Think Before You Have A Baby

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“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him,
‘Son why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been
anxiously searching for you.’” Luke 2:48

What is your responsibility as a Christian adult concerning children?

The number of children you have is something you and your husband must
determine, along with the help of the Lord. While you are considering
this issue, it is good to consider the responsibilities that come with
parenting.

What are they?
• Provision: food, clothing, home, education
• Discipline
• Guidance: being a role model
• Most importantly: your presence. You may have Lola and Lolo in the
house. You may have a wonderful yaya. But no one can take your place.

As a Christian mother, God expects you to be the main caretaker of the
little one. You should be teaching, disciplining, talking to them and
reading to them.

Don’t blame your son or daughter if they do not perform the way you
expect if you are not around them to teach and reinforce these
expectations. Don’t blame your yaya if they are not disciplined the way
you want. It is mainly your job.

When you bring a child into the world, you are making a long-term
commitment. You may need to back off on your career for a while. You and
your husband may need to consider alternative ways to make money so that
you can be home when your son and daughter is there.

If you aren’t able to commit your time right now, maybe you ought to
wait awhile to have a baby.

Kimberly Snider, Missionary to the Philippines is the writer of Moments
for Mothers is a radio program broadcast every Saturdays on DZFE FM
Manila, Philippines. It is produced by Asia Pacific Media Ministries.
Scripts, written by Kimberly Snider, are based largely on Proverbs and
Psalms. Programs deal with parenting issues, marriage, and the
challenges of changing family dynamics. They describe a very personal
journey of the relationship between a woman and her Savior. Moments for
Mothers was also published in book by ICI Philippines

excerpt from an email by Johnson




Originally posted in Multiply on May 6, 2008

Joyous 7th month

Finally, 2 more months to go! And it's hello baby!   Wheew! How time fly so fast, it won't be long now, am gonna be a mother.......mother??? Never thought I'd be one. I always thought my life would be going places, travelling. This is going to be a different world indeed, scary but can wait as well. 

And the exciting news! What's the gender of my baby?   Took quite awhile right? Finally finally, my OB said, time to know the gender's baby, and I have a BABY GIRL!!!!!  YeY!!!!
Hubby and I went on a shopping spree for the baby's things right away. We haven't bought any since we didn't know the gender and we could not agree on the color, so we waited. Here's a few things my baby has:

Buying baby things is always a happy occasion, even when I was buying presents for my friends or sisters or brother when they had their baby. Now it's my turn.  hehehe!!! My in-laws and sisters cautioned me not to buy too much, as babies grow up really fast. Plus my in-laws lend me some, since it was only used once or twice. Which was really great! As the dresses had cartoon characters on them, which I am fond of. Lucky baby.

7th month was a really a exciting month for me, did not encounter any problems, and I was always out looking for nice baby bottles, preparing my hospital bag, and preparing what my baby might need. I have forgotten all the discomforts and I don't mind eating okra everyday. hehehehe!! By the way OB advise me to start my daily walk and exercise already. Yahooo!!!

My blood sugar is normal!!! Yey! Which means I can still eat cakes! I have already gotten used to eating what was only allowed for me. Hubby is fond of talking to our baby and made sure I am eating right. He comes to my OB check up every time. Am thankful that my hubby takes very good care of me.

my baby's first picture

Originally posted in Multiply on Mar 26, 2008

On to the 5th and 6th month

Finally on my 5th month not much complications was encountered. And I could go out and have a little fun. But there are still changes that I encountered during this month.

1.  Constipation - this suddenly became a problem for me when I hit my 5th month and now is my number one problem, it seems pregnant women are prone to this, so I had to change my diet to veggies and fruits, only allowed to eat meat once a week.

2. Prune Juice - I had to drink once a day, to help with my constipation.

3. 1 tsp of Virgin Coconut Oil - I also have to drink once a day to help with my constipation.


So now the constipation is my number one problem and stairs second. And take note my sister said there are still changes coming, oh my...

But the funny part during this month is the kick of the baby is more prominent and I can easily identify. It's funny to watch my tummy move suddenly. My husband have a lot of fun, placing his hands on my tummy and feel the kick.

Then comes the 6th month, good thing only a few changes happened:
1. 2 tsp of Virgin Coconut Oil - the dosage was increase, so to help with my constipation problem.

2.  Colic - tummy would  sometimes go stiff due to too much air inside, had to lie down sideways when this happens.

3. Gums easily bleeds - my OB prescribe Pyodontyl, to use when I brush my teeth, which helps a lot.

My wardrobe is consistenly made out of  maternity dresses and big t-shirts. I miss wearing Jeans and shorts, it's been months since I have not worn a short, as I have not yet found maternity shorts in the stores I have been. I should be out looking for one more.

Then to my astonishment, I easily ran out of breath by just walking around, my OB said my baby is getting a little heavier now. And my tummy is a little bigger.

Am almost entering the last three months of my pregnancy, a lot would give me advice to take extra care as this are crucial months also, so I guess, I'll be staying more time at home again.  oh well.... but the good news about it is I now have a dsl line!!! hehehehe!! So being at home won't be that boring.





Originally posted in Multiply on Feb. 21, 2008

Ponce Suite

PONCE SUITE

Corner Road 3 and 4

Doña Vincenta Village,

Bajada, Davao City

Tel#:(082) 2279070

Fax#: (082) 2241476

Once again it's monday, and another adventure with my good pal Claire.

She said she wanted to see Kublai's hotel where he is show casing his artworks. I've pass by Kubla's hotel before, a few years back while I was visiting my malaysian friends. And unfortunately it was night time when I pass by so kinda looked spooky from the outside. But I said no problem! Ponce Suite it is!

Good thing they have placed markers along the road as to where to find the place since it's tuck somewhere in Doña Vicenta Village, not easy to find if you're not familiar with the place. But you won't miss the hotel since the outside is decorated with sculptures, gigantic in size.

The place really look impressive, since the artist work peppered the place. From the outside to the inside of the hotel. Even the ceiling is not spared. It was an interesting site to see.


There is also a small souvenir shop in the ground floor, where they sell T-shirt and small accessories which are created by Kublai.

The restaurant however was on the 4th floor, and mind you no elevator, you have to use the stairs. Which was a big  oh no, for me, as I am  avoiding stairs at all cost.   So we asked if we could just order and have it delivered on the first floor. Good thing they agreed. So only Claire got to see the rest of the hotel and I stayed at the lobby waiting for our food.

As for the food, nothing special there. But it's a good place to visit and see artworks. For more pictures click on Claire's site.

As for room prices, here's a list so far:
Single                 469++
Matrimonial          590++
Twin Share          690++
Suite Room      1,490++
Extra Person      200++

1 Townhouse unit(max of 10 person)   1,790++

Their rooms are aircondition and with Cable TV.




Originally posted in Multiply on Feb 07, 2008

Boyd's, Red Moon and Verderbarr

From time to time my very good friend Claire and I, go out to have lunch together, to catch up on each other's lives, as well as enjoy good food available in Davao City area. Last year she introduced me to a good pasta place.

Boyd's Pizza House!
It's located at Dr. 1 Josie Apartment, E. Palma Gil St.,
Bo. Obrero, Davao City
Tel No: 3008877

The place has a warm cozy feeling since it's an old apartment, pasta, pizza and garlic bread are among the choices in their menu. Since Claire boasted how the cheese in the pizza really is sticky. And their pasta is different. We ordered exactly those The pizza tasted like home cooked, something different, but the pasta for me was really good.

Price so far is fair enough. Not too cheap nor too expensive. It's a good place to go when your craving for pasta, pizza and garlic bread!
Yum!!!

This year, she again informed me that there's a new Chinese Restaurant opened at the K1 compound, the Red Moon Chinese Cuisine, so as soon both of us were free on a  Monday, I headed to her office, pick her up and we gave this place a visit.

Nice thing about the K1 compound is ample space for parking,  When we arrived there, there wasn't much people around, which is fine by me. Less people easier to be served. Hehehehhe!!!

The red theme of the place, looked really nice and gives a fresh perspective to the eyes. And the menu was quite friendly, since they have pictures and names on it, so if your not familiar with Chinese food, you can at least look at the picture and take your pick from there.

Off course I ordered my favorite Chinese beefsteak, since they didn't have ma-chang, I settled for Kiampong. Which is equally good for me. I think Claire had more fun enjoying the food than me, since it was her first time to taste Kiampong.   Did she liked it? I would encourage you to read her post about it too, click here.

As for me, since it was my favorite food, off course I love the taste, I liked it since it has lots of sauce on it. Hehehehe!!!

We both share a passion for blogging and going new places to eat. So most of our post is about food, aside from what we also encounter in life. hehehehe!!!!

So what's so different about Red Moon from the other Chinese Restaurant? I haven't figure that one out yet. Hahahahaha!!! I guess this is one of those places where you can eat Dimsum in a classy manner.

Since my load at work is still light, Claire and I again met up for another lunch date! And what'dya know! She again knows of another restaurant that had just opened. Very resourceful eh? Wonder where she gets her information from? hehehehe!!!!

When she said Verdebarr, I thought she meant Gmall, since my husband has been taking me there whenever we are in Gmall. But I was surprise to be informed that they opened a restaurant at F.Torres, it's beside Zakoya Japanese Restaurant, near the Davao Convention Center.

Though I am a frequent goer to Verderbarr, I don't mind going to the same restaurant as they do server good food.

I was quite impress with the way they setup their restaurant. As we entered,  the place gave me a comfy feeling. Like being home or something. Since this branch just opened, well, not much customer around.

I had a hard time deciding which to order, as they do have good food. But I settled for a beef strips, while my friend ordered one of their sausages which I loved before, but since my husband been buying those imported sausages, I'd like to try something else.


And as I was also watching my food intake, being pregnant, had to settled for bread instead of rice. Am not to bloat myself with food, or else the baby is too big for me to push out (which I am hoping would not happen).

It was a good place to talk, and enjoy a relaxing lunch. And since Claire was annoyed from work, I only hoped that the lunch date helped her to have a good mood for the rest of the day.






Originally posted in Multiply on Jan. 22, 2008

4th month

The 4th month is much better, I don't feel that tired and the best part, I can drive!
I miss driving, it's a freedom that I hope that I will always have.

So are there any changes on the 4th month?
1.) Definitely my tummy shows.
2.) I at least know which foods the little person wants - Jollibee, yum with TLC and pork bbq.
3.) Increase in fluid intake
4.) All of my regular clothes won't fit anymore, all I can wear are maternity dresses.
5.) I walk like an old lady, really slow.
6.) Cannot stand up for more than 2 hours.
7.) Cannot sitdown on any hard surface chairs for more than 2 hours.

And good thing I was on my 4th month on the merry month of December.

I love Christmas, but I was deprived of doing my Christmas shopping, as I cannot haggle with the crowd, as I was afraid my tummy might get hurt, so I usually stay away from crowded places. The good news however was my Ahia came home for the holidays, and it has been quite awhile since he came back for a visit.

Schedule was quite hectic while he was around, but I couldn't join in all the places he went due to my condition. But I was still glad that during the evenings I can have long talks with him or his wife. And since the family is complete, the overdue family picture was finally taken.

As January rolled in, I can't help but think about the many blessings I have received from the Lord. Two years ago, I was single and going places, life was different then. A year later, I got married and adjusted to a new life, it was a good thing that we agreed on not having a baby till both of us adjusted to the "couple" life. And the baby arrived just in time as both of us were used to the habits of each other.

Now, as this little person grows inside of me, we both pray that we are matured and equipped enough, not just physically, but spiritually as well to guide this blessing according to God's will.

Originally posted in Multiply on Jan 06, 2008

Favorites :Lachi's, Dencias, and Karlyn's

We always have a favorite place we go to especially for eating. And here's a few of my own.

Dencia's, this is located beside JS Gaisano Ilustre. I've been eating in this place since I was a kid, my parents would bring us here every Sunday for breakfast after going to church. So I always looked forward to Sundays . I love their butter chicken, fresh lumpia, then there's the  ever famous "tokwa''t baboy and lugaw".

I've been to Manila and Cebu but I've never found a similar taste of their "lugaw" else where.

And my husband is also a fan of their lugaw, so we try to come as often as we can to get our fill.

Karlyn's, I first heard this from my officemate, sometime ago at 2004, this restaurant used to be located at the chef's home, which is somewhere along the Ma-a road going to Gem Village. It was a small karinderya, they never did advertise but relay on word of mouth of their customers. And what a success, now they have shutdown the small karinderya and open two restaurants, one is located along Ma-a road. And the other is near SM,  a few blocks away from the Petron Station. There's a big sign on the highway so you can't miss it.

The owner a chef who used to work for Ekran Berhdad(did I spell that right?), since that resort shutdown he opened his own karinderya, and turned out to be very successful indeed.

They are famous for their sizzling steak!  And the price is very affordable, less than a 100 pesos, the serving is very generous, with a minatamis na saging on the side for free. And they are open till 11pm, I think even on Sundays.

Lachi's, this is located at the corner of  Ruby and Sapphire Sts., Marfori Heights. Thanks also to my officemate, I learned about this place sometime at 2001, they are very famous for their pastries and lately with their foods.

The prices are also very affordable and the taste is unforgettable, you'd be back for more once you've tasted their meals and pastries.

Unfortunately, they are close on Sundays. And open on weekdays and Saturdays during lunchtime till 8pm.

Due to the place being small it is always jam packed during lunch time. I suggest  you call up the place before going there during the afternoon. Tel.: 224-5552.




Originally posted at Multiply on Dec 11, 2007