New picture...

...of Jacob. Taken by her Aunt Astrid, a photography hobbyist. I myself am trying to learn photography but with the little one in our lives now, my hobbies will have to wait :). I still plan to practice though, I just hope my son is a more willing model. :) I will post the unedited version soon.

Thank You For This Day...

I'm also grateful for:

1. My son Jacob, for continuing to inspire me everyday, and for making me want to be a better person, especially a good mother. Since I had you, all the plans I had for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I do wish and hope for you to grow up to be like your Dad; strong, intelligent, sensitive, loving, and God fearing.


2. My husband Ron, also for inspiring me, calming me, for making me feel secure and protected, and for loving me. Your smile never fails to brighten my day.


3. My parents for being so supportive and understanding. And for being very patient.


4. My wonderful parents in-law. For always making time for us.

What are you thankful for?

Our Son, Jacob

Birthday

January 2: I certainly wasn't expecting it to be that day. I was bleeding, but not heavily. And I was experiencing light menstrual-like pains, which I expected would grow more intense as the time approaches. We even went to the Ob-gyne for my weekly checkup. We had an IE and I was already(!) 3-4cms. dilated. I asked the doctor if I was due anytime soon, she said definitely the weekend, which is like a day away. After our appointment I even had a pedicure, and we had lunch at Honeybear. Come afternoon, and I noticed the intervals were getting closer together and the pain definitely noticeable. We went to San Pedro Hospital where my cousin Kathy was waiting, to assist and to support us (so sweet). At the admitting section, Ron filled up the necessary forms and I was rushed to an assessment area where they will monitor the interval and intensity of my contractions, and also to check the baby's heartbeat. Thankfully, even though I was alone there, the nurses were warm and comforting, so that made the tension quite bearable. Shortly after being set up for observation, my Ob-gyne arrived and performed another IE, now i was definitely 4cms. But do I get admitted? Nope. We were advised to go home for the night (whaaat?). Sorry kid, it won't be tonight. You won't have the same birthday as your great Grandfather.

January 3: I wasn't able to sleep. The contractions were 5-8 min. apart, and it was PAINFUL. It was true what other women said, like dysmenorrhea, only 10-20 times worse. We endured the night and decided at 3:30AM to go back to the hospital. We went through the motions again, this time it was just the 2 of us, Ron and I. I even forgot to kiss my husband as the aide brought me back to the assessment area. I must admit, it was nerve-wracking to go back thinking that it was THE time, and I was all alone and nobody was there to help me through it, just a bunch of nurses and doctors. The resident Ob-gyne performed an IE and I was already 6cms dilated. I was thinking of giving birth the natural way sans epidural. But if I couldn't take the pain at this stage, what hope is left for me? So at 7cms, I finally decided that I will NEED the epidural.

After that, everything was a blur. They kept telling me to go to sleep, to rest, save my energy for later. It was still early. At around 8:30 A.M., my OB-Gyne arrived. She then proceeded to ask me how I was, am I comfortable (duh!), and then she was coaching me. I was really sleepy. But the baby has to come out some time or I'll be out cold! Then at 9:00AM, I was already 10 cms., it was time.

After seeing my son for the first time, all I could remember feeling was love, relief, anticipation, and wanting to sleep. Happy birthday Jacob Alan Carlos H. Reyes!

Christmas party / Baby shower

My highschool friends and I have this tradition of always having an annual Christmas party. Half of the group may now live elsewhere, even abroad, but the rest of us will always strive to make this event happen. We may not celebrate our birthdays every year, but we will always look forward to the Christmas party. Chie decided, since I am bound to give birth anytime soon, we should make this year different and do it together with the baby shower (convenient really). Of course I'm game, any excuse to get free stuff for baby Jacob!

A Woman should have, & know...

From an article in a local newspaper:

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
...one old love she can imagine going back to...and one who reminds her how far she has come
....enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to.
....a youth she's content to leave behind.
...a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.
...a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
...one friend who always makes her laugh ... and one who lets her cry.
....a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family.
....eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored.
...a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...how to fall in love without losing herself..
...how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship..
...when to try harder ... and when to walk away.
...that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.
...that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over.
...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more.
...how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it.
....whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally.
...where to go ... be it to her best friend's kitchentable... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing.
...what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...