Kreativ Blogger Award

This post has been sitting in my drafts for so long now. It's not that I want to keep this award all for myself; it's just that this difficult pregnancy is restricting me from long hours of blogging unlike before. And so, I apologize to Mommy Anne if I wasn't able to pass this award earlier. But really I'm glad that I'm one of the few people she remembered passing this award to. Now, it's my turn.

To accept this award do the following:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Here are the 7 things about myself that people might find interesting:

1. I am a certified procrastinator. See, I even accomplished this tag just now.
2. I love traveling, unfortunately my supposedly first out-of-the-country trip was cancelled at the last minute. :(
3. I hate updating my Mac - software, etc. The last time I did that, the next thing I saw was that Kernel panic image.
4. I cry a lot and worry a lot. Okay, I admit, I'm more of a negative thinker than a positive one.
5. I don't like reading manuals, much more explore the features of the gadgets being given by Daddy. As long as I can use them, then that's it.
6. I never eat pineapple, it causes my tongue to be so itchy. And squash too.
7. I'm very stubborn. And Daddy hates that.

I am passing this award to some of my blogging friends. Hope to know more about you: Nays, Jhelea, Rose, Maidz, Wats, Wends, and Glady.

A Dream Vacation in Sustainable Switzerland After Giving Birth

The past 7 months have been so difficult for me: the moving-in scene to our new home, the home improvements that I have to look after all by myself, the budgeting of finances, the accomplishing of tasks both for the permanent and freelance jobs, and worst of all, the pregnancy complication that until now I couldn't figure out why of all the pregnant people, out of the 200, it was me who got this placenta previa. All of these really stress me out to the highest level, and so after giving birth, I'm looking forward to have a dream vacation in a place where I can truly be with nature - a place like sustainable Switzerland.

Just look at the image above, isn't it a beauty? It's in Fuldera, Switzerland - popular tourist destination that offers the most breathtaking views of the panoramic Alps. I can imagine myself staying in that tranquil and enchanting village for a couple of days and spend hiking or camping with Daddy and the kids. Just look at the green meadows and the forest, for sure the place has a lot in store for vacationers like me.

But Switzerland is not only known for its Alps and its overall beauty. It is also known to be a very eco-friendly country as it is rich in organic products, its people can still enjoy fresh air while biking, offers easy access on train travel, and has lots of green friendly resorts and restaurant. It's so amazing how effective Switzerlands environmental policies are in making sure that pollution is reduced in the environment. I just hope that the same should be implemented in our country. So if you are a pollution-free environment advocate like myself, all the more you'll also appreciate spending a really nice vacation in this country.

I'm really looking forward to making this dream come true once I'm done with this pregnancy. I have lots of plans in mind once I'm there, like go hiking, camping, sight-seeing, and just be closer to nature. After all, I deserve a vacation as grand as this, right?

Pregnancy 30 Weeks: UTI and Possible Gestational Diabetes

Yesterday was my scheduled prenatal visit. I was early at the hospital so I'll be the first on the list. Indeed, I was able to grab the number 1, but only because I was listed ahead of time by my OB's secretary. LOL. :D But anyway, before I went to her clinic, I first got my lab results: urinalysis, blood sugar, hepa, blood type, and two others which I forgot what they're for. While looking at the result, I felt somewhat relieved to see that the numbers were within the normal values. But that feeling of relief was only for a while. Because when my OB checked it, she did a little computation and so the end result: I have UTI (urinary tract infection) and possible gestational diabetes at pregnancy 30 weeks.

I wasn't surprised when she said that I have UTI and that my blood sugar level is somewhat high. It's because on this pregnancy, I have craved so much for salty and sweet foods. Dried fish for breakfast, junkfoods in between meals, softdrinks after every meal, and ice cream for dessert. So, what more can I expect? But after learning that, I somewhat felt angry at myself because of my stubbornness. Daddy kept telling me to avoid salty and sweet foods, but I did not listen. And so all I can say while my OB was giving me prescription medicines for UTI and subjecting me to another glucose test was, "Now, this is called reaping what you sow."

But even if I blame myself over and over, it won't help at all. So the least that I can do is to follow my doctor's advice, take the medication, and have the 2nd glucose test. Oh boy, this has really been the most difficult pregnancy that I've been through! I just can't wait to get over with this.

Seven more weeks to go - ready or not CS on October 8, here I come!

Time to Buy the Stephen Joseph Quilted Backpack

While looking at my pre-school girl leaving for school yesterday, I noticed that her backpack already needs replacement. Although it still serves its purpose today, from the looks of it, the bag will give way in just a couple of weeks. So, I guess it's time to buy this Stephen Joseph quilted backpack.

The first time I saw this backpack from Posylane, I fell in love with it in an instant. Who would not be? Just look at it and for sure you'll agree. When I showed it to my daughter, she even smiled with so much excitement in her face. She just loved the Ladybug backpack. It has a front flap with magnetic closure and a carry strap handle on top, plus shoulder straps so she can carry it more comfortably.

I can't wait to get a Stephen Joseph backpack for my daughter. And I'm also thinking about getting two kids nap mats for her and Baby Gaby later on.

Pregnancy 29 Weeks: Placenta Previa, Bedrest, Losing Hope, Prayers

For those who have been constantly visiting this blog, perhaps you're all wondering why I'm suddenly out of the blogging circulation. It's not that I became too lazy, or that I didn't have anything interesting to blog, but because I allowed myself to lie low for a while since I'm risking my baby from working too much.

The last time I made an update, I told you that I had another bleeding right? And so, I was advised by my OB to go on 2-wk bedrest. I was also advised to have the steroid shots to mature my baby's lungs, unfortunately I was not able to get one. But anyway, yesterday, I finally met the OB-gyne who will assist me during my baby's delivery. Her name is Dra. Mia Almeda, recommended to me by my neighbor here in our new place. She's really nice and accommodating. And she has all the answers as to why until now I'm having this dark brown discharge and other concerns that I have with regards to this pregnancy.

The main culprit: it's the placenta previa. :( Though it's partialis now, it still causes me to bleed. And so my OB told me if I can already file a leave in the office until I give birth. Huwaat?? As if it's that easy to do. But do I have any choice? She said I need to have maximum bedrest because if not, any moment, I might experience more bleeding than the one I'm experiencing now. Actually, she already set me for a pelvic ultrasound by August 31. According to her, if it still shows a partialis placenta previa, she will already schedule me for caesarean delivery in between the dates of October 1st and October 8th, 3 weeks prior to my due date. :(

So I guess there's no escape for me anymore. Even if I wanted to deliver this baby boy normally, I don't think it will be possible with this pregnancy complication. It'll be 3weeks more before my scheduled ultrasound but I'm already losing hope that the placenta will still move away from my cervix. Yes, I'm losing hope! And I'm expecting the worst. I just hope I'll be strong enough to pass this difficult ordeal that me and my baby will have to go through. I must admit, I'm feeling a bit weak just the thought that I have to deliver it via CS section, that I have to be on leave for a long time, that my hubby is not here, and that I have no immediate family as my support team during the delivery. So, what else could be worse than all of these?

As of now, all I'm holding on to is my faith in God. I may not be able to escape the reality that I have to go through CS delivery, but I know He will not leave me and my baby during this difficult time. Prayers, prayers, and more prayers. And so, I entrust me and my baby's life only to Him.

Own Domain Name and Web Hosting Thoughts for this Family Blog

It's August already, but until now I haven't fully decided whether I'll give this family blog its own domain name and webhosting. I've been wondering for quite some time now why this doesn't seem to please Mr. Google, so if you'll notice it is still page rank-less. Of course, any blogger would want his/her blog to have a page rank. So, I was thinking maybe this one just needs its own domain name and web host. There's no harm in trying, right?

For the domain name, I already know where and how to get one since I've already tried purchasing a year ago. But for the web hosting, I'm still confused as to what site to turn to. Good thing, it did not take me long to find web hosting reviews via the Internet. When I came across webhostingratings.com, I told myself that this is the best place to start my search for web hosting services. This site provides a comprehensive list of web hosting providers, ranked according to their services' price, space, and traffic. By simply looking at the list, I can already tell which one gets the highest rating as far as customer satisfaction, reliability, and affordability are concerned.

After checking the site, I already have one in mind. But since I don't know much about web hosting yet, I decided to search further about the basics of web hosting.

How about you? Are you also in need of webhosting services? Visit webhostingrating.com now!

Top Entrecard Droppers for July

Although I'm still on 2-week bed rest, there's no stopping me to make this quick post and say thank you to my top entrecard droppers for July. "I do appreciate your regular visit on my blog." I hope you'll keep coming back and drop your EC here. I'll try to do the same as much as I can. Once again, THANK YOU!

Not John Chow
Blogger Corner
A lil Enchanted
Ungkutan
Harmony In Motion
Zero
pensive thoughts
Online Marketing
Sasha says...
Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife

Fashionable Eyeglasses for Children

While on our way to the hospital yesterday, I've seen a little girl, about the same age of Yana, already wearing eyeglasses. I was thinking, she's too young to be wearing one, just like my godchild named Angeli Marie who started wearing eyeglasses as early as 4 years old. But the two are nothing compared to our neighbor here, she's only 1 1/2 years old but she's already wearing one. Hmmm. I wonder why they are required to wear eyeglasses, maybe their eye defects are congenital.

But anyway, whatever the reason is, I'd be glad to recommend to them these very affordable yet stylish and high quality $ 8 Rx eyeglasses from Zenni Optical. I'm sure these will look great on my godchild and on our neighbor's child. They will look more fashionable, while they're parents will get to enjoy great savings. Actually, a lot of people have already experienced the convenience of having Zenni eyeglasses and many have seen Zenni Optical on TV!!! A blogger even blogged about it saying High Five to Zenni Optical. So, there's no doubt Zenni is the site to visit when it comes to online shopping convenience for high quality, affordable, and fashionable eyeglasses for children.

I visited the site just this morning and I've seen one that will look good on my godchild. Here let me show it to you: