My Destiny With The POD

Ever since I have known The POD and Ms. Alex (the owner), I started to know more about  Parenting— that it’s really more than just getting pregnant and giving birth to another human. There’s MORE to it, really. Thanks to my friend JM (Justine Merdeka, my lucky charm). She really wanted me to join Alex’s raffle, & I won! Pregger’s luck, and for me, I call it DESTINY.

I got a free Lamaze class pass together w/ my batchmate & co-winner JF (Julie Faith).We attended classes every Saturdays at 4pm, that was just a perfect schedule because at 1pm to 4pm I was still working at the Cancer Detection Clinic as a Pap-Smear Nurse which happened to be just nearby The POD ("destiny" again. hehe).Then after the course, we got our Childbirth Preparation Class Certificate after the 5-week session and this is to be presented at the Delivery Room for you to be able to have your birth coach (in my case, my hubby) to go along with the Labor and Delivery. 

From then on, I have become more into this motherhood thingy— and now a lot better than my first experience (this is my 2nd child). And I am so happy that hubby has got to be involved. Aside from the bonding moments me and hubby Mel made during our childbirth classes for five Saturdays, we also had the chance to know the “how to’s” during labor & delivery (I’m a Registered Nurse but it’s nicer if the dad also know the process).

And so, Mel was there on the big day to be my birth coach and most importantly, my financer, watcher, and (my PRIMARY roles for him) as my photographer and videographer. haha (Sorry, I think I am the severe type of a nostalgic shutterbug, so all things must be documented, most especially if it has something to do with my children! Since it's a no-cellphone-allowed policy in the DR, I bought a Digital Camera a few days before giving birth. haha SEVERE!) 

But seriously, I love it that Mel was able to attend Lamaze classes so that I won't get "high-blood" during the labor and delivery process. I myself has given birth (I mean, assisted real vaginal births by myself, acting as Midwife during my Nursing practice after graduating so all these are familiar with me and I'd get pissed if my partner won't know a thing about my field.) And in fairness, Mel did a great job on monitoring my contractions, ensuring that the baby 's cord was not immediately cut (to prevent the anemia thingy), and he was very therapeutic while I was pushing our son out. All thanks to The POD. ;)

And THAT was my Ultimate Dream Delivery (we were on an LDR when I delivered our eldest, it was just too depressing for me!) So this time, we're all in this together, and it’s super! It’s just so sweet when you let the daddy witness God’s most wonderful gift to us women— to bear a child, to give birth, to create a new LIFE.

All these fab things about smart and modern parenting came rushing in to my system. So fabulous, I am actually enjoying motherhood, rather than treating it as a huge hindrance (like what I did these past few years) to my career, money-making schemes, and personal growth. In fact, with all these stuffs I discovered & applied: attachment parenting (babywearing, co-sleeping), modern cloth diapering, direct & exclusive breastfeeding, positive parenting, smart, modern, chic, whatever-you-call-it parenting stuffs.. they all made me go, grow, glow and get mommyfied! ;) 

We also have monthly meet-ups discussing parenting stuffs, and on January 26, 2013 (during the Breastfeeding Meet-Up), we (me and my batchmate JF and another POD mom, Ria) started the idea of having our weekly Playgroup when we were making chika-chika (irrisistable mommy chat). That very moment was even captured by Mommy Ella and here’s an evidence shot.. ;)

Thanks for the candid shot Ella! Now I shall call you the "Master in Documentation" hehe
You named me and JF as "Masters in Chika-Chika", so this time, ikaw na naman ang may award. ;)

And the idea became a reality. JF named our group “Peas in the Pod” and also initiated an exclusive Facebook group so we can discuss and plan and share there. And on our playdates, we let our babies meet to play (and of course, the moms make chika-chika) every Thursdays. And since it’s summertime, we also have our Swimming Playdates at mommy Keryl's place. It’s smart and fun! 

I finally realized that parenting is my career (and after three years, I’m just realizing that!) This is actually a wonderful job, more than any profession, any degree, any accomplishment. As a young mom, at first I was ashamed that I’m “just” a mom. But now, “OH WOW! I AM A MOM!”  I am just so happy to have The POD and my growing support group (the moms, dads & peas/babies). Thank you Lord for this “destiny”. Parenting has never been this uplifting, fun and mommy-riffic! ;)