Shopping for Baby Sean! 76 more days to go...

I went shopping yesterday worth more than 10,000 baht and I don't feel guilty about it! Haha...well, it's for my baby Sean! Oh, did I mention that I will be delivering a boy?!?! Yep, we went to Sukhumvit Hospital last Saturday and met my new OB-Gyne (who is very nice, by the way) and I had my second ultrasound. My OB pointed to the monitor twice to stress out that we are having a boy by showing the baby's penis. I was a little surprised actually, all along we had been convinced that it's a girl because most of my relatives and friends told us so. However, it's the opposite yet I am still ecstatic because Joevy wants a boy for him to be able to play basketball with in his growing years.

Well, my topic is regarding the shopping I had last night. You see, my friend Lot advertised that she's selling baby items in craigslist.com yet I had no idea that it was her. I just got  interested because she was selling the things in less than half the price. Brands like Avent, Gap,Guess and other signature baby's clothes  were up on sale. So I immediately emailed her (without any idea as to who the seller was) and she surprised me with her reply that it was actually her. We exchanged emails regarding the details of the items as well as she gave me some pregnancy  tips. So we went to her home yesterday and picked up 8-bags full and almost 11,000 worth of baby things. My baby now has so many clothes...I think it will be enough until he's almost more than a year old. The baby clothing were so cute, they are like doll's clothes. I enjoyed the trip going to Lot's house as they were accommodating, including her sister, and the kids were just beautiful!

We went home later excited to see the baby clothes once again.

Things That Change When You Have A Baby: 84 more days to go...

I love this article which is very applicable to me and to most moms. An excerpt that I got from babycenter.com.

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What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

Huh! The power of being a super duper mom... nothing compares! Thank you, dear mother for bringing me out into this world, and now my turn has come and I hope I can qualify to your standards in rearing my dear little one.

On Right Brain Learning : 87 days more to go...

I am at the moment reading the forum section of Brillbaby.com. Very informative! I learned that a baby, as small as it is can learn extensively. The baby will digest learning math, reading and any other stuff that  you put in his/her right brain.  Babies are like sponges, they can absorb anything even when they are not focused on your teaching.  I have read testimonies and seen youtube proofs of babies reading whole words (not only ABC's, take note!) and these motivated me into teaching my unborn child on how to be able to read even as an infant.

There are several ways that can be used in teaching babies, there is the Doman method (by far, the most popular), Shichida and Henguru method (Japanese-based) as well as the use of Tweedlewink and Your Baby Can Read videos. I don't have them at all :( but I am preparing a set of few flashcards to show to my baby once she gets 4 months old.  Just  simple flashcards and powerpoint presentation to show the picture of the word plus the word itself. I am just thankful that I have a lot of free time at work to be able to make these flashcards, problem lies with printing and laminating it... :(  Anyways, I'll be able to sort it out.

My hubby and I still have this problem as to where I should deliver the baby. Yesterday,  I tried to surf the net for the nearest and most convenient hospitals but I have not done any decision yet. I'm nearing my 7th month of pregnancy so I better hurry otherwise they won't accept my condition there.

Songkran Vacation 2010 : 88 more days....(I skipped some days, sorry!)

I wonder how many days left now...I had been out of the office for the whole week (except half day last Monday) because of the Songkran holidays.  The rest from work was fulfilling, I'll give you a recap of last week's highlights:

Monday - I went to work but only a few employees reported in because most of my colleagues already used their vacation leave to be able to go to their hometowns and visit their relatives; thus, my boss told us around midday that we are free for the afternoon. So I went home and had a sumptuous lunch(sweet and sour fish) that my hubby prepared. 

Tuesday - off to Rayong we went, we left at around 9 am but was able to reach Baan Chang at past 3 pm. We got lost. (*grin) It was actually only a 3-hour ride for those who know the way. All five of us in the car, Mike, Michelle, Marie, me and Joevy just laughed it out when we got confused of the route and had to u-turn several times just to make it to Baan Chang. After several hours drive and hungry stomachs later, we were able to meet the very accommodating couple, Michelle(another Michelle) and Richie. Starving, we went straight to the beach to have a late seaside lunch. The prices of the food were skyrocket high, so we settled on a few dishes and consoled ourselves that we will just have another meal at another place later to save a few bahts.

After lunch, we took a rest at our accommodation till sunset and had a delicious dinner outside the couple's apartment. We ate grilled fish and stir-fried vegetables...hmmm, that was some dinner indeed!

Wednesday - We woke up at 5:30 am to Marie's summon of spending sunrise at the beach. Around 6:30, some of us were already taking photos of the scenery while some were enjoying their swim.  I didn't swim because I don't fancy sea water...too salty for me! Later that morning, we went to a beach pool in one of the subdivisions in Baan Chang, and the place was awe-striking!!! It's like an oasis...there is a pool surrounded by coconut trees with a crystal clear water. Joevy and I spent the rest of the morning dipped in the water that is why our skin is a little tanned. It's alright...I enjoyed every moment in that refreshing pool! After a nap, we headed for Bangkok...oooppps, not that fast, we went astray again but finally found the road back to Bangkok. Quite an experience for us!

Thursday -  Last day of Songkran festival, so together with my family and relatives, we went to Nana to join the splashing of water, which is their way of celebrating Songkran! To pour, splash, spray,sprinkle water....for the Thai people, it's a blessing! You are blessed by receiving water and well-wishes from your relatives and vice versa.  However, to most, especially to farangs ( foreigners), it means fun, fun, fun!!!! Some would even put wet powder on your face...I really don't get it's meaning but I just thank them whenever they put them on my face. There were some questioning looks as I passed by...probably they wondered as to what a pregnant lady doing there...maybe they were worried that I might slip and that could be dangerous for me and my baby. So after a few splashes, I settled on a chair at the roadside and just had fun watching the crowd have fun. We went home soaked, tired yet happy.

Friday - I dyed my hair golden brown....oopps, another no-no for a preggy lady but my stubbornness got the better of me. So here I am, with a different-colored hair.

Saturday - I had diarrhea since late Friday afternoon, probably got it from Hot Pot restaurant or maybe from the milk that my hubby bought from 7-eleven. Whichever the cause, it still gave me an awkward feeling... Joevy laughed at my dilemma (grrrr!). Due to that, we went to church late. After the service, I exchanged smiles and greetings to friends, had lunch, then headed home.  Joevy played basketball in the evening...not so good game for him.

Sunday - spent the last day of vacation at home.

So that 's my whole Songkran vacation...

By the way, did I mention that I asked my baby of her gender? She told me she's a girl...(she answered by kicking!) Therefore, I will name her Samantha Nicole Sayloon.  She has been kicking hard and strong on my right side. I and my hubby feels elated whenever she kicks strongly. I will post pictures when we have our internet connection at home.

Ciao!

Boy or Girl, What's Your Guess? 98 days more to go...

Thank God it's Friday! My hubby and Papa will be here early tomorrow morning and probably we may be able to go to church after their arrival. 

Last night, I bought a second hand stroller...but I am not really happy with it, it was a little old although the previous owner informed me that it was only used for two months. The brand is Cool Kids with grey and red as colors, it is still functioning well but a little dirty so instead of bringing it home, I dropped it by the nearby dry cleaning shop hoping a little magic will do and it will look clean and fancier.  Now I am regretting of not buying the Camera brand in Central Latphrao, actually, it matches the playpen that Ms. Anne had given us, sigh! Well, at least I was able to save 2,000 baht from buying the new one.

We really have to save money for the baby. Babies are cute and wonderful, but they also come costly. What with the diapers they use every month and the milk that they intake. I really hope I will be able to breastfeed for a maximum of 1 year. I will be able to save a lot if my baby will be breastfed.  I felt the baby flutter just now, he/she is kicking stronger now and it's really awe-inspiring when the baby does that.

As to the baby's gender, we still do not know since we have not done the ultrasound again yet. Joevy wants a son but he said that if it's a girl, then we are also blessed because that is a gift. For me, any gender will do as long as the baby is healthy and complete. Prayer is the key, I always ask God to take care of my offspring and help him/her to be healthy.

99 days more to go...wow!

99 days more to go and I am going to meet my baby! Wow, less than a hundred days...time flies so fast! 

I woke up alone in bed, my hubby is on his way to Laos with Papa for a two-month visa run. It is quite sad when you miss someone. I am so used to having Joevy at my side...if he can help it, he would not want to leave me. He will be gone for 3 days but I really miss him... I miss his kakulitan and his way of taking care of me. What more when he has to leave for another ship and that means more than 7 months of separation... I don't want to think about it yet. Not yet.

My baby has been kicking hard these last few days, I bet he/she is enjoying our quiet time as mother and child. I get to read the Bible stories every night and listen to children's music / classical music to him/her.  Last night, I also was able to practice Yoga for pregnant women..it was quite fun although some are a little difficult for me since it's my first time to do Yoga. I still need a lot of practice.

Hospital Hopping : 100 more days to go...

Wednesday. Holiday again for me....kidding! Well, I don't have to report for work today because I have an appointment with my OB at Petcharavej Hospital.  However, I still have to wake up early because the trip going to the hospital is farther now in my new place and I know that the waiting time in that hospital is very very long...I am not exaggerating, I have been going there for several months now, and I have to wait like four to five hours just to spend less than 10 minutes in the doctor's office.

I was expecting to have an ultrasound but I was disappointed, after waiting for 4 hours, my OB told me that I should have come earlier to be able to undergo ultrasound. What????I was early...I even came ahead of him, I saw him pass by when he came in, he was the one late, not me!! I was sad, tired and hungry by the time we were finished at 1 pm so I decided to inform him that I will be moving to another hospital, probably Rajvithi Hospital which is located near Victory Monument.  Due to my hunger, I got irritated with Joevy when he mistakenly bought a sandwich from 7-11 store with Pork Bologna as filling. I did not talk to him for several minutes but as comic as he was, he found it cute of me to be pouting like that...soon, I was able to get back to my normal mood. My hubby has a good way of making me smile.  After that drama, we took the taxi and went straight to Rajvithi Hospital, where, upon entering I found it to be so crowded and dirty. I was dismayed of the place so we thought of going to Police General Hospital after eating lunch.  I ate lunch alone since Joevy said that he was already full from the two sandwiches that he ate.  After lunch, we decided to go home instead of dropping by PGH because my hubby has to travel to Laos for his visa run that evening.

My father and Joevy left at 4 pm to catch the train for Laos.

Trip to Central Latphrao : 101 more days to go...

I am way behind my blog now and tomorrow is weekend again so that means another two days of not blogging. So I have to keep up....so here goes.

Tuesday...Wan Chakri, or Chakri day, I do not know who he is or what kind of holiday this is, but all I know is that I don't have to report for work. Thank you Thailand for your public holidays.  I got to spend the whole morning in bed with my hubby...cuddling, teasing each other, telling funny stories as well as laughing at my hubby's comic acts. I love spending time with him especially that he is only here for a month or two. How I wish we can always be together yet be able to have enough money to spend for our family...sigh!

In the afternoon, we prepared to go to Central Latphrao, where, as my colleagues informed me, has a big sale going on in almost all of the shops because the mall will be renovated by the end of this month. So off we went and true enough, huge discounts were given, however, signature names are way expensive so even though they give 70-80% discount, the prices are still high.

We ended up buying a pair of baby clothes and an Avent milk bottle. We weighed ourselves into buying the green Camera stroller for the baby but opted on buying it later on since maybe, just maybe, someone will be generous enough to give one.

Arrived home very tired and sweaty.

Plans for the Baby : 102 more days to go...

Beginning of the workweek again! I woke up at 6 am and entered the office at 7:30 am. Whoa..I am way early, early because the traffic was not congested since most of the schools are closed for vacation and it's almost Songkran festival..the happiest and most celebrated annual festival in Thailand.

I browsed Craigslist.com and saw an ad selling a stroller, I quickly emailed the address shown but unfortunately there was no reply. Too bad...

We need a stroller for the soon-to-be born baby. Ms. Anne, already gave us a playpen, crib and walker and we are so thankful for them. We saved a lot by not buying those baby things...although we still need a lot of things for the baby but Marie informed me that I and my husband should buy after the baby shower since probably there will be gifts from the attendees. I am planning to hold the baby shower on May 5th and maybe it will also be a celebration of my birthday on the 4th as well as house warming. Hmm, I wonder how much will be spent on that party???

Stroll at King's Park/ Massage : 103 more days to go...

Sunday.  It's Easter, actually..but as Seventh-day Adventists, we don't really participate in that tradition. I do not even know why they hunt eggs on Easter :)

My hubby and I got out of bed late in the morning, we teased each other as soon as we woke up. Joevy is sooooo makulit! That's a Tagalog word for someone who is so playful...

After taking a bath, we went to the living room for our breakfast and soon after, we watched a movie while Marie and I continued on arranging our things which were messed up by our transfer. Thankfully, we are almost done with it.

After a delightful lunch and nap, we went for a stroll in King's Park...hmm, it's near our place now so we can go back  there anytime especially with the coming of our child, I bet my little one will love the place. With Kik, Bless, Bing taking the photos of the scenery, Joevy, Papa and I went to have some exercise with the body building/exercise instruments in the park. We were tired after the walk and so decided to have a soothing massage in Onnut.  

I had a very relaxing Thai massage, I am so thankful for my masseuse because she was extra careful in pressing my muscles because she knew beforehand that I am preggo. Joevy, on the other hand, later told me that he had a rough yet  also relaxing massage. 

We were so hungry and tired that's why after a late dinner in a restaurant in from of our apartment, we called it a day.

One Lazy Day: 104 more days to go...

Saturday morning - we were still in Elvira's place where we stayed after picking up my sister from the hospital. We had a hearty breakfast of fruits, fried rice and oatmeal (Bhe cooked them for us). After the meal, we headed for Bangkok.

We took the taxi going to BTS Morchit station, took the skytrain and rode another taxi going to Onnut soi 40. Tired...tired enough to go to church that Sabbath..so we just lazed around, slept, ate and kept some clothes in the closet.

I retired early for the night, probably still fatigued from the travel. My husband crept on the bed a little later and grumbled that I left him watching TV.

My Sister Had a Miscarriage : 105 days more to go...

Friday - still a work day. However, I opted in attending to my sister who has been hospitalized last night due to a miscarriage. She had a D & C at 8 pm and the doctors removed the remaining blood in her ovary. So I asked my boss for a day leave and he kindly agreed. Whew! We had no idea that my sister was pregnant, but before she left for the Philippines, we were already teasing her that she'll be preggy once she gets back here, and true enough, that' s what happened.  Sadly, the baby is gone. Maybe from exhaustion from her travel back and forth from Sukhumvit to her school and last Wednesday night, we move to a new place, remember? I gave my closet for her to use in her new flat, however, nobody was there to help Khun Puey carry that big cabinet, so probably, she was forced to extend a little hand. And that blew it...the next day, she bled... a lot! Luckily, some of her co-teachers brought her to the nearest hospital and there she was admitted for the night.

We arrived at Princess Sirindhorn hospital in Klong 16 at noon time. Boy, that was a long trip...I never expected it to be so far, but then we were thankful to reach that place safe.  Khun Puey picked us up in Future Park Rangsit and he brought us directly to the ward where Baby, my sister, was taking a rest. She had just finished her lunch and complained that it was egg again for lunch.

At around 2 pm, the doctor came and announced that she can go and take a rest at home. We paid the bill of almost seven thousand and headed for Katsy's place.  We bought some sweet pineapple and viand along the way.  Heat welcomed us as we entered the house, we turned on the 3 fans and opened the doors and windows to no avail.We were sweating like mad. After 2 hours, I asked Baby if she is strong enough to travel to Elvira's place in Rangsit, where it's way cooler to sleep because of the a/c. Fortunately for us, Suthep's girlfriend is heading the same direction, so we hitched a ride.

I had a good rest but my hubby didn't. He was a little jealous of someone :)

A New Place : 106 days more to go...

I did not do much in moving our things but I was dead tired last night. How much more the people who helped us?!?! My father, Joevy, Jesher, Bkik, Bing, Khun Puey, Baby, Marie's hired pick up driver, Marie, Elvira, Edan and his friends in our old place...whoa, they were sweating heavily. I cannot believe that I was able to acquire a lot of things in my 7 years of stay here in Thailand...but my belongings were nothing compared to Marie's :). I guess that is the result of the Thai baht having a high-buying power. Commodities here are noticeably cheaper than in the Philippines plus foreigners have the advantage of receiving a good salary.

They were able to finish the transfer at around 11 pm. Everyone was exhausted, so we called it a day.  Baby and her colleague, Khun Puey went back to Thanyaburi (another tiring long ride) whilst Elvira and Jesher went to Jesh's place for the night.

Thank you all for the help...I definitely would have accomplished nothing without your big hands.