Isn't She Lovely!!

During the latter part of my pregnancy, I've had a feeling that Serafina was going to come early. My body felt heavier, and by the end of June, I was already carrying her pretty low and stretched out more than I thought was possible. Still, she didn't come out on June 26th, despite all the prodding and nodding of approval from both Robert and myself. After watching the fireworks show in Tustin, I even declared that it would be perfect for her to make her debut. She didn't budge. I did have more and more contractions during the week, and I knew something was different when I was feeling them moving from my belly and going down.

Wednesday, at 3:45 am, I woke up with the same painful contractions. This time, they felt a little worse. I tried the usual. I drank some water and shifted which side I was sleeping on. They weren't going away. I woke Robert up for his iPhone, which has a Contraction Calculator application so I could see how far apart they were coming. 6 minutes. 4 minutes. 3 minutes. 5 minutes. 3 minutes. I got up. Having showered earlier, my hair was a crazy mass on my head, and I decided that since I had a while before leaving for the hospital, I was going to do my hair. Yes! Call me crazy, but there I was in the bathroom, straightening my hair and dealing with contractions coming in every 3 minutes. I did wake Robert up to tell him that this was it! Serafina was coming! I still managed to get dressed and finish putting on my makeup while he took my hospital bag to the car and wake up a little more. I calmly woke my parents to let them know I was having contractions, and that we were leaving for the hospital. Oh! How I wanted to stop by Starbucks and get a caramel frapp and a pastry on the way to the hospital, but I'm sure my doctor and the nurses would have frowned at me for that decision.

We arrived at the hospital by 6 am, and were admitted right away. Dr. Hagadorn was called. I was hooked up and monitored. Went through the questionnaire while enduring more contractions. The best thing the nurse told me was that I was going to get something to stop the contractions because I was already 3-4 cm dilated at this point. THANK YOU!!!! I couldn't take any more waves of pain. I might have started crying if I had to feel them for another hour. I had my blood drawn at the same time they were trying to find a spot to insert my IV.

Dr. Hagadorn was ready to get things going by 8 am. They moved me to the other room and prepped me for surgery. As my legs started to tingle and go numb, I remember thinking what a terrible feeling it is to not be able to move a part of your body no matter how hard you try. My only consolation was that I would be pain free for a good number of hours. My surgery didn't take long. Pressure here. Pressure there. I could feel them pulling, and pushing down on my belly. More pulling. They told Robert he could get up and get ready to get that perfect picture. Then I heard that most beautiful cry! Serafina was out! What a precious sound. Her cry, greeting the world. I was still shielded, waiting to finally meet my little one.

Serafina Luz Virtucio Medina
Born on July 8, 2009 (they called it "Lucky 07-08-09")
9:09 am
6 lbs 9 oz
18 inches long

So tiny. So beautiful. Look at her long fingers. Tiny little toes. All that hair! So beautiful. I love her!

Stitched up and going to recovery. Robert and I were exhausted by then. Robert was starting to feel the loss of sleep, and I was just worn out from dealing with the contractions and birth process. I looked at Robert while he sat holding Serafina and said to him, "And to think I really did say just a week ago: Wouldn't it be nice to have a little bit of the natural birth experience? To go through the "surprise" and having contractions tell my body that the baby is on her way? Not as far as having my water break, but to at least make it to the hospital before that happens?" HAHA! Be careful what you think about when it comes to your ideal birth story, right??

I definitely got the birth experience. At least as much of it as I can handle. We are so thankful to be blessed with another beautiful little girl. Pray for us as we continue to seek God and His wisdom in raising our daughters.

One Tough Day

Today was just rough. I got charts for each of the kids, and was attempting to start Gaby's formal potty training this morning. I guess it wasn't a good day to start that, and she's not quite ready for such a formal rewards "program". She was fine to sit on the toilet the first time and was excited to get a sticker for doing so. Unfortunately, the sticker is reusable and cannot stick on where she wanted it...her hand. Putting it on the chart made it worse. Then I decided, since she wasn't ready, that I should just remove the chart (out of sight, out of mind). Sad to say, it wasn't out of mind yet, and she came back to the bathroom and screamed even more when she saw that it was gone. It was downhill from there. Couldn't get her dressed. She kept trying to tear her dress off. Finally got her into something she did like, only to end up hitting Robert with a very heavy compact mirror that I've had back when we were just dating. The crying was on and off for 3 hours. We completely missed church, and she ended up falling asleep in the middle of her crying. Robert was worn out too, so there they were both asleep just past out bedroom door. We also missed breakfast, so by the time she woke up, and in a much better mood, I was super cranky and hungry. We ended up eating lunch at Soup Plantation, and even got her to sneak in a one hour nap while at the grocery store. Then another tantrum started once we got home because she wasn't quite ready to wake up, and wanted only Daddy to undo her carseat buckles. Crying was on and off again for an hour. Thankfully, things calmed down more and we were able to enjoy a good number of hours without any more breakdowns. Yes...today would be one of those days you just want to crawl back into bed and start over again.

Happy 4th of July

Our Saturday started out busy as usual, having the girls help me make pancakes in the morning. I don't know what would happen if I ever decide to change our breakfast menu to something else other than pancakes!

After breakfast, we got ready to enjoy our little Mommy/Daughter and Daddy/Daughter dates. We've been noticing how much the girls have been seeking to us out individually for attention of any kind. Since Savannah and I seem to be missing our quality time with each other, I took her to do a fun art project for the 4th of July at Lakeshore. Robert took Gaby for a horsey ride at the Spectrum. We all had a good time bonding with each other, and just having a more focused time with our dates.

The rest of our afternoon was spent grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, running around the backyard and taking pictures, and relaxing. We ALMOST had a late afternoon nap, but the girls were a little restless and anxious to get on the road to see fireworks. It was no surprise that within our 15 minute drive to our destination, both of them were fast asleep. We let them snooze for about an hour, and later woke them with a smidge of a meltdown just before the fireworks began. As much as they both protested being woken up, I am sure that they were both glad they did not miss out.

It was a treat to watch their eyes light up whenever the sky lit up and "boom" of the fireworks echoed in their ears. Every once in a while, Gaby would "ooh" and ask her doll Charlie, "You like it, Charlie?" Savannah would also point out how much she loved the pink and purple fireworks. I love fireworks!! I am so glad to be able to share my excitement and love for it with my girls. One of these days, I would love to take them to see a fireworks show with the orchestra playing along. Now that would be perfection!

My Little One Prays

For a couple of months, it was a huge struggle to get Gaby to participate in praying or even be tolerant of us praying. It must have been a phase because she is now back to reminding us to pray, praying along, and even volunteering to lead us in prayer. I love hearing her little voice echo my words as we talk to God about our day and give Him thanks for all the things He has blessed us with. Many times, she even interjects her own thoughts and prayers for others who we may have forgotten or for whom she feels strongly in heart needs to be prayed for.

The sweetest sound for me this week was when we were praying before lunchtime on Wednesday. My friend, Kristin, and her 1 year old daughter, Mackenzie, joined us for lunch and a playdate and we were sitting around the table getting ready to thank God for our food. Gaby decided she was going to go ahead and start, with a little help. Savannah later chimed in for God to bless people in our family. Mackenzie also joined in and shared a prayer of her own.

She Really Does Listen!

So...here we were, sitting around the table eating ice cream.

S: Mommy...thank you for taking me to see fireworks.
M: You're welcome, honey. I'm glad you woke up in time to see them.
S: Mommy...I was a little scared.
M: Did the "boom boom" scare you? I know that it can be pretty scary because it's so loud. But that's my favorite part. I love feeling the "boom boom" in my heart.
S: Mommy...Lola's heart goes "boom boom". How come Lola doesn't like salt?
M: Too much salt makes Lola's blood pressure go up.
S: If Lola's heart goes "boom boom"...
M: When it "boom booms" too fast?
S: I will call...
M: 9-1-1?
S: Uh-huh...
M: Nanas...you will make a great nurse someday!
D: She should just become a doctor! =)
M: Nanas...would you like to be a nurse or a doctor?
S: Mommy...I'm just going to be Odette (the princess from THE SWAN PRINCESS).
M: Hmm....then we better find you a prince!
S: No...I'm just going to be Odette.
D: I want to have a say in the state of affairs. I want to have power!
S: DADDY!!! (smiling, and half-laughing and quite serious) IF YOU WANT POWER, YOU NEED TO ASK GOD!!
M: Nanas, you are so correct! Daddy should pray that God would bless him with that!

We've had several conversations with Savannah about how wizards, and people who pretend to have power with the use of magic do not really possess great power. It is just magic, and nothing greater than that. Only God has power, and the greatest power of all. If we ever are in need of help and strength, because we know that we, on our own, cannot accomplish the task(s) at hand, we can go to God seek His help and strength.

God, help us to always be ready and prepared to take these teachable moments to share who you are with our children. As young as they are, they DO listen and hear what we say. They also DO hear and listen to what we don't say and model after attitudes we may not be aware that we are displaying.

Favorite Words and Phrases

Savannah:

1) Mommy, I'm Odette!

My reply: I miss Savannah! Oh how I wish she would come back home!

2) Mommy, when I grow up, I'm going to have a baby in my tummy just like you, and her name will be Georgia.

My reply: When you're married, and to a good man!

3) I'm going to marry Derek.

My reply: Derek needs to talk to Daddy and get his permission, ok?

4) Mommy, do you love me? Do you love me still? Are you proud of me?

My reply: I will always love you!! Whether you're good or being naughty, I will love you always! I am very proud of you. You
make me very happy! You are a wonderful big sister, and a great helper to Mommy!

Gaby:

1) I do it!! -- usually followed by "Caillou", as she pretends to be Rosie.

My reply: I do it, MOMMY.

2) Oh no! She sad! She crying!

3) I got it first!

4) No thank you!

5) Gaby too!! Gaby too!! -- sometimes we wonder if she thinks that is her name.

6) My shoes!!! MY SHOES!!!

7) No...not like that!

I love waking up in the morning to the sounds of Savannah and Gaby playing in their room. They have such great imaginations! It is a melting pot of all their favorite episodes of Caillou, Veggie Tales, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Charlie and Lola, and Disney movies. I hear them interacting and playing roles as if in a play, taking turns directing each other.

Other mornings, I do wake up to the not-so-great sounds of screaming and arguing and crying. Even during these moments, my girls make me proud. With no one to guide them and give them the words, I hear them apologize and forgive each other. Thank you, Lord, for helping us teach them to seek forgiveness and forgive others.

Humor

Kelly joked around about this, but secretly I've been hoping it WOULD happen that Serafina be born today. Wouldn't it be awesome for all my girls to be born on the 26th, just two months apart from each other? As of right now, I am less than two hours to saying goodbye to the 26th of June with no signs of any changes or start of the labor process. God has His own timing, and has planned as to when Serafina will be born. So, we continue to wait. 2 weeks today!

Happy Father's Day!

Savannah, Gaby and I treated Robert with his favorites on Father's Day. We grabbed breakfast from East Coast Bagel Co. on the way to church. Then for lunch, we went to Wahoo's where we all enjoyed some good grub and conversation. Of course, we got coffee for the trip home! We stopped at the grocery store to pick up ingredients for the Rice Krispies treats the girls wanted to make for their Daddy, then we finally went home. From one place to another, Robert did not have to do one bit of driving!

Robert had a relaxing afternoon, laying out in the yard on the picnic blanket as the girls ran amuck and I spent some time sitting around indoors. In fact, he was so relaxed that he ended up taking a nice long nap under the trees.

The rest of the day was spent with Lolo. Carlo, Kelly, Judy, and Ruthella joined us for dinner. Thank you to both Mom and Dad--even though it was YOUR special day--for doing all the cooking!

A FEW THOUGHTS:

When we were having lunch at Wahoo's, I asked Robert:

"What has been THE MOST significant part in your life as a father? In general, and for each of the girls?"

I asked my dad this same question during dinner, and their answers were similar: TIME SPENT WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

It is just as special and important to children how much QUALITY time they spend with their dad's. I don't remember much from my first 3 years when my Dad was still with us in the Philippines, but my Dad recalled how I would wait for him to come home from work. One day, when my Dad was already living in the States, my Mom wrote to him that she couldn't find me for hours. She had looked everywhere and finally found me sitting outside the gate of my Lolo's and Lola's house. I was waiting for him to come home.

Savannah and Gaby are the same. Close to the time they know their Daddy is coming home, they are looking out the kitchen window or from our bedroom window upstairs. They squeal and run out to greet their Daddy before he can even get out of his car. And the hours they spend with both their Daddy and Lolo, making up stories, and running around screaming with delight--THESE are the moments they will remember their whole lifetime.

My fondest memories of my Dad were doing building projects to house another pet he helped me bring home. We would draw up our design, buy the materials, and build bird/rabbit cages and a dog house from scratch.

ONE TO THINK ABOUT:

Here's Robert's question:

"If you were to die today, do you think you would leave the legacy you want your children to have?"

It doesn't matter how long you've been a parent. What legacy are you leaving behind? What will your children remember about you? What lessons in life have you taught them so far? What do you want them to know and remember?

I don't want my children to remember that Mommy was always busy cleaning and cooking, but didn't have time to sit down and tell them stories or read to them. I don't want them to remember us sitting in front of the computer searching the internet or playing games, or spending hours in front of the TV and calling it "family time". I want them to remember the Saturdays we would get up and make our pancake breakfast. Weekend after weekend of baking homemade cookies and making ice cream from scratch. Doing arts and crafts and making cards. Playing hide-n-seek in the living room. Using Daddy as a slide or pretending he's their horsie. Daddy coming home and taking his girls our for an ice cream or hot cocoa date. Driving Lolo around in a pretend bus and visiting people and places in their imagination. Sitting out in the yard and gardening with Lola, and having Lola sing them to sleep with her made up "Lola-bies". Most of all, I want them to remember that we all talked to them about Jesus, and told them about God's love. That one day, having Jesus in their heart and evident in their lives WILL BE the legacy we leave behind.

Another Appointment Down...Two More to Go!

We're down to going every week now. I love this part because it makes the wait seem to go by faster! Two weeks and 3 days left, and I've only gained 25 lbs. so far!!

Serafina is stretching me out more than either Savannah or Gaby did during my pregnancies with them. My doctor made a comment that she seems to have grown a lot since the last time he saw me. I definitely am feeling the belly weight. My left knee hurts a little when I go up and down the stairs. It's getting harder to get up from the floor, so I try not to put myself in that situation. I need to support my belly just to roll from one side to the other. My entire body moves when Serafina moves.

Aside from the discomforts, and lessening amount of energy, I am enjoying these final weeks as a pregnant mom. I officially stopped working last Thursday. As an added bonus, I didn't even have a session on my last day. I did miss spending my last 2 weeks with one of my favorite kiddos, but was thrilled to be able to join him and his family celebrate his, and his sisters', 3rd birthday. So far, I have spent my time sleeping in, and relaxing more. Savannah and Gaby are thrilled that Mommy no longer has to leave for work on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have a line up of activities for me to do with them. In fact, Savannah's request upon finding out that I didn't have to work on my last day was for us to make pancakes for breakfast!

The girls' room, family room, and our bedroom are now all ready to welcome Serafina. I feel more at peace with my surroundings, give or take a few more things I would like to fix up. I am satisfied enough and can turn a blind eye to all the other little things. Pray that Savannah and Gaby will fall back into an earlier Night Night routine, and that Gaby will have an easier time falling asleep. We've also started introducing Gaby to the wonderful world of "going to the potty", and hope that we can stay consistent and get rid of another set of diapers/pull ups. Savannah continues to be my right hand, and super helper! I am truly blessed!

The Countdown Has Begun

Today, I am 28 weeks and 5 days. 10 more weeks before we welcome little Serafina into the world and into our family! We are so excited, and getting a bit anxious for that day to come. I am officially schedule for a c-section on July 10 at 7:30 am. I know I don't do so well being up that early, but if that means I'll at least be able to eat lunch by noon or a little later, so be it!

As far as the pregnancy itself, I am feeling like I'm carrying a huge watermelon. My belly has popped out more the past 2 weeks. I am growing more uncomfortable each day as the baby continues to take up more space. Work is a little harder and I'm not sure how much longer I can last doing 3 sessions on my work days--I'm sure some of the parents are wondering WHY I am STILL working at this point. Savannah and Gaby are constantly giving Serafina hugs and kisses, and insist that she wants to come out soon to play with them. Believe me, I want that too.

We are in limbo right now as to when my final day at work will be. So far, the plan is for me to continue working until July 2. By mid-May, I will be dropping my last case of the day. Then, after coming back from vacation, I'll either continue with the two cases, or drop it down to one. We'll see what actually happens. My brain has a tendency to be more ambitious than what my body can actually handle.

Nap Time and School

I've been very blessed that Gaby does really well going down for a nap. All she needs is her baba, soft music, and a quiet room. When she's all done with the baba, she sets it aside and goes to sleep (2-3 hours).



Savannah kept asking, or should I say "telling", me to put Gaby down for a nap. She was very eager to do "SCHOOL" today. So, as soon as Gaby was sleeping, I printed out some writing skills worksheets for Savannah and got her started on tracing while I took a shower.






We also worked on putting numbers 1 - 10 in order and writing upper/lowercase letters A - J.




She loves school time! As you can see, she is a hardworker and a bit of a perfectionist.

Lord Bless....

For the longest time, Gaby was just not interested in praying. We couldn't get her to put food down to thank God for our food, or distract her from wanting her baba at bedtime to thank God for the day He had given us. Things have definitely changed the past month! Not only does she interject her own prayers as Robert or I pray with the girls, but she has led our prayer time by asking:

Lord bless....Mama and Daddy, and Nanas
Woh-woh and Woh-wah
Gamma and Gump-Gump
Uncle Mike and Issa
Uncle Cah-oh and Ankie Keh-ee

What a blessing it is for us, as parents, to hear these words come out of their children's mouths, especially as young as Gaby!

Lord...bless Gaby!

Little Messages

About 2 weeks ago, Savannah started leaving little messages for us. She'll leave one on Lola's work space and Lolo's computer desk in the office, and leave ours on our desks in our bedroom office. It's a well thought out process. She gets a Post-It and cuts it in half. Then she folds it up and tapes it down so we can enjoy opening it. At first, they were blank. This past week, she has surprised us with her knowledge of print. I know she can print "A", "O", and "S". I was overjoyed to find out that she can also do "D", "L', "f", and "E". Her letters are not random either. For Lola, she writes "LOL". "OLL" for Lolo. "D" is for Daddy. She's still learning "M" and I can't wait to find one of those on my desk!!