Saturday, November 14, 2015

My Greatest Blessing

God knows my deep desire to have someone whom I can love, hold and cherish forever, someone who’s gonna complete my world.

Last April 2014, I lost the most important person in my life- my mom. My world fell apart and my heart was shattered into pieces. That feeling of brokenness and incompleteness that made me so much desperate to make myself whole again. (Basag na basag.)
How to deal with life when you lost the most important person in your life? God knows how much I suffered. I got depressed. I lost direction. I lost reasons to live. The adjustments I have to embrace-- I have no choice but to accept all the changes that happened. To be honest-- it's the toughest thing I've encountered. All the motherless out there knows what I'm talking about. That pain that never goes away. 

When Gelo proposed to marry me, I said YES with no hesitancy. I don't wanna make things complicated anymore. I will leave the past behind me- all the heartbreaks. I don't wanna get confused again what do I want to happen in my life. “Lalagay na ko sa tahimik. Ayoko na magkaroon ng maraming choices, ng maraming path na kailangan ko tingnan o pagpilian..” During that time, all I want is to be whole again. And I saw marriage as a base point to start all over again. Start all over again by building my own family. 

It’s funny that when Gelo and I decided to get married, people think that the reason was I’m pregnant. I heard from a friend that people say it's too fast because we were only in a relationship for two years and it's less than a year since mom passed away. What they don't know was: the main reason why I decided to get married is to have children- to complete my life. One of my dreams in life is to have someone who will call me mommy. I see my mom as a super woman for the pure and unconditional love she provided us and I told myself someday I'm gonna be like her! And there it was-- a guy kneeling down in front of me asking me to marry him. Why not? He will make my dream come true.

I have PCOS with both ovaries. My greatest fear in life is not able to conceive. That's why after tying the knot, we already started trying. I was so desperate I switch OBY 3x. Haha. My 1st Oby doesn’t want me to take fertility pills, she asked me to wait until 1 year before considering this option. She advised me to have diet and exercise. 6 months trying and still hopeless. I decided to switch to my 2ndOby: a fertility doctor. I told her, I want to have a child already, so we had a deal. After my menstruation for the month of September, I will begin taking fertility pills and will monitor my ovulation by TransV. Yay :3 super excited. 
For the first time after I get married, I became excited to have my period. Haha. Get used hoping to be delayed and find a positive result in pregnancy test. But this month, a different hope-- red alert days so that I can start with the Project Positive (PT).
But who would have thought that when I stopped begging God for a while, He will answers my prayer in the most unexpected time :) God's perfect timing <3

It's day 50 already and still my period was not coming. I'm usually 45 days cycle but this time was a bit late. Pregnancy didn't crossed my mind because my husband and I didn't plan for it this time. I didn't have any unusual symptoms except for brown spotting that lasted for 3 days. I thought my PCOS was attacking again. My acid reflux seems normal to me since I am H-Pylori Positive. No idea that I'm pregnant but to take precaution, I still took the pregnancy test before going to Medical City for my Annual Physical Examination (mandatory requirement of my company)— the result I saw was negative. What's new? I thought. I immediately throwed it in the trashcan after seeing a one line in the pregnancy kit. I didn't even waited for few minutes to have a second look. 
“Ma’am are you sure you're not pregnant?” asked by the Nurse in Xray Department. "Yes sir. I took the pregnancy test this morning. I'm just having my irregular period again” I confidently answered. Chest XRAY: Inhale, hold, exhale. Done.

After a week, still no period. This bothered me, so it crossed my mind to try the massage to correct hormonal imbalance.. but before going to Pampanga I decided to take the pregnancy test again- for the last time. I still have one Pregnancy Test kit left in the house. I woke up super early. After writing my letter to Jesus, I immediately went to our Rest Room to take the pregnancy test. Uhmm.. Saw the line- only one line- again.. *Sigh* I was staring at the stick and whispered “God, how many more negative result do I have to get?". Then I put it in the box. Sadness started to attack me but there was something inside me that was pushing me to get the kit again.. And guess what? There was another line appeared. It was a faint line though.. “Dug..Dug..Dug..” My heart was beating fast.. and faster.. My husband was sleeping soundly, I decided not to wake him up.. First, I don't want to wake him up for something unsure. Second, it is in my list that when I become pregnant, I am going to prepare a surprise announcement for him. 

Walk. Sit. Walk. Pause. Walk. Sit. I felt uneasy. What to do next? It's 6 am in the morning and no pharmacy near us was open. I didn't know where to buy another pregnancy test. 
I texted someone I know who also got a positive result. We used the same brand of PT. I asked her to send me her PT result. I honestly don't know what accurate positive looks like. It's my first time to have two lines. I sent it first to her via viber.. She told me I'm pregnant. She also sent her result. It looks the same. “Oh my gosh! Am I really pregnant!Wahhh! So positive nga?” I can't believe it! Seems like a dream come true. And it was the most amazing feeling ever.
But got a mixed emotions.. On top of the happiness, here comes the countless worries.. The chest XRAY. I even take antibiotic lastAugust for my HPylori Treatment. And many more!
"Ano ba aiza! Kalma!”

I immediately took a bath then went to Makati Med to see my doctor. My 1st doctor was out of country, so I decided to go to my 2nd doctor, they didn't accept me first because Saturday is for those who scheduled an appointment for checkup but because I'm so desperate to know my status I begged to secretary and she allowed me if I can wait until the last patient. 1 and half hour waiting.. Can't wait any longer so I went to Maxicare again to switch doctor. After the long waiting game again, I went to the recommended doctor by Maxicare but unfortunately 20+ patients are already waiting for that doctor. So I decided to search for another doctor and to make it sure this time, I called up the clinic and inquired to secretary. She only have two patients waiting. Ohrayt! I went to maxicare again to switch doctor for the last time. 
The doctor was not yet in the hospital so I still waited for almost an hour. I asked my self to calm down and be patient. I showed her the PT and then she congratulated me. But when I told her I took an Xray last week, she asked me to take the trans V to know the progress of the baby.. I felt a lil bit nervous, scared and worried. 

During the ultrasound, there was a little sac. Super small about 4 weeks. Everything was normal but we still need to repeat the ultrasound after two weeks to know if there will be a good progress in the baby. 
I thank God for that moment. it's the most wonderful thing I've seen in my whole life. That little sac in my womb~ my greatest blessing. :')
Finally~ got a positive result. yay :3 God is good all the time. 


Baby #1 @ 4 Weeks


First Ultrasound Result :)

~~ To be continued.
Next blog: Surprise! Congrats Daddy Gelo! :) – his reaction is priceless *laughs*

Friday, September 18, 2015

The Most Beautiful Starbucks in the Philippines

It was featured in When in Manila and ABS CBN blog site as the most beautiful starbucks in the Phillipines. Since we were already in Tagaytay, I've asked Gelo if we can drop by, have a drink, chill and see if this place will wow us.. :)

Location:
This branch is located in Twin Lakes, along the main highway in Tagaytay-Nasugbu road.


Sharing some of our photos below. Be the critic if this is really the most beautiful starbucks in our country:) 


























Saturday, September 12, 2015

Food Tripping: Tagaytay Mahogany Market

So it’s our 7 Wedding Monthsary. I woke up very early, took a bath and dressed up- not my usual weekend. Neither of us discussed what the plans for today. It’s been 7 months after the wedding, I felt the need to celebrate Love but I didn’t say any word to my husband except for a morning kiss and greetings “Happy monthsary!.” He was looking at me while I’m dressing up (para kasing babaeng nagaayos para hindi maleyt sa date nya) haha! Maybe he got it already; I want him to date me. Actions speak louder than words. So he also prepared afterwards. 

Perks of being married- no more pakipot moves. I want a date, so I dressed up, whether he wants it or not- we’re going for a date. Walang tanong tanong.  Walang sagot sagot. Automatic alam na! *laughs*

Both unprepared. While driving, he asked me where do I want to go..

“Take me wherever you want, I’ll go with you love”.—cheeziness! 

goofing around with le hubby <3
Driving habit: Holding hands
Pandy and Bebear lead the way.
So he just continued driving. The nearest sweet and ideal place to spend some downtime-Tagaytay! Just about an hour away from Makati :’> walang sawang Tagaytay! Our favorite place for escapade, everytime gusto naming magchillax at magbulalo. Dun naman kame nagkakasundo- sa foodtripan! 
While we are in SLEX, we asked each other what particular place to visit, where to eat, etc. Then he remembered the Mahogany Market- Home of the Famous Beef- Bulalo Haven. Finally! Tagal na din kasi namin gusto yun puntahan.

How to get there?
Public Vehicle: You can ride a jeep with route passing by “NBI Tagaytay” or all buses going to Nasugbu, and Balayan, Batangas. Just tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Mahogany.


Private Vehicle: From Tagaytay Rotonda or  Junction, go straight to the road going to Batangas. When you reach the Petron Gasoline Station, take the road going right and look for the Hall of Justice Building which is located at the right side of the road. The market is at the back of the building.

Tagaytay Mahogany Market 



The Mahogany market in Tagaytay is famous for its beef/bulalo.


Sabi nga nila, this is one of the places in Tagaytay na hindi mo dapat mamiss puntahan. Lalo na if first time mo and gusto mo makatikim ng super sarap na bulalo. It is also known for the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables being sold in the market.

There are also vendors selling Filipino delicacies/dried foods and souvenir stuff to bring back home around the market. There are also herbs, bonsai plants, flowering plants and many more.
Tawilis and Danggit for only 100 php (50 each)


First stop: The Famous Eatery which is featured in GMA Pinoy Foodies and Delmonte Kitchenomics: The Alegres’s Canteen - the best Bulalo in Tagaytay.

Reading other blogs, reviews and considering officemate’s suggestion- we decided to eat at Alegre’s Canteen.




There are variety of yummy foods.

 But we ordered our all time favorite:

The Best Bulalo 350 php

Tawilis- a must try 100

 
Unli Free Banana <3

suka (vinegar) for sawsawan - FTW

Overall, we had a delightful dining experience. Best Bulalo in Tagaytay + Tawilis (my bagong paborito hihi) +Unli Banana =Solb! 





The next time you go to Tagaytay City do not forget to pass by Mahogany Market for your fresh fruit, plant, and beef ‘pasalubong’ or souvenir and try at least their famous bulalo. :">

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Gelo and Aiza Pre-Nup Pictorial: Part 2 :)

Photography: 54 South stillsxfilms 
Location: Pasig Wildlife Park 
Make up: DIY


 Below are my favorite photos in our Pre-Nup Pictorial Part 2:




























 More random photos: