The clothes you'll wear soon after you arrive

The clothes you'll wear soon after you arrive

quite excited to see you
 

One blue day...

Just another day of "waiting" 

What a baby bump! its a super BUMP!!! 36 weeks and 4 days by LMP

I'm a star! no matter how I look like! :D

In the mood to embarrass myself again... one proud ugly pregnant in the house! bloating... swelling... so fat... what else?

36 weeks...and 3 days!

Finding ways to love my nose :)

36 week pregnant

The Good news: By the end of this week my pregnancy will be fully termed.

NOW ON A BRIGHTER SIDE

Dear God, 

I thank You for this good soul that You have sent to me to raise...

I will take every pains to see that this soul gets to know everything that I know of going correctly on Your ways...

if I do not know much then please grant me a good company who knows more than me to teach me more and more about all Your ways...

I will pass all of this good knowledge to this soul...

I will give this soul every facility to be on the correct ways of the good people of this earth...

I will help this soul to do the best and to achieve as much as this soul can so that the mission for which this soul has come to me is fulfilled and that all the pleasure that I will get in raising this soul will be my reward for good deeds that I will do to this soul...

I will protect this soul with my life and I will not allow any harm come to this soul...

so please help me God.   

Amen

LOVE LOVE LOVE

COMING SOON

Finding your roots

Hi baby!
Today's activity is to introduce you to your relatives. I'm glad I had this project done before your arrival, I'll be so busy by then so chances of tracking and listing down your relatives is way too far.  My reason in doing this is not just for you to know why you'll be looking the way you'll do but primarily for you to appreciate the importance of our family. They're the people who will be helping you in any ways. I recently realized how important it is to stay close with the people like them. You'll understand better when you know them in person.  So keep in touch with them always, as much as you can.

But for all I know, you will only appreciate this family tress when you get older, maybe two decades from now! yay!

What I really did  here was just an overview. Perhaps I could update this if time and chance would allow me. It is quite difficult to gather information. I only even got some data from their facebook account in which I am not sure of if it is factual.

Your own family tree. You're still on a "question mark" since, again, we are not yet sure of your gender :)

Close family of you father showing your grandparents (Lolo Boy and Lola Vic) and your two uncle (Tito Pj and Tito Ken). As you can see, you will be the first grandchild of the family that's why their eagerness.  This also mean one thing... that you should do good in your life because you are going to be a role model of your future cousins. Pressure not yourself though, Your Mom and dad is here to guide.

Here's the chart of my own family. Your grandparents (Lola delfa and Lolo Paquit) on the topmost. While you'll be the newest yet will be the eldest grandchild on your father side, you are going to be the youngest here in this family. Isn't that good? I find it good. On the second line are your Titas and Titos, My older sister (Tita Ti-ann who is married to Tito Lab) and my older brother, Tito Ian (is Married to Tita Joan).  Your first cousins are on the third line, where you belong--Kuya Kyrk, Kuya Biboy, and Kuya Judiel.

 Don't freak out yet! I also wish I could upload a higher resolution of Bautista Clan Chart but for now, I'm keeping a pdf file and later I will try my best to own a hard copy of this.

Anyway, I can't promise you but I will also try to track down your cousins from Miranda, Reyes, and Española lineage. For now, I can only present the Bautista Family. They're the people I grow up with.

The members of Bautista Family. It continues to grow. You will be the newest member :) I made a four-generation chart here. The least that I can do right now.  Don't worry, will chop the details for presentation's sake :)

Meet your great grandparents and your grandparents. Unfortunately your only grandfather from Bautista Family passed away when I was young. You'll meet all your Lolas in no time, they're all perfectly good.

Again this us, this is where we belong.

Your lola Elnor, Lolo Mado, Tita Dory, Tito Jeff, Ate Aj, Kuya Ivan and Kuya Angel

Your Lola Paz, Lolo Pisyo, Tita Merz, Tita Lady lou, and Tito John.

Your Lola Nanay Poten along with her 5 siblings (your Titas and Titos) and 12 grandchild (Your Cousins) and 3 grandchild (Your nephew and nieces, your second cousins in that way)

Your late Lolo lotlot and Lola Olive, Tito Gary and Tita dada, Your Tita Gay and Tito ret, Your cousins Kuya budoy and Ate Angelina

There goes your relatives :) You'll meet them in person soon... 

And to end this, Take a closer look at your great grandparents and  Grandparents. Both your Lolos by the way are militaries. They're brave, yes! they fought for good but I hope you'll choose profession other than the one that carries gun.

Fairy dust

Hi my dear,

We are almost on our 36th week, 35 weeks and 5 days to be exact. One more week and you'll be term. Happy :)

By now, you obviously occupied space and I guess there is no more room left. I can hardly feel you moving and kicking my  lower rib!

It's been days I'm feeling so much  pressures that make me waddle like a duck (you're making me look so  funny!), you are really so heavy my dear. Could you be nicer to your mom?

Perhaps you are really getting ready, huh? Excited much to see the world? The world feels exactly the same way, everyone out here is eager to see you too.

Mommy still hopes you'll stay a little more longer.

Love lots,

Your Names

hi baby!

One of the names listed below will be yours depending on your gender. It is rather awkward giving you two names but since we are not yet sure of what you will be, I have to do this. Anyway, you should know that choosing and deciding on what name to give you is indeed one of the sweetest part of this journey.

When I was younger I told myself that I'll name my first born child with Charlotte. I first heard of it as the name of the leading cartoon character which became my favorite. The story is all about the girl who lost her family, wandered around the weary world and had met a lot of cruel people, but stayed strong. I'm not telling you that you're going to be alone in one way or another but I hope you'll be more like her,strong and brave. Charlotte actually means free man while I am always fascinated with the name Marie. I used to add it on my friends name, for instance, I like calling my friend Shanna as Shanna Marie, daphne as Daphne Marie, and so fort and so on.  Marie means Star of the Sea according to one of the websites I stumbled upon.

Giovanni, like your father's name means God is gracious while Christoffer means bearing Christ. Aside from the fact that it is biblical, the names are actually taken from our names, Ivan and Cristy.

Its funny that people believe that giving names of special meaning is very important in setting qualities that will be the foundation of one's personality. Most tend to believe that names can influence their life. It can affect one's ability to react to life, it can mold them. I rather argue.

Regardless of you name, I want you to become who you are.  You are not going to be someone else, you are going to be just you. You will always be the most wonderful, you will never be compared because Mommy believes each of us is way different from each other. Still, we wish all the best in your life. Your father and I will be here to guide you on what kind of person you'll soon be.

Your last and middle name, Miranda and Espanola respectively, matters most. I want you to take care of them.

Love lots,

35w3d; Prayer

35w3d by LMP; 35w1d by UTZ

Hi baby!

I can't believe this myself. We've finally gone this far, having only 32 days left or less. I'm not sure about this but I am quite certain you'll be here with us one of these days, soon enough. Worries were lessened while the excitements heightened.

This somehow saddened me though, but don't get mommy wrong. I'm sad because our time as "one" will soon be end. I'll be missing you waggling and kicking inside my tummy. Still, I understand that you have to make adventures on your own. Mommy will stay at your side to walk with you along this strange world. You don't have to worry on being alone.

Despite all, that includes the discomforts I've been through, I want to thank you for letting me experience loving one special creepy creature that invade my system, for loving someone I haven't seen yet. For letting me appreciate something that once scared me--to become pregnant. Pregnancy became an irresistible experience when you came.  It continues to overwhelm me as I look forward to be with the creepy creature that will soon be the most wonderful creation ever made (for sure). Thank you my dear for the past nine months (almost..) of adventure that, little by little, turned my otherwise once lonely and lost existence the other way around.

I am a little bit anxious for the days to come. I'm a little bit nervous here as I wait. I am honestly not a hundred percent ready emotionally but your arrival in the next few days will be warmly welcomed. An early exit will be respected but staying inside me for a few more weeks could be very great for your health. My womb can still make you warm during your stay. But then, I can feel you're getting ready for your big exit too. Anyway, the doctor said you'll be safe.

The fact that you struggle for your exit  gave me enough reason to stay strong. I guess every single second counts now, I can make use of the remaining time, no matter how short it could be, to gather courage for your appearance. 

By the way, I was warned of the sleepless nights ahead of me. *shrug my shoulders* sleepless nights with you soon only means bonding time and showing love. I'll see you soon then..

Love lots,

Whispering a little prayer...

Father, in Jesus name I worship you. 

I bless you and give you praise. 

Father, I come to you in Jesus' name and through the blood of Jesus Christ to ask you to protect and bless the baby in my womb.

Thank you Father, that every good and perfect gift comes from you. 

I am happy that I am pregnant. You have blessed me with a baby.

Lord you said all that you create or created is good (Genesis 1: 25). 

I thank you, Father, that the baby already formed in my womb is your workmanship created in true perfection according to your power.

Father, all your works are beautiful and magnificent to behold. 

They are wonderfully finished. 

All your works are perfect, for every good and perfect gift comes from you (James 1:17). 

I thank you for a perfect baby in Jesus' name.

I condemn every tongue that has risen against me and my baby, in accordance with your word.

My baby will grow well. 

I shall put to bed a very healthy child. I cover the baby in my womb with the precious blood of Jesus.

Amen.

Coming so Soon

To my unborn child,

what I wish to give you in times to come,

happiness, and wisdom,

a life filled with fun,

to explore all adventures of your curious mind,

to become knowledgeable of what you'll find,

as I await your arrival and the presence of newborn cries,

I picture how you'll look when I open up my eyes.

I feel your movements every time I wake each day,

letting mommy know that you’re okay...

Source: © RhondaO. Jones

 

Good Morning my dear,

To update you with. Mommy been hooked to bed as advised by her doctor. I was admitted to hospital twice this month of July to monitor contractions and to manage pre-term labor.

We are doing good. I barely move with a little of discomforts and I'm in pain from time to time but there is nothing to worry about.  The doctor said she did all the necessary interventions and you are now safe. Relieved, happy and glad :) 

By now, we have merely less than a month! I'll see you soooo soon my dear :) 

Love lots, 

P.S.

  

Getting ready with the hospital bags

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go... oopps! I'm not leaving on a jet plane of course! I am rather getting ready for my baby's arrival...

We are obviously on our final stretch of this 9-month journey. We only have few weeks remaining or days even. Since July became a month of panic for all of us out here (not that worst, really), Hospital bags and baby stuffs were all packed 2 months prior to EDD. Everything is prepared, hopefully we're not missing a thing, so we don't need to rush around during the TRUE labor. :)

This morning I had my follow-up visit to the OB. Since its a one-hour travel away from home, we brought everything with us just in case :) but well, we're (accompanied by 'te Elnor and Mama) home. The OB had set another three weeks of waiting, things are going just as smoothly as prayed for.

This time I'm 2cm dilated but I no longer worry like before. The doctor said the baby will be fine if delivered soon. I have to continue taking multivitamins and ferrous sulfate for my baby to grow (my baby is as big as 7month of an average pregnant woman) but I'm freed of tocolytic meds.  Thanks God.    

I continue to pray for my baby's good health :)
 

Perfectly pink

These baby books/taggies were bought by your Lola Delfa for only 20php at the garage sale somewhere in town. Very cheap and it looks brand new after it was washed. It is really cute, I'm sure you're going to enjoy reading all this... more of playing I guess :)

Princess... soft and sweet, pretty in pink, and a royal little darling

say hello to your friends

The Children's nook

Hi baby, presenting to you your future playground :)

Since your grandmother is overwhelmed with the growing number of her grandchildren, she decided to made this "playground" for all the kids.Your cousins been enjoying the place, been playing around and making noises that sometimes irritates me because it is just outside my bedroom. Nonetheless, you will soon be joining them so I have nothing to argue about that. I am actually looking forward to hear your voice among them.

The place is quite cool, a good place to bond with your cousins :)
 

From Kuya Judiel Ian

Thanks Kuya for this gift :) Charlotte will look just as adorable as you are with these little pieces.

Bed Rest

 If there is one thing I realized with this experience, that would be not to ignore as well as not to take the pains and discomforts for granted because there might be wrong or worst it can actually harm your baby.

I'm trying to stay positive and trying to trust my OB for my baby's safety despite the fact that I see no assurance that my baby and I could extend to the 34th week of our journey.

Here's the story...

I was actually trying to ignore the pain for almost a week because I don't want to become a burden to everyone around me. It's not really that painful but it was uncomfortable. It's just like having a toothache in which I can always disregard by sleeping or a "mind over matter" strategy--to just ignore, ignore, then ignore again.

Then, owing to my partner's advice, I was convinced to consult the expert. I went to my OB's clinic on June 1 and found out that I'm already on a pre-term labor :( So there I was, I found myself on a complete bedrest with no bathroom privilege. I had to undergo steroid therapy just in case tocolytic meds wont work,  it could at the very least make my baby safer since by this time her respiratory system is not yet fully develop.

Little by little, reality sinks in. It could be worst if I didn't listen to him. I may carry the pain but my baby might not... I'll be more careful next time.