bye bye spy

Its hard to say goodbye but sometimes we just need to accept that things really do come to an end even if we don't want it to.

After the charmed ones made their final exit, its was my favorite CIA spy heroine's turn to say farewell to its millions of audiences world wide. For the past 5 years I was hooked on ALIAS. I even influenced Misty to watch the series as well (but I think she only watches the show to see Sark.) I sometimes think that Sydney Bristow is my alter-ego and I even use her name as my screen name in most online forums that I joined. Her character has been an epitome of girl power. If given a chance to live life again... I want to be in her shoes, as dangerous as it may seem... the adventures and the places that she went through ( Paris, Rome, Spain, Prague, Japan etc) are all worth it. The cast (good guys and villains) and the series' plots are the reasons that made me follow Sydney's journey in discovering Rambaldi, SD-6, the Alliance, the Covenant, APO and Prophet 5... oh and I should not forget her a** kicking stunts. Though the star, Jennifer Garner signed a contract until the 8th season, I guess if the deciding factor is family vs. career, every mother will surely choose her family over her career. Good Luck Jen!
Yes, I have seen the Finale last weekend and I guess all writers of TV shows in the US have the same trail of thoughts on how to end the series ... reuniting past and present cast, killing one or two characters and bringing others from the dead back to life. Just like in Charmed, all of the above happened in the final episode of ALIAS too. Misty will be thrilled to know that Sark's character was not the one that they killed. And actually lives on after 7 years ...

Farewell... my Girl Power Heroines

Charmed no more. I saw the last and final (2 part) episode of one of my favorite TV shows of all time. For 8 years I have been religiously watching them since they first aired on Studio 23. I am fortunate to be able to watch them as they are aired in the US (thanks to my hubby who religiously downloads each episode since the start of season 4 and tvtorrent.info for being the best site for TV downloads). I always wondered how the producers will end the show. Will the magic survive after the greatest battle of all? And I'm glad to say that the Magic lives on... not only for the Charmed Ones but also for their children and grandchildren. It was a great finale, reuniting the 4 generations of Halliwell (Grams, Patty, the Halliwell sisters, Wyatt and Chris). Unfortunately, Prue (Shannen Doherty) was not part of the reunion.

Thank you for being part of my adulthood.. Prue, Piper, Phoebe and Paige. With your wit, compassion, grace and kick-ass magic to defend the good versus evil...You ladies are pride of women. I'm going to miss watching you guys on the tube.

Trivia: In the very first episode of Charmed, Prue closed the door by a whisking motion without even touching it. In the final episode, Piper's young granddaughter also did the same thing and that's The END.

"Could give birth very soon"

Last weekend, I visited my OB for my bi-monthly check-up. And since I'm already in my 37th week this weekend, I have to visit her every week starting this coming Saturday. Gosh! time flies so fast indeed... I received my weekly babycenter email today and the first sentence says:

"At the end of this week, you're going to reach an important pregnancy milestone: Your baby will be considered full term! That means you could give birth very soon."

Did I read it right? "Could give birth very soon". Actually they said that babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term; a baby born before 37 weeks is pre-term and after 42 is post-term. This gives me more reasons to feel excited and scared at the same time. Imagining what it would be like in the labor room, doing breath exercises. Will I have a long and painful labor or will I have a smooth and easy one? Will I be able to keep my finesse and not shout in pain and curse people while I'm in the delivery room with all those doctors, nurses and other pregnant women around me? When is the right time to say "Give me that epidural, NOW!"? Will I get to the hospital on time? I remember my husband talking to our baby one time, telling him to break my waterbag early in the morning if he plans to come out on a weekday so it won't be too traffic and we can arrive on time in the hospital. Let's just hope baby Andre listen's to his daddy.

In movies they always show you how fast and easy it is to give birth. I know mine won't be as cinematic but whatever happens in the delivery room, I hope and pray that I'll be able to deliver Andre normally without any complications or defects. I also hope that the cabinet and crib that we ordered to be custom made will be finished on time.

Believe it or not

Finally, after more than a year of waiting, I have see the movie adaptation of one of the most thrilling, page-turner novels I've ever read. The Da Vinci Code. I enjoyed reading the book and anticipated the film version ever since. Unfortunately, I expected it to be as exciting as the novel but I was personally disappointed. The movie was not as thrilling as I imagined it. But don't get me wrong, the movie was very good and was faithful to the book -- including Robert Langdon's Micky Mouse watch (did you guys catch that?). Though of course they have to shorten some dialogue to fit it all in the movie. I just feel that the book was better written than the screenplay. The producers and the director (Ron Howard) could have done more. But kudos to the Location Director for finding such great settings for the movie, the old villa, the churches etc. Also, since the story was no longer fresh in my memory, I was mixing the scenes of the movie with the ones in Angels and Demons book. I was waiting for the scenes in Rome, the Library and the scenes at St. Peter's Square. I guess I should have re-read the book again knowing that I only have a short-term memory nowadays... heheheh!

Kidding aside, I only have praises for the actors in this film. On top of my list is Paul Bettany who has surprised me with how he portrayed the character of Silas. It was such a great and believable performance. I hope he wins an award for this. And second best is Ian McKellan, whom I was very much entertained with his portrayal of Sir Leigh Teabing. Though Tom Hanks was ok in this movie, sad to say that it's not an Oscar worthy performance.

Overall, it was a good movie. I encourage those who are curious to watch it. And those who say that the movie is blasphemous and degrading to the Catholic faith, I urge them to see this film so they'll be able to see ... not the truth but how strong their faith are.

"if given a chance, would you rather destroy faith, or renew it?" ... "What's important is what you believe" - Robert Langdon

My Birth Plan

I saw this birth plan form at baby center and was very giddy to make my own after reading it. Though some mothers said that they actually didn't follow their birth plan during the delivery itself. But its a nice to have and useful to discuss the details with your OB so she knows what you want on the event of your most life-changing experience.

ATTENDANTS AND AMENITIES
I'd like the following people to be present during labor and/or birth:
Partner: Adrian
Relative/s: My Mom
I'd also like:
To take pictures and/or film during labor and delivery

LABOR

Once I'm admitted, I'd like:

My partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times

Only my practitioner, nurse, and guests present (i.e., no residents, medical students, or other hospital personnel)

To wear my contact lenses, as long as I don't need a c-section

To stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of having an IV

To walk and move around as I choose

As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like:

To have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring.

When it's time to push, I'd like to:

Be coached on when to push and for how long

I'd like to try the following positions for pushing (and birth):

Whatever feels right at the time

PAIN RELIEF

If I decide I want medicinal pain relief, I'd prefer:

Regional analgesia (an epidural and/or spinal block)

VAGINAL BIRTH

I'd like:

The room to be as quiet as possible

After birth, I'd like:

To hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren't urgent

To breastfeed as soon as possible

My partner to cut the umbilical cord

Not to get routine oxytocin (Pitocin) after I deliver the placenta

C-SECTION

If I have a c-section, I'd like:

My partner present at all times during the operation

The baby given to my partner as soon as he's dried (as long as he's in good health)

To breastfeed my baby in the recovery room

POSTPARTUM

After delivery, I'd like:

My partner to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there

To stay in a private room

I plan to:

Breastfeed exclusively

I'd like my baby fed:

On demand

I'd like:

My baby to room-in with me only when I'm awake

If my baby's a boy:

I'll have him circumcised later.

I'm interested in checking out of the hospital early.

We Made it through the Storm

I can actually say "We made it through the rain" (literally). Well, its not just rain but storm. Last weekend, the weather here is so bad that we wanted to postpone our trip to Nasugbu. But in this case, we do not have any option but to go through with the trip. What so important about the trip? We have to pick up baby AJ's crib and stroller at Adrian's house in Batangas. And this is the last weekend that we are free since I'm already in the final month; I have to see my doctor every week starting this Saturday. My mom also came with us.

We left our home in Quezon City around 6am and the sun was peeking through the clouds with a bit of a drizzle and we expected the weather to tame down a bit. But as we approach SLEX, the rain started to pour. We stopped over at Petron to eat breakfast, this was around 7am. And even with the bad weather there were still a lot of people at McDonald's, who like us stopped over for breakfast before they head out to their destinations. At 7:30 we resume our drive to Batangas. The rain tamed a little bit as we pass by Santa Rosa, but when we reach the Tagaytay rotonda, we were greeted by fog. It was my first drive thru this kind of fog as in nearly zero visibility. We were like passing through a giant cloud. We can only see the flashing hazard of the car in front of us. You can hear the wind roaring outside the car. It was really scary. There were flying sign boards from the restaurants, roofs and billboards. Trees were leaning towards the highway waiting for another push from the wind to fall on the ground. Other trees are already cut to half.

As we enter the Nasugbu proper, the air cleared and we were relieved. Now it's just the rain and the wind. As we pass by town after town, we saw a lot of green mangoes on the ground and we saw some cars stopped at the side streets and passengers go out to pick mangoes. As we drive a long, we saw more cars, jeeps, vans even trucks stopped and pick some mangoes that they can hold on to. And well guess what? My mom wanted to go down too and pick some as well. So Adrian parked the car in between a truck and a van and she went out to pick up mangoes until her plastic bag is full and can no longer hold the weight. As the caretaker arrived, I thought he'll get angry at us but instead he said " kunin nyo yung magulang na" and even help my mom pick more mangoes. She had fun.. I know it since she wanted to stop over for more when we drived through a couple more mangoes on the ground.

We arrived safely at Adrian's place around 10:30am. Thank God!

Pregnant Mode

I still haven't gotten over those fab preggy fotos. I can stare at it for the whole day and never get bored. I hope this week will pass quickly as it usually does so that come Saturday (the 20th) I can wake up to a new day and rush to my doctor's appointment, then go to Podium to get my printed portraits and copies of my pictures ( the edited ones) and watch the Da Vinci Code. This weekend is so much anticipated for (next to my giving birth, of course!). Looking at those preggy pics gets me into more preggy mode. I guess those pictures works as stimulants in way.

And so today, I made a new site for my baby. I remember my conversation I had with Jill yesterday (one of the photographers of my preggy photos) . We were talking about friendster and blogging and she said that I should try multiply.com where I can blog, post photos upto 150 per month etc. And so as I was surfing last night I tried registering and I thought of creating a site for Andre. Since some of our relatives, friends and his future God parents are abroad, a website would be a practical way for them to check out how our baby is progressing. And so I did. Come and visit Andre Jonah's world at http://oursmallworld.multiply.com

Still on preggy mode, I decided to pack the diaper bag with essentials for Andre's homecoming. I had my list of what should be inside my bag and his bag (blanket, booties and caps, onesie, mittens, burp cloth, grooming set, diapers). My bag was already packed a few weeks back and its just now that I had the urge to pack Andre's. And so, anytime Andre wants to come out.. we are all set and ready to go.

fab preggy fotos

Being pregnant is one of the most incredible and unbelievable feelings in the whole world that a woman can experience. And I want to preserve that feeling. This is more than just a photograph; it is a piece of art that will always remind me of my special nine months.

I believe that there is nothing more beautiful than an expecting mother.

Photos are courtesy of The Picture Company. For contact details, click here

Excited!

I got an email from Eileen last Monday and she said that my "fab preggy fotos" are ready for viewing and can choose which I like for my protrait ... I'm so excited!! i know it will turn out great since the photos already looked great even without the help of Mr. Adobe. I'm just so excited! excited! excited! Can you tell how excited I am? hahaha! For the past few days, I've been telling my friends and family here and in the States what I've done to immortalize my pregnancy and to expect my pics soon. Of course I don't expect them to be as excited as I am but I just want to share with them the experiece I went through. Because I will never be able to emulate this again for my first pregnancy experience will definitely be different from my second.

Excited! Excited! Excited!

An experience quite unimaginable

Today, my officemates went off to Subic for our annual Team Building con Summer Outing. For the last 5 years that I've been with the company, this is the first time I missed this yearly anticipated event. I also missed shopping for bikinis this year... I tried once, but since I've grown from Medium to Extra Large, the one that I was keen on buying doesn't fit my upper body.. aside from me being wide, my cap size increased from B 75 to C 80. I left the store, frustrated.

But little did I know that on this same day, there was something else in stored for me. Instead of moping in the house, thinking of how fun it is to be at the beach and enjoying the breeze with friends, I was not expecting that on this same day I will experience something quite unimaginable. For others maybe not, but for me, Yes. At my 8th month of pregnancy, stretch marks and all, with a weight of 146 lbs and a bulging tummy... can you imagine me posing for a nude photo? I never planned to, but i did.

It all started last Tuesday when my colleague got a call from my client, Eileen Grey of The Picture Company. She was informed that I was working from home so she sent me an email. The email came with the usual content that a client sends to their account manager and at the end there's a question... "BTW, why are you working at home?" So I told here that I was pregnant. The next day, she told me about the new product line that they have and are looking for models who are preggy moms who they can shoot and use for their portfolio and store.


My reaction was ... This couldn't be more timing! I have been asking my husband to take a photo of me with my big tummy to immortalize my pregnancy but he does not want to. I wanted to immediately say yes to the offer but of course I need to ask permission from him. When he said its ok... I replied back immediately and told Eileen that I'm ok with it. And so by Thursday, we agreed to do the shoot today. She called me with a jolly voice that really showed her excitement. We talk about what things to bring, clothes to wear etc. So I rummage though my pre-pregnancy stuff to see what I can bring to the shoot.

Friday came and I had my hair blow dried... which I'm glad I did ( it was worth it!) and then head to Podium for the shoot. I finally met Eileen after being my client for 2 1/2 years. I learned from her that when my colleague Rachel told her that I was working from home, she was actually hoping that I was pregnant and 8 months on the way ... (is she a psychic or what?) She even guessed that we're having a boy (when we were talking on the phone yesterday). Anyway, before hand I told her that I don't do my own make-up, so she was kind enough to do some magic on my face. I met 2 of her photographers, Jill and Joie (sorry if I spelled it wrongly) who worked with her on the shoot. At first I was stiff and they keep on telling me to relax. I felt like I was on the TV show, "The America's Next Top Model" and Tyra Banks is surely not going to be happy about this. But eventually I became at home with my 3 beautiful photographers. They showed me my photos in their cameras to encourage me that I look great with my tummy exposed. And the more they showed me the eager I become ... and the shots taken gets better and better and I too am excited to do more... more shots and less clothing ... hahaha.. But it was made in good taste... I joked at my husband that my photos can be an entry to FHM for Mommy of the Month. Yup as I have said.. I posed nude but of course covered my private parts.

After the shoot they showed me about 200++ shots. And I can't believe that I was seeing me on that Mac slide show. I was amazingly, fantabulously and artistically beautiful. Eileen, Jill and Joie did a great job. I can't wait to see the shortlisted (and Photoshop) photos so I can choose for my own copies. Everything was worth it. I'd advice every future mothers out there to do the same... if you don't have the guts to pose in nude...just have your portrait taken with your tummy exposed so your pregnancy can be immortalized and have proof that a woman's true beauty is at its best when you are carrying a miracle inside of you.

"Bringing to Light the Beauty of Women during their Journey to Motherhood" - MOMS Pregnancy Portrait by The Picture Company.

You may contact The Picture Company at 6375929 / 6342632 (podium); 8903690/7550292 (Rockwell) ;8097388/8097370 (ATC) for kids, babies and family portraits too.

my final baby shopping

Before entering my 8th month of pregnancy, Adrian and I did our final baby shopping. We shopped for the essentials that baby Andre will be needing during his first month. We went to SM and there are so many cute things to choose from. If i had my way and just get all the things that caught my fancy, i'm surely gonna max out my credit card limit. But of course I did't. I'm a shopper on a budget. The budget is 5K PhP which is a company prize for being the best customer service awardee for 2005. But even if I have to work on this budget, we still went beyond it. As the items are being scanned in the counter, we ended up paying around 9K PHP because of the bottle sterilizer and breast pump which already costs 5,500 PHP. But we're not guilty of this since these two expensive items are really important.

Though we still have some remaining items in our baby wish list, I think all important things are already covered, ready and waiting for our baby andre to arrive.

baby shower part 2

My second baby shower took place at our home last weekend, April 29. The a-holics brought (for lunch) delicious pancit, roasted chicken and an ube cake which they dont want me to eat because of my high glucose level. My mom cooked kare-kare for them and served fruits and fresh lumpia as well. Everyone was so full when we left the table and headed to my room for the opening of gifts and some bonding.

Adrian arrived later around 3 pm from the car shop to fix the car's aircon that's why he was not part of the photos below.

Thanks to all my friends in college and at work for all your time and your gifts to baby andre. We hope to see you all on baby andre's christianing.

This is a swaddle cloth, a gift from Noy but
since Baet was not able to buy the bathtub yet,
kunware eto muna gift nya. hehehe!

Ate Maya and Kenny's gift from Rustan's.

Ano kaya ito, ganda ng packaging.

opening the gift while Maya looks on...

ahhh.. its a cloth book and breast pads!

Winnie got me a baby sling.

here, I'm wearing the his and hers baby slings.

so excited to wear this already.

Kim gave baby andre a nursing pillow.

cuddling my nursing pillow.

Me with our photographer par excellence, Vince Alcolea.

Author's Note:

If you are looking for a swaddle blanket or the popular baby sling, you may check out my friend's website to know where you can buy these amazing products. Their innovative products carry the trademarks "Worn" and "Natural Baby" and range from child carriers to a patented swaddling blanket. Contact Mr. Noy Consolacion at Telefax (63 2) 531-9677 for more details.