Ladies and gentlemen, this is (not) me…

24 February 2008 Sunday 3:45PM

Dear Sebastien-

Today is your Baptism.  Me and your mummy have been looking forward for the coming of this day.  We have prepared a lot to make this day extra special and extra memorable.

Around 10AM, your first visitors arrived - Tita Mae and Tito Roeder.  They picked-up the cupcakes from Piece of Cake, which will serve as your cake and your baptism favours for your guests.

At 12PM, the caterer has arrived to begin setting up the buffet table in the clubhouse.  We got the services of Tita Lina Vitan, she is the same caterer during our wedding.  We believed she did a good job in our wedding, that is why we hired her services again.

At 1PM

This is the first guest post in my blog…

Hello world!!!

by Sebastien Peter Laforteza

7 Dec 2007 around 3PM in the afternoon, I felt my little home pushing against me.  It is like it is trying to get me to go somewhere else.  But where?  And why would I want to leave?

It has been a very comfortable 39 weeks for me.  I was in my cozy home, filled with lovely warm fluids.  A rythmic pulse in the background that helps lull me to sleep.  A once in awhile gush of energy from my cord that causes me to feel so excited and alive.  Everytime I kick and nudge, I hear wonderful giggles from a familiar voice. 

But now it feels like my soft home is trying to move me downwards.  Wait, what’s happening?  The nice warm fluid around me is gushing out.  It is going thru that opening just at the top of my head.  There’s that push again.  Hmm, let me see if i can find out where that warm fluid went.  I will try to kick so that I can reach the opening.  Oh it’s a bit hard, but the opening got slightly bigger.  Maybe if I time my kick with the pushing, I can see what is beyond the opening.

I can hear another familiar voice.  But this time, this deep voice sounded firm and excited, much different a couple of weeks ago, when it was more soothing and relaxing.  Then there are these other unfamiliar voices, but they all sound excited and encouraging.  The sound is louder in the opening.  I really want to see what is beyond it.

Ok, I can feel that this is a big push, now time for my kick.  Hiyaa!  I got closer to the opening.  But still not yet there.  The voices are getting louder.  I am getting excited myself.  Maybe if I mold my head a bit so that i can fit thru the opening, it will be much easier.

Another big one coming, one big kick!  I’m almost there.  Hey what is this?  Suddenly, the top of my head felt cold.  Oh, another push comi…ooomppph…..aaah!  What is this passing thru my little nose.  It feels weird and it is making me sneeze out some of the warm fluids.  My whole head feels cold, and everything seems to be bright.  I can now hear the voices more clearly.  Am I thru the opening?  But wait, my arms and legs, how do I get them thru the opening too?  Maybe if I do this little twist…yes!  My shoulders out.  Oh, the rest of me just slid thru easily.  Now I feel cold, and the bright lights and loud voices are starting to scare me.  Where am I?  What am I suppose to do here?  Get me back in.  Get me back in!!!  "Uwaaaaaahhhh!!!"

(a few minutes after)

I can hear the deep familiar voice again.  But this time, it feels closer.  And it sounds soothing and reassuring again.  It’s getting really closer.  I guess I shouldn’t be afraid.  Oh wow, I felt warm again.  I am feeling much better now.

Oops, now I am feeling something by my lips.  It is warm and soft.  It feels so nice.  What if I open my mouth wide and let it….gulp!  Woah, this feels really good!  Wait, I can hear another familiar voice.  This soft voice, I have been hearing a lot.  This is the voice behind a nice song.  I like that song.  But the voice is closer.  I like it.  I love this. 

I’m sure glad I went thru that opening.

5 Dec 2007 Wed 6:00PM - On our way to work, Ia noticed that her contractions are becoming regular at 8 mins interval.  It was still painless but definitely becoming more regular compared to the Braxton Hicks.  When she got to work, the contractions stopped.  So we guess it was false labor.

5 Dec 2007 Wed 10:00PM - I received a phone call from Ia.  She said that she just had a bloody show while on queue in Starbucks.  Her contractions were slightly irregular and still painless.  I decided to fetch her just in case her labor progresses quickly.  Her OB-GYN advised us to time the contractions.  If there is more bloody show or if her bag ruptures, then we were to go straight to the hospital.

6 Dec 2007 Thur 12:00MN - We were having a hard time monitoring the contractions because ia was so sleepy.  She falls asleep even during a contraction.  This is so unusual since we were supposed to be working the night shift and should be wide awake at this time.  It looks like her body was trying to store and conserve energy for a long and hard labor ahead.

6 Dec 2007 Thur 9:00AM - We were supposed to have a check-up at her OB-GYN’s clinic at 9AM.  But there was more bloody show, so her OB-GYN advised us to go to the maternity unit instead.  We were relieved to see that her OB-GYN was there even before we came.  Ia was 1cm dilated 80% effaced at -2 station.  We had a biophysical profile done to check the status of Ia’s condition.  Everything is still ok.  It was clearly just early labor.  We were asked to go home.  Sheesh, just when my excitement is building up.  I told Ia that we have lunch at Trinoma to trick her into walking.  I really wanted her labor to progress quickly.  But after lunch, I was forced to take her home because, again, she was so sleepy.

6 Dec 2007 Thur 9:00PM - Still engulfed by my excitement, I convinced ia that we take a stroll in front of our home.  During the stroll, her contractions were roughoy 2 mins apart and there is already a little bit of pain.  When she got tired and went to bed, the contractions again varied from 2 mins to 10 mins.  To distract myself from too much excitement, I tried to get some work done.

7 Dec 2007 Fri 3:00AM - The contractions are getting more painful, but the interval still swings from 3mins - 8 mins.  When she had another bloody show, we decided to rush to the hospital.  What should be a 15-min travel time, became 30 mins because I need to stop when Ia is having a contraction.

7 Dec 2007 Fri 4:30AM - She had another IE and she was already 3cm 50% effaced at -1 station.  Wow, the labor did progress (hell yeah!).  She was asked to be admitted.  We stayed at the High Risk Pregnancy Unit of St. Luke’s Medical Centre because we were doing a Lamaze delivery.  Bring out the tennis ball!

7 Dec 2007 Fri 6:30AM - Her OB-GYN came and performed another IE.  She progress to 4cm fully effaced but still at -1 station.  Ia was taking each contraction strongly, while I continued to coach and motivate her.  She moved her bowels earlier, and now her hemoroids are bugging her.  Her OB-GYN managed to push some back in.

7 Dec 2007 Fri 8:30AM - Another IE, 6cm.  Her progression is as expected.  More contractions coming at around 6min intervals.  More calls and SMS, too.

7 Dec 2007 Fri 10:30AM - Ia is already at 8cm, but still at -1 station.  Still no epidural at this time.  Her contractions are getting really painful.  I can see it in her eyes.  But I need to be strong for her and urged her that we can do this.

7 Dec 2007 Fri 12:30PM - Still at 8cm, her OB-GYN decided to rupture her bag hoping to help progress the dilation.  We even did some practice pushing to help the dilation.  She was given an IV since she didn’t have anything since 9PM last night.

7 Dec 2007 Fri 1:30PM - 8cm still, I can see the exhaustion and pain in ia’s eyes.  But I see in her that she really wants this to be a true lamaze birth.  She was induced with oxytocin.  After a couple more strong contractions (it was really strong as it was flicking off the charts), I can see that she is losing air.  And there is still the actual delivery to prepare for.  I have to give up and asked her OB-GYN to give ia an epidural.  Despite this, I told ia that I am so proud of her for reaching up to this point.  She has given everything that she can give, and that is enough for her.  I am now more concerned with her health and that of the baby’s.  Sometimes things don’t go the way you planned.  Ia was wheeled in for an epidural, while I waited.  I felt a little relief knowing that the pain will soon be over.

7 Dec Fri 3:00PM - The nurse told me that Ia was almost fully dilated.  Thank you God, her labor still progressed.  I was asked to get ready.  I had to change scrubs because I had to go out of the sterile HRPU to take a leak.  How stupid is that?!?  Then the nurse came rushing saying that my wife is ready to deliver and that I am the only one they are waiting.  I entered the DR, and ia is already on the table.  Then the pushing starts.

Each push, I can feel Ia’s strength.  I can feel that she is giving everything she had left.  Each push, I can see our baby’s head crowning.  But it is still a long way to go.  I kept telling ia that I love her and that I am very excited.  We will soon be seeing our baby that she carried for 39 and 4/7 weeks.

Her OB-GYN had to make an early episiotomy (this is when she cuts ia) to help her reach the baby. 

7 Dec Fri 3:36PM - Then after one very strong push, out came the baby’s head (everything is videotaped), followed shortly by his shoulders and the rest of the body.  I told ia everything is over, she did good, our baby is ok.  Then we heard a loud cry!  There he was, our little baby boy, SEBASTIEN PETER SANDOVAL LAFORTEZA.

Whoa!  Almost 3 months of no post.  I’ve got to bring you all up-to-speed in less than 1000 words.  Here you go…

- Ia is at her 35th week.  2 - 3 weeks to go, Sebastien Peter will be joining us.  Yep, that’s my little tyke’s name.  I know, it’s such a nice name.

- On Sunday will be our last Childbirth Preparation (aka Lamaze) class with Rome Kanapi.  I wonder if Aika already gave birth?

- I’m still reading 3 blogs regularly in no particular order: 

    (1) Moneysmarts by Salve Duplito [http://www.inquirerbloggers.net/moneysmarts],

    (2) Our Awesome Planet by Anton [http://anton.blogs.com] and

    (3) Sidetrip by Howie Severino [http://gmapinoytv.igma.tv/sidetrip/blog/index.php]

- The home improvement of our condo is 17.14% complete, and we have made 70% payment.  It will have the cutest nursery room.

- The crib we bought gave us a lot of problems in fitting it inside the nursery room.  Hey, I will make all the fuss for an 11K crib.  But Basty will use it until he is 4 or 5.

- By the time Basty is 4 or 5, we would have moved-in into our new townhouse and he’ll be playing with a little sister.  It’s nice to have goals.

- I’m struggling to lose weight.  We planned to eat at a buffet breakfast in Libis yesterday.  Can you see my struggle?

- Honestly, I really need to start losing weight soon.  Christmas is approaching.  Noche buena, woohoo!  I need professional help.

- Family problems, who doesn’t have one?  We just went thru one recently.  I hope it is over.  Christmas is approaching.  Noche Buena, woohoo!

- Danica’s alright, thank God!  Roeder’s alright, thank God!  Let’s keep it that way, you two, ok?

- On work……………………

- I need 80K before end of Dec for Ia’s delivery.  I have half of it now.  For everything else, there is Mastercard.

- Accenture is everywhere, on the telly and radio, Beyonce’s concert, at Cybergate Tower 2, at my friend’s engagement party, in Cebu, in my Friendster, http://accenture.com/rise.  I’d love to go back, but I can’t.  You all know I can’t.

- A new resto along Tomas Morato called Nasi Lemak opened up 2 months ago.  No satay, no clams in my Penang Char Kuey Teow, no sambal in my nasi lemak, no ice kacang.

That should be it for now.  If you say I exceeded 1000 words, you have lots of time in your hands man. 

Oral Glucose Challenge Test and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.  These are really extreme and wicked test to be administered to a human being, more of to a pregnant woman.

We learned from our OB-GYN that a pregnant woman is prone to get diabetes (high blood sugar).  This is due to the huge hormonal changes they are experiencing coupled with the increase blood flow that they need to provide the baby.  (If this is wrong, hey I’m no MD)

The first test, OGCT.  We went to a hospital near our home for Ia to take the test.  She was asked to drink a bottle of orange liquid.  Ia told me that it was so sweet, it sucks!  She was close to throwing up, but she had to keep it in for at least an hour.  They took blood from her after an hour. 

We had to come back 3 days after to get the result.  She got 9.34 mmol/L.  Man, that’s too high.  Our OB-GYN said it should be around the 6 mmol/L area.  Damn those sweet pears!  She had no choice but to prepare for her second test - the dreaded OGTT.

We prepared for it for a week.  No starchy food, very limited rice, sugar-free bread and cookies, and no fruits.

Last Sunday, we went to a different clinic instead.  We just want a different set of people administering the tests.  Now this test is not for the weak of heart.  Ia had to fast for at least an hour - no food and water.  I decided to fast with her.

Then they took their first blood sample - left arm.  She drank the same orange liquid, but this time she said this was better than the last one.  But it still made her want to throw up.  We decided to let the hour pass by walking thru the mall (a clinic in a mall, how convenient).

Second hour, second needle, right arm this time.  Ia said she was too weak to walk around, so we decided to sit at the waiting area.  Good thing Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer was on.  That kept me busy and Ia asleep.

Third hour, another needle, back to the left arm.  This time I was starting to feel hunger and I’m definitely sure Ia too.  She read her pregnancy book, and I took a nap.  Then it was time.

Last hour, last needle, right arm.  Ia said that this last one hurt the most.  But she made it thru.  I was so proud of her.  She was so strong.  I loved her more.  She helped herself with 4 pieces of steamed pork dumplings, while I content myself with 2 waffles.

4 hours, 4 needles, 1 test.  This is really an extreme test.  This should be considered as a violation to human rights (just kidding)!.

This morning we got the result.  We forwarded the result to our OB-GYN and she said all were normal.  Thank You, Almighty One!  But it doesn’t end here.  Ia still continues to monitor her diet.  And I will continue to do the laundry. 

It’s been a week since Ia’s complications. She had her follow-up checkup at Patient’s First. We are happy to tell her OB-GYN that there were no more bleeding and her bowel movement is back to normal.

But just to make sure, she advised us to have another ultrasound just to check her placenta. I remembered her last ultrasoound 2 weeks ago when we attempted to find out if our baby’s a he or she. But our little angel did not cooperate then.

The nurse carefully checked her placenta thru that usual black and white screen. Everything looks fine. What great news to hear. But then, there was a bonus. The nurse continued to make circular moves on Ia’s tummy trying to find something. And then the screen paused and the nurse asked me "What do you think?" while pointing to a little wiggly thing in the monitor. I said in Filipino (I just realized how very tacky it was), "Uy, may lawit!" Hahaha!

Ladies and gentlemen, we are having a baby boy!!!

I have been dreading to write this entry, but I just have too.

Afternoon of Friday 17 Aug, Ia and I were interviewed by a Metrobank staff for an AVP that they will be showing for the bank’s anniversary.  The bank’s theme for this year was "Paying it Forward".  They are highlighting individuals that have been blessed by the bank and decided to return the gratitude to society.  Since me and my wife are both Metrobank Foundation Scholars, and are pioneers of ASSET, we were chosen to provide a few words.

After the interview, we had to accompany our interviewers out of our village so they would not get lost.  We were on our way to work anyway.  But Ia asked me to turn around and return to the house as she forgot to bring a medical prescription.  Back at the house, she decided to take a pee.  The I heard her calling my name.  I asked what was wrong.  She said she was bleeding.  Panic rushed through my head when she showed me the bloodied tissue.

When Ia started to cry, I decided to push out the panic inside me.  One of us had to have a clear head.  I decided to bring her to FEU hospital which was the nearest hospital.  We called our OB, and she advised that I rush her to St. Luke’s instead.

Still keeping a level head, I drove as fast and yet as carefully as I can while I shoot out the best comforting words to Ia: "Everything is going to be alright." , "Our baby’s tough, he will hang on." , "We’re almost there." 

I think I violated a dozen of traffic rules and had been rude with a lot of motorists.  But hey, I got to get my wife and kid to the hospital fast.  I have been a good motorist before, I deserve to be rude just this one time.

I dropped Ia at the hospital lobby and instructed 1 murse to take her to the Maternity unit.  When I was parking the car, I just realised, I should have used valet parking! 

Anyway, when I got to the Maternity unit, Ia is bing assisted by nurses.  They did some vaginal examinations, and one of them looks really painful.  They can’t seem to find the source of the bleeding.  One resident OB even said that Ia’s cervix is closed and intact.  One nurse used a doppler and had us listen to our baby’s fast and healthy heartbeat.  At this point, I relaxed a bit.  It seems like our baby is safe.  One down, one to go.

Our OB advised Ia to stay overnight for more observations and until Ia poo-poos (she as constipated since Wed).  There were no more bleeding since there are no contractions.  On Saturday morning, we requested for glycerin to loosen up Ia’s bowel.  But eventually around lunch time, Ia "successfully" poo-poo.  Finally, both of them are now out of harm’s way.  But we requested to stay one more night to be on the safer side.

That was one scary weekend for me.  But, as much as possible, I did not show it to Ia.  She is afraid herself, and she would need someone whom she can draw strength from.  We both drew it from Him.

Last Sunday, we decided to have my wife’s pre-natal check-up at Patient’s First instead of St. Luke’s.  My wife’s HMO covered the check-up.  The doctor measured our baby and everything is just right - 22 centimeters for 22 weeks.  She even asked me to feel it.  I did.  I felt something hard.  It was my first time to "indirectly" touch my baby.  The feeling was exhilarating.

Then we thought that we wanted to find out our baby’s gender.  We asked the clinic to check her HMO if an ultrasound can be covered since it is a bit expensive in Patient’s First.    They approved it!  Thank you Maxicare!

I was very excited as we enter the room, anxious to receive a surprise.  The nurse took some measurements first (head size, abdomen size, length of spine, length of thigh bone).  Seeing all these reminded me again that there is already a human being growing inside.

Then when the nurse told us that it is hard to spot the "thingie" because our baby’s thighs are crossed.  Ia jiggled a bit, and even coughed but our baby is so comfy with that position.  The nurse said that it might be a boy but she might have mistaken "it" with the umbilical cord.  I was a little sad, but still seeing our baby looking more human is enough reward for me for the day.

Then the nurse moved her hand around and focused on the head.  Then she showed us, the forehead, the eyes, the nose and traces of the mouth.  Our baby is staring right back us thru the monitor (or so I imagined when in reality our baby’s eyes should be close)!  I am now seeing our baby’s face.  Our baby is so beautiful!  And I reckon I even saw our baby smile back! 

While driving back, I just had a mental picture of my baby’s face (and a physical photo when I asked the nurse to print one out even if it is not routine).  I can’t help but smile.

We visited my bestfriend Paulo and his wife Lyn in the hospital since Lyn just gave birth to Paulyn Blossom.  She was very beautiful.  And I can see a daddy’s little girl in the making.  Paulo just can’t get her hands off her.

p.s.  corrected inches to centimeters, thanks to vanessa.

It all started last 4 July 2007.  Ia said that she can
feel someone tickling her tummy….from the inside!!!  She said it was
our baby moving inside here.  You can see the joy in Ia’s eyes every
time it happen.  I cannot feel it from the outside.  All I can do is
rely on Ia’s eyes.  It is their private moment together.

But this morning, 17 July 2007 around 2AM(ish), Ia and I
were talking in bed when she suddenly stopped.  She said she felt her
tummy move, but this time, she felt can also feel it from the outside.  She
asked me to touch her, and we waited.  I closed my eyes and made my hand
as sensitive as it can get so it can feel the slightest changes.  The
doctor said that we might only start to feel our baby move on the 20^th
week.  Ia just approached 19 weeks.

But then I felt something.  And it was really
something.  It was not just a small movement, it was a big *thud*!  Ia and I can’t hide our
astonishment.  We laughed!  It was fantastic.  Man, that was
some kick!  Watch out Becks and Rooney, here we come!

First it was the heartbeat that assured us that indeed life
is inside Ia. 
Now, actual physical movement tells us we got the next big football star on the
way!  Haha!

Two months ago, we decided to go to Puerto Princesa for our 1st wedding anniversary since both me and wife have never been there. But somehow, around 2 weeks ago, we changed our mind. We decided that the PHP20,000 that we will be spending for the trip, we will allocate it to other things instead:

1. Pay off credit card debts.
- Nuff said.
2. Visit and donate to Home for the Angels.
- We will get to see these little cute angels again, and have the chance to play with them.
3. Have a nice romantic dinner in Antipolo
- I think we deserve to splurge a bit just to celebrate this very wonderful occasion. Vieux Chalet Swiss restaurant up on a hill in Antipolo served us an unforgettable meal and an unmeasured view of the city lights.

So I guess, Palawan will have to wait. Hey, we still have decades of anniversaries to come, you know.