Day 178: September 28, 2012

Dear Jam and Jelly,

It is the first day of the Novena for Our Devotion to Our Lady of Manaoag. 
This has been a tradition in the family, which Mamilou and Ate Jajai began years back and this is their 5th year. I was in Manila in the first year so this makes it my 4th year. This will be Jam's 3rd year and Jelly, this will be your first. 

I am very happy to be part of this year's devotion when I thought having two of you now will restrict me from doing so. Thank God, I am still allowed to do so tagging you both along. Although it has proven to be quite a challenge.

Initially, Jam was supposed to be left home with Ate Josel. Well, you are the hyperactive, Jam and I am sorry to say that you did get pinched! I warned you, that's what I keep saying. We had an agreement that if you would not stay in your seat and behave, you will be sorry. Also, as arranged, I didn't buy you the kitchen set which is to be your reward should you keep to yourself during the ceremonies. Mamilou scolded me after she found out my means of disciplining you. She told me that I should just speak to you but I told her "You know Jam. She listens now, later on, it's as if she was never spanked." It is true Jam even I feel bad sometimes to be so hard on you. You are just so difficult sometimes but that doesn't mean I love you less. My heart breaks whenever I lay my hands on you. I did have a promise not to hurt you but desperate times call for desperate measures. I just pray that this doesn't have to be all the time. 

Jelly, you were a scream! Well, twice at least and Mamilou and Ate Jajai found it so cute they begged Ate Josel to let you scream again. Like, what? You fell asleep during the ceremonies but it took awhile. Tita Taltal was there who doted on you much-ly. Tito Jim was also there but they didn't get to stay with errands in their list. 

Today's mass celebrated the first day of the countdown to the feast and the Feast of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz. He is the first Filipino saint and first Filipino martyr who insisted to keep his faith despite torture. He was asked by his torturers if he would renounce his faith if they chose to let him live. But Lorenzo Ruiz showed great faith and love by saying that even if he had a thousand lives, he would offer all of it to God. He braved this and his torture and had to die a horrible death - which was of course duly rewarded. 

Dinner was fun. Thank God I know how to maneuver chopsticks. With Jelly in one hand, I can manage to spoonfed err chopstick-feed Jam who was a good big girl to eat a bit more than expected. Jelly on the other hand was still a scream. You were screaming because you wanted to eat, too. We could only afford to give you the soup since the rest of the food would not be good for you yet. On the way home, we dropped by La Vetta to buy FIC, an ice cream Ate Jajai and I first encountered in Manila. This is the very venue where the concierge asked Mommy if you Jam were my sister. Hahahahaha! I had a real laugh, the woman was apologizing for thinking so. I told her she didn't have to be sorry for I was thankful she thought that. Could Mommy be looking younger? Hahah! Wait till Daddy hears.

Unfortunately, our camera battery died off so we had to make do with my phone cam, which isn't as good. Ate Jajai took out the charger from her last traveling bag and has gotten the camera on charge.Yay! Photos tomorrow :)

So what's going to happen tomorrow? Jam, you will have to stay with Mamala because Ate Josel is going home for a couple of days. And Jelly, cooperate, it's just going to be you and me. 

Time to join you in bed, you two look so inviting to cuddle to sleep.

Love,

P.S. I miss Daddy so bad.

Jam poses and Jelly doses off at West Concourse LKK before the Novena

The designer gives a new look to the flower arrangements this year, more photos tomorrow

We passed by La Vetta and bought this exciting pack of licorice and gummy candies!

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, 

April 2, 2012 with my friends from TV Viel, Nicole, Elle, Ann, and BJ - who joked that I would probably deliver anytime soon.

4:27 AM, April 4, 2012

4:14 PM, April 4, 2012 (L-R) Ate Josel, Tita Elaine, Ate Jajai, Tita Vanessa

Jam carries (more like poses with) the roses from the HollywoodFX GLAM models, handed by Tita Elaine. 

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 08: March 28, 2012

Dear Jam,


Photoshoot done! And I am wee bit proud of myself with the fact that there was you and me home alone. Ate Josel went home to El Salvador and Ate Jajai bailed out to go on THE HUNGER GAMES date with your Tito Gon. We managed. 


You were awake as soon as you felt my absence in bed. As usual. It's a good morning consolation I really enjoy because I get to stop whatever I am doing online just to hear your sweet little voice go "Mommy, please abay sa bed." I couldn't say no. 


We got out from bed before lunch. Took a bath together. Even better is that we had lunch while Daddy was on Skype. So we were literally eating in front of him. He called a little while earlier, just before six. That's when you got up first. But the signal was bad and we all decided to postpone until lunch after all going back to bed. Daddy was in fact still in bed when he rang up, his duty wasn't until another couple hours hence the bumming. Aside from our normal mushy exchange there was you and your - what Daddy suspected to be an attempt of Baby talk - calling him "Dadah" when you know how to say "Daddy". I think you just miss him a lot. Ate Josel tells me whenever you hear a motorbike outside you would light up and say "Daddy vwoom vwoom?" Or else I would catch you teary-eyed when I talk about how I miss him, myself. Well, you're big enough to understand how it is to miss someone you love. I mean unlike before when you were merely a baby. 


Thank you for being a team player today. You weren't much of a headache and I really appreciate that since there is only you and I. When Daddy logged off from Skype, you and I got ready for your shoot. So we are talking about hair and makeup. Mommy got serious with styling you, you know (wink). I wanted to do the Rachel Lobangco colors on their Faerie openshoot but whenever I brushed colors on your face you would squirm. It's ticklish I know but I am glad you got through it. You even helped me choose a better color to mix with - you pointed green on the palette for the dominant color. By the time your Tita Jessica (with Lucius, little Zacky and his babysitter) and Ate Crissel arrived, you were dressed and ready. We all walked to Gawad Kalinga to shoot the 2nd of the Mythical Creatures Series your Tita Jessica was doing. 





It was a hilarious shoot. Thankfully, you weren't all over the place. We had Lucius to do that - and Zacky doing his bit, too. Your Tita Jessica said Zacky felt like he was just unleashed to a world of soft lawn grass like heaven. We couldn't stop laughing. Kids are the most difficult photography subjects I just thank you for being the one who behaved more when I expected you to be the riot. I think you were completely in character what with your tutu, Tinkerbell shoes, wings, wand and a handful of colored tulle cloth as a rainbow trail. I can't wait for the photos. Ate Crissel posted the first teaser after a couple of hours and it really tickled me proud. An hour later, the first manipulation from your Tita Jessica was up on Facebook. You couldn't seem to resist your own charms as you viewed and reviewed your photos. 


We had ice cream before they left. Just a little summer heat treat. A little reward for my little angel. I got the new Selecta Banana Split mix of Super Thick Chocolate-Vanilla-Strawberry. I am not endorsing but I am giving it a good review. So would you, you had cupfuls of Ichigo yourself. You were practically hyped with the sugar, which made it a little challenging for me to get you to bed for a siesta. But your body was too tired to protest and you eventually fell asleep. Thank you because Daddy and I had a little chance to talk. In his 30-minute break, he rang me via Skype and just went mushy all over again. Apart from sharing what he picked up for souvenir in Denmark, telling me how there is a street of McDonalds and how a value meal costs $10. I just miss him and I know you do, too.



Love,
Mommy

*Tiled photo courtesy of Criss Cagampang. 

Borrowed from her blog A Life Full of Adventure.

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 07: March 27, 201...

Dear Jam,


I am such an epic failure when it comes to - for a lack of better words - mauling the Endocrinologist. Because that's what happens, patients attack his clinic just to get an appointment to an effect that only about 10 to 18 are allowed per day. I mean, how in the love of Diabetes can I get an appointment if I come to the hospital daily, early in the morning and get shrugged off? My take on it is that I might not need the sugar doctor. I could just take a Fasting Blood Sugar lab test and see the difference between my Random Blood Sugar. Besides, we're talking about spending more money.


So okay, ranting aside - I was out almost the whole day today. I went to pay the internet and phone bill. Then I went to Limketkai and did nothing but blink at vendors preparing for the day from 9:15 AM to 10 AM until the mall completely opened. I was scouting for your Faerie Wings only to find out nil. Then I decided to move to SM to do both grocery and Faerie Wings scouting - it was there that I realized that I could actually, finally, positively, watch THE HUNGER GAMES! And I did baby. Could I bring you, I would but even if you were old enough to be allowed you won't understand it just as much as I do. I have to say, I immensely enjoyed it - every bit, well except for some stuff I ignored for the love of it and for my indifference towards the Twilight Saga (super angry face here). You know me and movie details but I turned a blind eye on the glitches and proceeded to swoon on the love scenes. 

Enough of that. I wanted to watch it again but my duty as a mother comes first and though a rerun would have been allowable what with the time I had, I couldn't stay away long from you. I went to the Department Store and bought the the last pair of purple Faerie wings they had for Php129, complete with a dainty wand. There were pairs of uber glittered and highly pigmented wings, which were more expensive (Php299 - up) but they weren't worth it. I wanted you to shine through the wings and not be rained by shiny stuff from the mere appendage. After I was satisfied with that and a cute cellphone holder on sale, I proceeded to the grocery to buy your milk, Ducky's newbie socks, and diapers of the new size you have assumed (XXL) and a pack for Ducky (New Born). 


I was really tired when I got home. In fact, I cancelled my appointment with Dr. Salta because I wanted to go home to you and see your reaction with the Faerie Wings. Just as I suspected, you wore it the time you saw it. We couldn't detach you from it. The only way we could bargain it from you is to allow you to sleep with the wand. You call it "star" by the way since your aren't familiar with the term "wand" yet. I just wish you would act as a behaved little Faerie on your shoot tomorrow. I think I got home by 4PM and tired as I was I dosed off until 11PM just to see you tucked in. I played with you until it was 12AM and we both went to sleep. There we were to dreamland - to re-energize for tomorrow's big day!


Love, 
Mommy

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 06: March 26, 2012

Dear Jam,


It's a lazy day for you and me. You know, we hardly got our butts out of bed, you and I? Yeah. So I thought it was just me yesterday but now you. Now that I remember, the real reason for me staying all day in bed is that I felt real bad that I couldn't watch THE HUNGER GAMES with Ate Jajai and Mamilou. Well, I wasn't invited and I hated to impose. Hence, the bed was my best friend yesterday and today, we have the same best friend. 


We were either watching a movie in the big screen or else watching a video on Youtube via the phone. Only rising when we had to eat - in bed. Lol. Later in the evening, Daddy called up via Skype. Though the connection was bad, we managed some HIs and HELLOs and it was the first time he saw you after our Skype session from Netherlands. He was telling you to cut on milk and eat more rice. I was like, look who is talking? You know Mamala told Mamilou (and Mamilou told me of course) this was a couple of months back about Daddy's appetite when he was your age. Mamala said that Daddy was just as worse as you are picky now. She had to sit with a stick from a walis tingting while spoon-feeding because he was all so scrawny and picky with food. Wow! And now he is preaching. Lol. Growing up, he didn't have much to his liking so he saved his baon to buy Star Margarine. Before, it's a staple for kids next to rice - it manages to add flavor. The margarine itself was a meal with rice. Don't ask me, I wasn't much of a fan. I was pro-food. I ate anything! Haha


Daddy's signal went off and on and off and on. And it really pissed me off because all I could hear in the background are women giggling. Grrr. I think his shipmates were talking to them or else - grrr! Their laughter was just flirtatious but I didn't wanna egg Daddy on about something, which may be nothing so I ignored it. To ignore it, you and I went on a trip down Memory Lane. Since (lazy that I am) didn't take photos for today's entry, I will share the photos we had the best laugh at with our journey.


We browsed through my old albums in Facebook and found a couple of cute ones. Don't get me wrong everything is so cute and precious but the best ones are those that really cracked you. There's one with you and your perfect impression of "Puss in Boot's" cat eyes. You were barely one year old - it was after the day we bought your baby bike. Then there's the one when you barely had teeth and you did your perfect gigil "strong". Lastly, the one where we moved to our pad in Nazareth and we played with a smallish torch light. You wanted to play with it but I wanted to test the end of the light - if you could see, the bulb makes an impression of a heart on my tummy. But of course you don't see that. All you see is that you want to play with it so you were crying your lungs out - and if that's ins't enough, you cried in the center of the "spotlight". Those times just pass us by and it's so good we have photos of them to look back on.


Love, 
Mommy

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 05: March 25, 2012

Dear Jam, 


I hibernated today. I think Ducky and I are just exhausted from yesterday. It usually is like that with her in me. After a day's tasking job, I end up extra tired the following day and all I do is sleep my ass the whole day. I think I could say as much as skipping a day being your mother and just being a total bum. 


I couldn't even remember what happened - I just know that I woke up once in a while calling Ate Jajai or Ate Josel to massage my back. I just have these terrible bouts of back pains, which I just hope aren't early contractions. See, AJ (Ducky to you) and I agreed that she will not be out until the 6th of April. That's Daddy's birthday of course and I just want it to be extra special. So I have to "bear" all her weight no matter what - I just want to cross March and deliver her on Daddy's birthday. That's going to be a Holy day too, mind you. I just wish the Dr. Salta, my new OB wouldn't be on vacation by that time. You know how many times I changed doctors this time? Thrice. One, which I cannot remember, two is Dr. Macias-Go who delivered you and here is Dr. Salta of Mary's Child whom I heard to be especially good at genital stitching. 


Stitching. Whew! I am talking about things about to come in a couple of days. But here I am discussing with your Tito Ryan about what's going to happen on our trip to Manolo Fortich. Can you imagine? I am expecting in a couple of days and I am going to travel on the 30th to host a beauty pageant with Tito Ryan as I did last year for the Miss Manolo Fortich. However, I am thankful that we will be taking his car on the trip - as soon as it is fixed ;) and Ate Jajai will be joining me as a Private Nurse. She admits to be scared for me more than I am scared for myself. I don't know why I am so complacent - I think it hasn't hit me yet. I am just glad that Tito Ryan broached on the idea of volunteering to drive all the way to Manolo - he and Tito Art are excited to become Ducky's Ninongs. Well, here's crossing my fingers that a labor won't happen in that sleek Chevy. Hehe


When I woke up in the evening, your Ate Jajai was boasting about your pictorials with her. Seeing as I wasn't productive for today's entry as I shoud have one photo for the day at least  - I am grateful for her proxy. You are so cute with these photos. There's one where you wore nothing but your underwear and a grocery receipt tied with a ribbon. It is a haute statement I have to admit. Then there's this set with you in a skirt of mine which Ate Jajai turned into her dress and turned into your gown. Oh Lor! I just hope you could be just as cooperative this coming shoot on "Mythical Creatures".


Love,
Mommy


*Photos courtesy of Angelica Marie Baqui

Countdown to an Apple Juice: Day 04: March 24, 2012

Dear Jam,

I had this weird dream transition early in the morning. At 3AM, I woke up from a bad dream where I was crying as I watched your Daddy wash the plates in the sink. I knew something was wrong with us and although it wasn't spoken, I knew the issue was about me and Daddy breaking up. I feel like I just stepped into the dream knowing what was going on without it happening in the duration of dreaming. I lay awake for a couple of minutes in a tear-less crying and after deciding no, Daddy and I won't break up, I went back to sleep.

Later, I found myself in an airport. I was standing in front of Daddy who was hauling traveling bags from a conveyor to another. I looked around and saw your Papalo who said I should go and look for Mamala. Your Daddy looked happier than he did from the last dream and it sure lifted some weight off my dreaming shoulders. He said, adding to Papalo that there is no turning back where this travel will take us so I should go and tell his mom that. Where will it take us exactly? I cannot be specific but I saw ski gears and we were all wearing snow coats and boots. I can only bet we were going international. I went with the instructions to find Mamala and there she was in a conveyor belt lined - no, packed with standing and filled wine goblets. What was even weird, as it is with dreams, she was lying down on these glasses like she didn't weigh at all. The dream faded out as soon as I called "Ma." I don't know what could have gone on from there. 


So even as that dream had a happy note, it ended waking me up too. I guess I was already up and working before 6AM and sensitive as you are, you realized I wasn't in bed with you. Before 7AM you were alive and kicking yourself. I was just a little worried with these unscheduled waking hours because you get cranky later on. Especially today since we had visitors over for the Gypsy Openshoot project with HollywoodFX and Capturing Smiles, Tita Jessica's company. 

So yeah, we had a LOT of people around. And you know how you are when there are a LOT of people around - especially adults. You tend to go haywire and act like a little adult yourself. Aside from Tita Jessica and Tito Ben, we were joined by Tita Jessica's brother Edward, who will soon be joining HollywoodFX. Also, Tita Danielle who brought her little sister Danica, your instant playmate and Tito Daniel - both of whom are not only Tita Jessica's classmates in Nursing but Ninong Wally's as well. Later on Ate Criss, who was joining the shoot as a photography intern and model had the experience of her life as she practice-shot you. She had such fun! According to her blog A Life Full of Adventure, she says you are her very first model. Aww and you are so cute. I borrowed one of my favorite images from her takes. For her part, I love the sepia tone and for your part - I LOVE THE TOE PEAK! That foot is a sure bet for a future ballerina! 


Aside from being the model, entertainer - who wouldn't stop at begging everyone for more soda, you were also my Assistant Makeup Artist. I am so happy that Tita Jessica covered the lot of your attempts on Ate Josel. I borrowed a photo from her Behind-the-Scenes with you on a shimmer and brush to Ate Josel's face. 


They hung out for awhile sharing experiences - and with me and Tita Jessica discussing about your "Mythical Creatures" photoshoot. I have to admit that I am nervous about it. You have the tendency to be around the place when you are on full character. I mean yeah, it's okay for you to pose with household clothes but when you are in costume - man! We have to chase you around to nail a shot. I am crossing my fingers for this Wednesday's session with another HollywoodFX Baby Model - Zacky. 


We got a message from Daddy as soon as we settled back in after visitors left. He said that they just arrived at Denmark. There wasn't much from there, they must be busy docking in so I guess it won't be until a day or two that we get to hear from him. 


To end the day, we thank Mamilou for a wonderful first-time experience with Magnum. Review? It's honestly too rich. I love the fact that it's Belgian chocolate and how you love the fact that the ice cream inside easily melts into your mouth - but then it's easily gone. And it's too expensive to be gone so quickly. But then, we still have to be thankful to have tasted it while others could not. 




Love, 
Mommy


*Photos courtesy of Criss Cagampang and Jessie Villegas.
Check out A Life Full of Adventures by Criss Cagampang & 
Sea of Dreams by Jessie Villegas