5 AM, February 10, Tuesday. I am set for my fifth try on the home pregnancy kit. Am already a week delayed and I have already used four pregnancy kits, two of which are invalid (no lines, not indicating positive nor negative) and the other two have very faint positive lines.
Irvin says I am just denying the fact. But I just got to be sure.
Waiting for the result has been painful for me for the last 4 tests, I even cried. Why can't this damn thing just say what's the result, in plain black and white?
After two restless minutes, the two purple lines that will change my life appeared. (The other one still appears lighter than the other.)
Irvin woke up, asked about the test, kissed my tummy and smiled. Me? I took a bath, looked at the kit again. I was afraid that one line would magically disappear. It did not.
Positive…well, it's such a positive word.
Timeline
Although I still am unsure of the result (because one line appears lighter than the other), I have already let other people know my condition. I just don't want to be announcing it to the whole world before I get my first prenatal check-up.
February 4. Already two days delayed, thinking of taking a pregnancy test. Although I have already researched about this, I still asked my officemate, Dona, and Ate regarding taking the pregnancy test. First hand information is the best.
February 5. First take. Invalid. Tsk. Ate is eager to know the result, but sorry, no result yet.
February 6. Second take. Two faint, broken lines. Aaargh! Ate is still excited.
February 7. Third take. Invalid. Again. I wonder why can't it just tell if I am pregnant or not. I cried, Irvin wiped my tears (I really love this guy!). I told Nanay and she was excited, too. Irvin told Nana (my mother-in-law), with Bryann overhearing the story, about my condition. That night, Irvin told his best buddies - his brother Enald and cousins McLee and Lito - about it. I also consulted with my doctor-friend Ivy via text.
February 8. Fourth take. Weak positive. Two faint lines, although the other is darker. A glimpse of hope shone upon me. Nanay, though half-asleep, eagerly asked me about the result while blocking off Tatay. She wants Tatay to know the result when we are 100% sure of the result. I texted Irvin. His reply: Strong positive na 'yan.
February 9. No test today. Getting tired of waiting for the result. I asked my colleague Des about the testing, she suggested I take another and have a check-up with an OB. The clumsy me slipped right outside the RCBC building, it was a hard fall and I was stunned, thinking some blood would trickle down my legs just like what I see in the movies. I thank Karen, a Chevron colleague whom I do not know personally, for helping me get up and for accompanying me up to the shuttle terminal. Nanay told my Tatay about my suspected pregnancy. Irvin told his officemates, including our ninong and ninang Kuya Ento and Ate Joy.
February 10. Fifth take. Positive. Two visible lines, although one line is still lighter than the other. Told my Nanay and Tatay. Told my team leader Cherie and my Chevron friends JJ, Grace and Marie (by accident :P). I asked them not to spread the news yet, not until I get my first check-up. Told my highschool buddy Ivy and my nonbiological sister-in-law (and our cupid) Paula.
February 11. Told my AMASE-ing friends about my pregnancy.
February 14. Supposed to visit a doctor for a check-up, backed out because I just don't want the "feel" of hospital's ambiance.
February 15. My first prenatal check up with Dra. Jamir. Well, I asked the normal questions any first-time mothers would ask - my due date, foods to take and avoid, exercise. She checked my thyroid and my tummy, everything seems okay, she said. Discussed about my kidney stones. And then, spread the good news! I texted Ate, my highschool friends and Ate Lois.
In the next couple of days, we told our friends and families - my highschool friend Aileen, my college friends Debbie and Berna, our ninong and ninang Ate My and Kuya Art, my ex-SGV colleagues Jelly, Nico and Lorna, my ex-Chevron colleagues Sansu, Anne and Ching, my GL1 teammates, other Chevron colleagues slash friends Dona, Karlo, Russ, Debbie and Liza, Sheila and Aimee, Josette May and Anna, my boss in SG Matt, my overseas friends except for Geh - Geh, Nonoy, John and Leli, my li'l sis Joyce.
Thanks to those who congratulated us and sent their warm wishes. (To be continued...)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
positive!
experiencing the boutique
Apologies for the delay. This post has been seating in my drafts for more than a month now. Whew!
Prior to December 23, I made a research about this place. Some people claim it is a good place to stay while others would contradict. So we just said, it is for us to know.
The weather on December 23 is not so fine, it has been raining since the night before and there were still occasional shower that day.
We arrived there at around 3 PM, talked to the desk officer and paid the remaining balance. The desk officer and the assistants were accomodating and friendly, they briefed us about their "pamper me" line and the schedule for the facial massage. After the briefing, we were accompanied to their "pamper me" line where we chose our soap, lotion, shampoo and conditioner (The "pamper me" basket includes a complete set of basic toiletries.). And we were accompanied to our room where the assistant briefed us about the next morning's breakfast. Then, picturetaking!
Well, the room is small (actually, the whole place is small) but comfy. The pillows are just okay, we did not bother to change anything although we can request for additional or less pillows. There was a note from the owners, just the usual welcome note. Fruits, bottled water and iced tea were offered as welcome drinks. Wi-Fi, ventilation, towels - okay. Generally, clean. One major loophole - the pirated DVDs :P
We just watched DVDs and relaxed. Braving the rain, we ate our dinner at RSM, a resto just a few meters away from The Boutique. Uber yummy!
Fruits and hot chocolate were served (well, a little late) for the nightcap.
We enjoyed our American and Hawaiian breakfast the next morning. Uber yummy again! Just watched TV, DVD the whole morning. Then it's time to prepare to leave, we took a shower then packed up. We had lunch at Hawaiian BBQ (you guessed it, yummy ulit!).
Saturday, February 21, 2009
the weekend that was feb 14-15: overdue
Saturday. Nanood ako ng game ni Irvin with Enald, Bryann and MJ. Siyempre panalo sila, swerte ang buntis e! Natatawa nga ko kasi nu'ng naglalaro si Irvin, sinasabi ko na "Baby, 'pag boy ka, gayahin mo si Tatay oh, galing mag-basketball…" Narinig nya kaya 'yun kahit kasinlaki pa lang siya ng sesame seed? Malay mo naman, di ba?
Hinatid na namin sila, umuwi sa amin for lunch, then punta sa Divine Grace Medical Center. Accredited ng Maxicare ang hospital na 'yun kaya doon kami unang pumunta. Kaso 'di ko talaga feel. Una, ang tagal walang tao sa Information desk, pangalawa masusungit ang mga nurses at kung sino pa man sila doon. Parang hello, mga pasyente ang customer nyo, umayos nga kayo. Mag-e-SM sana kami after, kaso super traffic naman. Sayang ang oras, huwag na lang. Ayun, palpak ang lakad. Hinatid na nya ko sa amin. Siyempre plantsa while watching TV, tapos PSP, hehehe!
Sunday. Sinundo ako ni Irvin ng 5:30 AM para mag-jogging, siyempre tatanga-tanga pa 'ko sa kaalamang pangbuntis at ayun lakad ako ng lakad. Kasama namin sila Hazel at ung pamangkin nya, si Enald at MJ. Jollibee after. Uwi muna ako, chat with Ate, PSP, sound trip. Sinundo na ako ni Irvin and off we go sa aking first prenatal check-up kay Dra. Jamir.
4th ako sa pila at madami pang buntis ang nagdatingan, ayos lng. Ibig sabihin madami siyang pasyente, friendly si Ms. Nurse na churchmate nila Nana at Ate Sette. Kaya this time, feel ko na. This is it. Actually, kinakabahan ako, pero excited din. Question and answer, kapa sa tiyan. Mukhang okey naman. OB siya ng Ate ko kaya may kamustahan na din.
Nag-SM kami, unwind naman :)
the weekend that was feb 7-8: overdue
Sunday. Test ulet, 4th time since Thursday. Ooops, medyo may hope na ko. 2 faint lines, weak positive (at least positive di ba, weak nga lang). Pinakita ko kay Nanay ung result, excited dahil wala pang pregnancy kit nu'ng panahon nya. (Trivia: Dati frog test ang ginagamit, literal! I-injection ang wiwi sa palaka. Ayaw mo maniwala, tingnan mo sa Wikipedia!) Nakiki-usyoso si Tatay pero siyempre guwardiyado ako ni Nanay. Selfish sa info! Chat with Ate. Uwi na sa Tanza.
Closing na ulit :(
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
untitled
Sometimes, I wonder why some people would really go out of their way just to put someone down.
Welcome to the real world.
Not everyone is as considerate, as kind-hearted, and as honest, as you thought.
And I pity them.
Lord Voldemort (to Dumbledore): You've lost, old man.
Harry Potter (to Lord Voldemort): You're the weak one. And you'll never know love…or friendship. And I feel sorry for you.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
have you watched them sleep?
I received a message on my Friendster account the other day. It was one of those forwarded messages, the type I would usually scan briefly before hitting "delete".
But this message, written in Bahasa Malaysia, started with a simple question that caught my attention. A rough translation of it goes like this:
"Have you ever watched your parents while they were asleep? Your father's body, once big and strong but now, the big is withered and the strong is weaker. Wisps of grey hair peek out from his hair, wrinkles now "scar" his forehead and face.
"This man works hard every day and would sacrifice anything to make sure his family is provided for and his children get the best education possible.
"Or how about your mother, whose soft hands once cuddled and held you close when you were a baby? Now, those hands are dry and rough, bearing evidence of the challenges she just faced for us.
"This woman takes care of our daily needs, constantly nagging and scolding us because of her love for us. But sadly, we often misconstrue her love as control and unfairness."
I have never thought of watching my parents while they slept. I've watched my cousins sleep when they were babies, all round and cuddly and sweet smelling. But watch my parents? No way!
But after reading this message, I realised that there was indeed much truth in it. In fact, my parents do not have to be asleep for me to realise that they have aged.
Just looking at my mother walk tells me that her legs are not as strong as they were before. Or hearing her ask me for help with that flowerpot in the garden, the one she used to be able to push and drag around the garden without my help.
Or watching my dad lift a 10 kg bag of rice. I can easily carry that bag now. I am young. But to him, it is a struggle.
What do all these observations tell me? Yes, my parents have aged. They are ageing, just as I am ageing. But as I age towards my best years and become stronger, they in turn are becoming weaker. They were once the caregivers and I the receiver. In time, I know our roles will reverse. Like it or not, want it to or now, this is life.
I suppose I have always subconciously thought that my parents would always be with me, never growing old. It took that message to make me realise that my parents are not immortal. That they, too, will one day leave the world and me. Until then, I will make good use of our time together.
By the way, I'm forwarding that message to all my family and friends to remind them to appreciate what they have now. It will not last.
- Have you watched them sleep? by Shakunthala Devi
CREDITS: Thanks, JJ for sharing this wonderful article. A good read, indeed!
Monday, February 2, 2009
photo journal: in their company
more of my snapshots on: http://enelie14.multiply.com/photos/album/6/Snapshots_2008
the weekend that was jan 31-feb 1
It's fitness weekend! :P We woke up early, went to Island Cove for a morning jogging session. Well, jogging for Irvin and walking (and picturetaking!) for me, is more appropriate. We were home before 9 AM, got two shocking news. One is a very personal matter regarding my cousin and the other - my Nanay has got blonde hair! Hahaha! (Tatay: Neng, mas mukhang bata pa ang nanay mo sa 'yo e!)
Just the usual Saturday - ironed clothes, TV, PSP :)
Sunday. Woke up at 6 AM for our jogging slash walking session. We also visited Kishie in the hospital. Home for lunch. Ate called up for the chika (of course!). Watched Bee Movie. Went to Agnes' birthday.
Darn, it's Monday again.
the weekend that was jan 23-25: overdue
Friday. After kong mag-CR that morning, I felt weird. I know I'm having signs of UTI again. Well, just in time, because I am scheduled to see a doctor this month to check my kidney stones. I called in sick. And with my Nanay, we went to the hospital, waited until a nurse informed us that the doctor left for an emergency call. I just rested and drank a lot of water. Irvin picked me up for Nana's birthday celebration.
Saturday. Irvin accompanied me to the doctor. 3 months of medication is what I needed, whew! Watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone while ironing clothes. Slept early (yeah, that's true).
Sunday. Woke up early, watched Million Dollar Baby (I cried again!). Chat with Ate. Just the usual Sunday. :)
