Child of True Reason

I was trying to pray during the operation. Kaso hindi ako makapag-isip ng maayos. Dala na rin siguro ng anesthesia na sinaksak sakin. Yung tipong pag sinusubukan kong gumawa ng pangungusap nagrarambol yung mga salita. Ipinagpasa-Diyos ko na lang lahat.

After the operation I was brought to the recovery room. Dun ko na ulit nakita si Basuraman. I immediately asked him if he was able to see our baby. He said yes. But he can't hide the worry from his eyes. While waiting outside the operating room kinuwento niya sakin na biglang may dumaan sa likod niya na tumatakbo. He wasn't sure but he felt right then that they were carrying our baby. She was placed inside an incubator and she has IVs strapped on her arms/feet. She was so tiny and her color was blue. She has to use a ventilator because she was having trouble breathing. She has a pneumonia which means she has to take antibiotics. Her neonatal doctor talked to Basuraman that if her pneumonia gets worse they have to use a stronger kind of antibiotic. Basuraman was asked to sign the waiver. Naiyak nako by that time. Hindi ko maimagine ang itsura and kalagayan ng baby ko.

The next day I was able to visit her in the NICU. A day after my operation nakuha ko ng tumayo at maglakad. I need to. Mahabang kwento ang pagstay ko sa hospital after giving birth. I'll try to do an entry about that. Hindi ko na napigilang umiyak nung nakita ko si baby. Panay naman ang hagod ng midwife sa likod ko to comfort me. Baby's weight was only 1482 grams when she was born. Her eyes was covered because of the blue light. Her bilirubin went up thus leading to jaundice. Her ventilator reaches up to her trachea because she can not breathe on her own. She was being fed by tube. From color blue her color became red. Her skin was almost translucent. Since she was born premature, her eyes were not yet fully developed. According to her doctor, if her retinas do not grow well they have to perform a laser treatment. Andaming monitors na nakadikit sa katawan niya.

We were very grateful that the primary midwife of NICU knows how to speak english and she assured us that they will do everything to take good care of our baby until we can bring her home. She was also the one who will mainly look after her.

Everyday there was an improvement. Our baby girl is a fighter. Her ventilator was changed to respirator which means she was breathing outside air. By the time her respirator was removed on daytime we were able to do kangaroo care(skin to skin contact). After her respirator was removed she was able to feed by bottle. Hanggang she was removed from the incubator and placed in a regular baby crib. She didn't go through any laser treatment for her eyes since her retinas grew well. Sobrang saya namin nung totally wala na siyang monitors na nakakabit sa katawan niya. Pero wala na yatang mas sasaya nung sinabi sakin ng midwife na pwede na daw namin iuwi si baby.

I stayed for 11 days in the hospital because my doctor won't allow me to go home until my anemia gets treated. Baby stayed in the hospital for 68 days. After being discharged from the hospital everyday ko siya pinupuntahan sa hospital. 2 days lang ako pumalya dahil sumakit ang tahi ko. May notebook ang baby namin na araw-araw sinusulatan ng mga nurses/midwives tungkol sa kanyang development. We also wrote on it if we have questions or message for baby.

It was a very challenging experience for us. Sa sobrang pagpaplano naming mag-asawa para sa paglabas ni baby iba pala ang gusto ni Lord para sa amin. Ginawa niyang exciting. Mahirap para sa amin ni Basuraman dahil kaming dalawa lang ang andito. Wala ang pamilya namin at iilan lang ang kaibigan namin dito. We are not your typical OFW na kasali sa mga Filipino Community/Group chenes. Pero kinaya namin at patuloy naming kinakaya ang lahat ng dumarating sa buhay namin dahil wala man dito ang pamilya at kaibigan namin physically, they try to do their best to support and help us. And of course we believe na hindi kami pababayaan ni Lord.

Say hello to our angel Mariko Cirille. We call her Miko for short ^_^

November 17, 2012 ng naiuwi na namin siya sa bahay. By that time andito na rin si mama ko sa Japan to help me with Miko. Currently she's doing great. From 1482 grams at birth, now she's already 5kg. And getting heavier everyday! She's taking a medicine for her anemia and hopefully on her check-up on January 7 e magaling na siya. Sabi nga ng mga kaibigan and kamag-anak namin hindi mo iisipin na premature si Miko. Technically she's already 3 months pero ang development ng katawan niya is parang 1 month lang since 2 months siyang maagang ipinanganak. Sa ngayon araw-araw naming ipinagdarasal na huwag siyang magkasakit and lumaki siyang healthy.

We had to stay here in Japan for the holidays. Our first christmas and new year here in Japan and outside the Philippines. We were advised na huwag muna ilabas si Miko since winter ngayon and panahon ng flu. Premature babies are very sensitive to infections and diseases. Nakaka-miss man ang pasko sa Pinas masaya pa rin kami dahil magkakasama kaming pamilya (including my mom). 

Miko-chan was the best gift Basuraman and I received this Christmas! ^_^

                                                       Basuraman and Miko-chan ^_^

Merry Christmas and Happy new year everyone! Godbless!

Mariko means child of true reason .

Week 30 September 10, 2012

Clinic
Morning - I felt so weak because of the pain and my bleeding was getting worse. I asked Basuraman to call Lola OB and talk to her about my situation. She asked us to come to the clinic by 4pm. But when Basuraman told her about my bleeding she said to come by 11am. I was praying and hoping that there was nothing wrong with my baby. I was crying and on the brink of asking Basuraman to call the ambulance. I tried to remain calm while Basuraman was calling for a taxi. I was having a hard time walking. Lumagpas pa si Manong driver pagdating sa clinic so I have to walk a few steps. The path was inclined a little bit and it made walking painful. The staff at the reception desk asked me if I was OK. I just looked at her and said nothing while handing my insurance card and clinic ID (clinics/hospitals here issue an ID where the personal information and record of the patient is stored). I just closed my eyes and waited patiently for my turn. When I was called I immediately told Lola OB of what's been happening to me. She would have seen it in my face how bad I was feeling. She hurriedly told her staff to prepare the things for my ultrasound check. 

After the ultrasound she asked me to dress up immediately and proceed to the other side of the room. This time she didn't tell me right away what she'd seen in the monitor/check. It's like everyone was in a hurry. Basuraman was brought inside the room. Lola OB told us that my cervix was already open and I will be giving birth anytime. It was like "Ha? Totoo ba ito? Am I dreaming? This can't be happening". Sa sobrang kaba at nerbiyos ko hindi ko nakuhang umiyak. I was led to another room to lay down while Lola OB was calling the ambulance. One of her staff was trying to comfort me. I can hear Lola OB making calls. Maybe looking for a hospital that has an English-speaking staff/doctor.

Mixed emotions. Kahit yung mukha ni Basuraman blanko. Hindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman niya at that time nung sinabing manganganak nako. I was only 7 months pregnant. What will happen to my baby? This really shouldn't be happening.

Ambulance
First time kong ma-ambulansya sa tanang buhay ko. First close encounter ko sa ambulansya dito e nung inatake ng vertigo si Ate Joy. Actually we didn't know what's happening to her that's why Kuya Roel decided to call 119. Oha binaligtad na 911. Pahirapan pa sa pagsasabi ng address namin and condition ni Ate Joy dahil hindi marunong mag-english yung operator. Anyways ang kagandahan lang sa case ko is kinausap na ni Lola OB yung magdadala sa kin sa hospital. I was brought to Musashino Red Cross Hospital. Since pareho naman kami ni Basuraman na nakakaintindi ng basic Japanese nasagot naman namin yung questions ng paramedics on our way to the hospital. The one assisting us/beside me was very kind. He will always say sorry everytime the ride becomes bumpy. He would even tap my hand everytime he sees that I am in pain. Nagpaumanhin pa yung driver na we have to stop for a while kasi dadaan yung train. And it was for free. Sabi kasi ng mga nakausap ko ang ambulansya sa Pinas may bayad. Pagdating sa hospital yung paramedics na ang nagabot ng documents from the clinic. Hindi kami iniwanan ng paramedics hanggang di ako naitu-turnover sa hospital ng maayos.


Hospital
I was brought to the emergency room. Someone took my blood pressure and they immediately checked baby's heartbeat. Good thing was she's still doing fine. Andaming nurses/midwives/doctors sa emergency room e ako lang naman ang pasyente. Diko nga alam kung usi lang ba yung iba dun. Anyways it was my first time so hindi ko alam kung ganun ba talaga. Sobrang asikaso nila. Merong nakahawak sa kamay ko. May humahagod sa braso ko everytime I wince in pain. Yung marurunong mag-english they try to calm me kahit hirap na hirap sila sa pag-eenglish. Yung tipong nawala talaga yung nerbiyos ko saglit dahil kahit hindi ko sila kakilala they did their best to comfort me. The doctor did an ultrasound to fully check my baby. Kebs na kung lalaki yung OB. According to Sakamoto Sensei I was already 6cm dilated and my water bag already broke. They were asking when my water bag broke. I can't answer them because I didn't know when. I also told them about the medicine Lola OB prescribed to me when I was having contractions. They wondered why I was taking that medicine. Anyways according to Sensei the reason why I am having a preterm labor is due to uterine contractions caused by bacterial infection. I didn't know that I was already undergoing preterm labor during the times when I felt contractions. Anytime soon I will be giving birth. At first he said I can do normal delivery so we have to wait. I was brought to another room. After a few minutes(I already forgot kung gano katagal ang lumipas) Sensei did another ultrasound check. I was already 7cm dilated. Then he said that he has to perform a Ceasarean operation as soon as possible becaise baby already drank some of the infected water and she has to be removed immediately from my womb. There was one problem. The operating room was not available. They told me that if the OR won't be available in the next 30 minutes they have to perform the operation in the room where I was staying. Sensei told me what he will do. Basuraman was signing all the papers needed. They changed my clothes. Equipments were brought inside the room for additional tests like mammography, ecg, etc. Their equipments were portable. They checked if I have earrings or contact lens or if I have nail polish. Then they shaved my private part. Tapos biglang we were informed that I will be undergoing operation in 20 minutes dahil available na ang OR. Everything went so fast. While they were preparing for the operation someone was talking to me while holding my hand. She said she will be the one bringing my baby in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) once she comes out from me. If there will be no problem she can show my baby to me. But if there's something wrong they have to immediately bring her to the NICU. I was given an epidural anesthetic. At 3:05 in the afternoon I gave birth to a baby girl. I wasn't able to see her. I just knew that there were persons running and my baby was with them.

While writing this entry I am teary-eyed. Ang bigat sa pakiramdam. Parang panaginip lang lahat....

Week 27-29

I'll try to write everything I can remember...

First weekend of September - I cleaned the veranda and removed my plants. There's no use of keeping them since they are all starting to wither and autumn/winter is coming. I also did a geneal cleaning of our apartment. By the end of the day I was so tired. Basuraman scolded me and reminded me that I am pregnant and should stop doing heavy household chores.

September 3 Monday - While I was taking a bath, preparing to go to work, I bled. I was so scared. The bleeding was kinda heavy that I asked Basuraman to take a leave of absence from work and accompany me to the clinic. I had an ultrasound and Lola OB checked baby. My cervix was still closed and baby was doing fine. She prescribed me an herbal medicine that I should take three times a day for 14 days. Though Lola OB wasn't able to tell the reason for my bleeding, I felt guilty and blamed myself for not being careful after what I did in the weekened.

By Wednesday I started to feel pain in my tummy just like menstrual cramps. The bleeding was starting to lessen. I decided to had another check-up on Friday. I told Lola OB about the pain. She checked my cervix and the condition of baby. It was still closed and baby is still in good condition. Lola OB advised that I should take a bedrest until my flight back to the Philippines which is on September 24. I called our manager and informed him of my situation. I had to take my maternity leave in the office earlier. I called my mom and talked to my friends regarding my bedrest. Ate Joy said na baka manganganak nako. I do not want to entertain that idea because I'm just in my 7th month. In two weeks time I'll be in the Philippines and will wait for another two months to give birth. I was praying really hard for my baby's safety and hoped that everything will be better before my flight. Basuraman and I decided that he will accompany me in going back to the Philippines even if it means we have to spend some of our savings for his ticket. I stopped reading things from the net because I am starting to get nervous. I asked my OB if I can get my medical certificate earlier so I can go back to the Philippines before September 24. She didn't allow me and said that I should first be OK before taking a flight because I might give birth in the airplane. I continued taking the medicine and followed her advise of bedrest.

Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 8&9) The pain was still there. It was becoming frequent at night and early morning. It was very intense that I started groaning. The pain then was accompanied by bleeding. I was crying to Basuraman. I was calling my OB but she was not answering her phone. Since the clinic is closed on Sundays, I told Basuraman to take another leave of absence on Monday to accompany me to the clinic especially if the bleeding and pain doesn't stop.

DETOUR

Tatlong buwan na pala ang nakalipas mula ng huli akong mag-post ng entry. Mga 4 times ko ng binura yung dapat na kasunod na pangungusap. Bakit? Ewan. Magulo lang.

Dapat nasa Pinas na ako ngayon. Nakapanganak na at inaalagaan ang aming munting anghel. Hinihintay ang paguwi ni Basuraman sa December 1.

Pero pero pero pero perong bukid..... nagbago lahat ng aming plano. Nangyari ang di namin inaasahan noong ika-10 ng Setyembre 2012.

Tsaka ko na ikukuwento lahat. Dumaan lang para pagpagin ang alikabok sa muntik ko ng makalimutang blog ^_^

Week 26

August 21 - My second to the last check-up with Lola OB. Yes! I'll be going back to Philippines next month to have my baby delivered there. I was checked for presence of bacteria in my vagina and will be getting the result on September 14. Baby is growing fine and malikot as usual.

This time I requested Lola OB for a medical certificate (in English) since I need it for my air travel and also for my check-up in the Philippines. I had to pay 5,000 yen for the document. I know it's mahalia but I need it. Pikit mata na lang na bayaran. I'll be getting it a week before my flight.

I just remembered a comment from Fiel-kun (one of the three readers of my blog) asking if I'm going to give birth here in Japan and if my child will be a Japanese citizen. They're not the exact words but somehow related to that. Anyways I will be giving birth in the Philippines because of the following reasons:

- By the time I'll be giving birth winter is approaching here in Japan and I wouldn't want to risk my baby's health as well as mine. We might not bear the cold temperature.

- I want to give birth with my mom in a hospital where there is no language barrier.

- Super mahalia ang manganak dito. Pramis!

- It would be very hard for Basuraman and I if I'm going to give birth here since there's only the two of us. At least in the Philippines we both have our families in case we need help.

- I don't want to complicate the birth certificate of my child and I don't want to deal with the shitty service of Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. Baka pati anak ko ma-stress.

I think Japan doesn't give citizenship by birth unless one of the parent is Japanese. So in our case since we're both Filipino, eventhough our child is born here in Japan, his/her citizenship is still Filipino. For details pakitanong si Mr. google. Tinatamad ako e.

If ever Japan gives citizenship by birth I think there's a chance tha I would choose to give birth here. But it still depends on the situation. I am still not sure about it.

Malapit na naman akong mag- "Hello Pilipins!" ^_^

three at two!

August 18, 2012 - Today marks our 2nd wedding anniversary! Hurray! We were supposed to celebrate in a fine dining restaurant (naks!) but we ended up cleaning the apartment, grocery shopping and Basuraman making desserts. Actually mejo tight ang budget kaya we decided to cancel the fine dining thing hehe. And the place is far. You know, reasons..Ha! Anyways we just bought some marinated slices of meats and squash in the supermarket for our yakiniku.

Basuraman just searched the net for the recipe of peach mango refrigerator cake and cathedral window.

I, being his sous chef, whipped the cream for the refrigerator cake. It was my first time to do it and it was a success! Aside from whipping the cream, the task of the great sous chef was to wash the dishes ^o^

We were so bondat after having dinner. Yet we still managed to taste the dessert. I love Basuraman's cathedral window though the gelatin/gulaman was chewy. Actually the chewiness made the dessert perfect for me. I love chewy foods! (Hello gummybear) Except for chewy meats. Irk.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings!

I will always love you Cy...

We love you akachan!

P.S. My anniversary greeting to Basuraman. Yun lang. Bow ^_^

Eyes = heart-shaped pancake
Mouth = orange marmalade

Week 24-25

Pwera Usog

Nung isang araw habang naglalakad papasok sa opisina e nakita ko na naman yung lola na palaging nag-aabang sa daan ng kung sinuman ang dadaan. May isang pangyayari noon na may dala siyang aso at pinagmamalaki niya sa lahat ng nakakakita na ang cute daw ng aso niya. Astig nga si lola e. Kulay royal blue ang salamin. Pansin ko na maraming ganung klaseng matanda dito. Sabik sa kausap. Malayo pa lang alam kong kakausapin niya ko. Tuwang-tuwa siya nung napansin niya na anlaki ng tyan ko. Tinanong niya kung kambal ba sila at kung alam ko na kung babae o lalaki. Ilang months na at kelan ako manganganak. Hawak din siya ng hawak sa tyan ko. Pag daw lumabas si baby  ipakita ko sa kanya. Gustuhin ko mang magtagal para kausapin pa siya e kailangan ko ng umalis dahil papasok pa ako at nagdurugo na rin ang ilong ko sa pagintindi at pagsalita ng Nihongo. Naalala ko tuloy ang aking yumaong lola.

Pagkalipas ng 2 araw nakita ko naman sa supa (supermarket) yung pilipina na dati naming ka-street. Hindi na niya ako maalala kaya ako na ang unang bumati sa kanya. Malilimutin din si Ateng sa pangalan. Pero hindi naman ako madaling ma-offend sa ganung bagay. Konting chika-chika dahil nagmamadali rin siya. Tinanong niya ko kung kambal daw ba ang anak ko kasi anlaki ng tyan ko. Iwasan ko raw pagkain ng kanin at kumain palagi ng isda at gulay. Baka kaya pagdating ng aking ika-walaong buwan ng pagbubuntis e mukha na siyang 12 buwan (0_o)

kinuwento ko sa nanay ko yung lola na chumika sakin...

ako: lam mo may nakasalubong ako na matanda kanina....blah blah blah
mother dear: naku nag-pwera usog ka ba?
ako: hindi
mother dear: kapag ganyang may nakakausap ka na hindi mo kilala at natutuwa sayo mag pwera usog ka. kaahit sabihin mo lang. mahirap na.
ako: ok

kinagabihan biglang sumakit ang tyan ko. humilab at bigla na lang ako nagtae. ninerbiyos nga ako dahil akala ko si baby na yung sumasakit. hindi ko alam kung may kinalaman ito sa pwera usog na sinasabi ng nanay ko.

Week 23

July 31
Lola OB and I met again for my check-up. I waited a little longer this time before my name was called. She advised that I should lessen my intake of salty foods as it was seen in my last test that the result was high (I forgot the term for that test). This is also to prevent edema. Baby is growing well as was seen in the ultrasound. After my pelvic ultrasound I got confused because the staff took my shoes and found a pair of slippers on the floor. After waiting for a few minutes the staff called my name and wasn't expecting that Lola OB will be doing a transvaginal ultrasound. According to her she will be checking my uterus. And of course I had to sit on "the chair". After the ultrasound Lola OB told me that my uterus was clean and normal and my next check-up is on August 22.

while talking to my mom on  the phone....

ako: pano ko ba malalaman na minamanas ako?
mother dear: pag namaga paa mo. tapos pag pinindot mo lulubog daliri mo.
ako: e pano yun matagal ng mukhang maga paa ko (e kasi naman ang taba ko)
mother dear: wahahahaha

Week 21-22

The Acrobat

The greatest feeling I've felt so far during my pregnancy is being able to feel baby's movements inside my tummy. Baby never fails to amaze me everytime he/she moves. There are times when I get startled by his/her sudden movements. At first I was the only one who was able to feel it . After some few days Basuraman was able to feel baby too and we were able to see my belly move! Sometimes I would imagine baby doing somersaults or even breakdancing haha We were thinking baby might be a boy because of his/her active movements but according to the net it is normal and doesn't necessarily means that baby is a boy.

Usually I feel baby's big wiggles/kicks/punches during these times: before I go to sleep, before I take my lunch (around 11am), before I take a short nap after lunch and after eating dinner. As of this typing, baby is moving, pretending to be a little drummer boy/girl. While sitting or lying on bed, sometimes I would just stare at my belly and wait for baby to move ^_^

Week 20

July 10 - It's my mom's birthday and my scheduled check-up with Lola OB. Luckily Basuraman was able to join me on my check-up. He was excited since it will be his first time to see baby in the ultrasound. Before they let Basuraman enter the room, Lola OB informed me first of the result of my last blood check-up. I forgot specifically what the check was for. Anyways it was negative meaning the result was normal. They just let Basuraman in when the ultrasound was already set-up. After
seeing baby for some minutes, the staff led Basuraman out of the room. As in super bilis! Nabitin tuloy si Basuraman. Maybe because Lola OB has many patients that was why the ultrasound seemed in a hurry. Baby was making pakitang-gilas and was very malikot during the ultrasound. And Basuraman was very happy ^_^ After the ultrasound the staff took a vial of my blood for Leukemia test. The result will be given on my next check-up which is on July 31. Baby is fine and growing healthy and normal according to Lola OB. Also she asked me if I feel pain in my legs or ankles. I do not know why she asked about it. I'll just ask her on my next check-up.

Basuraman: Mukha ka ng whale...Magandang whale :D
(asus!)

sa opis...
ako: Kuya Kim tumataba na ba ako?
Kuya Kim: ano ba namang tanong yan??? diko pansin e. (e kasi naman dati na ako mataba)
(sabay may sumabat)
X44: yung ilong mo lumalaki na
(nakow!)

I am on my 5th month and compared to pregnant Japanese women here I already look like 9 months pregnant!

Isang Sulyap sa Loob ng Banga

Matagal ko ng gustong gawin ang entry na ito pero ngayon ko lang nagawa. Wahleylung. Ang init kasi. Lunes na lunes walang pasok. Holiday kasi. Kainez...choz! Anyway ano nga ba ang nasa loob ng banga na araw-araw kong dala sa opisina? Hindi ko na sinama ang aking lunchbox at bottle with powdered milk(Anmum). 

1. Gigantic notebook - feeling ko may kulang pag wala akong dalang notebook. ewan ko ba.

2. Itim na libro ni hudas. juk. Memo book - ang listahan ng aking mga utang at mga importanteng chenes sa buhay. Pag ito ang nawala..patay!

3. Tissue - yung pinapamigay lang sa daan na may kasamang advertisement. Back-up pag wala ang number 8.

4. ID plus access card.

5. Nyelpown 

6. Nyelpown charger with batteries - dahil madalas kong makalimutan na icharge ang aking nyelpown sa bahay

7. Player and earphones - na madalang ko gamitin dahil sa No.9.

8. Bimpo - Hindi ako mapakali kapag wala akong bimpo. Hindi kasi sapat ang tissue. Iritado ako maghapon kapag wala akong bimpo.

9. Bracelet Rosary - Recently instead na makinig ng sounds habang naglalakad papasok sa opis or pauwi or habang naghihintay ng bus e nagdadasal ako ng rosary. I feel comfort  in praying the rosary.

10. Suica card -  Salamat kay mareng Wikipedia at ngayon ko lang nalaman na may ibig sabihin pala ang Suica (Super Urban Intelligent Card). It is a rechargeable contactless smart card used as a fare card for transportation. Pwede rin siyang pambayad sa mga convenient stores and pambili ng kung anik-anik sa mga vending machines.

11. Ballpen

12. Maternity and Child Handbook/boshitechou/booklet from the pharmacy - kahit hindi araw ng check-up ko nakaugalian ko ng dahil ito palagi in case na kailangan ko bigla pumunta ng hospital. Kasama na rin dito ang aking yellow coupons for discounts on my check-ups.

13. Ang wallet na maswerte kahit hindi siya seiko. Actually di naman siya maswerte. Gusto ko lang sabihin.

14. The keychain which serves as my pass to priority seats in trains and buses. Ang parpol banga na regalo sakin ng aking mommy joy and daddy roel. Pahinga muna ang pulang bag ni little red riding hood dahil masyado na siyang gamit na gamit.

Hindi na ako nagdadala ng alcohol, lotion and oil blotting paper dahil nasa cabinet ko na siya opis. Minsan kapag maaraw or maulan nagdadala ako ng payong. Magkaiba ang payong ko kapag maaraw lang at kapag umuulan. Arte lang ^_^

Hindi ko mapalitan ang aming table-cloth-inspired bed sheet. Kahit chaka ang itsura komportable kasi.

At dahil nagawa ko na ang entry na ito sana lang magawa ko na yung CDR ko na 2,000 years na in the making. Malapit ko ng ipukpok ang ulo ko sa bato!

Happy Monday ^_^

Week 19-20

Cravings. My cravings don't last that long. Usually 3-4 days. I don't know if they're supposed to last long like weeks or months. So if ever my child will ask me kung saan ko siya pinaglihi...I don't know what to answer. During my first two months there was a time when I wanted tuyo. I don't have an appetite back then but when there's tuyo my food intake is normal. There was also a time when I asked Basuraman for tocino and Purefoods Tender Juicy hotdogs. But after having eaten them once i don't want them anymore. There was a day when I can eat 2 cobs of sweet corn or a quarter of a big watermelon in one eating.

Before I got pregnant Basuraman would always tell me that I shouldn't make my paglilihi a burden to him. That is what's happening right now. Everytime I tell Basuraman that I want something he will immediately say "where am I going to buy that? blah blah blah" (eventhough he knows where to buy it) or "just eat anything from our food storage". And then I'll end up eating nothing. Sleeping away my little, sudden cravings. What can I do I am not a spoiled pregnant woman...
Lately I've been sleeping late. Around 11 to 11:30pm. I hope it has no bad effect to baby. Sabi kasi nila bawal napupuyat ang buntis. Bad mummy.

Sleepyhead. Since I can't just sleep here in the office everytime I become sleepy I get headaches. But if I can't really help it I will go to the restroom to sleep for 5-10 minutes. Sometimes I will just fall asleep on my chair in a sitting position for a few seconds. One sign that I've fallen asleep is when I suddenly make a loud noise out of my mouse or my pen.

Faith

Pag may itinanim, may aanihin.....

Ilang aratiles este cherry tomatoes na rin ang aking inani. Mga 4 na piraso na (^_^) At mukhang marami-rami pa naman akong aanihin. 

Chukchak-keberloo na ang drama ng aking tanim na talong. Kailangan ko na siyang i-euthansia dahil sa mga insekto na dumapo sa kanya. Sobrang dami kadir-dir. At ngayon kung kelan naman may magandang future na akong nakikita sa tanim kong green bell pepper e tsaka naman unti-unti na rin itong pinamamahayan ng mabubuting insekto. Inuunahan pako. 

Dear insektos, pa-harvest naman ng bell pepper kahit 2 lang!  

Nagamit ko na rin ang dahon ng aking amplaya para sa ginisang munggo na niluto ko last week. Mukhang matagal-tagal pa siyang magbubunga. La pang bulaklak e. At dahil tag-init na hindi na ako pedeng umasa sa divine providence pagdating sa pagdidilig. Napansin ko kasi na pagdating ng hapon tuyot na kagad ang lupa nila.

Happy weekend ebribadeh!

Week 18

June 19 - History repeated itself. A super typhoon on the day of my check-up again. But this time rain will start pouring at around 6-7pm so I still went to the clinic after work. Basuraman also texted me that he will wait for me at Kokubunji Station so we can go home together after my check-up. As I was walking on my way to the clinic, it rained so hard that my entire lower body almost got wet. Konting pagpag dito. Konting pagpag dun. Despite the heavy rain I was still on time for my appointment.

The clinic staff pointed me to the restroom so I can urinate and have a sample of my urine. This has been the procedure since my last 2 check-ups. I dunno if I just got engot but I can not find the cup/container! I asked Ms. Clinic Staff and showed me where it was. It was just on top of the water tank. Tanga lang.

Before the ultrasound Lola OB informed me of my chlamydia test and it was negative meaning the test is OK/normal. Here comes the good news. Goodbye transvaginal ultrasound. Yey to pelvic ultrasound! Finally. Baby did not make pakitang gilas and when it was time to get his/her picture Lola OB can not find the right angle. Ayun tuloy di mashado kita yung arms and legs niya. Anyway according to Lola OB, baby is growing normal and fine. I also discussed to her the papers that I will be needing when I go back to Philippines as well as the date of my departure. I also asked her if I can bring Basuraman on my next check-up so he can see baby in the ultrasound. She said yes and is looking forward to seeing Basuraman on July 10.


Typhoon Casualty...

Napakasakit Ate Charo.... Why o why Delilah?

Week 15-17

I thought I am already over with my nausea and "afternoon" sickness since I am on my fourth month. I was wrong. It's coming back again. Though it is not as frequent and bad during my first 3 months. I dunno why. I still  can not say that my appetite is back since there are still times that I don't feel like eating eventhough I am hungry. And when I like the food that I am eating I can not eat as much as I want because I'll be having stomachache later. Hay.

I was only 2 months pregnant when I started buying dresses. Actually they're not maternity dresses. Just plain dresses. And this week I looked for some maternity panties, tights and dresses in a store near our office called Nishi Matsuya. The store sells commodities for children and pregnant women. From clothes, to baby foods, to baby car seats and decaffeinated coffee for pregnant women. My ordinary panties and tights are starting to make my tummy irritated. While roaming around the store I saw this clothing for baby and I immediately thought that Basuraman will like it and will not have any second thought of buying it.

We still don't know if baby is a girl or a boy but one thing is for sure: he/she will wear that piece of clothing.

I call my maternity panties "Lola Panties" because they are soooooooo huge. The underwear can cover my whole tummy. From under the breasts downwards. Same with my maternity stockings. It was my first time to have and to wear those kind of undergarments. I love them! No more irritated tummy ^_^

Farmville Year 2

2 years ago sinubukan kong magtanim sa dati naming apartment at ang resulta ay bokya. Hektwali meron naman ako napala. 5 piraso ng cherry tomatoes at 8 dahon ng amplaya (para sa ginisang munggo). Katulad ng aking nabanggit sa aking nakaraang entry ay nagtanim ako nung Golden Week. Yeboi. Farmville is back to business bebe!

Hindi katulad nung una kong pagtatanim, bumili na ako ng seedlings. Di na ako nangarap pa na magsimula sa pagtatanim ng buto. Sikreto lang natin pero yung iba nga meron ng bulaklak hihi. Mejo nag level-up ako ngayon kasi meron pang fertilizer ang aking mga pananim. Oha.

Pagkatapos ng isang buwan ay ganito na ang itsura ng aming veranda.

Yung amplaya ko parang mashadong maliit. Yung tipong kapag ginamit ko yung dahin nila sa balatong (ginisang munggo) e malulusaw lang siya. Niloloko pa nga ako ng aking butihing ina at mukhang ampalayang ligaw (a.k.a. damo) daw yata yung natanim ko.

Parang pinapaasa lang ako ng aking talong at green bell pepper. Kasi everytime na meron silang bulaklak  nalalagas lang.

Pero excited na ako sa aking mga kamatis. 2 klase ang itinanim ko ngayon. Ordinaryong kamatis at cherry tomataoes. Yung cherry tomatoes madami ng bunga. Yung mga ordinaryong kamatis ngayon pa lang
namumulaklak. Sana naman e makaani ako ng madami-dami bago pa sila matuyo pagdating sa summer ^_^

Halos 1/3 ng veranda namin ngayon e sakop na ng aking mga pananim. Goodluck sa aming pagsasampay ng labada.

Week 14

May 22 - After a month Lola OB and I saw each other again for my next check-up. I kinda missed her. I had a chlamydia test for that day and I'll be getting the result on my next check-up which is next month. I was so ecstatic when I saw baby in the ultrasound. He/She has arms and legs! Baby was so malikot (I dunno if frisky is the right english word for malikot). Nagpakitang gilas ang bata. With matching sipa-sipa pa ^_^ I wish Basuraman was with me during that time so he can also see our baby moving. Next time I will ask Lola OB if Basuraman can come with me during my check-ups. I noticed that most of the pregnant women come to the clinic without company. All by themselves. After my ultrasound Lola OB read/showed me my blood tests. Thank God the test results were normal though there was a part of my test that was sort of lower than the normal count yet it was still considered normal. I forgot what it is. I am planning to ask her on my next check-up. I hope I will remember.

I was so thrilled when I talked to my mom via skype regarding baby's being so malikot during my ultrasound. And of course my mom was very happy too. She kept on asking if baby is a girl or a boy and I kept on telling her that it is too early to say. She's always asking me to show her how big my tummy is. I can't show her my tummy yet because it is big not because of baby but because of my taba. Maybe on my 6th month I can already show her my baby bump ^_^

From 65kg last April 24 my weight dropped to 64.5kg. But my tummy is getting bigger.

Architect Abney

Our youngest passed the June 2012 Architect Licensure Examination! Yey may architect na kami ^0^ He deserved it and we are very proud of him.

And because of that we had a thanksgiving dinner. Thank you Lord and to our prayer warriors!

Week 12-13

Kapraningan at its fullest! Call me crazy and weird but I am also asking myself why it happened to me. One day I just felt that the whole world is against me. My everyday dose of nausea plus I don't know what to eat because of my dysfunctional taste buds. Basuraman being cranky because he can not understand my mood and maybe because after a tiring day of work he has to cook our food since everytime I try I feel I will vomit. I felt Basuraman was thinking that I was just making up everything that was happening to me (NAG-IINARTE lang). In an instant I just cried and cried. Luckily I have a very loving and understanding husband. He assured me that he wasn't thinking that way and he said that if there's a way for him to take upon himself my burden he will. I wish every father-to-be is as understanding as my husband because the physical and emotional stress that pregnant women undergo is no joke and shouldn't be treated lightly.

From my previous post I said that I have been worrying a lot. Now instead of worrying I just pray and lift everything to Him. It is through praying that I find calmness and peace. Only God knows what kind of future we will be having.

"He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life."  -William Law

Hakone Open Air Museum

Ate Joy asked Basuraman and I if we wanted to join her and Kuya Roel in going to Hakone during the golden week. Though we've already been there we said yes since we haven't visited the Hakone Open Air Museum (at para masabi lang na nakapamasyal kami nung bakasyon). We chose to go there on Sunday since it was the only day that will not be raining. Since the trip was sudden, we weren't able to make reservations for the Romance Car. We decided to take the local train and bought the two-day Hakone pass in Odawara Station. Though we only planned to go to Hakone for 1 day we still got the two-day pass since the combined fares of the transportation in Hakone for a day is same with the two-day pass. The two-day pass is also unlimited, meaning you can use the specified transportations as many times as you want. After purchasing the passes we looked for a place to have breakfast. Kuya Roel wanted to eat at KFC but it's still close so we just ate at First Kitchen.

Trivia: Just like us Filipinos, Japanese also have abbreviations for things and places like pasukon for personal computer and Mcdo for Mcdonald's. And for the fastfood store First Kitchen it is Fakin. Wahleylung. I 'm just amused...?

Our first Fakin Breakfast!

Hakone Open Air Musuem

Set in the stunning landscape of Hakone, the Hakone Open-Air Museum opened in 1969 as the first open-air art museum in Japan. Constantly changing with the seasons, our spectacular grounds are the permanent home for approximately 120 works by well-known modern and contemporary sculptors. We also have 5 exhibition halls including the Picasso Pavilion, as well as pieces where children can play, a footbath fed by natural hot springs, and a variety of other facilities where our visitors can relax and enjoy the splendor of art in nature. (Source here)

Sunny clear sky with a temperature of 18-21 deg Celsius. The best day to enjoy an open air museum. Yeboi ^_^

We just love this pic. parang pang post card lang ^_^

koi no bori = carp streamer

We don't know what festival they are celebrating but we saw these kids inside the museum grounds carrying a mikoshi (portable Shinto shrine).

The Picasso Pavillion

 

I had to hold my leg with my right hand for my foot to reach that height. Ako na hindi flexible :P

me pretending to kick the silver ball. how pathetic eh?

Found this inside the vicinity of the museum. Beautiful ^_^

After exploring the Hakone Open Air Museum we went to Owakudani Station via Ropeway so that Kuya Roel and Basuraman can try the kurotamago (black egg). It is believed that eating one can add 7 years to your life. 

Say hello to Mt. Fuji. Taken at Owakudani Station.

And for our last destination we proceeded to Tougendai Station to take the sightseeing cruise of Lake Ashi. Perfect weather, great place and great company make a very tiring trip worth it ^_^

*Photos courtesy of Basuraman.

Week 11

Matagal-tagal din bago kami muling magkikita ni Lola OB. Golden Week (Oogata Renkyuu) na naman. Ibig sabihin isang linggong walang pasok. Kadalasan ang Golden Week dito sa Japan ay natatapat sa unang linggo ng Mayo. Hindi kami masyado nakagala dahil may pasok si Basuraman, madalas nag-uulan (kaya tulog mode lang ako) at dahil ako ay nasa aking 1st trimester ng pagjojontis kaya iniiwasan ko muna ang mga pasyal at lakad na nakakapagod.

Kaya nagtanim na lang ako ^_^ Kumpara sa dati naming apartment mas malawak ang veranda namin ngayon kaya may espasyo para sa aking mga tanim.

importante na ang pandilig ay hugis elepante na kulay berde ^_^

Sana lang ay meron akong maani sa mga itinanim kong kamatis, green bell pepper, talong at ampalaya. Yung dahon man lang ng ampalaya dumami para magamit sa balatong (munggo) ^_-

Hanami 2012

Last year we went to Shinjuku Gyoen Koen for hanami. This year we chose the Koganei park. According to Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, it is the second largest park (famous for cherry trees) in Tokyo metropolitan area and has nearly 2,000 cherry trees inside the park. It is only a 30-minute bike ride from our place and there is a bus which stops directly at the entrance of the park. Compared to Shinjuku Gyoen Koen there is no entrance fee so we expected that there will be a lot of people.

It was Easter Sunday so we first heard mass at Fuchuu Catholic Church before going to the park. To our surprise the mass was in Japanese. Luckily the readings were read in English. And the rest in Japanese. I was so happy and amazed at the same time when I saw/heard Catholic Japanese singing praises and praying in unison. After the mass the priest and the sacristans gave Easter eggs which I wasn't able to have eventhough there were plenty of them. I asked Basuraman to get me an egg but he refused to get me one. All of a sudden I wasn't in the mood to have an Easter egg. Basuraman and I together with Wyn and his wife took the bus while the rest of the gang (parang Scooby Doo lang) rode their bikes to get to Koganei Park.

I was a little bit disapponted (konti lang naman) when I saw the park because it was jam packed. And the sakura (cherry blossoms) were not in full bloom yet. After walking for a few minutes we were able to spot a small vacant area where we placed our mat so we can already have our lunch.

Hindi mahulugan ng karayom...

Thank you Costco for our lunch ^_^

Compared to our hanami last year in Shinjuku, Koganei park was very lively. There were various performers singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.

I want to have a hat like that!

This little guy was apologizing for stepping on Ate Joy's foot.

Honestly speaking I enjoyed the view last year in Shinjuku because there were more sakura trees in full bloom compared to Koganei park. Also the place was not that crowded. Maybe because the garden was really spacious, you have to pay an entrance fee and it's a little bit far from the train station. If we're still in Japan next year I'll bring Basuraman to Shinjuku because he will definitely enjoy taking pictures of the park.

Our first hanami...with baby inside ^_^

*Photos courtesy of Basuraman.

Week 10

April 24 - I had my check-up for my blood test. I didn't expect that Lola OB will be doing an ultrasound again. After the incident last Friday I think I had a trauma with ultrasounds. It's like everytime it has to be performed on me I will be feeling pain. Anyway after my ultrasound, Lola OB's assistant took N vials of blood from me. I wasn't aware of how many they were but I am sure there were many. Kadalasan hindi ko kasi tinitignan yung nurse/staff na kumukuha ng aking dugo kasi ninenerbiyos ako. Lola OB seemed happy that baby is growing well. Again she reminded me not to drink alcohol and smoke tobacco and avoid doing hard/heavy work and exercises.

Before the test, one staff asked me for a urine sample. Pero syempre bago pa mandin namin naintindihan ang isa't-isa e dumaan muna kami sa mahabang diskusyunan sapagkat hindi marunong magsalita ng ingles ang dakilang staff. Kaya bago ako i-release ni Lola OB e ni-remind niya ako na sa aking mga succeedding check-ups e lagi ako magbibigay ng urine sample para hindi na kami magkahirapan ni staff.

Nausea + migraine = gusto kong tumambling at mag-skydiving sa sama ng pakiramdam ko. Ang hirap kasi ngayon kapag umatake ang migraine ko e hindi ako pedeng uminom ng gamot. Automatic na kailangan ko siya itulog. Pero kung umaga pa lang umatake na ang migraine habang nasa trabaho e si Katinko lang ang tanging solusyon. Di bale ng mag-amoy matanda.

Ang aking nausea ay panaka-nakang pa ring umaatake gayundin ang aking loss of appetite. Pero at least ngayon e may mga pagkakataon na marami na akong nakakain. Every week I am still trying my best na mai-incorporate ang prutas sa aking pagkain.

My next check-up is scheduled on May 22. Baby is 14 weeks by that time ^_^

Week 9

According to the mobile app "My Pregnancy by Babycenter " downloaded by Basuraman for my pregnancy, I should start taking belly pictures. The problem is in my current body shape I cannot distinguish which is TABA bump and baby bump. I guess I'll just start to take pics when my tummy is really really big. Yung tipong hindi na siya pagkakamalan na taba lang.

There are times when my afternoon/evening sickness would escalate to whole day sickness. Pakiramdam ko sinasapian ako ng isang daang libong espiritu ni kulapo. Ang pinakamatindi e kung kelan oras ng pagkain tsaka naman nagpaparamdam ng bonggang-bongga na para bagang nang-iinis.

April 20 - I left the office early to go to the clinic. I was bleeding. I was so nervous I thought I already lost baby. There was no available taxi so I took the bus. I was crying on my way to the clinic. I wasn't able to call Lola OB because I left my phone in the office. Upon arriving at the clinic I still have to wait for 30 minutes because there were many patients and I think the staff did not understand that my case was an emergency. As soon as I told Lola OB of my situation she immediately did a transvaginal ultrasound to check if baby is OK. At first I thought baby was already gone because we couldn't see him/her. I think Lola OB changed the probe to clearly check baby. Thank God finally I was able to see him/her.

According to Lola OB the cause of the bleeding was due to the removal of my polyp. After the ultrasound she did some kind of operation and removed the remaining polyp. She even showed it to me. I was like 'Woah! What's happening???'. Minsan kasi nawawala sa loob ni Lola OB na hde naman ako ganun kagaling mag-nihonggo. Ambilis pa ng pangyayari. Masakit Kuya Eddie pero wala na ako nagawa. I was asked to return the next day for another check-up. Lola OB gave me her personal number in case I would be bleeding to much with extreme pain at night. Praise God I did not bleed anymore and the result of my follow-up check-up was fine.

Lola OB told me once again not to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, exercise, eat spicy food and do hard work. Though I religiously follow them, for the mean time I am taking the bus when going to office. I am skipping my morning walk because I am scared that the bleeding might happen again. I think I'll just go back to walking when I'm already 5 months pregnant. Since I'm still in my first trimester the risk of having a miscarriage is very high.

On the lighter side of what happened...

I only have 3000 yen in my wallet and I was surprised when my bill showed 7640 yen. E andami-dami pa namang tao sa clinic. Feeling ko nalaman nilang lahat na wala akong pambayad. Unfortunately the clinic does not accept credit cards. Luckily there was an ATM booth 6 min-walk away from the clinic. The friendly staff advised me not to hurry and take my time in returning back. Anong magagawa ko hindi ko naman inexpect na pupunta ako ng clinic. Nakakahiya lang. Lesson learned: dapat laging may baong pera.

Happy 9th week baby! Mummy and daddy loves you! ^_^