Preggy Day-Out

Ready for my preggy day-out!

It's Bonifacio Day and the whole Philippines is enjoying a non-working holiday. Me, Eejay, together with Mama Daday and the kids (Eejay's younger brother and nephew) drove to General Santos City earlier today. We're also going to meet Eejay's older sister who works in one of the hospitals there.

On our way to GenSan

It was almost lunch time when we reached Polomolok, so we decided to stop over at Durian Garden. It was my first time to go there and I've always wanted to try their durian shake.

The Giant Durian at Durian Garden, Polomolok, South Cotabato

The restaurant is surrounded by a spacious garden. They also keep birds and other animals. We saw a talking parrot, lots of love birds, and rabbits. The kids had fun running around and looking at the animals. Eejay and I, on the other hand, enjoyed taking pictures while Mama Daday ordered our food.

Picture, picture!

Unfortunately, their blender broke so I didn't get to try their durian shake. But, I enjoyed the simple lunch we had which was native chicken tinola and lechon kawali, served with steamed rice. Busog! Now, off we go to GenSan. We really like going there because they have bigger and better malls than the ones in Koronadal.

Me and my husband

It's not everyday that I get to go out of the house, so I really enjoy  simple trips like this, especially with my husband. 

When We Were Still Young

Can you spot me in this picture?

If you guessed I'm the girl in the middle, then you're wrong. That's my older sister, Diane.

I'm actually the one with bangs near the Coke bottle. 

Can you guess who else is in this picture? 

If you don't know me personally, you might be surprised.

:-)

Amazing Facts On How Babies Develop In The Womb

At times, when I'm just lying down and feeling baby move, I can't help but be amazed at how another life can be miraculously formed and grow inside my womb. Indeed, carrying a precious little being inside me is one of the best blessings I have ever received from God. It is also one of the most humbling experiences as I take part with our Creator as He form a new human being and chose me to be that person's mother.

Through the course of my pregnancy, I slowly found myself being protective and wanting good things not for myself, but for my child. Sometimes, I worry and become anxious, but God is faithful to remind me that He is always with us and will provide for us no matter what. True enough, we never lack and His provision is always on time.

I've also learned to be more careful, not just with what I eat, but with the things I do, think about and feel, because I know that these things may have an effect on my baby. My husband and I have become more prayerful, more patient, and more expressive of our love not just for one another, but for our baby as well.

I have just read an article about babies in the womb saying that even before infants are born, their five senses are already working so well, hence, giving them the ability to feel what their moms feel, taste and smell, and create visions in their mind who they think they are and what their life would be outside the womb. Ever since I've read this, I became more determined to let my baby know that he/she is loved, because for me, this is the first and only thing that our baby should know...then, everything else will follow.

Here are the other interesting facts from the Babies In The Womb article on how babies develop and use their senses even while inside the womb:

• A baby can distinguish between the voice of Mom and that of a stranger at the time of birth
• Babies dream about their life, experiences, and sensations while they are in the womb.
• Research has shown babies to be startled at loud noises while within the womb.
• Babies savor their mother’s meals, picking up the food tastes of a culture before they are born.
• Babies can remember and respond to a familiar story or song that was repeated to them while in the womb.
• Babies have been known to react to the experience of amniocentesis by shrinking away from the needle, or, if a needle nicks them, they may turn and attack it. 
• Babies react to pain, stress and the emotions of the mother.

Read the whole article by clicking HERE.


"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."  


Psalm 139:13-16

Count Your Blessings

Now that I'm not working and staying at home most of the time, I get easily bored with my life and I have a tendency to feel down and anxious about a lot of things. I also can't help but miss my family in Manila and our life back in Iloilo. I know that these feelings are not healthy for the baby, especially that I am fully aware about the risks of prenatal depression being another emotional health concern for every 1 out of 10 pregnant women, aside from postpartum depression. I refuse to be a part of that statistic!

So, one sure way to drive the blues away is to see beyond my lack and start counting the blessings God has given me. I just want to take this opportunity to share what I am thankful for. :-)

Family and Friends

The support we are getting from our family and friends is very overwhelming, even from the beginning. Thank you for celebrating our victories, for lending us a hand whenever we need help, and for lavishing us with prayers, love, words of encouragement, and also for blessing us financially and with other material things without asking for anything in return.  

Hubby's New Job

When we decided to stay here in Koronadal, my husband also started looking for a more stable online job. In a just a few weeks, he was able to land a full-time article writing job for a big SEO company that does not only pay well, but also cover our internet bills. My husband is even more blessed because he finds the job very easy and only works 5 to 6 hours maximum per day instead of 8 hours. This is because he is simply fast and good at what he does. Haha! Thank you, Lord, for your favor and for giving us the strength and wisdom to produce wealth.

Unexpected Blessings 

As I've mentioned in my previous post, even if we're staying at my in-laws' house here in Koronadal, we are still maintaining an apartment in Iloilo where we plan to go back to on April next year. That means, we are still paying for the rent and utility bills. Surprisingly, a friend from Manila asked me the other day if she can stay there for an indefinite period of time, since she will be temporarily assigned by her company to work in Iloilo. She agreed to share half of the rent payment, and as a result, we'll have extra money to put in the bank for our baby. Indeed, God is commanding blessings to fill our storehouses! Thank you, Jesus!

Daily Provisions

Ever since we stayed here at Mama Daday's (my mother-in-law), we have been enjoying God's daily provision of our basic needs, such as a home to live in, food and water, free OB check-ups, and a supply of prenatal vitamins and milk, and even occasional treats (trip somewhere, new clothes, etc.). 

Loving Husband


I am just happy and thankful to God for giving me a husband who is always there to cheer me up and show how much he loves and cares for me. He just knows what to do or say whenever I'm feeling down...whether it be a kiss, a hug, or bringing me to the mall to eat pizza or whatever I'm craving for. He is simply the best! He is not just my husband, but my best friend too. I love you, Honey!

How about you, what are you thankful for?