365 Days of Jam, Jelly, and one more...: The Life with Apple Jelly Bean

Dear Jam...and JELLY!

I didn't get to finish the countdown. But here we are - a trio, soon to be a quartet when Daddy comes home.

This entry however will talk about what happened the day Jelly was born.That is on April 4, 2012. Merely two days before Daddy's birthday. In fact, 13 days until Jelly was actually due, who was supposed to come out on the 17th of April.

This much I owe to the new member of our little home. I was rather prompt when Jam was born and I want to be fair with you both.

A FLASHBACK

Just like when you were on the way, Jam, I really didn't think it was time. Yes, the contractions began at 9 AM, similarly, which was stimulated when Daddy texted. It had been a couple of days since Daddy was abroad without a word, having no signal at all and then on April 4th, we had word from Daddy. Then the tiny (uhmm an understatement owing to Jelly's gestational size) life began to stir.

Most of my friends were expecting for me and thought I was pretty much on the way. While I was literally bearing with the weight which is Jelly-in-my-belly, I was still travelling to work and play. A couple of days before delivery, Ate Jajai and I traveled to Manolo Fortich to host Miss Manolo Fortich, second time this year with Tito Ryan. Days later, I met up with co-hosts from TV Tita Nicole, Tito Viel, Tito BJ, Tita Elle and Tita Ann - for a litter dinner and then some cake.

This is why my Facebook status on the morning of April 4th got mixed reactions. People were wondering how I can still manage to laugh it off - when in fact I was having the contractions. It was bearable, for a little while. But in the afternoon, it was painful as hell. I say this reference in comparison to Jam's delivery, which wasn't as painful. I have to say, your way out in the world Jelly, really tore my innards.

My waltzing continued until Mamilou decided at 12 AM that I should get my ass moving to the lying-in clinic. We had help from your Tito Gon who was quick to the rescue in accompanying me and your Ate Jajai. He bore witness to the birth of - as Tito Gon happily calls you "The Viking Baby". Viking Baby indeed. It felt like Thor coming out of my bowels with the Mjolnir - did I spell that right? I am talking about the huge hammer Thor carries around.

So, in the lying in. I was initially examined to be seen as not fully dilated. I was like "WHAT? I AM READY TO GIVE BIRTH! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?". I really was ready to give birth but my body wasn't ready and it was protesting what with my blood pressure going up to 130/100. Wow! I've never had BP like that. The nurse was yapping that I should be sent to the hospital across the street. And what? Go on C-Section and pay lots for it when I can deliver normally? I told the nurse to give me ten minutes and she can check my BP. True enough and thank God for answering my prayer, my pressure was good enough for NSVD. But they say I wasn't dilated enough for the DR.

What ensued between 1 AM until I gave birth to Jelly was literal heaven and hell. Mommy was screaming expletives and then calling God at the same time. Hey, it happens! Jelly was squirming inside like she was a living vacuum cleaner. I had to plead the nurses to deliver me because I was so tired. I was crying, screaming, bleeding, dying. Yes, that bad.

Now the difference here is that having Jam was a little luxurious. We were in the hospital that though it was a budget delivery, I was treated like a customer. In the lying-in, the nurses were OK but they were a bit lax with attendance and reception. Or maybe they were just intimidated, I had to beg them to hook me up on the IV and put me on the delivery bed, call the doctor, "I am so ready to get this out!!!".

Thank God after a riot, Jelly, formerly Ducky, came to join us at 3 AM. Rightly so, she was crying like a duckling where Jam screamed like a kitten upon delivery. Your Ate Jajai and Tito Gon agreed that Baby Ducky was born quacking, red like an apple, and heavy like Daddy. The little (big) bundle of joy was 9.04 lbs heavy and 54 cm tall. What was funny though is that the first thing that I looked for was Jelly's nose. When Jamjam was born, it was the first thing I noticed, "Wow! She has nose. Like Daddy." and then Jelly "Wow! It's my nose. This is most definitely like Mommy."

Jelly, apple red, jaundiced actually was already strong on her neck and ready to take on the world like a true Viking Baby.

In the morning of April 4th, 2012 - our first visitor was Mamala. She was looking at your nose too and said that it was a Bongay trait. Hehehe. Then Jam must get the Vedrero side. Later, Jam arrives to meet for the first time the little (huge) life she used to call on my belly with "Ayo! Ayo! Baby brothez". Initially, she Jam didn't consider Jelly yet. But I was prepared for this after I read a book that said it was okay. It's normal. Jam was preoccupied with skittering around and had her thumb cut on the door. It was her first for medical attention because she was sent to the nurse for cleaning and fixing. She wore her bandage like a proof of her battle scar. Cute!

Speaking of nurses, I have one bad experience before we left. Mommy was so tired and disoriented that I could barely protest at the morning shift nurse who insisted that it was alright to remove the chord clamp. She removed it anyway despite my hesitation. This is why now Jelly's navel is quite raw and still healing. Tito Doc was infuriated when I told him on our visit to his clinic. But bygones be bygones and charging that to experience, the important thing is, Jam and Jelly are alive and safe.

On a funny note, since Mommy was not herself all this time, we forgot the mittens! We had to make do with the socks that we brought hahaha

In the afternoon, models from HollywoodFX GLAM, Tita Vani, Tita Elaine came to visit carrying with them a wonderful surprise of flowers and and gifts! This is thanks to Tita Nash with the help of the others. Then it was in the evening that Mamilou finally met you.

The journey begins here...

Love,