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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

First Trimester Obstetrical Ultrasound Report



I went to Makati Medical Center this morning because of significant vaginal bleeding secondary to pregnancy.. I had undergone an internal examination in the delivery room and was also referred for Transvaginal Ultrasound. According to my estimated due date, I was 6 weeks and 1 day pregnant but the ultrasound result revealed a 4 weeks and 1 day age of gestation. My OB-GYNE had told me that my expected baby will never make it through. It have to be remove naturally or else I will be hospitalize. It gave us a sudden burst of sadness...I LOST MY BABY! I am very eager to have a fourth baby....baby girl if God will provide....to be my youngest and last baby of our family. But, I think it is not the right time yet to have a new baby...I know in a couple of months if I'm fully prepared and with God's will, a new baby will COME. I know God has a plan for us.....

Friday, March 20, 2009

Mommy Moments: Siblings/Cousins Bonding Time





This picture was taken on the baptismal day of my nephew. I have 2 nephews from my elder brother and I have 3 kids plus 1 future "new" baby this November 2009:P

I don't have much pictures to post. Our family get together usually happens once in a blue moon:(

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Kabayan Beach Resort Summer Getaway!

It's summer again and we can feel the heat that's why we decided to spend our weekend in a beach resort for relaxation and family bonding. Kabayan Beach Resort is located in Laiya San Juan,Batangas. The entrance fee for a day tour was 100 pesos each for adult and 50 pesos each for children 12 years old and below. Nipa hut costs us for only 1,000 pesos which can accommodate for up to 15 persons. We had a great time and we will definitely come back for an overnight stay.

Here are our happy moments!








Friday, March 13, 2009

I'm Preggy!


I'm preggy! It's positive! Well, it came earlier than expected but God has given this gift to us and I know it will complete our family.

Transformers

My boys really loved to play and collect Transformers action-figures....even their daddy enjoys it:P




Thursday, March 12, 2009

Busy!

Been busy for the past few weeks now and I'm trying to catch up. Busy from my errands at work, family and myself. Recently, I went to my OB-GYNE for a Papsmear and immunization for cervical cancer. One week later, we went to Tagaytay for our family weekend getaway. This week, we had been to NBI(National Bureau of Investigation) for the NBI clearance renewal together with my husband. This week, we are scheduled for another weekend summer getaway to Kabayan Beach Resort in Laiya San Juan Batangas. Next week, my husband and I will go to DFA(Department of Foreign Affairs) for passport renewal. I really missed blogging and also missed my online friends and fellow bloggers. Anyway, add up to my errands, I am thinking this very moment that I am preggy....whew!Lol!..yes, right, but have to get a pregnancy test kit first for assurance. Will let you know guys, the soonest possible time when I got the result. God Bless!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Coping with Stress


There are various ways for individuals and their loved ones to cope with stress and other difficult situations. A good start in developing resilience and coping skills is to become informed about mental and behavioral health. Knowledge can empower individuals and their loved ones to achieve personal growth, understanding, positive changes and emotional well-being.

A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, may be able to first evaluate the need, and then provide appropriate coping tips and referrals for support groups. Other sources of information on mental and behavioral health include the Internet, community centers and libraries.

Tips and strategies for coping with stress include:

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Eat a well-balanced and healthful diet.

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Avoid or reduce alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.

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Exercise regularly and get adequate amounts of sleep.

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Engage in activities that boost self-esteem, such as learning a new skill or hobby or joining a local social group.

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Accept personal feelings. It is normal to experience feelings of anger, sadness and grief from time to time.

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Build strong, positive relationships with family and friends.

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Seek medical help when necessary. Individuals should seek assistance from a physician or mental health professional if symptoms of stress are alarming in nature (e.g., pounding heart, shortness of breath, mood disorders) or impede daily functioning.

Coping with stress can be emotionally and physically draining for individuals and their family members, regardless of the source of the stress. One effective way of dealing with stress is ensuring emotional and physical well-being.

People with good mental health have the ability to control their thoughts, feelings and behaviors most of the time. They usually have strong support systems. Such people have a strong foundation of mental health that allows them to keep problems in the proper perspective. They can also adapt to stress, adversity and traumatic events. This ability is called resilience and it is an important component of coping with life’s challenges in general.

Resilience includes remaining psychologically stable in the face of adversity or chaos. The majority of people experience difficult situations at some point in their lives (e.g., divorce, job loss). Resilient individuals are usually able to continue with daily tasks, remain generally optimistic about life and rebound from adversity in a timely fashion.

Contrary to what some may think, resilience is not about being “tough” or emotionally distant. Rather, it is about reaching out to others for support, accepting and dealing with events in life that one cannot change such as the death of a loved one or a chronic mental illness (e.g., major depression, schizophrenia). Resilience may also help offset certain risk factors (e.g., family history of mental illness, lack of social support, previous trauma) often involved in developing depression.

There are a variety of ways to promote strength and resilience. A good start for developing resilience is expanding protective factors such as becoming informed about mental and behavioral health issues. Individuals who take an active role in personal emotional and physical health are often better able to cope with difficulties when they arise. Knowledge can also help to empower patients.

Other sources of information on coping with stress include the Internet, community centers, libraries and bookstores. Acquaintances, friends and relatives who have had similar experiences may also prove to be valuable resources.

A person’s physical well-being can significantly impact their emotional and mental health and vice versa. Actively promoting good health can help build resilience to cope with stress and other life difficulties.

Tips and strategies for coping with stress include:


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Eat a well-balanced and healthful diet. This can be accomplished by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and reducing or avoiding excess fat, salt and sugar in meals. A well-balanced diet promotes energy, alertness and helps keep weight under control – all of which can lead to good mental and physical well-being.

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Drink plenty of fluids. Adequate consumption of fluids, especially water, helps prevent dehydration, which can lead to fatigue and lack of energy. Most health experts recommend drinking a minimum of six to eight 8-ounce servings a day.

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Avoid or reduce alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. These are unhealthy ways of coping with stress.

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Exercise regularly, as recommended by a physician. Various research indicates that exercise helps boost production of chemicals (e.g., endorphins) in the brain that improve mood, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with stress such as increased anxiety, irritability, sadness, fatigue and anger.

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Get adequate rest. Proper relaxation and sleep habits can go a long way toward promoting emotional and physical well-being. Sleep requirements differ among individuals. Most adults require seven to eight hours of sleep, but some people need only four to five hours. Also, practicing relaxation techniques such as biofeedback, meditation or massage therapy can help reduce stress and alleviate anxiety, insomnia and depression.

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Participate in activities that boost self-esteem, such as learning a new skill or hobby or joining a local social group. Low self-esteem can be damaging because it can affect a person’s body, mind and spirit. It has been associated with a wide array of problems including emotional disorders (e.g., depression, eating disorders).

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Accept personal feelings. It is normal to experience feelings of anger, sadness and grief from time to time, especially when faced with adversity such as the death of a loved one. It is important to take time to express those feelings and not keep them inside. Crying, writing in a journal or confiding in a friend or relative can help provide relief.

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Maintain a positive outlook. It should be noted that remaining optimistic in distressing or stressful situations does not mean one is in denial. Rather, it can give hope when it is much needed. It can also nurture self-confidence, which can empower an individual to deal with hardships. Other positive coping mechanisms include avoiding self-criticism, being proud of one’s accomplishments no matter how big or small and finding sources of humor (e.g., books, movies).

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Establish a healthy social network. Strong, positive relationships with family and friends are an important source of support. They can fulfill an individual’s need to belong, which helps prevent loneliness, especially during hard times. In addition, family members and other loved ones can help ensure that an individual seeks proper treatment (e.g., counseling) when necessary.

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Work to resolve conflicts with other people in a positive way, such as by talking in an objective, non-accusatory manner.
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Set realistic goals at home, school or work. It is important to realize how little time there may be in the day to accomplish all necessary tasks. Whenever possible, delegate or schedule tasks in a manner that allows extra time for their completion.

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Prepare to the best of one’s ability for stressful events, such as job interviews. This can promote peace of mind and help one succeed in such situations.

In addition, people should get regular check-ups with their primary care physician – every two to three years for individuals under age 50, and annually after age 50 – to ensure that they are in optimal health. However, individuals should seek immediate assistance from a physician or mental health professional if symptoms of stress are alarming in nature (e.g., pounding heart, shortness of breath, mood disorders) or impede daily functioning.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Pap Smear


Pap smear is a also called as Pap Test. It is a noninvasive procedure done by doctors to detect cervical cancer or cervical abnormalities. Cervix is the lower part of the uterus, or the connection between the uterus(womb) and vagina.

The procedure involves:
1. Collecting cells from the cervix and vagina
2. Preparing the cell sample for evaluation under a microscope
3. Examining the cell sample for infections, abnormal cells that may grow into cancerous tumor, and cancer.

Every woman should done this test once a year in order to detect any abnormalities that might arise in the cervix. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the second most common caused of death in women. We should not deprive ourselves for this routine test because it will save our lives. We should love and take care of ourselves in order for us to effectively attend to the needs of our love ones. All women out there, single or married, with kids or without kids, sexually-active or not should have to consider this great medical routine.

Go to your OB-GYNE now!

Tagaytay Family Weekend Getaway!

Taal Volcano! Very nice view!

My Husband

Me of course! pose muna....

Me and my son...

One more shot of Taal Volcano from far away...

Maki posing...

Once more....

and more...

Inside the jeep going down....picture! We rode a jeep going down from Palace in the Sky but we walked going to it.

Hindi pa nagsawa..haha!

Baby Roldz busy blowing bubbles while we were in the Palace in the Sky

Isa pa....

Maki and Maxine...

Maki and Baby Roldz...

Maki and Maxine and nanny...

Me and my kids!

More posing....

Nagmana sa mommy!


Last Sunday we went to Tagaytay. It was a bad weather and we never had the chance to go to Picnic Grove, Residence Inn and Paradizoo. The only tourist spot we were able to see was Palace in the Sky. It was foggy and windy though it was fun. We had our dinner at Dencios Restaurant. I had been in Tagaytay many times but my objective last weekend was for my kids to enjoy the place. I never expected that it would be a rainy day in Tagaytay. We will be going back there for sure!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Origanize Your Closet


Source: Good Housekeeping Magazine

Foldables
Fold clothes in one standard style and size too make your closet look near and impressive.
How to arrange
* If you don't have built-in storage shelves, opt for metal shelf dividers available in the market. Make individual stacks by grouping tops according to: sleeve length(tank tops, short sleeves, long sleeves), kind(polo shirts, casual tees), or color(blacks, blues, reds, beiges). Go with whichever works best for you.
* Tuck the arms to prevent sleeves from showing and getting wrinkled. When stacking place the bulkiest at the bottom to prevent crushing of delicate items.
* Dressier garments of delicate fibers deserve special treatment. Premium cashmere, sequined, beaded, vintage, or other vulnerable pieces should be be carefully folded and individually stored in paper boxes or canvas bags to prevent snagging and tugging.
* Make sure that everything that you will store is totally clean. Odors and/or the slightest of dirt trapped in the fibers of a single garment can attract moths to the whole stack.
* Hoods and turtlenecks should be left hanged over the back of a stack otherwise the extra bulk may shake off the pile's balance.
* Fasten all buttons and zip up all zippers before folding to preserve the garment's shape.
Storing sweaters and cold weather garments
* Avoid dark, warm humid spaces. They have the perfect condition for months and mildew to flourish.
* Don't use mothballs. They can irritate skin and eyes, and the smell can be hard to remove. Yes, they kill insects but they aren't necessary if you're storing clean clothes in a dry place for just a few months.
* Use hangers to prevent creases but take precautions against the marks they can leave. Wrap quilt filling or muslin around the bars on pant hangers, and use the line the clips of skirt hangers as well.
* Go easy on delicates. Lay blouses and sweaters flat when possible to avoid deep wrinkles. Or double them over, folding softly where necessary.

Quick Tip: Fold all knit tops and sweaters. Hanging them may lead to deformed shoulders and too much stretching.

Bags and purses
Arrange large bags that can stand by themselves side by side on a shelf. Kikay bags and flat clutches are best stacked. Group smaller purses separately so they don't get lost among bigger ones. You may also want to consider stacking similarly shaped ones within each other. Store rarely used bags of leather or suede in cloth slacks to keep them in their crisp form.

Quick Tip: Baskets make for convenient organizers. Bunch bags and purses of the same color scheme together.

Hangables
It's a welcome sight to see your clothes neatly lined up on your closet rod. And yes, pants are best hung.
How to arrange
* Separate jackets from blouses, skirts, and pants(including slacks and jeans). Group by sleeve or hem length, solids or prints, or color.
* With sheer or delicate skirts, place a small piece of canvas(paper can be a substitute) between the hanger clip and waistband. Or opt for rubber-lined clips to protect your skirts from marks. If you have time, sew ribbon loops at the waistband and use these to hang the skirt.
* a suit may be treated as separates. Let your jacket join your other jackets, pants with other pants, etc.
* Pants with ironed-in creases or liston should be folded along each other crease and clipped at the edges.
* Flat-fronts should be secured at the outermost edge. Never pull a waist-band too tight between clips as it stretches the clothing.

Buying hangers
Uniform hangers help put order in your clothes.
Spend for:
Plastic tubular: These are inexpensive and all-purpose)pt for those with "hooks" for shoulder straps).
Basic clip: Go for rubber-lined clips that won't damage your clothes.
Skip the:
Clamp: They leave ugly marks and are never long enough to secure a full waistband.
Tiered: It only adds bulk and clogs your closet.

Storing accessories
Jewelry
Hang regularly used necklaces on pegs, hooks, or belt rack. Expensive jewelry are best placed individually in cloth bags. Always close all clasps to avoid tangling.
Scarves
Wool scarves should be rolled while silk, rayon, and other fabrics may be hanged on special hangers or folded and stored in a cloth bin or your extra open bag. In the case of fringed scarves, fold in half then roll, with the tassels facing out.
Footwear
If you prefer to store shoes on a shelf rather than wire racks, group them according to heel height. However, wire racks help shoes breathe and save space. Place frequently used pairs on eye level for convenience. Flip-flops and slippers should be individually stored in clear boxes, soles together. Line up boots on the closet floor. To prevent the spread of dirt and odor, make sure the hems of your clothes don't touch even the top of your boots.