Jesus Loves Me!

JESUS LOVES ME, THIS I KNOW!

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me, He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide
He will wash away my sin
Let His little child come in.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me, He will stay,
Close beside me all the way
He's prepared a home for me
And some day His face I'll see.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

I sing this song to the little one in my tummy and to remind me that even though our baby is still a tiny bean-like creature inside me, Jesus is the strength and the life that sustains him/her. Jesus is the only one who can see our baby right now. With that in mind, I know that God is taking care of him/her inside me. And that whatever happens, the truth shall remain...Jesus loves my baby and Jesus loves me!

9 Weeks

That's me at 9 weeks! Photo was taken during the 
12th T'nalak Festival street dance competition.  

I really didn't want to post this photo because I don't look pretty here. I look pale, I feel like my nose and face looks puffy, and I think I look like a guy! Hahaha! Maybe, I'm having a baby boy...hmmmm...

For the past weeks, I get tired easily, feeling sleepy all the time, and I've noticed that my appetite is not as good as before.But, thank God, I can still eat and I haven't experienced any morning sickness yet. I am also craving for sour and salty foods like green mangoes dipped in shrimp paste, calamansi juice, santol dipped in vinegar, and turnips dipped in vinegar with soy sauce...yum! I wonder what I'll be craving for next.

Separation Anxiety

I think I'm having separation anxiety! :-(

Last night, when my hubby called from Iloilo, I couldn't help but cry...(or maybe it's just the hormones kicking in!) I also found it hard to sleep. I'm not used to not having him around. When we got married, I was certain that I want to spend the rest of my life with him. Now that we're having a baby, I know that I simply can't live my life without him.

Good thing he's not an OFW (overseas Filipino worker), like our fathers who used to work as engineers in the same company in Dubai. They've been working there for more than 20 years. At present, my father is still with the company but my husband's dad already got a new job in Singapore. I can't imagine how our moms managed without them by their side throughout those years and even until now. They are definitely tough ladies who deserve all the good things in the world or be given the most prestigious award!

Both my husband and I spent more than half of our existence without our dads, and believe me, it has affected our lives in so many ways. Regardless, we love our parents to bits! We also thank God because we have come to know Him as our Abba Father who never left our side. Now that we have our own family, we resolved never to be separated from one another.

So, Honey, if you're reading this...just wanna say...

I love you. Come back to us safe and well. Baby and I are just waiting here. This is going to be the last night that I'm gonna sleep on this bed alone..and don't forget to bring me some cheese tarts. ;-)


See you tomorrow!


Love,


Joey

Big Decision

Yesterday afternoon, my husband left for Davao and stayed there overnight just to catch the early morning flight to Iloilo today.

I miss him already. :-(

We were both scheduled to take the return flight, but because of recent events we finally decided to stay with his family here in Koronadal City, South Cotabato UNTIL I GIVE BIRTH on February 2012. He just went back to get some of the things we'll need for our extended stay and to clean up our apartment.

It's a very big decision to make. Imagine leaving your house unoccupied for almost a year! Since we're renting the place and it's hard to find a really good apartment nowadays, we just informed the owner that we won't be staying there but we'll still be paying for the monthly rent as usual. He understood our predicament and he easily agreed.

So, why stay here until I give birth?

First, we didn't want to risk the baby by travelling during the first trimester, especially now that I have been diagnosed with subchorionic hemorrhage.

Second, we want to save as much as possible. See, if we go back to Iloilo after 3 months (that would be on October), then after 2 months, we have to travel to Mindanao again for the holidays. Airfares don't come cheap, especially during those months. Plus, we'll be able to save more since we won't be spending for food, monthly prenatal check-ups (it's free since Dra. Bendita is mom-in-law's friend), milk and vitamins (mom-in-law will spend for this).

Third, I can fully rest here since they have helpers who clean the house, wash our clothes, cook our food, etc.

Last but not the least, nothing beats the support and presence of family at such a time like this. Their wisdom, experience and guidance in bringing up a child is very much needed and appreciated.

I thank God for blessing us with a supportive family. :-)

My Second Ultrasound

I had another ultrasound today. This time, it's a pelvic ultrasound. It was a little painful because the doctor had to press my skin with the device. According to the result, I am now 7 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Again, we heard our baby's heartbeat. :-) The bad news is the doctor saw a subchorionic hemorrhage in my uterus.

From there, we drove back to the OB's clinic. She insisted that I should take extra care, take my medicines religiously, have a complete bed rest and postpone our trip back.

After dinner, my husband and I talked, and we both decided to re-schedule our return and stay here for another 2 months until we get past the first trimester.

We didn't want to risk it anymore. Even though we just moved to a new apartment and there are several important things that we would have to sacrifice (church, business, house maintenance, etc.), we know in our heart that we are doing the right thing by staying here. It's a good thing that we are both home-based employees (online article/SEO writing), we can bring our work anywhere as long as there's internet connection.

We strongly believe that God is in control and He makes all things work together for our good.

:-)

Now, it's time to REST.

My First Visit To Another OB At 7 Weeks

Before we went to the clinic, I can't help but think...

"What's the doctor gonna say this time?"

Sorry for the attitude, but I'm done hearing bad reports saying that I might lose the baby. :-(

Dra. Bendita is a bit nicer than my first OB...probably because she's Mama's friend.. ;-) As expected, she did an IE on me. She said that my womb is low-lying and tender...which means I am prone to miscarry. She gave me a prescription for Duphaston (hormone pill which helps prevent miscarriage) and Duvadilan (uterus relaxant).  She advised complete bed rest and also said that it's not advisable for me to travel again while I'm still on my first trimester. Lastly, she said that I should undergo another ultrasound. Unfortunately, the doctor's clinic she referred us to won't be open until Tuesday noon. Another waiting game...

My real feelings about this?

Sad, scared, and frustrated. :-(

But, I'm trying my best not to give in to these emotions. I am also thankful for having a husband who is very supportive and a Father in heaven who is also my Great Physician.

Hang in there, baby...

***
AT 7 WEEKS

BP: 110/70
WEIGHT: 126 lbs

Another Spotting

At the Iloilo Airport while waiting to board

Arrived at my in-law's house yesterday afternoon. The 30-minute plane ride was ok, but the 3-hour bus ride plus another 1-hour drive was bumpy. I felt so tired when we got here.

Before we slept last night, my husband and I prayed and thanked God for keeping us safe. We entrusted everything to Him - especially our baby. We already received His peace and His healing. We know that He has a good plan for us and that includes having a child.

I also resolved to myself not to believe everything the doctors say. Just a little lesson I learned from when the OB-Gyne diagnosed "threatened abortion" the other day.

I guess, that's too much...hehe...I know she's just doing her job and speaking from years of experience. -_-

So, when I woke up this morning, I discovered that I had another spotting.

I didn't panic like what I did a few days ago. But, just to be sure, my mother-in-law wanted me to be checked up by her OB-Gyne friend, Dra. Bendita. She's the same doctor who delivered my sister-in-law's son. Unfortunately, she's out-of-town and will be back this Saturday.

I guess, we just have to wait.

Honey, There's Blood On My Underwear!

I've been very busy for the past days doing the usual household chores, writing articles and preparing our things (washing the laundry and packing)  for our trip to my husband's family home in Mindanao tomorrow. It's my mother-in-law's birthday on the the 11th and she already got us plane tickets a couple of months ago.

Yesterday, we just finished eating lunch when I felt a sudden gush. I immediately ran to the bathroom to check my underwear. I saw a discharge with a tinge of blood.

Is this normal or is there something wrong?!