Months & Milestones

It used to be weeks that I counted when it came to Polo's development that was because he was still in my womb. Now, I measure his growth in terms of the months and milestones...

He has learned how to feed on his fists and fingers. No wonder he's a good boy! He uses his fists to satisfy his hunger. Hehehe...

He stays awake for at least 30-45 minutes now. We have more time to play! We're playing "Pong Pong Kasile" here.



Goodbye fetal position. He's now more comfortable sleeping on his back. He still likes to cuddle especially when he wants to fall asleep. Cuddling him is my favorite past-time.


The frequency of his poop and pee has decreased a bit. Yey! That means we'll have savings from our diaper budget. Hehehe...

We can now hear his laugh. It now comes with a sound! He kept laughing last thursday when I repeated the words of Heidi Klum in the final episode of Project Runway, "Who, will be the winner of project runway..." I got him laughing even by just saying "Who, who, who" over and over again. :)

Prayer of Faith

"Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’and does not doubt in his heartbut believes that what he says will happen,it shall be done for him.Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours."

Amen. I say to myself and to everyone that I will breastfeed Polo until he is at least 1 year old. I will not doubt in my heart but believe that what I say shall happen and be done by God for me.

Lord, I ask that you continue to provide sufficient breastmilk for Polo. I believe and know that it shall happen as I request. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Indeed, nursing has become a walk of faith for me. A week or so ago, I had back up stock of expressed milk in the freezer that was good enough for an extra day. But now, Polo has increased his consumption. Whatever I pump and save today will be the amount of milk he'll consume the next day. No more back up stock.

Breastfeeding has now become daily bread, literally.

I know that I'll have enough supply if I diligently express milk during the day. Often times, what hinders me from doing this are the numerous meetings I have to attend to during the day. But, I've decided not to worry. God will make a way. He has provided me 24 hrs a day. I just need to find time and make time and so I will.

How Nice...

Guys, look at this. It's something Marvin made to cheer me up today. Ah... bonding moments with Polo...

Special Treatment

That's me with Polo comfortably breastfeeding in the breastfeeding station of SM Bicutan. I'm so grateful that Henry Sy and his people decided to create breastfeeding stations in SM Malls. So far, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and SM Bicutan are their branches that have one.

The room had a blue love seat, a diaper changer table, a trash can, a sink and a flower vase with artificial flowers for effect. Simple but cozy and quiet. Exactly what a breastfeeding station should be. Oh and yeah, it also had a clinic located beside it. Talk about customer service.

Polo and I had our breastfeeding moment in peace.

Wish all malls and work places had designated breastfeeding stations.

Success!

That's how I'd recall my first time to be away from Polo. Marvin and I attend our friends' wedding. We left Polo in the care of his dutiful grandmother for 8-10 hours.

Thank God, we all managed! My Mom and Jaz were able to take care of Polo and was able to do so with flying colors. According to them, Polo was like an angel. They didn't have any difficulty feeding him, changing his diapers or putting him to sleep. Whew! What a relief! This, for me, is an indication of how it will be when I go back to work on tuesday.

As for me, I managed not to shed a tear. Honestly, I was actually excited about the fact that I'll have alone time with my husband Marvin. Haven't had much of that since Polo's birth. And that I'll reunite with our friend from the BLD Community. In short, day off ko. Hehehe...

Good thing, I didn't turn into an anxious wreck! I think I was even cool about the whole thing. Probably, it was what my Mom said before I left the house that put me at ease. She actually asked us not to bother calling or checking on Polo. It was more like the typical "Don't call me, I'll call you" phrase. To me, that signified that they knew what to do and they did, indeed.

During the wedding, Marvin and I would think of Polo when we'd see parents carrying their children or running after them at the wedding. "Soon, we'll be like them, " is what I kept saying to myself.

We didn't get to stay till the end of the reception. We had to head back home to switch places with my Mom as it was her turn to leave the house and go to a wake.

When we got home, Marvin and I were delighted to see Polo. I was relieved, as well, that my first day away from Polo was finally over. I survived it! My Mom survived it! And so did Polo!

Wohoo! Thank you, Lord!

Accomplished!

After 5 hours and 4 blog entries, I can now retire for the day. Or should I say for a moment? Polo will be awake in less than an hour to breastfeed... :)
I've been longing to create a new blog and update it with my life's recent developments.
Thank God, I got a head start in doing so. I hope I my eyebags won't betray me in the wedding this afternoon. :P

Dear Mommy

Yes, it's true, a daughter appreciates and begins to understand her mother when she becomes a mother herself. With Polo now in my life, I'm getting a glimpse of what you're going through as a Mom.

I thank you for being my Mom, for doing the best you can all the time. For smiling and continuing to love and care for us even when we don't seem to appreciate all your efforts. Thank you for loving me enough to be there when I need you the most especially during the times that I feel that I could manage all by myself. Thank you for giving me space to grow and discover motherhood on my own and yet still be within an arm's reach when I don't have a clue.

Thanks for all the meals you heartily prepare daily. Thank you for all the prayers you offer on our behalf. Thank you for all the lessons and values you wish to instill in us. Thank you for recording all the important details of our life in your slumbook of life.

I love you for all that you are and all the you will be. I pray that God will continue to bestow you with inner and physical strength, wisdom and abundant love.

Mwah!

Separation Anxiety?

In a couple of hours, Marvin and I will leave Polo in the care of my Mom. We're attending the wedding of our friends Mariel and Ponch at 2:30pm today. Unfortunately, the invitation is good for only 2 people. Polo's not invited. Well, it is a formal adult affair, anyway.

This will be the first time, I'll leave Polo and entrust someone else to take care of him. Since, I'll go back to work on May 15, today will be a trial. We'll see if the breastmilk I've been expressing and storing for him is enough.

More than keeping my fingers crossed on that one, I'm trusting that like Manna from Heaven, my breastmilk supply will be sufficient for Polo's daily needs. Just as Marvin told me, I should take it one day at a time. No need to fret but simply have faith that Polo will get his daily bread. Amen!

Part of me is anxious about leaving Polo with my Mom. I'm scared that she might finish up all the 63 oz of breastmilk I stored in our freezer just to keep Polo from crying (thinking that he's still hungry every time he cries). My Mom always seems to think that the milk Polo is taking in is not enough. That's why I'm afraid that she might have him gulp down more than the amount of milk I thawed for him today.

I'm also concerned about Polo. He might have separation anxiety as well and cry himself so badly. With that, my Mom might leave him to cry by himself to the point of exhaustion just to get him to quiet down and finally fall asleep.

Yep, I can be a worry-head. *Inhale*Exhale* Ok, I have to constantly remind myself that my Mom is a Pro. Heck, she already raised 3 daughters and successfully takes care of 2 grandchildren. She'll know what to do.

I wonder if I'll know what to do on my first day away from Polo. Yikes!

Taking It Slow

Welcome to my new blog!

Something unfortunate happened to my old one that I no longer have the zeal to continue posting entries there. Well, it must have been something I did when I accessed over the 3G network using my celfone.

Anyway, I've been out of circulation in the blogging world for more than 2 months now and there's a lot of things to say! I don't even know where to begin.

First I was pregnant, had a surprise baby shower, surprised a couple of friends who planned a surprise baby shower for me, suprised my officemates by going straight to the delivery room on the day they planned yet another surprise baby shower for me. Why does everything have to be a surprise, anyway?

that's me at 6 mos

Then on Feb 21, 2007 at around 4:30pm, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Juan Paolo Andre is his name and he shall be called Polo (as requested by his Dad). :)

This is our 1st family picture.

Polo is just 2 weeks old here

Now, I have a lot to say about motherhood, having a baby and going back to work... Tralala... I find it to tiring to relay everything chronologically so I'll just take it slow and write about stuff randomly.