Dear Aria...

Seems like you've created a circus inside my tummy. There seems to be so much activity going on in there. I know you're developing into a happy baby, because you're always dancing and kicking and doing tiny somersaults.

Your Daddy and I can't wait to see you, little one. We're always excited everytime you move. Do you feel Daddy's hand waiting for your kicks? Yes, that big hand is Daddy's. And sometimes when you feel some soft tapping from outside, that's me trying to wake you up because I want to feel you move.

Other mothers tell me that once I reach the third trimester, I'll start feeling bored and impatient with the pregnancy. Mommy doesn't feel that at all! In fact, my dearest daughter, I'm savoring every minute, every second with you. You can't imagine how happy you make me everytime you swim about my tummy. It's a feeling that I would always want to experience, and while you're still in there, I hold on to every moment. Having you inside my tummy is simply wonderful! It's like having good company all the time. It's true, darling. I feel like I'm never alone because I have you with me day and night (literally) and it's great! I hope you're also enjoying all this time we're spending together.

Your Daddy went to the mall today to look at some nice headphones he can get for you. I know you've been exposed to a lot of music already, what with your Mommy being a radio jock and all. But he wants to buy you headphones so the tunes can reach you clearly. I don't know if you dig classical music. I honestly get bored to death. If you're not not liking it, too, then just give me a kick. I have a lot of happier songs to share with you. You know that quite well because Mommy has been singing to you for the past seven months.

You are loved so much, dear Aria. Mommy and Daddy love you to bits! We can't wait to hold you in our arms. See you soon, little one.

Love,
Mommy

Balentyms! ;)

I've celebrated the day of hearts with the same man for the past eleven years. But that hasn't made the kilig die down at all. Yes, everyday should be Valentine's Day. But we still look forward to this special occasion to hug, kiss and get all cheesy.

 

Happy Valentine's Day to the man who will forever have my heart...my husband! 

P.S. 

Posting this a day earlier, just in case I get too busy tomorrow. ;)

Eating Healthy!

One of my lunch meals: lean meat burger
over a bed of fresh greens

Since my OB is very strict on the "1pound weight gain a week only" rule, I'm now very careful and mindful of my diet. It really isn't difficult, since I do watch what I eat even before I got pregnant. Extra effort lang now since additional weight is also being added to my scale by growing baby Aria. :)

So I'm now trying out a two-week diet program from this online food site - kitchenelle.multiply.com. It's actually phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. Since I need carbs for the baby, too, I just add whole wheat bread or cereal to my meals. The meals are all delicious! And because everything is prepared and ready to eat, it's hassle-free and I don't have to worry much about what to put on my plate.

Check out their healthy menu and diet options! You can pay online thru your credit card, and they deliver the meals to you a day in advance. Go to www.kitchenelle.multiply.com

Meet Aria!

After such a long wait, I finally had my ultrasound today. I wanted to have a Congenital Anomaly Scan done, that's why my OB made me wait a bit longer. The CAS wasn't required. I just asked for one because I wanted to be certain that my baby was developing well inside me. 

And here she is!

Our beautiful baby girl. Aria Asis-Carilo.

Aria Asis-Carilo. Alvin and I were such proud and happy parents as we watched her on the little screen while the doctor showed us every little detail of her body. Alvin was beaming, I was smiling and crying at the same time - just like during the first ultrasound. I can't even begin to describe the feeling of seeing that little ball of life moving and breathing inside you. Ibang klase!

Aria was moving while the CAS was being done. She was moving her arms, opening her mouth, wiggling her feet. And while we watched the movement on screen, I was feeling the motions inside my tummy, too. It was wonderful! No, actually wonderful is an understatement. 

My husband and I are so thankful for this incredible blessing. And knowing that the little one is normal, healthy and doing A-OK inside my tummy is once again another answered prayer. Thank You, Lord! God is good all the time. 

In a week's time, I shall be entering my 7th month. Last trimester! I'm exclaiming a whoop of joy for making it this far so smoothly. Here's hoping that everything will be smooth-sailing until I give birth in April. I think one of the reasons why my pregnancy has been such a terrific journey is because I'm happy. I truly am! I'm enjoying every moment of this new experience. Oh yes, there are times (a lot of times, actually) when I felt like a huge mommy elephant. But I'm always surrounded with so much love and positivity that the bad vibes are always overshadowed. And my husband telling me every single day that I'm beautiful - that works wonders, believe me. 

We'll be seeing Aria again in February for the 4D ultrasound. Can't wait! 

Thank You, God! 

Brekkie!

Save a hundred calories by opting for an open-faced sandwich, says fitness experts. So I make myself one, with cheese and fresh tomatoes, washing it down with a glass of cold Silk soymilk. Healthy mom = healthy baby!

:)

:(

Woke up this morning to news of couples breaking up. Actually, 2012 has started with a lot of break-ups. And it's always a sad, sad thing. I have gone through a terrible split myself in 2008 (which I will always remember as the most tumultuous year of my life) and I know how it feels - the emptiness, the feeling of being lost, the sadness that's like a black hole sucking you into its vastness.

The pain eventually dulls and the wounds heal. And most of us come out of the ordeal a better and stronger person. It just shows how humans are really wired to survive any emotionally catastrophic event in our lives. People will always say, This too shall pass. But of course, a breakup is still...well, heartbreaking.

2012 is supposed to be bringing good luck, they say. I guess if you're going through something terrible right now, you can hold on to the truth that this will turn out to be good for you in the end. God really does know best. Hang in there!

"Sometimes it lasts in love, and sometimes it hurts instead. ~Adele"

Look!

I've reached my 6th month already! Wheee! After two more weeks, my husband and I will finally be finding out if our baby is Adam or Aria. We can hardly wait! And I am such an excited mommy!

:)

Sundays are LOVE!

It's a cold, rainy Sunday here in Manila. Perfect weather for a day of no work, actually. I woke up next to my husband as always, but this time there's something new to look forward to - the little kicks my baby sends out from my tummy almost every morning.

Don't you just love Sundays? Doing nothing, being lazy, without feeling the least bit guilty. And having rainy weather like this is always an added bonus.

As my hubby and I sit in front of the TV with some hot chocolate, I smile thankfully for these simple pleasures. Thank You, God, for always keeping love and laughter in our home. Right here with my husband and our little one in my tummy is exactly where I want to be.

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday, too!

Unless you have been very, very lucky, you have undoubtedly experienced events in your life that have made you cry. So unless you have been very, very lucky, you know that a good, long session of weeping can often make you feel better, even if your circumstances have not changed one bit. ~Lemony Snicket

Surreal.

There are times when I wake up in the morning next to my husband, I stop and say to myself, "Wow! I'm already married to him."

We've been together for almost twelve years, married for a year and 4months now, and my heart still does cartwheels sometimes when the thought of forever with him suddenly hits me. Sometimes it still feels so surreal. And it will never stop feeling so wonderful.

:)