Euen's Eleventh Month

Euen's eleventh month was spent on the beach! Second time to travel and ride the airplane, my sisters and our family went to Boracay as an advanced birthday treat to Kuya Ikoy.  This was planned months ago and it's a plus that Ate and Tita went with us.

It was no surprise that the baby enjoyed the beach.  And to spare us from buying a cake, we just stuck the candles on the white sand, making the whole beach, Euen's monthsary cake.

Not so Merry Christmas

Euen's first Christmas was not so merry.   First, Shashing caught dengue and was hospitalized a week before Christmas.  Good thing, she was discharged on the 23rd.  But on the eve of Christmas, Lolo was rushed to the ER.  He was having a hard time breathing.

Good thing it wasn't pneumonia, he was on the ICU for a few days to be closely monitored then, was discharged before the New Year.   So, we had noche buena and media noche on the eve of January 1.

Eventhough it wasn't a merry Christmas, 2012 was a year full of blessings.  And the best gift was already given to us earlier this year.

Euen's Eighth Month

Since the twelfth fell on a Friday, we decided to celebrate Euen's eighth month with Angkong and Ahma. And so, we packed the high chair and brought it with us.  I made strawberry cheesecake.

She just gained 0.2 lbs. this month.  The pediatrician said it's nothing to worry about.  I could just increase the her solids. So aside from her lunch and dinner meals, I've given her snacks in the mornings and afternoons.  She's drinking an average of 4 ounces of water a day.  Of course, I'm still breastfeeding 7-8 times a day.

It has just been a month but the baby had many milestones. She has tEEth now. Yes, two on the lower front. Though unable to crawl, she can stand up from sitting position holding on the the rails of her crib. And she's making tiny little assisted steps.  And recently, she's learned how to close and open her hand.

Unfortunately, Ahma had to be some place so we missed her.  But Lola auntie, Lolo uncle, Uncle Jeng-jeng and Tita Desy were there to sing her a birthday song.  Happy eight months little darling Euen!

Happy Six Months

Half a year has passed!!  Comparing Euen's monthsary pictures, she has really grown.

Exactly 16 lbs. this month, she hasn't gained much.  I have increased the amount of servings in her food and she continues to explore different tastes: veggies, some fruits and a little introduction on proteins.

She's learned to balance herself when sitting down. And spends a little more time playing.  I have started to hear more and more syllables from her: ma, da, na.

Also, she's begun to be attached, mostly to me.  She cries when she realizes it isn't me, or her Papa, carrying her.  She recognizes faces: she always gives a big smile when she sees her Papa for the first time when he comes home from work, or Lolo during weekends when he hears his voice.

This is Euen's first monthsary celebration with Kuya Ikoy and Lolo.  With mommy's homemade cupcakes for her monthsary cake.

Lolo and Euen

Since I gave birth, almost every weekend, we get to see Papa.  And almost every weekend, he will just look at Euen and talk to her. His famous line for Euen is, "ATATAWA."  Then instantly, Euen will look at his lolo and give him a smile.  And this never fails!  

But never did he asked to carry Euen in his arms.  During the first few months, I just thought maybe he's just scared because the baby's still fragile.  After a few months, the most the he has touched her grandaughter is letting Euen play with his finger. 

Until last weekend when we were all in the dining table, together packing snacks for my sister's work. The baby cried from her crib, wanting to join us.  So, lolo asked to put the baby on the dining table and he held Euen while we continued packing.  Though he didn't really carry the baby in his arms, I was happy to see Papa hugging Euen.  

I was never Papa's favorite and I couldn't remember when was the last time I gave him a hug or kiss.  But I am happy that he has Euen now, to hug and kiss.  And this, I will teach Euen until she grows old. 

Paalam Nanay Norma

May kasabihan, "Ang isang ina, isusubo na lang, ibibigay pa sa kanyang anak." At ito ay nakita ko kay Nanay Norma, kung gaano nya kamahal ang kanyang mga anak, hanggang saming mga apo nya. Sa 82 years ng buhay ni Nanay, halos 60 years nito, sya ay ina. Ako, five months pa lang akong ina sa aking anak kung kaya't hindi ko maimagine kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal, pag-aaruga at pagsasakripisyo ang ibinigay nya sa kanyang mga anak.

Labingisang taon nang wala ang mommy ko, kaya tuwing ako'y nangungulila, ididial ko lang ang numerong ito: 9038125, at maririnig ko na ang mataas at matinis na "Hello?", ang boses ni nanay. Magkakamustahan at magkwekwentuhan na kami at bago ibaba ang telepono, hahalik muna sya ng madami at sasabihing mahal nya ako. Napakaraming naming mga kwento at fond memories with nanay, bawat apo ay may isang di malilimutang alaala kasama si nanay, simula nung bata pa kami hanggang sa huli.  Ako, si Nanay ang naghatid sa akin sa altar noong araw ng kasal ko. Palagi kong sinasabing pagdasal nyang magkababy na kami, kasi sabi ko, alam kong malakas sya kay God. At noong buntis ako, alam kong nag-alala sya para sakin at sa baby ko. Kung kaya't masayang masaya kami na nakita at nahawakan nya ang kanyang great grandchild.

Ngayon, tapos na ang paghihirap ni Nanay, masaya na sya kasama si Tatay, at si mommy. Sana sa pagkawala ni Nanay, manahin natin mula sa kanya kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal nya sa kanyang mga anak, kung gaano kahalaga sa kanya ang pamilya.

We love you Nanay Norma. We'll miss you.

Kuya Ikoy

Taglines of the little boy for the baby.

Nuni, pwede na ba sumama si baby Euen sa mall?
May stroller ba sya? Pwede ba ako magtutulak ng stroller nya?
And yes, he did push Euen's stroller and didn't even want anyone to help him.

Sitting beside Euen on the car on the way home. Euen starts to get fussy.
Baby Euen, huwag ka na magcry. Pupunta tayo sa mall! Pupunta tayo sa zoo!
Hindi naman tayo pupunta sa mall o sa zoo ha.
Pretend lang naman Nuni. Para hindi na magcry si baby Euen.

Euen crying and I told him to sing her a song.
Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase.
Hakuna Matata, ain't no passing craze.
It means no worries for the rest of your days.
It's our problem free philosophy, Hakuna Matata.

In the picture, he was very careful when we placed Euen on top of him. He thought he alone was carrying Euen and pleading us to get the baby.
Si Baby Euen binubunot yung hair ko.

Baby Euen loves you too, Kuya Ikoy.

Shashing is Home

Two years seemed like forever but finally, Shashing is home!

Papa's happy because her favorite daughter is back! His three daughters are together again!

To compensate for the two months that she hasn't seen Euen, I volunteered her to babysit for three days while I started my first week back to the office.

As Ikoy said, our family's complete! Well, almost.

Welcome home Shashing!

Shashing

After one month and eight days, finally Shashing had a business trip!

Finally, Euen met her for the first time! Finally, she got the chance to touch and smell and carry, and kiss and hug Euen for the first time. Euen got to see her other tita that bought and brought her all her Ikea things and her other tita that she only hears in Facetime. Even if it is just for a night and half a day, we're all happy.

After all, it will be less than two months more and she'll be back for good. Yey!

Two Weeks with Papa

Denden took two full weeks leave that included his seven day paternity leave to attend to me and our baby. A few days after being discharged from the hospital, we were first time parents to our little angel.

Because I was still recovering, my movements were limited. My only task was breastfeeding Euen, all others, the new Papa took charge. That included taking care of me and not only Euen. The first few days I couldn't go up and down the stairs so food was brought to me. My wound needs to be cleaned daily as well. On top of that, he took care of the house and the dogs.

Not bad for a first time dad, Denden courageously led on taking care of our precious princess. Knowing him, he was fully equipped with all the research that he did on the web, he was prepared. From changing diapers, to which diaper brand is better. From using the co-sleeper to not using pillows and blankets for the baby. He looked forward to the morning-sunny-time on the stroller with Euen and the dogs. My favorite part is when he bathes Euen. The baby cries on the tub when she's washed with soap but she suddenly stopped with we put her on the pail to be rinsed. She enjoyed being soaked on the water. I guess it reminded her of the swimming pool in my womb.

I have to give three stars for Denden's well done jobSSSS. I wished the two weeks never ended. I felt and experienced, that we are a family.

But "Papa" needs to go back to work. So, goodluck to Euen and me next week!

Family

I look at our baby and I still cannot believe that this little angel was just inside my tummy a few days ago. I pinch myself sometimes to make sure that I am not dreaming. I stare at her from the dark strands of her hair, her blinking eyes, her tiniest lips, her reddish skin, up to the tip of her toes. I watch my sleeping beauty and never imagined this perfection. Everyday for the rest of my life, I will thank God for this gift He's given us.

Now that Euen is finally here, our family is complete.

2-12-12

Finally, you're here.
I will never love anybody else more than I love you.

Hand Me Downs

As I'm nearing towards the end of my pregnancy and as we await for the day that Euen finally arrives, we received a lot more of hand-me-down-baby-sutff, from relatives and relatives' friends (a.k.a. sisters' friends). The first picture is a very cute and colorful zero to three month, strawberry and stripped set from Baby Katka and Tita Aves, Shashings' bestfriend. Of course, the cute elephant bib is probably because Shashing likes elephants.

I have read somewhere that you shouldn't buy too much baby clothes, since babies would just outgrow them.

Since my bestfriend already gave me a whole wardrobe up to twenty four months (thanks to Ate Annika and Kuya Alfons), I was able to stop myself from shopping and just bought these few items: 2 sleeveless onesies, 2 sleeved onesies, 2 newborn pajamas and 2 pairs of mittens. Euen received advanced Christmas gifts also, she had a few pairs of socks. Thanks to the Santos family, our neighbor who's very thoughtful, and to Tita Michelle, my cousin.

Then came hand-me-down clothes from newborn up to three months from Tita Aa and Kuya Caleb. Yes, the colors are blue and brown but they are still soooo cute, especially the onesies and body suits. More socks, mittens and hats as well.

A couple of months ago, Tita Ina, Denden's cousin from the US, left me a message at Facebook congratulating us and asking for Euen's gender. She was hoping it was a girl so that she can send us all the baby stuff of her daughter, Justine. Baby stuff not only meant clothes but a lot more of baby things that we didn't have to buy.
1. Boppy Pillow for nursing.
2. A diaper bag. Good to have an extra.
3. Select a Show Soother, a soother with various sound choices with a projector.
4. A pile of bibs, from the smallest, cutest bibs up to toddler bibs.
5. More than 50 pairs of colorful socks. For newborn up to two years.
6. More baby accessories, hats, mittens, headbands.
7. A whole clothesline, from newborn to toddler: dresses, shirts, jeans, skirts, shorts, leggings.
8. Toys: teethers and Freddie the Firefly
9. Four pairs of the tiniest and cutest shoes you'll ever see.
10. Baby Wrap
11. Baby Monitor
12. And my most favorite of all, a portable playard, Pack 'n Play!

With all the clothes, I don't think we'll need to buy clothes for Euen until she's two years old. With all the baby stuff and baby gadgets we received, we are so blessed to have relatives and friends who'd graciously share their preloved baby stuff.

From the bottom of our hearts and my tummy, Denden, Euen and I are very grateful.

Excited for Euen

Happy New Year! Here's my first blog entry for 2012, my surprise baby shower party.

My sisters and my bestfriend planned for my "surprise" baby shower a few days after Christmas. It was actually a surprise, except for some clues that left me wondering a bit. But I am very thankful for the gesture. While Shashing kept me busy that forced them to get a foot spa while I get a pedicure, MamaCherub made the colorful banner.

Euen received her first cake. A baby shower cake made of diapers and lots and lots of baby stuff. A labor of love, by my bestest best friend and Euen's soon be Ninang Mama Bing. There were a lot of surprises when we "sliced" the cake piece by piece. More baby essentials that she put inside. A work of art filled with love.

Friends and family came. Everyone had their chance at the Pinoy Henyo-Baby Shower mode. Fun. Fun. Fun. It's still a few more weeks before baby Euen finally comes out, but she can definitely feel the love of the people around her.

Thanks everyone!

2011 Holidays

Shashing is back in Manila, just in time for Christmas. First stop, Nanay's birthday and our reunion with the Cunanan Family. Sadly, Nanay wasn't feeling well that time so she couldn't join us. We just visited her at home and greeted her. As for the reunion, everyone was happy finally seeing me with a big tummy. My growing cousins were all excited to be called tito's and tita's soon enough.

As one family, we all gathered and prayed to thank Him for all the blessings and answered prayers in 2011.

Chrismas day in La Loma means Tita's Kare-kare, which means heaven. She cooked Sinigang na Salmon also which is equally heaven but more nutritious for me. There were new additions to our growing family this year, plus at least one more next year! I can't wait when Euen receives and opens her first Christmas gift from Santa Deeday who gives the grandest gift to every Marcial child and child at heart.

More little kids running around the house again, just like us when we were small. Admiring the huge Christmas tree, snooping at the gifts under them. A new generation of the Marcial clan is coming and growing.

Ikoy's Drawing of our Family

My sister got her Starbucks organizer early. She had too because she promised she'll be the one to collect stickers for me since I am avoiding caffeine and sweets this year.

She asked Ikoy to draw a picture of our family on the first page of the Starbucks Planner. Here is his masterpiece.


- Papa's frowning.
- His drawing of himself is sooo cute.
- Shashing is a princess with a crown and a nice stripped stockings. He said because she's thin and pretty.
- KS is just the way we imagine KS.
- Denden just had his usual-bald-haircut then, thus the dots on his hair.
- Bamba is carrying Mama Cherub. We told him we were jealous of how he drew Shashing and our faces just looked like the faces of the Angry Birds.
- Can you imagine what I look like? He said, it wasn't only me, I had a big tummy that's why he drew me like that and because Baby Euen is inside my tummy.

This is how he imagined our family. And I love that he considers Euen a part of our family already. That's is why I so love this little boy.

Visiting Nanay Norma

Once a month, at least one of us, me or any of my sisters, get to visit mommy's mommy, Nanay Norma. There are times that she's sad because of her worries but there are times that she'll welcome you with a smile and you know that she's happy.

I try to keep her on the loop with what's going on with my life even through just phone conversations. When I told her the news of my pregnancy, she's one of those who prayed and who's still and always praying for baby's health and safety.

We visited her over the weekend thus the picture of her sitting on her Pello, our gift to her last Christmas, holding my tummy. She too, can't wait to meet her great grandaughter. Nanay is happy that day, and we're happy and she's happy.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

Kuya Shosh and Shashing were both here for the long weekend and of course, Papa and Ikoy were both happy to be able to spend time with them. Since it was just a short trip and they have other engagements, we spent most of the time at their house, putting up the Christmas tree, and going out for dinners.

A huge lighted Christmas tree welcomed us at this mall, thus the picture with a silhouette of the me with a bulging tummy, a hubby carrying a bag and a little boy. Indeed says that Christmas is in the air!

Excitement of the Little Boy

Every weekend, he looks at my tummy and notices that it is growing bigger. And every weekend, he asks me when is baby coming out. He's as excited as we all are.
Ikoy: Nuni, kelan ba lalabas si baby Euen?
Me: Onting matagal pa.
Ikoy: Sa Christmas ba lalabas na sya?
Me: Hindi pa! Excited ka naman masyado.

We were at a baby shop and I heard him shout my name.
Ikoy: Nuni, alika dito, may papakita ako.
He pulled me over to the baby dresses. And pointed on a pink one-piece dress.
Ikoy: Bibili ko ito para sa baby mo.

Aside from talking to my tummy once in a while, he also wants to have his share of "feeling" baby. He puts his small hand in my tummy and waits until baby moves. He'll say he feels baby even if he's just guessing.

Here's a picture of Ikoy giving baby Euen a "kiss with amoy". And here's how my tummy looks like at 24 weeks.

October 22: Sixth Maternity Checkup @W22

A quick update on the other two check-ups:
August 23: Fouth Maternity Checkup @WW14. Tita Cel just checked on baby and we got clearance to ride the airplane to visit Sister in Singapore. Yey!

September 24: Fifth Maternity Checkup @WW18. Somehow hoped that this is ultrasound day but it was postponed for next month. But it is always nice to hear baby's heart beating. Additional prenatal vitamins were prescribed: extra calcium and extra iron because my RBC count is a little low.

I was both excited and nervous for the congenital anomaly scan. More than finally finding out baby's gender, I needed to hear that she's healthy and perfectly fine. We had it done at In My Womb at Taguig.


And because of the complete attendance during the scan: Papogs, Shashing, Mamacherub, Bamba and the talkative little boy with the "Asan? Di ko kita si baby p!", and the friendly and reassuring words of the OB-Sonologist, my fears were brushed aside and immediately replaced with pure joy.

Ten fingers, ten toes, nose, lips and eye lens seen and normal. Other organs were seen as well. Baby is 517 grams with heartbeat at 152 beats per minute. The doctor describes to us what she sees and tells us that everything is as it should be.

As for baby's gender, at first, due to baby's position and movement, the doctor wasn't too sure, but near the end of the scan, SHE finally revealed herself. Papogs didn't want to believe and asked the doctor if she was already sure. Hahaha!

We had a glimpse of our angel in 4D but she's shy and she kept on covering her face with her two hands. After almost an hour, the scan was finished and everything I heard were music to my ears.

Today we brought the results to Tita Cel and she was happy with the results as well.

I couldn't thank Him enough for this little life that He entrusted to us. And for my little babygirl, I can't wait to see you, and touch you, and love you more.