5 weeks left for this preggo!

The last couple of weeks have been really tough and I'm not just referring to my pregnancy. Work hasn't really been easy on me to be honest. There were days that I just want to say 'Screw it! I don't need the extra stress so I quit!'. BUT, I've come to realize how much I like what I do right now and gow much I've already invested in it with my time and efforts. I can't really let it go to easily at this point. Careerwise, this job has really great potential.

Plus, there's the fact that we'll be losing a significant amount of income if I do quit. We can manage with just my husband's but having a secondary source of income has afforded us a few luxuries in life and has given us an opportunity to start saving for a future home.

At the same time, I still haven't completely given thought about being a working mom. My husband has left it to me to decide if I wanted to be one and I have decided to go for it. How exactly am I gonna do it? That I still do not know. As the saying goes, I'm going to cross the bridge when I get there!

For now, I'm going to get some more rest because tomorrow is Monday again.

2 months away from the big day!

I'm sexy and I know it!

Just kidding! Haha. I may be all smiles in this photo but my last few weeks have been physically tough for me. My sciatica has definitely gotten worse, making it more difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. I ache all over and my tummy feels like it's going to get ripped apart soon. My skin around my belly button itch all the time and in some morning, I get a charley horse in one or both legs. The kicks and jabs have also gotten stronger that I sometimes have to hold on to something at work to keep my balance, even when I'm sitting down.

Of course, these pains and discomforts are still nothing compared to my excitement and joy. In less than 2 months, we're finally meeting our little boy! And it still even feels surreal that I'm carrying life in my belly. It's probably going to be more amazing when I'm actually holding him in my arms and just shower him with my overflowing love!

However, as excited as we are about his birth, I don't think we are as prepared when it comes to baby items that we would need. We already have enough clothes to last him the first few months but before today, we have nothing else! So we finally decided to start buying the essentials for our month-long wait in the naval hospital. We know we'd still have enough time to buy the rest at the nearby exchange in Yokosuka but I wanted to be ready just in case our boy decides to come earlier than expected. With the nearly 6-hour train ride to where I'm giving birth, I want to have everything on hand to make sure he's going to be cared for whatever happens.

So far, these are what we got. Going to need more diapers though!

As we're far away from our families and most of our friends, we're not expecting a shower. Nor are we throwing one (Lord knows we can't cook for parties). So, since we decided to try getting pregnant, we have set aside some funds just for the baby and his needs for at least the first year. I'm glad that in the financial aspect of this at least, we are definitely ready! I've checked off some of the items on my list with this loot but I still have a lot (big-ticket items like stroller, car seat, crib, etc) to purchase.

For now though, I'm gonna go back to my couch and put my feet up. This baby is kicking up a storm again!

Pregnancy update

So, I've been feeling a lot more and harder kicks and jabs everywhere. Sometimes, I think I can even feel baby boy do a whole body turn or lean on my organs with his whole weight. It feels both so weird and amazing at the same time knowing  a tiny person is in my belly and has made a bouncy house out of it. Overall though, despite some body aches and muscle pains, I feel great. Some people have also told me that I look great for someone who is carrying a boy. I guess, because of a few old wives tales back in the Philippines, most were expecting me to have dark lines on my neck or a swollen nose. Hopefully, this doesn't mean I'll be surprised with a baby girl when I give birth, when we're actually expecting a boy. That wouldn't be too bad (I'd love to have a girl too!) except I already bought a few boy clothes. Oh well, whatever happens, I can't wait to finally hold this little baby in my arms! <3

Frocking ceremony

Hubby finally got frocked as first class petty officer, just 3 months shy of his 6th year in the US Navy. He worked hard for this promotion and I'm definitely proud of him!

Practice maternity shot

So I was planning to get some maternity shots taken by a professional photographer on base, just for keepsake. But, my husband, believing that he can do anything anybody else can (or maybe he just doesn't want to shell out $30 for 3 photos), insisted that we try to take the photos ourselves. So after a few tries with our dslr and tripod, here's the best one we got so far. :)

First family pic! <3

I must say, this turned out pretty good (despite my pambahay  attire)!

Twice blessed!

This week has just been overwhelmingly awesome!

Last monday, I received the news of my promotion at work. It was completely a surprise for me as I thought I needed more qualifications to get promoted. I expected a pay raise from annual review, but with the promotion, I'm actually going to receive 2 pay raises!

Add to that already great news, we just found out tonight that hubby also got promoted to the next rank!

Woohoo! *Happy dance! Happy dance!*

It is true that babies do bring more blessings!!!

Pregnancy joys and pains

I take it back. We don't have a name still. The last name we 'decided' on is now scrapped from our minds. It initially sounded really cute and precious but it reminded us of something else unworthy of calling our firstborn. So now we're open again to ideas and suggestions. I must say, hubby is leaning towards two specific names already. But, I know with 4 months to go, he will change his mind a thousand times still.

Anyways, I just hit my 22nd week today. I woke up to a horrible leg cramp that has me limping a bit now. I've been having cramps about every two days since I started my second trimester. It's not really nice to start my days with pains but I guess it's sort of my fault because I haven't really been exercising enough, eating my bananas, or sleeping on my left side properly (I still sleep partly on my stomach).

Also, last night, I chipped my right front tooth, just from biting a little bit too hard on my fork. So now I have this tiny crater on the corner of poor tooth. Hubby says it's not too obvious but it does bother me because I could feel the rough edges of the crater with my tongue. This one I blame on myself as well. The only form of calcium intake I get, other than my pre-natal vitamin, is from the milk that I drown my cereal in. And although I eat cereal about 5 mornings a week, I know it's not going to be enough if I have to share most of it with my little belly resident. So, I'm promising myself (starting last night) that I'm downing a big glass of milk (that, I have to mention, is supplied to me by a friend for free!) every night before I sleep. Hopefully it'll help my constipation, which I'm going to avoid ranting about here, as well.

Still, my joys about having this baby far exceed these so-called pains. My baby moving like a martial arts professional in my belly is such a beautiful experience! Never mind that he kicks me real hard while I'm at work, I love every single of it. And I'm so happy that hubby can finally feel his movements now. He's a little jealous that baby and I get to bond so much even before the birth. Haha!

I'm also loving this growing belly of mine, which has started looking like a big bowling ball. And I don't mind at all that it's growing at a really fast pace now because it has been pulling my love handles into my belly center and I feel so much curvier in the right places!

Oh I could think of more but right now, my stomach's growling from hunger already and I have to get off the internet for now Thank goodness the rice cooked just in time!

It's a boy!!!

We're expecting a baby boy in late September and I couldn't be more excited. At 21 weeks, I can now feel my little one's kicks and jabs! It's such a joy to know that our rainbow baby is strong and healthy. 

We've already chosen a name and I know it'll be just perfect for him!

Valentine's Day?

What's that?

Paalam Inay

We will miss you! May you rest in peace.