Happy 2nd Bday Iya!

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Two years ago today, at 9.47pm, I gave birth to our firstborn. Labsie and I were not ready to become parents but our baby girl charmed us totally that we promised to only give her the best. Even if it meant sacrificing some of our personal needs. Yes, the adage is true- having kids WILL change your life ;-)

To our beloved Iya Elycia, now a loving big sister, our warmest birthday wishes! Mommy and Daddy may scold you sometimes but it is for your own good. We only want that you grow up to be a beautiful person, inside and out :-) Mommy and Daddy love you so much Iya! You are one of the most precious gifts that the Lord gave us.. Happy second birthday to you!Ü

Ema Isabel is here! :)

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After 4 nights of false labor contractions, I finally went into true labor last March 4 and gave birth to our second baby at 10:02pm via normal delivery :-) Ema Isabel weighed 2.7kg and measured 47cm in length, just a bit heavier than her Ate Iya who was very happy to finally see her.Ü

It's been 36hrs since Ema came to us, and though it's been very hectic having a newborn AND a toddler in a hospital room, Labsie and I are coping quite well. Iya is very attached to us and refused to go home with my parents, and so we're stuck with 2 babies. Oh well, what won't kill us will just make us stronger, right? Hehe!Ü

Leap Day Zen

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I'm currently zoning out here in Abreeza (430pm), trying to find inner peace on the very special date of Feb29 :-) 'Me time' moments like this are very rare and I'm glad 2012's extra day is turning out supah fine for me!

Our 'leap day' started early with my 39th week OB checkup at 9am- I'm still in early labor, gahh! The waiting continues.. Up next was my last session of prenatal yoga. Will surely miss Alex of The Pod and our mommy talks!Ü

Lunch was sushi buffet for only P250 at Teriyaki Boy. I was very, very full :-P Before lunch was over, our toddler fell asleep on my chest! Was forced to stay in the resto til she woke up 1hour later o_O

Hubby had career matters and left us after lunch (he's still not back now, 3hrs+ later!). Thank god my MIL was around and she watched our toddler play in Wonderland and Abreeza's atrium playground :-) And so here I am alone, pondering about my life and mobile blogging our Leap Day 2012!Ü

P.S. Pic above is our after-yoga tea in The Pod. Perfect, calming end after an hour of stretching!

Lucho's Baptism!

Another KADA celebration with all the kids present! A very rare moment :) From left: hubby, Iya & 38wks+ pregnant me :: BFF Chin & baby Ysha :: Mems, Charo & ate Lianne :: HS lovers Amats & Pidja with the newly christened baby :: BFF Jinky & Madz, the proud parents of the now-Christian baby Lucho! :) Here's to more joyous Kada celebrations!

early Valentines date :)

La Boutique is a small French restaurant in Plaza del Carmen, Obrero, Davao City. It is beside The Pod where I attend my prenatal yoga class.Ü Yesterday, hubby and our toddler Iya had their first date there :) I was having my yoga class next door while they were eating delectable French food in the resto. I was a bit scared leaving them alone (never left them before except in playhouse!) but I figured it's about time father & daughter had a date :) Great timing too as it was just before Valentines Day, i.e. they escaped the VDay horde.

Anyway, hubby & Iya ate seafood pasta, strawberry sorbet and the in-house bread + pesto appetizer. The pasta was super delish!! They saved some for me which I devoured after my yoga class ^__^ We'll definitely be back and try other dishes! Hopefully it will just be me and hubby on a kid-less date. Hehe!Ü Have an awesome Valentines Day everyone! Remember, celebrate love every day, and not just on VDay!

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Prenatal Yoga :)

Hello from The POD! Davao's only store where you can go barefoot while shopping :) Alex Hao's store also doubles as a Lamaze / Prenatal Yoga studio. Two years ago, hubby and I attended Alex's Lamaze class in Brokenshire Hospital. Now she has her own lovely, relaxing place :) Just finished my first session of yoga here and we're just sipping yummy tea + trading horror stories about labor, hehe!

♥ 27 weeks today ♥

In some pregnancy books, 27-28 weeks is the start of the seventh month. And the 7th month is the start of the third trimester. WOW! This second pregnancy of ours is sure is going fast :) Our EDD is early March 2012, 3 more months to go!

http://babyblues2010.blogspot.com/2009/11/pregnancy-breakdown.html

stretch marks galore! :p

It's not our second baby's fault actually. When I was pregnant with Iya, I got stretch marks in my belly around the 35th week. The picture at left was from my 31st week where I boasted I didn't have any stretch marks. As you can see my belly is smooth and oh-so clear :) A friend commented she thought she didn't have stretch marks in her first pregnancy too, that is until she gave birth and finally saw the marks on her flat baby-less belly. One month after her comment, I saw my first stretch marks, gahh!! Thank god the marks were small and stayed like that til I gave birth to Iya :) The marks eventually faded without any post-partum interventions (i.e. cream or lotions) on my part. Sad to say, the stretch marks came back with a vengeance now, in my second pregnancy.. *sigh*

What's more, unlike in my first pregnancy, I wasn't active in stretch marks prevention this time around. Before, I started my anti-stretch mark regimen after the first trimester. I rubbed on natural lotion on my belly every single night. My sister-in-law even suggested to use olive oil which she used and my mom swears my SIL has no stretch marks in her belly at all! I found that encouraging but I never got around to using olive oil as it is too icky for me :p Anyway, this time around, I haven't put any anti-stretch mark cream or lotion in my belly since the second pregnancy began. Hopefully, I can find the best stretch mark cream before I go into my third trimester (I'm on the 6th month now) and apply it on my belly like crazy til I give birth! Maybe I'll even give olive oil a try :p Hopefully it will discourage any new marks to appear (on belly, arms, breasts and thighs) and will help remove the old. Will probably write an update on this stretch marks affair after I give birth. Maybe even post before/after photos if my belly doesn't look too horrifying! Hehe!