Essential Oils

I've been hearing and seeing about Essential Oils from my mommy friends and celebrities I follow on social media. Young Living is the brand that has been mentioned numerous times. But when I learned of the price, I immediately lost interest. That's too much for me. Hehehe!

One time, I saw my ate's FB and IG post. It was Young Living essential oils and she posted how much she liked them and helped her family well-being. She got the Premium Started Kit. You know how people would talk non stop when they're into a thing? That's her about YL EOs. Because of her constant posting, it got me curious again. 

When my ate visited my baby, one of our conversation went to essential oils. I know she's not into Sales but her testimonials made me think twice of giving these a try. 

I checked for an oil that would help my hyper kid. And that was when I saw articles and recipes for ADHD. To make a long story short, I asked my ate to buy the Vetiver essential oil so I can try if it would work for my firstborn. I cannot order the Premium Starter Kit yet because it is way out of my budget and I don't think my husband would agree to spending a big amount for such. 

pic not mine

While waiting for the delivery, I was given some Lavender and Peace and Calming samples. I gave some to son but I don't think it worked. However, I use it while we were inside the car and of course my baby smell it. The effect? Well he was asleep for a long time. I was amazed because I didn't intend on using it on him. He's a light sleeper so his sleep is always interrupted. It got me excited! I might have some hope my son soon!

After a week of waiting, I got my Vetiver and Lavender bottles.

I tried it on my firstborn yesterday and it somehow made him less active. No running for about 2-3 hours and became more attentive. And it was just a drop of Vetiver and Lavendar oil! As for my baby, he got an uninterrupted sleep again last night. I just woke up to feed and he was sleeping the rest of the night. I got a good night too! Before going to school today, I rub the Vetiver and Lavender oil again. I was so anxious! When he got home, I was surprised that he wasn't running on his way inside. I ask him to do a lot of things things too and he did about 80% of it. Without me having to repeat them. 

This is really promising! I want to test it's consistency on him first but I'm close to buying my own kit too so I can start my Essential Oil Journey. I have a lot of recipes I want to try for my family and I'm hoping it will improve our well-being too.

My Breastfeeding Journey

I always wanted to breastfeed my child. When I gave birth to my first son, I blogged about my frustrations because I wasn't able to do it. I was able to pump but it wasn't enough so it was formula all the way. Before I give birth, I already told my husband and family my plan to breastfeed my next child and I was happy that they supported me on this. I don't remember having their support with our first child so I was easily discourage to pursue it.

It was a good thing that my newborn was able to latch at the beginning of his life because it somehow made it easier for us to establish breastfeeding. Also, it was a big help that my OB Gyne, Dra. Heidi Dauigoy, is a breastfeeding advocate. She wanted me to embrace breastfeeding for this child because of the benefits. She doesn't have to tell me twice because it has always been my dream to exclusive breastfeed my child. 

It was true that breastfeeding is hard, specially in the first week. I doubted if I was able to produce enough milk. I actually give formula to Noah on his third day because I felt that he wasn't able to get anything from me. When he didn't latch in the evening, I got upset at myself so I read and read and read. I tried to make him latch from me again after I dropped formula on my nipples. 

Thankfully he accepted and I vowed that I won't give him formula milk again. Malunggay capsule, soup, chocolate malt drinks, oatmeal, Malunggay tea, lots of water, and unlimited latch. I ate, drink, and did everything in order to produce enough milk. When milk started dripping from my nipples uncontrollably, I knew I'll make it far. But then, sore and cracked nipples, interrupted sleep at night, and tiredness became my biggest enemies. I have to endure everything again for the sake of giving the best to my child. So here I am, more than one month already and yes, my baby is healthy. This is the start of my breastfeeding journey. 

About Last Month

I know I stated that I wanted to be active on my blog again but what happened was... I gave birth last month to my second baby boy! That was September 2, 2017, 3:45 AM to be exact. 

So here's the story... Since my last checkup on August 28, 2017, I was already 4 cm dilated, and I know I could give birth soon (but I was really hoping for Mama Mary's birthday, September 8). I've been monitoring my contractions through an app (very helpful) and I was determine to bear the pain as much as I can. It was because I didn't want to spend a long labor at the hospital without any food or drinks, which was what I experienced with my firstborn. I couldn't stand the pain of labor and stomachache which lead me to asked for an epidural. I would have preferred a natural birth the last time if not for the additional pain due to an empty stomach. 

I stayed at home walking and exercising (and eating and drinking) until the late night of September 1 when the contractions were getting intense already. We arrived at the Premier Medical Center at about midnight. When the doctor checked me, I was already at 7 cm. Wow! So I was taken to the labor room where I was given something that made me fall asleep while my husband was filling up forms, making a deposit, and looking for a room. I wasn't sure how long I slept but I woke up in pain. The contractions were very very very intense. So they brought me to the delivery room where I met my doctor and told me that my waterbag already broke and that I was about to give birth already. The contractions that time were unbearable and I couldn't handle taking a big breath. My impulse were to push and I did but I still tried breathing in and out like what the doctors and nurses told me. I remember that I kept on asking for water because my mouth and throat were so dry but they only give my ice chips and I hated that it could not satisfy me. 

Finally, I heard them say that my husband is already with us. I was still drowsy but I heard them give instruction to my husband that he cannot take video, only pictures. Then, my OB told me to start pushing. I pushed four times and the baby was out! It was a boy! I can't believe that I endured giving birth without any anesthesia. But then again I must just be crazy and brave. Hehehe! I honestly don't know what happened next because I fell asleep again. My husband told me that they did the "Unang Yakap" just like what I wanted and that they made my baby breastfeed on me. Good thing he had pictures of that moment so I was very happy.

I woke up in the recovery room with the nurse trying to teach me how to breastfeed and how to make my newborn latch properly. That moment was so amazing for me! I desperately wanted to breastfeed my firstborn before but because Unang Yakap wasn't done I wasn't able to establish breastfeeding with him. I just loved that breastfeeding was required for this birth and my family supported me with this. Since he was roomed in with me, I was able to nurse him within the first 24 hours of his life. 

Our family already visited us that afternoon to see the latest member. My firstborn was very much excited to see his little brother, Noah Alonzo, and I could be happier!

Work At Home Mom

For a long time, I wanted to spend more time with my son. Not just the quality but the quantity. Working for a BPO company, no matter how great he benefits are, just won't me the satisfaction I was looking for eversince I become a mom. I've contemplated long and hard; weighted the Pros and Cons; consulted people. In the end, I decided to resign from the company that provided for me and my family for 11 years. 

So what's the next option for me? A home-based job. I had second thoughts about this at first. I was worried that it won't be enough to help with the bills. Luckily for me, I was able to find a good home-based job a month after I resigned. All I needed was a good internet connection, a backup wifi, a laptop, and the skills I learned from working in a BPO company. It was a struggle at first because I have no one to physically assist me, I have to rely on good old google to find the information I need. After two months, I was breezing through it. Not only did it gave me the time to spend with my son, it also paid well, just like when I was working for a BPO company. My son was just happy that he can now sleep and wake up with me by his side and not with his grandparents. It was a priceless moment indeed.

image by Google

Not all home-based jobs are good, mind you. I heard of several pinoys who were scammed by their clients. Some jobs also have weird requirements like dressing sexily while on cam with her boss. Another job I found online was a chat support for dating sites so one must be witty enough to answer the "customers" when they ask you "personal" questions. Goodness, I'm not that desperate noh! 

For those moms who are also considering this path, don't be afraid. Despite the risks, it is so rewarding, I tell you. It may be a struggle at first just like any new beginnings, but once you get the hang of it, it's really fulfilling. More than everything, the guilt I would feel every time I leave my son to my parents or in laws' care is no longer there.

Second Pregnancy

After six years, I'm 36 weeks pregnant now and waiting patiently for my second baby to come out. We wanted to give our son a sibling for a few years now but for some reason, we just couldn't conceive. We decided to try until May of this year only as I'm scared of any complications that may arise due to my age (late 30s). We're very thankful that He finally blessed us with a new baby. Our firstborn, Quino, was just too excited to become a kuya, he immediately embraced this new responsibility.

Eventhough we're very excited with this pregnancy, I can't help but feel worried and scared. I don't know if I'll be able to love this baby as much as I love my firstborn. I mean am I capable to love two kids at the same time? I'm also scared that I'll prefer one child over the other and I just don't want any sibling rivalry among them. I'm also worried about time management. Since Quino is a special child, he'll need more time and attention from me but at the same time, a newborn will also eat most of my time. Specially since I'm very determined to breastfeed this baby this time around. My husband said I'm putting too much pressure on myself; and I'm thinking about unnecessary things that may not happen; and that it's preventing me from enjoying this pregnancy.  Maybe he's right, but I just can't help it. Being a mother is so much different from being a father. 

We also don't know the gender of our baby. Just like the first, we decided not to know it. I used to want another boy because I think they are just the sweetest to their moms, but now I really really want a baby girl. My gut says it'll be a girl but at the back of my mind, the ultrasound picture looks a lot like a boy. I know I'd feel guilty if I feel a disappointment once I give birth. If we'll have a girl, then that's the end of that problem. But what if it's a boy, can we afford a third child? And can I still cope with pregnancy at my age? Even if we can, there's no guarantee that we'll have a girl. Waaahh! This pregnancy hormones plus a lot of idle time are killing me!

image by google

More Than One Year After....

Hello! I'm still alive! =) Too many thing happened in my life within this period. I started working from home since I stopped blogging (hence my looong absence); my baby boy is now a first grader; and I'm now 31 weeks pregnant with my second baby. 

My biggest challenge is how to manage my time working at home and taking care of my son and husband while managing our household (yes, I don't have a maid). I have so many stories to tell (work-at-home jobs, my son's communication disorder and his monthly therapy, struggling to get pregnant, to finally getting pregnant, etc) and I'm hoping to blog about all these things before I give birth to my second born. 

To Be Continued.... ;)