didn't hesitate to accept! I wanted to be as comfortable as I possibly could. Getting an epidural is one of the most uncomfortable things about being in labor. The way the needle penetrates your skin & inbetween your spinal column.. whoa! ugh! I shudder to think about it! A few hours had gone by & I was at 6cm & I stayed this way for half the day until they gave me pitocin.Half way into the day (the 23rd) nurses came rushing into the room. My son wasn't getting enough oxygen, so they had me switch positions. And when that didn't work they had to flush fluids back into my uterus to keep the baby from pressing down on his cord. I was in panic mode! Labor wasn't very kind to me. I ended up with a 100+ fever & was put on oxygen. The nurses asked me to sleep but who could sleep when people kept walking in & out & asking if I was okay! My fever wouldn't go down so I was put on antibiotics. =(

Finally, evening came.. 8pm the nurse checked I was at 8cm.. improvement! 8:30pm I turned to Mark who was standing over the bed watching the nurse check the fetal monitor. I told him, "I think I have to poo." He turned to the nurse & told her exactly what I said, "it's time!" 15+ of my visitors were asked to leave the room, only Mark, my mom, & by request (not even she just decided she'd stay) Mark's mom. Mark of course had front row seat right next to the OB, my mom behind the OB at a distance with the video camera pointed at my AREA.. & Mark's mom off to the side where she couldn't see my AREA but was able to film the birth from a different angle. It took me 2 hours of pushing & pushing & pushing.. it was the biggest shit I ever took in my life. And finally.. 2 hours later.. Mark Ares was born. 6lbs 14oz 19" Perfect. He was placed on my tummy after birth for a minute & was immediately rushed to the Neonatal ICU. =( He also had a fever at birth & was put on antibiotics. After delivering, the next day I was discharged but my son had to stay for another 3 days to continue his treatment & with a low blood cell count he was placed under photo therapy.  I stayed by his side. And didn't once leave the hospital. I couldn't bare it.

I know this wasn't much or that great of a story. But it was mine. And mine to share with you. My son is perfect.. not sure how many lbs or how tall he is but he's 8.5 months old, crawling, standing up & walking with the help of furniture that is. He's babbling a lot! He's said "mama" & wants no one else but me! =D Only downside of birth & having to be placed on antibiotics while in labor the antibiotics prevented me from producing certain bacteria in the body. So to this day since I'm still breastfeeding I have to take acidophilus otherwise Ares gets a yeast infection.Sounds gross but it's not that bad. It's just a diaper rash caused by his urine when I don't take my probiotic regularly.

That's my birth story. Share yours if you haven't. I'd love to read about it!

Undecided

Every day & night is an emotional battle. If only he knew how difficult it is to simply consider & weigh my options. It's easier said than done! The choices we make are what makes us who we are. "I know god will not give me anything I can't handle." If it wasn't meant to be it wouldn't have happened. Put yourself in my shoes instead of asking what I've decided to do. Then you'll understand what exactly it is you're asking from me. I have no one to turn to even my mother can't make that decision for me. I've asked for her advice & in the end it's still my choice to make. Right now I haven't got a clue what that choice is. Yes I'm running out of time. Maybe that's the answer, maybe I should let time decide.

Merry Christmas & Happy 2012

So I haven't been on here for a couple weeks now. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas & a wonderful-safe New Year! Here's a few things that happened since I last blogged..

My son Ares first Christmas came & gone. He received so many toys from family & friends! It's ridiculous. We've still got a few laying around the room since we don't have a place to put it in. The closet is filled! We've already stored his outgrown toys/bouncers/clothes in storage.. which is also getting filled up. Also, since last blogging Ares celebrated my birthday for the first time! I'm officially 24, yay!? Right? Nah! I'm a lame-o.. I think it has something to do with how I was raised. I'm no party animal compared to my other half, that's for sure. I prefer the peace & quiet or stay at home vs going out & getting hammered. Not my style. What else.. Also celebrated Ares first New Year, which the three of us all slept through. No joke! We slept through the countdown. I hope that's not a bad thing starting off New Years that way. I mean.. we're fully rested so does that mean we won't be so tired for the rest of the year? lol.

hmm.. that's about it. Yea I know.. lame. Well, until next time.