At 38 Weeks: Maternity Shoot

As soon as we got home from the clinic for our now weekly check-up, I asked my husband to take my picture at the rice field pathway behind their house. I've always wanted to have a simple maternity shoot before I finally give birth, and today seem to be the perfect opportunity to do just that. It's a good thing I decided to wear the dress my mom-in-law gave me for Christmas. Armed with an old Sony digicam, my husband did his best to capture my huge belly and the beautiful surroundings..:-)

The rice field pathway behind the house where my husband and I take afternoon walks.

Just counting days to our baby's arrival.

Thank you, Lord, for this precious gift.

Mommy and Daddy loves you so much, Baby Euan.

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The Last One Standing

It's been a little crazy for the past days. Hubby is sick, as well as four other people in the house...(almost five, because mom-in-law is already showing signs). I don't know what hit them...it's some kind of viral infection or something. They have on and off fever, cough, colds, and a terrible headache. Our nephew was already brought to the hospital because he just wouldn't eat and every time he does, he vomits. He's the first one who got really sick. The doctor has no diagnosis yet, but I'm sure it's not dengue fever because it's not suppose to be contagious. 

This is the second day my husband is absent from work. Since he's not yet a regular employee, he won't get paid for his absences. :-( We also decided that it's best for us not to sleep in one room, so that I won't catch the virus. It's my 8th month of pregnancy and in case I get infected, this will be the first time I'll be really sick, and I don't want that to happen. 

As of today, I'm the last healthy person in the house...yeah boy, the last one standing! I just kept on declaring that Jesus' blood is covering me and my baby, and that no virus can touch us. I am also thankful to have complete prenatal vitamins because it really boosted my immunity. And, do you know what else helped? Frequent hand washing! I also "quarantined" myself inside the room. Yeah, it should be the other way around...I mean, the sick ones should be quarantined...but, what the heck! It's too late for them to be quarantined because almost everyone in the family is already sick. Besides, I can feel the virus all over the place, except in our room. Haha!

I just hope and pray that they all get better soon, especially my husband. As much as I wanted to hold him and take care of him, I have to let him take care of himself to avoid risking my and our baby's health. Because of what's happening, I realized that my husband should have taken some multivitamins or Vitamin C at the same time I started taking prenatal vitamins. This is the second time he got sick during my pregnancy (the first time was last October), and it's very difficult because it makes me and the baby vulnerable to whatever sickness he has. I also thought that we should both be very careful not to get sick especially when the baby comes out. As soon as he gets better, I hope we can work on something to boost our strength and immunity, so that we're ready to face the challenges of being first-time parents.

How about you? Did you have the same experience? What did you do when your husband got sick during your pregnancy? How about after giving birth? What did you do as a couple to make sure that you're fit to take care of a newborn?

At 33-34 Weeks: Happy New Year!

Hello there! Hope you had a great New Year celebration! I did and I have to say that in our neighborhood, not much people had fireworks or firecrackers, so there was less air pollution and accidents. :-)

This is my first post for 2012 and I'm looking forward to writing more about the good things God has in store for me and my family this New Year. Honestly, I still can't believe that it's already 2012! It's like, I'm having a hangover of 2011. The past year was filled with so many new experiences for me...getting pregnant, moving in with the in-laws, enjoying and sometimes hating being a bum, and starting this online baby journal. The year 2011 was a great year for us, filled with blessings, favor and God's continuous display of His love and provision.

For the year 2012, I believe, it is going to be even more exciting. In more or less than a month from now, we'll finally get to meet our baby, Euan Jedric. I'm sure that he will turn our world upside down, but in a good way! In about 6 to 8 weeks from now, we are going to be officially parents and technically, a family. 

:-) 

To start the year right, we went to visit the OB for my monthly prenatal check-up. Dra. Bendita based my AOG (Age of Gestation) on the latest ultrasound I had last month, making me 33-34 weeks pregnant today, as compared to the 32 weeks if based on my LMP (Last Menstrual Period). I gained a whopping 10 pounds from my December check-up, which makes me 138 lbs heavy. My blood pressure is 90/60 and the fundal height measures 30 cm. She strictly advised me to take daily walks as my exercise so that I won't have a hard time giving birth. There goes my first New Year's resolution! Haha! ;-)

The things is, I don't really believe in resolutions...hehe. But, I will definitely exercise regularly in preparation for delivery. We are also planning to buy some newborn baby essentials next week. We're not buying much for now because we're only gonna stay here for two months after Euan comes out. We're leaving out large items that we won't be able to carry back to Iloilo. We'll just purchase more baby stuff once we get back to Iloilo.

That's it for today. I have to sleep now for my early morning walk tomorrow. Good night everyone!

Shoe Fetish

”Really and truly you can never have too many pairs; they are all different. You need a pair for every mood – and everyone knows that women have a lot of different moods.” – Anonymous

My small but hopefully, growing collection of flats and sandals!


(Top Row, L-R) Finickee sandals cream, purple and black/brown
(Bottom Row, L-R) POSH Basics Lt. Gray, Janeo Black cap-toe flats, POSH Basics  Lt.Brown

I am slowly approaching the last days of my 7th month of pregnancy. One of the things I have noticed lately aside from the stretchmarks, are my feet! They seem to be getting wider and my finger toes are slightly getting fatter! I don't really have the thin, dainty, lady-like type of toes to begin with. This is why I've always had a hard time finding the right shoes. Over time, I've learned to accept and work around that flaw. 

I discovered that flat shoes are my best friend. They're comfy and they don't make my feet look that wide. I particularly like POSH Pocket shoes, which is a proud Filipino brand of flat, foldable and comfortable women's footwear. The cut, especially that of the POSH Basics, fit my feet very well. They somehow make my wide feet look slimmer, which is what I'm aiming for. 

This brand's owner, a young entrepreneur named Nadine de Guzman, is very nice and professional. She's easy to transact with and is very accommodating, even if I bug her with so many questions (haha!). She even helped me pick the right size the first time I ordered from her. Buying shoes online is not that easy you know, especially if you can't fit the shoes personally. 

On our second transaction, I texted her if I can have the shoes my sister bought for me at one of the Christmas bazaars they joined, exchanged to one size bigger. She responded immediately and gave me instructions. And since the light gray reptile loafers are not available anymore on size 9, she also agreed to have it changed to a different style. I just got the POSH Basics in light gray instead. :-)

I wasn't expecting to receive the replacement before Christmas, since I sent her the shoes I was asking to be exchanged late afternoon of December 19. I also knew that they were busy with their last bazaar for the year, so I was surprised when the shoes arrived two days before Christmas. Yay! 

POSH Brides (Light Pink)

POSH Pointy Bows (Red)

These are just some of the other styles I really like and hoping to purchase soon. I just wish they fit me as well as the Basics...hehehe. :-) If you want to see all of their fabulous flats, visit their website at http://www.poshpocketshoesonline.com or like them on Facebook.

Finickee Cream Flat Sandals from my husband

These flat sandals are my husband's Christmas present. Yeah, I was with him when he bought it. :-) It may not be the same item I posted on My Christmas Wish List, but I like this better! I realized that thong sandals don't really flatter my wide feet...they make 'em look like they're all over the place! Hahaha! 

I'm not a fan of open-toe sandals to begin with, but, I'm thankful to have found this flip-flop style slingbacks. It's seldom I find footwear that look good on my big feet. The best thing about them is that, they're on sale! I love them so much that days later, my husband bought me the other colors, too! I'm one spoiled wife. ^_^ They're the perfect alternative to closed shoes, especially at times when I want to make my preggy feet breathe.

So, now that my pregnancy is almost over, it's not advisable to buy new maternity clothes. But, thank God for shoes! Splurging on these accessories is not a problem because I'm sure they'll still fit me post-pregnancy. My next project though is to find some good nursing bras and tops.

Stay tuned!

The Perfect Gift

Before anything else, 

I want to greet everyone...

It's Christmas eve and while the whole family is waiting for the clock to strike midnight, I took this time to write my Christmas post. I have so many things to be thankful about. :-)

This particular Christmas is a special one for the Estante's. It's because all the members of the family are here. Eejay's dad came home from abroad after years of not being able to spend Christmas with the family.

For Eejay and I, it is even more special because of the perfect gift God has given us - a baby boy who is well on his way in less than 2 months from now. 

Indeed, if not for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we won't have the life, grace and blessings that we are enjoying now. Because God loves the world so much, He chose to become like us. He was born as a human child in a manger, and eventually died on the cross for our sins. He became poor so that we might become rich. He became sin for us so that we might become righteous. 

Christmas is not about material gifts, preparing a grand feast, and all commercialized meanings the world has invented to make money out of it. It's about remembering the Father's great LOVE for us through the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and acknowledging that He was born to live and to die, so that we might live and enjoy an abundant life today. 

May you have a meaningful and happy Christmas, 

and a blessed New Year, too! 

God bless us all!

My Christmas Package

Look what arrived today?

The package is from Sarah, my younger sister who lives with our mom in Manila.

So, what's inside the box?

A box full of goodies and treats!

Gray Reptile Loafers from POSH Pocket Shoes that my sister bought at the St. James Bazaar in Alabang. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit me right and there's no bigger size available for the same color. :-( Anyway, I just sent it back to Nadine of POSH and had it replaced with light gray POSH Basics. Nadine was very nice and accommodating of my requests. Thanks again, Nadine!

I've been craving for Chef Tony's Gourmet Popcorn for how many weeks now. Yum!!! Can't wait to eat these! 
I know what you're thinking...haha! 
Don't worry, I'm not going to finish them all by myself! ;-)

Finally! Palmer's Stretch Marks Cream! I just posted last week that red and angry stretchmarks are already starting to show on my belly. I really hope this stuff can still save my skin! My sister even bought me some Palmer's Soothing Oil for my expanding tummy, which gets really itchy at times. :-)

Tommy Tippee baby bottles from my super-mom friend, Rach. 
She said it's the next best thing to Avent bottles because 
it also has an anti-colic feature. I even included this on the
top 12 baby gifts that we want to receive for Euan.

Thanks again, sis! Merry Christmas!

Baby Euan's Wish List (Part 2)

7. Baby Clothes, Shoes and Accessories

Onesies, bodysuits, pants, shirt, bib, cap, mittens, socks and shoes! A baby can never have too many clothes, right?  Just a tip in buying clothes and accessories for newborns - remember that they grow super fast! So, better purchase sets in bigger sizes so that baby can wear them longer. 

8. Crib and Nursery Accessories

Beddings, sheets, mattress pads, pillows, receiving blankets, wall decor, night light...etc.! We want to make our little baby's room comfortable, colorful and simply awesome! 




9. Baby Skincare Products
To keep baby's skin clean, soft and smooth, we need to stock up with daily care essentials such as baby wash and shampoo, lotion, diaper  rash cream, baby oil, baby powder, etc. These products should be gentle and safe to use on a newborn's delicate skin like Aveeno. 

10. Educational Baby Toys, Books and DVDs

Colorful blocks, shapes, rattles, baby gym, picture books and educational DVDs - these are great gifts every baby should have to satisfy their curiosity, stimulate their brains and senses, and encourage them to learn. I, myself can't wait to play with my son with these great toys!

11. TV and DVD Player
So that Euan can watch movies with Mommy and Daddy, listen to music, and enjoy Brainy Baby, Baby Einstein, and Barney DVDs. ;-)

 12. Airconditioner
We live in a tropical country and the climate is usually hot and humid here. We want to keep our baby comfortable as possible. A good quality, energy saving, window-type air-conditioning unit is a good addition to Euan's room to keep him cool during hot days.

Baby Euan's Wish List (Part 1)

Our baby, Euan Jedric, is expected to arrive on Feb. 14, 2012! Eejay and I, are so excited to see him. As first-time parents, we only want the best for our precious one and we would like everything to be prepared for his arrival. 

We won't be having a baby shower, but just in time for the season of giving, I thought of creating a wishlist for our baby boy . So, I'm calling all family, friends and future godparents to take a look at my very own list of top 12 baby gifts that you can give to Euan this Christmas! :-)

1. IKEA Gulliver Crib

My older sister works at Ikea Abu Dhabi and she asked me to browse through the children's section of their website to see what I would want her to get for Euan. (Thanks, sis!) The Gulliver crib caught my attention because of its simplicity and versatility. Its bed base can be adjusted to 2 heights and it can also be converted into a toddler's bed. Euan can definitely grow up with this crib since he'll be able to use it from newborn and until he reaches two years and above.


2. Changing Table 
This modern changing table from Badger Basket comes with three baskets and a hamper. All of which are removable to create open shelves or storage spaces. It's the perfect height to change baby's diapers and is sturdy enough to keep him in place. It also has safety rails on all sides to prevent baby from falling. And, even if Euan becomes too old for nappy changes, I can use this to store some of his things such as socks, clothes and toys.


3. Graco Urbanlite Stroller
We want our little boy to travel in style, of course! But, we don't want a stroller that is too bulky or heavy. From the baby stroller reviews I've read, I learned that the Graco Urbanlite model is the top choice among parents who are looking for a lightweight travel system. It's compact and weighs less than 20 lbs only. It is also easy to assemble and fold according to reviews. Final request is for a unisex color, so we can still use it in the future, just in case we conceive a girl. ;-)

4. Baby Bottle Starter Set
I'm torn between two brands - Philips Avent BPA-free feeding bottles and Tommy Tippee Closer to Nature. Both have anti-colic feature, but have mixed reviews in terms of effectiveness. Avent is the more popular name among "high-end" brands here in the Philippines. Tommy Tippee, on the other hand, is another choice I am considering because a friend from Macau already sent me a 3-bottle set of Tommy Tippee Closer To Nature. Nevertheless, to receive a newborn feeding bottle starter set from any of these brands will surely be appreciated!


5. Philips Avent Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
These things are designed to make sterilizing and warming bottles quick and hassle-free! In short, it's gonna make my life easier! Haha! They say that taking care of a baby can be very exhausting. These nifty appliances can be a lifesaver when things need to be done fast.

6. Nursery Drawer Chest

This is another nursery essential aside from the crib. It's important to have a separate place to keep baby's clothes, blankets and other baby stuff organized.. This way, it won't get mixed up and buried under our clothes which are way bigger than Euan's. :-)





Click here to continue...

My Christmas Wish List (Part 2)

Hi friends! Here is the second installment of my wish list for this year. If you haven't seen the first part yet, just click here.

So, have you made your own list of gifts that you want to receive this Christmas? If you're an expectant mom like me or a clueless husband or friend who is having a hard time thinking of a present to give your pregnant loved one, read on up to the last item to get some great gift ideas!

Happy browsing!

All I Want For Christmas, Are These...(Part 2)

6. Nursing Bra

Any breastfeeding mother would benefit from a comfortable and hassle-free nursing bra that are easy to unfasten and re-fasten, but still provide the support a breast full of milk requires. After giving birth, the breasts will continue to enlarge as the milk production comes to full operation. So, 1 cup size bigger than the current size should do the trick. No underwires please! Underwire bras, especially those that don't fit well, may block the flow of milk and can even be annoying to wear. 

7. Stretch Mark Cream

One of the most dreaded changes pregnancy brings are stretch marks. They say that it's something that one cannot prevent, but should be a source of pride instead. One of my friends even refer to it as battle scars! Haha! But, a lot of stretch mark creams are available in the market today claiming that they can prevent or improve the appearance of stretch marks. For me, it's worth a try instead of doing nothing about it. At least, even if doesn't work in the end, I won't regret not being able to try it.

8. Jewelry (Heart Earrings and Necklace Set)

Any woman, pregnant or not, will definitely appreciate some sparkly bling as a Christmas gift! It's also one of the best reward a husband can give to his wife for going through the difficulties of pregnancy. I  for one would like to get some dainty white gold jewelry as a present! I'm specifically nuts with  heart-shaped pendants and earrings. A matching bracelet would also be a good addition. ;-)


9. Silver Ladies' Watch

My old silver watch is already broken, so, I badly need a new watch! Haha! I really like the square chain detail of this dress watch from Fossil. It's fun but still lady-like. I can wear this with any outfit! 

10.Nursing Top

I found this nursing tank top from Undercover Mama and I think it's a very useful addition to a breastfeeding mommy's wardrobe. It's actually an undershirt or regular cami to cover your back, sides and tummy while you nurse. It can also be worn in the house as lounge wear or sleep wear. How does it work? Its strapless but has links to attach directly to the outer flaps of a nursing bra. When you unfasten the bra, the Undercover Mama nursing tank opens with it.