Quest: Week 3

• At 3.48 kilos, I've been busy growing up and I can now consume 3 ounces of formula milk in less than 2 hours; I'm also up every 1.5-2 hours at night because I need some feeding time. It's pretty difficult for Nanay but I'm glad that Tatay is also helping out even though he has work; Also, I can easily go back to sleep after feeding so Nanay can get some rest;
• I've developed rashes on my face, neck and arms. Nanay did a research and learned it is best to leave the rashes alone. Tita Penny gave the same advice;
• I now have longer play time and I enjoy it whenever my parents, grandparents and Tita Ruth talk to me; I especially smile when Tita Ruth calls my name with her high-pitched voice;
• I surprised Nanay the other day when I kept on looking at her even when she was walking. She was wearing a black cardigan that day. When she noticed that I was looking at her, she called Tatay and the others and danced in front of me. She did a funny dance :)
• I sometimes yell when I cry especially when I want milk;
• I also cry when I'm asleep because I'm having a bad dream but I find Nanay's touch and voice soothing;
• I love looking around and I often times do not want to go for "burping position" because I'm still enjoying the view inside the house;
• My parents already processed my birth registration at the Brunei Immigration Office and they will soon head to the Philippine Embassy to apply for my birth certificate;

Eligay's QUEST: Week 2

• At 2nd week, I already gained one kilo! Woot! Woot! And the Doc said I'm even supposed to lose weight. :)
• I'm now learning to hold my bottle.
• Had my fair share of vomit scare but we learned that Nanay's vomit reaches up to 1 foot when she was a baby. Eeww Nanay! But thank God I'm getting better;
• I have an army of angels at home - Lola Loida washes and folds my clothes and takes great care of me; Lolo Jun irons my clothes perfectly; Tita Ruth repairs my clothes and is my official photo/videographer; Tatay and I are still working on how to carry me comfortably; And of course, Nanay is my 24/7 babysitter;
• Lolo Jun and Tatay are doing great in cleaning my nose when I find it difficult to breathe;
• Lola Loida and Nanay take turns in humming tunes and carrying me around to help me sleep;
• I love to play with water and practice my kicks during bath time;
• Nanay and I thank Jesus for my milk every feeding time;
• I started sun-bathing this week too and Nanay and I say good morning to the sun, the clouds, the trees and the birds whenever we're out;
• For the past few nights, I no longer have trouble sleeping although I wake up every 2 hours for milk time; I'm quite a light sleeper though so Lola and Nanay patiently take turns in carrying me until I'm in deep sleep;
• I'm happy to make my family laugh with my toothless grin. It's a sure hit! :)

Eligay's QUEST: Week 1

• Born on 2nd February 2013 at 11.50am at Kuala Belait Hospital, Brunei (7.7 lbs/vacuum-assisted normal delivery) 
• My Tatay was beside my Nanay and coached her all through out labor and delivery
• Tatay was so brave he even took a picture of me when I got out of Nanay's womb
• I waited for my Lola Loida, Lolo Jun and Tita Ruth before I went out to see the world. I want to make sure Nanay and Tatay have full support on my arrival
• At 3am, Friday, 1st February, Nanay and Tatay went to hospital because Nanay is already in pain but I'm not ready to go out yet;
• At 1am, Saturday, 2nd February, Nanay had more painful contractions; 
• At 8am, she was brought to the labour room because the doctors needed to speed up her contractions since I already pooped inside.
• I can already move my neck around at Day2;
• I smile after feeding to say thank you to Nanay or Lola Loida or Tatay (or whoever is feeding me)
• I don't cry during bath time
• I have been visited thrice by hospital nurses at home and they're all fond of me
• I pout after drinking milk and I know how to play with my milk and Nanay tells me not to do that because a lot of babies are starving
• I listen to classical music during the day
• I changed my parents' sleep schedule because now they are in bed at 8pm or 9pm
• I feel so much loved by family and friends :)

When God gave us QUEST

After the miscarriage on 7 February 2012, I grieved but prayed at the same time to become pregnant again by May 2012 so I can give birth, God willing, by February 2013.

On May 30^th, my prayer was answered and I got positive home pregnancy test result.

After three days, it was confirmed by hospital pregnancy test that God heard my prayer.

Even before I had pregnancy test, I kind of felt that I was pregnant because 1) I never missed my period for more than 4 days, 2) there were times when I felt dizzy during my work out  3) And I always wake up in the middle of the night hungry and wanting to pee.

I started to have food aversions at 6 weeks. My first few favorite food that I began to loathe were vegetable tempura and lasagna. Eventually, I didn't like the sight, smell and taste of chicken and beef and can only eat fish, vegetables and fruits. There were many days during the first trimester that I have to think hard about what I want to eat. Otherwise, I just had bread.

Week 8

During the first trimester, my husband, Eli, was sleepy as early as 8pm. Not sure how it was connected to my pregnancy but he was never like that.

But he knows how to spoil me.

At 14 weeks, my bump is already showing! Or was I just too full? :)

We went for the first ultrasound on 5th August. Are we excited or what? :)

Elijah took the photo and even said that the baby was doing a thumbs up. Not sure if the baby is boy or girl yet but knowing that he/she is healthy and that everything is normal is more than enough for us.

On my 17th week, we met up with Kuya Allan and Ate Vicky, our churchmates from Manila, who visited Brunei on 26 August.

On 18th September,I was up from 1am to 3am because the little one kept on moving. And whenever I say, "baby, let's get some sleep", gagalaw pa lalo. So playful, mana sa tatay. But my heart smiled all the while. :)

                              

Eli's Facebook post on 21 October (@6 months): Prize from PLANTSA, HEADSET to BATA!!! hahaha running career is put on HOLD!!! wahahahaha

Since 28th Oct, my current favorite pastime is watching my belly move everytime the little one somersaults. :)

@28 weeks (10 Nov):I saw Elijah saving the nearest route to the hospital (which is 5 mins away) on his gadget. Child, it's either your father is super excited or he's starting to panic. 

At 32 weeks on my 32nd birthday (8th December)! What a blessing!

We're also blessed to receive treats from Tito and Titas. Thank you!

Family shopped for Quest again! And Tito is already "breaking-in" the pacifier!

Eli's kept on dreaming about Quest too!

5th January

Eli was giggling while asleep so I woke him up and asked him if he's dreaming. When he woke up he said, "Si Quest eh, ang ingay ingay. Sabi nya, "Nanay! Nanay!" So cute.:)

(Trying hard) Game Face On at 38 weeks! Thank God I reached full term!

2 February, 11.50 am- I delivered our 7.7lbs Quest. God tested my faith during labor and delivery but walked me through each wave of pain with help from doctors, nurses, families and friends who prayed for us and of course, my birth coach, my husband, Elijah.

When God gave us Quest, we know we are abundantly blessed!