dolce vita. everyday is a sweet day.
Stop for a moment and ponder the blessings the Lord has given you this year. Surely, there were changes and challenges too, but let’s focus on the blessings.
Sometimes God changes things to bring greater blessings. Is there something that was challenging in your life this year that has brought blessings?
“Your big picture will never be a masterpiece if you ignore the tiny brushstrokes.” – Andy Andrews
I think Johan is the happiest during these days of my bedrest ❤ He would spend almost all day and night by my side, or always checking on me even if he was playing outside with Ate Len. He would ask if I am done sleeping, or if I want to eat. He would give me (and his Daddy) random toys and food during the whole day. So sweet! (parang asukal daw sya)
He would say non-stop “Nanay, favorite kita”. He would hug me and look at me lovingly, kiss me, smile sheepishly, and say again love kita.
This is also the second week that you are trying to sleep at night with no breastfeeding. You’ve been askimg me countless times, “pwede na ba Nanay”? But you would always understand when I explain to you. You accept the bottle and sleep without fuss as long as you can smell me by your side.
I might not feel 100% well but my heart is full. It melts in every hug, in every kiss, and every look from you. I want to remember these moments always and forever ❤❤❤ Sulit lahat, bebe ko. I love you. 😘 I’m praising God for motherhood, for you, and the joy you bring in our lives.
Yesterday, I did have spotting (at 11W 5D). To cut the story short, my TVS showed internal bleeding (hematoma) and also UTI from Urinalysis.
Doctor’s order is bed rest, with limited bathroom privileges. 🙁
It’s so sad, I have so many things planned for the holidays, and my work piling up. But baby is number 1 priority.
Hubby and I suspect that Johan’s latching at night (to breastfeed) contributes to the bleeding. Im heartbroken. Im not ready yet to wean him, and he is always asking me to latch. I assumed he is not ready and he will not understand. I assumed he will hate me for it (affer 3yrs++ of our exclusive, bonding time together bfeeding) day in and out 🙁
During the whole day, I kept talking to this sweet intelligent toddler that Nanay’s tummy is in pain if he latched. He was sad, I can see it in his expression.
Tonight, I was still telling him, no more latching. When he was sleepy, he gave me Rubble’s picture as this is my fave Paw Patrol. Then he suddenly asked for the bottle (“dede bole” as he calls it). He would usually asks for it when is he is still hungry after latching. This time, he asked straight for his “dede bole” and lay beside me. He drank while I lay beside him quietly.
After few minutes, he handed me back the empty bottle back and slept.
Oh my baby, he understood. I love you. I love you. Thank you ❤
Beside him is Hubby, who was so tired driving for me today and went to the grocery for my medicine and needs. In between, he was also busy attending go my needs, giving me food, water and snacks so I can stay in bed. He is also tired attending to Johan’s usual whims and attention seeking.
I saw his promise, for better or worse. I see a loving husband. I see pure ove in his service. Thank you Hubby for keeping our promise to GOD 4 years ago, Thank you. I appreciate you and bebe ko. And Im sure the little one in my tummy really really feel the magnitude of your love for us. You are a great husband and father. You, next to God our Father, is my source of courage that we can make it through this as a family. I love you. I love you. ❤
Even Ate Len who has to attend to my needs because I cannot move around the house. Thank you. I cannot see any grudge but pure concern on my situation, even if it means added work from our usual routine. May God bless you more for all that you do for our family. God knows your heart, He blesses those who are obedient like you. Thank you. ❤
Both families in Palawan and Bulacan are also im full force in praying with us. Thank you, we love love you.
Most of all, thank you God for Your LOVE. It is simple overflowing. I can feel it to the bones through the people you gave me. You are the best Father. You have planned ahead! (even the aircon in our room was fixed for the longest time since ECQ months before before I bed rest). Praising you for the provision to pay for the Labs and medicines! Praising you for your grace and hope and promise to me that everything will be alright!
Thank you for reminding me that we are safe. I love You.❤ I miss You. I guess this means a lot of time with You while taking my rest.
Today, that fuzzy feeling of LOVE overcame my anxiety, sadness, apprehension of the future.
Today, it was just ALL LOVE. ❤❤❤
At 3.6 years old, he is into Cars, Paw Patrol, and PJ Masks. I love you, bebe 😘
My God is a loving God. He forgives my sins, even before I asked for it. He knows my ❤ Jesus took my sins so I can live.
Jesus, forgive me for my rebellion, my unbelief, and my arrogance. Thank you for living the perfect life that made my salvation possible. Amen.
This quarantine, the wall in Johan’s room spoke how much fun it is to be with this bebe. He loves cutting and pasting at this stage (3yo). Earlier today, we had bonding time putting up the stars (100 of them) on the wall. Super enjoy sya 🥰
This wall is his work of art 😍
Thank you God for the joy in our lives, even amidst Covid-19. ❤
Yesterday marked Baby Johan’s 31st week. With this milestone are just praises and gratefulness to our God who continues to bless and protect our baby in my womb.
And as I start the work week, I just have to share the Word for today <3
Luke 1:13 – ‘The angel said to him… “your prayer has been heard”.’
Zechariah must have been praying to have a child for decades and had probably long since given up praying that particular prayer. It’s encouraging that God does hear even if he doesn’t seem to answer. God’s timing was perfect for John’s arrival in the world. We don’t always see the big picture.
God’s love is the best. <3
Dearest Baby Johan,
This year’s Valentines Day is a lot more special than any of the ones I ever had, because:
1. This is your Daddy and Mommy’s first Valentine’s as married couple, and your Daddy is still sweet enough to bring home roses (and KFC dinner) for me;
2. And most of all, because I have 2 hearts now beating inside me–mine and that little amazing heart of yours.
Happy Love Day, my Baby! I know your heart is created after God’s own heart, and every heartbeat we hear from the outside is His love echoing through you. The love is just overflowing! <3
[A Christmas-y thought this season.]
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 NLT
For years in my entire life, I’ve prayed for countless [mostly self-gaining] prayers: salary raise, new car, fully paid condo, physical healing, losing weight, guidance on my career, and a lot more trivial things.
I did not realize that after our wedding, this time I have asked for the most selfless prayer ever: that is to conceive, and a have baby, and be a mother.
And because God is faithful (it was His promise I’ve been holding on to), He granted this prayer right away.
Suddenly, there were tons of selfless things I have to do, and most of this is to give up. I now think less of myself and more of baby for almost everything I do: no more eating of chocolates, no more coffees over cheesecakes, no more impulse buying and shopping-only-because-its-sale, less travels on a whim, and a lot more stuff within my comfort and luxury zones. From my walking to my work habits to my sleep position, all are being done thinking of our baby and how it will affect him/her.
And so it really amazes me how could Mary say “Yes” right away going through all the pregnancy challenges and giving birth in a manger, and eventually giving up that baby for a selfish world. Isn’t it the most unselfish act you could ever think of?
This thought makes my Christmas more meaningful.
Our baby is not just another blessing. It’s God’s way of giving me and Hubby THAT special privilege to experience how it is to be REALLY unselfish with love. I cannot imagine the magnitude of that love to be able to give your Son to a selfish world (us!), which Mary selflessly conceived and raised. How could you reject that love? Two thousand years ago and still this unparalleled loving and selfless act is still celebrated and remembered today.
I hope that amidst the parties, gifts, food, sweets, and decorations, everyone finds also the personal meaning of Christmas in their lives. It’s where all the love in the world began after all.
A blessed Christmas from us and our little J! <3
We are celebrating a major milestone this week, which marks our second trimester! Baby Jam is estimated to be lemon-sized by now. Baby is growing fast, and sometimes I’m not sure if I’m really feeling him/her like “swimming” in my womb, or I’m just too excited about it 😉
I am just grateful for all the prayers I was getting from family and friends, especially during the first trimester. I know it is with the help of these prayers that I’ve had a relatively easy first trimester. For my age and no bed rest at all, I really thank God for that 🙂
Loudest applause next to God is for my Hubby, who did everything for me (and baby) during that time–I felt like a queen! More than the cleaning of the house, buying me food and my cravings, doing the groceries, sorting out the laundry, being most patient and loving, and reading “The Expectant Dad” book that I bought him and forced him to read–what I appreciated most is when he would lead praying for me and baby, especially during my most “preggy” moments (like whenever I don’t feel well, or crying out of nowhere). A whisper of prayer from this man always made me feel better (aww!).
And now at the start of 2nd trimester, I’m amazed how fast the transition was. As soon as it started, all seems a lot more easier and better (physically and emotionally). For a few days, indigestion and bloating were major problems for me. But thankfully again, I learned how to avoid it and now I felt much more normal 😀 I’m sooo excited to get back to exercising (preggy-allowed, of course) and start to move more again 🙂
On a side note, we are in the process of keeping tabs in my sugar level, which will hopefully turn out normal. My glucose test results will come out soon and I will see the endocrinologist this week.
For now, I am just looking forward to more of this journey. My baby bump is starting to show, and now I’m starting to sort of panic (for real) where to start learning the ropes of pregnancy, and preparing for baby. I know we are not even half way, but I am not doubting and not praning with anything because I am holding on the most sturdy stronghold, our God. 🙂
To close this post, I’m sharing our 14th week prayer for Baby Jam. I got a book that Hubby and I read/pray in parallel with baby’s development, and here’s our prayer for our 14th week:
Dear Lord, we thank you for making it to the second trimester this week! We praise you for this miracle of baby that I am carrying. Truly, you are a great and wonderful God! We’re amazed at the exquisite detail You planned for Your creation. Thank you for caring for our unborn baby.
Lord, we pray that baby will exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and temperance. Help us to be role models of these. Help us to be loving parents that you want us to be.
And Lord, we pray for the physical development of our baby. Please cause everything that is happening this week to develop properly.
Psalm 139:13 says, “You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb”. We thank you for this encouraging message. Please knit together–cause to develop properly–every part of our baby’s being: body, soul and spirit.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
–Praying Through Your Pregnancy, by Carolyn Warren, Jennifer Polimino
