What's in my Diaper Bag?!

I'm actually due on February 12, but we're really just waiting for labor pains right now since Doc Cyd told us during our last check-up that Phoenix's head is already engaged so we just prepared the diaper bag we're ready to haul over to the hospital just in case it happens (labor!) all of a sudden.

I didn't think I needed to take pictures, so bad of me, since actual pictures of the contents of the diaper bag and the bag itself can help you visualize it more.

Anyway, I'll just enumerate them so you, whether you're the one pregnant or a friend, or a sister, or maybe even your mother, would have an idea what to bring to the hospital for the big day!

• Diapers. lots of them. Because newborns will pee and poop almost every hour after birth. It's sorta their cleansing thing. So bring lots and lots of diapers since hospitals here in the Philippines might provide only 2-3 pieces for your baby.
• Hooded towel or a hooded receiving blanket. I'd like to believe the baby would like a comfy and warm blanket with a hood so his/her head will not be cold too.
• Soft blanket/covered mat for the baby to lie on.
• Wet wipes and cotton balls. To clean up that chubby butt after pooing or peeing.
• 70% Ethyl alcohol. Maybe to disinfect the chord stump or something, it's the nurses that ask for this though.
• Cotton buds/ear buds. This too, the nurses will ask for this, together with the,
• Baby wash. Because they will give your baby a bath before giving him/her to you.
• Baby clothes. Be sure to bring those white cotton newborn baby clothes and some others of your choice. Something he/she will be comfortable in. Make sure they're not so thick, so the baby won't be soaked in sweat.
• Socks, mitts, cap. For protection and comfort. Make sure you've removed the stray threads, just bring scissors with you so you can trim them off just to make sure.
• Wash cloths, bibs, burping cloths. Of course, for wiping off milk for the chin or cheeks, protection for burping or from accidental spills/vomiting.

Well, basically, those are the essential things to bring to the hospital for THE big day. Don't forget mom, you have to pack a bag of your own too. Don't forget to bring extra undies, sanitary napkins or adult diapers (whichever you prefer, I'm bringing napkins with me), comb, toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant, perfume/cologne, toothpaste, soap and/or shampoo (it's a hospital, so better be ready than sorry), change of clothes - those that are comfortable for during and after labor and birth (Tom and I suggest for moms planning to breastfeed, bring something with buttons so the baby can have easy access to milk) and also clothes for going home.

Don't forget to bring slippers too, include socks if you're the type who gets cold easily. For walking around during labor and also while you're inside the room after birth and for going home. You should even bring a towel or washcloth for of course, freshening up. You can also bring extra pillows and blankets for you to be comfortable after giving birth, and also for your husband or partner or guardian - whoever's going to be with you - to use at night or while waiting for the baby to be brought to you inside the room.

**Anyway, here's a photo of some of the stuff we've gotten from Ate Jovie, I've packed most of them into my diaper bag, except for the pump. I'll have to remember to bring that.

Join in! Paybox.me is giving me lots of $$$!

Maybe you're looking for something online that'll give you a lot of ka-chings for so little effort? Why not try Paybox.me?

So what's in it for you?

With Paybox.me, you start with a $25 balance and it's absolutely free. PayBox will add up to $20 per day to your account for participating as we prepare to launch our new service. You get $10 per person you refer to PayBox. You'll be an EarlyBird user—before PayBox opens to the public and you'll help shape the development of the best payment system ever designed for the Internet.

In short, you could have hundreds or thousands of dollars in your account by the time Paybox.me launches!

I joined Paybox on December 1, and so far, my account already has $400.08... and counting!!! ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching! (That's about P17,203.44 using P43 conversion rate!)

And if you're turning your cynical self on right now and asking with raised eyebrows, "where on earth can I use that money?" Just hang onto your seats because they're all making it worth your while. And if I'm interpreting it correctly, their developing something like paypal, which can be used for buying and selling online. So just imagine how much you can shop using all that money!

If you're interested, join in.... Here's the link to their site or just click on their logo below.

My Nokia C7 Post Got Featured!

Breathe in, breathe out.

I was just minding my own business, killing the sleepiness I'm feeling this time in the afternoon when I decided to check on my twitter account. Lo and behold, a twitter-er mentioned me and a post I did on what I wanted for Christmas.

@WOMWorldNokia had this tweeted,

Cathy’s (@BrazenLass) Christmas wish this year: a Nokia C7!http://bit.ly/ekk2WJ

Now, ain't that nice?! The post was written by CeciliaD. Whoever you are, thanks for linking to my post...  :)
Here's a snap of that page, just click on it to enlarge.

My Christmas Wish This Year: A NOKIA C7!

As many of you already know, I'm pretty much with child right now. Some say it looks like it's about to pop any time now, but if you ask me, I think there's pretty much enough time for this baby to still practice contractions and stretches and funny movements right until her ripe old time to "pop" out.

So what I've been doing most of the time now is imagining what I would be doing at home during my maternity leave - aside from taking care of the baby, of course. And if you haven't noticed yet, I blog, a lot, so maybe I'd be doing more of that or maybe just picture-taking or filming whatever it is that catches my interest by February or March because we currently still don't have our very own internet connection at home. It maybe more of my pretty little angel or some of her "adventures" so to speak.

So I ask, do I want a Nokia C7 for Christmas? Or maybe you're asking, why does she want a Nokia C7 this early if she's just wondering what to do in February?!

Why on earth not?!

First and foremost, the Nokia C7 is really shiny - and shiny things just make me want it more. It's made of polished stainless steel and glass - perfect for catching my Phoenix's attention for pictures, right? It has 3.5" high-resolution display, and what's cutest is that it's a touch screen thing also! Awwww....

What else caught my attention? Imagine two months (because that's how long a maternity leave is) without your usual office internet connection - no facebook, no twitter, no email, and no blog! So how can you post those lovely pictures and crazy videos you'll take with the Nokia C7's 8 megapixel camera?!

Nokia C7 has a lovely lovely feature - it has integrated social networking sites, particularly facebook and twitter. Which means I'll be alive and online most of the time - updating my status every now and then, getting comments or whatnots for pictures and vids. Oooohhhh... Fancy that!

Oh, and imagine getting lost in the village - if that's even possible - Nokia C7 has GPS.  :)


Still wondering why I'd like a Nokia C7 for Christmas?!


*photos from Nokia Europe

Finally! Caught Phoenix's movements on Cam!

At last, my pretty girl has finally allowed me to catch some of her movements on cam.

Because I', wearing a patterned dress in the video, just watch out for distortions on the patterns...  :)

I also had this thing made to cover up the ugly "vase" I used for my office plant. Plus, something pretty special to look at every now and then..

Baby Bed for Phoenix

Tom & I both think this was a better investment than buying just a crib.

*forgive our floor though, we haven't had the time to "renovate" just yet*

instructions

Tom assembling the thing

still on it!

frame's done!

added the mattress and removing ugly sticker

finished! with sample beddings and a guest..  :)

We got this baby bed for only P2,799.75 at Baby Company during SM's Thanksgiving Sale, include the mattress and a bathing sponge and we paid just about P3,800 all in all.

We can now conclude that we both love love love SM Advantage Card now!  Lol!

3 Years Ago...

I wrote a poem. And I kept it hidden for more than 3 years. Anyway, just bear with me.

Seeking the one thing I cannot find
Leaves me wondering and wishing for the light
Staring at the stars and the moon shining
I wander back to the past that has left me broken

Staring at nothing, talking to my shadow
Looking beyond the world around me I see
There's a hand guiding me, touching my hand
Saying, it's not yet time my child, it's not yet time.

Don't push too hard, don't force it upon you
Open your heart and feel the pain
The pain of losing will make you strong
Stronger and wiser beyond your years.

It's not yet time my child, it's not yet time
The person you're longing for may not even be right
But this thing I know since the day you were born
All these were bound to happen because I planned it all.

My plans for you I cannot reveal
The journey to the end you might not take in
The cries, the pain, the tears you may not want today
But be assured I'll soon wipe them away.

The path I made for you I did not make smooth
You need the pebbles my love, to make you strong
The rocks are there for you to learn
That there are times you shouldn't move them to clear your way.

The way is not easy, it has always been that way
I made it that way so you can see
That the life I prepared for you is not a luxury for free.

Be strong my child, don't worry too much
The pain you feel right now will soon pass
The road you go through us not all that
It will soon smooth out, I promise you that.

Don't fret my child, I feel your pain
I hear the cries, I see the tears
Don't be afraid to admit you failed
Because one day this failure will be your strength
One day you'll see your life and look back
You'll see the path that you once trod
You'll realize how rugged and how crooked it was then
And say to yourself that all was worth it Father, thanks again
At that time you'll be better and then you'll know
Success is sweeter when you know you fell
And that there were these days that you hated how it went.

Lol. Emo.