Cha-Cha's Arrival

I was worried that it's not going to happen. That I might not be able to distinguish the real contractions from the Braxton-Hicks ones.

Tuesday. January 20.

I took Ate Bubu to Kumon as it was her Center Day. I spent an hour in Starbucks enjoying a cup of decaf Cafe Mocha. And then had some short walks and strolls to Ever Gotesco afterwards.

I couldnt sleep that night because I was reading a lot of articles online about Pelvic Floor Exercises, Labor at 39wks, etc. I was searching on ways to deliver easily, the Lamaze breathing techniques, and possibly everything that I need to know to safely and easily give birth.

Wednesday. January 21. 8AM

We woke up early (at least, for us it was early) to buy some Tinapa, eggs and tomatoes from the market. I've been craving for this breakfast for like a week already. Upon waking up, I already felt like Im having menstrual cramps. I thought, I'm getting there. And that Cha-Cha's coming in the next day or so.

After breakfast, I swear, I could no longer bear the pain!

Some side story. During my labor with Ate Bubu, I was in the hospital at 8:30PM on Nov. 14, 2010 and I gave birth at 9:55PM that same night. And all I wanted for this 2nd delivery is not to stay in the labor room for 12hrs!

And since the pain has gone strong since 8AM, I decided to have a warm bath. I have read in other forums that those that are having menstrual cramps-like pain should take a warm bath to ease, well, the pain.

But taking a bath didnt help. The pain was strong and continuous. I don't even know if Im having contractions. All I know is that in every 5 minutes, there are stronger pains which will subside and come back again shortly.

I texted Dr. Cayabyab about the cramps that I was having. Her reply was to visit her at VMMC that morning.

It was a relief to know that she's already in the hospital.

In less than 10mins, we got a cab speeding more than 60kph in Commonwealth Ave.

11AM.

We were already in VMMC by 11 or so. I was wheelchaired to the Admitting Room for some IE. I was certain I am not going to be sent back home. She's really almost there!

After some minutes, Dr. Cayabyab arrived. She IEd me and she was surprised that Im already 6CM dilated!

Fast forward to the Labor Room.

There are a lot of people introducing themselves as the Pediatrician, Nurse, Anesthesiologist, Midwives asking me to sign papers, telling me things about breastfeeding and instructing me to breath through the nose while on Labor.


I was then injected with some anesthesia and attached to my swero.

1PM.

After 2 more internal exams, I was declared 9CM plus 2. Or something like that.

I was brought to the Delivery Room and I everything was a blur. I was told to move from the stretcher to the table. They were asking me if I could transfer, I said I could.

Once on the table, they were trying to inject a 10cc needle on my spine for the Spinal anesthesia. I was asked to bend, I could only do half bend because Cha-Cha's coming out.

The spinal needles all broke. I was feeling Cha-Cha coming out and the needle on my spinal. I was crying, "lalabas na sya". So the needles had to give up and I was given epidural instead.

In a minute, I was already told to push. After a strong one, her head was out. Dr. Cayabyab instructed me to do another big push after the contraction. I think a midwife was trying to feel the contraction on my tummy - she need not do it though because when she counted 3-2-1, I knew I had to push.

And there. Cha-cha's out. Dr. Cayabyab was praising me with "ang galing mong umire, Laarnie".

I feel asleep.

4PM. Labor Room.

"Nanganak na po ba ako?" It was so painful, I didnt want to go through it again so I was making sure it wasnt a dream.

They gave me Cha-Cha. Then Arven, her mother and Arra came to visit me.

Everything was still a blur.

Looking back to that painful day, I swear, I don't wanna give birth again. But looking at my daughter, our new bundle of joy, my Cha-Cha, I can say that it was all worth it - that God loves me so much that He gives me more than what I could ask for.

REVIEW: Silantro FilMex - Bo. Kapitolyo

This review has been moved to my Gourmand Mom blog.

Thanks!

Fridays and Picnic Birthday

Time flies just sooo freakin' fast. It seems like it was just yesterday when I gave birth to Bubu, but now she's 3! And she just wanted to do most things all by herself. I hope she would stay as a baby to mommy.

Anyway, we celebrated Bubu's actual birthday on a dinner at TGIF in Robinson's Ermita.

Family picture during Bubu's birthday dinner at Fridays Ermita

To be honest, it was our first time at Friday's and the food resembles that of Chili's. Im just glad they sang Bubu a Happy Birthday and gave her a birthday sundae which was really yummy. I also liked the way they sang birthday songs because it's very unique like they don't follow the traditional music and lyrics. It was lively and I liked it.

For Bubu's birthday celebration with my family/relatives and Arven's family, we had it in Quezon Memoral Circle. We were able to book Gazeo 4 and decorated it simply with some DIY projects that I learned through Pinterest and Martha Stewart.

Invitation. Downloaded from EatDrinkChic. And then I edited it in PS.

Tita beth holding Crepe Paper pompoms. DIY Tutorial from MS

And then I downloaded some printables for the buntings and edited them so they say Bubu Turns 3. Tita Joy, and Bubu's aunt Anne, helped in putting up the background with the bunting greeting.

"Bubu turns 3" birthday banner

And for the cutleries, we wrapped the spoon and fork with a tissue locked by a label that says Bubu turns 3.

Customized label for the cutleries

The whole plan for the party is that it gets the feel of a big family picnic so I got some gingham table mats from Japan Home Center and used them as table and floor mats.

I wanted the kids to play with each other so they could bond. And so I thought that the picnic mats would be their best sanctuary to be together during the entire party.

Bubu having lunch while seated on the mat

The celebrant having a pre-party pose

Kids listening to me while I try to get the party started

Jomar, Tien tien and JM

Kyle, Margaux and Bubu

It was difficult to get the kids to join the games as they were all shy. Until I gave up and just let them eat and play on their own.

Bubu running around Gazebo 2 with Ate Nikka and JM

And it seems that kids prefer blowing bubbles and taking pictures while eating and having chat with playmates than doing instruction-led parlor games.

Andrei having his own game while tita Dorry's having a slight pose for the cam

Kids are growing up too fast and they just love posing for the camera

And yeah, more pictures.

I think it was a good party, if you'd ask me, because I think they all had fun. They are just really shy about parlor games.

We ensured that all kids got a goodie bag filled with a coloring book, crayon, some cute erasers, stamp and chocolates. 

Bags purchased from Divi at a wholesale price 15/pc

The food was prepared at our home in QC and my stepmother and titas cooked everything. We had fusilli in tomato sauce, fried drumstick and tuna sandwich. Plus the hotdog skewers and mango broas. I also prepared some popcorns for the kids so they have something to chew on while running around.

Pop corns in paper cones

Barbie cake courtesy of Bubu's Mama Thez

The cake resembles the dress that Bubu was wearing during the latter part of the party. Both the cake and her dress was provided by her mama Thez (Arven's mom)

The party turned out like a reunion with most of my relatives present. I was happy because I can see them having fun together. And it's not so often that Bubu gets to be with her relatives from my kin.

Some more pictures taken during free time of the party are as follows:

L-R: Venice, Bubu, Yzha, and Lola

Yvan and his twin brother. Kidding. That's his son.

L-R: Venice, lola Imbang, Arra and Yzha

Oh yeah, we're pretty. That's my step mother and me.

These are the women of our clan. L-R: me, tita Marlie, Lola Lil, Lola Imbang, tita Beth, Lola Martha, tita Joy

Bubu received nice gifts and I was thankful to everyone who took some time finding a gift for Bubu.

She had a coloring book, a baby Cinderella barbie, a kitchen playset, leggings, a dollhouse and tea party set

After the party, we went to Circle of Joy to paddle in Swan Lake and do some biking.

Teng with Bubu, Rhen with Justin, paddling some Swan boats

So that was pretty much it. Thanks to those who come.

To my princess, happy birthday again, Bubu. You'll always be mom's little princess even when you grow up. I love you to bits!

Cleaning up this blog

Hi all!

I decided to do a major clean-up of posts on this blog. Major clean-up means almost-deleting-the-account type of clean-up.

I'll try to show some love on this blog! Ciao!

What Bubu and Me is about

She is my most precious little darling. She is the one who completes my day, and she makes my world go round. She is my Bubu.

Bubu with a touque

My pixie Bubu

All my past blogs are for my rants and everything else. This one will be all about the things that make me happy. Food, travel, new stuff, family bonding, everything about my Bubu.