My Sky Bridge Experience

This is my second time to go up the Sky Bridge here in the Kingdom. The first time was several years ago when the entrance fee was half the price of what it is now. (That was a very quick price increase!) The Sky Bridge is one of the must see places here in the Kingdom. It stands at 300 meters, 65 meters in length and overlooks the entire city of Riyadh.

 The most special about this second trip is that I get to experience it with my family

 and this romantic surprise...

Marry me again

view from the 99th floor

I knew about the ring since we've been planning a fancy ceremony to celebrate our anniversary this year. I just didn't anticipate that he would actually get down on one knee in front of strangers, strangers who don't usually see proposals like this as they have different proposal and marriage practices. He was so nervous that he wasn't able to say his speech. It doesn't matter. I'll always say Yes to him anyway. I wanted to cry but I was laughing the entire time. I was just so happy that someone will do such a romantic thing for me. I truly chose the right man.
 I love you, Sweetie.

Project for 2016

I've kept mum about this for a few months now. I really wanted to make this a surprise at least until we made major bookings done.  but hubby let the word out already. hihihi. 

mood board 2016 

I'll be posting some ideas here to take notes of what we like and what we've decided on just in case someone "accidentally" deletes my notes from several months of planning.

First 9

Nine years has brought so many things in my life that I can't decide what to say ... 

30ish Birthday

Hubby celebrated his 30ish birthday a few days ago. Our little sweetheart made this banner/card for him.

Then I made this simple chocolate cake for him. 

Hehehe. Me and our daughter should work on our "penmanship".

Happy birthday again Sweetie. We appreciate everything you do to give us a safe and happy home. We love you. 

**********
Buttercream Frosting Recipe 

Chocolate cake Recipe
2 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp vanilla powder
1/4 tsp salt
-- mix and set aside.
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
-- beat then add 1/2 cup oil and cream together
add dry 1/3 of dry mixture ( to egg mixture and beat at slow speed ) alternately with
1/4 cup milk ending with dry mixture.
Beat until well incorporated.
Bake at 200degrees C for 25-30 mins

Chocolate filling
Boil 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup milk. Let it cool. Beat for 3mins.

To My Everdearest Natnat on Father's Day

To my Everdearest Natnat,

I am truly grateful that you, myNatnat has the best daddy in the world.

A dad who chooses to be child like to play
with you over being a strict grown up reprimanding your every move;
A dad who chooses to be at home and have fun with you over staying out with friends to have another kind of fun;
A dad who chooses to eat what you need to eat over what he wants to eat;

A dad who chooses to wake up in the middle of the night to attend to you over having a restful sleep through the night;
A dad who chooses to work and earn more to provide over depending on someone else to provide for us;
A dad who chooses to buy toys that will help you grow a healthy mind, body and spirit over buying gadgets that will help him grow his butt;

A dad who chooses to make big dreams real over hiding under illusions;
A dad who chooses patience and understanding over anger and  disagreement;
A dad who chooses to pray and seek peace over fighting in order to win.

A dad who chooses to love and forgive over hate and pride;
A dad who chooses us over everything else.
A dad who chooses to be the best at his job being a Dad than just carrying that job title.

You're one lucky child, sweetheart.
Time to kiss your Daddy, Happy Father's Day.

Everyday is Valentines

I find it really unnecessary for the hubby to make this Valentines day special. I get my special surprises everyday anyway. He works 45 hrs a week and still manages to wash the dishes, do the laundry, vacuum the floor and iron our clothes. (Yes. It is possible for that testosterone driven being to do work around the house.) If he has extra energy, he even arranges the toys.  I'm a spoiled, "chore-less", stay-at-home, milk-producing-mom. Lucky me!

But I still got these anyway:

Everyday is Valentines with you Sweetie! Let's stay together, always and forever! I love you!

Everdearest Natnat on 7th month

To my Everdearest Natnat,

Time flies fast and you are a month older and wiser again. You have accomplished a lot this month.

1.) You ate your first solids. We started with the plain old rice cereal with breastmilk which you ate without complain. I really thought it would be like a riot feeding you with solids. It wasn't. You ate whatever I serve you. You open your mouth very wide when you really like what i give you like broccolli, sweet potatoes and pears. Otherwise, you take small bites til you finish one serving. You never throw or spit up.
2.) You sit up on your own. You try every chance you get. You would just pull yourself up when you're bored lying down. You get it right most of the time (when you have pillow propped under your head).
3.) You sit without support. You can ring-sit for a few minutes already while your hands are busy playing. It is such a great achievement. Now, we can play a lot more games.
4.) You make spontaneous "gigil" kisses to mommy -- juts like mommy does to you. You are just the sweetest when you do that. It just makes my day getting kisses from you.
5.) You learned common hand tricks very quickly.you doing closing and opening of hands was so fun to watch. You are like a robot. Whenever we say close-open, you would automatically do it. You also clap your hands and feet to amuse us too.
6.) You waited gracefully with mommy to be with daddy. We are going to be with daddy really soon. And you made it easier for me not to miss him so much. You look a lot like daddy and act like him too.

You made single parenthood (physically and temporarily only), not that bad. But I have no intentions of going through it again. I'm so proud of you and everything you have achieved so far.

I love you mySweetheart. Happy 7 months.

Love,
Mommy.

Everdearest Natnat on 6th month

Everdearest Natnat,

Happy half year old my Sweetheart.

You give mommy and everyone around us so much joy with your sweet smiles and enchanting eyes. Really.

I see your dad in you. You got everything from your your dad -- your eyes, your smile, your dimples, the way you sleep, the way you move your fingers, etc. Those make me super happy because that's what I really wanted -- a smaller version of daddy.

You look at me intently and lovingly when we wake up, just like daddy. Daddy thinks mommy is prettiest just right after I open my eyes.
You sleep beside me so near that you breathe into my armpits, just like daddy. Daddy feels a lot safer when he is very close to me.
You grin when you do naughty things, just like daddy. Daddy makes sure mommy doesn't get angry with his pranks.
You keep quiet and just sit beside me when mommy is upset, just like daddy. Daddy makes everything okay by just being there for mommy.
You hold mommy's hand all the time, just like daddy. Daddy loves mommy so much that he doesn't want to let me go.
You hug me when mommy is in pain, just like daddy. Daddy will take away all mommy's discomfort so that I will always feel well.
You are very playful, just like daddy. Daddy never stops playing and making fun of mommy because he wants us to be happy all the time.

I'm so lucky I have two times of my greatest love.

I love you so much. Mommy and daddy will try better in keeping us all happy together, forever.

Happy 6 months MySweetheart.

Love,
Mommy

everdearest sweetie

To my everdearest sweetie,

This is to remind you that you are always on my mind even if I’m spending so much time with our everdearest natnat.

I still feel I am the luckiest wifey in world because I have a husband like you. You never fail to make me feel loved more than I deserve. You always make me feel I am the sexiest and prettiest even if I’m 20kilos more than when you first met me. You’ve seen me at my best and stayed with me at my worst. You always understand my “hormonal imbalances” and never take it against me. You always plan with us and for us which make us feel we are very important in your life. I could not ask for anything more.

Thank you for choosing me to be your wifey and mommy to our Natnat. Thank you for letting me stay and take care of her. I miss my old life but making sure that our daughter is well taken care of – happy and healthy, is  I think the best gift I can give you and Natnat. You and Natnat will always come first in my life.

I will love you and take care of you forever. I will always be by your side and will support your decisions and dreams for our growing family. I will make ways for us to be happy and together for the rest of our lives…. because you deserve much more than that.

I love you mySweetie.

Natnat loves you.

To My Everdearest Natnat on 5th month

To my everdearest Natnat,

I have never imagined I would be 100% 24/7 hands on mother to you. You made me a “slave” – constantly watching over you and giving you your wants and needs. I think it’s your cute little smile, your charming eyes, or your chubby cheeks that got me. I just couldn’t leave your side.

You wake up each day giving me those “beautiful eyes, soft caresses, and your enchanting smile telling me, “please wake up now mom. I want to play.” at 5 in the morning. Even if I still want to sleep some more, who wouldn’t give in to you, right?!

You always want to play and you rarely sleep during the day. You grab everything in sight and put them inside your mouth –that includes your rattle, burp pad, mommy’s finger, mommy’s mobile phone, mommy’s stuffed toy, etc. (You like to taste all of mommy’s stuff). I guess it’s your way of exploring and discovering things.

You perfected rolling in bed and prone on elbows.You would turn on your own maybe 100x before you sleep at night. You learned to do "high five" and play peek-a-boo too. You can also remove and put back your soother on your own. You began to enjoy drinking water too. You even prefer to hold your bottle by yourself. You are just the cutest.

However, you became very clingy again like when you were a newborn. You wouldn't take your afternoon naps unless you have mommy as your daybed. it's a lot easier to put you to sleep when you lie down on mommy's lap while watching tv. I guess it's also your way of making sure she gets her rest too. Mommy's been busy juggling doing household chores and playing with you 'coz we've been nanny-less for a month now. We are surviving gracefully by the way. You are just the sweetest.

Keep on learning new things. It makes me proud.
Keep on smiling. It melts my heart.
Keep on holding mommy's hand. It relaxes me.
Keep on touching mommy's face. It wipes away my tears.
Keep on being mommy's baby. It makes me who i am today.

Happy 5th month my sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy loves you.

everdearest natnat on 4th month

To my everdearest Natnat,

You continue to amaze me with your growing talents, skills you acquire and strength to keep up with mommy's schedule. It was a productive month for both of us. And it was the Christmas season too. Your very first Christmas.

We were able to complete the 9 consecutive days Dawn Masses. Not everybody can wake up early and hear mass at 4am. But we did it. Yay! You were such a good girl that I didn't have a hard time bringing you to mass. Thank you, sweetheart.

Your very first Christmas Eve was spent in our humble home with family. You had so many gifts which Mommy opened excitedly for you. Santa also sent you a gift since you were a good girl last year. Keep it up so that you'll have more gifts from Santa this year.

Christmas Day was spent with your grandparents in Quezon City. You were also able to meet your Great grand father. Too bad he's too weak he can't carry you. You got more and more gifts which Mommy enjoyed opening for you.

We were also able to get you your passport. Remind me to tell you about that trip to the DFA when you grow older. Now we are ready to go for trips. Yay!

We were also able to visit your grandparents in Pangasinan. It was your first very long trip via public transport. It was also a breeze taking you there. Thank you, sweetheart.

You enjoyed riding tricycles, pedicabs, open air buses and jeepneys as we go around Daddy's hometown. You really love going out. Thank God (and Martine) we have a baby carrier that is easy to use. We can go around everywhere and anywhere you want to.

We were also able to go to the beach. Mommy and Aunty was so busy taking your pictures on the sand that we forgot that the waves might reach you --  your first "taste" of sand and salty water. But you were such a darling. You didn't mind the being soaked with the sea water. \


You are the most amazing baby -- looking when we call out your name, giggling so loud, "talking" noisily, turning and rolling in bed, and the list goes on. And I am so proud of you.

Continue to make Mommy and Daddy smile. Inspire us more to become better people.

Happy 4th month my Sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy loves you.

everdearest natnat on 3rd month

To my Everdearest Natnat,

You give mommy reason to wake up every morning (figuratively and literally). Since Daddy temporarily left us, sometimes, I don’t want to get up anymore. I’m thinking that if I sleep long enough, he will be back soon. But you are an early riser – very early riser now that you are on your 3^rd month. Your new routine made mommy see the sun rise, hear the horn of pandesal vendors and smell the aroma of newly cooked tosilog (tocino, fried rice/sinangag and egg/itlog) which mommy hasn’t experienced for a long time.

You also made mommy realize the beauty of the new day. It’s another day of spending time with you. Watching you grow is such a magical sight. You are so beautiful. I can’t help feel proud that I have raised you healthy, strong, smart and beautiful… so far. I couldn’t have done it without the virtual help of your dad and the people who loves us.

As you grow past the newborn stage, you are becoming more independent. You play by yourself with the toys and daddy’s picture strategically placed in your playpen. You sleep on your bed alone when you are tired. You can sleep by yourself with the help of your soother. You go back to sleep on your own when you’re awaken in the middle of you afternoon naps by the neighbors’ noises. You can even remove your snot by sneezing very strong. You cry less and coo more. You just seek me for feeding and for diaper change… that has become less often as before. I feel that you won’t need me any time soon.

I will always be around though for whatever and whenever you want.

I will still play with you when you’re tired of your toys. I will still let you sleep on my chest when it’s lonely on your bed. I will still carry and rock you to sleep when the soother won’t do the trick. I will still sing soft lullabies when the noises are too loud for your uninterrupted sleep. I will still clean your nose when the bogey just won’t come out. I will still do all of these and much more because you will always and forever be my baby, my sweetheart, my everdearest Natnat.

Happy 3^rd month, myNatnat. Mommy and Daddy loves you.

Love,
Mommy

everdearest natnat on 2nd month

“This is an official entry to Dainty Mom’s “Write your Mommy Mission Statement” contest”


To my everdearest Natnat,

Maybe you are too young to understand but old enough to notice the changes in our lives. It will be just you and me for the next eight months (or a little longer). Your dad, the one who plays rough games with you, the one who sings songs only he who knows the words and the one who causes pimples on your cheeks because of his mustache touching your face when he endlessly kiss you, happens to be a responsible father. He has to unwillingly go back to work far away to give us a better life.

Don't worry, he will be back soon.

For the meantime, you have to bear waking up every morning and spending 24/7 with your not so beautiful mommy. The loneliness of not having your daddy around and the sleepless nights to feed you and change your nappies has caused some unwanted changes to mommy's face and body.

Now that you are two months old, mommy promises you that:

I will be the most beautiful mommy you will ever have. (As if you have a choice?!)

You're not trading moms with the next door neighbor though.

Mommy will take time to comb her hair so that I will look pretty and beautiful. My hair will no longer poke you or won't irritate your skin anymore when I hold you. I don't want you to grow up with ugly scars.

Mommy will take (long) showers to feel clean, fresh and feeling beautiful. You will less likely to get sick when I'm clean when I play with you. Prevention (from sickness) is the best cure.

Mommy will eat healthy so that I will lose weight and have beautiful skin. You'll also be nourished well as I breastfeed you and you will learn healthy eating habits at an early age.

Mommy will exercise to remove all the pregnancy fats and to have a beautiful body.  It will also make me stronger so I can carry you when putting you to sleep and when we go around town.

Mommy will pamper herself (once in a while) to look beautiful. It will put me in a better mood so I can take care of you better.

Mommy will surround herself with beautiful people -- people with good looks and good heart. I'm hoping I will absorb their beauty & positivity so that you will (hopefully) reflect our good and beautiful vibes.

I will simply be the most beautiful mommy you'll ever have (inside and out) and I will make everything around you beautiful  for the rest of your life... because you are the most beautiful thing that ever happened to our lives.

Happy 2nd month myNatnat. Mommy and Daddy loves you.

Love,
Mommy

everdearest natnat on 1st month

To my everdearest Natnat,

You are growing up so fast. Faster than I have ever imagined. You're a couple of pounds short of doubling your weight (which should happen when you're 5months old). I feel that it was just yesterday that I was in the delivery room pushing so hard to make you come out to this world. And now, you're one month old.
You are one healthy baby. Thank you, Lord. Even if mommy and daddy don't practice "hospital" level sanitation, or we allow too many visitors to hold you (who sometimes have colds), you don't get sick and still growing big and strong. and we intend to stay that way, right myNatnatt?!
You are also one big eater. Your appetite is way up the charts. Thank God I can keep up with purely breastfeeding you.
You're one big pooper too. Lol. I guess that's healthy since you really drink milk a lot.
You're so strong too. You can lift and turn your head by yourself. Your grandparents are amazed by your strength and kalikutan. You always seem to move even in your sleep.
You're well behaved too when the need arises. You are quiet during your baptism, during long travel, you have visitors or if we have your check up. That's why everybody loves you.

I hope you grow healthy, strong, beautiful and smart. have great faith in God and pray always myNatnat.

Mommy and daddy loves you and will never get tired of taking care of you.

You're our Sweetheart, myNatnat. Happy first month!

Nativity

It was another lazy Friday afternoon, still waiting to pop.  I'm so ready to give birth as my husband is already here. The first glimpse of the bloody show has finally arrived. But it was just a faint streak of blood so this day might not be it yet. We went to the evening mass that day so that just in case I do give birth in a few hours, I will have some Divine blessing from up above and I'll have the birth experience as I planned.

The day ended with a trip to the mall with nothing but just like that monthly cycle stain -- no contractions, no water bag breaking. Oh well, tomorrow is another day -- 9/10/11.

I went to my OB/GYN the morning after for my regular prenatal check up. I was only 20% effaced, cervix still high and close. I might give birth in a few days she said. But I was so determined to give birth the same day -- 9/10/11. I told the doctor, "See you later Doc." So off we go to the mall again to do some more walking, an exercise that helps in giving birth easily. After 4hours of tiring window shopping and pigging out, still no contractions or water bag breaking. It's time to go home and rest. Maybe today is not yet the day.
After a quick catnap, I felt doing number 2 and felt some gush of fluid came out of me. This might be it as I have read somewhere that it feels like you want to poop when you are about to give birth. But I did do number 2. So this might be false alarm still. It was 3:30 in the afternoon.

We just decided to cook a nice dinner to tire me some more thinking that I'll give birth soon when I do more work or exercise. We were not yet finish with our pasta sauce when I felt contractions becoming more regular and stronger. "sweetie, this might be it. I'll just take a quick shower while you finish cooking our meal, ok.", I said to my husband. he really wanted to eat Spaghetti with white sauce that night that he couldn't leave it unfinished.

Our dinner is ready but my contractions are really stronger and more frequent than ever before. We have to leave for the hospital.
My mom who was also around asked, "where are you going?"
"to the hospital", I said.
'Why? Are you going to give birth?"
"Uhm, yes!"
"Hear the 6:30 pm mass first. " It was only 5pm.
'Uhmmm. Mom, Im in real pain now. We have to go... NOW."

My husband and I arrived at the hospital 30 mins after. i was still smiling while in great deal of pain. we were accommodated right away as I already have my admission slip.

The pain was really getting stronger. It's like menstrual cramps but way stronger than you can ever imagine. My back is also feeling the pain as we waited for my OB/Gyn and anesthesiologist to arrived. By 7pm i was already 7cm dilated.
"masakit!" (Ouch!) was all I can say. I'm reserving my energy for the "pushing stage" that I don't want to shout or say any other curse like what other preggo exclaimed from birth/labor stories I have heard.

Finally my OB/Gyn and anesthesiologist arrived. I was injected with epidural anesthesia. Which as far as I can remember, my anesthesiologist was a bit angry at me coz I just won't curl up my back right away. I remember myself saying "Teka lang, ang sakit sakit eh." (Wait! Its so painful.) When the anesthesia was already taking its effect and i was almost fully dilated, my OB/Gyn prepped me for what will happen in the next room where I will be asked to push. We even practiced pushing. It's just like really pooping. Inhale -  hold breath - push for 10secs. I got it right most of the time.

At around 8pm, Im fully dilated and we went to delivery room. My husband was supposed to go with me inside, but he was so nervous and afraid that he could not think or move anymore. All he can do was pray the rosary. He is a nurse by the way. Ironic, er?!

After several pushes (everytime I felt the contractions), our healthy, beautiful baby girl is finally out -- 9/10/11 at 9:45pm. She's such a screamer. And a carbon copy of her dad. "Thank you guys (attending doctors, residents, nurses and midwives in the delivery room with me.)"

Thank you Lord I survived.

Everything went well. No dramas, no complications. Everything was so smooth that I can really say that giving birth (with drugs) is not so bad after all.

I love you my sweetheart. Mommy loves you. Daddy loves you.

We are now complete... my family of three. :D

finish line

With my due date just around the corner, I can't help but feel proud of myself for not losing "it" yet -- my sanity. This pregnancy has been a wild rollercoaster ride and couldn't have survived it without mySweetie. He's the most supportive, caring and understanding soon-to-be-father I have ever known. With a man like him, pregnancy is just so magical and wonderful -- though I swore to him I will not going to do this again .... not anytime soon.

As of press time, my not so little bump is (still) throwing punches again. Maybe s/he is excited to come out and see for him/herself how wonderful it is to be loved by his/her dad. We had spent too much time together and maybe s/he  is getting bored with my stories, dances and caresses. I will surely miss him/her in my belly.

I think its (much) easier to take care of him/her while s/he is inside my womb than outside. But I have to let her go after some time right and let him/her experience this world. Just dont grow up too fast my little one, please!?

I'm excited and scared for everything unfolding before me. But the best is yet to come, right!?

I love u myNatnat.  Can't wait to hold you in my arms. You will forever be mommy's baby.

Alien In My Tummy

A glimpse of how it feels like being me these past few weeks. LOL.

These pictures were taken at around 1am. It's just a matter of 1-2 minutes in between those baby stunts in my tummy thus deforming my belly. Isn't s/he the cutest?! LOL.

everdearest natnat

To our everdearest Natnat,

Five to six weeks from now, Mommy will finally see the only person that made her believe in love at first sight. Yes, it's you myNatnat -- not your daddy.

These last few weeks have been interesting for us with the surge of my mood swings, your playfulness and those final practices of contraction. Your daddy must have bought a lot of patience to bear with the two of us. You are one lucky kid to have daddy like yours. Love him with all your heart as she loves him as much as she loves you.

Mommy has been also trying to guess which body part you're using to poke her. She think it's your foot on her right rib, your elbow on the lower left abdomen and shoulder on the navel. She tried tickling and tracing to guess them but she thinks she over did it. You now try to hide your appendages and try not to poke her again on those places. But you can't hide anymore in her overstretched tummy. Mommy is too small to carry a big healthy baby like you.

mommy hopes you enjoy the hammock mommy is making for you. She read that if she does certain positions, it will create a hammock for you and if she moves or rock a little, you'll be in a better position and be able to sleep better. It's a little weird and uncomfortable in those positions. But anything for you my little one. I guess maternal instincts is stronger now than before.

mommy and daddy hopes that they will be good parents to you and provide you with all your needs. You deserve all the good things in this world, nothing less. Just please be good to mommy and daddy.

Daddy is excited to carry you Natnat. Mommy has been carrying you for quite a while now...it's daddy's turn soon. Mommy thinks it will be really nice to see you two together. It will be the happiest day to have Mommy's two favorite people with her. She hopes you can all be together all the time.

I love you Natnat. I love you mySweetie. I can't wait to hold you both in my arms

~Mommy

*the sweetie is an OFW and will be coming home in a few weeks to be with the wifey for the grand entrance of the baby.

for new dads

The nicest thing about being pregnant is you get to see and know how loving your partner is. In spite of you being hormonal, huge and whining all the time and all, he still sees you as the most beautiful "creature" in this entire world.He appreciates your effort and sacrifices in giving up your comfort zone just to give a safe and healthy environment to his soon to be born child..

(There are times) I just love being pregnant and having the most understanding husband. I simply have the great things life has to offer... but the best is yet to come.

From my experience I suggest to soon to be dads (first timers and veterans) to take note of the following so as to keep your pregnant partner happy and prepare yourself for the new life ahead.

1) Always tell your partner how beautiful she is. No matter what shape, size and color she is in, try to see the beauty in her and be vocal about it. Say it out loud so that she can hear it. Nothing makes her happy but to know that she is still the most beautiful and sexiest woman in your eyes. As Jeff Allen once said, a happy wife is a happy life.

2) Know that, It is just hormones. Really. She is not irrational or paranoid or psychotic. It is just the changes in hormone levels. Believe that after the nine months, the mood swings will all be over. Really.

3) Be involve with the pregnancy. Remember, half of what your partner is carrying came from you. It is advised for you to learn about how this pregnancy progresses. You'll be amazed how important you are in the baby's life before he/ she is born. There are a lot of materials available for you to learn about pregnancy and being a new dad. Better yet, accompany your partner to all prenatal visits to the OB/Gyne. Sometimes the pregnant woman gets overwhelmed with her new role and she doesn't hear or absorb the doctor's advises for better pregnancy. It's better somebody else listens to the doctor with her for better follow up at home. It is also good that you know personally your OB/Gyne. Remember, the life of your partner and your child is in her/his hands, partly.

4) Support her in any way you can. From bringing her to the doctor, giving in to odd requests, quitting smoking, choosing color schemes for the nursery, giving her back and foot rubs, etc. Imagine putting yourself in her shoes, gaining 10-15kilos or more, not getting enough sleep, suffering from morning sickness, not being able to eat and drink like you used to, feeling the kicks & punches from within etc. You'll be glad that you're not a woman.

5) Breathe. and celebrate the new life that is yet to come. Being a new dad is really overwhelming and life changing. But it doesn't mean that your life will be over. It will just get better.

http://www.freakingnews.com/Pregnant-Austin-Powers-in-Maternity-Tights-Pictures-46706.asp

Congratulations to new fathers. Enjoy the ride. :D

hormone rollercoaster

Throughout this so-called surge-of-hormones-and-mood-swings a.k.a. pregnancy, there are moments ( a lot of them) when you just want to breakdown and just be swallowed up by all the chaos and uncertainty of .. I don't know exactly. It's the hormones (the one I always blame).

One time I just felt so unpretty. I wasn't getting enough sleep, if I ever get some. So my eyebags are the size of a 30kilos luggage. They are very dark too. And I have a huge growing belly so imagine kung fu panda in the flesh. Geessh. And nobody seems to understand why I am grumpy all the time. Who would be jolly and gay if no concealer can cover up those no-sleep eyes, oversized belly and unflattering preggy outifts?! It sounds lame but there are times that your outer appearance boosts your mood and confidence. Without those looks, everything is just disastrous.

Besides being unpretty, there goes unloved. I just feel that the entire world hates me for no apparent reason. Oh well, it's just a feeling. (I hope!) Nobody seems to understand that I hate the smell of fish even I'm already on the final stretch of my pregnancy. Some pregnant women feel  queasy and the "morning sickness" even when on you're on your third trimester already. Well, I do.  Nobody seems to understand that i need to sleep during the day coz I really can't sleep at night no matter what I do. People expect me to get up from bed and do household chores like I used to pre-pregnancy state. Hello?! I'm preggo, can't you see?! People tend to hate me for being grumpy most of the time. Nobody seems to understand that my mood swings are just part of pregnancy and will be over once the baby comes out. 

Unpretty,  unloved and to top it all unsuccessful. I feel that my life is over --my career, that is. Once this baby pops out, I think I will not be able to go back to work soon. And as I wait 'til my baby is big enough to be left with a trusted guardian, I will be too old to get another job. I still want to do a lot of things with my life. I still want to work and get ahead with my career. Travel the world, perhaps. Buy a bigger house and drive my very own car. Dreams will always be just dreams. It's just isn't fair that I have to give up "my life" to give "life" to someone else. Why was I ever made to be a woman?

Good thing mySweetie is ever so loving and understanding. I know I get on his nerves all the time. And all I said above will be another factor for hating me. But he stays cool and calm throughout his ordeals with me. I think he keeps on repeating to himself, "It's just the hormones. It will be over soon". And according to www.babycenter.com, it is very common to have those mood swings because of the changes of chemicals in my preggo brain. Most find that moodiness flares up at around 6 to 10 weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as their pregnancy winds to a close. Exactly.

So I beg you, if ever you know anyone who is pregnant and you just couldn't keep up with her (and her moodiness and depression states), just keep in mind that it is all temporary and will be gone as soon as that little bundle of joy comes out. Seeing that cutesie will definitely melt her heart (and yours too probably). You can just stay calm and ignore her or at least pretend you understand and console her. You can also opt to just stay as far away from her to avoid any confrontations... but please close enough 'coz that moody monster may be just seeking attention.