An Update on My Life

I know I’ve been neglecting this blog, not posting anything for quite a while. Honestly, I just haven’t had the inclination to write about anything. But I still really want to hold on to this blog. Call it sentimentality if you will but, I’ve had this blog for more than ten years! My first ever blog post was back in 2005! Imagine! Looking back, the concerns I had back then really do seem trivial compared to what I’m facing now that I’m older. But I know I’m not the only one having these kinds of challenges so I just think to myself if they can deal with it, so can I. How can I give up when I have someone who really needs me in his life and it’s no other than my son – Ryleigh. I have to be strong because he’s going to need me for a long time to come, and I’m not complaining. When I look at him and I see that he is so cheerful and happy, I feel rewarded. Rewarded because I know I’m doing something right as a parent and that makes all the sacrifices worth it, especially the times when there was only Ryle and I. 

In a few month’s time, Ryleigh’s going to be six years old and I’m proud that I was there all the time to care for and love him. I pray to God that he gives me good health and keeps us safe all the time so that I can continue to do so for years to come. 

Aside from teaching and parenting, I make sure to find time for one more thing that I love – Korean Drama! I’ve been hooked since last year. I’ve watched numerous Kdramas and I’d like to share them with whoever is reading this blog 😊 Whether you like it or not, that’s what I’m going to be posting about in the coming day!

My Korean Bingsu Experience

I've always wanted to try Korean Bingsu ever since I saw photos of it posted by some of my friends on Facebook. A few weeks ago, I was finally able to try this delicious dessert for myself. The taste did not disappoint!

 The first variety I tried was Mango Cheese Bingsu. It was very milky and not too sweet. The cheese chunks on the side blended well with the mango tidbits once they're inside your mouth.

I also tried the Blueberry Cheese  Bingsu, which was topped with whole blueberries, cheese chunks and whipping cream I think. Yummy!

But between these two flavors, what I'd order again is the Mango Cheese Bingsu. Thinking about it makes my mouth water. yummm!

A Post After Three Years

Suddenly I missed writing here. It's surely been a while since I last wrote anything substantial and honestly, a lot has happened, which is just expected since my last update here was three years ago.

Yeah 3 years! I've been that busy or maybe just lazy haha.

Anyway, like I said a lot has happened, lots of changes. For three years now I've been working as a Secondary School teacher. Being a teacher is quite challenging but I'm not going to elaborate on those challenges. If you are reading this post and yiu happen to be a teacher as well then you know what I mean.

Also my son is almost 5 years old! From that itty bitty baby in my previous posts, Ryleigh has grown so big and handsome. He looks a lot like me! I'm just so happy and thankful that he is doing so much better now especially when it comes to social interaction and school work. He's currently in Pre-Kinder. He'll be attending his first Christmas Party in school this coming week. I hope it doesn't get canceled due to bad weather.

It's almost midnight so, I'll cut the updates here. I will try my best to be more active in writing here. Missed you my blog!

Life in Pictures

These pictures perfectly say what I'm feeling right now... Oh life . . . it ain't easy.

Photo Credit: Google Images, Facebook

Gumamelas and Daffodils

I really miss this blog of mine. Sadly I'm not able to update it as frequently as I'd like to due to parental obligations mostly. It's also even difficult to work these days because taking care of my son takes up most of my time. My Ryleigh is now 10 months old and is now very mobile. Though he cannot walk on his own yet he can crawl fast already. I have to keep my eyes on him every minute for fear he'll tumble and hurt himself seriously. The only time I can relax is when he's in his crib or when he's asleep. Even when he's in his walker I have to watch him carefully. He's heavy now and so when he reaches for something on the side the walker tips over. He tipped twice already poor thing but luckily he was not hurt seriously; it was more like he was startled by what happened. Motherhood its not easy!

But anyway, this afternoon we took a walk to my Grandpa's place and I saw the red Gumamelas in bloom! The daffodils too! I could not resist so I took some photos of them. Luckily my phone was with me :)
Here are the pictures. Enjoy!

Miss Philippines Megan Young is Miss World 2013

I feel proud that for the first time the Philippines was able to win the top place in the Miss World competition. This year our contestant Megan Young triumphed over equally beautiful contestants from countries all over the world!

Megan placed in three of the top challenges of the Miss World competition. She won the Top Model Challenge and placed 4th and 5th in the Multimedia Challenge and Beach Fashion Challenge. With these awards, Megan was included in the Top Ten finalists. And tonight, the final judging took place.

All the Top Ten finalists did well and were very eloquent during the Q&A portion but it was Megan's answer that finally won her the coveted crown! When asked what he would do if she became Miss World, Megan's answer was"I treasure a core value of humanity and that guides people why they act the way they do. I will use this to show other people how they can understand each other. As one, we can help society."

Congratulations Megan! You did our country proud!


Photo Credit: http://www.wowlegazpi.com/

Delectable Strawberry

Been a while since I posted something here. I've been so busy but I kinda miss this space so here I am posting a little something.

I took this photo this morning with my Lenovo P700i phone.

This is my mother's strawberry. This is the first strawberry to ripen. Looks delectable doesn't it?

Ryleigh Turns Four Months Old

Time flies really fast indeed! Imagine, my little Ryleigh is four months old already! It seems like it was just yesterday when he came out of my tummy. When I look at him now, I'm in awe of how much he's grown from the tiny premature little baby I gave birth to in January. He's so chubby now. His cheeks, arms and legs are so full that I can hardly resist the urge to squeeze him every time.

My little Ryleigh is four months old (Sigh)...

His fourth month birthday was yesterday and to mark the special day, I cooked pancit and bought a cake. Good thing baby Ryl was in a good mood that we were able to get some nice photos. You know what? There were instances when he would look at the cake like he wanted to eat it! His mouth would go round up when he looked at it.

He also did something special on his fourth month birthday. He turned to his right side all by himself while he was asleep! He's never done that before. he should be doing it more often now that he's four months old.

I now realize that babies grow up quickly so as a mom I have to relish every moment this stage in my baby's life.
Happy fourth month my love Ryl!

Mayon Volcano Phreatic Explosion

Mayon Volcano is one of the most beautiful peaks in the world because of its almost perfect cone shape. But you know what? Beneath its beauty lies danger! But this beauty which is literally located in our backyard is also one of the deadliest when it breaks its silence. On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, Mayon Volcano broke its silence with a phreatic explosion! Everyone within seeing distance witnessed the thick cloud of ash as it went up from the Volcano's crater.

When I looked out at our yard, I saw the dark column rising high in the sky. I immediately took some photos with my Samsung Galaxy Y camera. We were afraid the thick ash was going to fall here at our place but luckily there was a strong wind that blew it a few kilometers ahead. But a few still fell here and the overpowering smell of sulfur was in the air. I was afraid my little boy would inhale it because even though the windows were closed, the smell still penetrate. I'm very thankful that it rained that evening and the following days so the ash and sulfuric smell were washed away.

We were able to go scot-free from the explosion but unfortunately, there were casualties. Some mountaineers, foreign and local, were on the slopes when the phreatic explosion happened on Tuesday. A total of five people died, four of which are foreigners and the other one was a local guide. The others suffered burns and injuries but are alive. They've all be retrieved and rescued now through the effort of the local government.

Here are some photos of the explosion:

Avoid Heat Stroke this Summer!

Summer time is here in the Philippines! But I don't think it's so welcome here because the heat is just so intolerable at times! Imagine, a few days ago, the heat reached 38 degrees celcius in Tugegarao! That's like a person having fever. Health officials have issued a warning about heat stroke after a man died from it. With the heat level we're experiencing, heat stroke is really likely.

But what is heat stroke actually? it's a heat-related problem caused by prolonged exposure to high temperature or  doing physical activity in hot weather. You're having a heat stroke when the body temperature reaches 40 degrees celcius or higher.

Some symptoms of heat stroke include:

• High body temperature
• lack of sweating
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Flushed skin
• Rapid breathing
• Racing heart rate
• Headache
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Muscle cramps or weakness

How can it be prevented? Here's how according to Mayo Clinic: 

• Wear loosefitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won't allow your body to cool properly.
• Wear light-colored clothing if you're in the sun. Dark clothing absorbs heat. Light-colored clothing can help keep you cool by reflecting the sun's rays.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
• Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.
• Never leave children or anyone else in a parked car. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 6.7 C) in just 10 minutes. It's not safe to leave a person inside a parked car in hot weather for any period of time, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade. When your car is parked, keep it locked to prevent a child from getting inside.
• Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, follow the same precautions and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening. Taking breaks and replenishing your fluids during that time will help your body regulate your temperature.
• Get acclimatized. Limit the amount you spend working or exercising in the heat until you're conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness, including heatstroke. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.
• Be cautious if you're at increased risk. If you take medications or have a physical condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services at the event in case a heat emergency arises.

Hope this helps to keep you all in good health this very hot summer!

Source: Mayo Clinic

On Motherhood

Motherhood, it's joyful yet tiring. Being a mother to my baby Ryleigh is taking up most of my time. At this point, I'm still finding it hard to find a balance my time between taking care of my baby and doing my work. I'm thankful that my mother is here to help me take care of baby while I work. I'm also thankful that my work allows me to have flexible time. But still, I feel like I'm overwhelmed with the weight of it all. I haven't had any decent sleep for weeks but I guess that's the price to pay for motherhood. Everything falls on me since hubby is only around during weekends; He stays in Donsol during weekdays to teach. I can hardly wait for school to be over so that he'll be on hand to take care of baby too.

Right now I find consolation in my baby's smile. Baby Ryleigh will be 2 months old on the 23rd. I can hardly wait to see his every milestone. 

Meet Our Precious Baby Ryleigh!

The waiting is over. Baby boy Ryleigh is out! He's actually been out for a month now. In case you're wondering why I only made the update now, well, as a new mom I've been busy taking care of baby since we took him home from the hospital.

Anyway, Ryleigh's arrival was not how I expected it. He was actually born premature at 34 weeks. My water  broke suddenly last January 23 morning although there were no labor pains. And the bad thing was my blood pressure was very high that time so, my Ob said we had no choice but to do a caesarian section. My amniotic fluid was draining fast and the risk of infection to my unborn baby was huge so, there really was no choice. And so, they took me into the OR at 5:30 and at 6:05 baby Ryleigh was born.

Baby was so tiny when he came out. He only weighed 1.7kg but thankfully his color was good and his cry was loud when they got him out of my tummy. But since he was premature and quite tiny he had to be placed in an incubator and given meds to help him thrive. He had to stay behind in the NICU for a total of 10 days.

But after the difficult start, I can say that everything is going well with Ryleigh. He's a fighter. We celebrated his one month birthday yesterday. He's really improved a lot in one month and we're just very happy, relieved and thankful to God.

He's just had his milk and is sleeping soundly right now that's why I'm able to make an update.

I hope all is well with you all! :)

Almost Time for Baby Boy

Time really flies so fast these days that January is almost at an end. And I think in less than a month our little one will be joining us here in the outside world. I'm so excited! And anxious at the same time too. I can't help but think of my impending labor. I just hope I can withstand the pain and be able to deliver our baby boy normally. And I hope and pray that everything goes well for us.

Anyway, now that my due date is getting nearer, we've tried to get all of baby's things together. Placed the ones we'll need to take to the hospital in a bag and it's just ready to go anytime baby boy decided he wants to come out already.

We went for an ultrasound this weekend and according to the scan baby weighs 3 lbs and 13 oz. I'm not sure if that's within the normal range for his gestational age but I hope it is. During my checkup the other week, my OB told me that baby's weight is within the normal range and I'm the one who's gaining lots of weight. Looks like I'd have lots of exercising and dieting to do after baby comes out.

It's a good thing the pain on my pelvis has subsided. It was probably caused by the lumpy foam in my bed. Now that we've replaced it, I feel much better. Baby boy's not giving me a hard time at all although he loves to kick and swim around in my tummy. I can feel that he responds to my voice when I talk to him. We're counting the days baby boy!

Eight Months and Counting for Baby Boy

Well, it's now the second week of January and the big day is drawing nearer! I can literally feel it because of the pain in my pelvic area. I've been to my ob the other day and I told her about the pain and she said it's probably due to the baby positioning himself for delivery. I started feeling this pain on Sunday and sometimes   it feels too much. I did some research online to see if this is normal and most of the forums I've been to say it is.

The pain is not in my tummy but in my pelvic area. I don't feel any pain when I'm sitting down but it's a different story when I stand up and walk. Sometimes there's piercing pain when I put pressure on my leg when I get up from bed and when I walk. Well, I can't even walk normally anymore; what I do now is waddle! Not a graceful sight to see I know. But there's nothing I can do about it.

My due date isn't until the end of February but at this rate I don't think I'll reach it. But if ever, I hope this pelvic pain doesn't last until then! I don't think I can handle it. I hope this pain goes away soon. 

Happy New Year 2013!

I'm not really in the mood to make a post today but I feel I just have to considering it's the first day of the New Year and all. Anyway, I want to greet you all a VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! May all of our wishes, hopes and plans be granted this year 2013. Surely this year is going to bring good tidings and great surprises I just feel it! And one of our greatest gifts will be arriving soon so, it's all good vibes for this year.

I know many of you have their New Year's resolutions written down before the year 2012 closed and unlike you, I didn't make any. I don't make New Year's resolutions anymore because I cannot follow through. I just make it a point to do my best everyday and in everything I do. That's what's important right?

At this point I want to share a beautiful prayer for the New Year that I found on Inspiring Thoughts.net. I hope this inspires you too!

A Prayer for the New Year What shall I ask for the coming year What shall my watchword be What should thou do for me, dear Lord What can I do for thee? Lord, I would ask for a holy year Spent in thy perfect will Help me to walk in thy very steps Help me to please thee still. Lord, I would ask for a trustful year Give me thy faith divine Taking my full inheritance Making thy fulness mine! Lord, I would ask for a year of love O let me love thee best Give me the love that faileth not Beneath the hardest test. Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer Teach me to walk with thee Breathe in my heart the Spirit's prayer Pray thou thy prayer in me! Lord, I would ask for the dying world Stretch forth thy mighty hand Thy truth proclaim, thy power display This year in every land. Lord, I would ask for a year of joy Thy peace, thy joy divine Springing undimmed through all the days Be thy days of shade or shine. Lord, I ask for a year of hope Looking for thee to come And hastening on that year of years That brings us home to you. Happy, Happy New Year everyone!

Happy Christmas Day!

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's Christmas Day! Well, the day is almost over in my side of the world. I just actually spent the whole day at home watching movies, listening to music and resting. The whole family already had an advance Christmas get together on Sunday night because my sis and her family have to go on a road trip today. My brother-in-law's brother is getting married on Saturday and my two nieces are going to be flower girls so their presence is a must.

Hubby went with them today as well. He wanted to see his family in Manila so...He wanted me to go with him but I declined. I don't think I can handle the long drive at this point. Sitting for long periods is getting to be quite tiring for me. And I also can't stand the long distance walks involved when navigating the streets of Manila so I'm just here staying put at home this holiday season.

Anyway, it's not boring at all because there's baby to talk to. He baby moves around a lot! He also has his favorite spot in my tummy. He likes to rest a lot on the right side. I just feel and see him bunching on that side. It's a joy to see.

By next year we'll have our own baby boy to play with during Christmas! I can't help but wonder what kind of temperament he'll have. I'm excited!

Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying your Christmas Day! 

Manny Pacquiao Knocked Out Cold by Juan Manuel Marquez

The whole world, especially the Filipinos were shocked by the outcome of today's boxing match between the People's Champ Manny Pacquiao and Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez. This was their fourth match and for the first time, Marquez knocked Manny out during the sixth round! Yes, Manny was knocked out cold by Marquez's right hook!

Everyone, including those watching live in Las Vegas and those viewing from their homes, were shocked when Manny landed in an unconscious heap on the floor! His wife Jinky Pacquiao was shown on TV crying when her husband failed to get up a few seconds after his fall. It was a nasty fall and I guess a lot of people were worried that there was something physically wrong with him that's why he was unconscious for a period of time. They were only able to breathe a sigh of relief when Manny gained consciousness and immediately began smiling as his assistants talked to him.

But the knock out during the sixth round wasn't the only exciting thing about their match. During the third round, Manny was also knocked to the ground but he recovered immediately. Manny got back at Marquez during the fifth round as he was also knocked to the ground by his powerful left hook. And before Manny was knocked out cold, he was able to pummel Marquez's face pretty badly, leaving it swollen and bloody.

Oh well, as the saying goes, you win some you lose some. I'm not really a huge boxing fan but I just think that this is a sign that Manny needs to retire already. His attention is not focused on boxing anymore and at his age and considering what he has achieved, it's about time he leaves boxing behind. He should have done so while he was undefeated.

Did you watch today's Pacquiao vs. Marquez match? Do you think it's time for Manny to retire?

Photo Credit: 4umf

It's a Boy!

It's a boy! This little bundle of joy inside me is a boy! My hubby got his wish and he's so thrilled. He's the first grandson in my side of the family; my sis and bro both have little girls. We've actually known for two weeks now but I just got around to writing about it today. I hope that the ultrasound's accurate. We just got the common ultrasound and not the 3D one that a lot of expectant parents get these days.

Sometimes, ultrasound results aren't accurate especially if done in the early staged of pregnancy so I hope ours is correct because I already started buying baby things fit for a baby boy. I mostly got blue wraps and baby clothes. I only bought a few so far. Whenever I go out, I buy one or two things for the baby so that it won't make an huge impact on our budget. But anyway, come Christmas we really have to buy all the necessities.

A boy. No wonder he's so active in my tummy. There were times in the past months when he just goes on a kicking spree! Some were so strong they couldn't be ignored. Looks like he's going to quite a handful when he comes out! Hubby better be ready.

Anyway, now that we know our baby's gender, we're caught up in another dilemma still! What name to give to our baby boy! As much as possible I want it to be a combination of my and hubby's name but it's difficult. We might have to choose another as long as it begins with R and is unique.

My baby boy! Can't wait to meet you!

Room Repainted for Baby at 23 Weeks

Baby and I are halfway to the finish line! We are now on our 23rd week and my pregnancy couldn't be any better, well except for the slight swelling of my feet and hands. The swelling just manifested itself two days ago after hubby and I went to the city for some errands. It was only after I removed  my shoes that I noticed my feet looked bigger than they used to be. We had to walk some distances so that's probably the reason for it.

Anyway, my tummy is getting bigger with each passing week. I keep staring at myself in the mirror sometimes because I can't believe how big my tummy has become. I hope it's just because of water retention and not because baby has grown super huge (I don't want to undergo CS thank you very much!). But I also noticed that baby is more active these days. In fact, if I stare at my tummy while baby is moving I can see some of the movements through my clothes! It's amazing! Baby is usually active at night, kicking and squirming for a few minutes. Even though I haven't had an ultrasound yet I think baby is doing very well inside my tummy and that's what's important.

Since we're already halfway through the pregnancy, I've already started preparing for his/her arrival. Got my room repainted so that we'll be more comfortable staying in it. I know baby won't be able to appreciate it yet but a room with a good ambiance will be more restful for him/her and me as well of course.

My room's new color is a mixture of lavender, pink, and white. Very girly eh? I know that's what hubby said too but it's the color combi that took my fancy. Anyway, if our baby is a boy he'll be too young to know it's too girly.

Aside from the paint I've also rearranged the room's contents to make it look tidy.

So, these are the things I've accomplished for baby so far. Next on the agenda is shopping for baby clothes and other necessities.

I've included a photo of the repainted bedroom. What do you think? Too girly? 

Baby's Heartbeat for the Second Time!

Heard my baby's heartbeat for the second time today! I'm so happy! I know this might not seem like a big deal to some of you out there but for a first time mom-to-be like me it's beyond words! Hearing my baby's heartbeat makes it him/her more real. I'm already 5 months along and although my tummy is already bigger and it's become more obvious, directly knowing that she is really growing inside makes me feel more excited to finally hold him/her in my arms.

Will my baby be a boy or a girl? I'm really not sure but all I know is that this baby is so active! My ob had a difficult time tracking her heartbeat this morning. She placed the device on the left side of my tummy, then on the right. Just when we thought there was a heartbeat it was gone! Baby moved! She had to reposition the device several times until finally baby was cornered at the center of my tummy. This is so unlike the first time, that was four weeks ago. My ob was able to locate the heartbeat on the left side of my tummy without any trouble. Oh well I think it's good that baby is active even at an early age.

Anyway, aside from hearing baby's heartbeat for the second time, we also found out that I gained 7 lbs. in one month. Doc had to prescribed a multivitamin that serves as an appetizer at the same time because I wasn't gaining any weight since my first trimester. I have to take the vitamin/appetizer for another month. I'm afraid i'm going to get really fat because of it. But I just keep thinking, it's for the good of our baby. 

Being fat is not the only thing, I had to have an anti-tetanus shot today too. Ouch! I'm so afraid of injections but then it's a necessary evil for the good of our baby. I'm going to have another injection on our next visit :(. I'm so not looking forward to that part.

But what I'm most excited about is knowing the gender of our baby. To be sure that there won't be any mistake it will be done in December. By that time, the sex organ is fully developed and so it will be clear in the ultrasound. I'm so excited! Can hardly wait! 

Who wants to bet if it's a boy or a girl? ;)