It’s A Baby Girl!

I finally had an ultrasound today and based on the results, we might be having a girl. The gender was not immediately detected because at first her legs were crossed so we waited until the baby moves and the sonologist says it’s probably a girl.

I am happy of course; even though I was very vocal before that I want a son. It’s just because most of my pamangkins are girls so I said to myself, I want a baby boy this time. But If God gave us a girl then I don’t have the right to complain especially since the results also said that my baby is fine and healthy—nose and lips are intact as well as the footprints and fingers.

One downside though is that baby is in a breech position for now….incidentally I was also born suhi but we are all praying that the baby’s position would still change in time. I think I will have another ultrasound soon to be really sure of the gender and to see if my baby is in a better position by then.

In the meantime, I think it’s time to think of a girl’s name now. I am also already eyeing those cute baby dresses and accessories, am excited to buy cute stuff for my baby. This early I am even pondering on the school she would go to. I think I want to enroll her in an exclusive girl’s school (laughs). Wondering what kind of mom will I become…

Anyway, aside from the ultrasound, I also had to undergo some laboratory tests like urinalysis, glucose content, test to check if I have a hepatitis, and complete blood count to make sure I am in perfect condition.

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Nail Art Experience

Having a manicure and pedicure is one way for me to pamper myself and I find myself going to the salon to have my nails done more frequently now that I am pregnant. Lately I am hooked and amused with nail art. For adding just a few bucks, I can have fab designs on my nails that I love looking at and people find cute. So far I have tried two designs.

This one is a stamp nail art with pink fairy design. Fast and easy to apply!

This one is better. The colors and the flower design make me think of Christmas and happy times. This one is not stamp nail art. The manicurists really painted the designs on my nails and I am just impressed with the creativity.

I think I will come back to try new designs next time.

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To Rent or Not to Rent

My husband and I were married last January yet up to now we are still living in my mother’s place. We have purchase a rent to own house and lot in Cavite but the earliest time we can move in there is early next year.

Renting our own place was not discussed before we were married because we are expected to stay here. You see I am the youngest in the family and for many years, it is only me and my mother who are staying in the house. My father died 12 years ago due to a kidney disease and my siblings are either married, living independently or staying overseas. It was a good thing when an aunt decided to stay with us so my mother doesn’t have to feel so bored and alone in the house when I am out working or spending time with my friends.

As a married couple, staying here is the best and most comfortable option for us. Among other things, we don’t have to worry about dividing household chores as my mom loves to cook and my aunt loves doing household chores. We always insist on helping with the chores but we are nevertheless pampered as a couple. We also get to save lots of money as we don’t have to worry about rent or electricity bills. Of course we are grateful but there are times when I felt that we don’t get to be independent this way.

Because of this, my husband and I considered renting an apartment near our workplace so we get to be independent and all. We have actually checked out some place and inquired the rates. Well most are either nice but too expensive or affordable but comes with a little nuisance.

However, we also know that moving out would offend my mother and aunt. It is also not a wise decision now that I am pregnant. We can use the rent money for other more important things.

So after much thinking and searching, we finally decided to stay here until our house in Cavite is ready. We realized we should just be thankful for this privilege we have as a newly married couple and savor it.

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Happy Birthday Nanay!

This is a special day for our family as it is my mother’s birthday. She turns 69 today so I filed a vacation leave yesterday so I can somehow help with the preparations. We expect families, friends and relatives to come so it will surely be a day we will all enjoy. We will be having lechon, roast chicken, menudo, pansit, lumpiang isda (my request), crab steamed in oyster sauce, inihaw na bangus, cake and fruit salad.


Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics

I wish my mother good health, happiness for many years to come. I hope that in my own little way, I turned out to be the daughter she deserved to have.

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How to Have a Healthy Self Image

My boss who is a Christian invites a pastor once a month to conduct a bible study class for us. It was one bonding activity in the workplace and we like the new pastor as his lectures contains ways on how we can apply the teachings in our daily lives. Our first lesson tackled ways on how to have a healthy self image.

Let me share with you the 12 steps:

1. Believe that you are unique and valuable
2. Improve your outward appearance
3. Be inspired by stories of successful people
4. Get a regular dose of God’s word.
5. Build confidence by succeeding in little things first.
6. Be cheerful always.
7. Regularly do acts of kindness.
8. Surround yourself with positive people
9. Focus on building your strengths
10. Avoid things that lead to bad habits.
11. Learn new things regularly.
12. Turn your fears into power.

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I Attended the 5th Blogging Summit

This is quite a late post (had to deal with extra workload and bad internet connection lately).

I attended the 5th blogging summit last Saturday with my friend, Andy. Andy and I decided to go to the summit just the morning of the event. Andy had nowhere to go to that day and I don’t want to stay at home with nothing to do (husband has to work). Luckily I was feeling fine that Saturday so before heading to his workplace, my husband accompanied me to UP Diliman where I met Andy.

Just like the 4th blogging summit (I was also present), the event was very well-organized. I am happy to see the persons behind the blogs that I enjoy reading. Andy who was a first timer was impressed with the seminar and seems grateful that I told her about it. Well we were only there for the morning session because I had to accompany my mom to the bank later that day.


Nevertheless, I was able to pick up valuable blogging tips and lessons. Here are some of them:

A blog is an expression of yourself so write what you want and be true!

As for blog ethics, there are no rules really. Blogging is all about taking responsibility.

As bloggers, we must strive to create value.

Don’t get distracted with the reasons why you started blogging in the first place. Don’t get lost with the fact that a blog is a money making venture.

On blog promotion and traffic generation:
Work on your expertise.
Look for related fields.
Know your audience.
Keep your reputation clean.

The blogging summit is a cool and meaningful event. I admire and appreciate the organizers, speakers, and volunteers. I think I will still be present next year and hopefully will finally be able to attend the blog party by then.

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What Changes After the Wedding?

It was so soon after being married when I learned that I was pregnant that I barely have time to reflect about this new stage in my life. My new status is just creeping into my system just lately. I think it is partly because the excitement just suddenly turned to the growing baby inside me. Don’t get me wrong, my husband and I are so happy when we learned that I was pregnant (especially because I am not so young anymore) but we were just preoccupied with the thoughts of how to cope with it along with all our plans and dreams.

Well lately I’ve been thinking if marriage has changed me and I can say that it is slowly changing me and all is for the better. Among other things, my surname has changed. Up to now I always forget to use my new surname. It’s hard to just suddenly drop the surname you have been using all your life.

My single friends warned that I might discover some unpleasant things with my husband when we are already living under one roof…and they’ve been inquiring me about it lately. Honestly, if there’s any change, our relationship becomes stronger and better. If my husband was a great boyfriend, he turned out to be a wonderful husband. I on the other hand are struggling to be a good wife…I am still learning the ropes and it’s not so easy as I am not so used to doing household chores. As a single woman, I don’t cook, don’t do my laundry, don’t do anything really. Well I have no intention of turning to be a domestic goddess but I want to at least be knowledgeable and skilled when it comes to this area.

So far marriage has been what I’ve been hoping for and it doesn’t mean that everything has been rosy and perfect. Based from what I remember on a newspaper article before, here are a few guidelines on how to have a happy married life:

Watch the words you used (and the tone of your voice)when talking to and about your spouse. It shows how much you respect each other.

Give each other presents. This will help keep the romance alive and will show how much you appreciate each other.

Be patient with each other. Everybody commit mistakes but no ones like being blamed for it so allow your spouse to create minor mistakes and forgive. So you will also be forgiven when it is your fault.

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