Overdoing it?

Sometimes I can't help but think if I'm overdoing my preparation for a future baby. I now eat fruits and vegetables. I try to jog twice a week. I reduced my salt and sugar intake by (almost) avoiding junk food and sweet goodies in my grocery. I go to my acupuncturist twice a month. I pray the novena every Wednesday. I avoid getting secondhand smoke. I use natural and organic products. I have books about fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Too much? Sometimes I feel people around me snicker behind my back at the thought that I'm taking this preconception thing so seriously. Maybe I am. Maybe I'm just doing what I can to get rid of my polycystic ovaries the natural way. As much as possible, I want to be able to have regular ovulation and have a natural pregnancy. No Clomid! No TVS every now and then! I'll try hard to not mind these people around me. I'll not stress myself about what they think. This is my body and I have every right to do what I feel is good for me. Bow.

6th Acupuncture Session

During my first consulation and acupuncture session with Sister Regina, she told me that we'll do 6 sessions and after that, I'll go to my OB and have an ultrasound (or TVS) to see if I'm ovulating. I'm excited and at the same time sad to go to my 6th session. This is the last of the series Sister Regina "prescribed" to me last December but this also means I'll not be having any acupuncture if the TVS results turn out positive. I'll miss having acupuncture.

I came 15 minutes earlier than the clinic's hours but I was ushered into cubicle #2. Sister Regina did the ritual of asking me if I'm ok, my eye twitching, etc. I asked her if I should have an ultrasound after the session. She said not at this day of my cycle (cycle day 22). She said I should have an ultrasound before my ovulation, say day 10 or 12. From my BBT chart, I ovulate on day 19 so I guess I have to get he ultrasound on day 15 or 17.

I lay there thinking about when I should get the TVS and when my next appointment with her would be. This is not what I had planned when I came to the clinic. I was thinking after acupuncture, I'll have an appointment with Dra. Aguilar and see if acupuncture made me ovulate. But that is not going to happen now. I have to wait for my next period and wait for the appropriate time to get an ultrasound.

I pray that I'm regularly ovulating, as what my BBT chart says.

After 8 Years

One of my bestfriends in high school, Lara, and I met over the weekend. After our HS graduation, we hadn't had the chance to catch up on our college life. She studied in the city while me and my other friends studied in the province. There were no cellphones, e-mails are a luxury for a student like me and social networking sites are not yet developed. One time we did meet in college was during her dorm's Open House. It was a quick get-together.

Now, 8 years after our last meeting in 2003, we decided to meet. Since she's a mom now and an active NGO member, I know her schedule is so tight. I told her not to backout the last minute for our meeting. And we finally met! Over a large plate of sotanghon guisado and drinks, we shared years of stories, trials and triumphs. Her soon-to-be five year old daughter is a smart kid, will be entering an elementary school and she's an un-spoiled kid at that. I'm so proud that she has raised her daughter well, without giving in to her tantrums but not depriving her as well. I hope to meet her soon. We planned that our next meeting will be a sleepover in her house and we'll cook our dinner and jog the morning after. Sound fun to me!

As fate would have it, we share the same OB as well! As I told her about me having PCOS, she told me that she would recommened a great OB. It turns out that this great OB she is speaking of is my OB, too! Truly, without us knowing it, somehow there are some things that make our lives intertwined.

I guess this is what true friendship is. No matter the distance and time that separated us, we still feel like it was just yesterday.

Bosom Buddy

I have found a website full of information about doing things naturally during pregnancy, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, fertility and staying healthy. Pam Yap-Magallon, a Pinay wife, mother of two and a vegan, maintains the Bosom Buddy website and I'm thrilled to learn all the things she has in her site.

Most of the websites I've read are US-based so there is some disconnect. These websites talk about things, food in particular, which is not usually found here. Thanks to Bosom Buddy, I can now read about indigenous food which can help me in my future pregnancy and beyond. Check out the "Stay Healthy" section of the website to know the different fruits and vegetables that are just found in our local markets that can help us have a nutritious diet.

I hope I can discover other similar blogs/websites so I can know more about conception, pregnancy, taking care of a newborn, etc.

Human Nature's Tinted Lip Balm Sheer Lip Soother

I am loving Human Nature's lip balm !

Human Nature is an organic cosmetics company in the Philippines. They sell a variety of natural and organic products such as make-up, facial wash, moisturizer, lotion, hand sanitizer, etc. They don't have the complete line yet (they' don't have sunscreen products, soaps, etc.) but most bath and beauty products that you want, they have it. You can order online, on their stores, or from their distributors (which I did).

Human Nature claims this tinted lip balm (P69.75) is one of their best-sellers and I know why. It looks natural on my lips. The rosey red tint is perfect on morena skin. My lips feel a tinge of coolness after applying this lip balm and I don't need to re-apply everytime. It's also good to know that this beauty product is 100% natural, I don't feel guilty after using it.

Getting Started

image from Runner's World

My sister and I decided to join a 5K fun run in May. To prepare, I searched Runner's World for a traning plan (do I sound like some sort of a professional? :)). I saw this 8-week plan that hopefully will help my body prepare for this 5k goal. This is a first 5k run we're going to join and I'm psyched!

High Five!

Happy Anniversary to me!

Today is my 5th anniversary working for the same company. This is the longest I've stayed. What should I wish for? Hmmm...

SMART Goals

Reading Michael Dooley's "Fit for Fertility" inspired me to create my own goals which are smart, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-related (thus, the SMART goals).

It's nice to have a plan. My mind stays focused and I can check this list regularly to see if I'm doing what I'm supposed to do but I will not be hard on myself if I don't do everything. I also need to remind myself to relax and not to be obsessed. As Dooley puts it, "trying to conceive is NOT an obsession but a journey!"


Here are my SMART goals:

Long-term goal: Have a healthy baby by 2012

Intermediate goals

• Regulate ovulation - March 2011
• Trim waist by 3 inches - April 2011 (I have a month to go. panic!)

Short-term goals

• Increase intake of green, leafy veggies - start now
• Take multivitamins - start now
• Jog twice a week - start next week
• Do yoga every night - start now
• Cut out junk foods - started
• Eat brown rice, muesli - already started
• Sleep 8 hours a day - already started

I hope I can stick to my plan and achieve my ultimate goal of having a baby, God willing.

How to Apply for a Replacement of SSS ID

IMPORTANT: I am not an SSS employee. This is my experience in applying for another SSS ID. SSS-related inquiries must be sent to your nearest SSS branch.

When a woman gets married and changes her surname to that of her husband, all of her identification should also be changed. It's what I'm doing now, changing all my IDs to my married name. I think one of the most important ID to have in the Philippines is the SSS ID. So, I need to replace mine.

Here's what I've done to apply for a replacement SSS ID.

Preparation:

1. Download SSS form E-6 from the SSS website.


2. Fill-out the required fields. See below. Highlighted fields are required.

3. Since I'm changing my name to my married name in the ID, I photocopied our Marriage Contract as proof.

4. Prepare two IDs accepted by SSS. Tip: Read the list of accepted IDs at the back (or page 2) of the E-6 form.

In SSS:

1. Go to the SSS Memebers Assistance Center (MAC) in East Ave., Quezon City.


2. Get a ticket number from Booth 6. You can never miss this booth giving the ticket numbers.


3. Wait in one of the chairs in the "Evaluation" section of MAC. An SSS employee calls the numbers and to which booth they will line up. At 8:30am, I was #289. Numbers 160-165 are being served by one booth. After an hour, my number was called.


4. Give the following to the SSS evaluator: E-6, supporting document (mine is the Marriage Contract) and the valid ID(s).


5. Since I'm applying for a replacement ID, I have to pay P150. The SSS evaluator staples my old SSS ID to the E-6. Then, the evaluator gives a payment form and a letter and instructs me to go to the Treasury Building (the building outside MAC) and return to her booth.


6. Fill-out the payment form (4 copies). Use the carbon papers in the payment section of the Treasury Building.


7. Show your documents to the SSS teller. Pay the replacement fee of P150.


8. Go back to the booth which evaluated my E-6. The evaluator writes something to my E-6.


9. After evaluation, go to booth 39 for the appointment slip for the picture capture.


10. In Booth 39, the SSS employee will do a final check on the E-6 and give a paper with the date and time for the picture capture. Mine is on May 27.


11. Finish.

Tips:

• Use black ink pen in filling out SSS forms.


• You can go to your nearest SSS branch and have them evaluate your E-6. So, when you go to SSS MAC, you do not need to wait long for evaluation.


• Your company's SSS number is not required in E-6.


• Bring the original copy of the support document that you are submitting.


• Bring something to read/play with while waiting.


• SSS opens at 7am, so you can go there early.


• Keep the E-6 and payment slip in a safe place. You will have to bring them when you go back to SSS for the picture capture.

5th Acupuncture Session

I came to the clinic 10 minutes before my appointment and was immediately ushered to cubicle #2. I have not yet freshened up after my commute when Sister Regine entered the cubicle. She seemed not to be in a hurry as she asked me the usual questions about my monthly period. That's the advantage of being an early patient, you can have more time with your acupuncturist. She noticed that I was touching my eyes, my left eye was twitching. She asked about it, if there was soreness (none) and for how long have I been experiencing it (about 3 days, though I'm not sure exactly).

I lied down on the bed and she started the insertion of fine needles in my head. She also put some around my left eye. This was a first! I thought she forgot to check my tongue. She didn't. I showed it to her as whe was inserting the needles in my tummy.

One thing I noticed was that when she inserts a needle in my left foot, it hurts a bit. I don't know what's the reason for this discomfort. I will ask her about it on my next visit.

I was able to sleep in this session. Yoohoo! I was startled when an assistant replaced the moxa. I slept again when she went out. My session ended before I knew it. My thirty minutes was already up. An assistant woke me up and removed the needles.

Fit for Fertility

This book is full of information about preparing your body for conception. I'm glad I bought it since I learned alot about what food to eat, what to do to obtain optimum reproductive health, how to relieve stress, etc. The wording of this book is very positive and very encouraging that's why I kept on reading every page (well, almost).

Here's what I picked up from this book:

• Create SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Related.
• 3 months seems to be the magic number for preparing your body for pregnancy. So, three months before you actively try to have a baby, you should quit smoking, drinking and recreational drugs and start eating healthy foods.
• "Diet is the single biggest controllable factor in getting yourself fit for fertility."
• Keep things simple and listen to your body.

The Fit for Fertility Program has 10 core themes:

1. Diet
2. Exercise
3. Stress Reduction
4. Lifestyle
5. Positive approach
6. Team approach
7. Goal setting
8. DR AID (Diagnose, Review treatment options, Agree the plan of treatment, Implement the plan, Demonstrate that it is working)
9. Planning the journey
10. Education

These are just a few of the information from the book. There are many more I want to write but it would take a very long post. Just try to grab a copy from your bookstore. Or your second-hand book shops (just what I did!).

I've written my SMART goals and thought about the conception plan. Some will say that I'm OC about this havin' a baby thing. I know that nobody can plan for conception, only the Lord has the say on things. I say, I can prepare my mind, my body and my whole being as Hubby and I wait for the Lord's blessing of a baby.

Let's Pray for the Safety of All

With earthquakes happening in different parts of the world, recently the 8.9 earthquake in Japan, we are left scared and fearful. Social networking sites are filled with doomsday statements that do not alleviate the fear we have in our hearts.

I say, let us pray instead. Yes, we are questioning why these calamities are happening. Yes, we are now faced with how life is so fragile. We're afraid of our mortality. The thing we have to do is be prepared and pray. We are not contributing anything if we just announce to the world how scared we are about these happenings.

God bless our Mother Earth.

2nd HPV vaccine shot

I had my second HPV vaccine shot four weeks after the first shot, and a week after my measles experience.

I came early to be listed (I'm #6!) with my sister who will be having an MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shots. I informed the nurse that I will be using my health card (yey office HR!). This means I will not be paying the consultation fee. She gave me forms to sign and then took my blood pressure and weight. Dra. Aguilar's clinic hours is still in the afternoon so I went home.

I came back an hour after Dra.'s hours, thinking I need not wait long for my turn. I waited in the waiting area and read Stieg Larsson's "The Girl Who Played with Fire." And I waited. And waited. Dra. finally came an hour and a half after her clinic hours! Guess that's what you'll expect from an OB GYNE who has many patients in different hospitals. She's that good.

The shot was quick but not painless. I don't know why I felt some discomfort as she injected the syringe in my left arm, unlike before.

The third and last vaccine shot will be 20 weeks from the second shot.

dual incomes

Hubby and I are in the Dual Income, No Kids (DINKs) category in the world of finances. He receives his salary monthly while bi-monthly for me. He has a salary for 9 months in a year and I have it all-year long. When I first faced this combining of incomes task, I was sort of perplexed. I thought about how to make a feasible budget with this. We receive our salaries at different times and for a limited time for the year (on his part). I have to save for our several plans and for the months wherein we will have to do with one income only.

After alot of thinking, researching about combining incomes and prioritizing plans, here is the saving plan/budget that I've come up with:

• Retirement - 10%
• Emergency - 10%
• Long-term savings (House) - 25%
• Short-term savings (Car) - 14%
• Workup (acupuncture, OB GYNE) - 5%
• Vacation - 4%
• Expenses (present and future) - 32%

As you may notice, I am saving for alot of different things. We have many plans and things that we want to do so a budget is definitely a must. Also, I have to make sure we have money during his vacation here and we only have to rely on my income.

I hope other wives of seamen start creating a budget too (if they have not yet done so). Sure, our husbands' income (or any family member) is more than what normal employees in our country earn but we should be financially-wise. It is a sad truth that there are families of OFWs who are left penniless even after years of working abroad. We must avoid this situation by creating a budget and sticking with it.

GIGA

GIGA is the name of the store where I now buy my organic and natural bath and beauty products. You can see their stalls at different malls.

I have bought stuff from this little shop a few years ago but I only knew recently about the meaning of its name. GIGA - God Is Good Always! Nice noh? And as I remember, their receipt has "God bless our sales" in it.

A few weeks ago, I bought GIGA's Hair Treatment (P165). My hair hasn't visited the parlor for treatments for so many months now and it desperately needed some TLC. This product is made of virgin coconut oil (VCO), aloe vera extract, peppermint, patchouli and lavender. The direction says to use it sparingly. It's made of VCO, so you really need to use a small amount only. Otherwise, you will have to shampoo again and again to remove the oiliness from your hair. You can use it as a leave-on conditioner. After shampooing, put a small amount on your hair and viola! I haven't tried it though.

Now, I bought the Shea Body Butter (P180). The sales lady put the product in a reused magazine page. If only all stores would do the same. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The package says it is "A deeply nourishing creme rich in antioxidants to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and heal damaged skin." I tried a small amount on my hand and it is very rich and thick. Maybe it is good to use at night before going to bed.

What should I buy next at GIGA's?