Motherhood

I am back

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Preparations...

Over the weekend, I packed my hospital bag. We are 37 weeks tomorrow and it's already considered full term, meaning I can deliver the baby with a good chance of being healthy and no complications. Thank God.

See, he still insists covering his face with his hands. All his monthly photos are like these despite my OB "stressing and pushing" him. Haha. He said it looks like we are raising a strong willed baby. 

We are extremely excited to see him and we are praying that I deliver next week. God willing.

So what are in my hospital bag?

 Top on my list are my books. Yes. Better be ready for the waiting time than be caught empty handed.

Then the essentials. My hospital has provided a list of what to bring for me and for the baby so it was pretty easy. No brainer. I just had to compartmentalize everything so my bantay won't mess my bag when I am drowsy and unable to give instructions. Thanks to Ziploc.

Today, I have to photocopy all the required documents. Unlike in the Philippines, here you have to bring your passport, marriage certificate, OB and insurance related documents. Although we have already received the preauthorization from our insurance and my OB clinic have sent it to the hospital, it's still better to have those papers with us. Of course we don't like to shell out 23,000 AED just because we failed to exercise some prudence and foresight.

Despite having delivered three babies, I am still being attacked with anxiety every now and then . I dread the unfathomable pain, the cramps and every pain during labor and after the delivery. It helps that I have a very calm and compassionate OB. I ask, he answers. He encourages me to express my fears and my uncertainties. He is Greek and I intentionally chose him because based on my research he specializes in high risk pregnancy. Though I am not under high risk, I still consider myself one because of my age. 

Today is Sunday and the start of the week in the Middle East so everyone is in their own businesses.

Hope you guys have a pleasant Sunday with your families.

Stay happy!

We are getting close...

My angel has begun washing the baby stuff.

Tomorrow, I have to pack my hospital bag. I'm soon approaching my 37th week and that means I have to be on my toes for anything and everything. I am hoping the baby doesn't come out later than 40 weeks. I want an October baby :)

I am glad I am in control of my weight. Actually, it's my OB and my endocrinologist who are strict. I don't like to be scolded during my check ups. Kidding. Seriously, I would like to eliminate the possibility of a CS which is inevitable if gestational diabetes is not taken cared of. And I hate taking any form of medication brought about by my GD. So I have no choice but to get rid of sweets and lessen my carb intake. Anyway, old routine will be back this November. Can't wait.

By the way...

Last year, we finished our "little luxury wishlist" like watches, bags, vacation and a big car here, etc. We accomplished it first because it was our way of getting ourselves adjusted to our new environment. Or perhaps, it was our effort to drive away our homesickness and loneliness. 

But before the year ended, we plotted our goals for 2015. You see, as an OFW you have to have a direction/schedule where you wanted to spend your hard earned money. After all, working in another country is definitely not a joke. Besides, there is no security of employment if you are not in your homeland. Dubai is a city of temptations and you have to master the art of self control. And oh, if possible don't be too vulnerable on getting a loan here. I heard there are a lot of Filipinos who are having troubles in the UAE because of their loans. 

Top priority on our list was firming up our emergency fund (and totally forgetting that we have it in the bank because it shouldn't be touched unless extremely needed). I got it from watching On the Money in ANC. Next was the repair and renovation of our house in the Philippines (done!) but fencing and expansion will be in it's own time. Third was being absolutely debt free this year so full payment of our car loan was done last April (we got that Honda sedan back in 2013) and now we are saving up for the full payment of our housing loan this December. And after all the pagtitipid and "no luxury policy" we are optimistic we will be able to meet our deadline this year. Thank God.

Secondary on our list this year is investing. Since we are quite illiterate on stocks we agreed not to dip our hands on something we are not knowledgeable about, however tempting it is. We decided instead to start collecting gold. I am not into jewelries. My mother is and unfortunately or fortunately ( I am not sure) I didn't acquire that trait. But  we were advised by friends and relatives to invest in gold while we are in the Middle East. If others are glued on how their stocks are behaving, we, on the other hand is constantly checking the price of gold. 

 This is one of the places we frequent during weekends if price of gold is low. There are gold markets here in the UAE (gold souk) but since I am unable to do lengthy walking now, those gold souks will have to wait. 

There are also a lot of diamonds here, exquisitely cut and beautifully designed. They are expensive but they go on sale up to 70%. However, it's not in my radar yet. Jewelries for me must serve it's purpose. It must be an investment. You won't get your ROI in diamonds in the Philippines because there, we put more value in 22 carats gold. For those who are in jewelry business, diamonds are just for fashion. No money in diamonds. hehehe

We only bought a pair of earrings for our dear daughter for her birthday last August and yes, she is truly loving it. Diamond is truly a girl's best friend. Diamond is beautiful and it glitters esp. if it's color and clarity are high (and there is such a thing as accreditation in diamond). But that's it. :) I still have my eyes and heart on golds. I remember my mother, who I told you is so passionate about jewelries, would always tell us that what saved us during our college years were her jewelries which she pawned and sold for our school fees and allowances. So I am thinking, she must be right, I can enjoy my gold and if emergency arises, I can still profit from it. 

And 2016? It's all beefing up our kids' college fund. 

But I still want another bag. Churi. Can't really give up a bad habit.  Tsk... tsk... tsk...

But this time, not the expensive one. I want LV's classic Speedy Bag in medium size. Oh! One day...

Haha.

So, I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday. I wish you a blessed and safe week ahead!

Yes, its expensive but...

I woke up from my deep sleep this morning around 3:00 am with a loud sound. When I looked around, our corridor light was off and there was no sound coming from the A/C. Brown out! I woke up Dar and we immediately went down to check our electric cabinet, but when I looked at our window, I saw the DEWA (electric and water supply company) car passing our street.  After a few minutes of figuring out what might have happened with our electric supply, I checked the surroundings outside through our window and there I saw the substation across our house being inspected by the DEWA staff. We went out and this kabayan informed us that one of the cables caused the power outage. Ok! Relieved that it was not only us.

Around 4:00 am, I saw 4 white SUVs across the road and inspecting the substation. Around 5:00 am, my husband told me that there were trucks outside all lined up on our road. Around 6:00 am, temporary power was supplied to the household with these powerful generator sets:

I told our helper that if something like this happened in the Philippines at an unholy hour, I am sure we all have to wait all day before we could be attended, and power supply will depend on the extent of the damage. And NO generator sets will be provided to the consumers. Yes, services here are not cheap. In fact there was a time when I almost went crazy (that's exag, of course) because we were informed by my husband's company that our monthly water and electricity consumption had gone up to 7,000 AED. But now, I realized that if this is the quality of service that one would get I don't think consumers would mind paying that much. 

Well, this is just one of the "comfortable things" you'll find when living in Dubai that's why I don't wonder anymore why there are so many expats from Europe and US who don't like to leave this place anymore. Me too is getting used to the comforts and easy life, not to mention the safety and security Dubai is quite known for. But sooner or later, we will have to say goodbye. :)

Anyway, power was restored before noon and roads were cleared now. Back to normal programming. :)

Have a blessed Sunday!

hands off from gadgets

But only for a while. 

Yesterday was the beginning of Eid holiday in school but as early as Saturday, I had to fix the "schedules". Tuesday is assignment day and if there is no homework, the two boys had to play their violin, and after that they have to do something productive. 

They started their homework Monday night and woke up a bit early to finish them off. I promised McDo delivery for lunch (the smile on their faces!) and in the afternoon they could tinker with their gadget (wider smiles came).

While waiting for lunch, they busied their hands with these:

Anjo made this painting for me. Obvious ba na para sa akin talaga to? I asked her if she could do LV because currently it's in my wishlist. But she said Chanel fits me more perfectly and it has been in her mind for quite sometime already. Thank you Anjo! Now it's on display on our bedroom. I told her it would surely gives my handsome roommate nightmares because it is a reminder of my expensive "passion"and his much detested one. Hahaha.

I have my playlist in my Samsung tablet, but you see, that damn tablet has been a headache for a month now. It's automatically shutting off when battery reaches 60% and to think that we bought it just several months ago. My husband was even proud when he gave it to me because he said it's the latest and it has the best camera resolution ek ek. Ok fine. Now, he asked me if I wanted to buy another one! Not Samsung anymore. If ever, that would be my 3rd Samsung tablet so please... NO!

So I asked the two boys if its possible to download songs to iMAC (without charge) and they said yes. So there you go. I have 22 songs for my bebe boy. Thank you Kuyas!

And now and until Friday, these guys will be on their gadgets all day long. Not willing to be disturbed. haha. 

Oh tomorrow is Thursday. I love Thursday! It's like Friday for the rest of the world.

Keep smiling!

Just today ..

...when the day was so much better than yesterday.

I went downstairs a little past 1pm because I felt my tummy grumbling. And I was thrilled to see this for lunch.

Paksiw na Tilapia. I wished it was a little more sour but it was already a delight. I just requested the angel to add a little apple cider and it would then be perfect.

And since I am feeling comfortable today, yes, every day is different, I decided to prepare our dinner.

Grilled salmon in oyster sauce. A guaranteed hit sa mga bagets.

Then I went a step further. I made brownies.

And made a milky banana smoothie minutes before the kids arrived. It's their favorite.

That's how my Monday went. Hope you had a beautiful Monday too.