precious moments

The role of an Ate/Manang.

         Our role as a sister, furthermore a big sister never stops. Don't you agree? My sisters are like a babies to me. Although the three of us have 6-7 years age gap but we remain very close.

  Ging-ging, our youngest. Never a spoiled brat and always been a sweetheart. We all call her ga (as pinangga in Bisaya). She will turn 17 this September 29 and we are very happy and excited for her. Ryan had always been a fan of her. Although she is too shy to speak english but Ryan always hunts her down and start a conversation with her. She is always a fan of boy bands. 98 degrees, Backstreet boys and so on. She even thought that Ryan looks like Nick Carter of backstreet boys. Ryan giggled when I told him this.

        When mama first told us that we are going to have another sibling, we were furious. Manoy Gayfred was in college then, Nonong Tonette was in high school and I was in grade six. We hated mama. We did not understand why do we need another sibling for. Resty was the only one who was so excited. She was 6 years old when mama got pregnant. The 3 of us planned not to talk to mama. We were bad we know. Part of it was Manoy Gayfred was a little embarass because he was already in college and will have another sibling but me,  it was mostly because I know I will take care of her. Don't get me wrong, my parents are responsible people but I know I will have to give my share because Resty was still too young. Anyways, mama always tell us that once she will have the baby, we are not allowed to hold her and touch her because of how we were behaving. We said, fine... deal but when we saw her for the first time we just couldn't bare not to touch her. She was so adorable. I asked mama if I can name her after mine. She asked me what name do I have in  mind. I told her, Mary Grace and her nickname will be Ging-Ging. Like mine, Merydith and nickname In-in. She said yes.

        If I can only turn back time I should have not behave like that. We were immature and selfish then. She is the best sister one could ever have. Happy Birthday Ga and we miss you so much .

--------------------------------------------

       Resty on the other hand gave me almost a heart attact recently. The last time I chatted and exchanged ym's with her was the first week of September and we haven't heard anything from her. I freaked out. I asked mama if Resty did leave her a message and she said no. She was so worried too. Before I work everyday, I make sure to check my ym to see if she left me a message. Never did for the past 3 weeks. I prayed so hard. I am so worried of her moreso worried of me because I was getting too emotional. Ryan and mama kept telling me to take it easy because of the baby. Everytime I work I think of her. Hoping that she is ok. Although I am married and have a wonderful life here but I still can't deny that I still have a sister that I haven't heard for too long. I called mama so many times crying about her. I am worried sick and wanting to know what is going on.

        Then last Monday, I got tons of messages from her. She said she is ok just don't have the money to use the internet cafe. I felt so relieved. She said, she had everything budgeted and don't want to overspend or become short at the end of the month. I told her it was just that we were chatting and leaving messages 4 times a week and all of the sudden it stopped. I used to get messages from her and mama almost everyday and then never heard from her again.

       See... being a sister never stops. We might be so far from each other but  our love for each other is unmeasurable by distance. Here are more pictures of us three. I have treasured those days.

       

I am so GUILTY !!!

      As most of you probably know, Ryan and I are classmates, not only that, we are also seatmates. Since the start of the spring semester, we figured that buying one book will cut our cost in half. Target  would only pay the tuition fee and we handle the fees and the books. Atleast, the bigger expense has been taken cared of. Anyways, last Wednesday was our first exam. We got an email from our professor that we are going to have the long and boring Chapter 2 . We were both absent the prior week because we thought Vicky was going to have her baby. Anyways, we had everything planned. Monday and Tuesday, Ryan was going to bring the book with him to work so that he can read during his breaks and lunches or he also have a choice of leaving it home and read when he gets home. Mine was Wednesday since I am off. Monday came and he wasn't able to read. We ended up going to the doctor and ate dinner with Ken, Vicky and Ben-ben afterwards. Tuesday, he went to his second job. I knew he wasn't able to read the book but I procrastinated. Instead of reading that morning I ended up reading the book around 3:00 p.m. and the class is not until 7:00 p.m.  Ryan went to the bedroom and asked me to let him know if I am done. When I finished reading around 5:00 I woke him up but he was sleeping. He fell asleep waiting for me. Kaluoy naman lang jud sa akong bana tan-awon. I laid down next to him and I fell asleep too. When  we both got up it was already 6:30 p.m. We hurriedly dressed up and just made right in time for class with Ryan not being able to read anything. He then told me, " it's ok Sweety, I will just scan through the book during the lecture ". I was confident that he was going to be ok. We had the same professor during spring and sometimes he lets us take the exam in groups. So I was hoping that he will do the same so that I atleast I can help Ryan out. Ay sos, this time he changed it. It was indiviidual. The bad part was Ryan wasn't able to skim through the book because we watched a video half of the time and it was so dark. I really felt sorry for Ryan. Today we will get the result back. I hope his score is higher than mine.

----------------------------------------

To quit or not to quit.   

       Ryan came home from his second job last Sunday and told me that he was going to quit. I was so happy because I know it was getting too much for him. To refresh your memory, he has a second job as a merchandizer for Target for almost a year now. I started doing it to fill someone for 3 months and he was always left at home. When I asked him to help me out one time he really liked it. I have been asking him to quit but he always answer me that we can use a little money. For the Philippines and for our savings. Although our quality time together is not in question, I still feel that he needed more rest. He tried to do his second job on the week days when I work late so that when I come home, he is already home and during the weekends we are home or we do stuff together.

      Our previous plan was I am going to quit when the our baby is here or take a year off from Target.  Ryan had only been in daycare when he was 7 years old and of course mama took care of me. He didn't liike it at all and I don't like the idea either ( although I respect every mother's decision) For us, 4 or 5 years old is not bad, atleast our baby will start socializing then. Plus I can always go back to my work  or find something if the time is right.  We believed that it is always nice to be home with our baby. When Ryan said that he was going to quit, I told him that I can work one or two days during the night while you are home with the baby and we should be ok. Since our HR offered me that option I told him that it is another alternative to consider but I told him that I may have to step down which I am not too worried about. I will also take on-line classes while  home.

      Last night, he called me at work. The first thing he told me was, " Sweety, don't be mad at me". I already have a hint of what it is going to be. Then he added, "Sweety I thought about it at work and I am thinking of not quitting. I just need to write down everything and make a plan. Time management plan. I was like huh?"  Why? I thought we talked about it". He then said, " I want you to be home with the baby all the time and I will be ok". My heart sank in disapprovement but that is what he wants to do. Ryan's second job only ask for less than 10 hours a week. Hay baya uy. In a lighter note, I should be thankful of this husband of mine. He has always been hardworking and generous. Atleast, I know where he is during the time that I am at work instead of catching him in a bar, cheating or with his friends wasting his time. I should consider the effort ano? I just felt that it is too much, with school, me and his work but he is not complaining. That is why I love that cutie so much.

-------------------------------

Dan Emmanuel

Finally a picture of our nephew.

Yes, we are pregnant

         We have been wanting to tell the rest of the world about the good news but we waited a little bit till I see the doctor again for the second ultrasound. I have never felt so alive in my entire life. I know I might be exaggerating but this life inside  me is overwhelming and have added so much joy in our lives. In the other hand, we chose to reveal my pregnancy this early because we want to share the joy that we are feeling inside. We wanted everybody to know about the wonderful news and of course ask each one of you to help us pray. 

           When Ryan left Target we felt like it was the right tiime to have a baby. I felt that I was ready emotionally, mentally, financially and physically. My clock is ticking and I will be 28 soon so we felt like this is the time. Besides, knowing that Resty is doing good in Taiwan, my brother and his wife finally had Dan, Papa is in Manila to help out mama and she is home happy with my nanay ( she completely stop selling food), it all just summed it up. It was about time. Luckily, last June was my last refill for my birth control pills so we thought to wait till I get pregnant. The last time I saw my obgyne he told Ryan and I that if we want to have kids it will probably take some time since I have been using the pills for almost 2 years. So after I was off it, we thought we will take our time.

              Last July we went visit Lanie and her family. When we came home I noticed a sudden change in my weight. Although I was having symptoms of as if about to have my period but it was weird, I never got it. The sad part was I can't remember when was my last period. I was just too excited to be off the pills.  I gained 7 lbs. I thought it was the good food that Lanie had served us but it wasn't, I didn't know I was already pregnant. At work, Gina  kept telling me to go get a pregnancy test. She is pregnant herself and she wanted us to be pregnant together . So I thought ok, I bought 1 packet with 2 in it. I got home, used the first one and it turned out negative. Ryan said, "Sweety, EPT usually comes up when you are about to miss your period but you don't even know when was your last period", he got a point.  After that result, we both thought I am not pregnant I just had a delay.

July 31, 2006 (Resty's birthday)

            Ryan was out shopping with Dad. Ryan had been bugging me to go with them but I told him it's for boys only and I am staying home. I was in the bedroom the entire time when I decided to make myself dinner. Before I went to the kitchen, I stop by the 2nd room and grabbed something (can't remember what ) when I saw the 1 last pregnancy test. I look at it and I thought, what the heck. I will just get another one when we need it again. I went to the bathroom and used it. The second column became solid red instantly and the other column was starting to show (or the other way around, I can't remember). It didn't have that the first time. I was jumping up and down, I was in shock. The happiness did not sunk in me yet, I need to tell someone. I  tried calling Ryan but his phone was off and they were not in Dad's house. I called Lanie and she was the first person I really talked to. It was over welming how she reacted. I should say, from the sound of it, she was more excited that me . I had mixed emotions and the reality that I will be a mommy soon was overwhelming. When Lanie needed to go to help out John she promised me to call back. This time I decided to call my mama in Cebu. She was so excited and everybody was. She calmed me down and my mixed emotions was now replaced with joy and happiness knowing that a lot of people are happy for us. After I talked to mama, I called Ryan again. He felt like there was something going on because I refused to tell him over the phone. When he got home he went straight to the bathroom and saw the empty wrapper of the pregancy test. He then concluded that we are pregnant. Went to the bedroom to confirm, I remembered his face, I will never forget it. I knew deep in his heart he was happy but he was so shock . He didn't say a single word. We hugged each other. It took a while before the truth sank in him. We were both surprised you know after the doctor told us that it will take a while. Despite that, we are very happy. I told everybody at work and my Manager. With the kind of work I do, I have to let them know. Everybody was so happy. Everytime I tell one person there was always a hug that followed and a congratulations. Soon to be parents cards and congratulations cards came in the mail.

August 14, 2006 ( Mama's birthday)

        We saw the doctor for the first time. I was slightly spotting and when I told Vicky about it she freaked out. Which later I learned from Mama and Lanie that is it normal. It was a tiny tiny spots that I only see if I wipe off. I can't even barely see it sometimes but we wanted to make sure. Called the doctor and asked if he can admit us that day. I had my first ultrasound. That was the first time we have seen our baby's heartbeat. It is like a flickering light that Ryan couldn't help but say "wow" the wonders of life. I was put on a week bedrest but after 3 days I was getting so anxious to come back to work.

That was how tiny he or she was in 6 weeks. Find the arrow and the plus sign.

September 11 ( A date to remember)

         We went to see our doctor again today. I was more excited to see our baby again and how much he/she have grown. I am 10 weeks and 1 day now he said. I had my pops smear which I was not too excited about. We saw him/her again and we just couldn't believe our eyes. Excuse me guys, if I will post tons of pictures. Excited eh!

The doctor said, the face is starting to form. Notice how cutie his arms are. He used 3D, he said  it could have been neat if he/she stayed steady to see his/her face. He/she was jumping and moving. He/she probably knew we were watching him/her.

See the leg and the arm on the top? the doctor said the baby is sucking his/her thumb. It is around 10 weeks  he said that they start doing it. He took this using 4D.

The head and the back with his shoulders. They wanted to make sure that there is only one. My stomach have grown so big already that I really thought I was having twins. Isa lang pala.

       We all know that not everything is certain and things can go wrong in a blink of an eye. That is why we are asking you to help us pray. I would like to say thank you also for Rhebs for that website you sent me about when to announce and to Ate G for continually praying for me. I can feel that I am so blessed.

---------------------------------

       Roselle, I am glad Friday and Ging-ging finally met. To those who doesn't know, Roselle's sister is also in San Jose where Ging-ging is going but they are not classmates but just last weekend, they had a fieldtrip to Leyte and both happened to be in the same room together. Coincedence. Selle, I hope they will be best friends just like their Ate. Thank for the call and it is always nice to hear your voice. We are doing pretty good.

Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (A Team Building in Chicago)

    We finally had our team building. We have been planning this for months and months. We just could not decide where. One suggested a team park, the other a miniature golf, the ladies wanted a volleyball outing, some picnic. That was why I was so surprised that they came to an agreement when I came back from a short bedrest. They told me during one of our weekly meeting, "Merydith are coming to the game?". I thought what game? June said the White Sox game. I wasn't too excited yet. I was worried that it might be too hot for me that day. But I don't want to miss the fun either. It's free, I mean the company will pay and I have never been into one so I said why not?

       

The US Cellular Field with the White Sox- World Series Champion

Dawn, my favorite Ju-neee and Duane

Valerie one of the TL's that I closely work with, Moi and the old timers Florence and Hattie

Tadahito Iguchi , the only Japanese in the team.

Not all of us. We did not fit according to the photographer that we just grabbed on our way out. Sears tower in the background.

The ever beautiful view of Chicago.

            All in all it was fun. The bus ride was fun too because we were soooo noisy. It was really a good experience.