From the Eyes of my Heart: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Nesting On New Year’s Eve

There are still a couple of things left to be done in preparation for Nigel’s coming. I got four more feeding bottles to sterilize and some crib comforters to wash. Actually, I’ve been bugging Butch to do the washing. It’s hard for me to wash heavy garments like that because my tummy is in the way. The crib isn’t ready either. We still have to clean it and attach the upper deck where Nigel will lay sleeping.

I had another baby dream last night. I dreamt that Nigel was too big and none of the tie-side shirts I bought fit him! In the dream he also didn’t like me and my mom was the one taking care of him! It was a horrible dream I know. My mind is so pre-occupied with preparing and preparing some more. I guess this is what people call “Nesting”. Pregnant women who are about to give birth soon experience a boost of energy they can use to prepare for the li’l baby’s arrival.
I will do my walking later in the mall. I will need to do it earlier so I can go home before dark. People will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with fire crackers, fireworks and stuff. I don’t want to get stuck in the streets with all that noise and smoke.

All the walking I am doing to encourage labor seems to be working. I’ve noticed that Nigel has significantly lowered yesterday. I could actually give birth anytime!

Tomorrow, New Year’s day, my family will be going to my dad’s hometown in Pampanga. We will be visiting relatives there. I am not sure if I’ll go with them though. I don’t want to go into labor in a place far away from my hospital. Nevertheless, my OB-GYN will also be there because she’s a dear cousin of mine. I guess I am safe then. My dad also said that there are decent hospitals nearby. And according to Amy first time moms take long in labor. If ever I get the contractions, there will be enough time for me to reach my hospital here in Manila.
Oh well, back to sterilizing bottles… while blogging =)

Welcome 2009!!

To all my visitors, co-bloggers and entrecard droppers,

May the Lord God Almighty bless and protect us in the coming year!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas 2008

Last Christmas, Butch and I spent Christmas Eve at his aunt’s house. We had our “Noche Buena” or Christmas Feast there with Butch’s relatives. This year, it’s going to be a bit different. We are going to stay home because I might go into labor- false or real. Also, we are preparing for our li’l angel’s coming. Starting this afternoon and the whole day tomorrow (Christmas Day) we will be stacking up on diapers and other disposables, setting up the crib, rearranging our furniture, etc. I am still watching my blood sugar. Butch is determined to join me in a sugar free and light Noche Buena. I am not sure what we will be eating yet but I am guessing lots of greens, low fat stuff and NO SUGAR.

Our hearts are full of anticipation for Nigel’s coming. My doctor said I could give birth as early as the 27th of December. I am hoping I do. I want to have Nigel before the year ends. I do not mind spending the rest of the year in the hospital or in labor. I just want Nigel to be in my arms before New Year’s Day. After this year, our lives will never be the same. Nigel will be the best blessing the Lord has given us!

To all my co-bloggers and entrecard droppers,

May we not forget the real reason for this season!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Baby Shower! And oh, it was my birthday too!

I was surprised last Saturday again, this time by my sisters. It was my birthday last Friday. On that day, Butch and I together with Amy watched a Christmas play in our church and I treated them to a nice Japanese restaurant. I thought that concluded my birthday celebration. And last week with Nina and Yumi was the baby shower. But my sisters planned something more. When I went to my parent’s house that Saturday morning, I saw the guest plates and utensils were laid out on the table. The house seemed unusually pretty too. My mom had hung different curtains and the place certainly looked tidier than ever. I knew Ivy and the kids were visiting today but I wondered what the extra preparations were all about.

By afternoon, I was in my very comfortable house clothes enjoying Iris and Chloe’s company when Amy said, “You’d better change into something nicer, your guests will start coming anytime now.” At that point it was clear they had invited friends for my baby shower/ birthday celebration.

After changing, I went down and saw a three layered cake on the table. Atop was a baby cradle and it bore the message –“It’s a boy!” The cake looked very delicious as it looked pretty! My eldest sister, Ivy also cooked her low fat Spinach Fettuccine pasta with basil and olive oil and Fruit Salad. There was also our traditional Spaghetti we cooked whenever someone has a birthday in the family.

A few close friends from church arrived with gifts. These were the gifts I got:

A CD of relaxing music from Clint
Adult diapers (they say I will also need it. The thought scares me!), New born diapers and baby bottles from Ate Ethel and Kuya Rio
A photo album/scrapbook from Jenny
A breastfeeding pillow from Ivy
and an amusing Mr. Bean Bear from Richard.

Nigel has officially invaded my life. All the gifts I received on my birthday had something to do with me as a mother to him. Oh well, that’s bound to happen anytime soon, anyway. I’ve never realized it before, but I actually had two baby showers and two birthday celebrations! This will be my last birthday as a “non- mommy” and I will certainly remember it.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

As my due date gets nearer…

As my due date gets nearer, I find myself praying and needing the Lord more and more as I embark on being a parent. I never would have thought that God will call me to be a mother and wife and so far I am having the time of my life.

Just like how the Lord favored and showered King Solomon with riches beyond his imagination, I consider Butch and Nigel gifts from the Lord, my treasures. And as Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom to rule over the Israel and handle these riches, I ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance…

Lord, grant me the wisdom to raise this child
To be the man you’ve destined him to become
So that when the time comes that I have to let him go,
I will be confident that he will not stray from what I’ve taught him.
Grant me the grace to love ever so unconditionally
So I can go the extra mile for those that I love.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

A Surprise Visit

I was watching “Hitch” with my sisters on a mundane Saturday afternoon when Butch said someone was looking for me. It was two of my old friends, Nina and Yumi. Like how they planned, I was very surprised. I think they conspired with Butch about the surprise visit they made last Saturday and he made sure we were home or I wasn’t busy. I’ve been friends with Nina and Yumi since grade school but we seldom see each other because we have different lives now. I almost jumped out of excitement when I saw them. I gave both a big hug. These two special people will be my li’l angel’s godparents. They brought food and gifts for Nigel. Nina cooked this delicious penne pasta with tomato-based sauce. And for dessert we had chocolate cake. Yumi brought baby stuff like feeding bottles, bath products and clothes for Nigel. I was meaning to get three more feeding bottles. Now, I don’t have to. Yumi gave us three feeding bottles and that would be enough.
After eating, we spent the whole afternoon, talking and laughing like how we used to. When we were younger I used to talk on the phone with these two girls for hours and hours. There was always something to talk about. One thing I also remember about our friendship was we all loved to write. We read and critiqued each other’s poems and stories. I think Yumi still writes and as for me, I blog. We also updated each other about our current lives. Nina is a very busy med student. She’s currently in her internship and will be taking the boards next August. Yumi teaches in one of the best universities in the country and is a part-time child therapist. She is also a full-time mom to Yuan, a very bright, active and good-looking four year old little boy. It was a good thing Yumi brought him along. I haven’t seen him in a long time. He enjoyed himself playing with Chloe, my niece. They seemed to have hit it off!

Time flew fast. The thing I knew, they needed to go. Nina and Yumi helped me clear table and with the dish washing as we talked some more. We will be keeping in touch with each other through text messaging and the Internet. I will definitely tell them when I am about to give birth.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Trust in the Lord

Whenever I feel really down, sometimes I write my own Psalm-like thingie. I think I’ve shared one I’ve written before in this blog. Here’s another one I wrote about two years ago. I was going through my journal and found this. It encouraged me when I read it. I hope it will encourage you too!

The Lord is too wonderful to be missed!
Blessed is the person who submits to the Him.
She is like a person who has found a diamond while walking in the street.

Trust in the Lord
Because it is He who sees and gives you a good future
Trust in His great love and wisdom
Do not sin in complaining about how
Things are not understandable or confusing.
“You are exactly where I want you to be.” Says the Lord.
I may have revealed to you what my plans are.
I may have told you that it’s time to work for it
But you can only get there,
in my own way, in my own time not through your efforts
I only ask you to obey and trust me.
Do not struggle in making it happen
Remain in me.
Focus on me and it shall take place.
I will bless the work of your hands and you will forget
The suffering you’ve endure.