check out our baby blog!

It's been up for quite awhile but it's only now that I'm starting to promote it as it has lots of content already =) And to start off, here are our first trimester posts! Well, actually, it's below the ultrasound photo (our first look of our sweet baby!). We're on the sixth month of pregnancy and so far, me + hubby + baby are doing great ^_^ Enjoy the posts!

Weeks 1 - 6: The First 6 Weeks

Week 7: August 2 - 9, 2009

Week 8: August 9 - 16, 2009

Week 9: August 16 - 23, 2009

Week 10: August 23 - 30, 2009

Week 11: August 03 - Sept 6, 2009

Week 12: September 6 - 13, 2009

Science Stuff: First Trimester Recap

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pregnancy aches and pains..

I'm nearly five and a half months pregnant, and boy, the weight I gained is taking a toll on my petite body! I gained a total of 6.5 kilos for the first half of my pregnancy and though my body mass index (BMI) is still normal for my height, this is the heaviest I've been my entire life! I've been chubby during my high school life and during summertimes but at most, I only weighed 47-48 kilos. The added weight plus my bulging abdomen have been killing my back, calves and feet! I badly need a full body massage and foot spa but I'm so lazy to get out of our house. As it is, I'm relying on hubby for mini-back massages and foot massages every day. He sooo good at it, especially with the foot!

Hubby's aunt (who lives in New York) even compared his "expertise" to podiatrists manhattan! =) I think Labsie's aunt compared him to Dr. Les Glubo, a leading podiatrist in New York who has been providing expert foot care for over 25 years. I've seen this foot doctor being interviewed in Inside Edition, Fox News and The Early Show, and I was impressed with his credentials and the wide array of foot services his office offered. Wish I was in New York and have my aching preggy feet pampered by him!

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Pacquiao smashed Cotto!

Yep, another historic event in his fairytale boxing story! That brings Pacman’s record to 50 Wins (38 by way of Knockout), 3 Loses, 2 Draws. Not bad eh? As for the boxing titles under his belt, check these out and be amazed:

WBO Welterweight Champion

Reigning IBO, RING Junior Welterweight Champion

WBC Lightweight Champion, 2008-2009

WBC, RING Super Featherweight Champion, 2008

RING Featherweight Champion, 2003 - 2005

IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, 2001 - 2004

WBC Flyweight Champion, 1998 - 1999

Manny Pacquiao is the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. Also, he is the ONLY boxer to win the lineal championship (”the man who beat the man”) in four different weight classes. I’m really more than amazed with his accomplishments.. Mabuhay ang Pilipino!! =)

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need help translating stuff?

Then try TRANSLIA! I just knew of this service coz I was looking for new ways to earn moolah since we have a baby on the way =) Anyway, this is how their translation services work: you post a job by uploading files then you choose the language you want the files translated to and last, you set the price you're willing to pay for the translation job. Professional translators (like me!) will work on your posted job. Once you are satisfied with the translation, your payment (held in escrow) will be forwarded to the translator. Aside from the usual translation services, Translia offers free translation (for charities and such), brand translation, linguistic editing and name translation. If you're fluent in several languages, I suggest you sign up as a translator. In the economic recession we are in, every little earning counts..

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50% done with the pregnancy! =)

Yep, I’m gestating for 20 weeks today and that means in another 20 weeks, we’ll finally meet our firstborn! How exciting is that?? My only problem is that our Baby Fund is still zero, i.e. no savings yet. This pregnancy of ours caught us by surprise and most of our savings in our first year of marriage went into our second honeymoon (babymoon) last October. The trip was already booked months before so we can’t cancel and save the money for our baby. So now, with 4 months before my due date, we’re gonna save money like crazy! Or like those ants preparing for the rainy day.. ;-)

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crustless quiche!!

I love pies and I love cheese.. More so when I got pregnant! Just ask hubby and my parents.. They'd tell you how loud I squeal when I see pies and cheesy pastries in stores =) Anyhoo, I wanted for a long time to bake my own pie, quiche or buttery pastry -- but what really turned me off is making the crust. I love cooking (and I'm quite good at it!) but baking is simply beyond me. Especially if it involves making doughs o_O Today I stumbled on Food Connect and found a recipe for a CRUSTLESS quiche!! That's it below, no crust baby! And the best thing? It's made up of 4 cheeses! Yummy eh??

At first glance I thought FoodConnect.com was a cooking website full of recipes and stuff. It turned out it's more than that! They do have recipes and food articles but the best thing is their website's ability to search for restaurants in Canada and the US. Users can review these restaurants, other users then can read the reviews and decide for themselves if the restaurant is worth dining in. Each restaurant listing contains the restaurant's address, how to get there (directions), contact details, specialty or cuisine, plus pictures, ratings and reviews from Food Connect users. You can also print and email the restaurant listing page if you like.

The website also has a page for Foodies (the website's users) where one can search for fellow food lovers in their own city. Each Foodie profile lists the suer's city and you can add the user as a friend. Yep, http://www.foodconnect.com/ is like a social network for foodies =) Anyway, the website also has a page for Events where users can enter food events in their cities. In your entered event, you can invite your friends, assign them to tasks and share recipes before the event and upload photos after. Real good stuff eh?? So if you're a foodie like me, check Food Connect! You'll love it!

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happy 28th birthday to my hubby!

October is a big month for me and Labsie. It's the month we celebrate our wedding anniversary (Oct 8), our couplehood anniversary (Oct 15) and the best event of all -- Labsie's birthday on Oct 31! Yep, my hubby is a Halloween baby! And would you believe he was born around 11:45pm? Very near the witching hour of midnight! =) But no worries, he's not scary or monstrous at all. My hubby is the sweetest guy ever!

This year, Labsie decided to have a simple dinner celebration in his family's home with my family as guests. Just two families coming together to eat and celebrate hubby's 28th birthday. We had seafood extravaganza, with crabs, shrimps, prawns, clams and grilled tuna gracing the table. We also had the usual pansit guisado, lumpia ubod and birthday cakes. Yes, cakeS! Coz Labsie had two, courtesy of Tita Ling and my mom =)

To Labsie, may the Lord grant the desires of your heart. Stay as great as you are! Love u always.. XOXO

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Maternity & Baby Stuff Wishlist

Sleeper Keeper Total Body Comfort Pregnancy Pillow

Smart idea, sensational results: Take the concept of a pillow, stretch it to an elongated curve, contour it to provide the right kind of support where it is needed, and make it flexible so the user can shape it as necessary. Voila! This pillow does the work of 5 and is great for back and stomach support during pregnancy.

Designed by a registered nurse to follow the natural shape of your whole body

Horseshoe-shaped head section allows you to obtain comfortable upper body position and height

Extra-long midsection is perfect width for complete back or tummy support

The slightly curved end tucks snugly between knees as it conforms to body's shape, keeping you cool and comfortable

Allows you to shift from side to side as recommended by obstetricians

Cradles your body for recommended side sleeping

Helps keep your hips and spine in a neutral position

Promotes better circulation by lifting and cushioning areas you choose

Relieves strain on stomach, back, shoulders, neck, hips and legs while sleeping

After your delivery, it's a perfect support pillow for you and baby while breast-feeding; Also a great support for infants sitting up

100% polyester fiberfill covered with 100% cotton flannel in a plaid pattern

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Gabriel Feeding Pad Break-Away

The Gabriel Feeding Pad Break-Away is a 3-in-1 product for nursing, burping or bottle-feeding! The Nursing Veil has finger loopholes to hold veil in place while minimizing infant distractions in public feeding situations, and end flaps that lift for mom-to-baby eye contact. The pad flips over to burp baby on soft fabric or to allow baby to rest comfortably on lap or shoulder. The bottle-feeding feature holds a 2-9 oz. bottle of milk and frees one hand while feeding baby upright.

Nursing Veil (the large denim cloth on left side, second pic) Features:

Lift end flaps for mom-to-baby eye contact

Small opening to view baby while nursing

Lightweight fabric for maximum coverage and air circulation

Pocket for nursing pads, toy or teething ring

Minimizes infant distractions while feeding

Finger loopholes keep veil from shifting and sliding

Burping Pad Features:

Soft padded back (white cloth on above right, second pic) for burping or resting

Protective barrier to prevent fluid penetration

Bottle-feeding (birth to 6 months)

Free one hand while feeding baby

Holds a 2-9 oz. bottle (bottle not included)

Pocket for bottle cap

Holds pacifier or teething ring

Contoured neck for comfortable fit

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baby-proof your home!

It will be six months before we’ll have a baby in our house and another 6 months before s/he will be actively wandering but it’s never too early to start baby-proofing our home! As per the usual, I searched online for tips about this and these are the easy to implement baby-proofing techniques that I found over at WebMD:

- Bedding: Put baby on his back to sleep; avoid soft bedding that might suffocate him. Crib slats should be 2-3/8 inches apart or less so head can’t get trapped.

- Floors: USE carpets to prevent slipping. Also check floors constantly for small objects that a baby might swallow like buttons and coins.

- Furniture: Cushion hard edges and sharp corners. If possible, move sharp-edged pieces away from high traffic areas. Anchor down unsteady pieces of furniture, such as bookcases.

- Bathroom: Never leave your child unattended in a bathtub or bath ring. Install no-slip strips on the bottom of the tub. Install lid locks on all toilets and keep the lid closed to prevent drowning and to keep the lid from slamming on your baby’s head or hands.

- Food: Avoid heating baby bottles in microwave ovens. The liquid heats unevenly, leaving pockets of milk potentially hot enough to scald your baby’s mouth.

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