My 2020

What a year it has been!

For most, if not all, it was not really a good year.

At the beginning of the year, I remember Taal Volcano erupted.  We are miles away from it but I remember it happening as a number of people are still reeling from the earthquakes in December 2019.  Classes were cut short and Christmas break came early at that time.  I remember the Taal Volcano eruption since Chesca's Kindermuisk classes had some changes to synchronize with their schedule in Manila.

I turned a year older in January.  All I can remember was that on the eve of my birthday, Chesca came to the room bringing a cake with a candle, which we blew together.  I cannot honestly recall how I spent my birthday.

February went on normally, although news about the Coronavirus started coming in.  JJ had to leave for Australia to study.

In the middle of March, classes were canceled. We stayed in our own house for about a week or two.  But when it became clear that the lockdown would be for a month or two, we decided to move to my parents' house as it is bigger and with more company, both for my parents and Chesca.

Our longtime helper was also asked by my Mom to leave due to misunderstandings.  So they were without any helper as well.

My second semester classes for Law School continued online.  I have already finished my classes and exams with my undergrad class for AdDU.  I was not able to give an exam for my UIC classes though.

Chesca did not have any issue staying at home for two months.  I think she enjoyed being with all of us, all day and night.

In April, we celebrated Chesca's 3rd Birthday party with a "Jungle Theme".  She still had fun with her stuff toy as her guests.  She enjoyed blowing her birthday candle several times and of course, opening her gifts.  I was so happy that I was still able to give her a themed birthday party.

During the two-month lockdown, I think I went out twice to buy stuff.  

Restrictions eased a bit by the middle of May .  I started reporting to the office.

I also got appointed as Assistant Dean of the AdDU - College of Law, which I am truly grateful.  I was not totally expecting it as it just came out of the blue.  I do remember that I received the news on Mother's Day.  

As the days went by, things got more busy with Law School as enrollment began.  Of course, a lot of transitioning happened with online delivery.  I had to attend meetings and training everywhere.  Add to the fact that I still had some lawyerly stuff to do.

Conducting online classes was not the easiest stuff to do, not to mention that I was handling 8 units for the first semester (What I was thinking?!?). Thankfully, I was able to manage all of it, though, I still have to finish checking the exams and submitting the final grades as of this writing.

I also had one undergrad with UIC.  It was not easy as well as I had to record all of my lectures.  The students did not have that much luxury being online with unstable internet connection and data consumption usage.  Yes, I talked to them and conducted exams wherein all I see are their profile pictures.  

Prior to the lockdown, Chesca started not wearing diapers during day time.  I wanted to use all her diapers first before to discontinue using it during night time.  But when I noticed that she does not pee on her diaper that much in the evening, I decided that it was about time.  So, it was in August were she started with no diapers at all.  It was such a breeze!  From the time she started not using diapers in the evening, I think she peed on the bed for less than 5 times.  At the onset, I brought her to pee in the middle of the night.  As the days progressed, she would also wake up and tell me she will go wee wee.  A few times, she went down the bed to go to the CR by herself (Of course, I noticed it and went with her).  

Chesca has her online classes as her school.  I think it does good for her.  But this is one thing that I had to juggle as well as I have to go home before her classes start at 4:00 pm, 3x a week.  Although, I am blessed that Johanna can cover for me at times.

Looking at Chesca watching Youtube videos of Disneyland and other places makes me sad as I want her to experience all of this.  We were supposed to go to London this December and I know how much she would have loved traveling.  I am really praying for better times, the sooner the better.

I still get teary eyed whenever I go to the mall and I see the Kidzoona and all those play areas closed and I can still all the toys.  

Watching and hearing the news are truly disheartening with the economic effect as a lot of people lost their income.  I continue to pray for better circumstances fo everyone.

Of course, there is that constant worry about this virus and constantly praying for protection for my family and friends all over the world.

Nonetheless, I am still grateful for our family is still surviving.  

Prior to the pandemic, I was extremely busy.  Things did not actually change after the two-month lockdown as I was still busy from May up to the present, maybe even more busy.

I am juggling things - taking care of my toddler, keeping our "room" clean and orderly, managing my classes and some administrative stuff, and coping up with my private practice.

I admit things have been hard between me and my spouse.  I am praying for things to be better.  

Here I am saying goodbye to 2020.  Yes, it was not that all bad for me.  I still do have a lot to thank for the year that was.  And I am so looking forward for better things this 2021!

Birth!

Tomorrow, we are going to celebrate the birth of my daughter Chesca, which made me reminisce,

At this time last year, I was already admitted to the hospital 33 1/2 weeks into my pregnancy.

Two weeks before giving birth, I sent my ultrasound results to my doctor and upon seeing it, I was advised to bed rest.  But me and the baby were okay.  I took a half day from the office and went home.  From then on, I either stayed at my mom's house or at our apartment.

At around 2 a.m. of April 19, I had some leaking.  Calmly, I told my husband about it.  We briefly discussed about going to the hospital just to be sure, but, still, I was not feeling anything.  We were not in a panic or anything.  I told him that we do not have yet our baby bag, but he said he will just pack if I will be admitted (I was planning to ready bag that week!).  On the way to the hospital, I asked if he was nervous, and he said no.  I was not nervous as well.  We were just calm about it.  Well, after a few checks, I was advised to remain in the hospital for observation since my baby and I are ok.  No need to induce.  It was discussed that the baby should be in my tummy as long as she can since she is still premature.

So I stayed there in the hospital, with Allan, my relatives and Allan's sister taking turns in looking over me.  Every now and then I was brought to the delivery room for checking the baby's heart beat.  And yes, my water bag was still leaking.  No, it did not burst.  Since my water bag did not yet break and the baby was still ok, yet too early to be born, there was no need to induce.  Yes, I just watched TV and one time prepared an exam for my law school class, hehe.

While in the hospital, Allan and I discussed that we do not know when I will give birth and the hospital bill is piling up.  But we were comforted in knowing that both the baby and I are ok, and that is what kept us going.  Money will come and we will borrow if need be.  

However, on the afternoon of my 6th day, I had green discharge, which means the baby has pooped.  After evaluation, they said that I have to give birth already.  I was induced and after a few minutes I felt pain in short intervals ... I even asked "Mao na ni? Paspasa ba sa effect" haha.  I was thinking that the intervals would be longer.   I was able to sleep afterwards, eat and poop as well (haha .. sorry, too much information but I had to share it so that moms about to give birth need not worry because it's normal).  I slept for a while and I think at around 10 or 11 pm, I was given epidural (yes, I already informed my OB beforehand that I would go painless).  I then introduced myself to the anesthesiologist since he is a friend of my husband.  After that, I was still made to sleep and wait in the delivery room, with a nurse near me.  Everything was calm.  At around 2 or 3:00 a.m., they checked on me and said it's time.  So I was given instructions how to push among others.  And no, I was not feeling anything at that time.  I was just told to push as if I was to poop but stronger and harder .. haha

So without any pain, I just pushed as much as I can, with the help of a midwife/nurse, and after a few minutes, it was done.  My baby did not cry right after she was out of me.  I asked my OB about it but she said it was ok she will cry in awhile, which she did right after.  

That's how I gave birth.  I was not expecting it to be as calm as that.  My husband and I was prepared of the eventuality that my water bag will break with a "splash" just like in TV.  I was envisioning myself hurrying my husband to bring me to the hospital because I cannot bear the pain.  I saw myself shouting, crying and perspiring as I give birth.  But none of that happened, hehe.  Every delivery is a different story indeed!

Honestly speaking, I did not feel any pain during that time.  The most painful moment was right about that time after I was induced.  But after I gave birth, I felt weak .. so that's how it feels!

My baby was so small and cute.  And I was just so happy that she was healthy and ok, even if she was born at 35 weeks.  And so Chesca Myelle was born :)

ToyNk!

This is my third attempt as to posting blogs. Somehow, I didn't feel the first two... I got lost in the way so to speak.

And so after I toynked myself, I thought of blogging for the third time... so here goes!

After all, there are so many stories to tell, not just my stories but others as well (do I smell tsismis?).