My Not-so-Beautiful Hospitalization Adventures

It was April last year 2012 when I was still working... my 2-year-old daughter who is usually hyperactive every second of everyday seemed to be normal (behave na).  SUPER unusual. But when the time came that she's no longer feeding , talking or even smiling, my heart and my mind was blown as I got home from work and staring at my matamlay baby girl. And I know at that very moment I am on "panic mode". Heck! I don't even have an income, just a volunteer nurse for two different services: a Diagnostic Laboratory and a non-profit OB Clinic. Volunteer, yes, not so charitable of me eh? ;) And then, that moment, I know this calls for hospitalization and that means we're gonna spend money-- lots of money (kaysa naman sa mapabayaan kami sa Government hospital. hmm). This is all so intense for me, it's my daughter's first hospitalization (aside from her birth) and first time to get really sick. She was vomiting and also pooping water! As in super watery stools and lethargic. My mom and hubby assisted me during the hospitalization. Upon discharging, my heart was pounding so hard waiting for our bill. But thank God, it was much less that I expected. Thanks to Phil Health! 

January that year (2012) I already contributed for years 2012 and 2013. And my baby Ace is my dependent. It's a big help. Especially that after my daughter's hospitalization, upon arriving home, I felt so sick. I'm having all the symptoms my daughter experienced (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite) and obviously shows i caught the virus or bacteria (it was not diagnosed, basta lang kay "Moderate Dehydration due to Gastroenteritis" daw yun. It's too difficult din to "catch" a good specimen for stool exam when there's just no stool, only water! And again, I know for sure I'm gonna get admitted! 

I don't know but these happenings made me think that it's really true that "bad luck strikes not just once but twice, or even thrice" (Big sigh)... I had to be hospitalized, I can't even have the power to sit or to talk! Super drained energy (Plus, it's stressful to be a patient's watcher esp. if the patient is your child). All the contributing factors made me stayed at the hospital for a couple of days. That's the saddest days of my life. For 2 years of no-separation from my first-born Ace, that time, it is happening. I miss her so much. Hubby had to get excused from work to take care of me (mom took care of my daughter). My sister wasn't here at Davao to help me (more sadly, she also had the bug, same symptoms w/ ours, only that, she's at Cebu that time to be our represebattive as our Clan mourns for the death our father's brother. Mas kawawa siya coz siya lang mag-isa doon.)

Haaay.. What an illness! This is epic! During my hospital stay, all I wanted is the intravenous administration of pregnant-safe drugs to control my excessive vomiting and the fetal heart monitoring. YES... That time I (secretly) was 3 months PREGNANT (with my charming baby Coy, my 2nd child) and nobody knows but me and Mel (and my OB-GYN just knew about it too). Hubby and I are conquering one of the real-life storms and are actualizing our "in sickness and in health" marriage vows. And we were unable to tell everyone about our second baby for some personal reasons so it's just among us, the medical team. It was super! All the secrets, the stresses, the illnesses. But again, thanks to PHIC, the bill wasn't that big. Great help for patients like us who are getting crazy with all other financial and emotional stuffs.

After that, I promised myself to stay healthy and also, as much as possible, prepare for emergency situations like these. God cannot ensure us, whether rich or poor, that we're gonna have healthy and emergency-proof lives. So better be prepared. One way is to secure your PHIC matters. The MDR I used for our April hospitalization is still the one I used for the birth of 2nd baby on October 2012. So Here are some quick info about it...

>REQUIREMENTS:

(Submit the following to the billing section prior to hospital discharge:)

*CF1 FORM (Duly accomplished PhilHealth Claim Form 1)

You can get this from the hospital or download it at www.philhealth.gov.ph. Fill your information together with the patient’s information. AND then (if employed) give it to your employer to be filled-up.

*CERTIFICATE OF CONTRIBUTION

(IF EMPLOYED) This is a certificate of your contribution to PhilHealth from your employer. It should state at least 6 months of contribution. Stating your participating amount, date of payment and OR number.

*MDR (Member Data Record) 

Clear copy of MDR. This your record from Philhealth together with your beneficiaries. This is a proof that your are registered at Philhealth. You can get this at any Philhealth center near you, anytime. In my case, I am "individually paying or volunteer" so I just showed my official receipts. If you are expecting, better get one ASAP, you don't want to get this one right after ka ni-raspa.

*PROOF OF RELATION

If the patient is not registered with your Philhealth (shown in your MDR), you need to provide this requirement.

If the patient is your spouse, you need a Marriage Certificate. And if the patient is your child, parent, or sibling, you need their Birth Certificate.

>HELPFUL TIPS:

* Prepare all the documents needed prior to confinement or as early as the day of confinement. It is easier to get the claim when it is included in your bill than reimbursing it after the confinement (but hospitals usually require people to process this within 24 hours upon admission).

* Ask you doctor, if he/she is accepting Philhealth. So that they will be informed that they have to deduct Philhealth from their charge. Again, discounts, we love! ;)

* Be a smart one, research and discover. Know more about your benefits. See PHIC's FAQs section.

http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/employed/faqs.html

* Davao City's new PHIC center is now located at Magallanes St. 

Good luck and let's all stay healthy, as much as possible and be prepared for some of these not-so-beautiful instances.

Babywearing with SaYa

You all know I am into Babywearing. And so when I saw my babywearing smart mommy friends joining a promo by SaYa, I immediately checked out SaYa Baby Carrier's Facebook Page. They have a Mother's Day promo and I just love that! Aside from wanting to share my little SaYa story, I also want to share this to my other friends (who are new to babywearing) because I know they also want to babywear and this is a great opportunity. This is so maSAYA! ;)

Here's the promo mechanics (photo grabbed from SaYa's page):

SaYa friends and fans!!! Here's our first promo for the year and it's just in time for Mother's Day! Winner(s) will be announced at 6pm Sunday. Promo runs from 3pm Wed, May 8th until May 12th, Sunday 12 noon. Thank you.

And here's my answer (to Question #3):

*Promise, I really wanted to keep it short but as usual, I just can't. Why do I always ends up enjoying sharing? hehe

Talking about Babywearing SUPPORT, well lucky me, I have A LOT. It's a beautiful destiny that I met these modern and smart moms of The POD at Davao City. Altogether, we shared ideas, tips and simply enjoyed its many benefits. I also have support from strangers. Seriously, like some dads (yes, dads!) approaching me while I proudly wear my baby, saying that I'm lucky to have a calm and very happy baby inside that carrier (or some thought it's my shirt) and then later asks where I bought it. Exciting times! I feel lika a model.hehe And I get to receive tons of inquiries from my friends and friends-of-friends and strangers about that babywearing stuff, where to get a carrier, and of course, SaYa is one of my most recommended sling. I also have my family's all-out support, esp. dear husband Mel (also a babywearing DAD. Yes, plus POGI POINTS!). Hubby and I are young parents who are on a tight budget and cannot afford to hire nannies for our two kids. When baby #2 came last 2012, I know I still had to take care of baby #1 (our hyperactive 3-yr-old daughter) and of course, attend to my human needs, house works and my work as a WAHM (clayist & artist). So to make things POSSIBLE, I let hubby choose which among these two would he finance: we hire at least one nanny which is P3,500 per month OR we buy a nice baby carrier for one-time payment of P1,500 (the VTB)? And yes, you bet, we made the BEST choice, we got into the SaYa, rather than the Yaya. Attachment Parenting in a fun and fashionable way-- one of the most exciting times of parenthood! More happy babies, more satisfied parents, more power to SaYa!

There you go, hoping to win! hehe To know more about SaYa, here's my favorite review and instruction blog by The Painter's Wife <-- click that. SaYa is available online. And also locally (Davao City) at Oak and Acorn, just near The POD, the home of Davao's smart and modern parents. ;)

And here are some of my photos babywearing with SaYa...

Baby Coy's first time to be worn and he's so happy to be in!

Easy breezy hands-free strolling at the park ;)

Let my younger sister try babywearing (good thing we're both size 0) and she loves it!

Babywearing with SaYa makes babysitting my hyper toddler possible
(and also the hassle-free window shopping and malling! Ooohyeah!)

As a thrifty young momma, I had to make the BEST decisions:
BABYWEARING and BREASTFEEDING
(took a photo w/ the formula milk that would supposedly make my hubby get bankrupt
IF we didn't decide for what's best. Thank God for this!)

My mommy friend Ella took this beautifully captured sweet candid shot while we were attending a
 La Leche Leauge's Breastfeeding Meeting last February 2013 at Mothercare Abreeza Mall, Davao

Me and "The Pod Moms" and our babies' little exclusive group called "Peas in The POD" on our
Summer 2013 Pool Session. We all love SaYa and Babywearing in general.
Thanks Anj (Must Love Babies) for this beautiful group shot.

The paparazzi caught me malling again w/ my bubba! 

When baby is sick, this is one of the best CURE. 

I'm not wondering why people wonder why he is so MASAYA. 

Babywearing makes Everyday a HAPPY Family Day  ;)

UPDATE: I am not the grand winner for the SaYa Mother's Day 2013 Shoutout Promo but I did won a Nursing Bandeau worth PhP450 from Blissful Babes! SaYa's prizes for all the participants. Yay!! ;)

Artsy Craftsy Super Moms: Mom & Me Scrapbooking

May 9, 2013, our "Peas in The POD" Playgroup for this Thursday is at Zoofari Kids Adventure at Bacaca Rd. wherein we made our own scrapbook for a contest ("Mom and Me" Scrapbooking Contest). So cute! I brought w/ me the whole gang, and so I am babywearing baby Coy while I'm scrapbooking (yes, that's possible since I am in my Super SaoSao Mode that time.haha) while Ate Ace is playing and enjoying a lot, and her "yayo", Daddy Mel is also enjoying twice as much (haha, nag slide2 daw siya didto. I'm sooo jealous! hehe)

And so, here's my output. I dunno if it's finished, I still have a lot of things in mind pa but since I'm out of time (we have to go home na coz we can no longer afford to extend some more playtime and our tummies are already saying G-R-R-R), I must keep it simple, but meaningful. 

Here's my "Mom & Me Scrapbooking Contest" entry #13. I realized my face was so dark and oily. If i only had enough time to print photos before coming here.haha But it's ok, I love our rush shots w/ my kids. I kinda like it when we're a little unprepared. Now look at my daughter, I think she like my work! hehe

And because nga I am babywearing and have limited chance to be in my usual "Mamugs Mode", I decided to keep it simple and elegant. I included na lang some handwritten quotes to somehow tell a little story (char): "Home in mommy's heart" because I have cut-outs of houses and i cropped our photos heart-shaped. and because the stickers in my art kit are mostly gifts, i included "Children are the Best Gift" (and i was so confused if it's gift or gifts.haha Whatever basta yun na yung essence. I'm really in a hurry... plus, hungry.) Hehe 

And I am happy that ate Ace loved the output, so even if I won't win this contest, I am a winner in my children's heart (char again. hehe). And I enjoyed it! Everybody did. Making art together w/ The POD moms and babies, it's a great experience. 

Sometimes there's chika galore and sometimes serious "career" mode, yung pang house and lot ang prize. hehe 

By the way, thanks Ash for taking these shots for me. ;)

 

Fun times! Horray for artsy craftsy super moms! ADvanced happy Mom's Day to us!

MORE PHOTOS HERE: 
Mom&Me: Scrapbooking Event with mommies from The Pod by Zoofari - Kids Adventure Facebook Page

The Joy of Separation Anxiety

It has been 6 months and 1 week of having my son with me almost ALL THE TIME. And when i say 'all the time', that's like bringing him while i am having meet-ups for my online shop (just me and him and my big bag full of ordered items), bringing him at our 3-hour long (supposedly wedding) seminars, and even sometimes when i had to pee (*don't worry, it's safe; in all scenarios, i'm babywearing him). It's just that he can't be far from me, I am his food (direct breastfeeding), the milk factory. And i cannot be far from him, he needs me. 

Separation = (as much as possible) Cannot Be

On my birthday (and also hubby's mom's birthday), while attending the Holy Mass, we were with my in-laws whom we see like once or twice a month only, baby Coy would cry if held by them. I'm obviously considering it as Stranger Anxiety. And during the Communion, as soon as i stood up from my seat (mom-in-law carries him while they remained seated), he cried again. I proceeded to the queuing line and signaled hubby Mel to take care of our crying Coy, who for sure just showed on my very face that he's having Separation Anxiety. Looking at those poor, innocent eyes with a touch of fear and longing for me, i felt sad. But i know someday, he must learn to deal with that. And also, I had to deal with that. But sometimes, it seems like it is ME who have Separation Anxiety...

Last Monday i have some important bank stuffs and had to go to AC's possible pre-school for some enrollment stuffs (these are just nearby). I decided not to bring him since we dont have a car anymore and the weather is too freaky and bipolar (it's sunny but it's raining, both at the same time.. freaky). And i can't ask anybody else to do it so there I went out, all by myself. For the record, after 6 months that was my first time to be separated  from him.  Every step I took  was agonizing. What if my sister forgot that i asked her watch over my son? What if big sis Ace tries to play with her baby brother? What if he wakes up and cry so hard that I can hear him in my brain?

But of course I made sure he was well fed and fast asleep,  and let my sister and mom watch over him. And I instructed them never to feed him with (ate Ace's) formula milk.  They may give him baby food and water but not milk that aint coming from my boobs. And I really had to go. So there, I was in a real hurry, I had been gone for almost two hours. Two RUSH hours (damn! i hated the fact that Bank XXX had so many customers, and so many vehicles causing road traffic, and my tiny legs and feet can't have a "super speedy walk" mode.)

Every second counts.  I can't imagine me, the carefree, happy-go-lucky, lakwatserang Saori, living a life like this, for four years now. Since I entered motherhood, I always had to go home right away because some little people needed their mother, and that mother is ME.

But I am not complaining (I just still cannot imagine at times. haha). Yes it may ruin my glamorz stuffs, dates with BFFs, my social life, it makes me a "friend that sucks" or can no longer go out to drink, to shop, to have a vacation on the neighboring island. I know this is just temporary. Someday my kids would just grow up and won't be needing my boobs, my babysitting, my presence. They may not even want to see me around, pampering them, holding their hands-- I guess that's what most creatures called 'teenagers' feel like doing. Someday I can ALL THE "ME TIME" that I need, ALL BY MYSELF.

So I love it like this. I am NOT alone all by myself. I may be on a "Time Crisis" mode but that's cool.  At least in my life now,  I never have the chance to get bored to death like most people do. This means I am needed. My baby is anxious without ME or if he's with people that is not ME. This means my kids are 'still' mine, although someday we really need to let go, eventually I might be needing to earn big far away from here and eventually my kids might get married and live lives of their own. Someday, we ALL need to let go.

So going back, when I got home after I went outside for almost 2 hours, my mama was carrying my son and she said, "dali na mommy oh, sige na ni siya'g sopsop sa iyang kamut" (she told me that he might be hungry already). And when my son turned his head towards me as he heard my voice, he gave us a big warm smile and was jumping for joy (as in joooooooooy). ;) 

SEPARATION? Letting go? As of now,  as in a "right now" now,  letting go means a minute away from him for me to poop.hehe Almost always, separation is a no-no. Although sometimes, I might be needing to be away for an hour (I think I just rehearsed for the upcoming election day.hehe). But for most of the time, I enjoy my baby being just sooooo happy to see my face, hear my voice,  pull my hair, suck my boobs, get cuddled, carried, worn and kissed. And that's just happening now. That's the joy of Separation Anxiety NOW. Gotta enjoy this while it's STILL here, for time flies by so fast and kids grow up in a flash. Now that's Time Crisis!

My Mom & Child Terno Experience: Swimwear

It's summertime and I browsed my kids' photos and realized that on their "My First Summer Swim" Photos, ay naka-terno pala kami. hehe Girl or boy, I just had it in me to make "terno" session with my kids. With my daughter Ace, it was Summer 2010 when she had her "first swimwear" and "first swimming". With my son,  Coy, it was Summer 2013. But both of them were 5 months old. And me, 5 months post-partum. 

With Ace, i got some old swimwear, and the extra boyleg shorts was the one I sew and transformed into a bikini set (little bra and panty, plus that flower headband) which has the same fabric and design with my bikini set.hehe I really didn't have money to buy terno swimear so DIY is the key. (Low resolution ang camera noong unang panahon.hehe Sinadya ko na lang din paliitin ang photos para hindi masyado obvious ang tiyan ko.hehe)

There, I really DARED to wear a bikini! And yes, I have super great confidence exposing my "stretched" tummy.HAHA It's already small (at one month post-partum, I usually get back to my pre-prego shape) but the skin is just "eww". But well, even if it is dark and ugly, that's not something to be ashamed of. That's something I am proud of, actually because (since I do not have stretch marks, just like my mom), that symbolizes that I once carried a human being within this dark, ugly, stretched skin and besides, that's the only physical proof that I'm already a mom! ;)

With my son, it so happened that I am into Zebra prints. My prego leggings, my hospital bag, crib, iPad case, etc etc. are all zebra prints and so I bought a Zebra Highwaist swimwear along with my other designs which I sold online, then paired with Coy's zebra print modern cloth diaper, and we're good to go. So terno!

*Pansin niyo, with my daughter, medyo may boobs ako coz I didn't nursed her before picture-taking (sinadya ko din yun para medyo engorged at para magka-boobs. FIRST TIME ko mag bikini na may boobs ako eh, thank you for understanding! haha). With my son, nagkataon kaka-nurse ko lang (no choice, EBF siya eh) sa photoshoot so medyo invisible ang booblets.hehe Pero okay lang. Keri pa rin! ;)

I wanted to dress-up more na terno kami ng kids ko. And someday, I'd dare to wear a bikini (but because I'm not that "kapal muks" na, I'd still need more time, muscle toning and skin tightening.) And I am hoping I could find something that's terno with my TWO kids-- and that'd be TWO times the fun!

Happy HALFY Birthday Son!

It seems like yesterday, we were having a mini-celebration of our daughter Ace's HALF BIRTHDAY. 

And now, after three years, we're celebrating our son Coy's half birthday. Oh, kids grow up so fast! I don't know, I am just so proud that for six months now, I am exclusively and directly breastfeeding my son! (oh so the celebration has something to do with me really. hehe), and Ate Ace is a BIG SIS for six months now, and our beloved and our one and only Prince Coy is bringing joy to our family for half-a-year now (having a MALE baby is a big deal in our family since we don't have baby boys for almost five decades now! WOW!). It is just something worthy to celebrate.

Few weeks ago, I have been some kinda prepping up for Coy's 1st birthday (which is on October, and it's only April now. Well, moms as usual! haha). And knowing how busy I could get every passing days and months, I have the feeling that I must start as early as possible. Although it isn't something bongga, especially this year that our priority is Ace's tuition fee. But even just a very simple celebration is worth prepping for. Esp that this is our one and only baby boy. Over many decades, our family is filled with pink or purple themed parties and now we suddenly have a baby boy and it is exciting!

That's our mini party. ;) I have chosen something Vintage Nautical-- red, blue, white, sailor stuffs (I am so caught up w/ these nautical swimwear that I'm selling online) and I thought that it would be the right theme since our baby "Val" (Coy's other name) has seamen/nautical grandfathers (grandpa Val Jr. and great-granpa Val Sr.). And timing, wowa already bought him a baby boy Sailor attire, so at least we're okay w/ the attire now. Ang food, balloons, cakes na lang kulang.hehe 

I always want to celebrate HALF birthdays because it is really a lot LESS stressful. Unlike the big day, it's all about the financial stress, the stress of the party preparation, the event organizing, etc etc. But this mini, pre, or half celebration is just simply a carefree happy birthday. Just a little something to celebrate the gift of life and to thank God for the blessings throughout half-a-year.

So there, I got some colored paper and made some DIY boats and flags which the kids enjoyed.

I made a set-up for picture-taking, have Coy sit on his bebePOD w/ the printed tarpaulin I designed as the background (this tarp is the first half of Coy's 1st birthday tarp exactly 6 months later.haha) 

And we ordered some pizzas from our relative's resto Barrio Bistro Duterte Branch.

Some pansit, drinks and the best part-- I won some cupcakes courtesy of mommy Devi and mommy Iah's raffle promo! These cupcakes...

So yummy, so follow/subscribe to Devi's blog Missus on the Fifth Block and find great reads (and raffles too!) and also like Iah's cupcakes business page, Pink Apron and prepare for some mouth-watering moments! Ate Ace was so busy eating.haha

Featuring 6 Free Cupcakes on His 6th Month Celebration (the cupcake toppers are my polymer clay creations from Coy's Baby Shower last October 2012). These yummy cupcakes arrived just right on time like it's "destined" for me and my kids and especially for our simple but memorable little birthday celebration with my kids. (the adults have no photos kasi wala kaming ligo sa ka busy sa life.hehe) Afterall, birthday parties are really meant for the kids. So there it was, a stress-free HAPPY HALF-Y BIRTHDAY! ;)