Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Legend of the Kissing Rock

The love story of Victoria's Daddy and Mommy



“I’ll give you my heart to keep or be killed”- HVK

When I was a little girl, I was fond of Disney’s Fairytales where princesses get to be swept away by their dashing Princes Charming. I, too, dreamt of having my own debonair knight in shining armor that would wake me up after falling into deep slumber for hundreds of years, of someone who would run after me when the clock strikes twelve and slip into my feet a pair of glass slippers, and of a hero who will come and rescue me from a soaring tower as I let down my golden hair. 

Years passed by, I grew up into an incredibly hopeless romantic damsel with insatiable longing to love and be loved. I had my fair share of puppy and grown-up love stories but it was more of a Romeo and Juliet love affair that never had happy ending only that I didn’t die with a stab of a knife. I just died of emotional trauma. Nevertheless, I never got tired of waiting for my knight in shining armor who would quench my unappeasable thirst for love and romance. I know and I am sure in my heart that just as the sun would still rise on the east, I will find him. 

During the last week of November 2006, our university sent us to the Philippine Association of Campus Student Advisers (PACSA) Convention in Baguio. For five straight days, we had our seminar and workshops for student council presidents. One of my colleagues and at the same time a very good friend of mine happened to have a brother (a plebe at that time) at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). She was supposed to pay him a visit on a Sunday afternoon since she hasn’t seen him for the longest time. She asked me to accompany her and teased me that I might catch the attention of one cadet there..=)


The next day, we’re off to PMA and all of us from our university’s delegation came along. I guess we all just wanted to unwind from the mind-draining seminar that we had. We arrived there at 1:30 pm and only Cdt. A was waiting for us at the Visitor’s Center. We sat there while waiting for his two upperclassmen (Cdt. Q and Cdt. K) to get there. A few minutes after, two uniformed men moved toward us and introduced themselves and so did we. I could vividly remember that cadet (Cdt. K) whose hand was sweating profusely when he gave me a handshake. (Hahahaha) 

(Cdt. K didn’t really want to come along since he was feeling lethargic at that ungodly hour but he asked his underclass if there was a pretty girl in the group and if he has a chance finding his heart if he goes. He was answered back with a ‘yes sir’. In ten counts, he was already dressed up. That explains why he was with us.) 

The first few minutes were just mere conversations about PMA and their lives as a cadet. They eagerly toured as around as they enthusiastically shared their precious moments in the academy. Hours elapsed; I got to spend more time with CDt. K as the two other cadets kept on amusing Momy yang, Che, Nat and Uz. On the other hand, Cdt. K bonded with me, Jomz and Chard. I didn’t know then that my all-pink outfit caught his eye. We had fascinating conversations on anything under the sun. He even joked around that I couldn’t enter the academy as a cadet since my height couldn’t make it to their cut-off (oh yes I am petite). He was sweet, always offering me a hand as we strolled around the portals of PMA. 

Then it was time to go home. He asked for all of our cellphone numbers from my friend (but he was really only after my number, a confession he made months after we became a couple). That very night, I got a text message from him. I thanked him in return for touring us around while teasingly calling him Cdt. Potter (am a harry potter fanatic). Our conversations were no-nonsense. At the back of my mind, I thought he was smart. I am sooo into intellectual guys. We texted even past his TAPS until we both fell asleep. As the crack of dawn greets good morning so was his sweet morning greeting. For the whole duration of my stay in Baguio he was my ultimate textmate, we shared remarkable and witty views on anything that popped in our mind. 

On my last day in Baguio, he asked me to go back to PMA since there was still something that I haven’t seen and that he would love to show me… “THE KISSING ROCK”. He even told me that there was a legend about the kissing rock but he wouldn’t reveal unless I go there. According to him, it must be conveyed in a personal manner. Being a legend and myth aficionado, I got so excited to hear the whole story so I went there. Adrenalin rushed into my system even when I was feeling so sluggish and narcoleptic after hours of touring around la Trinidad and Mines View Park. 

It was a pleasant afternoon of sweet November that as the sweet breeze of air kissed my cheeks; my heart throbbed faster than normal. I didn’t know then that one of the greatest love stories in this cradle of humanity was bound to unfold. No, it was not just another faithless love story but a legend… our legend… 

When he saw me approaching the parking lot, he thought that there was something in me, something different. But he kept it rather inside his mind. What he blurted out otherwise was that I looked like a pine tree since I’m wearing an all-green outfit, green bandanas, green top, green flip-flops etc. 

He held my hand and led me to the legendary “ kissing rock”. My excitement slowly faded away as we got near it. Much to my dismay, it was only a bundle of rocks, nothing more, nothing less. I went alone to see it closely. He didn’t come with me since the legend says that if a cadet comes near the kissing rock and does not kiss the woman he’s with; he’ll be struck with a lightning. Does it make any sense? (hahaha). Even if I was a bit disappointed, we maximized our moment together, we talked about anything with or without gist, and we danced even when there was no music but the lub-dub coming from the four chambers of our hearts. 

After some time, I dared him to go near the kissing rock with me because I wanted to prove the legend wrong, that he won’t be struck with lightning even if I don’t give him a kiss. He went with me but I guess my man in uniform was so scared of being hit by a thousand volts and be knocked dead. 

He looked at me straight in the eye like a virus finding its way into every edge of my whole system. He held me close, gave me a tight embrace as if squeezing every inch of my cells, he slowly planted tiny kisses on my forehead, my nose… then he softly kissed my lips. It was a kiss that sent romantic shivers down my spine in its maximum magnitude. I felt the world stopped breathing as we too catch our breath yet still wanting more and more. That kiss begun to be cosmological as we both delicately and subtly savor its sweetness. Only then when we got a whiff of the fresh scent of pine we stopped and grasped that our kiss launched a thousand emotions. 

The kiss we shared was sweet…passionate but very refined. It was full of mystery. A vagueness that only our hearts could define… 

As we took our last step away from the kissing rock, I would love to pronounce to the whole world that I have found its Eight Wonder… THE KISSING ROCK. A celebrated legend was born out of a legend. It was where the legend of Lara and Harry begun to unveil. 

I have finally seen my prince charming…my knight in shining armor… 

Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, a month after the interstellar-breath-taking-making-us-tachycardic kiss we shared at the kissing rock, we exchanged our I-love-you’s with yet another mind-blowing-soul-shaking kiss. We became the passionate lovebirds, Marc Anthony and Cleopatra of our time. We are the sweetest pair on earth. 

Things may have happened so fast. But we are happy. I never stopped thanking God for blessing me my Knight in Shining Armor. Cinderella’s Prince Charming is nothing compared to my Harry Vere. 

Our love story…our legend has been tested through flames and hell. Aside from the distance and time that served as a barrier, we had the worst nightmare of our lives. Just like any love affair, there’s always the antagonist. I almost gave up. My heart was crushed into  million pieces. I felt the world fell so hard on my head. But he gave me strength, he taught me the art of forgiveness. He is just after all a human being who unintentionally erred. Only that my love for him is so unconditional that I found in my heart a soft spot to forgive him. Many tried to break us apart just like the wicked stepmother of Cinderella turning her into a cinder girl, the dreadful Queen Stepmom of Snowhite who tried to poisoned her with a red apple and the like. The attempts were in its utmost strength but nothing was able to permeate the wall of trust, faith, loyalty and love that shielded us from all these things. He gave up everything for me, he gave me all the love that I need and so did I. 

Despite all the hindrances and difficulties that we encountered, our love proved to be stronger and boundless than anything that this world has to offer. We surpassed the most colossal storms; we even danced gracefully under its rain. 



And finally on the 14th of February, 2010, while facing the vastness of the sea, we tied the knot.




"Our love was like a wave’s unending journey towards the shore. At times, the breeze is fair and everything is calm; the breeze is strong and everything seemed rough. But amidst every raging storm, every gentle wind, a wave eternally finds its way to be embraced by the shore. Our love might have been rough and vague; supreme and calm yet at the end, with every sunset and with every sunrise, we still find each other ceaselessly. You, the shore; I, the wave. "

Our love story may not be fairytale… but yes, we are living happily ever after… 





We are indestructible…invincible.. 


The legend of the kissing rock is timeless… our legend is everlasting… 

My mini-me!

The moment I knew I was having a baby girl, my thoughts suddenly drifted to hairbows, pink stuffs and matching clothes. After my OB revealed the gender to me and my husband, we immediately went to the mall and bought hairbows and clippies. I was ecstatic. I couldn't explain the wonderful feeling of having a soon-to-be-real-life-barbie-doll.





Dressing up my sweet Victoria is perhaps the best hobby I ever had in my entire 26 years of existence. The excitement I get every time I splurge on tutu skirts and hairbows is simply awe-inspiring. Ohhhh, the perks of having a baby girl! And the best thing is, we also get to wear matching clothes! Isn't it amazing?






I could barely wait for my daughter to turn 1. I already saw a lot of matching footwear, tutu skirts plus looooots of kikay dresses online. She truly is a mini-me in the making!=)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

For the victims of Typhoon SENDONG

A CALL FOR HELP: To all Mommies out there, I am appealing to you to please donate some of your used feeding bottles, some milk for infants and baby food and diapers. Seems like most of the relief goods are for adults. Let us also look into the needs of the babies that are also affected in this tragedy. Lets do our share as mothers. You can drop your donations tomorrow at Mama' clinic Eyesight Vision Optical. JRS Express will pick it up by 12nn. Now is the time to show the true spirit of Christmas. Thanks so much and God bless!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Blog Dormant

I'm finally back after two weeks of hibernating from this blog. I got really sick. Suffered from nausea, fever and chills. Despite being physically impaired, I still continued my tasks as Victoria's mommy given the fact that she has no nanny. Good thing she already had her dose of FLU vaccine thus she was spared from getting sick like me.

True enough, motherhood is not for the faint hearted. But I am very much okay now. Thank God!=)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

UNSOLICITED ADVICE FROM A FIRST-TIME NURSING MOM

As I’ve mentioned in my  previous blog entry, breastfeeding may take a real toll on a first-time mom both physically and emotionally.  I myself struggled for a few weeks before I finally mastered the art of nursing my little one. I hope these tips and insights would somehow help you in your breastfeeding career and pacify all your worries.


START EARLY

It is best to start your breastfeeding career within an hour after birth if possible. It is when the baby is prepared and the natural feeling to suck is at its peak. Don’t expect too much flow of milk supply on the first four days after giving birth. Although you will not yet be producing milk, your breasts contain colostrum, a thin milky fluid that contains important antibodies that helps boost your child’s immune system.

NURSE FREQUENTLY

No electric breastpump nor a pricey manual pump could ever dramatically increase your milk supply than nursing your newborn frequently. During the first six week of your baby’s life, try to do direct feeding as much as possible as you are still on the stage of establishing your supply. I breastfed Victoria at least every two to three hours. This helped me establish my milk flow. It also kept my breasts soft and it helped prevent engorgement. Breastfeeding on cue (per demand) will help stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. If the baby had experienced taking formula milk while in the hospital, try first to at least give your breasts before attempting to feed him/her with formula milk.

PROPER POSITIONING

          Having the proper positioning for breastfeeding will play a major role in reducing nipple soreness. It likewise maximizes feeding. There are several positions that are recommended for breastfeeding. For Victoria and I, side-lying position is the best. Plus it helps me get extra moments of rest and at times, nap, as I feed her.

On PUMPING and ENGORGEMENT
When you begin breastfeeding, your mammary glands will be producing a lot of milk, which can make you breasts hard nd painfuuuuuul. You can help relieve engorgement by nursing frequently until your body is able to adjust and produce only as much as the baby needs. While your body fine-tunes or is in the stage of adjusting, you can help ease the pain by applying warm compresses or taking warm baths.  The only solution for an engorgement is to nurse your baby. If she’s no longer hungry and won’t take in your breasts, try expressing through your hand. Do not pump as it will only worsen the situation not unless you’re already breastfeeding for 4-5 months. If not, ask help from your husband. Believe me, it works. Wink!;)

Do not pump at least on the first six week after giving birth. Direct feed as much as possible. Not all mothers are able to master the art of pumping. It takes a lot of practice.If you can’t afford buying an electric breast pump, there are several affordable manual breastpumps in the market. I tried at least three brands but to no avail. Instead, expressing thru the hand worked best for me.

NO NEED FOR WATER ON THE FIRST 6 MONTHS

There is no need for supplement breastfeeding with water or formula. This may lead to a diminished milk supply and your baby may no longer feed from you due to nipple confusion. Breastfeeding your baby more often will in turn cause you to produce more milk.

 EAT HEALTHY
          A nursing mother needs to eat a healthy diet in order to produce enough good milk. Go for fruits and vegetables especially Malunggay plus soupy dishes. If you are not a big fan of viands with malunggay , try taking moringa capsules. Natalac is quite expensive especially if you take it 2-3 times daily. If you want to order, I have a friend who is a nurse at the Department of Education, they supply cheaper but of quality Moringa Capsules. Oatmeal is good as well. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids. Drink at least one glass of water before and every after feeding. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking You should also rest as much as possible and shooo shooo all negative vibes.

          I hope this would be of great help to all first-time mothers who plan to breastfeed and are breastfeeding their little one!=)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Breast is best!

           

Perhaps one of the best decisions I have ever made as a mother is to breastfeed Victoria. I must admit it wasn’t an easy feat nor it was simply making sure your baby knows how to latch properly right from the start. Breastfeeding takes time, responsibility , commitment and love on the part of the mother.

Though during our student days in Nursing we were taught on the benefits of nursing a child, it is only when I became a part of the Pediatric Ward at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital did my advocacy for Breastfeeding began. During rounds, we make sure that we see no feeding bottles and that every mother practices breastfeeding especially on newborns. At times, we confiscate feeding bottles and promote the wonders of Breastfeeding. We likewise teach mothers the proper position that will help ensure proper latch-on thus maximize feeding.

On my 2nd semester in the Graduate Studies for Master of Arts in Nursing, I was tasked to give a lecture and demo on Breastfeeding at a far-flung baranggay in Tantangan, South Cotabato. Other than the usual knowledge I have, I did an all-embracing research on the different aspects of Breastfeeding. I spent countless days and nights just to perfect the content of my lecture. Fyi, I did it not only for my listeners but for myself as well as I was nine months pregnant then. During those times when I was completely pre-occupied with this project and during those moments when I felt tired and am on the verge of giving up, I soothe myself by caressing my big belly and I whisper to Victoria, “ Just hold on my little sweetheart, this is for you. I vow to breastfeed you for as long as I can”.

Two days after delivering my lecture, I gave birth to my little angel. It was the happiest day of my life. Due to the drowsiness brought about by the anesthesia administered to me, I could no longer recall if the medical team implemented the Unang Yakap program of the DOH. Nevertheless, I didn’t bother myself much as I was just so excited to nurse my newborn. After spending three hours in the recovery room, I was transferred to a private room and despite my lethargy, I kept asking what time would the baby be roomed-in. Unfortunately and much to my disappointment, she was transferred to our room the following day with a feeding bottle and a formula milk. I was really to the nth power very saddened that my baby had formula milk on her very first day of life. But I don’t want to further elaborate on this matter. The precise moment that I cuddled her, I immediately allowed her to latch on my nipple and voila, a vacuum cleaner is no match to my Victoria’s sucking skills. Latching on was never a problem for us. On the fourth day, she finally had her dose of colostrum.  

The first two weeks of breastfeeding was extremely painfuuuuuuuuuul. Yes I did an extensive research on this yet no book nor search engine had ever said it was super agonizing at the beginning. I never  thought breastfeeding would be so much work. I had fantasized it as simply cuddling your baby in your arms and feeding her and be done with it.  Getting up every 2-3 hours during the first 2-3 months to nourish Victoria and feeding her almost every hour during growth spurts took a real toll on my body and patience as it was truly physically demanding for a first-time mommy. I also experienced having sore nipples, engorgement and had an issue with my milk supply thinking it wasn't sufficient enough.   To be honest, I was already thinking of giving up but whenever I look at my daughter, I realized that I would not deprive her of the best nutrition there is. I did my best to triumphed over all these challenges for the love of Victoria.

Promoting breastfeeding is very easy, practicing it is incredibly difficult. Other than the pain on the first few weeks plus a few moments of engorgement, making sure that my milk supply is of quality and comes in good quantity was also a big challenge for me. I have to be really strict with my diet. And since I was attending classes during weekends, I have to make sure she also has enough supply in the fridge. It took me quite some to time to master the art of pumping.
expressed  milk

On her sixth month, she began teething and the pain I experienced on her first 2 weeks tripled. When her teeth came out, I felt like screaming every after feeding.

But looking back, all my sacrifices as a nursing mom paid off. Victoria though very lean is healthy. She is never sickly (knocking on wood). She didn’t experience having diarrhea nor constipation. She had fever only every after immunization and once when she was teething. She isn’t prone to cough and colds as well. And of course, nothing could beat our mother-child bond that was strengthened through breastfeeding.

 Somehow, I have mastered the art of breastfeeding and it’s much easier now. It was just like counting 1,2,3. Now, I enjoy it so much and even if sometime in the future, I have to pump and feed or supplement with formula, I plan on continuing breastfeeding for as long as possible. Victoria is turning 10 months old next week and I’m proud to say that I still exclusively breastfeed her (with solid foods this time). Fingers crossed, I would still be able to extend my breastfeeding career until she turns two years old. 
For me breastfeeding Victoria is very rewarding - being able to hold her, bond with her while she looks at me in the eyes or holds my breast with her tiny hands and being able to provide her with something natural, something purely from me. I always thank God for giving me these breasts that produce milk which feed, nourish, and sustain my daughter’s life. Breast is best!

Friday, November 25, 2011

A Mother's Love


Our love story began with two lines. Two lines that made my heart throb incessantly. Two lines that made me scream from the top of my lungs. Two lines that I know will forever change my life. The moment I knew I am having a baby, I cried with so much happiness. I waited long-sufferingly for ages for an “answered prayer”. That very day I could say I was the happiest woman alive.



For the next nine months after receiving the good news, I tried my best to nurture and nourish the little angel inside my tummy. I obediently followed my OB’s orders and advice. My husband and I made sure that I eat healthy, drink milk, take all the necessary supplements and of course I bid goodbye to all stressors both physically and emotionally. I read books on pregnancy and child rearing. I did some research on Breastfeeding. I solicited advices from mommy friends. We had long days of classical music as well. Mozart, Beethoven… my little one surely enjoyed their masterpieces. I wanted to give her nothing but the best even when she’s still inside my tummy. I shopped like crazy and bought really good stuffs for her regardless of the price. Talking to her every day was also a must. I was exaggeratedly an excited mommy-to-be.



Motherhood indeed starts upon conception. My love for her began the moment I knew that a new life is stirring inside me. It grew stronger the moment I heard her tiny heartbeat for the very first time. Her playful kicks never fail to remind me that from that moment on I will never be alone for the rest of my life because I have her. Victoria was indeed heaven-sent.


Though I stopped working full time and had a part time job with Save the Children, I was, at the same time, taking a Masters Degree in Nursing. On weekends, I took my little one to class and she was very participative and active during class hours. She never stopped showing me off her kicking prowess all throughout a tedious session especially during Research and Statistics to keep me awake. I knew then I wasn’t only carrying a prima ballerina in the making but a genius as well.


February 07, 2011 (same as her daddy’s birthday) at exactly 5:43 in the afternoon via C-section, I finally met in person the baby girl who taught me how to really love wholeheartedly. In my entire life, I really never had an idea of what pure love is until the moment I look in my child’s eyes for the first time. Then and there I truly understood what unconditional love is.


They often say that “The moment a child is born, the mother is also born”.  True enough, motherhood is a life-changing experience for me.  It made me go through a bundle of firsts. For me being a mother means that my heart and my soul are no longer mine, I already surrendered it all to my daughter.

 To me, my daughter is one of the most beautiful miracles in life, one of the greatest joys I’ll ever have, and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness in my world today.

       To my sweet Victoria, I still do not know what the future has in store for us but one thing is for sure, I’ll hold you tight as we walk in life. And together, we’ll paint this world sizzling HOT PINK! I love you.