Growing Angel

See what 4 weeks can do to this teeny weeny infant.

Week 1:



Week 2:


Week 3:



Week 4:



My baby is growing oh so fast!

Heartfelt Thanks

I know this is long overdue, but still, I want to give my sincerest gratitude to all those who took time to visit us in the hospital. Your presence and thoughtful presents mean so much to us.

Here's a HUGE hug and thank you to:

• The DIFC Authority Business Development Administrators Team for sending me the gorgeous floral arrangement. I was wishing for a bunch of flowers at least when I deliver but I didn't expect something this grand though. Thanks so much - totally made my day!

• My team mate, HH for having these yummy chocolates delivered to my room, and for swinging by during lunch break to see me and the little one. Appreciate the sweet gesture of yours. Baby D thanks you for the enveloped gift, too.

• My best cousin Sarj, for the delicate flowers you brought for me. But what I really loved was the card that came with it...it was so touching! I'm so lucky to have you as Dade's wonderful Aunt.

• My bessie Beth, who not only provided moral support during the day of my delivery but also took snaps of our family and its new addition. The balloon and the huge announcement card were so pretty. And the clothes that you bought for Dade - wow! Thanks a million, sweetie! Mwah!!

• My photographer friend, Kelvin, who also came by the hospital on the day i delivered. Thanks for buying lunch for my Mom that day, and for taking pics of Dade. The gifts you gave our little man were appreciated. And thanks also for the parenting tips...useful, dude!

• The Pinoy mafia at work who visited us at the hospital by batches. Appreciate the flowers, fruits and chocolates you brought. I'm so fortunate to have you guys as friends, not just as colleagues.

• Bob & Ditas for coming over, and for bringing Ryan's tobacco to celebrate our son's arrival. Your friendship and support to our family is something we truly treasure.

• Armil & Mabe for taking time to see us, and for bringing Dade the charming sets of onesies. In a few months, we'll be the ones to visit you at the same hospital for the arrival of your princess. Glad to have your friendship after all these years.

• Harvey & Gracita for driving all the way from work and for sparing us some Annika minutes just to see us. The set of layette for the LO is soooo cute! Thank you, thank you!

• Pid, Gayle & Guianna for visiting us at home, and for gifting Dade with the lovely baby book that matches the theme of his nursery. It's so adorable I can't wait to fill it with memoirs for the little guy!

• Maie & Ahmed for stealing some precious time away from your baby just to pay us a visit at the hospital.  Thanks also for the set of clothes and pair of shoes you got for Dade. He'll look cute on it, I'm sure.

• Yvonne for always thinking of us and for not failing to visit us even after a tiring day at work. Merci beau coup!

On the day I gave birth to our firstborn, I felt so loved and so appreciated. Words aren't enough to describe the happiness that enveloped me then. Thank you to all of you once again!

Eleventh Anniversary

11 years.  Can you believe it, we've been together this long already?  Happy anniversary to us, Hon!  I'll never get tired celebrating our original anniversary!  :)

I love you more and more each day!  Mwaaaahhhh

My Birthing Story: Dade's Arrival

The 1st of August was the day our lives were changed because of the arrival of the wonderful miracle that finally made us a family.

Dade came to this world on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. It was exactly my 39th week that day, and I was due for a check up with my OB-GYNE, Dr. Christian Jozsa at 2:00 in the afternoon.  However, my baby decided to check in that day and gave my OB a different reason to see me.

The magical feeling of anticipation started when I felt water about to gush out of me at 5:40 am. I quickly tossed out of the bed and headed straight to our en-suite bath. Ryan thought I fell off the bed so he asked me if I was alright. I didn't have the chance to reply as I felt my water bag break as soon as I stepped inside the bathroom. I knew Baby Dade was coming out that day.

After I told the husband of the exciting news, I phoned the American Hospital Dubai's Labor Suite to inform them about my condition. I was calmly advised by the nurse to take a warm shower and to have my breakfast before we proceed to the hospital. We woke up my Mom, ate, and prepared to leave. I didn't feel any contractions 'til 6:40 am so I even had the chance to post my status on Facebook :)

As we were leaving the apartment, I felt the first contraction. That's when I realized the pain of true labor. However, my excitement overshadowed the pain, so I was still all smiles when we reached the hospital at 7:10 am. As soon as we got to the Labor Suite, we were immediately assisted by the nurses and midwife. My labor suite was ready, and by 7:25 am, I was IEd and hooked up to the fetal monitor.

The midwife told us that I was only a centimeter dilated. She also openly mentioned her concern about my protruding pubic bone that she felt when she did the IE. She informed my OB about my status who was at the floor then scheduled to perform a cesarian operation that morning. When my doctor saw me after a few minutes, he concurred with the midwife and suggested that I do a bit of walking since I'm not yet fully dilated. We were all hoping I would open up enough to pursue NSD. I did as I was told, and went to the cafeteria downstairs at 8:15 am with Ryan & bessie B who came by as soon as she heard the news about my water bag breaking. As soon as they finished with their meals, we went to the lobby where I did some serious walking.

By 10:00 am, we went back to the Labor Suite where my Mom was waiting for me. With high hopes that I can still deliver via NSD, I was asked by the midwife what type of pain relief I'd like, and without skipping a beat, I just blurted out "epidural". By 10:45 am, I was administered an epi. I was praying so hard the whole time - willing myself not to squirm or move to a slightest inch. The anesthesiologist commented how good I was with the whole thing, and wished me luck with the delivery.

By 12:45 pm, I was already 3 cm dilated. From thereon, I was checked like every 15 minutes or so. After an hour, I was already fully effaced and dilated. The only thing we're waiting for was for baby's head to go lower. While waiting, I was asked by the midwife to lie on my left side hoping to speed up things.

By 3:00 pm, my doctor advised me to try and push as mightily as I can, but after a few attempts, the baby's head remained high. He became utterly concerned with the initial assessment related to my protruding pubic bone, which he believed could make baby's exit from my womb harder because it was slightly blocking the way and created a little corner. Considering Baby D's size and my built, Dr. Jozsa thought an emergency C-section would be a better option for me at that point. However, he still gave it another shot and asked me to wait for another half an hour to see if there will be any changes, and from thereon, a decision will be made.

I talked to Baby D the whole time, asking him to cooperate. But by 3:00 pm, I had to give in for an emergency C-section because despite the number of pushes I did, his head just wouldn't come down. I didn't want to put my baby at risk so I went ahead and signed the form.

At 3:40 pm, I was given a dose of anesthesia for the surgery, prepped by the midwife, then was wheeled in the operating room by 3:50 pm. At the eleventh hour, my conscious side even had the guts to ask what kind of cut will be done. How vain! LOL!

Before the doors of the OR were closed, I asked where my husband was as I wanted him badly to be next to me as I deliver our baby boy. All the nurses assured me that he will be there - he was just asked to wear a scrub suit for the operation.

I was awake the whole time but didn't feel a thing. I could hear my doctor working his way through my skin, gently slicing my belly to take the baby out. In less than 10 minutes, I heard the most beautiful music to my ears - my firstborn's loud cry. It was an emotional moment...I couldn't help but shed tears. And then after a little while, I felt the nurse's hands place him on top of me. seeing him for the first time was one of the most surreal feeling I've ever felt! I kept saying, "Hello, Dade! Mommy's here" over and over again while caressing his face and head.

Baby D came out as a healthy, bouncing baby boy. His APGAR scores were 9/10 and 10/10 :D My doctor told us it was a wise decision to go through the CS. Turns out our dear LO was looking up the whole time that's why his head couldn't be felt every time I was being IE'd. He was also a bit wedged in my protruding pubic bone. Had we gone through NSD, it would've been a tough delivery.

After our brief bonding moment, Baby D was taken to the nursery where he was cleaned. Ryan was asked by the nurses to join him. At the nursery, the proud Daddy took photos and videos, and he was also taught how to clean the baby and change his nappies (yay!). I'm proud to say that hubby mastered the art of nappy changing :)

From the recovery room, I was transfered to my room where my Mom, bessie B, and friend K were waiting for me. I was still feeling groggy then, but was happy to see them all. Just as I was settling in, the new Dad with the baby boy arrived, much to our excitement! I still couldn't believe my baby's already out! :)

I held on to Dade once again, and tried to nurse him for the first time. He looked like a little angel while he was in my arms...sooo cute!!

All in all, it was a blessed day for us. I couldn't thank God enough for giving us Dade and for keeping us both well. Despite the pain of going through labor, I would still be doing it all over again. Seeing my son in my arms made it all worth it.

On Hand At Last!

And I thought these Aveeno Baby products got lost in transit!



I ordered these last 27th July, and were only delivered to our offices yesterday. According to the Medshop Express website, I should expect it within 5 working days but it obviously took more time and got stuck in God knows where. Hubby had to pick them up from my workplace this morning, along with my other mails as he also had to submit Dade's birth certificate and photos to our Human Capital to apply him an ALICO health card.

Tomorrow, we will give Dade a bath and we will try on him the Wash & Shampoo. I hope he'll be hiyang with this product.

Quite A Scare

I just had my first panic attack related to child care. I still haven't completely recovered from the experience, and remembering what had happened still gives me the shudder. But I want to blog it now so I'd refer to this in the future to remind myself that what happened was pretty normal *whew!*

A few hours ago, my LO woke up with a cry. That was around 9-ish. My Mom picked him up to check on his nappy, and placed him on the changing table because he pooped.  All throughout the process of changing his diaper, our dear Baby Dade was crying incessantly. He obviously wasn't happy with the discomfort he's feeling thanks to his soiled nappy. While Mom was cleaning off his bum and applying some Desitin to his diaper rash (he was allergic to the brand of diapers he used this afternoon), I stood next to her, handing out Dade's change of clothes & swaddler, and trying to comfort my baby with my voice. Suddenly, the little boy turned blue and no sound came out of his mouth. it was as if he wasn't breathing! I froze, unable to move, and just watched my Mom quickly pick him up and blow air on his face. In a matter of two seconds, his loud cry & color came back, much to our relief. Later on, my Mom and the hubby assured me that what happened was normal albeit panic inducing.

I read up on it, and confirmed that it is indeed a normal thing that babies & young children do. In fact, some actually pass out after an episode, and regain consciousness after 30-60 seconds. My gosh, that is something I am not ready to experience! I really, really hope this doesn't happen again. I swear, it frightened me out of my wits!  Imagine if my Mom wasn't in the room with me, I probably would've panicked big time. Thank goodness our boy was ok!

I know this is just one of the many panic attacks I'm gonna experience related to child rearing. But I hope and pray that in the future, I'd remember to have presence of mind and be not intimidated by the situation.

And Baby Makes Three

On August 1, 2009, I finally gave birth to our healthy little prince, Daniel Jayden Erix, whom we fondly call 'Dade'.

He checked in via C-section at 4:06 pm at American Hospital Dubai, weighing 3.590 kg, 52 cms long.

Detailed birthing story with pics to follow. Please bear with me as i am still adjusting to my new role as a Mom :)

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Thank you, God for making me an instrument in fulfilling a miracle that you have planned for us! And thank you to everyone who prayed for us...it means a lot to our young family. God bless you all!