Pregnancy Old Wives' Tales

Last night I was talking to my 2 best friends, Jen and Aubrey. Jen told me that I'm having a girl but I feel that its a boy. I told Aubrey her baby is a girl but others told her its a boy. I read that if you suffer from a terrible morning sickness, it's probably that you're carrying a girl. Of course, there's a 50/50 chance of us being correct, so why not play and have a little fun out of them ü

Here's some of the old wives' tales that I've searched. Let's see what they're saying.

#01: Mom's Beauty
They say that you're having a little girl if you've got acne and skin blemishes. According to this tale baby girl steals your beauty.

I don't have acne or pimples right now, so I guess this points to baby boy for me. (1=boy, 0=girl)

#02: Heartbeat
If your baby's heart rate is under 140 beats per minute, you're having a little boy. If it's over, it's a girl.

My last appointment is 163 bpm. so it's a girl. (1=boy, 1=girl)

#03: Salty vs. Sweets
According to some, if you're craving for sweets, you're going to have a little girl. If it's salty and sour foods you like, it's a little boy.

So another point for a boy. I'm not into chocolates nowadays. (2=boy, 1=girl)

#04: Chinese Birth Chart
To use the Chinese pregnancy calendar, you will go down the column until you get to the age of the mother at the time of conception Then go across that row until you get to the month the baby was conceived. If the square is blue, it's a boy! If the square is pink a girl is on the way!

Age of conception = 28, Month of conception = August. I'm having a little boy. (3=boy, 1=girl)

#05: Morning Sickness Blues
Morning sickness means pink. If you have a terrible morning sickness during your first trimester, it's most likely that you're carrying a girl. If you have smooth pregnancy, it's a boy.

I have no morning sickness at all, so it's a boy. (4=boy, 1=girl)

#06: Keying In
Try this little experiment, place a key in front of you and pick it up. If you grab it by the narrow part you'll have a girl. If you pick it up by the round part it's a baby boy.

Husband and I tried this and I've got a girl. (4=boy, 2=girl)

#07:  Shape of Belly
If you're carrying high with a big, round belly, it's a girl. If you're carrying low with a smaller belly, it's a boy.

I guess this is true for my friend, Adelfa. I'm on my 3rd month and it seems I have a big round belly... so girl? (4=boy, 3=girl)

#08: Shape of Mom's Face
When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means a girl. If your face is long and narrow, it's a boy.

I think my face has gotten rounder so it points to a girl for me. (4=boy, 4=girl)

#09: Mayan Tale
Add the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is even number, a princess is on the way. If the result is an odd number, it means you are having a baby boy.

28 + 2013 =  2041. It's an odd number so baby boy. (5=boy, 4=girl)

#10: Dreams
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.

Husband had a dream of a baby girl. Counted ba pag sya ang nanaginip? (6=boy, 4=girl)

#11:  Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy.  If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl. 

I prefer my right side lately.  Hmm... (6=boy, 5=girl)
 
#12: Protein
When a pregnant women craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.

I'm always craving for Jollibee Chicken Joy, maybe we're having a little boy. (7=boy, 5=girl)

#13: Hair on Legs
If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds you might be having a boy.

Not on my case, so a girl? (7=boy, 6=girl)

#14: Hands
When a pregnant women is asked to show her hands, it's a boy if she keeps her palms down. If she keeps

her palms up, it's a girl.

But I always show my palms up. (7=boy, 7=girl) 

#15: Moodiness
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy.

I guess, nde naman ako moody lately.. another plus in the boy column! (8=boy, 7=girl)


Not sure how true these are; my boy count was higher for the old wives tales ü. But honestly, since you have a 50:50 chance of having a boy or girl, you also have a 50:50 chance of the wives tales being right or wrong. I really really feel that it's a boy. :-) Though The Husband wanted a girl, mas responsible daw kasing panganay ang girl (agree naman ako dun!).

I still have 3 more months to confirm. I guess, I'll let you know then.

Can't wait! ü

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children :: Book Review

It's Halloween so I thought of this book. Not because that this book is full of horror but because of its creepy photos that at first I thought this is a haunting terror and full of danger story.

I first heard about this book from my officemate. Ms. Sher told me that this is like Harry Potter, a story of a boy that will go through a lot of adventures. I was intrigued by the title so I googled it. I was immediately smitten by its cover.

This one seems unique in every way. So that night, I downloaded the ebook and started reading it. I could not put it down. I read until almost 5AM the first night and read it again first thing in the morning. I finished it in 2 days, and that's in 2 working days, and I remember that it's the busiest days of the month at work.

It was enchanting and absolutely incredible! The book is about Jacob who was determined to learn more about his grandpa's mysterious past. Then he became friends to children with strange abilities. Like Emma, who can hold a ball of fire in her hand and Olive, the levitating girl (she's the one in the cover of the book.)

This book is also packed with vintage photos that match the descriptions of the characters. The photos actually blew me away! Its worth it for the photos alone.

I am a fan of adventures and fantasy book so I definitely love this. I do recommend this to everyone. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

And of course, I got even more excited when I heard that this book will be a movie soon. and it will be directed by none other than the creator of such lovely films as Alice in Wonderland and Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton. How exciting isn't it?

Heartbeat ♥ :: Pregnancy Story 101

So eto ng pinakahihintay naming araw... hearing our baby's heartbeat ♡.

I was on my 9th week and it was my 2nd pre-natal check-up. Sa satellite clinic kami ng Medicard near our place nagpapacheck-up. So since clinic lang sya, kelangan naka-schedule in advance ang transvaginal ultrasound. Wala silang ultrasound pag Saturday. They wanted me to schedule ng Tuesday but since The Husband and I can't wait no more, pumunta kami ng Medical Center Imus, one of the nearest hospital around our area.

Then we waited ng 2 hours for our turn. Since I have no OB on that hospital, radiologist lang ang mag-u-ultrasound sakin. We requested na lang to hear our baby's heartbeat. Medyo nahirapan pa nga silang hanapin si baby, and syempre kinabahan naman ako, When I noticed na parang ang tagal naman ni ate. I asked the nurse, "Ate, anong problema?" And she told me, "Nagtatago kasi si baby, ma'am." Natahimik na 'ko pero medyo paranoid na mga thoughts ko.

And then they found our baby..

I called The Husband so he can see. Di pa nga pinarinig ng radiologist yung heartbeat the first time, kelangan pa nilang ulitin.

So The Husband saw the baby again, and we heard the heartbeat..

Our baby with the heartbeat, 163bpm ü

Our little jellybean! ü

(Sorry, sa tabinging picture, best ko na ng pag-i-scan yan, tabingi din kasi ung print ng ultrasound scan.)

We did hear a  strong heartbeat, I was surprised how fast it was. Pero nothing beats the feeling. It was amazing, magical even. I was ecstatic and relieved. I saw The Husband looking at me, smiling with both of his eyebrows up. You imagine what I'm saying? He's like that when he's happy.

So some of my doubts were gone, a little actually. But still, I found comfort, knowledge and confidence knowing that i was actually carrying our child. Hearing it for the first time was very moving. It gave me that reassurance that i was really living for two and that my first child was developing right inside of me. It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. :-)

Now I just can't wait to feel our baby move inside of me. Naiinggit na ko sayo Aubrey! :):)

Morning Sickness :: Pregnancy Story 101

I'm entering into my 3rd month of pregnancy, and I'm still wondering if morning sickness will hit. I don't have any morning sickness now, thankfully!

I remember a month ago before I had my 2nd transvag ultrasound. I'm reading my friend, Aubrey's blog and FB posts and she's having I think a terrible morning sickness. She told me that morning sickness is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. I googled it and it's TRUE. One study even showed that vomiting and nausea is associated with a lower risk of miscarriage. I also read that there is a reduced risk of preterm birth and low birth weight among women who suffer nausea and vomiting.

So I was like, IS NO MORNING SICKNESS A BAD SIGN?? DOES IT MEAN MY BABY IS NOT HEALTHY???

Yes, I'm one paranoid mama, but I'm a first-timer, so that is an excuse!

I was starting to worry, I actually wished for morning sickness to make me "feel" pregnant.  I just felt like without that symptom, something must be wrong. Then came all the negative thoughts. I have an officemate who had miscarriage after 6 weeks. And the day I texted my sister that I am pregnant, she's on her way to the hospital because my cousin needs to have her operation. Her baby of 4 months has no heartbeat. So, please don't blame me, if I'm worrying too much.

I only feel an occasional lightheadedness. I have zero nausea and no vomiting. I am also not sensitive to smells. I didn't have cravings either, there's just this 1 night that I cried because I asked The Husband to buy me spaghetti from Jollibee pero wala syang binili (so we went to Baclaran Jollibee). I was always tired and my breasts hurt. I had a few food aversions, but nothing bad. I noticed that if I don't eat when I start getting hungry then I feel a little nauseated, so I try to eat small amount every hour or so, para hindi ako magugutom. I am definitely more tired, but not exhausted. I guess the only indication that I'm really really pregnant is that I don't have a period.

My OB told me that morning sickness really just depends on each pregnancy. Some mothers do not get it with their first one, but then have it terrible with their next child. But still I want to pull the days that time so we could have our ultrasound. That's when I can hear our baby's heartbeat, and that's when I can breathe.

Kung pwede nga lang every month may ultrasound para sure diba? :-)

The First Pre-Natal Check-up :: Pregnancy Story 101

So I told you the day we found that I am pregnant. It was Friday and husband just came from a graveyard shift. He was sleeping for 2 hours when I woke him to show the pregnancy test result. Me, being always the excited one, wanted to go that day to an OB to confirm the news. But husband told me na hindi na nya kaya, he's too sleepy and too tired. So we decided that a day after will be the D-day.

So the next day, after attending a funeral in the morning, we went to the OB. Dra. May Hipolito was very friendly. I guess OB needs to be like that because most Moms especially the first-timers were makulit. I also think that OB is the friendliest doctor in the field of medicine. ü So she did not need to take a test pa as I took a test at home na. I just had a problem remembering the first day of  my last menstruation lang. I know it's the first week of the month, between 5 to 9 but I can't remember yung mismong araw. So I said, August 5, the OB checked the calendar and told me I'm 6 weeks pregnant, yey!!!

Then she gave me a pregnancy book. I love this, it's a notebook where your OB can put a record of your every check-ups. Plus, it's really really helpful din because inside are the tips for soon to be moms, like if they have morning sickness, cravings, and how Moms can manage throughout their pregnancy.

This made me feel really pregnant... :-)

And freebies.. I love freebies. :-)

2 Anmum Milks + Folic Acid vitamins

And then its time for our first ultrasound. And boy, oh boy, we were excited!

Our first glance to our baby! :-)

I know it still showed nothing, just a gestational sac and tiny yolk sac. I had ultrasound din to check if may problem sa uterus and ovary ko. Or they can check din if possible ectopic pregnancy. The doctor couldn't detect a heart beat at that time. She said it was just too small and that I should come back in a week or two. She also said everything appeared to be developing normally and I looked more like I was in my fifth week not 6 weeks. So yehey!!! The Husband and I were very happy.

Now we need to be back after a month for the second pre-natal check-up. We're excited! :-)

I Am Pregnant!

Yes, I am pregnant, for exactly 11 weeks today. Now I know how true it is that it's not a joke carrying a child. Everyday is a roller coaster of emotions; but I am happy. The Husband and I are ecstatic! :-)

They say that when the time comes, you know (or something like that!) I've been delayed for many times but 2 months ago, I did not joke about it to The Husband. I had this feeling that maybe now, this is it.

We're not really nagmamadali, whenever a friend is asking kung kelan namin balak, we always say, "kung kelan ibibigay ni Lord". And we know that having a baby is a very serious matter, what with all the gastos and all the adjustments you need to make. We know we'll have a child pero hindi namin ini-stress ang sarili namin on having one the soonest.

So as I said, two months ago, when I took that pregnancy test, I was saying to myself "Desi, okay lang kung negative" because I know I'll be disappointed if its not positive. I know that I said na hindi kami nagmamadali but it doesn't mean na hindi pa namin gusto. Siguro we have fears lang.. of the future.

So I took that test when Husband is asleep. So pee, pee, pee, drop, drop, drop, one minute, two minutes, three minutes..

And then..

POSITIVE!

I can't believe it at first. I have never felt so many emotions at once! Of course I am excited..but there are those other nervous things on my mind.

So ginising ko si Husband, and I asked him "Two lines ba 'to?" Medyo blurry yung isang line so nagda-doubt pa ko.

And then The Husband looked at me with that, I don't know.. "beatific" (???) smile, well, that's the first thing that came into my mind when I saw him smile that time, basta I know it's different from all his other smiles. I know that he's sobrang happy. He hugged me and told me "hon, magkaka-baby na tayo!"

And amidst all doubts, fears, uncertainties and all the questions in my mind, I know that we'll be okay. That I'm looking to a man who would do everything for me and our baby. And as the song says "All of my doubts suddenly goes away somehow".

As they say, you're never really *ready* to have a baby, so I guess there's no time like the present :-) Just praying and thinking happy healthy thoughts!

So, This is ME..

Hey, this is my 4th time to create a blog.. *crossing my fingers that this will be the last :)*. It's not that I'm lazy to update my blog, but sometimes the moment had passed that I'm not in a mood to write about it.. (okay, I guess, I'm lazy).

Aubrey, my friend, gave me an inspiration to blog again. I always read her blog, and everytime I do it, I'm like "Oh, I want to do this (the blogging) too".

So here I am..

As you can see from the right side of this blog, my name is Desiree :):) And no, I did not say those words after my name. It is actually a quote from Frederick S. Perls. I'm not yet too inspired to put my own words there, so that will do for a while.

I am blissfully married for 1 year and 4 months now :) When I say blissful, it's not that our relationship is perfect, we have lots of ups and downs too, but at the end of the day, i have somebody i can rely on, through thick and thin, good times and bad; and I think we are really committed to love each other that those  down moments were okay. Some of you may want to say "Oh shut up, 1 year and 4 months??? you're still in the honeymoon stage". But believe me, I know! I am confident that I found a man who can put up with me, NO MATTER WHAT! and I will have the rest of my life with him, hopefully 60-70 years together :):)

Yes, I do think I'm one of the luckiest girl in the world. :):)

One of our "Happy Photos" from our wedding :):)

And here's another news about me: I AM PREGNANT! 10 weeks and 5 days today. But I think this deserves another blog entry, so bye for now.

Here's to hoping that I will update this blog as frequently as I'd like to be! :):)