So, my baby is 13 months already

Many things happened during this past year. I think I kinda feel bad that I didn't keep this diary up-to-date, but if you are a mom, you should understand. Apart from being a full-time mom, I have permanently moved. All the packing and unpacking became a daily routine for several months. Now I'm settled with the new place, I think, so I have time to look back for what I've achieved.
For one thing, I understand my baby a whole lot better. To all the new mom out there, you won't be until she is at least a month. It takes time before you are click with the baby, who only cries for whatever she needs. So don't worry. You are all doing just fine, following your instinct.
My last post was about non-social smile and cooing. 11 passed by, this little devil smiles when she sees family, neighbors, and even strangers. The cooing has developed baby talks and some simple words like mommy and go. She even has a temper when she doesn't get things her way, yes that bossy. But at the end of the day, she still a sweet angel to her parents. Now I can't imagine a life without her. I think I'm blessed for having her though she makes me crazy many times during the day.
Cruising, crawling, crying and maybe screaming are parts of her daily routine. But mostly, she is in a good mood playing her toys and many other people's stuff in the house. Her favorite activity is taking things out from it containers. So we've got to be careful for everything in her reach.
She grew up so fast that I can't believe that she is over a year old already. In a few months, she will be walking and talking. And the next I know is she graduates from school. At least, this is what I hear from all the grandparents..LOL.

Time does fly

If you've been reading this block, you would have known why the absence. Yes, I have delivered my daughter, a healthy 6 lbs 1 ounce one despite the fact that I gained only 19 lbs. She came right on time, which was amazing. Luckily, it didn't take long from the hurtful contraction to when she was born. I also had help the epidural. I would recommend it to everyone since it really helped, at least in my case. The real contractions were crucial and I didn't think I'd survive without it. And after the drug was gone, it was painful that I couldn't leave the hospital bed.

Enough about the painful part, now my baby is 10 weeks old and she has developed her social skill. Her smile and coo would brighten everyone in the house. I couldn't believe it has been 2 months already that I have her. Before, she only smiled when she was asleep which was actually depended on her muscles and had nothing to do with her mood. But, as a mom, these smiles count, too.

Let me tell you, as a first-time mom, there are loads of concerns that I rushed to the doctor when she was 2-week-old for nothing. So, for other first-time mommies, rashes, pimples, peeling skin, dry skin, tons of crying are perfectly normal as long as he/she doesn't have really high fever. Slight fever is also not harmful; in fact, it means that your baby's immune system is working well and you don't need to give her anything to bring the fever down. If you don't believe me, google it. Many mom and baby websites would provide you massive info about all symptoms that babies develop.

Call me old-fashioned

As time goes by, I guess I am more nervous than ever before. I have to go see the doctor every week which reminds me I can 'pop' anytime now. The doctor also ensures that she is ready to come out, just wait for the right moment, I guess. My last visit kind of makes me realize about birth plan. Though I don't have anything super special for the labor, it is wise to discuss with your doctor about what he/she prefer and if he/she will be on vacation around your due date or not. I guess I am not that lucky since she will be on vacation on both weekends before and after my due date. I know that somebody will definitely be there to deliver my baby, but I would feel better if the one who has been taking care of me for the last 9 months will be the one who do the job.
Also, the doctor said that we shouldn't wait longer than a week after the due date because it will not be good for the baby. Even though I trust her on that, I still want my baby to come out whenever she is ready, not because I am induced. The idea seems normal and fine to many people, but for me, I'd rather wait at least a little bit longer than just a week. I have heard many people deliver their babies longer than a week after their due dates. But, who am I to argue, the doctor should know best, right? So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the little one would like to come and play before that one week deadline and on weekdays so that her mother can at least see one more familiar face on the big day.

It's approaching!!

I can't believe it has been 8 months since I got pregnant. After all this time, it doesn't seem to be quite that long, or I just imagine LOL. I am so lucky that I don't have to wake up every single hour like many other mom-to-bes have to, though, I find it harder to fall asleep since my little one likes to do some yoga of her own every time I try to sleep. But, hey, who could blame her, right? The biggest problem I have right now, which I believe will continue after this as well, is stretch mark and its itch. I believe I first got it around my 31 weeks and now that I am 37, it's getting worse. Even though I used maternity coco butter or whatever it was since my belly was so tiny, it didn't help at all. Some say it run in the family, so you might wanna ask your mom if she had had it before. Didn't got a chance to ask myself, but I guess she had it too. Many others suffer this before, so I guess it has to be worth it. Otherwise, human would have extincted by now.
My OB said that right now I just wait for the time she wants to see the world, everything else is ready. I guess she is getting ready too cos she has been so active doing loads of stretching lately. Thinking that it could be any minutes kinda scare me a little, but I hope she would wait for her due date cos I have a good feeling about May baby. 

Dizziness and faint

I've read about dizziness during pregnancy but never experience it myself until last week. I was at the dentist and everything was fine. I felt OK before the appointment and there was no sign of tiresome or anything before that. It just happened and kinda scared me. I was lucky that I was lying at the time that I fainted, not walking somewhere by myself. Maybe it was because of lacking of sleep, having low sugar, or being in the position that prevents regular flow of blood to the brain. I had no idea what it was, but it would be wise for every pregnant women to be cautious about these symptoms. I had to have someone pick me up at the dentist, go home for more food, get some rest and come back for my car later. I hope my story may help other mom-to-be to be cautious, especially when you are about 7 months already.
Try to drink fluids frequently and have some snacks or something sweet in your purse at all time, just in case.
Sleep, drinks, and food are very important because we can never know what would happen, so better be safe than sorry.

losing appetite again?

I know it's Valentine's day today and I do have plan for the evening. The problem was since I woke up in the morning, i couldn't seem to have appetite for anything. I had to spend at least half an hour to finish a tiny meal. I even had a little morning sickness, at 7-month pregnant, yes. This is bad. I wouldn't wanna ruin this day's plan cos it will be the first for our family. But hey! at least my baby still kept all the kicking and whatever she was doing in there. Any thought anyone?

Cord Blood Banking, do we really need it??

I've heard so much about cord blood banking when I was 3-month pregnant. At first, I had no idea what it was. So I did some research and found out that it is a good idea to keep the cord blood. It has a potential to treat diabetes, many types of cancers, heart disease, immune system dysfunction, blood-related illness, and many more. It can even be used to people in the family including parents and siblings. I asked myself, then, should I go for it and the answer was YES.
However, the brochures that show all these promising treatment never mention anything about price, which was a good idea for them. Because when I looked online at how much it costs, I was discouraged and reconsidered. The prices was nearly $2000 or more for the first year, depending on where you would like to bank the cord blood and it will be $125 annually for storage. After reading the info on the sites, I realized that only people who have medical history of such diseases or illness should bank their cord blood 'cos there are more possibility that the baby may inherit those as well. So, to be safe than sorry, the money spent will be worth it. But if you already have a healthy family and do not have high risks, it might not be a good idea to spend your money on this one. But who knows, I might be wrong. Maybe when the baby's born, I may change my mind. Still 3 more months to go, right?