First Week

It has been a week since my dad and I left Manila and so far, so good…except for the super cold weather! California is beset by an abnormally cold condition. It reminds me of the winter I spent living in Rhode Island and working in NY which I don’t want to re-live. It’s so cold that the fountain outside my uncle’s home would freeze & become popsicles!!! Hahahahaha! The only good thing about it is that I can wear a nice coat and scarves (sabi nga ni Ale ako ang pinakamaarteng buntis in the world).

We were able to get thru immigration without a hitch. In fact, the people who checked-in my dad and I at the PAL counter forgot to hand over my expectant mother’s information sheet and OB’s medical certificate and not even the personnel on the plane noticed that I had a bump. I guess it helped that I wore jeans and I tied my belt low on my hips (mala ‘80s style) and I held my huge coat in front of me the whole time. Also, it is a blessing that Ale and I didn’t change my passport yet to my married name so my dad and I were interviewed together.

I already have a Filipino doctor here who I saw last Monday, Dr. Nicholas Dikio. He is very nice so he will waive all my pre-natal consultation and test fees – otherwise I have to spend $100 or so per visit which will pile up because at 34 weeks I need to see the doctor every week already. Doc says Teo and my belly are just the right size for 34 weeks! God is good.

My dad and I have also pre-registered at and gave a deposit to the hospital where I am due to give birth. That means, when the big day comes, papasok nalang ako. It’s LOS ALAMITOS MEDICAL CENTER – a 10-minute drive from where we stay. Since we will be paying in cash, they gave us a discounted package rate that covers either normal or caesarean delivery. It’s a nice private hospital that even gives tours – Ale and I will take the tour when he gets here so we know the procedure for OB-admitting. Again, God is good.

And it gets better. Last week, my aunties and cousins handed over to me a whole balikbayan box filled with barely used clothes and shoes from newborn to 2 years old. So that plus the stuff that you guys gave me and we’re solved!!! You see, I have 7 nephews here (and only one niece – malakas ang lahi ng lalaki sa amin) and the youngest are only about 3-5 years old. God is amaaaaazing.

As for me, well, I’ve been eating healthy and try to walk around as much as I can. I feel stronger when I exercise and keep active most of the day. As expected, at 8 months, I have difficulty sleeping because Teo keeps moving which makes me go to the bathroom a lot!!! During the day, he kicks like crazy and I love it!!! Manang-mana talaga!!!

Do continue to pray for us. Especially now that I have a cold -- my fourth bout since getting preggers -- no thanks to this brutally cold weather.

That’s my update so far. God is truly wonderful!

You are in my prayers!