The Month of May

World of blogging, how have you been?! Me? Missing in action for the longest time! There's just so much that happened and I haven't got the time to tell you guys everything that's been going on. But right now, I'll try to give you some of the highlights.

Let's start with the San Pascual Fiesta 2010. Here in the Philippines it's an annual tradition to celebrate the feast days of our patron saints in reference to where we live. I grew up in San Pascual, Batangas, Philippines and every year we celebrate St. Paschal Baylon on May 17th. What happens is, every house in the neighborhood has a buffet table ready with a variety of food and basically everybody is welcome to grab a plate and eat to his heart's extent. My mom's side of the family also stayed over for a few days so you can just imagine how much fun I had.

Absolutely no dull moments with my dear husband!

Just me, chillin'.

Party party!

• • • • • • • •

I realized that it's never too late to celebrate summer. My family and I went on a 2-day 1-night outing in Pansol, Laguna which is like a few miles from where we live. The best part--I finally got the chance to get tipsy again! Well I was pregnant and breastfed for a while you know, so it's kind of a big deal. Strawberry vodka, I love you!

Me in my conservative bathing suit with board shorts on. Yes, that's conservative. Haha.

The loves of my life, enjoying each other's company on a sunny afternoon.

His sexy smile makes my heart want to burst into a gazillion pink glitters.

I didn't exactly get drunk, I was lightheaded and drifted off to sleep pretty easily. I have a daughter to take care of, you know.

I only wish those two days could have been longer. I wish Summer was longer. Don't we all?

• • • • • • • •

Star spotted: Jayson Gainza at my aunt's house because they're friends and neighbors. He dropped by because it was my uncle's birthday. He had spaghetti and Coke. I think.

• • • • • • • •

I ordered a customized necklace from an online seller and I just love how beautiful it's made. I specifically wanted my daughter's name crafted as a pendant with a crown on the "I" for the simple reason that she's our queen. I'm keeping this for the rest of my life, and I plan to do this for my future sons & daughters as well.

Our hearts keep beating for her.

• • • • • • • •

Speaking of kiddos, we have a new addition to the family! His name is Vic Edwin M. Maranan and he's my uncle's 3rd child. We've only seen his pictures so we all can't wait to meet him up close. He's the youngest brother of Sophia and Xander, two of my favorite baby cousins.

• • • • • • • •

"Time flies when you're having fun." In less than a week my baby is turning 4 months old and (I always say this:) everyday she surprises us with something new. Just take a look at how much Iaine loves to talk now. And this isn't even how she really is on a daily basis. Aside from talking she's also fond of screaming (no trouble reaching those high notes at all) and singing along. Ah, our future singer.

She's getting chubbier and cuter everyday, too. I wouldn't be surprised if she weighs 7 kilos or more on her next well-baby check-up!

Iaine Sivela Feona at 3 months, 3 weeks, and 4 days old, wearing Princess Fiona ears.

The moment she takes your heart, you're not getting it back. ♥

The month of May ends today. Oh summer, why can't you stay? There's a LOT to love about summer but at the same time there's a lot to be missed. We fall in love, or fall in love again. We see beauty around us. We feel the love of our family. We're free from the hassles of the rest of the year. Summer is the time we kick off our shoes, sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Liberating, invigorating. But now that it's over, it's time to face reality and get back to our busy lives.

Which reminds me... I'm need to go back to work soon. Oh gag me with a spoon. =P Anyway, enjoy summer while it lasts, people. It only comes once a year.

Mabuhay ang summer!

My FIRST Mothers' Day

... was great! We had a simple celebration but family love made my day very special.

Daddy's girls!

May 9th: Mom received a bouquet of roses and a greeting card from me and my sisters. We stayed the afternoon at my maternal grandparents' house (it's always like a family reunion there). Nonstop chats, laughter, fun. After that we had dinner at my paternal grandparents' house, then me and my two lovely loves spent the night at my parents' house. We only had about 4 hours of sleep from watching late movies on TV and having sweet wacky intelligent hilarious conversations at bedtime but the funny thing is, waking up early the next morning was a piece of cake. I guess that's what happens when you fall asleep with a full heart and a smile on your face.

No make-up on. =)

•••

May 10th: Sadly, I didn't have the chance to vote and/or participate in the first ever Philippine Automated Elections. My in-laws had to fetch me and my two loves from my parents' house because we were headed for Tagaytay! It was my MIL's mothers' day gift to herself. I was really bummed that I couldn't vote but least I got to see what it was like on election day.

After countless times of bumping my head on the window from falling asleep in an uncomfortable position, we finally made it. We had a very heavy brunch at Bag of Beans Coffee Shop and Bakery.

Facebook and Twitter with an orange shake on the side while waiting for our orders.

Look at the size of those pancakes (notice the orange slices as reference)!

Jai and I tried to share but we still had leftovers.

My brunch plate.

Yes, I'm such a sucker for bacon!

•••

Next stop: Tagaytay Picnic Grove for the ZIPLINE!

Wowza! Who would have thought that 'fraidy-cat Jeean would get on the Zipline ride and on a two-way trip too! I was scared to death--or you can say OF death! I think Jai's hand felt numb from my grip. Well we were only crossing a ravine wearing orange jackets hanging on a wire and if one thing goes wrong, we're goners, okay?! As I was screaming my lungs out I was thinking to myself WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?! But God is great, and I walked out of there alive (with two free souvenir photos too). The whole family also got on the cable care for a picture opportunity. Overall, it was FUN!

Ready... Set...

OHMYGOOOOOOD!!!!!

Goin up...

Goin down!!!

Even though Iaine couldn't understand anything that happened, it would still be hilarious to tell her the story of how her mom freaked out on the Zipline and lived to tell the tale.

We also made stops at Starbucks Tagaytay and Nuvali in Laguna. And after only a couple of hours we were back home already thanks to FIL's super fast driving skills! Anyway, we really had a fun day on the road.

•••

But if you really wanna know the truth...

...there's no other journey like motherhood. ♥

HAPPY MOMS' DAY TO ME!

May 8 and Mothers

I've been neglecting my blog recently and I really hate myself for it. Well a lot of things have happened in the past couple of days which explains my absence but I promise to make it up to you (if anybody actually cares).

My Miss Universe turned 3 months old last Thursday! 3 months and a lot of developmental milestones already. My personal favorite is how she can recognize my face. She knows who her mom is, and I'm certain about that. She just doesn't respond the same way to others (except her dad of course who she also knows so well). When I try to make her smile, it's always easy, and there's this sparkle in her eyes that tells me "Hi 'Ma, I know it's you. You don't have to try so hard to make me laugh because I love you! I'm not gonna give you a hard time." It's the best part of my day.

And don't even get me started about her strong legs and arms. Little Cuddler is a macho girl! When she hits me sometimes I'm like, OW. And not to mention her strong hair pulling abilities, literally. I have really long hair and she likes to cling on it sometimes, and it especially hurts when she tangles them. When we hold her under the arms she doesn't just stand there--little diva likes to WALK. And oh, she has also rolled over a couple of times already. Like I've always said, she's a wonderchild. Babies, gotta love 'em!

Today Iaine had her 3rd doctor's appointment with GREAT results. Her pedia was impressed with Little Tigress who weighs a staggering 6 kilos and showed off great motor developmental skills (lifting her head in prone position like a pro). She also had her 2nd dose of Rotavirus vaccine (which costs a whopping 3,100Php) that prevents her from getting loose bowel movement. The pedia also taught me how to deal with people who give old-wives-tales advice of how to take care of an infant, specifically my OWN baby. I've always known how, I just needed a go signal from someone who actually knows what she's saying when it comes to baby business. Whenever someone goes "You can feed her solids already," or "She's developing late" I respond with "I'd have to ask her doctor first." Those kinds of words get on my nerves because my pride as a mother is deeply insulted. It's just like saying they know my kid better than I do and I'm not doing the right thing taking care of her. It's the safest answer I can give without sounding like a bitch. Well I can't just say "You don't know EVERYTHING about my kid! Who died and made you WikiBaby?", right?

But you know, I really couldn't blame them for trying to help (if that is their true intention). Most of the time I'm at wits end because of the summer heat. Oh El Niño, please go away, you craky-nator.

Anyway, I met a TV star today. Sorta. I was asked to sing for a group of people, a mothers' day event actually, and this guy happens to be the older brother of 2010 Election candidate who's running for mayor. They call him Mr. Safeguard, but actually he also stars in Tide and Ariel commercials. He's really nice, he even helped me up and down the stage stairs.

This one's for Tide:

Before I could even stand up to take a picture with him,

he squatted beside me! And he was supposed to smile, but I specifically asked him

to make this face, just like in the commercials. He willingly supported my request.

I can say he's a very down-to-earth person. Told you he was nice!

3 months already?... I've been so busy being a mom and a wife.. The only breaks I get are spent on Facebook, Twitter, and Plants Vs. Zombies. But in the middle of all the haze I've been thinking.. I wanna come back to work. I miss being a nurse. Maybe next week we'll know, and because tomorrow is Mothers' day, I think filing for an application is a wonderful idea. SAHM turned WM. It's what's best for my little Gumdrop's future. Hey, money doesn't grow on tress.

Speaking of Mothers' day, I have no idea how my FIRST EVER mothers' day could be meaningful. I'm not really expecting anything, but I realized that when you're a mom, Mothers' day feels like your birthday and you just want something good to happen. Moms couldn't care any less about material things. Moms just wanna feel special, appreciated, loved.. we wanna feel someone take care of us and just let us take a day off (or at least a few hours) from taking care of everybody else for a change. A silly request, but a simple wish that comes from the heart. People who don't show effort to appreciate moms on Mothers' day are the most worthless people you will ever meet. So go out my friends, and make your moms feel super!

I would probably write another entry about mothers' day, but I'm still ending this one with "HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY, MOMMY!" I love you so much! And thanks for letting me tag along at the grocery tonight (like always) and paying for my items. I really appreciate that. :) And did I mention that I love you? And by the way, I love you. Umm. Yeah, I love you. Really. Love. You.

Sigh. I hope Iaine grows up to love me just the same...

She's Our Star

Iaine just turned 3 months old yesterday! I'm too lazy to upload photos, maybe I'll put them up later. But here's something much better for y'all!

If this video compilation doesn't make you go awww, you have a heart of stone. It's the best of its kind ever made (as of yet) about our beautiful baby girl Iaineylove made by my dear husband, Jai. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

And just like always, there's more to come!

Heaven On Earth

Have I ever mentioned that my Lil Cheeky looks like an angel?

This is Iaine at exactly 2 months and 3 weeks.

I am so in love with this little person. ♥

Five Times the Magic

Yesterday was exceptionally.. well.. exceptional! Fantastic, extreme, unbelievable, every GREAT adjective you can think of.

Iaine killed 5 birds in one stone. FIVE!! She had 5 firsts yesterday and to say that the day went great is an understatement.

Morning:

Her 1st time to actually *use* a 2-piece bathing suit, and not just for pictorial purposes!

Iaine has 3 pairs of 2-piece swim suits and yesterday she got to actually use the newest one. She was sitting on her netted throne (the one she uses during bath time) in her... (drumroll please)

Brand new inflatable pool! It was also her 1st time to go swimming and she had a blast! Only smiles and laughter here, people. She really liked kicking the water (which made her slide all down the net sometimes) haha! My MIL, 2 SILs, my husband, and even the househelp were also there and we just went crazy about her. Too cute!

After the swimming galore I gave her a real bath and then MIL rocked her to sleep. She seemed to have passed out after a few minutes. Swimming is exhausting after all.

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Afternoon:

Later that day, Jai and I took our little Ckeeky to SM (the most popular mall in town) to see a local actress. Her name is Andi Eigenmann and she's the star of a popular TV show Agua Bendita. No matter how deep her sleep is, Iaine just WAKES UP when it's time for Agua Bendita. I know, puzzles us too.

It's not really our thing to meet local actors but for Iaine we'll do anything. So we tagged Iaine along who napped so comfortably in her Super Awesome Magic Spaceship by the way (Jai has coined that name for his daughter's Looney Tunes stroller). Because we had no idea what time Andi will be coming we got there too early and had to wait for 3 hours until the show started. I even asked my sister and cousin join us just so we can have some company.

After having laughs and chats over Starbucks frappuccinos we went back to the mall area to wait for Andi ('twas Iaine's 1st time at Starbucks by the way). We had a hard time trying to get Andi take a picture with us, but because both Jai and Iaine have excellent charm we made our way through the crowd and got what we came there for.

That's her on the right. Pretty, I know.

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Evening:

I thought all of Iaine's magic had been used up by the end of the day but I was terribly, terribly wrong. There is absolutely NO WAY that Iaine is just some other kid. I tell you, that child is a wonderbaby. Because last night...

SHE ROLLED OVER FOR THE FIRST TIME!

At 2 months 2 weeks and 5 days old, my own kid, my girl, my baby, my amazing little Iaine rolled over from her back to her tummy all be herself. My husband and I are so proud of this new achievement! Although we're kind of unfortunate to not have witness this feat.

Nope, we didn't see how Iaine did it. Jai left her on the bed before he went downstairs to the bathroom and she was still on her back. My back was facing Iaine because I was at the desk checking for comments on my Facebook after I was done uploading new photos of her. Sure enough, I didn't even have the slightest peripheral vision at what was going on behind me. When Jai came back he specifically asked me, "Jeean idinapa mo ga si Iaine?" (Jeean, did you put Iaine on her tummy?) And I said no.

And then I saw it--Iaine WAS ON HER TUMMY! We were so shocked and just stood there for a couple of seconds before we snapped out of it and turned Iaine on her back again. After a few minutes talking about it in utter amazement, Jai realized we didn't even take a picture of it. I LOLed. That would have been precious, but hey, when you see your baby's face buried in the sheets and seems to be struggling, you just don't think about taking a picture.

I believe that my baby has magical powers. Ok, kidding. But what an amazing little girl. Life as a parent sure is hard, but I can also say that it's a thousand times more rewarding.

I'm gonna end this post with a thought:

"Nothing bad about being second. But the firsts are always remembered."

Ahh, I can't wait for more of those. =)

Mommy Blog Glossary

If you like reading mommy blogs (like this one) here's something that might help:

a

AF - Aunt Flo (menstruation)

AI - Artificial Insemination

AMA - Advanced maternal age

AO - Anovulatory

AP - Adoption Process

AR - Assisted Reproduction

ART - Assisted Reproductive Technology

AW- Attention Wanted

b

BBs - Breasts

BC - Birth Control

BCP - Birth Control Pills

BBT - Basal Body Temperature

BD - Big Deed (baby making sex)

BF or BF'ing - Breastfeeding

BFN or BF0 - Big Fat Negative (home pregnancy test result)

BFP - Big Fat Positive (home pregnancy test result)

BIL - Brother-in-Law

BIO - The Nest Baby Community Bio

BM - Bowel Movement or Breast Milk

BOTB - Baby On The Brain (The Nest message board)

BRU - Babies R Us Store

BW or B/W - Blood Work

c

CB - Cycle Buddy

CBEFM - Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor

CD - Cycle day

CDs - Cloth Diapers

CF - Cervical fluid

CIO - Cry It Out

CL - Corpus Luteum

CM - Cervical Mucus

CNM - Certified Nurse Midwife

Colpo - Colposcopy

CP - Cervical position

CVS - Chorionic Villae Sampling

d

D&C - Dilation & Curettage

DD - Dear/Darling Daughter or Designated Driver

DC - Dear/Darling Child

D&E - Dilation & Evacuation

DH - Dear/Darling Husband

DI - Donor Insemination

DPO - Days past ovulation

DS - Dear/Darling Son

e

E2 - Estradiol

EBF- Exclusively Breastfed

EBM - Expressed Breast Milk

EDD - Estimated Due Date

EFF- Exclusively Formula Fed or Eco-Friendly Family (board)

ENDO - Endometriosis

EP- Exclusively Pump

EPT - Early Pregnancy Test

ER - Emergency Room

ET - Embryo Transfer

ETA- Edited to add

EWCM - Egg White Cervical Mucus

f

FC- Future Child(ren)

FET - Frozen Embryo Transfer

FF or FF'ing - Formula Feeding

FI - Fiance(e)

FM - Fertility Monitor

FWP - F* With Purpose (baby making sex)

FMU - First morning urine

FP - Follicular Phase

FRER - First Response Early Response

FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone

FTTA - Fertile Thoughts To All

F/U - Follow-up

FWIW- For What It’s Worth

g

GMA - Geriatric Maternal Age

GP - General Practitioner

GTKYFB- Get To Know Your Fellow Bumpie

h

HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

H&H - Happy and Healthy

HOM - High Order Multiples

HPT - Home Pregnancy Test

HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy

HSC - Hysteroscopy

HSG - Hysterosalpingogram

HTH- Hope That Helps

i

IB - Implantation Bleeding

IC - Incompetent Cervix

IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

ICSI - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

IF - Infertility

IHO- In Honor Of

IM - Intramuscular

IMO- In My Opinion

IMHO- In My Humble Opinion

IR- Insulin Resistant

IRL- In Real Life

ITA- I Totally Agree

IUI - Intra-uterine Insemination

IVF - In Vitro Fertilization

k

KU- Knocked Up

l

LAP - Laparoscopy

LGBT - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender

LH - Luteinizing Hormone

LIP - Link in post

LMP - Last Menstrual Period

LO - Little one

LP - Luteal phase

LPD - Luteal Phase Defect

m

MC - Miscarriage

MF - Male Factor Infertility

MS - Morning Sickness

MUD- Made Up Drama

n

NAK - Nursing at the Keyboard

NBR - Not Baby Related

NFO - Not Finding Out (gender)

NFP - Natural Family Planning

NFT - No Further Text

NIP - Nursing In Public

NMS- Not My Style

NP - Nurse Practitioner

NTD - Neural Tube Defect

NWT - New With Tag

o

O - Ovulation

OB - Obstetrician

OB/GYN - Obstetrician/Gynecologist

OC - Oral Contraceptives

OHSS - Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

OP - Original Poster

OPK - Ovulation Predictor Kit

OPT - Ovulation Predictor Test

OTC - Over-the-counter

OV - Ovulation

OWT - Old Wives Tale

p

P4 - Progesterone

PA - Physician's Assistant

PC - Post-Coital (after sex)

PCO, PCOD - Polycystic Ovary Disease

PCOS (POS) - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

PCP - Primary Care Physician

PCT - Post-Coital Test

PG - Pregnancy or Pregnant

PI - Primary Infertility

PIAC - Pee In A cup

PID - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PIH - Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

PIP - Picture in post

PIT - Pitocin

PM- Private Message

PMS - Premenstrual Syndrome

PNP- Pack and Play

PNV - Prenatal vitamin

POAS - Pee On A Stick

POMF - Pee on My Fingers

POTW- Picture Of The Week

Pough - Pee+Cough

PP- PostPartum or Previous Poster

PROM - Premature Rupture of Membranes

PTL - Preterm labor

PZ - PregnantZilla (self-centered pregnant woman)

r

RE - Reproductive Endocrinologist

RPL - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

RSA - Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

s

S/A - Sperm/semen analysis

SAHD - Stay At Home Dad

SAHM - Stay At Home Mom

SAHW - Stay At Home Wife

SAIFW - Success After Infertility Welcome

SHG - Sonohysterogram

SI - Secondary Infertility

Sniss - Sneeze+pee

SO- Significant Other

S/O - Speaking Of

SonoHSG - Sonohysterogram

STD - Short Term Disability

STTN- Sleeping Through The Night

t

TCOYF - Taking Charge of Your Fertility (book)

TI - Timed Intercourse

TIA - Thanks in Advance

TL - Tubal Ligation

TMI - Too Much Information

TR - Tubal Reversal

TRH - Thyroid Releasing Hormone

TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

TTA - Trying to Avoid

TTC - Trying To Conceive

u

UC - Unassisted Childbirth

US or u/s - Ultrasound

UTI - Urinary Tract Infection

v

V - Vasectomy

VBAC - Vaginal birth after caesarian

VR - Vasectomy Reversal

w

WAHM/D - Work at home mom/dad

WBC - White Blood Cells

WDYT- What Do You Think

WOHM/D - Work outside home mom/dad

WTEWE - What to Expect When You're Expecting (book)

WWYD- What Would You Do

x

XP- Cross Post (Posted on multiple boards)

y

YGM- You've Got Mail

YGPM- You've Got a Private Message

YI - Yeast infection

YKWIM- You Know What I Mean

Hello Iaine

As I was writing my previous blog entry last night I was so caught up in it that I lost track of time. I turned around and saw my two loves fast asleep already. I took the opportunity to marvel at how much they look alike for about 30 seconds and then crawled next to Jai (literally because Iaine wakes up at the faintest creak of the bed) and whispered in his ear if he's gonna get up later to use the laptop. He didn't open his eyes and just lightly shook his head. He's really knocked out, I thought. I gave him little kisses on the back and carefully made my way back to the desk so not to disturb my darlings.

Usually it's Jai who stays up late watching movies but last night I guess he was just too tired and just drifted off to sleep beside our little Cheeky.

After I was done with my entry I crawled back into bed and positioned myself between my two favorite people in the world. But I still wasn't sleepy yet. I reached for my phone and surfed the net some more. I think I even made several tweets too. After what seemed like an hour I finally felt my eyelids get heavier... and finally fell asleep.

And then it happened. It happened again. IT is the worst thing that ever happens to me. IT is unstoppable, IT just happens. IT gives no warning that IT's coming to take over me. IT is evil.

IT's an allergy attack.

I have allergic rhinitis. I inherited it from my mom. It runs in the family and almost all my aunts and uncles have it too. We all have the same case. We're allergic to dust. Well dust is everywhere so it doesn't come as a surprise that an allergy attack is a normal part of our day.

What happened recently was exceptionally bad because aside from having an itchy soft palate and an even itchier eustachian tube (my two main signs that an allergy attack has started)... I was having trouble breathing. Sure enough my insides were too inflamed already. I tried to ignore it for a while but I just couldn't go back to sleep so I went downstairs to get a glass of water and took an antihistamine tab (I've always self medicated with Cetirizine). Gulped it down and went back upstairs. I immediately I felt better probably because of the water, but after about 30 minutes I just dozed off without even trying.

And then Iaine's cry woke me up. I saw that it was bright outside and figured it was only around 7am so I let Jai handle the situation. I just needed to sleep some more. Not because I'm a lazy ass mom, but the medicine just keeps me sleepy.

I woke up around 11am and heard Iaine crying again. When you have an infant co-sleeping just inches away from you, you really have no choice but to open your eyes when she decides that crying is not enough. She takes it up a notch and starts to shriek. Ear piercing cries that shoots daggers into your ears. I wasn't ready to get up yet because I was still under the drowsy spell of the Virlix, but Jai wasn't budging so me and my straggly hair, drowsy eyes, and weak muscles dragged myself out of bed to get the day started.

I realized that the allergy was gone but unfortunately everything in this world just has to have a price--I felt more sleep deprived than ever. EVER. You can't imagine how horrible that feels.

But as they say, there's always a silver lining. The situation took a good turn when Jai broke some very good news to me: Iaine had her first ever phone conversation this morning! Immediately the world seemed like a better place even in my exaggeratedly sleep deprived state.

It happened while I was in deep slumber and Jai was on baby duty. My FIL called my MIL on her cell phone and they let FIL talk to Iaine. I was told that Iaine was responding so well, it was as if she was really talking. It's just too bad I didn't get to see it for myself, but hearing about it makes me proud of my little girl all the same.

Pretty soon she's not gonna be so little anymore and she'd be like, "WTF mom stop checkin up on me, I'm with my friends!" But until that happens, she's still my wonderful amazing little Iainezy fairy. She will always, always surprise everyone with her intelligence and sophisticated beauty.

Ugh. Damn you, allergies. Ruined a perfect little moment.