Hello, Danielle Chloe!

My SIL has given birth at 7:34 PM last night (02.17.2013) thru emergency CS. Thank God she and the baby is safe! She had to go under emergency CS because of CPD (Cephalopelvic Disproportion). When I first found out about it, I was like, "But she still has 24 hours to try to get in to labor!". It turns out that aside from CPD, the baby's umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck and the doctors probably knew about that thus, the emergency CS. Anyway, everyone is just happy that my SIL and he baby are safe now.

When everyone left for the hospital at around 6 PM yesterday, I didn't know that my cousins also went to the hospital to have a first look at the baby. Of course I'm a bit jealous because the baby is my "first" niece, not a niece from a cousin but from my own brother. I was also kind of frustrated that no one even bothered to update me with what's happening. I know it's not about me, but still, I'm an excited Aunt and I feel like I should have been there despite my hatred for hospitals. Everyone--with the exception of N's mom, sister, and cousin--went home at around 10 PM last night and showed me the very first picture of my niece! And the first thing I said was, "She looks like Papa!" then I laughed because the resemblance is strong. I am now a believer that my father's genes are really strong (my mother said so because me and my brother doesn't resemble anyone from my mother's side of the family).

It's kind of nerve-wracking to know that your SIL had an emergency CS because the plan was natural birth, and both my brother and SIL has only saved enough for a normal delivery. When my mother went home last night, she was worried about the hospital bills, where she can raise the money to pay the bills. I don't like it when my mother gets worried about money. Thinking all of them were still overwhelmed by the baby's birth and could not really think sof different means on how to raise the money, I suggested that they ask the hospital if they are accredited by N's HMO and if they are, and N's HMO covers maternity expenses, then we might have a chance to pay the bill on time.

At around 11 PM, my Aunt, Uncle, brrther and brother-in-law (thru a cousin) dropped by and asked me, my cousin I, and our friend C, if we wanted to go with them to the hospital to drop off my brother. Yup, there was a light bulb inside that says: "ROAD TRIP!". Besides, I wanted to see N and if the hospital will like, let her see her baby because I don't know, maybe it's time for breastfeeding? So I went with them and we got lost in Marikina! It was really funny because we spent like, an hour to reach the hospital whereas it would probably take us half an hour to get there because there was no heavy traffic.

Me and my brother pretended that we just got back from bringing supplies (they do not let visitor past 9 PM) and I had a prop with me: a pillow. Hehe! Then without ever waiting for the security guards permission, I just nonchalantly walked up three flights of stairs to see N! She was staying in a semi-private room with 3 other patients. I was actually surprised that there were 4 of them looking after her: my brother, N's sister, mother, and cousin. I filled out the baby's form for the birth certificate then went home.


There were quite a number of baby names N and my brother thought of: Sophia Elise (because my brother likes, told him there are a lot of babies who are named Sophia and it's too girly anyway; 'Elise' was from my mother and N's mother's names), Chloe Jane (Chloe after my brother's name, Jane after N's middle name. I told them that it's too girly again). My brother also liked Matilda, because we really like the 1996 film of the same name but I told my brother not to use the name because I want that name for my own daughter, which is like, not going to happen any soon. Danielle was suggested a few weeks back, I liked it because it's a French name and it isn't too girly. I suggested why not use Danielle Chloe and her nickname is going to be Dani, which is totally not girly.

So world, here is Danielle Chloe:

Hello! I'm Danielle Chloe

I look like my Grandfater and my Great Grandmother. I have chubby cheeks too!

On the way home, we stopped by a bakery and bought hot pan de sal and it was so good! My mother's brother's family really likes to eat while in the car, I do too. When I told them that that was my first time ever to see Marikina River, the Riverbanks and the giant shoes, they were like, "Where do you live, in a cave?". Um, family, I don't have any friends who lives in Marikina. Besides, it's like, far for me. We slowed down as we approached C-5/Bagong Ilog then we saw emergency lights. We thought there was probably an accident because that part of the road is really accident prone. We saw a firetruck and thought there was a fire, but where's the smoke. True enough, we saw trucks from different TV stations and knew there was really an accident. We had the windows down through out the trip so it was easy for all of us to like, peek and check what's happening. I was seated at the left side of the car, behind the driver seat and saw the firemen uncoiling the truck's hose and that's when saw something dark on the pavement. At first I thought it was an oil leak from one of the vehicles involved in the accident, but it was not oil leak dark, then I realized that it was blood! And there was lots of it! My Aunt pointed out different motorcycle parts strewn on the pavement, and the island. On the right we saw a cab with its right bumper ripped off and my cousin said there was blood on the car. It was tragic.

I digress.

It worries me now that my family won't be able to raise the money for the bill and because N had a C-section, she'll probably stay at the hospital a bit longer. So here I am, researching the web for N's healthcare benefits and if it covers maternity expenses. I just really hope that it does because we will be forever thankful if her healthcare will cover for it. On a positive note, my father already saw the baby's picture and said that he teared up a bit because hey, the baby is his first grandchild! And that she looks like him and his mother (who passed away in 2010, bless her soul). I also suggested the name "Felice" in honor of my Grandma but it wouldn't be fair to N because she really likes the name Danielle and prefers it as her input on Dani's name. :)

Anyway, as I have said, everyone is just glad that both N and Danielle Chloe are safe.

Baby is coming!

Two nights ago, N thought her waters broke and went to see her doctor the following day. Her doctors said it wasn't her waters and advised her to go home, walk some more because she's still just 1 cm dilated. Prior to the appointment with the doctor, my mother was kind of worried that N's belly hasn't dropped yet. I said to my mother that N will probably give birth on the 18th (tomorrow), the same day as me and my brother's dearly beloved Grandpa's death anniversary. 

When my mother and I got back from church around 30 minutes ago, N's sister told us that their Aunt has already rushed N to the clinic when her waters broke this afternoon while we were away. I knew my mother would get panicky and even went all out panicky when she was told that N was going to be rushed to the hospital in Marikina (which is like, an hour and a half drive) because N was still only 1cm dilated after her waters broke. I just wish I am with N, my brother, my mother, and N's mom right now because I just feel like reassuring my mother that even if N's water has broken, there's still a 24-hour time frame for her to deliver safely. 

Apparently, if between the 24-hour time frame and N has not progressed from 1 cm, that's when she could be induced or given a C-section--which I think most of the family dreads because the plan was a normal delivery. I thought my brother was going to be calm about this but no, when the phone rang and I answered it, there was an all out panic alert on his voice. I wanted to see if N is feeling panicky too, I really hope she's not, and I want to tell my brother to stop panicking because N needs all the support right now. And it's totally not helping if everyone around her are nervous, it's nerve-wracking to be the expectant mom whose plans changed at the last minute before giving birth, having an equally nervous person around you will make it just worse.

I just wish my family are all zen-like calm right now. Don't get me wrong, I am a bit nervous too and have been praying for N's safe delivery of the baby, but will it help N and the baby if I were like, a total nervous wreck? Definitely not. I just need all the prayers for both N and the baby's safety.

Hello Baby means Happy Grandma and Aunt!

My mother told me that she already completed her baby shopping by the time she was in her 4th month of pregnancy. My first reaction was, "Excited much?". She probably couldn't help it since I was the firstborn and it's more fun to shop for girl clothes anyway!

When I found out that N's baby is going to be a girl, I knew that my monthly expenses will involve baby stuff since I have a feeling that I'm going to spoil the little munchkin. I do not want to like, get ahead of myself and buy baby stuff without the suggestion or asking the parents-to-be what they thought would be cute and good for their child so I didn't buy any for the baby. My mother and I bought two bibs from Carter's back in December, thinking the parents-to-be would be "inspired" to buy baby stuff, but no, by the time N was in her 7th month of pregnancy, they haven't even bought a pair of booties!

My father also cut 30% off the usual monthly salary that he has been sending to my mother in January, N's parents also had to come over from the province and the air fare was shouldered by N, my brother just got hired and still haven't saved up, and I haven't been performing well in my job (sup, procrastination!) so there were definitely financial issues that we did not expect.

We were able to get through the "financial crisis" and yesterday, me and my mother hailed a cab and went to this little shop at Bel-Air, Makati that sells baby clothes for a super cheap price.  It carries brands from Carter's, Baby Starter's, Okie Dokie, and even Football Fanatics baby apparel! With the recent conclusion of the Super Bowl XLVII, I was not surprised to see loads of Ravens baby apparel. Hehe. Anyway, this little shop is called Hello Baby Garments and is a factory outlet of the said brands. There are many brands that the shop carries, but when we got there yesterday, only Okie Dokie, R&B, Baby Starter's, Disney, and Football Fanatics were available.

From research, I found out that Hello Baby is also frequented by local celebrities and that they don't have an online shop. It was through word of mouth that the shop became popular with moms-to-be who are in a tight budget. I called prior to going to the store. However, the recent arrival of new stocks don't have Carter's but the type of cloth used in Carter's clothes are also the same as the one used in Okie Dokie and Baby Starter's.

Hello Baby Garments is located at 48 Zodiac St., Bel-Air 3, Makati. It's not really hard to find, if you're coming from north, you can just take a right turn at Estrella, the first street on the left is Zodiac. If you're coming from the South, you can either take a left turn from EDSA to Buendia (the first street on your right is already Zodiac), or if you missed the first right turn, you can still enter the village from Paseo de Roxas, and the guards at the gate will tell you just take a U-turn, turn left at Jupiter St., make another left (Zodiac) when you reach the end of the street. At the gates, you can just inform the guards that you're going to Hello Baby Garments at 48 Zodiac.

The shop is located at the back of the main house, you won't get lost since there is a sign that says "baby clothes for sale here" or something to that effect. We knocked on the door and was welcomed by Ate Vicky, the storekeeper. The place is filled with different baby clothes, from mittens, booties, frogsuits, receiving blankets, comforter sets, onesies, kimono tops, bibs, and there were gift sets too. You just have to ask Ate Vicky where to find what you need.

After two hours of shopping, our total bill amounted to Php2,130. Not bad at all, considering we were able to buy a LOT of clothes. I don't know all the exact prices for each type of clothing but I'm sure that onesies are billed at Php130, mittens at Php20/pair. A total deal for branded baby clothes, if you ask me. ;)

We were able to buy:

• 5 pairs of booties
• 5 pairs of mittens
• 2 burping pads
• 1 bib
• 6 binders/girdle
• 3 short sleeved kimono tops
• 6 sleeveless kimono tops
• 3 onesies
• 2 receiving blankets
• 3 hats
• 2 face towels
• 4 pajamas

We had to take a photo of what we bought because my father wanted to see the stuff. And yes it's on the dining table but we were gonna wash the clothes first anyway.

Shopping is still not finished but we figured to go ahead and just buy few of the baby essentials so that we're prepared once the baby decides to want to meet the world. After shopping for clothes, we went to Market! Market! to buy other baby stuff such as feeding bottles, bottle sterilizer, comforter set, and other accessories. We canvassed for cribs and strollers but the choices were limited and decided to look for other stuff at SM at other time. If we bought the same number of clothes at the mall, our Php2,130 bill would probably buy just half of the items we bought at Hello Baby.

Hello Baby Garments operating hours are from 8 AM-5 PM, and open from Monday to Sunday. You can call first at 896.4802 to inquire if there are new stocks, Ate Vicky is helpful and would even inform you the address. I have a feeling that I would frequent this store to buy budget-friendly clothes as gifts! ;)

It's a Girl!

I probably should have made this blog 9 months ago when we found out that my brother's girlfriend N was pregnant.I never thought that I'd be this excited because I have had a lot of nephews and nieces from my cousins and thought that another crying baby is just that, another crying baby. However, the more I see that N's tummy was getting bigger and bigger as months pass by, I just couldn't help but feel excited, as if I was the one who will have my own child.

I started to search for baby stuff, reading parenting forums, and looking for places that offer great deals. I even downloaded templates for a possible baby shower and baptismal celebration! I guess I'm just a really excited Tita (Aunt). From reading articles online, I found out that abdominal ultrasound is done by 6 months of pregnancy and let's just say that by the time N was on her 6th month, I was bugging them for the next prenatal check up because the ultrasound appointment was just around the corner.

True enough, on December 16, 2012, N had her abdominal ultrasound and yes, my mother was correct: it's a baby girl! Most of the family thought that I'd be all bitter since I'm the first born and the only grand daughter on my father's side of the family (hence my childhood nickname: (Princess), and that I'd feel like I'm going to be looked over from now on, but sorry to disappoint you, family. I think I'm matured enough to think that such silly thoughts are just that: silly. Besides, it would be so exciting and cool to like, shop for small baby dresses and dress up my soon-to-be-niece.

Obstetric sonogram at 25 weeks

I think the one who is excited the most (apart from the soon-to-be-parents), is my father. Why wouldn't he be, the baby is going to be his first apo (grandchild). He is actually excited to finish his contract and go home now (he is working overseas) and he said that he's going to be the one who will take care of the baby since the parents-to-be both have jobs and it's much better that way than getting a nanny. 

It's N's 9th month of pregnancy now, and her OB said that she can deliver any day within this month. I guess it's safe to say that the whole family is so excited to welcome the newest addition to the family!