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Friday, February 25, 2011

My dearest Kaeli

My dearest Kaeli,

Soon, you will be born - I really wonder what you look like, do you look like me?  or do you look like Papa Panget?  This is what I think about most of the time.

Will you be a good baby?  Or an iyakin baby?  Will you be matiisin?  Or a constant crier?

Please don't give me a hard time giving birth to you - or else, wala ka ng kapatid!  Just kidding...

We can't wait to see you!!

Getting ready for your birth has been exciting and overwhelming - but nevertheless, I know that I will love you forever and ever!! :)

Love, Didi Mom

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Meant to be..

I am one of those who believe that things happen for a reason, and when its meant to be - it is meant to be.  You all know that I have been looking for a newborn yaya since November 2010.  I was told that it was never too early to look for one.  And in the months that I have searched - I have been frustrated, let down and stressed - to the point that I just wanted to give up!

Looking for a newborn yaya is hard, especially if you're a first time mom like me.

Two Saturdays ago, my Panget and I went to see my OB - Dra. Pilar at her West Avenue clinic.  On the same building, my friend Sandra - who was our interior designer holds office.  I know for a fact that they do not have office on Saturdays, but I guess that particular Saturday - they were cleaning up!  My Panget hand delivered an invitation to their office and found out that Sandra was there.  I wanted to say 'Hi' but I was waiting at the elevator - I just waved at her.

After our doctor's appointment, we passed by Sandra's office to say 'bye'.  We were exchanging hellos and talking about how things were with our lives.  You see, Sandra is a classmate, a seatmate to be more clearly.  She sat behind me in class - she was the most meticulous notes taker that I have ever known.  She takes down notes like a professional - that means, she writes EVERYTHING down - I mean literally everything.  When you read her notes in class - it will seem like you're taken back to the class - it was complete, everything the teacher discussed - every word uttered was written down.  Aside from this, Sandra is a great artist - she drew very well and I remember telling her that I will hire her to do my house.  And my Panget and I did.  The funny thing was - my in laws bought our present house from Sandra's husband's family - and it just so happens that I wanted Sandra to do the interiors for us.  And mind you - she did a WONDERFUL job, and I am eternally thankful to her for that.

So, we were chatting along and Sandra asked how I was, I told her I was okay but I was having problems looking for a yaya.  I told her that if she knew anyone - to let me know.  She immediately said that she knew someone - her former yaya, the yaya of her daughter.  I remember that yaya - through Sandra's stories while we were renovating the house.  I remember Sandra was so stressed because her yaya told her that she was pregnant!  That meant, Sandra had to look for a replacement - I remember clearly that she was happy with the yaya, it was just unfortunate that the yaya got pregnant and had to leave and that was mid 2009.  So fast forward to 2011, her former yaya gave her a call - asking if she knew available work for her because she wanted to resume work already, her child was old enough to be cared for by her parents.  Sandra then told me that she'd give this yaya a call to tell her that I was looking for a yaya.  So imagine my happiness when she told me this!  I was really hoping that this might be the one.

The next day - my Panget was already telling me to text Sandra to remind her about the yaya.  I was too nahihiya to text her and waited until Monday morning to do so.  And by lunch time - Sandra gave me a call, telling me to call the number she will be forwarding - because her former yaya was already in the agency and was looking for work already.  So I called the number - I spoke to her and she seemed nice (as all of the yayas that I spoke to on the phone) then I told her that I wanted to interview her in person.  She then agreed - she asked where I can pick her up, I have landmarks for place but the only place she was familiar with was the house of Sandra.  And so I decided to pick her up there.  And hour or so later - she texts me that she was there, ready to be picked up.  So I asked my driver to pick her up.

When she arrived at the office, she looked happy.  My mom and I interviewed her and she seemed okay.  She even told me that Sandra told her to come work for me, so when my mom and I decided to hire her on the spot, her face lit up!  I asked her when she could start - apparently, she brought her things with her - so that meant, she could start right that minute!  And she did.

When we got home - I showed her the baby stuffs my Panget and I bought, she examined them and told me what was lacking which were mostly clothes.  She made me a list and told me what she needed.  It was also nice that she was willing to help out in household chores - she knew how to cook and so my helper (who I also just hired this month) would have extra time to do laundry.  It seemed surreal but I was happy and relaxed.  We knew her former employers and they highly recommended her.

So there - I owe a lot to Sandra and her family.  The house I am staying now was built by them, she was the one who decorated it and now - the yaya of my unborn child was recommended/came from them.  Concidental?  More of - meant to be for me.

Thank you Sands!!!

For EVERYTHING!!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Baby stuffs are here!!!

The baby stuffs have finally arrived!

And everything is falling into place.

Found a yaya who's very helpful and nice.

Bought baby's clothes and things she'll be needing.

And I am scared as hell, because I can give birth anytime now.

Last night, I was reading through the instruction manual of my Medela Freestyle breast pump, and I was overwhelmed!  I mean it seems like a lot of work!  The assembly, the cleaning and the maintenance - my gosh - the process was long.  And since I'm a first time mom, I had to read the instructions twice, just to make sure that I understand what needs to be done.

I also opened two boxes of the Avent Starter set bottles - separated the 9oz. ones from the 4oz. ones.  Tried to fit the 4oz. bottles to the bottle warmer that my Panget bought.

Things are falling into place - and when this happens, it only means one thing - the time is near.

Am I ready?  I don't think I'll ever be.

Am I excited?  A bit, but I'm more afraid.

Things have already changed - and I know they will change more when Baby K arrives.

Time is ticking....

See you soon Baby K!!

But sana you wait for Auntie Kath and Auntie Fran to come home muna ha!! :)

Monday, February 14, 2011

36 weeks and counting..

Officially, I am 36 weeks and 4 days today.

Last Saturday - I went to the doctor to have my regular check-up.  Doctor did an IE and said that I still have at least 2 more weeks to go and that I may hit my EDD - March 11, 2011.

To be honest - I'd like to hit that date - because as of press time, I am STILL NOT ready for giving birth AND motherhood!  I feel like I still have a long way to go and that the past 35 weeks went by so fast!  I honestly took my 35 weeks for granted!  All I did was think about what I wanted to eat!  Hahahaha...

So anyways, after our doctor's appointment (I got my Admission Order from my doctor JUST IN CASE I go into labor early) my Panget and I decided to go to St. Luke's QC to check out the facilities and the rooms that will be available.  Honestly, I was dreading the hospital tour - because I knew that:
a)  We will have a hard time looking for parking
b)  The staff will be masungit
c)  The staff will be a little slow in understanding our needs
d)  The hospital will be too chaotic for us

We used the back route going to SLMC-QC, this for us was the fastest way to get there.  No more stoplights no more jeepneys that stop in the middle of the road.  The street leading the way inside SLMC-QC was not quite a straight line - it was zigzag-y and it was making me dizzy!  Finally we saw the newly built parking space (new for us because it was the first time we saw it!)  Then my Panget dropped me off at the lobby - I waited for him there and while waiting, I was asking the receptionist for numbers and details of pediatricians.  I think there are just too many doctors in SLMC-QC because the names I was mentioning - well, she had to check first if they're affiliated with the hopsital - and then pulled out a clearbook with the list of names and details of the doctor like the room number and the times and days they're in the hospital.

When my Panget got to the lobby - we immediately went up to the Delivery Room, the nurses there were smiley and very helpful.  I don't know if my name dropping (I told them that my doctor is Dr. Pilar Lagman-Dy) did that - because when I asked where the High Risk Pregnancy Unit was the nurse showed me the way with a big smile.  When we got to the HRPU - the nurse named Joy was also smiley and uttered 'Kayo pa yung patient ni Dra. Pilar?'  And then she showed us the room and told us the procedure - that once I go into labor - I should go directly to their unit and they will take care of the rest.  The HRPU room or should I call them cubicles (because they're tiny) were private as they're separated by walls and sliding doors - the rooms had their own bed and fetal monitors - a relative or husband may accompany the patient there.  Once the mommy is ready to give birth, the mom will be wheeled in to the delivery room and after giving birth, she will be wheeled to her room.  Joy asked me if I was going to room-in my baby - she said that there's a law that says that I should (I didn't know this) the baby won't be brought to the nursery anymore and instead will be sent to my room for me to take care - I panicked and told her, I didn't know anything about taking care of a baby - she then smiled and said that nurses will be available to assist me anytime the need arises.  I thought to myself - having a yaya on-hand will be advantageous because the yaya can help me already, she can stay up with the baby when I'm resting and vice versa.  (The stress of having to look for a yaya - gosh, I hate the feeling!!)  Joy told us the rate of the HRPU and my Panget immediately said that he wanted me to stay there - because it was private (he has some issues with sharing - hahaha) After that - we went to the nurse's station to ask to see the rooms that were available - the nurse will all smile directed us down to the admissions office.

At the admissions office, I asked the lady behind the counter for a hospital tour - she looked at me confused she then told me to look at the monitor - I of course said NO!  I called the previous week and was told that I could see the actual rooms.  My Panget and I waited for a few minutes and there - a lovely smiley attendant named Chris showed us the rooms.  We went up and down the building walked through a number of rooms - to my shock, the rooms that were shown us, we were - looked like pigeon holes!  They were so tiny!  The bigger ones, the ones we found to be of the right size (for me, my Panget and our baby's bassinet) costs an arm and a leg!  Gosh, it seemed like the cheaper rooms were made for very slim and thin people!  The rooms were ALL equipped with a desktop computer - this made us laugh - because the computer looked so old and out dated, even Chris was laughing at it!  We liked the spaciousness of the executive suites - but the cut of the room was quite odd.  This type of room - Chris said, they had a LOT of - while the Large Privated rooms and Premier rooms, well - only two of each room exists!  Hilarious and odd at the same time right?

The tour gave us an idea on what to expect somehow.  At least now, I won't get lost or be confused on where to go.  I am the type kasi who wants to know ahead of time the things that will be happening, so I can map out a plan and prepare myself.  That is why I like reading spoilers and hearing the ending of movies even before watching them.  Hahahaha!!  I'm strange like that!!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Still NO yaya..

The stress levels are high!!

Because almost everyday - my Panget will ask me 'May Yaya ka na bang nahanap?'

Everytime he asks me this - I want to wring his neck, why?  Because looking for a yaya is NOT that easy!  It's not as if I can just pull them out of a hat and voila!  Yaya is here!  The process is long and very taxing - you should do background checks and interview them on the phone and in person.  Plus, not all potential yayas tell the truth - this I think is the most taxing of all, I mean you believe them YET they tell you lies - just to get you to hire them!  Agencies have outrageous office fees - and this doesn't guarantee that the yaya is good.

There's this agency - where my friend gets her helpers and just recently a yaya.  I called the agency to inqure and while interviewing the person in charge - I had high hopes.  Then after a few days, they call me to tell me that there's a newborn yaya who's available - I interview her, but I feel like I need to see her before hiring her.  Of course, I'm still working - that means, I cannot pull myself out of work and see this potential yaya, right?  Well, this agency gives me an ultimatum - come to the agency or lose the potential yaya.  To hell with the ultimatum right?  I was busy so I let her go.  The agency then calls me in the next few days - making me interview other potential yayas - until one day, I told myself that I will really go and see for myself the person I interviewed.  I told my mom to come with me, and when we got to the agency's office - my mom immediately told me in confidence 'Gusto mo ba ganyan ang itsura ng mag-aalaga sa baby mo?'  Now - why did my mom say that?  It was because the potential yaya looked really malnourished!  She looked so thin and weak!  When we asked her why she looked that way - she just replied that it was because of her former employer - 'napagod' daw siya ng husto.  We then asked her how long she was with them - she said three (3) years!  And she volunteered the reason why she left - it was because her former employer was a drug addict!  We then asked her how she knew of her for employer's condition - she then said that there was chismis BUT she didn't want to believe it daw - even if the former househelp left one by one.  My mom again asked her 'Bakit ngayon mo lang nalaman na drug addict pala siya?  Hindi ba mga unang dalawang buwan, mapapansin mo na?'  She then replied it was because she doesn't work closely with the  mom - but the other helpers did.  Tsaka lang siya naniwala when she saw how the mom was last December 2010 and that's when she decided to leave na.

My mom was giving me signals that she doesn't trust this potential yaya.  It was only through that interview that I learned of the reason why she left - on the phone, she just said that she was getting too tired!  So again, YAYA HUNT - FAIL!  When we left the agency, I called the agency to ask - why they referred a yaya like her - I asked if this potential yaya was an old applicant, they said she was new - but then they screened her VERY WELL!  I then retorted - had they screened well, we would have known the REAL reason why she left her former employer?!  Right?

After this incident - the agency never called me back - that was up until last Saturday morning!  On my way to Mercato Centrale - where I bought breastmilk trays.  I received a call from them telling me that there's a 'magaling' na yaya - and that this yaya came from Judy Ann Santos.  So I asked again if this was a new applicant or an old one - she said a new one.  My next question was - how they knew she was very good?  It doesn't mean that if she came from Judy Ann Santos, she automatically becomes very good at her job!  I asked why the yaya left - the agency person said 'Hindi sila magkasundo ng nurse ni Judy Ann'  To which I asked how long this yaya was with Judy Ann - guess what the answer was 'ONE MONTH!'  Now, how can a yaya for a month say that she's very good?  She just lasted for 30 freaking days!  I got upset and asked for old employers - the yaya was willing to give out the numbers of her old employers - but she had to inform her previous employers that I will be calling.  The agency person then told me that she will text me the numbers of the former employers - and so I am waiting, until this morning.  I just wanted to see what was taking so long - I called the agency and the person said that the asking price was too high - 8K.  I then told her, I was asking when she will text me the numbers of the previous employers - she then said, that the applicant is coming back when the agency finds her a suitable employer who was willing to shell out 8k a month!  See how this agency person is NOT answering my questions directly?

I had to give her a piece of my mind.  I told her 'Sa susunod, sana sabihin niyo nalang yung totoo.  Pag sinabi ninyong magtetext kayo, mag-text kayo, kung ano man ang update - let's say hindi ibingay, ibalita niyo sa akin para at least alam ko at hindi ako naghihintay sa wala' 

Hay nako talaga!!!