Another Blessing

What a day to end the week! I received another blessing today - a letter from the USCIS, congratulating me for having my request for the removal of the conditional basis of your permanent resident status approved. We really are so grateful to God for being with us all throughout the whole process!

It took us months before we finally finished the first few steps on getting my citizenship. And the first thing we got knocked down was, adjusting/removing my conditional permanent resident status. The wait from filing the I175 form to getting my biometrics done was overwhelming. And when we got that done, few weeks later, I got a letter from them asking me to explain as to why our kids were born in different places if we are residing now here in the Midwest.

I actually had to write a 2-page-letter and we attached several documents supporting all the details I wrote to the USCIS. My husband took my letter first to the Navy and had them read it and they also provided documents that helped us big time. It only took 2 weeks since we mailed out the letter and we already got the response we've been praying to hear from them - I Got Approved! And now, we're just waiting for my new green card which will be here within 60 days. After that, new forms to file again, this time, for my citizenship. But I think it's not until next year or so. Anyway, I'll get a letter from them explaining what's the next step we need to take so I won't worry about it right now. And when the time comes, we already know that God will always be there for us as He'd been in this journey.

CampJK Update!!

This is going to be a short update. I'm just taking this chance to post while our little boy is asleep. It's not going to be the same for me anymore since we already have him. My time will be spent more on taking care of him and our family.

Just to keep you posted somehow :) I already gave birth to a healthy baby boy a week ago at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. He weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and measured 21 inches long. No wonder why I had a big, big tummy for a first-time Mother during my pregnancy. My labor lasted for 13 hours. It wasn't that hard considering it as my first time, but the pain as the labor progressed, was unbearable. My water broke at 5:30 in the morning but we didn't drive to the hospital until it was almost 9:30 and the hospital is about 20 minutes away from where we live. I was in pain at home but still packing our stuff at the same time. My husband was even able to do one load of laundry. It was an unusual thing to do for a woman who's in labor pain, but since we never really expected he'd come out that early [2 weeks early..I was supposed to give birth on the first week of August], we weren't able to actually put the things in their bags that we'd be taking with us to the hospital. So, when we got to the Labor and Delivery and they checked on me, I was already 6cm dilated. I was almost about to pop!!

Anyway, to cut this post short, everything went well and we're so thankful to God above for being with us the whole time. I will try to write a post about my labor and delivery when I get the chance to. For now, I just wanted to take this time to let you know that he's finally here - our little bundle of joy. His first name is Skyler :)

Here's our very first photo together that's taken at home right after we got discharged from the hospital and our little angel.

Greetings from our family to yours ;)

A Star is Born!!

Finally, our little bundle of joy is here!!

Name: Skyler
Date of Birth: July 2009
Time and Day: 6:32PM/Wednesday
Weight: 7lbs 4oz
Length: 21 inches
Place of Birth: Naval Medical Center San Diego
San Diego, California
Any hair?: A bunch!! ;)
Hair color: Light Brown
Eye color: Brown
Baby's Look-a-like: A mini replica of his Dad :) Everyone who saw him said the exact same thing. But, we'll never really know till he gets older ;) Babies do change a lot.

Milestone: -- Lifted and held his head up for the first time at barely a day old at the hospital. That's why I called him "Turtle" ;)
-- First flashed a smile at 3 days old.

On My 7th Month

[photo taken on June 8, 2009]

Time indeed flies so fast!! I'm already on my 7th month of pregnancy. Two more months and our little angel will be with us

My 7th month of pregnancy came with a lot of changes.

I'm having more sleepless nights now compared to my first and second trimester. I just keep on tossing and turning in bed, or sometimes I'd stay awake until 2 in the morning because I'd feel queasy and the baby moves a lot.

My right rib cage is sore now!! For some reason, Baby SL loves to squeeze himself into my right side and every time he does that, oh boy, what an ouch for Mommy!! [hehehe] But no matter how uncomfortable I feel when he does that, nothing still would ever beat the joy and love I feel inside. It amazes me and I know, it will always amaze me for the rest of my life, how a tiny one inside me is capable of making me feel so much joy, so much love.

I suddenly became lazy!! most of the time now, I don't feel like doing a thing. I'd rather stay in bed and sleep. I feel like I'm going back to my earlier stage of pregnancy. I haven't touched my cross-stitch for a week now. Every time I want to add something to it, I just find myself staring at it and leave it right on top of the night table. It's something I really am not happy about because I want to finish it before our baby's born. That's why I want to continue doing it this coming week. Not this week, though because we'd be busy moving in to our own apartment.

In contrary to what I said above, whenever I'm already outside, I don't feel like going home right away. Hmm, don't you find that ironic? I want to walk around because it relaxes me. And in a way, it serves as my daily exercise, but...

Trips to the restroom has been more frequent now. That's the only thing that makes me feel uncomfortable when we're outside. It's like, every 15 minutes or so, I need to use the restroom. My husband, who's always there to make sure everything is all right, asks me every time if I need to go number 1 when we're in a certain place that has restroom, before leaving. He knows I can no longer hold it back like I used to, so he makes sure that's taken care of before doing the next thing. He's such a great husband!!

Things are getting tough, honestly speaking. There's so much we need to get done now as far as preparing for the baby's needs. We are preparing ourselves as well along the way. It's never going to be that easy, we know that. But having a husband like John?! I don't think a thing would be that tough for me to handle. No matter what, I know he'll always be there to help me out.

Finally, Baby C`s Got a Name!! :)

We've finally got a name for Baby C. His name has these initials - S.L. and both sides of our families like it, too. We're just both happy that actually, it's not just the two of us who happened to like our baby's name. It's also important for us that there's harmony. Not only that we know we have the best name for our child, we also feel like we have the blessing of our love ones through showing us how much they also want to go with the name S.L.

I remember my Mother-in-law telling me over the phone how much she likes that name and that she already told almost everybody she knows - family and people she work with - that S.L. would be our baby's name. Isn't that so nice and sweet of her?!

Now, I can finally put the baby's name on the cross-stitch that I am doing right now. I no longer have to worry about it. I can't wait to get it done so we can have it framed and ready for Baby S.L.'s arrival.

My First Hospital Visit

Yesterday was my first ever hospital visit here in the States. First thing we did, we went to Tricare to get me enrolled in the program. It's a program for [Military] active duty family members, reserve component members, and their families. It is where I'll be having my first pre-natal check-up here, too which will be on Wednesday, the 20th of this month.

Getting me enrolled wasn't as quick and as easy as we thought it would be. Well, it could have been if we weren't given a 30-page form to fill out!! My husband was even joking around that by the time we finished filling out the forms, I'd already be in my labor. [hahaha] It was more of a patient-interview form which basically collects information about my health history. It was all right doing that stuff, only that it kind of took a lot of time from us.

The nurse who talked to us was helpful. She asked me some questions especially with regards to my pregnancy because she needed information to be able to get a schedule for me for a pre-natal check-up. Since I did all of my previous check-ups in the Philippines, including lab tests, she ordered that I do a new set of lab tests here since I have no record yet. She told me that I need to have my blood sugar tested. She also gave me a new pre-natal medication, the Prenatal S Dietary Supplement. Now, I'd only be taking one tablet a day instead of two. Anyway, I was supposed to do the lab test at that hospital, but since we found an error in the DEERS system, she asked us to go to Balboa to have it updated. She will just then forward the request for my lab test to get done there. So, off we drove to Balboa.

It didn't take us long to get there. First, we went to get the DEERS updated then got me a blue card that I'll be using for my medical records. The lady there told us that it's what I'll be using every time I go to any military hospital if in case I need my medical records. After that, we went to the laboratory to get my blood test done.

Well, it turned out to be not just a blood test - I also had to get urinalysis. It was quick, though so it was totally fine with me, until the nurse told me that before they could extract blood from me, I need to drink a soda-like orange juice that's high in sugar. Not only that. We had to wait for another hour after drinking that juice before they could perform blood extraction. It could have been just fine for me, yet again - but we were already so hungry at the time and I wasn't allowed to eat anything until the whole process is done. I had to let my husband at least get something to eat, but he insisted he'd wait till it's over so we could eat together. That was so sweet and nice of him!! I hope he knows how much I appreciated that small, yet very touching gesture he did for me :)

I got back to the lab at 15:45. It was my turn when I got there so I didn't have to wait anymore. When the nurse took out a blood collection tube, I let out a sigh of relief - oh, well just one - this would be so quick!! I'm not scared of needles. I actually love it, but at that very moment, all I had in mind was food. I was so hungry so you just can't imagine how shocked I was when she started taking out 6 more!! I was like, WTF?! Seven blood collection tubes!? Mama Mia!! It was the largest amount of blood ever extracted out of my system - and that kind of made me feel swooning right after the last tube got filled with my blood. I wanted to pass out right then and there but I remained calm and collected. After that, I was good to go. I hurriedly went out of the lab, went straight to meet up with John, who stayed at the store trying to purchase a booklet of coupons and See's candies. He wasn't able to get either one because for some reason, the credit card machine [I don't know what else to call it] didn't work. We just left and went to Westfield-Horton Plaza to get something to eat. We ate at Great Khan's and took some food home with us.

It was pretty much how we spent our day yesterday. It was a little tiring but we're happy we got everything taken care of. Now, I am in the Tricare program!! :) Thanks to God for all the help He's given us!!

Our Baby's Kicking and Punching!!

Ever since our Baby Boy started making movements inside my belly, I haven't had sleep like I used to. During my first few weeks of my 2nd trimester, he would only make it hard for me to go to sleep early at night. But now that he's 6 months, he moves a lot and he kicks or punches Mommy on both sides all the time. [hehehe] Though his movements sometimes knock my socks off, keep me up till it's late at night, and wake me up so early, still I can't help but smile at it every single time. Nothing can really beat that feeling knowing you are nurturing a new life inside of you and especially when the baby starts responding to sounds and movements from the outside!! He responds with a strong kick or a punch every time I rub my hands gently around my belly - especially when it's Daddy It's as if he's trying to play with him. Yes, he likes to move a lot whenever Daddy's hand is on my tummy. Of course, Mommy feels so happy every time she sees that big smile on Daddy's face when he feels his little boy responding to him :) The joy is so beyond compare!! I oh so love being pregnant and we both just can't wait to finally see our little bundle of joy. Just few more months to go and he will be with us :)

One Hundred Days To Go!!

Very, very excited!! That's how my husband and I feel about our coming baby boy. If based on my AOG (Age of Gestation), there are only a hundred days left before the baby's arrival :) Well, of course I am aware that in most cases, babies are born not on the exact date of the EDD (Estimated Date of Delivery) given to the pregnant mothers by their OB, but still I can't help but feel so excited that we don't have to wait that long for us to finally get to see and hold our precious angel. My Aunt, who is also my OB, told me that I could give birth 2 weeks before or after my EDD, so there's really no telling when the baby would come out - it's our baby's decision if he thinks it's already time for him to make an entrance into this world :) [hehehe]

We've already found a name for him but we're still looking for more. My husband, mother-in-law, sister, and cousins like the name we came up with, but we won't reveal it just yet. Maybe not until we're really sure what to name our baby or might be after the birth. But I'll leave you with something, though - the initials are S.L. ;)

It's a Boy!!

We're having a baby boy!! I did the second ultrasound on Tuesday (April 7, 2009) together with my husband to find out our baby's gender. John is so happy we're having a boy :) He's been wanting to have a boy for our first born. I'm so happy everything is fine - the baby is healthy and doing well inside Mommy's tummy. Another wonderful news and blessing to us from God. Something we're very, very grateful to Him for. No name yet but we're working on it now ;)

He's Finally With Us :)

My husband is finally here!! He got here on Wednesday morning. We're staying at a hotel right now and will be checking out this Saturday. I'm thankful to God for keeping him safe all throughout his trip and for being with me during my appointment. I was able to finish it in less than half a day but will need to go back on Monday to get the results. It was fun and an adventure for me and I actually never had a hard time doing every single thing I needed to. I'm just grateful and happy that it's finally done and over with :)

Well, I'd better be off of here right now. Got some other important stuff to tend to ;) We're so happy that John is finally here again!! Baby C is so happy that finally Daddy was able to feel him/her move inside Mommy's belly for the first time. It almost made me cry when I saw my husband's facial expression. I knew right then and there that no words can ever express how we both felt at that very moment.

Till next time :) Ciao!!

Flaunt that Baby Bump!!

[my 4 months and 1 week belly - March 7, 2009]

This is what I look like a few weeks ago. I still haven't taken a new photo of me right now because I have no time. And my belly has already gotten bigger!!

We can't wait to finally get to see and hold that precious little angel growing inside of me!! We don't know the baby's gender yet. But Daddy and Mommy will find out together here soon ;) Like the rest of most parents-to-be, my husband and I really don't mind having a baby boy or a baby girl as long as our baby is born healthy. That's what matters most to us. Right now, we haven't really bought a lot of baby stuff yet. We have agreed that we'll start doing so once we already know the baby's gender. It will be a lot easier on our part and we can save money if we already know what we really need to buy :) We'll get the things that are necessary. The rest would have to wait ;) hehehe

To our little Angel, Daddy and Mommy love you so much and we can't wait to see you!!

35 at 16 weeks!!

Today, I decided to take a tape measure to see how big my belly has grown in the past few months. I'm on my 16th week of pregnancy and I noticed that I am now really showing that cute baby bump!! ;) [Wish I could have taken a photo, but I will here soon.]

The measurement kind of surprised and made me smile at the same time. How couldn't I? My waistline used to measure 26 and now it's 35!! My husband was a bit shocked when I told him. But, I am so happy that everybody can tell now that I am pregnant at first glance :) And like my husband, I am very excited and can't wait to finally get to see our little angel.

I can say that I am blessed with a happy and easy pregnancy :) I didn't go through a lot of hard times during my early part of the first trimester. The only changes I had to deal with were being too lazy to take shower and do the things I love doing the most, being so irritable at times, food cravings, feeling sick inside a car, nauseated, always sleepy, and 6 days in a week I was always upset with my husband for no evident reason at all. It was as if my day was never complete without me having to annoy him. I feel bad though for doing what I did but we both know it was just a part of what I was going through at the time. I'm so thankful that my husband remained and still remains very understanding and supportive of me. He always makes sure that his wife and baby are doing fine ;)

It's my second trimester now and I'm thankful that I no longer have some of those changes I had to go through during the earlier stage. I still am kind of faineant when it comes to taking shower, but at least now, I am taking shower more than once a week!! [hahaha] Yeah, what a great improvement that is!! I still feel sick when inside a car. I still throw up sometimes, but it's not that bad actually. Oh, I [still] love to sleep!! Nothing beats that one ;) And most of all, I still love getting into my husband, but in a totally different way now. I love looking at his photo, just staring at him, and how I love the sound of his voice. Our baby actually makes gentle movements in my belly every time daddy is on the phone :) Is it an early sign that he/she is going to be a daddy's baby?! Hmm..

My appetite changed, too. I eat now more than I used to during the first trimester. But, I don't see that as an issue at all. I love to eat!! Hehehe. Good thing is that I haven't gained too much weight though I eat a lot and I eat not just 3 times a day - I eat every time I feel hungry - and it's not the "eat-small-frequent-meals" that I am following. But of course, I watch closely what I eat and I make sure I eat healthy. My husband is strict when it comes to that. He never fails to check on me when it comes to food and staying healthy and he makes sure that I do stay that way. He sure is doing a great job being a loving and caring husband and a father-to-be :)

We're so thankful to God for all of His blessings and unfailing grace. We know that things are tough right now, but we are dealing with each of them just fine :) Being pregnant and not having my husband around me to personally take care of me is something I have to live and deal with ever single day no matter how tough things turn out to be and I know it's as hard for my husband being away from us as it is for me. But we know and believe that things will work out fine because God is always there to help us out anytime, anywhere :)

So, that's all for now. I better get some rest and will update again soon. Hope you all had a wonderful day :)

PS:
Just a short sweet note from my baby's daddy :) We love you so much!!

That u both are my world and no matter what bad things happen to me right now. Having u both makes my world bright. I love you both and I couldn't be happier with you being by my side. *hugs

And Then There Were Three...

In behalf of my husband, John, we are happy to tell you all that we're expecting our very first miracle - our first baby is on its way. I am almost on my 15th week of pregnancy. Had my check up already and my Aunt Marlene (our family's OB-Gyne and Pediatrician) told me that everything is fine, thank God :)

Forgive me for I might not sound like I do make sense here, but I am trying. I am just so overjoyed that I can't contain my emotions. I am more than happy knowing I will be a mother soon - such a sweet, sweet word to say and hear - that we are going to be parents.

At first, I didn't know what to do or how to react to the wonderful news of me bearing our very first child. I'm sure all the first time mothers felt the same way I do now and how it must have made them just filled with so much emotions they could no longer express. Though it has been days already since we first found out I am pregnant, still I can't help but flash that same smile I had on that very moment I first saw those two small, thin lines indicating a positive pregnancy test result. I can't help but utter "Thank you, God" underneath my breath every time that moment crosses my mind.

Of course, I told my husband first about the news. He was so happy, though at first, all he said was "Oh my God!!" [hehehe]. He even cried and so did I. We're so happy about the news!! As for the baby's gender, may it be a boy or girl, as long as the baby's healthy. To us, that's all that matters most :)

We will be a family soon :) We thank you, God for this wonderful miracle!!