Ba Nois

Ba Nois is a small Vietnamese restaurant, accomodating less than 100 guests, tucked in Perea St., Makati. I have a group buying discount voucher for a four-course meal for two. I paid around P450 for the voucher.

After shopping, we used the footbridge to go to Ba Nois. We rarely go to Makati and I was afraid of getting lost and looking like a fool. As we walked to the end of the footbridge, I realized that we are in Perea St. Yehey! We looked for Chinabank since it is in the same building as Ba Nois'.

There were three diners when we went to Ba Nois that afternoon. I told the waitress that I have a voucher which I gave her. She told us that the voucher entitles us a fruit shake, appetizer, chicken noodle soup, lemon pork tenders and pandan cake. Sounds yum!

The watermelon tastes like the fruit itself. Though too much ice for me. It's a refreshing way to start the meal.

Next, the fried rolls came.It was lumpiang shanghai Vietnamese version. I love the fact that it was served hot and the vinegar-chili dipping sauce is perfect. Wish they sell this sauce since I like to take it home. There are lettuce and mint leaves on the side. For maximum flavor, put the mint on the lettuce and put a fried roll. Roll them together then dip in the sauce. Wow for flavor!

After the appetizer, the waitress served hot chicken noodle soup. I give emphasis to "hot" since Hubby always expects food in restaurants to be served hot not just heated.
I was full after finishing a bowl of the soup.

Then came the lemon pork tenders with two cups of rice. I didn't touch mine but Hubby ate some. We asked the waitress to have the pork tenders to go including the pandan cake since we were already full.


Ba Nois
G/F Greenbelt Mansion
Perea St., Legaspi Village
Makati

Floorplanner

I've been nesting. Again. Since it seems our little angel will not be coming to us anytime soon, might as well focus my attention to our future house. God-willing, we plan to start house construction next year. Woohoo!

I've been looking for room designs and thinking how our future house will look like. It's a fun exercise!

I saw this website called Floorplanner which allows registered users to design their house, office, etc. I'm still a beginner and still learning the ropes and it makes me giddy inside.

Also, I've been checking out these wonderful websites: Young House Love and The Lettered Cottage. They're DIY couples who renovate, thrift, craft, etc. anything to make their home beautiful at a low cost. I do hope I have some creative skills and guts to do DIY stuff in our house. 

Who's Stressed?

Yesterday, Hubby went to a clinic in Intramuros to get his medical exam. This means that he is starting the procedures for his next overseas contract. His crewing manager informed him that his tentative schedule of leaving is first week of January or earlier, but only after Christmas (I pleaded him to insist that he leave after Christmas since he was not here last year).

The thing why I'm stressed is that I'm feeling the signs of my upcoming period. :(( Today is my cd 29 and I expect Aunt Flo to visit me tomorrow. We only have one cycle left in our journey to conception. Aside from the fact that TTC is stressful on couples, the fact that Hubby is leaving soon adds more stress. I'm thinking if we can't conceive now, I will have to wait another 9-10 months to start again.

There are times when I just say to myself to let it all go with the wind. I will not be so hard on myself because I admit, I do it all the time. I'm very strict with myself especially during the past months of TTC. Going to the province is lessened to avoid the unnecessary fatigue that comes with travelling. I criticize myself whenever I eat unhealthy food or forgot to drink herbal tea.

I dread the coming holidays. It means family gatherings, dinners with friends, etc. I don't want to be asked the state of my (non) pregnancy. If I can just say to them, "When the time comes that I get pregnant, I will not make it a secret." Sigh.

I think it's time to stop and release eveything to God. Hubby and I did all that we can to conceive.  If now is not the time, then we just have to let it be. As always, we shouldn't forget that God's plans are always best and perfect.

Kogi Bulgogi

My sister and I had dinner at a Korean restaurant in Eastwood called Kogi Bulgogi. She said the dishes and prices are good.

We ordered the Bibimbap, Dak Ssambap and Melon ice cream bar. Total: P390!

Bibimbap (above) is rice, beef, cabbage, carrots, onions and fried egg served in a very hot stone pot. You need to mix it once served at the table. They have other options for protein such as chicken, salmon and pork. You can add the red tomato paste (I think that's what it is) to give it some flavor and spice.

Chicken Ssambap is like fresh lumpia. You put the grilled meat and balled rice into a lettuce leaf, add some sauces (they serve three sauces) roll and then eat. Yum!

To cap off our dinner, we shared a Melon-flavored ice cream bar. The smell and taste is melony of course.

Tip for first-time future diners at Kogi, ask the waiter to serve appetizers. They're free of charge and you can munch on them as you wait for your order.

Happy eating!

Young coconut water

The local hilot says drinking water/juice from a young coconut (malauhog) helps the sperms to stay inside the uterus. This may be true or just plain hokum. Nevertheless, you cannot dismiss the fact that coconut water is good for your health. So, drink up for better health!

Anji Online

I found a website, Anji Online, that shares information on balancing your life in preparation for pregnancy. When you register, you will receive a link to a downloadable document titled "3 Ways Your Body May be Blocking Conception….and what you can do to heal them" and downloadable meditations. Of course I signed up!

The website says subscribers will receive a weekly ezine but I only got two since I signed up. The ezines are insightful and informative.

I have yet to start listening to the meditations and is excited to do so tonight.

Baby dust to all of us!

I Will Be Better

Here is a poem I read in the Infertility Phils. blog which is inspiring and gives me hope that parenthood is for us. In the midst of infertility treatments, I usually get lost in the stressful emotions that goes with it. It's good to remind myself that God's plan is always best and perfect.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I WILL BE BETTER

There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better. I will be better not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.

I have longed and waited. I have cried and prayed. I have endured and planned over and over again. Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams. I will notice everything about my child.


I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life. I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream.

My dream will be crying for me.

I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see. Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love. I will be a better mother for all that I have endured.

I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain. I know disillusionment as my own body has betrayed me. I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall. I have prevailed. I have succeeded. I have won.

So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs. I listen. And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard.

I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.

I have learned to appreciate life.

And yes I will be a wonderful mother.

-UNKNOWN

14th Acupuncture

Last Saturday, Hubby and I went to St. Francis Natural Clinic for my acupuncture treatment. We were late (!) and had to wait a few minutes. There were two new patients who were filling out the clinic's form.

I was assigned cubicle #2. Sister Regina came and asked about my well being. I lay down and she took my pulse. I told her that I had taken Clomiphene (Clomid is the most popular brand but I took Ova-mit, a cheaper brand) and showed her my TVS form from last cycle. She wrote something on my chart and was serious as she jot down notes. I was wondering what she was thinking. She asked me if I'm working (I am). I told her that I had a two-week vacation but is still not pregnant (insert sad face). She touched my left hand and said, "Relax. We'll get there." Right there I realized that I'm really stressed about not conceiving. I'm denying it outside but inside, not conceiving saddens my heart.

As needles were inserted and the moxa was lighted, I closed my eyes and thought about happy things. I sent a little prayer to our future baby to come to us as we are eagerly awaiting for him/her. And then, I fell asleep. I didn't wake when the nurse changed the moxa in my tummy. Maybe I'm really stressed and the needles did me some good.

Sister Regina prescribed another set of herbal medicines for one week.

Fees:
Treatment - P900
Herbal medicines - P1,060   

Most Consistent Award

This award goes to my period. Aunt Flo never misses her visits.

Like other TTC couples, we were very optimistic that this cycle would be "THE" cycle we would conceive. For this cycle, we did the following:

• I had one acupuncture treatment
• took Sister Regina's herbal tea
• took 50g Clomiphene for 5 days
• visited Dra. Aguilar twice for follicle monitoring (on cd 15 I got 1 maturing follicle and 2 not so dominant ones in each ovary)
• went to a local "hilot" to make the position of my uterus OK (translation: nagpataas ng matris)
• had a two-week vacation in my hometown to relax and spend more time with Hubby

I compare this TTC journey as that of Manny Pacquiao's training before a boxing match. Pacquiao said, he trains hard, does everything to prepare for a fight but in the end, only God knows the result.

Water

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Tip for those taking Clomiphene Citrate, commonly known as Clomid: drink tons of water!

One of Clomid's side effect is drying your cervical mucus. Sperms thrive on cervical mucus and it helps them "swim". To counter this drying side effect of Clomid, keep your water bottle or your glasses filled and drink up.

13th Acupuncture

Went to St. Francis Clinic for my 13th acupuncture treatment with Hubby. There were not much patients around and I was assigned to cubicle #3.

Sister Regina asked me when I got my period and I told her about the fever/cough I had a few days earlier. Seems there's a virus in town. I told her I started taking Clomid, actually it's Ova-mit, and I will be visiting my OB on my 12th cycle day.

I lay down the bed and she inserted the needles in the usual areas - head, tummy, knees and foot. I had two rounds of moxa.

As always, I try to take a nap during my treatment. I meditate. I release the negative emotions and thoughts. I welcome the bright light to shine inside my body as I call upon our baby. I pray that this cycle Hubby and I will be successful. Sister Regina prescribed another set of herbs for me (P1,150). 

I don't want to stress about the future but I do. Sometimes, the envy bug hits us when we see other parents with their children. I just remind myself that God's timing is best and always perfect. We may never understand what's happening  now but we will in the future.

Duchess Pension

In our Puerto Princesa vacation, we stayed at Duchess Pension located in Valencia St. It is a popular place among backpackers and tourists who want to save on accomodation without sacrificing a comfy stay in the city. According to its brochure, Duchess Pension is 3 minutes away from the city center and 7 minutes from the airport.

I booked an aircon room for two which costs P850/night. Cable tv and safekeeping are optional amenities and you have to pay P100 for each to avail them.The pension house provides breakfast for P100-120 and also laundry services. You will see their "price list" on how much they charge for each clothing item that you want to be washed.

The receptionist is friendly and very informative. He gave us tips on how to vacation well in Puerto Princesa. He told us to avoid riding tricycles that are in queue since they charge P20-40. Instead, we should hail tricycles plying the streets. Fare within the city is P8/person. He gave us a map of the city with marks on where to go and eat in the city.

clean bathroom is a must!

Our room is located in the second floor, facing Valencia Street. Puerto Princesa is a city that feels like a province. In the early mornings, you will hear roosters crow and few tricycles passing the street. Such a nice way to start the day.

That's me overlooking the street below.

TTC Cycle 1, Year 2 - Neg

I got my period on the dot.

Hubby and I decided to take clomiphene and see what happens. Dra. Aguilar has given me a prescription last August. I bought 5 pcs. of Clomiphene 50mg, the pharmacist gave me Ova-mit. He said it is the same as Clomid but cheaper at P100 each tablet while Clomid is P240+. Might as well try this brand. Hopefully, I'll get good results in a few weeks.

For TTC Cycle 2, we'll try acupuncture + herbs (if any) + Ova-mit + a positive attitude + more prayers. Baby dust to all of us!

One-week wait

I'm now on my one-week wait. Today is my cycle day 32, the day when I usually have my period. My BBT this morning is still high, meaning I'm not getting my period today. Hopefully, this high temp continues for this week. :)

This week, I will try not to overthink if I'm pregnant or not. Hard as it is. You see, when you are trying to conceive, you're an expert at counting the days, monitoring every little body changes, mood swings, etc. I always associate something with "Am I pregnant?". Hopefully by the end of this week, we will know.

Underground River Photos

Underground River

Palawan is famous for its Underground River, the Philippine's official nominee to the new 7 wonders of the world. Tourists visit Puerto Princesa to go to the Underground River.
The Underground River is in Sabang which is 73 kms from the city and can be reached in 1.5-2 hours travel. The roads leading to Sabang have sharp curves, you must have an experienced driver. There's a part where there are sharp curves every 3 seconds!

Hotels and travel agencies offer the Underground River tour at P1,500/person. This includes the aircon van transfer, permit, motorized boat ride, paddle boat ride inside the cave, lunch buffet and tour guide.

Our permit for the tour is scheduled at 7:30 am so we should leave the city at 5:30-6am to be able to be in Sabang on time. This is the first tour of the day, usually, tourists leave the city at 7am.

Our tour guide, Grace, picked us up at Duchess around 6:15am. We stopped by two other hotels to pick up other tourists. Since we were running late, the driver sped through the National Rd. going to Sabang. It was drizzling and the skies promised rain for the day.
We reached Sabang and Grace went to get our permit. It was raining! Flimsy raincoats were being sold at P50. since we have to travel by boat to the Underground River, I bought one. I urged Hubby to do the same but he insisted that he can take the strong winds and rain. He was wrong. He bought one just as we were leaving for the Underground River.

Only six persons are allowed to ride in the boat so our group was split. Grace joined our boat. The sea was not calm. Our boat challenged the waves as the boat man expertly maneuvered the boat to the island where the Underground River is located.
We registered and wore life vests. It was hard to take pictures since it was raining. You either get your shots or risk your camera to be wet and damaged. My advice, bring an underwater protector with your camera.

A five-minute walk under the trees will lead you to the area where boats await the tourists. We wore our plastic helmets and rode a boat. The tour lasts for 45 minutes. Despite the rain, I told myself to enjoy this experience with nature.

The foul smell of bat dung will welcome you at the mouth of the cave. Since it's daytime, the bats are sleeping so don't worry if you're afraid of bats. The Underground River is 8.1 kms but only 1.5 kms is navigable by tourists. The rest of the river is reserved for researchers and scientists and they need to acquire special permits to be able to go there.

People who sit in front will be the light man/woman. The boat man sits at the end. He tells stories and shows the different formations of stalactites and stalagmites as he solely paddles the boat. The best spot in the boat for me is either near the back where you can hear the boatman or in the second row, near the light. If you are assigned to hold the light, you won't be able to take pictures.

Whenever another boat passes our boat, the boatmen will greet us "Good evening!" and will joke to check if the number of people in our boat is the same now as when we road it at the start.

The official photographer takes the picture of each boat entering and leaving the cave. A small photo costs P150.

We ate lunch at a nearby resort. The buffet consists of four viands only - BBQ liempo, chicken adobo, fish steak and adobong kangkong. There's also a buko tinola soup and sliced cucumbers.

Padre Pio

Women like me who are trying to get pregnant almost always look for divine intervention in their quest to conception. Being in a mostly Catholic country, we pray to God, attend healing masses and pray novenas to Mama Mary and different patron saints. One such patron saint is Padre Pio.

Last year, I bought a Padre Pio novena and attended a healing mass at his shrine near where I live. My mother-in-law said that a novena should ideally be given to the woman wanting to get pregnant. No one has given me a novena yet. I don't want to ask my family and friends to give me a novena. :)

Then, one morning my officemate, G, said her mother is pestering her. Her mom was always asking G if she has given me Tintin Bersola-Babao's article in a local newspaper about Padre Pio. She gave the newspaper to me. Included in the article is the Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. I told her it must be a very good sign. :)

Puerto Princesa

Hubby and I plan to take yearly vacations in different tourist spots in the Philippines. This year, it's the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

Puerto Princesa is a city within a forest. Trees line up the streets, the air is fresh and the city is clean and safe. People strictly follows the "No Littering" rule of the city. A perfect place to relax and unwind.

Palawan is typhoon-free and earthquake-free, being located away from major earthquake lines. So, relatively, this is the safest place in the country. I want to live here. Or have a vacation house here. :)

A Nut to Me

When Hubby arrived from overseas work, he gave me a bag of nuts. He said there are many bags of nuts that he left in his kitchen since he thought we would have a difficult time cracking/opening/getting the nuts. I was in a "Sayang naman!" mode. I like to eat nuts. Instead of the usual bag of chips/junk foods, I munch on nuts. So, I was sad that he left lots of nuts there.

I recognize the walnuts and chestnuts (kastanyas). I googled to find out what nuts are in the bag. Seems we have brazil nuts, pecans (the red, oblong ones), hazelnuts (the small light brownish ones), and almonds (the lighter colored ones).

Still, these nuts are in the bag. I'm not sure how to get the nuts without a nut cracker. Pliers, maybe? :)

12th Acupuncture

I'm excited for this acupuncture treatment because for the first time, I will be going with my Hubby. I brought some chocolates for Sister Regina and the nurses. :)

We arrived early at the clinic but there are about 5 patients waiting. Seems a busy day today.

I was assigned cubicle #5, my first time to be in that corner cubicle. Hubby and I waited for 30 minutes or so.

Sister Regina came in the cubicle and I gave her the chocolate which she graciously accepted. She asked me about my period, my bowel movement, when my husband arrived, etc. She took my pulse on both hands and intently looked at my chart. I asked her if it was OK if I don't take Clomid yet. She said that that's our plan. :) She would prescribe herbs for me to take.

I showed her my tongue to gauge my health and she also asked Hubby to do the same. Good thing we didn't eat anything before going to the clinic. :0

The needles were inserted in my head, tummy, knees, inside thighs (first time) and ankles. I felt as if I was immobilized! Hehe. I tried to relax my mind and to sleep later on but sleep eluded me. I imagined my body becoming ready for conception. I thought of being pregnant, having a full term and safe delivery and finally, embracing our firstborn. I read that you should visualize yourself as a pregnant woman and being a parent. Sometimes a tear would fall when I think about these things.  

When the treatment ended, I saw Hubby, sleeping on the chair. :)

These are my new herbs. I have to take it twice a day for 7 days. I forgot what these herbs are for (*hand slap on the head*).

When water is added, it turns black with sediments.



Acupuncture: P900
Herbs: P1,020

Vitamins!

Visited Healthy Options and grabbed these vitamins. One for hubby and one for me. :)

Honey + Cinnamon

I read an article saying honey and cinnamon help in conception.

In another article (sorry I cannot locate it) says that in some countries, women mix honey and cinnamon. They rub this sticky mixture in their gums all throughout the day to help them conceive. This practise is doable but I admit it's quite not practical for me. I work all day on the computer and I can't imagine washing and re-washing my honey-cinammon stained fingers. :) To compensate, I just add these two ingredients to my morning meal which is muesli. 

Tip: When buying honey, check out the label. It should say 100% pure honey (or the likes). In groceries, there are lots of honey on the shelves but some are just caramelized sugar. So be wise.

11th Acupuncture + Another Herbal Tea

This is a delayed post.

After confirming my ovulation (story here), I excitedly went to St. Francis Natural Clinic for my acupuncture. I want to show Sister Regina the result of my recent TVS. I'm so happy to know that I've ovulated naturally, without the aid of Clomid. This is my goal when I started acupuncture in December. 

Good thing the clinic is not so busy that day. I was immediately assigned to cubicle #3. Sister Regina asked me about my cycle (I didn't have acupuncture then since she is out of the country and I don't have my TVS result yet). I told her that it seems to me my cycle was shortened (27 days instead of the usual 30-32 days) and the flow was lesser than what I usually experienced. Maybe it's because of the herbal tea? She asked if I was stressed during my period (not really). She looked at my TVS result and said my endometrium lining is thin (0.8, the ideal is 0.86 and up). 

She prescribed another herbal tea for 10 days to help my body produce enough cervical mucus. My husband is coming soon, so I better be prepared. (*wink*)

The herbal tea! Ta-da! The label is in Chinese so I cannot search what the tea contains.    

Inside the bag are 20 small plastic bags with the tea. As you can see, the tea has shades of orange, moss green, orange red, etc.

When I put a cup of hot water to the tea, it looked like water with rust. Heehee. Good thing my senses are already familiar with the odd taste and funky smell of Chinese medicine. I am proud to say I can drink a cup of herbal tea without any delaying tactics. Bottoms up!

My Inay's Vegetable Garden

My Husband's Home

My hubby is finally here. After having an unexpected extension in his contract.

I'm excited for Christmas. This will be our first, as husband and wife. Love!

Lookee! Lookee!

My TTC friend L told me that googling "Sister Regina" and "acupuncture" includes my blog in the search results -- second to Smart Parenting's article.

For vanity purposes, I also searched "Sister Regina Liu". My blog is on second page. Not bad.





When I started this blog three years ago, I never thought it would even be included in a Google search result. Guess many people are interested in trying to conceive with the aid of acupuncture. This inspires me to write more (I'll try to post daily. *fingers crossed*)

Thank you for your time reading!

Maternity Clothes

image here

I read a magazine article about actress Judy Ann Santos. She said she bought maternity clothes even before she got pregnant. Talk about being prepared! Should I now dash to the nearest maternity boutique and buy pretty clothes? Nah, I don't want to jinx it.

My mother said maternity clothes are like a wedding dress. You have to have it when your pregnant. I guess it symbolizes another stage in a woman's life. So beautiful.

I know someone who doesn't buy maternity clothes. Instead, she borrows only from her sister saying she would only wear it once. It's a waste is she buys her own. Sad.

I'm a Believer!

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August 2010
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, more known as PCOS. It seems I have anovulatory cycles. Meaning, I don't ovulate regularly or not at all, despite having regular menses. This is a big factor of us not getting pregnant obviously. Husband and I underwent a fertility workup for two cycles. We were not successful in getting pregnant.

November 2010
My husband has left for a 9-month contract overseas. I consulted with another OB in the city (nearer to where I live and work) who specializes in Infertility cases to know what I can do to help me overcome PCOS and get pregnant eventually. She discussed with me the different stages of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Based on the stages, it seems I'm done with Stage 1 which is taking up Clomid. She recommends an HSG exam a month before Hubby returns home. I don't want to have that exam yet. I feel it's too early. To sum up the consultation, all I can do is wait till my husband comes back so we can start with a fertility workup.

I cannot wait nine long months without doing anything to help me conceive. So, I searched all over the Internet and read books about fertility. Seems I can try acupuncture and change my diet.

December 2010
I went to see Sister Regina Liu, an acupuncturist known in the TTC (trying-to-conceive) world. She read my ultrasound result and advised me to have acupuncture every other week for three months. After that, I' ll go back to my OB to have a TVS.

April 2011
I went to the OB, full of high hopes that acupuncture has done its miracle of balancing my hormones and chi. Hopefully I am now ovulating without the aid of Clomid. Turns out, I'm still not ovulating. I went home dejected.

May - June 2011
Sister Regina prescribed a herbal tea. I drank it twice a day for about 9 days. After finishing the bottle, she gave me two bottles of herbal tea, different from the first one.

July 2011
I missed the OB at the clinic. :(

August 2011
I got my TVS. It says I'm ovulating naturally! On Cycle day 15, I have 16mm follicle (which will mature to release an egg in about two days) in the right ovary. Woohoo!!!

An Expensive Change of Plans

Last May, I grabbed a seat promo of Cebu Pacific. Hubby and I are planning to go to Puerto Princesa and just in time, Cebu Pacific announced its fare promo. I paid online and got my itinerary. Woohoo!

Fast forward three months later, it seems we will not be able to be in Palawan in the dates we planned, and the flights I have booked. Hubby's replacement is not yet available (still processing his papers, ugh!) and he has to stay at work for about four more weeks. Yipes! I called his office to confirm his arrival. The woman I talked to was not helpful nor comforting. The papers of his replacement will be processed till the 23rd. She told me to wait a little longer. I wanted to say "I've been waiting for my husband for nine long months and you tell me now to wait a little longer?! What's wrong with you?" But, of course I didn't say those things.

Since it seems we aren't going to make it to our Palawan vacation as planned, I rebooked our flights. The fees and fare difference for rebooking is more expensive than the tickets I paid for! Double whammy!

Lesson: Wait for a month or more after Hubby's end-contract before booking for a vacation.

Natural Fertility Blog

Hey, I've created a new blog. It's called "Natural Fertility Blog." Please check it out!

Husband's Not Yet Here

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My husband's contract ended August 5. He should have been here now, but is not. There seems to be a problem with the German visa of his replacement. The visa takes a week to process. This means another week of him at work. :( Hubby said he'll call again this Saturday to update me on his arrival date. I hope that by then, his office has finished processing the papers of his replacement so he can come home.