A Day of a Mother with Her Daughter

A sudden grab of my face and my nose wakes me up in a weekend morning at5am, our 8th month old baby jhaydii now does cute gestures to wake me up. And when she sees me with eyes opened she will start to say uh-ah with arms drumming her tummy and feet bumping the bed. Sometimes lying on her side and keeps on grabbing my nose and eyes. Who can continue sleeping with these morning moves, I don't want to waste time closing my eyes and getting into sleep again (although I am still sleepy). Since our daughter has her morning zest, I make the most out of it and play with her. And we're both tired, I am going to cuddle her and go outside for a morning (dawn breeze) until the sun sets, give her some oatmeal for breakfast.

When she scratches her face on my shoulder and body, it's her signalling she wants to sleep. And it's now my turn to bathe her - at 7am. After that, she will cry for her milk, then I will lie beside her and we'll both fall into sleep :) She wants she has someone beside when sleeping, otherwise, expect her to have short one.

When we wake up, playing time again, feeding and cuddling. I still feel lazy playing the learning dvd her father sent her, she's drumming the keyboard of my netbook when we watch it. But soon, I will :)

That is a day of me with my daughter at home. I make sure I am always with her, diapering her, bathing her, cleaning her, feeding her and playing with her. I cannot imagine being apart from her for long. A day of my life without her is a big loss for me, what more if longer? I cannot take it. I cannot miss her for long, it will be such pain for a mother like me.

Everyone I know can attest to that and agree with me. That is why as much as possible, we are making sure that our children are raised with parents' guidance - our guidance. Not only when they are babies, but all the time, their entire life. Even when it's time for them to go to school, as a young student or those kids doing some outdoor activities, we want to keep them safe and secure, that is why we want to look and have the best Kids Camping Gear for them.

So, to curtail the long :) that is a day of a mother with her daughter.

Till then,

Everything is Ready for Her Arrival

Before I left home last week, I prepared and packed everything in a travelling bag (and I wish I check out if there's sale so I can buy one for a better packing) that needs to be brought at the hospital, so when I feel that the time for her to arrive is here, I will only be picking or bringing them to the hospital.

Before I did, I washed baby's stuff first and ironed them afterwards. Tired but I enjoyed doing it for our baby. Imagine washing those little tiny things and ironing them piece by piece, oh sweat!

I think I am much excited with packing, I have lots of baby clothes in there. Here's the list I have prepared.

• • 3 pieces of short sleeve shirt
  • 3 pieces of sleeveless shirt
  • 3 pieces of long sleeve shirt
  • 3 pieces of pajamas
  • 3 pieces of panties
  • diapersbig
  • cleene cotton
  • alcohol
  • baby wipes
  • baby oil
  • one over all fitted clothing
  • 3 pairs of mittens
  • 3 pieces wash cloths
  • 3 pairs of booties
  • one bonnet
  • one receiving blanket
  • two towels with hoods
  • and those stuff for me of course

It's my first time, and spare me if I have prepared a lot for our baby, it's as if she''ll be staying in the hospital for many days hehehe.. I just want to be really prepared. I can bring them back home anyway if it's not needed in the hospital, at least they're packed :) (Not too excited huh!)

It's March 1st, and I am only counting days for our little jj to arrive. A bit nervous at the same time... Normal for a first time mom perhaps.

Till then,

All That Games!

Because of the sudden swelling of my brother's feet, he is not able to walk around and do something like he used to do. He stays at home rather than making his feet even swelling. He spends his time watching tv, and doh! no other program can be watched but all those basketball games!

I am now reporting for work and will go back home again on weekend, I will perhaps buy him some harvard crimson tickets or hofstra pride tickets or houston baptist huskies tickets so he can enjoy more of his watching.

Nevertheless, I wish he recuperates very quick so he can earn a living for his little family. Bro, get well soon!

In Continuous Learning

I am an individual who love studying and honing myself with everything. I want to learn more and more and to gain more additional knowledge, those that will help me build a better career. I had my basic education for 10 years, my relatives advised me to work after that and help my family, but I insisted on pursuing my tertiary eduucation and achieve my dreams, so I took my undergraduate course and successfully finished it for four years. During that time, during my college years, I had in mind taking an MBA, to further hone my knowledge. I wasn't able to do that right away not until 2010. And thankfully, I was able to finish the 45 units required, the written comprehensive exam and the oral defense (case analysis). And now, I am waiting for our graduation march which will happen on 2013. Another dream checked! Educating my self one after the other.

Education I believe is the key to success, you will never get a nice job if you hadn't taken any. It's true that education is the only wealth that cannot be taken away from you, and in my case, education is the only wealth bequeathed to me.

Preponderate, you want a better life don't you? So take on some education, don't be tired of studying. There are many options available. You can attend a class or you can have it online e.g. eduboard. Attending a class requires your time, particilate, listen and talk, online class is somewhat a little convinient, it requires your time too but you don't need to spend penny for fare or gas up your car. If you want something that is offering more topics online, something like online tutor where you can easily learn Math, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Essay-Writing and more from highly-qualified teachers, there are lots of online tutor available - one of that is the eduboard. So if you want high grades or simply better grades or want to improve your grades, why not avail online tutorial, hassle-free and convinient isn't it?

Mind you guys, be serious on your education, you never know what awaits ahead of you, so better be equipped with good education. Good grades, pays high :) that is for me...

Till then,

This is What Heavy Rain Can Do

Bad weather, heavy rains, flooded country, dreaded condition, sleepless, bored equals BLOG! Wow, all that in one day and take note, I am this sleepless, just had 2 1/2 hours, but still manage to think of something to post. 

To be honest, what made me awake is the fear of any minute, water greets us here in our boarding house. I almost cried seeing our fellowmen soaked in almost as high as human flood - almost around the Metro and some provinces like Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna and Rizal, too bad for us again, another nature's act and there;s is nothing we can do aside from helping each other but PRAY.

I am one of those lucky Filipinos who is not soaked and swam the flood, I was fortunate to reside in a place where flood is very rare, hopefully it's forever. But I pray that heavy rains stops so flooding subsides, Lord please embrace our country.

So this is what heavy rain can do, I was able to generate a cute blog signature.... See it below...

Be safe!

LONDON Olympics

Many countries are competing and bagging for many medals in Olympic games happening in London. We Filipinos have representatives in different sports and wishing that all of them will bring home the bacon. 

I dreamed of joining a competition like this, a gymnast haha, but this dream couldn't be a reality anymore, at my age, I can't do it, my bones are not flexible now and easily get tired. If I had it on my teenage years, I could perhaps join in.

There's perhaps some fee to pay watching it, like the missouri state bears tickets I am wishing I have one or the missouri tigers tickets or monmouth hawks tickets or all of them. I had experience watching games but not like these, hoping one day, I will be able to see more amazing and exciting games.

Till then,

I AM Hired

Are you tired of the routinely tasks you are performing? Do you want to escape the month-end close and enjoy the normal days as if no closing is to come? Looking for a very very challenging job? Do you want to utilize your brain to the fullest, rack it to the best way it can reach and use all the expertise you have? Are you aiming to work in Australia and soon bring home the family with you? I found a perfect solution for that!

I honestly had my interview last Monday, July 31, it was in iPraxis Financial Inc. – an Australian Company based in PBCom Building Ayala Makati. I decided to blog about this because I know this will help those jobseekers who are applying there and I might give some information. This is based all on my experience – interview experience, oh actually, more of a learning experience. Furthermore, I was searching about iPraxis and Stepping Stone so I can have something to answer when they ask me on what I know about their company, I tried searching blogs about it and was nil, so here is my post about it.

I honestly do not have plans of changing company yet, but a former colleague of mine informed me about the Financial Planner opening in Stepping Stone Financial Institution in jobsdb, so after my work, I hastily opened my netbook logged in jobsdb and searched on SSFI, viola! Found it! And it all started there. They replied back and asked me the convenient schedule that I can be interviewed, so I had it on July 31^st.

When I reached PBCom building, I looked at the directory and checked on iPraxis or Stepping Stone Financial Institution (although they informed me what level they are) I couldn’t find the names so I decided to proceed to the elevator and pressed on level 40. When I was there, I did not know as to what entrance I will go, there were 2, I saw “The Nomads” reception and the other one has no name, I entered the first one, then informed the receptionist of my appointment at iPraxis. She dialed in and contacted the iPraxis, informed them of my arrival. I was there at 2:15 and my interview was at 3pm. No regrets for arriving 45 minutes early because heavy rain poured when I was already inside the building.

At 3pm, came my turn. I was approached by two Australian men and we entered in a conference room. The process started. It was like they are conducting a training or overview about how iPraxis does business here in the Philippines and in Australia and lasted for an hour. The position actually as according to them is a Para Planner, if you will be hired, you will be called Jr. Para Planner and eventually a Sr. Para Planner. What you’ll be doing or your job function will be, you will give financial advices to clients, it’s more of a decision making job, you won’t have to deal with month-end closing and the like, but seems like you will be very busy ever month. As explained, iPraxis gives advices about Accounting, Taxation, Investments, Financials and etc, so this means there will be a lot of computation in the work you will do. You will work independently and of course all the decision will be coming from you (this will come from the learning you will gain in the Financial Planning course), you will have to carefully review, decide and make statement about it – a statement stipulated in a legal document called Statement of Advice. But before you can do that, you are required to have the RD 146 or the Diploma of Financial Planning. It is also an international accreditation. Stepping Stone Financial Institution (SSFI) is the institution that will give you the course, you will take it as a self-study in no less than 6 months. There will be some assignments and online examinations, you need to pass it to get the diploma. It is sponsored by iPraxis, but you also need to pay for it in advance. You don’t need to resign to your job as yet, if you are done with the course, you may do so.

Based on what they showed and told me, it was a very challenging and daunting job. I am open to a more challenging job, but, I am not open to paying the course yet. If you submitted them your resume and are invited for an interview, go on, you will understand how it is to earn a basic pay of P40,000 as a start salary and eventually earn as much as P120,000 in a month. Their basic salary is that meager but their bonus takes higher than the basic if you do well in financial planning – all your toils and utilized brain pay off when you see your payslip having that 6 digits. It’s very well compensation compared to others. You will also have a big chance of going to Australia and stay for good. iPraxis will even help you find another job if you find that it’s time to change company.

After they discussed the process, they asked me few questions and at the end of the conversations, told me that I’m hired. They will be sending me some papers to help me decide whether or not to accept the job offer.

It’s a good company! I like it there, but not now :)

Till then,

My 4th of July Experience

Yes, it's true, I experienced celebrating the 4th of July. It was during our business trip in Utah last June - July 2009. Let the pictures show and share you how was it.

Ehe..let's begin with this video... (pictures are taking too long to upload and I am feeling impatient, while waiting, I post this video first :) )

The video below was taken July 3rd, 2009...pre-Independence celebration. Sorry for the voice...

The fireworks on the day of the celebration itself was more wonderful..longer and nearer..but my video is too long and bytes too big, can't embed :(

Here you go..the pictures...

Candies were thrown! And we got some :)

Happy Independence Day USA!

Till then,

NBA 2012

Who wants to watch NBA finals this year 2012? Bet who will win this season? Boston Celtics vs 76ers, Oklahoma vs Lakers? Think think.... 

photo from yahoo sports

I am not a fan of basketball game, I never watch tv games :) wala lang, I just don`t enjoy watching them on tv. But I enjoy watching my brother plays during the barangay liga.

If I do not watch basketball games on tv, how can I buy atlanta falcons tickets, new orleans saints tickets, and minnesota vikings tickets? Hmmm, I better start showing my interest watching either of those mentioned.

Good luck to me :)

Baby Jhaydii is Out

At last, I felt the contraction with pain! As early as 10pm of 20th of March, I was feeling the frequent contraction without pain. That time, I told my husband (through bbm) I think I am about to give birth. I couldn’t get to sleep that night because of the frequent contraction. On 12mn, the contraction with pain started, made me awake the whole night. The pain was tolerable at first then it became intense as it gets dawn. At 2am of March 21st, I got from my bed and ate biscuit, felt starve. My mother and father were awake too. Got back to bed afterwards, but still, couldn’t sleep because of the worsening pain. I silently utter while touching my belly “Baby, let’s wait for the morning ha, before you come out.” When I couldn’t endure the pain, I told my mother that it’s really intense, and I showed her my undies with blood. It was almost 5am. So she readied my packed bag, I took a quick bath and prepared myself to the hospital. It was still dim during that time, we got the hired vehicle to come at home and fetch us. In less than 30 minutes, we arrived at Community General Hospital. There was rainshower along.

We went to the emergency room and handed the personnel the admission slip given by Dra. Susan Valdez. It was hard to move from here and there when there’s contraction. After filling out the information needed, they had me lay in the bed for an internal examination and BP measurement. I was already 3-4 cm. At 6:30am, they brought me to the labor room, examined me – 3-4cm still. At the labor room, the procedure was, the poop has to be disposed fully before the delivery, there was a liquid solution inserted in my anus, after few minutes, I felt the urge to poop. I think I had it five times until I was brought to the delivery bed. Before I was brought, they gave me a half tablet medicine, according to the nurse, it’s the medicine for painless delivery, and a shot to my thigh. I was already 6cm , I also fell asleep because of the med I took, I did not know what happened next, I was already restless, as if walang malay. All I know is there were people around me shouting words but I hardly know them. There was a nurse above me assisting and pushing my belly for baby to come out, they were saying, malapit na, lalabas na, iri.. But how can I make an iri if I was feeling nothing. I felt my baby coming out, without pain, then after that, dunno what happened again next, did they put my baby on me? That I really do not know. I even did not hear her cry ? but I was and am very thankful for my safe delivery and a healthy baby, although she has minor illness like bilirubin and a high WBC.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 8:53 am, an angel came out, we named her JHAYDII, which means gift from God, and at the same time, combination of our names Jay and Dhina, we just made it spelled uniquely.

 

Till then,

 

Written Case and OCE

The time has come, the verdict is about to be given. Bless us please, hope we all make it!

Last Sunday, April 15 2012, the 32nd wedding anniversary of my parents, was the date were we took the written case analysis. The whole day (8-5pm) was reserved and allotted for the analysis of a case. The MBA and TEP. I arrived in the school before 8am, I was from Tiaong, left our home at 5am. We took the case in room 22, the 50+MBA candidates sitted on each table.

The case was tough! The Recalcitrant Director at Byte Products Inc, took me more than an hour of comprehensive reading before I held my pen and wrote something on the white paper provided to us. The four pages case, imagine, I was able to finish it at 2pm. Made me really think harder and harder. As I wrote my analysis, I visualize some questions that may be asked during the OCE.

OCE, now is the OCE. So help me God. Yes, it's our defense time, and here I am blogging first. I am to be asked by group of Panel C and no. 9, it's in the afternoon that's why I still have time to post something. Pardon me for writing something wrong here, I am in a rush. But still need your guidance Lord, hope we all pass.

Mark this day, April 22, our defense day. Let us all see what awaits me this afternoon, the result will be released today.

Till then,

A Day Before Her Arrival

Finally, the long wait is over, on exactly 39th week of my term, I gave birth to the most beautiful girl in the world - the world greeted and welcomed her on 21st of March 2012.

Let me share you how I experienced a day before I gave birth. A day before I gave birth, I had my pre-natal check up with Dra. Susan Valdez, she internally examined me  and checked my cm, it was still 1cm. To stimulate the thinning of my cervix and the expansion of my cm,doc gave me a prescription to be taken orally, three tablets for three days. I bought them after my check up. Prior to this, since we arrived in the clinic almost 12nn, we decided to have our lunch in SM San Pablo. So we spent our time waiting for our turn prowling around the mall. We were there 12nn and left at 3pm, long hours of walk, nice to have some rest, I felt back pain. Then we proceed to the clinic. I was with my mother. I think this long hours of walk stimulated my delivery, was not able to take any of the tablet.

Will tell you more about my delivery in my next post.

Till then,

Finally, Albumin Trace and Pus Cells Are Gone

Last Tuesday, I had my pre-natal check up. Went there in the clinic before 4pm. Had to do the urinalysis first to check if the albumin trace I had in my pregnancy is gone. I waited for 15-20 minutes for the result, and then the staff handed me my result. My eyes went first to the chemical area - I checked first the albumin, it was always TRACE result during the entire urinalysis I had, and I sighed and felt relieved when I saw the result as NEGATIVE, I uttered "Hay salamat, negative na din". And found out too that the pus cells which I had it first as 5-6 hpf, 4-5 hpf 3-4hpf - was now 0-2hpf!!! Yes! Finally, I had a very nice result. Unfortunately, UTI is still here :(

After I got my urinalysis, I went upstairs in the clinic, the assistant checked my blood pressure - 100/70 and my weight and I am now 122 lbs, I already gained 22lbs in my entire pregnancy which is considered normal. After all other patients were called, came my turn. My OBgyne was happy to see the result of my urinalysis. And by the way, this time, my mother accompanied me even in the consultation room, so she saw our baby when we checked her via ultrasound. Saw her female gender again, checked her heartbeat, her lips, nose and her eyes, she even blinked twice :) cutie cutie, love our baby! mwah mwah!

Dra. Valdez performed an internal examination of me, and she told me, I was already 1cm (March 13, 2012) and anytime by this week, I could possibly give birth. So after the IE, she gave me an admission slip so anytime I felt the labor, I can hastily go to the hospital and be admitted. She explained to me how to feel the labor and the sign that I should go to the hospital.

Right now on my 38th week, I haven't felt the contraction or any pain, I am just doing normal. I am spending my time doing the household chores and walking, a bit of sleeping. I am not bored actually. I am excited for our baby to greet the world. She's doing the acrobats now, right at this moment while I am writing this post. Can't wait to kiss and hug her. We love you anak!

Till then,

Remembering My First Time

It was June of 2009 when I experienced my first time to travel out of the country, a business trip with my current employer. During that travel, everything was first, first time in US embassy, first time to be interviewed by the US consul, and got approved for the first time. First time to hop in the airport, first time to enter and see everything what's inside the airport, first time to ride a plane and first time to be light years away from my family.

After a long hour of travel, we finally reached the destination, and my first time to the US. It was Sunday then, and we were not to report for work right away, so we stayed in the hotel where we were booked, my first time still. It was already summer in Utah, but then, it was still cold, so my first time to spend my time in a snowy country. I could still see the snow cap in the mountains around.

This is my bedroom in Marriott Hotel

Since it was still cold, I even set the  air conditioning unit as a heater :D I cannot endure the low temperature at first so I turned it on as a heater. See these photos, love to spend time and sleep here.

I think it was one of the funniest moments of my life during my stay in Utah turning the ACU as heater - my first time though, my body temperature was a bit adjusting to the weather. Then later on, I endured the temperature. Ah by the way, the reason why I also turned the heater was to dry my washed clothes hehe. Yes, I washed it in my room instead of using the hotel's washing machine area wherein you have to pay for using it. Wise me :D so miser!

This post is not enough to enumerate all the first time I had during my travel, too many to tell. It's more than two years now, and I am wondering whether I could visit the snow place once again, if not in Utah, anywhere in US, so I can use my VISA. Would you be interested to send me an invitation? Let me know hehe... (kidding)

Till then,

My Pregnancy Weight Tracker

Last Saturday - February 18, 2012, I had my pre-natal consultation with my OB-gyne Dra. Susan Valdez. I was the 3rd patient. I arrived in the clinic before 9am - the opening time of the clinic and waited until 11am for the doctor to arrive. Patient really applies here - we gotta be patient waiting for the doctor, call of their duty. Dra. Valdez had her round or visitation in the hospital she is affiliated with.

As the usual SOP - we were called by the assistant to get the blood pressure and weight. I had a BP of 100/60 and weight of 67 kilograms, woohaaaa, 67kilos? (this on my 34th weeks and 3days) We weighed twice and the result was the same. Two weeks prior to this, I weighed 53kls only. How come I gained 14kilos in two weeks? I even do not look like I'm 67! Okay then, I waited for my turn to be called by doc. When I was inside the consultation room, and Doc Valdez saw my weight, she was shocked, "how did it happen?" she said. "It's not normal, do you have a diabetes, a hypertension?" she asked me. I said "wala po" "Hmmm, nahilo ako dito, the normal weight gain should be 2 lbs a week, hindi ka naman mukhang lumaki, maliit pa nga tyan mo eh, halika nga silipin natin si baby" Our  baby looks fine according to the ultrasound. And because we were doubtful of my weight, the pregnant assistant checked the weighing scale and found out that it's not in zero base. So I had to re-weigh again, and sigh, I am only 54kilograms (120lbs), a kilo heavier :D Funny, I thought our baby is already big and I do not look like one hehehe....

I tracked my weight every pre-natal visit, here is the chart I have from countdownpregnancy.com

Till then, 

Our Baby's Kick at 33 Weeks and 6 Days

I love to see and feel our baby's kicks inside my tummy. Every time I lie down, I can feel her strong kicks that made my body shake. Our taekwando player inside me :)  

This is our baby girl inside me, kicking her mama strongly:)

I started feeling her movement when I was on my 5th month of pregnancy. It was already strong during that stage. I must document every move she makes because I am going to miss it when she's here with us. Expect to have a very active girl. We love you so much baby!!

Till then,

Mama Dhi At 8th Month and the Baby Stuff

 
and this is me on my 8th month

 

What actually more exciting aside from seeing your baby during an ultrasound, is buying baby stuff. I am not excited to buy things hehe, I had it last January. All is pink - for our baby girl. I budgeted 3k - 5k only, but because there are things that need to be bought, I actually spent Php10,500. Here they are.

 

I thought these will not reach 10k, but when I paid the cashier huwaw... X_X I wasn't able to take photo of the baby clothes, the long sleeves, the shirt, the sleeveless, pajamas, panties, baby ties, those are included in 10k of baby stuff. I still need to buy sterilizer and some feeding bottles later.

This is our first baby so why not spend more for her things :) Pero, na excite and napasarap lang siguro ako sa pagso shopping for our baby that's why it is that expensive.

There so much more to tell and share. I'll post it here. By the way, I will be having a urinalysis again on my next visit with Dra. Valdez, and hopefully, my UTI is gone. 

See you soon baby, we love you so much!

Till then,