THE BUNTIS CHRONICLES

January:

Hey, my breasts are so tender. Ahh… one of my pre-menstrual signs.
I want to sleep all the time! At home, in the car…
Constant peeing. Had to get up at least three times a night.
Hala, two lines… I’m pregnant! (I’m going to be a mother soon… Oh no! I drank Bailey’s last night)
Hubby wakes up and, upon hearing the news, does the “bunny jump” all around the house :-)
Time to tell family…


February:

Hubby gave me a bouquet and a stuffed animal (“sleepy cow”) for Valentine’s Day. It became my monicker for some time.
In the morning, eww, I wanted to vomit (but I don’t). Snow Bear please…
We had our first prenatal check-up. The sound of our baby’s heartbeat moved us to tears…
Doctor said I must not wear jeans anymore.
Have to wear nursing brassieres also.
Time to tell friends…


March:

Began rubbing cocoa butter lotion on my belly, buttocks, and thighs after every bath.
Started talking/singing to baby and letting him/her listen to baby-friendly music (courtesy of CDs bought by Papa)
Constantly amazed by the idea of a tiny person growing inside me.
Time to tell officemates…
Could still pass off as a non-pregnant woman.
But bought a few maternity clothes already.


April:

Yey, less peeing. Sweet dreams for me!
I’m not a “sleepy cow” anymore!
I don’t have the vomiting feelings also…
While fixing James’ coffee, felt the baby’s first flutter! :-)
Dared to wear a bikini on a resort with the bulging tummy.


May:

Scenario every morning (before going to work): Wait a minute, what to wear? What to wear?!
Reorganized my closet. Change wardrobe!
Ey, I have a linea negra.
My tummy is beginning to “show.”
Hubby and some friends bought/gave/lent me more maternity clothes.
Shed a few tears again during the baby’s first ultrasound.
The doctor wasn’t sure if the baby was a girl, hence the notation on the film “girl?”
Been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, especially at night time.


June:

So this is how it feels like to wear maternity clothes. Hmm…
Hubby and I enjoy feeling the baby’s movements once in awhile.
When I’m at work, he/she does some kickology also. Hehe!
Oh my, I can’t control my appetite. Tsktsk.
Heartburn! How to deal?!
Night time woes… ouch, leg cramps! Hubby, heelp! I can’t reach my toes!
The innie is now an outie!
Sweetie, do I look okay in this outfit?


July:

Hey, where are my feet? This huge belly is blocking my view…
No more bending for me! Dropped something. Can you please pick it up for me?
Sweetie, can I borrow your shirt? They’re the only ones who fit me now.
Prolonged standing/walking make me wanna pee.
Swollen feet (edema). OB said it’s because my blood pressure went higher than normal.
Ergo, goodbye salty food, fast food, soft drinks, food with preservatives, especially canned goods.


August:

Baby shower thrown by well-meaning friends. Agnes took some maternity shots also.
OB-prescribed bed rest… My monicker became “beached whale.”
Some friends visited me at home. Yehey!!!
Whiled my time away by reading books, updating myself with current events, and watching Friends re-runs. Love it!
Sweetie, can you please help me stand up please…
Oh no, I have to pee again…
It’s… so… difficult… to… put on… this… underwear…


September:

Baby is already full term. Yipee! No more bed rest for me. This time I became the “penguin.”
In fact, OB prescribed brisk walking already. But it’s more aptly called waddling. Hehe!
Edema. Elevating my feet doesn’t seem to work anymore. I can’t clench my fists also.
Making sure that we already have the necessary baby things.
My mommy bag (for the hospital) has already been packed with the essentials.
Eagerly awaiting D-Day!

Pregnancy Becomes Me!

I used to be unstoppable.

To my husband's surprise and dismay, even from the time I knew I was pregnant, I wouldn't stay put in our house during weekends. I'd always find reasons to go out. Be it meeting friends, watching a movie, looking for baby things, going to the grocery, or just strolling at the mall. I'd do these activities on top of my weekday work and household chores. Yes, I, too, am a domesticated goddess. I'd cook, wash the dishes, sweep the floor, etc., except wash our clothes (there's Nang Lita) and clean the CR (James does it hehe).

But everything changed since last Saturday when our OB informed us that our baby has already dropped on my pelvic floor. She said that lest we want a premature baby, we have to take things slowly. It was really an eye-opener for me. Up until last Saturday, I haven't really realized that, truly, I haven't changed my lifestyle ever since i got pregnant. I was still the outgoing gal. And I would justify my non-sedentary lifestyle by saying that these were a form of exercise.

As a result, just this past weekend alone, I had to forego going to Metro Ayala to see whether the item I intended to buy was on sale, meet my best friend for dinner because it was her birthday the next day, watch Harry Potter, and have another dinner with another friend. I also had to cancel the photo sessions (maternity series) set up by two of my friends for next week because James is anticipating that it's gonna be a tiring activity. And these were all bilaterally decided by us (hubby and I) while I was resting on our sofa with my feet propped up on two throw pillows while watching Wowowee. Oh, I forgot to mention that my blood pressure raised a notch also, apparently because of the salty food I've been eating lately. Talk about complacency.

While I was lying there and murmuring a prayer to the Almighty, it crossed my mind that this tiny baby I'm carrying right now, who makes his/her presence felt once in awhile with a jolt and a kick here and there, is already creating an impact on our lives even before he/she is born. And even though we may have to make sacrifices, putting our own activities in the backseat momentarily, just thinking about the day that we'll finally meet him/her, healthy and well, makes it all worthwhile.

Thus, even if it meant staying at home in preparation for the long haul, we'd gladly do it. We will remain enslaved to our OB's advices and everything we do will be geared towards carrying this baby full term. So baby, just hang in there, ayt? We’ll see you soon. But hopefully not too soon… :-)

Mark Herras

James and I hosted Miss Lapu-Lapu City 2008 last night. And, customarily, during these pageants, a TV/Movie personality is invited. This time it was Mark Herras. :-)

Being a certified "kapuso", of course I was excited. But I've decided to keep my cool when I see him in person...

Suffice it to say, Mark arrived and the girls in the audience shrieked when he serenaded the "fourteen lovely candidates". And then I had to thank him. But afterwards, the kapuso in me surfaced and I awkwardly said, "I love you, Mark!" Waaahhh!!! I totally lost my cool! Hahaha! Enough with premeditated "coolness". Sometimes during unguarded moments, our subliminal thoughts will just seep its way out of our system...

(By the way, he danced really well, as usual, and I tried not to blink, not even once, so I can capture his every movement, hehe!)

On Being A Reality TV Show Enthusiast

Oh, yes... I truly am! I thrive on reality tv shows, ever since the Survivor franchise started a few years back. I remember taking time off from my routinary reading/studying of law books, just to sit in front of the tv following the developments in the lives, reward and immunity challenges, and tribal councils of the so-called "castaways". I was hooked.

And it was followed by the Amazing Race. Aside from enjoying the sceneries of the different places that the teams had to go to, the adrenaline rush consummed me, the road blocks kept me on guard, and the team members' reactions entertained me.

I am such a reality tv enthusiast that I was even tempted to audition for SurvivorPhilippines. If not only for the incredibly long line at SM City Cebu, and my concern for my present job as a prosecutor, I would have jumped on the chance. Not that I'm already closing my doors for these opportunities... ;-)

Anyway, as of late, I just contented myself with watching SurvivorPhilippines, almost every night. I say "almost" because sometimes I cannot fight my sleepiness anymore. It is shown very late at night already and I'm usually an early sleeper. So can you imagine my sacrifice? Hehe!

Let's Buy Filipino!

"I am a Filipino! Inheritor of a glorious past. Hostage to the uncertain future. I am sprung from a hardy race of brown skinned men..." And... (shamefully) that's the only part I remember now from a poem I memorized one sembreak in the past just because I wanted to, and partly because of my "makibaka" attitude.

Nevertheless, I remain to be a proud Filipino. Whenever somebody asks me if I intend to go abroad and work, without batting an eyelash, I say, "No." Personally, and definitely no offense to our so-called, modern-day heroes, the OFWs, I just can't imagine myself living in a country where I will only be considered a second class citizen. I'd rather stay here in our sometimes chaotic Philippines, at least I can call it my own.

Anyway, in the midst of all the cynicism, I firmly believe that we are not living in a hopeless State. In fact, if every Filipino will just endeavor to make a difference, we'll definitely be on the road to success.

One such Filipino is Atty. Alexander L. Lacson, the author of 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country. It is a must-read! So go grab a copy now and start reading. It is just a booklet, which you can finish reading in one sitting, yet, it is very enlightening, and is something that we badly need during these times.

In said book, Mr. Lacson mentioned, among others, that a Filipino should "not buy smuggled goods" , instead, a Filipino should "Buy local, Buy Filipino." Truly, because of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), our country has been bombarded with foreign products. Notwithstanding this fact, however, I am hereby advocating that Filipinos should patronize proudly Philippine made products.

I will not be a hypocrite and say that I only use Philippine products. In fact, even Atty. Lacson do not expect that of us. But at least, supporting some of them will not hurt us, would it? If at all, we can even be sure that our fellow Filipino manufacturers will not use substandard materials or ingredients just for profit, hence, ensuring our health and well-being.

Lastly, let's keep in mind that in helping our country, the Philippines, little things will surely go a long way...

P.S. Thank you so much, Ludy, for giving us a copy of this book. You're really helping the country in your own little way... ;-)