Why the Rush?

21 Sept 2015 at past 12 am, I was awakened by a jolt in my tummy. My queasiness woke my SO and he asked me if it was time but I dismissed it with, 

"di pa, sa 25 pa ko dba."

As with my previous Caesarian deliveries, I have a schedule and it was always followed. It has been ages so I am having doubts but still I closely monitored each kick and in between sleeps, I was keeping tab of the intervals and length.

What seemed like forever, I got up and that's when I found myself gingerly moving in our house. I was initially questioning myself whether this is the real labor as I never had one, lucky me. I even re checked my bags and placed them on the hallway. I even wrote instructions for my kids should there be a need for me to be rushed to the hospital. It was Monday. 

I knew well now is the time when my water bag broke and fear has enveloped me. Again, I was unsure if this is the real thing as with my previous scheduled CS, I may have been under medications to notice my water bag burst. I was still so composed (thanks to my high tolerance in pain) that I even googled what it was like and how long should I keep the baby after my water bag broke. (Like it was my first time, right). Every time I'd feel the contraction, I'd push. It pacified the pain. 

Caesarian for PhP950

What's the catch?

Most of you might be wondering that. Well, what could possibly be the catch aside from me having my baby via CS?

Let me get this clear, for I know some of you might be raising your gorgeous eyebrows.

I'll be having my fifth child and whether I like it or not, it's going to be thru an incision on my tummy. It's my 4th CS.  While 3 repeat CS is regarded as the safest limit, I crossed the bridge; after 8 years.

Anyway, I have 4 grown school aged kids. Two are in high school already while the other 2 are in grade school. The expenses in our household is riveting high; but upon learning of my pregnancy, we managed to save not only for the hospitalization but for the rest of his would-be needs.

Happy's Cake Smashing Birthday Party

Postpartum care for CS

I am on my most fragile state after I had my CS operation. Primarily because I can't stand up straight and my wound needs to be cared for.

During my first operation, I wasn't prepared as I was expecting  a normal delivery. Thankfully, the hospital where I was confined have all the supplies needed. From the usual gauze pads, wound cleaning kits and the belly binder.

I woke up hours after the operation all cleaned up, complete with gauze and binder. The binder that my SO (significant other) got for me is made from muslin cloth "katsa". It is overlapping, and you basically have to put one strip on top of the other and that is to be secured with a safety pin. It was tedious and though I have mastered doing it on my own, having someone to do it for you is much better. You have to make sure that you put it securely as it tends to slip and it won't do any good either to you or your wound. Its primary purpose is to support your lower abdomen- the area where your wound is. Also, it helps you maintain your posture. You'll know if it isn't done properly when you can't stand up and walk straight and of course if it slips. But don't make it too tight, it's not good either. I used my binder only for a week because it's a little irritating. It depends on you, mommies, if you would want to use it longer.

Caesarian Section: easiest way out?

"It's the easiest way out."

Sounds like a plan?
Well, I 've read it in a blog posted randomly on Facebook.
Incidentally, the post is about childbirth and caesarian section.

Out of my 5 deliveries, only 1 is via normal section.

I had my CS with my second child. I wasn't prepared as I had a normal delivery previously.
Just like my first child, I was just having my usual check up when I was given a go signal for admission.
It was 1pm of 2 July 2002 when I was wheeled to my room.

For the rest of the day up until 8pm, I have no pain. I am, in fact, just lying on my bed enjoying a game of Unreal Tournament in between feeding my firstborn.

I am getting bored and impatient. My OB visited me and ordered that I be induced. Honestly, I was scared as I found the experience with my first really painful. But obviously, I have no choice and so the inducing started. An hour later and still no pain. Another hour, none. when it should have started minutes after the meds are injected thru my IV. I thought it was just fine. I slept through the night and waited. At around 6 am the following day, my SO (significant other) was called to the nurse station.  He came back after a few minutes and he was ghostly pale. He told me that he just gotten off the phone with my Ob and that I was to be cut open. He asked me if I'm okay with it and assured me that he'll be by my side just like the last time. 8 am was the schedule given. While I was having breakfast, the anesthesiologist came and explained to us what to be expected of the procedure. She was so jolly that I almost forgot how painful her story was.

HS life is Homeschool Life

Bedtime is set at 9pm.

Waking time is at 5 in the morning, at least for the kids. The parents, well, I am up by 4:30 am.

Leave the house by 6 am to bring kids to school. Travel allowance is more or less 1 hour as their schools are in different locations. Sundays are spent either making assignments or cramming for a project with a deadline the following day. Grocery shopping includes baon, baon and more baon. (food to be brought to school) 

Preparations of school uniforms, projects and covering of numerous books with labels on each.

Thankfully, that is a thing of the past. At least in my family.

My dream of becoming a teacher finally came true. 

Challenging, yes. Stressful, sure. Fulfilling, very.

My eldest is in 9th grade; she too, is now a teacher.

She's grown more patient and determined. She plays my sub. In fact, most days she is the sole teacher. 

Being a night owl, instead of being hooked to the internet, she busies herself making  quizzes for her brothers. Or saving youtube videos about specific lessons based on their subject lesson. At day, she bosses around. She brings her brothers to be still and to concentrate while she studies her own lessons.

At break time, she's either on the internet doing her blogs or playing with her baby brother. 

Interchangeably, I do what she does and that's how we keep our home schooling days sane.Yes, it could be very stressful especially when there's a typhoon signal and a suspension of classes. My kids would ask to have one too. Ironic cause there really is no sense having a suspension, anyway. Well, they want to have a "so-called suspension" so they won't feel guilty not being able to attend to their lessons for the day.
Is homeschool better than regular school?

TWD: the aftermath ( side tripping from being a mom to a fan)

It's been days since I saw the premiere and yet it still haunts me.


Honestly, it took me two days to finally watch it. I was full of hesitation; I am IN DENIAL.
I knew that if I  see it, then I will surely believe. I learned of the character's fate through write ups. I settled not to watch as I can be very emotional and that won't do me good.

I've grown to love TWD and its characters especially those of the pillars. I have a strong inclination when it comes to families and bonds as such and it disheartens me every time there is loss.
Back when it was Hershel, I found myself crying as if I am actually there, as if I am actually one of them.



And now it's Glenn.
Why Glenn?
With Abe, I am saddened but not as hurt as when Glenn got "Lucilled".
I can't process.
I was in tears.
Like he was mine.




I understand, they are in the age when compassion is beyond anyone's imagination.
Negan's is no doubt vicious.
What he did was inhumane and deliberately wrong in every way. It was very disturbing. 
Something hidden in me was awakened. I was clearly raged.

My heart goes to Maggie and Sasha and even Rosita. But what I find very alarming is Rick and his demeanor that time when he was begging. I felt his pain, I felt his need for mercy. I was moved. 

But amidst the fear, the hysterics and no matter how broken they all are, they still managed to stick with and to each other.  They could just leave and dismiss the fact that Daryl was taken hostage. They could just choose to save themselves and whoever and whatever is left, but no.
Sure, they don't have an army like Negan.

But, 
They have Daryl.  
They have each other and that's what matters. 
They are each other's family.

As for me, I'm not sure if I'm still going to watch the next episodes. Who knows, I'll wait 2 days after each episode.