With a baby in the house, everyday is laundry day.

1. I miss feeling the baby move in my belly but having her in my arms, seeing her move, hearing her make sounds make up for it. Ten times more.

2. I love being able to sleep on my stomach now. It felt strange to do that the first time after months of sleeping on my side. I'm a pillow hugger so I'm not entirely sleeping on my belly - half of it is on the bed while the other half is on the pillow. That was one good 3-straight hours nap I've had since B was born! I try not to sleep like that all the time because I slept through my alarm that night!

3. I can clean the way I want to. The other day, while Mike was on baby-watch duty because she didn't want to be put down to bed, I scrubbed the staircase outside and the bathroom tiles, I dusted around the house, vacuumed the rooms, did a load of laundry, washed dishes and cooked dinner. All in one day with only 3 hours of sleep to operate. Add to that a 2-hour shopping trip at the mall. I felt like wonder woman!

4. I miss having the excuse to sleep as much as I want to. Now, I don't have that luxury. :(

5. I miss the baby bump. All I have left are the flabby parts that will take months to get rid of and spring and summer are just right around the corner. Ugh!

6. I'm so excited to fit my regular clothes! Last Sunday, I was able to wear a pair of my regular jeans. It was still a tad tight but I was able to close the button. It made me so happy!

I only bought one pregnancy skirt and a pair of stretchy pants. I found it a waste of money to buy more when I wouldn't be wearing them anymore after 9 months. Good thing I own a lot of loose clothes.

7. Being able to eat some food I wasn't "allowed" to. But, darn it, I can't splurge or binge or I'd gain more weight when I'm supposed to be losing it. It's a toughie to watch my food intake now because I can't justify it by having pregnancy cravings or just being pregnant. I was able to get away with it then but now, well...

Yesterday, we celebrated B's 2nd week with a chocolate mousse cake. Oops!

8. People are generally nice to you when you're pregnant. I kind of miss that attention.

9. Being pregnant in the winter has its advantages. I didn't have to wear that many layers because my body heat was higher. While Mike was buried under the duvet, I slept on top of it because it was too warm. One time, I even asked for a fan and he thought I was crazy.

10. While other pregnant women blame their hormones for their wacky emotional behavior, I was thanking mine for not giving me that problem. Mike said I was a lot more agreeable without any mood swings whatsoever and I felt happier like I was on a natural high.

Dearest Maya,



Today you are 2 weeks old. We are so amazed at all the changes you go through everyday. I'm proud to say that you are getting cuter and prettier as the day goes by. Your cheeks are fuller - I'm doing my best to resist not to pinch you. We simply can't get enough of you. You make us smile and laugh more than you make us want to pull all our hair out.

Sometimes we think we are raising a barn here at home because of all the sounds you make. The first animal we were introduced to was the mouse. You pip and squeak more than we can count. When we just let you cry because you're tired but won't sleep, you bleat like a goat. As much as we think it's sad that you're crying, we can't help but laugh when you make all these noises. It lets us know that you are alive and well - tired but then we know you will fall asleep right after a good cry. We know when you reached your crying maximum when we hear the "creaking door". Then, there's also the piggy snort, the chirping bird, the meowing cat, the quacking duck and, last night, you let us hear the neighing horse. Some time in between feedings, you whimper like a monkey - I think this indicates that you're satisfied, and it reminds us of the sound the Yoyo makes in Ragnarok Online. Really, it's amazing how you make all these sounds this early on for such a tiny person. Because of this, Daddy thinks you'll be speaking in about two months. He's being very optimistic but can you blame him?



Oh! And the faces you make! If only I could take your photo every time you show us a new pout or a big smile. I try to capture some of these moments especially after you've had your bath and dressed up in your warm little clothes. You're agreeable when you're fresh and clean. Daddy is an expert in dressing you up now as he has done it so many times. Just try not to pee after he's cleaned you up. You wet all your clothes again and then you'll get a grumpy Daddy but I know you can't help it. He does, too.

It's been two days in a row now that you're awake in the afternoons. We don't know what that is about. You would sleep while feeding but after I put you down ready for bed, you wake up and get all upset. I hope you won't keep this up later when we're alone during the day but I guess I'd rather have it in the afternoons than in the wee hours of dawn when I'm all spent. So far, you have been sleeping through the night and I get to sleep some in between feedings when you're not making so much noise. Your Daddy and I have this system going when he wakes up to change you in the middle of the night and goes back to bed after he hands you to me. That 10-15 minutes of additional rest is a gift I'm happy to be the recipient of. Some nights I have to snap him out of his sleep even when he's already awake. Times like this I wish you understand what's going on because then you will know how much he loves you even though sometimes you have to nudge him awake to truly get his attention when he just woke up. Because at the sound of your cry or me calling out his name, he'd jump off the bed and walk towards your crib.



We love watching you sleep. Every time we're about to put you in your crib, you stretch your legs up high and your right arm straight towards your head. It's one of the cutest things I've ever seen! Or when you lie on your side with your fist under your chin and your feet crossed just like a proper lady. I would watch you the whole day if I could.

I could write so many things about you and the things you do the whole day and share to the world how enamored and taken we are of you but, sadly, I don't have all the time. I'm finishing this up before the clock turns midnight and the day is over. In a couple of minutes you will have to feed again so I'm going to end this for now.

Thank you for being wonderful and bringing color and joy to our lives. I can already say it's a pleasure to be your parent and I'm excited to see you grow into the beautiful and good girl you are.

I love you, B. So very much!

xoxo,
Mommy

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of events but I'm glad now things are slowly getting back to normal. We've been home since Monday, and today is the first time that we're totally alone - just the three of us, and I must say it feels like we've been doing this for longer than five days. We've somewhat established a routine. Things can only get better from here, right?

Oh, I miss days like this! The peace and quiet. No one hovering or checking on you every hour. I was about to go crazy at the hospital and absolutely hated the nighttime when Mike had to leave when visiting hours were over. I have been longing to go home after staying there for 3.5 days but we booked to stay for 3 days at the kraamhotel (birthing hotel?) many months ago which followed the hospital stay so going home was further delayed. It's only here at home that I got to sleep for a straight 3 hours. Truly, there is no place like home.



Being a mom is one of the best things in the world. It's hard to explain or describe the feeling. Is it even a feeling? I just know that I feel complete.

You know what's funny? I have become an emotional sap after I gave birth to B but, during the whole pregnancy, I could count on one hand the times that I cried. I had an emotional meltdown when she came out. Then when I watched her sleep during her first night with me at the hospital and the nights that followed. Then when I found out she was losing weight because I didn't have enough breast milk yet. Then when the three of us were together for the first time day and night at the kraamhotel. Then when she had her heel shot. We'll both be a crying mess when she'll have more shots in a couple of months. I'm already dreading the day but it'll be for her good health.

I won't say that it's not difficult having a newborn in the house. There were times when she cried for an hour long and we're frustrated from the lack of sleep. It can get really tiring when she does this in the evening as most of our energy is spent. But just one look at her and all I can think of is it's all so worth it. It hurts how much we love her and now I can't imagine a life without her.

B was born at 5:44 in the morning of March 3, 2010.
Her real name is Maya Capri.
She weighed 2865 grams and was 52 cm in height.

She celebrates her first week today.



Welcome to the world, baby girl!
Seeing you finally is one of the best moments of our lives.
We are very proud of and happy with you.
You are such a blessing!
And, we love you oh so very much!

Happy first week, B!

P.S. That second photo wasn't choreographed. She did that herself.

Thank you to everyone who participated in my little blog giveaway. I love love love reading all your comments. They made me laugh and cry happy tears. I'm really touched and encouraged by your words and thoughts. It's great to know people like you!

Without further ado, the winner is witsandnuts! Congratulations!

She wrote:



I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Til' the next giveaway!

Stir Fried Chicken and Vegetables in Oyster Sauce
and Garlic Fried Rice
Sprinkled with Japanese Rice Topper

Very easy to make and quite satisfying!

These are actually leftovers which I honestly like more than the freshly cooked.