Day 21

Li-Anne's 7th Birthday

Hogan and I went to a beautiful little girl's 7th birthday today. It's our first party to attend to while expecting because this is the most convenient time for me. No nausea and vomiting, not easily tired, and both of us were off. Aleli (Li-Anne's mom) had become special to us too. I got reunited with old friends who are now mommies themselves and are very supportive with my delicate state. It was a happy and refreshing day for us catching up, watching the kids play (and not hosting it-whew! I get to appreciate it more) and tasted Net's Kitchen's red velvet cake.

Hogan's new friend, Kaelee

Related posts:

1. DAY 8 - "No Make Up Selfie"
2. DAY 2 - how infants are celebrated in the Philippines
3. DAY 6 - My baby at 19 weeks

Day 22

Day 22 - Hogan fell asleep while waiting for BRAVE to kick

Hogan had a full day of Dragon Boat races today while the weather was just really bad. According to him, it was too cold and it was one race after the other. Staying warm was just really impossible. We were just exchanging messages the whole day via whatsapp so I got the notion that he needed a good hearty dinner. I cooked Bak-Kut-Teh (peppered bone soup/Singaporean delicacy) for him. As soon as we munched on it when he got back around 7pm, he laid on the bed for warmth and asked me to snuggle close for him to wait for our baby to give out some kicks. "Maybe, I would be able to feel it now.", since a few days before that, the kicks weren't strong for him to feel. When the baby quickened, I reacted and was going to tell him but this is what I saw.... at 8pm. Total crash. Hahaha! There was a blissful feeling looking at this photo though and it made my day. These are the moments that I will forever treasure during my time of expecting.

Their team, by the way, TEAM MUSHU had won medals and trophies. These two are for Brave and I. Hehehehe! I am happy for him and the team for winning these today.

SHA TIN RACES (Categories):

1. Inter-company - 2nd place (SILVER)
2. Mixed - 3rd place (BRONZE)
3. Women's - 3rd place (BRONZE)

Related posts:

1. Team Mushu 2011 Lamma race - Cheering for Team Mushu

2. 2009 Awardings at DBAY - I remember Ms. Phyllis Kei making Kuya Nelson and I get the appreciation award for Team Mushu. Such a throwback though. 

3. Giving birth the KANDU WAY - Planning to give birth at home? Try the Kandu way.

Day 20

The video is in Thai hence the choice of difficult scenarios and events amongst families and living conditions. Difficulties come in different ways concerning different races (countries). Most often than not, unseen battles are the hardest. Yet this is a reminder that, all of us are welcome to care. Some say, caring less makes life easier. It may be true to some but if you reap this kind of heartfelt thanks and pure joy, worldly cynicism would belong to losers. What a meaningful video. It allowed watchers to see HAPPINESS in a one-of-a-kind perspective. In a way that you gain more as you give more.

Two reasons why seeing this made me happy. Mark Buco, a friend of mine from high school (aka long time ago) thought of me today. Then unforgettable memories unfolded within me. How we were so much into Disney, Celine Dion, Spice Girls and UAAP (sports competitions). YOUTH, that explains it all. Secondly, I am happy to realise that I am blessed to be able to extend blessings more than this unsung hero in the video can. He has not much yet he finds in himself to share. It makes me realise once again that each of us is a blessing to each other. And that's one of our purposes as we live our borrowed lives. After all, we were made for a reason.

Day 19

MORPHOLOGY SCAN

As foetuses reach 18 to 20 weeks and 6 days, morphology scan is done to check its anatomical structure. Assessment starts from the head. If lobes are equally in position, and if each structure is symmetrical. Thickness of the neck is considered and if nasal bone shows any deviation that may lead to a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. The vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, stomach and the rest of the important blood vessels that connect them are checked also. The fingers and the toes are counted if complete and if the length of the fetus is in accordance to the calculated age in weeks.

Ours was truly amazing to witness. So much so for the diagnosis that everything is normal plus the condition of the cord and the placenta were also good. The happiness I felt in seeing that everything falls into place as we observe all of these is priceless. I would like to thank God and still uplift to Him all that is yet to happen.

Day 18

An unexpected entertainment on the way home.

Sometimes, having no expectations at all can be my mantra. I used to believe "LOVE DOESN'T HURT, EXPECTATIONS DO." Once it failed me, but I admit that up until now, I still take those moments that would prove this right. 

Today, for my Day 18, the "usual" means of going home was pimped with an overhead entertainment, showing "TITANIC". Everybody in the bus had that little excitement one way or another. Because nobody expected it. And marking a proof out of it, made me happy... and so did this familiar movie. Even if we weren't able to finish it up.

Day 17

Enik at 1 year old and 1 month
using the spoon already as he eats on his own.

It made my day.

GROWTH - an inevitable event in life that is marked by milestones. Both good and bad experiences are necessary for our growth as humans. Witnessing a remarkable turnover of gross movement to a fine motor skill like this astounds me as that is one of the most renowned trait of man. From grabbing to developing control over the fingers increasing a hold's dexterity.... it's just but AMAZING to see. Of course, that is only one of the millions of things that a man can do and grow from. Yet again, this moment needs documentation for there are things that you only learn once and that's it. It passes ONE TIME, BIG TIME!

Day 16

I wasn't a book lover during my younger years. The ones that I got fond of reading were comics (MARVEL and the ARCHIEs). But after I read my first "no-images" book, Bob Ong's "Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas" (it's written in Tagalog), I was awakened with how vast the world is in books.

There are so many things that a book can bring forth. There's knowledge, information, facts, stories, imagination gone alive and even those that you never knew would interest you suddenly becomes so irresistible. That depends of course on how good a writer could be. Even I am surprised in wishing I took a course in journalism. But then again, I don't regret ending up graduating as a Nurse then becoming a dancer for a living. (Hey! That's another story!) But, in wanting to become a writer, I'll find ways.

So, I was just researching what's the next book to read and I came across a great selection and this is what I've chosen:

Finally, I get hold of you. For so long, I was trying to decide of getting it but since it's available online (and I am online most of the time), why not, save it in the computer and read it one chapter at a time at home? The best part is that: It's free. I didn't watch the movie yet because I'd rather know the story thru the book first. And that's why, I'm getting stuck with posting my blogs regarding this #100happydays challenge. But it's updated on the instagram. So, don't point that finger just yet that I failed the challenge. Hehehehe!

For the mean time, let me further enjoy my first e-book.

Day 16 - My first e-book

Some of the books I've enjoyed:

1. 50 SHADES OF GREY - What's your stake on Sadism and Masochism?

2. FOR ONE MORE DAY - A story about having second chances.

3. HAPPINESS PROJECT - Gretchen Rubin made being happy-"er" a project. Read on whether she became one or if it went worse for her.