And here comes the Sun

It was also in 1999 when i delivered our first and only child.(Ask me about the gap between my marriage and childbirth, it's another different story. I can make a separate blog for it.) :D It was so unexpected, though if i remember correctly, i was at 38 weeks gestation. My bag of water suddenly ruptured as we were about to sleep. I felt the rapid gush of water flowing towards my thighs.   (I thought, I wasn't able to control my bladder...just a jest! of course you would know the difference between a pee and an amniotic fluid.)  This is it, I'm giving birth! I wondered why i didn't feel any episode of contractions at all. Suddenly, i felt scared because my baby is at great risk of infection.

It was raining heavily when I was rushed to UDMC Hospital via a tricycle - yes, there was no cab available at nearly midnight. Apparently, I got no pre-natal check up at UDMC so they didn't entertain us. My husband had to take me from UDMC to FEU Hospital not via a tricycle anymore, nag-taxi naman kami!! (to all expected mums, pre-natal check up is very important. make sure to visit your O & G regularly)

Thank God, the process of giving birth was a success. After all the panting and the anesthesia induced to me started to wear off quickly, the nurse asked me as to where do I prefer to be admitted. With no hesitations, I told her to put me in a charity unit. ( I felt that getting an expensive single room or a two bedded room is neither important, I'll be discharged the following day anyway. Another thing is that i could use the extra money to buy diapers, milk and other baby items. )

As expected, all medical and surgical cases were catered to where I was placed. Adjacent to me was a badly wounded man from an incident of fraternity wars - oh, I couldn't care less. All I know was that I'm eager to see how my baby look like before sunrise. Oh wait, i remember so well, that out of my curiosity, there was a moment when i wanted to ask that man what happened to him and i wanted share some health teachings on how to take care of his wounds pero sige na nga, wag na lang, I'm still in great pain! Umiral lang siguro ang medyo pagiging tsismosa ko. 

Upon seeing her (I had to visit her to the nursery since rooming-in is not allowed in the unit), i felt a strange mixture of shame and guilt. She was so small yet so lovely and radiant. I felt, she is not worthy being mine.
Yes, it was indeed postpartum blues - blame it to so called hormonal changes!  Perhaps one of my college best friend Ria Jose-Pachica and  my childhood best friend Norren Saporna know the reason behind my postnatal depression. I'm just so thankful for my college and high school friends whom i didn't invite to witness my wedding yet during the time when i needed them most, they were more than willing to help. Thank God for showering me kind and caring friends!
(Again for expected mums, postpartum blues may give you thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, seek help immediately.)

My first attempt of breastfeeding wasn't easy but eventually i was able to get her latch on. 
I remember that every time she roots around, I offered what I felt I had to.
And every time she cries, I rendered endless lullabies and nursery rhymes.

Being able to produce life is immeasurably great blessing. And I'm proud of my mother for bringing up five!

- Photo credit - Woman's Healthcare Topics - 

With our very pretty cousin Donna.

A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds.
  - Barbara Cage -

A little girl can be sweeter (and badder) oftener than anyone else in the world. She can jitter around, and stomp, and make funny noises that frazzle your nerves, yet just when you open your mouth she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes. A girl is Innocence playing in the mud, Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot. 
- Alan Marshall Beck -

I want her to become a model, her father wants her to be an engineer.

I remember the priest during the last sunday mass, he advised every family 
to have at least three children, one for the mother, one for the father and one for God. We'll soon be planning for our second one. :D

oh, i love her so much!

Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.
- Joseph Addison -

 'Every child begins the world again........'

The reason behind her name is another story which I intend to keep for my daughter to share with her friends and classmates.

As a mummy, you probably adore your girls. You can dress up your girls, doll them up, and watch in fascination at the ways they try to mimic a little woman.

Their innocence and endearing acts probably left you wondering what kind of woman will your girl grow up to be someday. Would she be pretty? Would she be happy? Would she find a good man? 

- credit to Great Inspirational Quotes -

A Grandfather and Granddaughter Recent Conversation

Lolo (my father) - "Anong swerte ko baya naman Dayne".

Dayne                 - "Bakit mo naman po nasabi na swerte kayo Lolo?"

Lolo                    - "Papaano ay meron na akong Prinsesa, binigyan pa ako ngayon ng isang Prinsipe". (Referring to his new grandchild from Mentzer and Richelle).

Dayne gave her Lolo a big smile, a trace of contentment and joy from her Lolo's reply.