Woe to Any Expectant Mother

Now, I know what they are talking about!

It is indeed particularly irksome to hear people, who otherwise would be strangers, to offer a thing or two about my bulging tummy.  I don’t mind hearing sincere enthusiasm, but others just go overboard!

There are the “Experts” – mothers of three or four kids who just have everything to say about your pregnancy.  They predict every feeling and always have an explanation for every twitch and discomfort of the expectant mom.  Woe to the first-time expecting mother who offers her own insight to it as they would only dismiss and set it aside!  I also call them the “know-it-alls”.

There are also the “Fortune-seekers” – those who look at the expecting mother as a buddha or fortune-giver.  These people, without any permission or consideration for your feelings, will just touch your tummy and wish for good luck.  

They are nothing, however, compared to my most hated sort – the “Surveyors”.    These peple will look at you from head to toe and note the physical changes in you, not with concern but with frightful glee!  They will start with one’s expanding face, particularly the expecting mother’s nose known to undergo severe unexplainable changes during pregnancy.  Then, they will move on to the growing shadows/discoloration on one’s neck and armpits and knowingly predict the baby’s gender.  Lastly dwelling on one’s feet which according to them have grown in humongous proportions.  At the end of these excruciating exercise, the expectant mother is left with no other feeling but that she must be the ugliest, fattest, gruesome expectant mother ever! 

Grrr!  I just wish these people will just offer their congratulations and move one.  The pregnancy is difficult enough without them turning me into a spectacle!

 

Anton & Tata Ging’s Date

It’s Anton’s 7th Birthday!

His parents planned a big party for him at the farm in Tarlac on the Sunday following his birthday. 

He didn’t agree.

Why?

Coz Tata ging won’t be able to travel that far. 

So, my mom called an SOS to me and I called Anton. 

I explained that we, the family, can have a separate celebration in Manila.

He relented.

Saturday. 7 a.m.  SOS call…again.

Anton announced to his parents, my sisters, mom and dad that there would be no celebration in Manila.

Only a “date” with Tata Ging.

Please explain Tata Ging.

I cannot.  I don’t have any idea what’s going on.

Anton insisted.

He had the whole day planned.  I would pick him up after lunch and we would go to Trinoma.  There, we will eat Jollibee spaghetti as, according to him, this was his and the baby’s favorite.  We would then drop by the toy store to buy him a gift.  Merienda will then follow, this time chocolate cake, as he and the baby will then again be hungry by this time. 

We did all this as planned (except eating the chocolate cake as he was already too excited to show his new toy to Gab!).

 

 

 

 

He said it was his best birthday ever!

And although the date didn’t come cheap (hehe!), it was likewise one of my best days ever. 🙂

 

 

 

Confronted with our Masterpiece

We had such a scare!

We went to the doctor for our monthly visit.  I’m now on my 16th week ofpregnancy and the baby should easily be detected.  Baby’s heartbeat however did not register on the Doppler machine.  Doctor Quiambao must have examined me for a full 10 minutes before finally referring me to an emergency ultrasound at the Delivery Room. 

My eyes watered as I held on to my husband.  He was calm but I saw the worry in his eyes and, by the twitch of his mouth, I knew he was trying to analyze what went wrong.

But God is truly gracious.  My baby instantly appeared on the ultrasound. The doctor on duty surmised that the baby might just have been hiding. 

The joy that I felt in finally seeing my baby in human-form is indescribable!  I sometimes think if I might just be imagining things, the growth in my tummy a mere hormonal imbalance or the result of an overactive appetite rather than a fetus.  Seeing my baby – head, hands, legs and all, banished all that!

My baby is now six(6) inches long. His/her heartbeat is steady and strong.  There was a bouncing round figure on the monitor.  At first, I thought it must be his/her heart beating.  Turns out, it was his/her tightly clenched fist doing the Pacquiao punch!  I think this one’s gonna be a fighter, a rambunctious bundle of joy!  =)

 

An Unexpected Revelation

I received a revelation today…from my husband.

I’m now on my 3rd month of pregnancy and my pain have eased  enough for me to join our usual Sunday gathering.

We were having lunch at Friday’s, Trinoma, after Easter Sunday mass, when my mom suddenly asked Emilio which does he prefer – a baby boy or girl?  I must have held my breath a full 3 seconds before I heard his answer-

“A girl.”

I felt a twinge of betrayal as he said that. Not that having a baby girl is not ok with me but Emilio has always said that any gender will do as long as the baby came out healthy.  It was strange to hear his preference articulated for the first time.

I myself have stayed away from saying my preference as I felt that the baby might feel it, sense it, and develop a feeling of being unwanted if he/she doesn’t turn out as I hoped for.

Truth to tell, I really don’t mind whether it’s a boy or a girl.

He/she is my child and will experience all the love that I, as a mother, can give.  He/she will have my heart. He/she will have all my aspirations and I will raise him/her to have the steadfastness of spirit to make and achieve his/her own. 

He/she will grow up knowing that mommy and daddy loves him/her.  And in every part of his life, he/she will experience God’s love and ever presence.

Girlfriends Rock!!!

It’s been a while since I’ve last seen my girlfriends, each one of us caught up in our own whirlpool of life.

Jojie – has since left the country to look for greener pastures.  We still save a seat for her though on our every gathering.

Rocel – has matured into a beautiful woman and is slowly going up the corporate ladder of ADB.  I know she will still achieve greater heights.

Celine – is pregnant with her 3rd baby and took a reprieve from teaching taebo.  She’s stil one sexy mama though!

Beth – is giving her heart a break and slowly finding her way…hopefully to a career and independence.

I’ve known them for almost ten (10) years now, our relationship having grown from mere gymmates to loyal girlfriends.  They’ve seen me through relationships.  Celebrated when I’ve finally found the one.  We have laughed at each other’s foolishness and cried at each other’s hearbreaks. 

As I approach my impending motherhood, I am glad to be surrounded by people who truly care. 🙂