... And My Tummy Says, "Bump, bump, bump...."

"Doc, kumusta po?"

She could not answer me right away. I was lying down, with my shirt up my chest and my pants down to my hips... and there was my OB-gyne with the sonoscope, listening to my baby's heartbeat. I also got to hear it... it sounded like someone's repeatedly, and strongly, pounding on the door. By then, I was only four months pregnant then, and my baby's heartbeat was sending my OB-gyne nuts.

"Ang lakas ng heartbeat niya. Malakas para sa four months."

"Talaga po?"

"Oo. Usually, hindi pa marinig kapag four months, eh. Pero ito, ang lakas-lakas na. I think the baby is vigorously healthy."

I muttered, thank you, Lord.

Now, I'm six months on the way to motherhood. Haven't had my monthly checkup yet... hopefully, it'll be this Saturday... but 'you know what I've noticed about my tummy recently?

It's, like, saying, forward, backward, left, and right.

Literally.

As I was typing this blog entry, my tummy exhibits small movements on the left part. It's like something's trapped within, and it's alive. It's growing, and it's trying to get some extra space by kicking/pushing its Mommy's tummy as far as it could.

Then, it rests for a while, as if it has already found its ideal position. And when Mommy moves, it makes odd movements again, this time showing right on top of Mommy's belly button.

Thank God, my baby is alive and kicking... literally. =)

Interesting! =)

'Been perusing the Net when I saw this. =) I think this will be interesting - of help, even - especially to homemakers like me out there. =) Check this out, from Yahoo!:

Do-It-Yourself Laundry Detergent by Stacy Johnson Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Provided by
MoneyTalksNews-MultiLogo.jpg

While having clean clothes is obviously both hygienic and neighborly, how they get that way may be more open to imagination and experimentation than you may have considered. And consider you should, because as it turns out, the companies supplying the soaps you use to make your attire springtime fresh may be doing little more than taking you to the cleaners.

According to soap super-seller Proctor and Gamble (their Tide label alone accounts more than 40% of all laundry detergent used in the U.S.) Americans are doing 1,100 loads of laundry every minute of every day. And it's certainly possible that, thanks to new concentrates, many of those loads feature too much detergent.

As you've probably noticed, the latest twist in detergent is to sell us less product at a higher price with "ultra-new-and-improved" concentrates. "Use less soap, save the planet" is the basic idea. But smaller quantities mean more precise measuring is needed: fail to pay attention and you'll pour too much, which doesn't help the earth or your budget ... but does benefit Proctor and other purveyors of these products.

Then consider this dirty little secret the suds salesmen don't want you to know: Some people get by with no detergent at all. Many others save 90% of the cost of store-bought by making it themselves.

Is Detergent Even Necessary?

I recently did a TV news story showing people how to make their own laundry detergent for a fraction of the cost of store bought.

As I said in my story, while it may sound impossible, laundry detergent may not even be necessary at all. The blog Funny about Money decided to forgo it completely as part of an experiment. Here's a quote:

"By and large, all of the freshly washed clothing came out with an odor: It smelled of clean water!"

You might be surprised to learn that, while clothing has been around since the fig leaf, laundry detergent is relatively new. And yet, ancient people were presumably able to make their clothing at least somewhat clean. How?

As it turns out, something that may be even more effective than soap is agitation. Ancient people used rocks and rivers, but your modern washing machine can clean lightly soiled clothes by just pushing them around in water.

In other words, people actually do get away without using detergent at all. But if the idea of using nothing more than water to wash your gym socks sounds a little scuzzy, not to worry. You can still wring significant savings from your laundry money by making your own detergent. It's not hard.

The Recipe

A quick search online will show you that there's no shortage of homemade laundry soap recipes: Here's one from The Simple Dollar. And we've got 10 more at Money Talks News. But below is one that seems to work pretty well. You'll need:

• 4 cups of water.
• 1/3 bar of cheap soap, grated.
• 1/2 cup washing soda (not baking soda).
• 1/2 cup of Borax (20 Mule Team).
• 5-gallon bucket for mixing.
• 3 gallons of water.

First, mix the grated soap in a saucepan with 4 cups of water, and heat on low until the soap is completely dissolved. Add hot water/soap mixture to 3 gallons of water in the 5-gallon bucket, stir in the washing soda and Borax, and continue stirring until thickened. Let the mix sit for 24 hours, and voila! Homemade laundry detergent.

Of course, who'd post a recipe without trying it out first? I made and washed several loads of clothes with the homemade detergent. And I, like many before me who've traveled this road, couldn't tell the difference between store-bought and homemade.

Total cost per load? In the neighborhood of 2 cents. Store-bought detergent, depending on what you buy and where you buy it, can cost about 20 cents per load -- 10 times more.

So, there are at least two alternatives to the agitation of paying too much for laundry detergent: Ditch it altogether and use nothing more than water in your washer, or save to 90% by making your own laundry detergent.

And here's a final idea for those who, like me, are unlikely to choose either of those options. Since doing this story, I haven't started making my own laundry detergent. I still use the same store-bought concentrate I started with. But I've started using half the amount. Result? No difference at all that I can detect. Now we're really talking green.

Maybe it's time we all laundered a little money!

Standing... On Two Arms

That's how it felt at the moment.

We're, kind of, literally on our own now, without either of our biological families to support us in our plans for the future....

Pride. Envy. From time immemorial, these have always been the cause of the cancers wrecking our society. Families? I thought this only took place in the silver screen. But no, I realized, it can happen din pala in real life....

I honestly dunno how we're going to make it, when I finally give birth to our child. We have very little savings. Our only stuff at home that could be of tantamount use when "the moment" finally arrives are our clothes, beddings, silverware and dinnerware, bath stuff... nothing more.

Oh, there's a stove that doesn't have a gas burner... yet (we're waiting for the funds from my salary at my early morning raket... thanks to executives raking in frequent flyer miles, it was SUUPER delayed once more).

And, there's the water heater from his family... that, I think, we're planning to return to them soon (oh, I really wish we could have our own cooking implements soon!).

We have LOTS of books... but could we turn them into diapers? Can the baby feed in them? Or could we clothe our baby with the leaves of broadsheets? Nah.

But I'm hopeful. I kind of don't wanna lose hope, because Daddy gets his strength of character from me, and if I falter and he falters as well... I dunno what's going to happen. We want to give the best for our child. By all means.

LORD, praises and thanks be to You for giving us this little angel... and for the challenges we encounter everyday. They keep us inspired... and strong.

We continue to ask for Your forgiveness if we have been too hasty... but le' me assure You, dearest merciful LORD, that we are working on our amends....

Greatest Provider, please help. Please keep our little angel normal, safe, happy, healthy, and well-provided for. Just that, and I will ask for nothing more.

Baby, Mommy and Daddy love you. We will do everything we can for you. We're excited to see you na, to hold you in our arms. =)

Hay. Minsan nakakabaliw... na nakakatuwa. =)

The Itch... Gone =)

At last, the cold silence was now another thing of the past. =)

So, how did it happen? Well, while he was playing dumb about my presence this weekend, I just spent all my energies on the chores at home so I'll forget my heartaches. =o I made sure everything was spic and span... from the bedroom, to the living room, to the toilet, to the kitchen and dining area... I even fixed all the trash as well as the books lying on the floor for lack of storage space (yet). It was, like, the first time our floor was consistently dust-free, and the kitchen sink was spot-free. =)

Meanwhile, while he was away on his computer gaming spree, I took care of the water containers and wrote him a note. It was just a simple note, detailing everything I felt at that moment, and wishing that baby's born so I can have someone to hug when Daddy doesn't want a hug from Mommy. He read it after his afternoon snack, and sang:

... At hindi magbabago ang takbo ng puso ko
Wala nang hahanapin pa kundi pag-ibig mo
May hiwagang natanto mula sa una pang tagpo
Mananatili 'to at hindi......
Magbabago.....

Oh yeah, it was corny... he always sings that whenever we have LQs or when he's feeling cheesy... hahahaha.....

Anyway... he took a nap... and I finished the dishes and the water. I swept the floor, and... I lay down beside him. I can't help it. I just have to hug him. I was crying while I did. It has just been a day... but it felt like a year has passed since we last talked, and I missed him.

He woke up, and while he's surprised to see me beside him, he didn't push me away... instead, he just smirked and turned his back on me. I hugged him tighter... this time, he faced me and I asked, while in tears, "Bakit ka ba galit sa 'kin?" His answer was a frown, and he closed his eyes. Immediately, I knew... "O, you don't want to talk about it na lang?" He nodded. Then he hugged me and I was in tears once more. He was teary-eyed, too.

I still can't remember the exact reason why he got mad at me, but I believe it was another episode of that one trait which he really hates about me and which I really need to work on: my tendency to interrupt him whenever we're engaged in conversation, especially when I get so excited with what's next. It really pisses him off whenever I do that. So, I really... really... really need to work hard on that.

So, what happens next? We engaged in animated conversation over dinner. This went on up to 10 p.m. We took a break after because he'll go computer gaming and I'm sleepy na. =p He went back around 12 midnight, and when he lay down beside me, the conversation resumes... again.

So much for missing each other. =)

Hehehe.....

I LOVE YOU, DADDY. =)

Crying Jags... Yet Again

Last week, this was the picture:

"How can I ever replace you with anybody else?....

You already know all my colors....

You are now intimately familiar with all my angles....

And you know me on all points.

I love you....."

It was a super awwww moment.

But now, he's mad at me....

And I dunno WHY.

I was trying to recall what happened yesterday....

He arrived in the office.

He was in a good mood... and he looked good in his grey-black polo, black pants and leather shoes.

He just took his teacher's exam from the Division Office.

This was the only requirement he needs to fulfill to be able to secure a schedule from whichever school he will be assigned to teach at.

We were working....

He said he'll go home with me, aboard the company shuttle, earlier than his usual logout.

I surmise, maybe he's tired.

So, when I was done working, I waited for him.

But he isn't giving me a damn anymore.

And he asked me why I was standing there beside him.

I said I was waiting for him.

But he said he won't go home with me, 'cause he doesn't want to go home with me.

So I went home, puzzled.

He went home early... but he's not looking at me or even talking to me.

I was waiting....

But he didn't budge.

So, I just prepared his dinner, and he ate it without giving the slightest reaction.

Then, he went out for three hours of computer gaming.....

As usual, I waited for him to kiss me....

But he didn't... he just pushed me aside, and it hurt, so I cried.

I don't know what's up.

And I don't wanna ask... 'cause I know he won't answer.

And there's lots goin' on inside me right now... the baby's now causing my tummy to literally wave... so that's really what I fuss about all the time right now.

What did I do?

But he lay beside me in bed last night.

He allowed me to hug him, and he hugged me, too.

But when we woke up, it was all the same cold stance again.

Sighsssss..........

I'm back! :)

It's been so long since I last blogged here... but I observed na I have blogged pa pala about having suspicions that I may be a mother na. :) Well, here goes... I'm 6 months on the way na, and though there are challenges (as in, MOUNTING), I've never been happier in my life.... Right now, I've been writing my experiences in a Mommy Diary... will be posting 'em here soon, once I get the time. =) But for now, here's to begin with, after having "hibernated" from blogging for so long.

I just aw this article while browsing the Yahoo! Shine site for some worthwhile reads. I'm a fan of natural beauty stuff (although I don't get to practice or advocate often), so I think it's worth posting. =)

For girls (and guys, why not) out there: Here are easy ways to make sure you stay flawless (haha)... or, well, maybe if you want a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home (without shelling out extra bucks). =)

Read on..... =)

DIY beauty treatments you can make in your own kitchen

From: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/makeover/diy-beauty-treatments-you-can-make-in-your-own-kitchen-1263801/ 1.

Detoxifying Bath Salts

¾ cup Epsom salts
¼ cup baking soda
4 drops of grapefruit essential oil (or scent of your choice)

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. One at a time, add drops of essential oil, stirring after each addition. Add salts to warm bath water.

2. Wake Me Up Scrub
from Body + Soul
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
15 drops peppermint essential oil
½ cup used coffee grounds from a freshly brewed pot

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and thoroughly blend. Transfer the scrub to a wide mouthed jar, and store in a cool place until ready to use. The scrub will keep for one to two weeks, longer if refrigerated.

3. Almond Orange Scrub
from Self
1 handful almonds
1 orange peel
1 cup grapeseed or olive oil

Blitz all ingredients in a blender or food processor for an antioxidant rich scrub.

4. Simplest Super Scrub

½ cup brown sugar
½ cup grapeseed oil (olive oil would be great, too)
splash of vanilla extract

Stir to combine and slough away!

5. Sweet and Spicy Sugar Scrub
adapted from Care2
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white granulated sugar
¾ cup almond, hazelnut, or coconut oil
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ginger
2 teaspoons nutmeg

In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredient. Using a whisk, blend ingredients thoroughly, making sure to break up any lumps of brown sugar or spice.

6. Oatmeal Yogurt Mask For All Skin Types
1 tablespoon oatmeal, finely ground
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
a few drops of honey

Add the yogurt to the oatmeal in a small bowl and mix together. Warm a few drop of honey. To do this, warm a spoon under hot water for a minute, then add a few drops of honey to the spoon. Stir the honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture. Apply the mask to face. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with several splashes of warm water.

7. Green Papaya Brightening Mask For All Skin Types
from Body + Soul

½ cup unripe papaya, diced
1 teaspoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon honey

Blend ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Apply to clean skin and leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off using cool water and pat dry. Finish by applying a gentle moisturizer.

8. Avocado Mask for Dry Skin
½ avocado
¼ cup honey

Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey. Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse.

9. Banana Mask for Oily Skin
1 banana, preferably ripe (you can keep ripe bananas in the freezer. Let it thaw before using)
1 tbsp honey
an orange or a lemon

Mix the banana and honey together in a bowl. Add a few drops of juice from an orange or a lemon. Apply to face for 15 minutes, then rinse.

10. Classic Eye De-Puffer
2 chamomile tea bags or 2 slices cucumber

Make a cup of tea for you and a friend. Remove tea bags and place in refrigerator until chilled. Place cool tea bags on closed eyes for 10 minutes. Or put cucumber slices in fridge until chilled and place over closed eyes for 10 minutes.

11. Old-Fashioned Bubble Bath
from Real Simple
½ cup mild liquid hand or body soap
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
1 egg white

Mix ingredients together in a bowl and the entire mixture under running bath water as you draw your bath. Honey is a natural humectant, and the egg white helps create stronger, longer-lasting bubbles. For extra-dry skin, adda tablespoon of light oil, such as almond or light sesame.

12. Foaming Vanilla-Honey Bath
from Real Simple
1 cup light oil (almond, sunflower, or canola)
½ cup honey
½ cup mild liquid hand or body soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Mix ingredients together in a glass jar. To use, shake gently to remix and pour ¼ cup under running bath water.

It's been so long....

... since I last wrote on this blog, and I must admit, I really missed it....

The days, weeks, months that have passed have been a testament to our love for each other....

And now, it's, like, bearing fruit.

Am I ready to be a wife and a mother?

Soon?

So help me, God.